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JANUARY 2014 Vol.86 No.1 INTERNATIONAL

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• 2014 Produced by Key Publishing and featuring articles written with and by RAF personnel. The Offi cial Annual Review 2014 is a 132-page special magazine that provides behind the scenes insight into the aircraft, equipment and people of one of the world’s premier air forces. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

THE DAMBUSTERS PREPARE FOR HERRICK Behind the scenes in 617 Sqn’s anniversary year as the squadron readied for its fi nal deployment

OPERATION NEWCOMBE When the French engaged extremist forces in , the RAF responded with C-17 and Sentinel ISTAR support

CHINOOK 4, 5 AND 6 The upgraded Chinook Mk 4 in service and a look ahead at the step change in capability that the new Mk 6 delivers

FALKLANDS PERSPECTIVE A detailed look at the RAF’s considerable capability in the Falklands, from tankers JUST to Typhoons and radar sites, as the UK prepares for the long term

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DUBAI – WINDOW ON THE GULF LEADING NEWS STORIES David C Isby looks behind Dubaievents at the recent drivingairshow and the issues military and civilian aircraft sales in the Middle East. 10 part of it may be reproduced in any part of it may be reproduced on any form of retrieval form or stored system without the prior permission of All items submitted for the publisher. subject to our termspublication are regularly and conditions, which are updated without prior notice and are Key Publishing available from freely Ltd or downloadable from www.keypublishing.com Distribution by Seymour Distribution +44 (0)020 7429 4000 • Ltd • T. Printed in England by Warners Editor’s Secretary Julie Lawson Secretary Editor’s [email protected] COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT A320neo – Airbus MILITARY AIRCRAFT MILITARY Airbus Military A400M Atlas – Embraer KC-390 – Boeing F-15SE Silent A350XWB – MAX – Boeing 777X – Dassault Falcon 5X – Embraer E2 – Kamov Ka-62 76 62 +44 (0)1780 755131 +44 (0)1780 757261 • ISSN 0306-5634 • is published monthly by: Key Publishing Ltd, Lincs,PO Box 100, Stamford, PE9 1XQ, UK T F contents of AIRThe entire International is © copyright, and no GENERAL NEWS Storm Shadow integration on Typhoon nal QF-4 Phantom begins, fi MQ-9 Reaper se- delivered, lected by the , CRH faces US Air Force’s Rooivalk uncertain future, makes its combat debut, Airbus launches A350 Regional, American and US completed, Airways merger gets 86 and Bombardier passengers into the Q400. 06 News Editor David Willis [email protected] including, but not limited to, money, manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response to any advertisements within this publication. manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response including, but not limited to, money,

THE AVIATION THE AVIATION WORLD IN 2014 Marketing Assistants Shaun Binnington & Jessica Jagger DirectorCommercial Ann Saundry & PublisherManaging Director Adrian Cox Executive Chairman Cox Richard Training Systems Training Engines – Advanced We are unable to guarantee the bonafi des of any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly recommended to take their own precautions before parting with any information or item of value, before to take their own precautions recommended strongly des of any of our advertisers. Readers are unable to guarantee the bonafi are We Commercial Aero Commercial – Alliances – Airlines – Alliances – Regions – Airports –Regions – Airports –

25 25 post- Scotland’s BREAKING NEWS ghter begins Eurofi Dave Robinson Typhoon ights of the Typhoon test fl 3, Tranche independence air defence picks Korea plans released, F-35A Lightning II, Mickey , the ies with WestJet Mouse fl RQ-180 - a new US stealthy remotely-piloted ISTAR Jordanian vehicle - revealed, andown CN235 gunship fl Israel hosts Blue Flag at Ovda. exercise 04 Features News Production ManagerProduction Janet Watkins ControllerProduction Danielle Tempest Subscriptions/ ManagerMail Order Roz Condé Marketing Manager Martin Steele Sub Editors Randall Sue Blunt, Carol Designer Editor Mark Ayton [email protected] Breaking News Tranche 3 Typhoon Flown

Test pilot for BAE Systems, Nat Makepeace, completed the maiden fl ight of the fi rst Tranche 3 Eurofi ghter Typhoon from Warton, Lancashire, on December 2. The aircraft (ZK355, b/n BS116) was assembled to accommodate the new systems to be introduced on the version – including a new active electronically- scanned array radar and conformal fuel tanks – although most have not been installed in the airframe. The RAF will receive 40 Tranche 3A aircraft, while a further 72 will be built for , and . Meanwhile, on December 4 the Luftwaffe received the 400th Typhoon (31+06, b/n GS082) during a ceremony at EADS Cassidian’s Military Air Systems Centre in Manching, Germany. BAE Systems SNP Outlines Defence for An Independent Scotland The Scottish National Party (SNP) within NATO, having dropped its with a squadron of helicopters. Scotland would be achieved by unveiled its defence plans in the long-standing policy of opposing Six additional helicopters will be 2021, with the departure of the White Paper Scotland’s Future: Your membership in October 2012. assigned to the land forces. A high Vanguard-class ballistic-missile Guide to an Independent Scotland The plans include an air force of priority is given to the acquisition submarines and their Trident IIs on November 26 in advance of an 2,000 personnel and 300 reservists, of a maritime patrol aircraft to from the HMNB Clyde at Faslane, independence referendum due on operating aircraft negotiated from replace the capability lost when the if the referendum resulted in the September 18, 2014. An annual its share of the ’s BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 was dissolution of the union with budget of £2.5 billion would be resources. A squadron of at least cancelled in 2010. Approximately England. allocated for defence and security 12 (and up to 16) Eurofi ghter four would be acquired to enter The defence plan still leaves many missions by Scotland. The proposed Typhoons would be based at service in 2021. Within fi ve years questions unanswered. No provision Scottish Defence Force would RAF Lossiemouth, Morayshire, to of independence Scotland would has being made by the Ministry comprise 15,000 regulars and 5,000 perform the air policing role. Six establish its own air command and of Defence for a ‘yes’ vote in the reservists by 2026, rising from 7,500 Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules control capability. Scottish independence referendum, and 2,000 respectively in 2016. transports would form the core of The SNP’s long-standing aim of and there have been no negotiations The SNP plans to keep Scotland the tactical airlift capability along removing nuclear weapons from for the transfer of hardware. Korea Finally Opts for F-35A C295M Deliveries to Egypt Resume The Lockheed Martin F-35A RoKAF was falling behind them. Lightning II has been selected as F-35As will be purchased the Republic of Korea Air Force’s through the Foreign Military Sales (RoKAF) new combat aircraft. On programme and delivered with November 22 South Korea stated the Block 3F (Final) software over it would purchase 40 F-35As for four years from 2018. However on delivery from 2018, with options on November 27 senior government a further 20, confi rmation of which offi cials called for the deal to be is dependent on security in the renegotiated, saying it compared region and the available budget. unfavourably with that offered to The Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle . “The government made had been recommended by the the right decision in choosing the Defense Acquisition Program F-35A for its stealth capabilities, Airbus Military C295M EC-004 (msn S-109) departed San Pablo Airport, Administration as the winner of the but compared to Japan, the Seville in Spain, on December 3 for the Arab Republic of Egypt Air Force FX-III competition for 60 fi ghters; it conditions are strikingly unfair,” as 1187/SU-BSF. Egypt ordered 12 C295Ms in three batches, the latest was the only contender available claimed Ree In-je, a member of placed in January 2013 covering six aircraft. Deliveries were suspended by with the allocated budget. the ruling Saenuri Party. “This is Spain on August 28 because of the high level of violence in Egypt, although However, the F-15SE did not not an issue that can be glossed periodic reviews of the situation were undertaken (see Egyptian C295 prevail because it was not over,” he continued. “We must try Deliveries on Hold, October 2013, p21). Two further C295Ms in Egyptian considered stealthy enough, while to [buy the F-35] on the condition colours have recently been noted conducting test fl ights at San Pablo: msn S-103 on November 25 and S-110 the next day. By then msn S-103 the development of fi fth generation of technology transfer, on the same had regained Egyptian camoufl age and roundels, having been seen in an fi ghters in China and Japan’s terms as Japan, even if that means all-white scheme with United Nations titles in late September, when it was F-35A buy raised fears that the further negotiations.” Nigel Pittaway understood to be destined for . Antonio Muñiz Zaragüeta

4 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected]

NEWS Breaking News BY 2 NUMBERS S-70IS HANDED OVER WestJet’s Magic Airliner TO BRUNEI On December 3 the fi rst two On December 2 WestJet and Walt Disney World unveiled ‘The Magic Plane’. Boeing 737-8CT(WL) C-GWSZ/‘812’ (c/n PZL Mielec-built Sikorsky S-70i 37092, ex N1787B) features Disney’s Mickey Mouse, as depicted in the fi lm Fantasia, on the tail and various fi reworks International Black Hawks were along the fuselage on a dark blue background. ‘The Magic Plane’ made its inaugural fl ight on December 3 from offi cially handed over to the Royal Calgary, Alberta, to Orlando, Florida, and is seen two days later arriving at Toronto Lester B Pearson International, Brunei Air Force during the Brunei Ontario. The scheme was applied to the airliner over 24 days by 26 people and will be kept for fi ve years. Andrew H Cline Darussalam International Defence Exhibition at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre at Jerudong. At the same time a further pair were completing acceptance procedures before being taken into service. The initial four S-70is arrived in Brunei on November 27 onboard an Antonov An-124 transport from Sikorsky’s Black Hawk completion centre in West Palm Beach, Florida. Twelve S-70is were ordered in November 2011 (see Black Hawks for Brunei, January 2012, p25) and options placed for an additional ten. All 12 will be delivered by the end of 2014. 14 CHINOOKS FOR SOUTH KOREA A Foreign Military Sale notifi cation Details of New US Stealthy UAV Emerge was passed to US Congress by Details of a new, large unmanned RQ-180 is understood to have costs. Additional risk-reduction the Defense Security Cooperation air vehicle (UAV) for the US entered low rate initial production and study contracts are due to Agency on December 3 covering Air Force began to appear in and could become operational by be released in the first quarter Boeing CH-47D Chinook transport early December. Developed by 2015. of 2014. An initial operational helicopters for the Republic of Korea. Fourteen CH-47Ds and fi ve Northrop Grumman, the RQ-180 Northrop Grumman has been capability is expected around spare T55-GA-714A engines, plus is an intelligence, working on the RQ-180 as part of 2025. Boeing and Lockheed communication and navigation and the Long Range Strike (LRS) family Martin announced they had avionics, are covered by the $151 designed to survive operations in of systems, which will include teamed to compete for LRS-B million deal. The aircraft are hostile airspace. a new bomber (LRS-B) and a on October 25, but Northrop currently operated by the Eighth The UAV is equipped with a suite hypersonic strike weapon. The Grumman declines to say if it US Army’s 3-2nd Aviation Regiment of active and passive electronic LRS programme was launched would take part. The company’s (General Support Aviation Battalion), part of the 2nd Combat Aviation reconnaissance sensors. At least in 2010 following the cancellation apparent lack of interest in Brigade at Desiderio Army Airfi eld, one prototype is understood of the Next-Generation bomber. LRS-B may be because it is Camp Humphrey, in South Korea. to have flown, possibly from The US Air Force plans to buy fully committed with work on the The unit is due to receive CH-47Fs the Nevada Test and Training between 80 and 100 LRS- RQ-180, which is understood to from January 2014, allowing transfer Range/Groom Lake (Area 51), Bs at $550 million apiece, not have been selected in preference of the existing inventory to the where a new large hangar was including the engineering and to designs from Boeing and Republic of Korea Army. constructed by mid-2010. The manufacturing development Lockheed Martin. 25 FOR KUWAIT CN235 Light is to acquire 25 new Israel Hosts Blue Flag Exercise C295M Deliveries to Egypt Resume Airbus airlines and lease a further Gunship Flown 12. The carrier stated on December 2 that new aircraft will join its fl eet An initial fl ight by a CN235M-100 from the second quarter of 2014 to confi gured as a light gunship was replace 11 of its current 17, which completed by early December. Two has an average fl eet age of 18 years. CN235s will be modifi ed for Although the types to be acquired after ATK of Arlington, Virginia, was have not been revealed, during May awarded a contract for the work 2013 Kuwait announced it had signed an initial agreement with Airbus for 10 by the King Abdullah II Design and A350-900s and 15 A320neos. Development Bureau. They will be equipped with an electro-optical targeting system, laser designator, AN/AAR-47 and AN/ALE-47 GOT A NEWS STORY, self-protection equipment and a The fi rst Israeli Blue Flag exercise was held at Ovda air base between PHOTO OR FEATURE ? synthetic aperture radar. Weapons November 24 and 28. Upgraded F-15D Baz 450 of 133 Squadron, equipped due to be integrated on the aircraft with a satellite communication antenna aft of the cockpit, is pictured AIR International is keen departing Ovda for a sortie during Blue Flag on November 26. In addition include AGM-114M/K Hellfi re laser- to hear from readers who to the host nation’s combat aircraft (F-16 Block 52s of 340 Mira, guided missiles, 2.75in rockets have news stories, photos or based at Souda), Italy (Tornados of 155° Gruppo, 50° Stormo from Piacenza, and a side-mounted M230LF link- features of modern civil and and Istrana-based AMXs of 51° Stormo) and the US Air Force (F-15Es of fed 30mm chain gun, controlled the 492nd Fighter Squadron, from RAF Lakenheath, military aviation for inclusion by the ATK STAR Mission System. Suffolk) also sent fi ghters to the exercise. The overseas visitors spent the in the magazine. Please A contract to modify the former week before Blue Flag started familiarising themselves with procedures and contact AIR International at Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) operations in Israeli airspace. Air-to-air and air-to-surface missions were conducted as part of the training, during which the multinational Blue Force the following address CN235M-100s was announced [email protected] operated against a Red Force lead by Israel’s aggressor unit, 115 Squadron. in February 2011 (see CN-235 MSgt Lee Osberry/US Air Force Gunships, April 2011, p33).

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 5 Military Looks at Fighting Danes Training at El Centro In late 2013 the Danske being used at NAF El Centro. ranges in California and Arizona. Falcon Flyvevåbnet (Royal Danish Air The base was selected because The unit is using the detachment Faced with further delays to the long Force) began its first training of its good weather, and the to train in the search and running F-X2 programme, Brazilian deployment to the United local environment is similar to rescue, tactical air transport offi cials have visited the . Eskadrille 722 of the that found in Helmand Province and special operations roles, States to negotiate a possible Helicopter Wing based at Karup in Afghanistan. The Californian before a potential deployment to purchase of surplus US Air Force Denmark has sent a detachment climate enables a higher tempo Afghanistan in July 2014. Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting to Naval Air Facility (NAF) El of training to be conducted than NAF El Centro has also been used Falcons. Brazilian pilots also took Centro in the Imperial Valley of would be possible in Denmark, as as a base for training by the Army the opportunity to fl y the fi ghter southern California, commanded well as hot-and-high operations, Air Corps and RAF, as well as during the delegation’s recent visit by Erik Frødstrup. Two ‘brown-out’ training and the the US Navy’s Blue Angels fl ight to the United States. A gustaWestland AW101 Merlin carriage of externally slung cargo. demonstration squadron. Damon F-X2 is due to replace the Força Mk 512s (M-510 and M-512) are El Centro is also close to live firing Duran and David Willis Aérea Brasileira’s (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) Dassault Mirage F-2000C/ Bs and Northrop F-5EM/FM Tiger IIs. According to sources within the FAB it is seeking a batch of F-16Cs (probably Block 40 or 42s) still in active service with the US Air Force, rather than examples in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. This would allow quicker deliveries, alleviating the need to remove F-16s from the ‘boneyard’, overhaul, upgrade and return AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin them to airworthy condition before Mk 512 M-512 fast and low during conducting fl ight tests. the recent deployment to NAF El The FAB urgently needs a Centro, California. Damon Duran replacement for the F-2000, which was due to be retired at the end of 2013 (see Brazilian F-2000s to Retire, October 2013, p22), and be replaced by the winner of the delayed F-X2. F-X2 contenders comprise the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale and Saab Dutch US Helicopter Detachment Becomes 302 Squadron Gripen NG. During a small ceremony at Robert The squadron, which reports to type conversion at Fort Rucker, Any F-16 purchase could be linked to Gray Army Airfi eld in Fort Hood, the Dutch Defence Helicopter Alabama. No.302 Squadron is talks by Brazil for three former US Air Texas, on November 25, the Joint Command (DHC), operates eight also involved in fi ve annual joint Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers Netherlands Training Detachment Boeing AH-64D Apaches and air assault training courses for to replace the Boeing KC-137, the was renamed 302 Squadron. The three recently delivered CH-47F DHC helicopter crews and ground last operational example of which event was attended by the Dutch Chinooks for initial and tactical troops of the army’s 11 Air Mobile was damaged beyond economical Minister of Defence, Jeanine training. Apache and Chinook Brigade, while Apache pilots of repair on May 26, 2013. The fl ying Hennis-Plasschaert, and Koninklijke pilots, as well as loadmasters for 301 Squadron based at Gilze-Rijen boom of the KC-135 would allow Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air the latter type, go through initial complete annual tactical training the tanker to support F-16s, which Force, RNLAF) commander Lt Gen mission qualifi cation training at Fort courses at fl ight level at Fort Hood. are equipped with a refuelling Alexander Schnitger. Hood, following initial training and Kees van der Mark receptacle. Santiago Rivas Rooivalks Make Combat Debut Fourth Spanish B415 Delivered South African Air Force Denel Heading for the Congo, December Bombardier B415 UD14-04/‘43-34’ (c/n 2090), still wearing its test AH-2A Rooivalk Mk 1F attack 2013, p37). registration C-GWEQ, arrived at Torrejón AB on November 29. The water- helicopters have engaged in their The aircraft are understood to have bomber is seen four days later at the air base where it has joined three others serving with Grupo 43.. The aircraft order, placed by the Spanish first combat in support of United arrived in the DRC on November 1 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Nations and government forces in and were given combat clearance was announced on October 17, 2013 (see One the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 4, fl ying their fi rst ever Bombardier 415 for Spain, December (DRC). Three Rooivalks from combat mission that afternoon. 2013, p12). Roberto Yáñez 16 Squadron at Air Force Base Two Rooivalks, operating with a pair Bloemspruit were painted white of UN Mil Mi-35 Hinds, attacked and deployed to the DRC at the M23 positions, including bunkers end of October/early November and anti-aircraft artillery sites near as part of the aviation unit of the Rwandan border. Firing 38 and the United Nations Organization 17 rockets apiece, they dispersed Stabilization Mission in the the rebels before returning to Democratic Republic of the Congo base. Less than a week later, the and its Force Intervention Brigade. M23 rebel movement announced They are tasked with bringing the it had ceased fi ghting and started M23 and other rebel groups under negotiations with the DRC control (further to SAAF Rooivalks government. Guy Martin

6 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] Military

Raven Retired Typhoon Begins Storm Shadow Integration Danes Training at El Centro At a ceremony at Campo de Test fl ights to integrate the MBDA Storm Shadow long-range stand-off missile on the Eurofi ghter Typhoon began in Mayo outside Buenos Aires on Italy on November 27 (see Typhoon’s Coming of Age, November 2013, p24-33, for more information). The initial sortie November 29 the Comando de was conducted by Alenia Aermacchi using Instrumented Production Aircraft 2 (MMX-614) from Decimomannu in Sardinia and included fl utter tests and an assessment of the interface between the aircraft and Aviación de Ejército (Argentine the weapon. Storm Shadow is due to become operational on the Typhoon from 2015, when Army Aviation) retired its last two Phase 2 Enhancements are integrated with the aircraft. Eurofi ghter/L Caliaro Hiller UH-12ET Raven training helicopters. They served with the Escuela de Aviación de Ejército (Army Aviation School) and were replaced by five Bell 206B-3 JetRanger IIIs. Four UH-12ETs were received on September 15, 1980, and another four on October 13, 1983. Argentina was the last military operator of the Raven. Santiago Rivas Eavesdropping Row Ends Australian and Indonesian Exercise A major bilateral air defence exercise sourced from leaked US National Base Tindal, Northern Territory, when transfer of the fi rst C-130H aircraft being held in northern by Security Agency documents. the recall was made on November to . The aircraft departed Australian and Indonesian forces Six Tentara Nasional Indonesia - 21. Richmond air force base yesterday, has been cancelled. Exercise Elang Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, Indonesian The argument was also expected staging through Darwin and is now Ausindo 13 was cut short as part National Defence - Air Force) General to postpone delivery of the fi rst ex- in Indonesia. The programme is of an escalating row over recent Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcons RAAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules continuing as scheduled.” reports that Canberra electronically from Skadron Udara 3 at Iswahyudi to the TNI-AU, but the initial aircraft The transport is the fi rst of nine former ‘tapped’ the telephone of Indonesia’s deployed to Darwin for the exercise, departed RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF C-130Hs for the TNI-AU. Four President Susilo Bambang which began on November 18. New South Wales, for Indonesia were originally donated to Indonesia Yudhoyono in 2009. The Australian The fi ghters were training with on November 28. According to an and an additional fi ve later sold to it Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Australian Department of Defence (see Additional RAAF C-130Hs Sold Guardian Australia newspaper’s McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B spokesman speaking the following to Indonesia, September 2013, p24). reports were based on information Hornets of No.75 Squadron at RAAF day, “Defence can confi rm the Nigel Pittaway Fifth T-50 Arrives at Zhukovsky

Last Phantom Drone Delivered The US Air Force has taken delivery of the fi nal McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II converted as a Full-Scale Aerial Target. QF-4 68-0599 was delivered to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on November 19, fl own by the BAE Systems’ director of fl ight operations, Jeff Percy. RF-4C 68-0599 spent more than 20 Sukhoi T-50-5 ‘055’ blue arriving at Zhukovsky on November 20, after years in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, before departing on April arriving from Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Sergy Aleksandrov 17, 2013 for conversion at BAE Systems’ facility at Mojave Air and Space Sukhoi’s chief pilot, Hero of the 124 Ruslans. T-50-5 is the first to Port, California (see Final Phantom for Drone Programme Departs Davis- Russian Federation Yuriy Vaschuk, be painted in the current Russian Monthan, June 2013, p4). It is due to be expended as a target for a fi ghter. delivered the fi fth prototype Sukhoi Air Force camouflage scheme. Approximately 60 of the 314 QF-4s delivered to the US Air Force remain in T-50 (T-50-5) to Zhukovsky outside Alexander Davidenko, the chief service at Tyndall AFB and Holloman AFB, New Mexico. US Air Force/Senior Moscow on November 20. The designer for the United Aircraft Airman Christopher Reel fi ghter (‘055’ blue) landed at the Corporation, which builds the test airfi eld following a ferry fl ight T-50, said that the aircraft has been from the factory at Komsomolsk- modifi ed as a result of earlier fl ight KF-16 Upgrade Progressing on-Amur in Khabarovsk kray that tests and is “practically” a service The Defense Security Cooperation requirements to include computers, involved three intermediate stops. aircraft in its confi guration and Agency (DSCA) notifi ed the US displays, sensors and weapons, It joins the four others with the equipment. It fi rst fl ew on October Congress on November 25 of a as well as software design and M M Gromov Flight Research 28, 2013 (correcting Five T-50s possible deal via Foreign Military development, engineering installation Institute at Zhukovsky. Flying, December 2013, p13). Sales for the Phase 1 upgrade of the design and the construction of an The aircraft is the second All fi ve prototypes will participate Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) avionics systems integration facility prototype to fly from the in the fi ghter’s state trials, which Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace and test stations. The estimated manufacturer’s facility to are scheduled to begin in the fi rst Industries KF-16C/D Block 52s. BAE cost for this is $200 million. Zhukovsky, the first being quarter of 2014 and be completed Systems was selected to upgrade 134 Phase 2 will install an active T-50-4. The three earlier in 2015. Initial production T-50s ROKAF F-16C/Ds in August 2012 and electronically-scanned array radar prototypes were transported to are due to be delivered in 2016. the DSCA notifi cation signals a green and updated avionics in the KF-16 Zhukovsky inside Antonov An- David C Isby light for the work to proceed. and will be covered by a subsequent Phase 1 will furnish detailed design DCSA notifi cation. Nigel Pittaway

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 7 Military

Uncertain Future Argentine Coast Guard Beech for US CRH 350 Delivered The US Air Force’s Combat $6.8 billion, could be awarded in Rescue Helicopter (CRH) the second half of 2014. programme is facing an uncertain However, as sequestration makes future because of funding it difficult for the US Air Force to difficulties. CRH is intended to know if it can fund a programme replace the service’s aging fleet through successive fiscal years, of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawks sources within the service have said and 112 are sought. The only a contract will only be signed if the The second Beechcraft 350ER Super King Air purchased by the Argentine bid submitted to a request for finance is included in the budget. Prefectura Naval Argentina (Argentine Coast Guard) was delivered after proposals released in October Under current plans, funds for the being equipped as a maritime patrol aircraft by Aerodata at Braunschweig 2012 came from Sikorsky teamed CRH may not be included in fiscal in Germany. The aircraft (D-CPNA c/n FL-795, ex N8113Z) visited Natal Airport in Brazil on November 18 during its ferry fl ight from Europe to with Lockheed Martin, which year 2015, and nor are the funds Argentina. It will become PA-26 upon entering service and operate offered the CRH-60 based on the to extend the service lives of the alongside a CASA C212-300PM. The fi rst Beech 350ER (PA-25, c/n FL-792, UH-60 Black Hawk. The bid was HH-60G. The CRH programme ex N8042R) was delivered in July 2012, confi gured for the utility transport judged to be technically acceptable was established following the role. Santiago Rivas and Ricardo Zarapa via Aparecido Camazano Alamino and a contract, valued at up to cancellation of CSAR-X. David C Isby

Freedom Fighters that T700-GE-701D engine, AN/ to accommodate the new systems, have been grounded NEWS AVS-9 night-vision goggles, although not fi tted with them. The 3 since at least late 2011 BY secure communications conversions are part of an agreement IL-76S FOR ? by a lack of serviceable and other equipment and signed on November 18 between Alenia South Africa may consider buying ejector seats. A military NUMBERS services. Austria currently Aermacchi (partnered with ATK on the three Ilyushin Il-76 transports off delegation from South operates nine S-70A-42 MC-27J) and the Italian Air Force. The the shelf to supplement its ageing Korea visited Botswana Black Hawks that were deal covers a two-phase programme for Lockheed C-130BZ Hercules transports between November 23 and 28 delivered from September 2012. the development, testing, certifi cation used to support deployments and to discuss the deal. David C Isby and industrialisation of the Praetorian peacekeeping operations in Africa. and creation of logistical support. During Details of the possible purchase were 2 phase one the Italian Air Force will reported in early November in the 10 EC225S SOUGHT BY ARGENTINE receive a prototype MC-27J Praetorian South African Beeld newspaper. If ADDITIONAL A-37BS FOR EL COAST GUARD in spring 2014 to allow operational trials approved, fi nance for the transports SALVADOR The Servicio de Aviación de Prefectura to be conducted. Industrialisation of would come out of the Strategic The Fuérza Aérea Salvadoreña Naval Argentina (Argentine Coast the aircraft’s confi guration and support Capital Acquisition Master Plan. South (Salvadoran Air Force) has signed a Guard Aviation Service) is negotiating infrastructure is covered by phase two. Africa has been seeking additional purchase agreement for ten Cessna the purchase of two Eurocopter EC225 airlift capability since early 2013 to A-37B Dragonfl ies retired by the Super Pumas, with an option for a third. move larger loads than can fi t in Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Chilean Air They are due to replace two Aérospatiale 36 the hold of the Hercules. The low Force) to reinforce its small combat SA-330L Pumas (PA-11 and PA-13). DA40S FOR VENEZUELA serviceability of the ageing C-130BZs fl eet. The deal is worth $8.6 million. Negotiations are due to be completed The commander of the Aviación Militar has also increased the number of The aircraft are expected to arrive soon so that delivery can take place in Nacional Bolivariana (Venezuelan Military charter airlift services to support South in El Salvador during March 2014 2014 or 2015. Santiago Rivas Aviation), Major General Giuseppe Africa’s foreign deployments, with and will boost the Dragonfl y force, Ángelo Yoffreda Yorio, recently revealed Il-76s frequently being used. If Il-76s which currently comprises only three the air force will purchase 36 Diamond are purchased they would become operational aircraft based at Comalpa 3 DA40 Stars as basic trainers. The aircraft the fi rst Russian aircraft owned by the International Airport. Santiago Rivas PRAETORIANS FOR ITALY will be used to train pilots for the air force South African Air Force. David C Isby During 2016 three Alenia C-27J Spartans and other Venezuelan air arms at the operated by the Aeronautica Militare joint training centre under construction 3 (Italian Air Force) will be modifi ed to the at Morichal in the state of Monagas. 8 UH-60MS FOR AUSTRIA MC-27J Praetorian confi guration, with They will replace the 12 SIAI-Marchetti GOLDEN EAGLES FOR Austria has requested three Sikorsky palletised roll-on/roll-off command and SF260EUs operated since October 2000. BOTSWANA? UH-60M Black Hawks via a Foreign control, intelligence, surveillance and At least ten Enstrom 480Bs will also be Botswana is considering a $450 million Military Sale (FMS) programme. The reconnaissance equipment, an ATK acquired for the new fl ight academy order for eight Korea Aerospace Defense Security Cooperation Agency GAU-23 30mm cannon and mission while Venezuela is also planning to Industries FA-50 combat aircraft responsible for FMS projects notifi ed control systems. The aircraft will support acquire a further batch of nine Hongdu and T-50 trainers, with an option for the US Congress of the $127 million the Comando Operativo Forze Speciali K-8W Karakorums. The additional a further seven. The aircraft would deal on December 5. In addition to (Italian Special Forces Command). K-8Ws will join the 15 survivors of the 18 replace the 14 Canadair BF-5A/B the helicopters the deal covers a spare Three additional aircraft will be modifi ed delivered. Santiago Rivas Reaper Chosen for the RNLAF The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) for fl ight control – in the beginning between 1953 and 2001, and more subject to a feasibility study. has selected the General Atomics of 2015, with an initial operational recently acted as an F-16 training unit The Dutch MoD is actively seeking MQ-9 Reaper for the Koninklijke capability set for late 2016 and full in the Netherlands and the United collaboration with other nations Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands operational capability a year later. States, before being disbanded in operating – or planning to fl y – MQ- Air Force, RNLAF). The MoD The MQ-9s are expected to initially December 2010. 9s, in particular Germany and . informed Parliament on November operate in the United States for The Netherlands does not intend to Other, short-range UAV systems 21 that the MQ-9 was its choice training, certifi cation and to enable the use the UAV as a weapon platform currently used by Dutch forces are for the RNLAF’s requirement for a pilots to gain experience, but they will in the near future. Current plans the AeroVironment MQ-11B Raven medium-altitude long-endurance eventually be based at Leeuwarden will see them equipped with a and Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, both (MALE) AB. Although unconfi rmed, the long-range ground surveillance of which are assigned to the Royal (UAV). The MoD intends to acquire unit most likely to be assigned the radar and equipment to intercept Netherlands Army’s 107 Aerial one system – comprising four MQ- MQ-9s is 306 Squadron, which radio and radar signals, although Systems Battery within Joint ISTAR 9B air vehicles and ground stations operated in the reconnaissance role integration of this equipment is still Command. Kees van der Mark

8 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] Military

Peru Selects Spartan Two Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transports will be acquired for the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Peruvian Air Force). Finmeccanica announced on November 25 that a contract would be signed as soon as ‘administrative procedures’ were complete. The Peruvian ministry of defence revealed four days later that the cost of the procurement was approximately $122 million and the aircraft will be delivered in April 2015. Ground support equipment, training, kits for search and rescue and medical evacuation/air ambulance, logistical support for two years and 100% offsets are included in the RAF Begins Training on Upgraded Puma deal, as well as the two aircraft. Flight training by crews based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, on the Puma Mk 2 began in late November, including Peru began evaluating new operations from the Stanford Training Area in Norfolk. Personnel from both Nos. 33 and 230 Squadrons have begun transports to replace its Antonov the process of converting to the upgraded tactical transport helicopter, which has new avionics and more powerful engines than the Puma HC1. Seven of the 24 Pumas due to be modernised have been redelivered to the RAF and all An-32Bs in March 2010, seeking are due to be returned to service by 2015. Rick Ingham an aircraft with better performance at high altitudes in the Andes and in hot, jungle environments. Consideration was given to the Airbus Military C295 and An-32RE in addition to the C-27J, and both Lift-off for UK Rotary-Wing western types were demonstrated in Peru. The project was approved by the Peruvian Operational Unmanned Air System Technical Study Committee on August 21, 2013, and the results were published on October 14. All Work is continuing on the UK three competitors were invited to Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) submit an offer for the requirement, Tactical Maritime Unmanned Air although Antonov declined. System (TMUAS). The project was launched in August when AgustaWestland was awarded a £2.3 million contract for a Rotary- Boeing Reveals Wing Unmanned Air System MSA Details (RWUAS) Concept Capability Demonstrator (CCD) programme. Further details of Boeing’s Maritime TMUAS will be a system of Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) were systems to operate from a Type 26 revealed at the Dubai air show on Global Combat Ship with a rotary- November 17. MSA will use the wing option to be defi ned by 2015. airframe of the Bombardier Challenger The RWUAS CCD will be used to 605 business aircraft, with on-board develop operational concepts, the mission systems integration by Field impact of training and support for Aviation of Toronto, . An TMUAS, its integration with ship open-architecture sensor suite will be safety management and embarked AgustaWestland’s projected Fire Scout-class Tactical Maritime Unmanned Air installed, including a Seaspray 7000 aviation assets including the System concept. AgustaWestland advanced electronically scanned array AgustaWestland Wildcat and radar and a FLIR Systems 380HD Merlin helicopters. maritime unmanned air system and intelligence, surveillance, electro-optical sensor turret. The The air vehicle selected by operations, to defi ne long- targeting and reconnaissance, mission systems will be based on AgustaWestland as its CCD is the term needs and demonstrate respectively, as part of the CCD those developed for the Boeing P-8A PZL-Swidnik Solo, the rotorcraft operational requirements, including phase that will also include Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. unmanned air system/optionally its ability to launch and recover in subsystems, simulation and Boeing revealed it was working piloted helicopter (RUAS/OPH) Sea State 6 without search and synthetic environment trials. on the MSA in July 2013 at the variant of the SW-4, which will be rescue cover available. The Solo’s The cost of the Solo demonstrator Farnborough air show (see Boeing used for shipboard launch and skid landing gear is not ideal for the will be reduced by using the Announces MSA, September 2012, recovery demonstrations from a latter task, and the sea state level AgustaWestland Lynx Wildcat p17). It will be marketed as a low- Type 23 frigate during may be lowered. helicopter’s ‘plug and play’ cost supplement to the P-8A, as 2014. The Solo RUAS/OPH is The CCD Solo will be equipped platforms and open architecture well as to customers requiring European Aviation Safety Agency with Selex ES PicoSAR radar, systems. This was one of the a smaller platform for maritime certifi ed and will be fl own in a Selex VigilX imaging system and a factors in the company winning surveillance rather than the more manned confi guration with a safety DRS Technologies electro-optical/ the bid against Boeing with its H-6 comprehensive maritime patrol role. pilot during the CCD phase when infrared turret. Little Bird, BAE System’s Schiebel A Challenger 604 owned by Boeing required. Other members of the RWUAS Camcopter, Northrop Grumman’s is currently being modifi ed by Field The helicopter will serve only as team include Atlas and Thales, Fire Scout and QinetiQ’s Saab Aviation for use as a demonstrator a concept for large and small providing mine counter-measures Skeldar. David Oliver and will fl y in 2014. David C Isby

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 9 Middle East...Dubai Airshow 2013 Window on the Gulf Dubai 2013 David C Isby looks behind the events at the recent airshow in Dubai and the issues driving military and civilian aircraft sales in the Middle East

he international has long been committed to nuclear Sales in the region are vital not only to be able to deploy warships and airshow held and ballistic missile programmes to keep its domestic industry viable aircraft in the event of a crisis, as in Dubai in the plus support of Hezbollah in but to ensure there will be aircraft demonstrated by King Hamad bin United Arab , the Assad regime in suitable for coalition operations Issa al Khalifah of Bahrain’s recent (UAE) Syria and disaffected populations against a future threat; this means visit to China and the Hellenic defence in November throughout the Gulf. training, participation in exercises minister Dimitris Avramopoulos’ has been and a commitment to maintaining September 26 statement about the expanding Relationships readiness. At stake are more than importance of co-operation between from a on Display money or jobs, but also foreign Greek and Qatari air forces. To regional to Those that can afford it – especially policy leverage and relationships at a understand the importance of the a global focus, with the numbers members of the Gulf Cooperation perilous time for the region. presence (or absence) of an aircraft at ofT exhibitors, attendees and sales Council (GCC) – are looking to The airshow was an opportunity the Dubai airshow, ask yourself what announced climbing over the years. bolster their armaments. , for competitors to demonstrate their relationships would a sale strengthen But these trends have to be viewed Egypt, Syria, and the aircraft and reinforce relationships, (or undercut)? alongside the fact that, while the Kingdom of (KSA) but this can be problematic at a time site of the airshow will be secure, are among the countries whose when security relationships with extra- Fighters and its commercial air services military aircraft have own combat regional powers, especially the US, Euro ghter’s Typhoon, Dassault’s and infrastructure are strong and missions lately when, as recently are not popular within large sections Rafale and Boeing’s latest F-15E growing, the region it’s in is on the as 2010, they ew only for training of the population, however much their Eagle and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet brink of con ict. and exercises. The UAE and Qatar, leaderships may rely on them. versions, with the Saab Gripen NG as Con ict has the potential to ruin by sending  ghters over Libya in For Britain, relationship-building an outside contender, are engaged in much that has been painstakingly 2011, demonstrated, as the KSA has included the RAF’s large-scale multiple battles for sales in the region. built for decades. The vulnerability and Kuwait did in the 1991 Gulf exercises with the UAE and KSA. The KSA has committed to make of authoritarian regimes to internal War, that they could play in the  rst The Royal Navy deployed two of its the Typhoon and F-15SA its frontline unrest has been repeatedly division of coalition air operations. remaining ‘big deck’ warships, HMS  ghters into the 2030s. The 60-aircraft demonstrated and those still in The decline in defence spending Illustrious and HMS Bulwark, and their UAE  ghter competition is now the power have responded with internal in the US and Europe also makes helicopters for Exercise Red Alligator largest in the region, if not the world. crackdowns. A rising sectarian tide the Middle East vital for exporters. in the Gulf in September followed Other  ghter procurements – for Qatar, pits Sunni against Shia Muslims. Military aircraft are increasingly by Exercise Sea Khanjar in October. Bahrain and Kuwait – also prompted , Bahrain, and Lebanon could important in the beleaguered region. Britain may upgrade its existing companies to display their wares at all slide back into violence. , They symbolise security relationships presence at Al Minhad AB in the UAE the show. despite recent diplomatic openings, with the nations that built them. to a permanent base. RAF aircraft In the long-running UAE  ghter also operate from Oman’s new Al competition the Rafale had been Musannah AB. Meanwhile France has considered the front-runner in the already established a presence at Al past, but the  eld is now seen as more Dhafra AB near Abu Dhabi, operating open, with the Typhoon as favourite, Dassault Rafale  ghter detachments. as demonstrated when the UAE Air The US military presence has left Force held extensive talks with an KSA but remains strong throughout industry and service delegation in early the Gulf, and has recently included July. In response, French defence deployments of Lockheed Martin minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pressed F-22 Raptors and McDonnell Douglas the case for the Rafale during his F-15C Eagle  ghters in the air-to-air July 6-8 visit to the UAE. The UAE role. America has deployed forces wants to retain a large proportion and offered to sell systems for roles of the industrial participation and that few other nations can match, offsets, research and development Among the various Air Force and Air Defence (UAEAF&AD) especially missile defence. Many and training associated with any new aircraft on display at the Dubai Air Show was Pilatus PC-21 947 (c/n 141). An countries in the region are now buying  ghters. order for 25 aircraft for the UAEAF&AD was announced on November 17, 2009. The fi rst example fl ew at Stans, Switzerland, on November 22, 2010. Deliveries their own, but it will be years before Qatar is looking to procure 24 commenced in the fi rst quarter of 2011 and the last nine arrived in the UAE 12 they become operational. to 40  ghters to replace 12 Mirage months later. The aircraft are assigned to the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, at Al But the relationship-building is 2000s. For Bahrain, 12 Typhoons are Ain and fl own by 4 Squadron. Alan Warnes not limited to those countries likely favoured to replace eight Northrop

10 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] Middle East...Dubai Airshow 2013 Window on the Gulf Dubai 2013

F-5E Tiger IIs. Kuwait is looking at a range of options to replace its 39 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornets. While the F/A-18E/F is seen as a front-runner, other competitors have been evaluated. Despite the multiple requirements, no announcements for ghter orders were made at the 2013 show. Force Multipliers The air arms in the region have been investing both in indigenous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and in the training and connectivity that enable them to work as part of a coalition, as shown in the 2011 air campaign over Libya. The UAE’s commitment to invest in ISR was seen earlier in 2013 with a 722 million dirham ($196.57 million) contract to purchase an unspeci ed number of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator XP unmanned air vehicles (the export version of the original MQ-1 Predator), the rst export of the type to the Gulf. The US had previously rebuffed attempts by Saudi Arabia and other potential customers in the region to buy Predators. An increasing number of producers were marketing their UAVs at the show, including the KSA, , and the UAE. More countries in the region, seeing the use of UAVs based there by the US and other regional powers, have come to believe they need them too. Adcom unveiled a mock-up of the Global Yabhon high-altitude long-endurance UAV at the show. A prototype is due to  y within six months and development is being supported by an undisclosed launch customer. It has an endurance of 40 hours and can be powered by two small turbofans or reciprocating Emirates’ latest A380 engines. A6-EEO with the UAE’s Al Fursan The most signi cant ISR issue in aerobatic team at the Dubai Air the region is the UAE’s competition Show. Felix Gottwald/AirTeamImages

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 11 Middle East...Dubai Airshow 2013

United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence (UAEAF&AD) Air Tractor AT- 802U border patrol aircraft, serial 2202, made the type’s public debut at this year’s Dubai Air Show. The aircraft, one of 24 delivered to the UAEAF&AD over the last three years, is used in the counter-insurgency role by the Joint Aviation Command’s Group 18 based at Falaj Hazza Camp in Al Ain. Originally conceived as a crop-spraying aircraft, this military variant has a reinforced wing spar to enable carriage of weapons on six under wing hard points. Weapons options Abu Dhabi-based Adcom Systems displayed a mock-up of its twin turbofan- include AGM-114 Hellfi re missiles, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, 500lb (227kg) powered Global Yabhon unmanned air vehicle at the Dubai Air Show. The air Mk82 bombs, DAGR laser-guided rockets, M260 seven-round rocket launchers vehicle has two sets of wings each spanning over 85ft (26m) and no less than 18 and GAU-19/A three-barrel 12.7mm gun pods. A centre line station is normally hard points. The mock-up was surrounded by a variety of weapons including used for the carriage of sensors. This example is fi tted with an EO/IR imager and cruise missiles and torpedoes. Adcom’s Professor Eng George Wolf, confi rmed laser designator turret – probably a BRITE Star II by FLIR Systems. that a prototype is expected to fl y within four months and that the fi rst delivery to Six aircraft are believed to have subsequently been passed on to Jordan’s Special an unspecifi ed launch customer would take place within ten months. Alan Warnes Operation Command in recent months. Alan Warnes for a new radar-equipped airborne squadron-sized force of the CV-22 outside the scope of the airshow, had Abu Dhabi’s new terminal will early warning and control (AEW&C) version of the Bell-Boeing Osprey a direct impact on the competitions open, with an annual capacity of 30 aircraft. A decision has been tiltrotor, both demonstrate interest and requirements that shaped what million passengers. In Qatar, Doha reported as imminent, although in acquiring a capability to operate was displayed at Dubai. International Airport will expand no announcement was made at across the Gulf. These procurements to an annual capacity of 50 million the show. The contenders are the follow substantial investment by the Commercial Aviation passengers. By 2020 GCC airports Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye UAE in building up its special forces. At the same time as the security will handle 250 million passengers and the Boeing 737-based AEW&C, One of the few Arab combat forces situation has worsened, the region’s annually. The International Civil with the Swedish Saab 340 viewed committed to operations as part of commercial aviation has expanded. Aviation Organisation projects as an outside contender. Other the coalition war effort in Afghanistan, Investment and geography have regional traf c growth at above 5% likely procurement programmes UAE special forces were trained in the made it a crossroads between up to 2030. involve manned and unmanned direct action mission by the Republic Europe, Africa and . Airlines The importance of the region to the ISR aircraft that can be integrated of Korea. Such UAE units are based in the region have emerged world’s commercial aircraft producers with the electronic border security trained to take out high-value targets as rst-rank intercontinental carriers. is illustrated by the fact that both of systems being installed or considered throughout Iran, using the tactics Commercial aviation is estimated to the new airliners  own this year – throughout the region. they learnt from the Koreans about have contributed $130 billion to the the Boeing 787-9 and Bombardier how to overcome hardened and economies of the region last year CSeries – have their launch customers Helicopters and Ospreys deeply buried objectives defended Investment in commercial aviation there. Boeing took the opportunity to Qatar’s order for Boeing CH-147F by fanatical opponents. Combining is a high-pro le example of a strategy launch the 777X at the rst day of the Chinooks – the long-range version of these forces with long-range to make the Gulf a part of the global show with 259 commitments, of which the CH-47F designed for the Royal helicopters or Ospreys as a way to economy that does not rely on oil all but 34 (for ) came from Canadian Air Force – and the UAE’s strike at Iran’s missile forces would reserves. Dubai International is Emirates and . interest in becoming the second create a powerful capability. Ground projected to become the world’s The also illustrates the export customer, after Israel, for a forces developments, while nominally busiest airport by 2015. In 2017, importance of the region as a market,

12 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] Alan Warnes 13

understanding what will happen in Dubai in the future. them is critical to .01.14 AI to the relationships that shapeto the relationships The 2013 Dubai Airshow customers from across the world. across customers from Emirates-CAE trains some 10,000 pilots and technicians annually in Dubai. Simulator training will be expanded at a new facility in Silicon Oasis development, Dubai’s scheduled to open later this year. demonstrated the tremendous despite the in the region, progress externalpotential for disaster from icts or internal upheavals. con The UAE and its neighbours not justdemonstrate they are buyers, but major participants in the world of both military and aviation. Lookingcommercial beyond the headline competitions Alan Warnes Middle East...Dubai Airshow 2013 Airshow East...Dubai Middle The UAE has also invested in A surprise exhibit in the static park at the Dubai Air Show was a United Arab Arab static park at the Dubai Air Show was a United A surprise exhibit in the Caravan, Air Defence (UAEAF&AD) Cessna 208B Grand Emirates Air Force and re air-to- rst time armed with AGM-114M/K Hellfi fi serial 2257, seen for the Joint Aviation is operated by the UAEAF&AD’s surface missiles. The aircraft Falaj Hazza Camp in Al Ain, along with the unit’s Command and based at border patrol aircraft. Sierra Nevada Corporation upgraded the AT-802U BRITE Star 380HD EO/ UAEAF&AD Caravans by integrating the FLIR Systems re. IR sensor and the AGM-114 Hellfi and Airbus airliners. Some airliner being already are procurements within the region. nanced from Etihad this year took delivery of nanced by UAE banks, two 777s rst since 2008. In September, the was set Finance Aviation Tamweel up in Dubai, with co-operation from Airbus and the Development Bank of nancing Japan. The need for aircraft some 5% to to increase is projected regulation but greater 10% annually, and shrinking investments may make commercialthis critical to future With an estimatedaviation growth. $400 billion expected to be invested in in the near future,aviation in the region nancial side will be increasingly the important. It appears likely the region and arm unless thingswill both grow start to rapidly fall apart. capabilities such as training, bringing in it is already where Alan Warnes As part of the effort to market theAs part of the effort The tense security situation existing Typhoon, the UK said it was ready to the UK said it was ready Typhoon, co- the UAE and has offered buy from end- operation in helping to produce items and components that will meet Union standards and European NATO with joint ventures and in organising Tawazun The UAE’s British industry. supplies structural elementsalready has acquired for the Typhoon. 40 Adcom Systems United Yabhon designed and built in Block 5 UAVs ADASI has the UAE. Abu Dhabi’s withsigned a teaming agreement development and Boeing for UAV marketing. The KSA aerospace honed during its work on the industry, and F-15SA, also marketed Typhoon itself at the show. core commercial outside a growing industries. also applies to the region’s components UAE-produced Strata’s ying in both Boeing  already are The airshow showcased the emerging fabrication and research fabrication and research emerging andcapabilities of the region to participatesignalled their readiness in the global market. While it may lack the drama of airliner or large combat aircraft the show also demonstratedorders, policy to the maturing of the UAE’s technologies aimedinvest in shared research ting industry, at bene and development, and supporting capabilities. The UAE is becoming and of aircraft not just a purchaser weapons designed and developed but a partner in theirelsewhere, development, able to shape their cations and performance. speci Technology Technology and Capabilities with 90 of those on order going towith 90 of those on order Emirates; the carrier added a further 50 to that total during the airshow. UAE Navy AS565SB Panther, serial number 197, armed with four dummy radar- serial number 197, armed with four dummy UAE Navy AS565SB Panther, at this missiles formed part of the static display guided AS-15TT anti-shipping to be returned to the servicerst AS565 This is the fi Dubai Air Show. year’s cation by Abu Dhabi based AMMROC (Advanced following overhaul and modifi Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre) and Eurocopter. Please send all news correspondence [email protected] NEWS REPORT

CruzeiroCRUZEX, the most important air exercise held in South America, do Sul is attended by many air forces with a wide range of aircraft. Riccardo Niccoli reports

he first CRUZEX, the Grande do Norte on Brazil’s north-east coast. many based on C2 missions like those shortened name for Until CRUZEX 2010 the event was staged the previous year. Exercise Cruzeiro do intended to train aircrew, and command Sul, was staged by the and control personnel. Two years later, Objectives Força Aérea Brasileira redesignated CRUZEX C2 (command and Preparations for CRUZEX 2013 started 15 (FAB, or Brazilian Air control), its objective was to train command months before the exercise started with Force) in 2002, and and control personnel working in a command the help of the Grupo de Instruçao Tatica since 2008 has been post. This year’s event, titled CRUZEX Especializada (GITE or specialised tactical run from Base Aérea de FLIGHT, was designed primarily to train training group) based at Natal, the unit T Natal, in the state of Rio aircrew in a wide range of air operations, dedicated to study and develop air combat 14 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] NEWS REPORT Cruzeiro do Sul

CRUZEX 2013 was the first in the series to feature the newly-modernised A-1M AMX, introduced into Brazilian Air Force service in September. Dennis Vink

operations and tactics for the FAB. This rescue operations Air-refuelling and airborne early warning year’s CRUZEX set out to train: • for increased interoperability between aircraft operated from Recife. About 90 • combat units to fulfil offensive, defensive participating forces aircraft and helicopters and more than 3,000 and support missions, optimising the use of personnel were deployed to the two air airborne detection systems Nations, Numbers bases, but four Argentine Air Force A-4AR • personnel to operate with other air arms and Missions Fightinghawks and one KC-130H pulled out. in joint missions Eight air forces – from Brazil, Canada, Chile, They were replaced by four FAB F-5EMs. • aircrews, operators and air traffic , Ecuador, Uruguay, the United The first units arrived on October 31 and controllers in a combat environment States and Venezuela – took part with most the flying phase ran from November 4 to 15, • participating units in combat search and of the participating aircraft based at Natal. with 1,240 hours logged.

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 15 NEWS REPORT

Particular attention was paid to minimise the effect of multiple military operations on the city of Natal – with safety rules for minimum flight altitudes, standard procedures for overflying urban areas and strict separation from civil air traffic. A unit called CINDACTA III (3rd Integrated Centre for Air Defence and Air Traffic Control) at Recife provided an air traffic control service for the exercise. Each day of CRUZEX 2013 involved a main mission in the morning (using a total force of about 50 to 60 aircraft) followed by a smaller sortie in the afternoon. Missions were planned in accordance with an ATO (air tasking order) issued 24 hours in advance, and were dedicated to specific aspects of air combat operations: • Defensive counter air (DCA) • Offensive counter air (OCA – with escort and air interdiction) • Anti-surface air operations (with close air support, attack, strike co-ordination and reconnaissance missions) • Combat support (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, CSAR, electronic warfare, air-to-air refuelling and tactical airlift) Missions were flown over sparsely populated regions in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Cearà, Paraiba and Pernambuco and over the Atlantic Ocean. No live weapons were used. New at Cruzex New to this CRUZEX were the introduction of special operations forces and the airdrop of special combat teams from the Brazilian Air Force (known as para-SAR teams, dedicated to CSAR and special operations), Canada and the US. Another first was participation by Brazil’s new Mil Mi-35 Hind (designated AH-2) from 2°/8° Grupo de Aviación (GAv), based at Manaus and dedicated to CSAR, attack and special operations missions. A flight data collection system used for debriefing also made its CRUZEX debut. Unlike air combat manoeuvring instrumentation systems which use pods fitted to each aircraft for transmitting data to the ground station, the Brazilian system uses a small GPS device carried by each pilot. Data gathered was used by a shot validation cell to verify the result of all missile firings, particularly those from beyond visual range. Use of the system in CRUZEX was a main objective for the Brazilian Air Force, the validation cell being staffed by fighter pilots assigned to CINDACTA III at Recife. Data from each aircraft’s GPS and avionics systems was used to create a debriefing video, with full playback functionality, of all phases of each mission. CRUZEX 2013 was also the first in the series to feature the newly-modernised A-1M AMX, introduced into Brazilian Air Force service in September. Blue and Red CRUZEX, like many major NATO air exercises, is run with a friendly force and an enemy Red air force. The host nation provided most of Blue air with a mix of F-2000s (Mirage 2000s), A-1s, RA-1As, F-5EMs and A-29B Super Tucanos, all based at Natal. The rest of the force came from the seven other air forces,

16 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] CRUZEX 2013 PARTICIPANTS NEWS REPORT Aircraft Unit Number Base Força Aérea Brasileira (Brazilian Air Force) F-2000B/F-2000C 1° GDA 5 Natal F-5EM/F-5FM 1°/14°, 1°/4° GAv 14 Natal A-1A/A-1B/A-1M/RA-1A 1°/10°, 3°/10° 10 Natal A-29A/A-29B 3°/3° GAv 6 Natal KC-130H 1°/1° GT 2 Recife C-130H/C-130M 1°/1° GT 2 Natal C-105 1°/9° GAv 2 Natal SC-105 2°/10° GAv 1 Recife E-99 2°/6° GAv 2 Recife AH-2 2°/8° GAv 3 Natal H-1H 2°/8° GAv 1 Natal H-34 3°/8° GAv 1 Caico H-60L 7°/8° GAv 3 Natal CC-130J 436th Transport Squadron 2 Natal Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Chilean Air Force) F-16AM/F-16BM GA.7, GA.8 6 Natal KC-135E GA.10 1 Recife Fuerza Aérea Colombiana () OA-37B EC.311 6 Natal KC-767 ET.811 1 Recife Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana (Ecuadorean Air Force) A-29B EC.2313 3 Natal Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (Uruguayan Air Force) A-37B/OA-37B EA.2C 3 Natal IA-58 EA.1A 3 Natal US Air Force F-16C 121st Fighter Squadron 6 Natal KC-135R 197th Air Refueling Squadron 1 Recife Aviación Militar Bolivariana de Venezuela (Venezuelan Military Aviation) F-16A GAC.16 4 Natal

Opposite top: Two FAB F-2000Cs air-refuel with a KC-130H tanker during a Cruzex mission. Força Aérea Brasileira Opposite middle top: A Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya OA-37B Dragonfly on short finals to land at Base Aérea de Natal. Dennis Vink Opposite middle bottom: FAB AH-2 Sabres (Mi-35 Hinds) participated in Cruzex for the first time during this edition of the exercise. Riccardo Niccoli Opposite bottom: One notable aspect of CRUZEX 2013 was participation by teams from the US and Venezuela both flying F-16 Fighting Falcons. Riccardo Niccoli This page: Cruzex 2013 was the last exercise for the Brazilian F-2000s, which are due to be retired at the end of the year. Dennis Vink

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 17 NEWS REPORT

Above and this page: The FAB provided 14 F-5EMs for Cruzex 2013. All images Dennis Vink unless noted Opposite top: Venezuelan Military Aviation’s Y-8F-200 2509 assigned to Escuadrón 61 based at El Libertador AB provided airlift support for its F-16 team. Opposite middle top: Three Fuerza Aérea Colombiana OA-37Bs taxi from their parking spots underneath sun shelters for a Cruzex sortie from Natal. Opposite middle middle: The Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya sent three IA-58 Pucaràs to Cruzex 2013. Riccardo Niccoli Opposite left middle: One of three Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana A-29B Super Tucanos taxies to the runway at Natal. All three FAE A-29Bs deployed to Natal were painted in this digital style camouflage. Opposite middle bottom: An FAB F-5EM returns to parking at Natal after an afternoon mission. Opposite bottom: A busy flight line at Natal during Cruzex 2013. Riccardo Niccoli

18 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] NEWS REPORT including the following: • Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules, mainly dedicated to airdrops of special forces teams • Fuerza Aérea Colombiana OA-37B Dragonflies which operated in light attack, observation, anti-slow mover and forward air control roles • A Fuerza Aérea Colombiana KC-767 to air- refuel all aircraft equipped with a receptacle for the probe system • Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya A-37Bs/OA-37Bs and three IA-58 Pucaràs, which mainly flew air-to-ground missions Red air was provided, as in the past, by Brazilian Air Force F-5EMs based at Natal AB, sometimes augmented by F-16s. included in our manuals. Today, we have an Search and rescue cover was provided by a air force that’s much more operational and, variety of types, each operating from a different above all, used to international co-operation. location – an H-34 (AS332 Super Puma) from “More than ever, air forces stage common 3°/8° GAV based at Caicò, in the middle of the operations to meet and train together – to be area of operations; an H-1H from 1°/8° GAv at ready, if necessary, to do what we could be Natal; and an SC-105 (a C295 configured for required to do in an effective way.” SAR operations) from 2°/10° GAv at Recife. Another notable aspect of the exercise According to Brigadeiro do Ar Màrio was participation by teams from the US and Jordao, Director of CRUZEX 2013, the Venezuela. In 2010 Venezuela refused to train Brazilian Air Force has changed its face in with the US Air Force. Answering a specific the past ten years, “and I think the CRUZEX question on the matter, Col Keith Colmex, chief exercise allowed it to enter the modern of the US Air Force contingent, declared: “We’re world of air operations. All the lessons happy to fly with the Venezuelan Air Force,” learned about tactics and joint operations are adding that pilots from all over the world are

always happy to fly together, while politics is another question which is well above their level. A date for the next CRUZEX has yet to be announced (probably in 2016), but the host base will be Natal. Once a new civil airport located outside the city of Natal opens it will supersede the existing August Severo air terminal located at the base – which will then be redeveloped for the air force and used for military air operations, which are currently mixed with airliner flights.

Please send all news correspondence [email protected] AI.01.14 19 Commercial Garuda Begins to Explore Evelop Begins Operations A regional brand has been established by called Garuda Explore. The carrier will operate the 25 ATR 72-600s turboprops ordered in early in 2013, as well as Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets being delivered. The fi rst ATR 72- 600 was delivered in late November, ahead of Explore commencing operations on December 3. Garuda says the turboprops will enable it Airbus A320-214(WL) EC-LZD (msn 5642, ex CS-TRM) leased from Orbest of was used by Spanish charter start- to fl y to smaller regional airports in up to begin operations. The airliner was delivered on November 23, 2013, and was seen on approach to remote parts of Indonesia as part San Pablo Airport in Seville three days later. It is based at Tenerife Sur. Evelop will use Orbest’s air operator certifi cate of a national programme to improve (AOC) until at least April 2014, when it plans to transfer the airliner to its own AOC. Antonio Muñiz Zaragüeta transport connectivity. Mark Broadbent to Introduce Low-Cost Model in Russia The Aerofl ot Group plans to launch Dobrolet will initially fl y from $100 million in Dobrolet over the Dobrolet is the second new Russia’s fi rst low-cost carrier during Moscow to St Petersburg, Samara next two years. It expects changes subsidiary Aerofl ot has launched in 2014, known as Dobrolet – which and Ekaterinburg, using eight in Russian regulations at the end of recent months after it announced a roughly translates as ‘Goodfl ight’. Boeing 737-800s in a one-class 2013 will allow Dobrolet to charge new Far East offshoot called Aerofl ot says fares will be between confi guration. By 2016 the for on-board meals, checked in early November (see Aurora 20% and 40% cheaper than the plans to start international routes. baggage and reserved seats – all Launched by Aerofl ot, December, prices of the carrier. The group said it would invest standard for low-cost carriers. p33). Mark Broadbent COMMERCIAL ORDERS Q400 Edges Airbus Customer Aircraft Number Date Aerolíneas Argentinas A330-200 4, purchase agreement November 13 Towards 90 Air Algérie A330-200 3, MoU November 19 Emirates A380 50 November 17 Passenger A320neo 10 (for equity alliance partner) November 17 A321neo 26 November 17 A330-200F 1 November 17 Market A350-900 40 November 17 A higher capacity cabin option for A350-1000 10 November 17 the Bombardier Q400 NextGen Plus 30 options for different aircraft November 17 turboprop regional airliner has Libyan Wings Airlines A320neo 4, MoU November 18 been revealed with seating for A350-900 3, MoU November 18 86 passengers in a single-class Qatar Airways A330-200F 5, plus 8 options November 17 layout. This is an increase of eight ATR on the current standard cabin Customer Aircraft Number Date confi guration. Thai low-cost carrier Alpha Star Aviation Services ATR 72-600 1, plus 1 option November 17 Nok Air is the launch customer for GECAS ATR 72-600 5, plus 5 options November 18 the new layout. Boeing Bombardier states: “the increased Customer Aircraft Number Date seating is possible via the Aerolíneas Argentinas 737-800 20 October 21 (updates Dec 2013) conversion of the baggage door Emirates 777X 150 November 17 into a passenger exit, substituting Etihad Airways 777 Freighter 1, plus 2 options November 17 passenger seats in place of the 777-8X 8 November 17 forward cargo compartment.” The 777-9X 17, plus 12 purchase rights for either -8X or -9X November 17 option is available as a retrofi t for in- 787-10 30 November 17 service Q400s and can be installed yDubai 737 MAX 8 100, purchase commitment November 17 737-800 11 November 17 from the outset in new production Lufthansa 777-9X 34 ( rms September 19, 2013 commitment) November 17 examples. Qatar Airways 777X 50 November 17 The manufacturer claims the extra TUI Travel Plc 787-8 2 (previously undisclosed, see December 2013) November 19 seats makes the Q400 7% more Unidenti ed (private customer) 737-800BBJ 1 October 24 fuel-effi cient and 17% cheaper to Bombardier operate over its closest rival, the ATR Customer Aircraft Number Date 72-600. The Canadian company’s Abu Dhabi Aviation Q400 NextGen 2, LoI November 19 move is signifi cant, as it edges the Air Côte d’Ivoire Q400 NextGen 4, plus 2 options (purchase agreement) November 17 Q400 towards the 90-seat mark. CRJ900 NextGen 3, plus 5 purchase agreements & 8 options December 2 Both Bombardier and ATR have Iraqi Airways CS300 5, plus 11 options, LoI November 19 studied new designs and stretched Nok Air Q400 NextGen 2, plus 2 options and 4 purchase rights November 19 versions of existing types to cater Palma Holdings Ltd (for Ethiopian) Q400 NextGen 4, plus 2 options, LoI November 18 for the 90-seat market, with the Embraer European manufacturer currently Customer Aircraft Number Date focused on concept studies as part BA CityFlyer ERJ-190 1 November 26 of its New-Generation Turboprop Key: Lol - Letter of Intent MoU – Memorandum of Understanding, Compiled by Mark Broadbent project. Mark Broadbent

20 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] Commercial Do 328 For Air Peace Nigerian fi nance company SpringChild Investments has received an upgraded Dornier Do 328 (c/n 3200) from German refurbishment company 328. It will be used by its new airline, Air Peace, which will operate out of Murtala Mohammed Airport in . The carrier will offer charter, cargo and scheduled fl ights with three Do 328s and four Boeing 737s. The newly- delivered aircraft is confi gured with 27 seats, including four in business class. Another Do 328 (5N-BQT, c/n 3221) has already been delivered to Sharklet A320 for AirBlue in a 13-seat VIP confi guration Conducting its maiden fl ight at Toulouse-Blagnac in France on November 27 was Airbus A320-214(WL) F-WWIV (msn and a third (N328DA, c/n 3171) will 5891). The airliner is due to be delivered to AirBlue of Pakistan as AP-EDG, its fi rst equipped with Sharklet wingtip arrive before the end of 2013 in a devices. Olivier Gregoire 32-seat confi guration. Guy Martin Records Claimed as American and EC175 Moves Towards US Airways Merge (AA) and US City, and two each at Boston Certi cation Airways merged on December 9 Logan, Massachusetts: Chicago after gaining approval from the US O’Hare, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Los Bankruptcy Court in New York on Angeles, California and Miami, November 25, creating the world’s Florida. The slots are expected largest airline in terms of fl eet size to be offered to low-cost airlines, and passengers carried. The such as Southwest and JetBlue. clearance came after the airlines The Bankruptcy Court has settled an anti-trust lawsuit approved the merger, allowing brought by the US Department of AA’s parent company AMR Justice (DoJ) against the merger. Corp to emerge from Chapter The DoJ and attorney-generals 11 bankruptcy protection after from six states fi led a suit with the two years on the same day the US District Court in merger was completed. The AMR saying the merger would reduce Group was replaced by the new competition in the domestic air American Airlines Group. travel market (see Legal Challenge AA and US will now begin to American-US Merger, October consolidating their operations 2013, p28). under the American brand, A settlement was reached with the with the US Airways name Assembly of Eurocopter EC175s under way on the production line at DoJ after the carriers agreed to gradually disappearing, just as Marignane in France. David Oliver divest the merged airline of 57 slots the Northwest and Continental Eurocopter’s EC175 medium twin alert and self-monitoring avionics at Ronald Reagan International brands disappeared when they helicopter has achieved two time- system, fi rst introduced on the Airport in Washington, DC; 34 at were merged into Delta and to-climb records, further validating Airbus A380 airliner. LaGuardia Airport in New York United respectively. Mark Broadbent its performance, while its fl ight In parallel to certifi cation activity, manual is being submitted to the production of the EC175 is being European Aviation Safety Agency ramped up, with the 15th helicopter (EASA) as part of the certifi cation now on the fi nal assembly line Karinou Airlines’ Second Boeing 737 process. The records, ratifi ed the type shares with the Dauphin. carrier Karinou Airlines plans by the Fédération Aéronautique Early in 2014 a new dedicated to add a Boeing 737-300 to join its sole 737-2H4(A) Internationale, are time-to-climb EC175 rolling production line will (TL-AEG, c/n 23109, ex OD-AMB). The new aircraft to 6,000m (19,685ft) in 6 minutes, open. Eurocopter’s new chief (737-36N N11AQ, c/n 28650, ex PR-WJU) was parked 54 seconds and time-to-climb to executive, Guillaume Faury – who at Miami International Airport in Florida in early 3,000m (9,843ft) in 3 minutes, 10 has experience in the automotive December. It will become TL-ASM upon delivery. seconds. industry – has made it clear that Javier Rodríguez They were achieved as Eurocopter moving production lines, similar to moves towards EASA certifi cation those already used for Eurocopter’s in early 2014, the fi nal step in the light helicopter production, should be programme prior to deliveries to introduced for all its product range at the fi rst three customers later in Marignane in southern France. the year. The helicopter, aimed Eurocopter has a backlog of 48 at the oil and gas support and EC175s (including two fi rm orders search and rescue markets, has for the VIP version), deliveries of seen its certifi cation delayed by which are scheduled for 2016. the integration of the Helionix David Oliver

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CRJ200P2F Passes Preliminary Review Miami-based Aeronautical New 737-300 Engineers Inc (AEI) has completed a preliminary design review for its passenger-to-freighter conversion for Boliviana of the Bombardier CRJ200 (further to CRJ Freighter Programme Launched, April 2013, p21). The milestone establishes the basic design features of the freighter, which will include a 94in (2.39m) wide by 77in (1.96m) high door and have a 6.7 tonne payload capacity. AEI will now conduct a critical design review to confi rm the functionality of the new aircraft. Modifi cation on the fi rst airframe is scheduled to begin in June 2014. The company says it has 24 fi rm orders from fi ve customers in Boeing 737-3U3 CP-2815 (c/n 28738, ex ZK-SJC) undergoing maintenance at Opa Locka Executive Airport in Florida Canada, Europe, Mexico, southeast on December 4. The airliner is due to be delivered to Boliviana de Aviación. Owned by GECAS, it was previously fl own by before being stored from June 3, 2013, at Christchurch International Airport. Boliviana de Asia and the United States, although Aviación currently has nine 737-300s and a single -500 in service, plus a Boeing 767-200ER. Javier Rodríguez none have been identifi ed by AEI. Mark Broadbent MarsLand Halts Flights Aserca Airlines Sudanese carrier MarsLand register its three leased Boeing Aviation has suspended operations, 737s in Georgia and Gambia at Venezuela MD-87 citing a lack of foreign currency. double the cost of local registration. The company, which serves the The carrier, formed in 2001, has Middle East and South Sudan, reportedly suffered losses of stopped fl ights on November 10. A around $3.5 million over the past lack of hard currency in Sudan has six months. Sudanese aviation has made it diffi cult to operate while also been affected by cuts in fuel US sanctions forced MarsLand to subsidies. Guy Martin McDonnell Douglas MD-87 N572SH (c/n 49780, ex LV-BZH) of Ansett Worldwide is the fi rst of the type destined for Aserca Airlines Venezuela. It has been stored at Opa Locka Executive Airport in Florida, since March 8, announced on November 2013. A second MD-87 (N599SH, c/n 49727, ex LV-BSC) is also due to be 27. Built at the Ulan- used by the airline – which began operations in 1991 and currently has 11 1 NEWS Ude Aviation Plant, it MD-82/83s and four DC-9-31/32s, some six of which are stored. It serves BELL 412EPI FOR joins the fi rst, delivered BY domestic destinations in Venezuela and international routes to Dominica NSW POLICE last year (see Mi-171 and Aruba. Javier Rodríguez Australian distributor NUMBERS Delivered to Indonesia, Hawker Pacifi c has February 2013, p29). sold the fi rst Bell 412EPI Two more are scheduled in the country to the New to be delivered to the South Wales Police Force, it company. Nigel Pittaway Plans for A350 Regional Con rmed was announced on November 25. The sale came just weeks after the Airbus has launched a lower-thrust tonnes of the baseline A350-900. conclusion of an Australian sales 2 and weight variant of the A350-900 Airbus said the airliner is optimised tour of this latest version of the Bell MORE XIAN MA-60S FOR known as the A350 Regional. It uses for 6,800nm (12,593km) routes, 412, conducted by Hawker Pacifi c the basic A350-900 confi guration compared to the 8,916nm and Bell Helicopters. The NSW Cameroon secured a XAF34 billion but adapts it for shorter-range (14,350km) of the standard variant. Police Aviation Support Branch will ($71 million) loan from China in missions by de-rating the Rolls- UAE fl ag carrier Etihad Airways take delivery in the second half of early November for two Xian MA-60 Royce Trent XWB-84s from their has been identifi ed as the launch 2014, adding to its existing fl eet of aircraft to join Camair Co’s other standard 85,000lb (370kN) to customer, with 24 of the 40 A350- fi ve helicopters and one fi xed-wing three. The nearly interest-free loan aircraft. The fi rst Bell 412EPI was is part of a larger Chinese assistance approximately 70,000lb (311kN). 900s it ordered on November delivered to Abu Dhabi Aviation in package for the country. The Maximum take-off weight is limited 17 due to be delivered as A350 November. Nigel Pittaway aircraft will be used on domestic and to 250 tonnes, down from the 268 Regionals. Mark Broadbent 1 regional routes. Guy Martin KA-32 FOR SHANGHAI 2 Shanghai’s fi rst fi refi ghting helicopter, A330-200S IN SERVICE WITH a Russian-built Kamov Ka-32, will be delivered in January 2014 and Nigerian carrier Arik Air took delivery introduced into service during 2014. in October of a second - Seven pilots are currently being 200 (5N-JID, msn 927) on lease trained to fl y it in Russia. David C Isby from Ireland’s Pembroke Group. It is fi tted with 187 economy and 30 business class seats. Arik Air said it 2 will be used on the Lagos to London MI-171S DELIVERED TO route but could be used to fl y to New Colours for AIRFAST INDONESIA Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Brazil. The fi fth Airbus A330-302 delivered to Iberia is the fi rst of the airline’s fl eet A second Mil Mil-171 helicopter The company also has two A340- to appear in its new colour scheme. The airliner (EC-LYF, msn 1437, ex has been handed over to Airfast 500s in service for long-haul fl ights. F-WWKA) named Juan Carlos I was delivered on November 14 and was noted Indonesia, Russian Helicopters Guy Martin at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain on November 30. Javier Rodríguez

24 AI.01.14 Please send all news correspondence [email protected] The Aviation World in 2014

REGIONS • COMMERCIAL• MILITARY • TECHNOLOGY Piaggio P1HH Hammerhead • Bell V-280 Valor Kamov Ka-62 • Embraer KC-390 • F-15SE Silent Eagle A350XWB • Falcon 5X • A320neo • Boeing 737MAX • Embraer E2 AgustaWestland’s Project Zero • MQ-8C Fire Scout 26 African Aviation Outlook

trong economic regarding ownership are popping up across 2022, and 480 aircraft to make a combined S growth in Africa structure, have stalled the , from between 2023 and 2032, profit of $16.4 billion in is driving the aviation domestic operations Burkina Faso to Somalia increasing the fleet to 2014, African carriers industry there, resulting there. and Sudan. To meet the 350 and 960 respectively are forecast to post in a proliferation of new A number of new growing demand, Boeing (for a compound annual a combined profit of carriers and routes and carriers were due to predicts the continent will growth rate of 5%). $100 million, up from growing passenger launch in South Africa require nearly 1,100 new Bombardier cautions 2013’s predicted loss of numbers. But the road during 2013, notably airliners over the next two that business aviation $100 million. Although to profitability for many SkyWise, FlySafair decades. African carriers faces several barriers, emerging market growth commercial airlines is a and Fastjet’s domestic are requiring ever more notably expensive has slowed, African bumpy one faced with operations, but their aircraft to replace existing airspace and airport fees, airlines continue to high operating costs, poor delayed launches are airframes, primarily to poorly trained personnel, increase profitability. regional connectivity and indicative of some of gain better fuel efficiency legal restrictions, poor Nevertheless, the airline government obstacles. the challenges facing – the average age of infrastructure and high industry is a tough one. the local industry: stiff in-service aircraft has tariffs. Another issue Some economists point Commercial competition and legal dropped by nearly 20% is the accident rate, out that investing in Aviation issues. Nevertheless, by since 2004, according to which is four times airlines gives a return a Commercial airframer the end of 2014, South Boeing. higher than the global third lower than other Boeing is optimistic Africa should have at Airbus has a similar average, prompting the industries. about Africa’s economic least two new low cost forecast, predicting that European Union to ban Legal restrictions and prospects for 2014 – a carriers (SkyWise and African airlines will need many African carriers government interference long-term growth rate Fastjet). The departure of 970 new passenger from flying in European are some of the factors of 4.4% is expected to 1time and Velvet Sky has aircraft worth $120 billion airspace. The Democratic holding back African see increased air travel raised ticket prices and by 2032. Economic Republic of Congo and airline development. to, from and within greatly improved South growth, a growing middle Sudan are responsible for The Airlines Association the continent. Boeing African airline profitability, class, affordability, half of Africa’s aviation of Southern Africa anticipates that African although national carrier urbanisation, tourism accidents, according has called on African air travel will outpace and migration are some to the African Airlines governments to adopt the world average next is struggling to turn a of the factors Airbus Association. new visa rules, open their year with 5.7% annual profit. As part of a fleet believes will push African The above-mentioned markets to investment growth. Included in this renewal process, the passenger growth at challenges affect the and competition and development is increasing carrier is shopping for annual rates of nearly 6%, entire African aviation implement safety intra-African travel with 25-30 widebody aircraft above the world average. market – something standards – whether intra-regional hubs and to replace its existing On the business the International Air governments will do pan-African networks older Airbus A340s, and aviation side, Bombardier Transport Association this in 2014 remains to improving efficiency – may purchase either the predicts strong sales (IATA) sees as constricting be seen. The African something that Tanzania- Airbus A350 or Boeing in the African region, performance in spite of Union has made the based Fastjet aims to do 787, for delivery around especially from Nigeria strong economic growth development of air by becoming Africa’s first 2017. and South Africa. on the continent. Another transport one of its continental airline. Africa can expect to Commodities wealth restricting factor is main economic goals, However, Fastjet is see a plethora of new and economic growth government bail-outs for particularly for improving finding it harder than start-up airlines in 2014, have driven the business loss-making state-owned intra-African trade, and in anticipated to become continuing an ongoing aviation market, which airlines – nine African January 2013 endorsed the first pan-African low trend. There is huge has already doubled carriers survive through the Declaration cost carrier – with its potential for low cost the business jet fleet in government support and Plan of Action for subsidiaries, it is currently carriers – at present the past ten years. The worth $2.5 billion, improving African aviation only operating in Angola, budget airlines account Canadian manufacturer according to the Centre safety by 2015. Who Ghana, and for 11% of international predicts that Africa will for Aviation. knows how much action Tanzania. Legal hurdles in and domestic African receive 320 business While global airlines will result from these South Africa, for instance capacity. New carriers jets between 2013 and are expected by IATA initiatives. 27

The fi rst humpback F-16D for the Egyptian Air Force (Al-Quˉwaˉt al-Gawwıˉyä al- Misrıˉyä), 9821 (c/n JK-01) on its maiden fl ight from NAS Fort Worth JRB on May 16, 2012. Carl Richards

South African Military Aviation increased their defence continued instability may market. Another new Although the African budgets for 2014 and put these on hold. South African type is military aircraft market can be expected to make Sudan’s Air Force (Al Denel Dynamics’ Seeker is predicted to decline further purchases as they Quwwat al-Jawwiya As- 400 optionally armed slightly over the next deal with the continued Sudaniya) is expected to unmanned aerial vehicle, Airways is decade, budgets are fall-out from the Arab continue with its spending which as this issue went expected to increase. Spring and counter spree, having already to press was expected Military aircraft Islamist militants. received Su-24 Fencers to make its fi rst fl ight by manufacturers can Egypt is another and Su-25 Frogfoots (all early 2014. The aircraft, expect a few positive country to watch, former Belarusian Air based on the smaller shopping developments in 2014, after the United States Force aircraft), as well as Seeker II, already has notably from North suspended some of its Mi-17 Hips and Mi-24 an unnamed launch Africa, especially from military aid in October Hinds (all new aircraft customer. the ongoing arms race 2013 following the supplied by Russia). Other developments between Algeria and military’s removal of In sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa in 2014 for 25-30 Morocco. Transnational President Mohamed Angola will receive 18 might include an order terrorism, modernisation Mursi in July. More than former Indian Air Force for maritime surveillance/ and piracy are other $200 million in cash aid Su-27 Flankers, while light transport aircraft to factors that are keeping was suspended, together Mozambique will receive meet the requirement the African military with the delivery of four eight refurbished MiG- of the South African Air widebody aviation market ticking F-16 Fighting Falcons, 21s, two overhauled Force Project Saucepan. over. ten AH-64 Apaches, An-26s, an L-39, and There is also talk of Algeria is shopping for Harpoon anti-ship a couple of Aerostar the South African Air new tankers, transports, missiles and M1 Abrams Festival light aircraft. Force acquiring Ilyushin helicopters and tank kits. Meanwhile, in As a fi rst sign that Il-76 transports to aircraft to intelligence, surveillance August, Spain suspended Mozambique is rebuilding meet its strategic airlift and reconnaissance (ISR) deliveries of six Airbus its dilapidated air force, a requirements. aircraft. In 2013 the Military C295 transports. Hawker 850XP business Elsewhere on the country evaluated the Subsequently, Egypt said jet was delivered in continent, other Boeing C-17 Globemaster it would look outside the September. African countries may replace its III strategic transport and US for weapons, and in Embraer’s Super follow Ghana’s lead Airbus A330 MRTT tanker November engaged in Tucano has been gaining by acquiring transport with an eye to replacing talks with Russia over the in popularity into Africa, aircraft that are leased its ageing Il-78 Midas supply of arms, notably notably in Angola, to the United Nations tankers and acquiring a 24 MiG-29M2 fi ghters, Burkina Faso, Mauritania for regional missions existing new transport aircraft. and could sign deals for and and can (Ghana has ordered an Algeria asked the two at least $2 billion worth of expect to make further additional two C295s respective companies to Russian weapons. headway, especially until from Airbus Military conduct demonstrations. Another potential the Paramount Group’s through this innovative According to some customer for re- AHRLAC comes onto the scheme). Alenia is also Airbus estimates, the country equipment is the Free market. Having suffered making inroads into the is increasing its defence Libyan Air Force, as it some minor delays, this African airlift market, spending by 6% through continues to rebuild South African developed with scheduled 2017, as it modernises following the fall of counter-insurgency and to become the second and re-equips to meet the Muammar Gaddafi reconnaissance aircraft C-27J Spartan operator challenge of insecurity in 2011. Plans were is scheduled, to make on the continent after A340s and terrorism in the announced for the its fi rst fl ight in early Morocco. It’s due to region. proposed purchase of 2014. The AHRLAC receive two new aircraft Libya, Morocco Rafales, Mirage F1s, is a low cost platform in late 2013/early 2014. and Tunisia have also C-130s and CH-47s, but that caters for a wide Guy Martin AW 2014 28 Asian Aviation Outlook

sia is a large and 2008 market forecast for on price and schedules. 2017. Today, Japanese expansion of China’s A populous continent, the Asia-Pacific region, They have to differentiate companies are reported military is one of the home to more than led by Airbus, was for themselves by providing to manufacture more than factors behind the arms four billion people and around 7,600 aircraft innovative products and a third of Boeing 787 boom in Asia, other covering almost 9% of the by 2028. However, he service offerings, as well components. strained relations abound planet’s surface area. explained, rapid growth as efficient marketing Asian maintenance including territorial The continent’s between 2008 and 2013 strategies. Being lost in and repair organisations disputes in the South economic growth rate has forced the European the mid-market blur could (MROs) are also predicted China Sea, the Kashmir has quadrupled over the aircraft maker to revise its sound the death knell to remain profitable in the region, on the Korean last century and is set estimate to over 10,000 for airlines that fail to same period. However, peninsula and a recent to continue into 2014 units between now and differentiate.” as costs continue to incursion into the East and well beyond. From 2023. Commenting on orders increase in the region, the Malaysian state of Sabah an aviation perspective, “Roughly an additional for the Airbus A320neo differential between these by Filipino insurgents. both civil and military, 35% above the number single-aisle airliner, and western maintenance “There are a host of manufacturers around we were estimating in Enders noted that a facilities is becoming threads running through the world look to 2008,” he said. significant percentage less. As a consequence, the larger regional Asia to fill their order The AlixPartners of the 2,400 unit order Asian facilities are less dynamic,” commented books after years of report, ‘The 2013 Asia backlog is from the Asian attractive than they once Forecast International’s financial difficulties and Aerospace & Defence LCC market. were. As a result, Asian Asia-Pacific analyst, budget cutbacks in the Industry Outlook’, refers “Broadly, if you look at MROs are under established European to Asia as the ‘growth the new orders, 60% are pressure to cut and North American motor’ for airlines, for growth and probably costs markets. particularly in the low 40% are for replacement, cost carrier (LCC) sector, so it’s predominantly Civil Market but warns that airlines still generated by Although China is the face pressure from high growth and fastest growing economy fuel prices and pricing the low in the region, other Asian competition among new cost countries have expanding global competitors. civil aviation sectors. Improving service According to a recent models and cabin report by AlixPartners, a innovations are adding global advisory company, to the LCC boom and the continent will become encroaching the biggest airline market in the world by 2031,

airlines have a huge part into the in that,” he said. Dan Darling. receiving market space of full AlixPartners reported and seek greater “Many of these involve 31% of all new jet service airlines. As a that the commercial efficiencies without peer competition, state- deliveries. consequence, airlines aerospace sector was affecting quality. versus-state standoffs The report noted that, across Asia-Pacific are the strongest in the such as India-Pakistan or with Asia’s favourable making changes to their aerospace and defence Asian Defence North and South Korea. demographics and operating models and market in Asia during Market Others relate to maritime growing middle classes, the line between low cost 2013, largely due to Generally speaking, the presence requirements, the industrial centre of and full service airlines is the work carried out defence budgets of Asian territorial disputes, gravity is shifting East blurred. for original equipment nations have not declined and military hardware and airlines in these In the AlixPartners manufacturers (OEMs) as has been seen in upgrades made possible markets are building their report C.V. such as Airbus and Europe or North America by upswings in economic fleets and placing large Ramachandran, Head Boeing. The document and regional tensions will growth.” orders. of the company’s Asia also predicts that the see the expansion and China’s desire to To illustrate the point Business Unit, explained: workload of the OEMs re-equipment of air forces become a global power EADS CEO Tom Enders, “With severe competition, main commercial continue throughout 2014 and the resulting steady speaking in Sydney in late passenger airlines are no programmes will have and beyond. growth in its defence 2013, said the group’s longer competing just increased by 45% by While the rapid spending has added a 29

further dimension to requirement. the regional arms race. The introduction Forecast International of fourth and fi fth reports that the Chinese generation fi ghter defence budget aircraft is set doubled between 2008 to continue for and 2013 and predicts the foreseeable a further 41% increase future as Asian by 2017. Furthermore, air forces Forecast it says that of the 27% overhaul their increase in defence capabilities. International spending across Asia- Japan, for Pacifi c projected between 2013 and 2017, reports that the when compared with the previous fi ve-year period, almost 60% of the Chinese defence differential is expected to as a cheap stem from China. India is also a alternativebudget doubled growing regional military power and betweento manned2008 and aircraft2013 and predicts and the ideal asolution further 41% increaseto perform by 2017 as a cheap alternative to manned aircraft and the ideal solution to perform as a cheap alternative to manned

throughout much of the aircraft and region, the vicissitudes example, for littoral of respective national the ideal raised will begin ISR and armed economies will not defence receiving the Lockheed helicopter platforms. necessarily impede the solution to spending in its Martin F-35A Lightning Elsewhere in the motivations of political 2013-14 budget by over II later this decade. region, continues leadership to upgrade 5%, to a reported $37.4 The stealth fi ghter is to receive Sukhoi Su- their nation’s military perform billion, and is now a also reported to be 27MK2 fi ghters, with components,” predicts major target for western the favourite in South another batch of 12 Darling. arms manufacturers. Korea’s revamped F-X III expected in 2014, and “The political The South Asia country competition, which saw Indonesia is set to receive willpower to do so is is currently receiving Boeing’s F-15E Silent second-hand Lockheed borne out of strategic platforms such as Eagle selected and then C-130H Hercules from necessity in countries the Boeing C-17A rejected in 2013. Australia, upgraded such as Pakistan, India Globemaster III and P-8I , too, has a General Dynamics and South Korea, and Neptune from the US requirement for a modern F-16Cs and F-16Ds from a sense of impending and the Mikoyan MiG- multi-role combat aircraft the US, along with new- threat in Japan and 29K fi ghter to revitalise to replace its MiG- build Boeing AH-64E Taiwan. While these its naval aviation force 29Ns. The incursion into Guardians. It will also countries’ budgets may from Russia. It is also Sabah in February 2013 continue to receive Korea not exactly skyrocket in negotiating a contract has focussed attention Aerospace Industries the near term, dramatic with French manufacturer on shortcomings in its T-50i Golden Eagle and economic slowdowns are Dassault for the purchase intelligence surveillance Embraer A-29 Super unlikely to result in sharp India is negotiating a contract with French manufacturer Dassault for the of 126 Rafale fi ghters to and reconnaissance (ISR) Tucano trainers, which budgetary reductions on purchase of 126 Rafale fi ghters to fulfi l fulfi l its Medium Multi- capabilities and may well are already on order. the defence side either.” its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Role Combat Aircraft result in a higher priority “It is clear that Nigel Pittaway AW 2014 requirement. Henri-Pierre Grolleau 30 Australian Aviation Outlook

he Australian economy has pledged to return fi nancial year. ten by the end of 2015. By contrast, John T has performed better defence spending to 2% “Three of our four Jetstar, the Borghetti, head of Virgin than many in the wake of GDP over the next ten major business segments Group’s low cost carrier Australia reported a pre- of the global fi nancial years, but this is unlikely were profi table – Qantas (LCC), has continued its tax loss of $35.2 million crisis. Much of this has to have any effect in the Domestic, Jetstar and spectacular growth and and statutory loss after tax been thanks to a strong short term. Qantas Loyalty – and reached two milestones of $98.1 million in the last resource sector which we halved Qantas in 2013: 100 million fi nancial year, as the airline has serviced growing Civil Aviation International’s losses passengers and a fl eet of restructures to compete economies such as Sector compared to last year,” 100 aircraft. It received with Qantas. During 2013, China. Growth in this Australia’s two major Alan Joyce said. Qantas’ its fi rst Boeing 787-8 it completed its 100% sector is now slowing, as airlines continued their international division has in October 2013 and acquisition of Skywest to many predicted, and this battle for market share been losing money for expects to have three in form the core of its Virgin will have an impact on through 2013 and several years and has service by early 2014. Regional operation, which both regular passenger both Alan Joyce, CEO been the subject of a fi ve- The airline says it is on- is competing against transport (RPT) carriers of Qantas, and John year turnaround plan. track to have an all-787 Qantas Link. It also such as Qantas and Virgin Borghetti, CEO of Virgin “We are two years into long-haul fl eet by the end completed acquisition of Australia, as well as the Australia, predict the our fi ve-year turnaround of 2015. 60% of Tigerair, which it niche fl y in, fl y out (FIFO) competition will continue plan for Qantas “Looking to the rest hopes to grow to better regional market. its intensity throughout International, and we of FY14, we expect that compete with Jetstar in A change of 2014. are on-track towards our trading conditions will the domestic LCC market. government in Qantas posted an target of a return to profi t remain challenging despite “While the fi nancial September 2013 has underlying profi t before in FY15,” he predicted. a reduced level of capacity results clearly did brought renewed tax of $192 million Qantas will take delivery growth in the Australian not meet our initial business confi dence Australian dollars and a of six Boeing 737-800s domestic market,” Joyce expectations,” said and the promise of a halt statutory profi t after tax in 2014 to bring its fl eet concluded. “The US Borghetti, “the 2013 to spending cuts in the of $6 million, compared of the single-aisle aircraft economy is improving fi nancial year was a pivotal defence sector. The new with fi gures of $95 million to 75, and will phase and there are signs of a year for , coalition government (profi t) and $244 million out its domestic Boeing recovery in Europe as well. in which we completed (loss) in the previous 767-300s and reduce its At the same time there our major restructuring international fl eet of 747- is uncertainty over how and transformation 400s to fast and sustainable the programme and reshaped recovery will be.” the competitive landscape of the Australian aviation market, despite a very diffi cult economic Tom Kool/AirTeamImages Kool/AirTeamImages Tom 31

environment and intense consolidation of regional and are due to arrive at the latter. competition. We now services, as Qantas the international training Another project that have the right structure and Virgin have moved centre at Luke Air Force is likely to gain traction in place to compete seriously into the regional Base in Arizona in January during the outlook period vigorously in all key space with very good 2015 to support initial will be Air 7000 Phase market segments and products. Now they have training. Australia has 2B which will result in an achieve sustainable economies of scale that a requirement for 72 order for Boeing P-8A performance in the they can take advantage F-35As, to replace three Poseidon maritime patrol future.” of, where they can operate squadrons of McDonnell aircraft. Eight aircraft Nonetheless, Borghetti skinny or non-profi t routes Douglas F/A-18A/B were initially required, did not make any for a while because of Hornets by the end of along with seven Northrop predictions for FY14, their larger networks. That 2020. The RAAF has a Grumman MQ-4C Tritons, blaming the uncertain creates a challenge for potential requirement for but the exact mix is While 2013 was economic environment. the traditional RPT players up to 100 aircraft. currently under review. From a regional aviation without those economies Ten C-27Js are on The fi nal decision may perspective, Paul Tyrell, of scale. The interest the order via a Foreign Military involve more P-8As and CEO of the Regional are showing in the Sales contract with L-3 fewer MQ-4Cs. a challenging Aviation Association of regional space will be an Communications. The Against this optimistic Australia (RAAA), says that ongoing challenge for the fi rst aircraft is due to be backdrop is the problem apart from airlines such as traditional players.” handed over in July 2014 of funding. The previous year for Alliance, which specialises but will remain in the US government allowed in the FIFO sector, the Australian to support training. The defence spending to RPT operators found Defence Force fi rst deliveries to Australia fall to historic lows business to be tough. This year will be a will begin in 2015. and although the new both civil “There are very small signifi cant one for Likewise, the fi rst government has vowed margins and high capital Australia’s military aviation MH-60R for the navy will to stop further cuts and expense as a percentage capability, with deliveries arrive at NAS Jacksonville, increase spending to 2% and military of profi t. It will be a of the fi rst Lockheed Florida in January 2014 of GDP it has yet to make tough year from a market Martin F-35A Lightning to support training and its plans clear. perspective, but with a bit II fi ghters and Alenia work-up, with the fi rst Forecast International more confi dence. People Aermacchi C-27J Spartan seven helicopters being predicts steady increases Australian will certainly be looking battlefi eld airlifters to the delivered to Australia at in Australian military to the future in terms of Royal Australian Air Force. the end of the year. spending over the next where they go with their The Royal Australian In addition to aircraft fi ve years, up to $25 aviation, there fl eets,” he noted. Navy will receive its fi rst and helicopter deliveries billion US dollars above “If we put the resource Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky the preferred bidders the 2013 level. sector aside I think the MH-60R Seahawk for two major training It said: “Although RPT space in regional helicopters and the army projects, Air 5428 (fi xed Australia’s new are signs aviation is an ongoing will continue to develop wing Pilot Training government has stated tough one. its Eurocopter Tiger ARH System) and Air 9000 the bold intention of There’s a and MRH 90 helicopter Phase 7 (Helicopter increasing the country’s that 2014 will capabilities. Aircrew Training level of defence spending The two F-35As will System), will most to 2% GDP over the next be delivered in the likely be decided. The ten years, many hurdles middle of the competitions involve the stand in the way of see a slight year selection of either the achieving that benchmark Beechcraft T-6C Texan II – notwithstanding the or Pilatus PC-21 for the fact that the 2013-2014 improvement former; and Bell 429 budgetary allocation at or Eurocopter about 1.56% of GDP EC135 for represents the lowest level of military expenditure by the country since 1938.” Nigel Pittaway AW 2014 32 Chinese Aviation Outlook

ilitary and importance of aviation of the importance of make its maiden flight in designs, next year will M civil aircraft to China’s economy and market forces, even though 2014, but may not do so see continued strong manufactured in China its military capabilities, major decisions are not until 2015. competition for airliner will still be built primarily investment is often made necessarily influenced by For most of China’s sales to China including for the domestic market, in programmes that offer them. And what of China’s civil aviation market, the Airbus 380 and Boeing despite a strong push prestige and make a military, will it step out which comprised 3,888 747-8. China is also a for export. Next year’s statement about China’s from behind its veil? Until aircraft flying in 2011, likely market for new production figures will global significance, rather 2011, Chinese military growth will continue in Antonov An-124 Ruslan reflect rates of economic than development of the forces did not participate in 2014 adding considerably heavy airlift transports. growth and defence most profitable airliner or international exercises, next to the existing fleet and a spending, which are most effective fighter. As year more involvement can projected total of 4,500 Military Aviation expected to grow at indigenous capabilities are be expected, as can joint by 2020. Over the next 12 months up to 7.5%. Sustained built up, China will remain training between the various Similarly the 175 Chinese military aviation growth is likely to be the a large-scale importer of Chinese armed services. airports that currently will be investing in a most important factor civil and military aircraft exist will increase to number of emerging high- for China’s aviation (especially from Russia) Civil Aviation 220 by 2015 giving technology programmes. industry next year. But and the technologies used Civil sector flagship an indication of how The stealthy Shenyang despite this, state control in them. projects are the 90-seat aviation infrastructure J-31 (alternatively and domestic user These factors have COMAC ARJ21 and its is undergoing major referred to as the J-21 requirements are more continued to shape the follow-on, the 174-seat development. and F-60) which first flew likely to drive events rather Chinese aerospace industry, COMAC C919. The The total number of in 2012 will remain in than the use of technology and the state-owned larger aircraft is China’s passengers carried in development throughout to maximise profit in the ‘national champions’ attempt at producing China, though slower next year. The existing civil sector and increase are investing in the an airliner that will be than in the past, is prototypes are powered military capability in development of all types suitable for the domestic projected to be in the by Russian Klimov various missions. of aircraft at a time when market (with several high single-digit range RD-93 engines; next their Western counterparts hundred near-assured for 2014, and air cargo year the major issue for Policy and Political are finding investment sales) and competitive in may reach 15% growth. the J-31 programme Considerations difficult. In the civil sector, the world market. The Despite the emphasis will be integration of Because of the there is greater recognition C919 is scheduled to on new indigenous the Chinese-built WS- 33

13, an engine under FC-1, J-10 and J-15 are Y-20, China will also limitations in its development that is all seen as strong export buy Russia’s Il-476 manufacturing processes, Chinese aviation – civil reportedly lagging behind candidates. transporter, an upgraded especially for jet engines, the aircraft’s evolution. China remains version of the Il-76 remain. Though military and military – will see Chengdu’s twin-engine committed to producing Candid fi tted with new prototypes merit J-20 stealth fi ghter, large multi-engine Aviadvigatel PS-90A-76 attention, most warplanes further growth in 2014. which fi rst fl ew in 2011 bombers. Unconfi rmed turbofan engines. are older designs and and is not projected press reports have In 2014, China is China’s capability to use While there may not be a to be in operation with suggested that a new also likely to continue them, while improving, the People’s Liberation bomber design will be developing new types is still below that of its Army Air Force before unveiled in 2014 and an of helicopters, while neighbours. single event to dominate 2017, will also remain improved version of the producing older types China understandably in development. But H-6K bomber (based on and importing Russian Mil presents the C919 as the news, the tenth Chengdu’s production the Soviet-era Tupolev Mi-171 Hips and Mil Mi- the foundation of its facilities will remain Tu-16 Badger) may be 26 Halos. civil aviation sector Airshow China at Zhuhai in busy over the next 12 produced. Unmanned air vehicles of the future, but the months rolling out FC-1 Xian’s Y-20 four- (UAVs) and cruise missiles Xian MA60, a Chinese November will be watched (produced with Pakistan engine airlifter remains are deemed to be version of the Soviet-era as the JF-17 Thunder, in development and strategically important for Antonov An-24 Coke with worldwide interest see Pride of Pakistan, a major objective for China. UAVs will provide twin turboprop, has December p40-47) the programme will be stand-off surveillance of attracted international and J-10 fi ghters, both integration of Chinese contested offshore areas attention because of to see how the country powered by Russian-built WS-20 engines to replace and cruise missiles counter issues with its safety and engines. The Shenyang the Russian-built Soloviev potential adversaries certifi cation. How the will present its ongoing J-15, a licence-built D-30 turbofans currently with greater conventional country reconciles the version of the Sukhoi fi tted to the prototype. airpower capabilities. champions of the future transformation into a Su-33, is likely to go Service entry of the Y-20 with the challenges of into service next year in is projected for 2017. Overview today will be the key major aircraft producer its role as China’s fi rst Despite the effort to While China is developing Chinese aviation story of carrier-based fi ghter. The develop the indigenous impressive new aircraft, 2014. David C Isby AW 2014 and operator

The Xian MA60, a Chinese version of the Soviet-era Antonov An-24 Coke twin turboprop, has attracted international attention because of issues with its safety and certifi cation. Weimeng/AirTeamImages 34 Indian Aviation Outlook

ndia is striving to generation upgraded by Dassault primary combat aircraft for 56 new transports to I equip its armed forces (FGFA) from around 250 and Thales flew following will be the Mikoyan replace the HAL/Hawker with new and upgraded to 144. Based on the modernisation at Istres MiG-29K. Delivery of 29 Siddeley 748M – known combat aircraft to counter Sukhoi T-50, FGFA will be le-Tube in France on additional MiG-29K/KUBs as the ‘Avro’. In a first the rise of Chinese military developed by Hindustan October 5, 2013. In is underway, in addition for India, government- airpower and maintain Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) addition to the 49 existing to the 12 Ks and four owned companies (public superiority over its long- and Sukhoi. Negotiations airframes, a pair of two- two-seat KUBs already sector undertakings, or time rival Pakistan. It has for research and seaters will be acquired. in service, to equip its air PSUs) are barred from longstanding plans to development contracts Work continues on the wing. the project. A request raise the Indian Air Force’s are due to be completed long-delayed Tejas Light Deliveries of HAL- for proposals was (IAF) combat aircraft force in 2014. Combat Aircraft (LCA) built Hawk Mk132s issued in May 2013 to to 39.5 squadrons. Its Deliveries of Sukhoi for the Mk 1 to achieve advanced trainers and Airbus Military, Alenia order of battle currently Su-30MKIs will continue its initial operational Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Aeronautica, Antonov, falls short of this total during 2014 to fulfil clearance 2 (IOC-2) by basic training aircraft Boeing, Embraer, by approximately 20%, orders for 272 aircraft, the end of 2013, which will continue through Ilyushin, Lockheed a situation unlikely to be around 60% of which had will allow it to be inducted 2014 as the IAF strives Martin and Saab. The rectified before 2017 at been delivered by the end into IAF service. Pressure to upgrade its training selected foreign partner the earliest. of 2013. It is planned has been put on HAL by syllabuses. Confirmation is expected to deliver that 13.5 squadrons will the Indian Government of procurement of a 16 aircraft in flyaway Military Aviation be equipped with the to meet the deadline further 37 PC-7s above condition within two years The Dassault Rafale was aircraft, with new units – and final operational the originally 75 ordered of contract signature and selected as the medium- re-equipped every six clearance by the end of in May 2012 is likely in to begin manufacturing multi-role combat aircraft months. 2014 – but by the start of 2014. Development also another 40 at an Indian in January 2012, with An upgrade line for December 2013 IOC-2 continues on replacement facility within five years, negotiations to finalise Dassault Mirage 2000 had not been announced. for the HAL HJT-16 Kiran, with all delivered within the deal throughout Vajras will be established Development of naval the HAL HJT-36 Sitara 120 months. Receipt the following year. The at Bangalore during and two-seat prototypes intermediate jet trainer, of submissions was process is expected to the year. A night-vision continues, as well as the but the aim of initial originally due in October be completed in 2014, goggles-compatible definitive, re-engined Mk operational clearance by 2013, but was extended according to the French cockpit, new navigation, II variant. the end of 2013 appeared twice to March 8, 2014 Defence Minister Jean- electronic warfare and During January the likely to be delayed until because of pressure Yves Le Drian, speaking identification friend or foe aircraft carrier INS 2014 at the earliest, as exerted by the Minister to the media on October systems, Thales RDY-2 Vikramaditya will arrive AIR International went to for Heavy Industries and 9, 2013. Six squadrons multi-mode/multi-layered in Indian waters, five press. Public Enterprises, Praful will be equipped with the radar, and advanced years later than originally The Indian Patel, who objected to fighter at three bases, beyond visible range planned. It departed Government’s desire to the exclusion of PSUs with Ambala AFS in missile capability will be Severodvinsk in Russia expand the country’s from the competition. Western Air Command installed at the facility in on November 26, 2013, private aerospace HAL has offered an the first in 2017. the surviving 38 2000Hs following refurbishment industry and reduce its alternative to a new India has scaled down and nine 2000THs. The and will be based at dependence on HAL is aircraft and on August 15, its purchases of the fifth- first of two prototypes Karwar in Karnataka. Its illustrated by the search 2013 issued a request for 35

information to industry Allegations of bribery in begin delivery of the although the sale was not to examine options to re- the selection process – fi rst of 64 light combat concluded. Other Indian engine 59 HS 748Ms. denied by Finmeccanica, helicopters to the Indian airlines are expected to India has Other transport the parent company Air Force in 2014. During conclude similar deals in programmes will reach of AgustaWestland the year the Indian military 2014, bringing welcome signifi cant milestones – resulted in India will also take delivery of investment and the scaled down its during 2014. Five Boeing suspending deliveries additional HAL Dhruvs opportunity for closer ties C-17A Globemaster in early 2013 after three and the weaponised with foreign airlines and IIIs will all be delivered, of 12 ordered had Rudra variant, as well as exposure to additional purchases of the concluding the original been delivered. The additional Mil Mi-17V-5s, markets. order for ten. Final manufacturer invoked an plus the fi rst of 20 armed The end of operations approval from the arbitration clause in the HAL Cheetaks for India’s by low cost carrier Cabinet Committee on contract on November Army Aviation Corps. Kingfi sher Airlines in fifth-generation Security for six additional 20, 2013, to resolve the October 2012 prompted Lockheed Martin matter and India may Commercial a price war between Jet C-130J-30 Hercules is cancel procurement of Aviation Airways, SpiceJet IndiGo fighter aircraft expected. The transports the helicopters if the The year to come will be and GoAir and the fl ag are expected to form negotiations fail. critical for many Indian carrier, . This a new squadron at The outcome airlines, most of which helped contributed to (FGFA) from Panagarh AFS, West could have wider are operating at a loss. the poor fi nancial results Bengal. A single C-130J repercussions than the Indian airlines operate reported by many of the equipped for weather AW101 programme. fewer than 400 aircraft, companies and came around 250 to reconnaissance is also India has several although the number on top of a decrease sought for the National on-going helicopter of carriers has grown in in air travel caused by Disaster Management procurement projects recent years, a trend that the general economic Authority. During 2014 and AgustaWestland is expected to continue downturn. The only carrier 144. Negotiations the last batch of ten may be barred from in the Asia-Pacifi c to record a solid profi t upgraded Antonov consideration if it is found region, according to the is IndiGo, which since An-32RE Sutlejs are culpable of contravening International Air Transport August 2012 is the largest for research and due to be redelivered Indian procurement Association’s forecast for Indian airline by market from Kiev in the Ukraine legislation. They 2014. Since September share and the second and a further 64 will be include the Naval Utility 2012 the government fastest growing carrier development modernised in India at Helicopter programme for has permitted investment in Asia. Unless Indian Kanpur. 56 aircraft for the Indian in Indian carriers by airlines can improve their One way or Navy. AgustaWestland foreign airlines. India’s profi tability, it is likely some contracts are due another, the future of has proposed the AW189, second largest airline, will suffer the same fate as India’s controversial and has also offered Jet Airways, announced Kingfi sher, which had the AgustaWestland Mk641 the AW109 for a Coast in April last year that second largest share of the VIP helicopter programme Guard requirement for 14 it was prepared to sell domestic market shortly to be completed will be resolved in machines. a 24% stake to Etihad before its demise. the coming months. HAL is expected to Airways of Abu Dhabi, David Willis AW 2014 in 2014

The fi rst modernised Antonov An-32RE for the Indian Air Force, K2670, at Kiev-Gostomel, Ukraine. Oleg Belyakov/AirTeamImages 36 South American Aviation Outlook

outh America’s army also expects to a 12- S economy has receive 20 AB206s from year period. experienced impressive the Italian Carabinieri The current one growth since 2000, but (national military police), scheduled extends until 2025, this is reflected only in exchange for eight to receive during which time partly in the continent’s retired aircraft – three Fiat one of the the Chilean Government aviation’s development. G-222s and five Agusta KC-767s expects to spend While there’s expansion A109As. modified between $7-11 billion in the civil sector, budget Argentina wants new under the KC- has on defence. However, cuts still constrain military supersonic aircraft to X2 programme; taken plans to buy 12 advanced air arms’ modernisation replace the air force’s three examples of the place under a trainers to replace the plans – a duality that will obsolete Mirage III, IAI modernised version of programme known as Chilean Air Force’s continue in 2014. M5 Finger and Mirage 5A the AMX (locally called RECOP (Recuperação da eight CASA/ENAER Mara. But the budgetary A-1M); the first examples Capacidade Operacional, A-36 Halcón II training/ Argentina situation is slowing of the A-Darter air-to-air Operational Capability light were In 2014 Argentina plans the plans. Despite missile (produced in a Recovery). The type will cancelled due to financial to start modernising its negotiations between joint venture between be operated by the army restrictions. air force’s 11 Lockheed Argentina and Spain Mectron and Denel of alongside the Eurocopter These constraints also C-130B/H Hercules; over the latter’s Mirage South Africa); and the EC725 Caracal lay behind the decisions continue producing F1s being transferred Mectron/DCTA MAR-1 (designated locally as the not to buy a batch of the IA-73 UNASUR I, a to South America, anti-radar missile, with HM-4 Jaguar). Brazilian former Royal Netherlands primary/basic turboprop negotiations ended in late its 100km (54nm) range. Naval Aviation’s activities Air Force F-16s offered trainer intended to October 2013 without a The first prototype of in 2014 will continue to Chile or new attack equip many of the air deal being agreed. And, Brazil’s indigenous to focus on ongoing helicopters for the forces of the (Unión de while upgrading the Embraer KC-390 modernisation of the Chilean Army, which had Naciones Suramericanas, IA-63 Pampa advanced transport aircraft is A-4KU (known locally studied acquiring the UNASUR, the Union of jet trainer with a full expected to fly by the as AF-1), the continued Eurocopter Tiger. South American Nations) glass cockpit has been end of 2014. induction of 16 Caracals Likewise, while in the foreseeable announced, there is as Brazil’s Army Aviation and the delivery of there have been future; upgrade two of yet little progress. will have its operational the first two (from an field evaluations with Argentine Army Aviation’s capability enhanced eight-aircraft order) the Embraer EMB- three AS332B Super Brazil greatly in 2014 with the Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk 145AEW&C as Chile Pumas for Antarctic In Brazil, all new military arrival of the first of 32 anti-submarine warfare looks to replace the IAI missions (one’s already aircraft and capabilities modernised Eurocopter helicopters. , the airborne early been modernised); and are managed under SA365K Panther warning and control asset install internal auxiliary individual plans issued by (designated in Brazil as Chile based on the fuel tanks to the army’s each of the armed forces. the HM-1 Pantera). The Chile has strategic that’s served the air force UH-1H Hueys. The In 2014, the air force is HM-1 Pantera’s upgrade defence plans that cover since 1995, no decision 37

Santiago Rivas In 2014, the Brazilian The carriers which the fi rst Latin American dominate the continent’s Boeing 787 operator air travel, Latam, - and it expects more Air Force is TACA and Copa, each Dreamliner deliveries in have a presence in more 2014 (it currently has more S-70i than their home markets. 17 787-8s and 12 787- Blackhawks, having Latam, the merged 9s on order). Avianca taken delivery of two in LAN Chile and TAM will receive a second scheduled to has October 2013. Airlines and now South ATR72-600 in 2014 been taken America’s largest airline, as it continues the about replacing the Peru has a presence not replacement of its Fokker ageing aircraft. In Peru the main only in Chile and Brazil 50s, which started in receive one issue is the on-going (the respective home 2013, and new A320ceos Colombia modernisation of its countries of LAN and and an A330 freighter. The only military air force’s MiG-29s to TAM) but also, through Other large airlines hardware expected to be MiG-29SMT status, the subsidiaries, in Argentina, operating in the region KC-767 tanker delivered to Colombia in contract for which was Peru, Ecuador and are Aerolíneas Argentinas 2014 is of an undisclosed signed in May 2013. Peru Colombia. Avianca- and Gol. Aerolíneas quantity of Elbit Hermes also wants to upgrade TACA, the merged fl ag Argentinas continues with 450 and 900 unmanned its Su-25 Frogfoot fl eet, carriers of Colombia and its modernisation plans, air vehicles. This acquire at least 24 armed El Salvador, dominate with orders for 20 Boeing and three contract also includes transport helicopters their respective home 737-800s, four of which the provision of universal (perhaps the Mil Mi- markets and have have been received, four ground control stations 17) and implement a subsidiaries in Central Airbus A330-223s (two and Elbit’s DCoMPASS modernised air defence American countries delivered) and two A340- A-1Ms, the surveillance payload. system with Italian Spada and Peru, while Copa 313s (already delivered). Colombia also expects 2000 surface-to-air operates in Colombia as The new 737s will replace to launch a military missiles. well as its Panama base. the airline’s 737-500s communications satellite and part of the 737-700 in 2014. Venezuela New Aircraft fl eet, while the A340s are modernised The country has For 2014 Venezuela Many of these carriers will superseding the Boeing requirements for a new plans to acquire eight introduce new aircraft in 747-400 and A340-200. light strike jet to replace Chinese-made Harbin 2014. As part of its LAN In Brazil Gol (which the Colombian Air Force’s Z-9C helicopters for merger TAM will leave the absorbed Varig), with a version of ageing A-37 Dragonfl ies its navy, 18 AS 350B2 Star Alliance in 2014 and fl eet composed entirely and a new fi ghter to Ecureuils and 16 Enstrom join oneworld alongside its of 737-700s and -800s, supersede the current 480B helicopters and nine Chilean partner. TAM will is expecting to receive Kfi r C10/C12 force. In Hongdu K-8W Karakorum also expand its A320 fl eet 35 extra -800s in the the AMX the latter requirement light attack/trainer aircraft. next year (it has 22 on coming years. It’s also there’s interest in the A replacement for the F-16 order, of which eight have ordered 60 737 MAX F-16, which was shown is being analysed, with the been delivered, equipped jets for delivery towards extensively to the country looking at Russian with Sharklet fuel-saving the end of the decade. Colombian Air Force and Chinese options. wingtips) along with six Currently the airline only during 2013. Meanwhile, Boeing 767-300ERs operates domestic and the Columbian Navy Airlines transferred from LAN to regional fl ights, having wants to increase its fl eet Contrasting with replace its A330s. These abandoned its long- of EADS CASA C295 the slow pace of the will be in service until TAM range plans for which it Persuaders for maritime military forces’ evolution, receives its new A350s used a fl eet of Boeing patrol duties and the South American airlines later in the decade. 767s. Sérgio Santana country’s army wants continue to grow quickly. In 2012 LAN became and Santiago Rivas AW 2014 38 Turkish Aviation Outlook

he Turkish aerospace industry contractors. Mi-17 helicopter that the THK has nearly 50 altitude long-endurance T industry had a busy Turkey claims intruded F-4E2020 Terminator unmanned aircraft for the year in 2013. A number of Force Report its airspace. In the last aircraft. Turkish Armed Forces ambitious projects passed Due to the deteriorating quarter of the year the The combat fl eet is is one of the most vivid important milestones, situation in nearby Syria, THK undertook more now being equipped with symbols of the Turkish while several others the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri combat air patrols in indigenous precision defence industry’s experienced major delays (Turkish Air Force, THK) the border region, with weapon systems, most ambitions. During 2013 and glitches, a side effect was on a high level of its aircraft occasionally notably the SOM stand- initial military acceptance of the infancy of the alert throughout the year. intercepting Syrian Sukhoi off cruise missile and the tests were completed country’s industry. The Force Su-24 Fencers and Mil HGK (Hassas Güdüm Kiti) on the Anka, leading in Türk Havacılık ve has been increasingly Mi-17s. GPS/inertial navigation- October to an order for Uzay Sanayii (Turkish active in reconnaissance, With the deliveries of guided bomb, both ten series-production Aerospace Industries) is surveillance and close 30 F-16C/D Block 50+ developed by TÜBiTAK. examples of the type, the main contractor in air support operations aircraft complete, the Flight tests of the which will be designated the majority of Turkey’s near its border with THK is now equipped ASELPOD targeting and Gözcü 2 when it enters military aerospace Turkey. This has further with 240 F-16s. More navigation pod developed THK service. procurement projects. raised tensions, which than 170 of the Block by ASELSAN have begun Production will TAI is preparing to be escalated in June 2012 40 and Block 50 aircraft on an F-4E2020. Serial commence in the fi rst listed on the Turkish when Turkey claimed already in service have production of both quarter of 2014. TAI is stock exchange, Borsa one of its McDonnell received extensive SOM and ASELPOD is also expected to start Istanbul, an important Douglas RF-4E/TM avionics upgrades, in the expected to start in 2014. designing different step in making the TAI Isik reconnaissance Peace Onyx III project, to versions of the Anka, a global player in the jets was shot down by bring them to the same Anka equipped with synthetic aerospace market after Syrian air defences. In Block 50+ standard as The $96.5 million project aperture radar, electronic being named among September 2013 a THK the newer machines. to develop the Anka and signals intelligence the top 100 defence F-16 shot down a Syrian Alongside the F-16s (Phoenix) medium- sensors and CiRiT laser- 39

guided rockets. The company is also pitching the Anka to international markets, with hopes that Saudi Arabia will become the fi rst export customer. Hürkus Another important development project is the Hürkus¸ (Free Bird) turboprop trainer, which back in 2002 and TAI has completed model to be undertaken made its maiden fl ight in deliveries were planned the conceptual design by TAI in Turkey. August. TAI is working to be completed in 2008. phase of TFX, Turkey’s The newspaper on three versions: Hürkus¸ Delays prompted a revised indigenous fi ghter aircraft quoted Babacan as A, the basic prototype delivery schedule and the which will complement saying: “Instead of certifi ed to civilian commissioning of the fi rst the THK’s future developing [a new jet standards; the Hürkus¸ B THK Peace Eagle in late Lockheed Martin F-35A from scratch], we have military trainer, and the 2013, but that has now fl eet and replace earlier decided to produce TAI has armed Hürkus¸ C version slipped into 2014. blocks of the F-16. In advanced technology in designed for counter Another project 2014 it’s likely that the Turkey after [undertaking] insurgency and close air suffering delays is the aircraft’s confi guration an international search completed the support. three-phase Meltem will be selected from the for a platform already in TAI has recently started maritime surveillance and three designs developed use. Local production contract negotiations patrol aircraft programme so far (a single-engine is a priority for us.” conceptual with the Turkish for the Turkish Navy (Türk variant with canards, TAI has previously Undersecretariat for Deniz Kuvvetleri, TDzK) a conventional single- discussed deals on joint Defence Industries for the and Coast Guard (Sahil engine version and a production in Turkey with design phase production of 15 Hürkus¸ Güvenlik Komutanlıgı, twin-engine version) Bombardier and Embraer. Bs for the THK. It’s SGK). Meltem 1 covered and preliminary design Turkey plans to produce hoped these negotiations the procurement of six studies will be started. an indigenous regional of TFX, Turkey’s will be concluded in 2014 CASA/TAI CN235M-100s TAI exhibited the design jet with 60-120 seats by and a contract signed. for the TDzK and three alternatives for the TFX at 2023 to coincide with the The coming year will also for the SGK. Meltem 2 the IDEF exhibition. The centenary of the founding indigenous see the maiden fl ight of was the procurement of target is to fl y TFX in the of the Turkish Republic. the second test example the Thales AMASCOS early 2020s. of the Hürkus¸ A. mission system and Looking Ahead its integration into the Civilian Turkey’s aerospace fighter aircraft, T129 aircraft. Finally, Meltem Developments industry has been The ATAK T129 attack 3 was the acquisition of Turkey’s desire to operating at an increased helicopter, being co- ten ATR-72-600s (to be be a major air travel tempo since the early and in 2014 developed by TAI designated ATR-72TMPA, centre was underlined 2000s. The growth and AgustaWestland, or Turkish Maritime in 2013 when tenders has been supported experienced considerable Patrol Aircraft) and their were issued for the by the economic it’s likely that delays during 2013. The installation with the construction of a new performance and the delivery of the fi rst batch AMASCOS system. international airport in size of requirements of of nine helicopters, Integrating the Istanbul, the third one both civilian and military the aircraft’s designated T129A, was AMASCOC into the after the existing Atatürk markets, but the process is postponed to 2014. CN235M-100 took and Sabiha Gökçen hubs. not without problems, as Murad Bayar, head of longer than planned, The contract was signed evidenced by the schedule configuration Turkey’s Undersecretariat with the fi rst example in May and construction overruns on some projects. for Defence Industries only entering service work has started, with However, the industry (SSM), told IHS Jane’s with the TDzK in January the opening scheduled and government that this was due to 2013. And integrating for 2016. Consistent seem to be focused will be selected unsatisfactory performance the system into the with the plans to grow air on sustainability and results in acceptance ATRs has also proved travel in the country, fl ag industrialisation in tests. A total of 60 T129s troublesome, which led to carrier is the next decade. from the three will be delivered under the Meltem 3 contract’s expanding its fl eet. In July Starting in 2014, more a revised schedule. The revision. During the it exercised an option for investment will be made T129 in 2013 meanwhile IDEF defence exhibition fi ve -300ERs, in infrastructure and lost out to the Boeing in Istanbul in May 2013, increasing the order for supporting small- to designs AH-64E Guardian in its it was announced the type to 20 and its total medium-sized businesses fi rst export bid, namely for that Turkey’s order for fl eet size to 214. in the supply chain of the South Korea’s new attack ten ATR-72TMPAs During 2014 there major contractors such helicopter contract. TAI’s downsized to eight. It are expected to be as TAI, and logistics, developed ATAK marketing activities was decided that the further developments maintenance and repair are now focused on fi rst two aircraft should in the Turkish Ministry operations in both civilian Jordan, Azerbaijan and instead be converted of Transportation’s aim and military markets. Pakistan. to cargo confi guration to develop passenger To support the growth so far without any specifi c airliner manufacturing plans, it’s expected that Peace Eagle maritime surveillance capabilities in Turkey. more emphasis will be Turkey’s most-delayed and patrol equipment. The Zaman newspaper in placed on exports of new equipment project These two machines October 2013 quoted Ali indigenous products. is the Peace Eagle are now designated as Babacan, deputy prime With its Anka, Hürkus¸ Top: A TAI Anka unmanned airborne early warning ATR-72TMUAs (Turkish minister and responsible and T129, TAI is likely air vehicle in fl ight. Five and control aircraft for Maritime Utility Aircraft) for the economy, as be particularly active in prototypes have been built the THK, developed by and the fi rst was delivered saying the country soon the international market so far. Turkish Aerospace Boeing and fi tted with the in July 2013. Integration hopes to conclude because of the advantage Industries multi-mode electronically work for the ATR-72TMPA an agreement with an of using Western Opposite: The Hürkus¸ scanned array (MESA) will begin in 2014. original equipment technology and quality turboprop trainer prototype TC-VCH seen landing after radar system. Turkey manufacturer (OEM) for combined with the lower its maiden fl ight on August and Boeing signed the TFX Fighter licence production or co- costs of production 29, 2013. Turkish Aerospace $1.5 billion contract Working with Saab, production of an existing in Turkey. AW 2014 Industries 40 US Military Aviation Outlook

or US military aviation, level at which pilots could orders will be cancelled or effectively bet the future force. Improved Raytheon F2014 is a wild card. maintain basic proficiency. delayed. Aircraft orders of its fighter force on the AIM-120D AMRAAMs The standoff in Congress Services cancelled or will be pared. Some units F-35A and cost estimates (advanced medium range over fiscal and defence delayed deployments and will be cut. Readiness for the LRS-B may be air-to-air missiles) will policy and the year’s exercises. Overhauls of in every respect will face wildly optimistic – even by also be delivered, with budget has created a ships, aircraft and engines challenges. Pentagon standards. All 199 also going to the air great uncertainty for were delayed or cancelled. these issues will have to force. Next year will also operations, maintenance, The services, able to Air Force be addressed in 2014. see initial research and acquisition, research and shift funds from the The US Air Force The air force had development investments development, test and 2012 continuing budget is prioritising three intended to procure 201 on the F-X, concepts for evaluation. resolution to the 2013 programmes it sees as F-35As in the five fiscal sixth generation fighters The US military budget, mitigated some investments for the future years starting in 2014, that would enter service in weathered the first year sequestration effects, but viability of US airpower: but it is likely that 24 the 2030s. of budget sequestration no such cushion will be the Boeing KC-46A tanker, aircraft will be moved to For the remainder in fiscal year (FY) 2013. available in 2014, hence the Lockheed Martin the ‘outyears’. To afford of the combat aircraft Mandated by the Budget the greater anxiety among F-35A Joint Strike Fighter the F-35A, the air force is force, the coming year Control Act of 2011, the service chiefs over the (JSF) and the Long Range cutting back on upgrades is expected to bring sequestration removed year’s budget. Strike-Bomber (LRS-B). to other fighters, which cuts in force structure, $487 billion from the The 2014 budget The KC-46A will make its will largely be limited readiness, and funding. budget over ten years plus sequestration will kick first flight this year, while to approximately 300 Last year’s cut of four another $500 billion over in and reap another $25 many F-35As are flying, Lockheed Martin F-16C combat-coded squadrons ten years if Congress and billion from the defence training instructors and and F-16D Block 40, is likely to be exceeded by President Barack Obama budget by mid-January, continuing development Block 50 and Block 52 ‘vertical cuts’, removing could not agree on deficit unless it is stopped or testing. The LRS-B has fighters starting in 2017. entire aircraft types from reduction. modified by Congress. not been down-selected Overall air force (and service, which are being Sequestration hurt US The sequestration between competing navy) air-to-air capability considered. Among the airpower. The air force cut cuts equally across all designs. will be boosted by the most probable targets flying hours by 15% and programmes unless All three programmes Raytheon AIM-9X Block II are the Fairchild A-10C the navy had to reduce modified by approval of have risks. The KC-46A missile, entering full rate Warthog and Beechcraft flying hours to “tactical re-programming requests has experienced past cost production (FRP) in 2014, MC-12W Liberty. hard deck”, the minimum by the services. Ship increases; the air force has with 225 going to the air Because many of these US Military Aviation Outlook 41 Sequestration hurt US airpower. The air force cut flying hours by 15% and the navy had to reduce flying hours to “tactical hard deck”, the minimum level at which pilots could maintain basic proficiency.

aircraft are operated (or team – or extend the life cut’. The air force is also 135R tankers during the An A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts will be operated) by the air of current equipment. The considering the Block year. The Boeing E-3G close-air support training on the Barry Goldwater range near Davis-Monthan national guard, with strong multi-service Multi-Year 40 version of the Global Block 40/45 AWACS Air Force Base, Arizona. The A-10C, political allies in Congress Procurement (MYP) for Hawk as a potential cut; (airborne warning and this aircraft is assigned to the 188th and among grass roots Lockheed Martin C-130J neither version will be control system) upgrade Fighter Wing, Arkansas Air National America, these cuts are Hercules-series aircraft, part of the year’s budget programme will continue, Guard based at Ebbing Air National going to be politically projected to yield 9.5% request for new-build but lack of funding is Guard Base, is one of the types that could face the ‘vertical cut’ amid budget costly, but may prove to savings in procurement aircraft. The air force preventing the air force constraints. US Air Force be inevitable. costs, is also a probable may bring one of its from modernising or If 2014’s funding postponement casualty of ‘black world’ classifi ed- replacing its Boeing E-8C is provided through a continuing resolution. programme high-altitude Joint STARS (Surveillance continuing resolution, Air force unmanned low-observable UAVs into and Target Acquisition rather than – as is required air vehicles (UAVs) the ‘purple world’ in the Radar System) aircraft. by law – Congressional are transitioning from coming year. Air Force Special passage of authorisation achieving the May 2014 The air force will Operations Command will and appropriation bills, goal of building a 65-CAP maintain 301 strategic complete replacement this will impact a number (24-hour combat air patrol) airlift aircraft (following of its older Lockheed of programmes through force structure (marked the retirement of AC-130H gunships with freezing spending at by the procurement of six Lockheed C-5A new AC-130Js. The air prior-year levels. The 12 General Atomics Galaxy jets in 2013) force also added funding largest is the Combat MQ-9 Reapers in 2014) and 358 intra-theatre to buy four additional Rescue Helicopter (CRH), to a smaller force able aircraft transports – a Lockheed Martin MC- a replacement for the to survive more lethal Congressionally imposed 130J Commando II aircraft current Sikorsky HH-60G threats likely in the level – now that all the and begin upgrades of Pave Hawks. Without Western Pacifi c. The Alenia C-27J Spartans are the MC-130W Combat funding and Congressional Northrop Grumman RQ- gone from air force and Spear fl eet. The fi nal action, the air force can 4A Global Hawk Block air national guard service. tiltrotor Boeing-Bell CV-22 procure neither CRH – 30 is expected to remain Deliveries of upgraded Ospreys will be procured likely to be an upgraded in service despite the C-5Ms will continue in FY2014 and delivered in Pave Hawk offered by a air force’s 2012 goal to and the air force plans 2016, bringing the US Air Sikorsky–Lockheed Martin make it the fi rst ‘vertical to retire 16 Boeing KC- Force strength up to 51. changes in equipment or VAQ squadrons, VAQ-143 composition. and VAQ-144, in 2015 and The F/A-18E/F Super 2016, respectively. Hornet will increasingly The E-2D Advanced dominate the composition Hawkeye will begin service of the carrier air wing. in 2014 in an operational From an original goal of fleet squadron, Carrier one F/A-18E and one Airborne Early Warning F/A-18F squadron per Squadron 121 (VAW-121) wing, for a total of 20 ‘Bluetails’, on track to Super Hornet squadrons, reach initial operational the navy now has 34 capability in 2015. squadrons and will Transitions of SH-60B and convert at least two more SH-60F squadrons to the F/A-18C units to the MH-60R and MH-60S, newer types in 2014. This respectively, will continue. development is a result Transitions of P-3C of delays in the F-35C Orion squadrons to Lightning II programme the P-8A Poseidon will and the numbers of F/A- resume in late 2014 after a Naval Aviation of the aircraft carrier USS Lightning II and the 18C Hornets approaching hiatus to allow production The US Navy will face Abraham Lincoln and MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor their fatigue-life maximum. to catch up to meet the a significant drop extend its life to 50 years. transport. The F-35C will continue requirement. Three patrol in readiness if the The previous RCOH The budget situation for testing throughout the squadrons – VP-16, VP-5, sequestration goes ahead recipient, USS Theodore naval aircraft is also in flux. year, highlighted by and VP-45 – completed unmodified. The Chief of Roosevelt, was able to Greenert said the navy carrier landing trials. The transition in 2013, and the Naval Operations, Admiral re-join the fleet in 2013. could lose 25 aircraft from F-35C has been delivered next three units will also Jonathan Greenert, However, continued the 2014 procurement to the fleet readiness follow at Naval Air Station has declared that if sequestration could plan if sequestration squadron, Strike Fighter Jacksonville, Florida. sequestration continues threaten the RCOH of the continues. The assistant Squadron 101 (VFA-101) The navy will send in 2014 the navy will be next carrier, USS George commandant of the ‘Grim Reapers’, at Eglin the MQ-8B Fire Scout able to have just one Washington. Greenert has marine corps, Gen John Air Force Base, Florida. vertical takeoff unmanned carrier strike group and said that sequestration Paxton, said the service VFA-101 will continue aerial vehicle on a littoral one amphibious ready for the full 10 years could will look at de-activating to train instructors as it combat ship for an group available for surge, force the navy to reduce some squadrons if prepares for its first class extended deployment rather than the normal its carriers from 11 to sequestration forces of students. for the first time in mid- three of each. Five carrier eight or nine hulls. it to reduce its level of The EA-18G Growler 2014. The navy also will air wings – a total of 40 The news is not all bad. ground troops to 174,000 electronic attack aircraft stand-up its first Triton squadrons – would have The first of a new class from the requirement of will continue to replace unit, Unmanned Patrol to reduce their flying of amphibious assault 186,800. the EA-6B Prowler in navy Squadron 19 (VUP-19) at hours to “tactical hard ship, America (LHA 6), The navy’s ten carrier air electronic attack (VAQ) NAS Jacksonville, late in deck.” Delivery of the will be commissioned in wings will see constraints squadrons, with two more the year, while the MQ- first of a new class of 2014. The first two ships in flight hours but will units scheduled to convert 4C Triton goes through aircraft carrier, Gerald of the class will not have continue to support in 2014. The navy has testing at NAS Patuxent R. Ford (CVN 78), could well decks but will be close air support and requested the authority River, Maryland. be delayed beyond its optimised for aviation, C4ISR in Afghanistan. in its budget to establish The marine corps’ currently scheduled time especially for the F-35B There will be no major two more expeditionary F-35B training unit, frame in 2016. The navy was able to shift funding to avoid delay of the refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH) Marine Fighter Attack time of going to press, despite these cuts the Training Squadron 501 no progress for the Coast army’s budget for 2014 (VMFAT-501) ‘Warlords’, Guard had been made. has largely protected will re-locate from Eglin The Coast Guard will helicopter funding to Air Force Base to Marine complete the modifi cation keep programmes alive Corps Air Station (MCAS) of the last three MH- while investing in future Beaufort, South Carolina 60 Jayhawk rescue technology. in January 2014. The helicopters to the MH-60T The likely negative fi rst operational F-35B confi guration, bringing the decision on the AAS squadron, Marine Fighter number of MH-60Ts to 42. helicopter programme Attack Squadron 121 Conversion of MH-65Cs to means the army will (VMFA-121) ‘Green MH-65Ds will continue as upgrade its current Knights’, will continue the service develops the force of Bell OH-58D training from its base at next version, the MH-65E. Kiowa Warriors to OH- MCAS Yuma, Arizona. The last three HU-25 58F standard instead of The marine corps will Guardian maritime patrol procuring a new scout continue to transition CH- jets in service, all HU-25D helicopter. Under current 46E Sea Knight squadrons models, based at Coast planning, the 2014 buy of to the MV-22B Osprey in Guard Air Station Corpus ten EADS North America 2014, and will continue Christi, Texas, will be UH-72 Lakotas, for utility fi elding of the AH-1Z Viper retired in 2014 – fi nishing and training missions, UAVs will be shown Above: An aviation boatswain’s mate to replace the AH-1W a 30-year career for will be the last, ending by procurement of 15 signal for forward movement of an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to Air Super Cobra gunship. the type. In August the that programme at 345 General Atomics MQ-1C Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) The Coast Guard service will take delivery helicopters. The army Gray Eagles and three ‘Pioneers’, on the TC-7 catapult at NAS budget submission of the fi rst Sikorsky will continue to fi eld the modular platoon sets of Patuxent River, Maryland. The E-2D will stunned observers (formerly Schweizer) Boeing AH-64E Guardian equipment. begin service in 2014 with Carrier Airborne because it did not RU-38B maritime covert attack helicopter, with Among army fi xed- Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) ‘Bluetails’ based at Naval Station Norfolk, request any new aircraft surveillance aircraft, which 42 AH-64Ds being wing aircraft, the Virginia. Mass Communication Specialist procurement. The aircraft then will go through an remanufactured as AH- Beechcraft-Boeing RC- 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/US Navy most affected is the EADS operational evaluation. 64Es in 2014. Sikorsky 12S Enhanced Medium Opposite top: Conversion of US Coast HC-144A Ocean Sentry, UH-60M and HH-60M Altitude Reconnaissance Guard MH-65Cs to MH-65Ds will continue 18 of which have been Army Blackhawk modernisation and Surveillance as the service develops the next version, ordered of 36 planned Army aviation will reduce (65 helicopters) will System (EMARSS) the MH-65E. Scott Dworkin (15 had been delivered its extensive commitments continue, as will Boeing will enter service by 2013, with three more in Afghanistan. It will have CH-47F Chinook with four engineering scheduled for 2014). The to reset its forces at the MYP (28 helicopters, and manufacturing congressional committees same time as absorbing of which six are new development aircraft plan to add funding for large-scale budget builds, the remainder in 2014. It remains future aircraft procurement cuts. General Raymond remanufactured). uncertain how many will but no decisions had Odierno, the army chief As with the other be built. The army is been reached by early of staff, said: “In our services, the army planning to supplement December 2013. aviation programme, we is planning to invest the EMARSS with 14 The Commandant cannot afford to procure in developing future operational Beechcraft of the Coast Guard, a new Armed Aerial capabilities, in the RC-12X Guardrails and Admiral Robert Papp Jr, Scout (AAS) programme form of the Joint Multi- upgraded De Havilland has expressed interest and we will be forced to Role (JMR) rotorcraft Canada EO-5C Airbome in acquiring 21 C-27J reduce the production technology demonstration Reconnaissance Below: The US Army is planning to transports discarded and modernisation of programme, with new Low multi-spectral supplement the Beechcraft-Boeing by the air force to avoid 25 helicopters. We multi-rotor helicopter intelligence, surveillance RC-12S Enhanced Medium Altitude funding the remaining will reduce system and tiltrotor types being and reconnaissance Reconnaissance and Surveillance System with 14 operational Beechcraft RC-12X 18 yet-to-be ordered upgrades for unmanned designed. The increased aircraft. Rick Burgess Guardrails shown here. HC-144As. But, at the aerial vehicles.” Yet importance of army and David Isby AW 2014 Kevin Boydston/AirTeamImages 44 From EADS to Airbus

uring an interview grow our commercial and Current Business largest Australian defence October 14. D with the author defence business, so we The EADS group grew group in 2012, thanks to “The A350 is a bit EADS chief Tom Enders have decided to use the 30% in revenue and Australian Aerospace, behind the Boeing 787 provided an overview of Airbus brand across the 40% in order backlog and the largest helicopter in terms of schedule and the group’s activities in entire group,” Enders said. between 2008 and 2012. supplier to the ADF,” I’m very happy that it is,” the Asia-Pacific region “EADS was always a little According to Tom Enders said Tom Enders. “In the he said. “Because it has and gave an update on bit unwieldy and had a the current back log, commercial world over allowed us to pick up on several programmes and political connotation, being largely due to the Airbus 70% of the commercial some of the problems competitions, from A350 European and Aerospace commercial range, is turbine helicopter market our competitor had. It’s flight test progress to the Defence. To add insult between 5,200 and 5,300 is covered by us and we a great aeroplane and fighter competition in to injury the Americans aircraft and valued at over are almost on-par with we’ve been on schedule South Korea. always pronounce it €500 billion. the market leader, Bell for more than a year, and From January 1, 2014, ‘EEDS’ which sounds like a “Airbus has done quite Helicopters. We have that means something EADS will be known serious disease! well in the last ten years,” around 41% of the market in the advanced phase as the Airbus Group “The review has said the EADS chief. “ In and Bell has 46%. We are of the programme. We following a strategic also concluded that 2000 we had roughly 30% servicing more than 500 have done more than 300 review of the business we should give up of the overall in-service helicopters throughout hours in a very short time in the middle of the the notion of having a fleet of aircraft greater than Australia, New Zealand with one aircraft. year. This will result in balance between defence one hundred seats and and the South Pacific. “Eventually there will Eurocopter changing and commercial. We we’re now around 40%. “So we are looking be five aircraft [in the its name to Airbus thought it was becoming “If we look at numbers at a picture of really test fleet] and we’re on Helicopters, and Astrium, unrealistic, particularly in service and the order dynamic growth in track for certification and Cassidian and Airbus because defence, at back log we’re looking at Australia. In 2000 we delivery of the first aircraft Military being grouped least in Europe and North 47% for Airbus and 53% had 45 employees. As at the end of 2014.” together as Airbus America, is shrinking. for Boeing, so we are of 2013 there are more Enders cautioned Defence and Space. So it’s a good thing to catching up slowly but than 1,300, and revenue against over-optimism, have roughly 80% of your steadily.” of around 700 million though, pointing to the What’s in a Name? revenue coming from In Australia the group Australian dollars. In problems encountered According to Enders, commercial and 20% is the second largest addition, we estimate that by the A380 during its the strategic review from defence. supplier of aircraft to we have created another development in the middle concluded that the “That does not mean the Australian Defence 2,500 indirect jobs.” part of the decade. existing EADS name did that we will shed defence. Force, largely through “The A350 looks not accurately reflect The consolidated defence the Tiger and MRH 90 A350 Flight Test good, but as everybody the business done by its and space business is helicopter programmes Enders also used the knows in the business constituent companies, not small, it is the largest of Eurocopter subsidiary opportunity to update of developing systems, whereas the Airbus defence business in Australian Aerospace, the media on the A350 be it aircraft or engines brand was well known Europe. However, it and Airbus military with flight test programme, or both, you should not throughout the world. makes no sense to split the KC-30A Multi-Role speaking only hours assume too early that you “We’re here to stay commercial from military Tanker Transport (MRTT). before the maiden flight are over the hill. There’s and we want to further helicopters.” “We were the third- of the second aircraft on always the unexpected 45

“The A380 has a great deal of development potential and sales success, driven in part by global aviation trends towards larger that can hit you and as “Of course you have The low cost airlines have Eurocopter and Korean aircraft as air traffic someone who waded to be able to fi ll it. If a huge part in that, more Aerospace Industries through the A380 crisis you fl y an A380 with and more in Europe but on the KUH-1 Surion congestion worsens. in 2005, 2006 and 2007, a 50% load factor you also in Asia, and recently twin–engine utility I’m always very cautious. have a problem, that’s also in Australia.” helicopter as an example I strongly believe that it But one thing is clear clear,” he detailed. “So The recent Japan Air of partnerships with local from the fl ight test results you have to fl y with a Lines’ order for 31 A350s industries. EADS has will be a great instrument, so far, it’s going to be strong load factor and is seen by Enders as an offered to help develop a great aircraft and our at a high frequency rate important breakthrough a Korean indigenous particularly for airlines on customers will love it.” and then it’s a wonderful into a market which fi ghter aircraft, if Typhoon machine. But it is just the has so far been diffi cult is successful in the re- long distance, and hub to A380 Super Jumbo fi rst version, so there is for the European plane run of the F-X III fi ghter Following a very quiet potential to do structural maker to penetrate. competition originally hub routes.” period for A380 sales, things with it, engine “Japan has been one won by the Boeing Emirates’ order for a options, etc.” of the few large markets F-15SE Silent Eagle. EADS chief Tom Enders further 50 super jumbos where we have a very “I believe the announced at the Dubai The Future limited market share. We competition is still running, air show on November The EADS chief estimates have sold some single but they have taken a 17 confi rmed what a market for more than aisle aircraft to low break in the bidding Enders told the author 30,000 new airliners cost airlines but we’ve process and as part of our in October: “The aircraft worth more than four never had an order from offer of Typhoon we have has a great deal of trillion US dollars over JAL. It’s one of two also offered to help them development potential the next 20 years, 60% fl ag carriers, which is develop a new fi ghter and sales success, of which will be single important, and it’s also aircraft they plan to build,” driven in part by global aisle aircraft. Much of the the largest order for the he said. aviation trends towards growth will be driven by A350 so far in 2013,” he Finally Enders warned larger aircraft as air traffi c low cost carriers in the enthused. “So that is that governments should congestion worsens. I Asia-Pacifi c region. a breakthrough into the not place burdens on strongly believe that it will “We have more than wide-body Japanese fl ag the airline industry. “The be a great instrument, 2,400 orders for our carrier market and we industry is a very strong particularly for airlines on A320neo now and it is hope that other players factor in creating growth long distance, and hub to very much sought after, will then see that it’s in our countries but if you EADS chief Tom Enders spoke with author hub routes.” particularly in South East worthwhile to entertain milk the cow too much – during a recent visit to Enders said Airbus was Asia. If you look at the new competition and to and this has never been Australia. EADS currently studying options orders with a broad brush, look seriously at Airbus a very fat cow in the fi rst Main: Emirates’ for further development of 60% are for growth and products in the future.” place – then obviously you November 17 order for the A380, but described the 40% are for replacement,” From a military can easily kill the industry 50 additional A380s was a massive boost A380-800 as a ‘tremendous he explained. standpoint, Enders points or make it uncompetit ive,” for the super jumbo’s money-making machine’ “So it’s predominantly to the co-operative he concluded. order book. Tom Kool/ for airlines. generated by growth. development between Nigel Pittaway AW 2014 AirTeamImages 46 Issues of UK Air Transport

ho’d have thought Britain’s need for hub environmental and reporter. Airport – and six-runways. W it? At the back airport capacity had connectivity terms” is Clearly this suggests Promoters claim it could end of 2010 the Con-Lib barely started. Its interim unlikely to appease those that airport development be built within seven Dem government was report, never mind a who oppose expansion. is likely to rise up years of getting the go- six months into its job final one, seemed a long Zac Goldsmith, MP for the political agenda ahead. of pulling Britain out of way off. But such is the Richmond Park and in 2014 once more. A parallel issue recession on the basis progress the commission co-author of a report Speculation about the is regional air links of a coalition agreement appears to be making the which helped change Airport Commission’s with London. As the that brought little cheer to grimaces are turning to Conservative policy final report, due after the economy looks set to the nation’s air transport smiles. and overturn decades 2015 General Election, improve during 2014 industry. There may still be of support for air is likely to become even further arguments for Three years on things sceptics who believe transport development, is more intense during the the restoration of links have changed and here’s the commission is vehemently opposed to year. Indeed, with Davies lost because of the Darren Caplan, chief just a device to dig Heathrow expansion. thought to be keen to pressure on London’s executive of the Airport David Cameron and Goldsmith believes the deliver the report sooner runways may also be Operators Association, his Conservatives out arrival of new long-range rather than later, pre- expected. Laurie Price, with the ‘o’ word: “The of a tricky political twin-engined airliners publication leaks cannot consultant and adviser UK aviation sector is in hole following their overturns the case for be ruled out. Some to the All-Party Aviation a better position than it rejection of major airport “mega-hub” airports. He observers are wondering Group, argues that over was three years ago when development. However, says government figures why, if Davies has already the last 30 years services the government came there were sighs of relief showing that in 2014 reached a conclusion, between Heathrow and to power. “Despite the when Davies lifted the 12,000 next-generation it’s necessary to wait for 20 UK points have been challenges ahead senior veil on the commission’s Boeing and Airbus aircraft another 18 months. lost and frequency and aviation players are more thinking. Its provisional will be using London’s It’s a pronouncement competition on others optimistic about the conclusion, he said in airports, rising to 105,000 that seems not to have reduced. Only seven future.” October, was that “we in 2024. “This signals a reduced the flow of ideas regional links remain. Even the previously will need some additional dramatic technological about future airports. In “The situation is dire,” dour Willie Walsh has net runway capacity in shift that moves us away November, a scheme Price notes. cause to smile. The chief the south east of England from the traditional hub called Heathrow Hub was Fresh concerns have executive of International in the coming decades.” and spoke model, and the subject of a series of surfaced with ’s Airlines Group admits: Failure to provide it, he towards one where air full-page advertisements announcement that it “Aviation policy is better added, would “produce travel, even over very long in major national is to axe 500 jobs. The today than it was three a distinctly sub-optimal distances, is primarily newspapers. The idea, regional carrier had years ago.” solution for passengers, non-stop. It absolutely being fronted by former already made public the connectivity and the blows apart the case Concorde pilot Capt sale of its Channel Islands Davies economy.” for a mega hub, and Jock Lowe, calls for the slots from Gatwick Commission But Davies’ assertion strengthens the case runways to be doubled airport. As a result The source of this that this new capacity for a constellation of in length to increase easyJet will increase its optimism is the Airports will need to be provided competing airports each capacity. And the services to Jersey from Commission. A year alongside “an overall with improved transport Thames estuary proposal, summer 2014. ago the body, under framework for managing links connecting them supported by London’s Air passenger duty Sir Howard Davies, emissions growth if to central London,” Mayor Boris Johnson, (APD) has been a appointed by the we are to deliver the Goldsmith told a Your has moved up a gear with contentious issue since it

Keith Bincow/AirTeamImages government to investigate best outcomes in both Local Guardian website a new name – Britannia was introduced and rate 47

increases by successive its ETS. committee to recommend partners governments have Instead, ICAO ways of revitalising the and could raised the temperature members have agreed sector by stripping away also become closer in “We will further. Senior industry a global market-based unnecessary bureaucracy. 2014. From the start fi gures have criticised mechanism to reduce The industry regulator, the of the summer season The Treasury’s approach aviation emissions to Civil Aviation Authority, has Delta passengers will join to APD and may be take effect in 2020. The already set up a new unit their Virgin counterparts need some expected to continue resolution calls for it to dedicated to proportionate in Heathrow Terminal lobbying the government be developed in time regulation of the sector 3’s Clubhouse. Delta’s on the grounds that the for the next assembly in and now the Challenge Seattle, New York and tax is handing overseas 2016. The message is Panel is expected to Boston services will additional competitors, like the clear: there can be no produce an interim report move to the airport’s Netherlands and Eire, a further delay in efforts in January 2014, with Central Area. The airlines big advantage. to halt, or even reverse, a fi nal version in April. say that by combining net runway APD was introduced the effects of man- Expect fi reworks. As their slots they can originally to help offset made climate change. Price says: “I’m not afraid maximise customer aviation’s impact on But it’s clear there’s no to tread on toes.” He convenience, particularly the environment but unanimity on the issue adds: “Maybe, we could for business travellers. capacity in the industry argues that so further debate can be do something really quite Some observers, this should be done on expected during 2014 good for the air transport however, point to the fact an international basis. as ICAO member states industry and, hopefully, for that the EU-US Open In 2012 the European come to grips with this the UK economy.” Skies arrangements, the south east Union announced it was contentious issue. In the US a key issue started in 2008, left some stopping the clock Meanwhile, as growth is the proposed merger unfi nished business. on its controversial returns air transport of American Airlines They point to the decision to include will re-discover its and US Air to create the imbalance in ownership of England in inter-continental need for personnel, world’s biggest airline. rules which allow Delta, fl ights in its Emissions particularly pilots and Regulatory approval could for example, to own Trading Scheme engineers. The industry make 2014 an important 49% of Virgin but which (ETS). It hoped this will probably require year for the carriers restrict a foreign company the coming would demonstrate 500,000 pilots worldwide. involved. In August the to control 25% of a US a commitment to a The general aviation US Justice Department airline. They suggest multilateral process sector is recognised as initiated a law suit to stop there’s latitude for further decades,” Sir overseen by the the provider of this vital the £6.9 billion merger on negotiation except that International Civil human seed corn and the grounds that it would what the US airlines Aviation Organisation it’s hoped that the UK reduce competition. most want is increased (ICAO). But, in a could become a centre But Attorney General access to Heathrow. So Howard Davies, series of heated of excellence for fl ying Eric Holder says that whatever happens in debates at its general and engineering training. what’s now been agreed 2014, it seems unlikely assembly in October, But, warns Laurie Price, would ensure more they’ll achieve this, the United Nations “only if we create the right competition on non-stop no matter what the Chair - Airports body has rejected the environment”. and connecting routes Airports Commission EU’s right to continue Price, a private pilot, has throughout the US. recommends – or when. charging airlines under been appointed to chair a And transatlantic Bruce Hales-Dutton AW 2014 Commission 48 The World Airline Industry in 2014

n the heels of quite a confidence should cartel, which is keeping leading developed Additionally, 2014 should O good year, the airline translate to an overall prices artificially high by nations have recovered outdo 2013 for cargo industry is likely to have an global increase in gross controlling its supply. strongly and are showing growth, according to even better one in 2014. domestic product of 2.7% Overall, IATA forecasts encouraging growth IATA, which is forecasting That is the opinion of the in 2014 – “which has a that the world’s airlines (particularly the massive an overall growth rate International Air Transport direct impact on airline will produce 5.8% US economy), this is of 3.8% in cargo TKPs Association (IATA), the profitability”. passenger traffic growth being offset in part by a for the year. Its 2013 trade association which Additionally, a forecast – in terms of tonne- slowdown in growth in and 2014 TKP forecast represents most of the slight drop in oil prices kilometres performed the economies of some figures for cargo carried world’s major airlines. in 2014 (to an average (TKPs) – in 2014, key emerging nations, translate, respectively, to

Nathan Zalcman/AirTeamImages In its official 2014 price per barrel of $105 compared with the 5.0% such as Brazil and India. 51.8 million tonnes and forecast, released on for Brent Crude, from a growth it expected them This slowdown has 53.6 million tonnes. September 23, IATA $109 average expected to achieve in 2013. done much to dampen predicted that while the for 2013) as a result of IATA’s relatively arcane cargo traffic growth in Airline Profits world’s airlines would reduced geopolitical TKP forecasts for the 2013. IATA estimates that Should Increase achieve a combined net tensions and an improved two years translate into cargo TKPs for 2013 will in 2014 profit of $11.7 billion in US energy outlook should 3.12 billion passengers increase just 0.9% over IATA forecasts that 2013 (revised from $12.7 help airlines manage expected in 2013 and 2012 – when total cargo the world’s airlines will billion because second to keep their fuel costs 3.295 billion passengers traffic declined from the achieve a combined net quarter traffic growth was under control. Indeed, forecast in 2014. 2011 figure. However, profit of $16.4 billion in slower than expected), in IATA reckons the 2014 Cargo traffic growth 2013 will represent the 2014 – $4.7 billion more 2014 they would easily average Brent Crude oil won’t do quite as well as first year of cargo growth than in 2013. North beat that figure. price – a widely used passenger traffic growth since 2010, when the American carriers will According to Geneva- global index – would drop in either year, according cargo market grew for the lead the way, their new- based IATA, improving below $100 per barrel to IATA. Although the first time since the world found capacity discipline consumer and business were it not for the OPEC economies of most economic crisis of 2008. producing very high load 49 factors and an expected parts of the world, North double their combined Meanwhile, Middle combined net profi t of American carriers will see net profi t by achieving East carriers should $6.3 billion. their yields improve in a $3.1 billion surplus, post a $2.1 billion net IATA forecasts that Much of this profi t 2014, according to IATA although even this will profi t, their highest will come from growth which also noted that this only represent a 1.9% ever as a group. This the world’s airlines on international routes – will buck the trend for return on sales, before is partly because Abu particularly transatlantic the rest of the industry. interest and tax. Asia- Dhabi’s Etihad Airways sectors. Three Overall, global passenger Pacifi c carriers will “see has recently become will achieve a monopoly-proof joint revenue yield will fall by a modest improvement profi table for the fi rst time ventures involving the 0.5% and cargo yield in profi tability to $3.6 since its formation. Latin largest US and European decline by 2.1% in 2014, billion”, on the back American airlines should combined net profit members of the three the association estimates. of improved cargo see their combined net major global alliances Within the overall performance, continuing profi tability rise to $1.1 now control most of yield-decline picture, growth in the Chinese billion and Africa’s carriers of $16.4 billion in the traffi c between the however, airlines in domestic market and look set to achieve a $100 biggest US gateway cities some regions of the benefi ts from the million net profi t as a and the largest European world will do quite well. restructuring of Japanese group, according to IATA. 2014 – $4.7 billion hub airports. IATA reckons European companies, among them But lest airlines begin Unlike airlines in other airlines will nearly . to feel complacent, more than in 2013 50 Bailey/AirTeamImages

IATA has some words of change in the operating caution. The association environment – a new tax calculates that the $16.4 or other cost increase, billion forecast profit for example – could for 2014 represents change the outlook quite just a 5.2% return on significantly.” invested capital. “That remains significantly Merger Defections

Steve Flint/AirTeamImages below the industry’s from Star to weighted average cost oneworld of capital, which is Within the overall airline hovering between 7% industry environment and 8%,” says IATA. In in 2014, a number of plain English, this means key trends and events that even if the airline are likely to become industry earns as much evident. For instance, the as IATA thinks it will in growth of the three major 2014, as a group it still global airline alliances

Europix/AirTeamImages isn’t close to being able continues apace, though to generate enough cash the Star Alliance – the to pay the interest on the largest and the one with loans and other financial most member carriers instruments it employs to – seems certain to see pay for the aircraft and its traffic growth cut other equipment it uses. back in 2014 as a result As IATA Director of the defection of two General Tony Tyler very large members, US pointed out in a speech in Airways and TAM Airlines. September, the industry’s As a result of mergers 2014 expected net profit with other airlines – TAM could vanish easily as Airlines with the LAN a result of any number Airlines Group to form of factors – particularly LATAM, Latin America’s the sorts which have largest airline group, notoriously affected the and US Airways with airline industry in the past. American Airlines, to “A $16.4 billion profit for form the world’s largest transporting some 3.3 carrier – both TAM and billion passengers means US Airways are set to add that airlines will retain an their considerable market average of about $5.00 presences and route per passenger,” Tyler networks to the oneworld noted. “That very simple network. calculation demonstrates This should not that even a small only give oneworld an almost unassailable only relatively slowly and 51 market position in South are making immigration GLOBAL COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PROFITABILITY America, but also bolster increasingly diffi cult strongly its presence for many categories of in every US city east of workers) is creating large the Mississippi River, new air transport markets. traditionally seen as the Jenks says the airlines dividing line between themselves, particularly the Eastern and Western low cost carriers, are US. Adding US playing an active part in Airways’ considerable developing the widening US domestic presence diaspora, making the both east and west of situation a truly “chicken the Mississippi – US and egg” phenomenon. Airways has a large hub ’s CEO Michael at Phoenix International O’Leary has pointed out Airport – should also that the huge infl ux of help oneworld feed Polish workers to the UK much more traffi c to its came about in large part members’ transatlantic because Ryanair had and transpacifi c fl ights. opened new air routes to the Eastern European Following country from the UK and Airline industry operating margins will average 4% in 2014, forecasts IATA, the best since 2010 although not as good as that the Money these enabled Polish year. Net income is expected to rise to $16.4 billion next year. IATA But it isn’t just routes people to travel easily within and between between the countries. countries in the Poles couldn’t have got to AIRLINE NET POST-TAX PROFIT MARGINS developed world that will Britain so easily by train. see considerable traffi c Now, the large Polish growth in 2014. Asked population in the UK is where most traffi c growth creating a need for more is likely to occur Craig routes linking secondary Jenks, president of New cities in the UK and York aviation consulting . fi rm Airline/Aircraft Projects, says: “Follow The American the money.” Airlines-US Jenks notes – as a Airways Merger front-page article in Going into 2014, the the Wall Street Journal biggest single airline reported on November event is the completion 19 – that international of the merger between fl ows of remittances US Airways and American from immigrant workers Airlines upon the latter’s to their families back emergence from Chapter home are growing much 11 bankruptcy protection. more strongly from non- The merged carriers are traditional outfl ow nations retaining the American than they are from the Airlines name (though the North America airlines will become the most profi table regional group US. new American will be led in 2014, followed by Asia-Pacifi c and Europe which are both expected The article points out primarily by executives to generate profi t next year. IATA that, although the US from US Airways) and will will remain the largest become the largest airline RETURN ON CAPITAL INVESTED IN AIRLINES remittance-outfl ow in the world in terms of nation for the foreseeable fl eet size and passengers AND THEIR COST OF CAPITAL future due to continued carried. Today, American immigration from Mexico and US Airways boast a and Central America, combined mainline fl eet immigrants’ remittances of 958 aircraft. Although from nations such as US Airways doesn’t Chile, Brazil and Panama have a lot of aircraft on to countries such as order, American Airlines Colombia are growing does: its orders and much faster than from commitments for Airbus the US. Asia is also A320-family and Boeing seeing this phenomenon: 737-family jets alone total remittances from 925 aircraft. Malaysia to India are also American also has 19 increasing at a high rate, Boeing 777-300ERs and for instance. up to 100 Boeing 787s In some cases, on order; and US Airways within the space of fi ve has orders outstanding years, countries which for 22 Airbus A350 XWBs were net receivers and 17 A321s. Taking of remittances have into account the large become net exporters of fl eets of US Airways’ such payments as their and American’s regional- Returns on invested capital are on an improving trend and IATA’s economies have grown airline subsidiaries and forecast for airline industry profi ts implies an average return on strongly and immigrants partners (which include capital employed of 5.2% in 2014. IATA have fl ocked to take jobs up to 94 Embraer 175s which needed to be fi lled. ordered by American Although the US Airways and American This worldwide spread Eagle franchisee Republic Department of Justice agreed to divest a sizable of immigration to fast- Airways), the total (DoJ) had monopolies number of slots at key growing emerging nations American Airlines network concerns about the airports including, among rather than developed fl eet may well exceed planned merger, these others, Washington’s countries (whose 1,500 aircraft once the “anti-trust” issues were Ronald Reagan National economies are growing merger is completed. resolved when US Airport and New York 52 Steve Flint/AirTeamImages although US Airways does although USAirwaysdoes a slot-restricted airport, much, becauseJFKis network there. connecting domestic never operatedalarge New York JFK,butithas gateway operationat a sizabletransatlantic American haslonghad didn’t havebefore. Mississippi, thatthey particularly eastofthe secondary UScities, market presence in oneworld substantial American Airlinesand US Airwayswillbring divestments, Jenksthinks Despite theslot US EastCoast Dominating the which airlinesgetthem. for some;timewilltell Delta AirLineshasasked to lowcostcarriers,but DoJ wantstheslotstogo LaGuardia Airport.The This won’t change National Airport. and Washington LaGuardia withBoston markets linkingNewYork operation inthehigh-yield the USAirwaysShuttle American andoneworld US Airwaysalsobringsto JFK operation.However, quickly withAmerican’s presumably, beintegrated there and those flights will, have someoperations Chicago O’Hare and Chicago O’Hare and Miami, Dallas-FortWorth, network canhandleatits American’s international as muchfeedtraffic network) andpotentially the largest inUSAirways’ hub atCharlotte(actually US, abig,south-focused partofthe in theeastern large secondarycities offering linkstomost hub atPhiladelphia, international It also brings an excellent It alsobringsanexcellent domestic-and-

Durham. National andRaleigh/ LaGuardia, Washington of Boston,NewYork at theimportantairports well assizableoperations Charlotte andMiami,as York JFK,Philadelphia, and-domestic hubs at New spaced out,international- Coast, offering fourwell dominate theUSEast American/US Airwayswill cities. “cornerstone” Los Angeles Meanwhile, US The combined Airways’ hubat

Phoenix gateway atLosAngeles. Coast international American’s majorWest connecting trafficto West Airlines–willboost Airways wasAmerica US –recall, halfofUS presence inthewestern and theairline’s strong gateway international into amuchbigger developed potentially Sky Harborcouldbe Airways. According to a lotofsenseforUS The merger alsomakes Perspective from USAirways’ The Merger Jenks, theairline formerly Continental brought its any longerbecause need forUSAirways for United.Ithadno – theequationchanged in amerger withUnited had alsobeeninterested Airlines –USAirways merger withContinental Airlines achievedits the StarAlliancefold. brought USAirwaysinto Dulles. Thiswaswhat except atWashington Coast presence ofitsown had practicallynoEast presence, because United East CoastandNewYork bringing itastrong US Airlines somevalueby founding memberUnited offered StarAlliance However, onceUnited big international hub big international at Newark,

which Simon Gregory/AirTeamImages Simon 53 Steve Flint/AirTeamImages

was (and still is) the biggest international-and- domestic hub operation immunised in the New York transatlantic joint metropolitan region. venture already (with Although US , KLM and This will now happen. class passenger, Airways had a sizable ), US Airways Whether it will represent particularly in terms of transatlantic operation was left out in the cold. good news for the fares, remains to be seen. from Philadelphia and It felt it needed to do transatlantic economy- Chris Kjelgaard AW 2014 Charlotte, as well as something in order to some routes to Latin remain a major player America, US Airways among the United wasn’t invited to join States’ largest legacy the Atlantic Plus Plus airlines. A merger “antitrust-immunised” with American would joint venture. This be ideal: it would allowed Star Alliance combine two largely members United, Air unduplicated networks, Canada and Lufthansa get US Airways into to coordinate their oneworld and, as the transatlantic schedules new American Airlines, and improve the spread get straight into the joint of their fl ights in these transatlantic business important markets. American shared with Since Delta Air Lines , Iberia

also had an antitrust- and . r/AirTeamImages Moni Sha 54 Equity Alliance

ne of the most away, Etihad was clearly alliance was centred on, Etihad’s purchase of Darwin Airline O interesting areas of establishing mutual- and intended for, the a 24% shareholding in Etihad announced that development in the airline feed partnerships with benefit of one airline – India’s Jet Airways is Darwin Airline would be industry in 2014 will be strategic partners to Etihad itself – the other intended to keep building re-branded as ‘Etihad the continuing evolution achieve a similar effect. members were also the Abu Dhabi hub while Regional’, a move which of Etihad Airways’ equity intended to benefit. strengthening India’s implied Darwin might only alliance. After Etihad Independent In most cases Etihad largest independent be the first of a group of Airways announced a Global Alliance could offer management carrier and, in the such carriers from round strategic partnership with By late 2013, Etihad assistance to, and earn process, ensure Etihad the world in which Etihad Virgin Australia it took a Airways’ growth strategy management fees from, Airways maintains a very might seek investment. 29.21% stake in airberlin, became even clearer. By its new equity alliance strong presence in the Meanwhile, Darwin in December 2011. Soon using the vast resources partners. Etihad also vast Indian market. It Airline announced it afterwards, Etihad Airways of its owners, the Abu appeared prepared to may also encourage would launch 21 new cemented its ties with Dhabi royal family, to help its partners finance Etihad to bolster Jet routes in April, May Virgin Australia by taking purchase shareholdings their aircraft acquisitions, Airways’ existing mini- and June 2014 and a 10% shareholding in in several other airlines by using its own financial hub at Brussels Airport these would add 18 the carrier. This allowed – most of which were clout to buy aircraft for by boosting feed traffic new destinations to its the two carriers to link underperforming – Etihad them cheaply. from other European network. The additional schedules at Abu Dhabi Airways was obviously destinations connecting routes showed that International Airport, building its own global Shareholding at Brussels to and from Darwin’s strategy as where Etihad is based, in alliance. In 2013 the alliance flights to India, Abu Dhabi Etihad Regional would order to offer one-stop This equity alliance was continued to grow. After or North America (see not only be to support flying from the Americas independent of the three taking a 40% stake in Air below). Etihad Airways itself, and Europe to Australia. major existing global Seychelles, just under Days after announcing with connecting traffic, It also created a alliances, although it did 3% in and it would begin serving but also to support other strategic operational have ties to two of them. a 49% stake in Serbia’s Zurich from Abu Dhabi members of its equity partnership with airberlin In Virgin Australia, Etihad JAT Airways (renamed Air on June 1, 2014, Etihad alliance. In doing so by having its new equity had bought into an airline Serbia and announcing Airways revealed it had Darwin Airline will move partner serve Abu with close partnership it would be taking ten purchased one-third of into a fourth phase of Dhabi from airberlin’s ties on transpacific Airbus A320neos Etihad the shares in the Swiss its evolution, just nine hubs at Berlin and routes with Delta Air had ordered at the Dubai regional carrier Darwin years after launching Dusseldorf. Instead of Lines, the largest in the Airshow), Etihad Airways Airline. Not only was commercial service. trying to grow its planned SkyTeam Alliance. While invested in two more Darwin airline an aptly Craig Jenks, president Abu Dhabi global hub in airberlin, Etihad had airlines in November. named investment in the of New York consultancy entirely by expanding bought a sizeable stake Industry observers context of the evolution of Airline/Aircraft Projects, its own network, as in an airline which was an see both investments a growing alliance, but it says that when it began near-neighbour Emirates existing member of the as being potentially signalled a new direction operations in 2004, Airline was doing in Dubai oneworld Alliance. significant, in different for the Etihad equity Lugano-headquartered

Steve Flint/AirTeamImages only 70 miles (112km) Although the equity ways. alliance. Darwin Airline’s strategy 55

Instead of trying to grow

had been to “fi ll gaps more of what Darwin has two main hubs. Jenks – it already has a strategy its planned Abu in what [Moritz] Suter been doing: like , reckons Darwin’s Berlin- in place of going into created” with Crossair fi nding markets no one Dusseldorf operation will [market] gaps.” and then Swiss is in” However its new fi ll some off-peak gaps Part of Darwin Airline’s Dhabi global International Air Lines. 2014 schedule shows in airberlin’s existing value to Etihad lies in After the original Swissair that, as Etihad Regional, mainline schedule. Two providing connecting collapsed in 2002, “a Darwin is also launching more new Darwin routes traffi c to its equity number of the regional routes aimed at providing will support airberlin’s partners as well as Etihad hub entirely routes it operated also connecting traffi c to Berlin hub, offering itself. As Etihad Regional, collapsed,” notes Jenks, Etihad Airways and its fl ights from Poznan and Darwin’s value could those from Lugano in equity partners. Wroclaw, both in Poland. increase even more to by expanding particular. Seven of the 21 While six of the new Etihad if it was to launch Then, three years ago, routes serve Zurich, routes are from Darwin’s routes feeding connecting Darwin Airline purchased from Florence, Graz, existing Geneva hub, one traffi c to Jet Airways’ fellow Swiss regional Leipzig, Linz, Lyon, Turin of them will link Geneva fl ights to North America its own carrier Flybaboo, taking and Verona. These will with Air Serbia’s hub in and India from Jet’s over several under- support Etihad Airways’ Belgrade. Brussels mini-hub; or in served routes from daily Abu Dhabi flight “It’s yet another offering more routes to network, Etihad Geneva in the process. with connecting traffic, interesting new chapter Belgrade. Subsequently, Darwin some of it probably in the evolution of Purely as speculation, not only cut deals with high-yield passengers Etihad’s equity- two points are worth Alitalia to take over who will provide investment structure, but noting. Darwin’s new is clearly some tertiary Italian Etihad with a couple it is a very bold move 2014 routes include two domestic routes, which of thousand dollars and it is not without risk,” from Rome Fiumicino Alitalia couldn’t operate of added value. The says Jenks. “Normally to Tirana and Zagreb. establishing profi tably, but about six Zurich routes also will this kind of connecting Is Etihad Airways months ago Darwin also support airberlin, which traffi c would be contemplating rescuing began basing aircraft has a small hub there. incremental and wouldn’t troubled, under- at other under-served Three of the new be a big percentage of performing Alitalia? mutual-feed European airports such routes will serve what you do. But what Also, will Darwin be able as Cambridge Airport, Dusseldorf, a major Etihad is saying is that, to operate its expanded in the UK, and Ancona airberlin hub. In addition ‘we have projected schedule with its existing Falconara Airport, to fl ights to Cambridge [Darwin] will provide fl eet of ten 50-seat Saab partnerships in Italy. and London City Airport, enough connecting 2000 turboprops – or Now, says Jenks, in one of Darwin’s new passengers to justify the could Etihad Airways announcing 21 more routes from Dusseldorf cost of this acquisition’. come to Darwin’s rescue, with strategic routes Darwin Airline is to Berlin, an important But it’s not as though as it has with Air Serbia, is doing two different airberlin domestic Darwin doesn’t have a by buying Darwin jets? things. Firstly, it is “doing trunk route linking its clue as to what it is doing Chris Kjelgaard AW 2014 partners 56 Commercial Aero Engines

ll five major Meanwhile, Bombardier milestone in 2014 will A manufacturers is close to adding the first be delivery, during the of commercial aero of two planned flight-test second quarter, of the engines are expecting CS300s to the five- flight-test PW1200G significant developments aircraft CS100 flight-test engines for the first or programme milestones fleet. Mitsubishi Regional Jet – or both – in 2014. But Several other important (MRJ). Together with for Pratt & Whitney and PW1000G-family the virtually identical- Rolls-Royce the year milestones are likely in size PW1700G which should prove particularly 2014. The PW1100G, will power the smaller significant: both currently the largest and members of the Embraer manufacturers should see most powerful model E-Jets-E2 family, the new powerplants they in the PW1000G family PW1200G is the smallest have developed for new (along with the almost member of the PW1000G commercial-jet families identical PW1400G for family dimensionally enter revenue service. Russia’s Irkut MS-21 and in terms of thrust. Bombardier is careful family of mainline jets), (The PW1900G which in answering questions made its first flight in will power the larger about the anticipated 2013, on P&W’s Boeing E-Jet-E2s will be service-entry date of the 747SP flying test-bed. almost identical to CS100, which is the first Designed for the Airbus the PW1500G for the of two currently planned A320neo family (for which CSeries.) models in Bombardier’s the PW1100G represents By late November, new CSeries family of one of two engine Pratt & Whitney had firm 100-to-160-seat mainline choices, the other being orders and commitments jets. However, the CFM International’s new for more than 4,800 manufacturer affirms LEAP-1A), the PW1100G PW1000G engines, from there is a good chance will undertake its first more than 45 customers. the first CS100 will enter flight on an A320neo commercial service during 2014. To date, the Pratt & before the end of 2014. PW1100G has outsold Whitney Canada In trying to achieve the yet-to-fly CFM Pratt & Whitney Canada this target, Bombardier LEAP-1A on the A320neo is also expecting Bombardier is giving itself at least a family, achieving more milestones in 2014 for Q400 year between the first than 50% of announced two of its engine families. NextGen flight of the first CS100 and unannounced orders. Probably of the greatest and Airbus and the aircraft entering The PW1100G commercial significance Military C295 service following type programme calls for is the 30th anniversary deliveries; and certification. Although assembly to begin on of the PW100’s entry orders for regional family the Canadian company flight-test engines in into service in 1984. turboprops show every went had to make a last- early 2014. Delivery Since then the PW100/ sign of increasing pace on to minute decision in June to Airbus is expected PW150 family of rather than slowing down. become the to postpone the first flight in the second quarter, turboprop engines has Airlines are realising that, most widely used family of of the CS100, the new followed by PW1100G powered every ATR and at today’s jet fuel prices, turboprop and turboshaft model did fly for the first type certification – under Bombardier turboprop turboprops make more engines in history), PWC time on September 19 Part 33 of the US Federal regional airliner delivered sense economically on should see another and it is now well into its Aviation Regulations – in (as well as ten other short-haul sectors than interesting milestone in certification flight-test the third quarter. Airbus aircraft types), and do regional jets. With 2014. This is the first programme. and Pratt & Whitney thousands of PW100s are marketplace sentiment commercial flight of expect the first A320neo now in service. increasingly indicating the Scaled Composites Pratt & Whitney and its PW1100Gs to Hundreds more are on that a 90-plus-seat White Knight Two, the The CSeries – along make their first flight in firm order for future ATR turboprop is needed, launch platform for the with four other new September. 600 series, PWC’s next big decision SpaceShip Two, with airliners yet to make Another may be to develop a new Virgin Galactic. The White their first flights – is PW1000G turboprop engine even Knight Two is powered powered by one of five more powerful than the by four Pratt & Whitney different models (so far) PW150. Canada PW308 turbofan in the Pratt & Whitney After celebrating engines, more commonly PurePower PW1000G in December, the found on executive jets. family of geared- 50th anniversary of turbofan engines. The delivery of the first Rolls-Royce PW1500G powering PT6A turboprop Rolls-Royce’s most the CSeries – in two engine (the significant highlight in versions, the PW1521G PT6 2014 will be the entry for the CS100 and into service with Qatar the PW1524G for the Airways of the first larger CS300 – was the customer Airbus A350 first PW1000G model XWB, powered by to fly and the first to be Rolls-Royce Trent XWB certified as ready for engines. The Trent XWB service, receiving its type GE9X high- is specifically designed, certificate from Transport pressure and is the sole engine compressor rig Canada in February. testing is well under choice, for the Airbus Pratt & Whitney’s way at GE’s Oil & Gas A350 XWB family, more position on when the facility in Massa in than 800 of which had PW1500G will enter Italy. GE Aviation been sold by November. commercial service is “12 Rolls-Royce first months after first flight” – committed to the Trent which, if Bombardier can XWB programme in 2006. achieve its first-delivery The Trent XWB, which target, will mean the first ran for the first time on a CS100 entering service test-bed in 2010, powered by the end of 2014. the first test flight of the 57

The fi rst Trent 1000-TEN version of the orders for more than CFM International Trent 1000 (shown) will start test runs in 2014. 1,300 GEnx engines, By November, CFM Rolls-Royce almost 1,000 of which International had have yet to be delivered. completed ground-testing By late 2013, GEnx of the fi rst full LEAP total fl ight hours engine, which fi red for the All five major exceeded 1 million fi rst time on September and should 4. During fi ve weeks surpass 2 of testing it logged 310 million in 2014. hours and more than 400 manufacturers Selected cycles. This fi rst engine earlier this year test launched a ground- to power the and fl ight-test certifi cation of commercial Boeing 777X, programme that will GE Aviation’s encompass 60 engine new GE9X builds over the next will enter three years. These will aero engines service late accumulate approximately this decade. 40,000 cycles before entry Among its into service. are expecting technology In 2014 a total of 15 innovations LEAP engines will be will be aviation’s tested. They will include largest-diameter front LEAP-1As designed significant fan (132 inches/3.352m), for the A320neo-family, 787- its highest pressure-ratio LEAP-1Bs for the Boeing 10. The (27-to-1) compressor and 737 MAX and LEAP-1Cs developments Trent 1000-TEN unique ceramic matrix for the COMAC C919. incorporates advances composite (CMC) hot- CFM will complete in the high-pressure section components. GE early icing tests at GE’s turbine and compressor, says this will be its most facilities in Winnipeg, as or programme blisk technology and fuel-effi cient jet engine well as early endurance sophisticated internal ever, offering a 10% testing. Both the aerodynamics controls. improvement in fuel burn LEAP-1A and -1C are on Other members of over the massive GE90- schedule for fl ight-testing milestones – or the Trent family will also 115B. to begin in 2014. introduce developments GE9X component CFM expects to deliver A350 XWB at in 2014. An ‘EP2’ – testing is well under approximately 1,500 both – in 2014 Toulouse on June Enhancement Package way, including high- CFM56 engines a year 14, 2013. The Trent 2 – version of the Trent pressure compressor in both 2013 and 2014. XWB is now the highest- 900 for the A380 will rig testing at GE’s Oil Over the next few years selling model in the entire become the standard & Gas facility in it will Trent family – by late new-build model, Massa, continue 2013, more than 1,600 offering an additional had been ordered – and fuel-burn improvement its sales performance is of up to 0.8%. Trent all the more remarkable 900 EP2 improvements considering the A350 XWB include optimised fan is still many months away blade-tip clearance; from entering service. turbine case cooling; Another 2014 highlight for sealing for the R-R will be the fi rst run low-pressure (LP) of the Trent XWB-97, the turbine; an optimised 97,000lb-thrust (431.5kN) intermediate version that will power the pressure (IP) A350-1000. This engine compressor; an recently completed its upgraded engine critical design review and sector stator; and is due to enter service in improvements to the air The LEAP-1A designed for 2017. fl ow system. Meanwhile, the A320neo-family, will be tested in 2014. Rolls-Royce’s Trent EP2 enhancements for CFM International 1000 for the Boeing the A330 family’s Trent 787 will see further 700 – intended to deliver a developments in 2014, further 1% improvement in when the ‘Package C’ fuel-burn – will continue to version of the engine be tested, with availability enters service with Air planned for 2015. Italy. New Zealand on the The building fi rst customer 787-9. GE Aviation company will test GE9X CFM56s, Additionally, the fi rst Trent GE Aviation is focusing CMC components in while transitioning over 1000-TEN will start test in 2014 on its GEnx a GEnx demonstrator to production of its new runs. The Trent 1000- and GE9X families of in 2014. These tests LEAP family. By late TEN – the ‘TEN’ standing large-turbofan engines. are to validate the 2013, CFM International for ‘Thrust, Effi ciency and By November 30, 119 performance of CMCs had an order backlog of New technology’ – will GEnx-1B and 236 ahead of the design more than 10,000 CFM56 be certifi ed to 76,000lb GEnx-2B engines were freeze for the GE9X. and LEAP engines, of (338kN) of take-off in service, increasing to It expects to test the which more than 5,800 thrust but will be able to 500 by 2015. To meet first full GE9X engine in were LEAP powerplants. provide up to 78,000lb this demand, GEnx 2016, with flight-testing CFM expects to produce (347kN), so that it can production will increase on GE’s flying test-bed 1,700 engines a year by power all versions of the from 200 engines in 2013 anticipated in 2017. 2019, almost all of them Dreamliner – including to 300 in 2014. To date, Engine certification is LEAP engines. the stretched Boeing GE Aviation has won scheduled for 2018. Chris Kjelgaard AW 2014 58 Advanced Training Systems

he largest prize on System, based on the Company T-6C Texan T offer for manufacturers M-346 Master. General IIs, while Affinity offered of advanced training Dynamics will be its US the same combination. systems is the US Air partner for the proposal. Unconfirmed comments Force’s T-X requirement Northrop Grumman by Ascent executives to replace the Northrop has teamed with BAE appear to put Affinity T-38C Talon. Several Systems and Rolls-Royce ahead for the contract. major hurdles need to as the prime contractor The T-6C also forms be overcome before to offer a version of the the basis of a proposal the programme can Hawk Advanced Jet put forward by BAE progress however, the Training System. While Systems Australia, CAE most important being the airframe lacks the and Beechcraft for the the allocation of funds performance of the Royal Australian Air by the US Department latest combat aircraft – it Force’s Project AIR 5428. of Defense (DoD). While is limited to subsonic Tenders for AIR 5428 there is no argument speeds – it is familiar to will close on February within the service that it the DoD, having been 17, 2014 and selection needs a new advanced operated by the US Navy is expected by the end trainer, better able to in the form of the T-45 of June 2015. The prepare pilots for the Goshawk for more than successful contractor will fifth generation fighters 20 years. run an integrated training entering service in In the shorter term, system, replacing the increasing numbers, Poland’s search for fixed-wing requirements for new eight advanced trainers tankers and bombers and (plus four options) to the Joint Strike Fighter replace PZL TS-11 have higher priority. Iskras is expected to Funds for the programme result in a preferred are due to be included bidder selection and in the fiscal year 2015 contract signing in budget (which runs from the first quarter of October 1, 2014). 2014. Tenders were Around 350 aircraft opened on November are likely to be acquired. 20, 2013, with Alenia With such a prize at Aermacchi offering the stake, it is likely that M-346 Master, BAE basic every manufacturer with Systems the Hawk and and a suitable aircraft will Lockheed Martin the T-50 advanced consider submitting Golden Eagle. A budget flying syllabuses a proposal for T-X. of 1.2 billion zlotys has currently in place, with Lockheed Martin’s been allocated to the an initial operating involvement with the programme, although capability between 2015 Korea Aerospace only Alenia Aermacchi’s and 2017. Team 21, Industries (KAI) T-50 bid is below this total. comprising Lockheed Golden Eagle was Purchase price is an Martin Australia, Pilatus spurred by knowledge important criteria for and Hawker Pacific, are that the US Air Force the programme, as well offering a solution based would need to replace as life cycle costs and on the PC-21, similar to the Talon. The lack of performance. that currently provided two-seat operational Little progress will be for the Republic of conversion trainer made on the UK Military Air Force at versions of the F-22 Flying Training System Perth, Western Australia. and F-35 means that (MFTS) programme Further consortia are new pilots will go ‘solo’ during 2014. A preferred expected to announce in them on their first bidder to replace the bids as the deadline for flight; replicating the current elementary, the tender draws near, systems and operating basic, multi-engine with Boeing Defence environment as close as and fixed-wing rear Australia, Raytheon possible at the advanced crew trainers is due to Australia and Thales all training stage will thus be selected in 2015. having indicating interest be an important factor Ascent Flight Training, in the requirement. in the selection of which runs UK MFTS, During 2014 Alenia the T-X. As producer is currently evaluating Aermacchi will continue of the F-22 Raptor responses to a request development of the and F-35 Lightning II, for proposals submitted M-345 High Energy Lockheed Martin has an by April 19, 2013. They Trainer, which was understanding of what is are understood to have selected by Italy to required to train pilots for been submitted by three replace the Aermacchi the fighters. teams; BAE Systems, MB339 in September Boeing’s decision to with Babcock, Gama 2013. The Italian deal will abandon plans to design Aviation and Pilatus; be firmed up during the a new trainer and team EADS Cassidian with year and the aircraft order with Saab to offer a Cobham and CAE; and number revealed. Initial version of the Saab JAS the Affinity team of KBR examples are due to be 39F Gripen would provide and Elbit Systems. BAE’s issued to the Freece the required performance. proposal was based on Tricolori aerobatic team However, by late 2013 upgrading the existing in 2017. The M-345 has neither company had Grob G115 Tutor fleet been designed as part of publicly confirmed plans and using Pilatus PC-21s a training system with the to compete together for for advanced training. M-346 Master. Italy has T-X. Alenia Aermacchi EADS would use Grob six on order as T-346As, is offering the T-100 G120TPs and Hawker two of which have been Integrated Training Beechcraft Defense delivered. The first of 30 Advanced Training Systems 59

Top: A prototype Fábrica Argentina de Aviones Pampa III is due to fly by early 2014. Santiago Rivas

Korea Aerospace Industries will complete delivery of 12 T-50I Golden Eagles to Indonesia and produce TA-50s for the Republic of Korea Air Force during 2014. Korea Aerospace Industries 60

M-346s for Israel – where they will be known as Lavi – is due to fly in early 2014 with the first delivery in the middle of the year. The M-346 was also selected by the United Arab Emirates in 2009, which has a requirement for 48. The status of that deal is uncertain and it is firm orders, around 30 Aero Technology Import possible that alternatives had been delivered by and Export Corporation are under consideration. late 2013, but current (CATIC) in November of The RAF’s order for plans are likely to involve the previous year. While the Hawk T2 and India’s contracts for additional Zambia has been widely subsequent selection of batches signed during reported as the recipient, the Mk132 reinvigorated 2014. With the exception this has not been BAE Systems’ advanced of the order for Algeria, confirmed by CATIC. trainer programme. exports of the type China’s most prolific Assembly by Hindustan have been frustrated by trainer export is the Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) international conflicts. Hongdu K-8 Karakorum, at Bangalore in India is Aircraft built for Libya which has entered under way, with a total were diverted to Russia, service in Bolivia, Egypt, of 82 for the air force while some of the 36 Ghana, Myanmar, and 17 for the navy to ordered by Syria have Namibia, Pakistan, Sri be produced there, with been produced and are Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, deliveries to both services currently stored, awaiting Venezuela, Zambia continuing through the resolution of the and Zimbabwe, as well 2014. A further 20 will civil war raging in that as with the People’s be ordered to re-equip country. Assembly of four Liberation Army Air the Surya Kiran aerobatic for Belarus should begin Force. Favourable terms team. in 2014 for delivery the and the ability to act as In addition to finding following year. both an advanced trainer out if its design has been The identity of the first and light strike platform successful in Poland, KAI customer for the Hongdu make the K-8 attractive will complete delivery of L-15 Falcon will be to countries with limited 12 T-50I Golden Eagles confirmed in the coming budgets, especially in to Indonesia and produce year. A production Africa and, increasingly, clearance was planned minister announced TA-50s for the Republic aircraft completed its first Latin America. for the end of 2013, but an intention to acquire of Korea Air Force during flight on June 29, 2013, HAL continues to work delays to the programme a further 40 Fábrica the year. the first of 12, for an on the HJT-36 Sitara mean the milestone is Argentina de Aviones Deliveries of the United undisclosed air arm that intermediate jet trainer to unlikely to be reached (FAdeA) Pampas. A Aircraft Corporation’s will be delivered under fulfil an initial order for 12 until late 2014 at the prototype Pampa III is Yakovlev Yak-130 to the terms of a contract limited series production earliest. due to fly by early 2014 the Russian Air Force the manufacturer signed aircraft for the Indian Air In May 2012 the and the first batch of 18 continue. Of the 90 with the China National Force. Initial operational Argentine defence will be delivered for use 61

The largest prize on offer for manufacturers of advanced training systems is An initial four KAI-built KT-1Ps are expected to be delivered to Peru in 2014, before manufacture the US Air is transferred to the Peruvian Air Force’s SEMAN (Servicio de Mantenimiento) at Las Force’s T-X Palmas. Sixteen will be assembled in-country. Embraer continues requirement to sell EMB-314 (A- 29) Super Tucanos, with three due to be delivered to Senegal to replace the along with a training operational support system, a package of computer-based tuition, Northrop flight simulation, mission planning and debriefing tools. The Light Air Support (LAS) contract, T-38C Talon for which Embraer teamed with the Sierra Nevada Corporation to produce 20 A-29Bs for supply by the US to Afghanistan, is more as trainers. In 2014 work the outstanding G120TPs an option for 37 important in terms of will start on a light attack of its order for 14, which additional PC-7s to numbers. Deliveries Left top: Northrop Grumman has teamed variant, of which 22 are was announced in re-equip its basic from the Jacksonville, with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce to destined for Argentina. September 2012, while training fleet. Florida, assembly facility offer a version of the Hawk Advanced Jet The Pampa III will also Kenya will take delivery Turkish Aerospace are expected to result in Training System for the US Air Force T-X be offered for export as of six piston-engined Industries (TAI) is due to the first aircraft flying in programme. Paul Heasman part of a training package G120A-Ks. receive an order for 15 the summer and entering Middle left: Deliveries of the United with the Grob G120TP Switzerland’s Pilatus Hürkus¸ B basic trainers service in Afghanistan in Aircraft Corporation’s Yakovlev Yak-130 turboprop, following Aircraft will be busy for the Turkish Air Force in 2015. They will be used to the Russian Air Force continue and an agreement with the during 2014 with coming months, after the in both the light strike contracts for additional batches are German manufacturer deliveries of PC-7 Mk purchase was approved and reconnaissance and expected to be signed during 2014. Piotr Butowski in early 2012. All ten IIs to the Indian Air by the Undersecretariat advanced training roles. Grob G120TPs ordered Force continuing against of Defence Industries in The Hawker Beechcraft Opposite top: The first examples of 55 by the Argentine Air an order for 75, and the third quarter of 2013. Defense company, which PC-21s for Saudi Arabia are due to be Force will be in service the initial examples of The deal is the first for lost out to Embraer handed over in 2014. Pilatus by the end of 2014. The 55 PC-21s for Saudi the aircraft, which was for the LAS contract, Opposite Middle: Alenia Aermacchi has deal will see the aircraft Arabia due to be handed originally proposed for a continues to produce offered the M-346 Master to Poland repurchased by the over. Construction of requirement that was later T-6Cs for the US military. for its advanced trainer requirement. manufacturer after they 24 PC-21s for Qatar fulfilled by TAI-assembled Lot 19 announced in May Alenia Aermacchi are replaced by the IA- is also likely during KAI KT-1T Woong- 2013 covers 33 aircraft 73 UNASUR I, currently 2014. In addition to its Bees. An option for 15 for delivery to the US Opposite middle left: The Beechcraft T-6C forms the basis of a proposal put forward being development by considerable backlog additional KT-1Ts above Navy by the end of 2015, by BAE Systems Australia, CAE and FAdeA. During 2014 of firm orders, India is the 40 originally ordered plus two more for the US Beechcraft for the Royal Australian Air Indonesia will also receive considering exercising was allowed to expire. Army. David Willis AW 2014 Force’s Project AIR 5428. Beechcraft COMMERCIAL AIRBUS A320neo A Happy Neo Year? t’s quite possible that even Airbus didn’t fully grasp what it was unleashing when it officially launched the A320neo in December 2010. At the time, it has to be said, there was no shortage of people willing to suggest that Airbus was risking compromising the value of a highly-successful design that had been accumulating orders since it was launched in the late 1980s. Yet the neo – standing for new engine Ioption – has now become the best-selling airliner in commercial aviation history with over 2,400 sales racked up in three years. And, thanks to careful management of the price differential, the baseline variant is still attracting orders. “So far,” an Airbus spokesman told AIR International in mid-November, “we’ve achieved 2,487 neo sales from 44 customers.” In fact, the neo now accounts for 28% of the sales backlog for narrowbody airliners compared with 22% for the ceo – current engine option – and its biggest rival, Boeing’s 737 MAX, which has 18%. The 737NG, however, accounts for 25%. The figures illustrate one of Airbus’ current dilemmas with its latest A320 variant – the need to maintain a balance between the old and the neo. This was summed up by John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer customers when he insisted: “We’re not re- designing the A320. We think the A320

PurePower or LEAP ILFC’s are to be powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. The latest order took our requirements and offered its total commitment to the engine builder to greatly improved fuel efficiency.” But, 180 units. “The selection of Pratt & Whitney she added: “Ultimately, Airbus offered us PurePower PW1100G-JM engines to power the best deal, and at a price with a greater these new A320neo family aircraft speaks discount to the list price than their landmark directly to ILFC’s commitment to bringing family is pretty damn good just the way it fleet purchase with easyJet in 2002.” the most advanced technology to our global is.” Indeed, Airbus insists it’s not organising In fact, easyJet has made it clear that it customer network,” said Chief Executive a clearance sale and that it has secured over had negotiated a “very substantial discount Officer Henri Courpron. “We’re pleased to 760 orders for the baseline variants since the from the list price” of the aircraft. Under the further develop our strategic alignment with neo’s launch. terms of the deal each A320 will cost $76.3 Pratt & Whitney to provide our customers million while the neos are being sold at $92.3 with the competitive advantages of the Neo Order-Fest million each. PurePower engine’s performance and lower Then in mid-2013 came the announcement The mid-year order-fest continued when operating costs.” It’s clear, therefore, that that easyJet had ordered 35 for delivery the International Lease Finance Corporation in launching the new variant Airbus has also between 2015 and 2017. And they’d also announced orders for a further 30 neos. set the scene for a battle for sales between secured purchase rights on 100 A320neos. Actually, ILFC was already launch customer the manufacturers of the industry’s newest The airline said the 180-seaters were for the A320neo, it having superseded Virgin engines as CFM’s LEAP-1A competes with expected to deliver cost per seat savings America which deferred deliveries of its Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G geared turbofan of between 11 and 12%. Not for the first 30 aircraft until 2020. ILFC is also launch as the variant’s preferred power plant. In fact, time easyJet had negotiated a shrewd deal. customer for the A321neo, while Qatar the neo is the only new aircraft over which Chief executive Carolyn McCall, commented: Airways is launch customer for the A319neo. CFM and P&W are competing head-to-head. “All manufacturers competed hard for the Of the neo variants, the A320 is comfortably It’s for several reasons, therefore, that easyJet business. Both Airbus and Boeing ahead in terms of orders, with 77% rather the next 12 months will be crucial for the offered us new-generation aircraft that met than the 20% of the A321. neo programme as the airframe-engine

62 AI.01.14 A Happy NeoThe Year? Airbus A320 Bruce Hales-Dutton reviews the status of the A320neo

combination at its West Palm Beach facility. P&W admits savings of up to 15%.” That represents up moves towards that ground running so far has indicated to 3,600 tonnes of annual carbon dioxide certification. the need for some changes, particularly in savings per aircraft. Double-digit reduction Airbus says the terms of cooling, but insists that hiccoughs in in nitrous oxide emissions, reduced engine A320neo’s first testing are “routine”. noise and operating costs up to 8% are also flight is slated for the Having been launched first, the PW1100G promised. It also means a choice of up to fourth quarter of 2014, will enter service on the A320neo before 500nm (950km) more range or two tonnes with service entry a year later. In fact the the LEAP on which testing has now started. more payload. manufacturer is developing eight flight test “The engine is running fantastically,” Airbus puts the cost of developing the new aircraft – four A320neos, two A321neos according to CFM. The company intends aircraft at about €1 billion. It says the neo and two A319neos to ensure each of the to ramp up the test effort so that in 2014 it will have over 95% airframe commonality three variants is certificated with each of expects to have 15 development engines with the standard A320 family. Apart from the engine options from CFM and P&W. running. CFM is also confident enough to the Sharklets – expected to reduce fuel burn Airbus’ transition schedule also calls for claim that the LEAP-powered A320neo will by at least 3.5% over longer sectors – the eight pre-series aircraft to be built from the offer a 2% fuel burn advantage over the modifications will be limited to strengthened beginning of 2015. same aircraft with the P&W. That advantage, outer wing sections and leading gear plus A production rate of three A320neos per CFM says, rises to 3% in the A321neo. And new engine pylons. This commonality month is scheduled by the end of 2015 although the market is finely poised between will enable operators of several Airbus rising to 16 a month in the following year. the two engines CFM is marginally ahead family types to benefit from lower pilot and This will be matched by a corresponding with 34% of A320/A319/A321neo customers maintenance training costs. Following fall in production of the ceo. Meanwhile, opting for the LEAP-1A compared with 32% certification late in 2012 Sharklets are now with the A320neo expected to enter the final for the PW1100G; 34% remain undecided. available on the baseline aircraft. assembly line in the first quarter of 2014, the Airbus expects that from the second manufacture of components has been under Sharklets quarter of 2017 it will be turning out more way since early 2013. Although the key to the neo is the availability neos than ceos. That point is scheduled to Neo Chief Engineer Pierre-Henri Brousse of new fuel-efficient engines, the variant come just 18 months after the A320 enters has more good news. Both engine types also incorporates wing-tip devices which service. And from the beginning of 2018

are “on track,” he said. The PW1100G is Airbus calls Sharklets. They’re claimed to production is expected to reach a rate of 42 Airbus expected to be first into the flight test phase contribute to the fuel-saving. Indeed, Airbus a month. The manufacturer expects to following the completion of ground testing promises neo will offer “significant fuel deliver 4,000 neos by 2030.

AI.01.14 63 COMMERCIAL AIRBUS A350 XWB Towards Service Airbus A350 Bruce Hales-Dutton Entry assesses the A350XWB f 2013 was a highly significant year for the and had completed 77 flights, totalling 378 Cock-a-Hoop Airbus A350, 2014 will see the European hours, by mid-October. That same month, The figures for the A350, however, don’t manufacturer’s latest widebody airliner the next prototype on the schedule, MSN3, include what’s being seen as a potentially facing its biggest test yet. made its first flight and next year the pair ground-breaking order from a quarter not Since emerging from a re-design, will be joined by three more aircraft in the hitherto regarded as Airbus territory. In which saw the project morph from the 2,500 hour flight test programme that will October Japan Airlines (JAL) announced it pedestrian A350 into the advanced A350 lead to certification by the end of next had signed a purchase agreement for 31 XWB – extra wide body – the aircraft is summer. MSN1 and MSN3 had clocked A350XWBs: 18 -900s and 13 -1000s, plus well into its flight test programme and the up over 700 flight test hours in more than options for a further 25. This represented a manufacturer is looking forward to service 100 test flights by December 3. MSN2 and breakthrough for it wasn’t just JAL’s first-ever entry. The first A350-900 is scheduled for MSN4 are scheduled to fly in February, with order for Airbus aircraft, it was also the first Idelivery to launch customer Qatar Airways MSN5 following in May. order from Japan for the A350XWB. Service during the second half of next year. So far the flight envelope has been entry is planned for 2019. steadily expanded and a number of key Not surprisingly Airbus was cock-a-hoop. Prototypes test milestones have already been passed, Fabrice Brégier, the company’s president The first prototype, designated MSN1, including the first using Autoland. The and chief executive, declared: “It fills us with carried out its maiden flight on June 14, test team has also been able to spare pride to see a leading Japanese airline start the time to give Airbus president and a new chapter with us. This highlights a very chief executive Fabrice Brégier a well- bright and flourishing future for both of us.” publicised ride, and putting up a formation Indeed, the order has wide significance for comprising MSN1 and MSN3, together the European airframer. It’s a clear sign that with an A380. Airbus has upped its game in the region and Yet it was only a year ago that the A350 not only does it mean that other Japanese seemed to have a fair bit of ground to airlines, such as , are make up on its key rival, Boeing’s 787. more likely to order from Airbus, but it could Now it seems to be catching up, and also signal a re-examination of the previous that’s not entirely due to the Dreamliner’s close ties between Boeing and Japan’s electrical troubles during 2013. By the aerospace industry. end of November Airbus had accumulated 814 orders for the A350, 232 of them XWB Family signed up since the beginning of the The A350 was conceived as a three- year. This compares with 1,011 for the variant family with the baseline -900 at its 787, which has attracted 164 orders since heart. This aircraft seats 314 passengers January 2013. in a three-class layout and offers a range

64 AI.01.14 AIRBUS A350 XWB COMMERCIAL Towards Service Entry All images Airbus

of 8,100 nautical miles (15,000km). The Airbus sees it as a low-risk development, manufacturer that had hitherto seen itself as 270-seat -800 will have an 8,500-nautical which is just as well since, as Evrard a leader in the development of aeronautical mile (15,750km) range, with service entry notes, “it will have to be inserted into a technology rather than a follower. The XWB scheduled for mid-2016. Sales, though, manufacturing process already in full swing is the product of the re-think. have so far been slow yet the company with the -900.” Airbus is clearly confident that the re-design says interest has been growing in the 350- Airbus is now expecting a lot of the has enabled it to leap-frog its competitors. seat, 8,400-nautical mile (15,555km) -1000. biggest A350 variant. “This segment of the It claims that the A350 combines the latest Customers for this variant now include market has been growing since the -1000 thinking in aerodynamics with advanced such Boeing stalwarts as was launched,” Evrard notes. Indeed, Airbus technologies. This, it claims, will produce a and British Airways. A mid-2017 service believes the focus is shifting from 250- to 25% step-change in fuel efficiency compared entry is planned. 300-seaters. with Boeing’s 777 and 6% compared with the Meanwhile, a dedicated organisation has Airbus is confident that the A350 will 787. The A350’s cabin can accommodate up been established by Airbus to manage the achieve certification and go into production to ten seats abreast. It also permits a range of process that will lead to the delivery of the much more smoothly than was the case for configurations from seven-abreast business first -900 next year. Cabin definition teams the A380. Brégier says lessons have been class layouts to high-density economy class are working with customers and, programme learned even though the challenges are seating. Airbus says that in either a 2-4-2 head Didier Evrard says, “this should give greater because of the A350’s composite premium economy layout or a standard 3-3-3 us the tools we need to ensure a successful construction. Risk-sharing partners are nine-abreast configuration, the A350’s seat ramp-up.” being given additional support, and actions width of 450mm (18in) is 13mm (0.5in) greater MSN2 will be the first of the test aircraft have been launched to better manage its than a 787 in equivalent configuration. to have a fitted-out cabin and, as part of the production ramp-up. But going into 2014 Airbus is beginning to preparatory work, it undertook a simulated think that even the -1000 may not represent five-hour ‘flight’ in July with 129 ‘virtual’ Bigger Model the limit for the A350. The company is passengers and eight flight attendants. The company may now be trumpeting the currently weighing up a further stretch to Evrard explains: “We were able to operate A350 as the world’s most technologically produce a 400-seater. Studies into the the cabin as if it was a real flight. We don’t advanced aircraft, but when Boeing first additional engineering likely to be needed for need to be in flight to discover the basics.” revealed its innovative all-electric, composite the aircraft’s structure and systems to permit MSN4 will have no fitted cabin but will pave 787, Airbus seemed disinclined to match it. an extra fuselage extension are in progress the way to final assembly, while MSN5 will be Yet Boeing’s claim of 20% lower fuel burn and thinking on this issue is likely to advance the second cabin-fitted aircraft. than the 767 prompted customers to press significantly during 2014. With its design now frozen, the -1000 Airbus to re-think its view that the Dreamliner And in a year that will see the A350 pass is about to move into its industrial phase. was merely a response to its A330. In 2004 more significant milestones, Airbus has Final assembly is scheduled to start in Airbus shareholders authorised the launch of one further ambition for the aircraft beyond late 2015 with the maiden flight expected a new aircraft under the A350 designation. a successful entry into service. Such is in 2016. Its powerplant, the Rolls-Royce Projected to be a twin-jet in the 250-300- its confidence in its new widebody family XWB-97, is planned to run for the first time seat class, it seemed more A330 than 787 that it plans a drive to capitalise on its in 2014. The -1000 is essentially a stretch with mostly metal construction. There was success and increase its market share. As of the -900 with many common systems a general feeling that it wouldn’t provide programme boss Didier Evrard puts it: and a common supply chain. As a result, an adequate challenge to the 787 from a “I think we still have more to come.”

AI.01.14 65 1 1 Norwegian was the fi rst European customer for the 737 MAX, committing to 100 MAX 8s in January 2012. Boeing 2 The 737 MAX’s cockpit will include data collection systems designed to speed up maintenance. Boeing

he development of the Fuel Burn The other half percent comes from Boeing 737 MAX is Back in July 2012, when Boeing released re nements to the aerodynamic pro le of the advancing. Systems the rst of cial detailed information about MAX’s Advanced Technology Winglet and the de nition for the three the MAX’s planned performance gures, LEAP-1Bs. Boeing said previously the winglets variants in the new it estimated the new aircraft would burn would contribute 1.5% of the type’s fuel burn aircraft family – the MAX 13% less fuel than the current 737NG (see improvement over the NG. However, the 7, 8 and 9, which will MAXimised Performance, August 2012, p38). company maintains its claim that the MAX will supersede the current The company has now revised this gure, offer 8% lower fuel burn per seat than its main 737-700, -800 and announcing that the engineering development competition, the Airbus A320neo variants. -900ER respectively process has yielded an extra one percent in – was achieved in the autumn, following fuel ef ciency. How has Boeing managed Faster Maintenance theT nal con guration being rmed up last to eke out the extra fuel saving? Chief Boeing has also announced changes to the summer. In October 2013 CFM International project engineer for the 737 MAX Michael MAX’s  ight-deck systems. Built-in test started assembling the rst example of the Teal revealed, during a recent teleconference equipment – meters, oscilloscopes, probes type’s LEAP-1B engine. with analysts, that half the gain comes from and frequency generators which continually Further important milestones are coming an aerodynamic improvement which has monitor an aircraft’s systems to detect faults up soon. Completion of the rst LEAP-1B’s been found in the integration of the LEAP-1B – is being moved into the  ight-deck from the assembly is expected in June 2014, enabling with the wing. “On the NG there are some forward electronic equipment bay in the nose, initial ground tests to start in the middle of characteristics of how shock waves work on where it’s located in the NG. The company the year. The summer is also scheduled to the inboard wing that actually cause drag. says this change will mean “maintenance see the MAX’s design being frozen, a critical The integration of the [new] engines with the issues can be resolved faster” in the MAX moment which will allow the manufacture of wing [on the MAX] has enabled us to minimise compared to the NG. components for the rst  ight test aircraft to that shock wave, which [reduces] the drag,” The MAX cockpit will feature a new digital begin in 2015. Teal explained.  ight data acquisition unit and network le server transmitting maintenance and 2 performance data about the aircraft, including any problems, to the airline’s ground operations team in real time. “These will provide a centralised data collection system with more storage capacity, doubling the maintenance data available during  ight,” Boeing explains. According to the company, the equipment will allow engineers to prepare the necessary checks or xes ready for when the aircraft lands, theoretically cutting downtime when an aircraft has a problem. The changes are aimed at speeding up processes to improve ef ciency and save operators money at a time of increasing costs, the ultimate goal of all new airliners in development. Boeing says the new systems have been tested on an American Airlines

66 AI.01.14 BOEING 737 MAX COMMERCIAL

To the

2014 will be an important year in the development of the Boeing 737 MAX. By Mark Broadbent

Boeing 737-800 as part of the 2012 phase of increase the A321’s maximum exit limit and it could be argued that the MAX didn’t the on-going ecoDemonstrator programme the resulting undivided forward cabin will ‘lose out’ necessarily to its European rival. (see November 2012, p78). The company MAXallow 16 extra seats to be installed. This, says Airlines rarely switch from one narrowbody plans to install them in new-build 737NGs Airbus, will lower the aircraft’s per-seat cost. type to another; they tend to stick with their in 2015 as part of the process of de-risking In May 2013 Hong Kong-based analysts incumbent equipment provider because of the MAX’s systems development before Aspire Aviation, citing unnamed sources, the costs of crew re-training and changes to rst  ight. It says it will continue to look for claimed Boeing was researching adding engineering support. Turkish low cost carrier opportunities to make it easier for customers between six and nine more seats into each ’ decision, in 2013, to move to operate the aircraft. “We are being very MAX variant to maximise per-seat operating from the 737NG to the neo is an exception. deliberate about any changes we make to the economics. Boeing has not con rmed This trend works equally in Boeing’s favour, systems on the 737 MAX to make the airplane whether it is planning such interior changes, given its large existing 737 customer base. even easier to operate and maintain. Through although 737 MAX programme manager Keith Several existing major 737NG operators have careful testing and selective application… Leverkuhn told a media brie ng the company placed big commitments for the MAX including we can ensure these systems are ready to was satis ed with the MAX’s current seating Southwest Airlines, United and most recently enhance the management of our customers’ con guration, then added it would “continue to Gol (60 aircraft), TUI Travel (75) and  yDubai,  eets,” Teal adds. talk to the customers [about] what they need”. which committed to 100 MAX 8s at the recent The rst variant to be developed is the MAX Dubai Airshow. Both Boeing and Airbus have 8 and Boeing has brought forward the date Order Book bene tted from the decisions by some carriers, of the rst customer delivery in 2017 by three At the time of writing the MAX family had such as American Airlines, Norwegian Air months, from Q4 to Q3. The rst prototype attracted 1,768 commitments, split into 1,629 Shuttle and Turkish Airlines, to place big orders MAX 8 is scheduled to  y and begin the rm orders and 139 purchase agreements or for both the MAX and the neo. testing and certi cation programme in 2016. memorandums of understanding (MoUs). This Reuters and Asian media have reported compares to the competing A320neo family’s that Boeing has signed purchase agreements Interior Changes? 2,671 commitments, 2,523 rm orders and 148 with Chinese and Indian airlines, the latter Per-seat operating costs are a major factor in MoUs. During 2013 several airlines selected including Jet Airways and SpiceJet, for aircraft economics and, therefore, part of the the neo for their future  eets. The International signi cant numbers of MAX aircraft. However, PR battle between major manufacturers as Airlines Group (the parent company of British the manufacturer has not con rmed this. With they promote their new designs. In January Airways, Iberia and ), easyJet and, most the forecast growth in the single-aisle market 2013 Airbus announced a new cabin option recently, Etihad Airways all announced big over the next 20 years – Boeing predicts for the A321neo, which will compete directly commitments for the type. 24,670 aircraft in the category and Airbus with the MAX 9, involving the installation of As these, and other airlines which have 20,602 – the competition between the an additional over-wing exit door. This will ordered the neo, are A320 operators currently, MAX and neo will remain erce.

AI.01.14 67 COMMERCIAL BOEING 777X

Boeing has launched new versions of its 777, as Mark Broadbent reports oeing has re-booted cabin will be around 1.6ft (0.5m) wider than Folding Wingtips the 777 with two new the current 777-300ER’s. The company will The 777Xs will feature a carbon bre- variants, the 777-8X transfer cabin features and technologies to reinforced plastic laminar  ow wing based on and 777-9X. The the 777X from the 787 Dreamliner, such as the 787. On the ground, the wing will have the aircraft were launched larger windows to provide more ambient same 212ft 9in (64.8m) span as the current at November’s Dubai light, recessed overhead storage bins 777s. But in  ight the span will increase to Airshow with 259 and sculpted surfaces. Video and photo 233ft 5in (71.1m), thanks to one of the most commitments, from impressions show the cabin with Dreamliner- important differences between the 777X and four airlines, worth a style LED mood lighting in the ceiling and the its family predecessors: folding wingtips. combined $95 billion company says it intends to maximise cockpit Early in the 777X’s conceptual at list price in the largest ever commercial commonality with the 787. development, Boeing decided the aircraft Bjetliner launch by dollar value. More than half should have a wider wing to increase the orders, 150 aircraft, came from Emirates. Engines surface area and maximise aerodynamic Qatar Airways ordered 50, Lufthansa signed The 777Xs will be powered by the General ef ciency. Under International Civil Aviation for 34 -9Xs and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Electric GE9X which, with a 132-inch Organization (ICAO) design codes, the Airways committed to 17 -9Xs and eight (3.352m) fan diameter, will be the biggest wider an aircraft’s wingspan, the greater -8Xs. airliner turbofan ever made. Boeing selected the safety separation required between Design work is underway and Boeing says GE in May 2013 to be the single-source aircraft and ground objects like buildings both variants’ con gurations will be nalised engine supplier for the 777X after discounting and vehicles. Widening the wingspan would in 2015. The -9X will be developed rst, with a rival proposal from Rolls-Royce and its push the 777X from ICAO Code E, where production starting in 2017, maiden  ight in RB3025. the existing versions sit, to Code F – the 2019 and service entry in 2020. The -8X will The GE9X will produce up to 105,000lbs same classi cation as the Boeing 747-8 and

enter service around 18 months after the -9X. (470kN) of thrust, making it the most powerful Airbus A380. But Boeing still wanted the The new 777s have been in the works for turbofan ever developed, while having 10% wider wing performance. Its solution was some time. Market studies started in 2010 less speci c fuel consumption than the to create 21ft (6.4m) raked, folding wingtips. and initial concepts emerged the following GE90-115B. The 10:1 bypass ratio and a For ground operations these sections will year. The Boeing board gave its Commercial 27:1 compressor pressure ratio will give it an be folded upwards, giving the aircraft the Airplanes division authority to begin offering overall engine pressure ratio of 60:1. same wingspan on the ground as the current the aircraft to the market in April 2013, The turbine blades, combustor liners, models. When the 777X reaches the runway allowing initial discussions to begin with rst-stage turbine shrouds and part of the they will be lowered, extending the wingspan potential customers on pricing and orders. casing will all be made from ceramic matrix to its full width for  ight. This design, says composites (CMCs). These materials use Boeing, will allow the 777Xs to have the best Specs silicon carbide which, says GE, allow high of both worlds: conformity with Code E and The 777-9X will seat 400 passengers and performance while cutting weight. They are optimal in- ight performance. have an 8,200nm (15,185km) range. Boeing one-third the weight of nickel super-alloys says there will not be any direct twin- used in aircraft engines normally, but can Ef ciency engine competitor for the same number of work in temperatures as high as 2,400oF Both the wing design and GE9X play key passengers carried. The 777-8X will seat (1,315oC), making the engine more durable. roles in the 777X business case. Boeing 350 and be capable of 9,300nm (17,220 GE says testing of the high-pressure claims these, along with aerodynamic km)  ights, meaning it’ll be able to operate compressor, fan blades and fan system re nements (including a hybrid laminar from New York to Singapore non-stop. The has already started. One of its targets for  ow control vertical tail and natural laminar aircraft has been designed to compete with 2014 is to demonstrate the bene ts of the  ow engine nacelles), will make the aircraft the Airbus A350-1000. CMCs. An engine core test will follow in 20% more fuel ef cient per seat than the Apart from the wingspan (explained later), 2015 before a design freeze, the rst engine 777-300ER. It also claims the 777X will Boeing hasn’t yet released any of cial 777X ground tests in 2016,  ight tests in 2017 burn 12% less fuel per seat, emit 12% less size speci cations. However, it says the and certi cation in 2018. carbon dioxide and be 10% cheaper to

68 AI.01.14 BOEING 777X COMMERCIAL

operate than the A350. Equally important as ef ciency to network airlines is the revenue brought by cargo that their widebody aircraft carry underneath the cabin. Part of the 777-300ER’s market appeal (nearly 1,000 have been sold) is that it can hold 44 industry-standard LD3 cargo pallets. Boeing has not yet disclosed speci c gures, but it’s expected the 777Xs will increase the -300ER’s under oor capacity to help airlines boost cargo revenue. The company has claimed already that the 777X will be able to carry 17 tonnes more cargo than the A350. Gulf In uence Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways’ orders accounted for 90% of the 777X commitments announcedat Dubai. These airlines have grown by using their respective Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha home bases, strategically located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, to feed passengers and The Boeing 777X cargo between east and west. will feature raked, Their success translates to folding wingtips. clout: they’re some of the rst airline Boeing manufacturers turn to when consulting the market about new designs. Business media reports say the three carriers were involved closely in the 777X’s initial development and Emirates President Tim Clark told the Wall Street Journal: “We’ve been pushing Boeing hard, I make no secret of the fact that for three or four years now we’ve been knocking on the door of Boeing to get them to do this [the 777X].” The Gulf carriers require aircraft with both long range, to reach destinations in North America and Asia which are 14-17 hours’  ying time away, and high performance, to cope with temperatures at their home bases. However, Clark believes the 777X isn’t tailored just for Gulf airlines. He told Flightglobal at the Dubai Airshow: “We think it’s been built for the industry.” It was notable that Lufthansa also committed early to the 777X, showing that while non- Gulf airlines may not require the range and performance of Middle Eastern carriers they still want the ef ciencies of new widebodies. It would seem Boeing’s hope is that the 777X hits a sweet spot between performance and ef ciency. The emergence of a replacement market for older 777s is signi cant in this respect as airlines look to replace ageing and increasingly inef cient aircraft. Scott Fancher, Boeing Vice-President and General Manager of Airplane Development, believes the 777Xs “ t in the heart of where we think the market will go”. While Clark predicts the 777X will “sell like hot cakes”. The stage is set for the next act in the on-going orders competition between Boeing and Airbus as the companies go head-to-head with their respective 777X and A350. AIR International will analyse the widebody aircraft market in greater detail in a future issue. FACTOR AI.01.14 69 COMMERCIAL DASSAULT FALCON 5X

Dassault Falcon 5X Mike Jerram describes represents our biggest investment since and airbrakes in a single control surface. the beginning of Falcon programmes, The Falcon 5X will be powered by two Dassault’s latest business jet [demonstrating] our commitment to Snecma Safran Silvercrest turbofans, each n 2006 Dassault Aviation’s then chairman maintaining the technology leadership that rated at 11,450lb (50.93kN) for take-off, and CEO Charles Edelstenne revealed we have displayed in this market since giving a combined maximum thrust that that the French company was working our  rst business jet (the Mystère/Falcon is some 3,700lb (16.46kN) more than that on a new business jet, codenamed 20) ew 50 years ago. By using design of the Falcon 7X’s three Pratt & Whitney SMS (Super Mid-Size). It would replace and manufacturing software and systems Canada PW307As. “The Silvercrest is 15% the tri-jet Falcon 50 and compete with pioneered by Dassault, we have been more fuel-ef cient than other engines in its the Bombardier Challenger 300 and able to build a larger, more comfortable power class,” Trappier says. “Emissions are Gulfstream G250. Subsequently, few and much more economical to operate dramatically lower than current standards, details emerged until October 21, 2013, at aircraft compared to others in its class [fuel and it is remarkably quiet.” Dassault and the National Business Aviation Convention ef ciency will be as much as 50% greater Snecma have a history of collaboration, the & Exhibition in Las Vegas. There, Eric than any competing aircraft, he says]. It is engine manufacturer supplies the Rafale ITrappier, who had succeeded Edelstenne as a new benchmark for the creative use of  ghter’s M88 powerplants. The Silvercrest chairman and CEO in the previous January, technology in business, an all-new, ultra- has been undergoing static testing at the unveiled the company’s latest business jet. ef cient, most advanced technology and engine manufacturer’s facility at Villarroche Not an SMS, but a new-generation aircraft largest Falcon jet yet.” To date, development since 2012, and was expected to make its that will head the company’s eet: the reportedly has cost more than $1 billion.  rst ight aboard a Gulfstream II test-bed Falcon 5X. What happened to the SMS? When the before the end of 2013. A total of eight market for SMS business jets slumped in 2008- Silvercrests – four static, four ying – will take Biggest Investment 2009, and prospects for recovery in that sector part in the test programme, scheduled to Describing the aircraft as “a game- seemed ill-starred for many years, Dassault result in certi cation of the engine in 2015. changer...a new benchmark for the creative began a total rethink, opting instead for ‘clean use of advanced technology in business sheet’ design of a large-cabin jet that would High Speci cation aviation”, Trappier said “the Falcon 5X top its range and be the biggest Falcon so far. The circular cross-section fuselage’s Design The 5X’s airframe is conventional, mostly of metal, with composites used in the tail unit, engine nacelles, fairings and other non- structural components. The wing design is all-new with a 33° sweepback and for the  rst time will be built with winglets from the outset, those on current models having initially been developed as retro ts before being incorporated on production aircraft. Its all-digital control system will feature another  rst on a business jet – ‘ aperons’ that combine the functions of aps, spoilers

70 AI.01.14 All images Dassault FALCON 5X SPECIFICATIONS Length overall: 25.17m (82ft 7in) Wingspan: 25.96m (85ft 1in) Height overall: 7.47m (24ft 6in) Wing area: 72.37m2 (779sq ft) Cabin length: 11.78m (38ft 8in) Cabin height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Cabin width: 2.59m (8ft 6in) Cabin volume: 50.12m3 (1,770cu ft) Baggage volume: 4.39m3 (155cu ft) Max zero-fuel weight: 65,090kg (143,500lb) Max fuel weight: 12,791kg (28,200lb) Dassault Falcon 5X Max ramp weight: 31,661kg (69,800lb) diameter is 244mm (9.5in) larger than that draw data from an infrared camera mounted Max take-off weight: 31,570kg (69,600lb) of any previous Falcon Jet. While the in the aircraft’s nose to display terrain in total cabin is some 152mm (6in) shorter than darkness, fog or dense haze. It will provide a Max landing weight: 29,982kg (66,100lb) that of the 7X, its volume is 14% greater, high-resolution view of the outside world even Balanced fi eld take-off providing passengers with 127mm (5in) in zero visibility weather conditions. Initially length: 1,600m (5,250ft) greater headroom and a 152-183mm wide the Falcon 5X will come with a single HUD, Approach speed: 105kts (194km/h) (5-6 inches) aisle. It will accommodate 14 but Dassault plans to offer dual HUDs in the Maximum operating to 16 passengers in three compartments: a future, with the eventual aim to gain approval speed: Mach 0.90 (980km/h) four-seat club seating section at the front, for them as primary ight displays, a function four-seat ‘conference’ mid-section, and a not yet available on any business jet. Max certifi ed altitude: 51,000ft (15,545m) rear lounge for six passengers whose seats Range at Mach 0.80, with max fuel, fold at, creating sleeping accommodation 5X Partners eight passengers, three crew, NBAA IFR for long-haul overnight ights. This section Dassault will be responsible for manufacturing reserves: 5,200nm (9,630km) can also be out tted as a private ‘state the aircraft’s forward and rear fuselage room’ with electro-chromic  lters that turn sections. New, more automated Aviation Association reserves, and cruising at bulkhead partitions into privacy curtains. manufacturing techniques and streamlined Mach 0.80-0.85, the Falcon 5X will be able to The cabin has 28 oval-shaped cabin production processes will reduce the aircraft’s y nonstop between such city pairs as Los- windows, which will be the largest ever  tted part count, reduce airframe weight and speed Angeles-London, London-Tokyo, New York- to a Falcon, providing passengers with more up the production process, the manufacturer Tel Aviv, São Paulo-Chicago, - natural light than any current production says. Programme partners announced so Geneva, or Paris-Beijing. Dassault also aims business jet, Dassault claims. far include Corse Composite Aéronautiques to have the aircraft certi ed for London City All passenger seats will have Wi-Fi and (wing-to-fuselage fairings); Daher-Socata Airport’s 5.5° steep approach. facilities for using iPads and iPhones as in- (centre fuselage), Fokker (composite tail Components for the  rst Falcon 5X ight entertainment monitors. Cabin altitude unit), GKN (wing control surfaces), Hamilton are currently manufactured at several will be maintained at 6,000ft (1,829m) at Sundstrand (auxiliary power unit), Héroux Dassault facilities. The aircraft’s maiden the aircraft’s maximum operating altitude of Devtek (nose and main landing gears), ight is scheduled for the  rst quarter of 51,000ft (15,545m). Meggitt Systems (brake-by-wire system), 2015, with certi cation planned for late Up front, the Falcon 5X has new nose Potez (main cabin door), and SABCA (rear the following year and  rst contours and cockpit windows that are 32% lower centre fuselage section). customer deliveries in mid- larger than on previous models, improving With a predicted maximum range of 2017. The initial selling price crew vision during take offs and landings. 5,200nm (9,630km) with full fuel, three crew is expected to be $45 The ight deck is taller, and crew seats have and eight passengers, standard National million at the 2013 a 130° recline function for short rest breaks. Business dollar rate. A slide-out ‘jump seat’ is also standard. The aircraft will feature a new development of the Falcon range’s Honeywell Primus-based EASy III cockpit, with four at-panel display screens. Israel’s Elbit Systems is providing a head-up display (HUD) combining enhanced vision and synthetic vision functions that

AI.01.14 71 COMMERCIAL EMBRAER E-JET E” New Generation E-Jet Sérgio Santana and Santiago Rivas detail Embraer’s new generation of E-Jet called the E2

razilian aircraft greater fuel efficiency and bigger spans, display of traffic information, IntuVue 3D manufacturer Embraer a re-designed wingtip that is slightly weather radar, SmartRunway, SmartLanding announced its new turned upwards but without winglets and and Honeywell’s Next Generation Flight series of airliners, stretched fuselages. Management System (NGFMS). named the E-175E2, Each will be powered by Pratt & Whitney The E2 passenger cabins are completely E-190E2, and E-195E2 PurePower geared turbofan high by-pass redesigned, with more space for baggage, at the 2013 Paris ratio engines. a new in-flight entertainment system, Air Show. The E2 A geared turbofan has a reduction satellite TV and radio, and Wi-Fi. series is currently gearbox between the fan and the low Each Embraer E2 variant has in development pressure (LP) shaft allowing the LP to run components produced by different with all three variants intended to offer at a higher rotational speed. This requires manufacturers: Priestmangoode from the Blow operating costs, greater passenger fewer stages in the LP turbine and LP UK and Embraer are jointly developing comfort, commonality with other E-jet compressor, which yields greater efficiency the aircraft cabin. German company variants, and yield similar costs per seat and reduced weight, along with lower fuel Liebherr provides the control systems for than larger re-engined narrowbodies such consumption, emissions, maintenance the flaps and slats, and Moog produces as the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing costs and noise. the fly-by-wire system. Rockwell Collins 737MAX. Embraer’s focus for the E2 series All variants of the E2 use the same is responsible for the horizontal stabiliser appears to be the larger airliner sector, best fourth generation full fly-by-wire digital control system while UTC Aerospace indicated by its decision not to develop a closed-loop control which, according to Systems supplies the wheels, brakes, new version of the smaller E-170. Embraer, saves weight, increases pilot APU, and electrical system. Intertechnique The E-175E2 is expected to enter service control, improves aircraft performance and provides the engine and APU fuel feed, in 2020, while the E-190E2 and E-195E2 provides complete envelope protection in pressure refuelling, fuel transfer, fuel will follow in 2018 and 2019 respectively. all phases for a smoother flight. tank inerting and ventilation system, fuel The series will also feature Honeywell’s gauging and control, and Crane Aerospace E2 Details Primus Epic 2 integrated avionics system & Electronics made the electronic Compared to the baseline E-jets, the providing 330 x 254mm (13 x 10in) large control module for landing gear, brake E2 series feature new wings with higher multifunction displays, advanced graphics, control systems and proximity sensors. aspect ratio, inducing less drag and wireless connectivity, SmartView, cockpit Triumph manufactures the fuselage

The flight deck of the new Embraer E-Jet E2 family is dominated by four large multi-functional displays. Embraer

72 AI.01.14 New Generation E-Jet Embraer

segments, rudder and elevators and been delivered to 65 customers in 47 (LoI) covering 100 aircraft, split between 50 Aernnova Aerospace makes the vertical countries to date. On September 13, E-190E2s and 50 E-195E2s, with 25 firm and horizontal stabilisers. Finally, FACC 2013, the 1,000th E-Jet was rolled out of orders and 25 options for each variant. designs and builds the composite ailerons the assembly line, nine years after the first Embraer also has LoIs totalling 65 E2 and spoilers, and Sonaca provides the aircraft entered commercial service. aircraft from unnamed customers based in carbon-fibre flaps and metallic slats. Embraer has two launch customers Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. for its new E2 family. The US regional The LoIs cover 15 firm orders and 50 Programme Status carrier SkyWest is launch customer for the options. Over the next 20 years Embraer forecasts 80-seat E-175E2 with a firm order for 100 Orders placed to date with Embraer for a worldwide demand for 6,400 commercial and options for 100 more, in a deal valued its E2 family are a major endorsement of jets with up to 130-seat capacity. The at $9.4 billion at list prices. Lessor ILFC the new type. The E-195E2 is competing Brazilian airframer has won a 42% share (International Lease Finance Corporation) is with Bombardier’s CS100, which has in this segment with more than 1,200 launching the 97-seat E-190E2 and 118-seat gained 63 firm orders, 49 options and E-Jets ordered. Over 950 E-Jets have E-195E2. ILFC has signed a letter of intent 17 LoIs since its launch in 2008.

E2 SPECIFICATIONS E-175E2 E-190E2 E-195E2 Wing Span 30.80m (101ft 8in) v E-175 26m (85ft 4in) 33.50m (109ft 10in) v E-190 28.72m (94ft 3in) 33.50m (109ft 10in) v E-195 28.72m (94ft 3in) Length 32.30m (106ft) v E-175 31.66m (103ft 11in) 36.20m (118ft 10in) 41.50m (136.2ft) v E-195 38.65m (126ft 9in)

Height 9.98m (32.7ft) 11.00m (36.1ft) 10.90m (35.8ft) Maximum take-off weight 44,330kg (97,731lb) 56,900kg (125,443lb) 59,400kg (130,954lb) Maximum landing weight 39,100kg (86,201lb) 49,950kg (109,018lb) 53,750kg (118,498lb) Payload 10,310kg (22,730lb) 13,080kg (28,836lb) 15,150kg (33,400lb) Maximum operating speed Mach 0.82 (870km/h or 469kts) Mach 0.82 (870km/h or 469kts) Mach 0.82 (870km/h or 469kts) Service ceiling 41,000ft (12,496m) 41,000ft (12,496m) 41,000ft (12.496m) Range 1,920nm (3,556km) 2,800nm (5,186km) 2,000nm (3,700km) Power 2 x PW1700Gs; 15,000-17,000lb (66.7- 2 x PW1900Gs rated at 19,000-21,000lb 2x PW1900Gs rated at 21,000-23,000lb 75.6kW) each (84.5-93.4kW) each (93.4-102.3kW) each Cabin configuration options 88 seats in single-class 106 seats in single-class 132 seats in a single-class or 80 seats in a two-class fit or 97 seats in a two-class fit or 118 seats in a two-class fit

AI.01.14 73 Kamov’s Six-Tonne Twin Russia hopes that having more Western parts in its new Ka-62 helicopter will boost the type’s export hopes. By Alexander Mladenov

n 2014 there will be major developments designer, Alexander Vagin, said Kamov is engines. The most important lesson rolled in the Kamov Ka-62 programme. The new targeting certi cation of the type by the into the Ka-62 was the use of a fuselage with twin-engine helicopter will be put through European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) improved structural integrity and an energy- its ight test campaign and achieve civil soon after it receives its Russian type absorbing undercarriage. The Ka-62 also certi cation in Russia, before the  rst certi cate. features a bird strike-resistant windshield production examples are rolled-out ahead and redundant main systems as well as main of initial customer deliveries in 2015. Western Standards and intermediate gearboxes with 30-minute Unlike Kamov’s other models, which An advantage for the helicopter where run-dry capability. use co-axial rotors, the Ka-62 has a EASA clearance is concerned is it features conventional design, with a  ve-blade a wide range of components and systems Engine main rotor and a shrouded (or fantail) manufactured by Western European The engine selection was an important Iassembly for the tail. This layout is intended companies. The engine is a Turbomeca consideration in ensuring the Ka-62 is fuel- to provide higher speed, a low level of Ardiden 3G, the fuel system has been made ef cient and offers low maintenance costs. vibration and a large internal cabin volume by French  rm Aerazur Zodiac and the main All the possible options were evaluated and, in turn, make the Ka-62 a commercially and intermediate transmission gearboxes before the Ardiden 3G was picked. The attractive option in a crowded medium twin- have been supplied by Zoerkler of Austria. engine, rated at 1,750shp (1,300Kw), features engine helicopter market. Vagin explained: “It’s an entirely civil dual-channel full authority digital engine helicopter and we have had a lot of freedom control, the capability of operating on one Development to select the best systems available on the engine at altitudes of up to 9,500ft (2,900m) Three prototypes have been assembled at market, applying the price/performance in International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) Kamov’s AAC Progress plant in Arsenyev, selection criteria. The Ka-62 is being conditions (the baseline temperature of the in the far eastern part of Russia, as well offered for export worldwide and there is no atmosphere), or 6,500ft (2,000m) in ISA+20oC as a ground-based ‘iron bird’ static rig compromise on quality. Our task is to bring conditions (that is, 20oC above the baseline). for systems testing. The maiden ight of to the market a high-quality helicopter at a With 5,000 hours between overhauls, the  rst Ka-62 (registered RA-62002, c/n competitive price, with performance equal the Ardiden 3G supplies extra power to 97876210102) was due to take place by the to that of the best members of the medium ensure good performance in hot-and-high end of 2013. class today.” conditions. The engine is slated to receive Testing will proceed throughout 2014 Kamov’s design team used experience its EASA type certi cate in 2014. before type certi cation from Russian gained in Ka-60 Kasatka military utility Compared with the Ka-60, the Ka-62 has authorities follows towards the end of the helicopter’s development, which stalled an improved aerodynamic pro le to generate year or in early 2015. The Ka-62’s chief owing to problems with its Saturn RD-600V more lift and bigger passenger cabin

KA-62 FACTS AND FIGURES Passengers: 15 Passenger cabin height: 1.30m (4ft 2in) Passenger cabin length: 4.10m (13ft 4in) Passenger cabin width: 1.75m (5ft 8in) Range: 600km (324nm) Maximum take-off weight: 6,500kg (14,300lb) Maximum useful load: 2,000kg (4,400lb) Maximum load on the external sling: 2,500kg (5,500lb)

74 AI.01.14 KAMOV KA-62 COMMERCIAL

composites are used in all the non-critical passenger safety standards. In addition to areas of the fuselage. the baseline passenger version, a number of

Alexander Mladenov Maintainability was among the specialised Ka-62s are planned for VIP, search principal design considerations and, to and rescue, medical and utility transport. reduce operators’ workload, it has built- To date, the Ka-62 has attracted few firm in test equipment, a health and usage orders from civilian customers. Seven were monitoring system, easy access to main ordered in December 2012 by Brazil’s Atlas systems and controls and increased use Taxi Aereo, which are slated for delivery of line-replaceable units for maximum between the first quarter of 2015 and first windows that can be used as emergency interchangeability. quarter of 2016. This contract also includes ‘push-out’ exits. Vagin claims that the cabin The Ka-62 features an integrated avionics an option for another seven machines. volume of 9.5m3 (335.4ft3) is unbeatable in system, the KBO-62, supplied by Transas of Colombian operator Vertical de Aviación is the its class. St Petersburg. The helicopter is designed second customer – it placed an order for five for single-pilot visual flight rules operation for in August 2013. Fantail cargo transport missions, but for instrument However, the programme is expected to The Ka-62’s size is on the limit of where a flight rules and passenger/VIP operations, it’ll have success in the near-to-medium future fantail type tail rotor system can be regarded require a two-pilot crew. thanks chiefly to interest from Russia’s as an effective design. A fantail was The twin-engine helicopter is designed to ministries of defence, interior and emergency selected due to its extra safety benefits when operate in temperatures between -50oC and situations. All operate significant numbers operating in urban environments, where 45oC (-49oF to 113oF) to weather Russia’s of ageing Mi-8s that will need replacement helicopters are required to land in confined extreme climatic conditions. The systems and in the next decade, and the Ka-62 is a prime locations, often surrounded by people, tall engines can work without pre-start oil heating, candidate to replace them. The Ka-62 is trees and buildings. and will be able to start in temperatures as low receiving developmental funding from several In case of tail rotor, intermediate gearbox as -35oC (-31oF). The helicopter is designed streams. Russian Helicopters provides the or rotor shaft failure, the large fin provides to operate without hangar storage and from majority and there is also additional finance enough directional stability to allow a rolling unpaved airfields and pads with minimal by the Russian Government through a federal landing at a speed of 43kts (80km/h). The maintenance support. programme that supports civil aviation energy-absorbing undercarriage, which uses developments. a tail wheel, is also designed to provide a high Oil and Gas Market When its flight testing is over and it degree of stability during emergency rolling The Ka-62 is targeted primarily at Mi-8T/P achieves Russian certification, the Ka-62 landings. operators in Russia offering passenger/ is expected to be ordered by the Russian VIP transport to the country’s vast and military for the utility transport and passenger Composites growing oil and gas production facilities. missions as well as operations from Russian Piotr Butowski Around 60% of the Ka-62’s fuselage weight The Ka-62 is seen as an ideal replacement Navy ships. The latter would likely see the is made up of polymeric composites. The for older examples of the fuel-thirsty Mi-8 Ka-62 equipped with various mission suites load-carrying main structure is manufactured as it is broadly comparable in passenger for maritime operations and folding from aluminium alloys and titanium while capability and payload, but offers much higher rotors and tail boom.

AI.01.14 75 French

Henri-Pierre Grolleau reports from Base Aérienne 123 Orléans Atlason the Armée de l’Air’s evaluation of the A400M Atlas

ith the Air Base Upgrade underground pipes has been installed, the advent of In order to accommodate the new aircraft, de-icing and engine run-up areas have been the A400M, a complex upgrade programme has been modernised, the runway used to practise the Armée launched at BA123 Orléans incorporating new tactical landings lengthened, and the control de l’Air buildings for the  rst squadron, the simulator/ tower upgraded to the latest CLA2000 (Control (French training centre and the composite materials Local d’Aérodrome 2000, or air eld local air Air Force) repair shop. A massive new hangar, called traf c) standard. Finally, the main runway will be is at last HM19 (Hangar Métallique 19), now dominates resurfaced and reinforced in 2017 to ensure that renewing the landscape. Built to the latest standards, it it remains operational for the foreseeable future. its tactical can accommodate two A400Ms and includes airlifter eet. The ageing Transall C-160s an engine repair shop and a large storage area The MEST andW C-130H Hercules are all in need of for spare parts, batteries and tyres. The older As is the case with every new Armée de replacement or modernisation and the HM18 has been refurbished and adapted to l’Air equipment, the Centre d’Expériences delivery of the  rst Airbus Atlas to the house one Atlas and one Hercules or Transall Aériennes Militaires (CEAM or military ight Armée de l’Air, in early August 2013, simultaneously. test centre) is the lead unit for the new heralded the start of a new era for the The taxiways and aprons have also been airlifter’s service introduction. In 2009 a French tactical airlift community. upgraded and a new refuelling system with dedicated unit was set up within the CEAM

76 AI.01.14 FRENCH A400M MILITARY Airbus Military Atlas

to oversee the A400M’s development and communities including CN235, Transall, ful ls the Armée de l’Air’s requirements. They entry into service. Called MEST (multinational Hercules, (for their experience are also responsible for writing the aircraft’s entry into service team), it is now in charge of the Airbus cockpit philosophy) and Rafale operating and maintenance manuals, a of the A400M’s operational evaluation, the (for their fast jet background of tactical  ight, process which will be repeated for each new type’s initial operations, training of aircrews using a modern self-defence/electronic standard of the aircraft. The rst two French and maintainers, technical support and all warfare suite and the Link 16 datalink). A400Ms were delivered in the IOC (initial documentation management. Airbus Military was responsible for the operating clearance) standard which features The rst A400M aircrews and maintainers initial training courses and ten pilots, four basic functionalities. The third A400M (for were selected carefully by the Armée de navigators/weapon system operators and eight Turkey) and the fourth (for France) will be l’Air. For example, engineers come from loadmasters were trained in Toulouse, France, con gured in improved SOC 1 (standard a wide variety of backgrounds to share and Seville, Spain, by the company’s own operating clearance 1) standard. SOC 1 their experience: Xingu, Hercules, Transall, instructors. The rst four pilots graduated in incorporates an improved  ight management C-135FR Stratotanker and even Rafale. April 2013 and the remaining six in July. system, initial electronic warfare modes and The rst A400M instructors began training the capability to drop paratroopers and cargo. in early 2013. All selected personnel were Pushing the Atlas to the Limit Each improved con guration standard will highly experienced, with between 3,000 and The initial cadre of personnel will push the require further evaluation. 4,000  ying hours. They came from various A400M to its limit to ensure that the aircraft The Armée de l’Air is conducting a

AI.01.14 77 MILITARY FRENCH A400M

BROTHERS IN ARMS The Armée de l’Air and the RAF are cooperating closely on the A400M Atlas programme. The RAF is due to accept its first Atlas in late 2014/early 2015 and four personnel (an engineering officer, logistician and two technicians) are already busy familiarising themselves with the type. They will be joined shortly by a pilot and a loadmaster. This collaboration is beneficial to both air arms with the nations sharing their operational experience to improve their respective operating procedures as part of a global process to boost interoperability. The two-way cooperation has included an exchange programme and the MEST’s deputy commander flying the C-130J with the RAF to gain invaluable experience of piloting a new generation glass-cockpit aircraft. The RAF has also invested in a cargo compartment simulator, to test loading procedures and train loadmasters, and France will have access to this equipment for its own needs. The RAF will receive 22 A400Ms.

1 rigorous operational evaluation. For each into a test phase and an operational far from its support infrastructure. We will flight a three or four-page document is evaluation phase. This is the reason why also determine how a typical detachment published, describing the content of the the MEST includes three experimental test will be composed in terms of aircrews, sortie in great detail. “The DGA [Direction pilots, one flight test engineer and one maintenance personnel, support equipment Générale de l’Armement, the French Defence flight test paratrooper. Initially, we only and spare parts. Procurement Agency] and the Armée de l’Air performed local flights [from/to Orléans] to “Once all basic skills are mastered, we will work as a fully integrated team in order finalise aircrew training and to carry out the will switch to advanced tactics; low-level to avoid duplicating trials and to reduce first round of tests. We will soon switch penetration of hostile airspace, two-ship costs,” explains Lt Col Paul Creuset, MEST to flights to other air bases in France and tactical flying, night-flying with night vision Commanding Officer. abroad to make sure that the A400M can goggles, electronic warfare and reactions “As a result, each sortie could be divided deploy to, and operate from, other airfields against threats. At a much later stage we will 2

1 Ministre de la Défense Jean-Yves Le Drian attended the delivery ceremony of the first Armée de l’Air A400M Atlas, 0007/F-RBAA, at BA123 Orléans on September 30. 2 Jean-Yves Le Drian names the first French A400M Ville d’Orléans. All images Armée de l’Air unless noted

78 AI.01.14 FRENCH A400M MILITARY

3 The first A400M Atlas for the Armée de l’Air, 0007, during a test flight from Seville-San Pablo Airport.Airbus Military 4 The A400M is equipped with a glass cockpit. 5 The Centre d’Expériences Aériennes Militaires is the lead unit for the new airlifter’s service introduction. 3

also perform air-to-air refuelling to ensure the A400M can be used as a tanker for fighters 4 and EC725 Caracal helicopters.” Maintenance Friendly Maintenance is a key aspect of operating every aircraft and, in the A400M, Airbus engineers have designed an aircraft that will be reliable and easy to service and repair. All A400M maintenance procedures will be evaluated by the MEST in the coming months. “For us, it will be a daunting task,” explains Lt Col Franck Baron, the MEST officer in charge of A400M maintenance and support. “Our technicians have identified a total of 1,458 tests that will have to be carried out to check all aspects of the maintenance and repair procedures. This will include towing, refuelling, engine, propeller or wheel changes, avionics LRU replacement, flap, rudder or APU replacement. To accelerate the process, our engineers will be divided into three teams and will work from 06.00 to 22.00, six days a week. We have adopted a paperless organisation and aircrews will sign the Armée de l’Air’s standard Form 11 electronically. This a totally new way of operating and aircrews and engineers will have to get used to that. “Many types of equipment – new and more powerful tractors to tow the heavier A400M, new higher-reaching elevating platforms to work on the tail, dedicated electronic support equipment – have been introduced for the Atlas and they will all have to undergo a thorough trial programme to ensure that they are up to the job.” 5 With two A400Ms now operational at Orléans, the Armée de l’Air is increasing its operational capabilities. The Atlas will officially become fully operational when six aircraft have been delivered which, according to the latest available information, should be in September 2014. With its longer range and increased payload, compared to the Transall C-160 and C-130H Hercules, the new aircraft will provide a much-needed boost in airlift capabilities at a time when a growing number of Transalls are withdrawn from use. The A400M’s state-of- the-art self-defence/electronic warfare suite will provide a first entry capability in the most dangerous theatres of operation. In addition, the Atlas will allow the Armée de l’Air to minimise the use of chartered civilian airlifters (such as An-124s and Il-76s), reducing its operating costs significantly.

AI.01.14 79 MILITARY EMBRAER KC-390 KC-390 SPECIFICATIONS A mock-up of the KC-390’s Wing span: 35.05m (114ft 11in) cockpit layout. Embraer Length overall: 35.20m (115ft 5in) Height overall: 12.15m (39ft 10in) Tail plane span: 12.24m (40ft 1in) Cargo compartment length: 12.68m (41ft 7in) Cargo compartment length: 18.54m (60ft 10in) Cargo compartment width: 3.35m (11ft) Cargo compartment height forward: 2.94m (9ft 10in) Cargo compartment height aft: 3.20m (10ft 6in) Max payload (tactical): 16,000kg (35,274lb) Max payload (logistical): 26,000kg (57,320lb) Fuel weight (wing): 23,400kg (51,588lb) Max take-off weight (tactical): 67,000kg (147,710lb) Max take-off weight (normal): 74,400kg (164,024lb) Max take-off weight (logistical): 81,000kg (178,575lb) Max cruising speed: 464kts (861km/h) Maximum speed: 529kts (980km/h) Service ceiling: 36,000ft (10,973m) atin America’s main design changes. These covered many of the aviation industry, based in parts common to the E170 family including Range with max payload: 1,200nm (2,222km) Argentina and Brazil, has the tail unit and the wing. In addition the Maximum ferry range: 3,100nm (5,778km) developed several transport air force speci ed that all of its aircraft have Power: 2 x IAE V2500-E5s rated aircraft. The FMA Ae.T.1 an air-refuelling capability, and the latter at 31,330lb (139.6kN) (a design from Argentina speci cation changed the designation from in the 1930s) was the rst, C-390 to KC-390. but the most successful The programme was of cially launched on was the Embraer EMB 110 April 14, 2009 and on July 21 that year the Bandeirante designed by Brazilian Air Force signed a letter of intent Frenchman Max Holste. for 28 KC-390s. The aircraft will replace LThe prototype EMB 110 made its maiden the C-130H Hercules  eet operated by the  ight in October 1965 and its success gave 1º/1º Grupo de Transporte and the 1º Grupo the Brazilian aviation industry a major boost as de Transporte de Tropa, both based at Rio 501 aircraft were built. Almost 50 years after de Janeiro-Galeão/Antônio Carlos Jobim launching the Bandeirante, Embraer is ready to International Airport. As part of its expansion start construction of its most ambitious military plan, the Brazilian Air Force is expected to project: the KC-390. This new medium tactical establish new units in the Amazon region. transport is being marketed by Embraer as an alternative to the Lockheed Martin C-130J Advanced Design Hercules and in particular a replacement Today the KC-390 and the new E2 family for old versions of the Herk, including those of airliners are Embraer’s most advanced operated by the Brazilian Air Force (Força projects. Once the KC-390’s critical design

AAérea Brasileira or FAB). Brazireview ended in March 2013, the company manufacturedlian by AEL Sistemas. The KC- Promise When production of the Bandeirante gave the go ahead for construction of two 390 also features a Rockwell Collins Pro and Brasilia ended, Embraer had no prototypes; their rst  ights are expected in Line Fusion avionics system, two side-stick dedicated military transport type in its late 2014. controls and a comprehensive self-defence portfolio, offering only military versions of Embraer Defense & Security president, suite comprising chaff/ are dispensers, passenger aircraft such as the ERJ145 and Luiz Carlos Aguiar, stated at the 2013 Latin radar warning receiver, a laser warning E170, mostly for VIP and special mission America Aerospace and Defence (LAAD) system, missile approach warning system roles. More recently the company offered exhibition in Brazil that the company’s plan is and directional infrared countermeasures, all a version of the Phenom business jet to deliver the rst KC-390 to the Brazilian Air supplied by AEL Sistemas. con gured for surveillance missions. Force in 2016. Other suppliers include: BAE Systems During the development phase, Embraer ( ight control computers and  y-by-wire C-390 to KC-390 engineers  ew operational sorties with system), Cobham (air-refuelling pods and In 2007 Embraer decided to develop the the Brazilian Air Force to gain experience auxiliary fuel tanks), DRS Defense Solutions C-390, using as many parts common to the of missions on which the KC-390 will be (cargo movement and release system), ELEB E190 family. The rst concept designs for tasked. (undercarriage design and production), the C-390 showed what looked like an E190 The cockpit will be armoured (with plates Esterline Control Systems (autothrottle), with an enlarged fuselage and high wing. provided by Aerotron), have large windows, Goodrich Corporation (electrostatic, back-up The following year, the Brazilian Government ve 15.1-inch (383mm) multi-function electric and electronic actuators), Hispano- issued its National Defense Strategy and the displays, an enhanced vision system, a Suiza (emergency electric energy generation air force backed the C-390 but requested synthetic vision system and a HUD, all system), Liebherr-Aerospace (environmental

80 AI.01.14 EMBRAER KC-390 MILITARY

Embraer’s KC-390 is the only military transport aircraft currently under development in Latin America. Santiago Rivas and Sergio Santana review the programme Embraer

A Brazilian Promiseand cabin pressure systems), LH Collus Argentina de Aviones), Colombia (CIAC, Argentina, and some command surfaces (troop seats and stretchers), Messier-Bugatti- Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica by Aernnova in Brazil. Final assembly will Dowty (wheels, brake wheels) and Selex Colombiana) and Chile (ENAER, Empresa occur in Gavião Peixoto, in São Paulo state. Galileo (Gabbiano mission radar). Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile) produce Embraer expects to receive the rst rm main components, including the fuselage order from one of the countries participating KC-390 Prospects and cargo ramp. All three countries require in the programme before the middle of 2014. According to Embraer’s latest forecast for a medium tactical transport aircraft to Currently, letters of intent have been signed the medium tactical transport market, 728 replace their C-130 Hercules  eets and have for 60 aircraft; 28 for Brazil, 12 for Colombia, planes are required in 77 countries with a shown great interest in buying KC-390s, six for Argentina, six for Chile, six for total value of more than $50 billion. Africa although no rm orders have been placed. Portugal and two for the . has about 45% of the market and Southeast Other potential customers in the region are At last year’s LAAD exhibition, Embraer Asia 27.2%. The gures exclude the Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. released details on the development of a United States, Russia and China, because The forward and aft section 1 will search and rescue version and a possible each one builds its own tactical transport be made in Botucatu, São Paulo state, re ghting role for KC-390. aircraft, and Cuba and Iran because of arms while the wing panels, longerons, With attention focussed on constructing embargoes. horizontal stabilisers, central section and and testing the two prototype aircraft, With just 13% of the world market, South undercarriage fairing will all be made Embraer is betting on its entry into a new America is the region in which the KC-390 is in Portugal. The aft section 2 will be sector of the military market, despite the most likely to succeed. The main aerospace manufactured by Aero Vodochody, in the competition posed by Lockheed Martin factories in Argentina (FAdeA, Fábrica Czech Republic, the tail cone by FAdeA, and its proven and trusted Hercules.

AI.01.14 81 MILITARY BOEING F-15SE SILENT EAGLE Silent Eagle

David C Isby considers the future of Boeing’s F-15SE Silent Eagle

or the Boeing F-15SE was to restart the bidding process, with the Previously, the Silent Eagle had been in the Silent Eagle, 2014 will be winning aircraft replacing RoKAF McDonnell running for the Japanese F-X competition, its make-or-break year. The Douglas F-4 Phantoms and Northrop F-5s but this was won by Lockheed Martin’s F-35 aircraft had been the only due for retirement between 2017 and 2021. Lightning II. It has also been offered to other competitor in the Republic If the RoKAF reverses its decision, this potential customers in Asia and the Middle of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) year will see the start of intense testing of the East. Israel was reportedly interested in FX-III ( ghter experimental) F-15SE in an effort to meet the demanding the design, but decided against an order. competition for 60 ghters. delivery schedule. Boeing has advocated, Another possible major customer is Qatar, But, in September 2013, since September, a split order for two with a requirement for up to 72 aircraft. South Korea’s Defense ghters but that is not an option the RoKAF Acquisition Program Administration said it has used extensively. Silent History F First announced in 2009, the Boeing- funded F-15SE design was one of three major competitors for the South Korean FX-III requirement, along with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and the Euro ghter Typhoon. After an extensive RoKAF evaluation, in September the F-15SE was announced as the only competitor to meet the programme’s budget of 8.3 trillion won ($7.2 billion). The decision met with public criticism, most notably from retired RoKAF generals (15 signed an open letter on the issue), stating that the basic F-15SE design was dated and its stealth capabilities inadequate. This made the F-35A the only viable option to meet the FX-III requirement, despite its failure to be selected in 2013. While the US Department of Defense (DoD) had limited its public statements to an RoK announcement, it would approve the export of either the F-35A or F-15SE. In practice the DoD and the US Air Force have, behind the scenes, made it clear that the best way to achieve economies of scale and commonality is to permit export customers to buy aircraft that are as closely con gured to US variants as is possible.

82 AI.01.14 Silent Eagle All images Boeing Rather than place an order for the F-15SE, Policy and Politics as, the highest level of stealth technology as was thought likely in September, the Policy and political considerations that the US government would approve for RoKAF announced a new competition, with weigh against the F-15SE including the export. The aircraft’s forward-aspect stealth potentially higher spending and involving commitment to indigenous production features include internal weapons bays in a smaller number of aircraft. These terms and technology transfer associated with its conformal fuel tanks (CFT) and, the most appear to favour the F-35A. A decision is the Typhoon and the emphasis on stealth noticeable feature, 15° inward-canted ns. expected by early 2014. provided by the F-35. These were key However, a nal F-15SE design may omit the performance parameters (KPPs) of the latter. Forecast original FX-III requirement and are seen as Boeing claims that an F-15SE without Only a change in RoK policy could revive the main reason for the new competition, external tanks would hold 950 US gallons the Silent Eagle’s fortune. The RoKAF is despite RoKAF concerns over further delays. (3,600 litres) less fuel with a 180-200nm concerned about a shortfall in its operational In addition, the fact the fth-generation (330-370km) shorter radius of action than capability between the retirement of F-4s and F-35 will be operated by both the US and an F-15K. The upside is the Silent Eagle’s F-5s and the service entry of a new ghter. It Japan and that China is developing the ability to internally carry up to four air-to-air may be possible to extend the service life of stealthy J-20 ghter, the Lightning II, would or air-to-surface weapons. some of the legacy aircraft. The feasibility of provide the RoK with commonality as well as extending the service life of RoKAF ghters prestige. Current Status was given when the RoK offered to transfer a The RoKAF has given consideration to US Testing on elements of the design, such as squadron of F-5Es to Indonesia in 2013. The DoD interests in its procurement decisions. the upgraded CFTs incorporating weapons offer was declined. The F-15SE would not be in production for bays, has been carried out in wind tunnels the US military and therefore, if ordered, and in  ight on modi ed versions of earlier Analysis unique to the RoKAF – unlike the F-35. A F-15s. The rst  ight of Boeing’s F-15E1 Aside from Boeing’s technology demonstrator RoKAF order would also reduce per-unit technology demonstrator took place on July F-15E1, if the RoKAF or Qatar does not order costs through economies of scale. While 8, 2010. the F-15SE it is unlikely the manufacturer will the DoD has stated it would approve the If the RoKAF orders the F-35A to meet its build a prototype. Israel’s decision to order export of either or both types, the RoKAF’s FX-III requirement, it is uncertain whether two squadrons of F-35As has, effectively, perceived preference is for the F-35 which Boeing will continue to fund development of precluded additional investment in F-15s for would also mitigate against a split order for the F-15SE. long-range strike missions. two types to meet the FX-III requirement. The company is more likely to concentrate Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been on investing in upgrades to the F/A-18E, heavily involved in the design, development Description F/A-18F Super Hornet. The future of the and planned production of the F-15SE. The The two-seat F-15SE is a development upgraded CFTs, being developed with 80% commonality with RoKAF F-15K Slam of the F-15K Slam Eagle currently in Korean Airspace Industries (KAI), is also Eagles and its two-seat con guration are service with the RoKAF, incorporating uncertain. Because of the high level of seen as real advantages for the F-15SE elements of the F-15SG operated by the industry participation within the RoKAF, and design, particularly for long-range strike Republic of Singapore and the F-15SA the CFT’s potential for inclusion in a mid-life missions against transient targets such as under development for Saudi Arabia. The upgrade of the F-15K, it is possible that mobile missile launchers. F-15SE uses, what Boeing characterises development may continue.

AI.01.14 83 FLightning-35 II David C Isby reviews the status of the Joint Strike Fighter

84 AI.01.14 F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

n 2014, the Lockheed Martin F-35 3i software, the objective build that will jeopardy, the F-35 is likely to progress in Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will provide integration with the ALIS (Autonomic 2014 as its successes offset some of the progress towards its initial operational Logistics Information System) and enable damage to its image in icted by years of capability (IOC), planned for 2016-2017. network-centric operations, will at the same rising costs, weight and structure issues. Software and ight testing will be the time become the focus of development. As with other US military programmes, main developmental issues likely to be Software transitions will be among the the F-35 is likely to suffer from continued encountered in 2014. key events in 2014. “Software is still the sequestration, making long-standing The F-35’s primary policy and number one risk of the programme,” said plans for development and the ramping- managerial issues will challenge its Joint US Air Force Lt Gen Chris Bogdan, the F-35 up of the low-rate initial production Program Of ce (JPO) and Lockheed programme manager. “Software is tricky, (LRIP) unachievable. Near-term delays or Martin to decrease unit costs while hard and the number one thing that paces reductions in the quantities ordered, such as Isimultaneously dealing with the uncertain the programme.” the USAF’s November 2013 announcement impact of US budget sequestration and what that it would postpone 24 F-35As already are likely to be prolonged cuts in resources. Forecast scheduled in the  ve-year procurement The F-35’s Block 2B software, which Barring a major setback (especially in the cycle, will have an impact on costs – as provides operational capability, will be software testing or validation) that could did the projected 2013 order for 85 F-35As installed throughout the eet in 2014. Block throw the entire programme back into for the Royal Netherlands Air Force which

F-35B test aircraft BF-01 takes off from the deck of the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 15, 2013. All images Lockheed Martin but the impact of sequestration is likely to reduce the numbers to 35 or 36, seven and 13 respectively. Deliveries are scheduled for FY2014 and will involve F-35s ordered as LRIP Lot 6, comprising 18 F-35As for the US Air Force, six F-35Bs for the US Marine Corps, seven F-35Cs for the US Navy, three F-35As for Italy and two F-35As for Australia. Bigger cuts may follow, starting in 2015 – cutting a squadron’s worth for the US Air Force and causing a possible two-year F-35C procurement hiatus for the US Navy. Barring disasters, there appears to be little 1 indication that anyone will turn away from the F-35 programme in 2014. The US Air Force has identified the F-35, along with the KC-46A tanker (see KC-46 America’s Mobility Game Changer?, November p130-133) and the Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B) programmes, as being its three top force recapitalisation priorities. And the navy, marine corps and the international partners remain committed to the programme. “There is zero indication that any US service will not buy a lot of these airplanes,” said Bogdan. A key indicator of the F-35 unit cost starting to fall is that, for the first time, the cost of Lot 7 airframes which (minus engine) are below the $100 million mark. The 35 aircraft being built in Lot 7 are not all complete yet, but the cost of those that are compared to a similar number of aircraft built in previous lots shows a lower per unit cost. “The expectation is airplane and engine price must come down,” said Bogdan. This 2 is consistent with the goal to reduce unit costs by 2019, but reductions in the numbers became an actual order for 37. to 63), Belgium (up to 40) and a second The impact of the US Air Force F-35A cuts squadron (19) for Israel. The F-35 may even 1 Production standard US Marine Corps will be minimised by reallocation of the slots appear at the Farnborough Airshow for the F-35B BuNo 168313/‘VK13’, currently as- to other air arms that could take near-term first time in 2014. signed to the 461st Flight Test Squadron at deliveries, such as Israel (and, as is likely, the Edwards AFB, releases a GBU-12 Paveway II Republic of Korea). Analysis laser-guided bomb from the internal weapons Among international partners, 2014 is also Scheduled US F-35 orders for fiscal year (FY) bay against a fixed target located in a test likely to see initial orders from the Republic 2014 were planned to be 40 F-35As for the range on October 29. 2 F-35A 07-0744/‘ED’ of Korea (60), Denmark (up to 30, with the US Air Force, eight F-35Bs for the US Marine is marked with the number plate of the 461st decision to be made in 2015), Canada (up Corps, and 14 F-35Cs for the US Navy, Flight Test Squadron on its tail fins. The aircraft is seen over one of the Edwards AFB ranges during a test flight. 3 F-35B test 3 aircraft BF-01 is cleared for short take-off from the deck of the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 20, 2013. BF-01 and its sister BF-05 deployed aboard the Wasp for the second phase of ship suitability sea trials, also known as developmental test phase two (DT-II).

86 AI.01.14 F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

4 F-35B test aircraft BF-01 comes in for a vertical landing aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) on August 19, 2013 during DT-11. The second phase of ship suitability sea trials expanded the F-35B’s operational envelope around the ship in short take-off/vertical landing mode. 5 The US Navy welcomed its first F-35C production aircraft BuNo 168733/‘NJ101’ at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on June 24, 2013. The aircraft is being used for F-35 pilot and maintainer training.

5 of F-35s ordered for the US services could 4 undercut economies of scale and push realisation of cheaper full rate production aircraft into the next decade. Other costs associated with the type’s concurrent development (system design and development is happening concurrently with engineering and manufacturing development) are also levelling out. The need to modify existing F-35s to bring them in line with a more advanced baseline configuration should require less work per airframe in the Fort Worth factory in 2014 and consequently cost less. Reflecting a levelling-out of earlier, and more recent, cost increases, in 2014 the JPO may ask the Department of Defense to revise downwards the estimated $1.1 trillion overall life-cycle cost for the entire F-35 programme made in 2010. The new, revised estimate is a cool $857 billion which includes $391.2 billion for the procurement of 2,443 F-35s for all three US services, the current programme of record. Next year may also see the continued turnaround of relations between the JPO and Lockheed Martin, which reached a nadir in 2012 – commenting on which Lt Gen Bogdan said: “Communication is an order of magnitude better than it was a year ago.” Policy and Political Considerations As the largest-ever military aircraft programme, designed from the outset to be international, that avoids duplication of effort and includes rigid work-shares, what happens to the F-35 in 2014 will inevitably be shaped by policy and political

AI.01.14 87 MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

considerations. reluctance in 2013 to sign a contract for the Description In the US, the air force has demonstrated Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle ghter, even that, despite budget cuts and sequestration, after it was considered the only proposal to The F-35 has a trapezoidal mid-wing it is willing to cut force structure, upgrades of meet its FX-III requirement, is an example of con guration, optimised for stealth, along with current aircraft and capabilities to ensure it the powerful appeal of operating the F-35. twin tail ns and internal weapon bays. Its receives the F-35. The USAF considers the Remaining aligned with the US – buying the wing and tail plane leading edges are swept Lightning II as being crucial to 21st century same F-35s as are being delivered to the back at (approximately) 33°; trailing-edges are manned airpower. Over the next 12 months, US services – is also a powerful argument swept forward at 14°; its ns are swept back it will have to expend political capital to make for the type among current and potential at approximately 42° and canted outward at these priorities stick as it faces the likelihood international operators. the tips by approximately some 19°. And the of cuts while the yet unproven F-35 absorbs “The F-35 blots out the sun,” said Dr twin, diverterless graphite/epoxy composite more resources. Andrew Krepinevich, head of the Center for engine air intakes have no moving parts. The US Marine Corps – looking to the Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in These features show the extent to which service life expiration of its oldest AV-8B Washington, DC. This means, in the US as stealth or LO (low observability) is at the Harrier IIs, F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornets well as many partner nations, it is the only core of the F-35 design. It incorporates – is particularly anxious to make progress option for a new ghter, and the resources it the results of decades of US experience in towards IOC and will carry out extensive has absorbed are going, in 2014, to preclude material design and fabrication technologies training and development while further any others. and represents a considerable advancement preparing MCAS Yuma in Arizona and In many ways the F-35’s development over earlier stealth aircraft, most notably the MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina (which re ects decisions made more than a decade Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The F-35’s will be shared with British F-35s) for more ago. It exempli ed the impact on the skin is more sustainable and its structure squadrons of F-35Bs. research and development world of the US requires less maintenance than the F-22’s. None of the international partners is military (and its associated military industrial The new aircraft also is designed to carry likely to walk away from the programme. complex) and the over-con dence that, signi cant weapons loads in an internal bay Canada or, less likely, Denmark may possibly on the policy level, also contributed to the while allowing for underwing carriage in order an alternative ghter (upgraded F/A- many setbacks in the long and frustrating less-contested battle spaces. 18Es for Canada or Saab JAS39 Gripens con icts in Afghanistan and Iraq. All of these Perhaps even more than stealth, the for Denmark). But the two countries took longer, cost more than anticipated network capabilities of the F-35 are its key will probably remain as partners in the and became politically unpopular. Both design feature. With access to multiple programme even if they do not end up the military and the defence industry have datalinks, the F-35 will be able to use inputs operating the F-35. The Republic of Korea’s learned from bitter experiences. from other aircraft or terrestrial sensors

The fi rst F-35C production aircraft BuNo 168733/‘NJ101’ at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, with its wings folded.

88 AI.01.14 F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY to achieve the situational awareness vital funding requirements will average $12.6 September 2013 Lt Gen Bogdan said ALIS to survival – and success – in air combat. billion annually until 2037. had “started too late” and so the programme Multiple F-35s can operate with their sensors Training will become increasingly important was “now in catch-up mode”. linked together, sharing that improved to meet the need for F-35 instructors to situational awareness. enable the rst operational squadrons to be Overview One design feature that will feature in the established. The F-35 remains not only the most F-35’s 2014 test schedule is the redesigned Developmental  ying will continue, and by expensive, but the most controversial, military tail hook for the carrier-based F-35C version. the end of 2014 some 54% of the required aircraft programme in history. The main This replaces an earlier version which proved  ight testing will be nished, including the issues for 2014 are progression of the  ight- inadequate in 2010-2011. complete F-35  ight envelope. test programme, especially the software and Major test events expected in 2014 will its all-important validation, and how training Current Status include the completion of trials of the revised will increase to meet the planned IOC. In 2014, the F-35 programme will remain F-35C carrier tail hook with shipboard US Deputy Defense Secretary Dr Ashton in system design and development arrested landings. Testing will move Carter said the F-35’s future in 2014 depends (SDD), concurrent with engineering and beyond  ight characteristics and focus on more on the results of testing (and the all- manufacturing development (EMD). This operational concerns – primarily weapons important software veri cation) than on the concurrent development may be affected integration and their carriage throughout US defence budget. by US budget sequestration. As the initial the  ight envelope; and the F-35’s network- Other questions about the impact of capabilities are being delivered from the SDD centric capabilities. These have already the programme remain unanswered. With programme (which is scheduled to ramp included a ve-ship  ight linked with MADL production likely to dominate not just the US down in FY2017 and nish a year later with (multifunction airborne data link), and more Air Force but also partner nations’ air arms the planned decision point on whether to will follow over the next 12-months. for decades to come, will there be suf cient enter full-rate production), capability planning Installation and testing of Block 2B resources for any other design team to for follow-on development (FoD) is under way. software will run throughout 2014 and not be continue with alternative designs? The USAF’s FY2014 budget request, completed until 2015. Meanwhile the much Despite the likelihood of economies of submitted in the spring of 2013, included more complex Block 3i software will enter scale in procurement and a more mature $4.2 billion to fund development plus the  ight test in 2014, enabling the interface with production process, the F-35 at best will procurement of 19 LRIP Lot 8 aircraft. A ALIS, intended to sustain the F-35’s network- smooth out the curves of increasing costs total of 179 air force F-35As will have been centric capability, to be validated. Under and decreasing numbers that have cast procured by end of FY2014 and, as USAF current plans ALIS will be elded in by 2016. a shadow over the future of manned production increases, F-35 acquisition This may, however, prove problematic – in combat aircraft for decades.

AI.01.14 89 hen aircrew Point Mugu in California. In fact their endurance upgrade of the existing Fire Scout selected helicopter was a fully autonomous vertical system which comprises the MQ-8B air engine take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle, the CS with tactical control system start on vehicle system known as the MQ-8C Fire (TCS) software, various mission payload their grey Scout. The crew comprised an air vehicle packages and associated control, handling Bell 407 operator (AVO) and a mission payload and support equipment. helicopter operator (MPO) – their cockpit a control The intention of the MQ-8C is to supply on October station (CS) equipped not with a cyclic stick, navy ships with UAS detachments, or 31 they collective lever and anti-torque pedals but a UDets, capable of providing eight hours of were about keyboard and a mouse. continuous maritime ISR capability from a to y an historic sortie – the maiden ight of single platform. This is a mission currently theW US Navy’s latest aircraft. Endurance Upgrade own by the MQ-8B variant in support of They were not onboard the helicopter but The new Fire Scout is designated the conventional and special operations forces inside a control station a short distance from MQ-8C, and in accordance with the navy’s speci cally in the African Command area the ramp at Naval Base Ventura County, aircraft requirements documentation is an of operations.

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Eventually the MQ-8C will provide move up to the MQ-8C? Capt Patrick Smith, of them, EMD-1 and EMD-2, are test aircraft; unmanned aviation detachments (AvDets) Tactical Multi-Mission Unmanned Aerial the other 12 are production-series aircraft aboard Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) and System programme manager with Naval Air currently undergoing modi cation.” composite AvDets that will deploy on an Systems Command’s (NAVAIR’s) PMA-266 Northrop Grumman is under contract with LCS with an MH-60R-equipped Helicopter based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, the US Navy for the rapid development of the Maritime Strike Squadron. explained: “In 2012 when the Department of MQ-8C and has 12 production series aircraft The ISR tasking is based on a two-air the Navy decided to support an endurance in various stages of modi cation. The rst vehicle detachment performing orbits. One upgrade, the Of ce of the Under Secretary of test aircraft, EMD-1, was delivered by truck orbit comprises continuous coverage for 24 Defense and Congress were all noti ed that from the company’s facility at Moss Point, hours at a range of at least 150 nautical miles PMA-266 would defer an MQ-8B full-rate Mississippi, to Point Mugu, arriving there on (275km) from the ship. Each individual MQ- production decision until 2015. The pause July 8. 8C can remain on station at 150nm from the in MQ-8B procurement allows the navy to The  ight testing, which began at Point ship for eight hours. procure 28 MQ-8Cs between FY 2012 and Mugu on October 31, is being conducted So what is the Fire Scout programme plan, 2015. by an integrated team made up of NAVAIR to cease procurement of the B-model and “We have procured 14 aircraft to date, two and Northrop Grumman personnel and Air

MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455/’VX’ takes off from Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu on the type’s maiden fl ight, when it reached an altitude of 500 feet. All images Northrop Grumman unless noted

AIR International’s Mark Ayton details the MQ-8C Fire Scout, the latest type to enter development testing with Naval Air Systems Command

AI.01.14 91 MILITARY MQ-8C FIRE SCOUT MQ-8C FIRE SCOUT SPECIFICATIONS Length: 41ft 4in (12.60m) Width: 7ft 9in (2.40m) Blades folded hangar: 7ft 9in x 34ft 8in x 10ft 10in (2.40m x 10.60m x 3.30m) Height: 10ft 10in (3.30m) Rotor diameter: 35ft (10.70m) Zero fuel weight: 3,200lb (1,451kg) Gross take-off weight: 6,000lb (2,720kg) Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C47B with FADEC PERFORMANCE Max speed: 135kts (250km/h) Operational ceiling: 17,000ft (5,181m) Range: 110nm (200km) with 12 hours on station Maximum endurance: 15 hours Maximum internal payload: 1,000lb (453kg) Payload internal: 1,000lb (272kg) giving 12 hours’ endurance Payload with sling load: 2,650lb (1,200kg)

1 The MQ-8C is capable of a variety of missions including vertical replenishment. 2 Fire Scout performs its ISR tasking over land and sea.

1 Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX- 400 gallons (1,500 litres) of additional fuel Vardoulakis highlighted commonality 30) ‘Bloodhounds’, a resident unit at the compared to a baseline Bell 407, and around between the two Fire Scout variants. “All the Californian base. 15 hours endurance – getting on for double systems are the same. The MQ-8B and MQ- The new MQ-8C will eventually be the amount offered by the MQ-8B and close 8C  y on the same common software build deployed aboard the navy’s new LCS ships to three times the payload capability – and with the required differences for controlling but until then MQ-8B Fire Scouts (see offers signi cant growth potential. either of the two different types. Once the On the Perch, June p44-50) will start LCS air vehicle [either a ’B or ’C model] is linked deployments in 2014 as dictated by the LCS MQ-8C Conversion up, the software recognises which type it’s mission set. The basic Bell 407 aircraft is commercially communicating with and applies the correct According to Northrop Grumman, the MQ- produced at Mirabel in Quebec, Canada. software.” 8C Fire Scout will provide the navy with a Each one destined for MQ-8C conversion Once engine runs and tests are 30% greater range, twice the endurance and is delivered to the Bell facility in Ozark, completed, known as the acceptance test, an increased payload capacity compared Alabama, where all the hardware intended the air vehicle is ready for delivery to the to the existing MQ-8B variant. Unlike the for manned operation is removed. The US Navy. Schweizer S333-based MQ-8B, the MQ-8C Ozark facility then installs a ‘bird cage’ (an As a footnote, a key risk reduction effort of uses a Bell 407 airframe. additional structure) in the cargo bay to the MQ-8C programme was the integration So why was the Bell 407 chosen, who hold the self-sealing fuel cell and modi es of a dual FADEC (full authority digital engine selected that model and for what objective? the cabin and the cockpit for the avionics control) with the Rolls-Royce 250-C47B “Following an extensive selection process, and wiring speci c to the MQ-8C. Each engine. Flight testing of the engine, FADEC, Northrop Grumman chose the Bell 407 air vehicle is then delivered by road to avionics and the sensor was completed on because of its proven reliability and ease Northrop Grumman’s Moss Point facility Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8C prototype at of modi cation,” said George Vardoulakis, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This is where the Bell facility in Dallas-Fort Worth. Northrop Grumman’s vice president for the autonomous systems are installed, medium-range tactical systems. “It’s a including the  ight management computer, Operating the MQ-8C very light aircraft with a signi cant level of routers, switches, the communications suite The Fire Scout system provides fully composite structure, that lent itself to the and the TCDL for the baseline payload – a autonomous operation of the air vehicle and addition of the larger fuel cell; and it had FLIR Systems BRITE Star II electro-optical/ its payload, with the  exibility of having a millions of  ight hours with a great track infrared (EO/IR) sensor and a laser range wide variety of override commands available record.” nder/target illuminator. BRITE Star II is to the operators through the control station. The larger fuel cell gives the MQ-8C also used by the MQ-8B. Clarifying the location of the CS aboard a

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ship, Vardoulakis told the author: “When the MQ-8C is embarked aboard a US Navy MQ-8C FIRE SCOUT SIX-VIEW DIAGRAM ship the control station is located within the combat information centre (CIC).” Fire Scout’s TCS encompasses the software developed for US Navy ships, tactical datalinks and a communications relay system. The CS also displays payload imagery, air vehicle status and situational information to the operators. Payload information can be disseminated via the C4I (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence) architecture to GCCS-M (global command and control system – maritime) and other C4I nodes. All data is available through the Fire Scout’s signal entry panel, including RS-170 video, bre optics, ethernet, bre optic ethernet and two data transfer protocols: asynchronous transfer mode and bre distributed data interface. The AVO, MPO and a mission commander (MC) are all seated in the CS which is equipped with the navy’s TCS and TCDL. The crew can use the CS to undertake pre-mission planning for the air vehicle and payload and to upload new missions in real time and perform override control of both the air vehicle and its payload. Explaining the procedures involved with launching a Fire Scout from a  ightline or the landing deck of a ship, Vardoulakis told the author: “Once the aircraft is parked on the landing spot and ready for launch, the plane captain clears the deck and gives the AVO a green light to start engines.” The MQ-8C’s engines are started simply by using a keyboard command. The two operators run through a series of checks on the air vehicle sending before the AVO sends the command to the aircraft to launch. 2 “Crews usually  y a pre-programmed mission involving a series of waypoints but the routing can be reprogrammed to respond to a new tasking by the AVO using the keyboard and mouse,” explained Vardoulakis. Future Development I asked George Vardoulakis if Northrop Grumman is doing any development work to widen the diversi cation of roles and systems that can be tted to the air vehicle. “We’ve  own our own MQ-8C testbed tted with the Northrop Grumman STARLite radar to demonstrate its maritime and GMTI [ground moving target indicator] modes. Raytheon’s AN/AAS-44 multi-spectral targeting system has also been carried to validate how the MQ- 8C can interchange payloads – a capability not possible on the MQ-8B.” Northrop Grumman is also working with Bell to certify a weaponised variant of the 407 capable of carrying all the weapons currently used by the US Army’s OH-58. Bell is undertaking that effort for its 407ARH which was launched at the 2013 Heli-Expo in Las Vegas. Northrop Grumman is marketing the MQ-8C to the US Army, the US Marine Corps and the US Coast Guard in an attempt to drive future sales. The company also proposed the MQ-8C Fire Scout, in partnership with the UK’s QinetiQ, for the Royal Navy’s RWUAS (rotary wing unmanned aerial system) programme. Alas,

AI.01.14 93 for Northrop Grumman, it was not selected for a planned flight demonstration from a Type 23 destroyer in UK waters during 2014. Flight Testing PMA-266 completed engineering analysis and a preliminary design review of the MQ-8C in the 18 months between April 2012’s contract award to Northrop Grumman and the first flight. Other work in that period involved Northrop Grumman’s test team confirming the performance of MQ-8C systems by using its ‘hardware-in-the-loop’ test bench at Moss Point. “As a cost and time saving initiative, the test team is using a commercially developed aircraft with a commercially available engine to prove the MQ-8B systems all function correctly when integrated on the MQ-8C,” explained PMA-266 skipper Patrick Smith. “The first flight on October 31 included several events: getting the aircraft airborne, putting it into a hover and taking it to a perch point. Once the air vehicle satisfactorily hovered at the perch, we flew it to an initial approach fix and performed an autonomous recovery.” 1

2

1 MQ-8C will undertake its maiden ship em- barkation aboard the Arleigh Burke-class de- stroyer USS Dunham (DDG-109) at the end of next summer. 2 MQ-8C BuNo 168455/’VX’ (c/n EMD-1) parked on the flight line at Point Mugu. 3 An MQ-8C is required to remain on station at 150 nautical miles from the ship for eight hours. 4 Mounted on the forward fuselage of the MQ-8C, FLIR Systems BRITE Star II Multi-Sensor Targeting Imager is the baseline payload for the new Fire Scout. 3

One of the objectives for the test flight sensor, communications relay and full motion Dunham is already about 95%-complete. programme at Point Mugu is to verify video) between the aircraft and the control The air vehicle will be loaded aboard performance characteristics of the larger 407 station. This will be completed prior to a quick the destroyer pier-side to enable the team airframe against Northrop Grumman’s Fire reaction assessment before the end of 2014. to begin system testing of the air vehicle X demonstrator programme. The test team “We plan to remain at Point Mugu until then,” to ship datalink and the interface of other is currently expanding the flight envelope, confirmed Capt Smith. ship emitters with the air vehicle before the firstly up to 5,000 feet (1,524m) to ensure the Dunham gets under way. air vehicle matches the data already held for Preparing for the Burble NAVAIR specifically requested a DDG-class the conventional 407 up to that altitude. This Included in the flight test programme is an ship to ensure the MQ-8C is capable of flying includes autonomous behaviour such as wave at-sea period aboard the Arleigh Burke-class from that platform, although the navy has yet off, accepting control commands and making destroyer USS Dunham (DDG-109) at the to decide if the class will be the first to deploy sure the normal flight characteristics of the end of the summer, the first time a Fire Scout with the ’C model. helicopter are understood. (’B or ’C model) has deployed aboard this The DDG is larger than the Oliver Perry In the second stage, the flight envelope will class of ship. This is likely to be a short, ten- Hazard-class frigates (FFGs) and their hangar be increased up to 12,000 feet (3,657m), and day embarkation in the Atlantic off the east spaces differ, so the Dunham detachment further weight will be added to replicate having coast to conduct dynamic interface testing of will enable the test team to confirm it can a near-full fuel state. This will be followed by the air vehicle’s performance while launching accommodate up to three MQ-8Cs. Another testing launch and recovery procedures using and recovering from the ship and to assess difference between the types of ship is the size the UCARS (unmanned aerial vehicle common how the air vehicle can be moved around the of their flight decks – a DDG’s is slightly larger automatic recovery system). flight deck. than an FFG’s. The test team will seek to gain The third and final stage will verify In preparation, installation of the control a full understanding of how the ‘burble’ – the functionality of the different systems (EO/IR station and associated systems aboard the air interface over the deck as the ship moves

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4 MQ-8B, are exactly the same on the ’C model. capabilities to the MQ-8C by early 2017 to But the Dunham uses a different antenna support deployments on LCSs. system for the TCDL which is designed for the And what about the effect on the MQ- Fire Scout and the MH-60R Sea Hawk. “This 8C of budget sequestration in FY 2013, as will be the first time we use the system for Fire mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011, Scout. It’s the same concept used by the LCS which removed $487 billion from the US but is a physically different system,” explained defence budget over ten years? According Capt Smith. to Capt Smith, “the Department of the Navy At Point Mugu, VX-30 is using both test had to make adjustments that included the aircraft (EMD-1, BuNo 168455, delivered on Fire Scout, but as we manage the situation July 8, and EMD-2, delivered in November) going forward, we’re protecting the rapid to conduct on average two flights a day, deployment needs of the fleet”. depending on available range time. As of At the end of our interview Capt Smith December 8, 18 flights had been conducted stressed the Fire Scout is a system, not just amounting to 24.8 flight hours. an aircraft, and said the current flight test PMA-266 also intends to embark MQ-8C on programme seeks to prove not just that the air through the water – changes the launch and an LCS, planning for which is already in hand. vehicle works but that it can integrate aboard recovery of the aircraft. The navy fleet seeks to transition from using the ship and complete the missions. One Electrical connections, placement of tools, the MQ-8B for operational deployments to the major accomplishment already achieved on handling equipment, and logistical aspects will MQ-8C in 2015. the first flight was the use of the upgraded also be confirmed during the period under way. NAVAIR’s UAS programme office is control station fitted with new software The control systems, already proven with also planning to add radar and weapons and hardware provided by Raytheon.

AI.01.14 95 Russia’s Vision 2025 The Russian Air Force is planning a number of new aircraft acquisitions, reports Piotr Butowski

Russia’s fl eet of Mi-28N Havoc attack helicopters will be upgraded by 2020. Piotr Butowski RUSSIAN VISION 2025 MILITARY

t an aviation Putin, which specifies the development programmes were in this category – the manufacturers’ of Russian armed forces’ technology over PAK DA strategic bomber, the LMFS convention in a nine-year period. There is always an fifth-generation fighter, the PSSh future Moscow on April overlap in the GPV schedule – although the attack aircraft, the SVTS medium transport 19, 2013, Alexander programme running up to 2020 is active, that aircraft and the Ilyushin Il-112V light Zelin, the former for 2016-2025 is now being prepared. transport. Also marked in red commander-in-chief The other part of the table specified was the Antonov An-70, of the Russian Air development programmes to be completed jointly developed Force (RuAF) and by 2020 or 2025. Some were highlighted currently an adviser in red, signifying the decision to go ahead to the defence minister, spoke about the air with them has yet to be made. Some force’sA policy for acquiring new aircraft and of Russia’s most interesting, and upgrading older ones up to 2025. most expensive, prospective His presentation included a slide showing new aircraft a table divided into two parts. One referred to the Russian National Armament Programme (Gosudarstvennaya Programma Vooruzheniy, GPV), approved by the country’s President, Vladimir

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1 2 expensive, clean-sheet project and might therefore use an existing platform – but the most likely, the Tu-160, has been out of production for a long time and there are too few in service; which in any case already have other important tasks. More probable is that the MARK platform will be based on a heavy transport aircraft. Such projects existed in the 1970s and 1980s and indeed were even designated MARK, which stood for Mezhkontinentalnyi Aviatsionnyi Raketnyi Kompleks (Intercontinental Missile Air Complex). At the time there were plans to use the Antonov An-22 as the platform, 5 then the Antonov An-124 and later still a purpose-built Ilyushin Il-76MF with a with Ukraine, the development of which has lagged for many years. Long-range Bombers Strategic nuclear aviation remains a priority for Russia. Concept work to develop new bombers to replace the Tupolev Tu-160M Blackjack, Tu-95MSM Bear and Tu-22M3M Backfire is in progress with three new bombers planned – the PAK DA, MARK and PSZ. Notably there is no new medium bomber, a successor of the Tu-22M3 Backfire, in the plans. Despite the PAK DA being marked in red in Zelin’s table, the concept looks likely to gain the go-ahead and be included in the GPV programme for 2016-2025. One reason for this is the fact it’s received a work designation, izdeliye 80, which means its development has transitioned to a more advanced phase. Meanwhile, research and development for PAK DA under the code name Poslannik (Envoy) was approved by the RuAF earlier this year. The next stage of work, which would lead to the construction of the first prototype, is 6 planned to be complete within five years. 7 The intention is for PAK DA to start replacing the RuAF’s current long-range bombers by around 2025. Mysterious MARK The abbreviation MARK appeared in one of Zelin’s slides in the bomber section. It wasn’t explained, but neither was it highlighted in red, which means it has been approved. So what could it be? The fact it has been approved indicates it is not an

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3 stretched fuselage. This last platform was come. Production of the upgraded Il-76MD- to launch a RSM-54 intercontinental ballistic 90A version has started at the Ulyanovsk missile (ICBM), weighing 45.6 tonnes, by a plant in Russia; all previous Il-76s were parachute system from the aircraft’s cargo manufactured at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The hold, the missile’s engines being ignited after aircraft is powered by four modern PS- release. The new MARK is likely to use the 90A-76 engines rated at 142.2kN (31,958lb) new Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft as its of thrust each (24.5kN/5,507lb more than platform – an advantage because, unlike the the current D-30KP engines) and has An-124, it is entirely manufactured in Russia, new avionics as well as improvements to making the process of its development more the structure, including a new 2.7-tonne straightforward. single-piece wing. Currently, the factory is fulfilling an order from the Russian Ministry of PSZ Tanker Defence for 39 aircraft; in total, it expects an One of the tasks the Il-76MD-90A will be used order to build 170-plus aircraft by 2025. for is in the ‘PSZ’ role as a new long-range A surprise in the reference to transport aerial tanker, for which it will be designated aircraft in Zelin’s table was the ‘red’ status the Il-78M-90A. The first example is currently of the SVTS (MTA) and An-70 aircraft – under construction and its maiden flight and equally the ‘approved’ status for the is scheduled for late 2014. Reportedly, a resumption of An-124 production in the contract for 31 tankers is expected soon. An-124-300V variant. An-148 and Tu-214 New tankers are needed because the passenger aircraft will be used as executive RuAF is currently only served by around 20 aircraft for high-level commanders with Il-78s and Il-78Ms, which are themselves set the Tu-214SUS operated as an airborne to be upgraded to Il-78M2 standard. communications centre, for which purpose The widebody Il-96-400 passenger aircraft future aircraft are likely to include a military 4 built by the Voronezh plant is another option variant of the MC-21 airliner. for PSZ. Three almost new Il-96-400T 1 More Su-35S Flanker-Es will be ordered for (transport) aircraft are currently standing Tactical Combat Aircraft the RuAF between 2014 and 2021. All images idle with no buyers and the manufacturer is The table entry concerning tactical aviation Piotr Butowski unless noted 2 The Su-24M2 and interested in selling them to the RuAF and confirms what was already known: by 2020, Su-24MR Fencers will be replaced by the Su-34 converting them to Il-96-400SZ tankers. the Russian Air Force will be receiving the Fullbacks. Andrey Zinchuk 3&4 Russia’s remain- However, the acceptance of that offer is fourth-generation Su-35S, Su-30SM and ing fleet of Tu-160M Blackjack bombers will be doubtful as introducing the type would MiG-35S fighters. Deliveries of production upgraded by 2020. Richard Gennis 5 Russia’s mean the RuAF moving away from the well- PAK FA fifth-generation fighters will also combat aircraft fleet will be bolstered with more Su-30SM Flankers that are expected to enter known Il-78 and the cost-effectiveness that begin, with 60 due to be delivered by 2020, service by 2021. Stanislav Bazhenov 6&7 Sixty operating one type of aircraft brings. with further deliveries after then. Meanwhile Sukhoi T-50 PAK FAs should be in service with more Su-34 tactical bombers will be the RuAF by 2020. 8&9 The Su-34 Fullback Transports delivered by 2020, the type being fitted with fighter-bomber is already in service with the RuAF The Il-76 will remain the mainstay of Russia’s specialist pods enabling it to be used in and more are on order for delivery between 2014 military transport aviation for many years to the tactical reconnaissance and electronic and 2021. Richard Gennis 8 9

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warfare (EW) roles. Russia that ghters should be twin-engined, Two new programmes in the table are making them more expensive. It would be PSSh and LMFS, but both are marked in easier if a foreign partner and investor for red. A tender for the preliminary design of the programme were found, but that would the PSSh attack aircraft has been won by not be easy because Russia’s principal Sukhoi with an upgrade of its Su-25UBM partners are already engaged in other two-seat attack aircraft, manufactured projects: India is making the PMI ghter with at the Ulan-Ude plant. The future of this the Russians, and China has its own plans. programme is, however, uncertain because, Another notable point in the table was that rst, it is not known whether a specialised there is no successor to the MiG-31 heavy attack aircraft is necessary (in other countries interceptor ghter. such aircraft are being replaced by multirole ghters, attack helicopters and, in the future, Special Missions unmanned combat aircraft); and, second, the The most interesting group in Zelin’s table were Ulan Ude plant, which would manufacture aircraft for special missions, including airborne the PSSh, is already burdened by production early warning and control (AEW&C), electronic of Mi-8AMT/Mi-171 helicopters, for which warfare (EW), airborne command posts and demand is constant. radio-relay aircraft. Although there are many The emergence of the LMFS ghter is types in this group, each will be built in small possible if it were signi cantly cheaper than numbers. The most important programme is the PAK FA, but any cost-effectiveness the Beriev A-100 strategic AEW&C aircraft, is limited by the fact that it is an axiom in designed to supplement and in future replace 1 2 1 There is no successor to the MiG-31 Foxhound heavy interceptor in the Russian Air Force policy for acquiring new aircraft. Andrey Zinchuk 2,3&4 Concept work to develop new bombers to replace Russian Air Force Tu-95MSM Bears and Tu-160M Blackjacks is in progress. Richard Gennis (2&4) Piotr Butowski (3).

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converted from Il-86 airliners, are used for only conversions of old aircraft being possible. the purpose. The Zveno-3S aircraft was By 2020, purchases of the Mi-8PPR ECM placed in Zelin’s table in the ‘purchases’ helicopter are also planned (designated Mi- section, but it is likely that the existing Il-80s 8MTPR-1). will be upgraded. In the training aircraft group a new For 2020-2025 another strategic command abbreviation is UTK PNP, which relates to post, codenamed Foreytor-S, is planned, with the Yak-152 piston-engined basic trainer. a likely platform set to be the widebody Il-96- This aircraft, now more than ten years old, is 300 or stretched Il-96-400. Il-96 aircraft are currently being developed in China by Hongdu currently manufactured singly by the Voronezh for use by the People’s Liberation Army Air plant. After 2020, another airborne command Force (PLAAF) as the Hongdu CJ-7. Now post, Yastreb, will be developed. In contrast Yakovlev is adapting the design to take a new to the strategic Zveno-3S and Foreytor-S, a diesel engine and preparing for production at smaller airliner will be used such as the Tu-214 the Arsenyev plant for the RuAF. or, more probably after 2020, the MC-21. The command post on the lowest, tactical level will Army Aviation be the Mi-8 VURT helicopter made under the Two new helicopters for the army’s air arm for Forvard-M programme. the period up to 2020 have the abbreviations The Il-22PP Porubshchik is a conversion of PSTDV and LMTsV. The rst refers to the Mi- old turboprop Il-22s into EW aircraft featuring 383, a military variant of the heavy 15.6-tonne the KNIRTI L-415 ECM system. Zelin’s table (34,391lb) Mi-38 helicopter – the only prototype placed it in the ‘purchases’ section, despite of which has been in testing for ten years,

3 the current Beriev A-50 and A-50U. Purchases of the A-100 will be continued through the whole period until 2025. The A-100 will use the Il-76MD-90A (again illustrating the importance of the Il-76 family) and will be equipped with the entirely new Vega Premier radar system – which will feature rotating antennae with active electronic scanning in elevation and mechanical scanning in azimuth. Beriev will soon receive two new Il-76MD-90As, one of which will be converted into the A-100. Nothing of cial has been decided on the other Il-76MD-90A, though it may serve as a platform for the new A-90 electronic countermeasures aircraft or the airborne laser gun A-60M programme. Another new aircraft will be the Zveno-3S, a strategic airborne command post for the highest Russian authorities in the event of a war. Currently four Il-80 Maxdome aircraft,

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encountering several problems including issues with its Klimov TV7-117 engines. The LMTsV is to be a new design weighing 4.5 tonnes (9,920lb). It may be a derivative of the Ansat helicopter or the new Mi-54 design. It is not clear why the table didn’t include the Ka-62 (see Kamov’s Six-Tonne Twin, p74), which is currently under development. The first Ka-62 was presented at MAKS 2013 in August. During the period 2020-2025, a new high-speed PSSTDV helicopter is going to 1 join these rotary aircraft: the military version of the Mi-37. The table also referred to a ‘fifth- generation combat helicopter’, about which 2 nothing is known. Priorities Notable by their absence in the table were the UAVs, despite their being regarded as crucial new equipment by the RuAF and the fact that three large types – the one-tonne (2,200lb) Inokhodets, five-tonne (11,023lb) Altius-M and 15-tonne (33,069lb) Okhotnik UCAV – are all under development.

1&2 There is no successor to either the Tu-22M3 Backfire (1) or the MiG-31 Foxhound (2). Andrey Zinchuk 3&4 The Il-76MD Candid will remain the mainstay of Russia’s transport aviation for many years to come. Richard Gennis (3) Sergy Aleksandrov (4) 5 The MiG-35D Fulcrum-F is one of three fourth-generation fighter aircraft that will enter Russian Air Force service between 2014 and 2021. Piotr Butowski 6 Yak-130 Mittens are already in Russian Air Force service at Lipetsk and Borisoglebsk. Stanislav Bazhenov 7 Only upgraded versions of the Tu-95 Bear will remain in RuAF service after 2021. Chris Lofting 8 A tender for the preliminary design of the PSSh attack aircraft has been won by Sukhoi with an upgrade of its two-seat Su-25UBM Frogfoot. Chris Lofting 9 The Su-35S Flanker-E will enter Russian Air Force service between 2014 and 2020. Piotr Butowski 10 UAVs remain a low-priority asset for the RuAF. OKB Sokol

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6 7 RUSSIA’S NEW AIRCRAFT PLANS 2013-2020 2021-2025 Long-range aircraft Purchases PSZ PAK DA, PSZ, MARK Upgrade Tu-160M, Tu-95MSM, Tu-22M3, Il-78M2 Tu-95MSM Transport aircraft Purchases Il-76MD-90A, An-70, Il-112V, An-148 Il-76MD-90A, An-70, An-124-300V, Il-112V, SVTS, Tu-214, An-148, Tu-214SUS, SMS SUS Upgrade An-124-100, Il-76MD-M An-124-100M, Il-76MD-M Tactical aircraft Purchases Su-34, Su-35S, MiG-35S, PAK FA, Su-30SM, PSSh Su-34, PAK FA, PSSh, LMFS Upgrade Su-25SM, MiG-31BM Su-34M Special aircraft Purchases A-100, Forvard-M, Mi-8PPR, Il-22PP Porubshchik A-100, Zveno-3S, Foreytor-S, Yastreb, Mi-8VURT Forvard-M Upgrade Il-22M-11, A-50U - Training aircraft Purchases Yak-130, Ansat-U, UTK PNP Yak-130M, Ansat-U, UTK PNP Helicopters Purchases Mi-26T (T2), Mi-28N (NM), Mi-35M, Ka-52, Ka-226, Mi- Mi-28NM, Ka-52M, fifth-generation combat helicopter, 8MTV-5-1(M), Mi-8MTPR-1, Mi-8AMTSh, LMTsV, PSTDV PSSTDV, LMTsV Upgrade Mi-28N, Ka-52 Mi-28N, Ka-52

LMFS – Lyogkiy Mnogofunktsionalnyi Samolyot or Lightweight Multifunciton Aircraft (RAC MiG project); LMTsV – Lyogkiy Mnogotselevoy Vertolyot or Lightweight Multirole Helicopter (new 4.5-tonne helicopter); MARK – Mezhkontinentalnyi Aviatsionnyi Raketnyi Kompleks or Intercontinental Missile Air Complex; PAK DA – Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Dalney Aviatsii or Future Air Complex of Long-Range Aviation (Tupolev ‘80’ Poslan- nik project); PAK FA – Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii or Future Air Complex of Tactical Aviation (Sukhoi T-50); PSSh – Perspektivnyi Samolyot Shturmovik or Future Attack Aircraft (Sukhoi design); PSSTDV – Perspektivnyi Skorostnoy Sredniy Transportno-Desantnyi Vertolyot or Future High-Speed Medium Transport-Airlanding Helicopter (military derivative of Mi-37); PSTDV – Perspektivnyi Sredniy Transportno-Desantnyi Vertolyot or Future Medium Transport-Airlanding Helicopter (Mi-383, military derivative of Mi-38); PSZ – Perspektivnyi Samolyot Zapravshchik or Future Tanker Aircraft (Ilyushin Il-78M-90A); SMS SUS – Sredniy Magistralnyi Samolyot Samolyotnyi Uzel Svyazi or Medium Mainline Aircraft, Airborne Communication Centre (radio-relay version of the MC-21 airliner); SVTS – Sredniy Voenno-Transportnyi Samolyot or Medium Military Transport Aircraft (Indian-Russian MTA design); UTK PNP – Uchebno-Trenirovochnyi Kompleks Pervonachalnoi Podgotovki or Training Complex of Initial Training (Yakovlev Yak-152); VURT – Vertolyot Upravleniya i Retranslatsii or Control and Radio-Relay Helicopter (specialized version of the Mi-8MTV-5-1).

All these programmes are ranked by priority. Those with the lowest are launched only when extra money appears in the budget. The priorities are strategic forces as well as introducing new low-cost systems to existing platforms like the Su-30SM fighter. Since Soviet times military aircraft types given extensive upgrades usually gain the letter ‘M’ as part of their designation. In Zelin’s table, there were many such references, including the Su-34M, Ka-52M and Yak- 130M, which appeared in public for the first time. Russia’s vision, therefore, is to upgrade existing types, adding further capability, as well as producing new aircraft. 8 10 9

AI.01.14 103 The Generation Andrew Drwiega looks at the V-280, Bell’s concept Game third-generation tiltrotor

JOINT MULTI-ROLE FUTURE VERTICAL LIFT PROGRAMME Type Weight Possible No. of aircraft Light 15,000lb (6,803kg) 400 Medium 50,000lb (22,679kg) 4,000 Heavy 80,000lb (36,287kg) 400 Ultra 200,000lb (90,718kg) 100

104 AI.01.14 BELL V-280 VALOR MILITARY

he US Army wants new helicopters. Bell Helicopter believes it has the answer for some of the army’s requirements: a new, The third-generation tiltrotor called the V-280 Valor – a V-22 Osprey on steroids. The US Army has in place a Joint Generation Multi-Role (JMR)/Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme, which envisages four sizes of future airlift: light, medium, heavy and ultra. The JMR technology demonstrator (TD) is a science and technology start-up to what will eventually lead to the FVL aircraft. Game In the medium class, the programme’s ambition is to replace up to 4,000 of the US Army’s medium helicopters – all the UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches – with one single rotorcraft that can y faster, go further, take more payload and be more economical than anything that has been  elded to date. The new aircraft is to have an operational life of around 50 years. The target is to bring the FVL into service when the army’s current aircraft, which have been exposed to intensive use during Operation Iraqi Freedom and more recently Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, reach the end of their service lives around 2030-2035. The value of the prize for the winning company? Up to $100 billion of orders. Once this ambition turns into hard reality, the winner could also see an international military customer market opening up as the forces of nations allied to the US strive to keep some measure of compatibility. Launch The initial launch of the V-280 Valor in spring 2013 by John Garrison, Bell Helicopter’s

president and chief executive of cer, at All images Bell the annual gathering of the Army Aviation Association of America (more commonly called Quad-A), was low-key – although not through any fault of Bell or a lack of interest

AI.01.14 105 MILITARY BELL V-280 VALOR

from the media. The small attendance at the brie ng (only this author and one other journalist were present, although others joined via live link) was largely due to the fact that US Army personnel had been prevented from attending Quad-A by the Department of Defense (DoD), which had just started to hammer down on any excess costs it could identify as a reaction to sequestration. So how did Bell decide on the name? Garrison quickly clari ed this at the brie ng: “The V-280 Valor stands for the following: v is for vertical take-off/landing, 280 for the aircraft’s cruise speed in knots and Valor is our tribute to our nation’s servicemen and women.” Rightly, Garrison said that tiltrotors are now combat proven – something that focus on the development of the air vehicle, Osprey – jointly developed with Boeing – seems to be used by virtually all arms as the with the US Army then moving towards a and the AB609, which was developed in baseline for the credibility of new types in decision on the mission systems for the FVL. partnership with AgustaWestland (AW) today’s procurement world. Indeed the US Although AW took full ownership of the Marine Corps and, to a smaller extent, the Category 1 AB609 programme in November 2011, with US Air Force have now completed several Keith Flail, director of Bell Helicopter’s Future the aircraft being re-designated the AW609, operational tours with their MV-22B/CV-22 Vertical Lift programme, revealed that the Bell personnel still work on contract at AW’s Ospreys in Afghanistan. There have been US Army’s contracting division classi ed facility at Arlington in Texas, from where the crashes and the aircraft have taken hits the V-280 as a ‘Category I’ proposal. He AW609 will be certi ed in 2016, according to from ground re, but then so have all other said this meant it was considered to be a the company. helicopters  ying in that warzone. “well conceived, scienti cally or technically The point is that tiltrotors are now aircraft sound proposal pertinent to programme Partnership ‘of the line’ – they are accepted by the goals and objectives with applicability On September 9, 2013, Bell announced its ground troops who use them as just another to army mission needs, and offered by a rst V-280 programme tier one partner in method of getting from A to B, so they don’t responsible contractor with the competent the form of Lockheed Martin (LM), which have to walk or face IEDs. scienti c and technical staff [and] supporting will provide the Mission Equipment Package resources needed to ensure satisfactory (MEP) for the aircraft. Beginning the Journey programme results. Proposals (or portions Garrison showed in his comments that In June 2013 Bell was invited to enter contract thereof) in Category 1 are recommended for Bell is intent on building a strong industrial negotiations for JMR-TD with the V-280 Valor. acceptance and funding.” team with deep understanding of its main The actual rst contract award was slated for Flail added that focal points for the customer, the DoD, and its requirements. He public announcement by the end of 2013. development of the V-280 are to provide low- said that LM would bring “the highest levels It’s expected that two designs from speed agility, a hot and high hover capability, of maturity and technical readiness required competing companies will eventually be high-g manoeuvrability, fuel ef ciency and for future vertical lift missions”. selected to go forward into demonstrator extended range. All of these requirements This sentiment towards partnership seems aircraft. The rst  ight is scheduled for 2017 need to come in an affordable package. to be one shared by those at LM. “We made (see JMR TD Milestones p107). Bell says that the V-280 is a clean sheet the strategic decision to invest in a mission Garrison said that wind tunnel tests on the design, although the company has a long system and provide Bell Helicopter with this V-280 have already begun. The JMR-TD will history in developing tiltrotors, with the leap-ahead combat capability on the V-280 Valor,” said Dale Bennett, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training. “The US Government and Lockheed Martin have created affordable yet highly-advanced mission equipment packages for numerous aircraft that can be leveraged to provide an affordable and effective solution for the future vertical lift programme.” Cost Control Bell’s inability to keep costs down and the DoD on side with one of its previous new helicopter programmes for the US Army, the ARH-70 Arapaho Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (based on the civil Bell 407/417), led to that programme’s termination in 2008. No doubt tight cost control is a factor in Garrison’s drive to build a team that can weather the ups and downs of what will be a lengthy and complex procurement process. The objective, to eventually produce an aircraft that can signi cantly and cost effectively outperform any existing medium military helicopter in terms of range and performance, does not lend itself to an off- Above: Comparable mission ranges fl own at sea level for the-shelf product. the proposed Bell V-280 Valor shown in blue and the UH-60 Universal MEP Black Hawk shown in green. Bell’s invitation to Lockheed Martin, one of the industry’s leading integrators of systems,

106 AI.01.14 BELL V-280 VALOR MILITARY

to provide the MEP for the V-280 also ties in off the company’s agenda at the moment. Any battle damage should be mitigated with LM’s announcement, on August 5, 2013, In early September 2013, Bell showed a through the ‘triple redundant’ fly-by-wire that it would offer a universal MEP for all US full-scale V-280 mock-up at Fort Benning’s control system. Bell adds that the V-280 Army helicopters. warfighter conference. This made its public will be able to rapidly transition away from According to Ed Whalen, Lockheed debut in October at the Association of the the ground, giving it less exposure time to Martin Rotary Wing capture lead: “The US US Army (AUSA)’S annual convention in ground fire. The promise of a low acoustic Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin Washington DC. signature on approach (like the Osprey) have invested billions of dollars to create should mean that enemy forces are only advanced technology mission equipment Performance Advantages aware of the V-280 as it begins its transition packages, such as that in the F-35 So what will the V-280 offer? The main two to landing. Getting soldiers in and out of the Lightning II. The JMR programme offers the points are what gives a tiltrotor its advantage aircraft quickly (up to 11 will be carried) has opportunity for the US Army to leverage this over a helicopter: speed and range. Bell also been prioritised, with the provision of investment and many others in its vertical states that the V-280 will cruise at 280 knots two 6ft (1.84m)-wide large side doors. lift programme, through open architectures (518km/h) and have a combat range of 500- and Lockheed Martin’s advanced avionics, 800 nautical miles (926-1,481km) depending Challenger sensors and weapons.” on the load. Perhaps Bell Helicopter’s biggest challenger for LM’s offer includes open architecture and At the V-280’s launch, Garrison emphasised the JMR-Medium class contest will come from future airborne capability environment (FACE) its radius of operational capability compared the Boeing-Sikorsky team which is focused software design which the company says to a UH-60, focusing on the Sea of Japan on using Sikorsky’s X2 technology. That joint will allow for growth over time of the cockpit and East China Sea (in recognition of the US venture comes as Boeing is still in partnership systems and the MEP. military’s so-called ‘pivot’ towards Asia-Pacific) with Bell on the Osprey, which is earning big as well as Afghanistan. He said that the money from the DoD for both organisations. It Scalability aircraft could self-deploy up to 2,100 nautical seems Boeing considers that having a foot in Meanwhile, Bell’s representatives believe miles (3,389km) from base, although aerial both camps is the best way forward. their tiltrotor technology is scalable and refuelling could further extend the range. The V-22 could still be bought by the US could address the other sectors in the FVL Navy. Indeed, Bell-Boeing is pushing the navy requirements beyond the medium category. Simpler to consider the Osprey for its future carrier The company already has experience of a Bell says the V-280 will be less complex than onboard delivery aircraft, the successor to the small unmanned aerial vehicle in the shape previous tiltrotors. A major change is that only C-2A Greyhound, and even the US Army has of the Eagle Eye, which when added to its the nacelles and gearbox rotate, unlike the its own study under way into the V-22. There AW609 development and success with the whole engine on the V-22. One benefit of this is foreign interest too, from Israel, Japan and Osprey, indicates that nothing seems to be is that the hot engine exhaust is kept away the United Arab Emirates, although there’s from troops getting on and off the aircraft. been a glacial wait for the confirmation of the JMR TD MILESTONES Another advantage is that the position first foreign customer. of the engine will allow maintainers easier An intriguing question in the future will be Preliminary design and risk review 3Q FY14 access when the aircraft is on the ground. this: how will Boeing commit to making the Detail design and system risk review 2Q FY15 The choice of a V-tail ‘butterfly’, a design V-22 a better aircraft for further block updates Pre-demonstration risk/test readiness shared with Lockheed’s F-117 Nighthawk, to support on-going and future sales, when review 2Q 2017 should add to the aircraft’s stability as well the same research could work against it if Bell First flight 4Q 2017 as giving options for mounting antennas and incorporates any technological advances aerials for systems on board. from the Osprey into its V-280?

AI.01.14 107 TECHNOLOGY PROJECT ZERO

AgustaWestland is pushing the boundaries with its unmanned tiltrotor technology demonstrator.

All images AgustaWestland All images AgustaWestland Mark Broadbent reports

ith futuristic unusual shape. These tilt forwards and backwards, lines, the The design work was followed by tests enabling the aircraft to transition from a Agusta using scale models before the full-size hover to forward flight like a tiltrotor. Elevons Westland aircraft was built. Tethered flights followed provide the pitch and roll control and the (AW) before the first untethered flight took place V-tail gives directional stability. The outer Project Zero in June 2011 from AW’s Cascina Costa di edges of the wings are detachable, enabling technology Samarate facility in Lombardy, north-west the aircraft to operate either as a tilt rotor or demonstrator of Milan. AW says flight trials took place in conventional helicopter. The wingspan is is unquestion- 2011 and 2012, though it hasn’t disclosed 42ft (13m) and each rotor has a 9ft 9in (3m) ably one of the exact number and nor has it said whether diameter. the world’s most eye-catching aircraft. It’s also the aircraft has conducted any more more AgustaWestland has made limited use oneW of the most innovative, combining several recently. of steel in Project Zero’s structure. Around technologies into a single aircraft. 80% of the aircraft, including the fuselage Project Zero – the name came from the The Concept skin, rotor blades, shrouds and spokes, are recognition by AW that it started from scratch Project Zero is intended to investigate made from carbon fibre. The fuselage is a to create the aircraft – is a collaborative venture aerodynamic and technology concepts that combination of carbon and aluminium and between AW engineers in Italy and the UK, and can be used in future rotorcraft. It brings the rotor grips are titanium. All this makes numerous partner companies worldwide. The together various research projects that AW the aircraft lightweight. unmanned aircraft was unveiled at Heli-Expo in has been working on for several years. The Las Vegas in March 2013 but AW had worked company decided to bundle these into one All Electric on the project in complete secrecy for nearly aircraft (or ‘technology incubator’, as AW Project Zero is all-electric and is powered three years before then. calls Project Zero) to get results more quickly by batteries. The aircraft’s flight control and cost-effectively. systems, the nacelle tilting mechanism Secret Development Project Zero is a blended wing/body: the (which moves the rotors’ position) and The company’s Advanced Concept Group fuselage and wings are smoothly joined the landing gear all use high-bandwith in late 2010 formed a small team led by into one to provide lift during forward flight electrically-powered actuators. The rotor Dr James Wang, AgustaWestland VP of and reduce drag. The ducted fan engine system uses individual blade control – Research and Technology, to work on the arrangement, with two rotors mounted there is no swashplate, as on conventional aircraft. An intensive six-month design and in cylindrical shrouds, allows efficient helicopters or tiltrotors, with each blade development period followed, during which hover without excessive downwash. The having its own electrical mechanical actuator time computational fluid dynamics modelling ducts modify the rotor performance and, that controls its pitch angle. This means techniques were used to finesse the generate lift when they are at a slight angle there’s no complex and heavy hydraulically- aerodynamic performance of the aircraft’s in forward flight. powered transmission system aboard, unlike

108 AI.01.14 PROJECT ZERO TECHNOLOGY

1 2

1 AgustaWestland’s all-electric Project Zero tech- nology demonstrator inside its hangar at Cascina Costa di Samarate prior to its maiden flight. 2 The AgustaWestland is pushing the boundaries with its unmanned tiltrotor technology demonstrator. Project Zero technology demonstrator’s blended fuselage under construction at AgustaWestland’s Mark Broadbent reports Cascina Costa di Samarate facility.

those traditionally associated with rotorcraft, designed by AW in conjunction with Spin-offs which further contributes to the aircraft’s Stile Bertone, which specialises in the Project Zero isn’t a product in itself. lightness. Being electrically-powered, aerodynamic styling of supercars, while US Nevertheless as a technology demonstrator, Project Zero’s motors don’t require oxygen, firm Rotor Systems Research LLC helped AgustaWestland says there are a number of which enables the aircraft to operate at high design the rotor blades’ aerodynamic spin-offs from the aircraft. Dr Wang told AIR altitudes. Between flights the rotor blades properties. Selex Galileo ES, a fellow International: “We’ve learned tremendously are tilted into wind; their wind-milling re- Finmeccanica company, provided the about electric propulsion and electric energy charges the batteries. navigation sensor unit and flight control management. We’re also doing research “Electric vehicles are convenient, green computer. Wind River supplied its VxWorks on replacing a conventional mechanical tail and very reliable. Electric motors have low 653 operating system to integrate the rotor drive system with a direct drive electric maintenance and can operate without the avionics. motor. We’ve demonstrated individual blade need for oxygen,” said Dr Wang. The aircraft British industry had an important control [and] one day, if needed, that could was also designed to accept different energy involvement besides AW’s UK-based be used on helicopters or tiltrotors for flight sources for its electric motors such as a engineers. Lola Composites, based control as well as vibration reduction, noise hybrid diesel electric generator to permit in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, reduction and performance improvement.” longer endurance. “Using diesel-electric manufactured the composite fuselage Neither will the benefits be restricted hybrid is a possible solution, where during skins for the aircraft. Lola is well known for to AW. Each company involved in the take-off and landing and full manoeuvring designing and manufacturing motorsports programme will also feed the lessons they flight, both the battery and diesel engine composites, including those for Le Mans each learned from Project Zero into their are used. During cruise, the diesel engine racing cars. Japanese firm UCHIDA respective business sectors – for example is used to charge the battery. The diesel manufactured the composite rotor blades, motorsports for Lola, trains for Ansaldo engine will not drive the rotor directly, it’s shrouds and spokes. Breda – so the lessons from the programme used as a generator,” Dr Wang explained. Ansaldo Breda, which builds high-speed won’t just be restricted to tilt rotor electric trains, produced the electric motor aircraft technology. Team Effort inverter and motor control algorithm, which Project Zero was a team effort between enables the rotor blades to turn from the AW and 15 partner companies worldwide, horizontal to the vertical. Oral Engineering each contributing their own specialisms and machined the rotor-drive system, Lucchi off-the-shelf products where applicable. R Elettromeccanica designed and built the This enabled the aircraft to move from the electric motors, Microtecnica developed drawing board to flight within that short six- the actuators and Marc-Ingegno built the month timeframe. undercarriage after customising the gear The aircraft’s aerodynamic profile was from an existing ultralight.

AI.01.14 109 P1HH SPECIFICATIONS Wingspan: 15.60m (51ft 1in) Length: 14.40m (47ft 2in) Height: 3.90m (13ft 1in) Wing area: 18m2 (193.75ft2) Horizontal tail area: 3.8m2 (41.2ft2) Vertical tail area: 4.7m2 (50.9ft2) Forward wing area: 1.3m2 (13.9ft2) Maximum take-off weight: 6,146kg (13,550lb) Maximum speed: 395kts (731km/h) Cruise speed: 320kts (592km/h) Loiter speed: 135kts (250km/h) 1 Max range: 4,400nm (8,148km) Endurance: 16 hours or 10.5 hours at 1 Artwork of the P1HH fl ying at altitude. Piaggio 809nm (1,500km) from base Aero 2 The P1HH HammerHead DEMO fl ight Service ceiling: 45,000ft (13,716m) test aircraft taking off from Trapani, Sicily, on November 14. Piaggio Aero

here’s no mistaking transported it 300nm (555km) to Trapani to join wings, hence the name – there are several the P180 Avanti. The the P1HH DEMO aircraft. important design differences. The P1HH has a Italian executive wider wingspan, with a higher aspect ratio and transport’s sleek lines Diversi cation increased surface area. It sits higher on the re ect its origins in a Piaggio Aero’s move into unmanned aircraft is ground, its 6,146kg (13,550lb) maximum take- country renowned for a signi cant step away from the Genoa-based off weight is greater than the Avanti’s 5,489kg stylish design. Now its company’s core activities of the last 20 years: (12,100lb) and its two 950shp (712Kw) Pratt & manufacturer Piaggio producing the Avanti for the business aviation Whitney Canada PT6-66B turboprops,  tted Aero is working on its  rst market and engine components for Rolls- with  ve-bladed Hartzell propellers to minimise unmanned version of the Royce and Pratt & Whitney. noise, are more powerful than the Avanti’s distinctive twin-pusher turboprop. The P1HH Despite more than 220 Avantis being sold 850shp (634kW) PT6-66As. HammerHeadT is a medium-altitude long- – a respectable number in the type’s size The HammerHead will be able to carry endurance (MALE)-class aircraft intended for class – sales have slumped in recent years electronic, signals and communications military and civil intelligence, surveillance and due to the effects of the global  nancial crisis intelligence payloads (on two external and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. on business aviation. The downturn prompted three internal hard-points) and engage in P1HH DEMO, the  rst ight test aircraft, Piaggio Aero to announce in 2011 that it would electronic warfare. And it’s not just being took its maiden ight on November 14 at the diversify by developing new versions of the designed solely with military requirements in Aeronautica Militare Italiana’s (Italian Air Force) Avanti to become “a prominent player in the mind: as with the MPA, Piaggio Aero is also Trapani base in Sicily. This aircraft was piloted surveillance and security sector”. In 2012 it targeting civilian organisations with maritime, remotely from its ground control station during launched a Multirole Patrol Aircraft version of coastal/border control, disaster response, a 12-minute ight in controlled airspace over the Avanti (see Avanti MPA, September 2012, anti-terrorist and environmental survey the nearby . p36) designed to ful l a variety of land, coastal, requirements. The ight tested the P1HH’s navigation maritime and offshore security missions. system and “veri ed its manoeuvring The HammerHead was the next move. After Speedy Performer capabilities in both manual and automatic two years developing it in secret, Piaggio Aero The P1HH is designed to replicate the Avanti’s ight modes”, said Piaggio Aero. The aircraft announced the aircraft to the public in spring speedy performance. Its 395kts (731km/h) performed the ight in mid- ap and reached 2013 and displayed a mock-up at June’s Paris maximum speed will be faster than the 240kts an altitude of 2,000ft (609m) and a speed of Air Show. The company’s chief executive (444km/h) top speed (according to US Air 170kts (314km/h). Alberto Galassi said, in a recent industry Force information) of the most numerous The P1HH DEMO had undertaken a short media interview, that the P1HH’s development MALE UAS, the General Atomics Predator ‘hop’ previously on August 8, 2013, when it was also “driven by a strategic decision by B. The HammerHead will cruise at 320kts took off and sustained level ight for a few the United Arab Emirates” for a MALE UAS. (592km/h), faster than the Predator’s 199kts seconds before landing – an event disclosed Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi government’s (368km/h) and its 4,400nm (8,148km) range by Piaggio Aero after the November test. investment company, is a 41% shareholder in will exceed the Predator’s 1,150nm (2,129km). These milestones followed engine and Piaggio Aero (the other shareholders are India’s General Atomics says the Predator has taxi tests during 2013, using a non-airworthy Tata Group with 44.5%, HDI with 12.5% and 27-hour endurance, while the USAF says ‘proof-of-concept’ vehicle, at the AMI’s Piero Ferrari with 2%). the aircraft can carry a 3,750lb (1,701kg) Decimomannu base in Sardinia. In October payload. Both these  gures beat the numbers this vehicle was airlifted by an Italian Army The Aircraft announced for the HammerHead, which will Chinook from Decimomannu onto the deck Although the HammerHead looks similar to the have 16-hour endurance and carry a 2,000lb of an undisclosed ship, which Avanti – it has the distinctive anhedral forward (909kg) payload. However, Piaggio Aero says

110 AI.01.14 PIAGGIO P1HH HAMMERHEAD TECHNOLOGY

Mark Broadbent looks at the P1HH HammerHead, Piaggio Aero’s first unmanned aircraft

2 Markets Piaggio Aero’s HammerHead sales pitch is that the aircraft has a unique place in the medium- altitude long-endurance market thanks to the system’s customisation, cost-effectiveness (because it meets regulations and is derived from an existing aircraft) and the Avanti’s proven performance. The company hopes it will appeal to armed forces that want MALE ISR capabilities, but are facing budgetary pressures. It has not been disclosed whether its aircraft’s speed and range will place it “at management and control systems (including Piaggio Aero has received any orders for the very top end of the MALE category”. The ground control), air data terminal and mission the aircraft, although when the P1HH was company also points out that the aircraft will systems. The company worked alongside displayed at Paris in 2013 the AMI’s Secretary be able to make a high-speed ‘dash’ to the Piaggio Aero staff during the P1HH DEMO’s General of Defence, Lt Gen Claudio Debertolis, area of operations and provide customers with November flight. indicated Italy could purchase around ten “an unmatched combination of range, wide The HammerHead’s mission system is examples of the aircraft. Italy’s wanted operative speeds, fast climb gradient, high based on Selex’s skyISTAR technology. unmanned MALE capabilities for some time – operative ceiling and variety of payloads”. “The skyISTAR system will manage the in 2008 and 2009 it submitted foreign military HammerHead’s sensors, video, data, sale requests to the US Government for the Proven Platform communications and ISR functions and be Predator B but a deal has not been agreed. Developing the HammerHead from an existing capable of recording video and mission data,” The HammerHead, therefore, presents an aircraft is another part of its business case. explained Piaggio Aero. opportunity for Italy to develop an indigenous Piaggio Aero claims the Avanti’s “uneventful Integrated within skyISTAR will be the FLIR MALE capability. “It will give us the possibility service record of more than 20 years and Systems StarSafire 380HD forward-looking to increase our capability in ISR, especially 800,000 flight hours, proven architecture infrared/electro-optical imagine system and when we are facing, in the Mediterranean, and technologies [and] operational reliability” the Seaspray 7300 radar. The skyISTAR illegal immigration from North Africa,” said makes the P1HH low-risk aircraft to develop system will have an open architecture, allowing Lt Gen Pasquale Preziosa, chief of staff of and operate. P1HH operators to tailor sensors according to the Italian Air Force, at the Dubai Air Chief The company adds that the P1HH’s their specific needs. Conference removable wings allow deployment within 24 Selex ES says such customisation is Beyond Italy, Piaggio Aero forecasts a hours and the aircraft’s control and automatic important because it believes that UAS “will market for 190 units across NATO countries take-off and landing systems will be compliant need a flexible multi-role capability” to conduct and emerging regions. Chief executive with NATO’s Standardization Agreement 4671, a variety of missions in different environments. Galassi, said: “plenty of NATO countries covering the airworthiness standards of UAS Piaggio Aero claims skyISTAR “redefines are interested” in the HammerHead. The weighing above 150kg (330lb). the concept of patrolling and ISR missions” P1HH’s flight trials will advance during 2014. through using “sensor fusion technology, data Piaggio says the HammerHead will achieve Mission System management and exploitation features”. This, “operational readiness” and certification by Selex ES, part of Italian group Finmeccanica, it says, will give the HammerHead the flexibility the end of the year and enter into service is supplying the HammerHead’s vehicle to be used for a range of ISR roles. in 2015.

AI.01.14 111 TECHNOLOGY LYNX ROCKETPLANE Nick Spall finds out about American company XCOR’s space tourism plans with its Lynx sub-orbital aircraft

few years ago the from California-based XCOR Aerospace test two-seat ‘Anastasia’ spacecraft – XCOR’s idea of an ordinary flying its two-seat Lynx, a small but versatile Lynx concept looks set to turn decades- civilian rather craft capable of reaching sub-orbital space. old dreams of straightforward access to than an astronaut The company plans to begin regular space space, where a craft takes off from an climbing into a small tourism flights with the Lynx in 2015 – with ordinary runway and climbs up through the spacecraft, taking passengers paying $95,000 (£60,000) for the atmosphere, into reality. off from a runway, privilege. In the 32.8ft-long (10m) Lynx, a accelerating to Mach horizontal take-off, horizontal-landing 3 and then spending Lynx flight profile (HTHL) spaceplane, the pilot and four minutes floating For the generation fascinated by the idea passenger will don commercially- in space 62 miles (100km) above the earth of easy space travel through TV shows of available launch and entry spacesuits wouldA have seemed unachievable in our the 1950s and 1960s such as Supercar (LESs). The Lynx will be towed out to lifetime. and Thunderbirds and the Dan Dare comic the end of a 7,900ft (2,400m) runway, But we are now only a few months away strip – where the eponymous hero flew his where the pilot will engage the four

112 AI.01.14 LYNX ROCKETPLANE TECHNOLOGY

2,900lb (13kN) XR-5K18 liquid oxygen Development Space race? (LOX) engines. After take-off it will be The idea of a self-powered rocketplane The first test flight of the Lynx is set for later put into an 80° climb. The engines will achieving great heights and speeds is not in 2013, extensive testing of the XR-5K18 burn for three minutes, taking the Lynx new. As far back as the late 1950s British engine having been carried out since 2008. to a maximum velocity of Mach 2.9, company Saunders-Roe developed the Its flight testing will occur at the same before being switched off when it reaches SR.53, a single-seat jet/rocket-powered time as Virgin Galactic continues testing 190,000ft (57,912m). The spacecraft will interceptor that could achieve a speed SpaceShipTwo, which has already been then coast upwards in the increasingly of Mach 2.35 and an altitude of 67,000ft flown to 60,000ft (18,288m) at Mach 1.5. So thin atmosphere until it reaches (20,421m). Rocket-powered reusable is there an unofficial ‘race’ between XCOR the ‘Karman Line’, the Fédération aircraft, rather than capsules, capable of and Virgin Galactic to see which can be the Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)- spaceflight were restricted to the NASA X-15 first to fly space tourists? recognised boundary 328,000ft (99,974m) test aircraft until the arrival in 1981 of the XCOR’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice- above the earth where our atmosphere Space Shuttle, although of course that relied President of Business Development, Andrew ends and outer space begins. on disposable rockets to lift it into orbit. Nelson, says not. “No, we don’t view it At this altitude, there’s no air outside It was not until 2004, when the Burt Rutan- quite like that,” he told AIR International. the Lynx and the pilot and passenger designed Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo “We intend to take a cautious and safety- will experience four minutes of ‘zero-g’ won the Ansari X Prize for repeated sub- conscious step-by-step approach, gradually weightlessness as they fly in sub-orbit with orbital flights, that focus was placed on flying higher and longer flights from our untethered items such as cameras floating reusable spaceplanes being utilised for Mojave airfield, and there is certainly no around them. The space tourist will have access to space. ‘race’ as such. We are admittedly now closer an extraordinary view, with blackness above Around this time, at his Mojave, California, to Virgin Galactic in timing than we originally and the curvature of the earth clearly visible base, XCOR Aerospace founder and Chief thought we would be; the two craft achieve on the horizon Executive, engineer Jeff Greason, began similar things but in a different way.” During this phase of the flight, the Lynx developing the single-seat EZ-Rocket The Lynx is to be developed in three will slowly rotate under its non-hydrazine derivatives of Burt Rutan’s Long-Ez light aircraft stages. The first prototype, the Lynx Mk1, reaction control system (RCS) thrusters, for the Rocket Racing League in the US. The will fly to 200,000ft (60,960m) to test on- which provide altitude control. All too soon, work on this project to create safe rocket engine board systems. The Mk2, being developed the re-entry phase will begin and the craft operations, piston pump development and the in parallel, will start test flights in 2014. It will will glide down through the atmosphere integration of airframe, avionics and engine use the same engines and systems as the in spirals. The pilot and passenger will eventually led XCOR to develop the Lynx. Mk1 but will be lighter. XCOR intends that experience four times the force of gravity (4g) The company originally planned to fly the Mk2 will also be capable of carrying up to during their descent before the Lynx lands the Lynx in 2008 but developing a safe and 264lb (120kg) of scientific equipment inside back on the runway from where it departed reliable rocket and airframe/hull combination the cabin, enabling the craft to be used for

30 to 40 minutes earlier. takes time and testing. The aircraft low-cost scientific research launches as well The Lynx’s occupants have now been doesn’t rely on a mother-ship carrying it as flying space tourists. into sub-orbital space, albeit at a fraction of to altitude, unlike Virgin Galactic’s eight- A third version, the Mk3, will be introduced the 124 miles (200km) that orbital altitudes seater SpaceShipTwo – which requires the in 2015 and will include a dorsal cargo spacecraft such as the now-retired NASA WhiteKnightTwo aircraft to carry it to 60,000ft container, space telescope and a small two- Space Shuttle or the Soyuz and Shezhou (18,288m) before release and a rocket- stage micro-satellite launcher – a capability capsules operate at – to get to these powered climb to sub-orbit. currently of interest to the US Department heights, spacecraft need to be accelerated XCOR has designed the Lynx to be low- of Defense for launching a fleet of small by very powerful rockets to Mach 25, or cost and reusable. It’s designed to operate surveillance satellites, operating together as 18,000mph (28,968km/h). The Lynx’s pilot four times a day, with two-hour turnaround a ‘swarm’, cheaply and at short notice. and passenger are however still astronauts, times, and undertake up to 40 flights before achieving the same sub-orbit as NASA’s first extensive maintenance is required. It is also Astronaut-tourists astronaut Alan Shepard did in his Mercury designed to operate under conventional The drama of the flight is a key part of the capsule in 1961. visual flight rules (VFR). appeal to many of XCOR’s fare-paying

AI.01.14 113 TECHNOLOGY LYNX ROCKETPLANE

sounding rockets [currently used to obtain measurements in sub-orbit] but cheaper [because it is] human-operated during the flights. If they don’t work out the scientist can make equipment adjustments and fly later that same day.” There’s another role for which the Lynx may be used in the longer term: astronaut training. With the LES suits and 4g on re-entry, the Lynx will give a realistic experience of the conditions astronauts experience during spaceflight. This product will sit alongside other spaceflight training experiences offered by XCOR including an altitude chamber facility on the ground and training in anti-g straining techniques using a Pitts Special aerobatic biplane and an Aero L-39 Albatros jet. “XCOR and Isle of Man-based Excalibur Almaz have recently signed a joint suborbital training agreement, where they intend to use Lynx flights as initial training for the orbital experiences they intend to launch.” Challenges One of the major technical hurdles for XCOR in developing the Lynx was saving weight while simultaneously ensuring the spacecraft has the strength to withstand the forces of re-entry. Its airframe will be all-composite, which saves weight but maximises strength, and will feature a thermal protection system (TPS) on the nose and leading edges to customers, Nelson says. “We actually call Nelson explained: “The approach is a handle the heat from re-entry. The challenge our customers ‘participants’ [rather than classic aircraft-testing envelope expansion involved in developing the TPNS recently led tourists] based on the legal definition here in programme. This starts from tie-down XCOR to approach the Aerospace Structures the US. They will be weightless in sub-orbit, engine tests; slow then fast taxi moves; Division of aerospace company ATK to but in fact they won’t float around for a then a first up and around the airfield flight, design and manufacture the composite minute in the cabin as they will stay strapped maybe lighting up two of the four engines; wings and control surfaces for the Lynx. in. The front window view of the earth 62 then increasing height and speed to Mach 3 Another big challenge currently being miles below is going to be superb as it is or 4 with the four engines and then going for worked on by XCOR is reliability of the much bigger than a simple porthole, and very high altitudes.” aluminium rocket nozzle. This must the three to four minutes of zero-g is quite Testing and initial operations will be cope with very high temperatures with no noticeable anyway, even sitting in a seat. carried out from XCOR’s Mojave home. degradation of the material properties of This is a personal astronaut experience that Although this will be retained, the company the alloys to allow repeatable firings of the may be tailored for the individual. Remember is also developing a new research and rockets and full reusability of the vehicle. that our pilot and participant will be wearing development facility at Midland, Texas. In If XCOR can achieve the operational an LES – a ‘David Clark’ or ‘Orbital Outfitters’ 2014 it plans to open a base in Florida to requirements anticipated for commercial version – plus we have parachutes, so taking operate revenue-earning tourism flights success, safety and reliability, it will be a off harnesses for the zero-g portion is not as part of the state’s ‘Space Coast’. major step forward in affordable personal really worthwhile.” Manufacturing of Lynx vehicles may also spaceflight and will bring those old TV show Flight safety is naturally a matter of take place in Florida. Meanwhile, the and comic book visions of science fiction paramount concern for XCOR, which says Space Expedition Corporation (SXC), closer to fact. passengers are being equipped with the currently operating from Amsterdam in LES in the event of emergencies such as the Netherlands, is leading XCOR’s sales a sudden cabin depressurisation. There is activities across the world. also a seat-raising system if a bale-out was required. Nelson explains: “Safety is the Observing planets prime consideration and this is part of the Aside from the tourism flights, what might ‘astronaut experience’ for the participant. the Lynx be used for in its secondary role But like any developing aircraft, as testing of putting scientific research equipment progresses, safety always improves. The [US into sub-orbit? The Tucson, Arizona- regulator] Federal Aviation Administration will based Planetary Science Institute has an give a licence to fly Lynx with the customer, agreement with XCOR for the Lynx to place based on our own judgement regarding the infrared telescopes into orbit to contribute LES and parachute approach need.” to its observation activities. Andrew Nelson explained: “Astronomy and microgravity Testing research is an important aspect of XCOR’s What of the testing requirements for work. We will have an adapted version such a revolutionary route to spaceflight? of Lynx 2 for this, with a dorsal mounted Reflecting the technical challenges and pod attached. The Planetary Science regulatory hurdles to make Lynx flight Institute and others will be able to use the operations possible, the test flying 100km heights and three to four minutes sequence will be an extensive and time- of zero-g for a wide range of experiments consuming building-block process. Andrew and astronomy projects. This is just like the

114 AI.01.14 Air Britain F_P.indd 1 26/11/2013 10:03 SA14_KeyPub_210mmx297mm.pdf 1 19/11/2013 6:22:56 PM

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