Deterrence and war-fighting tenets established through nuclear weapons, conventional warfare and other means do not necessarily translate reliably into cyber-space, a new Rand Corp. analysis stresses. In a recently released report on cyber-deterrence and cyber-war for USAF and the Pentagon, analyst Martin Libicki warns that attempts to transfer policy constructs from other forms of warfare will not only fail, but also hinder policy and planning.
The 300C is a piston-powered light utility and training helicopter. Specially configured models are offered for a variety of military missions, including introductory pilot training and scout/observation. Almost 1,200 Model 300 helicopters were manufactured by Schweizer through 2008, and another 503 are expected in 2009-18.
Seven years ago, U.S. Army Spc. Bryan Welch wandered through the crumbling Soviet-era buildings at Bagram Air Field outside Kabul as a young enlisted soldier, picking through the blasted hulks in the early days of the war in Afghanistan.
The UH-145 is an eight-passenger, twin-turboshaft-powered multimission helicopter based on the EC145. Power comes from two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines rated at 738 shp. each. The aircraft was selected for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, which has a requirement for at least 322 units. The UH-145 represents EADS North America’s first major win as a prime contractor for the U.S. military. Deliveries began in late 2006, with 53 units produced through 2008. An additional 320 helicopters are earmarked for production in 2009-18.
The Saab Gripen is a single-engine, single- and twin-seat, multirole combat aircraft. The first prototype flew in 1988, followed in 1992 by the first flight of the initial production aircraft. Deliveries began in mid-1993. The Gripen is powered by a single Volvo/GE RM12 turbofan engine rated at 18,000 lb. thrust with afterburning. Main competitors include the Lockheed Martin F-16 and F-35 JSF, the Boeing F/A-18, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon. An estimated 216 Gripen aircraft were produced through 2008, and another 74 could be built during 2009-18.
It’s time to stop pretending transatlantic defense decisions are based purely on technical issues in a fair competition. The USAF tanker deal is fundamentally political because you are competing an apple against an orange, and how the specification is written will determine the winner. The original A400M program was made even more political by reversal of the original engine selection in favor of a purely European solution.
The success of a bold move by satellite equipment specialist ViaSat to introduce a step change in the broadband satellite market—by offering bandwidth, speeds and prices comparable to terrestrial systems—now appears assured following its takeover of consumer broadband leader WildBlue Communications. The acquisition, announced on Oct. 1, will see ViaSat acquire privately held WildBlue for $568 million in cash and stock. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of ViaSat’s fiscal year, which ends Apr. 2, pending arrangement of financing.
The military version of the AS365, the AS565 is a twin-turboshaft-powered multirole helicopter, the military uses of which include ground support, antiarmor, scout, medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, antisubmarine and antisurface vessel warfare and airborne assault. The AS366G (U.S. Coast Guard designation HH-65) was developed for the USCG SRR helicopter competition. The Coast Guard’s HH-65s were reengined with Turbomeca Arriel 2C2s. More than 890 AS365/565s were produced through 2008; 21 AS565s are forecast to be built in 2009-18.
These are 4-7-seat, single-engine, single-rotor military and commercial utility helicopters. The militarized MD 500/530 Defender series is no longer in production.
The single-engine Bell 206 helicopter can be used in military roles such as flight training, forward observation/scout, light attack, liaison and search-and-rescue. More than 360 Bell 206s are operated by military and paramilitary organizations worldwide. However, no additional production specifically for military applications is anticipated. Bell has announced production of the 206B-3 will end in 2010, though production of the 206L-4 will continue. Through 2008, 7,023 Bell 206 helicopters were produced, and 182 are forecast to be built through 2018.
A twin-engine, multirole military and commercial helicopter that has been produced in a variety of models for antisubmarine warfare, training, utility and transport roles. The Super Lynx 300 series aircraft, currently in production, is powered by a pair of LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines rated at 1,384 shp. each.
The FAA’s Ft. Worth Aircraft Certification Office transferred the Eclipse 500 type certificate to Eclipse Aerospace LLC on Sept. 30, three years after its original award. Eclipse Aerospace purchased the assets and intellectual property of bankrupt Eclipse Aviation. The European Aviation Safety Agency is to expected to reissue the European EA 500 TC to the new company as well. Both approvals are key to resuming new aircraft production deliveries, but those are unlikely to begin for another year or more.
Rockwell Collins won a $33.5-million contract for the Block 45 upgrade to the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 refueler cockpits. In the kit are improved global air traffic management systems, including new autopilot flight director, radar altimeter and electronic engine instrument display systems. During the development phase, two KC-135s will be modified in preparation for upgrades to up to 415 KC-135s. Rockwell has already enhanced 300 KC-135 cockpits, but the Block 45 improvement includes upgraded safety features, including vertical navigation capabilities.
The T-45 Goshawk is a variant of the BAE Hawk designed specifically for aircraft carrier pilot training. Boeing and BAE jointly produce the aircraft. The twin-seat aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 871 non-afterburning turbofan (5,450 lb. thrust), also known as the F405-RR-401. The U.S. Navy awarded exploration contracts in August 1980 and, in 1981, the McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) design was selected. The first prototype flight occurred in 1988, and the first aircraft carrier landing was in 1991.
Leonid Komm has been appointed chairman of the Moscow-based Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. He is vice president-program and development management of the United Aircraft Corp. Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk has been promoted to president from senior vice president/technical director. He succeeds Victor Soubbotin, who is now deputy director general for commercial aircraft programs.
GE Aviation reports reaching 7,300 shp. for the GE38 turboshaft engine it is developing for the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. That rating is a record for GE’s Lynn, Mass., engine factory. The first engine to test is in the mid-point of its development cycle and is meeting or exceeding program expectations, says GE38 program manager Harry Nahatis. Testing is expected to run through 2011, concurrent with the military qualification test program. Sikorsky is conducting the upgrade for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The military version of the AS355, the AS555 is a twin-turboshaft-powered utility helicopter. Military uses include forward observation, light attack, reconnaissance, naval search-and-rescue, light antishipping and antisubmarine warfare. An estimated 763 AS355/555s were built through 2008. Fourteen more AS555s are earmarked for production in 2009-18.
The battle over Afghanistan has reached new heights in Washington, with the Obama administration, political parties, Congress and even the Pentagon all showing cracks in their proverbial armor.
The Su-25 is a twin-engine, single- and twin-seat, ground attack and weapons training aircraft. It is powered by two Tumansky/Soyuz R-195 turbojet engines rated at 9,921 lb. thrust each. First flight of an initial prototype occurred in 1975. A number of versions have been produced, including the Su-25TM, which includes new avionics and increased fuel capacity. More than 1,200 Su-25s were manufactured.
The MiG-29 is a twin-engine, single- and twin-seat air superiority fighter/interceptor aircraft. A prototype first flew in October 1977. The MiG-29 uses two 18,300-lb.-thrust Klimov/Sarkisov RD-33 turbofan engines. A number of Russian air force MiG-29s are slated for modification to the MiG-29SMT/UBT configurations. The SMT has new avionics and greater range. The MiG-29UBT configuration incorporates many of the same features as the SMT. Approximately 1,452 MiG-29s were built through 2008, with about 97 more forecast for production through 2018.
Mitch Kugler has been appointed Arlington, Va.-based vice president-strategy for the Raytheon Co. He was director of advocacy integration for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
Problems with government furnished equipment for the Orbital Sciences Minotaur IV launcher will delay indefinitely liftoff of the first Boeing/Ball Space-Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) satellite from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The launch, also the first for the Minotaur IV from Vandenberg, had been tentatively set for Oct. 30. The U.S.
