Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The Sandcat is based on a shortened Ford F-350 Super Duty commercial pickup truck chassis. Newer vehicles are based on the F-550 Super Duty chassis.
Lightweight armor of the Sandcat is a combination of steel, ceramics and composite materials. This light protected vehicle has variable levels of protection. Various modular armor kits can be fitted. Vehicle can be uparmored in the field. Interior is lined with a spall liner. Later production vehicles have a V-shaped hulls and mine blast-absorbing seats. Sandcats produced since 2010 have twice the mine protection of an original vehicle. An NBC protection and fire supression systems are proposed as an option.
Recent versions are powered by a Ford 6.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine, developing 325 hp. There is also a 6.7-liter diesel, developing 400 hp. Engine is mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Vehicle has a 4×4 configuration, which can be switched to 4×2 on hard surface roads. It is reported that the Sandcat has excellent acceleration and handling for an armored vehicle. Self-recovery winch is optional. This light protected vehicle can be airlifted by CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters, as well as C-130 tactical cargo aircraft.
Based on Project 15A Kolkata-class, the four ships of Project 15B ships being built at MDL,Mumbai have been designed indigenously by the Directorate of Naval Design,Delhi and bear testimony to the acclaimed legacy of Naval designers. With a displacement of 7300 tons, each ship will be spanning 163 meters in length and17.4 meters at the beam and will be propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speed in excess of 30 knots.
The P15B destroyers incorporate new designconcepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and maneuverability. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings which make these ships difficult to detect. These ships will be equipped to carry and operate two multiple role helicopters.
The first ship of Project 15B is scheduled for delivery in July 2018. The remaining three ships will be delivered at an interval of two years each.
The cutting of the first metal sheets for the first GOWIND® 2500 corvette built in Lorient symbolises the launch of the ambitious industrial program conducted by DCNS for the Egyptian Navy. It includes the construction of four latest-generation corvettes, both in France and Egypt. The delivery of the first vessel is slated for 2017, i.e., less than four years after the signature of the contract last summer.
A new international success for DCNS
In the frame of an international call for tender, DCNS was able to offer the best product at the most attractive cost. The Group was able to comply with the very tight deadlines to adapt the product to the specific needs of this client for the construction of the vessels in France and in Egypt via technology transfer.
With this contract, DCNS has scored another success for the GOWIND® 2500. The Group had already won a first contract for the Royal Malaysian Navy, which covers the design and construction of six corvettes in Malaysia at the Boustead Naval Shipyard through technology transfer.
The first Egyptian GOWIND® 2500 corvette will be built on the DCNS site in Lorient, one of the most modern naval shipyards in Europe. The three following units will be built in Alexandria within the frame of a construction technology transfer agreement. “This industrial milestone is the concrete output of preliminary work to adapt the vessel to the specific needs of the Egyptian Navy, conducted over the last nine months by the DCNS teams. Today, we have started the construction of the very first GOWIND® 2500 corvette, the reference product on the corvette market. We are proud to produce this latest-generation vessel for the Egyptian Navy, declares Bruno Chapeland, director of the Egypt GOWIND® program at DCNS.
A long-term partnership
Over the last year DCNS has established strategic relations with Egypt in the frame of the modernisation of the country’s surface fleet. The sale of a FREMM multi-mission frigate in February 2015 and four GOWIND® 2500 corvettes in July 2014 are a demonstration of the trust placed in the Group. DCNS is pursuing a long-term partnership with the Egyptian Navy and Egyptian industry.
DCNS will provide them with its knowledge for the construction of three high-technology corvettes and the through-life support for an equally modern FREMM frigate. DCNS thus demonstrates the attractiveness of its corvettes and frigates as well as its experience in technology transfer.
Efficient industrial infrastructures
The start of production of the future Egyptian GOWIND® 2500 corvette underlines DCNS’s industrial capacity to manage and realise major programs in France. The DCNS site in Lorient is specialised in the design and construction of surface vessels of 1,000 to 8,000 tonnes. Currently, DCNS is simultaneously building there five FREMM frigates for the French Navy and the GOWIND® corvette for the Egyptian Navy. The DCNS teams are also preparing the delivery of the currently so-called FREMM Normandie, for Egypt.
Technical characteristics of the GOWIND® 2500
The GOWIND® 2500 is a reference product on the worldwide corvette market. This vessel responds to the needs of navies to have access to a complete and multi-mission combat vessel for sovereignty and maritime protection operations and the fight against illicit trafficking. Ten corvettes have already been ordered by our international partners: Malaysia (6 units) and Egypt (4 units).
The GOWIND® 2500 is bristling with the very latest technological advances, developed and implemented by DCNS for naval defence. It incorporates the SETIS combat system, developed by DCNS for FREMM frigates and GOWIND® corvettes, the “Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM)” – an assembly bringing together the integrated mast with its various instruments as well as the Operational Centre and its associated technical rooms – and the high degree of integration, automation and conviviality of the DCNS systems.
Width: 16 metres
Displacement: 2,600 tonnes
Max. speed: 25 knots
Crew: 65 persons (helicopter detachment included)
Range: 3,700 nautical miles at 15 knots
Weapons: 8x Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, 16x VL MICA surface to air missiles (both by MBDA), Torpedoes, a 76mm main gun (Oto Melara), 2x 20mm remote weapon stations and Sylena decoy launcher by Lacroix.
Sensors: Smart-S Mk2 radar, Kingklip hull mounted sonar, Captas 2 variable depth sonar, Vigile 200 Radar - ESM, Altesse Communication - ESM (all by Thales).
Saturday, April 18, 2015
The Mi-35M is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It is an export variant of Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Primarily designed for attack and military transport missions, the helicopter delivers superior flight performance and manoeuvrability than its predecessor.
The production of Mi-35M started in 2005. The aircraft integrates modern high-precision weaponry for destroying ground-based armoured targets and providing air support for ground missions. It can be modified as an attack, ground assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or transport platform.
The Mi-35M is one of the modern combat helicopters in the Russian Air Force inventory. It is also operated by the armed forces of Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan.
The tanks were made in pursuance of a contract worth more than $ 240 million signed by GK “Ukrspetsexport” September 1, 2011 for the supply of 49 new Thai Army tanks BM “MBT-T” and two armored recovery vehicles based on them, with the term of the contract is to the end of 2014.
Thailand is actually delivered to launch customer tanks BM “Oplot” developed by SE “Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau named after Morozov,” is a further development of the family of T-80U / UD. Performance of the contract “Plant named after Malyshev” began in April 2012 and the company has faced considerable difficulties in resuming tank production after more than ten-year hiatus.
As reported by colleague andrei_bt , Kharkov State Enterprise “Plant named after VA Malyshev,” completed the production of the second batch of five series of tanks BM “MBT-T” under contract with Thailand in 2011. Based on the above link to photos, the second batch of five tanks were ready at the beginning of 2015, although there is no information when the tanks is being sent to the customer.
Thailand is actually delivered to launch customer tanks BM “Oplot” developed by SE “Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau named after Morozov,” is a further development of the family of T-80U / UD. Performance of the contract “Plant named after Malyshev” began in April 2012 and the company has faced considerable difficulties in resuming tank production after more than ten-year hiatus.
This multi-purpose aircraft will greatly enhance the combat potential of the Air Defense Forces. In addition, the technical capabilities of the aircraft will achieve a high level of training of flight crews, “- said Air Force Major General Nurlan Ormanbetov.
Recall that in the near future Kazakh Air Force extended with new fighter Su-30cm 4 ++ generation. This will significantly increase the reliability of the protection of the air borders of our country – the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakh army every year is growing, the troops received modern military equipment, increasing the professionalism of our military personnel.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Disclosure of the talks, to be held beginning in May, was made by Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Juozas Olekas following a meeting with German Federal Minister of Defense Dr. Ursula von der Leyen.
"The Federal Defense Minister and I discussed the possibility for Lithuania to buy Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery systems from Germany and we have received a positive answer," he said. "That allows us to begin concrete negotiations in May that, let's hope, will lead us to acquisition of the so-needed capabilities in the nearest future."
Olekas also said Lithuania is interested in the possibility of purchasing infantry fighting vehicles from a German manufacturer.
Lithuania is located in the Baltics and was once part of the defunct Soviet Union. Like other Baltic states it is troubled and anxious over Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and continued Russian threats to the region.
"My German counterpart and I have agreed that the developments in Ukraine have not only changed the settled order in essence but have also given a new drive for our bilateral relations in the area of security, so that we would unify our capabilities and give an appropriate response to the emerging threats in the Baltic Sea region," Olekas said.
"During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union found many areas of mutual interest in avoiding potentially destabilising actions," he said. "The 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty, which prohibited the testing of nuclear weapons in outer space, started a fifty-plus-year string of bilateral arms control treaties and agreements with the Soviet Union, and later the Russian Federation. We also came to agreement in many other realms, including chemical and biological weapons," Rose said.
In this regard, Rose expressed his confidence that "it is reasonable to assume that most nations, if not all nations, would find it to be in their national interest to prevent conflict from extending into space, knowing that such conflict would degrade the sustainability of the space environment, hinder future space-based scientific activities, and potentially reduce the quality of life for everybody on Earth if the benefits of space-based applications were eroded. Convincing other nations, including China and Russia, of this objective is the role of diplomacy."
The US Assistant Secretary of State also said, "If diplomacy fails, and the use of force does extend to space, the United States must be prepared to protect our space capabilities and prevail in conflict. That is absolutely clear.
The statement at the Latin American Aviation and Defence exhibition comes nearly six months after Argentinian defence minister Agustin Rossi expressed interest in Brazilian-assembled Gripen NGs, despite a need to import key technologies such as the ejection seat and the radar from a historic rival in the UK.
So far, there has still been no official request by Argentina to import British technologies for either Gripen NGs or Embraer KC-390s, Lt Gen José Crepaldi, head of Brazilian air force acquisition programmes.
Argentina is one of the three international industrial partners in Embraer’s KC-390 tactical transport. Several KC-390 systems are supplied by British or British-controlled firms, such as BAE Systems flight control computers and active side stick controllers, Ultra Electronics electronic controls and sensors as well as Cobham’s fuel tanks, inflight refueling equipment and composite material nose radomes.
Wagner mentioned that to overcome any “obstacles” Embraer might have to substitute these blocked components by other international suppliers. Wagner did not elaborate on whether Brazil or Argentina would be required to pay for such redesign and recertification of the KC-390 or the Gripen NG.
Separately, Wagner also acknowledged that the Brazilian government recently owed Embraer around $200 million in unpaid bills for the KC-390 development, but about $40 million of that total was paid last week.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
A little history
Once rockets were invented to travel to space, their creators decided on additional uses for them, including for delivery of the most powerful existing weapons: nuclear ones.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 banned the placement of nuclear weapons in outer space. However, this condition did not apply to conventional weapons. So, if you can not “bombard” the enemy with nuclear missiles from space, you can still intercept those missiles. This loophole was also dealt with in negotiations that culminated in the signing of the 1972 Treaty on the Limitation of Missile Defence.
Assured impunity
In 2001, the United States withdrew from the ABM Treaty. The US has now positioned marine and land-based Aegis systems capable of shooting down missiles with a range of up to 5,500 km in locations across the world. Additionally, there are silo-based interceptors GBI, the creation of a whole system of radars (including the floating SBX) and the placement of the latest complexes THAAD in South Korea to cover the “dark” areas for the US missile defence system over Siberia and the Russian Far East, where the initial and the most vulnerable flight zone of the Russian ICBMs is out of visibility range of American radar.
On April 12, 2015, the Russian EKO troops spotted a group of electronic reconnaissance satellites on the orbit. “This satellite constellation is being developed to carry out communications surveillance of the facilities based inside Russian Federation territory,” said Oleg Maidanovich, commander of the Aerospace Defence Forces' Space Command Troops.
The Ministry of Defence has not indicated the state affiliation of the satellites, but analysts point to the ownership of the spy satellites as the United States.
“Obviously, we are talking about the United States, which possess electronic reconnaissance satellites, in particular the series ‘Ferret-D’, working in the upper range of the radio spectrum, where the means of guidance, detection and missile defence operate,”- Igor Korotchenko, chief editor of ‘National Defense’ magazine, told TASS.
How will Russia respond?
Russia's abilities to respond to existing threats at this time are limited, not only from geopolitical, but also from the financial point of view. In the current situation, any response can only be asymmetric.
Given these circumstances, the Russian focus has been on the development of new ICBMs, the creation of universal air defence systems;PRO C-400 and C-500; and the modernization of the Moscow missile defence.
Tests are in progress for a new missile for the S-400 system, which has a range up to 400 km. This indicator applies to aerodynamic targets, such as aircraft. The exact distance and height at which missiles can be brought down (defeat range) is not specified, but it is reported to be capable of destroying missiles in the near space.
At the same time, work is underway on a system of air defence for new generation C-500 and the new system of the Moscow ABM A-235, which will work in tandem. The operation is scheduled to start in 2017. In the meanwhile, the Russian defence industry is going to raise the production of missiles for air defence and missile defence threefold, as compared with 2014.
“We began to keep virtually all of the world's oceans under constant surveillance,” he added. Additionally, in the near future, expansion of the network of autonomous radar (RLS) in the Arctic region has been planned.
The effort of all mankind is to prevent the transition to full-scale war in outer space. Today, the US is not willing to negotiate. This explains the failure of the country to support the draft of a comprehensive treaty to prevent the deployment of weapons in the outer space, which Russia and China have been preparing since 2007.
In this situation, the United States will require a great deal of convincing that the agreement meets their interests. And that would only be possible with the building up of the very asymmetric measures that are underway in Russia and China. To this end, China has already bought the Russian S-400 system.
The USMC's P-19R ARFF vehicle programme seeks to provide marines with superior off-road capability, speed and transportability to better respond to an entire range of firefighting missions in future.
Awarded in May 2013, the P-19R contract has a performance period that runs up to 2018 and aims to replace the 1984 deployed P-19A fleet, which is nearing the end of its service life.
Since then, Oshkosh has successfully completed all necessary government development testing and evaluation and readiness reviews to achieve Milestone C approval and low rate initial production (LRIP) contract.
Oshkosh Defense, defence programmes senior vice-president John Bryant said: "The Oshkosh P-19R is backed by our company's unique combination of industry leading off-road military vehicle and ARFF expertise, providing marines with the latest innovative technology whether they're at a military base or an expeditionary airfield.
"Consistent with our strong track record of delivering programmes on-schedule and on-budget, we're proud to deliver the new P-19R capabilities and safety that marines need for future fire-emergency missions."
The P-19R vehicle is equipped with Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system, Command Zone, an integrated control and diagnostics system, and advanced Striker firefighting systems.
Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system provides the payload capacity needed to carry 1,000 gallons of water, 130 gallons of foam agent, and 500lb of Halotron auxiliary firefighting agent.
The fully-automated Command Zone system allows marines to repair and troubleshoot vehicles, view real-time performance data and remotely access diagnostics information.
Oshkosh will start delivering the first LRIP vehicles to support production verification testing (PVT) in November.
According to ADA, with three consecutive start-ups of its engine after overnight soak in extreme cold (around -15ºC) conditions of Ladakh, that too without any external assistance, Tejas, the Indian Light Combat Aircraft has achieved yet another rare distinction.
Starting the fighter aircraft under such extreme condition without any external assistance or heating is a technology breakthrough.
The requirements become further stringent when the starting is to be done three times consecutively with a partially charged battery. Team LCA led by AERD&C of HAL, and members from ADA, NFTC, IAF, CEMILAC and DGAQA have succeeded in achieving this.
Progress on LCA Mk.2 cockpit config ::
The look and feel of the all-glass cockpit that the LCA Tejas Mk.2 will sport is fructifying with the Aeronautical Development Agency announcing that the main display will involve two 6×8 Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD in centre console “based on the latest and best design technologies currently available in the market.
The ADA is looking for a full solution to its SMFD needs for the LCA Mk.2 programme. The capability exists in country, though a competitive process will now ensue. The ADA is looking for active matrix TFT color liquid crystal display SMFDs with separate LED backlight for day and night modes with redundancy for backlighting in both the modes, touch screen capability (will be the first Indian aircraft to sport touch screen panels), anti-reflection coating, full sun readability and night vision capability, compatibility as per NVIS Class B MIL-STD-3009B, EMI protectio, the bezel shall have push buttons, rocker switches and rotary knobs, auto brightness control (ABC) of the display using illumination sensors placed on bezel, capability for windowed image overlay driven by the display processors, dual channel video to support redundant display processors, continuous health monitoring with periodic built-in-test reporting along with its normal operation, provision for operator Initiated Built-In-Test, In-situ programming capability. Conduction Cooled with no external cooling for the entire range of operating temperature.
Embraer and Saab today have signed an agreement that establishes a partnership for joint management of the F-X2 Project for the Brazilian Air Force following the Memorandum of Understanding announced on July 11th, 2014. The partnership agreement is part of Saab’s commitment to deliver industrial co-operation in relation to the F-X2 project. Under this agreement, Embraer will have a leading role in the overall performance of the programme. Embraer will also undertake an extensive share of work in the production and delivery of both the single and two-seat versions of the Gripen NG, Brazil’s next-generation fighter jet.
Embraer will be responsible for extensive work packages in systems development, integration, flight test, final assembly and aircraft deliveries. Embraer will also participate in the coordination of all development and production activities in Brazil. Furthermore, Embraer and Saab will be jointly responsible for the complete development of the two-seat version of the Gripen NG. Beginning in the second half of 2015, a team of Embraer engineers and technicians will be based in Sweden to conduct initial training in the maintenance and development work for the Gripen NG. This skill and competence will subsequently be transferred to Brazil. Embraer and Saab will build an Engineering Centre at Embraer's industrial plant in Gavião Peixoto, in the state of São Paulo, to support operations of the Gripen NG fighters with the Brazilian Air Force.
“With this agreement, Embraer and Saab establish a long-term partnership on a strategic project for Brazil and for the Brazilian Air Force,” says Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The Gripen NG will raise the operational standard of our Air Force and enable it, with the appropriate means, to fulfill its primary mission, which is the defense of our territory.”
“Through this partnership we will secure an excellent result for the Brazilian Air Force and we will establish solid ground for success with future business opportunities and customers. Not only do we share experience in the defense and aeronautical markets, but both organisations have a clear dedication to customer satisfaction that validates Gripen as the most capable and modern fighter system on the market”, says Lennart Sindahl, Deputy CEO at Saab.
“The Brazilian Air Force sees with great enthusiasm this additional incentive to the Brazilian industry, through the companies of the defense sector. This new strategic partnership confirms that we are building a promising future. The defense industry needs to be increasingly strengthened as it is one of the main drivers of scientific and technological development of our country”, said Aeronautics Commander, Air Force Brigadier General Nivaldo Luiz Rossato.
The implementation of the partnership for joint programme management between Saab and Embraer is subject to the F-X2 contracts between Saab and COMAER (Brazilian Air Force Command) becoming effective. The contract between Saab and COMAER for Gripen NG and the associated industrial co-operation contract will come into effect once certain conditions have been fulfilled. These conditions are expected to be fulfilled during the first half of 2015.
The Gripen NG is a true multi-role fighter aircraft, based on the proven Gripen C/D platform. It is built to adapt to all of the changing threats and operational requirements currently faced by modern air forces. Gripen’s combination of very advanced operational capabilities with moderate through-life costs make the fighter absolutely unique on the world market.
Under the MMRCA plan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) would have received its first squadron of 18 Rafales from France, 12 single- and six twin-seaters. A further 108 would have been produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Now, the IAF will form only two Rafale squadrons, with a possible third to follow if an option for 18 more jets is taken up. The new deal is worth $4.25 billion, according to Dev Mehta, an analyst with London-based Strategic Defence Intelligence (SDI), although “various design and pricing issues need to be worked out,” he continued.
Modi said given “the critical operational necessity,” India wanted the Rafales on an urgent basis and “the terms and conditions [of the contract] would be modified’ accordingly. India apparently now hopes to receive its first Rafales in 2017, but this will require Team Rafale to significantly increase the production rate, which has been only 11 per year. The recent order by Egypt must also be accommodated. Further Rafale deliveries to the French air force may be almost suspended in favor of the export customers, to the benefit of the stretched French defense budget.
Parrikar said that the Rafale acquisition should have been a “government-to-government” deal from the outset. He added that a new defense procurement policy would be announced soon, and would be less complicated than the current policy, with its “Make in India” provisions. Mehta said the new Rafale deal “has given the IAF much-needed breathing space while keeping other options open. It is likely to free up funds that can partly be used for scaling up production of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft [LCA] and the faster induction of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [FGFA] in collaboration with Russia.” AIN has learned that an additional 30 Sukhoi Su-30MKIs will be ordered in the meanwhile.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Featuring a live video feed with military grade encryption, the Mariner 600 is ideally suited to difficult searches of inland waterways, under trees, riverbanks and quarries.
Designed to the same high specifications as their previous vehicles and aimed at the cost conscious buyer, the Mariner 600 is compatible with existing Search Systems ground stations and mobile command units, making it a low cost upgrade to existing unmanned assets or an excellent entry to the market with dual aerial and aquatic capability.
Utilising a multirotor flight control system with surface thrusters for driving on water, the Mariner 600 is the ideal vehicle for working over water or shallow searches. Working alongside a dive team, the UAV-ROV crossover provides pre-dive information on inaccessible points, potential entanglements and an aerial view of the search area.
Michael Thompson, Sales Director of Search Systems: “As a former diver, the benefit of an instant aerial view is fantastic but the ability to fly into tight spaces, reach the bottom of riverbanks or sheer quarry cliffs takes UAV assistance to a whole new level. Our early underwater footage was excellent and now with the Mariner able to manoeuvre on the surface, any UAV operator can fly and drive the Mariner with ease.”
The Mariner 600 includes an Electro Optical camera as standard with thermal available as an upgrade.
Coalition air forces have now conducted nearly 3,000 airstrikes on Iraq and Syria since Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) began more than six months ago. But although Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have retaken some territory, notably Tikrit west of Baghdad, ISIL remains in control of large areas. The situation in Syria is very confused, with independent reports suggesting that Islamist extremist groups have gained ground. Some Iranian troops are deployed in Syria, and Iran advised and armed the Shia militias that accounted for two-thirds of the force that retook Tikrit.
In the first days of April, airstrikes by fighters, bombers and UAVs continued at an average of 10 per day over Iraq and five per day over Syria. Targets were almost 100 percent tactical, according to U.S. Central Command, including anti-aircraft guns, artillery pieces, excavators and vehicles, plus “checkpoints, command and control facilities, fighting positions, military garrisons and staging areas.” Canada extended its mandate to include Syrian airstrikes, joining Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the U.S. in that effort, plus possibly Qatar. Six other coalition partners—Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the UK—are limited to striking only Iraq.
Centcom gave mixed signals on progress last month. On March 5, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin told Congress that the counter-ISIL campaign was still “in the early stages.” But on March 26 a spokesman said that “the tables are turning. Iraqi security forces are gaining ground.” The same day, Austin was back in Congress stating that ISIL could no longer seize and hold new territory in Iraq, although the group had greater freedom of movement in Syria.
The Jordanian F-16 shot down over northern Syria remains the only known coalition casualty. Its pilot was subsequently murdered by ISIL. The U.S. moved V-22 Ospreys used for combat SAR into Iraq following criticism from Arab partners that they were stationed too far away in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, another air war got under way over Yemen on March 26. With F-15s, Tornados and Typhoons, Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition that also comprises Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Sudan and the UAE. Aircraft from all of these countries are trying to reverse the takeover of Yemen by Shia rebels backed by Iran.
"AMRAAM is the most capable air-to-air weapon ever produced," said Ron Krebs, AMRAAM program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "The AIM-120D represents a significant improvement in air-to-air weapons capabilities and the technologies it brings to the battlefield give U.S. warfighters an unmatched advantage in the air-to-air arena."
With the Air Force, the new AMRAAM was subjected to several scenarios designed to represent realistic combat conditions. AIM-120D demonstrated outstanding capability against challenging targets, and it performed superbly in all regimes of flight. Airborne testing verified that AIM-120D is ready for overseas deployment.
IOC follows extensive flight testing, where the Navy integrated and tested Raytheon's AMRAAM AIM-120D missile on the F/A-18 Hornet and the Super Hornet aircraft. The Navy plans to deploy with the D later this year.
The AIM-120D is the newest air-to-air weapon in the U.S. arsenal and has significant capability improvements, including increased range, GPS-aided navigation, two-way data link and improved weapons effectiveness.
AMRAAM is a combat-proven missile that demonstrates operational flexibility in both air-to-air and surface-launch scenarios and provides today's warfighter with enhanced operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth options/solutions. Procured by 36 countries, the combat-proven AMRAAM has been integrated on the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4 and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the NATO-approved National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
In December last year, Brodosplit won a contract to supply five coastal patrol boats for the Croatian coast guard. The 41.85-meter boats will be fitted with the 30 mm automatic machine guns, two manually-operated 12.7 mm machine guns and four manually-operated portable anti-aircraft rocket systems.
The ASELSAN Stabilized Gun Platforms, which can be mounted on either stationary or mobile platforms, are designed for purposes of coastal defense, border defense and defense of naval platforms against asymmetric threats. By its stabilized structure, remote operability feature, automated target detection function, and firing accuracy, the system can be recommended for all combat purposes. 7,62mm, 12,7mm machines guns and 40mm grenade launcher can be integrated to Aselsan turret.
Based on experience and knowledge obtained from existing members of the family, 12.7mm STAMP and 25mm STOP Systems, SMASH System has been developed in less than 2 years.
SMASH is a Remote Controlled Naval Gun System fitted with a 30 mm gun integrated on a stabilized pedestal with independent Electro-Optic Sight and surveillance mode (without aiming with the gun). The system has excellent tracking and firing ability with a very high hit accuracy. It can be fed via two separate ammunition lines selected by the operator, using the remote operating panel.
Dual feed 30mm automatic cannon installed on SMASH System is capable of firing 200 rounds per minute.
As opposed to fixed sight systems used on STAMP and STOP Systems, High Accuracy Stabilized Gimbal (HASG) which can rotate in elevation and azimuth axes relative to turret is integrated to SMASH System.
HASG ensures effective firing at long distances by enabling electro-optic units (Thermal Imager, Day Camera and Laser Range Finder) stay on the target at all times, even during the firing where ballistic correction is applied to the gun. Furthermore, surveillance without aiming gun to the target and video tracking are possible with HASG integration.
The contract signed at the end of March will remain in force for over two years (on May 31 2017).
This new agreement makes it possible to extend the through-life support time for the two 2000 type Scorpène submarines currently in service before the beginning of their first major maintenance campaign. Indeed, the Tunku Abdul Rahman should start its period of unavailability for major repair and overhaul (ROH) in November 2015 and the Tun Razak in June 2017.
The contract also covers the operation and maintenance of the industrial infrastructures dedicated to the maintenance of submarines berthed at the Sepanggar naval base of Kota Kinabalu as well as part of the procurement required to carry out future ROHs.
DCNS and Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC) thus consolidate their position as service providers for these two submarines through their joint subsidiary BDNC, owned by the two partners respectively holding 40 and 60%. Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation (BDNC) was set up in June 2009 to enhance the Malaysian strategic self-reliance and local participation. BDNC, through its industrial organization, supports and develops local industries. Up to now, more than 30 local companies have been involved and operate in the Submarine maintenance activities.
This cooperation with the Royal Malaysian Navy offers BDNC the opportunity to play an important role in helping Malaysia to maintain and develop a submarine force. BDNC is completely committed to allow Malaysia to be in the exclusive club of navies with a submarine force.
These two DCNS products were delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy respectively in January and October 2009. The two 67.5 m long submarines displacing 1,550 tons are operated by a Malaysian crew of 31 and have an endurance of 45 days.
Thursday, April 09, 2015
India successfully test-fired nuclear weapons-capable Dhanush missile from a ship, off the Odisha coast on Thursday.
The ship-based missile was launched at 11.02 a.m. by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) from an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV), which was deep inside the sea, for its full range of 350 km, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) missile scientists.
It was a perfect mission and the missile splashed down near the target point with high degree of accuracy, they said.
Dhanush, a manoeuvring missile is a naval variant of Prithvi-II, and can carry a nuclear payload of 500 kg.
Dhanush was one of the five missiles developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
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