Spain is bidding to join the second phase of the X-31 experimental aircraft programme after Sweden's failure to commit funding to the planned trinational project.
Formal talks between Spanish and German Government officials are expected to start in February, say industry sources.
The USA and Germany are preparing to launch the thrust-vectoring, extremely short take-off and landing, tailless operations research programme (VECTOR)initially on a bilateral basis. Funding is expected to be approved in the next few weeks.
Project officials hope that the X-31 testbed can later be fitted with ITP's thrust-vectoring nozzle developed for the Eurojet EJ200. Sweden's Saab and Volvo Aero were supposed to have taken responsibility for adapting General Electric's axisymmetric vectoring exhaust nozzle (AVEN) for the X-31.
It remains unclear whether GE, although not a formal participant in VECTOR, will object to Spanish Company ITP integrating its nozzle with the X-31's F404 powerplant. Eventually, GE plans to offer its AVEN for the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen, while ITP plans to offer the same capability for a possible EJ200-powered version of the Swedish fighter.
US participation in VECTOR is being led by the US Navy, while the German side is headed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace. The 25-month programme will focus on technology to improve the short take-off and landing capability of fighter aircraft. Flight tests are expected to begin during the first half of 2000.
The sole remaining X-31 was in storage at NASA's Dryden flight test centre, but it has been moved to Boeing's Palmdale facility for restoration. Earlier X-31 work was performed by Dasa and Rockwell (since acquired by Boeing).
Source: Flight International
