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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 2190.PDF
J£ADUN£Z Power is restored to MrKristall module ELECTRICAL POWER has been restored to the Kristall module aboard die Mir space sta tion following a successful internal spacewalk by cosmonauts on 22 August. Anatoli Solovyov and Pavel Vinogradov reconnected die electrical cables leading from die solar panels of die crippled, depres- surised Spektr module to die main power system on the station (Flight International, 5-12 August). Power from three undamaged solar panels on the Spektr is now being fed gradually to the rest of die station. An external inspection of die Spektr module, which was damaged during a collision widi die Progress tanker on 2 5 June, will be made during a spacewalk on 3 September by Solovyov and NASA astronaut Michael Foale. The plan is to locate any small holes on the module by lifting its protective cover and then attempt to make temporary repairs using a form of glue and plaster. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is to be launched on 25 September on die sevendi mis sion to dock wi th die Mir. • Klimov holds MiG-29 engine talks in Iran R USSIAN ENGINE design bureau Klimov is in negotia tions with Iran for a licence-pro duction agreement for its RD-33 engine, which powers the MAPO AUG MiG-29 Fulcrum. Senior officials from MAPO MIG, of which Klimov now forms a part, confirm diat "an RD-33 engine licence-manufacturing agreement in Iran" is being dis cussed. Iran's air force has a large fleet of Fulcrums. Senior Klimov officials met Iranian delegates during the MAKS '97 show in Moscow in August, and it is almost certain diat production of die RD-33 was one of die main items discussed. Rapprochement between Iran and Russia over defence material is growing. Iran is also discussing die acquisition of die Kamov Ka-52 two-seat all-weadier attack heli copter, and the Kamov Ka-60 twin- engine military utility helicopter, bodi now in development. • British Army bargains more WAH-64s against tank cuts DOUGLAS BARRIE/LONDON THE UK could acquire an addi tional 20 Westland/Mc- Donnell Douglas WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters if die British Army succeeds in an attempt to trade off cuts in heavy armour widi more attack helicopters. Tank units now attached to die British Army of die Rhine are com ing under intense scrutiny as part of the new Labour Government's strategic defence review (SDR). The outcome of diis may be the army's withdrawal from Germany, as well as overall cuts in die number of Challenger tanks. Industry sources confirm diat in reply to the likely cuts in armour, die army is arguing for more WAH-64s. Both UK and US sources indicate diat die Army Air Corps (AAC) is looking to gain at least a further 20 helicopterson top of die 67 on order. The addition of a further 20 airframes would bring die total much closer to die Army's original planning number for attack helicopters. The Army is understood to be arguing that any cuts in heavy armour, and die resulting loss of fire-power, needs to be compensat ed by additional attack helicopters. The WAII-64s are fitted with the Longbow fire-control radar and the Hellfire II millimetre-wave radar-guided anti-tank missile. The WAH-64 Apache may he about to take additional tank scalps The SDR is also considering the appropriate force structure, in the light of die UK's emerging foreign- policy and defence requirements, so the Army is also emphasising die suitability of the WAH-64 for rapid response units. The Army has made no attempt to hide its desire to acquire addi tional helicopters. Shortly after the WAH-64 was selected in 1995,Maj Gen Simon Lyde, die dien-direc- torof army aviation and head of die AAC], suggested diat it would look to purchase further AH-64s. An order for 91 had been expected. The Army is also understood to be concerned over die Royal Navy's helicopter fire-support requirement for its Commando Brigade. One of the AAC's WAH- 64 squadrons is earmarked to fulfil die marine-support role. Given the limited numbers of WAH-64s being procured, the Army is worried diat die available resources.will not be able to meet operational demands. • Swissair and Lufthansa study 747 replacements AIRBUS COULD land two more prestige customers for its A340-600 later this year, as Swissair and Lufthansa examine die aircraft to replace dieir Boeing 747 "Classic" fleets. Swissair says diat it expects to make a decision on die long-term future of its 747-300 fleet by the year-end. The five aircraft (two 396-seat-300sand three 265-seat- 300 Combis) were delivered dur ing 1982-7, and die new 372-seat A340-600 is being evaluated, as are Boeing's 747-400 and 777-300. The size and delivery schedule of die order will depend on die aircraft selected, and its availability: "If it is the A340-600 or 777-300X dien deliveries cannot begin until 2001- 2002," says Swissair. The airline has a large fleet of Airbus A320-famiIy models, and is a launch customer for die new long-range A3 30-200. Lufthansa, which is a major Airbus customer and operates 16 A340-200/300s, confirms that it is considering die -600 to replace its fleet of eight 10-20-year-old 747- 200/200 Combis, but says diat an order decision "is not imminent". It is likely that the airline is also keeping a watching eye on Boeing's 777 developments. Airbus announced die provision al go-ahead of die $2.5 billion, Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered A340-500 and -600 at the Paris air show in June. The consortium is seeking a "significant" number of orders for the aircraft to enable a full launch to be made during die fourth quarter of 1997. Virgin and Air Canada have bodi placed com mitments for die new models. • 6 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 3 - 9 September 1997
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