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Aviation History
1976
1976 - 0002.PDF
FLIGHT International, vv/e 3 January 1976 NEB to manage Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce (1971) is to be handed over to the new National Enterprise Board in what may well turn out to be a major test for the new Govern ment industrial-management agency. This was announced in Parliament soon after Rolls-Royce chairman Sir Kenneth Keith had roundly criticised the inadequate supply of working capital to his company (these columns last week). The NEB will now be come responsible for Rolls-Royce financing. The combination of capital-intensive work and high-level international trad ing in which Rolls-Royce specialises makes a rapid and direct supply of Government finance very important. Though the Government clearly played its part such major operations as the Chinese licensing of Spey pro duction and the funding of advanced RB.211s for special TriStars and Boeing 747s, it will inevitably be re moved a further step from the "front line" when the NEB is constituted. The NEB will have to grasp the nature of Rolls-Royce's business and market, make its own decisions and recommendations, and then convince the Cabinet and Treasury of their validity. Replying to Sir Kenneth's complaint that R-R needed a further £100 million of everyday working capital for 1976, Industry Secretary Eric Varley said Rolls-Royce had not yet presented a detailed 1976 financial plan and had not specified new projects re quiring financing in its "broad financial forecast for the next five years." Sir Kenneth had specifically excluded ruew-project funding from his request for day-to-day working capital. Israel to build F-16s? The United States is considering tentative Israeli requests for a licence to build the General Dynamics F-16. The subject was apparently discussed LEAD LINES US Concorde: the last lap 5 Saunders: buyer sought 10 Delta 2000: France's new combat aircraft 11 Space Shuttle: first three years' operations 35 Development of conventional launch ve hicles continues in Europe, Japan, the United States, India and the USSR, not withstanding the promise of the Space Shuttle. Next week we survey the full range of expendable launchers. Also covered: the sales prospects of the VFW-Fokker 614 now that this latest European short- hauler has entered service. during the visit to America of Israeli Defence Minister Mr Shimon Peres. It has long been assumed that Israel would eventually be a customer for the American fighter, although deliveries could not possibly start be fore about 1979. The basic require ment is for an F-4 Phantom and A-4 Skyhawk replacement, but the pur chase of F-16s and F-15s (see Flight for December 18, 1975, page 879, and last week, page 912) is likely to leave the IAF short of specialist ground- attack aircraft. The ultimate Israeli F-16 requirement may reach 350 but is more likely to be around 200. Rolls-Royce RB.401 first run Rolls-Royce's RB.401 turbofan made its first run at the Bristol Engine Division on December 21. No details of the achieved duration and thrust level are available, but the company says that the initial trial was "satis factory." Designed to replace the single-spool Viper turbojet, the two- spool RB.401 is aimed initially at the business-aviation market. Announced by the company in the autumn of 1974, the RB.401 along with the JT10D, is the basis of an industrial package being discussed The first production RB.211-524 turbofan in final assembly at Derby. The engine is now certificated (see story) by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. It had been expected that an agree ment would have been signed by the end of the year, but the US Justice Department appears to have reserva tions about the British engine. Its argument seems to be that although the JT10D may now demand a finan cial investment outside the reach of a single major engine company, the RB.401 does not. If the Justice Depart ment decides against the deal, the two companies will have to search for another quid pro quo. There now seems to be some doubt about the design thrust level of the RB.401. Originally set at 5,1001b, the company is now talking of a "5,0001b- 6,0001b thrust bracket" and Flight understands that if the engine goes ahead the level may be nearer the latter figure. An increase over the original level may give a better margin for derating purposes. MRCA P.06 flies MRCA prototype P.06 made its first flight from Warton on Decem ber 19. Dave Eagles, BAC's MRCA project pilot, was the only crew mem ber for the lhr 2min flight, described as uneventful. P.06 is the first MRCA to mount the 27mm Mauser gun and will take a stage further the flutter- with-stores trials already begun with Italy's P.05. It will also begin the first stores-release tests. t •i * i i i * «
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