Boeing Tweaks AH-6 for Export

Boeing Tweaks AH-6 for Export

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - October 8, 2008: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced a new rotorcraft program, the AH-6 light attack/reconnaissance helicopter. Designed on a combat-proven platform with a heritage of successful service with Special Operations, the AH-6 is designed to meet the current requirements of international military customers while maintaining flexibility for future growth. "Boeing has been approached by several potential customers seeking light attack and reconnaissance capabilities in a flexible rotorcraft platform," Dave Palm, director of Boeing Rotorcraft Business Development, said today at the Association of the United States Army's annual convention in Washington, D.C. "We believe this system is a perfect fit for those customers seeking long endurance, proven performance and 2,000-pound payload within an affordable helicopter." The AH-6 features an Electro-Optical/Infrared forward-looking sight system as well as a mount for weapons that have been qualified on the aircraft, including Hellfire missiles, the M260 seven-shot rocket pod, a machine gun and a mini-gun integrated with a sensor system. A communications package allows the AH-6 to connect to other aircraft and to ground stations. Boeing will produce the AH-6 at its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Mesa, Ariz., and will draw on that organization's existing secure supply base to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery.

Russia asks EU to monitor its troop pullout from Georgia

Russia asks EU to monitor its troop pullout from Georgia (NSI News Source Info) TSKHINVALI - October 8, 2008: EU observers in Georgia will be monitoring the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the buffer zone next to South Ossetia, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday. "During yesterday's talks with EU representatives, Murat Kulakhmetov, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, asked that two EU representatives be present at each [of the six] peacekeeping outpost during the withdrawal," the source said. Under an EU-brokered peace deal, Russia agreed to pull its peacekeepers out of undisputed parts of Georgia by October 10, leaving troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow has recognized as independent countries. Kulakhmetov said that the removal of the six posts would begin Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (06:00 GMT). "The withdrawal of the Russian posts will begin at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time and will be completed within 24 hours," he said. Moscow launched a five-day operation to "force Georgia to accept peace" after Tbilisi attacked South Ossetia on August 8 in an attempt to regain control over the republic, which split from Georgia in the early 1990s. A number of Russian peacekeepers and a reported 1,600 South Ossetian residents lost their lives during the conflict. Russia's response to the Georgian attack was called disproportionate by a number of Western countries, and Russia drew further criticism when on August 26 it recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway Georgian republic, as independent states. So far, only Nicaragua has followed suit.

India to launch first Moon mission on Oct. 22

India to launch first Moon mission on Oct. 22 (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - October 8, 2008: The launch of India's first unmanned mission to the Moon has been scheduled for October 22, an Indian space official said on Tuesday. The launch of the Chandrayaan I lunar orbiter by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was originally planned for September 19 but scientists took more time to carry out final testing of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with the orbiter on board. "The orbiter has been delivered to the Sriharikota main launch center of ISRO. The launch date is tentatively set for October 22," ISRO spokesperson S. Satish said. The Chandrayaan remote sensing satellite weighs about 1.3 tons and carries high resolution remote sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, soft and hard X-ray frequencies. The spacecraft carries five ISRO payloads and six payloads from other international space agencies such as NASA and ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency. Over a two-year period, it is planned that a survey of the lunar surface will be conducted to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and three-dimensional topography. The polar regions are of special interest, as they might contain water ice. The satellite will release its Moon Impact Probe once it enters lunar orbit to give scientists a closer look at a specific region of the surface. The ISRO plans to launch a second lunar mission - Chandrayaan-2 - in 2011. Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, is teaming up with ISRO in the development of Chandrayaan-2's lander and associated rover. Chandrayaan-2 will comprise an orbiting spacecraft and a landing platform with the moon rover.

Outside View: Russia's sub fleet plans

Outside View: Russia's sub fleet plans (NSI News Source Info) Moscow - October 7, 2008: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's remarks that Russia is resuming production of nuclear submarines for its navy have been widely commented on. Russia's submarine fleet is in critical condition and calls for renewal. The president's words raise expectations for an early change. Submarines play a special role in Russia's navy. In the late 1950s, following the death of Josef Stalin, the new Soviet leaders opted for a nuclear missile-equipped submarine fleet, and now it forms the core of the navy's might. However, now a drastic cut in the number of warships, coupled with the freezing of construction of new units -- only ship construction projects already started were completed -- has led to a situation in which Russia's submarine fleet is now facing the retirement of many vessels because of age. The construction of new submarines, which has resumed in recent years, unfortunately is outpaced by the decommission rate of outdated vessels. Medvedev made special mention of nuclear-powered submarines equipped with cruise missiles plus multirole submarines. These classes of boats have suffered the heaviest cuts in the previous years, and while Project 955 submarines are now being built for strategic forces, the situation with cruise-missile and multirole submarines is more disquieting. Although Project 885 cruise-missile submarines -- the first of them was named Severodvinsk -- and later between one and three sister ships -- according to various sources -- began to be built, so far not even the first one has joined the Russian navy. Many reasons are cited, including one that the design was raw and needed updating when construction began. The fact, however, is that no submarine is yet commissioned, and eight Project 949A submarines, built in the 1980s and 1990s, make up the force intended to confront aircraft carriers. These are excellent vessels, loved by their crews, and boast high-performance characteristics, but they are all slowly aging. The situation with multirole submarines is even worse. No new vessels designed to engage hostile submarines, surface ships and to hit shore-based targets with strategic cruise missiles are under construction. At the moment, the Russian navy has 19 boats of this class, of three projects: 671RTMK -- four units; 945/945A -- three units; and 971 -- 12 units. Most of these submarines were built in the late 1980s to mid-1990s. They can still be considered modern, but the end of their service life is not far off. Some of the shipbuilding design bureaus are known to be developing new multirole projects, but specifics about dates and specifications are not reported. How many cruise-missile and multirole submarines does the Russian navy need? Estimates vary, but the figure of 30 to 40 non-strategic submarines is considered optimal. At least 20 non-strategic nuclear submarines need to be constructed to maintain the strength of the submarine branch at the required level, considering that about half of the 27 cruise-missile and multirole submarines currently in service will retire after reaching the end of their service lives. In theory, such rates are not too demanding: Russia has several shipyards that can build submarines at Sevmash, Admiralty Wharves, Komsomolsk and even Red Sormovo, which have the necessary experience. The real problems lie elsewhere: in cooperating enterprises and, most important of all, in personnel, whose numbers and training quality have been drastically reduced. It is to be hoped that all these problems will be solved, and soon.

India, Russia Cooperating re: “Fifth-Generation Fighter”

India, Russia Cooperating re: “Fifth-Generation Fighter” (NSI News Source Info) October 7, 2008: Russia’s SU-27/30 Flanker family fighters were invented in the 1980s and 1990s, and attempted to incorporate the lessons from America’s “teen series” fighters (F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18) into their designs. They were successful, and India’s Air Force may now be flying the world’s second best air superiority fighter in the SU-30MKI. Meanwhile, the USA is creating “5th generation” fighters like the F-22A Raptor that offer full stealth, supermaneuverability, an advanced AESA radar, huge computing power that creates a single “sensor fusion” picture from the plane’s array of embedded sensors and datalinks, and the ability to “supercruise” above Mach 1 instead of just making short supersonic dashes. To a lesser extent, there’s also the cheaper F-35 Lightning II, with some stealth, a smaller AESA radar, sensor fusion, and even more sensors embedded around the aircraft.

MiG 1.44 MFI

SU-30 MKIs

Russia’s MiG 1.44 (if indeed it was a real project?) and/or “I-21” type aircraft were an attempt to keep up, but lack of funds suspended both efforts. The obvious solution is a foreign partner, but Europe had limited funds and its own 4+ generation projects in the Rafale and Eurofighter. India has a longstanding Russian defense relationship, and from their point of view a joint development agreement is one way to restrict Russian cooperation with China along similar lines. See Vijiander K Thakur’s “Understanding IAF interest in the MiG fifth generation fighter” for more on the proposal to cooperate with MiG. Even so, India’s procurement history is full of dead-ends and “almost weres” – which is why reaction to past announcements has been very muted here. An cooperation memo has now been signed – but almost a year later, it is not yet a firm agreement, even as Russia prepares to flight test its PAK-FA/T-50 design in 2009. Then, too, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project has a non-trivial set of obstacles to overcome, in order to see production versions for India.

US Army Testing Lightweight .50-Caliber: Lethality At Half The Weight

US Army Testing Lightweight .50-Caliber: Lethality At Half The Weight (NSI News Source Info) FORT BELVOIR, Va. - October 7, 2008: As Soldiers training for combat look to lighten their load, they can look forward to the Lightweight .50-Caliber Machine Gun. The LW50, an addition to the Army's arsenal of machine guns at one-half the weight of the M2 .50-Caliber Machine Gun and with 60 percent less recoil, does not require the setting of headspace and timing. The LW50 provides Soldiers with the punch of a .50-caliber machine gun in the footprint of a 7.62mm weapon system, allowing them to bring .50 caliber lethality to the fight in situations where using a light to medium machine gun is the only available option. The LW50 is still in the early stages of system design and development and officials at the Program Executive Office Soldier at Fort Belvoir said they expect the weapon to be fielded in 2011. They said a limited two-part Early User Assessment for the weapon was conducted with Special Operations Command personnel in March and May. The LW50, a technological spinout from the 25mm XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon program, is capable of firing all current .50-caliber ammunition in the inventory, including the standard M33 ball; the M8 armor-piercing incendiary; the M903 saboted light armor penetrator; and the MK211 multipurpose round that combines armor-piercing, explosive, and incendiary effects. "A major benefit of the LW50 is the weight and recoil savings and no requirement to adjust the headspace and timing," said Shailesh Parmar, a product director for Product Manager Crew Served Weapons in the office of Project Manager Soldier Weapons. "The LW50 is expected to weigh less than 65 pounds, including tripod and traversing and elevation mechanism, compared with the M2 system's weight of 128 pounds, a savings of 63 pounds or more," said Parmar. He also noted that the LW50 can be set up faster than an M2 because it does not need ballast to weigh down the tripod due to less recoil. The LW50's greatly reduced recoil enables Soldiers to use weapon-magnified optics and maintain sight picture of the target, which was unthinkable and potentially painful with the M2. "Lower recoil also means less dispersion of rounds and better accuracy," Parmar said. "That, in turn, makes it easier to qualify with the LW50, allows Soldiers to use rounds more economically, and reduces the logistical burden." Staff Sgt. James Tyus of the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery was quick to notice the improvements while training on the weapon at Fort Hood, Texas. "It absorbs more recoil now. Given that, it makes the weapon more accurate. I like it for its accuracy," Tyus said. The LW50's weight savings, reduced recoil, and increased accuracy allow for its use in places that were not feasible for an M2, such as in light infantry operations. Once the LW50 is deployed, all vehicles that mount the M2 will be able to mount the new system. Tests have been successfully conducted mounting the system to the Stryker Combat Vehicle and the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station. Other benefits of the LW50 include safety and training applications. The LW50 eliminates the need for the operator to adjust the headspace and timing and for any special maintenance tools, reducing the amount of training required. The current LW50 has 131 parts, compared with 244 for the M2. "It's a very unique weapon. You don't have to worry about timing," said Pvt. Michael Zinns with 1-82 Field Artillery, who, like Tyus, was introduced to the LW50 at Fort Hood. The teardown, too, "is actually a lot easier, and the barrels are much more easily interchangeable," Zinns said. The Army recently issued a requirement for a lightweight .50 caliber machine gun. Furthermore, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is developing lightweight vehicles that will need armament. SOCOM recognizes that a lightweight, low-recoil weapon suitable for these vehicles could see expanded use within dismounted units. The LW50 has the potential to satisfy those three needs in one package. According to the current program cycle, the LW50 could be fielded at the end of FY11. Light units, such as the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 10th Mountain Division, 25th Infantry Division, and SOCOM forces, are expected to benefit most from the new weapon. "I think that's what a lot of us look for, a lighter weapon," said Tyus. "I'm really excited about it." Seeing what PEO-Soldier is bringing to bear in the Global War on Terrorism "inspires and sustains our young Soldiers" as they prepare to deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola of III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. "Many of our first-term troopers and even our veterans who have one tour can look at that and go: 'That's what's waiting for me.' "

United Kingdom – RC-135V/W Rivet Joint Aircraft

United Kingdom – RC-135V/W Rivet Joint Aircraft (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - October 7, 2008: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom to convert three United States Air Force KC-135R aircraft into RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services.

RC-135V/W Rivet Joint

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.068 billion. The Government of the United Kingdom has requested a possible sale to convert three United States Air Force KC-135R aircraft into RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft, three APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe Systems, three LN-100GT Inertial Reference Units, five Joint Tactical Information Distribution System terminals, 18 ARC-210 Radios, and 28 ARC-210 Radio control heads, modification kits, integration and installation, Ground Distributed Processing Station, Modular Processing System, Airborne Capability Extension System, mission trainer, tools and test equipment, spare and repair parts, publications, personnel training and training equipment, support equipment, U.S. government and contractor representative technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.068 billion. The United Kingdom is a major political and economic power in NATO and a key democratic partner of the U.S. in ensuring peace and stability in this region and around the world. The United Kingdom requests this capability to provide for the defense of its deployed troops, regional security, and interoperability with the United States. This program will ensure the United Kingdom can effectively operate in hazardous areas and enhance the United Kingdom’s interoperability with U.S. forces. The United Kingdom is a staunch supporter of the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the Global War on Terror. The United Kingdom’s troops are deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, where U.S. assets currently provide this proposed capability. By acquiring this capability, the United Kingdom will be able to provide the same level of protection for its own forces and those of the United States. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. The United Kingdom will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces. The principal contractor will be L3 Communications of Greenville, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the United Kingdom. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Russia says 'certain forces' in Georgia provoking conflict

Russia says 'certain forces' in Georgia provoking conflict (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - October 7, 2008: Russia's Foreign Ministry accused "certain forces" in Georgia on Monday of intentionally escalating the situation in the Caucasus and trying to provoke a new armed conflict. "A new escalation in the South Caucasus is causing concern," the ministry's information and press department said. A car bomb went off on Friday in the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, killing seven Russian peacekeepers. Georgia has denied any involvement in the bombing, accusing Russia of trying to delay its pullout from the buffer zone near South Ossetia. The ministry said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sent a letter to his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner outlining "Russia's concerns regarding the provocation and deteriorating situation in the security zone." However, the ministry said that despite the worsening security position, Russia intends to withdraw its peacekeepers from Georgia by October 10. "Nevertheless, we firmly intend to fulfill the obligations agreed between the Russian and French presidents on the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Georgia on October 10, 2008," the ministry said. Under an EU-brokered peace deal, Russia has pledged to pull all troops out of the undisputed parts of Georgia within one month, leaving peacekeepers in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow has recognized as independent countries. Russia has agreed to pull all its remaining peacekeepers out of the area by October 10. Moscow launched a five-day operation to "force Georgia to accept peace" after Tbilisi attacked South Ossetia on August 8 in an attempt to regain control over the republic, which split from Georgia in the early 1990s. A number of Russian peacekeepers and a reported 1,600 South Ossetian residents lost their lives during the conflict.

Russia denies knowledge of Middle East missile supplies

Russia denies knowledge of Middle East missile supplies (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - October 7, 2008: The Russian arms export monopoly has no information about reported Russian surface-to-air missile deliveries to the Middle East, Rosoboronexport said on Monday.

Russian mobile surface-to-air missile systems

"The company has no knowledge about plans to deliver Russian SAM S-300 missile systems to Syria and Iran," a company spokesman said. Reports of the alleged supplies came as Israeli Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was set to discuss bilateral ties with Russia and regional security, including Russian arms supplies to the Middle East, during a visit to Moscow that started on Monday. Israel's Defense Ministry has been worried by reports of Russian plans to supply guided missile systems to Iran, the Israeli media said, citing high-ranking sources in Jerusalem. Olmert will stress to Moscow that any such deal would destroy the strategic military balance in the Middle East, the Haaretz newspaper said on Sunday.

Russia to sell over 400 armored vehicles to Greece

Russia to sell over 400 armored vehicles to Greece (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - October 7, 2008: Russia and Greece are drafting an intergovernmental agreement and a contract for the supply of 420 BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles, a spokesman for Russia's arms export monopoly, said on Monday.

BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle

The Rosoboronexport spokesman said that in early 2008 the Greek Defense Ministry had made an official request for the delivery of the armored vehicles from Russia, the second-largest arms exporter in the world. "Preparations for signing a corresponding intergovernmental agreement and contract are currently underway," he said. He also said that the BMP-3M will be showcased at the Defendory International 2008 arms show due to take place in Athens, Greece, from October 7-11. The BMP-3M is one of the most heavily armed infantry fighting vehicles in service. It has been exported to nearly a dozen countries with the United Arab Emirates having around 600 operational vehicles in service. Russia exports arms to about 80 countries. Among the key buyers of Russian-made weaponry are China, India, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Malaysia, and Serbia. The country has doubled its annual arms exports since 2000 to $7 billion last year. The U.S., which is the world's top arms exporter, has repeatedly imposed sanctions on Rosoboronexport and other Russian companies, including over the sale of TOR-M1 air defense systems to Iran, despite the fact that the deals were in line with international agreements.