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Aviation History
1993
1993 - 2850.PDF
DEFENCE UK reduces scout helicopter costs BY DOUGLAS BARR1E The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revised its re quirement for an armed recon naissance helicopter, dropping the stipulation that it have a self-defence capability. The move is aimed at reducing overall programme costs. A draft cardinal-points speci fication for a reconnaissance helicopter to replace the Army Air Corps Westland Gazelle AH. Is is expected to be re leased early in 1994, according to industry sources. The MoD had intended to include a can non, possibly chin-mounted in the requirement, but this has now been dropped. The role will almost cer tainly be met by the Air Corps' Westland Lynx AH. 1/7 anti tank helicopters. These will be withdrawn from the anti-tank role when the Army's next- generation attack helicopter is introduced into service. A tentative in-service date of 2000 has been established for the reconnaissance helicopter, although this is dependent on when the attack helicopter is brought into service. Industry sources suggest that the requirement will include an advanced wide-spectrum for ward-looking infra-red (FLIR) sensor, 1553 digital databus, laser rangefinder and des ignator and, possibly, a global- positioning system. An im proved defensive-aids suite is also likely to be included. The FLIR is likely to be roof- rather than mast-mounted, simply because of the addi tional cost of fitting it atop the main rotor head. Mounting the FLIR on the chin is not fa voured, as it requires the heli copter to be completely unmasked from cover to ex pose the sensor head. The inclusion of a 1553 databus, however, will simplify arming the reconnaissance he licopter during its service life, if funding becomes available. In attempting to keep down the cost of the reconnaissance- helicopter, the Army Air Corps is aiming to ensure that it goes ahead, despite a dwindling de fence budget. • RAFALE RBE2 RADAR TESTS SUCCESSFUL Flight tests of the Thomson-CSV/Dassault Electroniaue RBE2 look- down/shoot-down radar on Dassault Aviation's Rafale combat aircraft have proved, say the manufacturers, that "...everything works all right". Four prototype radars have been delivered to the airframe builder — the hardware configuration of the fourth being to production standards. Flight tests have been under way since July 1992, first on a Mystere 20, then a Mirage 2000 and, since July, RBE2 prototype No 3 has been flown on Rafale B01. Series production of the radar, which can track eight targets simultaneously, is expected within three years. Raytheon achieves Boxoffice hit Raytheon has achieved seeker lock-on at high off-boresight angles with its Boxoffice air-to-air missile technology demonstrator. The success occurred in flight tests on a Lockheed F-16. A Honeywell helmet-mounted display was used to cue the missile's infra-red seeker. In mid-November tests, seeker lock-on was achieved beyond 85° off-the-nose, and track was maintained during high-g manoeuvring, Lock heed Fort Worth says. A live missile launch against a target drone about 70° off-boresight is due soon, Raytheon says. The tests involved Lock heed's F-16B technology- development aircraft and employed a Honeywell visor- projected helmet-mounted display to cue a Boxoffice missile equipped with a seeker capable of locking on to targets up to 90° off- boresight. The Boxoffice is Raytheon's test vehicle for technology aimed at replacing the AIM-9 Sidewinder. • Tornado fails RF shielding tests BY ANDRZEJ JEZIORSK1 IN MUNICH T ests at the Deutsche Aero space (DASA) High Energy Radiating Facility (HERF) at Manching, Germany, have shown that the Panavia Tor nado fails to meet electromag netic-shielding requirements. The tests have been carried out on the interdictor-strike and newer electronic combat and reconnaissance Tornados — which are designed for use in intense electronic-warfare environments and have up dated avionics, including the new 1760 databus. Neither type met electromagnetic- compatibility (EMC) system specifications. "The reasons for the devia tions are unknown so far," says the German defence ministry. The results of the EMC tests come despite a DM60 million ($37 million) programme to improve the shielding of on board electronics, initiated fol lowing a fatal Tornado accident at Holzkirchen, near Munich, in 1984. The accident was caused by the aircraft being flown too close to a radio broadcasting antenna, causing the avionics to malfunction. That incident led to the introduction of peacetime fly ing regulations forbidding pi lots to approach strong electromagnetic sources. According to the ministry, until the HERF was inaugu rated in May 1992, the effec tiveness of electromagnetic shielding could be demon strated only for individual sys tem components. "The measured deviation from EMC specs has to be seen in the light of the precision and accuracy of the HERF test site as a 'measuring instrument' and because this unique installation comes by far closer to reality than any other existing EMC facility," says DASA. DASA says that it is "now defining an investigation pro gramme in close conjunction with all parties concerned", in cluding the defence ministries of the UK and Italy and the Panavia partner companies. D NEWS IN BRIEF IAF FLIES F-15E The commander of the Is raeli air force, Maj Gen Herzl Budinger, visited the UK on 29 November to fly a US Air Force (Europe) McDonnell Douglas F-15E. The Israeli air force has de cided to use its $1.8 billion procurement budget to pur chase F-15Es and negotia tions with McDonnell Douglas continue in an ef fort to lower the price to enable 20 F-15Es to be pur chased. Israeli prime minis ter Yitzhak Rabin has agreed to delay the selection an nouncement for two months, to allow Lockheed to offer an extended-range version of the F-16 (Flight Interna tional, 1-7 December). FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 15 - 21 December, 1993 15
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