GEC-MARCONI IS once again examining re-engineing its troubled Phoenix unmanned air vehicle (UAV), as it struggles to bring the much-delayed target acquisition and surveillance system into service with the British Army.
The company is believed to be looking at replacing the TTL WAEL 342 two-stroke engine with a more powerful Wankel rotary engine.
The Army had previously considered a new engine for the Phoenix, intended to overcome its poor hot-and-high performance. This was, however, ruled out on the grounds of cost.
The UK Ministry of Defence, faced with mounting criticism of the six-year-late programme, has given GEC 12 months to bring the Phoenix up to an acceptable service standard.
It is also continuing to review alternative UAVs to meet its requirement for a battlefield targeting-and-surveillance system for the Army's Multiple Launch Rocket System.
GEC is looking at an export variant of the Phoenix, and the re-engineing option may be tied to this project. The company declines to comment on whether it is considering an alternative engine for the Phoenix.
Source: Flight International
