Nice trimaran design. Would this be your proposal for a future Chinese destroyer?

—–JT—–

What about upgrading to the Multi-Mission Combatant Standard (proposed export version):

SPY-1F radar
8 VLS w/32 ESSM
8 Harpoon
2 Phalanx
6 torpedo tubes
towed array sonar

http://www.gdlcs.com/documents/MMC-Brochure.pdf
http://www.gdlcs.com/documents/MMC-DataSheet.pdf
http://www.gdlcs.com/documents/MMC-PostCard.pdf

I’m sure they’re marketing this to Israel’s needs as it is basically what Israel wants (but substitute some of the weapons and electronics with Israeli ones).

—–JT—–

You mean the permanent, non-modularized/missionized self-defense suite?
With nothing that is featured in the U.S. inventory:
— 1x OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapide
— 2x Millennium 35mm
— 2x Typhoon-G KBA 25mm
— 24x VL-Mica
— EW Suite and Rheinmetall MASS
— a system to detect and kill frogmen, mines, torpedoes
Whatever it takes to give the ship a self-defense capability.

Not bad…I would add a couple of MU-90 torpedoes and 8xSSM (I would like the NSM). Instead of the VL-MICA I would like to see one with a longer range, the ASTER-15. Also, if you have the OTO Melara 76mm, add the guided DART round and you could replace the 2x Millenium, as you already have the Typhoon’s (specially if you get the ones with a couple of SPIKE-LR missiles attached).

—–JT—–

So let’s see….first pictures during MAKS 2009? 😀

—–JT—–

WOW! Is this really true? How will this affect India?

—–JT—–

I got this from another discussion list… WTF?? Can anyone confirm this?? 😮 😮

Russia’s next-generation fighter project cancelled

MOSCOW, April 12 (RIA Novosti) – Russian air force commander-in-chief Aleksandr Zelin has announced the cancellation of the $20-billion PAK-FA program after 20 years of escalating costs, technological glitches and redesigns failed to produce a single prototype aircraft.

The PAK-FA, once billed as Russia’s next-generation fighter, had consumed $13.9-billion. The estimated cost of each aircraft had soared to $87.2-million from an original target of $30-million.

“It’s had a long and troubled history,” said Alexei Arbatov, a senior Duma official who heads the lower house committee for defense.

The PAK-FA, a new generation fighter aircraft concept, was designed to be comparable to both the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and has been overtaken by the need to strengthen Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.

Acknowledging that the PAK-FA no longer fit into the requirements of Russia, the Air Force said it would rather spend the money on an overhaul of its aviation system. If approved by the Federal Assembly, the funds would be directed instead to buy over 400 additional SU-34, SU-35 and other aircraft and to upgrade and modernize 1,400 aircraft already in service. Surface-to-air missiles also would be a priority.

“It’s about having an effective deterrent force,” said Air Force Colonel General Alexander Zelin. “It’s a big decision. We know it’s a big decision, but it’s the right decision.”

The end of the PAK-FA also reflects an acknowledgement by the Ministry of Defence that it simply cannot afford all the programs it wants. The move underscores the fact that the Ministry of Defence must begin economizing as the cost of new weapon systems increase and demands on military spending grow, industry analysts said.

The Air Force would have spent $20-billion on the PAK-FA program through 2012 without getting aircraft significantly more capable than the upgraded SU-35 it already plans to buy, Air Force officials said.

Some officials of the State Duma reacted angrily to the cancellation.

“I am outraged by the decision to terminate the PAK-FA program given that the Air Force has long argued that it is a critical weapons system that plays a pivotal role in our defence,” said State Duma deputy Vladimir Medinsky. “What has changed? And how does the military plan to make up for the lost capabilities?”

Alexei Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee of the State Duma, said the decision “reflects the difficulty that the services are facing with the cost of modernization requirements now coming to the fore.”

The cancellation was a blow to the PAK-FA’s prime contractors, Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.

A senior Duma official said the Ministry of Defense expects to have to pay a $450-million to $680-million termination fee to Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.

The program’s elimination, however, could benefit the two companies. The Air Force now plans to pour more money into the SU-34 and SU-35, and ramp up the upgrade of aircraft already in service which would keep both companies busy for the foreseeable future.

As some have pointed out, much of the cooperation that is currently happening is due to the political atmosphere. A change in administration by either of the big players could suddenly change the picture. There is much talent in these countries (remember that Argentina has also developed multi-stage missiles like the Condor).

The knowledge, resources and even money is there if needed, but will the political will be there long enough to make it happen?

Many countries are realizing what has happened in the past, an outsider comes in, takes all they want and leaves very little benefit for the actual contry they are taking the resources from. By standing together, the South American countries realize they have the best chance of protecting themselves from those types of abuse. These should be opportunities for countries to benefit equally (no matter what continent they are from) as long as everyone plays fairly…unfortunately sometimes you need to show some military power and togetherness to get the respect of others.

—–JT—–

That’s a very interesting heli project you’ve brought to our attention there, Arthur, but not what I had in mind.
It’s the “Zafar-300” (I finally found it on the web) which reminded me of the Argentine Helicopter, and I don’t think you’ll ever see such a crude, slab sided looking helicopter for a while…

http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/zafar-300.php

At least they try…

—–JT—–

Source : Russia & CIS Observer
Date : 17 June 2007
Author : Piotr Butowski

Russia’s new-generation PAK FA fighter — being developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau — will have not only feature a new airframe, radar, avionics and engines. It also will be equipped with new-generation weapons that are being evolved in two parallel paths: the continued modernization of existing missiles with stepped improvement of their capabilities; and the design of next-generation weapons.

GosMKB Vympel, Russia’s leading air-to-air missile design bureau, is busy evolving a full spectrum of missiles for the PAK FA, ranging from short-range weapons to long-range variants. In 2010, Vympel expects to complete its development of the short-range Izdeliye 760 missile — which is a significantly modernized version of the R-73 weapon, outfitted with an inertial flight control system and course correction receiver, improved rocket engine and with new multi-mode infrared seeker. The Izdeliye 760 is expected to be a close counterpart to the Western-built ASRAAM and Sidewinder AIM-9X missiles.

Three years later, the new-generation K-MD short range missile (also to be designated the Izdeliye 300) is to be operational. When compared to Izdeliye 760, the new missile will have longer range and will be capable of being launched from any direction; it will be also more resistant to jamming. The K-MD will be fitted with a new imaging infrared seeker enabling identification of target according to memorized images. The seeker’s lock-on range will be two times greater than the seeker for the Izdeliye 760 missile. A new adaptive warhead will be introduced, and the missile’s control will be performed with aerodynamic surfaces, as well as a thrust-vector engine nozzle.

Russia’s most modern medium-range air-to-air missile is the R-77 (Izdeliye 170) and its export derivative RVV-AE (Izdeliye 190). A phased modernization of this weapon, designated the K-77-1 (Izdeliye 170-1), is now being tested. In addition, the K-77M (Izdeliye 180) missile is currently under development as a second step in the R-77’s modernization. The most visible change in the Izdeliye 180’s external appearance compared to the R-77/RVV-AE is replacement of its latticework fins by more common flat aerodynamic control planes. This reduces aerodynamic drag and cuts down on the radar cross-section. The missile will be fitted with a modernized active radar seeker and new double pulse solid-propellant engine. Its maximum range will be 2-3.5 times more than the Izdeliye 170 (R-77) missile, depending on the launch altitude. The Izdeliye 180 is expected to be better than the AMRAAM AIM-120C7 missile, and equal to its successor versions, with a service-ready date targeted for 2010.

A future medium-range air-to-air missile as a follow-on to the Izdeliye 180 also is in development, but no additional information has yet to be released about this weapon.

Russia is the only country developing ultra-long range air-to-air missiles able of reach targets at distances of up to 400 km. Two such missiles are competing to be a basic weapon on the PAK FA fighter: the Izdeliye 172 (K-100) from Novator, and the Izdeliye 810 from Vympel.

All air-to-air weapons on the PAK FA (including the largest Izdeliye 172 missile) are designed to be carried in the aircraft’s internal weapons bay. To allow these weapons to be deployed from the internal bay, Vympel is designing two types of ejection release units capable of carrying 300 kg and 700 kg loads.

The PAK FA also is expected to carry its basic complement of air-to-ground weapons internally. These include the modernized Kh-58Ush long-range anti-radiation missile, the newly-developed Kh-36 short-range anti-radiation missile, the new short-range electro-optical Kh-38 missile, as well as the UAB-250 and KAB-500M guided bombs. Heavier weapon types will be carried on the aircraft’s external pylons.

Wow, they’re going all out, new airframe, materials, avionics, engine and now weapons!

—–JT—–