International Military Discussion

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Mar 2015 22:26

Rare Video of Topol-M Silo Launch

https://2ch.hk/wm/src/1506412/14275319457852.webm

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 29 Mar 2015 11:43

Austin wrote:Russia & US agree to build new space station after ISS, work on joint Mars project

In a landmark decision, Russian space agency Roscosmos and its US counterpart NASA have agreed to build a new space station after the current International Space Station (ISS) expires. The operation of the ISS was prolonged until 2024.

“We have agreed that Roscosmos and NASA will be working together on the program of a future space station," Roscosmos chief Igor Komarov said during a news conference on Saturday.

The talks were held at Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The two agencies will be unifying their standards and systems of manned space programs, according to Komarov. “This is very important to future missions and stations.”

The ISS life cycle was to expire in 2020. “Under the ISS program the door will be open to other participants,” Komarov told reporters.

The next goal for the two agencies is a joint mission to Mars, NASA chief Charles Bolden told journalists.

Roscosmos and NASA are working with each other and other partners on a global roadmap of space exploration, Bolden said. “Our area of cooperation will be Mars. We are discussing how best to use the resources, the finance, we are setting time frames and distributing efforts in order to avoid duplication.”

NASA is currently committed to commercializing space activities. “We are consciously moving away from government financing of low-orbit missions,” Bolden said, adding that sometimes NASA “has been criticized” for that.

At the same time, he stressed that the US has not abandoned its goal of returning to the moon. In the future, NASA is planning “to attract more private developers to our joint exploration projects of the Moon and Mars,” Bolden said.

Reading Bolden's response carefully, I don't think the US has agreed to anything regarding Russian participation other than the 2024 ISS project life cycle. US Congress will be the decision maker on further cooperation with the Russians. Let me say that the Russians have been very valuable in assisting US goals of transitioning to commercial development of LEO space access for the ISS. So I think the door is still open for further cooperation with the Russians because they have been a reliable vendor. Seriously, I think they deserve further cooperation from the US. That's my personal feelings about the matter. Congress may have different thoughts. However, I am a mild mannered internationalist compared to some members of Congress so my feelings about it don't really count when it gets down to writing the checks for services rendered.

But really and truly, I don't think the Russians stand a snowball's chance in h*ll in getting any contract work in the critical path of project development for future US space missions/mega projects. It's just not gonna happen. Will be they allowed to participate? Yes and I hope they do. But be in the critical path? Ain't gonna happen.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 30 Mar 2015 07:39

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 30 Mar 2015 15:03

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 744940.cms

Boeing patents Star Wars-style force field technology

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Apr 2015 13:44

F. E. Warren conducts Minuteman III missile test launch from Vandenberg

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 01 Apr 2015 23:30

Sikorsky outlines goals, timeline for S-97 flight test

As Sikorsky continues to inch toward first flight of the S-97 Raider demonstrator, company officials have outlined the scope and duration of the flight test programme for the high-speed, compound helicopter.

Sikorsky has identified three key performance parameters for the S-97 to achieve over a roughly 1.5-year long flight test programme, says Chris Van Buiten, Sikorsky’s vice-president of engineering.

The flight test programme will seek to achieve a manoevrability record for a rotorcraft: a 3g-turn at a maximum speed of 220kt, Van Buiten says in an interview.

“That’s something a helicopter has kind of never done,” Van Buiten says.

The second goal is to fly at 220kt while carrying a full weapons load, he says.

Finally, the S-97 will attempt to demonstrate a new level of hover efficiency for a rotory wing aircraft, he says.

There is an aerodynamic metric known as the isolated rotor figure of merit. A score of 100 means the rotor system is using the rotor’s power as efficiently as theoretically possible. Most helicopter rotor systems are unable to exceed a score of 75, Van Buiten says. Sikorsky declines to reveal the desired score for the S-97, but Van Vuiten notes the company has demonstrated a score of up to 80.

The higher the score, the greater the performance of the vehicle in hover. Sikorsky wants to demonstrate that the S-97 can achieve a hover with a full weapons load at 6,000ft elevation with a temperature at 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), Van Buiten says. With a reduced load, the S-97 also should be able to hover at 10,000ft at the same temperature hevel, he adds.

Sikorksy first demonstrated the coxial-compound, rigid-rotor configuration with the Collier Trophy-winning X2 prototype, which flew 23 test flights. The number of sorties for the S-97 will be slightly higher to demonstrate the full envelope for the aircraft.

What happens after Sikorsky completes the S-97 demonstration is unclear. The aircraft is too small to compete for the army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) requirement. The army is also eliminating its armed aerial scout fleet as part of a broader restructuring of the aviation branch, although army officials say the requirement for such a helicopter remains.

“Our job is to demonstrate a super-compelling option and show that it’s possible to have FVL-level technology much sooner than you thought,” Van Buiten says.. “Raider serves as a great risk reduction for that technology.”

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 Apr 2015 21:07

New photos BUK-M3

http://militaryrussia.ru/i/284/772/6pKCt.jpg

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Apr 2015 23:01

Cosmic crab, star salmon and space sturgeon: What’s on a cosmonaut’s menu?

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 12 Apr 2015 11:50

Potential India-US space security cooperation:

http://spacenews.com/op-ed-growing-u-s- ... rity-ties/

It's a grip and grin shmooze piece for sure, but I think there may be some gravity behind it but I really don't know and ain't in the loop..

One thing is for certain, those who know ain't saying. Those who are saying, don't know.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 12 Apr 2015 19:42

From the Rafale thread :

The USMC's F/A_18 squadrons are in constant flux with activations and depot hauls galore. I have no up to date number that I can share but the period from 2015 to 2030 (15 year period) will see the Harrier, F/A-18 and E-6 Prowlers that the USMC operates will be replaced by :

- 353 F-35B's (including reserve squadrons and training jets)
- 67 F-35C's to be operating from the CVN and i think a couple may be concrete squadrons.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 12 Apr 2015 20:55

brar_w wrote:From the Rafale thread :

The USMC's F/A_18 squadrons are in constant flux with activations and depot hauls galore. I have no up to date number that I can share but the period from 2015 to 2030 (15 year period) will see the Harrier, F/A-18 and E-6 Prowlers that the USMC operates will be replaced by :

- 353 F-35B's (including reserve squadrons and training jets)
- 67 F-35C's to be operating from the CVN and i think a couple may be concrete squadrons.

for the "C"s that's about three squadrons plus dedicated training a/c. That's one squadron at home, one squadron at home preparing to deploy, and one squadron on ship. I am not quite sure why the navy mandated "C"s for the Marines other than the usual defense of the fleet.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 14 Apr 2015 23:20

Angara-5V to become Russia's workhorse rocket

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 15 Apr 2015 06:42

Awst reports Malaysia looking into the grip. Single engine and all due to sunk oil prices

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 15 Apr 2015 23:31

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Securi ... 429106333/

Upgraded MiG-31 fighters for Russian Air Force

MOSCOW, April 15 (UPI) -- The Russian Air Force has added two dozen upgraded multi-role MiG-31BM fighters to its fleet and more than 100 others are expected in coming years.
The first 24 aircraft, which NATO calls the Foxhound, were modernized by the Rostec Corporation, which is inducting about a dozen earlier variants of the MiG-31 for upgrade each year."After completing the modernization of the MiG-31, we expect that military forces will have more than 130 updated, outstanding aircraft with key technical parameters available for use," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said.Its combat radius, depending on speed, varies between about 440 miles and 900 miles.Rosstec said the new BM variant, which can engage ground targets, features new avionics. Its Zaslon-M weapons control and radar system, developed by V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design, provides increased target detection range -- nearly 199 miles -- and a firing range of about 174 miles.The onboard radar system of the MiG-31BM can simultaneously track up to ten air targets, Rostec said.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 16 Apr 2015 04:58

Almost but not quite..They are getting close though. Next attempt is going to be on land

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Apr 2015 11:45

New developments of the Iranian Army

Photos: http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1265457.html

From left to right - wheeled robotic platform Nazir, light tracked vehicle Fallagh and combat vehicle Aghareb with 90-mm cannon.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Apr 2015 13:43

x-47b does refueling from tanker
http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/16/the- ... -its-last/

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Apr 2015 22:04

good example of strategic nature of engine tech. RR gets 6 billion pound engine order for A380

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32347783

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 17 Apr 2015 22:18

this part does not make sense

Final assembly of the engines will take place in Singapore

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 17 Apr 2015 23:08

^^^^^
Rolls employs more than 2000 people in Singapore.

http://www.rolls-royce.com/country-sites/singapore.aspx

It's probably a low-no tax haven for them.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 18 Apr 2015 00:09

I saw that but seems to make no sense then to ship the whole assembled engine back to France

All the important parts would be in UK and maybe EU
then assemble in singapore and then ship it back?

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 18 Apr 2015 19:39

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2015 20:38

S-300 failing post cold launch and creating panic

Another video from recnt ex of multiple S-300 firing

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2015 09:03

Tehran Army Parade displays new arms

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1268833.html

Some interesting SAM

New Long Range SAM under development : http://i.imgur.com/yfqSr8P.jpg
Rapier : http://i.imgur.com/tVsd6MG.jpg
Crotale: http://i.imgur.com/pKUdTvL.jpg
SA-2 http://i.imgur.com/vt26tIm.jpg

Not to mention Hawk http://i.imgur.com/EgB76BT.jpg

I think they managed to reverse engineer the Rapier , Crotale , SA-2 and Hawk

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2015 09:36

Surya wrote:I saw that but seems to make no sense then to ship the whole assembled engine back to France

All the important parts would be in UK and maybe EU
then assemble in singapore and then ship it back?

must be some city of london tax haven scam to avoid paying taxes on the finished product?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2015 09:42

I wonder what will happen when a cold launch naval missile fails....it wont be pretty ... the Rif revolver launchers are slightly inclined out i read to prevent this.

Cheen has faithfully cloned this appraoch for the HQ16 SAM and many others.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 19 Apr 2015 10:58

Austin wrote:Tehran Army Parade displays new arms

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1268833.html

Some interesting SAM

New Long Range SAM under development : http://i.imgur.com/yfqSr8P.jpg
Rapier : http://i.imgur.com/tVsd6MG.jpg
Crotale: http://i.imgur.com/pKUdTvL.jpg
SA-2 http://i.imgur.com/vt26tIm.jpg

Not to mention Hawk http://i.imgur.com/EgB76BT.jpg

I think they managed to reverse engineer the Rapier , Crotale , SA-2 and Hawk

Necessity is the mother of invention. Won't be surprised if 5-10 years down the line we start importing weapons from Iran.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 19 Apr 2015 20:34

^^^^

wouldn't it be freaky to have a mother named Necessity and a father named Chance? What are the odds?

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 19 Apr 2015 21:22

abhik wrote:
Austin wrote:Tehran Army Parade displays new arms

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1268833.html

Some interesting SAM

New Long Range SAM under development : http://i.imgur.com/yfqSr8P.jpg
Rapier : http://i.imgur.com/tVsd6MG.jpg
Crotale: http://i.imgur.com/pKUdTvL.jpg
SA-2 http://i.imgur.com/vt26tIm.jpg

Not to mention Hawk http://i.imgur.com/EgB76BT.jpg

I think they managed to reverse engineer the Rapier , Crotale , SA-2 and Hawk
Necessity is the mother of invention. Won't be surprised if 5-10 years down the line we start importing weapons from Iran.

Oh please. We already make stuff that is a decade and a half above the stuff these guys have in prototype form.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2015 21:33

Su-27 flight over Baltic Sea at later point in the video you would see Gripen for company with Flanker along with Su-24

https://youtu.be/ywwOxlpWYGg

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 20 Apr 2015 11:27

abhik wrote:
Austin wrote:Tehran Army Parade displays new arms

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1268833.html

Some interesting SAM

New Long Range SAM under development : http://i.imgur.com/yfqSr8P.jpg
Rapier : http://i.imgur.com/tVsd6MG.jpg
Crotale: http://i.imgur.com/pKUdTvL.jpg
SA-2 http://i.imgur.com/vt26tIm.jpg

Not to mention Hawk http://i.imgur.com/EgB76BT.jpg

I think they managed to reverse engineer the Rapier , Crotale , SA-2 and Hawk
Necessity is the mother of invention. Won't be surprised if 5-10 years down the line we start importing weapons from Iran.

Just cant let a chance for self-flagellation go can you?

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 20 Apr 2015 20:45

Pilots or Drones - http://gizmodo.com/us-navy-secretary-wa ... 1698416632

[W]ith unmanned technology, removing a human from the machine can open up room to experiment with more risk, improve systems faster and get them to the fleet quicker. While unmanned technology itself is not new, the potential impact these systems will have on the way we operate is almost incalculable... We need to give ideas like this one a place to flourish, and that’s why, in the coming months, we will be making some pretty substantial changes to how the Department is organized to ensure the structure is in place to help incorporate this capability more fluidly into our operations.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Apr 2015 21:04

couple of tidbits from deccan herald.

qatar is going to dc next month with a long military wishlist of equipment. this includes F-15 to replace the Mirages.

KSA has given Lebanon a $3 billion credit line to buy up arms to defend itself against ISIS. the first consignment from france arrived today. vehicles, ATGMs, comms gear etc. even 3 small corvettes.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 20 Apr 2015 21:12

They have been considering the F-15 E or SE for a few years. Boeing offered to sell them the aircraft when they ordered the massive equipment (patriot with GaN radar etc). They are also widely believed to firm up their commitment on the E-7 AEW aircraft this year as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/world ... .html?_r=0

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Apr 2015 21:31

which is fair enough...so it surprised me when you mentioned the F-18I expects some gulf sale soon. why would anyone there like the f18 when the f16-60 and the f-15se/e is more proven and available and both are in use already by uae and ksa. the f-16 will be cheaper to buy and operate and the f-15 does more over a longer distance as the premier strike fighter in the world.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 20 Apr 2015 21:34

.so it surprised me when you mentioned the F-18I expects some gulf sale soon

F-18E/F (possibly the first launch of the International) is being considered by Kuwait which already operates the F/A-18.

why would anyone there like the f18 when the f16-60 and the f-15se/e is more proven and available and both are in use already by uae and ksa

Block II F-18E/F is more advanced then the F-16 block 50/52 (or a notional F-16 upgraded with the SABR/RACR) and significantly lower cost to operate when compared to the F-15 Silent Eagle/Eagle. The International F-18E/F, is significantly more advanced then the Block II operated by the USN and includes RCS reduction, and performance improvements. Moreover, the F-18E/F is large enough to accommodate a couple of decades of growth in avionics while the blk 50/52 F-16 is pretty much maxed out (not to mention that the F-18E/F actually has an operator that may spend some money in the 2020's to perform an upgrade).

The Block 60 F-16 was a custom built version of the F-16 where most if not all of the specific R&D property owned by the UAE. Furthermore, the radar along with some other components are no longer in production. The UAE is currently in the process of defining a notional F-16 Block 61 specification for upgrade and potential follow on order .

Even so, the F-18E/F is still a much more advanced and more capable platform. It is newer, has better sensors (larger and more powerful radar) the latest USN funded IRST (IRST-21, but mounted unlike the bulk II's centerline tank mount) and the propulsion enhancements and the CFT allow for better performance with larger payloads.

The F-15E and specially the F-15SE would be the best large multi role platform out of the three but then it is going to cost a lot both to operate, and Kuwait is unlikely to want that. The shift from the Hornet to the Super Hornet is bound to be much smoother for them. Of course this is given Boeing wins that competition.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 21 Apr 2015 10:06

makes sense. I did not know kuwait had F-18. my map was limited to aus, malaysia, canada and switzerland as land based f-18 operators. quite few compared to the huge mob of F-16 users.

I guess Aus and Can have special requirements wrt to overwater flying, extreme temps , vast remote areas hard for csar and hence twin engine reliability and blind nav systems of the 18.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 21 Apr 2015 17:31

makes sense. I did not know kuwait had F-18. my map was limited to aus, malaysia, canada and switzerland as land based f-18 operators. quite few compared to the huge mob of F-16 users

Within the NATO mission the F-16 was a better multi-role fighter. Superior to the F/A-18 in many respects, a single engined aircraft with the lowest cost to operate of all western fighters available to the customers at this capability set. The F/A-18 E/F however is a much newer aircraft, and preforms better as you move up in the range/payload equation (performance in terms of weapons systems capability, and performance with those payloads). The F-16 is still a rocket when in air to air configuration (it can compete or better the likes of F-15C, F-35 and F-22A in certain scenarios when it comes to transonic acceleration) but when you pile stuff on it it quickly becomes a dog (especially more fuel, more weapons, CFT's and EFT's etc...Basically anything above a Drag Index of 50 and it begins to go downhill..).

The Advanced Super Hornet upgrades pretty much solve all of the issues with the Super Hornet. More thrust and efficiency takes care of performance in the high payload area, integrated IRST does away with the centerline pod (hence makes it jettison-able) and the CFT's bring extra range without taking over pylons and also damaging performance. The new cockpit is one notch above what Boeing proposed for the X-32 (F-32) and the JHMCS II is fully certified. Moreover it is cheap to operate compared to the legacy Silent Eagle, which is the costliest 4th generation fighter in the west (to operate). The F-16 is a dead end unless a customer wishes to buy the basic block 50/52 and use it as is for the rest of its life with only modest upgrades over time. The F-18E/F will be the majority of the USN fleet well into the 2030's, and they have programs that look at upgrading them be it newer modes to the radar, engine/propulsion enhancements, more weapons integration etc. Its the best 4/4.5 generation fighter in the US for those that can't afford to customize and build there own version of the jet. The Advanced is marketed as a 20% premium on the Super Hornet (E/F) and is well worth the money. Also most (minus the cockpit i would assume) of this is available to upgrade (Including the RCS treatment, stealth pod, engine enhancements etc) so air-forces don't have to spend the money upfront. With another couple of squadrons being considered by the USN to counter the greater utilization in the fleet (USN looses 35 aircraft every year to retirement) and Kuwait looking good for Boeing, it seems they can continue on till 2020 with that line.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 21 Apr 2015 17:58

Air Force's Secret "Gorgon Stare" Program Leaves Terrorists Nowhere To Hide

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 Apr 2015 20:13

Corrected for URL:

brar_w wrote:Air Force's Secret "Gorgon Stare" Program Leaves Terrorists Nowhere To Hide