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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0030.PDF
UNITED STATES Cessna Cameravan Reconnaissance was the first role envisaged for military aviation and, , as long as the machines did not frighten the horses, military commanders were glad to know what was on the other side of the hill. Military aviation has diversified since then, but aerial reconnaissance remains one of the most important contribu tions to the successful outcome of any military venture. But not everybody needs (or can afford) a reconnaissance capability based on fast jets. There is a definite market niche for a low-cost, capable reconnaissance aircraft, perhaps with some other capa bilities when recce is off the menu, and this is the slot that General Dynamics and its subsidiary, Cessna, pinpointed. GD had been working on a US Air Force requirement to replace the RF-4 Phantom, and had test-flown a recce pod on an F-16 at Edwards AFB. At the same time, Cessna was produc ing its Caravan cargo hauler with the option of a ventral cargo pannier, and soon some one said, "Why don't we put the recce pod on the military vari ant of the Caravan, the U-27A?" The pod weighs between 1,0001b and 1,2501b, depending on the mix of sensors fitted, and is 173in long, 25in wide, and 28-5in deep, giving adequate ground clearance on the U-27. Cessna is marketing its U-27 Caravan derivative for low- intensity conflicts. Mike Gaines and Janice Lowe report. Above Although the mission equipment pod was designed for the F-16 its 28 • Sin depth still allows for adequate ground clearance on the U-27. Below The sensor operator's position As it was designed for the F-16, the pod is stressed to 9g, much higher than the +3-Sg/-l-5g load limits of the U-27. With the pod sensor console and video recorders the empty weight of the U-27 is 5,8001b, some 1,6001b more than the stan dard Caravan. Add to this the pilot, copilot, sensor operator (SO), and internal fuel, and the aircraft has a useful 5hr endurance. The demonstrator has a roller-blind aft door, and up to six wing pylons can be fitted. On the demonstrator these are neither wet nor wired, but Cessna says that it is no problem to plumb the 14in pylons into the fuel system or adapt them for firing or release circuitry. The company envisages several roles for the U-27. Apart from pure reconnaissance, Cessna says that the aircraft is suitable for low-intensity conflicts. A • 5in machine pun can be mounted in the door, either with a door gunner or fixed side firing, and various rocket pods or gun pods could be put on the pylons. At last year's Farnborough Air Show the U-27A was shown with air- to-air Stinger missiles. The four inboard wing pylons are cleared to 3001b; the outboard pylons can carry 1001b each. The U-27 is a natural for covert insertion of special forces parachute teams, says Cessna. Apart from looking like a> 28 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 January 1989
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