GoldenDragonI just translated online the text over the first pic to get some info, why the KC-10 was in Beijing, China:
:confused: :confused: :confused:
Does someone more info, why the tanker landed in Beijing?
Thanks in advance!
The tanker’s homebase of Travis in the San Francisco Bay area should be a clue.
California is considered a friendly fellow People’s Republic so its units have open access to Chinese airspace.
GoldenDragonHere is a second story on the Nigerian fighter inquiry. The significance of this piece is that Air Group Captain Ibrahim Kure, told AFP in a telephone interview, Nigerian interest in the fighters. This is basically a confirmation by a named source within the Nigerian government to AFP, a reputable Western media organization.
Nigeria is looking at something. I highly doubt the F-8IIM. Probably FC-1 or maybe just the K-8.
It makes no sense for Nigeria to get a Cold War style high speed, high altitude interceptor. There is no such possible threats in Nigeria’s neighborhood.
http://dfn.dnmediagroup.com/story.php?F=853622&C=airwar
Nigeria Expresses Interest in China-Made Combat Jets
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, LAGOSTalks are under way between officials of Nigeria and a Chinese firm on the purchase of China-made F-8IIM (Finback) combat jets, a spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force said May 16.
“I am aware that the Nigerian Air Force is interested in those aircraft and that talks between officials of both countries are going on,” Air Group Captain Ibrahim Kure, told AFP in a telephone interview.
“Some exchanges on the issue are going on between the two parties, but I am not aware that the contract for the deal has been signed,” he said on telephone from Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
He did not give further details.
The Guardian newspaper reported on its front page May 16 that Nigeria last month signed an accord with a Chinese firm for the supply of new combat jets.
The jets are being manufactured by a consortium of aircraft-producing subsidiaries under Aviation Industries of China I (AVIC I), which is a part-owner of the China national Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp., China’s military aircraft manufacturing conglomerate.
Nigeria’s current lead fighter jet is the light combat-trainer, the Alfa jet, according to the newspaper.
President Olusegun Obasanjo and some top government officials visited China last month.
GoldenDragonThey would have been better off with buying or stealing from Northrop the old F-20 blueprints!
The F-20 blueprints were stolen and it was determined that the Tigershark sucked to high heavens 😀
GoldenDragonAccording to a Chinese forum post, an African country (almost certainly Namibia) had set up a new air force. The new air force is supposedly looking at the FC-1 as a frontline fighter.
Namibia Defense Forces currently has an air wing that is (or was) not an independent service. Namibia has a about a half-dozen K-8s and a few Y-12s.
It is interesting that there are more and more stories of inquiries on the FC-1. Though, I think there is probably a tendency for writers to just throw in the FC-1 whenever a Chinese plane being exported is discussed. Often times, the official release might not mention FC-1 at all but just “Chinese fighter.” It could very well be J-7PG that is being looked at.
GoldenDragonRussian Arms Sales on the Decline
NEWTOWN, Conn. [May 2005] — A Forecast International Military Market Report warns that Russia’s steadily declining arms export market, plagued by a poor reputation, is likely to get worse in the years ahead. The recently updated Russia report featured in FI’s “International Military Markets – NATO & Europe,” notes that Russian arms exports dropped by nearly 26 percent from 2003 to 2004 – from $5.3 billion to $3.9 billion. This despite the country’s efforts to attract sales using offsets, debt swaps and creative financing.
. . .Much of the Russian defense market is based on sales to China and India, which poses a problem in the coming years. France and Germany, eager to supply military technology and hardware to China, are pushing the European Union to lift the 12-year-old Chinese arms embargo. Although the EU is still debating the issue, it appears repeal is likely within the next several years if not sooner. In turn, China is more likely to choose top-of-the-line Western hardware, such as France’s Rafale or Sweden’s Gripen fighters – currently under EU embargo – over what is generally perceived to be aging Russian technology.
The Gripen? We recently saw Chinese brass taking pictures in front of a Gripen during a trip the Sweden. Highly unlikely that the US will allow export of the engine.
The Rafale would be a major coup. Probably would mean limited numbers of J-10 but the gains from tradeoff, especially the M88 engine, would be immense.
GoldenDragonCrob,
This is off subject, but does the J-8D have the capability to fire the R-27 and R-77 missiles if the radar is the same as the F-8IIM?
The only J-8 able to fire Russian is the F-8IIM export machine. All other BVR-armed J-8IIs use the PL-11 as th main armament.
GoldenDragonRussia had once hinted at supplying Tu-22M Backfire bombers to China, but later backed off the sale. More recently, Moscow agreed to supply Syria with the Strelets surface-to-air missile system, despite objections from the United States and Israel. Of course, the Su-27 deal could be called off, or scaled back like the Chinese Backfire deals have been, but the political implications of the sale of Su-27s to a regime that is openly hostile to Washington would keep Washington off balance without a fighter going to Venezuela.
There were certainly never any literature from the Chinese side about the Tu-22M being offered by Russia or asked for by China. That is pretty much a myth like the MiG-31 to China bull manure.
That statement includes the recent news, again from Russia, about the RUssians considering to sell Backfires. But again, there is nothing from the Chinese.
GoldenDragonA Z-11
GoldenDragonA repeat with higher clarity of an older photo of FC-1 prototype 03
GoldenDragonI also got SLC-2, DLD-100A, YLC-2, YLC-1, and few more non-radar stuff……..
But they weren’t from Santa’s post…..I sucked them-out with DAP 😮 …..So, Don’t know whether I should post them……
Post them in the related PLA (or PLAN) thread. The KLJ-6E/F and the KLJ-7 are especially great stuff.
GoldenDragonHuh?! F-8IIM for Nigeria? From the Nigerian paper The Guardian. (Some confusion at the end of the story with the FC-1.) Supposedly an agreement was already signed.
Google cache of a Guardian story
Air Force to get new Chinese fighter jets
From Madu Onuorah, AbujaTHE fortunes of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are set for a rebound as the Federal Government has signed an agreement with a Chinese firm for the supply of new combat jets – the (Finback) F-8IIM – to the service.
Nigeria last took delivery of such new inventory of combat jets in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But the combat jets are now mothballed. They include the MiG (Mikoyan-Guverich) -21 and the Sepecat Jaguar. Currently, Nigeria’s lead fighter is the light combat-trainer, the Alpha jet.
Though details of the number on order and cost of the fighter jets are still under consideration, defence and diplomatic sources told The Guardian in Abuja that the
F-8IIM would be procured directly from the manufacturers.
It is being manufactured by a consortium of aircraft producing subsidiaries under the Aviation Industries of China I (AVIC I) which is a part-owner of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), China’s military aircraft manufacturing conglomerate. AVIC I and II each hold 50 per cent of CATIC shares. The subsidiaries under AVIC I are Chengdu Aircraft Company, Xian Aircraft Company, Nanchang Aircraft Company, Shenyang Aircraft Company (SAC) and the National Trade Bureau.
A modern fighter jet, the test flight of the F-8IIMs was completed by the Chinese in January 1998. The agreement for the procurement of the jets was signed last month between the Minister of Defence, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and officials of the Chinese firm. It was signed just on the heels of the visit to China by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
GoldenDragonNice stuff on the radars, Hyperwarp!
GoldenDragonA potentially important piece of news for the Chinese aerospace industry.
Primus makes high precision parts for Boeing and Airbus, especially for the high load bearing structures for the landing gear and engine mountings.
Until now, Primus operates only in the United States. This is their first plant outside the US. According to the China daily, 15 precision machine tools were imported from the United States and Japan for the Suzhou plant.
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/05/13/afx2024788.html
US aircraft parts company Primus International opens China plant
05.13.2005, 04:00 AMBEIJING (AFX) – Primus International, Inc, a US manufacturer of precision aircraft structural parts, said it has opened a plant in Suzhou, China.
In a statement the company said Primus’ products will be exported to major aircraft makers in the US and Europe, and will also supply Chinese aircraft companies.
The plant hopes to employ up to 400 people when it reaches full capacity, the statement added.
Based near Seattle, Primus International is a supplier to commercial, regional, and business jet manufacturers. The company manufactures kits, components, and sub-assemblies for aircraft structures.
GoldenDragonI have come across at least one source which claims the roll out to be around December 2005…i think it was assumed to be around April 2004 before.
Indeed, 04 was expected to fly April 25 this year (2005) according to an official Chinese article last August.
According to this article (below), modification of the inlet had started with 03.
Great pictures. After years of folowing JH-7 and J-10, it is surprising how specific information on the FC-1 is. Not just a model of the FC-1 but the replica of prototype 04 with the changes and paint scheme.
http://english1.peopledaily.com.cn/200408/30/eng20040830_155337.html
China’s Xiaolong fighter 04 scheduled to take off next April
Following the success in the first flight of Xiaolong 03 this past April, news came from Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group that Xiaolong 04 has passed the first round of examination and appraisal by the judging panel consisting of 32 experts from China Aviation Industry Corporation I. It is estimated that the plane will be put into production in October and have its first flight next April.
According to Tianfu Morning Post, Xiaolong 04¡¯s structure is basically the same as that of 03. Xiaolong 03 made partial improvements in internal testing device and air inlet system. The Xiaolong 04 also adopts two-side inlets and the nose of the plane can accommodate large radar antennas. Also it has seven external hard-points capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and have the capability of launching medium-range missiles and attacking multiple beyond-visible-range targets. Its maximum flying range is 3,500 kilometers with an operational radius of over 1,200 kilometers. It has matched the third generation fighters in terms of overall combat efficacy and possesses the capability to contend with advanced contemporary fighters and certain stealthy capability. It can finish both the interception task and mount air-to-ground attack.
People inside the China Aviation Industry Corporation I said that according to the design need of Xiaolong fighters, four planes are set to test. The 01 is tested for the plane¡¯s performance and engine matching test. The 02 is for static test. The two have been finished successively. The 03 is put to maneuvering stability test and assessment of strength test flight. The test flight of Xiaolong 04 scheduled for next year will be focused on the test of the aviation electronics and weapons.
By People’s Daily Online
GoldenDragonI seriously hope that’s an engineering mockup or something, because the construction looks rather shoddy.
I would assume you rather hope it is a production machine so the US military would have an easy time over Taiwan 😀
Probably a prototype. But then how many times have we seen unpainted planes look like this? Definitely no worse than the MiG 1.44’s build quality at its unvealing 🙂
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