The Typhoon is a delta-wing, single- and two-seat, supersonic multi-role fighter produced by Eurofighter, a consortium comprising Alenia Aermacchi, BAE Systems and EADS and developed for the air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. The aircraft is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 augmented turbofans rated at approximately 20,250-lb.-thrust each. The initial prototype flew in 1994, with deliveries beginning in 2002. Approximately 300 Typhoons had been built through 2011, while an estimated 302 are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
In 1995, Beech was selected to provide the T-6 tandem-seat trainer (based on the Pilatus PC-9) for the U.S. Air Force/Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Trainer System (JPATS) program. The T-6 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop. The Air Force and Navy plan to acquire 782 T-6s; more than 513 have been delivered. The T-6 also is in service with Canada, Greece, Israel, Iraq, Mexican and Morocco. A light attack derivative, the AT-6, is in development.
The Saab 340 and 2000 are out-of-production twin-turboprop commuter aircraft used in the military market as airborne early warning and control platforms. The 340B is powered by GE CT7-9Bs rated at 1,870 shp each, while the larger Saab 2000 uses Rolls-Royce AE2100s, rated at 4,591 shp. Operators of 340Bs modified for AEW&C use include Sweden, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan operates the Saab 2000 AEW&C.
The AMX is an attack aircraft powered by a single 11,030-lb.-thrust Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 807 non-afterburning turbofan. Alenia and Aermacchi (then independent) initially pursued separate designs for Italy's attack/support requirement, but began collaborating in 1978. Embraer joined the program 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 aircraft were built throughout the AMX production run, which ended in 2002.
The MH/SH-60 (also S-70B) series are medium-lift, anti-submarine warfare, and special-purpose shipborne helicopters. Current production models, the MH-60R and MH-60S, are powered by two GE T700-401C turboshaft engines rated at 1,690 shp each. The MH-60R configuration combines systems and capabilities from the earlier SH-60B and F variants, plus further upgrades. The MH-60S is a hybrid model incorporating the airframe, landing gear, fuel cells and several subsystems of the UH-60, mated with the SH-60's main rotor and tail fold, dynamic systems, engines and rescue hoist.
The MD Explorer is an eight-place, twin-turboshaft helicopter. It incorporates the patented Notar system. In early 2001, MD Helicopters launched the Combat Explorer armed variant, specifically targeting the air forces of Latin America. The Combat Explorer is cleared to carry the GAU-19/A .50-caliber Gatling gun, the M2 .50-cal gun pod, and 70-mm Hydra rockets.
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.
Hafei Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. builds the Z-9, a version of Eurocopter's AS365 Dauphin twin-turboshaft multipurpose helicopter. Z-9 deliveries began in 1982. Initial Z-9s were assembled from Aerospatiale-supplied kits, incorporation of an increasing proportion of Chinese-made equipment culminating in the completely indigenous Z-9B. The Z-9 is powered by Zhuzhou WZ-8 turboshafts, while the Z-9WE attack variant has Turbomeca Arriel 2C engines.
The Fuji T-7, also known as the T-3 Kai or KM-2F, is a tandem two-seat trainer derived from Fuji's earlier piston-engined T-3. It is powered by a 450-shp Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop. First flight of a prototype, converted from a 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. Deliveries began in 2002, with 49 produced through 2008, when the final aircraft was delivered. The T-5 remains in production, with 50 produced through 2011.
The MiG-AT is a twin-engine jet trainer now in development at RAC MiG. One prototype made its first flight in 1996, and a second in 2004. The aircraft has two 3,150-lb.-thrust Turbomeca/Snecma Larzac 04-R20 turbofans, although it has been tested with 3,750-lb.-thrust Soyuz RD-1700 engines for the Russian air force. RAC MiG has also conceived a single-seat light fighter/attack version designated the MiG-AS.
The S-300C is a piston-powered, 2-3-seat light utility and training helicopter model acquired by Sikorsky when it bought Schweizer Aircraft in 2004. The S-300C has its roots in the Hughes Helicopter Model 269/300 family of helicopters, and Schweizer produced its first 300C in 1984 after signing a deal with Hughes. Through 2011, 1,245 civil and military Model 300 helicopters had been produced by Schweizer, and another 24 for military use are forecast for production through 2021.
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.
Nobody is under any illusions about whether an attack on Iran's advanced weapons complex will end that country's advanced weapons threat or intimidate Tehran's government into inaction. “You have the day after, which some people say [will produce] a regional war, while others expect a calculated, limited Iranian action,” says Amos Yadlin, a former Israeli air force fighter pilot who bombed the nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981 and later became Israel's military intelligence chief. He expects the latter.
The TH-28 is a single-turbine militarized training version of Enstrom's commercial Model 480. The helicopter is configured with three seats for two student pilots and an instructor. After competing unsuccessfully in the U.S. Army's New Training Helicopter program, Enstrom decided to continue to develop both a military trainer and a civil variant. The civil Model 480 remains in production, with occasional military sales. An estimated 173 480s are forecast to be produced in the 2012-21 period.
The 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. About 198 J-10s had been produced through 2011. Production of an additional 240 is forecast for the 2012-21 period.
Single- or two-seat, twin-engine air superiority fighter manufactured by Boeing, and license-produced by Mitsubishi. Most F-15 models built to date are powered by versions of the Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan, but South Korea's F-15K and Singapore's F-15SG are powered by GE F110 turbofans, with Saudi Arabia using F110s in new and upgraded F-15SAs. The initial F-15A version first flew in 1972; deliveries began in 1974. The improved F-15C/D became the standard in 1979, but were superseded in the 1980s by the two-seat F-15E strike aircraft.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) and a host of small businesses are lobbying debate moderator Bob Schiffer to pose a question about sequestration during the Oct. 22 presidential debate on foreign policy. The issue of a potential $1 trillion across-the-board federal budget penalty came up briefly during the vice presidential debate. But it was not a major topic during either of the two previous debates.
First flown as a prototype in 1982, the Ka-50 Black Shark is a single-seat, twin-engine, contra-rotating coaxial-rotor attack helicopter. The Ka-52 Alligator is a side-by-side, twin-seat variant of the Ka-50. Power for the Ka-50 initially came from 2,200-shp Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshafts. Though production ceased in 2009, the Ka-50 is still offered for sale, but now with the 2,400-shp Klimov VK-2500 engines used on the Ka-52. The Ka-52 remains in production and a naval variant, the Ka-52K, is under development for Russia's French-supplied helicopter carriers.
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.
