Battle for Asian skies: Could Russia's MiG-35 win a tender for the Indian Air Force? — RT Op-ed: With the AERO INDIA 2019 exhibition underway in Bangalore, there is much talk about the MMRCA 2.0 tender competition to supply medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force. What are the chances of the participants? In April 2018, the Indian Ministry of Defense published an RFI (request for information) for the procurement of 110 multi-role combat aircraft for the country's air force as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. The 72-page document invites original equipment manufacturers to submit their responses by July 6. The aircraft are expected to provide air superiority and air defense, and should be able to perform air-to-surface and maritime operations, conduct reconnaissance, engage in electronic warfare, and perform aerial refueling. According to the request, 17 fighters are to be delivered from the manufacturer flight-ready, while the remaining 93 would be produced in India by a company chosen by the Indian Production Agency (IPA). The document also specifies that 82 of the aircraft should be single-seat, with the rest being dual-seat jets that can be used for pilot training...............
UK military flight training heads towards new heights - GOV.UK: The first flight of the Texan T1 state-of-the-art training aircraft has been completed at RAF Valley. The forthcoming introduction of this aircraft forms part of a £1.2 billion investment into fixed-wing aircraft training under the Military Flight Training System (MFTS), the evolving programme that is designed to train and prepare junior pilots for the frontline. Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said:
It’s crucial that our fighter pilots of the future train on the very best equipment before reaching the front line to protect UK airspace at home and defend our interests abroad.
The introduction of the Texan T1 into one of NATO’s most advanced Fighter Pilot training programmes demonstrates the RAF’s commitment to investing in world-leading technology to maintain a military advantage over our adversaries.
Texan T1 aircraft at RAF Valley. Crown copyright.
The Texan T1 aircraft, due to replace the Tucano in the fast jet training programme, made history with its first flight at RAF Valley. The T1 represents a technological step-change from its predecessor, with the ability to simulate missions in both 4th and 5th generation aircraft such as the F35 Lightning and Typhoon fast jets. Wing Commander Chris Ball, Officer Commanding the Texan Integration Squadron at RAF Valley explains:
Under the Military Flying Training System, fighter pilots will train on world-leading aircraft. They start on the Prefect, move on to the Texan and finish on the Hawk T2, making the training process more efficient and far more representative of the aircraft types they will eventually fly. The Texan is the ideal lead-in trainer to the Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer that they will fly here at Valley.
The first pilot to fly the aircraft in the UK said:
It was a privilege to be the first RAF pilot to fly a Texan T1 from an RAF station today, and to have been part of the team that has brought this excellent training aircraft into service. The Texan is a great aircraft to fly, extremely capable and has the ability to better prepare students for the demands of modern fast jet flying than ever before. With the first flight now complete, the whole Texan team can begin looking forward to teaching students in the very near future.
UAWire - Ukraine unveils new Neptune anti-ship cruise missile: Ukrainian Foreign Trade Enterprise SpetsTechnoExport presented its Neptune anti-ship cruise missile during International Defense Exhibition and Conference 2019 and revealed the weapon’s characteristics. The company claims that the export version of the missile is capable of hitting targets 280 kilometers away. It can sink surface vessels with a displacement of up to five thousand tons. Each missile weighs 670 kilograms, including a 145-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The missile system includes four rockets, a launcher and a ground mobile platform mounted on the KrAZ-7634 truck. Three people are required to maintain the system. A typical battery consists of control and auxiliary equipment, four missiles and two transport vehicles. The IDEX 2019 weapons exhibition took place from February 17 to 21 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The National Interest wrote in February that the first Ukrainian anti-ship cruise missile, Neptune “gives a clear picture of the progress and current problems” of Ukraine. In January, the General Director of the JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV), Boris Obnosov said that Ukraine’s industry “has repeatedly proved its worth and cannot be disregarded.” In August 2018, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov commented on the cruise missile tests, stating that the weapon was “capable of providing a reliable defense of the Black Sea and the Azov coast, striking hostile boats at a distance of up to 300 kilometers.” Ukraine first tested the Neptune in January 2018. Made in Ukraine Published on Aug 17, 2018
Neptune anti-ship cruise missile
glavcom
The Neptun (Neptune) is a Ukrainian version of a Russian Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missile. It is being developed by Luch design bureau. It is generally similar to the Kh-35U, but has a longer body with more fuel, larger booster, and some other modifications. This missile was first announced in 2013. First examples were reportedly completed and tested in 2016. At the time this missile reportedly lacked guidance system. This missile is planned to have a range of 280 km. It is planned to be carried and launched from naval, land and air platforms.
glavcom
Some sources report that before the collapse of the Soviet Union it was planned to produce the Kh-35 missiles in Ukraine. However missile's development predated the end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union. As a result the Kh-35 never entered Soviet service, and was first produced in Russia only in the mid 1990s. So Ukraine could have all the technical documentation for this missile. Furthermore Ukraine was producing engines and some other components for the Kh-35 missiles.
Picture Of Newest M1 Abrams Tank Variant With Previously Unseen Turret Armor Emerges - The Drive: The tanks are already getting more passive and active defenses as competitors field updated tanks with better ammunition.............. M1A2 SEPv3 and M1A2 SEPv4 variants are being renamed to the M1A2C and M1A2D The U.S. Army is renaming the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) versions 3 and 4 to underline the importance of the upgrades. The M1A2 SEPv3 and M1A2 SEPv4 variants are being renamed to the M1A2C and M1A2D, respectively. The change was outlined in an August 15 memo from Maj.Gen. Brian Cummings, according to InsideDefense.com. Source: armyrecognition.com
