GERMAN AIRCRAFT manufacturer Burkhart Grob says that its Strato 2C high-altitude research aircraft programme is being threatened by the refusal of the Government to hand over outstanding funding for the project.
The Federal Ministry of Research and Technology has still not paid the DM46.75 million ($31 million) needed to complete the second phase of the aircraft's development. The company fears that 100 jobs could go by the end of the year if the money is not paid.
Grob has met the Government's conditions that the money would only be paid once high-altitude tests on the aircraft were successful in proving performance between 59,000ft and 66,000ft (18,000m and 20,000m). The funds are needed for conversion of the aircraft to mission standards, weight optimisation and certification to US Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23 standards.
The ministry says that it is assessing the test programme, particularly stability, mission duration and altitude achieved by the 2C.
The programme has been in trouble before. In 1994, the manufacturer demanded additional funds from the Government to cover unexpectedly high avionics and testing costs. Grob, needed to cover a near-DM50 million overrun, above the original DM92.4 million budget.
The Strato 2C, which had its maiden flight in March, has been flown 29 times to date, setting a new 59,000ft altitude record for piston-engine aircraft during tests in August. It is designed to be able to operate for 8h at over 78,000ft.
The Teledyne TSIOL-550-powered aircraft has a wingspan of 56.5m and a maximum take-off weight of 13.3t. It is a one-off design, to be operated by the German Aerospace Research Establishment for atmospheric and meteorological research.
Source: Flight International
