European Missile Defence

[A.V.]

MOSCOW -- The United States is ready to look at remodeling its missile-defense plans to include Moscow, a senior U.S. diplomat has said in a concession to Russian anger over Washington's missile-shield plans.

The Kremlin has been pressing Washington to give ground on the proposed missile shield in exchange for Russia helping supply the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan -- a priority for new President Barack Obama.

Washington and Moscow have in the past discussed a compromise deal that would give Russia a role in the U.S. shield but those talks petered out in the last days of the previous U.S. administration.

"[Washington is] open to the possibility of cooperation, both with Russia and NATO partners, in relation to a new configuration for missile defense which would use the resources that each of us have," Interfax news agency quoted U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns as saying.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow confirmed the text of the interview. Burns, a former ambassador to Moscow, was in Russia this week for talks with officials.

Burns gave no details on what form the new missile-defense configuration might take, but the wording he used appeared to go further than previous U.S. proposals aimed at easing Russia's objections.

Asked by Reuters if he was encouraged that the United States seemed to be listening to Russian concerns on missile defense, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "[Burns] said the right thing."

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said last week he wanted to hit the "reset button" on diplomatic relations with Russia which, under former U.S. President George W. Bush, reached their lowest level since the Cold War.

The Bush administration pushed ahead with plans to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic to counter possible missile strikes from what it called "rogue states," specifically Iran.

Moscow says Tehran does not have the capability of hitting Europe and sees the shield as designed to neutralize Russia's nuclear arsenal. It has threatened to deploy missiles on Poland's border if the shield goes ahead.

Compromise Deal?

The Obama administration has said it will press ahead with the missile-shield plan, but only if it is proven to work and is cost-effective -- a qualification seen in Moscow as a sign Washington is ready to compromise.

Negotiations under the previous U.S. administration focused on giving Russian officials access to the missile-defense installations in Poland and the Czech Republic so they could verify they were not directed against Russia.

Former Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed a joint missile-defense system, with the Pentagon having access to data from a Russian-operated radar station in ex-Soviet Azerbaijan, which borders Iran.

Both negotiating tracks stalled, with Moscow saying it wanted an integral role in any missile-defense system and Washington saying the radar in Azerbaijan could only complement its shield, not replace it.

Afghanistan is a major bargaining chip for Russia in negotations over missile defense.

Obama has placed the fight against the Taliban at the center of his foreign-policy agenda and he is expected to nearly double the U.S. presence in Afghanistan to about 60,000 troops over the next 12 to 18 months.

The Pentagon wants Russian cooperation to supply its forces in Afghanistan, especially since convoys of trucks taking in equipment via Pakistan were attacked by militants.

Russian officials said this week they were open to providing the U.S. military with a transit corridor for nonlethal supplies, though they have given strong hints they want something in exchange from Washington.

 

[nitesh]

It seems like a hard ball game is going on. If russia gets share here will give concessions to US in Afganistan.

It's all give and take only

 

[A.V.]

sir may be the inkin of a joint air -defence pact recently by russia,belarus ,armenia and later kazakstan had some effect on the decision.



MOSCOW, February 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Armenia will set up an integrated air defense network similar to recently announced Russian-Belarusian air defenses, the head of a post-Soviet security bloc said on Friday.

"The so-called Russian-Belarusian integrated air defense network is just a part of the cooperation within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)," Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said.

"We are expecting Russia and Armenia to set up a similar joint [air defense] network," he said at a news conference in Moscow.

According to Bordyuzha, the CSTO, which comprises Russia, Belarus, the Caucasus republic of Armenia and four Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, will set up three regional air defense networks - in Eastern Europe (Belarus), in the Caucasus and in Central Asia.

"After that we will advance to a higher level of cooperation, coordinating the activity of all regional networks and introducing common rules of engagement and information exchange," the official said.

Russia announced last year it was planning to expand military-technical cooperation with CSTO members and build a CSTO integrated air defense network.

Russia and Belarus signed on February 3 an agreement on the joint protection of the Russia-Belarus Union State's airspace and the creation of an integrated regional air defense network.

The network will comprise five Air Force units, 10 anti-aircraft units, five technical service and support units and one electronic warfare unit, and will be placed under the command of a Russian or Belarusian Air Force or Air Defense Force senior commander.

Kazakhstan announced on Wednesday that Russia would deliver the latest version of the S-300 air defense missile system, called S-300PMU2 Favorit (SA-20 Gargoyle), to the Central Asian state in the near future.thnx

 

[A.V.]

Russia to showcase new weaponry at Idex-2009 exhibition

MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russian arms producers will display some of their latest models at an international defense exhibition to be held in the United Arab Emirates, the Federal Service for Military Cooperation said on Monday.

The Idex-2009 international defense exhibition and conference will take place in Abu Dhabi from February 22 through 26.

The service did not specify the weaponry that would be on display, only mentioning the RPG-32 rocket propelled grenade launcher, developed jointly by Russia and Jordan.

It said Russian military systems and technology would be exhibited over an area of 546 square meters, including 84 square meters to be used to showcase the latest developments in Russian ammunition.

Russia is an Idex regular, traditionally displaying small arms and light weapons, and air force, naval, and air defense systems.

According to Jane's Infantry Weapons, the Hashim RPG-32 is a two-piece modular unit comprising a re-usable firing/sighting unit, which is described as the launcher, and a disposable container with either an anti-tank or thermobaric round.

The system's Russian developer said last year its performance would be significantly improved by 2010 to feature a higher kill probability - 80% at a range of 350-400 meters - without specifying its current effectiveness.
RIA Novosti - Russia - Russia to showcase new weaponry at Idex-2009 exhibition

 

[Sridhar]

UK, French nuclear subs collide in Atlantic

UK, French nuclear subs collide in Atlantic news
16 February 2009

A British and a French nuclear submarine were damaged in a collision deep below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, according to the UK ministry of defence (MoD). The Royal Navy's Trident class HMS Vanguard and the French Le Triomphant, both of them said to be armed with nuclear missiles, are believed to have crashed while submerged on 3 or 4 February, according to reports.

The two submarines were carrying a total of around 250 sailors on board. UK MoD sources said the two submarines collided in what was an extraordinary accident. The accident raises questions about the efficacy of modern sonar and radar systems.

MoD sources said the Vanguard had returned to its home base in Faslane, Scotland, with only "scrapes". Other sources said there were visible dents on her hull as she was towed home last night.

A MoD spokesman stressed that "…UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety."

The Vanguard is one of Britain's four V-class submarines that make up the Trident nuclear deterrent.

As for the French sub, the Triomphant's sonar dome was reported to be extensively damaged. She is reported to have returned to her home base of Brest.

domain-b.com : UK, French nuclear subs collide in Atlantic

 

[nitesh]

some interesting info regarding the accident:

Antisonar technology made nuclear subs undetectable | The Australian


Antisonar technology made nuclear subs undetectable
Charles Bremner and David Brown | February 17, 2009


A BRITISH nuclear submarine collided with a French sub in the Atlantic because sophisticated antisonar equipment made them undetectable to each other, it has been claimed.

The French submarine Le Triomphant remained unaware that it had rammed and damaged HMS Vanguard until days later, when it was informed by the Royal Navy. Both vessels were carrying nuclear ballistic warheads while on secret patrols when they crashed this month.

Official inquiries have started in Britain and France, amid concerns regarding the sharing of military information between the allied navies.

The French Navy claimed this month that the bow sonar dome of Le Triomphant was probably damaged in a collision with a submerged shipping container while returning from patrol. It only discovered that it had hit a British submarine after one of the regular exchanges of information with the Royal Navy.

Nato countries exchange details about the areas and depths in which their submarines will operate during patrols. France has opted out of Nato's military command, however, so does not share detailed information, although it normally provides some data about its submarine operations.

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, said the collision happened at low speed and none of the 240 crew on board the submarines was injured.

"Two submerged (ballistic nuclear submarines), one French and the other UK, were conducting routine national patrols in the Atlantic Ocean," he said. "Both submarines remained safe and no injuries occurred. We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety."

The collision is understood to have occurred on February 3 or 4. HMS Vanguard returned to its base in Faslane, western Scotland, on Saturday with dents and scrapes on its hull. Le Triomphant took three days to limp home to port in Brest, northwest France, with extensive damage to its Thales DMUX 80 sonar. Repairs to the two vessels are reported to have been estimated at £50 million.

The French Navy confirmed that the collision took place in the Atlantic on a routine patrol and at great depth but would not disclose the location for security reasons.

Captain Jerome Erulin said that such collisions were extremely unlikely but always possible between two submarines that are designed to evade detection.

"It was a brief contact at slow speed," he said. "The slow speed at the moment of the incident is their normal patrol speed. There was no human error."

A Royal Navy source said that the chances of two submarines colliding in the mid-Atlantic were very small. He said that submarines used "water space management" to separate themselves both geographically and in depth from other vessels.

"It is remarkably difficult to detect a modern submarine with sonar and we work very hard with our own submarines, as do our allies, in making them as quiet as possible so they are not detectable."

Commodore Stephen Saunders, editor of Jane's Fighting Ships, said: "This is a very serious incident. There are procedural issues that need addressing. We should not have submarines of friendly nations operating in the same area at the same time."

HMS Vanguard, which was launched in 1992, is one of four British submarines capable of carrying up to 16 Trident ballistic nuclear missiles with up to eight warheads. At least one of the submarines is on patrol at any time.

The 14,335-tonne Le Triomphant, which entered service in 1997, also carries up to 16 nuclear missiles, with six warheads, and is one of four nuclear-armed submarines in the French fleet.

Vice-Admiral John McAnally, president of the Royal Naval Association, said that it was a "one in a million chance" that the two vessels collided.

He said: "It would be very unusual on deterrent patrol to use active sonar because that would expose the submarine to detection."

Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said that the crash showed the inherent danger of military operations. "For two submarines to collide, apparently unaware of each other's presence, is extremely worrying. Hopefully, lessons have been learnt."

Kate Hudson, from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said: "This is a nuclear nightmare of the highest order. The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons on board, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed."

John Large, an independent nuclear analyst who advised the Russian Government after its Kursk submarine sank in 2000, said that the incident could have been far worse. "The real risk is if you have a fire on board caused by the impact," he said. "Each warhead has about 30kg-50kg of high explosive around it. That would burn and your plutonium core would burn as well. That would disperse into the atmosphere and be a major problem."

The incident is the most serious underwater collision since the USS San Francisco hit an undersea mountain in the Pacific head-on in 2005, killing one sailor and injuring 24 others.

Lee Willett, of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, said that Britain and France would be very reticent to share information on what their nuclear submarines were up to. "Despite how close these relations are, they are the ultimate tools of national survival in the event of war," he said.

 

[Sridhar]

More Speculations ...

Why Boomers Collide
February 17, 2009: On February 16th, the French and British navies confirmed that two of their SSBNs, the French Le Triomphant and the British Vanguard, had collided with each other on February 4th. The Vanguard was on patrol, while the Le Triomphant was returning to port (Brest) from a patrol. It appears that the Le Triomphant hit the Vanguard, while running in a parallel collision course. Both France and Britain have long maintained a force of four SSBNs each.

Earlier, on February 6th, France had announced that The Le Triomphant had collided with some unknown underwater object, causing some damage to its sonar dome. Ten days later, the French admitted that they had lied, trying to cover up what really happened. By then, civilians had seen that the Vanguard had dents and scrapes along its side, indicating that the some other vessel had made contact with a long portion of the Vanguard's hull. This was visible on February 14th, as the Vanguard returned, early, to its base in Scotland.

How two SSBNs could bump into each other in such a large ocean, is to be the subject of a joint investigation by the two nations. There are several plausible reasons for such a collision taking place.

First, both France and Britain have their SSBN patrol areas in the same patch of ocean. That's because the range of their missiles, and the location of potential targets (Russia, the only nation with nukes aimed at Europe) means there's only a small area of the eastern Atlantic where these patrols are going to take place. So while the two nations SSBNs are still operating, underwater, in a large bit of the Atlantic, it's not as big as you might think.

Second, SSBNs operate as quietly as possible. They use passive (it just listens) sonar and move slowly (about 10 kilometers an hour). Just how quiet SSBNs are is considered classified information, as is the possibility that two of them could be very near each other, and be undetectable to each other. It may now be revealed if the U.S., or anyone else, ever sought to discover if this was possible. Certainly, the British-French investigation of the SSBN incident will probably make it clear if these boats are quiet enough underwater to be invisible to each other. Note that this invisibility may only happen because of special conditions underwater (different temperature or salinity layers of water, which channel the sound away from layers above and below). Since this is all very sensitive material, the full results of the investigation may not be released for decades.

Third, there is a lack of cooperation between the French and other navies. NATO has protocols for member nations to inform each other of the general area where each other's submarines will be operating. But France left NATO in 1966 (although it has been discussing rejoining), and does not participate in this submarine "deconfliction" program.

There's also the possibility that one, or both, boats were having problems with their passive sonar at the time of the collision. It's also possible that one of the boats did detect the other at a distance, decided to investigate further, and that all went badly.

The 428 foot long Le Triomphant class boats displace 12,600 tons, have a crew of 101 and carry 16 M51 ballistic missiles (weighing 56 tons each, carrying six warheads and with a range of 10,000 kilometers). The other three Triomphants, already in service, carry the older M45 missile (weighing 35 tons each, carrying six warheads and with a range of 6,000 kilometers). These boats will get the M51 after the "Le Terrible" enters service. The Triomphants replace the six SSBNs of the Redoutable class, 9,000 ton boats that entered service in 1971 and were retired in 1991. Each of these boats carried sixteen of the shorter range (5,000 kilometers) M4 missiles.

The Vanguard boats are a little larger (465 feet long, crew of 135), and entered service in the 1990s. They carry 16 Trident II missiles, weighing 59 tons, with a range of 11,300 kilometers and carrying up to eight warheads.

On February 6th, the French Navy announced that it always has two SSBNs available for duty, so that if one is unexpectedly put out of service, another is available to go out on patrol. Sea based, nuclear armed missiles are a deterrent to other nuclear nations only if you have one of your SSBNs at sea at all times.

Had these two boats hit each other sufficiently hard to cause a hull breach, and send one or both of them to the bottom, they would have joined many other nukes that have gone down since the 1960s. The nuclear reactors and warheads are built to stay submerged, and contain their radioactive material, for a long time. This has worked with the dozen or more other nukes that have gone to the bottom. Except, of course, for the Russian mass sinking of nuclear subs and reactors in the Arctic ocean in the 1980s and 90s. That was halted in the 1990s, because of the possibility of polluting Arctic fish stocks, by Western nations providing money to safely take apart and retire over a hundred obsolete Russian nuclear subs

Submarines: Why Boomers Collide

 

[Sridhar]

If Antisonar is the reason for collision then there is every possibility it will hit some rock or any Obstacle .

 

[Sridhar]

Reviving MIG

The visit of Vladimir Putin for a moment.

Filed under: Putin in MiGe - Pilot @ 11:54 am Translate to English

Первое заседание Совета генеральных и главных конструкторов провел премьер-министр России Владимир Путин 11 февраля на МиГе The first meeting of the general and chief designer held the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin on 11 February at MiGe

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Чистый убыток российской самолетостроительной корпорации (РСК) “МиГ” в 2008 году составил около 11 млрд рублей, сообщил в Москве на совете генконструкторов при кабинете министров премьер-министр РФ Владимир Путин. Net loss of Russian aircraft Corporation (RSK) MiG in 2008 amounted to about 11 billion rubles, said in Moscow on genkonstruktorov Council under the Cabinet of Ministers, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

По его словам, долг компании составляет 44,8 млрд рублей. According to him, the company's debt is 44.8 billion rubles.

Как отметил В.Путин, в рамках оздоровления компании из федерального бюджета выделено 15 млрд рублей на увеличение уставного капитала. As pointed out by Vladimir Putin, in the company's recovery from the federal budget allocated 15 billion rubles to increase the authorized capital. Кроме того, “МиГ” получил госзаказ на 17,3 млрд рублей на закупку самолетов “МиГ-29СМТ”. In addition, the "MiG" has received state orders for 17.3 billion rubles for the purchase of aircraft, the MiG-29SMT.

В первом квартале Минобороны проплатит 11 млрд рублей, уточнил он. In the first quarter of Defense proplatit 11 billion rubles, he said.

При этом вице-премьер РФ Сергей Иванов в беседе с журналистами по окончании совета отметил, что в качестве меры господдержки “МиГа” может выступить закупка самолетов “МиГ-29КУБ”. In doing so, the Vice-Premier Sergey Ivanov in an interview with reporters after the council said that as a measure of state "MiG" can make the purchase of aircraft, the MiG-29KUB. “В новой государственной программе вооружения, которая уже готовится, предусматривается возможность закупки “МиГ-29КУБ”, то есть корабельных, для ВМФ, для использования на авианесущих кораблях, - отметил он. "The new state armaments program, which is already being prepared, provide an opportunity to purchase MiG-29KUB, ie ship for the Navy, for use on ships, aircraft, - he said.

Кроме того, по словам С.Иванова, компании могут быть оказаны и другие виды поддержки. In addition, according to Ivanov, the company can be provided, and other types of support.

“Если потребуется, мы будем разрабатывать дополнительные меры по поддержке этого предприятия”, - добавил он. "If necessary, we will develop additional measures to support the enterprise," - he added.

Ну а для нас этот визит начался с экскурсии по местам съемок. But for us, the visit began with a tour of the filming locations. Первое место - это цех статических испытаний, там же стоит тренажер для индии, который мы снимали раньше. ???? Pilot’? ??????????? ???????? ??? ???-29? (9-41) First place - this shop static testing, there is also a simulator for India, which we removed earlier. Http://pilot.strizhi.info/2008/12/16/5957

Для нас, конечно, было самым интересным то, что разрешили снимать самолеты на стат испытаниях For us, of course, was the most interesting fact that the aircraft was allowed to withdraw to a challenge

Их всего четыре. They were only four. Первый МиГ-29К/КУБ. First MiG-29K/KUB.

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Еще МиГ-29 Another MiG-29

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МиГ-АТ MiG-AT

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И МиГ-31 And the MiG-31

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Потом мы отправились на участок САУ Then we went to the site of ACS

Тут отрабатывают системы. Then try the system. Стоят стенды МиГ-31, но он законсервирован, МиГ-АТ и МиГ-29КУБ. Standing stands MiG-31, but it is conserved, the MiG-AT and Mig-29KUB. Это корабелка. This korabelka. Шасси Chassis

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На стенде можно полетать, все системы при этом работают. On the stand, you can fly, all of that work. Взлет с палубы. Taking off from the deck.

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Пока можно обсудить визит. Until you can discuss the visit. Погосян и пресс-службы премьера и МиГа Pogosian and the press service of prime minister and flashes

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Стенд миГ-31 Stand MiG-31

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Посмотрели и потопали чай пить и ждать визита Potopali looked, and drink tea and wait for the visit По пути разрешили пофотать памятники On the way allowed pofotat monuments МиГ-29 в честь первого полета, но почему-то совсем не тот, даже 9-13, а не 9-12, хотя номер 901. MiG-29 after the first flight, but somehow he did not even 9-13, not 9-12, although the number 901.

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Микояну и погибшим работникам МиГа Mikoyanu and deceased employees MiG

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Ну и самолет-солдат МиГ-15 Well, soldiers and aircraft MiG-15

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Ну вот и визит начался. Oh, and the visit began. Я на второй точке, те в САУ I am on the second point, those in the ACS

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Небольшое объяснение происходящего и Павел Власов показывал как летает с палубы МиГ-29, ну или как будет летать A little explanation of events and Pavel Vlasov shown as flying from the deck of the MiG-29, or as I will fly

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Очень понравилась настенная газета, точнее то, что ее сохранили. Very good wall paper, or rather the fact that it kept. теперь это можно как реликвию в музей передавать Now it is possible as a relic in a museum pass

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Следующее место- это кабинет генерального, тут малое заседание по проблемам МиГа. The next place is a master room, then a small meeting on the MiG. Глава Сбербанка не просто гость. The head of the Savings Bank is not just a guest. Приятно работать с людьми, у которых есть чуство юмора. It is a pleasure to work with people who have chustvo humor. Греф Иванову - берите этот — не, нам чужого не надо, наши лучше Gref Ivan - take it - no, we do not need someone else's, our best

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Заседание началось. The meeting began. Всего 7 человек. Total 7 persons. У нас протокольная съемка и все, остальное за закрытыми дверями We have a protocol mode and everything else behind closed doors

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Надо составить план захвата рынков МиГом. We need to plan the capture of markets jiffy. Греф - посмотрим сколько там нам МиГ должен Gref - look how many there we should MiG

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Вот и все. That's all. Нам осталось только посмотреть на большое заседание, после чего сделать сюжеты We just have to look at the big meeting, and then make the plots Серега Гапонов за работой Serega Gaponov at work

Translated version of http://pilot.strizhi.info/2009/02/13/6252

 

[Sridhar]

Backgrounder: major nuclear submarine incidents since 1960s
English_Xinhua 2009-02-17 13:25:24 Print

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two nuclear-armed submarines, Britain's HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant, collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, officials confirmed on Monday.

The following is a list of major accidents involving nuclear submarines since the 1960s.

April 10, 1963: The USS Thresher sank off the New England coast, with all 129 men aboard.

May-June 1968: USS Scorpion sank with 99 men aboard in the Atlantic Ocean east of Norfolk, Virginia.

March 4, 1970: French submarine, the Eurydice, sank with 57 crew off St. Tropez in the Mediterranean Sea.

April 12, 1970: A Soviet nuclear-powered attack submarine sank with 88 crew members in the Atlantic Ocean off Spain.

April 7, 1989: A Soviet Mike class attack submarine sank off northern Norway after a fire, 42 died.

Aug. 12, 2000: The Oscar II-class SSGN Kursk sank during a training exercise in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 people on board.

Sept. 6, 2006: A fire broke out on a Russian submarine moored near the Finnish border, killing two crew members.

March 21, 2007 : An explosion on board the Tireless nuclear submarine of the British Navy killed two soldiers and injured another.

Nov. 8, 2008 : More than 20 people were killed and another 21 injured on a Russian nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean.

Backgrounder: major nuclear submarine incidents since 1960s_English_Xinhua

 

[Sridhar]

Sub StandardWhy are submarines always bumping into things?
By Christopher BeamPosted Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at 6:01 PM ET

British Submarine. Click image to expand.The British submarine HMS Vanguard Two nuclear submarines, one French and one British, collided somewhere in the Atlantic this month, according to the two countries' defense ministries. Both subs were damaged, but no one was harmed. In 2003, a British sub hit an Arctic iceberg during military exercises. In 2005, an American sailor was killed when a U.S. sub crashed into an "undersea mountain." Why are subs always running into things?
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Because they're stealthy. So stealthy, in fact, that they don't use the equipment necessary to detect obstacles. Most subs have two types of sonar: active and passive. Active sonar sends out acoustic sounds, or "pings," which can reach thousands of yards. If the ping bounces back, that means it hit an object—like a whale, a ship, or another submarine. But stealth subs often avoid active sonar, since the ping could give away their location. Instead, they use passive sonar, which merely detects sounds. (Sophisticated passive sonar reaches dozens of miles and can even distinguish between different types of boat engines.) If two extremely quiet subs are using only passive sonar, there's a good chance they won't detect each other. That also explains why subs occasionally hit land masses and icebergs—those objects make no sound.

How do the subs get so stealthy? Ballistic-missile submarines are built to evade detection by making as little noise as possible. They move slowly—usually no more than 20 knots. They're coated in anechoic tile, a rubbery substance that absorbs sound and prevents sonar detection. And nearly every moving part is isolated so that it won't transmit sound. The deck where the engine runs, for example, is built on shock mounts, which absorb vibrations. Piping is suspended from rubber-lined isolation hangers, which keep the flow of water from making noise. When an engineer wants his sub to be really quiet, he can switch to heat convection instead of pumps to move water.

Why are submarines always bumping into things? - By Christopher Beam - Slate Magazine

 

[A.V.]

U.S., Poland Sign MOU on Special operation forces

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich signed a memorandum of understanding today that will increase cooperation between the two countries’ special operations forces. The two men signed the document during a ceremony before the start of the NATO defense ministers meeting here.

Gates said the memorandum is part of the U.S.-Polish partnership to help to modernize the Polish military. U.S. and Polish special operations forces already have a close working relationship, and this memorandum builds on a declaration of strategic cooperation that the United States and Poland signed in August, officials said. That commitment was to help the Polish military with modernizing and professionalizing its force.

The Polish special operations command is expanding from five squadrons to nine. As a part of the agreement assigns an American special operations liaison officer to the Polish headquarters. Poland’s special operations force is as a separate service in the country’s military structure. The force has about 1,500 personnel, and Poland hopes to grow the capability to 3,500 by 2012. The American liaison will help the force grow and share experiences and advice with the Polish force from U.S. Special Operations Command, based in Tampa, Fla.

U.S. Special Operations Command has partnerships with five countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Poland and Jordan. Only Poland has an official memorandum of understanding.

Polish special operations forces have worked alongside U.S. personnel since the fall of the Warsaw Pact. Polish troops have helped in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, and now are in Afghanistan with a presence of roughly 1,600 military personnel, including 100 special operations soldiers. They are concentrated in Ghazni and work under direction from Combined Joint Task Force 101 in Regional Command East.

The memorandum signed today is aimed specifically at helping the Polish force stand up a senior staff headquarters, building English-speaking capabilities and enhancing training opportunities, officials said.

U.S. Army Col. Bogdan Gieniewski is the U.S. Special Operations Command liaison. He speaks Polish and works daily with Polish leaders to set up the command, and he sponsors education and training with U.S. forces for the Polish special operators.

U.S., Poland Sign MOU on Special operation forces | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion

 

[A.V.]

here are a few pictures of the visit.

 

[pyromaniac]

Speak Hindi? Join the Army, Become a Citizen

The U.S. Department of Defense has begun a new effort to recruit temporary immigrants to the military, with the lure of an expedited path to U.S. citizenship.

The new program — known as the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest Pilot Recruiting Program, or MANVI — was initiated late last year. In the first phase of the year-long pilot program, the U.S. Army will recruit 1,000 temporary immigrants — those without green cards — who have spent a minimum of two years in the U.S. on one of several non-immigrant status categories. Students, refugees and H-1B holders are among those who would be eligible to enlist under the new program.Permanent residents have always been eligible to serve in the U.S. military. In the past decade, about 43,000 members of the Armed Forces have taken their oaths of citizenship abroad while on active duty, said the Department of Defense.

The pilot program will focus on language and cultural recruits in New York City, and will look for medical personnel nationwide, Lt. Col. George Wright, a spokesman for the U.S. Army, told India-West.

The Department of Defense is recruiting proficient speakers of Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepalese, Sindhi, Sinhalese and Tamil, among other languages. Healthcare professionals must have qualifications in a medical specialty for which there is a shortfall, such as surgeons, dentists or nurse anesthetists. They must also meet rigorous English proficiency standards.

All potential recruits must pass a Department of Homeland Security background check — including fingerprinting and security screening — and have their immigration status verified before enlisting.

All recruits would enlist for the standard eight-year military service obligation. Healthcare professionals would be required to serve three years on active duty, while those enlisting with foreign language and cultural skills would serve four years of active duty.

Recruits would begin the process of expedited citizenship after serving active duty. The process, which normally takes up to five years, could be completed in as little as six months after active duty, said Wright.

The $675 appplication fee for naturalization would also be waived.

Numbers of personnel recruited under the new program were not available, said Wright, adding, however, “We’ve already received initial reports of success.”

“This is a fantastic program,” corporate immigration attorney Indu Liladhar-Hathi told India-West. Liladhar-Hathi, who practices in San Jose, Calif., said that temporary immigrants, such as those on H-1B visas, usually have to wait five to eight years to get permanent residence, and then wait another five years to obtain citizenship.

Anything that gives immigrants an opportunity to speed up the protracted process of attaining citizenship would be beneficial, said Liladhar-Hathi.

The New York Times reported that the Pentagon is having difficulties attracting doctors, specialized nurses and language experts, despite a flurry of new recruits as unemployment rates soar. About 30,000 new troops are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan this year.

If the pilot program succeeds, it will expand and could provide the Army with about 14,000 new recruits per year, reported the Times.

Welcome to IndiaWest.com

 

[A.V.]

Worldwide weapon watch.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced today the transfer of the COBRA DANE radar located at
Shemya, Alaska from MDA to the U.S. Air Force.

The upgraded COBRA DANE became available for ballistic missile defense operations in 2004, and is the
first missile defense capability MDA has transferred to the Air Force. For decades COBRA DANE has
supported intelligence data collection for purposes of treaty verification and tracking of Earth orbiting satellites.

The radar continues to perform these missions in addition to its integration into the US’s missile defense
system. The radar provides missile target tracking, object acquisition and classification and transmits target
data to the missile defense command and control network.

In 2005, COBRA DANE participated in a special missile flight test involving a threat-representative missile
dropped from a U.S. Air Force transport aircraft, and has also took part in numerous “ground” tests in which
missile flight data is injected into the radar data processor to stimulate the software. COBRA DANE also
supports missile defense system integration laboratory tests in Huntsville, Ala. using replicated COBRA DANE
site data processing and missile defense communications hardware.

The Air Force Space Command will maintain COBRA DANE, including the hardware that supports the
missile defense mission, and will operate the COBRA DANE in support of intelligence, space surveillance, and
missile defense.

Upgraded COBRA DANE Radar Transferred to U.S. Air Force for Missile Defense Mission | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion

 

[Sridhar]

Kazakhstan to buy used Russian missile launchers

Kazakhstan to buy used Russian missile launchers



Author: idrw team | 19 February 2009 | Views: 20



BY : Reuters

Kazakhstan will buy up to 40 second-hand Russian surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers to boost its air defences, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

A spokesman for the ministry said the refurbished S-300 launchers, known in the West as SA-10, would be shipped "in the nearest future". He declined to say how much Kazakhstan would pay Russia for the weapons.

Kazakhstan inherited its military forces from the Soviet Union and it relies on Moscow for most of its defence contracts. Any deviation from this tradition annoys Russia which sees Central Asia as part of its sphere of interest.

The United States has shown interest in Kazakh plans to build up its naval force on the Caspian Sea to guard its offshore oilfields and diversify arms imports. But Kazakhstan has stressed it would continue buying hardware from Russia.

Kazakhstan to buy used Russian missile launchers www.idrw.org / Indian Defense Research Wing

 

[A.V.]

Australian AF to participate in red Flag - 2009

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft and personnel are preparing to deploy to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to participate in the US-led “Red Flag” exercise series. Red Flag provides the highest level of air combat training, in the most realistic war scenario available to be simulated.

Number 6 Squadron from RAAF Amberley is leading the push, with six F-111 jet aircraft deploying to Nellis Air Force Base, to conduct high-level coalition training at the purpose designed Red Flag facilities.

A pair of C-130H Hercules, from No 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, will transport equipment and personnel to the United States as well as participate in the exercise.

These Hercules will conduct combat airlift missions in to the exercise area, evading ‘enemy’ fighters and landing on semi-prepared airstrips in day and night situations.

“Exercise Red Flag provides a level of operational simulation not available in Australia or the region, and regular participation is a major contributor to Australia’s high standard of air combat capability,” Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Neil Hart said.

Exercise Red Flag will be conducted from 21 February 2009 until 14 March 2009 over the deserts of Nevada in the US. The activity is a multi-national exercise including US, UK, Canada and Australia.


Australian AF to participate in red Flag - 2009 | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion

 

[Sridhar]

Sukhoi confirms Su-35 deliveries to Russian Air Force in 2011

Sukhoi confirms Su-35 deliveries to Russian Air Force in 2011



Author: idrw team | 19 February 2009 | Views: 42



BY : RIA Novosti

Sukhoi confirms Su-35 deliveries to Russian Air Force in 2011


Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker confirmed on Thursday that the advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter would enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2011.

"The current progress of the Su-35 testing program confirms the earlier announced timeframe for the deliveries of the aircraft to Russian and foreign customers in 2011," the company said in a statement.

The first two Su-35 prototypes have successfully conducted 87 flights since July 2008, demonstrating the aircraft's superior technical and combat characteristics.

Sukhoi is planning to add a Russia's Su-35 fighter to the testing program in 2009, and boost the current number of test flights to 150-160.

The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.

The aircraft features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets.

It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds and can carry up to eight tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts.

The company earlier said it planned to produce the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," over a period of 10 years up to 2020.

The company is expecting to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters in the future to a number of countries, including India, Malaysia and Algeria

Sukhoi confirms Su-35 deliveries to Russian Air Force in 2011 www.idrw.org / Indian Defense Research Wing

 

[A.V.]

Gulfstream 550 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft

The Singapore air force’s first Gulfstream 550 AEW aircraft on the ramp at Tengah air base after its delivery.

The CAEWS is equipped with the ELTA-built EL/W-2085 system, uses AESA antennae at the nose and tail, with large slab-sided arrays on the fuselage sides. Together, these give 360° airspace coverage without the complication and drag of a rotodome above the fuselage. Each CAEWS carries six operators, and also has ESM antennae under the tail and wingtips, and above the nose, with a SATCOM array atop the vertical tail. Radar, ESM and COMINT data is collected and fused to give a fully correlated and synthetic air situation picture. The aircraft’s structural, aerodynamic and power modifications, including two additional generators and a low-drag liquid cooling system, are all installed on the aircraft by Gulfstream Aerospace prior to delivery to ELTA, and the mission sensors/management suite is then installed in country by IAI’s Bedek Aviation Group.

The CAEWS offers an unrefuelled mission endurance of 9 hours when operating at an altitude of 41,000 feet (12,500 metres) and 185km (100nm) from its home base.

defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[A.V.]

Worldwide weapon watch.

Worldwide UAV Market Continues to Grow

WASHINGTON: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) continue to be the most dynamic growth sector of the world aerospace industry, report Teal analysts in their latest integrated market analysis.

Teal Group's 2009 market study estimates that UAV spending will almost double over the next decade from current worldwide UAV expenditures of $4.4 billion annually to $8.7 billion within a decade, totaling just over $62 billion in the next ten years.

The study suggests that the US will account for 72% of the worldwide RDT&E spending on UAV technology over the next decade, and about 61% of the procurement. "We expect that the sales of UAVs will follow recent patterns of high-tech arms procurement worldwide, with Europe representing the second largest market, followed very closely by Asia-Pacific," said Teal senior analyst Steve Zaloga, one of the authors of the new, 364-page study. "Indeed, the Asia-Pacific region may outpace Europe in UAV development."

The sixth edition of the sector study, World Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, Market Profile and Forecast 2009, examines the worldwide requirements for UAVs, including UAV payloads, and provides ten-year forecasts by country, region, and classes of UAVs.

UAV Payloads

The 2009 study also provides 10-year funding and production forecasts for a wide range of UAV payloads, including Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs), SIGINT and EW Systems, C4I Systems, and CBRN Sensors, worth more than $2 billion in Fiscal Year 2009 and forecast to increase to nearly $5 billion in Fiscal Year 2018. The UAV electronics market will grow steadily, with especially fast growth and opportunities in SAR and SIGINT/EW.

"The payload portion of the 2009 study includes many new systems and system types, with expanded forecasts of the exploding SAR and SIGINT/EW markets," said Dr. David Rockwell, second author of the new UAV study. "Few now question the U.S. Air Force's claim that ISR is 'the centerpiece of our global war on terrorism', and while production ramps up for major endurance UAV systems such as the APY-8 Lynx, MP-RTIP, and ASIP, new RDT&E efforts will bring large-aircraft capabilities to smaller and smaller UAVs; tactical and mini/micro/nano-UAVs will offer some of the best electronics opportunities over the next decade."

UAV Companies

The 2009 study also includes a UAV Manufacturers Market Overview that reflects the worldwide UAV market "as one of the hottest areas of growth for defense and aerospace companies," said Philip Finnegan, third author of the new Teal Group UAV study. The new study will increase the number of companies covered and reflect the fundamental reshaping of the industrial environment.

"Teal Group analysts already cover the UAV market in their World Missiles and UAV Briefing, which examines the UAV market on a program-by-program basis," said Zaloga. "The sector study examines the UAV market from a complementary perspective, namely national requirements, and includes both a comprehensive analysis of UAV system payloads and key UAV manufacturers."

The Teal Group is an aerospace and defense market analysis firm based in Fairfax, Virginia USA. It provides competitive intelligence to industry and government worldwide.


Worldwide UAV Market Continues to Grow : Military Aviation : Defense News Air Force Army Navy News