April 1, 2005 It takes but a glance at the Javelin personal jet to understand that it was born from the intense desire to offer military performance to the general aviation market. The existence of a market prepared to pay US$2.5 million for a two-seat jet aircraft capable of .925 Mach (1130 kmh) is now verified as the Aviation Technology Group (ATG) is holding 80 firm orders for the Javelin accounting for the entire first year of production. Initial customer deliveries of the FAA-certified Javelin are slated for early 2007 so if you get your order in now, you’ll still be waiting until 2008 to be the first in your neighbourhood to have one of these beauties.
Founded in 1998, Aviation Technology Group (ATG) is a company dedicated to the design, development, and production of the US$2.5-million Javelin Executive Jet as well as numerous military derivatives.
The concept behind the Javelin is to combine state-of-the-art glass instrumentation, safety features, and wide-fan sweep technology jet engines into a two-place executive jet. With its high speed, manoeuvrability, and unprecedented performance, coupled with the economy, reliability, and comfort of a light business jet, the Javelin is unique in general aviation.
The Javelin Demonstrator prototype is expected to make its inaugural flight in the next month and will be subsequently used to evaluate performance, handling qualities, and selected system installations. The results of this testing will be assessed and changes made as necessary for incorporation into the FAA-certified production Javelin. ATG is expected to unveil the Javelin prototype to the world around mid-year at which point we’ll learn more detail.
ATG appears to be moving rapidly at present, announcing a significant international industrial cooperation program with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics at the beginning of March. ATG will utilise Lockheed Martin’s resources, within its various international industrial cooperation programs, to assist with the prompt completion of FAA type certification for Javelin aircraft production. Lockheed Martin will provide lean manufacturing assessment and training and supply chain management assistance to the mutually agreed international company participants. ATG will enable the production of Javelin components and possible final assembly of the Javelin for certain customers at selected Lockheed Martin offset participants in countries with significant aerospace resources.
“Production of the new Javelin is the kind of offset project that many countries are interested in. It will bring jobs, investment and the latest technology to a country’s aerospace and defense sector,” said Phil Georgariou, Deputy Director of Industrial Cooperation of Lockheed Martin.
With performance being the key requirement, the Javelin will utilise next generation, high bypass ratio, wide-fan technology engines. The two engines will combine to produce a thrust to weight ratio greater than the supersonic USAF T-38, Talon, and will be FAA certified to aerobatic standards. Extremely durable, high efficiency components will ensure engine longevity and ease of maintenance.
The Javelin is to be certified under FAR Part 23. This regulation incorporates stringent standards for flight-control systems, lightning-strike protection, anti-spin aerodynamics, fuel-system requirements, and gust-load levels.
Javelin features include twin jet-engine safety, fire extinguishing system, high-pressure emergency oxygen system, smoke masks, and goggles. The large canopy offers excellent visibility for ground manoeuvring, aerobatics, formation, and low-level flying. The windshield offers excellent bird strike protection.
Ram air ventilation and emergency decompression capability is provided. Wheel brakes are actuated by an independent hydraulic system. The aircraft achieves additional safety through superior maintainability with new developments in modular digital avionics coupled with simple, reliable hydraulic controls. The flaps incorporate an interlock system preventing asymmetric flap deployment.
Fully Integrated Training.
Flying the Javelin will require a type rating, as it is a multi-engine jet aircraft. For those pilots with 1,500 hours total time and a multi-engine rating, the type rating should be a relatively simple matter. The course will include ground school, simulator flight training and some actual flight time in the Javelin. The type rating will be conducted to the highest industry standards and will be included in the price of the Javelin.
For those pilots with less than the required time to enter the type rating course, ATG will make arrangements on an individual basis, or recommend other training schools to tailor a course of instruction that gives the prospective pilot the necessary skills, additional flying time, and confidence to gain the type rating.
Advanced Jet Trainer
One of the areas where ATG sees a large untapped market is that of military jet training, citing the fact that approximately half of the world’s advanced trainer fleet is more than 20 years old and far more expensive to maintain than a modern jet such as the Javelin.
The Javelin Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is a result of a cooperative effort between ATG and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to address the global need for a next generation trainer with a ratio of training capabilities to acquisition and operating cost that cannot be matched. The Javelin AJT is based on the Javelin, and is suited for a variety of advanced military training and support requirements.
