Grob/E-Systems/AlliedSignal Egrett
| Egrett/Strato 1 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Role | Reconnaissance aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Grob Aircraft/E-Systems/AlliedSignal |
| First flight | 24 June 1987 |
| Number built | 6 |
The Grob/E-Systems/AlliedSignal Egrett was a surveillance aircraft developed in Germany in the 1980s by an international partnership. It was intended to fill a joint Luftwaffe-USAF requirement for a high-altitude, long-duration surveillance platform for treaty verification and environmental monitoring. Known as "LAPAS" - Luftgestütztes, abstandsfähiges Primär-Aufklärungssystem in Germany and "Senior Guardian" in the US, the programme initially attempted to acquire the Lockheed TR-1 (U-2) for this role, but when this did not succeed, a new aircraft was sought.
The Egrett (its name derived from the three companies involved in its design: E-Systems, Grob Aircraft, and Garrett,[1] the latter firm later changing its name to AlliedSignal) was a conventional mid-wing monoplane with extremely high aspect ratio wings. Power was provided by a single turboprop, and it was equipped with tricycle undercarriage, the main units of which retracted into fairings on the wings.
The initial D-450 Egrett I development aircraft flew in 1987, and in September the following year set a class altitude record of 16,394 m (53,787 ft). Two pre-production machines followed in 1989 and 1990 as the D-500 Egrett II and then fitted out to the finalised G-520 design in 1991. These latter two aircraft were owned by E-Systems and Grob respectively, and used for promotional purposes, E-Systems' for various sensor packages, and Grob's (renamed the Strato 1) to market the design to civil authorities as a resource management platform.
In 1992, the Luftwaffe placed an order for production of nine Egrett IIs, to be supplemented by G 520T two-seat trainer and one of the demonstrators.[2] However, in February 1993, before much production had taken place, the whole programme was cancelled[2] when Eastern Europe ceased to be perceived as a threat. The two seater was eventually completed, however, and sold to Airborne Research Australia in Adelaide.
[edit] Specifications (G-520 Egrett II)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 12.10 m (39 ft 8½ in)
- Wingspan: 31.50 m (103 ft 4½ in)
- Height: 5.68 m (18 ft 7¾ in)
- Wing area: 38.80 m2 (417.6 ft2)
- Aspect ratio: 25.57:1
- Empty weight: 3,063 kg (6,754 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × AlliedSignal TPE331-14F-801L turboprop, 559 kW (750 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 284 km/h (176 mph)
- Cruising speed: 139 km/h (86 mph)
- Range: 4,586[3] km (2,850 miles)
- Endurance: 13 hours
- Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,495 ft)
- Rate of climb: 7.1 m/s (1,400 ft/min)
[edit] References
- Lambert, Mark (1993). Jane's All The Worlds Aircraft 1993-94. Coudsdon, UK: Janes's Data Division. ISBN 0 7106 1066 1.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 924.
- Taylor, Michael (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/97. London: Brassey's. ISBN 1 85753 198 1.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 895 Sheet 14.
- Homepage of Grob Aircraft
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