The Lockheed P-3 Orion is an antisubmarine-warfare (ASW)/maritime-patrol aircraft produced through 1997 and operated by 17 nations. Lockheed won a U.S. Navy ASW competition in 1958 and began deliveries of the P-3A in 1962. The improved P-3C first flew in 1968. Power for the P-3C is provided by four 4,910-shp Rolls-Royce T56-A-14 turboprop engines. Lockheed manufactured 647 P-3s, while Kawasaki produced 101 under license. Although P-3C production has ended, the aircraft remains the subject of numerous upgrade programs.
The AS532 Cougar and the new EC725 are twin-engine, medium-lift military transport and special-purpose helicopters, and are the military versions of Eurocopter's AS332 Super Puma and EC225, respectively. Current engines include two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshafts rated at 1,819 shp each (takeoff) for the AS532 Mk 1 and two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshafts rated at 2,100 shp each (takeoff) for the EC725. Armament can include a 20-mm cannon, twin 7.62-mm machine guns or two rocket pods.
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 2B2 engines. Through 2012, Eurocopter produced approximately 55 EC 635s, with an additional 17 units forecast for the 2013-22 period.
The M-346 is a two-seat, twin-engine advanced jet trainer/light-attack aircraft derived from the Yakovlev Yak-130. The aircraft is powered by two 6,280-lb.-thrust Honeywell F124-GA-200 twin-shaft turbofans with Fadec. First flight occurred in July 2004 and, through 2012, three prototypes and an estimated 10 production aircraft were built. To date, M-346 orders total 48: 30 for Israel, six for Italy and 12 for Singapore. The United Arab Emirates selected the aircraft for its trainer requirement in 2009 and is expected to order 48.
We are entering a second nuclear age, some analysts believe, and this is creating growing tension over the direction of U.S. and allied nuclear policy.
The MiG-29 is a single- and twin-seat, air-superiority fighter/interceptor aircraft. A MiG-29 prototype first flew in October 1977. The MiG-29 is powered by two 18,300-lb.-thrust Klimov RD-33 augmented turbofan engines. Over the years, the MiG-29 has gone through several revisions, including the single-seat MiG-29SMT and tandem-seat MiG-29UBT. The SMT has new avionics and greater range than its predecessor, while the MiG-29UBT incorporates many of the same upgrades but in the tandem-seat configuration.
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.
