DTN News: India, Russia Likely To Export BrahMos Missiles

DTN News: India, Russia Likely To Export BrahMos Missiles

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including By Anantha Krishnan M. -AviationWeek.com

(NSI News Source Info) BENGALURU, India - August 21, 2010: India and Russia are looking into exporting the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) signed by New Delhi and Moscow stipulates that the missile will be inducted into the armed forces of India and Russia and also will be exported to certain shared allies. Though the export of the missile has been discussed for many years, nothing concrete has happened. It is still too early to know which nations would be identified first, according to one Indian official. “It will be a decision taken after a lot of deliberations,” the official said. “The missile will be exported to friendly countries after taking into account the security needs of both [Indian and Russia],” Indian defense minister A.K. Antony said. “Many countries have shown interest to buy these missiles, but no decision has been taken as to whom the missile can be sold.” Presently, the Brahmos missiles are being produced for the Indian army, navy and air force. Export will start only after meeting the minimum requirements of India. In addition to the IGA, the missile has the approval of the Indo-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Military Technical Cooperation for Export. AVIATION WEEK reported in May this year, following a facility visit to the BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram (BATL), that an air version of the missile is currently under development and will be fitted on to the Su-30MKI fighter (Aerospace DAILY, May 27). “The prototype of the missile launcher is ready from our side and we are awaiting a critical system from HAL Nasik to be fitted on to it,” an official said Aug. 11. “The trials would then begin on the Su-30MKI platform.” A hypersonic version of the missile is also in the works and the design aspects are likely to be finalized very soon. The new missile will be ready for testing by 2015, Indian sources said. The export of BrahMos will be a huge boost to India’s military might. “After Dhruv choppers, it will be a great achievement if we can identify a couple of nations to export these missiles [to],” one source said. “It would also put India into a league of countries that exports military wares.”

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Indian Fighter Downselect Coming

DTN News: Indian Fighter Downselect Coming

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Aviation Week By Neelam Mathews

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 14, 2010: With flight trials complete, the downselect process has begun for the six candidate fighters in India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, a competition with a $10 billion-plus payday for providing 126 aircraft. Opinions vary widely among observers on how long it will take to narrow the field to two finalists from among the MiG-35, Dassault Rafale, EADS Eurofighter, Saab Gripen, Boeing F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin F-16. Some speculate an announcement might come in just two weeks. Others insist it will take much longer to evaluate the extensive technical reports that the tests have produced. Regardless, a commercial bidding process will follow the announcement. Final selection is to be made by the end of 2011. Trials included 643 test points. Results are being forwarded as tabulated data without a quantification of the level of compliance achieved, a senior Indian air force official reports. “We have done an objective assessment and are taking into account the needs of national security,” he says. But cost and politics will play a role in the defense ministry’s selection, he acknowledges. French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to India this year is expected to be followed by a host of inducements, including a large transfer of technology, on behalf of the Rafale. India has yet to sign the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. that sets limits on what sensitive technology the U.S. will export. It may be signed during President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit to India in November. Beyond informal briefings said to already have taken place, the six manufacturers are to receive a 250-page technical evaluation of how they did. Problems during the trials included the failures of engines and large electromechanical actuation systems. Meanwhile, the defense ministry has revealed that it will buy 42 more Su-30MKI fighters, with deliveries to unfold between 2014-2018 (Aerospace DAILY, Aug. 11). The $4.3 billion deal, which will run through Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., is a top-up order that is to bring the Indian Su-30 inventory to more than 250 aircraft and the number of HAL-assembled versions to close to 200 fighters. Talks continue with Russia about joint development of the T-50 (or PAK-FA), a fifth-generation fighter developed by Sukhoi. The program is valued at $8 billion. Whether those talks will work to the advantage of the MiG-35 MMRCA fighter candidate is unclear.

DTN News: Russian Air Force Will Receive New Su-35S Multi-Role Fighter In 2010

DTN News: Russian Air Force Will Receive New Su-35S Multi-Role Fighter In 2010

Source: DTN News - - this article / report compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Aviation Week

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 23, 2010: The modernized Su-35's new nose holds an improved passive electronically scanned array radar and the aircraft featured many other upgrades to its avionics and electronic systems, including digital fly-by-wire and a rear-looking radar for firing Semi-Active Radar missiles.

The Russian air force will take delivery of its first Su-35S fighter by the end of 2010, with a Libyan deal for the aircraft also anticipated to be concluded in the same time-frame Sukhoi CEO Mikhail Pogosyan, speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow, confirms that the air force would begin to receive the latest upgrade of the Su-27 Flanker before the year is out. The Su-35S, sometime also known as the Su-27M2, matches the Flanker airframe with more powerful 117S engines, thrust vector control and new avionics and systems. Sukhoi executives say the aircraft’s radar signature has been reduced through the use of radar absorbent coatings as well as reducing the number of protruding sensors. Preliminary testing of Su-35 has now been concluded according to the company. The initial flight test program was completed using two rather than the planned three aircraft after the third was lost as a result of a fire following a problem during taxi trials. So far 270 flights have been made totaling 350 flight-hours. A further focus during the initial trials was at the fighter’s onboard equipment. The Su-35 is equipped with the NIIP Tikhomirov Irbis passive phased-array radar. The radar is intended to be able to track 30 airborne targets and engage 8 of them while at the same time tracking 4 and engaging 2 ground targets. According to Pogosyan, during the trials the radar showed a maximum detection range against the airborne targets of 400 km. The Su-35’s infra-red search and track was able to detect and simultaneously track several targets at ranges in excess of more than 80 km. The reported service life of the new aircraft is 6,000 flight hours, with a planned operational life of 30 years. The intended service life of NPO Saturn 117S engines is 4,000 hours, say the designers. Suhkoi is now moving into joint evaluation trials with the Russian Air Force, pilots from the latter are already participating in the test program. The Russian air force presently has an order for 48 Su-35S aircraft to be delivered by 2015. The aircraft was initially promoted to the Russian military as an interim platform until the fifth generation fighter being developed by the Sukhoi enters in service in 2016. Now Pogosyan is sure the air force will continue the procurement of Su-35 beyond this date – a second batch for the same number is anticipated in the latter half of the decade. The T-50 fifth-generation prototype is now in the early stages of flight testing. Tripoli will likely be the launch export customer. Alexander Mikheev, deputy head of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-owned arms export agency, confirmed at Farnborough that the contract for delivery of undisclosed number of aircraft to Libya, one of the traditional recipients of Soviet armaments, is expected to be signed this year. The first export production slots are available from 2012. Pogosyan says he has “no knowledge” of a purported 40-60 aircraft government-to-government Indian deal for the Su-35 that could be proposed if the aircraft does not make the short list for India’s medium fighter competition, expected to be decided at year’s end. In addition to the Su-35, the Su-30 also has “good export prospects,” he says, mainly from existing customers. Pogosyan says the T-50 will make its public debut at the upcoming Moscow Air Show in August. He expects that ultimately the PAK FA will be available to export customers at a price that is higher than fourth-generation models but still “affordable” compared to competing Western fighters. “Russian fighters have always been competitive on the global market,” he notes, “and the PAK FA will not be an exception.” The absence of Russian combat aircraft here, he says, was dictated by a pure business decision to display the aircraft only at shows that have a reasonable chance of generating sales, rather than for reasons of prestige. Legal issues involving a Swiss creditor, which have kept fighters away from Farnborough in past years, played “absolutely no role this year,” he says. However, a broad palette of combat aircraft will be shown at the upcoming Moscow Air Show, including the T-50. Pogosyan admits that Russia will be faced with an increasing challenge from China, which practices even lower pricing. He agrees that China’s Shenyang J-15 is a “copy” of the Su-33 and that this raises intellectual property issues. However, he insists that lower pricing will be offset by poorer performance. “We’re not afraid of competition, even when it’s unfair. Learning how to integrate complex advanced fighter technology takes time.”

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com. and may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/

DTN News: Indian Light Combat Helicopter LCH Eyes First Official Flight

DTN News: Indian Light Combat Helicopter LCH Eyes First Official Flight

Source: DTN News / By Anantha Krishnan Aviation Week

(NSI News Source Info) BENGALURU, India - May 20, 2010: The official first flight of India’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is set for May 23. Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the light chopper had its unofficial first flight on March 29. Since then, HAL’s Helicopter Complex has test flown the chopper as many as 20 times to check various flight parameters. The LCH is based on the Dhruv platform and features a glass cockpit. HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak told AVIATION WEEK that the “designers, engineers and pilots are extremely happy with the performance so far. We are confident of flying the second prototype of LCH in August or September this year.” Several other aircraft will precede the LCH during the event. According to insiders, the Intermediate Jet Trainer Sitara from the limited series production (LSP) block will be first to fly, followed by the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas LSP-3. “Then the Hawk [trainer] built from the raw material phase at HAL will grace the skies followed by an upgraded Dornier with glass cockpit,” an official coordinating the show says. “The first Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv from the 159 order block [105 Army, 54 IAF] will be next in line, and finally the baby of the moment, LCH, will enter.” The Indian air force’s aerobatic helicopter display team Sarang (formed by Dhruv helicopters) has been summoned from Sulur air base to escort LCH in formation. The LCH will be piloted by Wing Cmdr. (ret.) Unni Pillai, HAL’s chief rotary wing test pilot, with Group Capt. (ret.) Hari Nair as co-pilot. Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony is leading a group of top officials who will observe the first flight at HAL’s military air base here in Bengaluru. “The Su-30 MKI was to perform some aerobatics as per the initial plan, then the idea was dropped owing to air safety concerns considering the thick population in and around HAL airport,” a source says. “Now it will be on a static display only.” The LCH team is expected to perform some limited maneuvers during the flight.

DTN News: U.S. Industry Hit By LCA Clearance Problem

DTN News: U.S. Industry Hit By LCA Clearance Problem

Source: DTN News / Aviation Week

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - May 20, 2010: India is turning to Europe for support of the naval version of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) after its initial choice of the U.S. was stymied by an inability to gain the requisite approvals from Washington. India selected Lockheed Martin as the winner of a bid for consultancy work on its naval LCA, but failure to secure U.S. State Department licensing approvals — at least in a timely fashion — now has resulted in EADS being in negotiation for the work. This is not the first time regulatory issues have tripped up U.S. ambitions in India. In April 2009 EADS picked up flight test work on the air force LCA as a result of Boeing being forced to withdraw. The U.S. manufacturer had been tapped for the project in 2008, but an inability to gain the required approvals from the U.S. administration forced it to pull its bid. The naval LCA is being designed for short take-off, but arrested recovery (Stobar), with a first flight of the naval variant by December. Neither EADS nor Lockheed are willing to comment beyond general statements. The U.S. company says it “continues to work with the U.S. government to support the LCA program. EADS, beyond confirming it has a consultancy contract (for the air force aircraft), says “both sides have agreed they will not disclose any details.” In March, the Indian government told Parliament that “deficiencies have been detected in the airframe and other associated equipment of the naval LCA [navy]. The Defense Research and Development Organization [DRDO] is working out [approaches] with various organizations for rectifying these deficiencies by suitable modifications to the engine/airframe design.” The consultancy is intended to support this effort. The consultancy on the naval LCA involves auditing the aircraft’s current configuration and optimizing the aircraft’s landing gear and arrestor hook design. The intent is also to reduce the aircraft’s all-up weight by around 1,000 lb. Sources involved with the program indicated that Lockheed’s inability to begin the consultancy on time had impacted the development effort, but the program itself was on schedule and progressing well. When ready, the naval LCA will primarily operate off Indian-built aircraft carriers, the first of which is under construction in Kochi. The sources also said that with almost all of the LCA’s equipping and cabling complete, the first prototype is scheduled to roll out of its hangar by mid-July. Three months of integration tests will follow, including ground vibration tests, structural coupling tests and other test routines before a first ground run and taxi test scheduled for October. If all goes well, the first prototype will fly in December. The front fuselage of the first naval prototype is identical to the fighter trainer (PV-5) that began tests in November 2009. The only part of the front fuselage in the naval prototype that will require a full routine of tests is a small additional control surface near the wing roots that is absent on the air force version. The naval variant will also have auxiliary air intakes. Program officials admit that there have been multiple challenges in the design and configuration of the landing gear and arrestor hook assembly, especially in optimizing the aircraft’s sink rate, but were confident that it would prove itself during flight tests. Apart from conventional takeoff and landing tests, the aircraft will undergo short takeoff and arrested landing tests at the Shore-Based Test Facility under construction at the Indian naval air station in Goa.

DTN News: Aviation Week Grounds Top Critic of Gajillion-Dollar Jet (Updated)

DTN News: Aviation Week Grounds Top Critic of Gajillion-Dollar Jet (Updated) Source: Wired.com/Danger Room By Noah Shachtman May 10, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 11, 2010: Bill Sweetman has authored over 30 books on military aircraft, and now edits Defense Technology International, a monthly magazine put out by Aviation Week.

One of the aviation industry’s biggest critics of the Pentagon’s gajillion-dollar fighter jet has been temporarily barred from writing about the controversial plane.

Few journalists today know more about tactical aircraft. And few have been more critical of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the jet that’s eventually supposed to replace as much as 95% of combat planes. “The program is no longer at risk of failure,” he wrote in March on Aviation Week’s defense blog, Ares. “It has already failed.” But Sweetman, for the moment, won’t be allowed to opine on the JSF. Aviation Week has pulled him from the beat. The maker of the jet swears they had nothing whatsoever to do with the suspension. “Lockheed Martin has not asked Aviation Week to take disciplinary action against Bill Sweetman nor have we asked that he be removed from reporting on the F-35 program or any other Lockheed Martin program,” the company says in a statement. But as the price tag for the supposedly low-cost JSF has grown — and as a once-ambitious test schedule has shrunk — Sweetman’s swipes at the program have gained more notoriety. PBS’ News Hour, for instance, featured Sweetman in a late April segment that focused on the project’s flaws. The following week, while Sweetman and his colleagues prepped for a trip Lockheed’s plant in Ft. Worth, Texas, he wrote on his Facebook page: “Gentlemen, your target for tonight is Fort Worth. Flacks are predicted to be numerous and persistent on the run-in and over the target, and bullshit is expected to be dense throughout the mission. Synchronize watches and good luck.” Shortly thereafter, Sweetman was asked to stop covering the JSF. UPDATE: “Aviation Week is committed to providing objective aerospace and defense journalism based on independent and balanced coverage. Following comments posted on his personal Facebook page, the editorial team has decided that Bill Sweetman will not be covering the F-35 program for a period of time,” magazine spokesman Joe D’Andrea e-mails Danger Room. “We will continue to hold our journalists to the highest standards of editorial integrity to best serve the aersopace and defense community.” *For Link to this article "Aviation Week Grounds Top Critic of Gajillion-Dollar Jet (Updated)" ~ Source: Wired.com/Danger Room By Noah Shachtman May 10, 2010 (Click here) *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com Disclaimer statement Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.