The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was originally powered by two Turbomeca TM333-2B2 turboshafts rated at 1,000 shp each. Deliveries of an upgraded variant with the new Turbomeca/HAL Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft began in 2011. The Ardiden 1H1 is produced in India as the Shakti. The Dhruv's first flight with twin Ardiden 1H1s, each rated at 1,200 shp, took place in January 2009. An attack variant, the LCH (Light Combat Helicopter), is being developed; it will be powered by two Shakti turboshafts.
Kawasaki is developing the C-2 to replace for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's C-1As and C-130Hs. The C-2 is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft powered by General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans rated at approximately 52,500-lb.-thrust each. Maximum payload is 82,892 lb. First flight occurred in January 2010, and 21 C-1s are forecast to be produced from 2012 through 2021.
The New York-based Society of Satellite Professionals has selected the winners of its 2012 Promise and Mentor awards. The Promise Award, which recognizes the potential of a young satellite professional to play a leadership role in the industry, was given to Brian Mengwasser, an innovation projects engineer at SES; Nicole Robinson, Vice president-marketing and corporate communications, SES Government Solutions; and Karen Yasumura, government affairs manager at the Intelsat General Corp.
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is an anti-submarine warfare/maritime-patrol aircraft produced through 1997. Lockheed won a U.S. Navy ASW competition in 1958 and began deliveries of the P-3A in 1962; the improved P-3C first flew in 1968. Lockheed produced a total of 647 P-3s, while Kawasaki produced 101 under license. Although production has ended, numerous upgrade programs continue. Power for the P-3C is provided by four 4,910-shp Rolls-Royce T56-14 turboprops.
Apache Twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter. The current production model is the AH-64D, available both as a new-build aircraft and as an upgrade of existing AH-64As. Most AH-64Ds are fitted with GE T700 engines, although the U.K.-assembled AgustaWestland/Boeing WAH-64D has a pair of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322s. Apache armament includes a 30-mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds and four underwing hardpoints that can accommodate up to 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, or up to 76 air-to-ground rockets, or a combination.
Chengdu is working on a stealthy fighter known as the J-20, but it is unclear what role it will play in the Chinese air force's structure. The J-20 is likely to be optimized more as a strike fighter than the J-10, and will likely to be more difficult for Chengdu to produce in volume. Two prototypes of the J-20 are now in testing, with full operating capability not expected until at least 2018. The aircraft are reportedly powered by Russian-made AL-31F turbofans instead of Chinese-developed WS-10 powerplants.
In 1995, Russia sold a 15-year license for producing Su-27s to China for more than $2 billion. Up to 200 aircraft (designated J-11 by the Chinese) were to be built by Shenyang Aircraft Corp. The first two were assembled in December 1998 from Knaapo-supplied kits. A total of 105 kits had been delivered to Shenyang by 2004, when the program was halted. All of the kits had been assembled by the end of 2006. Shenyang also produces the J-11B.
The Mi-24 series is a family of twin-turboshaft attack helicopters. The new Mi-35M features 2,400-shp Klimov VK-2500 engines, as well as various improvements to the rotors and airframe. The Mi-35M is available as a new-build helicopter as well as a retrofit package. Over 2,370 helicopters in the Mi-24/25/35 series were produced through 2011. A further 68 are forecast to be produced from 2012 through 2021.
The MH/SH-60 (also S-70B) series are medium-lift, anti-submarine warfare, and special-purpose shipborne helicopters. Current production models, the MH-60R and MH-60S, are powered by two GE T700-401C turboshaft engines rated at 1,690 shp each. The MH-60R configuration combines systems and capabilities from the earlier SH-60B and F variants, plus further upgrades. The MH-60S is a hybrid model incorporating the airframe, landing gear, fuel cells and several subsystems of the UH-60, mated with the SH-60's main rotor and tail fold, dynamic systems, engines and rescue hoist.
First flown as a prototype in 1982, the Ka-50 Black Shark is a single-seat, twin-engine, contra-rotating coaxial-rotor attack helicopter. The Ka-52 Alligator is a side-by-side, twin-seat variant of the Ka-50. Power for the Ka-50 initially came from 2,200-shp Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshafts. Though production ceased in 2009, the Ka-50 is still offered for sale, but now with the 2,400-shp Klimov VK-2500 engines used on the Ka-52. The Ka-52 remains in production and a naval variant, the Ka-52K, is under development for Russia's French-supplied helicopter carriers.
Brinkmanship in the Middle East could lead to joint U.S.-Israeli air attacks to stop or delay Iran's apparent march toward a nuclear capability. A key role would likely be played by U.S. Air Force and Israel Defense Forces Boeing F-15E and F-15I fighters armed with high-precision hard-target-defeat weapons. USAF Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rissmiller's photo shows 4th Fighter Wing F-15Es in an exercise at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., earlier this year.
The E-3/E-6/E-8 series is a family of special-purpose military aircraft based on the Boeing 707. All three are out of production. A total of 76 E-3s, 17 E-6s and 20 E-8s were built. The Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System made its first flight in February 1972. Production E-3s were powered by either four Pratt & Whitney TF33s or CFM56-2 engines. First flight of the Boeing E-6A Mercury Tacamo II communications platform, with four F108-100 (CFM56) turbofans, took place in 1987. The Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System.
The Mil Mi-8/17 series of helicopters is a family of twin-engine, multirole transports. The initial Mi-8 prototype first flew in 1961. Later models in the series have been powered by Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines rated at 2,367 shp each. Through 2011, more than 11,900 Mi-8/17s of all types had been built. In the 2012-21 period, production of 1,796 additional aircraft is forecast.
The B-1B is a four-engine strategic bomber produced by Rockwell International (now Boeing) for the U.S. Air Force. The initial prototype made its first flight in 1974. The B-1B is powered by four GE F101-102 augmented turbofans rated at more than 30,000-lb.-thrust each. In addition to four B-1A prototypes, 100 B-1Bs were built before production ended in 1988. The Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) began in 1995 with Block B and proceeded through to Block E, adding precision strike capabilities.
Medium, twin-engine multirole helicopter. Since the W-3 Sokol's first flight in 1979, a wide variety of variants have been produced, including the search-and-rescue W-3RM Anakona and armed combat W-3PL Gluszec. Development of a W-3PL/N naval multirole version is now under way. The W-3 is powered by two PZL-Rzeszow PZL-10W turboshafts rated at 900 shp each. Through 2011, approximately 155 W-3s had been produced. From 2012 through 2021, 53 W-3s are forecast to be built.
The Kawasaki P-1 is a four-engine, anti-submarine warfare and maritime-patrol aircraft. The aircraft is powered by the IHI F7-10 turbofan, rated at 13,448-lb.-thrust. The P-1 is intended to replace Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3Cs. A prototype flew for the first time in 2007. Delivery of the first production model is scheduled for 2012. Through 2011, two developmental aircraft were built. Approximately 27 production units are forecast from 2012 through 2021.
Yes, competition would fix the “JSF Problem.” Look at the benefits gained from deregulating the airlines. A secondary problem is Congress's fetish to try and build one aircraft to do too much. History with the F-111 did not teach a satisfactory lesson. The military needs stealthy aircraft to initiate air superiority. But they make poor carpet-bombers. The military needs fast, multi-target killers to protect the fleet and bases, but everybody knows where they are.
The AS565 multirole, 10- to 15-seat helicopter is a military version of the commercial AS365 Dauphin. Variants include the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65C Dolphin (powered by Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 engines); naval AS565MB (Arriel 2C); and land-based AS565UB (Arriel 2C). Through 2011, 1,004 Dauphin/Panther helicopters were produced, not including models license-produced by China's Hafei Aviation Industry Company Ltd (HAI), with 18 more for military use forecast from 2012 through 2021.
Boeing's 737 series is a family of twin-engine, narrowbody commercial transports. There are several programs for converting green 737 aircraft for specialized military use. Australia's E-7A Wedgetail airborne warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, integrated by Boeing with a Northrop Grumman radar, first flew in 2004 and delayed deliveries began in 2010. Turkey's Peace Eagle 737 AEW&C is modified by Boeing and TAI, while South Korea's 737 AEW&C is modified by Boeing and KAI.
USAF Col. (ret.) Stephen B. Harrison (see photo) has joined the board of AAR Airlift Group in Melbourne and Palm Bay, Fla. He was president and CEO of National Airlines.
The Mi-28 is a twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter. In Russian military use, the Mil Mi-28 has become the successor to the Mi-24. First flight occurred in 1982. The current version is the all-weather/night-capable Mi-28N; deliveries of the Mi-28N began in 2006. The Mi-28N is powered by 2,194-shp Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines. Through 2011, some 48 Mi-28s had been built. Another 128 are forecast for production from 2012 through 2021.
Europe's big three airline groups are making serious cuts to stem mounting losses. But if British Airways CEO Keith Williams is right, it will be a very long time before they are remotely near the healthy profit margins of 4-5 years ago.
Staffers on Capitol Hill have discussed reauthorizing NASA spending and even approving a spending bill that funds the space agency by the end of the year. But whether they succeed depends on the results of the November election.
