Russia's Advanced Combat Gear to Be Equipped With Drone Connectible Kit



Russian soldiers will use new generation Ratnik combat gear in order to get in touch with unmanned aerial vehicles, among other tasks, media reports said.

Developed by Russia's United Instrument Corporation, the kit consists of communications, data transmission and navigation means; the goal is to turn servicemen into part of a single combat system that may be controlled in automatic mode.

The kit's "smart" element adds significantly to better tactical communication between soldiers, according to Sergei Skokov, United Instrument Corporation's general director.

The corporation's chief designer Tatyana Ositskaya said, for her part, that in addition, the kit's high level of the automation will help speed up decision-making during combat engagements.

"For example, the task of target-pointing is achieved within 30 seconds. This includes the time in which the target is detected and the transfer of the coordinates for the destruction of this target," Ositskaya said.

In January 2015, it was reported that the first serial batch of Ratnik combat gear will be supplied to the Russian Armed Forces between March and April 2015.

The development of the Ratnik combat outfit began in the early 2000s, with the first prototype presented at the MAKS air show in 2011.

The equipment includes a new generation field uniform, protection means, firearms, sighting systems, as well as communication, navigation and combat control systems. Additionally, it includes backpacks, insulation material and camouflage capes.

October 2014 saw the signing of a three-year contract for the supply of Ratnik combat gear to the Russian army.

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150319/1019713700.html

AFSOC envisions its gunship armed with lasers, other high-tech weapons





http://www.militarytimes.com/story/militar...ac130/24956345/

Royal Air Force Unveils New Machines That Highlight the Beauty of Military Technology



On Wednesday, Britain’s Royal Air Force released photos of the new AF Puma Mk2 helicopters. They’re definitely a sight to behold.

The new helicopters can easily be loaded onto a transport aircraft upon arrival, and can be unloaded and ready to go within four hours. These helicopters will be deployed for the first time on operations supporting NATO’s mission to provide training and assistance to Afghan forces in the Middle East.

Puma pilot and Squadron Leader Phil Williams said in a statement:

“That’s what makes Puma unique, if you want to get somewhere quickly and have an effect quickly this is the helicopter of choice for that. It can move up 16 troops or equipment, or a combination of the two, anywhere you want it to go and it’s got the flexibility to be re-rolled by the loadmaster in a matter of minutes.”

The new choppers also have a digital glass cockpit, an enhanced secure communications suite and an improved ballistic protection program to make it safer for its crew and passengers.

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/03/274508-bri...y-thing-beauty/

Future Russian army could deploy anywhere in the world – in 7 hours




Artist concept of future Russian Special Purpose Aircraft (Concept: Aleksey Komarov, Customer and Technical Manager: Volga-Dnepr Group)







More reading :- http://rt.com/news/242097-pak-ta-russian-army/

This post has been edited by BorneoAlliance: Mar 20 2015, 07:57 AM

China launches 4G mobile signal on disputed Fiery Cross Reef



Chinese military infrastructure on Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea. (Photo/Xinhua)

Fiery Cross Reef of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea can now receive 4G mobile signal courtesy of state-owned telecommunications giant China Mobile, reports the PLA Daily, the mouthpiece of the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army.

China will continue to build 4G base stations across other reefs and islands in the Spratlys in the first half of 2015, the report said, adding that once the stations are in operation mobile download speeds across the archipelago will reach one megabit per second.

The Spratlys are currently covered by 3G mobile signals introduced by China in February 2013.

According to the report, the introduction of 4G mobile speeds will greatly improve the lifestyles of PLA soldiers stationed in the Spratlys. An officer on Fiery Cross was able to use 4G to chat with family via mobile video call on March 16, the report said, adding that the images and audio communication were both clear and uninterrupted.

Reef management authorities have also released a 4G user management manual setting out strict rules for 4G usage times and locations to prevent leaks of sensitive data, the report said.

Fiery Cross Reef is controlled by China but is also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as Taiwan. The reef is part of a larger territorial dispute concerning the entire Spratly archipelago, which China claims to own.

China built a weather station on Fiery Cross in the late 1980s and has been conducting land reclamation activities on the reef and other Spratly islets since July 2013. Aerial photos taken last year reveal the construction of an airstrip and seaport on the reef, which has seen its size increased more than 11-fold to become the largest "island" of the Spratlys by land area. Fiery Cross is now also the fifth largest of the South China Sea Islands behind Woody Island, Pratas Island, Lincoln Island and Triton Island.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...000118&cid=1101

Indonesia Plans New Joint Military Commands



On Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a limited cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta to discuss the ongoing modernization of the country’s military (TNI) and the national police.

One of the subjects discussed was the status of Indonesia’s new joint regional military commands – locally abbreviated Kogabwilhan – which are supposed to be in place by 2024. As I’ve written before for The Diplomat, the essence of the Kogabwilhan concept is to structure the military into multi-service regional commands consisting of a combination of army, air force and navy units and led by generals who would be able to respond quickly and flexibly to flash points with greater autonomy relative to the central leadership in Jakarta. The idea is not entirely new. Plans to begin implementing it had begun as early as 2008 under former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Jokowi had agreed to continue with ongoing efforts last November.

According to The Jakarta Post, TNI commander General Moeldoko, who is overseeing the progress of this, said Jokowi reiterated his support for Kogabwilhan at the meeting but said “it should be done gradually.”

As I’ve argued before, getting these commands finalized was always going to be a slow process given challenges such as the army’s traditional dominance in Indonesia as well as lingering questions like how leadership would work and what sorts of threats the commands should each be responsible for. Moeldoko, who is rumored to be retiring soon, said this probably means Indonesia will establish a first regional unit first, and then later continue with building the second and then the third.

There is also talk about bringing back the role of deputy TNI commander, which was previously scrapped under former Indonesian president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid. The logic of the move, according to Moeldoko, is that this would ensure that the deputy can act even when the TNI commander is absent.

Not everyone is a fan of the proposal, however. Some say reinstating that position would just complicate the existing military structure – with one strong commander controlling all three military forces. It is also unclear what the exact division of labor would be between the commander and his deputy. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhi Purdijatno, for his part, said that the plan needed further study.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto revealed that the meeting had discussed a plan to prepare a presidential regulation on TNI reorganization. According to Andi, the regulation would be produced in 2015, but its implementation would be conducted gradually up until 2019.

http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/indonesia-p...itary-commands/

Is Putin testing secret weapon? Blinding night-time flashes from Russia’s rocket HQ



The inexplicable and near silent white-and-blue flashes were filmed lighting up the sky over the southern Russian city of Stavropol.

The city is home to Russia’s 49th Army, which is headquartered in the Institute of Communications of the Strategic Rocket Forces.

Just days ago the Russian defence ministry admitted it had launched military exercises on the southern fringe of Stavropol.

News agency RIA Novosti claimed the exercises involved artillerymen and multiple launch rocket systems.

But the terrifying white flashes which lit up the skies at around 00:39 local time (21.39 GMT on Monday) seem to suggest a new technology.

The soundless flash of light immediately burned out street lights in the city and left many of the 350,000 residents terrified.

Russian daily newspaper Argumenty i Fakty reported one resident saying: “I was very frightened by what I saw, I was already in bed. It looked as if something very bright lit up my ceiling.”

Another added: “It seemed like some sort of huge weapon, a rocket maybe? But what weapon that big makes no noise?”

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/565047...sia-s-rocket-HQ

Pandora’s Box: Pentagon Sums Up F-35’s Many Malfunctions











http://sputniknews.com/news/20150321/1019809054.html

THAAD usable against China's DF-31 missile: Global Times


The AN/TPY-2 X-Band radar system of the THAAD missile defense system (Photo courtesy of US Army)

The US's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system which will be deployed to South Korea can potentially pose a threat to China's national security as it has the ability to monitor the People's Liberation Army's DF-31 intercontential ballistic missile, according to Chinese nationlist tabloid, the Global Times.

"A neighboring country can have its own opinion on the possible deployment of the THAAD system here, sert up by US forces in South Korea," said Kim Min-seok, the spokesman of the South Korean Defense Ministry on Mar. 16 regarding China's opposition to the deployment. "But it should not try to influence our security policy." Under pressure from both China and the United States, debate is still going on in the nation about whether South Korea should accept the missile defense system or not.

Park Hwee-rhak, dean of the Graduate School of Politics and Leadership at Kookmin University said that the X-Band radar system of the THAAD missile can not be used to detect missiles launched from China, during a seminar held by JoongAng Ilbo based in Seoul. However, the Global Times said that the AN/TPY-2 radar system of the missile defense system has a detecting range of 1,000 kilometers. It can be deployed to any theater within a short period and be placed aboard cargo planes such as the C-5 and C-17.

If China wants to attack the US with its DF-31 ballistic missiles, the place for it to mostly likely launch the attack is either northern China or Manchuria according to Hans M. Kristensen from the Federation of American Scientists. Both those ranges are close enough for the THAAD system in South Korea to monitor the movements of the Chinese missiles according to the Global Times. The paper went on to say that North Korea is being used only as an excuse for US to contain China.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...000091&cid=1101

S-400 Air Defense Regiment Takes Up Duty in Russia's Northwest



MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The advanced S-400 Triumph air defense missile system division of the Russian Northern Fleet took up combat duty in country's northwest Murmansk region, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said on Saturday.

Russian Northern Fleet air defense forces, equipped with S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, are tasked with protecting Murmansk region' strategic facilities such as industrial and energy objects, transport communications, stationing bases of defense and fleet forces, the press service said.

The S-400 Triumph long- to medium-range surface-to-air missile system is expected to form the cornerstone of Russian air and missile defense by 2020. It can engage any aerial target, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise and ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) and an altitude of up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).

The bolstering of Russia's Northern Fleet with S-400 systems comes amid the country's strategy to boost its presence in the Arctic region. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in December, 2014 that Russia is not planning to militarize the Arctic, but is taking necessary measures to ensure a secure defense in the region.

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150321/1019829216.html

US Vice admiral criticized for suggesting joint patrol of South China Sea


China's first carrier battle group conducts exercise at South China Sea in early 2014. (Photo/CNS)

Vice Admiral Robert Thomas, the commander of the US Seventh Fleet was criticized by Chinese nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, for suggesting that Southeast Asian nations which have territorial dispute with China should form a combined maritime force to patrol the South China Sea.

The suggestion was made by Thomas on Mar. 17 during his participation at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition held in Malaysia. "Perhaps easier said than done, from both a policy and organization perspective, such an initiative could help crystallize the operational objectives in the training events that ASEAN navies want to pursue," said Thomas. "If ASEAN members were to take the lead in organizing something along those lines, trust me, the US 7th Fleet would be ready to support."

Lie Feng, an expert in maritime affairs told the Global Times that Thomas' suggestion was not constructive to maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia. He said that the members of ASEAN would not be able to protect their own security and economic interests besides risking war with China should they follow Thomas's suggestion. "What Thomas really wants is to incite those Southeast Asian states to contain China," said he.

Hong Lei, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said that it is time for all nations neighboring the South China Sea to cooperate with each other to solve the territorial dispute through peaceful meaning during a press conference on Mar. 18. After saying that China is working very hard to maintain stability over the South China Sea, Hong suggested that the United States and other nations out of the region should keep out of discussions about the issue.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...000041&cid=1101

This post has been edited by BorneoAlliance: Mar 22 2015, 01:29 PM

China price coming for fighter planes, submarines, destroyers and other weapons





Read more:- http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/03/china-pri...ter-planes.html

3-D printers save time, money in major aircraft repairs





http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/te...fa-18/24959201/

Putin’s massive military drills intended to send message to West on Ukraine









http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/2...e/#.VQ7BiBjXerU

056 corvette suitable for PLA Navy defense in South China Sea


Meizhou, China's third Type 056 corvette. (Internet photo)

As China launched its 25th Type 056 corvette on Mar. 19, the Sina Military Network based in Beijing said the PLA Navy will be able to control the disputed South China Sea with between 10 and 20 of such vessels.

China is estimated to be building at least 40 Type 056 corvettes with a pricetag of US$8 billion to compete against the United States' littoral combat ships deployed to the Asia-Pacific region. The US Navy plans to operate four littoral combat ships from its base in Singapore by 2018 according to the Diplomat, an online current affairs magazine based in Tokyo. It will become a great obstacle for China to put the disputed South China Sea under its control then.

Littoral combat ships are not the only threat that the Type 056 corvette is going to engage with in the hotly contested Asian coastal waters. The Sina News Network suggested the corvette would also be used to counter the six Russian-built Kilo-class submarines of the Vietnamese navy and the one South Korean-built Chang Bogo-class submarine of the Philippine Navy. The piece went on to say that the Type 056 is a perfect platform from which to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the PLA Navy.

For years, China has tried various methods to improve the air defense and anti-submarine capabilities of the PLA Navy. H/SJG-206 low frequency towed array sonar systems had been installed to China's advanced surface combat vessels such as Type 054A frigates, Type 052C destroyers and Type 052D destroyers recently. However, the smaller-size Type 056 is more suitable to fight against enemy submarines in a region with shallow waters such as the South China Sea.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150321000155

Russian Deputy PM Says Country's Combat Helicopters Are the Best



Russian-made combat helicopters are the best such vehicles in the world, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

He gave the thumbs-up after flying on board the next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter Ka-52, which he touted as a "flying tank".

"Today I was cruising around aboard this flying tank", Rogozin tweeted, referring to the Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" copter.

According to him, the helicopter "is easily controlled and it is packed full of advanced automated systems."

Rogozin described the Ka-52 as a less maneuverable vehicle when compared to a light helicopter, which he said is only natural for an "armored copter."

"Right now, the Ka-52's helicopter carrier-based version is being developed. On the whole, Russian attack helicopters are the best in the world," Rogozin said.

"Have a nice day, everybody, " he added in a final tweet showing him sitting in the Ka-52's cockpit.

Last month, he tweeted that he had received an official perpetual private pilot's certificate.

In a separate twitter message, Rogozin said that only the most advanced military hardware will be showcased at the May 9 Moscow Victory Day Parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150322/1019843300.html

U.S. Boosts Military Presence in Gulf Waters as Iran Deal Inches Closer





http://freebeacon.com/national-security/u-...-inches-closer/

Kurdish MP: 30,000 Iranian soldiers, military experts fighting in Iraq





http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/220320151

The myth behind Iran's military mastermind is getting out of control









http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessi...-is-6137712.php

Boeing patents 'Star Wars'-style force fields



A new patent granted to aircraft, defense and security company Boeing is taking its cues from science fiction. Just like the glowing energy shields seen protecting troops, machines and even spacecraft in Star Wars and Star Trek, the design -- named "Method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc" -- uses energy to deflect potential damage.

As it is described, the system is not designed to prevent direct impact from shells or shrapnel; rather, it is designed to protect a target -- such as a vehicle or building -- from the damaging effects of shockwaves from a nearby impact.

The patent is for a shockwave attenuation system, which consists of a sensor capable of detecting a shockwave-generating explosion and an arc generator that receives the signal from the sensor to ionise a small region, producing a plasma field between the target and the explosion using lasers, electricity and microwaves.

This small plasma field would differ from the surrounding environment in temperature, density and/or composition. This would provide a buffer between the target and the explosion that would hinder the shockwaves from reaching and damaging the target.

"Such embodiments as described above may reduce the energy density of the shockwave by creating a second medium in the path of the advancing shockwave that reflects, refracts, absorbs and deflects at least a portion of the shockwave," the patent reads.

Because this system heats and ionises the air, it is eminently unsuitable for enveloping a target and being held in place for any length of time. That kind of force field is technically feasible -- physics students last year determined that an electromagnetic field could by used to hold a plasma shield in place -- but it would likely also deflect light, leaving anyone inside blind as a bat.



http://www.cnet.com/news/boeing-patents-st...e-force-fields/