The TF-100 project is still in conceptual phase and no design parameter was set except being a multi-role frigate to replace the Yavuz class (MEKO 200TN Track I) and to be commissioned by 2023-2024, hence the “100” in the name denoting the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic.

It has not bee decided yet whether it will be a modified MilGem design or not.

It is also still not designed whether the +4 option in the MilGem project which covers one prototype (TCG F-511 Heybeliada) and 7 ships will be diverted to TF-100 project or the latter will be held seperately.

As for the TF-2000 project, it is known that SSM (Savunma Sanayii Mustesarligi – Undersecretariat for Defense Industries) was interested in FREMM for some time, though the Fincantieri officials whom I talked to during IDEF 2007 were almost sure Turkey will not procure or co-develop a FREMM based solution.

A German based solution is -though not impossible- almost out of the table, as is the case with AIP submarine and after MilGem, corvette and FAC-based solutions. The German shipyards have lost a lot of credibility here in Turkey by their behaviour during the Type 209 project, and their efforts to undermine the MilGem project. I can summarize at least TN submarine personnel’s emotions towards the Germans by the word “hate”. So, a Sachsen based solution, if not zero, has very very little chance.

By the way, I heard that Fincantieri offered a lighter version of the 15,000t concept, but have no further details.

The Gabya Class (FFG-7) ships which are to be equipped with the Mk41 VLS+ESSM will be the last four ones. In addition, Turkey is going to procure two additional FFG-7’s from US (FFG-12 and FFG-14). It was rumored that they were going to be commissioned this summer, but don’t know the latest situation. Whether 8 or 10, the Gabya fleet will remain in service until around 2015-2020. Currently 3 Gabya class ships were modernized under GENESIS and the works on the fourth is underway. The first two modernized ships participated in a series of international exercises to test their new C&C equipment.

The BAE official whom I talked to during DSA 2008 was very pessimistic about the future of the ships. He said that they offered them to Malaysia but the latter turned down the offer. He said he doesn’t see a huge number of possible buyers, because all of the mission systems and armament had been installed on to the ship and they were all export-licensed for only Malaysia. It is more than difficult to find a country both willing to get the ships and have export clearences for the said systems, he said.

So, maybe UK is going to get 3 more corvettes, just like Italy with the Artigliere class??

The large fixed portion of the wings on the Backfire and Blackjack.

The F-4- all of it. Bent wings, droopy horizontal stab, stubby vertical tail, droopy nose. But it seems to have worked out. Kinda like the platypus. :diablo:

Well, next to F-117, it’s nothing 🙂

Is it true that the test pilot said “are you kiddin’?” when he first saw the 117?

I remember one incident from Vietnam War: A VC sniper shoots the pilot of a Huey while it’s on hover and inserting South Korean (or Australian) commando’s, the helo gets out of control because the dead body of the pilot falls onto the cyclic and the chopper crashes on to the just landed commandos.

Anybody who can give details? I maybe wrong at some details, I don’t know.

The below is the preliminary design of Turkish MilGem corvette project.

As obvious, it’s more like a frigate and the project had gone through major redesign and redefinition processes.

Have they decided on new torpedoes for Papanikolis class? ISTR the decision was between DM2A4 and Black Shark.

AFAIK Greek Navy initially chose the Black Shark; but Atlas Elektronik, which is the manufacturer of ISUS combat management system of Type 214 class submarines, calculated a huge bill for the modification of the system to fire the torpedo (more than the cost of torpedoes, IIRC). Then Greeks turned to DM2A4, which is “by default” capable of being fired from an ISUS equipped sub. But a contract has not been signed yet. Greek friends can give more detailed info I guess.

AFAIK Malaysia has the requirement for 3 LPD type ships for disaster relief and amphib operations; but budget will be allocated in the next armament plan which is 10th Malaysia Plan (they currently must be executing 9th if my memory serves right).

I don’t get it. It says the ships are going to be decommissioned next year. Is this decision -whether removal of launcher or just the missiles- just a budgetary measure? Is RN that desperate not to wait one more year to totally get rid of both the ship and missiles within?

At least USN plans to use the FFG-7’s without Mk13 for a couple of more years.