Russia Supplies Indian Navy With Over 100 Engines for MiG-29 Fighter Jets

Image @ airforce.ru

19:56 27.09.2016(updated 20:03 27.09.2016) 

Russia's United Engine Corporation has delivered over 100 turbojet engines for the Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) fighter aircraft used by the Indian Navy, the UEC said in a press release issued on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The RD-33MK turbojet engine is a modernized modification of the basic RD-33 engine installed on all versions of famous MiG-29 fighter jet. The engine has high thrust-to-weight ratio, low specific fuel consumption and is equipped with modern digital electronic management and control system.

"Chernyshev Moscow Machine-Building Enterprise [part of UEC] has manufactured and delivered over 100 RD-33MK turbojet engines for the Indian Navy. The deliveries were carried out within the earlier agreed contract between the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG and the Indian Defense Ministry," the press release said. UEC is a subsidiary company of the United Industrial Corporation, producing various engines including those for military and civil aviation.

Original post: sputniknews

RD-33MK turbojet engine

The RD-33MK "Morskaya Osa" (Russian: Морская Оса: "Sea Wasp") is the latest model developed in 2001. It is intended to power the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB shipborne fighters, however it has also been adopted for the MiG-35. The RD-33MK develops 7% higher thrust, is digitally controlled FADEC and smokeless unlike earlier RD-33 engines, has increased afterburner thrust to 9,000 kilograms-force (88,000 N; 20,000 lbf) and dry weight 1,145 kilograms (2,524 lb) compared to the baseline model through modern materials used on the cooled blades, although it retains the same length and maximum diameter. Incorporated is an infrared and optical signature visibility reduction systems. Service life has been increased to 4,000 hours. The RD-33MK ensures shipborne fighters unassisted take-off capability, retain performance in hot climate environment and, naturally, a boost in combat efficiency for MiG-29 fighter latest variant.

 General characteristics

·         Type: afterburning turbofan

·         Length: 4,229 mm (166.50 in)

·         Diameter: 1,040 mm (40.94 in)

·         Dry weight: 1,055 kg (2,326 lb)

Components

·         Compressor: 2 spool axial, 4 low pressure stages, 9 high pressure stages

·         Combustors: annular combustor

·         Turbine: Single stage high pressure, single stage low pressure

Performance

·         Maximum thrust: 50.0 kN (11,230 lbf) Dry, 81.3 kN (18,285 lbf) Afterburning.

·         Overall pressure ratio: 21:1

·         Bypass ratio: 0.49:1

·         Turbine inlet temperature: 1,407 °C (2,565 °F)

·         Specific fuel consumption: 75 kg/(kN·h) (0.77 lb/(lbf·h)) dry, 188 kg/(kN·h) (1.85 lb/(lbf·h))

·         Thrust-to-weight ratio: 4.82:1 (dry), 7.9:1 (afterburning)

·         Life expectancy: 4,000 hours

Source wikiwand

MiG-29K 

MiG-29 SMT

Boeing rolled out Royal Australian Air Force's first P-8 Poseidon

A military aircraft whose cost goes down? Boeing churns out P-8 sub hunters based on 737

Originally published September 27, 2016 at 6:09 pm Updated September 27, 2016 at 8:06 pm

Checking out the first Boeing P-8 Poseidon which will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) are Boeing employees and members of the U. S. Navy and the RAFF on the tarmac at Boeing Field Tuesday morning. (Ellen M. Banner/The Seattle Times)

Boeing rolled out the Royal Australian Air Force’s first P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft Tuesday. The plane — a rare military-procurement program delivering on time and under budget — is already in service with both the U.S. Navy and the Indian Navy.

By Dominic Gates

Boeing on Tuesday rolled out the first P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft — based on its 737 commercial jet — destined for the Royal Australian Air Force.

On a tour of the plant at Boeing Field where mechanics install the plane’s military systems, Steve Tripp, who heads P-8 sales to foreign militaries, touted the efficiency of Boeing’s P-8 manufacturing operation.

The program is going so smoothly that Boeing has been able to drop the base price of the aircraft by about 30 percent from about $170 million to $115 million.

“It’s good to be a major defense acquisition program that delivers on time and under budget,” Tripp said.

The Australian jet, the first of 12 for that nation, is the 60th flying P-8 built.

The U.S. Navy has already taken six flight-test P-8s and 45 production aircraft, and has deployed those on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in the western Pacific, the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.

The Indian Navy took eight P-8s. Boeing also built two ground-test planes at the program’s outset.

At the rollout ceremony, Vice Admiral Mike Shoemaker, commander of U.S. Naval Forces, said Boeing has been delivering a “tremendous quality” aircraft.

Air Marshal Leo Davies, head of Australia’s Air Force, said the 220 Australians currently training on the P-8 in the U.S. are excited to finally get their hands on the P-8’s advanced technology.

The P-8 bristles with antennae and fins used to detect radio or acoustic signals.

Sonobuoys are deployed from tubular holes in the jet’s underbelly to listen for submarines.

The wings are fitted with pylons to carry Harpoon missiles for striking surface ships. A bomb bay carries Mark 54 torpedoes.

Inside the plane, operators sit at five computer work stations with touch screens, monitoring the data from sensors and weapons systems and networking with other aircraft and military assets.

An unusual blister on the casing of the standard 737 CFM engine covers a powerful generator that runs all the mission systems on board.

Built differently

The jets are assembled and painted in Renton, then flown to Boeing Field and moved at night across East Marginal Way South to the old Thompson building — where in the 1960s the first few 737 airliners were built.

Because the old building isn’t quite wide enough, the P-8’s raked wingtips are removed before it enters, then put back on when it emerges.

A tour of the Thompson site Tuesday — no photos allowed due to military restrictions — indicated how Boeing has been able to achieve the cost efficiency that’s impressed the U.S. Navy.

The old way Boeing manufactured a military derivative aircraft — say a 707-based KC-135 tanker — was to build a basic commercial airframe, then deliver it to a special completion center where holes would be cut out of it for weapons and structural parts beefed up as needed for the mission load.

For the P-8, Boeing introduced “in-line production,” meaning that all those structural changes to the airframe are incorporated as it is built, not afterward.

So for example, the aluminum skin of a P-8 is almost twice as thick as a regular 737 because the airframe has to withstand much more stressful maneuvers.

So from the beginning of production, a different gauge of metal is used.

“From the day this was a roll of aluminum, it was always going to be a P-8, not a 737,” Tripp said.

Likewise the fuselage and wings have many more stiffening stringers and frames, meaning many more rivets.

The holes in the fuselage for regular passenger windows are absent.

But one big picture window on each side of the fuselage accommodates a spotter looking for surface vessels. The large bomb bay is cut out of the belly.

That’s the way the fuselage is built by Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kan.

“We don’t build it, unbuild it and rebuild it,” said Tripp. “We build it from day one with this end state in mind.”

As a result, the Thompson building is very quiet. Instead of riveting or metal work, the mechanics are installing, plugging in and testing the systems.

Between 1,000 and 1,300 defense-side employees work on the P-8 program in Seattle, with hundreds more staffing the P-8 assembly line in Renton.

They are producing 12 of the jets per year now, and moving to 18 per year.

The U.K. ordered nine P-8s at the Farnborough Air Show near London in July. Boeing expects more foreign sales.

Original post: seattletimes

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/780821982958981120

Related post:

U.K. Buys BoeingPatrol Planes, Attack Helicopters in More Than $6 Billion Deal

India clearsacquisition of 4 U.S. surveillance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft

P-8 Poseidon

Rafale delivery will start from 2019: Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation

By ET Now | Sep 24, 2016, 02.00 PM IST

In an interview with ET Now, Eric Trappier, CEO, Dassault Aviation, says he hopes to develop relationship with industrial partners. Edited excerpts 

ET Now: What do you think about the deal with Indian Airforce?

Eric Trappier: Rafale's performance was evaluated by the Indian Air Force few years ago and based on this evaluation Rafale has been reorganised to be the best. Since that time, we have been working on the deal and while it started with an order for 126 fighters, now we are to deliver 36. But the end of the story is that the Rafale will be the part of the inventory of the Indian Air Force and I think this is really based on the performances of Rafale. It can be part of all types of missions and we all know that today as tensions flare up between countries. One needs to have a good security and defence and the Rafales will add heft to the Indian air force. 

ET Now: As the deal came down from 126 to 36 eventually, one is tempted to ask what made you stay on in this deal. Are you anticipating to supply more? Is there a promise of more follow on orders?

Eric Trappier: For the time being, the deal is for 36 and we will work to fulfil this contract but what we will do is really start the partnership here in India and partners Safran, MBDA will really create companies here in India. We will develop our relationships with these partners in order to create work and high level products because we are all partner high level technologies businesses. We really want to be in India. 

ET Now: How soon does one expect delivery?

Eric Trappier: Deliveries will come within three years and that is the time to produce the aircraft. It is also time to adapt specificities which were requested by the Indian Air Force for their own requirement and then it will go very fast for this first 36 aircraft. We will work to get more batches of course. Besides being a real good aircraft, this will be a chance to develop a real partnership in terms of industry here in India. I am convinced that we would supply other batches also in the future. 

ET Now: Is there an informal understanding of a batch in the future?

Eric Trappier: No, no at this stage. 

ET Now: But you are hopeful that there will be...

Eric Trappier: Yes, it is my wish of course. 

ET Now: The reason why I asked you that the question was because 36 Rafale aircraft are going to take care of only two squadrons. The parliament believes we need 15 more and which is why I am going to harp along and say is there a sense that you get from the government that they will perhaps test you with the first 36 and then place more orders?

Eric Trappier: I do not know what is behind the scene as far as government's wish. I know what I want. So what I wish is to take the opportunity of this batch of 36 to really install base of industry with partners and based on this, I hope for success as far as industry is concerned. It should be good for the industry to get more orders as far as Rafale is concerned. So, this is really an opportunity for me.

Original post: economictimes.indiatimes

Related post:

Indiasigns 36-unit Rafale contract - @ flightglobal.com

India To Upgrade Sukhoi Fleet With Russia’s Help

Pakistan would need two F-16 jets to combat one Rafale jet

Dassault Rafale

Mitsubishi Said to Plan MRJ Flight to U.S. as Early as Monday

Kiyotaka Matsuda

September 26, 2016 — 10:59 AM ICT

·         Sensor problems forced cancellation of two flights last month

·         Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to fly four planes to U.S. this year

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp., the builder of Japan’s first home-made passenger jet, is planning to fly its initial test plane to the U.S. as early as Monday after aborting flights last month, a person familiar with the plan said.

The flight depends on good weather, said the person, who asked not to be named as the information isn’t public. Company spokeswoman Miho Takahashi declined to comment on the date of the flight.

The flight resumption will give a boost to the program after the company -- a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. -- had to take the plane back to the hangar after two aborted test flights in as many days in late August. Japan is trying to break the regional-jet duopoly of Brazil’s Embraer SA and Canada’s Bombardier Inc. with its new jet, which can seat as many as 92 people.

The aircraft, which made its first test flight in November last year, will fly to Moses Lake, Washington in the U.S. The company plans to fly four test aircraft to the U.S. this year.

Original post: bloomberg

MitsubishiMRJ

Big Spending on Warplanes Spurs Aerial Arms Race

By ROBERT WALL

Sept. 25, 2016 1:26 p.m. ET

For more than two decades, combat aircraft flown by the U.S. and its European allies have pretty much owned the sky. Now, Russia and China are spending lavishly on new weapons that could challenge that superiority, spurring a new arms race.

Some of the hardware, both planes and antiaircraft capabilities, is expected to roll out in the next few years. The upgrades come as Moscow flexes its muscles in hot spots such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Beijing does so in the South China Sea—heightening urgency among Western military brass to push for their own, next-generation combat planes. (See interactive graphic: Comparing the World’s Fighter Jets)

“The most pressing challenge for the United States Air Force is the rise of peer competitors with advanced military capabilities rivaling our own,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein told lawmakers in June, days before being confirmed in the job.

Two months later, the U.S. Air Force certified its new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Designed to be hard to detect, the plane is specially built for the sort of limited, precision strikes that have become a hallmark of Western military action since NATO’s bombing campaign in Bosnia in the 1990s.

What is considered the Ferrari of combat jets, the F-22, is still relatively new, first fielded in 2005. Designed to shoot down enemy aircraft while flying as fast as twice the speed of sound, it has more recently evolved into a bomber, too, and can soak up intelligence over enemy territory.

More than three-fourths of the U.S. fleet of jet fighters, however, can be traced back to the 1970s. The Air Force has flown its F-15 since 1975. The widely used F-16 has been operational since 1979, and the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 was first deployed in 1978.

Those older planes are also the backbone of the air forces of many Asian and European allies, along with newer jets like France’s Rafale and the Eurofighter.

Russia plans to start fielding its first stealth fighter, the T-50, in 2018. The twin-engine plane is designed to be highly maneuverable and equipped with sophisticated electronics to spot enemy aircraft from miles away.

Meanwhile, it has deployed some of its latest combat planes, such as the Su-34 bomber and Su-35 fighter, to Syria. Russia’s Defense Ministry couldn’t be reached for comment.

China has historically relied on Russian designs, many older and some built domestically under license. That is starting to change with the new projects. The country’s air force “is rapidly closing the gap with Western air forces across a broad spectrum of capabilities,” the Pentagon said this year in its annual assessment of the Chinese military.

China’s J-20, which resembles the U.S. F-22, started flying in 2011, though it hasn’t yet entered military service. A year later, Beijing began flight trials of the FC-31, a look-alike of the U.S. F-35.

China’s Defense Ministry referred to its response in May to the Pentagon’s report when it expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” and accused the U.S. of “improper comment” on issues including China’s weapons development.

The U.S. still maintains an edge—its radar-evading planes are operational, while Russia and China are still developing theirs. But it isn’t just new aircraft raising concerns.

Both China and Russia are also fielding more sophisticated antiaircraft systems. Moscow says its new S-400 can shoot down planes at a range of up to 236 miles, or roughly twice the previous range.

In August, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the system would be deployed to newly annexed Crimea amid escalating tensions with Ukraine. Moscow is also marketing its new air-defense systems for sale abroad.

“That enormously complicates the challenge of conducting any type of military operation,” said David Deptula, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general.

China this year deployed its HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, a chain that is also claimed by Vietnam.

To counter those new threats, the U.S. Air Force, in a recent assessment of combat needs, recommended introducing long-range missiles or other weapons that would allow current planes to strike targets while remaining outside the range of an adversary’s defenses.

It is also already pushing new planes, targeting 2030 for an upgraded model, U.S. Air Force Gen. Herbert J. Carlisle, head of the service’s Air Combat Command, said at an air show in England in July.

The U.S. Navy in May kicked off an 18-month assessment of how to replace its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet multi-role combat jet, with a target date around 2035.

The Pentagon is still defining exactly what it wants in a new plane, but such plane makers as Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. have all started circulating futuristic drawings of what such a plane might look like. BAE Systems PLC says the company has a small group of engineers brainstorming for the U.K., according to Chris Boardman, managing director at a military unit of the British arms maker.

Some U.S. lawmakers and others have urged the Air Force to restart production of the F-22 fighter, which the U.S. stopped building in 2012, with new electronics to more effectively counter improving enemy air defenses.

European defense ministries, including the U.K.’s, have also recently begun to consider new combat aircraft, said Douglas Barrie, military aerospace senior fellow at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. He cited “Russia’s assertiveness in Eastern Europe and its procurement of increasingly capable combat aircraft.”

The U.K. Defense Ministry said it plans a number of technology “maturation” efforts in conjunction with the U.S. and France. It is buying the F-35, but is also pursuing its own efforts, the ministry said.

Germany, too, wants a combat aircraft to replace its aging Tornados, developed with Italy and the U.K., which entered Luftwaffe service 37 years ago.

Berlin is looking at manned and unmanned options, according to a German Defense Ministry report last year. A ministry spokeswoman said the capabilities to be required are still being assessed, along with the future threat picture.

Paris, in addition to working with the U.K. on new concepts, plans to upgrade the Rafale combat plane to keep it effective against evolving threats, a French Defense Ministry spokesman said.

Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com

Original post wsj

When did the J-20 resemble the F-22?

Related post

Lockheed completes first flight of Legion Pod

Here’s when an F-15 isbetter than an F-22 or an F-35

Air Force BeginsMassive High-Tech F-15 Upgrade to Stay in Front of Chinese J-10

Russian experts upbeat about export prospects for the PAK FA

Russia testssixth-generation fighter elements on fifth-generation jet

Seoul considers buying more F-35A stealth jets

China sendssurface-to-air missiles to contested island in provocative move

Theonly chart you need to see to know that the F-35 is the future of warfare - businessinsider.com

F-22 Raptor

F-35 Lightning II

T-50 PAK FA

Chengdu J-20