Rosoboronexport Presents ‘Spectacular’ Maks 2011 Show

The Rosoboronexport Joint Stock Company will demonstrate to its foreign partners in excess of a hundred pieces of Russian arms and materiel at the 10th MAKS 2011 International Aviation and Space Salon to be held in Zhukovsky outside Moscow, Russia, on 16-21 August, 2011.

Being the general sponsor of the air show Rosoboronexport considers MAKS 2011 to be one of the milestones in its exhibition activities. It is there that foreign customers will be able to familiarize themselves with Russian military hardware and take a real look at almost all export versions of national aircraft, helicopters and air defence systems.

A special separate pavilion (D0) has been built by Rosoboronexport for the anniversary MAKS 2011 air show. It accommodates an interactive exhibition system, the pilot version of which was displayed at the IDEX 2011 in February. Back then the system displayed main export weapons for the Army in a new format. The interactive exhibition system has been refined for MAKS 2011, and now visitors will see on a wide panoramic screen examples of employing Russian fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, including Su-35 and MiG-29M fighters, the Yak-130 combat trainer, Ka-52A and Mi-28NE combat helicopters, the Mi-171Sh military transport and the Mi-26T transport helicopter.

Army successfully conducts trial of BrahMos Block-III missile

The Indian Army today successfully conducted the user trial of BrahMos Block-III supersonic cruise missiles that has the ability to engage inaccessible targets inside hillocks.

The test was carried out at a firing range here around 1100 hours and met all the mission parameters, sources said.

The Block III version has the capability of scaling mountainous terrain and can take a steep dive to engage targets located inside hillocks which are otherwise inaccessible.

Russia delivers 11 MiG jets to India: official

Russia has dispatched 11 MiG fighter jets to India to equip the aircraft carrier it will deliver next year, head of the MiG corporation Sergei Korotkov said on Wednesday.

"We have already delivered 11. Five more will be delivered by the end of the year," he told reporters as quoted by the Interfax news agency.

Russia signed a contract in 2004 to supply 16 MiG-29K/KUB jets as part of its agreement to modernise the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian Navy.

Second trial of Arjun Mark-II tanks begins at Pokharan

The second trial of Arjun–Mark II, the advance version of India’s main battle tank, has begun in Pokharan firing range. The trial is aimed at testing the range and strength of the tank and other weaknesses pointed out in the first trail.

Following the first trial, the Indian Army had highlighted the need of some more technical requirements.

Arjun’s new version boasts of an improved missile firing range apart from a latest laser system, which can detect explosives on the ground.

Hypersonic Drone Fails During Mach 20 Test Flight

DARPA attempted to fly the fastest aircraft ever built. The Agency’s Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) is designed to fly anywhere in the world in less than 60 minutes. This capability requires an aircraft that can fly at 13,000 mph, while experiencing temperatures in excess of 3500F.

The second test flight began with launch at 0745 Pacific Time. The Minotaur IV vehicle successfully inserted the aircraft into the desired trajectory. Separation of the vehicle was confirmed by rocket cam and the aircraft transitioned to Mach 20 aerodynamic flight. This transition represents a critical knowledge and control point in maneuvering atmospheric hypersonic flight. More than nine minutes of data was collected before an anomaly caused loss of signal. Initial indications are that the aircraft impacted the Pacific Ocean along the planned flight path.

“Here’s what we know,” said Air Force Maj. Chris Schulz, DARPA HTV-2 program manager and PhD in aerospace engineering. “We know how to boost the aircraft to near space. We know how to insert the aircraft into atmospheric hypersonic flight. We do not yet know how to achieve the desired control during the aerodynamic phase of flight. It’s vexing; I’m confident there is a solution. We have to find it.”

RAF Bombs Libyan Frigate

RAF jets successfully bombed a Libyan frigate in Tripoli harbour this week, along with various other key targets of forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.

In the early hours of Monday morning, RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft conducted precision strikes on an ammunition and vehicle depot, and a military communications facility, both near Zlitan.

An armed reconnaissance patrol over Brega, in the east of the country, identified and destroyed two armed pick-up trucks.

New Assault Rifle for Czech Soldiers

Soldiers of the 42nd and the 72nd Mechanised Battalions will be the first ones in the Czech military to use new Czech-made CZ 805 BREN assault rifles.

The first 505 automatic rifles CZ 805 BREN A1/A2, out of almost eight thousand of the whole contract, will be used by solders of five units. The major part of 349 pieces receive soldiers of 42nd Mechanised Battalion based at Tabor and 100 pieces go to soldiers of the 72nd Mechanised Battalion at Praslavice.

Following necessary training, both units will take them to Afghanistan to serve on ISAF operation, namely to the Wardak Province (OMLT unit) and the Logar Province (PRT unit).

MAKS 2011 to open at Russian Helicopters Day

16 August, the first day of the milestone 10th International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2011, will be marked as Russian Helicopters Day, dedicated to the Russian rotorcraft industry corporation that is a subsidiary of the United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom.

Airshow visitors will see modern light Mi-34C1, Ka-226T, and Ansat, medium Ka-32A11BC, the new modernised ultra-heavy Mi-26T2, and the attack Ka-52 Alligator, Mi-28NE Night Hunter, and other rotorcraft at the static display and in the sky above the exposition.

A joint Russian Helicopters and UIC Oboronprom press-conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Conference Hall C3 on this day. New projects will be discussed and contracts announced. Pavilion C3 will also house business events, while the airfield will become the stage for a civil and military helicopter airship.

Saab Receives New Orders for Carl-Gustaf

Defence and security company Saab has received an order for components to the Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon system. The total value of the order is MSEK 362.

“This is very positive and it further proves the capability of the Carl-Gustaf system which until now has been exported to more than 40 customers around the world,” says Tomas Samuelsson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics .

Delivery will take place during 2011-2012.

Firm Unveils First Super-Cavitating Ship

Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. (JMS) announced that the US Navy/USPTO have removed Secrecy Orders previously applied to GHOST. For the first time, Juliet Marine is able to release photographs of GHOST, the first super-cavitating craft, to the public. GHOST was designed and built by US citizens for the US Navy at no cost to the government to protect US sailors, servicemen and servicewomen.

Development of the first-ever, super-cavitating craft, in many ways, is as difficult as breaking the sound barrier. GHOST is a combination aircraft/boat that has been designed to fly through an artificial underwater gaseous environment that creates 900 times less hull friction than water. GHOST technology adapts to manned or unmanned, surface or submerged applications.

Any Navy possessing GHOST technology could operate in international waters undetected and would have an overwhelming advantage against conventional ships. GHOST is specifically designed for Fleet Force Protection at its present size. GHOST technology is scalable and JMS is currently discussing a plan to build a larger corvette-sized vessel (150 feet) by partnering with a large international defense company.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Begins Sea Trials

China's refitted aircraft carrier platform left its shipyard at Dalian Port in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday morning to set sail for its first sea trial.

Military sources said that the trial is in line with the carrier's refitting schedule and will not take a long time. Refitting work will continue after the vessel has returned to the port.

The carrier was originally built by the former Soviet Union, which failed to complete the ship's construction before collapsing in 1991. The still-unnamed aircraft carrier was an empty shell when it was sold to Ukraine. Ukraine later disarmed it and removed its engines before selling it to China.

Israel ‘Secret’ Tamuz Missile disclosed

After years of successful operational use, the Artillery Corps reveals "the most accurate ground missile"

The Artillery Brigade reveals the most precise electro-optic missile, 'Tamuz' and the APC 'Hafiz' which carries its launch tower and deadly missiles. The Tamuz missile, developed by the Armament Development Authority, was declared operational in the 1980s though remained a mystery till this Monday (Aug. 1).

The missile has a powerful, hollow explosive capable of hitting highly-concealed targets and is directed by its operator till the very instant it hits. Thus acquiring the ability to select a target, home in on it and achieve an exact hit almost every single time, during both day and night time.

Long-Range Motor for GMLRS+ Successfully Tested

Lockheed Martin's new Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System-Plus (GMLRS+) extended-range rocket successfully completed a 120-kilometer mission at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., an improvement in range of approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) over the current GMLRS round.

Engineers from Lockheed Martin and Aerojet, the GMLRS rocket motor manufacturer, are developing GMLRS+ as a proposed follow-on version of the existing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System to further extend the rocket's range and add a new capability for a "scalable-effects" warhead.

"With this latest test, we have demonstrated the GMLRS+ range that our soldiers and Marines have been requesting," said Scott Arnold, vice president of precision fires in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "While adding this new capability, we are still retaining the system's affordability, precision and reliability."

USAF Completes Development Tests of Laser-Guided Maverick

The U.S. Air Force completed developmental testing (DT) of Raytheon Company's AGM-65 E2/L, the newest variant of the combat-proven laser-guided Maverick missile, clearing the way for the weapon to enter operational testing (OT).

During the U.S. Air Force-Navy test effort, the Air Force conducted aircraft integration as well as laboratory and flight tests of the new laser-guided Maverick on the A-10, F-16, AV-8B and F/A-18 aircraft. Air Force DT culminated in a series of three live-fire shots against moving and static targets from an A-10 and F-16 fighter aircraft. The Navy is expected to complete its flight testing this summer.

"The joint testing community conducted a series of very demanding tests, including two where the missile contended with targets moving at 65 and 72 mph," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "As we begin OT, the warfighter will have an opportunity to put the new laser-guided Maverick through its paces, clearing the way for entry into the inventory of the U.S. and its international partners."

Australia to Sell Off 12,000 Army Vehicles

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the release of the Request for Proposal for the disposal of up to 12,000 surplus Army vehicles and trailers.

Last month the Minister announced reforms to the disposal of military equipment. Part of these reforms is the disposal in bulk of up to 12,000 Army vehicles.

“By disposing of this equipment in bulk, it will increase the amount of revenue Defence can raise and reinvest in new equipment,” Mr Clare said.

IAI to Unveil Rotary-Wing Mini-UAV

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will present the Ghost, an innovative, small hovering unmanned platform at AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America , August 16-19, in Washington, DC.

Ghost weighs approximately 4 kg (9 lbs), and provides real-time intelligence to ground forces operating in urban areas. Ghost is equipped with an automatic vertical takeoff & landing system and can loiter for up to 30 minutes. The system was designed with twin rotary electrical engines so it can be silent and support day and night special operation missions.

The unique man-machine interface and operational concept is based on the principles of computer games and makes the system extremely intuitive to operate and requires little training. The entire system can be carried in backpacks by two soldiers and includes: two platforms, batteries, and a command and control unit with communications. Ghost is suitable for paramilitary and homeland security applications due to its simplicity and ease of operation.

Morocco Takes Delivery of First four F-16s

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) unveiled the first four of 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in a ceremony today at Ben Guerrir Air Base in Morocco. Senior representatives from the Moroccan and U.S. governments and air forces were present for the historic event.

This is Morocco's first experience with the F-16 so the package being provided by the U.S. government is comprehensive. Morocco will acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF. The sale includes the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors.

The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF's existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF.

Germany Deploys Boxer Armored Vehicles to Afghanistan

Germany has airlifted five of its new Boxer multirole armored vehicles to Afghanistan for what will be the vehicles' first operational deployment. The five Boxers sent to the Afghan theater are of the armored personnel carrier variant and will be used by the Bundeswehr training and protection battalion operating in the area of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The Boxer is a bi-national vehicle project undertaken by Germany and the Netherlands. It is produced by ARTEC, a joint venture between Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Defense. Germany aims for the 8x8 Boxer to partially or fully replace the Fuchs 6x6 and M113 series of tracked vehicles currently in service.

The German Boxers have been ordered in three configurations: 135 armored personnel carriers (APCs), 65 command post variants, and 72 heavy-armored ambulances. Some of the vehicles already ordered may also be converted to training variants.

Argentina Re-states Intent for Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Argentinean Minister of Defense Arturo Puricelli says that the country is considering the development of nuclear propulsion for submarines currently designed with diesel-electric powertrains. The initiative follows a request from President Cristina Fernandez and is closely linked to Brazil's construction of a nuclear-powered submersible with French technology.

According to Puricelli, Argentina has the capability to develop this technology. Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission and the National Institute for Space and Nuclear Technology apparently have completed designing the CAREM reactor, which can be adapted for use on a submarine.

The two vessels that could receive the new power systems first are the Santa Fé and the San Juan. Construction of the Type 1700 Santa Fé was never completed and is currently under way. The Navy hopes to have the sub conventionally powered and in the water by 2015. A nuclear propulsion system would be added later.

Vietnam to get sub fleet in six years

Vietnam will have a submarine fleet within six years, the defence minister reportedly confirmed on Thursday, in what analysts say is intended as a deterrent to China's increasing assertiveness at sea.

Russian media reported in December 2009 that Vietnam had agreed to buy half a dozen diesel-electric submarines for about $2 billion.

"In the coming five to six years, we will have a submarine brigade with six Kilo 636-Class subs," Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh was quoted as saying by the state-controlled Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Iraqi F-16 Order May Double

Iraq's order for F-16 fighter jets is likely to double as Iraqi officials press for a larger purchase in negotiations with the United States.

The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is attempting to use defense contracts as a means of ensuring some U.S. troops are able to remain past the withdrawal deadline imposed under the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). This agreement, reached in 2008 between Iraq and the administration of George W. Bush, calls for the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011.

U.S. officials remain wary of the ability of Iraqi Security Forces to maintain complete security over the country in the short term and have pressed Baghdad for an extension to allow a sizable residual force of U.S. "trainers" to remain after the deadline.

Vietnam Takes Delivery of First C212-400 Transport

The Vietnam Marine Police has taken delivery of the first of three C212-400 it ordered from Airbus Military. The second aircraft will be delivered later this year, and the third in early 2012.

This modernized C212--400 series incorporates the latest systems and technologies, such as a Flight Management System (FMS). As a Coast Guard airplane, it will primarily be used in its Maritime Patrol role and carry out missions such as coastal surveillance, illegal fishing, drug traffic and smuggling, among others.

“We are very proud of the trust placed by the Vietnam Marine Police in Airbus Military, and look forward to the upcoming entry into service of one of our highly versatile products to help enforce law on the Vietnamese coast”, says Airbus Military Head of Light & Medium Programmes, Rafael Tentor.

China to Enhance Military Modernization: Minister

China will steadily reform national defense and the army and constantly modernize the military forces, said China's Minister of National Defense. Defense minister Liang Guanglie made the remarks at a reception in Beijing Sunday celebrating the 84th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

August 1 every year is China's Army Day.

"In the world today, peace, development and cooperation remains the trend of the times. However, world peace and development faces multiple challenges. China is going through unprecedented and extensive social changes," said Liang.

Israel’s IMI Offers New 120mm Tank Round

Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) has recently received an order by the IDF, totaling more than several dozen million NIS, for M339 tank rounds for its Merkava Mk3 and Merkava Mk4 Main Battle Tanks.

The M339 will join the combat proven M329 Multi-Purpose tank round, (Hebrew name: “Calanit”), which has recently been awarded the prestigious 2011 Israel Defense Award for its meaningful contribution to the security of Israel.

The M339 tank round has been developed primarily for use by western tanks using NATO 120 mm smoothbore guns, such as the M1A1, Ariete, K2 and Leopard 2, etc.