C-2A twin-turboprop carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft from the US Navy in 1983. The first of these was delivered in 1985, and production will run until late 1989.

Derived from the E-2A Hawkeye, the first Grey­hound flew on November 18, 1964, and 19 were completed for the US Navy by the end of 1968, including two prototypes converted from E-2A airframes. C-2As built after production was resumed in 1983 are based on the E-2C, and have the latter's uprated engines and avionics. Current production C-2As also have a new auxiliary power unit to reduce the need for ground support equip­ment at remote locations. Customer: USA 58.

EF-111A Raven Grumman has converted 42 General Dynamics F-l l lAs into EF-111A tactical jamming aircraft, installing a version of the EA-6B Prowler's ALQ-99 jamming system automated for one-man operation. Grumman has been responsible for several EF-111A modifications, including KY-58 Secure Voice and ALE-40 chaff dispensers, and is working on a full-scale devel­opment of the EF-111A Avionics Modernisation Programme, which will provide enhanced radar, ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, GPS, and an improved cockpit. Customer: USA 42.

GULFSTREAM AVIATION Gulfstream III/IV Based on the twin-turbofan Gulfstream III corporate jet, the C-20 has been purchased for US Air Force, Army, and Navy use as a VIP transport and operational support aircraft. Three aircraft were bought following an initial period of lease, and have been followed by 15 more. Three maritime patrol aircraft acquired by the Royal Danish Air Force are equipped with APS-127 search radars, INS, and a large cargo door. They can be reconfigured in less than two hours for VIP transport, troop carrying, or medevac. Several standard VIP transport Gulfstreams are also in military service. Production of the Spey-powered Gulfstream III ended in early 1987 with the transi­tion to the Gulfstream IV, which uses Tay engines. The military variant of the Gulfstream IV is the SRA-4, which is available in a number of config­urations including ASW, maritime patrol, and in­flight refuelling tanker. Customers: Gulfstream III Algeria 3, Angola 1, Cameroon 1, Cote d'lvoire 1, Denmark 3, Egypt 2, Gabon 1, India 3, Italy 2, Jordan 3, Kuwait 2, Saudi Arabia 2, USA 18, Venezuela 1; Gulfstream IV Cdte d'lvoire 1, Venezuela 1.

JAFFE AIRCRAFT SA-32T Derived from the Swearingen SX-300, the SA-32T turboprop military trainer is powered by a 420 s.h.p Allison 250-B17D. Aimed at the low-cost primary/basic trainer market, the SA-32T features side-by-side seating, retractable gear, and a 2,6001b MTOW. Of predominantly metal construc­tion, the aircraft is exceptionally clean aero-dynamically, and offers handling characteristics similar to a military jet.

KAMAN SH-2 Seasprite Kaman achieved its first export Seasprite sale earlier in 1989, when three SH-2Fs were ordered by Pakistan, with three more needed later. Portugal is also believed to be close to an SH-2 buy to meet its five-aircraft ASW require­ment. Production of the twin-turbine SH-2F Seasprite Mk 1 light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS I) restarted in 1982, to meet a US Navy requirement for up to 60 helicopters to equip vessels too small for the SH-60B Seahawk. By FY1986, 54 new-build SH-2Fs had been ordered.

A re-engined version of the Seasprite, the YSH-2G, flew on April 2, 1985, powered by two General Electric T700 turboshafts similar to those used in the SH-60B and giving improved range, reliability, and maintainability. Evaluation of the prototype YSH-2G was completed in 1985. Six Seasprites authorised in the FY1987 budget are to be built as SH-2Gs, and 42 Fs are to be converted. Equipment enhancements, including a FLIR installation, a global positioning system, improved ESM, an acoustic datalink, and dipping sonar, are also currently under study.

The prototype Seasprite first flew on July 2, 1959, in single-engine form, and deliveries of the SH-2F version began in May 1973 after completion of 190 early-model UH-2A/B search-and-rescue helicopters. Before manufacture was suspended, 88 SH-2Fs were built. Deliveries from resumed prod­uction began in 1983, and Seasprites delivered after October 1985 have an increased gross weight of 6,124kg, compared with the 5,805kg of earlier SH-2Fs versions. Customers: SH-2F Pakistan 3 (+3), USA 142; SH-2G 6.

LEARJET CORPORATION Learjet 35A/36A Gates offers a wide range of special-missions aircraft for military applications, based on the Learjet 35A/36A corporate jet. The principal versions are the RC-35A for aerial survey, photography, and reconnaissance with LOROP cameras and SLAR; the EC-35A for electronic warfare training, weapons simulation, and operational ECM/ESM duties; and the utility UC-35A. The Japan Maritime Serf-Defence Force has procured a number of Learjet 36As, known as U-36As, for target-towing, sea-skimming missile simulation, and electronic counter-measures. These aircraft have an underfuselage radome for a surveillance radar, a tip-tank-mounted missile seeker simulator, jammer pods, and chaff dispensers. Underwing stores capability is improved, and maximum take-off weight is increased.

In September 1986 the USAF purchased the 80 C-21As (Learjet 35As) leased in 1983 as the second element of the Operational Support Aircraft programme. The aircraft were delivered between March 1984 and October 1985 to replace CT-39 Sabreliners in the high-priority-transport and other support roles. Customers: Learjet 24/25 Bolivia 2, Ecuador 1, Jugoslavia 2, Mexico 1, Peru 2, Saudi Arabia 2, Venezuela 1; Learjet 35/36 Argentina 6, Brazil 3, Chile 2, China 5, Finland 3, Japan 4, Oman 1, Peru 2, Saudi Arabia 2, Thailand 2, Uruguay 2, USA 85.

LHX LHX Two competing LHX development teams, Boeing/Sikorsky and Bell/McDonnell Douglas Heli­copter, were each awarded $158 million contracts on October 31, 1988, to proceed to a 23-month demonstration/validation phase, after which the US Army will select one team to undertake full-scale development from December 1990.

Originally envisaged in two versions for armed scout and utility missions, the US Army's new-generation light helicopter requirement (LHX) has been drastically restructured in recent years, and now calls for a single variant optimised for light attack and armed reconnaissance. A total of 2,096 will be purchased between 1995 and 2005 to replace AH-1 Cobras, OH-6 Cayuse, OH-58 Kiowas progressively, at a maximum rate of 216 units per year. IOC is set for November 1996. LHX is to be a two-seat all-composite helicopter in the 7,5001b class, powered by two LHTech (Allison/Garrett) T800 engines and equipped with advanced day/night navigation/attack systems, fly-by-wire control systems, CRT cockpit displays, on­

board ECM, and anti-tank and air-to-air missiles. Strict survivability, reliability, and maintainability guidelines have been set, including an operational turnaround time not exceeding 15 minutes at forward operating locations. Target flyaway unit cost is $7-5 million (in 1988 dollars).

LOCKHEED C-5 Galaxy Assembly of the first of 50 C-5B Galaxy transports was begun in 1984. The first flight took place two days early, on September 10, 1985, and deliveries to the USAF followed towards the end of 1985. The 50th and last aircraft was handed over in February 1989.

The original C-5A flew in June 1968, and Lock­heed delivered 81 to the USAF between July 1969 and May 1973. In December 1975 Lockheed was awarded a contract to design a new wing for the Galaxy, increasing maximum take-off weight from 348,810kg to 379,660kg. Following a successful prototype conversion in 1980, the remainder of the fleet was re-winged, the 77th and final C-5A being redelivered to the USAF in July 1987.

C-5Bs have the same wing, improved General Electric TF39 turbofans, updated avionics, and better fatigue and corrosion resistance. Customer: USA 81 A + 50 B.

C-130 Hercules The four-turboprop Hercules tactical transport is available in advance C-130H and stretched C-130H-30 versions. The latter is 4-5m (15ft) longer than the C-130H, and has a 16-8m (56ft)-long cargo compartment, which can accommodate seven cargo pallets. The C-130H-30 can carry 128 troops or 92 paratroops, compared with 92 and 64 in the standard C-130H. Similarly, the H-30 can lift 97 stretchers in the medevac role, instead of the 74 of the C-130H.

The prototype C-130 flew on August 23, 1954, and the 1,900th aircraft was delivered in October 1988. In addition to transport tasks, the Hercules can be configured for maritime patrol, inflight refuelling, gunship, airborne- communications, ECM, SAR, and weather observation. An airborne early warning variant has also been projected, using a General Electric radar and Sanders display. Procurement of the Hercules for the US Special Operations Force continues. Some civilian model L-lOOs are used by military operators. Customers (including L-100 and secondhand aircraft): Abu Dhabi 6, Algeria 17, Argentina 11, Australia 36, Belgium 12, Bolivia 3, Brazil 18, Cameroon 3, Canada 33, Chad 4, Chile 2, Colombia 6, Denmark 3, Dubai 2, Ecuador 4, Egypt 26, El Salvador 1, France 10, Gabon 5, Great Britain 66, Greece 12, Honduras 2, Indonesia 25, Iran 55, Israel 24, Italy 14, Japan 15, Jordan 6, Kuwait 6, Libya 10, Malaysia 9, Mexico 9, Morocco 20, New Zealand 5, Niger 2, Nigeria 9, North Yemen 2, Norway 6, Oman 3, Pakistan 20, Peru 17, Philippines 8, Portugal 5, Saudi Arabia 43, Sing­apore 10, South Africa 7, Spain 13, Sudan 6, Sweden 8, Taiwan 12, Thailand 6, Tunisia 2, Turkey 8, USA 1,169, Venezuela 8, Vietnam 13, Zaire 7.

F-117A Previously believed to be designated F-19, the USAF confirmed the existence of the F-117A "stealth" fighter in November 1988, at the same time revealing limited technical and production statistics. Under development since 1978, the F-l 17A made its first flight in June 1981, and was preceded by six XST (Experimental Stealth Tech­nology) proof-of-concept vehicles which were produced in the mid-1970s. Planned USAF procurement of 100 F-l 17As was reduced to 59 by cost overruns and budget constraints. Of these, 52 had been delivered by the end of 1988, and prod­uction will be completed during 1990.

Declared operational at Tonopah, Nevada, in October 1983, the F-117A is a single-seat,

70 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 19 August 1989