Jordanian Factory For RPG-32 Hashim Inaugurated

A factory for the production of the RPG-32 Hashim rocket-propelled grenade launcher and associated rocket ammunition was unveiled In Jordan. The event was attended by Jordan's King Abdullah II and Russian Technologies CEO Sergei Chemezov.

The manufacture of the RPG-32 is a joint venture between Russia and Jordan. Jordan build and equiped the factory and Russia is responsible for supervising the production process and the supply of components for the assembly of the grenade launchers.

Developed by the Bazalt Science & Production Association, the RPG-32 is a portable, hand-held, rocket-propelled grenade launcher. It can be used against a range of targets, including armored vehicles, troops and bunkers.

The two-piece RPG-32 is made of the reusable launcher and compatible with both 105 mm and 72 mm rockets, which come in sealed disposable containers and are attached at the end of the launcher.

The RPG-32 Hashim specifications are:

• Length: 1200 mm (105 mm rocket), 900 mm (72 mm rocket)
• Caliber: 105 mm
• Weight (empty): 3 kg
• Weight (loaded): 10 kg (105 mm rocket), 6 kg (72 mm)
• Muzzle velocity: 140 m/s
• Effective range: 700 m

The RPG-32 can fire both High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) and thermobaric rockets.

http://en.ria.ru/world/20130530/181426863/Jordan-Opens-Plant-to-Make-Russian-Grenade-Launchers.html

By Bandaly [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Will Scrap 2 More Project 941 / Typhoon Class Nuclear Ballistic Submarines

Russia will decommission and scrap two of the last three remaining Project 941 Akula class (NATO: Typhoon class) nuclear ballistic submarines. The submarines will be withdrawn at the end of this year to begin the dismantling process, whch should be complete sometime between 2018 and 2020.

The Severstal and the Arkhangelsk will join the the three other ships of the class that have already been scrapped. All six submarines were commissioned between 1981 and 1989.

Due to their high cost, Russia decided to replace them with the newer and smaller Project 955 Borey class submarines. Reportedly, modernizing a single Project 941 cost as much as building 2 new Project 955 Borey submarines.

The sixth Project 941 submarine, the Dmitry Donskoy was modernized and serves as a launch platform to test the latest submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles such as the Bulava.

The Project 941 submarines are noted for being the largest submarines ever build. The Project 841 specifications are:

• Length: 175 m
• Beam: 23 m
• Draught: 12 m
• Displacement: 24500 tonnes (surfaced), 48000 tonnes (submerged)

Primary armement consisted of:

• 20 RSM-52 / R-39 Rif (NATO: SS-N-20 Sturgeon) with 10 MIRV warheads each

The Typhoon class had the ability to stay at sea on patrol for extended periods due to its size and the ability to punch through the thick ice with a sail that was reinforced for this purpose.

In many navies, submariners in general enjoy better amenities than the average sailor, but the Typhoon class went much further with facilities that most submarines could only dream of.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130521/181272846/Russia-to-Scrap-Worlds-Biggest-Nuclear-Subs.html

By Robert Lawson Collection [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Buys 6 Be-200 Amphibious Aircraft

Russia has ordered 6 multi-purpose Be-200 amphibious aircraft from the Beriev Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The contract is worth 8.4 billion Russian Rubles or about $268 million.

The first two will be the Be-200ES variant, while the next four will be the Be-200PS variant. It is the first time that the Russian military has placed orders for the Be-200.

In 2010, the Russian Emergencies Ministry ordered eight Be-200ES and currently has five Be-200ES for firefighting duties. Azerbaijan received one Be-200ES in 2008.

The Be-200 is an amphibious aircraft with the ability to takeoff and land on water. It perform several types of missions, including:

• firefighting
• search and rescue
• medical evacuation
• maritime patrol
• transport

Its specifications are:

• Length: 32.05 m
• Wingspan: 32.78 m
• Height: 8.9 m
• Empty weight: 27600 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: 41000 kg (land) 38000 kg (water)
• Maximum fuel capacity: 12500 kg
• Maximum speed: 700 km/hr
• Maximum range: 3300 km (ISA: 8000 m, 1 hour fuel reserve)
• Operational altitude: 8000 m

The cargo dimensions are:

• Length: 18.7 m
• Width: 2.5 m
• Height: 1.895 m
• Floor area: 41 m²
• Volume 80.8 m³
• Payload: 7500 kg, 7 LD3 containers

The Be-200 is powered by 2 D-436TP turbofan engines with 7650 kg of thrust.


http://www.beriev.com/eng/Pr_rel_e/2013_05_24e.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

South Korea to Acquire 20 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

The South Korean Navy has received approval to buy 20 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The preliminary budget set aside for the purchase is set at 1 trillion Won or about $889 million.

The acquisition is meant to enhance surveillance capabilities, especially against North Korea, which has seen an increase in tensions with South Korea in recent times and with which it is still technically at war.

Potential candidates for the South Korean tender include:

• Airbus Military's C-295 MPA
• Boeing's P-8 Poseidon
• Lockheed Martin's SC-130J Sea Hercules

On paper, the most suitable would be the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, which is to form the MPA backbone in the United States.

Generally speaking, American companies have the advantage in South Korean tenders. The need for interoperability between South Korean and American equipment tends to favor the US, although that is not always the case.

The US plans to eventually acquire around 120 P-8 aircraft of which 7 have already been received. India, the only country so far to have placed an export order has recently received its first aircraft in May 2013.

In 2009 ordered 8 P-8I plus related equipment and services in a deal worth over $2 billion. The P-8I is a customized version with a different set of equipment fitted. India plans to place additional orders for P-8I aircraft.

South Korea currently has 8 P-3C and 8 P-8CK Orion MPA. The older P-3C are in the process of being upgraded to the P-3CK standard with updated equipment and the ability to fire new weapons such as the Harpoon II.


http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/05/24/83/0301000000AEN20130524009100315F.HTML

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

US Navy Releases Names Of Upcoming Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

The United States Navy has announced that the next Arleigh Burke class destroyers are to be named the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) and USS Daniel Inouye (DDg 118).

Paul Ignatius served as Secretary of The Navy and as Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Lyndon Johnson. Daniel Inouye was a US Senator and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.

The first Arleight Burke destroyer was commissioned in 1991 and there are a total of 62 ships in service (DDG 51 through DDG 112). Of these, 21 are Flight I and the remaining belonging to Flight II.

The Arleigh Burke class has been constantly upgraded and modernized, but also progressively grown larger in size with each flight. This has created some problems, including excessive levels of stress to the hull.

Construction was to have ended with 62 units, but has since been restarted due to issues with the successor, the Zumwalt class. A new Flight III will be constructed, which is now in the final design phase.

Only three Zumwalt class ships will be acquired and additional Flight II hulls will be build with elements of the Flight III gradually incorporated. The first Flight III may be commissioned in 2023.

Four Arleigh Burke Flight II hulls have now been contracted for and the US Navy may announce the addition of up to 10 hulls as early as next month in June 2013.

The Arleigh Burke class has never been exported, although Saudi Arabia has expressed interest. The four Kongo class and two improved Atago class destroyer in the Japanese Navy as based on the Arleigh Burke design.

The three KDX-III or Sejong The Great class destroyers in the South Korean Navy are also based on the Arleigh Burke design. The ships differ widely, including displacement, configuration and weapons fitted.

However, they all share the same Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, which uses the SM-2 as its main weapon for air defense. All also come with the Aegis System, including the phased array radars laid out in a similar manner.


http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=74367

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Reckard [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

American Weapons Packages For South Korean Fighter Aircraft Revealed

As obligated to do, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the United States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea.

The two weapons packages are associated with Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-35, both are which are competing to win South Korea's competition for 60 new fighter aircraft.

In the case of the F-15 Silent Eagle, the package consists of:

• 274 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)
• 6 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Guidance Sections 
• 362 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits, BLU-109/KMU-557C/B (GBU-31) w/SAASM/AJ 
• 780 JDAM Tail Kits, MK-82/BLU-111 KMU572C/B (GBU-38) w/SAASM/AJ 
• 6 MK-82 Filled, Inert Bombs 
• 170 JDAM Tail Kits, MK-84/BLU-117 KMU-556C/B (GBU-31) w/SAASM/AJ
• 1312 FMU-152A/B Fuzes (FZU-63 Initiator) 
• 542 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs 
• 170 BLU-117 2000LB General Purpose Bombs 
• 362 BLU-109 2000LB Penetrators 
• 4 BLU-109 Inert Bombs 
• 154 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) Tactical Missiles w/DSU-41 
• 33 CATM AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) Captive Air Training Missiles 
• 7 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) C ATM Guidance Units 
• 14 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) Tactical Guidance Units

The package for the F-35 consists of:

• 274 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) 
• 6 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Guidance Sections 
• 530 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits, BLU-109/KMU-557C/B (GBU-31) w/SAASM/AJ 
• 4 JDAM BLU-109 Load Build Trainers 
• 6 MK-82 Filled Inert Bombs 
• 4 BLU-109 Inert Bombs 
• 1312 FMU-152A/B Fuzes (FZU-63 Initiator) 
• 542 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs 
• 530 BLU-109 2000LB Penetrators 
• 780 GBU-12 Bombs 
• 4 GBU-12 Dummy Trainers 
• 154 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) Tactical Missiles w/DSU-41 
• 33 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) 
• 7 AIM-9X-2 (Blk II) CATM Guidance Units 
• 14 AIM 9X- 2 (Blk II) Tactical Guidance Units

The package for the F-15 is worth $823 million and for the F-35 is worth $793 million. The price in both cases includes:

• containers
• missile support and test equipment
• provisioning, 
• spare and repair parts
• support equipment
• personnel training and training equipment
• technical documentation
• engineering and technical support
• other related elements of program support

The F-15 and F-35 are competing against the Eurofighter Typhoon in South Korea, which is expected to select which of the 3 is the winner as early as June of 2013.


http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36-b/2013/Korea_13-22.pdf

http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36-b/2013/Korea_13-24.pdf

EADS Offers KF-X Assistance If South Korea Buys 60 Fighter Aircraft

The European Aerospace Defense and Space Company (EADS) has further sweetened its bid to win the competition to supply South Korea with 60 fighter aircraft to replace existing F-4 and F-5 aircraft.

EADS will now invest $2 billion in South Korea's KF-X fighter program on condition that it buys the Eurofighter Typhoon. Previously, EADS had already offered to produce 53 out of the 60 jets locally in South Korea.

Besides the Typhoon, the two other competitors are Lockheed Martin's F-35 and Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle. A decision by South Korea on which of the 3 candidates is the winner may come as soon as next month in June 2013.

The KF-X project was first announced by South Korea in 1999, but hasn't made much progress since. It is supposed to be a twin-engined aircraft, roughly similar in size to the Eurofighter.

The project is several years behind schedule and there are questions whether the project is feasible taking into account South Korea's resources and technical know-how.

It is intended to feature reduced radar cross section similar to that of the Typhoon. While not a tue fifth-generation fighter with very low observability, it will be superior to most existing fighters.

If build, the KF-X will replace the F-16 in South Korea's Air Force. It will be fully compatible with Western systems and weapons and with those of South Korean origin.

Indonesia joined the KF-X project as a junior-level partner in 2011 and will contribute some funding and may acquire up to 50 aircraft. Assuming the KF-X project goes through, it is projected to be operational well after 2020.

By that time, it will enter a world with several fifth-generation fighters, such as those from the US, Russia and China, which all strive to have their newest stealthy fighters ready before 2020.


http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/05/23/64/0301000000AEN20130523002851315F.HTML

By Arpingstone [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Peru looking To Upgrade Remaining MiG-29 Fleet

According to Konstantin Biryulin, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, Russia and Peru will sign a contract to upgrade Peruvian Mig-29 before the end of 2013 pending final negotiations.

The contract covers the aircraft that had not been upgraded during a previous contract signed in 2008. That contract covered the upgrade of eight MiG-29 to a customized version of the MiG-29SMT standard.

The MiG-29 SMT standard turns the MiG-29 into a multi-role aircraft approaching the level of the MiG-29M. Upgrades include:

• Enlarged spine with room for bigger fuel tanks to increase range
• New radar includes support for air-to-ground modes
• New cockpit and avionics
• Upgraded engines

Once upgraded, the aircraft will be compatible with various precision-guided air-to-ground munitions. In all, Peru bought 18 MiG-29 in 1996 and another 3 in 1998. Of these two have been lost to accidents.

Peru also has 12 Mirage 2000 fighters bought during the eighties that will be upgraded by France. Some of its Su-25 Close Air Support aircraft may also be upgraded.

Russia has finished upgrading Peruvian Mil Mi-25 attack helicopters and is looking at signing more deals with Peru, including the sale of T-90S main battle tanks and Mi-17 transport helicopters.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20130520/181255021/Russia-Peru-to-Sign-MiG-29-Jet-Upgrade-Deal.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

F-35B STOVL Completes First Vertical Takeoff And Landing Test

The F-35B has successfully completed its first vertical takeoff and landing test. The aircraft took off vertically without first moving, hovered at low altitude and proceeded to land.

This ability was required and the F-35B was specifically designed for it, although in practice its unlikely to be used very often. The manoeuvre puts considerable penalties on aircraft performance, including reduced payload and range.

It is intended to be used in situations where the F-35B is unable to execute a short takeoff as is normally the case. With reduced amounts of fuel, the F-35B can still takeoff unlike most other aircraft and fly a short distance.   

The F-35 Lightning II is a stealthy, fifth-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft that comes in 3 variants:

• The F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL)
• The F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL)
• The F-35C Catapult Assisted Take Off But Assisted Recovery (CATOBAR)

Although principally developed by the United States, the F-35 program includes eight other countries that share in some of its development.

The F-35B is planned to become operational with the US Marine Corps in 2015. The F-35C may become operational aboard aircraft carriers of the US Navy in 2018 at the earliest.

The F-35A is to be operational with the US Air Force in 2016, a year ahead of schedule. This is made possible by dropping some requirements that the jet needed to fulfill as originally planned.

The F-35 has seen quite a number of problems during its development that continue to plague the program. Several other countries with plans to induct the F-35, have delayed or altered their original plans as a result of these issues.

Positive developments are therefore much needed to help quiet the critics somewhat and reassure other countries that the US is firmly behind the F-35 and fully intends to bring the project the fruition.

Both Russia and China are hard at work on their own fifth generation fighter aircraft and plan to have them ready before the end of this decade. It is not inconceivable that the F-35 may be needed to face other stealthy aircraft.


http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2013/may/130520ae_f-35b-completes-vertical-takeoff.html

Afghanistan Will Receive An Additional 12 Russian Mi-17 Helicopters in 2013 From The US

Afghanistan will receive 12 more Mil Mi-17V5 transport helicopters from Russia before the end of 2013. It had previously received 21 Mi-17V5 helicopters as part of a $367.5 million deal signed in 2011.

In both cases, the helicopters will be bought and paid for by the United States, but delivered by Russia to the Afghanistan Armed Forces. The original contract included an option for additional helicopters, which has been exercised.

The additional purchases of Mi-17 helicopters from Russia occur despite opposition to Russian arms purchases by the US Congress, because of continued Russian support to Syria.

However, the US Department of Defense felt that is was best to honor Afghanistan request for the Mi-17 helicopters. Compared to other options such as the American Black Hawk helicopters, the Mi-17 is a better fit, including:

• The ability to use existing infrastructure, support and service already in place for Russian helicopters.
• Familiarity of Afghan pilots with the Mi-17 eliminates the need to train them to use a new helicopter type.
• The Mi-17 helicopters are lower in cost.

The Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan will not be completely Russian, but will be fitted with some US equipment.

The Mi-17 helicopters are meant to help Afghanistan fulfill its tasks now that military forces from the US and other countries are in the process of being withdrawn.

Further negotiations may result in additional purchases of the Mi-17, which is widely used around the world and noted for its ruggedness and reliability, despite being a very old design.

This is not the first time that the US has bought military equipment from Russia, but the purchases of Mi-17 helicopters are still notable since they don't occur very often between the two former rivals during the Cold War.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130516/181189483/Russia-to-Deliver-12-More-Mi-17-Helicopters-to-Afghanistan.html

By U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

MBDA Missiles To Be Integrated With MK41 Vertical Launch System

MBDA and Lockheed Martin have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that seeks to integrate European missiles with the American MK41 Vertical Launch System.

Up to now, both the MK41 and its European counterpart, the Systeme de Lancement Vertical (SYLVER) system, were only compatible with essentially American and European missiles respectively.

This despite the fact that both systems are very similar in principle. Both are hot-launched and share a common central exhaust. Both also come in various lengths for ships of different displacements. 

This clear division meant that once a ship was fitted with the MK41 VLS, it is unable to use any MBDA missiles and vice versa. It is either American or European and not both at the same time. This is not an ideal situation.

The UK's Type 45 destroyer is equipped with SYLVER and can't use the Standard series of surface-to-air missiles or Tomahawk cruise missiles. At one point, there were suggestions that it would be better to equip the Type 45 with the MK41.

The attempts to try to fuze American and European systems is therefore a welcome development. It should help better utilize the respective strengths of both sides.

It may help break other barriers, such as integration of SYLVER with American missiles. That will mean that both MK41 and SYLVER users will be able to select the type of missiles that best fit their needs. 

The first missile to be integrated will be the naval variant of the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile Maritime (CAMM-M) or Sea Ceptor, which will be demonstrated with a test launch later in 2013.

The CAMM series of missiles are derived from the ASRAAM air-to-air missiles. Other MBDA missiles from MBDA are the Aster 15, Aster 30, Aster NT and Scalp Naval.


http://www.mbda-systems.com/mediagallery/#/news/3056

Australia Looks At Acquiring MQ-4C Triton HALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Australia will soon issue a Letter of Request for the FMS Technical Services Case to the United States for detailed cost and capability information of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

This marks the first step in the path to acquiring possibly up to seven UAVs, which Australia had earlier expressed and again reiterated in its recently released Defense White Paper.

The letter does not signify a purchase and Australia is not obligated to purchase the MQ-4C. It can still select some other option, but the MQ-4C is highly favored by Australia's armed forces.

The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV developed from the RQ-4 Global Hawk primarily for maritime surveillance. Its specifications are:

• Length: 47.6 ft in (14.5 m)
• Wingspan: 130.9 ft in (39.9 m)
• Height: 15.3 ft in (4.7 m)
• Maximum weight: 32250 lb (14628 kg)
• Maximum speed: 357 mph (575 km/h)
• Maximum range: 9950 nautical miles (18427 km)
• Endurance: 30 hours
• Service ceiling: 60000 ft (18288 m)

The MQ-4C Triton is powered by one Rolls-Royce AE 3007 turbofan.

To perform its tasks, the MQ-4C Triton is equipped with an array of active and passive sensors, including:

• 360-degree Field Of Regard (FOR) sensors
• Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) Maritime Radar
• Electro-Optical / Infrared (EO/IR) sensor
• Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver
• Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
• Communications relay capability
• beyond line of sight and line of sight communications

The UAVs are primarily intended to help secure Australia's extended coastline. The UAVs are part of Phase 1B of Project AIR 7000 to be followed by the acquisition of up to eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

This is similar to the US Navy. Both the MQ-4C and P-8A are intended to complement one another as part of the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program.

The MQ-4C Triton is not yet in service, even with the US, but only expected to do so in 2015. The US Navy intends to buy 68 MQ-4C Triton's and 117 P-8A Poseidon's.


http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/uk-australia-defence-drone-idUKBRE94F04F20130516

By NAVAIR [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Syria Receives More Russian SS-N-26 Yakhont Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles

Syria has received another batch of SS-N-26 Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles from Russia. Syria had ordered the missiles in 2007 in a deal worth about $300 million and deliveries from Russia began in 2011.

The latest shipment of missiles have upgraded guidance systems compared to the earlier ones. The missiles received are the land-based version or Bastion for mobile coastal defense.

They join other advanced Russian arms already in Syria, such as the short-to-medium range Pantsir-S1 (SA-22) and medium-range Buk-M2 (SA-17) air defense systems.

The supersonic and sea-skimming Yakhont is the export version of the domestic 3M-55 Oniks (Onyx) developed by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The specifications are:

• Length: 8.9 m
• Diameter: 0.7 m
• Wingspan: 1.7 m
• Weight: 3900 kg (with booster)
• Warhead: 200 kg
• Range: 120 km (Lo-Lo flight profile) or 290 km (Hi-Lo flight profile)
• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.5
• Altitude: Between 10 m to 14000 m

The Yakhont is powered by an integrated liquid-fuelled ramjet with rocket booster and guided by a dual-mode active / passive radar seeker.

Besides Syria, the SS-N-26 has been exported to Vietnam and Indonesia. India also has the Brahmos, which is a modified version of the Yakhont developed in cooperation with Russia.

The Yakhont deliveries come at a time when Syria is engaged in an internal armed struggle with insurgents and faces the prospects of attack from abroad. Israel has already carried out air strikes at targets in Syrian territory.

Russia has been asked to stop arms deliveries to Syria, including the S-300PMU2 air-to-surface missiles. Russia had in the past suspended some deliveries, such as the Syrian purchase of MiG-29M fighter aircraft.

However, after events in Libya, Russia has become more proactive in the region. Compared to Libya, Syria is much more important to Russia, especially with the presence of a naval base.

Loss of Syria to unfriendly forces would greatly hurt Russian influence in the region. Not surprising, Russia has been boosting its naval presence in the Mediterranean with ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including a Udaloy class anti-submarine warfare destroyer.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/us-syria-crisis-russia-usa-idUSBRE94G0JY20130517

By One half 3544 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Launched From Aircraft Carrier For The First Time

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator was launched from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). This marks the first time that an aircraft carrier successfully catapult-launched the X-47B from its flight deck.

In a previous test in December 2012, a X-47B aircraft was first hoisted aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and subsequently demonstrated that the aircraft could be maneuvered safely and accurately on the flight deck, in the elevators and the hangar bay.

A future test is planned to demonstrate autonomous aerial refueling, including the Air Force’s preferred boom/receptacle approach and the Navy’s probe and drogue method. There are currently two X-47B demonstrator aircraft available for flight testing.

Developed by Northrop Grumman, the X-47B is a tailless, autonomous, low-observable aircraft. The X-47B specifications are:

• Length: 38.2 ft (11.63 m)
• Wingspan: 62.1 ft (18.92 m) extended and 30.9 ft folded (9.41 m)
• Height: 10.4 ft (3.10 m)
• Empty weight: 14000 lb (6350 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 44567 lb (20215 kg)
• Maximum payload: 4500 lbs (2000 kg)
• Cruise speed: Mach 0.9
• Range: over 2100 Nautical Miles (3889 km)
• Service ceiling: 40000 ft (12190 m)

The X-47B is powered by one Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan.

The X-47B is unmanned and and fully capable of taking off, flying a preprogrammed mission and returning to base. It can be computer-controlled with a mouse click by a mission operator.

The mission operator monitors the X-47B air operation, but does not have to actively fly the aircraft via remote control as is currently the case for other unmanned systems now in operation.


http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/Pages/NewsArticle.aspx?art=http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/xml/nitf.html?d=10032846

By U.S. Air Force / Chris Neill [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

China Tests Possible Future ASAT Missile Interceptor

China has tested a next-generation missile that could be used to target satellites that are much higher in orbit than previously possible. While the test did not target any satellites, it did reach an altitude above 10000 km.

Officially, the test involved a sounding rocket for scientific purposes. However, the manner in which the test was conducted strongly suggested it was connected to the Chinese military.

In some ways, the latest test was not that much of a surprise, but a logical evolution of previous capabilities. In 2007, a weather satellite was intercepted by a direct-ascend interceptor using hit-to-kill technology.

With hit-to-kill, the payload will destroy the target using the force from kinetic impact. It is much more technically challenging than previous warheads that relied on proximity fuses.

The satellite intercepted was at an orbit of around 865 km meaning that China has the ability to intercept most reconnaissance satellites that are at lower altitudes.

China also successfully tested its ability to intercept long-range ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. Such a test came as recently as January of 2013 again using the same hit-to-kill technology used earlier.

However, the latest missile was able to reach much higher than before. It could possibly bring into range all satellites, not just those in low earth orbit but also those in medium earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit.

In medium earth orbit are the GPS satellites and in geostationary earth orbit are military communications satellites. These are high-value assets with significant ramifications if they were to be disabled.


http://news.yahoo.com/china-missile-hit-highest-suborbital-level-since-1976-053335882.html

China Testing Stealthy Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

China is now testing its own demonstrator of a stealthy Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) that is somewhat similar to those that have appeared in several other countries, including:

• Northop Grumman X-47 Pegasus from the United States
• Boeing X-45 and Phantom Ray from the United States
• BAE Taranis from the United Kingdom
• Dassault nEUROn in cooperation with various European countries

China had started displaying models of UCAV's several years ago at previous Zhuhai Air Shows.

These models have now been succeeded by an actual flying design. This makes it similar to the fifth-generation J-31, which also appeared in model form before making its first flight last year.

Thought to be a possible successor to fifth-generation fighter designs, these UCAV's all share more or less similar features, including:

• Very low observable or stealthy delta-wing design
• Blended all-wing design
• No vertical stabilizer or tailless design
• Unmanned with no pilot for semi-autonomous or potentially fully-autonomous operations

Such sixth-generation designs would mark the first time that the pilot, which has always been part of any fighter, would be absent.

As fighter aircraft have become more sophisticated, the pilot has increasingly become the limiting factor in fighter performance. Removing the pilot offers substantial advantages, but create their own technical challenges.

Using a tailless design is also another substantial challenge that's being pursued. Accomplishing these two goals would in theory revolutionize fighter performance, assuming that current problems can be resolved.

None of these UCAV's are anywhere close to becoming operational, but a lot of resources is being allocated into research and development. It will be interesting to see what their role will be in the future.

Credit original poster, via Chinese Internet

Italian Army Receives First NH90 TTH Helicopter In FOC Configuration

The Italian Army has taken delivery of its first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) in Final Operational Capability (FOC) Configuration from NHIndustries.

The NH90 TTH is a twin-engined, medium-sized helicopter configured to perform tactical transport missions in all environments by day and night. Possible missions include:

• internal/external load transport
• heliborne operations
• special operations
• search and rescue (SAR)
• medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)
• training missions
• electronic warfare
• airborne command post
• parachuting
• VIP transport

A second variant of the NH90 is the NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopter (NFH). Possible missions with this variant include:

• anti submarine warfare (ASW)
• anti surface unit warfare (ASuW)
• vertical replenishment (VERTREP)
• SAR
• troop transport
• mine laying

NHindustries is a consortium owned by Eurocopter with 62.5%, AgustaWestland with 32% and Stork Fokker with 5.5%. To date it has received orders for 529 NH90 units.

Besides Italy, the NH90 is in service with 13 other countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia, New-Zealand, Spain and Belgium.

Italy has now received 21 NH90 TTH helicopters with orders of 60 for the army and 10 for the navy. The Italian Navy has also ordered 46 NH90 NFH helicopters.

According to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, France is now expected to place the second order for 34 NH90 TTH helicopters to bring the total number of French units to 68 as originally planned.

There were some doubts that the second order could be cut or postponed, but it now looks that the contract will be signed later this month. The contract is estimated to be worth over $900 million.


http://www.agustawestland.com/news/italian-army-takes-delivery-its-first-nh90-tth-helicopter-foc-configuration

www.esercito.difesa.it [CC-BY-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

India Commissions First MiG-29K Squadron

India has commissioned its first MiG-29K/KUB squadron, the Black Panthers. The squadron consists of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 dual-seat MiG-29KUB, which were ordered in 2004 and delivered between 2010 and 2011.

The MiG-29K from the MiG Corporation is based on the MiG-29M, but with extensive modifications, including:

• folding wings 
• an arrester tail-hook
• strengthened airframe
• multi-role capability
• compatibility with various air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons

The MiG-29K is designed for Ski Jump Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) operations aboard aircraft carriers.

India placed a second order for 29 MiG-29K/KUB aircraft in 2011 with the first four delivered in December 2012. It is scheduled to receive at least four more MiG-29K in 2013.

The MiG-29K were originally supposed to be stationed aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, formerly the Admiral Gorshkov, whose delivery has been delayed by several years.

Necessary modifications to the ship have proven to be troublesome with the latest problems due to its boilers. The ship is now scheduled to be handed over to India in late 2013.

The MiG Corporation is also tasked with modernizing India's older MiG-29 combat aircraft acquired during the eighties. Around 69 aircraft are to be upgraded in all.

India received the first 3 upgraded MiG-29UPG in 2012. Another three will be upgraded in Russia before delivery to India. The remaining aircraft will be upgraded in India itself.

The Russian Navy also ordered 20 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB in 2012 for the Admiral Kuznetsov. Russia will begin receiving the first MiG-29K in 2013 and deliveries are to be complete in 2015.

According to the MiG Corporation, the Russian units will be different, but exact changes have not been revealed.  In general, the domestic versions of Russian fighter aircraft tend to be superior to the export versions.


http://en.ria.ru/world/20130511/181089289.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Australia Will Receive One Extra MRH90 Free As Compensation

Australia will receive an additional MRH90 helicopter from Eurocopter, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic, Defense & Space (EADS), as compensation for delays in delivery of the helicopters.

The MRH90 or NH90 Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH) is a medium-sized, twin-engined, transport helicopter that is piloted by a crew of 2. It has a maximum payload of up to 4000 kg, including room for up to 20 soldiers.

The MRH90 is a variant of the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for Australia. The extra helicopter from Eurocopter brings the total number of MRH90 to be acquired by Australia to 47.

Australia ordered 12 MRH90 in 2005 and an additional 34 in 2006 to replace existing Westland Sea King, Bell UH-1 Iroquois and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in the Australian Army and Navy.

Four were to be delivered from Europe and the remaining manufactured locally under license. Australia currently has 19 MRH90 and will receive 6 to 7 more every year until 2017.

However, the original program schedule has been delayed by 3 years due to problems, including those associated with the RTM322 engine in the MRH90, that appeared in Australia.

Australian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Eurocopter that manufactures the MRH90, hopes to make up for these delays by providing the 47th MRH90 free of charge to Australia.

The problems with the MRH90 helped lead Australia to choose the Sikorsky MH-60R Sea Hawk over the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), a variant of the NH90 for naval use, including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).

Australia awarded a $3.15 billion contract for 24 MH-60R in 2011 to replace older S-70B Sea Hawk helicopters in service. All are to be delivered between 2014 and 2020.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-09/eurocopter-gives-australia-free-nh90-chopper-to-atone-for-delay.html

By Nick-D [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Israel Asks Russia Not To Proceed With S-300 Sale To Syria

Israel has requested Russia not to proceed with the sale of the long-range S-300PMU2 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Air Defense Systems (ADS) to Syria. Delivery of the first units is imminent within the next three months.

Russia and Syria are supposed to have agreed in 2010 to a $900 million deal to deliver mobile S-300 systems, consisting of radar units, transporter-erector-launchers, support vehicles and up to 144 missiles.

The S-300 (NATO: SA-10) is a family of SAM ADS that was first introduced by the Soviet Union during the late seventies. The system has been continually upgraded and improved with each successive version.

The S-300PMU2 is the latest version in the S-300 family with improvements such as extended missile range up to 200 km, new radar and the ability to intercept short-range tactical ballistic missiles.

The S-300 is noted for its vertically launched missiles using the cold-launch method. The S-300 was used to develop the S-400, which has only recently started entering service with the Russian armed forces.

Besides the S-300, Syria already possesses other advanced Russian ADS, including the short-to-medium range Pantsir-S1 (NATO: SA-22), which mounts dual 30 mm guns and up to 12 missiles with a range up to 20 km.

Syria also has the medium-range Buk-M2 (NATO: SA-17) with a range up to 50 km. All are mobile and designed to complement each other to form an Integrated Air Defense System.

Should Syria receive all systems and if war does break out with other countries, it will be the first time they will see actual full-blown combat. An older version of the SA-17, the Buk-M1 was used by Georgia to shoot down Russian aircraft.

It should also reignite the debate of SAM versus aircraft, which has been ongoing for several decades. Some countries, such as Russia and China, give more or less equal weight to both with each having their own strengths depending on the situation.

Other countries tend to place priority on aircraft over SAM batteries in the belief that aircraft will have the edge and therefore deserve to be allocated available resources.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/09/us-syria-crisis-israel-idUSBRE9480FP20130509

By Фальшивомонетчик [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

South Korea Orders More FA-50 Light Fighter Aircraft

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded a 1.1 trillion South Korean Won or $1 billion contract to Korea Aerospace Industries for FA-50 light multi-role fighter aircraft.

The exact number of aircraft to be acquired was not revealed. However, a previous contract in 2012 for 20 FA-50 aircraft was worth about $600 million. Of these, eight are to be delivered in 2013 and the remaining twelve in 2014.

The additional order will extend production currently running at 1 or 2 aircraft per month. All aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2016 and will replace the Northrop Grumman F-5 in South Korea's Air Force.

The FA-50 is the most advanced version currently available of a family of aircraft, which began with the T-50, and developed in cooperation with Lockheed Martin.

The T-50 was designed primarily to be an advanced trainer for fighter pilots. The TA-50 added more attack capabilities and the FA-50 is a true, multi-role fighter aircraft.

The FA-50 includes modifications to the previous version that includes longer range with more fuel and more advanced avionics. Even more advanced versions are planned for the future.

These upgrades include replacing the General Electric F-404 engine with the more powerful F-414 engine and the installation of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar instead of the Elta EL/M-2032 radar.

Besides South Korea, Indonesia is the only other country to have placed orders for both the T-50 and TA-50 variants. Other countries have expressed interest in members of the T-50 family, but have yet to place orders.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/us-kai-order-idUSBRE94600C20130507

By Aeroflight PhilAF Sina [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Serbia Plans To Buy 6 MiG-29M Fighter Aircraft From Russia

Serbia plans to buy 6 single and dual-seat MiG-29M/M2 fighter aircraft from Russia and pilots are already being trained in flying the aircraft, according to Aleksandar Vucic, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Serbia.

Details are to be worked out during his and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic’s visits to Russia later this month. The purchase is to be financed using Russian loans granted to Serbia.

The MiG-29M is a modernized and redesigned version of the original MiG-29, which was praised for its maneuverability but found to be deficient in almost every other facet.

The MiG-29M addresses many of these shortcomings in the MiG-29 such as short range and poor pilot interface with improvements, including:

• Replacement of hydraulic controls with fly-by-wire in the MiG-29M
• Increase in the amount of fuel that can be carried
• Addition of in-flight refuelling
• New engines with longer life and increased thrust
• Completer redesign of the cockpit with modern avionics
• New multi-role radar
• Compatible with both air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including precision-guided munitions

Like the Su-35 and Su-27, the MiG-29M is what the MiG-29 should have been. It was intended to be introduced much earlier, but the fall of the Soviet Union delayed the program by many years.

Besides Serbia, Syria had placed an order for 24 MiG-29M/M2 in 2009. However, that order has not been fulfilled by Russia and will remain so as long as the fighting continues in Syria.

Another variant based on the MiG-29M is the MiG-29K, which is designed for naval use aboard aircraft carriers. India has already some of the MiG-29K it ordered.

However, it has yet to receive the former Admiral Gorshkov, a heavily modernized Kiev class aircraft carrier, where the MiG-29K are  to be stationed. Problems with boilers were the latest in a long line of problems with the ship.

Russia also intends to use the MiG-29K aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier after it has completed a comprehensive refit and upgrade that will take several years to complete.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130506/180999564/Serbia-Looks-to-Buy-Several-MiG-29-Fighters-From-Russia.html

By Doomych (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Taiwan In Need Of More Advanced Fighter Aircraft Than The F-16

Taiwan may no longer want the F-16C/D it had earlier requested to buy from the United States even if it is granted permission. Taiwan has been seeking 66 F-16 since 2007, but the US has been reluctant to agree to the sale.

Taiwan now wants more advanced fighter aircraft than the F-16, which is probably not such a bad idea considering how the situation has changed in recent years.

China has added hundreds of modern fighter aircraft to its inventory with both the J-11B and J-10A having entered full production. It has begun flight-testing of two fifth-generation aircraft in the J-20 and J-31.

The J-20 may enter service before the end of the decade and against this backdrop, Taiwan may find it hard to compete against China with the acquisition of the F-16C/D.

For a long time, Taiwan held the edge against China in the air with one of the most potent air forces in the world. During the early nineties, it acquired 150 American F-16 and 60 French Mirage 2000-5. It also has 126 F-CK-1 Ching-kuo and 40 F-5 fighters.

During the nineties, it even had the second largest amount of fighters that could fire active radar guided medium-range missiles after it acquired the F-16 with the AMRAAM and Mirage 2000-5 with the Mica.

However, Taiwan has not bought any new fighters since and China has made rapid progress in the years after. The balance of power is rapidly shifting in China's favor.

The old F-5 will have to be retired within 5 years and the 56 remaining Mirage 2000-5 within 5 to 10 years. The new fighter aircraft that Taiwan is seeking will thus not only have to fill a qualitative gap but a quantitative gap as well.

Although the US has not agreed to any new fighters, it has agreed in 2011 to upgrade 145 F-16A/B as part of a $5.85 billion deal. The upgrades include new weapons and a Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

Once these upgrades are done, they will effectively be the equal of the F-16C/D and in some ways, even surpass most of the F-16C/D currently in service around the world.


http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/asia/story/taiwan-wavers-f-16-deal-says-it-needs-more-advanced-fighter-jets-20130506

By Adrian Pingstone [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Second Archer Class Submarine Commissioned By Singapore

The RSS Swordsman, the second Archer class diesel-electric submarine has been commissioned in Singapore, where it will join the RSS Archer, which was commissioned in 2011.

The two submarines are the former Västergötland class submarines from the Swedish Navy. They were commissioned in the late eighties and sold to Singapore in 2005.

They have been adopted to local conditions, refurbished and upgraded by Sweden's Kockums before being delivered to Singapore. The Archer class specifications are:

• A crew of 28
• A length of 60.5 m
• A beam of 6.1 m
• A speed of 8 kn surfaced and 15 kn submerged
• A displacement of 1400 tonnes surfaced and 1500 tonnes submerged

The hull has also been extended to accommodate a Swedish Stirling Air Independent Propulsion module to allow the submarines to stay submerged for extended periods of time.

Besides the Archer class, Singapore also has four Challenger class diesel-electric submarines in service since the late nineties. The Challenger class specifications are:

• A crew of 28
• A length of 51 m
• A beam of 6.1 m
• A speed of 10 kn surfaced and 16 kn submerged
• A displacement of 1130 tonnes surfaced and 1200 tonnes submerged

These too were formerly in Swedish service as the Sjöormen class.



http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2013/apr/30apr13_nr.html

By Peter Nilsson (Kockums AB) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Germany Approves Indonesian Purchase of 100 Leopard 2 Tanks and 50 Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Germany has approved the sale of 100 used Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks and 50 Marder 1A3 Infantry Fighting vehicles (IFV) to Indonesia. The German National Security Council must approve all large arms sales to other countries.

Indonesia had earlier selected to buy the Leopard 2 tanks from Germany's Rheinmetall over the option of buying them from the Netherlands. Russia had also offered its T-90 tanks to Indonesia.

Indonesia had earlier put the cost of the 100 refurbished Leopard 2A6 tanks, including related equipment, support vehicles and services, at $280 million. Delivery is expected to be complete by 2014.

The purchase are part of the $15 billion, which Indonesia plans to spend to upgrade its army. Currently, Indonesia only has outdated British Scorpion and French AMX13 tanks, which are much smaller and lighter than the heavy Leopard 2 tanks.

The Leopard 2 tank is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon with a crew of 4 and weighs over 60 tons. The tracked Marder IFV is armed with a 20 mm cannon with a crew of 3 and can carry 7 soldiers.

Unlike Indonesia, a decision on whether or not to proceed with the sale of Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia has been postponed by Germany until after the federal elections in September 2013.

Saudi Arabia is interested in purchasing several hundred new Leopard 2 tanks and other armored vehicles. Qatar has already purchased 62 Leopard 2 tanks and 24 PzH2000 Self-Propelled Howitzers recently.

The first eight Flakpanzer Gepard Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) to Brazil are due for delivery later this year. Brazil ordered 34 used Gepards in April 2013. They are armed with two 35 mm guns for short-range air defense.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/03/germany-arms-indonesia-saudi-idUSL6N0DK2II20130503

By U.S. Army Specialist Markus Rauchenberger [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By P.Eckardt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Australia Intends to Acquire F-35 and EA-18G in 2013 Defense White Paper

Australia is still committed to the F-35 Lightning II in the 2013 Defense White Paper just released. The White Paper details the outlook in defense matters from Australia's point of view.

Australia does not rule out the possibility of still acquiring up to 100 F-35 fighter aircraft as originally intended, although this number may be reduced to just three fourth with an option for the remaining one fourth.

Australia's commitment to the Lockheed Martin F-35 had been in doubt, especially after the acquisition of 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the possibility of another 12 F/A-18E/F and 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft.

These purchases make it unlikely Australia will still acquire all of the 100 F-35 fighters. However, in the White Paper, only the purchase of 12 EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft from Boeing is confirmed.

Australia would become the only country outside of the United States to operate the Growler. The cost of these aircraft is estimated at $1.5 billion and would take 4 years to complete.

These 12 together with the 24 F/A-18E/F already in service would be joined by the F-35, which is scheduled to enter squadron service in 2020. By 2030, the Super Hornet could be replaced by exercising the option for the remaining F-35 jets.

Other notable highlights of the White Paper include:

• Australia still seeks to build up to 12 diesel-electric submarines. These will either be derived from the Collins class or an entirely new submarine design. Australia will not consider existing submarine designs currently available as none of them fits Australia's needs.
• The acquisition of a fourth Air Warfare Destroyer will not be considered at this point. Australia is acquiring 3 Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyers, equipped with the Aegis system, with the first to be commissioned in 2016.
• Australia intends to buy around 7 maritime versions of the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk / MQ-4C Triton for long-range surveillance to protect offshore resources.
• Australia will replace both the HMAS Sirius and HMAS Success with new supply ships.
• Australia will look for a replacement for the Armidale class patrol boats.

It's important to note that the policy laid out in a White Paper is not set in stone. A new government could opt for a new strategy, which will be laid out in a new White Paper.


http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper2013/

By US Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

US Awards Second Batch of 18 F-16 Block 52 Fighter Aircraft For Iraq

The United States Department of Defense has awarded a $830 million contract to Lockheed Martin to build the second batch of modified F-16 Block 52 fighter aircraft, including related equipment and services.

Iraq had earlier expressed interest in purchasing a second batch of 18 F-16 fighter aircraft. The total value of that contract was estimated at $2.3 billion and included:

• 18 F-16IQ aircraft
• 24 F100PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines
• 120 LAU-129/A Common Rail Launchers
• 24 APG-68(V)9 radar sets
• 19 M61 20mm Vulcan Cannons
• 100 AIM-9L/M-8/9 Sidewinder Missiles
• 150 AIM-7M-F1/H SPARROW Missiles
• 50 AGM-65D/G/H/K Maverick Air to Ground Missiles
• 200 GBU-12 PAVEWAY II Laser Guided Bomb Units (500 pound)
• 50 GBU-10 PAVEWAY II Laser Guided Bomb Units (2000 pound)
• 50 GBU-24 PAVEWAY III Laser Guided Bomb Units (2000 pound)
• 22 ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS), or Advanced Countermeasures Electronic System (ACES) (ACES includes the ALQ-187 Electronic Warfare System and AN/ALR-93 Radar Warning Receiver)
• 20 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Systems (without Mode IV)
• 20 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/ Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), (Standard Positioning Service (SPS) commercial code only)
• 20 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER or AN/AAQ-28 LITENING Targeting Pods
• 4 F-9120 Advanced Airborne Reconnaissance Systems (AARS) or DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods (RECCE)
• 22 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS)
• 20 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs)
• 120 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS)
• 20 AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems
• 10000 PGU-27A/B Ammunition
• 30000 PGU-28 Ammunition
• 230 MK-84 2000 lbs General Purpose Bombs
• 800 MK-82 500 lbs General Purpose Bombs.

The order includes single-seat F-16C and dual-seat F-16D aircraft. Iraq had previously ordered a first batch of 18 aircraft in 2011. The first aircraft from the first batch are scheduled to be delivered in 2014.

Iraq will receive the last three out of six C-130J Super Hercules turboprop transport aircraft later this year. The first three were delivered to the Iraqi Air Force in December 2012. The planes were ordered in 2009 and cost about $433 million.

The aircraft are meant to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force from the ground up, which had effectively ceased to exist as a fighting force. Most of its aircraft were either shot down, destroyed on the ground or fled to Iran after the start of Desert Storm.


http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065978694

By Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Chinese Amphibious Type 071 Class Landing Platform Dock

The Type 071 Landing Platform Dock (LPD) was recently featured on Chinese state television, which offered the opportunity to have a closer look at these ships, which have been inducted into service in recent years.

The Chinese Navy currently has three Type 071 ships in service for amphibious warfare. The first was commissioned in 2007 and the next two were commissioned in 2011 and 2012.

Like other LPD, the Type 071 has a hanger and landing deck, a vehicle deck and well-deck. They can carry a mix and match of marines, vehicles, helicopters, including:

• A hanger with room for up to 4 Z-8 transport helicopters, which are derived from the French Super Frelon helicopter. The landing deck supports 2 Z-8 taking off and landing simultaneously.
• Amphibious assault vehicles such as the armored ZBD05 and ZTD05, which have the ability to fire on the move using their own propulsion.
• Up to four Landing Craft Air-Cushioned (LCAC) in the well-deck, which can deliver vehicles or marines directly on to the beach at high speed. Up to three of the Type 05 family of amphibious assault vehicles can be carried.
• Up to 800 marines and related equipment and supplies.

The Type 071 is armed with a dual-purpose 76 mm main gun and four 6-barrel 30 mm Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS). The also carry two small landing craft on port and starboard.

The Type 071 are fairly large in comparison to to other ships of the class in other countries. Only the United States has larger ships in service. The specification of the Type 071 are:

• A length of 210 m
• A beam of 28 m
• An empty displacement of 19000 t
• A full displacement of up to 28000 t

Their propulsion is based on Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD).

China currently does not have any Landing Platform Helicopter(LPH). However, it has displayed models at defense exhibitions. It is likely that it will build its own LPH to complement the Type 071 LPD.

Credit original poster, via Chinese Internet

http://v.ifeng.com/mil/worldwide/201304/3eb67a84-4ed9-4076-b781-c4f2092bb62e.shtml

Second Dolphin II Class Submarine Inaugurated by Israel in Germany

The INS Rahav, the second of the Dolphin II class diesel-powered submarines was handed over in Germany to the Israeli Navy. Some equipment still needs to be installed, but it is expected to arrive in Israel sometime in late 2013 or early 2014.

Similar to its predecessors, the Dolphin II class submarines were designed specifically for Israel and are loosely based on the German Type 212 submarines. However, the Dolphin II submarines are much larger with many modifications.

The three earlier Dolphin I class submarines were also based on the Type 209 submarines but larger. Israel only had to pay for half on the third Dolphin I submarine, while the rest and the first two submarines were granted free of charge to Israel by Germany during the nineties.

Israel order two Dolphin II submarines in 2006 and ordered another one in 2011. The total cost is estimated at over $2 billion of which Israel will pay about three fourth and the rest by Germany. Israel received the first Dolphin II class submarine, the Tannin, in 2012.

The Dolphin class submarines are build by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for Israel. No other country operates either the Dolphin I or Dolphin II class submarines.

The Dolphin II class submarines are equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) similar to those on the Type 212 to remain submerged for longer periods of time. The German version of AIP relies on fuel cells, unlike those of some other countries that use a different method.

The Dolphin class submarines are rare in that they are equipped with 650 mm torpedo tubes in addition to the 533 mm torpedo tubes. Normally, 650 mm torpedo tubes are only found on some Russian nuclear attack submarines and can fire much larger weapons with longer range.

It is thought that the primary use of the Dolphin submarines to Israel is to house their nuclear deterrent using long-range cruise missiles fired from under water using the larger torpedo tubes.

Israel being a relatively small country that is surrounded by hostile states at very close range makes it vulnerable to a surprise attack. The Dolphin submarines are believed to be less vulnerable and hence take a prominent role in ensuring the security of Israel.

http://rt.com/news/israel-dolphin-submarine-nuclear-598/