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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 2543.PDF
DEFENCE UNMANNED SYSTEMS Fire Scout is handed over Northrop Grumman has taken deliv ery of a second prototype of the Fire Scout vertical take-off and land ing unmanned air vehicle (VTUAV) from Schweizer Aircraft. The Fire Scout is based on the Schweizer 330 helicopter. The new VTUAV will be used in risk-reduction flight testing, which will start at the end of the year, joining a manned prototype. The new prototype has dual-redundant avionics similar to the production system. The first engi neering and manufacturing development (EMD) vehicle is expected to be delivered this month. EMD flight testing is due to start in February. • The Israeli air force is creating a new unmanned air vehicle (UAV) department to co-ordinate unmanned systems development. In parallel, the Israel defence ministry's weapons development department has created a dedicated UAV directorate. The new air force department is tasked with developing new opera tional modes and assessing future UAV requirements. SEE FEATURES P42-44 PROCUREMENT RAMON LOPEZ / WASHINGTON DC Deepwater competitors wade into final bid stage Three teams are vying for the USCG's $20 billion re-equipment programme Competitors for the US Coast Guard's $20 billion, 40-year Deepwater procurement pro gramme are to submit their final bids later this month. A five-year, $2.3 billion initial contract is due to be awarded to a system integra tor next April. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Science Applications International (SAIC)-led teams are bidding to replace/refurbish over 200 aircraft - including Dassault HU-25 Falcons, Eurocopter HH-65A Dolphins, Lockheed Martin HC-130H Hercules and Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawks - and around 100 ships. Boeing has replaced Litton Avondale Industries, the Northrop Grumman subsidiary, as a team leader. It will be responsible for integration, information and com munications systems and logistics. New team additions are EADS, Casa and Eurocopter businesses, and John J McMullen Associates (JJMA). EADS Casa would handle the USCG's fixed-wing aircraft require ments, having earlier this year demonstrated a C295 Persuader in the USA. JJMA would be responsible for naval architecture and marine engineering, while Litton would be the shipbuilder. Raytheon may have a future role, but Kaman has been dropped from the team. Avondale's sister company, Northrop Grumman Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Bell Helicopter Textron are teamed with Lockheed Martin. The latter and Ingalls recently formed a joint venture - Integrated Coast Guard Systems - for Deepwater. SAIC's team includes Marinette Marine (MMC) and Sikorsky. MMC is a shipyard specialising in medium-sized vessels that claims to be the USCG's largest marine sup plier. Sikorsky's S-92 is being tar geted at search and rescue (SAR) and other applications that require long-range, large-cabin machines. The Bush Administration's fiscal year 2002 budget request includes a $338 million Deepwater downpayment. It will fund some integration of aircraft, ships and technologies needed to carry out deepwater missions, which include SAR, fisheries enforcement and drug interdiction. A recently-released US General Accounting Office report, however, warns that the programme could run into budget trouble. "The Deepwater acquisition strategy is unique and untried for a project of this magnitude, and it carries many risks which could potentially cause significant schedule delays and cost increases," says the GAO. FIRST FLIGHT Upgraded Chinook takes flight Boeing completed the first flight of the upgraded CH-47F Chinook on 25 June, from its Wilmington, Pennsylvania, factory. Aircraft handling qualities were evaluated during the 5min flight. The CH-47F programme involves fit ting a new, lower vibration cockpit section and a Rockwell Collins avionics suite with twcVl 50 x 200mm (6 x 8in) and four 100 x 100mm displays, and two control display units. The airframe has been re-lifed to 5,000h - enough for another 20 yeaYs service. The upgraded machines will also be fitted with Honeywell T55-714A engines, offering 25% more power at 4,000ft (1,220m) and 35°C (95°F), plus a low maintenance rotor. MISSILE DEVELOPMENT DARPA opens Netf ires The US Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have brought in a second contractor to develop a precision attack munition for the Netfires fire support system. A year ago, Raytheon won a con tract to develop the modular con tainer/launcher unit (C/LU), loiter ing attack munition (LAM) and precision attack munition (PAM) for field trials within four years. Lockheed Martin also received a contract, but only for C/LU and LAM development. DARPA has now awarded Lockheed Martin a $700,000 study contract to mature its PAM design. Subsequent ground and flight testing of its PAM proto type could earn Lockheed Martin as much as $25 million. Lockheed Martin is also develop ing a smaller version of its laser radar (LADAR)-equipped Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) for the LAM mission. Netfires evolved from DARPA's Advanced Fire Support System pro gramme and is a key element of the US Army emerging Future Combat System. Unofficially dubbed a "missile-in-a-box", the aim is to speed deployment and reduce logistics support for next-genera tion fire support weapons. The Netfires C/LU will contain up to 16 45kg (1001b) LAM/PAM weapons and would be mounted on a wheeled vehicle or deployed by helicopter. LAM would loiter over a battle field until its LADAR seeker could find targets. PAM would use a ter minal seeker, possibly an active laser or infrared sensor, to attack known targets. Targets would include heavy and light armour as well as fixed targets. An air defence role is contemplated using a different weapon. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 10-16 JULY 2001 21
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