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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 1047.PDF
Singaporean F-16D Block 52s reveal Israeli design heritage DOUGLAS BARRIE/LONDON SINGAPORE'S latest batch of Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 aircraft is believed to be under going a modification by Israel, drawing on elements of the Israeli air force's own F-16D Brakeet (Thunderbolt) strike aircraft. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has 20 F-16D Block 52 aircraft on order. The first D model of a batch of 18C/Ds which are being procured has the same enlarged spine as the Israeli air force aircraft have. . Although the airframe modi fication for the RSAF's D model was implemented in the USA, both US and Israeli sources confirm that considerable technical assistance to the RSAF is coming from Israel. Israeli F-16Ds carry additional avionics in the hump, including Elisra electronic countermeasures. A similar fit may be being provided to the RSAF. The RSAF is also understood to be interested in acquiring an im proved air-to-surface anti-radia- The national insignia is Singaporean, but the hump has Israeli links tion missile capability to supersede the AGM-45 Shrike. Sources indi cate that its preferred option is the Raytheon AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radar Missile (HARM). The Block 52 aircraft is HARM-capa- ble. The RSAF's Block 50/52s are also known to be being wired for the carriage of non-US manufac tured weaponry. Singapore is understood to have received its first batch of Rafael Python 4 high agili ty dogfight missiles in the latter half of 1997, although the RSAF officially denies that it has ordered the Python 4. While the RSAF's only current air to air missile (AAM) is the semi- active AIM-7 Sparrow , it is likely to move rapidly to procure an active radar guided AAM as soon as the Russian Vympel R-77 (AA-12 Adder) appears in the region. The US Government, accord ing to Washington sources, is unwilling to introduce the Ray theon AIM-120 AMRAAM active radar-guided AAM into the region until such time as a "like system" (ie the R-77) is in evidence. The Royal Malaysian Air Force is expected to take deliveries of the R-77 during 1999 for its MAPO MiG-29 Fulcrums. Israel may also offer its Derby active radar-guid ed AAM to the RSAF. • Sukhoi and Mikoyan told to co-ordinate fifth generation effort THE RUSSIAN air force (RusAF) wants Sukhoi and the Mikoyan design bureau (OKB) to start to co-operate on fifth genera tion combat aircraft programmes. The RusAF, despite begin des perately short of cash, is pursuing next-generation fighter aircraft programmes. Sukhoi and the Mikoyan OKB, however, have at least four such projects under way. The RusAF may be able to support one or two at a low funding level. Mikhail Simonov, Sukhoi's gen eral designer, says that his company and the Mikoyan OKB "...are close to signing a co-operation agreement to co-ordinate their efforts in the development of an advanced fighter for the air force". Sukhoi has the S-37 and S-54 fighter developments under way, while MIG MAPO and the associ ated Mikoyan OKB have the Article 1.42 and LFI projects. The Article 1.42, or MFI, proto type is expected to fly in August 1998, but only as a technology demonstrator. Sukhoi may want to draw on the aircraft's avionics for the S-37. • German MoD pushes ambitious helicopter and missile wish list ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/MUNICH THE GERMAN defence min istry has prepared a lengthy procurement wish-list for the 1999 budget, including key helicopter and missile programmes, but it threatens to overload the parlia mentary defence committee's abil ity to pass all the items this session. According to sources in Bonn, it seems likely that several items will have to be delayed, and may not make it intp next year's budget as a result of additional pressure caused by preparations for September's parliamentary election. The list includes DM299 mil lion ($164 million) for the upgrade of 17 GKNWestland Sea Lynx Mk88s to Super Lynx standard. This was in question due to lobby ing from supporters of the NH Industries NH.90 multi-role heli copter Flight International, 1-7 April), but is now "back on track" according to GKN Westland. Talks are still going on in an attempt to push down the price of the upgrade, and this item is due to be cleared by the end of May. Production investment and series production of the NH90 is also on the list, with DM11.836 bil lion to be cleared to finance this by the end of June, although this pro ject has been the subject of hag gling among politicians recently. Quantity and unit price are still subject to negotiations with manu facturer NH Industries and part ner companies Eurocopter, Agusta and Fokker Aerostructures. The army is expecting purchase clearance for the first batch of 80 Eurocopter Tiger battlefield heli copters at a cost of DM4.826 bil lion. This project now seems more secure than the NH90 purchase. The Luftwaffe is now hoping to get clearance for the long-delayed replacement of its last two Boeing 707 transports by ex-Lufthansa Airbus A310s, at a cost of DM167 million. The air force says if this is not done in 1999, the veteran 707s will become much more mainten ance-intensive and costly to run. On the missiles front, June should see parliament debate the DM 115 million definition phase of a medium range air-to-air missile to arm the Eurofighter 2000. The defence committee is urging the start of this project "without delay" in a European industrial partner ship, while the controversial seeker selection remains unresolved Flight International, 8-14 April). Also in June, parliamentarians are due to tackle the DM390 mil lion medium-range Trigat require ment for infantry and armoured vehicles. The long-range variant, the Trigat LR, to arm the Tiger helicopter, is notably off the list. France has already withdrawn from the Trigat LR due to budget cuts. Programme sources say con cerns with the missile's range, cou pled with the long lead period before the French Tiger enters ser vice in 2011, contributed to the decision. The interdiction variant of the Matra BAe Dynamics Apache and the I Iorus reconnais sance satellite were also cancelled. The German MoD hopes for clearance in late April for the DM279 million upgrade of Patriot surface-to-air missiles to improve intercept capability against tactical ballistic missiles. The 1999 fund ing covers a radar upgrade, while the overall project will cost DM891 million. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 22 - 28 April 1998 15
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