Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
LOCKHEED MARTIN is to hold exploratory talks with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) later this month over the possible sale of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft to the Royal Air Force.
The talks are thought to be unrelated to briefings which Lockheed Martin is also making to the MoD over a proposed derivative of the F-117 as a deep-strike replacement for the Panavia Tornado GR4 (Flight International, 28 June-4 July).
The discussions are believed to cover the purchase of up to 12 U-2s for an undisclosed role with the RAF. Sources suggest that this will primarily be real-time targeting for strike aircraft, and supplementary tactical reconnaissance.
Targeting would be achieved with a development similar to the US-developed Precision Emitter Location Strike System, which was cancelled in 1987. This is reinforced by the fact that Lockheed Martin considered, and then did not offer, the TR-1 variant of the U-2 for the MoD's ASTOR (airborne stand-off radar) competition.
The aircraft on offer is the re-engined U-2S which is powered by the General Electric F118-101 turbofan, an 85kN (19,000lb)-thrust non-afterburning version of the F118-100 which is installed in the Northrop Grumman B-2A. The revamped U-2S can be flown for up to 15h at altitudes over 80,000ft (24,500m) over ranges estimated to exceed 7,400km (4,000nm).
The aircraft discussions revive initial proposals made to the RAF in 1982. U-2s were stationed in the UK for years during the Cold War, and they were regularly flown by RAF pilots. Lockheed Martin is due to run out of U-2 work in late 1998 when it delivers the last of 37 re-engined U-2Ss to the US Air Force.
The US Senate Armed Services Committee has included funding for a naval F-117X Sea Hawk technology demonstrator in its recommendations for the next round of annual US defence-budget allocations. Significantly, the funding, of around $175 million, has been allocated within the budget for the Department of Defense's Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) tactical-fighter programme.
The F-117X is being proposed for the US Navy's first strike requirement, a specific role that the predominantly non-stealthy JAST contestants do not suit.
Source: Flight International
