Liaoning aircraft carrier model displayed with AEW aircraft

Pictures below are of the Liaoning aircraft carrier in model form. Displayed on deck are various aircraft, including the J-15 fighter and the Kamov Ka-28 (Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter.

What is most interesting is a model of an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft on the Liaoning. This suggests China intends to equip its aircraft carriers with force multipliers such as a fixed wing AEW capability.

Such an addition if realized, would significantly increase the combat potential of the Liaoning's J-15 fighter aircraft, which recently conducted their first recorded landings aboard the Liaoning..

Germany receives first MANTIS Air Defense System from Rheinmetall

The first Modular, Automatic and Network-capable Targeting and Interception System (MANTIS) Air Defense System is scheduled to be deployed with the Flugabwehrraketengeschwader 1 (1st Air Defense Squadron) based in Husum, Germany.

Based on Oerlikon Skyshield air defense technology, the MANTIS is a short-range Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system designed by Rheinmetall Defense to protect military sites and important civilian infrastructure from airborne threats.

Equipped with six 35 mm guns, two sensor units and a central command ground-control unit, the system can detect missiles at a range of 3 km. Each gun fires Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) rounds, which release 152 tungsten projectiles in front of the target.

http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/news/latest_news/details_2368.php

India issues request for proposals for 56 transport aircraft

India has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for 56 transport aircraft to replace its fleet of 30 Avro HS-748 aircraft. Out of the 56 aircraft, 16 are to be procured directly, while the remaining 40 are to be manufactured locally under license in partnership with an Indian partner.

Potential candidates for the deal, worth an estimated $2.5 to $3 billion, are the IL-114 from Russia's Ilyushin Aviation Complex, the Ukrainian AN-148, the European EADS Casa C-295 and Italy's Alenia C-27J.

The first aircraft are expected to be delivered in the next four to five years after a contract has been signed.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_11_27_2012_p03-02-521298.xml

Chinese K-8 aircraft and French Cougar helicopter crash in Venezuela

A Chinese-made K-8 trainer aircraft and a French-made Cougar helicopter, sent to rescue, have both crashed during an airshow in Venezuela. The show was held at the Libertador Air Base to mark Air Force Day in the Venezuelan state of Aragua.

Both crashes were preceded 5 days earlier by another crash involving 2 OV-10 Bronco aircraft, which collided in midair at the same Libertador Air Base. The aircraft had also been preparing for the Air Force Day parade. One crew member was killed and a further 3 were injured.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20121128/177786487.html

CH-4 MALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

Displayed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012 was the CH-4 multi-purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) for Medium Altitude & Long Endurance (MALE).

The propeller-driven CH-4 has an endurance of 30 hrs and can reach an altitude of 8000 m. It can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance and surface attack. Four hard points are available to carry various precision guided munitions.

Other UAVs on display were the Wing Loong and WJ-600.

Yasen class nuclear submarine Severodvinsk fires first cruise missile

According to the United Shipbuilding Corporation (UAC), the Severodvinsk, the first of the Project 855 Yasen class multi-purpose nuclear submarines, has fired its first cruise missile during trials in the White Sea.

The Yasen class submarine has a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons and a length of 119 m. Speed is 31 kn and it can dive up to 600 m. The crew consists of 90 of which 32 are officers.

The Russian Navy so far intends to acquire 8 Yasen class submarines. Armament includes torpedoes, rocket-torpedoes, mines and cruise missiles, such as 3M55 Oniks (SS-N-26) and 3M54 Kalibr (SS-N-27).


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20121126/177740207.html

FD-2000 / HQ-9 Surface-to-Air Missile / SAM Air Defense System

The FD-2000 is the export variant of the HQ-9 mobile, long-range, Surface-to-Air (SAM) Air Defense System and developed by China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC).

The FD-2000 can be used to defend against aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other precision guided munitions. It can be used in all-weather conditions against multiple targets in a strong Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) environment.

Each 8 x 8 Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) carries 4 sealed rounds, which are cold-launched vertically at a distance of up to 125 km and an altitude of up to 27 km depending on target and are guided by an active radar seeker.

The FD-2000 can be integrated with other Air Defense Systems, such as the HQ-7, HQ-16 and LD-2000 to form a multi-layer Integrated Air Defense System (IADS).

The HQ-9 is most comparable to the Russian S-300 Air Defense System and which are both in service with the Chinese Armed Forces.

FD-2000 specifications:
Range: 125 km (aircraft)
              50 km (air-to-surface missiles)
              25 km (cruise missiles)
              25 km (precision guided munitions and tactical ballistic missiles)
Maximum ceiling: 27 km

Photos below are of the domestic HQ-9 system.

China launches Yaogan 16 ELINT / SIGINT satellites

On the 25th of November 2012, the Yaogan-16 satellites were launched into orbit by a Long March (Chang Zheng) 4C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province.

Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the Yaogan 16 consists of a three satellite cluster orbiting in formation in low-earth orbit. They are the second in the series following the launch of Yaogan 9 on March 5, 2010.

Although officially classified as remote-sensing satellites, the Yaogan 16 are Electronic / Signals Intelligence (ELINT / SIGINT) satellites, similar to the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) satellite formations used by the United States Navy.

The satellite triplets work together to locate and track objects by their electronic emissions and analyzing them using the Time-Difference-Of-Arrival (TDOA) technique. Intended targets can include warships or Surface-to-Air (SAM) installations among others.


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2012-11/25/c_131997696.htm

China's First Type 056 Class Corvette Sets Out to Sea

The first of China's Type 056 class corvette has set out to sea for trials. So far, at least 8 hulls have been observed under construction at 4 different shipyards. They are Liaonan, Wuhan, Hudong and Huangpu.

The Type 056 class has a length of 90 m, beam of 10 m, draft of 4.4m, full displacement of about 1300t and a maximum speed of 28 kt. The first is expected to be commissioned early next year.

Armament includes a 76 mm H/PJ26 dual purpose main gun, two 30 mm cannons, an 8 cell missile-based HHQ-10 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), 2 x 3 324 mm torpedo and 2 x 2 anti-ship missiles such as the C-802A.

The Type 056 class is being marketed for export. Bangladesh has expressed interest in ordering 2 hulls. They are to be modified to Bangladeshi specifications.

Credit original poster, via Chinese Internet

Minshan turbofan engine at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

Shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2012 is the Minshan turbofan engine. This engine with a maximum thrust of 5,000 kg is an alternative engine for the L-15 Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) aircraft, which will enter Chinese service with the JL-10 designation.

First J-15 fighter lands on Liaoning aircraft carrier

According to reports in the Chinese media, the first J-15 fighter has successfully landed on the Liaoning aircraft carrier, which recently set out to sea.

Dai Mingmeng from the East China Sea Fleet accomplished the first carrier landing using arrested gears after first practicing using touch-and-go. Takeoffs were also conducted.

Wu Xiaoguang, the deputy chief designer for the People's Liberation Army's national carrier project, had previously stated that actual test landings on the Liaoning were imminent.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2012-11/25/c_123998037.htm

http://english.sina.com/china/p/2012/1123/529952.html

CM-400AKG Missile at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

At Zhuhai Aishow 2012, the CM-400AKG was displayed for the first time. The CM-400AKG is a high speed, Air-to-Surface Missile developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

The CM-400AKG is in the same class as the Raduga KH-15 (AS-16 Kickback) missile. The fire-and-forget missile can reach a maximum speed of Mach 5.5 and a range of between 100 and 240 km. The missile has a length of 5.2 m and weighs about 900 kg.

Guidance is modular and include passive radar homing and Imaging Infrared. Unlike the sea-skimming profile of the C-802 missile, the CM-400AKG does a high-altitude climb after launch with a high-speed dive onto the target.

The missile was displayed with the JF-17 fighter and has been adopted into service according to officials from the Pakistan Air Force.

http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/sky/v/2012-11-16/140161916517.html

Credit original poster, via Chinese Internet

JiuZhai turbofan engine at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

Shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2012 was the JiuZhai turbofan engine . This small engine with a thrust of 1000 kg is designed for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

Sino-Russian relationship on military engines Al-31F and WS-10A

During an interview at Zhuhai Airshow 2012, Vladimir Barkovsky, deputy general director of the Russian Aircraft Corporation MIG and head of its engineering center named after Artyem Mikoyan, confirmed that the indigenous designed J-31 fighter, which recently flew for the first time, uses a pair of Russian Klimov RD-93 turbofans.

Sergei Kornev, head of the aviation department of Rosonboronexport, reported at the show that Russia has sold to China the documentation on overhaul and lifecycle support of the AL-31F series engines and helped it establish a well functioning system for keeping them serviceable.

On whether, Russia has assisted China's WS-10A engine, Kornev answered that Russian specialists have not been briefed on its design and that Russia has never delivered AL-31F design documentation to China.

He also confirmed that 100 RD-93 engines had been delivered to China, which are primarily used to power the JF-17 fighter.


http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2012-11-23/russian-officials-reveal-j-31-engine-and-describe-sales-china

CJ-1000A High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Engine at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

The CJ-1000A High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Engine is a 15,000 kg thrust engine currently in development for the C-919 narrow-body airliner.

The C-919 narrow-body airliner is being developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to compete against the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737.

The CJ-1000A may also have other applications, such as the Y-20 Transport Aircraft curently in development.

NORINCO LD-2000 SPAAG CIWS at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

At Zhuhai Airshow 2012, the LD-2000 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) Air Defense System was marketed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and other precision guided munitions with a Radar Cross Section (RCS) of at least 0.1 m^2 in a dense Electronic Counter Counter-Measures (ECCM) environment against multiple targets at close range.

The LD-2000 system can be used to defend high-value targets such as Command and Control (C2) centers, ballistic missile launchers, Surface-to-Air (SAM) missile systems. It can be integrated with other Air Defense Systems, such as the HQ-7, HQ-16 and HQ-9 to form a multi-layer Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) as observed in Chinese service, including the Air Defense garrison protecting Hong Kong.

Each combat vehicle is mounted on a 8 x 8 truck with a land based version of the naval H/PJ-12 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), mounted to the rear. It consists of a seven-barrel 30 mm gatling gun turret with a maximum fire rate of 4200 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of 3500 m. The turret holds 2 magazine rounds with 500 rounds each. One with High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) rounds and another with Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) rounds.

Each vehicle has a tracking radar with a range of 18 kilometers against targets with a RCS of 2 m^2. This drops to 9 kilometers against a RCS of 0.1 m^2. A combined television/infrared tracking system with a range of about 5 kilometers is also included.

FM-90 / HQ-7B SAM Air Defense System

The FM-90 was developed by China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CNPMIEC) for Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) . It is an improved version of the FM-80 Surface-to-Air (SAM) Air Defense System, which in turn was a copy of the French Thomson-CSF Crotale Air Defense System. The system has most recently been exported to Bangladesh.

FM-90 / HQ-7B specifications
Length: 3.00 m
Diameter: 0.16 m
Wingspan: 0.55 m
Weight: 84.5 kg
Maximum Altitude: 6000 m
Maximum Range: 15000 m
Speed: Mach 2.3
Guidance: Command + Electro-Optical Tracking
Maximum Radar Range: 25000 m

SD-10A and LD-10 Missiles at Zhuhai Airshow 2012

The SD-10A is the export designation of the PL-12 Air-to-Air missile developed by  Luoyang Electro-Optical Technology Development Center. The SD-10A is an active radar Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It has the ability to turn off its active radar seeker and passively home in on electronic emissions (Home-On-Jam).

The LD-10 air-to-surface anti-radiation missile is a variant of the SD-10A missile meant for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), similar to Raytheon's High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). The LD-10 retains the overall aerodynamic layout of the SD-10A, but has the active radar seeker of the SD-10A replaced with a new passive radar-homing seeker.

The LD-10 has been designed such as to be retrofitted faster and with minimal modifications to launch platforms, which have been cleared for use with the SD-10A missile. These include the J-8, J-10, J-11 and the JF-17. The missile was marketed with a maximum range of 80 km with a 20 kg warhead.

A further development of the SD-10A is the DK-10. The DK-10 is heavily modified for use as a Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) as reported earlier. 
 

Specifications of SD-10A:
Length: 3934 mm
Diameter: 203 mm
Wing span: 670 mm
Fin span: 752 mm
Weight: 199 kg
Propulsion: Solid dual-thrust rocket motor with lofted profile
Range: 100 km
Altitude: 21 km
Speed: Mach 4
Guidance: Strap-down inertial guidance + datalink correction + active radar terminal guidance