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Aviation History
1976
1976 - 0552.PDF
824 mini DEFENCE Nautical Westwind I SRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES has joined the growing band of manufacturers offering maritime versions of their dvil designs by marketing a develop ment of the fan-powered Westwind 1124 business jet. Apart from having a different powerplant and performance envelope from the turboprop contenders in this field, the 1124N to some extent also offers more capability. The former are generally fitted out to fulfil the sovereignty-surveillance and search- and-rescue tasks. The Westwind, pack ing a comprehensive range of sensors together with killing ability, resembles more a mini-Nimrod. Billed as a multi- mission aircraft, its roles include: detection of surface vessels and submarines, electronic intelligence (Elint) gathering, communications relay, airborne command post and, of course, search and rescue. The 1124N is derived both from experience gained during a six-month evaluation of the earlier Westwind 1123 by the US Coastguard and from requirements stated by several coun tries. Two principal, often overlapping, markets are seen by IAI. They arise from scheduled replacement of older equipment and from the anticipated extension of territorial limits. The Westwind is among the larger business jets, and a usable internal volume totalling 527 cu ft is available for crew and equipment in the N version. A crew of two pilots and four operators would normally be carried. The avionics of the civil 1124, from Collins with the exception of the Sperry compass and the Bendix weather radar, are retained. Mission equipment would be tailored to cus tomer requirements, but the manu facturer has devised its own package. The main sensors are: a Litton AN/APS-503 HP search radar mounted in a retractable belly radome offset to port; retractable tail-mounted MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) boom; a forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) sensor, also retractable; low- light television; and radar-signal identification and analysis equipment. Other electronics include inertial navigation equipment, direction-finders, VHF and UHF relay and data link. A searchlight would be wingtip-mounted. Dispensers for flares, beacons and chaff are specified. Ordnance, presum ably unguided, would be delivered from wing-mounted pods. This equipment is operated from three consoles. The surveillance station combines navigation and radar display, FUR indicator, MAD readout and control, and low-light TV screen. Communications relay, data link and Elint are controlled from another con sole, and tactical co-ordination from the third. The fourth cabin position is at a look-down bubble window on the port side. Galley, rest sofa and toilet are fitted. Despite the 2,1901b of IAI-recom- mended mission equipment, weights of the 1124N in its various conditions remain identical to those of the civil 1124. Maximum take-off and landing weights are 22,8501b and 19,0001b re spectively. Dimensions are also the same, and the aircraft retains such features as thrust reversers, anti-skid system and single-point refuelling. It is the Garrett TFE731-3 turbo- FLIGHT International, 3 April 1976 fans which confer on the maritime version its operational flexibility, allowing a high and fast "out" to be combined with a low and slow patrol. A typical high-altitude reconnaissance mission at 37,000ft-45,000ft and 400kt would achieve search-radar surveil lance over 625,000 n.m.2 in six hours. A low-altitude counterpart, performed at 3,000ft and 212kt, would scan 82,000 n.m.2. IAI says that increased mission productivity of the N compared with turboprop or piston-engined types, coupled with higher reliability, will allow the operator to reduce fleet numbers. A support projection, based on 1123 experience, calls for a mere three maintenance man-hours per flight hour, with airframe and engine inspection every 150hr. Direct operat ing costs are set at $255/hr. Unit price is $3 million. Training of flight and ground crews is offered. IAI has built up a large amount of experience, with the Arava Stol aircraft, in introducing new equipment to foreign operators. After- sales support will be similar to that provided for civil Westwind customers. Most of the specialised equipment will probably come from North America, though the customer will be free to indicate a preference. Israeli electronics companies would be able to supply certain systems, such as Elint and some of the communications. Although the 1124N is currently a "paper" project, it could be brought into production fairly quickly. Basic structure is unchanged from the civil aircraft, apart from provision for re tractable sensors, and the N could be slotted in between business orders on the Lod line, which is now running at two a month before moving to three by this time next year. IRVINE COHEN Continued from page 822 designated APS-125 and is at the pro duction-design stage. It will be fitted in new E-2Cs from the autumn and will also be installed in existing Hawk- eyes. Airborne moving-target indica tion is digital in the APS-125, whereas that in the present equipment is analogue. Tow sights installed in A.109s Two Hughes XM65 stabilised sights used in conjunction with the Tow anti tank missile are being installed in Agusta A.109 helicopters this month, and flight trials are due to begin in June. The Italian Army already oper ates the missile in the ground-launched role, and Agusta has plans for a Tow- armed gunship helicopter designated A.129. More Scottish Bulldogs Scottish Aviation has received an order for nine Bulldog primary trainers from a country which wishes not to be identified. This is under stood to be a re-order but the aircraft are to have a new model number, Ml 27, indicating modifications or equipment changes compared with the aircraft already operated. This is the first sign of life in a market which has been noticeably list less over the past year. It also now seems likely that Eire, which has been evaluating the Bulldog, SF.260 and Supporter as well as other types for many months, will announce a decision in the very near future. Military losses The President of the Congo Repub lic was the only passenger to escape uninjured when an Alouette in which he was travelling crashed about 150 miles north of Brazzaville on March 19. Two others aboard died in the accident. A West German F-4 Phantom crashed into the North Sea on March 23. Both crew members are reported to have ejected safely. Both pilots were killed on March 18 when two Mirage IIIEs from the Luxeuil air base collided with each other and crashed. They were on an all-weather navigation exercise at low level between Neufchateau and Char- leville. The right wingtip float of a Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forces PS-1 seaplane failed and the aircraft turned, over when it was taking off about 50km off the east coast of Kyushu island on January 22, the Service dis closed recently. It continued to float upside down after all 11 crew mem bers had escaped without injury. It was later towed to its home base at Iwakuni, some 200km from the acci dent site. F-lll drops Hobos A US Air Force F-lll has achieved a direct hit with the first Hobos electro-optically guided bomb dropped by the type. The test, at Edwards AFB, was part of a limited feasibility demonstration attended by representa tives from five air bases. Hobos has already been cleared for operation from the A-10 and F-15.
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