Newsdesk – Military Aviation

The Rockwell units to be acquired by Boeing are the North American Aircraft Division, North American Aircraft Modification, Space Systems Division, Rocketdyne Division, Autonetics & Missile Systems Division, Collins International Service Company, Systems Development Centre and Rockwell’s 50% share of United Space Alliance, a joint venture with Lockheed Martin.

The major product groups of the acquired divisions are ICBM systems, tactical missiles, commercial aerostructures, aircraft and helicopter modifications, rocket propulsion (including the Space Shuttle main engine), space station electric power, airborne laser and electro-optics, Space Shuttle integration/logistics/operations, GPS satellites, space defence and the B-1B Lancer bomber.

The takeover has relevance to Australia as Rockwell is a major contractor to the RAN’s submarine project and other programs. It recently purchased Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA).

Russia Tests Thrust Vectoring

Sukhoi is flight testing its ‘super manoeuvrable’ Su-37 thrust vectoring fighter and claims it will be 10 times more effective in dogfights than conventional fighters.

The Su-37 is based on the Su-35, itself a development of the original Su-27 Flanker air superiority fighter. The aircraft first flew in April this year and about 30 flights have so far been conducted at the Zhukovsky flight test centre near Moscow.

The Su-37 is powered by two 30,100lb (137.8kN) thrust Saturn AL-37FU forsazh upravlyayemoye soplo (“afterburning steerable nozzle”) engines with the hydraulically activated nozzles steerable +15/-15deg in the vertical plane. They are fully integrated into the aircraft’s flight control system and therefore need no extra pilot input. If there is a failure of the nozzle control system, an emergency pneumatic system automatically returns them to a neutral setting.

Russia’s other major fighter designer, MiG-MAPO, is also developing a vectored thrust aircraft based on the MiG-33 fly-by-wire version of the MiG-29 Fulcrum. Called the MiG-35, this aircraft is scheduled to fly next year and will be extensively modified, featuring a new wing and possibly canard foreplanes in addition to the steerable nozzles. This is intended as an alternative to the larger and more expensive Su-37 while offering similar performance and capability.

Base Services Commercialised

The RAAF will save an estimated $879,000 per year by contracting out domestic services at its Williamtown base.

A contract for cleaning, waste removal, road sweeping and ground maintenance at the base has been won by Serco Pty Ltd against competition from five other companies and an in-house bid.

The contract was awarded under the Defence Commercial Support Program, which seeks to commercialise defence support activities when it is cost effective, practical and operationally feasible.

Indonesia Buys More Hawks

Indonesia is to increase its fleet of BAe Hawk trainer/light strike aircraft by ordering a new batch of 16 Hawk 200 single seaters.

The additional order results from the conversion of options placed in 1992 when Indonesia ordered 16 Hawk 100 two seaters and eight Hawk 200s. In addition, Indonesia took delivery of 20 Hawk Mk.53 trainers in the early 1980s, of which 14 remain in service. Three of the 1992 order for 24 aircraft have been delivered so far and the 16 additional Hawk 200s will extend deliveries to 1998.

Baea Export Success

British Aerospace Australia has won its first export contract for its infrared jamming system, ‘MODIR’, to an unnamed customer.

The two seat variant of the F-22 Lightning will not be produced in an effort by the USAF to cut down on the cost of the ATF program, which is already significantly over budget. The removing of the 42 two seaters from the production run is expected to save $US150m in development costs and$US350m in production costs. The total of F-22s planned for production was 442 and it is expected that extra single seaters will be built. Seen here is a computer generated photo of the production version of the F-22. Variations from the YF-22 include a different wing and tailplane. (Lockheed Martin)

Originally designed in conjunction with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), MODIR is fitted to military and VIP aircraft to protect them from surface-to-air missiles by jamming their infrared seeker heads and preventing them from locking on to the target. MODIR is one of several BAeA products originally developed with DSTO, another important recent one being the Nulka decoy which provides ships with protection from missiles. It is derived from DSTO’s hovering rocket technology.

Indonesia Looks At Sams

Indonesia’s air force has expressed an interest in acquiring the hybrid Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)/Hawk Phase III medium range air defence system on offer by a joint US/Norwegian consortium comprising Hughes, Raytheon and Kongsberg.

The system consists of Raytheon Hawk missiles, ground launched Hughes AMRAAMs and a Kongsberg fire direction centre. Raytheon is offering to refurbish and upgrade surplus US Hawk missiles, bringing them up to the latest Phase III standard.

Indonesia is yet to issue a formal request for tender for a new surface-to-air missile (SAM) system but provision for up to four batteries of missiles has been made in its 1994-99 five year defence plan. The normally air launched AMRAAM is still to be approved for sale to Indonesia by the US Government, but this is expected to happen within the five year period of the defence plan.

Russian Defence Priorities

The Russian Air Force has put forward an equipment acquisition plan covering the period to 2005, listing its priorities against ongoing budgetary constraints.

On the list is the Sukhoi Su-32FN fighter bomber, upgrades of the Tu-95MS Bear H and Tu-160 Blackjack plus development of the avionics for a ‘fifth generation’ fighter, although there is no mention of the MiG 1.42 fighter which has already been built in prototype form. As reported elsewhere in this Newsdesk, both Sukhoi and MiG are currently working on highly manoeuvrable thrust vectoring derivatives of their Su-27 and MiG-29 which might meet this need.

Also included are the Il-76MF, An-70 and Il-106 military transports plus the Ka-52 and Mi-28N combat helicopters. A replacement for the current Mi-24 Hind models is badly needed.

Notable absentees from the priorities list include the MiG-31M Foxhound B, Su-27M and MiG-29M fighters plus the Sukhoi T-60S advanced medium bomber project.

Textiles Research Centre Opened

A new textiles research centre with important implications for the aerospace industry has opened at RMIT’s Fishermans Bend Campus.

The centre will play a key role in the development of advanced textiles made from fibreglass and carbon fibre for use on high performance aircraft. A state-of-the-art computerised weaving loom is part of the new facility, producing complex three dimensional shapes which will be used to manufacture aircraft parts.

The centre, which has received funding from the Department of Industry Science and Technology, is also a key part of the Co-operative Research Centre for Aerospace Structures (CRC-AS) located at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation’s research facility at Fishermans Bend. CRC-AS has pioneered the application of advanced textile technologies to high performance vehicles in Australia.

The Australian designed and built Seabird Seeker SB7L has been allocated funds for full evaluation trials after demonstration flights for the ADF. This is part of a review by the Army of its battlefield mobility and surveillance capability. Seabird is currently evaluating sensor packages with which it expects to compete in the JP 129 project to provide airborne surveillance support for ground forces. One of the sensors currently being evaluated is DSTO’s Electronically Stabilised Compact Infrared Imager or ESCII.

Three industrial partners are involved in CRC-AS: Rockwell, Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA) and ADI Ltd.

Recce F-111 Reorganisation

As of July 1 1996, 6 Squadron Reconnaissance Flight operating four RF-111C has been disbanded, writes Lenn Bayliss.

The RF-111C reconnaissance function has been embedded in 1 Squadron Operations Flight.

This change follows the integration of the F-111G into service and has corrected the imbalance at 6 Squadron which operated three F-111 derivatives, the RF-111C, F-111C and F-111G.

The need to reorganise also provided the opportunity to increase the interoperability and cross training of the frontline elements of the F-111 strike force by combining the reconnaissance and strike elements into one squadron. Previously, with the RF-111C located at 6 Squadron, the opportunity to practice interoperability was often constrained by differing training commitments.

Post AUP, the RF-111C will be able to deliver all weapons in the F-111 inventory, including the AGM-84 Harpoon. Lacking only the Pave Tack pod of the F-111C, the RF-111C will nonetheless be capable of delivering laser guided weapons using the buddy lasing system.

Seen at Sydney recently was this naked RAAF Boeing 707 which was heading towards the Qantas maintenance hangar, hopefully for a respray. (John Adlard)

The change, which emphasises the importance placed upon greater synergy within the frontline elements of the F-111 fleet, will lead to expanded efficiencies in maintenance and balances the different derivatives.

The Russians Are Coming

The Russians are coming to AirShowDownUnder 97 in droves, according to organisers of the event at Avalon on February 18 to 23 next year.

Russian companies are keen to promote their wares in the Asia-Pacific region and Aviaexport, the Russian aviation marketing organisation, is encouraging Russia’s aerospace industry to participate in the show. Several major manufacturers are already committed, Ilyushin, MAPO-MiG, Tupolev and Sukhoi among them.

Test pilot Anatoly Kvochur — one of the stars of the 1995 show — will return in a Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, while there will also be a MiG-29 Fulcrum, Ilyushin Il-96 airliner and Il-78M tanker plus a Tu-22 Backfire bomber in its civilian space research guise. An Ilyushin Il-76DMP waterbomber is also a possibility.

Regardless of that, it will be worth going to Avalon just to see Anatoly Kvochur perform the remarkable ‘cobra’ manoeuvre in his equally remarkable Flanker.

AirShows DownUnder has meanwhile announced the prices of its Gold Pass packages. These entitle holders to admission to the show; reserved grandstand seating; reserved parking; access to the Gold Pass private enclosure with its bar, restaurant and private toilets; a complimentary program; and access to exclusive Gold Pass merchandise.

The first four days of the show (February 18-21) are designated trade days with the last two (the Saturday and Sunday) also open to Gold Pass holders and they will have access to the Aerospace Expo, see the two hour afternoon flying display and then the night display. A single day Gold Pass costs $85, a two day package is $150 and entry to all three days can be purchased for $210. Ring (052) 82 4400 for details.

First Macchi Cdr Installed

Sydney based Aero Technical Services (ATS) has completed the design, installation and testing of the first RAAF Macchi MB-326 Crash Data Recorder (CDR) just 70 days after contract signature.

The project involved the installation of a Lockheed Martin Advanced Recorders Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Artex Crash Position Indicator (CPI) into the aircraft. Installation of the CDR equipment into 27 RAAF Macchis began in August and the project is due to be completed before the end of October this year.

Raven Retirement Delayed

The USAF is to delay the retirement of its EF-111 Raven electronic jamming aircraft because it says the US Navy has been too slow in providing EA-6B Prowlers to fill the role.

The USAF last year decided to retire all but 12 of its 37 operational Ravens by the end of fiscal year 1997, operate the remainder until 1998 and allocate the USN about $US500m to establish five new EA-6B squadrons. The navy’s budget submissions for FY98 allows for five fewer aircraft than planned (a squadron’s worth) and the USAF has responded by adding five EF-111s to the FY97 maintenance schedule. The USAF now plans to keep 28 to 30 Ravens operational in 1997 and five to at least 2000.

The decision is of interest to the RAAF as continuing use of the F-111 by the USAF has positive implications for Australia in terms of parts support for the aircraft.

An artist’s impression of the McDonnell Douglas, Northrop Grumman and British Aerospace team’s Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) proposal in US Navy conventional aircraft carrier form. The JSF is being developed to replace USAF F-16s, USN F/A-18s, USMC F/A-18s and AV-8Bs and Royal Navy Sea Harriers. (MDC)

F-16 Rolls On

Lockheed Martin’s highly successful F-16 Fighting Falcon still has a long production future, according to its manufacturer.

About 4000 have been ordered so far with production booked until 2000, but a further 800 sales are expected over the next decade. Lockheed Martin predicts that the Middle East will provide the biggest overseas market with the potential for 300 orders followed by the Far East (160), Europe (150) and South America (60).

Lockheed Martin is meanwhile looking at production partnerships for the F-16 with two former Soviet bloc countries, Poland and the Czech Republic. Poland is examining several types to replace its ageing fighter fleet, the F-16 among them. The Czech Republic has a similar problem and is evaluating the F-16 as a MiG-21 replacement. About 36 new fighters are required by 2005.

As a result, Lockheed Martin has discussed industrial offsets with airframe manufacturer Aero Vodochody and engine maker Motorlet to accompany an order for F-16s.

Nimrod 2000 For Raf

The BAe Nimrod 2000 upgrade has won the RAF competition for its next generation maritime patrol aircraft.

GEC-Marconi has been included in the deal at the last moment at the behest of senior politicians. Until the contract was announced Boeing was the sole mission system supplier while GEC-Marconi was involved with one of the Lockheed Martin bids. A “strategic partnership” is to be established between the two previously rival bidders. In addition, the Racal Searchwater 2000MR radar has been selected for the Nimrod 2000, even though all three bidders for the contract were offering the Israeli Elta EL/M-2020 as the baseline fit.

Italian Takeover Planned

After protracted negotiations, Finmeccanica, the owner of Italian manufacturer SIAI-Marchetti has agreed to sell the company to rival Aermacchi with a contract due to be signed by the end of the year.

Finmeccanica is a large state owned organisation which also holds a 25% share in Aermacchi with the remainder owned by the Foresio family. Two previous attempts to merge the two manufacturers have been made but without success. The price of the acquisition has yet to be settled.

If the deal is consummated a single Italian training aircraft manufacturer will be established. Aermacchi has the MB-339 jet while SIAI-Marchetti has the S.211 jet, SF260TP turboprop and SF260 piston engined trainers in its product range. It also recently acquired the production rights to the Finnish Valmet Redigo turboprop, now called the M-290.

Mdc Wins T-38 Upgrade

McDonnell Douglas has been awarded a $US45.6m contract by the US Air Force for the first phase of the T-38 Avionics Upgrade Program.

The entire program has a potential value of more than $US400m including production and support options. The upgrade involves providing the T-38 Talon supersonic trainer fleet with more reliable avionics and subsystems that will help extend its life well into the next century. Equipment to be installed includes a head up display, multi functional display, collision avoidance system and a combination embedded GPS and INS.

McDonnell Douglas will serve as prime contractor with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) as major sub contractor. First flight of the upgraded T-38 is scheduled for June 1998 with production modifications beginning in 1999. The USAF has an active fleet of about 500 T-38s.