TEMPUR November 2010

Airshow China 2010:
A Mighty Spectacle By: Prasun K.Sengupta
he 8th China International Aviation & the manned space station. It will subsequently back to Earth in 2017, and has planned a
T Aerospace Exhibition, held in Zhuhai,

Guangdong Province between
November 16 and 21, played host to about
develop and launch a core cabin and a second
laboratory module around 2020, which would
be assembled in orbit into a space station.
manned mission to the moon for around 2020.
Next year will see the launch of the TG-1
TianGong-1 space module. TiangGong-1 is
70 aircraft from 35 countries, and more than The station would study technologies expected to accomplish the country’s first
600 domestic and foreign exhibitors. VVIPs concerning long-term manned space flights. space docking and is regarded as an essential
attending the expo included the Vice Chairman China has already announced plans to launch step toward building a space station. Weighing
of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) two unmanned modules next year, which are about 8.5 tonnes, TianGong-1 will be able to
Guo Boxiong, Defence Minister Gen Liang expected to undergo the country’s first space perform long-term unattended operations,
Guanglie, Chief of General Staff for the People’s docking—an essential step towards building which will be an essential step toward building
Liberation Army (PLA), Gen Chen Bingde, plus the space station. China sees the manned a manned space station. The unmanned
official delegations from more than 50 space station programme as a symbol of its Shenzhou-8 spacecraft will achieve China’s first
countries hailing from Africa, Asia and Latin global stature, growing technical expertise, and space docking. The docking manoeuvres are
America. Formation aerobatics this time were the Communist Party’s success in turning going to be controlled from the ground.
performed by the PLA Air Force’s Bayi (August around the fortunes of the formerly poverty- Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10, the two other
1) aerobatic team (flying the Chengdu Jian J- stricken nation. China became only the third spaceships to dock with Tiangong-1, would
10 medium multi-role combat aircraft), and country in the world to put a man in space— carry a crew of two or three. TG-1 TianGong-
by the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) ‘Sherdil’ after the US and Russia—when PLA Air Force 1 is going to be launched by a modified CZ-2F
aerobatic team flying the Karakoram-8 primary Col Yang Liwei piloted the one-man Shenzhou- Chang Zheng-2F launch vehicle, sometimes
jet trainer (PJT). 5 space mission in 2003. And in September referred to as CZ-2F/G Chang Zheng-2F/G,
The principal highlight of the expo was the 2008, the Shenzhou-7 mission, piloted by sporting 170 technological modifications,
detailing of China’s multi-tier space exploration three astronauts, saw China carrying out its including 38 major refinements. China is also
roadmap, which includes the deployment of a first space walk. China is also making strides advancing on the development of the CZ-5
manned space station around 2020. Prior to in lunar exploration, aiming to become the Chang Zheng-5 series of satellite launch
that, Beijing will launch a space laboratory second country to put a man on the moon. It vehicles with the building of a launch vehicle
before 2016 to master key technologies such launched its second lunar probe on October production base in the northern municipality
as living conditions for astronauts on board 1, and hopes to bring a moon rock sample of Tianjin. This development has a total
70 TEMPUR NOVEMBER 2010

Aliran Informasi Pertahanan
ENGLISH NOV 10 edit.pmd 70 12/16/2010, 11:04 AM

investment of Yuan10 billion and covers an
area of more than 1 million square metres.
Jian J-20 Gen 5
The base will be capable of producing 12
MRCA
launch vehicles a year, and after the first phase
of construction is completed in 2011, the base
will be able to produce two launch vehicles.
Earlier reports point to the first launch of the
CZ-5, with a maximum payload capacity of up
to 25 tonnes, in 2014.
Combat Aircraft Updates

One of the most significant revelations
coming out of the exhibition was official
confirmation of the existence of two parallel R
& D programmes aimed at fielding a fourth-
generation M-MRCA—the Jian J-14—by achieved some 300 breakthroughs in aviation projected to have a thrust rating of 180kN
2014, and the fifth-generation Jian J-20 air technologies and materials, such as transonic with afterburner.
dominance combat aircraft by 2018. Both turbine, air-film cooling blade, integrated fan At Zhuhai, officials from both CATIC and
these new-generation combat aircraft are rotor by electron beam-welding, squeeze-film CETC confirmed that the PLA Air Force has
being developed by the PLA Air Force’s Nos damper, metal-brush seal, high-energy igniter, selected the twin-engined tandem-seatJH-7A
601 and 611 Institute, with Chengdu Aircraft variable camber inlet guide-vanes, and ‘Flying Leopard’ to perform an electronic attack
Corp’s Plant No132 (CAC) acting as the prime convergent-divergent nozzle. The combined (EA) role similar to Boeing’s EA-18G Growler.
industrial contractor. The J-14 will be twin- cooling blade of the turbines use hi-tech The JH-7A can carry a 6.5-tonne payload,
engined version of the existing single-engined materials like single-crystal nickel-based and has a long ferry range of 3,650km. Thus
Jian J-10A (140 of which are presently turbine blades, and directionally solidified far, only one JH-7A from the PLA Air Force’s
operational), and will feature enlarged wings eutectic super-alloys. All members of the WS- 28 th Air Attack Division has been shown
and a twin vertical tail structure. Powerplant 10 family are equipped with FADEC fuel-flow equipped with twin underwing broadband
for the J-14 will be two WS-10G turbofans control systems. Presently, an asymmetric jammers. Meanwhile, Chief Designer of the
(each rated at 147kN maximum thrust) thrust vector control (TVC) nozzle is JH-7A, all problems pertaining to WS-9 Qinling
developed by the Liming Aeroengine undergoing testing. In addition to the WS- turbofan (a reverse-engineered Rolls-Royce
Manufacturing Corp (LAMC). The J-20, on 10A/G, there are two more types of turbofans Spey Mk202), have now been resolved. At the
the other hand, will be powered by twin being developed by China. LAMC and the same time, efforts have been underway since
uprated WS-10Gs, each of which will offer a Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corp (GAIC) have 1998 to develop the WS-15 Qinling-2 turbofan,
maximum thrust of 155kN. It was on co-developed the WS-13 Taishan turbofan, which is similar in technology and performance
November 9 that the PLA Air Force’s Deputy which is designed to power the JF-27 Thunder/ to Snecma Moteurs’ M53P2 turbofan. Initial
Commander, Gen He Weirong, confirmed the FC-1 Xiaolong MRCA, thereby replacing the bench-tests of this turbofan in October 2008
existence of both the J-14 and J-20 by saying existing Klimov RD-93 engine. Designed to were reportedly successful.
that the former will soon be rolled out, while have a total technical service life of 2,200 hours,
the latter will begin entering service by 2018. it is currently rated at 86kN, but this will be New Designs
The J-20’s design will be characterised by three increased to 100kN over the next five years. In addition to combat aircraft, China’s vast
‘S’ capabilities: stealth, super cruise, super One JF-17 prototype has been flight-testing aviation R & D establishments have also
manoeuvrability and short take-off. Gen He the WS-13 since last March. Yet another developed advanced flying training aircraft, and
also confirmed that flight-tests of the J-10B turobfan under development is the WS-15, are now focusing on fielding a new generation
M-MRCA (also known as FC-20) will ‘soon’ also designed by 606 Institute, which is of strategic airlifters, aerial refuelling tankers,
enter series-production and it too will be
powered by a WS-10A turbofan. Pakistan will
be the first export customer for this M-MRCA,
having ordered 36 of them on November 10,
2009 under a $1.4 million contract. In another
development, the PLAAF has already
Jian J-14
completed flight-tests of a J-11B (licence-built
M-MRCA
Su-27SKM) powered by twin WS-10A
turbofans (each rated at 132kN) and equipped
with an indigenously designed glass cockpit.
The WS-10 family of turbofans has been
developed under the ‘Taihang’ project by the
PLAAF’s 606 and 624 Institutes. The WS-10A
has a maximum thrust rating of 13,200kg
and a 7.5:1 thrust-to-weight ratio. It is a 12-
stage low-bypass ratio engine. During the
engine family R & D process, China reportedly
NOVEMBER 2010 TEMPUR 71


L-15 Falcon LIFT
(Top left) and (below) cockpit

detection’ (azimuth and range information)
mockup of Jian J-20 MRCA
between the tanker and receiver within 200km
and is intended to facilitate en route
rendezvous. It is believed that all H-6U pilots
log in only 80 flying hours a year, which allow
for one three-hour training sortie every two
weeks. A typical operational sortie would have
twelve J-10As supported by two H-6Us on
three combat air patrol (CAP) orbits (one flight
of four aircraft per CAP) at 1,200km.
Approaching a pre-computed rendezvous
point (around 800km) the J-10A would refuel.
This would allow enough go-home fuel for
recovery in case any of the J-10As has
problems with the aerial refuelling process.
Approaching the CAP orbit the J-10As would
top off and the H-6Us would return back to
their respective air bases. More H-6Us could
then be dispatched to maintain the CAP as
long as necessary. A 1,500km-long sortie
could be planned similarly, but with the ratio
of H-6Us to J-20As being adjusted to one-to-
four. Other force-multipliers developed
indigenously by AVIC Defense are the Kongjing
KJ-2000 and KJ-200 AEW & C platforms.
Presently, Wuxi airport in Zhejiang province
houses the four KJ-2000s and four KJ-200s
of the 76th EW Regiment of the PLAAF’s 26th
tactical transport aircraft, and force multipliers offered with a choice of two Ukrainian Specialised Air Division. Incidentally, it was this
like AEW & C platforms. Shown at Zhuhai for the powerplants: the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222- Regiment that served as the airborne
first time was the L-7 basic trainer, whose design 25 turbofan, and the AI-222K-25F with command-and-control post during the May
is derived from, the Russian Yak-152K. The afterburner for supersonic flight capability. The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, with the 77 th
tandem-seat L-7, developed by Hongdu L-15 has a maximum takeoff weight of Reconnaissance Regiment providing aerial
Industrial Aviation Group (HIAG), comes 9,500kg, maximum speed of Mach 1.4, photos and other mapping needs to the
equipped with conventional flight maximum climb rate of 150 metres/second, rescuers, and the 78th SAR Regiment provided
instrumentation and is powered by a M-14X load sustenance of +8g/-3g, service ceiling of the medium-lift helicopters for the rescue
piston engine. It has a maximum takeoff weight 16,000 metres, loitering time of two hours, effort. Both the KJ-2000 and KJ-200 make
of 1,290kg, maximum level speed 335kph, and a structural airframe life of 10,000 flight use of an active electronically-steered antenna
maximum climb rate of 11 metres/second, g- hours. array for performing early warning and
load sustenance of +9g/-7g, service ceiling of For aerial refuelling, AVIC Defense has airborne battle management functions. Both
6,500 metres, and a maximum range of developed the H-6U, some 10 of which are Indonesia and Venezuela have evinced keen
1,000km. For lead-in fighter training (LIFT), HIAG assigned to the PLAAF’s 8th Air Division (or interest in procuring the KJ-200.
along with Russia’s Yakovlev OKB, has developed possibly the 48 th) at Leiyang air base in the For strategic airlift, AVIC Defense has joined
the tandem-seat, twin-engined L-15 Falcon, Guangzhou Military Region. The H-6U has two forces with Ukraine to co-develop the 200-
which features twin glass cockpits, HOTAS underwing pods developed by the China tonne Y-20, which is likely to be powered by
controls, and a three-axis quadruplex fly-by- Research Institute of Aero Accessories, and four D30KP-3 or PS-90A turbofans of Russian
wire flight control system. The L-15 is being also a TACAN system that provides ‘mutual origin. China recently imported 240 D30KP-2


AC-301 LUH
engines from Russia to power several new-

build H-6K bombers. For tactical airlift
purposes, the Yun Shuji Y-9 airlifter, has been
under development since 2001. It can carry a
20-tonne payload or 100 paratroopers, is
equipped with a glass cockpit and a built-in
PAF's JF-17 Thunder
ro-ro ramp for quick offloads/airdrops. It has
a maximum range of 3,000km, allowing it to
reach most of China from Wuhan—the central
city in China and also home to the 15th Airborne
Army. A modified version of the Y-9 serves as
the platform for the KJ-200 AEW & C system.
For amphibious transportation, Zhuhai-based
AVIC General Aircraft Co will develop the Dragon
600 amphibian to replace the older SH-5. It
will be used for tasks such as emergency
rescue, fighting forest fires, and undertaking
sea patrols during SAR missions. The
domestic market for this amphibian is estimated Technology is China’s largest UAV (MAME) multi-role UAV with avionics that
at 60 over the next 15 years. The research manufacturer, with a history of developing include a direct line-of-sight (LOS) data link
and design stage for the Dragon 600 would UAVs and target drones since 1958. The for airborne data relay used for beyond LOS
last for four years, with commercial production company works closely with the Northwestern missions. It can be fitted with either a synthetic
beginning by 2015. Polytechnical University’s UAV Institute. This aperture radar, or an optronic payload. The
time, ASN showed off 10 different UAVs, ASN-209 has a 200km range, 180kph
UAV Proliferation including the new ASN-211 flapping wing UAV, maximum speed, 50kg payload capacity, and
According the PLA daily article, all MALE which simulates a bird in flight. The prototype a 5,000-metre operational service ceiling. It ia
and HALE UAVs are considered strategic assets on display has a takeoff weight of only 220 employed for ground moving target indication
and placed under the direct command of the grams, maximum speed of 10 metres a (GMTI), ELINT, electronic warfare, ground
2 nd Department the Central Military second, and an altitude envelope ranging from target designation, and communications relay.
Commission’s General Staff Department. Thus 20 metres to 200 metres. The largest UAV on CASC displayed the CH-3 multi-purpose
far, 52 new UAVs developed by 70 state-owned display by the company was the ASN-229A medium-range UAV system suitable for
R & D institutions have emerged, and of these reconnaissance and precise attack UAV. battlefield reconnaissance, artillery fire
25 were showcased at Zhuhai this time. Three Equipped with a satellite data link, it can adjustment, data relay and electronic warfare.
Chinese companies—ASN Technology Group, perform aerial reconnaissance, battlefield The CH-3 has also been modified as an attack
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp surveys, target location and artillery fire platform carrying small precision-guided AR-
(CASIC), China Aerospace Science and adjustment by day or night. Its takeoff weight 1 missiles. CASIC showed off its jet-powered
Technology Corp (CASC) and AVIC Defense— is 800kg, cruising speed is 180kph, and has WJ-660 that can a variety of payloads,
accounted for most of the UAVs and UCAVs an endurance of 20 hours. The ASN-209 is a including weapons, synthetic aperture radar,
that were on display. Presently, ASN medium-altitude and medium-endurance electronic warfare suite and data relay systems.


Air-to-ground weapons shown arming the WJ-
600 includes the KD-2 anti-armour missile,
and the TB-I and ZD-1 GPS-guided small
diameter bombs. Yet another company, called
Zhuhai XY Aviation, exhibited two new
reconnaissance platforms—the 200kg Blue
Arrow (UR-J1-001) and 40kg Sky Eyes (UR-
C2-008). Presently, three prototypes of the
Blue Arrow are being test-flown and their the
prop-driven engines came from an unidentified
German company.
Zhuhai Yintong Energy was promoting its
high-power lithium ion battery-powered electric
mini-UAV, which measures 1.56 metres in
length and weighs 5.5kg empty. Maximum
payload is 5kg. The optional camera is
mounted with a tri-axial servo allowing panning
and tilting. No emissions provide the additional
benefit of no gases to distort images. Other
advantages over fuel-powered UAVs include
less vibration (for better photos), better
control, shorter calibration and adjustment
time prior to flight, quieter operation, and lower
use and maintenance costs. A 3.5kW
brushless motor powered by a 1.3kg battery
affords maximum speed of 100kph. Maximum
flight time is 30 minutes. The Weifan Freesky
Aviation Industry Co displayed its V750 VTOL-
UAV, which was developed by the Qingdao
Haili Helicopter Manufacturing Co. The V750
has a 4-hour endurance, a 3,000-metre
service ceiling, maximum takeoff weight of
757kg, and a 80kg mission payload. Much
smaller than the V750 is the ServoHeli 120,
with a maximum takeoff weight of 40kg,
maximum airspeed of 120kph. and the ability
Indigenous UAVs
to stay aloft 1.5 hours. AVIC Defense is working
and UCAVs
on a ducted-fan system, called the Whirlwind-
Scout, which is supposed to remain airborne
for 40 minutes and follow a flight-path of up
to 100 waypoints. The 8kg gross takeoff weight
vehicle has an altitude ceiling of 3,000 metres.
Cruise speed is 60 kph, and maximum speed
is 90kph. The UAV is GPS-/INS-guided, and,
in addition to the air vehicle, comprises a
ground control station, simulator, and two
support equipment containers. The ground
station can store up to 240 images. With a
noise of around 60dBA, the Whirlwind Scout
cannot be audibly detected by its target at a
standoff range of 125 metres. The detection
range for a human is 560 metres, with
identification possible at 70 metres. Target
location error is a mere 40mm.
Another eye-catching product from AVIC
Defense was the Pterodactyl-1 medium-
extended long-endurance UCAV, which has
been developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design
& Research Institute, and has undergone a
series of flight trials, including weapons
launches. The Pterodactyl-1’s total payload


capacity is 200kg, of which the FLIR turret or
even a synthetic aperture radar weighs about
100kg, leaving 50kg of weapons to be carried
under each wing. The UCAV is 9.05 metres
long and 2.77 metres high, with a 14-metre
wingspan. Maximum takeoff weight is 1,100kg,
maximum endurance is 20 hours, maximum
operating altitude is 5,000 metres, maximum
range is 4,000km, and maximum cruise speed
is 280kph.
New Helicopter Designs

To meet the domestic heavylift helicopter
requirements, Avicopter Corp Ltd, a joint
venture between AVIC and the Tianjin municipal
government, has teamed up with Russian
Helicopters JSC (Oboronprom) to co-develop
a 20-tonne helicopter. The joint venture
agreement was inked by Beijing and Moscow
on October 13, 2009. Equipped with a two-
man glass cockpit, this new helicopter will be
employed by both the PLA as well as civilian
disaster relief agencies. At the same time,
Avicopter continues to further develop
Eurocopter’s SA-321Ja Super Frelon, whose
design rights were acquired by China’s
Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corp (CHAIC) in
the early 1980s. The latest production version W-10 (above) and ZW-19
of this helicopter is called the Z-9KA, which (below) attack mhelicopters
features a glass cockpit, belly-mounted FLIR
pod, nose-mounted search radar, and a chin-
mounted searchlight. Its civilian version,
dubbed the AC-313, was unveilled at Zhuhai.
In a related development, the Lantian Helicopter
Company, based in Sichuan province, has
begun licence-assembling Mi-171 medium-
lift helicopters built by Russia’s Ulan-Ude
Aviation Plant. The first 20 such Mi-171s are
currently operational with the 2nd Helicopter
Regiment of the PLA’s 13th Group Army in the
Chengdu Military Region. Eventually, about 80
Mi-171s are expected to be licence-assembled
in China every year. Meanwhile, Avicopter Corp
Ltd revealed its plans in Zhuhai for developing
the two-tonne, six-seat AC-311 light utility
helicopter, which can be used for flight training,
policing, communications command, aerial
photography, medical aid, power-line patrol,
forest fire prevention, and pest control. The cent more takeoff power, up to 10 per cent Zhi-10 prototypes powered by PT6C-76C
AC-311 comes equipped with a single lower specific fuel consumption, and greater engines were evaluated by the PLA Army by
turboshaft engine, durable and flexible than 30 per cent lower operating costs. 2007. Originally designed by the 602 nd
composite rotor system, and a highly One product that was widely expected to be Research Institute, 608th Research Institute,
integrated avionics suite. The helicopter is unveilled this time, but was not, is the 5.54- and the 613th Research Institute since the mid-
expected to obtain a type certificate from China’s tonne Zhi-10 dedicated attack helicopter, 1990s, the 5.5-tonne Zhi-10 makes use of
civil aviation authorities in October 2011, and developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industries the indigenous GJV289A databus, and is
go on the market in 2012. Another light single- Group (CAIG) and China Helicopter Research equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control
engined helicopter that is currently being and Development Institute (CHRDI), both system. The powerplant comprises two
series-produced is the Z-11 from Changhe based in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province. Two 1,531hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C
Aircraft Industries of Jingdezhen. The Z-11 flight-test prototypes were built in 2003 and turboshaft engines with FADEC controls and
now comes powered by a Honeywell-built six more in 2004. The first flight of Prototype each rated at 1,531hp (1,142kw). These
LTS101-700D-2 engine, which offers 7 per No2 took place on April 29, 2003. Two more engines will be replaced in future by an


indigenously developed turboshaft design, radar warning receivers, laser warning navigation system.
called Wo Zhou 9. The auxiliary power unit of receivers, and electronic countermeasures Yet another homegrown attack helicopter,
WZ-10 is centered on a brand new brushless suite together. A large nose turret, developed albeit lighter than the Zhi-10, is the Zhi-19,
DC electric motor designed by Huafeng by the 218th Factory of China North Industries which is being developed by AVIC Defense for
Avionics Co, a subsidiary of GAIC. The Zhi- Group Corp’s Opticals Science & Technology the global export market. Both the Zhi-10 and
10’s weapons package may consist of up to Ltd subsidiary, houses the FLIR, TV camera, Zhi-19 feature a narrow forward fuselage with
eight KD-10 or HJ-8A anti-armour guided- laser rangefinder and target designator. The tandem compact layouts. However, the Zhi-
missiles (ATGM) in box launchers under the pilots’ helmet-mounted sight was developed 19’s aft fuselage sports a fenestron-type tail
stub wings, and a 30mm cannon mounted by the 613 th Research Institute, while the rotor section. The maiden flight of the first
under the chin, aimed via a gunner’s helmet 69.5kg millimeter-wave target acquisition radar Zhi-19 took place last May. However, despite
mounted sight. Furthermore, TY-90 AAMs can has been built by China Northern Electronic the availability of various home-grown
be carried for use against hostile helicopters Co, a subsidiary of NORINCO. Twin missile solutions, the PLA Navy continues to import
and slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. The Zhi- approach warning system (MAWS) sensors shipborne helicopters from Russia, where the
10’s integrated electronic warfare (EW) suite— are installed on both sides of the fuselage Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise at
called YH-96—is the first Chinese EW system behind the nose turret. The Zhi-10 is also Bashkortostan is presently building nine
that integrates the millimeter-wave fire-control fitted with an integrated communication/ Kamov Ka-28PL ASW helicopters and nine Ka-
31 airborne early warning helicopters.
New-generation weapon systems
BP-12A and SY-400 (top)
Guided anti-ship cruise

missiles
NLOS missiles
LS and LT PGM
family (below)


showcased at Zhuhai this time included the
SY-400 and BP-12A non-line-of-sight (NLOS)
battlefield support missiles from the China
Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC),
and the infra-red-guided QW-19 MANPADS.
The land-mobile SY-400 and BP-12A NLOS
missiles can conduct precision attacks out to
a distance of 90km, while the QW-19 can
engage aerial targets at altitudes between 10
metres and 4km with a slant-range of 6km
(500 metres more than the QW-18), according
to China National Precision Machinery Import-
Export Corp. (CPMIEC). The QW-19’s missile
round comes equipped with a laser-proximity
fuze to improve lethality, particularly against
smaller targets such as UAVs and cruise
missiles. The frontal control-fin configuration
AC-313 (above) and new heavylift helicopter design
also has changed. The QW-19 features four
fins compared to two on the QW-18. CPMIEC
also unveilled the FL-9/QW-18L, a larger
diameter, longer range laser-guided surface-
to-air missile system, and the motorized FL-
2000 VSHORADS. The engagement altitude
ranges from zero to km, with a slant range of
8km. The FL-9/QW-18Ls are semi-active laser
guided missiles. Also showcased for nthe first
time was the WMD-7 TV/laser targeting-cum-
designation pod, developed by the Luoyang
Electro-Optical Technology Development
Centre.
Space Prowess
Zhuhai also showcased several types of
satellites that have been developed and
deployed by China for both commercial and satellites are the first to use secured up-link overall length is 52.5 metres, the diameter of
military applications. One such satellite transmission for satellite antenna control, and first stage and second stage is 3.35 metres,
displayed was the Shen Tong-1 military have the most powerful on-board data the diameter of third stage is 3.0 metres, and
communications satellite, the second of which processing capability. China used a CZ-3A the maximum fairing diameter is 3.35 metres.
was launched via a CZ-3A Chang Zheng-3A Chang Zheng-3A launch vehicle for the mission The first stage and second stage of the CZ-3A
launch vehicle on November 19, 2010 to carry the bird into its transfer orbit. The CZ- employ storable propellants, i.e.
providing secured voice/data communications 3A is a large-scale three-stage liquid launch unsymmetrical dimethy1 hydrazine (UDMH)
services for PLA ground forces in Ku-band. vehicle, which has inherited the mature and nitrogen tetroxide (N204), and the third
Receiving the designation ZX-20A technology of the CZ-3 Chang Zheng-3. An stage uses cryogenic propellants, i.e. liquid
ZhongZhing-20A, the satellite was launched upgraded liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX). On
from the Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centre, in cryogenic third stage has been developed to the first stage the CZ-3A uses a DaFY6-2
Sichuan Province at 9am local time. The first enable the CZ-3A to possess greater engine with a 2961.6kN thrust, while the
Shen Tong strategic communications satellite geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) capability. second stage is equipped with a DaFY20-1
was launched on November 14, 2003 by a The CZ-3A is equipped with a more flexible main engine (742kN) and four DaFY21-1
CZ-3A Chang Zheng-3A launch vehicle from and sophisticated control system which vernier engines (11.8kN each). The third stage
Xi Chang. Shen Tong satellites are based on supports substantial attitude adjustments to is equipped with two YF-75 engines (78.5kN
the Dong Fang Hong 3 (DFH-3) satellite bus orient the payloads before spacecraft each). The fairing diameter of the CZ-3A is
developed by the China Academy of Space separation and provides adjustable satellite 3.35 metres and has a length of 8.89 metres.
Technology, and have a heavier payload, spin-up rotation rate. It has since paved the The CZ-3A comprises rocket structure,
increased power supply, better reliability (being way for the development of the CZ-3B Chang propulsion system, control system, telemetry
three-axis stabilised satellite), and weighs in at Zheng-3B and CZ-3C Chang Zheng-3C system, tracking and safely system, coast
2,300kg. The spacecraft features a number rockets. The CZ-3A is mainly used for GTO phase propellant management and attitude
of new technologies, providing Ku-band missions and can also be used for LEO, SSO control system, cryogenic propellant utilisation
communications and utilising the advanced and polar orbit missions, as well as dual- system, separation system and auxiliary
multiple steerable spot-beam antenna launch and multiple-launch missions. The system. The launch success rate of the CZ-3A
technology to enable ground users to launch capacity of the CZ-3A to GTO is continues to be 100 per cent since its maiden
communicate whilst on the move. These 2,650kg, the liftoff mass is 241,000kg, the


flight on February 8, 1994 when it successfully
launched two experimental satellites. And it
was awarded the “Gold Launch Vehicle” title
by China Aerospace Science and Technology
Corporation in June 2007. China used a CZ-
3A to successfully launch the Chang’e-1 lunar
satellite on October 24, 2007, which indicated
that has taken a substantial step towards lunar
exploration. This was the 136 th successful
Chinese orbital launch, the 135th launch of a
Chang Zheng launch vehicle, the 58 th
successful orbital launch from the Xi Chang
Satellite Launch Centre, the seventh successful
orbital launch from the Xi Chang in 2010, and
the 14th successful orbital launch from China
in 2010. The Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centre
is situated in the Sichuan Province, south-
western China and is the country’s launch site
for geosynchronous orbital launches.
Equipped with two launch pads (LC2 and LC3),
the centre has a dedicated railway and highway
lead directly to the launch site. The Command
and Control Centre is located 7km south-west
of the launch pad, providing flight and safety
control during launch rehearsal and launch.
Other facilities on the Xi Chang Satellite Launch
Centre are the Launch Control Centre,
propellant fuelling systems, communications
systems for launch command, telephone and
data communications for users, and support
equipment for meteorological monitoring and
PAF JF-17's weapons
forecasting. The first launch from Xi Chang
took place on January 29, 1984, when the
CZ-3 Chang Zheng-3 (CZ3-1) was launched expected at the end of December. satellites is being used for military
the Shiyan Weixing (14670 1984-008A) China’s ninth orbital launch of the year, using reconnaissance purposes. The satellite was
communications satellite into orbit. The launch a Long March 2D rocket, was the Weixing-11 developed by the Shanghai Aerospace
of the new BeiDou-2 GPS navigation satellite remote-sensing satellite. The launch took place Technical Institute of the China Aerospace
was the 52nd successful orbital launch from Xi at 2:42am last September, lifting off from the Science and Technology Corp. The previous
Chang. Until the end of the year is expected Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. As was the satellite in the series, YaoGan Weixing-10, was
that China will launch a new satellite for the case with previous launches of the YaoGan/ launched August 9, 2010 from the Taiyuan
BeiDou-2 navigation network. The launch is Weixing series, it is believed that this class of Satellite Launch Centre via a CZ-4C Chang
Zheng-4C (Long March 4C) rocket. The
‘YaoGan Weixing’ designation appears to be
used in a similar fashion to that of the old
Soviet ‘Cosmos’ designation, hiding the true
mission of the satellites launched into orbit.
The first YaoGan Weixing satellite (29092
2006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C Chang
Zheng-4C (CZ4C-1) from the Taiyuan Satellite
Launch Centre on April 27, 2006. At the time
WMD-7 laser designator pod the details about this satellite were closely
guarded, but later it was noted that it was the
first Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped with the
first space-based synthetic aperture radar
(SAR). The YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007-
019A) was launched on 25 May, 2007, by a
CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (CZ2D-8) from the
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Details were
also restricted, though it is claimed that this
spacecraft is a military observation satellite
using an optronic payload, complementing


the results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. Another
SAR mission was launched on November 12,
2007 with the YaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-
055A) satellite orbited by a CZ-4C Chang
Zheng-4C (CZ4C-2) launch vehicle from
Taiyuan. Other SAR satellite missions are listed
as the YaoGan Weixing-6 (34839 2009-021A),
launched by a CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C-III from
Taiyuan on April 22, 2009; and the YaoGan
Weixing-8 (36121 2009-072A), launched on
December 15, 2009, by a CZ-4C Chang
Zheng-4C also from Taiyuan. On December
1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4 (33446 2008-
061A)—the second satellite (with an optronic
payload) of the series—was launched by a
CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D from Jiuquan, and
on December 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5
(33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ-
4B Chang Zheng-4B (CZ4B-12) from the
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre. It is now
believed that this satellite was the fourth
optronic payload-equipped bird on the series,
as well as the YaoGan Wexing-7 (36110 2009-
069A) launch on December 9, 2009 from
Jiuquan by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D. The
YaoGan Weixing-9 mission, launched March Beidou GPS
5, 2010 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch navigation satellite
Centre, had an architecture that was different constellation
from the previous missions on the series.
Launched by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C launch
vehicle from Jiuquan, the mission put not one Centre, Launch Control Centre, propellant developed in the basis of the DFH-3 satellite
but a triplet of satellites in Earth orbit. Flying in fuelling systems, tracking and communication platform and is expected to have a lifespan of
formation, these three satellites form what systems, gas supply systems, weather forecast eight years. The Compass Navigation Satellite
looks like a type of NOSS system. YaoGan systems, and logistic support systems. System (CNSS) is China’s second-generation
Weixing-11 was launched by a CZ-2D Chang Jiuquan was originally used to launch scientific satellite navigation system capable of providing
Zheng-2D launch vehicle. This is a two-stage and recoverable satellites into medium- or low- continuous, real-time passive 3-D geo-spatial
launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai earth orbits at high inclinations. It is also the positioning and speed measurement. The
Academy of Spaceflight Technology. With place from where all the Chinese manned system will be initially used to provide high-
storable propellants, it is mainly used to launch missions are launched. Presently, only the LA4 accuracy positioning services for users in
a variety of low-earth orbit satellites. The CZ- launch complex (with two launch pads— SLS- China and its neighbouring regions, covering
2D can launch a 3,500kg satellite in a 200km 1 and SLS-2) is in use. The first orbital launch an area of about 120 degrees longitude in the
circular orbit. Its first stage is the same of the took place on April 24, 1970 when the CZ-1 Northern Hemisphere. The long-term goal is
CZ-4 Chang Zheng-4. The second stage is Chang Zheng-1 (CZ1-1) rocket launched the to develop a global navigation satellite network
based on the CZ-4’s second stage with an first Chinese satellite, the Dong Fang Hong-1 similar to the GPS and GLONASS. Like the US
improved equipment bay. The first launch of (04382 1970-034A). NAVSTAR and Russian GLONASS
the CZ-2D was on August 9, 1992 from the China on October 31, 2010 launched the counterparts, CNSS will have two levels of
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre orbiting the sixth GPS navigation satellite via the Long service, ranging from a civilian service which
Fanhui Shei Weixing FSW-2-1 (22072 1992- March 3C (Chang Zheng-3C) launch vehicle, will allow for an accuracy of 10 metres in the
051A) recoverable satellite. This launch was carrying the BeiDou-2 Compass-G4 satellite, user position, 0.2 metres/second on the user
the 131st Chinese orbital launch, the 46th orbital a full-scale mockup of which was on display at velocity and 50 nanoseconds in time accuracy;
launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Zhuhai. The launch of took place from the Xi and the military and authorised users service,
Centre, and the fourth orbital launch from Chang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan providing higher accuracies. The first phase
Jiuquan this year. This was also the 13th use of Province at 4:26pm on October 31. China’s of the project will involve coverage of the
a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D launch vehicle. Also constellation of satellites for the navigation Chinese territory, with the second phase
known as the Shuang Cheng Tze launch system will eventually consist of 35 vehicles, covering the entire globe. Previous BeiDou
centre, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, in including 27 MEO satellites, five GSO satellites satellites for the second-generation satellite
Ejin-Banner, a county in Alashan League of and three IGSO birds. The satellites will navigation system were launched on April 13,
the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was transmit signals on: 1195.14-1219.14MHz, 2007 ‘Compass-M12†(31115 2007-011A);
the first Chinese satellite launch centre. The 1256.52-1280.52MHz, 1559.05- April 14, 2009 ‘Compass-G2’ (34779 2009-
site includes a Technical Centre, two Launch 1563.15MHz and 1587.69-1591.79MHz 018A); January 16, 2010 ‘Compass-G1’
Complexes, Mission Command and Control carrier frequencies. The BeiDou-2 was (36287 2010-001A); June 2 ‘Compass-G3’


(36590 2010-024A) and July 31, ‘Compass- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre by a CZ-4C Zheng-2C-III from Taiyuan on April 22 this
I1’ (36828 2010-036A). The Xi Chang Satellite Chang Zheng-4C launch vehicle, the same year—the fifth SAR antenna-equipped satellite.
Launch Centre is situated in the Sichuan launch vehicle used to launch the YG-10. The YaoGan Weixing-10 was launched by a CZ-4C
Province, south-western China and is the first YaoGan Weixing satellite (29092 2006- Chang Zheng-4C launch vehicle that is an
country’s launch site for geo-synchronous 015A) was launched by a CZ-4C Chang optimised version of the CZ-4B Chang Zheng-
orbital launches. Equipped with two launch Zheng-4C (CZ4C-1) from the Taiyuan Satellite 4B by using an upper stage with restart
pads (LC2 and LC3), the centre has a Launch Centre on April 27, 2006. At the time capability and a new inter-stage adapter
dedicated railway and highway lead directly to the details about that satellite were closely between the first and second stages.
the launch site. The Command and Control guarded. Only later did it emerge that it was China launched its fifth satellite as part of its
Centre is located 7km south-west of the launch the first Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped with GPS satellite navigation system, with BeiDou-
pad, providing flight and safety control during the first space-based SAR antenna. Next up 2 IGSO-1 being placed into orbit via the CZ-3A
launch rehearsal and launch. Down-range was the YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007- Chang Zheng-3A (CZ3A-17/Y16) launch
Tracking and Control stations of the launch 019A), launched on 25 May, 2007, by a CZ- vehicle. Launch from the Xi Chang Satellite
centre are located in Xi Chang City and Yibin 2D Chang Zheng-2D (CZ2D-8) from the Launch Centre occured at 5:30am local time
City of Sichuan Province, and Guiyang City of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Details were on August 1, 2010. The satellite that was
Guizhou Province. Each of them houses also restricted, though it is claimed that the launched is the first BeiDou-2 IGSO (Inclined
tracking and measurement equipment for the optronic payload-equipped spacecraft was a GSO) satellite of the system. This constellation
powered phase of a launch vehicle flight. Other military observation satellite, complementing of satellites will eventually comprise 35 vehicles,
facilities on the Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centre the results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. This was including 27 MEO satellites, five GSO satellites
are the Launch Control Centre, propellant followed on November 12, 2007 by the the and three IGSO satellites. The satellites will
fuelling systems, communications systems for YaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-055A) transmit signals on the following carrier
launch command, telephone and data satellite that was launched by a CZ-4C Chang frequencies: 1195.14-1219.14MHz, 1256.52-
communications for users, and support Zheng-4C (CZ4C-2) launch vehicle from 1280.52MHz, 1559.05-1563.15MHz and
equipment for meteorological monitoring and Taiyuan. This satellite was noted as the second 1587.69-1591.79MHz, notably overlaying the
forecasting. During 1993-1994, Xi Chang Jian Bing-3 SAR antenna-equipped satellite. Galileo PRS band and the GPS M-code.
underwent extensive modernisation and On December 1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4 According to International
expansion, in part due to the requirements of (33446 2008-061A)—the second surveillance Telecommunications Union (ITU) regulations,
the CZ-3 launcher family and in part to meet satellite on the series equipped with an the frequencies have to be used within a certain
commercial customer needs. The first launch optronic payload— was launched by a CZ-2D time-frame. The priority for using the
from Xi Chang took place at 12:25pm on Chang Zheng-2D from Jiuquan, and on frequencies is given in order of reception of
January 29, 1984, when the CZ-3 Chang December 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5 the requests at ITU, made seven years in
Zheng-3 (CZ3-1) was launched the Shiyan (33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ- advance.
Weixing (14670 1984-008A) communications 4B Chang Zheng-4B (CZ4B-12) from the
satellite into orbit. Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre—believed to Export Successes
Earlier, China successfully launched the be the fourth SAR antenna-equipped bird on Since the late 1980s, China has made
Mapping Satellite-1 from the northwestern the series. Finally, YaoGan Weixing-6 (34839 concerted efforts to export a wide variety of
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at 3:10pm 2009-021A) was launched by a CZ-2C Chang aviation and aerospace products to countries
(Beijing time) on August 24. The
satellite, which was launched on
a Long March 2-D carrier
rocket, was developed by a
company under the China
Aerospace Science and
Technology Corp (CASC), and PL-%E and PL-
it is being mainly used to 9C air combat
conduct scientific experiments, missiles
carry out surveys on land
resources, and mapping.
Earlier, on August 9 launched
a new remote-sensing satellite,
the sixth Chinese satellite
launch this year. YaoGan
Weixing-10 was launched via a
CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (Long
March) launch vehicle at
6:49am local time on August
10 from the Taiyuan Satellite
Launch Centre. The previous
satellite in the series, YaoGan
Weixing-9, was launched
March 5, 2010 from the


in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. from Russia for $570 million. The MiG-29SEs At Zhuhai, the defence attaches from
Consequently today, countries like Venezuela, arrived in knocked-down condition between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe said that they were
Peru, Bolivia, Nigeria have become major last July and September and were keenly interested in China-developed military
customers of China-built aviation products, in subsequently assembled in Meikhtila. products, especially the JF-17 Thunder, which
addition to the traditional customers like Myanmar also took delivery of three MA-60 has been developed to replace early-
Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand. Venezuela, regional commuter turboprops in September generation combat aircraft like the MiG-21,
for example, having already procured 18 2009, while Sri Lanka in March 2009 decided Jian-7 and Northrop F-5, especially for
Karakoram 8 primary jet trainers last year, to buy six Xian MA-60s from the China National developing countries such as Egypt, Ghana,
recently placed a follow-on $82 million order Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp Sri Lanka and Venezuela. In Pakistan,
for an additional 18 K-8s, along with an (CATIC), an aviation website reported today. meanwhile, the first two SBP (small batch
armaments package that includes PL-5E air Two of the six MA-60s each with a 56-seat production) aircraft were delivered to the PAF
combat missiles. Venezuela is also interested configuration arrived in Sri Lanka this year, on March 12, 2007 for further flight testing
in buying 12 Shaanxi Y-8F-600 transport while the remainder will be delivered in 2011. and evaluation. The first production-level JF-
aircraft. Bolivia, which bhad procured Of these four MA-60s will be used by the Sri 17 to be licence-built in Pakistan handed over
shoulder-launched HN-5 MANPADS from Lanka Air Force, while the other will be flown to the PAF on November 23, 2009. The JF-17
China in the early 1990s, placed an order on by the budget carrier Mihin Lanka. is being built by China’s Chengdu Aircraft
September 30, 2009 for six K-8s worth $57.8 The tandem-seat K-8’s manufacturer— Industry Corp (CAC) and the Kamra-
million. Peru on November 13, 2009 ordered Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industrial based Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
an initial five MBT-2000 battle tanks at a cost Shareholding Co Ltd (Hongdu Aviation)— Pakistan has stated that it has 150 aircraft on
of $4.7 million per tank. In Africa, the Nigerian states that there are 400 JL-8 (the K-8’s PLA order, but this may well go up to 275. The
Air Force last April took delivery of the first of designation) in service with both the PLAAF’s majority of these will be fitted with internal infra-
12 Chengdu F-7NI combat aircraft, PL-9C air and PLA Navy’s flight academies, and a total of red search-and-track (IRST) sensors,
combat missiles and three FT-7NI operational 266 K-8s have been exported to 20 foreign possibly the Type Hongguang-I system
conversion trainers that it had ordered from air forces to date. A $345 million deal similar developed by Sichuan Changhong Electric
China in 2005 at a cost of $252 million. to that struck with Myanmar was concluded Appliance Corp.. The Azerbaijani Air Force has
Myanmar’s air force last August began with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) on December negotiated with Pakistan for the purchase of
receiving the first 12 of 60 K-8s that were 27, 1999. After the first batch of 10 Hongdu- 26 JF-17s, while Sudan is reported to be
ordered in November 2009. Parts of the K-8 built K8Es was delivered to the EAF, licenced negotiating for 12 aircraft. The Zimbabwe Air
were transported by cargo ship from China assembly was transferred to Egypt’s Arab Force reportedly ordered 12 JF-17s in 2004.
and are now being assembled at the Aircraft Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) for All these JF-17s will be armed with the PL-9C
Production and Maintenance Base in Meikhtila. assembling an additional 70 K-8Es. The EAF and SD-10A air combat missiles. Luoyang
K-8 Karakorum jet trainers from Sri Lanka air had in November 2004 ordered an initial 40 Electro-Optical Technology Development
force. Earlier in 1998 Yangon had procured K-8Es, making the EAF the largest operator of Center (LOEC), developer of sensors and fire-
an initial 12 K-8s under a separate deal and the K-8 outside China. Other operators of the control systems for air combat missiles, has
these aircraft are now stationed at Taungoo K-8 include Pakistan (39 units delivered by confirmed that the SD-10A beyond-visual-
air base in Pegu Division. In addition to last October, of which 27 are equipped with range air combat missile has a dual-mode
purchasing the K-8s, Naypyidaw signed a glass cockpits), Sri Lanka (nine ordered so terminal seeker that wasa designed with the
contract in late 2009 to buy 20 MiG-29SEs far), Zambia (8), Namibia (4), Zimbabwe (12), help of Russia’s the AGAT Design Bureau.
Ghana (4), and Sudan (12). Barring a few K- During the 1990s China also gained access to
8s powered by Honeywell’s TFE731-2A the 9B-1032 passive seeker developed by
turbofan, the majority of the exported K-8s Avtomatika for the Vympel R-27P semi-active
are powered by Ukrainian AI-25TLK turbofans. air combat missile A melding of these two
The air forces of Indonesia and Iran too have design inputs might explain how China arrived
expressed their desire to procure the K-8. at its SD-10A seeker design.
JF-17 Thunder
MRCA


Strategic Parity At All Costs By: Prasun K.Sengupta
Type 091 Han-class SSGN
A
lthough its official stance is not to get powered attack submarine (SSGN). Both these as the PN had been insisting that the to-be-
engaged in tit-for-tat arms race with prospective deals, along with an expected acquired SSKs be modified to fire Boeing-built
India, Pakistan is nevertheless purchase of four new CSTC-built Type 054 RGM-84A Harpoon ant-ship cruise missiles
determined to not only attain strategic parity Jiangkai I-class guided-missile frigates (FFG) (the three existing 1,760-tonne Agosta 90B
with its eastern neighbour, but also to maintain were reportedly discussed six months ago and two 1,043-tonne Agosta 70 SSKs of the
superiority in select areas, such as the arena when China’s visiting Vice-President, Zheng PN are presently configured to fire only the
of undersea warfare. It is believed that Dejiang, met high-ranking Pakistani Defence MBDA-built SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile).
Islamabad is now negotiating with the Ministry and Navy officials in Islamabad on Subsequently, from 2008 onwards the PN
Shanghai-based China State Shipbuilding & June 9 and 10. zeroed in on the single-hulled Class 214 SSK
Trading Corp (CSTC) the possible purchase This development would effectively put an built by Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche
of up to four double-hulled Improved Yuan- end to the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) three-year- Werft (HDW), but the balance tilted in favour
class diesel-electric submarines (SSK) old efforts to procure new-generation SSKs of CSTC early this year when Beijing offered
equipped with fuel cell-based air-independent worth $1.2 billion from either France or not only the Improved Yuan SSKs, but also
propulsion (AIP) systems, with each SSK Germany. It may be recalled that France had in the Type 091 Han-class SSGN, offers that the
costing US$230 million. Also on the cards is July 2006 cleared DCN International to offer PN’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman
the possible lease—for a 10-year period—of three single-hulled Marlin-class SSKs to Basheer and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari
a 5,500-tonne Type 091 Han-class nuclear- Pakistan, but matters did not proceed further have since wholeheartedly embraced. However,


of two SUBTICS combat management systems
Type 054 Jiangkai-class FFG
on the two SSKs.
The Improved Yuan-class SSK, with a
submerged displacement close to 4,000
tonnes, bears a close resemblance to the
Russian Type 636M SSK, and features hull-
retractable foreplanes and hydrodynamically
streamlined sail. The first such SSK was
launched at Wuhan Shipyard on September
9. The leasing of a single 5,500-tonne Type
091 Han-class SSGN is widely seen as a
‘matching response’ to the Indian Navy’s
leasing of the Project 971A Shchuka-B SSGN—
K-152 Nerpa—from Russia. Presently, only
four such SSGNs are operational with the PLA
Navy and are homeported at Qingdao. Each
of them has undergone extensive refits and
upgradations over the past decade, and it is
in an effort to mollify the French, a high-level concerning the upgrading of the PN’s two most likely that either the Changzheng 3 (403)
PN delegation visited France on April 27 to existing Agosta 70 SSKs. This contract was or Changzheng 4 (404) will be the one destined
begin contract negotiations with DCNI inked last June, and includes the installation for Pakistan. Both these SSGNs underwent
mid-life refits in 1998 and were back in service
by 2000. Each such SSGN is powered by a
nuclear, turbo-electric propulsikon system
comprising one pressurised water reactor
rated at 90mW. It can fire both the 250km-
range YJ-83 anti-ship cruise missile, or the
220km-range C-705 anti-ship cruise missile.
The SSGN also has six 533mm torpedo tubes,
and carries a total of 20 torpedoes, including
the Yu-3 (derived from the Russian SET-65E
and equipped with active/passive homing
sensor and 205kg warhead, and having a
range of 15km while travelling a speed of 40
Knots warhead 205kg). Alternatively, the SSGN
can carry 36 mines. The crew complement is
75, and the SSGN’s length is 106 metres,
beamwidth is 10 metres, draught is 7.4
metres, and its dived speed is 25 Knots.
The Type 054 Jiangkai I-class FFG, built by
CSTC’s Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua
Shipyard and the Guangzhou-based Huangpu
Shipyard, comes armed with twin quadruple
launchers amidships housing the YJ-83 anti-
ship cruise missile (equipped with a 165kg
warhead), one eight-cell Hong Qi-7 short-
range SAM system designed to engage aircraft
in all-weather conditions out to a range of
12km, a single-barrel 100mm main gun
PAF’s first ZDK-03 AEW & C platform (above and developed by China’s 713 Institute, four six-
centre) and its glass cockpit (top) barrel 30mm AK-630M close-in weapon
systems (CIWS), twin 18-tube
countermeasures dispensers, and twin Type
87 six-tube 240mm anti-submarine rocket
launchers, with 36 rockets. The FFG has a
combat management system built by China
Electronics Technology Group Corp (CETC),
and a sensor suite that includes a Type 360S
2-D air/surface radar operating in E/F-band
and having a range of 150km, one I-band
MR-36A surface search radar, an I-band Type


347G radar for CIWS fire-control,
an I/J-band Type 344 radar for
main gun targetting, and a J-
band Type 345 radar for fire-
control of the Hong Qi-7. The
FFG also comes fitted with a
Russian MGK-335 fixed hull-
mounted medium-frequency
active/passive panoramic sonar
suite. The propulsion system is
of the combined diesel and diesel
(CODAD) arrangement and
employs four SEMT Pielstick
(now MAN Diesel SA) 16 PA6V-
280 STC diesel engines. China
imported the 16 PA6V-280 STC’s PAF’s IL-78MP aerial refuelling tanker
production rights in the late
1990s and is now producing the
engines locally under licence at
Shaanxi Diesel Factory. Each 16
PA6V-280 engine can produce
a sustained power of 4,720kW
(6,330hp), giving a total power
of 18,880kW (25,320hp).
Meanwhile, the PN’s efforts to
induct its three CSTC-built F-22P
Sword-class FFGs are
proceeding smoothly. The first
such FFG—PNS Zulfiquar—was
launched by CSTC on April 5,
2008 and commissioned on July
30, 2009. It arrived in Karachi
on September 13 the same year
and was inducted into the PN
fleet on September 19. The second FFG— launched in Shanghai on May 28, 2009 and it the PN in April 2013. Each F-22P FFG
PNS Shamsheer—was launched at Hudong was commissioned on September 15 this year. displaces 3,144 tonnes and is 123.4 metres
Zhonghua Shipyard on October 31, 2008 and Licenced-construction of fourth FFG began long. The armaments suite comprises eight
was commissioned on December 19, 2009 in last March at the Karachi Shipyard and C-802A anti-ship cruise missiles, one eight-
Shanghai. The third FFG—PNS Saif—was Engineering Works, and it will be delivered to tube FM-90N SAM system, one 100mm
Saab 2000 AEW & C platform


AK-176M main gun, twin Type 730 CIWS, twin PAF was held in Hanzhong, Shaanxi, on stations. Saab will provide an integrated
ET-52C 324mm triple torpedo tubes, and November 13. logistics system (ILS) for these four aircraft
RDC-32 ASW rocket launchers. There is also The ceremony, which was attended by the for a 35-year period. It is believed that the PAF
provision for a helicopter deck for housing a PAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal has procured the four
Z-9EC helicopter. The combat management Rao Qamar Suleman, coincided with President Saab 2000 AEW & C platforms with Saudi
system is the ZKJ-3C from CETC, while the Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China— his sixth since financial assistance and in return the PAF will
hull-mounted panoramic sonar is the Echo assuming the position in 2008. It may be train the Royal Saudi Air Force to operate the
Type 5 system. The EW suite comprises a recalled that the PAF had inked a $278 million latter’s three Saab 2000 AEW & C platforms,
RWD-8 intercept system and NJ8I-3 jammer, contract in December 2008 with CETC for the which were ordered last June under a $680
while the on-board surveillance sensors joint development of four ZDK-03s, which are million contract.
include one SUR-17 air-surveillence radar, one due for delivery in the first quarter of next Also delivered this year to the PAF by Ukraine
SR-60 air/surface search radar, and a Kelvin- year. In a parallel procurement effort, the PAF were four IL-78MP aerial refuelling tankers,
Hughes 2007 navigation radar. Propulsion has also become the first customer for the each of which is fitted with a three-point drogue
system is of the CODAD-type using two Saab 2000 AEW & C platform. The Skr6.9 refuelling system, and two removable fuel tanks
Tognum MTU 12V 1163 TB 83 diesel engines billion order for these four platforms was installed in the freight hold, with each holding
that give the FFG a top speed of 28 Knots. placed in June 2006 under Project Horizon, 18,230 litres of fuel with a total transferable
Crew complement is 188. but the contract was renegotiated in May 2007 fuel load of 85,720kg. Being negotiated now
As far as force modernisation of the and its value was reduced to Skr1.35 billion. is the purchase of up to four batteries of
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) goes, 2010 has been The first aircraft was delivered on December CPMIEC-made Hong Qi-18 (HQ-18) long-
an extremely good year. The roll-out ceremony 8, 2009, with the second following on April 24 range (80km) surface-to-air missile system,
of first Shaanxi ZDK-03 ‘Karakoram Eagle’ April this year. The remaining two were which was demonstrated to ACM Rao Qamar
airborne early warning and control (AEW & C) expected to be delivered at presstime. Also Suleman early last month.
aircraft designed specifically by CETC for the being delivered are up to six ground receiving
Hong Qi-18 LR-SAM


M-346 fleet. This latest contract serves
to confirm the superior qualities of the
M-346, which is gaining increasing
consensus on the major international
markets, testifying to the technological
excellence of Finmeccanica’s
aeronautics companies. Chairman and
CEO of Finmeccanica, Pier Francesco
Guarguaglini, said: “The selection of
the M-346 by Singapore represents a
huge success for the Italian high-tech
industry and confirms the international
supremacy of this aircraft. We are
especially proud to be chosen by an
air force such as the RSAF, which is
well-known for being one of the most
sophisticated in the world, with
extremely careful and precise selection
processes. The selection of the M-346
by Singapore thus paves the way for
new successes in other global markets,
where important campaigns are already
under way”.
Singapore had last June confirmed
M-346 LIFT that it will buy the M-346 for delivery
from 2012. Boeing will supply the ITS,
while ST Aerospace has been
authorised to purchase the aircraft and
manage the entire LIFT programme on
behalf of the RSAF. “The acquisition of
the M-346 aircraft and the ground-
based training system marks a
significant milestone in the RSAF’s force
development, enhancing the
capabilities and operational readiness
New Additions To of the Singapore Armed Forces,” said

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
(MINDEF). The acquisition cost of the
Singapore’s Arsenal aircraft, ground-based training system

and associated spares are worth S$543
million (US$410 million), said
By: Prasun K.Sengupta
ST Aerospace. “The signing of the
s part of its on-going force
A modernisation efforts, the Republic of

Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in late
September inked a contract with Alenia
M-346 LIFT’s
Aermacchi—an Alenia Aeronautica subsidiary
glass cockpit
and part of the Finmeccanica Group—has
signed a contract worth an estimated value
€250 million (US$340 million), under which it
will acquire 12 tandem-seat M-346 lead-in
fighter trainers (LIFT) through an industrial
consortium comprising ST Aerospace (the
prime contractor) and The Boeing
Company. Delivery of the first aircraft is
expected to take place in 2012. Successively,
together with ST Aerospace, Alenia Aermacchi
will make a contribution to Integrated Training
System (ITS) activities and to supporting the


contract with Singapore is a source of great reliability (twin
pride for us and an important sign of engines, triple-
appreciation of the qualities of our aircraft from q u a d r u p l e
one of the world’s most sophisticated air redundant fly-by-
forces. It affirms the M-346 as the leading wire flight control
training aircraft available today on the global systems).The
market and the ideal platform for a state-of- aerodynamic
the-art, integrated training system,” said design of the M-
Carmelo Cosentino, Alenia Aermacchi’s Chief 346 uses vortex lift
Executive. “Boeing is pleased to support the to provide mano-
RSAF on the advanced jet training programme. euvrability and
We look forward to providing the RSAF with a controllability at
state-of-the-art ground-based training system very high angles-
incorporating the first application of our of- attack (up to
revolutionary constant resolution visual system 40°). The turbo-
in the full-mission simulators,” said Mark fans are Honeywell-
McGraw, Vice-President, Boeing Training built F124s, with the
Systems and Services. In 2008, ST Aerospace digital flight control
had teamed with Alenia Aermacchi and Boeing system being built
to form an industrial consortium to jointly offer by Teleavio/Mar-
the M-346 for the LIFT requirement. The coni in colla-
consortium beat a competing industrial team boration with BAE
comprising Korea Aerospace Industries/ Systems, with
Lockheed Martin that had offered the T-50 Dowty and Micro-
LIFT for the contract. tecnica supplying
The RSAF has since the 1990s been the actuators. The
HMD for M-346
conducting its LIFT training at Cazaux, France, M-346 also has an
using its Douglas TA-4SU Skyhawk fleet. ST air-brake just aft of
Aerospace has been providing maintenance the cockpit, similar
support for those aircraft since 1999. MINDEF to the Sukhoi Su-30, a new landing gear and available for post-flight debriefings. The
Singapore has not yet said whether the RSAF some structural changes, with the use of more system selected for installation in the M-346
will continue to perform LIFT training in France, titanium and composite parts, in order to employs the latest optical and digital
but industry sources believe that the reduce weight and production costs. As a result technologies. It allows the aircraft to operate
relationship will likely continue at Cazaux. Alenia the M-346 now weighs 780kg less than the by day and night, using night vision goggles
Aermacchi has said that it would welcome the LIFT’s prototypes, and offers more specific (NVG). The ability to present synthetic
opportunity to host RSAF pilots in Italy, where excess power, faster acceleration and climbing, symbology and high-resolution images, plus
its headquarters are located. Singapore’s increased manoeuvrability and maximum the accuracy of the pilot’s line-of- sight
order confirmation is the second major setback speed, as well as improved fuel capacity measurement, are peculiar characteristics of
for the T-50, which also previously lost out in (200kg) and cockpit visibility. the M-346’s HMD system.
a battle to meet a 48-aircraft requirement with Another novel feature of the M-346 is the Meanwhile, in another development,
the United Arab Emirates. A BAE Systems Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) system, a true Singapore’s Minister for Education and Second
proposal using the Hawk Mk128 was also interface between the pilot and aircraft systems, Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, on
rejected in both competitions. Alenia Aermacchi which complements the Heads-Up Display by October 20 officiated at the launch ceremony
is already under contract to produce an initial offering the pilot to receive attitude, navigation, of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN)
batch of T-346As for the Italian air force, with tactical and mission information directly on second Archer-class hunter-killer submarine—
the first two due for delivery next month. The the helmet visor, independently of the direction RSS Swordsman—at the Kockums Shipyard
company is also offering the twin-engined LIFT in which he is looking. The HMD is fully in Karlskrona, Sweden. The submarine was
design to meet the future requirements of the integrated with aircraft avionics and with the launched by Mrs Ivy Ng, wife of Dr Ng. RSS
US Air Force, as the T-100 ITS. Embedded Tactical Training Simulation Swordsman is the second of the Archer-class
The M-346 embodies the latest “design- system. The adoption of this new HMD system submarines that the RSN has acquired from
to-cost” and “design-to-maintain” concepts, on the M-346 is a crucial element of training the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). Speaking at
with its avionics suite modelled upon those of effectiveness and an important step towards the ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted that the
new-generation combat aircraft such as the making the M-346 ever more representative launch of RSS Swordsman marked another
Eurofighter EF-2000, JAS-39 Gripen, Rafale, of operational combat aircraft. The limited key milestone in the RSN’s drive to develop its
F-16 Super Viper, F/A-22 Raptor and the future helmet weight—under 1.6kg, achieved by the undersea warfare capabilities. The submarine
F-35 JSF. The M-346 provides combat pilot miniaturisation and careful placement of is the second in the Northern Light project
training for frontline combat aircraft with high components—translates into lower pilot under which two Västergötland-class
angle-of-attack capability. It is designed fatigue under high G manoeuvres, while the submarines, previously owned by the RSwN,
primarily to reduce acquisition and operating low-voltage translates into high levels of safety. have been rebuilt, life-extended and
costs (no afterburner, as the aircraft is specially A micro-camera captures the pilot’s field-of- modernised to incorporate air-independent
designed for transonic training) and improve view, including visor symbology, making it propulsion (AIP) systems. The RSN is


transferred to an
enclosed quantity of
RSS Swordsman working fluid—
generally an inert
gas—and drives it
through a repetitive
sequence of
thermodynamic
changes. By
expanding the gas
against a piston and
then drawing it into
a separate cooling
chamber for sub-
sequent com-
pression, the heat
from external
combustion can be
converted to me-
chanical work and
then, in turn, to
electricity. Like the
MESMA AIP system
developed by
France’s DCN
International, this
RSS Archer approach has an
advantage over
internal combustion
systems in that the
c o m b u s t i o n
processes can be
kept separate from
those that actually
convert heat to
mechanical work.
This provides
significant flexibility
in dealing with
exhaust products
and controlling
acoustic radiation.
The Stirling-cycle
engine forms the
basis of the first
operationally
certified AIP system
to enter naval service
therefore believed to be receiving the very latest by burning pure oxygen and diesel fuel in a in recent times. Kockums Naval Systems had
in submarine technologies, including world- pressurised combustion chamber. The tested a prototype AIP plant at sea in 1989,
class stealth technology. Training of the crew combustion pressure is higher than the and today, three Swedish Gotland-class diesel-
has been coordinated with the RSwN at the surrounding seawater pressure, thereby electric submarines are each fitted with two
naval base in Karlskrona. allowing the exhaust products to get dissolved adjunct, 75 kiloWatt Stirling-cycle propulsion
Both the RSS Archer and RSS Swordsman in sea water, and to be discharged overboard units that burn liquid oxygen and diesel fuel to
have on board the Stirling engine (for AIP), without using a compressor. This procedure generate electricity for either propulsion or
which uses liquid oxygen and diesel fuel to allows low infra-red signature and noise charging batteries within a conventional diesel-
drive 75 kiloWatt generators for either emission levels. The submarine’s submerged electric plant.
propulsion or charging the on-board batteries. endurance is determined by the amount of The resulting underwater endurance is
The AIP endurance of the 1,500 tonne liquid oxygen stored inside the cryogenic tanks reported to be up to 14 days at 5 Knots, but
submarine is around 14 days at 5 Knots (9kph) associated with the AIP system. In the Stirling significant burst speeds are possible when the
cruising speed. The Stirling-based AIP works cycle, heat from an outside source is batteries are topped up.


INS Teg and INS Tarkash being fitted out at
Yantar JSC
Batch 2 of Three Project 11335.6

Frigates Being Readied By: Prasun K.Sengupta
I n exactly a year from now, the first of the

three additional Project 1135.6 guided-
missile frigates (FFG) now being built for
2006, following which construction got
underway at the Kaliningrad-based Yantar
Shipyard JSC. The keel-laying ceremony for
2007 and the vessel was launched on June
23 this year. Keel-laying for the INS Trikand
(bow) F-50 took place on June 11, 2008 and
the Indian Navy (IN) in Russia will enter service, the first FFG—INS Teg (sabre) F-45 took place it was due for launch at presstime.
with the remaining two following a year later. on July 27, 2007 and the vessel was launched Each of the three follow-on Project 1135.6
The US$1.1 billion (Rs51.14 billion) contract on November 27 last year. It is due to undergo FFGs will have a length of 124.8 metres,
for these three FFGs was inked on July 14, her sea trials starting next April. Keel-laying beamwidth of 15.2 metres, full-load
for the second displacement of 4,035 tonnes, and a top speed
FFG— INS Tarkash of 30 Knots. The ship’s Crew compliment will
(quiver) F-46— be 220, including 28 officers. The FFGs will
took place on also be equipped with the Trebovaniye-M
November 27, combat management system supplied by
Russia’s Meridian Research and Production
INS Tarkash being launched
VL BrahMos


Project 1135.6 Batch 2 FFG
Enterprise JSC, and an integrated platform JSC-developed Club-N/3M54TE supersonic homing. Also on board each of the three FFGs
management system built by Russia’s Aurora anti-ship cruise missiles now on board the will be an aft helicopter deck and a hangar for
Research and Production Association. Also IN’s first three Project 1135.6 FFGs—INS housing a Kamov Ka-28PL or Ka-31
fitted on board will be the TK-25E-5 integrated Talwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar. The helicopter, and two Pacific 22 MkI rigid inflatable
electronic warfare suite, four KT-216 decoy BrahMos’ shipborne fire-control system is a boats (RIB) built by Halmatic, which is owned
launchers, on-board communications suit derivative of the 3R14N-11356 shipborne fire- by the UK-based VT Group. The RIBs are
supplied by India’s Bharat Electronics Ltd control system, developed by Russia’s Agat powered by Cummins 4 BTA marine diesel
(BEL), four Danish 1mW Wartsila WCM-1000 Research and Production Enterprise, while the engines rated at 150bhp at 2800 rpm coupled
generator sets with Cummins KTA50G3 universal vertical-launch cells are being to a Sternpowr leg providing a service speed
engines and Kirloskar 1mV AC generators, supplied by Larsen & Toubro. of 22 Knots.
Zorya/Mashproekt of Ukraine’s M7N.1E gas For area air defence, the Dolgoprudny In another development, Russia has offered
turbine propulsion system (comprising twin Research and Production Enterprise DNPP India the export version of its new Project
DS-71 cruise turbines and twin DT-59 boost JSC, which is part of the Almaz-Antey Air 22350 FFG in response to a Request for
turbines), plus German water purifiers. Defence Concern, is supplying the vertical- Information (RFI), issued by India to about a
Principal on-board sensors for each of the launch version of the Shtil-1 SAM system, dozen European, Russian and American
three FFGs will include one E-band Fregat which will comprise thirty-six 9M317ME SAM shipyards in December 2006.
M2EM circular scan radar for providing target rounds (containing within three 12-VL cells) The proposed acquisition of these seven
indication to the Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile developed by the Altair Naval Radio Electronics new-generation FFGs under the IN’s Project
(SAM) system, a Ratep JSC 5P-10E Puma Scientific Institute Public Joint Stock Company, 17A may well be worth more than Rs30,000
fire-control system (comprising a passive- which is also a member of the Almaz-Antey Air crore. The proposed acquisition of these seven
phased array target tracking radar along with Defence Concern. FFGs (four of which will be built by Mumbai-
an optronic illuminator), one I-band Garpun- The 9M317ME SAMs can be fired at one- based Mazagon Docks Ltd and three by
B long-range surface target acquisition radar, to-two-second intervals. The missile is 5.18 Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilding &
one I-band MR-212/201-1 radar for metres long and 360mm in diameter. Launch Engineering Ltd) is apparently meant to offset
navigation, a Kelvin Hughes Nucleus-2 6000A weight of the 9M317ME is 58kg. It is armed the delay in the acquisition of modern
marine navigation radar for short-range with a 62kg blast fragmentation warhead warships by the IN that had occurred over the
navigation and surface surveillance, a Ladoga- initiated by a dual-mode radar proximity fuze, past two decades. The design being proposed
ME-11356 inertial navigation and stabilisation or a contact fuze. The range is between 3.5km by Russia’s St Petersburg-based Severnoye
suite supplied by Elektropribor, four MR-90 and -32 km, while the altitude coverage is from PKB (Northern Design Bureau) FSUE has a
Orekh target-illumination radars, and a BEL- 5 metres up to 15km. The tail surfaces have a proposed displacement of about 5,000 tonnes,
made HUMSA Mk2 hull-mounted panoramic span of 820mm when deployed. a length of more than 130 metres, and a
sonar. After the missile leaves the vertical launcher, beamwidth of 16 metres.
For visual-range engagements, the FFGs a spring mechanism unfolds the tail surfaces To sweeten the proposal, Russia has also
will each have a Arsenal JSC-built 100mm A- and four gas-control vanes operating in the offered to make the Project 22350’s hull design
190(E) main gun and twin KBP Instrument motor efflux turn the missile towards the scalable, meaning the basic hull deign could
Design Bureau-built Kashtan-M combined required direction of flight. Once this turnover also be enhanced into a guided-missile
gun-missile close-in weapon systems. The manoeuvre is completed, the gas-control destroyer displacing 8,000 tonnes and
principal on-board offensive weapon system vanes are no longer used. Subsequent flight housing two medium-lift helicopters on
will be the eight 290km-range BrahMos control is via moving tail surfaces. A dual- board.
Aerospace Ltd-built BrahMos vertically- mode solid-propellant rocket motor provides
launched supersonic multi-role cruise missile the missile with a maximum speed of Mach
(capable of both anti-ship strike and land 4.5. In-flight guidance is achieved via a
attack) instead of the 220km-range Novator combination of inertial and semi-active radar


Litoral Warfare Solutions
By: Prasun K.Sengupta
ADVANSEA corvette
T
he 22nd International Naval Defense & 2,850 tonnes surfaced. With a length of 109 (FFG) design, which has a length of 140
Maritime Exhibition and Conference metres (354 feet), this vessel is capable of metres, beamwidth of 30 metres, draught of
(EURONAVAL 2010), which was held reconnaissance as well as direct combat or 5 metres, and a displacement of 4,000 metric
in Paris, France between October 25 and intelligence missions. Yet another new- tonnes. The on-board multi-spectrum sensor
October 29, saw several shipbuilders from generation stealthy unveiled by DCNS at systems are totally integrated into the warship’s
both sides of the Atlantic showcasing their EURONAVAL 2010 was the ADVANSEA surface superstructure, and it has no mast. This
latest littoral warfare solutions. France’s DCNS, combatant, which integrates three design therefore required a true technological
for instance, unveiled its stealthy SMX-25 technological breakthroughs: electric motors leap in terms of systems integration, while at
concept, which calls for sending a vessel, based on superconductivity; batteries capable the same time using more conventional
having the advantages both of a conventional of instantaneously delivering high power; and concepts. Eight anti-ship cruise missiles are
submarine and of a surface combatant, into a a real-time energy management system able positioned in the superstructure, and a large
theatre of operations rapidly. Designed to to offer real energy convergence between the platform provides two landing spots for
operate on the surface at 38 Knots (and 10 combat management and platform medium-lift multi-role helicopters. The warship
Knots while submerged), the SMX-25 has management systems. The ADVANSEA also has space for installing vertically-launched
three gas turbines and three pumpjets for displaces 4,500 tonnes and has a length of surface-to-air missiles (SAM), one 76mm main
propulsion. Carrying 16 anti-ship cruise 120 metres (390 feet). The on-board gun and one 30mm cannon, and can also
missiles, four heavy torpedoes and machine armaments suite comprises an electric cannon, launch rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB). The
guns, it has been designed to engage both vertically-launched guided-missile launch F2M2’s propulsion system (using a CODLAG
surfaced and submerged targets, while using systems for anti-air warfare and anti-ship strike, configuration comprising a combined diesel-
underwater autonomous vehicles and as well as an on-board helicopter and UAV. electric engine and a gas turbine driving two
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for multi- With an innovative design—in particular a electric motors, and one gas turbine driving
spectrum surveillance and reconnaissance. wave-piercing hull), it will also use composite three water jets) will enable the vessel to reach
The SMX-25 will be able to house, in addition materials on a large-scale on its speeds of more than 30 Knots. Crew
to its 27 crew-members, about 10 special superstructure. complement will be about 150.
operations forces personnel. The vessel has a Navantia of Spain introduced its 5,000- US-based M Ship Co LLC displayed its M80
displacement of 4,850 tonnes submerged and tonne F2M2 trimaran guided-missile frigate Stiletto concept, which is a radical new
p l a t f o r m
developed for
high-speed
m i l i t a r y
missions in the
shallow water
areas of the
littoral, near-
shore waters in
support of US
Navy (Ret’d)
Vice Admiral
A r t h u r
C e b r o w s k i ’s
China’s Yuyi-class hovercraft vision of a
“brown-water


DCNS’ PA-2 aircraft carrier
for more efficient planing. This capability is

considered critical for special operations
forces, because it reduces the G-forces and
Diver propulsion related injuries these personnel are subjected
vehicle to during training and on missions. M Ship
Co designed and constructed the vessel solely
of carbon-fibre for reduced weight and
increased stiffness, and presently it is the largest
vessel ever built in the US from such advanced
materials.
As far as conventional warship designs go,
DCNS revealed that it has signed a new contract
with France’s Ministry of Defence for the
preliminary study of a second aircraft carrier—
tentatively called PA-2—for the French Navy.
Larger than the Charles de Gaulle, the second
aircraft carrier is projected to displace 70,000
tonnes, cruise at a speed of 26 Knots, and
have a range of 8,000nm. The turbo-electric
propulsion system is likely to be provided by a
gas turbine and two diesel motors driving three
shafts. Two steam plants will provide steam to
the two catapults. The flight deck will embark
an air combat group comprising 32 Dassault-
built Rafale F3 multi-role combat aircraft. The
PA2 will have only one island on its top deck,
since the French Navy preferrs to have air and
ship operations collocated. DCNS will in the
near future propose the PA-2 concept to the
Indian Navy as well—as the latter too wants to
indigenously build two larger aircraft carriers
navy” for expeditionary combat in the 21 st area equivalent to a conventional displacement to supplement the first three 37,000-tonne
century. According to its developer, no other craft 160 feet in length. The vessel’s draught Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (IAC)—INS
hull compares to its speed, ride quality, payload fully loaded is 3 feet and the boat is designed Vikrant, INS Viraat and INS Vishaal—that will
capability and unmanned vehicle support. The for a top speed of 60 Knots. The revolutionary be launched from Cochin Shipyards Ltd. The
twin M-hull vessel is 88 feet in length with a 40 M-hull technology recaptures the bow-wave keel of the first IAC was laid on February 28
feet beamwidth, providing a rectangular deck and uses its energy to create an air cushion last year at Kochi


Russia’s Rosoboronexport State Corp
displayed two new warship designs—Gepard
3.9 guided-missile corvette and Project 2235.6
FFG. Designed by the Russian design group
from Zelenodolsk, two Gepard 3.9 corvettes
under Project 11661 are currently being built
for Vietnam. They will each be armed with four
Kh-35E Uran anti-ship cruise missiles, a 76mm
cannon, three Palma combined cannon-
missile close-in weapon systems, two twin-
torpedo tubes, and one Kamov Ka-28PL ASW
helicopter. The first corvette began its sea trials MF-STAR
on October 25 in the Baltic Sea off the
Kronstadt naval base. Rosoboronexport
hopes to sell a further two such FFGs to Hanoi
as replacements for the five existing Petya-
class corvettes. The Severnoye Design Bureau
is unveilled the export variant (designated as
Project 22356) of the Project 22350 Admiral
Gorshkov-class FFG, the first of which was
launched on October 29 at the North St
Petersburg Shipyard. With a 4,550 metric-
tonne displacement (standard) and a length
of 135 metres, the Project 22356 FFG fires its
anti-air and anti-ship cruise missiles through
a universal vertical launch system. It can
therefore fire 16 BrahMos or Yakhont anti-
ship missiles and 16 or 32 Shtil-1 SAMs. It is
also equipped with a new 130mm monotube
AU-130 turret as well as two Palma CIWS for
self-defence.
EURONAVAL 2010 also played host to
several manufacturers of hovercraft families
hailing from the US, Russia and UK. All these
manufacturers have targetted both India and M-80 Stiletto
Pakistan as their future markets. Lockheed
Martin’s landing craft air cushion (LCAC) is
being proposed as a high-speed, over-the-
beach fully amphibious landing craft capable
of carrying a 75-tonne payload. The
advantages of the LCAC are numerous: it can
carry heavy payloads like main battle tanks
and field artillery howitzers at high speeds over
varied terrain. The air cushion allows the LCAC
vehicle to reach more than 70 per cent of the
world’s coastline compared to only 17 per cent
with conventional landing craft. The LCAC is
powered by four Avco-Lycoming TF-40B gas
turbines (two for propulsion and two for lift),
each developing 16,000hp. The Project
12061E Murena-E, built by Russia’s
Khabarovskiy Shipyard can transport up to
24 tonnes of payload, including 130 fully
equipped troops, or two infantry combat
vehicles, or one light tank. The propulsion achieves a top speed of 55 Knots and has a combat vehicles or armoured personnel
system is based on two MT-70M gas turbines cruising range in excess of 200nm. The hull is carriers or 360 fully-equipped amphibious
each developing 10,000hp. The gas turbines made of high-strength non-corrosive landing troops. Three upright ring shrouds,
drive two AV-96 reversible variable-pitch air aluminum-magnesium alloy. The 550-tonne housing the air propellers and standing
propellers and inflate the air cushion. Two Volvo Project 1232.2 Zubr hovercraft, on the other upright at the back of the ship, give Zubr its
Penta diesel generators provide the electrical hand, can carry up to 130 tonnes of cargo: distinctive appearance. The four-bladed
power supply. All in, the 150-tonne Murena-E three medium battle tanks or eight infantry propellers driven by five gas turbines provide


EURONAVAL 2010 also hosted several
designers and builders of diver propulsion
vehicles (DPV), which are likely to be acquired
in moderate numbers by the Indian Navy for
its MARCOS special operations forces. The
Navy is on the lookout for DPVs that are no
more than 3 metres in length, weigh less than
Oto Melara’s 127-64 main 80kg, can dive down to 30 metres underwater
while carrying two personnel, have a range of
4nm, and have a speed of 2 Knots while
submerged. The Navy will accord preference
to those DPVs that can be deployed from a
boat and be air-dropped by helicopters.
Finmeccanica of Italy said that its Oto Melara
127/64 LW main gun, which is capable of firing
up to 35 rounds per minute, is being offered
for fitment on the Indian Navy’s four to-be-
acquired Project 15B DDGs and seven Project
17A FFGs. The gun’s turret weighs less than
29 tonnes and the gun uses an ammunition
handling system comprising four revolving
a top speed of 60 Knots. In 2006, China mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed choked drum magazines holding 56 ready-to-fire
approached Russia and Ukraine to discuss lakes, lagoons, backwaters, islands and coastal rounds. Finmeccanica claims that the gun’s
the possible acquisition of eight Zubr vessels. areas. In neighbouring Pakistan too, the Army new Vulcano ammunition is capable of
Designed by Russia’s ALMAZ Central and Navy are contemplating the acquisition of precision engagement at ranges previously
Maritime Bureau, the Zubr can be built at different types of hovercraft for both trooplift, only achievable by guided-missile systems but
two locations: Almaz Shipbuilding JSC in Saint logistical support and disaster-relief as these at a fraction of the cost.
Petersburg, Russia, and by Ukraine’s Crimea- are the only vehicles capable of accessing Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) disclosed
based MORYE-Export-Import subsidiary of remote places by hovering over obstacles, at EURONAVAL 2010 that it had just delivered
FSC Morye. Last year, a US$350 million shallow water, debris and rapids. The Pakistan its first export-model multi-function
contract for acquiring the first four Zubrs from Navy already operates a fleet of Griffon 2000TD surveillance and threat alert radar (MF-STAR)
Ukraine’s Ukrspetsexport State Corp was inked hovercraft and is, in future, expected to acquire to a foreign customer, which is the Indian Navy.
by China. Construction of the first of two the larger 170-tonne Yuyi-class LCAC from The S-band active phased-array MF-STAR,
hovercraft got underway at FSC Morye’s China. This LCAC, under development since developed by IAI’s ELTA Systems Ltd, will go
shipyard in Feodosia last September. The last 2007, was launched in January 2008 and it on board the three Project 15A Kolkata-class
two Zubrs will be licence-assembled in China conducted its maiden sea trial in January 2009. 6,700-tonne guided-missile destroyers (DDG)
The Indian Army since last May has been The Yuyi-class hovercraft is powered by four now being built by Mumbai-based Mazagon
looking to acquire an unspecified number of QC-70 gas turbines to augment its lift capability Docks Ltd (MDL), as well as on the four
Air Cushioned Vehicles Troop Carriage (ACV- to 60 tonnes. It has a length of 33 metres and projected Project 15B DDGs. It uses pulse-
TC) hovercraft for use in the eastern theatre. width of 16.8 metres. The front ramp is Doppler techniques, multiple beam-forming
The Army has specified that the contending 7.5metres wide while the rear ramp is 4.9 and advanced high-PRF waveforms to extract
hovercraft designs should be able to operate metres wide. Maximum cruise speed is 40 stressing and low radar cross-section threats
in marshy land, sand bars, mudflats, Knots, and the range is 200nm. even in conditions of heavy jamming and dense
Pakistan Navy’s Griffon 2000TD hovercraft


clutter. Key
functionalities include
three-dimensional
volume search, missile
horizon search, multi-
target tracking, surface
surveillance, helicopter
detection, gunnery
control and splash
spotting. The MF-STAR
Project 22356 FFG can initiate tracks
against sea-skimming
anti-ship cruise missiles
at ranges in excess of
25km, and out to more
than 250km for a high-
flying combat aircraft.
On the MF-STAR fibre-
optic cables have
replaced the earlier-
generation waveguide
and coax cables, which
has substantially
reduced the radar’s
weight so it can be
installed on board
warships of varied
designs. The MF-STAR
uses four 3 x 3-metre
fixed-array faces (each
weighing 1,500kg)
based on a modular tile-
array architecture (with
each tile containing 16
Gallium Arsenide
transmit/receive
modules) to allow for
scaleability in the size of
the antenna aperture.
Liquid cooling is used
to dissipate heat at the
arrays. In-board
SMX-25 concept equipment weighing
900kg is housed within
six cabinets—two for
processing and four for
the power supply. Earlier,
ELTA had supplied three
S-band EL/M-2238
surveillance and threat
alert radars (STAR) for
the Indian Navy’s three
MDL-built Project 17
Shivalik-class FFGs, three
more for the three Project
16A Brahmaputra-class
FFGs, and another one
for INS Viraat.


TEMPUR November 2010

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