FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
2003
2003 - 1155.PDF
DEFENCE POWERPLANTS GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC GE powers up growth CT7-8C Development aimed at providing engine for S-92 presidential transport and to power upgraded AH-64s and UH-60s me (ITEP) - formerly the Common Engine Pro gramme - to develop a new 2,300kW-class engine. The uprated en gine would meet the power requirement, but would not meet the ITEP goals for a 25% reduction in specific fuel consump tion, and 60% increase in power-to-weight ratio. Under the ITEP sched ule, a technology demon stration programme would run from 2004 to 2008, so the engine would not be available before 2012. CT7-8C engine could power presidential S-92s UNMANNED SYSTEMS Predator to link with AWACS and Apache General Electric has begun devel opment of the uprated, 2,300kW (3,070shp) CT7-8C turboshaft. Development has been launched to support Sikorsky's offer of the S-92 to meet the VXX US presiden tial transport requirement, but the uprated engine will be available to power upgraded Boeing AH-64 and Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters. The CT7-8C will provide 18-25% more power than the -8 engine now powering the twin-turbine S-92. The compressor and dual- channel full-authority engine con trol will be unchanged. The high- pressure turbine will use the same aerodynamics, with improved materials. The major change will be a new three-stage power turbine. The first run of the new engine is planned for the end of this year, and GE will supply flight-test engines to Sikorsky in mid-2006. US Federal Aviation Administration certification is scheduled for mid- 2007. If Sikorsky wins the VXX competition, deliveries would start in late 2007/early 2008. The addi tional power is required because the presidential transport mission equipment will add 1,800kg (4,0001b) to the S-92's empty weight, says Sikorsky. GE says the uprated CT7-8C also provides a backup in case the US Army does not proceed with the Improved Turbine Engine Program- Boeing and General Atomics are starting joint work to integrate the Predator unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter as part of a larger collab oration on network-centric opera tions development. The work, which follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding this month, involves developing communica tions links between the E-3 and AH-64 and the Predator, as well as writing new UAV control software. The eventual aim is to demonstrate command and control of the UAV from both platforms as part of work to develop wider interoper ability between manned and unmanned systems. "It would be connected to the bigger world of network-centric operations," says Boeing unmanned systems manager Stan Kaspryzyk. "We see the UAV as more of an extension of another sensor, and even as a weapon." Laboratory demonstrations will be conducted to develop and simu late the links using software and communications systems devel oped by General Atomics in San Diego, California, and Boeing at several sites. "Near the end of the year, we should have simulations under way, and by then we should also know the level of interest from the customer," says Kaspryzyk. Al though Boeing and General Atomics are funding the project, they are optimistic that govern ment money will eventually sup port it. "The initial response from the USAF is very positive," Kaspryzyk adds. Pending successful laboratory tests, the team plans flight demon strations with an AH-64 and an E-3 next year. Tests with the USAF could take place in mid-2004 as part of the JFX-04 military exercise. General Atomics is also working with the US Navy to demonstrate control of the Predator from a Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion, and Boeing has already demonstrated control of the TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries Hunter UAV from an AH-64 helicopter. BUDGETS PETER LA FRANCHI /CANBERRA Hornet upgrade suffers as Australia delays funding Australia has temporarily deferred funding for A$400 million ($258 million) of new aerospace acquisition projects, including an airframe upgrade for the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. The latest defence budget, released last week, delays funding deci sions until later this year for the Australian Army's JP129 tactical unmanned air vehicle requirement, an expansion of the joint-service Project 224 Bunyip electronic intelligence system, and a Jindalee Operational Radar Network systems upgrade. The total value of the tem porary deferrals, including army, navy and joint force projects, is more than A$800 million. The deferrals follow a review of Australia's 10-year Defence Capability Plan (DCP) over the last year because of ongoing funding pressures. Australian defence minister Robert Hill says the decision not to include approvals for the projects in the budget does not mean "deferring the needs". He adds: "It is a question of getting the priorities right and making the right decisions, and we'll be doing that later in the year." Decisions pending on the proposed F/A-18 upgrade include whether to proceed with a centre fuselage replacement to ensure the aircraft lasts until its planned 2012 retirement. Defence spending for the Australian 2003-4 financial year is forecast at A$15.42 billion. The Royal Australian Air Force operations budget is A$4 billion, with acquisition expected to reach A$4.28 billion. Expenditure detailed in the budget includes A$526 million in 2003-4 for the Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter. Budget papers reveal that payments to Eurocopter in 2002-3 were only A$15 million, against a target of A$176 million. The budget re-endorses the RAAF's replacement in-flight refuelling air craft competition, with a tender expected to be released before the end of next month. The target in-service date has been shifted to 2007. The F*AAF also intends to replace the F/A-18's Nite Hawk targeting pod with a new-generation system, and is planning a "supportability upgrade" for the Elta electronic surveillance measures on board the F?AAF's Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion aircraft. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 20-26 MAY 2003 21
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
