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Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
The Moscow Times
By Simon Saradzhyan
Staff Writer
The Su-30MK is one of the more advanced warplanes that the Sukhoi design bureau has developed on the basis of the Su-27.
The air force will continue to focus on upgrading its fleet this year, while the defense industry develops the next generation of warplanes for the military, senior commanders said Wednesday.
The industry will upgrade some 20 Su-27 interceptors into fourth-plus generation multipurpose warplanes for the air force this year, air force chief Alexander Mikhailov said at a news conference.
He did not specify the designation of the upgraded planes; previously, the air force singled out the Su-27I/B and the Su-30KN as the most promising fourth-plus generation projects.
Mikhailov said up to 25 percent of the air force's tactical aviation fleet will be upgraded in 2002-06.
By then, the Sukhoi design bureau should have a fifth-generation tactical fighter ready for a maiden flight, Mikhailov said. Serial production of this aircraft, which should be capable of attacking both surface and airborne targets in all weather conditions around the clock, is to begin by 2010, he said.
Mikhailov said the Su-27 upgrades will include new avionics designed by the Ramenskoye instrument design bureau rather than Russian Avionics, which the previous air force chief preferred.
Mikhailov also hinted he may reject another project favored by his predecessors. The Tupolev or the Ilyushin design bureau, both based in Moscow, may be picked over Ukraine's Antonov to develop transport aircraft to replace the aging Il-76. While saying he was "not burying the An-70," he made it clear that the air force will opt for either the Il-214 or the Tu-330 if Kiev-based Antonov does not fix "numerous flaws," including engine glitches, in the An-70.
Some Mi-24 helicopters will also be upgraded this year, Mikhailov said.
Most warplanes and helicopters lack all-weather/nighttime capabilities, limiting the air force's capabilities to provide 24-hour air support for ground combat in Chechnya, said Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. Acquiring such capabilities should be the main objective of the air force's modernization program, he said.
In addition to upgrading and developing planes, the air force will also finance the completion of the S-400 air defense system this year, air force chief of staff Boris Cheltsov said in an interview.
Air force officials said increased defense spending over the past few years was providing more money for upgrades and combat training. The extra money allowed pilots to double their flight time last year -- but more flight hours are needed to keep them up to par, the officials said. Pilots only logged 20 to 50 hours last year compared to the 180 to 240 hours for NATO pilots.
Is Sukhoi aircraft military and industrial complex changing priorities?
The situation concerning Russian weapons has been very strange since 1991, trade in arms is the strangest sphere certainly. At first, weapon producers, state mediators and commercial intermediaries could sell weapons. Then, only state mediators and producers, which were not yet incorporated, had a right to sell weapons. Further, the state-run monopoly Rosvooruzheniye was especially created for trade in arms. Then the state-run monopoly was transformed into another monopoly, Rosoboronexport. And so on. Although it is perfectly clear that if the Russian authorities want the domestic defense establishment to recover and to start production of new generation weapons, the defense establishment must obligatorily have its own share in the arms trade.
As soon as the Sukhoi aircraft military and industrial establishment got this license at the end of the previous year, its representatives immediately managed to concluded a profitable deal in Warsaw. This Russia-Poland framework agreement provides for overhaul-period renewal of 60 fighter-bombers Su-22UMZK and Su-22M4.
In fact, Poland is short of money to adjust its military standards to the NATO standards by the determined period, 2006. What is more, the Polish government already declared that this year defense spending would be reduced by 3.5 billion dollars at least. Because of the budgetary deficit. Observers say, this slowdown may entail changes in the date of Poland’s incorporation into NATO. Nevertheless, Poland managed to find finance to renew the overhaul-period of Russian warplanes. As the Polish mass media report, the fleet of the latest modification of Su-22 planes will be in operation in the Polish army till 2014. Thus, it is not ruled out that Russian warplanes may soon be in operation in the NATO army.
As Agency of Political Information (APN) informs with reference to some sources in the Polish Ministry of National Defense, almost detective events preceded signing of the agreement. Illegal military freight going from Belarus to Poland was detained at the customs in the Russian city of Smolensk. The aircraft overhaul plant #558 from the Belarussian city of Baranovichi tried to send the freight two times. As is known, the plant illegally produces and exports spare parts for Su-22 and for engines AL-21. The Russian side resolutely protested against such deliveries. Poland understood that it would never get any spare parts from Belarus. Afterwards, Poland’s Ministry of Defense decided to give up illegal purchases of spare parts. Then representatives of Sukhoi arrived in Warsaw to negotiate methods of “civilized” cooperation with Polish clients. The negotiations were a success. As is reported, Sukhoi is going to use the same scheme for establishment of regular relations with other foreign clients. It is expected that cooperation will be established with Syria, Bulgaria, Peru, Angola, Libya and Vietnam, the countries where over 500 of Russian Su-22 planes are adopted.
This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on Jan 23, 2003 12:23 PM
As the Bush administration and the Department of Defense struggle over questions about the development of new U.S. warplanes such as the Joint Strike Fighter and the new F-22 "Raptor" air superiority fighter, Russian designers are hard at work developing Moscow's next generation of fighters that could rival U.S. contemporaries.
According to Russia's Military News Agency, Moscow intends to restart test flights of its new S-37 "Berkut" prototype fighter, a fifth-generation warplane with strikingly different design features and, reportedly, new stealth technologies.
Last September, a Russian aeronautics-engineering source sent WorldNetDaily photographs of the S-37 -- which is being designed by the famed Sukhoi bureau -- in flight. The twin-engine plane features a forward-swept wing design, a large configuration and supersonic speed.
The plane, which has made about 100 test flights so far, is being kept largely under wraps by the Russian government, though it could eventually be featured at the annual international air show in Farnborough, England, in July. Officials have said, however, that the plane may only be displayed rather than flown during the show.
Tests will be conducted at the Zhukovsky Flight Test Center near Moscow.
Sukhoi has not been able to obtain Russian Defense Ministry permission even to display the S-37 publicly at Russian venues other than Zhukovsky, although the aircraft made two brief overflights of Moscow after it first flew in 1997, reports said.
Russian aviation experts said the S-37 is the most advanced new Russian warplane design since the Sukhoi-built Su-27 model first became operational nearly 20 years ago. Since then, the Su-27 has been upgraded several times and is now being offered for export to India and China. The Chinese have also signed a deal with Moscow to produce 200 of the aircraft inside China; Indian officials are negotiating for a similar contract.
"The S-37 remains highly classified, and the Ministry of Defense is not in a hurry to make information available about this aircraft," General Director Mikhail A. Pogosyan told Aviation Week & Space Technology last summer.
The plane has been shunned by some senior Russian military officials, but Pogosyan's "special relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who himself likes to fly in supersonic Russian fighter planes, has taken an interest in the project and Sukhoi in general.
"A new Sukhoi heavy fighter design will not necessarily involve a forward-swept wing. But the composite materials development and fabrication techniques and flight control technologies embodied in the S-37 will benefit Russian fighter designs well into the next two decades," Aviation Week said.
Also in development is the MiG-1.42, which carries a more conventional aircraft design, but has incorporated "thrust-vectoring" exhaust nozzles to give the aircraft much more maneuverability.
The MiG has flown considerably less time than its S-37 counterpart, officials said, but both aircraft will embody technologies for any new next-generation Russian fighter and will be designed to counter the U.S. Air Force's new F-22, which is also still under development.
Russia is also examining the S-55, a prototype that has yet to be built, as a counter to the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter. The Mikoyan Design Bureau is also looking at a JSF-type aircraft.
Russian designers are confident in their abilities to design the next generation of Russian warplanes to meet or exceed operational requirements necessary to rival U.S. and other Western aircraft.
"The aerodynamics during supersonic flight have been proven. It has also satisfied one of our main goals to correlate ground test structural data with structural loads information obtained during flight," Pogosyan said of the S-37 -- the "Su-" designation hasn't been applied because the aircraft is still experimental and not yet operational.
"We are proud to say that all the advantages of this configuration [forward-swept wings] have been successfully proven during flight test," he added.
"Air flowing over the S-37's thin super-critical airfoil travels inward towards wing root instead of outward toward the tips as in conventional wings. As this inward flow occurs across the airfoil, it prevents the wing tips and ailerons from stalling at high angles of attacks," said Aviation Weekly.
"As the forward sweep maintains uniform over the ailerons, this -- coupled with computer control of the movable canards -- enables the pilot to maintain excellent control response at angles of attack of 45 degrees or more," the magazine said.
The S-37, however, is inherently unstable and can fly only because of its fly-by-wire control system, officials say.
Two similar U.S.-made models by Grumman flew 442 research flights between 1984 and 1992 and had three digital flight control computers, each with an analog backup, said Aviation Weekly.
In an e-mail to WND, the Russian engineer did not provide many details about the new plane, but indicated that Russian defense officials were moving ahead with the project at a regular pace.
Published reports say the S-37 is capable of reaching speeds up to 2,500 km per hour (about 1,600 mph) and has maximum range of 3,880 km (about 2,400 miles). It is armed with a single 30mm cannon and an undisclosed number of air-to-air missiles that are self-contained within the aircraft's fuselage.
As Russia progresses with its fighter programs, the Bush administration, led by Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, has launched a study that is to be presented to President Bush by mid- to late March detailing the most pressing Defense Department needs for the current and next several fiscal budget years.
Constrained by the 2001 Pentagon budget, which tops out at nearly $310 billion, the administration is quietly examining programs such as the F-22, the JSF and the MV-22 "Osprey" tilt-rotor aircraft programs to see if they will meet the technological needs of the U.S. military over the next decade and beyond.
While the F-22 has passed a number of recent tests and is further along than its JSF cousin, the Joint Strike Fighter program's future is less clear, though Defense officials and the Air Force say both programs are needed to upgrade America's aging fleet of warplanes.
Russian Plasma-Based Stealth? Better, Cheaper Than US Version?
The following is an alleged Russian ITAR-TASS agency release about a new way of obtaining stealthiness, via the use of "plasma". They say that it is or will be far better than the US Lockheed Skunk Works or Northrop versions.
By Nicolai Novichkov
ITAR-TASS Information Agency
Moscow, January 20, 1999
Translation by Philip Kaploun
Research team at the Research Center named after M.V. Keldysh has developed new technologies allowing dramatic decrease in aircrafts' radar observability. Russian approach to low observability (LO) technologies is completely different from US Stealth and offers complete furtiveness of the protected object at a significantly lower price. An exclusive interview about these technologies was conducted by Nicolai Novichkov, ITAR-TASS with director of the Center, academic of Russian Scientific Academy Anatoliy Korteev.
As academic explained, American approach to LO (Stealth technology) applied on B-2, F-117A, and fifth generation fighter F-22 "Raptor" is based on the following principles. The airframes of these aircrafts are designed to minimize their radar cross section (RCS), avoid all possible elements of the structure, which could reflect electromagnetic radiation. In order to minimize reflected radiation radio absorbing materials (RAM) are also applied to the surface of the structure. The main drawbacks of the Stealth technology are its negative effects on the flight and agility characteristics of the stealth aircrafts.
Russian scientists approach the issue from the other direction. They proposed to create a plasma formation around protected object, which prevents radars from seeing it. Thus, aerodynamical characteristics of the plane itself do not suffer. Without interfereing with technical characteristics the artificially created plasma cloud surrounding the plane guarantees more than hundred times decrease in its observability.
The physics of plasma protection can be described as following. If an object is surrounded by a cloud of plasma, several phenomenas are observed when the cloud interacts with electromagnetic waves radiated by enemy radar. First, an absorption of electromagnetic energy occurs in the cloud, since during plasma penetration it interacts with plasma charged particles, pass onto them a portion of its energy, and fades. Second, due to specific physical processes, electromagnetic wave tends to pass around plasma cloud. Both of these phenomenas results in dramatic decrease of the reflected signal.
Static and flight experiments proved the effectiveness of this technology. The first generation devices, producing plasma field surrounding an aircraft and decreasing reflected signal were created in the Center. Later, a possibily of creating second generation advanced systems (capable of not only decreasing reflected signal and changing its wavelength, but also producing some false signals) was discovered. Such systems significantly complicate determination of actual aircraft's speed, its location and leads to development of completely new approaches to LO provision, unachievable to conventional Stealth technology. Furthermore, the weight of the systems developed in Russia do not exeed 100 kg, and power consumption ranges from kilowatts to tens of kilowatts.
Advances in development of the third generation LO systems allowed to clear the systems of first and second generation for export, commented academic Anatoliy Korteev.
26/01/99 (c) ITAR-TASS,
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This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on May 21, 2003 3:21 PM This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on Feb 12, 2003 3:02 PM
Couple of things to keep in mind: plasma is ionized gas particles. Therefore, plasma flow is a flow of ionized gas particles. Ion is an electrically charged particle or group of atoms. Plasma cloud is a quasineutral (total electrical charge is zero) collection of free charged particles. The vast majority of matter in the universe exists in plasma state. Near the Earth plasma can be found in the form of solar wind, magnetosphere and ionosphere. The main property of plasma (for our purposes) is its frequency, which is equal to a square root of a ratio of 4 Pi square of ion charge * concentration of ions to the mass of ion:
SQRT ( (4 Pi n * e^2) / m ),
where e is electron or ion charge, n is concentration of ions per volume of plasma and m is mass of ion.
There are several types of oscillations in plasma: low frequency (ion-sound waves), high frequency (oscillations of electrons relative to ions), spiral waves (in the presence of a magnetic field - "magnetosound"), and cross waves propagating along a magnetic field. A device for generating plasma is called plasmatron. This device generates the so-called low-temperature plasma.
Russian Academy of Sciences recently revealed information about a novel "stealth" technology, that incorporates plasma fields. Russian ITAR/TASS news agency recently interviewed the director of the Keldysh Research Center (FKA Scientific Research Institute for Thermal Processes), Academician Anatoliy Koroteyev, who briefly summarized capabilities of plasma stealth system developed by his research center and the current status of the project.
An interesting fact: Keldysh Research Center operates a unique plasma wind tunnel for analyzing propagation of electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of a spacecraft as well as for testing of antenna inserts and ion thrusters. Detailed info about Keldysh Research Center here.
First, I would like to assure people with high school physics background that, at least in theory, the system, described by Academician Koroteyev, is perfectly valid. Interactions between various types of electromagnetic radiation and plasma fields were studied for many years in Russia, the United States and around the world. Among recent achievement in this area is a "plasma stealth" antenna developed by the US Navy for use on LO aircraft. The system employs a U-shaped glass tube filled with low-pressure gas (something like a fluorescent tube). This antenna is energized and acts as a highly-directional, electronically steered transmitter/receiver. When de-energized, the antenna is virtually transparent to hostile electromagnetic signals. One of the problems with such a system is its vulnerability to resonant signals. For more information click here.
The system developed by the Russians is also based on electromagnetic wave-plasma interactions, but in a very different way. Russian stealth plasma device creates a plasma field around an aircraft. This field partially consumes electromagnetic energy of a hostile radar or causes it to bend around the aircraft, reducing the aircraft RCS by up to 100 times. Sounds fantastic? Not really: effects of dissipation and bending of electromagnetic signals in presence of plasma field have been observed for decades. If there is anything new about the system developed by the Russians it certainly is not the theoretical part but technical aspects of the plasma generator. Keldysh Research Center claims to have developed, built and tested a plasma shield generator that weighs only 100 kg.
The idea of creating a plasma field around an aircraft is not a new one either. Such a possibility was thoroughly studied by both Russians and Americans. This was done for very different reasons, however. Aircraft designers want to use a plasma shield generator on hypersonic aircraft. In this application, plasma may be generated by a powerful plasma laser and will act as a heat shield for an aircraft. There are plans to use such a system in conjunction with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) propulsion to achieve velocities up to Mach 50. For more information click here or here. This is truly unbelievable, but even this theoretically and technologically is perfectly possible. It is not known whether the plasma stealth system developed by the Russians employs a plasma laser or some other method for creating a plasma field. My personal opinion is that it has nothing to do with a plasma laser (which is a very large and very power-hungry device.)
Plasma physics was given priority in Russia many years ago, which resulted in a number of breakthroughs in theory as well as practical applications of plasma. Perhaps one of the most interesting and promising applications of plasma is the so-called ion thruster, used to propel spacecraft. This technology was first developed in Russia (mainly by Keldysh Research Center) and recently successfully used on an American satellite Deep Space 1. The system uses xenon gas as fuel and can achieve exhaust velocities of up to 30 km/sec (ten times that of an average rocket engine.) Wouldn't you like to understand how this ion drive really works? You go back to college or follow this link to MSNBC excellent interactive "Ion Drive" guide. Interesting to note that first such "ion thrusters" were developed in USSR and used on Soviet spacecraft almost 30 years ago.
"Consider Russia's newfound superiority in military technology, long masked by stories of a defunct and undersupplied military. Last Wednesday Russia's press offered further details regarding the Kremlin's new stealth technology (which allows military aircraft to escape radar detection). According to Itar-Tass, the new stealth capability relies on a plasma field which surrounds combat aircraft and absorbs electromagnetic waves."
American stealth technology lies in the absorbent materials used to build the exterior of the airplane. We were the first to develop this technology and the first to employ it in combat, both in the Gulf War and in Bosnia. This technology works, and is effective in being able to approach a target without enemy radar seeing the airplane. We have built fighter-bombers and long-range bombers with this technology, and are working on a stealth interceptor high-performance fighter.
But, now the Russians have developed a stealth fighter that does not evade radar because of the wave-absorbing materials from which it is constructed, but because the plane is surrounded by a plasma shield which does all the absorbing of enemy radar. This is, indeed, an innovative approach. However, plasma emits a strong heat, so it would seem plausible that a heat-sensing radar would readily register the Russian stealth aircraft surrounded by a plasma shield. So, the question of the hour becomes, 'does American deployed radar capability include a heat-seeking radar'?
Evidently not, since Russian stealth fighter-bombers several weeks ago suddenly appeared directly overhead of the American carrier, Kitty Hawk, without being picked up by any of her radars, nor any of the accompanying Aegis Cruiser radars [supposedly the most sophisticated in the world], nor any of the other assorted radars the U.S. Navy employs. These Russian stealth fighter-bombers penetrated to the very heart of this American Naval Carrier Group -- the aircraft carrier itself -- and would have blown her to pieces had this been a real war situation! News reports told us that, once the Russian bombers were visually seen over the carrier, it took the Kitty Hawk 40 minutes to get our first interceptor into the air!
Clearly, the Russians learned a great deal about our capabilities to detect their stealth aircraft, and of our current state of readiness once an enemy is sighted. I literally shook in my boots when I realized the implications of this Russian fly-over test. Not only do the Russians possess technology to render their aircraft invisible to our radar, but our current state of military preparedness is so low it took us 40 minutes to launch an interceptor!
Now, the question of the hour is whether our NORAD radar standing radar guard against a Russian strike over the North Pole has heat-sensing capability. In fact, do we even NORAD radar even operating now? It seems as though President Bush turned that radar off just before he left the presidency. So, that means the Russian stealth bombers, travelling in their plasma shields, could be over any American target well before anyone in this country could detect them!
RUSSIAN SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE VERSUS OUR SUBSONIC CRUISE MISSILE
NEWS BRIEF: "U.S. Missile Gap Widens: Pentagon's hypersonic weapon program by 2010, WorldNetDaily by Charles Smith, October 3, 2000.
"Despite the Pentagon's development of a new generation of hypersonic missile, the U.S. is still a decade behind Russia in high-speed cruise-missile design, according to defense analysts ... Nevertheless, defense analysts agree that the U.S. is fully a decade behind Russia in high-speed cruise missile designs. Russia currently deploys and exports the supersonic SS-N-22 Moskit cruise missile, NATO codenamed "Sunburn." The SS-N-22 is considered the most lethal anti-ship missile in the world, and flies at over 2.5 times the speed of sound only a few feet from the surface of the water."
We covered this subject in NEWS1449, so we do not want to duplicate everything we have written there but the upshot of this matter is that this missile flies so fast that our Naval defenses simply cannot defend against it. This weapon dooms our entire Naval fleet. Our Navy is stuck with the slow, extremely subsonic cruise missiles, most of which we have shot off anyway.
But, there is more! These fearsomely fast missiles can be fitted with a nuclear warhead that can explode with the power of 120,000 tons on T.N.T.! Consider this article:
"U.S. Eyes China First Strike Capability; Nuclear-tipped Missiles Set For Deployment On Destroyers", Nov 11, 2000, by Charles Smith.
"... China will deploy nuclear-tipped missiles on two Russian-built Sovremenny-class destroyers, said by one defense expert to be warships designed to start a nuclear war. Reports of nuclear warheads on the new Chinese anti-ship missiles first appeared inside a new book called 'Red Dragon Rising'. According to the book's co-author, William Triplett, each Chinese warship is equipped with eight nuclear-tipped, Russian-made Moskit anti-ship missiles -- each armed with a warhead equal to over 120,000 tons of TNT. 'The Sovremenny is strictly an offensive platform', stated Triplett during a WorldNetDaily interview."
"According to the U.S. Naval Institute, in August 1999, the first of two 8,480-ton Russian Navy Project 956A destroyers built for China conducted trials in the eastern Baltic. Each 956A warship is armed with eight supersonic 3M82 Moskit sea-skimming missiles (NATO code-named SS-N-22 'Sunburn') ... In 1996, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy negotiated to buy the Yekaterinburg and another 956A class destroyer named the Alexandr Nevskiy. The Yekaterinburg is due for delivery by the end of 1999 and the second destroyer by the end of 2000."
Thus, these supersonic Russian cruise missiles can be equipped with a very powerful nuclear warhead, six (6) times the size of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the close of World War II. This development means that the Russians and/or Chinese could just fire one or two of these weapons at a point in the sky above the carrier group and wipe out the entire group in one shot!
Further, the Russians are so far along in the development of this supersonic cruise missile they have even developed a special kind of naval ship to carry these missiles. As one defense expert said, this type of weapon is designed to start a thermonuclear war.
RUSSIANS HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR STEALTH FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR!
"The West has largely ignored reports of new and advanced Russian weapons ... the United States Air Force has delayed purchasing the F-22, but the supposedly underfunded Russian Air Force has tested its new SU-35UB with its super-cruise and stealth capabilities."
So, while America is staggering to produce a workable Stealth fighter interceptor, the "supposedly underfunded Russian Air Force" has not only produced one, they have tested it. Thus, America can no longer be assured of control of the airspace above a raging battlefield. Once the Russians get this stealth interceptor fighter into the air in any kind of quantity, she can probably kill our airplanes before our pilots are even aware that the Russians are in the vicinity.
You see, today's fighter technology starts from a long way off, as our fighter's radar locks in on an enemy from many miles away and launches missiles designed to take out an enemy fighter before he ever gets close enough to actually engage in aerial combat. Further, Naval fighters fly a "perimeter" stakeout far above and away from the carrier itself. Their mission is to detect incoming enemy aircraft, engage such aircraft with its radar, and destroy it with air-to-air missiles before they get close enough to destroy our carrier.
However, if the incoming enemy aircraft is a stealth aircraft that our fighters cannot even detect, they would be totally unable to "lock on" to the enemy. Therefore, we would not launch our air-to-air missiles and the fighters could approach the carrier with total surprise, sinking her to the bottom of the sea before any American even knew they were there. This scenario is exactly what happened a couple weeks ago to the carrier, Kitty Hawk. When the Russian stealth fighters appeared overhead, American naval officers knew they would be dead had the situation been one of combat. A number of American Naval officers must not have slept well that night.
The Crash of Soviet Battle Plane above Sea of Japan is Still Unveiled.
No score for this post
March 13 2003, 9:16 AM
The Crash of Soviet Battle Plane above Sea of Japan is Still Unveiled.
PRAVDA.Ru
Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Anatoly Letyagin
Yuzhnouralsk
Chelyabinsk Worker
Four members of the crew are still missing, their bodies were never found.
The disaster that happened to the Kursk submarine and the events that followed it evoked the feeling of unexplainable melancholy in Andrey Prokhorov’s soul. He recollected the tragedy, which took place more than 20 years ago, but remained unveiled both to the public and to the relatives of those men, who died as a result of it.
Andrey Prokhorov used to serve the chief assistant of the personnel department of the Chelyabinsk military aviation school. This was the position that Andrey took during the time, when a horrible tragedy happened in the USSR. A Soviet battle plane crashed not far from the Japanese coastline. No one of seven crewmembers managed to survive the crash. However, it should be mentioned here that the bodies of four pilots were never found, so those people are regarded as missing. No one knew, what happened to them – whether they drowned in the sea or survived the crash and moved over to another country. There was a student of the mentioned military aviation amid those missing military men.
Time has erased a lot of details: names, the date and the exact spot, where the tragedy took place. However, Andrey Prokhorov still remembers that the student’s name was Dmitry and that he came from the town of Yuzhnouralsk. Yet, the archive of the school does not have anything of the crash.
The town of Yuzhnouralsk is considered to be the town of power engineering and aviation specialists in Russia. The town is located not far from the Uprun airbase. Reporters did not manage to obtain any information from former chiefs of aviation troops and their colleagues. They all said that they either never heard of the tragedy or were not in the military during the period, when the crash happened. However, the problem was solved in a very easy way. Natalia Kanina, the secretary of the municipal council, called to the military committee of the town and asked to dig something up in archives and documents. Viktor Kovach, an employee of the military committee managed to find out that the student’s name was not Dmitry, but Sergey Dmitriyev. Viktor Kovach also said that Sergey was born in 1957; he gave the number of the school that he studied in and even his parents’ home address. A little bit of further research cast all doubts aside: Sergey Dmitriyev was that student named Dmitry, who Andrey Prokhorov remembered.
Reporters from the newspaper Chelyabinsk Worker went to meet Sergey’s parents. Lydia and Vladimir, Sergey’s mother and father, were rather confused with reporters’ visit. Yet, the conversation started in ten minutes. They showed their family albums: Sergey was depicted on those photographs wearing the uniform of an officer. The picture was taken at the time, when he was a senior student of the school. At that time of his life the young man was about to start his new life.
Sergey’s mother Lydia said: “He always wanted to become a pilot, he had that wish when he was a little boy. He dreamed to fly. When he had practical classes at school, he flew above our grandmother’s house. He had only one practice at Uprun airbase. Later he had to go to the Primorye region, where he was supposed to serve after school. When he arrived there, he wrote in a letter that he loved the new place, the nature. He asked us to send him some fishing-tackle. But it was too late for us to do that.”
The tragedy happened in a mysterious way, as if it was caused with some mysticism. Sergey was not supposed to fly on that plane. The command decided to change the crews for some reason. It was the afternoon of June 27th, 1980. Two Tupolev planes were flying 70 kilometers off the island of Sado, above the Sea of Japan. The sky was cloudy. Japanese battle ships could be seen on the surface of the ocean down below. The captain of one of the two planes suddenly saw a bright flashlight in the sky. Then he saw that the other Tupolev plane was spinning down without a wing. The plane fell down in the water, A Japanese ship started approaching it. Sergey’s parents did not believe official documents. They did not believe what the military command say about the crash either. The official conclusion about the tragedy differed from what military men said.
“No one told us the real reason of the crash. We were told that it was a military exercise, a flight around the sea border. Then they said that a breakdown occurred on board the plane, and that was all. Pilots said other things unofficially. They said that there was a group of American vessels in the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan. Soviet planes accompanied the group, but then lost it, so it was ordered for two Tupolev planes to take off and to detect American ships. Someone even said that the Soviet plane was downed with a missile. We do not know, what actually happened. They concealed the truth from us,” Sergey’s mother Lydia said.
Lydia showed the death certificate that she received after the air crash. The certificate ran that Sergey Dmitriyev died on June 27, 1980 at the age of 23. As it was said, the young man died as a result of the air crash in the Sea of Japan. That was it – as if it was about a civil person, who was flying in a passenger jetliner with tourists. They thought a lot at the defense department, what to say to Sergey’s parents about their son’s death. This is what they had to say. To crown it all, the death certificate was issued eight months after the tragedy – it arrived in the mailbox as a usual letter or a greeting card. So many years have passed since that time, but the pain remains the same. Sergey’s parents do not really care about officials’ indifference or state secrets. Although, the death certificate does not allow two elderly people to have any benefits for the lost son. The young man died on his duty, the crash happened under military conditions, in a tough opposition with the real enemy. That-era situation was absolutely different, it was far from being ideal. Unfortunately, student Sergey Dmitriyev is still the hostage of that situation.
There were three dead bodies found on the spot of the crash, they were picked up by Japanese soldiers. All of them were buried in the places, from where they came from. Other four members of the crew are still considered to be missing. Their bodies have not been found. However, military men said that they were saved by Japanese sailors. Conversations with spokespeople for the special department of the military garrison made Sergey’s parents doubt of their son’s death even more. They started thinking that he either escaped or was taken a captive. The parents were very depressed with what happened to their child, although they still had a hope. Sergey’s mother Lydia still hopes for a miracle to happen.
“Sergey’s grandmother was a gifted woman, she was a fortuneteller. She died five years ago. She kept saying that Sergey did not die. She was certain that he lived somewhere very far from us. She did not let us mourn our son, so we didn’t. After the tragedy I discovered amazing capabilities in myself. I started calling for my son in my mind. I had a vision of him wearing a brown suit and a blue shirt. I asked where he was staying and he answered me that he was living in France. He said that he had a Russian wife and two children. I had that gift for two years, and then it was gone. After Sergey passed away, I fell ill and I had an operation on. My other son Aleksey came to visit me. I hugged him and told him not to become a pilot like his brother. Probably I did that wrong, but Aleksey works as a fireman now. He never reproached him for breaking his career of a pilot.”
By SLOBODAN LEKIC
The Associated Press
Thursday, April 24, 2003; 6:49 AM
JAKARTA, Indonesia - Frustrated by Washington's long running embargo over arms sales because of human rights concerns, Indonesia plans to buy dozens of high-performance fighter bombers from Russia over the next several years.
The state Antara news agency reported Thursday that the deal was struck during a visit to Russia by President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
On Wednesday, she toured a testing ground for Sukhoi fighter jets in Zhukovsky outside Moscow and watched the performance of a Su-27 fighter jet.
The two governments have agreed to improve overall trade ties. However, the focus of Megawati's visit appears to have been procuring Russian jets, helicopters and armored vehicles to modernize Indonesia's obsolescent armed forces.
Indonesia had looked to the United States for its military needs since the 1960s after then-dictator Gen. Suharto seized power from Sukarno, the country's founding president and Megawati's father.
Annual arms purchases peaked at $400 million in the 1980s.
In 1991, however, the U.S. Congress banned exports after Indonesian troops killed hundreds of civilians in East Timor.
In 1999, East Timor seceded, but only after Indonesian forces and pro-Indonesian militias laid waste to the territory as the military withdrew after a pro-independence referendum. The destruction prompted U.S. lawmakers to extend the ban to cover almost all military ties with Jakarta.
Since then, some members of the Bush administration - particularly Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a former ambassador to Jakarta - have pushed for the ban to be repealed. They argue that Jakarta's generals should be engaged not shunned despite their human rights abuses.
The embargo and resulting lack of spare parts has had a devastating effect on the serviceability of all U.S. weapons systems in the Indonesian inventory. But the air force has been particularly severely hit.
Only half of its 10 F-16 Falcons and 24 F-5E Tiger fighters are considered airworthy, while an entire 12-plane attack squadron of Skyhawk jets had to be grounded.
Speaking in Moscow, Indonesia's military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the country would purchase an initial batch of two long-range Su-27 and two Su-30 jets to be delivered this year. At least 44 other planes will be delivered over the next four years, Sutarto said.
"We have decided to buy these jet fighters and ideally we need four squadrons of 12 planes each," he said as quoted by Antara.
The Sukhois will likely replace all U.S.-made jets in the Indonesian inventory, except for the F-16s which may soldier on as fighter-bombers. Their 1,800-mile range will allow them to patrol the vast Indonesian archipelago better than the short-range U.S. jets.
The Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter, developed by Kamov Helicopters JSC, carries the NATO codename Hokum A, Hokum B being the two-seat version, Ka-52. Ka-50 is also known as Werewolf. It entered service in the Russian Army during 1995 and is in full production at the Sazykin Aviation Company Progress based in Arseniev Maritime Territory, Russia. A first batch of eight aircraft have been delivered, with further production orders expected. It is a high performance combat helicopter with day and night capability, high survivability and fire power to defeat air targets and heavily armoured tanks armed with air defence weapons.
A night attack version, Ka-50N, with Samshit-50T thermal imager, day TV and laser rangefinder has been developed, and Kamov has also joined with Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) to produce a version, the Ka-50-2 Erdogan that is compatible with NATO weapons and has an Israeli equipped cockpit.
DESIGN
The coaxial rotor design provides a hovering ceiling of 4,000m and vertical rate of climb of 10m/s at an altitude of 2,500m. The rotor blades are made from polymer materials. The coaxial-rotor configuration results in moments of inertia values relative to vertical and lateral axes being between 1.5 to 2 times less than the values found in single rotor helicopters with tailrotors. Absence of the tail rotor enables the helicopter to perform flat turns within the entire flight speed range. A maximum vertical g-load of 3.5 combined with low moments of inertia give the Ka-50 a high level of agility.
Extensive all-round armour installed in the cockpit protects the pilot against 12.7mm armour piercing bullets and 23mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand several hits of ground-based automatic weapons.
The Ka-50 is the world's first operational helicopter with a rescue ejection system, which allows pilot to escape at all altitudes and speeds. The K-37-800 Rocket Assisted Ejection System is manufactured by the Zvezda Research and Production Enterprise Joint Stock Company in the Moscow Region.
WEAPONS
A combination of various armaments to a maximum weapon load of 2t can be selected according to the mission, including anti-tank missiles, unguided aerial rockets of different calibres, air-to-air missiles, guns, bombs and other weapons.
The helicopter has small mid-mounted wings fitted with four underwing suspension units and wingtip countermeasures pods. Up to 12 Vikhr supersonic antitank missiles can be mounted on the helicopter's two underwing external stores. The laser beamriding Vikhr missile is stated as having a target hit probability close to one, against a tank at a range of up to 8km, and the capability of penetrating all types of armour including active armour up to 900mm thick.
The Ka-50 is armed with a 2A42 quick-firing 30mm gun which has an unrestricted azimuth and elevation range mounting for use against airborne or ground targets. The gun is equipped with 460 rounds of ammunition, two types being carried, high-fragmentation and explosive incendiary rounds and armour-piercing rounds. The pilot selects the type of ammunition in flight. The weight of the ammunition is 0.39kg each round, the muzzle velocity is 980m/s and the range is up to 4km. The gun provides an angular firing accuracy of 2 to 4 mrad.
AVIONICS
Flight systems include inertial navigation system (INS), autopilot and head-up display (HUD). Sensors include FLIR (forward-looking infrared) and terrain-following radar.
COUNTERMEASURES
Ka-50 is fitted with radar warning receiver, electronic warfare system and chaff and flare dispenser.
ENGINES
The Ka-50 is powered by two TV3-117VMA turboshafts engines each providing 2,200hp. The engines are placed on either side of the fuselage to enhance the combat survivability. The helicopter also has an auxiliary power unit (APU) for self-contained operation.
This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on May 21, 2003 3:22 PM
The Mi-28 combat helicopter is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and is known by the NATO codename Havoc. In August 1996 Mil rolled out a prototype of the day and night capable version, the Mi-28N Night Havoc. The Mi-28N is scheduled to start operational testing in early 2003. Mi-28 can fly at a maximum speed of 300km/h, can fly rearwards and sideways at speeds up to 100km/h and is able to hover turn at 45° per second.
DESIGN
The helicopter design is based on the conventional pod and boom configuration with a tail rotor. The main rotor head has elastomeric bearings and the main rotor blades are made from composite materials. The tail rotor is designed on a biplane configuration with independently controlled X-shaped blades. A new design of all plastic rotor blades, which can sustain hits from 30mm shells, has been installed on the Night Havoc Mi-28N helicopter.
The helicopter has non-retractable tricycle tailwheel type landing gear. The energy absorbing landing gear and seats protect the crew in a crash landing or in a low-altitude vertical fall. The crew are able to survive a vertical fall up to 12m/s. The Mi-28 has a fully armoured cabin including the windshield which withstands impact by 7.62mm and 12.7mm bullets and 20mm shell fragments.
WEAPONS
The Mi-28A has small sweptback mid-mounted stubwings with four suspension units. Countermeasures pods are mounted on the wingtips. The helicopter can be armed with a mixture of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, unguided rockets and podded guns.
The Mi-28 and Mi-28N Night Havoc are armed with Shturm and Ataka anti-tank missiles supplied by the Kolumna Design Bureau (KBM). Up to 16 anti-tank missiles can be mounted on the helicopter. Shturm is a short-range radio command-guided missile. The Ataka missile's guidance is by narrow radar beam and maximum range of the missile is 8km. The missile has a tandem shaped charge warhead for penetration of 950mm to 1,000mm armour.
The helicopter can also carry four containers each with twenty 80mm unguided rockets or with five 122mm rockets. The helicopter can alternatively carry containers with grenade launchers, 23mm guns, 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns, aerial bombs and incendiary tanks.
The helicopter is equipped with a turreted 2A42 30mm cannon, stabilised in two axes, with a muzzle velocity of 1,000m/s.
FIRE CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE
The pilot uses a helmet mounted target designator which allocates the target to the navigator's surveillance and fire control system. The navigator/weapons officer is then able to deploy guided weapons or gun against the target. The targeting system follows the direction of the pilot's eyes.
The integrated surveillance and fire control system has two optical channels providing wide and narrow fields of view, a narrow field of view optical television channel and laser rangefinder. The system can move within 110° in azimuth and from +13° to -40° in elevation.
ENGINES
The Mi-28A helicopter is powered by two TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines, fitted on either side of the fuselage. It is equipped with an auxiliary power unit for self- contained operation. The thermal signature of the helicopter has been reduced by a factor of 2.5x compared to its predecessor, the Mi-24.
MI-28N NIGHT HAVOC
The Night Havoc helicopter retains most of the structural design of the Mi-28. The main difference is the installation of an integrated electronic combat system. Other modifications include new main gearbox for transmitting higher power to the rotor; new high efficiency blades with swept-shaped tips; and an engine fuel injection control system.
The main sensors of the integrated electronic combat system are the microwave radar antenna mounted above the rotor head and a FLIR (forward looking infrared) system. The system displays the helicopter location on a moving map indicator, and flight, systems and target information on liquid crystal displays. The crew are equipped with night vision goggles.
The Russian military command seems to have learnt the lessons of the Iraqi war.
The Russian military command seems to have learnt the lessons of the Iraqi war and now plans to demonstrate the USA and its allies the whole of Russia's resolve to strike back any potential danger from the West. This is reported by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. The newspaper says that as soon as NATO Secretary General George Robertson leaves the Russian capital, Moscow will immediately launch the largest over the past time exercises. During the exercises, the newspaper says, Russian strategic bombers and submarine missile carriers will deliver training nuclear attacks against several military targets on the territory of the USA and Great Britain. They will also work through the tasks of searching and liquidation of US Navy's aircraft carrying shock groups.
As is expected, Russia's Air Force commander-in-chief, Colonel-General Vladimir Mikhailov will submit the plan of the exercises for approval of the RF Minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov today. As Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports, the exercises are based on a conception of a regional conflict's development into a war.
During the exercises the Russian troops will work on a complex of training missions aimed at disabling of main objects of the US orbital group of the space satellite. This is important to break the stable functioning of the NAVSTAR global positioning system, the optoelectronic prospecting satellites Keyhole and radar reconnaissance satellites LaCross. The Russian newspaper informs that under war conditions these actions may blind the Pentagon and interfere with its usage of high-precision weapons against Russia's armed forces.
The exercises are scheduled for May 17-18. Four strategic bombers Tu-160 and 9 Tu-95MC, 12 long-range bombers Tu-22M3 and four flying tankers Il-78 will participate in the exercises.
In the words of Nezavisimaya Gazeta, commander of the 37th aviation unit, Major-General Igor Khvorov says that main objective of the exercises is to polish cooperation of the long-range aviation with the Navy and other groups of troops.
Heavy Russian bombers which challenged Nato military planners during the Cold War have taken to the air again to strike targets with cruise missiles in the Indian Ocean. Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers flew the 12-hour round mission from southern Russia on Wednesday in the first such exercise since the collapse of the USSR, the Russian authorities said. The Tu-95s released two cruise missiles which successfully found their targets before returning to base, Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov said in Moscow. News of the exercise, which was part of joint Russo-Indian naval games, came as US Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Moscow and the Russian Parliament ratified a nuclear arms reduction treaty with the US.
Air crews who spoke to Russia TV at their base in Saratov ahead of the mission said they were happy to be back flying full missions again after years of uncertainty. The long-range bombers did not fly at all between 1992 and 1998, its correspondent said. "The crews have to demonstrate that they can perform combat tasks - this is what we exist for," said Mikhail Shishkin, commander of one of the two Tu-160s which, along with four Tu-95s performed the mission. Pilots said they had long been in training for the mission but only received their orders on the last day before take-off.
Vajpayee visit.
The naval exercises in the Indian Ocean also coincided with a visit to Moscow by Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha. Apart from talks with Mr Powell, the Indian minister met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to discuss trade and economic relations. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is expected to visit Russia shortly to attend celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told supporters. World leaders including US President George W Bush are due to attend the lavish festivities there at the end of the month.
Defense Minister Igor Ivanov inspecting the honor guard Monday at the Defense Ministry in Kuala Lumpur. Andy Wong / AP
In what may well be the defense event of the year, Russia on Monday secured a $900 million contract to deliver 18 Su-30MKM fighter jets to Malaysia.
"This contract is very significant for Russia. We are gaining a foothold in this market," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
"Russia and Malaysia are building longer term military and technical cooperation because the contract envisions the technical servicing of the jets as well as their further upgrade," Ivanov was quoted by Interfax as saying.
Malaysian Defense Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the first planes will be delivered in mid-2006.
"This is a result of our modernization program," he was quoted by Reuters as saying. "There is a need for combat aircraft, especially multi-role combat aircraft."
The jets will be built by Irkut Corp. at its plant in Irkutsk. The plant is now fulfilling a $1.8 billion contract signed in 1996 to deliver Su-30 fighters to India.
When Malaysia started negotiations for the jets before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it also was looking to buy up to 18 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters. But that deal is now uncertain due to Malaysia's opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq, Malaysian industry sources told The Associated Press.
Najib refused to comment on the Super Hornets deal Monday.
The Malaysian defense minister said Kuala Lumpur may pay for the Russian jets in part with commodities such as palm oil.
A source familiar with negotiations said Monday that more than half of the $900 million price tag will be paid in cash.
Monday's agreement echoes a $600 million deal Malaysia clinched in 1994 for 18 MiG-29 fighters. The jets were paid for in part with palm oil, said Konstantin Makiyenko, the deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies think tank.
"It was a symbolic deal for Russia at the time, and hopefully this one will be as well," Makiyenko said.
Arms exports plunged to a post-Soviet low of $1.7 billion in 1994, but the sale to Malaysia opened the door to more orders the following year, Makiyenko said.
Last year, Russia hit a post-Soviet high of $4.8 billion in arms exports.
"So far, the Malaysian deal marks the defense event of this year," Makiyenko said.
After Monday's deal is fulfilled, Malaysia's air force will consist mostly of Russian aircraft, he said.
In the past two years, Kuala Lumpur has purchased other defense equipment from Russia such as Metis anti-tank missiles and shoulder-fired Igla anti-aircraft missile systems, he said.
The predominately Muslim country is also thought to be looking at Buk-M1 short-range air defense systems and Mi-17 helicopters.
Neighboring Indonesia signed a contract last month for four Su-30s and options for eight more.
Malaysia has asked the Russian avionics on the 18 new jets be replaced with French-made systems, Reuters quoted defense sources as saying. The Russian avionics contain some Israeli-made components.
Irkut first vice president Sergei Tsivilyov refused to comment on the avionics package Monday. Irkut was formerly known by the acronym IAPO
Tsivilyov said the Su-30MKMs will be primarily based on the Su-30MKI version that Irkut is building for India.
"The deal will be a serious step toward expanding our market presence," he said in a telephone interview.
The contract also will help fill a gap left when Irkut completes India's order next year. "It will support us a lot in the midterm," Tsivilyov said.
Without the Malaysian contract, Irkut already had an exports portfolio worth more than $3 billion.
But with state arms procurement expected to almost double to 200 billion rubles ($6.5 billion) next year, the company also is positioning itself to handle upgrades for the Russian air force, Tsivilyov said. In addition, Irkut is diversifying into civilian aviation, assembling the Be-200 amphibious aircraft and developing the multipurpose MTA transport plane with India.
To finance these programs, Irkut plans to become the first Russian defense company to float its shares on international markets next year. Irkut is planning to raise $100 million with an initial public offering in London. It also wants to issue a $100 million eurobond in the second half of 2004.
To this end, PricewaterhouseCoopers has audited the company's finances to U.S. generally accepted accounting standards for 2000 and 2001.
Majority-owned by its management, Irkut is one of a handful of major defense enterprises in which the government, with 14.7 percent, does not own a blocking stake.
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Ka-50 and Ka-52 Are Unrivalled in Combat.
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May 20 2003, 1:29 PM
Ka-50 and Ka-52 Are Unrivalled in Combat.
Veniamin Kasyanikov
Deputy General Designer of Kamov EDB
At times in the past, the utility of combat helicopters was been completely denied,. Now, they are acknowledged as an indispensable weapon in support of any successful ground operation. Today, many countries have developed combat action concepts based on the employment of army aviation helicopters. According to published data from combat exercises, helicopters in the late 1970s and early 1980s enjoyed the upper hand in duels with tanks, despite the disparity in strength often being 1:10, 1:14 or even 1:20 against. This led to the urgent equipping of tank units with air defence artillery and air defence missile systems to protect them from helicopter attacks. As a result of this, combat helicopters, fitted with antitank guided missiles boasting ranges of up to 5 km, became easy targets for the tank forces.
The development of the Ka-50 Black Shark and AH-64A Apache combat helicopters aimed to redress this disparity and allow the helicopters to defeat tanks armed with air defence weapons. The Ka-50 combat helicopter can defeat targets on the battlefield using high-precision supersonic antitank missile systems while standing off from air defence artillery and missile systems. The Ka-50 combat helicopter is designed to defeat modern armoured vehicles, air targets and hostile manpower.
This co-axial helicopter features high flight performance and ease of piloting via automated flight systems. It can successfully execute combat missions at day and at night owing to its high survivability under hostile fire, powerful armament and protected cockpit. The helicopter was tested in simulated combat conditions. It met all the requirements for combat helicopters and won a Ministry of Defence tender. The Ka-50 helicopter is unrivalled in the world in terms of the 'cost-efficiency' criteria, and in 1995 it entered service and is now series produced at the Progress Arsenyevsk-based aviation complex.
The success of any combat operation to support ground forces on the battlefield depends to a large extent on the joint combat actions of a group’s combat helicopters. A group commander flying in a combat formation is responsible for control over his subordinate helicopters. His helicopter should be fitted with more sophisticated equipment to allow him to see better targets on the battlefield and ensure target designation and adequate fire distribution, provide for constant control over group combat helicopters and maintain communications with a ground command post. The scope of tasks assigned to the commander frees him from helicopter piloting. Consequently, he should fly in a two-seat flying combat vehicle.
The Ka-52, designated Alligator, multi-role all-weather combat helicopter, is intended for this purpose as a two-seat modification of the Ka-50 combat helicopter. Aircrew accommodated side-by-side in one cockpit can fly this helicopter and handle all on-board systems. The Alligator has retained all combat capabilities of its predecessor, including the whole array of weaponry. It is outfitted with a multifunctional on-board integrated electronic flight, navigation and weapon control system. Its passive/active observation/search and sighting systems ensure target search and their attack day/night in any weather conditions. The Sextant Avionics of France and CSF Thomson have taken part in creation of this helicopter. The Ka-52 Alligator is 85 percent identical to the Ka-50 base helicopter in terms of its airframe and main systems. Pilots escape via an ejection system. The Ka-52 Alligator can also be used as a trainer. Pilot accommodation and the availability of new multifunctional equipment system led to an increase in the weight of the empty helicopter and a small reduction in flight performance, compared to the Ka-50. However, this has not affected the quality of this flying machine as a whole.
Externally, the Ka-52 combat helicopter differs from its predecessor in the front part of the fuselage, shape of the cockpit and arrangement of round-the-clock observation/search and sighting systems. Pilots are rigged with pressurised helmets fitted with built-in displays to provide for required flight and sighting data. The Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters feature interchangeability, thereby reducing costs for series production and joint operation in combat units. Naturally, Alligator is more expensive than Black Shark. However, this is attributable to payments for the capability to perform combat missions at higher and more efficient levels. The advent of Ka-52 does not mean its automatic substitution by the Ka-50. They can be used more effectively in the interests of the ground forces, owing to their optimal joint employment in groupings. A similar approach is also adopted by the U.S. army aviation. The more costly and sophisticated AH-64D and AH-64D Longbow helicopter versions do not replace, but instead complement the AH-64A Apache helicopter groupings, thereby increasing their efficiency.
In the near future the Ka-52 will be subjected to tests. The Kamov company and its foreign partners are convinced that the successful results of the tests will enable the Ka-52 helicopter to occupy a leading position in its class. It is up to foreign buyers to decide whether to choose the Ka-50, or the Ka-52, or a hybrid to meet their requirements.
Ka-52 Alligator
"Intellectual support" helicopter destined to support the Ka-50
Main rotor diameter 14.50m
Length 15.90m (with rotor)
Max take-off mass 11,400kg.
Max horizontal speed 310km/h
Max side sliding speed 80km/h
Max backward speed 90km/h
Static ceiling 3600m
Max vertical speed 8m/s (at 2500m)
Practical range 530km (without extra tanks)
Max flight time 3.0-3.5 hours (with extra tanks)
Max overload 3.0
Optics locator Samshit
Thompson's thermovision station (France)
Telescopic/laser collimated tracking system (up to 15km)
Top-mounted Arbalet MMW radar
Four colour multifunction LCD displays
Front window pilot's display [HUD]
Helmet mounted seeker/tracker for operator
Doubled flight controls (can be used as a trainer)
K-37 ejectable seats
Stealth technology
Two Klimov TV3-117VMA, 2,200hp with VR-80 reductor (more powerful engines can be used with the same reductor; 2,500hp engines are planned with short "emergency mode" of 2,800hp).
30mm gun 2A42 (as for BMP-2) with selective round feeds. Four underwing pylons. Up to 12 supersonic anti-tank missiles "Vikhr-M" with laser guidance and tandem warhead. Kh-25ML ASMs (up to 15km) with laser semi-active guidance. 2 x R-73 or 12 x Igla-V AAMs
Team Alligator is a flight simulation of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter. Set in two campaign areas - Belarusia and Tajikistan - and a Siberian training zone, you play the commander of a Russian Army aviation squadron. Your unit comprises six Alligator helicopters, the support personnel and aircrew. As commander, you have the responsibility for planning and executing missions while managing your personnel and resources to ensure the efficient operation of your team. In missions you will fly as the lead pilot and issue combat orders while fighting at low level, under enemy fire. While there’s a great deal of depth to Team Alligator, it is possible to dive straight into the game and throw yourself into the thick of the fighting.
The Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber was manufactured by the Tupolev Aircraft Research and Engineering Complex Joint Stock Company in Moscow and the Kazan based Gorbunov Aircraft Production Association in Tatarstan from 1980 to 1992. Production has since been restarted and a Tu-160 was delivered to the Russian Air Force in May 2000. 15 aircraft are now in service with Russia. Another aircraft is under construction. The Ukraine destroyed the last of its fleet in February 2001.
The purpose of the aircraft is the delivery of nuclear and conventional weapons deep in continental theatres of operation. The aircraft has all-weather, day-and-night capability and can operate at all geographical latitudes.
The performance of the Russian Tu-160 is often compared to the US B-1B. The aircraft has an operational range of 14,000km and a service ceiling of 16,000m. The maximum flight speed is 2,000kph at high altitude and 1,030kph at low altitude.
Kazan Aircraft Production Organisation (KAPO) has been given a contract to upgrade the Russian Air Force’s 15 Tu-160 bombers. The Tupolev upgrade package will include new targeting systems and electonic warfare suite.
DESIGN
The bomber's airframe has a distinctive appearance, with the wing and fuselage gradually integrated into a single-piece configuration. The airframe structure is based on a titanium beam, all-welded torsion box. Throughout the entire airframe, all the main airframe members are secured to the titanium beam.
The variable geometry outer tapered wings sweep back from 20 to 65 degrees in order to provide high-performance flight characteristics at both supersonic and subsonic speeds. The tail surfaces, both horizontal and vertical, are one piece and all-moving.
The aircraft uses fly-by-wire controls.
The aircraft is equipped with three-strut landing gear, a tail wheel and a brake parachute. For take-off, the aircraft requires a concrete runway of 3,050m.
COCKPIT
The crew of the Tu-160 comprises a pilot and copilot, a navigator, and an operator. The four crew are equipped with zero/zero ejection seats, which provide the crew with the option of ejecting safely throughout the entire range of altitudes and air speeds, including when the aircraft is parked.
In the cockpit and cabins, all the data is presented on conventional electro-mechanical indicators and monitors, and not head-up displays or cathode ray tube displays. The Tu-160 has a control stick for flight control as used in a fighter aircraft - rather than control wheels or yokes, which are usually used in large transporter or bomber aircraft.
WEAPONS
The Tu-160 can carry nuclear and conventional weapons including long-range nuclear missiles. The missiles are accommodated on multi-station launchers in each of the two weapons bays.
The Tu-16 is capable of carrying the strategic cruise missile Kh-55MS, which is known in the West by the NATO designation and codename AS-15 Kent. Up to twelve Kh-55MS missiles can be carried, six in each bay. The Kh-55MS is propelled by a turbofan engine. The maximum range is 3,000km, and it is armed with a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead.
The weapons bays are also fitted with launchers for the Kh-15P, which has the NATO designation and codename AS-16 Kickback. The Kh-15P Kickback has solid rocket fuel propulsion, which gives a range up to 200km. The Kickback can be fitted with a conventional 250kg warhead or a nuclear warhead. The aircraft is also capable of carrying a range of aerial bombs with a total weight up to 40 tons.
AVIONICS
The aircraft is highly computerised, and the avionics systems include an integrated aiming, navigation and flight control system, with a navigation and attack radar, an electronic countermeasures system, and automatic controls.
ENGINES
The aircraft propulsion system consists of four NK-32 augmented turbofan engines, which each provide a maximum thrust of 25,000kg. The engines are installed in two pods under the shoulders of the wing. The air intake incorporates an adjustable vertical wedge. The bomber has an in-flight refuelling system. In the inoperative position, the refuelling probe is retracted into the nose of the fuselage in front of the pilot's cabin. The aircraft fuel capacity is 160,000kg
Tu-160 in-flight refuelling.
The Tu-160 launching a Kh-55SM Cruise missile. This missile is currently undergoing a modernisation programme.
Tu-20/95/142 Bear: The fastest prop-driven aircraft.
Appearance of Tu-95 at July 1955 Aviation Display at Tushino put western observers at a loss. A combination of propellers and swept wing and tail surfaces seemed to be inappropriate and early analysis of Bear's performance resulted in unrealistically downplayed bomber's performance. Western experiments with supersonic propellers flown on XF-84H and XF-88B have shown considerable loss in performance of the high-rotating propeller when tips were reaching supersonic speeds.
First DoD estimates shown that Bear was not capable of exceeding 400 mph with range of 7,800 miles. Appearance of Tu-114 (demilitarized version of bomber with slightly greater fuselage diameter) force DoD to review its numbers on Bear: 460 mph and max. range of 6,000 miles. In April of 1960 Tu-114D set a speed-with-load record at average of over 545 mph round 5,000 miles.
In 1975 the figure for range changed to 7,800 miles and currently it is believed to be 9,200 miles with 25,000 lb load. Level speed was admitted to be 570 mph (Mach 0.82) at 25,000 ft and 520 mph (Mach 0.785) at 41,000 ft. Cruising speed of Tu-95 is 442 mph (Mach 0.67). Later versions with more powerful engines have higher performance.
Gallery of Russian Aerospace Weapons published in March issue of Air Force Magazine gives following numbers for Tu-95MS:
Performance
Max. speed at 25,000 ft 575 mph, at S/L 404 mph, nominal cruising speed 442 mph, ceiling 39,370 ft, combat radius with 25,000 lb payload 3,975 miles, with one in-flight refueling 5,155 miles.
It is rumored that Bear is known to be able to out accelerate contemporary western interceptors. This hard to believe fact can be accounted by use of variable-pitch propellers of NK-12M turboprops. Modern jets need to use afterburners to keep up with accelerating Bear. In fact, one of the photo showing Panavia Toronado using reheat on one of the engines while pursuing this remarkable bomber.
Presumably, Bear holds an unofficial speed record for a prop-driven aircraft.
Powerplants: Four Il7.7kN (26,455lb) Aviadvigatel (Solovyev) D-30KP turbofans. Il-76MF - Four 156.9kN (35,275lb) Aviadvigatel PS-90AN turbofans.
Performance., Il-76M - Max speed 850km/h (460kt), cruising speed 750 to 8OOkm/h (405 to 432kt). Max range 6700km (3617nm), range with a 40 tonne (88,185lb) payload 50OOkm (2700nm). Il-76MD Speeds same. Range with max payload 3650km (1 970nm), range with 20 tonne (44,090lb) payload 7300km (3940nm). Il-76MF - Range with 40 tonne (88,185lb) payload 5200km (2805nm).
Weights., Il-76M - Max takeoff 170,000kg (374,785lb). Il-78 - Empty 98,000kg (216,050lb), max takeoff 190,000kg (418,875lb).
Accommodation., Il-75M & Il-76MF - Grew of seven comprising two pilots, flight engineer, navigator and radio operator, plus two freight handlers. Can carry up to 140 troops or 120 paratroops.
Armament, Il-76 - Provision for two 23mm twin barrel GSh-23L guns in the tail.
Operators., Cuba, India, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Ukraine.
History., The Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO name 'Candid') was developed as a replacement for the turboprop powered Antonov An-12 (described separately).
Il-76 development under the leadership of G V Novozhilov began in the late 1960s, resulting in the type's first flight on March 25 1971. Series production commenced in 1975.
In the now classic military freighter configuration, the Il-76 features a high mounted wing passing above the fuselage, four engines, a T-tail, rear loading ramp and freight doors. For enhanced short field performance the Il-76 features wide span triple slotted trailing edge flaps, upper surface spoilers and near full span leading edge slats, while the aircraft rides on a total of 20 low pressure tires, the front nose unit features four wheels, the main wheel bogies having two rows of four tires each.
Military versions developed from the basic Il-76 include the Il-76M with additional fuel and the Il-76MD with increased takeoff and payload weights and D-30KP-2s which retain their power output to higher altitudes. The stretched PS-90 powered Il-76MF first flew on August 1 1995. The A-50 AEW&C development is described under Beriev.
The Il-78 'Midas' is an air-to-air refuelling development ~fl the Il-76, built to replace Myasishchev 'Bison' tankers. The Il-78 is based on the Il-76MD and features two internal fuel tanks which can be removed allowing the aircraft to revert to a freighter. The more developed Il-78 features three permanent tanks capable of holding up to 35 tonnes of fuel. Fuel is transferred via three hose drum units, one under each wing and one on the rear starboard fuselage, a rangefinding radar is built into the rear fuselage and the observer is located in the tail. Service entry was in 1987."
(source: International Directory of Military Aircraft 1998-1999)
The IL-76 is a medium-range military transport aircraft, and is also known by the NATO codename 'Candid'. The missions of the aircraft are: to drop paratroopers; carry troop forces and combat material with crews and armaments, including medium-sized battle tanks; to airlift cargo for troop forces; and transport for disaster relief operations.
The IL-76 medium-range transport aircraft is produced by the Ilyushin Aviation Complex Joint Stock Company in Moscow and the Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Over 500 aircraft have been produced since service entry in 1974.
There are several design variants, including the basic IL-76, IL-76M, IL-76MD and the IL-76-MF. In terms of design, aerodynamic configuration and flight performance characteristics, the IL-76M version virtually resembles the IL-76 basic aircraft, but has a maximum payload of 47 tons, compared to 28 tons for the IL-76. The following description refers to the IL-76M.
India has chosen the Il-76 as the platform for the three Phalcon AEW (airborne early waning) systems that it is planning to purchase from IAI of Israel. Elta of Israel is to provide the AEW systems.
DESIGN
The aircraft is of a conventional aerodynamic configuration with a high-set, swept-wing and T-shaped tail unit. The crew cabin, cargo hold and rear compartment are pressurised. The beam-type fuselage has an oval section over the crew cabin and circular section over the cargo hold. The wing leading and trailing edges are fitted with high-lift devices, comprising deflectable five-section leading-edge slats, triple-slotted trailing-edge extension flaps, ailerons, spoilers and air brakes.
CARGO HANDLING
The air-drop and cargo handling equipment is intended to load, unload and air drop paratroopers, materiel and cargo, make the optimum arrangement of the cargo according to the logistical demands of the mission, and securely tie down the materiel and cargo. The equipment comprises a telpher (an overhead cargo system where the cargo can be suspended from an electrically powered rail), a roller conveyer, mooring/rigging, auxiliary parachute and ambulance equipment.
WEAPON SYSTEMS
The aircraft is equipped with a defensive aids suite, comprising a radar warner, jammer, infrared flare cartridges, chaff dispenser and two guns with a fire-control radar. Aerial bombs or radio beacons are suspended from external bomb racks on detachable pylons.
AVIONICS
The onboard equipment is intended to execute airlift and air drop missions by day and at night, in VFR and IFR (Visual Flight Rules and Instrument Flight Rules) weather conditions, as well as under hostile air defence conditions.
The integrated flight control and aiming-navigation system includes a compass system, ground surveillance radar, a central digital computer, automatic monitoring system, automatic flight control system, short-range radio navigation and landing system, IFF transponder, optical/infrared aiming sight, and a ground collision warning system.
ENGINES
The IL-76M aircraft is powered by four D-30KP turbofan engines, mounted on underwing pylons and housed in individual pods secured on the engines. Fuel is held in twelve integral tanks, which are isolated from each other. All fuel tanks are divided into four groups by the number of the engines. An inert gas system is used for protection against explosion.
IL-76MD VARIANT
The IL-76MD variant has an increased flight range and service life. The powerplant and systems are identical to those of the IL-76M, and the structural changes have been made to its airframe only to accommodate the increased service life and increased take-off weight. When operating from first-category concrete runways, the aircraft's take-off weight has been increased from 170 tons for the IL-76M to 190 tons for the IL-76MD, mainly due to the increased fuel. This enables a flight range increased by 40% with a maximum payload. The IL-76MD can be operated from unpaved runways in forward areas of operation.
IL-76MF VARIANT
The IL-76 MF aircraft is a derivative of the IL-76MD, with the fuselage lengthened by 6.6m. The new PS-90A-76 engines give a 25% higher take-off thrust (16,000kgf) than the D-30KP engines on the MD variant. The flight range is increased by over 20% ¬² for example, the flight range with a 40-ton payload is 5,800km (compared to a range of 4,800km for the IL-76MD).
An Ilyushin IL-76 loading a medium battle tank.
A pair of Ilyushin IL-76s taxiing and on the runway prior to take-off.
The BACKFIRE is a long-range aircraft capable of performing nuclear strike, conventional attack, antiship, and reconnaissance missions. Its low-level penetration features make it a much more survivable system than its predecessors. Carrying either bombs or AS-4/KITCHEN air-to-surface missiles, it is a versatile strike aircraft, believed to be intended for theater attack in Europe and Asia but also potentially capable of intercontinental missions against the United States. The BACKFIRE can be equipped with probes to permit inflight refueling, which would further increase its range and flexibility.
After designing the TU-22, the Tupolev design bureau started working on a new bomber that was based on the TU-22. Initially Tupolev considered modifying the TU-22 by changing the angle of the swept wings and equipping it with more powerful engines. However after developing the design "106" and various analysis, the design did not meet the flight characteristic requirements. Tupolev also developed the design "125". The aircraft was supposed have two VK-6 engines, a range of 4500-4800 km and an operating speed of up to 2500 km/h. The design provided for the use of titanium alloys and advanced electronic systems.
In 1962, the "125" design was examined by the Government but rejected, as the T-4 aircraft designed by KB Sukhoi was accepted. As an alternative to the T-4 aircraft, KB Tupolev developed the "145" airplane which was a modification of the TU-22. This airplane represented a multi-mode supersonic bomber which was capable of flying at subsonic speed at small altitudes and at supersonic speed to overcome air defenses. The range at subsonic speed was supposed to be 6000-7000 km. The wings are swept-back and had a variable geometry to meet the speed and range requirements. The aircraft should carry Kh-22 air-to-surface missiles which had already been deployed on other aircraft. After activities on the T-4 bombers were halted, KB Tupolev was officially charged with building the "145" aircraft in 1967. The new bomber was intended to have a maximum speed of 2300 km/h and a range of 7000 km without refueling. It received the designation TU-22M.
The Tu-22M designation was used by the Soviets during SALT-2 arms control negotiations, creating the impression that the Backfire-A aircraft was a modification of the Tu-22 Blinder. This designation was adopted by the US State and Defense Departments, although some contended that the designation was deliberately deceptive, and intended to hide the performace of the Backfire. Other sources suggest the "deception" was internal, because this made it easier to get budgets approved. According to some sources, the Backfire-B/C production variants were believed to be designated Tu-26 by Russia, although this is disputed by many sources. At Tupolev the aircraft was designated the AM.
Many of the development steps in manufacturing the AM were unique in their time. Special attention was given to the construction of the variable sweep wing - the basis of the whole project. The mid-mounted wings are variable, swept-back, and tapered with curved tips and a wide wing root. Two turbofan engines are mounted in the body, with large rectangular air intakes and dual exhausts. The fuselage is long and slender with a solid, pointed nose and stepped cockpit. The body is rectangular from the air intakes to the exhausts. The tail fin is swept-back and tapered with a square tip. The flats are mid-mounted on the body, swept-back, and tapered with blunt tips. The wing consists of a center section and two outer panels that have five fixed positions with respect to the leading edge sweep. The two-spar centre section has a rear web and bearing skin panel. The outer wings are secured to the centre section with the aid of hinged joints. The high-lift devices include three-section slats and double-slotted flaps on the outer wings (extension angle: 23~ for takeoff and 40~ for landing) and a tilting flap on the centre section.
Backfire A - TU-22MO -- The first TU-22M received the designation TU-22MO but was only produced in small quantities due to inadequate performance. In February 1973 two TY-22Mo bombers were transferred to a training center.
Backfire A - TU-22M -- The first prototype of the TU-22M was finished in July 1971. The test phase of the few TU-22M lasted four years, after which they were deployed with Soviet Naval Aviation.
Backfire B - TU-22M2 -- The first large-scale modification of the TU-22M was the TU-22M2, which conducted first flight tests in 1973. It was equipped with NK-22 engines, had range of 5100 km and a maximum speed of 1800 km/h. It carried up to three Kh-22 air-to-surface missiles. The aircraft did not have an automatic terrain-following system but was nevertheless capable of low-level flight to overcome air defenses. In 1976, the TU-22M2 was deployed with the air force and naval airforce. A total of 211 TU-22M2 aircraft were produced at the plant Nr.23 in Kazan between 1973 and 1983. Soon after series production of the TU-22M2 began, the aircraft received new NK-23 engines to increase speed and range. The NK-23 is a booster version of the NK-22 engine, which did not achieve the expected goals.
Backfire B - TU-22M2Ye -- Some aircraft were outfitted with new NK-25 engines and an sophisticated new flight-control system. They were designated as TU-22M2Ye, but did not achieve improved flight characteristics.
Backfire C - TU-22M3 -- During subsequent upgrades the nose was lengthened, the air intakes changed and the maximum angle of the swept-variable geometry wings increased up to 65 degrees. The aircraft received the designation TU-22M3 and carried out its' first flight test on 20 June 1977. The TU-22M3 began operational evaluation in the late 1970s, and in 1983 it was introduced into the active inventory. Cleared of some of the shortcomings of its predecessor this aircraft soon proved its worth in service with long-range and naval aviation units. The range of the bomber was increased to 6800 km, the maximum speed up to 2300 kms/h and the payload was twice that of the Tu-22M2. The bomber is equipped with a maximum of three Kh-22 cruise missiles or up to ten Kh-15 (AS-16) short-range missiles. It can also carry nuclear bombs. In 1985 the TU-22M3 conducted high-peed flight tests at low altitude that demonstrated the capability of countering air defenses.
Backfire - TU-22MR -- In 1985, the long-range reconnaissance aircraft TU-22MR entered service.
Backfire - TU-22ME -- Improvement of flight and fighting characteristics continued, and in 1990 the TU-22ME was developed.
When the new supersonic bomber appeared at the Kazan aircraft plant in 1969, it validated the long-held Air Force prediction of a new Soviet bomber. In 1971, the aircraft, now designated the Backfire, was noted in aerial refueling from a tanker near the test center of Ramenskoye, just east of Moscow. The mission of the bomber, peripheral attack or intercontinental attack, became one of the most fiercely contested intelligence debates of the Cold War. The key variable was the estimate of the range of the aircraft. A series of competitive analyses to determine the range produced divergent results and failed to end the debate.
Tupolev claimed a radius of action of only 2,200km for the early model Backfires. The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) initially had estimated the Backfire's unrefuelled combat radius at approximately 5,000 km, sufficient to pose a strategic threat to the United States, while the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimate was about 3,700 km. subsequently the DIA estimate was reduced to about 4,000 km, and the CIA estimate to 3,360-3,960 km.
The dominant view of the American intelligence community was that the Backfire was a peripheral attack weapon and would not play a significant role in a strategic air attack on the United States. This view was based on the Backfire's limited payload, modest self-defense capabilities, and anticipated difficulty in staging the aircraft from northern Siberian bases. The US lacked hard evidence that the Backfires ever rehearsed intercontinental strike missions. The Air Force estimate of range and intent argued that the Backfire could be used for intercontinental attack -- even if the aircraft flew one-way missions for an attack on the United States.
Athough a significant number of Backfire bombers were targeted on US naval vessels, the Backfire was the focus of a hotly contested arms control debate that focused on failure to limit further modernization and production of Backfire fleet. Although the Backfire bomber had an exclusively theater mission, under certain circumstances, it could be used to strike targets in the United States. Arms control opponents contended that the United States left open a loophole the Soviets would eventually exploit. The United States stated that as it can be refueled in flight -- allowing it to reach the United States -- the Backfire was an intercontinental bomber and should be subject to the same restrictions as other strategic bombers. The Soviets consistently maintained that the Backfire was not a strategic bomber because of its non-intercontinental range.
During the SALT II process, the United States negotiating team obtained a statement from then-Soviet Premier Brezhnev that the Backfire's refueling capabilities would not be upgraded to allow them to function as intercontinental strategic bombers, and that the Soviets would only build 30 of these bombers per year. When the SALT-2 treaty was signed in 1979, the Soviets informed the USA that it would not equip the TU-22M bombers with air refueling devices. SALT II was not ratified, though subsequently the air refueling system was removed from all TU-22M.
According to press reports in the late 1980s, a defector stated that the Backfire was regularly exercised at intercontinental range, that this intercontinental range was greater than the Bison's, that the Backfire had a screw-in type refueling probe, that this screw-in refueling probe was stockpiled for every Backfire at all bomber bases, and that the Soviets had an active program of camouflage, concealment, and deception to mislead the West about the intercontinental range capability of the Backfire.
According to press reports, the Soviets tested long range ALCM's on the Backfire in the late 1970's. The CIA in 1987 made the unclassified judgment that it would consider Backfires as ALCM-carriers in the event of confirmed Soviet breakout from SALT II. The CIA's rationale for their judgment was that in the absence of SALT II constraints, the Soviets would use the ALCM-capable Backfire to attack the United States.
The Defense Department publication Soviet Military Power published in March, 1983, stated on page 26 that: "The Soviets are developing at least one long-range air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) with a range of some 3,000 kilometers. Carried by the Backfire, the Blackjack, and possibly the Bear, it would provide the Soviets with greatly improved capabilities for low-level and standoff attack in both theater and intercontinental operations."DIA stated in its unclassified February 1990 Soviet Force Structure Summary publication on page 6 that: `The Backfire has an intercontinental strike capability when equipped with a refueling probe.'
The US proposed to the Soviets that they sign a politically binding declaration outside of START, which would commit them to: (1) not give the Backfire an intercontinental capability by air-to-air refueling or by any other means; (2) deploy no more than 400 Backfire; and (3) include all Backfire -- including naval Backfire--in the Conventional Forces in Europe [CFE] aircraft limits.
On 31 July 1991 the Soviet side declared as part of the START I negotiations that it would not give the Tu-22M airplane the capability of operating at intercontinental distances in any manner, including by in-flight refueling. The Soviet Union stated that it would not have more than 300 Tu-22M airplanes at any one time, not including naval Tu-22M airplanes, and that the number of naval Tu-22M airplanes would not exceed 200. In view of the fact that there must be no constraints in the START Treaty on arms that are not strategic offensive arms, Tu-22M airplanes would thus not be subjected to that Treaty.
During the 1980s Backfires were used for conventional bombing raids in Afghanistan, particularly during the last year of direct Soviet involvement. By 1991 it was reported that, due to a shortage of spare parts, some Backfire units had mission-capable rates of 30-40%.
During the 1990s many Backfires were transferred from Long Range Aviation forces to Russian naval units in north Russia. However, by the late 1990s, at least 125 were in service with Long-Range Aviation and another 47 were in service with in Naval Aviation.
In December 1999 it was announced that India would lease four Tu-22M3 Backfire bombers, with the aircraft slated arrive in India as early as June 2000. India's Tu-142 and Il-38 aircraft will be upgraded in Russia.
An initial batch of five aircraft will be sent to Russia and during this period the Tu-22M3s will undertake a maritime role armed with AS-20 Kayak anti-ship missiles. India is making substantial purchases of the Novator 3M-54 Alfa missile to equip Kilo class submarines and its new frigates. It is believed that an air-launched variant will be purchased to arm the Tu-142s currently in service and the six to eight additional aircraft being sought by the Navy. If an air-launched version of the Alfa is procured, it is anticipated that India's Tu-22M3s will eventually be equipped to fire them.
A Ukrainian Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, part of theTupolev Aircraft family.
Range.
CARRYING A NUCLEAR BOMB!!!
Wing-In-Ground (WIG) effect craft take advantage the fact that the aerodynamic efficiency of a wing, and particularly its lifting capacity, improves dramatically when is operated within approximately one-half of its span above ground or water, in what is termed ground effect. If the wing’s natural accelerated flow passing over it is further accelerated by the high-velocity exhaust of a turbojet engine, the lifting capacity of the wing is even more greatly enhanced. In 1966 the Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau under Rostislav Alekseev produced a gargantuan "ekranoplan" ("surface plane") combining the smooth hull form of a ship with stub wings, a large vertical fin and horizontal tail. The craft featured ten engines: eight mounted in two clusters of four directly behind the cockpit to provide augmented lift, and two on the vertical fin to provide cruise power. This machine, which American intelligence organizations dubbed the Caspian Sea Monster, could lift 540 tons and cruise at over 300 mph at an altitude of over 10 feet.
Alekseev developed a smaller military WIG, the Lun ("Dove"), armed with six large antishipping cruise missiles perched unaerodynamically on its back. In 1989 the missile launcher ekranoplane "Lun" (about 400 tons) was enlisted in the Navy. The ship was armed by three pairs of cruise missile 3M80 or 80M "Mosquito" (NATO's designation SS-N-22 Sunburn), though they were never deployed to fighting units. The design provided an effective method of performing a premptive strike against an enemy fleet.
The apparent success of these machines hid some very real problems, not least of which were serious stability and control deficiencies, as well as tremendous power requirements to get off the water. Under low flying conditions radar sensors measuring altitude, tilt and velocity of craft trace the variable profile of wave disturbance practically without averaging, thus making it difficult to gauge the motion parameters in relation to the undisturbed level of the sea surface. It is necessary to combine radar with other sensors in order to provide high accuracy. It has a massive turning circle, and is fairly slow to accelerate. Its poor manoeuverability means it cannot turn and run from a fight, and so is a fairly easy target if caught in a confined space, or if surrounded and pushed against the shoreline.
In 1989, after the tragic accident on nuclear submarine "Komsomolets" where 42 mariners died, the decision was made to re-equipment the second "Lun", being at that time under construction, into a search-and-rescue maritime ekranoplane "Spasatel". The second copy of "Lun" had 6 engines, instead of 8. A considerable part of the work had already been accomplished by the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union, followin which there was a drastic reduction of the budget of the Russian Navy.
Wing-In-Ground (WIG) effect craft take advantage the fact that the aerodynamic efficiency of a wing, and particularly its lifting capacity, improves dramatically when is operated within approximately one-half of its span above ground or water, in what is termed ground effect. If the wing’s natural accelerated flow passing over it is further accelerated by the high-velocity exhaust of a turbojet engine, the lifting capacity of the wing is even more greatly enhanced. In 1966 the Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau under Rostislav Alekseev produced a gargantuan "ekranoplan" ("surface plane") combining the smooth hull form of a ship with stub wings, a large vertical fin and horizontal tail. The craft featured ten engines: eight mounted in two clusters of four directly behind the cockpit to provide augmented lift, and two on the vertical fin to provide cruise power. This machine, which American intelligence organizations dubbed the Caspian Sea Monster, could lift 540 tons and cruise at over 300 mph at an altitude of over 10 feet. Alekseev developed a smaller military WIG, the Lun ("Dove"), armed with six large antishipping cruise missiles perched unaerodynamically on its back. This led to the jet-and-turboprop-powered Orlyonok ("Little Eagle," NATO name Orlan), intended as an amphibious assault craft. The apparent success of these machines hid some very real problems, not least of which were serious stability and control deficiencies, as well as tremendous power requirements to get off the water.
The first unit began testing in 1973, and the system entered service in 1979. The last flight was in October 1993, and the remaining units are believed to be in storage at Kaspiisk Naval Air Base.
This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on May 20, 2003 4:00 PM This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on May 20, 2003 3:11 PM
If you take a look at combat helicopter sims, you have two fairly distinct categories. On the one hand, you have Longbow 2, a hard-core sim of the highest order that comes replete with excellent realism, top-notch graphics, and a relatively steep learning curve. On the other hand, you have games like Comanche 3 and Team Apache, which sacrifice varying degrees of realism in favor of fast-paced, easier gameplay and (in the case of Team Apache at least) multiplayer action. Now, along comes Apache Havoc, from Empire Interactive and Razorworks Studios. Where does this two-in-one sim fall along the spectrum of helicopter sims? Right smack in the middle.
Apache Havoc offers a great mix of realism and approachability, so that hard-core fans and novices alike should find a lot to like in the game. Not only do you get to fly either the AH-64D Apache Longbow or the Mil Mi-28 Havoc B, but you also get to take part in three different dynamic campaigns as well as some memorable multiplayer airborne deathmatches.
The game does not include an instant-action feature per se, but you can take off for free flights, dynamic missions, dynamic campaigns, or multiplayer missions (co-op or competitive). Free flight is a good place to start for novices, as the game's flight engine is reasonably accurate and therefore requires some practice to master. Most of the individual realism settings (wind, retreating blade stall, and ground effect, among others) can be dialed up or down to accommodate your skill and preference. Also, the game includes a basic three-level difficulty setting that affects the overall challenge of the missions and campaigns.
The campaigns in Apache Havoc take place in three global hot spots: Cuba, the former Russian state of Georgia, and the "Golden Triangle" of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. Each campaign is dynamic and somewhat reminiscent of EF-2000 and F-22 Total Air War. The unique twist to Apache Havoc's campaigns is that you begin with only one and a half hours on the campaign clock. That clock ticks down as you fly missions - you gain some time if you accomplish a mission, and you lose extra time when you fail (extra, meaning time beyond what you spent trying to accomplish the mission). When you run out of time, the campaign is over, and whichever side is closest to its objective goals wins. A clock may not be the most exciting of motivators, but it works well in Apache Havoc.
One thing I didn't much like about the early stages of each campaign (dynamic or not) was that the missions are all pretty dry. Recon, scout, and combat air patrol are the rule of the day, and for a while these missions tend to come up empty in terms of targets, let alone excitement of any kind. Even worse, when you complete some of the basic scout missions, the computer maps an insanely long return route to a base several map grids away. The result is not only a boring mission, but also a very, very long boring mission. The "skip ahead" feature from F-22 Total Air War would be welcome in Apache Havoc. Still, once the campaign heats up a bit and you complete some of the simpler hops, you'll have better missions to fly.
While the graphics in Apache Havoc are not quite up to the sheer beauty of Longbow 2 on all fronts, they are exceptionally good. The unit models in particular are excellent and highly detailed, and the weather and weapons effects border on spectacular. Also, the level of detail on the ground is fantastic - particularly on airfields, where you can see all the other aircraft and support equipment. The terrain can be a bit uninspiring at altitude, but you're not really supposed to be up that high anyway (this is an attack helicopter remember). Once you're down near the ground, following rivers and popping up over tree lines, the terrain quality becomes very immersive.
The trees themselves are a touch disappointing, though, since they're just blocks of space with treelike textures on them. And the colors can be a bit garish at times, but otherwise the game looks great. This is especially true at high resolution (the game runs as high as 1280x1024). Unfortunately, the developers created cockpit graphics for 640x480 only. For invisible cockpit fans like me, this is no big deal, but if you like to keep the cockpit graphics on while flying, the ridiculously small, floating 640x480 cockpit on your 1024x768 screen might prove annoying. Also, Apache Havoc can be a brutish resource hog - even on a Pentium II 450 with 128MB RAM and dual Voodoo2 cards, the game chugged whenever I flew over an area with lots of buildings or ships.
The music in Apache Havoc is techno-pop, which seems out of place but quickly fades to repetitive background noise after a few minutes. The sound effects, on the other hand, can be remarkable. Though the radio chatter is jerky and occasionally cryptic, the vehicle sounds are excellent. Flying low over a patch of trees looking for a column of enemy armor (which seemed to be actively trying to hide from me), I actually heard the tank treads below before I could spot the individual tanks. Can you really hear tanks from inside an Apache cockpit? I have no idea, but it was damn cool in the game.
Apache Havoc is a good all-around sim that impresses despite its odd assortment of quirks. While the game is unlikely to make Longbow 2 devotees drop the Jane's classic, it is a solid addition to the genre. --
Russian Fighters for American Airforce/Navy: The only prudent solution!
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May 21 2003, 3:22 PM
Russian Fighters for American Airforce/Navy: The only prudent solution!
Flight Journal. ^ | Robert W. Kress with Rear Adm. Paul Gillcrist, U.S. Navy (Ret
Posted on 06/06/2002 3:23 AM PDT by spetznaz
Editors’ note: In this wonderful piece of aeronautical and political irony, it seems that our newfound but uneasy friends, the Russians, may be our best source of new fighter aircraft. Bob Kress, ex-Grumman VP of advanced programs and chief engineer on the F-14, and Adm. Paul Gillcrist, retired USN fighter pilot, make a convincing argument that rather than spend ridiculous sums for new fighters that will probably show up too late to do us any good, we should buy Sukhoi Su-27 airframes and "Americanize" them with our engines and flight-control systems. Controversial? Absolutely! Logical? Make your own decision.
RIGHT: The Su-27 is bigger than the F-14 and F-15, and its capabilities and economics are so outstanding that a number of nations are in the process of adapting it to set it up as the primary U.S. foe in future conflicts (photo by Katsuhiko Tokunaga).
Prelude
Soon after Desert Storm, by some inexplicable miscalculation, the U.S. Navy voluntarily opted out of the important sea-based, deep-interdiction mission it had brilliantly carried out during and since WW II. It decided on the early termination of the A-6 program and to scrap the new A-6 "composite wing" program for which Boeing had already been paid hundreds of millions of dollars. This would have carried A-6Fs well into the next century.
In the strike configuration for which it originally had been designed, the F-14D was to have been the bridging mechanism between the A-6 and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). It is hoped (repeat, hoped) the JSF will arrive easily in the next millennium. With the A-6 out of the picture, and until the JSF arrives, the F-14D is the only game in town that has the same punch.
The problem with using the F-14D as the bridge between the two aircraft is that it is on the edge of extinction. In another inexplicable move, beginning about 1990, the U.S. Navy, per orders of then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney, planned to phase out of the F-14 program and, apparently to ensure there would be no second thoughts, ordered the destruction of all F-14 tooling. Incredible!
The F-18 E/F program that is supposed to take over the sea-based, deep-interdiction, precision-strike mission does not have a long-range, high-payload, precision-strike capability, so the F-14Ds are the current workhorse delivery men of the 2,000-pound, LGB/radar-guided bombs in the many trouble spots around the world, as required. The USAF tries to supplement U.S. Navy strikes but is handicapped by diplomatic and political constraints.
Unfortunately, the tragedy does not stop there. The requirement for the Nimitz and follow-on class carriers hinges, most experts say, on its ability to carry out sea-based, deep-interdiction missions. Without the F-14s, Congress will not support the construction of more $3.5 billion Nimitz-class carriers if deep-strike aircraft are not ready on the first day of the conflict.
LEFT: Grumman F-14Ds, as based on the USS Constellation, are on the edge of extinction and are our last Naval aircraft capable of carrying heavy bomb loads for long distances (photo by Randy Jolly).
Somebody in the White House will have to answer the President’s question, "Where are the carriers?" with the reply, "What carriers?" We decided not to build any; remember? The U.S. Navy
The U.S. Navy retired the venerable long-range, heavy-attack A-6 aircraft, not because they lacked their original capability and survivability, but because they were disintegrating due to old age. They went into service in 1962—37 years ago!
LEFT: the Grumman A-6E Intruder, now taken out of the fleet, was neither fast, nor glamorous, but it was rugged, reliable and carried an immense bomb load on long, low missions. It has no direct replacement (photos by Randy Jolly)..
The F-14D has now taken over for the A-6 in the fighter/bomber role as it was originally designed to do. On top of that, when the Tomcat has loosed its bombs, it is a formidable dogfighter! With the 150 or so F-14s left, however, the U.S. Navy can only maintain this fighter/bomber force until about 2010—if it is lucky! And even doing that will require quick funding of restoration efforts to a lot of aircraft.
LEFT: according to the authors, the F/A-18 is simply too small to carry either the fuel or ordnance required by deep interdiction missions.
Cheney’s order of no more F-14 production was a wasteful move that cannot be explained rationally, nor was there ever any reason offered. The effect of the order, however, was to leave a clear path for further acquisition of the F-18A and its desperately needed mission-performance upgrade, the F-18E. The F-18s are good airplanes, but neither version comes close to the payload/range capability of the F-14 or the A-6.
The cake was iced by the acquisition of Grumman by Northrop in 1993—the cat devoured by the mouse, so to speak. Seventy percent of the aircraft on carrier decks at the time were Grumman-built. On the other hand, Northrop had never built a tactically significant aircraft in its entire 60-year history.
The USAF
The USAF problem is different. The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program resulted in the development of the excellent Lockheed F-22 stealth fighter and the very powerful and well-behaved Pratt & Whitney F-119 fighter engine. The USAF has many upgraded F-15 fighter/bomber aircraft in inventory and could build and upgrade even more. So, acquisition of the F-22 is not as critical an issue, timewise.
The problem lies in the enormous acquisition cost of the F-22 (see Aerospace America, November ’98). The cost associated with introducing it to service would probably result in the forced retirement of many workhorse F-15s. Further, the effects of stealth aircraft design measures on fighter aircraft performance, cost and combat operability have been seriously questioned.
The F-15s must be replaced in the next 10 to 20 years, but with which aircraft?
Scale models show the relative sizes of the different fighters. From the left: MiG-29; F-14D; Su-27; F-15; F/A-18. Note the tiny relative size of the F/A-18 (photo by Walter Sidas).
The threat
On the other side of the fence, our combined U.S. Navy/USAF fighter/bomber force will face approximately 404 Russian Su-27 Flanker aircraft by 2002 ("Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft"). China has been licensed to build 200 (no license to export—so they say!).
The Su-27 is already known as a premier highly maneuverable fighter. What is less known is that it is a brute of an aircraft—bigger than the F-14 and F-15. It has a huge internal fuel capacity and, like the F-14, can carry a lot of very large bombs in attack roles—neatly hidden from radar detection between the podded engine nacelles. In addition, its external shape results in a naturally low radar signature without compromising its performance. The vaunted MiG-29 is a midget compared with the Su-27—not unlike comparing the F-18 with the F-14. No wonder the world market opts for Su-27 payload/range versus the MiG-29. Even better for our purpose, the Su-27 has already been modified for carrier operations, and it was planned for the first Russian carrier, the Adm. Kuznetzov.
By 2002, the U.S. will be outgunned by an ever-growing number of countries owning the Su-27. The Su-27 has a deep-strike capability that’s on a par with the current 500-nautical-mile U.S. capability, which, by the way, is in the process of rapidly fading to 300 n.m. as the F-14s go out of service and are replaced by F-18s with half the bomb load. The same goes for the F-15, except that its strike bomb load is on a par with the F-14, and it isn’t disappearing as quickly.
We need some more affordable, high-performance "big guys" soon! So what can be done?
An American Su-27?
Before assuming that the concept of buying Su-27s for the USAF and USN is a whacky idea, let’s first see whether it has some merit. The Su-27 is a known excellent fighter. It has been partially “navalized.” It is a big brute. In the event of a conflict, we will be nose to nose with it worldwide. It exists and is in production, so we could easily buy Su-27 aircraft models as gap-fillers; we already have acquired two for evaluation. To make things even better, the airplane is inexpensive by any standards.?
A recent unofficial quote from a Russian source says that Su-27s can be bought for about $8 million apiece. Perhaps the carrier version would cost substantially more. Compared with F-18E/F costs, the Su-27 may offer enormous procurement savings plus large mission- and combat-effectiveness benefits.
Aviation Week recently announced plans by Australia to replace its F/A-18s and F-111s with MiG-29s and Su-27s. Maybe this proposal is not such a crazy idea after all!
In the long term, we would want to upgrade Su-27 models in thrust and avionics to give us an edge over the worldwide Su-27 threat. The Pratt & Whitney F-119 engine is significantly more powerful than the Russian Su-27 powerplants and can be built with elegant pitch and yaw thrust vectoring. The General Electric F-120 F-23 engine could also be used. Without being specific, the U.S. avionics industry should be able to substantially upgrade Su-27 systems. Cost will be the driver, but here, the Su-27 may be the solution for the U.S. Navy and USAF as interim gap-filler aircraft. For the long term, there are several options:
• Buy bare airframes made to specifications for completion in the U.S. • Obtain a license to build Su-27s in the U.S. without export rights. • Build some parts in the U.S. and buy major subassemblies from Russia for assembly in the U.S. (really a variant of the second option).
On the carrier version of the Su-27, both the wings and the horizontal tail fold. The authors argue that the Russian fighter/bomber can do the F-14’s job at a fraction of the cost of a new, U.S.-built airplane (photo courtesy of Paul Gillcrist).
As a side issue in the procurement of these aircraft, the U.S. would certainly be funding a large part of Russia’s economic recovery, which would help to keep it stable and less of a threat. Obtaining a really good deal on Su-27s should be realistic and beneficial to both countries. It would also further cement the collaboration between Russia and the U.S. in the face of jointly perceived threats.
Action items!
Somebody (let’s see some hands, folks) should carefully explore the procurement cost and fleet readiness implications of the proposals we’ve presented. Since we’re supposedly retired, this is something we can no longer explore without the help of a major agency.
As long as we’re asking questions about the future fighter programs, what about the JSF program? It is a joint U.S. Navy/USAF/USMC next-generation fighter program! (Heard that one before?) But this time, a dimly perceived USMC VTOL fighter is the objective!
Has anyone figured out that when an engine fails during hover, a twin-engine VTOL will do a rollover very quickly, thus preventing pilot ejection? Even Harriers require quick pilot action to avoid insidious, slow, roll-control loss if the nose was allowed to get too high in a crosswind hover. Many were lost. Thus, a VTOL for the Marines must be a single-engine configuration, which means that it must be a single-engine aircraft. It also means that the JSF will be another fighter in the 30,000-pound class (using the F-119 engine, for example).
Finale
You might wonder why we are taking these positions. We could talk about politicians, the specifics of current international events and future perils—of which we know nothing of substance.
What we do know is how we perceived the world unfolding as youngsters on December 7, 1941. Our leaders saw what was coming but were too late to achieve a high state of readiness. So, we listened to the radio and watched “Movietone News” in horror, grief and fear until our industrial capability at last turned the tide.
On the surface, the current world situation is not as threatening, but many world trouble spots may demand military attention via conventional forces and weapons. Events that do arise will do so quickly, leaving little time to build up the military. Our forces must be ready at all times—something that seems to have lost its importance in the last decade. Tactical airpower must be refreshed in strategy and form, unencumbered by politics and corporate interference. In other words, we’ll always need the ability to dash in, drop a lot of bombs and get out. If we don’t do something about the impending vacuum of that capability very soon, we may find ourselves unable to effectively smack some dictator’s backside when he needs it.
Drawings by Lloyd S. Jones
U.S. Navy aircraft design comparisons
In the tables that follow, we’ve attempted to compare the fighter/bomber mission performance of the F-14D, F-18A, F-18E and Su-27. We cannot obtain or use classified U.S. Navy data. However, "Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft" is presumably an accurate source of aircraft data. Tactical missions and loads differ from aircraft to aircraft, but an aeronautical engineer can extract some valid, nearly accurate comparisons and conclusions.
So here we go. We apologize for dragging you through the technical mud! Table 1 compares the F-18A, F-18E, F-14D, A-6E and Su-27 in the long-range fighter/bomber mission. In so doing, some fundamental issues of physics begin to emerge.
TABLE 1 F-18A F-18E F-14D A-6E Su-27 Weight empty (lb.) 23,832 30,564 43,879 27,888 38,580 Pilot and ammo (lb.) 535 535 838 500 500 Mm/no. of rounds 20/570 20/570 20/675 0 30/150 Internal fuel (lb.) 10,860 14,400 16,200 15,939 20,723 External fuel (lb.) 7,431 7,206 3,854 0 0 AAM (2); Sidewinders 472 472 472 0 472 No. of tanks/capacity 3/330 2/480 2/280 0 0 Bomb weight in lb. 4,000 4,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 Bombs: no. and type (2) Mk 84* (4) Mk 83 (4) Mk 84 (4) Mk 84 (4) Mk 84 Takeoff gross weight (lb.) 47,130 57,177 73,253 52,327 68,275 Takeoff fuel weight as % of gross takeoff weight 37.5 36.8 27.4 30.5 30.4 * Two 1,000-lb. Mk 83s used in Desert Fox, not 2,000 lb. Mk 84.
The message of Table 1 is that big is beautiful! The F-18A and substantially puffed-up F-18E don’t carry much of a weapon load compared with the big guys. As you will see in the next table, they don’t carry it very far either, in spite of their huge external fuel loads that prevent large weapon load-outs by using up wing store stations. Note the large takeoff fuel percentages: the big boys fly farther on less fuel, as Table 2 shows.
One caution in viewing these numbers; although they have been extracted from "Jane’s," aircraft companies are marvelously innovative at hiding the facts while appearing to be completely candid; we’ve been there. Further, for some numbers in the table and the tables that follow, we have made corrections to establish a common baseline.
Now that we have a common attack mission, let’s address the mission performance and fundamental aero/propulsion issues. Table 2 clearly shows where "big is beautiful" comes from. Look at the radius multiplied by bomb-load factor (R x B). The F-14Ds and the SU-27s have twice the capability of the F-18s, so only half as many aircraft and crew need to be endangered (the bombs are twice as big and in-flight refueling is rarely needed). The mission radius comparison speaks for itself.
TABLE 2 F-18A F-18E F-14D A-6E Su-27 Store stations (2) 2,500 Same as F-18A (4) 2,000 (5) 3,600 (7) 2,000 (2) 2,350 Same as F-18A (2) 2,200 — — (1) 2,400 Same as F-18A (2) 1,800 — — Wing area (sq. ft.) 400 500 565 484 667 Wingspan 37.5 44.7 64.1/38.2 53 48.2 Sea level static afterburner thrust (lb.) 32,000 44,000 55,600 18,600 (*1) 55,100 Attack wing loading (bombs on board) (lb./sq. ft.) @ 60% fuel 100 98 115 94.9 90 Wing loading (bombs dropped) (lb./lb.) @ 60% fuel 90 90 101 NA 78 Attack thrust/weight (lb./lb.) @ 60% fuel .80 .90 .85 NA .92 Thrust/weight (bombs dropped; lb./lb.) @ 60% fuel .89 .98 .97 NA 1.06 Turning drag/lift factor 28.5 24.4 15.9 16.4 25.8 Attack-mission radius in n.m. 290 (*2) 390 (*2) 402 (*2) 500 (*2) 420 (*2, *3) Radius x bomb load (R x B); n.m. x lb./10^6 or 1,000,000 1.16 1.56 3.22 4.00 3.36 *1 No afterburner, *2 "Hi-lo-lo-hi" mission, *3 Probably low, NA=not available
Wing loading and thrust to weight require a bit more explanation. Wing loading at the attack-mission weight simply defines your predicament if you are jumped while carrying a full bomb load. After dropping the bombs, your wing loading is much better, as shown in the table; so is the thrust-to-weight ratio (T/W). Note that the F-18E and F-14D are nearly equal in T/W at .98 and .97 compared with the Su-27 at 1.06. The reason is that the weight of bombs dropped is doubled for the big guys.
The turning drag/lift factor is proportional to the span loading (W/b^2) at a given G loading and indicated airspeed (IAS). It is related to induced drag and is familiar to aerodynamicists. It is the dominant parameter in calculating sustained G. In air-combat turns, the induced drag at a given G level is directly proportional to the span loading. With its wings unswept below Mach .7 via the sweep programmer, the F-14’s induced drag in turns is half that of the other aircraft tabulated due to its big span (squared). And aircraft combat maneuvering at the Yuma range proved that after the initial engagement, most of the time was spent below Mach .7.
Scale models show the relative sizes of the different fighters. From the left: MiG-29; F-14D; Su-27; F-15; F/A-18. Note the tiny relative size of the F/A-18 (photo by Walter Sidas).
Although the USA says concrete bombs used in raids on Iraq are the latest innovation, the USSR used them already in WWII.
The wonderful weapons that Americans used in raids on Iraq, the concrete bombs, were produced by Soviet plants already in the beginning of WWII. However, it seems that the USA hasn't hit upon another know-how of the Soviet Union. These are slate mines that were produced by the Soviet enterprise Kommunar in the 1940s.
Samples of this "weapon" can be seen in the city preserve museum in the Russian city of Novorossiisk. Deputy Director of the museum Lev Stepko describes the exhibits and speaks about their negative and positive aspects. The waterproof body of the weapon increases its reliability. Only the fuse is made of metal, which makes the slate mine immune to mine-detectors. However, series production of concrete bombs and slate mines was started because of the availability and low price of the stuff they were made of. Weapons of this kind had several disadvantages as compared with the conventional arms: they were very fragile and could be damaged in long transportation. Concrete bombs and slate mines were used by the Soviet army in the Caucasus battle.
However, there are just few documents in the Novorossiisk city museum saying how civil enterprises producing construction materials were turned into defense enterprises. For example, documents in the archives of the concrete department of the People's Commissariat for Construction Materials say, a production line for making concrete bodies for bombs was opened at the enterprise Proletariy. About 20,000 concrete bodies for bombs were produced at the enterprise.
Historian Sergey Novikov searched the archives of the concrete industry museum and found documents proving that all concrete-making enterprises started this kind of production from November 1941 and finished it in August 1942, when German troops neared the city of Novorossiisk. Equipment of the concrete enterprises was evacuated to Georgia and Central Asia then.
As Sergey Novikov says, the concrete enterprises mastered a unique technology. Concrete bombs were mostly used for training purposes, but those produced in the cities of Nevyansk, Volsk and Novorossiisk were used at war. Workers in Novorossiisk made concrete bodies even for unique 5-ton bombs. The usage of those cases depended upon the stuffing. Explosives or chemical agents could be placed inside the concrete bodies; chemical agents were also used in target indicators. Those indicators were dropped on targets, but they didn't detonate and indicated the area for bombing which was clearly seen by pilots in the sky. It is highly likely that concrete bodies were sent to the arsenals where the military filled them with tolite and trotyl.
There is also a version saying that concrete producers even had to stuff the bomb bodies themselves. Documents in the archives reveal anxiety of top managers at the Novorossiisk concrete enterprises: they realized that strict discipline measures must be taken at the enterprises because they were given an unusual task of filling concrete bodies with explosives.
As for production of slate mines at the enterprise Kommunar, historian Sergey Novikov even managed to find a woman participating in the production in the 1940s. Maria Leonova didn't assemble slate mines herself; she worked as an electrician in the production workshops of the enterprise. She says that production of the weapon was started in the autumn of 1941. The production cycle wasn't difficult. Fresh asbestos-concrete mass (so-called eternit) was placed into moulds made of wood. The newly-made slates were used for making boxes of different sizes. Prominent edges of the newly-made boxes were moistened and trimmed. Bodies of mines were placed into special chambers for drying. Those mines were used against tanks. As it becomes clear from the story told by Maria Leonova, the slate boxes were stuffed with explosives somewhere outside the enterprise. Although, the workers of the enterprise didn't have to deal with explosives, they all the same had to keep the details of the work secret.
The war in Iraq has demonstrated that all modern innovations were developed long ago and were recently just furnished with modern details, such as high-precision laser pointing systems. As representatives of the US and UK Air Force say, the latest concrete bombs are meant for hitting particular targets. There is no explosive inside these bombs; the effect of these bombs is based upon kinetic energy and high percussive power. As the coalition forces say, concrete bombs don-t split into pieces and consequently cannot injure accidental victims. They may say whatever they wish, but the present-day hostilities have already demonstrated that there cannot be absolutely humane weapon at all.
EADS, the world's second-largest defense contractor, sealed the biggest deal in its history on Tuesday, a $24 billion order from seven NATO nations for a new military transport aircraft that at least one Russian company may help build.
The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. said Tuesday that clinching the deal for 180 of its A400Ms, which exist only on paper, doubled its defense order book overnight and let it start negotiations with subcontractors immediately -- news that was music to the ears of Hydromash.
The Nizhny Novgorod-based manufacturer of undercarriages for Russian civil and military jets is hoping to both design and produce undercarriages for the A400M.
"[Russian state arms export agency] Rosoboronexport is now in pre-contract negotiations with EADS over Hydromash's participation in the A400M program," Sergei Nedoroslev, president of Kaskol Group, which controls Hydromash, said by telephone Tuesday.
Nedoroslev said it was too early to estimate how much Hydromash's participation might be worth in terms of revenues, but said the Russian government's hesitation to join the project early cost the aerospace industry dearly.
EADS had offered Russia 5 percent of the project, but the government balked because it was trying to jointly develop with Ukraine its own transport craft, the ill-fated An-70.
"Russia could have had a billion dollars, but instead will get peanuts," Nedoroslev said, referring to the $2.5 billion framework agreement EADS penned with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency in 2001.
European nations were not interested in the An-70 project, opting instead to build their own transport craft.
The government went so far as to ban Russian companies from participating in the development of the A400M; a restriction that was only recently lifted, Nedoroslev said.
"A window of opportunity opened to us to enter the global market of highly competitive products and we should have jumped at the chance," Nedoroslev said, adding that only Hydromash lobbied for the ban to be lifted.
EADS spokesman Gregor Kursell said by telephone from Munich that EADS was aware of Hydromash's readiness to participate in the project, but that it had yet to receive an official waiver from Russian authorities that would allow it.
Kursell said that under the 2001 framework agreement with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, Airbus, the aviation giant 80 percent owned by EADS, will open an engineering center with Kaskol in Moscow next Tuesday.
Cooperation agreements with several other Russian companies will be announced at next month's international air show in Le Bourget, France, he said, refusing to elaborate.
Spain annuls the contract with the Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines. It will use Antonov 124 and Ilyushin 76 aircraft of the Russian Volga-Dnepr airlines to transport its soldiers to Afghanistan and other places for humanitarian missions, said Spanish Defence Minister Federico Trillo, according to El Mundo newspaper.
The Thursday communique of the Spanish Army General Staff reads that the Spanish armed forces already use aircraft of the Volga-Dnepr airlines.
Spanish experts believe ex-USSR-made aircraft have good characteristics, successfully fly at low heights, take up from and land on poorly maintained aerodromes.
According to aviation expert Carlos Toro, the Russian aircraft are in a better technical condition than those in Ukraine. In addition, Ukrainian pilots often exceed the flight load norm, therefore often get tired and are more likely to commit mistakes.
Three Ukrainian Yak 42 crashed in the world over the past six months.
As it became known, almost all Spanish peacekeepers who flew Ukrainian aircraft confessed that even their exterior inspired apprehension.
Previously, the Norwegian defence ministry annulled its contract with the Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines.
An airshow is to take place in the center of Moscow on June 12th.
On the photo: Su-27 crashes at the Lvov airshow at the end of July 2002.
The airshow devoted to Russia's Day is to take place on June 12th right in the center of Moscow. However, experts say that it might be dangerous, for everyone remembers the tragic airshow in the Ukrainian city of Lvov, when a plane crashed in a crowd of people. It is still not clear, if the Moscow airshow takes place or not. Pilots from Russian Knights and Swift aviation groups are currently training at one of the airbases of the 16th sky army. It is worth mentioning here that aircraft is not allowed to fly above the center of Moscow, except for special services helicopters. Furthermore, airshows are usually held at a certain distance from inhabited sites, because even tough security measures and precautions might not guarantee the absolute safety.
That is why, the majority of specialists have expressed their negative attitude to the idea of an airshow in the center of Moscow. President of the trade union federation of flight control officers Sergey Kovalev said in an interview to Echo of Moscow radio station that an airshow above the Red Square was an insane idea. Sergey Kovalev stated that a sortie of one civil plane costs 4,000 rubles. Every hour of flight costs some 60,000 rubles. Military planes cost a lot more in this respect. In addition to it, there will be not two or three, but 30 or 40 planes in the show. To crown it all, one will have to close the airspace above Moscow for such an undertaking. Passenger planes that fly to major Moscow airports - Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo - will have to choose other routes. This might result in flight delays and financial losses.
Needless to mention that an airshow is not a safe arrangement. Everybody remembers the tragedy in the Ukrainian city of Lvov a year ago, and the Red Square will be a much more difficult place for an airshow than the Lvov airbase: the limited space will not allow to observe all security measures.
"Such undertakings are not stipulated in the budget. Most likely, the spending on the airshow will be carried out as "training sorties." On the other hand, airborne troops officers complain of the lack of the new technology, the continuing staff reduction and the low training level," Sergey Kovalev said.
The press service of the Russian Air Force reported that pursuit planes would observe the maximum of security measures when they fly above Moscow. It was particularly said that planes would be of perfect quality and they would be guided by first-class pilots. A spokesperson for the Air Force press service said that it would be the fourth generation aircraft. Each plane is outfitted with two up-to-date engines, which can hardly come out of order. The last airshow above the Red Square took place on May 1st, 1956.
A colorful air show with 10 Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets swooping over Red Square will top off festivities around town Thursday as the country celebrates Independence Day with a long holiday weekend.
Wary of possible terrorist attacks, security is being shored up for the duration of the weekend, which begins Thursday with the Day of the Passage of the Declaration of State Sovereignty, or Independence Day.
The air show -- the first on Red Square in 47 years -- will kick off at noon Thursday, an air force spokesman said Tuesday. Flying 400 to 600 meters above Red Square, the jets will release white, red and blue smoke to paint a huge Russian flag in the sky.
Flights are forbidden over the city except by emergency aircraft, and plans for Thursday's air show only went ahead after being approved by President Vladimir Putin, Moskovsky Komsomolets reported Tuesday.
The last air show above Red Square took place under the gaze of Nikita Khrushchev on May 1, 1956. The most recent air show within the city limits was held at the Poklonnaya Gora war memorial on May 9, 1995, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
To make sure poor weather does not spoil Thursday's view, the Sukhois and MiGs will be joined by 10 other military jets high above the city, seeding the clouds to prevent rain, City Hall said.
Weather forecasters are predicting a wet and chilly weekend, with temperatures hovering around 13 degrees Celsius during the day.
The streets around Red Square will be blocked to traffic from 7:30 a.m.
Cars also will be barred from Mokhovaya and Bolshaya Nikitskaya streets, where City Hall will host a sports competition called The Kremlin Mile, Interfax reported.
During the holiday, the police have been ordered to keep a closer eye on attics and basements, outdoor markets, vacant apartments, parking lots and popular venues, City Hall said.
Moscow region Governor Boris Gromov said Tuesday that his region is increasing security around schools and kindergartens over the long weekend after receiving a law enforcement advisory of a possible terrorist attack, Interfax reported.
Gromov told a meeting of regional officials that they should treat the advisory "very seriously."
All schools and kindergartens will be closed over the holiday period.
The holiday commemorates the adoption June 12, 1990, of a three-page declaration by the first Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic. The document proclaimed the democratic goals of Russia as a part of the Soviet Union, placing a priority on building democracy and respecting human rights.
Thirteen years later, however, only 38 percent of Russians can remember the holiday's proper name, according to a recent poll by the Public Opinion Foundation.
This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on Jun 11, 2003 12:36 PM
On the morning of June 6, Igor Klimov, head of Almaz-Antei Concern, was gunned down in Moscow. The murder was unprecedented. The producers of Russia's air defense systems are not in the habit of using bullets to settle their differences. Later that same day Sergei Shchitko, commercial director at Almaz-Antei's subsidiary RATEP, was shot to death in Serpukhov, a city south of Moscow where RATEP is located.
Almaz-Antei was formed in April 2002 as part of a defense industry-wide centralization program spearheaded by Ilya Klebanov, the minister of industry, science and technology. On paper, the program called for consolidation of the entire industry in four dozen holding companies. In reality, it produced a few military-industrial fiefdoms ruled by top government officials.
Almaz-Antei became the sphere of influence of Viktor Ivanov, a deputy head of the presidential administration, personal friend of President Vladimir Putin and the head of one of the most powerful clans in Russia. Ivanov was appointed chairman of Almaz-Antei's board of directors. The company was run by Klimov, who advised Ivanov on defense industry issues. Whoever ordered the hit will face retribution no less swift and sure than if he had put out a contract on a childhood friend of the director of the CIA.
Almaz-Antei is a loosely structured enterprise. It was being torn apart by internal tensions, above all by the bitter rivalry between Almaz and Antei, the two air defense producers that gave the new concern its name. The two companies have been at each other's throats since the days of Lavrenty Beria. Industry experts say that neither Klimov, nor his predecessor Yury Svirin, could come up with a workable operating strategy for Almaz-Antei. To my mind, this was simply an impossible task. More than 40 companies merged to form Almaz-Antei, but this behemoth was reminiscent of Noah's Ark: It could stay afloat only on the ocean of a socialist economy. There is no strategy for removing the Ark from Mount Ararat after the flood subsides.
Klimov did attempt to overhaul the finances of all of the company's subsidiaries, however. The Prosecutor General's Office launched a number of criminal investigations, one into RATEP, another concerning the Obukhov factory, and a third into the management at Antei. When Antei sold the Tor M1 air defense system to Greece, some $45 million of the purchase price was diverted to Montenegro, while $16 million vanished into thin air.
After Klimov sacked some directors and put the thumbscrews on others, a crowd of would-be replacements, including other St. Petersburg clan members, started to smell blood.
And then last Friday Klimov was shot to death.
It is unlikely that Klimov's murder is related to Almaz-Antei's consolidation strategy or to the battle for the director's chair. Issues of that magnitude are decided at a much higher level. Ruling out some common or garden crime, two explanations remain.
The first version is that some heavy-hitter was sending a message to the St. Petersburg chekists or to Viktor Ivanov personally: "If we can get to Klimov, we can get to you too."
The second version is that some petty thugs were behind it. The dying defense industry has been bled dry by hundreds of leeches. Klimov not only fired directors at Almaz-Antei, he also demanded that they give back what they had stolen. In a sense, this was no different to demanding that looters put everything back on the shelves after a riot.
It's hard to escape the thought that Klimov was murdered by a couple of cretins who couldn't even think two moves ahead. Contract murders over money always leave a trail in the form of previous criminal investigations, feuds and threats. The prosecutors normally throw up their hands, saying: "We have too many suspects, and we can't throw any of them behind bars." But this time around, law enforcement will no doubt come down on everyone like a ton of bricks. And if a few innocent heads roll, well, they'll be compensated in the next world.
Klimov's murder will probably be solved -- very quickly, and quite possibly out of the public eye.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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June 16 2003, 10:41 AM
Six MiG-29 and four Su-27 fighter jets flying in formation over the Spasskaya Tower and St. Basil's on Thursday to celebrate Russia's declaration of sovereignty in 1990. Grigory Dukor / Reuters
Europe and Russia agreed to boost defense industry cooperation in a protocol signed Tuesday by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., or EADS, together with state-owned arms selling agency Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi Corp.
The three companies agreed to work jointly to develop future defense systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. There is also the possibility for EADS's MBDA missile systems to be installed in Sukhoi fighter jets, the joint statement said, as well as cooperative servicing deals and aircraft upgrades.
The agreement was inked during the Paris Air Show, a major biannual event for the aviation industry.
"This agreement is an important move in our strategy to further develop the EADS defense business globally," EADS CEO Phillipe Camus said in the statement.
Sukhoi chief Mikhail Pogosyan said that the protocol will help combine the strengths of two world leaders, through working groups assembled to oversee cooperation.
EADS spokesman Gregor Kursell said by telephone from Le Bourget, where the show is taking place, that Tuesday's protocol is in line with a framework agreement worth some $2 billion that EADS signed with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, or Rosaviakosmos, in 2001.
Within that agreement, Airbus, which is 80 percent owned by EADS, earlier this month opened an engineering center in Moscow with domestic industrial group Kaskol.
EADS has also offered Nizhny Novgorod's Hydromash plant the chance to make undercarriages for Europe's A400M military transport craft, of which some 180 will be built for seven NATO nations.
"The agreement is important for Sukhoi to help it understand its prospective place on the international market," Alexander Klimentyev, Sukhoi deputy general director, said in a telephone interview from Le Bourget.
"[EADS] is reaching out to us," Klimentyev said.
Sukhoi's Pogosyan has said that UAVs are one of this year's priorities.
Maxim Pyadushkin, an expert with Moscow's Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said UAV development is still in the blue print stage for Sukhoi, so cooperation with EADS will benefit both parties.
He added that Sukhoi upgrade projects will most likely involve jets flown by East European countries needing to raise their fleets to NATO standards.
"EADS already works with MiG on upgrades," he said. "Now it has extended this work to Sukhoi."
Yak-130 training/combat plane on display for first time at Paris Air Show.
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June 18 2003, 1:06 PM
14:48 2003-06-18
Yak-130 training/combat plane on display for first time at Paris Air Show.
This year's Paris Air Show in Le Bourget features the first ever demonstration of the production model of the Yak-130 training/combat plane. The Yak-130, which is built by the Sokol aircraft factory in Nizhny Novgorod, has previously only been displayed as a demonstration model.
Yuri Sentyurin, deputy governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, said that the Yak-130's participation in the air show was 'an interesting and important project.' He added that 'firstly, the Yak-130 is a new plane rather than an updated piece of long-serving equipment; secondly, as a training and combat plane it occupies an entirely new niche; thirdly, a range of modified military equipment will be developed from this plane: light attack planes, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft.'
The plane's participation in the air show was made possible by the fact that it was built without state investment. The organisers of the Russian section of the air show decided not to include Su and MiG aircraft because they were concerned that the planes would be impounded. Two years ago Swiss firm Noga attempted to have Russian fighters impounded due to a legal dispute with the Russian government.
YAKOVLEV YAK-130: A NEW GENERATION OF COMBAT TRAINERS
Nikolai Dolzhenkov, Technical Director and Chief Designer of the Yakovlev Design Bureau.
Flight crew training has always been considered a primary task, as its quality finally determines the efficiency of aircraft operation. The continuously growing gap between the speeds of trainers and combat aircraft forced the Air Force to transit to jet trainers. In the early 1991, the USSR Air Force held a tender for the development of a single new-generation trainer. It should feature two-engine power plant, a landing speed of not more than 170 km/h, a takeoff/landing run of not more than 500 m, +8/-3 g limits, a ferry range of 2,500 km and an ability to operate from unprepared soil airfields.
Under the Yakovlev Design Bureau's concept, the primary pilot training will be provided by the Yak-56 piston-engine aircraft which is certainly easier to fly and cheaper to buy and operate. It should be noted that a similar approach existed in the USSR in the 1950s when trainee-pilots, following screening and primary training on the Yak-18, transited to the Yak-11 intermediate trainer and only then flew jet fighters. A similar pattern is currently adopted in many countries with such trainers as Pilatus PT-9 and Tucano. The more sophisticated Yak-130 is designed for routine and advanced training in navigation and aerobatics, tactical and operational maneuvering, weapon delivery and employment. The Yak-130's high performance and tactical capabilities dictated by its orientation to the international aircraft market ensured its superiority over foreign analogs in terms of generalized criterion-relative pilot training efficiency.
As the Yak-130 has to perform maneuvers typical of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, we chose a moderately swept wing which made it possible to fly at angles of attack up to 35 deg. To improve takeoff and landing characteristics, the aircraft has been equipped with leading-edge slats and three-position Fowler flaps. All-moving tailplane and wing high-lift devices permit flight at large angles of attack. Perfect aerodynamic configuration is combined with a full-authority three- channel four-time redundant fly-by-wire system with a hazardous mode restriction facility.
The Yak-130 is powered by two RD-35 turbofans each 2,200 kgf which provide better takeoff/landing characteristics on soil airfields compared to those of similar aircraft, and feature good fuel efficiency. In addition, high thrust-to-weight ratio provides for maneuvers at large angles of attack with speeds never lower than a minimum permissible level. The engine is being developed under an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Slovakia.
The Yak-130D demonstration aircraft, the first flying prototype, was assembled at the Yakovlev's pilot-production facility and rolled out on May 29, 1995. Later it was displayed at Le Bourget and MAKS air shows.
Over 200 test flights made to-date have fully proved and demonstrated high flight performance and technical characteristics claimed by projected figures, for example, an ability of controllable flight at an angle of attack of 42 deg, a unique feature for this class of aircraft.
The Yak-130's basic design can be used to develop a whole range of versions, primarily combat aircraft beginning from a simple combat trainer all the way through a dedicated light attack aircraft, as well as deck trainers and aircraft for the training of civil and military transport aviation pilots. Upon customer request, the Yak-130's onboard equipment and the range of pods can be accordingly modified. According to the analysis of foreign trainer and light tactical aircraft programs, the modernization of such machines as Hawk and Alpha Jet was focused on the increase of their combat capabilities in the light attack role, where the potential of Yak-130 basic version is very high considering its power-to-weight ratio and perfect aerodynamic configuration.
One Yak-130 program's important factor has been conclusion of long-term cooperation agreement between Yakovlev and Aermacchi, one of the oldest Italian aircraft companies with a vast experience in the development, production, sales and after-sale servicing of its own MB-326 and MB-339 trainers. Currently, they are in service with 14 countries. Cooperation with this Italian partner has enabled Yakovlev to formulate general technical configuration of the aircraft which will be undoubtedly competitive on the combat trainer market until 2040.
The Yakovlev Design Bureau, Aermacchi and Nizhni Novgorod-based Sokol aircraft plant are currently involved in the Yak-130 full-scale development, including complete design, prototype manufacture, state tests and the preparation for series production, each responsible for a specified sector. The lead aircraft is scheduled for flight tests in the year 2000.
We face the future with confidence and are ready to offer our customers a whole pallet of aircraft for various roles.
Malaysian company to promote sales of Russian amphibian aircraft in Asia.
RosBusinessConsulting. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, 1:29 PM Moscow Time
Corporation Irkut has signed an agreement with the Malaysian company Hikon on merchandizing Russian Be-200 amphibian aircraft on the Asia Pacific market, the press service of the Russian corporation reported. According to the document, Hikon will conduct marketing research of markets of the Asia Pacific region and negotiate with potential buyers of Be-200s in the period from 2003 to 2005. According to specialists of the corporation, there is a demand for fire fighting aircraft in the Asia Pacific region currently. So, the corporation hopes to start exporting Be-200s to the region in 2005. Corporation Irkut also manufactures Sukhoi fighters and civil aircraft. Its authorized capital amounts to 2.373bn rubles ($78m) and it is divided into 791.052m common shares.
Putin and Mahathir sharing a light moment Tuesday upon Putin's arrival to Putrjaya.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A $900 million deal for Malaysia to buy new warplanes from Russia includes a plan to put a Malaysian cosmonaut into space in 2005, Malaysia's defense minister said Tuesday.
Under the agreement -- which was due to be signed by President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday -- Malaysia would pay cash for 18 Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30 fighters to be delivered in batches of six in 2006-07.
Russia would in turn guarantee that about 60 percent of the cost would be offset by other benefits, including training a Malaysian cosmonaut, other technological concessions and signing contracts to buy more than 1 billion ringgit ($270 million) in palm oil, Defense Minister Najib Razak said.
Putin's two-day visit to this Southeast Asian country aims to boost diplomatic ties and drum up trade and investment.
Speaking at a business forum, Putin said bilateral trade between Russia and Malaysia was worth a relatively paltry $300 million per year. But he noted there were many opportunities for expansion in areas such as aerospace, science and communications technology and banking.
At the same forum, Mahathir said Malaysia's manufacturing-based economy had many products -- such as cars -- that could be exported to Russia in exchange for intellectual property and technology.
"We believe that Russia has got a lot of scientific and technological know-how which Malaysia desires to have," Mahathir said.
The two leaders were expected to sign a deal for 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKs, deliverable to Malaysia in 2006.
Military experts say the Su-30MK will be the most powerful combat aircraft ever operated by a Southeast Asian country.
"I cannot but mention the large contract in the field of military cooperation. I mean the planned delivery to Malaysia of Russian aircraft, Sukhoi 30MKM," Putin said during a question-and-answer session at a business lunch. The Su-30MKM is a variant of the Su-30MK.
"I think from this Malaysian platform, Russian aviation techniques can be moved to the region of Southeast Asia," Putin added.
The Su-30MK's air-to-air missiles outrange all enemies' and the aircraft has unusually powerful radar, experts say. Russia has sold similar versions to China and India, and a less advanced version to Vietnam. Indonesia is buying the aircraft, too.
The Su-30MK is regarded as superior to Lockheed Martin's F-16s, operated by Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Putin said building trade ties with members of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and within the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum "contributes to the strengthening of peace and stability" globally.
He said Russia firmly believed in an international framework to oversee global trade, and that obligations agreed to in forums such as the United Nations and the Group of Eight should be complied with.
"The strengthening of this international legal framework ... which takes into account the interests of all nations and all peoples ... is a necessary precondition for the new economic order," he said.
Putin's two-day visit to Malaysia is the first by a Russian leader in 35 years of bilateral relations, and follows a visit by Mahathir to Moscow in March 2002.
Even if Russian and Ukrainian producers build the beleaguered An-70 military transport aircraft, the Russian air force will not buy the planes, its commander-in-chief said Friday.
"Let anyone who wants buy the An-70, but it will not be the air force while Mikhailov is at its wheel," Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov told reporters Friday.
The government has repeatedly reassured Ukrainian colleagues that it still supports the highly political program.
"Next year the technical development of the project will be completed to incorporate existing comments," Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov was quoted by Interfax as saying last month.
The An-70 project has suffered continual setbacks since design work began in 1986.
Originally touted by Ukrainian design firm Antonov as the future transport aircraft for NATO countries, Europe spurned it in 2000 in favor of the Airbus A-400M airlifter.
In 2001, two of the sole prototype's four engines died shortly after takeoff in Omsk. A snowy crash landing saved the pilots but seriously damaged the aircraft.
In February 2003, Russian and Ukrainian sides agreed that test flights of the aircraft would not resume until malfunctions are eliminated.
Mikhailov said he strongly opposes allowing the "underdeveloped and unsafe" aircraft to take part in demonstration flights at the Moscow Air Show, or MAKS, which kicks off Aug. 19.
"If somebody takes that decision, let it be then. I will be praying at night so that the following day nothing happens at MAKS," Mikhailov said.
Mikhailov said he favors the Il-76MF, an upgrade on the Il-76, the workhorse of the transport sector. The Il-76MF costs half as much as the An-70.
The An-70 has a maximum payload of 47 metric tons and needs a mere 600 meters for takeoff. The first craft is slated for assembly in 2004.
But while the Ukrainian government has tentatively committed to 65 aircraft and Russia to 164, both sides have failed to come up with the required financing.
Russia has contributed $20.8 million and Ukraine has contributed $28 million, while the designers have invested about $130 million of their own money, Vedomosti reported.
Boris Alyoshin, Kasyanov's deputy in charge of industry, said earlier this month that $48.2 million owed by the Defense Ministry under the An-70 program will be included in the state arms procurement budget.
Overall, another $85 million is needed to complete the test program.
Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Moskovsky last week called for research and development works to be completed.
"Whatever is holding this work back, or sabotaging it, is categorically wrong," Interfax quoted Moskovsky as saying.
Leonid Terentyev, head of the Moscow-based Medium Transport Aircraft Consortium of Ukrainian and Russian designers and manufacturers, blamed the air force for sabotaging the project.
"Mikhailov has not even seen the aircraft, yet maintains it is faulty. Meanwhile, all the drawbacks have been eliminated," Terentyev said by telephone. "They are holding it back."
Politics aside, the air force cannot afford the $50 million price tag per An-70, said Konstantin Makiyenko at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.
"There will not be any en masse purchase of the craft," Makiyenko said. The money should be spent instead on the armed forces in Chechnya, he added.
"Soldiers and officers fighting in Chechnya should know the names of each government official who throws his support behind this program. Helicopters will continue to crash, they will get neither new re-equipped nor small arms because money will be spent instead to finance the An-70," he said.
Fresh from the factory, the An-70's second prototype registered UR-NTK was flown to the Moscow Air and Cosmos Show 1997, where the aircraft participated in the daily flying display (Moscow Zhukovsky, 19 Aug. 1997).
Just a day after the air force lost three aircraft within 24 hours, officials presented ambitious plans Friday to rejuvenate the aging fleet, which has suffered from poor maintenance and insufficient pilot training.
Air force chief Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov said the air force next year should start receiving a modernized version of the MiG-29 fighter, called the MiG-29SMT, and an upgraded variant of the MiG-31. Both modernization programs have been dragged out for years because of the military's money crunch.
The air force has purchased just a handful of new aircraft since 1991 despite continuous official pledges to upgrade the fleet.
A new long-range air defense missile, the S-400, is also set to enter service next year, Mikhailov said. He would not specify how many systems would be delivered in 2004.
His deputy, Major General Dmitry Morozov, said the air force also will receive new Mi-28 helicopter gunships, 50 of which are set to enter service throughout the period until 2010.
The announcement followed the loss of three military aircraft Thursday.
An Mi-8 helicopter crashed on a routine training mission in the southern Saratov region, and its crew survived the crash with injuries. The crash occurred when the helicopter's engine developed a strong vibration, and the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field, narrowly escaping a gas station. Another Mi-8 was downed by rebel fire in Chechnya and the pilot killed.
An Su-24 jet bomber crashed into a mountain slope while attempting to land in adverse weather conditions, killing both pilots.
Mikhailov said crew error and a flight controller's mistake contributed to the crash.
Mikhailov lamented inadequate aircrew skills, saying military pilots now fly an average of 40 hours a year, less than the required minimum of about 100 hours. Pilots from Western air forces log several hundred hours a year.
The shortage of funds, which limits pilot training, has also made it hard for the military to adequately maintain its aircraft, contributing to an increasing number of crashes in recent years.
Mikhailov said the money crunch also has led to the loss of the military's ability to control air traffic over a large swath of Russia.
He also said military radars now control only about one-third of Russia's northern border.
"Today, on-duty radars cover mainly the western and southern borders of Russia, while in the north and internal regions of the country it ... covers only 35 percent of the territory," he said.
"The problem is there and is complicated, but it could be resolved," he added.
The modernized military aircraft will be presented at the Moscow International Show, which opens at the Zhukovsky air base outside Moscow on Aug. 19.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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August 13 2003, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003. Page 3
Organizers Promise Spectacular Air Show
Moscow Times
By Lyuba Pronina
Organizers of the 6th Moscow Aviation and Space Show on Tuesday promised a breathtaking show packed with stunts -- and for the first time the presence of several U.S. fighter jets.
"The show will have a rich aerial program ... better than at Le Bourget," Industry, Science and Technology Minister Ilya Klebanov said at a news conference, referring to the Paris Air Show.
More than 200 aircraft, including 47 foreign jets, will be on display at MAKS, which kicks off next Tuesday. Flying alongside MiG-29s and Su-27s piloted by the air force's Russian Knights and Swifts stunt teams will be F-15 jets sent by the U.S. Defense Department, while F-16 and B-52 planes will be parked on the tarmac.
France's Patrouille de France and Italy's Frecee Tricolori teams will also do their swirls in the sky.
More than 660 companies from 38 countries will take part in the show, including 165 foreign firms such as Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Thales, Klebanov said. This is one-fifth more participants than at the previous show in 2001. The show area at the Zhukovsky airfield will grow by one-third to 17,500 square meters.
"We haven't seen such a scale at MAKS before," Klebanov said.
The main spotlight of the show will be on jet maker AVPK Sukhoi, its chief Mikhail Pogosyan said at the same news conference.
Sukhoi will show off upgrades made to jets for the Russian air force and foreign customers and its work on a next-generation fighter jet.
Officials were mum whether any contracts would be signed this year. Russian Aviation and Space Agency chief Yury Koptev said the show will be used mainly as a platform to negotiate cooperation and possible future deals.
The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. has promised to announce a few cooperation deals with Russian partners at the event.
The first three days of the show will be open to aerospace industry officials, while the public will be welcomed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the closing day.
Tickets for industry officials on the first three days cost 770 rubles per day, while weekend tickets cost 200 rubles for adults and 50 rubles for children.
Organizers expect at least 200,000 visitors per day.
Buses to the Zhukovsky airfield outside Moscow will run from the Otdykh and the 42 km train stops. Trains to those stops depart from Kazansky Station.
President Vladimir Putin praised the air force on its official holiday Tuesday, saying he is certain today's military pilots "will continue the glorious traditions of their predecessors."
"For decades, military aviation has been reliably defending our country's air space and making a weighty contribution to the provision of national defense," a Kremlin statement quoted Putin as saying in an Air Force Day message.
The day honoring the air force came four days after it lost three aircraft in a single 24-hour period, underlining the problems of a service branch that has suffered badly from poor maintenance and insufficient pilot training.
On Thursday, an Su-24 bomber jet crashed on a training mission in southeastern Siberia, killing both pilots, and an Mi-8 helicopter crashed in a training flight in the Saratov region, Its crew survived with injuries.
On the same day, an Mi-8 was downed by rebel fire in Chechnya, killing the pilot.
A day after the three crashes, officials presented ambitious plans to rejuvenate the fleet, which has been augmented with just a handful of new aircraft since the Soviet collapse.
On Tuesday, however, air force chief Vladimir Mikhailov said upgrading and prolonging the service life of existing aircraft is a priority.
"We have great difficulties in maintaining the minimal serviceability level of air force armaments and hardware required for ensuring national military security," he was quoted by Interfax as saying. "Our main efforts are focused on upgrading the available aircraft and extending their service life."
At the same time, he said the air force is sufficiently equipped to rebuff local or regional aggression by assailants employing conventional or nuclear weapons.
Last week, Mikhailov lamented inadequate aircrew skills, saying military pilots now fly an average of 40 hours a year while the required minimum is about 100 hours.
In his statement Tuesday, Putin said that "the tactical mastery of our pilots and the unique achievements of our flight training have rightfully earned worldwide acknowledgment."
Meanwhile, a Yak-55 training plane crashed Tuesday near the city of Kursk during preparations for Air Force Day celebrations, emergency officials said. The pilot, who was the only person aboard the plane, was killed.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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August 19 2003, 10:54 AM
13:10 2003-08-19
Sixth aerospace show MAKS-2003 is most representative in all its history.
The Sixth International Aerospace Show MAKS-2003, which opens today in the town of Zhukovsky not far from Moscow and will last until August 24, will be the most representative in the history of the show.
In the opinion of its organizers, the show will not only be a demonstration of what the world aerospace industry has achieved, but will also give a fresh impetus to the promotion of relations of partnership and cooperation, Ilya Klebanov, Russia's Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and the head of the MAKS-2003 organizing committee, told RIA Novosti the day before.
As many as 497 Russian companies and about 150 foreign ones from 38 countries are to display their achievements in the 58 covered pavilions and open sites on a total area of 23 square kilometers.
About 200 flying vehicles of various types, including about 50 foreign ones, will demonstrate their flight abilities.
It will be the largest European show of aircraft and will surpass the recent air show at Le Bourget, Klebanov said.
In the fights program, together with the well-known Russian aerobatics groups Rus, Strizhi and Russian Knights, pilots from France, Italy and the U.S. will show their skills in aerobatics. The French pilots promised to "draw" a heart in the air as a sign of love and respect for Russian beauties and Russia, a RIA Novosti correspondent was told at the MAKS-2003 press service.
Up to 600,000 visitors that are expected at the aerospace show will see many new developments of the Russian aviation industry for the first time.
The Russian Air Force is expected to take a big part in the show. New and modernized military aircraft and the designs of modernizing the Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-29, MiG-31, Mi-8, Mi-24 and other planes will make up the basis of the exposition.
The Space Forces of Russia, which will take part in the aerospace show for the first time, will display models of spaceports, carrier rockets, and have stands providing information about the system of training officers for the space troops.
The enterprises of the Russian Agency of control systems will also take part. They will display air defense means: the anti-aircraft missile systems S-300PMU Favorit, S-400 Triumf, Pantsyr-S1, Feniks, and modernized Shilka, Tunguska, Top-M and Buk, and Strela-10M.
The Saturn research and production association will present a project of modernizing the D-30KP, KU and KU-154 engines (installed in the Il-76, Il-62M and Tu-154M aircraft respectively).
The Russian Government has already decided which of the new types of the aircraft will be used in the army, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said before the opening day. "We attach great importance to this part of the air show. I think a good deal has been achieved over the past two years," he said.
According to Kasyanov, the signing of contracts for the sale of Russian civil and military aircraft is to be expected at the aerospace show.
One of the main goals at the show will be to establish cooperation with foreign aircraft manufacturers, said Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin. "Our goal is not only to demonstrate the possibilities of all types of Russian aircraft, air defense systems and space vehicles, but also to attract the international community to cooperation in designing aggregates, units and accessories for flying machines," Alyoshin stressed.
In his view, cooperation with other manufacturers practically did not exist before the early 1990s, though Soviet aircraft had occupied 25 percent of the world market. But now, he said, "business is made not only on the sale of planes, but also on servicing aircraft." Alyoshin believes that the aerospace show in Zhukovsky will result in signing a number of contracts, and some of them will be signed for accomplishing cooperative tasks.
Until August 21 the show will be viewed by experts, and on the next day it will be open for all.
Visitors checking out a Su-30 fighter and other aircraft on the opening day of the Moscow Aviation and Space Show on Tuesday. Vladimir Filonov / MT
ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow Region -- A sleek white Airbus 320 parked smack at the front of the display area greeted visitors on the first day of the 6th Moscow Aviation and Space Show on Tuesday.
The plane was a somewhat jarring sight at a biannual air show aimed at showing off Russian-made aircraft and the latest Russian defense equipment. So while President Vladimir Putin and the thousands had their eyes glued on Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters -- and U.S. military planes took to the skies above the Zhukovsky airfield for the first time -- that Airbus paid a silent tribute Tuesday to the state of the civil aviation industry.
The plane, which flew in Monday night, is operated by Armenia's Armavia, itself majority controlled by Russia's No. 2 airline Sibir. Sibir officials bought out Armavia last year in an attempt to find a way around steep Russian taxes on Western planes.
As major Russian planemakers such as Ilyushin and Tupolev were at the air show Tuesday touting their latest models and upgrades, Sibir effectively was showing off its acquisition of the type of aircraft that other Russian airlines would like to have.
"Russia does not have aircraft that will meet stringent European environmental limitations in 2006. We will have no choice but to lose market share or lease foreign jets," said Vadim Marusov, head of Sibir's fleet department.
Sibir, which has a fleet of 46 Tupolevs and Ilyushins, is looking to lease up to 40 jets in the next five years and has an eye on the A-320 and Boeing 757-200 and 737. Some 10 foreign aircraft are to join its fleet starting next year, Marusov said, adding that the global airline slump has cut leasing prices and made taxes less of an issue.
Armavia plans to lease its first two ATR-42 turboprops this fall.
Sibir, which carried more passengers within Russia than any other airline last year, has routes for short-, medium- and long-range planes, but its officials said Tuesday that they were certainly not looking at the long-haul four-engine Il-96 parked right across from the Airbus.
Sibir is not the only airline to criticize Il-96, which the aviation industry sees as one of its major projects. State-controlled Aeroflot, which operates six Il-96 jets, is fiercely opposed to an offer for six more from the plane's producer in Voronezh and the Ilyushin Finance Co. leasing company.
Aeroflot CEO Valery Okulov, speaking on the eve of the air show, told a round table that Russian-built planes, including the Il-96, are up to 40 percent less efficient than their Western counterparts.
American personnel from the U.S. European Command gathering around one of the F-15 jets at the Zhukovsky airfield Tuesday. Vladimir Filonov / MT
Aeroflot has only 27 foreign planes in its fleet of more than 100 aircraft, and Okulov said the large ratio of Russian jets threatened to thwart plans to double passenger numbers to 12 million by 2010.
"The airline sector should not be treated as an appendage to the aviation industry," he said in remarks clearly directed toward the government.
"The Russian aviation industry is unable to meet the demand of airlines for new aircraft."
He warned that if airlines are not given the option of buying foreign planes, the airline industry will go the route of the trucking industry, which is now monopolized by foreign companies.
Transportation Minister Sergei Frank said Tuesday, however, that he hopes a contract for six Il-96s will be signed before the air show ends Sunday.
"All great things are accomplished by overcoming the 'I can't,'" he said as he visited the air show with Putin's delegation.
The first day of the air show did net a few contracts -- for Russian passenger planes. Transaero, which operates a Boeing-only fleet, quietly signed a deal for four 166-seat Tu-204-300 aircraft with Ilyushin Finance and the Aviastar-SP manufacturing plant. The planes will be delivered in 2004 and 2005, and the contract is thought to be worth $100 million.
The Samara airline signed a contract to buy two An-140 turboprops from the Kharkov aviation plant. The planes are to be delivered next year.
Stepping out of his helicopter Tuesday morning, Putin made a tour of the display of military jets with AVPK Sukhoi chief Mikhail Pogosyan and air force commander Vladimir Mikhailov. Putin peeped into the cabin of a Su-27SM, checked out a T-160 bomber and got into a Be-200 amphibious aircraft -- which is first model of the plane to be delivered and is a firefighting variant for the Emergency Situations Ministry.
At the Sukhoi exhibit, Putin patted a forward-swept wing Su-47 prototype of a next-generation fighter, which he later saw soar overhead with Su-30 and Su-35 jets. He then visited rival RSK MiG's stand and was presented with a model of the planned Russian Regional Jet by Boeing Russia president Sergei Kravchenko.
Putin also found a moment to chat in German with Rainer Hertrich, co-chief executive of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., Interfax reported.
Winding up his 1 1/2-hour tour, Putin watched a demo flight by a F-15 U.S. fighter.
"As a whole, the president was pleased with the show and, for us, his appraisal is very important because organizing such a show involves a lot of work," Industry, Science and Technology Minister Ilya Klebanov, told reporters.
Klebanov, reiterating comments made last week, said it looked like the August air show would eclipse its Western rivals. The United States largely boycotted the Paris Air Show in June over France's opposition to the war in Iraq.
In addition to two F-15s, which flew to the air show in an unprecedented display of military-to-military contacts between Russia and the United States, the U.S. European Command has sent a C-130 military transport plane and will send a B-52 bomber to land on Russian soil for the first time Wednesday.
F-15E pilot Matthew Worling said in an interview that this was his first visit to Russia and that he was impressed with the stunts performed by Russian fighter jets, especially the Su-27.
Asked whether he thought Russian or American fighter jets were better, he replied with a laugh: "It depends on the pilot. It depends on the experience of the pilot."
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August 20 2003, 2:43 PM
16:40 2003-08-20
New super-light plane Scarab stirs interest
The Scarab, a new super-light aircraft, has been offered for its use to the city of Moscow, Rosbalt was told today by Konstantin Yudin, general director of Ros-Business-Design, a venture-capital firm. The company is promoting the super-light.
Yudin said certification of the Scarab is expected to be complete by December. Regular production is expected to be worked out at the Piatagorsk experimental air-technology laboratory. Interest in the project has been expressed by the administration of the president of the Russian Federation and the State Duma. Duma deputies suggested the offer to the Moscow city administration, Yudin noted. Interest in the Scarab also has been voiced in Germany.
The designer of the Scarab, Aleksandr Begak, a student at the Moscow Aviation Institute, said the design allows for single-seat and two-seat versions. In essence, the Scarab is a vehicle offering a combination of air with land, water and snow transport. In regular production, a unit is expected to cost between $8,000 and $12,000. For comparison purposes, the price of an MI-2 helicopter, currently used for monitoring, is approximately $2 million, Yudin stressed.
Order for new engines signed at MAKS-2003 air show.
An order for five new engines for Russian aircraft has been placed by the Financial Leasing Co., of Moscow. As told by the company to Rosbalt, the contract for five engines for Tu-214 aircraft was signed in the course of the International Aviation Exhibition (MAKS-2003), now underway, with Perm Motor Works. The order is worth several hundred million rubles, Sergei Galperin, FLC's director for aviation, said.
Galperin told a Rosbalt correspondent that Perm Motor Works is the sole remaining producer of engines of this class in Russia. 'The last time new engines were built goes back almost 10 years; since then there have only been repairs,' Galperin said. 'The sole exception was an engine for the presidential plane for Rossiya. 'FLC thus is the first commercial customer for new engines in Russia.'
FLC registered in Moscow in January 1997. The company specializes in licensing services for Russia's military-industrial complex and for transportation-related and other types of industrial firms. Its main shareholders: the Russian Federation, 58%, and the Republic of Tartarstan and subsidiary organizations 18%. Partner firms: Gorbunov Enterprises, Chkalov Enterprises, Sukhoi, Ros-defense-export and Dalavia.
Perm Motor Works was organized in 1997 as part of the reconstruction of Perm Motors. Its shareholders: Perm Motors, 49%, Interros, 26%, Aviam Holding Co. (a US firm), 25%. Perm Motors is the sole Russian producer of the fourth-generation PS-90A engine, which competes well with the best engines of its class-the PW2000 (Pratt & Whitney, US) and the RB211 (Rolls-Royce, Great Britain). Perm Motors also produces the D-30 engine (for Tu-134 planes), the D-30F6 (for MiG-31 planes) and the TV2-117AG (for Mi-8 helicopters).
The Russian MI-26T helicopter has started performing a UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with almost a month's delay.
Its mission should have started on July 21, but on that day the helicopter was detained in Sudan during its flight to the DRC. The Sudanese authorities accused the Russians of allegedly having made landings in areas controlled by the rebels. The Russian Foreign Ministry and UN representatives had to intervene before the MI-26T crew was released.
The helicopter belongs to the Russian Vertical-T company based in Tver, a city not far from Moscow. One of the company's leaders, Kirill Anosov, told RIA Novosti correspondent that the helicopter would mainly carry foodstuffs for the UN contingent and for the local population, and also construction materials. The company had signed a contract with the UN for half a year with a possibility of prolongation for another six months.
2003 draft budget: appropriations for aerospace industry increase by 5 bln roubles.
Appropriations for the development of the aerospace industry and space exploration have been increased by 5 billion roubles (1 dollar approximately equals 30 roubles) year-on-year in the draft budget for next year, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said.
"The money will be spent on the construction of the International Space Station and development of automated satellite stations, from military to weather ones," said Kudrin, who visited the MAKS-2003 aerospace show on Wednesday.
He noted that he did not share the view of those alleging that aviation cannot bring profit. "The September 11 events were followed by a bad period in the development of aviation in the world as a whole. The demands for air carriage dropped and risks remain," he said. At the same time, he expressed confidence that the aircraft that boasts of the best flight qualities "should win and bring profit."
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August 21 2003, 2:55 PM
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Page 1
Irkut and Yakovlev Are Tying The Knot.
By Lyuba Pronina
A Su-27 with the Russian Knights aerobatics team showing off its moves at the Moscow Aviation and Space Show on Wednesday. Vladimir Filonov / MT
ZHUKOVSKY AIRFIELD, Moscow Region -- NPK Irkut, the privately managed producer of Su-30 fighter jets, announced Wednesday that it will complete a merger with the Yakovlev design bureau within a year -- a deal that analysts said will give the government a run for its money in its plans to consolidate the mostly state-controlled defense industry.
"It will be a merger of two stock holding companies with a transfer to a single share, which we will try to finalize within a year. We've started the process already," Irkut president Alexei Fyodorov told a news conference at the 6th Moscow Aviation and Space Show.
Fyodorov said Irkut and Yakovlev are each controlled by private management.
Irkut vice president Valery Bezverkhny said his company is eager to take part in Yakovlev's project to build a Yak-130 combat trainer jet and that the merger is part of a strategy to bring aviation companies with viable projects under one roof.
Fyodorov said that up to a controlling stake in the merged company, which has yet to be named, may later be put up for sale to a group of investors.
He gave no financial details about the merger.
In addition to its main production facility in Irkutsk, the Irkut holding has grown in recent years to include controlling stakes in the Russkaya Avionika design bureau, which works on upgrades for fighter jets, and the TANTK Beriev design bureau, the developer of the Be-200 amphibious plane.
A successful private holding with progressive-minded management, Irkut is the darling of defense industry watchers who say it could serve as an example of industry-wide consolidation but also as a stick in the government's eyes.
Irkut, capitalizing on its lucrative export contracts for fighters, is quickly moving into civil aviation and is set to be the first Russian aviation company to tap international capital markets next year. It plans to raise $200 million by floating a 20 percent stake and issuing a eurobond.
The merger announced Wednesday is not likely to sit well with some government officials, who have been keeping a sharp eye on Irkut and other privately managed defense companies.
Last month, First Deputy Industry, Science and Technology Minister Alexander Brindikov took a stab at Irkut in a blistering attack on private businesses moving into the defense sector. He said private companies pose a threat to state security and would not be able to single-handedly save the powerful, cash-strapped industry.
The government wants to consolidate the aviation industry into two holdings by 2006. One of them would be AHC Sukhoi, which would unite the Sukhoi design bureau with two manufacturing plants in Novosibirsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur and include the state's 38 percent stake in TANKT Beriev and 14.7 percent stake in Irkut.
Fyodorov complained that there is mistrust from the government toward private companies in the defense sector and current legislation discriminates against them.
Industry officials have their doubts about the feasibility of the new state holdings, and Yakovlev design bureau chief Oleg Demchenko on Wednesday took a stab of his own at the state plan.
"This is a real unification that is not done administratively but from the bottom, based on mutually viable projects," Demchenko said of the Irkut merger.
Yakovlev brings the Yak-130, which the air force picked last year as its new trainer jet, to Irkut's growing stable of aircraft. Yakovlev last month won a state tender to develop a short- to medium-range passenger jet, and it is a market leader in producing unmanned aircraft.
With Sukhoi, Yakovlev is taking part in the development of a fifth-generation fighter jet whose blueprint is to be finalized next year.
Fyodorov, who has been critical of the Sukhoi-led project, said Wednesday that he welcomed Yakovlev's participation as a subcontractor.
Irkut has a $3 billion contract on Su-30s for India and recently got a $900 million deal with Malaysia for the jets. It recently delivered its first Be-200 to the Emergency Situations Ministry, and is developing an MTA multipurpose transport plane together with Ilyushin and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Fyodorov said Irkut will continue working with Sukhoi on contracts for Su-30MKI fighters but in terms of assets, management structure and future merger plans, his holding is miles ahead of AHC Sukhoi.
Sukhoi chief Mikhail Pogosyan said Wednesday that he expects the AHC Sukhoi holding to be formed by the end of this year. He also said Sukhoi and Irkut will sign an agreement outlining future cooperation between the two holdings, but acknowledged that any hope of creating a single holding was far out of reach for the time being.
Maxim Pyadushkin, a defense analyst with the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said Irkut may be playing it safe with the new merger.
"By pooling more assets, Irkut might be protecting itself from government consolidation," he said. "It will be a large, private successful company, and no one will dare to nationalize it."
He said the merger is a win-win deal. For Yakovlev, it will bring much-needed investment and Irkut's marketing muscle, while Irkut will get to tap into the fast-growing global market for unmanned aircraft, he said.
Irkut posted a profit of 344 million rubles on revenue of $540 million last year. Yakovlev, due to changes in taxation, turned a profit of 280 million rubles on revenue of 260 million rubles.
This message has been edited by TsarSamuil from IP address 212.181.9.227 on Aug 22, 2003 11:13 AM
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August 25 2003, 1:55 PM
Russian Gov't. Won't Cede MiG Control.
By Associated Press
MOSCOW -- The Russian government said Friday that while aircraft manufacturer MiG is on a list of companies slated for privatization next year, the state will maintain full control of the company and will not sell any of its shares.
Moscow-based MiG is on a list of more than 1,000 state-owned enterprises that Russia intends to privatize in 2004 under a plan approved by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and posted on the government's Web site Thursday.
But government spokesman Alexei Gorshkov said that while MiG will be incorporated, or turned into a joint-stock company, 100 percent of its shares will be federal property, the Interfax news agency reported.
"We are not talking about the sale of a package of shares of the future joint-stock company MiG," the agency quoted Gorshkov as saying.
Gorshkov said MiG was included in the list of companies to be privatized next year because it must be incorporated in order to carry out a plan to form a holding company comprising the aircraft manufacturer and several other aviation enterprises. The holding company will probably be created in 2005, he said.
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August 25 2003, 1:56 PM
New Technologies to Help End Chechnya War.
Pravda.Ru
Yegor Belous
08/22/2003 14:35
The MAKS-2003 aerospace exhibition to demonstrate operational functions of modern battle helicopters
New helicopter produced by the Mil design bureau, Mi-28N, the Night Attacker helicopter exhibited at the MAKS-2003 aerospace exhibition, is the first experimental sample. Experts say that the army will be able to adopt the new model not earlier than in 2-3 years. However, it is said now that it can successfully substitute the famous Mi-24 hind attack helicopter called a flying tank.
Mi-28N radically differs from the Mi-28 helicopter as it has a completely renovated set of armament. This helicopter can successfully carry out combat missions during day and night. The Mi-28N is the only helicopter in the world that can automatically perform a flight at the height of 5-15 meters.
Mi-28N is equipped with the modern Attack operated missiles and air-to-air missiles. The helicopter is also equipped with modern onboard radio-electronic equipment of the latest generation and a night bomb-sight.
The helicopter's rotor is made of fiberglass plastic according to a new technology; it can endure blows of shells up to 30 millimeter in size. The helicopter has a passive safety function for emergency landings.
Designers of the helicopter say that development and construction of the first experimental model of Mi-28N (it was built in 1996) cost $150 million (creation of the US's first experimental model of the Apache helicopter cost about $2 billion). Within the years the design bureau enthusiastically worked on the project; the RF Ministry of Defense appropriated not a kopeck from its budget for this purpose. Designers hope that the MAKS-2003 aerospace exhibition will be a good promotion for the helicopter.
The Kamov Design Bureau will also present its new developments at the aerospace exhibition. Six helicopters of the bureau will perform demonstration flights in the framework of MAKS-2003. These will be a couple of Ka-50 helicopters (the famous Black Shark); a Ka-32 meant for fighting fires in tall houses and a radiolocation patrol helicopter Ka-31 that can detect all kinds of air targets, including cruise missiles. A helicopter with a rotating antenna will also perform a demonstration flight.
The Ka-60 Kasatka light battle helicopter and the Ka-226 helicopter with two Rolls-Royce engines with the capacity of 450 horse powers each will be demonstrated at the aerospace exhibition for the first time.
Two enterprises in the Russian cities of Orenburg and Kumertau have started production of the two helicopters. Both models will be represented at the aerospace exhibition in their military and civil modifications.
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August 27 2003, 12:01 PM
India Russia joint-venture Brahmos missile showcased in airshow.
Times of India ^ | 8 20 2003 | PTI
Brahmos missile showcased in Russian airshow.
PTI[ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2003 ZHUKOVSKY AIRBASE, Russia: The aerial variant of the deadly Brahmos cruise missile, being developed jointly by India and Russia, has been for the first time put on display at the international aerospace show - Maks-2003 near Moscow. The missile is to be produced by the Indo-Russian joint venture Brahmos, set up by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya, which designed and produced all nuclear missiles for the powerful Soviet nuclear submarines and over 80 per cent of strategic nuclear missiles of the former USSR. "It was President A P J Abdul Kalam's idea to jointly develop and market a unique cruise missile. As the Indian government's scientific adviser during 1993, he had proposed this to our director, Gerbert Yefremov, but due to financial and bureaucratic hassles the idea could fructify only in 1999," deputy chief designer of NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Alexander Leonov said. The Brahmos venture would produce 100 missiles annually at its Indian and Russian facilities. "We have successfully test-fired Brahmos in vertical and inclined positions and from board of INS Rajput, the version on display is for Sukhoi SU-30 MKI," Leonov said. The Naval version of Brahmos missiles can also be fitted on the just acquired three Krivak-class stealth frigates of the Indian Navy.
Vajpayee names LCA Tejas, says BrahMos venture with Russia a shining example of cooperation
Calling the Indo-Russian joint venture to develop the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile a shining example, Vajpayee said: ‘‘I am sure that other potential international partners will eventually wake up to the tremendous commercial potential of such joint venture collaborations with India, not only for markets in India but also in third countries.’’
India expects to significantly enhance its long-range strike abilities with the BrahMos cruise missile, jointly developed by New Delhi and Moscow. The supersonic missile -- which derives its name from the Brahmaputra and Moscow rivers in both countries - has a range of almost 300 km and is designed for use with land, sea and aerial platforms. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly considering the possibility of fitting the BrahMos on its Su-30 combat jets. The production will commence by end of 2003 for induction in the year 2004.
The BrahMos, a derivative of the Yakhont, was developed by a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia. The BrahMos missile is a product of an Indo-Russian joint venture known by the same name. Registered in December 1995, the company was set up as a result of an inter-governmental agreement between Russia and India, eventually signed in February 1998, to design, develop, produce and market a supersonic cruise missile jointly.
India and Russia plan to begin the induction of the jointly-developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile into their armed forces by the end of 2003. However, according to some reports military officials believe it is several years away from induction into the navy or the air force.
The BrahMos missile is a two-stage vehicle that has a solid propellant booster and a liquid (propellant) ram jet system.
The jointly developed Indo-Russian anti-ship cruise missile, which was successfully test-fired from Chandipur interim test range in Orissa, is a crucial step forward in India's defence efforts. This technological achievement places India among a small group of countries to acquire the capacity of producing cruise missiles. What, however, makes the jointly produced cruise missile distinguishable from others is that it travels at a supersonic speed i.e. more than twice the speed of sound. Almost all other contemporary anti-ship missiles fly at subsonic speed. Its other distinguishing feature is that the Indo-Russian cruise missile is a state-of-the-art product.
Its unmatchable speed is its high point, making it invincible. The supersonic speed imparts it a greater strike-power as well. Possessing stealth characteristics, the 6.9-meter cruise missile weighing three tons has a range of 280 km. Its another outstanding feature is that it is highly accurate and can be guided to its target mainly with the help of an onboard computer. This has been established by the test-flight. The computer and the guidance system have been designed by India whereas Russia has provided the propulsion system.
Test flights of the PJ-10 occurred on 12 June 2001, 28 April 2002, with a third test expected in June 2002. The test-firing of the cruise missile which took place in the middle of June 2001 was described as an unqualified success. The Brahmos recorded its performance as having met technical parameters, both in terms of the flight range and hitting accuracy. Defence Minister Jaswant Singh who was present at Chandipur along with Indian and Russian scientists and technologists described the launch as a "landmark in technology partnership".
The Chandipur launch was the first in a series of test-flights of the cruise missile planned to demonstrate the capabilities of the system. A series of other test-flights will take place before the missile is simultaneously inducted into the Indian and Russian arsenals. It will also be sold to third countries in due course of time.
One of its special features is that this essentially anti-ship missile can be launched from ground, ship, submarine or air. Defence analysts underline that the eventual addition of this strategic missile is a logical follow-up of the goal set as per the country 's nuclear philosophy. Stated in plain terms, it is essential for the fulfilment of India's minimum nuclear deterrent profile as outlined in the draft nuclear doctrine prepared by the Vajpayee Government. The acquisition of the cruise missile which can be tipped with a nuclear warhead has obvious implications for our nuclear weapons' delivery system.
In order to avoid controversy, both India and Russia have taken care to ensure that the production of the cruise missile did not violate obligations under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) or any of the international agreements related to proliferation. That is why the missile range is well within the 300 km limit stipulated under the MTCR.
Both India and Russia welcomed the joint development of the supersonic cruise missile with great exuberance. Elated at the successful test flight from Chandipur, the state-owned Russian collaborating company, Mashinostroyenie, put the cruise missile on display at the Moscow annual air show. Mashinostroyenie designed the missile and its propulsion system, leaving the all-important software and the guidance system to its Indian counterpart— the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of the Defence Ministry.
New Delhi described the missile as an "outstanding example of Indo-Russian joint endeavour". The President, Mr KR Narayanan and Prime Minister Mr Vajpayee termed it as a symbol of defence cooperation between the two countries.The development of the cruise missile takes their decades-old defence cooperation and the revived post-Cold War strategic partnership to a new high. It may be recalled that during the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin's visit to India in October 2000, a Joint Declaration of Strategic Partnership was issued. During the Defence Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh's visit to Moscow a few days before the Chandipur launch, this strategic relationship was further reinforced. On these two occasions, the two countries signed a series of agreements on the acquisition of sophisticated weapon system and for a joint production of some of them including missiles.
The newly developed cruise missile is more than a match to similar anti-ship missiles available with China. The latter has mounted Moskit anti-ship missiles on its recently acquired Soverameny-class warships. Beijing is also planning to mount its aerial version of the Moskit on its SU-27 planes. The Indian cruise missile with its supersonic speed will be able to check movements by the Chinese warships, especially in the Indian Ocean area. Besides, its extraordinary accuracy and speed increases the range of its targets.
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August 29 2003, 9:47 AM
Does Russia Need An-70 Aircraft?
Pravda.Ru
Yegor Belous
08/28/2003 21:29
Probably, the USA will have one soon.
Today, the Moscow Zamoskvoretsky Court started considering a lawsuit filed by Air Force Commander, Colonel-General Vladimir Mikhailov against the television company TV-Center and against Andrey Karaulov, who hosts the Moment Istiny (the Moment of Truth) program on the channel. The high-ranking official sued the television company because of the report shown in the mentioned program on March 30th of the current year. It was said in the report, Russian officials did not take any measures to outfit the troops with new aircraft. It was going about the An-70 aircraft.
Vladimir Mikhailov emphasized in the suit, in an interview with Omsk region governor Leonid Polezhayev, the TV host accused the Russian Air Force commander of "blocking the decision to build the new aircraft, going against Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers' decisions." The claimant believes, host Andrey Karaulov's information was false and defaming, "it caused the moral damage to the reputation of the Air Force commander." "The question of suspending or continuing the production of an aircraft depends on the removal of significant constructive disadvantages, which directly affect the flight safety. Such issues do not depend on someone's will," said Mikhailov.
The claimant demands, the information should be rejected. The Air Force commander also asks to levy one million rubles from the TV host as a compensation of the moral damage. "If the suit is upheld, Mikhailov will transfer the money to one of Russian flight schools," lawyer Igor Shaikov said.
Below are several excerpts from the Moment of Truth program, which was broadcast on March 30th of the current year:
Karaulov: "This is the An-70 aircraft, in which Russia has invested $300 million. Yet, Colonel-General Mikhailov ordered to ruin the project, to suspend the production, to put it mildly. The official suspended the production as soon as the company Polyot launched the series production of the airplane. The company was supposed to build 164 An-70 aircraft. Fifty airplanes were meant for Ukraine, the Czech republic was going to buy three of them. If the production of the plane does not start, NATO will have a plane like this in seven years. Who our generals work for? The An-70 aircraft is the plane of a large carrying capacity, it is capable of carrying up to nine defense technology items or a whole military unit. In addition to it, it can land on a grass surface, which is very important during emergencies or army actions. Doesn't Russia need such a plane? Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov is strongly against this project. Apparently, he stands for the IL-76 aircraft, although Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov have said positive things about An-70. Yet, the military official continues having his own way."
Several days before the opening of MAKS-2003 airshow, Vladimir Mikhailov formulated his point of view again: "Let anyone buy the An-70 aircraft, the Russian Air Force will not do it, until Colonel-General Mikhailov has the power." A scandal around the plane took place in April of 2003. The scandal was based on experts' estimates and recommendations. They wrote a letter to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov. It was mentioned in the letter, the An-70 aircraft had been developed on the level of the outdated An-12 plane. In addition it was said, An-70 technical features did not comply with technical goals of the Russian Air Force.
The discussion about An-70 has been caused with the fact that Ukraine was supposed to develop a 35 ton-capacity transport aircraft. However, they developed a 47 ton-capacity machine, which meant a competition to the Russian IL-76 plane, the carrying capacity of which makes up 50 tons. An-70 has certain technological disadvantages: a considerable part of the lifting force is created with propellers. As a result, experts believe, a malfunction in one of the engines might result in an air crash. On the other hand, the An-70 aircraft is meant for the Air Force, it is supposed to be as much efficient as possible under military conditions. Russian pilots have already called the new airplane a "flying coffin."
The second model of the An-70 plane crashed in January of 2001, when two of its engines failed. Apparently, Russian Air Force is not going to purchase these planes in the nearest future. A trial between the military official and the TV journalist is a private issue. Does Russia need An-70 - the aircraft, which can carry up to nine defense technology items or a whole military unit? The States definitely needs such a plane. During the recent Iraqi campaign, American military officials complained of the lack of transport planes to dispatch marines to Kuwait. They will have such a plane soon.
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September 5 2003, 12:18 PM
Days Numbered for the MiG?
Pravda.Ru
Anatoly Krasnoyartsev
09/04/2003 18:03
The fate of Russia's large aircraft producer is still unknown.
The MiG represents Russia's defense establishment; it is the second most popular brand name after the Kalashnikov gun. It as been reported (again) that the enterprise is on the verge of bankruptcy. MiG is rated second after Rosoboronexport in terns of volume of exported weapons. Given this, how can there be talk of bankruptcy?
The scandal about the concern started when the Ministry of Finance appealed to the Arbitration Court to recover a debt of $290 million from the enterprise. The Court then supported the claim of the Ministry of Finance.
Against the background of this claim, the press published the correspondence of MiG Chief Designer Nikolay Nikitin and Russian vice-premiers Alexey Kudrin and Boris Aleshin; there were also reports of different experts concerning the fate of the contract concluded with China to supply MiG-29 shipborne airplanes valued at $1 billion.
This sounds rather strange that contracts for military technical supplies which are handled by special services in other countries are widely discussed in the press here in Russia. This is a public discussion that must be held between the head of the state-run concern and members of the government.
As for the fate of the contract concluded with China for supply of MiG-29 planes, the subject has been discussed in the mass media for several years. This is strange that the subject is touched upon each time when the MiG enterprise is experiencing some problems. It is very well known that the MiG-29K is not in production. In 1989, the MiG-29K airplane underwent tests but wasn't adopted by the Russian Navy. There are just two airplanes of the kind; they are from time to time demonstrated at aviation exhibitions.
There is no basis for a serial production of the jet; what is more it is impossible to develop shipborne models for the current design of the MiG-29. At present, the management of MiG can hardly even find materials to develop a seaborne technologies for the plane. Two or three years ago experts said that when it comes to equipment of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrier with airborne fighters, those would be Su planes because MiG couldn't perform this large-scale job.
The government doesn't ignore requests of the MiG enterprise. When Chief Designer Nikolay Nikitin assumed the position early in 1999 much was spoken about saving of the enterprise. The debt of the enterprise at the level of $290 million, due to the obvious criminal behavior of the previous management. Further, the debt was postponed several times more; however today the MiG enterprise hasn't made and progress in the settlement of these debts. What is more, even though the enterprise's export of military technique is great, the total debt of MiG almost doubled compared to 1999. Where is the money?
When Nikolay Nikitin became the chief designer of the enterprise the backpay was up to 3 months, the enterprise worked 3 days a week. The new manager promised to put an end to this disorder. There was a return to full work week and wages were paid on time. The government gave the MiG enterprise documents for Tu-334 plane for free and the enterprise was charged with its final assembly. Nikolay Nikitin promised to start serial production of the plane in 2002 and said that one plane would cost not more than $13 million. Further, the terms of launching Tu-334 serial production were postponed several times. However, according to the results of a session conducted together with members of the government immediately at the enterprise at the beginning of the summer, it is hardly likely that serial production of the plane may start next year. As of today, there is only one full-size model of Tu-334, at that the readiness of the machine is just 50 per cent. Even though $27 million dollars have been spent on equipment of the workshop where the plane is expected to be produced, it is still far from being perfect. So, there is no plane and what is more there is still no workshop where the plane can be produced. At the same time, Nikolay Nikitin says that the actual prime cost of the plane is at least $18 million which is $5 million less than the minimal price within the profitability limit. In other words, it is suggested that the government must find the sum of $5 million itself.
Unfortunately what we have is the following: if airlines are finally to get the Tu-334 plane it will be outdated and what is more the price will be very high. There will be no chance to sell the machine abroad.
Since MiG has failed to produce planes for the civil aviation, may it would be more successful producing military jets. It is well-known that neither the Russian nor the French militaries have the intention to buy the MiG-AT instructional airplane (the machine was designed together with several French companies). So, the sample may safely go to the aviation museum where one of the MiG-29 shipborne planes is already exhibited.
In a couple of years, the legendary MiG-29 fighter will be cited as outdated in the aviation catalogues. In fact, MiG-29 is still subject to modernization, not to speak about years-long maintenance of these planes sold to different countries. This is rather feasible job for the MiG enterprise.
One of the former top-managers of the MiG enterprise says that when he came to the office next day after appointment of Nikolay Nikitin chief designer of the enterprise, he was surprised to see two dozens of black BMW autos waiting for bosses right opposite a dilapidated building of the enterprises head office. "I suggested selling the cars to settle the arrears of wages. In four years I see "considerable" changes: the bosses have changed BMW for Lexus cars, the wages are still delayed and the work week still lasts for three days only."
Today MiG owns only 20 per cent of the Voronin production center in the heart of Moscow; the rest of the premises have been given to the city administration and will be used as construction sites. Thus, it makes no sense to speak about investing in renovation of the production line there.
It would be reasonable to shift the production complex to the machine-building enterprise in the town of Lukhovitsy, the third component of the aviation corporation. Even though 70 per cent of the assembly workshop for Tu-334 has been completed, it is not clear yet where parts of the plane are to be produced.
This is interesting that some bank is interested in purchasing of MiG debts at half price; when the bank demands payment of the debts they are settled immediately. Unfortunately, the bank invests money obtained from debtors not in the MiG enterprise nut in shares of some French aircraft building company.
Let's get back to the relations between MiG and the RF Ministry of Finance. The matter of the fact is that the letters Nikolay Nikitin sent to vice-premiers Kudrin and Aleshin in June 2003 were just the beginning of a process that resulted in exclusion of the MiG enterprise from the list of companies prohibited for privatization; further the enterprise was added to the privatization plan for 2004.
At the beginning of August, Deputy Premier Boris Aleshin held a meeting when Nikolay Nikitin was offered different schemes for rescheduling of the debt which wouldn't be injurious for the enterprise. At the same time, the debt rescheduling schemes agreed with the RF legislation.
However, on August 7 Nikolay Nikitin said at a session in the RF Ministry of Finance that he was dissatisfied with any of the variants of debt rescheduling as they were unfeasible for the corporation. Further Nikolay Nikitin declared he wouldn't settle any debts as the investigation hasn't yet determined whether MiG actually owes $290 million to somebody or not.
When the Ministry of Finance sent an appeal to the Prosecutor's Office it received the response that the investigation was already over; what is more, the money in question was sent to MiG and the corporation wonderfully disposed of the money. Then, the corporation must pay in accordance with the court decision.
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September 15 2003, 10:46 AM
Irkutsk Aviation Industry To Merge with Yakovlev Design Bureau.
Pravda.Ru
09/13/2003 18:00
Irkutsk-based Irkut aircraft construction enterprise expects to receive $3.5 billion profit.
The corporation Irkut took a very active part in the recent MAKS-2003 air show in Zhukovsky (the town not far from Moscow). The corporation represented both the military and the civil aviation at the show. President Vladimir Putin highly estimated the Be-200 fire-preventing amphibian aircraft. The presentation of the corporation Irkut (the corporation has been recently established on the base of the Irkutsk aviation association) took place at the mentioned air show. It was announced that the new corporation would merge with the Yakovlev design bureau. It was officially said by Irkut's president Aleksey Fyodorov.
"We have conducted over 20 negotiations with spokespeople for both Russian and foreign companies. A lot of those talks can become very good contracts. Our partners evince great interest in the civil aviation, especially in the Be-200 airplane and in the Ya-130 unmanned aircraft, which is our new product," Fyodorov said.
The talks between Irkut and Yakovlev became one of the most interesting and unexpected events of the Moscow air show for the Russian members. "The process for the two companies to merge will take a lot of time. We will have to redistribute the authorized capitals of the companies, and so on and so forth. We have already completed the psychologically difficult part of the process, and now we are launching the actual merger," Aleksey Fyodorov told reporters.
As a result of the transaction, Irkut will have an opportunity to extend its range, to conduct the complete development of new aircraft. Irkut is a strong industrial base for Yakovlev, where they can implement all their project. In addition, new projects will provide job opportunities for Irkutsk residents. The name of the new corporation has not been determined yet.
"As far as EMERCOM's order for Be-200 aircraft is concerned, we are currently looking for faster ways to deliver the planes. Most likely, we will use leasing at this point. EMERCOM is capable to buying one aircraft a year, but the leasing will increase the number of deals to seven or even ten. However, there are certain legal obstacles on the way. It is hard to say, who is going to be the next customer for Be-200 planes - we are conducting negotiations with several European countries, America, China, South-East Asia."
On August 30th, the plane was demonstrated in Italy in Vladimir Putin's and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's presence. Prior to his visit to Italy, the Russian president visited MAKS-2003 and entrusted the Irkut corporation with preparing the Be-200 for demonstrations abroad.
Irkut's president is not sure that the production will always be in demand. Aleksey Fyodorov thinks, unmanned planes will enjoy a better market demand in the future. The price of an aircraft mainly consists of the life-support system equipment - the seat, the toilet, visual control devices. It was difficult to develop an unmanned aircraft several years ago - electronic devices were not developed very well. At present moment, one can control a plane from a ground station.
Irkut is currently developing a small helicopter. The first aircraft of the new project will be ready by the end of the current year. There have been 20 agreements concluded to deliver the new $150,000 worth helicopter. Irkut has not signed any agreements during MAKS-2003 air show, but it was not sad news for the company. Aleksey Fyodorov says, there is a line of customers already. The corporation expects to receive a $3.5 billion worth profit.
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September 16 2003, 11:57 AM
Tuesday, Sep. 16, 2003. Page 7
Sistema Talk of Buying MiG Stake Met With Turbulence.
Moscow Times
By Lyuba Pronina
When Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov last month put fighter-jet maker RSK MiG on the list of state companies eligible for privatization, it did not go unnoticed by AFK Sistema, which appears eager to snag a stake in the defense giant.
Quite eager, it seems.
"Yes, we will buy [shares in MiG]," the board chairman of the powerful holding, Vladimir Yevtushenkov, told reporters last week -- "as many as they will give us."
Yevtushenkov declined to elaborate, but Sistema, a financial-industrial group with holdings ranging from telecoms to insurance, is seen to have a growing interest in the defense sector after acquiring a controlling stake in helicopter maker Kamov last year.
Sistema and MiG already have a working relationship through their shared control over Kamov, in which MiG manages the 49 percent not owned by Sistema on behalf of the state.
How strong the lines of communication are between the two, however, is another question entirely, with MiG representatives saying they were unaware of Sistema's interest in becoming a shareholder.
Vladimir Barkovsky, MiG's deputy general director, said any interest on Sistema's part was a complement.
"It means that we are worthy of interest," he said late Thursday.
A spokesman for Industry, Science and Technology Minister Ilya Klebanov said Friday he was not aware of Yevtushenkov's comments from earlier in the week.
"This is the first time I heard about it," Andrei Mazurov said.
Being included on Kasyanov's privatization list also caught MiG by surprise, with government officials rushing to explain that the state would retain its 100 percent stake after the company is transformed from a state unitary enterprise to a shareholding structure.
Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said turning MiG into a shareholding company would serve it better than its current status, and is likely a first step toward private hands.
If and when MiG gets privatized, Yevtushenkov's Sistema is in a prime position to acquire a stake.
"They have shown themselves well at Kamov," Makiyenko said.
Makiyenko also noted that Yevtushenkov's interest reflects MiG's improved performance since 1999, when current director Nikolai Nikitin assumed his post. In 2001, MiG landed nearly $1 billion worth of contracts for 36 MiG-29s and last year it ranked second only to state-owned arms selling agency Rosoboronexport in exports.
Many argue that encouraging private investment is the only way for the government to breathe life into the ailing, state-dominated sector.
NPK Irkut, which makes the Sukhoi fighters that rival MiG's, has been steered to success by private owners since the late 1990s, after having been transformed from a state enterprise to a shareholding structure, a path MiG is set to follow.
Yet it is not clear that the government is prepared to sell off even a small stake in MiG.
During a visit to MiG's new production facility in Lukhovitsy, outside Moscow, State Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznyov argued that since 80 percent of the country's companies have shareholder structures, the state should retain control over the remaining one-fifth.
"The government simply has to preserve such jewels in its state crown," Seleznyov said, referring to MiG.
MiG general director Nikitin also protested the prospect of privatization.
"If the final decision is taken to turn it into a shareholding company," he said, MiG should remain 100-percent state-owned, and "it should be done openly and publicly under the control of the State Duma and the president."
Beside throwing his support behind Nikitin's anti-privatization rhetoric, Seleznyov spoke in favor of MiG's new passenger plane, the Tu-334 short-range liner, to be produced at the Lukhovitsy facility.
The new $25 million shop is also set to assemble, starting in December, everything from MiG-29 fighters, Ka-60 multipurpose light helicopters and four-seater Ilyushins.
The Tu-334, on which MiG is relying to keep the company afloat commercially, is to be certified by the end of this year and move into mass production in 2004. Two airlines, Atlant-Soyuz and Aerofrakht, have together ordered a total of 10 aircraft.
Another 25 such planes are being negotiated for No. 3 airline Pulkovo, amid heated debate over whether this airplane has a future at home, where airlines are increasingly looking toward leasing Airbuses and Boeings.
To give airlines a bigger incentive to buy domestic aircraft, MiG is lobbying the government to drop the 20 percent value-added tax levied on the sale of all planes, helping to lower the cost per Tu-334 jet from $17 million to a more affordable $12.9 million.
"The draft law is being worked out," Seleznyov said. "But we are afraid the government will give a negative resolution as it will create a precedent" for other sectors that would also like to see the VAT removed.
"But ... there is nothing bad about state protectionism when it comes to key industries," he added.
Staff Writer Simon Ostrovsky contributed to this report.
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September 19 2003, 10:13 AM
Friday, Sep. 19, 2003. Page 3
Tu-160 Bomber Crashes, Crew Killed.
Moscow Times
By Simon Saradzhyan
A long-range supersonic Tu-160 bomber crashed during a test flight in the Saratov region Thursday, killing all four crew members.
The crash of the four-engine bomber deals a serious blow to the air force component of Russia's strategic nuclear triad, defense analysts said.
The heavy bomber was flying a sortie to test a newly installed engine when the crew reported a fire on board at 11:03 a.m., said Vladimir Demidov, the deputy head of Saratov's emergencies department.
Ten minutes later the bomber disappeared from the radar screen, and the crew did not respond when radioed by ground control at 11:20 a.m., Demidov said in a telephone interview.
Search and rescue crews located the aircraft at about 12:30 p.m., he said. The remains of the four crew members were found and identified, he said.
The Tu-160, which is designed to carry long-range cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, was not armed during the test flight, officials said.
Defense Ministry and Emergency Situations Ministry officials said Thursday evening that it was too early to say what might have caused the fire.
The plane was flying at altitude of somewhere between 100 meters and 1,000 meters when the blaze broke out, officials said. The plane might have started to disintegrate, preventing the crew from bailing out, they said.
"The crew of the Tu-160 had no time to escape. It is clear that something unusual happened on board," air force Chief of Staff General Boris Cheltsov said in televised remarks.
No one was injured on the ground.
Two of the plane's three black boxes have been recovered but they are in poor condition after being damaged in the fire, Itar-Tass reported.
Air force officials and investigators from the local military prosecutor's office were combing the crash site for clues Thursday evening.
The Defense Ministry ordered that the air force's remaining 15 Tu-160 bombers be grounded pending the results of a crash investigation.
The planes, which first started flying in 1987, are the backbone of the air force's strategic nuclear fleet.
"This crash has dealt a rather tangible blow to strategic aviation, given the limited number of these bombers that Russia operates," said Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies think tank, or CAST.
While the air force only has 15 Tu-160 bombers, two more are being assembled at the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Production Association in Kazan, according to CAST. The plane costs about $1 billion to build.
The air force also operates 63 long-range nuclear-capable Tu-95 planes that can carry long-range nuclear missiles but cannot fly at supersonic speeds, CAST said.
The bomber that crashed Thursday was commissioned 12 years ago and had a life span of at least another decade, Cheltsov said. The bomber was listed as No. 1 in the air strategic command and bore the number 01.
A Tu-160 last crashed in March 1987 near the Zhukovsky air base in the Moscow region after one of its engines caught fire, according to CAST.
The 01 bomber was recently outfitted with a new engine due to an oil leak, Cheltsov told reporters Thursday. The new engine was built by the Motorostroitel engine producer in the Saratov region, he said.
Calls to Motorostroitel went unanswered. Officials at the Kazan aviation plant declined to comment.
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September 19 2003, 10:53 AM
Strategic bomber crashes in southern Russia.
Òåêñò: Gazeta.Ru Ôîòî: www.army.lv
A Russian military strategic bomber crashed in the country's Volga region of Saratov, killing all four crew members. The aircraft crashed after one of its engines caught fire. Rescuers have found the bodies of three pilots. The body of the commander of the crew, Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Deineko, has already been identified.
The TU-160 bomber – known by the NATO code name of Blackjack – came down near Saratov half an hour after the crew contacted ground control to say there had been a fire in one of the plane's engines. For several hours the fate of the crew remained unknown. The Tu-160, with the flight number 01, had taken off from the military airfield in the town of Engels at 10:30 Moscow time.
There were no weapons on board the plane, a spokesman of the Air Force press service has told Interfax. ''There were neither strategic nor conventional weapons on board the aircraft,'' he said.
According to preliminary data, the aircraft crashed because of engine failure. ''One of the engines was recently replaced on the Tu-160 aircraft. The aircraft was carrying out a scheduled test flight of the engine. All of a sudden it crashed,'' a source in the Air Force told Interfax.
The jet crashed in an open field seven kilometres north of the village of Stepnoye, Sovetsky district, reported a source in the local rescue service. The bodies of the crewmembers were found among the debris scattered over an area of 300-400 metres. No one on the ground suffered when the bomber crashed the source said.
The Main Military Prosecutor’s Office has launched a probe into the accident and a criminal case was opened under Article 351 of the Criminal Code, envisaging punishment for violating flight regulations, reported Mikhail Yanenko, the chief spokesman for the Main Military Prosecutor's Office.
The Tu-160 is a supersonic strategic bomber with variable-sweep wings. The crew, two pilots and two navigators, are accommodated in two two-seat cabins equipped with ejection seats. The jet reaches speeds of up to 2,200 kmph at an altitude of up to 15,000 metres. With mid-air refueling, the jet can stay in the air for many hours at a time. Control of the aircraft is facilitated by more than 100 computers.
The armaments – bombs, 12 cruise missiles, or 24 short-range missiles – are found in two compartments in the jet's hull. Defensive armaments come complete with electronic warfare systems. The aircraft is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The navigation and sighting systems account for the high accuracy of maneuvers leading the jet onto its target. First tested in 1981, the Tu-160 was added to the country's arsenal in 1987.
Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov recently flew to Vladivostok aboard a Tu-160 to inspect the large-scale military maneuvers in the Far East. This is the latest in a series of military accidents that last month led Ivanov to accuse the military of carelessness.
Speaking of one of August's crashes, Ivanov said two military helicopters had collided mid-air in the country's Far East because of ''negligence, showing-off and air hooliganism''.
Today’s accident reduces the number of Russia’s Tu-160 strategic bombers to 14. After the breakup of the Soviet Union several of the aircraft ended up in Ukraine and were only handed over recently in return for Russia writing off some of Ukraine’s gas debt. It is not clear whether the ill-fated aircraft had earlier been based in Ukraine.
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September 22 2003, 11:20 AM
16:22 2003-09-20
Indonesia received Russian-made jet fighters and helicopters.
The official ceremony of the transfer of 4 jet fighters and 2 combat helicopters made in Russia to Indonesia was held in Jakarta on Saturday.
Two SU-27 and two SU-30 fighter planes, and also two MI-35 attack helicopters have been delivered to Indonesia in accordance with the contract signed in April of 2003 during the visit of Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri to Russia.
In September, Russian-made fighters and helicopters successfully passed flight tests and now will be part of Indonesian Armed Forces.
According to Metro-TV channel, the ceremony, held at Halim Perdanakusuma air base, was attended by Indonesian Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Suwandi, Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces General Endriartono Sutarto, and representatives of the Air Force and Land Forces of the country.
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October 23 2003, 11:39 AM
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003. Page 5
Fighter Jets Lock On to Stock Market.
Moscow Times
By Lyuba Pronina
Ever want to own your own Russian fighter? Pretty soon you'll be able to, at least partly.
Irkut, maker of the feared Sukhoi fighter jet, plans to hit domestic stock markets in a few months with Russia's third -- and largest -- initial public offering.
The company, the corporate pioneer of the defense industry, said Wednesday that in February or March it will offer a total of 20 percent of its shares on both the benchmark dollar-denominated RTS and the larger ruble-denominated MICEX. It also plans to place shares on the London Stock Exchange later in the year.
Company officials have said they expect to raise $100 million from selling 20 percent of the company, which would value the firm at $500 million.
"This is a unique opportunity for investors," said Konstantin Malofeyev, managing director of MDM Bank, which is acting as lead manager.
The largest privately managed company in the defense industry, Irkut this year became the first firm in the sector to release financial results under international standards, which put 2002 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization at $100 million on revenues of $528 million.
Investment banks welcomed the news, as it will offer investors an alternative to the energy stocks that dominate the market.
"This is excellent news for the Russian equity market. One of the major problems in Russian equities is that clients are largely limited to oil, electricity and phones," said Eric Kraus, chief strategist at Sovlink, which recently launched an index of second-tier companies.
"Russia's defense sector is one of the world's largest ... [but] until now, there has been no way for portfolio investors to gain access to this part of the economy," he said.
The two previous IPOs on the Russian stock market, drugstore chain 36.6 and media company RosBusinessConsulting, raised about $14 million and $10 million, respectively.
But Irkut is much larger. Some 90 percent of its revenues come from selling Su-27/30 jets to China and India, and its order book now stands at more than $4.6 billion, thanks to a $900 million deal with Malaysia for 18 Su-30MKMs signed earlier this year.
Senior vice president Sergei Tsivilyov said the company expects sales of military and civil craft to triple to $1.6 billion per year within the next decade.
The company has high hopes for its Be-200 amphibious craft, which it is building for the Emergency Situations Ministry. It also hopes to sell hundreds of the planes abroad with the promotional help of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., or EADS. It is also developing a new transport aircraft together with India's Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd.
Of the 20 percent stake it plans to place, half will come from a new share emission and half will come from current shareholders, mostly management, which control 75 percent of the company, according to Alexei Pokhilko, the company's corporate finance director.
He said some of the money raised will go toward either buying or merging with the Yakovlev design bureau.
Pokhilko said Moscow-based Yakovlev would allow the company to diversify its product range. The design bureau makes the Yak-130 trainer combat jet, has experience in unmanned aerial vehicles and is developing a short- and medium-range passenger liner.
Company president Alexei Fyodorov said civil aircraft should account for half of Irkut's business by the end of the decade.
A massive Russian jet capable of releasing more than 10,000 gallons of water in a single dump could help solve California's wildfire crisis, but the federal government continues to resist it, asserts two U.S. congressmen.
Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., and Curt Weldon, R-Pa., said at a news conference yesterday the Russian government repeatedly has offered the Ilyushin-76 'Waterbomber' – reportedly capable of dousing a fire the size of 10 football fields – to the U.S. Forest Service for its use but has been rebuffed each time.
Rohrabacher spokesman Aaron Lewis told WorldNetDaily the federal government's response amid wildfires that have killed 20, consumed more than 750,000 acres and destroyed more than 2,800 homes is the same as it has been for the past decade.
As WorldNetDaily reported, Forest Service spokesman Joe Walsh said last year at the height of devastating fires in Oregon the "plane would not meet our firefighting needs." It is too costly, he told the Colorado Springs Gazette, "and lacks ability to make downhill drops, a necessary maneuver in fighting fires in the mountains. It actually drops too much water."
Ed Stone, a Forest Service aviation official said in an August 2000 interview, his agency had been aware of the aircraft since 1994 when fires prompted intense political pressure to use it.
"We looked, and we didn't care for the product," he said.
But the lawmakers are convinced it will work, pointing to its success in other parts of the world.
"The bureaucratic logjam on this has to be broken and the jet needs to be given a chance to perform in the U.S.," said Lewis. "But the government has not been willing to even let it come in the country for a demonstration, let along to fight fires."
The Russian government is willing to loan the Ilyushin-76 to the United States, the congressmen say, provided the U.S. picks up the operating costs.
Another model, the BE 200, which is smaller but still carries two to three times the capacity of American planes, "has been dismissed out of hand by the government," Lewis said.
He noted Rohrabacher brought up use of the Russian equipment to Arnold Schwarzenegger during the governor-elect's recent visit to Washington. Schwarzenegger just nodded, Lewis said, as Rohrabacher then moved on to the next subject in his laundry list of California issues.
Tom Robinson, a fire administrator and instructor of fire prevention with the Virginia Offices of Fire Programs and Emergency Services in Richmond, Va., said in a WND interview last year he has been waging a campaign to build public support for deployment of the Russian-made air tanker, which has nearly four times the carrying capacity of the C-130 Hercules, the largest tanker used by the Forest Service.
Robinson sees the IL-76 as a much-needed strategic weapon for the nation's firefighting arsenal. He is convinced that had it been called in when massive fires in Oregon began raging out of control last year, they would have been squelched before they became mega-blazes.
"Frankly, I'm outraged," says Robinson. "This has been going on over six years. The Forest Service has refused to allow this plane into this country for fire fighting. It's a modern aircraft, a four-engine jet. It covers an area the size of 12 football fields with one 10-second drop. It puts a fireline down 300 feet wide and 3,900 feet long in 10 seconds. It would have saved every community in Colorado and Arizona [last] year. It would have saved those 300 homes in Los Alamos [three] years ago."
Robinson admits to being a "crusader" and even a "zealot."
"That's because I've flown on missions on this plane – I know how good it is," he says.
Designed in the early 1970s for military transport, since the end of the Cold War the IL-76 has been used extensively throughout the world by different countries as a cargo carrier. To fly firefighting missions, it is retrofitted with two aluminum tubes, each one 90-feet long, four-feet in diameter and capable of holding 5,500 gallons of water – a total of 11,000 gallons.
Unlike American tankers that have a pressurized system to dispense the retardant, the Ilyushin has a simple, virtually "bug-free" gravity-flow system. However, this system requires the aircraft to fly straight and horizontal.
"The plane will be flying, say, 150 feet above the ground, at 151 knots [173 mph]," Robinson explained. "The water comes out at the same speed as the plane, as one big sheet of water. But when it gets about a hundred feet above the ground, it slows and comes down as a drenching rain. It's a big blanket of water that comes down vertically in much larger drops [than in the American pressure system]. It's so effective the Russians don't even use fire retardant in it."
The Russian Federation has offered on several occasions to send the plane – or a pair of them – to the U.S., where it could demonstrate its effectiveness on one of the larger wildfires. They ask only for the cost of fuel and food and lodging for the crew. But officials in the USFS have consistently said thanks, but no thanks.
Robinson pointed to an experience in 1999 that changed him from being an enthusiastic supporter of the plane into a "zealot."
Greece at that time was enduring its worst wildfires in over a century. Infernos were raging in the mountainous terrain, and winds were so fierce the air tankers of the Greek Air Force were grounded.
As he tells it, "There were two 3,000-foot-wide fires that were going unabated because of windy conditions through the mountains, burning all their monuments and forests. CNN was there and said it was unstoppable. But we filled up at the Greek Air Force base then went to the first fire. We flew by on an observation run, came back around, lined up on the fire, judged the wind direction, opened the doors on the tanks – and whoosh – 10 seconds later we looked back and that 3,000 feet of fire was gone, absolutely gone."
That took care of the first fire. The pilot returned to the base, the tanks were refilled, and they went to the second fire and put that one out just as quickly.
"These fires had burned for a week, with hundreds of firefighters and all kinds of equipment brought in from Germany and other countries," said Robinson. "The Greek media called it a miracle."
Though it convinced Robinson and the Greek public, the Greek government decided against future use of the Waterbomber, preferring instead to invest in a fleet of planes at $25 million each.
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November 3 2003, 4:38 PM
16:12 2003-11-03
Spy planes approach borders of Russia.
Foreign spy planes fly for intelligence purposes over Russian border areas least twice a day, said in an interview Russian air force central staff commander Boris Tcheltsov.
He said that foreign spy planes continue flying with the same frequency as several years before, and every day two or three flights of spy planes near Russian borders are registered, most of them are in the North and North-East of Russia.
Boris Tcheltsov informed reporters that Russian fighter planes and ground air defense systems stay on alert as soon as foreign spy planes approach Russian border areas. The central staff commander said such situations of emergency usually happen 7-8 times a day.
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November 13 2003, 11:14 AM
Pilot of Russian jet fighter found dead in Armenia.
RosBusinessConsulting. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, 1:28 PM Moscow Time
Rescuers have found the body of the pilot of the Russian MiG-29 jet fighter 15km away from the Armenian town of Gyumri. According to the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry, the pilot ejected when his aircraft crashed into a mountain probably unobserved due to heavy fog. The pilot was found dozens of meters away from his shattered plane, the ARMINFO news agency reported. As reported earlier, at 12:53 (local time) yesterday the training airplane was reported missing. Searches for the plane went on all day long and continued this morning. At about 04:00 a.m. the plane and the pilot were finally discovered.
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November 24 2003, 12:15 PM
Russian pilots will be trained in Crimea.
Pravda.Ru
11/24/2003 12:09
Chief commander of the naval forces of the Russian Federation fleet admiral Vladimir Kuroedov has stated that Russian seaborne pilots will start their training on a decker complex "NITKA" (ground-based aviation training complex for scientific research) beginning next year in Crimea. He has also added that the delay of pilot training program has to do with some major repair works on board of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Flota Kuznetsov." It is scheduled to sail only in the end of 2004.
"Ministers of both Russia and Ukraine have reached consensus regarding the carrier's exploitation by Russian pilots. We expect that an official intergovernmental agreement will soon be signed," stated Mr. Kuroedov in his interview with the journalists. Kuroedov also talked about a critical condition of aviation machinery of the naval forces of the Russian Federation. "Aviation's technical alertness today constitutes 47%, whereas we need 80%", declared Kuroedov. Glavkom (main committee) noted in turn that "we will need additional two years to change current situation." According to the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency, Verhovnaya Rada (State government) has already passed a legislation of an agreement ratification between the two governments, Russian and Ukrainian about the use of the take-off and landing strip of "NITKA". The agreement was signed on February 7, 1997 in Kiev. It was registered on November 6. According to the agreement, Ukraine allows Russia to use its runway equipped with various mechanical innovations. Ukraine is also eager to train air crew, supply necessary equipment as well test naval and aviation machinery. Russia in turn provides ecological and other safety features on the premises.
After the USSR collapse, the "NITKA" training complex now belongs to Ukrainian Air-force. The simulator has been developed especially for take-off and landing purposes on board of aircraft-carriers without a catapult. Russians have already used the complex for pilot training purposes. In July of this year however, they have been denied access to Ukraine. A representative from the Ukrainian air-force department has stated that Ukraine is ready to provide "NITKA" in Crimea to train Russian Air-force seaborne pilots as soon as a rent price for previous years is paid in full. Russians owe approximately $300,000.
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December 2 2003, 12:31 PM
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003. Page 5
Vietnam Orders More Fighters.
Moscow Times
By Lyuba Pronina
Vietnam on Monday agreed to buy four Sukhoi fighter jets for $100 million, a deal that adds fresh impetus to President Vladimir Putin's drive to increase arms sales to Southeast Asia.
The deal, which follows sales earlier this year to Indonesia and Malaysia, means Southeast Asia this year may surpass China as Russia's top arms market, defense industry experts said.
Vietnam signed a protocol agreement with state arms export agency Rosoboronexport to buy four Su-30MKKs, according to a source within Aviation Holding Co. Sukhoi. The fighters are made by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association.
Hanoi already has 12 Su-27s.
This is the third arms deal with Vietnam this year, according to Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies defense think tank. Earlier this year it bought 12 Project 12418 missile boats for $120 million and the S-300PMU1 air defense systems for $250 million, he said.
"These purchases reflect a balanced replacement of obsolete systems acquired from the Soviet Union," he said.
The new order caps a banner year for Sukhoi fighters, which have accounted for nearly half of all Russian arms exports in recent years.
China bought 24 Su-30MK2s in January, Indonesia signed up for four Su-27/30s in April, and Malaysia agreed to buy 18 Su-30MKMs in August.
"The Southeast Asian arms market is hot," Makiyenko said.
Combined, the contracts with Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are worth about $1.6 billion, while the deal with China, which is notoriously tight-lipped about its arms purchases, is worth about $1.2 billion, Makiyenko said.
Rosoboronexport declined to comment on the deal signed Monday, except to say that it is "continuing to successfully sign contracts."
Rosoboronexport deputy director Sergei Chemezov was quoted by Arms-TASS as saying last month that total arms deliveries by the agency in the first 10 months of 2003 topped $4.5 billion.
Makiyenko said that 2003 is the fourth straight year of record arms exports for both Rosoboronexport and Russia as a whole.
He said Rosoboronexport's actual revenues, which differ from deliveries, could hit $5 billion this year.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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December 3 2003, 1:12 PM
Vietnam prefers Russian weapons.
Pravda.ru
Akhtyam Akhtirov
12/03/2003 13:11
Russian military-technical cooperation with Vietnam has become more virtual in the course of the past several years. More so, right after the events of September 11 in New York, Russia has liquidated its former soviet military base in Kamran. Perhaps, this was due to a special request from the US, perhaps, due to the lack of money, but the fact remains. Everything seemed to be clear at first. However, Vietnam has suddenly expressed its desire to completely re-equip its army with Russian weapons. What could this mean?
It has become known today that Vietnamese Ministry of Defense has already agreed on all the terms and conditions of a new military contract with "Rosoboronexport" (Russian Defense Export). Vietnam plans to purchase Su-30MK fighters. According to various sources, the deal may cost about 150mln USD. More so, Russian information agencies report that Vietnam already considers purchasing eight more fighters of the same kind. Overall, Vietnamese army already possesses twenty four fighters of the "Su" ("Sukhoi") brand. It is not that much, but in skilled hands. Actually, Vietnam does not intend to start a war right now. However, it will do no harm to strengthen its defense during such peaceful times.
According to the information obtained from Russian information agencies and from the "Sukhoi" (Su) factory, every single parameter of the contract has been discussed in details. It was scheduled to be signed by the end of the year. Vietnam will acquire the first four Russian fighters by the end of this year. Interestingly, "Rosoboronexport" refuses to comment the deal. This does not look like the time Russia was exporting its weapons to Malaysia or Indonesia. Why? Hopefully, some new facts will be unveiled in a not so distant future.
In the meantime, workers and engineers of the aviation production factory in Komsomolsk-na-Amure are preoccupied with the production of several flying machines for Vietnam. The airplanes will be identical to those exported to China.
Despite lack of comments from the Russian armoires, experts notice a significant interest in Russian weaponry among South-Eastern Asian markets. With the renewal of export of Russian weapons, Vietnam appears third among all the countries of the Asian Pacific region with promising business perspectives.
Russian fighters however are not the only commodities that Vietnam plans to acquire from Russia. In summer of 2003, both countries signed several contracts for exporting torpedo boats and two divisions of antiaircraft rocket systems C-300PMU to Vietnam. It all cost 120mln USD and 250mln USD. Vietnam plans to purchase Russian armory on a sum exceeding half a billion dollars. Experts claim that this is a record sum in military relations between the countries since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Experts also report that this year is a successful one for "Rosoboronexporr," due to a significant number of contracts signed with South-East Asia. About fifty fighters have been already reserved for sale to South-East Asia. In January, the company sold 24 fighters Su-30MKK to China, in April, it sold two fighters Su-27 and Su-30 to Indonesia, and in August the company signed a contract to sell 18 fighters Su-30MKM to Malaysia. Well, not bad.
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December 15 2003, 11:37 AM
Monday, Dec. 15, 2003. Page 7
Delhi: $5Bln Sukhoi Deal On Track.
Reuters, MT
NEW DELHI, India -- India on Sunday denied a report it had refused to accept a batch of Russian Sukhoi combat jets because of a high rate of engine failure in earlier batches bought as part of one of the country's biggest arms deals.
The Sunday Express newspaper said the air force had also suggested to the Indian Defense Ministry that it stop further payments to Rosvooruzheniye, Russia's state arms exporter.
"The stated information is not true and is misleading. The facts are that the program is going as per schedule," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The deal to buy the fighters and make dozens more under license is estimated to be worth about $5 billion.
India is estimated to have 28 Sukhois according to "The Military Balance 2002-2003", published by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The Sunday Express said Russia sent a fresh batch of the multi-role fighter jets to a base in western India but the air force decided not to accept them until engine problems in Sukhois already delivered were fixed. It quoted defense sources.
"Recently the Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken delivery of the fresh batch of SU-30 MKI aircraft which are being assembled and tested," the Ministry statement said.
The Sunday Express report had said the aircraft had an engine life of about 300 flying hours between overhauls, but many engines failed before this.
"The IAF is quite satisfied with the progress of the project and performance of the aircraft. So far the parameters tested have proved to be well above those guaranteed," the Ministry statement said.
Russia is India's largest arms supplier and New Delhi signed a $1.8 billion deal in 1996 to buy up to 50 Sukhois. The first aircraft were delivered in 1997 and the entire lot is expected to be in service by 2005. New Delhi signed a deal in 2000 estimated to be worth $3.3 billion, in which 140 Sukhois would be built under license in India.
The Sukhoi is the newest aircraft in the Indian air force, which largely depends on aging Russian MiGs and has embarked upon a slow process of modernization.
Earlier this month, India said it had completed negotiations on the long-delayed purchase of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier.
"The Gorshkov will change the scene completely in our area," the head of India's navy, Admiral Madhvendra Singh, said at the time. "It is a very, very powerful ship, a potent ship and once we get Gorshkov with the MiG-29s we will be in a totally different league."
Singh said that New Delhi will pay $652 million to retrofit the carrier, with the deal to be signed by March. Singh did not elaborate on how much India will pay for 20 MiG-29Ks to be fitted on the Gorshkov's deck once the upgrade is complete.
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January 14 2004, 2:27 PM
Russian Air Force to take part in US-Russian military exercises.
RosBusinessConsulting. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, 4:44 PM Moscow Time
In 2004, the Russian Air Force will probably participate in Russian-American exercises over the Atlantic Ocean, Russian Air Force Chief Commander Vladimir Mikhailov told reporters today. According to him, this year the Air Force will pay more attention to troop training. The official specified that at the request of US counterparts, the joint US-Russian military exercises would also include flights of long-range aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean.
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January 14 2004, 2:52 PM
Russian Air Forces use "intelligent" airplanes.
Izvestia
01/13/2004 18:43
In the end of the last year, Russia's Air Forces received 5 new fighter planes Su-27 SKM (modernised). This year there will be at least 20 of them. As the engineers and military officials comment, these fighter jets would become the first step towards switching the Russian Army to the fifth generation jetfighter ("Izvestia" information)
The main thing that makes Su-27 SKM stand out from the rest of the Army's Su's is that this new machine can work on both air and ground targets with the same ease. The entire specter of both non-controlled and controlled type of bombs is used for this, plus various aviation missiles. The jetfighter can use all this arsenal with no regard to neither time of the day nor to the weather conditions: pilot can drive his machine and also do bombing with the help of special equipment, explained Igor Demin, the chief constructor of "OKB Sukhoi".
"Human just needs to press "Fire" button in the right time. Yet another know-how is the radio location station of the jetfighter, which can track not only the air targets, but also the moving ground ones", he added.
Su-27 SKM is not very different from the normal Su jetfighters by appearance, however its cabin was seriously modernised. Near its usual analogue arrow meters three LCD monitors were placed, they display all flight and combat information.
The constructors comment this was made to gradually teach pilots they can observe the situation not only by arrows' movement, but by display's data too. Their greatest convenience is that all information can be found in one place.
The first Su-27 SKM will receive Lipetsk aviation center pilots, Russia's military aviation elite. Now they are on duty in Russian base Kant, Kyrgyzstan.
They have to fulfill the last condition to allow wide switch from old Su's to the new ones: prepare documentation and final report on usage of this new machine in various climate and weather conditions. This has to be done in short time: Su-27 SKM is planned to be supplied to the forces massively in the second half of 2004.
This year, "Sukhoi" is to start work on creation of a new, revolutionary machine, Su-35.
In 2004 "OKB Sukhoi" is starting experimental and construction works on new revolutionary jetfighter, Su-35. This machine is to become a bridge to the fifth generation jetfighters.
Su-35 will not have any analogue, arrow controls and monitors. Instead of the three LCDs there will be 2 big ones. To maximise the area of information displayed, their screens would have windows, similar to Picture-in-Picture technology in modern TVs.
Additionally, the most important of flight and combat information will be displayed in the pilot's helmet. This will free the pilot from constant need to look at the cabin's monitors before him, so that he is able to move his head around, visually evaluating the situation.
Moreover, Su-35 will be also harder to see for radiolocation stations. This can be done by using special radio waves-swallowing finish, a new paint of the jetfighter in fact. And certainly, the most serious developments to happen with engines and the main computer. They would finally become one whole.
Su-35 engines will have greater power and elasticity, which would give the machine more speed and maneuverability. Hydrodynamic controls of the power engines are to be changed to electrical. Constructors claim this would not only save space and weight, but also would allow a "parallel" control of the machine.
What it means in practice, is that the pilot's role will be less notable. The computer will be deciding what speeds and which regimes the machine is to approach targets, at which moment the pilot can be allowed to use weapons. Human will not be able to make any wrong decisions: the computer would simply switch off his controls and advice him what is the fault.
Demin believes that if the fifth generation jetfighters would still have pilots, the next generation planes will do without them. Yet some can not agree with him, including Givi Dzandzagava, President of "Technocomplex" scientific & producing center uniting 16 companies working on various equipment of Su-27 SKM.
"While the intellect level of the jetfighters' on-board equipment will be very high, we still have to leave for human an opportunity to make combat decisions at the top of the technical abilities of machines and weapons. A task given can be completed even at the cost of one's own life. Decisions on weapons use and responsibility following lies on human and no one else"
The fifth generation jetfighter is machine with brains and eyes
Dzandzagava goes on: "Today we can only generally visualise the cabin of the fifth level fighter planes, and it would resemble Su-35's cabin very much"
What is known for certain: displays of the cabin and of the pilot's helmet will feature much more information. Analogue scales with arrows and numbers will disappear for good, all the information will be in visual form. Like in prestige cars: symbols and icons.
Su-35 on-board computer processors receive information from 150 various antennas and devices, placed all over the jetfighter's body.
The fifth level airplane will have many times more such "feelings". It will be legible to say that new jetfighter feels the situation with its skin. Today there is already a task set to raise intellectual potential of the on-board computer.
Su-27 SKM tactical and technical characteristics:
Year official approval as an army machine: 1998. Maximal speed, km/h: at low heights: 1400, at the height: 2430. Practical height ceiling, meters: 18,000. Maximum flight distance, km: 3680. Maximum exploitation overload: 9. Crew: 1. Weapons: automatic one-barrel 30mm gun GS-301 (1,500 shots/min, 150 bullets). Maximum combat load: 8000 kg. The chassis' 10 bases can be equipped with "air-air" and "air-ground" rockets, and various non-controlled and correctable bombs.
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January 15 2004, 11:26 AM
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004. Page 5
Air Force Upbeat, Despite Crashes.
Moscow Times
By Lyuba Pronina
An air force aerobatic squadron flying during the Zhukovsky air show last August. Ivan Sekretarev / AP
Despite a series of accidents that culminated in the first crash of a Tu-160 strategic bomber, the air force had a good 2003, and after a long break received a batch of modernized jets, its commander said Wednesday.
At the end of the year, the air force received five upgraded Su-27SM Flanker fighters fitted with new avionics as part of an ongoing modernization plan and will have 20 more Su-27 jets upgraded to that standard in 2004, air force commander Vladimir Mikhailov told reporters at an annual briefing.
"We have chosen a single type of modernization for the Su-27 that allows us to concentrate our resources," Mikhailov said. "And 20 more jets were transferred to the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aviation production association for the upgrade at the end of last year." He said that one regiment would be fully re-equipped with this jet in 2004, with the first Su-27SMs initially being flown by test pilots at the Lipetsk combat training center.
Mikhailov said the Su-27SM contains the best avionics and has new air-to-surface capabilities as well as all-weather and nighttime strike capabilities. He added that the Su-27SM was an interim fighter for use before a fifth-generation model developed by Sukhoi joins its ranks in the next decade.
"It lacks in stealth and does not have the weapons that will have to be fitted on the fifth-generation fighter," he said.
This year the air force plans to receive its first Su-34 Flanker strike derivative, formerly known as the Su-27IB, eight of which have been produced at the Sukhoi's facility in Novosibirsk. After repeated delays due to underfinancing, the program is now back on track with improved avionics, he said.
Another long-overdue delivery, the new generation S-400 long-range air defense system, will be inducted this year, Mikhailov said.
As he has many times before, the air force commander lambasted a joint Russian-Ukrainian program to build the An-70 military transport plane, saying Wednesday that no improvements have been made to its D-27 engines.
This year the air force expects some additions to its helicopter fleet, among them the Mi-28N, which Mikhailov said would become the backbone of its attack combat helicopters, and 12 Ka-52s.
The recent deliveries have been a welcome change for a cash-strapped air force that for years has been unable to buy new aircraft. Defense plants have been rolling out jets mostly for foreign customers, and those planes are superior to those in the Russian air force.
Mikhailov lamented that only 15 percent of the arms procurement budget goes to cover the air force's needs, but would not provide precise figures.
Chronic underfinancing cost the air force dearly last year. In November, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov blasted the air force, saying that "none of the air regiments comply 100 percent with the requirements of constant combat readiness due to poor training and the poor technical maintenance of aircraft."
Although the average number of flight hours for pilots was doubled to 40 last year, human error was blamed for an astounding series of 11 crashes that killed 23 people. Among them was the crash of a MiG-29UB on a training flight in June and a collision of two helicopters during maneuvers near Vladivostok. Ivanov, who was attending the Vladivostok event, accused the pilots of "negligence, showing off and air hooliganism."
The biggest blow to the air force's reputation came in September when the Tu-160 crashed 33 minutes after takeoff.
An investigation cleared the four crew members, who died in the crash, of wrongdoing and blamed a 1997 decision not to put liquid nitrogen into the plane's fuel tanks in certain cases.
Mikhailov said Wednesday that the Tu-160 will resume flights Friday or Saturday.
He said the air force this year will test its first three Yak-130 training combat jets, which are to be delivered after a 2002 tender lost by the MiG-AT. He said the air force, however, is also ready to take a squadron of MiG-ATs for experimental flights.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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February 4 2004, 2:25 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004. Page 3
Celebrating the 'Airborne Hooligan'
By Anna Dolgov
Special to The Moscow Times
Valery Chkalov, right, meeting with Josef Stalin at a Moscow airport in 1937. For MT
With air shows and flights across the country, aviators are celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday Monday of Valery Chkalov, who made the first nonstop transpolar flight, covering more than 8,500 kilometers between Moscow and the United States.
But Chkalov may be equally well- known for his stunt flights under bridges and similar air tricks. Soviet Marshal Kliment Voroshilov reportedly introduced him to Josef Stalin as an "airborne hooligan."
Festive events are planned for much of the year, and pilots said they want to repeat Chkalov's 1937 flight to a military airfield in Vancouver, Washington, but so far have not received a go-ahead from U.S. authorities.
"We are planning this flight, but at this point it's only in the planning stage," said air force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky.
Chkalov was among the Soviet Union's most revered heroes and one of the few honored in the West. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who met with Chkalov, praised him for doing more to bring Soviet and American people together than diplomats could do in a decade.
A delegation from Vancouver laid flowers at Chkalov's grave in the Kremlin wall.
Some historians have said the transpolar flight was originally designed by aviator Mikhail Gromov and have accused Chkalov of effectively stealing the idea and relying on Stalin's backing to get all the acclaim.
Still, Chkalov has been credited with standing up to Stalin. According to some reports, Stalin summoned him in the spring of 1938 and offered him the job as head of the NKVD, the notorious secret police. It seemed an offer he could not refuse. But Chkalov did just that, saying test-flying new aircraft was taking up all his time. Several months later, on Dec. 15, 1938, Chkalov died in a crash -- an accident that remains shrouded in mystery.
"There were intrigues spun by [NKVD chief Nikolai] Yezhov, by the NKVD, and it's possible that those intrigues played a role in Chkalov's death," Valery Shamshurin, the author of a book about Chkalov, told NTV.
The crash of the experimental I-180 plane, piloted by Chkalov, was officially attributed to an engine malfunction. In 1999, his daughter, Valeria, cited the conclusion by a state commission investigating the accident as saying that Chkalov guided the craft to a deserted area before it crashed. "In other words ... father prevented human casualties. He just didn't save his own life," she wrote in Ekho Planety, a magazine put out by Itar-Tass.
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February 11 2004, 2:44 PM
America to Fight Fires with Russian Aircrafts.
Pravda.Ru
02/11/2004 17:01
The Irkut corporation of Russia and America's Hawkins & Powers concluded a protocol of intent to supply eight Be-200 planes to the US.
Director of the Irkut corporation press-service Yelena Fyodorova told RIA Novosti that Hawkins & Powers, one of America's leading fire extinguishing companies based in California will use these planes for fighting forest fires along the US western coast.
According to Yelena Fyodorova, the supplies of Be-200 equipped with Rolls-Royce BR715 engines will start in 2007. "According to researches of the plane's market potential conducted by the Irkut corporation and their American colleagues, the potential demand for Be-200 amphibian aircrafts within the nearest 20 years will make up 320 planes in 25 countries of the world," she adds.
For the time being, Irkut has already started supplies of the first serial aircraft Be-200 to Russia's EMERCOM in the framework of a contract for supplies of seven aircraft of the type concluded in 2001.
The first serial aircraft was supplied to Russia's EMERCOM in June 2003. One more Be-200 is supposed to be put into operation at the end of February 2004, and the whole of the contract will be accomplished by the end of 2005, director of the corporation's press-service says.
The Be-200 amphibian aircraft is meant for extinguishing fires, aid in emergency situations, search and rescue operations by sea, also for sanitary and freight transportation. The aircraft can take up to 12 tons of water while gliding during one flight, transport and drop it at a fire site; at that, the aircraft employs high-precision navigation and flight control systems. The Be-200 hull is airproof which allows to transform the aircraft into a passenger or a freight versions.
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March 1 2004, 2:07 PM
Monday, Mar. 1, 2004. Page 5
Makers of Sukhoi Lead Arms Exporters.
MoscowTimes.Ru
By Lyuba Pronina
Reaping more than $2 billion in revenues last year, Sukhoi fighter jets maintained their position as the country's top arms export item, according to a report to be released Monday.
State-controlled Sukhoi tops the list of 20 defense companies that agreed to provide their 2003 financials to the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a Moscow-based independent defense think tank that has compiled annual ratings since 1999.
Despite the strong showing of Sukhoi, which capitalized on contracts with China, this year it is likely to be bumped from that spot by fighter manufacturer Irkut Corp., the authors of the report said.
"The top five companies remained roughly the same and Sukhoi continued as No.1," Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of CAST, said Friday.
The companies, in descending order, are Sukhoi, tank maker Uralvagonzavod, Irkut, and aircraft engine makers Salyut and Ufa MPO.
The MiG corporation dropped from No. 5 in 2002 to No. 14 in 2003.
Both Sukhoi and Irkut manufacture Sukhoi fighters.
Sukhoi reported $1.5 billion in revenues for last year, up from $1 billion in 2002.
Privately managed Irkut ranked third, reporting $502 million in revenues, down from $528 million in 2002.
But thanks to contracts with India, Irkut may well surpass Sukhoi as the No. 1 exporter this year, Makiyenko said.
In 2004, Makiyenko said, Irkut can expect sales of approximately $800 million from deliveries of 10 Su-30MKIs to India.
Irkut will also benefit when India begins assembly of 140 of the same jets under a $3.3 billion license agreement sealed in 2000.
This month, Irkut, which is majority-owned by its management, will bring 20 percent of its shares to the MICEX and RTS exchanges in the first initial public offering by a defense firm.
Next year it is aiming for a listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Unless new contracts are signed, Sukhoi can look forward to earnings of about $600 million for the delivery of 12 Su-30MKKs to China and four Su-30s to Vietnam, Makiyenko said.
Last year arms companies continued to depend on exports for the bulk of their earnings. For example, 95 percent of Sukhoi's revenue came from sales abroad, the report said.
The company delivered only five Su-27-SMs to the Russian Air Force last year.
Yelena Sakhnova, an analyst with United Financial Group, agreed Irkut has a chance at coming in at No.1 this year, but estimates its earnings at $700 million.
Sakhnova said that while both firms will sustain export volumes in the short term, there needs to be serious investment into the research and development of new-generation systems to provide for a continuous growth in sales.
In a fourth straight record last year, Russia earned $5.4 billion from arms exports, but both Makiyenko and Sakhnova said they expect revenues to fall in 2004.
Uralvagonzavod, which came in second in the CAST ranking, earned $749.7 million in 2003.
This year it could drop out altogether, Makiyenko said, as the company has just completed a major delivery of tanks to India.
Aircraft engine makers No.4 Salyut and No.5 Ufa MPO earned $420 million and $406 million, respectively.
MiG, which dropped nine places to No. 14 in 2003, saw earnings fall from $281 million to $110 million.
MiG delivered 25 MiG-29s, including to Myanmar and Yemen, in 2002, Makiyenko said, but exports last year were considerably smaller.
Notoriously tight-lipped about exports, Tula-based Design Bureau of Instrument Building, or KBP, which makes anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems, for the first time agreed to provide information to CAST. It ranked No.7 with $250 million in sales.
Apart from Sukhoi fighters, Russia is scheduled to deliver a third Project 1135.6 frigate to India.
Two Project 636 diesel submarines will be delivered to China this year under a 2002 contract, Interfax quoted Vladimir Alexandrov, general director of Admiralteiskiye Verfi, as saying.
After Russia and India in January finally signed a $1.5 billion deal on the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, no more contracts of such scale are expected, Makiyenko said.
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June 7 2004, 4:15 PM
Russia to exchange its MIGs for Islamic $$$.
Pravda.Ru
06/05/2004 14:46
Government of Algeria will purchase 50 Russian fighter planes MIG-29SMT for a total of $1,5 billion USD, reports the EFE agency to several diplomatic sources. Later, the information has been confirmed be representatives of Russia's industrial defense organization. The latter noted that all the documents are expected to be signed in the nearest future.
The new MIGs are meant to substitute the old airplanes, which had been acquired back in the Soviet times. The new planes will become an integral component of the country's Air Force. The forth coming deal will be the major Russian-Algerian trade deal since 1992. For the past several years, Algeria has purchased 22 bomber-fighter planes SU-24MK from Russia for a total of $120 million USD as well as 42 helicopters MI-8 for $120 million USD total.
The multifunctional MIG-29SMT is capable of fighting aerial, ground-based and naval targets equally efficient.
Another similar deal is expected to be signed with Yemen. This country intends to purchase 12 helicopters KA-52 "Alligators" from our country for a total of $150 million USD. Obviously, in comparison with the Algerian billions this sum appears to be rather modest. But money is not the issue here. KA-50 helicopters and their modifications are considered the main competitors of American Apache Longbow; however, they are 3-4 times cheaper. Recently, however, they appear to be less marketable.
Russian Air Force cannot afford or simply does not want to purchase the machines from manufacturers, despite the fact that they were intended to be used in Chechnya. In the case the deal with Yemen will be a success, then, according to Russian experts, it will be a real "national disgrace" for our country because some foreign country will get our "Alligators" first.
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September 20 2004, 1:33 PM
United Press International CARACAS, Venezuela, Sep 14, 2004
Analysis: Venezuela eyes Russian MiGs
Venezuela plans to acquire 50 of Russia's most advanced warplanes, according to U.S., European and Latin American military intelligence officials who are concerned about regional ambitions harbored by President Hugo Chavez.
Chavez's plans to use oil revenues to upgrade his military were reported last May by CNN, which quoted Pentagon sources as saying that Venezuela would spend an estimated $5 billion to obtain sophisticated hardware.
United Press International has details of agreements being negotiated with Russian defense contractors for a large number of super jet fighters fitted with state-of-the-art weaponry. In letters addressed last year to the director general of Russian Aeronautic Corp., Nicolai F. Nikitin, the Venezuelan air force requested the "latest version" of the MiG 29 SMT equipped with high-tech weaponry, including radar-guided missiles and 2,000-pound bombs.
"The plane must have the capacity to carry no less than 4 tons of bombs," says the document signed by the Venezuelan air force commander, Maj. Gen. Regulo Anselini Espin, a copy of which has been obtained by UPI. Venezuelan generals have told European diplomatic officials that they need the MiGs to protect the Panama Canal. When asked against whom, the air chiefs wouldn't specify.
Venezuelan defense officials tell UPI that they are turning to new defense partners because of deteriorating military relations with the United States. More than half of Venezuela's 22 F-16s are currently grounded due lack of maintenance and spare parts. But Colombia and other neighboring countries fear that the new arms would enable Chavez to impose his geopolitical and ideological agenda.
The MiG purchase order asks for various types of offensive air-to-surface missiles, including anti- radar Kh-31A, Kh-31P and Kh-29T "for use against ships." Radar-guided KAB-500 KR bombs as well as RVV-AE, R-27 T1, R27 R1, R27 ER1 and R-73E air-to- air systems are also specified in the inventory, as are multifunctional Zhuk-M cockpit radars for "over the horizon" combat operations.
"The total quantity of airplanes provided is of 40 single-seat planes and 10 twin-seat planes," Venezuelan air force documents state. Defense analysts point out that two-seat MiGs are normaly used for deep, surgical bombing missions.
Ten aircraft are due to be delivered within 18 months of signing the contract, which also involves setting up a MiG 29 maintenance center in Venezuela, according to air force officials who outline plans for long-term supply and maintenance. "Future deliveries will be made with the participation of the specialists of the Venezuelan air force in the joint assembly of the planes and their test flights following their assembly on Venezuelan territory," say letters of intent with Russia.
Several MiGs already are in Venezuela, according to Colombian defense officials who have shown UPI photographs of the planes being prepared for flight testing at the Libertador air base in Maracaibo. A U.S. intelligence source also claims that MiGs have been spotted flying near the Caribbean island of Curcao.
Members of Venezuela's military say handpicked pilots are undergoing flight training in Cuba, which has six MiG 29s. Cuba is the only country in Latin America, except Peru, to be equipped with the advanced Russian model. Fidel Castro offers various types of security assistance to Venezuela in exchange for oil.
Russian and Cuban military officials enjoy warm relations with the Venezuelan Defense ministry, according to American and EU diplomatic sources who believe that Russia is prepared to sell the full MiG package. The sources say that Russia's defense attache, air force Col. Oleg Krajotin, holds regular meetings with Venezuelan Defense Minister Garcia Carneiro.
Venezuelan contracts are also being drawn up for Russian Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters as well as radar systems from China, according to U.S. intelligence reports.
The arms give Chavez the military muscle to project regional leadership following his presidency's reaffirmation through a national referendum held last Aug. 15. He also is strengthening ties with Iran.
"This is battle not only for Venezuela but for all of Latin America and the Third World," Chavez told a cheering crowd of followers when he kicked off his referendum campaign last July. He warned about worldwide retaliation against American interests if the United States intervened against Venezuela's " irreversible revolutionary process" and called on all Latin Americans to unite against the "empire from the north." Domestic political opponents accuse Chavez of using fraud to win last month's referendum. The Organization of American States is investigating the allegations.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage conditioned improved American relations with Venezuela on a "toning down of anti-American rhetoric" and a "modification of policies prejudicial to U.S. interests".
Chavez has granted American oil companies important offshore oil drilling concessions. But his foreign minister was in Tehran just two weeks ago to arrange a state visit, which would be Chavez's second official trip to Iran since 2001. He also enjoyed close relations with Saddam Hussein before the Iraqi regime was toppled by a U.S. invasion.
Colombian officials fear that a Venezuelan military buildup might embolden Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) guerrillas who hailed Chavez's referendum victory as "a stimulus for liberation movements in all of Latin America".
"FARC forms part of our Bolivarian Revolutionary Army," says Ileana Ibarra, a local leader of the Circulos Bolivarianos in Caracas. "We are forming the Great Colombia" she says, referring to a project for integrating both countries that was proposed in the 19th century by Venezuela's independence hero, Simon Bolivar.
Colombia has received billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance for counterinsurgency operations, including a fleet a of Blackhawk helicopters. But Colombia has nothing to match the MiG 29s, which would give Venezuela "the largest and most potent air force in Latin America," according former Colombian air force chief, Gen. Nestor Ramirez.
The Colombian government alleges that Venezuelan aircraft have flown incursions to support leftist FARC guerrilla units along border areas. Chavez, in turn, accuses Colombian right-wing paramilitary groups of conspiring with domestic opponents to destabilize his government.
Other longstanding territorial disputes have caused Bogota to raise a protest against Caracas this week. According to the news agency EFE, the Colombian government has complained that Venezuelan offshore concessions just granted to international oil companies infringe on Colombian territorial waters.
"We are heading toward a war with Colombia," said a Venezuelan military intelligence officer who claims that contingency plans are being drawn up for a potential conflict with the neighboring country.
Venezuela also is backing Bolivia's historical claims on Chilean Pacific ocean ports. At a meeting of Latin American presidents held last year, Chavez called for the return of a stretch of coastline annexed by Chile during a war in 1879. He just gave 11 armed T-34 jet trainers to the Bolivian air force and has offered to train its combat pilots.
Bolivia's main leftist opposition leader, Evo Morales, who is a close friend of Chavez, has been heading a campaign to block gas exports to Chile. U.S. intelligence sources maintain that Venezuela's ruling Revolutionary Movement channeled $15 million to Bolivian leftist organizations that toppled a pro-U.S. government last year.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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October 4 2004, 12:30 PM
Monday, October 4, 2004. Page 5.
Rival Fighter Jet Makers Irkut, MiG Will Merge.
MoscowTimes.Ru
By Lyuba Pronina
Legendary fighter jet maker MiG will merge with rival Sukhoi manufacturer Irkut, a top government official said Friday.
"MiG and Irkut will form an ideal structure and that is what we want," Federal Industry Agency chief Boris Alyoshin said as he presented Irkut CEO Alexei Fyodorov as MiG's new chief executive.
Fyodorov was given his second company to run after MiG general director Valery Toryanin was fired on Sept. 25, leading to speculation that the government had finally decided to push forward with stalled plans to consolidate the industry.
"The change in leadership is first of all connected to the ongoing consolidation of [the industry] and MiG cannot stand aside from it," Alyoshin said, Interfax reported. "These two companies have to be together."
Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, an independent defense think tank, called the move historic.
"September 25th marked the most important event in the post-Soviet history of Russian aircraft manufacturing. Merging MiG and Irkut is the beginning of OAK," he said, referring to the Russian acronym for the Unified Aircraft-Building Corp., a holding company Irkut has long been pushing the government to create.
Under the plan, which is backed by Alyoshin, privately controlled Irkut and state-run MiG, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Ilyushin will all be brought under one roof. But how that will be done is still up in the air and Sukhoi, Tupolev and Ilyushin are taking a wait-and-see attitude. "It all depends on how the companies are unified," said Alexander Zatuchny, adviser to Tupolev president Igor Shevchuk.
When at MiG, Toryanin was a vocal opponent of the plan, arguing that it was just an excuse to redistribute property and divert cash from future sales to companies whose export contracts are about to expire.
Alyoshin said Toryanin was fired for not being "effective enough, pointing to MiG's failure to fulfill "a few international contracts." He did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, Fyodorov, the industry's new top gun, told Interfax he was already at work analyzing MiG's research and development programs and its entire product range. He said the goal is to create a powerful new company able to compete globally while providing for the needs of Russia's armed forces.
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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October 7 2004, 11:04 AM
New Mi-38 helicopter built in Tatarstan.
Pravda.Ru
10/05/2004 12:02
The new machine is said to be cheaper than its foreign analogues.
It took specialists about 20 years to develop the new up-to-date chopper Mi-38. The project of the helicopter is estimated at $800 million. The end price of one aircraft is not known yet, although manufacturers say that it will be a lot lower as opposed to foreign analogues. The production of the new chopper will be launched in 2008, although the aircraft has its buyers already.
"This is a true breakthrough in the field of the helicopter engineering. Almost the entire machine is new: the new power-plant, the reduction gear, the transmission, the main and the anti-torque rotors, the cockpit. The maneuvering ability of the new chopper is comparable to the one of the Mi-28, which is a highly mobile aircraft," test pilot Alexander Klimov said. "Specialists of our institute conducted the tests in wind tunnels. We believe that the Mi-38 possesses best aerodynamic qualities among all other Russian helicopters," deputy director of the Central Aerodynamic Institute,Yevgeni Vozhdaev, said.
The Mi-38 will have to be certified after the preliminary stage of the tests is over. The general director of the helicopter-making plant in the city of Kazan, Alexander Lavrentyev, is quite careful in his forecasts. According to him, the certification of the new model will be over in 2007, and the series production will probably be launched in 2008. It is supposed that the helicopter-making factory in Kazan will produce three or four other prototypes to test the machine. Each of those helicopters will cost 335 million rubles.
Alexander Lavrentyev stated that the project of the new modern helicopter will be estimated at $700-800 million. A half of the sum has been already spent. The Kazan-based factory invested about $125 in the project - the costs are expected to be compensated after 80-90 of new choppers are sold. The helicopter-making factory plans to produce 10-12 machines a year. Therefore, the company will have its money back only after the year 2015.
According to market researches, the potential market of the Mi-38 helicopter is estimated at 300-350 choppers. Russian buyers will acquire 200 machines, and every third chopper will be exported. The general director of the company believes that the Mi-38 will be a lot cheaper than its foreign analogues - Italian-British EH-101 (it costs $25-27 million), and the US's Sikorsky S-92 ($20-22 million). The end price of the new Russian aircraft has not been exposed yet.
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October 15 2004, 3:42 PM
Russian mig intercepts Pak airliner.
themoscowtimes.com ^ | Tuesday, July 6, 2004 | The Associated Press
The Associated Press The military scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept a Pakistani passenger airliner that had illegally entered Russian airspace, the Air Force said Monday.
The Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 767 jet entered Russian airspace Sunday on a flight from Lahore, Pakistan, to Manchester, England, the Air Force said.
"The airplane did not ask for permission to enter Russian airspace," Air Force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky said.
"A MiG-29 fighter was sent up to intercept this airplane and make it leave Russia's airspace," he was quoted by the Interfax-Military News Agency as saying.
However, PIA spokeswoman Samina Parvez denied that the plane entered Russian airspace and said it continued on to Manchester on "another authorized route."
Airline officials from the two nations have settled what she called the "mistake" and the next flight, scheduled for Sunday, plans to "fly over Russian territory," Parvez said.
Interfax reported that two civilian air controllers had been instructed by the military air traffic control center to turn back the plane, but when they failed to follow the order, the fighter jet was scrambled.
Interfax said both civilian air traffic controllers have been suspended and a special commission has been set up to investigate.
It was the second such incident in two weeks.
A sports plane flew unannounced from Mongolia into Russian airspace on June 24, causing MiG-29 jets to scramble and force it to land.
The plane was from Slovenia and was on a round-the-world voyage, according to Itar-Tass.
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December 8 2004, 12:13 PM
Wednesday, December 8, 2004. Page 5.
Russian Cargo Planes Save Christmas for Sony
Combined Reports
For MT
Consumer electronics giant Sony is using Antonov cargo planes to fly the new version of its PlayStation 2 games console to Europe after an accident in the Suez Canal disrupted supplies.
Sony has chartered Russian freight aircraft to transport the consoles from China after a vessel carrying a shipment became stuck in the waterway linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, Sony spokesman Nick Sharples said Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for Volga-Dnepr, the leader in global outsized air cargo, confirmed that it is carrying out a large number of flights for Sony but did not provide details.
Ulyanovsk-based Volga-Dnepr operates 10 giant An-124s, which are capable of hauling 120 tons of cargo each.
Retailers including Game Group, Britain's largest video-game seller, and Dixons Group have been unable to meet demand.
"A supertanker broke down in the Suez Canal about two or three weeks ago, blocking the ship that Sony was using to transport part of the slim PlayStation 2s that it started selling last month," Sharples said. "Our delay overall was about two weeks. We're air-freighting as much as we can get in from China."
The disruption to supplies of the new PlayStation, which went on sale in Europe on Nov. 1, comes at the busiest time of the year for retailers as consumers seek Christmas gifts. About 6,000 of the consoles were sold in Britain in the third week of November, compared with 87,000 in the same month last year, according to Chart Track.
The new PlayStation 2 was introduced to help stem falling demand. Worldwide shipments of the product declined by 6.79 million units to 1.99 million in the second quarter ended Sept. 30.
The console was selling for as much as 205 pounds ($399) on eBay's British web site Tuesday, more than twice the 100 pounds it is typically priced at in most stores.
Hardly any of Game Group's 388 British stores have PlayStation 2s in stock, and the company has had to stop taking orders guaranteeing customers they will receive the product in time for Christmas, spokeswoman Lisa Artemis said. "We're working really closely with Sony, but they're having issues," she said. "Hardly any stores have any in stock."
Shares of Game Group have declined 13 percent since Nov. 15, when supplies of the console started to run short. Seymour Pierce analyst Rhys Williams last week reduced his estimate for the retailer's pre-tax profit for the year ending January 2005 by 2 million pounds ($3.9 million), to 32.5 million pounds.
Pete Barkley, a software engineer from Thaxted, England, who purchased a PlayStation 2 from Game's Bishopsgate store in London last week, said he placed an order in mid-November after the consoles became unavailable from any stores or on the Internet.
"When we first started looking a little over a month ago, the shops had PlayStations in stock, but it was so far ahead of Christmas that we decided to wait," Barkley said. "Before we knew anything, they'd all sold out everywhere, so we didn't know what to do. We went everywhere, but no one had any."
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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January 18 2005, 11:57 AM
Russia to sell strategic bomber planes to China.
Pravda.Ru
Yegor Belous
01/17/2005 14:06
It is not ruled out that Russia might arm a potential enemy.
General Vladimir Mikhailov, the Air Force commander, gave a press conference on January 13th, at which he summed the results of the year 2004. The general also talked about perspective plans of the Russian aviation for 2005. According to Mikhailov, the Russian Air Force conducted about 400 events and accomplished all goals successfully. "We have preserved the previously achieved level of training and advanced forward on certain other issues too," the general told reporters. Mikhailov also said that there would be quite a number of military exercises conducted in 2005 despite economic difficulties.
The Russian government has been assigning considerable funds for the needs of the Armed Forces recently, although it still leaves many unsolved financial problems. The most important one of them - a lack of combustive and lubricating materials - exerts a direct influence on the level of pilots' professionalism. The current situation is a lot better in comparison with the end of the 1990s, of course, when training flights were minimized to the maximum so to speak. Vladimir Mikhailov said that the situation has been improving considerably over the recent years. It is impossible, however, to say that the Russian Air Force is completely satisfied with fuel supplies - they are still insufficient. It became quite a surprising revelation, when the general said that the Air Force had acquired almost 65 percent of kerosene owing to commercial transport flights. "Such measures give pilots a possibility to train their piloting skills at international flights," Vladimir Mikhailov said. The general, however, hopes that the vital problem of the Russian aviation would be solved.
Vladimir Mikhailov said that the Russian Air Force acquired about 20 new planes last year. He singled out seven Su-27SM fighters that were added to the arsenal in December of 2004. The capacities of the fighters are approximated to the planes of the fifth generation. The funding of the Air Force increased by 30 percent in 2005 as opposed to 2004. It will give an opportunity to acquire 17 other planes during the current year.
The modernization of MIG-29 pursuit planes will start in 2005 too. The renowned Russian helicopter Mi-28 will also be modernized in compliance with modern requirements. ABM troops will have a new S-400 missile system in the arsenal, which has no analogues anywhere in the world. The tests of the Su-34 bomber plane are to be over in the near future too.
Vladimir Mikhailov touched upon the military hardware of the future too. It goes about a universal jet of the fifth generation, which is tentatively called "The perspective aviation complex." According to the general, an electronic model of the future plane has been recently presented for the Air Force command. "The work of the complex is being conducted strictly according to the schedule. The tests are slated for 2007," Mikhailov said.
Experts and scientists, however, say that it will be possible to create a pursuit plane of the fifth generation only by 2012-2015. Americans plan to launch the serial production of a new jet already in four years.
In addition to all above-mentioned facts, the Russian Air Force Commander does not exclude a possibility to sell Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 bomber planes to China. "We could sell a certain quantity of Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 planes to China," Mikhailov told reporters at the press conference. "We will demonstrate the planes at a joint military exercise to make China get interested. If they have money, let them buy the planes," Mikhailov said. Spokespeople for the Russian defense export enterprise Rosoboronexport refused to comment the general's statement.
It is noteworthy that China does not have up-to-date bomber planes of a large range. It only has the outdated Tu-16: the USSR handed over the production license for this bomber plane to China in the 1950s. Tu-16 planes do not pose any serious danger to China's major potential enemy - Taiwan. The Tu-22M3 outfitted with modern Russian missiles, can be a threat even to the vessels of the US Navy approaching Taiwan. Until recently, Russian military men refused to sell the Tu-22M3 bomber to China on account of the plane's power, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
The serial production of the Tu-22M3 was ceased in Russia in 1991. China, therefore, will be able to buy the planes of the Russian Air Force arsenal, which currently counts 130 planes of this particular model. It would be reasonable for China to purchase not less than 40 planes - this would be a group of planes to guarantee the destruction of a group of American aircraft carriers. A batch of 40 planes would cost over a billion dollars.
The state needs money, of course, albeit not at the expense of the national security. It is not ruled out that Russia might arm a potential enemy.
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August 24 2008, 11:16 AM
Russia’s SU-35 Jet Wows Crowd.
10/07/2008
ZHUKOVSKY, (RIA Novosti) - Russia's new state-of-the-art Su-35 Flanker multirole air superiority/strike fighter successfully completed its first demonstration flight on Monday.
During the six-minute flight it carried out a number of stunts and maneuvers.
The demonstration was attended by Vladimir Mikhailov, former commander of Russia's Air Force.
Deliveries of the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," to foreign clients will start in 2011, the chief executive of the Sukhoi aircraft maker said earlier on Monday.
"We have a large number of orders for this aircraft. Deliveries will be made both for the Russian Air Force and foreign clients... We will start deliveries in 2011," Mikhail Pogosyan said.
The manufacturer said previously the Su-35 would enter service with the Russian Air Force in two to three years.
Russia's Air Force commander Alexander Zelin said that Russian Air Force regiments could receive the new aircraft.
"We plan to train two to three regiments to fly the Su-35 aircraft," he said.
The Su-35, powered by two AL-37F engines, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.
The Su-35 prototype made its maiden flight on February 18, and two more aircraft are being prepared for similar tests at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East.
Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, is planning to export more than 40 combat aircraft in 2008.
In 2007, Sukhoi exported about 50 Su-30MK2, Su-30MKM and Su-30MKI aircraft to countries including Algeria, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Venezuela.
The company also announced that its 2007 sales had grossed over 50 billion rubles ($2 billion).
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September 11 2008, 11:15 PM
Russia sends two long-range bombers to Venezuela.
REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service
Sep 10, 2008 15:40 EST
CARACAS (Reuters) - Russia has flown two long-range bombers to Venezuela, flexing its military muscle in Washington's traditional backyard as the former Cold War enemies spar over the conflict in Georgia.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday the Tu-160 strategic bombers were in the South American oil-exporting nation to strengthen military ties and counter U.S. regional influences.
Chavez, an outspoken U.S. critic, said he would fly one of the planes, which arrived days after the two nations announced plans to hold joint naval exercises in the Caribbean later this year involving a nuclear-powered Russian battleship.
The planes, known as Blackjacks, "were escorted by NATO fighter jets" during their flight, a Russian Air Force spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said, according to the Interfax news agency.
Russia is angry at the United States for sending naval vessels to Georgia to deliver aid and show support for President Mikheil Saakashvili after Moscow invaded the former Soviet Republic.
Russia's exercises in Venezuelan waters will be the first major maneuvers on the U.S. doorstep since the Cold War.
Chavez said his critics wanted to provoke a U.S. invasion to topple him by suggesting that Russian military cooperation posed a threat to the United States.
"They go around saying Chavez has brought the Cold War to Venezuela," he said. "What's coming is a multipolar world in which Venezuela is a free country, that's what's coming."
Chavez, who frequently accuses the United States of plotting to kill him without providing evidence, said Washington had F-16 fighter jets stationed on the nearby Caribbean island of Curacao and was considering bombing his palace or his live TV show's set.
The Venezuelan socialist, who is a major oil supplier to the United States despite labeling it the "evil empire", said ties to Russia were needed to bolster Venezuela's defense.
"We are very interested in improving our knowledge, our technology and our defensive capabilities with our strategic allies and Russia is one of them," he said.
(Reporting by Saul Hudson in Caracas and Chris Baldwin in Moscow; Writing by Saul Hudson; Editing by Alan Elsner and Frank Jack Daniel)
Re: Russian Air Force to Upgrade 20 Su-27s in 2003.
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September 19 2008, 10:31 PM
It's BS, it's not cancelled, its production will just take longer is all which will make it cost less and become better. Russia has decided to modernize its air force TODAY instead of doing it tomorrow, so I bet loads of SU-37s for the russian air force soon, excellent plane. PAK-FA is in development, believing otherwise would be silly because it would imply that Rus doesn't care about tomorrow, it does, but for now having lots of SU-37s is most important, that plane eats raptors for breakfast.
What most stands outs in this article is this "failed to produce a single prototype aircraft" Well hello, how is this EVEN POSSIBLE!? Unless the scientists thought they were designing mechanical ponies...
MOSCOW, April 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russian air force commander-in-chief Aleksandr Zelin has announced the cancellation of the $20-billion PAK-FA program after 20 years of escalating costs, technological glitches and redesigns failed to produce a single prototype aircraft.
The PAK-FA, once billed as Russias next-generation fighter, had consumed $13.9-billion. The estimated cost of each aircraft had soared to $87.2-million from an original target of $30-million.
Its had a long and troubled history, said Alexei Arbatov, a senior Duma official who heads the lower house committee for defense.
The PAK-FA, a new generation fighter aircraft concept, was designed to be comparable to both the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and has been overtaken by the need to strengthen Russias strategic nuclear forces.
Acknowledging that the PAK-FA no longer fit into the requirements of Russia, the Air Force said it would rather spend the money on an overhaul of its aviation system. If approved by the Federal Assembly, the funds would be directed instead to buy over 400 additional SU-34, SU-35 and other aircraft and to upgrade and modernize 1,400 aircraft already in service. Surface-to-air missiles also would be a priority.
Its about having an effective deterrent force, said Air Force Colonel General Alexander Zelin. Its a big decision. We know its a big decision, but its the right decision.
The end of the PAK-FA also reflects an acknowledgement by the Ministry of Defence that it simply cannot afford all the programs it wants. The move underscores the fact that the Ministry of Defence must begin economizing as the cost of new weapon systems increase and demands on military spending grow, industry analysts said.
The Air Force would have spent $20-billion on the PAK-FA program through 2012 without getting aircraft significantly more capable than the upgraded SU-35 it already plans to buy, Air Force officials said.
Some officials of the State Duma reacted angrily to the cancellation.
I am outraged by the decision to terminate the PAK-FA program given that the Air Force has long argued that it is a critical weapons system that plays a pivotal role in our defence, said State Duma deputy Vladimir Medinsky. What has changed? And how does the military plan to make up for the lost capabilities?
Alexei Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee of the State Duma, said the decision reflects the difficulty that the services are facing with the cost of modernization requirements now coming to the fore.
The cancellation was a blow to the PAK-FAs prime contractors, Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.
A senior Duma official said the Ministry of Defense expects to have to pay a $450-million to $680-million termination fee to Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.
The programs elimination, however, could benefit the two companies. The Air Force now plans to pour more money into the SU-34 and SU-35, and ramp up the upgrade of aircraft already in service which would keep both companies busy for the foreseeable future.
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September 30 2008, 8:49 PM
AS I PREDICTED
India, Russia to develop 2 versions of 5th-generation fighter.
29/09/2008 15:03 NEW DELHI, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and India will jointly develop two versions of a new fifth-generation fighter, the head of an Indian defense company said on Monday.
A Russian-Indian advanced multirole fighter is being developed by Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), along with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under an intergovernmental agreement signed in October 2007.
"The aircraft will have different wings, electronics and radars," HAL Chairman Ashok K. Baweja said after a meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military technical cooperation in New Delhi.
He also said India will develop a two-seat version to meet the requirements of the Indian air superiority doctrine, while Russia will develop a single-seat fighter.
Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker earlier said it had started the construction of a prototype of the fifth-generation fighter, which will feature high maneuverability and stealth to ensure air superiority and precision in destroying ground and sea targets.
The Russian version will be built at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft-manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East.
Flight tests of the fifth-generation fighter will begin as early as 2009, and mass production of the aircraft may start by 2015, Sukhoi said.
Russia's military cooperation with India goes back nearly half a century, and the country accounts for about 40% of Russian arms exports.
Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission sessions are held annually and alternate between New Delhi and Moscow. The previous meeting took place in the Russian capital in October 2007.
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Vaya con Dios!
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