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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 11/97 LUFTWAFFE SEEKS NEW WEAPONS by Karl Schwarz Under the bottom line, even the most modern and sophisticated fighter aircraft are nothing but a platform that delivers air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons efficiently and safe to a target. Especially when it comes to weapons, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) has significant deficiencies, some critics say. Stand-off weapons are missing as are precision ammunition and efficient air-to-air missiles. However, in all of these areas programs are under way which are promising solutions for the future - if the necessary funds are made available. The defence ministry is focusing on products coming from European cooperations which, not least, is supposed to contribute to the propagated upkeep of "defence technology core capabilities" in Germany. For the air-to-air armament, the goal is an adequate equipment of the Eurofighter EF2000 with short and medium-range missiles. As compared to today's Sidewinder and AMRAAM, they are required to offer a significantly larger no-escape zone, meaning that they can hit hostile aircraft even when launched at unfavorable angles and in spite of escape maneuvers by the targeted aircraft. As the successor for the AIM-9L Sidewinder, the Luftwaffe plans to procure the Iris-T which being conceptionally designed by a consortium under the lead of Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik (BGT). Iris-T has an imaging infrared seeker, larger fins for higher angles-of-attack, as well as, jet rudder for thrust deflection. Thanks to the seeker "looking" angles of up to 90 degrees and to the thrust vector control, targets can be attacked "around the corner". After completion of the definition phase, the participating nations will supposedly sign a memorandum of understanding this fall, possibly allowing the industry to start their work at the beginning of 1998. Approximately DM500 million will be required, 46 percent of which will be paid by Germany, 20 by Italy, followed by Sweden (18 percent), Greece (eight percent), Canada (four percent), and Norway with three percent. First deliveries are projected for 2002/2003. While the German defence ministry seems to be pleased with the progress of Iris-T, the air-to-air missile for medium ranges (FMRAAM) obviously creates some problems. In this project, Germany, along with a few other nations, is only playing a monitoring role in the British program for the Staff Requirement (Air) 1239. Two company groups (Matra BAe Dynamics and Hughes) presented first offers in the spring of this year which, according to experts of the defence ministry, did not match the required performance specifications in important areas and, showed significant development risks. As a reaction, the British have now ordered the two suppliers to work out a "program definition and risk reduction". This probably mainly concerns the utilization of a ram-jet propulsion which, according to experts, is absolutely essential. The new presentations of the industry are expected until July of 1998. At that point, the Luftwaffe will reevaluate its options. While the air-to-air systems are being developed mainly for use with the Eurofighter, the new air-to-ground weapons are supposed to predominantly improve the operational capabilities of the Tornado. Required are a higher precision (to avoid damage to buildings around the target), as well as, a stand-off capability for attacking heavily defended military installations. A first step is the modification of existing BLU-109/B bombs with laser seeker heads into GBU-24(V)2/Bs. The target designation will normally be accomplished via Rafael Litening pods. In principal, the laser kit is suitable for the Mk.84 and Mk.82 bombs. Concerning the stand-off weapons, the Luftwaffe has revised its original plans. Instead of the long pursued goal of attacking runways and area targets, the priority has shifted towards bunkers and quasi-stationary targets. Required is a system that covers a broad spectrum of target categories. Under these new guidelines, it was decided not to procure the Apache missiles which were developed by Matra and adapted by Dasa to the Tornado. The decision was partially based on the increased price of the French system which had risen to a prohibitive DM five million per Apache. Luckily for the Luftwaffe, alternatives were on the market in time. Great Britain, with the CASOM bid, had required a stand-off weapon with a broad target spectrum. The bidders include Dasa's Lenkflugkörpersystem (LFK) subsidiary and Bofors with the Taurus system. While the Taurus is the better option, according to insiders, Matra BAe Dynamics with the Storm Shadow got the contract in the end due to industry political reasons. However, Taurus has good chances to be procured by the Luftwaffe - at least, the system is meeting the specifications. On the industry side, the potential for a joint usage of components for various stand-off weapons is being studied. Taurus is powered by a small jet engine and has a range of approximately 350 kilometers. First carry trials on a Tornado and a Saab Viggen have already been accomplished. First airborne releases are due shortly. Following the completion of the German staff requirement, a development contract could be signed as early as in the beginning of 1998. According to a recent issue of the Stockholm economy newspaper "Finanstidining", it will amount to DM575 million. LFK and Bofors are planning to set up a joint venture for the production of the Taurus, in which the German partner will hold 70 percent. First deliveries are projected for 2003. Until then, the Luftwaffe wants to have improved the recently criticized AGM-88B HARM anti-radar missile. If the government commissions agree, the upgrade program will be conducted together with Italy and the US Navy, with a significant participation of European companies such as BGT. From the point of view of the Luftwaffe, a modernization of HARM makes sense since the system is supposed to stay in the inventory until 2020. From page 22 of FLUG REVUE 11/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 11/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated October 16, 1997 FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany