You have it backwards. The high-powered phased-array radar in the FOXHOUND is what can track the low RCS targets. It then guides the missiles to a point where their seekers will be able to acquire the targets. Take away the Zaslon and the effectiveness of the missiles against such targets is reduced.

Current Slotarray radars have similar or superior performance as late 70s Zalson but u wont advertize cruise missile and high altitude capability. It is the platform and missile combination.
M2K flying at 50K feet can hit target at Mach 3 at 80,000 feet with Super530D. possibly a small drone. giving it 10Km of separation interms of height. MIG-31 with much higher altitudes and speeds sure can hit target Mach 6 targets at 40km height.

http://www.forecastinternational.com/Archive/mm/mm0580.htm
Outlook
· No longer in production

· The R.530 is still on active duty with the French and other foreign air forces

· No further production orders for this missile are anticipated

· Those combat aircraft offered for export by France will be armed with the MICA-EM

· MBDA has switched its marketing focus to the MICA-EM

Orientation

Description. All-weather, medium-range air-to-air missiles.

Sponsor. French Ministry of Defense through the French Air Force.

Contractors. Developed and produced by Matra-Hachette SA, Matra Defense, Velizy‑Villacoublay, France. Missiles produced at Salbris, France. Matra is now part of MBDA.

Major Subcontractors. ADI of Australia (for new solid‑propellant binder), Crouzet (arming/safety fuze), Electronique Serge Dassault (AD26 semi-active radar seeker head and RDI radar with Thomson-CSF), Hotchkiss-Brandt, SOGEA (electrical power supply), Thomson Brandt Armaments (fragmentation warhead), PROTAC (power supply), Thomson-CSF DSE (proximity fuze and RDM/RDI radars) and SAFT (batteries).

Status. Fabrication of the R.530, Super 530F, and Super 530D gas concluded. The Super 530F entered service with the French Air Force in December 1979 and was specifically designed for the Mirage F1s. However, the missile can be fitted to Mirage 2000s.

The development of the Super 530D was complete in mid-1987. Full-scale production followed one year later. Initial deliveries were made to the French Air Force in mid-1988. Escadron de Chasse I/5, the first operational unit equipped with RDI-fitted Mirage 2000s and armed with the new missile, began working toward its Initial Operational Capability in July 1988. This missile is designed with the Mirage 2000 specifically in mind.

Total Produced. Approximately 4,857 R.530, 1,486 R.530F, and 1,371 R.530D missiles were completed or in production as of the end of 1998. By 1988, a total of 1,770 Super 530 missiles had been ordered by at least six countries, of which more than 50 percent were export orders. Two hundred and twenty missiles were ordered during 1987. By early 1990, some 2,000 R.530F/R.530D missiles had been ordered.

Application. Medium-range air-to-air missiles for a variety of tactical aircraft.

Price Range. The unit price of the Super 530F is put at $114,000 in FY88 dollars. The Super 530D costs approximately $262,500 in FY99 dollars.

Technical Data

Design Features. The missile has a ceramic radome that houses the antenna of the ESD AD26 homing head. Behind the homing head are the proximity fuze, warhead, safety and arming unit, and rocket motor. Clustered around the rocket motor at the rear of the missile are rate gyros, primable battery, static converter, voltage generator, junction box, and control surface actuators. The missile is fitted with cruciform long-chord steel honeycomb wings, which provide lift and smooth airflow over the rear control fins.

Metric
Metric
Metric
US
US
US

R.530
Super 530F
Super 530D
R.530
Super 530F
Super 530D

Dimensions(a)

Missile length:
328 (319.8) cm
354 cm
380 cm
10.76 (10.49) ft
11.61 ft
12.48 ft

Missile diameter:
26.3 cm
26.3 cm
26.3 cm
10.35/10.35 in
10.35 in
10.35 in

Missile weight:
192 (193.5) kg
250 kg
270 kg
422.4 (425.7) lb
550 lb
594 lb

Missile finspan:
110 cm
88 cm
88 cm
43.33 in
34.65 in
34.65 in

Performance

Speed:
Mach 2.7
Mach 4.6
Mach 5
Mach 2.7
Mach 4.6
Mach 5

Altitude (min):
Sea Level
See Note
See Note
Sea level
See Note
See Note

Altitude (max):
21,350 m
25,000 m
25,000 m
70,028 ft
82,000 ft
82,000 ft

Range:
18 km
30-35 km
40+ km
11.18 mi
18-21.7 mi
25+ mi

Max load factor:
+15 g
+20 g
+30 g
+15 g
+20 g
+30 g

Note: The Super 530F and Super 530D can attack targets flying some 9,000 meters (29,527.5 feet) above or below the launch aircraft. The minimum safe launch distance for the Super 530D is approximately 1,000 meters.

(a) Information for the infrared version is given in parentheses.

Propulsion. The R.530 is powered by the Marie Antoinette dual-thrust, solid-propellant rocket motor of 83.36kN (18,740 lbst), produced by PROTAC. The Super 530F uses an Angele butalane PBCT composite material propellant motor. This powerplant provides much higher specific impulse, more than doubling the speed of the Super 530 over that of its predecessor. The Super 530D uses an improved version of this motor for enhanced snap-down performance.

Control & Guidance. The R.530 uses interchangeable AD26 or RDM semi-active radar or AD3501 infrared homing heads produced by Electronique Serge Dassault. The Super 530F uses the Super AD26 semi‑active radar‑homing head, supplied by the same firm. The new Super 530D employs an active pulse Doppler (RDI) radar. All three missiles employ electric actuators for the aerodynamic control surfaces.

The target is detected and illuminated by the launch aircraft’s radar. On the Mirage F1, this is the Thomson-CSF Cyrano IV monopulse, I/J-band radar. The Mirage 2000 uses the Thomson-CSF I/J-band multimission RDM radar for export customers, or the Thomson-CSF/Electronique Serge Dassault RDI I/J-band, pulse Doppler intercept radar for the French Air Force. Due to delays in RDI radar development, early Mirage 2000 aircraft for the French Air Force were fitted with RDM radar and Super 530F missiles, which are being retrofitted with the new radar and Super 530D missiles with RDI radar (deliveries commenced in 1986/87).

The missile homes-in on the energy reflected by the target from the launch aircraft’s radar, following a trajectory based on proportional navigation – a lateral acceleration which is proportional to the missile/target sightline rotation rate and closing speed. Pitch and yaw maneuvers are carried out by movement of the rear control surfaces, with lateral acceleration of up to 20g possible at up to 17,000 to 18,000 meters (55,777 to 59,058 ft), reducing to 6g at 27,000 meters (88,560 ft). Snap-up maneuvers also can be carried out, with a height gain of around 9,000 meters (29,520 ft) up to a ceiling of 25,000 meters (82,000 ft). These figures are for the Super 530F and Super 530D missiles.

Launcher Mode. Launched from underwing or centerline pylons of the Mirage III, 5, 50, F1, 2000, and F-8E aircraft. Currently, the Super 530D is compatible only with the Mirage 2000.

The missile is normally carried in pairs, one with an infrared (IR) homing head and the other with a semi-active radar homing head. The infrared head is capable of lock-on throughout a wide envelope, including head-on engagements, while the semi-active radar homing head uses the launch aircraft’s radar for target illumination. A fragmentation or continuous rod warhead is fitted, detonated by an electromagnetic proximity fuze.

Warhead. The R.530 uses two types of high-explosive warheads, each weighing 27 kilograms (59.4 lb) and fitted with proximity and contact fuzes supplied by Hotchkiss-Brandt. The Super 530F/D uses a Thomson-Brandt high-explosive warhead with an electromagnetic proximity fuze produced by Thomson‑CSF. This warhead has a weight of greater than 30 kilograms (66 lb) and incorporates advanced electronic counter*measures anti-jamming circuitry. The explosive is of the casted-bond, low‑vulnerability composite material type manufactured by SNPE
Variants/Upgrades

Matra has developed three medium-range air-to-air missiles: the R.530, its original production medium-range missile; the Super 530F (also called the R.530F), which offers improved aerodynamics, electronics (including an all-weather/all-sector), and propulsion; and the Super 530D, also known as the R.530D, which operates with the Mirage 2000 and 4000 aircraft via a pulse Doppler radar. For additional information, see the pertinent entries under the Program Review section.

Program Review

Background. Since 1963, when serial production of the R.530 family of air-to-air missiles began, this missile has equipped the air arms of over 14 countries. Two versions are in service: a radar-homing and an infrared‑homing type. Changes of the guidance to fit the tactical situation are accomplished through the use of interchangeable guidance components. The R.530 equips the Mirage 2000, Mirage III, and Mirage F1 aircraft of the French Air Force, as well as Mirages operated by South Africa, Israel, Australia, Brazil, and other countries.

Development of the R.530 was begun in 1958, and the system entered service with the French Air Force in 1963. Production ended in 1980 with over 4,800 missiles built. The missile remains in service with several countries including France, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, and South Africa. It was also in use with Australia and Israel, but has since been withdrawn from active service.

Missile Models. Matra has developed three separate versions of the R.530 basic missile: the original R.530, the R.530F (Super 530F), and the R.530D (Super 530D). Design of the Super 530 began in 1968, with the start of development in 1971. The first firing of a controlled mock-up missile took place in February 1973, following ramp tests in 1971 and flight trials of the AD26 homing head in 1972. In July 1973, drop trials were carried out, followed by aircraft carriage and aerodynamic trials in the first half of 1974. Development and evaluation trials by the Centre d’Experience Aeriennes Militaires (CEAM) continued from 1974 through 1977 and included live firings. The first fully guided firing took place in 1975, when a missile fired from a Vautour flying at Mach 0.7 at a height of 11,000 meters (roughly 36,000 ft) successfully intercepted a target drone flying at Mach 1.6 at a height of 18,000 meters (approximately 59,000 ft). The first firing from a Mirage F1 took place in 1976; following the successful conclusion of the trials, a production contract was signed in late 1977. The first firing from a Mirage 2000 took place in July 1981, following carriage trials initiated in November 1979.

Super 530F. Although alphabetically reversed, Matra produced the Super 530F for the French Air Force, as well as for export requirements, prior to Super 530D. The Super 530F was initially delivered in late 1979 to the Commandment Air des Forces de Defense Aerienne (CAFDA), and arms Mirage F1-C and Mirage 2000 squadrons at Reims, Cambrai, and Orange.

The Super 530F offers improved aerodynamics, electronics, and propulsion over the basic R.530. An all‑weather/all-sector weapon, the missile can attack targets flying at altitudes to almost 30 kilometers (98,425 ft). The Super 530F performed very successfully through initial and final operational trials, and is apparently living up to its conceptual mission. The missile possesses a look-down/shoot-down potential when integrated with the Cyrano IV radar‑based fire‑control system of the Mirage 2000.

Matra has stressed commonality on the Super 530F to maintain compatibility on the Mirage F1. However, the Super 530F is a completely new missile that greatly outperforms the earlier R.530. The Super 530F has a maximum speed of Mach 4.6, which allows an airborne intercept to occur more quickly and at a much higher altitude. It possesses an automatic launch mode, in which the aircraft’s main computer calculates the best launch point during an intercept and fires the missile into the center of the firing envelope. It appears, though, that the preferred mode of launch is semi‑automatic, whereby the pilot tracks the target continuously by radar until missile impact.

Super 530D. This greatly enhanced version of the Super 530, designated the Super 530D (the D stands for the pulse Doppler radar employed by this version), is intended for the new Mirage 2000 aircraft. The Super 530D is a further-enhanced version of the Super 530F; in addition to the pulse Doppler radar, a more powerful motor is used, as well as greatly improved electronics and flight controls. The basic aerodynamic design was also modified to result in a missile of significantly greater performance (especially at extreme altitudes) and operational capability. A new Doppler semi-active homing head permits the inter*ception of targets at very low altitudes, and digital data processing systems permit a very short reaction time. The Super 530D is capable of intercepting aircraft to heights of up to 80,000 feet at speeds of up to Mach 3. The Super 530D is now operational with the French Air Force.

The following provides information of the Super 530D’s sequence of engagement:

The target can be approached along all its bearings. However, operational advantage is in favor of a head-on attack to profit by a longer range, resulting from the relative speeds and to engage the target at the earliest time.

The speed of the firing aircraft can be much lower than the target’s, and the same goes for altitude. It is up to the missile to bridge the difference. Missile firing can be performed within the whole fighter operational envelope – from very low altitude up to 16,000 meters. The minimum firing distance of less than 1,000 meters is basically laid by safety requirements for the firing aircraft. The maximum distance varies, depending on the sector of approach and on the relative aircraft altitudes and speeds. At low altitude the distance could be as great as 20 kilometers. At high altitude it can reach 40 kilometers despite a vertical separation of 10,000 meters (30,000 ft) in favor of the opponent.

When the alert is sounded, whether on the ground or in flight, the interceptor is guided toward the opponent by an air-defense radar station. Often the situation involves proceeding toward the threat at such altitude and distance as to be able to acquire it on the airborne radar. From then on, the pilot takes over the interception assignment, and the following operations take place:

· Radar lock-on to target: The interception computer works out instructions and transmits them to the pilot through the head-up display in order to enter the launch zone. At the same time, the missile antenna is pre-positioned toward the target.

· Missile lock-on to target: The signal sent by the airborne radar and reflected by the target is picked up by the missile. This depends on the size of the target and how far it is. From then on, the missile’s active radar homing head tracks the target permanently.

· Entering firing range: This is figured by the airborne computer, and the pilot is advised thereof.

· Firing the missile: Firing can be under automatic or pilot control. The harmonization of the auto‑director and radar is then performed just before the missile is launched.

Funding
No recent funding figures have been provided for the R.530/Super 530 procurement line. Previous procurement totals are as follows:

· 1981 – French Air Force funding included FRF273 million for procurement of 110 additional missiles for an additional 21 Mirage F1 aircraft and initial Mirage 2000s, with FRF125 million for R&D on Super 530D for Mirage 2000s.

· 1982 – French Air Force funding included FRF292 million for procurement of 110 missiles, FRF153 million for Super 530D development, and FRF13 million for Super 530F development.

· 1983 – French Air Force funding included FRF215 million for Super 530F, and FRF154 million for Super 530D.

· 1986-1987 – French Air Force funding included FRF75 million for Super 530D arm RDI radar-equipped Mirage 2000 aircraft.

· 1988 – French Air Force funding included FRF606 million for Super 530D, and FRF30.5 for the Super 530F.

The French military has now completed procurement of these missiles. Some units may be available for export from the French military inventory

There is hardly any logic to your argument of afford ability , as India signed multi billion deal of MKI , Talwar and T-90 during early , mid and late 90’s.

Affordability is key issue in 90s. MKI signed only in 2000. T-90 in 2001. before that 1996 was limited contract of 40 MKI.

The key question was the kill box of offered for ATBM role by SA-12/A-2500 was deemed as unacceptable low as even an interception at 40 Km altitude would not help in BM falling on the landmass.

The key point is some thing is better than nothing for operational training and experiance.

We needed a kill box of 50 – 80 km for the first tier and 15 -30 km for the second tier with equally capable LRTR/Green Pine AESA type to deal with Shaheen/Ghauri class BM , these systems are under test/development indigenously in India.

so ur going to jump 80 km height in first try. I havent seen mobile Strategic SAM from India.

And the speed and altitude advantage of the SR-71 makes the NEZ of the missiles that much worse. Mach 6? Where did that come from?

SR-71 does not have speed and altitude advantage. MIG-31 can sustain 720 KM range at speed exceeding 3000km/h for export version. high altitude and speed gives tremendous advantage to BVR capability.
R-77 can do Mach 3.6 intercept. there shouldnt be any surprize with Mach 6 with R-33/R-37 since they have much larger motor, fuel and larger FOV of seeker thats why i can pick up stealthy crusie missiles.

Endurance, number of Migs available and time to get to position would be serious issues. The maneuverability issue is not a problem when placed in context of trying to change direction to place the Mig-31 in an impossible intercept situation.

MIG-31 does not need to go closer to Blackbird. All it have to do to paint blackbird within no escape zone of missiles. It is claimed with hypersonic intercepts. more like Mach 6.

http://www.aviapedia.com/video/mig-31-foxhound-video-smotr

Valeriy Knish: “Here is the main Mig-31 weapon – R33 missile. Its effective launching range is 120 km and aircraft has 4 of them.”

Only F-14 aircraft can carry missiles of the same level, but Tomcats are almost retired. Today in Russia were created new R37 missiles with 280 km launch range.
In addition Mig-31 has several short-range missiles for close air combat
Mig-31 can reach huge speed level. And during the design process it was very important to lower down carried missiles resistance to the incoming air. Mig designers succeded in this task – missiles are placed in the way to slowdown plane twice less then all the planes before.

Mig-31 is able to terminate any air target. It can detect, and trace up to 10 targets on different altitudes, with different headings and speeds. Hardware is choosing 4 most dangerous targets. It doesn’t matter what sizes or speeds are they. Mig-31 may aim to the relatively small cruise missile coming on the ground level, to the helicopter hiding in the terrain accidents and to the supersonic recon plane flying very high. Even famous Stealth will not avoid Mig-31.

Successful result of attack is guaranteed – not related to the weather conditions are, time of day or enemy electronic warfare activity.

“This is really unique plane, the tasks it can solve by its own are impossible for any other fighter in the world. And when it is group of 4 aircrafts, it’s impossible even for some squadrons.” – states Valeriy Knish.

Four Mig-31 are able to cover 800 kilometers frontline. Information exchange process between the planes is constant. All the tasks by the targets locating and group coordination are being automatically solved by the onboard systems. Besides, Mig-31 can coordinate attack of several fighters of other class, with less advanced radars systems

Georgia conflict has one impact. It will turn CSTO military alliance more in line of Old Soviet Union.

Russian-Belarusian joint air defense system is response to U.S. missile defense plans – official

MINSK. Aug 20 (Interfax-AVN) – An agreement between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on signing a deal to set up a joint air defense system is a response to the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in Europe, said Ivan Makushok, a spokesman for the state secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union.

“This is a logical response to the hasty decision to deploy missile defense elements in Poland, which is viewed as a threat to Belarus, Russia, and the whole of Europe,” Makushok told Interfax on Tuesday.

The Tuesday meeting between Lukashenko and Medvedev showed that “the presidents are prepared to minimize this threat publicly,” Makushov said. “It is becoming obvious that Belarus is not simply [Russia’s] neighbor but a brotherly and allied state,” he said.

“It is really pleasing to see that the presidents highly value economic cooperation,” Makushok said.

The next meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Belarus-Russia Union will deal with “the union’s property and a single currency,” Makushok said. “Therefore, the upcoming Supreme State Council meeting will be most momentous and decisive,” he said

http://www.aviaport.ru. Sukhoi interview.

“No universities will give the knowledge, which can be obtained in practice, in “the dry”.

– “Dry” – the most important producer of combat aircraft in Russia. How you do evaluate the place for company on the domestic and foreign markets?

– “Dry” occupies on World Market one of the leading places, the production of Russian heavy fighters for the export is compared with the analogous production in the USA. In 2007. we placed to foreign customers more than 50 fighters of family Su-30[MK]. In Russia we on the threshold of the beginning of the series deliveries of aircraft for VVS. The large program of the modernization of technology realizes. 60% of aircraft of Russian front aviation – the machine of model “sou”, and this is a good foundation for retaining the leadership on the domestic market. The strength of our positions is ensured by the two additional factors: into the composition of corporation enter the existing plants, into the last 10 years not ceased the production of aircraft for the export large-scale on the present measures. We have the promising products, which will ensure competitive ability on the external and domestic markets, this fighter Su-35 and the promising aviation complex of the fifth generation.

– As you do see the development of for the first time flown in this year fighter Su-35, its export prospects and prospects for deliveries for VVS of Russia?

– Su-35 will be abroad first of all interesting to the countries, which already exploit the fighter Su-30, whose best qualities it develops. The modernization of the existing park thus far prevails on the domestic market, but taking into account the expenditure of aircraft life with the 20-year period of service its expediency has the specific limits. For the introduction into the covey of the fifth generation it is necessary to pass the sufficiently prolonged development stage, production and tests, and this period could fill Su-35. The same approach divide VVS of Russia. By central board Alexander Nikolayevich [Zelin] stated at the recent presentation Su-35 that the Air Force would want to stock up two or three regiments of data of aircraft. But also after the beginning of series output of the fighter of the fifth generation there will be the sufficiently continuance, when they will be in parallel produced and the deeply modernized aircraft of the fourth generation, and the fighter of the fifth generation. We see that in the USA – to only country, where the complex of the fifth generation F, is produced, in parallel are produced the [usovershenstvovannye] aircraft of the fourth generation, such as F -16, F -18E/f, by which Su-35 it is not inferior.

– When is possible the beginning of the full-scale series production of front bomber Su-34?

– The production of machine is turned havoc by thus far insignificant rates. But soon is planned the conclusion of long-term five-year contract with VVS to the delivery no longer single copies, but several ten machines, which will make it possible to develop their full-scale series production. In turn, deliveries Su-34 for VVS of Russia will create prerequisites, also, for the output of machine for the export markets.

– The Novosibirsk aircraft factory ([NAPO]), which was in the difficult position the latter of one-and-a-half decade, for this was ready?

– From the low start grow more rapidly, and the dynamics of the preparation of plant for the series production now is very high. We are satisfied by the present state of enterprise. The large volume of works on technical reequipping, training of personnel is carried out, furthermore, [NAPO] – part “of dry”, and we if necessary always can lean on the best Russian aircraft factory in Komsomol’sk-na-Amur.

– As is achieved collaboration with VVS of Russia on the modernization of the park of aircraft Su-24/25/27? Is possible whether, in your view, an increase in the rates of modernization?

– In order to increase the scales of works on modernization, it is necessary to have long-term contract with the customer. Present rates are determined by understandings from the Ministry of Defense. There exists from the aspect of the production of no obstacles for the radical acceleration of works on the modernization of park.

– A is whether the technical need for this modernization? Indeed these aircraft are released approximately 20 years ago, their resource on the outcome.

– With conducting of innovation repair and modernization we prolong the service life of fighters to 10-12 years, but further increase hardly expediently because of the obsolescence of technology. During the limited financing modernization – correct solution, but subsequently her volumes must be balanced with the purchase of new complexes. Then VVS will have optimum group.

– As do occur the works on the design of the fighter of the fifth generation? Do remain valid previous statements, that the flight of prototype does take place in 2009.?

– The dynamics of the development of fighter and preparation for series production gives grounds to consider that we will carry out the graphs matched with the customers. Basic risks are now connected with the execution of the schedule of the operations of the suppliers of systems. But we work at the minimization of these risks and have foundations for considering that let us be packed in the periods set by customer.

– A normally whether is financed this program by budget?

– Any questions to financing of program we do not have. Chief problem – to satisfy the demands of customer within the matched periods.

– As you do evaluate the current nature of interrelations with India according to the design of the fighter of the fifth generation?

– I evaluate positively. It is very important so that this program originally would be developed as international. We are contented by the fact that we have this partner as India, with which there are relations of strategic partnership at the intergovermental and industrial level. India is important for us from the point of view of the expansion of the market for sales of the fighter of the fifth generation, industrial and scientific collaboration on the project. We assume that prior to the end of the year let us leave together with the Indian partners and “[Rosoboroneksportom]” to the conclusion of a contract about the joint development of aircraft.

– In how much now are evaluated general expenditures for the design of the passenger aircraft Of superjet, with first flight of which in May we you do congratulate?

– Together with the creation of the infrastructure of [posleprodazhnogo] maintenance – approximately $1,5 billion.

– Describe about the motion of tests SSJ. Do confirm they the declared characteristics?

– Until today executed nine flights, including one of them continued 4 hours of 15 min., and general attack exceeded 25 hours. We lately fly frequently, practically each day. As a whole of characteristic are confirmed, the calculated parameters, previously modelled on the stands, practically they coincided with those obtained in the course of tests. This makes it possible to hope for the successful completion of tests within the declared periods.

– Which your forecast to a change in the order book for the aircraft SSJ soon?

– We calculate soon for the signing of new contracts. But in the implementation such complex projects as Superjet, must be the balance between a quantity of orders, which is obtained prior to the beginning of tests, during the tests and after the development of series production. Therefore to now increase a quantity of orders is, of course, necessary, but to strongly boost this process does not stand. The more the orders you take to the end of development, the higher the risks in the case of the delay of periods. To have solid orders in the current stage of program is necessary, without this it is difficult to finance the development of series production. Taking into account the fact that “dry” is new for this market producer, and SSJ-100 – by new for the market product, a quantity of already obtained and assumed orders speaks [o] grow prettier to the dynamics of project.

– Is expected as before certification SSJ in 2009.?

– The completion of the first stage of certification according to the Russian standards we is expected in the middle 2009 g., and in parallel is prepared certification according to the European standards EASA with the attraction of European specialists even in the stage of Russian certification. European certificate is planned to obtain in the second-half 2009 g. initial deliveries (as starting customer Of superjet he appears “Aeroflot”. – “Vedomosti”) will be on the basis of Russian certificate.

– Are possible penal sanctions from the side of customers in connection with the delay of delivery?

– We actually completed work on the technical reequipping of plant, we already turn havoc series production in parallel to certification, which will make it possible to maximally accelerate deliveries to customers, and are intended to maintain periods certifications.

– Will you participate in the project ms -21, indeed the President Oleg [Demchenko]’s “[Irkuta]” did declare about the intention to agree with you about the construction “dry” of composite wing for ms -21?

– We are interested in this work and it is utilized the resources of company “dry” in the development of composite wing for ms -21.

– Which urgent status of project SSJ-130 in 130 places did begin direct work on its design?

– Strategy of the development of design SSJ provides for the creation of the aircraft of the greater and smaller dimensionality and of business- aircraft. Soon we will accept and will declare the solutions by these projects. However, now for us the primary task – to attain the successful certification of the base aircraft of family SSJ-95 and to begin his series production. The basic resources of company are respectively, precisely, on the accomplishment of this objective concentrated.

– You do not fear the draining of personnel from GSS in “They [irkut]” for the project ms -21?

– Within the framework [OAK] is the corporate understandings, according to which each answers for its projects. Furthermore, as I already said, we propose interesting and critical work to people, and they have a complete possibility of creation and obtaining the experience. No universities will give those knowledge, which can be obtained on the practical work, “dry” was always oriented to the young people, I myself was appointed as the chief of the brigade of projects into 28 years, that it was impossible not in what another firm. Specifically, the high portion of young people became one of the factors of its successful activity in the [postperestroechnyy] period

I seriously doubt that the Medvedev Governement would be short sighted enough to place nuclear assets on Cuba. Even if they managed to get clearance from the Cubans to open another base there (which they likely couldnt), and managed to get the bombers and requisite supplies to cuba without the US or anyone else noticing (unlikely considering the diparity in the opposing atlantic navies), and managed to initiate a successful combat mission, there is still no way the Sov.. i mean Russians could sustain combat operations in a base seperated by a few thousand miles of NATO controlled ocean. So all this really is a bit of psycological warfare aimed at putting increased pressure on NATO, and in fact the US to quit it’s advance further east, which by the way it promised not to do at the end of the Cold War.

I wont be surprizedd that a bomber base with S-400/MIG-31 protection with under ground bases is opened some where in latin America. they have just huge amount of money and interests. with alot of food to sell to third world in coming years.
And thise will go to North Africa, Vietnam and with new deals with House of Saud. i expect even Saudi arabia proteciton from its own people and outside. But when all these bases are open i dont expect natural resources price to go down.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_on_re_eu/russia_chavez
Chavez says Venezuela needs Russia for protection
Lukoil is already helping Venezuela quantify heavy crude oil deposits in its Orinoco River basin — one of the world’s largest petroleum deposits. Russia’s Gazprom has two natural gas exploration and production licenses in Venezuela.

You could certainly outfit a Phantom with a modern AESA, Meteor, and ASRAAM. Then where would your Flanker be? :diablo:

u cannot impart Supermaneovrablity, range, high altitude performance of Flanker into Phantom. and new Flanker is made extensive of titanium so likely it will have long life compared to aluminium/composite construction under similar operational condition.