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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 2173.PDF
DEFENCE Raytheon alters JPATS/GBTS GRAHAM WARWICK/ATLANTA RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT, prime contractor for the US Air Force/Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS), has revamped the selection process for the accompanying ground- based training system (GBTS). The company now plans to choose two finalists, not one, from the shortlist of four, possibly next month, then make a final selection in the second quarter of 1997, slightly later than had been origin ally planned. David Reimer, vice-president of the trainer-systems division, says that the change results from techni cal challenges involved in develop ing the GBTS training-integration management system. This is a networked, distributed computer system which integrates control and administration of pilot training under die JPATS pro gramme. The change will allow the two finalists to work with die USAF and USN for seven months, to refine the GBTS requirements before submitting final bids. Raytheon has shordisted Flight- Safety Services, Hughes Training, Lockheed Martin and McDonnell Douglas to bid for the GBTS. "Previously, we planned to select a contract based on die hid only. Now, we will select the contractor based on the company's proven ability to produce the training- software system the customer wants," Reimer says. USAF and USN programmes have in the past been affected by problems with the training-man agement system. The US company is conducting the GBTS competition on behalf of the armed forces under its $4 bil- lionJPATS prime contract, award ed earlier this year. Raytheon will build 712 Beech Mkll trainers for the Air Force and Navy and provide logistic support, while the $3 billion GBTS subcon tract will cover training devices, courseware, the training-integra tion management system and logistic support. • MDC wraps up new Longbow deal GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES THE US ARMY AND Mc Donnell Douglas (MDC) have followed up on their De cember 1995 initial AH-64 Ap ache modification contract by signing a five-year, $1.9 billion agreement. The new deal covers the remanufacture of a total of 2 32 AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters. MDC has been pushing for die multi-year option, rather than five single-year acquisitions, as it enables the company to develop a more streamlined and cost-effec tive remanufacturing process. MDC says that the cost sav ings will allow the US Army to buy additional aircraft. This, in turn, is expected to strengthen MDC's position against other companies which might compete for later batches of the upgrade, which will eventually involve 750 AH-64 helicopters. Work on the first AH-64A fuse lage began in mid-August under the advanced-acquisition phase of die contract, which called for 18 rernanufactured airframes in the first year. This rate has now been increased under the contract just signed, and the first of 24 will be delivered in March 1997. Atotalof 232 remanufactured helicopters will be delivered by 2002. During that same period, die US Army will deploy two additional Longbow Apache battalions. MDC expects to bid for the sec ond batch of some 300 helicopters around the turn of the century. The contract also includes funding for MDC to train pilots and mainte nance personnel for the first two equipped units. • Chile supports UN operation in Iraq FIVE CHILEAN AIR FORCE BELL UH-lHs have been brought into operation in Iraq, in support of the United National Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency, charged with ensuring that Iraq has no chemical or nuclear weapons. The UH-lHs have replaced two German army helicopters and are based at Rasheed air base in Baghdad, under a two-year agreement between the UN and Chile. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 28 August - 3 September 1996 BAe wins Nulka decoy contract BRITISH AEROSPACE Aus tralia has won a A$58 million ($46 million) contract to supply the ship's equipment component of the Nulka missile-decoy system for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The contract covers fire-control systems and launchers for the Navy's eventual eight Anzac and six FFG frigates. Australia signed a memorandum of understanding with the USA in July on joint pro duction of die Nulka for the RAN and the US Navy, and contracts worth aboutSlOOmillionto supply the decoys for both are expected to be awarded in 1997. • The World's Leading Provider of Aerospace, Defense, Electronics & Power Systems Market Intelligence Forecast International/DMS spe cializes in long-range forecasts designed to assist market & strategic planners. Our compre hensive program reports include innovative 10-year forecasts, market analyses and projected market shares. These products are available in print, disk or CD ROM format. Our military inventory databases covering aircraft, power systems and vehicles worldwide, are the most extensive stores of informa tion available anywhere. Contact us for further details and a catalog of our full product line. Forecast International/DMS, 22 Commerce Road Newtown, CT 06470 USA (203J-426-0800 fax: (203) 426-0223 Homepage: www.forecastl.com E-Mail: fidms @ ibm. net
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