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Aviation History
1988
1988 - 0279.PDF
DEFENCE Northrop receives $2 billion ATB contract LOS ANGELES The US Air Force has author ised the Northrop Corpor ation to announce its receipt of a $2 billion contract for the Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB), or B-2. Although the contract was awarded in November 1987 the Air Force has now sanc tioned the release of details. The US Air Force plans to purchase 132 ATBs, costing around $31 billion at 1981 Dollar levels. The ATB contractor team also includes Boeing, LTV/ Vought, and General Electric Aircraft Engine Group. Other details of the Advanced Tech nology Bomber programme remain classified. Joint-Stars airframe is reviewed HANSCOM AFB The US Air Force has commissioned a major review of airframe alternatives for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint- Stars) programme. Fears that insufficient Boeing 707 freighters with less than 50,000hr will be available, and a preference for new air frames, have motivated the reappraisal. Col Jack Colligan, Joint- Stars programme director, tells Flight, "We just can't make do with used aircraft." He stressed that the high life- cycle costs associated with refurbished aircraft now out weighed the additional acqui sition costs of buying new airframes. Col Colligan esti mated that purchasing new aircraft would add $500 MBB pilot flies EAP MBB chief test pilot Peter Weger is the first West German and the 11th pilot to fly British Aerospace's Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) demonstrator. Weger, who took the EAP to 25,000ft and Mach 1-4, says "The EAP is very easy to handle, and I had no difficulties. The aircraft is very lively and speed builds up so incredibly fast that I had to make deceleration turns to keep within the speed limits for the particular test. I found the handling characteristics, especially at low speeds, most impressive. The carefree handling envelope was excellent." EAP has made 123 flights, accumulating 85hr. million to the $5 billion programme. The review of alternatives, which may take up to six months to complete, will focus on large transports capable of carrying a 50,0001b payload and cruising between 30,000ft and 40,000ft. Col Colligan would not comment on whether any of the numerous types within this category have been shortlisted. The US Air Force now plans to procure 22 instead of the original ten aircraft to make up the Joint-Stars fleet. Estimates indicate that only 40 Boeing 707 freighters would fit USAF requirements when it comes to buy because of developments such as engine hush-kits, which have extended the aircraft's life in civilian service. Col Colligan does not anticipate any major integration problems if a different airframe is chosen. He describes the matching of the mission avionics and packages to the aircraft's environmental systems as, "the tougher technical challenge." Initial trials are scheduled to begin in April with the first of two refurbished 707-300 freighters. Although the installation of the Joint-Stars radar, which is being devel oped by Norden Systems Division, has been delayed until November, antenna vibration tests, communica tions, and data-link trials can still go ahead in the meantime. Given the current drive by the US administration to cut the country's budget deficit, Col Colligan tells Flight that he "doesn't feel under any pressure" to favour the lower acquisition costs of pur chasing used aircraft. Commenting on the current contractual dispute, between Grumman and Boeing, the Joint-Stars prime contractor and subcontractor respect ively, Col Colligan says, "I don't think there would be a problem in their future co operation. The working relationships between .'the companies' engineers has*, not been harmed." Boeing' is requesting a $122-5 million increase on a subcontract while Grumman is claiming against Boeing for alleged subcontract deficiencies. UK forms airmobile brigade LONDON The Ministry of Defence has announced the formation of 24 Airmobile Brigade as a new permanent unit, following the trials carried out by 6 Airmobile Brigade since November 1983. The new Brigade's primary task will be counter-penetration oper ations in central Europe with the emphasis on anti-tank warfare. A new Army Air Corps regi ment, consisting of 16 new Westland Lynx helicopters, eight Lynxes from the reserve, and 12 from other units, will be formed to support 24 Airmobile Brigade in the util ity function, and in the anti tank role when Hughes TOW missiles are fitted. The deci sion to purchase the helicop ters was taken last year, and the formal order is expected to be announced shortly. While 24 Brigade's prime role will be in counter- penetration, it will also be required to perform flank protection, support offensive ground operations, ensure rear area security, and to counter enemy airmobile operations. Two of its three battalions will be fully airmobile, while the third will retain Saxon armoured personnel carriers and will be trained in basic air mobility. The Brigade's peacetime headquarters will be at Catterick, although the unit will frequently be deployed to West Germany on exercises. The new Brigade will be operational by 1989 and will initially be given support by 657 Sqn Army Air Corps. In the immediate future the support helicopter role will be provided by Royal Air Force Pumas and Chinooks. In the late 1990s the Pumas will be replaced when the utility version of the EH. 101 becomes available. The Brigade will comprise three infantry battalions, one artillery regiment, and support units from the Royal Engineers and Royal Signals. Its manpower will come from 24 Infantry Brigade, part of 2 Infantry Division, which is, in turn, assigned to the British Army of the Rhine. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 6 February 1988 15
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