HEADLINES

L o c k h e e d M a r t i n a n d
T r a c o r w o r k o n U C A V
L
OCKHEED MARTI N and
Tracor Flight Systems are to
collaborate in the development of
the next-generation aerial target
based on Lockheed Martin's F-16
fighter as well as uninhabited com-
bat air vehicles (UCAVs).
"US Air Force inventor)' F-16s
are being considered to support the
collaboration," says the US aircraft
manufacturer.
The company adds: "Under this
approach, Lockheed Martin' s re-
search and development of low-
cost flight-control concepts could
result in flight-control computer
enhancements that host many of
the functions needed to convert a
manned fighter into an unmanned
target drone."
Tracor is a specialist in develop-
ing full-scale and sub-scale aerial
targets, including the QF-106 and
QF-4 , and has become interested
in using early-model, surplus F-16s
as the next-generation drone.
The collaboration follows the
recent award to Lockheed .Martin
of a six-month US Navy contract
to define a family of UCAVs which
could be launched from ships and
submarines and be used to attack
high-value fixed targets or suppress
enemy air-defences within a range
of 1,100km (600nm).
The company is also working
with British Aerospace on a feasi-
bility study involving the use of
UCAVs for the UK' s Future
Offensive Aircraft System (Flight
International, 15-21 October).
NEWS IN BRIEF
FAA CHEERS T RINIDA D
Trinidad and Tobago now
fully complies with safety
standards set by the
International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO), says
the US Federal Aviation
Administration, based upon
its International Aviation
Safety Assessment (IASA).
Morocco has similarly had its
IASA safety oversight rating
raised to the top level. ICAO
is considering forming its
own oversight system based
on the IASA programme.
F e d Ex o p e n s t a l k s i n h u n t
f o r F o k k e r F 2 7 s u c c e s s o r
RA M ON L OPEZ/WA SHINGT ON DC
F
EDEX IS TALKI NG to Saab
Aircraft, Israel Aircraft
Industries (LAI) and Ayres about
developing a turboprop-powered,
all-cargo aircraft to replace its fleet
of 36 Fokker F27 freighters, says
chairman Frederick Smith.
LAI and FedEx are known to be
discussing the development of a
new S10 million turboprop larger
than the S4 .3 million Ayres
Loadmaster now under develop-
ment for FedEx.
The new aircraft would be capa-
ble of carrying five standard-size
cargo containers over distances of
about 1,800km (970nm).
By comparison, the mrboprop-
powered Loadmaster is being
designed to carry four half-sized
containers.
FedEx has placed a firm order
for 50 Loadmasters, and holds
options for up to 200 more of the
L HTEC CTS800 turboshaft-
powered cargo aircraft.
Smith has asked Fred Ayres, head
of die Albany, Georgia-based com-
pany whether it is feasible to devel-
op a stretched LM200 Loadmaster.
Saab, which is considering quitting
FedEx wants a turboprop which can cany five containers, to replace its F27s
the airframe production business, is
an unlikely contender, unless it can
find a substantial partner.
FedEx was believed to have been
seeking a new turboprop to replace
160 Boeing 727s in its fleet (Flight
International, 20-26 August), but in
confirming the exploratory discus-
sions with turboprop-aircraft man-
ufacturers, Smith says that the new-
acquisition would replace the in-
service F2 7s.
"To get the economics right, we
are looking at a turboprop to
replace the F27," he adds. "We
would buy a lot more aircraft in
that size if we had a very efficient
aircraft. We are looking at every
possible kind of aircraft, every pos-
sible configuration, but we are not
close to a launch decision. These
are only concepts."
Smith says that his Boeing 727
will be replaced by jet-powered air-
craft. A decision to replace the
hushkitted 727-200 freighters "is
years away" and, he adds, the best
replacement for the smaller 727-
100 freighter "is probably a used
727-200".
B o e i n g r e m a i n s c o m m i t t e d t o 7 7 7 - 2 0 0 X 7 3 0 0 X
GU Y NORRIS/L OS A NGELES
B
OEI NG SAYS THAT plans to
develop the ultra-long range
777-200X and long haul -300X are
"still going forward" despite con-
tinuing uncertainty over engine
availability and the decision of a
potential key customer, EVA Air of
Taiwan, to sign a letter of intent for
the rival Airbus A34 0-500/600.
The US manufacturer also says
that "...talks are still progressing"
with Pratt & Whitney as well as
Rolls-Royce over higher-thrust
powerplants for the long-range
derivatives, and says that it recog-
nises General Electrics "need" to
make the business decision not to
expand the GE90 beyond the pre-
sent thrust levels. "Ot her engine
makers are still going forward with
plans to meet the thrust require-
ment," says the company.
Meanwhile, GE rejects asser-
tions that its decision not to expand
the GE90 beyond 4 09kN
(92,0001b) thrust, combined with a
possible financial write-off of the
programme, is a signal that the
engine is about to be shelved. "We
are not dismantling the pro-
gramme, but we are not committed
to grow it either," says GE, adding
that it does not intend to grow the
engine for future -200Xand -300X
derivatives. It says that American
Airlines' recent decision to opt for
the R-R Trent confirms this. One
airline source close to the recent
negotiations with American adds
".. .this puts you at a disadvantage if
an airline is considering 777s".
The decision to freeze GE90
development at the 777-200IGW
market level is driven by "market
considerations" and the high price
of future development. GE is being
strongly driven to maintain a high
operating margin, which reached
19% in 1996 because of the lucra-
tive spares and maintenance busi-
ness.That compares with a 10%
return for Pratt & Whi t ney and
6% for R-R. With its Green-
wi ch/ UNC acquisition, GE En-
gine Services is expected to achieve
sales of $5 billion in 1998, outstrip-
ping the size of the new-engine
production business.
8 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 19 - 25 November 1997