The C212 is an unpressurized, twin-turboprop-powered military transport with room for up to 25 fully equipped troops or a payload of up to 6,504 lb. Along with transport duties, the aircraft has also seen popularity in a maritime patrol role. Developed by Spain's CASA, and once known as the Aviocar, the C212 made its first flight in March 1971; deliveries began in May 1974. Some 477 C212s (of all versions) were built through 2012, including about 110 assembled by Indonesian Aerospace (IAe).
The MD Explorer is an eight-place, twin-turboshaft-powered helicopter that features the 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-caliber gun pod and 70-mm Hydra rockets.
The C-17 Globemaster III is a long-range, heavy-lift transport aircraft powered by four 40,440-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines. First flight took place in 1991. One of the largest military-transport aircraft, the C-17 can carry vehicles such as the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and M1 Abrams main battle tank. In addition to the U.S., the aircraft is in service with the air forces of Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and the U.K.
The H-92 is the military variant of Sikorsky's S-92 civil model. It is powered by two GE CT7-8C turboshaft engines 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. In July 2004, the H-92 won the $2.4 billion competition to provide 28 maritime helicopters for the Canadian armed forces. The first H-92 built for the program (designated the CH-148 Cyclone in Canadian service) made its maiden flight in November 2008.
The HJT-36 Sitara is a subsonic, single-engine, two-seat intermediate jet trainer that will replace about 170 Rolls-Royce Viper-powered HJT-16 Kiran jet trainers of the Indian air force. Production aircraft will be powered by one NPO Saturn AL-55I 4,850-lb.-thrust turbofan engine. A prototype first flew in 2003, but development has been protracted, with the latest delay caused by the crash of a prototype in April 2011. Two prototypes and one limited production aircraft were built through 2012.
Bell Helicopter has produced this family of single-main-rotor, single- and twin-engine utility helicopters in a wide variety of models since its launch in 1958. The T700-GE-401C-powered UH-1Y variant is the only dedicated military model currently in production. Approximately 90 UH-1Y helicopters are forecast for production from 2013 through 2022.
The Kazan Ansat is a twin-turboshaft, multipurpose light helicopter. The Ansat-U training variant is in Russian military service. The Ansat is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207K engines rated at 630 shp each. An armed reconnaissance variant of the Ansat, the Ansat-2RT, was also developed, making its first flight in 2005. Through 2012, Kazan built 43 Ansats; another 51 are slated for production through 2022.
Boeing's 737 series is a family of twin-engine, narrowbody commercial transports. There are several existing programs for converting green 737s for specialized military use. Australia's 737 Wedgetail AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft is integrated by Boeing with a Northrop Grumman radar system; six aircraft, designated E-7A, have been delivered. Turkey launched the 737 Peace Eagle AEW&C aircraft program, with modification work being performed by Boeing and Turkish Aerospace Industries; first flight occurred in 2007.
The ATR series of turboprop-powered military transport aircraft are built by the ATR joint venture of EADS and Alenia Aermacchi and based on the popular commercial regional aircraft series. The latest civil versions are the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600. Both are powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines, rated 2,400-2,750 shp each. The ATR 42-500MP Surveyor is a maritime-patrol aircraft, certificated in 1995, that features improved hot/high performance, higher cruise speeds and an updated cabin interior. At max payload, it can fly up to 1,010 nm.
The Y-20 is a large, high-wing, four-engine transport that from a distance looks to be larger than an Airbus Military A400M but smaller than a Boeing C-17. Chinese media reported on the aircraft's first flight in January 2013. Photos of one of two prototypes indicate it is powered by Russian-made Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines, but it is likely that any production version will be powered by a more fuel-efficient, high-bypass turbofan, possibly the WS-20. Service entry is expected in 2017.
The AW149 is a slightly larger military transport variant of the AW139, powered by two 2,000-shp-class GE CT7-2E1 engines. An AW149 prototype, a converted risk-reduction aircraft that used AW139 dynamic components, conducted its maiden flight in November 2009; a second prototype followed in 2010. Armament options for the AW149 include 70- and 81-mm rocket launchers; 7.62-, 12.7- and 20-mm machine guns; and provision for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. No launch customer has been secured.
The KT-1 is a turboprop-powered, two-seat military basic trainer, the first prototype of which initially flew in 1991. The first two KT-1 prototypes were powered by the 550-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop engine; subsequent aircraft are fitted with 950-shp PT6A-62 engines. KAI has also developed a forward-air-control version of the KT-1 called the KO-1, which is fitted with four hardpoints across its wing. KAI built approximately 157 units through 2012, including five flight-test aircraft.
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 for the original Z-8 came from three Changzhou WZ6 turboshafts producing 1,190 shp each.
The Y-7, MA60 and MA600 are twin-turboprop transport aircraft. Based on the Antonov An-24, the Y-7 was the initial type in the series and is no longer in production. Based on the Y7-200A model, the MA60 entered service in 2000, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J turboprops rated at 2,750 shp. The MA600 is the latest iteration and features reduced weight and a digital cockpit with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. Deliveries of the MA600 began in 2011.
Commonly used in search-and-rescue and offshore duties, the twin-engine, 15-passenger civil/commercial AW139 helicopter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines rated 1,679 shp each at takeoff. Originally named the AB139 when the AW139 was a joint venture of AgustaWestland and Bell, the name changed when Bell withdrew from the program. Approximately 550 AW139s were delivered through 2012. A total of 689 AW139s are slated for production between 2013 and 2022, mostly for civil customers.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries began development of the C-2 twin-engine tactical transport in 2001 as a replacement for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's C-1As and C-130Hs, with the first flight in January 2010. The C-2 is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans rated at 52,500 lb. thrust each and has a maximum payload of 82,892 lb. Twenty-five C-1s are forecast for production from 2013 through 2022.
First flown as a prototype in 1982, the Ka-50 is a single-seat, twin-engine, contra-rotating coaxial-rotor attack helicopter. The Ka-52 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 engines. Although Ka-50 production stopped in 2009, the helicopter is still being marketed, but with the same 2,400-shp Klimov VK-2500 engine that powers the Ka-52. The Ka-52 remains in production. Through 2012, Kamov built approximately 18 Ka-50s and 28 Ka-52s.
First flight of the AW129 attack helicopter occurred in 1983. The Turkish army selected the AW129 in 2007 for a requirement for 51 attack helicopters, plus 41 options. Designated the T129, the Turkish version is powered by two LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines. Sixty-six AW129s and five T129s were built through 2012. Some 88 T129s are forecast for production in the 2013-22 period by Turkish Aerospace Industries.
An article in the Nov. 4 issue (page 10) incorrectly reported on features of the stealthy F-16 that Lockheed Martin has proposed to South Korea. It has a supersonic diverterless inlet, but no room for a weapons bay.
The L-39 family includes two-seat trainers and single-seat light-attack aircraft; all are single-engine-powered. The most recent version is the L-159 and although the aircraft is still available for order, no new ones have been produced since 2003. Power for the L-159 is provided by a 6,300-lb.-thrust ITEC (Honeywell/AIDC) F124-GA-100 turbofan engine. The maiden flight of the L-39 occurred in 1968, with the L-159 following with its first flight in 1997 and first delivery in 1999. About 2,800 of the nearly 3,000 aircraft produced remain in service worldwide.
The UH-60/S-70 Black Hawk series is a family of single-main-rotor, twin-turbine, medium-lift military transport and utility helicopters. The latest version is the UH-60M, powered by two 2,215-shp GE T700-GE-701D turboshafts. The UH-60 family also includes the new S-70i model, which undergoes final assembly at Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec in Poland. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces the Black Hawk under license in Japan. Through 2012, Sikorsky and Mitsubishi produced more than 3,110 Black Hawks.
The Mirage 2000 is a strike/reconnaissance aircraft. 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 W-3 Sokol is a medium, twin-engine multirole helicopter. Since its first flight in 1979, the Sokol has been built in a variety of variants, including the W-3RM search-and-rescue and W-3WA armed-combat versions. The W-3 is powered by two PZL-Rzeszow PZL-10W turboshafts rated at 900 shp each for takeoff. Through 2012, approximately 160 W-3s were built for military and civil customers and, from 2013 through 2022, another 49 W-3s are forecast be built.
Sukhoi is developing the single-seat, twin-engine T-50 to meet the Russian air force's PAK FA requirement for a new fighter aircraft. The initial T-50 prototype made its first flight in January 2010. A second prototype joined the flight-test program in March 2011. A third prototype took to the air in November 2011, followed by a fourth in December 2012. These aircraft are fitted with the Saturn 117 turbofan engine, which is to be used on initial production T-50s. Later production T-50s are to be powered by a new engine being developed by United Engine Corp.
