Showing posts with label Transport Aircraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transport Aircraft. Show all posts
Raytheon Deploys Miniature Air Launched Decoys From C-130 Cargo Aircraft
MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). The current MALD family includes both the baseline MALD and a stand-in jammer variant called the MALD-J.
MCALS has a steel, birdcage-like framework body that can hold as many as eight MALDs. MCALS is loaded on a standard cargo pallet, placed on a transport aircraft, and at a pre-determined altitude rapidly ejects the MALDs, which then initiate a standard wing deployment and engine ignition sequence.
“MCALS is another example of the innovative and affordable technologies Raytheon engineers are developing to support the warfighter,” said Bob Francois, vice president of Raytheon Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems. The baseline MALD, which is currently in production, protects aircrew and airborne systems by mimicking the signatures and combat flight profiles of U.S. and allied aircraft. The MALD-J protects aircrew and airborne systems by reducing or eliminating the need for manned stand-in jamming aircraft.
India Receives First Upgraded An-32s
"The timely implementation of the first phase of this contract was only possible thanks to the efficient and precise work of all participants," said Dmitry Peregudov, general director of Ukrainian arms export agency Ukrspetsexport. Signed in 2009, the modernisation programme is the largest-ever deal between the country and India, he said.
The upgraded An-32s have updated equipment including air collision avoidance systems, ground proximity warning systems, satellite navigation, distance measuring equipment, upgraded radio altimeters, new radars with multifunctional indicators, new oxygen systems and improved crew seats.
The An-32 is similar to the An-26, but has more powerful turboprop engines mounted higher on the wing. It can operate from airfields up to 14,800ft (4,500m) above sea level as well as in hot conditions. It has proved effective at linking India's high mountain settlements with bigger cities.
Key Data:
Role
Bomber or Transport Aircraft
Crew
Three
Passenger Capacity
42 paratroopers or 50 passengers or 24 Casualties on stretcher with three medical personnel
Maiden Flight
July 1976
Entry into Service
July 1984
Numbers Built
361
Dimensions:
Length
23.78m
Wingspan
29.2m
Height
8.75m
Wing Area
75m²
Weights:
Empty Weight
16,800kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight
27,000kg
Payload Weight
6,700kg
Engines:
Type
Ivchenko Progress AI-20DM turboprop engine
Number of Engines
Two
Power Capacity
3,864kW each
Performance:
Maximum Speed
530km/h
Cruise Speed
470km/h
Range
2,500km
Service Ceiling
9,500m
Take-off Run
1,500m
Key Players:
Manufacturer
Antonov Design Bureau
Operators
Afghan Air Force, Armenian Air Force, Bangladesh Air Force, Colombian Army, Croatian Air Force, Ethiopian Air Force, Indian Air Force, Iraqi Air Force, Libyan Air Force, Mexican Air Force, Peruvian Air Force, Sri Lanka Air Force and Ukrainian Air Force
Contractors:
Engines
Ivchenko Progress
Avionics Suite
SouthEast Aerospace
Multifunctional Display
Garmin Avionics
Automatic Direction Finder and Radar Altimeter
Bendix or King
Afghan air force C-27 fleet halfway to goal
Not only valuable for Afghanistan's burgeoning cargo capabilities, the addition of another C-27 provides a greater training platform for the AAF as it gains a greater proficiency in the aircraft.
The C-27A is a rugged, twin-engine turboprop aircraft with short take-off and landing capability. The Spartan is well suited for Afghanistan's mountainous terrain and limited road network. These obstacles make air power critical to the mobility of the Afghan National Security Forces. A C-27 can carry up to 20,000 pounds of cargo and fuel and operate on unimproved airfields as short as 3,000 feet, which allows access to airstrips unreachable by most fixed-wing aircraft.
"This increases the aircraft available and hours available for training, allowing Afghan pilots a greater opportunity to fly and become accustomed to the aircraft," said Maj. Todd Andrewson, a C-27 pilot adviser with the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron who flew the aircraft to Kabul from Naples, Italy.
This impact to the AAF is seen as an immediate one by Lt. Col. Christopher Smith, the 538th AEAS commander, who said the aircraft is scheduled to begin taking part in training operation within two days of its arrival.
"It just feels good to see growth on the flight line," said Major Andrewson, who had brought in C-27 number four nearly 10 months ago when he first arrived to Afghanistan.
Major Andrewson also believes that the training and operational benefits that the new C-27 provides is another step towards the ultimate goal of a fully independent Afghan air force.
"The quicker they can build up the C-27 squadron, the quicker they can completely handle their own operations and have less of a need for coalition support," he said.
The Afghan air force is expected to receive its 11th C-27A Spartan in early April. These new aircraft will provide increased support for the Afghan National Security Force.
Seen as a key contributor to the future of the Afghan air force, the C-27 is phasing out the Antonov-32 as the centerpiece of Afghanistan's cargo/transport mission. The Antonov-26 was discontinued from service in the AAF earlier in the year, and the AN-32 has a projected end-of-service date of June 2011.
US-INDIA $3.5 billion defence deal
Negotiations have reached the final stage and each of the giant transport aircraft, which can carry helicopters too, would be priced at around $300 million. After spares and maintenance are included, the final deal size would be around $3.5 billion, making it the biggest defence deal between the two countries.
Interestingly, a C-17 accompanies the US President when he flies on the Air Force One, carrying the Presidential limousine and security apparatus. The C-17 is manufactured by Boeing and the IAF deal is being concluded through government-to-government negotiations under the US’ Foreign Military Sales programme. The IAF wants the C-17 to replace its Russian Ilyushin IL-76 fleet that now acts as its primary transport aircraft. The IL-76 fleet is ageing and the C-17 is likely to provide IAF with much stronger transport capabilities.
Having a modern transport aircraft will also help in relief operations during natural calamities.
While the deal would be finalised at the government level, Boeing will handle its implementation as well as the offsets. Mark Kronenberg, vice-president for international business development at Boeing’s defence, space and security division, said India would have the largest C-17 fleet outside the US once the deal is successfully concluded. Currently, UK has the largest C-17 fleet outside the US with eight aircraft, followed by Qatar and Australia. Without going into the deal’s timing or its value, he said that Boeing would come into the picture after the two governments complete their negotiations.
The C-17 acquisition will be bigger than the $2-billion deal for eight P-81 maritime reconnaissance planes signed in 2009, highly-placed government sources said. It is a major agreement between the two governments, they said on condition of anonymity. This huge order will come in handy for the Obama administration to highlight as one of the steps it has taken to rev up the US economy and create employment. Indian companies will also benefit since the government’s offset policy mandates that 30% of the deal value flows back as offset business. The offset business for this deal is estimated to be around $1 billion.
The C-17 can carry a payload of around 77,500 kg and has a range of more than 5,200 km. It can land even on runways that are just 3,500 ft long and 90 ft wide. The cruise speed of this heavy-lift transport aircraft is around 853 km/hour. The IAF had conducted a trial with the C-17 in June.
Ever since the two countries entered into a strategic alliance, India has been buying American defence equipment. In 2009, for example, a $1-billion deal for six C-130 J ‘Super Herculus’ aircraft was inked and earlier this year 24 Harpoon Block III anti-ship missiles were bought for $170 million. The government also bought special VVIP aircraft from the US — also Boeing made —for use by the Prime Minister and the President.
The US President is likely to visit Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar in November, the sources added. Obama is likely to stay at the Taj in Mumbai, which was attacked by terrorists in 2008, as a sign of solidarity with India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. He is also likely to visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, another site of the deadly terrorist attack.
C-27J to China?
Finmeccanica Eyes C-27J Sales to China
By TOM KINGTON
Published: 18 Oct 2010 17:21
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4928333&c=EUR&s=AIR
ROME - The CEO of Italy's Finmeccanica has said he would like to sell his firm's C-27J tactical transport aircraft to China, given that U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed the sale of C-130s to China.
China "is a country we are focusing on," Pierfrancesco Guarguaglini told Reuters on Oct. 18. "America has decided that it can sell the C-130 transport aircraft, which means we can sell the C-27J," he said.
Obama this month asked the U.S. Congress to lift a ban on export licenses for Lockheed Martin C-130s set to be used in China as part of operations to clear oil spills at sea. The C-27J, which was designed as a smaller version of the C-130J, has been sold by Finmeccanica to customers including the U.S.
Guarguaglini said that Italy's law on defense exports, known as Law 185/1990, would currently rule out selling the C-27J to China.
"We have certain limits thanks to law 185. If we get rid of these limits, China will also become a market for military sales. Otherwise it will remain a market for civil sales," he said.
Boeing Induct First C-130 Avionics Modernization Program
C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (photo : Boeing)1st Boeing C-130 AMP Low-Rate Initial Production Aircraft Inducted at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
ST. LOUIS, – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the induction of the first C-130 aircraft slated to receive the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) upgrade at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga. This is the first of 20 aircraft to be upgraded during low-rate initial production (LRIP).“Warner Robins is ready to receive the C-130 and begin installing the AMP kits,” said Tommy Jackson, C-130 AMP deputy program manager for the U.S. Air Force. “Our team has been trained by Boeing, and we are excited to get the first of many aircraft through our line and upgraded.”
Air Force workers at Robins will install glass cockpits that include a head-up display; six flat-panel, full-color displays; and night-vision capability in 10 of the 20 LRIP aircraft. Warner Robins will receive its second C-130 for AMP modification in October.
“The C-130 AMP is production-ready,” said Mahesh Reddy, C-130 AMP program manager for Boeing. “Today marks a very important day for the warfighter. Boeing and the Air Force are one step closer to delivering a fleet of C-130 AMP aircraft.”
Boeing will begin its portion of the installations in early 2012 at its San Antonio facility.
(Boeing)
See Also :
C-130 Avionics Modernization Program
The C-130 AMP was initiated to modernize, standardize and reduce total ownership costs for the United States Air Force C-130 fleet, including specialized versions in service with the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It consolidates 13 Mission Design Series into one common core avionics suite with five mission families: One for Combat Delivery, which constitutes the majority of the C-130 fleet, and four for the unique Special Operations mission requirements.
The central element of Boeing's AMP configuration is Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management compliance, without which the C-130 fleet would be prohibited from certain worldwide air-navigation routes. An upgraded, common fleet offers dramatic life cycle cost benefits including greater reliability, simplified fleet-wide training, and a flexible architecture designed to reduce crew size and accommodate future technology insertion.
Boeing is expected to provide the AMP modifications and upgrades to 222 USAF C-130 transport aircraft.
The C-130 AMP
-Modern Digital Glass Cockpit featuring six 6x8 Multi-Function Displays (MFDs), pilot and co-pilot wide field of view Head Up Displays (HUDs), two Communication and Navigation Control Panels (CNCPs), and Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compliance,
-Open System Architecture that is both modular and net ready. This permits reduction in crew size through elimination of the navigator, while allowing for the addition of future capabilities,
-Performance Based Contractor Logistics Support that employs Integrated Vehicle Health Management; establishing a fleet-wide integrated training approach and implementing a common spares base. Boeing's support approach makes the C-130 fleet more available and more affordable to operate,
-Prepares the C-130 for another 30 years of service - Boeing's AMP ensures the affordable long-term combat relevance of today s C-130 fleet.
Kharkiv Aviation Plant Delivers An-74 TK300 Aircraft to Laos
An-74 TK300 of the Laos Air Force (photo : Airliners)
The state-run Kharkiv aviation plant delivered an An-74 TK300 aircraft to Laos last week, Interfax-Ukraine learned at the enterprise.
The plant assembled the aircraft under a contract signed in 2005. Laos is already operating An-74 supplied to the country earlier.
The An-74 TK300 aircraft was designed on the basis of An-74 and can carry 10 tonnes of cargo or 52 passengers. This year, Kharkiv plant is to construct three An-74 in the frames of the contracts with Libya, Laos and Egypt. The Antonov An-74 is used by the military and civil airlines in 20 countries.
Together with foreign partners, the An-74 designer - Antonov Design Bureau - is working to modernize the aircraft.
Kawasaki Heavy Belatedly Delivers Its First XC2 Transport Jet to ASDF
Kawasaki XC-2 is a next generation transport jet with MTOW 120 tonnes (photo : Airliners)
GIFU (Kyodo) Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. delivered its first XC2 next-generation transport jet to the Air Self-Defense Force in a ceremony Tuesday at the firm's Gifu plant, two years behind schedule.
The XC2, a high-wing twin-engine plane measuring 44 meters in length, is currently the largest domestically developed aircraft.
The delivery was delayed because the fuselage turned out to be weaker than designed. The second plane is to be delivered by the end of March 2012.
The XC2's payload is about three times larger than the C1 transport now used by the ASDF.
The XC2 is easy to fly and can have civil aviation applications, a KHI official said.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force is developing the XP1 next-generation submarine patrol plane, which will use some common parts with the XC2.
Development costs for the two airplanes combined came to ¥345 billion.
Japan Could Better Exploit its Defense Technology
Shin Meiwa US-2 (photo : Airliners)Transfers of military technology--on a limited scale--could be an effective way to maintain the nation's vital defense technology while also supporting defense-related companies.
The Defense Ministry is studying a plan to transfer aircraft it developed to private use. The plan includes converting the Maritime Self-Defense Force's US-2 search-and-rescue seaplane to a firefighting flying boat and also converting the XC-2 next-generation transport plane now being developed by the Air Self-Defense Force to a large civilian cargo airplane.
The transfer of military technology to civilian use is unprecedented in this country. But search-and-rescue and transport planes are not really armaments in the first place. Adapting them for civilian use would have no effect on Japan's ideal as a "pacifist nation."
The government would be able to recoup some of its development costs by collecting usage fees from private companies. The procurement costs for Self-Defense Forces planes could also be reduced through the efficiencies of mass production. Manufacturers, for their part, could expect certain levels of earnings because the global demand for firefighting flying boats and cargo airplanes is large.
Kawasaki XC-2 (photo : Airliners)Widespread benefits
Transfer of SDF technology to private use would benefit both the private and public sectors. The practice should have been promoted much earlier.
Recent years saw an increasing number of companies withdraw from the military equipment industry due to the continued decrease in defense budgets. The loss of the high-level engineers and specialized manufacturers that are indispensable for the development, production and improvement of such equipment undermines the bedrock of national security.
But at the same time, the security environment surrounding Japan has become grimmer. Under such circumstances, it is essential to maintain a foundation for defense technology even while making more efficient use of defense budgets.
In line with the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines scheduled within this year, it is important to make a drastic review of the arms export ban.
Regarding military equipment that entails huge development costs, such as the F-35 next-generation fighter jet candidate, joint development involving two or more countries is a global trend. Japan cannot take part in such multinational projects because its principles only allow participation in such projects to be undertaken with the United States.
Review export ban principle
Japan's ban on arms exports applies to almost all nations other than the United States. The government must study limiting the ban to countries involved in international conflicts and those supporting terrorism. We suggest that Japan be at least permitted to undertake joint development of military weapons with ordinary countries and that a system be introduced to screen arms exports on a case-by-case basis.
Allowing the export of purely defensive materiel, such as mine detectors and bulletproof vests, would not harm Japan's image as a pacifist nation.
Both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party called for transfers of military equipment to private use in their campaign platforms for the House of Councillors election in July. There could be room for cooperation beyond the framework of ruling and opposition parties on the issue of reexamining the export ban.
In the previous Cabinet under former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa expressed positive thoughts about revising the arms export ban. But the review could not take any concrete shape due to opposition from the Social Democratic Party, which was then a member of the ruling coalition.
Now that the SDP has defected from the coalition government, the political barriers to transfers of military technology appear to have been lowered drastically.
AVIC : China’s Largest Home-Made 200-Tonne Class Air Lifter to Emerge in December
Image of China's 200 ton heavy airlifter (photo : China Defense Mashup)
Despite of the IL-76MD, China will demonstrate its indigenous 200-tonne class heavy military airlifter in the last month of 2009. This transporter is also the largest aircraft which China has ever made. Mr. Hu Xiaofeng, the General President of AVIC, unleashes this information on one media news press today.
Hu Xiaofeng says that the new military transporter will emerge as prototype aircraft, which is independently developed and manufactured by XAC (Xi’an Aircraft Industry Group). He also promises that the 80-tonne class C919 jet liner is being under production and will be delivered to COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China).China-Defense-Mashup has reported before that this military transport airfraft project was initiated before 3-4 years. Chinese Government has esteemed this project as “National Significant Project”. The Military department believes that the R&D on heavy airlifter should be based on the mature and reliable technologies, but its performance can approach the international advanced transport aircraft with Chinese independent innovative technologies.
It can be summarized that China’s future Military Heavy airlifter Prototype will be designed on Russia’s IL-76MD. But China’s airlift aircraft will has an expanded size and payload capacity, improved electronic devices, and even some concepts absorbed from C-17. For the Engine, China will probably use D-30 engines and then replace them by WS-18 or advanced 4 high-Bypass ratio turbofan engines developed from FWS-10.
Some concept of China's heavy lift aircraft absorbed from US's C-17 (photo : China Defense Mashup)
The detailed information has been unavailable. Here is the previous specifications estimation. Some numbers may be incorrect.
Crew: 3
Payload Capacity: 60,000-65000 kg
Length: 49 m
Wingspan: 50 m
Height: 15 m
Wing area: 310 m2
Empty weight: 100,000 kg
Max takeoff weight: 220,000 kg
Power: 4×turbofans
Maximum speed: 750-800 km/h
Range: (with max payload) 4,400 km
Service ceiling: 13,000 m
For years, Xi’an Aircraft Industry Group has been absorbing foreign aviation technologies and QC(Quality Control) & QA(Quality assurance) measurements by industrial subcontracting with Boeing and Airbus. Meanwhile, AVIC is preparing the correspondent attached technological projects. Such as CARDC (China Aerodynamics Research & Development Center) has achieved breakthrough in “Turbofan Engine low-speed Simulating Testing Technologies” for Airlifter high bypass engine. Besides, in 2008 China’s research on Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based carbon fibers will reach its milestone to produce high-performance aviation materials. PLA’s future heavy airlifter will realize the shrunk aircraft empty weight by CF Compound Material made fuselage and wings.
The strategic value of China’s heavy airlifter, is not only the great improvement PLA’s forces long distance projection, but also an air platform for China’s New concept Strategic Weapon System. A great conventional weapon gap between PLA and U.S. forces usually shrivels China leaders’ purpose of taking Taiwan back by forces. So Heads in China Government has been focusing on unconventional “Shashoujian” weapon system for strategic striking back.On the media news press, Hu Xiaofeng also says that L-15 will participate this month’s Dubai Air show 2009. He tells that lots of foreign Air Force pilots have visited Aviation Industry Group for related test flight.
November.6 is the one year birthday of Re-grouped AVIC group.
China Copies C-17 and C-130J
Shaanxi Y-9 (photo : Chinese Military Aviation)
China has announced that it will soon show off a domestically designed heavy (weighing more than 200 tons) military transport. Pictures of the new Chinese transport indicate a design similar to the Russian Il-76 (which the Chinese have been using for a long time.) China also has another 30 Il-76s on order, but has been unhappy with the costs. Doing a knock off of the Il-76 would not be unusual, as China has been copying Russian aircraft designs for decades. The Chinese aircraft would probably aspire to the more recent U.S. C-17, especially in terms of electronics and fuel efficiency.
Earlier this year, China revealed that it had revived its effort to build a C-130J class transport. The Chinese Y-9 is a 77 ton Chinese designed aircraft that is back in development, after having been dormant for some time. Powered by four turboprops, it can carry 25 tons (or nine 108x88 inch pallets, or 132 paratroopers.) It will have a crew of four, a cruise speed of 650 kilometers an hour, and has a max ferry range of 7,800 kilometers. The initial Y-9 design effort began in 2001, but the manufacturer ran into personnel and quality control problems, and put the effort on hold after a few years.
Three view of Chinese Y-9 (image : topgunchen)The Y-9 is basically a stretched version of the 61 ton Y-8F-200, which is, in turn, a Chinese copy, and upgrade, of the Russian An-12. Like the U.S. C-130, the An-12 was developed in the 1950s, and is still used by civilian cargo haulers all over the world. Some 1,200 An-12s were built (between 1957-73), compared to about a hundred 100 Y-8s (which began production in 1981). Nearly 2,300 C-130s have been built so far.
China wants to reduce its dependence on Russia for transport aircraft, and has noted the success of the latest version of the C-130, the C-130J (a 79 ton aircraft with a crew of three, that can carry 33 tons of cargo, 8 pallets or 92 paratroopers.) The C-130J has a cruise speed of 644 kilometers an hour and max ferry range of 7,400 kilometers.
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