.A Russian Air Force's Su-34 fighter-bomber from Lipetsk airbase. Photo Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

15 October 2013 airforce-technology.com

The Russian Air Force (RuAF) will take delivery of 30 new Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft from Sukhoi by the end of 2014, the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed.

RIA Novosti reported the MoD as saying in a statement that, ''the current [2013] year plan on the delivery of 14 [Su-34] aircraft under the state defense order will be fulfilled, and the plant has promised to deliver another 16 fighter-bombers next year.''

Citing a report by the Novosibirsk plant, the ministry also noted that a total of 124 Su-34 fighters are scheduled to be handed over by Sukhoi to the air force under two contracts by 2020.

The Russian military has to date taken delivery of 29 series-production Su-34 aircraft, according to official data.

"The ministry also noted that a total of 124 Su-34 fighters are scheduled to be handed over by Sukhoi to the air force under two contracts by 2020."

Manufactured by the Novosibirsk aircraft plant, the Su-34 is a 4+ generation aircraft and can engage a range of land-based, sea and airborne targets in all weather conditions and any visibility levels, using a range of airborne munitions, including high-precision types.

The aircraft is a two-seat derivative of the swing-wing Su-27 fighter, retaining its basic layout and construction, and also features increased takeoff weight and an advanced multimode-phased array radar with terrain following and terrain avoidance modes.

Additional features include a long-range aiming system, a modern on-board communication and an information exchange system, a complex survival system, an armoured cockpit and an active safety system, as well as new computers to manoeuvre and perform accurate bombing when under enemy attack.

The twin Lyulka AL-31FM1 turbofan engine-powered aircraft is eventually scheduled to replace the Russian Air Force and Navy's ageing Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft fleet.

October 15, 2013: Strategy Page

Another Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft crashed on September 23rd, killing the pilot. All Su-25s were immediately grounded until the cause of the crash could be found. This is the 17th Su-25 lost in the last decade, which is not unusual for a Russian military aircraft that has been in service since the 1980s. Despite these losses, the Su-25 is still a popular aircraft. When well maintained, the Su-25 is very effective. Over a thousand have been produced since 1978 and the aircraft is still in production and older models are being upgraded. In 2006, after seven years of work, Russia put the first two Su-25SM upgrades into service. Six more were delivered within a year. Russia still finds export customers for the Su-25, both cheap used models, or high end versions like new or refurbished Su-25SMs.

Russia still maintains a force of Su-25s. As long ago as 1999, Russia decided to upgrade 80 of their Su-25 aircraft to the SM standard. In addition to extending service life by ten years or more, the Su-25SMs have new electronics that permit the aircraft to use smart bombs and missiles. The navigation system has been upgraded, to include GPS and more automation. Many improved components were installed, to reduce maintenance manpower needs by a third. Currently, Russia plans to keep 80 or so SU-25s in service until the 2030s. This will probably require one more round of refurbishment.

The Su-25 is a 17 ton aircraft that carries a 30mm twin-barrel rotary cannon (with 250 rounds) and up to five tons of bombs and missiles (including air-to-air missiles). The twin-engine, one seat aircraft has a combat radius of 380 kilometers and a top speed of 900 kilometers an hour. It's the Russian equivalent of the U.S. A-10, which has received similar upgrades to prolong its service life.

The Su-25 design is actually more similar to the 19 ton American A-9, a competing design with the 23 ton A-10. The Su-25 and A-9 both are about 14 percent faster than the A-10. But the A-10 is a more stable aircraft and much more resistant to battle damage. Absent lots of ground fire, both the A-10 and Su-25 are very effective against ground targets. The A-10 also has an edge with its unique 30mm autocannon, in addition to seven tons of bombs. The A-9 could carry eight tons, in addition to the same 30mm autocannon.

Sep 30, 2013 ASDNews Source : TenCate

Aerotron Brazil, the prime contractor for the Embraer KC-390 project, has chosen TenCate Advanced Armour as its technical and industrial partner and the supplier of the materials and special processes. Aerotron Brazil and TenCate Advanced Armour are working closely together to finalize the design and to build the prototypes of the ballistic protection according to the schedule, weight and performance requirements for the Embraer KC-390 program.

The KC-390 is the largest airplane ever conceived and built by the Brazilian aeronautics industry and will establish a new standard for medium-sized military transport aircraft, in terms of performance and payload, as well as advance mission and flight systems. It is to perform aerial refueling, transport cargo and troops, and to receive fuel in-flight. The KC-390 will be able to transport up to 23 metric tons of cargo, including wheeled armored vehicles.

The potential market for the KC-390 is according to Embraer approximately 700 aircraft, and so far letters of intent for 60 aircraft have been signed by 6 different countries. Financial details will not be published.

Read more

Sep. 25, 2013 – Defense news (AFP)

TAIPEI — Taiwan on Wednesday received the first of 12 anti-submarine aircraft from the United States, as it beefs up its naval defenses against China, the military said.

Television footage showed the P-3C Orion patrol aircraft landing at an air base in southern Pingtung county. Water was then splashed on the plane in a brief welcome ceremony.

The other 11 planes are scheduled for delivery by 2015, the military said.

Washington agreed in 2007 to sell Taiwan the refurbished P-3C Orion patrol aircraft, which reportedly will expand the surveillance range of Taipei's anti-submarine fleet tenfold.

The P-3C fleet, which will cost around $1.96 billion, is intended to replace the island's aging S-2T anti-submarine aircraft to carry out maritime patrol and reconnaissance.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan's president in 2008 on a China-friendly platform.

However, Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force against Taiwan. The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.

Taiwan has built up a defense force equipped with weapons acquired mostly from the United States, despite Washington's switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

Sept. 18, 2013 by Dave Majumdar – FG

Washington DC - The US Air Force will likely have to cut entire fleets of aircraft to comply with the Congressional sequestration law, says a top service official. In order to retain a force capable of operating across the spectrum of operations, the USAF will have to sacrifice single-mission aircraft in order to preserve multirole machines.

“The only way you really save money is to make entire weapons systems go away,” says Gen Mike Hostage, commander of the USAF’s Air Combat Command. That is “so that the whole logistics train, the whole support infrastructure that goes with it goes away.”

Though eliminating single-mission aircraft is the most efficient way to save money while preserving military capability, the problem is politics, Hostage says.

For example, the L-3 MC-12 Project Liberty aircraft has excellent capability, if funding was not an issue, Hostage says. Other single-mission aircraft that might be sacrificed include the Fairchild Republic A-10.

However, the Boeing F-15C fleet is likely to be preserved to some degree, even if total fleet numbers drop. The USAF is short on air superiority capability with its small fleet of 184 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors, Hostage says. The Lockheed F-35 will be able to fill that role when used in conjunction with the Raptor, he adds, although the F-22 will remain the preeminent air superiority machine for the foreseeable future.

The USAF has to prioritise recapitalisation over modernisation, otherwise the service faces the unsavoury prospect of facing-off against enemy forces with 45-year old fourth-generation fighters in the future. “No matter how you [modernise the capability], it is not tactically viable once you get to the middle of the decade,” Hostage says. The USAF is “screwed” if it does not modernise with the F-35, he adds. But if the worst came to the worst and the F-35 were to be cancelled, the USAF would need 350 new-build Raptors to get to 2030, Hostage says.

The F-35 is expected to be able to operate across a wide spectrum of missions. “In a perfect world, I’d like to have 1,000 A-10s I could do close air support [CAS] with,” Hostage says. “I can’t afford it. I can’t afford the fleet I have now.”

While it will be more expensive to do the CAS mission with the F-35 and perhaps not quite as “impressive” as the A-10 in that role, the stealthy fifth-generation fighter can perform the task, Hostage says.

Even the Boeing B-1 bomber or even the future Long-Range Strike Bomber will be able to perform the CAS role, he says. “I will not lose what we have gained in understanding how to support the army in the tactical battlefield,” Hostage says. “That was the mistake we made coming out of Southeast Asia.”

MOSCOU, 26 août - RIA Novosti

Le 11e Salon aérospatial international MAKS 2013 se déroulera du 27 août au 1er septembre à Joukovski, dans la région de Moscou.

Les exhibitions de trois chasseurs russes de 5e génération PAK FA (T-50) et de chasseurs Sukhoi Su-35S, qui réaliseront des exercices de voltige aérienne, constitueront un des éléments les plus impressionnants du programme des vols au salon MAKS 2013. 

Premières du Salon MAKS 2013

Le groupe russe Irkout  dévoilera le chasseur à haute manœuvrabilité Sukhoi Su-30SM. Irkout produit actuellement 60 avions Su-30SM pour l'armée russe. 

Le Consortium aéronautique unifié (OAK), maison mère des avionneurs Sukhoi, MiG et Iliouchine, compte présenter son nouvel avion de transport Iliouchine Il-76MD-90A (Il-476). OAK exposera, sur le statique, la version VIP du moyen-courrier Sukhoi SuperJet-100 (SSJ-100), ainsi que l'avion Tupolev Tu-214ON (ON est une abréviation de "Otkrytoïe Nebo" - "ciel ouvert" en russe) qui sera remis au ministère russe de la Défense pendant le salon. Un simulateur d'aide à la navigation de l'avion MS-21 sera exposé au stand d'OAK.

L'hélicoptère modernisé Mi-171A2 sera présenté pour la première fois au Salon MAKS-2013. La fin des travaux de conception et d'homologation de cet appareil est prévue pour la fin de 2014. Sa production en série commencera en 2015.

Le consortium Almaz-Anteï, constructeur russe des systèmes de défense antiaérienne, dévoilera plusieurs nouveaux projets dont le missile sol-air à moyenne portée S-350E. Selon les concepteurs, ce missile est censé remplacer les missiles sol-air S-300 actuellement en dotation dans l'armée russe.

La police russe utilisera deux dirigeables pour garantir la sécurité du Salon MAKS 2013. Un dirigeable contrôlera la situation dans le secteur des manifestations publiques et l'autre aidera la police de la route à gérer le trafic automobile. 

Exposition

Le Salon MAKS 2013 réunira plus d'un millier de participants dont 277 sociétés de 43 pays étrangers.

Le holding russe de hautes technologies Rostec, dont font partie la plupart des entreprises aérospatiales russes, est le partenaire général du Salon aérospatial. Cette année, Rostec présentera les innovations de 10 sociétés - hélicoptères, moteurs pour avions et missiles, équipements électroniques de bord, etc.

La présentation d'un groupe membre de Rostec, "Hélicoptères de Russie", doit sûrement attirer l'attention du public. Le groupe exposera une quinzaine d'hélicoptères dont Ka-31, Ka-52 Alligator, Ka-226T, Mi-35M, Mi-38 et d'autres encore.

Un autre holding russe - Consortium unifié des motoristes (OAK) - présentera une trentaine de ses produits, entre autres le moteur PD-14 conçu pour les avions de ligne russes MS-21, le moteur 117C pour chasseurs Sukhoi Su-35 et le moteur SaM146 qui équipe les moyen-courriers SSJ-100. 

L'Agence fédérale spatiale russe (Roskosmos) promet de présenter une maquette d'un nouvel vaisseau spatial habité dont le premier vol est programmé pour 2018. Selon le directeur de Roskosmos Vladimir Popovkine, il s'agit d'une maquette grandeur nature.

Le consortium russe "Technologies radioélectroniques", producteur d'équipements de bord pour avions militaires et civils, présentera de nouveaux systèmes de pilotage et de navigation pour l'avion de ligne MS-21, ainsi que des équipements uniques conçus pour le chasseur de 5e génération PAK FA.

Contrats et accords

Pour le moment, aucun participant au salon MAKS n'a annoncé qu'il comptait signer un contrat pendant l'édition 2013. Toutefois, ses participants envisagent de finaliser plusieurs accords sur la livraison d'avions Irkout MS-21 et SSJ-100. La signature de nouveaux contrats ne pas à exclure aussi. En 2011, la Consortium aéronautique unifié (OAK) a signé des contrats pour 7,5 milliards de dollars pendant l'édition précédente de MAKS.

La société russe VEB-Leasing et le groupe Irkout peuvent transformer en contrat ferme l'accord sur la production de 30 avions MS-21 pour 2,5 milliards de dollars.

La société "Avions civils Sukhoi" et le groupe de leasing russe Ilyushin Finance Co (IFC) devraient aussi finaliser leur accord sur la livraison de 20 avions Sukhoi Superjet 100.

Le carnet des commandes d'OAK compte actuellement plus de 580 appareils pour plus de 1.000 milliards de roubles (22,7 milliards d'euros) dont un tiers sont des appareils civils. Les avions MS-21 et SSJ-100 sont les projets civils principaux d'OAK.

Programme des vols

Le programme des vols du salon MAKS-2013 sera inauguré par les groupes de voltige aérienne russes Russkie Vitiazi ("Preux russes", équipé de Sukhoi Su-27), et Striji ("Martinets", équipé de MiG-29). Les vols de démonstration de plus de 30 minutes auront lieu tous les jours, du 27 août au 1er septembre.

Le groupe de voltige aérienne russe Berkouty ("Aigles royaux") fera de la voltige en hélicoptères de frappe Mi-28N.

Le groupe d'acrobatie aérienne Sokoly Rossii ("Faucons de Russie") réalisera des vols d'exhibition en chasseurs de 4e génération Sukhoi Su-27.

Un chasseur russe de 5e génération T-50 et un chasseur polyvalent russe Sukhoi Su-35S réaliseront aussi des figures de voltige aérienne au salon MAKS-2013.

Participants étrangers

Les as de la voltige aérienne étrangers effectueront aussi des vols de démonstration au salon MAKS-2013. Les représentants de l'Armée de l'air chinoise piloteront des chasseurs Chengdu J-10 équipés de moteurs russes AL-31FN. Selon le journal russe Kommersant, la Russie a pris en charge les frais de participation de militaires chinois au salon MAKS-2013.

La France participe traditionnellement au salon MAKS. Les visiteurs pourront admirer les exhibitions d'avions de chasse Rafale développés et produits par l'avionneur français Dassault Aviation, ainsi que de L-39 Albatros de la patrouille acrobatique française Breitling Jet Team.

La patrouille aérienne civile lettone Baltic Bees, évoluant aussi sur L-39 Albatros, présentera également un spectacle aérien à Joukovski. 

Sécurité et ordre public 

Les organisateurs du salon comptent attirer près de 400.000 visiteurs par jour.

Plus de 3.000 policiers dont près de 400 policiers de la route veilleront au respect de l'ordre public pendant le salon aérospatial. La police utilisera des détecteurs de métaux et des scanners à rayons X. Les armes froides et à feu, les liquides inflammables, d'autres objets et matières dangereuses, ainsi que les boissons alcoolisées seront proscrits sur le territoire du salon aérospatial.

Seules les personnes munies de laissez-passer spéciaux pourront accéder au salon MAKS en voiture. Les autres conducteurs devront se servir d'un parking spécial de 15.000 places aménagé près de l'aéroport Bykovo.

P-8I #Aircraft: 21st Century Maritime Security for the Indian #Navy - by @BoeingDefense #India #Defence #Aerospace http://t.co/G219VnZnjb

RP Defense (@RPDefense)April 18, 2013

#Defence ministry to resolve #India #AirForce - #HAL fight over trainer #aircraft for rookie pilots - #Asia #Asie... http://t.co/jUFhkFAocY

RP Defense (@RPDefense)April 17, 2013

Why The #Gripen Is Not the Right #Aircraft For the @Cdn_AirForce – Part 1 - by @davidpugliese http://t.co/ysMTKqCP0C

RP Defense (@RPDefense)April 15, 2013

November 15, 2012 Andrei Kislyakov, specially for RIR - indrus.in

Modern Russo-Indian military and technical cooperation is focussed on research-intensive areas like aviation and missile manufacturing.

The hallmark of cooperation between Russia and India in the aviation sector is the joint development and manufacturing programme of fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) for the Indian Air Force. According to the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade’s latest estimates made in late October, the countries intend to start serial production of the FGFA in 2020. The plane – an Indian version of the Russian T-50 fighter – will be built at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) production facilities. The Russian fifth generation fighter, code-named T-50, should be deployed in the Russian Air Force after 2017.

India’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne has stated that it will be a single-seat plane equipped with practically the same components as its Russian twin. Some of the equipment, however, such as onboard computers, will be different, as is the case with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter upgraded for use by India.

According to Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, the Russian side will supply 117C engines, as well as stealth technology for the Indian planes. India plans to manufacture onboard computers, software, a targeting system, and other onboard systems for its fifth generation fighter.  This is keeping in line with Indian participation in the programme for the India-licensed manufacture of the Russian multi-purpose Sukhoi 30MKI fighters at Indian factories. As a result, Russian-made components in the serial model should make up 60 percent, compared with India’s 40 percent.

Official data estimates the total cost of joint Russo-Indian FGFA development to be $12 billion. According to Marshal Browne, “the project will be carried out on a parity basis. It includes financing for detailed design, a full battery of tests, and the production of prototypes.” He added that they are currently at the preliminary design stage, estimated to cost $295 million.

Meanwhile, the contract for developing the aircraft for India has undergone considerable modifications. The Indian Air Force originally planned to buy 214 fifth generation planes (166 one-seaters and 48 two-seaters). That number has since been reduced to 144. The original number would have been built if the plane had been ready for deployment by 2017, and if Russian factories had been able to deliver the first batch of the machines. However, because of delays with the production of the T-50, India has decided to expand its participation in FGFA development, pushing the starting date for the production of its Indian version back to 2020.

India is in the process of a large-scale upgrade of its Air Force. Around 130 Russian-made multi-purpose Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters (which should increase to 270) and around 70 MiG-29s form the backbone of the country’s fighter fleet.

Besides modern equipment, the Indian Air Force also has 51 French Mirage 2000 fighters and around 200 MiG-21s, almost half of which will be decommissioned within the next two or three years, while the rest will be upgraded.

India recently held a tender for supplying its Air Force with at least 126 multi-purpose fighters for a total of more than $10 billion. The French Dassault Rafale fighter won the tender.

In addition to modern military aircraft, Russia and India continue close cooperation in missile building, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Russia and India are working with BrahMos Aerospace to promote a family of all-purpose supersonic BrahMos land-launched and ship-launched versions of the missile based on the Russian medium-range P-800 Onyx anti-ship missile, which some experts believe is unrivalled in the global marketplace.

According to Russia’s deputy prime minister in charge of the defence industry, Dmitry Rogozin, BrahMos Aerospace is not only a successful Russo-Indian joint venture, but it also represents an optimal model for bilateral cooperation that has tremendous political importance for both countries.

In early October 2012, the missile was test-fired from the Teg frigate built in Russia to India’s order. A contract for the construction of three frigates of this type was signed in 2006. India said the test was successful, with the cruise missile hitting its target at a distance of 290km.

One thousand land-launched and ship-launched versions of the missile are scheduled for production by 2016, with half of this number intended for sale to third countries.

The joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is working overtime to create the hypersonic BrahMos-2 missile. With a speed of more than five times the speed of sound, it will be practically impossible to intercept.

First Deputy General Director of Russia’s NPO Mashinostroenia Aleksandr Dergachev announced in mid-October that air tests for the BrahMos-2 would begin next year.

During Dmitry Rogozin’s visit to India in mid-October, BrahMos Aerospace CEO Dr Sivathanu Pillai presented the Russian delegation with a strategic plan for the joint venture development through 2050, which includes the design and implementation of innovation technologies for the BrahMos missile family, allowing the company to remain a global market leader in this area. Dr Pillai pointed out the importance of deploying the BrahMos missiles in the Russian Navy, as well as the need to develop new systems as soon as possible to maintain a technological edge over other countries

07 September 2012 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

Saab is bringing its Saab 340 Maritime Security Aircraft (MSA) to the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition later this month, in the aircraft’s second public appearance after the Farnborough Air Show in July. Saab is offering the aircraft to fulfil the South African Air Force’s requirement for new maritime patrol aircraft under Project Saucepan.

The Saab 340 MSA will spend 25 hours travelling 10 000 km over five days to get to Air Force Base Waterkloof outside Pretoria. It will depart Linkoping, Sweden, and fly to Europe, with a rest stop in Italy. It will then proceed to Egypt and fly along the east coast of Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, before landing at Waterkloof. The aircraft will be on display until the evening of Sunday September 23 and will depart for Sweden the following morning. Saab test pilot Magnus Fredriksson said the aircraft would arrive on the Sunday before the show, which starts on September 19.

Although the 340 MSA will only be on static display during AAD, the mission system will be up and running, allowing potential customers to view it in operation. Although the aircraft is coming out exclusively for AAD as South Africa is the prime focus, Saab is hoping to attract interest from the numerous foreign delegations that will be attending the exhibition. In particular, the aircraft will be promoted to the Turkish, Argentine and Vietnamese delegations.

Philip Willcock, Senior Marketing Executive: Air – Sub-Saharan Africa at Saab South Africa, said that Saab was hoping to attract interest in the 340 MSA from all over the world at AAD. Saab estimates a worldwide market for between 50 and 100 aircraft in the 340 MSA class over the next 15-20 years.

Willcock said that all Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries with coastlines are potential customers, such as Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.

In South Africa, the Air Force has Project Saucepan underway, which seeks to find a replacement for its C-47TP maritime patrol aircraft. The project was signed off by the minister of defence in February but Saab is still awaiting a formal document from the project team. Willcock said that an ideal number of 340 MSAs for South Africa would be five, as five aircraft would be able to adequately cover the country’s coastline.

Saab is looking to fit South African made sensors onto the aircraft in order to maximise local content. Willcock said that Saab is teaming with Cobham to supply the satellite communications system and Carl Zeiss to supply electro optical equipment. In addition, the 340 MSA offered to South Africa would be equipped with the indigenous Link ZA data link.

Johan Rättvall, who is in charge of Saab 340 MSA marketing, said that the main markets for the 340 MSA are Latin America, Africa and Asia. After AAD, he said the aircraft would be displayed at Latin America Aerospace and Defence (LAAD) in April next year, the Paris Air Show in June and Dubai Air Show in November. The MSA demonstrator - which was built in 1998 and operated by Mesaba Airlines in Northwest Airlink colours until 2011 - is available for sale.

Rättvall said that over the last decade, many countries have realised how important the sea is in generating wealth, whether it is trade or fishing – 90% of world trade is conducted at sea. Rattval said that piracy and other illegal activities have created a rapidly growing market for maritime surveillance. “Saab as a defence and security company hopes to be part of that growing market,” he said. “Africa is one of the more interesting regions.” Indeed, piracy is rife off West Africa and in the Gulf of Aden and nations in the region have been purchasing maritime surveillance aircraft – Nigeria and Ghana recently bought Diamond DA 42 Guardian aircraft while countries with the European Union Naval Force fly P-3 Orions and other maritime patrol aircraft on the east coast.

The 340 MSA is not just a military platform and is being offered to coast guards as well – in fact, the first customer for the type was the Japan Coast Guard, which bought two aircraft in the late 1990s and then another two. The decision to pursue the 340 MSA was taken a few years ago when it was realised that conversions for organisations like the Japan Coast Guard were not one off orders and there was a dedicated market for this type of aircraft. The increase in terrorism around the world and the rise in homeland security spending were further incentives to develop the type, Saab said.

The 340 MSA is also offered for search and rescue, oil spill and pollution detection, fisheries inspection, counter smuggling surveillance, illegal immigrant control, transportation, medical evacuation and exclusive economic zone monitoring. There are no plans to arm the 340 MSA, as it is a dedicated surveillance platform.

The 340 MSA features a number of sensors for day and night operations, including electro-optical sensors and a 360° search radar. Saab has installed the Telephonics RBR-1700B X-band radar, with a maximum range of 120 nautical miles, and a FLIR Systems Star Safire III infrared turret, but these can be changed to other designs. Other avionics include an automatic identification system, satellite communications and mission management system. Optional extras include a side-looking airborne radar, V/UHF direction finder, UV/infrared line scanner, larger windows and an air drop door.

Maximum cruise speed is 480 km/h with an endurance of 6.5 hours and a maximum range 2 400 km, but this can be extended with optional auxiliary fuel tanks, for an endurance of around nine hours.

Willcock said that all of the 450 Saab 340 airliners built could be converted to MSA configuration. The conversion process involves rebuilding the airframe and overhauling the engines, resetting airframe hours to zero, and giving the aircraft a 45 000 hour or 30 year service life.

According to Willcock, that the 340 MSA is a cost effective platform as it uses a proven converted airliner airframe, but the 340 MSA mission system can be installed on just about any aircraft, as Saab has done with the Erieye airborne early warning system. He emphasised that the cost of ownership of the 340 MSA is low as the aircraft is in commercial service and there is a large spares market. Saab earlier estimated a unit price of US$20 million. Willcock added that the aircraft has proven reliability, with dispatch reliability of 98.3%.

Saab is just one of many contenders in maritime surveillance aircraft market. Visiongain last year estimated that the airborne maritime patrol market segment was worth more than US$6.5 billion for 2011 and US$78 billion for the ten year period through 2021. It projected robust growth in the segment. For example, L-3 expects to sell around 150 Spydr surveillance aircraft and said it had identified several potential buyers in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The company brought the Spydr out to South Africa last year.

Smaller, but more expensive than the Saab product, a basic Beech King Air 350ER system includes maritime search radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, AIS and onboard mission workstations with options for a data link and drop hole. The aircraft has an endurance of up to nine hours. There are a number of King Airs currently operated in the maritime surveillance role, with the most recent being the MARS King Air 350ER for the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) being built by Sierra Nevada Corporation at a cost of over US$22 million per aircraft.

Malta’s Armed Forces recently took delivery of a second new B200 from Aero Data of Germany, who won the contract to supply these aircraft at 12.2 million Euros each in Maritime Surveillance configuration.

Another contender in the airborne maritime surveillance market, and which is also being promoted to South Africa, is the C-295MPA/ASW Persuader. This features the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) mission suite, comprising of a search radar, electro-optical/infrared sensor, magnetic anomaly detector, four multifunction consoles, sonobuoy or flare and marker launcher and three hardpoints for torpedoes, anti-submarine munitions or depth charges. Chile and Portugal have ordered the maritime patrol variant.

Some other examples or short/medium range coastal/exclusive economic zone surveillance aircraft are the Cessna Reims 406, Viking Twin Otter, Bombardier Dash 8, Casa 212 and CN-235MP, RUAG Dornier Do-228, ATR-42/72MP and Fokker F-50.

The PAF operates these SF260TP trainers since the mid 1990s.

One such plane crashed Friday off Lamonja island, with two crew members on board.

May 20, 2012 Richard Dudley - defense-update.com

For the first time in its history, the Philippines is looking to non-USA sources for combat aircraft to strengthen the nation’s warfighting capabilities. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) is reported to be in the market to purchase as many as two squadrons of combat aircraft and, according to DND representatives, has already entered into negotiations with non-USA manufacturers. Usually, a squadron would consist of 15 to 18 aircraft, but each squadron is configured to meet specific defense needs. On 7 May Dr. Peter Paul Galvez, speaking for the DND, announced that the Philippines had approached several nations with an eye towards procuring war materials needed to upgrade the nation’s armed forces. He stated that France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and South Korea were all prime candidates being considered.

Dr. Galvez indicated that his nation was in the market for second-hand combat aircraft and missile-firing gunboats in an effort to modernize the military and build an effective defense force. In consideration of the nation’s budget limitations, the DND seeks to achieve an acceptable balance of cost, capability, maintenance needs, and longevity in purchasing the desired warfighting assets.

 

The Philippines is now locked in a tense maritime dispute with China over ownership and control of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Chinese and Filipino ships have been in a face-to-face standoff for more than a month now with no end in sight. Both nations have dispatched ships to the area to secure their claims to the Shoal and the surrounding waters. Dr. Galvez also stated that the DND is also reviewing the possibility of procuring jet trainers for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The PAF currently flies Italian Marchetti S211 jet trainers, aircraft that are frequently used in a ground-attack role in the nation’s continuing war against insurgents.

 

The Philippines wants to negotiate “government-to-government” purchases in an effort to save money. When asked if the Philippines was planning to buy modern multi-role aircraft, Dr. Galvez said that such an acquisition was a dream of the DND, but one that would not likely fit into the defense budget. He also mentioned the substantial costs involved in maintaining new aircraft, costs the Philippines is presently not able to afford. He said that if they can buy “cheaper planes of the same quality and firepower, that’s another plus factor” for the Philippines.

 

PAF is currently using the OV10 Bronco for ground attack / counter insurgency operations. A cost effective replacement for both bronco and the F-5s, retired in 2005 could be the Korean FA-50, planned to replace the Korean F-5s by 2013. Aero Image photo via PAF

 

During a radio interview on 16 May, Philippine President Benigno Aquino stated that he had requested second-hand F-16 Falcons from the United States, but this request may not be practical considering the maintenance costs associated with keeping the aging aircraft operational. He said, “It’s not necessarily the F-16s. We are also looking at jet fighters with the same capability as that of the F-16 but are cost-efficient and low in maintenance.”

 

President Aquino went on to say that his government was looking to spend between $400 and $800 million for each of two combat squadrons. He also pointed out that the PAF’s last fighter jet, a Vietnam War-era Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter, was retired in 2005. For all practical purposes, the Philippines no longer has a credible air defense capability.

 

Last month, Manila requested additional military assistance from the United States including aircraft, radar systems, and gunboats. This request was submitted as a means of enabling the Philippines to create a “minimum credible defense.” Aquino went on to say that his government had various options to consider and that the nation has the “capacity to buy brand new, but not from America.” He declined to mention any specific aircraft model being considered and he said he was not at liberty to mention the country of manufacture at that time.

 

The president also stated that the DND’s acquisition endeavors also included upgrading the Navy. The flagship of the Philippine Navy, and largest warship the Navy has, is a former US Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter, now renamed the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. A second and more capable Hamilton-class cutter, the USS Dallas, is expected to be delivered in November of this year.

 

President Aquino said that the DND was in the process of completing 132 projects with the expectation that these efforts would be finalized by the end of July of this year. The projects now in the works are unlikely to approach the level some analysts believe is needed for the Philippines to deploy an effective defense capability.

 

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), an American think tank, has published what their analysts believe are the Philippines’ minimum defense needs. According to CNAS, the Philippines needs at least four F-16 squadrons (48 aircraft), modern frigates, fast corvettes, minesweepers, and four to six mini-submarines to meet the challenges posed by China’s military modernization. CNAS claims that upgrading the Philippines’ defense posture as a counter to Chinese ambitions is in the best interest of the United States and her Asia-Pacific allies.

 

A Philippine modernization on the scale CNAS advocates is almost certainly beyond Manila’s financial ability at the present time. Such an extensive modernization would undoubtedly require financial assistance from the US and other Asia-Pacific nations, a prospect that is unlikely given the global economic challenges now hobbling the United States and other nations.

L’ATL2 sur la BA118 de Mont-de-Marsan, le 10 novembre 2011

photo F. Lert

22 novembre 2011 par Frédéric Lert - Aerobuzz

En Libye, les Breguet Atlantique de la Marine Nationale ont fait la démonstration qu’ils étaient plus que des patrouilleurs maritimes. Pour ces vénérables bimoteurs aussi, l’heure de la retraite est repoussée. Ils vont recevoir un nouveau système d’arme.

Hommage de la Nation à ses combattants : le 10 novembre 2011, la panoplie complète des moyens aériens déployés en Libye, dans le cadre de l’opération Harmattan, a été présentée sur la base aérienne 118 de Mont-de-Marsan. Au milieu des hélicoptères de combat et des avions de chasse, le ministre de la Défense a pu rencontrer l’équipe d’un Breguet Atlantique qui avait fait le déplacement depuis sa base bretonne de Lann Bihoué pour célébrer la fin officielle des combats en Libye.

Pour marquer les esprits, l’Atl2 de Mont de Marsan emportait un missile Exocet en soute. Histoire de rappeler qu’il ne s’agit pas seulement d’un bon gros bimoteur taillé pour planer des heures au ras des vagues. Si le marine libyenne avait montré le bout de son nez, l’équipage envoyait la purée… Après que la menace maritime libyenne eut totalement disparu, envoyée par le fond à coup de bombes guidées, les Atlantique ont continué à faire des tours, tantôt au-dessus de la mer, tantôt au-dessus des sables libyens. Son autonomie, ses moyens d’observation et de communication ont été mis à contribution pour guider les avions de combat et les tirs contre la terre des navires (plus de 3.000 obus tirés pour les seuls bateaux français !). Et sans doute pour remplir quelques autres missions pour l’instant gardées dans l’ombre.

Un équipage nombreux, gage de polyvalence pour l’Atlantique

photo F. Lert

Je la fais brève : après une intervention réussie au Sahel en début d’année, le Breguet Atlantique a de nouveau brillamment réussie l’examen de passage du combat. Rançon de ces succès, son système d’arme, qui date des années 80, sera donc modernisé. Un programme est déjà en cours, mais il ne concerne pour l’instant que l’avionique et la planche de bord. Indispensable pour permettre à l’avion d’évoluer dans la circulation aérienne générale en dehors de l’hexagone.

L’Atlantique peut emporter deux missiles Exocet de 700 kg chacun en soute

photo F. Lert

L’Atlantic première mouture (avec un « c ») est entré en service au début des années 70 et il a été fabriqué à 87 exemplaires utilisés dans cinq pays. En 1989 est arrivée la deuxième génération baptisée Atlantique (ou Atl 2), construite à seulement 28 exemplaires pour répondre aux seuls besoins français. L’avion partage les mêmes moteurs (à quelques détails près…) que le Transall et la même bonne tête des avions conçus dans les années 60. Solide, sérieux, sans « mise à jour logicielle », mais avec au contraire tout ce qu’il faut de rusticité et de bon sens dans sa conception. Un bel avion « de mission » comme on en fera plus, parce qu’il est désormais trop coûteux de concevoir un avion pour chaque application.

L’Atlantique 2 construit à 28 exemplaires

photo Marine Nationale

La modernisation dont on parle aujourd’hui vise à redonner un nouveau souffle à la mission anti-navire et anti sous marine (ASM). Le radar, les systèmes de missions, les consoles de travail seront changés. L’avion va retrouver la vue perçante et l’ouïe fine nécessaires pour traquer des navires toujours plus furtifs. Les six premiers avions modernisés sont attendus pour 2018 et jusqu’à 18 appareils pourraient profiter de cette cure de jouvence, sur les 22 encore en service.

Aux belles heures de la patrouille maritime, la France disposait de trois flottilles d’Atl2. On n’en compte aujourd’hui plus que deux, avec des centres de maintenance faisant feu de tout bois pour garder les avions en vol. Au fur et à mesure de la mise à la retraite des Transall, la Marine est par exemple bien contente de mettre la main sur les stocks de pièces pour les moteurs Tyne. Bien conscients de la chance qu’ils ont de pouvoir continuer à entretenir leur savoir-faire en matière de patrouille maritime, les marins français ne se plaignent d’ailleurs pas de leur sort.

Outre-Manche, l’abandon du programme Nimrod MR4A (5 milliards d’Euros dépensés en vain…) laisse la Royal Navy le bec dans l’eau, sans aucun moyen d’assurer l’éclairage et la protection de sa flotte à grande distance. A tel point que ce sont des Atlantique français qui viennent parfois un donner un coup de main aux sous-marins nucléaires britanniques partant en patrouille. C’est peu dire que Nelson se retourne dans sa tombe. Il tourne tellement vite qu’il ressemble à un gyroscope…