US could buy Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 under Senate proposal

TASS

US could buy Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 under Senate proposal

By: Joe Gould 


WASHINGTON ― The U.S. would be able to buy Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 air defense system under legislation proposed in the Senate last week. The proposal is one powerful lawmaker’s attempt to alleviate the impasse between Washington and Ankara over the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., has proposed an amendment to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that would allow the purchase to be made using the U.S. Army’s missile procurement account. The move comes a year after the U.S. expelled NATO ally Turkey from the multinational F-35 program because it received the S-400 in a $2.5 billion deal.

However, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has introduced an amendment that would take a tougher stance, mandating the Trump administration implement CAATSA sanctions on Turkey within 30 days of passage of the NDAA. Risch has been critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and accused him of bad faith in dealings with the U.S. over the S-400.

Under CAATSA, or the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed in 2017, any nation procuring a major defense article from Russia should face major sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has held off imposing sanctions against Turkey for its purchase, but the sale remains a sticking point in the relationship. Erdogan has refused to give up the system, despite warnings from Washington that the S-400 could compromise the stealthy F-35.

The U.S. routinely buys foreign technology and could both exploit the S-400′s technology and test U.S. tactics, said Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official for European and NATO policy. If Turkey doesn’t go for the idea, he said, the two countries are still stuck.

“I think the US buying the S-400s from Turkey is a clever way of getting Erdogan out of the jam he put himself in,” Townsend said. “We just want to get the system out of Turkey ... and if it enables the Turks to take part in the F-35 then all the better.”

Thune and Risch are both influential senators, but there’s no guarantee either of their amendments would receive consideration to be included in the massive NDAA ― or, if passed into the Senate bill, that they would survive negotiations with the House.

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s draft of the authorization bill already contains language pertaining to Turkey and the F-35 program. Specifically, it gives the U.S. Air Force the authority to accept, operate or even modify the six F-35A conventional-takeoff-and-landing models that were built by Lockheed Martin for Turkey but never officially delivered.

Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna in Washington contributed to this report.


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Brazilian Air Force receives third C-390 Millenium airlifter

Brazilian Air Force receives third C-390 Millenium airlifter - Defense Brief

Photo: Embraer

The Brazilian Air Force has taken delivery of the third C-390 medium airlifter from aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Similar to the first two units delivered in 2019 and the additional 25 which will be delivered to the FAB, this third unit is prepared to perform aerial refueling missions, with the KC-390 Millennium designation.

The aircraft will join the service’s First Troop Transport Group (1st GGT), according to the company.

Since the end of March 2020, the Brazilian Air Force has used two KC-390 Millennium aircraft in missions which have transported tons of essential supplies to combat COVID-19 in Brazil. Through mid-June, the health supplies transported included an ambulance, a cell health unit, an oxygen plant, more than 130,000 pairs of surgical gloves, 17,000 N95 masks, 4,080 pairs of glasses, 14,600 units of alcohol gel and 8,800 aprons, as well as logistical and hospital supplies.

The C-390 Millennium was developed as a joint project between the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer. The aircraft, which has also received orders from the Portuguese Government, can perform a variety of military and civilian missions, including humanitarian missions, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, cargo and troop transport, aerial delivery and aerial refueling. 

“Receiving the third KC-390 Millennium aircraft is a matter of great satisfaction for the Air Force Command, because it will be supporting the missions already underway by the other two aircraft. The greatest example is the aircraft’s use for the aerial transport of supplies and equipment for combating and preventing COVID-19, within the operation coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, which represents an important initiative for Brazilian society,” said the Brazilian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez.

Equipped with two International Aero Engines V2500 turbofan engines, a rear ramp and an advanced cargo handling system, the C-390 Millennium is capable of carrying up to 26 metric tons of cargo at a maximum speed of 470 knots (870 km/h), with ability to operate in austere environments, including from unpaved or damaged runways. The aircraft can carry troops, pallets, armored wheeled vehicles and helicopters.


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Embraer KC-390: Details

Ascent Vision Technologies Secures CUAS Contract with Key Thailand Defense Agency

Ascent Vision Technologies Secures CUAS Contract with Key Thailand Defense Agency

Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT) has received a contract from the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand for its field-proven eXpeditionary Mobile Air Defense Integrated System (X-MADIS). The X-MADIS will protect critical assets against hostile small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).

The X-MADIS was selected by the DTI following a series of Counter small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) demonstrations and tests to showcase the capabilities of the system. Developed to achieve optimal performance in high-heat and humid conditions, the X-MADIS will provide reliable, fixed-site and full spectrum protection against commercial, off-the-shelf sUAS and state level adversaries.

AVT’s X-MADIS is a portable solution that incorporates industry-leading components designed specifically for detection, tracking, identification, classification and defeat of sUAS and drone swarms. The X-MADIS is tailored to each customer’s mission through advanced system integration, providing customers with a selection of components to meet their specific needs.

The DTI’s X-MADIS FS (Fixed Site) combines four all-threat air surveillance radars with an RF detection sensor for reliable detection, classification and locating of commercial sUAS. A CM202U optic delivers rapid positive identification and tracking of an airborne object to increase the operator’s decision time when responding to a threat. An Electronic Warfare (EW) system neutralizes one or multiple sUAS. All components are integrated into AVT’s CUAS Suite software to enable seamless, single operation of the entire kill-chain.

“We are grateful that the Defence Technology Institute has recognized the X-MADIS as a powerful solution to protect their assets against sUAS threats,” said Stephen Zinda, Vice President of International Business Development at AVT. “The award was granted following a series of test events to demonstrate the suitability of the X-MADIS for this specific operation.

“I would like to thank our partners, GCS Group Corporation, for their support and effort in helping us secure the contract,” added Zinda. “We look forward to continuing a strong relationship with both GCS Group and the DTI as we support their needs.”

Established in 2004, GCS Group Corporation is a reputable organization based in Thailand that designs, manufactures and trades high-level technology for the defense industry.

Source: Ascent Vision Technologies
Date: Jun 30, 2020

Ascent Vision Delivers X-MADIS to a US Ally to Counter Drone Swarms

Super-Sukhoi fighter will replace Su-57 and displace it for export

Vladislav Perminov @flicker

Super-Sukhoi fighter will replace Su-57 and displace it for export | Super Power Army | Yandex Zen: 

Translated by google


27 June 2020

The military department of the Russian Federation does not cease to amaze the public with its decisions. A few days ago in the media, as if by the wind, information flew over the modernization of the Su-57 .

The modernization of the fifth-generation fighter is a good process for strengthening the Russian Aerospace Forces, but the problem is that this Su-57 model has not even been adopted yet, so it is modernizing the draft version. On the one hand, this solution looks as ridiculous as possible, and on the other, it is extremely logical.

The new model is called the Su-57 of the second stage , but military experts, soldiers, analysts and just amateurs came to the common name Super-Dry .

What innovations are ahead?

Firstly, the replacement of hydraulic actuators of control surfaces with electric motors, this change will increase indicators such as stealth and stealth. It also helps to increase the survivability of a combat unit with various injuries.

Secondly , the new avionics, modern equipment, will be supplemented by the latest on-board equipment, which will allow the Su-57 of the second stage to detect targets at a greater distance, and the possibility of disabling the "electronics" is minimized.

Thirdly, the military department of the Russian Federation plans to expand the package of guided weapons and equip the aircraft with “new breath” missiles, this process contributes to military reinforcement.

Fourth, the Super-Dry should be equipped with a new distinctive engine, which is significantly superior to the "Product-30".

The first flight is planned to be made in mid-2022, and commissioning is due in 2024. In general, this is normal, because the model taken as the basis is ready, which means that most of the questions fly off immediately.

Why is the new model replacing the previous one for export?

I think it is no secret that the Russian Federation is actively selling its weapons to various states. Aviation in this matter is no exception. I believe that many powers have an interest in buying a fifth-generation fighter from Russia.

It now becomes clear why Russia has two similar models, the Su-57 will be exported, and the new Super-Sukhoi or Su-57 of the second stage will become the main unit of the Russian Air Force.

The Su-57 will be significantly inferior to its follower, which means that it can be safely sold to India, which has recently been buying up almost all the weapons of our country.

Pavel Myth YB @flickr

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Sukhoi Su-57: Details

Egypt intends to purchase 500 Russian T-90MS tanks

roe.ru

Egypt intends to purchase 500 Russian T-90MS tanks | Warfare | Yandex Zen

Translated by google


28 June 2020

In the event of a contract with Russia, a new tank factory will be created in Egypt.

As Egyptian Transport Minister Major General Kamel al-Wazir stated on his Facebook page , Cairo expressed a desire to buy five hundred Russian T-90 MS tanks .

"The organization of the production of T-90 MS tanks will allow Egypt to enrich the existing experience in the production of American tanks, which has been ongoing since 1992."
- quotes the words of the Egyptian Minister Regnum.

It is noted that, in the case of the conclusion of a contract with  Russia , a new tank factory will be created in Egypt . In addition,  Egypt  may become the first country in the world that will simultaneously produce both American and  Russian military equipment.

Egypt Increases Cooperation With Russia To Get 400 T90 Battle Tanks – Report

T-90SM / MS / M MBT: Details

S. Korea to Introduce More Early Warning Aircraft from Overseas

egloos.zum.com

S. Korea to Introduce More Early Warning Aircraft from Overseas

(Source: Korea Herald; issued June 26, 2020)

South Korea approved a plan Friday to purchase more airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) from overseas as part of efforts to beef up its aerial surveillance capabilities, the arms procurement agency said.

Under the plan approved by the defense project promotion committee meeting, the country will launch the project next year to introduce more aircraft from overseas by 2027, rather than developing one at home, with a budget of 1.59 trillion won ($1.32 billion), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The military has been pushing to buy two more early warning aircraft. Currently, the Air Force operates four Boeing 737-based Peace Eye aircraft since 2011.

"The project aims to better counter growing security threats by neighboring countries and to minimize possible surveillance vacuums," a DAPA official said.

The AEW&C aircraft equipped with advanced radar systems is designed to detect aircraft and other vehicles at long ranges and conduct command and control of the battlefield in an air engagement by directing strikes by fighter jets.

The committee also approved a project to secure advanced Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft. The plan will be pushed for between 2021 and 2026 with 870 billion won, according to the DAPA.

Equipped with a remote control and signaling system, the Baekdu spy planes are supposed to carry out missions to gather signal intelligence from North Korea.

Currently, the military operates six units and seeks to replace four of them with advanced ones, according to the DAPA.

"After buying platforms from overseas, we will equip them with indigenous systems," a DAPA official said. "The upgraded units are expected to improve our SIGINT capabilities."

In a separate plan also approved Friday, South Korea decided to acquire TA-50 Block-2 trainer jets starting this year until 2024 with a budget of around 1 trillion won in line with the increased demand from the Air Force to nurture pilots.

The Block-2 jet is the upgraded version of the TA-50 aircraft, which are now in service.

-ends-

Public domain

Boeing 737 AEW&C Wedgetail: Details
KAI T-50 and FA-50: Details

Sources: Russia conducted an experiment on the use of a "swarm" of fighters

NickJ 1972 @flickr

Sources: Russia conducted an experiment on the use of a "swarm" of fighters - Army and MIC - TASS

Translated by google


The interlocutor of the agency said that the experiment involved a group of Su-35 fighters, the role of the command and staff aircraft was performed by the Su-57

© Marina Lystseva / TASS

MOSCOW, June 28. / TASS /. Russia conducted an experiment on the use of a "flock" of Su-35 fighters under the control of a fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft. This was reported by TASS two sources in the military-industrial complex.

"The experiment was carried out in real combat conditions, a group of Su-35 fighters was involved in the" flock ", the role of the command and staff aircraft was performed by the Su-57," said one of the agency’s interlocutors.

Another defense source confirmed to TASS the nature of the tests and explained that in the battle order, which the pilots call a flock or swarm, information is exchanged between fighters in real time: the information-control system of each aircraft automatically processes data from both its own sensors and sensors of other boards.

Sources explained that the use of a "flock" operating in a single information space, significantly increases the efficiency of combat missions. The interlocutors did not name the date and place of the experiment.

As the leading Russian military expert, chief editor of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Viktor Murakhovsky noted, such tests are important from the point of view of building a unified information system for the armed forces. “Work on interaction in a general battle order (in a“ flock ”) is important. In the future, information from all aircraft sensors, as well as from air defense systems, from satellites, from ground-based equipment should come into a single system that will create a single information field for land, air and space. And in it, with the support of artificial intelligence, the distribution of combat work, including for aviation, will already take place, "the expert explained.

He added that similar work is being carried out by the United States of America, in particular for its F35 fighters. At the same time, Murakhovsky said, so far neither Russia nor the United States have been able to build such a single information system for managing all types of troops due to difficulties in creating a single data format for different types and branches of the armed forces.

Su-35S Flanker-E: Details

Sukhoi Su-57: Details

Sources: "Admiral Gorshkov" went to sea for the second test firing "Zircon"

russiadefence.net

Sources: "Admiral Gorshkov" went to sea for the second test firing "Zircon" - Army and MIC - TASS: 

Translated by google


According to one of TASS interlocutors, the launch of a rocket from a frigate should take place in the next two weeks.

Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov
© Yuri Smityuk / TASS

MOSCOW, June 27. / TASS /. The head frigate of Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov of the Northern Fleet went to sea to conduct second test firing with the latest Russian Zircon hypersonic missile. This was reported by TASS two sources in the military-industrial complex.

“On Saturday, Gorshkov went to sea from the Belomorsky Naval Base for a second test launch of the Zircon rocket,” one agency source said. A second source noted that the launch of the rocket from the frigate “should take place in the next two weeks.”

The interlocutors specified that an extensive program of launching the Zircon from Gorshkov was planned for 2020, the ship could fire a rocket up to seven times. “But the deadlines have moved significantly - the second launch was originally supposed to take place in mid-spring,” one source said.

According to the interlocutors, the main reason for the transfer of test firing was the situation with the coronavirus.

TASS does not have official confirmation of the information provided by the sources.

At the beginning of April, Admiral Gorshkov left for the Belomorsk base to service and load the Zircon hypersonic missile for the next test firing. It was expected that the second launch will be carried out from the ship in April-May.

Tests of Zircon

For the first time, Zircon was used from a standard marine carrier in early January of this year (according to other sources, at the end of December 2019): Admiral Gorshkov fired a rocket from the Barents Sea at a distance of more than 500 km at a coastal target. Prior to this, test launches were conducted from a ground stand or specially prepared pontoons.

To launch the Zircon missiles, the universal ship firing complex (UKSK) 3S-14 is used. Such launchers, in particular, are equipped with frigates of project 22350, corvettes of project 20380, in the version for submarines - multi-purpose submarines of the Ash type.

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Admiral Gorshkov Class Frigate: Details

3M22 Zircon: Details

VIP Voyager providing Air-to-Air refuelling for RAF Lightning and Typhoon fighters on Exercise CRIMSON OCEAN

Royal Air Force on Twitter: "Following its arrival at @RAFBrizeNorton yesterday, the VIP Voyager went straight into its primary role supporting operational training today acting as a ‘petrol station in the sky’ providing Air-to-Air refuelling for RAF Lightning and Typhoon fighters on Exercise CRIMSON OCEAN. https://t.co/w8rQ0xn6Yo" / Twitter

A330-200 (MRTT): Details

Boeing Awarded $439M Army FMS Contract for Apache Helicopters, Trainers

USAASC @flickr

Boeing Awarded $439M Army FMS Contract for Apache Helicopters, Trainers – GovCon Wire

Nichols Martin 

June 26, 2020 

Boeing (NYSE: BA) has secured a $439.2M contract modification from the U.S. Army to build AH-64E Apache helicopters for Morocco.

The company will also provide Longbow flight simulators to support crew training with the attack helicopter platform, the Department of Defense said Thursday.

Contract work will take place in Mesa, Ariz., through March 1, 2025. The Army used fiscal 2020 foreign military sales funds to cover the full obligated amount.

According to Boeing, the Army has recorded more than 4.5M flight hours with its Apache fleet and fielded more than 30 Longbow Crew Trainers.

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Ah-64 Apache: Details

India considers buying Armata tanks

Vitaliy Kuzmin

India considers buying Armata tanks

Translated by google


Alexander Peshkov

18:23 06/26/2020

India is one of the largest buyers of Russian armored vehicles.

© Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

India is considering buying Russian tanks on the basis of the Armata platform, a source in the military-industrial complex told Zvezda.

“The product is being prepared for export. India showed interest in him, ”the source told Zvezda.

According to him, experts decide what of the equipment of the latest tank can be exported and what not.

The fact that India is considering the purchase of Armata tanks is also mentioned in the military-analytical publications of the country. Note that such publications in the Indian media do not appear for the first time. So, in 2018, Indian Defense News reported that India plans to purchase 1,770 modern tanks to replace the obsolete T-72 and T-14. Armata is a candidate for this deal.

The interest of foreign customers in armored vehicles on the Armata platform was reported by CEO of Uralvagonzavod Alexander Potapov in February 2018. According to him, most likely, talk about export deliveries will be conducted only after the tank is acquired by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

It was previously reported that serial deliveries of promising T-14 tanks on the Armata platform to Russian troops will begin in 2021. 

The T-14 Armata is the first tank in the world that implements the concept of network-centric warfare in its design concept, where the T-14 is used primarily as a reconnaissance, target designation and fire adjustment system for self-propelled guns, SAM and T-90 tanks from its tactical support link.

In addition, it is the first tank in the world with an uninhabited tower. The crew of the car is in a sealed armored capsule in front of the hull. This allows you to ensure its safety in the event of an ammunition explosion. The crew of the tank can operate in a chemical attack or nuclear war.

T-14 is hardly noticeable in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges. In particular, it reduces the distance of anti-tank guided missiles, including Javelin, by 2.7 times. This means that the calculation of these complexes will be more vulnerable to return fire.

The T-14 was presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in 2015 along with other products based on the "Almaty". At the Army-2018 forum, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov announced that more than 100 tanks had been contracted. 

India will lead the list of buyers of Russian "Armata"

T-14 Armata: Details