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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 2060.PDF
HELICOPTERS MMmmsm THE MILITARY helicopter arena con tinues to be a case of too many cooks chasing a limited amount of kitchen space: the market is oversubscribed with suppliers battling for too few buyers. Just when it appeared some progress towards rationalisation was takingplace - the acquisition of McDonnell Douglas by Boeing, thus removing one of the four US competitors - Japan's Kawaski Heavy Industries (KHI) has entered the fray with its OH-1 scout helicopter. The OH-1, which could well be the last new military helicopter to be flown before the end of the century, is ear marked for the Japan Ground Self Defence Forces. KHI is also likely, how ever, to push the OH-1 into an already packed export marketplace. In Europe, Eurocopter has received the production go-ahead for the Tiger attack helicopter - although exact pro curement numbers appear far from firm. The orbits of GKN Westland and Agusta grow increasingly closer, with the Italian partner in the EH101 medium-lift mili tary utility helicopter discussing openly what it believes to be inevitable - a merg er between the two. Europe's other multi-national military utility helicopter programme, the NH Industries NH90, reached a landmark in March with the flight of prototype num ber two, the first to be equipped with a digital flight-control system. The pro duction contract remains to be finalised. In Russia, Kamov and Mil continue to vie to replace the Mil Mi-24 Hind with all-weather attack variants of the Mi-28N Havoc and Ka-50/52 Hokum. Russia's army aviation units do not, however, have a rouble for new airframe procurements - so in the near term, exports appear to the best hope for both companies of garner ing sales. Kamov, for instance, is mount ing a concerted campaign in India. The Ka-52 two-seat variant of the Hokum was flown for the first time in June. The US Department of Defense's 1997 Quadrenniel Defense Review (QDR) proved a mixed blessing for the Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche. It re affirms the need for the helicopter, but it also suggests that, given budgetary con straints, peak production rates may have to be reduced. While numbers of the Bell Boeing V- 22 tilt-rotor, specifically the US Marine Corps MV-22 variant, were cut by the QDR, production has been accelerated. Bell Boeing is also increasingly active in searching for export opportunities for the tilt-rotor. nological approach has been taken with the new EC120 light single, which is being produced jointly with China National Aero Technology and Singapore Aerospace. Eurocopter, meanwhile, continues to improve its range, introducing new versions of the light AS350B3 Ecureuil and medium AS365N4 Dauphin, which was introduced at the Paris air show injune.The European manu facturer's range is topped by the Super Puma Mk2, and Eurocopter may eventually take the lead in developing a civil version of the NH Industries NH90 transport helicopter. Also in Europe, Agusta has revamped its commercial- helicopter with the improved A109 Power light twin and the new A119 Koala, light single. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS EXPANDS In the USA, McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, now part of Boeing, has expanded its civil-helicopter range with the certification of the MD600N light single. This is the company's third design to have the no-tailrotor (NOTAR) anti-torque system, which offers noise and safe ty advantages. The NCTAR's performance has been instrumental in establishing a significant share of the law-enforcement market for the MD520N light single. The MD600N, a stretched derivative of the M D520N, is targeted at the air-tour and air-medical markets. The more powerful NOTAR-equipped MD902 Explorer light twin is being improved. The com pany has received 24 orders for the variant to date. Robinson has introduced a police version of its four-seat R44 light turbine. At opposite ends of die civil-helicopter spec trum, Schweizer Aircraft has improved the per formance of its Model 330SP light single, and the GKN Westland/Agusta consortium EH Industries has begun commercial trials with the 30-seat, triple-turbine EH101. Sikorsky has introduced the uprated S-76C medium twin and plans to roll out the 19-seat, S-92CI lelibus. • •JMih'JFMiKH Market C commercial M military Primary role A attack ASW anti-submarine warfare ASV air-tosurface vessel MP multi-purpose MPM maritime- patrol mission PpassengerTtransportTrtrainingu utility Size H heavy L light M medium Conversions lkW=1.34hp lm=3.28ft lkg=2.2046lb lkt=1.85km/h 30 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 13 - 19 August 1997
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