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1

Irish Air Corps / Super Tucano ALX/ A-29

« on: February 20, 2005, 10:02:51 am »

Continuing with the theme of combat roled Turboprops

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MB-314 SUPER TUCANO/ALX TRAINER/LIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT, BRAZIL The EMB-314 Super Tucano is an enhanced version, with faster speed and higher altitude, of the EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft, which is operational in the Air Forces of 15 countries. The prototype of the Super Tucano first flew in 1992. Both Tucano and Super Tucano have been developed and built by Embraer of Brazil. The main missions of the aircraft, in addition to basic and advanced pilot training, are border patrol and counter-insurgency operations. The flight envelope of the aircraft is +7G and -3.5G. The aircraft's small size, small visual and radar signatures, together with high speed and agility give the aircraft high survivability. Additional survivability features include armour protection and critical systems redundancy. In August 2001, the Dominican Republic signed a contract for the supply of ten Super Tucano aircraft, to be used for pilot training, internal security, border patrol and counter-narcotics trafficking missions. ALX LIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT In 1995, Embraer was awarded a contract to develop a variant of the Super Tucano, known as the ALX or Light Attack Aircraft, for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), optimised for the environmental conditions of the Brazilian Amazon. The ALX is capable of operating day and night missions from remote bases and unpaved runways with minimal ground support. The first production aircraft was completed in 1999. In August 2001, the Brazilian Air Force awarded Embraer a contract for 76 ALX aircraft, with options for a further 23. Fifty one of these aircraft will be two-seater versions, designated AT-29, which will enter service at the Natal Air Force Base to replace the AT-26 Xavante advanced jet trainers, which are approaching the end of their operational lives. The remaining 25 aircraft will be the single-seat A-29 version. One of the main missions of the aircraft will be border patrol under the Sistema de Vigilancia da Amazonia (SIVAM) programme. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2003 and final delivery is scheduled for 2006. COCKPIT The all-glass cockpit is fully night vision goggle compatible. Brazilian AF ALX aircraft will be equipped with avionics systems from Elbit Systems Ltd of Haifa, Israel, including a head-up display (HUD), advanced mission computer, navigation system and two, 6in x 8in colour liquid crystal multi-function displays. The head up display with 24 degree field of view and the advanced weapon delivery system are integrated through a MIL-STD-1553B data bus. The pilot is provided with a hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control. The pilot is protected with Kevlar armour and provided with a zero/zero ejection seat. The clamshell canopy, hinged at the front and rear and electrically activated, is fitted with a de-icing system and features a windshield capable of withstanding, at 300 knots, the impact of a 4lb bird. A Northrop Grumman onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is installed. WEAPONS The aircraft is fitted with two central mission computers. The integrated weapon system includes software for weapon aiming, weapon management, mission planning and mission rehearsal. On-board recording is used for post mission analysis. The aircraft has five hardpoints for carrying weapons, and is capable of carrying a maximum external load of 1,500kg. The aircraft is armed with two wing mounted 12.7 mm machine guns with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute and is capable of carrying general purpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Brazilian AF aircraft will be armed with the MAA-1 Piranha short-range infrared guided air-to-air missile from Orbita. The two seat AT-29 is fitted with a forward-looking infrared AN/AAQ-22 SAFIRE turret on the underside of the fuselage. The SAFIRE thermal imaging system supplied by FLIR Systems is for targeting, navigation and target tracking. The system allows the aircraft to carry out night surveillance and attack missions. NAVIGATION The aircraft is equipped with an advanced laser inertial navigation and attack system, a global positioning (GPS) system and a traffic alerting and collision avoidance (TCAS) system. ENGINE The EMB-314 Super Tucano is powered by a PT6A-68A turboprop engine, developing 969kW. The power plant is fitted with automatic engine monitoring and control. The ALX aircraft has a more powerful engine than the EMB-314. The ALX's Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine, rated at 1,600 shaft horsepower, drives a Hartzell five-bladed constant speed fully feathering reversible pitch propeller. The fuel capacity is 695l, which gives a range of over 1,500km and endurance of 6hrs 30mins. The aircraft has a cruising speed up to 530km/h with a maximum speed of 560km/h.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/super_tucano

If only the PC-9 was as payload capable as this it would have opened up a world of opportunity for the Corps.
Using a CN-235 to co-ordinate and direct a pair or four  Armed Turboprops in escorting ground elements therefore allowing ground forces to operate in broader mobility corridors and respond more effectively to threats.

The same could be done with the PC-9s but with a much less effective payload capability.

2

Irish Air Corps / Pilot/Crew Photos

« on: February 12, 2005, 01:11:04 pm »

Hey,
Looking for some reference pics of modern IAC pilots for fixed wing and rotary.

Thanks

3

Irish Air Corps / AIII/Dauphin Roundels and Lettering

« on: February 03, 2005, 09:43:51 pm »

Anyone know a good source for someone texturing some Irish Air Corps aircraft for a computer game and specifically looking for decals to work from?

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Irish Air Corps / Turboprop uses

« on: January 27, 2005, 01:50:10 pm »

Worth looking at in the latest AFM that Columbia has put out an RFM for a turboprop strike aircraft such as the EMB-314 for the counterinsurgency role.
And that brazil is already using them for Escort of CSAR helicopters and tactical transports.

Super Tucano ALX blurb

5

Irish Air Corps / AB139 Capabilities.

« on: December 04, 2004, 01:00:08 pm »

Anyone who's ever worn CEMO and worn it in a helicopter will tell you that you will not fit a section with full kit into the AB139, Manufacturers estimates seem to be based on cold calculations rather than actually trying to cram in 8 warlike blokies who are not perfectly moulded to fit in.

The AB139 is simply a direct replacement of the AIII and Dauphin as a limited training tool, even if it was bought in sufficient number (8-12) it would not fulfill the armies troop transport requirements even on a one for one basis.

This is my supposition on the subject and I hope Im proved wrong.

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Irish Air Corps / Another Aerosexual topic - Helis !

« on: November 10, 2004, 06:02:55 pm »

7

Irish Air Corps / Fixed wing transport

« on: May 14, 2004, 01:06:59 pm »

Just out of curiousity would the current establishment of the IAC support the continuous operation of a meaningful transport fleet to support international operations.
Particularly is it more viable now that modern avionics and ground systems promise reduced manpower requirements.
(Note when I say continuos I mean two or three aircraft)

8

Irish Air Corps / Fouga pic

« on: May 12, 2004, 04:58:18 pm »

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/images....OU3.JPG

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Irish Air Corps / Crash reported

« on: May 06, 2004, 03:07:24 pm »

Just on the news an IAC craft has crashed with one fatality

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Irish Air Corps / Air Corps warriorness

« on: May 04, 2004, 05:59:26 pm »

Airframes aside what does the IAC need to turn it back from the most abused and least warlike (No disrespect for airmen or operational officers) service into a field worthy service capable of the holy grail of deploying air components overseas as part of our UNSAS or RRF contribution?

What kind of training is required for pilots and ground crews, how long would it take to reach an operational standard and where can it be got?

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Irish Air Corps / Anyone play operation flashpoint

« on: April 13, 2004, 01:33:28 pm »

Try here if the pics wont work for you, work for me (on DSL, work computer)

With many sincere thanks to the Architect, Irish troops to follow.

12

Irish Air Corps / Air to ground weapons

« on: April 06, 2004, 05:52:02 pm »

What low tech aircraft weapon systems are still valuable on the modern battlefield?
What use would the PC-9s HMGs and Rockets be even in a COIN role? Rockets are good against vehicles, trucks and armour but most of these things are features of a modern high intensity force which is IMHO well out of a PC-9s depth.
12.7mm MGs have a relatively low rate of fire and lack the effectiveness of a cannon round?
So apart from Gormanstown beach we have no potential opponent that our weapons fit would be of use against.
On the other hand iron bombs and cannon are expensive and heavier but considerably more flexible in a COIN, CAS role.
Firstly Iron bombs delivered into a contact do not need a pinpoint target (i.e. a truck or bunker), they have a far greater area effect than rockets and only an MBT requires a direct hit to K-Kill it.
The downside is collateral damage, which shouldnt be an issue in its "likely" deployments by the DF as a battle joiner rather than a strike aircraft.

Cannon, offer the problem of a greater force endured by the airframe on firing but compared to MGs at least offer a considerable fire power enhancement both for one pass penetration attempts and strafing of dispersed or snap targets.

Then there is the seperate issue of weapons systems on non optimised helicopters, machine guns are the most common self defence system and hopefully would be considered a given on any future TTH type.
That said is there a role for suppressive weapons such as cannon or FFARs to allow for the temporary pacification of a landing zone or should TTH operations stay out of the realm of air assault altogether and restrict commaders airmobility to a safe distance from the FEBA.

13

Irish Air Corps / Aircorps 2010.

« on: May 13, 2003, 10:42:05 am »

Alright shoot me for being a nerd but I can't help wishlisting to vent a little frustration, and I think my peculiar combination of talents lets me do so with a little more authority than your average 18 year old squeak (I'm not that young BTW).

Alright to make clear what I want to achieve here: I believe that at no cost to essential public expenditure (Health, Welfare, education...etc) although at some cost to frivolities such as makre up artists the Air Corps could gain it's highest ever level of military functionality while the civilian population would receive a much higher standard of aviation services all at increased cost efficiency.
First of all, while the air corps is understandably worried about giving up any of its current roles for fear of disbandment it would be better for everyone in the long term if certain tasks were transferred away (assuming an unbreakable commitment tro maintain the corps).
Therefore I'd suggest the following.
1. The outsourcing of basic flying training to a private school, with advanced training being kept in baldonnel.
2.The establishment of a civil aviation agency (probably employing 80-90% former A/C personnel) to run 2x GASU EC-135s and 6x Regionally based (in pairs) HEMS EC-135, and a Coastguard aviation with 3 EC-225s (Civil EC-725).
3. With the Air Corps now having sufficient personnel for continuous military tasks, and no need to maintain otherwise inutile basic trainer airframes, I'd propose the following fleet.
1 MARITIME SQN
3x CN-235 Persuader (armed: Exocet capable)*

2 MARITIME SQN
3x AS-565S, Missile armed Panther (Converted from current Dauphin airframes)
6x EC-725 (Including three equipped with search radar*, all six equipped with rescue winch and searchlight)

3 Army Co-op SQN
6x EC-155B (stretched Panther),with NVG compatibility and atleast two equipped with FLIR.
6x Cougar 100 (simplified cheaper version)

4 Army CO-OP SQN
4x VF60W (Cheaper aircraft with similar performance, in the Cessna 208 class, uses PT-6)
2x C-295

Flight school
8x PC-9M
3x Casa C212 aviocar twin engined trainer (can operate with PT-6)

Government flight.
1x Gulfstream 4
1x Saab 340* (w same truboprop as C-295) for on island and short range trips.

*If the Persuader fleet was to be armed it would open the possibility of an independent Air Corps contibution to a multi-national peace enforcement campaign.

*The Search radar also adds an MPA/Surveillance capability
making the whole order eligible for EU funding and adding much needed Fishery protection/border surveillance/SAR enhancement.
 
* This is strictly optional.

This configuration is the best balance between affordability and flexibility. In terms of rotary aviation, the SAR role will be enhanced as well as adding a vital security/intelligence gathering capability with Overseas service potential; The introduction of a missile armed maritime helicopter will give the NS its first fighting chance in years as well as being a further, international deployment asset.
The transport fleet has a balance of large and small airframes that will allow the IAC to meet both army training needs (mainly with the EC-155B), Border security missions (ditto) and international deployments in support of army units (mainly with the Cougar 100), on top of this the fleet  essentially consists of two airframes with only slight differences between the EC-725 and Cougar 100  (the author would not object to the state buying 12 EC-725's though). [Total 21 airframes]
In fixed wing aviation the Air corps would see the expansion of the maritime squadron, the replacement of the King Air's with three larger twin engined trainers providing additional support as parachute trainers and air ambulances, the enhancement of the light utility role with the Vulcanair 60's and the introduction of a self deployment / disaster relief capability in the form of the C-295.
[Total airframes 21, Engine types 5 (including GIV)]
Also the civilian population could rely on a specifically designed aviation service as established in all other western countries.(Which will also keep much of the Pilot reserve in country and in practice)
On top of this Ireland would be EADS new best friend, resulting in considerable savings and massive offset potential
assuming the govt encouraged the right kind of development.
If this force was established and the DF found themselves deployed to more and more conflict zones, then you could argue for combat aircraft.
Alright, Nerding over... '>

14

Irish Air Corps / Alternate force structure

« on: August 02, 2003, 01:30:41 pm »

and small talk it shall remain ,matey , very small talk indeed !! :'>

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Irish Air Corps / 212 the Savior?

« on: November 27, 2003, 05:10:47 pm »

imshi you make some very valid point here but i am going to have to agree with lurk, im afraid he is right.
anyway like i said earlier it to good to be true