Interesting facts. Something to chew about.Daring, the first of the Royal Navy's Type 45 Destroyers, has successfully tracked a Typhoon aircraft from Manchester to the west coast of Scotland as part of the second stage of her sea trials.
During the five week trial the 7,350 tonne vessel has completed all power and propulsion testing, as well as a series of tests in open water off the west coast of Scotland which included extensive Long Range Radar and navigation systems trials, medium calibre gun blast trials and weapon alignment tests.
Combat System trials have seen good performance across a wide range of equipment and numerous aircraft sorties have been flown to test the radar system including the successful tracking of the Typhoon.
During the trials Daring has performed a speed increase of 0 to 27 knots in two minutes, figure-of-eight turns that left the decks 14 degrees from horizontal, and a standstill stop in just five and a half lengths.
She has performed beyond all expectations and will complete the trials today, Friday 2 May 2008, two days ahead of schedule.
Commander David Shutts, Senior Naval Officer, Daring, has been with her from the start. He said:
"She is just simply a marvellous ship. As far as air defence goes, I would say she is the best in the world."
BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the delivery of Daring and speaking from onboard, BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions' Managing Director, Vic Emery, said:
"Once again, Daring has proved that she is a state-of-the-art vessel and a force to be reckoned with. To fully complete this set of trials with a 100 per cent success rate is a great achievement, but to do so two days ahead of an already ambitious schedule.
"The power and propulsion trials are now complete and the firing and integration trials have proved to be a resounding success. We remain on course to hand over the ship to the Royal Navy on schedule in December.
"This ship has continued to exceed all expectations and I am delighted with the results that have been achieved by the Royal Navy personnel, our partners and BAE Systems staff who have crewed the ship for the last 33 days."
The Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers are the most advanced ships of their type in the world to date and will provide the backbone of the Royal Navy's air defences for much of the first half of the 21st century.
Commander Shutts added:
"It has never been anything less than a pleasure to work with BAE Systems and the Royal Navy can look forward to taking delivery of one very special ship."
During the first stage of sea trials, Daring sailed approximately 4,100 miles, using on average 35 cubic metres of fuel per day, and refuelled just once. This is equivalent to a quarter of the fuel consumption of a Type 42 and of a Type 23 despite Daring being 50 per cent larger than both classes of ship.
She is the first front-line warship to use all-electric propulsion and her gas turbines produce 47MW of electricity, enough to power 70,000 homes � or the City of Dundee.
A third set of sea trials for Daring is planned for August 2008.
International Military Discussion
Daring Successfully Tracked a Typhoon Aircraft During Second Sea Trials
here it is , the final frontier requires protection for japan as well. everybody is waking up to the next wave of militarisation and I am sure a new Space NPT is on the horizon somewhere. only this time India will be inside the fence.
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Japan_t ... s_999.html
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Japan_t ... s_999.html
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/arti ... sid=103060
Turkey in talks for missile defense system buy
ÃœMÄ°T ENGINSOY
WASHINGTON - Turkish Daily News
Turkey has launched preliminary talks with the United States, Russia, Israel and China regarding its program to buy its first missile defense system, worth more than $1 billion.
Turkey generally has good relations with its neighbors with ground-to-ground missile capabilities, but among them Iran's increasing abilities are a particular source of concern for many officials.Ankara has launched its medium-range, surface-to-air missile defense program as a first step toward building a modest but costly shield to protect militarily and strategically important locations.The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, Turkey's main procurement office, recently gathered price and availability data on U.S., Russian, Israeli and Chinese offers and is now processing them, procurement officials said.Turkey will then decide whether to launch a traditional acquisition tender among interested companies or to hold separate government-to-government talks with key suppliers.Because of the program's sensitivity, the second option is more likely, said one procurement official.
Four options, two of them more likely:
The United States proposed its Patriot anti-missile defense systems, developed by Raytheon. The U.S. missile used in that system is the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) made by Lockheed Martin.The Patriot became the world's only combat-proven tactical ballistic missile defense system during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Nine nations have bought versions of the Patriot air defense systems.Russia offered its S300 and S400 systems. Moscow has exported the S300s to at least six nations and recently developed the S400 particularly for Moscow's defense.Israel's Arrow-2 is another option, jointly built by Israeli and U.S. companies.No details were available about the specific model China is offering.Defense analysts predict that the competition will most likely be between the U.S. and Russian alternatives.
Comparison of systems:
The U.S. Patriot system is seen as the strongest candidate for Turkey, given the system's success and popularity and the close relationship between Turkey and the U.S.Russia's S400 is also considered a strong option, but has interoperability problems with NATO weapons systems.When U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Turkey in late February, the two sides discussed missile defense matters, including a potential Patriot sale, officials from both sides said.U.S. officials particularly emphasized the interoperability issue to dissuade Turkish officials from the Russian option.The Turkish system would include at least four anti-missile batteries meant to protect strategic targets from theater-range missiles, radar and related subsystems.After the purchase of the first missile defense system, Turkey plans to acquire a second system, but this time with major local industry contribution to the production.
Turkey in talks for missile defense system buy
ÃœMÄ°T ENGINSOY
WASHINGTON - Turkish Daily News
Turkey has launched preliminary talks with the United States, Russia, Israel and China regarding its program to buy its first missile defense system, worth more than $1 billion.
Turkey generally has good relations with its neighbors with ground-to-ground missile capabilities, but among them Iran's increasing abilities are a particular source of concern for many officials.Ankara has launched its medium-range, surface-to-air missile defense program as a first step toward building a modest but costly shield to protect militarily and strategically important locations.The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, Turkey's main procurement office, recently gathered price and availability data on U.S., Russian, Israeli and Chinese offers and is now processing them, procurement officials said.Turkey will then decide whether to launch a traditional acquisition tender among interested companies or to hold separate government-to-government talks with key suppliers.Because of the program's sensitivity, the second option is more likely, said one procurement official.
Four options, two of them more likely:
The United States proposed its Patriot anti-missile defense systems, developed by Raytheon. The U.S. missile used in that system is the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) made by Lockheed Martin.The Patriot became the world's only combat-proven tactical ballistic missile defense system during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Nine nations have bought versions of the Patriot air defense systems.Russia offered its S300 and S400 systems. Moscow has exported the S300s to at least six nations and recently developed the S400 particularly for Moscow's defense.Israel's Arrow-2 is another option, jointly built by Israeli and U.S. companies.No details were available about the specific model China is offering.Defense analysts predict that the competition will most likely be between the U.S. and Russian alternatives.
Comparison of systems:
The U.S. Patriot system is seen as the strongest candidate for Turkey, given the system's success and popularity and the close relationship between Turkey and the U.S.Russia's S400 is also considered a strong option, but has interoperability problems with NATO weapons systems.When U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Turkey in late February, the two sides discussed missile defense matters, including a potential Patriot sale, officials from both sides said.U.S. officials particularly emphasized the interoperability issue to dissuade Turkish officials from the Russian option.The Turkish system would include at least four anti-missile batteries meant to protect strategic targets from theater-range missiles, radar and related subsystems.After the purchase of the first missile defense system, Turkey plans to acquire a second system, but this time with major local industry contribution to the production.
Re: International Military Discussion
Rakesh,
Sent you an email just now at your hotmail address.
-Raja
Sent you an email just now at your hotmail address.
-Raja
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/080513/u ... eapons_oil
US Senators threaten Saudi arms deal over oil prices
Tue May 13, 7:43 PM
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A group of Democratic Senators Tuesday threatened to block a multi-million dollar US arms deal with Saudi Arabia, unless the kingdom ups oil production and helps cut soaring gasoline prices.
The senators introduced a resolution of disapproval on the arms sale, as President George W. Bush prepared to head for Saudi Arabia, partly on a mission to contain runaway oil prices.
"We are saying to the Saudis that, if you don't help us, why should we be helping you?" said New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer.
"We are saying that we need real relief, and we need it quickly. You need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers."
The resolution, expected to be fast-tracked to the senate floor, would prohibit the mammoth arms sale unless Saudi Arabia agrees to increase oil production by one million barrels per day.
Schumer, speaking as the price of a barrel of crude oil hit a record 126.98 dollars, said the extra Saudi oil could bring down the price of a gallon of gasoline at the pump by 50 to 75 cents.
"We're losing our wealth. Our economy is heading south. That is the highest priority, not the Saudis getting the top-notch weapons," Schumer said.
The American Automobile Association said the average price of a gallon of gas in the United States hit 3.73 dollars on Tuesday.
The United States offered last year to sell Saudi Arabia and Gulf states a 20 billion dollar arms package, as part of a wider regional program aimed at deterring Iran and Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda.
The resolution specifically mentions 1.4 billion dollars in arms, including a sale of 900 kits to Saudi Arabia, which turn conventional bombs into laser-guided explosives or Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
Schumer said a motion of disapproval needed only 51 votes in the 100 seat Senate to pass and could not be filibustered.
Bush was heading to the Middle East on Tuesday, for a tour which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of US-Saudi relations.
The White House has said he will stress US concerns about soaring oil prices when he meets King Abdullah on May 16, and is expected to press the Saudis to boost their oil production as a way of curbing spiralling fuel prices.
Schumer's fellow Democrat, Senator Joseph Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations committee, said he shared his colleague's "deep frustration" with Saudi Arabia, but did not favor arbitrarily cutting off arms sales.
"With Iran's allies, Hezbollah and Hamas becoming dangerously assertive, threatening to cut off arms sales would only play into Iran's hands and add to regional tensions," Biden said in a statement.
"It's a move that could do long-term damage to our relationships and our own security, with no guarantee that it would actually bring down prices at the pump. Saudi Arabia would just buy its arms from other countries."
As Bush headed for the Middle East, the senate defied the president and passed a bill to halt US deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a move that will put an extra 70,000 barrels of oil onto the market a day.
The move, passed by a 97-1 veto proof majority, came after the president refused to stop filling the emergency stockpile, which Democrats say is 97 percent full.
"At a time when gas prices are nearing four dollars a gallon and oil is over 120 dollars per barrel, it makes no sense to be taking oil out of our supply chain," said Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan.
Back door entry for US weapons into porkistan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Worl ... 033041.cms
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed an interest in acquiring military equipment, including unmanned surveillance aircraft, from Australia to patrol its restive tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.
Houston said Pakistani armed forces officers were particularly keen to obtain the Scan Eagle pilot less reconnaissance aircraft built in Australia by Boeing.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Worl ... 033041.cms
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed an interest in acquiring military equipment, including unmanned surveillance aircraft, from Australia to patrol its restive tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.
Houston said Pakistani armed forces officers were particularly keen to obtain the Scan Eagle pilot less reconnaissance aircraft built in Australia by Boeing.
Darpa's hits and misses in the last fifty yeras
http://technology.newscientist.com/chan ... rt-ii.html
http://technology.newscientist.com/chan ... rt-ii.html
Britain blamed for cluster bomb ban veto for which even the Pope has come out against.It is worth remembering that the late Princess Diana was campaigning against landmines agressively,for which she received veiled warnings,and was according to one conspiracy theory, responsible for her death.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1986494 ... ty%27.html
Britain 'is barrier to cluster bomb ban treaty'
By Tom Peterkin
Last Updated: 12:38PM BST 19/05/2008
Britain has been accused of being the main barrier to an international treaty that would ban cluster bombs, weapons responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.
REUTERS
Britain is said to be under pressure from America to retain the bombs
Humanitarian groups, countries that have borne the brunt of the bombs and former soldiers gathered on Monday to forge a treaty outlawing cluster bombs.
Representatives of more than 100 countries were in Dublin for a conference looking at the artillery-fired M85 and the rocket-based M73 munitions.
British officials have argued that they are "smart" weapons, which minimise the risk of collateral damage.
But Simon Conway, a former soldier and the Director of Landmine Action, said: "Every time these weapons are used, they have killed large numbers of civilians."
The M85 killed 300 civilians when used in the Lebanon by Israel in 2006, while M73s launched by US helicopters were used in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Mr Conway said: "The Government needs to take a much harder line on these issues. We need to prevent these weapons from proliferating. We need to stop the arms race developing and the way to do that is if we come up with a strong treaty that stigmatises these weapons."
Britain is said to be under pressure from America, which is not attending the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions, to retain the weapons.
The weapons have been criticised by the Pope and reservations have been expressed by some British ministers.
A MOD spokesman said UK policy recognised the "humanitarian" concerns, but had to balance them with military requirements.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1986494 ... ty%27.html
Britain 'is barrier to cluster bomb ban treaty'
By Tom Peterkin
Last Updated: 12:38PM BST 19/05/2008
Britain has been accused of being the main barrier to an international treaty that would ban cluster bombs, weapons responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.
REUTERS
Britain is said to be under pressure from America to retain the bombs
Humanitarian groups, countries that have borne the brunt of the bombs and former soldiers gathered on Monday to forge a treaty outlawing cluster bombs.
Representatives of more than 100 countries were in Dublin for a conference looking at the artillery-fired M85 and the rocket-based M73 munitions.
British officials have argued that they are "smart" weapons, which minimise the risk of collateral damage.
But Simon Conway, a former soldier and the Director of Landmine Action, said: "Every time these weapons are used, they have killed large numbers of civilians."
The M85 killed 300 civilians when used in the Lebanon by Israel in 2006, while M73s launched by US helicopters were used in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Mr Conway said: "The Government needs to take a much harder line on these issues. We need to prevent these weapons from proliferating. We need to stop the arms race developing and the way to do that is if we come up with a strong treaty that stigmatises these weapons."
Britain is said to be under pressure from America, which is not attending the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions, to retain the weapons.
The weapons have been criticised by the Pope and reservations have been expressed by some British ministers.
A MOD spokesman said UK policy recognised the "humanitarian" concerns, but had to balance them with military requirements.
Hilarious! An MI5 agent's wife was a practitioner of the oldest profession who tipped off the media about FIA chief Mosley's risque sexual escapades! One wonders whether the "lady" in question was used for 'honey traps" by the agent's outfit and he was sacked only because she was outed.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008 ... formulaone
MI5 man quits over wife's Mosley linkRichard Norton-Taylor and Audrey Gillan The Guardian, Monday May 19 2008 Article historyAbout this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Monday May 19 2008 on p8 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 00:02 on May 19 2008. An MI5 officer whose wife was one of the prostitutes who exposed a sex scandal involving the motor racing chief Max Mosley has been forced to resign because he was a potential security risk, a Whitehall official confirmed yesterday.
The officer's 38-year-old wife is understood to have gone to the News of the World with the story of how Mosley, the president of the FIA, the international governing body of motor sport, took part in a bondage session with five prostitutes in a basement flat in Chelsea.
A counter-intelligence official yesterday said of the officer: "His partner being involved in prostitution obviously raised questions about his judgment."
MI5 staff face stringent security vetting and a risk assessment was made about the individual concerned.
Mosley, 68, son of the British Union of Fascists leader, Sir Oswald Mosley, maintains the activity he engaged in was "eccentric" but legal. Quest, a security firm, has been appointed by Mosley to investigate whether he was the victim of a conspiracy to discredit him.
The News of the World claimed the footage it had of Mosley had Nazi overtones. Mosley admitted taking part in the sex event but denied any Nazi or concentration camp themes. His future at the FIA will be decided by a vote at a general assembly hearing in Paris next month. He will play no official role in the Monaco grand prix next Sunday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008 ... formulaone
MI5 man quits over wife's Mosley linkRichard Norton-Taylor and Audrey Gillan The Guardian, Monday May 19 2008 Article historyAbout this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Monday May 19 2008 on p8 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 00:02 on May 19 2008. An MI5 officer whose wife was one of the prostitutes who exposed a sex scandal involving the motor racing chief Max Mosley has been forced to resign because he was a potential security risk, a Whitehall official confirmed yesterday.
The officer's 38-year-old wife is understood to have gone to the News of the World with the story of how Mosley, the president of the FIA, the international governing body of motor sport, took part in a bondage session with five prostitutes in a basement flat in Chelsea.
A counter-intelligence official yesterday said of the officer: "His partner being involved in prostitution obviously raised questions about his judgment."
MI5 staff face stringent security vetting and a risk assessment was made about the individual concerned.
Mosley, 68, son of the British Union of Fascists leader, Sir Oswald Mosley, maintains the activity he engaged in was "eccentric" but legal. Quest, a security firm, has been appointed by Mosley to investigate whether he was the victim of a conspiracy to discredit him.
The News of the World claimed the footage it had of Mosley had Nazi overtones. Mosley admitted taking part in the sex event but denied any Nazi or concentration camp themes. His future at the FIA will be decided by a vote at a general assembly hearing in Paris next month. He will play no official role in the Monaco grand prix next Sunday.
Not quite military but ..
Maiden flight... A Russian passenger Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft takes off from Komsomolsk-na-Amure on Monday, 5/19/08. The plane, seen as a potential saviour of the country's struggling aeronautics sector, took its maiden flight in the far east of the country. The mid-range Superjet spent 40 minutes in the air and climbed to an altitude of 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) according to Olga Kayukova, a spokeswoman for Russian aeronautics company Sukhoi.
Maiden flight... A Russian passenger Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft takes off from Komsomolsk-na-Amure on Monday, 5/19/08. The plane, seen as a potential saviour of the country's struggling aeronautics sector, took its maiden flight in the far east of the country. The mid-range Superjet spent 40 minutes in the air and climbed to an altitude of 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) according to Olga Kayukova, a spokeswoman for Russian aeronautics company Sukhoi.
"BRitishers" will remember the excellent mockup displayed of the Sukhoi Superjet at a previous Aero-India.The aircraft,being built to international standards and which will come with western engines,already has a very healthy orderbook.If there are no production slipups,it will be a definite succes story.We will rpobably see it also in Indian skies in some form or the other.
Britain overrules its military leadership to join the international ban on cluster bombs,which are responsible for maiming and killing thousands of innocents .This is a very wise and welcome decision from the British Govt.However,looking at the list of nations not attending the conference,India is one such nation.This issue is one that must be brought into an international agreement for the benefit of humanity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/2 ... ry.defence
UK ready to scrap killer cluster bombsMinisters overrule opposition from military over controversial weapons
Richard Norton-Taylor The Guardian, Wednesday May 28 2008 Article history
An unexploded US Blu 24 bomblet - which has come from a cluster bomb - in northern Laos. Photograph: Barbara Walton/EPA
The government is preparing to scrap Britain's entire arsenal of cluster bombs in the face of a growing clamour against weapons that have killed and maimed hundreds of innocent civilians.
Officials are paving the way for the unexpected and radical step at talks in Dublin on an international treaty aimed at a worldwide ban on the bombs.
Well-placed sources made clear yesterday that despite opposition from the military, the government is prepared to get rid of the cluster munitions in Britain's armoury: the lsraeli-designed M85 artillery weapon used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and in attacks on Lebanon two years ago; and the M73, part of a weapons system for Apache helicopters.
"The prime minister is very much behind this process and wants us to sign [the treaty]", a senior Foreign Office source said yesterday.
Ireland, which is chairing the talks, wants a treaty text to be adopted tonight. "If we sign up to the treaty we will lose the M85 and the M73", the source said. While the government appears happy for British forces to get rid of their M85 weapons immediately, it wants a "phasing out period" for its M73s.
The agreement, expected to be confirmed today, ends a long-running Whitehall dispute which has pitted the Ministry of Defence against the FO and Department for International Development. The MoD says the number of cluster bombs in the armoury is "operationally sensitive" but concedes that decommissioning them will cost tens of millions of pounds.
Participants in the talks were still embroiled last night in the vexed question of whether troops from countries who sign up to the ban could go on operations with those, notably the US, that do not. Preventing them from doing so could lead to breaches in other treaty commitments, notably involving Nato, and would have serious practical implications, British officials say. The government also wants to allow the US to stockpile cluster weapons at American bases in the UK.
Pressure would be applied on the US not to use its cluster weapons in joint operations with countries which had banned them, officials suggest.
Cluster weapons are highly controversial because they scatter small "bomblets" over a wide area. Many of them do not explode on impact and are activated later by civilians. They caused more than 200 civilian casualties in the year after the Lebanon ceasefire, and more civilian casualties in Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 1999 than any other weapon system.
The M85 was fired by British troops around Basra during the invasion of Iraq. According to the MoD, they made a "direct contribution to saving the lives of UK service personnel".
The M73 rocket, part of the Apache's weapons system, is fired from pods on the attack helicopters and can also be fitted to Harrier jets. In its defence of their use, MoD officials have argued that they were "direct fire" weapons - in other words a pilot firing them can see the target - and that a single weapon had fewer than 10 "bomblets".
However, that figure refers to the number in just one rocket pod, and an Apache can carry a total of 684 in its cluster weapons, campaigners say.
Human rights groups campaigning for a ban on all cluster bombs said yesterday the planned treaty was being threatened by the refusal of the US to remove stocks from its airforce bases on UK territory.
Simon Conway, a former soldier and the director of Landmine Action UK, said: "Gordon Brown has pushed the Dublin negotiations in the right direction. Now is the time for him to have the courage of his convictions and tell the US that it cannot store these outdated and indiscriminate weapons on UK soil."
Article 1 of the planned treaty, due to be signed in Oslo in early December, prohibits assistance with the use, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The US, Israel, Russia, China, India and Pakistan are not taking part in the talks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/2 ... ry.defence
UK ready to scrap killer cluster bombsMinisters overrule opposition from military over controversial weapons
Richard Norton-Taylor The Guardian, Wednesday May 28 2008 Article history
An unexploded US Blu 24 bomblet - which has come from a cluster bomb - in northern Laos. Photograph: Barbara Walton/EPA
The government is preparing to scrap Britain's entire arsenal of cluster bombs in the face of a growing clamour against weapons that have killed and maimed hundreds of innocent civilians.
Officials are paving the way for the unexpected and radical step at talks in Dublin on an international treaty aimed at a worldwide ban on the bombs.
Well-placed sources made clear yesterday that despite opposition from the military, the government is prepared to get rid of the cluster munitions in Britain's armoury: the lsraeli-designed M85 artillery weapon used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and in attacks on Lebanon two years ago; and the M73, part of a weapons system for Apache helicopters.
"The prime minister is very much behind this process and wants us to sign [the treaty]", a senior Foreign Office source said yesterday.
Ireland, which is chairing the talks, wants a treaty text to be adopted tonight. "If we sign up to the treaty we will lose the M85 and the M73", the source said. While the government appears happy for British forces to get rid of their M85 weapons immediately, it wants a "phasing out period" for its M73s.
The agreement, expected to be confirmed today, ends a long-running Whitehall dispute which has pitted the Ministry of Defence against the FO and Department for International Development. The MoD says the number of cluster bombs in the armoury is "operationally sensitive" but concedes that decommissioning them will cost tens of millions of pounds.
Participants in the talks were still embroiled last night in the vexed question of whether troops from countries who sign up to the ban could go on operations with those, notably the US, that do not. Preventing them from doing so could lead to breaches in other treaty commitments, notably involving Nato, and would have serious practical implications, British officials say. The government also wants to allow the US to stockpile cluster weapons at American bases in the UK.
Pressure would be applied on the US not to use its cluster weapons in joint operations with countries which had banned them, officials suggest.
Cluster weapons are highly controversial because they scatter small "bomblets" over a wide area. Many of them do not explode on impact and are activated later by civilians. They caused more than 200 civilian casualties in the year after the Lebanon ceasefire, and more civilian casualties in Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 1999 than any other weapon system.
The M85 was fired by British troops around Basra during the invasion of Iraq. According to the MoD, they made a "direct contribution to saving the lives of UK service personnel".
The M73 rocket, part of the Apache's weapons system, is fired from pods on the attack helicopters and can also be fitted to Harrier jets. In its defence of their use, MoD officials have argued that they were "direct fire" weapons - in other words a pilot firing them can see the target - and that a single weapon had fewer than 10 "bomblets".
However, that figure refers to the number in just one rocket pod, and an Apache can carry a total of 684 in its cluster weapons, campaigners say.
Human rights groups campaigning for a ban on all cluster bombs said yesterday the planned treaty was being threatened by the refusal of the US to remove stocks from its airforce bases on UK territory.
Simon Conway, a former soldier and the director of Landmine Action UK, said: "Gordon Brown has pushed the Dublin negotiations in the right direction. Now is the time for him to have the courage of his convictions and tell the US that it cannot store these outdated and indiscriminate weapons on UK soil."
Article 1 of the planned treaty, due to be signed in Oslo in early December, prohibits assistance with the use, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The US, Israel, Russia, China, India and Pakistan are not taking part in the talks.
US Army Suicide Rate Continues to Rise
The army says it has confirmed that 115 active-duty soldiers committed suicide last year, with two more investigations still pending. That is a rate of nearly 19 per 100,000 soldiers.
It isnt Sineva but an older previous variant from the same developer. An Exellent old Soviet footage, then classified. THank you Austin.
The difference of Sineva from classic RSM-54 as follow:
1) different dimentions of stages
2) 10 warheads
3) anti-electromagnetic measures
4) sistem for AMD overcoming
5) new sattelite navigation system
6) New digital processor Malakhit initialy designed for 'Bark' missile
7) can have 4 or 10 warheads of 100 kt each, mini-nukes of 50 t equivalent or 2 t conventional explosive.
http://hawxgame.us.ubi.com/
this game trailer probably should not be posted here, but I can't resist it.
insane rafale graphics !!!
this game trailer probably should not be posted here, but I can't resist it.
insane rafale graphics !!!
-
soutikghosh
- BRFite
- Posts: 178
- Joined: 17 Feb 2008 11:21
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Thanks for the link, that was some extreme multirole performance.Rahul M wrote:http://hawxgame.us.ubi.com/
this game trailer probably should not be posted here, but I can't resist it.
insane rafale graphics !!!
Dang! Really good looking birdRahul M wrote:http://hawxgame.us.ubi.com/
this game trailer probably should not be posted here, but I can't resist it.
insane rafale graphics !!!
Successful IDAS Missile Firing From Submerged Submarine
(Source: Diehl BGT Defence; dated May 29, web-posted June 3, 2008)
ÃœBERLINGEN, Germany --- The submarine missile IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack system for Submarines), equipped with an optical wave guide, performed a successful test flight from the German submarine U33 of the state-of-the-art Submarine Class U 212A in the western part of the Baltic Sea on May 29, 2008.
During all phases of the test flight, IDAS showed a convincing performance. After adjusting the missile´s inertial system aided by the submarine´s navigation system, the missile was ejected from the torpedo tube. Underwater it spread its wings and rudders and started its engine to penetrate the water surface a few seconds later and ascending to a pre-planned altitude to move into a controlled flight stage.
Differing from an operative scenario, the test was ended in a controlled glide flight. During the entire flight, data and images of a video camera were transmitted to the submarine via the optical wave guide.
This test firing proved that IDAS can be employed from a submerged submarine. All mechanical interfaces proved reliable while data transmission via optical wave guide functioned smoothly.
High-ranking Navy officers from several interested countries witnessed the event as observers on an accompanying vessel expressed recognition of the German Navy, participating Bundeswehr centers and industrial companies.
Having proved successful test firing from a submerged submarine, ARGE IDAS (joint venture of Diehl BGT Defence, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft and Kongsberg), in a joint effort with the German Navy as well as the Federal Office for Military Technology and Procurement, passed a further successful milestone in this innovative missile program – nine months earlier than foreseen in the contract.
The next steps in the IDAS project consist in drawing up outstanding phase documents and initializing the international development program.
-ends-
(Source: Diehl BGT Defence; dated May 29, web-posted June 3, 2008)
ÃœBERLINGEN, Germany --- The submarine missile IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack system for Submarines), equipped with an optical wave guide, performed a successful test flight from the German submarine U33 of the state-of-the-art Submarine Class U 212A in the western part of the Baltic Sea on May 29, 2008.
During all phases of the test flight, IDAS showed a convincing performance. After adjusting the missile´s inertial system aided by the submarine´s navigation system, the missile was ejected from the torpedo tube. Underwater it spread its wings and rudders and started its engine to penetrate the water surface a few seconds later and ascending to a pre-planned altitude to move into a controlled flight stage.
Differing from an operative scenario, the test was ended in a controlled glide flight. During the entire flight, data and images of a video camera were transmitted to the submarine via the optical wave guide.
This test firing proved that IDAS can be employed from a submerged submarine. All mechanical interfaces proved reliable while data transmission via optical wave guide functioned smoothly.
High-ranking Navy officers from several interested countries witnessed the event as observers on an accompanying vessel expressed recognition of the German Navy, participating Bundeswehr centers and industrial companies.
Having proved successful test firing from a submerged submarine, ARGE IDAS (joint venture of Diehl BGT Defence, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft and Kongsberg), in a joint effort with the German Navy as well as the Federal Office for Military Technology and Procurement, passed a further successful milestone in this innovative missile program – nine months earlier than foreseen in the contract.
The next steps in the IDAS project consist in drawing up outstanding phase documents and initializing the international development program.
-ends-
Pay troops more, Army head urges
You look to see how much a traffic warden is paid and compare that against what a private soldier gets paid.
"Servicemen go on operations knowing they are putting their lives on the line. It is very hard to put a price on that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7437014.stm
You look to see how much a traffic warden is paid and compare that against what a private soldier gets paid.
"Servicemen go on operations knowing they are putting their lives on the line. It is very hard to put a price on that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7437014.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1559579 ... ation.html
Physicists have 'solved' mystery of levitation
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
Last Updated: 2:10AM BST 07/08/2007
Levitation has been elevated from being pure science fiction to science fact, according to a study reported today by physicists.
In theory the discovery could be used to levitate a person
In earlier work the same team of theoretical physicists showed that invisibility cloaks are feasible.
Now, in another report that sounds like it comes out of the pages of a Harry Potter book, the University of St Andrews team has created an 'incredible levitation effects’ by engineering the force of nature which normally causes objects to stick together.
Professor Ulf Leonhardt and Dr Thomas Philbin, from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, have worked out a way of reversing this pheneomenon, known as the Casimir force, so that it repels instead of attracts.
Their discovery could ultimately lead to frictionless micro-machines with moving parts that levitate But they say that, in principle at least, the same effect could be used to levitate bigger objects too, even a person.
The Casimir force is a consequence of quantum mechanics, the theory that describes the world of atoms and subatomic particles that is not only the most successful theory of physics but also the most baffling.
The force is due to neither electrical charge or gravity, for example, but the fluctuations in all-pervasive energy fields in the intervening empty space between the objects and is one reason atoms stick together, also explaining a “dry glueâ€
Physicists have 'solved' mystery of levitation
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
Last Updated: 2:10AM BST 07/08/2007
Levitation has been elevated from being pure science fiction to science fact, according to a study reported today by physicists.
In theory the discovery could be used to levitate a person
In earlier work the same team of theoretical physicists showed that invisibility cloaks are feasible.
Now, in another report that sounds like it comes out of the pages of a Harry Potter book, the University of St Andrews team has created an 'incredible levitation effects’ by engineering the force of nature which normally causes objects to stick together.
Professor Ulf Leonhardt and Dr Thomas Philbin, from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, have worked out a way of reversing this pheneomenon, known as the Casimir force, so that it repels instead of attracts.
Their discovery could ultimately lead to frictionless micro-machines with moving parts that levitate But they say that, in principle at least, the same effect could be used to levitate bigger objects too, even a person.
The Casimir force is a consequence of quantum mechanics, the theory that describes the world of atoms and subatomic particles that is not only the most successful theory of physics but also the most baffling.
The force is due to neither electrical charge or gravity, for example, but the fluctuations in all-pervasive energy fields in the intervening empty space between the objects and is one reason atoms stick together, also explaining a “dry glueâ€
French army falling apart, documents show
Most of France's tanks, helicopters and jet fighters are unusable and its defence apparatus is on the verge of "falling apart", it has emerged.
Hi Igorr , I have been following Sineva development for some time and based on the information available and via START declaration.Igorr wrote: The difference of Sineva from classic RSM-54 as follow:
1) different dimentions of stages
2) 10 warheads
3) anti-electromagnetic measures
4) sistem for AMD overcoming
5) new sattelite navigation system
6) New digital processor Malakhit initialy designed for 'Bark' missile
7) can have 4 or 10 warheads of 100 kt each, mini-nukes of 50 t equivalent or 2 t conventional explosive.
The Sineva missile is a highly upgraded variant of the R-29RM , infact due it its increase in lauch weight , dia and length it just qualifies to be called a new SLBM.
A new warhead/RV was tested for it and it uses guidance (RLG) from the cancelled Bark missile ( both the Sineva and now the cancelled Bark SLBM were being developed by the Makeyev Design Bureau )
Though the Sineva can carry 10 Warhead of new type , it carries only 4 and with penaids.
The new Sineva Missile is accurate enough ( thanks to the new RLG ) to be used in conventional role.
It is capable of carrying 4.5 T of conventional explosive.
I still think, 4.5 t for Sineva - is its total warhead weight, when it corresponds to about 2 t of pure explosive in conventional variant. At least my sourses say so. Makeyev corp. now offers Sineva for pr.941 modernisation and new pr.955 equipment instead of new coming Bulava, but I dont think they have a chance.Austin wrote:It is capable of carrying 4.5 T of conventional explosive.
Now Russia has SSBNs as follow:
2 pr.941 with RSM-52 (R-39) , Western Litsa (Arctic)
1 pr.941U reworked for Bulava, Western Litsa.
7 pr.667BDRM with RSM-54 (R-29RM) is going substituted with Sineva, Gadjievo (Artcic)
6 pr.667BDR with RSM-50 (R-29R), 'Wasp Nest' (Kamchatka, Pacific)
6 new pr.955 in building (1 is launched) ready for Bulava
Re: International Military Discussion
Its very rarely does one hear stories of submarine ops from the Russian/soviet side during cold war , generally its always the American version of the story.
Here is very interesting one from both the American and Russian side of one such cold war ops
Guardfish vs. K-184
Part-I
Part-II
Part-III
Part-IV
Here is very interesting one from both the American and Russian side of one such cold war ops
Guardfish vs. K-184
Part-I
Part-II
Part-III
Part-IV
Re: International Military Discussion
Today is the 233rd anniversary of the establishment of the US army
http://www.army.mil/birthday/233/
http://www.army.mil/birthday/233/
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nikhil_p
- BR Mainsite Crew
- Posts: 378
- Joined: 07 Oct 2006 19:59
- Location: Sukhoi/Sukhoi (Jaguars gone :( )Gali, pune
Re: International Military Discussion
This one is for Shankarosky, Igorr and others.....
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1899#more-1899
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1893#more-1893
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1889#more-1889
This one....welll....
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1907#more-1907
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1899#more-1899
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1893#more-1893
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1889#more-1889
This one....welll....
http://englishrussia.com/?p=1907#more-1907
Re: International Military Discussion
Looks like Brazil is issuing its own MRCA tender (120 AC)
Brazil has revived its delayed search for a next-generation multirole combat aircraft, and in early June issued requests for information to five bidders for its new F-X2 contest. Its initial requirement is for a batch of 36 fighters, although the total programme is for 120 aircraft to be delivered from 2014 until post-2020.
Bidders for the new contest have been restricted to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation) and the Sukhoi Su-35. The selected type will replace some of the Brazilian air force's Alenia/Embraer AMX ground-attack aircraft and its upgraded Northrop F-5 fighters, plus a recently acquired batch of ex-French air force Dassault Mirage 2000s.
Industry sources say the RFI requests the delivery of an "established, proven airframe" with supersonic performance, network connectivity and multirole capabilities. The document does not specify whether companies should offer an active electronically scanned array radar with the aircraft, but says both within- and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles should be supplied.
The F-X2 programme also includes an offset requirement worth 100% of the total acquisition costs, with licensed manufacturing of the selected fighter's airframe, avionics and engines requested during the life of the programme.
Brazil's earlier F-X fighter contest was abandoned in 2005 due to budgetary pressures, and the replacement project had been tipped for launch early this year. However, the defence ministry's new shortlist will come as a disappointment to Lockheed, which was interested in offering its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Speaking earlier this month, Embraer officials said that unlike the previous contest, local industry will not be encouraged to partner directly with the bidding F-X2 companies, and that the Brazilian government and air force will instead head this part of the project.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... urers.html
Brazil has revived its delayed search for a next-generation multirole combat aircraft, and in early June issued requests for information to five bidders for its new F-X2 contest. Its initial requirement is for a batch of 36 fighters, although the total programme is for 120 aircraft to be delivered from 2014 until post-2020.
Bidders for the new contest have been restricted to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation) and the Sukhoi Su-35. The selected type will replace some of the Brazilian air force's Alenia/Embraer AMX ground-attack aircraft and its upgraded Northrop F-5 fighters, plus a recently acquired batch of ex-French air force Dassault Mirage 2000s.
Industry sources say the RFI requests the delivery of an "established, proven airframe" with supersonic performance, network connectivity and multirole capabilities. The document does not specify whether companies should offer an active electronically scanned array radar with the aircraft, but says both within- and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles should be supplied.
The F-X2 programme also includes an offset requirement worth 100% of the total acquisition costs, with licensed manufacturing of the selected fighter's airframe, avionics and engines requested during the life of the programme.
Brazil's earlier F-X fighter contest was abandoned in 2005 due to budgetary pressures, and the replacement project had been tipped for launch early this year. However, the defence ministry's new shortlist will come as a disappointment to Lockheed, which was interested in offering its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Speaking earlier this month, Embraer officials said that unlike the previous contest, local industry will not be encouraged to partner directly with the bidding F-X2 companies, and that the Brazilian government and air force will instead head this part of the project.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... urers.html
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Juggi G
- BRFite
- Posts: 1070
- Joined: 11 Mar 2007 19:16
- Location: Martyr Bhagat Singh Nagar District, Doaba, Punjab, Bharat. De Ghuma ke :)
Re: International Military Discussion
Sarkozy Announces French Return to NATO Command
IndianExpress
IndianExpress
Sarkozy Announces French Return to NATO Command
AFP
Posted online: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 2343 hrs
Paris, June 18 : President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled major cutbacks in the French armed forces to divert resources against what he called the greater threat of terrorism, and Announced France’s Return to NATO Command.
In a major speech setting out his defence strategy, Sarkozy on Tuesday said the armed forces would lose 54,000 posts to make way for a “massive investment” to develop state-of-the-art intelligence.
Bringing France closer to the United States on defence, Sarkozy Confirmed France’s Plans to Return to NATO’s Iintegrated Command, which it left in 1966 when Charles de Gaulle rejected US dominance of the alliance.
“The most immediate threat today is that of a terrorist attack,” said the president.
“The threat is there, it is real and we know that it can tomorrow take on a new form, even more serious, with nuclear, chemical and biological means,” he said.
Sarkozy stressed that France would remain “an independent ally” and keep its Nuclear Deterrent Forces under Strict National Control as Conditions for Rejoining NATO Command.
“We can renew our relations with NATO without fear for our independence and without running the risk of being unwillingly dragged into a war,” said Sarkozy. Officials have said this is expected to take place in 2009.
Gordon Johndroe, the White House national security spokesman, said the US Welcomed France’s Announcement, as did NATO.
Rejoining of France to the military command is seen mostly as a Symbolic Gesture that would Entail the Appointment of Several French Generals to NATO Military Headquarters and to the Alliance’s Defence Planning Committee.