U.S. Air National Guard recommend fielding Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 decoy after successfully completing an extensive US Defense Department test programme

Duncan Monk

U.S. Air National Guard recommend fielding Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 decoy after successfully completing an extensive US Defense Department test programme | Leonardo

Rome  24 November 2022 12:59

BriteCloud’s world-first miniaturised jamming technology delivers a major upgrade in aircraft protection compared to traditional expendable countermeasures

The decoy will be designated AN/ALQ-260(V)1 in U.S. Armed Forces service

The U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) has issued a ‘fielding recommendation’ for Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 expendable active decoy, tested on US F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. This means that the service, which has conducted an extensive testing and live trials campaign with BriteCloud since 2019, is confident that the decoy meets and, in some instances, even exceeds operational requirements, delivering an increased platform protection capability to 4th generation fighter aircraft like the F-16.

The U.S. Air Force has subsequently designated BriteCloud 218 as AN/ALQ-260(V)1, identifying it as an airborne electronic warfare countermeasure. BriteCloud is unique in the combat air countermeasure market, packing latest-generation DRFM jamming technology into a compact expendable that can be launched from standard countermeasure dispensers. Unlike traditional chaff and flares, BriteCloud employs a sophisticated on-board electronic warfare capability designed to counter radar-guided threats.

Designed and manufactured by Leonardo in the UK, BriteCloud has already entered service with the UK’s Royal Air Force. As a world-first technology, BriteCloud has been undergoing evaluation for potential service with U.S. Armed Forces under the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme. The fielding recommendation by the ANG is one of the final stages of the programme and gives the green light to BriteCloud 218 as proven effective and fit for operations.

The BriteCloud 218-variant rounds evaluated under the FCT are standard-sized rectangular countermeasures measuring just two by one by eight inches. This means they are compatible with common dispensers including the AN/ALE-47 and are ready to equip other 4th generation fighters such as the F-15, F/A-18, F-16 and A-10 fighters. BriteCloud 218 is also an effective protection capability for smaller uncrewed platforms, with the German Armed Forces successfully trialing the system with target drone aircraft last year.

Leonardo’s original BriteCloud 55 decoy (a slightly larger variant, compatible with round 55mm flare dispensers such as those on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen C/D), is used by the UK’s Royal Air Force. BriteCloud’s unique combination of latest-generation threat protection with extremely low integration costs continues to generate significant international interest and Leonardo is in talks with a number of Air Forces about the capability.

f-16.net

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Submarine "Ufa" became part of the Russian Navy

Stary Oskol / photo by A. Brichevsky

Подлодка "Уфа" вошла в состав ВМФ РФ -

Submarine "Ufa"             photo of JSC "Admiralty Shipyards"

Moscow. November 16th. INTERFAX-AVN Diesel-electric submarine of project 636.3 "Ufa", built for the Pacific Fleet (Pacific Fleet), on Wednesday, November 16, became part of the Russian Navy, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

      "Today, under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, a solemn ceremony was held to raise the Andreevsky naval flag on the diesel-electric submarine of project 636.3 Ufa," the message says.

     In accordance with the announced order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy "Ufa" It became the fourth in a series of six Project 636.3 submarines being built for the Pacific Fleet

     Evmenov noted at the ceremony that "submarines of this project are equipped with the most modern weapons, and their high combat qualities are confirmed by the successful completion of the assigned tasks in Cherny and the Mediterranean Seas, as well as in the Arctic," the press release says.

     The ceremony took place in St. Petersburg on the territory of the enterprise of the United Shipbuilding Corporation "Admiralty Shipyards".

     Evmenov previously reported that "until 2024, the Russian Navy plans to receive the entire series of six Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines being built at the Admiralty Shipyards purposefully to equip the submarine forces of the Pacific Fleet."

     "These submarines have excellent stealth characteristics and are equipped with high-precision weapons, which allows them to effectively carry out tasks for their intended purpose," the Navy Commander-in-Chief said.

     Submarines of project 636.3 are equipped with Caliber cruise missiles (developed by OKB Novator, JSC Concern VKO Almaz-Antey).

Submarine "Ufa" will enter the fleet in November - Commander-in-Chief of the Navy (version 2)

Made to take on Russia, Swedish Gripen fighter jets should go to Ukraine: Report

Andreas

Made to take on Russia, Swedish Gripen fighter jets should go to Ukraine: Report - Breaking Defense

The recommendation from RUSI reopens debate around Western fighter jets being sent to Ukraine, with the Swedish aircraft being tipped to provide exceptional operation value, especially against Russian long-range missile strikes.

By   TIM MARTIN on November 08, 2022 at 10:28 AM

DUBLIN – A leading defense think tank has called on international policymakers to consider supplying the Ukrainian Air Force with Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets.

Authors from the UK-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) said in a report Monday that after looking at the Russian air war and requirements for Ukrainian air defense, the Swedish aircraft was “by far the most suitable candidate” of Western-manufactured combat jets that could meet operational needs.

Transfer of Gripens would advance Ukrainian short- to medium-term planning by minimizing the risk of sustaining Russian long-range missile strikes, according to the report.

The authors also warned that delivery of the aircraft, alongside SAM launchers, missile ammunition and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns are all critical to preventing a new Russian strike campaign, which, if not contested, could lead to a dramatic shift in the current momentum of the war.

“Conceptually, the Swedish Air Force has always emphasised low-level air superiority tactics from dispersed bases, in a similar manner to how the Ukrainian Air Force currently operates, and so the Gripen was designed with ground support equipment and maintenance requirements compatible with that approach,” stated the publication. “The electronic warfare suite on the Gripen C/D is also optimised specifically for countering Russian fighter and SAM radars.”

Additionally, the authors cite Gripen’s anti-ship capability and integration of MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and ramjet propulsion design being “less adversely affected” by counterthreats, compared to weapons with rocket-powered propulsion. Air launched weapons relying on rocket powered technology are widely considered to be more exposed to ground based threats because of their “low and slow” capability profiles.

“Since April, VKS [Russian Air Force] pilots have been extremely reluctant to aggressively fight their way into Ukrainian airspace due to the losses taken during early attempts,” note the RUSI authors. “The threat of Ukrainian SAM and MANPADS engagements has shaped the behaviour and constrained the effectiveness of Russian pilots significantly.

“Therefore, even a few modern Western fighters with long-range missiles able to meet the Russians on technically equal or even superior terms would likely have a disproportionate deterrent effect.”

Despite such analysis reopening debate over whether or not European or US decision makers should approve Western-made fighter jets being sent to Ukraine, tensions around the matter, often linked to fears of conflict escalation, permissions for sorties being flown from NATO territory and training difficulties, continue to hold up progress.

If the Gripen C/D variant was to be approved for transfer however, current European operators — Sweden, Hungary and the Czech Republic — would all be in line to execute deliveries to Ukraine.

“The [RUSI] report identified many of the excellent qualities of Gripen that make it a suitable candidate fighter for a country’s defences,” said a Saab spokesperson. “Ultimately the export of Gripen, including to Ukraine, is strictly regulated and needs approvals from the appropriate authorities. So any such decision will rest with them and further questions as to the feasibility are therefore best raised with them.”

Past requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to NATO members for Western fighter jets have been denied even though some US officials, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, have publicly supported the idea.

In March, Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia — the only European countries capable of supplying aircraft common with Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-25 fighter fleets — all ruled out any such transfers, after previously hinting otherwise. At the time, the Pentagon said the transfer of Polish jets to Ukraine, specifically, through US bases in Germany was “not tenable.”

Source breakingdefense.com

Saab Receives Order for Gripen C/D Upgrade

Gripen Multirole Fighter: Details

HENSOLDT mission system for reconnaissance flights put into operation

diamondaircraft.com

News | HENSOLDT

Pre-integration of the mission system facilitates installation in aircraft

HENSOLDTs is equipping DA62MPP aircraft with its "MissionGrid" mission system (EO/IR pod under the nose of the aircraft) on behalf of QinetiQ. Photo: Diamond Aircraft

Immenstaad/Germany, 11 October 2022 - Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has successfully passed acceptance by the customer, aviation specialist QinetiQ GmbH, Mönchengladbach, with the first of two complete systems for electro-optical reconnaissance. The reconnaissance system consisting of the electro-optical system ARGOS-II HD (EO/IR) and the control and evaluation software EuroNAV was successfully put into operation only six months after the order. The reconnaissance system was pre-integrated by HENSOLDT in the company's own Airborne Systems Integration Lab and scaffolded by QinetiQ into DA62MPP aircraft from Diamond Aircraft Industries, Austria, for reconnaissance services and training of national and international customers.

"The successful milestone in the project has validated our approach to accelerate functional testing of the system as well as certification through in-house pre-integration," says project manager Theresa Leopold. "This allows us to offer the customer a complete solution that reduces the customer's project risk and effort and is available in the shortest possible time."

The mission system, with the product name "MissionGrid", can be used on fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is used by air and naval forces for reconnaissance and target acquisition missions (ISR/ISTAR), but also for border protection, search and rescue missions, maritime patrols, law enforcement and object protection. The German Federal Police uses it to combat smuggling, illegal trade and for border security.

The reconnaissance system has a range of up to 40 km and can detect ships as well as small inflatable boats or individual swimmers by day and night as well as in bad weather. A thermal imaging camera records the images and transmits video and data in real time to base stations on the ground. The "MissionGrid" mission system can also be easily and modularly supplemented with other HENSOLDT systems, such as the PrecISR reconnaissance radar, the Kalaetron ESM/SIGINT system and the AMPS self-protection system, as well as a number of other sensor types and data links. A virtual training facility will also allow users to be trained "remotely" on the mission system at the facility via a secure internet connection.

Leonardo and Diamond Aircraft boost capability of DA62 Mission Surveillance Aircraft with Gabbiano Ultra-Light TS-80 radar

DA62 MPP Special Mission Aircraft: Details

Defense News: China has at least 200 fifth-generation J-20 fighters

Air Force Online

Полковник запаса Кошкин: гибель Стремоусова не повлияет на фронтовую ситуацию

Anastasia Korolkova

When quoting information, an active hyperlink to SOLENKA.INFO is required

According to the American publication Defense News, the PRC has at least 200 fifth-generation J-20 fighters in service. More than 240 J-16 multipurpose strike aircraft are also reported. This conclusion was made by a local military expert, who decided to examine in detail the numbers on combat aircraft that visited the Airshow China 2022 international air show. The event is held in Zhuhai from November 8-13, solenka.info reports.

As the author notes, photographs of the surface of the hulls of China's combat aircraft showed that the Chinese aircraft industry has made significant progress.

Earlier it was reported that as part of Airshow China 2022, China demonstrated engines with thrust vector control.

Source SOLENKA.INFO

J-20 Canopy & its Forward EODAS/EOPDS Sensor Aperture

Chengdu J-20: Details

J-20 Canopy & its Forward EODAS/EOPDS Sensor Aperture

ggd dgg

David Wang on Twitter: "J-20 Canopy & its Forward EODAS/EOPDS Sensor Aperture https://t.co/splTqoEAO9" / Twitter: 

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Chengdu J-20: Details

BAE Systems Australia to expand F-35 precinct

airforce.gov.au / SGT David Gibbs

BAE Systems Australia to expand F-35 precinct | BAE Systems | Australia

4 Nov 2022

BAE Systems Australia today welcomed an announcement by the Federal Government for the approval of a Facility Services Deed that underpins the expansion of the Company’s F-35 sustainment operations at Williamtown in the Hunter Valley.

The Deed, valued at more than $100 million, will enable BAE Systems to meet projected service and maintenance demand for the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II fleet.

The construction of the additional bays in BAE Systems’ existing South Hangar facility at Williamtown will provide opportunities for local jobs, local suppliers and subcontractors.

All 72 F-35 jets will be sustained and upgraded at Williamtown over the next three decades, supporting 750 jobs directly and indirectly across Australia by 2025. Fifty six F-35A Lightning II jets have been accepted by Australia to date with the full fleet on track to be delivered by the end of 2023.

BAE Systems Australia Managing Director Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham, said:

“We welcome the Commonwealth’s announcement and look forward to working alongside the Royal Australian Air Force and our industry partners to deliver this vital capability.

“Our established team has deep knowledge of the F-35 and will deliver a proven and collaborative approach that focuses on dependable delivery today and innovative ways of sustaining the F-35 fleet into the future.

“This is another example of how BAE Systems is helping to deliver the next generation of air capability and building local industry to help keep Australia secure.”

US approves cruise missile purchase for RAAF F-35s

F-35 Lightning II: Details

Bell Completes U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Program of Record - Bell (news)

Paul Varner

Bell Completes U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Program of Record - Bell (news):

2 November 2022, 11:07 (CDT)

 

Amarillo, Texas (Nov. 02, 2022) – In a ceremony at the Amarillo Assembly Center, Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, celebrated the delivery of the 189th AH-1Z Viper to the U.S. Marine Corps, completing the Program of Record (POR) for the latest version of the storied H-1 platform. Bell completed the UH-1Y POR of 160 aircraft in 2018 bringing the combined H-1 POR to 349 aircraft.

“The first production lot of US Marine Corps H-1s was ordered in 1962, and they changed the way Marines fight today,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and program director. “Completing the AH-1Z and UH-1Y deliveries to the US Marine Corps adds one more chapter to the legacy of the H-1 platform.”

Bell has been producing H-1s for the U.S. military since 1959. Bell originally designed the H-1 for the U.S. Army with the iconic “Huey.” In 1966 Bell created the AH-1 Cobra as the first dedicated gunship. In 1970, the Bell UH-1N brought twin engine capabilities to more than 28 countries, and in 1984 the AH-1W provided the U.S. Marine Corps increased attack helicopter capability.

The current generation AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom are the most agile, mobile, and survivable combination of aircraft used by the Department of Defense. The 85% common platforms are the only two aircraft that share so much commonality, providing the Marines with logistical agility and reduced operating costs. The AH-1Z achieved initial operating capacity in February 2011 and the UH-1Y achieved initial operating capacity in August 2008. The first combined Viper/Venom deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit occurred in 2009.

“H-1s are key to the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan,” said Col. Vasillios Pappas, Light/Attack Helicopters program manager (PMA-276). “With the US program of record now complete, the Marines have the flexibility to manage and deploy the helicopters based on current and future mission requirements as established at the start of the program.”

 

The H-1 production line is still active in support of foreign military sales to approved U.S. allies. Bell continues to produce AH-1Z Vipers for the Kingdom of Bahrain and will manufacture eight UH-1Ys and four AH-1Zs for the Czech Republic in 2023.

Since the first delivery of the AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys to the U.S. Marines, the H-1 mixed fleet has accumulated more than 450,000 flight hours through a full spectrum of military operations. Bell will continue to support the U.S. H-1s with lethality, survivability, and reliability upgrades through a long-term modernization plan that helps ensure the aircraft keep an overwhelming tactical advantage for generations.

Northrop Grumman to upgrade and support avionicsfor the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters for U.S. Marine Corps

AH-1Z Viper: Details

UH-1Y Huey: Details

GKN Aerospace achieves milestone with first run of RM16 engine in test rig

Morten Christiansen

GKN Aerospace achieves milestone with first run of RM16 engine in test rig

• GKN Aerospace achieves major milestone in establishment of product support for the RM16 engine to the Swedish armed forces, building on long-term RM12 expertise
• Göran Mårtensson, Director General of the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), started the inaugural RM16 engine run in the test bed in Trollhättan Sweden

GKN Aerospace has successfully completed the first engine run of the state-of-the-art RM16 engine that will power the JAS 39 Gripen E. This landmark enables GKN Aerospace to deliver full RM16 product support to the Swedish Armed Forces, ensuring engine availability for future Swedish Air Force missions.

The RM16 is based on the General Electric F414 aero-engine that powers the F-18 Super Hornet. GKN Aerospace has been collaborating with GE and SAAB to build up the necessary infrastructure to support the RM16. FMV selected GKN Aerospace to be the product support and MRO provider for the RM16 in 2020 with the aim to utilize synergies between the RM12 and the RM16 engine as much as possible. GKN Aerospace is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and a long-term service provider for the RM12 engine and holder of the military type certificate (MTC).

Martin Wänblom, VP Operations for GKN Aerospace Sweden said: “Today is an important landmark in our proud history to support the JAS 39 Gripen platform. It’s great that the first RM16 engine test has been a success and we are looking forward to support the Armed Forces and the Gripen System in the coming years.”

Göran Mårtensson, Director General of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, said: "Air defence is a vital part of the Armed Forces' operational capability as we continue to protect Sweden. GKN Aerospace has long been an important supplier in the aircraft engine domain, and I am convinced that it is both economically and operationally the best solution to retain this capability in Sweden, especially with the current levels of uncertainty around the world."

Gripen E fighter launches Meteor air-to-air missile for the first time

Gripen E/F: Details

The MioD of the Russian Federation announced the launch of a nuclear submarine during tests of the Bulava ballistic missile from the White Sea

Photo Russian Federation Defence Ministry

Минобороны РФ сообщило о пуске атомной подлодкой в ходе испытаний баллистической ракеты "Булава" из Белого моря -

03.11.2022 19:40:06

       Moscow. the 3rd of November. INTERFAX - The new Russian strategic nuclear submarine Generalissimo Suvorov, which is completing state tests, fired a Bulava missile from the White Sea at a firing range in Kamchatka, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

       "Rocket firing was carried out from a submerged position from the White Sea at the Kura range on the Kamchatka Peninsula," the report says.

       "The flight of the Bulava ballistic missile took place in the normal mode. According to the confirmed objective control data, the warheads of the missile successfully arrived in the designated area of ​​the Kura battlefield," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

       "The crew of the latest Borei-A project Generalissimo Suvorov strategic missile submarine successfully fired the Bulava ballistic missile as part of the final stage of state tests," the Defense Ministry said.

       The Generalissimo Suvorov is the second serial submarine of the Borey-A project. Built at the production association "Sevmash" in Severodvinsk.

       The submarine belongs to the fourth generation of nuclear submarine missile carriers, equipped with modern complexes of missile and torpedo weapons, navigation, radio engineering and sonar weapons. It has high maneuverability and acoustic stealth, the Defense Ministry said.

       On October 30, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Nikolai Evmenov announced the tests of the Generalissimo Suvorov in his congratulations on the 326th anniversary of the creation of the Russian regular fleet.  

       1ff dr ml

The nuclear submarine "Generalissimo Suvorov" was taken out of the boathouse at the "Sevmash"

Borei-class (Project 955/955A/955B): Details

Military expert spoke about the capabilities of the X-32 cruise missile

Artyom Anikeev

Военный эксперт рассказал о возможностях крылатой ракеты X-32

November 3, 2022

The Russian Kh-32 air-launched cruise missile is capable of striking sea vessels and ground targets. Military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia about her combat readiness.

According to him, the Kh-32 air-to-ship cruise missile is a high-precision weapon that can be used to destroy ground targets.

The expert also added that the X-32, having a launch range of about 600 kilometers, is used to destroy ships of the first rank, it is capable of incapacitating or sinking a ship. Depending on the type of ship, the order of missiles is calculated. Leonkov stressed that a supersonic missile can use various anti-aircraft maneuvers, which reduces the chances of its destruction.

The military expert noted that the X-32 cruise missile has different flight and approach profiles to the target. He pointed out that the Ukrainian air defense systems, apparently, are not familiar with the X-32 radiation aperture.

Earlier it became known about a series of launches of new X-32 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles at ground facilities of Ukraine's military infrastructure. This was written by the Telegram channel "Radiotochka NSN".

Source nsn.fm

Long-range bombers of the Russian Federation conducted a new patrol over Belarus

Tupolev Tu-22M/22M3/22M3M: Details

Engine tests for a promising strategic missile carrier took place in Russia

Chris Lofting

Испытания двигателя для перспективного стратегического ракетоносца прошли в России

October 31, 2022 03:53

Prototypes of the latest engine "Izdeliye RF", designed for a promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA), have successfully passed bench tests. This was announced by a source in the military-industrial complex.

Based on the results of the tests, the engine samples confirmed all the characteristics laid down in it. According to the source, the tests are currently ongoing. Also now, UEC-Kuznetsov (part of Rostec) is actively preparing for the production of the engine, TASS reports .

“Several prototypes of the engine have already passed part of the bench tests. Now the tests are ongoing. Based on their results, we can say that the engine confirms the parameters laid down in it, ”the message says.

Earlier it became known about the testing of a new strategic nuclear submarine (NPS) "Generalissimo Suvorov". This submarine was built at the Sevmash plant in Severodvinsk.

life.ru