BAE pitches 146 for Military role

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/09/332083/dsei-pictures-bae-pitches-146-for-military-airlift-role.html

BAE pitches 146 for military airlift role
By Craig Hoyle

BAE Systems has launched a new bid to offer the BAe 146 regional airliner for military transport and airlift applications.

Announcing the proposal at the DSEi exhibition in London on 8 September, the company said the military variant could be used to carry between 80 and 109 passengers, or a cargo of between 11t and 12.5t in freighter configuration.

Dubbed the 146M, the proposed development could be equipped with additional fuel tanks, glass cockpit avionics, and steep approach and unpaved runway operating capability, says BAE. It would not, however, receive a rear cargo ramp for vehicle loading.


BAE says the 146M "can realistically undertake some of the more challenging air transport support roles", and suggests the type could also be used for tasks such as medical evacuation, paradrop, surveillance, or even in-flight refuelling.

"BAE Systems believes the BAe 146M offers cost-effective additional airlift capability for interim or long-term requirements and is available at a time when defence budgets increasingly are under strain." It cites a likely acquisition cost of $2-3 million for a passenger version and up to $5 million for a freighter.


The company says its Asset Management business unit "has a number of BAe 146-200 and -300 series aircraft that are due to back off lease from European airline customers over the next few years. Delivery timescales are very short, so the aircraft can be put into service relatively quickly to meet current airlift shortfalls." Many such aircraft have at least half of their operating lives still ahead of them, it adds.

This is not the first time that the 146 has been offered for potential military service, with the then British Aerospace having first touted the idea more than 20 years ago while the type was still in series production.

Mythago

LOL.... returning to it's roots!

The 146 was originally intended for military apps as well as pax (when it was originally developed by Hawker Siddeley), hence the beefed up landing gear & Hi wing.

I'm sure the various militaries will overlook the high rate of engine changes...

617

It would be good to see these ex lease aircraft in service, instead of lining taxiways in Southend or Exeter. They are one of the most pleasant smaller airliners to fly in. Pity the production and further development stopped.

alpha2zulu

I'm sure the various militaries will overlook the high rate of engine changes...

It ain't called the BAe (Bring Another Engine) 146 for nothing:D.

Aside from that just the thought of a 146 nowadays going into a military role seems very optimistic. In commercial service at least the 146 despite being passenger friendly are notorious for being hanger bound much too often,not to mention the alledged APU fume issues on its first APU fire ups of the day.

Steyr

alpha2zulu wrote: »

Aside from that just the thought of a 146 nowadays going into a military role seems very optimistic. In commercial service at least the 146 despite being passenger friendly are notorious for being hanger bound much too often,not to mention the alledged APU fume issues on its first APU fire ups of the day.

I dont know about that AZ, its what they tried to do 20 years ago with the BAe146 STA, They fitted it with a side loading freight door and refuelling probe, but sales never came up! The freight door on the side was no good for quick tactical deployments like the C-130 and G.222 can do with opening ramp doors. Over on pprune there are some ex146 jockeys saying it could work, and there are lots of stored 146 frames so Freighter Conversion is Possible.

The "refuelling" probe that was fitted to the STA was a "wooden mock up" ie a broom handle:pac:. the air to air system was never fitted. At the Hatfield factory in the marketing display area there was a model of a "proper" military / freight version that featured a rear loading door. However this would have meant a re jig of the design by lowering the floor a few inches which would have cost ££££. The mods they are mentioning in the 146M are basically just a freighter as they have uprated landing gear, etc

There was also another model of a stretched 146 with two cfm56's apparently.

Steyr

Artists impression:

Stretched 146.

http://www.wingweb.co.uk/wingweb/img/450-BAe_146_RJ-120_artists_impression.jpg