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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 0434.PDF
P&W proposes Asian F-16 engine upgrade PAUL LEWIS/SINGAPORE P RATF & WHITNEY is pushing its further improved F100-229 Increased Performance Engine (IPE) (Plus) to Asian air forces as an upgrade option for the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, with Singapore and South Korea likely candidates for the upgrade. The engine, which has also been designated as the -229A, is being offered as either a retrofit for exist ing F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft, or for new-build fighters. P&W is understood have already proposed NEWS IN BRIEF • TAIWANESE PATRIOT Taiwan has taken delivery of its first Raytheon Patriot PAC-2 surface-to-air missile system. The three firing units will reportedly be de ployed to provide air-defence cover for part of the greater Taipei area. Taiwan, in the meantime, is continuing to discuss the possible purchase of the Loral Vought PAC-3 Extended Range Interceptor system to provide enhanced anti-ballistic-missile defence against attack from China. • CAMBODIAN DELIVERIES Cambodia has taken delivery of its first two ex-Czech air force Aero Vodochody L-39 trainers from Israel Aircraft Industries (LAI). An addition al four jet trainers will be delivered by early April, as part of wider deal with IAI to upgrade Cambodian Mik- oyan Mig-21 bis fighters. • ASPJ GOES EAST South Korea has signed a $ 100 million deal with the US Government for the supply of Northrop Grumman/ITT ALQ-165 airborne self-pro tection jammers (ASPJs). ASPJ systems will be fitted to the South Korean air force's planned fleet of 120 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 fighters from 1999. the F100 IPE (Plus) to Singapore and, possibly, South Korea. Singapore has ordered 18 F- 16C/Ds for deliver)- from 1998 and holds a purchase option on a fur ther 12 aircraft recently leased from Lockheed Martin. South Korea is the region's largest F- 16( 71) operator with 120 Block 52 aircraft on order, most of which are being licence-built by Samsung. The engine being offered incor porates new technology originally developed for the P&W Fl 19 powerplant planned for the Lock heed Martin/Boeing F-22. The F100 IPE (Plus) has a new- increased airflow fan, incorporat ing a bladed-disk design and aero- dynamically refined, friction- welded blades. According to P&W, the bigger fan provides for an increase in max imum augmented thrust from 130kN (29,0001b) to 153kX, with out any decrease to the engine's 4,000-cycle lifetime. Alternatively, for an engine maintained at its original rlirust rating, the new fan can be used to extend die F100's life by an additional 2,000 cycles. The engine has been demon strated at thrusts up to 165kN, but at the expense of a much shorter lifetime. P& Wclaims diat the larg er fan also produces a 48°C reduc tion in turbine-inlet temperature and has fewer parts, resulting in lower engine maintenance costs. P&W says that the F100 IPE (Plus) can be offered as a stand alone item or as part of wider range of improvements. Other options being promoted include the axisymmetric thrust- vectoring nozzle and new bleed-air holes to reduce aft-flap tempera ture and infra-red signature. • the co-operation protocol is "...to generate an economic benefit for Hungary which exceeds the value of purchasing (J ripen". This is to be achieved by increased direct investment, the creation of "thousands" of new jobs and a "measurable rise" in export revenue for Hungary, according to the company. Since 1995, Saab's Budapest office has been working with Hungarian companies to help them meet quality and other re quirements as suppliers and sub contractors. This is being carried out with local universities, and focuses mainly on regions which most need investment. Q Hungary extends JAS39 Gripe ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/MUNICH THE Hungarian Government has extended its 1995 indus trial offset protocol with Saab of Sweden, confirming the JAS39 (iripen as a candidate for the Central European country's fight er requirement. The extension was signed on 22 January at the end of a visit to Sweden by a delegation from the Hungarian trade and industry min istry, including Secretary of State Peter Balas. "The main impact is that the Hungarians are signalling that they are still very keen to start up the procurement process [for a new fighter]. We are now awaiting a for mal decision by the Hungarian parliament to put forward the ten der documents," says Saab vice president industrial co-operation Jan Xarlinge. The delegation indi cated that a tender may be issued this year, he adds. Saab's chief competitors in this and other Central and Eastern European fighter requirements are Dassault, with its Mirage 2000, Lockheed Martin, offering several versions of its F-16, and Mc Donnell Douglas, bidding with its F-18. Hungary has a requirement for about 30 aircraft to replace its ageing Soviet-built fighter force. According to Saab, the aim of RAAF t( THE RO (RAAF) ha- of the Raff short-rang McDonnel missile was board win RAAF has AIM-9 Si. short-rang with Matrs which is Range Air been mour and fit tria whether tc 9X Evolve would reqi posed in-s< Gripen agreement tests Rafael Python 4 ROYAL Australian Air Force ) s carried out captive-carry trials f Rafael Python 4 infra-red-guided short-range air-to-air missile (AAM) on a McDonnell Douglas F-18 fighter. The s carried on the wingtip and out g stations on the aircraft. The s a requirement to replace the Sidewinder with an advanced short-range AAM. Rafael is competing a British Aerospace Dynamics s offering its Advanced Short Air-to-Air Missile. This has also mounted on an RAAF F-18 for form fit trials. Hughes is also considering to make a late bid with its AIM- Evolved Sidewinder, although this require the RAAF to delay its pro in-service date for the weapon. 16 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 29 January - 4 February 1997
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