Douglas Barrie/LONDON Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC Tables compiled by Air Transport Intelligence
Economic problems have been disrupting the plans of military aircraft manufacturers over the past 12 months and are likely to continue for the next two years. The Asian crisis has caused the most upheaval, resulting in programme delays and order cancellations. It has now begun to drag down the economies of countries in other regions, affecting their procurement plans.
The biggest upset so far has been Thailand's cancellation of its order for eight Boeing F/A-18C/Ds, which were bought back by the USA, while Indonesia shelved plans to acquire Sukhoi Su-30s. Now the Philippines has postponed its long-sought new fighter purchase, and Malaysia has had to defer plans to acquire airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. South Korea's plans to buy AEW aircraft and develop the Samsung/Lockheed Martin KTX-2 lead-in fighter trainer also look set to slip.
Chile, with an economy highly dependent on Asian demand for its copper and other commodities, has been forced to postpone indefinitely its new fighter decision. Now, other Latin American economies, which previously looked increasingly healthy, are facing a downturn - and defence budgets could follow suit.
ECONOMIC REALITIES
In Europe, the promising market presented by the former Warsaw Pact air forces wanting to re-equip for NATO compatibility has failed to materialise because of economic realities. Even more affluent European nations, such as Greece, are having to look carefully at their budgets as they seek to satisfy the criteria for entering the European Monetary Union. Russia, meanwhile, has cut its defence spending almost to the bone as it teeters on the brink of economic collapse.
In the traditionally prosperous Middle East, nations have had to rein in on spending because of economic problems caused by low oil prices. Saudi Arabia has delayed plans for a substantial purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16s, but the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rewarded the US manufacturer with the long-anticipated selection of its advanced "Block 60" F-16 to meet an 80-aircraft strike fighter requirement - one of the most significant events to occur in the past 12 months.
Equally significant was the long-awaited signing of the four-nation umbrella agreement covering production of 620 Eurofighter EF2000s. Tough negotiations are still under way on a fixed-price contract for the first batch of aircraft, but production is now effectively launched, much improving the EF2000's prospects in competitions against advanced versions of the F-16, including those now under way in Greece and Norway.
In the USA, the successful restart of flight testing of the US Air Force's Lockheed Martin/ Boeing F-22 stealthy air-superiority fighter has resulted in increased political support for the capable but expensive aircraft. The successful resolution of flight-test problems with the US Navy's upgraded Boeing F/A-18E/F has also eased political pressure on the programme.
AFFORDABILITY CHALLLENGE
Both aircraft face a challenge, however, posed by the momentum building up behind the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). As the promise of affordability begins to look more and more believable, politicians are beginning to question the wisdom of buying the planned number of F-22s and F/A-18E/Fs - although the current totals already represent substantial reductions over the originally projected requirements.
The outcome will depend on whether the JSF programme meets its cost and schedule targets. The success of the JSF has significance beyond the USA, with many operators regarding the aircraft as the most likely replacement for their F-16s and F/A-18s.
The UK, now the only full collaborative partner on the programme, regards the JSF as its preferred replacement for the Royal Navy's British Aerospace Sea Harriers, and possibly Royal Air Force Harriers - but it is not the only option. The Government's decision to build two new, larger aircraft carriers has created an opportunity to develop a navalised EF2000, or a UK purchase of the F/A-18E/F or Dassault's naval Rafale.
The French fighter manufacturer, meanwhile, is having to contend with the slowdown of Rafale procurement for France's air force and navy, and has yet to secure an export customer for its new fighter. Dassault lost out to the Block 60 F-16 in the UAE competition, but was compensated with a follow-on order for Mirage 2000s. Greece is evaluating the Mirage 2000, as was Chile until it decided to postpone the selection of a new fighter.
Chile's decision was a particular disappointment to Saab, which believed it was well positioned in the competition with its JAS39 Gripen lightweight multi-role fighter. Delays in eastern European procurement plans have also affected the Swedish manufacturer's hopes of securing a launch export customer for the aircraft. Saab is teamed with new shareholder BAe to market the Gripen. The company's near-term hopes are now pinned on South Africa - economy permitting.
Completing the fighter picture are Boeing's F-15E - making a surprising return to the competitive fray - and the Russian manufacturers. The F-15E has been shortlisted in the Greek competition and is up against an advanced F-16 - again - in the contest for Israel's next fighter purchase. South Korea has also expressed interest in the F-15, but its next fighter procurement is likely to be postponed.
South Korea continues to count a derivative of the Sukhoi Su-27 among its options, as does Greece. A sale to either country would mark a significant departure from the Russian manufacturer's traditional customer base. India has a long association with Russian fighters, so its purchase of Su-30s is not unexpected. China has similar links and is pushing forward with plans to build up its force of Su-27s.
China and India are simultaneously pursuing programmes to develop indigenous fighters. China has now flown its F-10, developed with Israeli assistance. India, however, faces further delays in getting its Light Combat Aircraft airborne after the USA cut off technical assistance following India's nuclear tests. Pakistan, meanwhile, may be looking towards China, and joint development of the FC-1 light fighter with Russian or Israeli assistance, after its nuclear tests ended any chances of embargoed F-16s being released soon.
PROMISING PROSPECTS ?
If the fighter business is in flux, the prospects for sales of trainers and transports look more promising, if only because in-service fleets are facing obsolescence on a large scale. The likely market for high-performance turboprop trainers, such as Embraer's EMB-314 Super Tucano and Raytheon's T-6 Texan II, is improved by the need to train pilots in cockpit environments more closely resembling those of today's combat aircraft.
This has also generated demand for fighter lead-in trainers, such as Aermacchi's MB339FD and BAe's Hawk 100. This is the role foreseen for South Korea's supersonic KTX-2 and for the AT-2000 design being proposed by Daimler-Benz Aerospace for joint development with South Africa's Denel. Both designs, if they materialise, could go on to fulfil the light combat role now performed by aircraft such as the Hawk 100/200.
Venezuela's selection of an upgraded, two-seat variant of the Alenia/Aermacchi/Embraer AMX for the advanced trainer and light attack roles establishes the aircraft as a viable candidate in this sector after years of unsuccessful efforts to market the basic single-seat strike version for export. Russia's MAPO MiG-AT and Yakovlev Yak-130 trainers, as well as the Czech Republic's Aero L-159 light combat aircraft - all evaluated by Venezuela - are still battling for their first export customers.
Another active arena is that of light tactical transports, with Australia, Brazil, Greece and Taiwan among the countries with near-term procurement plans. The principal contenders are CASA's proposed C295 and the upgraded C-27J under joint development by Lockheed Martin and Alenia.
After competing a world tour with its C-130J, Lockheed Martin sees several near-term prospects for sales of the upgraded Hercules tactical transport. The US manufacturer is, at last, close to delivering the first C-130Js to the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and USAir Force. The UK, meanwhile, has established a requirement for four Boeing C-17 strategic transports (or equivalent), which could result in a first export order for the type.
Another area standing up well against budget pressures is AEW, with competitions under way in Australia, Greece and Turkey. There have been delays to procurements in Asia, but countries seem reluctant to give up the chance to acquire this capability, particularly as there are several affordable AEW platforms on offer.
AbbreviationsASTOVL advanced short take-off vertical landing AAM air-to-air missile AEW airborne early warning AEW&C airborne early warning and control ASUW anti-submarine warfare ATARS automatic traffic advisory and resolution service ATF advanced tactical fighter Dasa Daimler-Benz Aerospace DoD US Department of Defense ECM electronic countermeasures ELINT electronic-intelligence ESM electronic-support measures EW electronic warfare FLIR forward-looking infrared GPS global positioning system HUD head-up display INS inertial-navigation system JPATS joint primary aircrew training system JSTARS joint surveillance target attack radar system JTIDS joint tactical information distribution system MoD ministry of defence MoU memorandum of understanding NDAA non-developmental airlift aircraft RAF Royal Air Force SA Rsearch and rescue SIGINT signals intelligence USAF US Air Force USMC US Marine Corps USN USN avy
Conversion factors
1hp/shp=0.745kW
1nm=1.85km
1ft=0.3m
1kN=22lb
1kt=1.85km/h
| Manufacturer | Power | Max ThrustDry | Max ThrustReheat | Wingspan | Fuselage Length | Max Range Fuel | Max speed Kts/Mach | Hardpoints | MaxOpCeiling | MaxPay loadKg | crew | pax | MaxWeaponLoadExt | Endurance | Combat Rad Max Pay No Refuel | ||||||||||||||
| AERMACCHI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M-290TP Redigo Trainer turboprop-powered | 335kW | 10.6 | 8.5 | 1,400 | 190kt | 6 | 25,000 | 2 | 3 | 800 | 5h15min | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Allison 250-B17 F Turboprop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range is at 20,000ft, 45min reserves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MB.339CD Light-attack/Trainer-Turbofan/jet-powered | 17.8kN | 11.2 | 11.2 | 2,070 | 470kt | 6 | 45,600 | 1815 | 3h10min | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Rolls-Royce Viper 632-43 Turbojet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MB.339FD Light-attack/Trainer turbofan/jet-powered | 19.4kN | 11.2 | 11.2 | 1,815 | 496kt | 6 | 46,000 | 2 | 1815 | 2h55min | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Rolls-Royce Viper 680-43 Military Turbofans/Jets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| With ext tanks. MB-339FD fitted with full digital avionic system and glass cockpit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MB.339B/C Light-attack/Trainer turbofan/jet-powered | 19.4kN | 11.2 | 11.2 | 1,815 | 486kt | 6 | 46,700 | 2 | 1815 | 3h15min | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Rolls-Royce Viper 680-43 Military Turbofans/Jets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Two 330l drop tanks, "C" version is HUD equipped with one multi-function display screen per cockpit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S.211 Trainer turbofan/jet-powered | 11.12kN | 8.4 | 9.5 | 1,500 | 360kt | 40,000 | 1 | 750 | 3h30min | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D 4 Turbofan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 X 270 external fuel tanks, Formerly Agusta/Siai Marchetti Trainer, aquired for 1st January 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S.211A Trainer turbofan/jet-powered | 14.19kN | 8.5 | 9.5 | 1,722 | 414kt | 5 | 42,000 | 1090 | 4h15min | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D 5C Turbofan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 X 270 external fuel tanks, Formerly Agusta/Siai Marchetti Trainer, aquired for 1st January 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SF.260E Trainer piston-powered | 194kW | 8.4 | 7.1 | 1,490 | 187kt | 2 | 19,000 | 2 | 2 | 300 | 6h45min | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Textron-Lycoming 0-540 E4A5 Piston | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 X 80 external fuel tanks, Formerly Agusta/Siai Marchetti Trainer, aquired for 1st January 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SF.260F Trainer piston-powered | 194kW | 8.4 | 7.1 | 1,490 | 187kt | 2 | 19,000 | 1 | 300 | 6h45min | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Textron-Lycoming 0-540 E4A5 Piston | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 X 80 external fuel tanks, Formerly Agusta/Siai Marchetti Trainer, aquired for 1st January 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SF.260TP Trainer turboprop-powered | 312kW | 8.4 | 7.4 | 948 | 230kt | 4 | 25,000 | 300 | 3h30min | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 x Allison 250-B17 D Turboprop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 X 80 external fuel tanks, Formerly Agusta/Siai Marchetti Trainer, aquired for 1st January 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M-290 Redigo
Aermacchi took over the Finnish Valmet Redigo programme in 1996, with future production of the aircraft to be carried out in Italy. The company has studied upgrade options for the turboprop trainer.
MB339
The Venezuelan air force selected the MB339FD turbojet-powered trainer in July 1998 for an initial eight-aircraft order, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2000. Delivery of 15 MB339CDs to the Italian air force are set to be completed in the fourth quarter of 1998.
S211
Aermacchi is continuing with its attempts to find additional customers for the former SIAI Marchetti S211 turbofan-powered trainer.
SF260
The Venezuelan air force ordered 12 SF260E piston-powered trainers, with options for up to 18 more, in June 1998. Aermacchi offers piston and turboprop-powered variants of the primary trainer, production of which has shifted from the former SIAI Marchetti site at Sesto Calende to Aermacchi's Venegono Superiore plant.
Source: Flight International
