Feeding at Frankfurt Lufthansas Hub Ops

Japan Airlines Back from the Brink The Perfect Ten DC-10 Retires

INTERNATIONALFor the best in modern military and commercial aviation

w

ww

.air

inte

rnat

iona

l.co

m

INTERNATIONAL

Red F

lag

An In

tellig

ent A

ir W

ar

Red F

lagINTERNATIONAL

Chinas Mighty Dragon

J-20APRIL 2014 Vol.86 No.4 4.60

BAE Systems Replica

F-22Americas Silver Bullet

Russian Helicopters F_P.indd 1 04/03/2014 12:31

Charles C

unliffe

News

Features

04BREAKING NEWSThe hunt continues for Malaysia Airlines fl ight MH370, Embraer rolls out the improved ERJ-175, Daher-Socata reveals the TBM 900, Singapore orders A330 tanker transports, and the fi rst Peruvian KAI KT-1P fl ies.

06GENERAL NEWS BAE Systems dusts off Replica, Luke AFB in Arizona welcomes its fi rst F-35A Lightning II, Airbus doubles its A350 test fl eet, Turkey orders T-70 Black Hawks, and Pilatus fl ies the fi rst PC-21 for Qatar.

30RISING TO THE CHALLENGERobert F Dorr explains how the US Air Forces confi dence in the F-22 is increasing after ten years in service.

40CHINAS MIGHTY DRAGONThe fi fth-generation Chengdu J-20 is a symbol of how far Chinas aerospace industry has progressed. Andreas Rupprecht chronicles the programme.

46FEEDING AT FRANKFURTChris Kjelgaard visits Lufthansas Hub Control Center at Frankfurt Airport, possibly the largest of any European airline.

54SKYLON - BRITAINS FUTURE IN SPACE? The innovative spaceplane and powerplant

are detailed by Clive Simpson. As develop-ment advances, he asks if Skylon could be the single stage-to-orbit breakthrough needed to lower space access costs.

58SERBIAS SWALLOWAleksandar Radic details the Lasta trainer and Kobac counter-insurgency aircraft at the heart of Serbias aerospace industry.

64WEATHER SENTINELNASA is using a pair of Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawks for climate research. Mark Broadbent investigates.

70SPAINS AB212 UPGRADERoberto Yez and Alex Rodri-guez provide an overview of the upgrade

of the Spanish Navys Agusta-Bell AB212 helicopters. .

76SHARKLETS & SCIMITARSRising fuel costs have resulted in a number of aircraft manufactuers and airlines implementing measures to improve effi ciency, as Mark Broadbent discovers.

82JALS COMEBACKDavid Armstrong explains how Japan Airlines is getting back on track after a year of challenges.

88THE OLD NEW & UNTESTEDNorman Graf reports on the latest Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada, while David C Isby provides details on some of the participants.

FRONT COVER: F-22s of the 1st FW. US Air Force MAIN INSET: Neville Beckett LEFT INSET: Aleksi Hamalainen/AirTeamImages MIDDLE INSET: Charles Cunliffe RIGHT INSET: Jrgen Mai/Lufthansa

22

10 US AIR FORCE CON-FRONTS HARSH REALITYRobert F Dorr looks at the diffi cult choices being made about the services future inventory.

18 QANTAS SHAKE-UP Qantas is going through diffi cult times, as Mark Broadbent details.

22 THE PERFECT TENBiman Bangladesh recently retired

the last passenger-carrying DC-10. Tom Allett reports.

26 HELI-EXPO 2014 - DEBUTANTS AND DEVELOPMENTSAlexander Mladenov writes from Anaheim, California, on the new helicopters displayed at Heli-Expo.

ISSN 0306-5634 is published monthly by: Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK T +44 (0)1780 755131 F +44 (0)1780 757261

The entire contents of AIR International is copyright, and no

part of it may be reproduced in any form or stored on any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher. All items submitted for publication are subject to our terms and conditions, which are regularly updated without prior notice and are freely available from Key Publishing Ltd or downloadable from www.keypublishing.com

Distribution by Seymour Distribution Ltd T. +44 (0)020 7429 4000 Printed in England by Warners

Midlands PLC. Please refer to main Subscriptions Advertisement within the magazine or Email: subs@keypublishing.comT +44 (0)1780 480404 F +44 (0)1780 757812Readers in USA may place subscriptions by telephone toll-free 800-676-4049. Air International is distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offi ces

Postmaster send address corrections to: AIR International, Key Publishing Ltd, C/o Mail Right International Inc. 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854

Sub Editors Sue Blunt, Carol Randall

Designer Dave Robinson

Production Manager Janet Watkins

Production Controller Danielle Tempest

Subscriptions/Mail Order Manager Roz Cond

Marketing Manager Martin Steele

Marketing Assistants Shaun Binnington & Jessica Jagger

Commercial Director Ann Saundry

Managing Director & Publisher Adrian Cox

Executive Chairman Richard Cox

Editor Mark Aytonairint@keypublishing.com

News Editor David Willis airnews@keypublishing.com

Editors Secretary Julie Lawsonjulie.lawson@keypublishing.com

Advertisement Manager Ian Maxwellian.maxwell@keypublishing.com

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, including, but not limited to, money, manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response to any advertisements within this publication.

LEADING NEWS STORIES

3

DC-10. Tom Allett reports.

EXPO 2014 -

FREE DVDClaim your FREE Mirage F1 or THAI Airways Airbus A380 DVD when you subscribe to AIR International. See pages 28 and 29 for details.

Breaking News

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com4 AI.04.14

Drakens Scooter

Contract air services provider Draken International based at Mesa Airport near Phoenix, Arizona, displayed McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk N145EM at the airshow held at Luke AFB, Arizona, on March 15 and 16. The aircraft previously served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ6215 (and beforehand the Royal Australian Navy as 871) and was the fi rst to become operational with Draken. It has a Douglas D-704 refuelling pod under the centreline hardpoint. Draken operates several different types of high-performance former military aircraft to provide adversary training and contract air support to military and industry customers. Paul Ridgway

Singapore Orders A330 Tanker TransportsOn March 6 Singapores Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, announced to Parliament that the Airbus Defence and Space A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) would replace the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSiAF). Although the minister revealed no numbers, it is understood that six aircraft will be acquired based on the request for information released in 2011. Airbus submitted its best and fi nal offer to Singapore on May 30, 2013.

The purchase will signal an expansion for 112 Squadron, which has four KC-135Rs, indicating that the A330s will also likely relieve the Lockheed KC-130B Hercules of their tanking duties. The addition of two extra aircraft will also support the RSiAFs numerous overseas deployments and exercises. Delivery of the fi rst is expected in 2018.The aircraft will be confi gured for 266 passenger seats. It is possible that they will be fi tted with both the

multi-point refuelling system style probe and hose, and a side cargo door. With the versatile upper deck capability of the A330 MRTT, the RSiAF could carry out medevac, troop-lift or transport roles during its numerous overseas exercises while still being able to undertake the tanking role. France is also looking at the cargo door option for its prospective fl eet of A330 MRTTs. Purchase of the A330 will allow the RiSAF to make use of infrastructure already in place in Singapore.

Singapore Airlines currently operates 22 Airbus A330-300s and has a full fl ight simulator for the type, which could be used to train air force pilots. ST Aerospaces maintenance, repair and overhaul expertise on the aircraft puts it in a good position to become involved in the conversion programme of the green A330 airframes. The company currently maintains the KC-135Rs and is likely to do the same for the A330s when they enter service. Chen Chuanren

Mystery Surrounds Disappearance of Flight MH370As AIR International went to press an extensive search and investigation had failed to fi nd Malaysian Airlines fl ight MH370 or determine why it had disappeared ten days earlier. The Boeing 777-2H6ER (9M-MRO, c/n 28420) with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board was fl ying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia to Beijing Capital International Airport in the Peoples Republic of China. All communications with the aircraft and its transponder signal were lost at around 0122hrs on March 8 while over the South China Sea. No distress signal was broadcast by the crew. Malaysian airlines was informed of the situation at 0240 hrs and a major search and rescue effort began, initially focused on the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, involving more than 20 aircraft and

vessels from nine countries. A NATO Airborne Early Warning Force Boeing E-3A Sentry was deployed from Geilenkirchen in Germany on March 10 to join the efforts to locate the airliner. By March 15, 14 countries and 53 aircraft were involved. Aircraft from Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam have participated in the search, but had found nothing pertinent by March 18.Soon after the disappearance of the aircraft, Malaysian authorities revealed that two of its passengers were travelling on stolen Italian and Austrian passports. They were later identifi ed as Iranian men believed to be wishing to seek asylum in Europe; Interpol later confi rmed they had no known links

to any terrorist groups.Evidence that the fl ight had not ended when originally thought began to accumulate as the search continued. On March 11 Malaysian military radar indicated that the airliner had turned west and continued fl ying over the Strait of Malacca for at least 70 minutes after it was thought to have disappeared. On March 15 the Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, confi rmed that the SITA-produced aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) had been disabled shortly before the transponder was switched off. However, a series of pings from the Swift 64 communication system acting in a failsafe mode had been received by the Inmarsat satellite network. Prime Minister Razak went on to say that the last time ACARS

had tried to communicate with a satellite was at 0811 hrs, by which time the airliner was either somewhere in a northern corridor stretching approximately from the border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to northern Thailand, or in a southern corridor from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean. Countries in the area have been asked to search their radar records for any clues to the fate of the aircraft, while surface and air searches have been concentrated in these regions. By March 15 attention had focused back on the crew and passengers, including Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, who reportedly had built his own aircraft cockpit simulator at his home. Officials were investigating it to see if it would yield any clues to the fate of the airliner. Mark Broadbent and David Willis

Turkmenistan Receives Boeing 777LR

Boeing 777-22KLR EZ-A778 (c/n 42296) was delivered to Turkmenistan Airlines on March 18, departing Snohomish County Airport/Paine Field in Washington for Trkmenbashi General Airport in Turkmenistan. It is the fi rst of two ordered on November 30, 2011 that will serve long-haul routes with the airline. An earlier 777-22KLR (EZ-A777, c/n 39548) delivered in August 2010 is equipped with a VIP interior and operated on behalf of the Turkmenistan Government. Joe G Walker

Breaking News

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com 5AI.04.14

GOT A NEWS STORY, GOT A NEWS STORY, GOT A NEWS STORY, PHOTO OR FEATURE ?PHOTO OR FEATURE ?PHOTO OR FEATURE ?

AIR International is keen AIR International is keen AIR International is keen to hear from readers who to hear from readers who to hear from readers who

have news stories, photos or have news stories, photos or have news stories, photos or features of modern civil and features of modern civil and features of modern civil and military aviation for inclusion military aviation for inclusion military aviation for inclusion

in the magazine. Please in the magazine. Please in the magazine. Please contact AIR International at contact AIR International at contact AIR International at

the following address the following address the following address airint@keypublishing.comairint@keypublishing.comairint@keypublishing.com

2KING AIRS FOR BOLIVIAThe Fuerza Area Boliviana (Bolivian Air Force) recently received two Beechcraft King Airs, one model 250 and the other a 350, for use on liaison and VIP transport duties. The aircraft were purchased new for $13 million and operate from El Alto Airport, near the city of La Paz, where the force has its main transport units. The air force also currently operates two C90s and two B200s. One of each model serves with the Grupo Areo Presidencial and will be replaced by the new aircraft. Santiago Rivas

NEWS

BY NUMBERS

Drakens Scooter

Singapore Orders A330 Tanker Transports

Improved E-Jet Rolled-Out

This Embraer 175 in United Express colours is the fi rst E-Jet to be rolled-out with a package of performance enhancing features. Embraer

Embraer announced on March 12 that it had unveiled to its employees the fi rst Embraer 175 with a package of aerodynamic improvements to reduce fuel burn at its So Jos dos Campos facility in So Paulo, Brazil. The airliner has redesigned wingtips 2.69m (8ft 10in) long with a dihedral of approximately 45, and a strengthened wingbox, wing skins and area where the wing and fuselage join. Other aerodynamic refi nements include fi llers on the horizontal tailplane, revised rain defl ector over cabin doors, improved ram air doors in the lower fuselage and low-drag wheel fairings. Use of engine bleed air within the environmental and anti-icing systems

has also been reduced. Together, the improvements are claimed to reduce fuel burn by 6.4% compared with a standard Embraer 175. The package of improvements was announced in January 2013 and is being introduced on the Embraer 175 and later on other members of the E-Jet family. They will also be incorporated on the second generation E2 variants. At the time of the unveiling, the manufacturer expected to deliver the fi rst improved Embraer 175 within weeks. The launch customer for the enhanced Embraer 175 was Republic Airways Holding Ltd its order for 47 examples plus 47 options was announced on January 24, 2013.

The airliners are due to be fl own by Republic Airlines under the American Eagle brand. However, the aircraft recently rolled out was in United Express colours and is understood to be destined for SkyWest Airlines, which will operate it on United Airlines routes. The inaugural United Express Embraer 175 service will be fl own by SkyWest on May 17 between Chicago OHare International Airport, Illinois, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DC. On May 19 the carrier will begin using the airliner on its Chicago OHare to Bosto n Logan International Airport, Massachusetts, route. United Express 175s will be confi gured for 12 seats in fi rst-, 16 in economy plus- and 48 in economy-class.

TBM 900 Revealed

Daher-Socata recently revealed the new TBM 900 single-engine turboprop after a three-year programme involving 160,000 research and development hours, and 200 hours of flight testing. Compared to the TBM 850, the new model features 26 modifications and improvements. The most noticeable is the

addition of winglets and a vertical tailfin strake, and a new five-blade composite propeller and redesigned spinner, slightly increasing the wingspan and fuselage length compared with the earlier mode. Other external changes include a new tailcone, a nose-to-firewall redesign to improve engine airflow circulation,

a banana-shaped air intake, carbon fibre cowlings and new exhaust stacks. Inside, the cockpit has been restyled for improved visibility and easier access to secondary system controls, while the cabin has a new layout with more comfortable seats, lower noise levels and an automated pressurisation system. A revised electrical system with a 300-amp starter generator enables new avionics and electronic devices to be installed. The TBM 900 has an increased maximum cruising speed of 330kts (611km/h) at 28,000ft (8,534m), and reduced fuel consumption extends its maximum range to 1,730nm (3,204km) with five passengers. Customer deliveries were scheduled to begin at the end of March, by when at least 14 aircraft had been built or were being assembled at the companys factory at Tarbes. The majority of the 14 have US civil registrations reserved. Mike Jerram

This pair of Daher-Socata TBM 900s are understood to be F-WWRE and F-WWRJ. Daher-Socata

Peruvian KT-1P FlownDuring a short ceremony on February 19 at Korea Aerospace Industries facilities at Sacheon in South Korea, the XKT-1P trainer for the Fuerza Area del Per (Peruvian Air Force) made its fi rst fl ight. This is the prototype of the KT-1P, a variant of the advanced trainer developed for the Peruvian Air Force, incorporating improved avionics and a digital cockpit, along with the weapons delivery capability of the KA-1 light attack versions in service in Korea. Certifi cation and weapons integration trials are expected to take until mid-year and deliveries will start before the end of 2014. Twenty are being assembled, four in South Korea and 16 in Peru by the Servicio de Mantenimiento (SEMAN, Maintenance Service) of the Peruvian Air Force, at Las Palmas AB in Lima. Work to construct the production line began at SEMAN on July 16, 2013. Some components will also be built in Peru and the delivery of the fi rst is due before the end of the year, and all 20 by the end of 2016. Santiago Rivas and David C Isby

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

UK

AI.04.146

Replica in the Open at WartonIn mid-February 2014, video footage showing a large futuristic aircraft being moved in broad daylight at Warton, Lancashire, appeared on aviation media sites, inevitably resulting in much speculative interest and comment. Top secret, black programme; undisclosed Tornado replacement; wind tunnel model; foreign collaborative programme; export potential; even a clever bit of public relations by the company, have all appeared as ill-informed and wild speculation. The truth is much simpler, and unclassifi ed.In the early 1990s British Aerospace, in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence, embarked on project studies of an aircraft to replace the Tornado. This programme was known as the Future Offensive Aircraft System, essentially a strike aircraft. Low observable (LO) technology, commonly referred to as stealth, was to be an essential

feature. Obvious confi guration shaping and other less obvious, but now well known, radar cross section (RCS) reduction measures were to be incorporated in this twin-engine, single-seat, non-STOVL (short take-off vertical landing), supersonic, land-based, design. Obvious low RCS features included blended and facetted body contours, canopy treatment, edge

alignment of fl ying surfaces, scarfed and raked air intakes, a V-tail and internal weapons carriage. Replica was the name given to a programme to conduct RCS testing of a full-scale representative model, a true replica, in respect of its echoing characteristics. In simple terms it consisted of a shell offering the radar returns of a fl yable aircraft, and whilst excluding the innards

of a real aircraft, it included those elements contributing to RCS.It was the UKs fi rst truly LO aircraft design to be subject to a comprehensive series of full-scale measurements, which were completed in conditions of great secrecy under cover of night on the Warton radar range in 1999. Replicas existence was not revealed by BAE Systems until March, 2003. Subsequently, Replica was brought out of storage, and was subjected to further testing in September 2010 and was on view during the day time. The recent appearance comes as no great surprise. Replica was sometimes referred to, quite appropriately, as Test Bed, because its programme name was classifi ed. It can be surmised that now, especially in a smart new special fi nish, further use has been found for this obsolete confi guration in LO research and development. Neville Beckett

The full-scale test aircraft known as Replica on the BAE Systems radar measurement range at Warton in Lancashire on February 28. Neville Beckett

RAF TriStars - Last Chance to See...

At the end of March the RAF will retire the Lockheed TriStar from the tanker transport role with No.216 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. As AIR International went to press, the unit still operated fi ve of the aircraft following the recent withdrawal of C2 ZE705 (c/n ex 1188, ex N509PA). The transport landed at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, on March 12 and was due to be joined by another pair on March 19. The other three are also due to arrive at the same airfi eld after being withdrawn from RAF service. The fate of the fl eet has yet to be decided, as there is the potential

for the well-maintained transports to be sold for further service with civilian operators. Alternatively they could be broken up to provide spares for the dwindling number of TriStars still active. ZE705 is currently stored at Bruntingthorpe in the company of several Boeing 747s, a pair of Qatar Airways Cargo Airbus A300-600Fs and three former No.101 Squadron BAC VC10s, which it was based alongside at RAF Brize Norton. Both the VC10 and TriStar are being replaced by the Airbus Defence and Space A330 Voyager, supplied to the RAF by the AirTanker consortium under a Private Finance Initiative.

Lockheed TriStar C2 ZE705 about to touch down at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, at the end of its last flight with the RAF on March 12. Charles Cunliffe

Typhoon E-Scan Radar Test-bed Flown

Eurofi ghter Typhoon ZJ700 has completed its fi rst fl ight since being modifi ed ready to be equipped with the Captor-E Airborne Electronically Scanned Array Radar (CAESAR). Instrumented Development Aircraft 5 (IPA 5, b/n PS002), fl ew at BAE Systems airfi eld at Warton, Lancashire, on February 28. The fl ight is the fi rst following an 18-month lay-up to prepare the aircraft for the radar and marks the start of the contracted development and fl ight integration programme of CAESAR. IPA 5 is the fourth British Eurofi ghter development aircraft and it has played a central role in the Typhoon programme since its maiden fl ight on June 7, 2004. Since August 2012 modifi cations have been undertaken on the aircraft to make it representative of a Tranche 3 Typhoon to facilitate integration of the Captor-E. Necessary work included adding attachment points to connect the

radar to the airframe and its unique repositioner, power supplies, cooling system and electronic controls. Euroradar announced that it was working towards integrating an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) on Typhoon at the Farnborough airshow in 2010, but an agreement was not reached until 2012 for a development and integration programme to go ahead. The AESA radar will offer multiple, air-to-air and air-to-ground modes, with a fi eld of regard some 50% greater than fi xed plate systems. Electronic scanning increases detection and tracking ranges, improves electronic countermeasures, and provides better detection and tracking of low radar cross-section targets. The radar will provide advanced air-to-surface capabilities and an enhanced interface with new weapons. The programme calls for CAESAR to fl y in IPA 5 later this year. Neville Beckett

Eurofi ghter Typhoon ZJ700 (IPA 5) at Warton, Lancashire, on February 28 ready for its fi rst fl ight after layup. It retains the Steedman Display Sword motif on its tail, awarded for test pilot Mark Bowmans display at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, in July 2011. Neville Beckett

Europe

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com AI.04.14 7

Orlik MPT Rolled Out

On March 7 Airbus Defence and Space rolled out the prototype PZL-130 Orlik MPT (Multi Purpose Trainer) at the Warszawa Okeie factory in Warsaw, Poland. The aircraft (SP-YZL, c/n 03940033) was modifi ed from an Orlik TC-II equipped with Garmin avionics, and features a pair of multi-functional displays for student and instructor, and a head-up display (HUD) in the front and HUD repeater in the rear cockpit. Instrumentation and lighting has been made compatible with night-vision goggles. It also has a redesigned wing, Martin-Baker Mk 11L ejector seats, and a 750hp (560kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C turboprop with four-bladed Hartzell propellers with anti-icing. The aircraft is due to make its fi rst fl ight by the end of March. The new Orlik variant is initially aimed at a Polish requirement to upgrade 12 Orlik TC-Is with a glass cockpit by 2018 (see 12 Upgraded Orliks, March, p8). Airbus Defence and Space/Pawel Bondaryk

Belgian Airbus A321

Airbus A321-231 EI-FDP (msn 1004, ex TC-OAL) was at Dublin Airport in Ireland on February 24 having arrived back from East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire, where it was painted in the livery of the Belgian Air Force. The airliner was previously operated by Onur Air of Turkey, and on delivery it will become CS-TRJ on the Portuguese register, as it will be operated by HiFly of Lisbon on lease to Belgium. The A321 will replace the A330-321 currently used by Belgium as a long-range transport, which is also leased from HiFly (see Belgium Looking to Replace A330 with A321, February, p9). Michael Kelly

European Weapons Pitched for F-35MBDA is promoting a range of air-launched guided weapons for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The company is developing an advanced, network-enabled weapon known as Spear to provide the RAFs F-35 with an air-to-ground precision capability. This 100kg (220lb) class, 100km (62 mile) range munition is powered by a turbojet offering increased stand-off and end-game agility when compared to glide weapons. In addition, the missile features a multi-mode seeker, a multi-effect warhead and data-linking, and has the capability to strike a spectrum of surface targets, either static or moving/manoeuvring at speed, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Aircrews can plot the missiles intended flight path before launch with mission-planning software. Mid-course guidance is provided by a combined GPS/INS system with a two-way data-link allowing for midcourse updates, re-targeting and, if required, mission abort. Eight can be loaded into the Joint Strike Fighters internal weapons bays. Development is said to be advancing at pace and next year should see the first test drops carried out from a Eurofighter Typhoon.The Meteor beyond visual-range

air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) programme involves six different nations and integration on three different aircraft the Dassault Rafale, Typhoon and Saab JAS 39 Gripen and is also aimed at the Block 4 upgrade package of the F-35. Meteor features a no escape zone far superior to any other existing or planned weapon, according to MBDA. The BVRAAM benefits from a throttleable ramjet propulsion system that aims to ensure maximum speed and agility are available even at extreme range. ASRAAM is already in service with the UK and Australian air forces, on the Typhoon and the F/A-18 Hornet respectively. It has been designed to dominate the within visual range combat mission and has been contracted for integration on the F-35. The concept behind ASRAAMs development was to provide unmatched speed and agility, thereby giving the pilot the ability to engage the enemy, fire and break away thus avoiding the risks inherent in a dogfight. MBDA claims that not only is ASRAAM able to defeat all other short-range missiles in close-in combat, giving the pilot the all-important combat advantage of first shot, first kill, the weapon also has an uncontested maximum range in its class. David Oliver

Czech Gripen Lease ExtendedApproval was granted on March 12 by the Czech Government to extend the lease of its 14 Saab JAS 39C/D Gripens. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka announced that the lease will be extended by a further 12 years, with an option for two more (further to Czech Gripen Extension Closer, September 2013, p12). Additional costs will be incurred if the Gripens fl y more than 2,200 hour each year, while 25 pilots and 90 ground personnel will be trained on the aircraft by Sweden. Under the terms of the new contract the aircraft will be upgraded with improved air-to-ground capabilities,

night-vision goggle compatible cockpits, and a terrain avoidance system will be installed.The Air Component of the Czech Republics Joint Forces has operated 12 JAS 39Cs and a pair of two-seat JAS 39Ds since April 2005 from the 21 Zkladna Taktickeho Letectva (21st Tactical Air Base) at Cslav. The original lease was due to expire in October 2015 and several options were explored to provide the republic with an air policing capability in the future, including purchasing used fi ghters and pooling aircraft with neighbouring countries.

A330 Tanker Transports for FranceFrance will start its procurement of the Airbus Military A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) this year. Confi rmation was given on February 18, by the head of the Delegation Gnrale de lArmement, Laurent Collet-Billon. The need for the aircraft to replace the Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker was identifi ed in the latest defence white paper. Twelve A330 MRTTs will be delivered in two versions, comprising baseline tankers with a fl ying boom and wingtip drogue units, and a variant also equipped with a main deck cargo door and enhanced communications. All will later be upgraded to a common standard.

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

North America

AI.04.148

Thunderbolts and Lightning

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 11-5030/LF (b/n AF-41), escorted by F-16C Fighting Falcon 84-1297 during its delivery fl ight to Luke AFB, Arizona, from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, on March 10. The F-35A is the fi rst of 24 for the 61st Fighter Squadron Top Dogs, 56th Fighter Wing Thunderbolts at the air base, ten of which will be delivered in 2014, and was fl own there by F-35 test pilot Colonel Roderick Creiger. Major Justin Robinson, the assistant director of operations of the 61st Fighter Squadron, fl ew the F-16C, which the F-35A will replace at Luke AFB. A total of 144 F-35As will be assigned to six squadrons at Luke to provide operational training on the aircraft. F-35A AF-41 is the 100th Lightning II and completed its maiden fl ight on December 15, 2013 (see Lightning Strikes the First Hundred, February, p7). The aircraft took centre stage at the F-35 Lightning II Unveiling Ceremony held at the base on March 14 in the presence of General Robin Rand, Commander of Air Education and Training Command. However, the aircraft is not expected to remain at Luke in the immediate future, but will either be delivered to the F-35 depot at Hill AFB, Utah to undergo modifi cation and update, or go to Edwards AFB, California. F-35 fl ight operations are expected to start at Luke in late-March, comprising continuation training for the four pilots currently assigned to the squadron. US Air Force/Jim Hazeltine

CAT King Air in Burkina Faso

Noted at Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on February 19 was Beech King Air 350 N840CA (c/n FL-104) of Commuter Air Technology (CAT), in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. CAT provides aircraft for US Special Operations Command and the King Air is understood to have operated in Africa on its behalf since December 2013. Built in 1993, it features several obvious modifi cations, including a large number of aerials on the top and lower rear fuselage, and a pannier, which is frequently used to house electro-optical sensors in King Air surveillance variants. All but one of the cabin windows appears to be blanked out. Benot Denet

MSA Demonstrator Flown

Boeings Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet-based Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator made its first flight on February 28 from Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, Canada. Field Aviation has modified the aircraft (N604BA, c/n 5476) for search-and-rescue, anti-piracy patrols and coastal and border security roles, its most recognisable external alteration being a large canoe under the forward fuselage. The aerodynamic performance was right on the money, and even with the additional aerodynamic

shapes, such as the radome, the demonstrator performed like a normal [non-modified] aircraft, reported pilot Craig Tylski. Control and handling were excellent.Further airworthiness fl ights are scheduled for the next two months, after which the aircraft will fl y to Boeing Seattle in Washington for installation and testing of MSA mission systems. The MSA uses technologies developed for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon programme to provide multi-mission surveillance capability in a smaller airframe. These include a Seaspray 7000 active electronically scanned array multimode radar, FLIR Systems 380HD electro-optical/infrared sensor, electronic support measures, a communications intelligence sensor and automated identifi cation system. While the test-bed is a Challenger 604, the MSA offered is based on the current production Challenger 605 variant. Boeing first revealed it was working on the MSA on July 10, 2012, at the Farnborough airshow (see Boeing Announces MSA, September 2012, p17). Mike Jerram

Bombardier Challenger 604 N614BA fl ying from Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario after conversion by Field Aviation as the demonstrator of Boeings Maritime Surveillance Aircraft. Boeing

Scorpion Testing ProgressingTextron AirLands Scorpion intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance/strike aircraft completed further test fl ights in January and February, and is scheduled to log several hundred hours throughout the year. Each fl ight is targeting specifi c objectives for airspeed, altitude, and performance. Most of the sorties will be conducted from McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas. Overall, weve had very positive results through the initial test fl ights, reports Chief Test Pilot

Dan Hinson. We have evaluated the aircrafts performance and tested a wide range of mechanical and electronic systems. The Scorpion is a very agile platform. Textron AirLand, a joint venture between Textron Inc and AirLand Enterprises, says it is pursuing sales opportunities with US military branches as well as a number of specifi c US partner nations that have expressed interest [in the Scorpion]. The prototype fi rst fl ew on December 12, 2013. Mike Jerram

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

North America

AI.04.14 9

4 US NAVY ORIONS DAMAGED A hangar roof has collapsed in Japan, damaging ten Orions that were undergoing maintenance.Four US Navy Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and three P-3Cs, one OP-3C, one EP-3 and an UP-3D of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force were inside a NIPPI Corporation Aerospace hangar when the collapse occurred on February 15. No one was injured in the incident adjacent to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Yamato City in Kanagawa. It happened early in the morning after heavy snowfall had accumulated on the roof of the building. A decision has yet to be made whether the aircraft will be repaired. David C Isby

6 ADDITIONAL EAGLES DEPLOYED TO LITHUANIASix more Boeing F-15C Eagle fi ghters were deployed on March 6 to reinforce

the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission at iauliai AB in Lithuania. The increased size of the NATO deployment was in response to the Russian occupation of the Crimea. The aircraft are from the 493rd Fighter Squadron of the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk. They joined the initial four F-15Cs and 150 personnel with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group in Lithuania that assumed the mission from the Belgian Air Component on January 3. Two Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, accompanied the F-15Cs to Lithuania. The US Air Force will man the deployment until April. David C Isby

7LC-130Hs COMPLETE DEEP FREEZE AIRLIFTSeven ski-equipped Lockheed LC-130H Hercules transports of the 139th Airlift Squadron, 109th Airlift

Wing (AW) of the New York Air National Guard have completed the end-of-summer airlift of personnel from the US

base at McMurdo Station in the Antarctica. The

aircraft moved approximately 1,100 people and 43 tons of

equipment from the base initially to Christchurch, New Zealand, between late February and early March. The evacuation came at the end of the 2013-2014 season for Operation Deep Freeze, the codename for US missions to Antarctica, which began in October 2013 (see LC-130Hs Depart for Antarctic, December 2013, p17). Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs of the 62nd Airlift Wing from McChord AFB, Washington, usually transport researchers out of the Antarctic base, but this year the snow runway was not suitable for wheeled aircraft due to slushy ice conditions. The 109th AW extended its deployment, which usually ends in mid-February, to undertake the airlift. By February 14 the wing had completed 219 sorties

and expected to end the season having fl own 284. David C Isby

16POSEIDONS ORDEREDThe US Department of Defense has awareded Boeing an order for 16 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the US Navy. Including previously allocated funds, the contract is worth $2.4 billion, and was announced on February 25. It marks the transition of the Poseidon programme from preliminary low-rate production, from which 13 aircraft have already been delivered. Fifty-three P-8As have been ordered to date and the navy plans to buy a total of 117 to replace its Lockheed P-3C Orion fl eet. The latest order is due to be fulfi lled by April 2017. The fi rst operational Poseidon unit Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16) War Eagles, deployed to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan in December 2013 and has been conducting operational missions ever since, including helping search for fl ight MH370. Mike Jerram

NEWS BY

NUMBERS

The fi rst upgraded Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call Baseline-2 electronic warfare aircraft was redelivered to the 55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG), at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, on February 20. The upgrade package was designed by the US Air Forces Big Safari programme offi ce, a specialist in classifi ed projects, and Air Force Material Commands

661st Aeronautical Systems Squadron based in Waco, Texas. It includes improved satellite and data link communications, with an antenna radome over the forward fuselage, and new plug and play quick reaction capability mission systems, giving the aircraft what the 55th ECGs commander, Colonel Marty Reynolds, calls a fi fth generation electronic attack

capability. A total of 14 EC-130Hs are in service and although the number to be upgraded has not been released, under current plans the 55th ECG is due to lose seven of its aircraft in fi scal year 2016. Compass Calls logged some 10,400 sorties and 64,200 hours fl ying combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. David C Isby

Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call 73-1580 (c/n 4542) is the fi rst to be redelivered after upgrade to Baseline-2 standard. It is seen at the L-3 Communications Integrated Systems facility at Waco, Texas. US Air Force

Upgraded Compass Call Redelivered

IOC for Super GalaxyThe Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy heavy transport has achieved its initial operational capability (IOC), the US Air Force announced on February 21. Milestones required for IOC included passing a qualifi cation test, an operational test and evaluation, and delivery of the 16th aircraft, trained crews and ground personnel to Dover AFB, Delaware. In addition, before IOC, initial spare equipment and parts had to be available in the base supply system at Dover AFB, as well as some forward supply locations. The operational C-5M fl eet is currently concentrated at Dover AFB with the 9th Airlift Squadron (AS) of the 436th Airlift Wing (AW) and its associate Air Force Reserve Command unit, the 709th AS, 512th AW, which shares its aircraft. The 16th aircraft (87-0036) was delivered on December 23, 2013. All 52 C-5Ms on order (one C-5A, 49 C-5Bs and two C-5Cs) are due in service at three locations by the end of 2016. The C-5M has an on-time departure reliability of 88 to 93%, compared with less than 50% for C-5A/Bs. David C Isby and David Willis

Last Cruise for Navy Prowlers Tactical Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Four (VAQ-134) Garudas has started the final scheduled deployment on an aircraft carrier for a navy Grumman EA-6B Prowler unit. The squadron deployed on the carrier USS George H W Bush (CVN 77) when it left Norfolk, Virginia, on February 14. The EA-6B will be withdrawn from

operational service by the US Navy by 2015 and replaced with the Boeing EA-18G Growler. Meanwhile, the EA-6Bs of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) Moondogs arrived at Al Udeid AB in Qatar on February 17, after being withdrawn from Afghanistan. The Marine Corps will keep its EA-6Bs operational until 2019. David C Isby

More Cracks Appear in F-35BThe Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II may require a redesign because of structural cracks. The defects were fi rst detected in three of six bulkheads in the fuselage during fatigue testing last September when the stress test aircraft had reached 9,480 simulated fl ight hours, beyond the F-35Bs design life of 8,000 hours. However, the Pentagon did not reveal the test suspension or the airframe cracking until late February.

Redesign may require a return to the titanium bulkheads that were originally replaced with aluminium units in the F-35B in 2004 as a weight-saving measure. The current goal is to restart F-35B fatigue testing by September 30, with the objective of testing it to twice its service life. The issue has not delayed F-35B fl ight testing or progress towards initial operational capability. David C Isby

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

NEWS COLUMN

10 AI.04.14

US Air Force Confronts Harsh Reality

This is a response to harsh reality, said a different of cer.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James made the extraordinary admission in a talk to reporters that we can no longer assume, as we have over the past 50 years, to dominate the skies because many other countries are advancing their technologies. Referring to the controversial decision to retire the A-10C Thunderbolt II eliminating ve combat groups and 283 airframes beginning October 1 of this year James said there was simply no choice.

We chose the A-10 because its a single-purpose aircraft, she said, referring to close air support (CAS). It is a very important mission, but we have other aircraft like the AC-130, the F-15 Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the B-1 Lancer and the B-52 Stratofortress that can also do that mission. All are dual or multi-purpose aircraft.

James added: 80% of all close air support in Afghanistan has been accomplished by aircraft other than the A-10. The Secretary appears not to recall that the A-10 was designed to defeat armour, a different mission from CAS that is very much in keeping with todays shift in emphasis towards peer warfare.

The loss of the A-10 will be harder on some units than others. The 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, located at Fort Wayne, will swap its A-10Cs for F-16C/D Block 40 Fighting Falcons, it was announced on March 5, allowing the wing to continue a tactical ying mission with an aircraft

The US Air Force announced on March 5 that the 122nd Fighter Wing (FW), Indiana Air National Guard, based at Baer Field in Fort Wayne, will swap its A-10Cs for Block 40 F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. The 122nd FW previously fl ew the F-16 between 1991 and 2010 when it converted to the A-10C Thunderbolt II. Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/US Air Force

by Robert F DorrWere burning the furniture to save the house, said a US Air Force offi cer. The metaphor is not new, but it aptly describes the USAFs $109.3 billion fi scal year (FY) 2015 budget request, which will be debated in Congress this spring. Facing spending cuts under the mandatory process known as sequestration, the Air Staff is

preparing to retire seasoned aircraft it would prefer to keep in order to purchase more advanced aircraft that are as yet unproven.

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com 11AI.04.14

NEWS COLUMN

US Air Force Confronts Harsh Realitymore advanced than the one it is giving up. But the 188th Fighter Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, based at Ebing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, must surrender its A-10Cs in exchange for a remote, split control MQ-9 Reaper mission: the unit will no longer own any aircraft.

The overall defence budget plan is the rst to come from

Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. A former senator, Hagel came under re from Senator John McCain (Republican-Arizona) and others in the upper chamber when defending the A-10 decision. Army General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifying alongside Hagel on March 5, told Sen Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) that an A-10 had once saved his life in combat but that something has to be cut given the budget caps. McCain and Ayotte, who is married to a former A-10 pilot, are among Capitol Hill lawmakers expected to resist the A-10s retirement.

Giving Up the U-2Under the FY2015 plan, the air force will begin divesting itself of its 33 U-2 Dragon Lady manned reconnaissance aircraft. Congress has already enacted legislation forcing the service to adopt the RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk unmanned intelligence platform as a substitute, even though the RQ-4B cannot accommodate key sensors used daily by the U-2. Rather than acknowledge that the move is being forced on the air force by Capitol Hill, Air Force Secretary James came up with a novel explanation that sets a new standard for being disingenuous: she said that although the Block 30 was earlier scheduled for retirement, advances in technology over the past couple of years have made the U-2 more costly and the Global Hawk less.

No-one else in Washington seemed to know what those advances might be.

James, who has been in the job only since December, appears not to have seen of cial gures released by her staff that show an hourly ying cost of $30,813 for the proven U-2 and $49,089 for the mostly untested RQ-4B. Those numbers make the Global Hawk more than 60% costlier and no-one has demonstrated, yet, that

the RQ-4B can be bedded down at overseas bases the way a U-2 can. The U-2 has a mission capable rate of 80%, the Block 30 Global Hawk 74%. Both of these gures are respectable and exceed the inventory-wide average of 73%, but again the U-2 comes out ahead.

The loss of A-10s and U-2s will be painful but its not the end of the story. If sequestration is not repealed, the air force says it will be forced one year later to retire its 59 KC-10 Extender tanker-transports and its 13 RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawks (which, oddly, do not enjoy the Capitol Hill protection bestowed on the Block 30s). The service will also have to sharply reduce its buys of MQ-9 Reapers and purchase 19 fewer F-35As over the coming ve-year period.

Sorting It OutJames and air force chief of staff General Mark Welsh rarely seen together and undoubtedly still sorting out their working relationship talk frequently about the air forces three top priorities, the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the KC-46 tanker (recently named Pegasus) and the Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B). What these three top-drawer procurement programmes have in common is that none has yet produced a combat-ready, operational aircraft.

Two industry teams are working on LRS-B, one a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed Martin and the other headed by Northrop Grumman. Work is proceeding so quietly that of cials will not even reveal the name of the person in charge of the programme. This does not mean, however, that the programme has produced a black jet operating clandestinely in the Nevada desert: an aircraft has not yet been fully designed, let alone selected, and actual ying is years away.

In a partly symbolic gesture that will help morale in some quarters, James granted

last-minute approval of the air forces programmes for a Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) to replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk, a T-X trainer to replace the T-38C Talon and a recapitalisation of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) platform, meaning a replacement for the ageing E-8C aircraft derived from the Boeing 707-300, which is likely to be a version of an executive business jet.

The Secretarys approval does not confer dollars on these programmes. Even limited funding for developmental work must be taken from other funds already in the budget request. Supporters of CRH and T-X would have liked to see suf cient funding to permit construction of prototypes and a y-off competition neither of which now appears likely any time soon.

Air force of cers say, however, that they will underwrite CRH by transferring existing funds. Moreover, they intend to do it this summer rather than waiting for FY2015, which starts on October 1. The service will transfer $430 million from other air force programmes over the next ve years and put the money into CRH to begin the process of buying 112 new helicopters to replace the HH-60Gs.

Perhaps the greatest irony of the Pentagon budget situation is that, while programmes are being slashed, real defence dollars will still be spent during FY2015 in about the same amounts as this year (FY2014 ends on September 30). The defence cuts causing so much anguish in Washington are cuts of expenditure that were contemplated but never undertaken by a seemingly insatiable military-industrial machine. In part because of relentlessly increasing personnel costs, especially paying retired military personnel, the US Air Force and its sister services are still spending at the current years high level $600 billion, give or take each year.

The US Air Force announced on March 5 that the 122nd Fighter Wing (FW), Indiana Air National Guard, based at Baer Field in Fort Wayne, will swap its A-10Cs for Block 40 F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. The 122nd FW previously fl ew the F-16 between 1991 and 2010 when it converted to the A-10C Thunderbolt II. Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/US Air Force

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.comAI.04.1412

Russia & CIS

2TU-214ONs DELIVEREDThe two Tupolev Tu-214ON (Otkritoe Nebo, Open Skies) observation aircraft were delivered in January and February to the Russian Ministry of Defence (further to Tu-214ON and Tu-214R Closer to Service Entry, September 2013, p16). The fi rst (RA-64519, c/n 42709019) was completed and fl own from Kazan on June 1, 2011, while the second (RA-64525, c/n 42709025) completed its maiden fl ight on December 18, 2013. Equipped with a variety of optical reconnaissance sensors, they will replace a Tupolev Tu-154M-LK1 used by Russia as its Open Skies Treaty aircraft. The treaty permits overfl ights with prior notifi cation to inspect signatories military capabilities as a confi dence building measure. The Tu-214ONs will be used for up to 15 inspections and 41 observation fl ights over foreign countries annually. David C Isby

NEWS

BY NUMBERS

Model Reveals A-100 Confi guration

During a recent report by Russian NTV television from Ivanovo AB on the upgraded Beriev A-50U airborne early warning and control aircraft, a model of a previously unknown variant was displayed. The model is believed to be the A-100 aircraft, a prototype of which is currently under construction at the Berries facility at Taganrog in

Rostov Oblast. The models stand bears the logo of Beriev Company and is thought to have been a gift from the company to the Ivanovo AB commanders.The A-100 strategic airborne early warning and control aircraft, also known as izdeliye (item) PM, will supplement and later replace the current A-50 and A-50U Mainstays.

It will be fi tted with the new Premier radar system, designed by the Vega Company, featuring a rotating array with active electronic scanning in elevation and mechanical scanning in azimuth. The antenna of the Premier radar makes one revolution every fi ve seconds, twice as fast as typical early-warning radars, including the Shmel (Bumblebee) of the A-50, improving effectiveness tracking fast targets. Externally the shape and installation of the array on two struts above the aircrafts fuselage does not differ from the A-50. On the forward fuselage, over the cockpit, a round fairing is mounted that probably houses the passive radio sensor. A similar, aft-looking antenna is built in the vertical fi ns root; current A-50 aircraft have no such antennas. Additional antenna also appeared forward of the main landing gear sponsons. Teardrop-

shaped fairings mounted fore and aft on the side of the fuselage house aerials for the self-defence system, as used on the A-50. The A-100 also has a fairing in front of where the wing and fuselage meet for the satellite communication suites antennas.A prototype of the A-100 is being assembled by Beriev in Taganrog using an A-50 airframe (further to Premier-Equipped A-100 Taking Shape, December 2011, p4). Subsequent aircraft will use the new Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A transport as a starting point, which is now entering production at Aviastar in Ulyanovsk. The aircraft is powered by four new PS-90A-76 turbofans rated at 14 tons of thrust each (two tons more than the D-30KP engine). It has updated avionics and numerous structural improvements, including a lighter and stronger wing. Piotr Butowski

The Beriev A-100 model revealed during a Russian

TV programme on February 9. Piotr Butowski

Russia Retires the FoxbatThe Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R Foxbat-B reconnaissance aircraft was retired from Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily Rossii (Russian Air Force) service in December 2013. The Russian Air Force had, until late 2013, operated small numbers of the MiG-25RBT photo-reconnaissance and MiG-25RBF signals-intelligence versions. The last operational Foxbats were based at Monchegorsk with the 7000th Air Base. David C Isby

The Sukhoi T-50 Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii (PAK FA, Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) has been handed over for state trials (gosudarstvennye sovmestnye ispytaniya). T-50-2 was fl own by Sergey Chernyshev to the 929th Flight-Test Centre of the Ministry of Defence at Akhtubinsk in the Astrakhan Oblast from Zhukovsky outside Moscow on February 21.The arrival of the T-50 at Akhtubinsk signals the aircraft has completed its preliminary trials (predvaritelnye ispytaniya) since the fi rst prototype made its maiden fl ight in January 2010. It fi rst fl ew on March 3,

2011 (see Second Sukhoi T-50 Flown, April 2011, p30) and has undertaken tests of the aircrafts systems, including the weapons bay door actuating mechanism and aerial refuelling, making the fi rst dry contact with an Ilyushin Il-78 tanker on August 3, 2012. During 2013 it was strengthened and adapted to undertake high g-load and angle of attack tests. It has no mission systems installed and so can be used only in the initial phase of the state trials for performance and fl ight-handling testing. It will be joined at the base by subsequent aircraft fi tted with complete mission suites and armament. Four T-50 fl ying prototypes remain at

Zhukovsky. In recent months T-50-2 and T-50-3 have been the most intensively fl own, completing several fl ights each per week. The latest prototype, T-50-5, started tests at Zhukovsky on February 5. It made its fi rst fl ight at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur production facility on October 27, 2013 (see Five T-50s Flying, December 2013, p13).Completion of state trials and the start of full-scale production are scheduled for late 2016. The Russian National Armament Program stipulates delivery of 60 production PAK FA fighters during 2016 to 2020; additional deliveries will also continue after 2020. Piotr Butowski

T-50 Begins State Tests at

Akhtubinsk

Sukhoi T-50-2 recently arrived at Akhtubinsk to begin state trials of the aircraft. Piotr Butowski

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com AI.04.14 13

Rest of the World

Senegalese King Air

Beech King Air B200 6W-TNB (c/n BB-1927, ex N840U) of the Arme de lAir Sngalaise (Senegalese Air Force) was an unusual visitor to Ouagadougou Airport in Burkina Faso, on February 19. Two second-hand King Airs were acquired in 2011 and modifi ed for cloud seeding operations by Weather Modifi cations Inc of Fargo, North Dakota, with silver iodide dispensers mounted on the wing trailing edge behind each powerplant nacelle. It appears these have now been removed from 6W-TNB. Benot Denet

Flight Tests of Qatari PC-21s BeginPilatus PC-21 QA350 (c/n 210) is the fi rst of its type for the Qatar Emiri Air Force. It completed the initial run of its Pratt & Whitney PT6-68B at the manufacturers facility at Stans, Switzerland, on February 20. The test registration HB-HVA was applied and the Qatar roundel blanked out for the aircrafts maiden fl ight four days later. Qatars order for 24 PC-21s was revealed on July 23, 2012 (see PC-21s for Qatar Training Academy, September 2012, p24). Deliveries are due to begin in the summer, with the aircraft due to form the core of a new training syllabus for the air force. Stephan Widmer

Saudi Arabia Pushing Typhoon DevelopmentsThe Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) continues to push the pace of development for the Eurofi ghter Typhoon. It was the fi rst air force to gain a night air-to-air refuelling clearance with the aircraft and the fi rst to start air-to-ground operations with Tranche 2. An initial full self-designated end-to-end Paveway II drop, using the Thales Damocles laser designator pod, was undertaken at the end of 2013 and further bombing trials were being conducted in early February.It is understood that Saudi timescales (and funding) lies behind the sudden acceleration in the pace of Storm Shadow integration on the Typhoon, to meet an RSAF aspiration to have the air-launched cruise missile in service in 2015. Deliveries of RSAF Typhoons are

also proceeding, although pricing for the aircraft currently being delivered was only agreed in mid-February. Negotiations were required to refl ect the change in production of aircraft 25 to 72 of the Saudi order. Originally, these were to have been assembled in the kingdom, but they are now undergoing fi nal assembly at BAE Systems Warton facility in Lancashire. The fi rst of the new batch (ZK085/317, CT007) was delivered on June 27, 2013 (see Further Saudi Typhoon Two-Seaters Delivered, August 2013, p22). Eleven have been delivered to date, bringing the fl eet total to 14 two-seaters and 23 single-seaters. Hand over of the aircraft in the second batch has fi nally allowed the Tenth Squadron (the fi rst frontline Saudi Typhoon unit) to form, which is understood to be close to becoming

fully operational on the new fi ghter. While the Tenth Squadron was due to be the initial Saudi Typhoon unit, undertaking operational evaluation of the aircraft, and the fi rst eight single-seaters delivered wore its markings, the plans changed. Instead, all 24 in the fi rst batch went to the Third Squadron, which formed as the RSAF Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit. It became responsible for training all Saudi pilots for the new fi ghter, apart from an initial cadre trained in Europe primarily by the RAF plus a small number who converted at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.The fi rst 12 two-seat Typhoons all wore Third Squadron markings, as did 18 single-seaters, but the most recent deliveries (1010, CT013; 1011, CT014 and 1009, CS021) had Tenth Squadron markings.

The new unit has now taken up residence at Taif - Al Fahd AB in its own complex of hardened aircraft shelters, not far from a line of 78 withdrawn Northrop F-5E/F Tigers and RF-5E Tiger Eyes along an auxiliary runway. About a dozen of these were briefl y reactivated in 2010 to equip the 17th Squadron, but they now await sale or disposal.Tenth Squadron deployed one of its aircraft (1009) to the Bahrain International Air Show, held between January 16 and 18, where it was displayed in the static park. Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Almalki (a veteran of the F-15 Eagle, who also fl ew a Third Squadron Typhoon into the show two years ago) is now one of the senior executives on the Tenth Squadron and he again fl ew a Typhoon into Bahrain. Jon Lake

A Dozen Flankers for AngolaThe Fora Area Nacional de Angola (National Air Force of Angola) will only receive 12 not 18 of the former Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MK/K Flankers (updating Indian Flankers for Angola, December 2013, p26). In early February Irkut Corporation president Oleg Demchenko said a contract for 12 had been signed and the aircraft would be delivered from next year. In October 2013 it was widely reported incorrectly that Angola had purchased all 18 Su-30s from Rosoboronexport as part of a $1 billion arms deal involving the fi ghters, spares and other hardware.Mr Demchenko said the remaining six of the 18 Su-30K/MKs available would be sold to an unidentifi ed country. A

fi rm contract for them is due soon and they are being modernised by the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant at Baranovichi in Belarus, where all 18 have been stored since 2011. Belarus, Ethiopia, Sudan and Vietnam have previously been identifi ed as potential recipients of the aircraft (see Indian Flankers for Ethiopia?, August 2013, p5). India received ten Su-30MKs and eight Su-30Ks between May 1997 and December 1999 prior to delivery of the optimised Su-30MKI, more than 200 of which have been ordered. As additional Su-30MKIs arrived, the 18 aircraft were replaced and returned to Sukhoi (see Russia to Sell to Belarus Former Indian Su-30Ks, November 2012, p9). Guy Martin

SAAF C-47TP to Leave MozambiqueAt the end of March the South African Air Force (SAAF) will conclude its three-year deployment of 35 Squadron Douglas C-47TP Turbo Dakota maritime patrol aircraft to Pemba in northern Mozambique. The aircraft were part of Operation Copper, which aimed to improve security against pirates off the coast of Mozambique. South Africa established the deployment following the hijacking by Somali pirates of the Vega 5, a Mozambican fi shing vessel, in December 2010. Initially a C-47TP and a Westland Super Lynx were deployed to Pemba to support South African Navy ships operating in the Mozambique Channel. Atlas TP-1 Oryx helicopters from AFBs Durban, Hoedspruit and Swartkop have also been based in Mozambique. David C Isby

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

Asia & Australasia

AI.04.1414

Production J-16 Breaks Cover

Images of a production Shenyang J-16 appeared on Chinese websites from mid-February. The J-16 is a long-range strike variant of the J-11BS equipped with a new radar, fi re control system with additional air-to-ground modes, and compatibility with precision munitions. This example (1612, c/n 0102) is understood to be the second production aircraft and in comparison to the J-16 prototype (1601) it lacks the pitot tube on the tip of the radome, possibly indicating installation of an active electronically-scanned array radar. Xiao Xie/Shenyang via Andreas Rupprecht

Leased Aircraft to Replace Malaysian FulcrumsMalaysia is looking to lease 18 fighter aircraft to replace its Mikoyan MiG-29N/NUB Fulcrums due to a lack of funds to purchase outright replacements. While the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft programme has been delayed several times due to a funding shortfall (see Malaysian MiG-29N Replacement Postponed, October 2013, p19), the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) has considered a number of potential replacements,

including the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen. BAE Systems Group Business Development Director, Alan Garwood, revealed on February 20 that Malaysia has solicited leasing proposals from each of the manufacturers, with his company due to submit a proposal based on the Typhoon to the Malaysian government in March. We will be submitting a leasing proposal next

month for Typhoon together with a purchase option, and expect to have further discussions later in the year, or maybe even early next year, around that, he said. Russias MiG Corporation has proposed upgrading the MiG-29s as an alternative to leasing or purchasing new aircraft. The modernisation would be based on the MiG-29UPG developed for the Indian Air Force, with the work being performed in Russia and at the Russian-Malaysian ATSC joint

venture facility at Kelantan.Malaysias 16 MiG-29Ns and two dual-seat MiG-29NUBs were delivered from 1994: a pair of single-seaters has since been written off, and nine of the survivors remain operational with 17/19 Squadron at Kuantan. The fleet was due to be retired from July 2009, but in February 2010 it was announced that they would be overhauled for a further five years service. Nigel Pittaway and David C Isby

India Re-evaluates IJT OptionsIndustry has until April 4 to respond to an Indian request for information (RfI) for new intermediate jet trainers (IJTs). Details for a potential purchase of ten, 20, 30 and 50 single-engine, two-seat aircraft are sought. The aircraft must have at least fi ve hardpoints and be able to carry a gun pod and four 250kg (551lb) bombs. India issued the RfI in late February. The new aircraft will be used to supplement the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Kiran Mk Is currently used for stage II (intermediate) training by the Indian Air Force (IAF). In a written reply to questions in the Indian parliament on February 19, Defence Minister Shri A K Antony revealed that the Kiran Mk Is would receive a life extension. The measure is required because of delays to the initial operating capability (IOC) of its planned replacement, the HAL

HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer. Mr Antony revealed that a study by Indias Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness (Aircraft) had recommended extending the total technical life of the Kiran through to 2017-18 to counter the shortfall of IJTs within the IAF. The IAF requires 240 pilots to be trained annually. Kirans are also being used for stage I (basic) training since the grounding of the HAL HPT-32 Deepak basic trainers in 2009. The Pilatus PC-7 is taking over that role, while the Sitara was due to fulfi l the intermediate training mission. Minister of State for Defence, Shri Jitendra Singh, also detailed Sitara fl ight test progress in a written response to parliament on February 19. The development of IJT is in the advanced stages of certifi cation with more than 800 test fl ights completed so far. The activities are

progressing well, with completion of sea level trials, night fl ying trials, high-altitude trials as well as weapon and drop tank trials. The activities left for obtaining fi nal operational clearance [FOC] are the refi nement of stall characteristics and spin testing, which will commence as soon as stall characteristics are refi ned. All efforts are being made to achieve FOC by December 2014. Production of aircraft will commence immediately thereafter. The Sitara was due to enter service in June 2012, but was delayed by the crash of a prototype during stall trials. IOC was due by the end of 2013, but not achieved (see IJT Problems Remain, December 2013, p22). The release of the RfI provides the IAF with the option to procure a different albeit foreign design should the Sitara fail to achieve FOC at the end of 2014. Nigel Pittaway, David C Isby and David Willis

Poseidon for AustraliaAustralia will acquire eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft according to an announcement by Prime Minister Tony Abbott on February 21. They will start replacing the 19 Lockheed AP-3C Orions operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. Mr Abbott also said options for a further four P-8As had been placed, confi rmation being subject to the fi ndings of a Defence White Paper review, due early next year.The cost of the acquisition is AUS4 billion including support facilities. Initial deliveries will take place in 2017 and all eight are due to be in service by 2021. The Poseidons are being acquired under Project AIR 7000 Phase 2B and will be joined at some point by a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned maritime surveillance platform, under Phase 1B of the programme, to completely replace the AP-3Cs in service. On March 13 the Australian Government announced the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton HALE will be acquired if development by the US Navy is successful. Nigel Pittaway

Pakistan Acquires Jordanian FalconsThe Pakistan Air Force will receive 13 ex-Royal Jordanian Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Block 15 Fighting Falcons. Twelve single-seaters and an F-16B are covered in the deal. Induction of the aircraft began in March and the latest arrivals will take the number of F-16s in Pakistani service to 76. The US government has approved the transfer.The aircraft are of the Air Defence Fighter variant and had received a mid-life upgrade at the US Air Forces Ogden Air Logistics Center (now Complex) at Hill AFB, Utah. The work doubles an F-16s service life to 8,000 fl ying hours. On average, the aircraft transferred have accumulated approximately 3,000 hours each. Nigel Pittaway

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

Asia & Australasia

AI.04.14 15

Exercise Cope North Guam 2014 was held between February 14 and 28. It was a multilateral training

exercise conducted from Andersen AFB, Guam, and involved around 80 aircraft from the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and US Air

Force and Navy. Air-to-air training was conducted involving dissimilar air combat scenarios, air-to-ground sorties and simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. This formation of participants comprises an EA-18G Growler of VAQ-132 (tailcode NL), F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 35th Fighter Wing (WW), an 18th Wing F-15D Eagle (ZZ), a B-52H Stratofortress from the 20th Bomb

Squadron (LA), JASDF F-15J (22-0929 of 204 Hikotai) and Mitsubishi F-2A, an RAAF No.75 Squadron F/A-18A Hornet and an F-16C of the 364th Fighter Wing (AK). US Air Force/Tech Sgt Henry Hoegen

Cope North Guam 14

J-11 Radar Test-bed

Second prototype Shenyang J-11B 524 is currently used as a test-bed for an active electronically-scanned array radar. It features a slightly longer radome than the standard J-11, with the air data probe repositioned from the tip to the top of the nose. The new radar has been fl own in the aircraft by the China Flight Test Establishment since at least late 2013. The system is understood to be part of a mid-life upgrade for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Forces J-11A/B fl eet, to be called J-11D. The aircraft was previously used to test ski-jump operations for the naval J-15 variant. Chinese Internet via Andreas Rupprecht

T-50I Deliveries Completed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hosted a ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta to mark the completion of deliveries of Korea Aerospace Industries T-50I Golden Eagle aircraft to the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, Indonesia National Defence - Air Force). The ceremony on February 13 was also attended by Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro; the chief of the Republic of Korea Air Force, General Sung Il-hwan (ROKAF); Lee Yong-geol, the head of Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration and senior military officials from the

two nations.Indonesia ordered 16 T-50Is on May 25, 2011, as part of a $400 million deal to replace British Aerospace Systems Hawk Mk 53s in the air combat training role with 15 Skadron Udara at Iswahyudi in Madiun, East Java (see Indonesia Orders Super Tucano and Golden Eagle, July 2011, p4). The first pair was delivered on September 11, 2013 (see Initial Indonesian Golden Eagles Delivered, October 2013, p19). TNI-AU chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia has said that eight T-50Is will also be used to re-form the Elang Biru (Blue Falcons) aerobatic team. Nigel Pittaway

Initial Australian Lightning Pilots The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has named its first two pilots due to begin training on the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II later this year. Squadron Leaders Andrew Jackson and David Bell, currently based at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales will start training at Eglin AFB, Florida, and later move to Luke AFB in Arizona when the first two aircraft for the RAAF are delivered there in January 2015.Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Gavin Davies, made the announcement during

celebrations marking 100 years of military aviation at RAAF Base Williams (Point Cook), Victoria, on March 1. It is fitting to announce the future of this capability here at Point Cook, where military aviation in Australia was born, he said. Our history is important, and our first two pilots will make history as they become our first pilots to fly this fifth-generation aircraft. Not only do they represent the future of RAAF, they will have an important leadership and training role as future instructors for the F-35A. Nigel Pittaway

C295 Demonstrated in Timor-LesteA Fora Area Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) Airbus Defence and Space C295MPA Persuader maritime patrol aircraft was recently shown to the Timor-Leste government. The aircraft (16712, c/n S-065) arrived at the capital Dili on February 17 where it was presented to Prime Minister Xanana Gusm, who fl ew in it. Timor-Leste is interested in the C295 for fi shery protection, environmental monitoring and search and rescue roles. The aircraft is being used as a demonstrator by Airbus under an agreement with the FAP. After being displayed statically during the recent Singapore airshow, the aircraft has been presented to authorities in Australia and the New Zealand Defence Force. David C Isby

FX-III and KF-X Edge ForwardSouth Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed plans for its ongoing fi ghter competition (FX-III) and future indigenous fi ghter programme (KF-X) in its 322nd provisional session of the National Assembly Defense Committee Work Report released on February 19. The report expects contract signature for FX-III, likely to be for 40 F-35A Lightning IIs, in the third quarter of this year. DAPA will start the search for a prime contractor for KF-X in April or May, with a basic system development plan to be ready by October for implementation from November. Talks will also be held this year with the Indonesian government to confi rm fi nance and workshare details. Nigel Pittaway

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.comAI.04.1416

Unmanned Aerial Systems

2DOMINATOR XPs FOR MEXICOAeronautics Defense Systems has sold two Dominator XP unmanned air systems to the armed forces of Mexico. The sale is the fi rst to a military operator for the system, which uses a modifi ed Diamond DA42 light twin as its airborne platform.

4RQ-4Bs FOR KOREA TO BE CONFIRMED IN JUNEThe Republic of Korea is expected to fi nalise its purchase of four Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned air vehicles by the end of June. This will allow the vehicle to achieve its initial operational capability in 2018. The procurement, under the US Foreign Military Sales programme, is estimated to cost about KRW900 billion ($845 million). David C Isby

NEWS

BY NUMBERS

Electric Air Stratos Maiden Flight

Flight tests of the ARCA Air Strato electrically-powered unmanned air vehicle (UAV) have begun in Romania. An initial hop was conducted to a height of 25m (82ft) from a rough-ground airstrip on February 13, the UAV having two additional electric motors added to shorten the take-off run and carrying

ballast instead of the majority of its batteries. Slight damage was infl icted on the starboard landing gear upon touchdown. Air Strato is being developed by space access company ARCA and is the largest in a family of UAVs being designed for a range of missions. Destined for high-altitude

long-endurance (HALE) operations with an operating altitude of 59,000ft (18,000m), Air Strato has a 16m (52ft) wingspan. It has an endurance of seven hours using internal batteries, although solar panels will enable it to remain airborne for up to three days. Air Strato can carry a payload of up to 30kg (66lb), including aerial photography and surveillance equipment, scientifi c instruments or additional battery pods for extended autonomy.Construction of a second prototype, featuring a retractable landing gear and improved avionics, is under way. Other versions of Air Strato will have smaller wingspans and lower altitude ceilings, but be faster and carry larger payloads. ARCA envisages operating the Air Strato on behalf of its clients to support missions, such as area surveillance, telemetry tests and scientifi c experiments requiring long endurance fl ights. Mark Broadbent

The ARCA Air Strato prototype prior to making its maiden fl ight on February 13. ARCA

Seeker 400 Flown

Denel Dynamics Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fl ew for the fi rst time in February after three years of development. An initial round of fl ight testing was completed at the Alkantpan test range in the Northern Cape of South Africa and was due to be followed by further tests in March. If all goes well, production is due to commence in the second half of this year.First fl ight was originally scheduled two years ago but was delayed by technical challenges as well as contracting and certifi cation issues. Work is currently focused on an unarmed version, but a variant carrying two Denel Dynamics Mokopa air-to-surface missiles will be developed at a later stage.The Seeker 400 has an endurance of 16 hours, a ceiling of 18,000ft (5,485m) and a cruising speed of 150km/h (81kts). The manufacturer claims it is inaudible at altitudes over 3,280ft (1,000m) and invisible to someone on the ground when fl ying at typical operating altitudes between 4,500 and 9,000ft (1,370 and

2,740ft). Currently range is restricted to 250km (155 miles) because of line-of-sight communications, but use of a tactical ground station and satellite communications could double that capability. Two payloads with a total weight of 100kg (220lb) can be carried simultaneously, including an electro-optical/infrared camera and radar, as well as a laser rangefi nder and illuminator. An electronic surveillance payload is available to detect and locate radar emitters. Denel Dynamics has a production contract from the UAVs launch customer (which has not been identifi ed by the company, although it previously operated the Seeker I in the early 1990s) and has also attracted interest from other potential clients. Denel is promoting the Seeker 400 to Seeker 200 customers, as the new UAV can use the same control stations. The Seeker 200 is a refi nement of the Seeker II offered to clients who require medium endurance and a dual payload capability. Guy Martin

The Denel Dynamics Seeker 400 during tests at the Alkantpan test range. Denel Dynamics

Watchkeeper Released to ServiceIn early March the UK Ministry of Defence cleared the WK450 Watchkeeper for its release to service (RTS), enabling the British Army to begin training fl ights of the tactical unmanned air system (UAS).RTS is a formal statement on behalf of the Chief of General Staff that authorises service fl ying of the aircraft, defi ning its confi guration and listing its limitations. Its award means that the army is cleared to conduct training fl ights on Watchkeeper, with the 1st Artillery Battery initially to fl y from QinetiQ Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, in segregated airspace over the nearby Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). The WK450 is based on the Elbit Hermes 450 and is being built by UAV Tactical Systems Ltd, a joint venture between Israels Elbit and Thales UK. The MoD has conducted an extensive test and evaluation programme of the type at ParcAberporth in West Wales, recording more than 1,000 fl ying hours since its fi rst sortie from there

in 2010 (see 30,000 Hours For Hermes 450...While Watchkeeper Flies in Wales, June 2010, p9). RTS had been expected earlier, but was delayed by the establishment of the UKs Military Aviation Authority on April 1, 2010, as Watchkeeper is the fi rst UAS approved by the organisation. It has been certifi ed to the same standards as a manned aircraft. A total of 54 Watchkeepers have been ordered for the army, of which more than half have now been built, as have most of the 15 ground control stations. It was due to enter service in 2010 and serve in Afghanistan, but was delayed by development and certifi cation issues and may not be deployed as part of Operation Herrick. The Royal Artillerys 32 and 47 Regiments, which operate the armys UAVs from Larkhill within the SPTA, will fl y the vehicle. Watchkeeper was designed as a high-performance, multi-sensor, all-weather UAS with an endurance of more than 16 hours. Mark Broadbent

ZHZ TD220The Beijing ZhongHangZhi (ZHZ)

Technology Company displayed its TD220 unmanned helicopter for the fi rst time at

the recent Singapore airshow. The 300kg (661lb) class coaxial twin-rotor vehicle

can carry a 50kg (110lb) payload at a cruising speed of 97km/h (60mph) for up to six hours. Powered by a 65hp (48kW)

piston engine, the TD220 is equipped with a HeliAP autopilot with redundant avionics and has completed more than 2,000 hours of fl ight testing. David Oliver

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com 17

Commercial

AI.04.14

Fifty New Twin Otters

Viking completed the 50th Twin Otter Srs 400 (C-GNVA c/n 894) in early March. The aircraft is the fi fth of six of the aircraft for MASwings, the regional subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, which currently has the largest civil fl eet of the type. It will be delivered to the airline in April. The new production version has been delivered to 18 customers and Viking holds orders for aircraft from operators in 23 countries. Viking

SOFIA Grounding LoomsNASAs Boeing 747SP Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) will be grounded later this year unless new sources of funding can be found. The White Houses 2015 federal budget request for NASA slashed SOFIA funding from $84 million in the current fi scal year (FY) to $12 million in FY2015. SOFIA will continue fl ying science missions through the remainder of FY2014, which ends on September 30. However the agency has said the aircraft will cease fl ying after this date and be mothballed if no funding is secured from outside NASA. Should none be forthcoming, the aircraft would probably be stored with the hope of re-starting its operations once additional fi nances are found. The SOFIA programme is a joint venture between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Deutsches Zentrum fr Luft- und Raumfahrt, the German aerospace centre. The aircraft (747SP-21 N747NA Clipper Lindbergh, c/n 21441, ex N145UA) is fi tted with an 8ft 2in (2.5m) telescope installed in the rear fuselage that is used to observe celestial objects in infrared wavelengths not visible to the human eye. It entered service in late 2010 (see SOFIA Starts its Operational Career, January 2011, p16) and operates from NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California. (The Dryden Flight Research Center was renamed after Neil Armstrong a NASA test pilot before he joined the astronaut programme on March 1.)NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said the possible grounding of SOFIA did not stem from its mission performance: SOFIA has earned its way, it has done very well. Instead pressures on the administrations science budget means it has to prioritise investments ahead of putting the James Webb Telescope which is due to replace the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit by 2018. NASA, which provides 80% of the annual funding for SOFIA, will engage with its German partners to see if they can increase their contribution to keep the 747SP fl ying beyond the end of FY14. Mark Broadbent

Dual Maiden Flights Double A350 Test Fleet

Airbus doubled the number of A350-900s in the airliners fl ight test programme on February 26. On that date both msn 2 (F-WWCF) and msn 4 (F-WZNW) completed their maiden fl ights from Toulouse-Blagnac in Southern France, with the aircraft in the air at the same time. Msn 2, wearing its distinctive carbon livery (see Carbon A350 Emerges, February, p14), took to

the skies fi rst, followed by msn 4 presenting the opportunity for a series of publicity images of the airliners together. The two aircraft join msn 1 (F-WXWB) and msn 3 (F-WZGG) in the test fl eet, which had accumulated close to 1,100 fl ight-test hours by the time they were joined by the latest pair. The certifi cation programme is expected to require 2,500 fl ight

hours. Msn 2 is being used to validate cabin and passenger-related systems and, from the spring, will be used for early long-range fl ights. Msn 4 is now being used for external noise, lightning and cockpit head-up display tests and will later be used to train pilots and maintenance teams from the fi rst A350 customer, Qatar Airways, whose titles it wears. Mark Broadbent

The second and fourth prototypes of the Airbus A350-900 on February 26 during their maiden fl ights. Airbus/S Ramadier

Long-Range SSJ-100 Enters ServiceGazpromavia put the fi rst long-range version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) into service on March 4. On that day the aircraft (RA-89018, c/n 95033) made its fi rst commercial fl ight from Moscow-Vnukovo to Khanty-Mansiysk in western Siberia. The airliner is the fi rst of ten SSJ-100-95LRs ordered by Gazpromavia in August 2011. It fi rst fl ew on August 9, 2013, and was delivered to the carrier 20 days later. Its SSJ-100-95LRs will all be equipped with 90 economy-class seats. In addition to services to Khanty-Mansiysk, they will also fl y from Vnukovo to Sovetsky and Beloyarsky, both in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug region. The SSJ-100-95LR has a range of 2,844 miles (4,578km) and uses PowerJet SaM146 1S18 engines, which provide a 5% increase over the 1S17 of the baseline -95B, for a take-off thrust to 49.45 tonnes. Mark Broadbent

Please send all news correspondence to...airnews@keypublishing.com

NEWS COLUMN

18 AI.04.14

Qantas Shake-UpM

athi

eu P

oulio

t/AirT

eam

Imag

es

The agship Qantas International unit reported an underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) loss of AUS262 million, up from an AUS91 million loss in the rst half of the 2013 nancial year. Qantas Domestics EBIT shrank to AUS$57 million from AUS$218 million the previous year.

RetirementsOne eye-catching element of restructur