Over the Worst? NH90 Programme Begins to Deliver
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Volume 32 Number 5 September/October 2013 Over the worst? NH90 programme begins to deliver KOREA ON THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES DEFENSIVE WAVES ROK procurement Hostile fire indication Russian radar systems www.rotorhub.com DH_SepOct13_OFC.indd 1 11/10/2013 10:36:23 I WILL ALWAYS PLACE THE MISSION FIRST. I WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT. I WILL NEVER QUIT. I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE. BRINGING MORE POWER TO THEIR MISSION. Army troops in the fight for freedom deserve the best support we can offer. The Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) will make sure they get it, specifying new combat performance, capability and efficiency standards for Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. ATEC’s HPW3000 engine will provide increased power, enhanced dependability, rapid start capability, increased payload, and improved high/hot performance. With greater range. Burning less fuel. Saving billions of dollars. Learn more about the ITEP engine program and the HPW3000 Engine at ATECPower.net. Visit ATEC at AUSA booth 1661. 26646_ATEC_HPW3000_DefHelicopter_wbooth.inddDH_SepOct13_IFC.indd 2 1 11/10/201310/1/13 10:37:03 2:00 PM Client: ATEC Ad Title: Bringing more power Publication: Defence Helicopter - Sept/Oct 2013 Trim: 205 x 273 mm • Bleed: 211 x 279 mm • Live: 182 x 254 mm CONTENTS Front cover: French Navy NH90 NFHs on exercise. In the first of a two-part series, Defence Helicopter looks at the progress of the programme to date. (Photo: Eurocopter) 3 Comment Editor Tony Skinner, [email protected] Tel: +44 1753 727020 4 News n Karem Aircraft to design tiltrotor for Staff Reporter JMR TD Jonathan Tringham, [email protected] n AgustaWestland invokes Indian Business Reporter arbitration clause Joyce de Thouars, [email protected] n Canada considers Cyclone alternatives Contributors n Polish helicopter competition nears RfP Patrick Allen, Gordon Arthur, Pieter Bastiaans, Rob Coppinger, Peter Donaldson, Jim Dorschner, Scott R Gourley, Iñigo Guevara Moyano, Alexander 8 Over the worst? Mladenov, Richard Scott, Lubomir Sedlak, Matthew Smith, Alan Warnes, Tom Withington The NH90 has had something of a troubled past, encompassing both opt-outs from Production Department Manager nations such as the UK and difficult 26 David Hurst, [email protected] negotiations between the OEM and NATO Sub-editor Adam Wakeling Helicopter Management Organisation 32 Sensing change countries. Defence Helicopter charts its Night vision systems and improved day Commercial Manager Jane Smith, [email protected] turbulent history to date. sensors have been a real game-changer for Tel: +44 1753 727004 both domestic and international helicopter Editor-in-Chief 13 Sustainable development operations. Defence Helicopter considers Tony Skinner As the first aircraft are delivered to their evolution in US service. squadrons, Defence Helicopter reviews the Managing Director Darren Lake status of the UK’s Merlin Mk 2 upgrade effort. 36 New waves Two latest-generation attack helicopter Chairman Nick Prest 15 Korea opportunities types are now in production in Russia. Against a background of continued friction Defence Helicopter looks at the SUBSCRIPTIONS CDS Global, Tower House, Lathkill Street, with Pyongyang and uncertainty over development, testing and entry into service Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, geopolitical shifts in the wider region, Defence of their radar systems. Leics LE16 9EF, UK Paid subscription contacts: Helicopter outlines South Korea’s current and Tel: +44 1858 438879 future military helicopter requirements. 40 Making gains Fax: +44 1858 461739 Email: [email protected] Major General William T Crosby, 20 On the defensive US Army Program Executive Officer, Defence Helicopter (USPS 023-352) is published six times per year – in January/February, March/April, From mature acoustic gunfire location Aviation, talks to Defence Helicopter about May/June, July/August, September/October and systems to next-generation situational the future composition of rotary-wing November/December– by The Shephard Press Ltd, 268 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX, UK. awareness initiatives, defensive aids suites assets in the service. Subscription rates start at £65. Subscription records are maintained at CDS Global, are vital in ensuring airborne safety within Tower House, Lathkill Street, Sovereign Park, hostile environments. Defence Helicopter Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9EF, UK. Air Business Ltd is acting as mailing agent. surveys the market. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of The Shephard Press Ltd and may IN THE NEXT ISSUE not be reproduced in any form without the written 26 Preparing the ground NH90 part 2 permission of the publishers. No responsibility can be Providing sufficient infrastructure for aircraft accepted for loss of or damage to uncommissioned Composites and structures photographs or manuscripts. maintenance and repair in-theatre is vital for Simulation extended operations. Defence Helicopter talks DTP by Vivid Associates Ltd, Sutton, Surrey, UK Middle East market Printed by Williams Press, Maidenhead, UK to the warfighters tasked with keeping US © The Shephard Press Ltd, 2013 combat helicopters in the air. ISSN 1741-6043 Subscriptions Shephard’s aerospace and defence publishing portfolio incorporates six titles: Defence Helicopter, Digital Battlespace, Land Warfare International, The Shephard Press Ltd Military Logistics International, RotorHub and Unmanned Vehicles. 268 Bath Road, Slough, Berks, SL1 4DX, UK Published bi-monthly, all have become respected and renowned for Tel: +44 1753 727001 covering global issues within their respective industry sector. Fax: +44 1753 727002 For more information, including editorial content in the current issues, visit shephardmedia.com/magazines. www.rotorhub.com Subscribe today via: www.subscription.co.uk/shephard or +44 (0)1858 438879 subs_portfolio.indd 1 23/8/10 17:15:02 www.rotorhub.com Volume 32 Number 5 | September/October 2013 | Defence Helicopter 1 DH_SepOct13_p01_Contents.indd 1 11/10/2013 10:38:48 Seamless integration with “SKIMMER” IAI-LAHAV’s integrated modular package optimized for your naval helicopter missions • In-house development of key naval mission systems • Proven experience integrating helicopter systems and meeting the most demanding operational requirements • “Cost-effective” tailored packages www.iai.co.il [email protected] DH_SepOct13_p02.indd 2 11/10/2013 10:39:40 COMMENT Russia opens up, as helicopter OEM gets ready to go global THERE IS NO DOUBT TO ANYONE who has The visit included: a look at the production followed the political machinations over Syria in lines for the Mi-26, Mi-35 and Mi-28; a briefing on recent weeks that an acrimonious strategic rivalry the new Mi-28UB, which features dual controls continues to linger between the US and Russia. for pilot training; a look at blade production and The holding company that oversees all of new composite techniques; and the chance Russia’s rotorcraft production is, however, to get up close and personal with some classic clearly trying to put the Cold War well and truly helicopters from the Mil design bureau. behind it, and continues to widen links with the Outgoing CEO Dmitry Petrov also briefed West in an attempt to further its footprint. us in Moscow on the level of the company’s After some lean times in the post-Soviet era, ambition and its plans to further its Russian Helicopters has undergone a significant international footprint. renaissance in recent years, buoyed by some significant military orders from Moscow and JOINT EFFORTS the continued success of the Mi-17. In addition to joint production of the AW139 Indeed, growth in the supply of helicopters to under the Helivert venture, Russian Helicopters the Russian MoD has seen the company jump is considering setting up production of its from 39th to 24th in the Defense News ‘Top 100’ Kazan Ansat model in South Africa, through of largest defence companies for 2012, based on partnering agreements with Paramount military equipment sales volumes. Group and Denel Aviation, as well as the final Details of Russia’s multi-billion dollar effort to assembly of the Kamov Ka-62 in Brazil. modernise its military helicopter fleet emerged While both types are squarely aimed at the in 2011 when long-term contracts were signed civil market, this does provide some indication of for a range of types, including Ka-52 and Mi-28NE the direction of the company’s thinking. Petrov attack helicopters and Mi-8/Mi-17 transports. argued that Russian helicopters were ideal for the Then First Deputy Defence Minister Vladimir hot climates of South America and parts of Asia Popovkin said at the time that the replacement given their robustness and ease of maintenance. programme would cost $29 billion, while The company is also mirroring the research analysts forecast that the modernisation being done by Western OEMs in attempting drive could see as many as 1,100 helicopters to increase the speed of future rotorcraft. Its purchased by 2020, which would account for Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter some 80% of the military’s fleet. (RACHEL) project will see a test aircraft, based In addition, Russian Helicopters has achieved on the Mi-35 but with an amended rotor a feat that was unthinkable only a few years system, flown for the first time in 2014. ago – selling the Pentagon Mi-17 helicopters While such information is obviously for use in Afghanistan, which has unsurprisingly invaluable for the specialist