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 B-1B is a four-engine strategic bomber produced by Rockwell International (now Boeing) for the U.S. Air Force. The initial prototype made its first flight in 1974. The B-1B is powered by four GE F101-102 augmented turbofans rated at more than 30,000-lb.-thrust each. In addition to four B-1A prototypes, 100 B-1Bs were built before production ended in 1988. The Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) began in 1995 with Block B and proceeded through to Block E, adding precision strike capabilities.
Medium, twin-engine multirole helicopter. Since the W-3 Sokol's first flight in 1979, a wide variety of variants have been produced, including the search-and-rescue W-3RM Anakona and armed combat W-3PL Gluszec. Development of a W-3PL/N naval multirole version is now under way. The W-3 is powered by two PZL-Rzeszow PZL-10W turboshafts rated at 900 shp each. Through 2011, approximately 155 W-3s had been produced. From 2012 through 2021, 53 W-3s are forecast to be built.
The Kawasaki P-1 is a four-engine, anti-submarine warfare and maritime-patrol aircraft. The aircraft is powered by the IHI F7-10 turbofan, rated at 13,448-lb.-thrust. The P-1 is intended to replace Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3Cs. A prototype flew for the first time in 2007. Delivery of the first production model is scheduled for 2012. Through 2011, two developmental aircraft were built. Approximately 27 production units are forecast from 2012 through 2021.
The AS565 multirole, 10- to 15-seat helicopter is a military version of the commercial AS365 Dauphin. Variants include the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65C Dolphin (powered by Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 engines); naval AS565MB (Arriel 2C); and land-based AS565UB (Arriel 2C). Through 2011, 1,004 Dauphin/Panther helicopters were produced, not including models license-produced by China's Hafei Aviation Industry Company Ltd (HAI), with 18 more for military use forecast from 2012 through 2021.
Boeing's 737 series is a family of twin-engine, narrowbody commercial transports. There are several programs for converting green 737 aircraft for specialized military use. Australia's E-7A Wedgetail airborne warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, integrated by Boeing with a Northrop Grumman radar, first flew in 2004 and delayed deliveries began in 2010. Turkey's Peace Eagle 737 AEW&C is modified by Boeing and TAI, while South Korea's 737 AEW&C is modified by Boeing and KAI.
The Mi-28 is a twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter. In Russian military use, the Mil Mi-28 has become the successor to the Mi-24. First flight occurred in 1982. The current version is the all-weather/night-capable Mi-28N; deliveries of the Mi-28N began in 2006. The Mi-28N is powered by 2,194-shp Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines. Through 2011, some 48 Mi-28s had been built. Another 128 are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
Staffers on Capitol Hill have discussed reauthorizing NASA spending and even approving a spending bill that funds the space agency by the end of the year. But whether they succeed depends on the results of the November election.
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.
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 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.
The A400M is a four-turboprop heavy military transport aircraft currently under development. Seven European nations are participating in the program: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey, and the U.K. The seven partner nations intend to acquire a total of 170 A400Ms. Malaysia joined the development effort in 2005, and will acquire four A400Ms. First flight occurred in December 2009, with deliveries to begin in the second quarter of 2013. Five test aircraft had been built through 2011, with 199 aircraft forecast to be built in the 2012-21 timeframe.
In 1991, two years after the U.S. withdrew from the Grumman/Chengdu Super 7 effort, Chengdu began the FC-1 lightweight fighter program. Pakistan (where the aircraft is known as the JF-17) and China signed an agreement in 1998 for joint development and production. The first prototype flew in 2003, and first delivery occurred in 2007. The single-seat aircraft is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan (18,300-lb.-thrust), with a two-seat variant also planned.
The EC120 is a single-turbine light helicopter primarily used in the military arena for flight training. Power is supplied by a Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine rated at 504 shp. Through 2011, 701 civil/military EC120s had been produced, with another 27 for military applications expected from 2012 through 2021.
The HH/UH-60 (also S-70) Black Hawk series is a family of twin-turbine, medium-lift military transport and utility helicopters. Past models have included the UH-60A, powered by two GE T700-700 turboshafts, and the UH-60L, with two T700-701C engines. The latest version is the UH-60M, powered by two 2,215-shp T700-701D turboshafts. The UH-60 family also includes the new S-70i international model, assembled at Sikorsky subsidiary PZL-Mielec in Poland. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces the Black Hawk under license in Japan.
The UH-72A Lakota is a twin-turboshaft light utility helicopter based on the Eurocopter EC145 civil helicopter. The UH-72A is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshafts rated at 770 shp each. The selection of the EC145 for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter program, to meet a requirement for 345 UH-72As, was EADS North America's first major win as a prime contractor for the U.S. military. Deliveries began in late 2006, with some 201 units produced through 2011. An additional 148 helicopters are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
The E-767 was developed as a follow-on to the 707-based E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. The E-767 is powered by two GE CF6-80C2 turbofans rated at 61,500-lb.-thrust, and has a crew of two plus 19 AWACS mission specialists. System suppliers include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Only four E-767s have been produced, and all are in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Boeing also developed a tanker/transport version of the 767, the KC-767, which has been sold to Italy and Japan.
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 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 Huey family of single- and twin-engine utility helicopters from Bell has been produced in a wide variety of models since its launch in 1958. The latest twin GE T700-401C-powered UH-1Y Venom variant for the U.S. Marine Corps is the only dedicated military model in production, alongside the commercial Model 412. Some 108 UH-1Y helicopters are forecast for production 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.
A three-engine, medium-lift, multirole helicopter, the AW101 (formerly known as the EH101) has been produced in naval, military utility and commercial/VVIP versions. The helicopter has been fitted with either General Electric CT7-8E or Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshafts. Through 2011, 170 AW101s were produced. Approximately 66 more are forecast to be built in the 2012-21 period.
Family of single- and twin-engine attack helicopters. Bell has delivered over 2,300 AH-1s and Fuji of Japan produced about 90 under license. The latest AH-1Z Viper is an improved version of the earlier AH-1W Super Cobra. Powered by two GE T700-401 turboshaft engines rated at 1,723 shp each, the AH-1Z features a four-blade composite main rotor, uprated transmission, digital avionics and a new targeting system. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to take delivery of 189 AH-1Zs, including 152 new-build helicopters and 37 converted AH-1Ws.
The PC-9 tandem-seat military flight trainer was produced by Pilatus and also assembled under license by Hawker de Havilland Ltd. Developed as a follow-on to the PC-7, the PC-9 prototype first flew in May 1984, followed by initial deliveries in 1986. The last production model was the PC-9M, which was introduced in 1997. The PC-9M is powered by a single 1,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop. Approximately 280 aircraft were built through 2006, when the last PC-9 was produced.
