Military Aviation News and Discussion

Kasatka

Member
Apparently, the JF-17 Block IIs that Myanmar has been operating since 2018 are having some interesting technical and structural problems + unavailability of spare parts due to China's COVID policy affecting production and travel of CAC employees to provide specialized maintenance.


It could just be the Indian press playing a number on Pakistan again, but I got to this article after reading a piece that referenced this situation. It was written by a columnist in one Argentine online newspaper (I don't really know much about this guy, aside from him being a Captain in the Argentine Navy and a Malvinas/Falklands vet.).


His article drops some flak on Argentina's current gov. interest in the JF-17 Block III for the Air Force.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Apparently, the JF-17 Block IIs that Myanmar has been operating since 2018 are having some interesting technical and structural problems + unavailability of spare parts due to China's COVID policy affecting production and travel of CAC employees to provide specialized maintenance.


It could just be the Indian press playing a number on Pakistan again, but I got to this article after reading a piece that referenced this situation. It was written by a columnist in one Argentine online newspaper (I don't really know much about this guy, aside from him being a Captain in the Argentine Navy and a Malvinas/Falklands vet.).


His article drops some flak on Argentina's current gov. interest in the JF-17 Block III for the Air Force.
Welcome to Defencetalk and thank you for sharing.

I can not confirm the (in)correctness of the articles above.
I can only find this report about the Pakistani JF-17 fleet from the same time period, November 2020.
But they dont report about any problems in the JF-17 fleet.

And here we have a recent article about a delegation of pilots and technicians who visited China to evaluate the capabilities of the JF-17/FC-1.
From the five supersonic-capable candidates (the Israeli Kfir, the American F-16, the Russian MiG-35, the Indian Tejas and the Chinese/Pakistani JF-17), only the JF-17 and the second-hand Danish Airforce F-16 remain in the final stretch.
One of the main points for the Argentine Airforce is to get a fighter without British components (Martin-Baker ejection seats), so I expect that this is the main reason the HAL Tejas LCA is out of the race, and the JF-17 can only win if the chinese can offer a chinese replacement for the British ejection seat.
 
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Kasatka

Member
@Sandhi Yudha thanks for the warm welcome, though I've been lurking the forum since 2007 :)

Regarding the Martin Baker issue: I would be quite surprised if that'd became a problem since there's a local subsidiary of that same company working in Argentina providing FAdeA ejection seats to build Pampa IIIs (at least if I'm not mistaken, see: MBA S.A. - ARGENTINA - MBA Argentina S.A.). I'm not quite sure, but if memory servers right there aren't any (including British) arms embargoes on Argentina atm. Off topic rant: the only embargo we have is imposed by poor economic planing, populism, nepotism and corruption, which also helps make the case that we are no longer a threat for the EF2000s operating over Port Stanley.

On the other hand, the MiG-35 as a contender sounds very improbable, as the Argentine Air Force knows it can't maintain twin engine'd aircraft. The F-16 would be probably discarded because of poor runway maintenance and the high likelihood of FOD ingestion.

IMO, the Air Force was genuinely interested in the Korean FA-50 as it ticked all the right boxes (cheap, single-engine, western, easy to maintain, reduced FOD ingestion during taxi probability). But, my above rant helps understand why even that procurement plan stalled.
 

Rob c

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
F-16 would be probably discarded because of poor runway maintenance and the high likelihood of FOD ingestion.
Could you please explain this comment about the FOD and runway on the F16. There was some talk early in the F16's life of a FOD problem by the media and other less than qualified people, but this never came to pass as the pressure reduction (Vacuum cleaner effect ) drops off very quickly and is very low at ground level and virtually nil when the aircraft is moving. the other factor in the F16's favor is the nose wheel is behind the air intake. Other combat aircraft are also low such as the F18, MIG 29 and plenty of others including the T-FA 50 and their intakes are behind the nose wheel. What is meant by poor runway maintenance? How ever bang for buck the FA50 makes a lot of sense for less well funded Air Forces.
 

Kasatka

Member
@Rob c might be that same vox populi you are mentioning, and I may just have learned a new thing. Truth be told, I heard it from people around military circles (not directly from any military source mind you). Thanks.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Jordan has officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the sale of eight new production F-16 Block 70 aircraft. So i think this means that Jordania has ordered 8 new F-16Vs



On 3 February 2022, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the sale of twelve (eight single seat F-16C Block 70V and four dual-seat F-16D Block 70V) to the RJAF, so from this 12 Jordania will take 8, but it is unclear yet how many will be single or dual-seat.

At the moment the RJAF has around 59 F-16AM/BM in 3 squadrons, so ordering the latest and most advanced version of this type is a logic step.
 
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koxinga

Well-Known Member
@Sandhi Yudha thanks for the warm welcome, though I've been lurking the forum since 2007 :)

Regarding the Martin Baker issue: I would be quite surprised if that'd became a problem since there's a local subsidiary of that same company working in Argentina providing FAdeA ejection seats to build Pampa IIIs (at least if I'm not mistaken, see: MBA S.A. - ARGENTINA - MBA Argentina S.A.). I'm not quite sure, but if memory servers right there aren't any (including British) arms embargoes on Argentina atm. Off topic rant: the only embargo we have is imposed by poor economic planing, populism, nepotism and corruption, which also helps make the case that we are no longer a threat for the EF2000s operating over Port Stanley.

On the other hand, the MiG-35 as a contender sounds very improbable, as the Argentine Air Force knows it can't maintain twin engine'd aircraft. The F-16 would be probably discarded because of poor runway maintenance and the high likelihood of FOD ingestion.

IMO, the Air Force was genuinely interested in the Korean FA-50 as it ticked all the right boxes (cheap, single-engine, western, easy to maintain, reduced FOD ingestion during taxi probability). But, my above rant helps understand why even that procurement plan stalled.
@Kasatka the ejection seat issue is a significant problem and it continues to plague FAdeA. If it was easily solved domestically, they would not have problems with operationalising the Super Étendard Modernise that they bought used from France a few years ago.

IMO, the JF-17 remains the most possible option, not because of the technical merits of the platform but because of international politics (not Russian, not subjected to embargo) and financing that China would provide. I don't see Argentina being able to afford anything that requires cold hard cash upfront. This rules out anything used.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Six NATO countries signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly work on concepts for a next-generation helicopter.

The countries will look at range and speed improvements for a medium-lift helicopter,....
This sounds like a replacement for the EH101 and the INCREDIBLE SUCCESSFUL NH90....but...
The new aircraft must have an unrefueled range of more than 1,650 kilometers, with a target of eight hours endurance and a load capacity between 10,000 and 17,000 kilograms.
That's not medium anymore, that's even more payload than a CH-47! And the range is also impressive!
So they are looking for a "medium helicopter with the load capacity of a CH-53E/CH-53K but with a range of a MV-22....
Sounds totally realistic :-D
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
So they are looking for a "medium helicopter with the load capacity of a CH-53E/CH-53K but with a range of a MV-22....
Sounds totally realistic :-D
I would say it is a program to rival the American's Future Vertical Lift / Joint Multi-Role program. Their own V-280 Valor/Defiant.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
I would say it is a program to rival the American's Future Vertical Lift / Joint Multi-Role program. Their own V-280 Valor/Defiant.
Perhaps, although a larger derivative concept of Sikorsky’s FVL bid might be an option. I recall large versions with two turboprops ( paper concepts) being presented years ago. Must admit a V-280 clone seems more probable.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
On Saturday 18 June 2022, the Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana (Venezuelan Air Force) lost its fourth Hongdu K-8VV Karakorum.
The two crew ejected safely and suffered some injuries.

Another user on the same continent, the Fuerza Aérea Boliviana from Bolivia, has lost two K-8s recently.



Spain has signed for 20 new Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon Tranch 4 combat aircraft under Project Halcon (Falcon). Announced at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, the EUR2,04 billion (USD2,15 billion) deal will cover 16 single-seat and four twin-seat jets, with deliveries to commence in 2026. The contract is part of a wider Spanish plan to replace its aging fleet of some 70 F-18s, stationed on the popular tourist island of Gran Canaria west of Africa.

 
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ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #612
Six NATO countries signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly work on concepts for a next-generation helicopter.


This sounds like a replacement for the EH101 and the INCREDIBLE SUCCESSFUL NH90....but...

That's not medium anymore, that's even more payload than a CH-47! And the range is also impressive!
So they are looking for a "medium helicopter with the load capacity of a CH-53E/CH-53K but with a range of a MV-22....
Sounds totally realistic :-D
NHI NH-90 fiasco MK II.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Apparently this is new video from a 2017 V-22 crash. Pretty terrifying moment for the sailors on deck. The way it dropped is rather troubling. Don’t recall any information about this event.


Edit

Found this 2018 article suggesting a cause.

 

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
Apparently this is new video from a 2017 V-22 crash. Pretty terrifying moment for the sailors on deck. The way it dropped is rather troubling. Don’t recall any information about this event.


Edit

Found this 2018 article suggesting a cause.

I remember this, It crashed of the coast of Queensland Australia, there was a fair bit of local press coverage at the time. There was a joint US-Australian effort to recover the wreckage and bodies.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Seems like Tempest is likely progressing better than Europe’s FCAS project if this link on the Dassault- Airbus difficulties are to be believed. The French requirement for a future carrier jet has to be an obstacle for this program. Perhaps an EU carrier project in conjunction with France’s future carrier could make things happen, Spain might see some merit in this, especially from the naval construction side of things.

 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Seems like Tempest is likely progressing better than Europe’s FCAS project if this link on the Dassault- Airbus difficulties are to be believed. The French requirement for a future carrier jet has to be an obstacle for this program. Perhaps an EU carrier project in conjunction with France’s future carrier could make things happen, Spain might see some merit in this, especially from the naval construction side of things.

So there are actually two problems.
1. Dassault/France wants to play the big leader.
2. France needs an aircraft carrier capable jetfighter, and besides Spain, no one else is interested in this.

The best solution will be France and Spain continuing with a carrier capable FCAS, and the other countries joining the Tempest program.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #619
So there are actually two problems.
1. Dassault/France wants to play the big leader.
2. France needs an aircraft carrier capable jetfighter, and besides Spain, no one else is interested in this.

The best solution will be France and Spain continuing with a carrier capable FCAS, and the other countries joining the Tempest program.
French intransigence to the fore again. What's new. They'll do the same with the tank, but it seems it's always especially so when Dassault is involved.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
So there are actually two problems.
1. Dassault/France wants to play the big leader.
2. France needs an aircraft carrier capable jetfighter, and besides Spain, no one else is interested in this.

The best solution will be France and Spain continuing with a carrier capable FCAS, and the other countries joining the Tempest program.
The problem for Spain is they have no plans at present for a CATOBAR or STOBAR carrier.
 
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