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Aviation History
2000
2000-1 - 0073.PDF
Italian air force given OK lor AMX upgrade project ANDY NATIVI/GENOA THE ITALIAN Parliament has approved die first phase of an Italian air force programme to improve the AMX International AMX fighter-bomber's capabili ties. The performance of die air craft during last year's Kosovo campaign means die air force is committed to upgrading die whole fleet, if funding can be found. The programme will be in co operation with die Brazilian air force, which is looking at similar improvements for its AMXs. The update could be followed by the long-awaited order from Brazil for a fourdi production batch. The two air forces are working together to issue a joint operational requirement, between diem select- ing equipment and producing a similar operational configuration. The first phase of die work will start immediately, to address the most urgent requirements. These include adding a combined inertial measurement unit/global posi tioning system (GPS) navigation system, weapon management sys tem modifications, replacement of die head-down display and, possi bly, a Link 16 datalink to allow use of die Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition GPS guided bomb. Brazil will join Italy in an effort to improve the AMX's performance The modifications will give die AMX a precision munition widi all-weather capability in addition to die laser-guided bombs already used, although external designa tion is needed. The Italian plan initially covers only die 3 6 aircraft in die diird pro duction batch at an estimated cost of LI70 billion ($84.4 million), widi die work starting next year and.running dirough to 2005. The second phase is more ambi tious, widi die Italian air force seeking to reduce pilot workload by installing a new night vision goggle-compatible, fully" glass cockpit. The aircraft will also receive a new self-protection suite, including radar warning receiver and active electronic countermea- sures, and updated chaff and flare dispensers. In addition, die range-only radar in Italian aircraft and die multi- mode Scipio radar in die Brazilian AMXs will be replaced by a more capable multi-mode radar, possibly the Fiar Grifo. Italian aircraft should also receive die planned Thomson-CSF CLDP laser des ignator pod. All die systems will be installed on an AMX prototype for testing. The Italian air force wants to bring die 36 Batch 3 final opera tional capability aircraft to the Phase 2 standard first, but is seek ing funding to bring die entire 94 deployed AMXs to die same con figuration. Some of die cash could come from die industry ministry. According to military sources, die IAI completes intelligence satellite deal ISRAEL AIRCRAFT Industries (IAJ) is to supply and launch an intelligence satellite for Turkey and is close to signing a deal widi Singapore for similar equipment. The two contracts are potentially worth $1.3 billion. Turkey's $270 million contract will see IAI's MBT division build an Offeq-type satellite to carry an Elop optical payload widi a mono chromatic resolution of better dian lm (3 ft). Israel already has an Offeq-3 in orbit and is building Offeq-4, which will carry an optical payload widi a lm resolution. Tel Aviv is understood to have supplied Turkey with Offeq-3 imagery of Iran and Iraq. IAI will launch die satellite using a Shavit booster. According to Turkish sources, a last-minute cut in die bid price secured die deal for Israel, edging out France's Alcatel. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv and Sing apore are close to signing a contract for intelligence satellites. The $1 billion deal may include launches. According to Israeli sources, die agreement will include die devel opment of a series of satellites capa ble of providing images with a resolution of better than lm and die development of syndietic aper ture radar payloads. Singapore will fund satellite developments and will receive die technology as part of die deal. J Cash-strapped Australia abandons light tactical transport quest THE AUSTRALIAN Depart ment of Defence has formally terminated acquisition of a light tactical airlifter for die Royal Australian Air Force, pending the outcome of a review of its future airborne mobility requirements. Spanish company CASA, which became part of die EADS (Euro pean Aeronautic Defence and Space) company on 10 July, and Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems were advised at the end of last month diat die Defence Department did not intend to seek further extensions to die tender process after having dragged out a source selection for more than a year. The decision effectively pro vides a A$600 million ($364.7 million) relief to die Defence Department's highly stretched budget. The manufacturers were offering the C295 and C-27J, respectively. The termination also allows Canberra to start replanning its future airlift requirements from scratch radier dian working from force development assumptions laid out diree years ago. Australian aerospace industry analysts see tins "fresh start" approach as essential to any prospects for a future RAAF acqui sition of aircraft in the Boeing C-17 Globemaster or Airbus Military Company A400M class to replace the fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules in 2004-8. The termination decision comes as die RAAF begins studies to determine whether its 14 de Havilland Caribou short take-off and landing airlifters can be retained in service for a further five to eight years. Australia's mixed airlift fleet comprises eight C-130Es, 12 C-130Hs, eight C-130Js, the Caribous and five Boeing 707s configured as in-flight refuellers, but also used to carry cargo and passengers. The C-130Js will replace the C-13 OEs, which will be retired from operational service later this year. Australia already has 30 C-130J options as part of a 1996 deal it made for 12 aircraft. The options remain valid until 2002 and form the basis of its existing C-130H replacement plans. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 11 - 17 July 2000 17
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