Germany delays tender for military helicopters

German CH-57G - wikimedia.org

Germany delays tender for military helicopters: document


BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s planned 4 billion euro ($4.71 billion) tender to buy new heavy-lift helicopters that was due to be issued this autumn will be delayed, according to an official document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The planned start of the tender by the end of September would be “delayed until further notice,” the office in charge of military procurement said in a letter to several defense firms.

The procurement office did not give a reason for the delay or say when the tender would be launched. “As soon as a new date is fixed, we will inform you immediately”, it said in the short letter.

The Bundeswehr, the German military, is due to receive 45 to 60 heavy-lift transport helicopters in the coming decade.

Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen earlier indicated the tender could be delayed as financing of the project was not yet secured in the ongoing parliamentary budget negotiations.

Von der Leyen, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, is pushing for steeper military spending hikes, but she faces resistance from the Social Democrat-led finance ministry, which prefers more spending on infrastructure and digitalization.

($1 = 0.8497 euros)

Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Writing by Michael Nienaber

Source: reuters.com

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Karakurt-class corvette Uragan Project 22800 began state testing

RussianArms

Translated by google


The head of the MRK Uragan Project 22800 began the state testing


The small rocket ship "Hurricane", built at the Pella plant under the project 22800, the code "Karakurt", began state tests. Mil.Press FlotProm was informed about this by the press service of the enterprise.

The main ship will be tested in the White and Baltic Seas. 


After the successful completion of the tests, "Hurricane" will go to serve in the Baltic Fleet. 

The main IRC of project 22800 "Hurricane" was laid in 2015 and planned to be transferred to the fleet in 2017, but later the construction was postponed to 2018. 

For the Russian Navy, 18 such ships will be built. 
Mil.Press Help FlotProm

Small project rockets of the project 22800 were developed at the Almaz Central Design Bureau as an alternative for the delay in the construction of the frigates of the project 11356. 

The Uragan is armed, in particular, with the 76.2 mm AK-176MA caliber, 2 AK-630M artillery guns and the strike rocket complex "Caliber-NK". Displacement of ships - 800 tons, speed - 30 knots, autonomy - 15 days. Power installation of the head "Karakurt" - domestic. It includes 3 diesel engines M-507D-1 and 3 diesel generators DGAS-315 produced by PJSC "Zvezda".

Source: flotprom.ru

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Russian nuclear submarine "Kazan" the modernized project 885M undergoing sea trails

Public domain

Translated by google


The first modernized "Ash" was brought to sea trials


The multipurpose nuclear submarine "Kazan" of the modernized project 885M, which was being built on Sevmash since 2009, was brought to the factory sea trials. Mil.Press FlotProm was informed about this by a source close to Severodvinsk shipbuilding.

The ship went to sea on Monday, September 24. The press service of Sevmash did not comment on this event. 

In March 2018, the president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Alexei Rakhmanov, announced the shift in the deadline for the surrender of Kazan to the right. According to the head of USC, to test a large number of weapons systems may not even be enough for two periods of navigation. Thus, the ship will be handed over to the fleet not earlier than 2019. 

"Kazan" - the first serial boat of the project "Ash-M". It was launched in March 2017. Sevmash shipyards are also working on multipurpose nuclear submarines for the upgraded project 885M Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Arkhangelsk, Perm and Ulyanovsk. 

"Yaseni" differ from other multipurpose submarines, in particular, the arrangement of torpedo tubes. They were placed side by side behind the compartment of the central post. The armament of the ships are cruise missiles "Onyx" and "Caliber", self-guided torpedoes. Underwater displacement "Yaseney" is 13.8 thousand tons, they are able to dive to 600 meters and speed up to 30 knots.

Source: flotprom.ru

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F-35B Lightning II Stealth HMS Queen Elizabeth First Deck Landing - Video

Stealthb2777 YouTube

Stealthb2777
Published on Sep 28, 2018
F-35B Lightning II Stealth HMS Queen Elizabeth First Deck Landing

Stealthb2777

Published on Sep 28, 2018

F-35B Lightning II Stealth HMS Queen Elizabeth Ski Jump Launch

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USMC F-35B Lightning jet has crashed near near Beaufort, South Carolina

Source: Military Advisor

Update 

F-35B crashes near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina


By: Shawn Snow   


An F-35B has crashed in South Carolina near the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, military officials have confirmed.

The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and is currently being looked at by medical personnel, Capt. Christopher Harrison, a Marine spokesman, said in a command release.

The aircraft belonged to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, known as the “Warlords.”

“Marines from MCAS Beaufort are working with local authorities currently conducting standard mishap operations to secure the crash site and ensure the safety of all personnel in the surrounding area,” Harrison said.

Numerous local agencies to include the Beaufort Sheriff’s office, Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services, and Beaufort Water Search and Rescue responded to the crash and assisted the Marines with rescue of the pilot and follow on investigation, according to a press release from Sheriff’s office.

The Corps said there were no civilian injuries as a result of the crash.

Friday’s crash occurred just one day after the Corps' F-35B flew its first combat mission: a ground clearance airstrike in Afghanistan.

According to Defense News, the Marine air base at Beaufort, South Carolina, has been training new pilots for the high-tech stealth fighter, but has faced complications over spare parts and the jet’s logistics system.

Some of the F-35s sit for extended periods of time waiting for spare parts ordered through the Autonomic Logistics Information System. Sometimes the ALIS projects delivery of expected spare parts as far as two years out, Defense News has reported.

Just 82 miles southwest of the Beaufort airbase is the Townsend Bombing Range in Georgia, which is currently undergoing an expansion and modernization so that F-35B pilots can train with precision-guided munitions.

In April, a Marine F-35B was forced to make an emergency landing at Cherry Point, North Carolina, after the aircraft began leaking fuel.

The cause of Friday’s F-35B crash is under investigation.

This story is breaking and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Tara Copp and Valerie Insinna contributed to this report.

Source: marinecorpstimes.com

F-35 Lightning II: Details

China’s FTC-2000G made-for-export fighter jet makes first flight

FTC-2000G - cropped - xinhuanet.com

China’s made-for-export fighter jet makes first flight


Source:Global Times 
Published: 2018/9/28 22:18:40

The FTC-2000G, a China-developed multipurpose fighter jet meant for export, made its first flight on Friday three weeks after it completed production.

The flight was held in Anshun, Southwest China's Guizhou Province. The jet took off at 10:48 am and safely landed at 11:08 am, according to an Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) statement on its WeChat account on Friday.

The FTC-2000G was developed by Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation under AVIC to meet the demands of the international market.

It is equipped with air-to-surface weapons, and can be used as a flight trainer, the statement said.

Buyers can expand the fighter jet's functions by customizing it with reconnaissance capabilities and engaging in electronic warfare, it said.

It took less than two years to develop the jet, the statement noted.

The FTC-2000G will be on display at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province in November to attract potential buyers.

Chinese military observers said that many air forces from Southeast Asian and African countries are using outmoded fighter jets, and are on a tight budget.  

Although the FTC-2000G will face competition from South Korea's FA-50 and Italy's M346, it will enjoy a pricing advantage, experts said.

China delivered six FTC-2000s, FTC-2000G's predecessor, to Sudan in May, UK-based Jane's Defence Weekly reported in May.

Global Times

Source: globaltimes.cn

FTC-2000G - cropped - xinhuanet.com

FTC-2000G - cropped - xinhuanet.com

CGTN

Published on Sep 28, 2018

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Boeing-Saab wins $9B contract for USAF next training jet

US Air Force awards $9B contract to Boeing for next training jet


By: Valerie Insinna  



WASHINGTON — A Boeing-Saab partnership has won a $9.2 billion contract to produce the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation training jet.

Boeing’s award for the T-X trainer program marks the third major victory by the company in about a month, following an $805 million contract to build the Navy’s first four MQ-25 unmanned tankers, and a contract worth up to $2.38 billion to manufacture the Air Force’s Huey replacement helicopter. The T-X downselect was first reported by Reuters.

As the winners of the competition, Boeing and Swedish aerospace firm Saab are set to capture sales of at least 351 training jets to the U.S. Air Force, with possibly more in the international market. The program promises to keep Boeing’s tactical aircraft business strong after the F-15 and F/A-18 Super Hornet lines disappear in the next decade.

"Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of unwavering focus by the Boeing and Saab team,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing’s defense business. “It is a direct result of our joint investment in developing a system centered on the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force. We expect T-X to be a franchise program for much of this century.”

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract will allow the Air Force to buy up to 475 aircraft and 120 simulators, the Air Force said in a Sept. 27 statement, although the current plan is to buy 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simulators and associated ground equipment.

The Air Force stated that the T-X program originally was to cost about $19.7 billion, and that Boeing’s bid shaved $10 billion off that amount.

“This new aircraft will provide the advanced training capabilities we need to increase the lethality and effectiveness of future Air Force pilots,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said in the news release. “Through competition we will save at least $10 billion on the T-X program.”

Although the contract could be worth up to $9.2 billion, that sum is by no means a sure thing for Boeing.

During a briefing with reporters on Thursday afternoon, Will Roper, the service’s acquisition executive, and Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, its top uniformed acquisition official, said the $9.2 billion amount would be obligated to Boeing if the service executes all of options that would allow it to buy more aircraft at a quicker pace, purchasing all 475 planes.

Additionally, Boeing assumes the preponderance of the risk with the T-X program, which starts as a fixed-price incentive fee contract, but at the fifth lot will transition to a firm-fixed price structure, Roper and Bunch said.

Boeing and Saab’s clean-sheet trainer, designed specifically for the Air Force, beat out Leonardo DRS and a Lockheed Martin-Korea Aerospace Industries partnership. Throughout the competition, the Boeing-Saab jet was seen as the front-runner by analysts like Roman Schweizer of Cowen Washington Research Group, who pointed to Boeing’s aggressive bidding strategy and ability to absorb financial losses on programs like the KC-46 tanker aircraft.

The T-X program is the Air Force’s last major aircraft procurement opportunity up for grabs for some time, as the service’s contracts for its next-generation fighter, tanker and bomber have already been awarded, as have the last remaining new-start helicopter contracts. As such, the decision could potentially trigger a protest with the Government Accountability Office.

But Roper and Bunch pointed to the repeated interaction with industry through the competition, which could shield it from a protest, and lessons learned from previous programs on how to structure a competition.

Roper also defended the service’s selection of Boeing’s design, which was the only proposed aircraft that was not a modified version of an existing plane.

“We have a very deliberate process to evaluate risk, cost, and technical factors in the program and so its rigorous because we do have to evaluate things that have variances in them. The team looked at that, rolled up cost benefit, technical factors sand risk, to give best value to the government and overall our assessment was Boeing had a proposal that was best value,” Roper said.

Under the initial $813 million award, Boeing will be responsible for delivering five T-X aircraft and seven simulators, with the first simulators arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2023. According to the T-X request for proposals issued in December 2016, the Air Force will then execute contract options for two batches of low-rate production and eight rounds of full-rate production. The contract also includes ground training systems, mission planning and processing systems, support equipment, and spares.

Initial operating capability is planned by the end of fiscal 2024 when the first squadron and its associated simulators are all available for training. Full operational capability is projected for 2034.

Beyond the 351-aircraft program of record, analysts have speculated there could be significant international interest in T-X from countries that plan to fly the F-35 fighter jet or from the U.S. Air Force as it considers buying new aggressor aircraft for air-to-air combat training, making the opportunity potentially even more lucrative.

Although each of the three competing teams offered very different trainers to the Air Force, they were united by their cooperation with international aircraft manufacturers.

Boeing partnered with Saab, which is building the aircraft’s aft fuselage and other systems.

The team produced two single-engine, twin-tailed prototypes, which were unveiled at Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri, facility to much fanfare in 2016. Saab promised that, should the partnership emerge victorious, it would build a new plant in the United States for its T-X work, although a location has not been announced.

Leonardo DRS and Lockheed Martin offered modified versions of existent designs, hoping that a mature aircraft would be more palatable as the U.S. Air Force continues to foresee budgetary challenges in its future.

DRS’ T-100 is based on the Leonardo M-346 trainer, which is being sold to two F-35 users — Italy and Israel — as well as Singapore. Leonardo initially looked to partner with a big-name U.S. defense prime, first joining with General Dynamics and then, when that teaming agreement fell apart, Raytheon.

Ultimately, Leonardo and Raytheon couldn’t agree on pricing for the T-100, leading that partnership to also break up in January 2017.

After Leonardo DRS was tapped to prime the program, the company announced its intention to do structural subassembly, final assembly and check out of the aircraft stateside at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, where it would build a new $200 million facility.

Lockheed Martin meanwhile joined with Korea Aerospace Industries — a longtime collaborator who manufactured South Korea’s version of the F-16 — for a modified version of KAI’s T-50. Lockheed said that its T-50A would be built in Greenville, South Carolina, where it also plans to fabricate the F-16 in the future.

Source: defensenews.com

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Su-30SM firing Kh-31 supersonic anti-ship missile - Video

News-Front
Published on Sep 27, 2018
Россия показала самолёты Су-30СМ в действии

The Russians seem to be firing many anti-ship missiles lately it is likely they are preparing for an inevitable clash with the USA.  We will be seeing some ships going down soon.

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Russian Bastion missile complex successfully tested in the Arctic

RT
Published on Sep 26, 2018

Bastion-P (K-300P): Details

Su-34 fighter-bombers carried out launches of the latest airborne guided anti-ship missiles Kh-35U

Россия 24

Su-34 aircraft to fire Kh-35U anti-ship missiles at maritime targets


Within a scheduled combat training the Su-34 multi-purpose bombers will fire advanced guided air anti-ship missiles at the naval training zone.

Pilots attacked a complicated military target system simulating a ship detachment.

Troops trained single ans salvo launching by various flight paths making in total eight launches. They made a total of eight launches.

All the missiles successfully engaged the targets.

The Kh-35U anti-ship missile is designed to engage surface maritime targets. Weapon carriers can operate outside the air defence zone. It maximum operation range is over 250km. One missile is enough to eliminate a modern corvette.

The Kh-35U has been fielded in military units since 2014.

It is planned to arm all modern operational and tactical aircraft with these missiles.

Source: mil.ru

Ruptly

Published on Sep 25, 2018

Russia: Latest Kh-35U missiles successfully hit targets during combat training

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Izhevsk plant "Kupol" to make the first delivery of the Arctic SAM "Tor" to the troops before the end of this year

Sputnik

Translated by google


In Izhevsk, they told us about the delivery dates of the Arctic Tor missile system


Izhevsk plant "Kupol" plans to make the first delivery of the Arctic SAM "Tor" to the troops before the end of this year, TASS reported the company's general director Fanila Ziyatdinova.

The plant finishes OCD and plans the first delivery this year, Ziyatdinov said on the margins of the forum of Russian gunsmiths. He also said that at present the enterprise together with the Defense Ministry is preparing a ten-year program that will allow to conclude long-term contracts and "work with cooperation". In addition, as part of the program, the plant will accumulate experience, calculate its economy for longer periods, implement planned personnel policy and so on, the CEO added. Recall that in February, the Arctic complexes "Tor-M2DT" successfully passed tests at the Kapustin Yar test range (Astrakhan region), having performed live firing.

According to the developers, "Tor-M2" is designed to solve air defense problems at the level of the division. The anti-aircraft complex is capable of protecting ground forces from the attacks of cruise and anti-radar missiles, planning aerial bombs and aircraft. 

The Arctic version of the "Torah" is installed on the chassis of a two-link tractor DT-30PM-T1.

Source: topwar.ru

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U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics a $480.6 million contract to continue the development of the lead Columbia-class submarine

Columbia-class submarine

General Dynamics Awarded $481 Million for Continued Development of U.S. Navy’s Next Ballistic-Missile Submarine

September 17, 2018 – The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $480.6 million contract modification to continue the development of the lead Columbia-class submarine, the nation’s next-generation sea-based strategic deterrent. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.

The modification includes funding for advance procurement, advance construction and long lead time material for Columbia (SSBN 826). Construction of the lead ship of the class is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. The Navy plans to build a fleet of 12 new SSBNs.

Initially awarded in September 2017, the overall contract has a potential value of $6.1 billion.

“In close collaboration with the Navy and the submarine industrial base, Electric Boat will continue to lead key aspects of the Columbia-class development effort. This work includes design, material procurement, construction and operating-cost reduction. The entire Columbia-class team is committed to achieving an affordable and effective program. Our nation’s security depends on it,” said Electric Boat President Jeffrey S. Geiger.

Source: seawaves.com

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U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the 17th Virginia class submarine the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790)

Virginia class - Associated Press

Future USS South Dakota delivered to U.S. Navy


September 25, 2018 – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790), the 17th submarine of the Virginia class, Sept. 24.

The ship began construction in 2013 and is scheduled to commission in early 2019. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea superiority.

South Dakota is the seventh Virginia-class Block III submarine. Block III submarines feature a redesigned bow with enhanced payload capabilities, replacing 12 individual vertical launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles. This, among other design changes, reduced the submarines’ acquisition cost while maintaining their outstanding warfighting capabilities.

“South Dakota’s delivery is an important milestone,” said Capt. Chris Hanson, Virginia Class Program manager. “It marks the penultimate Block III delivery and will be a vital asset in the hands of the fleet.”

The submarine’s sponsor is Deanie Dempsey, wife of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and retired Army Gen. Martin Dempsey.

The submarine will be the third U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with the name South Dakota. The first South Dakota (ACR 9) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser. The ship served in the Pacific until the American entry into World War I, where it patrolled the South Atlantic operating from Brazil, and escorted troop transports destined for Europe.

During World War II, the second South Dakota (BB 57) was commissioned as the lead ship in its class. The four ships of the South Dakota class are considered the most efficient battleships built under the limitations of the Washington Naval treaty. South Dakota served in the Pacific and Atlantic as a carrier escort and patrolled the North Atlantic with the British navy. During the ship’s second tour in the Pacific, it helped to cripple the Japanese navy during the Battle of the Philippine Sea before helping to bombard shore defenses at Okinawa and preparing for an eventual invasion of the Japanese home islands.

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.

Source: seawaves.com

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Work on new S-500 Air Defense System almost complete and their serial production will begin soon

S-500 Air Defense System

Work on Russia's New S-500 Air Defense System Almost Complete - Deputy PM 



20:25 26.09.2018 (updated 21:53 26.09.2018) 

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Work on the latest Russian S-500 air defense system is almost complete, and their serial production will begin soon, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said on Wednesday.

"Our S-300, S-400 and S-500 systems, which are close to serial production, do have better specifications in comparison with all competitors, be it either [US-produced] Patriot, or French and Israeli systems," he said during the Revunov Award ceremony, annually held for young engineers at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

The S-500 Prometey ("Prometheus") is a new generation surface-to-air missile system with a range of 400-600 kilometers (250-370 miles), designed for intercepting and destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as hypersonic cruise missiles and aircraft.

On May 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that development and preparation for the serial production of the newest S-500 air defense system should be completed as quickly as possible. The deliveries of S-500 systems to Russia's Aerospace Forces are expected to start around 2020.

Source: sputniknews.com

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