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Aviation History
2000
2000-1 - 2124.PDF
DEFENCE Boeing fixes X-32A's hydraulic problems BOEING HAS completed hydraulic modifications to the X-32A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) demonstrator's landing gear, clear ing die way for the start of full flight testing of the conventional take-oft landing (CTOL) variant. Changes were made to the aircraft's hydraulically-actuated undercarriage and braking system after 2 Oh of low-speed aircraft car rier (CV) approach tests. The first two "up and away" flights were made on 5 December, marking the start of Boeing's second phase of concept demonstrator testing. Unlike the JSF Programme Office-mandated CV flight trials, CTOL testing is largely driven by Boeing's "strategic objectives". These include supersonic flight and in-flight refuelling. Boeing claims the X-32A com pleted 100% of the government -defined CV objectives. This cov ered 97 approaches, including 74 landings and numerous wave-offs in manual and autothrottle modes. The tests were conducted on a car rier deck outline on the runway at Edwards AFB. "From the Government's stand point, Fm very pleased with the performance and progress we've made," says US Navy Cdr Philip Yates, lead government test pilot. Nextto the X-32B short take-off landing version, due to fly early next year, the CV tests were critical for demonstrating and validating Boeing's JSF modelling. In terms of approach speed, roll and a 12.2° angle-of-attack, the aircraft met with previously submitted sealed performance predictions. J NEWS IN BRIEF • RADA DATA CENTRE TEAM Israel's RADA has teamed with Smiths Industries and Fairchild Defence to develop a data centre to combine the capabilities of flight data recorders, data transfer equipment and video tape recorders in a single unit. Israeli air force Lockheed Martin F-16I's will be the first aircraft to carry the system. US Army rescues UAV tests after Marines lose interest RAMON LOPEZ/WASHINGTON DC THE US ARMY has stepped in to complete the Sikorsky Dragon Warrior flight demonstra tion after the US Marine Corps' interest waned because of a nag ging technical problem with the close-range, tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV). Sikorsky was to deliver two Dragon Warriors to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) as part of a $5.5 million contract. The prototypes were to. have participated in the MCWL's Capable Warrior experiment early next year, when the USMC aimed to demonstrate a small UAV to provide tactical reconnaissance in an urban environment Dragon Warrior's two Herb- ranson engines drive a main gear box whereas the Cypher, from which Dragon Warrior has evolved, has a single powerplant. Both designs incorporate a shroud ed rotor, but Dragon Warrior is fit ted with a pusher propeller and removable wings to boost speed and range. Sikorsky shipped a Dragon Warrior to its flight test facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, in August, since when an unresolved technical problem with the drive system has kept the UAV grounded. MCWL says Dragon Warrior will become a VFOL UAVtestbed for the US Army's Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Director ate at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It adds that the USMC is still interested in the concept and holds an option to buy back a Dragon Warrior in the future. "The US Army has agreed to be the lead agency since it has greater resources," it continues. Sikorsky says the shift is due to "a change in the USMC leader ship, which has set different priori ties, and the US Army's growing interest in VTOL UAVs". It says the technical setback is due to "nor mal integration issues with com plex systems. It will fly after we workout the technical issues." The USMC now plans to use a Dragon Eye in the Capable War rior UAV exercise. Dragon Eye, a low-cost, hand-launched UAV being developed by the MCWL and the Naval Research Labora tory, is recovered via an autopilot- commanded deep stall descent. The endurance goal for the UAV is 30min at 35kt (65km/h), using an electric motor. The pay- load will include daylight, low- light and infrared sensors and communications links. J China still in limbo over Pakistan fighter order CHINA IS STILL waiting for the Pakistan air force (PAF) to select a multimode radar for the Chengdu F-7MG so it can finalise an order for up to 60 of the improved fighters. Longer term plans to field the new Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) FC-1/Super 7 remain in limbo as the result of an even more protracted avionics and weapons suite selection. Pakistan recently signalled its intent to proceed with die Chinese fighter order, which was first moot ed two years ago. The order size has varied between 40 and 100 air craft depending on the number of ageing fighters Pakistan intends to replace. The aircraft were originally to replace the PAF's two remaining squadrons of elderlv Shenvang F-6s (Chinese built MiG-19s). The need for modern aircraft has been further compounded by the increasing requirement to replace the PAF's Nanchang A-5 Fantans Pakistan needs to finalise an F-7MG order to supplement its F-lPs (above) and F-7Ps as well as the USA's refusal to deliver the 71 Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs ordered in the early 1990s. Delivery of the F-7xMG has been held back by Pakistan's procrasti nation over its radar choice. BAE Systems has been promoting the Super Skyranger, a pulse-Doppler version of the F-7P's Skyranger 226 ranging-only radar. Fiar of Italy has proposed a development of its Grifo 7 radar with a wider, ±20° azimuth scan capability. The Grifo 7 is being retrofitted to 100 F-7Ps and is produced under license by the at Kamra. The planned Super 7 continues to suffer delays due to an apparent Western reluctance to supply an integrated avionics and sensor suite. China has proposed a "local ly integrated" suite as an alterna tive. First flight has slipped by two years to 2003. • 20 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 12 - 18 December 2000
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