Military and Commercial Technology

Monday, 26 November 2018

Second Gripen E Test Aircraft Takes Flight

Designated 39-9 - Saab

PRESS RELEASE

26 November 2018

On 26 November, Saab completed the successful first flight of the second Gripen E test aircraft.

The second Gripen E test aircraft, designated 39-9, took off on its maiden flight at 09.50 am on 26 November 2018. The test flight was operated from Saab’s airfield at Linköping, Sweden, with Saab test pilot Robin Nordlander at the controls.

“Some people think being a test pilot is the most exciting job in the world and it should be. Flying Gripen E means breaking no sweat though, even on a maiden flight such as this. The flight was so smooth and 39-9 a real pleasure to pilot. I am looking forward to getting it back in the air again and soon putting the new systems to the test,” says Robin Nordlander, Experimental Test Pilot, Saab.

During the 33 minute long flight, the pilot carried out a number of actions to validate flight characteristics and various test criteria, such as the software, life support system and radio system.

“It is very satisfying to see the second Gripen E aircraft join the flight test programme as planned. This new aircraft allows us to expand the trial activities as we test more functionality with on-board systems whilst, with two aircraft now flying, we are increasing the overall pace of testing. The programme continues to deliver good progress and to generate interest as our customers and others are keen to see and learn more about the capabilities Gripen E is going to give their pilots”, says Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab business area Aeronautics.

The next phase in the test programme for Gripen 39-9 is testing of the tactical systems and sensors.

Source: saabgroup.com

Source: Saab AB

Saab Gripen E/F: Details

China’s Z-10ME export helicopter ‘invisible’ to infrared homing missiles

走近哈佛

China’s export helicopter Z-10ME ‘invisible’ to infrared homing missiles

By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times

China's made-for-export Z-10ME attack helicopter is exhibited at Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province in early November.Photo:Liu Xuanzun/GT

China's made-for-export attack helicopter Z-10ME is equipped with a new infrared depressor that renders it more capable of evading enemy missiles, according to its manufacturer.

The Z-10ME, an independently developed medium-size attack helicopter intended for the international arms market, has recently passed a domestic technology inspection, China Aviation News reported on Saturday.

Among several selling points including a sand filter, bullet-proof armor and crash resistance seats for pilots, it also boasts an infrared depressor, the report said.

The infrared depressor was recently developed, according to a statement from the helicopter's manufacturer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) released on Wednesday.

AVIC said that the biggest threat a helicopter faces on the modern battlefield is infrared homing missiles, which can lock on an aircraft's emitted infrared radiation.

The suppressor is capable of greatly reducing that radiation, making the helicopter invisible to infrared homing missiles, the statement said.

The six-ton-class Z-10ME can fly with high maneuverability at very low altitudes, making it able to provide strong firepower while maintaining high survivability, reads a separate statement AVIC sent to the Global Times.

It can carry various types of guided and unguided air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions and is capable of fighting at both day and night, the company said.

Military experts said that many countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America are in need of medium-size attack helicopters cheaper than the US-made AH-64 Apache but with sufficient firepower, which makes the cost-effective Z-10ME a favorable choice.

A Z-10ME was on exhibit at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province in early November.

Source globaltimes.cn

Related article:

Z-10ME for export

Z-10 Attack Helicopter: Details

Su 57 to get hypersonic 400 km ultra long-range R-37M missiles

Sputnik

Su 57 or equipped with 400 km ultra long-range missiles, Russian media said China is also developing.

2018-11-02

A hypersonic air defense missile with a range of more than 300 kilometers will be incorporated into the arsenal of Russias most advanced multi-purpose fighter Su-57. The weapon is designed to eliminate high value targets without impunity.

According to the article, the Su-57 is Russias first fifth-generation aircraft, aimed at threatening the war organizations of major aviation powers such as the United States. Usually, it is expected to carry weapons in its interior compartment to reduce radar cross-section and avoid damage to stealth capability. But larger missiles can be carried on the external hang points of the body, one of which will be the R-37M missile. This kind of missile has a range of more than anything owned by American aircraft.

R-37M is the upgraded version of the missile that was put into use in 1985. The basic model of the missile is 4.2 meters long and weighs 600 kilograms. It is only suitable for large aircraft such as MiG-31BM fighter aircraft.

The picture shows Russian Soviet -57 fighter.

The main feature of this updated version of the missile is its range, which is reported to be up to 300 km. Although some sources said the range could be as high as 400 km. This expensive missile is designed to destroy equally important targets such as the AWACS aircraft, but it poses a threat to more flexible targets such as fighters because of its final flight speed of Mach 6 and its active seeker navigation system.

It is reported that the R-37M model is in the final stage of development. It is equipped with a new guidance system and has been reduced in weight and length to fit on smaller platforms. Boris Obonosov, head of the Tactical Missile Company (KTRV), confirmed to the Interfax correspondent that the Su-57 would become one of the aircraft capable of launching the new missile. KRTV is the parent company of R-37 missile developer NPOVympel.

It is argued that the progress made in the development of R-37M raises questions about the future of another potential long-range air-to-air missile considered for the Su-57. This missile is called KS-172, developed by NPONovator company. The company is part of the Almaz-Antey company that competes and produces military equipment. It is reported that the missile has a range of more than 400 kilometers.

What makes it possible is to use a two-stage combination to rapidly advance the smaller second stage using a wider, more powerful first stage. Some successful tests have been carried out on the weapon, but it is believed that it is far from being put into use. According to the article, it is reported that China is developing similar missiles for its -20 stealth fighter.

The article argues that the United States may need to reconsider its air superiority strategy because both of its strategic competitors possess this type of weapon. The U.S. Air Force has deployed ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-54 Dead Bird missile with a combat range of 190 km. But this missile retired with the F-14 male cat fighter in 2004. Some of these missiles are still in use in Iran - a legacy of its special relationship with the United States in the past.

AIM-120AMRAAM is an over-the-horizon air-to-air missile of the US Air Force. Its range is even shorter than that of the Phoenix missile. It is reported that the range of advanced AIM-120D modified missiles is limited to 160 km. It is still a powerful weapon for many platforms. The U.S. military expects that almost any enemy can be shot down by such missiles launched from safe distances, while more modern fighters such as the F-22 and F-35 provide additional target information for older aircraft. By deploying larger-range missiles, Russia and China will strengthen their capabilities in this strategic area, thereby threatening American weapons from a safe distance. This could open a loophole until NATO can take countermeasures, such as developing MBDA Meteor Missiles. (compile / Yin Hongyi) this article source: Reference News Net editor: Yao Wenguang _NN1682

AIM-120AMRAAM is an over-the-horizon air-to-air missile of the US Air Force. Its range is even shorter than that of the Phoenix missile. It is reported that the range of advanced AIM-120D modified missiles is limited to 160 km. It is still a powerful weapon for many platforms. The U.S. military expects that almost any enemy can be shot down by such missiles launched from safe distances, while more modern fighters such as the F-22 and F-35 provide additional target information for older aircraft.

By deploying larger-range missiles, Russia and China will strengthen their capabilities in this strategic area, thereby threatening American weapons from a safe distance. This could open a loophole until NATO can take countermeasures, such as developing MBDA Meteor Missiles. (compile / Yin Hongyi)

Source: www.jqknews.com

Vympel R-37 / R-37M / RVV-BD / AA-13 Arrow: Details

Sunday, 25 November 2018

First serial-produced Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A plane performs debut flight

File image - KHMedia

Russia’s Il-76MD-90A plane performs debut flight

The serial-produced Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A, a heavy upgrade of the Il-76 military transport plane, performed its debut flight on November 7, CEO of the Ilyushin Aircraft Company Alexei Rogozin said on his Facebook page.

"The Il-76MD-90A is the second generation of Il-76 military transport planes. The first flight was made in September 2012 and the first evaluation flight to test its compliance with the Defense Ministry’s requirements was conducted in December 2016. Yesterday, this was the first flight of the Il-76MD-90A with the factory No. 01-09 - the first serial-produced plane built in compliance with the performance characteristics of the Russian Defense Ministry," Rogozin said.

The Il-76MD-90A produced at the Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar-SP enterprise is a heavily upgraded version of the Il-76MD military transport plane.

The plane’s new version is outfitted with the PS-90A-76 engines that help reduce fuel consumption by 10%. The plane can carry a payload of 52 tonnes and operate at a distance of 5,000 km compared to 47 tonnes and 4,000 km, respectively, for the Il-76MD. It is capable of carrying a greater number of transportable and air-droppable military hardware.

The upgraded plane is designated to transport heavy large-size hardware and cargoes, and also to land personnel, hardware and cargoes.

The plane can also be used in emergencies areas, for example, for extinguishing fires. In October 2012, Russia’s Defense Ministry and the United Aircraft Corporation signed a contract worth 140 billion rubles ($2.1 billion) for the delivery of 39 Il-76MD-90A military transport planes to the Russian Armed Forces.

Source: ruaviation.com

New automated continuous assembly line

An automated continuous assembly line that will speed up the production of the Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft and its modifications will be put into trial operation later in 2018, the press service of the Russian Ilyushin Aviation Complex told Sputnik on Sunday.

"The serial launch of a continuous jigless assembly line is planned for 2019, while we are planning to put it into trial operation this year already," the press service said. Source: urdupoint.com

Production schedule

A blog dedicated to Russia-linked military developments, diana-mihailova.livejournal.com, released an alleged photo of the production plan of 36 IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft for the Russian Armed Forces in the period from 2017 to 2022.

According to this plan, Russia should obtain 3 IL-76MD-90A planes in 2018, 5 – in 2019, 6 – in 2020, 8 – in 2021 and 14 – in 2022. However, the comparison of this plan with the recent developments shows that the production of IL-76MD-90A military planes is going slower than it has been expected.

For example on November 7, 2018, the IL-76MD-90A plane with the serial number 0109 started its flight tests in the city of Ulyanovsk. This is the only IL-76MD-90A plane, which has started undergoing tests this year. So, it’s hard to expect that Russia will receive 3 IL-76MD-90A planes in 2018. Source: southfront.org

Related articles:

Test of the IL-76MD-90A aircraft are scheduled to be completed by 2021

Over 10 Il-76MD-90A Military Transport Planes Under Construction

New livery for a newest Russian aerial refueling tanker IL-78M-90A

Russia to start trails of Il-78M-90A aerial refueling tanker in July

Ground-based frequency tests of the new Il-78M-90A tanker were successfully completed
Il-78M-90A advanced aerial refueling tanker performs debut flight
First Il-78M-90A tanker aircraft being rolled out to a flight testing - Pics

Russian Military Transport Aviation to Receive 3 New IL-76MD-90A Planes
Russia to Begin Exporting Il-76 When Aerospace Forces Adopt Il-76MD-90A - Rostec

Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A / Il-78M-90A tanker: Details

Saturday, 24 November 2018

Kolomna Plant new Diesel 16SD500 to replace the previous generation of ship D49 diesel engines

Experts: Kolomna diesel D500 will replace on ships D49

November 23, 2018

Diesel 16SD500, the ship version of the D500 engine developed and manufactured by the Kolomna Plant, will be able to replace the previous generation of ship diesel engines based on the D49 diesel. About this Mil.Press FlotProm told a source in the VUNC Navy. Now 16SD500 continues to test.

The source called the D500 a modern diesel engine.

According to him, the ship version of the D500 will open up to the fleet a number of new features due to the greater power and more modern design. The Navy is already considering several options for promising warships for D500 diesel, he added.

The specialist also noted that the D500 is similar in form factor to the diesel engines of the German MTU.

“The piston stroke has been increased, which improves efficiency and improves operational performance,” said an officer at the VUNTs Navy. "In addition, the new diesel is bringing us closer to electric propulsion."

"According to a publication source in the engine-building industry, the main drawback of the D500 is a large import dependence due to the abundance of foreign components. The interlocutor of Mil.Press FlotProm expressed the hope that it will be possible to fix it in the coming years."

The journalist of the publication failed to promptly clarify the state of the D500 tests at the Kolomna Plant. The press service of the company recommended to address this issue in December. A source at the plant said that diesel could be submitted before the end of the year.

Help Mil.Press FlotProm

Kolomna Plant is implementing a project to create new engines together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The company presented the ship version of the D500, 16-cylinder 16SD500, as part of the line of new diesel engines at the forum "Army-2018".

Dmitry Zhavoronkov

Source: flotprom.ru

16SD500 diesel engine

Turbocharged engine 16ChN26,5/31 with charge air cooling is intended for use in main propulsion plant to drive propeller via gearbox as well as to drive generator in electric ships.

Kolomensky Zavod

Diesel geared unit 1DRA6000

Diesel geared unit 1DRA6000 of a patrol ship’s main powerplant. Designed by Kolomensky Zavod - Andrey Sergeyev, Mil.Press Today

Diesel-gearbox set 1DRA6000 included in the main propulsion power plant of guard ship (corvette) is intended to drive fixed pitch propeller.

The set includes:

packaged diesel engine 16ChN26/26;
spring to connect engine with reduction gear;
1-speed reduction gear;
vibration isolating compensating coupling to connect reduction gear with propeller shafting;
local control system.

Kolomensky Zavod

Project 20380 Steregushchy Class Corvettes: Details

Admiral Gorshkov Class Frigate Project 22350: Details

Severnaya Verf and Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard agreed on payment schedule for the manufacture of composite superstructure for lead corvette project 20386

One of the variants of the appearance of the corvette project 20386 - RusArmy.com

Igor Ponomarev: The issue of payment of the composite superstructure for the corvette "Daring" resolved

November 21, 2018

Severnaya Verf and Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard agreed on a payment schedule for the manufacture of a composite superstructure for the head corvette of the project 20386 Daring. About this Mil.Press FlotProm said the general director of the "Severnaya Verf" Igor Ponomarev. On November 8, the publication reported a delay in work due to late financing.

“Indeed, we had a delay in financing the work on the superstructure for Derzkoy,” Ponomarev told the publication. “But now these issues have been resolved. The Ministry of Defense has allocated funds to continue construction of the project 20386 corvette. add-on payment. "

The general director of Severnaya Verf added that the first tranche has already been completed in accordance with the previously reached agreements, and some of the work will be paid before the end of 2018. Subsequent payments are scheduled for 2019.

“We are carrying out planned work on the corvette: the building and assembly shop of the Northern Shipyard has completed cutting the metal of the main hull structures, the workers are now assembling the bottom sections of the first block of the ship. The berth workshop has finished assembling the outer casing of the second block, continues to form internal fences and decks,” said Igor Ponomarev on the construction of the "bold".

According to him, in late November and early December, the plant will begin to form the hull of the ship.

A specialist in composite materials from the Krylov State Research Center, who is familiar with the situation, told Mil.Press FlotProm that problems can be associated only with late payment, and not with the technical side of the issue. According to him, the SNSP has mastered and worked out all the necessary technologies, the shipyard is already preparing a snap for molding the elements of the superstructure, in particular its sides and walls.

Help Mil.Press FlotProm

The contract for an integral part of the development work for the manufacture of a composite superstructure for the head corvette of the new project “Severnaya Verf” and the SNSP were concluded in March 2018. As described at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant in response to a request for publication, the technological period for the preparation of production (manufacturing of special technological equipment) for the design features of the project is six months, the construction of the superstructure itself is 20 months.

Thus, it is possible to complete the manufacture of the superstructure in May 2019. However, the deadline was transferred to the right, according to preliminary data - at the end of 2019. At the same time, the SNSP does not exclude the possibility of reducing the technological cycle under the condition of uninterrupted funding, the plant’s press service told Mil.Press FlotProm.

The head corvette of the project 20386 "Daring" was laid September 28, 2016. It is planned to be launched in May 2021.

Dmitry Zhavoronkov

Source: flotprom.ru

Related article:
Lead ship 'Derzky" Project 20386 plan to be launched in 2021

Russian Navy expects to receive three new corvette Project 20386 in 2025

Keel laid for new Russian corvette

PROJECT 20386 (CORVETTES): Details

Mexican Navy launches the SIGMA design-based long-range off-shore patrol vessel ARM Reformador

Patrulla Oceánica de Largo Alcance – POLA - Mexican Navy

Mexican Navy launches ARM Reformador

The Mexican Navy floated out the SIGMA design-based long-range off-shore patrol vessel (Patrulla Oceánica de Largo Alcance – POLA) in a ceremony in Oaxaca on November 23.

The launch ceremony of ARM Reformador – as the vessel is named – coincided with Mexican Navy Day.

The 107-meter ship was floated out with a Sikorsky helicopter on board and the 57mm Bofors gun installed.

The Mexican Navy POLA OPV is based on Damen’s SIGMA 10514 vessel design which is, in addition to Mexico, also in service by the navies of Indonesia and Morocco.

ARM Reformador started modular construction in August 2017 following a contract signing between Mexico and Dutch shipbuilder Damen. The OPV was built in six modules, two at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, and four in Mexico.

Reformador will carry Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) surface-to-air missiles, MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes and an 8-cell MK56 VLS launcher along with Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM). The vessel will also be equipped with Indra’s RIGEL electronic defense system which will provide simultaneous jamming and deception countermeasures for multiple active threats in addition to detecting and analyzing radar signals in the vessel’s mission environment.

Displacing 2,570 tons and attaining a maximum speed of 27 knots with combined diesel-electric and diesel-mechanical (CODED) propulsion, POLA will have an autonomy of 20 days at sea.

Further outfitting, tests and trials will continue in 2019. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the Mexican Navy in early 2020.

Source: navaltoday.com

Canal Conocimiento

Published on Nov 23, 2018

México Bota su Fragata ARM REFORMADOR : Construcción Naval MEXICANA