The P-8A, a maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare aircraft, is a variant of Boeing's 737-800 and is powered by two CFM56-7B turbofans rated at 27,300 lb. thrust each. The aircraft will succeed the Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion in U.S. Navy maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare service. Flight testing began in April 2009. The Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8As. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013. Through 2010, three test aircraft were produced. Production of 142 aircraft is forecast in 2011-20.
The Harrier II is currently out of production. Through 1998, Boeing and earlier McDonnell Douglas as well as BAE built a total of 428 Harrier II V/STOL aircraft. The Harrier II is a single- or two-seat, single-engine ground attack aircraft. AV-8B Harrier IIs are powered by either a 21,450-lb.-thrust Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-21 (U.S.-designated F402-RR-406A) vectored-thrust turbofan or a 23,800-lb.-thrust Pegasus 11-61 (U.S.-designated F402-RR-408). Royal Air Force GR7 and GR9 models were powered by a Pegasus Mk 105 vectored-thrust turbofan (21,500 lb.
The Boeing/BAE T-45 Goshawk is a variant of the BAE Hawk, which is designed for aircraft carrier pilot training. The twin-seat aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour RT172 Mk 871 non-afterburning turbofan (5,845 lb. thrust), also known as the F405-RR-401. The U.S. Navy awarded exploration contracts in August 1980 and, in 1981, the McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) design was selected. Prototype first flight occurred in 1988, and the first aircraft carrier landing was in 1991.
The piston-powered CL-215 amphibian aircraft first flew in 1967, finding primary use as a firefighting platform, though the aircraft could also be used in other applications such as transport, maritime surveillance and search and rescue. Production of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA3-powered aircraft ended in 1989, with 125 produced. A new variant, the Bombardier 415, is in production and is powered by PW123AF turboprop engines. Some 78 415s were built through 2010. An additional 28 are forecast for production in 2011-20.
The piston-powered CL-215 amphibian aircraft first flew in 1967, finding primary use as a firefighting platform, though the aircraft could also be used in other applications such as transport, maritime surveillance and search and rescue. Production of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA3-powered aircraft ended in 1989, with 125 produced. A new variant, the Bombardier 415, is in production and is powered by PW123AF turboprop engines. Some 78 415s were built through 2010. An additional 28 are forecast for production in 2011-20.
The Q Series is a family of twin-engine turboprop aircraft, originally known as the Dash 8. In recent years, the Q Series aircraft have seen emerging interest in use for maritime patrol. Iceland, Japan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. have secured Q300s for patrol duties. The Q100, the original model in the series, made its first flight in June 1983; first deliveries followed in October 1984. The Q100 came with 2,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120/121 engines. Production has since ended of the Q100, as well as the later Q200 and Q300.
The Changhe Z-8 and AC313 are three-engine rotorcraft featuring a boat-hull shape, stub wings and capacity for up to 39 passengers or 27 fully equipped troops. In Chinese service, the helicopters are used in tactical transport, search-and-rescue and naval combat roles. An initial Z-8 prototype first flew in 1985. Power came from three Changzhou WZ6 turboshafts producing 1,190 shp each.
In 1991, two years after the U.S. withdrew from the Grumman/Chengdu Super 7 effort, Chengdu began the FC-1 program. Pakistan, where the aircraft is known as the JF-17, and China signed an agreement in 1998 for FC-1 joint development and production. The first prototype flew in 2003 and first delivery occurred in 2007. The single-seat air-superiority and ground-attack aircraft is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan (18,300 lb. thrust), with a two-seat variant also planned.
First flight of the J-10 combat aircraft occurred in March 1998. The single-engine, single- or two-seat interceptor/ground-attack aircraft is powered by a Lyulka Saturn AL-31FN turbofan rated at 27,560 lb. thrust with reheat, although the Chinese have been working on a version powered by the indigenous WS-10 engine. Some 173 J-10s were produced through 2010. Production of an additional 276 is forecast for the 2011-20 period.
First flight occurred in 1978, with production running through 2007. Early aircraft of the type were powered by a Snecma M53-5 augmented turbofan (19,840 lb. thrust), while later aircraft were fitted with an M53-P2 augmented turbofan (21,385 lb. thrust). Single-seat interceptor and two-seat nuclear strike fighter variants were available. Some 607 Mirage 2000s were produced.
The Rafale is available in single- or two-seat configurations and can serve as a land- or sea-based air-superiority, air-combat and ground-attack aircraft. First flight occurred in 1986 and deliveries began in 1999. The prototype was powered by two GE F404-GE-400 augmented turbofans (16,860 lb. thrust each); production aircraft use two Snecma M88-2 augmented turbofans rated at 16,400 lb. thrust each. Currently in service only with France, the Rafale is in competition for the procurement requirements of several countries, including Brazil and India.
The Rafale is available in single- or two-seat configurations and can serve as a land- or sea-based air-superiority, air-combat and ground-attack aircraft. First flight occurred in 1986 and deliveries began in 1999. The prototype was powered by two GE F404-GE-400 augmented turbofans (16,860 lb. thrust each); production aircraft use two Snecma M88-2 augmented turbofans rated at 16,400 lb. thrust each. Currently in service only with France, the Rafale is in competition for the procurement requirements of several countries, including Brazil and India.
The Rooivalk is a twin-engine, tandem-seat combat support helicopter initially developed with assistance from the South African Air Force (SAAF). Denel Aircraft continued subsequent development with in-house funds. Two prototype/demonstrator aircraft, one pre-production aircraft and 12 production-standard aircraft (for the SAAF) were produced through 2004. Production Rooivalks are powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft engines rated at 1,843 shp each. Armament includes a Kentron GA-1 20-mm cannon mounted in a steerable chin turret.
The TH-28 is a single-main-rotor, turbine-powered, militarized IFR training version of Enstrom's commercial Model 480, The helicopter's interior is configured for three, including two student pilots and an instructor. Originally developed in conjunction with an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Army's New Training Helicopter program, Enstrom nevertheless decided to continue to develop both a military trainer and a civil variant. At this time, the civil Model 480 remains in production and occasionally finds its way into the military market.
The AS532 Cougar and the new EC725 are twin-engine, medium-lift military transport and special-purpose helicopters. They are the military versions of Eurocopter's AS332 Super Puma and EC225, respectively. Current engines include two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines rated at 1,819 shp each for takeoff for the AS532 Mk 1, and two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshafts rated at 2,100 shp each for takeoff for the EC725. Armament can include a 20-mm cannon, twin 7.62-mm machine gun or two rocket pods.
The Eurocopter BO105 is a 5-7-seat, twin-turboshaft-engine, single-main-rotor utility helicopter used for both military and commercial roles. BO105CB/CBS models are powered by two Rolls-Royce 250-C20B turboshaft engines rated at 420 shp each for takeoff, while the BO105LS features a pair of Rolls 250-C28C turboshafts rated at 500 shp each for takeoff. Approximately 1,400 BO105s, including 680 military versions, were built through 2005. Eurocopter's newer and more advanced EC135/635 light twin has replaced the BO105.
The Eurocopter EC635 is the military version of the EC135 multipurpose light twin-turbine helicopter. It can be used for troop transport, search and rescue and training. The latest models are the EC135P2e, powered by 667-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines, and the EC135T2e, powered by 634-shp Turbomeca Arrius 2B2s. Through 2010, 35 EC635s were built. Production of another 40 EC635s is forecast for the 2011-20 period.
The Eurocopter Tiger is a tandem-seat anti-tank/fire-support helicopter designed for all-weather, day/night anti-tank, ground-support, anti-helicopter and armed escort missions. Power is supplied by two MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines rated at 1,285 shp each at takeoff.
The UH-72A Lakota is a twin-turboshaft-powered multimission helicopter based on the EC145 civil helicopter. The UH-72A is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshafts rated 770 shp each. The selection of the helicopter for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter program, to meet a requirement for 345 units, represents EADS North America's first major win as a prime contractor for the U.S. military. Deliveries began in late 2006, with 152 units produced through 2010. An additional 198 helicopters are forecast for production in 2011-20.
Fabrica Argentina de Aviones SA (FAdeA), previously known as Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina SA, 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, followed by initial deliveries in 1988. It was powered by a single 3,500-lb-thrust Honeywell TFE731-2-2N turbofan engine. Twenty-two IA 63 aircraft were produced, including three flying prototypes. The new AT-63 has a 3,500-lb.-thrust Honeywell TFE731-2C turbofan, five weapons stations and an avionics suite from Elbit.
The A-10 is a single-seat ground attack aircraft powered by a pair of General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines rated at 9,065 lb. thrust each. First flight of an A-10 prototype occurred in 1972, and by 1984 a total of 713 A-10As had been built for the U.S. Air Force. Conversion of a portion of the service's A-10A fleet for use in forward air control was subsequently performed, resulting in the OA-10 configuration.
The Fuji T-7, also known as the T-3 Kai or KM-2F, is a two-seat basic/primary trainer derived from Fuji's earlier, piston-engined T-3. It is powered by a 450-shp Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop engine. First flight of a prototype, converted from an existing T-3, occurred in 1998. In 2000, the T-7 was selected over the Pilatus PC-7 as the new primary trainer for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. T-7 deliveries began in 2002, with 49 produced through 2008, when the final aircraft was delivered for the Japanese requirement.
Hafei Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. of China builds the Z-9, a version of Eurocopter's Dauphin twin-turboshaft, multipurpose helicopter. Z-9 deliveries began in 1982. Original Z-9s were assembled from Aerospatiale-supplied kits. Over the years, Z-9 production incorporated an ever-increasing proportion of Chinese-made equipment, culminating in the completely indigenous Z-9B. The Z-9 is powered by Zhuzhou WZ-8 turboshaft engines. The most recent attack variant, the Z-9WE, is fitted with Turbomeca Arriel 2Cs.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Dhruv is a twin-turboshaft, multirole helicopter originally powered by Turbomeca TM333-2B2s rated at 1,000 shp each. Deliveries began in 2011 of a variant equipped with the new Turbomeca/HAL Ardiden 1H1 1,200-shp turboshaft, which is produced and marketed in India under the name Shakti. Through 2010, 110 Dhruvs were built, and another 309 are forecast for production in 2011-20. A light attack variant, the Light Combat Helicopter, will be powered by two Shakti/Ardiden 1H1s.
The HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is a single-seat multirole fighter/attack aircraft designed for an Indian military requirement; a two-seat trainer version is also being developed. Initial production aircraft are powered by GE F404-GE-IN20 augmented turbofans rated at 18,700 lb. thrust each. Although later production aircraft were to feature the indigenously designed Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) GTX-35VS Kaveri augmented turbofan, the government has decided to use the GE F414-GE-INS6 (rated at 22,000 lb.
