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Aviation History
1979
1979 - 0754.PDF
724 FLIGHT International, 10 March 1979 Brazil's uprated Universal WHILE production of the Neiva T-25 Universal trainer continues for the Brazilian Air Force, the service is evaluating the uprated T-25B Univer sal II. A 400 h.p. Lycoming IO-720-D1B flat-eight engine replaces the 300 h.p. Lycoming IO-540-K1D5 which powers the earlier aircraft. The single YT-25B prototype ordered by the air force first flew on October 22 last year. Universal II is developed from the T-25, which first flew in 1966 and is used as a basic trainer by the Brazilian Air Force. The new engine drives a three-bladed Hartzell con stant-speed propeller (in place of the earlier two-bladed unit) and is mounted in a redesigned nose. Overall length of the aircraft has increased by about seven inches to 28ft 9J4in. Modifications to the fin have increased the height of the aircraft from 9ft lOin to 10ft Shin. Two Brazilian reconnaissance and attack squadrons operate armed T-25 Universals and the Universal II can carry more weaponry. Six underwing hardpoints can carry two 7-62mm machine-gun pods and two 2501b bombs or four 1001b bombs. Structural strengthening allows the maximum take-off weight to be increased from 3,7471b for the T-25 to 4,1881b for the T-25B. For training the instructor and student sit side-by-side. For the utility (non-aerobatic) role there is a third seat in the rear of the cockpit. The power increase gives the Uni versal II improved performance. Maxi mum speed at sea level is increased by 13kt to 173kt, and the sea-level rate of climb goes up from 1,312ft/ min to 2,000ft/min in the aerobatic configuration. Internal fuel remains the same at 75gal, but the larger engine brings maximum range down by 269 n.m. to 540 n.m. The T-25B is being evaluated by the Brazilian Air Force as a replacement for the T-25 Universal. Another con tender is the recently announced Embraer EMB-312 turboprop-powered trainer (see Flight for February 24, page 521). Four avionics fits have been flight- tested: Brazilian Whinner, Collins Micro Line, Becker 2000 and Bendix BX 2000 equipment. The Universal II prototype was modified from a standard T-25 airframe. Overall length has been increased by seven inches by the installation of the larger and more powerful (400 h.p.) Lycoming engine Electromagnetic pulse tests for E-4B THE US Air Force's Boeing E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post (AABNCP) is to undergo electromag netic pulse (EMP) tests at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. The three-month- long trials are intended to assess the susceptibility of the aircraft's systems to interference generated by nuclear explosions. Boeing and USAF personnel will conduct the tests, exposing the 747- based E-4B to EMP simulators. An automated data-collection system will gather the information from each test. The E-4B is a more capable version of the E-4A now in service with Strategic Air Command. One of the improve ments incorporated is increased hard ening against EMP effects. The Kirt land tests should show that the EMP hardening methods used meet USAF requirements.' The E-4B which arrived at Kirtland on February 11 is the only one built so far. Early this year the USAF is to issue a request for proposals for completion of the AABNCP pro gramme. The service intends to con vert the three E-3As which act as National Emergency Airborne Com mand Posts to the later standard and to acquire two more E-4Bs. Canadian fighter decision delayed CANADA is unlikely to choose be tween the General Dynamics F-16 and McDonnell Douglas F-18A before June. Both aircraft were shortlisted last November as contenders in the country's New Fighter Aircraft com petition, but the selection process is almost a year behind schedule. Government elections are expected in June this year and a decision is ex pected some time after. In an interview in Winnipeg, Cana dian Defence Minister Barney Danson said that he couldn't see a firm de cision being taken before early autumn, although the selection pro cedure was running smoothly. "Our team is at General Dynamics doing the initial negotiations and I think that takes about five weeks," he said. "Then the same team moves on to, McDonnell Douglas," he continued. The team will discuss the contracts, with particular reference to price, de livery, cash-flow and industrial bene fits. After returning to Ottawa the team will do the rounds of several govern ment departments before a final recommendation is made to the cabinet. "This is a longer process than I had hoped," said Danson. Tracer... Tracer... Tomahawk anti-ship cruise missiles were successfully launched from the nuclear submarine Guitarro on Feb ruary 14 and 22. In the two missions, which took place off the coast of southern California, the missiles searched for, located and carried out simulated attacks on naval targets. These were the 38th and 39th Toma hawk test flights. In the only other successful submarine firing of a fully guided round, a land-attack missile was launched from Barb on February 2 last year. Hindustan Aeronautics is expected to lay down the first production batch of HTT-32 piston-engined trainers at its Kanpur works. The prototype was built at Bangalore. Mario Tanassi, a former Italian De fence Minister, has been sentenced to two years and four months' imprison ment on a charge of corruption. Another former defence Minister, Luigi Gui, has been acquitted but former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Duilio Fanali was jailed for 21 months. All were charged in connec tion with the $1-6 million in bribes alleged to have been paid by Lock heed to Italian Government officials during the sale of 14 C-130H Hercules to the Aeronautica Militare Italiano.
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