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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 1340.PDF
MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF THE WORLD low-level navigation equipment, and the ability to carry external loads. Shipborne versions will also have a complex rotor/wing folding mech anism for on-board stowage. Mission needs vary for each model, but combined require ments demand that the V-22 be able to hover out of ground effect at 915m (3,000ft) with an external load, has a cruise speed of 460 km/hr (250kt) with a tactical range of 2,600km (1,400 n.m.), and an unrefuelled ferry range of 3,900km (2,100 n.m.). The USMC's MV-22A will be able to carry 24 fully equipped marines over an operational radius of 370km (200 n.m.). Payload will be increased by using a short- take-off technique with the rotors tilted forward 20°. Bell/Boeing have already offered the Osprey for two export requirements, the Canadian New Shipborne Aircraft and the Australian New Tactical Transport Helicopter, but both bids were unsuccessful. Customer: USA 1,213 BOEING B-52 Stratofortress A total of 99 B-52Gs, carrying 12 external AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), and 96 B-52Hs with 12 external and, later, eight internal ALCMs, are to be operational by 1990. The B-52Hs are to receive internally mounted common strate gic rotary launchers (CSRL) in the late 1980s to carry the ALCMs, SRAMS, advanced cruise missiles, and free-fall nuclear weapons. The first ALCM equipped B-52G unit became oper ational in December 1982. Cruise-missile- carrying B-52Gs are being fitted with a strake- let fairing at the wing root leading edge for indentification purposes under the unratified SALT II agreement. E-3 Sentry In February 1987, following the cancellation of the Nimrod AEW.3 project, the UK Ministry of Defence signed a contract for six E-3A AWACS aircraft for the Royal Air Force. Shortly afterwards France followed suit, placing an order for three. Both contracts include 130 per cent offset packages and follow- on orders are expected. Deliveries to both coun tries are scheduled for 1991. The US/Nato Standard E-3A features a radar modified to track ships, a faster central computer with expanded memory, and improved communications equipment, includ ing JTIDS. Ten USAF Standard E-3As are being upgraded to E-3C configuration by the addition of five more consoles and extra communications systems. The conversion of 24 early production USAF Core E-3As to E-3B standard is in progress, and covers the upgrade of communications equipment, including the installation of JTIDS and the fitting of extra consoles and a US/Nato Standard computer. Hardpoints for chaff/flare dispensers are also being fitted. The first E-3B conversion was delivered in July 1984. The USAF began to receive E-3As in March 1977, while the Nato fleet was delivered between January 1982 and April 1985. Saudi Arabian E-3 Peace Sentinel AWACS and KSE-3A tankers are powered by CFM-56 turbofans, and were delivered from late August 1986. Customers; France 3 (+2), Great Britain 6 (+2), Nato 18, Saudi Arabia 5 + 8 KE-3, USA 34 E-4 The programme to upgrade the four E-4A airborne command posts to E-4B standard was completed early in 1986. Satellite commu nications terminals have been added, together with radios ranging from super-high-frequency (SHF) to very-low-frequency (VLF) for more reliable contact with US strategic nuclear forces. Customer: USA 4 Boeing E-3A Awacs aircraft are on order for both the UK and France E-6 Tacamo Based on the E-3 airframe and powered by CFM-56 engines, the E-6A proto type flew in February 1987. Development of the survivable airborne communications system for the US Navy will continue until 1989, when first deliveries of production aircraft will begin. A total of 15 E-6As is required, to be in service by 1993. The E-6A is equipped with very-low- frequency (VLF) radio systems for commu nication with the US Navy's Trident nuclear submarine fleet. E-8 Joint Stars The first USAF/US Army Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint Stars) aircraft, designated E-8A, will fly in 1988. It is based on a Boeing 707-320 (C-18) airframe. A three-year demonstration programme will then start, followed by a prod uction decision in 1991. Initially ten E-8As would be required. The Grumman Corporation is under contract to produce the Joint Stars mission equipment, which will be installed in two aircraft by Boeing. A Norden multimode side-looking radar antenna will be fitted under the fuselage. The radar will have two operational modes: synthetic aperture mode to detect stationary objects, and Doppler mode to locate slow- moving targets. Joint Stars will then direct attacks using the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (Jtids). KC-135 Upgrades The USAF plans to re-engine some 630 KC-135A tankers with fuel- efficient CFM-56 turbofans, under the designa tion KC-135R. The programme began in 1983, and is due to run until 1995. The prototype conversion flew on August 4, 1982, and prod uction deliveries started in 1984. KC-135Rs are expected to remain in service until 2020 at least, probably with further avionics updates later. Eleven French Air Force KC-135Fs are also being retrofitted with CFM-56s as KC-135FRs. The first was delivered in August 1985. Under a separate programme, 104 Air National Guard KC-135s, together with 24 Air Force Reserve and 23 special-mission aircraft, are being re-engined with JT-3D turbofans acquired from retired airline Boeing 707s, and are known as KC-135Es (in tanker config uration). The first was completed in July 1982. 707 Tanker/Transport In 1982 Boeing modified a commercial 707-320 airliner to demonstrate its potential as a tanker/ transport. As flown, the demonstrator has a centreline and wing-tip hose and drouge refuelling systems, but several alternatives are offered, including a centreline flying boom installation. For the tanker role an optional tank may be fitted in the lower rear cargo hold to provide an additional 19,0001it of fuel. Spain will receive two tanker/transports with VIP interiors during 1987, while Brazil will take delivery of its fourth and last in November 1987. Italy is considering the purchase of secondhand 707s for conversion into tankers. Australia is also expected to convert its existing fleet of 707 transports to the tanker role. Several countries, including Canada and Morocco, have earlier 707 tanker conversions with wing-tip refuelling pods only, and Iran still uses a number of aircraft delivered in tanker configuration from the production line. Customers: Brazil 4, Canada 2, Iran 14, Morocco 2, Spain 2 737 Surveiller A maritime surveillance version of the 737-200, the Surveiller is equipped with a Motorola side-looking modular multi-mission radar (SLAMMR), linked to two 5m-long antennae mounted on each side of the upper rear fuselage. The radar has a typical range of 185km on each side of the aircraft at a patrol height of 9,150m (30,000ft). Customer: Indonesia 3 Skyfox Originally developed by Flight Concepts, the Skyfox twin-turbofan advanced trainer is being developed and marketed by the Boeing Military Airplane Company, which holds an exclusive production licence for the aircraft. More than 700 active T-33s, of which the Skyfox is a remanufacture, have been iden tified by Boeing, and at least 200 are seen as potential subjects for conversion. Marketing efforts have been primarily aimed at the USA, Canada, and Portugal, although demonstration flights have taken place elsewhere. Skyfox first flew on August 23, 1983, and has two externally mounted 16-4kN thrust Garrett TFE731 engines in place of the T-33's single 20-5kN J33 turbojet. The forward fuselage is reprofiled in the absence of air intakes and 38 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 1 August 1987
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