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Aviation History
1999
1999 - 2288.PDF
The II- 76 and II-18 (above) remain in widespread service throughout the CIS tomers include Italy, with 18, while the US Government has ordered 3 5 so far, including basic C-130Js for the US Air National Guard, command-post EC-130Js and weather-recon naissance WC-130Js for the USAF, and KC- 130J aerial-refuelling aircraft for the USMC. The USAF has identified a requirement for 168 C-130Js, with procurement to begin in 2002. The C-l 30J was proposed but rejected as an AEW&C platform in Australia, fitted with the Lockheed Martin Advanced UHF Radar, although the airframe manufacturer also has agreements to offer die aircraft as a platform for Elta's Phalcon and Ericsson's Erieye phased array radars. The USAF has launched the $4 billion C- 13 OX Avionics Modernisation Programme to standardise earlier Hercules with a common cockpit and engine. Between 65 and 85 aircraft a year would be modified with a flight manage ment system, INS improvements and GPS receivers. Cockpit changes will include multi function flat panel displays, dual head-up dis plays, a new autopilot, terrain warning and collision avoidance systems and CNS/ATM enhancements. P-3 ORION PRODUCTION of die maritime patrol Orion was halted in 1995 after delivery of eight P-3C Update Ills to South Korea, which still requires another eight aircraft. Lockheed Martin plans to offer Germany and Italy a range of options including the basic P-3C, a re-engined P-3C Plus and the Orion 2000, a re-engined aircraft with a two-crew cockpit, new mission avionics, expanded weapons capability and system improvements. The USN has structural and avionics upgrade programmes under way to keep its 228-aircraft P-3 fleet viable until it is replaced by the planned Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA). The Sustained Readiness Programme is extending service life, while the Avionics Improvement Programme is installing new anti-surface warfare sensors. A service life extension is also planned and Lockheed Martin has been awarded a four-year Service Life Assessment Programme to deter mine the work required to keep the P-3 airwor thy until the MMA enters service around 2015. MMA options range from refurbished Orions through remanufactured and new-build P-3 s to all-new aircraft designs. Australia is upgrading the mission systems of 18 AP-3 Cs under the Sea Sentinel programme. Raytheon Systems delivered the first upgraded aircraft in September 1998. New Zealand is re-winging six P-3Ks to extend life, and Norway is upgrading the mission systems in four P-3 Cs. TheP-3 was first flown in 1958. Atotalof649 was built, including 345 P-3Cs. Kawasaki built the P-3 under licence in Japan. S-3 VIKING SERVICE-LIFE extension and new sensors to improve the aircraft's coastal warfare capabili ties will keep the S-3 carrierborne maritime- patrol aircraft operational until 2015, by which time the USN hopes to have the replacement Common Support Aircraft ready. Atotalof 187 S-3 As was built, and 121 were upgraded to S-3 Bs, with improved mission sys tems. A further 16 S-3As were modified to ES- 3A Shadow electronic-warfare/reconnaissance aircraft, but these will be retired by the end of this year. The USN is preparing its life improvement programme, with measures collectively known as Viking 21 by the manufacturer. A critical area is wing life, and Lockheed Martin started full- scale fatigue testing in May. Changes to the avionics system include new radios, with satcom capabilities, new VHF communications, an INS with embedded GPS, a 1553 databus, liq uid crystal displays, digital flight data computer and upgraded open architecture mission com puter. Tests of an S-3 with a Raytheon APS-13 7B(V)5 radar are due this year. Another aircraft will have a Wescam television/infrared sensor and Link 16 datalink. Meanwhile, for the international market, Lockheed Martin is pursuing the possibility of taking retired S-3Bs and ES-3s and equipping them with systems from the P-3 Avionics Improvement Programme. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 4 - 10 August 1999 55
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