Saturday, 28 April 2018

‘Guam Express’ DF-26 missiles in service with PLA

The DF-26 missiles were first seen during a PLA parade in 2015. Photo: Xinhua
Carrier killer missiles are now operational along China's coastal provinces and possibly on South China Sea atolls

 By ASIA TIMES STAFF APRIL 27, 2018 4:10 PM (UTC+8)

 China’s defense ministry confirmed on Thursday that high-tech DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles have been deployed with the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.

 The DF-26 is tailor-made for precision offensives as well as swift nuclear counter-attacks – with its nuclear-tipped variant – against land- and sea-based targets.

 The new missiles, with a hit range of 3,000-4,000km, are also known as the “Guam Express” among Chinese military buffs. They are the PLA’s first conventionally-armed missiles capable of reaching the US outpost of Guam if fired from China’s southeastern coastline.

 But reports by the PLA Daily and Global Times on Friday seem to emphasis that the DF-26’s primary target would be Taiwan secessionists.

 Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian confirmed during a press conference on Thursday that the DF-26 had joined the combat sequence of the PLA rocket force after tests, adding that the deployment aimed to beef up deterrence against anyone seeking to split Taiwan from China.

 Chinese military observers have also been hailing the DF-26’s anti-ship capabilities against US aircraft carriers and amphibious assault vessels.

 The DF-26 is deployed on a transporter-erector-launcher and the US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017, more than 16 launchers were operationally deployed along a number of coastal provinces from Zhejiang and Fujian all the way to Guangdong.

 There have also been rumors that the DF-26 may also have been installed on the Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island, in the eastern portion of the South China Sea.

 Information on the DF-26 since its media debut at a 2015 military parade show that the versatile missiles can look for and lock onto moving targets onshore and offshore, such as an aircraft carrier, while cruising at a top speed of up to 18 times the speed of sound after re-entry into the atmosphere.

 This is a feat, apart than the DF-26’s range, that is being trumpeted by Chinese state media, as hitting a moving target in the vast expanses of the open oceans is by no means easy.

 But there are still doubts among Western analysts about the capabilities of the seemingly intimidating Chinese missiles.

 No other country has successfully deployed such a weapon. Launching such missiles from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, and hitting a target moving at 20 knots plus that is doing all it can to avoid destruction, is not mean feat, noted Harry Kazianis, executive editor of The National Interest.

 Its has been reported that a PLA Rocket Force brigade is equipped with 18 such missiles.

 Original post: atimes.com

 arronlee33
Published on Apr 27, 2018
81 TV - China DF-26 Nuclear Capable Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Declared Operational [480p]


DF-26 intermediate-range missile: Details
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Friday, 27 April 2018

Dutch Taking Part in Joint Warrior



Google Translation

 34 naval vessels, 5 submarines, dozens of helicopters and airplanes and almost 5,000 soldiers (SIC) from 14 countries. The largest 2-yearly maritime exercise in Europe has been in full swing since last weekend. In preparation for what? On the fight to the highest spectrum of violence. This is to protect, if necessary, allied areas and interests at sea.

FGS Lubeck

The Netherlands also makes a substantial contribution to Joint Warrior, under the leadership of the United Kingdom. This is done with his majestic ships Evertsen, Tromp, Van Amstel, Zeeleeuw, Urk, Mercuur and the Maritime Battle Staff.

The exercise, on the waters around Great Britain and northwest of Scotland, is about a wide variety of scenarios up to the highest spectrum of violence.

With this, Joint Warrior, according to Commander Netherlands Maritime Force commander Huub Hulsker, is going along with his time. “Contemporary threats are included. In this way we practice very realistic scenarios. This includes things like media and the effects of cyber. These aspects are of great added value because we see that they present more and more risks in the present time. ”

HNLMS Tromp refuels from FGS Spessart

Media and cyber

Simulated journalists play a major role during the exercise. For example, there is an online platform on which they publish news articles, videos, radio clips and social media messages to win hearts and minds from the population. The journalists also play a role on board the ships. This to train media handling. In addition, ships must be wary of hackers who try to attack their systems. This is how the vessels train how best to deal with these relatively new dangers.

BNS Louise Marie

Shooting exercises

The ships have already started the Combat Enhancement Training / Force Integration Training phase (CET-FIT). Here tactics and skills are practiced as part of a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF). In doing so, all units become acquainted with international partners and train their joint operational readiness. This week there are also several shooting exercises, maneuvering, air defense and submarine combat on the program.

In addition to the Netherlands and Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Norway, Spain and the United States are the largest suppliers of people and equipment for Joint Warrior. That will last until May 4th.

Original post: seawaves.com

De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate: Details
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Weapons expert: Real choice for new Finnish Air Force fighter between Lockheed Martin and Saab

The Finnish Defense Forces is today sending out requests for bids from five airplane manufacturers to supply multi-role fighter aircraft to replace Finland's current ageing fleet of 64 F/A-18 Hornet jets.

A Lockheed Martin F-35. Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP

In an Yle Radio 1 interview on Friday, weapon systems expert Arto Pulkki said he believes that in practice the choice of new aircraft for the Finnish Air Force will come down to just two contenders, either the American Lockheed Martin F-35 or the Swedish Saab Gripen E.

The planes being considered are the British-made Eurofighter Typhoon, France’s Dassault Rafale, Sweden’s Saab Gripen E, and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-35 from American manufacturers.

"Both the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale are clearly older technology and production of both is reaching an end. And, two days ago, Airbus and Dassault announced they will be developing a new generation system," Pulkki pointed out.

F-35 most advanced and most costly

Pulkki described the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen E as technical equals, except for the F-35's stealth capability. Of the five planes in the running, the Lockheed Martin is though, also the most expensive.

The weapons carrying capacity of the F-35 doesn't match up to the other contenders, but its invisibility to traditional radar systems gives it superiority in a conflict situation, according to Pulkki.

Arto Pulkki noted that the Saab Gripen not only has the advantage of a lower price tag, but also that developments in technology to detect stealth aircraft may make this capability of less importance in the evaluation of bids.

"A lot of thought will have to be given to how these systems are developing. Will the capabilities of the F-35, which is right now the most advanced craft, but also the most expensive,still be superior for example 15 years from now?"

No official favourite, but policy dimensions

Lauri Puranen, who was the coordinator of the project for the preliminary assessment of aircraft to replace Finland's F/A-18 Hornets told Yle Friday that the starting line is the same for all five of the fighters being considered.

"We have no prior favourite. Initially, all types meet our criteria," said Puranen.

The chair of Parliament's foreign affairs committee, Pertti Salolainen, has stressed that in addition to technical considerations, the choice of aircraft also has a foreign and security policy dimension.

According to Salolainen, Finland's acquisition of the current fleet of Hornets has had huge significance, involving Finland in US and NATO exercises. New purchases, he notes, could have significance in bringing Finland closer to Sweden, a country with which it already has extensive military cooperation. Buying Swedish fighters would also mean industrial cooperation, while a French plane has an EU policy element.

"The greatest foreign policy dimensions would involve the US and Swedish-Finnish cooperation. This is the most unambiguous conclusion that I can make," stated the foreign affairs committee chairman.

Sources Yle, Svenska Yle

Original post: yle.fi


Pulkki described the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen E as technical equals, except for the F-35's stealth capability. Of the five planes in the running, the Lockheed Martin is though, also the most expensive.


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Russia has refused fifth-generation jet fighters tech to India ‘for free’

The newest Su-57 is being prepared for the Victory Parade: shots of flights  - Телеканал Звезда YouTube
Russia Beyond
No deal: Why Russia won't develop an ‘Indian’ Su-57
SCIENCE & TECH APR 25, 2018 NIKOLAI LITOVKIN

 Russia has refused to reveal the production secrets of fifth-generation jet fighters ‘for free’; India, for its part, has decided that a deal is not appropriate for an aircraft ‘that is not up to being called the fighter plane of the new millennium’.

 At the end of April India pulled out of a joint program with Russia to develop the advanced multirole Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) based on the Su-57. India explained its move by saying that the Russian design doesn't meet the stated requirements, while the plane’s Russian-designed combat avionics, radars, and sensors are not up to fifth generation standards.

 At the same time, India says that it is prepared to consider revising its plans in the future and even to purchase serially-produced aircraft from Russia if they come out on top in a tender.

 So why has India refused to finance the development of the project to design a fifth-generation jet fighter for its Air Force?

 The stumbling block

 The joint project with India was problematic from the very beginning and, according to experts, the refusal to develop the "Indian" Su-57 has nothing to do with the aircraft's failure to meet the requirements of the new era.

 Initially, in 2007, the sides signed a contract under which the Indian side invested to the tune of $300m in the development of the design and technical blueprint for the future aircraft. At the same time, the subsequent cost of research, first prototypes, and development of a full production cycle totaled $6bn, which Russia paid for out of its own budget.

 "That is where the disagreements started. Launching production of Su-57 fighters in India meant passing all the technology of the new jet fighters to Delhi. The Indians decided that, since they had invested $300m in a project with a total cost of $6bn, Russia would immediately pass on all its research. But since there was no such clause in the contract, Moscow refused to reveal all the information to the investors," Pavel Bulat, director of the Mechanics and Energy Systems international laboratory at the University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, told Russia Beyond.

 At the same time, following the maiden flight of an experimental prototype in 2010, India said it was ready to purchase 214 FGFAs (the Indian version of the Su-57) but only if they were produced exclusively on Indian territory.

 According to Bulat, Russia is prepared to pass on all the technology and reveal the production secrets of the Su-57 jet fighter to India for no less than $5bn. The Indians, in turn, say that for this money they can independently develop a fifth generation fighter from scratch themselves.

 "India believes that this would lead to it fully covering the cost of developing the Su-57. Yes, it is true. But the logic of the Sukhoi company is the following: "You don't want to pay $5bn for the technology and production of the world's best jet fighters on your territory? Then develop such an aircraft yourselves. It is that simple," Bulat explained.

 The Indians will be able to buy the first serially-produced prototypes from Russia in a year or two when the Sukhoi company develops a full production cycle.

 At the same time the arms manufacturers are not hiding the fact that the aircraft still needs a lot of work. Still, in early December 2017 they achieved a breakthrough and got the first Su-57 with a new engine into the air.

 What benefits does the new ‘heart’ bring?

 After tests, the new engine will allow the Su-57 to accelerate to supersonic speed in dry thrust and maintain this speed for the entire flight.

 "It will be traveling at Mach 1.6, which means around 2,600 km/h depending on the nature of the locations being overflown. The engine will also significantly improve the Su-57's low signature thanks to the use of new composite materials," Professor Vadim Kozyulin of the Academy of Military Sciences told Russia Beyond.

 He said the designers will be able to fully integrate the engine and work out all the details by about 2020. In addition, the Sukhoi company still has to finish developing the airborne radar and also sort out the remaining intricacies involved in the design of the airframe, which, according to the expert, is the most up-to-date among all existing fifth-generation planes.

 If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

Original post: rbth.com

So the TRUTH is OUT 

Not very nice news of India's attitude it is ridiculous to demand rights to produce and sell the planes but not chip in the cost of development.

Not very gentlemanly of the Indians for not clarifying the matter that led to the Western press having a field day on the PAK FA.

The Russians have done the right thing not to cave into the ridiculous demand

Телеканал Звезда
Published on Apr 23, 2018
The newest Su-57 is being prepared for the Victory Parade: shots of flights Новейшие Су-57 готовят к Параду Победы: кадры полетов


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Senate bill would block sale of F-35 jets to Turkey


Washington Examiner

A new bill introduced by a bipartisan trio of senators would stop the transfer of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to NATO ally Turkey.

“President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan has continued down a path of reckless governance and disregard for the rule of law. Individual freedoms have been increasingly diminished as Erdogan consolidates power for himself, and Turkey’s strategic decisions regrettably fall more and more out of line with, and at times in contrast to, US interests,” Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said in a statement.

Lankford was joined by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., in introducing the legislation.

Turkey is looking to buy 100 of the high-tech, fifth-generation fighter jets.

Under the proposed bill, Trump would be able to waive the ban on sales if he can certify to Congress that Turkey is not working in ways that degrade the NATO alliance, buying weapons from countries targeted by U.S. sanctions, and not “wrongfully or unlawfully” detaining U.S. citizens.

“Erdogan and his government must abide by the rule of law within his own country and abroad, and release Pastor Andrew Brunson and other Americans unlawfully held in Turkey,” Shaheen said.

Brunson has been imprisoned in Turkey since 2016 and was indicted on charges related to terrorism and espionage that 66 senators recently called bogus.

Original post: washingtonexaminer.com

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F-35 Lightning II: Details
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US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) plan to upgrade seven Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft

Royal Thai Navy Do 228 maritime surveillance aircraft - RUAG
US plans upgrade for Royal Thai Navy Do 228 maritime surveillance aircraft
Richard Scott, London - Jane's Navy International

 26 April 2018

 Plans are being developed by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for the upgrade of seven Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft under the US government-funded Building Partner Capacity programme.

 Used for maritime patrol and exclusive economic zone surveillance, the Do 228 aircraft are currently configured with a Telephonics RDR 1550B radar and a FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE II electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret. According to a request for information (RFI) issued by NAVAIR on 23 April, the planned upgrade will include the introduction of new sensors and mission systems.

 Specific components listed in the RFI include a multimode radar with a minimum detection range of 160 n mile (296 km); an EO/IR five-axis stabilised multipayload system; a communications package including beyond line of sight (X-band) and datalink; avionics systems including navigation, automatic direction finding, instrument landing system, flight management system, traffic alert and collision avoidance system, and ADS-B transponder; a mission operator station and operating software; AIS; electronic support measures; and a mission data recorder.

 Original post: janes.com

 The aircraft are currently configured for the Maritime Surveillance role including a Telephonics RDR 1550B RADAR and FLIR Star SAFIRE II Electro/Optical Infrared turret, which will need to be upgraded with the following equipment:

 1.    Multi-mode surveillance RADAR upgrade

 •a.    Minimum detection range of 160NM

 •b.    Terrain Mapping, weather avoidance, beacon navigation and display of navigation information from the aircraft navigation system

 •c.    Compatible with EO/IR

 •d.    SAR/ISAR capable

 2.    Electro Optical Infrared

 •a.    High-performance, long range imaging

 •b.    High-resolution color spotter scope

 •c.    Matched multi-FOV optics

 •d.    Multiple payloads

 •e.    5-Axis stabilization

 •f.     Low-Light/Near IR CCD

 •g.    Automatic target tracker

 •h.    Cooperating with the multi-mode radar

 3.    Communication Equipment

 •a.    VHF radio (118.0-136.9916 MHz) amount 2 EA

 •b.    Multi band FM/VHF/UHF radio (30.00-399.75MHz) amount 1 EA

 •c.    High frequency (HF) Radio (2.99-29.99MHz) amount 1EA

 •d.    Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) in the X-band

 •e.    Data Link System (EX Link RTN)

 4.    Navigation System

 •a.    Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) System amount 2EA

 •b.    Instrument landing system (ILS) amount 1EA

 •c.    Very high Frequency Omni-direction Rang (VOR) amount 2EA

 •d.    Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) amount 2EA

 •e.    Flight management system (FMS) amount 1EA

 •f.     Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) amount 1EA

 5.    Identification

 •a.    ATC Transponder (ADS-B Transponder system) amount 1EA

 6.    Mission Operator Station

 •a.    Palletized or removable operators station

 •b.    Operating software

 7.    Additional Equipment

 •a.    Automatic Identification System. (AIS)

 •b.    Electronic Support System. (ESM

 •c.    Mission recorder (DVR)

 In addition to the aforementioned upgrades, the RTN will require operations and maintenance training, spares, and associated special tooling and support equipment for the mission system installation. Source: govtribe.com

 Dornier Do-228 Light Transport Aircraft
Royal Thai Navy

 The Do-228 is a twin-engine, multirole light transport aircraft designed and developed jointly by Indian aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and RUAG Aerospace, Germany. It is derived from a Dornier Do-28 aircraft.

 Around 270 Do-228s were built and 127 of them are in service worldwide, including the Indian Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

 The Do-228 can be deployed in passenger and cargo transportation, as an air taxi, for corporate purposes, for aircrew training, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, border patrolling and medical evacuation missions. Source: airforce-technology.com

RUAG
RUAG

Garrett AiResearch TPE-331 turboprop engine

RUAG
RUAG
RUAG
Source: RUAG
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TAI and ASELSAN to develop systems for TF-X national fighter jet



Defense giants to develop systems of national fighter jet
The Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI) and ASELSAN, which are among the leading defense companies in the country, yesterday signed a preliminary agreement of cooperation regarding the production of the National Fighter Jet, the TF-X, a project of critical importance for the domestic defense industry. The deal took place at the Eurasia Airshow, the largest aviation event in Turkey and held under the auspices of the presidency. The two tech giants develop critical systems such as national radar, electronic warfare and electro-optical systems for the aircraft.

 The fifth-generation fighter jet, one of the country's largest design projects announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will be realized within a project-based incentive system. Preliminary design activities received a TL 4.8 billion (around $1.18 billion) incentive certificate under the incentive program. The project will employ 3,200 people, with an indirect employment contribution estimated to be around 11,200.

 TAI continues its preliminary design works for the production of modern aircraft designed with domestic capabilities and that can replace the F-16 aircraft, which are in the inventory of the Turkish Air Forces Command and are considered to be gradually deactivated as of the 2030s.

 Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to develop the needed critical task systems locally and for them to be integrated into the jet to gain full operational capability at appropriate stages in the progress of the project.

 Such systems play an important role in the success of the national combat jet, which is, with the product and technology development weight, Turkey's biggest and most challenging research and development (R&D) project.

 Speaking to Turkish daily Dünya last week, TAI General Manager Temel Kotil said they will work with British BAE Systems, which plays various roles in the design of F-35 aircraft. "We have foreseen a four-year period for the preliminary design phase. In this phase, the structure of the plane will be determined. The development of engineering, technology, testing infrastructures and certification processes of the aircraft and the acquisition of capability for the design of the fighter jet are steps of this phase," Kotil said.

 He also explained that the first TF-X prototype should be ready for its first flight in 2023. "The TF-X is a fifth-generation invisible plane that can reach supersonic speeds with afterburners," Kotil said. "We want to get all of the kinks worked out and have it ready by 2029 and put into service for the Turkish Armed Forces in 2031."

 As a result of the works in technology areas such as low appearance internal weapons bay, high maneuverability, enhanced situational awareness and sensor fusion, all of which should be included in the new generation aircraft, Turkey will, after the U.S., Russia and China, take its place among the countries in the world that have the infrastructure and technology to produce the fifth-generation fighter jet.

Original post: dailysabah.com

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