International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

The Military Issues & History Forum is a venue to discuss issues relating to the military aspects of the Indian Armed Forces, whether the past, present or future. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Post Reply
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

NRao wrote:What a 6 min 40 sec test flight by SpaceX's SN8.

added:

Watch final 10 secs



SN9 up next

^ Not bad for something that looks like it was put together by folks who worked on the sets of the Batman series back in the 70s ;) .
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

They were a header-tank-pressure away from nailing it on the first try!!!

Image
Image
Image

The entire test article and every Raptor (3) were being tested for the very first time!!!
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Odds are probably in their favor for making a landing in one of their next 2-3 attempts with starship. This isn't a startup anymore but one with more than a 100 successful launches and nearly 70 booster recoveries under its belt.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

A good graphic on the starship (LINK)

Image
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

Elon Musk inspecting the landing site in Boca Chica, TX. 12/10/2020

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Not surprising given Lockheed has delivered nearly 800 5GFA or stealth aircraft and the fact that it is most probably the OEM that designed and flew a 6GFA demonstrator for the USAF.

Lockheed Martin to join Japan's new fighter jet program: Nikkei

Lockheed Martin Corp, the maker of the F-35 stealth jet, will join a project led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to build a new fighter plane that Japan’s air force is expected to field by the mid 2030s, The Nikkei newspaper reported.

Lockheed’s participation as a junior partner in development, had been expected after it earlier proposed a hybrid design based on its F-35 and F-22 jets. Japan’s Ministry of Defence awarded MHI the primary role in October.

The new fighter, which is known as the F-3 or F-X and is expected to cost around $40 billion, will replace Japan’s F-2, which was jointly developed by MHI and Lockheed more than two decades ago.

Japan has said it will announce the names of foreign companies invited to join the project before the end of the year.

Firms that have expressed interest in participating include F-18 Super Hornet builder Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp from the United States, as well as Britain’s BAE Systems Plc and Rolls Royce Holdings Plc.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Here's the original news story from Nikkei -

Mitsubishi Heavy to lead Japan's fighter project with Lockheed

TOKYO -- The Japanese government has outlined the country's next-generation fighter jet project, selecting Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main contractor to lead Japanese and U.S. companies, with American defense contractor Lockheed Martin providing technological support, Nikkei has learned.

The plan for the homegrown fighter jet, which will be jointly operated by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the American military, is set to be announced by the Ministry of Defense imminently. The move comes as Japan hopes to strengthen its alliance with the U.S in the face of increased Chinese military activity in the Asian region.

Japan plans to manufacture about 90 jets, which will succeed the aging F-2, with deployment slated for 2035. The cost of the project is expected to exceed 5 trillion yen ($48 billion). The initial planning costs will be included in the fiscal 2021 budget draft to be approved by the Japanese cabinet later this month.

The Tokyo government stated in its medium-term defense capability development plan in 2018 that it would develop its next fighter aircraft mainly via its domestic defense industry.

In October, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy as the main developer. The manufacturer is responsible for the design of the aircraft and systems integration. While engineering corporation IHI will develop the engine, auto and aerospace manufacturer Subaru will be in charge of the landing device, and Toshiba and IT group Fujitsu will produce its radar. Its mission system, which controls electronic warfare, will be developed by Mitsubishi Electric.

If the Japanese-led initiative is realized, it will mark the first time that domestic groups have developed defense jets since Mitsubishi Heavy made the F-1 fighter in the 1970s.

Lockheed Martin led the development of the F-35 fighter, which Japan's Self-Defense Forces have also deployed.

The Japanese government envisions the new jet as a multirole fighter, capable of attacking land and sea targets as well as engaging in aerial combat. It will have stealth in addition to networking functions to continue operations even if it is disturbed by electromagnetic waves.

With the cutting-edge fighter jets, Tokyo is seeking to create a bulwark against China and Russia's growing regional influence.

According to the Ministry of Defense, China has more than 1,000 "fourth generation" fighters, which it considers as the mainstay of its defense forces. Its number of these jets has tripled in the past 10 years. Beijing also aims to deploy a "fifth generation" with stealth capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia is also planning to introduce a fifth-generation aircraft, while also developing a large unmanned aerial vehicle.

As Japanese companies' last experience of leading fighter development was more than 40 years ago with the F-1, Tokyo is seeking technical support from foreign companies. By November, the Ministry of Defense had narrowed down potential candidates to Lockheed and Boeing of the U.S. and Britain's BAE Systems. They were evaluated in three areas -- system integration capabilities such as radar and missiles, high stealth and athletic ability, and efficient development technology.

Lockheed was chosen for its potential to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, as well as for its development record. The American company developed the world's leading fighter jets, the F-22 and F-35, and has a strong reputation in stealth technology. The technical support it will provide to Mitsubishi Heavy will mainly be in airframe design and systems integration.

Tokyo is emphasizing the interoperability of the jet with Japan and the U.S. In preparation for an emergency, it will be able to share data with the U.S military's F-22 and F-35, making it easier to jointly develop operations.

Lockheed works with U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman on fighter jet development. Northrop is strong in sensors as well as in linking data technology connecting multiple fighters. Teaming up with Lockheed will thus make it easier for Mitsubishi Heavy to receive technical assistance from Northrop.

On individual components, Tokyo is also seeking cooperation with British companies that are building partnerships with Japan in the development of defense technology. BAE has a reputation for electronic warfare technology that uses electromagnetic waves to prevent opponents from attacking.

About 1,000 companies are involved in the manufacture of each model of fighter jet, with required technologies ranging from high-power engines to infrared sensors, lightweight airframes and information systems -- each of which require advanced technological capabilities.

While receiving technical assistance from foreign companies, Japan hopes the project will nurture innovation among domestic companies and create new industries.
chola
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5136
Joined: 16 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: USA

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by chola »

NRao wrote:Elon Musk inspecting the landing site in Boca Chica, TX. 12/10/2020

Image
Look at the size of thing! Imagine soft-landing with that?!

Okay, it didn't stick the landing but it certainly wasn't a failure. That thing was literally feet away from a historic landing.

The footage is simply amazing. Musk has created aomething very special in his company and in this spacecraft. I feel like we are at the dawning of a new age.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Even the Falcon 9 launch and drone ship/land recoveries tend not to effectively capture the true size of these vehicles that are being recovered because seldom are there humans or other objects for scale that a casual observer, not familiar with dimensions etc, can relate to.

Here's an example of a Falcon 9 FS recovery with humans for scale.

Image

John Ostrower at twitter posted this edited image for scale for the starship.

Image
chola
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5136
Joined: 16 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: USA

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by chola »

^^^ Great post, Brar ji. Truly an eye-opener. Incredible stuff.
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

Delta V Heavy, this AM:

Image
Image


Fun fact: that building in the 2nd pic moves, unlike other cases where the rocket is wheeled into place from the assembly building
hnair
Forum Moderator
Posts: 4633
Joined: 03 May 2006 01:31
Location: Trivandrum

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by hnair »

NRao wrote:Delta V Heavy, this AM:

Image

Fun fact: that building in the 2nd pic moves, unlike other cases where the rocket is wheeled into place from the assembly building
What is the novelty about this? The moving VAB at SHAR Launchpad#2 has been in operation in India since 1993 PSLVD1.

Here is a video showing (at the beginning itself) of the Mobile VAB tower moving away from the launch pedestal and tower after vertical integration,



Or is there some other new tech being done here?
chola
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5136
Joined: 16 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: USA

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by chola »

Don't know if it is just chini-russki BS but if true this is a gamechanger in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. Even if this thing just takes over the chini market and nowhere else it would still be a big change.

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28513 ... ts_by_2045
Sino-Russian JV Targets Delivery of 1000 CR929 Jets by 2045
Our Bureau 09:10 AM, December 10, 2020

China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation (CRAIC) projects delivery of 1,000 CR929 250-to-350 seat wide-body twinjet airliners by 2045.

"The project of CR929, first long-range wide-body jetliner jointly developed by China and Russia, moves forward steadily, with a total of 1,000 expected to be handed over between 2023 and 2045," chief Chinese designer Chen Yingchun said at an aviation summit in Hangzhou Wednesday.

CRAIC is a 50-50 joint venture between Chinese Comac and Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) tasked with the development of the plane. The project is expected to cost around $10 billion. CRAIC opened an office in Shanghai in May 2017, targeting a 2025-2028 maiden flight and first delivery. It aims to take 10% of a market dominated by Boeing and Airbus of 9,100 widebodies over 20 years through 2035, with a plane 10-15% cheaper to run.

Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/22Q99/status/133838 ... 57250?s=20 ---> Qatari Mirage 2000 modernization.

Image

Before

Image

After

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

From Israel's MOD (@Israel_MOD):
Israel Missile Defense Organization & the U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a series of intercept tests of an advanced version of the David's Sling weapon system. IMDO & Rafael also demonstrated Iron Dome ability to intercept cruise missiles, UAVs & other threats
Image

Image

Image
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

Starship SN-9:

Image

Image

Image

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

RAAF Declares Initial Operational Capability For Australia’s F-35A Lightning II Jets

Image
Australian Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, CSC, and Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price MP, declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for Australia’s F-35As on Dec. 28, 2020. With the IOC, the RAAF Lightnings can be deployed operationally, joining the other services all around the world that have already achieved the capability: U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Italian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force and Japan Self-Defense Air Force.

Australia currently operates a fleet of 33 F-35As, and RAAF crews have surpassed more than 8,780 flight hours to date, with more than 45 pilots and 600 maintainers supporting the fleet. The service should procure 72 aircraft to replace to replace the “Legacy” F/A-18A/B Hornet jets and complement the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack aircraft. The 5th generation aircraft should equip three squadrons, two at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, and at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory. RAAF plans to achieve FOC (Final Operational Capability) by 2024.

Since Dec. 18, 2014, when the first Australian F-35A Lightning jet arrived at Luke Air Force Base, a certain number of Aussie F-35s have been deployed to the U.S. and operated by the 61st Fighter Squadron “Top Dogs” of the 56th Fighter Wing, as part of the multinational academic training center, under a pooling arrangement between the U.S., Australia, Norway and Italy, which share IPs and aircraft to train new pilots and instructors within the same standardized framework.

Those “Kanagaroo F-35s” were expected to return home by the end of 2020, although it’s not clear whether they have already left Luke or not.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by Rakesh »

Image
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

Elon Musk Says Launch Tower Will Catch Super Heavy Booster Mid-Air
......

No more Earth landings
However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter to announce that the next level of booster, the Super Heavy, will be caught by the launch tower arm instead of landing back on Earth.

"We’re going to try to catch the Super Heavy Booster with the launch tower arm, using the grid fins to take the load," tweeted Musk.

This will not only result in major cost savings it will also reduce the weight of the booster. Another benefit is that the booster could potentially be ready for reuse immediately.

All it would need to fly again is a new payload and upper stage. Musk mentioned that this approach would allow the booster to be "ready to refly in under an hour," according to New Atlas.

......
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Saab receives follow-on contract for GlobalEye


Image
Saab has today received a follow on contract with the United Arab Emirates regarding the sale of two GlobalEye systems, Saab’s advanced airborne surveillance system. The order value is USD 1.018 billion and the contract period is 2020-2025.
The original contract with the United Arab Emirates for GlobalEye was signed in 2015. This contract is an amendment to that signed in 2015.

“We are proud that the United Arab Emirates continues to show great trust in Saab and our solutions. It shows that Saab remains on the cutting edge regarding advanced technology. The GlobalEye program is running according to plan and we have an efficient cooperation with the customer”, says Micael Johansson, President and CEO Saab.

The work will be carried out in Gothenburg, Linköping, Arboga, Järfälla and Luleå in Sweden and in Centurion, South Africa.

The contract was signed by the customer on the 30th of December 2020, hence the order was booked during the fourth quarter 2020.

GlobalEye provides simultaneous air, maritime and ground surveillance. It combines sophisticated radar technology with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier.
rajsunder
BRFite
Posts: 855
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 02:38
Location: MASA Land

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by rajsunder »

chola wrote:Don't know if it is just chini-russki BS but if true this is a gamechanger in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. Even if this thing just takes over the chini market and nowhere else it would still be a big change.

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28513 ... ts_by_2045
Sino-Russian JV Targets Delivery of 1000 CR929 Jets by 2045
Our Bureau 09:10 AM, December 10, 2020

China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation (CRAIC) projects delivery of 1,000 CR929 250-to-350 seat wide-body twinjet airliners by 2045.

"The project of CR929, first long-range wide-body jetliner jointly developed by China and Russia, moves forward steadily, with a total of 1,000 expected to be handed over between 2023 and 2045," chief Chinese designer Chen Yingchun said at an aviation summit in Hangzhou Wednesday.

CRAIC is a 50-50 joint venture between Chinese Comac and Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) tasked with the development of the plane. The project is expected to cost around $10 billion. CRAIC opened an office in Shanghai in May 2017, targeting a 2025-2028 maiden flight and first delivery. It aims to take 10% of a market dominated by Boeing and Airbus of 9,100 widebodies over 20 years through 2035, with a plane 10-15% cheaper to run.

none of the western nations are going to supply their commercial aero jets for this plane. How are they going to sell to other countries?
vivek_ahuja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2394
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 16:58

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by vivek_ahuja »

rajsunder wrote:
chola wrote:Don't know if it is just chini-russki BS but if true this is a gamechanger in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. Even if this thing just takes over the chini market and nowhere else it would still be a big change.
none of the western nations are going to supply their commercial aero jets for this plane. How are they going to sell to other countries?
What is powering the CR919 right now? Is access to engines the real deal breaker here?

Rakesh posted a nice image in the China thread showing the vast array of western components used in the CR919. Expect the same for the CR929. The real way for western companies to make money there is to sell the Chinese these parts and subsystems. At least until the Chinese start replacing each subsystem with a Chinese copy as they mature their processes.

Short of a executive order from the White House, the CR929s will fly as planned. Who will buy them is another matter, though.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Italy, UK and Sweden sign MoU on development of Tempest

Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini, UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, and Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 21 December on the development of the Tempest future fighter, the Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a press release on 3 January.

Describing the Future Combat Air System Cooperation (FCASC) MoU as “crucial for the balance of military and industrial capabilities at the European and global level”, the ministry said the agreement defines “the general principles for co-operation on an equal basis between the three countries comprising all activities including research, development and joint concepting necessary for governments to acquire an advanced air system to replace Eurofighter”. The MoD added, “The agreement will be followed by the project arrangements and the full development phase, currently scheduled to begin in 2025.”

As underlined by Guerini during the presentation of the Documento Programmatico Pluriennale (Multiyear Planning Document, DPP) 2020–2022 to the Italian parliament in November, “The Tempest programme is among the defence priority programmes,” according to the MoD press release, which said “a first important budget line for Italian participation in Tempest was clearly identified within the Eurofighter programme to allow for the concrete start of activities through the so-called ‘Typhoon to Tempest’ [technological] transition”.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

UK signs Spear 3 missile production deal for F-35 fleet


Image
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded MBDA a £550 million ($750 million), seven-year demonstration and manufacturing contract for its Spear 3 air-to-surface missile, which will arm its Lockheed Martin F-35Bs.

Described by the European guided weapons developer as a “network-enabled miniature cruise missile”, the design has a launch weight of less than 90kg (200lb).

Powered by a turbojet engine, the folding-wing-equipped missile will operate at high-subsonic speed, with an effective range greater than 75nm (140km), including against moving targets.

The MoD says Spear 3 will become the “primary air-to-ground weapon” for its F-35 Lightnings, and The MoD says the new weapon’s ability “will provide immense lethal capability to the [Royal Navy’s] Queen Elizabeth-class carrier strike group”.

The short take-off and vertical landing F-35B will be able to carry eight Spear 3s within its internal weapons bays.

MBDA says the weapon “will defeat challenging targets such as mobile long-range air defence systems at over-the-horizon ranges in all weathers and in highly contested environments”.

“The initial demonstration phase will assess the weapon system against the UK military’s requirement through testing, simulation and trials,” the MoD says. This will include performing guided firings from a Eurofighter Typhoon starting in mid-2022. Production activities will commence the following year.

MBDA received a £400 million development phase award for the Spear weapon system in 2016, and was in 2019 contracted to integrate the type onto the F-35 for the UK.

The company says its production award will support a peak of 570 jobs, including 190 new roles at its Bristol, Bolton and Stevenage sites, plus another 200 across its supply chain, which includes Collins Aerospace and L3Harris.

“Stand-off, network-enabled and swarming weapons are a key part of MBDA’s vision,” says chief executive Eric Beranger. “Spear is leading the way with these technologies and is the most technically advanced weapon of its type.”

In addition to performing precision strike duties, the Spear design is also already being eyed for further development as an electronic attack asset. MBDA and Leonardo unveiled plans for an electronic warfare variant – which would provide stand-in jamming during the suppression of enemy air defences – at the DSEI exhibition in London in September 2019.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

UAE’s F-35 contracts expected to be signed before end of Trump administration
A contract for the sale of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to the United Arab Emirates is likely to be inked before the end of the Trump administration, according to a top U.S. State Department official.

“Everything is on that trajectory” for a signed contract before Jan. 20, R. Clarke Cooper, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, told reporters on a Friday call.

Members of Congress previously raised concerns that the deal is being rushed so it can be on contract before the Biden administration takes over. President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state, Anthony Blinken, told reporters in late October that the deal is “something we would look at very, very carefully.” But changing the deal becomes harder once a contract is signed.

“As you can imagine, there’s not one contract, so they’re going to be happening at different timelines ... there are going to be different contract signatures, different productions and different deliveries,” Cooper explained. “Why? You’re talking about different prime corporate elements, or different members of the defense industrial base, and also the conditions that are associated with a particular platform or system.

“But yes, I mean, everything’s in the trajectory for conclusion. And as we’ve already discussed, the sales of course have been well put together by the interagency and have cleared our Congress as well.”

The UAE deal comes with an estimated $23.37 billion price tag, which includes up to 50 F-35A fighters worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion worth of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. (Those dollar totals are estimates and may shift during final negotiations.)

The sale has proven politically fraught in Congress. Democratic lawmakers expressed opposition to the potential sale, saying it ignores risks to sensitive military technology posed by the UAE’s ties to Russia and China. Some also raised concerns about the threat to Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East.

However, a December attempt in the Senate to block the arms sales failed, largely along party lines. The first vote concerned the drones and munitions, failing 46-50, while the second concerned the F-35s and fell 47-49.
Prithwiraj
BRFite
Posts: 264
Joined: 21 Dec 2016 18:48

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by Prithwiraj »

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... -delivered

French are upgrading their fleet of late production Mirage 2000D to serve them till 2030
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

UAV "Okhotnik" bombed during tests

Used Google translate:
Image

MOSCOW, January 12 - RIA Novosti. The Russian heavy attack drone S-70 "Okhotnik" bombed a ground target at the Ashuluk training ground as part of flight tests, a source in the military-industrial complex told RIA Novosti.

According to him, "Okhotnik" dropped unguided aerial bombs of 500 kilogram caliber from the inner fuselage compartment.

He did not name the date when the bombing took place, but noted that these were not the first tests to destroy ground targets.

The source emphasized that "the newest sighting and navigation system installed on the Okhotnik makes it possible to use free-falling ammunition with an accuracy approaching that of high-precision guided weapons."

"Hunter", according to the interlocutor, is capable of autonomously hitting ground stationary and restrictedly mobile targets with previously known coordinates, including when receiving external target designation in the air.

The Okhotnik attack unmanned aerial vehicle was developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. According to open sources, it has a length of 14 meters, a wingspan of 19 meters, and a take-off weight of 20 tons. The Hunter's maximum speed reaches thousands of kilometers per hour. The drone is made according to the "flying wing" scheme with the use of materials that reduce radar signature.

The first flight of the Okhotnik, as reported by the Ministry of Defense, took place on August 3, 2019.

According to RIA Novosti sources, last year the Okhotnik performed a series of flights with functional simulators of air-to-air guided missiles, which lack an engine but have a homing head. Test launches of combat missiles at air targets should be performed by the apparatus in the second half of this year.
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

SpaceX's SN9 on pad-II, at Boca Chica, TX

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Virgin Orbit reaches orbit on second LauncherOne mission


Image
Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket reached orbit on its second flight Jan. 17, demonstrating the performance of the air-launch system after years of development.

The company’s Boeing 747 aircraft, called Cosmic Girl, took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California at 1:38 p.m. Eastern with the LauncherOne rocket attached. The plane flew out over the Pacific just off the Southern California coast and released the rocket at about 2:39 p.m. Eastern.

The rocket ignited its NewtonThree first stage engine for three minutes, followed by stage separation and ignition of the NewtonFour engine in the rocket’s second stage for nearly six minutes. After a 46-minute coast, the rocket reignited the NewtonFour for a five-second burn, followed by payload deployment in an approximately 500-kilometer orbit, although Virgin Orbit took more than an hour to confirm those final steps...

The customer for the Launch Demo 2 mission was NASA under a contract awarded in 2015 as part of its Venture Class Launch Services program to support emerging small launch vehicle developers. The mission, called ELaNa 20 by NASA, carried 10 cubesats from eight universities and one NASA center. The spacecraft are designed to perform a range of science and technology demonstration missions....
arvin
BRFite
Posts: 672
Joined: 17 Aug 2016 21:26

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by arvin »

Quite impressive they used the 5th pylon of 747 to launch the 30 ton rocket. Able to place 300kg in polar orbit with a 2 stage rocket strapped to a commercial airplane is amazing.
They are aiming for 100kg to moon, 70 kg to Venus and 50 kg to Mars in future. Changes the way inter planetary exploration is done.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

If Virgin's venture is successful (financially), I am sure Stratolaunch will look to pivot back into the launch market as well given it has a platform that can air launch larger payloads (the company shifted its investments into the platform and payload towards hypresonic vehicle testing).

Image
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

UK industry bids farewell to EU's Galileo system
The UK's final big industrial contribution to the EU's Galileo sat-nav system has been delivered.

European Space Agency officials confirmed on Thursday that Surrey Satellite Technology Limited of Guildford has shipped the last of the navigation payloads it was assembling.

These payloads are the "brains" of the spacecraft and generate the signals the Galileo network sends down to Earth.

.............................
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19224
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by NRao »

SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports
Therefore, sea launch platforms will play a key role in the launch cadence SpaceX plans to reach with Starship, including on-orbit refueling flights for deep space missions and transportation from one place to another on Earth.


Job postings by SpaceX have indicated that work on offshore launch platforms has begun in Brownsville, Texas, near their Starship manufacturing and launch facilities in Boca Chica.

Positions included crane operators, electricians, and offshore operations engineers, and several of the job listings specified that the position was part of the company’s Starship program. Job descriptions for these positions included responsibilities like “designing and building an operational offshore rocket launch facility” and required the “ability to work on an offshore platform in Brownsville, Texas.”

The Port of Brownsville is home to a handful of oil drilling rigs, as drilling operations are regularly conducted in the Gulf of Mexico. One rig in port was photographed by NASASpaceflight before and after a sign with the name Deimos was added in recent months.

Ensco Rowan merged and became Valaris PLC in 2019. The rig, then named Valaris 8500, was sold with another rig named Valaris 8501 to an undisclosed buyer in August 2020 when Valaris filed for bankruptcy. The two rigs sold for $3.5 million each, and as it turns out, the undisclosed buyer was SpaceX.

Both rigs have been officially renamed Deimos (formerly ENSCO/Valaris 8500) and Phobos (formerly ENSCO/Valaris 8501), and are now owned by Lone Star Mineral Development LLC. Lone Star was incorporated in June 2020, just before the two rigs were purchased, and a principal of the company is Bret Johnsen, who is also the CFO and President of the Strategic Acquisitions Group at SpaceX.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had tweeted that “SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon, & hypersonic travel around Earth” the same month that Lone Star was incorporated. It appears that Lone Star Mineral Development LLC is a subsidiary of SpaceX.

SpaceX’s job posting for crane operating positions in Brownsville mentioned Seatrax S90 cranes by name as one of the types an operator would be using. This same type of crane is the primary model used on the ENSCO 8500 and 8501 series rigs.

The Phobos rig was seen via satellite imagery in the Port of Galveston on January 13, 2020. Galveston is near Houston, Texas, to the northeast of Brownsville and Boca Chica.

The idea for offshore launch and landing facilities was first presented officially by SpaceX in 2017, when Elon Musk revealed Starship’s “Earth to Earth” transportation plan. Launching cargo and passengers on suborbital flights around Earth requires operating loud launch vehicles from locations accessible from major cities. Thus, the spaceports would be placed far enough offshore to mitigate noise from Starship’s Raptor engines as well as the sonic booms created by landing stages, both the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster.

Offshore launch facilities can also help alleviate congestion and noise levels from SpaceX’s land based Starship facilities at Boca Chica, Texas and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The primary driver of Starship’s Development is enabling missions to the moon and Mars, and those flights will require on-orbit refueling using a tanker variant of Starship in Low Earth Orbit. Delivering crew and/or cargo to the moon will require at least one refueling, and missions to Mars may require multiple refueling flights.

SpaceX also plans to eventually send multiple Starships to Mars during a single interplanetary transfer window. These flights will be in addition to perhaps hundreds of Starship missions to Earth orbit before carrying any people.

All of these factors result in a rapid Starship launch cadence which would be difficult to serve using only the two land based launch and landing sites. Phobos and Deimos will provide two more facilities for this purpose.

The two rigs will require extensive modification to support fueling, payload integration, launch, and landing operations. As this work continues, SpaceX teams at Boca Chica are continuing to test prototype Starship vehicles and construct the first Super Heavy boosters.

Based on the extensive work still needed to prepare the rigs, Phobos and Deimos will likely enter service after the initial orbital flights of the Starship launch system.

Image

Image

The first orbital Starship launch from Boca Chica could occur in late 2021, pending successful Starship and Super Heavy testing throughout the year.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Space-X's 17th Starlink Mission appears to be a success. This was the 8th launch for this particular first-stage booster which they also recovered so it'll be good for reuse for its 9th mission.

Watch live today: SpaceX launching its 1st Starlink satellites of 2021


Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

First Upgraded F-16V Fighter For Greece Takes Flight

The first of 84 Greek Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to be upgraded to the F-16V Viper standard took to the skies for the first time on January 17. Greece’s minister for national defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, announced the news on Twitter, noting that the maiden flight was conducted with “absolute success”, and that the upgrade program “continues at an intensive pace.”

The F-16V had been upgraded at the Tanagra facility of Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), which is to carry out the modifications to the fleet in a program that was approved by the U.S. government in October 2017. The value is estimated to reach around $1.5 billion.

The first airframe, carrying the serial number 005, was originally delivered in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+ with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine as part of the Peace Xenia IV sale. Greece acquired a total of 90 Block 52/52+ aircraft and the survivors are the subject of the upgrade. The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) also received 80 Block 30/50 aircraft powered by the General Electric F110, but they are not part of the F-16V program.

After modernization, the aircraft is now an F-16V in Block 72 configuration, the “2” denoting its P&W powerplant. The key element of the modernization is the installation of the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), a sensor with an active electronically scanned array (AESA). The cockpit has a new center pedestal display and is compatible with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II. Other improvements include a new mission computer, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, Link 16 datalink, and an advanced identification friend or foe interrogator system.

Following 005’s 61-minute first flight, which was conducted by a U.S. test pilot and was accompanied by an F-16D two-seater, the aircraft is to undergo a short test campaign in Greece before being ferried to the U.S. by the end of the month for completion of the conversion and thorough evaluation and certification. All early flying is being conducted by U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin test pilots. The next three F-16Vs are also expected to go to the U.S. to join the test fleet. A successful conclusion of the certification process will result in approval by Lockheed Martin for HAI to proceed with the remainder of the upgrade program, which is expected to be completed by June 2027.

Upgrading the F-16s is one of a number of efforts to recapitalize the HAF’s combat fleet. Earlier this month the Greek parliament approved the purchase of six new-build and 12 ex-French air force Dassault Rafales. A deal is expected to be signed before the end of the month, with deliveries of the first of the used aircraft due in the first half of 2021. Late 2019 deals with France also ensure the continued service of the HAF’s Dassault Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 fighters.

In November 2020 a letter of request covering 18-24 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters was delivered to the U.S. government, with a plea for delivery of aircraft in 2021. With F-35 production accounted for until at least 2024, this would also dictate the acceptance of used aircraft if approved.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

The French DGA has released a new concept art for the SCAF/FCAS, this time of the Marine variant :

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

Latest picture from the assembly of the KF-X prototype being constructed in South Korea.

Image


GE has also now designated the F-414 variant that is being used by this project as the F414-GE-400K. No further details have been provided on how it differs from the other variants.

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by brar_w »

SpaceX launches a record 143 satellites on one rocket, aces landing
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX successfully launched an ambitious rideshare mission as one of its veteran boosters hoisted 143 small satellites — a new record for a single rocket — into space before nailing a landing at sea.

The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Sunday morning (Jan. 24), soaring into a blue sky dotted with clouds at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station here in Florida.

Perched atop the veteran launcher is a stack of 143 satellites as part of SpaceX's first dedicated rideshare mission, called Transporter-1. The flight allowed SpaceX to flex its ridesharing muscles in a carefully choreographed orbital ballet as its flagship rocket ferried its largest number of payloads yet.

Acting as a cosmic carpool, SpaceX sent the bevy of small satellites into space alongside 10 of its own Starlink internet satellites. The mission is expected to deposit the flat-paneled Starlink satellites in a unique polar orbit — a first for its broadband fleet that will help provide coverage to customers in Alaska and other polar regions.

As such, the rocket appeared to launch straight overhead and into the clouds as it leapt off the pad this morning.

Sunday's launch marks the third mission this year for SpaceX and the company's second within a week from Florida's Space Coast. On Wednesday (Jan. 20), SpaceX launched a full stack of its Starlink satellites atop a different Falcon 9 as part of a record-breaking mission. (The booster used on that mission became the first in SpaceX's fleet to launch and land eight times.)

The rocket powering today's mission is also a frequent flier, marking its fifth flight on the Transporter-1 mission. Known as B1058, the booster first entered service in May 2020 when it launched two NASA astronauts—Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley— into space as part of NASA's first crewed mission under the agency's Commercial Crew program. Called Demo-2, the flight marked the first astronaut mission to the International Space Station to launch from U.S. soil since the retirement of the space shuttle program in 2011....
Kartik
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5720
Joined: 04 Feb 2004 12:31

Re: International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

Post by Kartik »

Sweden decides on it's mix of Gripen C/D and Gripen E. 40 Gripen C/Ds will be kept till 2035 and the remaining will be 60 Gripen Es.

Updates- Sweden spells out Gripen, missile and AEW&C plans
Update: Sweden spells out Gripen, missile, and AEW&C plans
by Gareth Jennings

Sweden has firmed up the numbers of Gripen combat aircraft it plans to field over the coming years, at the same time as disclosing its intent to field a new air launched cruise missile, and to recapitalise its airborne early warning and control (AEW) fleet.

Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist laid out his government’s plans in a speech delivered on 12 January at the National Conference of the People and Defence 2021.

“The air force is strengthened by the fact that we will now operate a total of 100 JAS Gripens in two versions, instead of what was originally intended 60. The long-range combat capability against ground targets that will be added gives us the opportunity to reach enemy territory with considerable range. It is a real strengthening of Swedish operational capability, which is also an important security policy signal,” he said.

The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) currently fields about 100 Gripen C/D aircraft, which it originally intended to replace with 60 Gripen Es. However, it was recently disclosed that an unspecified number of Gripen C/Ds would be retained through to 2035 to help boost overall numbers. According to Hultqvist’s comments, the service will now retain 40 Gripen C/Ds, though he has yet to break this figure down into the number of single seat Cs and twin seat Ds. The total Gripen force will be divided between four Gripen E squadrons and two Gripen C/D squadrons.
Post Reply