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Aviation History
1991
1991 - 0008.PDF
HEADLINES UK/France liaise on 'stealth7 laser radar The UK and France are to develop an airborne laser- radar system capable of both terrain following and target identification. The system, based on carbon- dioxide laser technology, is aimed at fixed-wing and heli copter applications. A laser radar would provide an aircraft with a passive ter rain-following capability, rather than relying on current active radar systems — considerably increasing its "stealth" charac teristics. The programme, CLARA (Compact C02 Laser Radar Sys tem), will follow a dual devel opment path, one programme primed by a French and one by a UK company. The system is, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, expected to be capable of "de tection of obstacles, terrain fol lowing, true air-speed measure ment and ground air target characterisation". France has already tested a laser air-speed measurement system, developed by Sextant Avionique, on a Mirage 111, while, in the UK, Thorn EMI has developed a laser altimeter and carried out validation work on a laser obstacle warning sys tem for helicopters. The system proposed is considerably more sophisticated, however. The programme is likely to be part of an Anglo-French defence co-operation agreement signed last year. • A-12 programme still alive The fate of the A-12 advan ced tactical aircraft for the US Navy is being decided in a series of Pentagon meetings over the next few days — al though defence secretary Dick Cheney has indicated that the project will proceed. The beleaguered pro gramme, which is currently run ning $1 billion over cost esti mates and 18 months behind schedule, has already cost the jobs of three top Navy officers and one senior civilian. In announcing that the Navy has only until 2 January to show why the programme should be continued, Cheney says that "...older, slower and less manoeuvrable A-6 aircraft will be less able to penetrate enemy defences and conduct their attacks. Stealth technology will be required if we are to elude advanced fighters and sur face-to-air missiles in the fu ture." He adds that the A-12 is the only programme with these capabilities. Cheney is expected to make a final decision after 4 January when the combined Pentagon/ contractor review is to be sub mitted to him. The US Navy was originally planning to buy 620 Avengers for $50 billion from the General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas team. • 'Illegal' engineer charged SAS flight engineer Roland Jakobsson has been charged in Sweden's central criminal court with flying for five years without a valid licence or medi cal certificate. The Swedish pro secutor is still deciding whether to bring charges against SAS. The airline discovered in No vember 1989 that Jakobsson did not have valid documentation. He had been flying on SAS McDonnell Douglas DC-lOs for the five years, passing the com pany's twice yearly simulator tests and annual line check. SAS says that Jakobsson was suffering from a mental illness when he was found not to have a licence. The Swedish Civil Aviation Authority alleges that the airline broke the law in not checking the licences of its flight crew. SAS' response is that licences are a matter between the flight crew and the authority. The airline also says that it re quested, but failed, to get the authority to send crew licences to SAS' Stockholm office in 1987 and 1989. The preliminary investigation into SAS' role is not anticipated to be concluded until early February. • Delta deal helps bring Boeing boom Delta Air Lines has placed orders for six new Boeing 767-300s. The $1.8 billion deal includes another 767-300, three -300ERs, nine 757-200s and seven 737-300s previously or dered unannounced. The deal brought Boeing or ders for 1990 to $47.7 billion covering 543 aircraft, establish ing a ne'w one-year record in dollar value — outstripping 1989's figure of $46.62 billion, although aircraft orders were in excess of 800 in that year. The high dollar value of 1990 Boeing sales was caused by a record number of 747 orders. Delta was a launch customer for the 767 twin-aisle twin jet and has now received 37 of 57 ordered. • NEWS IN B RIEF KELLY JOHNSON DIES Clarence "Kelly" Johnson has died at the age of 80. He set up the Lockheed "Skunk Works" and was involved in the development of many Lockheed aircraft, including the Constellation, Hercules, Neptune, F-104, and U-2. FIRST TEAM FLIES FLIR DEMONSTRATOR The Boeing/Sikorsky LH First Team has successfully flight demonstrated the Night Vision Pilotage System (NVPS) developed by Martin Marietta for the team's LH bid. The NVPS incorporates a stabilised turret and a forward-looking infra-red sensor, which would be used by the LH pilot to fly at nap-of-the-earth altitudes at night and in bad weather. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 2 - 8 January, 1991
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