Iran unveiled on Saturday a new mass produced long-range anti-warship cruise missile, named Ghadir.
Iran’s defense minister on Saturday inaugurated the mass production line of the country’s homegrown long-range naval missile “Qadir”, while a first cargo of the anti-ship cruise missiles was delivered to the IRGC Navy.
In a ceremony to inaugurate the missile production line, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan referred to ‘Qadir’ as a “strategic and effective missile in the naval battles.”
Dehqan said it is prepared rapidly for launch, flies in low altitudes with high navigation capabilities, hits the targets precisely with great destructive power, suits for electronic warfare thanks to advanced radars, and can be launched from various types of vessels and even a helicopter, helping extend its operational range.
The minister also noted that videos of the Qadir show it identifying and annihilating a naval target at a distance of 300 kilometers away from the coast, TNA reported.
Also today Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi announced that IRGC vessels and helicopters have been equipped with the home-made long-range ‘Qadir’ cruise missiles, FNA reports.
“In addition to their deployment in our coasts, Qadir cruise missiles have also been mounted on IRGC vessels and helicopters,” Fadavi said on the sidelines of a ceremony during which the IRGC received control of Qadir missiles production line from the defense ministry.
He further reminded that the range of Qadir missiles is not limited to 300km, “rather its true range is 300km plus the distance that the helicopter or vessel carrying them has paved. If we fire it from our coasts, its range will be 300km, but when the missile is mounted on our vessels and helicopters, the range of the missile will be added to the range of these missiles.”
The IRGC received control and launched the production line of ‘Qadir’ cruise missiles in a ceremony participated by Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and other high-ranking Iranian commanders.
China has shown off the People's Liberation Army's latest hardware on primetime state television, an advanced short-range missile defence system said to have a “high success rate” destroying incoming missiles and aircraft.
The Hongqi-10 (Reg Flag 10) surface-to-air missile was shown in China Central Television's evening news bulletin Wednesday being fired from ships and land-based mobile launchers, and exploding in the sky on impact with its target.
It will protect warships against rockets over a limited area, and will be used alongside an “area defence system” which covers a larger area but has a slower response time, the state-run Global Times newspaper said Thursday.
“As a naval point defence missile system, HongQi-10 boasts a particularly quick response to low-altitude missiles that area defence systems fail to intercept,” it quoted Lan Yun, deputy chief editor of monthly journal Modern Ships, as saying.
It cited him adding that it had a high success rate in hitting its targets.
Incoming missiles only 1.5-10 metres above sea level can be targeted with the new system, which takes only 10 seconds to launch, Lan said.
The missiles can also used to protect ground forces from air attacks by ”jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles”, the Global Times report said, citing an expert.
The Hongqi-10, whose export version is known as FL-3000N, has been installed on some of China's most advanced warships including the 1,300-tonne Type 056 frigates and 7,000-tonne Type 052D destroyers, Chinese media have reported.
Beijing has been increasing its military might and naval reach in recent years, and President Xi Jinping regularly urges the country to strengthen its ability to “win battles”.
TAIPEI — New details have emerged on the aircraft lineup for the new carrier Liaoning, which analysts say is a “plausible” mix of foreign-designed fighter jets and various helicopters, yet limited due to its lack of other necessary aircraft.
According to the Aug. 28 edition of the Chinese-language Shanghai Morning Post, the carrier will house 36 aircraft, including:
■ 4 Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters.
■ 2 Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopters.
The article was based on quotes from Cao Dongwei, senior colonel and researcher at the People’s Liberation Army Naval Research Institute. The Liaoning is a refurbished Soviet-era Varyag aircraft carrier procured in 1998 by China and commissioned in 2012.
“The overall lineup certainly looks plausible, as the mix of helicopters and fighters is similar to how the Russians outfit their example of this carrier,” said Roger Cliff, senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council. “The striking thing about this carrier and aircraft lineup is that every single item is based on a foreign system. The Liaoning is a Russian-built ship fitted out with Chinese systems. The helicopters are based on Eurocopter designs. And the J-15 fighters are based on the Russian Su-33 design.”
China’s first carrier air wing reflects a balance between combat and support aircraft seen in the Liaoning’s Russian counterpart, said Richard Fisher, a senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center.
“The Soviets intended their carrier to provide a defensive extension for their pro-nuclear ballistic missile submarine ‘anti-access’ missile forces carried by their nuclear submarines, large surface combatants and land-based strike bombers. The Liaoning can perform that mission for the Chinese Navy as well as form the centerpiece for a carrier battle group that could overwhelm most Asian navies, but would still require extensive land-based support to oppose a US Navy carrier battle group.”
According to Chinese defense industry brochures acquired at air shows around Asia, the Z-9 and Z-18 helicopters have numerous configurations for both civilian and military use in China....
Navy Recognition learned during the Farnborough International Airshow 2014 that NHIndustries and MBDA started integration of the MARTE ER (Extended Range) anti-ship missile on the NH90 NFH maritime helicopter. NHI and MBDA representatives explained that fitting trials already occured in June 2014 while flight and separation tests were planned for the fall of 2014.
The integration work of this new missile is to answer the interest of two potential customers for a long range anti-ship missile capable of being launched from the NH90. The first customer is the Italian Navy which has already taken delivery of some of its 46 NH90 in NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) configuration it has on order. These helicopters are expected to be deployed on board Italian Navy's frigates for anti-submarine and anti-surface missions. The second potential customer is Qatar which signed during DIMDEX 2014 (naval exhibition held in Doha in March which we were covering) a letter of intent for 12 NH90 TTH and 10 NH90 NFH, from Airbus Helicopters.
When asked if the air launched version of the Exocet (AM 39) would ever be integrated on the NH90, an MBDA engineer explained the Exocet is physically too long and heavy: Initial studies have shown that during separation, the missile creates too much aerodynamic turbulences for the helicopter as well as affects its center of gravity too much.
The Marte missile family The all-weather Marte MK2 is a fire-and-forget, medium-range, sea-skimming anti-ship weapon system. It is equipped with mid-course inertial and radar-based terminal guidance and is capable of destroying small craft and seriously damaging larger vessels. The missile weighs 310 kg and is 3.85 metres long. Marte was first developed in the 1980s with the 30km range MK/2 version being deployed on helicopters. Subsequent models followed for integration on different platforms and thus a family of missiles came into being.
The Marte MK-2/S, where “S” stands for “Short” and indicates shorter munitions in order to enable simpler on board integration, has already been integrated on AW101 and NH-90 NFH helicopters in service with the Italian Navy. The Marte MK-2/A was then developed for launch from fixed-wing aircraft (fighter or patrol aircraft). Finally, in response to the growing interest for a lightweight, rapid-response surface-to-surface naval missile system for littoral operations, Marte MK2/N was developed.
The new version of the missile, called Marte ER (Extended Range), keeps the basic characteristics of the Marte family, but extends its range. The new product is different from previous versions thanks to two main features: turbojet propulsion (leading to a four-fold increase in range compared to the rocket motor version), and the new ISO-calibre cylinder cell. The missile, equipped with these new important components, still preserves a series of elements that were already present in previous versions of the Marte missile, providing a number of significant commonalities that are widely appreciated by the market.
Thanks to these improvements, the new missile has a range that now exceeds 100 km and a much increased speed, both in the cruise and final attack phases. However, it is shorter than the previous model. Logistic systems, such as the transport and stocking canister in the helicopter version and the trolley for moving and hooking the missile to aircraft, are the same as those used in the Mk2/S model, offering clear user advantages.
TUCSON, Ariz., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $115.5 million contract to remanufacture, overhaul and provide upgrades to Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS). The CIWS is an integral element of the Navy's Fleet Defense In-Depth concept and the Ship Self-Defense Program.
Work under the contract, which was signed during the second quarter 2014, is expected to be completed by September 2017.
Close-in Defense Solutions Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. More than 890 systems have been built and deployed in navies around the world.
Intended to enlarge Phalanx's keep-out range against evolving anti-ship missiles, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and other threats, SeaRAM Anti-ship Missile Defense Systems use advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and replaces the gun with an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide. SeaRAM is aboard the Independence-class of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ships.
Australia could buy "jump-jet" Joint Strike Fighters to base aboard new landing ships, giving the nation its first aircraft carrier since the early 1980s.
Defence Minister David Johnston told The Weekend West _the Government was considering buying the "B" model of the F-35 - a specialised variant of the stealth jet being built to operate from aircraft carriers.
Last month, Australia committed to buying 72 of the conventional model F-35s from US aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin at a cost of almost $20 billion.
But the Government has left the door open to buying more F-35s and the minister says the F-35B will be considered.
"Now that aircraft is more expensive, does not have the range but it's an option that has been considered from day one," Senator Johnston said.
The F-35B has a shortened take-off distance and can land vertically, just like the legendary Harrier jump jet.
The British Navy and the US Marines are buying the F-35B to station aboard aircraft carriers.
Australia is soon to bring into service two large ships called landing helicopter docks. Though they resemble small aircraft carriers, the Government has maintained until now they would be used only to deploy helicopters and troops.
Senator Johnston said stationing the F-35 aboard an LHD would be costly and technically challenging, but it could be done.
"The deck strength is there for such an aircraft," he said.
The Hawke government mothballed Australia's last aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne, in 1982.
Commissioning an aircraft carrier is considered a significant strategic statement of military might by a country.
China recently launched its first aircraft carrier. The sea trials are being watched closely.
The F-35B has less range than the conventional F-35 owing to the complex systems of jets used to allow it to land vertically.
The B variant has been the most trouble-plagued of the three F-35 models. Testing was stalled this year after cracks were discovered in the aircrafts' bulkheads.
The F-35 will replace Australia's fleet of F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet aircraft, due to be withdrawn in 2022.
The State Department has approved a $169 million foreign military sale of Boeing-built missiles to Brazil in an effort to help bolster regional stability in South America, Defense News reported Tuesday.
Marcus Weisgerber writes the government of Brazil will purchase 16 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, four CATM-84L Harpoon Block II captive air training missiles, spares, training and logistics tools.
Brazil is acquiring the weapons as part of its strategy to modernize anti-surface warfare systems on its fleet of P-3 aircraft, according to the report.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Congress Tuesday that Brazil intends to bolster its use of the P-3 for countererrorism programs, maritime border security and offshore asset protection, Defense News reports.
Brazil and Saab reached a deal in December to work together in a move aimed at bolstering public-private cooperation in the country and furthering foreign military sales deals.
The US Navy (USN) plans to equip the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout rotary-winged unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with an electronic warfare (EW) capability through the development of a new external pod, the Department of Defense (DoD) disclosed on 1 May.
Under a contract listing, Northrop Grumman is being given USD10.8 million to develop and integrate the new Multi Capability Pod (MCAP) onto the MQ-8C. The MCAP will provide the UAV with "multiple electronic warfare sensors for employment in the littorals", the DOD listing said.
Work is scheduled to be completed in June 2015.
Developed from the Bell 407 manned helicopter, the MQ-8C Fire scout will provide an enhanced capability over its smaller MQ-8B namesake, which is modelled on the smaller Schweizer Aircraft model 330 helicopter.
Swedish firm CybAero recently sold a number of its APID 60 helicopter UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to the Chinese coast guard, which plans to use the unmanned aerial vehicle aboard customs vessels to combat smuggling, reports the Washington-based Strategy Page on Apr. 18.
Designed as a 180-kilogram unmanned helicopter, the APID 60 is capable of carrying a 75-kilogram payload for up to six hours per sortie. It has a max speed of 150 kilometers per hour, and a max altitude of 3,000 meters. The APID 60 can also be operated up to 200 kilometers from the control station on a ship or land, and costs more than 75% less than a manned helicopter to operate, the report said, adding that it is just as effective for reconnaissance.
China has designed its own helicopter UAVs such as the Z-5, according to the report, but the quality and performance of these drones cannot match the APID 60. The Z-5 designed in 2011 is a 437-kilogram drone that can only carry a payload of up to 100-kilograms for three hours. In addition, the Z-5 can only be operated 100 kilometers away from a control station.
Unlike most helicopter UAVs, the APID 60 was built from an original design instead of taking an existing small-size helicopter and turning it into a drone. The APID 60 can be seen as an upgrade version of the APID 55, which was designed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Strategy Page said.
The UAE continues to manufacture the APID 55 under license and exports it to other nations for coast patrol missions.
Le ministère britannique de la Défense vient de notifier à MBDA le contrat portant sur la phase de développement et de production du missile Anti-Navire Léger/ Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy), connu également sous l’acronyme FASGW(H)/ANL. D’un montant équivalent à 600 millions d’euros, il est financé conjointement par la France et le Royaume-Uni. Il ouvre une phase d’environ cinq ans à l’issue de laquelle les missiles FASGW(H)/ANL devraient équiper les hélicoptères Wildcat de la Royal Navy. Puis, après 2020, ceux de l’aéronavale française.
Un missile adapté aux menaces asymétriques
Le FASGW(H)/ANL a pour but de doter les hélicoptères des marines française et britannique d’un missile antinavire adapté au traitement de petites cibles de surface (des bateaux de moins de 500 tonnes, de la corvette aux vedettes rapides en passant par les embarcations détournées de leur usage par des actes terroristes ou de piraterie....
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NORFOLK (March 20, 2014) An E-2D Hawkeye assigned to the Tiger Tails of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 flies over Naval Station Norfolk. VAW-125 provides airborne early warning and command and control to Carrier Air Wing 1 and is assigned aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ernest R. Scott/Released)
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye officially became ready for tasking with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125) during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field, March 27. "This is a revolutionary jump in capabilities," said Capt. Todd Watkins, commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing. "The E-2D serves as the eyes of the fleet. If it's out there, we will see it."
The "Tigertails" of VAW-125 are the first Navy squadron to become fully operational with the Advanced Hawkeye, the newest, most technologically capable variant of the venerable E-2 airborne early warning command and control platform. The E-2D is expected to be instrumental to how the Navy will conduct battle management command and control. Able to sweep ahead of the strike, the E-2D can manage the mission and keep carrier battle groups out of harm's way.
The E-2D's advanced technology makes it a multi-mission platform through its ability to coordinate concurrent missions which may arise during a single flight. These missions can include airborne strike, ground force support, rescue operations and managing a reliable communications network capable of supporting drug interdiction operations.
L’E-2D est un avion de guet aérien modernisé avec des capacités C2, embarqué sur porte-avions. Développé par Northrop Grumman, l'E-2D Advanced Hawkeye est une version améliorée de l'E-2C Hawkeye actuellement en service. Pour mémoire, le programme a été lancé à la fin des années 90 et le premier prototype de l'avion a effectué son vol inaugural en 2007. En tout, l'US Navy prévoit de se doter de 75 Advanced Hawkeye. Plus performant que son prédécesseur et doté d'une avionique de dernière génération, l'appareil est, notamment, doté du nouveau radar APY-9. L'E-2D sera, ainsi, capable de surveiller une plus grande zone et de détecter de plus petits mobiles, tout en renforçant les capacités de l'avion dans son rôle de coordination des raids aériens.
Le Hawkeye E-2D Advanced dispose d’un grand nombre de nouveautés : outre le radar AESA AN/APY-9, l’appareil dispose également d’une nouvelle motorisation, soit le Rolls-Royce T-56-A-427A, un cockpit entièrement numérique, un nouveau système d’identification ami /ennemi, de nouveaux postes de travail tactique ainsi que d’une nouvelle architecture électronique et de communication couplée à une liaison de données.
A delegation from the Nigerian Navy recently visited the United States to discuss the procurement of surplus Boeing-Vertol HH-46 Sea Knight and Kaman H-2 Seasprite helicopters from the US Marine Corps (USMC), the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on 17 March.
The delegation arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in North Carolina on 4 February for a visit to NAVAIR's Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) that included a search and rescue flight demonstration aboard HH-46E helicopter. While NAVAIR said that the Nigerian Navy is interested in procuring surplus HH-46E and H-2 platforms, the command did not reveal possible numbers or delivery timelines.
MORÓN AIR BASE, Spain – As part of a larger effort to increase international cooperation, U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conducted a bilateral carrier qualification with their Spanish counterparts from Maneuver Helicopter Battalion #4 (BHELMA IV) aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), Feb. 25, 2014.
The carrier qualification gave the pilots from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response and BHELMA IV a dedicated opportunity to practice fundamental skills associated with operating carrier-based aircraft and demonstrate acceptable levels of proficiency. Positioned out of Morón Air Base, Spain, the approximately 500 personnel of SP-MAGTF CR come from various elements of the Marine Corps: aviation, ground combat arms, and logistics. As a part of their mission, SP-MAGTF CR conducts military-to-military training with African and European nations. “We did this to expand our bilateral comfort zone,” said Capt. Matthew “Hayseed” Hayden, a pilot training officer with SP-MAGTF CR and action officer for the carrier qualification. “With the conduct of bilateral training, we better ourselves at working with a host nation and expose the Spanish to working with U.S. Navy ships.” Landing MV-22 Ospreys on carriers and working with foreign or host nation partners is regular work for the Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF CR. The Marines created the unit as part of the Department of Defense’s continuing effort to improve its crisis response capability around the globe. SP-MAGTF CR is a self-deployable and highly mobile force designed to respond to missions such as U.S. embassy reinforcement, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, theater security cooperation, and other missions in the U.S. Africa Command and U.S. European Command areas of responsibility. “Maintaining various skills and proficiency allows us to react to the demands of a crisis response environment,” said Hayden. “This provides us with the flexibility to know that if we need to land on a carrier in the Mediterranean or off the coast of Africa, we have the ability to meet that mission.” Various aircraft were used during the training. The Marines flew the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, while BHELMA IV flew both the H-47 Chinook and the AS532 Cougar helicopters. During the carrier qualification, take-off and landing were performed in mixed sections, meaning that American and Spanish aircraft were paired together for alternating landings.
European missile house MBDA has started qualification of its remotely controlled SIMBAD-RC ship self-defence system, and will begin production deliveries later this year.
Developed from the manually controlled SIMBAD (Système Integré de Mistral Bitube d’Auto-Défense) twin-launcher system already in service with the French Navy and more than 10 export customers, the new SIMBAD-RC variant is a private venture development intended to address market requirements for a lightweight, automated close-in defence capability against air and surface threats out to a maximum of 6.5km. MBDA is partnered by Rheinmetall’s Defence Electronics business in Bremen, which is responsible for the design and development of the SIMBAD-RC turret.
Configured with two ‘lock-on before launch’ Mistral infrared homing missiles, the basic SIMBAD-RC configuration comprises one or two lightweight, gyro-stabilised turrets equipped with a Sagem MATIS SP mid-waveband thermal camera and an optional wide field-of-view day camera. In addition, the system includes a dedicated compact terminal, known as SMU-RC, which can manage up to two turrets (interfacing with the ship’s combat system or surveillance sensors).
Whereas the legacy SIMBAD requires an operator to man the above-decks weapon mounting, SIMBAD-RC is controlled remotely from a compact below-deck SMU-RC firing terminal. A single operator can control two SIMBAD-RC launcher systems from this station. In addition, SIMBAD-RC can be slaved to the ship’s radar or electrical-optical system for early cueing.
Preliminary design activities for SIMBAD-RC were completed at the end of 2011. MBDA commenced the full-scale development phase at the beginning of 2012, with Rheinmetall being brought under contract for development of the production series turret. The first prototype SIMBAD-RC turret was delivered by Rheinmetall in June 2014, and is now undergoing qualification. Deliveries of series production units are scheduled to follow from mid-2015.
MBDA has to date signed two contracts for the SIMBAD-RC system: one order to equip patrol vessels (two turrets per vessel); and a second order for the self-defence of high-value support ships (four turrets per ship). While the company declines to identify either customer, it is understood that the two navies in question are Turkmenistan (to equip new P 1200 class patrol vessels) and Saudi Arabia (for retrofit to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ two Boraida class auxiliary replenishment ships).
Iran's Khalij Fars anti-ship ballistic missile (AShBM) - a weapon that could shift the military balance in the Gulf region - is being delivered to operational units, according to the US Department of Defense's annual report to Congress on the Islamic Republic's military capabilities.
"Tehran is quietly fielding increasingly lethal symmetric and asymmetric weapon systems, including more advanced naval mines, small but capable submarines, coastal defence cruise missile batteries, attack craft, and anti-ship ballistic missiles," the report's declassified executive summary said.
This is the first corroboration of Iranian claims that the AShBM is in service. US officials declined to comment further on the report, which was submitted to Congress in January.
The Khalij Fars is a version of the Fateh-110 tactical ballistic missile with an electro-optical (EO) seeker that enables it to home in on a ship's infrared signature in its terminal phase. The Iranian media has reported that the missile has the same 300 km range and 650 kg warhead as the more recent versions of the Fateh-110.
Vice Admiral James Syring, the director of the US Missile Defense Agency, submitted a statement to a Congressional subcommittee in June saying: "This ballistic missile has a range of 300 km, which means it is capable of threatening maritime activity throughout the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz." Vice Adm Syring confirmed the AShBM had been flight tested, but did not comment on whether it was operational.
The Khalij Fars would be harder to intercept than Iran's conventional anti-ship missiles due to its significantly higher velocity (said to be Mach 3) and parabolic trajectory.
The missile was first unveiled in February 2011, when Iran released footage apparently showing it hitting a stationary ship. A second test was announced in July 2012, when Iranian television showed footage that appeared to have been filmed by the missile's seeker as it homed in on a floating platform that was moving.
While the Iranian media has reported since the February 2011 unveiling that the missile was being mass produced, it was not until 5 March 2014 that the Ministry of Defence held a ceremony in which multiple Khalij Fars were officially delivered to the military.
The eight Khalij Fars that featured in the ceremony had the tip of their noses covered by a protective cap, making it impossible to see the EO seeker that distinguishes them from the Fateh-110.
Analysts have previously been sceptical of Iran's AShBM programme. A paper published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 14 August said: "Experts feel … Iran has little or no operational capability to use the Khalij Fars … or any ballistic missile or long-range rocket in the anti-ship [role]."
The CSIS report said Iran did not have an effective way to acquire and track over-the-horizon targets so that the missile's guidance system could be programmed and then updated during flight to ensure its seeker could find the target in its terminal phase.
It nevertheless said: "Iran potentially could alter the regional naval balance if it ever did reach such a level of sophistication in guidance, range, reliability, and operational accuracy."
The Navy's unmanned X-47B returned to carrier operations aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Aug. 17 and completed a series of tests, operating safely and seamlessly with manned aircraft. Building on lessons learned from its first test period aboard TR in November 2013, the X-47B team is now focused on perfecting deck operations and performing maneuvers with manned aircraft in the flight pattern.
The first series of manned/unmanned operations began this morning when the ship launched an F/A-18 and an X-47B. After an eight-minute flight, the X-47B executed an arrested landing, folded its wings and taxied out of the landing area. The deck-based operator used newly developed deck handling control to manually move the aircraft out of the way of other aircraft, allowing the F/A-18 to touch down close behind the X-47B's recovery.
This cooperative launch and recovery sequence will be repeated multiple times over the course of the planned test periods. The X-47B performed multiple arrested landings, catapults, flight deck taxiing and deck refueling operations.
A delegation of MGP Aviation corps visited RNLAF base in Amsterdam, to inspect Fokker 50 and Bell/Agusta helicopters AB-412, offered for sale.
The Dutch Air-Force operates two Fokker aircraft 50, incorporated into its service in 1996, equipped with their mission specific systems for navigation, communications and identification.
The AB-412SP, Dutch air force operates three units for search and rescue (SAR) missions since February 1994.
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence signed a contract on 21st May with MBDA for the provision of Sea Ceptor for the Local Area Air Defence element of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade (FSU) project. This contract confirms the selection of the system by the RNZN for its ANZAC frigates that was announced in October 2013.
The appeal of Sea Ceptor is creating significant interest in a number of markets around the world and its versatility makes it the ideal choice for the ANZAC upgrade. As an active radar system, Sea Ceptor does not require the dedicated tracker/illuminator radars on which semi-active systems depend. Sea Ceptor deploys the CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) which, due to its soft launch technology, requires no efflux management system. This minimizes the system’s mass and footprint thereby allowing for greater flexibility regarding ship installation positions. CAMM missile canisters are compatible with a wide range of vertical launch systems. CAMM features in a family of next generation, all-weather, air defence weapon systems with applications for sea and land environments providing 360° air defence coverage against multiple simultaneous targets, both airborne and surface. This flexibility extends to installation options, a choice of launchers, including the widely used MK 41, and system compatibility with a range of sensors. Cost is a major advantage of CAMM and customers will benefit from a “10 year canister” solution for maximum ease of inventory service management and minimum through life costs.
The Navy is preparing to launch the first ship-board tests of a new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System designed to replace steam catapults and propel fighter jets and other aircraft off the deck of an aircraft carrier and into the sky over the ocean, service officials said.
The EMALS system, which uses an electromagnetic field to propel aircraft instead of the currently used steam catapult, is slated for the new Ford-class aircraft carriers. The first EMALS system has been under construction for several years aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first in class of the new carriers expected to deliver to the Navy in 2016, Navy officials said.
This summer, the Navy will start incremental testing on board the USS Ford wherein “dead loads” placed on weighted sleds are catapulted by the EMALS system into the river, said Capt. Jim Donnelly, program manager for aircraft launch and recovery equipment.
“As things get connected they will increase the number of tests. The first aircraft launch will be after the ship gets to sea,” Donnelly said.
Ship integration and testing for the EMALS technology will mark a substantial milestone in a program which, until now, has largely been conducting land-based flight tests at a Navy facility in Lakehurst, N.J.
“We’ve conducted 452 aircraft launches and just finished up our second phase of aircraft compatibility testing,” Donnelly explained.
The ground-based EMALS catapult tests have launched EA-18G Growlers, F/A-18 Super Hornets, C-2 Greyhound planes and E2D Advanced Hawkeyes, among others. In fact, EMALS even launched an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Lakehurst, Donnelly added. The USS Ford has been under construction in recent years at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls.
Equipment for the EMALS system has been in development on board the ship for several years, Navy officials said. General Atomics was awarded a $573 million deal from the Navy in 2009 for EMALS development....
...
Metal decking is slated to be placed over the trough on the flight deck. Donnelly said cabling and linear induction motor sections are still being installed on board the USS Ford. The linear motors are engineered to help create a sequentially activated rolling magnetic field or wave able to thrust or propel aircraft forward, Donnelly explained.
“It is the same type of technology that you see in a rollercoaster except this one is designed for critical launch reliability. It has to work every time you press the launch button. You are getting an electromagnetic field by turning on linear motor sequentially so we don’t energize the whole field in one shot,” he explained.
The electromagnetic field acts on a large 22-foot long aluminum plate, he added. The aluminum plate runs in between stationary sections of 12-foot long linear motors. Electricity runs through the two sides of the motors, creating an electromagnetic wave, Donnelly explained.
“The aircraft motors are kicked in at the beginning. There’s a hydraulic piston that pushes a shuttle forward. The shuttle is what connects to the aircraft launch bar,” Donnelly said.
The EMALS system is engineered to be both steady and tailorable, meaning it can adjust to different aircraft weights and configurations, Donnelly said. For example, EMALS is configured such that it could launch a lighter weight aircraft, such as an unmanned aircraft system, he added.
The State Department has approved a $169 million foreign military sale of Boeing-built missiles to Brazil in an effort to help bolster regional stability in South America, Defense News reported Tuesday.
Marcus Weisgerber writes the government of Brazil will purchase 16 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, four CATM-84L Harpoon Block II captive air training missiles, spares, training and logistics tools.
Brazil is acquiring the weapons as part of its strategy to modernize anti-surface warfare systems on its fleet of P-3 aircraft, according to the report.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Congress Tuesday that Brazil intends to bolster its use of the P-3 for countererrorism programs, maritime border security and offshore asset protection, Defense News reports.
Brazil and Saab reached a deal in December to work together in a move aimed at bolstering public-private cooperation in the country and furthering foreign military sales deals.
lThe first lot of DART/STRALES 76mm guided ammunition, produced by OTO Melara, was successfully tested at the end of March. The firing trials were conducted on board one of the Italian Navy’s ships equipped with Strales 76mm SR and Selex NA25 fire control system.
The firing trials were conducted with quick bursts of fire against fast, manoeuvring and non-manoeuvring, radio controlled targets at low and very low altitude and at a range of more than 5000 metres.
The customers who attended the firing trials, which included the cooperation of other Navy’s air-sea craft, were fully satisfied with the trials’results which confirm the quality, reliability and effectiveness of this revolutionary defence system.
The company’s top management commented on the videos saying that they are a clear evidence of the system’s effectiveness.
The Strales 76mm system with DART guided ammunition is the only weapon system in the world which can ensure high level performance (at a lower cost than dedicated anti-missile systems) in the engagement of manouevring supersonic missiles with high lateral g force. The system is very effective also in the engagement of fast manouevring little boats.
The DART projectiles are guided by a radio beam that follows the target by means of homing system. The projectile is fitted with a proximity fuze, but there were many hits during the firing trials.
The 76mm naval gun with Strales kit has the same characteristics of ballistic ammunition when it is used to engage air, naval and surface targets; with Vulcano ammunition it will ensure high precision target engagement, with a fire range two times higher than conventional ammunition. The Strales system can be installed on the 76mm naval guns which are already in service.
OTO Melara is planning the production of Strales kits and new ammunition lots to guarantee quick delivery to new customers who will ask for this innovative system.
At present 12 Strales 76mm systems are in service, 15 are going to be delivered, and orders for 30 systems are foreseen in the next 5 years.
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was recently spotted at the Boeing headquarter's in Seattle conducting tests (including flight tests) with Raytheon's Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) fitted under the aircraft. Based on the existing AN/APS-149 Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS), the AAS is designed to detect moving targets both on the surface of water and on land.
LSRS is currently operational on U.S. Navy P-3C Orions. According to Raytheon, the AAS will provide airborne radar surveillance with next-generation line-of-site capability.
According to several sources, the AAS/Poseidon combo would provide the U.S. Navy with a capability similar to the US Air Force's dedicated E-8 Joint STARS platform. It is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Its primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders with ground surveillance to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces. Link to P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft technical datasheet
PUNE: The naval variant of light combat aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' will soon undergo carrier compatibility tests at the newly commissioned shore-based test facility at the Indian naval base INS Hansa in Goa, the LCA's programme director Kota Harinarayana told TOI on Friday. "Before we go to the ship, we have to do something on the ground that is similar to the ship," Harinarayana said, while pointing out that the shore-based test facility is primarily a ramp - similar to the ones on aircraft carriers - which facilitates ski-jump take-off and arrested landing of a naval aircraft. "The aircraft will go to the test facility in a month's time," he added. "Apart from enabling carrier compatibility, the new facility will aid certification of the LCA naval variant, which is critical to the LCA's future induction in the Indian Navy," he said. The LCA (Navy) is India's first indigenous effort to build a carrier-borne naval fighter aircraft, a vital ingredient in the Navy's expansion plans. It is designed to operate from future indigenous aircraft carriers that the Indian Navy plans to acquire. Harinarayana is regarded as the chief architect of the LCA programme, which was launched in 1980 as part of the plan to replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ageing fleet of MIG-21 aircraft. He spoke to TOI on the sidelines of a talk on 'Aircraft designing in India', jointly organised by the Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies and the Aeronautical Society of India. Former vice-chief of air staff Air Marshal (Retd) Bhushan Gokhale chaired the event. In December 2013, the IAF gave its operational clearance to the LCA Air Force variant and also cleared the same for full-scale production at the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited facility in Bangalore, Harinarayana said. "We expect the aircraft to be rolled out for induction into the Air Force later this year and hopefully the IAF will raise an independent squadron for the LCA," he said.
He said, "The IAF has placed an initial order of 40 LCAs which are to be delivered over the next four to five years. We have their (IAF's) commitment for another 80 to 90 LCAs in future. The Air Force and Navy collectively require 200 LCAs." Harinarayana added that the LCA had also evinced keen interest from foreign countries. "However, our immediate focus is on meeting the Air Force and Navy's requirement for the next three years. Supply to foreign countries remains a part-commercial, part-diplomatic matter, and may still take some time to come through. The priority for now is to enhance the production capacity and to continue working on the LCA Mk-II variant, which is expected to go operational in four to five years following flight and other tests." He conceded that both LCA variants will work on the imported GE-404 engines as it will take some more years for the indigenously developed Kaveri engine to be ready for use in these aircraft. "We still have to fully achieve the reliability and performance of the Kaveri engine. We have tested for 50 hours' flying in a transport carrier, but we still have to improve," he said. Apart from enabling carrier compatibility, the new shore-based test facility will aid certification of the LCA naval variant, which is critical to the LCA's future induction in the Indian Navy.
On 6 March 2014, the Italian Navy carried out a number of firing trials on board the frigate Bersagliere to test the 127/54 C gun equipped with Vulcano-Kit (V-kit). The firing trials, conducted with 127 Vulcano Ballistic Extended Range (BER) ammunition, proved to be successful, with projectiles achieving a range of over 38 km. The field of fire was limited to 40 km for security reasons.
The Vulcano BER ammunition used in the firing trials are part of a pre-production lot; the production-line qualification is underway on a first pilot lot of ammunition. It is the first time a military ship, not equipped with the naval gun systems used in the Second World War, has reached such ballistic ranges. Vulcan BER ammunition provide very accurate and high precision firing actions at ranges beyond 60 km.
Commenting on the successful test OTO Melara said it is ready to supply Vulcano BER ammunition to the Navies employing the new 127/64 LW weapon system and those employing the previous version 127/54 C naval gun with the V-kit upgrade.
In addition to the BER variant, Vulcano guided ammunition family also include the Guided Long Range (127GLR) and Semi Active Laser (GLR-SAL) guided versions, which will be available on board ships for firing trials starting from next year. The entire family of trajectory-corrected and guided projectiles will be able to conduct naval fire support at ranges from 35 km up to over 100 km, utilizing the OTO Melara naval guns systems.
The Navy plans to hold a competition for an anti-ship missile that could be used from the air or ships and possibly submarines to beef up the service’s ability to take on surface threats, service officials told USNI News this week.
The Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW)/Increment 2 anti-ship missile will follow an authorization earlier this year for an air-launched missile currently being developed by Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency.
Towards the effort, the service will update an existing analysis of alternatives for the new weapon to deal with, “the advanced 2024 threat.”
The analysis will be used to guide the Navy’s investments in Fiscal Year 2016 and beyond. Service officials did not specify a planned timeframe for the completion of the updated analysis or subsequent requests for proposals from industry.
“Surface and air-launched material solutions will be assessed,” the Navy said in a statement provided to USNI News.
The OASuW Increment 2 would be a follow-on to DARPA’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), which is based on Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range.
The Pentagon authorized the Navy to put the LRASM into production for the OASuW/Increment 1 requirement on Feb. 3.
The Navy will complete the development, test and integration of the Increment 1 weapon onto the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the U.S. Air Force’s Rockwell International B-1B Lance strategic bomber.Even though DARPA has been developing the LRASM as a weapon capable of being launched from the air or vertical missile launch tubes on the service’s ships, the Navy will use it strictly as an air-launched missile, Navy officials told USNI News on Thursday.
“Production of air-launched LRASM is planned to commence in FY 2017 to support employment of an early operational capability to both the Air Force and Navy,” Navy spokesman, Lt. Rob Myers, told USNI News in a statement.
The Pentagon was forced to embark on developing the LRASM as an urgent capability because the existing Harpoon missile does not have the range or survivability to defeat emerging surface threats.
The Navy has not prioritized defeating enemy warships at sea since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The degradation of the Soviet fleet following the end of the Cold War ended the last major peer threat to American naval dominance until the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy began a rapid modernization program in the late 2000s.
Now the Navy is scrambling to counter what it sees as a rising threat.
But LRASM is merely a stopgap for the Navy until it can develop a more comprehensive solution in the form of the OASuW Increment 2—which will be used by aircraft, surface warships and possibly submarines.
In the last few months Navy officials have indicated the service needed to improve the offensive power of its current fleet.
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