Military Aviation News and Discussion

[John Fedup]

I am sorry, but Not MRTT makes no sense here. The USAF has pretty well established line they are not going to shift from KC46 to MRTT. The Boeing bird may be troubled but those are sorting. Lockheed Martin has more risk here.
The biggest issue though is you are trying to push two programs that would upended the USAF at the same time they are trying to get the 6th Gen fighters and B21.

Yes, huge demand requirements on the USAF budget. Would love to know what the USAF actually thinks about the the KC-46. The KC-46 will eventually be a very capable tanker, especially for NA/Europe. Will work in the Pacific as well but the extra tankage and range of the MRTT must be secretly admired by USAF personal that have to plan for Pacific operations.

 

[Terran]

It’s not going to happen. I could see Kc390 as the USAF has been going back and forth on a replacement for C130. With the oldest of that type still being H models. But KC46 is a brand new vehicle. Farther it adds a capability set not in the USAF. The boom on a short take off platform means it can operate from distributed fields.
Shifting to the LMXT doesn’t do the same. LM’s pitch had to push for more of a dedicated tanker set than the KC45 had been, yet even in thatit clearly didn’t shift enough wheels in the Pentagon to make it. LMXT though a neat idea overlaps to much with KC46.

 

[John Fedup]

DARPA has a new VTOL UAV under development. The project involves new light weight materials and will explore various propulsion options. It won’t require special deployment infrastructure and can operate from land or a ship.

Video: DARPA ANCILLARY VTOL X-Plane - Naval News

DARPA’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY X-Plane program, nicknamed ANCILLARY, aims to develop and flight demonstrate critical technologies required for a leap ahead in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), low-weight, high-payload, and long-endurance capabilities.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I post this because it's just cool.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1574196373045510145

And here an article about the future plans and new aircraft for the Egyptian Air Force...

Future plans and new aircraft for the Egyptian Air Force

Future plans and new aircraft for the Egyptian Air Force The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) suffers a lack of spares for their Russian aircraft and helicopters, like the MiG-29M2s and Mi...

www.scramble.nl

Because the Russian supply chain has been crippled by sanctions and other factors since 24 February 2022, Egypt is searching for a collaboration with the India for the need of spares. Egypt plans to order Klimov RD-33 engines for its MiG-29M2.

The 24 ordered Su-35S’ for the Egyptian Air Force will be sold to Iran.

But here something remarkable:
|"During tests between the Rafale and the Su-35, the radar of the Su-35 repeatedly failed.

The Rafale’s powerful Spectra Electronic warfare suite not only attacked but also jammed the Su-35 BAR phased array radar successfully multiple times, rendering Su-35 blind in the sky, later following it being shot down by the Rafale in mock Beyond visual range dogfights."|

I just wonder where and under which circumstances these tests were carried out. If this is true, then the Rafale is really an advanced jetfighter with strong ECM-systems.

 

[John Fedup]

The last paragraph of this article sums up the West’s biggest challenge wrt China and it’s not only a lot J-20s that are being built. Just look at the PLAN’s expansion.

China 'on track' for 6th-gen fighter, US Air Force needs to get there first: ACC chief - Breaking Defense

America's Chinese "frenemies" are "not having a debate over the relevance of six-gen air dominance. And I can also tell you they're on track," said Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Tatmadaw Lei (Myanmar Air Force) has ordered an unknown number of FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle light combat aircraft/lead-in fighter trainer.

The FTC-2000 is developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two seat trainer version of Chengdu J-7, but the FTC-2000 uses a new wing, a forward fuselage with side air intakes, and a glass cockpit. As far as i know only china and Sudan uses the lowtech but cheap Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000.

FTC-2000G for Myanmar?

FTC-2000G for Myanmar? Although information is sparse, it is reported that the Tatmadaw Lei (Myanmar Air Force) has ordered an unknown number of FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle light comb...

www.scramble.nl

 

[T.C.P]

The Tatmadaw Lei (Myanmar Air Force) has ordered an unknown number of FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle light combat aircraft/lead-in fighter trainer.

The FTC-2000 is developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two seat trainer version of Chengdu J-7, but the FTC-2000 uses a new wing, a forward fuselage with side air intakes, and a glass cockpit. As far as i know only china and Sudan uses the lowtech but cheap Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000.

FTC-2000G for Myanmar?

FTC-2000G for Myanmar? Although information is sparse, it is reported that the Tatmadaw Lei (Myanmar Air Force) has ordered an unknown number of FTC-2000G Mountain Eagle light comb...

www.scramble.nl

Man Myanmar I dont get. Their economy is so much smaller, but then they have so many 4th generation air frames. For what? wasting their assets, like using that Mig-29 for a gun run against rebels? They have no agressor neighbours. Their biggest concern are rebels and tribal armies, who have practically no anti air. Something like super Tucanos or more attack helicopters would solve their needs better.

The Mig-29 gun run in question-

https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/vo3j4g

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Man Myanmar I dont get. Their economy is so much smaller, but then they have so many 4th generation air frames. For what? wasting their assets, like using that Mig-29 for a gun run against rebels? They have no agressor neighbours. Their biggest concern are rebels and tribal armies, who have practically no anti air. Something like super Tucanos or more attack helicopters would solve their needs better.

The Mig-29 gun run in question-

https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/vo3j4g

Yes it seems to be a concert.

Myanmar crisis: 50 killed in air raid on Kachin rebels, reports say

Villagers said there was no warning before the air force dropped bombs on a concert in Kachin state.

www.bbc.com

Using a MiG-29 to mess up someone's party is indeed a little bit overkill. The Soko G-4, K-8 or or Q-5 will be more suitable for this task.

 

[STURM]

They have no agressor neighbours.

They don't but they fight a brief border clash with Thailand in which the RTAF deployed
F-5s. Thailand has had border clashes with Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos [an F-5B which was formerly Malaysian was shot down by a SA-7 and heavy arty was employed].

 

[T.C.P]

They don't but they fight a brief border clash with Thailand in which the RTAF deployed
F-5s. Thailand has had border clashes with Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos [an F-5B which was formerly Malaysian was shot down by a SA-7 and heavy arty was employed].

Even with that into account, their expense on airframes seems excessive. I dont understand what role the FTc-2000 is supposed to play? cannot their JF-17s and K-8s already fulfill the roles to be occupied by the FTC? Granted of all their Airframe purchases the FTC-2000 is the most budget friendly option.

They could use this to replace their F-7s, but why even bother? They already have enough 4th gen airframes to let the F-7s die off. I understand that as an autocratic military dictatorship they need to keep their defense bidget high to ensure the survival of the regime, but you dont need that many air frames to ensure that.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Chilean Air Force has officially launched a program to acquire 33 Pillan II training aircraft, to be developed and produced locally by state-owned Empresa Nacional de Aeronaútica (ENAER), under a contract worth $142 million.

The new aircraft will replace around 30 T-35 Pillan training aircraft, developed by ENAER with assistance of Piper and produced locally between 1984 and 1991, that are currently operated by the Chilean Air Force. More than 150 ENAER T-35 Pillans are built for the Chilean Air Force and exported to Spain and six other South-American countries.

For cost and efficiency reasons,the Pillan II will be powered by a piston engine, which is also a logic decision, because the T-35 Pillan is also a piston engine aircraft and the Fuerza Aérea de Chile also posses the Embraer EMB-314 and CASA C101. No information is given about the piston engine, but the Pillan II will be equipped with a four-blade propeller.

Chile kicks off push for locally made training aircraft

The new Pillan 2 planes by ENAER will more closely resemble what students will find in modern-day combat aircraft, the company said.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Redlands18]

Swedish Armed Forces recommends replacing NH90, buying additional UH-60M helos (janes.com)
Yet another unhappy NH-90 customer, Sweden joins Australia, Belgium (TTH version) and Norway in getting rid of its NH-90 fleet. Like Australia they will go to the UH-60 (called the HKP-16 in Swedish service).

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Its actually incredible that Agusta-Westland, Eurocopter and Fokker are able to create together such a failed product. There is a chance that other countries will follow soon.

In 2014 it was already clear that the Netherlands also had problems with the NH90 , the Dutch government decided not to accept the last batch of 7 NH90s due to some 100 shortcomings found in relation to the design, manufacturing and material choice of the aircraft, and corrosion. And in 2020 an NH90 crashed in Aruba, two crew members lost their lives and two passengers were injured.

And Germany just secured Lynx parts from Denmark to maintain its fleet of anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare helicopters until its retirement date of December 2026. I don't know what they plan after 2026, keep the Lynx even longer, or they want to replace the Lynx as planned with more NH90s or they want to choose another type.

 

[John Fedup]

Its actually incredible that Agusta-Westland, Eurocopter and Fokker are able to create together such a failed product. There is a chance that other countries will follow soon.

In 2014 it was already clear that the Netherlands also had problems with the NH90 , the Dutch government decided not to accept the last batch of 7 NH90s due to some 100 shortcomings found in relation to the design, manufacturing and material choice of the aircraft, and corrosion. And in 2020 an NH90 crashed in Aruba, two crew members lost their lives and two passengers were injured.

And Germany just secured Lynx parts from Denmark to maintain its fleet of anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare helicopters until its retirement date of December 2026. I don't know what they plan after 2026, keep the Lynx even longer, or they want to replace the Lynx as planned with more NH90s or they want to choose another type.

Yes, it is amazing how’s those three aviation companies screwed up, especially AW as the Merlin design is excellent. Designing new helicopters is no small task. Even Sikorsky has struggled with the CK-53 upgrade, not to mention Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone. Fortunately Boeing hasn’t been tasked with a CH-47 replacement! It will be interesting to see if LM-Sikorsky can win the future vertical lift program.

 

[Terran]

You mean Boeing/Lockheed Martin Sikorsky is now owned by LM. Boeing is the other half of the team on SB-1 Defiant well LM had teamed with Bell for Valor, only getting into Defiant after Buying Sikorsky from United defense.

 

[John Fedup]

You mean Boeing/Lockheed Martin Sikorsky is now owned by LM. Boeing is the other half of the team on SB-1 Defiant well LM had teamed with Bell for Valor, only getting into Defiant after Buying Sikorsky from United defense.

Yes, the inbreeding between these major defence firms on various programs is complicated. WRT helicopters, all major players haven’t exactly been brilliant. The Defiant versus Valor outcome could very well end up like the LCS award, a split order to keep the manufacturing base solvent. Unlike the LSC, a split order might be viable for FVL. FVL is essential, the LCS….not so much.

 

[Terran]

Yes, the inbreeding between these major defence firms on various programs is complicated. WRT helicopters, all major players haven’t exactly been brilliant. The Defiant versus Valor outcome could very well end up like the LCS award, a split order to keep the manufacturing base solvent. Unlike the LSC, a split order might be viable for FVL. FVL is essential, the LCS….not so much.

FVL is a portfolio not a single program. It’s the successor of JMR which asked for a range of replacement platforms in light, medium, attack, Heavy and C130 class. It’s currently two programs FARA and FLRAA. Boeing Sikorsky Deviant vs Bell Valor is FLRAA. FARA is Sikorsky RaiderX vs Bell Invictus.
Even after the awards of these two FVL isn’t over. The Army Chinook replacement is still on the horizon. CH47 now being 60 years old the Army wanted to replace by 2035. Clearly that’s not happening but 2040 might. I could see Boeing, Bell and Lockheed Martin rutting again with three Tiltrotor concepts to try and replace CH47.
Additionally unlike LCS there still seems plenty of demand for helicopters of both civilian and military in the future perhaps more than today. Where the Navy seems to have also made a split buy to try and preserve the industrial base. Bell isn’t going to fold and neither will Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin if they loose one of the two programs. They still have existing military contracts and emerging ones. Farther because of the difference between the offerings Valor seems superior to DefiantX in FLRAA well RaiderX seems superior to Invictus in FARA meaning it’s very likely that both companies will come away with contracts just a question of what type and how many. Lockheed even if Bell wins FLRAA will be making avionics for the Valor.
Farther I suspect that in this case the losser of the Army competition for FLRAA or FARA they may be able to offer the loosing bid to US Allies who are observing and taking an interest not everyone might want to jump into Tiltrotors the DefiantX might appeal more in Europe or some Asian countries under license.

 

[STURM]

A question.

RWRs alert aircrews that they've been detected by a radar; are being tracked by a radar and have been fired upon by a radar guided missile. MAWSs enable aircrew to know from which direction an incoming missile is approaching the aircraft. What system onboard an aircraft alerts the crew that they've been fired upon by an infra red homing missile?

 

[kato]

What system onboard an aircraft alerts the crew that they've been fired upon by an infra red homing missile?

In your context there: the MAWS (attempts to) track incoming projectiles regardless of their guidance method.

 

[Terran]

MLD ( Missile Launch Detectors ) which is generally part of if not the same as the MAWS suite of sensors. As these systems generally see the plume of the ignition of a missile’s engine beyond the visible spectrum. They then will attempt to track it.