Commentary on J-15 Fatal Crash

Chinese observers commented on the finding of the cause of fatal J-15 crash on 27 April 2016.  There was interest on whether this indicated a delay in operationalising the Liaoning, China's sole aircraft carrier. Meanwhile, other Chinese media published reports on the largest complement of aircraft yet seen on the Liaoning - a total of eight J-15 fighters and two helicopters.

SCMP

Japan to Beef Up F-15 Fleet to Counter China

The Japan Defense Ministry is requesting additional funding for maintenance of the hard used F-15J fleet which have been scrambled more often to counter Chinese fighters. It is asking to buy more missiles to increase the number of air-to-air missiles available for each fighter.

It was reported that The Japanese Self Defense Force aimed to double the number of missiles carried by each F-15J to 16. However, this is not practical.  While the F-15J can carry up to 16 air-to-air missiles, flying often with live missiles will reduce their service life significantly. Carrying a full load of missiles also serves no practical purpose other than for saber rattling.  Without air-to-air refuelling, a Japanese fighter is unlikely to stay in aerial combat over the disputed air space long enough to need 16 missiles. The Chinese is not going to offer a mass gaggle of targets for a Japanese fighter to ripple off 16 missiles. It is more likely that the Japanese are replenishing their missile stock.  Some of their existing missiles are probably down for repair.  Flying will subject the sensitive seeker head to degradation from the elements.

Nikkei Asian Review

Japan Offering Larger Coast Guard Ships to the Philippine

Japan and the Philippine have begun talks for two 90-meter multi-role response vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard as part of a military aid deal. This is to help the Philippines patrol the disputed South China Sea.

The two brand-new ships will be in addition to ten 44-meter multi-role response vessels, worth 8.8 billion pesos, that Japan will be delivering between 2016 to 2018. The first 44-meter vessel is expected to be delivered in September 2016. These ships have a standard cruising speed of 16 knots, and a range of 1,500 nautical miles. They will be deployed to various PCG Districts across the country, including Manila, La Union, and Puerto Prinsesa.  The ships will be named after the primary lighthouses in the country to denote the importance of the lighthouse to the maritime community.




Straits Times

Depart of Transportation and Communication, Philippine

philstar

China's Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter J-20

Video footage of a J-20 taking off. Much is still unknown about this aircraft which is still in developmental stage. The first photograph was 'leaked' on the internet in Dec 2010, showing a prototype aircraft performing a runway test. The first flight was conducted on 11 Jan 2011.

The J-20 is assessed to have started low rate initial production stage in 2016. It is assessed to have stealth features such as recessed weapon bays (two lateral bays and one larger main weapon bay). It is also equipped with infra-red distributed aperture and electro-optical sensors flushed under the fuselage to allow for stealth mode targeting without using the radar.

Defense-update

scmp

V-280 Valor Tilt Rotor Aircraft

The Bell V-280 Valor tilt rotor aircraft is presented as a potential replacement for the US Army's UH-60 Black Hawk. It certainly has impressive performance as compared to the Black Hawk. Able to carry 14 troops in addition to 4 aircrew at a speed of 280 KTAS for up to a combat range of between 500 nm to 800 nm. Load carry capacity is more than 12,000 lb. The latest UH-60M Black Hawk can carry 11 troop at 151 kt to a combat range of up to 120 nm.

The V-280 Valor is smaller than the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey which can carry 24 troop and 3 aircrew. But this also means that it is cheaper and easier to produce. The first flight of the V-280 is expected in Sep 2017.

The competitor to V-280 under the multi-service Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme is the Boeing Sikosrky SB-1 Defiant, a co-axial rotor helicopter based on Sikorsky’s S-97 design. The rear mounted pusher propeller will enable the SB-1 to attain speed of up to 250 knots. The SB-1 will carry 12 troop and 4 aircrew.

scmp.com

flightglobal

China Develops World Largest Amphibious Aircraft

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) unveiled the AG600 in Zhuhai on 23 July. With a length of 37 m and a wing span of 38.8 m, the four egines AG600 is the world's largest amphibious aircraft. The turboprop aircraft has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 53.5 tonnes; a maximum cruising speed of 500 km per hour. With a maximum flight range of 4,500 km, and a maximum endurance of 12 hours, it's envisaged missions are firefighting and maritime surveillance. It requires an open stretch of water that is at least 1,500 m long, 200 m wide, and just 2.5 m deep to take off and land.

Israel Unveil New 8 x 8 Armoured Personnel Carrier

Israel’s Ministry of Defense has unveiled the Eitan, a new 8×8 armored personnel carrier. The armoured vehicle is developed by the Ministry’s Tank Development Program Directorate (Mantak), as a possible successor for the tracked M-113 in Israeli service.  The design took into account the lessons learned in recent combat operations in Gaza. So the 35 tonne vehicle is protected by the Trophy anti-projectile system as well passive measures such as high ground clearance and run flat tyres. The Eitan transport 9 infantry at a maximum road speed of +90 km/h (56 mp/h).