Guy Norris/ACAPULCO
The Mexican navy is assessing an armed, turboprop-powered derivative of the Lancair IV single that would supplement and later succeed its fleet of coastal patrol/light attack Aermacchi M290TP Redigos.
The proposed variant , known as the Sentry, would be powered by a Walter 601E turboprop and fitted with two wing-mounted machine guns, possibly the 12.7mm guns pod-mounted on the TP-90 Redigo version used by the navy. With a span of only 9.2m (30ft) and a length of 7.6m, the light attack aircraft would have an empty weight of 930kg (2,050lb), and a maximum take-off weight of 1,635kg.
The 560kW (750shp) turboprop would replace the Teledyne Continental TSIO-550 piston engine that powers the Lancair IV and pressurised IVP, giving the aircraft better performance. Lancair and the Mexican navy estimate the Sentry would have a climb rate of 4,500ft/min (22.9m/s) and a top speed of 280kt (520km/h) at sea level. Cruise speed would be around 245kt and range is estimated at 1,450km (784nm). The aircraft would be stressed for manouevres from 4.4g to -2.3g.
"It is being designed for us by Lancair, and we are interested if the programme continues," says a navy official who cautions that the recent change in government is forcing a review of defence programmes. "We don't know what will happen, but it could be confirmed by 2003," he says.
The Sentry is an extension of Lancair's relationship with the Mexican navy based on the manufacture of Lancair Super ES, Legacy and IVP aircraft. The service is building up to a fleet of nine aircraft which will ultimately be based at Veracruz for a variety of roles including aerobatics, training and transport. Two ES and a single IVP in service have so far amassed more than 200 flying hours. Two "tandem" versions will have been built with hardpoints for weapons training by next year.
Source: Flight International