Jane's Defence Weekly. In search of an ISR/strike bargain. [Content preview Subscribe to IHS Jane s Defence Weekly for full article]

Transcription

1 Jane's Defence Weekly In search of an ISR/strike bargain [Content preview Subscribe to IHS Jane s Defence Weekly for full article] A new type of combat aircraft is proving popular among armed forces facing tough operational and budgetary challenges around the world. Jim Dorschner examines the market and future trends for affordable, lighter fixed-wing platforms that blend the ability to conduct persistent surveillance with precision weapon delivery The past decade or more has seen the steady refinement of a new combat aircraft type in the form of fixed-wing platforms capable of both persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strikes. The clear market leader for now is Embraer's proven EMB-314 Super Tucano, also known as the A-29, derived from the successful EMB-312 turboprop trainer. Over 180 Super Tucanos are in service with nine air forces, with additional aircraft in production for at least two more countries and further orders pending. Hoping to grab a share of this lucrative market is Beechcraft's AT-6 Texan II, which may be about to announce a launch customer, while two platforms derived from similar agricultural aircraft - the Air Tractor AT-802U and the Thrush-based Archangel from IOMAX - are also pushing hard. Meanwhile, breaking new ground is the multirole, twinjet Scorpion from Textron AirLand, which bridges the operational spectrum from turboprops like the Super Tucano to lower-end afterburning jets such as Korean Aerospace Industries' (KAI's) FA-50 light combat aircraft. Growing requirements around the world for ISR and strike aircraft reflect the changing nature of warfare from an emphasis on conventional force-on-force engagements to states combating insurgencies, non-state groups like Al-Qaeda affiliates, and transnational threats such as narcotrafficking cartels. These highly mobile, lightly armed adversaries often co-mingle in challenging operational spaces, seeking cover and concealment in jungles, deserts, mountains, and urban terrain. Examples range from spiralling conflicts in the Syria/Iraq/Jordan region to the dangerous North African Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Central America, and parts of Southeast Asia. Proven Brazilian option Unprecedented versatility and relatively low cost made the Super Tucano a game changer when it first entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in early 2004 for security duties across the vast Amazon region. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Canada PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine with a Hartzell fivebladed, constant-speed, fully feathering, reversible-pitch propeller, the advanced night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible cockpit features a laser inertial navigation and attack system, GPS, and a traffic Page 1 of 6

2 alert and collision avoidance system. The EMB-314 has a range of 700 n miles, more than eight hours of endurance, and costs about USD1,000 per hour to fly. A FLIR Systems AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE multi-sensor laser designator provides the aircraft's ISR capability and enables the delivery of a wide range of international precision-guided munitions (PGMs). Weapon options include two 12.7 mm machine guns in the wings and five hard points for 1,550 kg worth of bombs, 70 mm rocket pods, air-to-air missiles (AAMs) or fuel tanks. Among the long list of weapons cleared for use on the Super Tucano are the Paveway, Lizard, and Griffin PGMs; and Sidewinder, Piranha, and Python AAMs. The Super Tucano's's combat debut fell to the Colombian Air Force (FAC) in a strike on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) guerrilla forces in January Many more FAC combat missions followed, as well as participation in the multinational 'Maple Flag' exercise in Canada in Not surprisingly the Super Tucano has fared particularly well in Latin America. Beyond Brazil (99) and Colombia (24), customers include Chile (12), Ecuador (18), and the Dominican Republic (8). Recently Paraguay, El Salvador, and Guatemala also selected the Super Tucano, with delivery of six of the latter slated for this year, but all have since backed away due to lack of funding. Angola's first EMB-314 (A-29) Super Tucano was handed over at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto facility in Brazil in January (Embraer) Page 2 of 6

3 Production-ready Texan Beechcraft, now part of the Textron family, has aggressively marketed the AT-6 Texan II ISR and strike aircraft since In the wake of losing the LAS competition, Senior Vice President Derek Hess told IHS Jane's in November 2013 that he was confident sales would finally materialise in On 16 June a company spokesperson told IHS Jane's : "The AT-6 is production-ready now. This important step in the programme allows Beechcraft to deliver to a customer as soon as they choose. We are currently flying a production AT-6 and will soon announce a launch customer." Based on Beechcraft's T-6 trainer, the first production AT-6 flew in August (Beechcraft) Based on Beechcraft's successful T-6 trainer, itself a derivative of the Pilatus PC-9, the first production AT-6 flew in August Mission systems include NVG compatibility, a helmet-mounted cueing system, infrared missile warning and countermeasures, a comms/isr suite with secure voice and data, Rover-compatible full-motion video, SADL/Link-16 compatibility, and satellite communications (satcoms) system. Beechcraft has designed the AT-6 as a multi-mission aircraft to meet the broadest light attack and ISR mission spectrum. A company spokesperson described the aircraft as "the high end of light attack and ISR, equipped with the Lockheed Martin A-10C combat mission system, L-3 Wescam MX- 15Di sensor suite, P&W PT6A-68D engine, and CMC Esterline missionised Cockpit The AT-6 has fully demonstrated high-end net-centric and light attack capabilities, first-ever advanced weapons, Page 3 of 6

4 and the most comprehensive compatibility with US and NATO Joint Terminal Attack Controller systems". Deep roots The past few years have seen a resurgence in the development of ISR and strike platforms based on rugged, powerful agricultural aircraft. The concept originated with a few intrepid US Army aircrew serving with the then highly classified Grisly Hunter project in the late 1980s. When the fatal crash of a Schweizer SGM 2-37 necessitated an urgent replacement platform, they promoted a modified Ayres S2R Turbo Thrush after seeing one in service with the US State Department. Contractors added a FLIR system, military communications, armour, and additional fuel in the former chemical hopper. While this Thrush never entered active service, Ayres went on to promote an armed Vigilante derivative, but never attracted a buyer. The US Department of State Air Wing has employed armoured S2R Turbo Thrush and Air Tractor AT- 802 Narcotics Eradication Delivery Systems aircraft since the 1980s to spray coca fields in South America. IHS Jane's reported in March that at least three former State Department S2Rs have since found their way to the Puntland Maritime Police Force in northern Somalia, where they are apparently armed with four-barrel Gatling-type guns and rockets but are not equipped with FLIR. Some 25 years on from the Vigilante, ISR and strike versions of the Thrush and AT-802 are back on the market and generating considerable interest. Both are powered by the P&W PT6A-67F and, according to Air Tractor, the AT-802 costs around USD450 an hour to operate. Enter the Scorpion The newest arrival at the upper end of the ISR and strike market is the novel, multirole, Textron AirLand Scorpion twinjet: a clean-sheet design reflecting detailed analysis of a broader market. As a prelude to the Scorpion's international debut at Farnborough in July, President Bill Anderson told IHS Jane's on 11 June that overall demand could run to "2,000 jets" worldwide, undertaking missions beyond the strictly ISR and strike role performed by turboprops today, encompassing air sovereignty, border security, littoral, and Arctic maritime operations. The Textron AirLand joint venture was established to design and manufacture the Scorpion as an affordable, capable jet platform optimised for ISR and strike missions based on commercially available technologies and processes that reduce cost and risk. According to Anderson the bottom line is overcoming the competition by delivering "capability for cost". Page 4 of 6

5 The Scorpion's 7.4 m2 internal bay with cooling and electrical power is designed for a variety of modular sensors, including EO systems, while potential weapons include precision-guided bombs, missiles, and rockets. (Textron AirLand) The Scorpion's first flight occurred in December 2013 and the programme is now rapidly progressing through a test and evaluation phase with the prospect of imminent contracts this year. If that happens Anderson is confident that Textron AirLand is capable of delivering the first jet, tailored to customer requirements, within 18 months of signature. While the Scorpion will be somewhat more expensive than a turboprop at "less than USD20 million" a copy and a per hour cost of "around USD3,000", Anderson believes the aircraft's advanced capabilities make it very cost effective. A dash speed "in excess of 450 kt" coupled with the ability to loiter for more than five hours in a target area 150 n miles from base on internal fuel alone puts the Scorpion in a class by itself. Page 5 of 6

6 For the full version and more content: IHS Jane's Defence Industry and Markets Intelligence Centre This analysis is taken from IHS Jane s Defence Industry & Markets Intelligence Centre, which provides world-leading analysis of commercial, industrial and technological defence developments, budget and programme forecasts, and insight into new and emerging defence markets around the world. IHS defence industry and markets news and analysis is also available within IHS Jane s Defence Weekly. To learn more and to subscribe to IHS Jane s Defence Weekly online, offline or print visit For advertising solutions contact the IHS Jane s Advertising team Copyright IHS Global Limited, 2014 Page 6 of 6