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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 1359.PDF
MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF THE WORLD pending the delivery of F-16Ns. The USMC followed suit in 1986, with the lease of 13 Kfirs to fulfil a similar role. IAI is currently retro fitting Kfirs from C2 to C7 standard, and the assembly line could be switched to series production if required. Customers: Ecuador 12, Israel 200+, USA 25 (leased) Phantom Upgrade IAI is to undertake an airframe and avionics modification programme for the IDF/AF's remaining 130 F-4 Phantoms. Improvements include new external fuel tanks, a new pulse-Doppler radar and data processor, a wide-angle headup display, and multifunction CRT displays. Elbit is co-ordinating the avionics update. IAI is considering the use of Kfir-type canards to enhance manoeuvrability, and the new external tanks may be of a conformal type. IAI has also proposed a re-engining pro gramme, although this has yet to receive offi cial approval, and has flown a prototype conversion with one PW1120 turbofan and one standard J79 turbojet. This aircraft flew in July 1986, and has since been further modified and flown with two PW1120s. Flight testing continues. Lavi Despite declining US political support and a recommendation from the Israeli Chief of General Staff that the programme be dropped in favour of a cheaper buy of additional F-16s, developmejrt of the Lavi continues, and a second prototype flew on March 30,1987. Israel requires some 300 Lavis, including up to 60 two-seat operational trainers, but funding constraints are likely to limit purchases to 212 aircraft. The first prototype, which flew on December 31, 1986, and the second aircraft are both two-seaters, while the remaining four development aircraft will be single-seaters. IAI expects to deliver the first production aircraft in early 1990, with operational clearance following in 1992. The initial production rate will be one per month, rising to a peak of three per month in the mid-1990s. Lavis are to replace A-4 Skyhawks initially, and then Kfirs in the late 1990s. The Lavi, a single-engined canard delta with a chin intake, is similar in appearance to the F-16 but is smaller. A 91.7kN Pratt & Whitney PW1120 turbojet is used, and the aircraft has a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire control system which allows relaxed stability. The cockpit is built around three multifunction colour CRT displays and a wide-angle headup display. The new Elta multimode pulse-Doppler radar, developed from the earlier EL/M-2021B, will include track-while-scan capability in air-to-air mode, and terrain avoidance/ground mapping in air-to-surface mode. Composite materials are used extensively in the airframe, and account for 22 per cent of the structure by weight. Grumman designed and developed the wings, and will also build the first eight sets before production transfers to Israel. Customer: Israel 212+ Sea Scan A maritime version of the IAI-1124 Westwind corporate jet, the Sea Scan is equipped with a Litton AN/APS 504(V) 360°-scan search radar, a VLF/Omega naviga tion system, and stores pylons on the fuselage sides. Three standard Westwinds, delivered to the Israeli Navy in 1977, have been converted to Sea Scans for maritime patrol and tactical support duties. Customer: Israel 3 ITALY AERITALIA G.222 Aeritalia continues to study new versions of the G.222 for a variety of roles including AEW, using a GEC Avionics APY- 922 system with nose and tail radomes; maritime patrol, possibly armed for ASW/ ASV missions; RPV launch/direction; and in flight refuelling, in which form it would retain its transport capability. The tanker may be offered as a retrofit package. An earth resources aircraft with an integral aerial reconnaissance system is planned, and a prototype marine oil spill control version with spray installation has been tested. Customers: Argentina 3, Dubai 1, Italy 44, Libya 20, Nigeria 4, Somalia 4, Venezuela 8 F-104S ASA Italian Air Force F-104S Star- fighters will remain in service until at least 1995, and the ASA (Updated Weapons Systems) mid-life update programme is designed to enhance the interception, air-to-air self-defence, and interdiction/strike capabili ties by the installation of a new Fiat R21G/M1 Setter radar, a new fire control computer, advanced ECM, improved IFF, and other current-generation equipment. The new radar also allows look-down to low-flying targets. The future of Israel Aircraft Industries' Lavi is still uncertain • : • •' •v. ,w , v ••;•. ,' ,— FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 1 August 1987 AERMACCHI MB.339 The latest version of Aermacchi's single-engined tandem-seat trainer is the MB.339C, which is designed to train pilots to use modern front-line mission management systems. Also envisaged as a close support/ maritime attack aircraft, the MB.339C first flew on December 17, 1985, and is equipped with a digital navigation/attack system including a GEC navigation computer, two Kaiser Sabre headup displays, a Litton inertial platform, CRT multifunction displays, a Fiat P-0702 laser rangefinder, an ELT-156 radar warning receiver, and a GEC AD-660 Doppler radar. Armament options include AIM-9L Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick ASMs, and Marte Mk.II anti-shipping missiles. Power is provided by an uprated Viper 680-43 turbojet. The MB.339B, which is also available, is essen tially a standard MB.339A advanced trainer with an uprated Viper 680 engine, enlarged tip tanks, and increased weapons carrying capa bility. In production form, the single-seat MB.339K Veltro 2, which flew in May 1980, uses the Viper 680 and is now avail able with the digital navigation/attack system conceived for the MB.339C. No orders had been announced for the MB.339K by June 1987, although Aermacchi is apparently building an initial batch of ten aircraft. Customers: Argentina 10, Dubai 4, Italy 100, Malaysia 13, Nigeria 12, Peru 16 AGUSTA A. 129 Mangusta Deliveries of production A.129 anti-armour helicopters to the Italian Army are due to begin in 1987, and initial prod uction of 60 has been authorised. The Nether lands is likely to be the first overseas customer, but its widely reported order for 20 has yet to be agreed. Proposed developments include a naval version featuring a nose mounted radar and armed with two Marte Mk.II or four Sea Skua missiles for anti-shipping duties, or AGM-65 Maverick, TOW, and rocket pods for maritime support missions; and a light battlefield helicopter (LBH) combining the A.129's engines, transmission, and undercarriage with a new fuselage providing accommodation for eight troops. Side looking airborne radar would be carried, and armament would include an under-nose turret and gun or rocket pods. The first of five prototype A.129s flew on September 15, 1983, and the development programme is being jointly funded by the Ital ian Army and Agusta. The standard Mangusta (Mongoose) is armed with eight TOW anti tank missiles, with Flir-augmented nose sight and pilot's night vision sensor linked to helmet display sights. Other equipment includes passive and active infrared and electronic counter measures. Provision is made for the later installation of a mast mounted target acquisition system. Customer: Italy 60+ A.109 Developed for multirole hot-and-high missions, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, the A.109K is powered by two 539kW Turbomeca Arriel IK turboshafts, has a length ened nose for additional avionics, and a taller fixed tricycle landing gear. A new composite main rotor hub is resistant to abrasion by sand and dust. The A.109K flew in April 1983, and is primarily intended for two-crew combat missions armed with TOW anti-tank missiles and gun pods. The Italian Army's new advanced obser vation helicopter, the A.109EOA, is similar in configuration to the A.109K but is powered by twin uprated Allison 250-C20R engines giving better performance than the standard -C20Bs 57
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