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Friday, October 31, 2014

Мi-28 Russian helicopters join service in Iraq

Mi-28NE Night HunterThe Iraqi Ministry of Defense assured the entrance of the Russian helicopter (Night Hunter) to the service to support terrorism fighting and Iraqi infantry forces.

A statement by the MoD cited “Minister of Defense Khalid al-Obaidi accompanied by several military commanders observed on Wednesday the final stage of preparing and arming the first group of the Russian modern fighting helicopters (MI-28) in a step towards sending them to specified air bases.”

“These helicopters which are known as the Night Hunter will increase the efficiency of the Iraqi Army Air Force in its war against terrorism,” the statement added.

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Inside Russian nuclear sub as it fires missile that can level a city


A TV crew was on board a Borey-class nuclear submarine as it was test-firing a Bulava nuclear missile on Wednesday. A video from the sub shows people entrusted with one of the world's most powerful weapons in action.

The Yury Dolgoruky fired its deadly cargo from the Barents sea in Russia's north to the Far-Eastern test range of Kura.

Footage from the scene shows tense seamen and officers in blue uniforms going through the launch protocol, using the same language they would use in case of a real nuclear war.

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General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Lays Keel of DDG 115, Starts Fabrication on DDG 118

DDG-115 USS Rafael PeraltaThis week, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works celebrated two milestone events for the Arleigh Burke-class program. On October 30, Bath Iron Works held a keel laying ceremony for the Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), the company’s 35th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

The ship is named for Sgt. Rafael Peralta, U.S. Marine Corps, who was deployed to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was killed November 15, 2004, during the Second Battle of Fallujah in house-to-house urban combat at the age of 25.

Sgt. Peralta’s mother, Rosa Peralta, and his sisters, Icela Peralta Donald and Karen Peralta, authenticated the keel at Bath Iron Works on October 30. Rosa Peralta is the ship’s sponsor.

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Ya'alon cancels purchase of 6 US V-22 planes

CV-22B OspreyDefense Minister Moshe Ya'alon decided to cancel a deal with the U.S. to purchase the advanced vertical-takeoff and landing V-22 Osprey aircraft. Ya'alon's decision was not in line with the Israeli military's stance, and in Israel there is concern the decision may rouse the ire of the U.S.

Israel had agreed to purchase six V-22s, but had not yet signed the contract. The purchase would have made Israel the first country outside the U.S. to obtain the advanced aircraft.

Israel was given the green light to purchase the planes in April 2013 during U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's first visit to Israel.

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China Calls On Japan To End Jet Scrambles

Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ EagleChina called on Japan on Thursday to stop scrambling its jets against Chinese aircraft following a rise in the number of such operations, saying it was source of flying safety concerns.

Tension has been high between Asia's two largest economies in recent months, with each accusing the other of flying military aircraft too close to its own jets in a long-running territorial dispute.

Both sides claim a string of Japanese-administered islets in the East China Sea, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Beijing declared an air defense zone covering most of the East China Sea last year, sparking protests from Japan and the United States.

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Video: In the Cockpit of a U-2 Spy Plane, Up High and Down Low


We recently wrote how it looked like the storied U-2 spy plane would likely avert retirement yet again this year, as well as about how the plane is difficult to land and flies so very, very high.

Watch the video above to see what it looks like from the cockpit when the U-2 gets way, way up there, then check out the view from a chase car during the landing.

If you want to watch another U-2 landing as viewed from a chase car, here’s a taste.

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Airbus and Tata team-up for Indian Air Force’s Avro replacement contract

CASA C295Airbus Defence and Space has signed a cooperation agreement with Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) to submit a joint bid for a contract to replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Avro aircraft fleet.

The team is offering combat-proven Airbus C295 medium transport for the contract, which covers replacement of 56 Avro aircraft.

Under the terms of agreement, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its own final assembly line in the event of contract award.

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Beijing commands 400 patrol vessels: Thai military magazine

Type-056 class FSTo defend its exclusive economic zone in the disputed East and South China Seas, China's maritime law enforcement agencies have about 400 patrol vessels according to Asia Military Review, a magazine based in Bangkok.

China currently has the largest fleet of patrol vessels in the Asia-Pacific the magazine stated. The tonnages of the 400 vessels range between 1,150 and 3,400. The agencies are also set to receive 36 additional vessels.

The Japan Coast Guard currently has only 50 patrol vessels though they are better than the Chinese vessels in terms of quality.

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St Petersburg enterprise to supply arresting gear for INS Vikrant

INS VikrantSt. Petersburg’s Proletarski Zavod (Proletarian Factory) will supply arresting gears and breaking machines for the under construction INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

The Russian enterprise has already supplied similar equipment for the INS Vikramaditya, Yury Skorikov, the factory’s general director told Tass.

“A contract has been signed with the Indian side. We are making arresting gears for the Vikrant aircraft carrier,” Skorikov said.

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China denies reports of explosion in its aircraft carrier

Liaoning CVChinese military today dismissed reports of an explosion on board its lone aircraft carrier, Liaoning which is currently undergoing advanced trials.

Reports in foreign media of an explosion on board the aircraft carrier "did not conform with the facts", Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a press conference today.

According to unconfirmed reports, China's first aircraft carrier appeared to suffer a steam explosion during the recent trials that temporarily knocked out the carrier's electrical power system.

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French submarines to get new torpedoes

Le Triomphant-class SSBNThe French military procurement agency, DGA, says a next-generation heavy torpedo will be delivered to the French Navy in 2016.

The F21, developed as part of the government's Artemis weapons program, will be produced by DCNS, which designed the weapon.

The F21 is 19.6 feet long 21 inches in diameter and has two sets of propellers. It's speed -- due to the use of powerful electric battery -- is more than 50 knots over a distance of 50 nautical miles.

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Russia Begins Construction of 2 New Stealthy Kilo Submarines

Rostov-on-DonIn another step forward for the Russian navy's ambitious rearmament plans, the keels of two more "Improved Kilo-class" diesel-electric submarines were laid at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Interfax reported.

The new submarines are destined to join Russia's Black Sea Fleet upon completion in 2016.

Kilo submarines are extremely quiet compared with nuclear submarines, the mainstay of many submarine fleets, because they use diesel engines rather than nuclear reactors for power. They also play a very different combat role. While nuclear attack submarines are designed for long-range deployments in the ocean depths, diesel-electric submarines are intended to sink surface vessels and other submarines in shallow waters closer to land.

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Government in a rush to make the wrong decision on submarines

Defence Minister David JohnstonIn the last week, Defence Minister David Johnston has flagged a “capability gap” if the next fleet of submarines is designed and built in Australia.

“We are under such time constraints to avoid a capability gap and I cannot afford to not have submarines in the water,” he told Sky News. “This country cannot afford that.”

It is the first time such urgency has been prioritised; it has hit the headlines with dramatic effect. In this case, however, the Coalition’s stance requires scrutiny, given what is at stake.

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Raytheon awarded $205 million Phalanx upgrade contract

Phalanx CIWSRaytheon Company was awarded a multi-year bulk buy contract totaling over $200 million to provide Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) upgrade kits, support equipment and hardware spares to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The CIWS is an integral element of Japan's Ship Self-Defense Program.

"Phalanx provides the critical inner-layer of protection to sailors around the globe against threats that are continually evolving," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Naval and Area Mission Defense product line.

"Thanks to its array of sensors, Phalanx brings a proven solution against threats launched from land, sea or air."

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Russia to Deliver Four S-300 Missile Complexes to Belarus by Year's End: Defense Minister

S-300 GiantRussia will deliver four S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus by the end of this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

"If we speak about the summary for 2014, then this year we will finalize the delivery of four S-300 Zenit missile systems that will be handed over [to Belarus]. I think they'll enter into the Belarus military service in 2015," Shoigu said during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart in Minsk.

The contract for the supply of four S-300 systems to Belarus was signed in July.

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Taiwan to take delivery of first batch of Black Hawks in December

UH-60M Black HawkTaiwan will begin taking delivery of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States by the end of this year, with the first batch of six of the 60 aircraft set to arrive in mid-December, an Army official said Wednesday.

The helicopters will be shipped to Taiwan in seven batches, with the final batch scheduled to arrive in 2018, the official told reporters on the sidelines of a legislative committee hearing.

The U.S. government announced in early 2010 that it was selling Taiwan the 60 choppers, worth a total of US$3.1 billion.

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China Sees First Female Attack Helicopter Pilots

China’s first batch of five female attack helicopter pilotsChina's first five female attack helicopter pilots recently took part in a drill in the hinterland of north China's Yan Mountains.

The five pilots, who last year transferred to the People's Liberation Army Aviation from the People's Liberation Army Air Force, have been capable of performing combat tasks and have added to the aviation battle sequence.

"As women are meticulous and sensitive, female pilots have their advantages in flying attack helicopters, especially in operating precision instruments and distinguishing the terrains," said a senior aviation army officer.

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Park hails deployment of S. Korea's FA-50 aircraft


President Park Geun-hye called on the military Thursday to remain in full readiness as she hailed the operational deployment of South Korea's FA-50 aircraft.

"Now, our security situation is very grave," Park, wearing an Air Force jacket, said in a ceremony marking the deployment of the fighter jets built by Korea Aerospace Industries, South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer.

Park's comments came a day after North Korea rejected South Korea's offer of high-level talks in protest of anti-Pyongyang leaflets.

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North Korean leader oversees flying squads exercise — paper

Kim Jong-UnNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has commanded a training exercise of flying squads of air defense and air force units, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday.

Pilots were practicing takeoffs and landings of military aircraft, interception of air targets and aerobatic maneuvers.

The supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army hailed the exercise and promoted some pilots right at the site “for high professionalism they have demonstrated,” the paper said.

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Pilot Killed in Crash of Fighter Jet During Training Mission Near Point Mugu


Federal aviation investigators were at the scene Wednesday night of the fiery crash of a fighter jet during a training mission near Point Mugu Naval Air Station that killed the pilot.

The jet came down around 5:13 p.m. in an agricultural field near Hueneme Road at Highway 1, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

“I just saw this jet going down really fast … and all I saw was a big cloud of smoke,” said witness Brian Rivera.

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Boeing, U.S. Air Force Demonstrate Minuteman III Readiness in Flight Test


Boeing supported the U.S. Air Force’s successful flight test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which demonstrated the readiness of that system to deter nuclear threats.

The unarmed ICBM launched Sept. 23, 2014, from Vandenberg Air Force Base and reached a target in the Kwajalein Atoll during the test.

“Regular flight tests validate the accuracy, safety and reliability of the Minuteman system,” said Peggy Morse, vice president, Boeing Directed Energy & Strategic Systems.

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Nato jets intercept Russian warplanes following 'unusual level of air activity'

A Norwegian F-16 shadows a Russian air force Tupolev Tu-95Nato aircraft have been scrambled to shadow Russian strategic bombers over the Atlantic and Black Sea and fighter planes over the Baltic in what the western alliance called an unusual burst of activity as tensions remain elevated because of the situation in Ukraine.

In all, Nato said, its jets intercepted four groups of Russian aircraft in about 24 hours since Tuesday and some were still on manoeuvres late on Wednesday afternoon.

“These sizeable Russian flights represent an unusual level of air activity over European air space,” the alliance said.

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NUSHIP Canberra on its way from Melbourne to Sydney

NUSHIP CanberraNUSHIP Canberra, the largest vessel to ever bear the name of our city, is on its way en route from Melbourne to Sydney, where she is due to be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on November 28.

Work on her sister ship, the Adelaide, is still in progress at the BAE Systems Dockyard at Williamstown.

The two "landing helicopter docks" (LHDs), which have a combined cost well in excess of $2 billion, represent a major escalation in the amphibious lift capability of the Australian Defence Force.

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Project 11356 lead frigate Admiral Grigorovich to join Russian Navy in early November

Project 11356M class FFGThe lead frigate of Project 11356, the Admiral Grigorovich, is to be handed over to the Russian Navy on November 7, a delegation of the Baltic shipyard Yantar, manufacturing the ships of the series, told TASS at the Euronaval 2014 exhibition in Paris on Wednesday.

“On November 7, we will hand over the lead frigate to the Russian Fleet at a solemn ceremony to be attended by Commander-in-Chief (Viktor) Chirkov,” the representative of the Kaliningrad-based Yantar shipyard said.

The Admiral Grigorovich was laid down in mid-December 2010 and was set afloat in March this year. The frigate is part of the six ships being constructed in Kaliningrad: the Admiral Essen, the Admiral Makarov, the Admiral Butakov, the Admiral Istomin and the Admiral Kornikov.

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French DGA successfully completes final qualification firing of MdCN missile system

Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN)The French Direction Générale d'Armement (DGA) has successfully completed the final qualification firing of the Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN) system, also called the naval cruise missile (NCM), from the DGA Missile Test Centre in Biscarrosse, France.

The launch, which was executed from a frigate, was mainly aimed at determining the missile's range performance, while satisfying overall flight objectives.

Built by MBDA as part of the DGA contract in 2006, the MdCN missile system will be installed on the French Navy's Frégate Européen multimission (FREMM) vessels and its Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarines by 2015 and 2018, respectively.

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Russia Test Fires Bulava Sea-Based Ballistic Missile


Russia has successfully test-fired a Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the Borey-class Yury Dolgoruky nuclear-powered submarine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The missile was launched from the submerged submarine at a location in the Barents Sea and hit a designated target at the Kura test range on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, it was the first operational test launch of Bulava in line with the program of combat training. All previous launches were part of development testing.

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India, Russia to export BrahMos

Submarine launched BrahMosThe governments of India and Russia have agreed that BrahMos missile will be exported to a list of mutually agreeable countries for defensive purposes. There is also a negative list to which exports are barred.

The missile has been showcased in several countries to apprise the potential customers of its capabilities.

“If any country approaches us we will look into it on a case by case basis. BrahMos Aerospace has the production capacity, game plan and skilled labour to supply. I would like to state that we are ready and waiting. It is for the government of India to decide”, Sudhir Mishra, CEO and MD of BrahMos Corporation said on Wednesday.

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DCNS announces new concept submarine SMX-Ocean


French shipbuilder DCNS has taken the wraps off a new concept submarine that combines conventional power with a nuclear-powered attack submarine design.

The vessel, named the long SMX-Ocean, was unveiled at the Euronaval 2014 exhibition in Paris. It would be 328 feet long, displace more than 4,000 tons, dive deeper than 1,000 feet and have a submerged speed of 20 knots.

"This innovative concept ship promises submerged endurance and deployment capabilities that are unprecedented for a conventional-propulsion submarine," DCNS said.

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PLA shows off sub power sending Changzheng 2 to Persian Gulf

Type-091 (Han) class SSNBy sending the Changzheng 2, a Type 091 Han-class nuclear-powered submarine to Sri Lanka and the Persian Gulf last month, the People's Liberation Army Navy of China is demonstrating its force projection capability to the United States, according to the Moscow-based Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

China is believed by Western observers to have a total of 71 submarines in service or in development, including obsolete conventional-powered submarines and advanced nuclear-powered submarines which are able to launch anti-ship missiles.

Among them, the most powerful are its three Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines, which are all able to fire JL-2 second-generation intercontinental-range ballistic missiles with a range of 8,000 kilometers.

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Saab Confident in Its Kockums Submarine Builders

Gunilla FranssonThe return last summer of the Kockums shipbuilding firm to Swedish ownership and control marked a rare moment when the public, government and industry all joined in approval.

“I think this is one of the first times we have seen a very positive reception from everyone in the country,” said Gunilla Fransson, head of the Saab Kockums Security and Defense Solutions unit. “Now we have a way forward.”

Fransson spoke to reporters Wednesday here at the Euronaval exposition just outside Paris, where Saab and its new Kockums acquisition are re-establishing their identity as submarine builders with a distinctly Swedish bent.

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Improved Russian Nuclear Attack Submarine Kazan to Deliver in 2016

Yasen class SSGNThe Russian Navy is set to take delivery of an improved Project 885M Yasen-class attack submarine in 2016 according to Russian state media. The new vessel, named after the city of Kazan, incorporates many improvements to the lead Project 855 boat, K-329 Severodvinsk, which was commissioned earlier in 2014.

“The first improved Project 885M submarine, the Kazan, will be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2016,” Nikolai Novoselov, deputy general director of the Malakhit design bureau told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

Kazan will have improved sensors and weapon systems compared to Severodvinsk. It is also likely to be quieter than the original vessel, read the report.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

F-35C Lightning Aircraft lands at NAS Oceana


Local Navy pilots got a chance to check out one of the military’s newest planes, Tuesday.

An F-35C “Lightning II” Joint Strike Fighter landed at Naval Air Station Oceana to provide fleet aviators an opportunity to view the aircraft and receive a brief from the flight crew and maintainers.

This visit is the first time an operational F-35C has landed at NAS Oceana.

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A new stealth corvette from France

C Sword 90 stealthy corvetteCherbourg based CMN (Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie) has unveiled the C Sword 90 stealthy corvette at the Euronaval naval expo in Paris this week.

The stealth vessel is one of three new ship designs the company is launching, all positioned to address the growing needs of world navies to support increasingly demanding missions encountered at the high sea and littoral waters.

The distinctive shape of the C Sword 90 depicts an innovative hull formation and superstructure design with sloped surfaces, developed in collaboration with naval architect Thierry Verhaaren, who also designed the Baynunah missile boats CMS has built for the UAE.

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Sagem seeker chosen for MBDA’s new light antiship missile

ANL/Sea VenomSagem (Safran) announced today a contract with long-standing partner MBDA to develop and produce the infrared seeker for the upcoming light antiship missile, the ANL/Sea Venom, a joint French-British program launched within the scope of the Lancaster House treaty signed in November 2010.

Developed by MBDA, this new-generation tactical missile will be deployed by a number of different helicopters, including the Royal Navy’s AW159 Wildcat, and the French navy’s Panther Marine and NH90. It will replace current missiles such as the Sea Skua and AS15TT.

Sagem, as prime contractor for the ANL/Sea Venom seeker, also chose the British company Selex ES Ltd to participate in its development and production.

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China to buy 5,000 Russian air-to-air missiles: Japanese report

R-73 (AA-11 Archer)China is likely to purchase 5,000 R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles from Russia, writes Toshiyuki Roku, retired commander of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Air Development and Test Command, in an article for the Tokyo-based Japan Military Review.

Since China's domestic air-to-air missiles such as the PL-12, the SD-10A and the PL-9C were designed based on technology from Ukraine and are still unable to compete against US counterparts, the People's Liberation Army realizes that it needs the more advanced Russian missiles to go head to head against the US and Japan in any potential future air combat, Roku wrote.

He said China has already bought 1,500 R-77 missiles and 3,300 R-73 missiles from Russia.

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Euronaval: Thales introduces France's new maritime patrol radar

ATL2 with Seamaster radarThales has introduced its new Searchmaster airborne multirole surveillance radar, which will be supplied to the French navy for its Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft upgrade programme.

The active electronically scanned array radar will be integrated into 15 of the Dassault-built aircraft. French defence procurement agency DGA announced the upgrade programme in October 2013, with the aim of extending the life of the aircraft out to the 2030s.

“The surveillance radar is part of the upgrade package,” armament chief engineer Patrick Aufort, manager officer for mission aircraft at the DGA, said during the launch at the Euronaval exhibition in Paris. “The French navy needs to improve the detection of small targets in high sea states and its coastal surveillance.”

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Britain gives F-35 jets deal permission to take off

F-35 BK-1 Lightning IIBritain has agreed the purchase of the first four of its F35s, the fighter jets designed to fly on new aircraft carriers by the end of the decade.

Ministers said on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement in principle to buy four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft, which will fly from the next generation of carriers as well as air force bases.

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, said: “Today’s announcement is a major step forward. The Lightning II will equip the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force with a highly advanced multi-role stealth combat aircraft, operating from both our new Queen Elizabeth class carriers and land bases.”

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Thales to develop Sea Fire 500, a new multifunction fixed-array radar

Sea Fire 500 radarAt Euronaval 2014, Thales is announcing the development of its new multifunction naval radar, Sea Fire 500. With a fully solid-state four-panel phased-array antenna, Sea Fire 500 is designed for large surface combatants.

This new radar concept is the culmination of three years of advanced research into new radar technologies and architectures, conducted with the support from the French defence procurement agency (DGA). Sea Fire 500 is tailored to evolving naval requirements and the new threats faced by national navies.

The new radar will be effective in roles ranging from ship self-defence to extended air defence, providing protection from asymmetric threats such as UAVs as well as emerging threats such as anti-ship ballistic missiles, even in heavily jammed environments and the complex conditions of the littoral.

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Vietnam to buy naval vessels from India to patrol disputed South China Sea

Nguyen Tan Dung with Narendra ModiIn a first overt gesture of strengthening defence ties with Vietnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung that New Delhi will be selling “new naval vessels” to Vietnam under the recently-announced $100 million Line of Credit.

Modi and Tan held bilateral talks during the latter’s third visit to India as the PM. This is the first significant military hardware supply between India and Vietnam, ever since the South China Sea issue came to the fore.

“We will quickly operationalise the $100 million Line of Credit that will enable Vietnam (to) acquire new naval vessels from India,” Modi said, with Tan standing beside him, after the talks at Hyderabad House.

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North Korea: Test Stand for Vertical Launch of Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles Spotted

Satellite imageryRecent press reports have raised the possibility that North Korea is developing the capability to launch ballistic missiles from submarines.

A review of commercial satellite imagery since 2010 covering submarine bases and submarine shipyards has identified a new test stand at the North’s Sinpo South Shipyard, probably intended to explore the possibility of launching ballistic missiles from submarines or of a shipboard vertical launch ballistic missile capability.

The new installation is the right size and design to be used for the research, development, and testing of the process of ejecting a missile out of a launch tube as well as evaluating its compatibility with submarines and surface combatants as well as the missiles themselves.

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U.S. Navy Impressed with New Russian Attack Boat

Project 885 (Severodvinsk) SSGNOne of the U.S. Navy’s top submarine officers was so impressed with Russia’s new Project 885 nuclear attack boats that he had a model of K-329 Severodvinsk built for his office.

Rear Adm. Dave Johnson, Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) program executive officer (PEO) submarines said he had the model of Severodvinsk placed outside his office in a common area so that he could look at it every day on his way to his office.

“We’ll be facing tough potential opponents. One only has to look at the Severodvinsk, Russia’s version of a [nuclear guided missile submarine] (SSGN)."

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China-built Naval Vessel for Nigeria Completes Sea Tests

Offshore Patrol VesselThe first of two China-built offshore patrol vessels ordered by Nigeria has completed its sea tests and is ready to be delivered to Nigeria's navy.

China hopes that the export of the two OPV vessels can help open the West African market.

The vessel has a displacement of 1,800 tons and can sail as fast as 21 knots for up to 20 days.

A special ship-borne spilled oil recovery device could quickly respond to any oil spill emergency.

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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Navy Harvests Decommissioned Frigates' Weapon Systems for Coast Guard

Oliver Hazard Perry class FFGEngineers at Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES), Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division are harvesting weapon system components from decommissioned U.S. Navy frigates (FFGs) for re-use on Coast Guard cutters.

The harvesting of components from four decommissioned frigates will result in more than $24 million in cost avoidance, with more expected from a fifth ship. The Navy's leveraging of decommissioned ships' assets shows a judicious use of resources and collaboration between services.

"The Navy's FFGs will all be decommissioned by the end of fiscal year 2015, but the Coast Guard cutters have the same gun weapons systems," said Abe Boughner, with Auxiliary Ships/Acquisition Support Branch at NAVSSES.

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Most Spanish Eurofighter jets can't fly: report

Spanish Eurofighter TyphoonSources inside Spain's military have reportedly told a Spanish newspaper that only a handful of the country's Eurofighter Typhoon jets are fully operational and that semi-retired F-18 aircraft are being called back into full service to meet NATO commitments.

According to Spanish daily El Confidencial Digital, unnamed military sources have warned that the Eurofighter Typhoon air fleet is crippled by breakdowns, lack of spare parts and delayed inspections.

The claims come just a day after Spain announced plans to pump €10 billion ($12.7 billion) into new defence programs after six years of cutbacks as a result of the economic crisis.

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Raytheon Griffin™C flight tests demonstrate in-flight retargeting capability

Griffin missileRaytheon Company successfully completed flight tests of its Griffin™ C increased capability missile. The tests at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona highlighted the missile's In-Flight Target Update (IFTU) capability when it was redirected to a new target in mid-flight. IFTU is vital for naval forces facing swarming boat threats that often intermingle with friendly and neutral shipping.

"With its extended range motor, Griffin C's increased capability addresses the need for a longer range missile with in-flight retargeting. Because they often operate in a high-traffic, littoral waters, naval warfighters must make split-second decisions to engage or disengage targets," said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems at Raytheon Missile Systems.

"By enhancing an already tested and fielded system, we can deliver a missile with significantly improved capabilities at lower costs and risk."

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Northrop Grumman-built E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Reports for Duty

E-2D Advanced HawkeyeThe U.S. Navy has declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, designed, developed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. It is the newest and most technologically advanced variant of the venerable E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning command and control (AEW&C) platform.

"This significant milestone is a result of the strong partnership between the fleet, the acquisition community and our industry partner," said Capt. Drew Basden, commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing. "By achieving IOC, we can effectively deploy the E-2D for operational missions and continue our successful transition from the E-2C Hawkeye."

Developed and produced by Northrop Grumman, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the world's only aircraft specifically designed as a carrier-based AEW&C system. The E-2D's structurally distinctive design – which includes a rotating rotodome and four vertical stabilizer tail configuration – provides unprecedented, 360-degree surveillance to the warfighter.

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US General: North Korea Now Has Nuclear Warheads for Missiles

Kim Jong-unNorth Korea now has the ability to produce a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can be mounted atop a ballistic missile.

That is the assessment of Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the senior U.S. commander on the Korean Peninsula, as he talked to reporters Friday. Scaparrotti also concluded that Pyongyang has a functioning long-range mobile missile launcher.

Although North Korea has conducted three nuclear explosion tests and several medium-and long-range missile test firings, it had not been known whether the regime had developed a nuclear warhead sufficiently small to fit on top of a missile with the range to reach the continental United States.

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World's Last A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft retired from active service in Greece

A-7 Corsair IIOn Oct. 17, the Hellenic Air Force organized a ceremony to celebrate the retirement of the last A-7 Corsair flying with 116 Combat Wing (116 PM) jets at Araxos airbase after 39 years of active service.

The event included static displays of A-7 and F-16 aircraft, a photography exhibition, flights and aircraft transits and demonstrations by the Air Demonstration Teams “Zeus” with an F-16 and “Daedalus” with a T-6A aircraft.

Along with the last A-7s aircraft in the typical exotic camouflaged color scheme, a retired Corsair in a celebratory livery was unveiled during the ceremony at Araxos airbase.

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HAL Nashik completes upgrade of first IAF Su-30 MKI aircraft

Su-30MKI FlankerHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed the upgrade of first Su-30MKI multi-role combat aircraft at its facility in Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

The company test pilots will now fly the aircraft to validate its performance before handing it over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) next month, as reported by Business Standard.

According to HAL officials, domestic upgrade costs far less than the amount charged by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which is typically 35%-40% of the cost of a new aircraft.

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‘Carrier-killer’ starts trials

Tuo ChiangTaiwan’s first locally designed stealth missile corvette, the 500-tonne Tuo Chiang (沱江, Tuo River), began sea trials of its propulsion system yesterday.

The ship was towed from the Lung Teh Shipbuidling Co at the port of Nanfangao (南方澳) in Yilan County and sailed to waters south of Turtle Island (龜山島).

Despite heavy seas off the port of Suao Township (蘇澳), the twin-hulled design of the corvette enabled it to maintain high-speed navigation.

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China and Iran Deepening Naval Ties, Iran Calls for Bilateral Blue Water Exercise

Chang Wanquan & Habibollah SayyariLast week’s meeting between the heads of the Iranian Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in Beijing are the latest in a bilateral campaign to increase military to military cooperation and a recognition of growing Chinese interests in the Middle East.

On Oct. 23, Iranian Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari met PLAN Adm. Wu Shengli in Beijing, “to further pragmatic cooperation and strengthen military-to-military ties,” Sayyari said, according to Iranian state controlled PressTV.

Sayyari also met with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to discuss enhanced naval cooperation.

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European arms manufacturers interested in close cooperation with Russia

Admiral Grigorovich-class FFGEurope’s weapons manufacturers are interested in closely cooperating with Russia, including in the naval defense sphere, a senior Rosoboronexport official said on Monday ahead of the opening of the Euronaval 2014 international exhibition in Paris.

Deputy Director General Sergey Ladygin, who leads the delegation from Russia's main weapons exporter Rosoboronexport, said meetings with both traditional and potential partners from Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East are due to be held.

Special focus will be made on “discussing further cooperation with the leading European manufacturers, including the projects in the interests of the third countries,” the official said.

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Three Indian Warships Deployed in France

INS DeepakIn an attempt to bolster maritime security cooperation between India and France, three Indian warships -- INS Mumbai, INS Talwar and INS Deepak -- reached Saint Denis port of the Reunion Island, France, on Monday.

The ships, under the Command of Rear Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, are on a two month-long overseas deployment to East Africa and the South Indian Ocean Region.

India and France had maintained close friendly relations with bilateral cooperation being extended to various fields.

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Interview: Adm. Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord, UK Royal Navy

Despite budget cuts, Britain’s Royal Navy is modernizing with new cutting-edge destroyers, nuclear attack submarines, two new giant aircraft carriers, frigates and other systems on the way, like the short-takeoff and vertical-landing version of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 joint strike fighter.

The man steering a revived Royal Navy is Adm. Sir George Zambellas, the First Sea Lord, who has made capability and readiness his mantra and increased cooperation with the US a top priority.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to provoke its neighbors, prompting NATO to increase readiness and maritime capabilities.

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Naval exercise ‘Bold Alligator 2014′ will refocus on warfighting from sea


The Navy and Marine Corps will launch their largest international amphibious exercise in the waters off Hampton Roads this week.

Bold Alligator 2014 will feature 19 countries, with 17 ships and two submarines.

It’s a reinforcement of the roles the Navy and Marine Corps play as “fighters from the sea.”

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Bangladesh reveals sights on Russian submarines, navy warplanes

MiG-29 FulcrumBangladesh is looking to Russia to strengthen its naval fleet and lessen dependence on Chinese armoury, a government minister has revealed.

First sights are on buying two off-the-shelf diesel-electric submarines and warplanes for its navy as the country seeks to distance itself from Chinese sourcing of around half its weapons inventory, Minister of Information Hasanul Haq Inu told Tass on Monday.

Defense sector partnership would not be limited to equipment, he said, eyeing Russian training for Bangladeshi military and technology transfer.

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Sagem: contract from DSME to supply optronic masts for South Korea’s new KSS-III submarines

KSS-III SSKFollowing an international request for proposals, Sagem (Safran) has signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd (DSME) of South Korea, to supply the optronic surveillance masts for the country’s new submarines.

The selection of Sagem was made by a commission comprising members from the South Korean navy, DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration), ADD (Agency for Defense Development) and DSME.

The decisive factors in this decision were the best world-class competitiveness and performance level offered by Sagem’s optronic masts, especially in terms of image resolution and processing, and their easy integration in the ship’s combat suite.

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A Warship So Quiet, It Sneaks Up On Submarines

Type 26 Global Combat ShipThe British Royal Navy may be the world’s most storied sea power. Its fleet has included famous ships like the Mary Rose and the Victory, and it has notched triumphs such as the destruction of the Spanish Armada, Lord Nelson’s victory over Napoleon at Trafalgar and the sinking of the Bismarck, the greatest German battleship.

But Britain’s sailors are also looking towards the future. The Royal Navy has recently commissioned a new high-tech frigate designed to become the “workhorse of the fleet” and focus on a variety of maritime missions ranging from complex combat operations to counter piracy and disaster relief.

The Royal Navy says that the ship will be able to operate independently “for significant periods,” or as a part of a group.

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Mystery submarine sighting gives clue to Russia's Arctic ambitions

Mystery submarineA chance encounter by scientists adrift on an Arctic ice floe has given the first clues to a new Cold War being played out in in the far north, where Vladimir Putin has made no secret of his ambitions to extend Russian influence.

Yngve Kristoffersen and Audun Tholfsen, two Norwegian researchers, were coming to the end of their day when they spotted something unusual on the water.

"In the evening we spotted lights at a distance," the scientists recorded in their blog for October 16.

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Monday, October 27, 2014

Rafael extends Iron Dome C-RAM to the naval domain

Rafael C-DomeRAFAEL is extending the Iron Dome Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar defense system to the maritime domain, to protect surface vessels from a wide range of threats, including ballistic trajectory and direct attack weapons.

The navalized system dubbed ‘C-Dome’ is a Point Defense System designed to handle saturation attacks in both blue and littoral waters, by engaging multiple targets simultaneously.

Similar to C-RAM scenario, saturation attacks at sea would require very short reaction time thus requiring the employment of automatic and semi-automatic engagements.

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