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.
The F-CK-1 Ching-kuo (also called the Indigenous Defense Fighter) is a light fighter aircraft developed by the Taiwan state-owned aerospace company Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) in the 1980s. Powered by two ITEC (Honeywell/AIDC) F125-100 afterburning turbofans, the aircraft entered service in 1994 and 134 F-CK-1A/Bs were completed by the time production stopped in 1999. Beginning in 2006, the aircraft were upgraded to F-CK-1C/Ds with new avionics, radar and weapons.
The H-92 is the military variant of Sikorsky's S-92 civil model. It is powered by two GE CT7-8C turboshafts rated at approximately 2,550 shp each. When configured for the land assault mission, the H-92 provides a 200-nm radius of action and the ability to carry 22 troops at 3,000 ft on a 91.5F day. The first version is the CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter for Canada. Seven H-92s were produced through 2011, with 22 units forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
Pentagon spending appears on the presidential campaign radar primarily as it relates to the No. 1 issue—jobs and the economy. When the candidates travel to Virginia—a military-heavy state that could make a difference in the election's outcome—they have to address defense issues. But without much emphasis by the campaigns on military matters, Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama wind up stumbling on the details.
The SW-4 is a Polish light single-turbine helicopter powered by the 458-shp Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2. First flight occurred in 1996, but deliveries to the Polish air force did not start until 2004. AgustaWestland acquired PZL-Swidnik in January 2010. By the end of 2011, some 32 SW-4s had been built. Production of 35 SW-4s is forecast over the next decade.
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 Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was originally powered by two Turbomeca TM333-2B2 turboshafts rated at 1,000 shp each. Deliveries of an upgraded variant with the new Turbomeca/HAL Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft began in 2011. The Ardiden 1H1 is produced in India as the Shakti. The Dhruv's first flight with twin Ardiden 1H1s, each rated at 1,200 shp, took place in January 2009. An attack variant, the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter), is being developed; it will be powered by two Shakti turboshafts.
The Huey family of single- and twin-engine utility helicopters from Bell has been produced in a wide variety of models since its launch in 1958. The latest twin GE T700-401C-powered UH-1Y Venom variant for the U.S. Marine Corps is the only dedicated military model in production, alongside the commercial Model 412. Some 108 UH-1Y helicopters are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
Japan, it seems, is not betting on the Lockheed Martin F-35 as an air-superiority fighter. Denied permission to buy Lockheed's F-22, Tokyo is preparing to operate at least some of its Boeing F-15s for another 30 years, even though it will also have the F-35.
Schweizer Aircraft developed the Model 330 and 333 prior to the company's acquisition by Sikorsky in 2004. The 330 was developed from the company's piston-powered Model 300. The 330 and the improved 330SP models were both powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft derated to 232 shp. The uprated Model 333 (redesignated the S-333) offered a 100-lb. increase in useful load and a redesigned, larger-diameter rotor system. The new S-434 is an evolved S-333 using the dynamic components and four-blade rotor developed for the Northrop Grumman MQ-88 Fire Scout unmanned aircraft.
In Virginia, the politics of defense budget cuts is in full swing, as the Republican governor and three Democratic lawmakers engage in a war of letters about how to handle looming budget reductions.
The E-3/E-6/E-8 series is a family of special-purpose military aircraft based on the Boeing 707. All three are out of production. A total of 76 E-3s, 17 E-6s and 20 E-8s were built. The Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System made its first flight in February 1972. Production E-3s were powered by either four Pratt & Whitney TF33s or CFM56-2 engines. First flight of the Boeing E-6A Mercury Tacamo II communications platform, with four F108-100 (CFM56) turbofans, took place in 1987. The Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System.
Short/medium-range, twin-turboprop, short-takeoff-and-landing transport developed from the Alenia G.222 as a joint venture with Lockheed Martin. The prototype C-27J, which first flew in 1999, was a modified G.222 with an upgraded cockpit and two 4,640-shp Rolls-Royce AE2100D2 engines. In a military transport role, the C-27J can carry 34-46 paratroopers, 46-68 infantry, or up to 36 stretchers and six medical attendants. In a utility role, the C-27J has up to a 24,353-lb. payload. In 2007, the aircraft won the U.S.
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.
The Su-27/30/35 series is a family of twin-engine, single- and two-seat interceptor/multirole aircraft. Development of the Su-27 began in 1969, and a prototype made its initial flight in 1977. Power for the Su-27 comes from two Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, each rated at 27,557-lb.-thrust with afterburner. Derivatives include the two-seat Su-30M multirole combat aircraft, Su-33 carrier-based naval aircraft and Su-34 fighter/bomber.
The SH-2 Seasprite is a multipurpose naval helicopter. First flight was in 1959, and 191 were built. No new aircraft have been produced since the early 1990s. The two variants still in use are the SH-2F, powered by two GE T58-8F turboshafts rated at 1,350 shp each, and the modernized SH-2G, powered by two GE T700-401s rated at 1,690 shp each. The Seasprite is still marketed by Kaman.
The piston-powered Canadair CL-215 amphibian first flew in 1967, finding primary use as a firefighting platform. Production of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-powered aircraft ended in 1989, with a total of 125 produced. A new variant, the Bombardier 415, is in production and powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprops. A multi-mission version is available. Some 83 415s had been built through 2011. An additional 32 are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
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.
Kawasaki is developing the C-2 to replace for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's C-1As and C-130Hs. The C-2 is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft powered by General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans rated at approximately 52,500-lb.-thrust each. Maximum payload is 82,892 lb. First flight occurred in January 2010, and 21 C-1s are forecast to be produced from 2012 through 2021.
Twin-engine, multirole military helicopter that has been produced in a variety of models for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), attack, utility and transport roles. The Super Lynx 300 is powered by a pair of LHTEC CTS800 turboshafts rated 1,384 at shp each. The upgraded AW159 Lynx Wildcat for the British military features a new airframe, digital communications, CTS800-4N engines rated at 1,361 shp each, and a new glass cockpit. First flight of the AW159 variant was in November 2009. Through 2011, 516 Lynx helicopters had been built since the prototype first flew in 1971.
The KT-1 two-seat turboprop trainer first flew in 1991. The first two prototypes were powered by a 550-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop; subsequent aircraft have been fitted with a 950-shp PT6A-62. KAI has developed a forward air control version called the KO-1, fitted with four hardpoints under the wing. Through 2011, approximately 147 units had been produced, while another 30 aircraft are forecast for production from 2012 through 2014.
Since its introduction to combat in Afghanistan in March, about 100 of the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps new low-cost, precision air-launched missiles have been fired at enemy vehicles and troops from AH-1W Cobra and UH-1Y transport helicopters.
Capitol Hill may be quiet in the run-up to the November elections, but behind the scenes lobbyists are sparring over a proposal that would dramatically lower the amount the government can pay for defense contractor salaries. The fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee contains a provision that would lower the cap on compensation from its current high point of $763,029 to the same salary made by Vice President Joe Biden, $230,700.
The Mil Mi-8/17 series of helicopters is a family of twin-engine, multirole transports. The initial Mi-8 prototype first flew in 1961. Later models in the series have been powered by Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines rated at 2,367 shp each. Through 2011, more than 11,900 Mi-8/17s of all types had been built. In the 2012-21 period, production of 1,796 additional aircraft is forecast.
