The H-3 Sea King is a twin-turbine general-purpose transport and antisubmarine-warfare (ASW)helicopter powered by General Electric T58-GE-10 turboshaft engines. Development began in 1957 at Sikorsky under a U.S. Navy contract. Initially designed as an ASW helicopter, the H-3 was produced in many variants, both in the U.S. by Sikorsky and abroad by a number of licensees, for both military and civilian applications. Under the SH-3 designation, the Navy has used the helicopter for ASW, utility and minesweeping applications. The HH-3, which has been used by the U.S.
The Defense Department's most secret projects, known as Special Access Programs (SAP), will be protected from automatic declassification for 40 years or more, according to a Pentagon manual for the handling of materials for the military's most sensitive programs. SAP files prior to Jan. 1, 1982, will be protected until Dec. 31, 2021, regardless of their age, the new rule states. Later files will be protected for four decades, “unless they are reviewed and submitted for another extension,” according to the guide published Oct.
The Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) Z-9 is a version of Eurocopter's Dauphin twin-turboshaft, multipurpose helicopter. Z-9 deliveries began in 1982. Original Z-9s were assembled from Aerospatiale-supplied kits. Over the ensuing years, Z-9 production incorporated an ever-increasing proportion of Chinese-made equipment, culminating in the completely indigenous Z-9B. The Z-9 is powered by Zhuzhou WZ-8 turboshaft engines. A Z-9WE derivative is designed for use in both attack and search-and-rescue missions.
The M-345 High Efficiency Trainer (HET) is a new basic-advanced trainer announced at the 2013 Paris air show. Slated to enter service from 2017-20, the new aircraft will be powered by a turbofan engine in the 3,500-lb.-thrust class and feature advanced avionics.
The PC-21 is a two-seat trainer powered by a 1,600-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B turboprop engine. Pilatus achieved certification of the PC-21 in December 2004. Customers have included the Swiss, Singapore and United Arab Emirates air forces. Two prototypes, two test aircraft and 52 production aircraft were produced through 2012. Pilatus is expected to deliver an additional 189 aircraft through 2022.
The HH/MH/SH-60 series helicopters are a family of antisubmarine-warfare and special-purpose maritime aircraft. Current production models, the MH-60R and MH-60S, are powered by two GE T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines rated at 1,911 shp and 1,891 shp each, respectively. The MH-60R configuration combines systems and capabilities from earlier Seahawk variants, plus further upgrades.
The C-5 Galaxy is an intercontinental-range, heavy-lift military cargo/personnel-transport aircraft. The aircraft made its first flight in June 1968; 81 of the C-5A model were produced through 1973. Two C-5As were subsequently modified to handle large payloads, and received the new designation C-5C. Production of the C-5B model ended in 1989, with 50 built. The C-5A/B aircraft were initially powered by four General Electric TF39-GE-1C turbofans at rated 43,000 lb. thrust each. The U.S.
Schweizer Aircraft developed the Models 330 and 333 prior to the company's acquisition by Sikorsky in 2004. The 330 was developed from the piston-powered Model 300. The 330 and the improved 330SP models were both powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft engine derated to 232 shp. Production of the Model 330 ended in 2008. The uprated Model 333 (redesignated the S-333 in 2009) featured the same engine as the Model 330, but offered a 100-lb. increase in useful load, a redesigned rotor system and larger-diameter rotor blades.
The single-engine AS550 utility helicopter is a military version of the AS350. The AS550C3 is powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 2B turboshaft engine, and the AS550C3e is equipped with the Arriel 2D; both engines are rated 847 shp. Approximately 4,475 AS350/550/EC130s were produced through 2012, including civil and military variants as well as those assembled under license. Another 23 units for military applications are slated for production between 2013 and 2022.
The Yak-130 is a subsonic advanced trainer and light attack aircraft powered by two 5,512-lb.-thrust ZMKB Progress AI-222-25 or Soyuz RD-2500 turbofan engines. A Yak-130 prototype first flew in 1996, followed by the initial flight of a production aircraft in 2004. One technology demonstrator, three prototypes and an estimated 46 production aircraft were manufactured through 2012. From 2013 through 2022, another 199 Yak-130s are forecast to be built, the majority for the Russian air force.
The TH-28 is a single-main-rotor, turbine-powered, militarized IFR training version of Enstrom's commercial Model 480. (China's Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. Ltd. purchased Enstrom in December 2012.) The helicopter's interior is configured for three: two student pilots and an instructor. At this time, the civil Model 480 remains in production, and occasionally finds its way into the military market. Some 128 480s are forecast for production during the 2013-22 period.
Since he was appointed CEO of Thales earlier this year, Jean-Bernard Levy has repeatedly proclaimed that there is nothing wrong with the company's business portfolio, because all of its operational units are profitable, if only marginally. Unfortunately, this view is symptomatic of the way most European aerospace and defense (A&D) players fail to understand the value of dynamic business portfolio management.
At Airshow China in November 2012, a new Z-9 variant, dubbed the Z-19, made its public debut. The Z-19 is a twin-engine light-attack helicopter that first flew in 2010. It features a new fuselage, tandem-seat configuration, revised landing gear and other changes.
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.
