Entgegen der allgemeinen Erwartungen - auch seitens Insidern - hat Airbus mit dem H225M (EC725) die polnische Ausschreibung für 70 Transporthubschrauber im Wert von etwa 2,5 Mrd Euro gewonnen. Vor der Vertragsunterzeichnung voraussichtlich zum Jahresende sind noch Flugerprobungen mit dem Muster geplant.
Die Kampfhubschrauber sind offenbar noch nicht vergeben worden - dafür ging das Weitbereichs-Luftverteidigungssystem an Raytheon (Digitized Patriot).
Vollansicht: Entwicklungen und News in der Luftfahrt
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ZITAT(Praetorian @ 22. Apr 2015, 00:52) 
Entgegen der allgemeinen Erwartungen - auch seitens Insidern - hat Airbus mit dem H225M (EC725) die polnische Ausschreibung für 70 Transporthubschrauber im Wert von etwa 2,5 Mrd Euro gewonnen. Vor der Vertragsunterzeichnung voraussichtlich zum Jahresende sind noch Flugerprobungen mit dem Muster geplant.
Die Kampfhubschrauber sind offenbar noch nicht vergeben worden - dafür ging das Weitbereichs-Luftverteidigungssystem an Raytheon (Digitized Patriot).
Die Kampfhubschrauber sind offenbar noch nicht vergeben worden - dafür ging das Weitbereichs-Luftverteidigungssystem an Raytheon (Digitized Patriot).
Das ist wirklich überraschend, dass ausgerechnet ein Muster ausgewählt wird, mit dem Polen nichts zu tun hat. Der Umfang des Vertrages soll auf 50 Helis verringert worden seib.
Wobei die 50 Muster an das Heer gehen sollen. In einem weiteren Ausschreibungsverfahren sollen 20 weitere Helis als CSAR-Variante für Luftwaffe und Marine geliefert werden.
ZITAT
Fueled in flight: X-47B first to complete autonomous aerial refueling
The X-47B receives fuel from an Omega K-707 tanker April 22 while operating over the Chesapeake Bay. This test marked the first time an unmanned aircraft refueled in flight. (U.S. Navy photo)
Apr 22, 2015
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The X-47B successfully conducted the first ever Autonomous Aerial Refeuling (AAR) of an unmanned aircraft April 22, completing the final test objective under the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System demonstration program.
While flying off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, the X-47B connected to an Omega K-707 tanker aircraft and received over 4,000 pounds of fuel using the Navy's probe-and-drogue method.
“What we accomplished today demonstrates a significant, groundbreaking step forward for the Navy," said Capt. Beau Duarte, the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager. “The ability to autonomously transfer and receive fuel in flight will increase the range and flexibility of future unmanned aircraft platforms, ultimately extending carrier power projection."
The X-47B receives fuel from an Omega K-707 tanker April 22 while operating over the Chesapeake Bay. This test marked the first time an unmanned aircraft refueled in flight. (U.S. Navy photo)
During the test, the X-47B exchanged refueling messages with a government-designed Refueling Interface System (RIS) aboard the tanker. The aircraft autonomously maneuvered its fixed refueling probe into the tanker’s drogue, also known as the basket, the same way a Navy pilot would refuel a manned aircraft.
“In manned platforms, aerial refueling is a challenging maneuver because of the precision required by the pilot to engage the basket,” Duarte said. “Adding an autonomous functionality creates another layer of complexity."
This testing helps solidify the concept that future unmanned aircraft can perform standard missions like aerial refueling and operate seamlessly with manned aircraft as part of the Carrier Air Wing, he said.
“This segment of the X-47B demonstration program allowed us to further mature AAR technologies and evaluate the government tanker RIS,” said Barbara Weathers, X-47B deputy program manager. “We used similar command-control and navigation processes previously demonstrated during the X-47B landings aboard the aircraft carrier."
Over the last few years, the Navy accomplished several significant firsts with the X-47B that showcased the Navy’s commitment to unmanned carrier aviation. With the completion of this program, the service continues to develop its future unmanned carrier-based platform, known as UCLASS.
PEO(U&W) Public Affairs
(301) 757-9703
The X-47B receives fuel from an Omega K-707 tanker April 22 while operating over the Chesapeake Bay. This test marked the first time an unmanned aircraft refueled in flight. (U.S. Navy photo)
Apr 22, 2015
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The X-47B successfully conducted the first ever Autonomous Aerial Refeuling (AAR) of an unmanned aircraft April 22, completing the final test objective under the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System demonstration program.
While flying off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, the X-47B connected to an Omega K-707 tanker aircraft and received over 4,000 pounds of fuel using the Navy's probe-and-drogue method.
“What we accomplished today demonstrates a significant, groundbreaking step forward for the Navy," said Capt. Beau Duarte, the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager. “The ability to autonomously transfer and receive fuel in flight will increase the range and flexibility of future unmanned aircraft platforms, ultimately extending carrier power projection."
The X-47B receives fuel from an Omega K-707 tanker April 22 while operating over the Chesapeake Bay. This test marked the first time an unmanned aircraft refueled in flight. (U.S. Navy photo)
During the test, the X-47B exchanged refueling messages with a government-designed Refueling Interface System (RIS) aboard the tanker. The aircraft autonomously maneuvered its fixed refueling probe into the tanker’s drogue, also known as the basket, the same way a Navy pilot would refuel a manned aircraft.
“In manned platforms, aerial refueling is a challenging maneuver because of the precision required by the pilot to engage the basket,” Duarte said. “Adding an autonomous functionality creates another layer of complexity."
This testing helps solidify the concept that future unmanned aircraft can perform standard missions like aerial refueling and operate seamlessly with manned aircraft as part of the Carrier Air Wing, he said.
“This segment of the X-47B demonstration program allowed us to further mature AAR technologies and evaluate the government tanker RIS,” said Barbara Weathers, X-47B deputy program manager. “We used similar command-control and navigation processes previously demonstrated during the X-47B landings aboard the aircraft carrier."
Over the last few years, the Navy accomplished several significant firsts with the X-47B that showcased the Navy’s commitment to unmanned carrier aviation. With the completion of this program, the service continues to develop its future unmanned carrier-based platform, known as UCLASS.
PEO(U&W) Public Affairs
(301) 757-9703
http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fusea...ory&id=5880
ZITAT
Slovakia to buy US military choppers for $261 mn
Agence France-Presse on Apr 29, 2015 @ 1:15 PM
Slovakia said Wednesday it would buy nine Black Hawk military helicopters from the United States for $261 million (236 million euros), as it revamps its armed forces amid the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
The NATO member is following in the steps of Poland and the Baltic states, which have upped defence spending because of security concerns over the Kremlin's territorial ambitions.
Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine last year and is accused by the West of sending arms and troops to aid pro-Russian separatists battling government troops in Ukraine's east -- a charge Russia denies.
Delivery of the UH-60 Black Hawk choppers is expected between 2016 and 2019, Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glvac told reporters.
Made by Sikorsky Aircraft, the helicopters will replace Russian Mi-17 aircraft that is reaching the end of its life cycle. The contract will also involve pilot training and equipment maintenance.
Agence France-Presse on Apr 29, 2015 @ 1:15 PM
Slovakia said Wednesday it would buy nine Black Hawk military helicopters from the United States for $261 million (236 million euros), as it revamps its armed forces amid the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
The NATO member is following in the steps of Poland and the Baltic states, which have upped defence spending because of security concerns over the Kremlin's territorial ambitions.
Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine last year and is accused by the West of sending arms and troops to aid pro-Russian separatists battling government troops in Ukraine's east -- a charge Russia denies.
Delivery of the UH-60 Black Hawk choppers is expected between 2016 and 2019, Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glvac told reporters.
Made by Sikorsky Aircraft, the helicopters will replace Russian Mi-17 aircraft that is reaching the end of its life cycle. The contract will also involve pilot training and equipment maintenance.
http://www.globalpost.com/article/6532759/...choppers-261-mn
Qatar kauft 24 Rafale plus 12 Optionen.
http://www.rtl.fr/actu/economie/rafale-un-...mbat-7777518397
Gruß
Thomas
http://www.rtl.fr/actu/economie/rafale-un-...mbat-7777518397
Gruß
Thomas
ZITAT(spaceflightnow.com)
Fourth X-37B flight a month away from launching
Posted on April 24, 2015 by Justin Ray
File photo. Credit: Air Force
CAPE CANAVERAL — The U.S. Air Force on Friday made its first public confirmation that the X-37B unmanned space shuttle will be launched next month on the fourth flight of an Orbital Test Vehicle.
“We are excited about our fourth X-37B mission,” said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. “With the demonstrated success of the first three missions, we’re able to shift our focus from initial checkouts of the vehicle to testing of experimental payloads.”
The Air Force said its Rapid Capabilities Office had collaborated with several partners to test “new experiments on this fourth flight for the X-37B program.”
What’s more, the mission will test the performance of an experimental propulsion system jointly developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Space and Missile Systems Center, as well as a NASA advanced materials investigation.
“We’re very pleased with the experiments lined-up for our fourth OTV Mission OTV-4,” Walden said. “We’ll continue to evaluate improvements to the space vehicle’s performance, but we’re honored to host these collaborative experiments that will help advance the state-of-the-art for space technology.”
The liftoff atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is slated for May 20, some time during a period of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT.
The X-37B program completed its third mission on Oct. 17, landing after 675 days on-orbit. The program has totaled 1,368 days spent on-orbit.
“The accomplishments of the program were recently recognized with the 2015 Space Foundation Achievement Award and the announcement by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics of their 2015 Foundation Award for Excellence,” the Air Force press release said.
Posted on April 24, 2015 by Justin Ray
File photo. Credit: Air Force
CAPE CANAVERAL — The U.S. Air Force on Friday made its first public confirmation that the X-37B unmanned space shuttle will be launched next month on the fourth flight of an Orbital Test Vehicle.
“We are excited about our fourth X-37B mission,” said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. “With the demonstrated success of the first three missions, we’re able to shift our focus from initial checkouts of the vehicle to testing of experimental payloads.”
The Air Force said its Rapid Capabilities Office had collaborated with several partners to test “new experiments on this fourth flight for the X-37B program.”
What’s more, the mission will test the performance of an experimental propulsion system jointly developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Space and Missile Systems Center, as well as a NASA advanced materials investigation.
“We’re very pleased with the experiments lined-up for our fourth OTV Mission OTV-4,” Walden said. “We’ll continue to evaluate improvements to the space vehicle’s performance, but we’re honored to host these collaborative experiments that will help advance the state-of-the-art for space technology.”
The liftoff atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is slated for May 20, some time during a period of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT.
The X-37B program completed its third mission on Oct. 17, landing after 675 days on-orbit. The program has totaled 1,368 days spent on-orbit.
“The accomplishments of the program were recently recognized with the 2015 Space Foundation Achievement Award and the announcement by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics of their 2015 Foundation Award for Excellence,” the Air Force press release said.
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/27/x-37b...out-experiment/
ZITAT(spaceflightnow.com)
New details emerge about electric propulsion experiment aboard X-37B
Posted on April 27, 2015 by Justin Ray
Credit: Air Force
CAPE CANAVERAL — All systems are now “go” for launch of the Air Force’s X-37B mystery spaceplane on May 20 from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas 5 rocket.
Officials had delayed the X-37B launch by two weeks — from May 6 to no earlier than May 20 — due to an undisclosed payload issue. Officials on Monday removed their tentative caveat from the May 20 target and firmed it up.
“The ULA Atlas 5 launch of the AFSPC 5 mission has been confirmed on the Eastern Range for May 20, 2015. The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the spacecraft is on track to meet this launch date,” ULA said in a statement.
The Atlas 5-501 rocket is stacked inside the Vertical Integration Facility at the Cape’s Complex 41 awaiting arrival of the spaceplane for mating to the booster’s Centaur upper stage. The Centaur will execute a single firing during launch to insert the stubby-winged vehicle into orbit.
Meanwhile, Air Force officials have provided more detail on the propulsion experiment to be conducted on this X-37B mission. It is a Hall thruster electric propulsion test to enable in-space characterization of design modifications that are intended to improve performance to the units onboard Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications spacecraft, officials said Monday.
Produced by Aerojet Rocktdyne, the AEHF satellites’ Hall thrusters are 4.5-kilowatt units that use electricity and xenon to produce thrust for maneuvering satellites in space. The novel electric propulsion system produces a whisper-like thrust by ionizing and accelerating xenon gas.
Unlike conventional chemical engines that deliver substantial boosts with each brief firing, the electric system needs the stamina to operate for exceptionally long periods of time to harness its 0.06-pound-thrust into orbit-changing power.
The divergent systems have their advantages and drawbacks. Although typical engines can maneuver satellites rapidly, they use large amounts of heavy fuel that in turn require a bigger, more expensive rocket to carry the spacecraft. Electric propulsion gives up timeliness for efficiency since its xenon fuel weighs a mere fraction of conventional hydrazine, but you must have patience to reap the rewards.
Each of the AEHF satellites, valued at over $1 billion, is a nuclear-survivable spacecraft that would ensure American leadership with communications in the most hellish scenarios of war imaginable. Three such satellites have been deployed to date, with three more planned.
The on-orbit test plans for the X-37B experiment are being developed by Air Force Research Laboratory and administered by the Rapid Capabilities Office, which runs the X-37B program.
“The experiment will include collection of telemetry from the Hall thruster operating in the space environment as well as measurement of the thrust imparted on the vehicle. The resulting data will be used to validate and improve Hall thruster and environmental modeling capabilities, which enhance the ability to extrapolate ground test results to actual on-orbit performance,” the Air Force said.
“Space is so vitally important to everything we do,” said Maj. Gen. Tom Masiello, AFRL commander.
“Secure comms, ISR, missile warning, weather prediction, precision navigation and timing all rely on it, and the domain is increasingly contested. A more efficient on-orbit thruster capability is huge. Less fuel burn lowers the cost to get up there, plus it enhances spacecraft operational flexibility, survivability and longevity.”
Posted on April 27, 2015 by Justin Ray
Credit: Air Force
CAPE CANAVERAL — All systems are now “go” for launch of the Air Force’s X-37B mystery spaceplane on May 20 from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas 5 rocket.
Officials had delayed the X-37B launch by two weeks — from May 6 to no earlier than May 20 — due to an undisclosed payload issue. Officials on Monday removed their tentative caveat from the May 20 target and firmed it up.
“The ULA Atlas 5 launch of the AFSPC 5 mission has been confirmed on the Eastern Range for May 20, 2015. The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the spacecraft is on track to meet this launch date,” ULA said in a statement.
The Atlas 5-501 rocket is stacked inside the Vertical Integration Facility at the Cape’s Complex 41 awaiting arrival of the spaceplane for mating to the booster’s Centaur upper stage. The Centaur will execute a single firing during launch to insert the stubby-winged vehicle into orbit.
Meanwhile, Air Force officials have provided more detail on the propulsion experiment to be conducted on this X-37B mission. It is a Hall thruster electric propulsion test to enable in-space characterization of design modifications that are intended to improve performance to the units onboard Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications spacecraft, officials said Monday.
Produced by Aerojet Rocktdyne, the AEHF satellites’ Hall thrusters are 4.5-kilowatt units that use electricity and xenon to produce thrust for maneuvering satellites in space. The novel electric propulsion system produces a whisper-like thrust by ionizing and accelerating xenon gas.
Unlike conventional chemical engines that deliver substantial boosts with each brief firing, the electric system needs the stamina to operate for exceptionally long periods of time to harness its 0.06-pound-thrust into orbit-changing power.
The divergent systems have their advantages and drawbacks. Although typical engines can maneuver satellites rapidly, they use large amounts of heavy fuel that in turn require a bigger, more expensive rocket to carry the spacecraft. Electric propulsion gives up timeliness for efficiency since its xenon fuel weighs a mere fraction of conventional hydrazine, but you must have patience to reap the rewards.
Each of the AEHF satellites, valued at over $1 billion, is a nuclear-survivable spacecraft that would ensure American leadership with communications in the most hellish scenarios of war imaginable. Three such satellites have been deployed to date, with three more planned.
The on-orbit test plans for the X-37B experiment are being developed by Air Force Research Laboratory and administered by the Rapid Capabilities Office, which runs the X-37B program.
“The experiment will include collection of telemetry from the Hall thruster operating in the space environment as well as measurement of the thrust imparted on the vehicle. The resulting data will be used to validate and improve Hall thruster and environmental modeling capabilities, which enhance the ability to extrapolate ground test results to actual on-orbit performance,” the Air Force said.
“Space is so vitally important to everything we do,” said Maj. Gen. Tom Masiello, AFRL commander.
“Secure comms, ISR, missile warning, weather prediction, precision navigation and timing all rely on it, and the domain is increasingly contested. A more efficient on-orbit thruster capability is huge. Less fuel burn lowers the cost to get up there, plus it enhances spacecraft operational flexibility, survivability and longevity.”
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/27/x-37b...out-experiment/
Erstflug der AN-178. (Leider tut bei mir die englische Version nicht und ich scheitere an einer besseren Verlinkung des Bildes. Falls das einer besser kann, bitte.)
Indien kauft 56 C-295.
ZITAT
India defence minister admits Su-30 serviceability issues
Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
The Indian Air Force's (IAF's) Su-30MKI multirole fighter fleet is plagued by frequent "engine failure-in-air and engine-related problems" and poor operational serviceability, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told parliament on 17 March.
Five twin-engine Su-30MKIs have crashed since the platform began to enter service in 1997.
Parrikar said between January 2013 and December 2014 the IAF had recorded technical problems with 35 Saturn AL-31FP engines that power the licence-built Su-30MKIs. The problems were related to faulty bearings and low-pressure oil.
He said metal fatigue caused these bearings, which are incorporated to reduce friction between the fighter's moving parts, to chip or fragment and the resulting particles contaminated the oil flow.
Of 69 Su-30MKI engine failures investigated since 2012, the minister said "33 were due to finding [metal] chips in the oil, 11 due to vibration in the engine, and 8 because of low pressure of lubricating oil".
He did not provide any explanation for the remaining 17 engine-related problems, but Parrikar said that the engine's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) had "offered nine modifications or technological improvements in the production of new aero-engines and during overhaul of engines".
These included "better lubrication, better fitment of bearings, and better quality of oil".
All these measures, the minister stated, had been incorporated into 25 AL-31FP engines that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had since licence-built at its Koraput plant in eastern India.
As a result, engine maintenance and overhaul, which had been taking place after 500 flying hours, now took place after 900 hours.
The IAF operates 200 Su-30MKIs, but of these only 110 or 55% were operationally available due to poor serviceability, Parrikar said, adding that this would increase to 70% by the end of 2015.
[...]
http://www.janes.com/article/50038/india-d...eability-issues
Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
The Indian Air Force's (IAF's) Su-30MKI multirole fighter fleet is plagued by frequent "engine failure-in-air and engine-related problems" and poor operational serviceability, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told parliament on 17 March.
Five twin-engine Su-30MKIs have crashed since the platform began to enter service in 1997.
Parrikar said between January 2013 and December 2014 the IAF had recorded technical problems with 35 Saturn AL-31FP engines that power the licence-built Su-30MKIs. The problems were related to faulty bearings and low-pressure oil.
He said metal fatigue caused these bearings, which are incorporated to reduce friction between the fighter's moving parts, to chip or fragment and the resulting particles contaminated the oil flow.
Of 69 Su-30MKI engine failures investigated since 2012, the minister said "33 were due to finding [metal] chips in the oil, 11 due to vibration in the engine, and 8 because of low pressure of lubricating oil".
He did not provide any explanation for the remaining 17 engine-related problems, but Parrikar said that the engine's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) had "offered nine modifications or technological improvements in the production of new aero-engines and during overhaul of engines".
These included "better lubrication, better fitment of bearings, and better quality of oil".
All these measures, the minister stated, had been incorporated into 25 AL-31FP engines that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had since licence-built at its Koraput plant in eastern India.
As a result, engine maintenance and overhaul, which had been taking place after 500 flying hours, now took place after 900 hours.
The IAF operates 200 Su-30MKIs, but of these only 110 or 55% were operationally available due to poor serviceability, Parrikar said, adding that this would increase to 70% by the end of 2015.
[...]
ZITAT
Recap story: X-37B spaceplane embarks on fourth voyage in orbit
Posted on May 20, 2015 by Justin Ray
OTV-4 launch video
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/05/20/recap...oyage-in-space/
Posted on May 20, 2015 by Justin Ray
OTV-4 launch video
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/05/20/recap...oyage-in-space/
ZITAT
Indian defence minister draws line at 36 Rafales
Key Points
India's defence minister has said Delhi will not buy more than the 36 Dassault Rafales to which it committed in April
The announcement confirms the end of the MMRCA tender and the government's commitment to the Tejas LCA programme
India will neither licence-build additional Dassault Rafale fighters nor acquire more than the 36 it recently agreed to buy in flyaway condition, the country's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on 21 May.
In multiple interviews to TV channels to mark the completion of the government's first year in office, Parrikar said the money India had saved by acquiring 90 fewer Rafales would be diverted to buying 200-odd indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
"By buying 36 Rafales instead of 126, I have saved the cost of 90 Rafales," Parrikar said, adding that this amount was around INR900 billion (USD15.51 billion). "We will use this money to buy Tejas LCA priced at around INR1.5 billion each," he added.
Key Points
India's defence minister has said Delhi will not buy more than the 36 Dassault Rafales to which it committed in April
The announcement confirms the end of the MMRCA tender and the government's commitment to the Tejas LCA programme
India will neither licence-build additional Dassault Rafale fighters nor acquire more than the 36 it recently agreed to buy in flyaway condition, the country's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on 21 May.
In multiple interviews to TV channels to mark the completion of the government's first year in office, Parrikar said the money India had saved by acquiring 90 fewer Rafales would be diverted to buying 200-odd indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
"By buying 36 Rafales instead of 126, I have saved the cost of 90 Rafales," Parrikar said, adding that this amount was around INR900 billion (USD15.51 billion). "We will use this money to buy Tejas LCA priced at around INR1.5 billion each," he added.
Janes
36 Maschinen, nicht Fisch und nicht Fleisch...und für die Rafale wohl ein harter Schlag.
kann man darüber streiten, es geht vor allem darum, dass keine komplette Fertigungslinie in Indien aufgebaut wird. Daran harzte der Vertrag bisher, da Dassault u.a. für die Qualität der bei HAL zusammengeschusterten Maschinen verantwortlich gewesen wäre (und HAL hat dahingehend nicht den besten Ruf).
Daher gab es als Kompromiss erstmal den Kleinauftrag für die 36 Maschinen, die komplett in Frankreich gefertigt werden (und die dortige Fertigungsstrasse etwas auslasten helfen) und das weitere Vorgehen war Verhandlungssache unter dem Verdikt der Fertigungslinie bei HAL, diese ist nun eben (erwartungsgemäss) gescheitert.
Es besteht aber durchaus die Möglichkeit eines Folgeauftrags für Rafales, dann wohl wieder direkt aus Frankreich, das wäre aber eben ein neuer Vertrag.
Daher gab es als Kompromiss erstmal den Kleinauftrag für die 36 Maschinen, die komplett in Frankreich gefertigt werden (und die dortige Fertigungsstrasse etwas auslasten helfen) und das weitere Vorgehen war Verhandlungssache unter dem Verdikt der Fertigungslinie bei HAL, diese ist nun eben (erwartungsgemäss) gescheitert.
Es besteht aber durchaus die Möglichkeit eines Folgeauftrags für Rafales, dann wohl wieder direkt aus Frankreich, das wäre aber eben ein neuer Vertrag.
Eben. 36 Rafales sind für ein so großes Land wie Indien nicht wirklich viel und wenn das Flugzeug nach mehreren Dienstjahren sich bewährt, dürften Folgeaufträge durchaus wahrscheinlich sein. Die Lizenzfertigung dürfte damit vom Tisch sein, das bedeutet jedoch auch weniger Kopfschmerzen für Dassault.
Die Inder sollen ja so manche Probleme mit ihren Su-30 haben, die sie in Bausätzen aus Russland bekommen und anschließend selbst zusammenbauen, die bei anderen Nutzerstaaten nicht üblich sind. Die Risiken, die sich Dassault da ins Boot geholt hätte, wären zu unkalkulierbar.
Die Inder sollen ja so manche Probleme mit ihren Su-30 haben, die sie in Bausätzen aus Russland bekommen und anschließend selbst zusammenbauen, die bei anderen Nutzerstaaten nicht üblich sind. Die Risiken, die sich Dassault da ins Boot geholt hätte, wären zu unkalkulierbar.
.
Schön und gut, aber Indien kämpft im FLugzeugbau ja durchaus an vielen Fronten. Neben dem Tejas hängt man bei der T50 mit drin, modernisiert nebenher noch die Mig29 und baut die Su30. Alles in allem also genug Möglichkeiten das liebe Steuergeld los zu werden. Sollte man aus dem LCA tatsächlich was gescheites entwickeln, und gleichzeitig die T50 in Produktion nehmen, wofür braucht man dann noch die Rafale?
ZITAT(defensenews.com)
Sikorsky S-97 Raider Achieves First Flight
By Joe Gould May 23, 2015
Photo: Sikorsky
WASHINGTON — The Sikorsky S-97 Raider hit an important milestone Friday with the successful first flight of its experimental rotorcraft.
The S-97, with two pilots, took off at the company's West Palm Beach, Fla., facility about 7 a.m. and performed all of its proscribed movements over roughly an hour. The flight test took on the basics — among them three take-offs and landings, and movements in all cardinal directions at 10 knots — before more advanced tests over the year.
"This was, we feel, a really spectacular day for Sikorsky and aviation in general," said Mark Miller, Sikorsky's vice president for research and engineering. "It's not every day you have a first flight, and when you add on top of that a very differentiated, new and compelling product like the S-97 Raider, it makes it even more special.
"We're very excited, it was everything we wanted it to be and more, and it's the start of a new generation of helicopters and capabilities that we're really excited about," Miller said.
With the platform, Sikorsky officials said the company was firmly planting its flag for the Army's future vertical lift - light concept and armed aerial scout requirement. The S-97 was envisioned at one point as a contender replacement for the US Army's OH-58 Kiowa Scout, but the Army changed plans and scuttled the armed aerial scout for budgetary reasons, using the AH-64 Apache on an interim basis.
Company officials touted Raider's usefulness for special operations missions and as a demonstrator for a larger aircraft that would fit the Army's Joint Multi-Role helicopter replacement program for the service's Black Hawk fleet. The Raider is also queued up, should the Army seek a new armed aerial scout again.
Confident in the Raider, Miller said the platform cannot be viewed as a replacement for a helicopter because it can do things helicopters, "cannot even dream of doing in the future," fly faster, higher, hotter and heavier. "This is a fundamentally different capability than what an Apache will give you," he said.
Miller said the company had "really placed a big bet here." Sikorsky is funding 75 percent of the Raider program out of pocket, with the remaining 25 percent coming from 54 principal suppliers.
"This industry has been criticized for not being creative and innovative and we think, and everything we've seen today reaffirms, that this is a game-changing technology," Miller said. "It is fundamentally twice the speed of a helicopter, with some attributes better than a helicopter."
The Raider is based on the X-2 technology that Sikorsky developed in the late 2000s, but double the size at 11,000 pounds, with room for six troops for combat assault missions or extra equipment or ammunition.
Sikorsky pilot Bill Fell said the S-97 was "rock solid," noting how little vibration or sound it produced, and how responsive it was. He and co-pilot Kevin Bredenbeck, who had been chief pilot for the X-2, spoke confidently about how different the S-97 is from a conventional helicopter and how impressed they are with its performance.
Its rigid rotor system provided a "phenomenal amount of control," Fell said. "You very quickly make inputs in roll and in pitch and there's no lag like a typical articulated rotor system. The aircraft responds immediately to your control input."
The program was originally scheduled to take place 48 months after its clean-sheet design, a much faster pace than the defense industry normally sees, but the schedule slipped by a few months. Miller said the use of additive manufacturing and other new approaches took longer than advertised, but they expect to recoup some of the delay across the one-year controlled test program.
That program will see the pilots take the aircraft to its full speed, 220 knots with stub wings and ordnance, and faster when stripped down, said Andy Bernhard, the program's chief engineer. The tests will expand methodically to include the speed objective and high-G maneuvers.
The test program includes two aircraft, one to demonstrate its full capability and another for customer demonstrations and for exploring the integration of mission systems and weapons.
"We think it is a game-changing capability, and we are going to tee it up to the customers, and over the coming months put them in the seat with us and see what this can do," Miller said. "We're hoping that's going to open some eyes and change some thoughts about how soon they're going to introduce this into the inventory."
By Joe Gould May 23, 2015
Photo: Sikorsky
WASHINGTON — The Sikorsky S-97 Raider hit an important milestone Friday with the successful first flight of its experimental rotorcraft.
The S-97, with two pilots, took off at the company's West Palm Beach, Fla., facility about 7 a.m. and performed all of its proscribed movements over roughly an hour. The flight test took on the basics — among them three take-offs and landings, and movements in all cardinal directions at 10 knots — before more advanced tests over the year.
"This was, we feel, a really spectacular day for Sikorsky and aviation in general," said Mark Miller, Sikorsky's vice president for research and engineering. "It's not every day you have a first flight, and when you add on top of that a very differentiated, new and compelling product like the S-97 Raider, it makes it even more special.
"We're very excited, it was everything we wanted it to be and more, and it's the start of a new generation of helicopters and capabilities that we're really excited about," Miller said.
With the platform, Sikorsky officials said the company was firmly planting its flag for the Army's future vertical lift - light concept and armed aerial scout requirement. The S-97 was envisioned at one point as a contender replacement for the US Army's OH-58 Kiowa Scout, but the Army changed plans and scuttled the armed aerial scout for budgetary reasons, using the AH-64 Apache on an interim basis.
Company officials touted Raider's usefulness for special operations missions and as a demonstrator for a larger aircraft that would fit the Army's Joint Multi-Role helicopter replacement program for the service's Black Hawk fleet. The Raider is also queued up, should the Army seek a new armed aerial scout again.
Confident in the Raider, Miller said the platform cannot be viewed as a replacement for a helicopter because it can do things helicopters, "cannot even dream of doing in the future," fly faster, higher, hotter and heavier. "This is a fundamentally different capability than what an Apache will give you," he said.
Miller said the company had "really placed a big bet here." Sikorsky is funding 75 percent of the Raider program out of pocket, with the remaining 25 percent coming from 54 principal suppliers.
"This industry has been criticized for not being creative and innovative and we think, and everything we've seen today reaffirms, that this is a game-changing technology," Miller said. "It is fundamentally twice the speed of a helicopter, with some attributes better than a helicopter."
The Raider is based on the X-2 technology that Sikorsky developed in the late 2000s, but double the size at 11,000 pounds, with room for six troops for combat assault missions or extra equipment or ammunition.
Sikorsky pilot Bill Fell said the S-97 was "rock solid," noting how little vibration or sound it produced, and how responsive it was. He and co-pilot Kevin Bredenbeck, who had been chief pilot for the X-2, spoke confidently about how different the S-97 is from a conventional helicopter and how impressed they are with its performance.
Its rigid rotor system provided a "phenomenal amount of control," Fell said. "You very quickly make inputs in roll and in pitch and there's no lag like a typical articulated rotor system. The aircraft responds immediately to your control input."
The program was originally scheduled to take place 48 months after its clean-sheet design, a much faster pace than the defense industry normally sees, but the schedule slipped by a few months. Miller said the use of additive manufacturing and other new approaches took longer than advertised, but they expect to recoup some of the delay across the one-year controlled test program.
That program will see the pilots take the aircraft to its full speed, 220 knots with stub wings and ordnance, and faster when stripped down, said Andy Bernhard, the program's chief engineer. The tests will expand methodically to include the speed objective and high-G maneuvers.
The test program includes two aircraft, one to demonstrate its full capability and another for customer demonstrations and for exploring the integration of mission systems and weapons.
"We think it is a game-changing capability, and we are going to tee it up to the customers, and over the coming months put them in the seat with us and see what this can do," Miller said. "We're hoping that's going to open some eyes and change some thoughts about how soon they're going to introduce this into the inventory."
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/l...light/27777997/
Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER™ First Flight Video
ZITAT(wARLOCK @ 28. May 2015, 20:01)
Schön und gut, aber Indien kämpft im FLugzeugbau ja durchaus an vielen Fronten. Neben dem Tejas hängt man bei der T50 mit drin, modernisiert nebenher noch die Mig29 und baut die Su30. Alles in allem also genug Möglichkeiten das liebe Steuergeld los zu werden. Sollte man aus dem LCA tatsächlich was gescheites entwickeln, und gleichzeitig die T50 in Produktion nehmen, wofür braucht man dann noch die Rafale?
Tejas ist nur ein leichter Jäger und was man so hört selbst in der Mk.2 Version kein wirklich grosser Wurf.
T-50 ist ... nunja .. irgendwann vielleicht kommt er wirklich, aktuell hängt das Ding noch sehr tief in der Prototypenphase, mit zuletzt sehr langem Test-Unterbruch, auch die Russen und Inder bauen ein modernes Kampfflugzeug nicht in 3 Jahren, diese Illusion haben nur Träumer, mit einer Serienproduktion des indischen T-50 (der noch weiter in den Sternen steht als die russische Grundversion) ist realistischerweise jenseits von 2020 zu rechnen und die Stückkosten sind nicht annähernd absehbar, Indien weiss, wieso sie sich nicht völlig auf dieses Projekt abstützen wollen.
MiG-29 wurden auch nur homöopathische mengen beschafft, die neu beschafften MiG-29K sind für den Flugzeugträge da.
Su-30 ist Grössenmässig dann doch nochmal ein ganz fettes Stück oberhalb der Rafale, immer bedenken, die Rafale wurde im Rahmen des MRCA-Programms ursprünglich als Ersatz der vielen veralteten (und vom Himmel fallenden) MiG-21 ausgewählt.
Na ja. Ursprünglich wollte man lediglich etwas mehr Mirage 2000 haben, die sich gegen propakistanische Separatisten bewährt haben. Was daraus wurde, ist dann eine andere Frage... Ich denke nicht, dass mit 36 Rafales allein der indischen Luftwaffe viel geholfen wird. MiG-21 mit Rafale zu ersetzen, macht nicht viel Sinn, da der Unterschied in jeder Hinsicht einfach zu groß ist. Dafür ist schließlich der Tejas da (30 Jahre Entwicklung bei Verwendung fertiger Komponenten, Mannomann...).
Mir ist das Beschaffungswesen der indischen Streitkräfte in Bezug auf ihre strahlgetriebenen Kampfflugzeuge sowieso rätselhaft. 10 verschiedene Muster in teilweise homöopathischen zahlen und verschiedenster Provenienz ist doch irgendwo kontraproduktiv.
Mir ist durchaus bewusst das noch einiges Wasser den Ganges runterlaufen wird bevor die T-50 tatsächlich eine relevante Rolle spielt. Aber auch eine Rafale-Produktion stampft sich nicht von heute auf morgen aus dem Boden, und obendrein wurde der ganze Prozess ja gerade erst, zumindest offiziell, gecancelt.
Mig21/27 und Jaguar müssen zeitnah ersetzt werden, da gibt es denke ich keine zwei Meinungen. Und genau das macht diese Entscheidung unverständlich. Tejas kann die entstehende Lücke (noch?) nicht füllen, und Su30/T-50 kommen zu spät bzw haben andere Aufgaben. Warum also schießt man das einzige Programm, das in der Lage gewesen wäre in 2-3 Jahren signifikante Mengen an leistungsfähigen Flugzeugen bereit zu stellen, ab? In einigen Jahren (5-10) hat man die eigenen Modelle soweit, und es fällt mir einfach schwer vorzustellen das man dann noch zusätzlich die Rafale bauen wird. (lasse mich aber natürlich eines besseren belehren)
Mig21/27 und Jaguar müssen zeitnah ersetzt werden, da gibt es denke ich keine zwei Meinungen. Und genau das macht diese Entscheidung unverständlich. Tejas kann die entstehende Lücke (noch?) nicht füllen, und Su30/T-50 kommen zu spät bzw haben andere Aufgaben. Warum also schießt man das einzige Programm, das in der Lage gewesen wäre in 2-3 Jahren signifikante Mengen an leistungsfähigen Flugzeugen bereit zu stellen, ab? In einigen Jahren (5-10) hat man die eigenen Modelle soweit, und es fällt mir einfach schwer vorzustellen das man dann noch zusätzlich die Rafale bauen wird. (lasse mich aber natürlich eines besseren belehren)
.
1. Geld, Indien hat davon nicht so viel, wie es gerne hätte
2. Juristische Realität, Dassault will nicht für indische Flickschustereien geradestehen, daher kein Lizenzbau mit indischen Bedingungen
3. Indien war immer wieder ein grauenvoller Vertragspartner für Rüstungsdeals, für jede Seite.
2. Juristische Realität, Dassault will nicht für indische Flickschustereien geradestehen, daher kein Lizenzbau mit indischen Bedingungen
3. Indien war immer wieder ein grauenvoller Vertragspartner für Rüstungsdeals, für jede Seite.
Ich glaube, die Leute von Dassault sind gar nicht gross am Verkaufen interessiert. Die haben bisher schon soviel vergeigt. Das mag auch damit zusammenhängen, dass der frz. Staat für den entgangenen Gewinn von Dassault aufkommt, wenn Dassault nicht eine bestimmte Anzahl Rafale ins Ausland verkaufen kann.
Sind die massiven Mängel der Su 30er also auf goschies sogenannte Flickschusterei der Inder zurück zu führen, oder haben die anderen Kunden ähnliche Probleme mit Ihrer Su 30er Flotte?
ZITAT
Ich glaube, die Leute von Dassault sind gar nicht gross am Verkaufen interessiert. Die haben bisher schon soviel vergeigt. Das mag auch damit zusammenhängen, dass der frz. Staat für den entgangenen Gewinn von Dassault aufkommt, wenn Dassault nicht eine bestimmte Anzahl Rafale ins Ausland verkaufen kann.
Naja Dassault war mit der Rafale auf der Canadian Defense Expo vertreten und gaben sich da schon ganz schön Mühe die Rafale an Kanada zu verkaufen.
ZITAT(nato.int)
Progress on AGS with completion of first NATO-owned air vehicle
05 Jun. 2015
The first of NATO’s five unmanned air vehicles rolled off the factory line in San Diego on Thursday, 4 June 2015. The Global Hawk Block 40 is part of the Alliance Ground Surveillance Program (AGS). The NATO-owned and -operated AGS core capability will enable the Alliance to perform persistent surveillance over wide areas from high-altitude long-endurance aircraft in any weather or light condition . The system will give commanders a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground.
The AGS system is being acquired by 15 Allies (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States). AGS is scheduled to reach initial operational capability by the end of 2017. The air vehicles will be controlled from the main operating centre in Sigonella, Italy.
05 Jun. 2015
The first of NATO’s five unmanned air vehicles rolled off the factory line in San Diego on Thursday, 4 June 2015. The Global Hawk Block 40 is part of the Alliance Ground Surveillance Program (AGS). The NATO-owned and -operated AGS core capability will enable the Alliance to perform persistent surveillance over wide areas from high-altitude long-endurance aircraft in any weather or light condition . The system will give commanders a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground.
The AGS system is being acquired by 15 Allies (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States). AGS is scheduled to reach initial operational capability by the end of 2017. The air vehicles will be controlled from the main operating centre in Sigonella, Italy.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_120429.htm
NATO's First Alliance Ground Surveillance Aircraft Unveiled - Northrop Grumman and European Industry Partners Enable a new System of Systems ISR Capability - northropgrumman.com
ANALYSIS: Northrop rolls out NATO AGS Global Hawk - flightglobal.com
ZITAT(defense-update.com)
SABR-GS – a powerful new radar for the B-1B Lancer
May 6, 2015
SABR-GS radar installed on a rack simulating the B-1B nose assembly. Photo: Northrop Grumman
Northrop grumman has developed a modern AESA radar for the B-1B Lancer bomber. Based on the company's SABR design, the new radar uses an antenna array three times as large as the F-16s' APG-83, providing large synthetic aperture radar maps, and sensor integration that supports situational awareness for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is introducing an improved radar for the U.S.Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber. The new radar called Scalable Agile Beam Radar – Global Strike (SABR-GS) was presented by Northrop Grumman at the Lancer’s 30th Anniversary Reunion held at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Developed as an affordable, low risk radar retrofit solution, SABR-GS offers advanced operational capabilities and greater system reliability, compared with legacy APQ-164 passive ESA currently used on the bomber.
The new radar provides large synthetic aperture radar maps, advanced image processing and sensor integration that provides a significant advantage in situational awareness for the crew, enabling the B-1 powerful new capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.
Northrop Grumman’s SABR-GS is a full performance, multi-function, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the B-1. As a derivative of the AN/APG-83 SABR, SABR-GS takes advantage of hardware, legacy modes and advanced operating modes proven on the F-35, F-22 and F-16 aircraft.
Nearly three times the size of the F-16 SABR system, SABR-GS offers unprecedented target area detail and digital maps under all weather conditions. Open architecture standards have been used to integrate data from other onboard sensors, enabling continued innovation and affordability for the life of the system.
The IBS is a combination of three different upgrades, which includes a Fully Integrated Data Link, a Vertical Situation Display upgrade, and a Central Integrated System upgrade. PHOTO: USAF, Richard Ebensberger
“By developing SABR-GS, we’ve enabled capabilities now critical to the mission – a significant milestone for SABR technology and the B-1,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president, surveillance systems business unit, Northrop Grumman. “By leveraging the successes of the SABR for the F-16 fighter, we have activated cost savings for the U.S. Air Force’s B-1 program, proven that SABR AESA technology is scalable and extended the survivability of the aircraft for the next 25 years. The APG-83 version of SABR has been integrated into the F-16 and is part of the F-16A/B upgrade for Taiwan.
The development of SABR-GS took place under a $21 million risk reduction contract awarded in 2011 by the Air Force B-1 Systems Program Office. Northrop Grumman has demonstrated in flight, the advanced B-1 AESA and advanced sensor and fusion processing, readying the radar for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase.
The completion of this contract follows the successful Radar Modernization Improvement Program (RMIP), in which Northrop Grumman modernized the radar receivers and processors of the B-1. SABR-GS will replace the APQ-164 radar antenna currently deployed on all B-1 bombers.
The current upgrade implemented on the bomber is part of Sustainment Block 16 (SB-16) – the largest and most comprehensive in the Lancer’s life cycle so far. SB-16 includes upgraded navigation and radar systems, modernized cockpit that the replaced the two monochrome pilot and co-pilot displays with four color MFDs (Multi Function Display); a Fully Integrated Data Link and a Central Integrated Test System (used to detect and troubleshoot anomalies) in the aft station; introduction of modern moving map and user friendly symbology.
These modifications are part of the Integrated Battle Station (IBS) initiative, which will be fully implemented by 2019.
The B-1B is a modernized version of the B-1A Lancer supersonic strategic bomber of which only four were produced by the original manufacturer in the early 1970s. Serial production of the bomber began in 1986 with an order of 100 B-1B bombers, redesigned and revised into multi-mission bombers – a new variant of the original design, designed to evade enemy detection by flying at high subsonic speed at low level. To enable such flight it is using its APQ-164 multi-mode radar as a terrain following sensor. Built by Westinghouse (currently supported by Northrop Grumman), the APQ-164 radar employs passive electronically scanned array technology with electronic beam steering, enabling the fixed antenna to be pointed downward for reduced radar observability. Apart from terrain following, the radar also provided high resolution (10-foot to 160-foot resolutions) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping and ground moving target indication (GMTI) for navigation and targeting of nuclear and strategic weapons in all weather conditions.
The B-1B’s current APQ-164 multi-mode radar employs passive electronically scanned array technology with electronic beam steering, enabling the fixed antenna to be pointed downward for reduced radar observability. Apart from terrain following, the radar also provided synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping and ground moving target indication (GMTI).
May 6, 2015
SABR-GS radar installed on a rack simulating the B-1B nose assembly. Photo: Northrop Grumman
Northrop grumman has developed a modern AESA radar for the B-1B Lancer bomber. Based on the company's SABR design, the new radar uses an antenna array three times as large as the F-16s' APG-83, providing large synthetic aperture radar maps, and sensor integration that supports situational awareness for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is introducing an improved radar for the U.S.Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber. The new radar called Scalable Agile Beam Radar – Global Strike (SABR-GS) was presented by Northrop Grumman at the Lancer’s 30th Anniversary Reunion held at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Developed as an affordable, low risk radar retrofit solution, SABR-GS offers advanced operational capabilities and greater system reliability, compared with legacy APQ-164 passive ESA currently used on the bomber.
The new radar provides large synthetic aperture radar maps, advanced image processing and sensor integration that provides a significant advantage in situational awareness for the crew, enabling the B-1 powerful new capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.
Northrop Grumman’s SABR-GS is a full performance, multi-function, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the B-1. As a derivative of the AN/APG-83 SABR, SABR-GS takes advantage of hardware, legacy modes and advanced operating modes proven on the F-35, F-22 and F-16 aircraft.
Nearly three times the size of the F-16 SABR system, SABR-GS offers unprecedented target area detail and digital maps under all weather conditions. Open architecture standards have been used to integrate data from other onboard sensors, enabling continued innovation and affordability for the life of the system.
The IBS is a combination of three different upgrades, which includes a Fully Integrated Data Link, a Vertical Situation Display upgrade, and a Central Integrated System upgrade. PHOTO: USAF, Richard Ebensberger
“By developing SABR-GS, we’ve enabled capabilities now critical to the mission – a significant milestone for SABR technology and the B-1,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president, surveillance systems business unit, Northrop Grumman. “By leveraging the successes of the SABR for the F-16 fighter, we have activated cost savings for the U.S. Air Force’s B-1 program, proven that SABR AESA technology is scalable and extended the survivability of the aircraft for the next 25 years. The APG-83 version of SABR has been integrated into the F-16 and is part of the F-16A/B upgrade for Taiwan.
The development of SABR-GS took place under a $21 million risk reduction contract awarded in 2011 by the Air Force B-1 Systems Program Office. Northrop Grumman has demonstrated in flight, the advanced B-1 AESA and advanced sensor and fusion processing, readying the radar for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase.
The completion of this contract follows the successful Radar Modernization Improvement Program (RMIP), in which Northrop Grumman modernized the radar receivers and processors of the B-1. SABR-GS will replace the APQ-164 radar antenna currently deployed on all B-1 bombers.
The current upgrade implemented on the bomber is part of Sustainment Block 16 (SB-16) – the largest and most comprehensive in the Lancer’s life cycle so far. SB-16 includes upgraded navigation and radar systems, modernized cockpit that the replaced the two monochrome pilot and co-pilot displays with four color MFDs (Multi Function Display); a Fully Integrated Data Link and a Central Integrated Test System (used to detect and troubleshoot anomalies) in the aft station; introduction of modern moving map and user friendly symbology.
These modifications are part of the Integrated Battle Station (IBS) initiative, which will be fully implemented by 2019.
The B-1B is a modernized version of the B-1A Lancer supersonic strategic bomber of which only four were produced by the original manufacturer in the early 1970s. Serial production of the bomber began in 1986 with an order of 100 B-1B bombers, redesigned and revised into multi-mission bombers – a new variant of the original design, designed to evade enemy detection by flying at high subsonic speed at low level. To enable such flight it is using its APQ-164 multi-mode radar as a terrain following sensor. Built by Westinghouse (currently supported by Northrop Grumman), the APQ-164 radar employs passive electronically scanned array technology with electronic beam steering, enabling the fixed antenna to be pointed downward for reduced radar observability. Apart from terrain following, the radar also provided high resolution (10-foot to 160-foot resolutions) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping and ground moving target indication (GMTI) for navigation and targeting of nuclear and strategic weapons in all weather conditions.
The B-1B’s current APQ-164 multi-mode radar employs passive electronically scanned array technology with electronic beam steering, enabling the fixed antenna to be pointed downward for reduced radar observability. Apart from terrain following, the radar also provided synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping and ground moving target indication (GMTI).
http://defense-update.com/20150506_sabr_gs...ml#.VXHYXEYhHuM
Gehoert das Verhindern von Luftfahrt auch zur Luftfahrt? 
Laut Tagesschau ist die Entscheidung fuer MEADS als Patriot-Ersatz gefallen:
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/meads-109.html
Laut Tagesschau ist die Entscheidung fuer MEADS als Patriot-Ersatz gefallen:
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/meads-109.html
ZITAT
Bundeswehr mustert Transall in Wunstorf aus
Seit 1969 gehörte das Transportflugzeug Transall zum Arsenal der bundesdeutschen Luftwaffe. 46 Jahre später endet heute auf dem Fliegerhorst in Wunstorf (Region Hannover) eine Ära: Die deutschen Luftstreitkräfte mustern dort die Maschinen dieses Typs endgültig aus. Am Donnerstag wird der Abschied zudem mit einem Appell gefeiert. Künftig sind auf dem Stützpunkt des Lufttransportgeschwaders 62 (LTG 62) nur noch Maschinen einer neuen Generation stationiert. Für Truppenverlegungen und Materialtransporte soll künftig nur noch das neue Militärflugzeug A400M zuständig sein.
[...]
Seit 1969 gehörte das Transportflugzeug Transall zum Arsenal der bundesdeutschen Luftwaffe. 46 Jahre später endet heute auf dem Fliegerhorst in Wunstorf (Region Hannover) eine Ära: Die deutschen Luftstreitkräfte mustern dort die Maschinen dieses Typs endgültig aus. Am Donnerstag wird der Abschied zudem mit einem Appell gefeiert. Künftig sind auf dem Stützpunkt des Lufttransportgeschwaders 62 (LTG 62) nur noch Maschinen einer neuen Generation stationiert. Für Truppenverlegungen und Materialtransporte soll künftig nur noch das neue Militärflugzeug A400M zuständig sein.
[...]
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachse...ransall128.html
Damit es nicht zu Mißverständnissen kommt - es geht da lediglich um die Einstellung des Flugbetriebes in Wunstorf. Alle verbleibenden Transall werden nach Hohn verlegt und dort weiterbetrieben. Wie es die Gerüchteküche besagt möglicherweise bis zu drei Jahre länger als geplant...
Instandsetzung und Upgrade der Orion Seeaufklärer kostet mehrere hundert Millonen Euro:
http://augengeradeaus.net/2015/07/mehr-als...-von-altlasten/
ZITAT
Verteidigungs- und Haushaltsausschuss des Bundestages befassen sich am (heutigen) Mittwoch mit Ausgaben von weit über eine halbe Milliarde Euro für die Bundeswehr. Für die Streitkräfte bitter: Der weitaus überwiegende Teil des Geldes kommt nicht etwa der Truppe für neues Gerät oder Ausrüstung zugute. Sondern ist Steuergeld, mit dem Fehler der Vergangenheit bereinigt werden sollen oder müssen.
Der größte Brocken ist die Sanierung eines vermeintlichen Schnäppchens. 2004 nahm die Bundeswehr der niederländischen Marine acht Seefernaufklärer des TypsLockheed Orion P-3C ab (Foto oben). Die geplanten Beschaffungskosten mit Zubehör betrugen zunächst knapp 300 Millionen Euro, später stiegen sie auf mehr als 400 Millionen.
Jetzt wird für diese Flugzeuge mehr als eine halbe Milliarde Euro sozusagen an Reparaturkosten fällig. Die Einrüstung neuer Tragflächen und Leitwerke schlägt nach der Vorlage für den Haushaltsausschuss mit 292,4 Millionen zu Buche, hinzu kommt die Erneuerung der Missionsavionik für 218,33 Millionen und ein Mustereinbau (hm, da weiß ich gar nicht so genau, was damit gemeint ist) zum Erhalt der Instrumental Flight Rules, also des Instrumentenfluges, für 58 Millonen Euro.
Unterm Strich also für die Sanierung mehr Geld, als die gebrauchten Maschinen ursprünglich gekostet haben. Eine Übersicht über die Kosten – vor der heutigen Entscheidung! – hatte Spiegel Online im Februar mal veröffentlicht.
Der größte Brocken ist die Sanierung eines vermeintlichen Schnäppchens. 2004 nahm die Bundeswehr der niederländischen Marine acht Seefernaufklärer des TypsLockheed Orion P-3C ab (Foto oben). Die geplanten Beschaffungskosten mit Zubehör betrugen zunächst knapp 300 Millionen Euro, später stiegen sie auf mehr als 400 Millionen.
Jetzt wird für diese Flugzeuge mehr als eine halbe Milliarde Euro sozusagen an Reparaturkosten fällig. Die Einrüstung neuer Tragflächen und Leitwerke schlägt nach der Vorlage für den Haushaltsausschuss mit 292,4 Millionen zu Buche, hinzu kommt die Erneuerung der Missionsavionik für 218,33 Millionen und ein Mustereinbau (hm, da weiß ich gar nicht so genau, was damit gemeint ist) zum Erhalt der Instrumental Flight Rules, also des Instrumentenfluges, für 58 Millonen Euro.
Unterm Strich also für die Sanierung mehr Geld, als die gebrauchten Maschinen ursprünglich gekostet haben. Eine Übersicht über die Kosten – vor der heutigen Entscheidung! – hatte Spiegel Online im Februar mal veröffentlicht.
http://augengeradeaus.net/2015/07/mehr-als...-von-altlasten/
ZITAT(Praetorian @ 1. Jul 2015, 01:54)
Damit es nicht zu Mißverständnissen kommt - es geht da lediglich um die Einstellung des Flugbetriebes in Wunstorf. Alle verbleibenden Transall werden nach Hohn verlegt und dort weiterbetrieben. Wie es die Gerüchteküche besagt möglicherweise bis zu drei Jahre länger als geplant...
AKtuell noch zur Transall: Zuwachs für Hohner Flieger | shz.de
Demnach hat das LTG63 jetzt insgesamt 27 Transall, von denen aber 4 zur "großen Inspektion" in Manching sind.
http://avherald.com/h?article=488ffe1c&opt=0
edit:
"Incident: United B764 enroute on Jun 24th 2015, captain disposes of ammunition into toilet"
edit:
"Incident: United B764 enroute on Jun 24th 2015, captain disposes of ammunition into toilet"
Eine Kurzbeschreibung zu einem Link ist das mindeste, was man erwarten kann 
goschi (admin)
goschi (admin)
ZITAT(casual3rdparty @ 8. Jul 2015, 18:47)
"Incident: United B764 enroute on Jun 24th 2015, captain disposes of ammunition into toilet"
...wäre es nicht erheblich einfacher gewesen beim Zoll die rote Tür zu nehmen und die Munition den Zöllnern zu übergeben?
Gruß
Thomas
ZITAT(zeit.de)
Drohnen
Bundesregierung droht weiteres Drohnen-Debakel
Der Euro Hawk hat Ex-Verteidigungsminister de Maizière fast das Amt gekostet. Bei einem ähnlichen Drohnenprojekt wiederholen sich nun die Probleme. von Hauke Friederichs
15. Juli 2015
http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2015-07...assungsprobleme
Bundesregierung droht weiteres Drohnen-Debakel
Der Euro Hawk hat Ex-Verteidigungsminister de Maizière fast das Amt gekostet. Bei einem ähnlichen Drohnenprojekt wiederholen sich nun die Probleme. von Hauke Friederichs
15. Juli 2015
http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2015-07...assungsprobleme
Warum testet man die Aufklärungskomponenten (AGS und Isis (?)) nicht einfach an bemannten Commercials wie Saab 200 oder Do 328? War ja auch der Ausgangspunkt bei AGS (zumindest auf der Berliner Sicherheitskonferenz 2006). Denn wie es aussieht hängt es "nur" an der Plattform Euro/Global Hawk.
ZITAT
15.07.2015
FLUG REVUE
Japan erster Exportkunde für die V-22 Osprey
Das Pentagon hat nun offiziell den Auftrag für die Lieferung von zunächst fünf Bell/Boeing MV-22 Kipprotorflugzeugen an Japan erteilt. Geplant sind 17 Ospreys im Wert von drei Milliarden Dollar.
Die fünf nun im Rahmen eines vorhandenen Mehrjahresauftrags bestellten MV-22 der Block-C-Konfiguration kosten laut US-Verteidigungsministerium 332,468 Millionen Dollar (300 Millionen Euro). Sie sollen alle bis Juni 2018 geliefert werden.
Insgesamt will Japan 17 Ospreys beschaffen, um die Tranportkapazität seiner Streitkräfte zu erweitern. Laut Mitteilung der amerikanischen Defense Security Cooperation Agency vom Mai sind dafür rund drei Milliarden Dollar kalkuliert, inklusive Ausrüstung, Ersatztriebwerke, Nachtsichtbrillen, Planungssysemen, Ersatzteilen und Ausbildung.
Bell und Boeing zeigten sich erfreut über den ersten Exportauftrag für das Kipprotormuster, das seit 1989 fliegt. Ursprünglich sollte Israel der erste ausländische Kunde werden, doch im letzten Oktober verschob das Verteidigungsministerium in Tel Aviv eine Beschaffung.
FLUG REVUE
Japan erster Exportkunde für die V-22 Osprey
Das Pentagon hat nun offiziell den Auftrag für die Lieferung von zunächst fünf Bell/Boeing MV-22 Kipprotorflugzeugen an Japan erteilt. Geplant sind 17 Ospreys im Wert von drei Milliarden Dollar.
Die fünf nun im Rahmen eines vorhandenen Mehrjahresauftrags bestellten MV-22 der Block-C-Konfiguration kosten laut US-Verteidigungsministerium 332,468 Millionen Dollar (300 Millionen Euro). Sie sollen alle bis Juni 2018 geliefert werden.
Insgesamt will Japan 17 Ospreys beschaffen, um die Tranportkapazität seiner Streitkräfte zu erweitern. Laut Mitteilung der amerikanischen Defense Security Cooperation Agency vom Mai sind dafür rund drei Milliarden Dollar kalkuliert, inklusive Ausrüstung, Ersatztriebwerke, Nachtsichtbrillen, Planungssysemen, Ersatzteilen und Ausbildung.
Bell und Boeing zeigten sich erfreut über den ersten Exportauftrag für das Kipprotormuster, das seit 1989 fliegt. Ursprünglich sollte Israel der erste ausländische Kunde werden, doch im letzten Oktober verschob das Verteidigungsministerium in Tel Aviv eine Beschaffung.
http://www.flugrevue.de/militaerluftfahrt/...2-osprey/637336
@SailorGN
Die Antwort auf deine Frage steht im Artikel. Es geht darum die Technik in 20km Höhe zu testen. Deine Vorschläge schaffen nicht einmal die Hälfte davon.
Die Antwort auf deine Frage steht im Artikel. Es geht darum die Technik in 20km Höhe zu testen. Deine Vorschläge schaffen nicht einmal die Hälfte davon.
Ah, danke, hab ich wohl verdrängt.
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U-2
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ZITAT(xena @ 17. Jul 2015, 17:11)
In Zusammenarbeit mit der NASA (die haben ja so eine), warum nicht? Machen die US-Streitkräfte ja auch. Hey, immerhin sind wir in der NATO, also bitte etwas mehr Zusammenarbeit.
Mal abgesehen von der Machbarkeit dieses Vorschlags, die US Air Force selbst betreibt noch über 30 U-2S.
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http://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/lockheed-mart...ller-1.18582713
ZITAT
Lockheed Martin übernimmt legendären Helikopter-Hersteller
Der Rüstungskonzern Lockheed Martin erwirbt laut Insiderberichten den Helikopter-Hersteller Sikorsky. Mit der milliardenschweren Transaktion würde der US-Konzern mehrere Konkurrenten ausstechen.
(Reuters) Der US-Rüstungskonzern Lockheed Martin erwirbt nach Informationen eines Insiders den amerikanischen Helikopter-Hersteller Sikorsky für mehr als 8 Mrd. $. Die beiden Unternehmen wollten die Transaktion bereits am Montag bekanntgeben, sagte eine mit der Angelegenheit vertraute Person am Sonntag der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters. Mit dem Schritt würden die Amerikaner Airbus zuvorkommen. Der europäische Flugzeugbauer hatte ebenfalls mehrfach ein Interesse an einer Übernahme des Konkurrenten angedeutet.
Sikorsky ist eine Tochtergesellschaft des US-Mischkonzerns United Technologies. Sie baut unter anderem den Militärhelikopter Black Hawk. Im Ringen um zivile Kunden steht die Firma unter Druck, weil Erdöl- und Gaskonzerne wegen der gesunkenen Energiepreise weniger Maschinen kaufen. Sikorsky produziert auch Flugzeuge und Drohnen.
United Technologies wollte sich dazu nicht äussern. Bei Lockheed war zunächst niemand für eine Stellungnahme zu erreichen. Für Lockheed wäre der Zukauf der grösste Deal seit der Übernahme des US-Raumfahrt- und Rüstungskonzerns Martin Marietta vor 20 Jahren für rund 10 Mrd. $. Auch der US-Flugzeugbauer Boeing hatte ein Auge auf Sikorsky geworfen.
Der Rüstungskonzern Lockheed Martin erwirbt laut Insiderberichten den Helikopter-Hersteller Sikorsky. Mit der milliardenschweren Transaktion würde der US-Konzern mehrere Konkurrenten ausstechen.
(Reuters) Der US-Rüstungskonzern Lockheed Martin erwirbt nach Informationen eines Insiders den amerikanischen Helikopter-Hersteller Sikorsky für mehr als 8 Mrd. $. Die beiden Unternehmen wollten die Transaktion bereits am Montag bekanntgeben, sagte eine mit der Angelegenheit vertraute Person am Sonntag der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters. Mit dem Schritt würden die Amerikaner Airbus zuvorkommen. Der europäische Flugzeugbauer hatte ebenfalls mehrfach ein Interesse an einer Übernahme des Konkurrenten angedeutet.
Sikorsky ist eine Tochtergesellschaft des US-Mischkonzerns United Technologies. Sie baut unter anderem den Militärhelikopter Black Hawk. Im Ringen um zivile Kunden steht die Firma unter Druck, weil Erdöl- und Gaskonzerne wegen der gesunkenen Energiepreise weniger Maschinen kaufen. Sikorsky produziert auch Flugzeuge und Drohnen.
United Technologies wollte sich dazu nicht äussern. Bei Lockheed war zunächst niemand für eine Stellungnahme zu erreichen. Für Lockheed wäre der Zukauf der grösste Deal seit der Übernahme des US-Raumfahrt- und Rüstungskonzerns Martin Marietta vor 20 Jahren für rund 10 Mrd. $. Auch der US-Flugzeugbauer Boeing hatte ein Auge auf Sikorsky geworfen.
Also heißen die demnächst wohl Lockheed Martin Sikorsky 
Britische Tornados sollen länger als geplant in Dienst bleiben:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33762564
ZITAT(bbc.com)
Islamic State crisis: UK to extend Tornado strikes in Iraq
4 August 2015
The RAF Tornado mission against Islamic State militants in Iraq is to be extended by an extra year, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.
The jets - due to be disbanded last March - are to be kept in service until "at least" March 2017 to continue air strikes, he said on a visit to Iraq.
Mr Fallon said the air campaign against the IS group was making progress.
UK jets had pushed militants out of key towns and would maintain "essential precision firepower," he said.
Tornados began carrying out missions in Iraq last September as part of US-led air strikes against IS, an extremist group which has seized control of parts of Iraq and Syria.
The squadron of Tornado GR4 fighter bombers - Number 12 Squadron - was due to be disbanded last year and replaced with a squadron of Typhoon air defence fighters.
But, following initial air strikes, Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Tornados would continue in their specialist ground-attack role until March 2016.
Mr Fallon said this second reprieve for the eight bombers - which are based in Cyprus - would ensure the RAF retained "the essential precision firepower, intelligence and surveillance" capabilities needed for operations against IS, also known as Isil.
He denied the extension had come about because there were no other RAF aircraft capable of flying the missions.
Tornados had "proved their worth" in Iraq, he told the BBC, adding they had completed about 30% of the coalition's surveillance missions, as well as carrying out air strikes.
Analysis
The announcement on Britain's ageing but effective squadron of RAF Tornado bombers has been carefully planned.
Mr Fallon announced it in Baghdad, from where he is keen to give the message that slowly but surely Iraqi forces are starting to push back the jihadists and retake territory.
He denied that Britain's contribution - of under 5% of the coalition's air strikes - was making only a negligible difference. He said the Tornados' combination of precision-guided weapons and hi-tech surveillance pods made them vital.
The painful truth for the coalition though is that for more than a year now IS has been able to hold on to most of the huge areas it has occupied in Iraq and Syria, something al-Qaeda never achieved.
It is earning estimated oil revenues of $40m a month and replenishing its ranks of recruits faster than they are being killed off.
This, admitted the defence secretary, will be a long fight.
Speaking earlier in Baghdad, where he met Iraqi officials, he said Iraq needed British help with air support, training and equipment, but not with ground troops.
"RAF Tornados have carried out hundreds of strikes, helping Iraqi forces push back Isil from the Kurdish region and out of key towns such as Tikrit and Bayji," he said.
"We want to ensure we maintain this crucial operational tempo and so we will extend the lifetime of Number 12 Squadron for a further year to March 2017."
4 August 2015
The RAF Tornado mission against Islamic State militants in Iraq is to be extended by an extra year, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.
The jets - due to be disbanded last March - are to be kept in service until "at least" March 2017 to continue air strikes, he said on a visit to Iraq.
Mr Fallon said the air campaign against the IS group was making progress.
UK jets had pushed militants out of key towns and would maintain "essential precision firepower," he said.
Tornados began carrying out missions in Iraq last September as part of US-led air strikes against IS, an extremist group which has seized control of parts of Iraq and Syria.
The squadron of Tornado GR4 fighter bombers - Number 12 Squadron - was due to be disbanded last year and replaced with a squadron of Typhoon air defence fighters.
But, following initial air strikes, Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Tornados would continue in their specialist ground-attack role until March 2016.
Mr Fallon said this second reprieve for the eight bombers - which are based in Cyprus - would ensure the RAF retained "the essential precision firepower, intelligence and surveillance" capabilities needed for operations against IS, also known as Isil.
He denied the extension had come about because there were no other RAF aircraft capable of flying the missions.
Tornados had "proved their worth" in Iraq, he told the BBC, adding they had completed about 30% of the coalition's surveillance missions, as well as carrying out air strikes.
Analysis
The announcement on Britain's ageing but effective squadron of RAF Tornado bombers has been carefully planned.
Mr Fallon announced it in Baghdad, from where he is keen to give the message that slowly but surely Iraqi forces are starting to push back the jihadists and retake territory.
He denied that Britain's contribution - of under 5% of the coalition's air strikes - was making only a negligible difference. He said the Tornados' combination of precision-guided weapons and hi-tech surveillance pods made them vital.
The painful truth for the coalition though is that for more than a year now IS has been able to hold on to most of the huge areas it has occupied in Iraq and Syria, something al-Qaeda never achieved.
It is earning estimated oil revenues of $40m a month and replenishing its ranks of recruits faster than they are being killed off.
This, admitted the defence secretary, will be a long fight.
Speaking earlier in Baghdad, where he met Iraqi officials, he said Iraq needed British help with air support, training and equipment, but not with ground troops.
"RAF Tornados have carried out hundreds of strikes, helping Iraqi forces push back Isil from the Kurdish region and out of key towns such as Tikrit and Bayji," he said.
"We want to ensure we maintain this crucial operational tempo and so we will extend the lifetime of Number 12 Squadron for a further year to March 2017."
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33762564
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