Newsdesk — Military Aviation

SR-71 Comeback In Doubt

A disagreement between the US Congress and the Pentagon has resulted in the return to service of the Lockheed SR-71 Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft being interrupted. Withdrawn from regular service in 1990 due to budgetary constraints, funding was received for the reactivation of two aircraft in 1995 against the wishes of the USAF. The current dispute revolves around the use of the aircraft and flights have been stopped following their use in this year’s warfare exercise. For the exercise, the SR-71 was fitted with new radar datalink equipment. Complicated legislation is currently threatening SR-71 operations and the USAF is still not keen to see it in service, some saying it can do nothing which the subsonic U-2 can’t (except escape at Mach 3 if a missile is fired at it!). Deputy Secretary of Defense John White claims that the absence of any congressional intelligence authorisation for SR-71 operations means that the funds for such flights do not comply with national security legislation. On the other hand, other intelligence operations in a similar unauthorised state — such as J-Stars and U-2 operations in Bosnia — were not closed down, to the annoyance of some congressmen who feel the rules have been selectively applied to a program which Congress has forced on the Pentagon. The defence appropriations and intelligence authorisation acts each gave $US5m for SR-71 reactivation, but the appropriations act gave$US30m for operations and maintenance while the authorisers gave nothing. According to the 1947 National Security Act, the Defense Department cannot spend money on “intelligence or intelligence related activity” unless funds have been “independently authorised”. It seems the SR-71’s final role will be that of political football.

Defence Force Intranet

In what will be one of the most significant defence programs of the near future, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is to develop an intranet system for the Australian Defence Force. The intranet works on the same basic principle as the familiar Internet system except that it is a closed system accessible only to a designated group of users. It will form the basis of the ADF’s command and control system in the 21st century and its development and implementation program is scheduled to take 15 years and involve some 250 scientists and engineers. Being developed under the name Project Takari (an Aboriginal word meaning “tomorrow”), the intranet will be a command, control and communications, and intelligence network intended to assist commanders make effective use of the wide range of combat resources at their disposal. Access will range from those in meetings at headquarters to those in the field with a notebook computer and radio link. Aircraft and ships at sea will also be able to access the system, which unlike the internet will be subject to high levels of security.

We Have Moved

Australian Aviation has moved to new, larger offices. This will allow us to provide you with better service whilst enhancing our efficiency in the process. Effective from May 20 our new details were as follows: PO Box 1777, Fyshwick, ACT 2609. Phone (06) 280 0111, fax (06) 280 0007. For couriers and visitors our street address is 11 Molonglo Mall, Fyshwick, though please send all mail to the post office box.

Lockheed Martin Number One

Lockheed Martin has displaced McDonnell Douglas as the biggest defence contractor to the US military, winning contracts worth $US10.5bn in the 1995 fiscal year compared to$US8bn for its nearest competitor. Lockheed Martin’s share represented 8.9% of all contract awards, which were worth an overall $US118bn during the year. Its lead will undoubtedly grow even further this year following the recent acquisition of Loral, which was itself eighth in the 1995 listings with US defence sales of $US2bn. Others in the 1995 top ten were Tenneco ($US3.7bn), General Motors ($US3bn), Northrop Grumman ($US2.9bn), Raytheon ($US2.9bn), General Electric ($US2.1bn), Boeing ($US1.8bn) and United Technologies ($US1.8bn).

Re-Engined Dash 7

Allison is to re-engine a DHC Dash 7 with a turboprop derivative of the LHTEC T800 turboshaft engine as part of a flight test program on behalf of the US Army. The US Army operates six Dash 7s as surveillance platforms and has a requirement for nine more. The test program will see the Dash 7’s standard four P&WC PT6 engines replaced with the CTP800 which is claimed will reduce fuel consumption by a substantial 40% and cut support costs. Allison will develop the propeller reduction gearbox for the engine but its partner in the T800 program, AlliedSignal, will not participate because it sees the new turboprop as competing with its own TPE331 engine. The 1275 to 1550shp (950 to 1155kW) T800 turboshaft and its variants power the US Army’s Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche attack helicopter and is planned for the Westland Super Lynx and India’s Advanced Light Helicopter project. It is also fitted to five re-engined Bell UH-1s operated by the US Border patrol since last year.

Military Spending Still In Decline

World military spending continues to drop, figures released by the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) showing that the overall total of $US840bn in 1994 (the latest analysis available) is the lowest in comparative terms since 1966. Worldwide military spending peaked at about $US1500bn (in comparative 1994 dollars) between 1985 and 1987 after climbing steadily from around$US890bn annually in the early and mid 1970s. The figure has been in constant decline since 1988, reaching $868bn in 1993 and the new low the following year. Magellan has added a moving map display to its Skyblazer handheld GPS, making it, says Magellan, aviation’s cheapest moving map GPS unit at about $US500. Despite having reduced its spending by 3.2% annually, the USA remains on top of the list with expenditure of $US288bn in 1994 or 36% of the total market. Russia followed with $US96bn, then China ($US52bn), Japan ($US45bn), France ($US44bn), Germany ($US36bn), Britain ($US34bn), Italy ($US20bn), Saudi Arabia ($US17bn), South Korea ($US18bn) and Taiwan ($US11bn). The NATO alliance accounts for 56% of the overall total.

Missile Merger

British Aerospace Defence and France’s Lagardere Group (owner of Matra Missiles) have finalised talks on the merging of their missile businesses. The new company will be called Matra BAe Dynamics and will be the largest missile systems company in Europe. It will be owned on a 50/50 basis by BAe and Matra, with the former paying Matra a sum to make up for the difference in order backlogs.

Thai Hornet Contract

Thailand has signed a $US390m contract with the US Navy to purchase eight McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets plus Harpoon air-to-surface missiles, support equipment, spares and training. The order comprises four single seat F/A-18Cs and four two seat F/A-18Ds. Deliveries will begin in February 1999 and all eight aircraft will be in service by the following October. They will be to the latest standard including General Electric F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engines, Hughes APG-73 radar, improved survivability, the ability to carry AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), increased internal fuel capacity and greater maximum load factor of 9g. The order was won against competition from the MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-35, Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and Lockheed Martin F-16. Thailand becomes the ninth nation to fly or order the Hornet, joining the US Navy/USMC (980 aircraft), Canada (188), Australia (75), Spain (72), Kuwait (40), Finland (64 ordered) and Switzerland (34 ordered). Total deliveries were 1313 aircraft by May 1996.

Popeye For Raaf

As forecast in last month’s Australian Aviation, the Israeli Rafael Popeye standoff air-to-ground missile has been selected to equip the RAAF’s F-111 strike aircraft. The weapon selected is an American derivative of the Popeye and carries the US designation AGM-142 Have Nap. It will be manufactured by a joint venture company being established between Lockheed Martin and Rafael. The first weapons are expected to be delivered to Australia in late 1998 under the US Foreign Military Sales system. A Weapon System Support Facility is being established at the F-111s’ home base at Amberley and this will manage the integration process from early next year. Ongoing support for the missile is under study, and if cost effective, will be provided by an Australian contractor. The AGM-142 will improve the F-111’s precision bombing capabilities and at the same time reduce its exposure to anti-aircraft defences. Acquisition of the AGM-142 is one of several programs now in place to enhance the strike capability of the RAAF’s F-111s including the major one of replacing the aircraft’s analog avionics with digital systems.

Firebee Offered To Adf

A consortium comprising Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical, Clough Engineering and Niksar has been established to offer the Firebee aerial target vehicle to the Australian Defence Force to meet requirement JP7 for a Jindivik replacement. The latest in a long line of Firebees is powered by a 2850lb (12.7kN) thrust General Electric J85 turbojet which is capable of pushing the aircraft to a maximum speed of Mach 0.96 at altitude. Smaller and lighter than the Jindivik, the Firebee can be launched from a portable zero length launcher using a rocket engine for takeoff, can carry external stores such as wingtip infrared and radar augmentation pods and towed target launch systems plus other stores on underwing hardpoints and has a ceiling of over 60,000ft (18,300m). Six bidders will be vying for the JP7 contract. The Firebee consortium sees Clough Engineering as prime contractor, Niksar as key systems integrator and Teledyne Ryan as specialist vehicle and ground support systems supplier.