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EADS: MAKO MAKES PROGRESS

By Karl Schwarz

Despite intensive efforts, EADS Military Aircraft did not quite bring it off: signing of an MoU to mark the start of the definition and development phase of the Mako programme, which had been planned for the airshow in Dubai, did not come about. The official reason given was that negotiations with the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates were taking longer than expected, not least because some critical technical personnel in the UAE had been tied up with other work since 11 September.

Despite this setback, work on the two-seat dual role (advanced trainer and light combat aircraft) aircraft is continuing. Since the summer some more companies have been persuaded to come on board as potential partners. New MoUs were signed with Autoflug (fuel system), Flight Visions (displays and control systems) and Rockwell Collins (navigation, communication, displays and control systems).

Contracts were also signed with the universities of UAE in Al Ain, the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) and the Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO). These should strengthen the involvement of the UAE on the programme and facilitate the transfer of technology.

In 2002, EADS itself will invest a double-digit million sum (in euros) in the project from its own resources. The aim remains to have a prototype airborne by the end of 2005/beginning of 2006. The next step towards this goal will be an 18-month definition phase, during which the major equipment suppliers will be selected and the design frozen. One of the most important decisions will be selection of the engine, which will have a major impact on the design of the aircraft. At present the EJ200, F404, F414 and the M88 are all in the running.

In the meantime the design of the Mako has been further refined. The most visible change on the full-scale model was the new canopies. The cockpit ergonomics have also been improved. The symbols used in the fully functional cockpit demonstrator with its virtual reality elements have been amended. The weapon system simulation has been upgraded and the flight control system modified. An Evans & Sutherland visual system makes the aircraft demonstration even more realistic.

From page 57 of FLUG REVUE 1/2002