Air Force fighters will carry laser cannons, cyber weapons by 2020





http://arstechnica.com/information-technol...eapons-by-2020/

Flexible electronics one of Air Force’s newest technologies





http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news...est-tech/nnh5H/

Pakistan, China in pact to keep JF-17 tech away from US, India: report



China and Pakistan have a pact to keep the technology of their jointly developed JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft away from the United States and India because of its superiority to America's F-16 fighter jet, claims the Beijing-based Sina Military Network.

The Block II variation of the JF-17, known as the FC-1 Xiaolong by China, recently entered into service for the "Minhas" No. 2 squadron of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The new and improved configuration of the lightweight fighter jet is said to include improved avionics and better software, as well as a fixed air-to-air refueling probe.

Minhas is the third PAF squadron to be upgraded to the JF-17, which is expected to replace the F-7P, a Chinese-made fighter that can be equipped with C-802A anti-ship missiles.

The JF-17 features an aerodynamic shape similar to the US Navy's F/A-18 and is powered by a high fuel efficiency Russian RD-93 afterburning turbofan. The aircraft's flight performance is said to be far superior to that of second-generation fighters, with its climb rate, maneuvering speed and acceleration making up for a relatively low top speed of Mach 1.6.

While the RD-93 is not regarded as advanced given it was originally developed for the Soviet MiG-29 fighter, the engine is considered stable and reliable, with PAF air commodore Khalid Mahmood, head of the JF-17 sales and marketing team, adding that they have never experienced any problems with it after more than 7,000 hours of use.

Chinese engineers are reportedly continuing to look for ways to lighten the weight and streamline the aircraft. One new advancement is pairing an RD-93 with a so-called divergent supersonic air intake, which is said to be lighter, easier to maintain, and minimizes the JF-17's already low radar signals.

Recent photos of the JF-17 show the jet carrying two CM-400AKG high-speed air-to-surface missiles. Mahmood notes that the aircraft features flexible weapons stations that enables the JF-17 to be equipped with any weapon purchased on the open market.

Though the JF-17 can carry up to four SD-10 radar-guided air-to-air missiles, Mahmood states that the preference of the PAF is to use the space and weight for additional fuel tanks. The standard configuration of the JF-17 is therefore currently two SD-10s and two to three 1,000-liter external fuel tanks in addition to the 800-liter tank in the abdomen of the aircraft, he added.

According to the Sina Military report, expert comparisons between the JF-17 and the US F-16 have the Chinese-Pakistani aircraft dominating, adding that it is akin to a featherweight knocking out a heavyweight. The US has tried to get its hands on the JF-17 to analyze why that is the case but has been turned down by Pakistan because of a deal with China to never share the jet's technology with the US or India, the report added.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...01&MainCatID=11

This post has been edited by BorneoAlliance: Sep 20 2015, 07:06 PM

Pentagon intrigued by breakthrough in cloaking technology





http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/te...ntion/71960974/

Russia's Unique Fighter Jet Flies in the Face of Physics



The multirole Russian fourth-generation supersonic fighter jet Su-30SM, designed for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions, is rightly seen by many as one of the best warplanes in the world.
According to experts, the plane's combat and flight characteristics are even superior to those of the US-made F-22 Raptor, touted as a fifth generation fighter.

The Su-30SM is a modernized version of the Su-30 fighter that was created by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the early 1990s. The aircraft performed its maiden flight in September 2012.

The plane's high degree of maneuverability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics can be explained by its integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with its thrust vectoring control ability. In terms of the aerodynamic efficiency, the Su-30SM has no rivals.

The Su-30SM is equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, which enables the aircraft to perform some of the most advanced aerobatic maneuvers attempted by fighter jets, including the Pugachev's Cobra and the tailslide.

During the Pugachev Cobra maneuver, an airplane flying at a moderate speed suddenly raises the nose momentarily to the vertical position and slightly beyond, before dropping it back to normal flight. As for the tailslide, it is an aerobatic maneuver in which an aircraft that has been pulled into a steep climb stalls and then loses altitude by dropping backward.

These manoeuvers quickly decelerate the aircraft, causing a pursuing fighter to overshoot, as well as breaking a Doppler radar-lock, as the relative speed of the aircraft drops below the threshold where the signal registers to the radar.

With a normal fuel reserve of 5,270 kilograms, the Su-30SM is capable of performing a 4.5-hour combat mission with a range of 3,000 kilometers. An aerial refueling system increases the range to 5,200 kilometers or flight duration up to ten hours at cruise altitudes. The plane's maximum speed stands at 2,120 kilometers per hour.

The Su-30SM features friend-or-foe identification equipment, ejection seats as well as global positioning and inertial navigation systems. The aircraft's sophisticated design allows the integration of modern avionics, including a new radar system, radio and recognition system, as well as other support systems.

The plane is capable of carrying an advanced weapons payload weighing up to eight tons. It can be armed with a machine gun, bombs, air-to-air missiles, and Oniks (Yakhont) supersonic anti-ship and land attack missiles.
The Russian Armed Forces received the first eighteen Su-30SMs between 2012 and 2014, amid plans by the country's Defense Ministry to gradually replace the Su-24 fleet with Su-30SM fighters.

The Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft with variable-sweep wings. The plane was developed in the Soviet Union and is currently in service with the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150921/102...cteristics.html

Ahead of Netanyahu's Trip to Moscow: Russian Fighter Jets Spotted in Syria





http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.676841

Pakistan eying Sukhoi-35 fighter planes as part of defence deal from Russia, says report


An IAF Sukhoi SU-30 takes off at Aero India 2011 in Bangalore on 11 February 2011. Image courtesy PIB

Islamabad: Pakistan is negotiating with Russia on acquiring an unspecified number of Su-35 'Flanker-E' multi-role fighter aircraft in potentially the largest military deal between the two Cold War-era adversaries, according to a leading defence weekly.

Pakistan Air Force has discussed buying Sukhoi-35 'Flanker-E' fighter aircraft from Russia in potentially the largest defence deal between the two countries, but a final decision is yet to be made, IHS Jane's quoted a senior Pakistani government official as saying.

The official was responding to Russian media reports that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said talks were underway for an unspecified number of Su-35s, which follow a recent agreement to provide Mi-35M 'Hind E' attack helicopters to Pakistan.

While the official said "it's too early to say if a deal will conclude and the terms", the fact that discussions have taken place shows Russia's willingness to sell advanced hardware with Pakistan despite Moscow's longstanding ties with India.

The official said Pakistan's interest in the Su-35 was driven by the PAF's need for a twin-engine fighter "that can fly for a longer range than the JF-17 and penetrate more deeply into the enemy's territory".

The PAF currently flies a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s, Dassault Mirage-5s, Chinese-manufactured F-7s, and the JF-17 Thunder, which is jointly produced by China and Pakistan.

Islamabad is eager to improve its ties with Moscow to diversify its military options in the event of any stalemate in ties with Washington, Pakistani media reported.

The Mi-35M chopper deal was signed during the visit of army chief General Raheel Sharif to Russia in June when he met top defence officials.

The two countries last year signed a military cooperation agreement to deepen their defence ties and vowed to translate their relationship in "tangible" terms during Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to Islamabad. Shoigu was the first Russian defence minister to visit Pakistan in 45 years.

http://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistan-ey...rt-2440120.html

Less expensive weapons could serve foreign buyer



An AR-3 long-range rocket launcher fires during a promotional event at China North Industries Group's test base in northwest China on Aug 8. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Ballistic, cruise missile sales banned; rocket launchers meet market needs

Foreign arms purchasers can forget about getting their hands on Chinese-made ballistic and cruise missiles, such as those displayed in the Sept 3 Victory parade, because although they are extremely powerful and of great military use, a host of statutory obstacles prevent overseas sales, according to a military expert.

Potential buyers need not feel frustrated, though, because business-savvy Chinese arms manufacturers have prepared a number of alternatives－multiple rocket launchers that are equally formidable and more affordable.

"Chinese State-owned businesses in the defense technology sector are offering potential purchasers a wide range of multiple rocket launchers. Their products can provide all the surface-to-surface strike requirements of foreign purchasers," said Gao Zhuo, a defense columnist in Shanghai.

"Multiple rocket launchers are especially suitable for nations that don't have a large defense budget, but aspire to affordable deterrence weapons because they are cheaper than ballistic missiles, yet still have immense destructive capabilities, long ranges and constantly improved levels of accuracy," Gao said.

On Sept 3, China displayed seven types of ballistic and cruise missiles in the parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, including the CJ-10A cruise missile, the DF-15B short-range ballistic missile and DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missile.

However, virtually none of them can be sold to foreign countries because of the restrictions stated in the Regulations on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies, which was enacted in 2002.

The regulations specify that the export of "ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, sounding rockets, cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles that can be used to deliver at least a 500-kg payload at a range of at least 300 km" must be strictly controlled by the government to prevent proliferation of missile technology.

Like many foreign militaries, the People's Liberation Army has also been seeking low-cost, powerful surface-to-surface strike weapons since the early 2000s, when China began overhauling its arsenal.

'The world's best'

Motivated by the lucrative opportunities on offer, major weapon suppliers such as China North Industries Group and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp have continued to develop and upgrade multiple rocket launchers and demonstrate them at almost every defense show featuring Chinese defense contractors.

Many observers consider the AR series of long-range rocket launchers, developed by China North Industries Group, to be the most attractive to foreign buyers. A number of African nations have already bought dozens of AR-2 units, according to reports.

Military-today, a weapons database in the United States, said the latest variant, the AR-3, is probably the most powerful artillery rocket system in the world.

The launcher is capable of firing 300-mm-caliber conventional rockets, which have a maximum range of 130 km, and guided rockets, as well as 370-mm-caliber guided rockets, which can hit targets 220 km from the launch site.

By comparison, Russia's BM-30 Smerch has a maximum range of 90 km, while the US M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System has a top range of about 70 km. Conventional artillery cannons have a top range of about 40 km.

Some of the newer rockets developed for the AR-3 can reach 280 km and have an accuracy rate comparable with short-range ballistic missiles, industry observers said.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is currently promoting the WS-64, its newest multiple rocket launcher system, which the company promotes as the world's first precision-guided, anti-ship artillery rocket.

"The WS-64 will be particularly attractive to those who want a powerful and cost-effective anti-ship weapon. Several units of these weapons can form a coastal defense good enough to deter enemy ships from approaching offshore," Gao said.

The manufacturers have deliberately rebuffed inquiries about the weapon's destructive power, but the commander of an artillery rocket battalion from the PLA ground force said each volley fired by his unit's 300-mm multiple rocket launcher can destroy an area the size of more than 80 soccer fields.

"The power of each of my rocket launchers is equal to that of a whole battalion equipped with traditional artillery weapons. To be specific, each rocket can cover and destroy an area equivalent to seven soccer fields, while each volley can fire 12 rockets in just a few minutes," Major Wang Peicheng, political supervisor at one of the long-range rocket artillery battalions under the PLA Jinan Military Command, said during a battalion "open house" event for domestic journalists in August.

"It's fair to say that our artillery rockets are the best in the world in terms of power, range and precision levels," he said.

http://www.ecns.cn/military/2015/09-21/181840_2.shtml

News of hypersonic drone could be Xi's 'gift' to Obama: Duowei



China's new hypersonic drone could be similar to the US SR-71 "Blackbird." (Internet photo)

Reports that China could be developing a new hypersonic aircraft could be Xi Jinping's "big present" to Barack Obama during the Chinese president's first full state visit to the United States this week, says Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet.

On Friday, a report surfaced claiming that the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) had completed a successful test flight of an unspecified new aircraft, adding that it was a breakthrough in hypersonic aircraft technology.

The report was deleted shortly after, fueling speculation that China could be developing its own version of America's SR-71 Blackbird, a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft

A Chinese military expert who uses the online handle KKTT believes that AVIC is developing a new high-altitude, hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle requiring a carrier aircraft such as an H-6 twin-engine bomber. The drone will be launched once it is carried to a high enough altitude and will climb by itself to cruising altitude before traveling at hypersonic speed, KKTT said, adding that the drone will be able to return to base itself.

As the SR-71 should have been retired by the US Air Force already, a better point of comparison is the D-21 Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone, KKTT said. Also launched from an a carrier aircraft, the D-21 has a top speed of Mach 3.3-3.5, a service ceiling of 29,000 meters and a range of 5,550 kilometers. The UAV also has a length of 12.8 meters, a wingspan of 5.8m and a launch weight of five tons.

China is currently developing a Turbo Rocket Combined Cycle (TRCC) propulsion system that would enable top speeds between Mach 4.5-5. However, as the TRCC engine is still under development, it is more likely that the new drone is using a less advanced Rocket-Based Combined-Cycle (RBCC) engine, KKTT said.

For the moment, Chinese drones can probably reach cruise altitudes of 30,000m and speeds of Mach 3, which is sufficient for the purposes of regional strategic surveillance, KKTT added.

News of the secret drone comes amid suggestions that the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute is also developing two high-altitude, high-speed UAVs. Leaked satellite photos revealed that one of them is about 10m long with a winspan of around 6m. Though the size is similar to that of the D-21, the external appearance is said to be closer to the America's retired X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.

In addition, China's J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft is also said to be close to being ready to enter into service. The highly touted jet is said to be capable of rivaling America's F-22 and F-35 fighters. China's new J-10B multirole fighter has also conducting test flights, while the J-11B jet fighter, whose airframe is based on the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27, has already been performing at air shows and military parades.

Duowei believes that news of the secret UAV may have been intentionally leaked by the Chinese government as Xi's "present" to Obama. Such a move is not unprecedented as the maiden flight of the J-20 stealth jet when then secretary of defense Robert Gates visited Beijing in 2011. Since Xi has already exhibited the PLA's weapons at the Beijing parade earlier this month to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, the news leak could be his way of showing off Chinese arms technology for the future, Duowei said.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclas...=20150921000065

US Military still dominant but China can project to Taiwan and South China Sea









http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/09/us-milita...-but-china.html

Venezuela to Buy at Least 12 Russian Fighter Jets - President Maduro



MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — Venezuela will purchase at least 12 fighter jets from Russia, President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday.

"I will talk to [Russian] President Vladimir Putin to deliver at least 12 new [Sukhoi] Su [fighter jets] to Venezuela and replace the one lost [on Friday]," Maduro said as quoted by the Noticias24 news website.

On Friday, a Venezuelan Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed on the country's border with Columbia.

The Venezuelan government also plans to sign a contract with China on military equipment delivery, the president added. The equipment will be used to fight drug trafficking, particularly from Colombia, according to him.

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a multi-role fighter aircraft (NATO reporting name Flanker-C) of 4+ generation developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.

http://sputniknews.com/military/20150921/1027280758.html

Russia, Iran Seen Coordinating on Defense of Assad Regime in Syria





http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-iran-se...yria-1442856556

Russia begins military operations in Syria as Putin sends 28 jets - Telegraph









http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...ds-28-jets.html