Andy Nativi/GENOA
The Italian Parliament has approved the first phase of an Italian air force programme to improve the AMX International AMX fighter-bomber's capabilities. The performance of the aircraft during last year's Kosovo campaign means the air force is committed to upgrading the whole fleet, if funding can be found.
The programme will be in co-operation with the Brazilian air force, which is looking at similar improvements for its AMXs. The update could be followed by the long-awaited order from Brazil for a fourth production batch.
The two air forces are working together to issue a joint operational requirement, between them selecting equipment and producing a similar operational configuration.
The first phase of the work will start immediately, to address the most urgent requirements. These include adding a combined inertial measurement unit/global positioning system (GPS) navigation system, weapon management system modifications, replacement of the head-down display and, possibly, a Link 16 datalink to allow use of the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition GPS guided bomb.
The modifications will give the AMX a precision munition with all-weather capability in addition to the laser-guided bombs already used, although external designation is needed.
The Italian plan initially covers only the 36 aircraft in the third production batch at an estimated cost of L170 billion ($84.4 million), with the work starting next year and running through to 2005.
The second phase is more ambitious, with the Italian air force seeking to reduce pilot workload by installing a new night vision goggle-compatible, fully glass cockpit. The aircraft will also receive a new self-protection suite, including radar warning receiver and active electronic countermeasures, and updated chaff and flare dispensers.
In addition, the range-only radar in Italian aircraft and the multi-mode Scipio radar in the Brazilian AMXs will be replaced by a more capable multi-mode radar, possibly the Fiar Grifo. Italian aircraft should also receive the planned Thomson-CSFCLDP laser designator pod. All the systems will be installed on an AMX prototype for testing.
The Italian air force wants to bring the 36 Batch 3 final operational capability aircraft to the Phase 2 standard first, but is seeking funding to bring the entire 94 deployed AMXs to the same configuration.
Some of the cash could come from the industry ministry. According to military sources, the second phase could cost at least L400 billion.
Source: Flight International
