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Aviation History
1999
1999 - 2379.PDF
Ww99QkkW V^^^^T m Maffsvannv 9 firvfvCw w ^J9W W Recent export orders ensure that the F-16 production line will remain open well into the next decade thrust Viper 680 turbojets, and the 3,1701b- thrust Snecma/Turbomeca Larzac 04, with 3,5001b-thrust AlliedSignal TFE731 turbo- fans. Marconi Avionics of the UK, Israel's Elop and France's Sextant Avionique are offering seat aircraft, avionics and other systems. trainers operated by the JASDE The high- wing, twin-engined trainer first flew in July 1985 and deliveries began last September. The JASDF has ordered around 200 of the tandem- ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES (IAI) IAI, Israel Aircraft Industries, Ben-Gurion International Airport, 70100, Israel; tel: +972 (3) 935 3111; fax:+972 (3) 935 4162. KFIR ISRAEL continues to market surplus Kfir fight ers. Recent customers have included Colombia, Ecuador and Sri Lanka. The latest standard is the Kfir 2000/C-10, with the Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar and other avionics and sys tems from the cancelled Israeli Lavi fighter. UPGRADES IAI OFFERS UPGRADES of the F-4 Phantom (see Boeing entry) and Mirage models. It has proposed replacing the Snecma Atar engine of the Mrage HI/V/50 with a GE F404. All the upgrades derive from worked carried out for the Israeli air force. KAWASAKI HEAVY INDUSTRIES Kawasaki Heavy Industries, World Trade Centre Building, 4-1, Hamamatsu-cho 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan; tel: +81 (3) 3435 2111; fax+81 (3) 3436 3037; web: http://www.khi.co.jp. T-4 KAWASAKI developed the T-4 advanced jet trainer as a replacement for Lockheed T-33 LOCKHEED MARTIN Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, 1011 Lockheed Way, Palmdale, California 93599, USA; tel: +1 (805) 572 4158; fax: +1 (805) 572 4163; web: http://www.skunkworks.net Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, PO Box 748, Fort Worth, Texas 76101, USA; tel: +1 (817) 777 2000; fax: +1 (817) 763 4797; web: http://www.itntas.com. F-16 FIGHTING FALCON THE F-16 has won additional orders from Egypt (24 aircraft), Greece (58) and Israel (50) so far this year. While Egypt's order was for Block 40 aircraft similar to those previously ordered, the other two nations ordered Block 50+ F-16s with sig nificant changes over earlier purchases, such as conformal tanks (both countries), Northrop Grumman APG-68(V)X synthetic aperture radar (Israel), colour MFDs and modular mis sion computers (both). The United Arab Emirates continues to negotiate a contract for Block 60 F-16C/Ds with active-array radar, internally mounted navigation and targeting IR sensors, upgraded cockpit displays, uprated engine and conformal long-range fuel tanks. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, has estab lished generic F-16 export configurations in an attempt to reduce the aircraft's cost. Packaging popular features into a common core configu ration reduces engineering costs. The Viper 2000 configuration is based on the improved Block 50+ and the Viper 2100 is based on the advanced Block 60, Norway is being offered both configurations in a competition against the Eurofighter Typhoon. The USAF's current F-16C/D production version is a improved Block 50, which includes some upgrades developed for the European F-16A/B Md Life Update programme (MLU), including colour displays, modular mission computer and digital terrain system. The USAF has launched a $1 billion pro gramme to upgrade 700 in-service Block 40 and 50 F-16C/Ds to a common hardware and soft ware configuration, with many elements com mon with the F-16A/B MLU. Flight tests are planned for 2001 and the upgrade is to be com pleted by 2 00 5. Four European operators - Belgium, Den mark, the Netherlands and Norway - began upgrading 343 F-16A/Bs in 1996 under the MLU programme, which includes the Block 50 cockpit and an improved Northrop Grumman APG-66 radar capable of guiding the AIM-120 beyond-visual-range AAM. MLU elements are included in the 150 F-16A/Bs being built for Taiwan, deliveries of which began in 1997. The F-16 was first flown in February 1974, and over 4,000 have been sold, making the air craft the most successful jet fighter in produc tion and second only in popularity to the F-4 in the Western world. F-117 NIGHTHAWK ANAVTGATION system upgrade is under way on USAF F-117 A stealth fighters, to keep them in service beyond 2015. The F-117Awas first flown in June 1981, and 59 were built by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. LOCKHEED MARTIN AIRCRAFT ARGENTINA Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina SA, Avenida Fuerza Aerea Argentina 5500, Cordoba 5010, Argentina; tel: +54 (51) 651706; fax: +54 (51) 690 698; telex: 51965 AMCOR AR A-4AR LOCKHEED MARTIN took over operation of Argentina's FMA plant from the air force as part of a deal to upgrade 3 6 ex-USMC McDon nell Douglas A-4Ms for the Argentine air force. The upgraded A-4AR incorporates a North rop Grumman APG-66 multimode radar, dubbed the ARG-1; improved cockpit with head-up and multifunction displays; RWR and chaff/flare dispenser; and overhauled and upgraded P&WJ58 engine. Deliveries of the aircraft to the air force began in late 1997. Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina plans to pursue opportunities to overhaul and upgrade McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks acquired by Bolivia and Brazil. FMA previously produced the IA-56 Pucara ground-attack aircraft and the IA-63 Pampa jet trainer. Efforts are continuing to secure a 58 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 11 -17 August 1999
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