Internationale fighter ontwikkelingen

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Ik begin steeds meer het nut in te zien van een tweede jager. Niet dat ik van mijn F-35-geloof gevallen ben maar een stel Gripens huren, groot onderhoud laten uitbesteden door een poule van Zweden & Finnen, voor de Baltic Air Policing aantrekken zie ik het nut van in. Of advanced trainers, soit. Wel nu daar de F-35 en de F-15SE eigenlijk te chic voor zijn uitgevoerd. Populair gezegd: je hebt ook politieauto's nodig, niet alleen tanks.

We krijgen de wind van voren hier op het forum.... 2 types. 2 logistieke lijnen etc etc..

Ik ben voor een high end low end mix, ik ben alles behalve een Gripen fan, maar als aanvulling op 37, stel: 24 exemplaren, zou ik toejuichen (misschien ook nog even kijken wat er uit de bus komt bij de US T-X competitie).

[Zeewier]

Ik begin steeds meer het nut in te zien van een tweede jager. Niet dat ik van mijn F-35-geloof gevallen ben maar een stel Gripens huren, groot onderhoud laten uitbesteden door een poule van Zweden & Finnen, voor de Baltic Air Policing aantrekken zie ik het nut van in. Of advanced trainers, soit. Wel nu daar de F-35 en de F-15SE eigenlijk te chic voor zijn uitgevoerd. Populair gezegd: je hebt ook politieauto's nodig, niet alleen tanks.

Of anders de samenwerking in de BAP anders vorm geven. Dat allegaartje van jagers, blijven we dat eeuwig zo doen? 
Dat was ooit handig vanwege dat zoveel naties F-16's hadden. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Air_Policing

[Sparkplug]

Russia orders 30 more Su-30SM fighters

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 03 April 2016


Russia has ordered 30 more Su-30SM fighter aircraft from Irkut Corporation. Source: PA Photos

Key Points
• Irkut has received an order for 30 more Su-30SMs for the VKS
• The order will make the Su-30SM the most numerous fighter type in Russian service

Russia has ordered 30 more Sukhoi Su-30SM 'Flanker' multirole fighter aircraft, the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 3 April.

The new order means the Su-30SM will be the most numerous fighter type in Russian service.

According to the MoD the aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) before the end of 2018.

Based on the export-standard Su-30MK, the Su-30SM replaces the French and Israeli electronics found on the MK for Russian ones but otherwise retains the same airframe with canards and AL-37FP thrust-vectoring engines. As with the Su-30MK, the Su-30SM is built in Irkutsk by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

According to the MoD, the contract was signed by Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov and Oleg Demchenko, the president or Irkut Corporation (the parent of Irkutsk Aviation Plant).

The new contract brings the total announced Su-30SM order book for the VKS to 90 aircraft. The type has also been ordered for the Russian Naval Aviation, which has at least 20 on order out of a total requirement of 50. In total more than 40 Su-30SMs have been delivered to the Russian military. The type marked its first combat deployment in September 2015 with the arrival of four Su-30SMs to Humaymim Air Base in Syria. Initially flying as an escort fighter, with exclusively air-to-air loads, the Su-30SMs have since conducted bombing missions. At least three Su-30SMs remain in Syria, despite the announced drawdown of Russian forces there.

While the first Su-30MK export order (India for the Su-30MKI) came in November 1996, it took Russia 15 years to announce it was working on a version for its own air force to replace older variants of the 'Flanker' family.

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(333 of 604 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/59249/russia-orders-30-more-su-30sm-fighters

[Sparkplug]

F/A-18E catches wire on Advanced Arresting Gear for first time

Richard Scott, London - IHS Jane's Navy International | 03 April 2016


An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron 23 (VX-23) made a first successful arrestment using the US Navy's Advanced Arresting Gear at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on 31 March. Source: NAVAIR

Key Points
• F/A-18E makes first AAG arrestment at Lakehurst test site
• The AAG is already installed aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R Ford (CVN 78)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron 23 (VX-23) has made a first successful arrestment using the US Navy's (USN's) new Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).

The test, conducted on 31 March, used the land-based AAG system installed at the Runway Arrested Landing Site (RALS) located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, in Lakehurst, New Jersey. RALS testing is a critical activity for proving the AAG for the new CVN-78 Ford-class aircraft carrier programme.

Developed by General Atomics in conjunction with the USN, the AAG is a new-generation turbo-electric arrestor system, consisting of energy absorbers, power conditioning equipment and digital controls, designed to deliver a number of benefits over the current Mk 7 Mod 3 and Mod 4 arrestor gear systems. These include improved reliability and safety margins, reduced manning and total ownership cost. Additionally, the AAG is designed to allow potential arrestment of a broader range of aircraft, from the lightest unmanned aerial vehicles to the heaviest manned fighters.

The AAG is already installed aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), and is scheduled for installation on the future John F Kennedy (CVN 79), which is currently in build. However, the results of initial land-based testing in 2013 led to the redesign of the water twister, injecting delay into the programme.

In his latest annual report to Congress, Dr J Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon's independent director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), stated that "AAG's reliability is uncertain". According to Dr Gilmore, "The Program Office redesigned major components that did not meet system specifications during land-based testing [and] last provided reliability data in December 2013 [that] estimated that AAG had approximately 20 mean cycles between operational mission failure (MCBOMF) in the shipboard configuration, where a cycle represents the recovery of one aircraft.

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(341 of 511 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/59251/f-a-18e-catches-wire-on-advanced-arresting-gear-for-first-time

[Harald]

Israel's F-35I Fighter's C4 Systems Enter Production at IAI

With system definition, prototyping and testing phases completed, Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) is now moving to production the Command, Control, Communications and Computing (C4) systems developed for the Adir - F-35I, Israel's variant of the Fifth Generation Fighter F-35.

The system developed exclusively for the F-35I by IAI's LAHAV Division is part of IAI's cutting edge 'tactical C4 architecture' introducing unique force multipliers in the modern, networked battle space. The induction of advanced systems of this type with the Israel Air Force (IAF) combat fleet will enable the IAF to better manage, and rapidly field networked applications that interface with core services over proprietary protocols developed especially for the IAF.

Using generic communications infrastructure based on the latest Software Defined Radios (SDR), IAI new C4 system developed for the Adir will provide the backbone of the IAF future airborne communications network. This network will dramatically improve over legacy systems currently operating with the current fleet of 4th Generation aircraft (F-16, F-15).

Based on open systems architecture the new system enable rapid software and hardware development cycles that will also provide more affordable modernization and support of systems over the platform's life cycle, as systems are required to meet rapidly changing operating environment.

The integration of IAI's C4 systems in the F-35I avionics program represents major milestone in the introduction of advanced, indigenous capabilities to the multinational F-35 program. Fully embedded into the aircraft integrated avionic system, IAI's new C4 system provides the user the latest, most advanced processing capabilities with relative independence of the aircraft manufacturer.

Part of the F-35I avionic system, the C4 system introduces a new level of freedom for the IAF, as it paves the way for additional advanced capabilities to be embedded in the F-35I in the future.

"This cutting edge avionic system represents an 'operational quantum leap' in the capability of air power to conduct networked-centric air warfare" said Benni Cohen, General Manager of LAHAV division, "It is part of a major change that takes place once in a decade, which includes the upgrading of 4th Generation systems. This program will be critical to our national security as it represents a shift in air forces' concepts of operations (CONOPS) and operational capabilities."

In the past decade LAHAV Division is positioned as Israel Aerospace Industries' center of excellence implementing network centric warfare capabilities. The combat proven systems developed by LAHAV are operational on combat aircraft and special mission platforms as well as in land-based systems of the Israel and foreign air forces.

Israel Aerospace Industries: IAI Ltd. is Israel's largest aerospace and defense company and a globally recognized technology and innovation leader, specializing in developing and manufacturing advanced, state-of-the-art systems for air, space, sea, land, cyber and homeland security.

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  IAI has not responded to e-mailed queries asking it to explain how is was able to develop its new C4 system without access to the F-35's software source codes.)

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/172702/israeli_developed-c4-system-for-f_35i-fighter-enters-production.html

[Sparkplug]

RAF to field retained Tranche 1 Typhoons as stand-alone air defence force

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 03 April 2016


Given the lack of spares commonality between the Tranche 1 Typhoons and the Tranche 2 and 3 aircraft, the RAF has opted to field the former as a stand-alone force dedicated to air defence duties. Source: IHS/Patrick Allen

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is to field as a separate air defence force the Tranche 1 (T1) Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft that are to be retained in service beyond their original retirement date.

The 24 T1 aircraft that were extended from 2019 to the wider Typhoon out-of-service date (OSD) of 2040 in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) of November 2015 will be formed into two distinct air defence squadrons, rather than being mixed with other T2 and T3 aircraft in other multirole units, Deputy Commander of Operations Air Marshal Greg Bagwell told reporters on 30 March.

"The issue was how to operate the Tranche 1 alongside the Tranche 2 and 3 as there is very little spares commonality between them, so it was decided that the plan [should be] for two new squadrons of Tranche 1 Typhoons," AM Bagwell said.

Given the software limitations of the T1, the RAF has decided not to try and upgrade these particular platforms with the Phase Enhancement upgrade packages that will afford the T2 and T3 platforms with the full swing-role capability set. As such, they will be used solely for air defence duties, and perhaps for adversarial air combat training for other RAF aircraft types.

"The Tranche 1s will be used purely for air defence, as an upgrade [for swing-role] will be prohibitively expensive. The two squadrons of Tranche 1 Typhoons will own the air defence role, and we are also looking at using them for 'red air' along with the Hawk," AM Bagwell noted.

The UK bases its Typhoons at RAF Conginsby in England (Quick reaction Alert [QRA] South) and at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland (QRA North). It also has a detachment of four air defence aircraft permanently stationed in the Falkland Islands.

In terms of the UK QRA, AM Bagwell said it has not yet been decided where the T1 Typhoons will be based but he did note that from a support perspective it would make sense that they should all be at one location.

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(361 of 542 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/59243/raf-to-field-retained-tranche-1-typhoons-as-stand-alone-air-defence-force

[Sparkplug]

Bulgarian fighter replacement plan given go-ahead

By Alexander Mladenov, Sofia | 04 April 2016

The Bulgarian government gave the long-delayed go-ahead to a new fighter procurement on 30 March, which will eventually see 16 aircraft acquired to replace the air force's ageing Russian fleet.

An acquisition plan for an affordable Western multi-role design to replace Sofia's fleet of Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 'Fulcrums' and Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoots' has been approved, which will see a NATO-compatible fighter procured in two phases.

The first deal covers an eight-aircraft purchase, tentatively slated for delivery between 2018 and 2020 and expected to cost €511 million ($580 million). The second phase will see eight more fighters acquired between 2020 and 2023.

Before the launch of a tender, the procurement project has to be approved by the Bulgarian parliament, a stage which is expected to be completed by the end of May.

Defence minister Nikolay Nenchev has publicly voiced his ambitions to have a contract for the new flight purchase inked by the end of 2016.

However, while the Bulgarian defence budget for 2016 contains a small amount of funding earmarked as an advance payment, the realistic estimate is that the defence ministry will not have time to organise and complete a full-scale tender procedure in such a tight time frame. The process of selection and negotiations with the shortlisted candidate is, therefore, expected to extend into 2017.

So far, the Bulgarian military has reviewed several options, and received detailed information on prices and availability.

The first one calls for ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s, which would be upgraded by OGMA in Portugal, together with training from the Portuguese air force.


Alexander Mladenov

Another option would be a direct purchase of surplus F-16 MLUs from Portugal – together with the training service – with a logistics and weapons package sourced from the USA.

There is also an option, strongly backed by the Italian government, for ex-Italian air force Eurofighter Typhoons.

So far, the only option for new aircraft is the Saab Gripen. The Swedish government and the manufacturer have expended a lot of marketing efforts in Bulgaria since 2008, in an attempt to convince the Bulgarian military and political decision-makers their aircraft would be the most cost-effective.

A second major military aviation project approved by the Bulgarian government calls for investing in the MiG-29 logistic support.

The current 'Fulcrum' fleet is set to remain in active operation until the introduction of the new fighters, and €51 million ($58 million) will be spent on the purchase of new or second-hand Klimov RD-33 engines for the MiG-29s, as well as engine and accessory box overhaul and the procurement of parts and services needed for mid-term maintenance and airworthiness of at least 10 MiG-29s, out of 15 in service.

In 2015, the governments of Bulgaria and Poland inked an agreement covering the overhaul of six engines, at a price of just over €6 million ($7 million). In 2016, however, the Bulgarian MoD declared the Polish MoD's aircraft maintenance capabilities lacked the capacity to grant support to the Bulgarian air arm's ailing MiG-29 fleet and additional supply channels will be sought.

According to Nenchev, only seven of the MiG-29s are maintained in an airworthy state.

To counter the number of unserviceable MiG-29 engines, the air force's command authorities made an extra effort to extend the time between overhauls of the fleet's RD-33s and KSA-2 accessory gearboxes.

This way the air force would be able to provide just enough aircraft to stand on quick reaction alert for air policing missions until mid-2016 and through further extension in early 2016, it would grant Fulcrum airworthiness until the year-end.

Additional reporting by Krassimir Grozev, Sofia

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bulgarian-fighter-replacement-plan-given-go-ahead-423815/

[JdL]

48th FW krijgt twee F-35A squadrons en ik vermoed dat dit de twee F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons (492nd FS en 494th FS) zijn. Wie weet blijft 493rd FS met hun Eagles er nog even bij.

De eigen website van USAFE RAF Lakenheath kan nog niet zeggen welke het zullen worden.
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123435807

Ik had het volgende ergens gehoord:
493 met hun 'light greys'  wordt in 2017 opgeheven;
De andere 2 FS's op termijn over op de F-35

[Sparkplug]

Er waren toch plannen om dit squadron op te heffen? Al zijn die geloof ik uit gesteld.

48th FW krijgt twee F-35A squadrons en ik vermoed dat dit de twee F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons (492nd FS en 494th FS) zijn. Wie weet blijft 493rd FS met hun Eagles er nog even bij.

De eigen website van USAFE RAF Lakenheath kan nog niet zeggen welke het zullen worden.
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123435807

[JdL]

Het is dat USAF Europe nog maar één F-15C/D Eagle squadron heeft (493rd FS, 48th FW te RAF Lakenheath), maar ook zij komen regelmatig naar Nederland. Altijd goed als er bezoekers van het Amerikaanse continent langskomen 

Er waren toch plannen om dit squadron op te heffen? Al zijn die geloof ik uit gesteld.

[Sparkplug]

Tja jammer dat er geen eagles permanent zijn gestationeerd in NL zoals vroeger maar dit geeft een beetje troost.
Mooi dat de Amerikanen frisian flag blijkbaar leerzaam genoeg vinden om er vaker aan mee te doen.

Het is dat USAF Europe nog maar één F-15C/D Eagle squadron heeft (493rd FS, 48th FW te RAF Lakenheath), maar ook zij komen regelmatig naar Nederland. Altijd goed als er bezoekers van het Amerikaanse continent langskomen 

[Ace1]

Tja jammer dat er geen eagles permanent zijn gestationeerd in NL zoals vroeger maar dit geeft een beetje troost.
Mooi dat de Amerikanen frisian flag blijkbaar leerzaam genoeg vinden om er vaker aan mee te doen.

Voor de Air National Guard is het leerzaam genoeg om er aan deel te nemen.

[JdL]

Tja jammer dat er geen eagles permanent zijn gestationeerd in NL zoals vroeger maar dit geeft een beetje troost.
Mooi dat de Amerikanen frisian flag blijkbaar leerzaam genoeg vinden om er vaker aan mee te doen.

[Harald]

2x F15C & 2x F15D zijn hedenmiddag rond 15:30 uur geland op Lakenheath. 

Ok. Hear the rolling thunder 
Super dat ze (later) weer neerstrijken in NL.

[Lex]

The Eagles are coming back !   

Twelve F-15C Eagles and approximately 350 Airmen and support equipment from the 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, and the 194th Fighter Squadron, Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, will deploy to the European theater beginning April 1, 2016. 

2x F15C & 2x F15D zijn hedenmiddag rond 15:30 uur geland op Lakenheath.