A prototype of the MiG-29 twin-engine, single- and tandem-seat air superiority fighter/interceptor aircraft first flew in October 1977. The MiG-29 uses two 18,300-lb.-thrust Klimov/Sarkisov RD-33 augmented turbofan engines. Over the years, the MiG-29 has gone through several revisions, with the modern variants being known as the MiG-29SMT and MiG-29UBT, single- and tandem-seat, respectively. The MiG-29SMT has new avionics and greater range over its predecessor, while the MiG-29UBT incorporates many of the same upgrades, but in the tandem-seat configuration.
Bell has delivered approximately 2,300 variants of these single- and twin-engine, single-main-rotor attack helicopters, while Fuji has delivered about 90 units. The latest iteration in the AH-1 Cobra series and presumably the final, the AH-1Z is an improved version of the earlier AH-1W designed for the U.S. Marine Corps and for export. Powered by two GE T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines rated at 1,723 shp. each, the AH-1Z features a four-blade composite main rotor and uprated (2,625-shp.) transmission, providing 30% more power to the rotor than the AH-1W.
The Saab Gripen is a single-engine, single- and tandem-seat, multirole combat aircraft. Initial flight for a Gripen prototype was made in 1988, followed by the first flight of the initial production aircraft in 1992; deliveries began in mid-1993. Power for the Gripen comes from a single Volvo/General Electric RM12 turbofan engine rated at 18,000 lb. thrust, with afterburning. Main competitors include the Lockheed Martin F-16 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F/A-18, Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.
The AMX is a counter-air and close air support aircraft powered by a single 11,030-lb.-thrust Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 807 non-afterburning turbofan. Alenia and Aermacchi (then independent companies) initially pursued separate designs for Italy’s required attack/support aircraft, but began to collaborate in 1978. Embraer joined the team in 1980. The resulting single-seat aircraft made its maiden flight in 1984, with deliveries beginning in 1989; a two-seat trainer variant, the AMX-T, flew in 1990. Approximately 205 AMX aircraft have been built.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has begun building the first MRJ regional jet for affiliate Mitsubishi Aircraft. Assembly will begin next year, with the goals of a first flight in 2012 and first delivery in 2014.
David A. Fulghum (Tel Aviv), Alon Ben-David (Tel Aviv)
With no letup in Iranian ballistic missile development in sight, Israel is boosting its sensor and interceptor capabilities to bolster its ability to defend itself against more capable threats.
The SH- and MH-60 Seahawks are medium-lift, anti-submarine warfare and special-purpose maritime helicopters; the current production models, the MH-60R and -60S, are powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines rated at 3,694 shp. each at takeoff and 1,891 shp. at plus 30 sec. The MH-60R configuration combines systems and capabilities from earlier Seahawk variants, plus further upgrades. The U.S. Navy plans to eventually procure 300 new-build MH-60Rs, as well as 273 MH-60Ss.
The NH90 is a medium-lift, twin-turbine troop transport and anti-submarine warfare helicopter that is available with several engine choices: two General Electric T700-GE-T6E1 turboshafts rated at 2,040 shp. each or two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 engines rated at 2,100 shp. each; or two enhanced, “hot-and-high” options in Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9A engines rated at 2,544 shp. each or GE CT7-8F5 engines rated at 2,634 shp. each. There are two basic NH90 models: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH).
The UH-145 (designated UH-72A Lakota by the U.S. Army and H-72A by the U.S. Navy) is an eight-passenger, twin-turboshaft-powered multimission helicopter based on the EC145; power comes from two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines rated at 738 shp. each. The selection of the UH-145 for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program—a requirement for at least 322 units—represents EADS North America’s first major win as a prime contractor for the U.S. military. Deliveries began in late 2006, with 96 units produced through 2009.
Indonesia intends to acquire 180 Sukhoi Flankers and also to buy Lockheed Martin F-16s, says Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, setting out plans for a massive expansion of the Southeast Asian country’s air-combat force. The announcement may bolster air-force equipment plans of Indonesia’s neighbors, depending on whether they expect the country’s future fighter fleet will really meet the government’s ambitions.
Southwest Airlines’ proposed $1.4-billion acquisition of AirTran Airways reflects a fact of life for many low-cost carriers: They may be reaching the end of their ability to grow organically. Most analysts believe the U.S. Justice Department will decide not to oppose the acquisition, given the small overlap between the carriers (see p. 28), although the government’s response is not always predictable and there are some things that make this merger different than those of Delta Air Lines with Northwest Airlines and United Airlines with Continental Airlines.
Leithen Francis (Singapore), Alon Ben-David (Seoul), Andy Nativi (Genoa)
The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s decision to select the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 puts the Italian advanced jet trainer in a strong position to secure orders from other countries.
A twin-engine, tandem-rotor, medium-/heavy-lift transport helicopter, the CH-47 first flew in 1961 and is offered in several variants, either as new-build helicopters or as conversions. The new CH-47F is powered by two 4,733-shp. Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (Fadec). For the upgrade market, Honeywell supplies kits to bring the T55-L-712 engines of the U.S. Army’s CH-47Ds to the new T55-GA-714A standard.
Oct. 10-14—58th International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine. Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore. See www.icasm2010.com Oct. 13—Aerospace Components Manufacturers Trade Show. Hartford/Windsor (Conn.) Airport Marriott Hotel. See www.aerospacecomponents.org Oct. 14-15—Technology Training Institute’s Airborne Networks. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Alexandria, Va. Also, Oct. 21-22—Unmanned Aircraft Systems Conference. Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Call +1 (310) 563-1223 or see www.ttcus.com.
The Hawk is a single-engine, two-seat trainer and light attack aircraft. A single-seat light fighter variant (the Hawk 200) also exists. All variants are powered by an unaugmented turbofan engine of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca’s Adour series: The Hawk T1/1A uses the Mk 151 (5,200 lb. thrust); Hawk 50, the Mk 851 (5,340 lb. thrust); Hawk 60, the Mk 861 (5,700 lb. thrust); Hawk 100/200, the Mk 871 (6,270 lb. thrust); and Hawk 128 LIFT, the Mk 951 (6,800 lb. thrust).
The PC-21 is a 1,600-shp. Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B turboprop-powered tandem-seat trainer. Incorporated in the PC-21 design are five hardpoints, making armament training possible, as well as an electronic power management system for the engine, simulating a variety of power settings tailored to particular training needs. Development of the PC-21 began in 1998, an initial prototype made its first flight in July 2002 and certification was achieved in December 2004. The PC-21 faces competition from the Embraer Super Tucano and the Hawker Beechcraft T-6.
The piston-powered CL-215 amphibian aircraft first flew in 1967 primarily as a fire-fighting platform, though it was also used for transport, maritime surveillance, search and rescue and assorted spraying duties. Production of the dual Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA3-powered aircraft ended in 1989, with 125 produced. Upgrades to the CL-215 are available; 17 aircraft have been converted to the CL-215T configuration, which incorporates 2,380-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprop engines and other modifications.
Scaled Composites is poised to resume captive-carry flight tests of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo with the successful return-to-flight of the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) launch aircraft following its Aug. 19 undercarriage collapse incident. The mothership resumed flight tests at Mojave, Calif., on Sept. 13 following repairs to the left vertical tail and modifications to the main landing gear.
The B-1B is a four-engine strategic bomber produced by Rockwell International and operated by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft evolved from a series of studies begun in 1962. Following the launch of the program with a request for proposals in 1969, the initial prototype made its first flight in 1974. The B-1B is powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines rated at more than 30,000 lb. thrust each. In addition to four B-1A prototypes, 100 B-1Bs were built by the time production ended in 1988.
In 1990, Beech teamed with Pilatus to propose the T-6A (based on the latter’s PC-9 Mk II trainer) tandem-seat, high-performance aircraft for the U.S. Air Force/Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Trainer System (Jpats) program. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop-engine-powered T-6A was selected as the Jpats winner in 1995. The Air Force and Navy intend to eventually acquire 782 T-6As, of which more than 480 have been delivered. Though it was developed for a U.S. military program, the T-6 has been well received outside the U.S.
The K-8 is a tandem-seat intermediate/advanced trainer aircraft produced by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, with 18% of components produced by design partner Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). First flight occurred in 1990. The K-8 is powered by either a 3,600-lb.-thrust Honeywell TFE731-2-2A turbofan engine or a 3,792-lb.-thrust ZMKB Progress AI-25TL turbofan. Including prototypes, 223 K-8 aircraft were produced through 2009, with 94 forecast for production in 2010-19.
The MD Explorer series is a family of eight-place, light twin-turboshaft-driven helicopters with a single main rotor connected to a Kawasaki-designed main rotor gearbox. The aircraft incorporate the patented Notar (no tail rotor) system, including a circulation control tail boom and internal variable pitch fan. In early 2001, MD Helicopters launched the Combat Explorer armed variant, specifically targeting the air arms of Latin America. The Explorer is cleared to carry the GAU-19/A 0.50-cal. Gatling gun, the M2 0.50-cal. gun pod and 70-mm. Hydra rockets.
Frank Morring, Jr. (Prague), Michael A. Taverna (Prague)
New costs associated with the planned extension of the International Space Station could force European nations into stark choices in an era of generalized budget squeeze.
Technicians at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are ready to install a unique instrument on NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory that will allow the big rover to analyze the chemical composition of rocks and soil as far as 7 meters (23 ft.) away. Dubbed ChemCam, the U.S./French device uses a Neodymium doped Potassium-Gadolinium Tungstate (Nd:KGW) laser to vaporize a spot on its target the size of a pinhead, releasing light that can be spectrally analyzed with a technique known as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.
Boeing, with Northrop Grumman as a major subcontractor, produces the F/A-18. The F/A-18A/B/C/D models are powered by two General Electric F404-GE-400 or -402 turbofans rated at 16,000-17,600 lb. thrust each, while the new F/A-18E/F has two GE F414-GE-400 turbofans rated at 22,000 lb. thrust each. First flight of an F/A-18 prototype occurred in 1978. The current model, the E/F, features a larger fuselage, more powerful engines and additional hardpoints compared to the earlier models.
