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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 2563.PDF
RAF holds back on tanker programme THE UK MINISTRY of Defence has delayed releasing a request for information (RFI) for the Royal Air Force's future strate gic tanker aircraft programme for six months as Airbus Industrie and Boeing prepare to square off with respective proposed new military derivatives of the A310-300 and 767-300ERtwinjets. Manufacturers had been expect ing the issue of an RFI in August, but have been told this will now be postponed until March 1999 at the earliest. According to industry sources, the release of the tanker RFI will not come until the defence ministry has first issued a request for proposals for the RAF's planned new strategic airlifter. The release of the RFI is keenly awaited by Airbus and Boeing, which are increasingly focusing their tanker/transport efforts on the European market. Several air forces are looking to acquire an inflight refuelling capability, including Germany and Greece, but the RAF's programme is by far the largest and will be the most hotly contested. It is anticipated the RAF will require between 20 and 28 aircraft depending on the size of tanker selected, with a final contract expected to be awarded in 2002. The new aircraft will initially replace the RAF's 14 converted BAC VC10 K.l/2/3s and in the longer term its six Lockheed L-1011 TriStar KCls. There is also believed to be an anticipated requirement for a smaller tactical tanker version of the new Lockheed Martin C-130J. Airbus' proposed xMulti-Role Tanker Transport is based on the same A310 platform competing for Australia's airborne early warning programme. The RAF version would feature two underwing mounted Flight RefuelingMk.32B hose drum units with a l,5001itres/h (400 USgal/h) offload capability and a centre line unit coupled to a high flow pump capable of dispensing 2,2751itres/ min. It would have the capacity to carry up to a total of 77,500kg (171,0001b) of fuel with the addi tion of five additional 7,200 litre centre belly tanks. Boeing plans to offer a similarly- configured three point tanker for probe-and-drogue type refuelling. It would be capable of carrying a total of 96,000kg of fuel, including up to 22,250kg in six removable auxiliary belly fuel tanks. Boeing intends to offer the RAF the option of an aerial refuelling boom to pro vide for compatibility with other NATO air forces. The US compa ny says it is talks with UK potential partners to support and even fit out the aircraft locally. • Emirates will use its ultra-long-range A340-500for new non-stop flights to North America Airbus confirms Emirates and ILFC A340 orders AIRBUS INDUSTRIE has confirmed orders from two customers, Emirates and International Lease Finance (ILFC), for up to 26 A340- 500/600s. The two deals have an estimated value of $3.8 billion, including options. ILFC's deal for 10 Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered A340s includes five firm orders and five options, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2002. The first two air craft will be taken as -600s while the remaining eight are contracted as -500s. ILFC can convert these to the larger model later if required. The US leasing company, which is Airbus' largest customer with some 282 aircraft ordered, also signed for another six single-aisle models. John Plueger, ILFC's chief operating officer, says that the lessor is interested in the new A318 and expected to begin discussions soon about an order now that Airbus has authority to offer. Emirates confirmed its long- held commitment for up to 18 A340-500s, including firm orders for six aircraft and 10 options. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2002. Emirates says that the 2 80- seat A340s will be used for new non-stop routes from its Dubai base to points in North America and Australia. Emirates has also become the first Boeing 777 lease customer for Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), with a deal for two Rolls-Royce Trent 892-pow ered 777-300s. The aircraft will be delivered in November and December 1999 on 10-year oper ating leases, and will be operated alongside the airline's existing fleet of seven 777-200s (plus two on order). SALE has four more 777s on firm order, and 10 more aircraft on option. • UK Government boosts spacefunds THE UK'S NEW space minis ter, Lord Sainsbury, has announced a $17 million boost for navigation and earth observation programmes, including a 25% UK stake in work towards the develop ment of a proposed European global satellite navigation system. Initial investment amounts to£5 million ($8 million), while a total of £5.65 million ($9 million) has been put into the first phase of the European Space Agency (ESA) Living Planet Earth observation programme, and investment in a data processing facility at Farn- borough for the Envisat observa tion satellite, which is to be launched in 2000. Under the navigation pro gramme, the UK will be the equal largest contributor with France and Germany towards the devel opment of a satellite system to complement the US Navstar and Russian GLONASS global posi tioning (GPS) satellites. The first phase involves the inclusion of GPS payloads on European com munication satellites. The minister said at the show that the decision to commit an extra £10.65 million over the next two and a half years reflects UK policy to support scientific research in the space sector and assist industry in developing its competitiveness in the sector, u) FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 16 - 22 September 1998 19
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