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Aviation History
2000
2000 - 1165.PDF
Mitsubishi investigates F-2 air superiority development ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/TOKYO MITSUBISHI HEAVY Indu stries (MHI) is considering the development of a dedicated air superiority version of its new F-2 support fighter. According to J unichi Miyakawa. All II military aircraft design sec tion manager, the variant is being considered as a potential replace ment for the Japan Air Self- Defence Force (JASDF) fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Phantom interceptors. "The F-4 replacement will be in about 10 years, but the Japan Defence Agency [JDA] has not decided yet [on a replacement pro gramme]. One option is a modifi cation of the F-2...but we would have to enhance the air-to-air capa bility," says Miyakawa. He says the proposed variant would require upgrades to the radar and avionics, to allow it to carry more air-to-air missiles. The F-2 is equipped with a Mitsubishi Electric active-array radar and a US/Japanese avionics suite. Mitsubishi is looking at an air superiority version of the F-2 The F-2A support fighter is intended to replace JASDF Mitsubishi F-1 s, and possibly in its two-seat F-2B variant to replace the air force's T-2/2 A trainers. Miyakawa says die JASDF wants about 130 aircraft (83 F-2 As and 47 F-2Bs), but the final number will depend on the defence budget. The delayed first delivery is set for August, with 19 aircraft to be hand ed over by die end of next March. Deliveries have been delayed by structural cracking problems in die aircraft's wing, compounded by excessive loads at the fin root dis covered during a negative \g roll manoeuvre. The aircraft is based on the Lockheed Martin F-16C airframe, but the all-composite wing is Japanese-designed and 2 5 % bigger than the F-16's, offering five hard- points under each side instead of the F-16's three. Cracks were found close to the wing tips and around a fuel inlet in the starboard side. Miyakawa says the wing structure in the cracked areas has now been reinforced with metal plates, and flight testing is continuing. J Omega tanker nears certification OMEGA AIR'S modified Boeing 707 multi-purpose air refuelling tanker is expected to be certificated shortly following the completion of contractor testing for die lease-by-the-hour concept. The US Federal Aviation Ad ministration supplemental type certificate will cover "A kit" instal lations such as the aircraft's plumb ing and structural modifications. 1 his follows the completion in February of company ground and flight testing of die modified tanker in Mojave, California, using a McDonnell Douglas F-4. Omega has since moved the air craft to XAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and contracted the US Navy to validate the 707-320B's removable "B kit" fittings, starting in May. "We're repeating a lot of what we did in Mojave, but under closer navy scrutiny. We need to measure the fuel flow and pressure to ensure we're within the limits of US Navy requirements," says Omega president Gale Mathews. Integrated by BAE Systems, die modification employs a Sargent Fletcher centreline hose/drqgue unit, widi a second for redundancy. Ambitious plans to employ a microprocessor and variable speed pump were dropped with the dis solution of Team Inflight Refuelling, the original consor tium behind the tanker, and depar ture of former partners Able, Derlan and West Coast Netting. Naval planning calls for a 12h flight test programme, employing a Boeing F/A-18C, which, if suc cessful, will clear the way to certify the Omega system for use with other US Navy aircraft. Omega hopes to contract out use of the air craft to the navy and Marine Corps to use for training, support of developmental test flying, trans port or when the USAF is unable to provide a BoeingKC-135. "Canada is interested in a leased tanker and there are a number of odier candidate users, such as die US Navy. We've applied for export licences for several countries," says Mathews, who adds Colombia, Germany and Italy are interested. ' I he company plans to convert a' McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40 to a tanker. It is eyeing a Royal Air Force requirement. • Lithuania discusses L-159 purchase LITHUANIA IS interested in acquiring up to six Aero Vodochody L-159 light attack air craft, but is unlikely to issue a for mal tender before parliamentary elections in September. The possible sale of the Czech fighters was discussed during an official visit to Lithuania by Czech prime minister Milos Zeman, which was aimed at developing closer economic ties between the two countries. Zeman presented Lithuanian prime minister An- drius Kubilius with proposals cov ering the supply of L-159s and an industrial offset package. Further talks are planned to coincide with Czech defence min ister Vladimir Vetchy's trip to Vilnius in June. . The Lithuanian air force oper ates six Aero-built attack aircraft - four L-39Cs acquired on the sec ond-hand market and two L-39ZAs delivered by the manu facturer two years ago. The coun try has ambitions to join the European Union and NATO. Meanwhile, the defence and foreign ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic recently held a bilateral meeting in Krakow to deepen military ties between the two new NATO member coun tries. The Czech Republic is offering Poland participation in production of the L-159 if it selects the aircraft for its advanced trainer requirement. The Czech air force has ordered 72 L-l 59s. The countries are dis cussing joint procurement of Western supersonic fighters. The ministers agreed to set up a Czech-Polish commission to co ordinate amis purchases and indi cated Hungary would be invited. 3 NEWS IN BRIEF • COMMAND CHANGE Maj Gen Dan Halutz has assumed command of the Israeli air force. He replaces Maj Gen Eitan Ben-Eliahu who has retired after being commander for the past four years. Ben-Eliahu is expected to take a job in industry. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 11 - 17 April 2000 17
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