Military Aviation News and Discussion

[Ananda]

I don't find info that sole AN-70 prototype still flying. Usually Antonov put their flying model also under Antonov Airlines fleet, and I don't find that plane in their active fleet. Even the sole AN-225 once in the active fleet of that Airline.

Looking to Turkish media and forum, there's discussion on Antonov try to sell project to TAI on co-op for both AN-178 and AN-188. Turkiye seems so far shown only interest with AN-188. Both will use similar engine Progress D436, while playing on different categories of C-130 class (AN-178) and A400M class (AN-188). Problem with engine seems also why Antonov try to push AN-188 as AN-70 replacement. AN-70 Propfan using significant Russian components especially the blades.

So, I got impression even Antonov them selves already giving up on AN-70 even before the latest War development. On paper their strategy to focus on AN-178 and AN-188 has merit as those where majority military transport class market are. However even that market is limited, and mostly already hoged by C-130. We know how difficult Embrear to penetrate with their C-390, and Embrear is far healthier with far more resources then Antonov (especially under current situation).

If Turkiye or UAE will eventually invest on Antonov projects after the war conclusion, more likely they will try to revive either AN-178 or AN-188, rather then AN-124. Off course it is big 'if'.

 

[ngatimozart]

Now I remember the AN-70. It was an aircraft that a stone deaf person could hear when they are 50m underwater and the aircraft was 50 nautical miles away. No wonder no one was interested.

 

[John Fedup]

It seems there’s growing interest in addressing tanker and strategic lift vulnerability. Industry has been invited to submit BWB concepts which offer better low observably and range. Industry could benefit by having the military pick up the R&D tab for BWB designs that could eventually become commercial products for airlines.

Kendall Says China’s Long Reach is Pushing Air Force Toward New Stealth Tankers | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the service will have to buy stealth tankers and airlifters in the future to combat China’s missiles.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

So South-Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.
It looks like its smaller than the Embraer KC390 and more in the class as the Dornier 328JET.

South Korea, UAE to co-develop new transport aircraft

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.

www.janes.com

 

[FormerDirtDart]

So South-Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.
It looks like its smaller than the Embraer KC390 and more in the class as the Dornier 328JET.

South Korea, UAE to co-develop new transport aircraft

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.

www.janes.com

More like a direct competitor to the C-390 and the C-130J. Slightly bigger than a C-390 with more planned cargo capacity
More info when you're not fighting Janes paywall

KAI expects the MC-X to have a maximum takeoff weight of 92 tons and an internal cargo capacity of 30 ton. Preliminary specifications released by the company during the DX Korea exhibition in 2022 show the platform will likely be a twin-engine aircraft with a range of about 4,350 miles, measuring 131 feet long, 44.3 feet tall and 135 feet in wingspan.

UAE joins South Korea’s military transport aircraft program

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have signed two memorandums of understanding to improve bilateral defense ties.

www.defensenews.com

 

[swerve]

C-390 is a bit bigger than C-130 & can lift up to 30% more cargo, & rather bigger maximum sized items: 40 cm wider, 20 cm higher, & longer.

This Korea/UAE proposal is a bit bigger still. It could compete with both C-390 & A400M (& C-2, if the Japanese start seriously trying to export it), depending on customer requirements.

 

[Redlands18]

So South-Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.
It looks like its smaller than the Embraer KC390 and more in the class as the Dornier 328JET.

South Korea, UAE to co-develop new transport aircraft

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.

www.janes.com

The model being shown here is definitely in the 328JET class, so either Janes are showing the wrong model or the new aircraft has windscreens 5-6 times the size of those found on the Herc or C-390.

 

[swerve]

It isn't Janes. That model has been shown a few times by KAI, & in some of the pictures an information board headed MC-X is visible with it.

But look at Embraer's site. See the size of the cockpit windows on C-390? You can look at it from various angles. The MC-X windows definitely aren't 5 times their size.
Portal Embraer.

 

[seaspear]

This military exercise looked interesting in its scope of how the R.A.A.F may use it , I don't know if feasible for R.A.A.F aircraft on to perform this exercise and how it might provide some options

Air Force A-10s continue to prove that runways are for suckers

The Air Force landed A-10s on a Michigan highway to practice operating in austere environments without the large bases airmen are used to.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

So this new kind of system doesn't use the conventional aerodynamic control surfaces and also not direct thrust vector control like in the European Aster air defence missile, but this system manipulates the airflow surrounding the vehicle.

DARPA takes big step forward on X-plane that maneuvers with air bursts

"We’re not actually pushing the vehicle with air, we’re using it to tailor how the air is flowing over the wing,” the former CRANE program manager said.

www.defensenews.com

 

[John Fedup]

This article should stir up some debate here and no doubt between the USAF and the USN, a role for the B-21 wrt maritime strike. Probably has some merit but I envision a real political $hitstorm between the two services. Australian B-21 fanboys will jump on this as well.

This would still require significant development. Allowing the USN to set up a squadron might ease the political issue and could benefit the USAF by having an increased B-21 procurement resulting in better pricing (optimistic wish?).

The B-21’s possible future role in maritime strike - Breaking Defense

Little is known about the details of the newly unveiled B-21 bomber, but IISS's Ben Ho writes that from what we know, its mission set could expand to the sea.

breakingdefense.com

 

[ngatimozart]

Allowing the USN to set up a squadron might ease the political issue and could benefit the USAF by having an increased B-21 procurement resulting in better pricing (optimistic wish?).

The USAF would go to war over that suggestion. They have such an inferiority complex it's not funny.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

This article should stir up some debate here and no doubt between the USAF and the USN, a role for the B-21 wrt maritime strike. Probably has some merit but I envision a real political $hitstorm between the two services. Australian B-21 fanboys will jump on this as well.

This would still require significant development. Allowing the USN to set up a squadron might ease the political issue and could benefit the USAF by having an increased B-21 procurement resulting in better pricing (optimistic wish?).

The B-21’s possible future role in maritime strike - Breaking Defense

Little is known about the details of the newly unveiled B-21 bomber, but IISS's Ben Ho writes that from what we know, its mission set could expand to the sea.

breakingdefense.com

I don't see why there would be any debate over roles and missions. The USAF has always had a maritime mission.
The B-21 is replacing the B-1. The B-1 was the first aircraft certified to deploy LRASM. Why would it be surprising for the B-21 to carrying on with this mission? The Rapid Dragon program is an inherently maritime strike program

 

[FormerDirtDart]

This military exercise looked interesting in its scope of how the R.A.A.F may use it , I don't know if feasible for R.A.A.F aircraft on to perform this exercise and how it might provide some options

Air Force A-10s continue to prove that runways are for suckers

The Air Force landed A-10s on a Michigan highway to practice operating in austere environments without the large bases airmen are used to.

taskandpurpose.com

NATO air forces have been doing this with frontline fighters for over half a century. It's not rocket science. I'm relatively sure the RAAF has the wherewithal to develop this capability. The biggest problem is infrastructure. Are there stretches of roadway to accommodate this operation where you might need them.

 

[seaspear]

NATO air forces have been doing this with frontline fighters for over half a century. It's not rocket science. I'm relatively sure the RAAF has the wherewithal to develop this capability. The biggest problem is infrastructure. Are there stretches of roadway to accommodate this operation where you might need them.

There is this article going into what other countries have done in the design of autobahns to accommodate this even Finland with a S/H using this I don't think it would take rocket science for a design tweak in federal funded highways to do this
Highway strips: The main roads that double up as secret military runways | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

 

[Redlands18]

NATO air forces have been doing this with frontline fighters for over half a century. It's not rocket science. I'm relatively sure the RAAF has the wherewithal to develop this capability. The biggest problem is infrastructure. Are there stretches of roadway to accommodate this operation where you might need them.

Outside of the major cities there are very few Freeways in Australia other than, Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Brisbane. There would be very few places in Northern and Western Australia where you could do this, thus the concentration on developing Bare Bases in the remote areas.

 

[pgclift]

The RAAF landed a Spartan on the Nullabour Highway back in 2017. There is a video of the event that was posted on Youtube by the RAAF which I have attached.
Spartan Landing

 

[ngatimozart]

The RAAF landed a Spartan on the Nullabour Highway back in 2017. There is a video of the event that was posted on Youtube by the RAAF which I have attached.
Spartan Landing

You could land and flyoff C-5, C-17, B-52, the AN225 (before it was destroyed ) on that long straight (90 miles??).

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

90 miles...thats even longer than those runways at Area 51.
That's suspicious....


Anyway, some news from East-Europe.

In August 2021, the Cyprus National Guard (Cyprus NG) was negotiating with a potential buyer for its fleet of Mi-35Ps, this seems to be Serbia.

The negiotations are still ongoing, and if closed succesfully, the first of 5 Mi-35s are expected to be delivered this year. After the final delivery, the Serbian Armed Forces will have nine Mi-35s in their active inventory.

Former Cyprus Mi-35s for Serbian Armed Forces

Former Cyprus Mi-35s for Serbian Armed Forces Back in April 2021, a team of Serbian technicians visited Cyprus to inspect the helicopters. As a result of the inspection the Serbian...

www.scramble.nl

 

[John Fedup]

Another article championing a bridge tanker competition. Although a clean sheet stealthily tanker/transport design would be nice, the time required is prohibitive given the age of the current fleet and Boeing’s less than stellar performance wrt KC-46. IMHO the USAF should just request a 100 MRTTs for the Asia-Pacific and hope Boeing manages to sort the KC-46 deliveries.

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2023/01/24/want_to_deter_china_hold_a_tanker_competition_877557.html