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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 1968.PDF
MILITARY AIRCRAFT DIRECTORY CFM56 turbofans, a further five were delivered to Saudi Arabia (plus eight KE-3 tankers), four to France and seven to the UK. E-6 MERCURY RAYTHEON SYSTEMS delivered the first E-6B to the US Navy in May 1997. The E-6B combines the TACAMO submarine-commu nications mission of die original E-6A with the Looking Glass airborne command-post role performed by USAF Boeing EC- 135s. Options have been placed to convert four additional air craft to E-6Bs. Boeing has proposed upgrading the E-6 with the flightdeck from the Next Generation 737. Based on die E-3 airframe, and powered by four CFM International CFM56 turbofans, the E-6 was first flown in June 1987 and 16 were delivered to the USN. F-4 PHANTOM II BUILT BY McDonnell Douglas, the F-4 remains in service with several air forces. Daimler-Benz Aerospace is to upgrade 39 Greek F-4Es, modelled on its Improved Combat Effectiveness programme for the German air force, installing Elbit avionics and Raytheon APG-65 radar. Israel Aircraft Indus tries is upgrading 54 Turkish F-4Es, modelled on its Phantom 2000 programme for die Israeli air force, including new computer, displays, electronic-warfare suite and Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar. F-15 EAGLE DELIVERIES OF 25 F-15I Thunders to the Israeli air force began in November 1997, deliv eries of 72 F-15S strike aircraft to Saudi Arabia having begun in September 1995. BotJi are ver sions of die former McDonnell Douglas F-15E two-seat strike variant. The USAF, meanwhile, has ordered 12 of a planned 24 additional F-l 5Es, having received the last of the original 209 aircraft in July 1994. Greece and South Korea are also considering die F-15. Flight testing of an improved Raytheon APG-63(V)1 radar for the F-15C/D began in July 1997, and some of die 400-plus aircraft still in USAF service are scheduled to be upgraded. Boeing is evaluating other potential upgrades, including new mission computer and flat-panel displays. The F-15 was first flown in July 1972 and McDonnell Douglas built 894 F-15A/B/C/Ds, including 52 for Israel and 74 for Saudi Arabia. Mitsubishi is licence-producing F-15J/DJs in Japan against a requirement for 213. F/A-18 HORNET/SUPER HORNET USN PROCUREMENT of the upgraded F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was cut from 1,000 aircraft to a minimum of 548 by the US Department of Defense's 1997 Quadrenniel Defence Review. If deployment of the Joint Strike Fighter is delayed beyond 2008-10, die Navy can increase E/F procurement to a maxi- Boeing proposes replacing the B-52's eight PirW TF33s with four leased R-R RB21 Is mum of 785 aircraft. Low-rate production was approved in March 1997, the first production F/A-l 8E will be delivered in late 1998, and ini tial operational capability is scheduled for 2001. The former McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E/F was first flown in November 1995 and initial sea trials were conducted in January 1997. The E/F is a structural upgrade of the F/A-18 and is 2 5 % larger, widi 3 3 % more internal fuel. Two 79kN GE F414s provide 35% more thrust than the F/A-18C/D'sGEF404s. The two-seat F/A-18F will replace US Navy Grumman F-14s and Boeing is studying a com- mand-and-control warfare variant to replace Grumman EA-6Bs, with a target in-service date of2008. Delivery of F/A-l8C/Ds will continue into 1999, to meet export orders. Finland is receiv ing 64 aircraft and Switzerland 34. Malaysia has received eight two-seat F/A-18Ds. Thailand cancelled its order for eight F-18C/Ds; die air craft have been bought back for delivery to die US Marine Corps. Upgrades planned include a new targeting pod and towed decoy. The F/A-18 was first flown in November 1978, and 770 F/A-18A/Bs were produced, including 75 for Australia, 138 for Canada and 72 for Spain. Since 1986, a fur ther 585 F/A-18C/Ds have been produced, including 40 for Kuwait. KC-10 EXTENDER Production of the KC-10 tanker/transport ver sion of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 ended after 60 were built for die US Air Force. Two ex- Martinair DC-10-30CFs were converted by MDC and KLM to KDC-10 tanker/transports for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. KC-135 STRATOTANKER DELIVERIES OF re-engined KC-135R tankers to export customers began in 1997 with the handover of three aircraft to France. The French aircraft join 11 C-135F upgraded by Boeing in 1994 with multi-point hose-and- drogue refuelling capability. Singapore has ordered four KC-13 5Rs. The USAF continues to re-engine KC- 13 5 As with CFM International CFM56 turbo fans and cockpit avionics are now being upgraded by Rockwell-Collins under die Pacer Crag programme. X-32 BOEING WAS awarded a contract in No vember 1996 to build two Joint Strike Fighter concept-demonstrator aircraft. Flight tests are planned for 2000. The X-32A demonstrator will represent the conventional take-off and landing variant for the US Air Force, and will be modified later to represent the carrier-capable variant for the US Navy. The X-32 B will repre sent the STOVL variant for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy in the UK. The X-32 will be powered by a modified P&W Fl 19 afterburning turbofan. The STOVL variant will be equipped with a direct- lift module supplied by R-R and including two retractable, vectoring lift nozzles. JSF development is scheduled to begin in 2001, with the aircraft becoming operational in 2008. The USAF plans to buy 1,763 aircraft to replace Lockheed Martin F-l6s and Fairchild A-10s; the USN 480 to replace Grumman A-6s; the USMC 642 to replace Boeing F-l8s and AV-8Bs; and the RN 60 to replace British Aerospace Sea Harriers. 38 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 29 July - 4 August 1998
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