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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 0780.PDF
DEFENCE RADAR PETER LA FRANCHI / BERLIN EADS looks at new roles for sensor Two approaches being considered to add MTI processor EADS is exploring the development of a moving target indicator (MTI) capability for its 4.5kg (101b) MiSAR miniature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload, and is also eyeing the system's potential adaptation to form part of an unmanned air vehi cle's sense and avoid system. The 500mm (20in) image resolution MiSAR system entered flight testing on an EMT Luna UAV late last year. Two approaches are possible: adding an MTI processor to the existing sensor payload, increasing its weight to 8-10kg; or integrating MTI processing capability with the UAV's ground station, possibly requiring an improved air-to- ground datalink capability. The sense and avoid option would see the SAR antenna array gimbal mounting redesigned to look forward as well as down. The radar waveform generator would be modified to enable frequency out puts suited to air-to-air operations. The radar airborne processing sys tem would carry two sets of soft ware, one driving the SAR function and the second performing air search and target detection func tions. In the sense and avoid mode, MiSAR would be able to detect threats at a range of up to 5-10km (2.7-5.4nm), with an envelope of 200° in the horizontal field and 20° in the vertical. EADS says no customer require ment yet exists for either of the new proposed variants. ROTORCRAFT BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE South Korea to invite bids for lightweight training helicopter South Korea plans to hold a competition within the next few years to select a new lightweight helicopter that would be used to train pilots for the indigenous Korean Multi-role Helicopter (KMH). The South Korean army told prospective manufacturers earlier this month that the new helicopter training requirement is not in its current five-year budget plan, but that it will be defined after the KMH's design is set. The KMH requirement should be finalised later this year after a foreign manufacturer is selected to partner with local prime contractor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to develop and build 500 attack and utility ver sions of the new helicopter. The army has not decided on a timeframe for the new trainer, but manufacturers expect up to 30 light helicopters will be acquired before the first KMH is delivered in 2010. The South Korean army currently trains its helicopter pilots by borrow ing about 24 aircraft from its tactical fleet, including Bell AH-1 Cobras, MD Helicopters MD500s and Sikorsky UH-60P Black Hawks. Manufacturers have long tried to convince the army it would be more cost-effective to use a dedicated fleet of lightweight helicopters to fulfil its training require ments. Bell, Enstrom, Eurocopter, Robinson and Schweizerall plan to enter the competition. Army officials have, meanwhile, told manufacturers that an upgrade programme is also being considered to extend operations of the service's current fleet of Bell UH-1H Huey utility helicopters. Bell has long pitched its Huey 2 upgrade package to the army, arguing that its remaining fleet of around 20 aircraft cannot be sustained until the replacement fleet of KMH aircraft is ready for use. 1 million imaees - over 5000 on line I'l f«V %»*. 5 ^1 N. www.theflfghTTollection.com www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 25-31 MAY 2004 17
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