BAE Systems Leads Major RAF Heavy Aircraft Development And Support Programs

摘要

BAE Systems reports steady progress on its Nimrod MRA.4 development pro-gram, which first flew last fall. PA01, the lead development aircraft, was joined in mid-December 2004 by PA02, for missions-system testing. A third and final development MRA.4 (PA03) will fly later this year, following Rolls-Royce BR710-101 turbofan ground-runs. By mid-July, PA01 and PA02 had accumulated 70 hours of flying time in 40 missions of up to 4.5 hours. Initial stall trials have been completed, and the aircraft flown at its maximum 35,000-foot operating altitude. The RAF is working with BAE Systems on all flight trials and several service personnel are participating in the test and development program.