Russia's Loss, Egypt's Gain

This is what Egypt will be getting. The envisaged capabilities of the two Mistral class Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH). Originally planned to carry KA-52K attack helicopters. It has a potent strike capability for projection of power.




TASS

Singapore Military's Secret Edge

Singapore credits its engineers and scientists with enhancing its military capabilities. It even called its 5000 strong defence technology community, its secret edge weapon.

There are some interesting nuggets of information gleaned from this reference article from the magazine, Cyberpioneer.  For example, the Littoral Mission Vessel has a system that automated the watch duty for its crew. No more manual scanning of the surrounding sea. The all-round electro-optical surveillance system allows the ship crew to monitor the sea on screen.


The LMV (Littoral Mission Vessel). Designed for various missions in the congested waters of the world's busiest straits.

A similar capability on the Terrex 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle allows it to be driven totally by camera. The Terrex also has an advance hostile fire detector that automatically prioritise the threat. In addition to the location of the threat, the acoustic system is smart enough to differentiate between the different calibre of incoming fire.


Acoustic system mounted on left rear position of Terrex

Cyberpioneer

Todayonline

Chinese UAV Wing Loong Missile Test

China's Wing Loong looks like the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator UAV. It has two hard points on the wing for weapons.Here is a video of the missile live-firing test which was broadcasted over Chinese national TV.

Runaway Military Blimp Dragged Tether Causing Power Outage

29 Oct 2015 - A Raytheon Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) broke free from its ground tether and caused havoc across two states in the USA.
It is still unclear how the tether line broke free. According to Raytheon, the line is made of Vectran and has withstood storms in excess of 100 knots. The runaway blimp floated from Maryland into Pennsylvania, dragging a 3,000 metre long tether line, which cause power outage in some areas.
The military aerostat is designed to provide 360-degrees coverage of airborne threats. It can be integrated with weapon systems such as the Patriot Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system and the ship mounted Standard SAM, a detection range of up to 340 miles. JLENS is designed to stay aloft for up to 30 days at a time.



CNN


Raytheon

Awesome Female High Flyers

A collection of female fighter pilots.

United States Air Force - The first female F-35 Lightning II fighter pilot.



Republic of Singapore Air Force- female F-15SG fighter pilot



People Liberation Army Air Force - Female fighter pilots at Langkawi airshow



Pakistan Air Force



United Arab Emirate - Major Mansouri is UAE's first female fighter pilot. She led strike missions against ISIS earlier in September.



Israeli Air Force - female F-15I fighter pilot



Royal Malaysian Air Force - female MiG-29 fighter pilot.



Polish Female MiG Fighter Pilot

Malaysian Defence Budget 2016

The Malaysian defence budget for 2016 0f US$4 billion is 2.5% less than the current year. Not on the card are the replacement for the MiG-29. Malaysia had been evaluating various options to replace the ageing MiG-29 fighters with 18 multi-role combat aircraft to complement the existing Boeing F-18C/D and Sukhoi Su-30MKM. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) were assessing the F-18E/F, Dassault Rafale, Gripen NG and the Typhoon Eurofighter for procurement. Speaking in parliament on 10 June, the Defence Minister Hishammuddin had cited the RMAF's Multi-Role Combat aircraft (MRCA) procurement as an example of a capability that is not in line with the threats that Malaysia faced. Also not catered in budget was the requirement for attack helicopter.

Major acquistion programmes which are funded includes six Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS), Starstreak Short Range Air Defence missile systems, AV-8 Gempita 8x8 combat vehicles and the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft.



NST

Janes

Aerial Refuelling of E-7A By KC-30A MRTT

RAAF KC-30A refuelling a E-7A Wedgetail somewhere over Iraq on 23 Oct 2015. The Multi-Role Transporter Tanker (MRTT) is part of Australia's contribution to the international effort to combat the ISIL terrorist threat in Iraq and Syria. Operation OKRA mounted by the Australian Defence Force includes F-18E/F, E-7A Wedgetail Early Warning Aircraft and a Special Operation Task Group.

RAN Trialled CH-47D Operations on HMAS Canberra

Photo: RAN. A CH-47D Chinook on the deck of HMAS Canberra during First of Class Flight Trials in Jervis Bay

The HMAS Canberra – the lead ship of a new LHD class – was commissioned in November 2014. The Royal Australian Navy is currently working towards its initial operational capability (IOC) and final operational capability (FOC) to be attained in late 2015 and late 2017 respectively. That goal is a step closer with the trials of CH-47D  operations from its deck.

Photo: Royal Australian Navy

RAN

shephardmedia

Interpreter

Chinese UAV Rainbow 4 Conducts Live Firing

Footage of China's Armed UAV, the Rainbow 4 of CH-4 conducting missile firing test. The CH-4 has been sold to Iraq which is deploying them in the fight against ISIS.

US Navy Practises Freedom of Navigation Passage In Disputed South China Sea Waters

Photo: USS Lassen Facebook

Having stated its intention months ago, the United States is now conducting navigation in international water around the Spratly Islands. The Arleigh Burke class AEGIS destroyer, USS Lassen will patrol within the 12-nautical-mile mark around the artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea. This marks the start of challenges to China's territorial claims in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.  China shore up Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago in a massive dredging project and turned them into artifical islands in 2014. These reefs that were formerly submerged at high tide. The United States has announced it does not recognise China's claims to territorial waters around the artificial islands.

Photo: USS Lassen Facebook. HSM-51 Air Detachment maintains an MH-60R onboard USS LASSEN, South China Sea, October 2015.

CNA

CNA - 2

Stars and Stripes

Infographic on Russia's Angara A5 Heavy Rocket

TASS

USAF Impose Weight Restriction on F-35 Pilot

United States Air Force has imposed a restriction on pilots weighing less than 61.7kg/ 136 pounds from flying the F-35A Lightning II. This is due to safety concerns about the ejection process in a portion of the flight envelope.

During tests by  Martin-Baker, the manufacturer of the F-35 ejection seat, an unacceptable risk of neck injury was uncovered for the parachute deployment/opening phase for lighter-weight pilots at the low-speed regime. There is also an elevated risk for pilots weighing between 61.7kg to 74.8kg (165lbs). While the odd of an ejection in the low-speed condition is very small, the risk of a critical injury is higher than for older fighter ejection seats. The chance of a serious and potentially fatal neck injury from an ejection in the low-speed flight envelope is one in 50,000 flight hours for pilots under 61.7kg and the probability for those weighing 61.7kg to 74.8kg (165lbs) is one in 200,000.



As an interim solution, pilot weighing less than 136 pounds will not be allowed to fly the F-35 until the problem is resolved. The Air Force has accepted the risk for continuation of flight for pilots weighing within the 136 to 165 pound range. Only one pilot was affected by this restriction. The problem is expected to be resolved in one year with the cost to be paid by Martin-Baker. The solution include installing a switch that would slow the ejection process when lighter pilots are flying, an alteration to the parachute to delay the opening sequence. In addition, the air force is exploring how to reduce the weight of the pilot’s helmet. The Rockwell Collins GEN 3 helmet allows the pilot to see through the cockpit floor by fusing imagery from six infrared camera mounted on the airframe. The helmet currently weighs about 5.4 lbs/ 2.4 kg. Rockwell Collins is working on reducing the weight by 6 lbs / 0.27 kg.


USAF

Russia's Bulava Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

TASS

China's Military Transformation

China is trimming its military from 2,943,000 to 2,000,000.





SCMP

Chinese HALE CH-5 Rainbow 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5, or Rainbow 5 was unveiled earlier in August on Chinese national TV. It was reported as having a wingspan of 20m and can carry weapons.

SCMP

Flight Global

Cause of F-16 Crash At Los Llanos

Investigators have released their report into the cause of the fatal crash of Greece's F-16 at Los Lianos, Spain during a NATO exercise. The crash killed the two Greek aircrew and another nine French airmen on the ground. The F-16 veered into a flightline of aircraft almost immediately after take off. Another 17 people were seriously injured.

Investigators found that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft's control. However, a control knob for adjusting the rudder was found to be turned all the way to the right. This would cause the aircraft to yaw significantly as it took off. The unusual flight characteristic probably disoriented the pilot and the aircraft crashed just 7.8 seconds after take off.  It was postulated that the rudder compensator was accidentally moved. Probably by a loose object such as an exercise document, normally secured on a kneeboard.

Elpais

Trilateral Naval Exercise In Bay of Bengal

The United States of America, India and Japan conducted Ex MALABAR in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy deployed a destroyer, two frigates, a submarine,a Fleet Support Ship and its P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The US Navy was represented by the ships from Carrier Task Force (CTF) 70 including aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, AEGIS cruiser USS Normandy, Littoral Combat ship USS Forth Worth and nuclear powered submarine USS City of Corpus Christi. The JMSDF was represented by its missile destroyer JS Fuyuzuki. Japan has confirmed that it will join the exercise as a permanent member.

India was treading cautious in the preceding when planning for the exercise to avoid provoking China. China had protested strongly when the three countries last came together for Ex Malabar 2007.

Photo: JS Fuyzuki from Hatena

diplomat

Times of India

USS Theodore Roosevelt

US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt docks in Singapore's Changi Naval Base on 24 Oct 2015. It has just completed a 6-months combat deployment to the Arabian Gulf, where its aircraft flew sorties against the Islamic State extremists.

CNA

Pacific Command Beef Up BMD Capability In Japan

Pacific Command has forward deployed USS Benfold (DDG 65, Arleigh Burke class Destroyer) to Yokosuka, Japan. USS Benfold is upgraded with Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability. One of several Arleigh Burke class destroyers equipped with this capability. USS Benfold is the eighth destroyer to be homeported in Yokosuka. Together with the Ticonderoga class cruisers, there are six warships that are capable of BMD based in Japan. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force also has four Kongo class AEGIS destroyer. So in total, there are ten warships which are BMD capable. It is a significant capability.

Rafael Displays Iron Beam At Seoul ADEX

Israel's Rafael's Iron Beam Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system was displayed at Seoul International Aeros[ace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2015. The Iron Beam system uses High Energy Laser mounted on trucks in place of the interceptor missile used in Iron Dome system. Compared to the Iron Dome and other missile/gun based C-RAM system, Iron Beam has the advantage of almost limitless engagement (subjected to the sustainability of energy source and serviceability of the system). It is not limited by the number of ready to use munition. Another advantage is the faster reaction time. Operational deployment of the Iron Dome by Israel have revealed the limited effectiveness against short range rocket and mortar. Iron Beam can potentially cover this capability gap. The Iron Beam is also touted as an Anti-UAV system.




inquisitr.com

Russia's Project 636.3 Diesel-Electric Submarine

TASS

F-22 Demonstration Team To Perform in South Korea

Two F-22 Raptor stealth fighters will be performing in South Korea over the next six days during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (20 Oct - 25 Oct). Major John Cummings "Taboo" is the commander of the F-22 Aerial Demonstration Team. Other U.S. combat aircrafts taking part are the KC-135 aerial tanker, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and E-3B AWAC (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft.

The following video shows the demonstration team performing in Gulf Coast Salute Airshow 2015 earlier this year.



Yonhap

Iraq Deploys Chinese Armed UAV

Iraq's defence ministry announced that its China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4B “Rainbow” unmanned air vehicles are conducting missions against the Islamic State terrorists in the Anbar region. The UAV are operating from  Kut airbase. The medium altitude long range CH-4 closely resembles the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator UAV.

Flight Global

Japan Naval Fleet Review

A total of 50 ships and 61 aircraft took part in Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force fleet review on 18 Oct 2015. The fleet review is held once every three years. This year's international participants include India, South Korea, Australia, France and the United States.


Straits Times

Japantoday

Japan Times

RT

Video:Russian Navy's Attack On Targets In Syria

"A naval strike group of the Russian Navy launched a massive attack with sea-based cruise missiles from the designated area of ​​the Caspian Sea on objects of infrastructure of the Islamic State in Syria. Caliber NK missiles have successfully destroyed all of the set targets. The accuracy of destruction at long distances made up not more than three meters," - Russian Defense Ministry.

The missiles flew through the airspace of Iran and Iraq, bypassing Turkey.

Pravda

Building Russia's Most Powerful Destroyer

Russia is planning a class of 18,000 ton nuclear powered destroyer. If realised,  Project "Leader" (Project 23560) will be the largest and most expensive Russian warship since 1989. The destroyer will be optimised for area air defence with a 50 metres tall radar mast.



Pravda

Russian Military Equipment Order 2015

TASS

SEA 1180 OPV Contender

Singapore's ST Marine is likely to partner with an Australian company to bid for Australia's SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) programme. The design offered is the Fearless 75, scaled up version of a proven 55m platform.  The design was also the basis for the Royal Omani Navy's (RON's) Al-Ofouq-class patrol vessel. ST Marine is completing USD640 million to deliver four patrol vessels for the RON.

Omani Al-Ofouq-class

The Fearless 75 design is approximately 1,100 tonnes and can accommodates a crew of about 60. It is designed for a top speed of 27 kt and a range of 3,000 n miles at 16 kt. There is a launch and recovery system for rigid hull inflatable boats at the stern and a flight deck for helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles.

Janes

Meanwhile, ST Marine also unveiled a model of its proposal for Australia's Pacific Patrol Boat replacement programme. The programme is a replacement of the 22 patrol boats previously donated to 12 Pacific Island states and are now approaching the end of their service lives.

ST Marine has set up a consortium that includes South Australian shipbuilder Adelaide Ship Construction International (ASCI) and Texas-based Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR).

The proposed vessel has a length of 40 m, a beam of 8 m, a draught of 2.5 m, and a top speed of 20 kt. The standard range is 2,500 n miles at 12 kt. The vessel will displace about 274 tonnes and can accommodate one rigid hull inflatable boat or unmanned surface vessel at its stern. It can be fitted with 12.7 mm gun mountings.

A major feature of the vessel is the ease of operations and safety. The vessel's enclosed superstructure and lack of external walkways is designed for safety. The deck is designed with more space that can accommodate an awning, allowing the vessel to carry additional passengers on deck during humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Janes

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp's Semi-Submersible

The IRGC put on display a semi-submersible torpedo boat armed with the 324 mm torpedoes designated as Zolfaqar. Although a semi-submersible need to keep its snorkel above the water to run its engine, it is still very difficult to detect using radar. The Zolfaqar is 17 m long, 3.3 m wide and weighs 22 tonnes, with speed of up to 70 km/h (38 kt).

The IRGC is believed to have deploy semi-submersibles since 2002, when it was reported that North Korea supplied two Taedong-B and three Taedong-C craft.


Taedong B



Janes

Brazil Army To Receive 50 Surplus Armoured Vehicles

The Brazilian Army is set to receive 50 US Army-surplus tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) this year. The acquisition comprises 34 BAE Systems' M577A2 command post vehicles, 12 M113A2 personnel carriers, and four M88A1 recovery vehicles. This is part of the Brazilian army's aim to attain Full Operational Capability. The vehicles are US Excess Defense Articles (EDAs) which are being procured through the US Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Janes

BAE Systems

Anti-UAV Defense System

The Anti-UAV Defense System (AUDS) is designed as a fully integrated system to detect, track and disrupt drones of all sizes.

The AUDS units consist of an electronic scanning air security radar, a stabilised electro-optic director, infrared and daylight cameras, and a directional radio frequency inhibitor to track down, classify and neutralise drones. It detects an UAV by using the radar, tracks it with the infrared and daylight cameras and then disrupt the UAV's flight by blocking the radio signals.

The system can detect an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 8 km away and stopped its flight in less than 15 seconds. The AUDS is claimed to be effective against micro- UAV at ranges of up to several kilometers.  

RT

Typhoon Fighter Jet

Telegraph

Indonesia Trialed improved 122mm Rockets for Multiple Launch Rocket System

Indonesia successfully test-fired an improved version of the indigenously developed RHAN 122 mm rocket.  The live firing trials were conducted at the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) test facility in Garut, West Java in August 2015.

The rocket is being developed by a consortium comprising of the state-owned defence equipment manufacturers PT Dahana, PT Dirgantara and PT Pindad, LAPAN, and Indonesia's Ministry for Research, and the Technology and Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology.

The R-HAN 122B has an overall length of 2,810 mm and can carry a 15 kg warhead to a maximum range if 30.5 km. The R-HAN 122B is compatible with the BM-21 and RM-70 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). The RM-70 is in service with the Indonesian Marine Corps.

Janes

Red Flag Nellis - The Aggressors

What It's Like at Red Flag Nellis - The Aggressors
"That Red Star should induce panic and terror. When you see me taxi by with my helmet on and the red star on the back... you should start second guessing your game plan. You start questioning whether or not you are ready to go up against the world's greatest aggressor fleet."- Capt Paul Anderson, an F-16 Aggressor Pilot from the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. They act as a professional "Red Force" or potential adversary in exercises such as Exercise Red Flag.Let the United States Air Force's 64th AGRS explain to you why Exercise Red Flag - Nellis pushes our airmen and women to their limits through a series of realistic combat scenarios.Find out more about our latest participation in Exercise Red Flag - Nellis at our earlier album at https://goo.gl/6Q7wyu[Video courtesy of Airman Magazine]
Posted by The Republic of Singapore Air Force on Saturday, September 5, 2015

Iran's High Speed Supercavitating Torpedo

Iran displayed its Hoot (Whale) high-speed rocket-torpedo during an exhibition by the naval wing of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGN) on 3 October. The existence of the Hoot was first revealed in 2006 when Iran released a video of a test launch from a floating platform.



It is identical to the Russian's VA-111 Shkval (Squall) supercavitating torpedo that was developed in 1970s. There are eight jet nozzles at the rear and four stabilisation fins as for the VA-111.



Launched from a standard 533 mm torpedo tube, the Hoot creates an air pocket around itself, thereby reducing water drag. The rocket engine is then able to propel it to speeds of up to 370 km/h (200 knots). The high speed makes it a deadly weapon as it is difficult to out-manoeuvre.

Iran Unveiled Underground Missile Base on TV

Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Division revealed during TV interview that “missiles in various ranges are mounted on the launchers in all bases and ready to be launched,”. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) showed exclusive video of a massive underground missile base. BG Hajizadeh stated that the underground base shown is just a sample of Iran’s “numerous missile bases,” scattered across the country at the depths of hundreds of metres.

RT

IRIB

Press TV

RSAF Helicopters in Rockhampton, Australia

The Republic of Singapore Air Force deploys for large scale exercise in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Among the helicopters seen are AH-64D Apache, CH-47SD Chinook and AS332M Super Puma.


CQ Planespotting

Secret 1960s Stealth Aircraft Unveiled

Boeing revealed secret project Model 853 "Quiet Bird".





Photo from Boeing

ARS Technica

Boeing

Russian Munitions Used In Syria

Among the precision guided munitions seen in this video is the Kh-25L laser-guided missile (NATO designation: AS-10 Karen) with a 112kg high explosive and fragmentation warhead. Other munitions observed are KAB-500S and the unguided OFAB-250-270.


RT

KAB-500

OFAB-250-270

Kh-25L

Armament Research

RAF Strike Capability

A look at the Royal Air Force's strike capability

Littoral Mission Vessel

Littoral mission vessel
The Republic of Singapore Navy's new Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs).

Republic of Singapore Navy 

North Korea Parades Ballistic Missile With New Warhead

During the October 10 parade to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the fuling Workers' Party, North Korea displayed KN-08 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles with new round warheads. Previous displays of the missiles showed them with pointed warheads. The KN-08 is estimated to have a range of some 12,000 kilometers.


KN-08 with round missile head


Previous displays showed KN-08 with a sharper missile head


Yonhap

nknews

Iran's New Long Range Ballistics Missile Test-Fired

Iranian Defense Minister announced that Iran has successfully tested the 'Emad' (Pillar) a ballistics missile with a range 1,700 km  (1,060 miles) and a 750 kg (1,653 pound) payload. It is reported accurate to within 500 metres. The Emad is a variant of the older liquid-fuelled Shahab-3 missile, which has a similar range but is accurate only to within 2,000 meters.

CNA

IRNA

Italy's First G-550 AEW

Flight Global

30 Sep. Italy's first G-550 AEW. Seen during a stopover at Ireland's Shannon airport to the way to Tel Aviv for modification for the role of Airborne Early Warning. This is part of a $750 million order placed in 2012 for two aircraft as part of a counter deal for the Israeli Air Force’s purchase of 30 Italian built M346 jet trainers.

Based on the Gulfstream G550, the G550 AEW carries the Elta EL/W-2085 phased array radar as well as  electronic intelligence and communications intelligence equipment.

The G-550 AEW is service with the Israeli Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Corporate Jet Investor

Flight Global

K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howizter Chosen By Indian Army

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected the Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder 155 mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer to meet the Indian Army 's USD800 million tender for 100 such guns.

Janes

Mohajem 92 - Iran's New UAV

The Iranian Air Force displayed a new indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) named “Mohajem (Attacker) 92”  at a public exhibition on 22 September to commemorate the Sacred Defense Week, which marks the start of the Iran-Iraqi war 35 years ago.

The 80 kg ‘Mohajem 92’ has a 6-hour flight endurance, 500 kilometres range and a top speed of 200 km/h at  sea level.

I-HLS

CTV

UASvision

Behind The Scenes - Aerial Photography by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Black Knight Photographer Feature: Katsu!
Behind the scene look at the awesome aerial pictures of the RSAF Black Knights. See it through the lens of world-renowned aerial photographer Katsuhiko Tokunaga, who has more than 30 years of experience.
Posted by The Republic of Singapore Air Force on Saturday, August 15, 2015

US Army Test Anti-Drone Concept

Target drone was destroyed by a 50mm Bushmaster cannon at a range of 1500 meters at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona on Aug 19. US Army engineers shot down two Griffon Aerospace MQM-170 Outlaws using command guidance and command warhead detonation. The first unmanned aircraft was enagged at over a kilometer range and the second at about 1500 meters. This is a continuation of testing that saw the first successful shoot down of a loitering UAV on Apr 22. Adjustment to the fire-control system were made after the April 22 tests, and were validated during the latest testing. The shoot down at 1500 meters had exceeded the Enhanced Area Protection and Survivability demonstration objectives.



US Army RDEC

Lockheed Martin to Develop Counter-Battery Radar Systems

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $85million contract to build  seven new counter-battery radar systems to replace the legacy AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 mortar and artillery locating radars now in the Army’s inventory. The radar designated as AN/TPQ-53, works in either 360- or 90-degree modes. The system consists of a solid-state phased array radar mounted on a five-ton Oshkosh Defense battlefield truck, with a power generator on tow. A second truck carries an operations control shelter and a backup power generator.


Military Aerospace

RBS-70 and IGLA Live Firing Exercise

"CLEAR ENGAGE!" - DAG Live-Firing!
"CLEAR ENGAGE!""One Thousand, Two Thousand, Three Thousand.. TARGET SPLASH!"Hey Singapore! Here's some live firing action by our Ground-Based Air Defence guys to spice up your mid-week night! The day and night firing at dynamic and static targets are pretty solid, aren't they?Don’t mess with our airmen and women from the Divisional Air Defence Group! Vigilant and Lethal! [Video: Justin Mun]
Posted by The Republic of Singapore Air Force on Wednesday, October 7, 2015

PAK FA T-50 Stealth Fighter

Sputniknews

Scout Special Reconnaisance Vehicle

A look at the Royal British Army's latest armoured vehicle.

Telegraph

EU Warships Start Operation Sophia - Anti-Migrant Smuggling Patrols

In a deployment that highlighted the equipment mismatch of many militaries for OOTW (Operations Other Than War), six warships were sent to tackle migrant traffickers.

This is not the first time that a large scale mission by navy warships was used to tackle the tide of migrant boats to Europe. A Italian Navy flotilla supported by a Slovenia navy ship deployed for Operation Mare Nostrum off the coast of Libya in 2013. The search and rescue mission assisted more 150,000 migrants to reach Europe safely.

In the latest operation, codenamed Operation Sophia, the six naval warships will have the power to stop, board, seize and destroy traffickers' boats in international waters.  The warships comprises of an Italian aircraft carrier, a French frigate and one British, one Spanish and two German vessels.

Operation Sophia was preceded by EUnavfor Med Phase 1. EUNAVFOR Med Phase 2 was renamed "Sophia" after the name given to the baby girl born on a German warship which rescued her Somali mother on 22 August 2015 off the coast of Libya. Operation Sophia is aimed at disrupting the operation and business model of human smuggling networks in the Mediterranean.

Photo: Courtesy of Council of European Union

CNA

Marina Militarie

EUnavfor-med

Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise

The navies of the United States, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are participating in the annual, multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise. The Bangladesh Navy will be participating as observers. This year’s exercise, staged from Singapore's Changi Naval Base from 5 to 9 October 2015, marks the 14th in the series.

The exercise participants will receive simulated reports of suspicious activities in the Straits of Singapore, the Straits of Malacca, the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea in order to practise simulated response drills.

The U.S. ships and aircraft participating in the exercise include USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE-6, a dry cargo ship), USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50, a rescue and salvage ship), a P-8A Poseidon and a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Participating in SEACAT for the first time is the joint high-speed vessel, USNS Millinocket, an Expeditionary Fast Transport.



USNS Millinocket in Vietnam, earlier in August. U.S. NAVY


The Exercise SEACAT series started in 2002 with the aim of enhancing maritime cooperation. Participating navies share information and  coordinate maritime security responses to scenarios such as piracy and maritime terrorism. The Republic of Singapore Navy's Changi Command and Control Centre (CC2C) at Changi Naval Base is the key infrastructure facilitating such cooperation.

The CC2C is specially equipped for information-sharing with various secured and open information networks.  The CC2C houses the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) which was inaugurated on 27 Apr 2009. The information-sharing systems include the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), Regional Maritime Information Exchange (ReMIX), the Malacca Strait Patrols Information System (MSP-IS) and other sense-making systems. Navies from regional groupings such as the WPNS and Malacca Straits Patrols were invited to attach International Liaison Officers (ILOs) to the IFC. These ILOs play an important role as they facilitate information sharing and better coordination when responding to maritime threats.

Last month, a Singapore warship disrupted a sea robbery on a Malaysian tugboat in the Straits of Singapore.  The sea robbers attempted to evade arrest by speeding into Indonesian territorial water. The IFC officers were able to coordinate responses with the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet Sea Security Group and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Both countries deployed their naval assets to search for the robbers. Three robbers were subsequently arrested and the stolen cargo was recovered. This incident highlighted the close cooperation between the regional navies and maritime enforcement agencies as well as the utility of the IFC.



America's Navy

Pacific Fleet

MINDEF

Maritime Executive

Naval Today

Stripes

The Straits Times

The Diplomat

S-400 Surface to Air Missile System

Sputnik News

Sukhoi Su-34 'Fullback'

The Su-34 'Fullback' started life as the Su-27IB, a developmental fighter bomber in the mould of the F-111 but without the swing-wing. Sukhoi Design Bureau adopted the same side by side sitting arrangement as General Dynamic's F-111. However, the design probably is influenced by the Su-24 'Fencer', a F-111 look alike.

The Su-27IB has evolved into the potent Su-34, which entered Russian service in 2014. The Su-34 tasted first blood when it conducted air strikes against opponents of Syria's Assad regime.





Sputnik News

PAF Su-35 vs IAF Su-35?

The Pakistan Air Force is looking to Russia for longer range heavy fighters to complement its recent acquisition of JF-17.  RIA Novosti news agency quoted Assistant of the President, Vladimir Kozhin, that Russia will sell Mi-35M attack helicopters and Su-35 combat aircraft to Pakistan.

In March, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain announced the expansion of military-tie with Russia with the purchase of Mi-35 gunships. The contract for four Mi-35M  attack helicopters was signed in August with Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.  Discussion for 10 - 12 more Mi-35M is on-going. The  Mi-35M (NATO Designation Hind-E) is an upgraded export version of the Mi-24V attack helicopter.

With the Rafale talks dragging, India is also turning its eye to Russia. India is reportedly interested in the Su-35. With the keen rivalry between the two neighbours, it is interesting that Russia is supplying arms to both sides.

Russia and India Report

Defense News Asia

Soha News

Sputnik News

NIE 16.1 - Remote Controlled Weapon System for Augmenting Perimeter Security

US Army

Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) is the Army's soldier-led evaluations of various concept and technologies. NIE 16.1 is held at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, from Sept. 25 through Oct. 8, 2015. NIE 16.1 is special because it is also the final proof of concept for Army Warfighting Assessments (AWAs) on informing network and non-network requirements to support Force 2025 and Beyond.  AWAs are large-scale exercises that will commence in in 2017.

New technologies evaluated during NIE 16.1 include coalition network capabilities, expeditionary command posts, operational energy capabilities, and manned/unmanned teaming (air and ground robotics). The video shows a remotely controlled weapon system deployed on a tower for security perimeter of an expeditionary camp. The system can be fired from inside the command post using a camera sight.

With a network of weaponized towers guarding the perimeter, a commander can afford to have more soldiers deployed for operations and other duties. Two soldiers inside the camp's operation center can effectively guard the camp perimeter, a task that previously require ten soldiers.

Defense- Aerospace

US Army

Carbon Fiber Bomb Approved for Export

The United States Air Force is interested in restarting the production of BLU-129/B, a bomb made of carbon fiber that is designed to cause less collateral damage. The production run will cater for USAF requirement and for export customer already cleared for JDAM.

The 227kg (500lb) bomb unit can be mated to JDAM tail kits and other weapon tailkits that interface with the standard 500lb bomb body shape.

The BLU-129/B Precision Lethality 227kg (500lb) MK82 was funded as a Quick Reaction Capability acquisition program in response to a United States Central Command's Joint Urgent Operational Need for a low collateral damage weapon. Also known as the Very Low Collateral Damage Weapon (VLCDW). It is more commonly referred to as a Precision Lethality Mk 82, or PL Mk 82. The BLU-129/B uses carbon-fiber-wound construction for the warhead casing instead of steel casing.  The carbon-fiber-wound bomb body would disintegrates instead of fragmenting, which adds explosive force nearby, but lowers collateral damage.


US Air Force

Aerojet Rocketdyne

Flight Global

Materials Today

Armata Prompts UK Battle Tank Review

UK's main battle tank fleet, some 227 Challenger 2, may be upgraded or replaced as the threat from an ever assertive Russia looms more ominously.

An upgrade of UK's main battle tank capabilities is being considered at the highest level in the British Army. This is partly prompted by the unveiling of Russia's new-generation T-14 Armata main battle tank earlier in May during the Moscow Victory Day Parade.

The possibility of a Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme was first discussed last year. However, the main battle tank capability upgrade will have to compete for defence dollars against other armoured vehicle programmes such as the Warrior and Scout Reconnaissance Specialist vehicle.  The Scout programme alone has already cost tax payers four billion pounds.
The planned out-of-service date for the Challenger 2 is 2025.


A look back at the Challenger 2 MBT

Janes

Sunday Express

Defense News
UK Parliament

Indian Navy Commissioned INS Kochi Destroyer

On 30 September 15, the Indian Navy commissioned its latest destroyer, the INS Kochi. At 7500 tonnes, she is one of the largest destroyers in the world. Aside from her size, what makes Kochi so potent is her state-of-the-art sensors and weapon systems. Kochi is equipped with the Israeli built MF-STAR phased array radar which is capable of tracking multiple targets several hundreds of kilometres away. The radar is paired with the new vertical launch Barak-8 which can engage aerial taregts up to 100 kilometres away. Other armament includes two multi-role naval helicopters, BrahMos cruise missiles, torpedoes, RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid Gun and 30mm AK-630 close-in weapon gun mounts.  The sensors installed are EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active phased-array radar, RAWL-02 Mk 3 L-band radar and a Atlas Elektronic low-frequency active towed-array sensor (to be installed in 2016). The Kochi is the second in a class of three Kolkata class destroyers being built by Mazgaon Docks in Mumbai. The Kolkata class destroyer measures 164 metres in length and 17 metres at the beam.  Propulsion is provided by four gas turbines, giving a top speed in excess of 30 knots. The destroyer is manned by about 40 officers and 350 sailors.


Video Tour of Kochi

CNN News Clip

Indian Express

Economic Times

ndtv

IBN

Z News

India Prepares to Induct Tejas

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to accept 120 indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. According to Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, the Tejas fighters be inducted as it is and be upgraded later.

This meant that the IAF has scrapped a plan to develop an upgraded version of the Tejas, the Mk II.  It was reported that the current version of the Tejas has 12 deficiencies with another 45 that were resolved. However, IAF which  urgently needs replacement fighters, will accept the Tejas if they are fitted with an AESA radar, new electronic warfare suit, refueling capability and improved missiles.

The IAF currently has 33 combat squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 39.5, which is sought to be raised to 42. The gap will widen further with three squadrons being phased out this year. The Tejas will eventually equip six fighter squadrons.

DD News

Daily Mail

Catchnews

India Today

Times of India

Russian Air Operations in Syria - Latakia

Boeing and BAE System to Develop New EW Suite for F-15

The US Air Force has selected Boeing as the prime contractor to install a new, all-digital Electronic Warfare suite for its F-15 fleet. BAE Systems will be the subcontractor to develop the new Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS).

The program is valued at $4 billion and will replace the legacy Tactical Electronic Warfare System on 413 F-15Es and F-15Cs.

The EPAWSS will providing both offensive and defensive electronic warfare capabilities with fully integrated radar warning, geo-location, situational awareness, and self-protection solutions.  The upgrade will allow the F-15 to detect and defeat airborne threats in signal-dense contested and highly contested environments. It will also allow the F-15 penetrate an enemy's modern integrated air defense systems.

The EPAWSS program is part of a larger effort to upgrade the F-15 fleet to allow it to remain combat effective through to 2040.  US Air Force is also procuring a long-wave infrared search and track (IRST) for the F-15Cs for their air superiority missions. The IRST will allow beyond-visual range (BVR) identification of enemy aircraft, allowing the operators to discern the number and possibly type of aircraft flying in a formation.

Aviation Week

Air Force Times

BAE Systems

Boeing

intelligent-aerospace.com

USAF C-130J Crashed in Afghanistan

A C-130J from 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, crashed at approximately 12:19 am at the airport of Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province. Eleven people, six American soldiers and five contractors, were killed. Four of the airmen were deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; and the other two came from Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts,

USAF announced that investigation was underway but the crash was not caused by enemy action.



ChannelNewsAsia

US Air Force

Air Force Times

Pajhwok

Daily Mail

Saudi Arabia Denied Responsibility for Deadly Air Strikes in Yemen that Killed Civilians

Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in helicopter air strikes that reportedly killed civilians.  CNN reported that deadly air strikes on a village by attack helicopters killed 30 civilians on Sunday, Sep 27.

The village attacked was Bani Zela, located about 6 miles from the Saudi border. In an interview to CNN, Gen. Zakariya al-Khulani of the Yemeni Defense Ministry reported that the number of casualties could increase as there were people trapped under the rubbles.

According to Reuter, a resident of Bani Zela reported that helicopters fired rockets at his village. He claimed that the helicopters returned for a second attack while residents and medic were trying to rescue the casualties. 

However, Brigadier-General Ahmed al-Asseri from the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, told Reuters that no helicopter operation was conducted in the area for the past three days.  He mentioned that 'people sometimes cannot distinguish between cannon, mortar and Katyusha' and that not every explosion in Yemen was caused by the coalition.

A few days earlier, CBS News reported on air strikes on a wedding celebration in al-Wahga, a village in the Taiz province near the strait of Bab al-Mandab. At least 38 civilians, mostly women and children were killed. According to Reuter, residents reported that two missiles struck tents where a local man affiliated with the Houthi group was holding a wedding reception. A source at Maqbana hospital later reported that dead toll had risen to 131.

Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition in support of the exiled Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Earlier this year, Operation Decisive Storm was launched against the Houthis, an Iran-backed Shiite rebel group who had overthrown President Hadi.  The capital of Sanaa in the central province of Marib was the focus of operations by the coalition.  The Houthis still control most of Yemen’s north.

Operation Decisive Storm

Aljazeera

CBS News

Reuter