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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 0014.PDF
DEFENCE Lockheed designs transport ECM/ IRCM kit MARIETTA The United States Air Force is testing an electronic counter- measures/infrared counter- measures (ECM/IRCM) kit designed by Lockheed- Georgia as a quick-fit modifi cation for the C-130 Hercules. Called Satin, the system consists of three off-the-shelf ECM/IRCM systems and special installation hardware. Satin is designed so that the host aircraft does not have to be permanently modified, and can be installed by a four-man team in a single eight-hour shift. USAF transport crews have long felt the need for their aircraft to be more survivable, and one study recommends that the entire USAF Military Airlift Command's fleet of C-5s, C-141s, and C-130s be fitted with defensive equip ment to counter infrared- or radar-guided threats. But the US Joint Electronic Warfare Centre believes that Satin might prove a lower-cost solu tion because the kits could be pre-positioned where threats are expected to be highest, thus saving the cost of modifying the entire fleet. Threat-radar warning is provided by an AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver. This gives an audio warning and a visual indication of the threat's bearing, allowing the crew time to take evasive action and dispense chaff or to divert away from the threat. An AN/ALQ-156 missile warning radar can detect incoming infrared-guided missiles and automatically trigger the flare dispenser at the optimum time. Both chaff and flares are ejected from an AN/ALE-40 countermeasures dispenser. The key to the quick fit or removal of the Satin system is the extensive use of existing supports and easily removable skins and panels. For exam- ili mmmwm Trials of Lockheed's Satin ECM/IRCM system on a USAF C-130 Hercules pie, the ALE-40 dispenser is built into specially modified paratroop doors that replace the standard C-130 paratroop doors. The aft antennae for the ALR-69 RWR and ALQ-156 MWR are mounted in new ramp closure skins that replace the existing skins, and the forward MWR antennae are mounted on the existing aircraft radar support struc tures under the nose radome. The other RWR antennae are mounted similarly on existing panels. Controls and displays for the MWR and RWR are on the navigator's station. McDonnell Douglas to train Kuwaitis BEDFORD McDonnell Douglas Training Systems (MDTS) has won a $9-89 million US Navy con tract to establish a training centre for the Kuwait Air Force. MDTS is to develop the pilot training curriculum, equip the centre, and provide a dozen advisers to assist in the centre's initial operation. The goal is to turn the com plete operation over to the Kuwaitis within two years. MDTS is developing the US Navy training system for the T-45A Goshawk. The Kuwait Air Force has 12 of the similar British Aerospace Hawk Mk.64. USAF tightens Israeli contracting WASHINGTON D.C. ~ The US Air Force has demanded that a special clause be added to contracts with Israeli defence indus tries, saying that the supplied systems or components were not manufactured in plants located in the "occupied territories". According to sources in the defence industries, USAF officers in charge of acquisi tion programmes demanded that the limiting clause be added to all future contracts. "We understood that the unprecedented limitation on where to manufacture our products came from the Pentagon," said a senior Israeli official. Some of the Israeli defence manufacturers have plants on the West Bank, and others buy components from subcon tractors there. Until now the USA only demanded that Israel should not use US Foreign Military Assistance money for investments in military installations on the West Bank. This is the first time that a limitation has been put on the defence industries as to where they can manufacture prod ucts for the US military. Israel is competing for many of the RFPs issued by the USAF. "The new limitation will make things very complicated for us in the future," said the Israeli official. TRACER Westland has received a £1 • 2 million order from the West German Navy to supply com posite rotor blades to equip its Sea King helicopters. The order could lead to the Ger man Navy following the UK Services in a full-fleet blade replacement programme. Martin-Baker has received two orders for its newly devel oped automatic inflation device for Beaufort life- jackets. The UK Ministry of Defence has placed an initial order for 600 units, and Spain has ordered 80. Atlantic Research has successfully completed initial testing of the rocket motor for the US Army Tactical Missile System (TACMS), which is being developed by Vought. Orbita Aerospace Systems (Orbita Sistemas Aeroespa- ciais S/A) has been formed in Brazil to manufacture guided weapons and missile systems, sounding rockets, and launch ers for civilian applications. The company has been formed jointly by Embraer- Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica and Engesa- Engenheiros Espe-cializados. France will soon supply the nine remaining Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft to India. So far France has deliv ered 40 of the aircraft. A French proposal to establish a plant for the manufacture of Mirage 2000s at Hindustan Aeronautics has been turned down by India. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 4 April 1987
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