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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 1645.PDF
IN BRIEF HUEYS ARRIVE The Philippines air force late last month received its first three of 20 ex-Singaporean and US Air Force Bell UH-1HHuey utility helicopters refurbished by Singapore Technologies Aerospace under an $18 million contract. Now capable of operat ing at night under instrument flight rules, the aircraft will boost the Philippines air force Huey fleet to over 40. Another 10 are also being refurbished in the USA for delivery from 2005. HEAD-UP DISPLAY India's Bharat Electronics has launched production of a head- up display for the Aeronautical Development Agency's Tejas light combat aircraft, in develop ment for the Indian air force and navy. Transferred from India's Chandigarh-based Central Scientific Instrumentation Organisation, the HUD technol ogy is also suitable for use in aircraft such as the Mikoyan MiG- 27 and Hindustan Aeronautics' Intermediate Jet Trainer BUSINESS CLAWS Egypt and Japan have emerged as possible customers for Raytheon's developmental Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS). Also referred to as Humraam, the sur face-launched air-defence weapon scored a direct hit on a Northrop Grumman BQM-74 tar get drone during its first firing test on 18 August. Further tests are planned for 5 October and mid- November before initial operational test and evaluation, says Tad Dickenson, Raytheon programme manager. Raytheon is awaiting full certification to export the system, but is responding to interest. INDIAN JAGUAR Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has conducted debut flights of two prototype upgraded Sepecat Jaguars, following the completion of a modernisation study with BAE Systems. The Indian air force has signed a memorandum of understanding with HAL for the future avionics and airframe modernisation of its Jaguar fleet, with the UK company to assist in this phase of the project. DEFENCE PROCUREMENT BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE JDA mounts defence of its flagship programmes Defence agency's wishlist also includes proposals for BMD and communications systems The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) is proposing to acquire 24 helicopters, seven fighters, three trainers and two amphibians from local manu facturers next year as part of a ¥4.93 trillion ($45.1 billion) budget. Submitted to the ministry of finance last week, the proposed budget represents a 1.2% spending increase over the current fiscal year. The ¥144 billion purchase of a bal listic missile defence system and the ¥248 billion acquisition of a new communications system are driving the spending hike. If approved by the cabinet and parliament, helicopter procurement will increase from 19 in 2004 to 24 and all current aircraft programmes will continue to receive funding. Some programmes, including the Fuji-built Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter and Mitsubishi F-2 fighter, are believed to be in danger of cancellation over the next few years under a new five-year spend ing plan (Flight International, 17-23 August). The JDA says its entire mid-term defence programme, which runs from April 2004 through March 2010, will be sub mitted late this year. For the year started 1 April 2004, the JDA seeks to acquire six Fuji- built Bell UH-lJs, two AH-64Ds, two Kawasaki OH-ls, one Mitsubishi-built Sikorsky UH-60JA and one Kawasaki-built Boeing CH- 47JA for the army. This would retain current production rates for all army programmes except for the UH-IJ. The JDA last year requested four UH-lJs, but only received approval for two. For the navy, the JDA is request ing nine Mitsubishi-built Sikorsky SH-60K anti-submarine warfare helicopters, six of which were The JDA budget request includes funds for six Mitsubishi F-15J upgrades approved last year for delivery from 2005. The agency is also acquiring its first Kawasaki-built Agusta- Westland EH 101 this year, but has not requested one for 2005 because another agency should purchase at least one for the navy-operated Antarctic support mission. Two production ShinMaywa US-1A Kai search-and-rescue amphibians have also been requested for 2005, with these to follow two prototypes already in flight test and expected to enter service in 2007. For the air force, the JDA hopes to acquire seven F-2s, three Fuji T-7 trainers, two UH-60Js and one CH-47JA, representing a two-aircraft increase in F-2 production and a sharp decline in T-7 production from 11 aircraft in the current year. It is also proposing to acquire another six Mitsubishi F-15J up grades, the first two of which were acquired this year. The JDA has also requested a further ¥78.3 billion to manufacture prototype Kawasaki C- X transport and P-X maritime patrol aircraft in fiscal year 2005. Imported equipment should include one Boeing 767 tanker, one missionised Raytheon Hawker 800 and four Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 2000 upgrades. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will benefit from the country's missile defence purchase, with Japan also planning to spend ¥45.6 billion to upgrade its current Patriot missile batteries. COMPETITION TOLGA OZBEK / ISTANBUL Russia backs Mi-28 for revived Turkish contest After the cancellation of Turkey's previous attack helicopter competi tion, Russia has relaunched its bid to secure a revived deal with the Mil Mi-28, rather than the modified Kamov Ka-52 previously on offer. Turkey abandoned its stalled attack helicopter project in May, after years of unsuccessful negotia tions over pricing and technology transfer issues linked to its proposed buy of 145 Bell AH-1Z King Cobras (FlightInternational, 25-31 May). The Kamov/Israel Aircraft Industries-pro moted Ka-50-2 Erdogan design was second in the evaluation process, which called for local assembly by Tusas Aerospace Industries. Under its new plan, Turkey intends to acquire 50 helicopters under a direct purchase from the air craft's overseas manufacturer. The new helicopter should enter service by the end of 2008, equipped with avionics and weapons systems sourced from the same country as the airframe supplier. Bell is contesting the require ment with its AH-1Z and competi tion comes from AgustaWestland's A129 Mangusta, Boeing's AH-64D Apache, Eurocopter's Tiger and the Russian-backed Mi-28. 22 7-13 SEPTEMBER 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.fliqhtinternational.com
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