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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
