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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3585.PDF
DUBAI 2001 DEVELOPMENT UAE inks deals but no Mako MoU Despite not signing a memoran dum of understanding (MoU) for the next stage of Mako jet trainer development, EADS and the United Arab Emirates air force did ink deals with more potential risk-sharing partners and UAE educational institutes. The European aerospace company and the UAE had planned to sign an MoU commit ting them to the definition and development phase of the advanced trainer/light combat aircraft. The pair signed their first MoU at the Dubai air show in 1999 and a second one in March this year during the IDEX defence show in Abu Dhabi. EADS vice president, light combat and training aircraft, Max Heyder says the third MoU was not signed because talks have taken "more time than expect ed". The next stage could be ready for signature by the end of the year. During the 18-month defini tion phase the major equipment suppliers will be selected and the design will be frozen. The plan is for this to be completed by mid-2003. The equipment MoUs signed at the show were with Autoflug for fuel systems; Flight Visions for displays and controls; and Rockwell Collins for displays and controls, and navigation and communications equipment. EADS and the UAE have now signed 15 MoUs with suppliers competing to provide equipment. These include engine suppliers Eurojet with the EJ200, General Electric with the F404 and more likely F414, and Snecma offering the M88. Heyder says the engine will be the first selection as it is a "design driver". EADS and the UAE also signed agreements with the UAE University at Al Ain, mainte nance company GAMCO and the CERT college of technology. EADS says these deals under line the UAE's determination to develop its economy away from a reliance on oil. IN-FLIGHT REFUELLING Boeing offers 767 tanker- transport to UAE air force The Gulf state is also a potential customer for Boeing's 737-based AEW&C platform Boeing is to offer its 767 tanker- transport to the United Arab Emirates air force. The company is also targeting the UAE as a likely customer for its 737-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform. Mark Bass, Boeing general man ager for military products business development in the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, says the Gulf state has been offered the 767T-T and could take two or three examples. In-flight refuelling and AEW&C aircraft would support the UAE's Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s, due for delivery beginning 2004 and Dassault Mirage 2000-9s, set to begin arriving late 2002. Industry sources say the UAE already oper ates an Ericsson Erieye-equipped aircraft to give it AEW experience. Boeing, with partner Alenia Aerospazio, launched the 767T-T with an order from Italy earlier this year and is likely to receive an order from the USAF after the allo cation of $150 million by Congress to fund the purchase and conver sion of a single aircraft. The 767T-T is fitted with wing- mounted hose drum units and a centreline flying boom. It can be fitted with an optional centreline hose unit and is equipped to receive fuel via either method. The UAE would require both methods of refuelling as its Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s and Dassault Mirage 2000-9s use different systems. Bass says Egypt and Saudi Arabia are other potential customers. Both already have fleets of tankers, the former having a few Lockheed Martin KC-130s and the latter Boeing 707-based KE-3As as well as KC-130S. The UAE, along with Bahrain and Kuwait, is considered the best prospect for 73 7AEW&C sales in the Gulf region, says Boeing Space & Communications director Amer icas, Africa, and the Middle East, Sean Del Grosso. The aircraft has been acquired by Australia and selected by Turkey. Del Grosso believes the latter will sign a con tract within the next six months. Del Grosso says the firm is seek ing US Government approval to brief the UAE on the 737AEW&C. "We hope to approach the UAE Government within the next six months," he says. • Lockheed Martin expects the US Government to give Oman a letter of acceptance for 12 F-16C/D Block 50s within the next month. DISTRIBUTION Embraer makes Swift move to sell Legacy jet in Middle East Embraer has named Swift Aviation as its exclusive distributor for the Legacy business jet in the Middle East. The Dubai show was the first time the Brazilian manufacturer has shown the Legacy, which is based on its ERJ-135/145 regional jets. Embraer says that, although there is no regional jet market in the Gulf, the Legacy, which retails for just under $20 million, should sell well in the region. Swift will set up a Legacy sales cen tre in Bahrain and is planning a demonstration tour next year. MAINTENANCE Net Jets to open Riyadh maintenance centre NeUets Middle East (NJME) is to open a $5 million mainte nance complex at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within the next 18-24 months to service its growing fleet of business jets. Riyadh was selected as it is close to maintenance provider Alsalam Aviation, which will be able to supply some services too costly to operate in house.The fractional ownership programme, run by the Jeddah-based National Air Service, was launched at the last Dubai show two years ago. NJME has 10 aircraft, rising to 16 by the end of next year. It has orders for 14 Gulfstream IV-SPs, 14 Raytheon Hawker 800s and 12 Dassault Falcon 20s. www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 13-19 NOVEMBER 2001 15
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