Archive for June 2011

India To Get Latest Lightweight Mk-54 Anti-Submarines Torpedoes From US

Published on 00:53 By Amardeep
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India will get lightweight anti-submarines torpedoes to arm the eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft it is buying from the US, with the Obama administration notifying the potential sale to the US Congress on Tuesday.

The news was welcomed by the US embassy in New Delhi, which said the sale of Mk-54 torpedoes reflects the mutual benefits of the India-US security relationship.

The Pentagon has "officially notified" the potential sale of Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes to the Indian Navy.

The Mk-54 is the most advanced lightweight torpedo in the US Navy inventory and is intended to be employed with the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, eight of which are currently under construction for India by US aerospace major Boeing.

The P-8I, equipped with Mk-54 torpedoes, will provide highly-effective long-range anti-submarine warfare capabilities for the Indian Navy.

"The final content and price for the deal will be determined during discussions with the Indian government," the US embassy said.

"This sale reflects the mutual benefits of the U.S.-India security partnership. For India, the combined sale of the P-8I aircraft with the Mk-54 torpedoes will add to India's anti-submarine capability, as it expands its ability to protect India and the critical sea lanes of the Indian Ocean," it said.

"The offer highlights the US commitment to share cutting-edge technology with India and to ensure that both nations enjoy the benefits of a secure and stable South Asia," it added.

In addition to the US Navy, the Mk-54 torpedo is also in service with the Royal Australian Navy.

TypeLightweight torpedo
Place of origin united states
Service history
In service2004–present
Used by united states navy
 royal Australian navy
Production history
Designerraytheon 
Designed1999
Unit costUS $1,000,000[1]
Produced2003
Specifications
Diameter12.75 inch(324 mm)
Launch
platform		mark 32 torpedo, asw aircraft

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DongFeng 21 (CSS-5) Medium-Range Ballistic Missile

china
Published on 01:06 By Amardeep
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The DongFeng 21 (DF-21, NATO code name: CSS-5) is a two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) system developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy (also known as 2nd Space Academy). Developed from the JuLang 1 (JL-1) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the DF-21 was originally intended for strategic missions but its later variants were designed for both nuclear and conventional missions. The latest DF-21D was said to be the world’s first and only anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) system. The DF-21 has also been developed into space launcher and anti-satellite/anti-missile weapon carrier.
DongFeng 21 (CSS-5 Mod-1)
The basic variant DongFeng 21 has a maximum range of 1,700km, and a payload of 600kg. The missile can carry a single 500kT nuclear warhead, with an estimated CEP of 300~400m. This version did not enter operational service.
DongFeng 21A (CSS-5 Mod-2)

DF-21A (Chinese Internet)
The DF-21A is the extended-range version developed in the 1990s. The PLA demanded a new land-based MRBM as a successor to its DongFeng 3A in 1985, and the contract with the CASIC to develop the DF-21A was signed in 1987. The development programme suffered from major setbacks in 1991, when two flight tests both failed. The PLA allocated additional funds to the programme in 1993 for an improved design. Four successful flight tests were carried out between 1995 and 1996 and the missile was operational by 1996.
The DF-21A has an increased range of 2,700km, and an estimated CEP of 100~300m. The missile is believed to be configured for strategic missions only. The missile is carried inside a canister mounted on a truck-towed trailer for road-mobile. It was estimated that so far around 60~80 DongFeng 21 missiles and 30~40 launcher systems may have been deployed by the PLA Second Artillery Corps in 7 missile brigades:
  • 802 Brigade
  • 807 Brigade
  • 808 Brigade
  • 809 Brigade
  • 811 Brigade
  • 822 Brigade
  • 823 Brigade
These missiles are generally deployed in areas closer to China’s borders to ensure adequate target overage of areas previously covered by the DF-3 IRBM, which has a longer range, but is less accurate compared to DongFeng 21. There have reports suggesting that some DongFeng 21 MRBMs have been re-fitted with conventional warheads.

DF-21C (Chinese Internet)
DongFeng 21C (CSS-5 Mod-3)
First revealed in 2006, the DF 21 is a conventionally-armed MRBM system with upgraded mobile launcher and guidance system. The missile was said to have a payload of 2,000kg and a maximum range of 1,700km. Unlike the road-mobile DF-21A, the DF-21C is mounted on a 10X10 WS2500 TEL vehicle, which offers some limited off-road travelling ability. The new GPS-based guidance system has reduced the missile’s CEP to 30~40m, enabling it for precision-strike missions.
DongFeng 21D (CSS-5 Mod-4)
The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed the existence of the DF-21D land-based ASBM system, which is the world’s first and only of its kind. By combining manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles (MaRVs) with a terminal guidance system, the DF-21C is capable of targeting a slow-moving aircraft carrier battle group from a land-based mobile launcher. The maximum range of the missile was said to be 3,000km, possibly achieved by carrying a smaller payload.



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su 30mki multi role fighter jet

india
Published on 00:46 By Amardeep
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Specifications (Sukhoi Su-30MKI)

Data from KNAAPO[64] and Sukhoi[65] web pages
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
  • Guns: 1 × GSh-30-1 gun (30 mm caliber, 150 rounds)
12 hardpoints: 2 × wing-tip AAM launch rails, 6 × pylons under-wing, 2 × pylon under-engine nacelle, and 2 × pylons in tandem in the "arch" between the engines. It can be increased to 14 using multiple ejector racks. It can carry up to 8 tonnes of external stores.
Air to Air Missiles:
  • 10 × R-77 (AA-12) active radar homing medium range AAM, 100 km
  • 10 × Astra missile active radar homing medium range AAM, 120 km
  • 6 × R-27ER (AA-10C) semi-active radar guided, long range AAM 130 km
  • 6 × R-27ET (AA-10D) Infrared homing extended range version, long range AAM 120 km
  • 2 × R-27R (AA-10A) semi-active radar guided, medium range AAM,80 km
  • 2 × R-27T (AA-10B) infrared homing seeker, medium range AAM, 70 km
  • 6 × R-73 (AA-11) short range AAM, 30 km
  • 3 × Novator KS-172 AAM-L 400 km/Russian air-to-air missile designed as an "AWACS killer"
Air to Surface Missiles:
Bombs:

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Raytheon awarded $23 mln contract to modernise IAF

india
Published on 10:28 By Amardeep
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LE BOURGET, PARIS (PTI): US defence major Raytheon on Wednesday bagged a USD 23 million contract to modernise India's military air traffic management systems which will make IAF air bases capable of handling all types of modern transport and combat jets round-the-clock.

The contract has been awarded to Raytheon by Tata Power Strategic Electronic Systems to provide automated air traffic management systems to the Indian Air Force.

The Tata Power Strategic Electronic Systems is the main contractor of the project. The contract is part of the IAF's Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) project.

MAFI is being undertaken to make all IAF air bases capable of handling all types of modern transport and fighter aircraft at all times.

Raytheon officials said under the first phase of the programme, 30 airbases across the country will be upgraded to make them capable of handling all types of modern transport and combat jets at all times.

Raytheon Network Centric Systems (NCS) will supply a variant of its globally deployed AutoTrac family of air traffic management systems under the project to make the air traffic systems of the best in the world, Raytheon officials said.

"Raytheon's AutoTrac system will provide the IAF a modern automated systems backbone that will allow for easy and rapid incorporation of new tools and functionality as they become available," said Andy Zogg, vice president, Raytheon NCS Command and Control Systems.

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Hybrid electric aircraft 'DA36 E-Star' debuts at Paris Air Show

Published on 10:27 By Amardeep
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PARIS (BNS): World’s first serial hybrid electric aircraft is unveiled at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011.

The DA36 E-Star, a two-seater motor glider aircraft which is based on hybrid electric drive concept is showcased at the air show by its manufacturer Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS.

Recently, on June 8th the aircraft has completed its maiden flight at the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria.

In the future, the technology, which is intended for later use also in large-scale aircraft, will cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, compared to today’s most efficient aircraft drives.

According to EADS, the motor glider, which is based on Diamond Aircraft’s HK36 Super Dimona, is the only aircraft of its kind in the world. The plane’s propeller is powered by a 70kW electric motor from Siemens.

The fuel consumption in the aircraft is very low as the combustion engine always runs with a constant low output of 30kW.

Siemens scientists are currently working on a new electric motor that is expected to be five times lighter than conventional drives.

In two years, another aircraft is expected to be equipped with an ultra-light electric drive. Siemens’ Drive Technologies Division has already used integrated drive trains in other applications like marine drives.

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India shortlists PARS 3 LR system of MBDA

india
Published on 10:24 By Amardeep
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PARIS (BNS): The PARS 3 LR guided missile system of MBDA has been short listed for the Indian Army's future air-to-ground missile requirement, the company announced at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday.

Hindustan Aeronautical Limited has already received a proposal from the MBDA Deutschland for its PARS 3 LR multi-target, long range weapon systems for HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH DHRUV).

“I am delighted that the Indian Army has short listed PARS 3 LR for its procurement project. This represents a further confirmation of the close partnership MBDA has developed with India over the years,” Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland, said.

The successful industrial trials confirm the high level of reliability of the PARS 3 LR guided missile system, he added.

Recently in April 2011, three PARS 3 LR firings were carried out from a German Tiger helicopter at the Vidsel test range in Sweden by MBDA Deutschland for its export campaign in India.

All three missiles were equipped with live warheads and all three struck their intended targets at the optimal hit points.

Two firings were carried out within one minute of each other, the first against a static target at a range of 7,000 m and the second against a moving target at a range of 700 m. The third firing was carried out with the helicopter in fast forward flight against a static target at a range of 7,000 m.

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China's 5G Fighter Nothing But A 'Showoff'

china
Published on 10:21 By Amardeep
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China's fifth-generation fighter program is more for effect than substance, Russia's leading aircraft maker said on Monday.

China carried out it's first test-flight of a fifth-generation stealth fighter in January.
"It was more a demonstration than a real program," Mikhail Pogosyan, head of United Aircraft Corporation, said.

The Chinese aircraft industry is developing successfully but it lacks what is required for a breakthrough, he said.

"There will be no breakthroughs here. Great scale and great experience are needed to carry out such programs," Pogosyan said.

Russia is testing it's own fifth-generation aircraft T-50 PAKFA developed by the Sukhoi design bureau in collaboration with India. The aircraft is expected to become operational in 2015. The T-50 is the only aircraft in the world to match up with the American F-22 Raptor.

China's prototype Black Silk J-20 stealth fighter is said to be similar to the U.S. F-22 Raptor and the Indian-Russian T-50 jets. But that is not true. It takes years of RnD and wide scale experience in aircraft development which China clearly lacks. The imagery and video footage appearing on the internet of Chinese fighter model is larger than anticipated which means the jet could be capable of flying a longer range and carrying a heavier load.

China has been working on a future fighter program since the mid-1990's, and the J-20 is notionally anticipated to enter service around 2018-2020. The United States is the only country in the world to have a proven technology in stealth planes followed by Russia in the recent years during the development of the T-50 fighter jet.

It took more than a decade for the United States which has the world's most hi-tech industrial base to build the F-22. The world wonders how the Chinese built their stealth fighter which they claim can match up to the F-22 Raptor.

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ndian Development OF 10,000-km Range ICBM On Cards

india
Published on 10:16 By Amardeep
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India is seriously contemplating to enhance the reach of it's strategic missiles. The DRDO will carry out preliminary tests of Agni-V in December this year or early next year. This missile will have a range of 5,000 km.
India is seriously contemplating to enhance the reach of it's strategic missiles. The Defence Ministry is considering a proposal to develop intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting targets 10,000 km away.

At present, there is a voluntary cap on developing missiles beyond 5,000-km range and the ICBM capabilities will propel India into the elite league of nations possessing the deterrent with nuclear warheads - China, the US, Russia and the UK.

The proposal for developing ICBM capabilities was moved by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) last month and currently being examined by the Defence Ministry. Since it is a major policy decision as ICBM has international ramifications and India is a nuclear weapon State, sources said here on Saturday that the ultimate decision to go for it would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Air Chief Marshal PV Naik had recently pitched for developing ICBMs with a strike capability of 10,000 km and beyond, given India's growing influence globally. While he had called for breaking out of the regional context, he also questioned the need for capping the missile programme, especially, if India had the technical capability to build it.

Explaining the significance of the proposal, sources said the Government had put a voluntary moratorium on developing a missile beyond a range of 5,000 km. This cap came about after India successfully test-fired Agni-III missile with a range of more than 3,000 km in 2006.

The Agni-III test enabled the DRDO to develop capabilities for an ICBM but a political nod is needed to go ahead. The Agni series of missiles fall into the category of intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) which can hit a target at 5,000 km. The DRDO will carry out preliminary tests of Agni-V in December this year or early next year. This missile will have a range of 5,000 km.

India embarked on the indigenously designed and produced integrated missile development programme in the late 1980s and successfully developed Prithvi, Akash and Agni series of missiles. With the successful launch of Agni-3, the Government announced that the integrated missile programme had concluded.

As regards the ICBM, sources said the main objective of the proposed programme is to develop capabilities and have a deterrent in place to counter the growing military might of China. The neighbour has a very robust and the state-of-the-art missile programme, including ICBMs, and the capability to shoot down a missile in space.

Keeping this factor in view and the growing economic and strategic stature of India in international community, the security establishment has urged the political leadership to go ahead with the ICBM programme, sources said.

The security establishment wants India to develop ICBM as New Delhi is not part of Missile Technology Control (MTCR). Moreover, though a declared nuclear weapon State, India has resisted international pressure to ink Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as it has a 'no first use' of nuclear weapons doctrine in place. This policy was announced after India conducted the Shakti series of nuclear tests in 1999.

All the UN Security Council countries having ICBMs can fire these long-range missiles from land or underwater from submarines known as submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The first ICBM was reportedly developed by the erstwhile Soviet Union during Cold War with the US, and China quickly followed.

While short range and medium-range ballistic missiles known as theatre ballistic missile carry conventional warheads, ICBMs which can travel across oceans and hit targets across continents are strategic weapons with one or more nuclear warheads.



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Chinese Comac C919 Commercial Airliner

china
Published on 10:10 By Amardeep
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Saudi Arabia Signs $1.7bn Deal For Upgrade Of Patriot Missile Defense System

saudi arabia
Published on 10:08 By Amardeep
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 Saudi Arabia has placed a $1.7 billion direct commercial sales contract with Raytheon Company to upgrade the Kingdom’s Patriot Air and Missile Defense System to the latest Configuration-3. The award includes ground-system hardware, a full training package and support equipment upgrades.

The announcement came Tuesday at the Paris Air Show where military and commercial deals are done for both military and civilian aircraft and technology.

“Raytheon is honored to provide the most technologically advanced air and missile defense system in the world to Saudi Arabia,” said Tom Kennedy, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). “We are pleased that, with this contract, they have shown further confidence in Raytheon and the superior air and missile defense capabilities of the Patriot system.”

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Airbus Military And IAI Join Forces On C295 AEW&C Programme

india
Published on 10:03 By Amardeep
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Airbus Military and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are combining forces to jointly develop and market a new version of the Airbus Military C295 platform fitted with an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system produced by ELTA Systems, a wholly owned IAI subsidiary.
The primary sensor of the AEW&C will be the IAI/ELTA 4th Generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar with integrated IFF.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect was signed today at the Le Bourget Airshow by IAI Corp. VP and ELTA President, Mr. Nissim Hadas, and Airbus Military CEO Mr. Domingo Ureña. With this agreement, Airbus Military will expand its mission capability to the Airborne Early Warning & Command sector, while ELTA will be expanding its AEW&C fleet to include a turboprop platform.

The C295 AEW&C has been designed to provide high quality 360 Surveillance, creating in real-time an integrated Air and Maritime Situation Picture and Electronic Order of Battle. The AEW&C Situation Picture is shared with friendly forces via  Network Centric data links.

A C295 fitted with a rotodome demonstrator is conducting flight trials from Airbus Military's Seville facility since 8th June. The initial tests have shown that the aircraft is aerodynamically an excellent platform for this purpose. ELTA Systems and Airbus Military are now conducting engineering studies to integrate the mission suite, including AESA radar, among other sensors, into the aircraft. The aircraft demonstrator can be seen on the static display at the Le Bourget Airshow.

Providing a new and very cost effective solution in the so far uncovered medium size market, the C295 AEW&C is both rugged and versatile. It can be configured with the full range of AEW&C sensor and control systems, including; AEW Radar, IFF, ESM/ELINT, CSM/COMINT, Self Protection Suite (SPS), Command & Control, Multi-Mode Radar, comprehensive communication suite including Network Centric Operation (NCO) Data Networks and Satellite Links.

Airbus Military CEO, Domingo Ureña, stated: “We see a growing demand emerging for medium size early warning systems and platforms at an affordable price for both air defense and homeland security. This cooperation between ELTA Systems and Airbus Military, which combines the excellent engineering skills and experience of our two companies in their respective fields, will provide the market with a highly efficient and affordable solution, the first in this market segment”.

IAI Corp. VP and ELTA President, Nissim Hadas, referring to the mutual cooperation agreement, noted:”The emerging conflicts across the globe are emphasizing the importance of special mission fleets. We are sure that by joining forces, we will offer the market the right solution with the right technology. Airbus Military and IAI/ELTA's superior capabilities in  special mission aircraft, advanced sensors and system integration enable us to provide an effective and proven solution for these growing needs.”

The new generation C295 is the ideal aircraft for military transport and civil missions such as humanitarian aid, homeland security, maritime patrol, and environmental surveillance. Thanks to its robustness and reliability, and with simple systems, this medium sized tactical airlifter provides the wide versatility and flexibility required for personnel, troop and bulky/palletized cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties, or certified air-dropping capabilities. It is fitted with both civil and military technology equipment which ensures success in demanding tactical missions, as well as growth potential for future equipment installation and compatibility with the latest civil airspace environment. The C295 is part of Airbus Military’s family of light and medium airlifters which also includes the smaller C212 and CN235 platforms.

IAI/ELTA is a front-runner in the development of airborne radar systems and in particular AESA Radar for AEW&C aircraft. IAI/ELTA’s current 3rd Generation AEW&C products, the Gulfstream G550 Conformal AEW&C and the Ilyushin IL-76  AWACS, are the leaders in their respective categories, both in terms of performance and landmark design. The newest
member of IAI/ELTA’s family of AESA Radars is a rotating dome radar combining both true 360o AESA radar and IFF in a unique low weight 4th Generation design.



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Russian fighter jet crashes on test flight, killing two

russia
Published on 10:00 By Amardeep
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A fighter jet crashed in southern Russia on Thursday during a test flight, killing the two pilots and prompting the defence ministry to suspend the plane from use during an investigation.
The MiG-29 jet flown by experienced pilots went off the radar at around 1645 and crashed in the Astrakhan region around 43 kilometres from the town of Akhtubinsk, the defence ministry said.
The commander in chief of the Russian air force ordered that all fighter jets of the same type be suspended from flying while the causes of the accident were investigated, a defence ministry said.
The fighter jet was being tested prior to being sent to India as part of a contract to supply planes for a Russian-built aircraft carrier due to be completed next year, an aviation industry   source told the Interfax news agency.
The crash came less than three days after a Tupolev 134 passenger jet crashed in northern Russia late Monday, killing 45, in an accident that has initially been attributed to pilot error.



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Russia Supplies 4 Su-30MK2 Fighters To Vietnam

russia
Published on 09:56 By Amardeep
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Russian Arms Exporter has supplied the first batch of four Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam, head of the company's delegation at Paris Air Show 2011 said.

Speaking about the share of aircraft equipment in overall exports of Russian armaments, Sergei Kornev noted yesterday that it made up 43 percent in 2010.

Normally, this indicator ranges between 45 and 50 percent, and this trend will keep in the near future, Kornev said.

The largest buyers of Russian aircraft are India, Algeria and Vietnam.

According to the Rosoboronexport official, the first four Su-30MK2 fighters had been recently sent to Vietnam.


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India to get Nerpa Akula-II N-submarine by December: Official

india
Published on 01:44 By Amardeep
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MOSCOW (PTI): India would receive its first new generation Nerpa Akula-II class nuclear attack submarine, which is undergoing sea trials in Russia, by the end of this year, a top Russian official has said.

"The Nerpa will be handed over to the Indian Navy on lease by the end of this year," Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Mikhail Dmitriyev was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

"Currently the submarine is undergoing sea trials, where the Indian crew is checking the functioning of its all systems and mechanism and are honing their skill for operating the vessel," said the official dealing in foreign military cooperation.

Under a USD 650 million confidential deal, part of the aircraft carrier 'Admiral Gorshkov' package, Russia is to give India the Nerpa on a 10-year lease, to be inducted as INS Chakra.

The Soviet-designed Shchuka B (Pike), NATO codenamed Akula-II, is claimed to be Russia's 'quietest' submarine avoiding detection by enemy sonars.

The Nerpa was to join the Indian Navy as early as 2008. However, an accident in November 2008 delayed the induction of the submarine.

During the sailing trials in the Sea of Japan, 20 people sleeping in the sailors compartment were killed by the deadly mixture of Freon gas due to the unauthorised manipulation of automatic fire extinguishing system.

It led to delay in the formal induction of the submarine by the Russian Navy for subsequent lease to the Indian Navy.

A court of inquiry had established that a cheaper lethal mixture of Freon was filled in the system, which instantly killed the sailors and technical staff of the shipyard.

Had there been normal more expensive Freon gas in the system, the crew would have enough time to put on gas masks and safely leave the sleeping compartment, the probe had revealed.



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Lockheed to offer F-35 to India, willing to re-enter MMRCA race

Published on 01:35 By Amardeep
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LE BOURGET, PARIS (PTI): After India rejected its F-16 jets, US defence major Lockheed Martin Tuesday said it is willing to offer the latest F-35 stealth fighter planes if the US government approves it.

"The decision has to be taken by the (US) government.

There has not been any discussion between us and the Indian Government," Lockheed's Martin Director of Communications of F-35 Michael J Rein told PTI here, saying his firm is willing to rejoin the bid for the USD 11 billion fighter jet deal for procurement of 126 Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft.

The Indian Government had rejected Lockheed's offer of F-16 along with another US firm Boeing’s offer of F/A-18 SUPER HORNET from the race for procurement of the jets.

Rein said the offer of F-35 stealth fighter to India has been mentioned in a draft Senate Bill and it was up to the US Government to take it forward.

The proposal to allow sale of F-35 stealth fighter has brightened the prospects of Lockheed Martin returning to the race for the deal, a top official of an Aerospace firm attending the PARIS AIR SHOW said.

Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin had been aggressively biding for the anticipated USD 11 billion deal.

Rein, who is here to as part of Lockheed Martin’s delegation to Paris AIR SHOW, was replying to a question on reports that the US defence major will offer its F-35 jets to India to rejoin the race for the MMRCA contract, billed as one of the largest in recent times world-wide.

Lockheed Martin had offered the F16IN Super Viper to India which was rejected by the Indian government along with Boeing's F-18 Super Horne and Russian MiG.

India has shortlisted two European contenders, French  Rafale and European Eurofighter for procuring 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) deal for the INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF) in April.

However, another executive, not wished to be named, said it would be difficult for Lockheed Martin to rejoin the competition as Indian government has already completed the shortlisting exercise.

The Senate bill that figures the F-35 proposal is being prepared to further intensify the military cooperation between the two strategic partners.


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boeing Begins Final Assembly Of India's 1st P-8I

india
Published on 01:25 By Amardeep
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From Boeing's statement today: The start of assembly work follows delivery of the plane's fuselage from teammate Spirit AeroSystems on May 29. Boeing workers have begun installing systems, wires and other small parts onto the fuselage. The P-8I's engines and wings will be installed later this summer.

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Two more C-130J Super Hercules depart for India

india
Published on 19:39 By Amardeep
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The 3rd and 4th of six C-130J Super Hercules planes acquired by India in a $950 million deal have left for their new home, Air Force Station Hindon, outside New Delhi. The remaining two C-130Js on order will be delivered later this summer, the plane's manufacturers Lockheed Martin said announcing the departure of the aircraft from its facility in Marietta, Georgia, Wednesday. 

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set, the aircraft can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions, Lockheed said.Self-protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments. The aircraft also is equipped with air-to-air receiver refuelling capability for extended range operations, it said.

Source:  weapontechno agency

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USAF's hypersonic plane fails in second test flight

uav
Published on 19:34 By Amardeep
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EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA (BNS): The second test flight of US Air Force’s experimental hypersonic aircraft, X-51 WaveRider, has ended in failure, the US media reported Friday.

The mission involved a B-52 bomber which was to release the aircraft at an altitude of 50,000 feet off the Pacific coast.

The B-52 bomber carrying the WaveRider took off from the Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 13 Monday.

Once the bomber reached the height of 50,000 feet near point mugu, it released the hypersonic plane “and it fell like a bomb for about four seconds before its booster rocket engine ignited and propelled the aircraft,” the Los Angeles Times reported.

The aircraft was supposed to get separated from the bomber and speed across the sky, powered by an air-breathing combustion engine, but that didn’t happen.

“A momentary lapse in airflow to the engine caused a shutdown and the X-51 plunged into the ocean within the test range,” the news report said.

Engineers are evaluating the data collected during the test flight to identify the cause of the problem, it said quoting the Air Force.

“Obviously we're disappointed and expected better results,” Charlie Brink, the air force X-51 programme manager, said in a statement. “But we are very pleased with the data collected on this flight.”

The USAF had conducted the first test flight of the X-51 WaveRider on May 26, 2010. The maiden flight had lasted for over 200 seconds, the longest ever hypersonic flight powered by scramjet propulsion.

The WaveRider, built by Boeing and pratt & whitey   Rocketdyne, reached an altitude of 70,000 feet and a top speed of Mach 6. However, a vehicle anomaly led to the termination of the flight after 200 seconds.

The hypersonic plane is being designed to hit distant targets anywhere in the world within few minutes. It could also substitute for a ballistic missile armed with conventional warhead.

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