[JLRC]

More Mine-Hunting Weapons for Spain
 
 
(Source: Kongsberg Gruppe; issued Dec. 10, 2004)
 
 
 Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract valued at approximately MNOK 31 with the Spanish Navy for the delivery of the mine-hunting weapon the Minesniper, an underwater vehicle for the destruction of sea mines.  
 
The contract is a continuation of a contract signed in 2002, and the latest addition brings the total contract value to roughly MNOK 69.  
 
The Spanish Navy is the first to use the Minesniper as a fully operational system. It has been deployed on all six of Spain's Segura Class mine clearing vessels, making the sale an important, international reference for Kongsberg.  
 
The Minesniper is a low-cost mine disposal system based on a remotely controlled submersible vehicle for the efficient identification and destruction of sea mines. Developed in close co-operation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and the Norwegian Navy, the Minesniper is currently deployed onboard one Norwegian mine clearance vessel. The Minesniper is two meters long and weighs about 30 kilograms  
 
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[JLRC]

Denel-OTB Supports German Missile Flight Trials  
 
 
(Source: Denel; issued Dec. 10, 2004)
 
 
 Denel's OTB test range near Bredasdorp in the Western Cape has just successfully concluded a month-long flight test campaign in support of the German Air Force for its Taurus KEPD 350 precision standoff guided missile system. This is the fifth campaign conducted at OTB following the successful negotiation in 1999 of a multi-million rand umbrella contract with the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) in support of the development programme of the weapon.  
 
The German test team complimented OTB on the professional management of the test campaign and expressed the highest appreciation for the excellent support received from Denel's OTB staff and the South African Air Force (SAAF) during the campaign.  
 
According to Dr. Jan Malan, general manager of Denel's OTB facility, the decision by a discerning client country like Germany to opt for OTB for their flight test campaigns, is testimony to the recognition it enjoys in the international arena.  
 
"This recent success again confirmed our ability to cater for evaluations of the most advanced weapon systems," Dr. Malan added. "Denel is confident the German client will return to the OTB test range by the middle of next year for a follow-up campaign."  
 
Two German Tornado fighter aircraft used during the test will return to Germany later this week from the SAAF's Air Base Overberg adjacent to Denel OTB. A US tanker aircraft will provide in-flight refuelling for the Tornado jets on their three-day journey from South Africa to Germany via Ascension Island and the Canary Islands. The almost 30 tons of equipment used in support of the test campaign, will be returned to Europe by charter flight over the next three weeks.  
 
More than 30% of OTB's annual turnover is earned from international contracts. According to the German client OTB's test facilities and the SAAF's Air Base Overberg proved well integrated and on par with any of the international test ranges it has been using in the past.  
 
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[JLRC]

Two Boeing X-45A Unmanned Jets Continue Coordinated Flights
 
 
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Dec. 10, 2004)
 
 
 ST. LOUIS --- Two military jets flying together may seem routine, but when they are pilotless, tail-less aircraft, routine goes out the window and science fiction springs to mind. Boeing continued to turn science fiction into reality when two X-45A technology demonstrator aircraft made their second and third coordinated flights at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.  
 
Controlled by a single pilot-operator, the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems' (J-UCAS) X-45As, complete with Boeing's latest software build known as Block 3 software, departed in succession and entered coordinated flight over the test range. Known by the call signs “Stingray 01 and 02,” the revolutionary aircraft operated together in coordinated flight for more than one hour. During the Dec. 3 mission, the 27-foot-long air vehicles flew successfully in several different formations, demonstrating the ability to autonomously enter and exit coordinated flight based on pre-identified points and showing the ability to dynamically alter the formation in all three axes simultaneously.  
 
The previous Block 3 multiple vehicle flight on Nov. 12 demonstrated “4-D” navigation, which allows the vehicles to accurately control time-of-arrival over specified geographic locations in addition to maintaining relative position – a critical capability in tactical operations.  
 
“With 42 flights and more than two years of testing under our belts, we're ready to take unmanned systems to the next level,” said Darryl Davis, Boeing J-UCAS X-45 vice president and program manager. “Using data from our first coordinated flight in August and others in 2004, we're developing an affordable, effective war fighting system capable of operating autonomously and cooperatively within networked combat environments.”  
 
Boeing was recently awarded $767 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to build and demonstrate three X-45C aircraft, two mission control elements, and to integrate a common operating system technology for the J-UCAS program. Boeing's software used on the X-45As may be offered as a candidate for functionality in J-UCAS' Common Operating System. The first X-45C flight is scheduled to take place in early 2007.  
 
The J-UCAS X-45 program is a DARPA/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy/Boeing effort to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of an unmanned air combat system for the Air Force and the Navy. Operational missions for the services may include suppression of enemy air defenses; strike; electronic attack; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and persistent global attack. The two X-45A technology demonstrators are currently verifying the core functionality of the software necessary for these and related missions.  
 
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides network-centric systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.  
 
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[JLRC]

Pentagon Contract Announcement
 
 
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Dec. 10, 2004)
 
 
 Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., is being awarded a $30,690,000 firm fixed price contract to provide for three C-130H aircraft and related spares for the Egyptian Air Force.  
 
This effort supports foreign military sales to the Egyptian Air Force.  
 
Total funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by December 2004. Solicitation began November 2004 and negotiations were completed December 2004.  
 
The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8504-05-C-0005).  
 
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[JLRC]

L-3 Communications Selected to Modernize Republic of Korea Navy P-3 Fleet
 
 
(Source: L-3 Communications; issued Dec. 13, 2004)
 
 
 L-3 Communications announced today that its Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary, as part of an industry team headed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), has been selected by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense to complete mission system modernizations and service life extensions for eight ROK Navy P-3 aircraft, known as "Lot II".  
 
The contract, details of which have not been finalized, will provide the ROK Navy's newest P-3 patrol aircraft with a complete suite of modern sensors and electronics, as well as ground support systems to augment the eight P-3 aircraft already in the ROK Navy fleet. The Lot II aircraft are being procured from the U.S. Navy.  
 
"This selection affirms our long-standing commitment to Korea," said Bob Drewes, president of L-3 IS. "We have established great relationships with our Korean industry partners and our best people will work shoulder-to-shoulder with KAI to deliver the industry's most advanced and reliable airborne mission systems."  
 
L-3 IS has modified over 300 P-3 aircraft dating back to the 1960s and is currently performing advanced mission systems, major structural modification, refurbishment and revitalization across a broad customer base including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.  
 
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is an SEI CMM Level 5 developer and integrator of complex electronic systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS operates from major sites in Austin and Waco, Texas; Madison, Mississippi; Lexington, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Newport News, Virginia; and Avalon, Australia.  
 
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading merchant supplier of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) products, secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean products, training products, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customers include the Department of Defense, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies, aerospace prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and wireless customers.  
 
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[JLRC]

Procurement of Il-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft
 
 
(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 15, 2004)
 
 
 NEW DELHI --- The Government concluded a contract for the procurement of six IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft in Feb 2001.  
 
There was a delay of about eight months in the delivery of the third and fourth aircraft. Recently, the fifth IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft was delivered. All the Five IL-78 Refueling Aircraft have been inducted in the Air Force.  
 
The sixth aircraft, which was scheduled for delivery in Nov 2004, is now expected during this month.  
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Smt NP Durga in Rajya Sabha today.  
 
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[JLRC]

First Flight for the C-27J Spartan for the Hellenic Air Force  
 
 
(Source: Alenia Aeronautica; issued Dec. 15, 2004)
 
 
 The first C-27J Spartan series aircraft to be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force, has successfully achieved its first flight in Caselle, after the final integration at Alenia Aeronautica’s plants of Turin-Caselle.  
 
After take-off at 10 a.m. from the Alenia Aeronautica’s flight test field, piloted by Commanders Agostino Frediani and Gianluca Evangelisti (also on-board the third test pilot, Commander Mario Mutti), the C-27J has performed some manoeuvres and flight figures for a total of 83 minutes.  
 
The success of the first flight of the Hellenic Air Force aircraft enables the Italian company to respect contractual time schedule, which envisages delivery by end of January 2005.  
 
The C-27J, manufactured by Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin, is the most advanced tactical transport aircraft and has already been ordered by the Italian and Hellenic Air Forces (12 units each).  
 
A range of potential American, European and Asian customers have also shown a keen interest in the C-27J. Particularly the C-27J was engaged in a campaign in the USA and Canada. During the demo tour Alenia Aeronautica has shown the aircraft to the institutional representatives, the Armed Forces and the specialised public.  
 
The US have shown a great interest in the C-27J. In fact, the US Army is developing a joint requirement (FCA Program) for the US Army National Guard (replacement of 43 C-23 Sherpa), US Army Fixed Wing, for an initial market size of 37 aircraft. The Army National Guard has indicated the Italian/American aircraft as the likely successor of the C-23 Sherpa, presently used by the National Guard in some 20 States.  
 
The C-27J is the best answer to the need of renewing the Search and Rescue airlift fleet (the Buffalos and the C-130s) of the Canadian Government, which could purchase 15 units of the Italian-U.S. airlifter.  
 
The aircraft has already been formally evaluated by the Air Forces of Australia, Taiwan, Ireland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and other countries that have recently joined NATO.  
 
The C-27J is, in fact, an aircraft fully meeting the interoperability requirements, necessary for the future aircraft of the Alliance’s Air Forces.  
 
Currently, a total of sixteen (16) C-27J aircraft, at different progress levels, are being manufactured at Alenia Aeronautica’s plants of Pomigliano d’Arco (near Naples) and Caselle (Turin).  
 
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[JLRC]

Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina Rolls Out First AT-63 Pampa
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Dec. 15, 2004)
 
 
 CORDOBA, Argentina --- Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina S.A. rolled out the first upgraded Pampa jet trainer in a formal ceremony today. This AT-63 Pampa is the demonstrator of the new configuration of the Pampa, and is ready to initiate the ground testing phase, the necessary stage prior to flight testing which is expected to begin mid-year 2005.  
 
"We are proud to roll out this aircraft today, manufactured for the Argentine Air Force," said Alberto Buthet, President of Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina. "The Pampa rollout highlights a year of considerable growth for our company that included new contracts with other countries and companies and a 10 percent growth in our workforce."  
 
The AT-63 Pampa is a low-cost advanced trainer and light attack aircraft. It is the new version of the legendary IA-63 Pampa originally built in Cordoba. The new generation Pampa continues to provide the ease of maintenance and airframe stability of the original version, while featuring an upgraded crew station and modern avionics suite with a military standard 1553B data bus architecture and sophisticated mission computers to provide more reliability to support advanced weapon systems. These upgrades significantly reduce maintenance costs by using the modular approach to systems design.  
 
The aircraft rolled out in Cordoba today is part of the Pampa program, which was reactivated in February 2004 with the two five-year contracts awarded by the Argentine Government to Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina. The contracts include the upgrade of 12 existing aircrafts to the AT-63 configuration for the Argentine Air Force, and manufacturing 12 AT-63 Pampa jets, six for the Argentine Air Force and the other for international sales. The contracts also included maintenance and modification services for aircraft, engines and accessories to the Argentine Air Force's fleet.  
 
Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina is a major industry leader in the province of Cordoba, with about 1,000 employees. In addition to its work for the Government of Argentina, the company also signed other important contracts in 2004 to provide maintenance services to Colombian and Bolivian aircraft, engines and fans of commercial airlines, and to manufacture aircraft parts for Chile and Lockheed Martin USA.  
 
One of the most important aerospace industry centers in Latin America, Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina is a member of Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Centers. Lockheed Martin is a global leader in the design, manufacture and support of military aircraft. The company produces the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F/A-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.  
 
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.  
 
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[JLRC]

Hungary Signs for AMRAAMs
 
 
(Source: Magyar Nemzet, Hungary; published Dec. 16, 2004)

(by Gabor Zord, Magyar Nemzet defense correspondent)
 
 
 Just before the expiration of a US offer dated July, Hungarian MoD acquisition chief Ferenc Bese signed a Letter of Acceptence (LoA) last week on the purchase of forty (40) AIM-120C-5 missiles and associated equipment, valued at 25,389,904 USD.  
 
The weapons are scheduled to be shipped between 2006 and 2007 to equip the new JAS-39 EBS-HU Gripen aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force which will take the country's Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) task from January 2009.  
 
The contract identifies successful airframe/missile integration certification as a condition which must be met before the missiles will be transported to the country.  
 
Under a separate deal between AMRAAM manufacturer Raytheon Corporation and Gripen manufacturer SAAB/BAE, this work is currently underway in Sweden, as the Swedish Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed for two AIM-120C-5 missiles in March. As the Gripen is currently certified only for the earlier AIM-120B variant, more integration work -- especially software -- is required.  
 
The AMRAAM offer was part of a larger package comprising stocked US AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, newly manufactured GBU-10, 16, 12 laser guidance kits for Mk84, 83, 82 bombs and AGM-65H/K air-to-ground missiles. However, these were all rejected as "too expensive".  
 
To fulfill the need for short range air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weapons, the Hungarian MoD is going to issue an open tender early next year. According to Nandor Hollosi, chief advisor to the defence minister, the winners will be announced during the spring.  
 
Sources close to the Air Force suggest that offers from Germany on stocked AIM-9JULI, and from Sweden on stocked AIM-9L missiles are the likely front runners; however, such deals require US approval beforehand.  
 
These budget-driven considerations are seen with concern by the small Hungarian fighter community which prefers Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik/Saab Dynamics IRIS-T High-Off-Boresight (HOBS) missiles cued by Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS). They see the Sidewinder as a step back from their current R-73E (AA-11)/HMS combination employed on their current mount, the MiG-29.  
 
However, IRIS-T is considered too expensive by the Hungarian MoD, while its integration on the Gripen airframe has not been completed by the Swedish Air Force, which is a likely future customer for that missile.  
 
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[JLRC]

New Hangars Establish Bomber Deployment Option
 
 
(Source: US Air Force; issued Dec. 17, 2004)
 
 
 WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --- The B-2 Spirit now has a new home away from home.  
 
Officials at Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom recently unveiled two climate-controlled permanent hangars specifically designed for the B-2. The new 50,000-square-foot facilities allow specialized low-observable-surface maintenance to be performed.  
 
“Low-observable maintenance is the backbone of the B-2,” said Col. Chris Matson, 509th Maintenance Group commander. “Having the LO dock at Fairford allows us to do this critical process faster and better.”  
 
LO maintenance is essential to maintaining the specialized coatings that cover the aircraft’s composite and metal skin. Applying these coatings, and ensuring they cure correctly, must be done in a climate-controlled environment, said Master Sgt. Brian Tobin, 509th Maintenance Squadron.  
 
Forward basing B-2s at Fairford saves about 16 hours of flight time across the Atlantic Ocean and will enable the bombers to reach targets sooner, Colonel Matson said.  
 
“Staging the B-2 closer to potential theater engagement areas will provide a deterrent to adversaries of the United States,” said Lt. Col. Tom Bussiere, 325th Bomb Squadron commander. “The completion of the B-2 shelter is a step in the right direction in making RAF Fairford a fully operational B-2 forward operating base.”  
 
The $19 million hangar complex was completed seven months ahead of schedule, officials said.  
 
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[JLRC]

Turkey Signs for Head-of-State Sikorsky S-92
 
 
(Source: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.; issued Dec. 22, 2004)
 
 
 STRATFORD, Conn. --- The Turkish government has signed a contract for a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to serve head-of-state missions.  
 
Turkey joins Turkmenistan in selecting the S-92 as its head-of-state helicopter. Turkmenistan is buying two aircraft. To date, Sikorsky has orders, including options, for more than 60 S-92 helicopters, making it the most successful commercial launch in the company's history.  
 
Sikorsky has been contracted by the Government of Canada to provide 28 military H-92 derivatives. The S-92 is also becoming popular candidate for head-of-state aircraft, with a version of the H-92 under consideration for the next-generation helicopter to serve the White House mission.  
 
"This further solidifies Turkey's relationship with our company," said Joseph Gigantelli, regional vice president for Sikorsky. "We are pleased with the confidence Turkey has shown in our products." Turkey operates S-70 Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters.  
 
The S-92 provides unprecedented levels of safety and reliability, including Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) in all civil aircraft configurations.  
 
It is the first and remains the only helicopter in the world certified by the FAA to FAR Part 29 Transport Rotorcraft, Amendment 47, the latest U.S. safety regulations. The Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) are the European counterpart of the USA-based FAR, with similar safety regulations.  
 
The type certification and safety capabilities place the S-92 firmly ahead of other medium helicopters in the marketplace.  
 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, of Hartford, Conn.  
 
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[JLRC]

Delivery of the First EC 225 to the Ministerial Air Liaisons Group of the Republic of Algeria
 
 
(Source: Eurocopter; issued Dec. 22, 2004)
 
 
 MARIGNANE, France --- On 22 December 2004, the first series production EC 225 to roll off the Marignane assembly lines was officially delivered to the Ministerial Air Liaisons Group (GLAM) of the Algerian Republic. This helicopter in VIP livery will join the prestigious transport squadron, which serves the Presidency of the Algerian Republic.  
 
The choice of the Algerian Government confirms the success of the aircraft of the Super Puma/Cougar family, which have already been chosen by 32 heads of state or governments. The EC 225, the latest addition to the Super Puma/Cougar family of twin-engine, medium-sized aircraft in the 11-ton class performed its maiden flight in November 2000.  
 
This helicopter has been developed to perform passenger transport work, in particular for the Offshore and VIP sectors, and public service missions such as Search and Rescue (SAR). In July 2004, the EC 225 satisfied the most recent JAR 29 regulations, and was awarded its IFR certificate of airworthiness by the new European airworthiness authority EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).  
 
The EC 225 features:  
 
-- A new Spheriflex main rotor with five blades equipped with a very advanced airfoil shape providing the aircraft with an extremely low vibration level.  
-- A strengthened main gearbox.  
-- Two new Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines developing 2448 hp and equipped with a duplex, dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, guaranteeing top-level reliability.  
-- A new, integrated Advanced Helicopter Cockpit and Avionics System designed to reduce the amount of work required by the crew to fly the helicopter (digital 4-axis autopilot), which also displays the flight and subsystem management data.  
 
These new technologies have improved performance (speed, maneuverability), comfort (vibration, noise) and flight safety – a quality that is particularly appreciated by the crews who have flown the helicopter.  
 
Twenty-two aircraft from the EC 225/EC 725 family have already been ordered and the total number of orders for the Super Puma/Cougar family has increased to 682 helicopters.  
 
Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global aerospace, defense and related services company. In 2003, EADS recorded a turnover of 30.1 billion Euros and the company employs more than 109,000 people. EADS companies include the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s biggest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, and the joint venture MBDA, the world’s second biggest missile manufacturer. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, and is the main contractor for the Ariane launcher. EADS is also developing the A400M military transporter and is the biggest industrial partner for Galileo, the European satellite navigation system.  
 
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[JLRC]

Irkut Corporation Completed Delivery of Su-30MKI Fighters to India  
 
 
(Source: Irkut; issued Dec. 28, web-posted Dec. 30, 2004)
 
 
 On Decemder 26, 2004 Irkut Corporation completed delivery of the third phase Su-30MKI multifunctional fighters to the Indian Air Force. Thus, Irkut has fulfilled its commitments on the delivery contract signed with Indian Ministry of Defence in November 1996.  
 
The Su-30MKI aircraft designed by Sukhoi Design Bureau possess unsurpassed performance and combat capabilities. Avionics suite of the aircraft includes the most advanced developments of avionics building companies from Russia, India, France, Israel and Great Britain. Integration of avionics was performed by Ramenskoe Design Bureau.  
 
The Su-30MKI, as the first among production aircraft, is equipped with the AL-31FP thrust vector controlled engine designed by “Saturn” Research and Production Corporation. Thrust vector control provides for the supermaneuverability mode significantly improving flight safety and ensuring a critical advantage for the Su-30MKI in a close-in air-to-air combat.  
 
Su-30MKI radar, the N-011 (BARS), with a phased antenna array, designed by NIIP named after Tikhomirov, ensures simultaneous tracking and attack of several aerial and surface targets. Delivery of the BARS radar to the Indian Air Force was provided by “Airspace Equipment” Corporation.  
 
Series production of the Su-30MKI fighters was conducted by Irkutsk Aviation Plant of Irkut Corporation.  
 
Developing cooperation with India, Irkut is presently implementing a contract for licensed production of the Su-30MKI by India based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. That was signed in 2000. According to contract terms reaching to 2017, the Indian side is manufacturing the Su-30MKI including engines, aircraft systems and avionics.  
 
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[JLRC]

South Korea to Push Ahead with Helicopter Procurement Project
 
 
(Source: Yonhap news service; issued Dec. 28, 2004)
 
 
 SEOUL --- The South Korean government on Tuesday [28 December] decided to push ahead with a controversial multi-billion dollar helicopter procurement project next year, an official said.  
 
The government plans to spend 8-13 trillion won (7.6-12.4bn dollars) to develop 500 modern helicopters by 2012 in partnership with foreign manufacturers.  
 
The procurement plan, dubbed the KMH project, however, ran into trouble in July when a state audit agency said the plan is not economically feasible and pointed to several other problems. Some military experts estimate the procurement will cost more than 30 trillion won.  
 
On Tuesday, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who concurrently heads the National Security Council, convened a meeting to discuss the KMH procurement project with defence, foreign, commerce and budget ministers, said a government official, requesting anonymity.  
 
The top officials agreed on the need to move ahead with the procurement project which would replace South Korea's aging helicopter fleet, the official said. They, however, agreed to push to develop transport helicopters using domestic technology and will later decide whether to introduce attack helicopters, he said.  
 
Under the initial KMH project, South Korea was to develop 300 transport helicopters by 2010 and 200 attack helicopters by 2012.  
 
"We'll be able to report to President Roh Moo-hyun within the week at the earliest, and we will make an official announcement on it after getting his approval," the official said.  
 
Five foreign arms manufacturers, including Boeing, Bell and Eurocopter, have applied to produce airframe parts for the project. Another five foreign bidders, including Rolls-Royce International, have expressed interest in supplying the engines.  
 
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[JLRC]

Certification of Pilatus PC-21
 
 
(Source: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.; issued Jan. 3, 2004)
 
 
 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. received the type certification of its new military training aircraft, the PC-21, from the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation shortly before the end of 2004. This certification opens the way for series production of the PC-21.  
 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. celebrated the rollout of the revolutionary PC-21 training aircraft on May 1, 2002 and witnessed the first flight two months later. It was stated at that point to have the aircraft certified by the end of 2004, which has been successfully completed.  
 
The two PC-21 prototypes have logged more than 750 flight test hours during the development and certification phase. Pilatus will continue to work on the testing and certification of several additional systems, such as autopilot and instrument flying (IFR), to further increase the aircraft’s market potential and competitiveness.  
 
The PC-21 is an entirely new aircraft design, developed by Pilatus from the ground up to meet the enhanced training needs of modern air forces, who require the downloading of training to cheaper platforms and airborne embedded simulation. The aircraft has pushed the envelope of turboprop aircraft capabilities to meet and exceed the training capabilities of many jet trainers.  
 
The greatest breakthrough of the PC-21 is its cutting edge cockpit based on open architecture avionic systems. Performing both basic and advanced flying training was not possible with older turboprop training aircraft, and thus places the PC-21 as the leader in this market segment. The sophistication and performance of the PC-21 will now allow air forces to train many pilot skills previously exclusive to jet trainers. In addition to the economic sense of training on a turboprop trainer, air forces can benefit from the reduced ambient noise and pol-lution levels encountered with jets.  
 
Thirty air forces worldwide train their pilots with Pilatus aircraft. In addition to the new PC-21, Pilatus continues to offer the successful PC-9M and PC-7 MkII training aircraft.  
 
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PS : Este é o Pilatus construído nas OGMA?