tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35891059450541215242024-03-05T21:42:54.608-08:00AviatecUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-50276934132844285012015-08-31T14:20:00.000-07:002015-09-09T16:25:13.580-07:00United States Deploy F-22 Raptor to Europe<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
United States deploy F-22 fighter jets to Europe as part of a broader
effort to support eastern European members of the NATO alliance unnerved by
Russia's intervention in Ukraine, Air Force Secretary Deborah James said on
Monday.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjYF0W2Oxsko6QsWsH2kqmYKpQx9RAeI9MlAC07YcbXFWgQzeOfIW7mKlqKR_5bXFVwVq66bz5VsobFMJx045H5qFIktWnBwah3bXkOUfnmZSOPpMzl0_TtPOx-Qe9rV6CQHpDpHt4FBs/s1600/1406982128621627307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjYF0W2Oxsko6QsWsH2kqmYKpQx9RAeI9MlAC07YcbXFWgQzeOfIW7mKlqKR_5bXFVwVq66bz5VsobFMJx045H5qFIktWnBwah3bXkOUfnmZSOPpMzl0_TtPOx-Qe9rV6CQHpDpHt4FBs/s320/1406982128621627307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Four US Air Force F-22 Raptors touched
down in Germany on Friday, marking the start of the fighter jet’s first-ever
training deployment to Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Four F-22s and 60
airmen from the 95th Fighter Squadron arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base,
Germany, on Friday, according to an Aug. 28 statement. One C-17
Globemaster III from the 60th Airlift Wing touched down along with
the jets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft and
airmen will train with allied and US forces through mid-September,
according to the statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“This inaugural Raptor training deployment is
the perfect opportunity for these advanced aircraft to train alongside other
U.S. Air Force aircraft, joint partners, and NATO allies,” Gen. Frank
Gorenc, US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, said in
the statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The training is
designed to prove that fifth-generation fighter jets can successfully deploy to
European bases and other NATO installations, as well as familiarize pilots with
the regional theater. The deployment also will give the US planes a chance to
conduct combat air training with different US and European jets, such as the
Eurofighter Typhoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s important we
test our infrastructure, aircraft capabilities, and the talented airmen and
allies who will host 5th generation aircraft in Europe,” Gorenc said. “This
deployment advances our airpower evolution and demonstrates our resolve and
commitment to European safety and security.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">Air Force announced</span> Monday that the
service would send F-22s to Europe for the first time, just weeks after top
Pentagon brass began openly calling Russia the greatest threat to the United
States. The deployment is part of the European Reassurance Initiative, a Pentagon
effort to soothe anxiety among European allies in the face of increased Russian
aggression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Air Force Secretary
Deborah Lee James made clear during an Aug. 24 press conference at the
Pentagon that the Raptor’s “inaugural” deployment to Europe was designed to send
a signal to Russia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Rotational
forces and training exercises help us maintain our strong and balanced
approach, and we will certainly be continuing those in the future," she
said. "For the Air Force, an F-22 deployment is certainly on the strong
side of the coin."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-766420966714983692015-08-30T23:18:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:52:43.863-07:00Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" Russian Attack Helicopter<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
first Ka-52 helicopter was rolled out in December 1996. The helicopter
completed its first flight in June 1997. The serial production of Ka-52 began
in 2008 at Progress Arsenyev Aviation plant in the Primorye region of Russia.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXujzlVQn9QXRxKnx7ORTP9sowYIoHGNwpQoAeyp3d93b2yLXjSMSW9iiuwa3Sif7aMZtEI9yovesgj984OgjfDxLZ0DJT8MKSls65OO6jX9y6pUzsYi3td6mPq6zoOQkaL2u1iVFiKTnK/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXujzlVQn9QXRxKnx7ORTP9sowYIoHGNwpQoAeyp3d93b2yLXjSMSW9iiuwa3Sif7aMZtEI9yovesgj984OgjfDxLZ0DJT8MKSls65OO6jX9y6pUzsYi3td6mPq6zoOQkaL2u1iVFiKTnK/s1600/images.jpg" title="Ka-52 Alligator" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
Ka-52 Alligator is a next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter
designed to destroy tanks, armoured and non-armoured ground targets, and enemy
troops and helicopters both on the front line and in tactical reserves. The
helicopter can operate around the clock and in all weathers. The Ka-52 can
provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter teams and ground
troop command and control centres. It can also provide fire support for troop
landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Ka-52
incorporates a slightly modified design of the Ka-50 helicopter. The helicopter
features a wider nose and an extended fuselage due to its twin-seat cockpit.
The commonality of the airframe, components and systems of the two variants is
about 85%.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
helicopter has a length of 16m, height of 4.9m and main rotor diameter of
14.5m. The maximum take-off weight of the Ka-52 is 10,800kg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The twin-seat cockpit accommodates two crew
members in side-by-side arrangement. Both the crew members are seated on
identical K-37-800M ejection seats. The modern glass cockpit is equipped with a
head-up-display (HUD), four SMD 66 multifunction displays, helmet-mounted sight
display, image intensifiers and a GPS receiver. The helicopter also integrates
a FAZOTRON cabin desk radio-locator and navigation and attack system for
helicopters (NASH).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In September 2012 Russian Helicopters, a
subsidiary of Oboronprom, signed a long-term contract with Ramenskoye Design
Company (RDC) for deliveries of avionics equipment. As part of the contract,
RDC is responsible for the supply of avionics packages for Ka-52 attack
helicopter and Ka-52K advanced ship-based variant between 2013 and 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Armaments on the Attack Helicopter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The starboard side of the fuselage
is fitted with a NPPU-80 movable gun mount installed with 2A42 30mm automatic
gun. The six wing-mounted external hardpoints can be attached with different
combinations of weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The hardpoints can carry VIKHR
anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), ATAKA missiles with laser guidance system and
B8V-20 rocket launchers for 80mm unguided S-8 rockets. VIKHR anti-tank missile
has a range of eight to ten kilometres. The Ka-52s can also be armed with
IGLA-V anti-aircraft guided missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Engines and Performance of Russia's
Ka-52<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ka-52 Alligator is powered by
two Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines driving two coaxial contra-rotating main
rotors. Each engine produces a maximum take-off power of 2,400hp. The engines
are equipped with a new full authority digital control system (FADEC).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ka-52 helicopter can fly at a
maximum altitude of 5,500m. The maximum and cruise speeds of the helicopter are
300km/h and 260km/h respectively. The helicopter can climb at a rate of 12m/s.
The Ka-52 has a practical flight range of 460km, while its ferry flight range
is 1,110km.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sensors, Radars and Countermeasures<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ka-52 helicopter is fitted with
a mast-mounted radome housing a Phazotron FH-01 Millimeter Wave Radar (MMW)
radar with two antennas for aerial and ground targets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The countermeasures are supported by
active IR and electronic jammers, radar warning receiver (RWR), laser detection
system, IR missile approach warning sensor and UV-26 flare / chaff dispensers
in wing-tip fairings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-82657693669782683332015-08-20T22:19:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:52:57.034-07:00Textron AirLand Scorpion - The Scorpion ISR / Strike Aircraft<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">The
development of the Scorpion aircraft was commenced in January 2012, with the
objective of producing the most economical jet-powered light attack aircraft in
the world.</span><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">The
first prototype was unveiled during the Air Force Association Air & Space
Conference and Technology Exposition in September 2013. The first flight was
conducted at the McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas in December 2013.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMZyBYaQRlglthgbLI5uqTsmUKRjNkAwoWRN1Z8O_hoDOE4bNqhuIEa_IOS_vSALWZGifoX-kP275AhbSJ-gw2Up-_vm7zMrDyBvmM8eekXbjL4b6YK-BQror9gQvGTaN7F3eoGMcdyMO/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMZyBYaQRlglthgbLI5uqTsmUKRjNkAwoWRN1Z8O_hoDOE4bNqhuIEa_IOS_vSALWZGifoX-kP275AhbSJ-gw2Up-_vm7zMrDyBvmM8eekXbjL4b6YK-BQror9gQvGTaN7F3eoGMcdyMO/s1600/images.jpg" title="Textron AirLand Scorpion" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
/ Strike aircraft is being developed by Textron AirLand, a joint venture
between Textron and AirLand Enterprises.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft is capable of
performing air defence, irregular warfare, border patrol, maritime security,
disaster relief and counter-drug missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">The Scorpion aircraft features an all-composite
airframe and structure powered by twin turbofan engines. Its fuselage
integrates a tandem cockpit, retractable sensor package, internal payload bay
and external mounts for precision and non-precision munitions. The
corrosion-resistant airframe offers 20,000 hours of service life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft is designed to integrate globally-available
commercial components for reducing the total cost of ownership. The modular
architecture of the aircraft allows for future integration of various sensors
and weapon systems with reduced integration costs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The internal payload bay is
designed to deliver critical operational flexibility, by quickly accepting new
payloads for different operational requirements. It can house various modules
of sensors, fuel and communications in desirable combination to achieve high
performance during a wide range of missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion has a length of
13.25m, wing span of 14.42m and height of 4.26m. The standard weight of the
aircraft is 5,352kg. The internal payload bay can accommodate a weight of
1,360kg, while the aircraft can carry a maximum payload of 4,286kg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Engines and performance of Textron
AirLand's aircraft<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion is powered by two Honeywell TFE731-40AR-3S turbofan
engines, each developing a thrust of approximately 4,000lbf (18kN).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The engines are controlled by a
digital electronic engine control system. The electrical and hydraulic systems
are powered by the accessories mounted above the engine gearbox. The aircraft
has the capacity to carry a fuel load of 2,721kg. The engines burn Jet-A, JP-5
and JP-8 jet fuels. The aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 450KTAS. The
certified service ceiling is 45,000ft. The aircraft will have a ferry range of
2,400nmi. It will be able to remain on-station for more than five hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Weapon
Systems, Sensors and Radars on the Scorpion Aircraft<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion ISR / Strike
aircraft can be armed with a range of scaled munitions for indulgent military
and homeland security environments. The aircraft can carry an array of weapons
systems on its external hard points under the wings. Three under-wing hard
points on either side of the fuselage can hold precision guided munitions
(PGMs) and general purpose munitions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion can be integrated
with a variety of sensors, electro-optical / infrared devices and communication
packages to perform various missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft will be offered
with dedicated mission sensor systems, for conducting boarder security,
maritime patrol, irregular warfare support, law enforcement, counter narcotics
and humanitarian assistance / disaster response missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Scorpion
Strike / ISR Aircraft Cockpit and Avionics<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scorpion aircraft
accommodates two pilots in tandem layout. The two cockpits are equipped with
advanced multifunction colour displays, providing the details of flight
characteristics, aircraft operation, navigation and armament data.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The avionics suite integrates
inherent Flight Management System (FMS), Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning
System (TAWS), engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS), dual Air
Data, Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (ADAHRS), dual GPS/Satellite Based
Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and integrated moving maps. The nigh-vision
compatible cockpit also offers instrumentation for weather radar control,
display of external video and digital<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #00395a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">flight data recording.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-76836209787911746992015-08-15T14:53:00.002-07:002015-09-10T04:02:29.116-07:00Russian Fighter Aircraft Can Easily Defeats The New US F-35's<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, described by US media as “a pure
gold plane” for its exorbitant price tag, would find itself helpless in a dogfight
with Russia’s fourth-generation Su-27 and MiG-29 jets, Pierre Sprey said.</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg16qBV_xtFArppmMnPWIXeyfTM2riIKKfd_aDnppZvOlfd6JBc6HdeYuDZWg8kR8LxBBPZYstfLzT7mqKStkiBtb0Y9k67wY_vfreKXnsI16jYLU62jdiYyWw_QjYUCaMILgQ6JJfrmf/s1600/unduhan+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg16qBV_xtFArppmMnPWIXeyfTM2riIKKfd_aDnppZvOlfd6JBc6HdeYuDZWg8kR8LxBBPZYstfLzT7mqKStkiBtb0Y9k67wY_vfreKXnsI16jYLU62jdiYyWw_QjYUCaMILgQ6JJfrmf/s1600/unduhan+%25282%2529.jpg" title="F-35" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The Su-27 and even the MiG-29 have bigger wing space, more powerful
engines and carry more air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons… That’s why the
F-35 will be totally helpless against both because when you confront a plane,
which is more maneuverable, accelerates faster and is better armed then you are
in trouble,” he added.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Few people are as qualified to speak about fighter
aircraft as Pierre Sprey. He is the co-designer of the F-16 Falcon jet and the
A-10 Warthog tank buster, two of the most successful aircraft in the US Air
Force.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The F-35 is so bad it is absolutely hopeless when pitted against modern
aircraft. In fact, it would be ripped to shreds even by the antiquated MiG-21,”
Sprey told RT, commenting on a recent expert report, which dismissed the F-35
project as a total failure.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> According to a report released by the National
Security Network, the DOD plans to purchase and operate nearly 2, 500 aircrafts
costing US around $1.4 trillion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In light of that,
analyst Bill French wrote a report titled “Thunder without lightning: high
cost and limited benefit development program of F-35,” reviewing the new
aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The document states
that according to the technical parameters the F-35 is “losing to the
fourth-generation fighter MiG-29 and Su-27, developed by the Russian Air
Force and used around the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft are
superior in technical performance than the new US fighter aircraft
F-35. The conclusion was reached by the American analyst Bill French,
working for a non-profit organization National Security Network.“The F-35
is significantly inferior to the Russian Su-27 and MiG-29 in regard
to wing loading (exception — F35C), acceleration and thrust-weight ratio
(the ratio of thrust to weight of the aircraft),” said the
analyst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides, all
of the F-35s have significantly lower maximum speed as compared
to the Soviet Union aircrafts. Mr. French also deliberated that in a
simulation of air combat, the results draw even “grimmer picture.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">According to him,
in 2009 the analysts of US Air Force Intelligence and the Lockheed
Martin Company, which developed the new American fighter, noted that
despite the superiority of the F-35 in regard to stealth
technology and avionics, if compared to the Su-27 and MiG —29 the
loss ratio is to be expected 3: 1. That is, for each destroyed Su-27
or MiG-29 there would be three F-35 destroyed. Also, in a real educational
dogfight, a veteran in a US Air Force F-16 easily won over the F-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The latter clearly did
not have enough maneuverability — the aircraft never managed to take
a position for launching missiles or firing a gun, while the F-16 managed
to catch opponent in sight at least 10 times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier the problems
associated with the F-35 were also noticed in Australia. News.com.au
compared the F- 35 to the latest fifth-generation T-50 fighter. The portal
noted, judging by the videos, the Russian aircraft significantly exceeds
US maneuverability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-4496380532157540002015-08-15T14:27:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:39:00.236-07:00Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The Sniper Advanced
Targeting Pod (ATP) is the targeting system of choice for both the U.S. Air
Force and Air National Guard and recently became an even more valuable bit of
kit when it successfully demonstrated its compatibility with the launch of a
Maverick missile from an adjacent A-10C wing pylon. Combat proven on the F-15E
and F-16, Sniper’s advanced targeting technology and features are changing the
way the armed forces operate in theatre by providing new capabilities in
non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The
Sniper is understandably very sensitive – in order to do its job, it contains a
high-resolution, mid wave 3rd generation forward looking infrared (FLIR), a
dual-mode laser and a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser
marker. The advanced image processing algorithms, combined with rock steady
stabilization techniques, provide cutting-edge performance but there are
obvious issues in firing the rockets it does the precision strike mission
targeting for when they are just a few inches away. The ability to fire
missiles so close to the Sniper ATP uniquely qualifies Sniper for this weapon
configuration, doubling the previous A-10C Maverick loadout capabilities.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgnlGjgzML4UVAt73os7njxVov2wgCQbAm25TMJF64UAuo_yq0Qofc3qB2_a69VC5ab-nJU8PPS6_HHCB3r9kiWLDfBRrcJXreS8YZFLh8fRFfHfdv3BIjTBrnm9a8w6GYfjzQxGMxWgJ/s1600/unduhan+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgnlGjgzML4UVAt73os7njxVov2wgCQbAm25TMJF64UAuo_yq0Qofc3qB2_a69VC5ab-nJU8PPS6_HHCB3r9kiWLDfBRrcJXreS8YZFLh8fRFfHfdv3BIjTBrnm9a8w6GYfjzQxGMxWgJ/s1600/unduhan+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Sniper Targeting Pod" /></a></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sniper is an electro-optical and infrared imaging
targeting system that comes encased in a lightweight pod compatible with the
latest precision-guided weapons. The pod is affixed to the bottom of aircraft
for detecting moving and fixed targets during air-to-air and air-to-ground
engagements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's Sniper XR
(eXtended Range) is the US Air Force's AN/AAQ-X Advanced Targeting Pod.
Incorporating a 3rd generation targeting FLIR, Sniper XR's common aperture and
exceptional stabilization result in superior image quality. Flown
supersonically in USAF flight evaluations at Edwards AFB, Sniper XR allows
pilots to identify tactical targets at greatly improved standoff ranges over
current targeting systems. The modular, two-level maintenance design ensures
the lowest life cycle costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The ATP pod should have a geopointing capability 10 times
more accurate than the LANTIRN with triple the recognition range and twice the
resolution. The ATP can acquire targets at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet,
versus the 25,000 feet typical of the LANTIRN pod. Substantial advances in the
reliability and maintainability should also occur. The ATP features both laser
target designation, and the ability to generate ground target position data
that can provide an input to Global Positioning System guided munitions, such
as JDAM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sniper XR is designed for current and future fighter
aircraft. Incorporating a high-resolution, mid-wave 3rd generation FLIR, a
dual-mode laser and a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser
marker, Sniper vastly improves target detection/identification. The advanced
image processing algorithms, combined with rock-steady stabilization
techniques, deliver three times the performance of the best systems in service
today. Fully compatible with the latest standoff weaponry, Sniper provides
automatic tracking and laser designation of tactical size targets via real-time
imagery presented on cockpit displays. Likewise, the supersonic, low-observable
design results in a substantial reduction in drag and weight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fully capable of being embedded or podded, Sniper
technology is incorporated into Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
design. The JSF Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is highly common with
Sniper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Advanced Targeting Pod Program is an acquisition
program to put targeting pods on the US F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and also serve
as a possible replacement for the LANTIRN target pods on F-15Es and F-16 Block
40 aircraft if approved and funding becomes available. The HTS R7 / TGP
combination provides potential to find, pinpoint, and destroy mobile SAMs,
giving the F-16CJs a true multi-role capability to support EAF operations. The
program objective was to provide a Precision Attack Targeting System for the
USAF F-16CJ, ANG F-16, and F-15E aircraft, (with an A-10 MSIP & F-16 Block
40 M4 objective). For the F-15E portion, offerors were required to identify the
tasks and activities necessary to qualify the pod on the F-15E. The A-10 was
the other objective aircraft, though initially an initiative had not been
undertaken to include ATP on the A-10. ATP would enhance and maintain the USAF
strike mission lethality with an advanced targeting pod system enabling
Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (DEAD) missions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The overall purpose of the Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP)
Program is to Competitively Acquire a Best Estimated Quantity (BEQ) of 168
targeting pods, support equipment, interim contractor support, contractor
logistics support, retrofit kits and data over a seven year period. The initial
acquisition supported USAF F-16 Block 50/52 and ANG F-16 Block 25/30/32
aircraft. This acquisition was required for ACC and the ANG to accomplish the
Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) mission (as directed by CSAF
Direction.) Although categorized as an ACAT Level III program, a potential
existed that the program could proceed to ACAT Level II -- for the ORD also
stated an objective requirement to replace the LANTIRN targeting pod on the
F-15E and F-16 Block 40 aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Terminator ATP, proposed by Raytheon for use on the
U.S. Air Force F-16, contains third generation mid-wave infrared targeting and
navigation FLIRs, an electro-optical sensor, a laser rangefinder and target
designator, and a laser spot tracker. The ATP prototype was flight tested on
F-16 and F-15E aircraft with impressive results: verified superior long-range
standoff FLIR target detection, recognition, identification, and tracking. The
proven accuracy of its long-range laser-to-FLIR continuous auto-boresight
alignment ensures first-pass kill and a higher probability of catastrophic
kill. The Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28 LITENING was also competing for the SAF
Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The award of a single contract was anticipated 15 July
2001. The contract would be structured to provide for seven years of ATP
requirements. The contract type anticipated was Fixed Price, Indefinite
Delivery, Indefinite Quantity, with a Best Estimated Quantity of 168 pods.
Total potential quantity was approximately 505 pods. The planned requirements
included the advanced targeting pod, required support equipment, pod
refurbishment and retrofit kits, aircraft pylons, interim contractor support,
contractor logistics support, test support and shipping containers. The ATP
would be acquired as a Non Developmental Item (NDI). The requirements also
included an availability warranty. The ATP would be acquired through the use of
full and open competition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Delivery Order 1 was intended to cover FY 01 activities.
These activities included preparation time for the F-16 Block 30 SIL test; but,
SIL testing wasn't scheduled to begin until October 2001 - FY 02. The
government intended to place CLIN 0008 on contract with the following year's
(FY02) delivery order. This next delivery order covered the period of intense
QT&E and QOT&E activity; so, ICS was needed on this particular delivery
order to support the testing activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The February 2001 Final Report of the Defense Science
Board (DSB) Task Force on Options for Acquisition of the Advanced Targeting Pod
and Advanced Targeting FLIR Pod (ATP/ATFLIR) recommended that the Department
continues with both the Navy's ATFLIR program and the Air Force ATP program as
then planned since it offered the most expeditious and cost-effective option to
fielding a much needed capability. A redesign of the Navy version to
accommodate Air Force needs for an in-pod cooling system may result in a pod
that is too large for F-18 carrier operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On 20 August 2001 the US Air Force announced Lockheed
Martin's Sniper XR (eXtended Range) system as the winner of its Advanced
Targeting Pod (ATP) competition. This 7-year contract with potential value in
excess of $843 million marked the first deployment of 3rd generation targeting
pods for the U.S. Air Force. The contract provided for up to 522 pods and
associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 aircraft for both the Air
Force and Air National Guard. Sniper XR pods will initially equip the U.S. Air
Force's F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and the Air National Guard's F-16 Block 30
aircraft. Follow-on acquisitions were destined for the F-16 Block 40 and F-15E
fleets, as well as many interested international customers, bringing product
potential to several billion dollars. The scheduled contract delivery date was
January 2003.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sniper pods provide improved long-range target
detection/identification and continuous stabilized surveillance for all
missions, including close air support of ground forces. The Sniper pod enables
aircrews to detect and identify weapon caches and individuals carrying
armaments, all outside jet noise ranges. Superior imagery, a video datalink and
J-series-weapons-quality coordinates provided by the Sniper pod enable rapid
target decisions and keep aircrews out of threat ranges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">High resolution imagery for non-traditional intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (NTISR) enables the Sniper pod to play a major
role in Air Force operations in theater, providing top cover for ground forces,
as well as increasing the safety of civilian populations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sniper pod is combat proven on U.S. Air Force and
international F-15E, F-16 (all blocks), B-1, A-10C, Harrier GR7/9 and CF-18
aircraft. Lockheed Martin is also in the final stages of integrating the Sniper
pod on the B-52. The pod's plug-and-play capability facilitates moving the pod
across platforms without changing software.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sniper pods include a high definition mid-wave forward
looking infrared (FLIR), dual-mode laser, HDTV, laser spot tracker, laser
marker, video data link, and a digital data recorder. Advanced image processing
algorithms, combined with rock steady stabilization techniques, provide
cutting-edge performance. The pod features automatic tracking and laser
designation of tactical size targets via real-time imagery presented on cockpit
displays. The Sniper pod is fully compatible with the latest J-series munitions
for precision weapons delivery against multiple moving and fixed targets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE)
design upgrades include enhanced sensors, advanced processors, and automated
NTISR modes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sniper pod's architecture and modular design permits
true two-level maintenance, eliminating costly intermediate-level support.
Automated built-in test permits flightline maintainers to isolate and replace
an LRU in under 20 minutes. Spares are ordered through a user-friendly website
offering in-transit visibility to parts shipment. The Sniper pod's modular design
also offers an affordable road map for modernizing and enhancing precision
targeting capabilities for U.S. Air Force and coalition partner aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sniper was competitively selected to be the U.S. Air
Force's Advanced Targeting Pod in August 2001. The contract provided for pods
and associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 and F-15E aircraft
for the total force, active-duty Air Force and Air National Guard. The Sniper
pod first deployed overseas on F-15E aircraft in January 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sniper pod was originally required for use on U.S.
Air Force F-16, F-15E, and A-10 aircraft. It deployed on the F-16 in 2006, on
the B-1 in 2008 in response to an urgent operational need, and on the A-10C in
2010. It has also been integrated on the B-52.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Sept. 30, 2010, Lockheed Martin received the
60-percent majority contract to continue providing Sniper pods in support of
the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sniper Performance Based Logistics (PBL) program
provides critical sustainment support to the United States Air Force (USAF) and
Air National Guard (ANG) for its fleet of 358 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods
[as of 2014] operating on the A-10, F-15E, F-l6 Block 30-50, B-1, and B-52
aircraft at combat, operational, and training locations around the world. The
Sniper PBL program is built on a governrnent-industry partnership managing and
staffing the organic depot at Robins Air Force Base. The team includes
personnel from Common Avionics within the Agile Combat Support Directorate,
Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC), and Lockheed Martin (LM).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lockheed Martin won a sole-source contract worth nearly
half a billion dollars to supply the US Air Force with precision weapons
targeting pods, according to a statement issued 27 March 2015 by the US
Department of Defense (DoD). “Lockheed Martin … has been awarded a $485,000,000
firm fixed price with minimal cost-plus-fixed-fee,
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Contractor [Lockheed] will
provide multiple Sniper advanced targeting pods,” the statement said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The building of the Sniper pods will be performed at a
Lockheed Martin facility in Orlando, Florida. Development is expected to be
completed by March, 2018. Lockheed also won an $8.9 million contract to provide
ten Sniper targeting pods to the Royal Jordanian Air Force by the end of 2016,
according to the DoD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-81507236114511748912015-08-15T14:10:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:39:28.416-07:00Rockwell Collins F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Developed and built
by the Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC joint venture that includes
Elbit Systems of America (formerly known as Vision Systems International LLC),
the Gen 3 helmet features an improved night-vision camera, improved
liquid-crystal displays, automated alignment, and software improvements is to
be introduced to the fleet in low-rate initial production Lot 7 in 2016.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqfUy6KlSC3hiy7mdK9Tq42e9cclfg21dBJ9KKojjzDtAeBuLJtl2mBQA7IprXLgs7H-5vXmuTANPdnjtZy0xLLavSqvbZnzy8ThUOV3vEws7hnny7GV0gVP9WApC3slzqvppy_sBjlN/s1600/unduhan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaqfUy6KlSC3hiy7mdK9Tq42e9cclfg21dBJ9KKojjzDtAeBuLJtl2mBQA7IprXLgs7H-5vXmuTANPdnjtZy0xLLavSqvbZnzy8ThUOV3vEws7hnny7GV0gVP9WApC3slzqvppy_sBjlN/s1600/unduhan.jpg" title="F-35 HMDS" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The HMDS, which was
handed over during a ceremony at the company's Cedar Rapids headquarters in
Iowa, is designed to display to the pilot the F-35's more advanced sensor
fusion capabilities. As noted by the company, the Gen 3 HMDS provides the
information via the helmet's visor, with the pilot able to 'see through' the
airframe by means of the Distributed Aperture System (DAS) that streams
real-time imagery from six infrared (IR) cameras mounted around the aircraft to
the helmet.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The first Generation
3 (Gen 3 / III) helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) for the Lockheed Martin
F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been delivered to the Joint
Program Office (JPO)</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rockwell Collins ESA
Vision Systems LLC also developed the Gen 1 (I) helmet, which was used
primarily for flight safety tests, and has delivered 200 of the Gen 2 (II)
helmet that JSF pilots currently use. The Gen 2 helmet was used by the US
Marine Corps (USMC) to declare initial operational capability (IOC) for the
F-35B at the end of July.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Gen 2 helmet,
while still capable of conducting night-flying operations including ship
landings and aerial refuelling, suffers from problems with visual acuity of the
secondary night-vision camera. In light of these problems, BAE Systems was
contracted to build an alternative HMDS, though this was cancelled in 2010 when
the USMC decided that IOC could still be declared with the (then) current Gen 2
helmet (the cancelled BAE Systems helmet was later fed into the company's
Striker II system). </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though not ideal, the Gen 2 helmet is said to be preferable
to conventional night-vision goggles (NVGs) when landing on a ship, according
to the test pilots that have used it. As well as providing
additional capabilities, the latest Gen 3 helmet corrects the visual acuity
problems of the Gen 2 system.</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-62959739731763396922015-08-13T14:45:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:39:48.818-07:00Irbis-E Flanker Family Radar<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Irbis multifunctional radar employs a 900mm passive
phased array antenna mounted on a hydraulic actuator. With electronically
steering, it can scan sectors of 60 degrees in both azimuth and elevation.
Using the hydraulic actuator (mechanical steering), the azimuth coverage boosts
to 120 degrees. It can detect and track up to 30 airborne targets with a Radar
Cross Section (RCS) of three square meters at ranges of 400 kilometers using
track-while-scan mode while engaging two targets with semi-active radar homing
missiles or up to eight targets with active radar homing missiles. In the
air-to-surface mode the Irbis provides clues allowing to attack two surface
targets with precision-guided weapons while tracking up to four targets on the
ground and scanning the horizon searching for airborne threats that can be
engaged using active radar homing missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN5Ggcnh4ctUyT1Bmk4nGiuh5QvmgOKbb-mwhP2_-P8-sqADTVT2zWug_Qg5AU3hxwrhlTlWQ2vRra1Z2uBmGixqsHKBs-CjDRq6kGAz3jfAcAs_4vfPr-ym3WP09YqJylkn-w1O58z3f/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN5Ggcnh4ctUyT1Bmk4nGiuh5QvmgOKbb-mwhP2_-P8-sqADTVT2zWug_Qg5AU3hxwrhlTlWQ2vRra1Z2uBmGixqsHKBs-CjDRq6kGAz3jfAcAs_4vfPr-ym3WP09YqJylkn-w1O58z3f/s1600/images.jpg" title="Irbis-E" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Irbis-E</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">is an advanced multi-mode,
hybrid<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">passive electronically scanned array</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">radar
system developed by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Tikhomirov</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">NIIP
for the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Su-35BM</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">multi-purpose fighter aircraft. NIIP developed the new
radar based on the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Bars radar</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">system
provided to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Su-30MKI</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">/</span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">MKM</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">/MKA aircraft.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Tikhomirov NIIP has provided the ability to spot
super-low-observable targets with RCS = 0.01 square meters at ranges out to 90
kilometers. This capability might allow Su-35 aircraft to engage cruise
missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles as well as fifth generation stealth
fighter aircrafts such as the F/A-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. NIIP and
GRPZ will take care of the Irbis production with the first radar system slated
for installation on the Su-35 in August 2007.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Design</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Irbis-E
development started in 2004 and the first radar prototype entered flight tests
on board an Su-30M2 aircraft acting as a test bed in early 2007. The resulting
radar system provides air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground (ground mapping, <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Doppler beam sharpening</span> and <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Synthetic Aperture Radar</span> modes)
modes with improved performance in intense <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">clutter (radar)</span> environments
compared to its predecessor, the Bars system. In addition, Irbis has been
designed to detect low and super-low observable/stealth airborne threats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">This is an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">X band</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">multi-role
radar with a passive phased antenna array (PAA) mounted on a two-step hydraulic
drive unit (in azimuth and roll). The antenna device scans by an electronically
controlled beam in azimuth and angle of elevation in sectors not smaller than
60°. The two-step electro-hydraulic drive unit additionally turns the antenna
by mechanic means to 60° in azimuth and 120° in roll. Thus, in using the
electronic control and mechanical additional turn of the antenna, the maximum
deflection angle of the beam grows to 120°. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Irbis-E is a direct evolution of the BARS design, but
significantly more powerful. While the hybrid phased array antenna is retained,
the noise figure is slightly worse at 3.5 dB, but the receiver has four rather
than three discrete channels. The biggest change is in the EGSP-27 transmitter,
where the single 7-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok TWT is replaced with a
pair of 10-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok tubes, ganged to provide a total
peak power rating of 20 kilowatts. The radar is cited at an average power
rating of 5 kilowatts, with 2 kilowatts CW rating for illumination. NIIP claim
twice the bandwidth and improved frequency agility over the BARS, and better
ECCM capability. The Irbis-E has new Solo-35.01 digital signal processor
hardware and Solo-35.02 data processor, but retains receiver hardware, the
master oscillator and exciter of the BARS. A prototype has been in flight test
since late 2005.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-49697457212534404272015-08-13T14:13:00.003-07:002015-09-08T11:40:27.566-07:00Sharp Sword (Li-Jian or Lijian), The New Chinese Stealth UCAV<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">China
has been testing a number of stealth aircraft over the last few years. The</span>
<span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Chengdu J-20</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Shenyang
"Falcon Hawk" J-31</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> have
both undergone flight tests, with the expectation that they'll become
operational towards the end of the decade.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">However,
China is pushing hard to match the United States' drone capabilities. Other
countries experimenting with unmanned aerial vehicles include Britain, France,
and Israel.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLG9FYIdpALtxFqMloCK085Uc35k56OJcDKwm4aD4nuB-wGyUqH419bCWLAzYmUikBI6L7fmQaSdmZ_pUPXmi8rp7fzgpW_l4oCxPj6-NsZ_20AdUHE5wH-mysDmL0oZViyvpThOjH7rf/s1600/China-Drone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLG9FYIdpALtxFqMloCK085Uc35k56OJcDKwm4aD4nuB-wGyUqH419bCWLAzYmUikBI6L7fmQaSdmZ_pUPXmi8rp7fzgpW_l4oCxPj6-NsZ_20AdUHE5wH-mysDmL0oZViyvpThOjH7rf/s320/China-Drone.jpg" title="Li Jian Stealth UCAV" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Sharp
Sword (Li-Jian or Lijian), jointly developed by SYADI, SAU and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; text-decoration: none;">Hongdu Aviation Industry Group</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">(HAIG),
is one of the two models of the AVIC 601-S progressed further than<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; text-decoration: none;">proof of concept</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">design
by evolving into larger size (the other being Dark Sword). The Sharp Sword is
jet-powered and has a wingspan of 14 meters.</span><sup id="cite_ref-7" style="display: inline-block; text-align: start;"> </sup>It’s not yet known the
precise mission Sharp Sword is assigned, but possible missions would including
reconnaissance and eventually combat missions.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
successful flight shows the nation has again narrowed the air-power disparity
between itself and Western nations,” state-run newspaper China Daily said in a
statement on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Defense analysts
have speculated that the drone is a reverse-engineered copy of Russia’s
Mikoyan Skat unmanned aerial vehicle. Not much else is known about the
capabilities of the jet-powered drone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In May, a video of the Sharp Sword taxiing down the runway
spread across the internet. Chinese officials said then that they were close to
being ready to executive the drones’ first test flight.</span><br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-61163695295106153092015-08-13T13:43:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:40:58.628-07:00Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Initial development of the J-10 began in
October 1988. Originally the aircraft was to be an air superiority fighter. The
1980s saw a number of similar aircraft designs featuring a main delta-wing and
canards. The delta-wing, a triangular wing platform, offers two important
aerodynamic qualities to a combat aircraft. First, the swept leading edge of a
delta-wing stays ahead of the shock wave generated by the nose of the aircraft
during supersonic flight, making delta-wing a very efficient aerodynamic wing
shape for supersonic flight. And secondly, the leading edge of delta-wing also
generates a massive vortex that attaches itself to the upper surface of the
wing during high angle-of-attack (AOA) maneuvers resulting in very high stall
points. Additionaly, the delta-wing offers increased survivability by having
increased structural and airflow stability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By
1993 the Chinese possessed an all-metal mockup of the J-10. Wind tunnel testing
revealed potential problems with low-speed performance and less than expected
maximum AOA at subsonic speeds. At the time, there was an ongoing trend in
fighter aircraft development that moved the development of single-purpose
fighters such as high-speed interceptor or low-altitude dogfighters to
polifunctional aircraft that combined subsonic and supersonic air-to-air
performance with air-to-ground capabilities. Increasing demands for
air-to-ground operations called for an in-depth redesign of the J-10 to
accommodate terrain-following radar, more and sturdier hardpoints, and entirely
new targeting, flight control and navigation systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf8Y4SY2Wbnz5-qqAF-i7VxzVllLyzEej9qFkkE0r_bupCMI2_L9Tpms-e0Eizqmz4yT6tJvbntKyOoLFvDwhCYoiAi-JI2K0zUWRht5JYONVtwzpp0sRi6zqW9AlIInAroGwh0dNREeT/s1600/1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf8Y4SY2Wbnz5-qqAF-i7VxzVllLyzEej9qFkkE0r_bupCMI2_L9Tpms-e0Eizqmz4yT6tJvbntKyOoLFvDwhCYoiAi-JI2K0zUWRht5JYONVtwzpp0sRi6zqW9AlIInAroGwh0dNREeT/s320/1882.jpg" title="J-10" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
first test flight of the J-10 came in 1996 with the help of a Russian made
AI-31FN turbofan engine. It would take two years, however, before the J-10 had
a successful test flight. By 1999 China had six prototypes: four of them used
for flight testing and two for static tests. By late 2000 there were nine J-10
prototypes accumulating over 140 flight hours. The first flight of the
pre-production model took place on June 28, 2002. In early 2003 ten J-10s were
deployed to Nanjing Military Region for training and operational evaluation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Development would not stop, however, as China
also began to construct two-seat versions of the J-10 for training and
air-to-ground roles. This two-seat J-10B fighter-trainer aircraft successfully
flew in 2003. Preliminary designs for two new versions of the J-10 featuring
single and twin engines and LO geometry were also completed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Low-rate
initial production of the J-10 was authorised in 2002, with the initial run of
fifty aircraft to be fitted with Russian AL-31F engines. The J-10 is expected
to achieve initial operating capability in the 2005 to 2006 timeframe,
initially entering service with the 44th Aviation Division based in Sichuan
Province. The PLAAF initially was estimated to have a total requirement of 300
aircraft, but this may be reduced to less than 100 as a result of the
introduction of the more capable Su-30MK multirole fighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As
the Chinese continue to develop and improve the J-10 it becomes clear they are
interested in expanding its air-to-ground capability, thus moving from the
original concept of a tactical air defense fighter to a multirole
fighter-bomber. The change in Chinese reporting of the J-10, from the
"Jian-10" ("Fighter-10") to the "Qian Shi-10"
("Attack 10") is proof of this intended move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Russian
involvement in the J-10 program was not limited to the AI-31FN turbojet engine,
but also included offers for advanced multifunction radars, navigation and
targeting systems, ECM suite, and missile warning and defense systems. For the
J-10, the Chinese will most likely adopt the Phazotron RP-35
"Zhemchug," which is an X-band radar with digital fire-control
sensors and an electronically scanning phased-array antenna. The radar features
a liquid-cooled travelling wave tube transmitter; an exciter; a three channel
microwave receiver and programmable signal and data processors. All critical
radar controls for "Zemchug" are integrated into the aircraft's
throttle grip and stick controller, and radar data is displayed via the head-up
and head-down displays allowing for one-man operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
production of the J-10 has forced China to quickly adapt to current
developmental trends; in addition to utilizing other technologies (Russia,
Israel) for the benefit of its final product. The results are promising. Not
only does the J-10 pose a risk to the Russian fighter export market, but it
considerably boosts the Chinese air force's tactical offensive capabilities,
especially vis-a-vis Taiwan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The J-10B Super-10 is an advanced variant of
the J-10A, first fielded in late 2003 with China?s Air Force. The new Super-10
will reportedly be powered by the Chinese-designed WS-10A turbofan engine,
which will replace the J-10A?s Russian Saturn AL-31FN. The J-10B was first revealed
to the public in early 2009. Images appearing on Chinese-language military
websites indicate the J-10B had a new nose configuration with an infrared
search and tracking system and a ?new Diverterless Supersonic Intake configured
engine air intake, also seen on the Chengdu FC-1 Xiaolong (Fierce Dragon),
which is co-produced in Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder. At least one prototype
J-10B has featured the indigenous Shenyang-Liming WS-10A turbofan engine, but
it remained to be seen whether all production J-10Bs will feature the WS-10A or
the Russian Saturn AL-31F turbofan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On
06 November 2013 Zhang Jigao, deputy chief designer of the J-10 fighter, spoke
about the improved model J-10 publicly for the first time in the AVIC flight
test center. Zhang Jigao said that the overall performance of the J-10 will be
comprehensively improved in areas such as aerodynamic layout, mission system,
and the approach to maintenance. Zhang Jigao added that further improvements to
the performance of the J10 would focus on the aircraft's aerodynamic layout and
mission systems, and the approach to maintenance. "Aircraft development
requires constant optimization and improvement," he said, "and our
modifications will be comprehensive rather than being confined to a specific
area."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S.
military expert Richard Fisher recently pointed out that the J-10B is a
so-called "fourth and a half" generation fighter equipped with modern
airborne technology and an advanced radar system, which is about to be
delivered to the PLA Air Force. Zhang Jigao disputed the term "fourth and
a half" generation. In contrast, he suggested that the current
international criteria to classify generations are more applicable. He pointed
out that single combat is rare in modern warfare, and that the majority of cases
now involve system combat and network operations, so that the combat
capabilities of a fighter depend on many factors. "This does not mean that
the optimization of an aircraft's radar, avionics, and missile detection ranges
are bound to improvements in operational performance."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pakistan<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>signed a $1.4 billion deal with China
in 2009 to buy 36 J-10B Vigorous Dragon multirole fighters. according to
Defense News on 07 October 2013, the most probable buyer of J-10, Pakistan,
might put off the purchase plan under the influence of economic factors and
technology maturity. By 2013 tough International Monetary Fund conditions on
Pakistan and concerns about untested technology delayed Islamabad's plan. At
$50-60 million per aircraft, it might become attractive to countries like
Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Malaysia and Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 5.25pt; margin-top: 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As global attention has been drawn to when
China's in-service top-grade home-made J-10 fighter aircraft enters the
international market, Ma Zhiping, vice president of the China National Aero-Technology
Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), disclosed recently that many countries
in Asia, Africa and Latin America had already enquired about price of J-10.
According to Ma Zhiping, many clients have contacted to enquire the price of
J-10 series fighters. These clients came from various countries in Asia, Africa
and Latin America and include those traditional users of Chinese military
aircraft as well as those countries which previously used Russia's series
fighters and French fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ma
Zhiping made a clear statement in an interview by reporters from Global Times
on September 25 that: "We can say in a very responsible way that the J-10
fighter aircraft hasn't been exported to Pakistan. The export of a model of
military aircraft has to be approved by the country first. However, J-10 hasn't
acquired the related export license so far." Ma said on the sidelines of
the ongoing 15th Aviation Expo/China 2013 in Beijing "Obtaining a national
permit in advance of exporting it is top priority". Export would improve
China's market competitiveness in the international arms trade as other
countries, such the US and Russia, are eagerly promoting their third-generation
jets - the F-15, F16, Su-27 and Su-30 - worldwide, while China's customers, in
contrast, are still using the second-generation J-7 or J-8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 5.25pt 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-56612108285030585432015-08-13T13:03:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:41:28.207-07:00Divine Eagle, Chinese Super Drone<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Shen Diao, or Divine Eagle, remotely
piloted aircraft is being developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
and appears from Chinese Internet photos made public recently to be larger than
the U.S Air Force’s Global Hawk long-range surveillance drone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">In late June 2015, new
photos emerged of the Divine Eagle prototype, allowing a clearer look at its
details. The Divine Eagle has a single engine nestled between its tailfins,
with a diameter of over 1 meter. This makes the engine likely to be a medium non-afterburning
turbofan producing 3 to 5 tons of thrust, which in turn is usually enough to
power a UAV of 12-18 tons in maximum takeoff weight. In comparison, the largest
American UAV in open service, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, uses a F-137-RR-100
turbofan engine with 3.4 tons of thrust. The Divine Eagle has a five wheel
landing gear layout. The double bodied layout was chosen in order to provide
the surface area for carrying large radars, while minimizing internal volume
and weight.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPprlo9Lbru5jSkOVHpteWzEc6AtFlqtcXttakMadp8ey98MJX2vD53_oQZN3Mzb0tTnlURcifFoQBzRV4f9YGcXf__jds0bhwpaTUZF8KzrYyQO4Hw4ZS040np5UIQ30i5ozNrpbT26z/s1600/real_divine_eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPprlo9Lbru5jSkOVHpteWzEc6AtFlqtcXttakMadp8ey98MJX2vD53_oQZN3Mzb0tTnlURcifFoQBzRV4f9YGcXf__jds0bhwpaTUZF8KzrYyQO4Hw4ZS040np5UIQ30i5ozNrpbT26z/s320/real_divine_eagle.jpg" title="Divine Eagle" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rep.
J. Randy Forbes, (R., Va.) a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said
Chinese support for systems such as the Shen Diao drone is part of a
long-range, well-funded military buildup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“This
particular UAV appears to advance targeting capabilities that China would use
in an anti-access, area denial campaign,” Forbes said, using the term for
unmanned aerial vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“While
the Chinese military modernization continues to march forward, this
administration threatens to veto the defense authorization bill due to the fact
that it does not fully fund the IRS and EPA,” Forbes added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rick Fisher, a China military affairs analyst
with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said ultimately Beijing
could develop such twin-fuselage UAVs to carry large missiles for satellite
launching, anti-satellite and anti-ship missions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“China’s
construction of large long-range Global Hawk-sized unmanned aircraft will
greatly assist its goal of consolidating control over the western Pacific,”
said Fisher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“These
large UAVs will act as persistent satellites able to target missiles and other
tactical platforms well beyond the first island chain,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">China’s defense strategy, outlined in a
document made public this week, calls for increasing the range of its military
forces further from coasts through what the Chinese call two island chains,
stretching from northeast Asia through the South China Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A
Pentagon spokesman did not return emails seeking comment. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former
Pentagon official Mark Stokes said the PLA is investing heavily in research,
development, and acquisition of advanced airborne sensor platforms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“A
high altitude, long endurance UAV appears to be a high priority,” Stokes said,
noting that two competing designs are probably in play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
deployment of high-altitude, long endurance UAVs equipped with advanced sensors
would enhance the PLA’s ability to strike U.S. bases and naval assets in the
region, as well as those of its allies and partners,” said Stokes, now with the
Project 2049 Institute, a think tank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S. intelligence agencies have been closely
monitoring Chinese drone developments. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">China
is currently deploying drones for reconnaissance and ocean surveillance over
disputed maritime territories, including near Japan’s Senkaku Islands, which
China is claiming as its territory.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">China
also recently tested armed combat drones during military exercises. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Current
Chinese military writings have outlined plans for using long-range drones for
integrated air and sea warfare.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Shenyang company is also building China’s first unmanned combat aircraft, a
design that appears similar to the U.S. X-47B unmanned combat jet. China plans
to deploy its combat drone on aircraft carriers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
aircraft is part of China’s so-called anti-access strategy that includes
development of aircraft, missiles, anti-satellite weapons and other systems
designed to keep enemy forces from operating close to Chinese borders.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">China’s development of the new long-range
drone began with talks with Russian aircraft technicians at the Sukhoi Aircraft
Corporation during the early 2000s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
discussions focused on China’s interest in purchasing the Sukhoi S-62
twin-fuselage high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the time, the Russians apparently did not have the resources to develop the
S-62. However, China, known for its economic and military espionage and
technology acquisition prowess, was able to obtain key insights into the
aircraft’s design without funding co-development with Moscow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Shen
Diao’s development has been rumored on Chinese web pages since 2012 and hinted
at for much longer by other Chinese sources,” Fisher said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
twin fuselage configuration allows the UAV to carry more fuel for endurance,
without having to master very advanced new materials for a much stronger wing.
It also provides more area for radar arrays,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fisher
said China’s development of the new drone means the U.S. military should
develop long-range range strike systems, including intermediate-range missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Such
missiles are currently banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces
treaty with Russia, which Moscow is violating. The Russians have developed and
tested new missiles that violate the accord and so far are refusing to come
back into compliance with the treaty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Congress
is pressuring the Obama administration through current defense authorization
bills for a response to the INF violation. Among the options being considered
are additional missile defenses and new intermediate nuclear strike weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-38225328391418153352015-08-12T14:10:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:41:59.986-07:00Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Air worthiness of the X-47B unmanned combat air system
demonstrator was developed at an estimated cost of $813m. The aircraft
performed a successful<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">initial test flight</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">at
Patuxent River, Maryland, in July 2012. The X-47B is expected to enter active
naval service by 2019.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system carrier (UCAS)
being developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy (USN). The strike fighter
size unmanned aircraft is currently in its demonstration phase. The unmanned
aircraft was first developed as part of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">X-47</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">programme.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX6_dzK1Q7Y7NzMhW9MaVkidSExYkqMa1Oq9d_G99JIjF-Ny78PFJwaxDObhJlTo3ZwZ85yGylgB1K6qe1_FzWsNsvNrg1XWW8OJkwIFCP4fely6U8nLkDZ4z6ujdJAsEUNhcEsmoCSu4/s1600/6775259_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX6_dzK1Q7Y7NzMhW9MaVkidSExYkqMa1Oq9d_G99JIjF-Ny78PFJwaxDObhJlTo3ZwZ85yGylgB1K6qe1_FzWsNsvNrg1XWW8OJkwIFCP4fely6U8nLkDZ4z6ujdJAsEUNhcEsmoCSu4/s320/6775259_orig.jpg" title="X-47B" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Development
History of the UCAS-D<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The X-47B UCAS was developed by the US Navy as part of the
unmanned combat air system carrier demonstration (UCAS-D) programme. The
programme aims to develop and demonstrate which fighter sized tailless unmanned
aircraft can be deployed from US Navy aircraft carriers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The X-47B is a variant of Pegasus X-47A which was developed as a
joint USAF and USN programme, called J-UCAS, in 2001. The programme was funded
by the DARPA with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Northrop
Grumman</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as the main
contractor. In February 2006, however, the Joint-UCAS development programme was
cancelled for separate UAV development programmes by both the defence forces.
Development of the X-47B, which had started in June 2005, was temporarily
halted following the cancellation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contracted Northrop
Grumman for the construction and demonstration of two X-47B aircraft under the
unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D) programme, in August 2007. The
UCAS-D programme also aims to pave the way for developing potential future
carrier-compatible, unmanned systems with little risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Companies collaborating on the UCAS-D programme include Rockwell
Collins, Goodrich, Lockheed Martin, Parker Aerospace, Honeywell, GKN Aerospace,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">General
Electric (GE)</span>, Wind River, Dell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt &
Whitney, Eaton and Moog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Design
and features of the X-47B<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The tailless unmanned aircraft is 38.2ft long and has a wingspan
of 62.1ft. The shape of the aircraft is designed for stealth or low observable
relevant requirements. The weapons bay can carry 4,500lb of weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Operations of the computer-controlled X-47B UCAS are smart and its
flight control system is autonomous. The navigation of the UCAS is controlled
by hybrid global positioning system (GPS) vision-based system. The flight path
is preprogrammed and its operations are monitored by a mission operator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The UCAS is equipped with electro optics (EO), infrared (IR),
synthetic aperture radar (SAR), inverse SAR, ground moving target indicator
(GMTI), electronic support measures (ESM) and maritime moving target indicator
(MMTI) sensors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The UCAS-D will feature both probe-and-drogue of the US Navy and
boom-receptacle mechanisms of the USAF for autonomous air refuelling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">X-47B engine and Performance Details<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The X-47B is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U engine
and exhaust system. The aircraft has a high subsonic speed of about 0.45M and
range of about 2,100nm. The UCAS can fly to a maximum altitude of 40,000ft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Testing of the X-47B Demonstration Aircraft<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two autonomous jet-powered X-47B aircraft were built under the
UCAS-D programme. The two demonstration vehicles have similar design and
hardware features, however, only one is equipped to test aerial refuelling
tasks. They can accommodate various kinds of sensors for reconnaissance, intelligence
and surveillance and have space for weapon systems. Payload is not installed on
the demonstration units.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first X-47B, including structural proof testing, was completed
by October 2009. Named air vehicle 1 (AV-1), the aircraft was transferred to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Edwards
Air Force Base (AFB)</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for
flight testing in July 2010. The second aircraft, named<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">AV-2,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>arrived at the base for testing in
March 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first flight test of the UCAS-D was conducted in February
2011. The first catapult launch of X-47B was conducted at an onshore catapult
facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in November 2012. The first at-sea
test phase involving a series of deck handling trials aboard the USS Harry S.
Truman (CVN 75) was completed in December 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft will also be tested for launching, operating and
recovering capabilities in a navy carrier operable area of 50nm. The carrier
launch, recovery, and deck handling tests are scheduled for 2013, the aerial
refuelling demonstrations in 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-87886767554316431032015-08-12T13:49:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:42:28.705-07:00Drone Can Hack Into Your Mobile Device<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Drones are ideal for this kind of operation, because they are
very good at loitering over an area for a long time, and sending back lots of
captured data in real time. But there’s an easy solution for anyone wanting to
hide on the ground: avoid logging in to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks when a drone
is overhead.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">According to emails posted by Wikileaks, aviation giant
Boeing was in talks with Italian offensive cyberwar contractor Hacking Team to
make a drone that could hack into computers from the sky.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sQOmVC5IghssLdSH0BaGcqdjoFjp_RmABw1cf9Pit_peAgupJfhUudB3jSQ06vIU6TWObmSeeEfijQHuJg0fBc65R-cmC9a0de11GvS_jmypx_7V0cfXTKVTZ9i5gazAzvN7ze2NBLNv/s1600/DroneHack-720x340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sQOmVC5IghssLdSH0BaGcqdjoFjp_RmABw1cf9Pit_peAgupJfhUudB3jSQ06vIU6TWObmSeeEfijQHuJg0fBc65R-cmC9a0de11GvS_jmypx_7V0cfXTKVTZ9i5gazAzvN7ze2NBLNv/s320/DroneHack-720x340.jpg" title="Drone" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The scheme proposed the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or
drones) to deliver Hacking Team's Remote Control System Galileo spyware via
Wi-Fi networks from above. Boeing subsidiary Insitu and representatives of
Hacking Team enthusiastically discussed the deal after meeting up at the
International Defense Exposition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi back in
February.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Putting the
plan together would involve developing a ruggedized and miniaturized Tactical
Network Injector (TNI), Hacker News<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">reports</span>. This
mini-TNI would be used to introduce malicious traffic into insecure Wi-Fi
networks while perched on a drone and subject to jolts and low temperatures.
Malicious traffic injection would only work in this scenario in cases where a
target is surfing in an insecure, open Wi-Fi hotspot (coffee shop, transport
hub, etc.) without using protective VPN technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Insitu,
developer of the small ScanEagle surveillance drone and other aerospace kit for
military and law enforcement applications, outlined the basic premise of the
development plan in one leaked<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">email exchange</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hacking Team responded to the suggestion with enthusiasm, but the
plan itself doesn't appear to have progressed much beyond the planning stages
before Hacking Team's email spool was leaked by hackers following a
high-profile breach earlier this month. It's unclear who the ultimate customers
of the aerial malware delivery system might have been. The email exchanges
outlining the plan were first reported by Glenn Greenwald's<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The Intercept<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">here</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The idea of
combining spyware and drones may not in itself be new. The alleged leader of
Mexico's infamous Los Zetas gang was captured two years ago using a combination
of commercial computer spyware, GPS mobile tracking, and aerial drones. The
operation to capture Miguel Treviño Morales – also known as "Z-40" –
may have involved spyware for law enforcement from Hacking Team rival Gamma
International, as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The Register<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">noted</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Mexican
government was a customer of Gamma's FinFisher software, according to local
reports. The exact role of spyware in the arrest – much less whether it was
delivered by a drone – remains unclear, partially because Gamma International
declined our invitation to explain how its technology has helped in the arrest
of an alleged Mexican cartel leader without bloodshed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-53911769281252687202015-08-12T13:21:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:42:57.719-07:00Chinese Laser or Directed Energy Weapons Development Programs<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">A collaboration between the Academy and Jiuyuan Hi-Tech
Equipment Corporation, the Low Altitude Guard I is a 10 kilowatt laser meant to
zap low flying drones up to 2 kilometers away. The Low Altitude Guard I's
electro-optical turret can see out to 5 kilometers. Promotional literature
brags about its automated fire control-- it's able to identify and track rogue
drones so that the operator only needs to press a firing button. The Low
Altitude Guard's small size allows for stealthy placement on high-rise buildings
and around critical infrastructure like airports and dams. Lasers are also a
cheaper and safer lethal air defense option, especially in urban areas,
compared to cannons and missiles.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Lasers and other directed energy weapons are all the rage in
D.C., with a U.S. general recently declaring at a conference dedicated to the
topic that "</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">Directed energy brings the dawn of an
entirely new era in defense</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">." Indeed, the U.S. Navy has already tested
lasers on warships deployed in the Persian Gulf and plans to arm other systems
like aerial gunships with the weapons in the years ahead. Lasers are also a
crucial part of long-term plans to defeat the threat of higher numbers of
Chinese anti-ship missiles.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ai1y6D609yoWsi85mrbtJuQOjI8CL1CFD3kSGz7pi8UMa-vGOkHr33-aCJEtyxSsymJ9yMmu2LnRgymC7Sry8FEcvFlaG2EoZ6eza1V3bmmf4OyH6paRzXtfxuLJKM0I4wetRoKkD6vZ/s1600/laser_aircraft-weapon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ai1y6D609yoWsi85mrbtJuQOjI8CL1CFD3kSGz7pi8UMa-vGOkHr33-aCJEtyxSsymJ9yMmu2LnRgymC7Sry8FEcvFlaG2EoZ6eza1V3bmmf4OyH6paRzXtfxuLJKM0I4wetRoKkD6vZ/s320/laser_aircraft-weapon.jpg" title="Laser" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">But just like in other areas of technology, China does not
plan on being easily "offset." The Chinese Academy of Physics
Engineering is already hawking a combat-ready laser turret, showcased at the
Beijing Weapons Expo</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More interestingly, the Academy plans to develop a more
powerful, truck-mounted version, the Low Altitude Guard II. A more powerful
laser turret would be able to extend defenses against drones, aircraft,
missiles and artillery shells out to several kilometers, roughly the
capabilities of modern autocannons. Just as with U.S. military plans, don't be
surprised to see future Chinese aircraft and warships armed with their own
missile killing lasers.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-13608241489560315242015-08-11T17:46:00.003-07:002015-09-08T11:43:28.078-07:00BAE System Taranis Stealth UAV<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Taranis is notable mostly
for</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: IN;">its stealth capabilities, which are analogous to those of a conventional stealth
plane in terms of design. Its body is angled so as to present only deflecting
angles to the ground, minimizing any reflections that might bounce back to be
read by the interrogating radar machine. Taranis’ overall mission is to carry
out high-speed, high-precision strikes over long distances without detection —
this is quite possibly the first real sign of</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: IN;">the riskless future of warfare which so many futurists warn. If neither pilot nor plane are ever likely to be in
danger, launching a mission could become a much easier decision to make.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmy6AYF-mZaUDL7S3gFrLFBTa-7LrtznLl7pVfV7P_bBfbFkt46fhTEoZR2XxxbYl5y9RxsOUwEYAe5znGIJaP-XTGPkvqYUbzLTMJUDxKkQMPq5YK-EbpVbHILrv5ECzgvjCxRfj4VrT/s1600/taranis-test-flight-announced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmy6AYF-mZaUDL7S3gFrLFBTa-7LrtznLl7pVfV7P_bBfbFkt46fhTEoZR2XxxbYl5y9RxsOUwEYAe5znGIJaP-XTGPkvqYUbzLTMJUDxKkQMPq5YK-EbpVbHILrv5ECzgvjCxRfj4VrT/s320/taranis-test-flight-announced.jpg" title="Taranis" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Though it
might not look like much against the abstract backdrop of the sky, Taranis is
no tiny remote-controlled plane. With a 10-meter wingspan, the aircraft is larger
than you might expect for an unmanned vehicle; the logistics of both stealth
and long-range flight push the design toward a large, mostly flat-ish belly and
wings. While the building material is not currently known (and won’t be for
many years) it likely incorporates specially light- and radar-deadening
materials to weigh in, as it does, at just eight tonnes. With a budget of more
than $300 million and more than a million man-hours invested, Taranis is a
major part of the UK’s overall strategy for evolving its military in the coming
decade. The country has already identified drones as one of the drivers of its
next-generation fighting forces, and stealth drones are a necessary component
of that push.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This news
comes just months after the public learned of </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: IN;">probable test
flights for the USA’s latest undetectable <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">UAV</span>, the RQ-180 over the
military’s (in)famous Area 51 test site. Its predecessor, the RQ-170 Sentinel,
is thought to have participated in operations over Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Pakistan, among others. In fact, the Chinese military, which has lagged far
behind in its development of drone technology, has been testing a stealth
drone of its own, named Sharp Sword by the media. In
a statement, Chinese government officials claimed that the (possible)
introduction of a working stealth drone “has again narrowed the air-power
disparity between [China] and Western nations.” And they’re probably right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the
future, technological advancement in military technology will be less about
scaling up technologies (Lockheed’s </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: IN;">proposed Mach 6 follow
up to the SR-71 notwithstanding) and more about
streamlining. Bombs don’t need to get any bigger, nor (most) planes much
faster, nor most satellites more accurate. Rather, militaries need to be able
to deliver the same bombs with fewer risks to both life and equipment. They
need to be able to perform the same strikes while leaving no evidence of their
connection to the event — and in a post-Snowden world, that could very well
mean cutting the pilot out, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Actually,
autonomy was a big part of the pitch for Taranis in the first place, but
somewhere along the line the autonomy became unpopular. Now, the system has the
“technical capability” of flying without a remote pilot, but will apparently
not be used that way. It’s easy to get cynical about the truth of such
statements, but the fact is that even the US government is approaching military
autonomy with difficulty and great care; it’s not unreasonable to think that Taranis
might simply struggle with getting autonomy to work. However, the language used
implies that this was a policy-based decision — perhaps someone decided it
would be best to let the USA deal with any bad press associated with the first
autonomous military robot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Regardless,
the functionality is reportedly moot, today. Whatever the reason, remotely
controlled Taranis vehicles will be taking to the skies on Britain’s behalf
soon enough. Given how long it’s taken to find out about just a test flight, and
the impressive claims made for its stealth abilities, it’s entirely possible
that it already has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-91394189831226050202015-08-11T17:09:00.003-07:002015-09-08T11:43:55.966-07:00Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">The new long-range unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) will soon be made in Russia. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>recently announced </span>that this
new drone will be able to conduct reconnaissance missions and also be capable
of attacking targets. “We are finalizing research and development work related
to the drones that will solve an array of tactical, operational and
strategic tasks,” the deputy defense minister elaborates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He further notes that this new combat drone, developed by
several Russian aviation firms, including Sukhoi and Tranzas, will be used by
the Russian Defense Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB). However,
Borisov refused to provide the public with technical characteristics of this
latest addition to Russia’s burgeoning UAV program.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBawo7jVLQLKTsMmkFLShToQQzI81f555FvIn0CoKqrLtqxMMDIurYNHeYeDD4QuvbIhahOMGw9i90QqnJmeaKULwKHjwTGl-kELCpGacAfHJHUemqw_j8WDe7Gp8Pv-ItRJYkmiZPlTT8/s1600/Russian-MiG-Skat-UCAV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBawo7jVLQLKTsMmkFLShToQQzI81f555FvIn0CoKqrLtqxMMDIurYNHeYeDD4QuvbIhahOMGw9i90QqnJmeaKULwKHjwTGl-kELCpGacAfHJHUemqw_j8WDe7Gp8Pv-ItRJYkmiZPlTT8/s320/Russian-MiG-Skat-UCAV.jpg" title="Rusia UCAV" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">In 2012, Vladimir Putin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">announced</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">that “unpiloted aircraft are being used more and more
actively in armed conflicts; and I must say, they are being used effectively.”
He added, “We need the full line, including automated strike aircraft,
reconnaissance drones and other systems… It is imperative to involve best
engineering and science bureaus and centers in this effort.” Russia has
allocated around $12 billion through 2020 for its UAV development program,
which appears to be gaining momentum as of late (e.g., the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">Altius 001 UAV</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">). In November 2014,
Russia also<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">announced</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">that it will build a drone base for military
reconnaissance just 420 miles off mainland Alaska.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">On January 23,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Russia
Today</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>broadcasted that the
Russian United Instrument Corporation (UIC) (a branch of Rostec Corporation)
has constructed two prototypes of the “Chirok” drone, a hybrid amphibious UAV
for civilian and military use, and is prepping them for test flights. The
article notes that this new drone may first </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">appear</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">in public at the MAKS-2015 air show at Zhukovsky Airfield
near Moscow on August 25-30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #333333;">Russia Today</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">notes</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">the Chirok’s “outstanding stealth capability” and states
that the drone has “enough inner space to fit the weapons, such as small-size
guided missiles or high precision bombs, internally, so that they won’t
interfere with aerodynamics and stealth characteristics.” The operable range is
2,500 km, and the maximum cruising altitude is reported to be 6,000 meters. The
drone also needs no runway for take-off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">However, a 2014 Jamestown Foundation report<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">underlines</span><span style="color: #333333;"> that statements by
domestic Russian arms suppliers “fly in the face of a recent report released by
the Russian Foundation of Prospective Research (RFPR) which asserted that
UAVs represent an ‘area of technology where [the Russian defense industry has]
insufficient competencies.’ The RFPR further noted that optics and electronics
systems for light aircraft were an area of ‘low competency.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report further explains, “The development of these advanced
UAV systems, in fact, represents a considerable technological challenge for the
Russian defense industry, and there are serious questions about whether it can
be accomplished without Western cooperation and technological know-how.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, Russia’s UAV program still lags behind Western efforts
in this field and it will take a few more years for Moscow to catch up. “Russia
and China’s capabilities are quickly developing. By the end of the decade, if
certainly not before, we have intel that shows they’ll have the potential to
develop the capability to produce a predator drone on par with American
standards,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-52103007938686833482015-08-11T16:13:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:44:24.899-07:00High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Northrop Grumman RQ-4A/B Global Hawk<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">The Global Hawk air vehicles are built at the Northrop
Grumman (formerly Teledyne Ryan) aeronautical facility in San Diego.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ryan Aeronautical Centre is the
prime contractor and the principal suppliers include Raytheon Systems
(sensors), Rolls-Royce North America (turbofan engine), Boeing North American
(carbon fibre wing) and L3 Communications (communications system).</span> The
programme is funded by the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office (DARO) and
managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Air
Force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">RQ-4A Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned
aerial reconnaissance system which provides military field commanders with high
resolution, near real-time imagery of large geographic areas.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVu_kE_nykP-Ma0Ocje-KHln-4icp6JD1b6cu_PEdyCVuUqcejkI8NXkzMy4wUZTVq4z_y6MY_6oIRHwSDGL_9NGG7Rd2WQdCh6E0_7Xl9zC9vxdX1bmz8Vr0t2t0wRW_XIz-mtWlYX-S/s1600/uav_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVu_kE_nykP-Ma0Ocje-KHln-4icp6JD1b6cu_PEdyCVuUqcejkI8NXkzMy4wUZTVq4z_y6MY_6oIRHwSDGL_9NGG7Rd2WQdCh6E0_7Xl9zC9vxdX1bmz8Vr0t2t0wRW_XIz-mtWlYX-S/s320/uav_18.jpg" title="RQ-4A/B Global Hawk" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Development<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In March 2001, the US Department of Defense awarded Northrop
Grumman a contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD)
phase of the programme which concluded in February 2003 with the final delivery
of the seventh pre-production (block 0) vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In June 2001 a contract was
placed to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) for two production air
vehicles and the mission control element of the system's ground station, to be
completed by December 2003.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first production vehicle
(block 10) rolled out in August 2003. A further LRIP contract for four vehicles
was placed in February 2003 and a third in October 2004 for two vehicles. Block
10 deliveries were completed in June 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The US Navy had two RQ-4A air
vehicles delivered in 2005. In April 2008, the USN selected the RQ-4N marinised
variant of the Global Hawk RQ-4B Block 20 for the broad-area maritime
surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The system design and
development (SDD) contract awarded to Northrop Grumman requires the delivery of
two UAVs with mission payloads and communication suites, one forward operating
base mission control system, one systems integration laboratory and one main
operating base mission control system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The RQ-4N will have a Northrop
Grumman active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Raytheon
electro-optic / infrared sensors, L-3 communications suite and Sierra Nevada
Corp. Merlin electronic support measures (ESM). The RQ-4N is planned for
service entry in 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">RQ-4B Next
Generation<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Reconnaissance Drone<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northrop Grumman is developing
the next-generation, RQ-4B, which has a 50% payload increase, larger wingspan
(130.9ft) and longer fuselage (47.6ft), and new generator to provide 150% more
electrical output. Three RQ-4B air vehicles (block 20) were initially ordered
plus a further five ordered in November 2005. Block 20 aircraft also have an
upgraded sensor suite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first block 20 Global Hawk
completed a maiden flight in April 2007 and the first was delivered in June
2008. 26 block 30 with a signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload will be ordered
and 15 block 40 with the multi-platform radar technology insertion programme
(MP-RTIP) radar, to enter service from 2011. The US Air Force plans a total of
54 air vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The block 40 Global Hawk, with the multi-platform radar
technology insertion programme (MP-RTIP), has been selected by Nato for the
alliance ground surveillance (AGS) programme. The original proposal had manned
and unmanned elements but the Alliance decided to go ahead with a UAV-only
programme in September 2007. Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Australian Defence Force
has plans to purchase a squadron of Global Hawks to replace a number of P-3C
Orion maritime patrol aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Global
Hawk's Record-breaking Flights<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In April 2001, Global Hawk made
aviation history when it completed the first non-stop flight across the Pacific
Ocean by an unmanned, powered aircraft, flying from Edwards AFB, California, to
the Royal Australian Air Force Base, Edinburgh, South Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Global Hawk successfully
participated in a series of exercises with the RAAF, the Royal Australian Navy
and the US Navy. Guinness World Records has recognised the flight as the
longest (13,840km) by a full-scale unmanned aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In August 2003, Global Hawk
became the first UAV to receive authorisation from the US Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to fly in national airspace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Unmanned Reconnaissance Capability<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Global Hawk can carry out
reconnaissance missions in all types of operations. The 14,000nm range and
42-hour endurance of the air vehicle, combined with satellite and line-of-sight
communication links to ground forces, permits worldwide operation of the system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">High-resolution sensors,
including visible and infrared electro-optical systems and synthetic aperture
radar, will conduct surveillance over an area of 40,000nm² to an altitude of
65,000ft in 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Six Global Hawk demonstrator
vehicles have been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan since 2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003, completing over
4,300 combat hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two ex-USAF Global Hawk
demonstrators were transferred to NASA's Dryden Research Center at Edwards AFB,
California in January 2008, for use as airborne science research platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Flight
and Navigation Control<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The vehicle's flight control,
vehicle management software and navigation functions are managed by two
integrated mission management computers (IMMC) developed by Vista Controls
Corporation, California. The IMMC integrates data from the navigation system and
uses Kalman filtering algorithms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The prime navigation and
control system consists of two KN-4072 INS/GPS (inertial navigation system /
global positioning system) systems supplied by Kearfott Guidance &
Navigation Corporation of Wayne, New Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">The KN-4072 includes a monolithic ring laser gyro (MRLG)
which operates in conjunction with an embedded differential ready C/A code GPS
receiver for enhanced navigation performance and faster satellite acquisition.
A Northrop Grumman (Litton) navigation system is installed on the IR/TV/SAR
payload.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sensors<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raytheon Space & Airborne
Systems supplies the Global Hawk integrated sensor suite (ISS) which includes
the synthetic aperture radar and the electro-optical and third-generation
infrared sensor system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A 10in reflecting telescope
provides common optics for infrared and electro-optical sensors. The
electro-optical / infrared sensor operates in the 0.4 to 0.8 micron visible
waveband and the 3.6 to 5-micron infrared band. In spot collection mode the
coverage is 1,900 spots a day with spot size 2km² to a geological accuracy of
20m circular error of probability. In wide area search mode, the swath is 10km
wide and the coverage is 40,000nm² a day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The synthetic aperture radar
and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) operates at X-band with a 600MHz
bandwidth, and 3.5kW peak power. The system can obtain images with 3ft
resolution in its wide area search mode and 1ft resolution in its spot mode.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raytheon is contracted to
supply one enhanced integrated sensor suite (EISS) which is said to improve the
range of both SAR and infrared system by 50%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Raytheon ground station
receives the high-quality imagery obtained by the air vehicle sensor suite. The
ground system forwards the imagery to military commanders and users in the
field.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northrop Grumman is prime
contractor, with Raytheon as major subcontractor, for the USAF multi-platform
radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP). MP-RTIP is an active
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that can be scaled in size for different
platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Three MP-RTIP systems are being
built for Global Hawk and three for the E-10A multi-sensor command and control
aircraft (MC2A).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In January 2006, a Global Hawk made its first flight carrying
Northrop Grumman's high-band system production configuration unit (HBS PCU),
part of the USAF's airborne signals intelligence payload. Northrop Grumman is
also looking at other payloads including hyperspectral sensors for chemical and
biological agent detection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In November 2003, Global Hawk
completed a series of flight tests in the USA and Germany carrying an EADS
electronic intelligence (ELINT) payload. The 'Euro Hawk' is being offered to
the German Air Force as a replacement SIGINT platform.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In February 2007, the German
Air Force awarded a contract to Eurohawk GmbH (a joint venture company formed
by Northrop Grumman and EADS) for the development of Euro Hawk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Communications<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Global Hawk has wide band
satellite data links and line of sight data links developed by L3
Communications. The 'bulge' at the top front surface of the fuselage which
gives Global Hawk its distinctive appearance, houses the 48in Ku-band wideband
satellite communications antenna. Data is transferred by Ku-band satellite
communications, X-band line-of-sight links and both Satcom and line of sight
links at UHF-band.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Survivability<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For increased survivability the
mission is planned for threat avoidance using available theatre assets such as
AWACS, combat air patrol and JSTARS. The aircraft flies high at a loiter
altitude 65,000ft which minimises exposure to surface-to-air missiles. The
aircraft's modular self-defence system includes an AN/ALR 89 radar warning
receiver, an on-board jamming system and an ALE 50 towed decoy system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Air Vehicle Construction<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The wings and tail of the
aircraft are of graphite composite construction. The V-configuration of the
tail, built by Aurora Flight Sciences, provides a low radar and infrared
signature. The wings, constructed by Vought Aircraft Industries, have a span of
116.2ft, with hard points for external pods up to 1,000lb each. Vought and ATK
are fabricating an enhanced wing, one of a number of system improvements to
enable Global Hawk to carry an increased payload.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The aluminium fuselage contains
pressurised payload and avionics compartments. Honeywell Aerospace, Torrance,
California, supplied the environmental control systems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The landing gear is supplied by Heroux Inc. of Quebec, Canada.
The nose gear which is a derivative of the F-5 design is height adjustable to
suit the runway characteristics. The landing gear automatically retracts at an
altitude of 4,000ft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Global Hawk is equipped with an
AE 3007H turbofan engine supplied by Rolls-Royce North America. The engine is
mounted on the top surface of the rear fuselage section with the engine exhaust
between the V-shaped tail wings. Smiths Aerospace is providing a new electric generator
system to more than double electrical power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Mission
Planning<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mission planning for the Global
Hawk was developed by GDE Systems Inc (now BAE Systems, Electronics &
Integrated Solutions). The Raytheon Intelligence & Information Systems
mission control ground station includes a shelter measuring 8ft×8ft×24ft
housing the communications, command and control, mission planning and image
processing computers with four workstations for the mission control staff and
officers. The mission control centre has data up- and down-links to the Global
Hawk vehicle directly and via the Ku satellite and the UHF satellite systems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Raytheon launch and
recovery ground station is housed in an 8ft x 8ft x 10ft shelter equipped with
two workstations and the launch and recovery mission computers. The launch and
recovery station has up- and down- data communications links to the Global Hawk
vehicle and to the UHF communications satellite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Transportability<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The complete mission control
element (MCE) and the launch and recovery element (LRE) is transportable in a
single load on the C-5B transporter aircraft and in less than two loads on the
C-17 transporter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-84511696334897231082015-08-11T15:46:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:44:57.732-07:00AH-64E Guardian for Indonesian National Army Force <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
Government of Indonesia has requested a possible sale of 8 AH-64D APACHE Block
III LONGBOW Attack Helicopters</span>. The contract will be complete by 28 February
2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the
deal was first announced by the US government in August 2013 the value was
estimated to be USD500 million, suggesting that follow-on contracts for
equipment and weapons will follow shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Indonesian
army chief of staff General Budiman previously told reporters that the Apaches
will be deployed to a number of bases, including the Berau installation in East
Kalimantan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress September 19 of a
possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Indonesia of 8 AH-64D
APACHE Block III LONGBOW Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts,
training and logistical support. The estimated cost is $1.42 billion for 19
T-700-GE-701D Engines (16 installed and 3 spares), 9 Modernized Target Acquisition
and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 4 AN/APG-78 Fire
Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronics Units (Longbow Component), 4
AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers, 10 AAR-</span>57(V) 3/5 Common
Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure
Dispenser, 10 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, 10 AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal
Detecting Sets, 24 Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Systems (IHDSS-21), 32
M299A1 HELLFIRE Missile Launchers, and 140 HELLFIRE AGM-114R3 Missiles. Also
included are Identification Friend or Foe transponders, 30mm guns and
ammunition, communication equipment, tools and test equipment, training
devices, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles,
organizational equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel
training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering,
technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of
logistics support.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This proposed sale will contribute
to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be,
an important force for political stability and economic progress in Southeast
Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ta05RalOiWwB0CnxEtAUXvQA2zNCSUBkVZaSjbAk_NpIidhIVCCQU5uG0JNHXobhtHmri15PwN7OgyXPeTGP9L1HNXpRFDsYE2FtwrzmrK8HrxqFQ4-sDd5bp3-o8bHMiCTBLHk7OEA5/s1600/330977_620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ta05RalOiWwB0CnxEtAUXvQA2zNCSUBkVZaSjbAk_NpIidhIVCCQU5uG0JNHXobhtHmri15PwN7OgyXPeTGP9L1HNXpRFDsYE2FtwrzmrK8HrxqFQ4-sDd5bp3-o8bHMiCTBLHk7OEA5/s320/330977_620.jpg" title="Apache TNI AD" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The proposed
sale provides the Government of Indonesia with assets vital to protect and
deter both external and other potential threats. Indonesia will use these
APACHE helicopters to defend its borders, conduct counterterrorism and
counter-piracy operations, and control the free flow of shipping through the
Strait of Malacca.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While
these helicopters are being procured as part of a wider revamp of Indonesia's
rotary-winged combat capabilities, they are specifically being brought to help
the country protect its economic interests in the South China Sea. Four
helicopters will be deployed on the Natuna Islands, close to Indonesia's
maritime borders with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Indonesia
is not involved in any of the disputes over contested South China Sea islands,
but Beijing's 'nine-dotted-line' claim overlaps Jakarta's ambitions for its
Exclusive Economic Zone in the Natuna Islands region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The materiel and services under
this program will enable Indonesia to become a more capable defensive force and
will also provide key elements required for interoperability with U.S. forces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military
balance in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The prime
contractors will be The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin
Corporation in Orlando, Florida; General Electric Company in Cincinnati, Ohio;
Lockheed Martin Millimeter Technology in Owego, New York; and Longbow Limited
Liability Corporation in Orlando, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Implementation
of this proposed sale may require the assignment of five U.S. contractor
representatives and three U.S. Government representatives in country full-time
for equipment checkout, fielding, and technical support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-38295764280729309172015-08-10T17:40:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:45:30.830-07:00General Atomic RQ-1 / MQ-1 / MQ-9 Reaper<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">A
contract was awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in January 1994 to
execute the Tier II, medium-altitude endurance Predator programme. The Predator
system first flew in 1994 and entered production in August 1997.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">RQ-1
Predator is a long-endurance, medium-altitude unmanned aircraft system for
surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Surveillance imagery from synthetic
aperture radar, video cameras and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) can be
distributed in real-time both to the front line soldier and to the operational
commander, or worldwide in real-time via satellite communication links. MQ-1,
armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, is the multi-role version which is used
for armed reconnaissance and interdiction.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Predator UAV Operations and Deployments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Predators
are currently in production for the US Air Force and are operational with the
USAF 11th and 15th Reconnaissance Squadrons. More than 125 Predators have been
delivered to the USAF. 36 additional MQ-1B Predators (with Hellfire missile
installation kits) were ordered in September 2007. Six Predator UAVs are in
service with the Italian Air Force. Italian company Meteor was responsible for
assembly of five of the six. The Italian system was deployed to Iraq in January
2005.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Predator
UAVs have been operational in Bosnia since 1995 in support of Nato, UN and US
operations and as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and
Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying more than 500,000 flight hours on over 50,000
flights. The MQ-1 Predator achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in
February 2005.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">General
Atomics is the prime contractor and the main subcontractors include: Versatron
/ Wescam for the electro-optical Skyball Gimbal, Northrop Grumman for the
synthetic aperture radar, L3 Communication for the wideband satellite
communications link, and Boeing for the intelligence workstation and mission
planning system.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
February 2001, the Hellfire-C laser-guided missile was successfully fired from
a Predator air vehicle in flight tests at Nellis air force base, Nevada. In
November 2002, a Predator UAV was used to drop a Hellfire missile in Yemen,
which destroyed a civilian vehicle carrying suspected terrorists. A Northrop
Grumman Bat submunition was successfully dropped and a FINDER mini-UAV launched
from a Predator UAV in August 2002.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
2011, GA-ASI signed two separate agreements with CAE and RUAG Aerospace
Services to offer the Predator B UAS to Canada and the Federal Republic of
Germany respectively.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
June 2013, GA-ASI signed a memorandum of understanding with Fokker Technologies
to offer the Predator B RPA to support the Dutch Government's medium-altitude
long-endurance (MALE) capabilities. It further partnered with Spanish
engineering company SENER to offer Predator B RPA to the Spanish Government in
March 2015.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">GA-ASI
and Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) partnered in May 2014 to integrate R&S'
air traffic control radios on the Predator aircraft. A pre-production due regard
radar (DRR) was tested aboard the Predator B RPA in February 2015.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">GA-ASI
delivered three Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper systems to the French Ministry of
Defence, as of May 2015. France plans to acquire a total of 12 aircraft by 2019.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Predator B Skywarrior<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
May 1998 General Atomics was awarded a Block 1 upgrade contract to expand the
capabilities of the Predator system. System upgrades include development of an
improved relief-on-station (ROS) system which allows continuous coverage over
areas of interest without any loss of time on station, secure air traffic
control voice relay, Ku-band satellite tuning and implementation of an air
force mission support system (AFMSS).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
upgrade also covers a more powerful turbocharged engine and wing de-icing
systems to enable year-round operations. The upgraded Predator, the Predator B,
was first operational in the Balkans.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
August 2005, a version of Predator B, called Sky Warrior, was chosen for the
four-year system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the US Army's
extended range / multi-purpose (ER/MP) UAV programme, comprising 11 Sky Warrior
systems, each with 12 air vehicles and five ground control stations.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Initial
operating capability was achieved in 2009. Two Block 0 Sky Warrior UAVs were
deployed to Iraq in April 2008. GA-ASI received $195.5m in funding from the US
Army for the low-rate initial production of the Sky Warrior unmanned aircraft
in July 2010.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Also
in August 2005, the US Department of Homeland Security / Customs and Border
Protection (DHS/CBP) ordered two Predator B systems for monitoring of the US'
south-west border. The first was delivered in late 2005, the second in
September 2006. Two further systems were ordered in October 2006, for
monitoring operations on the border with Canada.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn_fXSpKTUfEKkX2QNkmO-KW2XJMAuFrKBODGy6l8PuY0rzj48Piufw2hM36jHRw4lsZW3U45GcY5SuYXuNizHdHaSiG9uJuHvfI9jon1zw4sZaXgc6MCJARiX1LUKnEEnA4_kaAMXtPL/s1600/7414675214_1046c56e26_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn_fXSpKTUfEKkX2QNkmO-KW2XJMAuFrKBODGy6l8PuY0rzj48Piufw2hM36jHRw4lsZW3U45GcY5SuYXuNizHdHaSiG9uJuHvfI9jon1zw4sZaXgc6MCJARiX1LUKnEEnA4_kaAMXtPL/s320/7414675214_1046c56e26_b.jpg" title="Reaper" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">MQ-9 Reaper Hunter /
Killer UAV<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
March 2005, the USAF awarded a further contract for the system design and
development (SDD) of MQ-9 Reaper Hunter / Killer. 21 MQ-9 have been ordered and
eight delivered to the USAF. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The
first USAF MQ-9 squadron, the 42nd Attack Squadron, was formed in March 2007,
based at Creech AFB in Nevada.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
USAF first deployed the MQ-9 Reaper to Afghanistan in October 2007 for
precision airstrikes. The MQ-9 Reaper flew its first operational mission in
Iraq in July 2008.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload
of 800lb and external payload exceeding 3,000lb. It can carry up to four
Hellfire II anti-armour missiles and two laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12)
and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (joint direct attack munition). In May 2008, a USAF
Reaper successfully test dropped four Raytheon GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II 500lb
bombs, which have laser and GPS guidance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The
MQ-9 sensor payload can include the General Atomics Lynx SAR (synthetic
aperture radar). Lynx also features ground moving target indicator technology.
The Predator is to be flight tested with a L-3 communications tactical common
datalink (TCDL).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
September 2006, the UK requested the foreign military sale (FMS) of two MQ-9
Reaper systems with Lynx SAR, multi-spectral targeting systems and one ground
station. Deliveries began in mid-2007 and the RAF deployed the system in
Afghanistan in November 2007. In January 2008, the UK requested the sale of ten
additional MQ-9 systems.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
August 2008, Italy requested the sale of four MQ-9 Reaper systems with three
ground stations.</span> The USAF accepted the final MQ-1 Predator aircraft in
March 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In
June 2015, the Italian Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA)
selected CAE to develop upgrades to a Predator UAS Mission Trainer for the
Predator A and Predator B/MQ-9 aircraft developed for the Italian Air Force.
Delivery of the trainer is expected in 2017.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">System Components<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A
typical Predator system configuration would include four aircraft, one ground
control system and one Trojan Spirit II data distribution terminal. The
Predator air vehicle is 27ft in length and has a 49ft wingspan. The system
operates at an altitude of 25,000ft and at a range of 400nm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The endurance of the air vehicle is more than
40h and the cruise speed is more than 70kt. The air vehicle is equipped with
UHF and VHF radio relay links, a C-band line-of-sight data link which has a
range of 150nm and UHF and Ku-band satellite data links.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Payload<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The surveillance and reconnaissance payload capacity is 450lb
and the vehicle carries electro-optical and infrared cameras and a synthetic
aperture radar. The two-colour DLTV television is equipped with a variable zoom
and 955mm Spotter. The high-resolution FLIR has six fields of view, ranging
between 19mm and 560mm.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The Raytheon multi-spectral targeting system (MTS-A) is
fitted on the MQ-1/9 Predator. The MTS-A provides real-time imagery selectable
between infrared and day TV, as well as a laser designation capability. MQ-1
can employ two laser-guided Hellfire anti-armour missiles with the MTS.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Northrop Grumman TESAR synthetic aperture radar is fitted on the MQ-1 and
provides all-weather surveillance capability, has a resolution of 1ft. Other
payload options, which can be selected to meet mission requirements, include a
laser designator and rangefinder, electronic support and countermeasures and a
moving target indicator (MTI).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The USAF equipped a number of MQ-1 and MQ-9
Predators with a version of the Northrop Grumman airborne signals intelligence
payload (ASIP) in 2010. Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract for the
development and flight testing of the system on an MQ-1 in April 2008. ASIP has
also been tested on the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft and fitted on the RQ-4
Global Hawk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ground Station<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAV ground control station is built into
a single 30ft trailer, containing pilot and payload operator consoles, three
Boeing data exploitation and mission planning consoles and two synthetic
aperture radar workstations together with satellite and line-of-sight ground
data terminals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The ground control station can send imagery data via a
landline to the operational users or to the Trojan Spirit data distribution
system which is equipped with a 5.5m dish for Ku-band ground data terminal and
a 2.4m dish for data dissemination.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Operation<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Predator follows a conventional launch
sequence from a semi-prepared surface under direct line-of-sight control. The
take-off and landing length is typically 2,000ft. The mission can be controlled
through line-of-site data links or through Ku-band satellite links to produce
continuous video.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Video signals received in the ground control
station are passed to the Trojan Spirit van for worldwide intelligence
distribution or directly to operational users via a commercial global broadcast
system. Command users are able to task the payload operator in real-time for
images or video on demand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-36270557955393860412015-08-08T18:35:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:45:57.709-07:00Drones Will be Going Smarter and Deadlier<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Today, the United States operates armed drones like the
General Atomics Predator and Reaper primarily in what’s called permissive
environments — places like Syria or Iraq where the enemy lacks the weapons to
bring down a drone flying at 50,000 feet. But the military has long thought
such aircraft to be</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">“useless”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">against against
decent air defenses with radar, interceptor missiles, or aircraft.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In June, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board completed a
study (the first of three) that suggested the Air Force could modify the Reaper
to be at least somewhat useful against a well-defended enemy, the board’s
chair, Werner<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">J.A.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Dahm.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc1N9cKekVGcgiw0AX2GWWaXcFWd3b6WGduIQLwdKOZ6HV1B_er8rNkW6JuHTYCDaJBt6k2v5P_f298T7gABIaMwQBQ3EOaVYz8hwUm9Z86iXCv1_1SYnniqUSgaBz1PycFGEsuAMsllm/s1600/MQ-9_Reaper_taxis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc1N9cKekVGcgiw0AX2GWWaXcFWd3b6WGduIQLwdKOZ6HV1B_er8rNkW6JuHTYCDaJBt6k2v5P_f298T7gABIaMwQBQ3EOaVYz8hwUm9Z86iXCv1_1SYnniqUSgaBz1PycFGEsuAMsllm/s320/MQ-9_Reaper_taxis.jpg" title="Drone" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">To prepare the Reaper for tougher fights, the committee
recommended giving it a radar warning receiver and other improvements for
situational awareness — “things that allow you to have some ability to
understand when the aircraft is being painted by an adversary system,”
said Dahm.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">But better eyes and ears won’t have a big effect unless those
sensors are matched by upgrades to the ground cockpits, or control stations,
that allow operators to steer drones, select targets, and fire at them,
Dahm said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Ground control stations are a concern for Air Force
scientists and a point of complaint for drone operators. Last year, Mica
Endsley, then the Air Force’s chief scientist, called the pilot interface
“awful.” A handful of drone operators<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">offered similar assessments</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">when<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="text-align: start;">Defense One</i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>recently
visited Nevada’s Creech Air Force Base. They said the most annoying aspect of
flying a Reaper is the down display diagnostic system, which requires drone and
sensor operators to know, or be able to quickly look up, hundreds of acronyms
in order to make small adjustments to settings. It’s like using an Excel
spreadsheet to perform maintenance while also trying to target a terrorist and
hit him with a missile.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The Air Force is looking at ways to improve the operator
interface. Reaper maker General Atomics has made a new ground control station
called the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">Cockpit Block 50 Ground Control Station</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">that’s supposed
to be rolled out in the next four years. It features a more video-game-like
controller and would replace the down display with a touchscreen map.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">These improvements — better sensors and a better user
experience for pilots that allows them to access more data in a way that’s not
mentally overwhelming— are also key to increasing a drone’s autonomy. And that,
according to Dahl, is essential to their success in contested environments.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">In a June Air Force<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">report on the future of drone autonomy,</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> Endsley offered a similar judgment: that greater
autonomy can change the game only if the operator still has all the possible
information needed to override the robot’s bad decisions, except in situations
where the operator can’t exercise control.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">“Airmen will be more effective at interacting with the system
if they are in-the-loop and active in making decisions about the autonomy and
controlling its operation. Situations where the autonomy is activated without
specific input from the airman should be minimized to situations of imminent
danger (e.g., aircraft collision, defensive actions of a cyber system) where
the airman is either unable to respond, due to being incapacitated for example,
or unable to make a decision in the extremely short timeframes available,” the
report said.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Dahl said automatic takeoff and landing, something that the
Army has already begun pulling off for some drones, is perhaps the
lowest-hanging fruit.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Drones in heavily contested environments will also need
precision navigation and timing systems so they can continue their missions
even when a sophisticated enemy knocks out their ability to use<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">GPS</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">. And the
Air Force will have to use advanced modeling and simulation to develop more
detailed technology program plans for contested environments. “You have to run
large numbers of scenarios,” Dahl said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">If those components all come together, the Air Force will be
able to send the Reaper on a much wider variety of missions and put the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">MQ</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">-9’s 3,000-pound
payload to broader use. “They have enough size, weight and power to run” a much
wider variety of weapons, said Dahl.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-7748625489681866452015-08-08T17:51:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:46:23.605-07:00Hacker Cracks Satellite Communications Network, How Big Problem Is This?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Data flowing through a satellite network operated by
Globalstar, which provides communications services and equipment to militaries,
oil companies, and many other organizations. “I can say with 100-percent
confidence I did inject data back into the network,” Colby Moore, who works for
a network security company called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Synack</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">, told reporters at
the Black Hat cybersecurity conference here.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtJXyOPLK9YpzIj9X7xf7Eo0hFeUbC-7jKc9Uk7f8bCCdZ2JC9aaQTBWT32pMh6AQzjGW70kIA_qJbcXdvYn7x4bpNmCx7KjQYYbWFjtGOlOzDE7hnic5ttS1tCXT7_uvhuLaKt-1ePy1/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtJXyOPLK9YpzIj9X7xf7Eo0hFeUbC-7jKc9Uk7f8bCCdZ2JC9aaQTBWT32pMh6AQzjGW70kIA_qJbcXdvYn7x4bpNmCx7KjQYYbWFjtGOlOzDE7hnic5ttS1tCXT7_uvhuLaKt-1ePy1/s320/unnamed.jpg" title="Satellite" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Many organizations use Globalstar products to monitor assets
in remote locations — say, equipping a fleet of trucks deep in the wilderness
with satellite modems that periodically send their locations and operating
conditions back to headquarters. The modems use the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">STX3</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">transmitter
chip</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">to send the data
up to Globalstar’s orbiting Simplex constellation, where it is sent around the
globe and back down to the proper ground station.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">STX3</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>doesn’t encrypt the data before it
sends it. For less than $1000, Moore bought a simple software-defined radio
system and a few other components to assemble a transceiver that allowed him to
sniff the data as it headed into space.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">He discovered that not only could he read the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">GPS</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>coordinates that told him exactly
where the GlobalStar-equipped assets were, but he was able to add his own fake
information to the stream.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">So far, he’s only been able to hack the uplink, not the
downlink, but the data is the same, so stealing from the downlink doesn’t
present a particularly tough challenge, he says.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Moore said he told company officials about the vulnerability
more than a month ago. He says they responded with concern, said Moore. Since
that time But patching the Simplex network is likely impossible.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">How big a problem is this? If you rely on Globalstar’s
Simplex network, your communications may be far more naked — and changeable —
than you realize. A lot of military personnel use satellite phones and
satellite tracking to communicate back home from dangerous deployments. Oil and
gas companies use satellite-based geo-tracking to keep tabs on
multimillion-dollar oil shipments. A lot of aviators use satellite tracking to
reassure air traffic control that their plane isn’t deviating from course.
Journalists and relief workers operating in dangerous locations often use
satellite tracking so that they can be found in case they are kidnapped or
go missing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">So what if an outsider can change your data in transit?
Consider how the military might react if a small private plane appeared to be
deviating from its flight path, making a beeline toward the White House. Or how
the Navy might react if supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz suddenly vanished.
Or how the Army might react if an enemy somehow knew just where to find<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">U.S.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Globalstar has responded to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">repeated
media inquiries</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">with a statement offering assurance (but no real proof) that
the situation was largely under control “Our engineers would know quickly if
any person or entity was hacking our system in a material way and this type of
situation has never been an issue to date. We are in the business of saving
lives daily and will continue to optimize our offerings for security concerns
and immediately address any illegal actions taken against our company.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Then there are the vulnerabilities in infrastructure.
Globalstar’s satellite tracking is “used heavily in [supervisory control and
data acquisition] systems, water pipeline monitoring,” said Moore. And in June,
the company<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/06/17/745250/10138771/en/Globalstar-Announces-Integration-of-SPOT-With-Lockheed-Martin-Flight-Service.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">announced</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">that they would
integrate its services with Lockheed Martin Flight Services to provide
satellite location data to non-commercial pilots. (Lockheed Martin says that
Flight Services doesn’t use data from Globalstar for air traffic control
purposes, only for search and rescue.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">It’s not immediately clear just how many militaries rely on
the company’s Simplex network. Pentagon officials could not immediately respond
to requests for comment. But Spain and other<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">NATO</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>allies have well-publicized business
contracts with the company.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">And Globalstar’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">testimonial</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">page offers this note from a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="text-align: start;">U.S.</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">Army captain
who was operating in Iraq: “I can’t even begin to tell you what a lifeline your
phone has been for us. You should know that one of my fellow soldiers was able
to hear the cry of his newborn son thanks to your system. It is
much appreciated.”</span></span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-73456990883844096882015-08-08T17:22:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:46:50.291-07:00IAF Su-30MKI Vs RAF Eurofighter Typhoon<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;">For Exercise Indradhanush<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IV</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">, the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>deployed
four Su-</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">30MKI</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">s from No 2 Squadron based at Tezpur to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF </span></span><span style="text-align: start;">Coningsby, assisted by mid-air refueling from an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Ilyushin
Il-78 tanker. Logistics support was provided by an </span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>C-17
and a C-130J, and these transports also carried a special forces unit
that exercised with its<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">counterpart, including paradrops. Three previous
exercises in the series included two visits by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Typhoons
to India and an Su-</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">30MKI</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>deployment to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">UK</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>in
2007. However, that exercise was constrained by Indian security rules that
precluded the use of the Flanker’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">N011M</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>passive
electronically-scanned array (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">PESA</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">) radar.
There were no such restrictions this time, although the rules that were agreed
by both air forces for the exercise included a common maximum range for
beyond-visual range (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">BVR</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">)
engagements. The Flanker and the Typhoon both carry a long-range infrared
search and track (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IRST</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">) sensor
that can supplement or replace<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">BVR</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>detection
of opposing aircraft by their respective radars.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodIuaoROXxjbhHfXqG43VOO71RIl18DAL3mDGoJbvvuZo70bkTiYXqNYex5Utgrx-Gpw3H1AamQNAH46VXWqKQ8YISvxMr39_lZZBramU8Y52b2lWQNJNjIMSncEwcLcOd4KcJJNYPFHy/s1600/GLD-075341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodIuaoROXxjbhHfXqG43VOO71RIl18DAL3mDGoJbvvuZo70bkTiYXqNYex5Utgrx-Gpw3H1AamQNAH46VXWqKQ8YISvxMr39_lZZBramU8Y52b2lWQNJNjIMSncEwcLcOd4KcJJNYPFHy/s320/GLD-075341.jpg" title="Su-30MKI" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;">Indian air force pilots (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">) flying their Su-</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">30MKI</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Flankers
provided stiff opposition for a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">UK</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Royal
Air Force (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">)
Eurofighter Typhoon squadron during air combat maneuvering exercises just ended
in the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">UK</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">. Senior officers from both the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>and
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>were
unwilling to discuss details, but </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">AIN</span></span><span style="text-align: start;"> understands
from informed sources with knowledge of the exercise</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">that, in close combat, the thrust vector control (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">TVC</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">) on the heavier Flankers more than compensated
for the greater thrust-to-weight ratio of the Typhoon. The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>is
likely to buy another 30 or 40 Su-</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">30MKI</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">s from the licensed Indian production line,
boosting its fleet to close to300, especially after last week’s formal withdrawal by Delhi</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #231f20;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #231f20;">of
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RFP</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>for
a Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">MMRCA</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">).</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;">Scenarios for the two-week exercise gradually increased
in complexity, ending with an 18-aircraft mission in which the four Flankers
joined six Typhoons in a ‘Blue’ Force that was tasked to escort two
C-130Js (one Indian, on British) into a drop zone, opposed by six jets of a
‘Red’ Force comprising<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">RAF</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>Hawks
and more Typhoons. Although air-to-air engagement was the main focus of the
exercise, the Flanker and Typhoon pilots also honed their air-to-ground skills.
Typhoons performed simulated drops of Paveway<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">II</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">IV</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>laser-guided
bombs. Although the Flankers can carry a much greater range of ordnance, they
simulated only ‘generic’ weapons-dropping while in the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">UK</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;">The status and timetable is not entirely clear
for India's plans to upgrade the Su-30MKI</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;">fleet
with an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">AESA</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>radar;
new displays including the Thales Topsight<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">HMDS</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">; and new weapons including the Indian Astra<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">BVRAAM</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>and
the Indo-Russian Brahmos cruise missile.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #231f20;"><span style="text-align: start;"> The ending of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">MMRCA</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>requirement
could theoretically free up funds for the upgrade, and the additional licensed
production, although some observers believe that more resources could be
applied to the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (</span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">FGFA</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">) project with Russia, instead. Meanwhile,
Dassault Aviation seems confident of a firm contract from India for 36
French-built Rafale fighters within a couple of months, in lieu of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">MMRCA</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>deal.
Eric Trappier,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="caps"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">CEO</span></span><span style="text-align: start;">, told journalists at the company’s
half-yearly-results press conference last week that the company was now
committing to an increased Rafale production rate starting in 2018.</span></span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-66934035682261813672015-08-08T17:02:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:47:16.805-07:00SkiGull, Burt Rutan New Multi Purpose Airplane Concept<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">The SkiGull is designed as a multi purpose airplane capable
of landing on water (it incorporates design details to prevent corrosion in
salt water), snow and unimproved surfaces. Rutan recently unveiled the first
images of his new design at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The legendary
designer had hoped to fly his first prototype to the show, but the airplane was
not ready.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">Burt Rutan</span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">, who retired from his company Scaled Composites
in 2010 only to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">announce he is building a new airplane</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">in
his garage, provided some details regarding the progress on what he has named
the SkiGull.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Designed as a two-seat tandem composite airplane with
foldable wings, the SkiGull is designed for ground transportation without a
trailer, AOPA reported. The airplane will be powered by a Rotax engine to allow
operators to use auto fuel instead of avgas.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS2k-Cbv3ikh3gtMovaGIc6yQpdEdJqLFWSbxuCZf7ouI5AYbEsliTqgIAkjYhXlOwyMpxL83SBGZkbNwYu4ulKWdKblN8tA0sP6Kd7Hk-8KEYO9MBoPCVZ74ZKBQQUpZFjeZyrMGCcTt/s1600/0722_Rutan_SkiGull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS2k-Cbv3ikh3gtMovaGIc6yQpdEdJqLFWSbxuCZf7ouI5AYbEsliTqgIAkjYhXlOwyMpxL83SBGZkbNwYu4ulKWdKblN8tA0sP6Kd7Hk-8KEYO9MBoPCVZ74ZKBQQUpZFjeZyrMGCcTt/s320/0722_Rutan_SkiGull.jpg" title="SkiGull" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">The SkiGull will have a unique auxiliary electrical
propulsion system, which is designed to provide an additional boost of power
during takeoff, for engine-out safety, and for docking and beaching in winds.
True Blue Power has been selected to provide batteries for the system. The
company claims its lithium-ion batteries deliver three times the energy per
kilogram compared with NiCad batteries.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">AntennaFILMS is documenting</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: auto; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;">the
design and build process of the SkiGull. The company launched<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #004261; font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">a </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">Kickstarter </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">campaign</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: auto; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;">to
raise money for a documentary of Rutan's life called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;">Looking Up, Way Up!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: auto; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;">The enthusiasm for Rutan's airplane designs was evident as
the campaign raised nearly $107,000 for the film project.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-56563159773749086782015-08-08T04:00:00.002-07:002015-09-08T11:47:53.799-07:00The Largest Feature in the Universe Over Five Billion Light Years Across<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">Gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs)</span> <span style="color: #333333;">that make up the newly discovered ring were observed using a
variety of space- and ground-based observatories. They appear to be at very
similar distances from us -- around 7 billion light years -- in a circle 36°
across on the sky, or more than 70 times the diameter of the Full Moon. This
implies that the ring is more than 5 billion light years across, and according
to Prof Balazs there is only a 1 in 20,000 probability of the GRBs being in
this distribution by chance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXdHf_1IIryWpcSrDYSY7mTk3CHs4Z_I4AvJWs4eq86t6ti93sRE1wijRmiR_OvmApY5SbwX7Dd3TLFoNkX7cyeiHE-anuNQxyW9z89vPUrho1CvXvOT13VcS_DQAatvKVYrBQmIiimwo/s1600/gamma-ray-bursts-denoted-by-blue-dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXdHf_1IIryWpcSrDYSY7mTk3CHs4Z_I4AvJWs4eq86t6ti93sRE1wijRmiR_OvmApY5SbwX7Dd3TLFoNkX7cyeiHE-anuNQxyW9z89vPUrho1CvXvOT13VcS_DQAatvKVYrBQmIiimwo/s320/gamma-ray-bursts-denoted-by-blue-dots.jpg" title="Universe" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">Most current models
indicate that the structure of the cosmos is uniform on the largest scales.
This 'Cosmological Principle' is backed up by observations of the early
universe and its microwave background signature, seen by the WMAP and Planck
satellites. Other recent results and this new discovery challenge the
principle, which sets a theoretical limit of 1.2 billion light years for the
largest structures. The newly discovered ring is almost five times as large.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If the ring represents a
real spatial structure, then it has to be seen nearly face-on because of the
small variations of GRB distances around the object's centre. The ring could
though instead be a projection of a sphere, where the GRBs all occurred within
a 250 million year period, a short timescale compared with the age of the
universe.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A spheroidal ring
projection would mirror the strings of clusters of galaxies seen to surround
voids in the universe; voids and string-like formations are seen and predicted
by many models of the cosmos. The newly discovered ring is however at least ten
times larger than known voids.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prof Balazs comments:
"If we are right, this structure contradicts the current models of the
universe. It was a huge surprise to find something this big -- and we still
don't quite understand how it came to exist at all."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The team now want to find
out more about the ring, and establish whether the known processes for galaxy
formation and large scale structure could have led to its creation, or if
astronomers need to radically revise their theories of the evolution of the cosmos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-34585647164820671892015-08-08T03:53:00.001-07:002015-09-08T11:48:20.832-07:00Nasa Release Far Side Image of The Moon<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">These images were taken between 3:50 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. EDT on July 16,
showing the moon moving over the Pacific Ocean near North America. The North
Pole is in the upper left corner of the image, reflecting the orbital tilt of
Earth from the vantage point of the spacecraft.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBaSLJbA4HZ8jJB3TGVrbT5x7ZzP1_1yDGjuhFtPWZD-09F3JC7yTTwgXwl6ljlJzdv61h1ri6q0O07glw9lg42hapgNOXAxsiXZFoqNuc_BFksVCxbPn1OP9Mz0o-vlQWqTyqxyRSOwJ/s1600/fromamillion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBaSLJbA4HZ8jJB3TGVrbT5x7ZzP1_1yDGjuhFtPWZD-09F3JC7yTTwgXwl6ljlJzdv61h1ri6q0O07glw9lg42hapgNOXAxsiXZFoqNuc_BFksVCxbPn1OP9Mz0o-vlQWqTyqxyRSOwJ/s320/fromamillion.png" title="Moon" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">The images were
captured by NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), a four megapixel
CCD camera and telescope on the DSCOVR satellite orbiting 1 million miles from
Earth. From its position between the sun and Earth, DSCOVR conducts its primary
mission of real-time solar wind monitoring for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">EPIC maintains a constant
view of the fully illuminated Earth as it rotates, providing scientific
observations of ozone, vegetation, cloud height and aerosols in the atmosphere.
Once EPIC begins regular observations next month, the camera will provide a
series of Earth images allowing study of daily variations over the entire
globe. About twice a year the camera will capture the moon and Earth together
as the orbit of DSCOVR crosses the orbital plane of the moon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The far side of the
moon was not seen until 1959 when the Soviet Luna 3 spacecraft returned the
first images. Since then, several NASA missions have imaged the lunar far side
in great detail. The same side of the moon always faces an earthbound observer
because the moon is tidally locked to Earth. That means its orbital period is
the same as its rotation around its axis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In May 2008 NASA's Deep
Impact spacecraft captured a similar view of Earth and the moon from a distance
of 31 million miles away. The series of images showed the moon passing in front
of our home planet when it was only partially illuminated by the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">EPIC's "natural
color" images of Earth are generated by combining three separate
monochrome exposures taken by the camera in quick succession. EPIC takes a
series of 10 images using different narrowband spectral filters -- from
ultraviolet to near infrared -- to produce a variety of science products. The
red, green and blue channel images are used in these color images.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Combining three images
taken about 30 seconds apart as the moon moves produces a slight but noticeable
camera artifact on the right side of the moon. Because the moon has moved in
relation to the Earth between the time the first (red) and last (green)
exposures were made, a thin green offset appears on the right side of the moon
when the three exposures are combined. This natural lunar movement also
produces a slight red and blue offset on the left side of the moon in these
unaltered images.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lunar far side
lacks the large, dark, basaltic plains, or maria, that are so prominent on the
Earth-facing side. The largest far side features are Mare Moscoviense in the upper
left and Tsiolkovskiy crater in the lower left. A thin sliver of shadowed area
of moon is visible on its right side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It is surprising how
much brighter Earth is than the moon," said Adam Szabo, DSCOVR project
scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
"Our planet is a truly brilliant object in dark space compared to the
lunar surface."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once EPIC begins regular
observations next month, NASA will post daily color images of Earth to a
dedicated public website. These images, showing different views of the planet
as it rotates through the day, will be available 12 to 36 hours after they are
acquired.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">DSCOVR is a partnership
between NASA, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force with the primary objective of
maintaining the nation's real-time solar wind monitoring capabilities, which
are critical to the accuracy and lead time of space weather alerts and
forecasts from NOAA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589105945054121524.post-2206219627314546922015-08-08T03:42:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:48:47.941-07:00Astronomers Found Milky Way Stars Are Moved<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">In our modern world,
many people move far away from their birthplaces, sometimes halfway around the
world," said Michael Hayden, NMSU astronomy graduate student and lead
author of the new study. "Now we're finding the same is true of stars in
our galaxy -- about 30 percent of the stars in our galaxy have traveled a long
way from where they were born."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt210CzRfdsq_Yeb_keTra9ik44IPbAxSbGrJj6OtWqkgHXpD0-xwtwvhJ4jImbgl9AhKs-AHhEL4bQpYoPSlFnU5_fCZC1uwc-CSU6hKk8BT3c2XaOUVQSqsic_-FaGxljQNG5hhuHpE/s1600/Milky_Way_Galaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt210CzRfdsq_Yeb_keTra9ik44IPbAxSbGrJj6OtWqkgHXpD0-xwtwvhJ4jImbgl9AhKs-AHhEL4bQpYoPSlFnU5_fCZC1uwc-CSU6hKk8BT3c2XaOUVQSqsic_-FaGxljQNG5hhuHpE/s320/Milky_Way_Galaxy.jpg" title="Milky Way" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt210CzRfdsq_Yeb_keTra9ik44IPbAxSbGrJj6OtWqkgHXpD0-xwtwvhJ4jImbgl9AhKs-AHhEL4bQpYoPSlFnU5_fCZC1uwc-CSU6hKk8BT3c2XaOUVQSqsic_-FaGxljQNG5hhuHpE/s1600/Milky_Way_Galaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15pt;">To build a new map of the
Milky Way, scientists used the SDSS Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution
Explorer (APOGEE) spectrograph to observe 100,000 stars during a 4-year period.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">For the last six years,
NMSU astronomers in the College of Arts and Sciences, along with collaborators
from member institutions around the world, have been using the 2.5-meter SDSS
telescope at the Apache Point, located in the Sacramento Mountains about 20
miles south of Cloudcroft complete a suite of experiments that includes studies
of Milky Way stars to unlock the history of our galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">The key to creating and
interpreting this map of the galaxy is measuring the elements in the atmosphere
of each star. "From the chemical composition of a star, we can learn its
ancestry and life history," said Hayden, who is completing his Ph.D. at
NMSU this summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">The chemical information
comes from spectra, which are detailed measurements of how much light the star
gives off at different wavelengths. Spectra show prominent lines that
correspond to elements and compounds. Astronomers can tell what a star is made
of by reading these spectral lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">"Stellar spectra show
us that the chemical makeup of our galaxy is constantly changing," said
Jon Holtzman, NMSU astronomy professor who was involved in the study.
"Stars create heavier elements in their cores, and when the stars die,
those heavier elements go back into the gas from which the next stars
form."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; border-radius: 0px !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">As a result of this process
of "chemical enrichment," each generation of stars has a higher
percentage of heavier elements than the previous generation did. In some
regions of the galaxy, star formation has proceeded more vigorously than in
other regions -- and in these more vigorous regions, more generations of new
stars have formed. This means the average amount of heavier elements in stars
varies among different parts of the galaxy. Astronomers then can determine what
part of the galaxy a star was born in by tracing the amount of heavy elements
in that star.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Hayden and his colleagues
used APOGEE data to map the relative amounts of 15 separate elements, including
carbon, silicon, and iron for stars all over the galaxy. What they found
surprised them -- up to 30 percent of stars had compositions indicating that
they were formed in parts of the galaxy far from their current positions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">When the team looked at the
pattern of element abundances in detail, they found that much of the data could
be explained by a model in which stars migrate radially, moving closer or
farther from the galactic center with time. These random in-and-out motions are
referred to as "migration," and are likely caused by irregularities
in the galactic disk, such as the Milky Way's famous spiral arms. Evidence of
stellar migration had previously been seen in stars near the Sun, but the new
study is the first clear evidence that migration occurs throughout the galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Future studies by
astronomers using data from SDSS promise even more new discoveries. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">"These latest results
take advantage of only a small fraction of the available APOGEE data,"
said Steven Majewski, the Principal Investigator of APOGEE. "Once we
unlock the full information content of APOGEE, we will understand the chemistry
and shape of our galaxy much more clearly."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">NMSU has already begun
Phase IV of SDSS, the next six-year mission, which runs through 2020. It will
include data from the Sloan telescope at Apache Point Observatory and an
additional telescope in Chile, adding to the database with a better view of the
southern sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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