Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Type 032 Diesel-Electric Submarine in Chinese Service

The Type 032 class diesel-electric submarine has succeeded the Type 031 (Golf) class submarine as a test platform for weapons and other submarine technology in the Chinese Navy. A single unit with pennant number 201 was launched in 2010 and commissioned into service in 2012.

This makes it the largest conventionally powered submarine in naval service today with its maximum submerged displacement of around 6600 t and a length of 92.6 m. The hull can withstand pressure up to a depth of 200 m. The submarine has an endurance of 30 days with a standard complement of 85. The endurance is reduced when the crew needs to be enlarged to conduct tests and other experiments.

The Type 032 includes an escape pod for the crew similar to certain Russian nuclear attack submarine (SSN) such as the Sierra class. The submarine can carry a Chinese version of a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) externally on the hull, which can hold a crew for special operations and for rescue operations of submarines in need.

The Type 032 is compatible with a wide range of weapons such as vertically launched ballistic missiles, cruise and other types of missiles that can strike at targets on land, on the surface and even against airborne aircraft in a manner somewhat similar to the IDAS missile in development for the German Type 212 submarine.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Brazil Selects Saab JAS39 Gripen E/F or NG Fighter Aircraft

Brazil has selected Saab's Gripen E/F or Gripen NG from Sweden for its F-X2 program and will now begin contract negotiations for 36 aircraft, worth an estimated $4.5 billion. That is expected to last one year, followed by deliveries after four years.

The contract is expected to include technology transfer that Brazil is looking for to allow for instance the integration of Brazilian missiles and weapons. Besides technology transfer, local assembly and joint fighter development, Sweden submitted the lowest bid and agreed to help finance the deal.

The Swedish Gripen beat Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Dassault's Rafale after an extended selection process that lasted over a decade and was marked by repeated delays and setbacks. It will replace the Mirage 2000C and F-5 in service with the Brazilian Air Force.

The win for Saab came on the same day it was awarded a 16.4 billion Swedish Krona or $2.5 billion production contract from the Swedish government to modify 60 JAS39 Gripen C/D fighters to the Gripen E/F standard.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Iraq Buys 24 F/A-50 / T-50IQ Aircraft From South Korea

South Korea has sold Iraq 24 F/A-50 light multi-role aircraft for about $1.1 billion to be delivered in 2015 and 2016. Another contract to be signed later for related training and other services could raise the value to $2.1 billion.

The F/A-50 was selected over the Hawk 128, Yak 130 and L-159 and is the first time the type has been exported after entering service earlier with South Korea. Other interested countries in the F/A-50 include the Philippines, although no contract has been signed so far.

The F/A-50 is based on the T-50 Golden Eagle trainer aircraft, a joint project between Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin, with an intermediate version known as the T/A-50. The latter added attack capabilities to the training role of the original, while the F/A-50 can also function as a light fighter.

The T-50 and T/A-50 had previously been exported to other countries such as Indonesia. In Iraq it will enter service as the T-50IQ, where it will complement the F-16C/D bought from the United States.

Iraq has ordered 36 F-16IQ aircraft in two batches to be delivered starting in 2014. Also to be delivered soon are 40 Mi-28 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, of which the first four Mi-35 were received from Russia last November.


http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/12/12/63/0301000000AEN20131212005100315F.html




Monday, December 9, 2013

Possible Sale of Over 15000 TOW Missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the United States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) 2A/2B Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles to Saudi Arabia, which includes:
  • 9650 BGM-71 2A TOW RF missiles
  • 4145 BGM-71 2B TOW Aero RF missiles
  • 91 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles
  • 49 TOW-2B Fly-to-Buy missiles
The contract is worth $900 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The DSCA has reported a second FMS to Saudi Arabia, which includes:
  • 750 BGM-71 2B TOW missiles
  • 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2B missiles
  • 1000 BGM-71 2A TOW missiles
  • 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2A missiles
This contract is worth $170 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The TOW missile family from Raytheon is suitable for long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious use. In Saudi Arabia, the TOW missiles are destined for the Royal Saudi Land Forces and National Guard.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 Missiles to be Integrated with Typhoon Aircraft

The first test of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has now taken place that should result in the eventual integration by 2015 of the Storm Shadow missile from MBDA. This will allow Typhoon aircraft to strike at ground targets from stand-off ranges in a way that it's currently unable to.

The Typhoon is now limited to carrying smart bombs and is for the most part an air superiority platform, but is expected to become a true multi-role platform able to conduct the full range of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

It will be able to carry missions that are currently restricted to Tornado aircraft, which can carry the Storm Shadow. Other upgrades scheduled include the replacement of the Captor radar with a Selex AESA radar. The long-range ramjet-powered Meteor BVRAAM from MBDA is also set to be integrated.

The Storm Shadow is a fire-and-forget, high-precision, long-range, low-observable, low-flying turbojet-powered cruise missile, which supports way point planning and can be used in day or night and all-weather conditions.