it was orginally intended for 2nd batch of sovremenny but due to lack of $$$ it was never fully completed.

So logically speaking, they’re looking for an export customer. More likely China for her Sov. fleet, and India as well.

Unlikely for the Sovremannies, since they may already be delivered as early as next year, unless China will order another set of Sovremannies after that. The VL Shtils are for the next version of 054 frigates.

The sales brochure shows a CG of a VL Shtil in a Sovremenny.

I think Russia is probably aiming the complex at either India (for her P15As) or China (for her upgraded Sovremenny’s that will be completed in a few years, or for the retrofit of her current 2 ships).

It’s rather interesting, that both India and China will be armed with similar weapons (talk of selling Club to China as well). And Russia gets to make a killing off of selling to both countries.

They should teach him new vocabulary, to keep him up-to-date. 🙂

What is the timeline for their completion and handover.

One of the subs is the Nerpa (K 152), laid down in ’86 and launched in ’98 at 85% completion. No date given on completion- India is believed to have given a down payment of $100 million, and the entire deal is expected to cost nearly $2 billion. Expensive!

Frankly, IMO, the money would be better spent on their ATV.

Please don’t post elsewhere, thanks.

Date Posted: 16-Nov-2004

JANE’S MISSILES AND ROCKETS – DECEMBER 01, 2004

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Two FT-2000 variants planned
Robert Hewson

China is developing two variants of its FT-2000 long-range surface-to-air anti-radiation missile, writes Robert Hewson. When originally announced in 1998, the FT-2000 was marketed as a missile carried in tubular launcher/containers, and was thought to be a variant of China’s planned HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system. More recent reports have described a missile designated FT-2000A and based on the airframe of the Hongqi-2 (HQ-2 = Red Flag-2) missile.

A leaflet released by the Second Academy of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (COSIC) at the Air Show China in Zhuhai confirms that two versions are planned – a 12-60 km-range FT-2000A and a 20-120 km-range FT-2000B. Both carry a seeker that operates at 1-18 GHz and are intended for use against targets flying at altitudes of 12,000-70,000 ft.

The leaflet shows two missiles, both based on HQ-2 airframes, so it is possible that development efforts are being focused on the shorter-ranged FT-2000A variant based on the HQ-2. The longer-ranged FT-2000B is probably based on the HQ-9. Modelled on the US Patriot and Russian S300PMU1 weapon systems, the HQ-9 has yet to enter service.

According to COSIC, a deployed system would consist of a ‘passive radar’, 12 launchers each with one ready-to-fire missile and one set of support equipment. A diagram of the ‘passive radar’ shows a single master receiving station plus three slave receiving stations. All four are based on wheeled vehicles and have a mast-mounted antenna.

The target shown in the diagram is a four-engined transport, perhaps intended to represent a radar-equipped aircraft in the class of the E-3 Sentry, or E-8 Joint Stars. COSIC says that the FT-2000 is mainly intended to intercept “support jammers or self-screening jammers”, but can be modified for use against ground-based radars.

Posted: 16-Nov-2004

JANE’S MISSILES AND ROCKETS – DECEMBER 01, 2004

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China markets 150 km-range ballistic missile
Robert Hewson

China displayed a new 150 km-range tactical ballistic missile system at the Air Show China in Zhuhai and suggested that it could be used to attack cities, writes Robert Hewson. The B611 is being marketed by the Second Academy of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (COSIC) and was described as a member of the “family of B6 missile[s]”.

Intended for battlefield fire-support missions, the B611 is armed with a 480 kg conventional blast fragmentation warhead and has a circular error probable (CEP) of no more than 150 m. Suggested targets included troop concentrations and encampments, parked aircraft, artillery sites and tactical missile sites. According to a publicity leaflet released at the show, it could also be used against cities to “disturb the enemy in order to reduce the enemy’s combat capability”.

The missile is carried by a (6×6) cross-country truck chassis similar to the Mercedes-Benz design that has been manufactured under licence by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) to carry other artillery missiles such as the CPMIEC 302 mm WS-1B (four-round) artillery rocket system and the NORINCO 122 mm (40-round) Type 90/90A multiple-rocket system.

According to COSIC, a complete system would consist of a launch vehicle, a missile, a command and communication vehicle, and one set of support equipment. The system on display in the equipment hall incorporated two launcher/containers of rectangular cross-section. Photographs released at Zhuhai showed a single-round rail launcher, but this may have been a prototype or an alternative configuration. Firing preparation time is 25 minutes or less and missiles can be fired at up to 45º from the vehicle centreline. After firing, the launch vehicle can be on the move within five minutes.

The missile is boosted by a solid-propellant rocket motor and guided by a strapdown inertial guidance system. According to COSIC, the missile is guided “over the full flight trajectory”. Control is probably by moving cruciform tail fins; one photograph shows what may be red-coloured mechanical locks on the tail surfaces. These prevent the fins from moving while the missile is being transported and would be removed before firing.

Maximum range is 150 km and the minimum range is 80 km. There are plans for a 250 km-range variant. No information has been released on the size and weight of the B611 missile, but JMR estimates that it is about 6 m long and 0.5 m in diameter. This would imply a launch weight of around 1,500 kg. In size, weight, performance and general configuration, the B611 resembles the Alacran missile developed in the 1980s by Argentina.

According to COSIC, the missile is in production for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It faces strong competition from the 100 km-range CPMIEC A100 300 mm (10-round) multiple-rocket system, which has already been purchased and introduced into service.

Missiles shown in photos released at Zhuhai have serial numbers 200404 and 200412. If the first four digits are the year of manufacture, this would suggest that these rounds are prototypes or low-rate production examples. This is confirmed by the presence of white markings around the fuselage of both missiles. This type of marking is widely used on development rounds rather than production missiles. It allows engineers to measure the missile’s post-launch roll when studying the film taken by range tracking cameras.

The system is reported to be a development being conducted in co-operation with Turkey, but it is unclear whether Turkey is just a customer, or is contributing to the development either financially or technically.

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