Militery Defense

ROSOBORONEXPORT : A Submarine With Good Fortune Under Its Keel

2010-09-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

Indonesia the world's largest archipelago and the fourth state by population, cannot but have a powerful Navy. Although at present the Indonesian Navy counts only two submarines in its underwater forces. This is why three years ago the Indonesian Ministry of Defence announced its plans to procure six submarines. These plans of Indonesia to enlarge the underwater fleet inventory are fostered by a growing number of modern diesel-electric submarines entering service in this region's countries. The Royal Malaysian Navy, for instance, is increasing its underwater combat potential, and Vietnam is drastically changing its surface and underwater warfare doctrines, as well as other states are.

However, the global economic downturn has greatly amended plans of the Indonesian submariners. Last year during his visit to Russia, Mr Yusron Ihza, deputy chairman of the Defence Commission on political, security and foreign affairs in the House of Representatives of Indonesia, intimated the procurement of three Kilo class diesel electric submarines. Contracts for the procurement of the submarines must be financed out of the proceeds of a credit to be granted by a supplier state. Indonesia has recourse to such a mechanism as its defence budget makes up only 0.8 per cent of the gross national product, which is insufficient for the procurement of modern armaments albeit this year it has four billion USdollars earmarked for this purpose. Because of the scanty financing the Indonesian Navy has had to cut the initial number of submarines planned for construction.

Kilo class cutaway (photo : Militaryphotos)

At the first stage of the programme a tender for the procurement of two submarines was invited. German Howaldswerke-Deutche-Werft and French DCNS companies were the first to announce their participation in the tender at the very beginning. However, the most serious competition started unwinding between two main contenders in the bidding - South Korean and Russian shipyards. South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Company has offered two 1,400-tonneType 209 diesel-electric submarines of German design already taken out of production in Germany. Russia has offered the Kilo class large diesel-electric submarine.

The Kilo class large diesel-electric submarine offered by Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FSUE) Rosoboronexport for the tender has unique performance characteristics and combat capabilities. Kilo's advantages are duly appreciated by navies of India, China, Poland, Algeria, Iran and other countries. It is designed to effectively destroy any potential enemy's submarines, surface ships and coastal targets, when operating both autonomously and within a naval force. The submarine is powered by uprated diesel generators allowing a substantial increase in underwater speed and endurance extended up to 7,500 n.m. It is one of the world's most quiet diesel-electric submarines capable of performing guaranteed preemptive detection and delivering attacks on the enemy at long ranges, or performing evasive manoeuvres and becoming imperceptible for non-friendly ships.

Club missile brochure (image : Novator)

The Kilo class submarine armed with the Club-S missile weapon system has a substantially enhanced combat effectiveness. The system is designed to destroy all types of enemy surface ships, submarines and coastal targets with cruise missiles, while conducting combat operations in conditions of intensive electronic countermeasures and counter-fire. There are yet no analogues to the Club-S missile system in the world. This long-range missile system (up to 275 km) makes the diesel-electric submarine much better adapted for carrying out missions against high-speed targets, and more combat-resistant to enemy counteraction. If employed extensively, the Club-S missile system can drastically change the outcome of naval operations in favour of its carrier.

Another equally important aspect of the programme concerns terms of payment. The Rosoboronexport is now realising a very practical and efficient scheme. The intergovernmental agreement on granting a one billion US dollar credit to Indonesia for the procurement of Russian defence equipment was signed in 2007. Within the framework of this agreement Jakarta has already started taking delivery of the BMP-3F infantry combat vehicles and Mi-type helicopters. The terms of this credit can also be extended in case that the tender for diesel-electric submarines construction is won. The credit repayment period would then take 10 years with a five-year adjournment of the first payments, that is until 2012.

Above : The subsonic 3M54E1's two stage motor gives it a long reach of 300 km. Below : The first-stage booster of the 3M54E1 missile (photo : dtig)

Russia has rich history of cooperation with the Indonesian Navy. Until the end of the 1990s the Indonesian underwater fleet had operated Soviet-made Project 613 diesel electric submarines. Russia remains a leading naval shipbuilding nation. There are about 160 enterprises including shipyards, research institutes and design bureau as well as maritime machine-building, instrument making and electronic plants. The Russian shipbuilding industry can design and develop all types of military surface and underwater ships and auxiliary vessels, as well as naval weapons and technical facilities. Multiple factors such as advanced maritime science, shipbuilding and design technologies, large scale industrial base, highly skilled personnel and long-time experience in foreign economic relations, allow Rosoboronexport to maintain leading positions in the international naval exports. Thus, the last year’s exports of naval weapons and equipment amounted to about 14 per cent of all foreign military sales by Rosoboronexport, the leading state intermediary agency for military technical cooperation with foreign countries.

(Asian Military Review)

Canberra to Delay Decision on Growler Upgrade for F/A-18Fs

2010-09-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

Australia may not immediately convert its 12 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets that are being wired for the E/A-18G Growler electronic-attack configuration and could receive them in their original standard instead.

The aircraft - drawn from a 24-strong order - are being wired so that they can be converted in Australia, but the government and the Royal Australian Air Force are not about to make a decision.

"There is an acknowledgement that we need a fighter that will perform non-kinetic electronic attack roles, and the [Super Hornet] fighters could fit that role," says Gp Capt Steve Robertson, head of the RAAF's air combat transition wing and officer commanding its Super Hornet wing. "But we could take all 24 aircraft in the Super Hornet configuration and then convert some of them into Growlers at a later stage. It will not be a simple task, but we will have the capability to do it."

Robertson says Australia's strategy is something that the US Navy is considering as well. "They realise that this is a good option to consider as you refine your requirements," he adds.

Industry sources say that the decision to convert the Super Hornets into Growlers could also depend on when the RAAF takes delivery of its Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. While it is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in 2014, there remain worries that this could be delayed because of ongoing problems with the programme.

Such a delay could result in Canberra ordering another 12-24 Super Hornets, allowing it to convert some from the initial batch into Growlers while retaining its air combat capability.

But Robertson says there is no indication of whether there will be an order for additional Super Hornets. "The government has to make that decision," he says. "The focus is now on getting the Super Hornets in service and looking at getting the F-35s on board on time."

(Flight International)

AgustaWestland and Thales Unveil Enhanced Airborne Surveillance and Control Capability

2010-09-17T01:07:00.000-07:00

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Thales unveiled an enhanced Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) capability, at RNAS Yeovilton on 10th July during the Fleet Air Arm’s annual Air Day. The low cost, low risk capability builds upon the combat proven Sea King Mk7 ASaC Cerberus mission system and Searchwater 2000 radar, to provide enhanced operational effectiveness through the use of the next generation AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter. AgustaWestland and Thales have teamed to jointly explore the potential for this capability in advance of the keenly expected MoD requirement to replace the Sea King Mk7 ASaC aircraft after its planned retirement in 2016.

Nick Whitney, Senior VP UK Government Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “The AgustaWestland solution will deliver an enhanced, cost effective and low risk capability which exemplifies the role of an ASaC capability fit for the 21st century. The solution we have developed capitalises on the substantial investment already made by the MoD in both the helicopter and the excellent Thales Cerberus mission system and radar.” Ed Lowe, Chief Operating Officer of Thales UK said, “Sea King Mk 7 is a highly successful ASaC platform which has proved itself over land and sea. Thales looks forward to working with AgustaWestland to develop a proposal to transfer our Cerberus mission system to the AW101 platform. I am confident this will offer our customer a low cost, low risk method of delivering ASaC well into the future with no capability gap”.

The palletised Searchwater 2000 radar is deployed through the rear ramp aperture when in operation and stows in the cabin when not in use, enabling rapid transit between tasking. Two aft-facing modernised mission crew stations are located at the forward end of the cabin. The following key features and benefits are also included:

• Long range, look up/look down air, land and sea capability
• Human Machine Interface optimised for two man operation
• Fully integrated Link 16 Command and Control capability
• Modern platform extends 360 deg radar horizon and significantly increases mission range and endurance.

The palletised ASaC equipment also enables a front line re-role capability delivering greater aircraft utility. The ASaC equipment could be role fitted to all AW101 utility variants.

Military Reconnaissance Satellite Launched by China

2010-09-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

China successfully launched another Earth observation satellite from the Jiuquan space base Friday, according to state-run media outlets.

The Yaogan 9 spacecraft blasted off from Jiuquan on a Long March 4C rocket at 0455 GMT (11:55 p.m. EST Thursday), or 12:55 p.m. local time. The three-stage rocket successfully delivered the secret payload to orbit, the state-owned Xinhua news agency reported.

The Jiuquan launch site is located in the Gobi desert near the border between China's Gansu and Inner Mongolia provinces. Jiuquan has hosted the launches of all three Chinese human spaceflights to date.

Yaogan 9 is the newest member of a series of satellites believed to harbor optical and radar military reconnaissance capabilities.

The satellite "would be used to conduct scientific experiment[s], carry out surveys on land resources, forecast grain output and help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention endeavor[s]," state media reports said.

But most experts believe the Yaogan series includes two variants with high-resolution electro-optical cameras and cloud-piercing radars designed to see targets through inclement weather or darkness.

In the past, optical Yaogan satellites launched from Jiuquan and radar-equipped spacecraft were shot into orbit from the Taiyuan space center in northern China's Shanxi province.

Before Friday's mission, analysts believed China had orbited three electro-optical Yaogan satellites and five radar payloads.

Previous Yaogan launches from Jiuquan used the less powerful Long March 2D booster. The Long March 4C launched Friday includes a restartable third stage to increase payload performance. Chinese officials did not address the change in rocket, but the more powerful launcher could indicate the mission carried an upgraded Yaogan satellite.

Official Chinese media did not announce the launch until Thursday, a typical communications procedure for closely-guarded military space missions.
Friday's launch was the second orbital flight of Chinese rockets this year, and it marked the ninth space launch to reach orbit worldwide so far in 2010.

(SpaceFlightNow)

MUOS Satellite delayed further

2010-09-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite is facing another significant delay, pushing out the availability of the US Navy's next-generation ultra-high frequency satellite until December 2011, according to a report submitted to Congress by the service's top weapons buyer.

Back in February 2007 the Australian government announced that an MoU had been agreed between the Australian Department of Defence and the US Navy, setting out the governing arrangements for a joint military communications ground station near Geraldton, Western Australia.

The purpose of the joint ground station is to support the US Navy's MUOS, a narrow-band networked satellite constellation for UHF satellite comms enabling secure all-weather and all-terrain 3G mobile telecommunications.

It is designed to support US and Australian military users including deployed forces.

The MUOS ground station is collocated with the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Ground Station at Kojarena, 30 km east of Geraldton WA, but will be managed separately.

Boeing Australia Ltd was awarded a contract to develop the MUOS compound at the Australian ground site with the station scheduled to become operational by March 2010.

However, the MUOS constellation of four geosynchronous satellites (and one spare) will not reach full operational capability until some time after 2014.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is the lead contractor for the entire MUOS ground infrastructure and GD and Ericsson are also providing the waveform technology driving MUOS capabilities.

Based on its 3G technology, Ericsson's WC DMA will be modified by GD to operate over the satellite.

It is anticipated that there will be emphasis on dismounted handheld user terminals provided under the JTRS Cluster 5 program, which is a major user of this waveform, with the same applying to future ADF users already familiar with JTRS capable radios - which will now sport 3G waveforms.

(Australian Defence)

F-15C Eagle

2010-09-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglass
Power Plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-100 afterburning turbofans
Top Speed: Mach 2.5
Armament: One 20-mm cannon, four AIM-7F Sparrow and four AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles

No other fighter in the history of aerial combat has a record that even comes close to the Eagle’s. The F-15 is far superior to most of its brethren – way better than the F-4 – accelerating better, turning better, handling better.

In fact, such is the reputation of the F-15 that during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saddam Hussein’s air force simply refused to get in the air. They knew the F-15 would just knock them out of the s

World’s Most Expensive Military Aircrafts

2010-09-16T03:38:00.000-07:00

B-2 Spirit

The B-2 bomber was so costly that Congress cut its initial 1987 purchase order from 132 to 21. (A 2008 crash leaves the current number at 20.) The B-2 is hard to detect via infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual or radar signals. This stealth capability makes it able to attack enemy targets with less fear of retaliation. In use since 1993, the B-2 has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cost:

about $2.4 billion

F-22 Raptor

F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter aircraft made by the United States. It was originally envisioned as air superiority fighter for use against Soviet aircraft, but the aircraft is equipped for ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence. This aircraft through a long development period, is named the prototype YF-22, three years before it was officially adopted F/A-22 named, and finally given the name of the F-22A when used on the official start in December 2005. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapons, and assembling the F-22. Then his partner, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems provides the wings, avionics equipment, and pilot and maintenance training.

Cost:

about $350 million

Mil Mi-24 Helicopter

2010-09-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plantand operated from 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. In October 2007, the Russian Air Force announced it would replace its 250 Mi-24 helicopter gunships with 300 more modern Mi-28s and possibly Ka-50s by 2015.

In NATO circles the export versions, Mi-25 and Mi-35, are simply denoted with a letter suffix as “Hind D” and “Hind E” respectively. Soviet pilots called the aircraft???????? ???? (letayushchiy tank, “flying tank”). More common unofficial nicknames were ???????? (Krokodil, “Crocodile”), due to the helicopter’s new camouflage scheme and ?????? (Stakan, “Glass”), because of the flat glass plates which surrounded the three place cockpit of the Mi-24A.

General characteristics

* Crew: 2-3: pilot, weapons system officer and technician (optional)
* Capacity: 8 troops or 4 stretchers
* Length: 17.5 m (57 ft 4 in)
* Rotor diameter: 17.3 m (56 ft 7 in)

* Wingspan: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)

* Height: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
* Disc area: 235 m² (2,530 ft²)
* Empty weight: 8,500 kg (18,740 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,500 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Isotov TV3-117 turbines, 1,600 kW (2,200 hp) each

Performance

* Maximum speed: 335 km/h (208 mph)
* Range: 450 km (280 miles)
* Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,750 ft)

Armament

Internal guns

* flexible 12.7 mm Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B Gatling gun on most variants. Maximum of 1,470 rounds of ammunition.
* fixed twin-barrel GSh-30K on the Mi-24P. 750 rounds of ammunition.
* flexible twin-barrel GSh-23L on the Mi-24VP and Mi-24VM. 450 rounds of ammunition.
* PKT passenger compartment window mounted machine guns

External stores

* Total payload is 1,500 kg of external stores.
* Inner hardpoints can carry at least 500 kg
* Outer hardpoints can carry up to 250 kg
* Wing-tip pylons can only carry the 9M17 Phalanga (in the Mi-24A-D) or the 9K114 Shturmcomplex (in the Mi-24V-F).

Bomb-load

* Bombs within weight range (presumably ZAB, FAB, RBK, ODAB etc.), Up to 500 kg.
* MBD multiple ejector racks (presumably MBD-4 with 4xFAB-100)
* KGMU2V submunition/mine dispenser pods

First-generation armament (standard production Mi-24D)

* GUV-8700 gunpod (with a 12.7 mm Yak-B + 2×7.62 mm GShG-7.62 mm combination or one 30 mm AGS-17)
* UB-32 S-5 rocket launchers
* S-24 240 mm rocket
* 9M17 Phalanga (a pair on each wingtip pylon)

Second-generation armament (Mi-24V, Mi-24P and most upgraded Mi-24D)

* UPK-23-250 gunpod carrying the GSh-23L
* B-8V20 a lightweight long tubed helicopter version of the S-8 rocket launcher
* 9K114 Shturm in pairs on the outer and wingtip pylons

5 Most Expensive U.S. Military Vehicles To Date

2010-09-16T02:57:00.000-07:00

With the economy the way it is, we all have to trust our government to spend wisely (since they own your income). Otherwise, you might go out and buy some crazy outlandish car you don’t need, a pickup truck you only want, or something similar. It’s not like the government has ever spent copious amounts of money on any sort of vehicle before, have they?

Iowa Class Battleship – The Iowa Class Battleships were 4 battleships built between 1939 and 1942. These ships were ordered by the United States Government in 1939 to be the escort vessels for the fast carrier task forces that would operate and control the bulk of the Pacific during World War II. The original order was placed for 6 ships but, in a gigantic waste of money, metal, and man hours, two were canceled before completion and scrapped. These Goliath blow-your-ass-out-of-the-water mean machines were commissioned on February 22, 1943 where they began an impressive career through the end of the century, to retire from service in March of 2006. While we could not locate an exact price for the ship construction at the time, a time when Coca-Cola cost a nickel, bread a penny, and your uncle walked 5 miles uphill both ways to school, Consumerist estimates that with inflation factored in, each vessel would have cost approximately 1.8 billion dollars. That makes the total cost for the four ships roughly in the neighborhood of 7.4 billion dollars. That was money that could have been spent elsewhere. Particularly, at Playboy. Because that would be enough money to give every male in the U.S. a 4 year subscription to Playboy magazine (with enough left over for Vaseline).

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Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle – Did you watch any of the U.S. Presidential debates between John McCain and Barack Obama? When asked about defense spending, do you remember McCain talking about an amphibious vehicle program that was costing the taxpayers billions of dollars? Meet the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, or EFV. Planning and vision for this vehicle began in the 1970s and continues to this day. The EFV is a tracked vehicle with an aluminum hull designed to operate in the ocean, amphibiously land on a beach, and continue travel with a crew of 3 and a carrying capability of 17. The budget for this fabulous piece of equipment increased year after year and as of now stands at approximately 15.9 billion dollars. The catch? That’s for development. Prototypes. In fact, the US Marine Corps just sent the last batch of prototypes back to the manufacturer, dissatisfied with the fact that they broke down, on average, once for every 4.5 hours of operating time. That’s twice per operational day, per vehicle. The current cost of 15.9 billion dollars is not a final number, because the vehicles have not yet reached production phase. The 15.9 billion dollars spent on this vehicle system so far could have instead bought every resident of the U.S. Virgin islands (of driving age) a 2007 Ferrari F430.

Ohio Class Submarine - There must be something inherently expensive about naming things after states. The Ohio Class Nuclear Submarine, named after the lead vessel the USS Ohio, is a Trident II SSBN submarine class. What that means is these submarines, each staffed with a crew of 155 seamen (go ahead, laugh. We did), all contain their own nuclear reactor. This reactor, which we won’t describe, for fear you may build one in your mothers basement, has the capability to power the submarine, maintain life support systems, separate oxygen from water to produce viable air, and purify sea water for up to 100 years. What does this mean to you? Let us put it this way. If one of these babies leaves port, the amount of time it spends out at sea is limited only by the amount of food it can carry. If they had a few greenhouses and chickens on board, aside from smelling like shit, these subs could stay out at sea indefinitely. How much did each of these 18 vessels cost the U.S? Approximately 2 billion dollars each. The replacement cost for one of these babies? Double that. The total tab for these 18 submersible sausage-fests is right about 36 billion dollars. What could that money buy you? How about what could that money buy the continent of Africa? How about a double cheeseburger and water, every day, for every human on the continent, for a month?

Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier – The Nimitz Class aircraft carrier, named not for the tree cat but for U.S. Navy Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, was originally commissioned for use on May 3, 1975. Like the Ohio Class subs, this class was given it’s name after the first ship was produced. Each subsequent ship, with the exception of the USS John C. Stennis and USS Carl Vinson, was named for a U.S. president. There were 10 of these hulking capital ships produced since 1975, each with it’s own nuclear reactor, again, like the Ohio Class submarines. The only difference is that these ships were not submersible, and did not need air production. Also, due to their enormous size (almost a quarter mile in length), they accommodate many more seamen, about 5,700 to be precise. These ships, hailed as icons symbolic of America’s status as a super-power, cost the tax payer approximately 4.5 billion dollars each, for a total fleet cost of 45 billion dollars. What could you do with that kind of money? That’s enough to buy every man, woman, child, and baby in the United States an iPod Nano.

B2-Spirit – The final item on our rundown today is the B2-Spirit bomber. This bomber, of which 21 exist, was not just any bomber. No, it’s a stealth bomber. These guys are the big lights in the night sky you see but don’t hear. That satellites and radar cannot detect. That cost 23 billion dollars in project planning and design. That’s right, before these black angels were ever produced, they cost 23 billion dollars.

In order to produce them, with inflation factored into today’s standards, each bomber would cost approximately 1.3 billion dollars to produce. There are still 20 in use today, and these bombers are highly classified, so the most we can say about them is that we’d love to roll up to a ladies house in one of those pimpin’ rides. Though with a 174 foot wingspan, it certainly wouldn’t fit in the driveway. So to crunch the numbers, 21 bombers, priced at 1.3 billion each, plus 23 billion dollars in design and planning, brings us to a figure of roughly 50.3 billion dollars. How much is that? Just about enough to buy Afghanistan, ending that war. It would also leave enough money left over to buy Honduras, and turn it into one giant Central American theme-park.

ST Kinetics Confident of Bagging Indian Army’s Howitzers Contract

2010-09-12T02:27:00.001-07:00

New Delhi (ANI): Singapore Technologies (ST) Kinetics, which is vying for India’s order of 400 towed 155mm/52 calibre field howitzers, is looking for a long term association with the Indian Army and is confident of bagging the contract.

Artillery acquisition is central to the Indian Army’s modernization programme. This tender involves outright purchase of 400 towed guns and transfer of technology for manufacture of another 1180 guns.

“Actually, we have a whole lot of products to offer Indian Army. Basically howitzers. We are participating in both howitzer categories and also couple of embodied system,” said Ong Meng Hua Patrick, Director Regional Marketing of the ST Kinetics.

“At present our light weight assault rifle is under going trial rounds. We are happy and able to supply to the Indian Armed forces in the near future. We have 42 years of experience in engineering and defence products,” he said on Thursday on the sidelines of the DEFEXPO 2010 held in New Delhi.

“Indian Army is a very good customer for howitzers and we are more competent than other people in the market. We have a 155 mm double barrel howitzer, and we are first in the world to produce it,” said Patrick.

He said that ST Kinetics lightweight howitzer has got artillery power unit (APU), which enables it to load quickly by pressing a button rather than running round the chamber, and helps soldiers to use them in high altitude and cold weather a lot.
“ST Kinetics is partnering Punj Llyod group. We are confident that they will be able to furnish the requirement of our Indian customers,” Patrick said when asked about fulfilling India’s Offset clause in the defence contract.

ST Kinetics FH-2000 towed howitzer made by Singapore Technologies (ST), a government-held firm, will face-off with the Bae Land Systems (formerly Bofors) FH77B05.

Two more howitzers in the race were rejected following technical scrutiny of the tender bids, the Rheinmetall’s RWG-52 and Israeli Soltam’s Athos.

Indian Army bought the Bofors FH77B02 artillery guns more than 22 years back. (ANI)

Navy Takes Delivery Of First OPV

2010-09-12T02:12:00.000-07:00

The Navy has taken possession of the first of the Protector fleet Offshore Patrol Vessels, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy said today.

HMNZS Otago was handed over to the Navy by shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia at an acceptance ceremony held in Melbourne this afternoon," the Ministers said.

"Getting delivery of the OPVs has been one of our critical Defence priorities in Government. Through a successful mediation process we have resolved contract issues to a point where these ships will do the job they are designed for, and do it well," Dr Mapp said.

"The OPVs complete the Protector fleet. They bring a major new capability to the Navy. They can perform the full range of maritime military capability from security missions and peacekeeping to border patrol and humanitarian and disaster relief, especially in the South Pacific," he said.

Mrs Roy said the construction of the OPVs is a great example of ANZAC defence industry co-operation.

"At the outset, Tenix (now BAE Systems Australia) developed a programme to maximise New Zealand industry involvement in building the OPVs and several Northland engineering companies won sub-contracts for various construction aspects - including the hangar, funnel and bridge modules.

"Designed for a full range of inter-agency missions, these vessels are a welcome addition to our national security capabilities. I look forward to visiting and sailing on them at the first opportunity," she said.

"Our Navy aims to be the best small-nation navy in the world. The OPVs will add a new dimension to its ability to carry out the full range of tasks in our region," the Ministers said.

Otago is due to arrive at the Devonport Naval Base on 26 March. The second OPV, Wellington, will be accepted in mid-April and arrive later that month.

NASAMS : Norwegian Medium SAM

2010-09-12T02:05:00.000-07:00

Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System

Chile is joining Finland, and several other countries, and adopting the Norwegian NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) for their air defense needs. Chile was particularly impressed by the track record of reliability NASAMS has compiled. Norway developed this system in the early 1990s and deployed the first missiles and radars in 1995.

The Raytheon AMRAAM AIM-120C missile is fitted with clipped fins and has longer range and has very high agility to counter targets making evasive manoeuvres. (photo : Airforce Technology)

NASAMS uses the American AMRAMM radar guided air-to-air missiles, but fired from a six missile container, instead of an aircraft. This ground based AMRAAM weighs 159 kg/350 pounds and has a range of 30 kilometers (it's radar can see out 50-70 kilometers), and can hit targets as high as 21 kilometers (65,000 feet).

Spanish Army NASAMS II launcher vehicle (photo : Outisnn)

What makes the AMRAMM so effective as a SAM is the capabilities of its guidance system (which is about two thirds of the $400,000 missiles cost.) Testing also revealed that AMRAAM could be used to shoot down cruise missiles. Chile believes the AMRAAM (also combat proven) used by NASAMS is a better long term choice for air defense, because the United States is constantly updating the missile.

Rugged Flat Displays for the NASAMS (photo : Barco)

Norway pioneered the use of AMRAAM as a surface-to-air missile, and other systems have been developed using AMRAAM. But the Norwegian version is seen as the best of the lot. Spain, Holland, Finland and the United States also use NASAMS.

Australia Lease Giraffe Agile Multi Beam Radar

2010-09-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

Uruzgan C-RAM Force protection contract signed

Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a contract with Saab AB for the lease of a Giraffe radar system for urgent deployment to Afghanistan.

"The Giraffe Agile Multi Beam radar is one key component of Defence's Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) capability," Senator Faulkner said.

“This lease contract will enable the most efficient and rapid delivery of the Giraffe radar system for operational use by Australian Defence Force personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan."

"The Giraffe radar is a most capable system. It provides early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars. When this radar is networked with other equipment that we are procuring under the C-RAM project, friendly forces will benefit from the early warning against such attacks, improving force protection," said Senator Faulkner.

The lease contract value is approximately $32 million and includes a full logistic support package. The lease is an interim measure while the Defence Materiel Organisation advances the acquisition of additional radar systems for progressive introduction into service.

Rafael Unveils Long Range Anti Tank Missile

2010-09-12T01:56:00.000-07:00

Israel’s Rafael Launches New Spike NLOS Missile

Within its Spike anti-tank guided missile family, the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. Recently unveiled a new version with non-line of sight (NLOS) capability, meaning that the system can strike targets which are not located in view of the missile launcher. As the company announced earlier this week, the new Spike NLOS has a significantly increased range of up to 25 kilometres which by far surpasses the four to eight kilometre limit of older versions.

The electro-optical multi-purpose Spike missiles can be fired from by attack helicopters, ground vehicles and naval vessels and are used by 18 military customers throughout the world including by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) are used in a fire-and-forget mode with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance, supported by the combination of a charge-coupled device and an infra-red seeker.

The NLOS version of the Spike missile system is capable of being used during the day and night. In addition to its ability of independently homing after launch without operator interference, the use of fibre optics allows updating data while in the air and gives the operator the opportunity to divert its course to avoid missing its target or harming innocent targets. Sources report that the long range has been achieved by increasing the size of the motor. Consequently, this lead to an increase of overall weight from 34kg (Spike ER) to 70kg.

According to the company, the Spike NLOS can receive target location from an embedded target acquisition system (TAS) system, external sensors, C4I centre or unmanned air systems (UAS). David Stemer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Missiles and NCW Division at Rafael, says that "the Spike NLOS [...] enables Rafael to give forces, on any modern battlefield, the most effective means to deal with all threats." He further explained that, "The existence of the family of Spike systems is a result of Rafael's ability to adapt itself to the needs of the users and to continually provide them with the most cost effective, advanced technology and the best operational capability available.

Although, upon enquiry of defpro.com, the company denied to disclose further information on the new Spike version, it can be said that the long-range NLOS solution if a considerable further development of the original Spike concept that significantly broadens the envelope of capabilities of this weapon system. As ‘Flight’ reports at flightglobal.com, the Spike NLOS is already operational with a military customer which is most likely to be the IDF. The media service further stated Rafael is also offering the weapon for export, starting with the Spike family's existing customers.

Thales Scores Singapore Minehunter Deal

2010-09-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

PARIS - Singapore has selected Thales as prime contractor to modernize its four Bedok-class minehunter ships, said Marc Darmon, senior vice president and head of the systems company's naval division.

Darmon declined to disclose the value of the deal, but said it is worth "a significant amount for Thales."

Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency chose Thales for the vessels' life extension program after an international tender that pitted the French company against German archrival Atlas Elektronik, a joint venture between ThyssenKrupp and EADS.

Thales will provide "an advanced integrated mine countermeasures combat system, including the mine information system, a hull-mounted sonar, a towed synthetic aperture sonar [SAS] and expendable mine disposal systems," the company said in a statement.

The towed synthetic sonar array is the DUBM 44, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that uses onboard processing of digital signals to provide high-resolution imagery. The DUBM 44 UUV is not autonomous and is connected by cable to the surface ship.

Thales would also work with local partner ST Electronics on unspecified areas as part of the Singapore deal.

The Singapore deal marks a fourth consecutive win for Thales in mine warfare technology in recent years, Darmon said.

Thales UK last year brokered a deal in which Lithuania bought two former U.K. Royal Navy Hunt-class minehunters from the British government and won a contract to fit them out with advanced anti-mine gear.

India awarded Thales a contract for two complete sonar systems last year for its Karwar-class minehunters, and Norway selected the company's sonar systems for its Oksoy class of mine countermeasure vessels.

Thales also is hoping to win a feasibility study, dubbed Espadon, for future anti-mine warfare technology from the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA), France's defense procurement agency, which is expected to be awarded this year.

Darmon said he expects a large sonar contract win in a mine countermeasures program from a European navy in the next 12 months, but disclosed no further details.

The mine countermeasures market is a "domain in growth," he said, and Thales expects to bid on one or two such projects a year. Sales of sonar systems in mine countermeasures are worth about 100 million euros ($136 million) a year. That would give Thales a quarter of the world market for anti-mine warfare equipment, estimated to be worth a total of 400 million euros a year.

Thales named Darmon head of the naval division in January, succeeding Jean-George Malcor, who was put in charge of the aerospace division. The naval division has annual sales of some 2 billion euros and an order book representing three years of sales.

Rohde & Schwarz Radios for AWDs

2010-09-12T01:50:00.001-07:00

Rohde and Schwarz Australia has been selected as the preferred supplier for the radio equipment suite to equip the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

The approximately $30 million comms procurement is already included in the budget, through the $8 billion AWD Program in Defence’s Approved Major Capital Investment Program.

The AWD project is the biggest Defence procurement ever undertaken in Australia, and is expected to create 3,000 jobs over the life of the project.

HMAS Hobart is the first of three AWDs to be built, and is currently under construction at three shipyards across the country – ASC in Adelaide, BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle.

The first of the warships is expected to be completed by 2014 and will significantly strengthen the RAN.

Royal Navy Commissions into the Fleet HMS Daring First Type 45 Destroyer

2010-09-12T01:41:00.000-07:00

HMS Daring, the Royal Navy's newest and most advanced warship, has been formally commissioned into the fleet today in front of the ship's sponsor, Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex.

The Countess, who launched the Type 45 destroyer in Scotland in 2006, was principal guest at the colourful 'Christening' ceremony at Victory Jetty, Portsmouth Naval Base, today, Thursday 23 July 2009.

Hundreds of guests including Commander-In-Chief, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, and families of the 190 ship's company attended the ceremony which was conducted by Chaplain of the Fleet The Venerable John Green.

Her Royal Highness inspected the front rank of a Guard of Honour, comprising 24 members of the ship's company, and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Portsmouth.

HMS Daring is a air warfare destroyer (photo : Naval Technology)

HMS Daring's Commanding Officer, Captain Paddy McAlpine, read the Commissioning Warrant and the National Anthem was played as the ship's Jack and White Ensign were raised and the commissioning pennant was unfurled.

The ceremony also included a flypast by two Typhoon aircraft from 11 Squadron RAF which is affiliated to the ship.

Capt McAlpine said: "It gives me immense pride to be here at this momentous occasion as the ship's Commanding Officer. HMS Daring opens a new chapter in the illustrious history of the Royal Navy."I am fortunate to have an excellent ship's company who are all working extremely hard to bring HMS Daring, the first of class, into service so that she may continue to contribute to the Navy's global commitments and provide air defence at a level previously unseen.

"It is difficult to imagine how much effort and behind the scenes work has gone into preparing this day and we are honoured to have Her Royal Highness here to celebrate our commissioning." The ceremony was rounded off in traditional Royal Navy fashion with the cutting of a commissioning cake.

HMS Daring during sea trial (photo : Navy News)

Performing the honour was the CO's wife, Janette, and Able Seaman Daniel Small who celebrates his 17th birthday today and is the youngest member of the ship's company.

Her Royal Highness then went on board HMS Daring for a short time before joining a reception for guests on the quayside. The Countess of Wessex, and HMS DARING's Commanding Officer Captain Paddy McAlpine inspect the Guard of HonourHMS Daring is the first of six Type 45 destroyers and all will be based in Portsmouth. The second, HMS Dauntless, is due to make her first entry in to Portsmouth early next year.

The Type 45 Destroyer is the largest and most powerful Air Defence Destroyer ever built for the Royal Navy. It will provide UK Defence with a world-class military capability.

HMS Daring and Typhoon (photo : MoD)

The prime role of the Type 45 Destroyer will be Air Defence: protecting UK national and allied/coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles. It will carry the UK variant of the world-leading Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) including the UK designed Sampson multi-function radar.

This system, which has been named Sea Viper by the Royal Navy, will set new standards in Air Defence, capable of defending the Type 45 and ships in its company from multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles and aircraft.

In addition to its world class Air Defence capability, one of the Type 45's greatest assets is its versatility. The Type 45 will be able to act as a base platform for a deployable Headquarters. It is the only platform of its size in UK Defence able to do this and will result is an improvement in the UK's expeditionary capability.

Type 45 cutaway (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

The Type 45 will be able to embark up to 60 troops (over and above its own complement) and their equipment, and support them with a modern medical facility that can deliver surgical capability.

Type 45 also has a large flight deck that can accommodate helicopters up to and including the size of a Chinook. The ship can also take up to 700 people if necessary to support a civilian evacuation from war zones or natural disasters.

The Type 45 is not only a world class Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer it will also act as a multi-role, general-purpose platform, able to contribute effectively to a range of world-wide maritime and joint operations.

ANAO Audit of Lightweight Torpedo Replacement Project

2010-09-12T01:36:00.001-07:00

John Faulkner, Minister for Defence, and Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Material and Science, today welcomed the release of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report into the Lightweight Torpedo Replacement Project.

“The ANAO report clearly demonstrates that there have been - and remain - significant and serious problems associated with the development and procurement of the Lightweight Torpedo under Project JP 2070,” Senator Faulkner said.

“I frankly acknowledge that the management of this project and capability has simply not been good enough.”

Mr Combet said Defence had accepted the report and all of its recommendations.

“The project has been a complex undertaking and has a long history of project management difficulties and failures,” Mr Combet said.
”It is clear that the project, first approved 12 years ago, should have been better defined, costed and managed.”

Since 2008, the Government has taken the following actions to remediate this project:

Placing the Project on the Government’s new ‘Projects of Concern’ list. This allowed for a significant increase in the level of Government and senior management oversight of the project, and monthly reports of the project being delivered to Government.

Creating the Explosive Ordnance Division within the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in February 2008 to provide a dedicated and increased focus and management of explosive ordnance project and sustainment activities.

Cancelling the air integration of the Lightweight Torpedo in mid 2009 due to ongoing concerns about its successful achievement.

Senator Faulkner said these actions have not been sufficient to fully address the problems with this project.

“Accordingly, I have asked the Secretary, the Chief of the Defence Force and the Chief Executive Officer of the DMO to report to Ministers every two months on the progress of this project. We believe we can get this project back on track, but this will take some time and a lot of hard work,” Senator Faulkner said.

“In order to promote increased transparency of this project I recently wrote to the Auditor General to request that he conduct a follow up review on the Project in twelve to eighteen months time, to provide an external assessment of its progress.”

Mr Combet said the ANAO report demonstrated the critical importance of the Government’s program to reform defence procurement.

“Since coming to power the Government has crafted a comprehensive program of defence procurement reforms which are designed to avoid issues such as those raised in today’s Audit Report,” Mr Combet said.

USS Ronald Reagan Underway for Sea Trials

2010-09-12T01:27:00.000-07:00

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departed Naval Air Station North Island for sea trials May 18. The event marks the first time that Ronald Reagan has been underway since Oct. 21, 2009, when it completed its fourth deployment in four years.

The three-time Battle "E" award-winning carrier is concluding a six-month planned incremental availability (PIA), a scheduled maintenance period designed to upgrade ship's systems and quality of life for its Sailors.

Sea trials allow these systems to be tested and necessary quality checks to be performed. Upon successful completion of sea trials, Ronald Reagan's PIA will officially conclude and the ship will rejoin the operational fleet.

T-95 Main Battle Tanks & Tank Support Vehicles to Augment Russian Armor Units

2010-09-12T01:17:00.000-07:00

In 2010 the Russian Army is scheduled to receive a new main battle tank, claimed to be superior to existing designs. The new tank will introduce a new hull, power plant and drive train. It will also have improved firepower, comprising of new armament, target acquisition, fire control and surveillance systems.

The Russian Army is also planning to field the long awaited Tank Support Vehicle, scheduled to enter production at Uralvagonzavod next year. The first armor units are expecting the new BMPTs by 2010.

The tank is under development at Ural based Uralvagonzavod plant. Apart from the Russian Army, Saudi Arabia was reported to be interested in the new tank, according to a Sept, 2007 French News Agency report. However, since actual testing in Saudi Arabia were conducted with T-90s, it is assumed that the saudis are evaluating the T-90 rather than the radically new T-95.

According to Jane's, the T-95 (currently known as "Object 775") will have a weight of about 50 tons, with length and width similar to the existing T-72, T-80 and T-90 MBTs. Jane's believs this model will be equipped with a smoothbore 135 or 152mm cannon. The three crewmembers are seated in a hull mounted capsule seperated from the ammunition by an armored bulkhead.

Another main battle tank under development in Russia, the "object 640" (also known as 'Black Eagle'), is also under development at the Omsk-based Design Bureau of Transport Machine-building. Unveiled at an arms exposition in Omsk, Siberia, in 1999 Black eagle has not been seen since. This Black eagle also features a new chassis and turret but uses a manned turret with an automatic loader.

According to Makarov the new tank is expected to complete the current test series in 2008 and enter production in 2009. Makarov claimed the new tank will be competitive and superior to current main battle tanks. He admitted that while the local industry can deliver highly sophisticated weapon systems, there is still a shortage of high quality military components for such systems that resulted from years of neglect of military industrial infrastructure since the collapse of the Soviet military industry enterprises.

The unmanned turret design is already incorporated in another vehicle designed at Uralvagonzavod, known as 'Tank Support Vehicle' or BMPT. By 2010 the first Russian armor units are scheduled to be equipped with this vehicle, dubbed 'Terminator' - Russia's Ground Forces Commander, Colonel General Alexei Maslov, told news media that the first tank company will be equipped with BMPT by 2010.

The 'Terminator' will enter production in 2008. Uralvagonzavod developed the vehicle based on combat lessons learned during the war in Chechnya, but its implementation has been subject to delays. According to Novosti news agency, Uralvagonzavod Director General Nikolai Malykh, confirmed that his company received the first orders for the new vehicle, the first two BMPTs will be produced in 2008.

The BMPT uses the T-72 tank chassis. It is equipped with enhanced armor and improved armament for the engagement of airborne and surface targets, including light and medium armored vehicles. Its main armament consists of two 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannons, a coaxially-mounted 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun, and four launchers with laser-guided Attack-T anti-tank missiles. According to the Vzglyad business newspaper quoted by Novosti, "Several foreign countries have already expressed an interest in buying the Russian-made BMPTs".

Construction Begins on HMS Queen Elizabeth

2010-09-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

Construction has begun on the Royal Navy's first Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, at the Cammell Laird shipbuilding facility in Birkenhead.

Cammell Laird will build two of the sections that will make up the ship's giant flight deck under a £44m ($68.3m) contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The weight of the combined sections is 7,500t, which is more than a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer.

Royal Navy staff assistant chief Rear Admiral Philip Jones said the carriers would offer invaluable freedom of action with 16,000m² from which to project power anywhere in the world

"But they are much more than an air base capable of providing support to land operations and humanitarian assistance in disaster zones," he said.

"They also play an important role in conflict prevention; their scale, range and capability making them a powerful statement of intent."

A total of six UK shipyards are involved in the carriers project: Govan and Rosyth in Scotland, Portsmouth and Devonport in the south, and Newcastle and Liverpool in the north.

Unseen World War II Photos

2010-09-11T03:13:00.000-07:00

World War II photos taken in the former USSR during World War II on the occupied territories. These are photos from family archives posted online by grandchildren of those who took part in the war: the authors of most of them remain unknown. Some of the photos belong to the Soviet journalists: Dmitri Baltermants and Vladimir Lupejko. The photographs are cruel and shocking, but they should teach us about life and how precious it is. We are all equals during our short life on this planet and all nations should embrace others and cease all conflicts. For the better future of our children, may the history never repeat itself.