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Aviation History
1991
1991 - 0466.PDF
TECHNICAL: DEFENCE USN/Lockheed talk Orion II B-52s to loose tail guns? Stinger in tail an option for B-52 The US Air Force is consider ing a General Dynamics (GD) proposal to use an air- launched version of the shoul der-launched Stinger surface-to- air missile. The missile, called Scorpion, to replace the turreted 20mm tail cannon of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. GD is reluctant to discuss the programme but says it is await ing the Air Force's response to an 18-month design study. Stra tegic Air Command, which op erates 232 B-52G/Hs, says the proposal was unsolicited and company-funded. Company staff worked with USAF aircrew and groundcrew at the 7th Heavy Bombardment Wing at Carswell AFB. GD's Fort Worth plant and Carswell AFB are neighbours, sharing the same runways. The aerospace company says: "We have determined that it is do-able, now it is up to the Air Force to determine whether to proceed." The existing helicopter-borne air-to-air version of Stinger is very similar to the original unit, but GD says for B-52 use, it would have to be modified — at least with a change of rocket motor. The USAF recently an nounced that it will retire its B-52Gs, leaving only the B-52H (of which 102 were built) in service. The B-52H has a 20mm Vulcan tailgun and an ALQ-153 pulse Doppler tail warning radar as part of its countermea- sures equipment. • BY DOUGLAS BARRIE The US Navy and Lockheed have held detailed discus sions to hammer out a baseline configuration for a Lockheed P-3C replacement — known by the USN as the Orion II. The US Navy is trying to recoup some of the time lost on its P-3C replacement pro gramme, caused by the cancella tion of the P-7A and by delays in the Boeing Update IV mission systems suite. Proposals are needed by March for long-lead funding for the programme. Programme officials suggest that a new-build airframe with upgraded engines — either the Allison T406 or the General Electric T407 — and a glass cockpit will form a key part of the baseline proposal. An engine upgrade is neces sary, says an industry official, because of the relatively high MTR390 makes Panther testbed flight debut The tri-national MTR390 en gine, powerplant for the Franco-German Tiger anti-tank helicopter, has flown for the first time aboard an Aerospatiale AS.565 Panther testbed. The MTR390, a two-shaft power- plant with full-authority digital engine control, is produced jointly by MTR members — MTU, Turbomeca and Rolls- Royce. MTR was formed in 1989 to design, develop and produce a new turboshaft in the 950- l,100kW (1,300-1,500shp) power range. There are 11 engines in the test programme to date, includ ing three flight engines deliv ered for the Tiger prototype. The engines have amassed around 600 hours of bench and ground running so far. The two MTR390s have pow ered the Panther for a 55min flight from Pau in southern France. downtime and operating costs of the P-3C's Allison T-56s. Considerable discussion has also focused on the configura tion of the aircraft's glass cock pit and whether this is op timised for two or three crew. The outcome of USN discus sions with Lockheed is being watched closely by Germany and the UK, both of which have a requirement for an anti submarine warfare (ASW) air craft. The UK is likely by the end of the year to re-issue Staff Requirement (Air) 420, thrown into disarray by the cancellation of the P-7, the prime contender for the RAF's needs. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) intends to issue invita tions to tender for prime con tractors on the programme, sim ilar to the Mission Systems Inte gration approach adopted for the first time on the Royal Navy Tiger and MTR 90 combination gets The twin-engined Tiger is due to make its first flight in April at Aerospatiale's Marig- nane site, following its roll out and completion of engine ground runs at Ottobrunn, Ger many, last month. Five prototype Tigers will take part in the flight-test pro gramme, culminating in the de livery of the first production aircraft in 1997. EH101 Merlin ASW helicopter. This would see a single con tractor — either an airframe manufacturer or an avionics company — take overall re sponsibility for the programme. The MoD has identified sensor and mission system integration as the key area of risk. Along with the Orion II, the MoD is considering the Dassault Atlantic ATL.2, extensively re working the Nimrod and it is also looking at possible civil developments, including the Airbus A320. Germany and the UK have also held preliminary discus sions over "...harmonising re quirements"; a joint airframe purchase would offer clear cost advantages. The UK is now expected to buy 25 aircraft to replace the 36-strong Nimrod fleet. Origi nally, the MoD was looking at a one-for-one replacement, but •ady for first flight MTR estimates initial engine requirements will run to about 1,000 units including spares. These will power up to 212 helicopters for the German Army, 140 for the French Army and a further 75 fighter-support versions. The Tiger is also being con sidered to meet the UK's requirement for an attack helicopter. • 16 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 February - 5 March, 1991
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