BRUNEI HAS SELECTED ARGOSystem as the tactical integrator for its planned fleet of Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) CN-235 maritime-patrol aircraft (MPA).
The US company was selected over Racal, after a prolonged competition lasting some five years. It is now hoped to finalise the integration contract with ARGOSystem by May 1996, and deliver the first of three CN-235 MPAs around 1999.
Key avionic systems still need to be selected, including a search radar. The Litton APS-504 system had earlier been tentatively selected, but, with extensive delays to the programme, it is understood that the system has been abandoned in favour of a more modern radar.
Three primary systems under consideration for the Brunei MPA order include the GEC-Marconi Seaspray 4000, Texas Instrument APS-134 (LW) and Thomson-CSF Ocean Master 100 radar.
Other pending decisions include, the choice of forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) sensor, with the GEC-Marconi MRT system viewed as the most likely choice. In the running for the electronic support-measures contact is the ARGOSystem AR-700, GEC-Marconi SG.300 and Litton ALR-93.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces' (RBAF) Air Wing, as part of its planned MPA purchase, recently ordered a single CN-235 utility aircraft. The twin turboprop transport will be used to train RBAF crews for the MPA version.
The MPA programme is one of a large number of planned Brunei defence acquisitions waiting for several years to proceed. Some of these projects are now beginning to move ahead, following the signing early this year of a secret memorandum with the UK Government, to assist with procurement management.
A decision is expected soon on a new medium-lift helicopter, with the choice between the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk and Eurocopter AS.532. Four helicopters are required, each capable of lifting a 4,000kg external load and equipped with a FLIR for night operations.
Source: Flight International
