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Daily News
by Gail Helmer
Jane's News Briefs
Tuesday, July 23, 2002Farnborough International 2002
'Typhoon' becomes official on 23 July
The UK Ministry of Defence will formally assign the name Typhoon to the Royal Air Force's (RAF's) next-generation Eurofighter strike aircraft on 23 July. Late this year, the service is scheduled to declare operational its first examples of the aircraft, 232 of which are to be acquired by the UK.
Northrop Grumman to detail Watchkeeper bid
Officials from Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems Sector are to announce full details of their bid to meet the UK's Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle (UAV) requirement. The US company is promoting a further version of its RQ-8A Firescout unmanned helicopter to meet the UK's medium-altitude reconnaissance needs, with General Dynamics to provide ground control equipment under the bid. The UK is expected to select two bidders by late August to participate in the Watchkeeper programme's systems integration and assurance phase.
Malaysian Super Lynx handover
The Royal Malaysian Navy will formally accept its second of six Super Lynx 300 shipborne helicopters from AgustaWestland during a 22 July ceremony. The service's first aircraft is scheduled for shipment to Malaysia late this year.
Smiths announces C-130 AMP delivery
Smiths Aerospace has announced that it has delivered the first C-130 medium tactical transport aircraft Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) Software Common Operating Environment to Boeing. Smiths has $250 million of work from Boeing on the AMP.
Tornado GR4 may demo recce pod
Contrary to earlier reports, QinetiQ officials have confirmed that the UK's Reconnaissance Pod for the Tornado multi-role fighter has yet to be deployed operationally with the Royal Air Force. Prime contractor Goodrich expects the system to conduct flight demonstrations with a Tornado GR4 during the Farnborough air show. Frontline units are expected to receive the new capability in the near future.
Lockheed Martin puts FLIR Systems in the picture
FLIR Systems of the USA has been tentatively selected by Lockheed Martin to provide thermal-imaging systems for surface-based and airborne platforms under the US Coast Guard's Deepwater Project. The agreement has been reached with Lockheed's Integrated Coast Guard Systems joint-venture company. Separately, FLIR Systems also recently won a $5 million-plus contract to equip the Mexican Navy's fleet of eight CASA C-212-200 patrol/transport aircraft with eight Star SAFIRE II infra-red multi-sensor surveillance systems.
Joint support for US/UK CH-47s
The US Army and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) are to sign a co-operative support agreement for their respective army and air force inventories of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. The MoD is also expected to announce additional business in relation to the aircraft and to delay its planned in-service date for the Royal Air Force's eight new Chinook HC3 transport helicopters.
Thales to provide NATO Link 16 NCM system
Thales Defence Information Systems will announce it is to provide an integrated Link 16 Network Control and Management (NCM) system for the emerging NATO Air Command & Control System (ACCS). The NCM will be capable of initialising, monitoring and dynamically managing MIDS Link 16 networks at up to 18 sites across Europe. The system is being delivered as part of NATO's LOC1 programme.
Raider system debut
A new twin-store weapon carriage system suitable for use with the UK's future 500 lb Precision-Guided Bomb will be unveiled by a UK consortium comprising General Dynamics, MBM Technology and WL Gore & Associates. The Raider system could also have application for use with the UK's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, deliveries of which will start in 2010.
Boeing FA-18F Super Hornets arrive at Farnborough Boeing's participation at Farnborough 2002 started in earnest with the arrival of two F/A-18F Super Hornets on 15 July.
The two pre-delivery, factory-fresh, US Navy Super Hornets flew in from the Boeing facility at St Louis to prepare for both static and flying displays at this year's event.
The aircraft were flown to the show by US Navy flight crews supported by an Omega Air B707 tanker. They departed St Louis for NAS Patuxent River, MD, before heading up to Gander, Newfoundland, in preparation for the Atlantic leg of the journey. This last part of the journey lasted around four hours and involved the Hornets taking on fuel from the Omega tanker.
Boeing is keen to showcase the capabilities of the Super Hornet at Farnborough, with a number of air forces showing interest. The display routine being is being flown by Boeing test pilot Ricardo Treven, while the static display F/A-18F is being laden with its full arsenal of ordnance.
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