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Aviation History
1970
1970 - 0015.PDF
FLIGHT International, I January 1970 3 America buys the Harrier The United States Navy concluded an agreement with the Ministry of Tech nology on December 19 for the pur chase of 12 Hawker Siddeley Harriers for the US Marine Corps. It is the first export order for the Harrier, which entered service with the RAF as the free-world's first operational V/STOL combat aircraft earlier this year. In a letter to Sir Arnold Hall, chair man and managing director of HSA, the Minister of Technology, Mr Wedg wood Benn, said: "I am delighted to be able to tell you that a formal contract has now been signed by the United States Government for the supply of 12 Harrier aircraft for use by the United States Marine Corps. This is a signifi cant achievement and I should like to offer my congratulations to you, Rolls- Royce and the other companies con cerned. "It is particularly gratifying that the United States, with its considerable expertise and resources in aerospace research, development and production, has felt able to place with the British aircraft industry an order for a major aircraft weapons system for one of its own armed services. This reflects great credit on our industry and its ability to design and produce aircraft of a quite unique character. "We all hope that you will now go on to secure further orders, not only in the United States, but also from other governments, many of which have already expressed interest in the aircraft." At the same time Hawker Siddeley announced that they had entered into a co-operative production agreement with McDonnell Douglas at St Louis, Mis souri, for the licence manufacture of subsequent aircraft in America. Both firms are already closely associated with one another as a result of the adoption of the Phantoms for the RAF and Royal Navy, for which aircraft HSA was nominated the sister design firm. The USMC Harriers will be designated AV-6B (the two letters standing for attack, V/STOL). The order is estimated to be worth about £21 million with spares and sup port equipment. Its significance resides, however, in the breakthrough being made into the toughest market in the world. From Britain's point of view, the sale could hardly have been to a more appropriate customer. More than most military forces, the USMC is concerned with the establishments of bridgeheads during amphibious assaults—operations always fraught with more-than-usual risk and uncertainty—where a continuous air umbrella to provide cover to invading forces is essential. Operating from amphi bious ships or extreme forward sites, the Harrier will have the best chance to demonstrate its unique attributes. Production of the batch of 12 (all single-seaters) will be phased in with the line of 90 (77 single-seaters and 13 two- seaters) under construction for the RAF. They will be virtually identical with the RAF aeroplanes, except for the power- plant which will be the uprated Pegasus 11 of 22,5001b, 101,250N, (development of which was authorised earlier this year by Mintech with an eye to the overseas market) in place of the 19,5001b, 87J50N, Pegasus 6. Delivery will be governed largely by the development of the new engine and will begin probably in mid- 1971. The Pegasus 11 differs from its predecessor in having a modified com pressor system, but component changes affect only 15-20 per cent of the engine, and retrospective modification of existing engines is feasible. No Australian F-llls? There is a strong possibility that the RAAF order for 24 General Dynamics F-lllCs will not be taken up following the latest accident to the type (see De fence, page 31) which has led to the grounding of the 223 F-llls in USAF service. The Air Force disclosed last weekend that the port wing fell off the F-111A which crashed on December 22. MRCA Avionics Company The system engineering organisation for the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft has been established with the formation of Avionica Systems Engineering GmbH. Shareholders are Elliott Space and Advanced Military Systems Ltd (EASAMS), Elektronik System Gesell- schaft (ESG) and Societa Italiana per l'Avionica (SLA). Scope of the organisa tion is to co-ordinate the design and integration of the whole avionics system of the MRCA, including writing of system, common sub-system and equip ment specifications, preparation of overall avionics development plans, and moni toring of development for Panavia. Libyan Defence Deal Cancelled As this issue closed for press, BAC announced the cancellation of its air defence contract with Libya. It is be lieved to have been terminated because of non-payment of a progress instalment due in November. Beagle Developments Beagle's trading is continuing through a new company, Beagle 1969. This is the company for which parties interested in acquiring Beagle will negotiate with the receiver, Mr Cork. Some announce ment is expected within two to three weeks. Meanwhile talks continue with various interested companies though not with any from Sweden, contrary to re cent rumours. Australia to Build Bell Parts An order has been placed by Bell Helicopters for production of 900 Iroquois tail-rotor hubs by Hawker de Havilland Australia Pty Ltd. The contract followed successful completion by the company of five hubs, ahead of schedule, which were found by Bell to be of excellent quality. Sharper Claws for the Skyhawk The A-4M, latest variant now in production at Douglas Aircraft Co Division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation for use by the US Marine Corps. This more powerful version, shown here in an artist's impression, is due to fly for the first time next April powered by an uprated Pratt & Whitney JS2 engine, enlarged cockpit canopy, self-contained en gine starter and a braking parachute
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