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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 1/97 HIGH FLYING SCOUTS ARE LOOKING FOR ASTOR CONTRACT by Karl Schwarz Just how important aircraft with powerful side-looking radars are in crisis and war scenarios was impressively demonstrated by the E-8 Joint STARS of the US forces during the Gulf War and in Bosnia. For this reason NATO is interested in such a capability. While the discussion concerning a joint solution of the alliance is still going on in Brussels, the British defence ministry is already evaluating concrete offers for an airborne standoff radar (ASTOR). After years of preevaluation and a 17 month project definition study, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin submitted their fixed-price offers for the development and production phase in the defence staff requirement LA 925 on September 13, 1996. The concepts of both companies are based on an adaptation of the new long-range business jets Global Express and GV respectively. Along with these, the British defence ministry obtained performance and cost data from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for two alternatives, the U-2S and E-8C. Since none of the players can count on a chance of getting the bid without the generous participation of the British industry, Raytheon has set up a new company in Harlow: Raytheon E-Systems Ltd. is to accomplish the necessary technology transfer and is also to support the ASTOR system over the estimated in-service lifespan of at least 30 years. Raytheon chose the Bombardier Global Express as flying platform. Shorts of Northern Ireland, which is a subsidiary of the Bombardier concern, would accomplish the aircraft modification. The radar is supposedly based on the Hughes ASARS-2, which is also installed in the U-2. GEC-Marconi Avionics would be responsible for changes and the production of the radar system, supported by DRA Malvern and Thomson-CSF. Motorola, Marshall, Cossor Electronics, and Cubic Defence Systems are named as further team members. Lockheed Martin's offer was also submitted through a UK- based company, LM UK Government Systems (formerly Loral). This company selected the Gulfstream GV as the platform. Necessary modifications, such as the air refueling probe and the satcom antenna, would be done by Marshall of Cambridge. The radar is supplied by Racal Defence Systems and is using elements of the Searchwater 2000 system. The ground stations could be fitted on existing vehicles of the British Army. According to Lockheed Martin, the ASTOR program has a volume of "several hundred million Pounds", including the procurement of five aircraft and nine ground stations. For $ 300 million, Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works would supply six U-2S with the appropriate ground stations as an alternative. Such a system could be fully operational within three years and three months after the order is signed, says the company which wants to deliver the first newly built U-2S within two years. There are two main operational differences between the U-2S and the two business jets. First, it flies much higher (70000 ft) than the GV and Global Express which can reach 51000 ft. This gives the Hughes ASARS radar, located in the aircraft nose, a much steeper looking-angle (5,1 instead of 4 degrees down) which benefits the picture quality and decreases radar shadows in mountainous terrain. Second, the U-2 can only carry the pilot and all data must be transmitted to the ground for evaluation. Northrop Grumman's E-8C Joint STARS is going in another extreme. With its 18 user stations on board it can be used as a flying command post, like AWACS. The E-8C (a Boeing 707 variant) can only reach altitudes of 35000 to 42000 ft. Still, the manufacturer says that the system creates good pictures in distances up to 250 km. Furthermore, that the system is fulfilling 90 percent of the ASTOR specifications. The remainder could be accomplished with only simple modifications, says Northrop Grumman. Joint STARS is the only system that already has operational experience. However, ASTOR is only a side arena for the E-8 since Northrop Grumman's efforts are directed to a NATO-wide procurement. NATO has set up a preliminary office which is evaluating the question of the alliance ground surveillance. According to Northrop the program could be started in mid-1998 and the first aircraft delivered in 2002 should NATO's defence ministers decide that there is an urgent need for such a system and enough funds could be generated in the member states. Of course, several European companies under the lead of Dasa would be involved in the Joint STARS for NATO. The modification of the 707 with CFM56-3B or BMW Rolls-Royce engines is offered as an option. A fleet of 15 E-8C aircraft would cost at least two billion dollars. From page 52 of FLUG REVUE 1/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 1/97 Copyright 1996 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated December 11, 1996