Daimler-Benz Aerospace (Dasa) is stepping up efforts to enlist partners and customers for the AT2000 Mako advanced trainer/light combat aircraft (LCA) as it gets closer to deciding on full-scale development. At the same time, the company is looking at the potential for an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) derivative.
The German company completed its AT2000 feasibility study at the end of last year and is now in the pre-definition phase leading to the expected submission of a business case to the Dasa board by the first quarter of 1999. "We have got to establish a clear business case and once we get permission, we would then begin the full-scale development phase by mid-1999 with a prototype first flight in late 2003," says a senior Dasa executive.
Critical to maintaining this schedule is securing co-development partners and/or launch custumers by the end of the year. Dasa is engaged in a series of detailed on-going discussions with potential partners, including Hyundai of South Korea and Denel, in concert with the South African Air Force's expected year-end decision on a new light fighter. Dasa also adds that a "-high priority is being given to finding potential European partners".
In addition to the supersonic trainer and single and two-seater LCA versions, Dasa says that is considering the AT2000's suitablility for development of a UCAV. "It is a possibility and can be done for certain specific missions. It is not a design driver at the moment, but the stealth design offers a building block for an unmanned aircraft."
Meanwhile, preliminary development work on the AT2000 is continuing, with low-speed windtunnel and radar cross-section testing under way and high-speed model testing due to begin in early 1999. According to Dasa, the AT2000's 13.75m-long fuselage and 8m-span composite wing is designed to offer a radar cross-section of 1m2 at 45km (24nm) range. No decision has been taken on the LCA's radar, with the Fiar Grifo, Marconi Bluehawk, Lockheed Martin APG-67 and Thomson-CSF RD-400 in contention
The Eurojet EJ200 turbofan is Dasa's preferred choice of engine, but consideration is also being given to the General Electric F404 and Snecma M88.
Source: Flight International
