FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1969
1969 - 2502.PDF
146 ARMY AVIATION'S NEW ROLE number of Army pilots) have for some time been evaluating different types of armament, mainly of the "button-on" variety. These trials have been carried out by the Development Wing at Middle Wallop and the weapons tried have included not only the SS.ll anti-tank missiles which have already been mentioned, but also the 7.62 GE mini-gun. both of which have been fired from Scouts. This type already has a button-on installation for forward-firing and waist-mounted 7.62 machine guns. It is probable that the latter type of weapon will be used both on the SA.341 and WG.I3 when these come into service. Studies have also been made of a 20mm cannon installed in Scouts, but there is some argument a'bout the respective virtues of a forward-firing cannon or a swivel gun. As a matter of long-term weapon policy, the Army is really looking for a fully automatic missile with laser range-finding. What it is extremely keen on is a development of the Swing- fire anti-tank missile in an air launched version. The .most intensive weapon trials have been with the SS.ll wire-guided anti-tank missile, the Scouts carrying four of these. This missile has a range of 3,500m (3,800yd) and its use. which is predicted for the armed Scouts in BAOR and for the WG.13s which will succeed them, involves the use of a stabilised sighting system and also two-crew operation, the member additional to the pilot being a missile operator. The two types of sighting system under evaluation, as has already been mentioned, are the one produced by Avimo in collabora tion with Ferranti and the French one known as the APX Bezu. In the British equipment, Avimo design and produce the optical components and Ferranti the stabilisation system which includes the gyroscope, servo system and associated equipment. The complete system, known as a sight line stabiliser, is being designed to be compatible with new developments now taking place, including laser range finding and illumination. Evasive action In essence, these sighting systems mean that wherever the helicopter is (within a certain area) in relation to its target, the latter still remains in the missile operator's sight. This means that the aircraft can take evasive action or operate behind cover, while firing and guiding its missile towards a target. A recent description of the two systems referred to the APX 260 Bezu, developed by DTAT (Direction Technique des Armements Terrestres) in collaboration with the Maurice Bezu company, as being image vibration-free and stabilised by a gyroscopic and anti-vibration mounting. Higher-frequency vibrations are filtered out by the sight's suspension system, while a two-degrees-of-freedom gyroscope, by acting on the mirror on the head of the sight, obviates low-frequency vibrations. It is claimed that with the sight, which has a 136° azimuth and 82° elevation field of view, vehicles have been picked out during manoeuvres at distances of over six miles and their type identified at about three miles, while the helicopter itself remained practically invisible to the vehicles observed. The launching of SS.ll missiles at a distance of two miles against targets of tank size, using the APX 260 Bezu system, has resulted in hits in 80 per cent of the cases. Firing without the sight has meant a drpp to 50 per cent in the number of hits, thereby emphasising the cost-effectiveness of such a system, which has been adopted by the French Army for its Alouette 2s and 3s. The Avimo-Ferranti sight has a 140° in azimuth and 80° in elevation field of view; it is said to be cheaper, lighter and less complex than any other comparable sighting system. Two versions are being developed, the AFIOO series in which the sight is used in conjunction with a missile con troller, and the AF200 series in which a semi-automatic guidance system, is being employed. With the latter equipment, all the operator has to do is to maintain the target at the centre of the sight's field of view. If he does this, the missile is automatically guided on to the sight line. Production of the Avimo-Ferranti AF100 type has now begun, and it is no secret that the British Army would prefer to have this British aid on its helicopters—just as, in the long run, it would prefer an airborne version of Swingflre as successor to the SS.l 1. FUGHT International, 24 July 1969 As was stated at the outset of this article, the introduction of new aircraft and equipment, and a forthcoming increase in the number of helicopters operated by the Army, mean that training methods at Middle Wallop have had to be modified, while the number of aircrew actually trained will increase with the addition of second crew members. From next month, a new pilot training syllabus is being started at the Aviation Centre which will have the effect of increasing the accent on rotary-wing training and decreasing that on fixed-wing aircraft, although the latter are still being used for ab initio flying. Students come for flying training after they have had at least two years' regimental experience: the implication of this is that the Army's airmen are primarily soldiers and that their pilot skill in operations is subject to their battlefield environment. The other main qualification is that they must be under 32. Initial flying training at Middle Wallop is done by civilian instructors (there are about 22 on the establishment), the reason for this being, as the Com mandant, Brig D. W. Coyle, put it: "You don't tie up a big proportion of your aircrew in the training sector." Under the flying training syllabus being introduced from next month, ab initio students will do 40hr Chipmunk flying M% Mi Lt John Meggy, RA, just finishing his nine months' course, in the students' crew room at Middle Wallop in 1\ weeks in the basic fixed-wing flight, then 80hr Bell G4 training in 15 weeks in the basic helicopter flight. At the same time, of course, they are receiving ground school instruction in the usual subjects like aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, airmanship, aero-engines and airframes. When they have had this 80hr helicopter experience, they proceed to the advanced helicopter flight, which has Service instructors, and in which they do 65hr Sioux flying in eight weeks. They then reach what is known as probationary wings standard and next join the operational training unit, where they do 40hr flying on the Sioux in five weeks. It is at this operational stage on the Sioux that the real ability or otherwise of the new pilot becomes evident. As the chief flying instructor at Middle Wallop, Lt Col R. J. Bandy, puts it: "where it starts to pinch is in the advanced part of the Sioux"—known colloquially as the Army's "clockwork mouse" and in addition to its ubiquitous battle honours in various theatres used for training at Middle Wallop. It thus provides the link between elementary and advanced helicopter instruction and conversion on to Army operational types— the Scout and eventually the SA.341/WG.13. On operational types, training in the conversion flight is 50hr in seven weeks. There are three other courses at Middle Wallop, one for fixed-wing pilots converting to helicopters, on which they do basic and advanced helicopter, OTU and conversion flight stages; a course for rotary-wing pilots converting to Beavers, on which they do 30hr Chipmunk flying followed by 80hr on the Beaver; and an airways and instrument flying course for Beaver pilots, on which they do a total of 30hr flying. The Army is never short of applicants for pilot training courses and there is a 12 months' waiting list. But while there are plenty of officer recruits, the centre finds it is not getting enough NCO applications. Potential pilots initially go to the aircrew selection centre at RAF Biggin Hill, then they are interviewed at Middle Wallop. Up to 20, or between 16 and 20,
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
