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Volume 33 Number 4 July/August 2014 Taking control Making the helicopter pilot optional SHARPENING THE EAST- AFFORDABLE ITS CLAWS WEST DIVIDE AVIATION Wildcat HMA2 update European helo programmes US Army restructure www.rotorhub.com DH_JulAug14_OFC.indd 1 02/07/2014 11:16:33 Achieve Positive Identification Superior Vision, Unmatched SWAP FLIR Systems continues to redefi ne what’s possible with the new Star SAFIRE™ 380HDc. Unmatched multi-spectral HD imaging in a light, compact, low profi le system designed for your mission. Star SAFIRE® 380-HDc Long-Range Performance in a Compact System For more information visit www.fl ir.com/380hdc / fl i r h q @ fl i r 7/1/14 1:26 PM Military Helicopter fp Ad VERSION 3 7114.indd 1 The World’s Sixth Sense DH_JulAug14_IFC.indd 2 02/07/2014 11:21:23 Sixth Sense Military Helicopter fp Ad VERSION 3 7114.indd 1 The World’s 7/1/14 1:26 PM / fl i r h q @ fl i r For more information visit www.fl ir.com/380hdc in a Compact System Long-Range Performance Star SAFIRE 380-HDc ® for your mission. HD imaging in a light, compact, low profi le system designed the new Star SAFIRE™ 380HDc. Unmatched multi-spectral FLIR Systems continues to redefi ne what’s possible with Superior Vision, Unmatched SWAP Identification Achieve Positive CONTENTS Front cover: The MFRF programme seeks to develop an onboard sensor to perform a variety of tasks that enhance the survivability of rotorcraft. (Image: DARPA) 3 Comment Editor Tony Skinner, [email protected] Tel: +44 1753 727020 4 News n Echo Apaches performing beyond Staff Reporter expectations Jonathan Tringham, [email protected] n Poland moves ahead with helicopter Contributors purchase Patrick Allen, Gordon Arthur, Pieter Bastiaans, Peter Donaldson, Jim Dorschner, Scott R Gourley, n Netherlands suspends acceptance of Neelam Mathews, Alexander Mladenov, further NH90 NFHs David Oliver, David Saw, Richard Scott, Matthew Smith, Alan Warnes, Jim Winchester, Tom Withington 10 The East-West divide The demand for new and upgraded Production Department Manager David Hurst, [email protected] helicopters from European militaries varies greatly across the continent. Matthew 33 Sub-editor Adam Wakeling Smith learns which countries are leading the way in procurement and improvement 38 Quest for power Commercial Manager programmes. A number of next-generation engines are Jane Smith, [email protected] Tel: +44 1753 727004 currently in development that promise 15 Ready or not? significant reduction in specific fuel Editor-in-Chief Tony Skinner With a tender still to be released for consumption levels and maintenance costs. Hungary’s military helicopter fleet Peter Donaldson examines some of these Managing Director replacement plans, questions remain over programmes. Darren Lake which platforms are likely to be procured, Chairman and the time frame involved. Jim Dorschner 45 Affordable aviation Nick Prest looks at the possible contenders. With the US Army’s restructuring plans for SUBSCRIPTIONS its rotary-wing component now fully laid CDS Global, Tower House, Lathkill Street, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, 20 Wildcat sharpens its claws out in public, the battle lines have been Leics LE16 9EF, UK The RN will next year introduce the Wildcat drawn and will likely result in some severe Paid subscription contacts: HMA2 on the front line. Richard Scott political ruptures yet, finds Tony Skinner. Tel: +44 1858 438879 Fax: +44 1858 461739 visited 700W Naval Air Squadron to Email: [email protected] discover what tactical development has 48 Tail Spin Defence Helicopter (USPS 023-352) is published revealed about the aircraft’s potential. Dominique Maudet, EVP global business six times per year – in January/February, March/April, and services at Airbus Helicopters, talks to May/June, July/August, September/October and November/December– by The Shephard Press Ltd, 26 Taking control Tony Skinner about the future prospects 268 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX, UK. Could the concept of an optionally piloted for the company’s military product line. Subscription rates start at £65. Subscription records are maintained at CDS Global, helicopter that provides its passengers with Tower House, Lathkill Street, Sovereign Park, a mission-specific interface become reality? Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9EF, UK. Air Business Ltd is acting as mailing agent. Peter Donaldson finds out. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of The Shephard Press Ltd and may IN THE NEXT ISSUE not be reproduced in any form without the written 33 Smoother, better, Poland focus permission of the publishers. No responsibility can be accepted for loss of or damage to uncommissioned faster, stronger Helicopter upgrades photographs or manuscripts. Rotor blade development activity plays a Future of VTOL vital part in the overall evolution of a DTP by Vivid Associates Ltd, Sutton, Surrey, UK Ground support Printed by Williams Press, Maidenhead, UK helicopter’s capabilities. Jonathan Tringham © The Shephard Press Ltd, 2014 examines industry’s current work. ISSN 1741-6043 Subscriptions Shephard’s aerospace and defence publishing portfolio incorporates seven titles: Defence Helicopter, Digital Battlespace, International Maritime & Port Security, Land The Shephard Press Ltd Warfare International, Military Logistics International, Rotorhub and Unmanned Vehicles. 268 Bath Road, Slough, Berks, SL1 4DX, UK Published bi-monthly or quarterly, each is respected and renowned for covering Tel: +44 1753 727001 global issues within its respective industry sector. Fax: +44 1753 727002 For more information, including editorial content of the current issues visit: shephardmedia.com/magazines. www.rotorhub.com Subscribe today via: www.subscription.co.uk/shephard or +44 (0)1858 438879 www.rotorhub.com Volume 33 Number 4 | July/August 2014 | Defence Helicopter 1 DH_JulAug14_p01_Contents.indd 1 02/07/2014 11:22:09 Meeting your operational needs is our mission IAI - for superior helicopter upgrades and maintenance • Modular integrated upgrade packages tailored to day/night missions • Optimized integration of advanced mission equipment and sensors • Mission-driven displays and controls for enhanced air crew performance • Comprehensive helicopter support SEE US AT www.iai.co.il FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW 2014 [email protected] DH_JulAug14_p02.indd 2 02/07/2014 11:25:05 COMMENT NH90 nears maturity, but is the aircraft still too complex? IF A CAMEL IS A HORSE DESIGNED BY fly-by-wire system with the automatic flight committee, then the NH90 medium helicopter controls was very reliable and supported us to must be a development programme drafted in the greatest possible extent. Coming from the a lunatic asylum. UH-1s, which are a very old, basic system, the While the eventual establishment of six step to the NH90 was quite a large one. The production sites must have been politically fly-by-wire helped us achieve this big expedient at the time of the programme’s challenge,’ Eggert explained. inception, the creation of so many different Not that the deployment hasn’t been variants of the aircraft – at the last count without its hiccups. The NH90’s digital moving standing at 26 across 13 customers – has map required an upgrade in-theatre in undoubtedly hamstrung the NH90’s smooth order for it to work properly, while there were entry into service. also issues with the aircraft’s environmental Progress is being made, however, as control system. I witnessed during a visit to Bückeburg With Germany deploying the type earlier Air Base in Germany for the annual NH90 than some helicopter chiefs were probably User Conference. comfortable with due to political pressure, A handover ceremony for an NH90 TTH to it’s hardly surprising that niggling issues were the Belgian Armed Forces during the event discovered in-theatre. Indeed, Eggert was marked the 200th delivery, while the entire complimentary about the response from fleet has now chalked up 50,000 flight hours, NHIndustries in coming up with a solution including on operations in Afghanistan with for each. configuration – but it will be based on a Italy and Germany. single basis,’ NHI president Vincent Dubrule The well-publicised teething problems STANDARD BASELINE said. across the various nations – floors that warped, So after hearing the evidence of one outwardly The company is also looking at the future engine trouble, an inconsistent supply chain, satisfied customer, can we confidently say that upgrades required to keep the type current. problems with the aircraft’s digital map, the NH90 programme has turned a corner, These include increasing the operational corrosion issues (see p5) – have now largely especially as the momentum of deployments availability of the fleet, the introduction of been overcome. Indeed, with a few exceptions and flight hours begins to divert attention from new data links, enhanced communication (I’m talking about you here, Norway) all aircraft the number of outstanding issues? systems to handle ever increasing amounts of currently rolling off the production lines are in Certainly, one positive development that was information and a ‘strong request’ from several full operational configuration. announced during the user conference was the nations for an improved EO/IR sensor. In addition, Germany now has some solid move towards a standard baseline that will be While the provision of a ready upgrade path experience from operating four of the aircraft offered to future customers, with the current should
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