Newsdesk – Military Aviation

Extra Issue

We are pleased to announce that from next year there will be 11 issues of your favourite aviation magazine instead of 10. The plan is to produce a January/February edition in between the usual December and March editions. This will greatly reduce the ten week gap that previously existed whilst enabling us to keep you more up to date with the latest news through the New Year period. The January/February issue will go on sale on January 11 with mail subscribers as usual not only saving money but also getting it a few days earlier.

Usaf To Buy C-17s

The USAF plans to procure a further 80 McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster IIIs to meet its airlift requirements, in addition to the 40 currently on order. The USAF’s future airlifts requirements have been under intense review for the past few months, and the USAF seemed likely to buy a mix of the very expensive C-17s and a Non Developmental Airlift transport, either C-33s (militarised Boeing 747-400Fs) or less likely new build Lockheed Martin C-5D Galaxies (with new engines and two crew cockpit). Despite its expense the C-17 has been favoured because of its abilities to operate from short fields and its independence from airfield support equipment. The decision is yet to be approved by Congress and the USAF may still order C-33s.

Singapore Evaluates Tankers

Singapore is evaluating transport aircraft with a view to ordering two as tankers some time next year. Contenders include the Airbus A310, Boeing 767 and 707 (the latter in conjunction with IAI) and the McDonnell Douglas KDC-10. Whichever type is selected it will be fitted with flying boom equipment for compatibility with the RSAF’s F-16 fighters. Singapore currently operates KC-130s.

Jast Upgraded

The USA’s Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme has been upgraded from one of technology demonstration to development as a multiservice strike fighter to replace F-16s, AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets. With the support of the US Congress, the programme will now develop as a next generation strike fighter for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps with an in service date set at 2007. First flight of what is now being referred to as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is scheduled for 2004. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas and Northrop Grumman are competing for the contract.

Phalcon For China?

China is negotiating with Israel for the purchase of up to four IAI Phalcon airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft at a cost of $US200m. The Phalcon system can be installed on just about any medium/large airliner airframe. IAI’s original proposal to China was based on the Boeing 707 although alternatives are now being looked at including Airbus A300/310s. Firm orders for the C-130J now stand at 27: 25 stretched C-130J-30s for the Royal Air Force (the first aircraft is for them) and two standard length models for the USAF, the first of potentially 400 to replace early model aircraft. The RAAF requires 12 C-130J-30s, and although the contract is not expected to be signed until April next year, Australian personnel are already in the USA undergoing familiarisation training on the aircraft. A recent meeting of two RMF Lockheed P-3C Orions on deployment and a Continental Micronesia Boeing 727-200 at Majuro, Guam. (Peter Clark) Saudi Arabia could also order up to 70 C-130Js for delivery over a ten year period. These would replace its existing fleet of 40 C-130E/Hs which includes eight KC-130H tankers and two equipped as flying hospitals.

Idf Production Stopped

Production of Taiwan’s Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF) has been suspended for at least six months and existing aircraft recalled following concerns about the aircraft’s fuel system. 8 Australian Aviation December 1995 The Royal New Zealand Air Force is close to making a decision on which colour scheme it will select for its CT-4 Airtrainers. Here a MB-339C and a standard grey and red painted Airtrainer fly with all white, all black and all yellow test painted CT-4s. The trial was prompted by Pilot Training School’s move to RNZAF Base Ohakea in 1993, where the CT-4s share the training circuit with 14 Squadron’s Macchi, thus creating the need for the increased conspicuousness. (RNZAF) China has several late model civil 707s currently in airline service which could be converted to AEW configuration. The system comprises three phased array antennae for its EL/2075 radar with one in a bulbous radome on the nose and the other two in large conformal cheek fairings. Chile already operates one 707 based Phalcon AEW. Of interest is the fact that China is already involved in an AEW project with Britain’s GEC-Marconi. It is unclear whether adoption of the Phalcon system would mean the end of the GEC-Marconi project or whether both would continue, bearing in mind the latter’s much later in service date.

Japan Develops Fighter Engine

A new turbofan engine intended to power fighters is to undergo full scale development by the Japan Defence Agency’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI). Called the XF3-400, the 11,200lb (50kN) thrust engine is derived from the Ishikawajima-Harima F3-30 engine which powers the Kawasaki T-4 trainer. The total cost of the development programme is put at a staggering $US1bn over the next five years. The engine is intended to power the TD-X technology demonstrator fighter which is due to appear in around 2000. The TRDI also wants to launch an upgrade programme for the Shin-Maywa US-1 four engined search and rescue amphibian at a cost of $US500m. Included in the proposed upgrade is replacement of the US-1’s General Electric T64 turboprops with Allison AE2100s.

Seasons Greetings

The crew at Australian Aviation would like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers for their support over the past year and to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy 1996. Just a reminder also that the next edition of Australian Aviation will be the new combined January/February issue which will go on sale on January 10. Most subscribers should have it a few days earlier. See you then.

Asian, Eastern European Defence Spending Up

While defence budgets in many parts of the world are being slashed, some countries – notably in Eastern Europe and Asia – are going against the trend and increasing their defence spending. The International Institute for Strategic Studies’ annual review of global military trends has revealed that in real terms, defence spending in East Asia increased by 9% between 1992 and 1994 with the trend continuing this year. Japan’s expenditure growth is described as “most dramatic” even though in terms of yen the 1995 figure is only 1% greater than 1994, the yen’s strength means that in terms of US dollars it is actually some 21% greater, increasing from $US46bn to $US56bn. India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore have also increased their defence spending in the Asian region, while in Eastern Europe several former Warsaw Bloc countries are also spending more. The Czech Republic, for example, has increased its 1995 defence budget by 10% to $US1.025bn while Hungary’s increase in 1995 is more than 15% at $US641m.