Stratodefense

IAF Mi-25 / Mi-35 Hind - Akbar

2010-01-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

IAF currently operates two Mi-25/35 Helicopter Squadrons (No.104 Firebirds and No.125 Gladiators). IAF Mi-25s and 35s have now been painted in a low visibility paint scheme.The wake-up call to Mi-24 export operators (as many as 600 Mi-24/25/35 export types are deemed suitable for various scales of upgrade) came from Israel Aircraft Industries. It's mission 24 Mi-24 upgrade proposal was selected by the Indian Air Force in an order comprising 25 upgrade kits under a $US20 million contract signed in 1998. It proved to be a good advertisement with which to convince potential customers that a cost-effective alternative upgrade proposal exists, and was viewed as highly competitive to those offered by Russian and French companies. With an affordable and rapid integration of observation/sighting, navigation, self-defense and self-protection equipment proven in real-world operational conditions, the helicopter could perform well in the demanding CAS/AA role in the 21'st century battlefield, including at night and in adverse weather.

IAI's Tamam electro-optical division was quick to offer an affordable upgrade package for the Mi-24 that required reduced development time and risk. The Indian Air force contract covered prototype manufacture and testing in Israel, with production conversion to be undertaken at the customer's facilities. No airframe, flight control system, autopilot, power plant, transmission or rotor system changes have been made by Tamam due to the complexity and costs of such rework and any subsequent required qualifications.

The Mission 24 upgrade package as sold to the Indian Air Force is built around a 1553B digital databus. The heart of the upgrade is a single mission computer developed with IAI MLM; it is a derivative of the model used in the US Air Force T-38 upgrade program, in which IAI is the principal subcontractor.

Mission 24 utilizes Tamam's proven helicopter multi-mission optronic stabilized payload HMOSP, which weighs around 30 kg (66 lbs). It is an improved turret ball mounted derivative of the combat proven IAI Tamam night targeting system installed in the US marine corps AH-1W super cobra and Israeli DF/AF Cobra attack helicopters FoV (between 2.4 deg and 29.2 deg on the FLIR).

The HMOSP can incorporate two types of FLIR: a scanning array 4 x 480 Cadmium-mercury-telluride detectors, operating in the low-wavelength band, and a 320x 240- element indium-antimony focal plane array functioning at the middle wavelengths. Monochrome or color CCD TV cameras are included, together with a laser rangefinder, designator and pointer, plus a built in auto-tracking unit that uses centroid and edge-tracking techniques.

The cockpits are NVG compatible, and both crew members have the option to use IAI's advanced NVG set built-in monocular display on which all necessary navigation and targeting information can be presented. Both cockpits feature a single multi-function display (MFD) for TV, FLIR and targeting information, in addition to a keyword and display unit for navigation and communication control. The CPG has control grips borrowed from the AH-1W, with all necessary sensor/weapons control switches and knobs; such devices when combined with the MFD, can dramatically change work practices and reduce workload.

The HMOSP has been integrated with the Shturm-V ATGM SLOC guidance system through an IR goniometer and interface unit designed by IAI Tamam engineers, which has fully replaced the original old and bulky Raduga-F sighting/ATGM optical tracking system. The unit weighs more than 200 kg (440 lb). The Raduga-F 's role for targeting and tracking both the target and missile was taken over by HMOSP, with guidance commands being produced and transmitted to the missiles through the existing equipment. Russian sources indicated in 2002 that Tamam experienced some guidance problems during Shtrum-V test firings using the HMOSP system in place of the Raduga-F. In order to solve the sensitive missile guidance problems, IAI contacted the Russian design authority for the Shtrum, the KBP company of Tula, which provided important technical assistance. The contact was arranged through the Russian arms export agency Rosvoorouzhenie predecessor of Rosoboronexport.

KBP help is believed to have been instrumental in solving the software/hardware, guidance and control problems associated with the HMOSP/Shtrum-V assimilation on India's upgraded Mi-24s. There are other types of ATGMs on offer for the Mission 24 system, such as Rafael's Spike-ER that has a maximum range of 7 km (3.8 nm) and employs 'fire-and-update' fibre optic guidance. However the Indian Air Force, which has ample stocks of Shtrum-V missiles, preferred to limit the guided weapons integration work on it's upgraded choppers to the relatively cheap and well-proven Russian made supersonic ATGM. The Shtrum-V is still considered to be highly effective against older generation MBT's, such as the Chinese made Type-59/69, the chief potential targets for Indian 'Hinds' in a future war with Pakistan. Integration of the Indigenous Nag ATGM is known to have been earmarked for IAF Mission 24 machines at a later stage.

Navigation improvements introduced by IAI include a GPS receiver integrated into the existing DISS-15D Doppler sensor, and a three-dimensional digital map display. Both the HMOSP and YakB-12.7 gun are slaved to the pilot's line of sight through the use of a helmet-mounted sensor; the machine gun can also be slaved to the HMOSP. IAI chaff/flare dispenser units and Elta radar/laser/missile warning systems have provided a self-defense capability. The total weight of these new systems is about 50 kg.

It was reported that the production phase of the Indian Air force mi-35 was successfully running in 2001 or 2002. During the contract implementation phase, the IAF was tight lipped about the upgrade details, and IAI has also been reluctant to disclose the details of the launch customer for its Mission 24 package. The upgraded helicopters, in overall light grey camouflage, were displayed publicly for the first time during the Aero India 2003 air show in Feb 2003 in Bangalore.

In a nutshell, the package includes:

*A day-night sight with TV and FLIR.

*A mission computer.

*NVG-compatible cockpit with MFDs and moving-map display.

*Support for helmet-mounted sights.

The HMOSP and the 12.7mm four-barrel machine gun are slaved to the pilot's line of sight.

*A countermeasures suite.

*Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation network receiver.

*Support for the AT-6 Spiral and Rafael Spike antitank missiles.

Assault rifles of Indian forces

2010-01-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

* INSAS ( INdian Small Arms System ) 5.56 Assault Rifle

* INSAS mark 2

* INSAS Excalibre

* IMI Galil

* IMI Tavor TAR-21

* Zittara ,an Indian licensed production variant of the Tavor TAR-21

* M-TAR

* AK-7,a licensed Indian variant of the AK-100 series

(Ak-7 with an UN peace keeper)

* AK47 and East German MPi-KM MPi-KMS72 7.62mmx39 mm

* Czech Vz.58 and Vz.58P

* AK-101

* AK-103

* T91 assault rifle

* M16A2

*M-4 or CAR-15

^^Indian Army para commondo with M-4 or CAR-15 (Colt Commando)

* FN F2000 and FN P90- In use with SPG

^^FN P90

^^FN F2000

FN P90 (top) and FN F2000 (bottom)

DRDO Daksh RV

2010-01-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

Daksh is a remotely operated vehicle for defusing bombs, is currently under going trials. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation it is fully automated. It climbs stairs to reach hazardous materials. Using its robotized arm, it can lift a suspect object and scan it using its portable X-Ray device. If the object is bomb, Daksh can defuse it with its water jet disrupter.Daksh can be armed with a shotgun, if necessary.

Daksh is an electrically powered and remotely controlled robot used for locating, handling and destroying hazardous objects safely. [Daksh speaks for the ingenuity of the R&DE(E).

* It is a battery-operated robot on wheels and its primary role is to recover improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

* It locates IEDs with an X-ray machine, picks them up with a gripper-arm and defuses them with a jet of water.

* It has a shotgun, which can break open locked doors.

* It can scan cars for explosives.

* Daksh can also climb staircases, negotiate steep slopes, navigate narrow corridors and tow vehicles.

* With a master control station (MCS), it can be remotely controlled over a range of 500 m in line of sight or within buildings.

Ninety per cent of the robot’s components are indigenous.The Indian Army has placed an initial order of 20 Dakshs.

Indian Acquisition of Admiral Gorshkov Aircraft carrier

2010-01-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

The price of aircraft carrier Gorshkov has been finally settled at US $2.3 billion.Notwithstanding some bitterness, the Indian side finally agreed to pay this price after being told by the Prime Minister’s Office that the high level of friendship with Russia has to be maintained and an agreement had to be worked out, preferably before Manmohan Singh left for Moscow Dec 6.

That was indeed done on the morning of Dec 4, Navy Day, with a visiting Russian delegation, according to the latest issue of India Strategic defence magazine. Defence ministry officials refused to comment on the development.

The Indian side had asked for some additional onboard equipment at least as part of the increased price, but within that price, which the Russians agreed to. Details of that were still being finalized with the Russians 10 days later in the Indian capital.

The original agreement with the Russians signed in 2004 was for $974 million for the carrier’s refurbishment and upgrade, Gorshkov itself being offered free of cost. The delivery was then set for 2008.

In 2007, Rosoboronexport, the sole Russian agency responsible for selling and exporting weapon systems, indicated a delay in the delivery of the carrier. In 2008, it demanded an additional $1.2 billion in writing saying it had made mistakes in calculations and that it had to many more miles of wiring for instance than it had originally thought.

After that, during the negotiations to settle the dispute arising from this new demand, Rosoboronexport representatives mentioned varying figures asking for still more money, taking the cost of the carrier to $2.9 billion.

Rising prices of oil, which is consumed during the trials, was among the reasons quoted for this second revision of the Gorshkov cost.

The Indian side had agreed to consider the written request for additional $1.2 billion but declined to entertain anything above that.

Well placed sources from Moscow told India Strategic that the Russian government asked Rosoboronexport to come down to $2.4 billion and it also submitted a letter in this regard to the Indian Navy’s negotiating team.

Finally, India agreed to pay a total of $2.3 billion but with a request for some additional equipment, and the Russians agreed to that.

India has also agreed for delivery of the carrier, which the Navy urgently needs, by 2012 without any penalty.

It may be noted that the Russian government paid the Sevmash shipyard, which is doing the repair work on Gorshkov, $250 million as credit to ensure that the work did not stop. India had paid $600 million at the time of the contract, and another $122 million in August this year.

India has already paid more than $600 million for 16 Mig 29K carrier borne aircraft, the first four of which have been delivered at the INS Hansa, the naval base in Goa.

Mig-29k squadron would be called "black panthers"

The Indian Navy has asked for 29 more Mig 29Ks, the proposal for which has been cleared by the government. An order is likely to be placed soon.

These deals, although related to the Gorshkov, are separate and the Mig 29K aircraft will operate from both the Gorshkov and India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier now under construction at the Kochi shipyard in southern India.

There has been no official confirmation of the price from either side but Russian sources said that the agreed price was “close to what the Indian Navy wanted”.

The Indian prime minister’s delegation did announce though from Moscow that the agreement over the price had been reached.

“We do not know if the two sides shared some vodka over the deal, but there is goodwill between the negotiators on both the sides following the conclusion of the price,” said an informed source.

Indian Army Wants Cornershot Weapon

2010-01-01T04:12:00.000-08:00

The Indian Army is looking to procure an undisclosed number of "weapon systems for shooting around the corner without exposing the firer or with minimum exposure to the firer" according to a recent Request for Information (RFI). These are presumably for the Special Forces and some infantry units. The request calls for information on weapons that can engage targets effectively beyond 200-metres. The US-Israeli firm Cornershot LLC is currently the only firm with such weapons in its catalogue that would be open to doing such business with the Indian military (the other is an untested specimen from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, and a third from Iran). The need for engagement beyond 200-metres means the Army will be looking for a cornershot weapon based at least on a 5.7-mm pistol-based, but this isn't specified in the RFI.CornerShot is priced between $4,000 to $6,000. The National Security Guard (NSG) recently tested a Cornershot pistol weapon and has ordered an undisclosed number for its anti-terror force.The CornerShot generally mounts a normal semi-automatic pistol, Assault Rifle and 40 mm Grenade Launcher,

Comparison: PAF JF-17 & IAF MIG-29 SMT

2009-12-13T03:55:00.000-08:00

IAF MiG-29 Baaz (Hawk)

The upgraded Indian version is known as Baaz (Hindi for Hawk) and forms a crucial component of the second-line offensive aircraft-fleet of the IAF after the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.Since its induction, IAF has invested nearly 2 billion on upgrading it.

Unit cost: ?
Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg ★
Powerplant: RD-33 series 3
Maximum Speed : Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h) ★
Radar: Phazatron Zhuk-M ★

Range: 2495 km - with one in-flight refuelling.

Thrust/weight: 1.01 ★
Rate of climb: ~ 330 m/s ★
Service ceiling: 18,013 m ★
G-limit: +9.5 g ★

^^upgraded MIG-29 SMT cockpit

FEATURES

+ Zhuk-M features improved signal processing and has a detection range of up to 120 km vs a 5 m2 RCS target for the export variant, and up to 10 targets tracked and up to 4 engaged at once in air to air mode .In air to surface mode the radar can detect a tank from up to 25 km away and a bridge from 120 km away, a naval destroyer could be detected up to 300 km away and up to two surface targets can be tracked at once. The "antenna" is an electronically scanned slotted planar array.

Short range

R-60 - 8 km
R-73E - 20km
R-73M - 30km

BVR capability

R-27R/T -200 meters to 80 km
R-77 - 90 km
R-27ER/ET - 200 meters to 130 km ★

^^R-77

MiG-29SMT features over base model

*Longer range and flight endurance
*High combat effectiveness
*Superb agility
*High reliability and flight safety
*Easy operation and reduced DOC, up-to-date logistic support
*Advanced architecture of cockpit avionics and information control system, *HOTAS
*Integrated fire-control system consisting of upgraded radar fire-control system built around the ZHUK-ME advanced radar boasting longer operating ranges, multichannel firing and up-to-date air-to-surface modes, and of IR search and track system and helmet-mounted sight
*Up-to-date navigation, radio communication, electronic countermeasures, monitoring and recording systems as well as optronic and reconnaissance pods
*Modified weapon system including the RVV-AE, R-27ER1, R-27ET1, R-27R1, R-27T1, R-73E air-to-air missiles, the Kh-31A, Kh-31P, Kh-29T (TE), Kh-29L air-to-surface missiles, the KAB-500KR (OD), KAB-500L guided bombs, rockets, free-fall bombs and the GSh-301 built-in gun.

JF-17 Thunder

Unit cost: US$ 15 million (estimated)★
Max takeoff weight: 12,700 kg
Powerplant: 1× Klimov RD-93 turbofan
Maximum Speed : Mach 1.8
Radar: Italian Grifo S-7 ?
Range: 3,000 km ★
Thrust/weight: 0.99
Rate of climb: 175 m/s

Service ceiling: 16,700 m
G-limit: +8.5 g

FEATURES

+Ra'ad ALCM is planned to be integrated with and launched from JF-17.

+The EW suite is also linked to a missile approach warning (MAW) system to help it defend against radar-guided missiles.

+NRIET KLJ-7 radar's multiple modes allow surveillance and simultaneous engagement of multiple air, ground and sea targets, of which a total of 40 can be managed. Using the track-while-scan (TWS) mode, the radar can track up to 10 targets at beyond visual range (BVR) and engage 2 of them simultaneously with radar homing air-to-air missiles. The operation range for targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 5 m2 is stated to be ≥105 km in look-up mode and ≥85 km in look-down mode.

Short range

AIM-9L/M -1–18 km
PL-5E - 0.5-16~18km
PL-9C -22km

BVR capability

PL-12 / SD-10 - 100 km

^^SD-10

The British Accuracy International AS50 BMG Sniper Rifle

2009-12-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

The British Accuracy International AS50 BMG Sniper Rifle

Weight	27 lb (14.1 kg) (no scope/sight, empty mag)
Length	53.9" (1369 mm)
Barrel length	692 mm

Cartridge	12.7 x 99 mm NATO
Caliber	12.7 mm .50 BMG
Action	Direct impingement
Rate of fire	semi-automatic, estimated at 5 rounds/1.3 seconds
Effective range	1,500 m
Feed system	5 or 10 round detachable box magazine

The AS50 fifty caliber (12.7mm) sniper / antimateriel rifle is the latest development of the famous British company Accuracy International Ltd. First displayed in January 2005 in USA at the ShotShow-2005, this rifle reportedly has been developed especially for US SOCOM users, and is now being tested by the US NAVY Special Operations center. The AS50 is to provide combat operators with highly accurate and rapid aimed fire at extended ranges. The rifle has an accuracy of 1.5 MOA. The barrel is free floated and features a dual chamber muzzle brake to reduce recoil, which is lower than that of the AW50 bolt action .50 BMG rifle. The two-part machined steel receiver features an integral accessory rail for the mounting of optical sights. Two additional rails are mounted on the sides of the short barrel shroud. An adjustable bipod and rear support leg/hand grip allow for stable shooting. This weapon is proven to accurately hit a target over a mile away. The low recoil system built in the back of the rifle can allow it to fire rapidly while still retaining its accuracy.The AS50 weighs 14.1 kg empty and holds 5 rounds of .50 BMG in a single stack removable box magazine.

SU-30 MKI vs Su-30MKK

2009-11-25T01:36:00.000-08:00

Su-30MKK (PLAAF)

Su-30MKK 503(yellow)

Crew: 2

Unit cost: US $53 million

Max takeoff weight: 34,500 kg

Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, 123 kN (27,600 lbf)[9] each

Maximum Speed : Never exceed speed: Mach 2.5

Radar: 1 × NIIP N001VEP fire-control radar (PESA)

Role: All-weather, long-range strike fighter

Range: 3,000 km

Thrust/weight: 1

Rate of climb: > 305 m/s

+ jointly developed by Russia and China

+ M400 reconnaissance pod developed by china be used to detect the blind spot behind the aircraft to provide targeting information for rearward-firing air-to-air missiles, but this capability has not been utilized by the Chinese yet.

SU-30 MKI (IAF)

Crew: 2

Unit cost: US $40 million ★

Max takeoff weight: 38,800 kg (85,600 lb) ★

Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-31FP turbofans with thrust vectoring, 131 kN (29,449 lbf) each★

Maximum speed: Mach 2.35

Radar: N011M Bars (Panther) (PESA)

Role: Multi-role aircraft

Range: 5,000 km and 8,000 km at a cruise height of 11 to 13 km with air refueling system

Thrust/weight: 1.07 (at loaded weight & 1.15 with 50% fuel) ★

Rate of climb: > 355 m/s ★

+ canard increases the aircraft lifting ability and allow high angle-of-attack (AoA) ★

+ avionics sourced from Russia, France, Israel and India

+ radar range of 60 km in the rear hemisphere ★

+ N011M has a 350 km search range and a maximum 200 km tracking range The radar can track 15 air targets and engage four simultaneously. These targets can even include cruise missiles and motionless helicopters. The Su-30MKI can function as a mini-AWACS as a director or command post for other aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to at least four other aircraft. The radar can detect ground targets such as tanks at 40–50 km.

+ A modified Su-30MKI is being used to carry BrahMos cruise missiles with range of 300 km.★

+N011M can function in air-to-air and air-to-land/sea mode simultaneously while being tied into a high-precision laser-inertial or GPS navigation system.★

+built-in single-barrel GSh-301 gun

CONCLUSION

Even though both MKK and MKI are good fighters, MKK has the upper hand in all aspects.
MKI out performs MKK in maneuverability with its canards and thrust vectoring engines.
MKI has superior range compared to MKK (3,000 km vs 5,000 km and 8,000 km at a cruise height of 11 to 13 km with air refueling system ).So for me MKI is the winner, have your say..

F-15K Slam Eagle

2009-11-25T00:10:00.000-08:00

F-15K Slam Eagle

The F-15K Slam Eagle is a variant of the combat-proven F-15E Strike Eagle. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is more capable, survivable, and maintainable than its predecessor, the F-15E, and is capable of long-range precision strike missions without escort, day or night, in any weather.

The F-15K Slam Eagle represents the technology of choice for the increasingly complex combat arena. It is a true multi-role aircraft that operates in the air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea role. The F-15K is highly capable with an effective combination of brains and brawn.

In 2002, South Korea/the Republic of Korea ordered 40 F-15K worth $4.2 billion including a weapons package for its F-X program with deliveries beginning in 2005 and ending in August 2008. The F-15K Strike Eagle maiden flight occurred on March 3, 2005, in Saint Louis. Subsequently, the first F-15K for the Republic of Korea rolled out at Boeing's facility in Saint Louis, Missouri, on March 16, 2005.

The F-15K Slam Eagle was the first F-15E variant entitled to carry up to 12 JDAM/Mk-82 500 pounds bombs on the aircraft's conformal fuel tanks stations. The armament options of the F-15K also highlights Harpoon Block II, SLAM ER and AIM-9X missiles.

General Characteristics:

Length: 63.8 ft (19.45 m)

Height: 18.5 ft (5.64 m)

Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13.05 m)

Maximum gross takeoff weight and payload: 81,000 lbs (metric) and 23,000 lbs (metric)

Maximum combat radius without refueling: More than 1,000 nm (1,800 km)

Power - F-15K Next Fighter I Program: Two GE F110 turbofan engines, 29,000 lb (131 kN) thrust class

Power - F-15K Next Fighter II Program: Two Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-229 EEP engines (29,100 lb (metric) thrust class)

Payload: A mix of air-to-air weaponry: 20mm cannon; AIM-120, AIM-9, AIM-7, and AGM-130 missiles

A mix of air-to-ground ordnance, including precision-guided munitions

The continuing success of the F-15K Slam Eagle is the result of a blend of speed, power, and agility – a combination that makes the aircraft the ultimate multi-role strike fighter. It is agile and highly capable in the dogfight role, precise and survivable in the strike role.

The Brains

A state-of-the-art cockpit and advanced avionics make the F-15K Slam Eagle and its aircrew as smart as they are capable. Combined with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), the F-15K provides increased situational awareness and enhanced air-to-air and self-defense capabilities.

•The F-15K’s AN/APG-63 radar incorporates all air-to-air and air-to-ground modes of the APG-70 and adds Ground Moving Target Track, sea surface search and high resolution capability.

•

Late-generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system enhances target detection and tracking.

•Link 16 Fighter Data Link connects the Slam Eagle to the networked battlefield.

•Improved self-protection capability through the ALQ-135M

•Third-generation Infrared Search and Track for enhanced air-to-air capability

Combat Radius

The Slam Eagle operates with a combat radius/endurance of nearly 1,800 kilometers – more than 200 kilometers greater than any competitor’s aircraft.

Speed

With a top speed of Mach 2.5, the F-15K offers unmatched climbing and closing speeds.

Maximum Payload

The Slam Eagle carries a greater variety of weapons and a larger payload – more than 13,000 kilograms – to ensure a true multi-role strike capability.

•Mission capability rate exceeding 95%

•Two-man crew and advanced avionics ideal for night low-altitude strike

•Unparalleled range, payload and endurance for the deep-strike mission

•Service life planned through 2030+ with technology insertions and upgrades throughout the life cycle

Long-term Relationship

Boeing is committed to a strong, mutually beneficial long-term relationship with Korea, and values Korea as a key partner in Asia. Boeing and Korea are partners with a strategic relationship; partners in innovation, and partners for security.

courtesy :- www.boeing.com

Akash Air Defence system

2009-11-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Akash Air Defence system

Akash uses state of the art integral ramjet rocket propulsion system to give a low-volume, low-weight (700 kg launch weight) missile configuration, and has a low reaction time - from detection to missile launch - of 15 seconds allowing the missile to carry a heavier 60 kg fragmentation warhead triggered by proximity fuse.

Theoretically, a “ripple” of two Akash missiles has a 99 per cent chance of shooting down a modern fighter aircraft.

It reaches a speed of Mach 1.5 in 4.5 seconds Mach. 2.8-3.5 at 20g in 30 seconds after ramjet motor is ignited. Its range (for most effective performance) varies 27-30 kilometres.

5.6 m long sleek missile has a launch weight of 700 kg and can carry 60 kg of warhead and the radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guide upto 12 missiles simultaneously in a fully autonomous mode of operation.

The Akash is to bepurchased by the Indian air defence command and is for sale to customers abroad.

successfully tested it more than 45 times the DRDO is confident that Akash will be effective against low-flying missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Unlike the Patriot, can be launched from static or mobile platforms, including a battle tank.

What makes it superior to Patriot, apart from the mobility of its platform, is that it has thrust during the entire course of its 35-second flight. Patriot has thrust only for 12 seconds, after which the missile coasts, thus making it less accurate than Akash.

One Akash battery is composed of three tracked vehicles (tracks, like those on a battle tank), each of which would have four missiles, plus a vehicle carrying the Rajendra multifunction phased array radar. The Air Force version is on wheeled vehicles.

The missile can be deployed either in autonomous mode or group mode. In the autonomous mode, it will have a single battery functioning independently. For surveillance, it would need an additional two-dimensional radar. In this mode, it can be used for defending moving columns or singular installations. A single battery can simultaneously engage four targets, and against each target a maximum of three missiles can be fired, thus increasing the hit probability.

In group mode, there would be a number of batteries, deployed over a wide area. The batteries would be linked to a group control centre (GCC). The Rajendra three-dimensional radar, indegenously developed by the DRDO (defence Research & Development Organisation) would provide a single integrated air picture to the group control centre, telling it not only the distance at which the enemy plane has been located but also its altitude. One GCC can command and control a maximum of eight Akash batteries at the same time. One GCC can also receive radar surveillance information from other sources, and be linked to higher echelons of air defence. Once the target, either an enemy aircraft or a missile, is detected the missile would align to the radar beams and virtually travel on those beams (guided by onboard precision-homing system) towards the target at three-and-a-half times the speed of sound.

The DRDO is reportedly toying with the idea of developing an integrated missile shield, which would be able to cover an area of at least 200 sq. km in the next five to six years. Akash, or the technologies developed for Akash, would be at the heart of the system. Its radars could be placed on a civil aircraft, much like an AWACS system, to provide early warning of incoming missiles.Current development include a possible increase in speed, maximum altitude and range.

The Akash, at 0.26 million $, is cheaper than Patriot, and with Bharat Dynamics willing to manufacture it, there should not be a problem of service support. something which the Americans, given their history of imposing sanctions, may not be able to guarantee.

The Army's radar and launchers are based on the T-72 '' chassis'' to accompany the Army's fast moving armoured formations.

While Air Force versions use a combination of tracked and wheeled vehicle.

India eyes 'Patriot missile'

India could be poised to sign a multi billion dollar arms deal with the United States to purchase patriot missiles. Before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with US President Barack Obama, the Indian Army has requested for a briefing of the Patriot-3 Anti-Missile System.

India's air defence systems will include Akash SAM, S-300 , SPYDER, Barak-8, AAD/PAD and hopefully PAC-3 providing a very potent list of Air Defence systems.

Akash missile multi-target area defense capability.

KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector) India's secret super-weapon

2009-11-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

The KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector) is a linear electron accelerator being developed in India, by the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The KALI is not a laser weapon as commonly believed. It emits powerful pulses of electrons (Relativistic Electron Beams- REB). Other components in the machine down the line convert the electron energy into EM Radiation, which can be adjusted to x-ray (as Flash X-Rays) or microwave (High Power Microwave) frequencies.

This has fueled hopes that the KALI could, one day be used in a High-Power Microwave gun, which could destroy incoming missiles and aircraft through soft-kill (destroying the electronic circuitry on the missile). However, weaponising such a system has many obstacles to overcome.

The KALI project was first mooted in 1985 by the then Director of the BARC, Dr. R. Chidambaram. Work on the Project began in 1989, being developed by the Accelerators & Pulse Power Division of the BARC. (Dr. Chidambaram was also the Scientific advisor the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission). DRDO is also involved with this project. It was initially developed for industrial applications, although defence applications became clearer later.

The first accelerators had a power of ~0.4GW, which increased as later versions were developed. These were the KALI 80, KALI 200, KALI 1000, KALI 5000 and KALI 10000.The KALI-5000 was commissioned for use in late 2004.

The KALI series of accelerators are described as "Single Shot Pulsed Gigawatt Electron Accelerators". They are single shot devices, using water filled capacitors to build the charge energy. The discharge is in the range of 1GW. Initially starting with 0.4GW power, present accelerators are able to reach 40GW. Pulse time is about 60 ns.

The Microwave radiations emitted by the KALI-5000 are in the 3-5 GHz Range

The KALI-5000 is a pulsed accelerator of 1 MeV electron energy, 50-100 ns pulse time, 40kA Current and 40 GW Power level. The system is quite bulky as well, with the KALI-5000 weighing 10 tons, and the KALI-10000, weighing 26 tons. They are also very power hungry, and require a cooling tank of 12,000 liters of oil. Recharging time is also too long to make it a viable weapon in its present form.

he microwave-producing version of Kali has also been used by the DRDO scientists for testing the vulnerability of the electronic systems of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which was then under development.

The KALI's potential for a military role as a beam weapon has made it, in the eyes of the people, "India's Star Wars". However, weaponisation of the KALI will take some time. The system is still under development, and efforts are being made to make it more compact, as well as improve its recharge time, which, at the present, makes it only a single use system.

There are also issues of creating a complete system, which would require development of many more components. There have also been reports of placing the weaponized KALI in an Il-76 aircraft as an airborne defence system. There is also speculation of using the KALI as an Anti-satellite weapon and as a space-based weapon system, although it is unlikely that they would be implemented, given India's stance on those issues.

If weaponized, it is quite likely that KALI would be integrated into India's fledgling Ballistic Missile Defense program.

India’s Light Combat Helicopter to fly in December

2009-11-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

Light Combat Helicopter

The stage is set for the first prototype (LCH TD-1) flight of the Indian Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), scheduled to take place next month. The TD-1 will be an unweaponised platform, and the test-flight schedule for this prototype will only be towards validating principle airframe, aerodynamics, maneoverability and airworthiness parameters. Weapons integration tests will only take place with the second prototype, TD-2, that is scheduled for a first flight sometime later in 2010.HAL launched the LCH project in 2006 and developed the prototype at a cost of Rs.3.8 billion (Rs.380 crore).

Light Combat Helicopter mock up

A prototype of the light combat helicopter (LCH), designed and developed by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is set for its maiden flight soon, a top company official said Friday.
“The prototype LCH is getting ready for a maiden test flight in the coming weeks. We are waiting for the final checks to be completed to commence flight trials,” HAL chairman and managing director Ashok Nayak told reporters here.
The 5.5-tonne LCH, a derivative of HAL’s advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, will be rolled out for anti-armour and anti-infantry roles by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army respectively.
Though the LCH was to take-off by August, HAL announced in September that the first flight would take place by this year-end or early January, as its overall weight had to be reduced by about 20 percent (580) kg.
“We have overcome the weight problem. The target weight will be achieved for a successful test flight,” a HAL copter division official told IANS later.
HAL launched the LCH project in 2006 and developed the prototype at a cost of Rs.3.8 billion (Rs.380 crore).
LCH is expected to get the initial operational clearance (IOC) by December 2010 and the final operational clearance (FOC) in 2011 for induction into the IAF by 2012-2013.
On the joint venture with Russian aerospace major (Irkut Corporation) for the multi-role transport aircraft (MRTA), Nayak hoped an agreement to that effect would be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Moscow in early December.
“We hope the deal will take place this time so that we can jointly take up design and development of the MRTA for military and civilian use,” Nayak said at a function to mark 25 years of collaboration with the US-based technology major Honeywell International in manufacturing turboprop engine (TPE-331-5).
HAL plans to manufacture the 14-seater Saras aircraft, designed and developed by the state-run National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) here.
“We plan to make 30-35 multi-role light transport aircraft primarily for the civilian market,” Nayak added.
In view of the huge order book valued at Rs.60,000 crore (Rs.600 billion) and some big-ticket projects in offing, HAL plans to invest Rs.25,000 crore over the next 10 years for expanding its infrastructure and other facilities across the country.

Indian-Russian Military Exercise !!

2009-11-22T18:22:00.000-08:00

Indian-Russian Military Exercise !!

Sukhoi Su-30MKI vs JF-17 Thunder

2009-11-22T10:14:00.001-08:00

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

National origin	Russia India

Crew: 2 ★

Unit cost: US $40 million

Max takeoff weight: 38,800 kg (85,600 lb)  ★

Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-31FP turbofans with thrust vectoring, 131 kN (29,449 lbf) each  ★

Maximum speed: Mach 2.35 ★

Radar: N011M Bars (Panther) (PESA) ★

Range: 5,000 km and 8,000 km at a cruise height of 11 to 13 km with air refueling system. ★

Thrust/weight: 1.07 (at loaded weight & 1.15 with 50% fuel)  ★

Rate of climb: > 355 m/s  ★

Service ceiling: 17,300 m ★

G-limit: 9+g / 9.5 g ★

hardpoints: Su 30 MKI has 12 hardpoints.which can be increased to 14 by using multi-payload racks.  ★

Impact of IRST OR ESM on flanker

^^ photo courtesy- www.ausairpower.net

UNIQUE FEATURES

+ Avionics and subsystems sourced from,
Israel France Russia India
+ canard increases the aircraft lifting ability and allow high angle-of-attack (AoA)

+ N011M has a 350 km search range and a maximum 200 km tracking range The radar can track 15 air targets and engage four simultaneously. These targets can even include cruise missiles and motionless helicopters. The Su-30MKI can function as a mini-AWACS as a director or command post for other aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to at least four other aircraft. The radar can detect ground targets such as tanks at 40–50 km.

+ radar range of 60 km in the rear hemisphere

+ A modified Su-30MKI is being used to carry BrahMos cruise missiles with range 300 km.

+ Novator K-100 (Range-possibly 300–400 km )missile was designed to shoot down AWACS and other C4ISTAR aircraft whilst keeping the launch platform out of range of any fighters that might be protecting the target.

+N011M can function in air-to-air and air-to-land/sea mode simultaneously while being tied into a high-precision laser-inertial or GPS navigation system.

+Su-30MKI aerodynamic configuration is an unstable longitudinal triplane. The canard increases the aircraft lifting ability and deflects automatically to allow high angle-of-attack (AoA) flights allowing it to perform Pugachev's Cobra. The integral aerodynamic configuration combined with thrust vectoring results in extremely capable maneuverability, taking off and landing characteristics. This high agility allows rapid deployment of weapons in any direction as desired by the crew. The canard notably assists in controlling the aircraft at large angles-of-attack and bringing it to a level flight condition

Latest developments

UAC together with HAL has been developing fifth generation fighter features such as internal weapons carriage and radar absorbent material for IAF Su-30MKIs by modifying their airframes to make them stealthy, converting the existing ‘Bars’ into an Active Phased Array Radar, enhancing the situational awareness by incorporating active electronically scanned transmit/receive arrays on the aircraft’s wings and pumping up the defensive-aids suite by installing a combined radar/laser warning system and a missile approach warning system.

JF-17 Thunder

National origin	People's Republic of China Pakistan

JF-17 Thunder is a light-weight multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by theChengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) of Pakistan. The "JF" and "FC" designations stand for "Joint Fighter" (Pakistan) and "Fighter China" (China) respectively.

Originally designed to be a small and capable lightweight fighter powered by a single engine to reduce costs, the JF-17 was supposed to be a simple and inexpensive solution for replacing large fleets of obsolete types in the air forces of developing countries. The JF-17 evolved into a more advanced fighter during the later stages of development with revised terms of reference by the Pakistan Air Force and the incorporation of more modern features and technologies

Crew: 1

Unit cost: US$ 15 million (estimated)★

Max takeoff weight: 12,700 kg

Powerplant: 1× Klimov RD-93 turbofan

Maximum Speed : Mach 1.8

Radar: Italian Grifo S-7 ?

Range: 3,000 km

Thrust/weight: 0.99

Rate of climb: 175 m/s ?

Service ceiling: 16,700 m

G-limit: +8.5 g

hardpoints: 7 hardpoints being increased to 9 !

UNIQUE FEATURES

+Ra'ad ALCM is planned to be integrated with and launched from JF-17.

+The EW suite is also linked to a missile approach warning (MAW) system to help it defend against radar-guided missiles.

+NRIET KLJ-7 radar's multiple modes allow surveillance and simultaneous engagement of multiple air, ground and sea targets, of which a total of 40 can be managed. Using the track-while-scan (TWS) mode, the radar can track up to 10 targets at beyond visual range (BVR) and engage 2 of them simultaneously with radar homing air-to-air missiles. The operation range for targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 5 m2 is stated to be ≥105 km in look-up mode and ≥85 km in look-down mode.

Latest developments

Remaining production aircraft may also be equipped with European avionics, radars and weaponry. Pakistan had begun negotiations with British and Italian defence firms over potential avionics and radars for JF-17 during initial development. Some of the radar options for JF-17 are the Italian Galileo Avionica Grifo S7 and the French Thomson-CSF RC400 (a variant of the RDY-2), along with the MBDA MICA IR/RF short/medium range air-to-air missiles. The Vixen 500E AESA radar has also been offered to the PAF for installation on the JF-17 by the British company SELEX, but the PAF may be looking for a more advanced AESA radar

- please correct me if I am wrong with Specifications

Conclusion

JF-17 is no comparison to MKI. Both are different class and MKI is far advanced in all aspects.

Vidhwansak - anti-material rifle

2009-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Vidhwansak - anti-material rifle

Vidhwansak ("The Destroyer") is an Indian developed multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli. It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long range sniping, counter sniping and ordnance disposal (shooting explosive ordnance from a safe distance) roles.

The Vidhwansak, which costs Rs 10 lakh (USD 20,000) is much cheaper than comparable foreign alternatives such as the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (USD 45,000). It also supports multiple calibers and fires 12.7mm, 14.5mm and 20mm rounds compared to dual calibers supported by the NTW-20.

20 mm (blue tipped) with .50 BMG rounds, golf ball, stick of RAM.

The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine, that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and carried in two man-portable packs, each weighting about 12 - 15 kg.

The rifle has an effective range of 1800 m (1300 m for the 20 mm version), while shots can be achieved even up to 2000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.

A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50%-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.

India’s new Modern Submachine Carbine (MSMC)

2009-11-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

India’s Modern Submachine Carbine (MSMC)

*The 5.56mm calibre MSMC will replace the Russian 9mm-calibre carbine currently used by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces.

*ARDE director Anil M Datar said the company was in process of demonstrating 99.7% reliability for the MSMC, which can fire up to 200m.

*MSMC Carbine will Replace old STEN and UZI Derivates as a PDW for tank crews and CQB and Officer Weapon.

City-based Armaments Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is giving the final touches to a modern sub-machine carbine (MSMC) for the Indian Army. The final trials for this 5.56 mm calibre MSMC will be conducted in December this year.

A carbine is a lightweight compact automatic gun with a small barrel; unlike a rifle it fires rapidly and is suitable for close quarter combats.

At present, the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, commandos and the police use a Russian origin 9 mm calibre carbine, which is fairly ancient.

“We are in the process of proving 99.7 per cent reliability for the MSMC. The user will be able to fire up to 200 metres using the MSMC,” said ARDE director Anil M Datar.

The MSMC programme has its origins in the Indian Small Arms System family, which was started in 1982 in a bid to build an indigenous small arms weapons system for India. By 1987, the ARDE had designed the Rifle, the Light Machine Gun (LMG) and the carbine — all part of the INSAS family.

The Army had inducted the INSAS rifle and LMG in 1993; DRDO scientists say it met with a fair amount of success but there were some defects as well, which came to light after the Kargil war.

“The rifle and the LMG was first put to test during Kargil. After that, based on the battlefield experiences, we developed a new version — the INSAS 1B1” said R S Rao, joint director, INSAS, ARDE.

But it was the INSAS carbine that fell through, right from the start. “For the carbine, the ammunition was very powerful. It had higher sound, flash, and recoil effect,” said S V Gade, joint director, INSAS, ARDE. “With the MSMC, we have now changed the length of the ammunition. It is still a 5.6 mm calibre bullet, but it is slightly shorter in length, thereby eliminating the drawbacks of the earlier carbine.”

Finally, the INSAS carbine plan was shelved and in 2002, the Army devised a new set of General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) for the new MSMC, he said.

“Since 2006, when the first prototype was devised, the MSMC has been put through every possible scenario that the Army could conceive of.”

The first trial of the prototype was held in 2006, then 2007-end and the last one was in January 2009.

'' 5.56×30mm INSAS ''

The firearm chambers a round developed in India called the 5.56×30mm. This round is sometimes referred to as the “5.56×30mm INSAS” after the first gun to chambered the round, the INSAS Carbine.

Low fragmentation results of 5.56x30mm

INSAS cartridge a round named the 5.56×30mm MARS developed by Colt during the 90’s as part of their now defunct Mini Assault Rifle project.The MARS cartridge/rifle was able to achieve similar ballistics as a ultra-short barreled 5.56×45mm NATO rifle ,but with less muzzle flash, noise and weight . The Indian went with the 5.56×30mm over the 5.56×45mm for these exact same reasons as Colt.