International Aerospace Discussion

srai · Post by **srai** » 17 Jul 2015 03:26

U.S. And its allies have been in constant warfare for the last two decades. All of their weapons development efforts to shift to smaller and longer-range PGMs have been as a result of those experiences.

On the other hand, the IAF hasn't fought a war for a long time; last one was a limited Kargil war in 1999. It was first time the IAF used LGBs and was it proud of that achievement! In my mind, it was from then LGBs became more integral to the IAF with most of its fleet acquiring LGB capability after that point. LGB stockpile is limited though--less than 1,000 kits.

RMAs come about through "real" experiences. The IAF hasn't fought the wars where it needed SDB-type of weapons. The lack of urgency to acquire them is understandable. However, everyone looks at what US is doing and tries to emulate what they are doing because they innovate and more importantly they win wars with it.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 17 Jul 2015 03:38

srai wrote:U.S. And its allies have been in constant warfare for the last two decades. All of their weapons development efforts to shift to smaller and longer-range PGMs have been as a result of those experiences.

On the other hand, the IAF hasn't fought a war for a long time; last one was a limited Kargil war in 1999. It was first time the IAF used LGBs and was it proud of that achievement! In my mind, it was from then LGBs became more integral to the IAF with most of its fleet acquiring LGB capability after that point. LGB stockpile is limited though--less than 1,000 kits.

RMAs come about through "real" experiences. The IAF hasn't fought the wars where it needed SDB-type of weapons. The lack of urgency to acquire them is understandable. However, everyone looks at what US is doing and tries to emulate what they are doing because they innovate and more importantly they win wars with it.

That is one dimension (among many others).

The other is when India gets her very own MIC!!!!! Then watch the fun. The MICs have to survive (like we are witnessing in Russia) and they have no real reason to be there (no war), but have to make a living and the state cannot justify purchasing anything, ............, .................., ...............

Indian MICs will come up with VVSDB or MSDB, etc and Pipavav will sell them to the Indian services.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 17 Jul 2015 04:00

it takes a really close relationship in order to establish an MIC. And it has its problems. Howard Hughes was a good example. He finagled in behind the scene politics for years and years leading to the culmination of the Nixon Watergate fiasco. Nixon feared Hughes who had hired the Democratic Chairman as a lobbyist would spill the beans about Nixon's financial relationship with Bibi Rebozo and the Cuban freedom fighters that Howard Hughes had helped on the behest of the CIA. Thus the break in at the DNC at Watergate by Whitehouse plumbers some of whom were ex Cuban freedom fighters.

Plus Eisenhower warned about the MIC on his presidential farewell address(I think).

So an MIC is not w/o dangers.

But it can be a beautiful thing. You can't hardly tell NASA apart from its vendors. It is they and they are it. And they have done some astounding work. Especially in vendor support to JPL, John Hopkins, Southwest Institute, Sandia, etc.

I would propose this:

Establish a major laboratory with a University. Have the University contract out to specific Indian companies that have shown a technical bent. And let it go from there and see what happens. Yes, I know it is risky and you can easily waste a lot of money. But you will never know if you never try.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 17 Jul 2015 04:28

^^^TSJ,

Indian universities dont work the way US ones do. You simply cant recreate the JPL/APL scenario. The academic component will never exist in India. The culture doesnt support this cottage industry.

India is driven by few, large, established players who have consolidated enough to overcome labor inefficiency. The MIC will replicate this. Its not a bad thing, the oligarchs dont have the same kind of power (as in russia) in the operation of the industry.

The indian MIC will mainly grow big out of divestment. But it will take another generation. And in the process, a lot of corruption. It wont be savage destruction like russia in the 90s, but it will be pretty lame none the less.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 17 Jul 2015 06:49

Last month was the 25th Anniversary of the YF23 roll out

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jul 2015 07:28

^^ still da best. this thing could handily deal with the long legs of the J-20.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Jul 2015 14:10

B-52 and its payload

http://i.imgur.com/aQNoirL.jpg

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 17 Jul 2015 14:55

Singha wrote:^^ still da best. this thing could handily deal with the long legs of the J-20.

The organic range requirement was reduced before the PAV's went into production. This was in addition to the requirements for thrust reversers and short take off distances (Cold war, runway denial calculations resulted in that requirement). Lockheed decided to make last minute changes to its PAV, while the N/McD team decided to design-freezer much earlier. This was no doubt because the Skunks are and were masters at rapid prototyping given their heritage and portfolio (A skill northrop now uses brilliantly through its acquisition of Scaled Composites). As a result Northrop/McD's PAV carried a penalty when it came to weight and thrust reversers in the design flown (not the one submitted). The actual production YF-23 would have been significantly different and much closer to the F-22 in range performance. What the USAF was juggling between was two range requirements, one for Europe and CENTCOM and the other for PACOM. Same thing with sensor requirements, they did not need conformal AESA's for EUCOM since they had IFDL, but in the vast oceans of the Pacific where they would have to do intercept missions more FOV for sensors would have been helpful.

Anyhow, the J-20 will not even come into the picture till the middle of next decade and may not even surpass F-22 quantities till much later. Its qualitative performance in terms of supercruise (F-22 manages Mach 1.7+), sensor performance and stealth are going to be inferior with the only advantage being a higher production that is a given, however it has to contend with the production rate of the F-35 in addition to the F-22's already produced. The USAF designs its Air superiority fighters for 3 decades of high end ops, and has something in the pipeline by about that 3rd decade even though the physical fighters themselves last much longer. The F-22 replacement's timing is not dictated as much by the F-22 as it is by the 400 odd Eagles and Strike Eagles that retire before all the F-22's

. Given what has been claimed in sworn testimony by the acquisition head of the Pentagon, it would be reasonable to expect multiple tech demonstrators for the next generation aircraft before the end of the decade.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 17 Jul 2015 19:51

We used to load our A-4's with 250 lb snake eyes (where the fins pop out like an umbrella to slow the bomb down as the jet passes low level over the target). There would so many of them under the jets wings you swear it couldn't take off and fly. But it did. It was a favorite load for the Marine Corps.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jul 2015 19:53

Austin wrote:B-52 and its payload

http://i.imgur.com/aQNoirL.jpg

one word: Pain

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jul 2015 19:57

i noticed on visit to uss midway museum in san diego even the A6 intruder could cart a shitload of bombs from every hook and hangar right down to the end of the tailpipe.

murica does not skimp on the payload and heat on target for sure.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 20 Jul 2015 20:50

France delivers three Rafale to Egypt

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 20 Jul 2015 23:49

LM buys Sikorsky for $9 billion!!!!!!!!!!!

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 21 Jul 2015 18:54

A nice article depicting the process of the design evolution of the hornet, what was 'discovered' as opposed to 'predicted' etc

“Heritage F-18: Surprise!

F-18 E/F: Heritage F-18 All Fixed, But….Surprise!

and the F-15

‘Old School’ F-15: Entry to the modern world of ‘High-Performance’

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 22 Jul 2015 21:41

US drone crashes in Iraq desert, locals pose for selfies (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 24 Jul 2015 20:16

Russia's future PAK DA bomber to be delayed by Tu-160M2 production

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Jul 2015 20:18

qatar has ordered 4 C17, to add to the 4 it already has!

why qatar needs 8 c17 is a mystery...

k prasad · Post by **k prasad** » 24 Jul 2015 20:36

Singha wrote:qatar has ordered 4 C17, to add to the 4 it already has!

why qatar needs 8 c17 is a mystery...

Politics, singha-ji, Politics. It'd be some internal quid pro quo with US Congressmen in whose districts Boeing has manufacturing plants in lieu of some service rendered to Qatari interests. Old game wonlee this is.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Jul 2015 20:55

They seem to have Qatar airlines livery per a pic I saw..maybe that permits wider movement

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 25 Jul 2015 20:51

I read some of the C-17 by Qatar has been converted by the Ruling Elite into VVIP role to transport their Gold plated Rolls Royce , BMW's , Mercs , Natashas etc all over the world during Grand Prix , Gold Tornament or their Yearly 2 Month Haj to UK during Summer

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 25 Jul 2015 21:31

Reaper drone is deployed to Afghanistan. In Kit Form.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 25 Jul 2015 21:38

Rare inflight footage from inside a Russian Tu-95 shows the Bear’s coaxial contra-rotating propellers

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 26 Jul 2015 06:58

Aircraft 'bomb bag' limits on board explosion impact

Luggage within the protective bag has been damaged by a bomb but the aircraft is intact

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 27 Jul 2015 11:59

Russia's future PAK DA bomber to be delayed by Tu-160M2 production
Nikolai Novichkov, Moscow - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

20 July 2015
Russia's new PAK DA bomber programme is going to be delayed past 2023 due to the country's efforts to restart production of the Tu-160 'Blackjack'. Source: PA

Russia's new-generation PAK DA bomber will be delayed past 2023 due to the development of the new-build Tupolev Tu-160M2 bomber, according to Russian deputy defence minister Yury Borisov.

"According to the plans, serial production of the [Tu-160] aircraft new version [the Tu-160M2] is to be implemented starting from 2023," Borisov said during a visit on 17 July to the Samara-based Kuznetsov Plant of the United Engine Corporation.

Answering a question about a possible shift in the PAK DA's timeframe because of the production of Tu-160M2s, Borisov said, "The PAK DA project will be somewhat shifted beyond [2023, when it is currently to begin entering service], otherwise there is no sense in it."

The Tu-160M2's production programme timeline has been defined, Borisov said, with design assignment and negotiations for the first contracts with industry currently ongoing. Design work on the Tu-160M2 is scheduled to be completed by 2023. He added that the Russian Air Force (VVS) would get at least three batch-produced Tu-160M2 per year after 2023 and that the aircraft will be in service for at least 40 years.

"We plan to install NK-32 series 2 [engines] on Tu-160M2. The motor has been upgraded, its main aggregates have become more cost-effective. Therefore, NK-32 series 2 has improved performance, and its range of flight will be increased by at least 1,000 km, compared with existing engines," Borisov said. JSC Kuznetsov will begin work on the NK-32 (Unit R) series 2 engines for the aircraft in 2017 and will produce 20-22 engines per year.

Borisov also said that the VVS was looking to improve serviceability within Long-Range Aviation (LRA). "We have an intense plan to reach 80% serviceability of all LRA's aircraft by the end of the year. The solutions to all troubles/issues have been defined in accordance with State Defence Order (GOZ)-2015."

Russia is also developing several new missiles for the Tu-160M2 and PAK DA, Borisov said. "They drastically change the aircrafts' combat performance. The missiles are to be installed on the PAK DA in the course of time. We are developing new missiles to be integrated on board all types of strategic bombers," he said.

http://www.janes.com/article/53102/russ ... production

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 28 Jul 2015 03:42

Tons of Countries Want to Buy Russia's Most Advanced Fighter Jet

Russia’s state-owned media is reporting that a number of different countries are interested in buying its most advanced fighter jets.

According to Sputnik News, Russia is negotiating with numerous countries over the sale of its Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet, and a number of these deals “are coming to fruition.”

Citing “sources close to the talks,” who were interviewed by a Russian-language newspaper, Sputnik reports “that the sticking point between the Russian and Chinese negotiators over the size of the order is nearing a resolution, and expects a compromise order of 24 fighters for China's Air Force.”

Russia and China have been negotiating the sale of the Su-35 for years. Russia had previously been insisting that China purchase at least 48 Su-35s over fears that Beijing will reverse engineer the jet. China has a history of purchasing a few Russian warplanes only to reverse engineer the jets and produce an indigenous version. This is what happened, for instance, when China purchased the Su-27 and then unveiled a domestically built variant, the J-11.

Moscow has evidently caved on its demand that Beijing buy at least 48 Su-35s in the initial order. The Sputnik report said that Russian negotiators “are also negotiating safeguards in the event that China makes a copy of its plane,” without elaborating further.

Among the other potential buyers, the report said that Pakistan and Brazil were interested in purchasing the Su-35 fighter jet from Russia.

Selling Pakistan the Su-35 would be a huge reversal, as Moscow has traditionally been one of India’s largest military suppliers, while relations have been much cooler with Islamabad. That being said, in recent years Russia has sought to cozy up more with Pakistan, and there have been reports that Moscow has been willing to sell Islamabad some military hardware. Indeed, earlier this month, Vladimir Kozhin, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly told reporters that Russia might sell a few units of the Su-35 to Pakistan.

On the other hand, Russia has long been trying to entice Brazil to purchase its Su-35, going so far as to offer Brazil the joint development of a fifth-generation aircraft if Brazil agreed to purchase the Su-35. Under its F-X2 project, the Brazilian Air Force is currently looking to purchase about 36 foreign fighter jets for roughly $4 billion. Brazil announced in 2013, however, that it had selected Saab's Gripen jet for that competition, a decision that appears to still stand.

The Sputnik report also listed Vietnam, Venezuela and Indonesia as other potential buyers of the Su-35. In fact, the report said that “figures from manufacturer Polet, which makes parts for the Su-35, showing increased production of its onboard system in order to fulfil orders for a total of 60 aircraft from Vietnam, Venezuela and Indonesia.”

India and South Korea have also recently been linked to the Su-35. In February of this year, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov, said of a prospective deal with India: “We have been negotiating and have signed the intention protocol for the Su-35. Now we are working on designing ideas for this contract and on creating a manufacturing platform for the aircraft of the fifth generation."

North Korea has also reportedly asked Russia to purchase the Su-35, although that seems unlikely.

The Su-35 is currently the Russian Air Force’s most advanced fighter jet. Moscow refers to the airplane as a 4++ generation fighter jet because it incorporates fifth-generation technology, such as radar absorbent material.

“It’s a great airplane and very dangerous, especially if they make a lot of them,” one senior U.S. military official with extensive experience on fifth-generation fighters told The National Interest of the Su-35 back in December of last year. “I think even an AESA [active electronically scanned array-radar equipped F-15C] Eagle and [Boeing F/A-18E/F] Super Hornet would both have their hands full [fighting the Su-35.”

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 28 Jul 2015 22:22

USAF holding old gunships for laser demos

The US Air Force has kept some Lockheed Martin AC-130U gunships marked for retirement for use as directed energy weapon testbeds as the service pursues airborne lasers for offensive and defensive uses.

Maj Gen Jerry Harris, vice-chief of Air Combat Command, says a number of gunships that would have otherwise been sent to the boneyard are now being used to test emerging directed energy technologies, like lasers and microwave energy guns.

“We have a requirement for a minimum number of gunships,” Harris said at a 28 July Centre for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments directed energy summit in Washington. “We have some additional U-models we will fly longer for testbeds.”
Lt Gen Bradley Heithold, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, said at the event that he wants the new C-130J Ghostrider gunship being developed to have both an offensive airborne laser capability and “active denial system,” which is a microwave energy heat blast used to disperse crowds or a single threat.

“We want to build the ultimate battle plane that can fight its way to its objective,” the commander says.

While AFSOC’s primary focus is gunship-based lasers, Air Combat Command is also pursuing the technology for fighters and bombers. Harris says the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle has “power to spare” and a testbed aircraft is available for experimentation.

He says the air force is looking for airborne lasers for integration into a standard pod or conformal tank for laser demonstrations. “It’s past the time to test these in the labs; we need it in the field,” he says.

Harris says laser weapons probably won’t find their way onto the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter any time soon, but might be integrated in the future beyond the Block 4 rollout, which is due to add new capabilities to the fifth-generation jet from 2019 to 2025.

wig · Post by **wig** » 29 Jul 2015 10:16

I don't get how it works. if it is some satisfaction neither do they!

'Impossible' rocket drive works and could get to Moon in four hours -The British designed EM Drive actually works and would dramatically speed up space travel, scientists have confirmed
Interplanetary travel could be a step closer after scientists confirmed that an electromagnetic propulsion drive, which is fast enough to get to the Moon in four hours, actually works.
The EM Drive was developed by the British inventor Roger Shawyer nearly 15 years ago but was ridiculed at the time as being scientifically impossible.
It produces thrust by using solar power to generate multiple microwaves that move back and forth in an enclosed chamber. This means that until something fails or wears down, theoretically the engine could keep running forever without the need for rocket fuel.
The drive, which has been likened to Star Trek’s Impulse Drive, has left scientists scratching their heads because it defies one of the fundamental concepts of physics – the conservation of momentum – which states that if something is propelled forward, something must be pushed in the opposite direction. So the forces inside the chamber should cancel each other out

However in recent years Nasa has confirmed that they believe it works and this week Martin Tajmar, a professor and chair for Space Systems at Dresden University of Technology in Germany also showed that it produces thrust.

The drive is capable of producing thrust several thousand times greater than a standard photon rocket and could get to Mars within 70 days or Pluto within 18 months. A trip to Alpha Centauri, which would take tens of thousands of years to reach right now, could be reached in just 100 years.

"Our test campaign cannot confirm or refute the claims of the EM Drive but intends to independently assess possible side-effects in the measurements methods used so far," said Prof Tajmar in anew

"Nevertheless, we do observe thrust close to the actual predictions after eliminating many possible error sources that should warrant further investigation into the phenomena."
Our measurements reveal thrusts as expected from previous claims after carefully studying thermal and electromagnetic interferences.

"If true, this could certainly revolutionise space travel."

Shawyer also claims that he is just a few months away from publishing new results confirming that his drive works in a peer reviewed journal.

However scientists still have no idea how it actually works. Nasa suggested that it could have something to do with the technology manipulating subatomic particles which constantly pop in and out of existence in empty space.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science ... hours.html

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 Jul 2015 15:54

Current/future Indian MICs:
L&T,Reliance,Mahindras,Tatas. Bharat Forge and some others may be niche players,but only these four can meet the grade and have both financial and human resources.

The lack of PGMs and stand-off missiles is going to be experienced during the next conflict unless we take remedial measures now. What worries me most is the loss of aircraft/helos from the proliferation of MANPADS and anti-air arty./SAMs. Air defences have become more sophisticated and with Pak acquiring its own AEW/AWACS aircraft,the going will be tough.Bomb kits for dumb bombs are the cheapest way to augment OGM inventories.

Enjoy this amazing vertical TO by a MIG-29 ,video clip.
http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/201507 ... 69763.html
Up and Away: MiG-29 Performs Amazing Vertical Takeoff

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 29 Jul 2015 18:56

Boeing Files Patent For Self Sustaining Laser Powered Nuclear Fusion Jet Engine

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 30 Jul 2015 01:18

Northrop Flying Wing Flight Testing from N-1 to B-2

srai · Post by **srai** » 30 Jul 2015 03:37

Kawasaki P-1 Vs Boeing P-8

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 30 Jul 2015 05:24

^The both are comparable in capabilities as far as I understand. I wonder if IN thought about the Japanese P-1 before going with the P-8I.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 30 Jul 2015 15:03

Boeing Prepares T-X For First Flight As Competition Intensifies

As the U.S. Air Force refines its requirements for T-X, formally known as the Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems program, competition is intensifying, with competitors and other observers noting that the service is looking for a capable, high-performance aircraft to prepare pilots for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is studying a further package of improvements for the T-50 Golden Eagle, offered for USAF together with Lockheed Martin, while Alenia Aermacchi is still in talks with a new U.S. partner, telling Aviation Week that a deal should be announced “very soon.”

Meanwhile, Boeing and Saab could fly their T-X advanced trainer demonstrator before the end of the year, says Debbie Rub, Boeing vice-president for global strike. She said on July 28 that the company’s T-X demonstrator is close to its first flight. “Can I say we will fly next year?” she asked, glancing at public relations officials during the question-and-answer session of a briefing on strike programs in St. Charles, Missouri. “We will fly this year or we will fly the year after,” she added. “We want to win. We have a partnership with a great company, Saab, [and] we will do what it takes to win.”

Boeing and Saab have moved quickly, having announced their teaming agreement less than two years ago. Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush told financial analysts on July 29 that the company would be unveiling its new clean-sheet demonstrator, built by its Scaled Composites subsidiary, “in the coming months.”

In recent clarifications to the request for information (RFI) originally released in March, the Air Force says that a flight demonstration may be required as part of the source-selection process. In the case of Boeing-Saab and Northrop Grumman, the demonstrator need not be a production-standard aircraft but should be “highly relevant to the production configuration.”

Alenia Aermacchi’s T-100 proposal, based on the M-346, has been in limbo since its original partner, General Dynamics (GD), backed out in March, and it is not disclosing the identity of its potential teammate. A leading possibility is Textron, the only U.S. builder of jet aircraft, aside from GD, that is not already committed to T-X. It has become a more likely T-X partner since Alenia Aermacchi’s former link with GD dissolved. Meanwhile Textron has moved into the fixed-wing military business, acquiring Beechcraft and the T-6 program and launching the Scorpion reconnaissance and attack aircraft. Asked whether it is in talks with Alenia Aermacchi, the company says only: “It is Textron’s policy not to comment on market rumors.”

A key to Alenia Aermacchi’s revived proposal is that the Air Force, in a July 10 amendment, clarified the sustained g-performance requirement contained in the initial RFI, which seemed to eliminate the M-346. Rather than the common definition of sustained g-force as being achieved at constant speed and altitude, the T-X requirement is to perform a specific maneuver, designed to evaluate and improve the student pilot’s performance at high g, in which 6.5g or more is sustained through a 140-deg. turn.

The RFI states that the maneuver must start at or above 15,000 ft. and end no lower than 13,000 ft. while the aircraft loses no more than 10% of its initial speed. The maneuver has to begin with at least 80% internal fuel, so that it can be performed at any time during a training sortie.

The M-346 is compliant with this requirement but “on the line,” says company chief test pilot Enrico Scarabotto, and Alenia Aermacchi is planning to increase its performance before any T-X flight demonstration takes place. He adds that the RFI requirement as originally interpreted would be hard for any aircraft short of a fighter to achieve, and that the M-346 has proven itself to handle well at such g levels, with minimal buffet. “That allows the pilot to concentrate on the g-straining maneuver, rather than fighting the aircraft to hold 6.5g.” The specified maneuver “is extremely dynamic.”

Having passed the sustained-g hurdle, Alenia Aermacchi is positioning the M-346 as the most modern in-service training system in the contest, with features such as live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training (in which a real-world training sortie can be combined with simulated adversaries, targets and allied assets) already in development.

The Italian air force has an initial-service version of LVC; the full version will be delivered next year, the company says. The training tool has already been used to allow the M-346 to simulate beyond-visual-range adversaries while acting as an aggressor for the air force’s Typhoon fighters. The M-346 is equipped with the Elbit Targo helmet-mounted display (HMD), which can be installed in both front and rear cockpits and can be used in LVC to provide what the company calls “dome in the air” experience, with simulated targets projected onto the visor.

Engineers working on LVC infrastructure technology at Rockwell Collins’s Advanced Technology Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, confirm that the Air Force is asking more rather than less from the T-X as the process of defining requirements continues. “In the last couple of months,” says LVC strategy leader Chip Gilkison, the customer has started to see a need for the T-X to act as a lead-in fighter trainer for the F-35, as more pilots join the new program. “They have recently started taking pilots from the T-38, directly to the F-35. Previously they would go from the T-38 to the F-16 and then to the F-35.” A combination of LVC and high-performance companion trainers, Gilkison says, is needed to train pilots to the full potential of the F-35’s sensor suite.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s trade and industry ministry is launching development of key improvements to the T-50—including inflight refueling and software—offering contracts that cover about 60% of their cost. The ministry does not mention the competition as the reason for upgrading the T-50, but the purpose is clear, since the defense ministry is not paying for the work and because the South Korean air force is not known to have asked for these improvements. However, the changes could make the T-50 more appealing to other export customers.

The T-X requirement calls for the ability to refuel from a boom-equipped tanker—not provided on any previous trainer and missing from both the M-346 and T-50. The South Korean government program calls for a single dorsal-mounted unit combining a refueling receptacle and a 600-lb. fuel tank, apparently in order to minimize redesign of the structure or loss of fuel capacity to the receptacle. The target development cost is 6.9 billion won ($5.94 million), of which the government will pay $3.6 million. The project is expected to run from August 2015 to July 2018.

The separate avionics work will support a large cockpit display, an HMD, an improved head-up display (HUD) and embedded training system for a trainer aircraft. The industry ministry is seeking bids for the 7.95 billion won project, with the government paying $4 million.

One of the main goals is to simulate the high-off-boresight air-to-air missiles. Beyond fuel and software, the industry ministry is calling for work on the T-50’s air data system and is seeking a carbon-fiber leading edge for the fin.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 30 Jul 2015 18:02

What India sorely lacks,a strat. bomber! WE should dust off the acquisition of modernised Backfires of which there are sev. dozens with Russia,for either the IN or IAF for the LR maritime strike/strat. bombing role.LR N-weapons/missiles could be carried on the aircraft operated either by the IN or IAF.

Russia's Supersonic Response to US Missiles in Europe
MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
12:08 24.07.2015
Russia's Ministry of Defense apparently plans to deploy Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range strategic bombers to Crimea to boost Russia's defense capabilities in the region in response to the US' military buildup in Eastern Europe, particularly the installment of the Aegis missile defense system in Romania.

The Russian defense agency is expected to receive six modernized long-range Tu-22M3 Backfire bomber-missile carriers by the end of 2015 but the exact date of the delivery to the Black Sea peninsula has not been made public.

The Tu-22M3 boasts a maximum range of 4,200 miles and has a combat radius of 1,500 miles with a typical weapons load. It is armed with a 23-mm GSh-23 cannon in a remotely controlled tail turret, the Raduga Kh-22 long-range anti-ship missiles and Raduga Kh-15 air-to-surface missiles.

A Tu-22M3 supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier taking part in the dress rehearsal of the Victory Parade in Red Square in Moscow

A Tu-22M3 supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier taking part in the dress rehearsal of the Victory Parade in Red Square in Moscow
The Russian Army operates more than 100 Tu-22Ms. Their upgrade is part of a major $400 billion initiative to modernize Russia's forces, scheduled to be completed by 2020.

If confirmed, the deployment to Crimea will come against the backdrop of the US expanding its Operation Atlantic Resolve, launched to protect Eastern European nations and the Baltic states from a non-existent Russian threat following the outbreak of the civil war in Ukraine.

A PAK FA T-50 fighter jet performs a demo flight at the MAKS 2013 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky.

Russia's Next-Gen Strategic Bomber to Make Maiden Flight in 2023-2024
Although the United States sponsored the February 2014 coup in Ukraine, Washington blames Russia for meddling in the affairs of its neighbor. Moscow has consistently denied any wrongdoing and pushed for peace in the war-torn nation through the full implementation of the Minsk accords.
Under the banner of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the United States plans to deploy heavy military hardware to European countries close to Russia's borders and enhance war-games, involving NATO allies and other countries.

The land based component of Washington's European missile defense system in Romania is scheduled to become operational in late 2015. The system is formally known as the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/2015072 ... z3hNg1m0Xg

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 31 Jul 2015 04:08

Spotters Paradise..

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 31 Jul 2015 04:54

F35 fires its gun from the ground for the first time...

Joint Strike Fighter ITF ground testing F-35 gun

...
7/22/2015 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force is in the process of testing the F-35A's newest munitions asset - the GAU-22/A. The gun is a four-barrel Gatling gun that fires 25 millimeter rounds.

...
The first phase of testing started June 9, when the first shots were fired from tail number AF-2 on the ground at the Edwards Gun Harmonizing Range. The test team hopes to finish ground testing sometime during August and start the airborne phase late September. An operational gun capability will be added with a future block of software, which is in the beginning stages of testing at Edwards.

The tests are done using a target practice round, PGU-23/U, which fires from the gun, but does not explode on impact.

The tricky part about this test phase is that the gun will never operationally fire on the ground. To conduct the test, they have to use software to bypass interlocks and "fool the aircraft to make it think it's in the air."
...
...
"The GAU-22/A uses a 25mm shell, which is significantly more powerful than what I've been used to in legacy aircraft, the F-16 the F-15E, F-15C - all those aircraft use a 20mm shell," said Rollins.
...
Prior to testing the integration of the GAU-22/A into the F-35A, the gun itself was tested as a standalone. It was also flown during test points without firing to ensure that the flight envelope would not overstress the gun mounts. Preparing for the ground gun fire tests in the jet took roughly six months.

AF-2, a highly modified flight sciences aircraft, underwent four months of instrumentation modifications and had a line production gun installed for this project.
...
...

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 31 Jul 2015 04:54

F35 fires its gun from the ground for the first time...

Joint Strike Fighter ITF ground testing F-35 gun

...
7/22/2015 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force is in the process of testing the F-35A's newest munitions asset - the GAU-22/A. The gun is a four-barrel Gatling gun that fires 25 millimeter rounds.

...
The first phase of testing started June 9, when the first shots were fired from tail number AF-2 on the ground at the Edwards Gun Harmonizing Range. The test team hopes to finish ground testing sometime during August and start the airborne phase late September. An operational gun capability will be added with a future block of software, which is in the beginning stages of testing at Edwards.

The tests are done using a target practice round, PGU-23/U, which fires from the gun, but does not explode on impact.

The tricky part about this test phase is that the gun will never operationally fire on the ground. To conduct the test, they have to use software to bypass interlocks and "fool the aircraft to make it think it's in the air."
...
...
"The GAU-22/A uses a 25mm shell, which is significantly more powerful than what I've been used to in legacy aircraft, the F-16 the F-15E, F-15C - all those aircraft use a 20mm shell," said Rollins.
...
Prior to testing the integration of the GAU-22/A into the F-35A, the gun itself was tested as a standalone. It was also flown during test points without firing to ensure that the flight envelope would not overstress the gun mounts. Preparing for the ground gun fire tests in the jet took roughly six months.

AF-2, a highly modified flight sciences aircraft, underwent four months of instrumentation modifications and had a line production gun installed for this project.
...
...

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 31 Jul 2015 20:31

U.S. Marine Corps Declares the F-35B Operational

The U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II aircraft reached initial operational capability today with a squadron of 10 F-35Bs ready for world-wide deployment.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), based in Yuma, Arizona, is the first squadron in military history to become operational with an F-35 variant, following a five-day Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), which concluded July 17.

"I am pleased to announce that VMFA-121 has achieved initial operational capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the June 2014 Joint Report to Congressional Defense Committees," said Gen. Joseph Dunford, Commandant of the Marine Corps. "VMFA-121 has ten aircraft in the Block 2B configuration with the requisite performance envelope and weapons clearances, to include the training, sustainment capabilities, and infrastructure to deploy to an austere site or a ship. It is capable of conducting close air support, offensive and defensive counter air, air interdiction, assault support escort and armed reconnaissance as part of a Marine Air Ground Task Force, or in support of the Joint Force."

Dunford stated that he has his full confidence in the F-35B's ability to support Marines in combat, predicated on years of concurrent developmental testing and operational flying.

"Prior to declaring IOC, we have conducted flight operations for seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier, participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation which included multiple live ordnance sorties," said Dunford. "The F-35B's ability to conduct operations from expeditionary airstrips or sea-based carriers provides our Nation with its first 5th generation strike fighter, which will transform the way we fight and win."

As the future of Marine Corps tactical aviation, the F-35 will eventually replace three legacy platforms: the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler.

"The success of VMFA-121 is a reflection of the hard work and effort by the Marines in the squadron, those involved in the program over many years, and the support we have received from across the Department of the Navy, the Joint Program Office, our industry partners, and the Under Secretary of Defense. Achieving IOC has truly been a team effort," concluded Dunford.

The U.S. Marine Corps has trained and qualified more than 50 Marine F-35B pilots and certified about 500 maintenance personnel to assume autonomous, organic-level maintenance support for the F-35B.

VMFA-121's transition will be followed by Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211), an AV-8B squadron, which is scheduled to transition to the F-35B in fiscal year 2016. In 2018, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122), an F-18 Hornet squadron, will conduct its transition.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 02 Aug 2015 19:40

Helicopter crashes at airshow in Russia, 1 pilot dead

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 03 Aug 2015 10:33

Tragic about the pilot.At least the second pilot has survived,said it was a tech. problem,which should be indentifiable.