International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/KDefenseInsight/status/18 ... 5797380496 ---> KAI's KF-21 Boramae has completed 1,000 accident-free flight sorties! Since its maiden flight in July 2022, it has undergone diverse tests, proving exceptional safety and reliability. Other ROKAF family members like KF-16, FA-50, and T-50 celebrate this milestone together!

[sanman]

Rolls Royce is developing its new Ultrafan engine for commercial airliners

[Rakesh]

According to Mr. Macron, France and Saudi Arabia have the “will to move forward” on the Rafale dossier
https://www.opex360.com/2024/12/04/selo ... es-rafale/
04 Dec 2024

[Manish_P]

Why let a small thing like not being able to shoot straight stop you from making 1000+ aircraft worth 80+ million USD

F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works

The Pentagon says more testing is required to demonstrate that the 25mm automatic cannon mounted internally on the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed now an effective weapon. Various software and hardware issues had long left the stealthy jets unable to shoot straight, but fixes intended to resolve them have been implemented.

The design of the internal mount for the GAU-22/A on the A version of the F-35 was also found years ago to have been so badly misaligned that it not only negatively impacted accuracy, but also caused physical damage to the aircraft from firing the gun. Additional concerns about cracking on the F-35A as a result of gun use have also surfaced in recent years.

New questions about the actual effectiveness of the F-35A’s internal gun emerged last month after the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), an independent nonprofit, published a heavily redacted declassified copy of a report on the Joint Strike Fighter program from the Pentagon’s Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E).

[sanman]

Elon Musk Trashes Manned Warplanes Like F-35, Says AI Drones Are Superior

[sanman]

Google summary:

The video discusses the Chinese J-16 fighter jet, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. While the jet is based on Russian technology, China has made significant improvements, including the use of Chinese engines and electronics. However, the focus on engine thrust has led to reduced efficiency and range. The video also analyzes a recent joint military exercise between China and Russia, where the J-16's limited range was exposed. Despite these limitations, the J-16 remains a formidable fighter jet, particularly when deployed in areas with shorter operational ranges.

[tandav]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orienspace

Orienspace a 4 year old Chinese space startup launched a Solid Fuel Rocket ONLY called Gravity One from a barge at sea and injected 3 satellites into space on its first attempt. The Launch is dated 11 Jan 2024. Payload weight to LEO is 6.5 Tons

[sanman]

China's new winged spacecraft, Haolong-1, designed by AVIC

[Rakesh]

Saab is awaiting for a foreign customer to fund this program. India must oblige onlee....

These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones
https://www.twz.com/air/these-are-saabs ... ter-drones

[vera_k]

Posting about another company building a medium capacity reusable rocket.

Stoke space

[drnayar]

Saab is awaiting for a foreign customer to fund this program. India must oblige onlee....

These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones
https://www.twz.com/air/these-are-saabs ... ter-drones

Best of luck ..now why do two competing consortium s GCAP and FCAP want to partner India ? .. Just money . As a matter of fact very much the role of Indonesia in Korean fighter program

[Rakesh]

Rafale Jets Backlog Increased by 9 Aircraft in 2024 Vs 2023
https://defensemirror.com/news/38557/Ra ... 24_Vs_2023
08 Jan 2025

[pravula]

UAE could transfer up to 30 Mirage 2000-9E fighter jets to Morocco with France’s consent

[srai]

^^^
Anyone still thinking about another squadron of Mirages for the IAF?

Too much international demand!

… price-sensitive India with its slow procurement bureaucracy

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/top_force/status/1878117866223845746 ---> Dassault has almost doubled its deliveries of Rafales in 2024.

[Rakesh]

Please use your built-in translator (if you have one!) in your browser to read the article in English.

Otherwise, copy the URL and head on to Google Translate ---> https://translate.google.ca/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=websites

The Greek Air Force received its twenty-fourth and last Rafale. For the time being?
https://www.opex360.com/2025/01/10/la-f ... e_vignette
10 January 2025

[Tanaji]

A contrarian approach to building satellites - bigger is better

https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/c ... abundance/

Built by brothers of Indian origin. SpaceX and Blue Origin have completely upended the economics of space.

[Rakesh]

First Rafale F4 for the UAEAF has been unveiled. Contract signed in Dec 2021. So much for the 10 year delay in delivering new build Rafales to customers. Click on link below to read the rest of the twitter thread....

https://x.com/Dassault_OnAir/status/1884656487605096601 ---> Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, unveiled the first Rafale produced for the United Arab Emirates Air Force, in the presence of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, and the Emirati Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Mohamed Bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei.

[Manish_P]

First Rafale F4 for the UAEAF has been unveiled. Contract signed in Dec 2021. So much for the 10 year delay in delivering new build Rafales to customers. Click on link below to read the rest of the twitter thread....
...

<rant> I hope we will not be looking at these units for second hand purchase in 2060 </rant>

[pravula]

First Rafale F4 for the UAEAF has been unveiled. Contract signed in Dec 2021. So much for the 10 year delay in delivering new build Rafales to customers. Click on link below to read the rest of the twitter thread....
...

<rant> I hope we will not be looking at these units for second hand purchase in 2060 </rant>

Not to worry, we will start looking at them in 2060, and will still fail to close by 2100. Look at M2K second hand saga....What a bunch of clowns we are...

[Manish_P]

Well Sirs the defense budget is out. A bare minimum increase being reported.

So good bye to big budget imports most probably

[arvin]

<rant> I hope we will not be looking at these units for second hand purchase in 2060 </rant>

Not to worry, we will start looking at them in 2060, and will still fail to close by 2100. Look at M2K second hand saga....What a bunch of clowns we are...

With no provision in budget for flying test beds or Aerospace research specific projects, rest assured we will also be making annual trips to Russia till 2060 for testing future engines.

Despite Shenanigans of GE aerospace in delaying engines, some how the seriousness of lagging behind in gas turbines design has not hit the corridors of power.
Inner circle advisors are focussed on Semiconductors, toys,GPUs AI, EV etc.

[srai]

Su-57 very maneuverable

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/GuyPlopsky/status/1892140904439509209 ---> Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21-004 (one of two two-seat prototypes) at Sacheon Air Base, 19 Feb 2025.

YouTube Link ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgbGE0Oe7uY

[Manish_P]

There is an article on AAMs on Hushkit.

Behind a subscriber wall.

Would be highly obliged if any kind soul can share the entire article

https://hushkit.substack.com/p/everythi ... irect=true

[Rakesh]

South Korea to develop new engine for next-gen fighter jets
https://defence-blog.com/south-korea-to ... hter-jets/
05 March 2025

[Rakesh]

Well played by Dassault. Never allow the British near anything. See the disaster that is the Typhoon program.

Dassault’s Trappier pours cold water on prospects of FCAS and GCAP merger
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/da ... 00.article
06 March 2025

[Rakesh]

The line at Merignac has reportedly exceeded annual capacity. It was 33 per year, it is on target for 36.

https://x.com/AleksanderOlech/status/19 ... 6576633139 --->
Dassault Aviation achieved a production level of 3 Rafales per month. Previously it was level 2.

[Rakesh]

First two articles below are originally in French. Use Google Translate to read in English.

Reinforcement of nuclear deterrence: Emmanuel Macron announces "acceleration" of Rafale's orders for the Air Force
https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entrepri ... 80403.html
18 March 2025

Dassault plans to deliver up to five Rafale per month in the coming years
https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entrepri ... 30227.html
23 March 2025

"In 2020, we would deliver less than one Rafale per month. Today, we are more than two per month and we will further increase the pace (...) We plan to reach three Rafales delivered a month next year, and four from 2028-29, said the CEO of the French group.

"We have heard the President's call and are exploring the possibility of switching to five Rafales per month. There are not yet concrete orders, but we want to anticipate. Do we have enough space? Should we recruit? Will the subcontractors be able to follow? Will motorists be able to meet demand? We started the study,' he added. He confirmed the volumes needed by the French army mentioned by the Minister of the Armed Forces, namely about 20 Rafale for the Air Force and about ten for the French Navy.

He said he had "trust" about the delivery of Rafale to India, a long-prepared contract. 'For us, this is also an opportunity to expand our production lines by setting up a line on the ground, intended for Indian needs, but which could also be used in our rise.'

France To Expand Its Nuclear Deterrent With New Air Base
https://www.twz.com/air/france-to-expan ... w-air-base
18 March 2025

Luxeuil Air Base will receive 40 new Rafales and hypersonic missiles at a time when Europe looks for ways to expand its own nuclear protections.

[Khalsa]

King Kim Jong Un Kicks ass show how to stand up an AWACS when you have no rice to feed the entire population.
Damn those are roomy interiors dog. you sure know how to do roomy white spacey interiors my dear Kim



https://www.twz.com/air/first-north-kor ... f-interior

[Khalsa]

King Kim Jong Un recieves a global hawk from his friend Donald J Trump, as part of the transfer of technology and builds the locally license built version of global hawk.
(Yes I am being very sarcastic - but damn that build quality bro)


https://www.nknews.org/2025/03/kim-jong ... de-drones/

[NRao]

Correlation between military aviation and cancer. The Mach Coalition's Vincent "Aztec" Alcazar, a retired F-15 Eagle pilot, discusses what new data shows about the increased cancer risk in military aviators.

The Growing Fighter Pilot Cancer Epidemic

[pravula]

One would assume there would be more cosmic rays up there combined with all sort of EM radiation from the aircraft itself.

[Rakesh]

Tempest Future Fighter Aims For “Really Extreme Range,” Twice F-35 Payload
https://www.twz.com/air/tempest-future- ... 35-payload
28 April 2025

We're getting a clearer picture of what the Global Combat Air Program 'fighter' will be capable of, including acting as a flying computer server.

[Vayutuvan]

Tempest Future Fighter Aims For “Really Extreme Range,” Twice F-35 Payload
https://www.twz.com/air/tempest-future- ... 35-payload
28 April 2025

We're getting a clearer picture of what the Global Combat Air Program 'fighter' will be capable of, including acting as a flying computer server.

This.

China's shift towards clean energy

China is actively modernising its military capabilities by integrating clean energy technologies. (huh?) In March, China announced a 7.2 per cent increase of its national defence budget totalling to USD 249 billion for the modernisation drive. In a draft budget report submitted to China's Parliament, Premier Li Qiang said the PLA will step up military training and combat readiness to "firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests."
The PLA has been promoting the use of renewable energies such as solar, wind, ocean, and hydrogen power for military purposes. In the naval domain, China is upgrading its fleet with advanced warships featuring integrated electric propulsion (IEP) systems. For example, the Type 055 Renhai-class cruisers are equipped with IEP, enhancing their stealth, speed, and operational range.

In aerospace sector, China has claimed developing eco-friendly propulsion technologies. In 2023, Beijing claimed its Zhuque-2 rocket, developed by LandSpace, was the world's first methane-powered rocket to reach orbit, utilising liquid methane and oxygen as propellants.

[Manish_P]

Just engineering things...

[Rakesh]

Russia Fielding New Nuclear-Armed Air-To-Air Missiles: U.S. Intel
https://www.twz.com/air/russia-fielding ... s-us-intel
21 May 2025

A nuclear-tipped air-to-air missile sounds like a Cold War relic, but the Pentagon assesses that Russia is introducing a new weapon of this type.

[Manish_P]

One smart way to save a pylon for weapons...

Maybe we can look to develop it as part of the Tejas upgrade

[pravula]

One can only do this if we have the source codes. Another win for LCA, esp after hearing about MKI's struggles with Brahmos integration...

[Manish_P]

Or in other words - One size doesn't fit all