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.
The EC665 Tiger is a tandem-seat attack 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 turboshafts, rated at 1,285 shp each. Variants include the HAC Tiger basic anti-tank version and HAP Gerfaut escort/fire-support versions for the French army; the UHT German combat support version; the ARH hybrid version selected for the Australian armed reconnaissance helicopter program; and the HAD multirole version with uprated engines.
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.
Large twin-engine fighter under development by Sukhoi, designed to compete with the stealth capability of Lockheed Martin's F-22 and F-35. The $8-10 billion estimated program costs are to be split between India and Russia. Total program requirements for the two countries could reach 500 aircraft. A prototype T-50 made its first flight in January 2010, powered possibly by a derivative of the Saturn 117S afterburning turbofan. Other reports have the fighter being powered by an all-new engine design.
The Hawk is a single-engine, two-seat advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. A single-seat light fighter variant (the Hawk 200) also was built. All versions are powered by a Rolls-Royce Adour turbofan, the latest Hawk 128 AJT variant using the 6,800-lb.-thrust Mk 951 variant. Excluding the related Boeing T-45 Goshawk, approximately 663 Hawks were produced through 2011, with an estimated 67 forecast for delivery in the 2012-21 period. Competition includes the Aermacchi M-346 and the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
The MB-339 was developed as a follow-on to Aermacchi's MB-326, with the first prototype flying in 1976. The single engine is either a Rolls-Royce Viper Mk 632-43 (4,000-lb.-thrust) or Mk 680 (4,400-lb.-thrust) turbojet. After more than 220 aircraft were built for flight training and light attack, production ended in 2004 with the MB-339CD variant, which serves as a lead-in trainer for Tornado and Typhoon fighter pilots in the Italian air force. It has also proven to be a popular aerobatic aircraft.
Europe's aerospace and defense industry missed a unique opportunity to complete a wide-ranging consolidation process that began nearly 50 years ago. Combining EADS and BAE Systems would have created a world-class giant with an impressive €72.9 billion ($94.3 billion) in revenues, 216,000 employees and a comprehensive product range. Moreover, the initiative looked like a perfect fit.
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.
