The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) is developing its Mako advanced jet trainer in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. The jet will be a candidate for the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) program and other markets.
EADS has selected General Electric's (GE) F414 engine, currently used in Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter, to power the Mako advanced jet trainer, the companies said on Monday.
GE's F414 engine is based on the earlier F404 engine used in the F/A-18 and entered production in 1998. The F414 is also under consideration for later versions of the JAS-39 Gripen fighter made by Sweden's Saab and Britain's BAE Systems and the T-50 advanced jet trainer being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin.
EADS and GE will now work together to complete the technical definition of the Mako aircraft and its subsystems, including the installation of a derivative F414M engine. Additionally, single-engine redundancy features will be incorporated into the F414M for the Mako. The two companies will also define the specifications and documentation necessary to begin development in 2004. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
