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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 1143.PDF
U£J1MAMY Out with the old and in with the new: the Eurofighter EF2000 (above) is due to replace the last McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms by 2012 improved weapons capability and electromag netic compatibility. Mende hopes that the work will be completed by 1998. A new reconnaissance pod, under develop ment by Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA), will allow Tornados to take over fully the duties of the air force's retired RF-4Es. For now, recon naissance duties are left to two Tornado squadrons based at the former naval air base in Schleswig, equipped with ex-German navy and Italian air force pods produced by MBB. The new pod is to have a day/night sensor package, with two optical cameras and an infra red line scanner; a reconnaissance-management unit, with real-time display capability in the rear cockpit; a data-storage system; built-in test equipment; and an autonomous environmental- control system. The air force wants to procure 40 pods between 1998 and 2000. The service has decided that it will procure the Israeli Rafael Litening laser-designator pod upgrade. Software is to be incorporated into the computer upgrade, although an order has not yet been placed because ofcaution over Rafael's promised development timescales. "Procurement will come in 1996 or 1997, if the Israelis show us results," says the German chief of staff. Germany wants 20 laser-designa tor pods, to be delivered in 1998. Logistics, repair and maintenance will be handled by German optics specialist Carl Zeiss. The air force has run an upgrade programme since 1992 for 110 F-4Fs. The F-4F ICE (improved combat effectiveness), is being done by DASA and include fitting a Hughes APG-65 radar and giving the aircraft the capability to carry up to four AIM-120 Advanced Medium- Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The upgraded air craft have a look-down/shoot-down capability against multiple targets. The air force's air-defence capability is sup plemented by 20 Mikoyan MiG-29A Fulcrum interceptors, with four MiG-29UB trainers. These aircraft are being maintained and up graded by MiG Aircraft Production Support (MAPS), a joint DASA/ MAPO-MiG venture. MAPS is embarking on a programme to increase time between overhauls (TBO) from 800 to 1,100 flying hours. DASA's engine sub sidiary, MTU,is also to carry out work extend ing the engine TBO to 700h, and operational life from 900h to l,600h. MAPS is also offering an avionics- and navigation-system upgrade, which could include the installation of a new TACAN navigation suite, identification-friend- or-foe unit, UHF/VHF radio and a Rockwell- Collins global-positioning-system unit. TRANSPORT REQUIREMENT The central issue concerning the air force's transport requirement is the replacement for its fleet of 85 ageing Transall C.160s. These are being refurbished up to 1999, to allow them to remain in use until 2010, but are to be replaced by a fleet of 75 FLAs from 2008 to 2016. Mende is confident that the FLA programme will go ahead, despite doubts about the commit ment of France, which has not dedicated any money to it in its 1996 budget. The pre-devel- opment phase, led by France, Germany, Italy and Spain, was to begin this year and is included in the German budget, to the tune of DM260 million. Germany has also budgeted a total DM4.3 billion for the programme up to 2009. The MoD says that it is confused by France's position, as French defence minister Charles Millon has said that France still has a need for 60 aircraft up to 2015. French industry and the Government have been working since February to find alternative sources of funding, in the hope of getting the programme back on track. The pre-development phase was due to last until 1999, when a procurement decision was MiG-29s are maintained at Munching expected for a total of about 300 aircraft for the participating nations. Also far from certain is the future of the NH90 helicopter, needed to replace 104 Bell UH-1D Iroquois. The air force is planning to procure 114 NH90s for the transport/search- and-rescue role from 2005. The German navy is also still planning for 38 maritime MH90 vari ants, which it wants to be delivered from 2004, while the army is also planning for 120 heli copters in the tactical-transport version. Questions have been raised, however, about possible cuts in French helicopter procurement, affecting both the NH90 and the Eurocopter Tiger battlefield helicopter. Bonn sources say that France is considering a cut, from 150 NH90s to 50, and from 210 Tigers to 90. Such cuts would inflate the unit price of both heli copters, placing further strain on Germany's overloaded budget. The naval MH 90 — the most expensive ver sion —is in the least secure position. Discussions have been held in Germany in the past on fitting an off-the-shelf mission system to a regular NH90, to produce a cheaper version. More certain are the air force's planned upgrades to its VIP transport capabilities. It is buying four more Airbus A310s, to replace its older Boeing 707-320s in the transport/cargo role, and is pushing for the procurement of Canadair Challenger 601s and Eurocopter AS332 Super Pumas in the VIP role. The A310s will come from Lufthansa, with the first two being handed over for modification at the end of this year and the last two following in 1997. The air force hopes that the upgrade will save it DM30 million a year in maintenance and operating costs. So far, the Challenger purchase has not been approved by parliament, while only three out of the seven VIP Super Pumas which the air force wants have been, cleared. The service remains optimistic, however. "I am more than hopeful that the major pro jects of the air force are in a good way. I also feel that the Luftwaffe [German air force] will be able to meet the requirements our minister sees for us," says Mende. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 8 - 14 May 1996 47
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