DTN News: Russia's Sukhoi Begins Su-33 Flanker-D Trials

DTN News: Russia's Sukhoi Begins Su-33 Flanker-D Trials

Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - October 6, 2010: Russia's Sukhoi aircraft holding revealed on Tuesday it has begun ground and flight trials of the modernized fourth generation Su-33 naval fighter.

The Su-33 Flanker-D is a carrier-based warplane, originally known as the Su-27K Flanker, which first rolled off the production line in the late 1980s.

Modernization works and trials are being carried out in the Russian Far Eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a statement from Sukhoi said

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DTN News: China Eats Russia Alive

DTN News: China Eats Russia Alive

Source: Strategy Page

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 16, 2010: After years of having their military technology blatantly stolen by China, Russia is no longer selling them much of anything. In addition, the state controlled Russian media is now featuring lots of pundits deploring the low performance of the Chinese arms industry, and how poorly they have copied Russian military technology.

A recent flurry of reports disparaged Chinese attempts to copy the Russian Su-33 (an aircraft carrier version of the Su-27). This all rings hollow when you consider how the Chinese have already caught up with a lot of Russian military manufacturers, and are driving them out of business in some areas. For example, using stolen Russian technology, China is driving Russia out of the low-end weapons business. In turn, Russian attempts to maintain their status as a major developer of military technology are fumbling, largely because of the sales stolen by China. Increasingly, China is undercutting Russian sales efforts with similar weapons containing lots of stolen Russian technology. The Chinese won't invest as much in developing new technology, and the Russians can no longer afford to. So the second tier weapons markets slide further into mediocrity. Through most (1960s-80s) of the Cold War, Russia (Soviet Union) had a well financed arms industry. Many innovative weapons were developed, but all this effort was hobbled by the fact that the Russian economy as a whole was very inefficient, and Russian industry could not build high tech as well, or reliably, as Western firms. Thus Russian high-tech gear always came in second to Western counterparts. When the Cold War ended, so did the lavish spending on the Russian defense industries. Many, actually over half, of these weapons manufacturers went bankrupt, or converted to non-military production. Those that survived, did so by exporting weapons. Throughout the 1990s, the Russian armed forces could not afford to buy much new stuff. China came to the rescue in the 1990s, and over the next decade, bought nearly $20 billion in Russian arms. But China also began to blatantly copy lots of the Russian tech, and build their own. Thus, not surprisingly, for the last five years, Chinese orders have shrunk, while production of copies of Russian tech have increased. In some cases, Russia has simply refused to sell China high tech stuff, to avoid having it copied. In the 1990s, Chinese manufacturing capabilities were so far behind that Russia believed their lead would never disappear. But with Russian military manufacturing largely stalled for the last two decades, and the Chinese economy booming (over 10 percent growth per year), the Russians are horrified to realize that the Chinese are catching up, and fast. For example, China believes it will be free from dependence on Russia for military jet engines within the next five (or so) years. Currently, China imports two Russian engines, the $3.5 million AL-31 (for the Su-27/30, J-11, J-10) and the $2.5 million RD-93 (a version of the MiG-29s RD-33) for the JF-17 (a F-16 type aircraft developed in cooperation with Pakistan.) But in the meantime, Chinese engineers have managed to master the manufacturing techniques needed to make a Chinese copy of the Russian AL31F engine. This Chinese copy, the WS10A, is part of a program that has also developed the WS13, to replace the RD-93. China has long copied foreign technology, not always successfully. But in the last decade, China has poured much money into developing a jet engine manufacturing capability. The Chinese encountered many of the same problems the Russians did when developing their own engine design and construction skills. But China has several advantages. First, they knew of the mistakes the Russians had made, and so were able to avoid many of them. Then there was the fact that China had better access to Western manufacturing technology (both legally and illegally). Finally, China was, unlike the Soviets, able to develop their engine manufacturing capabilities in a market economy. This was much more efficient than the command economy that the Soviets were saddled with for seven decades. It is true, as the Russians like to point out, that the Chinese have taken a long time to develop some of their latest high-tech weapons (like the J-10 and JF-17 jet fighters, jet engines and many missile and electronic systems). But that's because the Chinese regarded these projects as learning exercises, and have not produced the resulting aircraft in large numbers. The Chinese use what they have learned for the next project, and they have made a lot of progress in two decades. China has already demonstrated an ability to build (and copy) world class technology. They now have the largest automobile industry on the planet. China can build things, and build them well. They learn from their mistakes, and they are surpassing their long time Russian mentors. The Russians know this is true, but they don't want to admit it.

*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.

Various Topics On Strategy Page

MARINES: Russia Goes French On The Japanese

IRAN: The Grim Reality Behind the Headlines

INTELLIGENCE: The General Was A Spy

WINNING: The Missile Miracle In China

AIR WEAPONS: Deploying Fear And Intimidation

PROCUREMENT: Cheap Euros Change The Game

BALKANS: Looking For An Honest Turk

FORCES: Bangladesh Rebuilds Its Navy

WARPLANES: The Gold Plated Hanger Queen Survives

KOREA: Too Quiet

RUSSIA: The Borders Are Burning

LEADERSHIP: China Eats Russia Alive

SURFACE FORCES : Fixing The Empty Cell Blues

WARPLANES: Blackjacks Showcase Surprising Stamina

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Antonov, Ilyushin and Tupolev Fading Away

COUNTER-TERRORISM: Burning Down The Taliban Playbook

SUBMARINES: The Disappearing Droids Of Chesapeake Bay

MEXICO: Dam Busters And Other Delights

SUBMARINES: Finding The Tiny Terrors

NAVAL AIR: Brothers In Steam

DTN News: China Creates Pirate Copy of Russia’s Su-33 Deck-Based Fighter Jet

DTN News: China Creates Pirate Copy of Russia’s Su-33 Deck-Based Fighter Jet

Source: DTN News / Pravda.Ru

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - June 5, 2010: China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation created a copy of a Russian deck-based Su-33 fighter jet. The Chinese model of the aircraft was called J-15, Interfax reports with reference to the May issue of the Kanwa Asian Defence military publication. The Chinese fighter jet is based on the Soviet T10K training aircraft, which China received from Ukraine. Chinese engineers found it very difficult to solve the problem of folding wings of deck-based fighter jets. Now the problem has been solved. It is not clear yet, if the new plane has performed its first flight yet: the Chinese Air Force does not have its own test center for the sea aviation. China earlier attempted to purchase two Su-33 planes from Russia to study the aircraft performance. Moscow rejected the deal over the fear of technology leak, as it previously happened with the J-11 aircraft, RBC reports. When trying to enter the Chinese arms market, Russia handed over the assembly technology for the Su-27CK fighter jet to China. As a result, China modernized the plane and began to work on a serial production of the J-11 plane. Such a step can give China an opportunity to put competitive pressure on Russia on the arms market of third countries, experts said. Russia started delivering Su-27CK planes to China in 1992. The sides signed an agreement for 76 fighters of the class. In 1995, Russia sold the license for the production of 200 more fighters. China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation started assembling them as J-11 with the use of Russian components. By 2003 Russia had delivered 95 packages for J-11 and was supposed to ship 105 more, although China did not sign the contract for them. In 2007, China demonstrated first prototypes of the J-11B jet – nearly the absolute copy of Russia’s Su-27CMK. For the time being, China has launched the serial production of J-10, J-11 and FC-1 fighter jets. These planes bear a striking resemblance to Russia’s Su-27/30 and MiG-29. In the nearest future, China intends to build and sell not less than 1,200 fighters – the prices on them will be significantly lower than those on the Russian “originals.” After the incident with J-11, Russia officially notified China of the violation of international agreements and promised to launch legal proceedings to defend its intellectual property.

China is not the only country that established the pirated production based on Russian technologies. Russia’s defense export giant Rosoboronexport said that over 15 countries (including Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt) produce Kalashnikov assault rifles either on expired licenses or without any license at all. Arms pirates also eye multiple artillery rocket systems, tank equipment and radars. The Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) is a carrier-based multi-role fighter aircraft produced by Russian firm Sukhoi beginning in 1982. It is a derivative of the Su-27 ‘Flanker’ and was initially known as the Su-27K. The main differences from the Su-27 are that the Su-33 can operate from aircraft carriers and is capable of aerial refueling. Unlike comparable American carrier-borne fighters like the F-14 Tomcat, the Su-33 uses a ski-jump instead of catapult for carrier takeoff. Using the ski-jump avoids the high catapult-induced loads, and provides the aircraft with a positive pitch and climb angle upon launch. However, when using a ski-jump, the Su-33 cannot launch at maximum takeoff weight. The Su-33 sports canards that shorten the take-off distance and improve maneuverability, but required reshaping of the leading edge extensions. The canards counter pitch-down force generated by leading and trailing edge flaps reducing approach speed by 1.5 times; they also act as destabilizers in supersonic flight, by reducing pitch trim drag. The wing area was also increased, though the span remained unchanged. The wings were fitted with power-assisted folding, and the vertical tails were shortened to allow the fighter to fit in the typically crowded hangars of an aircraft carrier. The rear radome was shortened and reshaped to allow for the tail hook, as well as to save space inside the hangars. The IRST was moved to provide better downward visibility and an L-shaped retractable refuelling probe was fitted to increase range.

DTN News: Russia Downplays Chinese J-15 Fighter Capabilities

DTN News: Russia Downplays Chinese J-15 Fighter Capabilities

Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - June 5, 2010: China's J-15 carrier-based fighter will not be able to compete with Russia's Su-33 fighter on global markets because it is inferior to the Russian aircraft, a Russian military analyst said on Friday. China since 2001 has been developing the J-15 naval fighter, which is believed to be a clone of Russia's Su-33 Falcon-D. China bought an Su-33 prototype earlier from Ukraine, and used it to develop the new aircraft. The J-15 is expected to be stationed initially onboard the Chinese Varyag aircraft carrier currently being fitted in the port of Dalian. China bought the unfinished Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier from Ukraine in 1998. "The Chinese J-15 clone is unlikely to achieve the same performance characteristics of the Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighter, and I do not rule out the possibility that China could return to negotiations with Russia on the purchase of a substantial batch of Su-33s," said Col. (Ret.) Igor Korotchenko, a member of the Defense Ministry's Public Council. The Su-33 is a carrier-based multi-role fighter, which can perform a variety of air superiority, fleet defense, air support and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft entered service with the Russian Navy in 1995 and are currently deployed on board the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Korotchenko said China was unlikely to solve technical problems related to the design of the folding wings and to develop a reliable engine for the aircraft, although the first J-15 prototype reportedly made its maiden flight on August 31, 2009, powered by Chinese WS-10 turbofan engines. China and Russia had been in negotiations on the sale of the Su-33 Flanker-D fighters to be used on future Chinese aircraft carriers since 2006, but the talks collapsed over China's request for an initial delivery of two aircraft for a "trial." Russian Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the refusal was due to findings that China had produced its own copycat version of the Su-27SK fighter jet in violation of intellectual property agreements. In 1995, China secured a $2.5-billion production license from Russia to build 200 Su-27SKs, dubbed J-11A, at the Shenyang Aircraft Corp. The deal required the aircraft to be outfitted with Russian avionics, radars and engines. Russia cancelled the arrangement in 2006 after it discovered that China was developing an indigenous version, J-11B, with Chinese avionics and systems. The decision came after China had already produced at least 95 aircraft. Last year, Russia refused again to sell the Su-33 to China even after Beijing had offered to buy 14 of them, saying that at least 24 jets should be sold to recoup production costs.

Russia Shows Concern Over Chinese Weapons Piracy

Russia Shows Concern Over Chinese Weapons Piracy *Russian-Chinese Su-33 Fighter Deal Collapses / Russia Refused To Sell Su-33 To China, Fears Being Duplicated And Exported: Report....Defense-Technology News March 11, 2009 (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - March 17, 2009: Several years ago, the media reported plans to sell between 30 and 50 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-D carrier-borne fighters to China, which in turn planned to deploy them aboard its advanced aircraft carriers. Subsequent media reports mentioned only 14 Su-33s and the mandatory purchase of two fighters for "familiarization" purposes. But several wire services recently said the Su-33 deal did not go through. China has already copied the hard-hitting Su-27 Flanker fighter and its engine parts, re-designating the plane as the Shenyang J-11 (JianJi-11), an advanced fourth-generation fighter now serving with the Chinese Air Force. Russia was not very happy about such developments and probably got the impression that Beijing could copy the Su-33 after comparing its specifications with those of the T-10 prototype version. After it had been receiving stockpiles of Soviet weapons and production equipment from the 1940s and until the 1960s, Beijing continued to manufacture their own technologically Soviet weaponry and equipment even after its relations with Moscow had gone sour in the 1960s. China produced and upgraded all types of weapons, namely, firearms, mortars, artillery systems, armored fighting vehicles (including tanks), air defense systems and aircraft (including the famous Tupolev Tu-16 Badger intermediate-range bombers, which were re-designated as the Xian H-6s). Beijing actively exported copies of Soviet weapons to the Third World, Albania, the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia and to other countries that were unable to buy Soviet or Western weaponry for political reasons. These types of weapons are still in use today. From 1979 to 1989, China supplied 90% of mortars to Mujahedin insurgents battling Soviet forces in Afghanistan. However, Beijing continued to copy Soviet weaponry even after relations with Moscow had normalized in the late 1980s. China displayed copies of modern cruise missiles, aircraft engines, the aforesaid Su-27 fighter and many other military-equipment models. The signing of contracts for the delivery of large weapon batches that would meet Chinese demand in specific areas could serve as a guarantee against unauthorized copying. However, Beijing is no longer interested in such purchases. What's more, this option does not rule out the copying of previously supplied weapon systems and their subsequent exports to third countries. Such exports can only be prevented by signing a legally binding Russian-Chinese intellectual property protection agreement. But the experience of the last few years shows that very few countries pirating Russian weapons are inclined to respect Moscow's copyright.

Russian-Chinese Su-33 Fighter Deal Collapses / Russia Refused To Sell Su-33 To China, Fears Being Duplicated And Exported: Report

Russian-Chinese Su-33 Fighter Deal Collapses / Russia Refused To Sell Su-33 To China, Fears Being Duplicated And Exported: Report

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - March 11, 2009: Russia has refused to sell its Su-33 carrier-based fighters to China over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft, a Russian daily said on Tuesday. The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper said that China and Russia had been in negotiations on the sale of 50 of the Su-33 Flanker-D fighters, to be used on future Chinese aircraft carriers, since 2006, but that the talks collapsed recently over China's request for an initial delivery of two aircraft for a "trial." Russian Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the refusal was due to findings that China had produced its own copycat version of the Su-27SK fighter jet in violation of intellectual property agreements. In 1995, China secured a $2.5-billion production license from Russia to build 200 Su-27SKs, dubbed J-11A, at the Shenyang Aircraft Corp. The deal required the aircraft to be outfitted with Russian avionics, radars and engines. Russia cancelled the arrangement in 2006 after it discovered that China was developing an indigenous version, J-11B, with Chinese avionics and systems. The decision came after China had already produced 95 aircraft. This time, Russia refused the Chinese offer even after Beijing had offered to buy 14 Su-33 aircraft, saying that at least 24 jets should be sold to recoup production costs. However, the Moskovsky Komsomolets said that the Su-33 deal may be reviewed later because China desperately needs carrier-based aircraft to equip its first indigenous 48,000-ton aircraft carrier, due to be built by 2011. Beijing has also announced plans to build a nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier by 2020. Chinese media recently quoted China fleet commander Adm. Xu Hongmeng as saying: "China will very soon have its own aircraft carrier."

The state-run company Rosoboronexport is finishing negotiations with the People’s Republic of China to ship up to 50 aircraft totalling US$2.5 billion. China would initially acquire 2 aircraft worth US$100 million for testing and then have further options to acquire an additional 12-48 aircraft. The fighters are intended to be used with the fledgling Chinese aircraft carrier program. At the sixth Zhuhai Airshow in fall 2006, the first deputy director of the Military Technological Cooperation Bureau of Russian Federation, lieutenant general Aleksander Denisov of the Russian Air Force, publicly confirmed at the news conference that China had approached Russia for the possible purchase of Su-33, and negotiation was to start in 2007. The Xinhua News Agency subsequently published the information on its military website on the same day on November 1, 2006 and this is the only known official Chinese governmental acknowledgment on this matter, but neither the Russian general nor the Chinese reporters disclosed any information on whether the deal was direct purchase, license assembly or technology transfer, but simply stating that China had planned to "introduce Su-33".

*Russia has refused to sell its Su-33 carrier-based fighters to China over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft, a Russian daily said on Tuesday. The Su-33 is a carrier-based multi-role fighter, which can perform a variety of air superiority, fleet defense, air support and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft entered service with the Russian Navy in 1995 and are currently deployed on board the Nikolai Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Russian Su-33 naval fighters are significantly cheaper than any similar foreign models, such as the French Rafale-M, or the U.S F-35C or the F/A-22N Sea Raptor.

Russia To Build Nuclear-Powered 60,000-Ton Aircraft Carrier

Russia To Build Nuclear-Powered 60,000-Ton Aircraft Carrier

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - February 28, 2009: Russia's new-generation aircraft carrier will be nuclear powered and have a displacement of up to 60,000 metric tons, a United Shipbuilding Corporation executive said on Friday. Vice Adm. Anatoly Shlemov, the company's head of defense contracts, said the new carrier was still at the drawing board stage, but its blueprint and basic specifications have already been defined. He said the carrier will serve as a seaborne platform for new-generation fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, in particular, a fifth-generation fighter that will replace the Su-33 multirole fighter aircraft currently in service, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). "It will be a fifth-generation aircraft with classic horizontal take-off and landing capability," the admiral said. Shlemov said, unlike in the past, the new aircraft carrier would not be armed with cruise missiles, which were not part of its "job description." He said that at least three such carriers were to be built, for the Northern and Pacific Fleets. The executive offered no timeline on the project, saying it was not as yet clear which shipyard would get the contract. The new carrier has an estimated price tag of $4 billion. So far the Russian Navy only has one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov Project 1143.5, built in 1985, with a displacement of 55,000 metric tons, a crew of 1,500, and capability to carry more than 50 aircraft. :

Russia: Su-34 (Fullback) - Two-Seat Fighter-Bomber/Strike Aircraft

Russia: Su-34 (Fullback) - Two-Seat Fighter-Bomber/Strike Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) February 2, 2009: The Su-34 (NATO reporting name of "Fullback") is a dedicated two-seat fighter-bomber/strike fighter version of the successful Su-27 "Flanker" fighter series. The aircraft is a product of the Sukhoi Design Bureau that has already spawned into a handful of capable roles including the Su-33 navy multi-role fighter and the Su-35 long-range, air superiority/strike fighter.

The Su-34 features some components of previous Flanker aircraft but incorporates a slew of new systems that make the system essentially an independent aircraft design consistent with its intended strike role.The Su-34 began life under the Sukhoi T-10V project designation and evolved into the Su-27IB, making its maiden flight on April 13th, 1990. This project sought to fit the air superiority Su-27 Flanker into more of a dedicated fighter-bomber role.

The Sukhoi Su-34 (export designation Su-32, NATO reporting name Fullback) is an advanced Russian 2-seat fighter-bomber and strike aircraft. It is intended to eventually replace the Sukhoi Su-24.

The aircraft differed from its predecessor in that it featured a larger cabin to accommodate a two-seat cockpit with each pilot seated side-by-side. Essentially, the entire forward fuselage is all-new when compared to the base Su-27 and its counterpart, the Su-30. Conversely, the aircraft maintains the engine nacelles (with fixed intakes), wings and tail section of the Su-27 and features forward-fitted canards for added stability. The canards are fitted between the distance of the cockpit and main wing system. The extended fuselage aft (otherwise referred to as a "stinger") houses a rearward-looking radar system to contend with any enemy aircraft in pursuit.

The large two-seat, pressurized cockpit adds many long-range bonuses for the crew made up of the pilot and weapons operator. It is reportedly spacious enough for the crew to stand upright and an in-flight lavatory makes for sustainable long flights. Unlike previous Soviet/Russian aircraft designs, ergonomics have been given a priority in the Su-34 and thus the onboard spaciousness is a byproduct of this initiative. The cockpit is made largely of glass with a split forward piece and a curved single main piece. The cockpit design and sharp down-angled nose no doubt adds to taxing and landing visibility substantially. Independent ejection seats are afforded to both crew members. The undercarriage is a conventional tricycle arrangement with each main gear utilizing two wheels.

Power is derived from twin Lyulka brand AL-35F turbofans with afterburning capability producing 30,845lbf of thrust each unit. Fuel is supplied via large onboard areas and, coupled with external fuel tanks and in-flight refueling, the Fullback can obtain impressive ranges. A top Mach speed of 1.8 is reported along with a range of 2,490 miles (ferry range). Service ceiling will top out at roughly 49,000 feet. Onboard systems propel the Su-34 into the modern age and feature real-time digital battlefield management systems, advanced targeting and tracking operations and an improved navigational suite. Cockpit system automation in the cockpit extends the usefulness of the aircraft to the point of allowing the pilots to concentrate on other facets of the mission at hand.

For standard armament, the Su-34 will feature a 1 x 30mm GSh-30-1 series cannon (as found on the Su-27 and Su-30 Flankers) sporting 150 rounds of ammunition - largely for close-range self-defense. The bread and butter of the system lies in its ability to mount up to 17,600lbs of external ordnance on 10 to 12 underside hardpoints slung about the wings and fuselage. Munition types run the gamut of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry including guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles (including long-range cruise missiles), guided bombs and conventional bombs and rocket pods of varying types. Wingtip launch rails are reserved for the AA-11 "Archer" series of air-to-air missiles, presumably for self-defense - though the Su-27 air superiority roots of the Su-34 may prove it a capable fighter none-the-less.

Along with its inherent in-flight refueling capabilities, the Su-34 can also carry external fuel tanks for exponentially increased operational ranges.

The Su-27IB was unveiled several times over the decade under different guises and designations, no doubt slowly evolving as the available project funds allowed. As the money came and went, so too did the Su-34 progression and regression. Eventually, the system was officially announced with the Su-34 designation by Russian authorities and its uncertain future was now set in motion at a cost of approximately $36 million USD (1997) to produce.

The Su-34 "Fullback" is intended to replace the 500 or so Cold War-era Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" aircraft still in service with Russian forces, though modernization programs have been underway to extend the operational life of the Fencers until the Su-34 is fully ready. This most likely means that it will be of some duration before the Su-34 sees full operational numbers. Some 10 pre-production examples have already been delivered with an expected 200 example total by the end of this first production run. All in all, the Su-34 "Fullback" should be an impressive addition to the Russian aerial arsenal.