jem3@pyuxf.cc.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) (06/27/91)
From: jem3@pyuxf.cc.bellcore.com (John E McKillop)
Miscellaneous US military aviation news from AIR, the journal of
the West London Aviation Group.
U.S. AIR FORCE
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- The USAF has ordered 10 Aeritalia G.222 transports for operations by
the US Southern Command. These aircraft will be designated C-27A. The
aircraft will be modified by Chrysler to include new communications and
navigation avionics. The aircraft will provide rapid response airlift of
personnel and cargo to remote locations accessible, primarily, through
unimproved airfileds with short, unprepared landing surfaces. The first
C-27A is due to be delivered in Aug 91 to Howard AFB, Panama.
- Top Guns of the Gulf War were the F-15Cs of the 33d Tactical Fighter
Wing, home based at Eglin AFB, Florida, with 17 kills. In second place
were the F-15Cs of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, home based at Bitburg
AB, Germany with 13 kills.
U.S. ARMY
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- The Boeing/Sikorsky First Team has been selected to develop the
RAH-66 Commanche LH Light Scout/Attack helicopter. (NOTE: RAH =
Reconnaissance Attack Helicopter.) Current plans call for building
1,292 of the Commanches.
- The conversion of Special Forces AH-6/MH-6 choppers to the NOTAR
configuration has recommenced. About 36 AH-6/MH-6s will have NOTAR
conversion and will equip the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group,
aka "Night Stalkers."
- The Army has ordered a Gulfsteam C-20F Gulfstream III twin-jet
transport and leased a commercial Gulfstream III.
- The Army received 3 Pilatus PC-9S chase aircraft to replace the
North American T-28 Trojans currently used on weapons ranges. All
three PC-9Ss will go to the US Army Airborne and Special Operations
Test Board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
- Defense Budget Requests for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 include
the following aircraft. The number in parenthesis is the cost in
millions of dollars.
AIRCRAFT FY 1992 FY 1993
-------- ------- -------
RC-12, Beech 6 ($189.5) 5 ($109.2)
CH-47D, Boeing * 48 ($256.9) --
UH-60, Sikorsky 60 ($334.2) 60 ($347.1)
* Conversion of earlier CH-47s to the CH-47D standard.
- The number of Army divisions will decrease between 1990 and 1995.
The current projections are:
1990: 28 divisions (18 active)
1995: 18 divisions (12 active)
U.S. MARINE CORPS
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- The first AV-8B Harrier II Plus is due to fly in Oct 92. The Marines
would like to upgrade 193 existing AV-8Bs. An additional 24 AV-8Bs to be
built this year will be produced to the Harrier II Plus standard.
U.S. NAVY
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- With the cancellation of the Grumman A-12, the Navy has issued
requirements for the A-X attack aircraft with the prospect of
purchasing 400-500 of them. Since the A-12 was cancelled, the Navy has
proposed that an increased number of Grumman A-6Es be rewinged and
that additional F-18C/Ds be purchased
- Defense Budget Requests for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 include
the following aircraft. The number in parenthesis is the cost in
millions of dollars.
AIRCRAFT FY 1992 FY 1993
-------- ------- -------
EA-6B, Grumman -- 3 ($461.8)
E-2C, Grumman 6 ($470.9) 6 ($523.9)
F/A-18, McDonnell 36 ($1729.5) 20 ($1317.4)
AH-1W, Bell 12 ($128.7) 12 ($129.3)
CH/MH-53E, Sikorsky 20 ($454.7) 20 ($459.5)
SH-60B, Sikorsky 12 ($202.3) 12 ($223.7)
SH-60F, Sikorsky 12 ($202.3) 12 ($230.1)
HH-60H, Sikorsky 9 ($165.6) 7 ($163.3)
T-45A, McDonnell 12 ($322.5) 12 ($375.7)
- The size of the Navy will decrease between 1990 and 1995. These
are the latest projections:
Carrier Air Wings
1990: 15 (13 active)
1995: 13 (11 active)
Aircraft Carriers
1990: 13
1995: 12