§ 8. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of State for Defence what research programmes are currently being carried out by the Short SCI experimental vertical take-off aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Ian Gilmour)A two-year research programme has recently begun on V.T.O.L. flight control systems designed to ease the pilot's task. It is too early to report on results.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonDoes this comparatively small aircarft have the capability of evaluating vertical take-off procedures for large military transport aircraft of the kind which we should be thinking about developing, if only as logistic support for the Harrier?
§ Mr. GilmourExperience gained with the SCI has conributed to the process of widening the operational knowledge of V.T.O.L. aircraft. In the longer term, the results could contribute to the evaluation and design of civil V.S.T.O.L. aircraft.