Newsdesk – Military Aviation

King Airs For Army

The first phase in the replacement of the Army’s Nomad aircraft has taken place with the handover of three Beechcraft King Air B200 turboprops at the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey during February. The King Airs will be operated by the 173rd Surveillance Squadron on a 12 month contract which includes aircrew training and all maintenance support. The aircraft are all company demonstrators leased from Hawker Pacific and are in as new condition. They will be based at Oakey and will be used for command and control, surveillance, electronic warfare and aerial photography. One will be fitted with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) equipment for night surveillance. The King Airs replace four Embraer Bandeirantes which had been leased from Flight West as a temporary measure following the grounding of the Nomads.

Ef 2000 Deals Closer

The deadlock between the UK and German governments over workshare on the Eurofighter EF 2000 seems to have broken following agreement between the two parties. McDonnell Douglas is now offering its T-45 Goshawk for the RAAF’s lead-in fighter project with the ITEC (AlliedSignal/AIDC) F124 turbofan as its baseline engine, in place of the Rolls-Royce F405 Adour which is now being offered as an option. McDonnell Douglas and AlliedSignal have been working on fitting the T-45 with the F124 for over 12 months now and plan to have an F124 powered Goshawk flying by June or July. Qualification of the engine/powerplant combination will be done to US Navy certification standards, as that service is still keen to acquire F124 powered T-45s (something that in the past has been thwarted due to a lack of funding). The all new F124 (not a development of the TFE731 as earlier reported) is both more powerful (6300lb/28kN) and lighter (approx 500kg/1100lb) compared with the F405 (at 5775lb/25.9kN and approx 605kg/1330lb). It also features FADEC (full authority digital engine controls) and an integrated engine monitoring system. The breakthrough means that the all important production investment agreement should be finalised by the middle of the year. In general terms, Germany has agreed to a lower workshare and a bigger purchase of the much delayed joint British, German, Spanish and Italian programme. Germany has accepted a 30% share of the programme compared with Britain’s 38% and has requested an additional batch of 40 aircraft on top of the 140 already proposed. Britain remains the EF 2000’s biggest customer with a requirement for about 230 aircraft to replace its Tornado and Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical has teamed with Australian companies Clough International and Niksar to provide Teledyne Ryan’s BQM-34 Firebee aerial target drone to meet the ADF’s JP7 Future Aerial Target System requirement. The Firebee is powered by a General Electric J85 turbojet (two of which power the F-5 fighter), can reach speeds of up to Mach 0.97 and can operate autonomously or by remote control. More than 7000 Firebees have been built and earlier variants saw extensive service over Vietnam in a reconnaissance role. (Teledyne Ryan) Jaguar fleets. The RAF could also replace its Harriers with the EF 2000, bringing its total buy up to about 300.

Orion Offered To Raf

Lockheed Martin has offered the UK industry more than 80% of the airframe work on the Orion 2000 proposed replacement for the RAF’s fleet of Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. Lockheed’s proposal for the Replacement Maritime Patrol Aircraft (RMPA) programme meets the British government requirement that at least 100% of the programme value must be offset – and means that more than 50% of the offset commitment is related directly to the technical content of the aircraft. Most of the airframe work associated with future P-3 Orion sales will be done outside the USA, meaning several billion dollars worth of work for UK industry if the 150-250 aircraft export potential of the Orion is realised. Lockheed Martin seems happy to give up airframe manufacturing work in return for the key prime contracting and systems integration roles. British Aerospace has proposed the Nimrod 2000 to meet the RMPA requirement, an extensive upgrade of existing Nimrod airframes.

Flankers For China

Russia is close to concluding a $US2bn contract for the sale of Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighters to China, a deal which could eventually lead to a licence production arrangement. The contract has been delayed in recent months due to problems over payment for the 26 Su-27s already delivered to China, but these were resolved late last year. It is anticipated that the supply of a new batch of Su-27s could lead to an expansion of defence agreements between the two nations, covering other weapons. Russia says it has about $US6.5bn worth of defence contracts either signed for or close to finalisation including MiG-29 Fulcrums and Mil Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters for Myanmar and Sukhoi Su-30MK multirole fighters for India.

Jpats Protests Dismissed

The US General Accounting Office (GAO) has dismissed the last protest over selection of the Raytheon Beech PC-9 Mk.II as winner of the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) contract, allowing the manufacturer to get work underway. The GAO in effect validated the USAF’s selection process, rejecting complaints from Cessna and Rockwell. Cessna wanted the USAF to reopen the final phase of the competition and to request new best-and-final offers from all the competing companies. Cessna claimed the USAF had changed the rules in favour of the Beech entry. The USAF has awarded Raytheon the first instalment of a $US4bn contract for PC-9 Mk.II production. The JPATS programme involves the delivery of 372 aircraft for the USAF and 339 for the US Navy through to 2017.

Itec F124 Engine For Raaf Goshawk Bid

McDonnell Douglas is offering the International Turbine Engines (ITEC) F124 turbofan as the baseline powerplant for its T-45 Goshawk bid for the RAAF’s lead-in fighter programme. The Goshawk’s standard Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour 871 will also be offered as an option but ITEC says the all new F124 offers greater performance and lower life cycle costs than the Adour, with 10% more thrust and increased reliability and durability. ITEC (a joint venture between AlliedSignal Engines and Taiwan’s AIDC) and the 10 Australian Aviation April 1996 Kiowa Neighbouring Malaysia has ordered Russian R-77 missiles for its fleet of MiG-29s. They are due for delivery in 1997 and it appears that as soon as evidence of their arrival is received the US will approve the sale of AIM-120s to Thailand. US Navy tried to have the F124 fitted to the USN production Goshawk but were thwarted because of a lack of funding. The F124 has been selected for the Czech Aero L-159 light combat aircraft development of the Albatros and, as the F125 with afterburner, for the Taiwanese AIDC Ching Kuo Indigenous Defensive Fighter.

Thailand Chooses Hornet

Thailand has announced its intention to purchase eight F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter bombers (four of each), four spare engines, five Harpoon missiles and support equipment worth about $US580m. The deal still has to be approved by the US Congress, which had previously denied a Thai request for AIM-120 advanced air to air missiles. Indications are that approval will be given for the Hornet contract and that AIM-120s will also eventually be made available. Thailand had previously stated it would not buy the aircraft unless the missile was also approved but has turned around on that issue. This recent Australia Post stamp issue has been released to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the RAAF. The four stamps feature the WWII era RAAF Beaufighter and Kittyhawk, an RAN Firefly and Sea Fury, loaned US Army OH-58 Kiowas used by the Australian Army in Vietnam and the current F/A-18 Hornet. Refer Warbirds for further details.

Nine G Hornet Developed

McDonnell Douglas has developed an upgrade for the F/A-18C/D Hornet which will give it 9g combat manoeuvre capability and a 40% greater combat radius. The Hornet airframe is currently cleared for 7.5g (positive) but has sufficient margin to go to 9g with no modification to the primary structure. Some minor items such as landing gear uplocks have to be strengthened and the flight control software modified. It is thought that Switzerland will be the first customer for the 9g Hornet. The first of the 34 aircraft it has on order was flown in January this year. The Hornet’s increased combat radius will be achieved by the fitting of larger 2300 l (607US gal) drop tanks in place of the standard 1250 l (830US gal) units and revised internal fuel arrangements. The larger drop tanks are for land based use only.

Saaf Looks At More Hercs

The South African Air Force is looking at purchasing second hand C-130 Hercules transports from the US Government to boost its transport capability. The cost of upgrading early model Hercules to extend their airframe lives is being examined. The aircraft in question are currently in storage in the USA. The SAAF is also in the very early stages of evaluating the new generation C-130J Hercules to supplement its current fleet of seven C-130Bs and Es and eight Transall C-160s. The latter were withdrawn from service but operational requirements should see them returned shortly.

Advanced G222 Study

Lockheed Martin and Alenia have formally agreed to study the development and marketing of a tactical airlifter based on the Alenia G222 and the systems developed by Lockheed Martin for the new generation C-130J Hercules. The object of the exercise is to provide customers with enhanced performance along with lower operating, maintenance and life cycle costs. The manufacturers say there is a substantial worldwide market for a smaller, technically advanced military tactical transport that is complementary to the larger Hercules. As proposed, the developed G222 would be externally similar to the current aircraft but feature Allison AE2100 engines and Dowty six bladed propellers similar to those installed on the C-130J, a digital engine control system and digital avionics and cockpit displays. The G222 is a leading contender for the RAAF’s Caribou replacement contract. The new variant has been dubbed the Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27J.

Perth Firm Wins Jt15D Contract

Perth’s Aero Engineering Services (AES) has been awarded a multi year Fleet Maintenance Plan contract by Pratt & Whitney Canada to look after the JT15D turbofan engines installed in the Singaporean SIAI Marchetti S.211 jet trainers operated from RAAF Pearce. The agreement was signed at the recent Singapore Airshow and the six year contract took effect from early January. The engine work will be carried out at P&WC’s Eagle Farm (Brisbane) facility. AES is a recently established joint venture between Singapore Aerospace Technologies and WA based AIRS Engineering. The company has been progressively subcontracting the repair and overhaul of S.211 components to Australian aerospace companies. The engine maintenance contract is the largest element of this.

Lockheed Martin-Loral Combine

Lockheed Martin is to acquire an interest in various parts of electronics and space company Loral, further increasing the company’s size and influence. Lockheed Martin will acquire Loral’s defence electronics and systems integration businesses for approximately $US9.1bn and will also invest $US344m for a 20% equity in Loral Space. The agreement represents the culmination of a long term relationship between the two companies, brings together the resources of both of them in the defence electronics industry and creates a new space based telecommunications company. Lockheed Martin is organised into five business sectors: Aeronautics; Electronics, Energy and Environment; Information and Technology Services; and Space and Strategic Missiles. The Loral business units will initially constitute a sixth sector, Tactical Systems. The first Australian AUP modified F-111 takes off from RAAF Amberley on its first post modification test flight in late February. (Mal Lancaster, Defence PR)

Poland Cuts Back

A massive reorganisation of the Polish Air Force over the next decade will see it substantially reduced in size and some of its responsibility handed over to the army. By 2005, the Polish Air Force will have 230 aircraft and 41,500 personnel, compared with 352 and 53,500 now. The number of ground radar sites will halve to 175 and helicopter operations will come under the control of a new and separate army aviation force intended to support army operations. The air force will therefore comprise fixed wing aircraft and surface-to-air missile units and will be split into two air defence corps, northern and southern. Front line combat equipment will include the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter, Su-22 Fitter strike aircraft and MiG-21bis which will continue to be used for fighter and strike reconnaissance duties. The RAF is studying various upgrade options for its Jaguar ground attack aircraft to extend the type’s service life out to 2008. This latest Jaguar upgrade would centre around a new weapons fit of the British Aerospace ASRAAM advanced short range AAM and the ALARM anti radiation missile. Also under consideration is a re-engining programme reportedly offered by Rolls-Royce involving fitting an afterburning development of the Adour Mk 871. These upgrades would be in addition to the current Standard 96 improvements package which includes integrating a MIL STD 1553 databus, GPS and terrain reference navigation. The first Standard 96 modified aircraft flew in January. The new upgrades are being considered because of delays with the Eurofighter EF 2000, which is destined to replace the Jaguar in RAF service. (Paul Merritt) The question of replacing the MiG-21 — still Poland’s primary combat aircraft with over 200 in service — will have to be answered eventually, with the F-16, F/A-18, Saab Gripen, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29M all listed as contenders.

Malaysian F-5 Upgrade?

Malaysia’s surviving fleet of about 15 elderly Northrop F-5E/F fighter bombers have been the subject of an unsolicited upgrade proposal from Malaysian industry and Bristol Aerospace of Canada. The F-5s are due to be retired from service in the near future as Malaysia’s new MiG-29s come on line but the upgrade approach involving Malaysia Airlines and Bristol could see the aircraft retained if it goes ahead. Alternatively, they could be sold to overseas customers. Observers suggest the upgrade programme is unlikely to proceed as the F-5s would require considerable life extension work (they are all more than 20 years old) and have already had to undergo treatment for extensive lower longeron cracking. In addition, the Royal Malaysian Air Force is in the middle of a logistically difficult period as it introduces MiG-29s, Hawk 100/200s and from next year, F/A-18D Hornets into service.

Shoot Down A Mig

Texas based Tracor Flight Systems has added the MiG-21 to its fleet of target drones. Dubbed the QMiG-21 following conversion to drone configuration, the Russian fighter joins Tracor’s existing fleet of QF-86 Sabre, QF-100 Super Sabre, QF-106 Delta Dart and QF-4 Phantom drones.

Nocturnal Caribou

The RAAF’s fleet of Caribou tactical transports is to be fitted with night vision and satellite fixing (GPS) equipment to help in the accurate delivery of combat or emergency supplies where no airstrip exists. The new gear will enable the aircraft to be used to drop supplies from very low level in all weathers and on the darkest of nights. The fact that money is being spent on this equipment could indicate that a replacement for the elderly Caribou is still some time away. Navy launches COMAUSNAVAIR: The Navy has established the new position of Commander Australian Naval Aviation Force (COMAUSNAVAIR), who will act as a focus for leadership and management for the RAN’s Naval Aviation elements. The first COMAUSNAVAIR is Captain Keith Eames, who took up the post on March 1. As COMAUSNAVAIR Captain Eames becomes the senior aviation operations adviser to the RAN and principal aviation operations adviser to the Maritime Commander. He and his small staff will also be responsible for overseeing and supervision of the Naval Aviation Force including the maintenance and control of operational airworthiness, flying engineering and safety standards, and the definition and monitoring of aviation logistic support requirements. COMAUSNAVAIR will also provide aviation policy to the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, aircrew policy to the Naval Training Commander and aviation policy advice on aircrew, projects and facilities. The COMAUSNAVAIR position was created following an extensive review into the structure of naval aviation. COMAUSNAVAIR will aim to solve some of the structural problems within naval aviation and to provide a focus and leadership for the Naval Aviation Force as it looks to expand beyond its current fleet of 30 helicopters to up to 55 by 2010.

Battle Of What?

A British newspaper recently carried reports about RAF officers’ knowledge of their own Service which, if true, are very disturbing. It appears the RAF is to publish battle honours of each squadron after a survey of officers found they knew little about the Service’s past. Many of the young men and women hadn’t even heard of the Battle of Britain and thought the only war the RAF had fought was in the Gulf! The survey was apparently begun three years ago after a junior officer was asked to give a speech on RAF history. When he began his research he found few comprehensive sources, which is a worry in itself because if there is one air force which has had huge amounts written about it over the years, it’s the RAF. Not knowing where to look for reference material in itself indicates a lack of knowledge about aviation history generally. This in turn makes one wonder why this officer joined the RAF in the first place as he apparently didn’t have much interest in aviation! In view of all this, we wonder how many RAAF officers know about Milne Bay, the Mesopotamian Half Flight, the battle for Port Moresby, the Australian squadrons in Britain during WW2, the Korean war and so on.

Ww2 Plaques

Macquarie Miniatures offers a series of wall plaques featuring World War II aircraft and their technical specifications. The high quality 28cm x 18cm plaques feature engravings on black/silver plate mounted on a wooden base and are ideal for all mounting. The plaques can also be personalised for presentations etc. Phone fax Macquarie Miniatures on (068) 871 279.