Lockheed Martin Officials Claim F-21 will be a “Completely Different” Fighter

24 Februari 2019

Lockheed Martin F-21 fighter (image : Lockheed Martin)

India Lockheed seeks to shake off Pakistan tag, offers F-21 series only for India 

BENGALURU: To shake off the Pakistan tag that has throttled its efforts to pitch the F-16 to India, US aircraft maker Lockheed Martin is willing to recast and rebrand its old warhorse as F-21, just for India. The new fighter jet may still be on the drawing board, but Lockheed officials claimed that it was a “completely different” plane, tailored specifically for the Indian Air Force. They also indicated that it could have certain technologies from the F-22 and F-35. Incidentally, the fifth generation F-22 is made specifically for the US Air Force and not sold to any other country. 

The F-21, which Lockheed will make with Tata Advanced Systems, will be on offer for bid on India’s requirement of 110 combat aircraft.

Lockheed Martin F-21 fighter (photo : The Week)

“The F-21 addresses the Indian Air Force’s unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world’s preeminent defence company. Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems would produce the F-21 in India, for India,” a statement by the company read. 

When asked by ET, Lockheed officials said that there were visible changes in the aircraft, including a new ‘spine’ that is designed to provide more space to get future systems into the jet. The change that has been done is likely to counter the argument that the F-16 had been rejected by the Air Force in the earlier Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft contest on the grounds that the air frame is not capable of integrating future capability expansions. 

Lockheed Martin F-21 fighter (photo : The Week)

The renaming will also help Lockheed counter the tag that the F-16 operates with the Pakistani Air Force and is the biggest adversary to the Indian Air Force fighter jets. “It is a new plane, with a triple rain launcher and an Infra-Red Seeking Tracker (IRST). It is being offered only to India and no other nation,” said Randall L Howard, director, business development, Lockheed Martin. Vice President Vivek Lall described the F-21 as a “different animal.”

Lockheed Martin F-21 fighter (image : Lockheed Martin)

Though Lockheed has promised that technologies developed from the F-35 and F-22 fighter jets will be integrated into the F-21 on offer, it’s unlikely that the fighter jet will take off unless India selects it. The India-specific enhancements will also happen at a heavy cost that would have to be integrated into the larger project.

(Economic Times)

New Didgori Models Break Cover

24 Februari 2019

The Didgori Meomari 120 mm mobile mortar system from Georgia’s Delta State Military Scientific-Technical Centre was displayed at IDEX 2019. (photo : IHS Markit)

Georgia’s Delta State Military Scientific-Technical Centre has expanded its family of Didgori vehicles, launching the 4×4 tactical patrol variant Didgori Meomari Tactical Armoured Modular Vehicle and exhibiting a mortar carrier variant of the vehicle at IDEX 2019.

The mortar carrier version displayed at IDEX 2019 was fitted with a 120 mm mortar and is in line for a “significant” contract with the Georgian military, Jane’s was told. That particular system will feature a Soviet-era 120 mm system, in line with the country’s current stock of heavy mortars, and will not feature an on-board fire-control system (FCS). However, an onboard FCS can be fitted to meet customer requirements.

Mounted on a hydraulically operated trolley that folds onto the vehicle’s rear tray for transport, the mortar system can be detached from the trolley in about 20 seconds if the crew needs to re-site the system or replace the tube. The mortar’s supporting bipod is mounted off the trolley, with the base of the trolley providing the necessary support for the mortar as a baseplate and removing the need for any further off-platform supports.

According to the company, the system can achieve a rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute, at ranges of 480–7,100 m. The vehicle can carry 24–48 rounds of ammunition, depending on loadout, and can also be equipped with a remote weapons station (RWS) for crew protection if required.

Alternative calibres, primarily 105 mm and 81 mm, can be accommodated on the trolley.

Compared with the baseline model of the Didgori Meomari, the mortar carrier’s rear leaf suspension spring is replaced with an air-suspension system.

(Jane's)

Singapore’s ST Engineering Launches SRAMS 120 mm Mk II

23 Februari 2019

The latest ST Engineering 120 mm SRAMS Mk II features an all-electric elevation and traverse system (photo : Jane's)

Singapore's ST Engineering Land Systems has completed the development and testing of new version of its 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS), called the Mk II, and new ammunition for it.

The original 120 mm SRAMS featured hydraulic elevation and traverse, but the latest SRAMS Mk II has all-electric elevation and traverse with the latter increased to 180 o left and right, according to James Soon of ST Engineering Land Systems. This is laid onto the target using a computerised fire control system (FCS) by the operator, via a flat panel display and associated controls. It can fire 10 rounds a minute.

The latest suite of ST Engineering 120 mm ammunition includes the PM120 precision guided mortar bomb (PG MB), Extended Range High Explosive (ER HE), ER Infra-Red Red Phosphorous (IR RP) and ER Illuminating. These are all designed for use with smoothbore mortar systems.

The 120 mm PM120 is GPS guided and the company quoted a maximum range of up to 8.5 km and a circular error probable (CEP) of 10 m. The HE warhead contains 2.8 kg of TNT. ER HE also contains 2.8 kg of TNT but this can be insensitive munition (IM) compliant if requested by the customer and is fitted with a DM111A4/A5 nose mounted fuze. Maximum muzzle velocity was being quoted as 408 m/s and maximum range of up to 9 km.

The ER RP contains three smoke canisters and is fitted with a MTSQ DM93 fuze, with a maximum muzzle velocity of 408 m/s and a maximum range of up to 9 km, ST Engineering said. The ER illuminating round has the same fuze, muzzle velocity, and range as the ER RP and has an illuminating intensity of 1.25 million cd. There is also the option of IR Illuminating.

(Jane's)

New Simulator to Keep Navy Communicators at the Cutting Edge

23 Februari 2019

Royal Australian Navy trainees utilise the newly built Communications Centre Simulator at the Defence Force School of Signals - Maritime Wing at HMAS Cerberus (photo : RAN)

A new simulator at the Defence Force School of Signals Maritime Wing at HMAS Cerberus will ensure Navy’s newest Communications and Information Systems sailors join their first ships fully prepared for the rigours of operating at sea.

The learning system simulator was developed by Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems, an Australian owned and operated small to medium enterprise. The successful delivery of this system is a demonstration of the capability within Australia to develop and engineer complex simulation technology to support the ADF.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the simulator would significantly enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to conduct complex operations.

“The Australian Defence Force is required to operate simultaneously in both domestic and foreign domains, including cyber and space while coordinating people and assets to achieve strategic aims, requiring world best practice in communications,” Minister Pyne said.

“This simulator is another innovative step forward for our Navy, providing our highly capable sailors with the training tools they need to succeed in their mission of preserving peace and security for all Australians.”

The simulator is based on a generic communication centre in an enhanced frigate and is designed to mimic the operational environment at sea, using scenarios that may be encountered by communicators embarked in Major Fleet Units.

Minister Pyne said the simulator would greatly enhance Navy’s capabilities across a range of dynamic maritime operations.

“Communicators are critical to the success of our Fleet as we operate in an increasingly dynamic maritime domain, regularly in task groups with ships, aircraft and troops on the ground,” Minister Pyne said.

The simulator will support training and assessment for basic communications operator courses through to advanced courses. It will be used for the first time during a pilot course due to be conducted in mid-2019.

(Aus DoD)

Vietnam Received a Second Batch of T-90S Tanks

23 Februari 2019

Arrival of T90S tanks to Vietnam (photos : Dambiev)

On February 21, 2019, the second batch of T-90S tanks from Russia arrived in Vietnam by sea. The first 32 units were delivered in early January 2019. In total, Vietnam ordered 64 T-90S tanks in Russia.

The contract for the supply of 64 T-90S and T-90SK tanks to Vietnam was concluded in 2016 with a deadline of 2019.

(Dambiev)

Malaysia Aims to Become Leading Aerospace Nation by 2030

23 Februari 2019

Minister of International Trade and Industry during visit at SAM (photos : Borneo Post, The Star)

SEBERANG PRAI: Malaysia is aiming to become Southeast Asia’s leading aerospace nation by 2030, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.

He said by 2030, the industry was targeted to generate an annual revenue of RM55.2 billion and create more than 32,000 high-income jobs.

“Under the 11th Malaysia Plan, the government had identified the aerospace sector as one of the new growth industries for Malaysia,” he said when launching SAM Engineering and Equipment (M) Bhd’s new plant here today.

Darell said the government aimed to shift Malaysia’s economy from labour intensive to high value-added, as well as knowledge and innovation-based economy, with a focus on the services and manufacturing sectors.

“In 2017, the Malaysian aerospace industry recorded a revenue of RM13.5 billion, with aerospace manufacturing contributing 48 per cent of the amount.

“The (aerospace) industry’s export value reached RM8.51 billion, comprising mainly of aerospace parts and components,” he said.

Citing a report, Darell said aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing forecast that more than 40,000 new aircraft would be needed globally by 2037 and about 16,000 aircraft would be delivered to the Asia-Pacific region.

“Airbus valued the 35,000 of the planes to be delivered over the next 20 years at around US$5 trillion (US$1=RM4.07),” he said.

The minister said a strong ecosystem to support aerospace manufacturing, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities was needed in view of the expected increase in the number of aircraft globally and regionally.

“This positive development is spurring the government to view the aerospace industry as a critical sector offering abundant opportunities for the transfer of advanced technologies in engineering, electronics, composite materials, system integration, MRO, and industry-led research and technology,” he added.

(Borneo Post)

First Joint Training between HTMS Chakri Naruebet and HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej

22 Februari 2019

HTMS Chakri Naruebet - 911 and HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej - 471 (all photos : Thai Defense News)

The first joint training image in the Gulf of Thailand between helicopters carrier Chakri Naruebet Royal Ship (911) and Bhumibol Adulyadej Royal Boat (471), a new high-performance frigate ship under the Frigate Fleet No. 1 Battle Squadron of the Thai Navy.

14 Feb 2019 at 08:00 - 13:00 hrs., Lt. Bhumibol Adulyadej, trained to receive and deliver fuel in the sea with HMS Chakri Naruebet.

14 Feb.2019 at 13:00 - 14:00 hrs., Lt. Bhumibol Adulyadej, in co-operation with aircraft.

Images of HMS Bhumibol Adulyadej and HMS Chakri Naruebet taken from the air in the training of both ships.

(Thai Defense News)