Naval and Defense News

[Hongjian]

J-20 serial production/LRIP #1 has been delivered to the PLAAF, sporting new low-visibility roundels. Sources say that a batch of 4 were delivered on the date coincidating with the Chinese Communist Party's 95th anniversary.



Kinda expected, seeing how the LRIP Prototype #2101 took flight earlier this year, while still in yellow primer. But still, many have expected a handover to be in 2017 or 2018, not so soon and seemingly ahead of schedule.

[AlGrant]

Adm Kuznetsov to head to Eastern Med to conduct airstrikes in support of Syrian govt.
Including Su-33, MiG-29K/KUB, Ka-52K, Ka-27 &Ka-31

http://tass.ru/en/defense/886110

Also reported that "The Admiral Kuznetsov," which will lead the Russian Navy’s permanent grouping in the Mediterranean Sea, will be close to the Syrian shore "

[xavierv]

Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded Contract To Build Newest Amphibious Assault Ship, LHA 8

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to build the U.S. Navy’s next large-deck amphibious assault warship, LHA 8. Today’s contract value, for the planning, advanced engineering and procurement of long-lead material, is $272,467,161. The award includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $3.1 billion.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4159

Huntington Ingalls Industries Awarded Contract Design Work For LX(R) Class Of Amphibious Ships

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R). The Department of Defense made the announcement Thursday at the same time Ingalls was awarded a contract to build the next large-deck amphibious assault warship, LHA 8.

LX(R) will replace the Navy’s Harpers Ferry- and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships and will use the same hull as the San Antonio (LPD 17) class. Ingalls has delivered 10 of the LPD 17 ships to the Navy, is currently building the 11th, Portland (LPD 27), and has received more than $300 million in advance procurement funding for the 12th, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).

More (including LPD 28 main features) at: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4161

[xavierv]

PLAN's Fourth Type 052D Kunming-class Destroyer to be Commissioned Soon

China's fourth Type 052D guided-missile destroyer (NATO reporting name Luyang III class) with hull number 175 should be commissioned with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) soon said Cao Weidong, a Chinese military expert, in an interview with China Center Television.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4167

Royal Thai Navy is Procuring Three S26T Submarines based on China's Yuan-class SSK

According to Xinhua, the official press agency of the People's Republic of China, Thai Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan confirmed on Friday that Thailand will buy three Chinese-built submarines for a combined price of one billion U.S. dollars. The Royal Thai Navy's proposal to procure the three S26T submarines from China has been put on hold since last year by the deputy premier who is concurrently defense minister.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4166

Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to conduct strikes in Syria this fall & winter

The air wing of Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will attack militants in Syria from the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea in October 2016 - January 2017, a military and diplomatic source in Moscow told TASS.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4163

Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to receive Ka-52K helicopter this year

Russia’s Project 11435 aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will receive the Kamov Ka-52K (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) helicopter this year, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said. Borisov made this statement during a visit to the Progress Aircraft-Manufacturing Enterprise in Arsenyev in Russia’s Far East.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4160

Saab to Sustain Combat Systems Aboard Royal Australian Navy ANZAC-class Frigates

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Australian Government regarding sustainment of the combat system on Australia's ANZAC class frigates. The order value amounts to AUD 37 million (approximately SEK 248 million) and covers services from July 2016 until December 2017.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4162

Saab to Modify And Upgrade Swedish Navy Koster-class Mine Countermeasures Vessels

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) to modify and upgrade two Swedish Navy Koster-class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs). The order covers the period 2016-2017 and the order value amounts to SEK147 million. Work on the vessels will be undertaken in Karlskrona.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4164

[Gunner98]

This may be old news but I found it interesting. No idea on the credibility of the authors but it seems they took an reasonable view of the subject:

https://defencyclopedia.com/2016/01/02/ ... the-world/

B

[Hongjian]

Some heavily PS altered photo appeared, suggesting an upgraded Type 09IV (Type 094 Jin-class) SSBN sporting the same sail-modifications as the 09IIIB, called Type 09IVA (Type 094A).



Whether this is legit or fake cant be confirmed at this point, but it is not too unrealistic that the ongoing construction of Type 09IV SSBNs (4 in service, 2 under construction out of 8 planned) will see some modifications in the style of the PLAN's newest SSGN. For the next batch of 4 09IVs, it is conceivable that they might be upgraded variants.

Let's wait and see.

[Hongjian]

Funny how they use the inofficial internet nickname for the Y-20. "Chubby girl" is a creation of Chinese military fans.

https://next.ft.com/content/4dd72950-43 ... 12b3873ae1

China’s ‘chubby girl’ transport aircraft enters PLA service
Homegrown air transport marks ‘crucial step’ in projection of power
13 MINUTES AGO by: Charles Clover in Beijing

China’s largest ever military aircraft entered service on Wednesday, a hulking transport capable of sending troops and tanks around the world at a moment’s notice.

The Y-20 Kunpeng, nicknamed “chubby girl”, arrives at a time when Beijing is plotting a new global mission for its 2m-strong People’s Liberation Army, from peacekeeping in Africa to anti-piracy in the Indian Ocean.

The aircraft, which is equipped with Russian engines, has a cargo capacity of 66 tonnes, making it the world’s largest military transport currently in production.

The Y-20 “marks a crucial step for the air force improving its strategic power projection capability,” Shen Jinke, PLA Air Force spokesman, told state news agency Xinhua.

Experts say the Y-20 bears a marked resemblance to the US Boeing C-17 transport, which has not been produced since last year. It can carry a single Type 99 tank, China’s most advanced, which weighs about 50 tonnes, along with troops and other equipment. It has a maximum range of 7,800km partially loaded — roughly the distance between Beijing and Cairo.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, said about a dozen of the aircraft would be operating within the next year or two, and eventually 200-300 would be produced. The Y-20 will gradually replace the fleet of Chinese Y-8 and Russian Ilyushin 76 cargo aircraft, the current workhorses of China’s military airlift capacity.

The Y-20 makes China only the third nation in the world to design and build its own transport aircraft, along with Russia and the US.

The Russian-Ukrainian Antonov-124 Ruslan is officially the world’s largest transport aircraft, with a payload nearly twice that of the Y-20 but it is out of production and work on upgrading the existing fleet has been frozen since 2014 due to tensions between Moscow and Kiev, according to press reports.

The rollout of the Y-20 takes place amid a rethink of military strategy by China, which sees itself gradually taking on missions farther from its borders. In November China announced the establishment of its first foreign military base, in Djibouti, as a hub to resupply the more than 2,000 Chinese troops taking part in African peacekeeping operations as well as Chinese anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean.

A new counter-terrorism law adopted by Beijing this year allows China to station troops abroad for the first time to participate in counter-terrorism operations.

Last year China’s defence ministry released a white paper on strategy that emphasised the evolution of the country’s security needs away from simple territorial defence towards an offensive capacity overseas.

Additional reporting by Ma Fangjing

Two planes delivered. Six will be handed over by the end of the year, according to the "people in the know". Gradually, they will replace the IL-76s in the PLAAF. At least one IL-76 was spotted via GE recently undergoing conversion to KJ-2000 AWACS. I think this is how most IL-76s will eventually end up with.

[Dysta]

State news check,
Photo-grade pictures check,
Official ceremony check,
Serials numbers, visible from numerous pictures.
Scenario opportunity high,
Database readiness, 0%...... Wait what??

Last I checked before SR1, there is no Y-20, and I am still busying to confirm its payload and fuel capacity, as well as its speed at different stages (from loiter to full thrust) before I submit to DB3000 suggestion thread.

But now I know what bother me more, is the 'official' calling-name of it. There is no NATO code of her, while both 'Kunpeng' and 'fat lady/girl' are mostly heard from Internet news and forums. I think it have to be the developers' decision to choose which name suits before the update.

Little trivia:

I also drew Y-20 in Y-8/9's livery 3 years ago, with anthropomorphic Planes style. What a memory when I was excited its maiden flight. Well, she definitely need an update. [:'(]

[Hongjian]

ORIGINAL: Dysta

State news check,
Photo-grade pictures check,
Official ceremony check,
Serials numbers, visible from numerous pictures.
Scenario opportunity high,
Database readiness, 0%...... Wait what??

Last I checked before SR1, there is no Y-20, and I am still busying to confirm its payload and fuel capacity, as well as its speed at different stages (from loiter to full thrust) before I submit to DB3000 suggestion thread.

But now I know what bother me more, is the 'official' calling-name of it. There is no NATO code of her, while both 'Kunpeng' and 'fat lady/girl' are mostly heard from Internet news and forums. I think it have to be the developers' decision to choose which name suits before the update.

Little trivia:

I also drew Y-20 in Y-8/9's livery 3 years ago, with anthropomorphic Planes style. What a memory when I was excited its maiden flight. Well, she definitely need an update. [:'(]

Patience.

At the moment, I feel, transport aircraft do not bring too many new possibilities in CMANO, since Ground Combat is still not implemented as much. So, you have to transport your Type 99s via other means.

If there is a Y-20 tanker or Y-20 AWACS (or even ABL???), it is another story.

Pretty nice drawing, anyway. Do you have a blog or do you post on some forums?

[Hongjian]

Finally an official number on the WS-10 'Taihang' turbofan engines deployed in China's Airforce. 400 engines would more or less correlate with what we PLA-watchers have counted in the last ten plus years: About 200 J-11B and J-16s should be in service, equipped with the WS-10 instead of the imported AL-31F.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0707/c90000-9082920.html

AVIC report: China's Taihang engine widely deployed in military

China’s Taihang engines have become a significant, large-scale presence in the military, making China the third country in the world that has mass deployment of domestically-produced high-thrust engines for military use, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) annual report.
AVIC's social responsibility report showed that the company is capable of independently conducting research and development on the next generation of high-thrust aerial engines, along with advanced drones such as Wing Loong, which have also been deployed in the military.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has deployed no less than 400 Taihang engines in five air force regiments. Various types of fighter jets are equipped with the engine, including the J-11B and J-15 carrier-based fighter jets, reported China Science Communication, a news site under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. So far there have been no crashes due to engine failure among Taihang engine-equipped fighter jets, the news site also noted.
Some doubts have been voiced about the originality of the Taihang engine, as there are people who believe the Chinese-made engine is a copy of its Western counterparts. However, according to China Science Communication, the development of the Taihang engine was based on accumulated experience and technological advances gathered since 1978. The engine was also based partially on its predecessor, WS-6, which spent some 20 years in development.
Meanwhile, the engine also took inspiration from the control system of Russia's AL-31F aircraft turbofan engine, China Science Communication admitted, calling the Taihang engine a result of “independent development combined with technology from the Soviet Union and the U.S.”
“China has become the fourth country in the world to independently design and produce large transportation aircraft, as well as the third country to independently develop stealth fighter jets,” the AVIC report said, adding that China has advanced its air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles to the fourth generation.

The WS-10 was indeed subject to a very troubled development and testing phase of 20+ years, with horror-stories ranging from mid-air breakdown to 30-hours lifetime etc. But indeed, we PLA-Watchers have never registered a single WS-10 equipped fighter plane crashing down. Of course, much of it is because of the premature grounding of all WS-10 equipped J-11Bs once a single one showed troubles (like a case in 2009, caused by strong vibrations on a J-11B), but still, considering that this is China's first ever high-thrust (100kn+) turbofan project, it is still a considerable feat. For the PLAAF, the now mature WS-10 engine means that they can produce as many Flankers and J-10s as they want (currently, the J-10B is equipped with the WS-10), making them independent of Russian AL-31F imports.
But even though it is a feat for China, the WS-10 is still an ultimately obsolete engine (in the same class as the AL-31F and F-110/F-100) and isnt suitable to power the J-20. Real technological maturity can only be shown when the WS-15 (160kn+) super-cruise capable engine arrives. According to rumors, though, the development of that engine is going very smoothly compared to the WS-10: China's industrial base has gained enough experience through the hard and arduous journey to get the 'Taihang' running.

[xavierv]

Taiwan Started Designing its Own Diesel-Electric SSK Submarines

The Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan) Navy said on Thursday it has started design work on its domestic attack submarine programme, hoping to complete it in 2024. Navy Command Headquarters Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mei Chia-shu told a legislative committee session: “We plan to complete the design by 2019 and complete the construction by 2024.”

The submarine programme is part of Taiwan's new naval acquisition plan which was unveiled late last year. The ROC Navy also have a Destroyer programme as part of this plan.

Vice Admiral Hsiao Wei-min said last year that "at present the navy's demand is submarines ranging from 1,200-3,000 tons".

Mei said the navy signed a contract with a Dutch company earlier this year to extend the lifespan of the two subs so Taiwan could use the design blueprint as the basis for the construction of the first home-built submarine.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4186

All large Russian Navy ships of 1st and 2nd rank may get nuclear power plants

Defense contractors and the Russian Navy are looking into the feasibility of fitting all 1st- and 2nd-rank warships with nuclear main propulsion plants, according to the Lenta.ru online news agency. The decision is owing to Russia’s developing and making its own nuclear power plants, thus being independent of their import.

"We are talking a family of standardized power plants for surface ships with the displacement ranging from 4,000 tons (frigates) to 80,000 tons or more (aircraft carriers). The nuclear power plants are supposed to generate 40-200MW. Since the Navy’s requirement for 1st- and 2nd-rank ships in 20 years is estimated at 40, it would not be a problem to make this many power plants," a source told Lenta.ru.

Ships of a smaller displacement (corvettes, patrol ships, guided missile craft) as well as boats and amphibious assault ships may be equipped with the diesel power plants that have entered production in Russia. Diesel engines also may be used as auxiliary power units by 1st- and 2nd-rank ships.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4183

Fincantieri Delivers Third U212A Todaro-class Submarine Pietro Venuti to the Italian Navy

The submarine “Pietro Venuti” was delivered July 6, 2016 at Fincantieri’s shipyard of Muggiano (La Spezia). It is the third of the U212A “Todaro” class, a series of four sister units which the Central Unit for Naval Armament – NAVARM has ordered to Fincantieri for the Italian Navy.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4176

[xavierv]

nEUROn goes naval – UCAV demonstrator flight tested alongside French Navy Aircraft Carrier

The nEUROn unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator made several low altitude vertical passes above French Navy (Marine Nationale) aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. These tests which took place July 6, 2016 were conducted by the French Procurement Agency (DGA) in conjunction with the French Navy and Dassault Aviation. They are part of a test campaign which objective is to study the use of a UCAV in a naval environment involving several vessels of the French Navy.

The test campaign includes interactions at sea with the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to assess the nEUROn's stealthiness relative to the naval platforms sensors. The DGA provides the project management while Dassault Aviation acts as prime contractor.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4187

[hellfish6]

I'll be disappointed if the French have a naval UCAV dropping bombs before the USN does.

[thewood1]

I don't think it took off landed on the carrier did it? I think that was just an overfly.

[xavierv]

ORIGINAL: hellfish6

I'll be disappointed if the French have a naval UCAV dropping bombs before the USN does.

Why the two navies are great allies / partners with unprecedented levels of integration.

But don't worry, nEUROn program is nowhere near X-47B as far as carrier ops is concerned. And as is, the UCAV can not land on the carrier, let alone launch from it.


North Korea Launched a KN-11 SLBM From its Sinpo-Class Ballistic Missile Submarine

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off its east coast on Saturday, but the missile failed in its initial flight stage, according to Yonhap News Agency citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The missile was fired from waters southeast of the coastal port city of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, at around 11:30 a.m., according to the military.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4188

[xavierv]

They know they (Marine Nationale) want some (CMV-22B) !

V-22 Osprey Tilt Rotor Aircraft Tested Aboard French Navy Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle

On July 6th, the French Navy Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Center (centre d’expérimentations pratiques de l’aéronautique navale - CEPA 10S) and the crew of Charles de Gaulle tested for the first time a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft aboard the French aircraft carrier.

more at: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4189

[xavierv]

Pictures of China's future Type 055 Destroyer first construction blocks may have emerged

Interesting pictures have emerged from China showing what could well be the first construction blocks of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) future Type 055 Guided-Missile Destroyer (DDG).

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4192

MMC & Remontowa Shipbuilding Unveiled a Stealth Logistic Support Vessel Project

At the 14th Baltic Military Fair BALT-MILITARY-EXPO 2016 held in June in Gdansk, Poland, MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting Ltd (MMC) & Remontowa Shipbuilding (Remontowa) unveiled a novel concept: A Stealth Logistic Support Vessel. MMC is an independent design company specializing in ships for the offshore industry and specialist ships. Remontowa is a member of Remontowa holding and a leading shipyard in Poland.

MMC and Remontowa are partner in this project which was launched recently to answer a future Polish Navy need for ocean going support vessel(s). The main characteristics of the vessel are the following: Length over all 116.36 meters; Maximum Breadth 17.90 meters; Displacement of 6,100 tons.

more: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... ew&id=4191

[Hongjian]

Two more recent fuzzy and PS'ed photos of the prospective Type 09IVA (094A) SSBN.

The first is a recent shot that was altered via PS to mask the masts on the conning tower, as well as some device on the bow, while the second seems to be a shot from a distance showing the new Jin-class SSBN variant (in the small window) compared to the old Jin-class variant, harboured in what appears to be the South China Sea submarine base on Hainan Island.




I hope we will get an 'official' reveal soon, just like it was the case with the 09IIIB (093B) SSGN, finally confirming its existence.

[Broncepulido]

Meteor at last in service first time, in the Swedish Air Force from 11 July 2016 (in Brazilian Portuguese): http://www.aereo.jor.br/2016/07/11/miss ... rea-sueca/

[Hongjian]

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2016/ ... south.html

Youtube of the day: The much-talked about South China Sea combat drill

Most noteworthy is the YJ-12 Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile being launched by a H-6 bomber. The YJ-12 has a reported range of 400KM and a top speed of March 4.
The Chinese navy conducted combat drills near its southern island province of Hainan and the Paracel islands in the South China Sea, the ministry of defence said on July 9.

The drills come ahead of a July 12 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on a case brought by the Philippines disputing several of China‘s territory claims in the South China Sea.
Ships from China‘s northern, eastern and southern fleets participated in July 8 drills, which focused on air control, surface operations and anti-submarine warfare, among other training exercises, the ministry said in a website statement.

China claims nearly all the South China Sea, but its claims overlap in part with those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

China has repeatedly said it does not consider any decision reached by the arbitration court to be legally binding.
“China adheres to the position of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation with states directly concerned,” state news agency Xinhua said in a commentary on July 9.
“This has always been China‘s policy, and it will never change.”
(Reuters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V89hRBqZUDU