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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 1635.PDF
Directory: military aircraft Northrop Grumman will assemble the dual: seat forward fuselages and develop a structural integrity programme to zero-time the airframes. The TCA design features several improvements over the two-seat F-5F: a raised instructor's seat under a reshaped canopy; a shorter nose for lower weight; reduced take-off and landing speeds; automatic manoeuvring flaps; and improved high angle-of-attack behaviour. Speed will reduce from Mach 1.6 to 1.4. The price for an "all-up, zero-time" TF-5 will be under $10 million, and the first aircraft could be delivered within two years of contract signature. TCA has an agreement with Taiwan's AIDC to remarket over 100 ex-Taiwan air force F-5Es. In parallel, TCA is pursuing a nearer-term market to convert aircraft to standard F-5F configura tion to top up F-5 operators' dwindling fleets of two-seaters. F-14 Tomcat The F-14 remains the mainstay of the USN's air superiority fleet, but in recent years the aircraft has been given an increased air-to-ground role. Improved LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods are being acquired to increase the capabili ties. Other recent changes include the retro fitting of a digital flight-control system to improve handling. A recent USN study has extended the fatigue life of its 90 F-14As so they will reach retirement in 2003 without further structural modification. The USN's 80 GE FllO-powered F-14Bs and 50 F-14Ds will have an estimated two years of life remaining after the two versions are retired in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The F-14 was first flown in January 1969 and 557 F-14As were built by Grumman, including 79 for Iran; F-14As, re-engined with GE FllOs, were redesignated F-14Bs. The F-14Ds has Fl 10s and digital avionics. T-38 Talon The USAF Air Education and Training Command's 509 T-38s will be kept in service until 2040 - by which time the aircraft will be 81 years old - following a series of upgrade pro grammes covering the avionics, engine and aircraft structure. GE started work on the first J85 upgrade kits for the US Air Force's T-38 trainer fleet following the award of a $601 million contract for the modification of 1,200 engines in early 2001. Key programme targets include a 3:1 improvement in low cycle fatigue to give a 5,400h life, a 5:1 cut in maintenance man-hours and a cut in the number of parts to maintain, from more than 850 to around 100. The Boeing-led T-38C Avionics Upgrade Programme (AUP) began in January 2001 using three LRIP aircraft. AUP includes installation of new Honeywell GPS/INS, air data computer and radar altimeter. IAI is supplying the display processor and HUD, while L-3 is supplying MFDs and digital engine displays. Northrop started building 55 replacement wings in 2001 as an interim step, while the company completes the design of a new extended life wing. This is due to enter produc tion in 2006, and will then be fitted to all T-38Cs. PANAVIA AIRCRAFT Panavia Aircraft, Airport Business Centre, Am Soldermoos 17, Hallbergmoos, D-85399, Germany; tel +49 (811) 80 1238/9; fax +49 (811) 801386 Tornado Production of the Tornado ended in October 1998, with the delivery of the 992nd aircraft. The three partner nations, Germany, Italy and the UK, continue to upgrade the aircraft to keep it in service until at least 2018. Upgrade of 142 RAF GRl/lA/lBs to Tornado GR4 standard continues at BAE's Warton fac- Aircraft Mission Powerplant Max power (kW) Wing span (m) Wing area (m2) Length (m) OEW (kg) MTOW (kg) Max load (kg) Range (km) Endurance (h) Hardpoints Cruise (kt) Mmo Ceiling (ft) Crew/passengers Internal fuel (kg) Fuel, opt ext (litre) Air refuel? PC-7 Turbo-Trainer Basic trainer 1 x P&WC PT6A-25A 485 10.40 16.60 9.78 1.330 2.700 - 2,630 3h 45min - 196 - 33,000 2 474 litre No PC-7 Mkll Basic trainer 1 x P&WC PT6A-25A 522 10.12 16.60 10.14 1,670 2,850 600 1,935 4h 30min 6 251 M0.6 30,000 2 470 litre 310 No PC-9M Basic trainer 1 x P&WC PT6A-62 950 10.12 16.29 10.14 1,725 3,200 850 1,536 4h 30min 6 310 M0.68 38,000 2 518 litre 496 No PC-21 Basic trainer 1 x P&WC PT6A-68B 1.200 8.8 - 10 2.250 4,250 1,150 - - 5 370 M0.72 38,000 2 - - No tory. Changes include a large MFD for the pilot, a BAE FLIR installed beneath the forward fuse lage, which displays an image on the new HUD, INS/GPS navigation system, Terprom terrain reference navigation, along with changes to the EW and weapons capabilities. HOTAS controls will be introduced later. The GR4 received mili tary aircraft release in April 2001. New weapons being integrated include the MBDA Brimstone and Storm Shadow. RAF Tornado F3s underwent the Capability Sustainment Programme, which equips the air craft for the ASRAAM and AMRAAM missiles, JTIDS and Successor IFF. German and Italian aircraft - both IDS inter- dictor strike and ECR electronic warfare/recon naissance variants - are receiving broadly simi lar upgrades as part of their mid-life improvement programmes. The updates include changes to the cockpit displays, com puter and databus, a GPS/INS, FLIR, compatibil ity with Rafael Litening targeting pod, improved EW equipment and new PGM weapons including the MBDA Storm Shadow and LGBs. PILATUS Pilatus Aircraft, Flugzeugwerke PO Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; tel +41 (41) 619 6111; fax +41 (41) 610 9230; www.pilatus-air- craft.com. PC-7/PC-7Mkll/PC-9 Pilatus continues to offer its family of turbo prop trainers, which, since 1997, have been built using modular fuselages and adding 50kg to the empty weight. The major difference between the variants is engine power, the PC-7 being the lower-powered aircraft. Israel's Radom has given Slovenian PC-9s a new mission and weapons system, as well as a Lockheed Martin F-16-like cockpit that includes a FlightVisions HUD. The aircraft first flew in May 1999. PC-21 Pilatus started development of the PC-21 in the late 1990s as a replacement for the PC-7/9. The first aircraft was rolled out in April 2002 and is due to fly in July, with first deliveries available from 2004. The aircraft looks similar to the PC- 7/9 family, but the reduced-span wing is designed for higher speeds, with a combination of spoilers and alilerons to give fast-jet-like roll- rates, while Fowler flaps are intended to main tain an 80kt stall speed. The P&WC PT6A-68B engine drives a five-blade propeller and has a Pilatus power management system intended to restrict engine power to 670kW for take-off, but delivering full power above 250kt, to give sus tained high cruise speeds. The NVG-compatible glass cockpit has HOTAS controls, three MFDs for each pilot, and a HUD in the front. The PC-21 has software capable of mimicking fighters, allowing Pilatus to offer it as a flying simulator. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 28 MAY - 3 JUNE 2002 61
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