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Aviation History
1991
1991 - 2875.PDF
DEFENCE Gripen pilots say its stick is tiring to use Saab considers JAS39 control stick changes BY SIMON ELLIOTT Saab's JAS39 Gripen proto types are flying with a re designed, less advanced control stick than that planned initially after the original system, which featured advanced-technology electric-torque motors, suffered problems during early testing. The Swedish company has contacted foreign control-stick manufacturers for price quotes in case the new system is unsuc cessful. Saab says: "The control stick, centrally located in the cockpit, has been subject to an elaborate design and test phase before flight testing started. That in cluded a range of standards, from a totally undamped stick to a design incorporating very ad vanced, and also complicated, internal mechanisms, such as torque motors." The latter design is the one understood to have been fa voured initially, but which has been dropped because of prob lems which, industry sources say, included jamming. Saab, which developed the original stick, says that from "...extensive simulator studies we have chosen the present stick design with a fairly uncompli cated spring system". While saying that, after more than 200 test flights, no reason has been found to change the present system, the company adds that "...we still have not tested all flight conditions — for example, we have not yet reached the 9g acceleration level in the test programme, and we have not encountered either the most adverse weather conditions or the most demanding tactical manoeuvres". Saab adds that "...in order to be prepared, • should a need for changes arise, we continue to develop both minor improve ments and more complicated so lutions". The recent report on the Gripen flight-test pro gramme says of the control stick: "The pilots have noticed a tendency to get somewhat tired in arm or hand after some time in manoeuvring or formation flying. We are keeping an eye on this and have modifications to the stick in store in case the need should arise." Meanwhile, Gripen prototype JAS39-5, the nearest of the pro totypes to the production- standard aircraft, made its first flight on 23 October. The air craft will be used for testing radar, weapon systems, commu nications, vibration, hydraulic systems and reconnaissance and warning systems. Gripen test flights are now being made with four prototype aircraft and nine pilots, and the first production Gripen is set to fly in 1992. D Soviet AF wanted Tupolev prosecuted over Blackjack BY ALEXANDER VELOVITCH IN MOSCOW The new, no-nonsense Com mander-in-Chief of the So viet air force, Colonel General Piotr Deinekin, tried to bring a prosecution against. part of the Tupolev aircraft empire two years ago over concern at the performance of its military air craft, it has just been revealed. When he was commander of the Long Range Aviation Force, Deinekin and Naval Aviation Force commander, Col Gen Vic tor Potapov applied to the State prosecutor for a legal case to be brought against the Tupolev ANTK (Aircraft Scientific Indus trial Complex). Deinekin com plains: "Unfortunately, even after this application to a prose cutor, nothing changed". Deinekin says he is still un happy with the Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-22M Backfire strategic bombers. A former Blackjack pilot with over 4,500h total time Deinekin explains that the problem stems from rushing aircraft into service before they are ready. "Aircraft known to be immature are intro duced to operational units. The intention is to bring them up to air force requirements in opera tional service. Industry has a presence in operational units with workforces of several dozen people, each involved in endless design refinements," he says. "This process, for the Tu-160, has taken more than three years. Even after many years of opera tional service with the Tu-22M, we discover design shortcomings in the engine and airframe," adds Deinekin. The Soviet air force has had insufficient power over the air craft industry, a situation that the hard-hitting Deinekin is committed to change. Even now, he reveals that 250 million rou bles assigned for research and development to the now-abol ished Ministry of Aircraft Pro duction "...has leaked away in an unknown direction". • Deinikin tried to prosecute Tupolev Germany issues solo tender for EFA Germany issued an invitation to tender for a defensive avionics suite for its European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) on 25 October. The competition could see Germany drop out of EFA's common four-nation system. The German decision to con sider alternatives to the, common EFA Defensive Aids Subsystem (DASS) being procured by Spain, Italy and the UK was prompted by concern over the cost;- ac cording to the German air force. The tender covers only a-rnis- sile-approach warner and radar- warning receiver, rather than including a laser warner, elec tronic countermeasures and towed decoys. Electronic coun termeasures and decoys were part of the four-nation require ment, while a laser warner was specified by the UK and Spain. The tender documents have been distributed to around 15 firms, with final submissions due by early January. A decision on whether to opt for an inde pendent, and less capable, solu tion will be made by March. The competition has placed Telefunken Systemtechnik, the German member of the EURO- DASS consortium which is nego tiating with Eurofighter for the common contract, in a difficult position. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 6 - 12 November, 1991 21
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