Raytheon Launches First AMRAAM From F-35 And Gets New Missile Contract

An F-35A Lightning II successfully conducted its first in-flight launch of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). A test missile was ejected and fired from the internal weapons bay.

The F-35A is the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) version, one of three version of the F-35. The other two being the F-35B STOVL for the Marines and the F-35C CATOBAR for the Navy.

The AMRAAM is made by Raytheon, which this month received a $534.8 million contract for around 1800 AIM-120 missiles to be delivered by 2016. Around half of AMRAAM Production Lot 27 is destined for the US Air Force with the remaining half destined for the Air Forces of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is currently the main medium-range beyond visual range air-to-air missile being employed. Guided by an active seeker, it replaced the Sparrow missile that preceded it.

Another milestone reached this month by Raytheon is the delivery of 5000 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The AIM-9X entered operational service in 2003 in the United States and in 2005 in other countries.

Besides the US, the short-range, air-to-air AIM-9X is in service in nine other countries. Four other countries have ordered the AIM-9X, but have yet to receive their first missile.

The latest in a long line of Sidewinder missiles, the AIM-9X features thrust vectoring and a high off-bore-sight imaging infrared seeker. The current Block I will be succeeded by the Block II in 2014 with enhancements such as lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability.

Iran Rejects Tor As Replacement For S-300 Air Defense System

Iran has rejected a Russian proposal to substitute the Tor (NATO: SA-15) short-range air defense system for the S-300 (NATO: SA-10) long-range air defense system.

Iran had originally ordered the S-300-PMU1 in 2007. The $800 million contract was then cancelled by Russia in 2010. In 2011, Iran launched a $4 billion lawsuit against Russia over the cancellation.

Iran insists that Russia fulfill the original contract and deliver the S-300 as agreed. It will only withdraw the lawsuit when Russia agrees to honor the contract that was signed.

While Iran has yet to receive the S-300, it already has the Tor-M1 system. In 2005, 29 Tor-M1 systems were ordered for $700 million. All were delivered by 2007.

The Tor-M1 is a short-range, all-weather, surface-to-air missile air defense system that can engage aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and other precision guided munitions.

The tracked Tor-M1 vehicle carries 8 vertically cold-launched 9M331 missiles. Each 9M331 has a:

• Length of 2900 mm
• Diameter of 235 mm
• Weight of 167 kg
• Warhead of 15 kg
• Speed of 850 m/s
• Range of 12000 m
• Ceiling of 6000 m

The Tor-M1 vehicle carries its own target acquisition radar with a range up to 25 km, a tracking radar in addition to a optical tracking system.

The latest version, the Tor-M1 features a number of improvements, including:

• new phased array radar
• improved missiles
• improved electronic counter measures
• improved infrared tracking system
• increase in the number of targets that can be engaged simultaneously

The Tor-M2 also features a new wheeled chassis.


http://en.ria.ru/world/20130610/181598186/Iran-Rejects-Russias-S-300-Substitute-Offer.html

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

US To Acquire 177 CH-47 Chinook Helicopters And 99 V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft

The United States Army has awarded a contract for 177 Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters in a deal worth roughly $4 billion. Also included is an option for an additional 38 CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Another contract soon to be awarded is for 99 V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for about $6.5 billion by the United States Navy. The V-22 Osprey is build by Boeing and Bell Helicopter.

The multi-purpose V-22 Osprey is the first tilt-rotor aircraft to have entered service. The V-22 Osprey specifications are:

• Length of 17.5 m
• Rotor diameter of 11.6 m
• Wingspan of 14 m
• Empty weight of 33140 lbs
• Maximum takeoff weight of 60500 lbs
• Maximum speed of 275 knots 
• Combat radius of 722 km
• Ceiling of 25000 feet

The Osprey is powered by 2 Rolls-Royce/Allison T406/AE 1107C-Liberty turboshafts with 6150 hp each.

The combination of a helicopter and fixed-wing turboprop aircraft delivers higher speed, increased range and higher payload, while maintaining vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability.

The CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engined, heavy-lift transport helicopter that entered service in 1962. It's design is distinguished by two tandem rotors. The CH-47 specifications are:

• Length of 30.1 m
• Rotor diameter of 18.3 m
• Height of 5.7 m
• Empty weight of 23400 lbs
• Maximum takeoff weight of 50000 lbs
• Maximum speed of 315 km/h
• Combat radius of 370 km
• Ceiling of 18500 ft

The CH-47 Chinook is powered by 2 Honeywell Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshafts with 4733 hp each.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/boeing-scores-over-10-billion-123559578.html

By James Haseltine (USAF) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Spc. Russell J. Good [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

US Defense Budget Proposal Released For Fiscal Year 2014

The United States House Appropriations defense subcommittee is proposing a $512.5 billion defense budget for the next fiscal year (FY) 2014, which begins October 1. It's $3.4 billion less than what President Obama had requested.

The draft includes $129.6 billion to pay for 1.3 million active-duty troops and 833,700 reserves, which includes a 1.8 percent pay raise instead of the 1 percent the Pentagon requested.

The $512.5 billion is for non-war spending only and does not include a separate $85.8 billion in war spending, which is $6.4 billion more than the Pentagon had requested.

Also included is $98.4 billion, around $750 million less than requested, for equipment procurement and upgrades. Around $66.4 billion is proposed for Research & Development (R&D).

Some highlights in the draft include:

• $5.1 billion for 29 F-35 fighter aircraft
• $1.9 billion for 21 EA-18G Growlers 
• $2.2 billion for 73 UH-60 Blackhawk and 37 MH-60S/R helicopters
• $1.5 billion for 18 C-130J transport aircraft
• $1.8 billion for five Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles

Also funded are the CVN 78 aircraft carrier, SSN-774 nuclear attack submarines E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft, F/A-18 Super Hornet naval aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drone and F-15 and F-16 aircraft engines.

R&D will be done on the F-35 fighter, KC-46A tanker aircraft, P8-A anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare aircraft, next-generation long-range bomber aircraft, the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance, a new ballistic-missile submarine and various other programs.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c113:H.R.1960:

US Navy Orders Up To 10 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

As had been expected, the United States Navy has awarded two contracts for DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. A total of $6.1 billion was awarded in two contracts for nine destroyers with an option for a tenth.

Huntington Ingall received a ten year contract to build five destroyers in a contract worth $3.33 billion. One destroyer is to be build every year from FY 2013 through FY 2017.

General Dynamics received a $2.84 billion contract to build four destroyers with an option for one more, which the US Navy expects to exercise. In that case, the value of the contract is worth $3.53 billion. One destroyer will be build in FY 2013 and one each in FY 2015 through FY 2017.

First Commissioned in 1991, the Arleigh Burke class has gone through several versions, each resulting in increased capability and displacement. The first 28 ships were Flight I and Flight II ships (DDG 51 through DDG 78).

The current version of the Arleigh Burke is the Flight IIA starting with DDG 79, the USS Oscar Austin. Some specifications of the Flight IIA are:

• Length: 509 ft (155.29 m)
• Beam: 59 ft (18 m)
• Displacement: 9496 long tons (9648.4 metric tons)
• Speed: in excess of 30 knots
• Crew: 276

Propulsion consists of four General Electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines with two shafts and 100000 total shaft horsepower.

The Flight IIA features several improvements over its predecessors, including:

• The addition of the Kingfisher mine-avoidance capability
• A pair of helicopter hangars with the ability to deploy two Lamps MK III MH-60 helicopters
• Blast-hardened bulkheads.

The first Flight IIA ship was commissioned in August 2000.

The Arleigh Burke class is fitted with the MK 41 Vertical Launch System with up to 96 cells. Armament includes:

• RIM-66 Surface-to-Air Standard Missiles (SM-2MR)
• RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM)
• RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA)
• BGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles
• MK-46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts)
• Phalanx Close In Weapon System (CIWS)
• MK 45 5-inch Gun

The MH-60 helicopters can be armed with Penguin or Hellfire missiles and MK 46/MK 50 torpedoes.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-navy-ships-idUSBRE95216H20130603

By US Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

MiG To Continue Development Based On Skat UCAV

Russia has given the MiG Corporation permission to develop an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) based on the Skat prototype it had previously demonstrated.

The Skat is designed to attack both mobile and stationary targets on land and sea, especially the suppression of air defense systems in high-threat areas. It can operate autonomously or in conjunction with other manned systems.

The Skat shares a similar low observable, blended, all-wing design that other contemporaries such as the American X-47B. Preliminary specifications suggested the Skat had a:

• Maximum takeoff weight of 10000 kg
• Payload of 2000 kg
• Range of 4000 km
• Speed of 800 km/hr
• Ceiling of 12000 m

 The Skat supports internal weapons carriage.

The MiG Corporation is also looking to sign a contract for the delivery of MiG-35 fighter aircraft, possibly as early as this month in June 2013. They are to be equipped with the Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

MiG is still busy fulfilling the delivery of MiG-29K/KUB fighters to India's Navy. So far, it has delivered 20 MiG-29K out of a total order for 45 MiG-29K. The Russian Navy recently placed an order for 24 MiG-29K/KUB.

India is busy upgrading its fleet of legacy MiG-29 fighters aircraft with the assistance of the MiG Corporation. The first upgraded MiG-29 were delivered to India and the rest are to be upgraded locally in India.

Once upgraded, the MiG-29UPG will be able to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, unlike the original MiG-29, which was mostly used to intercept enemy aircraft.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130531/181443413/MiG-Signs-Attack-Drone-RD-Contract.html

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

Sikorsky To Deliver 4 CH-53K Transport Helicopters For Testing

The Pentagon has awarded Sikorsky a $435 million contract to deliver four CH-53K helicopters for testing purposes. The first CH-53K prototype helicopter was delivered to the United States Marine Corps by Sikorsky in December 2012.

The contract is to be complete by 2017. The CH-53K is meant to enter service with the United States Marine Corps and will replace the CH-53E in the heavy-lift transport helicopter role.

The CH-53K is based on the CH-53E Super Stallion and is externally similar. However, it does include a number of improvements, including:

• Increase in lift capacity, including under hot day conditions
• Reduction in maintenance costs by 42 percent
• Reduction in maintenance man-hour per flight hour by 63 percent
• Increased survivability
• Increased speed

The CH-53K features a new cockpit and engines. The specifications are:

• Length: 30 m
• Height: 8.5 m
• Rotor diameter: 24 m
• Payload: 35000 lbs
• Empty weight: 33226 lbs
• Maximum takeoff weight: 84700 lbs
• Cruise speed: 196 mph
• Combat radius: 125 miles
• Service ceiling: 14400 ft

The CH-53K is powered by 3 General Electric GE38-1B turboshafts with 7500 shp each.

The United States Marine Corps plans to purchase a total of 200 CH-53K helicopters. Included in the number are the above four. The CH-53K is scheduled to enter service in 2019.


http://www.courant.com/business/hc-sikorsky-ch-53k-contract-20130531,0,3487230.story

By US navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Trying To Convince Iran To Withdraw S-300-PMU1 Lawsuit

Russia is trying to convince Iran to withdraw a lawsuit against the cancellation of a contract to supply Iran with S-300-PMU1 (NATO: SA-10) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Air Defense Systems. So far, the efforts have not been successful.

In 2007, Iran and Russia signed a $800 million contract for the delivery of five S-300-PMU1 battalions. In 2010, this contract was cancelled by Russia due to UN Security Council Resolution 1929.

This resolution bans the supply to Iran of conventional weapons, including missiles, tanks, attack helicopters, warplanes and ships. However, Iran is convinced that the S-300 SAM is exempt because they are considered defensive weapons.

Iran then proceeded in 2011 to file a $4 billion lawsuit against Russia in an international arbitration court in Switzerland. Iran has states that it will only withdraw the lawsuit if Russia fulfills the terms of the contract.

Meanwhile, Russia is sending mix signals about the delivery of S-300 SAM systems to Syria. Delivery of the S-300 systems is scheduled to begin in the very near future.

However, Russia has stated that it is willing to delay deliveries under the condition that the West complies with some of Russia's demands regarding Syria.

Russia has also warned that it could accelerate deliveries of the S-300 if its demands are not met. From its standpoint, Syria could use the S-300 to defend itself against foreign aggression.

With Russia using deliveries of the S-300 as a negotiating tactic, Israel for its part has stated that it reserves the right to prevent Syria from receiving any new weapons, including the S-300, by force if necessary.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130531/181432861/Russia-Seeks-Amicable-Settlement-in-Iran-S-300-Lawsuit.html

By Фальшивомонетчик [Public domain], via Wikimedia