Sunday, 3 January 2021

Russian tech firm to quadruple service life of engine for Tu-95MS strategic bomber

Sergey Krivchikov



State joint trials of the engine and the Tu-95MSM bomber are ongoing, according to the chief designer

SAMARA, December 23. /TASS/. The service life of the modernized NK-12MPM engine for the Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber will increase four-fold, Chief Designer of UEC-Kuznetsov Company (part of the United Engine Corporation within the state tech corporation Rostec) Pavel Chupin said on Wednesday.

Currently, the state joint trials of the engine and the Tu-95MSM bomber are ongoing, he said. "They are nearing completion. The larger part of the trials has been completed," Chupin said.

Work is currently underway to increase the engine’s service life, the chief designer said.

"Pursuant to the practice accepted for any gas turbine engine, the initial service life is defined following the results of the trials. After that, work continues to extend the engine’s life. We are planning to increase the engine’s service life four-fold compared to current figures," Chupin said.

Pursuant to the existing plans, the NK-12MP engines will be upgraded to the NK-12MPM level during major repairs provided that there is a relevant order placed by Russia’s Defense Ministry, he added.

"From the viewpoint of production, I believe that the enterprise is ready for that," he stressed.

The NK-12MPM engine developed by the Samara-based UEC-Kuznetsov Company is a modification of the NK-12MP, the world’s most powerful serial-produced turboprop (15,000 hp). The new power plant features more powerful propellers created by Aerosila Research and Production Enterprise. The new design solutions incorporated in the engine have helped almost halve its vibration level.

Tu-95MS aircraft are the air component of Russia’s nuclear triad. Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers are designated to deliver strikes against vital targets in remote areas and deep in the rear of continental theaters of military operations.

Pavel Myth YB

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US greenlights $4B attack helicopter sale to Kuwait

William Musculus @flickr


US greenlights $4B attack helicopter sale to Kuwait

By: Jen Judson    
 
Kuwait is now approved to buy new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and remanufacture its old "D" models into the latest variant. (Capt. Stephen James/U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has cleared a foreign military sale of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Kuwait worth an estimated $4 billion, according to a Dec. 29 Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The agency has notified Congress, which will weigh in. If lawmakers clear the potential deal, negotiations will begin between the country and the supplier, during which the price and quantity are subject to change.

Kuwait wants to buy eight new AH-64Es and plans to remanufacture the 16 AH-64 Delta-models it purchased in 2005 into the E-model configuration.

The purchase would include new and remanufactured T700-GE 701D engines as well as new and remanufactured AN/AAR-57 Counter Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) and embedded GPS with inertial navigation and a multi-mode receivers.

The Apaches will come equipped AN/ASQ-170(V) Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights and AN/AAQ-11 Pilot Night Vision Sensor electronic units plus AN/APG Longbow Fire Control Radars.

The helicopters would also have M299 AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Launchers as well as Hydra 70mm rocket launchers and M23El 30mm chain guns.

The contractors who will supply capability as part of this sale is Boeing, which manufactures the AH-64; Lockheed Martin, which supplies Hellfire missile launchers and the day and night vision sensors and General Electric, which supplies the engines.

The State Department cleared a $4.25 billion sale to Morocco a year ago, but no deal has been made yet. Qatar was also cleared to buy E-models in early 2019.

The Netherlands is one of the more recent customers to upgrade all of its AH-64Ds to E-models in 2018.

Egypt is also approved to purchase a number of AH-64Es and Bangladesh and the Philippines are currently weighing the AH-64E as an option to bolster its forces.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Boeing has been closely watching the AH-64 international supply chain for signs of slowdown.

While Boeing had to stop work at its CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopter production facility in Pennsylvania, it did not have to stop work in Mesa, Arizona, at its AH-64 facility.

The U.S. Army stopped accepting AH-64E helicopters from Boeing for a period of time in 2018 due to safety concerns related to the durability of the helicopter’s strap pack nut, which holds very large bolts that subsequently hold the rotor blades on the helicopter.

Defense News first broke the news in April 2018. By August 2018, Boeing had redesigned the nut to be more durable and the Army began receiving helicopters again at the end of that month.


Ah-64 Apache: Details
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Saturday, 2 January 2021

State Department approvied a possible FMS to Egypt of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) and related equipment for $65.6 million

Carl Richards


Egypt - Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs)


The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65.6 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Egypt has requested to buy twenty (20) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATPs.  Also included are pylons; shipping containers; spare and repair/return parts; ground handling equipment; publications and technical documentation; software and software support; personnel training; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of program and logistical support.  The estimated total program cost is $65.6 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability and effectiveness to meet current and future threats by providing additional precision targeting capability to conduct border security and counterterrorism operations.  The added precision strike capability will better enable Egypt to conduct operations while minimizing collateral damage.  Egypt will have no difficultly absorbing the additional equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Egypt.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law.  The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements.  Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Date: Dec 29, 2020


F-16C/D: Details
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The State Department approved a possible FMS sale to Saudi Arabia of GBU-39 SDB I Munitions and related equipment for $290 million

NickJ 1972


Saudi Arabia - GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) Munition: 

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) Munitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $290 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy three thousand (3,000) GBU-39 SDB I munitions.  Also included are containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.  The total estimated program cost will be $290 million.

This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East.

  The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions.  The size and accuracy of the SDB I allows for an effective munition with less collateral damage.  The potential sale will further strengthen the interoperability between the United States and Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Boeing, St. Louis, MO.  There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale; however the purchaser typically requests offsets.  Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law.  The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements.  Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)


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Su 57 carrier-based aircraft is about to appear, the platform versatility surpasses Su-27, its own aircraft carrier may be delayed

Przemysław Burdziński



2020-12-20 

Recently, according to Russian media reports, relevant sources from the Russian Ministry of Defense revealed that the carrier-based version of the Su 57 fighter jet is being developed as planned, and its prototype will make its first flight soon. As Russia’s only aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" encountered various accidents during the major revision and construction, which caused the entire progress to be delayed, the Su 57 carrier version is likely to appear before the completion of the aircraft carrier.


According to Russian experts, the platform versatility of the Su 57 fighter jet will surpass that of the Su 27. There will be many derivative models in the future, which will eventually become serialized and familyized. It is guessed that there will be fighter bombers, electronic warfare aircraft, aerobatic aircraft and even non-existent aircraft. A variety of models such as human-machine and sixth-generation aircraft verification aircraft, and carrier-based aircraft must also be covered. Nowadays, the Su 33 carrier-based aircraft has been suspended for many years, and the number was originally small. With the losses caused by various accidents, there is not much left, and it has lost the value of upgrading; another carrier-based aircraft MiG 29K, combat The efficiency is limited. Even if the MiG-35 is on the ship in the future, as a medium-sized aircraft, it will not be able to complete the air command well. Therefore, if Russia wants to use an aircraft carrier, it is necessary to develop a new carrier-based aircraft. Improving on the platform should be the most time-saving choice at the moment. Earlier, Russia publicly displayed the 100,000-ton "Storm"-class aircraft carrier model, and the carrier-based aircraft on it was Su 57, which also proved that the Su 57 carrier-based aircraft was within the plan.


However, even if the development of the Su-57 carrier aircraft goes smoothly, it has to face a problem: the Russian Navy may not be able to carry out carrier takeoff and landing tests. Russia’s only aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" is still under construction. It has previously encountered accidents such as the collapse of a crane, a short circuit and a fire, which had a major impact on its transformation and upgrading. The Russian side assessed that The "Znetsov" aircraft carrier will not be able to complete all the transformation and testing work until at least 2022, and the Su 57 carrier version is likely to appear before then, so that the prototype can only complete the land-based simulation of aircraft carrier takeoff and landing. Had to wait for the return of the aircraft carrier.


However, some analysts believe that if the "Admiral Kuznetsov" really fails to catch up by then, Russia may put the test of the Su 57 carrier version on the Indian "Vikramatia" aircraft carrier. The above is completed, considering that Russia and India have been relatively close in military cooperation, and the "Vikramatia" is also of Soviet Russian origin, this possibility also exists, and it can also play a role in propaganda during the test. , "Advertising" the Su 57 carrier-based aircraft to win orders from the Indian Navy.


Sukhoi Su-57: Details
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Lockheed Martin misses F-35 jet delivery target due to COVID-19

Frank Crebas 2018 Bluelifeaviation.com


Lockheed Martin misses F-35 jet delivery target due to COVID-19 | Reuters

By Reuters Staff

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok flies a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike fighter jet during Exercise Valiant Shield 18 at Iwo To, Japan, September 18, 2018. Seth Rosenberg/U.S. Marine Corps/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp said on Monday it had missed its target to deliver 141 F-35 fighter jets to the United States and its allies in 2020, as it built 8% fewer jets after the coronavirus pandemic hampered its supply chain and factories.

The defense contractor delivered 123 aircraft in 2020, underperforming its target established in late 2019.

The company in May revised down the target to 117-123 aircraft due to parts shortage.

Reporting by Shreyasee Raj; Editing by Maju Samuel



F-35 Lightning II: Details
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Ukraine signs memorandum for Antonov An-178 transport aircraft

NTG842 @flickr


Ukraine signs memorandum for Antonov An-178 transport aircraft

30 December 2020 (Last Updated December 30th, 2020 06:46)

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has signed a memorandum with Antonov State Enterprise to procure An-178 medium transport aircraft to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

Antonov An-178. Credit: Vasiliy Koba.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has signed a memorandum with Antonov State Enterprise to procure An-178 medium transport aircraft to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

The initial order comprises three aircraft, which will be delivered to the army. The order also represents Ukraine’s first such procurement since the country gained independence in 1991.

The An-178 medium transport aircraft will be used to transport personnel, weapons and light military equipment.

Additionally, the aircraft can be used for delivering material assets as well as in emergency situations such as evacuating civilians from disaster areas and airdropping of paratroop rescue teams.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “These new aircraft will be built by Ukrainian citizens, from Ukrainian components, for Ukrainian interests.”

He further added: “It strengthens Ukraine’s defence capabilities and helps attract Ukrainian and foreign investments.”

According to Antonov website, the An-178 medium transport aircraft has a range of around 3,680km with 10 tonnes of cargo. The maximum payload of the aircraft is 18 tonnes.

Equipped with D-436-148FM jet engines, the AN-178 was designed based on earlier versions and its airframe and on-board equipment are 50-60% unified with the AN-148 and AN-158 aircraft.

It features a cargo door and a ramp in the tail section used for on-boarding and de-boarding personnel, weaponry and light military vehicles.

The AN-178 airplane can operate on unpaved runways and those with artificial pavement.

Earlier this year, Ukraine hosted the Exercise Rapid Trident 20, a multinational training exercise.

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