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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 0501.PDF
DEFENCE AV-8B hits trouble WASHINGTON D.C. The US Marines' $6-5 billion AV-8B Harrier programme appears to be in serious trou ble, following vulnerability tests carried out by the Navy, reports Julian Moxon. Flight understands that, during joint live-firing tests at the Naval Weapons Centre, China Lake, the graphite- epoxy composite wing of the AV-8B suffered unexpected major damage when tested against 30mm-calibre high- explosive incendiary project iles. Serious delamination of the wing is reported to have been caused, raising questions about the AV-8B's survivability under fire in the close-support role and its repairability in the field. The test results are still under study by the Navy. McDonnell Douglas, which builds the AV-8B, tells Flight "We are aware of the story—and carrying out our own tests to verify the Navy's results". If confirmed, the tests could have serious implications for other major US aircraft programmes which depend on components manufactured from graphite-epoxy. The Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey, the US Army's LHX light heli copter, the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter and Advanced Tactical Bomber, and the Navy's Advanced Tactical Aircraft will all make extensive use of the material because of its strength and low- observability properties. The future of the AV-8B is also being questioned by the US Congress' House Armed Services Committee, which says that the close-support role for which the aircraft is designed will be covered by the V-22 Osprey, when the latter enters service. In the meantime, the F-18 used in the ground attack role provides a "reasonable alter native," it says. The Committee originally approved the full amount requested by the Navy, for FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 23 May 1987 US Navy tests on the A V-8B Harrier have questioned the survivability under fire of graphite-epoxy composites procurement of 32 aircraft in FY1989. In a revised state ment it wiped out the funds, claiming that, while the AV-8B's unique capabilities are appealing, "doubts exist as to whether the AV-8B offers sufficient military value to justify the cost of continued procurement in a era of shrinking defence budgets". The Senate Armed Services Committee has fully funded the AV-8B. However, the issue will be resolved in conference later this year. Ericsson announces Erijammer STOCKHOLM ~ An operational system designed specifically for elec tronic countermeasures (ECM) aggressor and training aircraft has been launched by Ericsson Radio Systems. The Erijammer A100 ECM pod According to Ericsson the jamming system, known as Erijammar A100, will enhance potential radar and weapon system capability, not only by training fighter pilots and anti-aircraft radar operators, but by permitting evaluation and improvement of electronic - counter - counter- measures efficiency. Erijam mer can also be used as an escort jammer, and is manually or automatically controlled with single- or multi-threat capability. The system has a radar warning receiver for pulse and continuous-wave radar threats, and can also be used for radar signature genera tion. Noise jamming and several advanced range and angle deception programs are available. The Erijammer is currently installed in the ECM agressor Saab J32 Lansen, as well as in the Learjets and Mitsubishi MU-2s used by the Swedish Air Force for ECM training. By the end of 1987 one Erijammer A100 system will be available for demonstra tion and test purposes. P-3 line faces closure PALMDALE Unless foreign orders are forthcoming, Lockheed's P-3 Orion line at Palmdale will be forced to close. Lockheed's long tradition of supplying to the US Navy is now under threat. The Navy has a long- term requirement for 125 advanced ASW aircraft, a programme for which Boeing and McDonnell Douglas are now bidding. Lockheed plans to offer its P-3G update, Boeing a navalised version of its 757, and McDonnell Douglas an ASW version of the MD-87 with ultra-high-bypass en gines. McDonnell Douglas is reluctant to reveal precise details of its contender. Some reports suggest that the MD- 80 was considered for the role. Flight understands that the McDonnell Douglas aircraft would have a 1,600 n.m. radius and an eight-hour loiter time on station, compared with only four hours for the P-3G. However, there may be little support from Congress for the Navy's planned ASW programme. Production of the aircraft would not start before 1990, and is almost certain to fall victim to Congressional defence budget-cutting. Significantly, there is no entry for any major ASW purchase in the Department of Defence's budget estimates for the next two years. 11
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