International Aerospace Discussion

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 27 Feb 2014 23:22

http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories ... decade.htm

In 2011, Greece awarded Israeli company ‘Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ a contract worth about €100 million for 300 SPICE 1000 weapons – amounting to almost $480,000 unit cost. The long range Brahmos cruise missile being adapted to the Su-30 MKI costs in excess of $2.5 million.

The good news is that DRDO has had some success in its indigenisation efforts in this field. In 2010, IAF appears to have successfully tested a DRDO produced LGB (Sudarshan) with a stand-off range of 9 km. That the tests were followed by an order for 50 units suggests a good beginning. A next generation smart bomb with a stand-off range of 50 km now appears to be under development. There would undoubtedly be teething problems. But if DRDO persists and rekindles user confidence, it could help IAF usher in a new era of capability.

500 CBU 105 sensor Bombs, 250 SPICE 1000. Indian stockpile of PGMs should be around 1000 or more by now.

srai · Post by **srai** » 28 Feb 2014 05:34

^^^

You forgot to add these:
Western-origin - LGBs (Paveway-2, Griffin-3), Future (Harpoon w/ [Rafale - AASM, SCALP]) on top of SPICE-1000 & CBU-105

Russian-origin - ASM (Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59), LGBs (KAB-500), Future (Kh-35)

Indian-origin - Future (Brahmos 1 & 3, Sudarshan, Glide bomb, HELINA)

Current totals (including those on order) would come around 2,000 to 2,500 units.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 02 Mar 2014 10:24

MiG Jets Designer Rostislav Belyakov Dies Aged 94

The maker of MiG fighter jets says that its chief designer Rostislav Belyakov has died. He was 94.

Belyakov became the MiG chief designer in 1969, succeeding the firm's founder, Artyom Mikoyan, and led the development of a family of MiG fighters, including MiG-23, MiG-25, Mig-29 and their versions, which have been the backbone of Soviet and then Russian air force.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 02 Mar 2014 10:27

A U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet from NAS Fallon crashes

its from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC)

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 03 Mar 2014 03:06

http://www.youtube.com/embed/sjvgC1cKQGA#t=13

Back seat in a Typhoon

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 05 Mar 2014 23:12

The Russian Armed Forces are working on the Mig-41, a new supersonic fighter based on the Mig-31 Foxhound

According to the famous experimental pilot Anatoliy Kvochur, the MiG-41 is to be capable of reaching speeds above Mach 4, even Mach 4,3. That would make the plane faster than the (now retired) American SR-71 Blackbird. Currently, the Foxhound is capable of flying at speeds of Mach 2.8.

Nevertheless, while developing a Mach 4+ replacement for the Foxhound, the Russians will to continue the modernization program of the Foxhounds, overhauling over 100 aircraft.

MiG-31 is an interceptor based on MiG-25 Foxbat, with a combat radius of 720 km. A group of four Foxhounds is able to control an area that is 1000km wide; 190 MiG-31s are currently in service within the Russian Air Force, 100 of those are still flyable.

Jacek Siminski for TheAviationist

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 05 Mar 2014 23:47

Promises Kept: Few Surprises in USAF Budget

For months, top Air Force officials have been preparing Washington for a budget that cuts back on force structure in favor of modernization. During Tuesday’s budget reveal, they made good on their promise.

For FY 2015, Air Force procurement accounts would have a proposed fund of $18.5 billion, alongside $15.9 billion for research and development. Roughly 62 percent of the procurement fund would go towards aircraft.

Overall, the service’s budget request was $109.3 billion.

The cost of modernizing the fleet? The service aims to cut 20,400 total force airmen in fiscal 2015 alone, with a target end strength of 479,000 in FY 2019. As previewed by service officials, the A-10 Warthog and U-2 spy plane will be done away with to save what the service says would be billions of dollars. And needed improvements to facilities will be pushed back, something Maj. Gen. James Martin, the service's budget director, said would “continue to put strain” on the service’s infrastructure.

As promised, the service has focused its funds onto three major modernization programs: the KC-46A Pegasus tanker replacement, F-35 joint strike fighter and long-range strike bomber (LRS-B).

The largest driver of procurement? A proposed total of $1.5 billion to purchase seven KC-46A Pegasus tankers. That’s a large figure, but it comes with two caveats. Firstly, this is the first batch of tanker purchases, which have an inherently higher unit cost than planes further in production. Secondly, while procurement is shooting up, research spending takes a significant drop down, diving from $1.55 billion to $777 million.

The 26 F-35A purchases represent a four-plane drop from what the Air Force had planned to have in the budget. But it still represents a gain over the number of platforms procured last year, with Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the F-35 program chief, expressing confidence that the cuts will not significantly impact the program.

The service could add an additional 2 F-35A platforms if Congress agrees to fund DoD’s $28 billion so-called wishlist of programs — something that seems unlikely, according to Congressional sources.

The LRS-B program takes a big leap in costs, something outside observers have been predicting. Research for the bomber goes from $359 million to $914 million.

Even smaller procurement programs got lucky in the budget, with the T-X trainer and JSTARS surveillance platform receiving funding.

Martin also told reporters during a Tuesday media brief that the service sought to protect flying hours and large “Red Flag” training operations, which both fell victim to sequestration in 2013.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Mar 2014 19:06

USAF General: 'Of Course' Bomber Will Be More Than $550M Per Copy

WASHINGTON — The US Air Force’s top military acquisition officer expects the cost of the new long-range strike bomber to exceed an expected per-unit cost limit — but indicated that has been part of the planning process.

“We get a lot of questions on [per-unit cost],” said Lt. Gen. Charles Davis, service military deputy for acquisition. “Is it going to be $550 million a copy? No, of course it’s not going to be $550 million a copy once you add in everything.”

While that $550 million figure may not be realistic, Davis said the service is trying to aim as close to the target as possible to keep extra requirements and untested technology from finding its way onto the platform.

“What it will be is $550 million in design constraints,” Davis told an audience at the Aviation Week Defense Technologies and Requirements Conference. “So if we’re going to set design constraints ... that limits the technology you bring in, it limits certain parameters and certain capabilities. By definition we have used a cost-controlled approach to that airplane to be able to curb some of the appetite we have for very new capabilities.”

That $550 million figure, which originated with guidance from then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, has long been held up by service officials as a figure that should not be exceeded in order to avoid the kind of excess costs that have plagued other major procurement projects, such as the F-35 joint strike fighter. Outside analysts, particularly in the non-proliferation world, have questioned whether that figure is realistic.

The program, which is slated to procure 80-100 of the penetrating platforms, gets a big boost in the service’s FY 2015 budget request, with research, development, test and evaluation costs jumping from $359 million to $914 million.

After his speech, Davis declined to say what the actual cost for the bomber may be, but reiterated that he is pleased with the way the service is handling procurement of the platform.

“I’ll tell you if you start it out right and you constrain your design to a dollar figure, basically build around this design number for a unit cost, then by definition you constrain the unit cost for what would be the average procurement cost for the bomber,” Davis said. “And you also constrain the total procurement cost because there’s going to be less R&D you’re going to put into this if you’re going to say, ‘look I’ve only got 550 million to design around.’”

That method of setting a target cost in order to constrain program growth will likely be seen again, Davis said. He highlighted both the T-X trainer replacement program and the new JSTARS recapitalization as two programs that could be handled this way.

“Every one of those will now try to follow that path,” Davis said. “We’ve just seen that we cannot do a very good job of inventing the stuff the same time we’re trying to integrate it.” ■

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 10 Mar 2014 13:05

US secret project? Cigar shaped "sky dreadnought"?
http://beforeitsnews.com/war-and-confli ... 51008.html
Ukraine UFO Top Secret US Military ‘Sky Dreadnought’ (Video)
Sunday, March 9, 2014

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Ukraine UFO Top Secret US Military ‘Sky Dreadnought’ (Video)
Sunday, March 9, 2014 10:07

By Susan Duclos
Yesterday I wrote the MSM was reporting on a cigar UFO over Ukraine, the report was shown on MSN Video, but today we learn from TRN that it is no longer a “unidentified” flying object as they have just identified it as a secret US military asset named the “Sky Dreadnought,” which does amazing things, is undetectable with radar, and has massively advanced weapons systems.

The Sky Dreadnought is the most advanced military weapons system in the history of human existence. Nothing on the face of the earth can even come close to comparing. The ship, a long, cigar-shaped craft, is almost 3,000 feet long, about the length of three aircraft carriers.

More in the video below and at TRN….. but it does leave a major question and that is if all the cigar UFO sightings right here in the United States, as well as elsewhere, is also this same US military aircraft? Also when did the US government obtain permission from Congress to be flying it over American cities and states…. or did the administration even bother to run it by Congress at all.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 10 Mar 2014 15:15

^^^ "Massively superior weapon systems" "3000ft cigar shaped flying machine"

Is this some sort of early April Fools joke???

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 11 Mar 2014 20:28

The giant doughnuts that could help a Mars landing

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 12 Mar 2014 06:26

Here is a chance for all of you armcharists to prove yourself:

NASA’s Asteroid Grand Challenge Series

And perhaps, while at it, win $35K for yourself.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 12 Mar 2014 09:04

Poland unveils upgraded Orlik Multi-purpose Trainer (MPT)

Poland unveils Orlik MPT trainer

Poland's PZL-130 Orlik MPT (multipurpose trainer) was unveiled at Airbus Defence & Space's Warsaw facility on 7 March.
Also involving Polish companies ATM, ETC-PZL, the Institute of Aviation (ILot) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL), the zlotych 37 million ($12.2 million) MPT project provides an upgrade to the Orlik TC I turboprop operated by the Polish air force since 2011. The service operates 16 of the current model.
The new version incorporates a more efficient wing, a 750hp (560kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C turboprop engine with a four-bladed Hartzell propeller with blade anti-icing system, and Martin-Baker Mk 11L ejection seats. First flight is scheduled for late March.

Digital avionics include two multifunctional displays and a head-up display (HUD) in the front cockpit, plus two displays and a HUD repeater in the rear cockpit, with lighting compatible for operations using night vision goggles. A third cockpit display is offered as an option.
The Orlik MPT will support tasks including basic tactical training, with its avionics capable of emulating air-to-air and air-to-surface tasks using virtual ammunition and flying air combat training against up to three virtual targets. Airbus is now carrying out feasibility studies for an Orlik air combat support variant, which would be able to carry up to 500kg (1,100lb) of weapons using six under-wing hardpoints.
In February, the defence ministry's inspectorate of armament launched a market analysis for an Orlik TC-II glass cockpit upgrade, seeking 12 new aircraft to be acquired for use from 2018. The type will be used during an introduction to fighter fundamentals course, before pilots progress to the air force's future Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master and the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon.
Other potential customers for the Orlik MPT are countries in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, Airbus says. The new design's price will be "significantly lower" than the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, according to vice-president Wladyslaw Skorski.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 12 Mar 2014 09:19

Interview with former SR-71 Blackbird pilot Rick McCrary about what it's like to fly the world's fastest plane

Flying the world's fastest plane: Behind the stick of the SR-71

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 12 Mar 2014 16:29

^^^^^^^^^^^
Awesome and so was the video and they built that in early 60's
Who knows what other secret plane they have right now . Objectively speaking we are way behind in these tech front and
just for satisfying oneself we can think that Roswell incident was true and that the US got all the alien space tech

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 12 Mar 2014 16:32

^^ There was suppose to be a follow up program called Aurora with speed approaching Mach 5 from Skunk Works , I suspect there would be some high mach number aircraft flying without the world knowing about it.

The official disclosed type today seems to be the Mach 6 SR-72

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 12 Mar 2014 18:57

Austin wrote:Interview with former SR-71 Blackbird pilot Rick McCrary about what it's like to fly the world's fastest plane

Flying the world's fastest plane: Behind the stick of the SR-71

http://www.beale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123402571

This week in Beale history: SR-71 sets records

Posted 3/6/2014 Updated 3/10/2014
by Senior Airman Allen Pollard
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

3/6/2014 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On March 6, 1990, Lt. Col. Raymond E. Yielding and Lt. Col. Joseph T. Vida set multiple speed records flying the SR-71 serial number 64-17972 coast-to-coast in 67 minutes 53 seconds averaging 2,124.51 mph.

On that day Vida and Yielding also set the speed record from Kansas City, Mo. to Washington D.C. in 25 minutes 58 seconds averaging 2,176.08 mph and from St. Louis to Cincinnati in 8 minutes 32 seconds averaging 2,189.94 mph.

On the final flight for 972, Vida and Yielding flew from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. in 64 minutes 20 seconds averaging 2,144.83 mph. At the conclusion of that flight the aircraft was turned over to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The twin-engine supersonic strategic reconnaissance aircraft also set these speed records:

- Sept. 1, 1974, from New York to London in 1 hour 54 minutes 56 seconds averaging 1,806.96 mph.

- Sept. 13, 1974, from London to Los Angeles in 3 hours 47 minutes 39 seconds averaging 1,435.587 mph.

The Blackbird was designed by Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson and manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as part of the Skunk Works division. It was flown at Beale from 1964 to 1990.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 13 Mar 2014 03:11

Not quite aerospace or military for that matter ............... User Interface!

The future of UI

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 18 Mar 2014 21:44

For a change - someone with a sense of humour..

Bhutanese Air Force page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Bh ... 8092630050

Bhutan-Iran war
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

Four RBAF Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jets of the 17th Aggressor Squadron that were deployed in the Iran-Bhutan war of 1977.

Our brave pilots destroyed most of Imperial Iranian Air Force in a matter of five days. Reza Shah Pahlavi was forced to accept a peace treaty with Bhutan that ruined his credibility with his own people. He was eventually overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic Revolution in 1979 as a result of Bhutan exerting its dominance over Iran two years earlier.

Bhutan was acting in self-defense in this conflict to counter Iranian infiltration in neighboring Nepal. Iran's influence in Nepal could have further destabilized the region and would have compromised Bhutanese security.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Bh ... 8092630050

Bhutan set to develop 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft with Stealth features. (Bhutan Information Agency)

The R&D department of the Royal Bhutan Air Force has developed the first prototype of its 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft, tentatively called the DF-22 Shabdrung. It will have advanced avionics and missiles along with stealth features to make it almost invisible to RADAR. The first aircraft is expected to be inducted into the RBAF in late 2025.

As the aircraft is in development, these specifications are preliminary and are taken as estimates from the available images.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Crew: 1

Length: 19.8 m (65.9 ft)

Wingspan: 14 m (46.6 ft)

Height: 6.05 m (19.8 ft)

Wing area: 78.8 m2 (848.1 ft2)

Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,785 lb)

Loaded weight: 29,772 kg[N 1] (65,636 lb)

Useful load: 7,500 kg (combat load) (16,534 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,570 lb)

Powerplant: 2 × Druk JO-2 114 thrust vectoring turbofan

Dry thrust: 93.1 kN (21,000 lbf) each

Thrust with afterburner: 147 kN (33,047 lbf) each

Fuel capacity: 10,300 kg (22,711 lb)

PERFORMANCE

Maximum speed: Mach 2+ (2,135 km/h, 1,327 mph)

Cruise speed: 1,300-1,800 km/h (808-1,118 mph)

Ferry range: 5,500 km (3,417 mi)

Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft)

Rate of climb: 350 m/s (68,900 ft/min)

Wing loading: 330-470 kg/m2 (67-96 lb/ft2)

Thrust/weight: 1.01 (1.20 for new engines)

Maximum g-load: 9.8 g

ARMAMENT

Guns: AT-456 Cannon.

Hardpoints: Currently 6 internal hardpoints and up to 6 external hardpoints: two internal bays running longitudinally on the fuselage supporting a total of 4 DXX-BT AAMs, plus 2 small internal wing bays for 2 DXX-JK AAMs and up to six external hardpoints.

AVIONICS

HY606 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system

R897 Drong radar built by Namgyal Defence Industries

Main X-band 89NHG0 AESA radar with 1522 V/S modules
2 Side facing X-band 76NGH0 AESA radars with 358 V/S modules each, to increase angular coverage.

2 L-band 89NHG0 arrays on the Leading-edge extension for IFF functionality.

X420 Dzong ECM suite built by F.Pork institute
765XF electro-optical suite.

765XF-L: Laser-based countermeasures against infrared missiles

765XF-A: IRST for airborne targets

765XF-P: Ultraviolet warning sensors

765XF-D: Targeting pod

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 18 Mar 2014 22:17

shiv wrote: For a change - someone with a sense of humour..

I did not understand why you mentioned about sense of humour.

This is serious stuff.
Just look at the 5th gen fighter config

shiv wrote:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Bh ... 8092630050
Quote:
Bhutan set to develop 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft with Stealth features. (Bhutan Information Agency)

They have there own engine with loads of thrust, X-Band, AESA, IRST , sensor fusion and we are still trying to
get all these stuff through Rafale and FGFA.
Drop FGFA and buy this one. We have a better relation with Bhutan and they will definitely not exploit us for our friendship

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 18 Mar 2014 22:34

For a change - someone with a sense of humour..

And a LOT of time.

As far as planning and execution, he is better than the Saint too.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Mar 2014 09:48

Mystery Aircraft Over Texas

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 31 Mar 2014 05:22

When I was a kid growing up on the windswept plains of northern and west Texas, there were sonic booms almost every day with broken windows in some businesses in town. The local Airforce base was (and still is) Dyess. Now dig this, there were no jet fighters stationed there just B-48 bombers and in air refuelers. So what was up? There was a B-58 Hustler base stationed in Lubbock (now closed)but that was quite ways a way from where I lived. Many years later I learned there was a top secret double probation designated air test range over where I lived. Some reason or another the Air Force loved the skies over there. Still do. It generates a lot of UFO reports.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 02 Apr 2014 07:09

South Korea plans $1.3-billion tanker aircraft buy to boost air defense

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/ ... AQ20140331

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea on Monday kicked off the process to buy four in-flight refueling tanker aircraft, in a deal seen to be worth around 1.4 trillion won ($1.31 billion), with planemakers Boeing and Airbus expected to compete, sources said.The purchase is part of South Korea's attempts to bolster its air defense in the face of rising tension in Northeast Asia over the maritime interests of neighbors such as Japan and China, as well as against an unpredictable North Korea.The purchase will be made through a competitive bid process and bids will be accepted by June 30, arms purchase agency the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement.Boeing Co is expected to bid with a model that is based on a Boeing 767-level aircraft such as the KC-46 Pegasus, while Airbus Group NV is expected to enter its A330 multi-role tanker transport, two industry sources told Reuters.Other firms could also decide to compete with commercial aircraft overhauled as tankers, the sources said.DAPA will hold a closed briefing on April 8 to explain its requirement to interested companies. South Korea seeks to close a deal by the end of this year, a source with direct knowledge of its requirements said.

srai · Post by **srai** » 02 Apr 2014 14:43

RAF retires two Tornado squadrons

RAF is down to just 9 combat squadrons now:

3 squadron - Air Defence (Typhoon)
8 squadron - Air Defence (Typhoon)
11 squadron - Air Defence (Typhoon)
II (AC) squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)
6 squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)
IX (B) squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)
13 squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)
14 squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)
31 squadron - Offensive Support (Tornado GR4)

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Apr 2014 16:38

which means they can still send a token 3 GR4 squadrons for any khan misadventure war party. enough to retain the #1 Munna status.

barring france, the rest of the euros can barely manage 1 sqdn of fighters each for such colonial wars

during cold war days even flyweights like belgium and netherland had 100 F-16s each.

and they all need munitions, EW, CSAR and refueler support from you know who.

Multatuli · Post by **Multatuli** » 11 Apr 2014 11:34

Pentagon Strikes Back at F-35 Contractor by Withholding Payments

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pentagon- ... 00322.html

The Defense Department is holding back $25.7 million from engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney until the company improves its mechanisms for tracking costs and performance levels, according to Breaking Defense. The amount withheld represents about 5 percent of engine payments slated for Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

“However, far too often engine deliveries are interrupted by technical issues and manufacturing quality escapes resulting in product holds and material deficiencies that increase overall risk to meeting future production goals,” Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan told the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee. “My production and quality teams continue to work closely with Pratt & Whitney to resolve the systemic issues which result in these product holds,” he said.

tushar_m · Post by **tushar_m** » 12 Apr 2014 06:59

Iranian UAV spotted over Syria could be a heavily modified drone (with Predator inputs)

Video & images included

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 19 Apr 2014 05:42

The Planet’s Best Stealth Fighter Isn’t Made in America

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 19 Apr 2014 08:50

^The lengths people will go to sell stuff

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2014 15:09

Russia orders more MiG-29SMT fighters

Russia has signed a contract with the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RAC MiG) for 16 more MiG-29SMT 'Fulcrum' multirole fighter aircraft, RAC MiG announced on 15 April.

Valued at RUB17 billion (USD473 million), including ground support and test equipment, the order will see the RAC MiG deliver the aircraft to the Russian Air Force by 2016.

An order of 16 MiG-29SMT fighters was first suggested by Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov in August 2013 to make up for the lack of an immediate order of RAC MiG's newer MiG-35S 'Fulcrum-F' fighter aircraft. The new MiG-29SMTs will allow the Russian Air Force to maintain its operational inventory of light fighter aircraft, according to a statement from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), RAC MiG's parent company.

In a statement, Borisov said: "This order will allow the company to look to the future and will be a good starting point for the production of new aircraft, such as the MiG-35S."

According to the UAC, an order for the MiG-35S from the Russian Air Force is now scheduled to occur in 2016. The company expects that around 100 MiG-35S fighters will be procured "just in the short term".

Although the MiG-29SMT is already in service with the Russian Air Force, this is Russia's first order for the aircraft. The Russian Air Force received 28 MiG-29SMTs between 2009 and 2010, although these were aircraft originally ordered for Algeria - which subsequently rejected the aircraft.

According to Sergei Korotkov, general director of RAC MiG, the MiG-29SMT is "well proven in operations and has a significantly expanded range of weapons to attack both air and ground targets", compared with early 'Fulcrum' variants.

The most visible external difference between the MiG-29SMT and other 'Fulcrum' aircraft is the extended fuel-tank in the spine of the aircraft, which doubles the mission radius of the MiG-29SMT variant when operating in an air superiority role to 836 n miles (1,550 km; 963 miles). Internally the MiG-29SMT features a significantly improved systems fit, including an upgraded radar, uprated engines, new avionics, a digital cockpit, improved navigation system, and an expanded weapons fit. The airframe of the MiG-29SMT is, however, the original 9.12/9.13 'Flanker' airframe, rather than the newer, lighter, 9.15 aluminium-lithium alloy airframe of the MiG-29M. As such, the MiG-29SMT has been offered as an upgrade package for old airframe MiG-29 aircraft; although the 16 aircraft ordered on 15 April are understood by IHS Jane's to be new build.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 20 Apr 2014 03:45

Japan to build military site near disputed Senkaku islands

Japan has begun construction work on a military radar station near a string of islands that is at the centre of a territorial dispute with China.

Correspondents say the move will anger Beijing as it may allow Japan to expand surveillance near the Chinese mainland.

The new base - on Yonaguni island - is located just 150km (90 miles) from the Japanese-held Senkaku island group, claimed by China as the Diaoyu islands.

About 150 personnel are due to be deployed on Yonaguni within two years.

During a ceremony to mark the start of project, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera suggested his country's military presence could be extended to other islands in the region.

"This is the first deployment since the US returned Okinawa [in 1972] and calls for us to be more on guard are growing," Mr Onodera told reporters.

"I want to build an operation able to properly defend islands that are part of Japan's territory."

Tensions between Japan and China rose last year, after Beijing imposed an Air Defence Identification Zone above disputed islands in the East China Sea - including the Senkakus.

The move was also condemned by the US.

Several countries claim competing sovereignty over islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 20 Apr 2014 16:27

Good news about the extra MIG-29s.could be offered to India at basement prices too if the Rafale is found unaffordable.

Good news too with the A-10,extra wings being built to extend its life upto 2035! And why? It is because the JSF,meant to replace it for ground support,is woefully behind schedule,horrendously expensive to acquire and operate and a delicate bird that cannot takethe battlefield punishment from anti-air weapons that the flying tank,the A-19 can.

http://boeing.rollcall.com/topic-a/spon ... edom-2035/

A-10 Thunderbolt II Gets New Wings, Ensures the Sound of Freedom into 2035
By Boeing

The A-10 Thunderbolt II plays a key role in protecting our troops and it’s about to get a makeover.

The U.S. Air Force’s A-10 Warthog, a twin-engine jet designed for close air support of ground forces, is receiving new wings that will improve mission availability and help save the Air Force an estimated $1.3 billion in maintenance costs over the next 30 years.

In recent months, Boeing was awarded three follow-on orders for a total of 56 replacement wings and is on contract to build up to 242 wings at its plant in Macon, Ga.

The A-10 is known for its excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and its ability to deliver weapons with great accuracy. A-10s can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings and 1.5-mile visibility. With its significant range and short takeoff and landing capability, it is uniquely suited to serve in and out of locations near the front lines.

This makeover will allow the A-10 to continue to protect our troops and to operate into 2035.

Bad news...for the US:
Russia Missile Defense Worries US
http://boeing.rollcall.com/topic-a/unca ... orries-us/

The Washington Free Beacon reports that “Russia’s military has completed work on a new missile defense radar in southern Russia that has some U.S. military officials worried Moscow is building up offensive and defensive strategic forces in destabilizing combination.”

“The large radar station near Armavir, located near the Black Sea and designed to detect missiles launched from Europe and Iran, is nearly complete, said U.S. officials.”

“The radar deployment comes as Russia is seeking legal restrictions on U.S. and NATO missile defenses in Europe that are designed to protect the continent and the United States from long-range Iranian missiles.”

The paper also reports that “U.S. officials said Russia’s military restricted publication of photographs of the controversial Yars-M missile… However, one photo of the new missile’s prohibited view was published last year.”

New US secret stealth UCAV to enter service by 2015. DEc '13 report though.

Topic A
New Stealth Aircraft Scheduled for Production
By Taegan Goddard | December 6, 2013

Aviation Week: “A large, classified unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman is now flying—and it demonstrates a major advance in combining stealth and aerodynamic efficiency. Defense and intelligence officials say the secret unmanned aerial system (UAS), designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, is scheduled to enter production for the U.S. Air Force and could be operational by 2015.”

“Neither the Air Force nor Northrop Grumman would speak about the classified airplane… If the previous patterns for secret ISR aircraft operations are followed, the new UAV will be jointly controlled by the Air Force and the CIA, with the program managed by the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office and flight operations sustained by the Air Force.”

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 20 Apr 2014 19:42

Good news too with the A-10,

One way to break the sequestration.

Note that the Def budget takes the sequestration into account only for the next two years. 2016 onwards they have essentially dumped it from their plans.

A very bad idea to read such articles in isolation - the dynamics are very, very different when read in context.

Context: Boeing is as interested in breaking the sequestration. The Pentagon has already declared:

USAF, Apr, 2014 wrote: The Air Force said it needs to retire the A-10 because it’s a single mission aircraft. Service officials say they would achieve more savings by retiring a full fleet of aircraft versus more aircraft over multiple fleets.

So, good that the Senate, etc have provided funds for the A-10. It will be beyond the budget that the Pentagon laid down.

-------------------------

And, just by the way:

Air Force leaders stand firm on plans to cut A-10, C-130s

Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James on Wednesday defended plans to scrap the A-10 fleet and retire roughly 40 C-130s to skeptical lawmakers who cautioned against making radical force structure changes too quickly.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Apr 2014 21:46

First flight test of SpaceX's Falcon9 Reusable Launch Vehicle

http://youtu.be/0UjWqQPWmsY

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 22 Apr 2014 01:42

Apr 8, 2014 :: Russia finalises PAK-DA bomber design

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 22 Apr 2014 19:24

OAK will deliver to the Air Force of Russia 31 "the flying tanker"

So, 39 transports and now 31 refuelers (expected to sign in late 2014). That makes a total of 70. With a handful of A-100s, say 20, the expected number of IL-476 platforms will be around 90-100 planes - for now.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 22 Apr 2014 20:59

New Mig-29's lemons?

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/3629dd50871c

Moscow has placed an order for new, highly upgraded MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters. But they actually might not be new at all. The planned acquisition of the twin-tail, twin-engine MiG-29SMTs is a window into bizarre and possibly suspect Kremlin practices that could boost Russian air power … or undermine it.

Just stiring the pot a little bit.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 22 Apr 2014 22:05

^^^^^^

The MiG-29 picture is actually worse.

They were supposed to order MiG-35s (the ones offered to India for the MMRCA project). Seems the 35 (I hope India never numbers any of her plane a -35) had some issues in production - so that halted the production plan and to make up numbers ordered the -29XXx.

On the flip side they have to keep the "MiG" moving along.

If you read the PAK-DA article they mention that after the PAK-DA is productized they intend looking into a single engine MiG. So, some time around 2020 we can see "MiG" mentioned again. Perhaps they will offer it as a replacement for the LCA MKII. MiG-21 -> LCA -> MiG-SE (Single Engine). Why go with MKII, when you have a proven MiG?

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 02 May 2014 20:12

While we twiddle our thumbs over vodka:

KC-390 Prototype Final Assembly Underway At Embraer