FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1995
1995 - 2909.PDF
DEFENCE RAF thinks again on Jaguar upgrade THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IS re-examining an engine up grade programme for its Sepecat Jaguar GR1A/1B strike aircraft, in response to continued delays to die Eurofighter 2000 programme.The Jaguar is destined to be replaced by the Eurofighter. The RAF had previously studied a Jaguar re-engining programme in 1992, under which the aircraft's Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 104 would have been replaced with Adour 87Is. The RAF is now examining a limited upgrade to the Mk 104, which would still provide a 25% improvement in thrust. Project sources say the upgrade would draw on elements of tech nology from the 871 and 811 Adour designs. The Mk 104's com pressor would be replaced by the 811 standard compressor, while back-end modifications to allow higher turbine temperatures would draw on die 871 model. The Jaguar fleet has effectively been undergoing a rolling upgrade programme. Twelve Jaguar GR1 As have been modified to earn- the GEC-Marconi Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator. • NEWS IN BRIEF • RAYTHEON SAR ON J DAM Raytheon has been selected over Loral to demonstrate the compatibility of the Hammerhead synthetic- aperture radar (SAR) seeker on the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The US defence contractor received an initial $12 million US Air Force contract to provide three Hammerhead SAR seekers and associated equip ment to test on JDAM. • TURBO JSOW LAUNCHED Texas Instruments has demonstrated successfully a free-flight version of a turbo jet-powered variant of its Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW). The llmin flight took place on 29 September. BAe aims Gripen at Saudi Arabia DOUGLAS BARRIE/LINKOPING SAUDI ARABIA HAS emerged as a key target of the British Aerospace/Saab joint venture marketing the JAS-39 Gripen fighter. BAe has briefed Saudi Arabia on an export derivative of the Gripen to meet its Northrop F-5 replacement programme. BAe has teamed with Saab to market and manufacture an export derivative known as the JAS-39X, and Saudi Arabia is viewed as a potential launch customer. An F-5 replacement has been scheduled for 1996/7. This fol lowed a force structure study implemented by BAe for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) as part of its defence equipment and support packages for the Al Yam am ah project. The RSAF has over 100 F-5s operating in interceptor, attack and training roles. A unit of RF- 5Es provides a tactical reconnais sance capability. The BAe/Saab JAS-39X joint- venture will encounter fierce competition from Lockheed Martin, which is pushing its F-16. The US company is keen to break into the Saudi market. BAe had previously considered addressing the RSAF replacement programme with the Hawk 200 single-seat light fighter derivative of the Hawk advanced jet trainer. Sources close to the Al Yamamah project suggest that the RSAF was not keen on this option. With the Gripen as the dedicat ed light multi-role fighter in its product portfolio, BAe may be winding down its Hawk 200 mar keting effort in some areas. BAe and Saab are working on a baseline configuration for the JAS-39X, which in many ways will resemble a projected JAS-39C Lot Three aircraft, expected to be ordered by the Swedish air force (RSAF). Senior Swedish air force offi cials believe a third batch of around 60 JAS-39Cs could be ordered by the end of 1996 to add to the 140 aircraft ordered. The JAS-39G may have an alternative powerplant to the General Electric/Volvo Flymotor RM12, a derivative of the GE The ASRAAM on the wing-tip station may supersede Sidewinder F404. The Eurojet EJ200, Snecma M88-3, and GE's F414 are all being offered. The RSAF may also use the procurement of the JAS-39C to acquire an advanced imaging infra-red short-range air-to- air missile, and also laser designa tion and reconnaissance pods. The Gripen JAS-39A is fitted with an Rb74 (Sidewinder AIM- 9L). Contenders to meet the replacement requirement will include BAe's Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile and the Rafael Python 4. The RSAF has also yet to deter mine the mix of single and two- seat Gripens to be procured within Lot Three. It is looking at using the full-combat two-seat JAS-39B for several crew- task- intensive roles. 3 Northrop Grumman enters DoD UAV battle NORTHROP GRUMMAN is to take part in the Pen tagon's competition for a joint tac tical manoeuvre unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Maneuver UAV will pro vide an intelligence-gathering capability at up to 32km (17nm) range with electro-optical and for ward-looking infra-red sensors. The Pentagon could buy as many as 100 systems (each with four air vehicles) for the US Army and US Marine Corps. The project stalled several months ago, but the Pentagon has decided to field it within two years, using a fast-track acquisi tion strategy. A request for pro posals is now being finalised. Northrop Grumman is teamed with the UK's Target Technology (TTL) and the Tamam unit of Israel Aircraft Industries (LAI). The US firm integrated TTL's Spectre-UAV reconnaissance air vehicle with Tamam's Plug-in Optronic Payload (POP) TV infra-red sensor. During a series of demonstra tion test flights conducted by the UK firm, various ground and air targets were located, identified and tracked. Ground station operators received real-time imagery, and the tests verified that the integra tion was successfully accom plished, says Northrop Grumman. The test flights were covered by letters of intent from the three companies. Northrop Grumman says the Spectra II System can meet or exceed stated US Army and USMC manoeuvre UAV perfor mance requirements. The short-range drone project is not without competitors. De clared entrants also include Westinghouse, offering Huntair; Alliant Techsystems/Mission Technologies with Twinwing; Lear Astronics/Canadair, offering the CL-227 Sentinel; the General Atomics Prowler; and a Raytheon/AAI team offering the Shadow 200 air vehicle. 3 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 11 - 17 October 1995
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
