Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Boeing nabs $10.7M contract to update Saudi air force helicopters

Ahmed Hader

 Boeing nabs $10.7M contract to update Saudi air force helicopters - UPI.com: 

 Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Boeing has received a $10.7 million contract to integrate and retrofit updated equipment in the light attack helicopters of the Royal Saudi Air Force, the Defense Department announced.

 Military-grade digital recorders, equipment stowage and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems II capabilities will be installed on 23 AH-6i helicopters, the Pentagon said in a contract announcement on Friday.

 The Boeing AH-6i is a light attack and armed reconnaissance helicopter which seats two and offers attack, reconnaissance, close combat, security, troop extraction and search and rescue capabilities.

 Developed for international customers and first flown in 2004, the AH-6 series is found in the air forces of Jordan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

 The APKWS II system is a design conversion of unguided rockets with a laser guidance kit to adapt them to precision-guided munitions.

 Work will be performed at Boeing facilities in Mesa, Ariz., with an expected completion date of March 2022.



AH-6i: Details
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Monday, 25 November 2019

South Korea to integrate MBDA’s Meteor missile onto KF-X fighter aircraft - MBDA



South Korea to integrate MBDA’s Meteor missile onto KF-X fighter aircraft - MBDA: 

 MBDA has been awarded a contract from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the integration of the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile onto the KF-X future Korean fighter aircraft.

 The contract includes integration support to KAI, transfer of know-how and manufacture of test equipment for the KF-X integration and trials campaign.

 Meteor is the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile, and has a unique ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly further and faster than any other air-to-air missile – allowing it to defeat manoeuvring targets even at extreme ranges.

 Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “We’re very pleased to mark this next and important step in our partnership with KAI and the Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration. South Korea is a strategic market for MBDA, and we’re proud that Meteor will be providing KF-X with the world’s most potent air-to-air capability.”

ADEX 2019: KAI Unveils KF-X Mockup, New Surion Variants
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China.com: Russia is unlikely to succeed in selling Su planes to China again

Sunson Guo

China.com: Russia is unlikely to succeed in selling Su planes to China again: 

 Translated by google

 Over the past few years, Russia has been closely monitoring the Chinese market as a whole. In order to pay off public debt, the country sold weapons to Chinese colleagues. Nevertheless, China has advanced far in terms of technology, and today it is the second largest economy and partial leadership in technological progress.

 Despite the growth of Chinese technology, the country continues to purchase weapons from Russia. Experts and foreign media conducted a small analysis, finding out the potential causes and motives of China to buy weapons from Russia.

 One of the experts' assumptions is the strategically focused idea of ​​purchasing weapons. China has never positioned itself as an exporter of weapons, since it did not have such technologies, so the country's main direction is import.

 With the growth of technology, the Chinese authorities intend to create their own weapons capabilities. It is possible that imported weapons will be used as the basis.

 Nevertheless, the purchase of weapons from Russia is still ongoing - this was reported at the Army-2019 forum, which was held from June 25 to 30. In addition to standard weapons, the Russian military offered the Chinese a batch of Su-35 aircraft.

 In 2015, China acquired Su-35 aircraft. Then they were imported more than 20 pieces. The total contract amounted to 2.5 billion dollars. At the same time, a lot of disputes and disagreements arose in the transaction. Chinese military experts believed that the price of one aircraft - $ 100 million - is not worth the money. There was an opposite opinion that the Su-35 will help increase China's military power.

 As it turned out, the Chinese military bought the Su-35 combat aircraft. The reasons for this decision are as follows:

  • At that time, the Chinese Air Force was developing J-20 fighters;
  • the Chinese government recognizes Russian aircraft engines as the best;
  • maintaining favorable relations with Russia.


 Thus, the Chinese Air Force was able to replenish aircraft reserves through the purchase of the Su-35, put into development the J-20 and, together with Russia, introduced the S-400 air defense system. Hence we can say that China is trying to maintain good and high-quality relations with the military forces of the Russian Federation.

 Today, in 2019, the need for the Su-35 has long disappeared. China has already replenished its ranks due to the implemented project of the J-20 fighter. According to Chinese experts, the country's air force does not even attract modern models of Su-57 aircraft. Thus, experts suggested that Russia is trying to sell military equipment due to lack of money.

 A similar situation occurred after the collapse of the USSR, when the Russian Air Force sold Su-27 aircraft to China. As a result, the deal helped the country out of the economic crisis, and China's aviation went up a few steps.

 With the growth of technology, China is becoming more independent. Experts predict that the likelihood of a deal is extremely low, since the Chinese Air Force has enough high-quality technology in its arsenal. For Russia, on its offer there is a new buyer - India.



Sukhoi Su-57: Details
Chengdu J-20: Details
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Phase 2 T129B Takes to the Skies

Turkish Aerospace

 Phase 2 T129B Takes to the Skies | Defense News: Aviation International News: 

 Turkish Aerospace has flown an improved version of the T129 Atak attack helicopter for the Turkish armed and security forces.

 The Phase 2 (FAZ-2 or B2) configuration of the TAI T129 ATAK advanced attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter made its maiden flight on November 12 from the Turkish Aerospace facilities at Mürted/Akıncı airport. The T129 ATAK is a Turkish-built derivative of the Leonardo AW129 Mangusta, in production for the Turkish Army Aviation Command and the Turkish Gendarmerie Aviation Directorate (Jandarma).

 The first flight was announced by Dr. Ismail Demir, the director of the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı, SSB), and an SSB-branded video was released, showing an apparently newly built test aircraft with new antennas and sensors on the nose and wingtips, and carrying a slender pod under the starboard wing. The ATAK Phase 2 configuration adds an Aselsan laser warning receiver and other electronic warfare systems, including a new radar warning receiver, and a new radio frequency jammer, as well as an Aselsan 9681 V/UHF radio.

 Phase 2 is also intended to increase the helicopter’s payload, allowing it to carry more weapons and self-protection systems, and indigenous content has been increased. One target was to replace the turreted gun with a locally built version. The first Phase 2 delivery is planned for mid-2020, after what Demir called intensive testing.

 The original AgustaWestland T129 production license covered 50 aircraft, with 32 options. The original 2007 contract signed between Turkish Aerospace and the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries covered the production of 50 T129 ATAK helicopters in two-phases—with 29 aircraft in Phase 1 configuration, and 21 in Phase 2 configuration. Nine T129 Early Delivery Helicopters (EDH) were subsequently added to the contract. The first of three Italian-built prototypes, P1 CSX81723, flew from AgustaWestland’s facilities at Cascina Costa, on September 28, 2009, and the first Turkish assembled aircraft, P6, made its maiden flight on August 17, 2011.

 The nine T129 EDHs were delivered to the Land Forces Command as T129As between April 22, 2014, and July 31, 2015. They were followed by the first T129s in Phase 1 configuration from late 2015. The Phase 1 aircraft were designated as T129Bs and are equipped with a missile warning system, countermeasures launchers, an infrared countermeasure (IRCM) system, and MXF-484 and 9651 handheld radios. They are capable of firing laser-guided rockets and missiles. Deliveries of T129Bs to the Jandarma began in April 2018.

 The 29 aircraft in Phase 1 configuration were delivered as expected in the first half of 2018. The remaining 21 T129Bs were then expected to be delivered in Phase 2 configuration, but this did not happen. Turkish Aerospace has delivered a total of 53 ATAK helicopters to the security forces to date—47 to the Turkish Army Aviation Command (Türk Kara Havacilik Komutanlığı), and six to the Jandarma’s Avci Filo. The Phase 2 configuration will now presumably be incorporated by retrofitting existing T129Bs.

 The Jandarma has an initial requirement for nine T129s, and six further T129B ATAKs are on order for the General Directorate of Security—Aviation Department (Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü—Havacılık Daire Başkanlığı), better known as the Polis.


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New Zealand Approved for C-130J Acquisition

Veronica McKenna

 New Zealand Approved for C-130J Acquisition | Defense News: Aviation International News: 

 The RNZAF has an urgent need to replace its elderly first-generation Hercules, which are over 50 years old.

 The U.S. State Department has given the go-ahead for the potential sale of five Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), setting in motion the replacement program for its C-130H that began sometime in 2015. The whole project is worth $1.4 billion.

 According to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency release, the program will include a comprehensive avionics and electronic countermeasures suite, including Multi-Information Distribution System (MIDS)/Link-16 Low Video Terminal (LVT)-BU2, AN/AAQ-24(V)N LAIRCM (Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures), AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System (MWS); eight AN/APN-241 Low Power Color Radars; eight AN/ALR-56M Missile Warning System Receivers, and L3 Wescam MX-20HD Electro-Optical/Infrared Imaging System, among others.

 The RNZAF announced in June this year that the C-130J was the “preferred replacement” for its five C-130Hs, three of which were acquired in 1965 and the remaining pair in 1968. Its preference for the Super Hercules comes as little surprise, as it usually takes reference from its closest military ally, Australia, for interoperability reasons. The Royal Australian Air Force flies 12 C-130Js.

 Embraer offered the C-390 to the RNZAF as a C-130H replacement, and also to provide a maritime patrol capability, but the C-130J was selected for its "range, payload and as a proven platform", according to defense minister Ron Mark.

 A few days after the June announcement, the government revealed that all five C-130Hs were unserviceable, although only for a short 24-hour period. The RNZAF’s Hercules last received a mid-life upgrade between 2008 and 2017 that saw the integration of “glass” cockpit, re-wiring, center wing refurbishment, and component upgrades.



C-130J Hercules: Details
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Sunday, 24 November 2019

Russian latest Borei-A nuclear-powered sub completes state trials

Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir) - Sputnik

 Russian latest Borei-A nuclear-powered sub completes state trials - Military & Defense - TASS: 

 The most advanced nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir has arrived at the Northern Fleet’s Belomorsk naval base
MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. The most advanced nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir) has completed the cycle of state trials and arrived at the Northern Fleet’s Belomorsk naval base, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.

 "The latest Project Borei-A strategic underwater cruiser Knyaz Vladimir has completed state trials at the Northern Fleet’s combat training ranges in the White Sea and arrived in Severodvinsk," the press office said in a statement.

 At the wharf of the Northern Fleet’s Belomorsk naval base, the cruiser’s crew was welcomed by Base Commander Rear Admiral Konstantin Kabantsov and CEO of the Sevmash Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) Mikhail Budnichenko.

 On October 30, the crew of the Knyaz Vladimir test-fired a sea-launched Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from the White Sea towards the Kura range in Kamchatka in the Russian Far East and also held torpedo fire against an underwater and surface target.

 Aside from the trials of the sub’s sea-launched weapons, the shipbuilders checked the operation and the reliability of all its systems, mechanisms and equipment and made measurements of the noise level and the underwater cruiser’s other special parameters.

 The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser and represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy.

 Compared to the first three Borei-class submarines - the Yuri Dolgoruky, the Alexander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh, the Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.


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Update: Air Tractor files fresh bid protest over US Air Force light attack procurement

aircosmosinternational.com

 Update: Air Tractor files fresh bid protest over US Air Force light attack procurement | Jane's 360

 Key Points

  • Air Tractor is protesting the US Air Force's light attack aircraft acquisition
  • The company is contesting how Textron Aviation's AT-6B Wolverine became a sole source solution for datalink experimentation

Air Tractor is protesting the US Air Force's (USAF's) light attack aircraft procurement over the determination that lead to the Textron Aviation AT-6B Wolverine becoming a sole source solution for experimentation on a datalink solution, according to an industry source.

 This industry source told Jane's on 21 November that the Light Attack Experiment (LAE) was never intended to be an acquisition event. The source said countless statements by USAF Chief of Staff General David Goldfein, former secretary Heather Wilson, and other service leadership confirmed that.

 Air Tractor and its L3 Technologies-Air Tractor AT-802L Longsword aircraft participated in the first phase of the LAE in 2017 but was not invited to participate in the second phase. The USAF announced on 25 October that it was to buy a "limited number" of turboprop aircraft to satisfy the current phase of its LAE. It issued final requests for proposals (RFP) for between two to three Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC)-Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos and two to three Textron Aviation AT-6B Wolverines for this further experimentation.

 The industry source said the acquisition of three AT-6B Wolverines was intended to continue experimentation. The exact nature of that experimentation, the source said, has yet to be solidified by any public notice. The industry source said Gen Goldfein and others have said this experimentation is to develop AEROnet, a datalink capability being developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).



IOMAX S2R-660 Archangel: Details
Lasa Engineering T-Bird: Details
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