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DRAFT HMS HERMES class CV for comment

OVERVIEW: The HERMES class aircraft carrier (CV) is a VTOL-capable vessel powered by a steam propulsion system.

DETAILS: The HERMES was the last vessel of the CENTAUR-class conventional aircraft carriers. Originally laid down in 1944, her completion was delayed until 1957. When launched, she was significantly modified from her original WWII design, with an angled flight deck and steam catapults.

The HERMES was too small to effectively operate 1960's era-jets, so from 1971-73 it was converted to a "Commando Carrier", similar to a USN LHA, and its arresting gear and catapults removed. In 1976, it was again modified to an ASW carrier, with a further modification in 1981 to incorporate a 12 degree ski-jump, and a MADGE landing system and HAPIS (Horizontal Approach Path Indicator System) allowing it to operate Sea Harriers.

Armament consisted of 2 SEA CAT GWS 22. Aircraft facilities included the capability to carry 5 Sea Harriers and 12 Sea King helicopters during normal peacetime operations. For the Falkland Islands War, the HERMES embarked 21 Sea Harrier FRS.1 and GR.3s as well as 10 Sea King HAS.5 and HC.4

Amphibious capabilities included the ability to carry two commando groups totaling 750 men as well as 4 LCVPs in davits.

C3I facilities include satellite communications system and a Ferranti 1600E computer for tactical data handling, making it a capable flagship for amphibious operations.

Specifications:
Displacement: 28,700 full load
Speed: 28 knts
Engineering: 2 Parson geared turbines; 4 boilers; 2 shafts
Range: unknown
Complement: 1,170 crew
In Commission: 1959-1984 (Royal Navy); 1987-2017 (India)
Completed: 1

NOTES: Units in class: HERMES (R 12).

DRAFT N001 Myech aka SLOT BACK aka RPLK-27 radar description for comment

OVERVIEW: The N001 Myech aka SLOT BACK aka RPLK-27 radar is an air-to-air, medium-range, fire-control radar operating in the NATO J (IEEE X) band.

DETAILS:
The N001 Myech aka SLOT BACK pulse-Doppler radar uses a mechanically steered twist-Cassegrain antenna. The antenna design is a scaled-up copy of the N019 radar, and it uses the same TS100 processor.

The N001 is a Look Down/Shoot Down (LD/SD) capable radar that can track up to 10 targets, and engaging one target at a time. It is also capable of tracking ECM sources.


Specifications:

Frequency: Unknown GHz (J-band (NATO))
PRF: ?? Khz
Pulse width: ??
Power: 1.0 kW (average) ;
Scan Limits: ±60 ° azimuth, unknown elevation.
Range: 85-90 nm search (v. bomber aircraft)
60-65 nm search (v. 5m2 fighter aircraft)
43-54 nm search (v. 3m2 fighter aircraft)
43-49 nm track (v. 5m2 aircraft)
35-46 nm track (v. 3m2 aircraft)
24 nm (v. 3m2 in pursuit geometry)

NOTES: IOC: early 1980's

SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, location 4815 (Kindle ed.) ; Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems, "Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Institut
Priborostroyeniya (NIIP) fire-control radars," 19 October 2000; "Got You Covered: the Development of Modem Russian Fighter Radars." Free News, Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Reference Articles and Classic Books - Free Online Library. Last modified August 1, 2002. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Got+you+ ... a090570931. ; Kopp, Dr C. "Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat." Air Power Australia. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker-Radars.html. ; Kopp, Dr C., SMAIAA, SMIEEE, and PEng. "Sukhoi Flankers - The Shifting Balance of Regional Air Power." Air Power Australia. Last modified 2007. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker.html. ; https://archive.ph/20120707010504/http: ... ionics.htm

DRAFT OLS-27 IRST for community comment

OVERVIEW: The OLS-27 IRST (Infrared Search and Track) is a passive airborne sensor that detects infrared radiation.

DETAILS:
The OLS-27 onboard IR IRST expands the aircraft's combat capabilities for detection and tracking of air targets and allowing for stealthy/radar silent attacks. It also increases the aircraft’s ability to make attacks in a heavy ECM jamming environment. The IRST also provides better angular resolution than radar due to the shorter wavelength. However, attacks made with the IRST will be made at shorter ranges, because of atmospheric attenuation of the infrared waves. The IRST is also affected by adverse weather conditions allowing it to be used only in visual meteorological conditions (VMC).


Specifications:

Frequency: Infrared
Range: 27 nm detection at high altitude vs. tail on attack, tgt at military power; 19nm tracking (approx)
48-54 nm detection at high altitude vs. head on, tgt in afterburner; 38nm tracking (approx)

NOTES:


SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, location 3497 (Kindel ed.) location 4819; "Infrared Search and Track." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified December 5, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_search_and_track. ; Pike, John. "AIR FORCE SYSTEMS." GlobalSecurity.org. Accessed January 11, 2023. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... ystems.htm.

DRAFT SU-27 Flanker B description for community review

OVERVIEW: The Su-27 aka "Flanker B" is a single-seat, twin-engine, long-range, all-weather, 4th-generation air superiority fighter capable of BVR engagements.

DETAILS: Similar in concept to the USAF's heavyweight/lightweight F-15/F-16 fighter fleet mix, the Su-27 was developed as a heavyweight fighter to complement the lighter Mig-29, and is roughly comparable to the F-15 and F-14.

The Su-27 is designed to be a highly maneuverable aircraft. To achieve this, it was designed to be unstable. The wing and fuselage form a single aerodynamically lifted frame, providing a high aerodynamic efficiency and high lift coefficient. This, along with its low wing loading, high thrust-to-weight ratio and an analogue quad-redundant fly-by-wire system, making it highly agile even at low air speed. The Su-27 is capable of sustained +9.0 g maneuvers, and bubble cockpit, gives the pilot excellent visibility. These characteristics, combined with the pilot’s helmet-mounted target designator and the all-aspect AA-11 missile and a 30mm cannon, make the Flanker an excellent dog fighting aircraft.

The Flanker B uses a N001 Myech radar, providing it with a LD/SD capability and when combined with the Alamo missile, a BVR capability. The Su-27 is armed with a single 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds in the starboard wingroot. The Flanker B has up to 10 hardpoints for missiles and other weapons. Its standard missile armament for air-to-air combat is a mixture of R-73 (AA-11 Archer) and R-27 (AA-10 'Alamo') short- and long-range missiles

The Su-27 carries the R-27R1 (AA-10A Alamo-A), an all-aspect medium-range missile with semi-active radar homing and R-27T1 (AA-10B Alamo-B) with infrared homing and a range from 500m to 60km; and R-73E (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect, close-combat air-to-air missile with infrared homing and a range from 300m to 20km.

Ordnance for air-to-ground missions includes 100kg, 250kg and 500kg freefall and retarded aerial bombs; 500kg incendiary devices; 25kg and 500kg RBK cluster bombs; and C-8, C-13 and C-25 unguided aerial missiles.

The countermeasures system includes a pilot illumination radar warning receiver, chaff and infrared decoy dispensers, and an active multi-mode jammer in the wingtip pods. The jammers are capable of mutual and group protection.

The Su-27 is powered by two widely separated AL-31F afterburning turbofans, each producing 7800 kgf (17,200 lbs). of thrust (military) or 12,500 kgf (27,558 lbs) of thrust at afterburner, giving it a 1.07 thrust-to-weight ratio. Each engine has two air intakes: a primary wedge intake and a louvred auxiliary air intake. The design maximum speed is Mach 2.35 at altitude.

NOTES: IOC: late 1984 (in IA PVO). Formal acceptance in August 1990. The initial production run of the Su-27 series were designated by NATO as the "Flanker B."


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations ; Hillebrand, Niels. "MILAVIA Aircraft - Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Specifications." MILAVIA - Military Aviation - Aircraft, Air Show, Air Force, Fighter, Bomber. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-27/ ... ations.htm. ; Pike, John. "Su-27 FLANKER." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 9, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... /su-27.htm. ;"Saturn AL-31." Military Wiki. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Saturn_AL-31. ;
"Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter Aircraft, Russia." Airforce Technology. Last modified July 16, 2021. https://www.airforce-technology.com/pro ... 3%2C000lb).

Nice! Good description of N001 relation to N019.

Regarding Su-27 I have these remarks:
- Instead of R-27R1, R-27T1 and R-73E just use R-72R, R-27T and R-73 as the previous designation are the ones used for export, also mention of R-27ER and R-27ET should be there.
- C-8, C-13 and C-25 should be changed to S-8, S-13 and S-25 (and possibly also add S-24). The first ones are names in russian alphabet.
- For wingtip jammer pods I would add that they are removable (R-73 could be carried instead of them).

PN79 wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:59 pm Nice! Good description of N001 relation to N019.

Regarding Su-27 I have these remarks:
- Instead of R-27R1, R-27T1 and R-73E just use R-72R, R-27T and R-73 as the previous designation are the ones used for export, also mention of R-27ER and R-27ET should be there.
- C-8, C-13 and C-25 should be changed to S-8, S-13 and S-25 (and possibly also add S-24). The first ones are names in russian alphabet.
- For wingtip jammer pods I would add that they are removable (R-73 could be carried instead of them).

Thanks for looking at it. I'll make your suggested changes

DRAFT Su-27 SKM for comment

OVERVIEW: The Su-27SKM aka "Flanker B" is a single-seat, twin-engine, long-range, all-weather, Generation 4+, air superiority fighter capable of BVR engagements. It also has an A/G all-weather precision strike, SEAD and anti-ship capability.

DETAILS: Similar in concept to the USAF's heavyweight/lightweight F-15/F-16 fighter fleet mix, the Su-27 was developed as a heavyweight fighter to complement the lighter Mig-29 and is roughly comparable to the F-15 and F-14.

The Su-27SKM is an export version of the Su-27SM, which was a modernization of the earlier Su-27SK. In contrast to the Su-27SK, the Su-27SM and SKM has an improved radar, an advanced cockpit management system, improved ECM/IRCM systems and an in-flight refueling system.

The Su-27 is designed to be a highly maneuverable aircraft. To achieve this, it was designed to be unstable. The wing and fuselage form a single aerodynamically lifted frame, providing a high aerodynamic efficiency and high lift coefficient. This, along with its low wing loading, high thrust-to-weight ratio and an analogue quad-redundant fly-by-wire system, making it highly agile even at low air speed. The Su-27 can sustain +9.0 g maneuvers, and bubble cockpit, gives the pilot excellent visibility. These characteristics, combined with the pilot’s helmet-mounted target designator and the all-aspect AA-11 missile and a 30mm cannon, make the Flanker an excellent dog fighting aircraft.

The Su-27SKM uses a N011M PESA radar, providing it with a LD/SD capability and when combined with the AA-10 or AA-12 missile, a BVR capability. The radar also has a ground mapping capability allowing it to detect ground and ship targets.

The Su-27SKM is armed with a single 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds in the starboard wingroot. The Su-27SK has up to 10 hardpoints for missiles and other weapons. For air-to-air combat, it carries the R-27R/R-27T series (AA-10A Alamo-A / AA-10B Alamo-B), an all-aspect medium-range missile with semi-active radar homing or with infrared homing. These have a range from 0.27-32 nm. It also carries the R-73 series (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect, close-combat air-to-air missile with infrared homing and a range from 0.17-11 nm. It can also carry the long-range (60 nm) R-77 (AA-12 Adder) AAM. For strike missions, ordinance includes a variety of guided munitions, including Kh-29T/TE TV-guided missiles and Kh29 laser-guided missiles, Kh-31A active radar homing ASMs, Kh-31P ARMs, KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr ‘smart bombs’ and other ordinance. It can also carry free-fall bombs and the S-8/S-13/S-25 series rockets.

The countermeasures system includes a pilot illumination radar warning receiver, chaff and infrared decoy dispensers, and active multi-mode jammers, normally carried in wingtip pods in lieu of R-73 missiles in the wingtip hardpoints. The jammers are capable of mutual and group protection.

The Su-27 is powered by two widely separated AL-31F afterburning turbofans, each producing 7800 kgf (17,200 lbs). of thrust (military) or 12,500 kgf (27,558 lbs) of thrust at afterburner, giving it a 1.07 thrust-to-weight ratio. Each engine has two air intakes: a primary wedge intake and a louvred auxiliary air intake. The design maximum speed is Mach 2.35 at altitude.

NOTES: IOC: 2010. Claimed to have "50% more combat capability" than early Flanker-Bs.


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindel ed., locations 4900; Hillebrand, Niels. "MILAVIA Aircraft - Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Specifications." MILAVIA - Military Aviation - Aircraft, Air Show, Air Force, Fighter, Bomber. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-27/ ... ations.htm. ; Pike, John. "Su-27 FLANKER." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 9, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... /su-27.htm. ;"Saturn AL-31." Military Wiki. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Saturn_AL-31. ;
"Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter Aircraft, Russia." Airforce Technology. Last modified July 16, 2021. https://www.airforce-technology.com/pro ... 3%2C000lb) ; Gordon, Yefim, Komissarov, Dmitiry (trans.). Sukhoi Su-27. Midland Publishing, 2007, pg.105-06 ; Pike, John. "SU-27SKM Flanker-B Single-seat Multirole Fighter." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 12, 2013. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... -27skm.htm. ; "SU-27 SM/SKM/UBM." Comparison - BVR - Dogfight. Last modified June 24, 2011. https://aviatia.net/su-27-sm/. ; "Su-27SKM Multirole Fighter." ARMSCOM - ART OF DEFENSE INFORMATION | Armscom.net. Accessed January 13, 2023. https://www.armscom.net/products/su_27s ... le_fighter.

N011M Super Zhuk-PH aka SLOT BACK radar for review/comment

OVERVIEW: The N011M Super Zhuk-PH aka SLOT BACK radar is an air-to-air and air-to-ground, medium-range, fire-control radar operating in the NATO I/J (IEEE X) band.

DETAILS: The N011M Super Zhuk-PH aka SLOT BACK is a Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar using a slotted array antenna. In addition to air-to-air mode, the radar is capable of ground mapping, allowing it to detect and attack ground targets and surface ships.

The N011M is a Look Down/Shoot Down (LD/SD) and track-while-scan capable radar capable of detecting up to fifteen (15) targets, tracking six (6) and engaging four (4) targets simultaneously.


Specifications:

Frequency: Unknown GHz (I/J-band (NATO))
PRF: ?? Khz
Pulse width: ??
Power: 1.2 kW (average) ; 4-5 kW (peak)
Scan Limits: ±70 ° azimuth, ±40 ° elevation.
Range (air): 144 nm search (max)
54 nm track (max)
49 nm (v. MiG-29, closing geometry)
49 nm (v. MiG-29, pursuit geometry)


Range (surface): 54nm Ground targets, large
22-27nm Ground targets, small (tanks, APC)
180nm Large ships
65 nm small ships




NOTES: IOC: late 1990's

SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, location 4815 (Kindle ed.) ; Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems, "Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Institut
Priborostroyeniya (NIIP) fire-control radars," 19 October 2000; "Got You Covered: the Development of Modem Russian Fighter Radars." Free News, Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Reference Articles and Classic Books - Free Online Library. Last modified August 1, 2002. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Got+you+ ... a090570931. ; Kopp, Dr C. "Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat." Air Power Australia. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker-Radars.html. ; Kopp, Dr C., SMAIAA, SMIEEE, and PEng. "Sukhoi Flankers - The Shifting Balance of Regional Air Power." Air Power Australia. Last modified 2007. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker.html. ; https://archive.ph/20120707010504/http: ... ionics.htm; Gordon, Yefim, Komissarov, Dmitiry (trans.). Sukhoi Su-27. Midland Publishing, 2007, pg.105-06 ; Kopp, Dr C. "Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat." Air Power Australia. Accessed January 14, 2023. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker ... ocId928438. ;
"NPO PHAZOTRON Zhuk Radar, a Demised Hope for Russian Aerospace Industries." Global Defense Corp. Last modified September 18, 2021. https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2021/ ... ndustries/.

i used CHATGPT to generate this text in less than a second:
all you need is a list of equipment names that existed up to 2021 (Chat GPT does not hold more recent data).

The MiG-23MF Flogger B is a Soviet-built variable-geometry fighter aircraft. It is also known as the "Flogger" and operates in the medium-range band. Its purpose is as an air-to-air and ground attack aircraft.

DETAILS:
The MiG-23MF Flogger B was first introduced in 1973 and was designed to replace the MiG-21. It was heavily influenced by the American F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle. The aircraft has a variable-geometry wing that allows for increased maneuverability at high speeds. It is also equipped with an advanced radar system and can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. However, the aircraft's avionics and weapons systems have been criticized as being unreliable and outdated.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Maximum speed: 2,485 km/h (1,538 mph)
Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
Range: 2,950 km (1,830 mi)
Engagement envelopes: unk
Kill probabilities: unk
Mobility: unk
Reload times: unk
NOTES:

The MiG-23MF Flogger B was used by the Soviet Union and several other countries, including Egypt, Iraq, and Syria.
The aircraft was retired from Soviet service in the 1990s but is still in use by some countries.
SOURCES:

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraf ... aft_id=600
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... mig-23.htm
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... -nightmare

I used this question to the AI: write a descriptive text for the The MiG-23MF Flogger B for human reading to quickly get an understanding of the major characteristics of this particular piece of equipment. include these sections:

- OVERVIEW:
A 1-2 sentence overview of the essential characteristics of the equipment, including name, alternative names, type of equipment, range bands it operates in, and general purpose of the equipment.

- DETAILS:
Additional information on the equipment, including how it is employed, specific strengths and weaknesses of the equipment.

- Specifications:
Operational specifics of the gear, such as engagement envelopes, kill probabilities, mobility, reload times, etc. If a particular specification is unknown, use a "?" or "unk" to denote the data is unavailable and needs further research.

NOTES:
- Information that does not fit into any of the categories above, such as the date it entered into service (IOC), names of the countries operating the equipment, or other interesting facts about the equipment

- SOURCES:
All the sources, including weblinks, used in writing the description files.

HTA001 wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 8:11 am i used CHATGPT to generate this text in less than a second:
all you need is a list of equipment names that existed up to 2021 (Chat GPT does not hold more recent data).

The MiG-23MF Flogger B is a Soviet-built variable-geometry fighter aircraft. It is also known as the "Flogger" and operates in the medium-range band. Its purpose is as an air-to-air and ground attack aircraft.

DETAILS:
The MiG-23MF Flogger B was first introduced in 1973 and was designed to replace the MiG-21. It was heavily influenced by the American F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle. The aircraft has a variable-geometry wing that allows for increased maneuverability at high speeds. It is also equipped with an advanced radar system and can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. However, the aircraft's avionics and weapons systems have been criticized as being unreliable and outdated.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Maximum speed: 2,485 km/h (1,538 mph)
Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
Range: 2,950 km (1,830 mi)
Engagement envelopes: unk
Kill probabilities: unk
Mobility: unk
Reload times: unk
NOTES:

The MiG-23MF Flogger B was used by the Soviet Union and several other countries, including Egypt, Iraq, and Syria.
The aircraft was retired from Soviet service in the 1990s but is still in use by some countries.
SOURCES:

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraf ... aft_id=600
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... mig-23.htm
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... -nightmare

I used this question to the AI: write a descriptive text for the The MiG-23MF Flogger B for human reading to quickly get an understanding of the major characteristics of this particular piece of equipment. include these sections:

- OVERVIEW:
A 1-2 sentence overview of the essential characteristics of the equipment, including name, alternative names, type of equipment, range bands it operates in, and general purpose of the equipment.

- DETAILS:
Additional information on the equipment, including how it is employed, specific strengths and weaknesses of the equipment.

- Specifications:
Operational specifics of the gear, such as engagement envelopes, kill probabilities, mobility, reload times, etc. If a particular specification is unknown, use a "?" or "unk" to denote the data is unavailable and needs further research.

NOTES:
- Information that does not fit into any of the categories above, such as the date it entered into service (IOC), names of the countries operating the equipment, or other interesting facts about the equipment

- SOURCES:
All the sources, including weblinks, used in writing the description files.

Interesting. I'll have to paly around with it a bit Thank you for pointing it out.

DRAFT Su-27SM3 for community comment

OVERVIEW: OVERVIEW: The Su-27SM3 aka "Flanker B” is a single-seat, twin-engine, long-range, all-weather, +4 -generation multi-role air superiority fighter capable of BVR engagements as well as precision ground attack, SEAD and anti-ship strike.

DETAILS: Similar in concept to the USAF's heavyweight/lightweight F-15/F-16 fighter fleet mix, the Su-27 was developed as a heavyweight fighter to complement the lighter Mig-29 and is roughly comparable to the F-15E Strike Eagle.

The Su-27SM3 is a modernized version of the Su-27SM, which was a modernization of the earlier Su-27SK. It features a reinforced airframe design, increasing the take-off weight by + 3 tons. It also has improved ECM capabilities and can carry more advanced A/A and A/G weapons. To ease pilot workload, it has an "all glass" cockpit and an improved secure communications suite. It also has additional hardpoints and an improved engine providing increased thrust and increased overhaul life.

The Su-27 is designed to be a highly maneuverable aircraft. To achieve this, it was designed to be unstable. The wing and fuselage form a single aerodynamically lifted frame, providing a high aerodynamic efficiency and high lift coefficient. This, along with its low wing loading, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and an analogue quad-redundant fly-by-wire system, making it highly agile even at low air speed. The Su-27 can sustain 9.0 g maneuvers, and bubble cockpit gives the pilot excellent visibility. These characteristics, combined with the pilot’s helmet-mounted target designator and the all-aspect AA-11 missile and a 30mm cannon, make the Flanker an excellent dog fighting aircraft.

The Su-27SM3 uses a N001V radar, providing it with a LD/SD capability and when combined with the AA-10 missile, a BVR capability. The radar also has a ground mapping capability allowing it to detect ground and ship targets.

The Su-27SM3 is armed with a single 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds in the starboard wingroot. The Su-27SM3 has up to 10 hardpoints for up to 8,000 kg of missiles and other weapons. For air-to-air combat, it carries the R-27R/R-27T series (AA-10A/-10B/-10C aka Alamo A-C), an all-aspect medium-range missile with semi-active radar homing or with infrared homing. These have a range from 0.27-32 nm. It also carries the R-73 series (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect, close-combat air-to-air missile with infrared homing and a range from 0.17-11 nm. For strike missions, ordinance includes a variety of guided munitions, including Kh-29T/TE TV-guided missiles and Kh29 laser-guided missiles, Kh-31A active radar homing ASMs, Kh-31P ARMs, KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr ‘smart bombs’ and other ordinance. It can also carry free-fall bombs and the S-8/S-13/S-25 series rockets.

The countermeasures system includes a pilot illumination radar warning receiver, chaff and infrared decoy dispensers, and active multi-mode jammers, normally carried in wingtip pods in lieu of R-73 missiles in the wingtip hardpoints. The jammers are capable of mutual and group protection.

The Su-27SM3 is powered by two widely separated AL-31FM1 afterburning turbofans, each producing 8500 kgf (18,739lbs). of thrust (military) or 13,499 kgf (29,760 lbs) of thrust at afterburner, giving it a 1.19 thrust-to-weight ratio at normal takeoff weight. Each engine has two air intakes: a primary wedge intake and a louvred auxiliary air intake. The design maximum speed is Mach 2.35 at altitude.

NOTES: IOC: 2011. Claimed to be "almost 2 times" more effective than the Su-27S against aerial targets and "than 3 times" more effective when operating against ground targets.


SOURCE: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, (Kindle ed., locations 4900; Hillebrand, Niels. "MILAVIA Aircraft - Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Specifications." MILAVIA - Military Aviation - Aircraft, Air Show, Air Force, Fighter, Bomber. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-27/ ... ations.htm. ; Pike, John. "Su-27 FLANKER." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 9, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... /su-27.htm. ;"Saturn AL-31." Military Wiki. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Saturn_AL-31. ;
"Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter Aircraft, Russia." Airforce Technology. Last modified July 16, 2021. https://www.airforce-technology.com/pro ... 3%2C000lb) ; Gordon, Yefim, Komissarov, Dmitiry (trans.). Sukhoi Su-27. Midland Publishing, 2007, pg. 108-09 ; Pike, John. "SU-27SKM Flanker-B Single-seat Multirole Fighter." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 12, 2013. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... -27skm.htm. ; "SU-27 SM/SKM/UBM." Comparison - BVR - Dogfight. Last modified June 24, 2011. https://aviatia.net/su-27-sm/. ; "Su-27SKM Multirole Fighter." ARMSCOM - ART OF DEFENSE INFORMATION | Armscom.net. Accessed January 13, 2023. https://www.armscom.net/products/su_27s ... le_fighter. ; "Su-27SM3" Accessed January 17, 2023. http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/su27sm3.html.

Good evening,
#2436 - 301 Huracan [Saar 4.5]
* Did not found same radar as DB in my sources, please change if update (or other name for same emitter?)

OVERVIEW: The Huracan class is an fast missile craft, ex-Isrelian Saar 4.5 class.

DETAILS: The Huracan claas has four diesels with four shafts and a helipad with hanger for a Panther sized helo. The sensors are a TH-D 1040 neptune radar for air & surface search, FC (Fire-Control) radar is the Slenia Orion RTN-10X and Elisra NS 9003 ESM. Weapon fit is 4 Gabriel Mk2 SSM, one 6-barrel 20mm/76 Phalanx Mk15, twwo 20///70 Mk10, four 12.7mm/90 MG, EO/IR system and for the NS 9005 with several different chaff launchers.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 506t (full)
Speed: 31 kts max
Engineering: 4x MTU/Bazan 16V 956 TB91 diesels with 4 shafts
Range: 3000 nm @ 17 kts & 1500 nm @ 30 kts
Complement: 53

NOTES: Is transferred without the RGM-84C Harpoon only with Gabriel Mk2 SSM

SOURCES: Jane's Fighting Ships 20115-2016; Navpedia, 2019. https://www.navypedia.org/ships/mexico/ ... uracan.htm; Wikipedia, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%27ar_4 ... ssile_boat;

best regards GJ

Good Evening,

#2459 - F 211 Allende [Knox]
* Navpedia and Military Balance give Decom on units

OVERVIEW: The Allende class Guided Missile Frrgates are ex-US Knox class ships.

DETAILS: Steam Turbines with one shaft, Helipad with hanger for Bo-115. Weapons are 8 Harpoon SSM (Surface-to-Sarface Missile), ASROC Mk116, 127mm/54 Mk42 Main Gun, 4x 324 Mk32 Torpedo tubes. One unit also equipped with 8x RIM-7 Sea Sparrow SAM and 4 single 12.7mm/90 MG, ECM is SLQ-32(v)2 Mk36 Chaff Decoy. Sensors are The AN/SPS-64(v)9 for surface search and Navigation, AN/SPS-10 Surface Search, AN/SPS-40B 2D Air Search, AN/SPG-53F Fire-Control radar, Sonars are SQS-26CX Hull-mounted LF Act/Pas, SQS-35 VDS, SQR18A(v)2 TACTAS, ESM is the SLQ-32(v)2. Also the Nixie torpedo decoy.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 4260 (full)
Speed: 27 kts max
Engineering: Westinghouse geared steam turbine with one shaft
Range: 4000 nm @ 22 kts
Complement: 224

NOTES: Some sources report units are decom in 2018

SOURCES: Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016; Navpedia, 2018. https://www.navypedia.org/ships/mexico/ ... llende.htm; Wikipedia, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allende-class_frigate; Military Balance 2019;

best regards GJ

Good evening,

#4053 P 101 Leandro Valle (Auk)
*

OVERVIEW: The Leandro Valle class are Coastgaurd patrol crafts. Ex US Auk class.

DETAILS: The Valle class has 2 Carterpillar diesels with 2 shafts. Guns are 1x 3in(76mm)/50 and 2x twin 40mm/60 mk1. Sensor is the Kelvin Hughes 14/9 navigation radar.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 1290 t (Full)
Speed: 18 kts max
Engineering: 2 Caterpillar with 2 shafts
Range: 6900 nm @ 10 kts
Complement: 73

NOTES: Caterpillar engines are updates from 1988-2002.

SOURCES: Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016; Navpedia, 2019. https://www.navypedia.org/ships/mexico/ ... _valle.htm;

regards GJ

Good evening,

#4054 P 103 Mariano Escobedo (Auk)
*

OVERVIEW: The Mariano Escobedo is from Leandro Valle class modified with a helipad and a 12m craft. They are Coastgaurd patrol crafts, Ex US Auk class.

DETAILS: The Escobedo class has 2 Caterpillar diesels with 2 shafts, helipad for 1 Bo-105 helicopter and a 12m 9t 26kts patrol craft. Guns are 1x 3in(76mm)/50 and 2x twin 40mm/60 mk1. Sensor is the Kelvin Hughes 14/9 navigation radar.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 1290 t (Full)
Speed: 18 kts max
Engineering: 2 Caterpillar with 2 shafts
Range: 6900 nm @ 10 kts
Complement: 73

NOTES: Caterpillar engines are updates from 1988-2002.

SOURCES: Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016; Navpedia, 2019. https://www.navypedia.org/ships/mexico/ ... _valle.htm;

regards GJ

Parel803 Thank you for these. I'll add them to the next update

Hi

The description of the Kiev class helo carrier says SS-N-12 Shaddock instead of Sandbox.
This is DB3K entry #2154 and #150.

Søren

DRAFT AN/ZPQ-1 TESAR radar description for comment:

OVERVIEW: The AN/ZPQ-1 TESAR (Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a small, light weight, SAR/GMTI/DMTI tactical radar for use on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) operating the NATO operating in the NATO 10 - 20 GHz J-band, (IEEE -Band).

DETAILS: AN/ZPQ-1 is a low-cost, ground-sweeping radar that can detect objects down to one foot in size and capable of discriminating between moving ( 1.5 m/s to 3.5 m/s) and stationary targets. The radar is capable of through-the-weather surveillance, stationary and moving target detection and tracking, maritime search and dismounted personnel detection.

The focused SAR imagery is formed on-board the UAV, compressed, and sent to the Predator Ground Control Station over a data link. The radar is designed to map while squinting up to ±45 degrees off the velocity vector. At ground speeds from 25-35 m/sec, the swath width is 800 meters. At speeds beyond 35 m/sec, the swath width decreases proportionally with the increase in ground speed. Strip map imaging observes terrain parallel to the flight path or along a specified ground path. Resolution depends on range and swath width, and can vary from 0.3 to 1.0 meters

The radar has two SAR stripmap modes and a spotlight mode. In stripmap mode, the imagery is reformed and displayed in a scrolling manner on the SAR workstation displays. As the imagery is scrolling by, the operator has the ability to select 1k by 1k image patches (approximately 800m x 800m box at 15,000 AGL) for exploitation at the Predator DEMPC workstation. The imagery is also recorded continuously on DLT tapes.

Performance figures include a resolution range of between 0.6 m and 1 m, strip map swath widths of between 800 m and 2.6 km, spot mode imaging areas of between 800 × 800 m to 2.6 × 2.6 km, spot resolutions of 0.3 to 3 m, and 0.1 to 3 m respectively.


Specifications:

Frequency: 10 - 20 GHz (NATO J-band); Ku band satellite data link, C-band LOS data link.
PRF: ??
Power: ?? kW (peak)
Range: 4.4 to 10.8 km
Accuracy: 60, 180 m (est)
UAV Speed 25-80 m/sec
UAV Altitude 6,562-24,934 ft AGL


NOTES: IOC 1996. Used in the USAF UAV RQ-1 “Predator” and RQ-1 drones. Also known as MAE UAV SAR. ZPQ-1 is being replaced on newer UAVs with more modern radars such as the AN/APY-8 Lynx SAR and STARLite radar.


SOURCES: "AN/ZPQ-1 (TESAR) - Radartutorial." Grundlagen Der Radartechnik. Accessed March 6, 2023. https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/ ... 49.en.html. ; "AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Small Tactical Radar - Lightweight." Northrop Grumman. Last modified December 16, 2021. https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we ... ghtweight/. ;"TESAR (Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar)." Intelligence Resource Program. Accessed March 6, 2023. https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/tesar.htm.

DRAFT Spearhead Expeditionary Fast Transport description for community comment

OVERVIEW: The Spearhead Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) is a 2-shaft diesel-powered, high speed catamaran vessel for Amphibious and Sealift operations.

DETAILS: The Spearhead high-speed, shallow draft vessel is intended for rapid intra-theater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The EPF is able to transport U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps company-sized units with their vehicles or can be reconfigured to become a troop transport for an infantry battalion. Additional missions for the EPF that are being considered by the USN and USMC include using it to re-supplying special operations forces and conducting humanitarian assistance missions, as well as a counter-piracy using an embarked security team.

To achieve high speeds, the EPF uses catamaran hull constructed of aluminum. To save costs, its design is based on a commercial Ro-Ro, and it is built to commercial, instead of to military standards. Its military features are limited to aviation, C4SI and fire-fighting systems. With a draft of only 12.5 feet (3.8 meters), it is capable of operating in shallow ports and waterways.

Cargo facilities include an open mission deck with a usable 1800 m2 of cargo space. It can embark up to 312 personnel in airline-style seating, as well as permanent berths for approximately 104 personnel and temporary berths for 46 troops. It is cargo capacity of 600 short tons and can load/unload using an incorporated 100-ton stern ramp.

The EPF features a NAVAIR level 1/2 class flight deck to operate one CH-53E-size helicopter, including parking, refueling VERTREP and a helicopter control station facilities. However, the EPF cannot base MV-22 Ospreys due to its weight and potential flight deck damage from engines during take-off/landing operations.

The EPF has poor sea keeping performance in high sea states and at high speeds. To achieve its top speed the ship must be traveling in waters not exceeding sea state 3 (waves up to 1.25 m (4.1 ft) high). At sea state 4 it can travel at up to 15 knots, at only 5 knots in sea state 5, and has to hold position in any higher sea state. . At 10 knots in calm sea states the hull can roll up to four degrees to each side. This increases if the ship goes faster or in rougher conditions, raising the possibility of seasickness. This poor sea keeping performance severely limits its employment in "blue water" operations.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 1515 kts (full)
Speed: 43 knots (max)
Engineering: Four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines (9.1MW each) driving four waterjets.
Range: 1200 nm@35 knts.
Endurance: four days (312 embarked personnel); 14 days (104 personnel)
Complement: Crew 26 (peacetime); 46 (full complement);

NOTES: IOC 2012. Units in class: USNS SPEARHEAD (T-EPF-1); CHOCTAW COUNTY (T-EPF-2); MILLINOCKET (T-EPF-3); FALL RIVER (T-EPF-4); TRENTON ((T-EPF-5); BRUNSWICK (T-EPF-6); CARSON CITY (T-EPF-7); YUMA ((T-EPF-8); CITY OF BISMARK (T-EPF-9); BURLINGTON (T-EPF-10); PUERTO RICO (T-EPF-11); NEWPORT (T-EPF-12); APALACHICOLA (T-EPF-13).


SOURCES: "Expeditionary fast transport (T-EPF)." Austal: Corporate. Last modified March 31, 2022. https://www.austal.com/ships/expedition ... port-t-epf. ;"SNA: Surface leaders make the case for the modified littoral combat ship." USNI News. Last modified January 14, 2015. https://news.usni.org/2015/01/13/sna-su ... ombat-ship. ; "Spearhead class expeditionary fast transport vessels." Naval Technology. Last modified January 24, 2022. https://www.naval-technology.com/projec ... ead-class/.

DRAFT The AN/ZPQ-1 TESAR radar description for community comment

OVERVIEW: The AN/ZPQ-1 TESAR (Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a small, light weight, SAR radar for tactical use on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). It operates in the NATO J-band (IEEE X, Ku, and K-Bands).

DETAILS: The AN/ZPQ-1 is a low-cost, ground-sweeping radar that can detect objects down to one foot in size and capable of discriminating between moving (1.5 m/s to 3.5 m/s) and stationary targets. The radar is capable of through-the-weather surveillance, stationary and moving target detection and tracking, as well as maritime search and dismounted personnel detection.

The focused SAR imagery is formed on-board the UAV, compressed, and sent to the Predator Ground Control Station over a Ku (satellite) or C-band (LOS) data link. The radar is capable of mapping while squinting up to ±45 degrees off the velocity vector. At ground speeds from 25-35 m/sec, the swath width is 800 meters. At speeds beyond 35 m/sec, the swath width decreases proportionally with the increase in ground speed. Strip map imaging observes terrain parallel to the flight path or along a specified ground path. Resolution depends on range and swath width and can vary from 0.3 to 1.0 meters.

The radar has two SAR strip map modes and a spotlight mode. In strip map mode, the imagery is reformed and displayed in a scrolling manner on the SAR workstation displays. As the imagery is scrolling by, the operator can select 1k by 1k image patches (approximately 800m x 800m box at 15,000 AGL) for exploitation at the Predator DEMPC workstation.


Specifications:

Frequency: 10 - 20 GHz (NATO J-band)
PRF: ??
Power: ?? kW (peak)
Range: 2.4-5.3 nm (4.4 to 10.8 km) (center of strip)
Resolution: 0.3 meters
UAV Speed 25-80 m/sec
UAV Altitude 6,562-24,934 ft AGL


NOTES: IOC 1996. Used in the USAF UAV RQ-1 “Predator” and RQ-1 drones. Also known as MAE UAV SAR. ZPQ-1 is being replaced on newer UAVs with more modern radars such as the AN/APY-8 Lynx SAR and STARLite radar.


SOURCES: "AN/ZPQ-1 (TESAR) - Radartutorial." Grundlagen Der Radartechnik. Accessed March 6, 2023. https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/ ... 49.en.html. ; "AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Small Tactical Radar - Lightweight." Northrop Grumman. Last modified December 16, 2021. https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we ... ghtweight/. ;"TESAR (Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar)." Intelligence Resource Program. Accessed March 6, 2023. https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/tesar.htm.