FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1987
1987 - 2269.PDF
DEFENCE Mid-life update for BO. 105s MUNICH The West German Ministry of Defence has awarded Messerschmitt-Bolkow- Blohm (MBB) the mid-life improvement contract for the German Army's MBB BO.105 anti-tank helicopters as a stop-gap measure until the Franco-German PAH/HAC helicopter enters service. The programme aims to improve the flight and mission performance of the Panzer- abwehrhubschrauber First Generation (PAH-1), and to provide it with night-fighting capability. One of the German Army's operational PAH-ls is now being used by MBB as a test vehicle for retrofits and the flight testing of new equip ment. The updating pro gramme for the entire PAH-1 fleet will start in 1990, and will be in two phases. The installation of a new engine (Allison 250-C20R-3) with a new compressor will comprise Phase One of the upgrade. This will permit higher performance, especially at high-temperature condi tions, and a 6 to 7 per cent reduction in specific fuel consumption. Advanced- design main rotor blades will give the improved PAH-1 8 per cent more lift, and allow the takeoff weight to be increased to 2,400kg. It is proposed that the upgraded PAH-1 would carry the Euromissile HOT-2 system with digitalised guid ance electronics. The HOT-2 features a lightweight sus pension rack and launching system. The total weight savings, improved payload, and increased performance will permit either additional fuel or the integration of a night vision system in Phase II of the programme. MBB has teamed up with Leitz and Eltro to start the development of the night vision system. To retain the PAH-l's agility, the maximum take-off weight will only be increased by 100kg. Phase II, which is scheduled to begin in 1992, will also include the addition of self- defence measures. —: - •:- .• • \ -'..- i&Ci'.V... i ''fVMfcjltf•*-•••••.- A&&3ji The PAH-1 update features a stabilised roof-mounted night vision system and a new weapons installation LTV wins anti-satellite contracts DALLAS The Missiles Division of the LTV Missiles and Electronics Group has received $78 • 4 million for continued design and development of the United States anti-satellite weapon system. The air- launched anti-satellite programme encompasses development and testing of a small interceptor, the Minia ture Vehicle, which, after boosting, to orbital altitudes, would destroy an enemy satellite. LTV has been prime contractor to the Air Force Space Division, the anti- satellite contracting agency, since 1975, and has been responsible for both the Miniature Vehicle and the second stage of the rocket booster. The latest work will be performed at the LTV Missiles Division facility at Grand Prairie, Texas, and is expected to be completed in May 1990. The Miniature Vehicle is at present launched from a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The system has been tested on five occasions, with the last test on September 30, 1986. LTV has also announced the award of an interim $2-2 million funding from Rockwell International Cor poration to develop avionics hardware and software for the Space Based Interceptor programme. The Rockwell contracts are expected even tually to total $30 million. The programme is one of six Strategic Defence Initiative technologies approved recently by the US Secretary of Defence for accelerated development to a demon stration and validation phase. The Space Based Inter ceptor concept consists of a platform with multiple rock ets that could engage and destroy ballistic missiles in their boost, post-boost, or mid-course phases before they could release their re-entry vehicles. The Interceptor could potentially servel as the first line of protection in a layered SDI defence screen. LTV will supply electronic subsystems for the Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) element of the Space Based Inter ceptor sub-orbital flight experiment. This trial will demonstrate and validate technology for the KKV seeker, guidance, control, and propulsion, at high closing velocities. The company's work is an extension of on going efforts in the US Air Force's Integrated Electronics Technology programme (Intelect). The programme aims to demonstrate the guid ance and signal processing hardware and software required for a lightweight, chemically propelled, space- based KKV like the Space Based Interceptor. Flexible Lightweight Agile Guided Experiment (Flage) technology which was devel oped from SDI research of endoatmospheric defence against tactical ballistic missiles and air-breathing missiles was pioneered by LTV, and will be utilised in its latest work. The follow-on Extended Range Intercept programme (Erint), which is designed to extend Flage's capability to higher altitudes and longer ranges, will also be accessed by LTV. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 November 1987 II
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
