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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0135.PDF
HEADLINES DEFENCE STEWART PENNEY / WARTON BAE refines Hawk proposal to RAF New version to train Typhoon pilots and boost exports BAE Systems is closing on the final specification of the latest-gen eration Hawk advanced trainer planned for the UK Royal Air Force. The company made an unso licited bid in 2001, offering a fur ther update of the Hawk to meet the RAF's training needs for aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. A UK deal for an upgraded Hawk is considered essential to position the trainer for international markets, allowing it to compete against the latest crop of advanced trainers such as the Aermacchi M346, EADS Mako and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50. The RAF requires new aircraft by 2006 and it is understood BAE is working to finalise its proposal by the end of the first quarter. The deal - initially for 31 aircraft - is likely to allow the RAF to specify additional capabilities for the aircraft during the develop ment phase. BAE is considering a range of changes to the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter Trainer, already delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force, as the basis of its offer. Options include a fly-by-wire flight-control system, new avion ics, further engine thrust increases, and revised wing and intake aero dynamics, says Ray Rowlands, BAE Hawk campaign support manager. A key systems change will be a move to an open architecture avion ics system, which would make it simpler to add systems and sensors. BAE has started testing open architecture stores management computers at its Brough, Humber- side, factory. BAE is also studying onboard radar and weapons simulation as well as further changes to the man- machine interface. The latest Hawks are already equipped with three multifunction displays. Fly-by-wire "does not come up as a prime objective" among potential customers, according to Rowlands. A more likely solution will be the addition of an autopilot which would allow trainee pilots to concentrate on tasks such as forma tion management rather than fly ing the aircraft, says Hawk test pilot Pete Wilson. This would support a shift in training emphasis towards battlespace management. BAE began flying a Hawk New Development Aircraft in August last year. Initial tests cleared the revised Rolls-Royce Adour 951 engine, which offers a time between overhauls doubled to 4,000h, digital engine control and a power increase from 5,8001b- thrust (25.8kN) to 6,5001b. GENERAL AVIATION Eurocopter accuses Texas of bias Angered by what it claims is a lack of local political support for its industrial activities in the US state of Texas and of being treated as "a second-class citi zen", Eurocopter has decided to focus on its new plant in Columbus, Mississippi. The EADS unit is warning it may close its Texas plant altogether. Eurocopter chief executive Jean-Frangois Bigay claims that because Texas is also the home of Bell Helicopters, local political support is biased in favour of the US manufacturer. "Whenever we have been in competition with Bell, the local authorities always back them and although we are willing to be good US citizens we are fed up with being treated like second-class citizens," says Bigay. He says Mississippi "seems interested and willing to support us," so the com pany, now the leading helicopter manufacturer in the world with a 47% market share, will open a plant employing around 100 people. The plant in Texas, which has a workforce of around 300 people, currently does completion work on helicopters delivered green from Europe and is a maintenance and training centre. Briefing Norway to sign Eurofighter deal AGREEMENT The Norwegian defence ministry is expected to sign a technology development agreement with Eurofighter this week. The Norwegian defence ministry says the deal follows its joining last year of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter systems development and demonstration phase. The ministry adds that it will not decide on a fighter procurement until 2008, and until then is "keeping our options open". The agreement is expected to allow Norwegian industry, particularly Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, to participate in development of the Eurofighter radar, flight controls, and systems integration. EU opens up space debate POLICY The European Commission is to publish its green paper on EU space policy this week. The paper, prepared by the EC in co-operation with the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to "launch a debate with all players" - including national and international organisations, the EU space industry, the scientific community and citizens - into Europe's assets and weaknesses in this sector. The report details key issues such as the EU's independent access to space, scientific excellence in this field and the industrial base as well as identifying relevant markets and suggesting an institutional framework. ANZ incident caused by turbine disc fatigue INVESTIGATION Australian investigators have confirmed that a first-stage high-pressure turbine (HPT) disc burst caused last month's uncontained failure of a General Electric CF6-80A engine on an Air New Zealand (ANZ) Boeing 767-200ER. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) says in a preliminary report that an examination of the HPT disc at its Canberra laboratory found a fracture that had occurred from an area of fatigue cracking, originating from the bottom of a turbine blade "dovetail slot". The incident occurred on 8 December as the ANZ 767 was operating a scheduled service between Brisbane and Auckland. Thales namesake sues for damages LAWSUIT French aerospace and defence group Thales is facing a multimillion-euro lawsuit from a South African aerospace contractor, also called Thales, claiming that confusion between the two names has damaged its reputation. Thales (France) operates in South Africa as ADS - the South African Thales only has rights to the name in its home country. Thales (France) dismissed the suit, saying: "We were aware of the Thales in South Africa when we rebranded, but we went ahead and assumed we would reach an agreement with them. It has been two years and we haven't got anywhere." CASA orders oversight of PNG carriers SAFETY Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has temporarily reissued international air operator certificates (AOCs) for five Papua New Guinea-based airlines on condition that the Papua New Guinea civil aviation authority improves oversight. The move follows CASA's threat earlier this month not to renew the AOCs of Air Niugini and four charter operators beyond 31 January because of the Papua New Guinea CAA's failure to provide appropriate audit data Flight International, 21-27 January). Allan Winn leaves Flight Group PEOPLE Flight International and Airline Business publisher Allan Winn has left the group after 17 years, including 10 as the editor of Flight International, during which time he transformed the magazine's fortunes, appointing overseas-based teams and introducing innovations including colour cutaway drawings, the Aerospace Industry Awards and the Flight Daily News show dailies. www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 28 JANUARY - 3 FEBRUARY 2003 5
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