The NH90 is a medium-lift, twin-turbine troop transport and maritime helicopter. The helicopter is available with either GE T700/CT7 or Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines. The NH90 comes in two standard models—the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), though extensive customization is available. The TTH functions as a tactical troop assault, transport and ground -support aircraft; it is capable of hauling 14-20 fully equipped troops, over 5,511 lb. of cargo, up to 12 stretchers, or one light transport vehicle with crew.
The C-130 is a four-turboprop military transport. A number of variants have been produced, including the AC-130 gunship and the KC-130 tanker. First flight of a C-130 occurred in 1954, and the current production model, the C-130J, made its initial flight in 1996. The C-130J incorporates four 4,591-shp Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines, new avionics and other improvements. Competitors include the Airbus A400M and Embraer KC-390. Approximately 2,398 C-130s were produced through 2011, with production of an additional 256 C-130Js forecast in the 2012-21 period.
At least 288 satellites are expected to be launched for Earth observation (EO) and meteorology purposes in the next decade, compared to 149 orbited in the previous one, according to Euroconsult's latest research report. Analyst Adam Keith says government investment to support the majority of these satellites is greater than ever, despite a challenging economic environment, due to interest in climate change and environmental-monitoring, or to support local industry development and meet local demand for data.
Twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter developed for the South African air force (SAAF). further developed by Denel with in-house funds. Two prototype/demonstrator aircraft, one pre-production and 12 production-standard aircraft (for the SAAF) were produced through 2004. Production Rooivalks are powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshafts rated at 1,843 shp each. Armament includes a Kentron GA-1 20-mm cannon in a steerable chin turret.
Twin-turboprop, utility/transport aircraft. Looking to break into new markets, PZL-Mielec redesigned the Antonov An-28 to incorporate Western components, including two 1,100-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65B engines. The new model, dubbed the M28, made its first flight in 1993. Sikorsky's purchase of PZL-Mielec in 2007 brought a new lease on life to the M28, ensuring its continued production. Through 2011, 45 aircraft had been produced, with 40 additional examples—mostly for military applications—forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
Orbital Sciences Corp. has once again postponed a flight demonstration of the Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo capsule it is developing under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. The Dulles, Va.-based company will slip the mission three or four months to next spring, following a flight demonstration of the rocket from the Wallops Island, Va., launch facility in December. Under the terms of a 2008 COTS agreement, the first flight of the rocket and cargo vessel was slated for late 2010. In an Oct.
Henry Sienkiewicz has been named vice chief information assurance executive, Defense Information Systems Agency, Fort Meade, Md. He has been its chief information officer. Honors And Elections
The Tucano series is a family of trainer/light attack aircraft. First flown in 1980, the EMB-312 Tucano is powered by a single 750-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop, while the Shorts Tucano variant is powered by an 1,100-shp AlliedSignal TPE331-12B-701A. These original models are no longer in production. The current production model is the EMB-314 Super Tucano, which has an extended fuselage, pressurized cockpit, a strengthened airframe, and uses a 1,600-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop.
The Czech manufacturer's L-39 family includes two-seat trainers and single-seat light attack aircraft; all are single-engined. The most recent version is the L-159 and, although still available for order, no new aircraft have been produced since 2003. Power for the L-159 is provided by a 6,300-lb.-thrust ITEC (Honeywell/AIDC) F124-100 turbofan. The L-39 first flew in 1968, with the L-159 following in 1997. Nearly 3,000 aircraft in the series have been produced.
The Xian JH-7 is a two-seat, twin-engine fighter/bomber in service with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (Planaf) and the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft is powered by two Xian WS-9 afterburning turbofan engines. First JH-7 flight took place in December 1988. An improved version, the JH-7A entered service with the Planaf in 2004.
The initial F-16 prototype first flew in 1974 and Lockheed Martin continues to produce the aircraft, which has also been built under license by a number of companies. The F-16A, C, and E are single-seat fighters, while the F-16B, D, and F are tandem-seat, combat-capable trainer versions. Power for the F-16 comes from a single augmented turbofan. In the Block 50/52 F-16C/D, this is either a 29,100-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney F-100-229 or a 29,500-lb.-thrust GE F110-129 engine. The Block 60 F-16E/F is powered by a 32,500-lb.-thrust GE F110-GE-132.
Fabrica Argentina de Aviones SA (FAdeA), previously known as Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina, produces the AT-63, an updated version of the tandem-seat IA-63 Pampa trainer/light attack aircraft. First flight of the IA-63 occurred in 1984, and deliveries began in 1988. It was powered by a single 3,500-lb.-thrust Honeywell TFE731-2-2N turbofan. Twenty-two IA 63 aircraft were produced, including three prototypes. The current AT-63 has a 3,500-lb.-thrust TFE731-2C, five weapons stations, and an avionics suite from Elbit.
A prototype of the MiG-29 twin-engine air-superiority fighter first flew in October 1977. The MiG-29 uses two 18,300-lb.-thrust Klimov/Sarkisov RD-33 augmented turbofans. Variants include the carrier-based MiG-29K for the Indian navy and modernized MiG-35 for the Russian air force and export. The MiG-29 has gone through several updates, with the latest being the single-seat MiG-29SMT and two-seat MiG-29UBT. The SMT has new avionics and greater range, while the UBT incorporates many of the same upgrades in the tandem-seat configuration.
The Tornado is a two-seat interdictor-strike and air-defense aircraft that first flew in 1974. All Tornado versions are powered by two Turbo-Union RB199 afterburning turbofans. Production was completed in 1998 after 992 aircraft had been built.
USN Rear Adm. (lower half) Randolph L. Mahr has been assigned as deputy director of the Joint Strike Fighter Program in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics at the Pentagon. He has been commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Div./assistant commander for research and engineering of Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. Rear Adm. (lower half) Troy M. Shoemaker will be chief of naval air training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He has been commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine, Everett, Wash. Rear Adm.
The AW139M is the military version of the AW139, a twin-engine, 15-passenger, commercial helicopter used for search-and-rescue and offshore work and powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines rated at 1,679 shp each. The AW149 is a slightly larger military transport version powered by two 2,000-shp-class GE CT7-2E1 engines. The AW149 prototype first flew in November 2009. Armament capabilities of the AW149 are: 70-mm and 81-mm rocket launchers; 7.62-mm, 12.7-mm, and 20-mm machine guns; and provision for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.
The F-22 is a single-seat, twin-engine, stealthy supersonic aircraft selected in 1991 as the U.S. Air Force's next air superiority fighter. Initial flight occurred in 1997. Propulsion is provided by two 35,000-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney F119-100 afterburning turbofans. Some 177 F-22s were produced through 2011, including test aircraft. The last of 187 F-22s was delivered to the Air Force in early 2012, and production has ceased.
The KC-390 is a twin-turbofan military transport under development by Embraer and the Brazilian air force. As envisioned, the KC-390 will be able to carry a payload of 50,705 lb. Embraer has selected International Aero Engines' V2500-E5 turbofan (27,000-29,000-lb.-thrust) to power the new aircraft. First flight is planned for 2014, with service entry in 2016. To date, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic and Portugal have committed to join Brazil in developing and acquiring the KC-390. From 2014 through 2021, 98 KC-390s are expected to be produced.
The E-2 Hawkeye is an aircraft carrier-capable, airborne early warning and control aircraft. First delivery of the initial E-2A model occurred in 1964. The improved E-2C first flew in 1971 and was produced through 2009. The latest version is the E-2D, which is now in the final stages of development for the U.S. Navy. The E-2D upgrades include two Rolls-Royce T56-427A turboprops rated at 5,100 shp each, and a more powerful electronically/mechanically scanned radar with improved capability for surveillance of air and ground targets.
As long as “Aviation” appears on your masthead, may Pierre Sparaco remain a part of what's inside your publication. Interesting and apropos as it may be, and as tech-heavy as most of your content has to be, I find in Sparaco's typical commentary a heartening emphasis on the human aspects of the industry.
The U.S. Air Force's Reusable Booster System (RBS) lacks a mature business case, but the service should continue to pursue key technology challenges as well as a pathfinder flight-test program, says a National Research Council panel.
The basic design phase for CFM International's all-new Leap engines is almost over. But soon the next challenge looms: turning the new design into a production reality. As the first test components take shape, CFM is seeking to complete most of the learning curve ahead of production ramp-up.
The Su-25 is a twin-engine, single- and tandem-seat, ground-attack and training aircraft powered by two Tumansky/Soyuz R-195 turbojets rated at 9,921-lb.-thrust each. First prototype flight occurred in 1975. A number of versions have been produced, the most recent of which, the Su-25TM, has new avionics and increased fuel capacity. Production of the Su-25 ended in the 1990s after more than 1,200 were built.
Your correspondent Steve Parker, in discussing Bombardier's “thinner, shorter-pitch seats” (AW&ST Oct. 8, p. 8; Sept. 24, p. 14) is, with the help of Wizz Air and the charge for carry-ons, presaging a synergism. Obviously the ultimate way to fly will involve being charged by the pound and given a seat to match your body weight. It will be tough on the fatties, but my wife will love it. Oceanside, Calif.
