India develops new UAVs

India develops new UAVs

(NSI News Source Info) October 17, 2008: India is reportedly developing a new generation of UAVs designed to deploy laser target designators deep inside enemy territory."We are planning to base LTDs on UAVs to cut down the risk of our troops getting caught inside enemy territory while illuminating targets for attack and save the cost of sending another aircraft for doing the task," explained a senior Defence Ministry official. The new UAV project will be led by the DRDO, in partnership with the Army, Navy and the IAF. As IT Examiner previously reported, the crowded Indian defence market has led numerous officials to express concern over a perceived lack of indigenous self-reliance. To be sure, air chief marshall F M Major recently recommended that New Delhi reduce its dependency on aerospace imports by embarking on a "strategic shift [that] will offer the required thrust towards building skills and infrastructure for engineering and manufacturing."As such, the MoD has taken several notable steps to develop advanced military technology. For example, the Indian Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) is designing a number of unmanned infantry combat vehicles. According to CVRDE director S Sundaresh, Medak Plant workers are fitting Russian infantry combat vehicles with advanced robotic components at a cost of Rs 60 crore. Sundaresh also noted that the all-terrain vehicles would be utilised to detect mines, as well as nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. In addition, the DRDO has announced plans to develop missiles that are lighter and less costly than current indigenous models. An independent centre for composite testing and evaluation is being established at the Hyderabad-based Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) -- which was primarily responsible for designing the long-range Agni missile. Avinash Chander, Director of the Laboratory under DRDO, explained that the ASL already maintains a composites production centre (Comproc) responsible for the fabrication of lightweight missile material. However, Chander noted that the ASL wanted to make "all the stages of the Agni missile composite structured."

DTN News: Norwegian Industry Wants Sweden's Gripen Jets - Report

DTN News: Norwegian Industry Wants Sweden's Gripen Jets - Report (NSI News Source Info) October 17, 2008: The best decision for the Norwegian industry would be the purchase of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets and not US F-35 Lightning II, a common report by two industry organisations and a labour union showed on Wednesday.

The Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi), trade union Landsorganisasjonen (LO) and Norwegian Society of Engineers (NITO), with a total one million members, recommended in the report the authorities to invest in 48 new JAS 39 Gripen jets instead of in US F-35 Lightning II, know as Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), made by Lockheed Martin Corp. Gripen is manufactured by Swedish defence and aerospace group Saab AB. Gripen is the best alternative from the industrial perspective, FSi administrative director Torbjorn Svensgard told Norwegian daily Dagsavisen today. Gripen has already identified much more projects in Norway, to take part in, compared with JSF, and these projects are spread across the whole country. A JSF choice will have negative consequences for the expansion and further development of the Norwegian defence industry, according to the report. If Norway chooses Gripen, this will enable large production, as well as research and development, and more work places, FSi said. Although the report is important, the LO union has not taken a final position in the discussion yet, LO's leader Roar Flathen said. Norway's government is due to make a decision about the fighters before Christmas.

DoD Announces Non-Certification of Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program

DoD Announces Non-Certification of Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program (NSI News Source Info) October 17, 2008: Yesterday, the Department of Defense notified the Congress and the contractor, Bell Helicopter, that it will not certify the U.S. Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program for continuation. John Young, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, in consultation with senior Defense and Army officials, has determined that the fundamental cost and schedule basis underlying award of the ARH contract is no longer valid. The ARH contract was awarded for an expected development cost of $359 million and a procurement average unit cost of $8.56 million. Currently, DoD estimates that development will cost $942 million and the procurement average unit cost will be $14.48 million. Delivery of ARH to the Army was originally scheduled to take place by 2009, but the current projection is for 2013. “Rather than continue this program”, Young said, “I have decided that the best course of action is to provide the Army with an opportunity to define a coherent, disciplined Kiowa Warrior helicopter replacement program, and to obtain more rigorous contract terms for its development.” Secretary of the Army Pete Geren stated, “The cost and schedule that were the focus of the decision to award the contract to Bell Helicopter are no longer valid. We have a duty to the Army and the taxpayer to move ahead with an alternative course of action to meet this critical capability for our Soldiers at the best price and as soon as possible.”

India to Upgrade An-32 Transport Aircraft

India to Upgrade An-32 Transport Aircraft (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - October 15, 2008: The Indian Air Force is set to upgrade all of the approximately 110 An-32 transport aircraft it bought from the former Soviet Union. The upgrade of the An-32 fleet is part of the air force's policy to upgrade all aircraft in its inventory, a senior air force official said. The upgrade is intended to improve the avionics, increase the engine lifespan, and improve the aircraft's range and payload so it can remain operational for another 15 to 20 years.

An-32 transport aircraft

The air force is likely to call for global bids early next year for the upgrade. Sources said some An-32 aircraft also will be upgraded with systems so they can perform maritime patrol functions. The An-32 was built for India by Antonov of Ukraine to operate under hot climate conditions to withstand temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius. Early this year, the Indian Air Force bought six C-130J transport aircraft from the U.S. to increase its ability to land and take off on short airfields and without lights. The aircraft will be used to move special forces on short notice. Currently, the air force uses two Russian military transports, the An-32 and Il-76.

Oshkosh 1070F Heavy Equipment Transporter, United Kingdom

Oshkosh 1070F Heavy Equipment Transporter, United Kingdom (NSI News Source Info) October 14, 2008: The Oshkosh 1070F (8×8) heavy equipment transporter (HET) became the new British Army heavy tank transporter in 2001 replacing the Scammel Commander. The vehicle has been in production by Oshkosh since 1992 and they have supplied over 2,600 of them to the US Army in various engine configurations such as the 1070E and the 1070E1. The UK version (1070F) had to be supplied with compliance to European legislation on emissions (EURO III).

The vehicle has a top speed of 85km/h on a primary highway and has a central tyre inflation system to adjust pressures for different terrains. There are five steering axles on the trailer and the whole vehicle has a turning circle of 30.5m.

The 1070F uses a Kings GTS 100 hydraulic tilting trailer (designed and built by King Trailers Limited of the UK).

The UK 1070F has an 18l Caterpillar which is compliant with all EU regulations.

UK contract The British Army heavy transporter contract was awarded as a 20-year PFI (private finance initiative) to the FASTRAX consortium (Kellogg Brown and Root, Deutsche Bank and the Oshkosh Truck Corporation). FASTTRAX was awarded the £290m whole-life-cost contract for 92 tractor trucks, 89 King GTS 110/7 semi-trailers along with three Tru-Hitch recovery systems and also staff to operate them as Sponsored Reserves in January 2001. The vehicles were delivered by Oshkosh between 2003 and 2004.

Oshkosh 1070F features The Oshkosh 1070F HET has the same basic chassis and axle set-up as the M1070 model, but the cab, engine and transmission have been changed to meet European requirements. The cab is an all-steel affair with two doors that seats six. The driver and front passenger are seated on suspension seats and the four passengers in the back are on a bench seat able to convert into two double bunks (the full crew for the truck and loaded tank is 12). The 1070F uses the Caterpillar C-18 engine, which is an 18.1l six-cylinder in-line turbocharged and after-cooled diesel power unit that can produce 700hp and 2,576Nm torque at 1,300rpm. The vehicle provides the necessary power to move its 118,050kg GCW (72t Challenger II tank) at a speed of 80km/h on tarmac surfaces and 38km/h on a 2.5% gradient. The transmission used in the 1070F is the Allison HD 4076P, seven-speed automatic with TC-561 torque converter and second-gear start. The 1070F's cab is 2.59m wide (3.67m including the mirrors), the height is 3.74m, the length is 9.49m, the ground clearance is 0.40m and the unladen weight is 20t (unladen weight with trailer is 46t). The 1070F is equipped with an Eaton VORAD sideways radar to visualise blind spots on the nearside and has Rockwell air actuated S-cam Bendix ABS/ATC brakes. The Oshkosh also has a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) operated via a series of buttons on the dash ('CC' for cross-country, 'HWY' for normal on a highway, 'MSS' for mud, snow and sand) that can keep a tyre inflated even if a bullet goes through it. The tyres used for the UK 1070F are Michelin 425/95 R20 (16.00 R20) 22 ply tubeless. "The Oshkosh 1070F became the new British Army heavy tank transporter in 2001." The truck (maximum speed of 85km/h) has a total fuel capacity of 947l with a range of 325 miles. The rig is fitted with a twin winch giving dual 24.9t pulling capacity and uses a Kings GTS 100 hydraulic tilting trailer (designed and built by King Trailers Limited of Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK) with a length of 17.28m and a weight of 26t and 285/70R 19.5 (150/147J) tubeless tyres at a pressure of 116PSI. There are five steering axles on the trailer, the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th and the whole vehicle has a turning circle of 30.5m and a fording depth of 0.70m.

Steering and auxiliary systems The steering system for the rig is a two-axle Ackerman (front and rear) with integral hydraulic with dual steering gears on the front axle (20.1:1 front steering gear ratio, 25.0:1 rear steering gear ratio and 2.21:1 rear steering reduction ratio). The suspension system in the front is a Hendrickson parabolic taper leaf spring and in the rear is a Tridem Hendrickson-Turner air ride. The 1070F has an auxiliary diesel power pack consisting of a Lister Petter LPA2 twin-cylinder direct-injection diesel to provide backup hydraulic power for adjustment of the live 'Hydroneck', power steering system balance pressure adjustment and power override, and the suspension system raise / lower facility. This can also be used in a cold start for the main engine.

DTN News: Indian Commandos in Action

DTN News: Indian Commandos in Action

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - October 14, 2008: The Para Commandos are a special forces unit of the Indian Army. Formed in 1966, the Para Commandos are the largest and most important part of the Special Forces of India. They form the highly-trained Corps of the Indian Army and, generally, all the Indian Special Forces (SF) personnel are selected from it. Army Maj. Tom Seagrist, 1st Special Forces Group stationed at Fort Lewis, observes Indian army Lt. Gen. S.S. Soin as he fires an M-4 on Range 43 Aug. 8. Members of the Indian army are visiting military installations throughout the United States for two weeks to compare numerous weapons systems. Sniper on your six.....watch out! Really well camouflaged, this sniper patiently awaits for his target to pop up. Posing for the camera is this section of Para Commandos, armed with everything from pistols to sub-machine guns to assault rifles and even the 84mm Carl Gustav anti-tank launcher! A convoy of Para Commandos drive home, after undergoing a war game in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. Para commandos train in all climates that India offers - from the deserts of Rajasthan to the forests of North East to the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, India's Para Commandos can be everywhere and anywhere.

Russia to start production of new Ka-52 helicopters in October

Russia to start production of new Ka-52 helicopters in October (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - October 14, 2008: The Progress aircraft maker, based in Russia's Far East, will start production of a new model of the Ka-52 Hokum-B attack/reconnaissance helicopter in October 2008, a company official said Monday. The Ka-52 is a twin-seat derivative of the Ka-50 Hokum-A attack helicopter, and is designed primarily for reconnaissance and target designation purposes. It is similar to the U.S. AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. "The Kamov design bureau has successfully completed testing of the Ka-52 Hokum-B attack/reconnaissance helicopter and it has been adopted for service with the Russian Air Force," Konstantin Parshin said. "The production of the helicopter will start in October at the Progress aircraft-manufacturing company," the official said. Deliveries of the Ka-52 Hokum-B to the Russian Air Force will start in 2009. According to its commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the Russian Air Force will receive more than 100 new combat helicopters, including the Ka-52 and the Mi-28N Night Hunter, over a five-year period up to 2015. The Kamov design bureau has said it plans to supply Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters to foreign customers in the future.

Defendory 2008: China debuts new 6x6 APC

Defendory 2008: China debuts new 6x6 APC

(NSI News Source Info) October 14, 2008: China's Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company chose Defendory 2008 for the European debut of a new, larger 6x6 version of its ZFB05 4x4 light armoured personnel carrier (APC). Designated the ZFB08, the new prototype came to fruition at the beginning of 2008 and has been developed primarily for export, with company officials citing Africa as the main potential market. The company has already sold the ZFB05 4x4 to a number of African states and the vehicle has also seen service with Chinese peacekeepers in Lebanon and Haiti. Image: China's Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company's prototype ZFB08 6x6 wheeled light APC made its debut at Defendory 2008 (Jane's/Peter Felstead)

Britain Upgrades its M270 MLRS for Afghanistan

Britain Upgrades its M270 MLRS for Afghanistan (NSI News Source Info) October 14, 2008: The 2006 controversy over the quality of Harrier support notwithstanding, close air support has proven to be a valuable asset to British forces in Afghanistan. When available and on-station, it provides a high-end counter to the standard enemy tactics of concentration and ambush. The cost of operating modern aircraft, however, and the size of modern air fleets, are both working to put a crimp in that option. Full battlefield coverage that can respond to any emergency within a few minutes is either cost-prohibitive, or beyond most militaries’ capabilities.

MLRS-System with launch vehicle, loader and a command center inside an APC M270 MLRS

Fortunately, the rise of precision artillery fire offers an alternative with less reach, but 100% persistence and availability within its range. By 2010, MBDA expects to begin selling a loitering attack UAV called ‘Fire Shadow’ for use in Afghanistan. This one-shot, rocket-boosted UAV sports a range of 165 km, 10-hour endurance, and a 50 pound warhead. To succeed, however, it will have to outclass an already-fielded option: British forces began using the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System’s M30/31 GMLRS 227mm GPS-guided rockets and their 200 pound warheads in 2007, as a significant supplement to the UK’s close support options. British forces have recorded over 140 firings of the rockets in Afghanistan, which have earned GMLRS a nickname: “the 70 km sniper”. During this period, the M270 MLRS has maintained 100% mission availability, often operating in ‘switched on and ready’ mode for 48 hours at a stretch. That kind of use, under conditions that differ significantly from their originally-envisaged role defending NATO from the USSR, created a March 2007 Urgent Operational Request for changes to the vehicle.

Chile Looking to Replace F-5s With More F-16s

Chile Looking to Replace F-5s With More F-16s (NSI News Source Info) October 14, 2008: Mercopress reports that Chile is looking to replace its 16 upgraded F-5E/F+ Tiger II aircraft with more second-hand F-16s. The F-5+ are slated for decommissioning in 2009, and Chile’s existing F-16 fleet currently includes 10 advanced F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft, and another 18 F-16A/B Mid-Life Upgrade aircraft bought from the Netherlands for $180 million. Mercopress places Chile’s next buy at $170 million for 16 more F-16A/B MLU fighters from The Netherlands, to be delivered in 2009.

Chilean F-16A

Chilean military equipment purchases are somewhat unusual, in that they are financed by a set percentage of windfall earnings from copper mining, one of Chile’s major exports. That legislation dates back to Chile’s military dictatorship, and is scheduled to be amended, but the fund created by that arrangement is expected to hit $3 billion in the coming months. This is so despite a slew of purchases that are modernizing Chile’s armed forces, after a long slump in copper prices that had put a crimp in Chile’s options. The last decade has seen purchases of F-16s, handfuls of Bell 412 and Eurocopter AS535 Super Puma helicopters, a strong core of used Leopard tanks and accompanying Marder IFVs for the Army, plus 2 new Scorpene Class submarines, 8 used frigates, and 3 new C-295 MP maritime patrol aircraft for use along Chile’s long naval frontier. If the reports of a new F-16 order turn out to be correct, Chile will have ended up replacing its 16-24 recently-retired Mirage 50CN Panteras and 16 F-5+ with 44 F-16s.