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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 0533.PDF
D=*?mew US Air Force moves on with anti-missile laser device KAREN WALKER/ORLANDO AREQUEST FOR proposals (RFP) covering the develop- mentof an anti-missile laser system will be released by me US Air Force in May. Two teams aim to win the airborne-laser (ABL) system demo nstration/validation award. The $754 million demonstration phase will allow the winning team to develop, build and fly a proof-of- concept system which could be operated from a Boeing 747-400. The eventual programme could be worth around $1 billion. The rival teams for the pro gramme are Boeing/Lockheed Martin/TRW and Rockwell/- Hughes/E-Systems. A single team will be selected in early 1997. Initial operational capability is due in 2006 — but could be brought forward to as early as 2002 — and will include three aircraft. The programme, which is man aged by the USAF's Space and Missile Systems' Center, appears to have strong, high-level support. USAF Secretary Sheila Widnall says that the system answers a "clear military need", and that this is the right time to progress with the programme. "I believe that the accomplishments we have seen so far are a genuine ten on the Richter scale," says Widnall. USAF Chief of Staff Gen Ronald Fogleman says that he sees "no showstoppers" to the programme, despite the fact that "...we have tried very hard not to be captured by this concept and to be its most severe critic". Among the programme's attrac tions are the fact that it makes use of technology gained from the USAs $30 billion Strategic Defense Initiative programme, which has borne little fruit so far. An ABL system's primary role would be as a first-tier defence against weapons such as the Scud ballistic missile used by Iraq during the Gulf War. The ABL system's ability to kill a missile while it is still over enemy territory is particularly attractive, making it an especially good deter rent against biological weapons. Q Polish air force MiG- 21 Fishbeds Fs will be gone by end of 1996 THE POLISH AIR force is to retire 30 Mikoyan MiG- 21PFM Fishbed Fs by the end of 1996, although its 60 MG-21M Fishbed Js are to be retained until replacement fighters are purchased. The Fishbed Fs have been in ser vice for 30 years and are now flown by the 3rd fighter regiment, based in Poznan. The air force has about 25 MiG- 21 Rs Fishbed Hs, which will also be phased out around the end of the century, air force sources say. It is understood that the air force intends to retain some of its 80 Sukhoi Su-22 Fitters, possibly until around 2010. The oldest aircraft are being withdrawn gradually from service, however. The air force will retain its 22 Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum As. These will be supplemented by the purchase of up to 100 new fighters. Sources say that plans also include a 50-strong trainer fleet, plus a small number Q transport aircraft. The cutbacks are part of a Polish air force reorganisation, cutting air craft numbers by one-third. • Arrow 2 launch success ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES successfully test-launched its Arrow 2 anti-tactical ballistic missile on 20 February. This was the second fly-out test of the missile. A fully guided test is scheduled for the middle of the year. The missile was fired from the Palmachim test site 16km (9nm) south of Tel Aviv. Australia starts search for Rapier replacement THE AUSTRALIAN Army has begun a study to define its requirements for an enhanced air- defence missile system to replace the British Aerospace Rapier. Expressions of interest are now being sought from Australian- based (or registered) consultant companies to conduct a study of costs and technical trade-offs. The study forms part of the initial pro ject-definition stage. A complementary major capa bilities study to identify future threats and define the system's operational performance is being carried out internally within Australia's Defence Department. The two studies are due to be com pleted by mid-1998. Stage two calls for formal ap proval for the Land 117 project and request for tenders by the following fiscal year. A final decision on sys tem procurement is tentatively scheduled for around 2000/1. According to programme sources, preliminary requirements call for a "mid-level system" capa ble of defeating high-performance aircraft and stand-off precision- guided weapons. The new missile will need to have an effective field of fire at least twice that of the 7km (3.8nm)-range Rapier. The system will be equipped with an all-weather day/night operational capability. It will be fit ted with its own integral surveil lance system and will be compatible with Australia's air- defence network. In addition, it will need to offer strategic and tac tical mobility and be able to fit inside a Lockheed Martin C-130 transport. • Rockwell Australia has complet ed the first avionics upgrade of an Australian Army Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopter. The $8 million programme covers the fitting of new communications equipment, antennae, navigation aids and cables. The modified helicopter will undergo a one-month flight- test programme at Williams AB, Laverton, after which the remain ing 41 Army Kiowas will be upgraded. Q FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 6 - 12 March 1996 17
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