Russia, France to Jointly Build Armored Vehicle

"Now we are working on development of some vehicles with a French base but with Russian weapons and Russian turrets," Sevastyanov said

Russia and France will jointly build a new armored infantry vehicle in the next 18 months, the Rosoboronexport arms export monopoly said on Friday.
Speaking at the Engineering Technologies forum at Zhukovsky near Moscow, Igor Sevastyanov, the company’s deputy chief, said he was heading a working party incorporating new technology from both nations and that a model had been made.

"We have a project under the aegis of a Russian-French group for land forces, which I head," Sevastyanov said. "Now we are working on development of some vehicles with a French base but with Russian weapons and Russian turrets.”

“The vehicle should appear in the near future, around 18 months. We have a draft design and a model has been made," he added.

He said France is also interested in co-production, with Russia, of an armored personnel carrier to be sold to third countries.
It may also be used by the French or Russian armed forces, he said, adding that the new vehicle would have to meet both Russian and NATO standards.
Previous media reports have suggested that talks have taken place between Russia and French military vehicle manufacturer, Panhard, on purchasing Panhard vehicles for Russia’s border guard service. The results of the talks have not been disclosed.
Sevastyanov also said Russia and the United States could cooperate in joint development of arms and military equipment. He did not mention any specific projects, only saying a “joint product” might be around in five to 10 years.
In addition, he said, all arms contracts previously signed with Egypt will be carried out.
“Egypt’s Defense Ministry confirmed that all contracts concluded with Russia will be implemented, possibly with some adjustments,” he said.
“Egypt is an excellent paying client.”
On Libya, Sevastyanov said the country’s authorities were interested in continuing military-technical cooperation with Russia and unfreeze the contracts that were put on hold after the revolution.
Last August, Rosoboronexport chief Anatoly Isaikin put Russia’s “foregone profits” from the frozen contracts at $4 billion.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Russia, France to Jointly Build Armored Vehicle

"Now we are working on development of some vehicles with a French base but with Russian weapons and Russian turrets," Sevastyanov said

Russia and France will jointly build a new armored infantry vehicle in the next 18 months, the Rosoboronexport arms export monopoly said on Friday.
Speaking at the Engineering Technologies forum at Zhukovsky near Moscow, Igor Sevastyanov, the company’s deputy chief, said he was heading a working party incorporating new technology from both nations and that a model had been made.

"We have a project under the aegis of a Russian-French group for land forces, which I head," Sevastyanov said. "Now we are working on development of some vehicles with a French base but with Russian weapons and Russian turrets.”

“The vehicle should appear in the near future, around 18 months. We have a draft design and a model has been made," he added.

He said France is also interested in co-production, with Russia, of an armored personnel carrier to be sold to third countries.
It may also be used by the French or Russian armed forces, he said, adding that the new vehicle would have to meet both Russian and NATO standards.
Previous media reports have suggested that talks have taken place between Russia and French military vehicle manufacturer, Panhard, on purchasing Panhard vehicles for Russia’s border guard service. The results of the talks have not been disclosed.
Sevastyanov also said Russia and the United States could cooperate in joint development of arms and military equipment. He did not mention any specific projects, only saying a “joint product” might be around in five to 10 years.
In addition, he said, all arms contracts previously signed with Egypt will be carried out.
“Egypt’s Defense Ministry confirmed that all contracts concluded with Russia will be implemented, possibly with some adjustments,” he said.
“Egypt is an excellent paying client.”
On Libya, Sevastyanov said the country’s authorities were interested in continuing military-technical cooperation with Russia and unfreeze the contracts that were put on hold after the revolution.
Last August, Rosoboronexport chief Anatoly Isaikin put Russia’s “foregone profits” from the frozen contracts at $4 billion.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

French Army Exercise To Demonstrate Scorpion Capabilities

PARIS — The French Army is due June 29 to stage an exercise, dubbed demonstration of cooperative combat, to show how a future mechanized infantry unit would work under the Scorpion program, a procurement office spokesman said.
The exercise, to be held at the urban warfare training center at the Sissonne Army base, will be presented to officials from the Defense Ministry, including the Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office.
The French Army is anxious to maintain the Scorpion modernization program as the government gets ready to cut spending to balance the budget over the coming years. Scorpion has been estimated at 10 billion euros ($12.4 billion) over a decade.
Some 250 soldiers in a combined unit in the blue force will go up against a 70-strong red force, with some 60 armored vehicles deployed including VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, AMX10 light tank, Leclerc heavy tank, VBL scout car and PVP small vehicle.
The exercise is intended to show how technology to be developed under Scorpion can improve acquisition and the updating of information and communications among soldiers plugged into a tactical network.
Firing beyond the line of sight and a VBCI with extensive onboard electronics are among the concepts and demonstrators in the exercise.
Much of the technology has come from Nexter, Sagem and Thales.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

French Army Exercise To Demonstrate Scorpion Capabilities

PARIS — The French Army is due June 29 to stage an exercise, dubbed demonstration of cooperative combat, to show how a future mechanized infantry unit would work under the Scorpion program, a procurement office spokesman said.
The exercise, to be held at the urban warfare training center at the Sissonne Army base, will be presented to officials from the Defense Ministry, including the Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office.
The French Army is anxious to maintain the Scorpion modernization program as the government gets ready to cut spending to balance the budget over the coming years. Scorpion has been estimated at 10 billion euros ($12.4 billion) over a decade.
Some 250 soldiers in a combined unit in the blue force will go up against a 70-strong red force, with some 60 armored vehicles deployed including VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, AMX10 light tank, Leclerc heavy tank, VBL scout car and PVP small vehicle.
The exercise is intended to show how technology to be developed under Scorpion can improve acquisition and the updating of information and communications among soldiers plugged into a tactical network.
Firing beyond the line of sight and a VBCI with extensive onboard electronics are among the concepts and demonstrators in the exercise.
Much of the technology has come from Nexter, Sagem and Thales.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

Qatar To Buy 22 Multi-Mission Helicopters From U.S

      Qatar is looking to procure 10 MH-60R SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters, 12 MH-60S SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters through a Foreign Military Sale estimated at $2.5 billion.

      Along with the helicopters Qatar has requested the Armed Helicopter Modification Kit, 48 T-700 GE 401C Engines (44 installed and 4 spare) with an option to purchase an additional 6 MH-60S SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters with the Armed Helicopter Modification Kit and 13 T-700 GE 401C Engines (12 installed and 1 spare) at a later date, communication equipment, spare engine containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
      The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Lockheed Martin. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

Qatar To Buy 22 Multi-Mission Helicopters From U.S

      Qatar is looking to procure 10 MH-60R SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters, 12 MH-60S SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters through a Foreign Military Sale estimated at $2.5 billion.

      Along with the helicopters Qatar has requested the Armed Helicopter Modification Kit, 48 T-700 GE 401C Engines (44 installed and 4 spare) with an option to purchase an additional 6 MH-60S SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters with the Armed Helicopter Modification Kit and 13 T-700 GE 401C Engines (12 installed and 1 spare) at a later date, communication equipment, spare engine containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
      The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Lockheed Martin. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

Russia Nears Tank Ammo Deal With India

Russia is nearing a deal with India on manufacture and delivery of advanced tank ammunition
 

 

Russia is nearing a deal with India on manufacture and delivery of advanced tank ammunition, Rosoboronexport, a state-run arms exporter, said on Friday.
“The first round of negotiations on the delivery of 3UBK20 (Mango) tank ammunition has been completed and the second round - on its licensed manufacture in India - will start on Monday,” company deputy head Igor Sevastyanov said.
He did not specify the volume of deliveries, only saying it was “big.”
Russia has already started building a joint venture in India to manufacture rockets for Smerch multiple rocket launch systems, he said.
Another Rosoboronexport official, Viktor Komardin, earlier said Russian arms sales to India could be worth an estimated $3 billion a year.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Russia Nears Tank Ammo Deal With India

Russia is nearing a deal with India on manufacture and delivery of advanced tank ammunition
 

 

Russia is nearing a deal with India on manufacture and delivery of advanced tank ammunition, Rosoboronexport, a state-run arms exporter, said on Friday.
“The first round of negotiations on the delivery of 3UBK20 (Mango) tank ammunition has been completed and the second round - on its licensed manufacture in India - will start on Monday,” company deputy head Igor Sevastyanov said.
He did not specify the volume of deliveries, only saying it was “big.”
Russia has already started building a joint venture in India to manufacture rockets for Smerch multiple rocket launch systems, he said.
Another Rosoboronexport official, Viktor Komardin, earlier said Russian arms sales to India could be worth an estimated $3 billion a year.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Air Force says 31 victims so far in sex scandal

John L. Mone / The Associated PressFemale airmen march during graduation at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. A widening sex scandal has rocked the Texas base, one of the nation's busiest military training centers, where four male instructors are charged with having sex with, and in one case raping, female trainees.

WASHINGTON — At least 31 female trainees have been identified as victims in a widening sex scandal targeting a dozen instructors at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the Air Force revealed Thursday, providing new details in an investigation that has rocked the service’s training command.
Six of the 12 instructors under investigation for misconduct face charges ranging from rape to adultery. A senior Air Force commander said nine of those instructors were in the same squadron, briefing reporters at the Pentagon at the same time that one of the accused appeared in a Lackland courtroom.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Craig LeBlanc, who is charged with aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, allegedly bragged about “getting laid” by a trainee in a supply closet, one of his fellow airmen testified at an evidentiary hearing Thursday.
“I was speechless. I didn’t understand,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Beck, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Gen. Edward Rice, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, said the Air Force believes the misconduct is not endemic to the nine training squadrons. He says the sexual misconduct apparently began in 2009 but that the first woman came forward only a year ago.
Those first allegations were levied against Staff Sgt. Luis Walker, who faces the most serious charges and is scheduled to be court-martialed next month. Walker is charged with 28 counts, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault. He has not yet entered a plea.
The majority of the instructors under investigation were in the 331st Training Squadron, whose commander was relived from his post last week. Rice said Lt. Col. Mike Paquette, who has not been accused of misconduct, was relieved because of the “unacceptable level” of misbehavior in his unit.
“In my assessment to this point, it is not an issue of an endemic problem throughout basic military training,” Rice said. “It is more localized, and we are doing a very intensive investigation on that squadron to find out what exactly happened and why.”
Lackland is where every American airman reports for basic training — about 35,000 a year. About one in five are female, pushed through eight weeks of basic training by a flight of instructors that are about 90 percent male.
As the allegations of misconduct mounted, the Air Force in March took the almost unprecedented step of shutting down training for an entire day and interviewing about 5,900 trainees. Rice said Thursday the Air Force received “very little” negative comments about instructors.
Rice said that to his knowledge, all of the 31 female victims identified by investigators are still in the Air Force.
Lackland has about 475 instructors, which is about 85 percent of what the Air Force would consider being fully staffed. Col. Glenn Palmer, who is commander of the entire 737th training wing at Lackland, has said that applicant standards have not been lowered in order to attract more qualified instructors.
The job is among the most demanding on base. Instructors work longer hours than most for four years, at the expense of family and personal time. A smartphone app the Air Force recently launched to help recruit instructors includes a page of frequently asked questions, the first of which is whether the divorce rate among instructors really is higher.
Rice defended the screening process for instructors but said it will still be re-examined. Only 11 percent of instructors are female.
“I will look at whether or not we need to both hire more female (instructors) and whether or not we need to adjust our process to have only female (instructors) over female sites,” Rice said.
LeBlanc’s hearing Thursday was to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a court-martial. Walker’s court-martial is scheduled to begin July 16 and his attorneys have declined comment.

Source :The Associated Press

Air Force says 31 victims so far in sex scandal

John L. Mone / The Associated PressFemale airmen march during graduation at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. A widening sex scandal has rocked the Texas base, one of the nation's busiest military training centers, where four male instructors are charged with having sex with, and in one case raping, female trainees.

WASHINGTON — At least 31 female trainees have been identified as victims in a widening sex scandal targeting a dozen instructors at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the Air Force revealed Thursday, providing new details in an investigation that has rocked the service’s training command.
Six of the 12 instructors under investigation for misconduct face charges ranging from rape to adultery. A senior Air Force commander said nine of those instructors were in the same squadron, briefing reporters at the Pentagon at the same time that one of the accused appeared in a Lackland courtroom.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Craig LeBlanc, who is charged with aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, allegedly bragged about “getting laid” by a trainee in a supply closet, one of his fellow airmen testified at an evidentiary hearing Thursday.
“I was speechless. I didn’t understand,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Beck, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Gen. Edward Rice, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, said the Air Force believes the misconduct is not endemic to the nine training squadrons. He says the sexual misconduct apparently began in 2009 but that the first woman came forward only a year ago.
Those first allegations were levied against Staff Sgt. Luis Walker, who faces the most serious charges and is scheduled to be court-martialed next month. Walker is charged with 28 counts, including rape, aggravated sexual contact and multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault. He has not yet entered a plea.
The majority of the instructors under investigation were in the 331st Training Squadron, whose commander was relived from his post last week. Rice said Lt. Col. Mike Paquette, who has not been accused of misconduct, was relieved because of the “unacceptable level” of misbehavior in his unit.
“In my assessment to this point, it is not an issue of an endemic problem throughout basic military training,” Rice said. “It is more localized, and we are doing a very intensive investigation on that squadron to find out what exactly happened and why.”
Lackland is where every American airman reports for basic training — about 35,000 a year. About one in five are female, pushed through eight weeks of basic training by a flight of instructors that are about 90 percent male.
As the allegations of misconduct mounted, the Air Force in March took the almost unprecedented step of shutting down training for an entire day and interviewing about 5,900 trainees. Rice said Thursday the Air Force received “very little” negative comments about instructors.
Rice said that to his knowledge, all of the 31 female victims identified by investigators are still in the Air Force.
Lackland has about 475 instructors, which is about 85 percent of what the Air Force would consider being fully staffed. Col. Glenn Palmer, who is commander of the entire 737th training wing at Lackland, has said that applicant standards have not been lowered in order to attract more qualified instructors.
The job is among the most demanding on base. Instructors work longer hours than most for four years, at the expense of family and personal time. A smartphone app the Air Force recently launched to help recruit instructors includes a page of frequently asked questions, the first of which is whether the divorce rate among instructors really is higher.
Rice defended the screening process for instructors but said it will still be re-examined. Only 11 percent of instructors are female.
“I will look at whether or not we need to both hire more female (instructors) and whether or not we need to adjust our process to have only female (instructors) over female sites,” Rice said.
LeBlanc’s hearing Thursday was to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a court-martial. Walker’s court-martial is scheduled to begin July 16 and his attorneys have declined comment.

Source :The Associated Press

Crisis time nears for India's cadet pilots

India's air force faces a pilot training crisis in two years unless Hindustan Aeronautics delivers its new Intermediate Jet Trainer on time.
Until 2009, every pilot -- fighter, transport and helicopter -- started training in the Hindustan Piston Trainer but the HPT-32 was grounded in 2009 after a series of crashes.
Cadets now start straight into operating the Kiran Mk-1, the intermediate jet trainer that is the mainstay Stage 2 pilot training aircraft.
But the two-seat Kiran, which was introduced in 1968, will complete its lifespan by 2015 and will have to be decommissioned, a report by India's NDTV said.
The new Intermediate Jet Trainer by HAL and known as Sitara first flew in 2003 and is slated to replace the Kirans.
Initial prototypes used a SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-H-20 turbofan engine. Production versions will use an NPO Saturn AL-55I turbofan engine.
But the military is concerned that the IJT, of which around 200 will be needed, won't be ready in time.
"It isn't a panic situation yet but in another six to eight months, if the IJT program doesn't come to speed, we will have to hit the panic button," an unnamed senior air force officer told NDTV.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will deliver this time," he said.
The NDTV report said the air force is cutting back on the number of flying hours per trainee pilot in the Kirans in order to extend the life of the aircraft.
The earlier versions of the subsonic low swept-wing Kiran have Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engines while later versions have RR's Orpheus turbo-jets.
The minimum flying hours that a cadet is required to fly in Stage 1 training has been cut about 40 percent.
"The training schedule of cadets has been rescheduled so that we don't exhaust the available life span of the Kirans too quickly," an air force official told NDTV.
If HAL fails to deliver the IJT by 2015 then the air force may have to send its pilots overseas for their basic training, a situation "not acceptable," the air force official said.
Several of the IJT prototypes have had accidents, although none fatal.
During an Aero India exposition in 2007 an IJT prototype careened off the runway after its canopy inadvertently opened just as the pilot was getting airborne for an aerobatic sortie, a report in the Hindu newspaper said.
As a direct replacement for the turbo-prop HPT-32, India has order 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 MK II aircraft for around $520 million, NDTV said. The first aircraft are expected by the end of the year.
The arrival of the Swiss-made aircraft will reduce flying hours on the Kirans which nonetheless still will be nearing their decommissioning period.

Source :http://www.spacewar.com

Crisis time nears for India's cadet pilots

India's air force faces a pilot training crisis in two years unless Hindustan Aeronautics delivers its new Intermediate Jet Trainer on time.
Until 2009, every pilot -- fighter, transport and helicopter -- started training in the Hindustan Piston Trainer but the HPT-32 was grounded in 2009 after a series of crashes.
Cadets now start straight into operating the Kiran Mk-1, the intermediate jet trainer that is the mainstay Stage 2 pilot training aircraft.
But the two-seat Kiran, which was introduced in 1968, will complete its lifespan by 2015 and will have to be decommissioned, a report by India's NDTV said.
The new Intermediate Jet Trainer by HAL and known as Sitara first flew in 2003 and is slated to replace the Kirans.
Initial prototypes used a SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-H-20 turbofan engine. Production versions will use an NPO Saturn AL-55I turbofan engine.
But the military is concerned that the IJT, of which around 200 will be needed, won't be ready in time.
"It isn't a panic situation yet but in another six to eight months, if the IJT program doesn't come to speed, we will have to hit the panic button," an unnamed senior air force officer told NDTV.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will deliver this time," he said.
The NDTV report said the air force is cutting back on the number of flying hours per trainee pilot in the Kirans in order to extend the life of the aircraft.
The earlier versions of the subsonic low swept-wing Kiran have Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engines while later versions have RR's Orpheus turbo-jets.
The minimum flying hours that a cadet is required to fly in Stage 1 training has been cut about 40 percent.
"The training schedule of cadets has been rescheduled so that we don't exhaust the available life span of the Kirans too quickly," an air force official told NDTV.
If HAL fails to deliver the IJT by 2015 then the air force may have to send its pilots overseas for their basic training, a situation "not acceptable," the air force official said.
Several of the IJT prototypes have had accidents, although none fatal.
During an Aero India exposition in 2007 an IJT prototype careened off the runway after its canopy inadvertently opened just as the pilot was getting airborne for an aerobatic sortie, a report in the Hindu newspaper said.
As a direct replacement for the turbo-prop HPT-32, India has order 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 MK II aircraft for around $520 million, NDTV said. The first aircraft are expected by the end of the year.
The arrival of the Swiss-made aircraft will reduce flying hours on the Kirans which nonetheless still will be nearing their decommissioning period.

Source :http://www.spacewar.com

Corvette Makhachkala Casts Off for Sea Trials

Buyan-class corvette Makhachkala on June 27 took the sea for the first time to test crew teamwork and main propulsion plant operation in the Baltic Sea.
Currently, the shipyard’s experts are testing shipborne systems, engines and mechanisms; teaching the crew correct and trouble-free handling, technical maintenance, practical use of the ship’s arms and systems.
Shipyard’s trials of corvette Makhachkala are scheduled in July, and state acceptance ones – in August. The ship is expected to join Caspian Flotilla (CF) by the end of the current year.
Project 21630 corvette Makhachkala was developed by FSUE Zelenodolsk Design Bureau (Tatarstan). Batch of these ships is being built by JSC Almaz Shipbuilding Firm (St. Petersburg). Makhachkala is the third Buyan-class ship. The first one – corvette Astrakhan – was commissioned into Caspian Flotilla in 2006, the second – Volgodonsk – was handed over to Russian Navy late in 2011 and the ensign-hoisting ceremony will be held on June 29. At present, corvette Volgodonsk is being prepared for a transfer to Caspian Sea via inland waterways.
Buyan-class ships have unique propulsion system including two water jets which provide shallow draft on the move. Thanks to shallow draft and high maneuverability, the Buyan-class corvettes are capable to accomplish wide range of tasks in littoral zone of the Caspian Sea, in rivers and other ‘narrow’ water areas.
The ships are equipped with powerful gun arms and can effectively engage enemy ships and coastal fortifications to clear beachheads for landing parties. Owing to stealth technology, Buyan-class corvettes have reduced radar signature.

Source :rusnavy

Corvette Makhachkala Casts Off for Sea Trials

Buyan-class corvette Makhachkala on June 27 took the sea for the first time to test crew teamwork and main propulsion plant operation in the Baltic Sea.
Currently, the shipyard’s experts are testing shipborne systems, engines and mechanisms; teaching the crew correct and trouble-free handling, technical maintenance, practical use of the ship’s arms and systems.
Shipyard’s trials of corvette Makhachkala are scheduled in July, and state acceptance ones – in August. The ship is expected to join Caspian Flotilla (CF) by the end of the current year.
Project 21630 corvette Makhachkala was developed by FSUE Zelenodolsk Design Bureau (Tatarstan). Batch of these ships is being built by JSC Almaz Shipbuilding Firm (St. Petersburg). Makhachkala is the third Buyan-class ship. The first one – corvette Astrakhan – was commissioned into Caspian Flotilla in 2006, the second – Volgodonsk – was handed over to Russian Navy late in 2011 and the ensign-hoisting ceremony will be held on June 29. At present, corvette Volgodonsk is being prepared for a transfer to Caspian Sea via inland waterways.
Buyan-class ships have unique propulsion system including two water jets which provide shallow draft on the move. Thanks to shallow draft and high maneuverability, the Buyan-class corvettes are capable to accomplish wide range of tasks in littoral zone of the Caspian Sea, in rivers and other ‘narrow’ water areas.
The ships are equipped with powerful gun arms and can effectively engage enemy ships and coastal fortifications to clear beachheads for landing parties. Owing to stealth technology, Buyan-class corvettes have reduced radar signature.

Source :rusnavy

USAF awards JASSM Lot 10 production contract to Lockheed

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract for the supply of Lot 10 production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Extended Range (ER) variants to the US Air Force (USAF).

Under the terms of $241.6m contract, Lockheed Martin will supply a total of 191 JASSM baseline missiles, along with 30 ER missiles, test instrumentation kits and systems engineering support to the air force.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control business JASSM programme director, Alan Jackson, said the JASSM baseline missile and ER variant provides soldiers with critical capabilities and a wide range of mission options that are not offered by any other system.

''Our ongoing focus is to ensure our customers receive a highly reliable and sustainable weapon system at an affordable price to meet their requirements,'' Jackson added.

The contract represents the tenth production lot for the JASSM baseline missile, and the second for JASSM-ER, after its authorisation for low-rate initial production (LRIP) in January 2011.

Following LRIP award, the JASSM-ER underwent integration test flights, and scored ten out of 11 against a range of targets and mission objectives, and is scheduled to enter LRIP in late 2012.

Featuring an infrared seeker and GPS receiver, the JASSM and JASSM-ER are 2,000lb autonomous, long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missiles designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and re-locatable targets.

The stealthy missiles are equipped with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, and are capable of cruising autonomously day or night in all weather conditions.

The JASSM is installed aboard the USAF's B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E, while the JASSM-ER features on the B-1 bomber, and is also certified for use on the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft.

Lockheed is also planning to integrate the missiles on the US and international variants of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and other international platforms.

More than 1,100 JASSMs have been assembled by Lockheed Martin at its manufacturing facility in Alabama, US, for testing and operational use with a total objective of 4,900 JASSM and JASSM-ER missiles.

Source :http://www.airforce-technology.com

USAF awards JASSM Lot 10 production contract to Lockheed

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract for the supply of Lot 10 production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Extended Range (ER) variants to the US Air Force (USAF).

Under the terms of $241.6m contract, Lockheed Martin will supply a total of 191 JASSM baseline missiles, along with 30 ER missiles, test instrumentation kits and systems engineering support to the air force.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control business JASSM programme director, Alan Jackson, said the JASSM baseline missile and ER variant provides soldiers with critical capabilities and a wide range of mission options that are not offered by any other system.

''Our ongoing focus is to ensure our customers receive a highly reliable and sustainable weapon system at an affordable price to meet their requirements,'' Jackson added.

The contract represents the tenth production lot for the JASSM baseline missile, and the second for JASSM-ER, after its authorisation for low-rate initial production (LRIP) in January 2011.

Following LRIP award, the JASSM-ER underwent integration test flights, and scored ten out of 11 against a range of targets and mission objectives, and is scheduled to enter LRIP in late 2012.

Featuring an infrared seeker and GPS receiver, the JASSM and JASSM-ER are 2,000lb autonomous, long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missiles designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and re-locatable targets.

The stealthy missiles are equipped with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, and are capable of cruising autonomously day or night in all weather conditions.

The JASSM is installed aboard the USAF's B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E, while the JASSM-ER features on the B-1 bomber, and is also certified for use on the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft.

Lockheed is also planning to integrate the missiles on the US and international variants of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and other international platforms.

More than 1,100 JASSMs have been assembled by Lockheed Martin at its manufacturing facility in Alabama, US, for testing and operational use with a total objective of 4,900 JASSM and JASSM-ER missiles.

Source :http://www.airforce-technology.com

S. Korea to build navy base on frontline island

Kin of slain S. Korean sailors seek compensation: reportSeoul (AFP) June 26, 2012 - Families of South Korean sailors killed in a battle with North Korea in 2002 are suing the South's former military leaders for alleged negligence, a report said Tuesday.
The battle erupted on June 29, 2002, when two of the North's patrol boats crossed the disputed Yellow Sea border. Six South Korean sailors were killed and 18 injured while an estimated 13 North Koreans died.
Twelve family members and surviving sailors have filed suit seeking up to 630 million won ($544,000) each in compensation from 12 former military leaders including then-defence minister Kim Dong-Shin, Yonhap news agency said.
They accuse them of failing to swiftly deliver military intelligence to frontline units.
The plaintiffs say Kim and others had detected unusual movements by the North's military through monitoring communications but failed to relay such information accurately to field units, according to Yonhap.
The agency quoted legal industry sources for its information. The defence ministry declined to comment, calling it a private matter.
The western maritime border also saw bloody clashes between surface ships in 1999 and 2009.
In 2010 Seoul accused its neighbour of torpedoing a warship near the border on March 26 with the loss of 46 lives.
The North denied responsibility for the sinking but shelled a South Korean border island in November 2010, killing four people.

South Korea's navy is to build an advance base on a frontline island to bolster defences near the disputed Yellow Sea border with North Korea, officials said Tuesday.
The navy has been given local government approval to reclaim 23,489 square metres (250,000 square feet) at Baengnyeong island to build the base, said an official at Incheon city, west of Seoul, which oversees the islands.
The defence ministry said the navy would build a dock for small warships but declined to give details.
Yonhap news agency said the new base would include barracks and a training ground and accommodate about 100 troops. It would be completed by the end of 2014 at a cost of 42.5 billion won ($36.6 million).
Baengnyeong is one of five South Korean islands near the boundary drawn by United Nations forces after the 1950-53 war. Pyongyang refuses to accept the line and insists it should be moved southwards.
The border was the scene of deadly naval clashes in 1999, 2002 and 2009. In November 2010 the North shelled one of the five islands, Yeonpyeong, and killed four South Koreans including two civilians.
The South has since strengthened manpower and weaponry on the islands to forestall any fresh attack. North Korea has reportedly completed a base for troop-carrying hovercraft at Koampo, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Baengnyeong.

Source :AFP

S. Korea to build navy base on frontline island

Kin of slain S. Korean sailors seek compensation: reportSeoul (AFP) June 26, 2012 - Families of South Korean sailors killed in a battle with North Korea in 2002 are suing the South's former military leaders for alleged negligence, a report said Tuesday.
The battle erupted on June 29, 2002, when two of the North's patrol boats crossed the disputed Yellow Sea border. Six South Korean sailors were killed and 18 injured while an estimated 13 North Koreans died.
Twelve family members and surviving sailors have filed suit seeking up to 630 million won ($544,000) each in compensation from 12 former military leaders including then-defence minister Kim Dong-Shin, Yonhap news agency said.
They accuse them of failing to swiftly deliver military intelligence to frontline units.
The plaintiffs say Kim and others had detected unusual movements by the North's military through monitoring communications but failed to relay such information accurately to field units, according to Yonhap.
The agency quoted legal industry sources for its information. The defence ministry declined to comment, calling it a private matter.
The western maritime border also saw bloody clashes between surface ships in 1999 and 2009.
In 2010 Seoul accused its neighbour of torpedoing a warship near the border on March 26 with the loss of 46 lives.
The North denied responsibility for the sinking but shelled a South Korean border island in November 2010, killing four people.

South Korea's navy is to build an advance base on a frontline island to bolster defences near the disputed Yellow Sea border with North Korea, officials said Tuesday.
The navy has been given local government approval to reclaim 23,489 square metres (250,000 square feet) at Baengnyeong island to build the base, said an official at Incheon city, west of Seoul, which oversees the islands.
The defence ministry said the navy would build a dock for small warships but declined to give details.
Yonhap news agency said the new base would include barracks and a training ground and accommodate about 100 troops. It would be completed by the end of 2014 at a cost of 42.5 billion won ($36.6 million).
Baengnyeong is one of five South Korean islands near the boundary drawn by United Nations forces after the 1950-53 war. Pyongyang refuses to accept the line and insists it should be moved southwards.
The border was the scene of deadly naval clashes in 1999, 2002 and 2009. In November 2010 the North shelled one of the five islands, Yeonpyeong, and killed four South Koreans including two civilians.
The South has since strengthened manpower and weaponry on the islands to forestall any fresh attack. North Korea has reportedly completed a base for troop-carrying hovercraft at Koampo, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Baengnyeong.

Source :AFP

Uzbekistan pulls out of 'Russia's NATO'

Uzbekistan is the biggest and most militarised of Central Asia's four ex-Soviet nations.

Ex-Soviet Uzbekistan on Thursday pulled out of a Moscow-led regional security alliance after protesting Russian plans to deploy a rapid reaction force for Central Asia near its borders.
The decision to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organisation comes as a blow to Russia's efforts to reassert its authority in the resource-rich region in the face a continued diplomatic and economic push from China.
"I confirm that the CSTO Secretariat has received a notice of Uzbekistan ending its activities in the organisation," the group's spokesman told the ITAR-TASS news agency without specifying the reason for the decision.
Uzbekistan is the biggest and most militarised of Central Asia's four ex-Soviet nations. It is also an important producer of natural gas that supplies Russia's state-owned giant Gazprom.
But it never signed on to a 2009 Russian plan to create a rapid reaction force for Central Asia that would ostensibly fight Islamic insurgents and have a base in restless southern Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan argued that the move could only stoke regional tensions and provoke new attacks from extremist groups that have also targeted its own government in Tashkent.
Uzbek leaders were missing from the most recent CSTO meetings and its membership has been effectively suspended since the rapid reaction dispute emerged.
The organisation is sometimes referred to as Russia's answer to NATO because of President Vladimir Putin's hopes of building it up into a regional power that negotiates directly with the Western military bloc.
The group includes the other three Central Asian countries and Armenia along with Belarus.

Source :AFP

Uzbekistan pulls out of 'Russia's NATO'

Uzbekistan is the biggest and most militarised of Central Asia's four ex-Soviet nations.

Ex-Soviet Uzbekistan on Thursday pulled out of a Moscow-led regional security alliance after protesting Russian plans to deploy a rapid reaction force for Central Asia near its borders.
The decision to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organisation comes as a blow to Russia's efforts to reassert its authority in the resource-rich region in the face a continued diplomatic and economic push from China.
"I confirm that the CSTO Secretariat has received a notice of Uzbekistan ending its activities in the organisation," the group's spokesman told the ITAR-TASS news agency without specifying the reason for the decision.
Uzbekistan is the biggest and most militarised of Central Asia's four ex-Soviet nations. It is also an important producer of natural gas that supplies Russia's state-owned giant Gazprom.
But it never signed on to a 2009 Russian plan to create a rapid reaction force for Central Asia that would ostensibly fight Islamic insurgents and have a base in restless southern Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan argued that the move could only stoke regional tensions and provoke new attacks from extremist groups that have also targeted its own government in Tashkent.
Uzbek leaders were missing from the most recent CSTO meetings and its membership has been effectively suspended since the rapid reaction dispute emerged.
The organisation is sometimes referred to as Russia's answer to NATO because of President Vladimir Putin's hopes of building it up into a regional power that negotiates directly with the Western military bloc.
The group includes the other three Central Asian countries and Armenia along with Belarus.

Source :AFP

Japan Agrees to F-35 Buy Despite Price Increase

TOKYO — Japan will buy four U.S.-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said June 29, in Tokyo’s first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft that has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defense ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added U.S. officials had said the price rise was unavoidable and Tokyo accepted the situation.
“We learned that the reason for the price hike is because the United States decided to postpone its domestic procurement of 179 aircraft in the next five years due to its tight budget,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We accepted it as it is understandable. It would be hard for them to offer a lower price only to Japan, given that the jet was co-developed by nine countries,” he said.
The defense ministry last year picked the Lockheed Martin jet to replace its ageing fleet of F-4s over the rival Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon, despite a series of technical setbacks.
The F-35, co-developed with British defense giant BAE Systems, was the most expensive among the three candidates.
In February, Japan’s then defense minister Naoki Tanaka threatened to cancel the whole $4.7 billion, 42-jet order amid continued cost and time slippages.
On June 29, Tokyo signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for four fighter jets at $120 million each, along with two simulators and other accessories for a total cost of 60 billion yen.
The planned purchase of the other 38 jets has yet to be formally confirmed.
The F-35 is the most expensive weapons program in Pentagon history and has been plagued by cost overruns and technical delays.
Last year a leaked memo revealed an array of problems exposed by flight tests, including with the landing gear and issues over airframe fatigue and vibration.
The United States touts the F-35 as a technological wonder that will slip past enemy radar and allow allied forces to keep operating in the skies alongside U.S. warplanes.
But the program’s costs have skyrocketed just as governments around the world are facing severe budget pressures and austerity measures.
Italy has reduced its planned purchase from 131 to 90 aircraft and lawmakers in the Netherlands voted to limit their order to two, while an initial plan for 138 aircraft in Britain has been dropped without a firm number announced.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

Japan Agrees to F-35 Buy Despite Price Increase

TOKYO — Japan will buy four U.S.-made F-35 stealth jets despite a sharply higher price tag, it said June 29, in Tokyo’s first confirmed order for the next-generation aircraft that has been plagued by delays.
An official from the defense ministry said Japan would now pay 9.6 billion yen ($120 million) per aircraft, up from the $110 million originally earmarked.
He added U.S. officials had said the price rise was unavoidable and Tokyo accepted the situation.
“We learned that the reason for the price hike is because the United States decided to postpone its domestic procurement of 179 aircraft in the next five years due to its tight budget,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We accepted it as it is understandable. It would be hard for them to offer a lower price only to Japan, given that the jet was co-developed by nine countries,” he said.
The defense ministry last year picked the Lockheed Martin jet to replace its ageing fleet of F-4s over the rival Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon, despite a series of technical setbacks.
The F-35, co-developed with British defense giant BAE Systems, was the most expensive among the three candidates.
In February, Japan’s then defense minister Naoki Tanaka threatened to cancel the whole $4.7 billion, 42-jet order amid continued cost and time slippages.
On June 29, Tokyo signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for four fighter jets at $120 million each, along with two simulators and other accessories for a total cost of 60 billion yen.
The planned purchase of the other 38 jets has yet to be formally confirmed.
The F-35 is the most expensive weapons program in Pentagon history and has been plagued by cost overruns and technical delays.
Last year a leaked memo revealed an array of problems exposed by flight tests, including with the landing gear and issues over airframe fatigue and vibration.
The United States touts the F-35 as a technological wonder that will slip past enemy radar and allow allied forces to keep operating in the skies alongside U.S. warplanes.
But the program’s costs have skyrocketed just as governments around the world are facing severe budget pressures and austerity measures.
Italy has reduced its planned purchase from 131 to 90 aircraft and lawmakers in the Netherlands voted to limit their order to two, while an initial plan for 138 aircraft in Britain has been dropped without a firm number announced.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

France to Withdraw Sperwer UAVs From Afghanistan

      The French Army is withdrawing its interim tactical UAV fleet from Afghanistan following a dozen losses since its deployment in 2008.

      Manufactured by French company Sagem, eight aircraft were lost in flight during mission and four were damaged during landing.

      Aircraft from the Sperwer fleet have flown 770 missions and clocked in 2,100 flight hours.

      Including the six second hand aircraft bought from Canada, the Army has 30 Sperwer units in its inventory. The Army will continue using the Drac, a mini-UAV from EADS Cassidian in the Sperwer’s absence. France recently placed an order for 5 units at Eurosatory 2012 which will be delivered in 2013.

      Remotely piloted, the Sperwer can fly for five hours at altitudes of over 16,000 feet and can transmit images up to 150 kilometers from its operators. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

France to Withdraw Sperwer UAVs From Afghanistan

      The French Army is withdrawing its interim tactical UAV fleet from Afghanistan following a dozen losses since its deployment in 2008.

      Manufactured by French company Sagem, eight aircraft were lost in flight during mission and four were damaged during landing.

      Aircraft from the Sperwer fleet have flown 770 missions and clocked in 2,100 flight hours.

      Including the six second hand aircraft bought from Canada, the Army has 30 Sperwer units in its inventory. The Army will continue using the Drac, a mini-UAV from EADS Cassidian in the Sperwer’s absence. France recently placed an order for 5 units at Eurosatory 2012 which will be delivered in 2013.

      Remotely piloted, the Sperwer can fly for five hours at altitudes of over 16,000 feet and can transmit images up to 150 kilometers from its operators. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

U.S. exempts China, Singapore from sanctions over purchase of Iran oil

The U.S. plans to impose sanctions on financial institutions of countries that deal with Iran's central bank. (File photo)

inShare

The United States on Thursday exempted China and Singapore from sanctions over purchases of oil from Iran, hours before restrictions would have entered into force against their banks.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that China and Singapore had “significantly reduced” their crude oil purchases from Iran, joining most major economies in receiving exemptions from the new U.S. law.

Under a law aimed at pressing Iran over its nuclear program, the United States after Thursday will impose sanctions on financial institutions of countries that deal with Iran's central bank, which handles the country's main export.

Clinton credited the threat of sanctions with severely cutting Iran’s crude oil exports and estimated that it cost the country some $8 billion in lost revenue each quarter.

“Their cumulative actions are a clear demonstration to Iran’s government that Iran's continued violation of its international nuclear obligations carries an enormous economic cost,” she said in a statement.

Clinton exempted members of the European Union and Japan in March and on June 11 made the same exceptions for India, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan.

But the United States waited until the last minute to exempt China and Singapore, with U.S. officials holding weeks of talks with the two Asian nations on the issue.

Israel and some Western officials fear that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon. The clerical regime insists that its sensitive nuclear work is for peaceful purposes.

“I urge Iran to demonstrate its willingness to take concrete steps toward resolving the nuclear issue during the expert-level talks scheduled in Istanbul” on Tuesday, Clinton said in the statement.

“Failure to do so will result in continuing pressure and isolation from the international community,” she said.

 Source :AFP

U.S. exempts China, Singapore from sanctions over purchase of Iran oil

The U.S. plans to impose sanctions on financial institutions of countries that deal with Iran's central bank. (File photo)

inShare

The United States on Thursday exempted China and Singapore from sanctions over purchases of oil from Iran, hours before restrictions would have entered into force against their banks.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that China and Singapore had “significantly reduced” their crude oil purchases from Iran, joining most major economies in receiving exemptions from the new U.S. law.

Under a law aimed at pressing Iran over its nuclear program, the United States after Thursday will impose sanctions on financial institutions of countries that deal with Iran's central bank, which handles the country's main export.

Clinton credited the threat of sanctions with severely cutting Iran’s crude oil exports and estimated that it cost the country some $8 billion in lost revenue each quarter.

“Their cumulative actions are a clear demonstration to Iran’s government that Iran's continued violation of its international nuclear obligations carries an enormous economic cost,” she said in a statement.

Clinton exempted members of the European Union and Japan in March and on June 11 made the same exceptions for India, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan.

But the United States waited until the last minute to exempt China and Singapore, with U.S. officials holding weeks of talks with the two Asian nations on the issue.

Israel and some Western officials fear that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon. The clerical regime insists that its sensitive nuclear work is for peaceful purposes.

“I urge Iran to demonstrate its willingness to take concrete steps toward resolving the nuclear issue during the expert-level talks scheduled in Istanbul” on Tuesday, Clinton said in the statement.

“Failure to do so will result in continuing pressure and isolation from the international community,” she said.

 Source :AFP

United Technologies Fined $75 Million for Military Exports to China

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., a Canadian subsidiary of Connecticut-based defense contractor United Technologies, has pleaded guilty to violating the Arms Export Control Act and has settled with the U.S. government for $75 million.
The company admitted June 28 to making false statements in connection with its illegal export to China of U.S. software used in the development of China’s military attack helicopter, the Z-10.
“We accept responsibility for these past violations and we deeply regret they occurred,” United Technologies CEO Louis Chenevert said in a statement. “As a supplier of controlled products and technologies to the Department of Defense and other domestic and international customers, we are committed to conducting business in full compliance with all export laws and regulations.”
Of the settlement money, roughly $20 million will be paid to the Justice Department, with the remaining $55 million going to the State Department. According to the Justice Department, up to $20 million of the payment could be suspended if United Technologies uses it for remedial compliance measures.
“This global settlement will ensure immediate, comprehensive and effective remedial action across the company’s many operating units and subsidiaries,” said Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. “It also sends a clear message: Those who willfully violate U.S. arms export control laws will be pursued and punished.”
The United States has prohibited export of all U.S. defense articles to China as a result of the Chinese military’s action to suppress public protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
In the meantime, China began building an attack helicopter under the guise of a civilian helicopter program so that it could gain assistance from Western suppliers, according the Justice Department.
Pratt & Whitney decided on its own that it could sell engines for the Chinese Z-10 program without an export license because they were identical to engines the company was already supplying China for a commercial helicopter.
However, engine software, built by another United Technologies subsidiary named Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., had been modified for a military application and therefore was considered a defense article, requiring an export license.
However, Pratt & Whitney decided to export the software to China without a license anyway.
According to court documents, the company knew in 2000 that the Z-10 program’s aim was to develop an attack helicopter and that supplying it with U.S. parts would be illegal. Pratt & Whitney failed to notify its parent company — United Technologies — about the attack helicopter program, according to the Justice Department.
The company’s hope was that work on the attack helicopter would “open the door to a far more lucrative civilian helicopter market in China,” the Justice Department said.
When an investigation was opened in 2006, the company admitted to knowing about the military helicopter program in 2003 or 2004, not in 2000 when it had first become aware.
The Z-10 is now in production and being fielded by the People’s Liberation Army of China.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

United Technologies Fined $75 Million for Military Exports to China

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., a Canadian subsidiary of Connecticut-based defense contractor United Technologies, has pleaded guilty to violating the Arms Export Control Act and has settled with the U.S. government for $75 million.
The company admitted June 28 to making false statements in connection with its illegal export to China of U.S. software used in the development of China’s military attack helicopter, the Z-10.
“We accept responsibility for these past violations and we deeply regret they occurred,” United Technologies CEO Louis Chenevert said in a statement. “As a supplier of controlled products and technologies to the Department of Defense and other domestic and international customers, we are committed to conducting business in full compliance with all export laws and regulations.”
Of the settlement money, roughly $20 million will be paid to the Justice Department, with the remaining $55 million going to the State Department. According to the Justice Department, up to $20 million of the payment could be suspended if United Technologies uses it for remedial compliance measures.
“This global settlement will ensure immediate, comprehensive and effective remedial action across the company’s many operating units and subsidiaries,” said Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. “It also sends a clear message: Those who willfully violate U.S. arms export control laws will be pursued and punished.”
The United States has prohibited export of all U.S. defense articles to China as a result of the Chinese military’s action to suppress public protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
In the meantime, China began building an attack helicopter under the guise of a civilian helicopter program so that it could gain assistance from Western suppliers, according the Justice Department.
Pratt & Whitney decided on its own that it could sell engines for the Chinese Z-10 program without an export license because they were identical to engines the company was already supplying China for a commercial helicopter.
However, engine software, built by another United Technologies subsidiary named Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., had been modified for a military application and therefore was considered a defense article, requiring an export license.
However, Pratt & Whitney decided to export the software to China without a license anyway.
According to court documents, the company knew in 2000 that the Z-10 program’s aim was to develop an attack helicopter and that supplying it with U.S. parts would be illegal. Pratt & Whitney failed to notify its parent company — United Technologies — about the attack helicopter program, according to the Justice Department.
The company’s hope was that work on the attack helicopter would “open the door to a far more lucrative civilian helicopter market in China,” the Justice Department said.
When an investigation was opened in 2006, the company admitted to knowing about the military helicopter program in 2003 or 2004, not in 2000 when it had first become aware.
The Z-10 is now in production and being fielded by the People’s Liberation Army of China.

Source :http://www.defensenews.com

Russia’s Second Borey Class Sub to Enter Service by Yearend

Borey class strategic submarine, the Alexander Nevsky

Russia's second Borey class strategic submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, will be commissioned by the end of 2012, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Thursday.
The submarine sailed for the White Sea on June 21 to join the first Borey class vessel, the Yuri Dolgoruky, in sea trials.
“If a state commission reports on August 1 that all tasks envisioned by the trials program have been fulfilled, we will immediately start preparing documents for the submarine’s commissioning,” Sukhorukov said.
The official added that a planned test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile from the Alexander Nevsky will be carried out after the submarine enters service with the Russian Navy.
The Russian Navy is expected to receive at least 10 new Borey class strategic nuclear submarines by 2020.
The submarines, to be armed with Bulava ballistic missiles, will constitute the core of Russia's strategic ballistic missile submarine force after 2018, and will be deployed with Russia’s Northern and Pacific fleets.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

Russia’s Second Borey Class Sub to Enter Service by Yearend

Borey class strategic submarine, the Alexander Nevsky

Russia's second Borey class strategic submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, will be commissioned by the end of 2012, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Thursday.
The submarine sailed for the White Sea on June 21 to join the first Borey class vessel, the Yuri Dolgoruky, in sea trials.
“If a state commission reports on August 1 that all tasks envisioned by the trials program have been fulfilled, we will immediately start preparing documents for the submarine’s commissioning,” Sukhorukov said.
The official added that a planned test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile from the Alexander Nevsky will be carried out after the submarine enters service with the Russian Navy.
The Russian Navy is expected to receive at least 10 new Borey class strategic nuclear submarines by 2020.
The submarines, to be armed with Bulava ballistic missiles, will constitute the core of Russia's strategic ballistic missile submarine force after 2018, and will be deployed with Russia’s Northern and Pacific fleets.

Source :http://en.rian.ru

MBDA's Meteor missile completes live firing trials

MBDA has successfully completed live firing of its Meteor active radar-guided beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), moving a step closer towards the delivery of first production units before the end of 2012, MBDA Meteor chief engineer and project head Andy Bradford has revealed.

Speaking about the programme for the first time in four years at a media briefing in the UK, Bradford said that a total of 21 trials were conducted, including three electronic protection measures (EPM) tests at Parc Aberporth in Wales, UK.

''With the successful completion of the firing campaign we have a final performance model,'' Bradford said.

MBDA is expected to deliver the final performance statement to the primary customer, the UK and its European partner nations including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, in July 2012.

Bradford said all partner nations have already signed the contract except Germany, but added: ''We expect Germany to be on contract with us by the end of the year.''

The missile features advanced technologies such as a new seeker and propulsion system, with a range in excess of 100km, and enhanced kinematic performance when compared with the existing air-air missiles of its type.

Designed to replace the AMRAAM AIM-120 series of missiles, the Meteor provides a multi-shot capability against long-range manoeuvring targets such as fast jets, small unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures environment.

The missiles are expected to be installed on the Swedish air force's Saab Gripens in 2014 to 2015, followed by the UK Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoons in 2015 to 2016 and French Air Force and Navy's Dassault Rafale fighters from 2018.

Source :http://www.airforce-technology.com

MBDA's Meteor missile completes live firing trials

MBDA has successfully completed live firing of its Meteor active radar-guided beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), moving a step closer towards the delivery of first production units before the end of 2012, MBDA Meteor chief engineer and project head Andy Bradford has revealed.

Speaking about the programme for the first time in four years at a media briefing in the UK, Bradford said that a total of 21 trials were conducted, including three electronic protection measures (EPM) tests at Parc Aberporth in Wales, UK.

''With the successful completion of the firing campaign we have a final performance model,'' Bradford said.

MBDA is expected to deliver the final performance statement to the primary customer, the UK and its European partner nations including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, in July 2012.

Bradford said all partner nations have already signed the contract except Germany, but added: ''We expect Germany to be on contract with us by the end of the year.''

The missile features advanced technologies such as a new seeker and propulsion system, with a range in excess of 100km, and enhanced kinematic performance when compared with the existing air-air missiles of its type.

Designed to replace the AMRAAM AIM-120 series of missiles, the Meteor provides a multi-shot capability against long-range manoeuvring targets such as fast jets, small unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures environment.

The missiles are expected to be installed on the Swedish air force's Saab Gripens in 2014 to 2015, followed by the UK Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoons in 2015 to 2016 and French Air Force and Navy's Dassault Rafale fighters from 2018.

Source :http://www.airforce-technology.com

BAE Systems Awards SAAB Sight And fire Control System Contract

      Saab has won an order from BAE Systems in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, for sight and fire control system UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Sight) in a SEK 110 million.

      The contract covers new sight systems, including virtual image displays, and upgrade and modification of the existing systems on combat vehicle CV9030N, for the Norwegian Army.

      “The order proves that we are a leading provider of sight and fire-control system for tanks and combat vehicles. We are proud of our cooperation and good relations with BAE Systems and are looking forward to further develop our combined offer,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of business area Security and Defence Solutions.

      With the delivery is scheduled to begin in 2014, the UTAAS is a versatile sight and fire-control system for tanks and combat vehicles. It provides high hit probability against all ground targets, as well as against helicopters and high speed aircraft.

      The modular design of UTAAS offers the user a variety of performance options and upgrading possibilities. The beam paths for all channels go through the same aperture, offering good system stability and no need for realignment.

      The Virtual Image Display (VID) is a compact and rugged multi-purpose display suitable for i.e. combat vehicles and helicopters. VID consists of a microdisplay and magnifying optics to create a virtual image. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

BAE Systems Awards SAAB Sight And fire Control System Contract

      Saab has won an order from BAE Systems in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, for sight and fire control system UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Sight) in a SEK 110 million.

      The contract covers new sight systems, including virtual image displays, and upgrade and modification of the existing systems on combat vehicle CV9030N, for the Norwegian Army.

      “The order proves that we are a leading provider of sight and fire-control system for tanks and combat vehicles. We are proud of our cooperation and good relations with BAE Systems and are looking forward to further develop our combined offer,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of business area Security and Defence Solutions.

      With the delivery is scheduled to begin in 2014, the UTAAS is a versatile sight and fire-control system for tanks and combat vehicles. It provides high hit probability against all ground targets, as well as against helicopters and high speed aircraft.

      The modular design of UTAAS offers the user a variety of performance options and upgrading possibilities. The beam paths for all channels go through the same aperture, offering good system stability and no need for realignment.

      The Virtual Image Display (VID) is a compact and rugged multi-purpose display suitable for i.e. combat vehicles and helicopters. VID consists of a microdisplay and magnifying optics to create a virtual image. 

 

Source :http://www.defenseworld.net 

Navy MH-53 Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

POHANG, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- An MH-53 Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter based in Pohang was forced to make an emergency landing, due to an in-flight fire indication, approximately five nautical miles northeast of Pohang airfield at approximately 12:38 p.m. June 29.

Despite the actions of the crew, the aircraft continued to burn after all 12 personnel safely evacuated.

There were no injuries. Local Republic of Korea civilian firefighters assisted in putting out the fire. There is major damage to the aircraft. The helicopter is assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14), Detachment 1, stationed at Pohang airfield. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Source :U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs

Navy MH-53 Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

POHANG, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- An MH-53 Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter based in Pohang was forced to make an emergency landing, due to an in-flight fire indication, approximately five nautical miles northeast of Pohang airfield at approximately 12:38 p.m. June 29.

Despite the actions of the crew, the aircraft continued to burn after all 12 personnel safely evacuated.

There were no injuries. Local Republic of Korea civilian firefighters assisted in putting out the fire. There is major damage to the aircraft. The helicopter is assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14), Detachment 1, stationed at Pohang airfield. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Source :U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs

Russia, India to Hold First Launch of BrahMos Submarine-Based Missile

Submarine-based version of the BrahMos Russian-Indian missile will be launched for the first time in Oct-Nov, 2012, the director of BrahMos Aerospace Sivathanu Pillai told ARMS-TASS at the 2-nd international engineering technology forum.


"We're going to hold the first launch of the submarine-adapted missile version by underwater testing platform in October or November", Dr. Pillai said.

According to him, the coming launch will be an important stage in the BrahMos program development because after that test Indian Navy will decide whether to arm India's prospective non-nuclear submarines with these missiles.

Representative of Rubin Central Design Bureau earlier told ITAR-TASS that Russian designers were ready to offer Indian Navy non-nuclear submarine Amur-1650 armed either with Club or BrahMos missile systems.


"So far, Indian partners have not brought up an issue of BrahMos integration into Amur-1650 submarine put up for Indian tender under the 75I prospective submarine program", said Andrei Baranov, deputy director general of Rubin bureau for foreign economic activity.

As for him, "the Amur-1650 submarine project is currently armed with Club attack missile system, well-known in Indian Navy and launched by horizontal torpedo tubes. But if Indian party wants the sub to be equipped with vertically-launched BrahMos attack missile system, Rubin bureau would amend the project", Baranov explained.

"BrahMos can be integrated into Amur-1650 as an additional compartment with vertical launch tubes", pointed out the design bureau's director.

"Amur and BrahMos are pretty compatible; we had worked on the sub's architecture in this regard. So, if Indian partners want to have the BrahMos-equipped submarine, that would strengthen chance of Rosoboronexport in the India's program 75I tender", emphasized Baranov.

Rosoboronexport will put up prospective non-nuclear submarine Amur-1650 powered by air-independent plant for Indian tender providing procurement and license production of 6 non-nuclear submarines.

Source : rusnavy

Russia, India to Hold First Launch of BrahMos Submarine-Based Missile

Submarine-based version of the BrahMos Russian-Indian missile will be launched for the first time in Oct-Nov, 2012, the director of BrahMos Aerospace Sivathanu Pillai told ARMS-TASS at the 2-nd international engineering technology forum.


"We're going to hold the first launch of the submarine-adapted missile version by underwater testing platform in October or November", Dr. Pillai said.

According to him, the coming launch will be an important stage in the BrahMos program development because after that test Indian Navy will decide whether to arm India's prospective non-nuclear submarines with these missiles.

Representative of Rubin Central Design Bureau earlier told ITAR-TASS that Russian designers were ready to offer Indian Navy non-nuclear submarine Amur-1650 armed either with Club or BrahMos missile systems.


"So far, Indian partners have not brought up an issue of BrahMos integration into Amur-1650 submarine put up for Indian tender under the 75I prospective submarine program", said Andrei Baranov, deputy director general of Rubin bureau for foreign economic activity.

As for him, "the Amur-1650 submarine project is currently armed with Club attack missile system, well-known in Indian Navy and launched by horizontal torpedo tubes. But if Indian party wants the sub to be equipped with vertically-launched BrahMos attack missile system, Rubin bureau would amend the project", Baranov explained.

"BrahMos can be integrated into Amur-1650 as an additional compartment with vertical launch tubes", pointed out the design bureau's director.

"Amur and BrahMos are pretty compatible; we had worked on the sub's architecture in this regard. So, if Indian partners want to have the BrahMos-equipped submarine, that would strengthen chance of Rosoboronexport in the India's program 75I tender", emphasized Baranov.

Rosoboronexport will put up prospective non-nuclear submarine Amur-1650 powered by air-independent plant for Indian tender providing procurement and license production of 6 non-nuclear submarines.

Source : rusnavy