Yet another thread I'm forced to re-start...



Embraer confident its C-390 can challenge the Hercules

Flight International
24-4-2007
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Embraer is optimistic it can begin development of a new medium military transport, the C-390, by year-end, assembling the customers, partners and financing needed to launch the programme. The aircraft is aimed at replacing older Lockheed Martin C-130 airlifters now in widespread service and the manufacturer sees a potential market for 695 C-390s over the next 10 years.

With a projected price of around $50 million, the C-390 is a high-wing, twin-turbofan airlifter with rear loading ramp, 19t (41,900lb) maximum payload and maximum range exceeding 5,900km (3,200nm). "It will directly compete with the C-130J," says Paulo Gastão Silva, strategic planning senior manager, defence market.

The C-390 has "good commonality" with the 190 to reduce risk and costs.

The four-turboprop C-130J sells for $60-70 million, while the smaller, 11.5t-payload twin-turboprop Alenia C-27J costs around $35 million, Silva estimates. The C-390 will be faster, with a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.8/460kt (850km/h), but will be able to operate from the same types and lengths of runways as the C-130, he says.

The Brazilian manufacturer began its first market assessment more than a year ago, and the concept study has been through several design iterations over the past year. "We are near the final configuration," says Silva. A second phase of preliminary design is under way. "We expect to complete definition by the end of the year."

Development is planned to take four years from launch to first delivery, which could be in early 2012 "or possibly 2011", says Silva. The basic aircraft will be certificated to civil FAR Part 25 standards and specific military capabilities qualified by national military authorities.

The C-390 uses systems and technologies from the Embraer 190 small airliner, including the wing, empennage, fly-by-wire flight controls and flightdeck. "We are trying to keep good commonality, to reduce risk, non-recurring cost and certification effort," he says. Sources say developing the C-390 would require an investment of around $500 million.

Moving the E-190 wing to the top of fuselage and mounting the high-flotation main landing gear in large fuselage sponsons will free up space in the wing for more fuel, says Silva. The fuselage will be all-new, with a similar cross-section and cargo box to the basic C-130J, and studies are under way on whether it will be metal or composite.

Engines will be in the same class as the E-190/195's General Electric CF34-10Es - "a bit more thrust, but not another class of engine", says Silva. "We are not close to selecting an engine yet." Other contenders include the Pratt & Whitney PW6000 and Rolls-Royce BR715.

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Antonov An-124-100M Completes Certification Tests

(Source: Antonov; web-posted April 27, 2007)

Last week certification tests of a new version of Ruslan, the heavy transport well-known in the world, were completed. The new aircraft has got designation of AN-124-100M-150.

The aim of the last stage of tests was to confirm correspondence of the aircraft integrated flight and navigation system with the requirements of a base and precise area navigation (B-RNAV and P-RNAV) when carrying out terminal procedures of departure and arrival to the European airdromes where these procedures were certified to be fulfilled by method of area navigation. Under real conditions of a congested air traffic it was necessary to confirm that integrated flight and navigation system performed all functions requested for flights under P-RNAV system as well as navigation accuracy characteristics.

That is why within the period from 14 to 19 of April 2007 AN-124-100M-150 performed manoeuvring under the standard procedures of departure and arrival at the Vantaa (Helsinki, Finland) and Flesland (Bergen, Norway) airports. According to the requirements of Eurocontrol on navigation accuracy the aircraft has not to deviate from the trajectory for more than 1 nautical mile (1.85 km).

The new Ruslan had demonstrated capability to keep the rout with the deviation of 0.3 nautical mile. In that way the aircraft had fully confirmed its correspondence with the accuracy requirements of Eurocontrol on RNP-1.

Besides ANTONOV ASTC’s specialists the experts of certification centers of Russia – GosNII GA and GosNII Aeronavigatsiya participated in the third stage of tests.

At present the documentation to be submitted for consideration by the Interstate Aviation Committee in order to obtain certificate for AN-124-100M-150 is being prepared.


BACKGROUND NOTES:

AN-124-100M-150 differs from the basic model of Ruslan with payload increased to 150 t instead of 120 t, increased take-off and landing masses and the range of flight. The important feature of AN-124-100M-150 is simplified and accelerated loading/unloading operations of cargo weighting up to 150 t.

In order to provide this feature, the structure of the front cargo ramp was strengthened. As a result of the aircraft mass increase, the braking system was improved and the reinforced tires were used. In accordance with the modern and perspective requirements of the Eurocontrol on P-RNAV area navigation, in particular, as for navigation accuracy, the new Ruslan was equipped with the modernized navigation complex.

The new early ground proximity warning system was installed as well. Besides, the AN-124-100M-150 is piloted with the crew of 4 but not 6 members.

The AN-124-100M-150 was tested in several stages. The first stage, the preliminary one, was conducted to check operation of a new equipment and possibility to decrease the crew to 4 members. Then the longest and the most important stage of tests for the aircraft development, followed. During 2005-2006 the aircraft performed flights with different cargo onboard all over the world. Thus new aircraft’s equipment, systems as well as work of the decreased crew were checked under conditions of real operations.

The last, third stage, is described above.

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Airbus Denies Further Slippage of A400M Program

(Source: Airbus; issued April 27, 2007)

TOULOUSE, France --- A Reuters news agency report filed yesterday, 26th April 2007, quoted an official of the Zodiac company, a supplier to the A400M programme, as confirming a three-month delay to the aircraft’s production schedule, with a further twelve months’ delay being probable.

In early March this year, during the EADS Financial Results Briefing to the press, the company’s CEOs announced the decision to postpone the formal start of the A400M final assembly process by up to three months. This decision was taken as a risk-mitigation measure following an extensive internal review of the programme undertaken in December 2006. This re-adjustment to the production programme has been undertaken in order to ensure optimum flow-through of assemblies and sub-assemblies to the Final Assembly Line in Seville.

The customers were duly informed of the decision and are satisfied that the measures will not affect the aircraft delivery schedule.

It is categorically denied that a further twelve months’ delay is or has been contemplated and any such comments by outside parties are speculative and without foundation.

The A400M production process has in fact started with major sub-assemblies in series production and being delivered. The first complete airframe is currently being assembled at the EADS-MTA test facility in Getafe where it will begin the rigorous programme of static tests to be undertaken before the aircraft’s first flight.

Information on the status of the A400M programme may be obtained from the Airbus Military website Airbusmilitary.com.

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EADS Rolls Out First Australian Multi Role Tanker Transport

(Source: EADS; issued June 12, 2007)

MADRID --- Today, the first aircraft of the new-generation A330 MRTT was rolled out of the hangar at the conversion centre of EADS CASA in Getafe near Madrid.

This milestone has been achieved one year after the start of the conversion, thus, the program has achieved an important milestone and is showing remarkable progress.

This aircraft is the first A330 MRTT to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force as part of the contract signed on December 20, 2004, between EADS CASA and the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Royal Australian Air Force A330 MRTT is outfitted with a state-of-the-art centerline ARBS (Air Refueling Boom System) with fly-by-wire controls, plus two under-wing hose and drogue pods. In addition, the aircraft will carry an electronic warfare suite that protects against surface-to-air missile threats, along with a Link 16 network system that provides real-time air-borne connectivity.


With the roll-out of its first aircraft, the Royal Australian Air Force will become the first operator of the Airbus-derived A330 MRTT tanker/transport aircraft. (EADS photo)

Australia’s A330 Tanker Makes First Flight

(Source: Australian Minister for Defence; issued June 15, 2007)

I am pleased to announce the successful maiden flight of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) new generation A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT).

The flight took place in Madrid, Spain and marks the end of the first phase of modifications to install military systems into the commercial A330 aircraft.

In December 2004, we signed a contract with Spanish company European Aeronautic Defence and Space Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (EADS CASA) to provide five new generation air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

The basic Airbus A330 aircraft will have a range of military modifications installed including two underwing aerial refuelling pods, a fuselage mounted refuelling boom, military communications, data link, navigation, identification, mission planning and electronic warfare self-protection equipment.

Our new A330 MRTT, to be known as the KC-30B in RAAF service, is one of the key enabling capabilities designed to maintain Australia’s air combat capability through the transition to Joint Strike Fighter, Wedgetail and beyond. We are taking on a managed risk as lead customer to develop and test the new advanced refuelling boom system and integrated military mission systems to ensure that we have the most capable tanker aircraft in time to replace the ageing Boeing 707.

The first aircraft will be converted into the tanker in two phases by EADS CASA and the remainder of the aircraft will be converted by Qantas in Australia. In addition QANTAS will provide the through-life support for the aircraft under an initial five year contract signed in February this year.

The first flight of the aircraft following completion of structural modifications is a significant milestone and provides confidence that EADS CASA is progressing to schedule for entry into operational service of the new tankers by the end of 2009. –ends-


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EADS Delivers First Upgraded A310 Tanker to Germany

(Source: EADS North America; issued June 14, 2007)

ARLINGTON, Va. --- EADS has delivered the first of four German Air Force A310 Multi-Role Tanker Transports (MRTT) outfitted and certified with a new military mission avionics package.

This milestone helps clear the way for the A310 MRTTs' allocation to the NATO Reaction Forces, where the aircraft will support a full range of aerial refueling and transport needs for Germany and NATO allies. It follows EADS' delivery of the first of two similarly-equipped A310 multi-role airlifters to the Canadian Forces.

"EADS has once again demonstrated its ability to provide highly capable, mission-ready aircraft for the most demanding military aerial refueling and transport missions," said EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. "The German and Canadian A310 MRTTs will be joined in the future by EADS' KC-30/A330 MRTT - which already has been selected by Australia, Britain and the United Arab Emirates, and is being proposed by the Northrop Grumman/EADS team for the recapitalization of the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker inventory."

Both the German and Canadian A310 MRTTs carry a pair of underwing hose and drogue refueling pods, and are configured to provide tanker support for probe-equipped military aircraft. A refueling operator's station is located in the cabin behind the cockpit.

Equipment incorporated in the newly-installed avionics package includes a mission computer subsystem for planning and in-flight management of refueling missions (towline and trail missions), as well as a digital TACAN with air-to-air and beacon functions, plus digital V/UHF and DF for communications/navigation. The integrated radio suite is managed by a digital centralized radio control system.

The German Air Force operates a total of seven A310s, four of which are allocated for tanker and airlift duties, while the other three are utilized in passenger and VIP transport roles. They are assigned to the Flugbereitschaft BMVg (Special Wing Command) at Cologne Bonn Airport.

Canada has five A310 transports (designated the CC-150 Polaris), two of which are configured for the multi-role tanker transport mission. The fleet is stationed near Lake Ontario at the Canadian Forces' 437 Transport Squadron, 8 Wing/Trenton. These A310s carry troops, cargo, and government officials, and have served in United Nations, Red Cross and NATO initiatives - including operations in Afghanistan.

A400M Production Advances

(Source: Airbus; issued Aug. 22, 2007)

Two delivery milestones for the A400M underscore the continuing production progress for Airbus' new-generation military transport aircraft.

The Airbus Bremen, Germany site this month delivered the 32-metre long fuselage for the first A400M that is to fly. Its four sections arrived in Bremen as fuselage shells or as complete components from partner companies in Turkey and South Africa, as well as from Lemwerder, Nordenham and Augsburg.

They were joined together in a riveting facility and then equipped with all flight-essential systems, including electrical wiring and cables; oxygen, air and water pipes; and the entire hydraulics system. Some 120 kilometres of cabling and 500 metres of hydraulic lines were installed in the fuselage.

This A400M fuselage was the second delivered by Bremen. The previous one was sent last May from Germany to Spain for ground-based static tests.

In another milestone, outer wing sections for the first flight A400M were flown from Filton in the U.K. to Seville, Spain aboard an Airbus A300-600ST Beluga during August. The outer wings will be joined with the centre wing box, and the complete wing structure - with a span of over 42 metres - will then be mated to the fuselage.

Separately, the delivery of a full-scale-test vertical tail plane from Stade to Hamburg represents another important step in the A400M programme. It marks the start of the test operation phase. After preparation, the vertical tail plane will be installed on a test rig in late September.

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A400M Engines Delivered for Flight Tests

(Source: Rolls-Royce plc; issued March 5, 2008)

Europrop International (EPI) has achieved a double success, delivering the last of the four TP400-D6 flight test engines which will power the first Airbus A400M and reaching the milestone of 1,000 hours of engine ground testing.

The final engine for the first aircraft was dispatched last week and has now arrived at the final assembly line of the A400M military transport aircraft in Seville. The installation of the engines onto the first flight test aircraft is now underway and this will involve integration with the propeller and nacelle. The first flight of the A400M is scheduled to take place during summer time.

In addition to the flight test programme, a number of TP400 engines continue to undergo extensive performance and operability tests throughout Europe on EPI partners’ indoor and outdoor test facilities demonstrating the engine characteristics and durability.

Nick Durham, the President of EPI, said: “This has been a challenging programme and the delivery of the first ship-set of TP400 flight test engines is an important milestone and, combined with the rapidly increasing rate of ground testing, shows that we are really making significant progress.”

“We can now look forward to a flight test programme which proves that we have designed an engine that satisfies all the performance criteria and sets new standards for a turboprop of this size”, said Philippe Petitcolin, non-executive Chairman of EPI.

In parallel to the work in Seville, the TP400 Flying Test Bed engine is about to commence ground vibration testing at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, UK, prior to first flight on a modified C-130 aircraft.

Challenges remain and EPI is confident and fully committed to working with Airbus Military to resolve them in a timely manner and make the programme a success.


BACKGROUND NOTES:
-- EPI Europrop International GmbH was created by four leading European aero-engine companies - Industria de Turbo Propulsores, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma (SAFRAN Group) - to manage the TP400 engine programme.

-- Designed to power the Airbus Military A400M military transport, the TP400 will be the most powerful turboshaft engine to enter service in the West. It features a three-shaft configuration and will deliver a maximum power output of 11,000 shaft horsepower. More than 800 engines will be required for the 192 A400M aircraft ordered to date by nine countries.

-ends-

quote:

Engines will be in the same class as the E-190/195's General Electric CF34-10Es -

Unless this engine can chew up and spit out FOD, like it's much larger siblings, it's no match for the C-130 turboprops on unimproved surfaces.

Agreed...but to be fair, I believe the manufacturer is promoting it as an option between the C-130 and C-17.

With a maximum payload of 19 tons, it won't carry as much as the 22.5 ton C-130. It's performance in the air would have to make up for the lack of cargo space and two less engines.
With issues arising about EADS, I would think Brazil/Embraer is going to have a difficult time getting past the political fallout of competing with Lockheed.

I think its the longer range and ability to carry certain "outsize" cargo that is supposed to give it an edge over the C-130. Also, it does have FOUR engines.

Again, they're not trying to directly compete with the proven C-130...(the market isn't big enough to make economic sense for development of such an aircraft from scratch)...they're trying to find a nitch not currently covered by either of our in-production transports.

Never mind...thought you were talking about the A400M.

First A400M Military Transporter Rolled Out

(Source: Airbus Military; issued June 27, 2008)

In a ceremony presided over by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, Airbus Military has today rolled out the first complete A400M military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line facility in Seville, Spain.

The new aircraft, which was presented to the customers and the world’s press, heralds a new era in military airlift capability.

Designed initially to a recognised requirement for a new airlifter for European air forces, the A400M incorporates the state-of-the-art materials and technology that are being continuously perfected in today’s civil aircraft fleets. Features such as electronic flight controls, carbon composite structures and an automated handling system will bring new standards of operability and safety to military aircrews.

Launched under a single contract in 2003 with 180 orders for seven European launch customers, the A400M represents the most ambitious military procurement programme ever undertaken in Europe. The launch customer nations, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom were subsequently joined by Malaysia and South Africa, which recognised the potential of the new airlifter for their own requirements and brought the total number of commitments to 192.

"Today is a great day for our industry," said Carlos Suarez, CEO of Airbus Military and Head of MTAD: "It is the result of the combined efforts and determination of all those involved in the programme. It has been supported by the national governments - our customers, the industrial partners, the suppliers, and all the employees who have worked to produce the aircraft. I would like to thank and congratulate them all."

"This event demonstrates our joint determination to show that EADS can design and manufacture a long-range military transport aircraft which will set new standards airlift and open further potential in international markets. It also serves to justify the confidence which our customers placed in us when awarding the initial contract", said Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS

The initial contract, worth some 20 billion Euros was signed with a single interface between Airbus Military and OCCAR, (Organisation Conjointe de Coordination en matière d’Armament), the contractual body representing all seven European customer nations.

Versatility is the characteristic that best describes the A400M, it being conceived with both tactical and strategic capability. With a payload of up to 37 tonnes over ranges of up to 4700 nm, the A400M is designed to carry all loads and vehicles in the European Staff Requirement (ESR) inventory, serve as an aerial delivery platform and act as an in-flight refueller for both fast jets and helicopters.

The A400M is the first truly new military transport aircraft of its category designed in over 30 years, with twice the capacity and twice the payload of the current aircraft types that it will replace. It is all set to become the new standard in military airlift.

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