Two JSFs Get
Off the Ground
The conventional take-off and landing version of the Boeing One Team JSF - the X-32A - took to the air from Edwards Air Force Base on 18 September 2000. It has thus entered a test phase of 100 hours (spread over 50 flights) to validate flying quality and design performance. The X-32 B, the Naval short take-off and vertical landing version, is expected to make its maiden flight during the first quarter of 2001. This version will use tail exhaust jet deflectors and waist downwards thrusters (a la Harrier) to provide vertical lift with the assistance of smaller wing and nose thrusters to add stability. In contrast, Lockheed Martin's version of its short take-off and vertical landing contender - the X-35B - uses a vertical fan located aft of the cockpit and driven from the main engine via a shaft to provide lift. Both sets of concept demonstrator aircraft, all using the core of the Pratt & Whitney F119 engine, will have to demonstrate high degree of commonality and practicality. And as these lines were being written, Lockheed Martin's JSF entry had just completed its fifth flight, also from Edwards, submitting the aircraft to a series of manoeuvres, including afterburner operation, designed to evaluate its basic handling characteristics. The X-35A's 36-minute fifth flight saw it climb to 10 000 feet and reach a maximum speed of 390 knots. US Air Force test pilot Lt. Col. Paul Smith commented on the performance, saying the X-35A is an "excellent handling aircraft, very thrust-responsive - it flies like a world-class fighter".

Arrow Pierces
Sparrow
An IAI Arrow II anti-ballistic missile successfully intercepted (see insert) a Rafael Black Sparrow target on 14 September 2000. The principle of the intercept test - the seventh successful out of eight and third out of three system tests according to the Israeli Ministry of Defence - is clearly illustrated in this sketch and also involved the Elta Green Pine radar and the Tadiran Citron Tree fire control centre. The air-launched Black Sparrow simulated the incoming ballistic missile.

On the Armada Bookshelf
After the massive printed version which Armada reviewed a couple of years ago (see Armada 3/99, page 74), the US Naval Institute has recently sent in a CD ROM version of its "Combat Fleets 2000-2001" edited by A.D. Baker III. A lot lighter to handle than its paper version, this CD is just as heavy by the information it contains, and even contains an entry on St. Helena - albeit unsurprisingly short. The disk is simplicity itself to install and a child's game to use. Its search facility is a joy to exploit: type "Meko" and a full list of its use will appear. Typing "conversions" will also bring its load of surprises. Some users will also appreciate the "Favourites", "Copy and Paste" as well as unit conversion calculator facilities. Amazingly priced at just under US $150, this fully illustrated opus magnum (4400 photographs and 175 line drawings) probably offers best value for money than any of its counterparts and shouldn't cause an account manager's eyebrow to rise.

Return Unto Ceasar
Unfortunate circumstances made us run a photo of the Azimuth Light instead of that of the Atlas LT (seen here) from the same company in Issue 4/2000, page 61. The Light may be seen again in its appropriate context in this issue, page XX. Also the LOS mentioned in issue 5/2000 was attributed to Poland instead of the Czech Military Institute for Weapon and Ammunition Technology which markets the system in co-operation with Omnipol.

Cougar Mk 2
on Boom
The Eurocopter Cougar Mark 2 in its combat SAR version carried out its first complete in-flight refuelling test involving a KC-130 Hercules in October 2000 and thereby validated the mechanical aptitude of the helicopter to complete the manoeuvre throughout the refuelling envelope without any restrictions, the operation of the fuel system and its safety mechanisms, the definition of the piloting reference points and of the refuelling envelope.
The tests were conducted from the left wing and then from the right wing of the tanker aeroplane. Eventually some 5500 pounds of fuel were transferred in less than fifteen minutes. The tests were conducted at Istres Air Base in France involving a KC-130 and Cougar Mark 2 from the Saudi Air Force.

Eurofighter
Wears Black
This dramatic photo of the Eurofighter Typhoon Development Aircraft 2 (DA2) shows its new black skin - painted so to unify its colour scheme since it is wearing about 500 pressure sensors to monitor aircraft conditions during high-speed and high-angle-of-attack manoeuvres. The DA2 underwent supersonic flight tests under the direction of BAE Systems' Eurofighter test pilot and the RAF Squadron Leader, as well as the ground crew and a core team of flight test engineers.

Super Lynx
Goes to Denmark
The first of eight newly upgraded Super Lynx helicopters was handed over to the Royal Danish Navy in a ceremony at Vaerlose Air Base, Headquarters of Denmark's Air Material Command. The Lynx aircraft are being re-airframed under a £ 17 million contract that covers the manufacture by GKN Westland of replacement airframe structures into which the existing fleet's engines, flying controls, hydraulic systems, avionics and electrical systems will be transferred. Upgrades and modifications to the main rotor blades, tail rotor and fuel systems complete the conversion to Super Lynx Mk90B standard.

Pads are on
the Market
DBA Systems, developer and manufacturer of threat simulation and training systems for medium to short-range infrared and electro-optical guided missile systems, currently markets the Portable Air Defense System (Pads) threat simulator to the US, but is seeking cross-border interest by transfusing its technology to all US Allies. DBA's XM-18A simulator provides a full fidelity replication of a surface-to-air missile system. It provides the user the versatility to perform both proficiency training and the opportunity to use the system to test and evaluate the effectiveness of infrared countermeasures, jammers and expendables, since the actual launcher and seeker are used in the simulator.

The Right Wing
From Spain
Spain's Casa has delivered the first right wing for the Eurofighter to BAE Systems for the assembly of the first unit of the series. The wing is of a multi-spar construction with integral fuel tanks. It is equipped with full-span inboard and outboard flaperons and leading edge slats, with the advanced Dass (Defensive Aids Subsystem) located in the wing tip. The wing assembly was performed at the Eads Casa plant in Getafe.

Sat Sim Sys
Software Suite
Interstate Electronics (IEC) and Control Systems Research (CSR) have introduced their GPSView 2000 Software Suite, which simplifies the complexity, and speeds the performance analysis of GPS satellite simulator systems. GPSView 2000 integrates with IEC's SCS2400 GPS Satellite Constellation Simulator to provide turnkey visualisation and diagnostic tools for real world performance analysis of GPS systems for high performance vehicle scenario dynamics in real-time. GPSView's 3D visualisation and joystick control features enhance system modelling, simulation and training capabilities in support of the varying levels of user expertise. Other candidate applications for GPSView are: modelling and simulation of space-borne systems with actual GPS/Inertial equipment, Distributive Interactive Simulations with war gaming to provide true GPS receiver/jamming entities, mission planning & route editing, re-entry vehicle simulations with respect to body dynamics, antenna placement analysis and real-time TSPI visualisation of live entities.

Indutex Coating
and Composites
Verseidag-Indutex from Haan, Germany manufactures the first 100 per cent PBO/Zylon SK 1 solution for ballistic protection. Ultrax offers significant advantages in comfort and safety in contrast to Aramid materials. Verseidag-Indutex mentions that its Ultrax material is available immediately, along with a copy of its test certificate from the Mellrichstadt Beschussamt (firearms testing centre) when so requested.

Minehunter
On Patrol
The successful completion of the first Critical Item Test (CIT) of the AN/WLD-1(V)1 Remote Minehunting System from Lockheed Martin was recently announced. The CIT is required for further development and fielding of the system. The minehunter is being developed by Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Undersea Systems in Syracuse and Riviera Beach, Florida, under a contract awarded by the US Navy. It will provide Arleigh Burke class DDG-51 Flight IIA ships with their first-ever off-board mine reconnaissance capability. Key elements of the AN/WLD-1(V)1 include a diesel-powered, semi-submersible Remote Minehunting Vehicle (MHV) with a deployable variable depth sonar, line-of-sight and over-the-horizon real-time data links and a shipboard launch and recovery system. Nineteen launch and recovery evolutions, controllable flight in excess of seventeen knots and simulated DVS towing were all accomplished during the more than 144 hours of at-sea testing.

Ensign Clears the First Obstacle
The Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (Apobs) has passed its production First Article Testing, a certification required by the US Government. The Apobs will provide the armed forces with an enhanced man-portable capability to breach anti-personnel minefields and wire obstacles. The current Bangalore Torpedo system requires a soldier/marine to approach the leading edge of the obstacle, install the initiation system snad initiate the charge in close proximity to the mined area. The Apobs requires less than two minutes to set-up and deploy and is launched from a stand-off distance of 35 metres. The system is designed to clear a footpath through anti-personnel minefields and wire obstacles up to 45 metres in length by two metres wide. One Apobs (125 lb)is equivalent to 27 sections of Bangalore Torpedo (450 lb). Both the US Marine Corps and Army plan to deploy Apobs beginning in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Seeing Clearly with Argon
Argon Corp provides a complete range of ruggedised flat-panel displays and computers for military avionics applications. The systems meet all US Department of Defense definitions for non-developmental items (NDI) and commercial off-the-shelf equipment. Argon's display hardware offers sunlight and night vision device readability, customised footprint sizes, EMI, hemp and nuclear hardening and are designed for low-cost new technology insertion upgrades.

Dassault Flies Unmanned
According to Dassault Aviation, an analysis of recent conflicts shows that the theatre of operations in 5 to 10 years from now will see the involvement of unmanned aircraft in offensive missions hitherto conducted only by manned aircraft. In order to keep abreast with future trends Dassault has embarked on the development of high-performance unmanned aircraft, a programme that reached a major milestone on 18 July 2000 with the first flight of the AVE (aéronef de validation expérimentale = experimental validation aircraft) aircraft seen here. This type of aircraft, which is said to have exceptional stealthy characteristics, could, in conjunction with a Command Control Communication Computation Intelligence (C4I) system, carry out jamming or decoying missions. Other missions could include relaying real-time information. Eventually, such aircraft could conduct air-to-ground interdiction missions and, further into the future, air-to-air operations.
The AVE represents a first stage of an overall technical and operational demonstration project that would eventually encompass target drones, TUAVs (tactical uninhabited air vehicles), MALEs (medium altitude long endurance), HALE (high altitude long endurance) and UCAVs (uninhabited combat air vehicles)

Main AVE Particulars:

Twin jet engines (40 daN max combined thrust)

• Empty weight : 35 kg
• Max TOW : 60 kg
• V-Tail
• Length : 2.4 m
• Span : 2.4 m
• Construction : 100% composites
• Take-of and landing: Runway
• Emergency parachute
• Operational radius : approx 150 km,
• Max Speed: approx Mach 0.50

Gun Grabbers
for the Pros
Mounting Solutions Plus (MSP) produces a catalogue with high quality tactical scope mounting equipment. The catalogue showcases a complete line of scope rings and bases, including some for exceptionally large objective lenses. MSP distributes bullpup stocks, restricted magazines, gun mounts, and even the Trijicon Reflex Mt. Platform, but also license manufactures Arms #1 H&K G3 claw mounts and the FN Fal mount. Aluminium ram mounts and AntiCant devices (for scopes) help round out the product offerings. The catalogue is small in size but not in content. The products mentioned, along with a large assortment of others, can be found on the MSP website: www.mountsplus.com.