India’s Version of Sukhoi T-50 Delayed by Two Years

AIN Defense Perspective » May 25, 2012

by Neelam Mathews

India’s version of the Sukhoi T-50 advanced and stealthy fighter has been delayed by two years. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

May 25, 2012, 11:32 AM

The joint Indo-Russian project to produce a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) for the Indian Air Force is facing a two-year delay. It will now take nine years instead of the stipulated seven to develop. The Indian Air Force attributes the delay to Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), which has a workshare of 25 percent in the program.

The two-seat FGFA is based on the single-seat Sukhoi T-50 PAKFA. HAL is tasked with supplying designs for the tandem seating and cockpit displays, none of which have been provided on time, a senior air force official told AIN. HAL is also responsible for navigation and countermeasure dispensing. Indian junior defense minister MM Pallam Raju recently confirmed the delay to Parliament, commenting, “The fifth-generation aircraft is scheduled to be certified by 2019 [instead of 2017], following which series production will start.” India and Russia concluded the $295 million preliminary design contract for the FGFA project in December 2010, during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to India.

There are also concerns the FGFA will exceed its current estimated $6 billion development budget. The unit production price is predicted to be between $93- and $97 million. India will acquire 214 aircraft, making the total cost of the FGFA project at least $26 billion.

The 30-ton FGFA will be “a swing-role fighter with highly advanced avionics, giving 360-degree situational awareness, stealth to increase survivability and smart weapons,” said now-retired Indian Air Force Chief P.K. Naik. Capable of covering long ranges without refueling, it will feature supercruise along with advanced mission computers. The Indian Air Force has specified 43 improvements to the design following its observation of flying trials at the Zhukovsky airbase.

by ainonline.com

VAB Mark 3 armoured vehicle personnel carrier

Description

At Eurosatory 2012, the French Company Renault Trucks Defense manufacturer of armoured vehicle and military tactical trucks will unveil a new VAB 6x6 armoured personnel carrier named VAB Mark 3. This vehicle is not a simple upgrade, but it is a new vehicle design that is fully adapted to new threats on the battlefield such as IEDs and mine blast. The aim of this vehicle is to provide a replacement for the old BTR, M113 and VAB based on the design of a combat proven vehicle and a cheaper price. Renault Trucks Defense offers the vehicle in several versions as personnel carrier, ambulance, battlefield surveillance, mortar carrier, command post etc.

Variants

- VAB: standard version of the vehicle - VAB Mark 2: upgrade version with new armour and inside crew compartment.

Technical Data

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Armament The VAB Mark 3 can be equipped with a full range of turret or remote weapon systems up to 30 mm caliber cannon. At Eurosatory 2012 the vehicle is fitted with remotely weapon station TRT-25 from BAE Systems. The TRT-25 is fitted with a dual-feed 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon with two 130-round bins, a 7.62 mm machinegun with 1,000 rounds, and four smoke grenade launchers. The TRT-25 is equipped with electro-mechanical drives and sight equipment giving it all round observation, fast reaction time and accurate weapon firing. Its range and effectiveness is determined by the choice of weapon. The system is equipped with safety interlocks and mechanisms for effective and safe use of the weapon from behind cover. The operator is protected while controlling the system remotely from inside the vehicle. Design and Protection The layout of the VAB mark 3 is similar to the standard version of the VAB, with engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle and the troop's area at the rear. The front vehicle is equipped with two large bullet-proof windows. One single door is available to each side of the crew compartment. The VAB Mark 3 is heavier than the old VAB, 13,000 kg for 20,000 kg for the new vehicle. The VAB Mark 3 is equipped with new armour which provides a protection for the crew and the soldiers Level 4 STANAG 4569. The vehicle can carry 3 crew members and 7 infantry soldiers. Propulsion The VAB mark 3 is motorized with a Renault truck engine which has a power from 320 to 400 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h. The VAB mark 3 can cross trench of 1 m and can mount 0.5 m of vertical obstacle. Accessories The VAB Mark 3 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by one water-jet mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle can be air transported and deployed by C-130 Hercules or Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. Specifications Back to top Armament Ring mount or remote weapon system up to 30mm caliber maximum. Country users - Designer Company Renault Trucks Defense Accessories Central tyre inflation system, night vision, amphibious kit Crew 3 + 7 soldiers Armor Ballistic armour protection and Anti-mine protection level 4 NATO STANAG 4569 Weight 20,000 kg Speed 105 km/h Range ? km a Dimensions Lenght, ? m; Width, 2,50 m; Height, ? m

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By armyrecognition

Army of Venezuela will receive 12 Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System.

By mid 2012, the Venezuelan army will receive the 300 mm BM-30 9K58 "Smerch" mobile multiple rocket launcher systems purchased from Russia, according to a post on website Venetubo.

The first version of the BM-30 Smerch Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 300mm caliber.

The whole system comprise a BM9A52-2 launching vehicle, a TZM 9T234-2 transloader, a 1K123 "Vivary" command post/fire control system, and a PM-2-70 MTO-V maintenance vehicle. The BM-30 Smerch is a Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System which was created in the early 1980s. Minimum range is 20,000 m and maximum range 70,000 m. The BM-30 has undergone a number modernization with successively the 9A52-2, 9A52-2T, Tornado 9A52-4 and the new Tornado-G which will entered into service with the Russian army. The amount of "Smerch" systems purchased by Venezuela is unknown. Nevertheless, sources put the number at 12, and added that the new rocket launchers would be used to create a new Multiple Rocket Launcher Artillery Group of the 43rd Artillery Brigade of the Fourth Armored Division, located in Guárico state (central west Venezuela). In 2009, Venezuela bought RPG-7 rocket launchers from Russia. The HeliRussia 2012 show closed last Saturday in Russia. The new fighter helicopter Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" was introduced during the show, together with other 49 Russian warfare equipments. According to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Venezuela was among the 56 countries that attended the exhibition, reported news agency Novosti.

By armyrecognition

Russia to produce new sets of sniper equipment and weapons.

Russia will soon start producing four new sets of sniper equipment, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday, May 24, 2012. “We will produce four sets for snipers,” Rogozin, who oversees Russia's defense industry, told reporters in Moscow.

A sniper of Russian Federal Protective Service in Red Square Moscow.

“The weaponry is going to be a part of a set of equipment, which also includes surveillance and detection tools, means of suppression and passive protection for snipers,” Rogozin said. The first set is designed for shooting at ranges of up to 800 meters, the second – for ranges of over 1,500 meters, the third – for snipers in urban police operations, and the fourth – for sniper training. The sets are being developed by a special team at the Tochmash Research Institute. The team includes instructors from Russia’s special forces, who oversee the demands for weapons performance. The Russian military is planning to deploy by 2016 at least 1,000 snipers to motorized rifle and tank brigades who would be capable of taking down the enemy at a distance of 1-2 kilometers. Sharpshooters could also be deployed in the event of mass protests, riots, or an Arab Spring type uprising. The next generation of snipers will be recruited from among contract servicemen and undergo long periods of training. By armyrecognition

Russian Stealth Frigate "Dagestan" (Project 11661K) Tests New 3M14TE P-900 Missiles in Sea Trials

Russia’s second Gepard class frigate has successfully test-fired missiles from the new Kalibr-NK missile system during the first stage of sea trials in the Black Sea, a spokesman for Russia’s Southern military district said on Thursday.

Project 11661K Gepard class frigate "Dagestan" during systems outfitting (Picture: Internet)

The Dagestan is the Russian Navy's first warship equipped with the Kalibr-NK missile system that is capable of using several types of high precision missiles against surface, underwater and coastal targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers (190 miles). The vessel uses elements of stealth technology, which lower its exposure to radars. “The crew is preparing the warship to move to the Caspian Sea for the final stage of the trials,” Col. Igor Gorbul said. “It will be assigned to the Caspian Flotilla afterwards.”

3M14TE - P900 - Kalibr-NK missile can attack inland targets (Picture: Internet)

The first Gepard class frigate in the Russian Navy, the Tatarstan, has been serving as the flagship of the Caspian Flotilla since 2002. The Tatarstan is armed with the SS-N-25 Switchblade anti-ship missiles. Designed to perform escort tasks or patrolling coastal waters, project 11661K has the following specifications: Displacement: 1,500 tons (standard) 1,930 tons (full load) Length: 102.14 m (93.5 m waterline) Beam: 13.09 m Draught: 5.3 m Speed: 28 knots Range: 4,000 nmi (7,000 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h) Endurance: 15 days Complement: 98

By Navyrecognition

S. Korea to Choose Aircraft Competition Winners in October

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will select suppliers of military aircraft worth billions of dollars in October, a spokesman said May 25, despite calls from the main opposition party for further studies to be carried out.

The spokesman for the state Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said purchases will include 60 stealth fighters, 36 attack helicopters and eight Navy helicopters.

“We plan to announce the names of the suppliers in October,” the spokesman said, as tensions between the North and the South and its allies remain high over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.

The contract for the stealth fighters is worth 8 trillon won ($6.7 billion), he said. Lockheed Martin’s F-35, Boeing’s F-15E, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russia’s Sukhoi PAK-FA are reportedly competing for the deal.

Some 1.8 trillion won will be allocated to acquire 36 attack helicopters, with Boeing’s Apache, Eurocopter’s Tiger and Turkey’s T129 in competition, the spokesman said.

The massive weapons acquisition plans being pushed through in the last year of President Lee Myung-Bak’s presidency have sparked opposition criticism.

The Democratic United Party urged the government not to rush through the programme.

“Further study and review are needed before the government goes ahead with the purchase of weapons. If necessary, this project should be handed over to next government,” it said in a statement this week.

South Korea has already bought 60 of Boeing’s non-stealth F-15 fighter jets since 2002 under the first two stages of a fighter modernization program.

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Heron TP stays grounded as Israel studies UAS crash

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

3 hours ago

Source:

A disagreement between Israel Aerospace Industries and the Israeli air force over the cause of a Heron TP ("Eitan") unmanned air vehicle crash on 29 January has resulted in the type remaining grounded.

A joint investigation into the incident will be completed soon, and a senior IAI source says "the Heron TP will be in the air again in weeks".

Operations with the medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS have been halted since a Heron TP crashed shortly after taking off on a test flight from an air force base in central Israel.

Israeli air force

The activity was being performed jointly by the service and airframe manufacturer IAI, with the aircraft later confirmed as having been carrying an undisclosed new payload.

Initial reports suggested the aircraft's wing had broken in the air after it exceeded the boundaries of its flight envelope.

The Heron TP is the largest UAS to have entered use with the Israeli air force. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine, it has a maximum take-off weight of more than 4,000kg (8,810lb), including a maximum payload weighing more than 1,000kg.

By flightglobal