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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 2268.PDF
DEFENCE Japan outlines F-16 selection criteria TOKYO The Japan Defence Agency has revealed the selection criteria it used which led to the choice of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon as the basis for its FS-X fighter/support aircraft to replace the Mitsubishi F-l. The whole evaluation was based on three principles established by the JDA's director, Gen Kurihara. The first was "the operational, technical, and cost merits of an aircraft to meet Japan's perceived threat in the 1990s". The second was "to consider the importance of the Japan- USA co-operative defence structure and to maintain interoperability". The third principle was "not to be affected by any influence from both domestic and foreign defence industries (in order not to create any misunderstandings or bad impressions)". Japan originally studied a totally indigenous "dom estic development" F-SX, foreign aircraft—the General Dynamics F-16, McDonnell Douglas F-18, and the Pana- via Tornado, as well as conversion of the latter three aircraft to meet the FS-X requirement. Eventually the latter solu tion, conversion or upgrading, was chosen, by which time the short-list had changed to the McDonnell Douglas F-15, already in Japanese service, the F-18, and the F-16. Of these three the JDA came to the following conclu sions on the feasibility of an upgrade programme: "The modification plan of the F-15 has almost no performance problems, except the stealth characteristics, but has a problem in that the cost required will be too high. "The modification plan of the F-18 has almost no Japan's upgrade plans for the F-16 include (1) Active phased array radar, new mission computer, new INS, integrated EW system (2) Reprofiled nose and radome (3) Reinforced windshield (4) Radar absorbing wing leadingedge (5) Larger composite-construction wing (6) Brake parachute (7) Increased-thrust engine (8) Fuse lage extension plug (9) Advanced structural technology construction (10) "Vertical canards" for sideforce manoeuvring (11) Provision for four anti-ship missiles or four medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (two infrared-guided AAMs and 20mm cannon retained). The upgraded F-16 will have the Japanese designation SX-3 performance problems, but development and mass pro duction unit costs are both high, and there are no fore seeable possibilities of lowering these. In addition there are great development risks, since it requires simul taneous development of the airframe and engine. "The modification plan of the F-16 has advantages in inexpensive development costs and mass production costs, but has problems in its takeoff and landing performance and stealth characteristics." The F-16 was chosen, and the negative points noted by the JDA are to be addressed by providing a bigger wing, more thrust, a brake para chute and stealth features (see drawing). USA fears bomber gap SANTA MONICA A Rand Corporation study points to a possible strategic "bomber gap" in the period between the deployment of the US Air Force's Rockwell B-1B and Northrop B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB) by the mid- 1990s. Rand warned Secretary of Defence Caspar W. Weinberger that if, as Air Force officials admit, the B-1B will be unable to breach USSR defences beyond the mid-1990s, and if the B-2 encounters delays in devel opment or testing, the USA could have no dependable, manned penetrating bomber by the middle of the next To date, 69 of the 100 B-lBs ordered before the end of 1988 have been delivered to Strategic Air Command. However, the aircraft will not fully meet specifications or be able to . counter Soviet defences fully until 1991. The first of two B-2 proto types of the "stealth" bomber is scheduled to roll out in December. Altogether 132 ATBs are planned to be purchased. The B-2 is undergoing concurrent development, test, and production, the same high-risk programme management technique that, together with a faster than anticipated growth in Soviet defensive capability, has brought a series of problems and delays to the B-1B programme. The Rand study is worried that, if the same problems beset the B-2 programme, a "bomber gap" might result. • The B-1B fleet is now flying again after temporary ground ing to inspect the escape system following the crash in September. USA may cut Israeli aid TEL AVIV ~ The Israeli Ministry of Defence is bracing itself for any possible cuts in US military assistance. American officials have hinted that such cuts might result from the current crisis in the US stock market. After the Lavi project was cancelled the USA promised to maintain the current level of military aid to Israel for at least two years. Israel currently receives $1-8 billion annually as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds. Following the Lavi's cancellation, Israel was allowed to spend $400 million of that sum inside the country. In addition to that, the USA agreed to maintain its offset agree ments with Israel. These agreements pour an addi tional $150 million annually into the troubled Israeli defence industries. Israeli Defence Minister Yitzhak Rabin expressed his belief that, in spite of the current crisis in the US stock market, US military aid will not be reduced. Rabin denied reports that Israel intended to voluntarily forgo part of the US aid; a comment that the Israeli Ambassador in Wash ington is alleged to have made. W FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 November 1987
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