tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41872108690695191722024-03-05T19:46:20.456-05:00Top secret airplanesSpecial secret aircraftWeb Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-28839326654606476992014-05-03T14:18:00.004-05:002014-05-03T14:18:41.444-05:00RQ-180<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWDDDN131OXxz7KShvtU_toUhieDPNsscheTA2uNphGjgy0cXVsIjLvlfRgYBuOBxkbQeBHtYSTwDxs0Za8ZqUtTbF502IPovXRna7ptY-WgREeaq1cyVJoFHCDj4zEEakl6dUCMT6NN/s1600/rq+180+Northrop+Grumman+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWDDDN131OXxz7KShvtU_toUhieDPNsscheTA2uNphGjgy0cXVsIjLvlfRgYBuOBxkbQeBHtYSTwDxs0Za8ZqUtTbF502IPovXRna7ptY-WgREeaq1cyVJoFHCDj4zEEakl6dUCMT6NN/s1600/rq+180+Northrop+Grumman+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Developed by Northrop Grumman is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions</div>
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New hangars at Northrop's Palmdale, California, site and at the Air Force's Area 51 test center in Groom Lake, Nevada, have been built to hold an aircraft with a wing span of more than 130 feet.</div>
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It is set to take the place of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s RQ-170 Sentinel, the plane used in the operation that killed Osama Bin Laden.</div>
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The Air Force’s new secret superspy plane is flying in the airspace above Area 51 and will likely be ready for missions by 2.015.</div>
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<b>Development</b></div>
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The RQ-180 appears to be a follow on to the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems project which was cancelled in late 2.005 when the United States Navy (USN) wanted a carrier-based aircraft (which led to the UCAS-D) while the United States Air Force (USAF) wanted a larger, long-range global strike platform. </div>
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In December 2.005, the program was split in two, with the USN starting the UCAS-D program which created the Northrop Grumman X-47B, and the USAF starting a "classified program." </div>
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The program was unmasked in Aviation Week & Space Technology in a 9 December 2.013 cover story following several months of research.</div>
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The RQ-180 was secretly funded through the USAF's classified budget. </div>
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Northrop Grumman was given the task to build the aircraft after a competition in which it defeated Boeing and Lockheed Martin. </div>
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Northrop Grumman is believed to have been awarded a development contract for the RQ-180 in 2008, with deliveries of low-rate production aircraft beginning in 2.013. </div>
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Satellite imagery of Area 51 reportedly shows large hangers that could house the 130 ft (40 m) or larger wingspan of the aircraft. </div>
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The RQ-180 may also be related to the expansion of Northrop Grumman's production facility in Palmdale, California.</div>
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According to Aviation Week, the secret development of the RQ-180 explains public statements of USAF officials calling for penetrating Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with no public acknowledgement of an effort to create one. </div>
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It may explain the service's lack of commitment for the RQ-4 Global Hawk and instead favoring of higher priority "classified platforms". </div>
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The USAF also does not want to buy and maintain large numbers of MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems to have the ability to penetrate denied airspace and persistently provide ISR coverage.</div>
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The RQ-180 may also be responsible for the termination of the Next-Generation Bomber program in 2.009 from costs, and the emergence of the follow-on Long Range Strike Bomber program that would be cheaper and work with the UAV. </div>
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The USAF MQ-X program that was to find a platform to replace the Reaper may have been cancelled in 2.012 because of the RQ-180.</div>
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Lockheed Martin is developing its own solution to the problem of operating an ISR in defended airspace, known as the Lockheed SR-72, that relies on flying at hypersonic speeds. </div>
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Northrop Grumman's stealth design was seen as less susceptible to acquisition problems and risky technologies and could be put into service sooner, as soon as 2.015.</div>
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<b>Design</b></div>
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The RQ-180 addresses a need for conducting penetrating ISR missions into defended airspace, a mission that was left unattended with the retirement of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird in 1.998. </div>
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It is equipped with an AESA radar and passive electronic surveillance measures, and may be capable of conducting electronic attack missions. </div>
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The RQ-180 shows a shift from UAVs that operate in permissive environments, such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, to ones that can perform missions in contested airspace. </div>
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It is larger, stealthier, and has a longer range than the RQ-170 Sentinel which has previously been used for those types of missions. </div>
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The RQ-180 is believed to be about the size of the Global Hawk, which weighs 32,250 lb (14,630 kg); and have similar capabilities of endurance (24 hours) and range (1,200 nmi (1,400 mi; 2,200 km)). </div>
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This is much more than the RQ-170's endurance of 5-6 hours. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7axXlSnHUWsN9bIDPX6c4LBnnTjJNlNIePS7K74UxRQqDWurkQNPMCR5B9kOAbwpXnWh9AB6sER09pqjEaUnUtHzJqtia2aOehc5rXdGugtRA6nGG7CQTvfwMIU9SybzoHeJaf2yXWr7h/s1600/rq+180+Northrop+Grumman+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7axXlSnHUWsN9bIDPX6c4LBnnTjJNlNIePS7K74UxRQqDWurkQNPMCR5B9kOAbwpXnWh9AB6sER09pqjEaUnUtHzJqtia2aOehc5rXdGugtRA6nGG7CQTvfwMIU9SybzoHeJaf2yXWr7h/s1600/rq+180+Northrop+Grumman+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has superior all-aspect, broadband radar cross-section reduction features compared to previous stealth aircraft such as the F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. </div>
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The airframe has superior aerodynamics to give better range, endurance, and service ceiling.</div>
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The RQ-180 is believed to have a cranked-kite layout like the X-47B, but with a much longer wingspan, perhaps as much as 130 feet. </div>
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Northrop Grumman claims the wing is more scalable and adaptable than the B-2 Spirit's flying wing shape.</div>
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Aviation Week constructed concept images, including one on the cover of the magazine, of the stealthy unmanned aircraft that can penetrate an adversary’s state-of-the-art air defenses to conduct intelligence, surveillance or reconnaissance missions.</div>
<iframe width="400" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/efIyLrqjI8g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-78497385003250388152014-05-03T14:06:00.000-05:002014-05-03T14:06:01.034-05:00 Zond the russian drone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H_bJcEyHFIeo6c7VkSyEnVKmuvNaszZPOai2DEZ6FF8Gkq_lNdc4dsliT_Xt4Qc-_Lsj_y5NbO1CMrofS_JLKOjgEf5Cp6613GFrToQhktlcNLMq3iHZhrSX2rAGN3QZC2bgd4O2i-0k/s1600/zond+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H_bJcEyHFIeo6c7VkSyEnVKmuvNaszZPOai2DEZ6FF8Gkq_lNdc4dsliT_Xt4Qc-_Lsj_y5NbO1CMrofS_JLKOjgEf5Cp6613GFrToQhktlcNLMq3iHZhrSX2rAGN3QZC2bgd4O2i-0k/s1600/zond+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Russian company Sukhoi launches the most advanced multipurpose drone the planet.</div>
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The Russian aerospace company Sukhoi plans to launch a new multipurpose drone more advanced, as part of the creation of a family of unmanned aircraft capable of covering a wide range of missions.</div>
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This year the reconnaissance drone 12 tonnes under the name Zond debuts , while working in parallel in the creation of an unmanned aircraft gunner 20 tons , the first trial will took place in 2.016.</div>
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The creation of new drones carried out in accordance with the program of development of the armed forces of Russia until 2.020.</div>
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The new complex unmanned Zond has been developed for monitoring the airspace and land and water surfaces. </div>
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Furthermore, it is able to perform specific tasks such as taking pictures , monitor hydrometeorological study the atmosphere and radiation levels in disaster areas , as published Warfiles.ru .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ihqAm3usUM4L0pf4Q9CeGUIa7sPyvsdZhPiuFKiKOrsXpA9YtIZRVTyPbFIiiFSG3KbFPmLy2slS3TM22A3Z6Dw-oajriTbMDvzvkCeAY89UFVyi5CaYjkOjUZv_PS9x7kf5mLDn9qG/s1600/zond+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ihqAm3usUM4L0pf4Q9CeGUIa7sPyvsdZhPiuFKiKOrsXpA9YtIZRVTyPbFIiiFSG3KbFPmLy2slS3TM22A3Z6Dw-oajriTbMDvzvkCeAY89UFVyi5CaYjkOjUZv_PS9x7kf5mLDn9qG/s1600/zond+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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The new drone will also have the ability to carry out seismic monitoring , status monitoring pipelines and power lines, making geological observations , probe or measuring subsurface ice conditions and even the tides.</div>
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The attack version , weighing 20 tons , is developed on the platform of the fighter jet T-50 fifth generation .</div>
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu , demanded last summer accelerate job creation in this machine.</div>
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Tests of the first unmanned attack aircraft Russian</div>
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The commander of the General Staff , General Nikolai Makarov Army , reports that by the end of 2.012 is planned to begin testing the first unmanned attack aircraft of Russian manufacture.</div>
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Currently , the Russian military has unmanned aircraft designed to perform reconnaissance .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLZR0CHsT6zUk8A0HjXoawHweCM9PgnJhARQYWKCC2J9X715MmPpW1OrGhsHYP22qQoSYOJAZzRTPjVXl-mAWsH35P4SL_JeXRFx38C1ja0VrgQRZsHHKphDyrcpb8Ga-Os9n_4B0R_fr/s1600/zond+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLZR0CHsT6zUk8A0HjXoawHweCM9PgnJhARQYWKCC2J9X715MmPpW1OrGhsHYP22qQoSYOJAZzRTPjVXl-mAWsH35P4SL_JeXRFx38C1ja0VrgQRZsHHKphDyrcpb8Ga-Os9n_4B0R_fr/s1600/zond+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a></div>
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The commander of the General Staff , General Nikolai Makarov Army , reports that by the end of 2.012 is planned to begin testing the first unmanned attack aircraft of Russian manufacture.</div>
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The general says, " the end of 2.012 we will begin to use our drone middle class."</div>
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Currently , the Russian military has unmanned aircraft designed to perform reconnaissance .</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Use(s):</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Zond 1: air-traffic control, comms relay; Zond 2: radar and EO monitoring of the Earth's surface; Zond 3: low-level reconnaissance </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Manufacturer:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Sukhoi, Russia </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Weight:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> MTOW: 12,000kg (Zond 1 and 2), max payload: 1,500kg </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Performance:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">endurance: 18hr (Zond 1 and 2), ceiling: 14-16km (Zond 1 and 2)</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Payload:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> dependent upon mission </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Status:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> in production </span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b> Russia aircraft maker Sukhoi released the specs of its future UAVs</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">ZOND-1<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> ZOND-2</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Function <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Air traffic control (ATC)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Communications relay<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Multispectral monitoring<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Multispectral monitoring</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Geometry<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Wingspan, m<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 35<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 35<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 16</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Aircraft length, m<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 13<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 13<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 9.5</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Aircraft height, m<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 5.5<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 5<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 3</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Aircraft performance </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Maximum takeoff weight, kg<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 2,000</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Maximum payload, kg<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1,500<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1,500<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 500</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Maximum flying speed, km/h<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> M=0.5<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> M=0.6<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 250</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Cruising altitude, m<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 14,000-16,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 14,000-16,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 200-8,000</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Cruising altitude, h<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 18<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 24<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Ferry range, km<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 2,500</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>On board equipment :</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Radar with phased array antenna (PAA) for ATC support, communications and TV link relay equipment<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Electro-optical system for optical and IR monitoring, sideways-looking radar with synthetic aperture<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Electro-optical system for optical and IR monitoring, sideways-looking radar with synthetic aperture</span></span></div>
Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-39038637849561803082014-02-06T01:19:00.001-05:002014-02-06T01:23:11.747-05:00Taranis the Robot Murderer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AdqaNRxLvY6bpsTQQnw1PgpNwxFrvFgGE875gN9f_2D21CNvkq6wx7UkJFN-oCYkaNcuzDXfzkMNhGEu9DG4j1Ze0Ny22uQbJM01X6PSCWN_d1SO4MeHvZngXXeFJe7Wrmh6MH0nAp3Q/s1600/taranis+top+secret+airplanes.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AdqaNRxLvY6bpsTQQnw1PgpNwxFrvFgGE875gN9f_2D21CNvkq6wx7UkJFN-oCYkaNcuzDXfzkMNhGEu9DG4j1Ze0Ny22uQbJM01X6PSCWN_d1SO4MeHvZngXXeFJe7Wrmh6MH0nAp3Q/s1600/taranis+top+secret+airplanes.BMP" height="106" width="200" /></a></div>
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A video recorded by the military contractor BAE Systems shows images of ' drone ' Taranis combat on its maiden flight .<br />
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Named after the Celtic god of thunder , the new British unmanned air combat was at its best in a short test flight filmed in 2013 but released now .<br />
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The video shows the intercontinental supersonic fighter (with 8 tons, 11 meters long and a wingspan of about 9 meters) taking off, doing some simple maneuvers and landing later.<br />
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The aircraft has " leading technology in the world" and the "system of more advanced navigation conceived, designed and built in the UK" , a country that boasts that its new device is an "inspiration to the nation ," the manufacturer .<br />
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Taranis development began in 2005 and the aircraft was presented in July 2010 at the air base in the British county of Lancashire.<br />
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The device is expected to perform a wide range of combat missions and even intercontinental flights.<br />
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The ' drone ' satellite will be controlled from anywhere in the world.<br />
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The Taranis is capable of operating independently of the control center automatically flights and intercept or evade guided missiles against them.<br />
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In addition , its ability to engage targets from " fully autonomous" way under its " intelligent system " converts , experts and activists in a " murderer robot" , which has sparked a public debate in the country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiQkCHMQ_xrRqyu0pe4VxXxtm3rioy6e6BAd6-7eXIvyYt7nvYrQC1bBsMjAfxCzmJ70ngCirXUlUuLSvw9ACRaP1QsujAb9Frsy8q6y2uBBkv4-xxW91NbXL4kRYpinZ2i45rDegiP3B/s1600/bae+taranis+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiQkCHMQ_xrRqyu0pe4VxXxtm3rioy6e6BAd6-7eXIvyYt7nvYrQC1bBsMjAfxCzmJ70ngCirXUlUuLSvw9ACRaP1QsujAb9Frsy8q6y2uBBkv4-xxW91NbXL4kRYpinZ2i45rDegiP3B/s1600/bae+taranis+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="91" width="200" /></a>" The murderers robots are weapons that make drones seem primitive .<br />
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At least with the ' drone ' is a man looking at computer screen, see the target and press the buttons to fire missiles and kill.<br />
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Several military is investigating weapons that do not need to be any human being involved in the attacks and the killing of human beings.<br />
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We find it shocking and scary that people are really thinking it's okay to leave the machines to attack and kill humans. "<br />
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The BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology, being developed primarily by the defence contractor BAE Systems.<br />
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A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets.<br />
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It will utilise stealth technology, giving it a low radar profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth.<br />
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The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT, is responsible for auditing and overseeing the project.<br />
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The aircraft, which is intended to demonstrate the viability of unmanned multi-role systems, is named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis.<br />
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It conducted its first flight in 2.013.<br />
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<b>Design and development</b><br />
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The Taranis project is led by BAE Systems, and also involves Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation Systems, QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).<br />
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As the prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for the overall programme, and also for many of the component technologies, including stealth technology, systems integration and system control infrastructure.<br />
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BAE Systems and QinetiQ are working closely on all aspects relating to the autonomy of the system.<br />
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GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) is responsible for providing Taranis' fuel-gauging and electrical power systems.<br />
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Rolls-Royce is responsible for the propulsion system and installation; the aircraft is expected to use a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk.951 turbofan.<br />
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BAE Systems Australia is tasked with developing and supplying the flight control computers,[8] having a 5% workshare in the project, while the Integrated Systems Technologies (Insyte) subsidiary of BAE Systems is providing C4ISTAR support.<br />
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BAE Systems stated that "Taranis will make use of at least 10 years of research and development into low observables, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy.<br />
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It follows the completion of risk-reduction activities to ensure the mix of technologies, materials and systems used are robust enough for the 'next logical step'."<br />
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These "risk-reduction activities" included related BAE programmes, such as Replica, Nightjar I, Nightjar II, Kestrel, Corax, Raven and HERTI.<br />
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The first steel for the Taranis prototype was cut in September 2.007, and assembly began in February 2008.<br />
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On 9 January 2009, the Ministry of Defence denied that the Taranis had been flying near the site of a damaged wind turbine, after local people claimed to have seen a UFO.<br />
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<b>Prototype</b><br />
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The Taranis prototype, which cost £143 million to develop, was unveiled by BAE Systems at Warton Aerodrome, Lancashire, on 12 july 2.010.<br />
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Ground tests of the prototype began in 2.010,[4] and flight trials were initially expected to begin in 2.011.<br />
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However, the aircraft's first flight was later delayed to 2.012,then delayed further to "the first part of 2.013".<br />
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The prototype has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of about 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb), and is of a similar size to the BAE Hawk training jet.<br />
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It mounts two internal weapons bays, and is intended to incorporate "full autonomy", allowing it to operate without human control for a large part of the mission.<br />
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<b>Flight testing</b><br />
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On 25 October 2.013, the UK Ministry of Defence revealed that initial flight tests had already taken place.<br />
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Ground tests were conducted in 2.010 and flight trials occurred in 2.013.<br />
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The MoD did not officially comment on the Taranis until the initial trials programme had been completed.<br />
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On 5 February 2.014, BAE revealed information on Taranis flight tests.<br />
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The first flight occurred on 10 August 2.013 at Woomera Test Range in South Australia.<br />
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This happened three years after the aircraft had been produced and lasted for 15 minutes. A second sortie was launched on august 17.<br />
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Subsequent flight surpassed expectations for the airframe, flying at various speeds and heights for as long as one hour.<br />
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Developing the Taranis has so far cost £185 million, compared to £140 million as originally projected.<br />
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The first flight also happened two years later than planned.<br />
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The Taranis is planned to be operational "post 2.030" and used in concert with manned aircraft.<br />
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<b>Specifications</b><br />
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Although the aircraft is still in development phase, the latest specifications which are publicly available are as follows<br />
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Height: 4 metres (13 ft)<br />
Length: 11.35 metres (37.2 ft)<br />
Wingspan: 9.1 metres (30 ft)<br />
Weight: 8 tonnes (18,000 lb)<br />
Range: Intercontinental</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uXS1iGx03eg" width="400"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/znwU_4lLoGE" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-15758948581483843512014-01-08T11:49:00.002-05:002014-01-08T11:52:01.917-05:00Triton MQ 4c,the unpublished ' U.S. drone ' will open new possibilities in intelligence work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under development for the United States Navy as asurveillance aircraft. </div>
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In tandem with its associated ground control station, it is considered an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). </div>
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Developed under the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program, the system is intended to provide continuous maritime surveillance for the U.S. Navy, and to complement the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.</div>
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The MQ-4C System Development and Demonstration (SDD) aircraft was delivered in 2.012 and the MQ-4C UAS was originally expected to be operational by late 2.015 with a total of 68 aircraft to be procured. </div>
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However, in April 2013, the Navy announced that production has shifted from FY14 to FY15 due to additional testing requirements and technical issues related to the aircraft's double-tail vertical stabilizer and rudder, and software integration for maritime sensors.</div>
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According to the latest information available from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-4C UAS is now planned for 2.017.</div>
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The Triton , the new drone , with a gigantic scale similar to the Boeing 757 developed to increase the chances of the U.S. Navy in the field of aerial surveillance , could enter service in 2.017.</div>
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The corporation aerospace and defense companies Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy ninth reported successful test flight of Triton , the unmanned aerial system they (UAS , for its acronym in English ) that overcame the technical qualities of its predecessor in the Air Force , the ' drone ' Global Hawk.</div>
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Equipped with a wingspan of nearly 40 meters longer than the Boeing 757,the Triton will be able to perform tasks in real-time intelligence , surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR , for its acronym in English ) by a set of sensors provides a 360 degree view in a radius of more than 3,700 kilometers, which is a significant improvement of air surveillance , much higher than any of its competitors.</div>
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At the same time , their only protection against ice and lightning allows the Triton plunge through the clouds to get a closer view and automatically classify enemy ships. </div>
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Moreover, during the last test , the ' drone ' proved able to recover easily from shocks in its flight path caused by turbulence .</div>
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The field operators can obtain the high resolution image recording apparatus using the radar to detect targets and exchange information with other military units .</div>
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So far, the Triton has completed flights up to 9.4 hours at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the manufacturer's premises in California ( USA). </div>
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According to Northrop Grumman, the Triton mission could address up to 24 hours.</div>
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The manufacturer said previously that Triton had demonstrated the structural strength of wings a key capability that will allow the aircraft to descend from high altitudes to make a positive identification of targets for surveillance missions,even when subjected to a load exceeded by 22% the requirements of the U.S. Navy.</div>
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Under the initial contract signed in 2008 , the U.S. Navy ordered 68 drone MQ- 4C Triton , whose delivery is scheduled for 2.017.</div>
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<b>Operational history</b></div>
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<b>Flight testing</b></div>
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The MQ-4C Triton performed its first flight on 22 May 2.013 from United States Air Force Plant 42 / Palmdale Regional Airport, California. </div>
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The flight lasted 1 hour 20 minutes and the aircraft reached an altitude of 20,000 ft.</div>
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On 6 January 2.014, Northrop Grumman announced that the MQ-4C had completed 9 test flights with 46 hours of flight time. </div>
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Half of its envelope expansion testing, which includes evaluating the aircraft at different altitudes, speeds, and weights, has been completed. </div>
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Some flights lasted over 9 hours and reached 50,000 ft. A second Triton aircraft will fly by March or April 2014.</div>
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<b>Fleet operational evaluation and introduction</b></div>
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On February 7, 2.013, the U.S. Navy announced that it would stand up Unmanned Patrol Squadron Nineteen (VUP-19) at NAS Jacksonville, Florida on October 1, 2.013, to eventually operate the MQ-4C as the Navy's first Triton squadron.[</div>
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A detachment of VUP-19 will also be established at NAS Point Mugu, California. </div>
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VUP-19 will fall under the administrative control of Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN (CPRW-11) at NAS Jacksonville, where an MQ-4C mission control facility is also under construction, and will initially operate the Triton on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Southwest Asia/Middle East/East Africa region, the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, theU.S. 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and U.S. Fleet Forces Command in western Atlantic operations. </div>
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In 2.014, the Navy will activate a second Triton squadron, VUP-11, to take over operations in the Pacific in support of U.S. 7th Fleet and share U.S. 5th Fleet operations with VUP-19.</div>
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<b>Specificiations</b></div>
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<b>General characteristics</b></div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Crew: Aircraft is unmanned; 4 personnel required per ground station</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Length: 47.6 ft in (14.5 m)</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wingspan: 130.9 ft in (39.9 m)</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Height: 15.3 ft in (4.7 m)</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gross weight: 32,250 lb (14,628.4 kg)</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007 turbofan, 6,495-8,917 lbf (28.9-39.7 kN)</div>
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<b>Performance</b></div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maximum speed: 357 mph (575 km/h)</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Endurance: 30 hours</div>
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·<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,288 m)</div>
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sAywVwiQRmU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="400" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2VoJko9x154" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-28274826706881014192013-07-19T14:07:00.001-05:002013-08-12T19:15:08.172-05:00X-47B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNgxd5OIuuVaqBHLrb8XjzEoozH8sWgw32u8rlTmYvRxGPxbDpiH5plE_h_1K7LCYIqRMX44jhyphenhyphen1EJKtlCaK6TFQD9nB82qST7eRcte0ZnpggWfGqV8WtDmg88OWupML9Hm2sDhb-TSQM/s1600/x47b+northrop+grumman+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNgxd5OIuuVaqBHLrb8XjzEoozH8sWgw32u8rlTmYvRxGPxbDpiH5plE_h_1K7LCYIqRMX44jhyphenhyphen1EJKtlCaK6TFQD9nB82qST7eRcte0ZnpggWfGqV8WtDmg88OWupML9Hm2sDhb-TSQM/s200/x47b+northrop+grumman+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The X-47B's first takeoff at Edwards AFB, California, in February 2.011</div>
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Role :Unmanned combat air vehicle</div>
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Manufacturer : Northrop Grumman</div>
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First flight : 4 February 2.011</div>
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Primary user : United States Navy</div>
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Number built : 2</div>
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Program cost :US$813 million[1]</div>
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Developed from :X-47A Pegasus</div>
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Developed into<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> : X-47C UCLASS</div>
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The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed for carrier-based operations. </div>
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Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA's J-UCAS program, and is now part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. </div>
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The X-47B first flew in 2.011, and as of 2.013, it is undergoing flight testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations.</div>
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Northrop Grumman intends to develop the prototype X-47B into a battlefield-ready aircraft, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system, which will enter service by 2.019.</div>
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<b>Design and development</b></div>
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<b>Origins</b></div>
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The US Navy did not commit to practical UCAS efforts until 2.000, when the service awarded contracts of US$2 million each to Boeing and Northrop Grumman for a 15-month concept-exploration program.</div>
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Design considerations for a naval UCAV included dealing with the corrosive saltwater environment, deck handling for launch and recovery, integration with command and control systems, and operation in an aircraft carrier's high-electromagnetic-interference environment. </div>
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The Navy was also interested in procuring UCAVs for reconnaissance missions, penetrating protected airspace to identify targets for following attack waves.</div>
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The J-UCAS program was terminated in February 2006 following the US military's Quadrennial Defense Review. </div>
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The US Air Force and Navy proceeded with their own UAV programs. </div>
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The Navy selected Northrop Grumman's X-47B as its unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D) program.</div>
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A new weapon system will not be developed for the X-47B, but it will be able to carry existing weapons,and has a full-sized weapons bay. </div>
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To provide realistic testing, the demonstration vehicle is the same size and weight as the projected operational craft.</div>
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The X-47B prototype rolled out from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on 16 December 2.008. </div>
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Its first flight was planned for November 2.009, but the flight was delayed as the project fell behind schedule. </div>
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On 29 December 2.009, Northrop Grumman oversaw towed taxi tests of the aircraft at the Palmdale facility,with the aircraft taxiing under its own power for the first time in January 2.010.</div>
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The first flight of the X-47B demonstrator, designated Air Vehicle 1 (AV-1), took place at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 4 February 2.011.</div>
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The aircraft first flew in cruise configuration with its landing gear retracted on 30 September 2.011.</div>
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A second X-47B demonstrator, designated AV-2, conducted its maiden flight at Edwards Air Force Base on 22 November 2.011.</div>
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The two X-47B demonstrators were planned to have a three-year test program with 50 tests at Edwards AFB and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, culminating in sea trials in 2.013.</div>
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However, the aircraft performed so consistently that the preliminary tests stopped after 16 flights.</div>
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The aircraft will be used to demonstrate carrier launches and recoveries, as well as autonomous inflight refueling with a probe and drogue. </div>
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The X-47B has a maximum unrefueled range of over 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km), and an endurance of more than six hours.</div>
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In November 2.011, the Navy announced that aerial refuelling equipment and software would be added to one of the prototype aircraft in 2.014 for testing.</div>
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The demonstrator aircraft will never be armed.</div>
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In 2.012, Northrop Grumman tested a wearable remote control system, designed to allow ground crews to steer the X-47B while on the carrier deck.</div>
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In May 2.012, AV-1 began high-intensity electromagnetic interference testing at Patuxent River, to test its compatibility with planned electronic warfare systems.</div>
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In June 2.012, AV-2 arrived at Patuxent River to begin a series of tests, including arrested landings and catapult launches, to validate the ability of the aircraft to conduct precision approaches to an aircraft carrier.</div>
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The drone's first land-based catapult launch was conducted successfully on 29 November 2.012.</div>
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On 26 November 2.012, the X-47B began its carrier-based evaluation aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.</div>
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On 18 December 2.012, the X-47B completed its first at-sea test phase. </div>
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The system was remarked to have performed "outstandingly", having proved that it was compatible with the flight deck, hangar bays, and communication systems of an aircraft carrier. </div>
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With deck testing completed, the X-47B demonstrator returned to NAS Patuxent River for further tests.</div>
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On 4 May 2.013, the demonstrator successfully performed an arrested landing on a simulated carrier deck at Patuxent River.</div>
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The Navy launched the X-47B from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on the morning of 14 may 2.013 in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the first time that an unmanned drone was catapulted off an aircraft carrier.</div>
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On 17 may 2.013, another first was achieved when the X-47B performed touch-and-go landings and take-offs on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush while underway in the Atlantic Ocean.</div>
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On 10 july 2.013, the X-47B launched from Patuxent River and landed on the deck of the George H.W. Bush, conducting the first ever arrested landing of a UAV on an aircraft carrier at sea. </div>
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The drone subsequently completed a second successful arrested landing on the Bush, but it was diverted to the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia after an issue was detected, requiring that a planned third landing be aborted.</div>
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One of the drone's three navigational sub-systems failed, which was identified by the other two sub-systems. </div>
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The anomaly was indicated to the mission operator, who followed test plan procedures to abort the landing. </div>
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The Navy stated that the aircraft's detection of a problem demonstrated its reliability and ability to operate autonomously.</div>
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In a test attempt on 15 July 2013, a different X-47B demonstrator, designated 501, failed to make a successful flight deck landing on the Bush due to technical issues.</div>
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Officials asserted that only one successful at-sea landing was required for the program, though testers were aiming for three, and only two out of four were achieved.</div>
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<b>Costs</b></div>
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The project was initially funded under a US$635.8-million contract awarded by the Navy in 2.007. </div>
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However, by january 2.012, the X-47B's total program cost had grown to an estimated $813 million.</div>
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Government funding for the X-47B UCAS-D program will run out at the end of September 2.013, with the close of the fiscal year.</div>
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<b>Variants</b></div>
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X-47A</div>
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Original proof-of-concept prototype with a 19-foot (5.9 m) wingspan, first flown in 2.003.</div>
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X-47B</div>
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Current demonstrator aircraft with a 62-foot (19 m) wingspan, first flown in 2.011.</div>
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X-47C</div>
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Proposed larger version with a payload of 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) and a wingspan of 172 ft (52.4 m).</div>
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<b>Specifications (X-47B)</b></div>
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<b>General characteristics</b></div>
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Crew: None aboard (semi-autonomous operation)</div>
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Length: 38.2 ft (11.63 m)</div>
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Wingspan: 62.1 ft extended/30.9 ft folded[38] (18.92 m/9.41 m)</div>
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Height: 10.4 ft (3.10 m)</div>
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Empty weight: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)</div>
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Max. takeoff weight: 44,567 lb (20,215 kg)</div>
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Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao4F-3md6D_5uofvZq3-F_SLjyaWQ6HT1zjP8dPjMzn6Sk_ARWT1RsAso6WcZwpM6BGxcmbpHMBB6YwCKAb115HTbpeR457Q_ugdapDwU7odN3DEj3VCPc6prkZxvlpHDR-dcoXohEIgo/s1600/x47b+northrop+grumman+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao4F-3md6D_5uofvZq3-F_SLjyaWQ6HT1zjP8dPjMzn6Sk_ARWT1RsAso6WcZwpM6BGxcmbpHMBB6YwCKAb115HTbpeR457Q_ugdapDwU7odN3DEj3VCPc6prkZxvlpHDR-dcoXohEIgo/s1600/x47b+northrop+grumman+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Performance</b></div>
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Maximum speed: Subsonic</div>
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Cruise speed: Mach 0.9+ (high subsonic)</div>
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Range: 2,100+ NM (3,889+ km)</div>
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Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,190 m)</div>
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Armament</div>
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2 weapon bays, providing for up to 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of ordnance</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dZ_XTt-O8gE" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UduEZaOaonU" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/scSm7H03aDA" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-26016204207879919162013-06-19T21:17:00.004-05:002013-08-12T19:15:01.305-05:00Drones how this machines work?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_bH5CPoQi6nd7eGP6RF6VqultiuEON912y6oJ_CdzSABAHISQ7B12s5_V6CSGA3v06U4bAoqtVV73YHt6gluwd0zouRmf9txKgUI4lW-0U_9v5HQkIVfp6IVqD171xj6daAWGxBsp7LC/s1600/drones+control+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_bH5CPoQi6nd7eGP6RF6VqultiuEON912y6oJ_CdzSABAHISQ7B12s5_V6CSGA3v06U4bAoqtVV73YHt6gluwd0zouRmf9txKgUI4lW-0U_9v5HQkIVfp6IVqD171xj6daAWGxBsp7LC/s320/drones+control+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Obama has confirmed the US is using unmanned aircraft to target suspected militants in tribal areas of Pakistan. </div>
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He defended the drone attacks, saying they made precision strikes and were kept on a "tight leash". </div>
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<b>What are drones used for and how are they controlled?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtccv5zphu1lKsQHmiuvjH1L6qMm6Ia5WWqzTxbGY9cVK13cfhvdXU4CSNaL9mPm8nbs1ncES5J34rSJVBP6TtCWqbLbvJTxRhK-ADYUnpHbpJ6w4W89uOHqmAfz-BKvZI01ycCK841Ib/s1600/rpas+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtccv5zphu1lKsQHmiuvjH1L6qMm6Ia5WWqzTxbGY9cVK13cfhvdXU4CSNaL9mPm8nbs1ncES5J34rSJVBP6TtCWqbLbvJTxRhK-ADYUnpHbpJ6w4W89uOHqmAfz-BKvZI01ycCK841Ib/s200/rpas+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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To the military, they are UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems). </div>
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However, they are more commonly known as drones.</div>
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Drones are used in situations where manned flight is considered too risky or difficult. </div>
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They provide troops with a 24-hour "eye in the sky", seven days a week. </div>
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Each aircraft can stay aloft for up to 17 hours at a time, loitering over an area and sending back real-time imagery of activities on the ground.</div>
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Those used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force range from small intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance craft, some light enough to be launched by hand, to medium-sized armed drones and large spy planes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xhxGNiAfTq4CCqEGnyLDQJ82tn8YU10iClMIOKsnYW84muTy8uiwrFWG_bUUQRuspfg93InmAUJLcM0OoDnG14vDRbv6seoPkc57Rj8YxzLIBQQMeCsVETv0xhozg9YrewCwYfv79vDp/s1600/nano+rpas+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xhxGNiAfTq4CCqEGnyLDQJ82tn8YU10iClMIOKsnYW84muTy8uiwrFWG_bUUQRuspfg93InmAUJLcM0OoDnG14vDRbv6seoPkc57Rj8YxzLIBQQMeCsVETv0xhozg9YrewCwYfv79vDp/s200/nano+rpas+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Although the US does not routinely speak publicly about operations involving drones, President Obama has confirmed that they regularly strike suspected militants in Pakistan's tribal areas.</div>
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The use of such unmanned aircraft in the area began under President George W Bush, but their use has more than doubled under the Obama administration.</div>
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Drones are seen by many in the military as delivering precision strikes without the need for more intrusive military action. </div>
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However, they are not without controversy.</div>
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Hundreds of people have been killed by the strikes in Pakistan - civilians as well as militants, causing outrage. </div>
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One of the deadliest attacks was in March 2.011 when 40 were killed, many believed to be civilians at a tribal meeting.</div>
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<b>Key drone types</b></div>
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Two of the medium-sized drones currently in use in Afghanistan and Pakistan are the MQ-1B Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNZm78crH4HyotLjM9jXAgBd-qtSN2sqaQR7VHofL_5tB9MNVO8JajfjTorGYwM_AnB5SVymx1MU2VnI1OPj-CzKNwH50NFiX98HpE8Ffu-CBwsJ2MyMEursddTBjSMNHg1VBK183TKoI/s1600/mq+9b+predator+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNZm78crH4HyotLjM9jXAgBd-qtSN2sqaQR7VHofL_5tB9MNVO8JajfjTorGYwM_AnB5SVymx1MU2VnI1OPj-CzKNwH50NFiX98HpE8Ffu-CBwsJ2MyMEursddTBjSMNHg1VBK183TKoI/s200/mq+9b+predator+b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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These strange-looking planes carry a wealth of sensors in their bulbous noses: colour and black-and-white TV cameras, image intensifiers, radar, infra-red imaging for low-light conditions and lasers for targeting. </div>
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They can also be armed with laser-guided missiles.</div>
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Each multi-million dollar Predator or Reaper system comprises four aircraft, a ground control station and a satellite link.</div>
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Although drones are unmanned, they are not unpiloted - trained crew at base steer the craft, analyse the images which the cameras send back and act on what they see.</div>
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The base may be local to the combat zone or thousands of miles away - many of the drone missions in Afghanistan are controlled from Creech air force base in Nevada, USA - although take-off and landing are always handled locally.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Wbc36H-W8NWJvCf0qJubqufUs6RZWS-eUoGwd5JHobpsGPh5hlKx4YlSzXbIaJL7N3LiHwlhVpB7q6jbI3sJCNb60QSRXGtJrxik1FppmPP2QfmVGl4TgVCqgXyHa9I6qGwFZk1p1on/s1600/The+MQ-1B+Predator+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Wbc36H-W8NWJvCf0qJubqufUs6RZWS-eUoGwd5JHobpsGPh5hlKx4YlSzXbIaJL7N3LiHwlhVpB7q6jbI3sJCNb60QSRXGtJrxik1FppmPP2QfmVGl4TgVCqgXyHa9I6qGwFZk1p1on/s200/The+MQ-1B+Predator+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The MQ-1B Predator (formerly called the RQ-1 Predator) was originally designed as an aircraft for intelligence-gathering, surveillance, identifying targets and reconnaissance.</div>
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However, since 2.002 it has been equipped with two Hellfire II missiles, meaning it can strike at a range of up to 8km (five miles).</div>
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By contrast, the newer MQ-9 Reaper was conceived as a "hunter-killer" system.</div>
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It can carry four Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs such as Paveway II and GBU-12.</div>
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Its cruise speed is 370kph (230mph), much faster than the 217kph (135mph) of the Predator which is more vulnerable to being shot down at low altitudes although the drones would usually be flown above the range of most of the weapons available to the Taliban.</div>
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<b>Future incoming craft</b></div>
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The US Army revealed in december that it was also developing new helicopter-style drones with 1.8 gigapixel colour cameras, which promised "an unprecedented capability to track and monitor activity on the ground".</div>
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Britain's prototype Taranis is designed to fend off attack</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDtdoLrl9UZJRNUtPF5aBJIR7VEmQltv0Vx_q50Pucddzxmw_XCrNs25ZUU7Wc9PeKeLnOoCk9tl7AK5MawiJ8ZYjPFBh9xXAdK5BJ0PVQYzK_-m6WsV9SnBCiBoWNZy7I8lQBJBvBoGw/s1600/A160+Hummingbird+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDtdoLrl9UZJRNUtPF5aBJIR7VEmQltv0Vx_q50Pucddzxmw_XCrNs25ZUU7Wc9PeKeLnOoCk9tl7AK5MawiJ8ZYjPFBh9xXAdK5BJ0PVQYzK_-m6WsV9SnBCiBoWNZy7I8lQBJBvBoGw/s200/A160+Hummingbird+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Three of the A160 Hummingbird sensor-equipped drones are due to go into service in Afghanistan in either may or june this year.</div>
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The drones will take advantage of the autonomous realtime ground ubiquitous surveillance imaging system first or Argus-IS, which can provide real-time video streams at the rate of 10 frames a second. </div>
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The army said that was enough to track people and vehicles from altitudes above 20,000 feet (6.1km) across almost 65 square miles (168 sq km).</div>
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The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) is also working with the Uk based defence contractor BAE Systems to develop a more advanced version of the Argus-IS sensor that will offer night vision.</div>
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It said the infrared imaging sensors would be sensitive enough to follow "dismounted personnel at night".</div>
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<b>British capability</b></div>
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British forces also use a variety of remotely piloted aircraft. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fij2vIUH-3BGI5A9fcLtisEUx1-mSpfIcmfToYTh1s2_1AfiqA9lK-fhm57F_86b_J5PNb5h0pAT_4CIpdYr0OhUrj1tpccDEhSlgB_LBzwK3XMdtpe8Z0L73-zH89j958rEt6LPtz8J/s1600/Hermes+450+UAV+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fij2vIUH-3BGI5A9fcLtisEUx1-mSpfIcmfToYTh1s2_1AfiqA9lK-fhm57F_86b_J5PNb5h0pAT_4CIpdYr0OhUrj1tpccDEhSlgB_LBzwK3XMdtpe8Z0L73-zH89j958rEt6LPtz8J/s200/Hermes+450+UAV+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The British Army has used the Hermes 450 UAV in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as smaller UAVs to help check for roadside bombs ahead of patrols.</div>
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The Hermes 450 is being upgraded to the Watchkeeper which, like the Reaper, can be armed. It is due to enter service in 2012.</div>
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The RAF also uses the higher-spec Reaper aircraft. </div>
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In may last year, the RAF announced a new squadron of the drones would be controlled for the first time from a UK base. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nz2_V3MRVb0vm5QkcG23pk90SdVMmqVDuT0LER2mkoMQA7hEY_Rxw2NcO0-8feNnl3JQDrJny0_mNDZ_sEHYQDbrSH4Klgb7qYZYlMUCCpY8P9JGBShPf1pU_C-KH_5wiHmzuQgPFXF8/s1600/Reaper+aircraft+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nz2_V3MRVb0vm5QkcG23pk90SdVMmqVDuT0LER2mkoMQA7hEY_Rxw2NcO0-8feNnl3JQDrJny0_mNDZ_sEHYQDbrSH4Klgb7qYZYlMUCCpY8P9JGBShPf1pU_C-KH_5wiHmzuQgPFXF8/s200/Reaper+aircraft+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Reaper had previously been controlled by RAF crews in the US.</div>
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In July 2.010, the UK Ministry of Defence unveiled Taranis, its prototype unmanned combat air vehicle which is designed to be able to fend off attack as well as perform the intelligence gathering, surveillance and strike roles of other UAVs.</div>
<br />
<br />
Armed reconnaissance, Primary function hunter-killer<br />
surveillance and target acquisition weapon system<br />
16.8m (55ft) Wingspan 20.1m (66ft)<br />
8.2m (27ft) Length 11m (36ft)<br />
204kg (450lb) Payload 1,701kg (3,750lb)<br />
135-217kph (84-135 mph) Cruise speed 370kph (230mph)<br />
1,240k, (770 miles) Range 1,850k (1,150 miles)<br />
Two Hellfire missiles Weapons Combination of Hellfire, <br />
Paveway II and <br />
gbu-12 jdam<br />
Two: one pilot and one Crew Two: one pilot and<br />
sensor operator; plus one sensor operator<br />
a mission co-ordinator plus a mission<br />
when required coordinator when <br />
required <br />
$20m per system (includes Unit cost $53.5m per system<br />
four aircraft, ground control (includes four aircraft,<br />
station and satellite link) ground control station<br />
and satellite link)<br />
130 Active fo rce - 47 5 -<br />
USAF RAF <br />
rising to10 in 2.013<br />
<br />Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-11150055767440759812013-05-19T12:43:00.001-05:002014-02-18T00:56:08.997-05:00Honeywell Rq-16 T-Hawk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA-zJKV9ObAs7BSH_qvvr_8GHuklm-xzdqh5uNaaGxNvIFFKnltyZWugKgaoRAFehGTyMo4tQAjT-rF2Uncnl9jLRAk_EK_a21omnuS8QedTiaD-41Ospjkv_kICzXMWBgh-5KHRXRpF1/s1600/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA-zJKV9ObAs7BSH_qvvr_8GHuklm-xzdqh5uNaaGxNvIFFKnltyZWugKgaoRAFehGTyMo4tQAjT-rF2Uncnl9jLRAk_EK_a21omnuS8QedTiaD-41Ospjkv_kICzXMWBgh-5KHRXRpF1/s320/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
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Role : Surveillance UAV</div>
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National origin<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>:United States</div>
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Manufacturer : Honeywell</div>
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Primary user : United States Navy</div>
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The Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (for "Tarantula hawk", a wasp species) is a ducted fan Vtol micro Uav. </div>
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Developed by Honeywell, it is suitable for backpack deployment and single-person operation.</div>
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<b>Development</b></div>
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The Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) program was launched by the Darpa. </div>
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Following a $40 million technology demonstration contract to Honeywell Defense and Space Electronic Systems in 2.003, the MAV project was transferred to United States Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program to fulfill the need for Class I platoon-level drone. </div>
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In May 2.006, Honeywell was awarded a $61 million contract to develop an advanced MAV with extended endurance and heavy-fuel engine.</div>
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In 2.007, the United States Navy awarded Honeywell a $7.5 million contract for 20 G-MAVs (denoting the use of a gasoline engine) for deployment to Iraq with the U.S. Multi-Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group. </div>
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The hovering feature of MAV has been critical for U.S. forces in Iraq that search for roadside bombs. </div>
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Military convoys have been using MAVs to fly ahead and scan the roads. A MAV’s benefit is its ability to inspect a target a suspicious vehicle, structure, or disturbed earth from close range, covering ground much more quickly than an unmanned ground vehicle and without putting people at risk.</div>
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The Iraq trials were so successful that the U.S. Navy placed a surprise order for 372 MAVs, designated RQ-16A T-Hawk, in January 2.008 for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.</div>
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The 186 MAV systems each consist of two air vehicles and one ground station. In January 2.009, the United Kingdom was reported to have ordered five complete T-Hawk systems for delivery by 2.010.</div>
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In April 2.010, Honeywell conducted demonstrations of the T-Hawk's at the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College, Kanker, Chattisgarh. As a result Indian security forces are set to conduct user trials.</div>
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<b>Design </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkve37bslb9blhgUzOLAJyRYPPIvPoFOBtLKUOcfzXSqOlZcKLZzKIZqH48My4CLiPaHh2lI-blibBqz8zCZDY031T6RKsOMitaxgNjeTZqgrIU3liYuJWZgvhR74hlBGO7igNzrqcBiBO/s1600/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkve37bslb9blhgUzOLAJyRYPPIvPoFOBtLKUOcfzXSqOlZcKLZzKIZqH48My4CLiPaHh2lI-blibBqz8zCZDY031T6RKsOMitaxgNjeTZqgrIU3liYuJWZgvhR74hlBGO7igNzrqcBiBO/s200/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></div>
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The gasoline engine powered RQ-16 is reported to weigh 8.4 kilograms (20 lb), have an endurance of around 40 minutes, 10,500-foot (3,200 m) ceiling and an operating radius of about 6 nautical miles (11 km). </div>
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Forward speeds up to 70 knots (130 km/h) have been achieved, but the G-MAV is operationally restricted to 50 knots (93 km/h) by software. </div>
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VTOL operation is subject to a maximum wind speed of 15 knots (28 km/h). Sensors include one forward and one downward looking daylight or IR cameras.</div>
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Further information: FCS/BCT unmanned aerial vehicles</div>
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Designated XM156 (or Class I) by the United States Army, the aircraft was intended to provide the dismounted soldier with Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and laser designation. </div>
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Total system weight, which includes the air vehicle, a control device, and ground support equipment is less than 51 pounds (23 kg) and is back-packable in two custom MOLLE-type carriers.</div>
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<b>Portable in two backpacks</b></div>
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This micro air vehicle operates in open, rolling, complex and urban terrains with a vertical take-off and landing capability.</div>
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It was interoperable with select ground and air platforms and controlled by mounted or dismounted soldiers. </div>
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The Class I used autonomous flight and navigation, but it would interact with the network and soldier to dynamically update routes and target information. </div>
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It provided dedicated reconnaissance support and early warning to the smallest echelons of the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) in environments not suited to larger assets.</div>
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The Class I system provided a hover and stare capability that was not available in the Army UAV inventory for urban and route surveillance. </div>
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The Class I system also filled known gaps that existed in force operations, such as : Protect Force in Counterinsurgency (COIN) Operations, Soldier Protection in COIN environment, Ability to Conduct Joint Urban Operations, Enhanced ISR/RSTA Capabilities, Hover and Stare operations.</div>
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The Class I UAV was part of Spin Out 1 and entered evaluation by Soldiers at the Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF). </div>
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It was to be fielded to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) starting in 2.011. </div>
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However, the Army issued Honeywell a stop-work order on January 6, 2011, with formal termination on February 3 the following month. Its role has gone to the Puma AE.</div>
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<b>Continued Service </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CoQSeAX0zpG6tL-QWO1qZqltq_B-p4555KgyKrwoSPUEluz_462b9ruscutrwdKSgbtSO14e9JZf5OIbBH2K91TtNjw_KVyug0gCrftsaw1aqfs-HbNc8PjcU5W9Hdgdu5HDD_9hCEPS/s1600/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CoQSeAX0zpG6tL-QWO1qZqltq_B-p4555KgyKrwoSPUEluz_462b9ruscutrwdKSgbtSO14e9JZf5OIbBH2K91TtNjw_KVyug0gCrftsaw1aqfs-HbNc8PjcU5W9Hdgdu5HDD_9hCEPS/s200/Honeywell+Rq-16+T-Hawk+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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On September 19, 2.012, Honeywell was awarded a support contract for the RQ-16B Block II T-Hawk. </div>
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Despite the Class I UAV program being cancelled, RQ-16s are still being used in the field in Afghanistan.</div>
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<b>Civilian Application at Disaster Site </b></div>
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On Friday, April 15, 2011, a T-hawk drone was used to conduct surveillance of the damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power station. </div>
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This nuclear plant suffered severe damage as a result of a devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck the east coast of Japan one month earlier. </div>
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The damage resulted in several of the reactors at the facility undergoing partial meltdown, releasing radioactivity into the local area. </div>
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The radiation was thousands of times above the safe limit for exposure, making the area unsafe for human habitation. </div>
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The radiation was intense enough to make even short-term exposure hazardous, preventing people from going in to assess the damage. </div>
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The T-hawk drone took numerous photographs of the damaged reactor housings, turbine buildings, spent nuclear fuel rod containment pools, and associated facilities damaged by the earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent hydrogen gas explosions at the facility. </div>
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This allowed Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) to better determine where the releases of radioactivity were coming from and how to best deal with them.</div>
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On Friday, June 24, 2.011, a T-Hawk apparently crash-landed on the roof of the number 2 reactor building at Fukushima.</div>
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<b>Specifications (approximate) </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>General characteristics :</b><br />
<br />
Crew: None<br />
Gross weight: 20 lb (8.4 kg)<br />
Powerplant: 1 × 3W-56 56cc Boxer Twin piston engine, 4 hp (3 kW) each<br />
<br />
<b>Performance :</b><br />
<br />
Maximum speed: 81 mph (130 km/h)<br />
Endurance: ca. 0 hours 40 min<br />
Service ceiling: 10,500 ft (3,200 m)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h9Gbvml7Hlk" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aSqvc226ojU" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-5538267457300530892013-05-17T17:51:00.001-05:002013-12-03T13:53:40.704-05:00The SpyLite <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7ul4FA5C8Tfyi-Av6gz3FLwRIgkfnTdq0gMv3ZKdrPJ2q5siErWqqTxiIgwaEHxNTGLyhWHPg0dkNnCh0rF0oscQfl59rKoc12J-e3LXaIih1WFZ0UCaMA-4l3nnN6tazAx47pH2U8MI/s1600/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7ul4FA5C8Tfyi-Av6gz3FLwRIgkfnTdq0gMv3ZKdrPJ2q5siErWqqTxiIgwaEHxNTGLyhWHPg0dkNnCh0rF0oscQfl59rKoc12J-e3LXaIih1WFZ0UCaMA-4l3nnN6tazAx47pH2U8MI/s200/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">SpyLite is a multiconfiguration tactical mini unmanned aerial vehicle (<b>UAV</b>) produced by <a href="http://www.bluebird-uav.com/SpyLite.html">BlueBird Aero Systems.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">SpyLite is designed for Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (Istar) missions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It has been operational with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and selected by the Israeli Air Force as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">SpyLite has been deployed in several operations and missions and accumulated thousands of flight hours in Israel and across the world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Uav is fully automatic, from the time of catapult launch to its recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The SpyLite is a combat-proven, electric, back-packed, extended performance mini-uas, optimized to provide covert, “over-the-hill” real-time visual Intelligence to its users; it is specifically designed to allow critical, visual recognition of elements in real-time and gain dominant situational awareness of the inspected area. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hAAmdRvIhKIFtJbWsbKH3DsoDGZmw31WOcbl3f5vmhDh2KvTJ2oUabC97snzKU4-PaH63g5OwJELNWgVTrUouWzdAoB_XS7BrTaf8U2bvveaiPfMDQrUc77Gv1KC876tpE_snhOT2YTx/s1600/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hAAmdRvIhKIFtJbWsbKH3DsoDGZmw31WOcbl3f5vmhDh2KvTJ2oUabC97snzKU4-PaH63g5OwJELNWgVTrUouWzdAoB_XS7BrTaf8U2bvveaiPfMDQrUc77Gv1KC876tpE_snhOT2YTx/s200/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="83" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The system can be carried by 2 men with the overall weight of 20 Kg for each and can fly in almost any weather condition (unique in its ability to fly in strong winds and on cloudy or rainy days, assuring high operational ability and availability). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Its quick deployment capability, ease of control and operation and immediate data exploitation provides the tactical level with a reliable intelligence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Spylite was delivered to customers around the world and is in operational use by the Israeli Mod. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Operational missions :</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rapid "over-the-hill", covert ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reconnaissance) in open area as well as urban warfare scenarios.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"First responder".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Border protection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Force / convoy protection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Security operations</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Law enforcement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Search and rescue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Disaster control and management operations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Commercial applications.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mapping on Demand photogrammetric solutions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Advantages :</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Combat Proven covert operation- thousands of hours accumulated in operations and missions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Performance unmatched Uav capabilities (up to 4 hour endurance, 50 km operational range).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Superior Payload and imagery capabilities dual sensor gimbaled and stabilized payload and built in video enhancing providing high resolution imagery, automatic target tracking & image leveling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All weather operation – rough weather resistant; Proven operations in rain.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">High reliability and ease of use fully autonomous automatic launch and accurate parachute recovery, operational readiness in less than 15 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Transportability- back packed system. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Can be carried by 2 men or a small vehicle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ztywqWMnfPvayWMCQIR6VW8T5R-PQ9Z9wVACEj4zL00kt-_tHwBJTXecEh7BluyHQYGp9zqb6CrIM_98BY8MRJHfyZrMkYBxNivu2MxR6z507E9epnn1s_xM8mRFwPz35iVbF7HueUps/s1600/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ztywqWMnfPvayWMCQIR6VW8T5R-PQ9Z9wVACEj4zL00kt-_tHwBJTXecEh7BluyHQYGp9zqb6CrIM_98BY8MRJHfyZrMkYBxNivu2MxR6z507E9epnn1s_xM8mRFwPz35iVbF7HueUps/s200/The+SpyLite+(Bluebird)+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="117" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Specifications :</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Weight : 9 Kg</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Payload : Up to 1.3 Kg </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Endurance : Up to 4 Hr. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Operational Range : Over 50 Km (Can be extended to 80 Km)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Best Operational Altitude : Up to 1000 m / 3000 ft. AGL</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Ceiling : 10000m / 30000 ft. ASL</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jLlR3-jItPE" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yRd5R-9XOt4" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-45426849632269263982013-05-17T17:25:00.003-05:002013-05-17T17:25:48.598-05:00Israeli Mosquito - Spy Butterfly<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY5l8yTWDuOy_HXj22Agh1agLeHdFMhcnC1K9A-9yHchsKBL1i6O9H7oBQKxDkqPQ0Cf-VLYkojpOhdl2h0QfHWjqp1afKZsu7hLMAAzhous_RAJ3zXNnXx3UUc4mJ7lFSJDHJiodeYdW/s1600/israeli+mosquito+-+butterfly+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY5l8yTWDuOy_HXj22Agh1agLeHdFMhcnC1K9A-9yHchsKBL1i6O9H7oBQKxDkqPQ0Cf-VLYkojpOhdl2h0QfHWjqp1afKZsu7hLMAAzhous_RAJ3zXNnXx3UUc4mJ7lFSJDHJiodeYdW/s1600/israeli+mosquito+-+butterfly+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" /></a></div>
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We really don't know if we can catalogue this as a flying vehicle or as an airplane, but here it is, you are the judge.</div>
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<b>Insect drone for indoor surveillance</b></div>
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The future is here and this is not a butterfly on your wall, as Israeli drones are getting tiny. </div>
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Their latest project a butterfly-shaped drone weighing just 20 grams, the smallest in its range so far can gather intelligence inside buildings.</div>
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The new miniscule surveillance device can take color pictures and is capable of a vertical take-off and hover flight, just like a helicopter, reports the daily Israel Hayom. </div>
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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) says this may come in handy in ground clashes, when a soldier would merely take it out of a pocket and send behind the enemy’s line.</div>
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The insect-drone, with its 0.15-gram camera and memory card, is managed remotely with a special helmet. </div>
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Putting on the helmet, you find yourself in the “butterfly’s cockpit” and virtually see what the butterfly sees in real time.</div>
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“The butterfly’s advantage is its ability to fly in an enclosed environment. </div>
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There is no other aerial vehicle that can do that today,” Dubi Binyamini, head of IAI’s mini-robotics department, told Israel Hayom.</div>
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Structures under observation can be anything from train stations or airport terminals or office buildings to battlefields and even forests in, say, southern Lebanon, where Israel believes Hezbollah hides its ambush squads. </div>
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The virtually noiseless “butterfly” flaps its four wings 14 times per second. </div>
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Almost translucent, it looks like an overgrown moth, but is still smaller than some natural butterflies. </div>
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This is biomimicryty, when technology imitates nature. </div>
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And this has proved to hide a trap. </div>
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When the device was tested at a height of 50-meters, birds and flies tended to fall behind the device arranging into a flock. </div>
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The IAI, Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, needs two more years to polish their “butterfly” project. </div>
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The product seems to fall into the trend of reducing drone size. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTzssoncrtFF_IwEvxSj2OD5Bc_6dlO4DDNBDTojLOJSZJy9nZz_-_cjfDMkyfVvK6JAvLQD7G90XCVrhkLgRSw7AO2Zn-4CSax4p1iS9oi1R-p0FU4YjQbmVhQ_gZY7sOO3bTct8ym2p/s1600/israeli+mosquito+-+butterfly+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTzssoncrtFF_IwEvxSj2OD5Bc_6dlO4DDNBDTojLOJSZJy9nZz_-_cjfDMkyfVvK6JAvLQD7G90XCVrhkLgRSw7AO2Zn-4CSax4p1iS9oi1R-p0FU4YjQbmVhQ_gZY7sOO3bTct8ym2p/s320/israeli+mosquito+-+butterfly+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Their recent models promoted for city observation and conflicts were the Ghost, weighing 4 kg, and Mosquito, which weighs only 500 grams.</div>
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While the “butterfly” may bring “a real technological revolution,” as the developer predicts, to the military field, questions remain how it will change the civil life. </div>
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The drone is also propped up for police use and there is little doubt that secret services will be only too happy to grab such an intricate weapon.</div>
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Other countries are working in some kind of same projects, so watch out for the next technology gadgets.</div>
<iframe width="300" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8FlMd_LhQ8c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="300" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KMI7HIhKdIo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-76735178411223155732013-05-14T18:51:00.001-05:002013-08-12T19:14:36.103-05:00 X 48 B Nasa <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgsXfYn6ecF9WC70d5hKc55xQCp4m3WTMcmpD7Y0fjpMTaoXc_3WM7cxu4b_CNJ04EHuk2JZCd5MIJXMUscL6ojAHKnw1ytOwpCNwRN_vDcNQqGsWv10evZzZEkMXjAcvG7ZItn_CeuGX/s1600/x+48+b+Nasa+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgsXfYn6ecF9WC70d5hKc55xQCp4m3WTMcmpD7Y0fjpMTaoXc_3WM7cxu4b_CNJ04EHuk2JZCd5MIJXMUscL6ojAHKnw1ytOwpCNwRN_vDcNQqGsWv10evZzZEkMXjAcvG7ZItn_CeuGX/s200/x+48+b+Nasa+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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A joint Nasa/Boeing team has completed the first phase of flight tests on the unique X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft at Nasa's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. </div>
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The team completed the 80th and last flight of the project's first phase on March 19, 2.010. </div>
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The Boeing X-48 is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (Uav) for investigation into the characteristics of blended wing body (Bwb) aircraft, a type of flying wing. </div>
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Boeing designed the X-48 and two examples were built by Cranfield Aerospace in the UK. Boeing began flight testing the X-48B version for NASA in 2.007. </div>
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The X-48B was later modified into the X-48C version. It was flight tested from August 2.012 to April 2.013. </div>
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Boeing and Nasa plan to develop a larger BWB demonstrator.</div>
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<b>Design and development</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJaPUOiKPi8ytSf-l6Y6lg2xyV_TTKHF3lqsm1ygbYXBKrcVeTroxDFLXKQw7-9q3ErDleGgqVVyVXFZz9zXX1cjXs9E8HMem9Iw6ux3nOeoBvWKWYOfA-d_CFcJUk5PS2WgCmBNz1Ps/s1600/x+48+b+Nasa+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJaPUOiKPi8ytSf-l6Y6lg2xyV_TTKHF3lqsm1ygbYXBKrcVeTroxDFLXKQw7-9q3ErDleGgqVVyVXFZz9zXX1cjXs9E8HMem9Iw6ux3nOeoBvWKWYOfA-d_CFcJUk5PS2WgCmBNz1Ps/s200/x+48+b+Nasa+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Boeing had in the past studied a blended wing body design, but found that passengers did not like the theater-like configuration of the mock-up; the design was dropped for passenger airliners, but retained for military aircraft such as aerial refueling tankers.</div>
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McDonnell Douglas developed the blended wing concept in the late 1.990s,and Boeing presented it during an annual Joint AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEA Propulsion Conference in 2.004.</div>
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The McDonnell Douglas engineers were confident that their design had several advantages, but their concept, code named "Project Redwood" found little favor at Boeing after their 1.997 merger.</div>
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The most difficult problem they solved was that of ensuring passengers a safe and fast escape in case of an accident, since emergency door locations were completely different from those in a conventional aircraft.</div>
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The blended wing body (BWB) concept offers advantages in structural, aerodynamic and operating efficiencies over today's more conventional fuselage-and-wing designs. </div>
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These features translate into greater range, fuel economy, reliability and life cycle savings, as well as lower manufacturing costs. </div>
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They also allow for a wide variety of potential military and commercial applications.</div>
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Boeing Phantom Works developed the blended wing body (BWB) aircraft concept in cooperation with the Nasa Langley Research Center. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefXU3orMczA4JyMuHf3m49lZb2QsThjOAIGNbiDN_ddmhzbGOCobHXmxwHLE-XSV4SteTlp0I_xvRTEI6kD3FL0CyanAo-bkIp7EbUXtzPGhPwcnRDHz39WCRtc6mkHfiA9b82jkF5lYC/s1600/x+48+b+Nasa+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefXU3orMczA4JyMuHf3m49lZb2QsThjOAIGNbiDN_ddmhzbGOCobHXmxwHLE-XSV4SteTlp0I_xvRTEI6kD3FL0CyanAo-bkIp7EbUXtzPGhPwcnRDHz39WCRtc6mkHfiA9b82jkF5lYC/s200/x+48+b+Nasa+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In an initial effort to study the flight characteristics of the BWB design, a remote-controlled propeller-driven blended wing body model with a 17 ft (5.2 m) wingspan was successfully flown in 1.997. </div>
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The next step was to fly the 35 ft (10.7 m) wide X-48A in 2.004, but that program was later canceled.</div>
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Boeing's research at Phantom Works then focused on a new model, designated X-48B, two examples were built by United Kingdom-based Cranfield Aerospace. </div>
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Norman Princen, Boeing's chief engineer for the project, stated in 2.006 : "earlier wind-tunnel testing and the upcoming flight testing are focused on learning more about the BWB's low-speed flight-control characteristics, especially during takeoffs and landings. Knowing how accurately our models predict these characteristics is an important step in the further development of this concept."</div>
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The X-48B has a 21-foot (6.4 m) wingspan, weighs 392-pound (178 kg), and is built from composite materials. It is powered by three small turbojet engines and is expected to fly at up to 120 kn (220 km/h) and reach an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m).</div>
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The X-48B is an 8.5% scaled version of a conceptual 240-foot wide design.</div>
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Though passenger versions of the X-48B have been proposed, the design has a higher probability of first being used for a military transport.</div>
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Wind tunnel testing on a 12 ft wide blended wing body model was completed in September 2.005.</div>
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During April and May 2.006, NASA performed wind tunnel tests on X-48B Ship 1 at a facility shared by Langley and Old Dominion University.</div>
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After the wind tunnel testing, the vehicle was shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base to serve as a backup to X-48B Ship 2 for flight testing.</div>
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X-48B Ship 2 then conducted ground tests and taxi testing in preparation for flight.</div>
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In November 2.006, ground testing began at Dryden, to validate the aircraft's systems integrity, telemetry and communications links, flight-control software and taxi and takeoff characteristics.</div>
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The second X-48B was modified into the X-48C starting in 2.010 for further flight tests.</div>
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The X-48C has its vertical stabilizers moved inboard on either side of the engines, and its fuselage extended aft, both in an attempt to reduce the aircraft's noise profile; it was to be powered by two JetCat turbines, each producing 80 pounds-force (0.36 kN) of thrust. </div>
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The X-48C was instead modified to use two Advanced Micro Turbo (AMT) turbojet engines in 2.012.</div>
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Following flight testing of the X-48C in April 2013, Boeing and NASA announced plans to develop a larger BWB demonstrator capable of transonic flight.</div>
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<b>Operational history</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0VNjgduXeweYVvIcuAVm9__UUyU62evtph_Iddy0hOrcd_jbNJhO0iqUIcZxUFdkEyZ8rJhF6-Uzogq8HENGExRlkb0vIm6d2sab9KOZ1nQhyphenhyphen80pn8rPdA4_i80EFc2F6EovMBnAXln/s1600/x+48+b+Nasa+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_0VNjgduXeweYVvIcuAVm9__UUyU62evtph_Iddy0hOrcd_jbNJhO0iqUIcZxUFdkEyZ8rJhF6-Uzogq8HENGExRlkb0vIm6d2sab9KOZ1nQhyphenhyphen80pn8rPdA4_i80EFc2F6EovMBnAXln/s200/x+48+b+Nasa+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The X-48B first flew on July 20, 2.007, reaching an altitude of 7,500 ft (2,286 m); the flight lasting 31 minutes.</div>
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The remotely-piloted aircraft was successfully stalled for the first time on September 4, 2008, with fixed leading edge slats, a forward center of gravity, and 23-degree angle of attack (2° beyond the maximum coefficient of lift). </div>
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Stall testing was repeated on September 11 with a NASA pilot at the console.</div>
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On March 19, 2.010, Nasa and Boeing successfully completed the initial flight testing phase of the X-48B.</div>
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Fay Collier, manager of the Era Project in Nasa's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate commented on the completion of the first phase of testing saying, "</div>
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This project is a huge success. </div>
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Bottom line: the team has proven the ability to fly tailless aircraft to the edge of the low-speed envelope safely."</div>
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Following the installation of a new flight computer in 2010, the X-48B was to continue a new phase of flights tests to investigate controlability aspects.</div>
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The second phase of flight tests with the X-48B began in September 2.010.</div>
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The X-48C first flew on August 7, 2.012.</div>
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Engine yaw control was among the aspects to be studied.</div>
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The X-48C completed its 8-month flight test program with its 30th flight on 9 April 2.013.</div>
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<b>Variants</b></div>
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<b>X-48A</b></div>
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The initial planned 35 ft (10.7 m) wide version. It was canceled before manufacture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_CGng-5P4blI8DyacaxOrPbxK8gS7FInWGwgOlgT9T3r2Z91JllT1kgT7c6Vd1zRk7sZIHz6Cnnk_kAoAYtAUQONLwLSxHLB6vUqQt2TRuKjdDTrZtMf-ptVrfF5j4q92CIYxHETchtc/s1600/x+48+b+Nasa+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_CGng-5P4blI8DyacaxOrPbxK8gS7FInWGwgOlgT9T3r2Z91JllT1kgT7c6Vd1zRk7sZIHz6Cnnk_kAoAYtAUQONLwLSxHLB6vUqQt2TRuKjdDTrZtMf-ptVrfF5j4q92CIYxHETchtc/s200/x+48+b+Nasa+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>X-48B</b></div>
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Two 8.5% scale aircraft that have been used for flight testing.</div>
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<b>X-48C</b></div>
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A modified, two-engine version of the X-48B intended to test a low-noise design.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9zor4BtiNSQ" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-44150551086813004832013-05-14T18:28:00.001-05:002013-05-14T18:31:48.223-05:00Nasa X-43 A Hyper X<br />
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The X-43 is an unmanned experimental hypersonic aircraft with multiple planned scale variations meant to test various aspects of hypersonic flight. </div>
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It was part of Nasa's Hyper-X program and has set several airspeed records for jet-propelled aircraft. </div>
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The X-43 is the fastest aircraft on record at approx. 7.000 miles per hour (10,461 km/h).</div>
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A winged booster rocket with the X-43 placed on top, called a "stack", is drop launched from a larger carrier plane. </div>
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After the booster rocket (a modified first stage of the Pegasus rocket) brings the stack to the target speed and altitude, it is discarded, and the X-43 flies free using its own engine, a scramjet.</div>
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<b>Development</b></div>
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The initial version, the X-43A, was designed to operate at speeds greater than Mach 9.8 (6,600 mph; 11,000 km/h) at altitudes of 30,000 m or more. </div>
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The X-43A is a single-use vehicle and is designed to crash into the ocean without recovery. </div>
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Three of them have been built: the first was destroyed; the other two have successfully flown, with the scramjet operating for approximately 10 seconds, followed by a 10 minute glide and intentional crash.</div>
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The first flight in June 2001 failed when the stack spun out of control about 11 seconds after the drop from the B-52 carrier plane. </div>
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It was destroyed by the Range Safety Officer and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. </div>
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Nasa attributed the crash to several inaccuracies in data modeling for this test, which led to an inadequate control system for the particular Pegasus rocket used.</div>
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The X-43A's second flight was successful when it became the fastest free flying air-breathing aircraft in the world.</div>
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The third flight of the X-43A set a new speed record of 10,617 km/h (6,598 mph), or Mach 9.65 at 33,528 meters (110,000 ft), on November 16, 2.004.</div>
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It was boosted by a modified Pegasus rocket which was launched from a B-52 mother ship at an altitude of 13,157 meters (43,166 ft). </div>
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After 10 seconds of free flight, the spacecraft made a planned crash into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California.</div>
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The X-plane series of aircraft was replaced by the X-51. </div>
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The X-43 was part of NASA's Hyper-X program, involving the American space agency and contractors such as Boeing, Micro Craft Inc, Orbital Sciences Corporation and General Applied Science Laboratory (GASL). Micro Craft Inc. built the X-43A and GASL built its engine.</div>
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The Hyper-X Phase I is a NASA Aeronautics and Space Technology Enterprise program being conducted jointly by the Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, and the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. </div>
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Langley is the lead center and is responsible for hypersonic technology development. Dryden is responsible for flight research.</div>
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Phase I was a seven-year, approximately $230 million, program to flight-validate scramjet propulsion, hypersonic aerodynamics and design methods.</div>
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<b>Design</b></div>
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NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the X-43A hypersonic research vehicle (March 27, 2.004).</div>
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The X-43A aircraft was a small unpiloted test vehicle measuring just over 3.7 m in length. </div>
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The vehicle was a lifting body design, where the body of the aircraft provides a significant amount of lift for flight, rather than relying on wings. </div>
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The aircraft weighed roughly 3,000 pounds (about 1,300 kilograms). </div>
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The X-43A was designed to be fully controllable in high-speed flight, even when gliding without propulsion. However, the aircraft was not designed to land and be recovered. </div>
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Test vehicles crashed into the Pacific Ocean when the test was over.</div>
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Traveling at Mach speeds produces a lot of heat due to the compression shock waves involved in supersonic drag. </div>
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At high Mach speeds, heat can become so intense that metal portions of the airframe melt. </div>
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The X-43A compensated for this by cycling water behind the engine cowl and sidewall leading edges, cooling those surfaces. </div>
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In tests, the water circulation was activated at about Mach 3. In the future, fuel may be cycled through such areas instead, much like what is currently done in many liquid-fuel rocket nozzles and high speed aircraft such as the SR-71.</div>
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<b>Engine</b></div>
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The craft was created to develop and test an exotic type of engine called a supersonic-combustion ramjet, or "scramjet", an engine variation where external combustion takes place within air that is flowing at supersonic speeds.</div>
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The X-43A's developers designed the aircraft's airframe to be part of the propulsion system: the forebody is a part of the intake airflow, while the aft section functions as an exhaust nozzle.</div>
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The engine of the X-43A was primarily fueled with hydrogen. In the successful test, about two pounds (or roughly one kilogram) of the fuel was used. </div>
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Unlike rockets, scramjet-powered vehicles do not carry oxygen on board for fueling the engine. </div>
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Removing the need to carry oxygen significantly reduces the vehicle's size and weight. In the future, such lighter vehicles could bring heavier payloads into space or carry payloads of the same weight much more efficiently.</div>
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Scramjets only operate at speeds in the range of Mach 4.5 or higher, so rockets or other jet engines are required to initially boost scramjet-powered aircraft to this base velocity. </div>
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In the case of the X-43A, the aircraft was accelerated to high speed with a Pegasus rocket launched from a converted Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber. </div>
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The combined X-43A and Pegasus vehicle was referred to as the "stack" by the program's team members.</div>
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The engines in the X-43A test vehicles were specifically designed for a certain speed range, only able to compress and ignite the fuel-air mixture when the incoming airflow is moving as expected. </div>
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The first two X-43A aircraft were intended for flight at approximately Mach 7, while the third flew at nearly Mach 10.</div>
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<b>Testing</b></div>
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Nasa's first X-43A test on June 2, 2.001 failed because the Pegasus booster lost control about 13 seconds after it was released from the B-52 carrier. </div>
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The rocket experienced a control oscillation as it went transonic, eventually leading to the failure of the rocket's starboard elevon. </div>
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This caused the rocket to deviate significantly from the planned course, so the stack was destroyed by onboard explosives as a safety precaution. </div>
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An investigation into the incident stated that imprecise information about the capabilities of the rocket as well as its flight environment contributed to the accident, though no single factor could ultimately be blamed for the failure.</div>
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In the second test in March 2.004, the Pegasus fired successfully and released the test vehicle at an altitude of about 29,000 metres (95,000 ft). </div>
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After separation, the engine's air intake was opened, the engine ignited, and the aircraft then accelerated away from the rocket reaching Mach 6.83 or 7,401 km/h (4,600 mph). </div>
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Fuel was flowing to the engine for 11 seconds, a time in which the aircraft traveled more than 24 km. </div>
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After burnout, controllers were still able to maneuver the vehicle and manipulate the flight controls for several minutes as the aircraft was slowed down by wind resistance and took a long dive into the Pacific. </div>
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Peak speed was at burnout of the Pegasus but the scramjet engine did accelerate the vehicle in climbing flight, after a small drop in speed following separation.</div>
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Nasa flew a third version of the X-43A on November 16, 2.004, achieving/maintaining a speed of Mach 9.68 at about 34,000 metres (112,000 ft) altitude and further testing the ability of the vehicle to withstand the heat loads involved.</div>
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<b>Future of the scramjet</b></div>
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After the X-43 tests in 2.004, NASA Dryden engineers said that they expected all of their efforts to culminate in the production of a two-stage-to-orbit crewed Vehicle in about 20 years. </div>
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The scientists expressed much doubt that there would be a Single Stage to Orbit crewed vehicle like the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) in the foreseeable future, also known as the "Orient Express", that would take off from an ordinary airport runway.</div>
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In January 2.006 USAF announced the Force Application and Launch from Continental United States or FALCON Scramjet reusable missile.</div>
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In March 2006, it was announced that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) supersonic combustion ramjet "Waverider" flight test vehicle has been designated as X-51A. </div>
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The USAF Boeing X-51 Scramjet-powered Waverider was first flown on May 26, 2.010, dropped from a B-52.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2JUIBueLSE_BM5FmEKtDF4ZtXF3nBVhQ4pth9H271OGRVYJ-ttgsbeu-xNj-WkSuIHngoKy0qTbuYhf1BY98hJFL4y4eM6Ms-ZtXx4Z367jg3JyrpYMICnp9C72sYfsri3pX3dGkKDaG/s1600/nasa+x+43b+hyper+x+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2JUIBueLSE_BM5FmEKtDF4ZtXF3nBVhQ4pth9H271OGRVYJ-ttgsbeu-xNj-WkSuIHngoKy0qTbuYhf1BY98hJFL4y4eM6Ms-ZtXx4Z367jg3JyrpYMICnp9C72sYfsri3pX3dGkKDaG/s200/nasa+x+43b+hyper+x+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<b>Variants</b></div>
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Other X-43 vehicles were designed, but as of November 2004 appear to have been suspended. </div>
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They were expected to have the same basic body design as the X-43A, though the aircraft were expected to be moderately to significantly larger in size.</div>
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<b>X-43B</b></div>
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The X-43B, was expected to be a full-size vehicle, incorporating a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine or a rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) ISTAR engine. </div>
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Jet turbines or rockets would initially propel the vehicle to supersonic speed. </div>
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A ramjet might take over starting at Mach 2.5, with the engine converting to a scramjet configuration at approximately Mach 5.</div>
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<b>X-43C</b></div>
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The X-43C would have been somewhat larger than the X-43A and was expected to test the viability of hydrocarbon fuel, possibly with the HyTech engine. </div>
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While most scramjet designs have used hydrogen for fuel, HyTech runs with conventional kerosene-type hydrocarbon fuels, which are more practical for support of operational vehicles. </div>
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The building of a full-scale engine was planned which would use its own fuel for cooling. </div>
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The engine cooling system would have acted as a chemical reactor by breaking long-chain hydrocarbons into short-chain hydrocarbons for a rapid burn.</div>
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The X-43C was indefinitely suspended in March 2.004.</div>
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The linked story reports the project's indefinite suspension and the appearance of Rear Admiral Craig E. </div>
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Steidle before a House Space and Aeronautics subcommittee hearing on march 18, 2.004. </div>
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In mid-2.005, the X-43C appeared to be funded through the end of the year.</div>
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<b>X-43D</b></div>
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The X-43D would have been almost identical to the X-43A, but expanded the speed envelope to approximately Mach 15. </div>
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As of September 2.007, only a feasibility study had been conducted by Donald B. Johnson of Boeing and Jeffrey S. Robinson of NASA's Langley Research Center. </div>
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According to the introduction of the study, "the purpose of the X-43D is to gather high Mach flight environment and engine operability information which is difficult, if not impossible, to gather on the ground."</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lf6ttHqXHns" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x9_8Q3xKcsQ" width="300"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_9RP-8mEm0" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-47003576737949173732012-10-10T16:18:00.001-05:002012-10-10T16:18:35.158-05:00Boeing X-48<br />
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Role : Experimental unmanned aerial vehicle<br />
Manufacturer : Boeing<br />
First flight : July 20, 2007<br />
Status : In testing<br />
Primary user : Nasa<br />
Produced : 2<br />
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The Boeing X-48 is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for investigation into the characteristics of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft, a type of flying wing.<br />
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Boeing designed the X-48 and two examples were built by Cranfield Aerospace in the UK.<br />
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Boeing has been using the X-48 in flight testing for Nasa since 2.007.<br />
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Design and development<br />
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<b>Background</b><br />
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Boeing had studied a blended wing body design,when? but found that passengers did not like the theater-like configuration of the mock-up, and the design was dropped for passenger airliners, but reserved for military aircraft such as tankers.<br />
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McDonnell Douglas developed the X-48 concept in the late 1.990s,and Boeing presented it during an annual Joint AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEA Propulsion Conference in 2.004.<br />
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The McDonnell Douglas engineers were confident that their design had several advantages, but their concept, code named "Project Redwood" found little favor at Boeing after their 1.997 merger.<br />
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The most difficult problem they solved was that of ensuring passengers a safe and fast escape in case of an accident, since emergency door locations were completely different from those in a conventional aircraft.<br />
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The blended wing body (BWB) concept offers advantages in structural, aerodynamic and operating efficiencies over today's more conventional fuselage-and-wing designs.<br />
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These features translate into greater range, fuel economy, reliability and life cycle savings, as well as lower manufacturing costs.<br />
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They also allow for a wide variety of potential military and commercial applications.<br />
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Boeing Phantom Works developed the blended wing body (BWB) aircraft concept in cooperation with the Nasa Langley Research Center.<br />
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In an initial effort to study the flight characteristics of the BWB design, a remote-controlled propeller-driven blended wing body model with a 17 ft (5.2 m) wingspan was successfully flown in 1.997.<br />
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The next step was to fly the 35 ft (10.7 m) wide X-48A in 2004, but that program was later canceled.<br />
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Boeing's research at Phantom Works then focused on a new model, designated X-48B, two examples were built by United Kingdom-based Cranfield Aerospace.<br />
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Norman Princen, Boeing's chief engineer for the project, stated in 2.006 : "earlier wind-tunnel testing and the upcoming flight testing are focused on learning more about the BWB's low-speed flight-control characteristics, especially during takeoffs and landings.<br />
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Knowing how accurately our models predict these characteristics is an important step in the further development of this concept."<br />
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The X-48B has a 21-foot (6.4 m) wingspan, weighs 392-pound (178 kg), and is built from composite materials.<br />
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It is powered by three small turbojet engines and is expected to fly at up to 120 kn (220 km/h) and reach an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m).<br />
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The X-48B is an 8.5% scaled version of a conceptual 240-foot wide design.<br />
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Though passenger versions of the X-48B have been proposed, the design has a higher probability of first being used for a military transport.<br />
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The X-48C featuring two engines and inboard vertical stabilizers<br />
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Wind tunnel testing on a 12 ft wide blended wing body model was completed in September 2.005.<br />
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During April and May 2.006, Nasa performed wind tunnel tests on X-48B Ship 1 at a facility shared by Langley and Old Dominion University.<br />
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After the wind tunnel testing, the vehicle was shipped to Nasa's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base to serve as a backup to X-48B Ship 2 for flight testing.<br />
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X-48B Ship 2 then conducted ground tests and taxi testing in preparation for flight.<br />
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The second X-48B was modified into the X-48C starting in 2.010 for further flight tests.<br />
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The X-48C has its vertical stabilizers moved inboard on either side of the engines, and its fuselage extended aft, both in an attempt to reduce the aircraft's noise profile; it was to be powered by two JetCat turbines, each producing 80 pounds-force (0.36 kN) of thrust.<br />
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The X-48C was instead modified to use two Advanced Micro Turbo (AMT) turbojet engines in 2.012.<br />
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<b>Operational history</b><br />
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The X-48B first flew on July 20, 2.007, reaching an altitude of 7,500 ft (2,286 m); the flight lasting 31 minutes.<br />
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The remotely-piloted aircraft was successfully stalled for the first time on September 4, 2.008, with fixed leading edge slats, a forward center of gravity, and 23-degree angle of attack (2° beyond the maximum coefficient of lift).<br />
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Stall testing was repeated on September 11 with a Nasa pilot at the console.<br />
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On March 19, 2.010, Nasa and Boeing successfully completed the initial flight testing phase of the X-48B.<br />
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Fay Collier, manager of the Era Project in Nasa's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate commented on the completion of the first phase of testing saying, "this project is a huge success.<br />
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Bottom line : the team has proven the ability to fly tailless aircraft to the edge of the low-speed envelope safely."<br />
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Following the installation of a new flight computer in 2.010, the X-48B was to continue a new phase of flights tests to investigate controllability aspects.<br />
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The second phase of flight tests with the X-48B began in September 2.010.<br />
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The X-48C first flew on August 7, 2.012.<br />
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Engine yaw control is among the aspects to be studied.<br />
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<b>Variants</b><br />
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X-48A<br />
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The initial planned 35 ft (10.7 m) wide version. It was canceled before manufacture.<br />
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X-48B<br />
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Two 8.5% scale aircraft that have been used for flight testing.<br />
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X-48C<br />
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A modified, two-engine version of the X-48B intended to test a low-noise design.<br />
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Specifications (X-48B)<br />
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A three percent scale model of the X-48C in Nasa Langley's 12-Ft Low-Speed Tunnel<br />
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<b>General characteristics :</b><br />
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Crew : None<br />
Wingspan : 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)<br />
Wing area : 100.5 sq ft (9.34 m2)<br />
Aspect ratio : 4.1<br />
Gross weight : 500 lb (227 kg)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm9_M8Sjbs3jPqSUBas2gijyLDLUruBpOPsA8qYKQGAy-HrF5A83q5OVI2ValkdMYjgpV1AGiVgSn4rLta_5hEMTkCbuB7OzH5Vt-YLh916yM_Dj6kHqYdIwJslSRfxc2u5QYQZVbbEd4/s1600/boeing+x+48+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm9_M8Sjbs3jPqSUBas2gijyLDLUruBpOPsA8qYKQGAy-HrF5A83q5OVI2ValkdMYjgpV1AGiVgSn4rLta_5hEMTkCbuB7OzH5Vt-YLh916yM_Dj6kHqYdIwJslSRfxc2u5QYQZVbbEd4/s200/boeing+x+48+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a>Powerplant : 3 × JetCat P200 turbojet, 52 lbf (0.23 kN) thrust each<br />
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<b>Performance</b><br />
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Maximum speed : 136 mph; 219 km/h (118 kn)<br />
Endurance : 40 minutes<br />
Service ceiling : 10,000 ft (3,048 m)<br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9zor4BtiNSQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-73296253715078850802012-09-03T21:17:00.003-05:002013-02-12T19:27:51.953-05:00The Lockheed X-22A Anti-Gravity Fighter Disc <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lockheed has been working in the "black" on a discoid-shaped aircraft. </div>
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Not only does this aircraft utilise anti-gravitic propulsion, but the discs are believed to be equipped with highly advanced particle beam weaponry.</div>
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Lockheed does hold the patents on disc-shaped passenger aicraft, so it is not unreasonable to assume they have also (successfully) investigated the possibility of creating such craft as military platforms.</div>
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Colonel Steve Wilson, USAF (deceased) stated that black military astronauts trained at a secret aerospace academy and later would operate out of Beale and Vandenberg Air Force Bases in California.</div>
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From those bases, these military astronauts regularly fly trans-atmospherically and out into space. One of the aerospace craft they use, Colonel Wilson reported, is the X-22A, Lockheed's two-man anti-gravity disc craft.</div>
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Evidence for the existence of the X-22A first came to light during Operation Desert Storm when American soldiers (and most likely Iraqi soldiers as well) made sightings of disc-shaped craft in the desert hovering near to U.S. officers. </div>
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People also made claims of seeing these craft fire intense beams of light that removed any trace of what previously sat at the location, apart from a circular charcoal-like burn mark on the ground.</div>
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A Desert Storm soldier stated the following : "In the first days film footage and especially Video-cams which a large number of G.I.s had were impounded so they wouldn`t capture any sensitive material."</div>
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Dr. Richard Boylan states the following about the X-22A :</div>
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"The described disc was clearly an antigravity levitating aerial weapons platform in the U.S. arsenal, possibly a Lockheed X-22A two-man discoid craft, the real DarkStar, (of which the unmanned drone X-22 DarkStar is a front "cover" aircraft program to disguise this manned antigravity fighter disc.) </div>
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Further, it appears that the real DarkStar manned discs come equipped with the latest Neutral Particle Beam weapons, which take apart the target at the molecular level. ET craft do not incinerate humans. </div>
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Only human military fighters are so deployed. </div>
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So this report does not deal with any extraterrestrial event.</div>
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It has been said that if the American people knew what the military had in their arsenal today, they wouldn't believe it, and would think someone was fantasizing about a Lucas Star Wars movie episode."</div>
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"You're saying that the Lockheed X-22A antigravity fighter disc fleet, equipped with Neutral Particle Beam directed-energy weapons, and capable of effecting optical as well as radar invisibility, is deployed for worldwide military operations from the new U.S. Space Warfare Headquarters, located in hardened underground facilities beneath 13,528' King's Peak in the High Uintas Primitive (Wilderness) Area of the Wasatch Mountains, 80 miles east of Salt Lake City"</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zM2y5gINw7g" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-89073852978857688102012-08-04T17:49:00.000-05:002012-11-18T09:13:06.495-05:00Dassault Rafale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGl08AG4B1OmzxHGK3HlIVPbGDunliqMwN_53JnPReEsAgAeFV9Zhzmqcy1JX0m0Vwp9Z-TMUoheMRigmBaiKff_7ypjQ0llYB5tAEil_Z7buyjW7tcILAU6DQHIBnQjSUBDlSxF2C_A/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+b+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGl08AG4B1OmzxHGK3HlIVPbGDunliqMwN_53JnPReEsAgAeFV9Zhzmqcy1JX0m0Vwp9Z-TMUoheMRigmBaiKff_7ypjQ0llYB5tAEil_Z7buyjW7tcILAU6DQHIBnQjSUBDlSxF2C_A/s200/Dassault+Rafale+b+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Multirole fighter aircraft</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National origin<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: France</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Dassault Aviation</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 4 July 1.986</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : 4 December 2.000</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : In production, in service</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary users : French Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">French Navy</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Program cost<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>€39.6 billion (1 January 2.008)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unit cost : Rafale C: €64 million, US$82.3 million (flyaway cost, 2.008)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale M: €70 million, US$90.5 million (flyaway cost, 2.008)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unit cost : €64 million US$90.5 million (dependent on type/variant and can be as high as €90 millionUS$124 million, 2.010)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Dassault Rafale (French pronunciation: [ʁafal], squall)is a French twin-engine delta-wing fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dassault described the Rafale as being an omnirole fighter with semi-stealth capabilities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale is a multirole combat aircraft; capable of simultaneously undertaking air supremacy, interdiction, reconnaissance, and the airborne nuclear deterrent missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the late 1.970s, the French Air Force and Navy were seeking to replace and consolidate their current fleets of aircraft. In order to reduce development costs and boost prospective sales, France entered into an arrangement with four other European nations to produce an agile aerial fighter, but subsequent disagreements over workshare and differing requirements led to France pursuing their own development program. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dassault built a technology demonstrator which first flew in July 1.986, however post-Cold War budget cuts and changes in priorities contributed to significant delays.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has also been marketed for export to several countries, including selection by the Indian Air Force.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan and Libya; features such as the SPECTRA integrated defensive aids system have been crucial advantages in these theatres. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several upgrades to the radar, engines, and avionics of the Rafale are planned to be introduced in the near-future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Origins</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the mid-1.970s, both the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) and Navy (Marine nationale) had requirements for a new generation of fighters to replace those in or about to enter service.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because their requirements were similar, and to reduce cost, both departments issued a common request for proposal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1.979 Dassault joined the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm/British Aerospace "European Collaborative Fighter" project which was named the "European Combat Aircraft".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This project collapsed in 1.981 but in 1.983 the "Future European Fighter Aircraft" (FEFA) programme was initiated. Italy, Spain, West Germany, France and the United Kingdom agreed to jointly develop a new fighter, although the latter three had their own aircraft developments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A number of factors led to the eventual split between France and the four countries. France wanted Dassault to lead the project; moreover, France demanded a swing-role fighter that was lighter than a design desired by the other four nations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For these reasons, France and the other nations split in 1.985, after which France committed to its own design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These nations would develop what would later be named the Eurofighter Typhoon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Technology demonstrator</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_FCp32io8Llr2sVbmRwjG3t1NgmUiNzCU-sCi5EokAqU98xsAPtoXCx3MgHwTvn7aEDyEbO-W1P_91zIM7IRhoMupHWrWj1vYkVJWnFsZVULasofdJet4ueJPO9ofpvnOYWdetse7Y4X/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_FCp32io8Llr2sVbmRwjG3t1NgmUiNzCU-sCi5EokAqU98xsAPtoXCx3MgHwTvn7aEDyEbO-W1P_91zIM7IRhoMupHWrWj1vYkVJWnFsZVULasofdJet4ueJPO9ofpvnOYWdetse7Y4X/s200/Dassault+Rafale+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In France, the government proceeded with its own programme. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The French Ministry of Defense required an aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground, all-day and adverse weather operations.<br />
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It would perform roles previously filled by an assortment of dedicated platforms, including the Jaguar, F-8P Crusader, Mirage F1C/R/T, Mirage 2.000/N, Etendard IVPM and Super Etendard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In June 1.982, Dassault announced it was developing a successor to the Mirage 2.000.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 13 April 1.983, France awarded Dassault a contract for two Avion de Combat eXpérimental (ACX) demonstrators, later revised down to one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Dassault Rafale A technology demonstrator in 2.006</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The resultant Rafale A technology demonstrator was a large-delta winged fighter, with all-moving foreplanes, embodying fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The technology demonstrator was rolled out in December 1.985 in Saint-Cloud, making its maiden flight on 4 July 1986 from Istres.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was initially powered by General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning turbofans found on the F-18 Hornet, instead of the Snecma M88, to reduce the risk that often comes with a first flight, and since the M88 was not considered sufficiently mature for the initial trials programme.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was not until May 1.990 when the M88 replaced the port F404 in the demonstrator; thereafter, it reached Mach 1.4 and demonstrated supercruise. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After 865 flights, Rafale A was retired in January 1.994.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union, signalling the end of the Cold War, the French government considerably reduced the budget allocated to defence. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The French Air Force was reorganised, the Mirage 5F was completely phased out and a total of 55 Mirage F1Cs were upgraded to a tactical fighter configuration, redesignated as Mirage F1CT. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale's development was stalled by a lack of available funds, prolonging the development considerably.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Testing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To meet the various roles expected of the new aircraft, the Air Force required two variants: the single-seat "Rafale C", with C standing for chasseur (fighter), and the "Rafale B", with B standing for biplace (two-seater). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prototype of the C model (designated C01) completed its first flight on 19 May 1.991, signalling the start of a test programme which primarily aims to expand the flight envelope, test the M88-2 engines and, later, man/machine interface and weapons.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Due to budget constraints, the second single-seat prototype was never built.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The C01 differed significantly from the Rafale A. Although superficially identical to the technology demonstrator, it was smaller and more stealthy through the coating the canopy with gold, re-designing the fuselage-fin joint, and the addition of radar-absorbent materials (RAM). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This aircraft also saw extensive application of composite and other materials, which both reduce the radar cross-section (RCS) and weight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, Dassault opted to reject variable engine inlets and a dedicated air brake, which lessens maintenance loads and saves weight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The B01, the only prototype of the two-seat B variant, made its maiden flight on 30 April 1.993.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is 350 kilograms (772 lb) heavier than the single-seater, but carries 400 litres (106 US gal) less fuel. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft was used for weapon-systems testing. Later it saw validation roles regarding weapon separation and, specifically, the carriage of heavy loads. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft normally flies with 2,000-litre (528 USgal) external tanks, two Apache/Scalp cruise missiles, in addition to four air-to-air missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A French Navy Rafale M performing a touch-and-go landing on the deck of the carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Navy, meanwhile, sought a carrier-based aircraft to supersede its fleet of ageing Etendard IPVMs, F-8P Crusaders and Super Etendard Modernisés. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the navy initially carried out a modernising program of the existing Crusaders, in the long term, the requirement was met with the Rafale M, a navalised variant. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The M01, the naval prototype, first flew on 12 December 1991, followed by the second on 8 November 1.993.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As France had no land-based catapult test facility, catapult trials were initially carried out between during July–August 1.992 and early the following year, at NAS Lakehurst in New Jersey. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft then carried out trials aboard the carrier FS Foch in April 1.993. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the controls of Dassault's chief test pilot, Yves Kerhervé, M02 made its maiden flight in November that year, while the first prototype completed the third round of testing at Lakehurst in November and December 1.993.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale M features a greatly reinforced undercarriage to cope with the additional stresses of naval landings, an arrestor hook, and "jump strut" nosewheel, which only extends during short takeoffs, including catapult launches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It also features a built-in ladder, carrier-based microwave landing system, and the new fin-tip Telemir system for syncing the inertial navigation system to external equipment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Altogether, the naval modifications of the Rafale M increased its weight, it is 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) heavier than other variants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale M retains about 95% commonality with Air Force variants including,[20] although unusual for a carrier-borne aircraft, being unable to fold its multi-spar wings for reducing storage space. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The size constraints were eased by the introduction of the Charles de Gaulle, France's nuclear-powered carrier, which was considerably larger than previous carriers, FS Foch and Clemenceau.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Into production</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Initially, the Rafale B was to be just a trainer, but the Gulf War and Kosovo War showed that a second crew member is invaluable on strike and reconnaissance missions; thus, in 1.991 the Air Force switched its preferences towards the two-seater, announcing that 60% of the Rafale fleet would be made up of the variant.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The AdA originally envisaged taking delivery of 250 Rafales, but this was revised downwards to 234 aircraft, made up of 95 "A" and 139 "B" models"; this was further reduced to 212 aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Navy, meanwhile, had 60 Rafales on order, down from 86 due to budget cuts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of the 60, 25 would be M single-seaters and 35 two-seat Ns.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Production of the first aircraft series formally started in December 1.992, but was suspended in November 1.995 due to political and economic uncertainty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP5jS8GOJo0f3ApekWhU8Rb6wcuImZLYPDiuIA4NB4EjzpUR0vSbrGo2vLaAiWLKSWI6MMpoiKa1mDI3pk-xusLnkKKCw0xqc_BlecRbKMD2RGp91mPO3vyINfxuaZnUw-YeyFON5hj6O/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP5jS8GOJo0f3ApekWhU8Rb6wcuImZLYPDiuIA4NB4EjzpUR0vSbrGo2vLaAiWLKSWI6MMpoiKa1mDI3pk-xusLnkKKCw0xqc_BlecRbKMD2RGp91mPO3vyINfxuaZnUw-YeyFON5hj6O/s200/Dassault+Rafale+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Production only resumed in January 1.997 after the Ministry of Defense and Dassault agreed on a 48-aircraft (28 firm and 20 options) production run with delivery between 2.002 and 2.007.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A further order of 59 F-3 Rafales was announced in December 2.004.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of 2.011, a combined total of 180 Rafales has been ordered by France.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The marine version was a high priority to replace the older F-8E(FN) Crusader; a total of 12 were still in service on 15 December 1.999, when the type was retired.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service deliveries began in 2.001 and the type entered service on 4 December 2.000, though the first squadron, Flotille 12, did not actually reform until 18 May 2.001. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The unit embarked on the Charles de Gaulle in 2.002, following an extended operational evaluation that included flying limited escort and tanker missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan, becoming fully operational on 25 June 2.004.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Armée de l'Air received its first three Rafale Bs (to F2 standards) in late December 2.004. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They went to the Centre d'Expériences Aériennes Militaires (CEAM) at Mont-de-Marsan for operational evaluation and pilot conversion training.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The total programme cost, as of 2.010, is around €40.690 billion, which translates to a unit programme cost of approximately €142.3 million. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The unit flyaway price as of 2.010 is €101.1 million for the F3+ version.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overview</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale was developed as a modern jet fighter with a very high level of agility; Dassault chose to combine a delta wing with active close-coupled canard to maximize maneuverability, the aircraft is capable of withstanding 9 g or −3.6 g. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale is an aerodynamically unstable aircraft, thus digital fly-by-wire flight controls are employed to artificially enforce and maintain stability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The canard also reduces landing speed to 115 knots (213 km/h; 132 mph); in flight, air speeds as low as 15 kt have been recorded during flight training missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to simulations by Dassault, the Rafale's has sufficient slow speed performance to operate from STOBAR-configured aircraft carriers, and can take off using a ski-jump with no modifications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although not a full-aspect stealth aircraft, the cost of which was viewed as unacceptably excessive, the Rafale was designed for a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and infra-red signature.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In order to reduce the RCS, changes from the initial technology demonstrator include a reduction in the size of the tail-fin, fuselage reshaping, repositioning of the engine air inlets underneath the aircraft's wing, and the extensive use of composite materials and serrated patterns for the construction of the trailing edges of the wings and canards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cockpit</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale's glass cockpit was designed around the principle of data fusion - a central computer intelligently selects and prioritises information to display to pilots for simpler command and control. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced features have been incorporated into this highly digital cockpit; an integrated Direct Voice Input (DVI) system, allowing a range of aircraft functions to be controlled by a pilot's voice commands, is intended to further reduce pilot workload by simplifying control access.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For deliberate safety reasons, DVI is not employed for safety-critical elements of the aircraft's operation, such as the final release of armaments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The primary flight controls are arranged in a hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible configuration, with a right-handed side-stick controller and a left-handed throttle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For displaying information gathered from a range of sensors across the aircraft, the cockpit features a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD) system, two head-down flat-panel colour multi-function displays (MFDs) as well as a central collimated display; these displays have been stragetically placed to minimise pilot distraction from the external environment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A touch interface has been integrated into several displays for ease of pilot interactivity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A head-mounted display (HMD) is in development for future use upon the Rafale, which will undertake tasks such as target selection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cockpit is fully compatible with night vision goggles (NVG).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In terms of survivability, the Rafale is fitted with a Martin-Baker Mark 16F "zero-zero” ejection seat, capable of operation at zero speed and zero altitude. Seats are at inclined rearwards at an angle of 29° to improve G-force tolerances and provide an unrestricted external view for the pilot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An on-board oxygen generating system, developed by Air Liquide, eliminated the need to carry bulky oxygen canisters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale's fight computer has been programmed to counteract pilot disorientation and conduct automatic recovery of the aircraft during negative flight conditions; auto-pilot and auto-throttle controls are also integrated, and are activated by switches set upon the primary flight controls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Avionics and sensors</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Built as an air supremacy fighter, the Rafale features an advanced avionics suite; which includes several passive sensor systems. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The front-sector electro-optical system or Optronique Secteur Frontal (OSF), developed by Thales, is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The OSF can be used for detecting and identifying airborne targets, as well as those on the ground and at sea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale core avionics systems employ an Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), called MDPU (Modular Data Processing Unit). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This architecture hosts all the main aircraft functions such as the Flight management system, Data Fusion, Fire Control, and the Man-Machine Interface.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The total value of the radar, electronic communications and self-protection equipment is about 30% of the cost of the entire aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The IMA has since been installed upon several upgraded Mirage 2.000 fighters, and incorporated into the civilian airliner, the Airbus A380.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale features an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA, which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Various methods of detection, jamming, and decoying have been incorporated, and the system has been designed to be highly re-programmable for addressing new threats and incorporating additional sub-systems in the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Operations over Libya were greatly assisted by SPECTRA, which allowed the Rafale to perform missions independently from the support of dedicated Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) platforms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale's ground attack capability was initially limited by the lack of an advanced targeting pod; this was rectified by the addition of Thales Optronique's Reco New Generation/Areos reconnaissance and Damocles targeting pods electro-optical/laser designation pod.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfawe2MfoiS1GWPpEJkb9B9iYXRiJeby5oBdTHtv5N6xVjJcgjqolagO-L12l4p6U02HaLSNEiuDZkntYxVC015LxEr7rnlsN6vamso-i6QLZtW6IBLwqj2n-wj_ZmdnKxNg8m9zc9MLg/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfawe2MfoiS1GWPpEJkb9B9iYXRiJeby5oBdTHtv5N6xVjJcgjqolagO-L12l4p6U02HaLSNEiuDZkntYxVC015LxEr7rnlsN6vamso-i6QLZtW6IBLwqj2n-wj_ZmdnKxNg8m9zc9MLg/s200/Dassault+Rafale+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Areos is an all-weather, night-and-day-capable reconnaissance system used on the Rafale; both Aroes and Damocles have the ability to transmit information such as images in real-time to ground stations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These systems can be used for tactical reconnaissance missions and battlefield damage assessments; additional sensors and the ability to transmit live video feeds was added in the updated Damocles XF pod.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Radar</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale is typically outfitted with the Thales RBE2 passive electronically scanned multi-mode radar. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thales claims to have achieved unprecedented levels of situational awareness through the earlier detection and tracking of multiple air targets for close combat and long-range interception, as well as real-time generation of three-dimensional maps for terrain-following and the real-time generation of high resolution ground maps for navigation and targeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In early 1.994, it was reported that technical difficulties with the radar had delayed the Rafale's development by six months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In September 2.006, Flight International reported the Rafale's unit cost had significantly rose due to additional development work to improve the RBE2's detection range.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The RBE2 AA Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is planned to replace the existing passively scanned RBE2. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Rafale demonstrator began test flights in 2.002 and has totaled 100 flight hours as of December 2.011. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By December 2.009, production of the pre-series RBE2 AA radars was underway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Radar qualification is expected by the DGA in early 2.013, as part of a rolling programme of improvements for the Rafale. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first production Rafale to be delivered with the RBE2 AA will be a Rafale C, scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2.012. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is anticipated that the first five Armée de l'Air aircraft with the AESA will be operational by the end of 2.013. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By early 2.014, the first Air Force front-line squadron will receive Rafales equipped with the AESA radar; the French Navy is slated to receive AESA-equipped Rafales from 2.013.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Standards</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Initial deliveries of the Rafale M were to the F1 ("France 1") standard, these had been equipped for the air-to-air interceptor combat duties, but lacked any armaments for air-to-ground operations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later deliveries were to the "F2" standard, which added the capability for conducting both air-to-ground and reconnaissance operations; the first F2 standard Rafale M was delivered to the French Navy in May 2.006.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale M is the only fixed-wing combat aircraft flown by the Aviation Navale, and plans are to upgrade all airframes to the "F3" standard, with terrain-following 3D radar and nuclear capability, from early in the decade following 2.010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Starting in 2.008 onwards, Rafale deliveries have been to the F3 standard, it has been reported that all aircraft built to the earlier F1 and F2 standards are to be upgraded to become F3s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A total of 59 Rafale F3s were delivered from June 2.008 to January 2.012 (47 for the French Air Force (36 Rafale C + 11 Rafale B), plus 12 Rafale M carrier-borne fighters for the French Navy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The latest, "fully Omnirole F3 standard is capable of undertaking an extremely wide range of roles: air defence/air superiority missions with Mica IR and EM air-to-air missiles, precision attacks with Scalp cruise missiles and AASM Hammer modular air-to-surface armaments, anti-ships strikes with the acclaimed AM39 Exocet sea-skimmer, reconnaissance with the Thales new generation reconnaissance pod, and nuclear deterrence with ASMP-A missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Engines</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Snecma M88</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale is fitted with the Snecma M88 engine, capable of providing up to 50 kN (11,250 lbf) of dry thrust and 75 kN (16,900 lbf) with afterburners. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They enable the Rafale to supercruise at speeds of up to Mach 1.4 while carrying a loadout of six MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1.996, production of the M88-2 engine began, however due to delays in engine production, the Rafale was initially powered by the General Electric F404 engine instead.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In May 2.010, a Rafale flew for the first time with the M88-4E engine, an upgraded engine with greater thrust and lower maintaince requirements than the previous M88-2 variant; interest has been stated in improved engines by potential export customers such as the United Arab Emirates.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of 2.007, a thrust vectoring variant of the engine designated as M88-3D was also under development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Operational history</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overview</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0VFcakgNLa1arMma3vt5MrcwFjhLujbVnUKgFEzXP4xWImCgZGEw-2LGUco93WYhMhsFN24IqX6bBaPhOtT5BFJ54H0DNQmV1CFUGSsAsZv2w-hh0kUHbOq6VATyMnbf17hyczpRZswT/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0VFcakgNLa1arMma3vt5MrcwFjhLujbVnUKgFEzXP4xWImCgZGEw-2LGUco93WYhMhsFN24IqX6bBaPhOtT5BFJ54H0DNQmV1CFUGSsAsZv2w-hh0kUHbOq6VATyMnbf17hyczpRZswT/s200/Dassault+Rafale+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Rafale is now in service in the trials and training role with the French Air Force (CEAM/EC 5/330). Escadron de Chasse 1/7 at Saint-Dizier was expected to receive a nucleus of 8–10 Rafale F2s during the summer of 2.006, and was set to enter full operational service (with robust air-to-air and stand off air-to-ground precision attack capabilities) during mid-2.007 (when EC 1/7 will have about 20 aircraft, 15 two-seaters and five single-seaters).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In February 2.011, Rafales flew demonstrations in India, including air-to-air combat against Su-30s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In November 2.009 the French government ordered an additional 60 aircraft to take the total order for the French Air Force and Navy to 180.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale is planned to be the French Air Force's primary combat aircraft until 2040 or later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale M is fully compatible with US Navy aircraft carriers and some French Navy pilots have qualified to fly the aircraft from US Navy flight decks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 4 June 2.010, during an exercise on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), a French Rafale became the first jet fighter of a foreign navy to have its jet engine changed on board an American aircraft carrier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2.009, French officials were reportedly considering equipping the Rafale to launch miniaturized satellites.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other upgrades under consideration include a software radio and satellite link, a new laser-targeting pod, smaller bombs and enhancements to the aircraft's data fusion capacity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Afghanistan</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first Rafale deployed in a combat zone were those of the French Navy during "Mission Héraclès", the French participation in "Operation Enduring Freedom". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They flew from the Charles de Gaulle over Afghanistan as early as 2.002, but the F1 standard precluded air-to-ground missions and the Rafale did not see any action. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In June 2.002, while Charles de Gaulle was in the Arabian Sea, Rafales conducted several patrols near the India-Pakistan border.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2.007, after a "crash program" enhancement six Rafales were given the ability to drop laser-guided bombs, in view of engaging them in Afghanistan. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three of these aircraft belonging to the Air Force were deployed to Dushanbe in Tajikistan, while the three others were Rafale Marine of the Navy on board the Charles De Gaulle. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first mission occurred on 12 March 2.007, and the first GBU-12 was launched on 28 March in support of embattled Dutch troops in Southern Afghanistan, marking the operational début of the Rafale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Libya</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 19 March 2.011, French Rafales began conducting reconnaissance and strike missions over Libya in Opération Harmattan, in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1.ñ973; initial targets were artillery pieces laying siege around the rebel city of Benghazi. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale could operate in Libya without the support of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) aircraft, using the onboard Spectra self-defense system instead.[45] On 24 March 2.011, it was reported that a Rafale had destroyed a Libyan Air Force G-2/Galeb light attack/trainer aircraft on the runway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale would typically conduct six-hour sorties over Libyan airspace, carrying an armament of four MICA air-to-air missiles, four or six AASM "Hammer" bombs, a Thales Damoclès targeting pod and two drop tanks;[45] these patrols required multiple aerial refuelling operations per sortie from coalition tanker aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The AASM precision-guidance weapon system, utilising bombs weighing between 125 kilograms (275.6 lb) and 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 lb), allowed the Rafale to conduct high-altitude bombing missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reportedly, Rafale crews preferred to use GPS-guided munitions due to greater reliability and range. Storm Shadow SCALP weapons were deployed on only one or two sorties, such as against a Libyan airbase at Al-Jufra.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2.011, aviation journalist Craig Hoyle speculated that the Rafale's performance in Libya is likely to be pivotal to the aircraft's export future, reporting that the Rafale had managed to maintain a high operational rate throughout the Libyan deployment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hoyle also noted that the Libyan combat experience had caused several urgent operational requirements to present themselves, such as the need for a lighter ground-attack munition and for modifications to the AASM weapon to be more effective when used in the close air support role.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Exports</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Brazil</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolAe_NaMk965zrrEPJX8mCSsfNsU6isJ3poZHhJz2lSAOJQLIWtxr2zCQdYwYUyekcZhGBNQvkwt2VtueMmqAI6x_Nu99XzzOztmQbZC98tR6DlOqOZlTNdGZCbMvxcYfuiy0zeR4xzyF/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolAe_NaMk965zrrEPJX8mCSsfNsU6isJ3poZHhJz2lSAOJQLIWtxr2zCQdYwYUyekcZhGBNQvkwt2VtueMmqAI6x_Nu99XzzOztmQbZC98tR6DlOqOZlTNdGZCbMvxcYfuiy0zeR4xzyF/s200/Dassault+Rafale+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In June 2.008, the Brazilian Air Force issued a Request For Information on the following aircraft: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16, Dassault Rafale, Su-35, Gripen NG and Eurofighter Typhoon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In October 2.008, it was reported that Brazilian Air Force had selected three finalists for F-X2; Dassault Rafale, Gripen NG and Boeing F/A-18E/F.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 7 September 2.009, during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Brazil announced that contract negotiations to buy 36 Rafales were ongoing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 5 January 2.010, media reports stated that the final evaluation report by the Brazilian Air Force placed the Gripen ahead of the other two contenders on ground of unit and operating costs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In February 2.011, the press announced that the new president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, had decided in favor of the American F-18.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 28 February 2.011, the Minister of Finance, Guido Mantega, said the issue would not be resolved in the current year due to budget constraints.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>India</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale was one of the six fighter aircraft competing for the Indian MRCA Competition for 126 multi-role fighters. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Originally, the Mirage 2.000 had been considered for the competition, but Dassault withdrew the Mirage in favour of the Rafale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In April 2.011, the Indian Air Force (IAF) shortlisted Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon for the US$ 10.4 billion contract.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 31 January 2.012, the IAF announced the Rafale as the preferred bidder in the competition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Under the proposed contract, 18 Rafale aircraft will be supplied to the IAF by 2015 in fly-away condition, while the remaining 108 will be manufactured in India under transfer of technology agreements. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is also speculated that at a later stage, India might increase its order by 64 more aircraft (3 squadrons).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kuwait</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In February 2.009, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that Kuwait was considering buying up to 28 Rafales.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In October 2.009 during a visit to Paris, the Kuwaiti Defense Minister expressed his interest in the Rafale and said that he was awaiting terms from Dassault.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Islamist lawmakers in the Kuwaiti national assembly threatened to block any purchase of the Rafale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In January 2.012 the French Defence Minister said that both Kuwait and Qatar were waiting to see if the UAE first purchased the Rafale and that Kuwait would look to buy 18-22 Rafales.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qatar</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Qatar Emiri Air Force is, as of January 2.011, evaluating the Rafale together with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Boeing F-15 and the Eurofighter Typhoon to replace its current inventory of Dassault Mirage 2000-5s. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The total order for 24–36 aircraft will be decided on by the end of 2.012.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Switzerland</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgateQH_VexXbGnzT4Aq_UsLMO-B0f_BonteV2PcaTwJJhwG8ZEbF8PCDt3Koead0-CuSfEIz_S2HBTODJSK7Do7_srHFMHjhgQg7RZ1UdJ1kFRg89pscDQhhHDA2dYv5mgh5ZTuHMFq5Os/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgateQH_VexXbGnzT4Aq_UsLMO-B0f_BonteV2PcaTwJJhwG8ZEbF8PCDt3Koead0-CuSfEIz_S2HBTODJSK7Do7_srHFMHjhgQg7RZ1UdJ1kFRg89pscDQhhHDA2dYv5mgh5ZTuHMFq5Os/s200/Dassault+Rafale+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In February 2.007, it was reported that Switzerland was considering the Rafale and other fighters to replace its Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one-month evaluation started in October 2.008 at Emmen Airforce Base consisting of approx. 30 evaluation flights. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale along with the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and the Eurofighter were to be evaluated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 30 November 2.011 the Swiss Federal Council announced that it was planning to buy 22 Gripen NGs due to its lower acquisition and maintenance costs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However a leaked Swiss Air Force evaluation report revealed that the Rafale won the competition on technical grounds and Dassault offered to lower the price for 18 Rafales.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>United Arab Emirates</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The United Arab Emirates Air Force is interested in an upgraded version of the Rafale with more powerful engines and radar, and advanced air to air missiles, but has also started to explore a purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon or the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is reported to be because France's Defense Minister Hervé Morin asked the UAE to pay 2 billion euros of the total cost to upgrade the Rafale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called the French offer "uncompetitive and unworkable".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The French newspaper La Tribune reported on 2 February 2.012, that the UAE is still interested in buying up to 60 Rafales in a deal worth US$10 billion. Interoperatibility among the Gulf air forces has led to renewed interest in the Rafale from Qatar and Oman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Others</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In February 2.009, France offered Rafales to Oman to replace its ageing fleet of SEPECAT Jaguars.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2.010, however, reports of Oman's preference for the Eurofighter emerged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In January 2.006, the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche reported that Libya sought 13–18 Rafales "in a deal worth as much as $3.24 billion".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In December 2.007, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi declared Libya's interest in the Rafale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Libya did not order any Rafales, during the 2.011 Libyan civil war French Rafales were dispatched over Libya in the international military intervention.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Variants</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale B/C and M</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale A</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Technology demonstrator, first flying in 1.986.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale D</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dassault used this designation (D for "discret") in the early 1.990s to emphasise the new semi-stealthy design features.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale B</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two-seater version for the Armée de l'Air.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale C</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Single-seat version for the Armée de l'Air.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale M</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carrier-borne version for the Aéronavale, which entered service in 2.002. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale M weighs about 500 kg (1,100 lb) more than the Rafale C. For carrier operations, the M model has a strengthened airframe, longer nose gear leg to provide a more nose-up attitude, larger tailhook between the engines, and a built-in boarding ladder.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale N</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Originally called the Rafale BM, was a planned two-seater version for the Aéronavale. Budget constraints and training costs have been cited as grounds for its cancellation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rafale R</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Proposed reconnaissance-oriented variant, unbuilt.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Operators</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PtE1Crp1WG_7nSqOu7-dCg0dzHuhOTHjROcTeQVajtcA3YzKanxEN-1fa5HlIjZqR7pZ1YkM15NW4orLk7hY586j4biLxMZwlifaIUDpHMGZ94MjBHmHEY37-PgNsWHzjHEkTypWpSuI/s1600/Dassault+Rafale+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PtE1Crp1WG_7nSqOu7-dCg0dzHuhOTHjROcTeQVajtcA3YzKanxEN-1fa5HlIjZqR7pZ1YkM15NW4orLk7hY586j4biLxMZwlifaIUDpHMGZ94MjBHmHEY37-PgNsWHzjHEkTypWpSuI/s200/Dassault+Rafale+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>France</div><div style="text-align: justify;">180 ordered with 93 delivered as of December 2.010</div><div style="text-align: justify;">French Air Force – 62</div><div style="text-align: justify;">French Navy – 31</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dassault Rafale cross-section</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weapon complement of the Rafale</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meteor, BVR Air-to-Air Missile</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AASM-Hammer family of weapons</div><div style="text-align: justify;">MICA: Short to Medium-Range Air-to-Air Tactical Missile</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Data from Dassault Aviation, Superfighters, French Navy,International Directory of Military Aircraft</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>General characteristics : </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crew: 1–2</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length: 15.27 m (50.1 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan: 10.80 m (35.4 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: 5.34 m (17.5 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area: 45.7 m² (492 ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight: 9,500 kg (C), 9,770 kg (B),[124] 10,196 kg (M) ()</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loaded weight: 14,016 kg (30,900 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max. takeoff weight: 24,500 kg (C/D), 22,200 kg (M) (54,000 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dry thrust: 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust with afterburner: 75.62 kN (17,000 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fuel capacity: 4,700 kg (10,000 lb) internal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Maximum speed :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">High altitude: Mach 1.8+ (2,130+ km/h, 1,050+ knots)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Low altitude: Mach 1.1+ (1,390 km/h, 750 knots)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range: 3,700+ km (2,000+ nmi)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Combat radius: 1,852+ km (1,000+ nmi) on penetration mission</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,000 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rate of climb: 304.8+ m/s (60,000+ ft/min)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing loading: 306 kg/m² (62.8 lb/ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust/weight: 1.10 (100% fuel, 2 EM A2A missile, 2 IR A2A missile)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30/719B autocannon with 125 rounds</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hardpoints : 14 for Armée de l'Air version (Rafale B,C), 13 for Aéronavale version (Rafale M) with a capacity of 9,500 kg (21,000 lb) external fuel and ordnance and provisions to carry combinations of :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Missiles :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">MBDA MICA IR or EM or Magic II and</div><div style="text-align: justify;">MBDA Meteor air-to-air mssiles in the future</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air-to-ground:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">MBDA Apache or</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Storm Shadow-SCALP EG or</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AASM-Hammer or</div><div style="text-align: justify;">GBU-12 Paveway II</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air-to-surface:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AM 39-Exocet</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Deterrence :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ASMP-A nuclear missile</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other </b>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thales Damocles targeting pod</div><div style="text-align: justify;">RECO NG (New Generation) reconnaissance pod up to 5 drop tanks</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rafale can also carry a buddy-buddy refuelling pod</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Avionics : </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thales RBE2 radar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thales SPECTRA electronic warfare system.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thales/SAGEM-OSF Optronique Secteur Frontal infra-red search and track system.</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q3e5gUJ1I1k" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5_09d1YXhdM" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-39563998823241844032012-07-08T13:53:00.000-05:002012-07-08T13:53:37.048-05:00Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmDCSPo_FX0E2KIyD_bsJwpQ0RODu8CF4t6DKHgcc1rwWOeD2IEci27_SpA9EQNtXQd8gdU9ynnFxjrE4nxmtBTFNjODuX6KVr3dAlC1PL0jPJrY-fxDv8Tteu0oTTfmHIaHRPvLdlbV7/s1600/Shenyang+J-15+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmDCSPo_FX0E2KIyD_bsJwpQ0RODu8CF4t6DKHgcc1rwWOeD2IEci27_SpA9EQNtXQd8gdU9ynnFxjrE4nxmtBTFNjODuX6KVr3dAlC1PL0jPJrY-fxDv8Tteu0oTTfmHIaHRPvLdlbV7/s200/Shenyang+J-15+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Carrier-based Multirole fighter</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National origin : People's Republic of China</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Shenyang Aircraft Corporation</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : August 31, 2.009</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : 2.016 anticipated</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : Flight testing</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user :_ People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Developed from : Shenyang J-11B</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15) is a carrier-based fighter aircraft in development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the PLAN's future aircraft carriers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rumors initially claimed the aircraft was to be a semi-stealth variant, yet later reports indicate the aircraft is based on the Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-33 and is fitted with domestically produced radars and weapons. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An unfinished Su-33 prototype, the T-10K-3,was acquired from Ukraine sometime in 2.001 and is said to have been studied extensively, with development on the J-15 beginning immediately afterward.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the J-15 appears to be structurally based on the Su-33, the indigenous fighter features Chinese technologies as well as avionics from the J-11B program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design and development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqCP6NrlM16UMuLUZFEOZ-iSVtpX-qMf4-Uxkpp3FnMBEImdd4FenODVHv3_LoHSZ_r63iVnTyX-hgNc-G9ZvjH6t-_h8YtUn6CQaA5GbL1knK1Rm1LkfGDqJVpWFZvRilXCM7Mfb_RAZ/s1600/Shenyang+J-15+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqCP6NrlM16UMuLUZFEOZ-iSVtpX-qMf4-Uxkpp3FnMBEImdd4FenODVHv3_LoHSZ_r63iVnTyX-hgNc-G9ZvjH6t-_h8YtUn6CQaA5GbL1knK1Rm1LkfGDqJVpWFZvRilXCM7Mfb_RAZ/s200/Shenyang+J-15+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian military experts have downplayed any significant competition from the J-15 in the global arms market, with Col. Igor Korotchenko of the Defense Ministry stating in early June 2.010, "The Chinese J-15 clone is unlikely to achieve the same performance characteristics of the Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighter, and I do not rule out the possibility that China could return to negotiations with Russia on the purchase of a substantial batch of Su-33s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"China has actively sought to purchase Su-33s from Russia on numerous occasions an unsuccessful offer was made as late as march 2.009 but negotiations collapsed in 2.006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version of the Sukhoi Su-27SK designated the Shenyang J-11B, in violation of intellectual property agreements.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first J-15 prototype is believed to have performed its maiden flight on August 31, 2.009, powered by Russian-supplied AL-31 turbofan engines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Video and still images of the flight were released in July 2.010, showing the same basic airframe design as the Su-33.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In July 2.011, it was reported FWS-10H turbofan engine was chosen for J-15 fighter, which has takeoff thrust increased to 12,800 kg, comparing FWS-10 turbofan's 12,500 kg. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other improvements were also made to make it better suited to carrier-based fighter's requirement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On May 6, 2.010, the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-15 is reported to use different avionics and systems than the Su-33, and uses Chinese-developed technologies, and features various upgrades such as radar absorbent material, MAWS, IRST, composite, and new electronics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some analysts believe the J-15 likely possesses superior aerodynamic capabilities to all fighter aircraft operated by regional militaries with the exception of the F-22.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-15 is also believed to possess a 10% superior thrust to weight ratio and a 25% lower wing loading than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvHEULpJ_x3kq0XcyJvxN34F_YvjovemYFCZNBCJwuSNxGpsl7fdHTTSs8EM81UkJ-LGaPGaJ0cifp-v2xhtkHvGzc25NNIs4XTHIl5lCuIx4A2i288bHFFOeqBBSYux4visbZQGOviyh/s1600/Shenyang+J-15+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvHEULpJ_x3kq0XcyJvxN34F_YvjovemYFCZNBCJwuSNxGpsl7fdHTTSs8EM81UkJ-LGaPGaJ0cifp-v2xhtkHvGzc25NNIs4XTHIl5lCuIx4A2i288bHFFOeqBBSYux4visbZQGOviyh/s200/Shenyang+J-15+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Latest reports suggest that China has developed an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which can be installed upon the new fighter, and thrust vectoring as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A dark color radar dome indicates that the first J-15 prototype has a radar different from the one of Su-27SK.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chinese officials commented that the J-15 could match the performance of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Rafale M naval fighters.</div><br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/klH7E0hxSYc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-48346286476405304402012-06-13T14:16:00.000-05:002012-11-18T09:12:59.807-05:00KAI KF-X 201<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dWQtdjPhyphenhyphena0vP5ynbPg9pHxANLG3UgOToKCs4HGm_opgsUMl0QtYXYUZKWHLPFueg_TrRO54lNjaxCgZa7FcjVz4Bvrl1rVtMyiMtDumpXc7K_E3ymgjbkya28cNNjQh_lGJF6Px-oVB/s1600/KAI+KF-X+201+from+Korea+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dWQtdjPhyphenhyphena0vP5ynbPg9pHxANLG3UgOToKCs4HGm_opgsUMl0QtYXYUZKWHLPFueg_TrRO54lNjaxCgZa7FcjVz4Bvrl1rVtMyiMtDumpXc7K_E3ymgjbkya28cNNjQh_lGJF6Px-oVB/s320/KAI+KF-X+201+from+Korea+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Multirole Fighter</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Korea Aerospace Industries</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian : Aerospace</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : Designated to be approximately 2.020</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : In development</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user : Republic of Korea Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Korea Aerospace Industries KF-X is a South Korean program to develop an advanced multirole fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), spearheaded by South Korea with Indonesia as the primary partner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is South Korea's second fighter development program following the FA-50.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The project was first announced by South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung at the graduation ceremony of the Air Force Academy in March 2.001. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">South Korea and Indonesia had agreed to cooperate in the production of KF-X warplanes in Seoul on July 15, 2.010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The initial operational requirements for the KF-X program as stated by the ADD (Agency for Defence Development) were to develop a single-seat, twin-engine jet with stealth capabilities beyond either the Dassault Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, but still less than the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The overall focus of the program is producing a fighter with higher capabilities than a KF-16 class fighter by 2.020.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design and development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the Weapon Systems Concept Development and Application Research Center of Konkuk University, the KF-X is intended to be superior than the KF-16, which would replace South Korea's aging F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft, with production numbers estimated to be over 250 aircraft. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compared to KF-16, the KF-X will have a 50% greater combat radius, 34% longer airframe lifespan, better avionics including a domestically produced AESA radar, and better electronic warfare, IRST, and datalink capabilities. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Operational requirements also specify approx 50,000 pounds of thrust provided by one or preferably two engines, high-speed interception and supercruise capabilities, basic stealth technology, and multirole capabilities. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are currently two competing designs for the KFX, the KFX-201 which has a tri-plane layout with canards and a more conventional, Single Engine F-35 style KFX-101 design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">South Korea will fund 60% of the aircraft's development, and expects foreign partners to provide the remaining 40% of the development funding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">South Korea possesses 63% of the necessary technology to produce the KF-X, and is therefore seeking cooperation from Indonesian Aerospace, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Saab, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to develop the KF-X. About 120 KF-Xs would be built initially and more than 130 aircraft would be produced additionally after the first-phase models reach operational capability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cost of each KF-X aircraft is estimated to be roughly $50 million +.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In October 2.009 a retired general in the South Korean Air Force was arrested for leaking classified documents to Swedish aviation and defence corporation Saab. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The general was to have been given a bribe of several hundred thousand dollars for copies of a number of secret documents that he had photographed in the South Korean Defence University. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saab officials denied any involvement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 15 July 2.010, the Indonesia government agreed to fund 20% of KF-X project cost in return of around 50 planes built for Indonesian Air Force after project completion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In September 2.010, Indonesia sent a team of legal and aviation experts to South Korea to discuss copyright issues of the aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 7 September 2.010, Maj. Gen. Choi Cha-kyu, director general of the aircraft program bureau at the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that Turkey was interested in joining the program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh513ydqHXMuZV1cANBjuPikpSZublock3Ux_a7QCXELkhWM3aT5HNOfhPicujj0RP3KPTiXt-vMKSn5ES8KfUm49sJfHot2U5CB1wmNR6_VvfIbcdFXyfzouqMRxPAiC6cPGH9tCHhJzY6/s1600/KAI+KF-X+201+South+Korea+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh513ydqHXMuZV1cANBjuPikpSZublock3Ux_a7QCXELkhWM3aT5HNOfhPicujj0RP3KPTiXt-vMKSn5ES8KfUm49sJfHot2U5CB1wmNR6_VvfIbcdFXyfzouqMRxPAiC6cPGH9tCHhJzY6/s1600/KAI+KF-X+201+South+Korea+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 15 December 2.010, a senior Turkish procurement official said that "What we need is a true and equal partnership for the development of a fighter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The problem is that South Korea is not likely to agree to an equal partnership".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In December 2.010 the program shifted from a F-16 class fighter to a stealth aircraft in order to respond to North Korean pressure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 2 August 2.011, a joint research center was opened in Daejeon.</div><br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WjsQIT9Xyiw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-27760978249138447292012-05-31T11:47:00.001-05:002014-02-18T00:56:14.843-05:00GFS Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsDK-NXznguWK2YwyXmPEes9Rpsfg2b62D96AyuN7eq_vbYwrTuyZTQUtZjUT0V68-VW-wuYeuthASKggITsCirWiC1ZXhgOFYbfU1FYxvDBHWbua1AUqkvDokXY_kLr_P23EQOJz4Tr-/s1600/GFS+Projects+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsDK-NXznguWK2YwyXmPEes9Rpsfg2b62D96AyuN7eq_vbYwrTuyZTQUtZjUT0V68-VW-wuYeuthASKggITsCirWiC1ZXhgOFYbfU1FYxvDBHWbua1AUqkvDokXY_kLr_P23EQOJz4Tr-/s200/GFS+Projects+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>GFS Projects Limited </b>is a British company developing a vertical take-off and landing aircraft shaped like a flying saucer. </div>
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The company was established in 2.002 by Geoff Hatton, and won a contract with the US government in 2.007 to design an unmanned aerial vehicle.</div>
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The GFS Projects design uses the Coandă effect, unlike the failed 1950s Avrocar project. </div>
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The GFS Projects design is mechanically simpler, using negative upper surface air pressure caused by the Coanda effect. </div>
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Scale prototypes capable of controlled flight have existed since 2.005, constructed by both GFS Projects Ltd and amateur (enthusiast) UAV builders.</div>
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GFS is an abbreviation of Geoff's Flying Saucer.</div>
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<b>Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfigrg5HUiqydAbxX1hkMCwEv2py8gwoPeycXuz1WE3dlU-hdLrG6kn_PyKvb7JmMcOQISDSg3Dj_favONwAu8Mldwu4Pn8LrVeIpJzI1ebK5RH58rZsDjLMch0zyh9dzKRfWM4CAvw61h/s1600/unmanned+aerial+vehicle+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfigrg5HUiqydAbxX1hkMCwEv2py8gwoPeycXuz1WE3dlU-hdLrG6kn_PyKvb7JmMcOQISDSg3Dj_favONwAu8Mldwu4Pn8LrVeIpJzI1ebK5RH58rZsDjLMch0zyh9dzKRfWM4CAvw61h/s200/unmanned+aerial+vehicle+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard. </div>
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Its flight is either controlled autonomously by computers in the vehicle, or under the remote control of a navigator, or pilot (in military UAVs called a Combat Systems Officer on UCAVs) on the ground or in another vehicle.</div>
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There are a wide variety of drone shapes, sizes, configurations, and characteristics. </div>
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Historically, UAVs were simple remotely piloted aircraft, but autonomous control is increasingly being employed.</div>
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Their largest use is within military applications. </div>
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UAVs are also used in a small but growing number of civil applications, such as firefighting or nonmilitary security work, such as surveillance of pipelines. </div>
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UAVs are often preferred for missions that are too "dull, dirty, or dangerous" for manned aircraft.</div>
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VTOL (Redirected from Vertical take-off and landing)</div>
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The Harrier Jump Jet, one of the most famous and successful fixed-wing single-engine VTOL aircraft.</div>
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A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors.</div>
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Some VTOL aircraft can operate in other modes as well, such as CTOL (conventional take-off and landing), STOL (short take-off and landing), and/or STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing). </div>
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Others, such as some helicopters, can only operate by VTOL, due to the aircraft lacking landing gear that can handle horizontal motion. </div>
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VTOL is a subset of V/STOL (vertical and/or short take-off and landing).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhkxyzAQBhbxJPfm3fvO4Bj65doGdbHMYoUOPjeNS1let3ia1N2NjtYy1oH1Zhrylv7OzgVbWxjqscH40lYy9tbj3X3FT5kc8kG8Jq6UjKNEq2itZ0enTlCc5EQA1Lma6RQcIse8NxkKy/s1600/vtol+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhkxyzAQBhbxJPfm3fvO4Bj65doGdbHMYoUOPjeNS1let3ia1N2NjtYy1oH1Zhrylv7OzgVbWxjqscH40lYy9tbj3X3FT5kc8kG8Jq6UjKNEq2itZ0enTlCc5EQA1Lma6RQcIse8NxkKy/s200/vtol+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></div>
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Besides the ubiquitous helicopter, there are currently two types of VTOL aircraft in military service : craft using a tiltrotor, such as the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and aircraft using directed jet thrust such as the Harrier family. </div>
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Generally speaking, VTOL aircraft capable of V/STOL use it wherever possible, since it typically significantly increases takeoff weight, range or payload compared to pure VTOL.</div>
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<b>Technical background</b></div>
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The concept of creating a disk or polygonal aircraft has been around for many years and there are numerous patent applications but the first relying on the Coanda effect acting on the upper surface alone was first put forward in a paper by R. J. Collins.</div>
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Collins' invention is intended for civil UAV applications and aerial monitoring of urban areas.</div>
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A further paper described for a fully steerable and controllable air space platform accompanied by video footage of lift and attitude control.</div>
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The Coanda disk concept has a number of attractive features for use in a non hostile environments, however one disadvantage is that flight control presents a heavy power over head compared to other vertical take off and landing air platforms. </div>
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As a consequence, flight endurance using electric or even internal combustion engines does not compare favorably with helicopters. </div>
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To overcome this problem, a disk gas turbine engine has been specifically designed to be accommodated on a Coanda disk aircraft.</div>
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<b>Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV86AHkyitWFlIQ0nESyC4M4-TlTqU0TH8iYAS4mfD9KRTYL7bSVUGM1RtDTi1KsTmfbd2TLLE6n5Bv4PO8qxjNxKBtB72dBAWHscRmyLPgMbosQakakvzt6y1q0czRxdZtWHqp3Jul_6/s1600/The+Avrocar+58-7055+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV86AHkyitWFlIQ0nESyC4M4-TlTqU0TH8iYAS4mfD9KRTYL7bSVUGM1RtDTi1KsTmfbd2TLLE6n5Bv4PO8qxjNxKBtB72dBAWHscRmyLPgMbosQakakvzt6y1q0czRxdZtWHqp3Jul_6/s200/The+Avrocar+58-7055+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Avrocar S/N 58-7055 (marked AV-7055) on its rollout.</div>
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Role :experimental "proof-of-concept" VTOL vehicle</div>
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National origin<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: Canada</div>
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Manufacturer : Avro Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)</div>
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Designer : John Frost</div>
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First flight :12 November 1959</div>
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Introduction : 1958</div>
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Retired<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: 1961</div>
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Status : experimental</div>
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Primary users : United States Air Force (intended)</div>
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United States Army (intended)</div>
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Produced : 1958–1959</div>
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Number built<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2</div>
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Unit cost<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Project cost: $10 million (USD)</div>
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The Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar was a VTOL aircraft developed by Avro Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) as part of a secret U.S. military project carried out in the early years of the Cold War.</div>
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The Avrocar intended to exploit the Coandă effect to provide lift and thrust from a single "turborotor" blowing exhaust out the rim of the disk-shaped aircraft to provide anticipated VTOL-like performance. In the air, it would have resembled a flying saucer. </div>
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Two prototypes were built as "proof-of-concept" test vehicles for a more advanced USAF fighter and also for a U.S. Army tactical combat aircraft requirement.</div>
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In flight testing, the Avrocar proved to have unresolved thrust and stability problems that limited it to a degraded, low-performance flight envelope; subsequently, the project was cancelled in September 1.961.</div>
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Through the history of the program, the project was referred to by a number of different names. Avro referred to the efforts as Project Y, with individual vehicles known as Spade and Omega. Project Y-2 was later funded by the US Air Force, who referred to it as WS-606A, Project 1794 and Project Silver Bug. </div>
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When the US Army joined the efforts it took on its final name "Avrocar", and the designation "VZ-9", part of the US Army's VTOL projects in the VZ series.</div>
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<b>Design and development</b></div>
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The Avrocar was the ultimate result of a series of blue skies research projects by designer "Jack" Frost, who had joined Avro Canada in June 1.947 after working for several British firms.</div>
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He had been with de Havilland from 1.942 and had worked on the de Havilland Hornet, de Havilland Vampire jet fighter and the de Havilland Swallow aircraft, where he had been the chief designer on the supersonic research project.</div>
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At Avro Canada, he had worked on the Avro CF-100 before creating a research team known as the "Special Projects Group" (more commonly known as SPG). </div>
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Frost first surrounded himself with a collection of like-minded "maverick" engineers, then arranged for a work site. Initially ensconced in the "Penthouse" (the derisive company nickname for the executive wing) of the Administration Building, the SPG was subsequently relocated to a Second World War-era structure across from the company headquarters, the Schaeffer Building, that was secured with security guards, locked doors and special pass cards. </div>
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At times, the SPG also operated out of the Experimental Hangar where it shared space with other esoteric Avro project teams.</div>
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At the time, Frost was particularly interested in jet engine design and ways to improve the efficiency of the compressor without sacrificing the simplicity of the turbine engine. </div>
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He found Frank Whittle's "reverse flow" design too complex and was interested in ways to "clean up" the layout. </div>
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This led him to design a new type of engine layout with the flame cans lying directly outside the outer rim of the centrifugal compressor, pointed outwards like the spokes on a wheel. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Power for the compressor was drawn from a new type of turbine similar to a centrifugal fan, as opposed to the more typical propeller-like turbine, driving the compressor using gearing rather than a shaft. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The resulting engine had no conventional thrust axis, and was arranged in the form of a large disk, which he referred to as a "pancake engine."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The jet thrust exited from around the entire rim of the engine, and this presented problems trying to adapt the design to a typical aircraft.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Project Y</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOhye_cIKuFIMzO3G3zlldKPs_1631i2KGsuXHdYGGxKAVQSMts8L_ozrY7OJ5UonHEDyO2y0U8d2uk0Z6_XWpUEsQH5vl1Ek1mULtp5Kl4qJsex8U0f7huyjO0iJ7IC09bhKGe1THCvY/s1600/project+y+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOhye_cIKuFIMzO3G3zlldKPs_1631i2KGsuXHdYGGxKAVQSMts8L_ozrY7OJ5UonHEDyO2y0U8d2uk0Z6_XWpUEsQH5vl1Ek1mULtp5Kl4qJsex8U0f7huyjO0iJ7IC09bhKGe1THCvY/s200/project+y+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rare colour image from an Avro Aircraft company film showing the Project Y mock-up in the Experimental Flight Hangar c. 1.954. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The edge of the wing closest to the camera shows the scalloped nozzles used to redirect the jet thrust rearward. </div>
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The cockpit is just visible at the front of the "spine" running along the top of the aircraft.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the same time, the aircraft industry as a whole was becoming increasingly interested in VTOL aircraft. It was expected that any future European war would start with a nuclear exchange that would destroy most airbases, so aircraft would need to operate from limited airbases, roads or even unprepared fields. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Considerable research effort was put into various solutions to securing a second-strike capability. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Some of these solutions included rocket-launched aircraft like the zero-length launch concept, while many companies started work on VTOL aircraft as a more appropriate long-term solution.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost felt the excellent performance of his new engine would be a natural fit for a VTOL aircraft due to its high expected power-to-weight ratio. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The problem was how to use the annular thrust to drive the aircraft forward, as well as the problem of fitting the very large engine into a suitable airframe. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost suggested using a series of vents to redirect the thrust flowing out of the "front" of the engine towards the rear, although it was well known that long channeling leads to a loss of thrust. </div>
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In order to keep the "piping" as short as possible, the design ported the thrust out along the leading edge of what was essentially a very large delta wing. </div>
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As the engine was disk-shaped, the triangular shape was "pushed out" near the front, producing a planform shaped roughly like a spade.</div>
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For this reason the design was also referred to as the "Avro Ace," a likely reference to the Ace of Spades. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The compressor inlet was located at the middle of the engine, so the engine air intakes were located just to the front of the centre on the top and bottom of the aircraft. </div>
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The cockpit was positioned over the main bearing, behind the intakes. </div>
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A "spine" on the top and bottom ran from the cockpit area to the rear edge of the aircraft. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several other versions of the basic layout were also studied, including the "Omega" which was more disk-like as it cut away the rear portions of the delta wing as well.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For VTOL operations the aircraft was expected to sit pointed up, supported by long landing legs that extended out of the spine. Landing would be accomplished at a very high angle, making visibility during the approach very difficult. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A number of other VTOL experiments of the era attempted various solutions to this problem, including rotating pilots seats and cockpits, but none proved very effective. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another problem with various VTOL experiments was that stability in a hover was difficult to arrange, although not entirely unexpected. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A solution to this problem would require the thrust to be directed downward from a larger area, as it is in a helicopter, where the lift is supplied over the entire area of the rotor disk.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most designers turned to bleeding off air from the engine's compressor, and directing that through pipes arranged around the aircraft. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost's engine design used such a large number of nozzles that such an arrangement would not be to easy to build.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 1.952, the design was advanced enough that the Canadian Defense Research Board funded the effort with a $400,000 contract. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By 1.953, a wooden mock-up of Project Y was completed, of which only images remain. It appears the project was considered too costly within the military establishment, which was at the time involved in several extremely expensive air defense projects. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On 11 February 1.953, a story on the project was leaked to the Toronto Star along with images of the Omega design, apparently in order to gain further funding (a strategy widely employed in the U.S. at the time, known as policy by press release). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Five days later, the Minister for Defense Production informed the House of Commons that Avro was indeed working on a "mock-up model" of a flying saucer, capable of flying at 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 km/h) and climbing vertically. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nevertheless, further funding was not forthcoming.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Project Y-2: the "flat-riser"</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPc77pNgeI7wyt58uBr1Z0j9tjsrLWAIxpK6FmXE8Gei5NVDJ80AVgHjpR0uqZ1y6bRiRCpqFbTsGoZEGrwMsSFEoF3i254M2FgO7sYj-8tvHlvsilyfLYKnou5-DSoyHjmq-uUyvH1qo/s1600/project+y2+top+secret+aiplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPc77pNgeI7wyt58uBr1Z0j9tjsrLWAIxpK6FmXE8Gei5NVDJ80AVgHjpR0uqZ1y6bRiRCpqFbTsGoZEGrwMsSFEoF3i254M2FgO7sYj-8tvHlvsilyfLYKnou5-DSoyHjmq-uUyvH1qo/s200/project+y2+top+secret+aiplanes.jpg" height="159" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Jack" Frost demonstrates the Coandă effect. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Pressurized air flows out of the end of the red tube, and then over the top of the metal disk. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Coandă effect makes the air "stick" to the disk, bending down at the edges to flow vertically. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This airflow supports the disk in the air.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While Project Y continued, Frost had meanwhile become interested in the Coandă effect, where fluid flows will follow strongly convex shapes, something that might be unexpected at first glance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost felt the effect could be used with his engine design to produce a more practical VTOL aircraft, the exhaust flowing outward over the upper surface of the aircraft and then being directed downward over a flap-like arrangement. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This would produce a lift force around the entire edge of the aircraft, allowing it to land "flat". </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He produced a number of small experimental designs using compressed air in place of an engine in order to select a suitable planform shape, and eventually decided that a disk was the best solution.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As he continued these experiments, he found that the same thrust-direction system he intended for VTOL operations worked just as well for forward flight. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In this case the disk shape was not of itself a good lifting surface, as it was neutral in terms of lift direction that is, it would fly sideways as readily as it would fly forward. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, by modifying the airflow with the application of a small amount of jet thrust, the overall airflow over the craft could be dramatically altered, creating a sort of "virtual airfoil" of any needed configuration. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For instance, by directing even a small amount of jet thrust down, a large mass of air would be pulled over the upper surface of the wing and dramatically augment the flow over the wing, creating lift.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This appeared to offer a solution to one of the most vexing problems of the era, designing an aircraft that was effective at subsonic and supersonic speeds. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Subsonic lift is created by the airflow around the wing following streamlines, but supersonic lift is generated by shock waves at points of critical curvature. No single design could offer high performance for both regimes. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The blown disk could attack this problem by being laid out for supersonic performance only, and then using jet thrust to modify subsonic airflow into a semblance of a normal wing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The resulting design would be tuned for high supersonic performance, have reasonable subsonic performance, and would also offer VTOL, all in a single design.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>U.S. Involvement: Project 1794/WS 606A</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab2qJSid-GOLTFgDvUdgQc1WKHa7twdx43bejDK70uPux9DmbXpcNMelZg_IvWGHwCWUrwGlelT9F1XPAdv8tk8GMEDuc5-0CD1MwIImPkq0z2KJCOq6_F0_4Iv3HBHNhxwzbNwREGGgm/s1600/Project+1794+WS+606A+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjab2qJSid-GOLTFgDvUdgQc1WKHa7twdx43bejDK70uPux9DmbXpcNMelZg_IvWGHwCWUrwGlelT9F1XPAdv8tk8GMEDuc5-0CD1MwIImPkq0z2KJCOq6_F0_4Iv3HBHNhxwzbNwREGGgm/s200/Project+1794+WS+606A+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In late 1.953, a group of U.S. defence experts visited Avro Canada to view the new CF-100 fighter jet.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Somewhere along the way, Frost co-opted the tour and rerouted it to the Special Projects area where he proceeded to show off the Project Y mock-up and models and drawings (some never before seen by senior company officials) for a completely circular disk-shaped aircraft known as "Project Y-2." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The USAF agreed to take over funding for Frost's Special Projects Group, and a contract for $US 750,000 followed in 1.955. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By 1.956, Avro management was interested enough to commit $2.5 million to build a "private venture" prototype. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In March 1.957, the Air Force added additional funding, and the aircraft became Weapons System 606A.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A wide variety of designs were studied for a VTOL fighter aircraft, all revolved around the disk shape, leading to the Project 1.794 involving a supersonic large disk fighter aircraft. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The concept proceeded to wind tunnel testing with a variety of scale models. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It featured a raised section in the middle over the engine, the intake covered with a series of louvers that would be closed in forward flight. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost's performance estimates for the concept were for a potential of Mach 3.5 at 100,000 ft (30,000 m) altitudes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was some debate about the concept within the USAF, as many groups were attempting to gain funding for their own pet projects, like nuclear powered bombers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a repeat of the earlier Toronto Star release, in 1955 an extensive article appeared in Look Magazine that, among other claims, speculated that current UFO sightings were Soviet-built saucers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The article went on to describe such an aircraft with diagrams that were clearly influenced by the Avro design.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A new impeller-driven engine design was proposed as Avro PV-704 (PV stood for Private Venture), powered by six Armstrong Siddeley Viper jet engines blowing across the outer rim of a central rotor. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The PV-704 was a "stop-gap" design built into a bunker-like building behind the Avro Experimental Test facility. It was intended to test various Project 1.794 concepts and provide the USAF with test data to show the viability of the concept. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The original plan to initially test the "Viper Engine Rig" was to have continued into "free flight" testing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, testing was anything but smooth; the test model suffered from hazardous oil leaks, resulting in three fires.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It eventually got to the point that staff were afraid of the machine, even when safely ensconced in a booth constructed of bullet-proof glass and quarter-inch-thick steel. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A final, disastrous and nearly lethal engine test in 1.956 which involved a Viper jet engine "running wild" convinced Frost that a less dangerous test vehicle was necessary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Genesis of the Avrocar</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To gather flight data on the basic concept while the engine development continued, in 1.958 Frost proposed building a smaller "proof-of-concept" test vehicle he called the Avrocar. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By this point, the US Army was involved in a wide variety of experiments on smaller VTOL aircraft that would act as a "flying Jeep," and they became interested in Avro's concept as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Frost pitched his smaller design both as a prototype of a vehicle suitable for the Army's needs, as well as an aerodynamic testbed for the WS-606. Initial performance requirements for the Avrocar were a ten-minute hover capability in ground effect and 25-mile (40 km) range with a 1,000 lb (450 kg) payload.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChnpFpTCXoG6J-ZI0B6hucHp9Po3QV-tnKq6bW7O237hFj09vtIRyWny7dkL7_XKCITng-Sdc_koEXp7Xtmoh0qrXZFRZyzrTIcAvXIHfshoeaOL62qnWqTpdvJzAG-eSoHnv9kSeppum/s1600/avrocar+top+secret+airplanes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChnpFpTCXoG6J-ZI0B6hucHp9Po3QV-tnKq6bW7O237hFj09vtIRyWny7dkL7_XKCITng-Sdc_koEXp7Xtmoh0qrXZFRZyzrTIcAvXIHfshoeaOL62qnWqTpdvJzAG-eSoHnv9kSeppum/s200/avrocar+top+secret+airplanes.png" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The new plan appeared to make everybody happy, and a $2 million joint-services contract managed by the Air Force was awarded to Avro to build and test two Avrocars, which the Army referred to as the VZ-9-AV (with AV standing for "Avro," an unusual departure from normal US Army nomenclature, the latest in a series of "VZ" aircraft. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Army interest in the Avrocar program was apparently very high. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bernard Lindenbaum of the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory recalls a trip to Washington in the late 1.950s to request additional funding for a study on helicopter drag reduction. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although the funding was approved, he overheard an Army General remark that the Huey would be the last helicopter the Army would buy since the helicopter would be replaced by the Avrocar.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Additional Air Force funding of approximately $700,000 (unexpended from the 606A program) was also moved to the Avrocar project.}</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In March 1.959, an additional $1.77 million contract was received for a second prototype. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At rollout, projected performance was far in excess of the requirement, with a 225 knots (417 km/h) maximum speed, 10,000 feet (3,000 m) ceiling, 130-mile (209 km) range with 1,000 lb (450 kg) payload, and hover out of ground effect with 2,428 lb (1,101 kg) payload. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maximum takeoff weight with transition to forward flight out of ground effect was calculated to be 5,650 lb (2,560 kg), maximum weight with a transition in ground effect (GETOL) was 6,970 lb (3,160 kg).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just as the first working test models were being manufactured, disaster struck. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Canadian government cancelled the Avro CF-105 Arrow program on "Black Friday," 20 February 1.959. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ensuing result was the lay-off of almost all Avro Canada employees, including those with the Special Projects Group. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, three days following the announcement of the Arrow cancellation, many of the Special Projects employees were rehired. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it wasn't quite business as usual. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The team now included people from the CF-100 and CF-105 teams and the Special Projects Group was moved into the main building, which was nearly empty. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As well, company "brass" became more involved in the group’s operations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The USAF Project Office devoted to the Avro projects, recommended that the WS-606A and all related work (including the Avrocar) be cancelled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A "stop/go" work order came down and Frost was forced once more to try to rescue the project. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In an elaborate effort, Frost made a resounding case for continuation of US military funding. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Late in May 1.959, the USAF authorized Avro to continue the "flying saucer" programs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Design</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Avrocar was a disk-shaped aircraft with the same basic shape as a frisbee, the upper surface of the disk being fairly curved, and the bottom much less so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The disk was 18 feet (5.5 m) in diameter and 3.5 feet (1.1 m) thick. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The main structural truss was a large equilateral triangle, to which the various components were attached. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 124-blade "turborotor" sat in the center of the triangle, with most of the rotor's thrust directed straight down through an opening in the lower surface, but some was bled off to power the control system running along the outer rim of the disk.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Power for the rotor was provided by three Continental J69-T-9 jet engines attached to the truss. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Each engine had its own fuel and oil tanks and other support systems, although it was expected these would be interconnected in future models.</div>
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The majority of the airframe was made of aluminum with an empty weight of 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg).</div>
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Pilot control was entirely through a single side-mounted control stick. </div>
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Pitch and roll were controlled through conventional fore-aft and side-to-side motions, while yaw could be controlled by twisting the stick. </div>
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No mechanical linkages were used, the stick instead controlled the flow of high pressure air around the craft, which either directly attached to various control surfaces, or indirectly through local cable linkages to replace controls that were intended to be cable-actuated (like throttle controls on the engines).</div>
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The attitude/thrust control system consisted of a large ring situated outside of the main disk, shaped roughly like a rounded triangle with the flat surface on the "inside." </div>
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Viewing the craft from the side, the control flap is almost invisible, appearing in its neutral position to blend into the profile. </div>
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The pilot's controls moved the ring in relation to the rest of the craft, affecting the airflow moving outward from the center of the craft. </div>
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Vertical lift could be increased by moving the entire ring down, which would produce more airflow over its upper surface, which would then bend down over this surface toward the ground. Tilting the ring resulted in asymmetric thrust for directional control.</div>
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It was discovered that the craft was inherently unstable in forward flight, as the aerodynamic center of pressure was well forward of the center of gravity.</div>
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The Avrocar thus included a mechanical stability control system that was independent of the pilot's controls. </div>
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The turborotor had a fairly large angular momentum and was intended to act as a powerful gyroscope, providing a "normal" direction of flight. </div>
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Control cables attached to the base of the rotor would be pulled when the craft moved in relation to the rotor, actuating the control surfaces to counteract the motion.</div>
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The vehicle was manned by a crew of two, positioned in separate cockpits squeezed into empty areas in the airframe. </div>
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In practice, only one pilot was usually on board during testing; a number of flights were made with an observer in the second cockpit. </div>
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Until control problems were completely solved, the Avro test pilots acquired a "touch" for the extremely sensitive control inputs and Avro Aircraft Chief Development Test Pilot Potocki was eventually able to demonstrate a "hands-off" flight. </div>
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Nonetheless, Avro test pilot Peter Cope, Usaf project pilot Walter J. Hodgson and Nasa Ames Chief Test Pilot Fred J. Drinkwater III, who all flew the Avrocar, considered it still a tricky vehicle to fly. </div>
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Drinkwater likened a flight in it to "balancing on a beach ball."</div>
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The undercarriage of the Avrocar was rudimentary with three small castoring wheels mounted on "stub" shafts; a set of skids was substituted later in testing although they were not normally fitted.</div>
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<b>Operational history</b></div>
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<b>Testing</b></div>
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The first Avrocar, #58-7055, rolled out of the Avro Malton factory in May 1.959. </div>
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From 9 June to 7 October 1.959, it was tested in a static hover rig.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeGotPUZK0OrNEVmf23KbMQVzbQSn70ffJqEqcBNtisiyokOXbpxkG93EAL2iuqWvMGhGmNZSLwrozmV-5smkMTpCZAIAPawmrv5HiqH8Q5wKhORSP078EQKgAluIWrIM0ZGMVAskw8cy/s1600/avro+canada+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeGotPUZK0OrNEVmf23KbMQVzbQSn70ffJqEqcBNtisiyokOXbpxkG93EAL2iuqWvMGhGmNZSLwrozmV-5smkMTpCZAIAPawmrv5HiqH8Q5wKhORSP078EQKgAluIWrIM0ZGMVAskw8cy/s200/avro+canada+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, hot gas from the exhaust was found to mix back into the intakes in hover, reducing engine thrust. In addition, the fan generated lift only from a small area of its surface, lowering overall thrust available. </div>
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The ducts also proved to have higher losses than expected, and a series of modifications were not able to solve this problem to any large degree. </div>
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These problems reduced maximum lift at higher altitudes out of the ground effect to 3,150 lb (1,430 kg), less than the empty weight of the aircraft at 4,285 lb (1,944 kg). </div>
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This meant the aircraft would be incapable of hovering out of the ground effect. </div>
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Following these tests, the vehicle was sent to NASA Ames for a wind tunnel testing.</div>
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The second, #59-4975, was completed August 1959. On 29 September, the first attempt to hover was made with the Avrocar tethered to the ground.</div>
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After the vehicle became airborne, an uncontrollable roll and pitch-coupled oscillation started that forced each of the three wheels into the ground in turn. </div>
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The pilot, W.D. "Spud" Potocki, immediately shut down all engines. </div>
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Changes were made to the stability system to provide more control authority, while new tethers were investigated to improve the ability to control these sorts of problems.</div>
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As testing continued it became clear that the problem was inherent to the design, and the engineers started referring to the effect as "hubcapping," so-named as it appeared similar to a hubcap spun on the ground.</div>
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Investigations into the effect revealed what was causing the problem. </div>
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While in the ground effect, the high-pressure air under the craft was trapped, filling the entire area and thus providing a stable base. When the craft rose out of the ground effect, the air formed itself into a single narrow column, described by Frost as "tree trunking". </div>
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At intermediate altitudes the craft would momentarily transition from one regime to the other, during which time one side of the vehicle would be entirely supported while the support was disappearing under the other. </div>
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This led to a strong pitching motion towards the unsupported side. </div>
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As soon as this occurred that side would approach the ground and re-establish the supporting air, while the other side would then be raised above this limit. </div>
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This process would repeat itself, with the craft rolling from side to side. Modifications were carried out in order to try to solve the problem. </div>
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Eventually a series of 52 holes were drilled in the bottom of the vehicle, located radially three feet from the center. </div>
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These were to provide a central jet to stabilize the ground cushion.</div>
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With these modifications complete and apparently working, the first completely free flight occurred on 12 November 1.959. </div>
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This test proved the nozzle control system unacceptable. </div>
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The spoilers were intended to direct the air out over the top or bottom of the annular flap, out the bottom only during hover, but over the top and bottom during forward flight. </div>
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The idea was that when the flap was positioned in order to provide control, the lift would be lowered on one side and raised on the other. </div>
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Lift was indeed lowered on one side, but sadly the lift did not improve on the other, so every control input resulted in a loss of altitude. </div>
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After five flights, testing was temporarily halted on 5 December 1.959, by which time the Avrocar had logged 18.5 hours of test time in total.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2tTS8LfyMtH8T8Dbty4VyEIFTJUTAEqJjBp3EHRS5-QiGw-9IVUXIoJG49yeXlUCvogy2N1aTzbEWEz9MIJ8RuHUka2ZUXrk3b-REnKzw3xE3-0xmygpOMQCpRnEftBRmgQ6WU8El6G_/s1600/avrocar+03+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2tTS8LfyMtH8T8Dbty4VyEIFTJUTAEqJjBp3EHRS5-QiGw-9IVUXIoJG49yeXlUCvogy2N1aTzbEWEz9MIJ8RuHUka2ZUXrk3b-REnKzw3xE3-0xmygpOMQCpRnEftBRmgQ6WU8El6G_/s200/avrocar+03+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="100" width="200" /></a></div>
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Avrocar 59-4975 after modifications, was tested without the canopies and incorporating the perimeter "focusing" ring c. 1.961. </div>
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Tests showed that the heat was so oppressive that all instruments were baked brown after only a few flights.</div>
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A completely new design was installed over the winter. </div>
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The original spoilers were removed and replaced by a single ring below the annular flap. </div>
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The ring shifted in relation to the craft under control input, "sealing off" the gap on one side while opening it on the other. </div>
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Tests continued in January 1.960, and appeared to work much better. </div>
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However, while the new control system improved the hovering qualities, the craft now became unstable at higher speeds above 30 knots (56 km/h). </div>
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The first Avrocar at Ames was similarly modified, and, in April 1960, it was tested in their 40 x 80 ft (24 m) wind tunnel.</div>
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The problem became clear; the ring blocked so much of the overall engine thrust that the overall power was greatly reduced. </div>
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As the craft sped up, the airflow on the underside reduced the recirculation, reducing the lift due to airflow over the upper surface. </div>
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This was somewhat unexpected; recirculation had been considered a "bad thing" due to the loss of engine thrust, and its positive effects on lift do not appear to have been appreciated. In the end, in order to maintain lift at higher forward speeds the craft had to be pitched to the end of its control capability.</div>
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Avro was convinced that the concept was still workable, and proposed a new program for major rework of the propulsion and control system. Instead of the single annular triangular flap and spoilers, or the later ring control, the new system included two separate control systems for hover and forward flight, combined into a single nozzle. </div>
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For hover, a series of "transition doors" were opened into the nozzles, blocking them off and re-directing the flow downward under the aircraft. </div>
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Control during this regime was provided by moving the outer portion of the flap to "focus" the flow. </div>
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At higher speeds, the doors were closed, allowing the air to flow out from the edge of the aircraft, where a series of simple flap-like controls were located. </div>
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The new control system covered the rear 3/4's of the aircraft's outer circumference; the front section featured the hovering controls only.</div>
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Modifications were completed on the Ames model and testing resumed in April 1.961. </div>
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The new design demonstrated much better control in hover and considerably improved lift. </div>
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The vehicle was now able to travel at up to 100 knots (190 km/h), a great improvement over the 30 knots (56 km/h) previously reached. However, it remained unstable in pitch, and exhibited a strong nose-up trim. </div>
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Nasa engineers attempted to modify this with a T-tail, but this proved to sit within the airflow of the turborotor and did not help. </div>
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Frost's team considered two new designs, one with a large vertical tail and one with a wing with tip mounted verticals "winglets." </div>
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Both designs used two 2,700 lbf (12 kN) thrust General Electric J85 turbojets and increased the turborotor diameter from five to six ft.</div>
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On 9 June 1.961, a second USAF/Nasa flight evaluation of the Avrocar was conducted on the similarly modified second prototype at the Avro facility. </div>
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During these tests, the vehicle reached a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h) and showed the ability to traverse a ditch six feet across and 18 inches (460 mm) deep. </div>
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Flight above the critical altitude proved dangerous if not nearly impossible due to inherent instability.</div>
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The flight test report further identified a range of control problems.</div>
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<b>Cancellation</b></div>
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Before modifications could be achieved, funding ran out in March 1.961. </div>
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Frost's proposals for a modified design were not accepted, and the Avrocar and related WS-606A supersonic VTOL programs were officially cancelled in December 1.961 by the U.S. military. </div>
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Avro company executives encouraged additional VTOL research projects, exploring new configurations married to a disk platform and even a "lift jet" version, but no further interest resulted from Canadian or other sources, to cap the end of this Special Projects Group program. </div>
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In 1.961, a number of later proposals, including the Avro P470 VTOL fighter concept derived from the Special Projects Group, were submitted to fulfill a NATO competition for a tactical strike fighter.</div>
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These needs were filled by the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, but in more general terms, interest in VTOL faded as it became widely believed a nuclear first strike would not be used at the start of a European war.</div>
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The second Avrocar had logged about 75 flight hours at the end of the flight testing. </div>
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Judged by its performance, the Avrocar was an abject failure: it couldn't lift itself safely more than a few feet off the ground, and its bulbous design limiting high-speed performance accompanied by unbearable heat and screaming exhaust noise, made it impractical for the military. </div>
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Although considered a technical failure, its design would be prophetic : it was a rubber skirt shy of being one of the world's first hovercraft, the Saunders Roe SR.N1 also taking off in 1.959. </div>
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Nevertheless, company designer, John Frost applied for a number of patents in Canada, the UK and the US that established the pivotal role that the Avrocar and related Avro experimental vehicles, made in the VTOL world.</div>
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<b>Latest developments</b></div>
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The Avro VZ-9 Avrocar was a "dead end" in VTOL design, according to Russell Lee, curator at the National Air and Space Museum, yet its technological innovations have intrigued other designers. </div>
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One of the design elements it embodied, the use of ducted fans led to other experimental programs. Dr. Paul Moller, a Canadian expatriate who had worked at Avro Canada as a young engineer, based an initial series of experimental VTOL vehicles on "saucer" technology utilizing the buried ducted fan à la-Avrocar. </div>
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The XM-2, the first of the series looked remarkably like a miniature flying saucer. </div>
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After successful tether tests, the saucer designs also at one time publicized as "discojet" were abandoned and their latest project, the Moller Skycar, has a flying-car appearance.</div>
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The Avrocar story did not end with the termination of the program. </div>
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Only two Avrocars were ever produced and because the U.S. military had paid for the work, they reverted to U.S. ownership at the end of the program. </div>
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The second example, S/N 59-4975, utilized for "flight" testing, returned to Canada briefly for display in Montreal at the Man and His World Exhibition (1.968); after a lengthy period of outdoor display, it is now under restoration at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum in Fort Eustis, Virginia.</div>
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The first Avrocar, S/N 58-7055 (marked AV-7055), after tethered testing, became the "wind tunnel" test model at NASA Ames, where it remained in storage from 1.961 until 1.966, when it was donated to the National Air and Space Museum, in Suitland, Maryland. </div>
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There it continued gathering dust for the next forty years. The Museum finally scheduled it for restoration and display at their newly constructed Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Instead the Avrocar has been loaned to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, arriving in November, 2.007. </div>
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After a full restoration, which included fabrication of both missing plexiglass bubbles, it was put on display in June 2.008 in the Museum's Cold War Gallery. </div>
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It has since been moved to the Presidential Aircraft Gallery.</div>
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A full-scale replica of the Avrocar was prepared for the 2.002 production, Avrocar: Saucer Secrets from the Past. </div>
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It now resides as an exhibit at the Western Canada Aviation Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.</div>
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<b>Specifications (VZ-9-AV)</b></div>
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<b>Data from Avrocar :</b> Canada's Flying Saucer...and The World's Worst Aircraft: From Pioneering Failures to Multimillion Dollar Disasters</div>
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<b>General characteristics :</b></div>
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Crew: 2</div>
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Capacity: 1 observer/engineer</div>
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Diameter: 18 ft (5.5 m)</div>
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Height: 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)</div>
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Wing area: 254 sq ft (23.6 m2)</div>
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Empty weight: 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)</div>
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Max takeoff weight: 5,560 lb (2,522 kg)</div>
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Powerplant: 3 × Continental J69-T-9 turbojet engines, 660 lbf (2.9 kN) thrust each</div>
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Performance : Maximum speed: 300 mph (483 km/h; 261 kn) (estimated), 35 mph (56 km/h) (actual)</div>
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Range: 995 mi (865 nmi; 1,601 km) (estimated), 79 mi (127 km) (actual)</div>
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Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,048 m) (estimated), 3 ft (0.91 m) (actual)</div>
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<b>The GFS-UAV project</b></div>
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The GFS-UAV, propelled by an electric engine, uses the Coanda effect to take off vertically, fly, hover and land vertically ( VTOL ). </div>
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There is no big rotor like on an helicopter and the flight is very stable and safe for the surrounding. </div>
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The design of the GFS-UAV N-01A is based on the Geoff Hatton' flying saucer from GFS Project limited.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MUGtPvfkWeQ" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-36126238411328506812012-05-21T18:24:00.001-05:002012-08-19T19:21:16.876-05:00Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6yLY491SmwhyYiMQMI3Y4DdIxYR5Nscu-8y_oKx61l_HFEqnFfCLzWJ9aZsx7ZqZAWBe4YoEke4zniEOwcEhBLYj3ag-grJerih0UuRo2cTAFxEp6ul1izRqnGKftiPSIW_Kkmirwhn4/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6yLY491SmwhyYiMQMI3Y4DdIxYR5Nscu-8y_oKx61l_HFEqnFfCLzWJ9aZsx7ZqZAWBe4YoEke4zniEOwcEhBLYj3ag-grJerih0UuRo2cTAFxEp6ul1izRqnGKftiPSIW_Kkmirwhn4/s200/Chengdu+J-20+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Stealth air superiority fighter/multirole combat aircraft</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National origin : People's Republic of China</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 11 January 2.011</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : 2.017–2.019 (planned)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : In development/flight testing</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user : People's Liberation Army Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Number built : 2</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unit cost : US$110 million (est.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Chengdu J-20 (Jian-20; simplified Chinese: 歼-二零; traditional Chinese: 殲-二零; pinyin: Jiān èr líng) is a purported[5] fifth-generation, stealth, twin-engine fighter aircraft prototype developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In late 2.010, the J-20 underwent high speed taxiing tests. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 made its first flight on 11 January 2.011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">General He Weirong, Deputy Commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force said in November 2.009 that he expected the J-20 to be operational in 2.017–2.019.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 was one of the stealth fighter programs under the codename J-XX that was launched in the late 1.990s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was designated “Project 718”,and won the PLAAF endorsement in a 2.008 competition against a Shenyang proposal that was reportedly even larger than J-20.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two prototypes (#2.001-01 & #2.001–02) have been built as of the end of 2.010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 22 December 2.010, the J-20 was under-going high speed taxiing tests outside the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute with no confirmed flight tests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 made its first flight, which lasted about 15 minutes, on 11 January 2.011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper has testified that the United States has known about the program for a "long time" and that the test flight was not a surprise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, a 2.012 report by the U.S.‐China Economic and Security Review Commission suggests that the United States may have underestimated the speed of development of the J-20 and several other Chinese military development projects.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 10 May 2.012, a new prototype (#2.002) was reported to be undergoing low speed taxiing tests in an unspecified airport at Chengdu.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This new aircraft differs from 2.001 with redesigned landing gear and nose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flight testing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KaoqVR_YX3dkhnmqgEe4zTGzV7vPkznuXxJV2zV4KGcpB5HjvSJbyeNm0Gv99aDvKUdP2PEgDu1cD70z_c7GIqpFU9m4im2siB12GiVJBo__LpzxyZTGVTLFAte5YIEJudx6kItk7idN/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KaoqVR_YX3dkhnmqgEe4zTGzV7vPkznuXxJV2zV4KGcpB5HjvSJbyeNm0Gv99aDvKUdP2PEgDu1cD70z_c7GIqpFU9m4im2siB12GiVJBo__LpzxyZTGVTLFAte5YIEJudx6kItk7idN/s200/Chengdu+J-20+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 made its first flight, lasting about 15 minutes, on 11 January 2.011. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Chengdu J-10S served as the chase aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the successful first flight, a ceremony was held. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The test pilot of the J-20, Li Gang, Chief designer Yang Wei and General Li Andong (Deputy-Director of General Armaments Department, and Director of Science and Technology Commission of General Armaments Department of the PLA since 2.000) attended the ceremony.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The jet began making test flights again on Nov. 12 after a month long break from flying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">China thus became the third nation in the world to "develop and test-fly a full-size stealth combat aircraft demonstrator", after the United States and Russia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Guardian reported that experts, on the one hand, expressed "surprise" at the speed with which the aircraft was developed, but on the other hand "said the country's military prowess was still relatively backward and way behind that of the US" and that its military interests were limited to its region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first test flight coincided with a visit of United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to China, and was initially interpreted by Pentagon officials and the media[who?] as a possible signal to the visiting delegation from the U.S.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, after meeting with senior Chinese officials including Chinese President, CMC Chairman Hu Jintao, Secretary Gates remarked, "The civilian leadership seemed surprised by the test and assured me it had nothing to do with my visit."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jin Canrong, a professor at Renmin University in Beijing who specializes in China-U.S. relations, suggested that President Hu's ignorance of the test raises questions about the nature of civilian control of the Chinese military.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, as Michael Swaine, an expert on the PLA and United States – China military relations, explained, although it's possible and even likely that "senior officials in the [Chinese] leadership did not know that this flight test would occur on this precise day," this is not necessarily evidence of a military-backed effort to insult Secretary Gates' delegation or embarrass President Hu. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rather, decisions regarding the production, development and testing of such military aircraft are routinely managed by engineers and low-level officials more than by senior civilian or military leadership. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coupled with the fact that there was relatively limited coverage of the event in Chinese media initially, it is likely that the test may not have been considered a significant enough event to warrant notification to President Hu.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A second test flight of an hour and twenty minutes took place on 17 April 2.011. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 5 May 2.011, a 55 minute test flight included retraction of the landing gear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The full initial test program of 10 to 20 test flights is expected to take years to complete.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In March 2.012 a video was taken of the J-20 showing various tests done in flight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Technology transfer allegations</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">United States House Committee on Armed Services chairman Howard McKeon said on the J-20 "my understanding is that they built it on information that they received from Russia, from a Russian plane, that they were able to copy".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">MiG spokeswoman Yelena Fyodorova has denied that any of the project 1.44 materials had been provided to China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Balkan military officials told the Associated Press that China and Russia may have adopted some stealth technology from a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, which was shot down by the Serbian military in 1.999 during the Kosovo war.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If Chinese experts used the F-117 stealth coatings, the result would be decades behind current American state-of-the-art.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, Chinese test pilot Xu Yongling said that the J-20 was a "masterpiece" of home-grown innovation, he also said the F-117 technology was already "outdated" even at the time it was shot down, and could not be applied to a next-generation stealth jet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Janes editor James Hardy agrees that it was unlikely China would have learned much from the wreckage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Retired USAF General Thomas G. McInerney has suggested that the J-20 design may have been based on cyber-espionage of the Lockheed Martin FB-22 project.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is suspected that cyberespionage may have assisted the development of the J-20, with information used by subcontractors of Lockheed Martin for the F-35 project in particular having been significantly compromised during development of the J-20.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A United States federal prosecutor has suggested that China may have used technology supplied by Noshir Gowadia from the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit program for their stealth aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force Pradeep Vasant Naik has suggested that the J-20 is entirely reverse engineered with no Chinese R&D involved, and questioned if the practice was ethical.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Characteristics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3hNh0ubB-yWXDRXBgqCY7Z5zhFxWF15caNdvYeuSPFEA6jAF5MZjngF-EGjsFG4SG3xAt_C9VXGQA-TszLE-hnXGfHBOnh7_YKlpQSJjc7o0SLdAV5dRyjOF0IuercpwsdueQsrETUYG/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3hNh0ubB-yWXDRXBgqCY7Z5zhFxWF15caNdvYeuSPFEA6jAF5MZjngF-EGjsFG4SG3xAt_C9VXGQA-TszLE-hnXGfHBOnh7_YKlpQSJjc7o0SLdAV5dRyjOF0IuercpwsdueQsrETUYG/s200/Chengdu+J-20+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft which appears to be somewhat larger and heavier than the comparable Sukhoi T-50 and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bill Sweetman estimates that it is approximately 75 feet (23 m) in length, has a wingspan of 45 feet (14 m) or more, and is expected to have a takeoff weight of 75,000 to 80,000 pounds (34,000 to 36,000 kg) with internal stores only.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 has a long and wide fuselage and low jet engine intakes with a forward chine, a main delta wing, forward canards, a bubble canopy, conventional round engine exhausts and canted all-moving fins.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The front section of the J-20 is similarly chiseled as the F-22 Raptor and the body and tail resemble those of the Sukhoi T-50 prototype.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As early photographs of the prototype surfaced, Bill Sweetman commented that the design may suggest a large, long range ground attack aircraft, not unlike a "stealth version" of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Douglas Barrie has noted that the canard-delta configuration with canted vertical fins appears to resemble the MiG 1.42. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet, Barrie notes that key differences include greater forward fuselage shaping as the basis for low observable characteristics, along with the different engine intake configuration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 has a pair of all-moving tailfins that are swept back in the F-35 style instead of being trapezoid like the F-22 and PAK-FA tails and ventral stabilizing fins. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It also has an F-22 style nose section, but with F-35 style dropped nose, forward swept intake cowls with diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps and a one-piece canopy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 may become the first operational combat aircraft that carries sufficient fuel to supercruise throughout its missions, doubling its sortie rate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Engines</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5eeRmtivZeU2Eby6PeSkVB0ZjA2EWixM4S534zVLaJ8id9PyUtjnDeeqyt0SZ2wyGJBamhqDFv88rR19B9MYSBIKealLDEQ9vyDlMpcq-MHlhwGX-MtwmYzIJ_69gaf0OWAyF8sItL2K/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5eeRmtivZeU2Eby6PeSkVB0ZjA2EWixM4S534zVLaJ8id9PyUtjnDeeqyt0SZ2wyGJBamhqDFv88rR19B9MYSBIKealLDEQ9vyDlMpcq-MHlhwGX-MtwmYzIJ_69gaf0OWAyF8sItL2K/s200/Chengdu+J-20+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was reported in November 2.006 that a T/W=10 17,000 kilograms (37,000 lb) class turbofan (WS-15/"large thrust") was being developed for the J-20. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One (#2001-01) prototype is fitted with AL-31F, the other (#2001–02) is fitted with the improved WS-10G with a new "stealth" nozzle possibly to reduce RCS and IR emission.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prototype could be powered by twin 32,000 pounds (15,000 kg) thrust Saturn 117S engines provided by Russia, a sign of problems in the development of the aircraft, according to Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chinese sources have claimed that production aircraft will be powered by two 13,200 kilograms (29,000 lb)/WS-10 class high thrust turbofan engines fitted with Thrust Vector Controlled (TVC) nozzles, both made in China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However Richard Aboulafia has said that the WS-10 engine has suffered catastrophic failures in flight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The best estimates are that China will take five to ten years to perfect the fifth-generation jet engines needed for the J-20.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Avionics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The production J-20 may incorporate an advanced fly-by-wire (FBW) system fully integrated with the fire-control and the engine systems. Its fire-control radar is expected to be Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) (Type 1475/KLJ5?).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to recent pictures from the internet, two small dark diamond shaped windows can be seen on both sides of the nose, which could house certain electro-optical sensors, such as a missile approach warning system (MAWS) or an infra-red search and track (IRST) system. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two additional windows are seen underneath the rear fuselage, plus two more on top of the forward fuselage above the canard wings, suggesting that a distributed situational awareness system similar to the electro-optical distributed aperture system (EODAS) onboard American F-35 was installed providing a full 360° coverage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cockpit</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft features a "pure" glass cockpit (two large color liquid crystal displays (LCD) and several smaller ones in addition to a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD)). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many of these subsystems have been tested onboard J-10Bs to speed up the development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The J-20 has a large belly weapon bay for short/long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) (PL-10, PL-12C/D & PL-21) and two smaller lateral weapon bays behind the air inlets for short-range AAMs (PL-10).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One photo depicts the same air-to-air loadout as the F-22, that is six medium range and two short range air-to-air missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Stealth</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carlo Kopp has suggested that the J-20's overall stealth shaping is "without doubt considerably better" than the F-35 and PAK FA, but he agrees with others, such as Shih Hiao-wei of Defense International monthly and Bill Sweetman of Aviation Week, that some parts on the J-20 will challenge its ability to remain stealthy from all directions : "The aft fuselage, tailbooms, fins/strakes and axi-symmetric nozzles are not compatible with high stealth performance, but may only be stop-gap measures to expedite flight testing of a prototype."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of January 2.011 the engine nozzles were clearly non-stealthy; this may be due to the fact that the final "fifth-generation" engines had not been completed yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, one of the prototypes uses WS-10G engines with stealthy jagged-edge nozzles and tiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A canard delta offers greater efficiency in both subsonic and supersonic flight (which may help supercruise range), but it is unknown if the Chinese have the same software used on the Eurofighter Typhoon to control the otherwise non-stealthy canards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia has also raised doubts about the use of canards on a design that is intended to be low-observable : “There’s no better way of guaranteeing a radar reflection and compromise of stealth”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nevertheless, canards greatly boost the aircraft's maneuverability over that of a pure delta wing without canards.[60] Sweetman notes that the canard delta works with the Whitcomb area rule for a large-volume mid-body section supersonic aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, while the diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) intakes are easier to maintain than more complex stealth-compatible intakes, such as on the F-22, their fixed form limits the aircraft to around Mach 2.0.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">J.D. McFarlan of Lockheed Martin has said that the J-20 DSI inlets resemble those of the F-35, but it is unclear if the Chinese have perfected their own design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvt-bnSa-MfLVgA6jKM-TRYwMf1Enub1VPuvunjwwYrCTsTiTXVHsW-loc8R3AvT0TVQa0w35HycQG2_FdHGVlNgJ-l1vhnoe0jbyvrwPF21-zxO5-9JEe5t1CzdtZAtCgxvmcxtyuH-g/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvt-bnSa-MfLVgA6jKM-TRYwMf1Enub1VPuvunjwwYrCTsTiTXVHsW-loc8R3AvT0TVQa0w35HycQG2_FdHGVlNgJ-l1vhnoe0jbyvrwPF21-zxO5-9JEe5t1CzdtZAtCgxvmcxtyuH-g/s320/Chengdu+J-20+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lewis Page has said that it is unlikely that the Chinese will soon have an American style Low Probability of Intercept Radar and so the J-20 would be limited to attacking ground targets like previous generations of American stealth aircraft such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk. In that case the J-20 would carry a radar, but using it would instantly give away its location. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the J-20 is expected to use a AESA radar, which should have Low Probability of Intercept modes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Given that the F-35 can already track and jam even the F-22's radar, this might not be sufficient.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall evaluations</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Robert Gates has also questioned how stealthy the J-20 might be although he did say the development of the J-20 had the potential to "put some of our capabilities at risk, and we have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programs.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell has said that it was premature to call the J-20 a stealth fighter or to judge if it had any other fifth-generation characteristics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kopp and Goon have speculated that the J-20 is designed to operate as a heavy interceptor, destroying opposing AWACS and tanker aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If true, this would make it more similar to a MiG-25 with stealth capability. Sweetman agrees that this is the most likely role for such a large aircraft with low thrust to weight ratio and limited agility that is optimized for range and speed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loren B. Thompson has said that this combination of forward sector only stealth and long range will allow the J-20 to make attacks on surface targets while the United States lacks sufficient bases for F-22s in the area to counter these attacks and American allies have no comparable aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thompson has also said that a long-range maritime strike aircraft may cause the United States more trouble than a shorter range air-superiority fighter like the F-22.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Pentagon's 2.011 report on the Chinese military agrees that the J-20 is "a platform capable of long range, penetrating strikes into complex air defense environments."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because the aircraft's center of gravity must be within the triangle defined by the landing gear, the J-20 depends on lift from its canards, which limits its maneuverability to the lifting power of its canards. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hence the J-20 is not a fighter, but rather a light supersonic bomber.[75] The J-20 may have lower supercruise speed (yet greater range) and less agility than a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor or PAK FA, but might also have larger weapons bays and carry more fuel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aboulafia has called the J-20 a kludge made of mismatched parts and questioned if the Chinese have the skills or technology to produce a true fifth-generation fighter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bill Sweetman speculates that China will have problems meeting its production requirements, as it has several other jet fighter projects in production. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aviation Week raised the question of whether the aircraft is a prototype, like the Sukhoi T-50, or a technology demonstrator similar to the Lockheed YF-22.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kanwa Andrew Chan, editor-in-chief of Hong Kong Military News Agency, questioned the J-20's stealth among other parameters saying that it cannot yet match its competitors, the Russian T-50 and U.S. F-22, due to lack of engine power, the inability to fly at supersonic speeds, and shortcomings in its radar system and stealth, calling it a 4+ generation fighter in its current state.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Commander of the Russian Air Force Colonel General Alexander Zelin has said that the J-20 is inferior in speed, range, and agility to the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian military commentator Ilya Kramnik conjectures that China is still 10 to 15 years behind the United States and Russia in fighter technology and may not be able to manufacture all the advanced composite materials, avionics and sensor packages needed for such aircraft, and could instead turn to foreign suppliers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolC6fohT5z67CdLazbJniXpT37QTAjdozReWexZifVQLUUgM1EGtSaIFYT6uF2YfksMx1vE_37soXx9HFMvRuFk2U3KexxQOihsppbwHTXu_5FKHjWa4j1kT1Y2snMhmURq9naonWocC1/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolC6fohT5z67CdLazbJniXpT37QTAjdozReWexZifVQLUUgM1EGtSaIFYT6uF2YfksMx1vE_37soXx9HFMvRuFk2U3KexxQOihsppbwHTXu_5FKHjWa4j1kT1Y2snMhmURq9naonWocC1/s200/Chengdu+J-20+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, he speculates that China may be able to produce the J-20 at a cost 50% to 80% lower than US and Russian fifth-generation jet fighters, and that potential customers may include Pakistan, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the richest countries in Africa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Konstantin Sivkov of the Academy for Geopolitical Issues argued that the US is correct to be alarmed at the progress of Chinese military technology.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mikhail Pogosyan, head of the United Aircraft Corporation, has claimed that the Chinese program is more of a demonstration and that they lack the scale and experience to complete the project.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Globalsecurity.org states that China probably declined to participate in joint development and production of a new fifth-generation fighter with Russia given the belief that Russia stood to gain more from Chinese participation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chinese leaders may have determined that their design was superior to the Russian PAK FA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The United States is likely to be severely outnumbered, possibly by 10:1 regarding fighter planes, in a conflict close to China. Roger Cliff, senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, states that "What we need is to be able to put 25 jets in the air and take down 75 of theirs, without many losses. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But it’s just not going to be that one-sided anymore" and "We have become accustomed to a world where our air power is dominant, but that dominance is now in question."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carlo Kopp and Peter Goon argue that "In strategic terms, at the most basic level, a mature production J-XX [J-20] effectively obsoletes nearly all of the IADS infrastructure and systems, air defence fighter fleets and weapons inventories deployed and operated by the United States and its Pacific Rim allies" and that "In any conflict involving China, a well sized fleet of mature production J-XX [J-20] would have significant freedom of action to attack and destroy aerial and surface targets throughout the geography of the Second Island Chain".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Australia's Air Vice Marshal Osley said, Air Power Australia (Kopp and Goon) claim that the F35 will not be competitive in 2.020. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air Power Australia's criticisms mainly centre around F35's aerodynamic performance and stealth capabilities. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These are inconsistent with years of detailed analysis that has been undertaken by Defence, the JSF program office, Lockheed Martin, the US services and the eight other partner nations. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While aircraft developments such as the Russian PAK-FA or the Chinese J-20, as argued by Airpower Australia, show that threats we could potentially face are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there is nothing new regarding development of these aircraft to change Defence's assessment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He then said that he thinks that the Airpower Australia and RepSim analysis is basically flawed through incorrect assumptions and a lack of knowledge of the classified F-35 performance information.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications are preliminary and are taken as estimates from the available images.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Data from Loren B. Thompson of the Lexington Institute[85] and James Dunnigan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0xsvkKZYacrC1OVVSZ1ZvkzrwIF4FGfMlQtoOLr0blpyzKJXzAzwXGdrOrkDosikd_lIC1kEVkNmUV5RvkdYjuweOBD2xa_9KNWOaMkQ4LtNR4QJK-fw5IDVWh1c20jzFUYv894TwVvb/s1600/Chengdu+J-20+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0xsvkKZYacrC1OVVSZ1ZvkzrwIF4FGfMlQtoOLr0blpyzKJXzAzwXGdrOrkDosikd_lIC1kEVkNmUV5RvkdYjuweOBD2xa_9KNWOaMkQ4LtNR4QJK-fw5IDVWh1c20jzFUYv894TwVvb/s320/Chengdu+J-20+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>General characteristics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crew : one (pilot)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length : 21.26 m (69 ft 9 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan : 12.88 m (42 ft 3 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height : 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area : 59 m2 (630 sq ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight : 17,000 kg (37,479 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max takeoff weight : 36,287 kg (80,000 lb) upper estimate</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant : 2 × WS-10G (prototype); WS-15 when J-20 is serving afterburning turbofans dry, 180 kN (40,000 lbf) with afterburner</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum speed : Mach 2.0 or less (DSI limit)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range : 5,500 km (3,418 mi; 2,970 nmi)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Combat range : 2,000 km (1,243 mi; 1,080 nmi)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling : 20,000 m (65,617 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>None on prototype</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Production aircraft will be equipped with PL-21 LRAAM, PL-12D MRAAM, PL-10 SRAAM, LS-6 Precision Glide Bomb, 30mm cannon, up to four rocket launchers, two IR decoy launchers, air-to-surface missiles and smart bombs.</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gpifTCL7D7A" width="300"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WBA_8zjbNRU" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-57644276243403842852012-05-13T15:40:00.004-05:002013-12-03T13:53:57.711-05:00Lockheed Martin P-791<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdDFf6ge34MoJexNu6IZqT5ogoJqfr6-NYQHMlw2KsEy5KjOk-C139Z4G94IkuCjYcHnPEfvHu-OdZ7ymg3SAbpV9j8mc8fiI7oAHtCyJeTnRqWBhOprgcGGqMA8su67z4PsJDi3BPmJk/s1600/lookheed+martin+p+791+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdDFf6ge34MoJexNu6IZqT5ogoJqfr6-NYQHMlw2KsEy5KjOk-C139Z4G94IkuCjYcHnPEfvHu-OdZ7ymg3SAbpV9j8mc8fiI7oAHtCyJeTnRqWBhOprgcGGqMA8su67z4PsJDi3BPmJk/s200/lookheed+martin+p+791+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The Lockheed Martin P-791 is an experimental aerostatic/aerodynamic hybrid airship developed by Lockheed Martin corporation. </span><br />
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The first flight of the P-791 was on 31 January 2.006 at the company's flight test facility on the Palmdale Air Force Plant 42. </div>
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It has a unique tri-hull shape, with disk-shaped cushions on the bottom for landing. </div>
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As a hybrid airship, part of the weight of the craft and its payload are supported by aerostatic (buoyant) lift and the remainder is supported by aerodynamic lift.</div>
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The combination of aerodynamic and aerostatic lift is an attempt to benefit from both the high speed of aerodynamic craft and the lifting capacity of aerostatic craft.</div>
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The P-791 was originally part of the U.S. Army's LEMV program, but lost to Northrop Grumman's design. </div>
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The P-791 is now being modified to be a civil cargo aircraft with a lift capability of 20 tons (40,000 pounds).</div>
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The P-791 is an example of a hybrid airship. </div>
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Part of the weight of the craft and its payload are supported by aerostatic (buoyant) lift and the remainder is supported by aerodynamic lift. </div>
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This is an attempt to create an aircraft that is the "best of both worlds" with the high speed of aerodynamic aircraft and the lifting capacity of aerostatic craft.</div>
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January 31, 2.006 marked the maiden flight of the P-791 experimental hybrid airship.</div>
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Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs aka Skunk Works, the P-791 hybrid airship was flight tested at Lockheed Martin’s flight test facility on the Palmdale Air Force Plant 42.</div>
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The United States Department of Defense is interested in the development of an airship capable of transporting heavy loads, 500-1000 tons of cargo, up to 12,000 nautical miles.</div>
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Such designs have been announced by DARPA ( Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ).</div>
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The Walrus HULA ( Hybrid Ultra Large Aircraft ) is an example of such an aircraft.</div>
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A small scale version of the Walrus is scheduled to fly this year with a 40,000 pounds payload.</div>
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Skunk Works managed to test fly the P-791 two years earlier.</div>
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Although just a testbed for future development, P-791 successors can be used in the future for a number of applications such as delivery of fighting units in a theater of operations or as a weapons/sensor/communications platform capable of operating for long periods of time.</div>
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The test flight was just a short traffic circuit around the Palmdale Air Force Plant 42 airport and Lockheed did not want to comment the flight.</div>
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Airships have great potential for transporting cargo but their use has declined after a series of accidents, one of the most famous of which was the 1.937 Hindenburg disaster.</div>
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Another reason for their decline is the delicate ground handling and relatively high vulnerability to meteorological conditions.</div>
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The P-791 is an independent research and development program initiated by Skunk Works to better understand the capabilities and to try to solve the numerous problems faced by operating large airships.</div>
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A hybrid airship derives most of its lift by being filled with a lighter-than-air gas such as helium.</div>
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Overall, it is heavier than air and gains the final 20% or so of lift by flying like an aircraft, but with slow takeoff and landing speeds that allow operations from short unprepared strips.</div>
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One of the design features of the P-791 is the way the airship is built to gain span to produce lift: the entire construction is formed out of three pressurized lobes joined together.</div>
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Four air cushions are placed on the outer lobes.</div>
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These air cushions are used as landing gear and present a few advantages : the craft can taxi, land and take off in a conventional manner, pressure can be used to spread landing loads and also the flow can be reversed thus anchoring the craft to the ground to enable cargo loading and unloading in windy conditions.</div>
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Four propellers are clearly visible on the craft, two at the tail and two on the sides that are capable of pivoting.</div>
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It has been suggested that these are used to control the craft at low speeds.</div>
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Another important aspect of the P-791 is the striking similarity with the British SkyKitten, called SkyCat.</div>
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Both use the same concepts and there have been voices stating that the two programs were related. In any case, on January 31, 2.006 Chief Test Pilot Eric P. Hansen flew for the first time this amazing hybrid airship prototype.</div>
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Designed to be the best of two worlds by retaining the high speed of conventional aircraft and lifting capacity of aerostatic aircrafts.</div>
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Critics say the hybrid airships represent the worst of both worlds in that such craft require a runway for take-off and landing, are difficult to control and protect on the ground, and have relatively poor aerodynamic performance.</div>
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Up until now, no hybrid airship design has ever been developed past the initial experimental stages.</div>
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Maybe the future will be brighter for the Skunk Works design.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RdGM-pnozeA" width="300"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-42967976748921298912012-05-08T00:14:00.000-05:002012-10-05T19:30:02.791-05:00The Aeroscraft ML866<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjZeovLj1SZgqx-XFjVSvAh6N5Tt_LRRJSb-LZOa7fNL1U0pCzK8-aZxQMBobQOJwUq9grHGc2uLS1POZuinczOYTtz1sBIS2AxS00Fx9IBmLw8j8Vp_z1DJrrC6f5IX6BE_He2tki3Kd/s1600/Aeroscraft+ML866+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjZeovLj1SZgqx-XFjVSvAh6N5Tt_LRRJSb-LZOa7fNL1U0pCzK8-aZxQMBobQOJwUq9grHGc2uLS1POZuinczOYTtz1sBIS2AxS00Fx9IBmLw8j8Vp_z1DJrrC6f5IX6BE_He2tki3Kd/s200/Aeroscraft+ML866+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Aeroscraft model ML866 is a planned 20-ton hybrid airship, to be built by the Worldwide Aeros Corporation.</div>
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A scaled-down prototype was made in 2.008.</div>
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A 2.006 article in POPSCI reported Worldwide Aeros Corporation was developing a prototype to be completed by 2.010.</div>
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It uses technology from the cancelled Darpa Walrus Hula airship.</div>
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It’s as big as a superyacht, and not quite as fast as a supercar but it does have a range of over 3000 miles and can do it over land, sea or snow, lingering anywhere you like the view. </div>
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A new category of aircraft that fits somewhere in between a blimp, airship or dirigible, the Aeroscraft ML866 project was recently presented at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) show in Atlanta, Georgia. </div>
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The key factor of the ML866 design is that it offers superyacht size and comfort in a platform that can operate independently from airports, meaning that a new class of luxury conveyance is about to become available which appears to trump them all.</div>
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Based on concepts developed for the (now apparently shelved) US Army Heavy Lift “Project Walrus”, the Aeroscraft ML866 has some remarkable capabilities not available in other aircraft - it is incredibly spacious offering a cabin area of 5,382 square ft (500 square metres).</div>
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Boasts low operating costs, has all-weather capabilities, vertical takeoff and landing and extended range along with its ability to hover for long periods, meaning it can be utilized for a range of different applications from a private air yacht to a business office (even offering conferencing facilities catering for 100 people) in the sky or for commuting, freight solutions and sightseeing.</div>
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The Aeroscraft ML866 is a buoyancy assisted air vehicle with a rigid structure and gas cells. </div>
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It uses Aeros’ proprietary Full Authority Direct Organic Lift Control (FADOLC) - a dynamic buoyancy management system that provides the low speed control capability. </div>
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While 70% of the aerodynamic lift comes from helium, the remaining 30% is derived from its innovative “wing” shape. </div>
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As well as being able to hover the aircraft will be capable of speeds up to 138 mph (0-222 kmh) and will operate at altitudes of up to 12,000 ft (3,657 m). and the massive 210 ft (64 m) long by 118 ft (36 m) wide by 56 ft (17 m) high structure will deliver a roomy 5000+ square feet of cabin space.</div>
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Aeros displayed a 1/48th scale model at this year’s NBAA show and hopes to begin airframe static testing of the rigid composite structure within months, with flight testing at the San Bernadino International Airport to follow as early as 2.010. </div>
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An additional series of commercially focussed Aeroscraft is also on the drawing board and will be scaled to payloads of up to 60 tons.</div>
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No exact pricing details are available as yet but reports suggest the tag will be under $40 million.</div>
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<b>Technical details</b></div>
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In 2.009 the developers Aeros claimed the Aeroscraft will be 210 feet (64 m) in length, have a top speed of 120 knots (222 km/h), and a flight ceiling of 12,000 feet (3,700 m).</div>
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News media claimed it could be modified to carry up to 180 passengers.</div>
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<b>Technology</b></div>
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The Aeroscraft uses a combination of aerodynamic and aerostatic principles to remain airborne. Approximately two-thirds of the craft's lift is provided by helium gas. </div>
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The remaining lift is provided by the forward thrust of the craft's propellers, in combination with its aerodynamic shape, and its canards (forward fins) and empennage (rear fins).</div>
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As well as its horizonal propellers, the Aeroscraft has six downward-pointing turbofan jet engines for vertical take-off and landing.</div>
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The craft also uses Dynamic Buoyancy Management, a novel technology which controls buoyancy by taking in air from the surrounding atmosphere and holding it in pressurised tanks.</div>
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These systems make the Aeroscraft capable of landing on rough or snowy terrain, or on water.</div>
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<b>Uses</b></div>
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<b>For regular commercial cargo and the military</b></div>
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The Aeroscraft could be used to transport military vehicles or supplies to difficult terrain. </div>
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Likewise, it could be used to transport civilian cargo to remote locations or locations with difficult terrain or poor roads. </div>
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This would take advantage of the large cargo space and the craft’s ability to land on any terrain. </div>
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The manufacturer envisions commercial use as a cargo carrier which could deliver a large amount of merchandise from a centralized location.</div>
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<b>For passengers and tourists</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzHeVQowsrzDVAhoHPjkPRzjcghXyhNQLvxZouBVmg6oF72pT8aPfnzhyLL8h0FrleYinxqXbGPtyZkSA9RT6MlHGGt9GWjEpq6on05JG3W_cYynFXztDspcEMoN8yUIzLaKvY1jvv9GD/s1600/Aeroscraft+ML866+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzHeVQowsrzDVAhoHPjkPRzjcghXyhNQLvxZouBVmg6oF72pT8aPfnzhyLL8h0FrleYinxqXbGPtyZkSA9RT6MlHGGt9GWjEpq6on05JG3W_cYynFXztDspcEMoN8yUIzLaKvY1jvv9GD/s200/Aeroscraft+ML866+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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One of the uses of an Aeroscraft would be as a luxury private yacht. </div>
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Many facilities could potentially be included onboard, for example, large staterooms, dining areas, theaters, and casinos.</div>
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Another use of an Aeroscraft could be for sightseeing and long-distance cruises uch like a cruise on a luxury ocean liner or cruise ship. </div>
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This is made possible by the fact that Aeroscraft can land on any terrain and fly at low and comfortable altitudes.</div>
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The Aeroscraft would also be able to reach isolated communities, such as remote islands in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which at present have no air links.</div>
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Often because the islands do not have large enough flat areas to allow for construction of runways.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p9Jl3MJh0lI" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-21357259200456263822012-04-28T17:18:00.000-05:002012-04-28T17:18:55.266-05:00Sukhoi Su-30,Su-47,Su-27PU, Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT4xGJcjEnJMMnpi4I587zTX-v7X7GsC9tB91CIXtLcmNflprmzSBs3-31zj2982co8X0nGcyr_9lNphh2UkSDIXmU7bWTyVLvdxKtqc03ziWq7SVAf6YqYjiQM6Bhh0JzCTJyTUSf7R0/s1600/sukhoi+30+venezuela+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT4xGJcjEnJMMnpi4I587zTX-v7X7GsC9tB91CIXtLcmNflprmzSBs3-31zj2982co8X0nGcyr_9lNphh2UkSDIXmU7bWTyVLvdxKtqc03ziWq7SVAf6YqYjiQM6Bhh0JzCTJyTUSf7R0/s200/sukhoi+30+venezuela+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Su-30 of the Russian Air Force in flight over Russia</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Multirole fighter</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer :<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sukhoi</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 31 December 1.989</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : 1.996</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : In production, in service</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary users : Indian Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PLA Air Force (China)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Venezuelan Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Royal Malaysian Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Number built : 200+</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unit cost : US$33–45 million</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Developed from : Sukhoi Su-27</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Variants : Sukhoi Su-30MKI</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sukhoi Su-30 (Cyrillic: Сухой Су-30) (NATO reporting name Flanker-C) is a twin-engine, two-seat supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family by Sukhoi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The design plan was revamped and the name was made official by the Russian Defense Ministry in 1.996.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of the Flanker family, only the Su-27, Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 have been ordered into serial production by the Defense Ministry. All the others, such as Su-37, were prototypes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-30 has two distinct version branches, manufactured by competing organisations : KnAAPO and the Irkut Corporation, both of which come under the Sukhoi group's umbrella.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">KnAAPO manufactures the Su-30MKK and the Su-30MK2, which were designed for and sold to China, and later Indonesia and Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Due to KnAAPO's involvement from the early stages of developing Su-35, these are basically a two-seat version of the mid-1.990s Su-35.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Chinese chose an older but lighter radar so the canards could be omitted in return for increased payload. It is a dedicated strike fighter designed for long-range air-to-surface attack missions, similar to the American F-15E.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Irkut traditionally served the Soviet Air Defense and, in the early years of Flanker development, was given the responsibility of manufacturing the Su-27UB, the two-seat trainer version of the Su-27.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When India showed interests in the Su-30, Irkut offered the multirole Su-30MKI, which originated as the Su-27UB modified with avionics appropriate for fighters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Along with its ground-attack capabilities, the series adds features for the air-superiority role, such as thrust-vectoring, forward canards and a long-range phase-array radar. Its derivatives include the Su-30MKM, MKA and MKV for Malaysia, Algeria and Venezuela, respectively.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Russian Air Force is in talks to buy 28 to 40 Su-30 C fighters from Sukhoi's Irkut production facility.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the original Su-27 had good range, it still did not have enough range for the Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO, as opposed to VVS – the Soviet Air Force).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Air Defense Forces needed to cover the vast expanse of the Soviet Union. Hence, development began in 1.986 on the Su-27PU, an improved-capability variant of the Su-27 capable of serving as a long-range interceptor or airborne command post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two-seat Su-27UB combat trainer was selected as the basis for the Su-27PU, because it had the performance of a single-seat Su-27 and long-range missions require two crew members.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A "proof-of-concept" demonstrator flew 6 June 1987, and this success led to the kick-off of development work on two Su-27PU prototypes. The first Su-27PU flew at Irkutsk on 31 December 1.989, and the first of three pre-production models flew in 14 April 1.992.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To adapt the Su-27UB to its new role, the aircraft was fitted with a retractable in-flight refuelling probe to increase range; the probe is offset to the left side of the nose and, to accommodate it, the IRST was offset to the right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft's avionics were changed, fitting special communications and guidance equipment to command formation flights of single-seat Su-27 interceptors. The rear cockpit received a large CRT display which provides the formation leader with tactical information regarding targets and interceptors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The navigation and fly-by-wire systems were also upgraded. It was fitted with an updated NIIP N001 radar, providing some ability for ground attack and to track and engage multiple aerial targets simultaneously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sukhoi offered the Su-27PU to be used as a "fighter controller", a sort of mini-AWACS, with the back-seater using the radar and data links to control other fighters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU1kikIyg-s09XsFR_uTvUkKDnvjpaDYXh7mWML3D3-yitEQNdXg5EET7Ozt4jBi3TMK477lUMMw3Sj6p4Ar8gGdiSAC7vMKrIjRLDY8SXyQLIGQTlfOWFvwGxB6bHcMo2-cA1MU3mJMY/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-30+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU1kikIyg-s09XsFR_uTvUkKDnvjpaDYXh7mWML3D3-yitEQNdXg5EET7Ozt4jBi3TMK477lUMMw3Sj6p4Ar8gGdiSAC7vMKrIjRLDY8SXyQLIGQTlfOWFvwGxB6bHcMo2-cA1MU3mJMY/s200/Sukhoi+Su-30+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the PVO was not interested in buying the Su-27PU. All five Su-27PUs, with the new designation of "Su-30", ended up in PVO service in the training role. Deliveries to the 54th Interceptor Air Regiment at the advanced training base at Savostleyka began in 1.996.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Su-30M two-seat multirole variant was proposed for Russian use and a few may have been built in the mid-1990s for evaluation. Sukhoi also proposed an export variant, Su-30MK, where "MK" stood for "Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy" (Modernized Commercial).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sukhoi displayed a Su-30MK demonstrator at the Paris Air Show in 1993. A much more optimised Su-30MK demonstrator, rebuilt from the first production Su-27PU, was displayed in 1.994.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-30 is a multirole fighter. It has a two seat cockpit with an airbrake behind the canopy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-30MK is capable of accomplishing a wide variety of combat missions at significant distances from the home base, in any weather conditions and during radar jamming, both by day and night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This multirole aircraft is adequately fitted for the entire spectrum of tactical and operational combat employment scenarios, varying from counter-air tasks (i.e. gaining air superiority, air defence, air patrol and escort) to ground attack, suppression of enemy air defences, air interdiction, close air support and maritime attack.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Additionally, the Su-30MK can perform ECCM and early warning tasks, as well as exercise command-and-control over a group of aerial combat assets performing joint missions. It has a 9 g load manoeuvrability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flight characteristics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-30MK's aerodynamic configuration is an unstable-in-longitude triplane. To increase lifting effectiveness and enhance manoeuvrability of the aircraft, foreplanes are installed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They are deflected automatically to ensure controlled flight at high angles-of-attack. Foreplanes, however, are installed only in some Su-30 variants like the Su-30MKI.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the thrust vectoring control ability, results in unprecedented manoeuvrability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30MK is able to perform some very advanced manoeuvres. They include the well-known Pugachev’s Cobra and the Bell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This allows the aircraft to rapidly strip airspeed, causing a pursuing fighter to overshoot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While performing a somersault manoeuvre the aircraft makes 360-degree turn in the pitch plane without any loss of altitude. In the Controlled Flat Spin manoeuvre the aircraft performs several full turns in the horizontal plane, with zero forward speed, virtually on the spot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Powerplant</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutgZPoAImt1EC7lFVFgxmDFvivgE_74DcUzTUB69N-fYaSqXAsyDKpRZbBi5HARhcYnhGxp2RS8MCPpKuY0WqIZ_pWChP9T02P3z9MyXqUIF0NF61LhepLlDUGS0W2i1g_hX-Ugo_UbZa/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-30+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutgZPoAImt1EC7lFVFgxmDFvivgE_74DcUzTUB69N-fYaSqXAsyDKpRZbBi5HARhcYnhGxp2RS8MCPpKuY0WqIZ_pWChP9T02P3z9MyXqUIF0NF61LhepLlDUGS0W2i1g_hX-Ugo_UbZa/s200/Sukhoi+Su-30+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft's power plant incorporates two Saturn AL-31F afterburning low-bypass turbofan engines. Two AL-31F turbofans, each rated at 12,500 kgf (123 kN, 27,550 lb) of full afterburning thrust ensures Mach 2 in level flight, 1,350 km/h speed at low altitude, and a 230 m/s climbing rate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With a normal fuel reserve of 5,270 kg, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a 4.5-hour combat mission with a range of 3,000 km. An in-flight refuelling system increases the range to 5,200 km (3,200 mi) or flight duration up to 10 hours at cruise altitudes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The long range significantly increases deployment options. The missions vary from prolonged patrols, and escorts to long-range intercepts and ground attacks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The thrust vectoring engines on some Su-30 variants have nozzles with turn axes positioned at 32-deg angle to each other. The differential ±15-degree deflection of the engines' asymmetric nozzles enables pitch/yaw thrust vectoring control. Depending on the manoeuvre to be performed, nozzles deflections can be synchronised with or differ from the deflections of horizontal tail planes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Two-member crew</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A two-member crew configuration contributes significantly to enhanced combat capabilities, due to rational distribution of workload between crew members. While the first pilot flies the aircraft, controls weapons and performs manoeuvring dogfight, the co-pilot employs BVR air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons in long-range engagements, monitors tactical environment to ensure situational awareness, and performs command-and-control tasks in group missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Avionics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Radar: Either a N001VE or Phazotron N010 Zhuk-27 or an N011M BARS pulse Doppler passive electronically scanned array radar. Capable of detecting and tracking up to 15 air targets, while concurrently attacking four of them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The N011M BARS radar (featuring a 20-m/65.6-ft resolution) ensures detection of large sea-surface targets at a distance of up to 400 km (250 mi), and small-size ones at a distance of up to 120 km (75 mi).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other avionics include an integrated optronic sighting-and-navigation system with a laser gyro navigation system; helmet-mounted displays, a head-up-display, multifunction color LCDs with image mixing ability; and a GPS system (GLONASS/NAVSTAR compatible).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">IR and laser sighting pods to detect and engage small-size ground targets are available for installation. The aircraft is provided with an ECCM facility intended to subvert hostile electronic and electro-optical countermeasures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft features autopilot ability at all flight stages including low-altitude flight in terrain-following mode, and individual and group combat employment against air and ground/sea-surface targets. Automatic control system interconnected with the navigation system ensures route flight, target approach, recovery to airfield and landing approach in automatic mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Unit Costs</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A standard Su-30K is estimated at US$34 million.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Su-30MKK variant is estimated at US$53 million.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Variants</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQgq7GD33Ugg2K-C5TXc8as0JuHb65VkvMpHUIn3ZMrMNn6vTUvBEGt7hQucAG7YLnberO2NnAZtkg880gnp_dEMUcWkiwypXoXNkAC7omI1dhZVaxkBZpPdlTciMbjoVc2i7n7rF0YN8/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-30+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQgq7GD33Ugg2K-C5TXc8as0JuHb65VkvMpHUIn3ZMrMNn6vTUvBEGt7hQucAG7YLnberO2NnAZtkg880gnp_dEMUcWkiwypXoXNkAC7omI1dhZVaxkBZpPdlTciMbjoVc2i7n7rF0YN8/s200/Sukhoi+Su-30+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-27PU</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Long range interceptor based on two-seater Su-27UB trainer. Later renamed Su-30.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Testbed fighter with canards added. Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-C'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30K</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Commercial version of the basic Su-30.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30KI</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sukhoi proposal for upgrading Russian AF single seat Su-27S. Also proposed export version for Indonesia, 24 were ordered but subsequently cancelled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the only single seat in Su-30 family. Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-B' Mod. 2.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30KN</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Upgrade project for operational two-seat fighters, the Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K. This was cancelled in Russia but later revived as Su-30M2. Belorussia is updating their Su-30K to the Su-30KN standard.[9] Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-B' Mod. 2.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30M</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An upgraded Su-27PU with multirole capabilities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MK</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Commercial version of Su-30M first revealed in 1.993. Export versions include navigation and communication equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30M2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Su-30 version from manufacturer KnAAPO based on the Su-30MK with canards and optional thrust-vectoring. The Russian Air Force placed an initial order for the variant in 2.009. Factory tests were completed in September 2.010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MKI</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">MKI stands for "Modernizirovannyi, Kommercheskiy, Indiski" meaning "Modernized, Commercial, Indian". Jointly-developed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. Includes thrust vectoring control (TVC) and canards. Equipped with a multinational avionics complex sourced from Israel, India, Russia and France.Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-H'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MKK</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Export version for China. MKK stands for Modernizirovannyi, Kommercheskiy, Kitayski or "Modernized, Commercial, China". Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-G'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MKM</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A derivative of the India-Russian MKI,[15] the MKM is a highly specialised version for Royal Malaysian Air Force (M is for 'Malaysia' ).[citation needed] It includes thrust vectoring control (TVC) and canards but with avionics from various countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It will feature head-up displays (HUD), navigational forward-looking IR system (NAVFLIR) and Damocles Laser Designation pod (LDP) from Thales Group of France, MAW-300 missile approach warning sensor (MAWS), RWS-50 RWR and laser warning sensor (LWS) from SAAB AVITRONICS (South Africa) as well as the Russian NIIP N011M BARS PESA radar, electronic warfare (EW) system, optical-location system (OLS) and a glass cockpit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MKV</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Export version for Venezuela is most likely to be similar to the Su-30MK2. This is based on the presence of two such demonstrator models (No. 0460 and No. 1259) from the KnAAPO facility that took part in July 2.006 national day parade in Caracas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MK2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Su-30MKK with upgraded electronics that enabled support for anti-ship missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MK2V</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Su-30MK2 variant for Vietnam with minor modifications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MK3</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Su-30MKK with Zhuk MSE radar and Support for Kh-59MK anti-ship missile.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30MKA</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A specialised version for Algeria based on the MKI but with French and Russian avionics as specified by the Algerians.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-30SM</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A specialized version of the thrust-vectoring Su-30MKI for Russian military.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Operators</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Operators of the Su-30 as of 2.010 :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sukhoi-30MKI, Indian Air Force, Aeroindia 05.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Venezuelan Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MK2</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Algerian Air Force has 28 Su-30MK fighters in service as of January 2.010.16 more are on order to be delivered instead of 36 MiG-29SMT/UBT aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">People's Republic of China - People's Liberation Army Air Force operates the Su-30MKK variant. The</div><div style="text-align: justify;">People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force operates the Su-30MK2 variant.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian Air Force operates the Su-30MKI variant. The IAF has over 140 Su-30MKI in service.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian Air Force ordered three Su-30MK2 and received two on 26 December 2.008 and the third in 2.009.The Indonesian Air Force has 2 Su-30MKs and 3 Su-30MK2s in service as of early 2.009. Another batch of 6 additional fighters were ordered in 2010.[24]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Royal Malaysian Air Force after a close visit to see India's Su-30MKI, signed a deal to purchase 18 of Su-30MKM in May 2.003. The first 2 Su-30MKMs were formally handed over in Irkutsk on 23 May 2.007, later arrived in Gong Kedak airbase on 21 June.As part of the contract, Russia sent the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the International Space Station in October 2.007.Malaysia had 12 Su-30MKMs in service with 6 on order in November 2.008.Due to past issues with aircraft support, Malaysia was to purchase spare parts from China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian Air Force received 5 Su-30s in 1.994-1.996. It operates 9 Su-30s, including 4 Su-30M2s delivered in 2.011.The Russian Air force is to receive 10 more Su-30M2s in 2.012.Another 30 Su-30SMs were ordered with options for 12 more; deliveries are to be completed by 2.015.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ugandan Air Force has ordered 6 Su-30MK2,[35] and received two on 8 July 2.011.The aircraft order cost is estimated at $740 million (Shs1.8 trillion).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQZcDf4eKVxCN1EjrzyqnpP4bxQHIpizZaVOMymunr1PIuPN53-PqVWvm3YP0zygnMq3xAnYpnXdeBAN37-K1vTMYiZjc7dRSTIXHlXVw9AXYN6kPLhVEiPGr1D7-oHNhMfNi_W5f_a6/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-30+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQZcDf4eKVxCN1EjrzyqnpP4bxQHIpizZaVOMymunr1PIuPN53-PqVWvm3YP0zygnMq3xAnYpnXdeBAN37-K1vTMYiZjc7dRSTIXHlXVw9AXYN6kPLhVEiPGr1D7-oHNhMfNi_W5f_a6/s200/Sukhoi+Su-30+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Venezuelan Air Force and the government of Venezuela on 14 June 2.006, announced the purchase of 24 units of the Su-30MK2 aircraft. The first two Su-30MK2s arrived in the first week of December 2.006 while another 8 were commissioned during 2.007, fourteen more units have arrived in 2008 with the last 4 being delivered in August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Has 24 Su-30MK2s in service as of early 2.009. A second batch of 12 Su-30MKV is also being considered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vietnam People's Air Force operates 4 Su-30MK2s as of January 2.010.Vietnam reportedly signed a contract was for 12 more Su-30MK2s in 2.009, but the contract was reduced to 8 fighters. On 20 July 2.010, it was announced at Farnborough International Airshow that a contract for 20 Su-30MK2s had been signed with Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications (Su-27PU/Su-30)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Data from KNAAPO Su-30MK page, Sukhoi Su-30MK page, Gordon and Davison.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">General characteristics : Crew: 2</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length: 21.935 m (72.97 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan: 14.7 m (48.2 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: 6.36 m (20.85 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area: 62.0 m2 (667 ft2)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight: 17,700 kg (39,021 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loaded weight: 24,900 kg (54,900 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,060 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant: 2 × AL-31FL low-bypass turbofans</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf (74.5 kN, 16,750 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.58 kN, 27,560 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum speed: Mach 2.0 (2,120 km/h, 1,320 mph)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range: 3,000 km (1,620 nmi) at altitude</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,275 ft/min)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing loading: 401 kg/m2 (82.3 lb/ft2)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust/weight: 0.98</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-27PU had 8 hardpoints for its weapon load, whereas the Su-30MK's combat load is mounted on 12 hardpoints: 2 wingtip AAM launch rails, 3 pylons under each wing, 1 pylon under each engine nacelle, and 2 pylons in tandem in the "arch" between the engines. All versions can carry up to 8 tonnes of external stores.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Guns: 1 × GSh-30-1 gun (30 mm calibre, 150 rounds)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AAMs: 6 × R-27ER1 (AA-10C), 2 × R-27ET1 (AA-10D), 6 × R-73E (AA-11), 6 × R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ASMs: 6 × Kh-31P/Kh-31A anti-radar missiles, 6 × Kh-29T/L laser guided missiles, 2 × Kh-59ME</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aerial bombs: 6 × KAB 500KR, 3 × KAB-1500KR, 8 × FAB-500T, 28 × OFAB-250-270, nuclear bombs</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sukhoi Su-33</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj7wbkz3piLKGnIf67oO71XCyUjM_-S-iSF9HSd6I6bSkfvsi40eHCBjxjoF5uzerkaX86-VG6B4rH88hyphenhyphenzRZrIzjlhA9ZzCLFuRHOXoTv5IMEktWtt2h0LKQh8ccg8j_z1U3fj-o0wzR/s1600/su-33-top+secret+airplanes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj7wbkz3piLKGnIf67oO71XCyUjM_-S-iSF9HSd6I6bSkfvsi40eHCBjxjoF5uzerkaX86-VG6B4rH88hyphenhyphenzRZrIzjlhA9ZzCLFuRHOXoTv5IMEktWtt2h0LKQh8ccg8j_z1U3fj-o0wzR/s200/su-33-top+secret+airplanes.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Carrier-based air defence fighter</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National origin<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Soviet Union / Russia</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Sukhoi / KnAAPO</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 17 August 1.987</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : 31 August 1.998 (official)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : Operational</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user : Russian Naval Aviation</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Number built : 24 (approx.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Developed from : Sukhoi Su-27</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sukhoi Su-33 (Russian: Сухой Су-33; NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) is an all-weather carrier-based air defence fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by KnAAPO. It is a derivative of the Su-27 "Flanker" and was initially known as the Su-27K.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First used in operations in 1.995 aboard the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov,[N 1] the fighter officially entered service in August 1.998, by which time the designation "Su-33" was used. Following the break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent downsizing of the Russian Navy, only 24 aircraft were produced. Attempted sales to China and India fell through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compared with the Su-27, the Su-33 has a strengthened undercarriage and structure, folding wings, and stabilators, all for carrier operations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wings are larger than on land-based aircraft for increased lift. The Su-33 has upgraded engines and a twin nose wheel, and is air refuelable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft's range and payload are greater than those of the rival MiG-29K, but the Mikoyan fighter has more advanced avionics and is capable of a wider range of missions, including strike operations. In 2.009, the Russian Navy ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement for the Su-33.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Background and origins</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l3StZtbGPYMyGd9QTtgnMWsRzmODSVv8ZONoT6xwbvUNvd8UZxfBmF6F9nnLN14sNYufCY2GkTGRulm93wdA5ZopWXGjYArTC8pgRoG20CNdJ6vk5rX5INiJoAbP2yLXlrJKCWtCcg3l/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-33+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l3StZtbGPYMyGd9QTtgnMWsRzmODSVv8ZONoT6xwbvUNvd8UZxfBmF6F9nnLN14sNYufCY2GkTGRulm93wdA5ZopWXGjYArTC8pgRoG20CNdJ6vk5rX5INiJoAbP2yLXlrJKCWtCcg3l/s200/Sukhoi+Su-33+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the 1.970s, the Yakovlev Yak-38, then the Soviet Navy's only operational carrier based fixed wing aircraft fighter, was found to be unable to undertake its role due to limited range and payload, which severely hampered the capability of the Soviet Navy's Project 1143 carriers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was decided to develop a bigger and more potent carrier capable of operating STOL aircraft. During the assessment period, a number of carriers were studied; the Project 1160 carrier would have been able to operate the MiG-23s and Su-24s, but was abandoned due to budget constraints.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Design efforts were then concentrated on the Project 1153 carrier, which would have accommodated the Su-25s and the proposed MiG-23Ks and Su-27Ks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sufficient funding was not secured, and the Navy looked at the possibility of a fifth, and larger, Project 1143 carrier, modified to allow for Yak-141, MiG-29K and Su-27K operations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To prepare for the operations of the Su-27K and the rival MiG-29K on-board the new carrier, work proceeded on the development of the steam catapult, arresting gear, optical and radio landing systems. The pilots were trained at a new establishment in Crimea, named NITKA, for Aviation Research and Training Complex.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1.981, the Soviet government ordered the abandonment of the catapult system as part of an overall downsize of Project 1143.5 carriers, which also included cancelling the fifth Project 1143 carrier and the Varyag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A takeoff ramp was installed at the complex, where takeoffs would be executed to ensure that the MiG29Ks and Su-27Ks would be able to operate from carriers.Both Sukhoi and Mikoyan modified their prototypes to validate the takeoff ramp.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three Sukhoi T10s (–3, –24 and –25), along with an Su-27UB, were used for takeoffs from the simulated ramp. The first of these tests were undertaken by Nikolai Sadovnikov on 28 August 1.982. Flight tests indicated the need for a change in ramp design, and it was modified to a ski-jump profile.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Conceptual designs of the Su-27K commenced in 1978.On 18 April 1984, the Soviet government instructed Sukhoi to develop an air defence fighter; Mikoyan was ordered to build a lighter multirole fighter.[8] Full-scale design of the Su-27K soon started as the "T-10K" under the guidance of Konstantin Marbyshev. Nikolai Sadovnikov was appointed the design bureau's Chief Test Pilot for the programme.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By November 1.984, conceptual design had passed its critical design review, with the detailed design finalised in 1986. The two prototypes were constructed in conjunction with KnAAPO in 1.986–1.987.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Testing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYFkt1D2CS5nVZPck54OBx2QzvrxMlL3YNjMghPkvqbrXrooZ9Eh2oY621lN77jdf1s_joBhofdRnwmq8V8A7V1-lX8bcZ8UnuchJ9e1jovGz8tIUBdWJOwFZEiZ2IiDHxszJInSOqwWV/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-33+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYFkt1D2CS5nVZPck54OBx2QzvrxMlL3YNjMghPkvqbrXrooZ9Eh2oY621lN77jdf1s_joBhofdRnwmq8V8A7V1-lX8bcZ8UnuchJ9e1jovGz8tIUBdWJOwFZEiZ2IiDHxszJInSOqwWV/s200/Sukhoi+Su-33+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first Su-27K prototype, piloted by Viktor Pugachyov, made its maiden flight on 17 August 1987 at the NITKA facility; the second followed on 22 December.Flight tests continued at NITKA, where MiG-29Ks and Su-27Ks demonstrated and validated the feasibility of ski-jump operations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pilots also practised no-flare landings before making an actual landing on a carrier deck. It was another two years before the Tbilisi, subsequently renamed Admiral Kuznetsov, left the shipyard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Viktor Pugachyov, piloting the second Su-27K, became the first Russian to conventionally land aboard an aircraft carrier on 1 November 1.989. It was found that the carrier's jet blast deflectors were too close to the engine nozzles when raised at an angle of 60°; thus an improvised solution held the deflectors at 45°.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, when the aircraft was in front of it for longer than the maximum six seconds, the shield's water pipes exploded. The pilot, Pugachyov, reduced engine throttle, accidentally causing the detents (blocks used to restrain aircraft from accelerating) to retract and the fighter to move forwards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft was quickly stopped; Pugachyov later took off without the use of blast deflectors or detents. Since then, a Kamov Ka-27PS search-and-rescue helicopter was flown close to the carrier in the event of an accident.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the following three-week period, 227 sorties were amassed, along with 35 deck landings. Flight testing continued afterwards, and on 26 September 1.991, naval pilots began testing the Su-27K; by 1.994, it had successfully passed the State Acceptance Trials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During 1.990–1.991, seven production aircraft were rolled out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Further developments</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first of two known versions of the Su-33, the twin-seat Su-33KUB, made its first flight in April 1.999. The aircraft, piloted by Viktor Pugachyov and Sergey Melnikov, flew for 40 minutes near Ramenskoye Airport. The Su-33KUB (Korabelny Uchebno-Boevo", or "carrier combat trainer") was planned to be a trainer, but with the potential to fill other roles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Notable improvements over the Su-33 included a revised forward fuselage and leading edge slats, bigger wings and stabilators.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2.010, Sukhoi developed an updated version of the Su-33; flight trials began in October 2.010. This modernised Su-33 was to compete with a potential Chinese indigenous version of the original Su-33, and to encourage orders from the Russian Navy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Major upgrades to the aircraft included more powerful (132 kN, 29,800 lbf) AL-31-F-M1 engines and a larger weapons carriage; upgrades to the radar and weapons were not possible at the time due to funding constraints.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to military author Richard Fisher, it has been speculated that further modifications to a new production batch would include a phased-array radar, thrust-vectoring nozzles, and long-range anti-ship missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To adapt the original Su-27 for naval operations, Sukhoi first incorporated a reinforced structure and undercarriage withstand the great stress experienced upon landing, particularly quick descents and non-flare landings (landings where the aircraft does not assume a nose-up attitude prior to touchdown).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The leading edge slats, flaperons and other control surfaces are enlarged to provide increased lift and manoeuvrability at low speeds, although the wingspan remains unchanged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wings feature double-slotted flaps and outboard drooping ailerons; in total, the refinements enlarge the wing area by 10–12%.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wings and stabilators are modified for folding to maximise the number of aircraft the carrier can accommodate and to allow ease of movement on deck.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft is outfitted with more powerful turbofan engines to increase thrust-to-weight ratio, as well as an in-flight refuelling probe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-33 sports canards that shorten the take-off distance and improved manoeuvrability, but have required reshaping of the leading edge root extensions (LERX).The rear radome is shortened and reshaped to prevent its striking the deck during high-Alpha (angle of attack) landings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Su-33 onboard Admiral Kuznetsov in 1996. U.S. Navy sailors from the USS San Jacinto are visiting the carrier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1S9mtET7Ve9dZBUiNWht6iIR4Jl-BeMM01a_0y_IxT7AxmCApX-MoZn-FJKCPaV84Rza5w9wFQo-0C4JwSI9BGlji1YYB8JqT20CB1d_jQPQy5RImwVT68HleuRm3E5NajsVNW3qalUI/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-33+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1S9mtET7Ve9dZBUiNWht6iIR4Jl-BeMM01a_0y_IxT7AxmCApX-MoZn-FJKCPaV84Rza5w9wFQo-0C4JwSI9BGlji1YYB8JqT20CB1d_jQPQy5RImwVT68HleuRm3E5NajsVNW3qalUI/s200/Sukhoi+Su-33+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compared with the rival MiG-29K, the Su-33's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 50% higher; fuel capacity is more than double, allowing it to fly 80% further at altitude (or 33% at sea level). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The MiG-29K can spend as much time as the Su-33 on station by using external fuel tanks, but this limits its ordinance capacity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-33 can fly at speeds as low as 240 km/h (149 mph), in comparison the MiG-29K needs to maintain a minimum of 250 km/h (155 mph) for effective control.However, the MiG-29K carries more air-to-ground munitions than the Su-33.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-33 is more expensive and physically larger than the MiG-29K, limiting the numbers able to be deployed on an aircraft carrier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-33 carries guided missiles such as the R-73 (four) and R-27E (six) on twelve hardpoints, supplemented by the 150-round 30 mm GSh-30-1. It can carry an assortment of unguided missiles, bombs and cluster bombs for secondary air-to-ground missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft can be used in both night and day operations at sea. The radar used, "Slot Back", has been speculated to have poor multi-target tracking, making the Su-33 reliant on other radar platforms and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft like the Kamov Ka-31 early-warning helicopter.[20] The R-27EM missiles have the capability to intercept anti-ship missiles. The infra-red search and track (IRST) system is placed to provide better downward visibility.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Operational history</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Soviet Union and Russia</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-27K entered service in the mid-1990s. From December 1.995 to March 1.996, the Admiral Kuznetsov set sail in the Mediterranean Sea, carrying two Su-25UTGs, nine Ka-27s, and 13 Su-27Ks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the aircraft officially entered service 31 August 1.998 with the 279th Naval Fighter Regiment of the Northern Fleet based at Severomorsk-3, by which time it was officially designated the "Su-33".The Russian Navy currently operates 19 Su-33s, however in the long term these need to be replaced.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Russian Navy was dramatically downsized, with many shipbuilding programmes stopped. Had the Varyag, Oryol and Ulyanovsk been commissioned, a total of 72 production airframes would have been built; the early-airborne warning and MiG-29K would also have proceed, instead of being abandoned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only 24 examples were built at the time Varyag was sold for scrap. In 2.009, the Russian Navy announced an order for 24 MiG-29Ks to replace the Su-33, to be delivered from 2.011 to 2.015.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Potential operators</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT-_6pErpN-gSrVU7pzYu3IUGzswABRO2l2m-MsQuaaPVAZzC6DFsJZ8XPhvYd3yKcndJIbsCAvvZUg8gaxXb87itQyAHr-XnX5rAnrb78O3yJFGq7spORlvqi7FKCg-18pgAjqjRnkFD/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-33+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT-_6pErpN-gSrVU7pzYu3IUGzswABRO2l2m-MsQuaaPVAZzC6DFsJZ8XPhvYd3yKcndJIbsCAvvZUg8gaxXb87itQyAHr-XnX5rAnrb78O3yJFGq7spORlvqi7FKCg-18pgAjqjRnkFD/s200/Sukhoi+Su-33+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Internationally, the People’s Republic of China was identified as a possible export customer. Russia's state weapons exporter, Rosoboronexport, was previously negotiating an order of 50 aircraft totalling US$2.5 billion.China would have initially acquired two aircraft worth $100 million for testing and then have further options to acquire an additional 12–48 aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fighters were intended to be used with the fledgling Chinese aircraft carrier programme, with the former Soviet carrier Varyag as the centrepiece.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sukhoi is working on a more advanced version, the Su-33K, a development to integrate the advanced technologies of the Su-35 fighters into the older Su-33 airframe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, worries over other Chinese intentions emerged when it was reported that China had acquired one of the T-10Ks, an Su-33 prototype, from Ukraine, potentially to study and reverse engineer a domestic version. Various aircraft are alleged to have originated partially from the Su-33, such as the Shenyang J-11B and the Shenyang J-15.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">India was also viewed as another potential operator of the Su-33. The Indian Navy planned to acquire the Su-33 for the its aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, the refurbished Soviet Admiral Gorshkov, which was sold to India in 2.004. In the end, the rival MiG-29K was opted for, because of the Su-33's outdated avionics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The size of the Su-33 reportedly led to concerns over potential difficulties in operating it off the Indian carriers, a constraint not shared by the smaller MiG-29K.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications (Su-33)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Data from KnAAPO,[46] Sukhoi,[25][47] Airforce-technology.com,[48] Gordon and Davison,Williams</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>General characteristics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crew: 1</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length: 21.94 m (72 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan: 14.70 m (48.25 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: 5.93 m (19.5 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,600 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loaded weight: 29,940 kg (66,010 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max. takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,752 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant: 2 × AL-31F afterburning turbofans</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dry thrust: 74.5 kN (16,750 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust with afterburner: 125.5 kN (28,214 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan, wings folded: 7.40 m (24.25 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrkr4RXxXtCQ0exK9CG8kOPFiwXWsnZARukIQC9gnlkHenZ3NP4bBnNmWZ1cF84JX9TFJIapQ3CAqH444czKiSsIDr2YUrLvRhyphenhyphenl9pwAsgXxdb5IN-rxfhM-1pqJ0Pjufvoq3NQqNyjYt/s1600/Sukhoi+Su-33+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrkr4RXxXtCQ0exK9CG8kOPFiwXWsnZARukIQC9gnlkHenZ3NP4bBnNmWZ1cF84JX9TFJIapQ3CAqH444czKiSsIDr2YUrLvRhyphenhyphenl9pwAsgXxdb5IN-rxfhM-1pqJ0Pjufvoq3NQqNyjYt/s200/Sukhoi+Su-33+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum speed: Mach 2.17 (2,300 km/h, 1,430 mph) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft) altitude</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stall speed: 240 km/h (150 mp/h)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range: 3,000 km (1,864 mi)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,800 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rate of climb: 246 m/s (48,500 ft/min)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing loading: 483 kg/m²; (98.9 lb/ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust/weight: 0.83</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum turn: +8 g[49] (+78 m/s²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Landing speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) of munitions on twelve external hardpoints, including:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8 × R-27, or 8 × R-77 and 4 × R-73 air-to-air missile</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Various bombs and rockets</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Su-47 Berkut</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOKCLTZbEcPCJdHHbWLu92Y3WiH5uTjLSenXVvEv8Sst3-mIwgVAAzJpLcP7xmqn4H_Sl105FnEob3QOcgA1wZDqBChrBYndEQ_PKivxQNoF_v4zDipTCfshpZdDabuHqqi8BAOWCkNb/s1600/Su-47+Berkut+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOKCLTZbEcPCJdHHbWLu92Y3WiH5uTjLSenXVvEv8Sst3-mIwgVAAzJpLcP7xmqn4H_Sl105FnEob3QOcgA1wZDqBChrBYndEQ_PKivxQNoF_v4zDipTCfshpZdDabuHqqi8BAOWCkNb/s200/Su-47+Berkut+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Experimental/Technology demonstrator</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer: Sukhoi</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 25 September 1.997</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction : January 2.000</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : Under development</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user : Russian Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Number built : 4 flight testing prototypes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut (Russian: Су-47 Беркут - Golden Eagle) (NATO reporting name Firkin), also designated S-32 and S-37 (not to be confused with the twin-engined delta canard design offered by Sukhoi in the early 1.990s under the designation Su-37) during initial development, was an experimental supersonic jet fighter developed by Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A distinguishing feature of the aircraft was its forward-swept wing[2] that gave the aircraft excellent agility and maneuverability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While serial production of the type never materialized, the sole aircraft produced served as a technology demonstrator prototype for a number of advanced technologies later used in the 4.5 generation fighter SU-35BM and current 5th generation fighter prototype Sukhoi PAK FA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NeYv15rMAImvDlmvVmTd4mhOzuLUt1udchFLhZ6SWqvtn6-FxIw2MouTxFj6qbRKzFhsHFd9415NqBrJdVhQQWF4rSzNn-q4Z_VPoyVNJwmLAWNDzFub2k6FynMaRXBQgZYww384-8c7/s1600/Su-47+Berkut+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NeYv15rMAImvDlmvVmTd4mhOzuLUt1udchFLhZ6SWqvtn6-FxIw2MouTxFj6qbRKzFhsHFd9415NqBrJdVhQQWF4rSzNn-q4Z_VPoyVNJwmLAWNDzFub2k6FynMaRXBQgZYww384-8c7/s200/Su-47+Berkut+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Originally known as the S-37, Sukhoi redesignated its advanced test aircraft as the Su-47 in 2002. Officially nicknamed Berkut (Golden Eagle), the Su-47 was originally built as Russia's principal testbed for composite materials and sophisticated fly-by-wire control systems.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">TsAGI has long been aware of the advantages of forward-swept wings, with research including the development of the Tsibin LL and study of the captured Junkers Ju 287 in the 1.940s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Forward-swept wings yield a higher maximum lift coefficient, reduced bending moments, and delayed stall when compared to more traditional wing shapes. At high angles of attack, the wing tips remain unstalled allowing the aircraft to retain aileron control.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Conversely, forward sweep geometrically creates increased angle of incidence of the outer wing sections when the wing bends under load. This creates more lift, more load, more angle of incidence, etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This leads to a tendency for the wings to fail structurally at lower speeds than for a straight or aft-swept wing. Forward swept wings counter this by being designed to twist downward as they bend upward. This twisting-as-it-bends is done with composite materials on the S-37, but it can also be done, to an extent, with conventional materials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The project was launched in 1.983 on order from the Soviet Air Force. But when the USSR dissolved, funding was frozen and development continued only through funding by Sukhoi. Like its US counterpart, the Grumman X-29, the Su-47 was primarily a technology demonstrator for future Russian fighters; however, Sukhoi briefly attempted to market the Su-47 to the Russian military and foreign customers as a production fighter in its own right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYU1thjgyy3NiQjEqkZstxNRgRPUSaDVbXc17ZaCl3ge79wuUAlKNWQFcXVJ_2Aoc5F7O45AUDFJWH7pjAe8yehSfb4ZrRJ23ujkNsftCrNog1dSeyDfSh8tTo4-rnX52DtW-zh6CM89t/s1600/Su-47+Berkut+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYU1thjgyy3NiQjEqkZstxNRgRPUSaDVbXc17ZaCl3ge79wuUAlKNWQFcXVJ_2Aoc5F7O45AUDFJWH7pjAe8yehSfb4ZrRJ23ujkNsftCrNog1dSeyDfSh8tTo4-rnX52DtW-zh6CM89t/s200/Su-47+Berkut+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-47 is of similar dimensions to previous large Sukhoi fighters, such as the Su-35. To reduce development costs, the Su-47 borrowed the forward fuselage, vertical tails, and landing gear of the Su-27 family.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nonetheless, the aircraft includes reduced radar signature features,[citation needed] an internal weapons bay, and space set aside for an advanced radar. Though similar in overall concept to the Grumman X-29 research aircraft of the 1.980s, the Su-47 is larger and far closer to an actual combat aircraft than the US design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To solve the problem of wing-twisting, the Su-47 makes use of composite materials carefully-tailored to resist twisting while still allowing the wing to bend for improved aerodynamic behavior. Due to its comparatively large wingspan the Su-47 is to be equipped with folding wings in order to fit inside Russian hangars.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like its immediate predecessor, the Su-37, the Su-47 is of tandem-triple layout, with canards ahead of wings and tailplanes. Interestingly, the Su-47 has two tailbooms of unequal length outboard of the exhaust nozzles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The shorter boom, on the left-hand side, houses rear-facing radar, while the longer boom houses a brake parachute.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Maneuverability</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96UiD8HoLp5IzHQn4IFxEj0teLKPxbwoWI_TZ9ExZkzlaSk0bsq5LnRnsCxWxdG7kW4GFMJ7IpIpPA9oJMqOSW4Jkd_CJn11oDlSUljp_II9BnEoOr8rXdLuJDsGsbFJRSMUXmo10Zwvi/s1600/Su-47+Berkut+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96UiD8HoLp5IzHQn4IFxEj0teLKPxbwoWI_TZ9ExZkzlaSk0bsq5LnRnsCxWxdG7kW4GFMJ7IpIpPA9oJMqOSW4Jkd_CJn11oDlSUljp_II9BnEoOr8rXdLuJDsGsbFJRSMUXmo10Zwvi/s200/Su-47+Berkut+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-47 has extremely high agility at subsonic speeds, enabling the aircraft to alter its angle of attack and its flight path very quickly while retaining maneuverability in supersonic flight. The Su-47 has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 at high altitudes and a 9g capability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum turn rates, and the upper and lower limits on airspeed for weapon launch, are important criteria in terms of combat superiority. The Su-47 aircraft has very high levels of maneuverability with maintained stability and controllability at extreme angles of attack. Maximum turn rates are important in close combat and also at medium and long range, when the mission may involve engaging consecutive targets in different sectors of the airspace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A high turn rate of the Su-47 allows the pilot to turn the fighter aircraft quickly towards the next target to initiate the weapon launch. Like most other fighters with fly by wire controls, the Su-47 achieves some of its high maneuverability through relaxed stability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The swept-forward wing, compared to a swept-back wing of the same area, provides a number of advantages :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">higher lift-to-drag ratio</div><div style="text-align: justify;">higher capacity in dogfight maneuvers</div><div style="text-align: justify;">higher range at subsonic speed</div><div style="text-align: justify;">improved stall resistance and anti-spin characteristics</div><div style="text-align: justify;">improved stability at high angles of attack</div><div style="text-align: justify;">a lower minimum flight speed</div><div style="text-align: justify;">a shorter take-off and landing distance</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fuselage</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-47s fuselage is oval in cross section and the airframe is constructed mainly of aluminium and titanium alloys and 13% (by weight) of composite materials. The nose radome is slightly flattened at the fore section, and has a horizontal edge to optimise the aircraft's anti-spin characteristics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wings</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The forward-swept midwing gives the unconventional appearance of the Su-47. A substantial part of the lift generated by the forward-swept wing occurs at the inner portion of the wingspan. The lift is not restricted by wingtip stall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ailerons - the wing's control surfaces - remain effective at the highest angles of attack, and controllability of the aircraft is retained even in the event of airflow separating from the remainder of the wings' surface.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wing panels are constructed of nearly 90% composites. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfI2YaO-DW13Ky7NckD_e9xtv6LPOZ0f-GnkTDW8F10rm0OZrhGdOFkNNffmmmtmh7n5cXvx2u6FkQZKG1gnw_9f3Lj925sDOY5G3osY4aXkImePkde8y8TUeCtq8APU_E92cEhDLUIkf/s1600/Su-47+Berkut+lego+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfI2YaO-DW13Ky7NckD_e9xtv6LPOZ0f-GnkTDW8F10rm0OZrhGdOFkNNffmmmtmh7n5cXvx2u6FkQZKG1gnw_9f3Lj925sDOY5G3osY4aXkImePkde8y8TUeCtq8APU_E92cEhDLUIkf/s200/Su-47+Berkut+lego+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The forward-swept midwing has a high aspect ratio, which contributes to long-range performance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The leading-edge root extensions blend smoothly to the wing panels, which are fitted with deflectable slats on the leading edge; flaps and ailerons on the trailing edge.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The all-moving and small-area trapezoidal canards are connected to the leading-edge root extensions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A downside of such a forward-swept wing design is that it geometrically produces wing twisting as it bends under load, resulting in greater stress on the wing than for a similar straight or aft-swept wing. This requires the wing be designed to twist as it bends - opposite to the geometric twisting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is done by the use of composites wing skins laid-up to twist. Despite this, the plane was initially limited to Mach 1.6. Recent engineering modifications have raised this limit, but the new limit has not been specified.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Thrust vectoring</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The thrust vectoring (with PFU engine modification) of ±20° at 30°/second in pitch and yaw will greatly support the agility gained by other aspects of the design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cockpit</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cockpit's design has focused on maintaining a high degree of comfort for the pilot and also on the pilot being able to control the aircraft in extremely high g-load maneuvers. The aircraft is equipped with a new ejection seat and life support system.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The variable geometry adaptive ejection seat is inclined at an angle of 60°, which reduces the impact of high g forces on the pilot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The seat allows dogfight and missile avoidance maneuvers with significantly higher g loadings than can normally be tolerable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-47 pilot uses a side-mounted, low-travel control stick and a tensiometric throttle control. Pilots, however, claim that the cockpit gives them low visibility due to poor design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This reclined seating arrangement was first used in the American F-16.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications (Su-47)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>General characteristics : </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crew: 1</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length: 22.6 m (74 ft 2 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan: 15.16 m to 16.7 m (49 ft 9 in to 54 ft 9 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area: 61.87 m² (666 ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight: 16,375 kg (36,100 lbs)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loaded weight: 25,000 kg (55,115 lb)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lbs)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-37FU(planned) prototypes used 2 Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning, thrust-vectoring (in PFU modification) turbofans</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dry thrust: 83.4 kN (18,700 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust with afterburner: 142.2 kN (32,000 lbf) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust vectoring: ±20° at 30° per second in pitch and yaw</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (Achieved in test flights [4]) (1,717 km/h, 1,066 mph)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* At sea level: Mach 1.16 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph[2])</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cruise speed: projected 1,800 km/h on dry thrust, 2650 km/h on full thrust</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,050 ft)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rate of climb: 233 m/s (46,200 ft/min)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing loading: 360 kg/m² (79.4 lb/ft²)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust/weight: 1.16 (loaded) / 1.77 (empty)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Su-47 is an unarmed technology demonstrator. If further developed into a fighter the armament could include the following weapons :</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Guns: 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Missiles: 14 hardpoints (2 wingtip, 6-8 underwing, 4-6 conformal under the fuselage)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air-to-air: R-77, R-77PD, R-73, K-74</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air-to-surface: X-29T, X-29L, X-59M, X-31P, X-31A, KAB-500, KAB-1500</div><br />
<iframe width="300" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zN3JvktAiXU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<iframe width="300" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-hq_RTaThNI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<iframe width="300" height="200" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/76PemdsjTi4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-30168151233244717632012-04-11T17:42:00.000-05:002012-11-28T15:11:18.935-05:00Northrop YF-23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJddmF3uiHAE2V7rvrN1ySk_Hjz3u7RBlN7P_v_0_RKjDwZBK2IlwD74akRX1H1xkdBwDf6c9qF5bm6r5AaZRbeF-kGrY9ebosggO8udx9biqLEKGmGqxwSAc04AI25V5jcM3dcC1CV9G_/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJddmF3uiHAE2V7rvrN1ySk_Hjz3u7RBlN7P_v_0_RKjDwZBK2IlwD74akRX1H1xkdBwDf6c9qF5bm6r5AaZRbeF-kGrY9ebosggO8udx9biqLEKGmGqxwSAc04AI25V5jcM3dcC1CV9G_/s200/Northrop+YF-23+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">YF-23, nicknamed Gray Ghost (foreground), flying with YF-23 Black Widow II</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Role : Experimental fighter prototype</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National origin<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: United States</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturer : Northrop/McDonnell Douglas</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First flight : 27 August 1990</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Status : Canceled</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Primary user : United States Air Force</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Number built : 2</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Northrop YF-23 or Northrop–McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was an American single-seat, twin-engine fighter aircraft designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The design was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, battling the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two YF-23 prototypes were built with the nicknames "Black Widow II" and "Gray Ghost".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the 1.980s the USAF began looking for a replacement for its fighter aircraft, especially to counter the USSR's advanced Su-27 and MiG-29. Several companies submitted design proposals; the USAF selected proposals from Northrop and Lockheed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23, while Lockheed, Boeing and General Dynamics developed the YF-22. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but less agile than the competition. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a four-year development and evaluation process, the YF-22 was announced the winner in 1991 and entered production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The U.S. Navy considered using the production version of the ATF as the basis for a replacement to the F-14, but these plans were later canceled. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of 2.009, the two YF-23 prototypes were museum exhibits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Development</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3GbQIyOMHvBuVIz5WWHvxHKhnYi5h-ICMvpncyprtjh_Dqa8JoddEfsqI12P-REUo9R4nLEnWgkj-54Ykxe3K1YNEQjqjxid6V9zKaXqDycj_U-HnC4uBJYVcJGwNUqSD7RvCrlM60M4/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3GbQIyOMHvBuVIz5WWHvxHKhnYi5h-ICMvpncyprtjh_Dqa8JoddEfsqI12P-REUo9R4nLEnWgkj-54Ykxe3K1YNEQjqjxid6V9zKaXqDycj_U-HnC4uBJYVcJGwNUqSD7RvCrlM60M4/s200/Northrop+YF-23+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">American reconnaissance satellites first spotted the advanced Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter prototypes in 1.978, which caused concern in the U.S. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both Soviet models were expected to reduce the maneuverability advantage of contemporary US fighter aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1.981, the USAF requested information from several aerospace companies on possible features for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) to replace the F-15 Eagle. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After discussions with aerospace companies, the USAF made air to air combat the primary role for the ATF.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ATF was to take advantage of emerging technologies, including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced flight-control systems, more powerful propulsion systems, and stealth technology.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In October 1.985, the USAF issued a request for proposal (RFP) to several aircraft manufacturers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The RFP was modified in May 1.986 to include evaluation of prototypes from the two finalists. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the same time, the U.S. Navy, under the Navalized Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) program, announced that it would use a derivative of the ATF winner to replace its F-14 Tomcat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The NATF program called for procurement of 546 aircraft along with the USAF's planned procurement of 750 aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In July 1.986, proposals were submitted by Lockheed, Boeing, General Dynamics, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, Grumman and Rockwell. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The latter two dropped out of competition shortly thereafter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND1hNLOZFkB2njp_pKijnGwtWvCchteZGPczpNCf_Kvbmwnt6OJJ_KHLDu-64-Qf3IE5KZzCGZ7_bSr9sscy8f26_jQHy1eTBBSClq9aF1q8yNrU3F3bJuklTpH4JgQraHc9Rne5ZSb-j/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND1hNLOZFkB2njp_pKijnGwtWvCchteZGPczpNCf_Kvbmwnt6OJJ_KHLDu-64-Qf3IE5KZzCGZ7_bSr9sscy8f26_jQHy1eTBBSClq9aF1q8yNrU3F3bJuklTpH4JgQraHc9Rne5ZSb-j/s200/Northrop+YF-23+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following proposal submissions, Lockheed, Boeing, and General Dynamics formed a team to develop whichever of their proposed designs was selected, if any. Northrop and McDonnell Douglas formed a team with a similar agreement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lockheed and Northrop proposals were selected as finalists on 31 October 1.986. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both teams were given 50 months to build and flight-test their prototypes, and they were successful, producing the Lockheed YF-22 and the Northrop YF-23, we will talk about them here in top secret airplanes soon, Yf-23 was made in area 51 as we find out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23 was designed to meet USAF requirements for survivability, supercruise, stealth, and ease of maintenance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Supercruise requirements called for prolonged supersonic flight without the use of afterburners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Northrop drew on its experience with the B-2 Spirit and F/A-18 Hornet to reduce the model's susceptibility to radar and infrared detection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The USAF initially required the aircraft to land and stop within 2,000 feet (610 m), which meant the use of thrust reversers on their engines. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1.987, the USAF changed the runway length requirement to 3,000 feet (914 m), so thrust reversers were no longer needed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This allowed the aircraft to have smaller engine nacelle housings. The nacelles were not downsized on the prototypes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first YF-23 (serial number 87-0800), Prototype Air Vehicle 1 (PAV-1), was rolled out on 22 June 1.990; PAV-1 took its 50-minute maiden flight on 27 August with Alfred "Paul" Metz at the controls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second YF-23 (serial number 87-0801, PAV-2) made its first flight on 26 October, piloted by Jim Sandberg.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first YF-23 was painted charcoal gray and was nicknamed "Spider"and "Black Widow II", the latter after the Northrop P-61 Black Widow of World War II. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It briefly had a red hourglass marking resembling the marking on the back of the black widow spider before Northrop management had it removed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second prototype was painted in two shades of gray and nicknamed "Gray Ghost".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Design</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe_vNIUFERN5ZWMTx88369J8Rg37gJY4GSSqP4lGj25iPWa_214BxZF4AaAzyg8bXz4367w3QLJd5f3_-XaHwqweJz7N4Z6tdoVIh9LXLWfdh3uphiKDh-w-JTsvVzfl8E9g05KAdnDDh/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe_vNIUFERN5ZWMTx88369J8Rg37gJY4GSSqP4lGj25iPWa_214BxZF4AaAzyg8bXz4367w3QLJd5f3_-XaHwqweJz7N4Z6tdoVIh9LXLWfdh3uphiKDh-w-JTsvVzfl8E9g05KAdnDDh/s200/Northrop+YF-23+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23 was an unconventional-looking aircraft, with diamond-shaped wings, a profile with substantial area-ruling to reduce drag at trans-sonic speeds, and an all-moving V-tail. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cockpit was placed high, near the nose of the aircraft for good visibility for the pilot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft featured a tricycle landing gear configuration with a nose landing gear and two main landing gear. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The weapons bay was placed on the underside of the fuselage between the nose and main landing gear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cockpit has a center stick and side throttle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was powered by two turbofan engines with each in a separate engine nacelle on either side of the aircraft's spine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of the two aircraft built, the first YF-23 (PAV-1) was fitted with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines, while the second (PAV-2) was powered by General Electric YF120 engines. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The aircraft featured fixed engine nozzles, instead of thrust vectoring nozzles as on the YF-22.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As on the B-2, the exhaust from the YF-23's engines flowed through troughs lined with heat-ablating tiles to dissipate heat and shield the engines from infrared (IR) missile detection from below.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The flight control surfaces were controlled by a central management computer system. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Raising the wing flaps and ailerons on one side and lowering them on the other provided roll. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The V-tail fins were angled 50 degrees from the vertical. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pitch was mainly provided by rotating these V-tail fins in opposite directions so their front edges moved together or apart. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yaw was primarily supplied by rotating the tail fins in the same direction. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deflecting the wing flaps down and ailerons up on both sides simultaneously provided for aerodynamic braking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To keep costs low despite the novel design, a number of "off-the-shelf" components were used, including an F-15 nose wheel, F/A-18 main landing gear parts, and the forward cockpit components of the F-15E Strike Eagle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Operational history</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Evaluation</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvao7jvTw24gHVz014jGN-CcuNlSFI_8BTrrE17HlIgU-tWVgPQfx2UdvMObTZ-S5kIaTE5upuUeWiobJvLVfT4HaDiKRVgJcSB-UowGVGa1JHs7wFnOXfMJStqCj2qCJ_QbVbZatxB_BX/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvao7jvTw24gHVz014jGN-CcuNlSFI_8BTrrE17HlIgU-tWVgPQfx2UdvMObTZ-S5kIaTE5upuUeWiobJvLVfT4HaDiKRVgJcSB-UowGVGa1JHs7wFnOXfMJStqCj2qCJ_QbVbZatxB_BX/s200/Northrop+YF-23+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first YF-23, with Pratt & Whitney engines, supercruised at Mach 1.43 on 18 September 1.990, while the second, with General Electric engines, reached Mach 1.6 on 29 November 1990. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By comparison, the YF-22 achieved Mach 1.58 in supercruise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23 was tested to a top speed of Mach 1.8 with afterburners. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23's weapons bay was configured for weapons launch, and used for testing weapons bay acoustics, but no missiles were fired. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lockheed fired AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles successfully from its YF-22 demonstration aircraft. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PAV-1 performed a fast-paced combat demonstration with six flights over a 10-hour period on 30 November 1.990. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flight testing continued into December.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two YF-23s flew 50 times for a total of 65.2 hours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The tests demonstrated Northrop's predicted performance values for the YF-23.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but the YF-22 was more agile.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two contractor teams submitted evaluation results with their proposals in December 1.990,and on 23 April 1.991, Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice announced that the YF-22 was the winner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Air Force selected the YF119 engine to power the F-22 production version. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney designs were rated higher on technical aspects, were considered lower risks, and were considered to have more effective program management. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been speculated in the aviation press that the YF-22 was also seen as more adaptable to the Navy's NATF, but by 1992 the U.S. Navy had abandoned NATF.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following the competition, both YF-23s were transferred to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California, without their engines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">NASA planned to use one of the aircraft to study techniques for the calibration of predicted loads to measured flight results, but this did not take place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Possible revival</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI2YxkIP3Q4rxb7QCpDvLXRYb4qdebZ350pl3dePv-F2Viz39Jc6it5EqOOm9nUnIAUCk-gxYk_3J6LyGydJYRVT1JadkBUMA4pEwOEdFtR5vcFPrNMaz_rcW-yzRPd5evxetHRVPkbqD/s1600/Northrop+YF-23+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI2YxkIP3Q4rxb7QCpDvLXRYb4qdebZ350pl3dePv-F2Viz39Jc6it5EqOOm9nUnIAUCk-gxYk_3J6LyGydJYRVT1JadkBUMA4pEwOEdFtR5vcFPrNMaz_rcW-yzRPd5evxetHRVPkbqD/s200/Northrop+YF-23+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In late 2.004, Northrop Grumman proposed a YF-23-based bomber to meet a USAF need for an interim bomber, for which the FB-22 and B-1R were also competing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Northrop modified aircraft PAV-2 to serve as a display model for its proposed interim bomber.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The possibility of a YF-23-based interim bomber ended with the 2.006 Quadrennial Defense Review, which favored a long-range bomber with a much greater range.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The USAF has since begun the Next-Generation Bomber program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Aircraft on display</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both YF-23 airframes remained in storage until mid-1.996, when the aircraft were transferred to museums.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">YF-23A PAV-1, serial number 87-0800, registration number N231YF, was on display as of 2.009 in the Research and Development hangar of the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">YF-23A PAV-2, serial number 87-0801, registration number N232YF, was on exhibit at the Western Museum of Flight until 2.004, when it was reclaimed by Northrop Grumman and used as a display model for a YF-23-based bomber.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PAV-2 was returned to the Western Museum of Flight and was on display as of 2.010 at the museum's new location at Torrance Airport, Torrance, California.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Specifications (YF-23)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>General characteristics : </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw_Z_8stzag_hpsipyqz8BhAOT5Rmy3aM3VQ-hGlKUA9TQg6kFM5dzo2tfV1XPK29d-5yq9LcVVwHYXytH7JEjiT2rCOPZY5E-ImYRKGRNDLCP3v8Nqnh4q9-g2Ubr-OgW3mGRC8TWQAy/s1600/northrop_y-23+top+secret+airplanes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw_Z_8stzag_hpsipyqz8BhAOT5Rmy3aM3VQ-hGlKUA9TQg6kFM5dzo2tfV1XPK29d-5yq9LcVVwHYXytH7JEjiT2rCOPZY5E-ImYRKGRNDLCP3v8Nqnh4q9-g2Ubr-OgW3mGRC8TWQAy/s200/northrop_y-23+top+secret+airplanes.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crew: 1 (pilot)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Length: 67 ft 5 in (20.60 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wingspan: 43 ft 7 in (13.30 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: 13 ft 11 in (4.30 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing area: 900 ft2 (88 m2)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empty weight: 29,000 lb (13,100 kg)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loaded weight: 51,320 lb (23,327 kg)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Max. takeoff weight: 62,000 lb (29,000 kg)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Powerplant: 2 × General Electric YF120 or Pratt & Whitney YF119 turbofan, 35,000 lbf (156 kN) each</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maximum speed: Mach 2.2+ (1,650+ mph, 2,655+ km/h) at altitude</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cruise speed: Mach 1.6 (1,060 mph, 1,706 km/h) supercruise at altitude</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Range: over 2,790 mi (over 4,500 km)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Combat radius: 750–800 nmi (865–920 mi, 1,380–1480 km)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (19,800 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wing loading: 54 lb/ft2 (265 kg/m2)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thrust/weight: 1.36</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Armament</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">None as tested but provisions made for :</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) M61 Vulcan cannon</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4 × AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range air-to-air missiles</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles</div><br />
<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IQi-IaFO3kk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KciMPGUrlOU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-36296336180900676492012-04-10T17:46:00.001-05:002012-04-10T17:49:13.889-05:00Tactical Fighter Experiment (Turkey) - Tfe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQ0A2AQurZp8G6-gPM7tBQHDOOI9ttbSgXEQSClZnuPRd_9TpD3mrg3gv44_dnXZrfpCeHho3ot93NXcnG7JNDTL5T1sXtP2fCK0QTo-ktx7QcGRbicf5KMJKhQe11exg6H5pO6CcpR_w/s1600/tfx+turkey+new+airplane+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQ0A2AQurZp8G6-gPM7tBQHDOOI9ttbSgXEQSClZnuPRd_9TpD3mrg3gv44_dnXZrfpCeHho3ot93NXcnG7JNDTL5T1sXtP2fCK0QTo-ktx7QcGRbicf5KMJKhQe11exg6H5pO6CcpR_w/s320/tfx+turkey+new+airplane+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">TFX is a Turkish proposed fighter aircraft being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to start production in early 2.020.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conceptual design phase</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 15 December 2.010, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided to design, develop, and manufacture an indigenous air-to-air combat fighter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">US$20 million was allocated for 2-year conceptual design phase that will be performed by TUSAŞ.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 23 August 2.011, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industry (SSM) and the Turkish defense company Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) signed an agreement to official begin development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_SpqOdT0FZ1Le7j4v_DWBKlQDBJnIYpv5aq9tuEvkJjL5IVrAp22z6gnt1glYX0nMLx6BOJphyphenhyphenlLkfm1UJleRDJv6R2MLnJKCW8W0W63MNAHAnvUeCNCCrt9w3JBdJXDLB7RlVkd430Z/s1600/XTSF+Xtf+turkey+airplane+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_SpqOdT0FZ1Le7j4v_DWBKlQDBJnIYpv5aq9tuEvkJjL5IVrAp22z6gnt1glYX0nMLx6BOJphyphenhyphenlLkfm1UJleRDJv6R2MLnJKCW8W0W63MNAHAnvUeCNCCrt9w3JBdJXDLB7RlVkd430Z/s200/XTSF+Xtf+turkey+airplane+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">TAI and Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI) will lead the design and development processes of the fighter jet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">TEI will focus more on the production of the airplane's engines to be completed by 2.015, while TAI will develop other components. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The studies will reveal how much the fighter jet would cost, which mechanical and electronic systems would be employed and included a wider perspective of the opportunities and challenges in military aviation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK) has taken the first step towards producing Turkey’s first national fighter jet by launching feasibility studies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to a Defense Ministry source that remained anonymous, the SSİK had met with Chief of General Staff Gen. Işık Koşaner and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in December 2.010 when they took the decision to produce the Turkish fighter jet and to complete it by 2.023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The centennial of the Turkish Republic, and had started feasibility studies for the fighter jet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfSDlQAeRjMgs4xFJOYodfqxgEASdGAEKr700C9mPMO4xUFVV_E_TAlXPMxV2tFJzkC8wLKFmyifg47Kyw3mYfyItzBwOGXRtG8d_1oy-Qh3SKxPg6Rg_QvBZYpJRwEnR-AnvHHbbBAgX/s1600/txf+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfSDlQAeRjMgs4xFJOYodfqxgEASdGAEKr700C9mPMO4xUFVV_E_TAlXPMxV2tFJzkC8wLKFmyifg47Kyw3mYfyItzBwOGXRtG8d_1oy-Qh3SKxPg6Rg_QvBZYpJRwEnR-AnvHHbbBAgX/s200/txf+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The source stated that this study includes how much the fighter jet will cost, which mechanical and electronic systems will be used, and the opportunities and threats on the market.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Turkish Air Forces (THK) currently has McDonnell Douglas F-4s and F-16 Fighting Falcons in its jet fighter inventory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, these planes will be changed to F-35 from the American aviation company Lockheed Martin in the next couple of years. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since fighter jets require high-technology software to be operated, companies are not willing to share the codes of these planes, making the owner of these fighters jets dependant on the company. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turkey, however, wants to decrease its dependency on high-tech foreign defense industries by producing its own products such as its own fighter jet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cpIDRsAdR6d2W1dW_S1Y-wtfo3Fy3gOaJzhITGnCdcbCjyUNrmrubrrOP2g6-4KUU3U5GoEJIKiWQiutF3fOmNPu1fl_6Zv3Ai3MZwukhSEk_8pwtH0RQHCEmngfdb9xd_qEH4ZxVq5k/s1600/txf+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cpIDRsAdR6d2W1dW_S1Y-wtfo3Fy3gOaJzhITGnCdcbCjyUNrmrubrrOP2g6-4KUU3U5GoEJIKiWQiutF3fOmNPu1fl_6Zv3Ai3MZwukhSEk_8pwtH0RQHCEmngfdb9xd_qEH4ZxVq5k/s200/txf+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Turkey’s first observation satellite RASAT was sent to Russia on Wednesday for its launch into space. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is expected that RASAT, designed and manufactured in Turkey by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) and supported by the State Planning Organization (DPT), is expected to be launched in July from a space station in Russia. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Satellite photos from the Turkish observation satellite will be used in city planning, forestry, agriculture and disaster management.</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uEkhhkXMBh0" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-57517208892338484122012-03-28T21:33:00.000-05:002012-03-28T21:33:54.676-05:00Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeViw84zRn_mov9V6APAbVwvlIbhLl1vRLYBHrMwDj2IQbJH4Gdpl34sHnEpOH_wUu3uUeMwNuHjmVk18oX3yzw63LaLgcJtNybHzAfbmttGXYPEtAxsvfE51QUbHWqQmveufht1PNapv/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeViw84zRn_mov9V6APAbVwvlIbhLl1vRLYBHrMwDj2IQbJH4Gdpl34sHnEpOH_wUu3uUeMwNuHjmVk18oX3yzw63LaLgcJtNybHzAfbmttGXYPEtAxsvfE51QUbHWqQmveufht1PNapv/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 has three main models; the F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take off and vertical-landing variant, and the F-35C is a carrier-based variant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. JSF development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2.006.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States intends to buy a total of 2,443 aircraft to provide the bulk of its tactical airpower for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy over the coming decades. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, Israel, and Japan all will equip their air and/or naval forces with the F-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However, the Japanese have warned that they may halt their purchase if the unit costs increase. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Similarly, Canada indicated they are not fully committed to purchasing the aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States is projected to spend an estimated US$323 billion for development and procurement on the F-35 program, making it the most expensive defense program ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Its total lifecycle cost is estimated to be US$1 trillion over its 50-year life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Development</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6gCrQ2F0vfXnE-pC0_hkTNYuJQBNmlI6hurjxA-nnmXF5zwHEs-I58rEXr0KND1AqCX84ALBmW8OWumeS6NS7sgWqWKvOm9AOT3JoNx_ZdOH7T6U87bXHo4yV7svV8Upy5t3-WPTNLTx/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6gCrQ2F0vfXnE-pC0_hkTNYuJQBNmlI6hurjxA-nnmXF5zwHEs-I58rEXr0KND1AqCX84ALBmW8OWumeS6NS7sgWqWKvOm9AOT3JoNx_ZdOH7T6U87bXHo4yV7svV8Upy5t3-WPTNLTx/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+1+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The JSF program was designed to replace the United States military F-16, A-10, F/A-18 (excluding newer E/F "Super Hornet" variants) and AV-8B tactical fighter aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">To keep development, production, and operating costs down, a common design was planned in three variants that share 80 percent of their parts :<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35A, conventional take off and landing (CTOL) variant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35B, short-take off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35C, carrier-based CATOBAR (CV) variant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">An F-35 wind tunnel testing model in the Arnold Engineering Development Center's 16-foot transonic wind tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">George Standridge of Lockheed Martin has said that the F-35 will be four times more effective than legacy fighters in air-to-air combat, eight times more effective than legacy fighters in air-to-ground combat, and three times more effective than legacy fighters in reconnaissance and suppression of air defenses while having better range and requiring less logistics support and having around the same procurement costs (if development costs are ignored) as legacy fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Further, the design goals call for the F-35 to be the premier strike aircraft through 2040 and be second only to the F-22 Raptor in air superiority.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">While the actual JSF development contract was signed on 16 November 1.996, the contract for System </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Development and Demonstration (SDD) was awarded on 26 October 2.001 to Lockheed Martin, whose X-</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">35 beat the Boeing X-32. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Although both aircraft met or exceeded requirements, the X-35 design was considered to have less risk and more growth potential.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The designation of the new fighter as "F-35" is out-of-sequence with standard DoD aircraft numbering, by which it should have been "F-24". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It came as a surprise even to Lockheed, which had been referring to the aircraft in-house by this expected designation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Design phase</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvDAdqSLO1XzU-FhRH4gu_I0GX16i3MA_SC9d72o_4z8qTvjSHN8vSLOcazVMwnJa6fLQh713R6wWja2-w42btPTnYeprFeLcsjneTH1ymNy2AItVg27EZOlLFlEggR2xPU4JlxNFklnj/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvDAdqSLO1XzU-FhRH4gu_I0GX16i3MA_SC9d72o_4z8qTvjSHN8vSLOcazVMwnJa6fLQh713R6wWja2-w42btPTnYeprFeLcsjneTH1ymNy2AItVg27EZOlLFlEggR2xPU4JlxNFklnj/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+2+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Based on wind tunnel testing, Lockheed Martin slightly enlarged its X-35 design into the F-35. The forward fuselage is 5 inches (130 mm) longer to make room for avionics. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Correspondingly, the horizontal stabilators were moved 2 inches (51 mm) rearward to retain balance and control. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The top surface of the fuselage was raised by 1 inch (25 mm) along the center line. Also, it was decided to increase the size of the F-35B STOVL variant's weapons bay to be common with the other two variants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Manufacturing of parts for the first F-35 prototype airframe began in November 2.003.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B STOVL variant was in danger of missing performance requirements in 2.004 because it weighed too much; reportedly, by 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) or 8 percent. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In response, Lockheed Martin added engine thrust and thinned airframe members; reduced the size of the common weapons bay and vertical stabilizers; re-routed some thrust from the roll-post outlets to the main nozzle; and redesigned the wing-mate joint, portions of the electrical system, and the portion of the aircraft immediately behind the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Many of the changes were applied to all three variants to maintain high levels of commonality. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">By September 2.004, the weight reduction effort had reduced the aircraft's design weight by 2,700 pounds (1,200 kg).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 7 July 2.006, the US Air Force officially announced the name of the F-35: Lightning II, in honor of Lockheed's World War II-era twin-prop Lockheed P-38 Lightning and the Cold War-era jet, the English </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Electric Lightning.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gWb3C-XiNGLKUxK5QBadPKNytiYfDDZiYGKU3RBBzJCcwqBGR3QiBZCVG8CP4zeDKTwORUYFoM3aTQ01eHBW_e6AWMBeuv6TwOCepMzSFbZA4ELx__0t3qe-6IgC9GGH6ybwQZKt0eCu/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gWb3C-XiNGLKUxK5QBadPKNytiYfDDZiYGKU3RBBzJCcwqBGR3QiBZCVG8CP4zeDKTwORUYFoM3aTQ01eHBW_e6AWMBeuv6TwOCepMzSFbZA4ELx__0t3qe-6IgC9GGH6ybwQZKt0eCu/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+3+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">English Electric Company's aircraft division was a predecessor of F-35 partner BAE Systems. Lightning II was also an early company name for its fighter that was later named the F-22 Raptor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 19 December 2.008, Lockheed Martin rolled out the first weight-optimized F-35A (designated AF-1). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It is the first F-35 to be produced at a full-rate production speed and is structurally identical to the production F-35As that will be delivered starting in 2.010.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and performs aircraft final assembly, overall system integration, mission system, and provides forward fuselage, wings and flight controls system. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Northrop Grumman provides Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electro-optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Communications, Navigation, Identification (CNI), center fuselage, weapons bay, and arrestor gear. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">BAE Systems provides aft fuselage and empennages, horizontal and vertical tails, crew life support and escape systems, Electronic warfare systems, fuel system, and Flight Control Software (FCS1). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Alenia will perform final assembly for Italy and, according to an Alenia executive, assembly of all European aircraft with the exception of Turkey and the United Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 program has seen a great deal of investment in automated production facilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">For example, Handling Specialty produced the wing assembly platforms for Lockheed Martin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In November 2.009, Jon Schreiber, head of F-35 international affairs program for the Pentagon, said that the U.S. will not share the software code for the F-35 with its allies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As of 5 January 2.009, six F-35s were complete, including AF-1 and AG-1, and 17 were in production. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">"Thirteen of the 17 in production are pre-production test aircraft, and all of those will be finished in 2.009," said John R. Kent, acting manager of F-35 Lightning II Communications at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. "<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The other four are the first production-model planes, and the first of those will be delivered in 2.010 to the U.S. Air Force, and will go to Eglin Air Force Base."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 6 April 2.009, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates proposed speeding up production for the US to buy 2,443 F-35s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In August 2.010, Lockheed Martin announced delays in resolving a "wing-at-mate overlap" production problem, which would slow initial production.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In October 2.011 two F-35B VTOL aircraft conducted three weeks of initial sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1), logging more than 28 hours of flight time including 72 short take-offs and 72 vertical landings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Program cost increases and further delays</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqXC9sPKpadDxOjnt0-Lz1gGqlWVbiSRA8ZvjcPRAROHYbvHqvl3sSR2tRodzgHKNU4dmCFKJ0KArDCSfenN6dYvPkO1i0fMrbCE7P8kTdaL5qrobXl45KAWWKbEUzEbvO-nh99tGo9Yo/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqXC9sPKpadDxOjnt0-Lz1gGqlWVbiSRA8ZvjcPRAROHYbvHqvl3sSR2tRodzgHKNU4dmCFKJ0KArDCSfenN6dYvPkO1i0fMrbCE7P8kTdaL5qrobXl45KAWWKbEUzEbvO-nh99tGo9Yo/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+4+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.006, the GAO warned that excessive concurrency in F-35 production and testing might result in expensive refits for several hundred aircraft planned to be produced before completion of tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In November 2.010, the GAO found that "Managing an extensive, still-maturing global network of suppliers adds another layer of complexity to producing aircraft efficiently and on-time" and that "However, due to the extensive amount of testing still to be completed, the program could be required to make alterations to its production processes, changes to its supplier base, and costly retrofits to produced and fielded aircraft, if problems are discovered."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States Air Force (USAF) budget data in 2.010, along with other sources, projects the F-35 to have a flyaway cost from US$89 million to US$200 million over the planned production of F-35s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In February 2.011, the Pentagon put a price of $207.6 million for each of the 32 aircraft to be acquired in FY2012, rising to $304.15 million ($9,732.8/32) if its share of RDT&E spending is included.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011, program head Vice Adm. David Venlet confirmed that the concurrency built into the program "was a miscalculation".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This was during a contract dispute where the Pentagon insisted that Lockheed Martin help cover the costs of applying fixes found during testing to aircraft already produced.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin objected that the cost sharing posed an uninsurable unbounded risk that the company could not cover, and later responded that the "concurrency costs for F-35 continue to reduce".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However the Senate Armed Services Committee strongly backed the Pentagon position.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In December 2.011 Lockheed Martin agreed to a cost sharing agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Aerospace Industries Association trade group warned that such changes would force them to change their behavior and anticipate cost overruns in their future contract bids.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As of 2.012, problems found in flight testing are expected to continue to lead to elevated levels of engineering changes (to be made to newly produced aircraft and retrofitted onto previously produced aircraft) through 2.019.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.012, Schwartz decried the "foolishness" of reliance on computer models to settle the final design of the aircraft before flight testing found the issues that needed redesign.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 21 April 2.009, media reports, citing Pentagon sources, said that during 2.007 and 2.008, computer spies had managed to copy and siphon off several terabytes of data related to the F-35's design and electronics systems, potentially enabling the development of defense systems against the aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However, Lockheed Martin has rejected suggestions that the project has been compromised, saying that it "does not believe any classified information had been stolen".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However other sources have suggested that the incident caused a redesign of the aircraft's hardware and software to be more resistant to cyber attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">BAE Systems was reported to be the target of the cyber espionage that may have stolen secrets related to the F-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 9 November 2.009, Ashton Carter, under-secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, acknowledged that the Pentagon "joint estimate team" (JET) had found possible future cost and schedule overruns in the project and that he would be holding meetings to attempt to avoid these.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 1 February 2.010, Gates removed the JSF Program Manager, U.S. Marine Corps Major General David Heinz, and withheld $614 million in payments to Lockheed Martin because of program costs and delays.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 11 March 2.010, a report from the Government Accountability Office to United States Senate Committee on Armed Services projected the overall unit cost of an F-35A to be $112M in today's money.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.010, Pentagon officials disclosed that the F-35 program has exceeded its original cost estimates by more than 50 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">An internal Pentagon report critical of the JSF project states that "affordability is no longer embraced as a core pillar". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 24 March, Gates termed the recent cost overruns and delays as "unacceptable" in a testimony before the U.S. Congress. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">He characterized previous cost and schedule estimates for the project as "overly rosy". However, Gates insisted the F-35 would become "the backbone of U.S. air combat for the next generation" and informed the Congress that he had expanded the development period by an additional 13 months and budgeted $3 billion more for the testing program while slowing down production.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin expects to reduce government cost estimates by 20%.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In November 2.010 as part of a cost-cutting measure, the co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform suggested canceling procurement of the F-35B and halving orders of F-35As and F-35Cs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">At the same time Air Force Magazine reported that "Pentagon officials" are considering canceling the F-35B because its short range means that the bases or ships it operates from will be within range of hostile tactical ballistic missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However Lockheed Martin consultant Loren B. Thompson said that this rumor is merely a result of the usual tensions between the US Navy and Marine Corps, and there is no alternative to the F-35B as an AV-8B replacement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">He also confirmed that there would be further delays and cost increases in the development process because of technical problems with the aircraft and software, but blamed most of the delays and extra costs on redundant flight tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Center for Defense Information estimated that the program would be restructured with an additional year of delay and $5 billion in additional costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 5 November 2.010, the Block 1 software flew for the first time on BF-4 which included information fusion and initial weapons-release capability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As of the end of 2.010, only 15% of the software remains to be written, but this includes the most difficult sections such as data fusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">But in 2.011 it was revealed that only 50% of the eight million lines of code had actually been written and that it would take another six years and 110 additional software engineers in order to complete the software for this new schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK44ROi9nEitz-oLrs2cylWaQxA7ZcU4qSoUV4ON5T-nRyWKOtl4JoRGQLnND9GPgizMmWDXuHC5bTcferAAh8FKVdNuZ8gOr2I_7y15aBo7BneK0cDLZUq2q5VkNvIKT_NSv5df5btnuC/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK44ROi9nEitz-oLrs2cylWaQxA7ZcU4qSoUV4ON5T-nRyWKOtl4JoRGQLnND9GPgizMmWDXuHC5bTcferAAh8FKVdNuZ8gOr2I_7y15aBo7BneK0cDLZUq2q5VkNvIKT_NSv5df5btnuC/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+5+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In January 2.011 Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed the Pentagon's frustration with the skyrocketing costs of the F-35 program when he said "The culture of endless money that has taken hold must be replaced by a culture of restraint." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Focusing his attention on the troubled VTOL F-35B Gates ordered "a two-year probation", saying it "should be canceled" if corrections are unsuccessful.[74] However, Gates has stated his support for the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Some private analysts, such as Richard Aboulafia, of the Teal Group state that the whole F-35 program is becoming a money pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However, on 20 January 2.012 Gates' successor, Leon Panetta, lifted the F-35B's probation, stating "The STOVL variant has made I believe and all of us believe sufficient progress."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Former Pentagon manager Paul G. Kaminski has said that the lack of a complete test plan has added five years to the JSF program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As of February 2.011, the main flaws with the aircraft are engine "screech", transonic wing roll-off and display flaws in the helmet mounted display.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The current schedule has the delivery of basic combat capability aircraft in late 2015, followed by full capability block three software in late 2.016.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The $56.4 billion development project for the aircraft should be completed in 2.018 when the block five configuration is expected to be delivered, several years late and considerably over budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Delays in the F-35 program may lead to a "fighter gap" where America and other countries will lack sufficient jet fighters to cover their requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Israel may seek to buy second-hand F-15s to cover its gap, while Australia may also seek to buy more American fighters from the USN to cover their own capability gap in the face of F-35 delays.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Initial Operational Capability (IOC) will be determined by software development rather than by hardware production or pilot training.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In May 2.011, the Pentagon's top weapons buyer Ashton Carter said that its new $133 million unit price was not affordable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011 The Economist warned that the F-35 was in danger of slipping into a "death spiral" where increasing per aircraft costs would lead to cuts in number of aircraft ordered which would lead to further cost increases and further order cuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Later that year four aircraft were cut from the fifth LRIP order to pay for cost overruns.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">And in 2.012 a further two aircraft were cut.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">And Lockheed acknowledged that the slowing of purchases would increase the costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">David Van Buren, acquisition chief for the U.S. Air Force, said that Lockheed would need to cut infrastructure to match the reduced market for their aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed has said that the slowdown in American orders will free up capacity to meet the urgent short term needs of foreign partners for replacement fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">But Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said that there was no more money available for the project and that future price increases would be matched with cuts in the number of aircraft ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Also in 2.011 a Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus was formed by some of the top recipients of Lockheed Martin contributions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">James Jay Carafano of the Heritage Foundation has suggested that it would be cheaper to build additional F-35s with known defective structures and fix these later than it would be to refit legacy aircraft to remain operational until full production of F-35s with full lifespan rated structural components could be built.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The program delays have affected the program's worldwide supply chain, causing Australian Quickstep </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Holdings to struggle for capital, in spite of their 20-year contract with Lockheed Martin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In order to reduce the estimated $1 trillion cost of the F-35 program over its 50-year lifetime, the USAF is considering reducing Lockheed's role in Contractor Logistics Support for the fighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.012, in order to avoid further redesign delays, the US DoD accepted a reduced combat radius for the F-35A and a longer takeoff run for the F-35B.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B's estimated radius has also decreased 15 percent from initial JSF goal. In a meeting in Sydney in March, the United States pledged to eight partner nations that there would be no more program delays.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Concerns over performance and safety</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqfDDRLLy0203OIbGc5YzatJNBEsO5TPx4hG4YWjoSRdLHJk3lNa-HzJhZkhZsMlBPt9DrMM6SMskCGvh6rVZ4SiLLSVZwmhRhZbnrC_3idwCmhavb6xka60KExnTYAAlFajIjwxXlh67/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqfDDRLLy0203OIbGc5YzatJNBEsO5TPx4hG4YWjoSRdLHJk3lNa-HzJhZkhZsMlBPt9DrMM6SMskCGvh6rVZ4SiLLSVZwmhRhZbnrC_3idwCmhavb6xka60KExnTYAAlFajIjwxXlh67/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+6+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.006 the F-35 was downgraded from "very low observable" to "low observable", a change former RAAF flight test engineer Peter Goon likened to increasing the radar cross section from a marble to a beach ball.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Andrew Krepinevich has questioned the reliance on "short range" aircraft like the F-35 or F-22 to 'manage' China in a future conflict and has suggested reducing the number of F-35s ordered in favor of a longer range platform like the Next-Generation Bomber, but Michael Wynne, then United States Secretary of the Air Force rejected this plan of action in 2.007. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However in 2.011, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) pointed to the restructuring of the F-35 program and the return of the bomber project as a sign of their effectiveness, while Rebecca Grant said that the restructuring was a "vote of confidence" in the F-35 and "there is no other stealthy, survivable new fighter program out there".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed has also said that the F-35 is designed to launch internally carried bombs at supersonic speed and internal missiles at maximum supersonic speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.008 it was reported that RAND Corporation conducted simulated war games in which Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighters defeated the F-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As a result of these media reports, then Australian defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon requested a formal briefing from the Australian Department of Defence on the simulation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This briefing stated that the reports of the simulation were inaccurate and did not actually compare the F-35's flight performance against other aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin added that these simulations did not address air-to-air combat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A Lockheed Martin press-release points to USAF simulations regarding the F-35's air-to-air performance against potential adversaries described as "4th generation" fighters, in which it claims the F-35 is "400 percent" more effective. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Major General Charles R. Davis, USAF, the F-35 program executive officer, has stated that the "F-35 enjoys a significant Combat Loss Exchange Ratio advantage over the current and future air-to-air threats, to include Sukhois".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The nature of the simulations, and the terms upon which the "400 percent" figure have been derived remains unclear. Regarding the original plan to fit the F-35 with only two air-to-air missiles, Major Richard Koch, chief of USAF Air Combat Command’s advanced air dominance branch is reported to have said that "I wake up in a cold sweat at the thought of the F-35 going in with only two air-dominance weapons."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However the Norwegians have been briefed on a plan to equip the F-35 with six AIM-120D missiles by 2.019.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Former RAND author John Stillion has written of the F-35A's air-to-air combat performance that it “can’t turn, can’t climb, can’t run”, but Lockheed Martin test pilot Jon Beesley has countered that in an air-to-air configuration the F-35 has almost as much thrust as weight and a flight control system that allows it to be fully maneuverable even at a 50-degree angle of attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYvKBJ1KLKo6vCq9EP1fFIPCc4RyK9RbV6s140lf3ylWvGupJOSug_qp8V3PrkVvEbFmrK-BgDH17bVw3Gx5WotyDuDL_t5zz3iBWr9TqVETY6HlILpsIL70jDVWDLiupYJk-U102T5lP/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYvKBJ1KLKo6vCq9EP1fFIPCc4RyK9RbV6s140lf3ylWvGupJOSug_qp8V3PrkVvEbFmrK-BgDH17bVw3Gx5WotyDuDL_t5zz3iBWr9TqVETY6HlILpsIL70jDVWDLiupYJk-U102T5lP/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+7+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Chen Hu, editor-in-chief of World Military Affairs magazine has said that the F-35 is too costly because it attempts to provide the capabilities needed for all three American services in a common airframe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Dutch news program NOVA show interviewed US defense specialist Winslow T.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Wheeler and aircraft designer Pierre Sprey who called the F-35 "heavy and sluggish" as well as having a "pitifully small load for all that money", and went on to criticize the value for money of the stealth measures as well as lacking fire safety measures. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">His final conclusion was that any air force would be better off maintaining its fleets of F-16s and F/A-18s compared to buying into the F-35 program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed spokesman John Kent has said that the missing fire-suppression systems would have offered "very small" improvements to survivability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In the context of selling F-35s to Israel to match the F-15s that will be sold to Saudi Arabia, a senior U.S. defense official was quoted as saying that the F-35 will be "the most stealthy, sophisticated and lethal tactical fighter in the sky," and added "Quite simply, the F-15 will be no match for the F-35."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">After piloting the aircraft, RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long said that, over its existing aircraft, the F-35 will give "the RAF and Navy a quantum leap in airborne capability."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Consultant to Lockheed Martin Loren B. Thompson has said that the "electronic edge F-35 enjoys over every other tactical aircraft in the world may prove to be more important in future missions than maneuverability".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011, Canadian politicians raised the issue of the safety of the F-35's reliance on a single engine (as opposed to a twin-engine configuration, which provides a backup in case of an engine failure). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Canada had previous experience with a high-accident rate with the single-engine Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter with many accidents related to engine failures. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Defence Minister Peter MacKay, when asked what would happen if the F-35’s single engine fails in the Far North, stated "It won’t".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In November 2.011, a Pentagon study team identified the following 13 areas of concern that remained to be addressed in the F-35:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Helmet mounted display system does not work properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The fuel dump subsystem poses a fire hazard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Integrated Power Package is unreliable and difficult to service.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35C's arresting hook does not work.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Classified "survivability issues", which have been speculated to be about stealth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The wing buffet is worse than previously reported.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The airframe is unlikely to last through the required lifespan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The flight test program has yet to explore the most challenging areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The software development is behind schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The aircraft is in danger of going overweight or, for the F-35B, too heavy for VTOL operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">There are multiple thermal management problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The air conditioner fails to keep the pilot and controls cool enough, the roll posts on the F-35B overheat, and using the afterburner damages the aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The automated logistics information system is partially developed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The lightning protection on the F-35 is uncertified, with areas of concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In December 2.011 the Pentagon and Lockheed came to an agreement to assure funding and delivery for a fifth order of early F-35 aircraft of yet undefined type in spite of general national austerity measures affecting the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Design</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 appears to be a smaller, slightly more conventional, single-engine sibling of the sleeker, twin-engine Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and indeed drew elements from it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The exhaust duct design was inspired by the General Dynamics Model 200 design, which was proposed for a 1.972 supersonic VTOL fighter requirement for the Sea Control Ship.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For specialized development of the F-35B STOVL variant, Lockheed consulted with the Yakovlev Design Bureau, purchasing design data from their development of the Yakovlev Yak-141 "Freestyle".</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Although several experimental designs have been built and tested since the 1960s including the Navy's unsuccessful Rockwell XFV-12, the F-35B is to be the first operational supersonic, STOVL stealth fighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 has a maximum speed of over Mach 1.6. With a maximum takeoff weight of 60,000 lb (27,000 kg),the Lightning II is considerably heavier than the lightweight fighters it replaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In empty and maximum gross weights, it more closely resembles the single-seat, single-engine Republic F-105 Thunderchief, which was the largest single-engine fighter of the Vietnam war era. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However the F-35's modern engine delivers over 60 percent more thrust in an aircraft of the same weight so that in thrust to weight and wing loading it is much closer to a comparably equipped F-16.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Acquisition deputy to the assistant secretary of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Mark D. "Shack" Shackelford has said that the F-35 is designed to be America's "premier surface-to-air missile killer and is uniquely equipped for this mission with cutting edge processing power, synthetic aperture radar integration techniques, and advanced target recognition."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Some improvements over current-generation fighter aircraft are:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnulCa-FRJKKzTQjAFV-HeR61HbCcSikZ7Vq72ekJh5dfJMOpByzR1sRQNFrXgKnDwvHHPaU4-LDjBmjg7dHZEBp7GGD5ccTGHMfM8QWQHaQz80iCKK6FbHV04qjXJxeyRJCfjZNJt0EO/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+8+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnulCa-FRJKKzTQjAFV-HeR61HbCcSikZ7Vq72ekJh5dfJMOpByzR1sRQNFrXgKnDwvHHPaU4-LDjBmjg7dHZEBp7GGD5ccTGHMfM8QWQHaQz80iCKK6FbHV04qjXJxeyRJCfjZNJt0EO/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+8+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Durable, low-maintenance stealth technology, using structural fiber mat instead of the high-maintenance coatings of legacy stealth platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Integrated avionics and sensor fusion that combine information from off and on board sensors to increase the pilot's situational awareness and improve target identification and weapon delivery, and to relay information quickly to other command and control (C2) nodes;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">High speed data networking including IEEE 1394b[134] and Fibre Channel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS), Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) help ensure aircraft uptime with minimal maintenance manpower.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Electrohydrostatic actuators run by a power-by-wire flight-control system.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin claims the F-35 is intended to have close and long-range air-to-air capability second only to that of the F-22 Raptor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The company has suggested that the F-35 could also replace the USAF's F-15C/D fighters in the air superiority role and the F-15E Strike Eagle in the ground attack role, but it does not have the range or payload of either F-15 model. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35A does carry a similar air-to-air armament as the conceptual Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle when both aircraft are configured for low observable operations and has over 80 percent of the larger aircraft's combat radius.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin has said that the F-35 has the advantage over the F-22 in basing flexibility and "advanced sensors and information fusion".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The majority of the structural composites in the F-35 are made out of bismaleimide (BMI) and composite epoxy material.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However the F-35 will be the first mass produced aircraft to include structural nanocomposites, carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 program has learned from the corrosion problems that the F-22 had when it was first introduced in 2.005. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 uses a gap filler that causes less galvanic corrosion to the skin, is designed with fewer gaps in its skin that require gap filler, and has better drainage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A United States Navy study found that the F-35 will cost 30 to 40 percent more to maintain than current jet fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A Pentagon study found that it may cost $1 trillion to maintain the entire fleet over its lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Engines<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35's main engine is the Pratt & Whitney F135. The General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 was under development as an alternative engine until December 2.011 when the manufacturers canceled work on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F135/F136 engines are not designed to supercruise in the F-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The STOVL versions of both power plants use the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem, patented by Lockheed Martin and developed and built by Rolls-Royce. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This system is more like the Russian Yak-141 and German VJ 101D/E than the preceding generation of STOVL designs,[149] such as the Harrier Jump Jet in which all of the lifting air went through the main fan of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Lift System is composed of a lift fan, drive shaft, two roll posts and a "Three Bearing Swivel Module" (3BSM).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The 3BSM is a thrust vectoring nozzle which allows the main engine exhaust to be deflected downward at the tail of the aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The lift fan is near the front of the aircraft and provides a counter-balancing thrust using two counter-rotating blisks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It is powered by the engine's low-pressure (LP) turbine via a drive shaft and gearbox. Roll control during slow flight is achieved by diverting unheated engine bypass air through wing mounted thrust nozzles called Roll Posts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Like lift engines, the added lift fan machinery increases payload capacity during vertical flight, but is dead weight during horizontal flight. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The cool exhaust of the fan also reduces the amount of hot, high-velocity air that is projected downward during vertical take off, which can damage runways and aircraft carrier decks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">To date, F136 funding has come at the expense of other parts of the program, reducing the number of aircraft built and increasing their costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F136 team has claimed that their engine has a greater temperature margin which may prove critical for VTOL operations in hot, high altitude conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Pratt & Whitney is also testing higher thrust versions of the F135, partly in response to GE's claims that the F136 is capable of producing more thrust than the 43,000 lbf (190 kN) supplied by early F135s. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F135 has demonstrated a maximum thrust of over 50,000 lbf (220 kN) during testing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35's Pratt & Whitney F135 is the most powerful engine ever installed in a fighter aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F135 is the second (radar) stealthy afterburning jet engine and like the Pratt & Whitney F119 from which it was derived, has suffered from pressure pulsations in the afterburner at low altitude and high speed or "screech". In both cases this problem was fixed during development of the fighter program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Turbine bearing health in the engine will be monitored with thermoelectric powered wireless sensors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Armament</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpPNj8027q3MAWYvCOq4CCvNUROfHY6tGkoBCYPQYtzlzr3ne9TzMI_QURVT4P5lVlS_PlIIb6AoVIDpTm6EzN7Y6W-eOKOvIv3z4zSby00ItDbOzZ7nb0dSQ5vf3UmD3V-ksIo1vHGfF/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+9+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpPNj8027q3MAWYvCOq4CCvNUROfHY6tGkoBCYPQYtzlzr3ne9TzMI_QURVT4P5lVlS_PlIIb6AoVIDpTm6EzN7Y6W-eOKOvIv3z4zSby00ItDbOzZ7nb0dSQ5vf3UmD3V-ksIo1vHGfF/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+9+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35A includes a GAU-22/A, a four-barrel version of the GAU-12 Equalizer 25 mm cannon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The cannon is mounted internally with 182 rounds for the F-35A or in an external pod with 220 rounds for the F-35B and F-35C.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The gun pod for the B and C variants will have stealth features. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This pod could be used for different equipment in the future, such as electronic warfare equipment, reconnaissance equipment, or possibly a rearward-facing radar.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It has two internal weapons bays, and external hardpoints that can mount four underwing pylons and two near wingtip pylons. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The two outer hardpoints can only carry pylons for the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-132 ASRAAM short range air-to-air missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The other pylons can carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM, Storm Shadow, AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles, guided bombs, 480 US gallons (1,800 L) and 600 US gallons (2,300 L) fuel tanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The external pylons can carry missiles, bombs and fuel tanks at the expense of being more detectable by radar.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9_RMQOx9p66Yf1oXFoGHggSF6iwTVea5Ou_3cV1aQZyXrHizajzer9dZBeRqWYJ2W8pdC1eH1_1lv5JfAaM7XqIbvV7WdQWw12l4DH1zPyBVET5MN6EMgCjSjTw6b7PBdym4wED9Yl_/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+10+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9_RMQOx9p66Yf1oXFoGHggSF6iwTVea5Ou_3cV1aQZyXrHizajzer9dZBeRqWYJ2W8pdC1eH1_1lv5JfAaM7XqIbvV7WdQWw12l4DH1zPyBVET5MN6EMgCjSjTw6b7PBdym4wED9Yl_/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+10+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">An air-to-air load of eight AIM-120s and two AIM-9s is possible using internal and external weapons stations; a configuration of six 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs, two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s can also be arranged.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Internally, up to two 2,000 lb (910 kg) air-to-ground bombs can be carried in A and C models (two 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs in the B model,along with two smaller weapons, normally expected to be air-to-air missiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The weapon bays can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) up to 2,000 lb (910 kg), the Joint Stand off Weapon (JSOW), Brimstone anti-armor missiles, and Cluster Munitions (WCMD).[167] With its payload capability, the F-35 can carry more weapons payload than the legacy fighters it is to replace as well as the F-22 Raptor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin states that the weapons load can also be configured as all-air-to-ground or all-air-to-air, and has suggested that a Block 5 version will be able to carry three internal weapons per bay instead of two, replacing the heavy bomb with two smaller weapons such as AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Upgrades include up to four GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) in each bay (three per bay in F-35B, or four GBU-53/B in each bay for all F-35 variants; The MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile is currently being adapted to fit four internally in the missile spots and may be integrated into the F-35. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A modified Meteor design with smaller tailfins for the F-35 was revealed in September 2.010.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United Kingdom had originally planned to put up to four AIM-132 ASRAAM internally but this has been changed to carry 2 internal and 2 external ASRAAMs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The external ASRAAMs are planned to be carried on "stealthy" pylons to increase the F-35's radar cross section slightly; the missile allow attacks to slightly beyond visual range without using radar that might alert the target. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Solid-state lasers were being developed as optional weapons for the F-35 as of 2.002.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 is expected to take on the Wild Weasel mission, but there are no planned anti-radiation missiles for internal stealthy carrage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Norway and Australia are funding a program to adapt the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to fit the internal bays of the F-35. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OocSgH8REEh5ygOuUMOiyQrVPnqG_xMbKoLCOV94sLoCuMSMgI6pdFgGwapHc5dGgn75XB-z2SXbW49ML7PD5ib4tSh1KZCHFIP9-2jpVmlSAo0P25y6U_UqYcLX6NopsMW8BgatL39b/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+11+top+secret+airplanes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OocSgH8REEh5ygOuUMOiyQrVPnqG_xMbKoLCOV94sLoCuMSMgI6pdFgGwapHc5dGgn75XB-z2SXbW49ML7PD5ib4tSh1KZCHFIP9-2jpVmlSAo0P25y6U_UqYcLX6NopsMW8BgatL39b/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+11+top+secret+airplanes.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This will be a multi-role version, named the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), and will be the only cruise missile to fit the internal bays. Studies have shown that the F-35 would be able to carry two of these internally, while four additional missiles could be carried externally. The missile has an expected range in excess of 150 nmi (278 km).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 12 April 2.011 the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced phase 2 of development.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The B61 nuclear bomb was scheduled for deployment in 2017, but delays in the F-35 program may delay this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Stealth and signatures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 has been designed to have a low radar cross section primarily due to stealthy materials used in construction, including fiber-mat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Unlike the previous generation of fighters, the F-35 was designed with a shape for low-observable characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Teen Series of fighters (F-15, F-16, F/A-18) were notable for always carrying large external fuel tanks, but in order to avoid negating its stealth characteristics the F-35 must fly most missions without external fuel tanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Unlike the F-16 and F/A-18, the F-35 lacks leading edge extensions and instead uses stealth-friendly chines for vortex lift in the same fashion as the SR-71 Blackbird.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The small bumps just forward of the engine air intakes form part of the diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) which is a simpler, lighter means to ensure high-quality airflow to the engine over a wide range of conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">These inlets also crucially improve the aircraft's low-observable characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In spite of being smaller than the F-22, the F-35 has a larger radar cross section. It is said to be roughly equal to a metal golf ball rather than the F-22's metal marble.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-22 was designed to be difficult to detect by all types of radars and from all directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 on the other hand manifests its lowest radar signature from the frontal aspect because of compromises in design. Its surfaces are shaped to best defeat radars operating in the X and upper S band, which are typically found in fighters, surface-to-air missiles and their tracking radars, although the aircraft would be easier to detect using other radar frequencies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Because the shape of the aircraft is so important to its radar cross section, special care must be taken to maintain the "outer mold line" during production.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Ground crews require Repair Verification Radar (RVR) test sets in order to verify the RCS of the aircraft after performing repairs, which was not a concern for previous generations of non-stealth fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Low observable aircraft must consider different types of detection and so the F-35 is not only radar stealthy, but it also has infrared and visual signature reduction incorporated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In late 2.008 the Air Force revealed that the F-35 would be about twice as loud at takeoff as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and up to four times as loud during landing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy0fgj6VWVRLN4OWKxvxXuTrH_tCCZNnid1mKKX-ymkOyqRLsHTfvTJNnroScj0hqFfAvzSLnY6YKplS6-196bpp0g7rRxJXgcDlaIPmXjoBh15rltyF0GSi_cPJdHM9kaUDdXwRInyB0/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+12+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy0fgj6VWVRLN4OWKxvxXuTrH_tCCZNnid1mKKX-ymkOyqRLsHTfvTJNnroScj0hqFfAvzSLnY6YKplS6-196bpp0g7rRxJXgcDlaIPmXjoBh15rltyF0GSi_cPJdHM9kaUDdXwRInyB0/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+12+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As a result, residents near Luke Air Force Base, Arizona and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, possible home bases for the jet, requested that the Air Force conduct environmental impact studies concerning the F-35's noise levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The city of Valparaiso, Florida, adjacent to Eglin AFB, threatened in February 2.009 to sue the Air Force over the impending arrival of the F-35s, but this lawsuit was settled in March 2.010<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Moreover, it was reported in March 2009 that testing by Lockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force revealed that the F-35 was not as loud as first reported, being "only about as noisy as an F-16 fitted with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engine" and "quieter than the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However according to an acoustics study done by Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force, the noise levels of the F-35 are found to be comparable to the F-22 Raptor and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Cockpit</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 features a full-panel-width "panoramic cockpit display" (PCD) glass cockpit, with dimensions of 20 by 8 inches (50 by 20 centimeters).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A cockpit speech-recognition system (Direct Voice Input) provided by Adacel is planned to improve the pilot's ability to operate the aircraft over the current-generation interface. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 will be the first US operational fixed-wing aircraft to use this system, although similar systems have been used in AV-8B and trialled in previous US jets, particularly the F-16 VISTA.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) will be fitted to all models of the F-35. A helmet-mounted cueing system is already in service with the F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">While some fighters have offered HMDS along with a head up display (HUD), this will be the first time in several decades that a front line tactical jet fighter has been designed without a HUD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 is equipped with a right-hand side stick controller in a standard Lockheed Martin HOTAS configuration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat is used in all F-35 variants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The US16E seat design balances major performance requirements, including safe-terrain-clearance limits, pilot-load limits, and pilot size. It uses a twin-catapult system that is housed in side rails.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon has a similar cockpit layout and is being used to train pilots until training F-35s become available.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Sensors and avionics</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J2JTAHKD-UymS57WpN5BuC9sZFshJtMkCfybuMUISBlk2Nn41JTZPEM8DwAUDFiaq164mndleBLIwqE04IHf-uCZAWIjcOvnByvkekfnqDKbuFR2rcTR-S-o7RgIo_HM0P3UnXja5OtP/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+13+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J2JTAHKD-UymS57WpN5BuC9sZFshJtMkCfybuMUISBlk2Nn41JTZPEM8DwAUDFiaq164mndleBLIwqE04IHf-uCZAWIjcOvnByvkekfnqDKbuFR2rcTR-S-o7RgIo_HM0P3UnXja5OtP/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+13+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35's sensor and communications suite is intended to facilitate situational awareness, command-and-control and network-centric warfare capability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The main sensor on board the F-35 is its AN/APG-81 AESA-radar, designed by Northrop Grumman </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Electronic Systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It is augmented by the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) mounted under the nose of the aircraft, designed by Lockheed Martin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This gives the same capabilities as the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR while avoiding making the aircraft more easily detectable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Six additional passive infrared sensors are distributed over the aircraft as part of Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system (DAS), which acts as a missile warning system, reports missile launch locations, detects and tracks approaching aircraft spherically around the F-35, and replaces traditional night vision goggles for night operations and navigation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">All DAS functions are performed simultaneously, in every direction, at all times. The F-35's AN/ASQ-239 (Barracuda) Electronic Warfare systems are designed by BAE Systems and include Northrop Grumman components.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The communications, navigation and identification (CNI) suite is designed by Northrop Grumman and includes the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 will be the first jet fighter that has sensor fusion that combines both radio frequency and IR tracking for continuous target detection and identification in all directions which is shared via MADL to other platforms without compromising low observability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 has been designed with synergy between sensors as a specific requirement, with the "senses" of the aircraft expected to provide a more cohesive picture of the reality around it, and be available in principle for use in any possible way, and any possible combination with one another. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">All of the sensors feed directly into the main processors to support the entire mission of the aircraft. For example the AN/APG-81 functions not just as a multi-mode radar, but also as part of the aircraft's electronic warfare system.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Unlike previous aircraft, such as the F-22, all software for the F-35 is written in C++ for faster code development. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Integrity DO-178B real-time operating system (RTOS) from Green Hills Software runs on COTS Freescale PowerPC processors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The final Block 3 software for the F-35 is planned to have 8.6 million lines of software code.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The scale of the program has led to a software crisis as officials continue to discover that additional software needs to be written.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWIJvSotsMvhpd_8JOck5QtCsNvpEI_bfWylsBxH9W7f5NKEQgVThFQ-vtO_ydkzlCoLxDw8o2QPL1i-N8t8IkLvt2pzZdpC2wh2OsX_Wgbm0WCU0aqEqkYgsdr-S7_nKtb-2lZfGRnRW/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+14+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWIJvSotsMvhpd_8JOck5QtCsNvpEI_bfWylsBxH9W7f5NKEQgVThFQ-vtO_ydkzlCoLxDw8o2QPL1i-N8t8IkLvt2pzZdpC2wh2OsX_Wgbm0WCU0aqEqkYgsdr-S7_nKtb-2lZfGRnRW/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+14+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">General Norton Schwartz has said that the software is the biggest factor that might delay the USAF's initial operational capability which is now scheduled for April 2.016.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Michael Gilmore, Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, has written that, "the F-35 mission systems software development and test is tending towards familiar historical patterns of extended development, discovery in flight test, and deferrals to later increments."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35's electronic warfare systems are intended to detect hostile aircraft first, which can then be scanned with the electro-optical system and action taken to engage or evade the opponent before the F-35 is detected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The CATbird avionics testbed for the F-35 program has proved capable of detecting and jamming F-22 radars.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Helmet-mounted display system</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 does not need to be physically pointing at its target for weapons to be successful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This is possible because of sensors that can track and target a nearby aircraft from any orientation, provide the information to the pilot through his helmet (and therefore visible no matter which way they are looking), and provide the seeker-head of a missile with sufficient information. Recent missile types provide a much greater ability to pursue a target regardless of the launch orientation, called "High Off-Boresight" capability, although the speed and direction in which the munition is launched affect the effective range of the weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl3P_bNqHCoHfosnWrisWyO9gLXgDSoPnDxAP87NE34QFJ4FS-ZTAtC8LUT_bCr8BulGosiWVWdHzlZlgS60QCCK-qSWjI6KJEeSeUm2zTvsW3CXqMVcFJUFBRgWzfalLjAm1-d7xX77Y/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+15+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl3P_bNqHCoHfosnWrisWyO9gLXgDSoPnDxAP87NE34QFJ4FS-ZTAtC8LUT_bCr8BulGosiWVWdHzlZlgS60QCCK-qSWjI6KJEeSeUm2zTvsW3CXqMVcFJUFBRgWzfalLjAm1-d7xX77Y/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+15+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Sensors use combined radio frequency and infra red (SAIRST) to continually track nearby aircraft while the pilot's helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) displays and selects targets. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The helmet system replaces the display suite-mounted head-up display used in earlier fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35's systems provide the edge in the "observe, orient, decide, and act" OODA loop; stealth and advanced sensors aid in observation (while being difficult to observe), automated target tracking helps in orientation, sensor fusion simplifies decision making, and the aircraft's controls allow the pilot to keep their focus on the targets, rather than the controls of their aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The problems with the current Vision Systems International helmet mounted display led Lockheed Martin to issue a draft specification for proposals for an alternative on 1 March 2.011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The alternative system will be based on Anvis-9 night vision goggles.[221] It will be supplied by BAE systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The BAE system does not yet include all the features of the VSI helmet and if successful will have the remaining features incorporated use of the BAE system would also require a cockpit redesign.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011, Lockheed granted VSI a contract to fix the vibration, jitter, night-vision and sensor display problems in their helmet mounted display. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The improved displays are expected to be delivered in third quarter of 2.013.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Next Generation Jammer</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 was previously considered a platform for the Next Generation Jammer, but attention has shifted to the use of unmanned platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Maintenance</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The program's maintenance concept is for any F-35 to be maintained in any F-35 maintenance facility and that all F-35 parts in all bases will be globally tracked and shared as needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The aircraft has been designed for ease of maintenance, with 95% of all field replaceable parts "one deep" so that nothing else has to be removed to get to the part in question, the ejection seat can be replaced without removing the canopy, an all-composite skin without the fragile coatings found on other stealth aircraft and low-maintenance electro-hydrostatic actuators instead of hydraulic systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Criticisms of the F-35 maintenance concept include the decision to not utilize engine cowling doors. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The decision was instead to use bulkhead mounted airframe panels secured with fasteners across the bottom of the engine bay. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This delays maintenance due to the lengthy removal process of the panels. F-35 maintainers have also noted that the bulkheads block access to several critical engine mounted parts, which means the engine must be removed from the aircraft to access the required parts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Such delays in maintenance practices hinder flight test operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Operational history<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Testing</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrZg4qTtDukhwuM2EO7CtpTsgdq4kG4XUb9_MoIN61t8N-7oyxQL3r2Ov_zPAHQKsV11ircqfliKk57LBLPc-TKXijteHHAiVE28AAb9DMEscyufKQ6hJM73WmY5SzIM8bHsJSbrHpq21/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+16++top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrZg4qTtDukhwuM2EO7CtpTsgdq4kG4XUb9_MoIN61t8N-7oyxQL3r2Ov_zPAHQKsV11ircqfliKk57LBLPc-TKXijteHHAiVE28AAb9DMEscyufKQ6hJM73WmY5SzIM8bHsJSbrHpq21/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+16++top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The first F-35A (designated AA-1) was rolled out in Fort Worth, Texas on 19 February 2.006. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The aircraft underwent extensive ground testing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in late 2.006. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In September 2.006 the first engine run of the F135 afterburner turbofan in an airframe and tests were completed; the first time that the F-35 was completely functional on its own power systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 15 December 2006, the F-35A completed its maiden flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A modified Boeing 737–300, the Lockheed CATBird is used as an avionics test bed inside of which are racks holding all of F-35's avionics, as well as a complete F-35 cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 31 January 2.008 at Fort Worth, Texas, Lt Col James "Flipper" Kromberg of the U.S. Air Force became the first military service pilot to evaluate the F-35, taking the aircraft through a series of maneuvers on its 26th flight. F-35 AA-1, on its 34th test flight, began aerial refueling testing in March 2.008.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Another milestone was reached on 13 November 2.008, when the AA-1 flew at supersonic speeds for the first time, reaching Mach 1.05 at 30,000 ft (9,144 m) making four transitions through the sound barrier, for a total of eight minutes of supersonic flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The first F-35B (designated BF-1) made its maiden flight on 11 June 2008. The flight, which featured a conventional takeoff, was piloted by BAE Systems' test pilot Graham Tomlinson. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The BF-1 is the second of 19 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) F-35s, and the first to use new weight-optimized design features that will apply to all future F-35s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Testing of the STOVL propulsion system in flight began on 7 January 2.010. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The STOVL system was used for 14 minutes of the 48 minute test flight while the aircraft slowed from 210 knots (390 km/h) to 180 knots (330 km/h).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B's first hover (full stop in mid-air) happened on 17 March 2.010, followed by a STOVL landing, and on 18 March 2.010 the first vertical landing was performed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">During a test flight on 10 June 2.010, the F-35B became the second STOVL aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds, the first being its ancestor, the X-35B, which achieved the same feat on 20 July 2.001. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In January 2.011, Lockheed Martin reported it had solved a problem with the aluminum bulkhead used only on the F-35B which had cracked during ground testing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The first delivered USAF F-35 on its delivery flight to Eglin Air Force Base in July 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Although many of the initial flight test targets have been accomplished, the F-35 testing program completed "just under 100 sorties and about as many hours in 2.5 years" by June 2.009 and was falling significantly behind schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">A 2.008 Pentagon Joint Estimate Team (JET I) estimated that the program was two years behind the latest public schedule, and a 2.009 Joint Estimate Team (JET II) revised that estimate to predict a 30-month delay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Due to those delays in the testing program, production numbers will be reduced by 122 aircraft through 2.015 in order to provide additional funds for development.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Those additional funds will add $2.8 billion to the development funds and internal memos suggest that the official timeline will be extended by 13 months (not the 30 months the JET II team predicted the slip would be).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The success of the Joint Estimate Team has led Ashton Carter to call for more such teams for other poorly performing Pentagon projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In June 2.009, the F-35s APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar was integrated in the Northern Edge 2.009 large-scale military exercise when it was mounted on the front of a Northrop Grumman test aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The APG-81 test event represented a major milestone in electronic protection testing in an operationally representative environment, accomplished years ahead of normal developmental timelines and providing a significant risk reduction opportunity for the aircraft's key sensor. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The test events "validated years of laboratory testing versus a wide array of threat systems, showcasing the extremely robust electronic warfare capabilities of the world's most advanced fighter fire control radar."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Nearly 30 percent of all the test flights have required more than routine maintenance to get the aircraft flyable again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">As of March 2.010, the F-35 program had used a million more man-hours than predicted and flight testing is expected to result in further design changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States Navy has projected that lifecycle costs over a fleet life of 65 years for all of the American F-35s will be $442 billion higher than the U.S. Air Force has projected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The delay in the F-35 program is expected to lead to a shortfall of around 100 jet fighters in the Navy/Marines team. Given careful management, service life extension of the Marines' legacy F/A-18s, and more burdens placed on Navy fighters, it may be possible to reduce this shortfall.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35C carrier variant's maiden flight took place on 7 June 2.010, also at NAS Fort Worth JRB. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The 57 minute flight was executed by Lockheed test pilot Jeff "Slim" Knowles, who was the chief test pilot for the F-117 program.[250] A total of 11 U.S. Air Force F-35s are to arrive in Fiscal Year 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 9 March 2.011 all F-35s were grounded after a dual generator failure and oil leak in flight. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This was the first significant flight failure since 2.007.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Seven of the ten test aircraft were cleared to fly four days later. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">These aircraft have an older model of generators, unlike the kind that failed in flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The problem was found to be the result of faulty maintenance rather than a design or construction issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In June 2.011, the F-35's sensors (radar and DAS) were tested in an operational exercise named Northern Edge 2.011. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Navy Cmdr. Erik Etz, the deputy mission systems integrated product team lead from the F-35 JSF Program Office, said the rigorous testing of both sensors during Northern Edge 2.011 served as a significant risk-reduction step for the F-35 JSF program. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">"By putting these systems in this operationally rigorous environment, we have demonstrated key war fighting capabilities well in advance of scheduled operational testing," Commander Etz added.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">From 3-18 August 2011, the F-35 fleet was grounded. The precautionary grounding was in effect while the Joint Program Office investigated the cause of an electrical system failure on test aircraft, F-35A AF-4 during ground tests. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Honeywell-built integrated power package (IPP) failed during a standard engine test following a maintenance check on 2 August at Edwards Air Force Base.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The IPP is relatively unheralded, but plays a major role in the F-35's performance. It combines the functions of an environment control unit, engine starter and back-up power generator into a single system. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The IPP has been a target for concern during the development phase, even though it has never failed before in more than 1,500 flight hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The JPO was assessing the impact of the grounding on the schedule for the system development and demonstration phase, but the latest version of the schedule included margin for unexpected problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 10 August 2.011, ground operations for the F-35 Program were reinstituted while the investigation was ongoing; government and contractor engineering teams, after reviewing initial data, determined that the fleet could safely resume Development Test ground operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Preliminary root cause inquiries indicate that a control valve did not function properly, which in turn led to the IPP failure. Monitoring of this valve is the mitigating action required to allow ground operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 team is revising ground monitoring procedures to ensure testing involving the IPP takes place safely. While initiating DT ground operations is a "major step" for the F-35 fleet returning to flight, further reviews are required prior to lifting the suspension of flight operations for the 20 F-35s currently in flying status.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 18 August 2.011, the flight ban was lifted for 18 of the 20 fighters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Two aircraft based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida will remain grounded because they lack the monitoring systems used in developmental test aircraft that can detect any problems in flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 25 October 2.011 the F-35A reached its designed top speed of Mach 1.6 for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Further testing demonstrated a speed of Mach 1.61 and 9.9g.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">During testing in 2.011, all eight landing tests of the F-35C tail hook failed to catch the arresting wire; the hook design is being modified to address the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Training</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011, the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation warned that the USAF's plans to start unmonitored flight training that fall "risks the occurrence of a serious mishap".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The leaders of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services have called on Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to address the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35A and F-35B are expected to be cleared for flight training in early 2.012.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">And a military flight release was issued on 28 February 2.012.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Procurement and international participation</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfmyTZzUTtFND8qjG6WDX_WeXQMi5TVV6lHDSc6ojpNb-leBKwOdv8Lw_j_WB2xWs02y4WPavBL-cLKbfyiArKfdyH-IgnMqUR8KWn3tYaiuElkSSvIl7A3JJskIxbEPy-ZLXHlSe1Zoh/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+17+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfmyTZzUTtFND8qjG6WDX_WeXQMi5TVV6lHDSc6ojpNb-leBKwOdv8Lw_j_WB2xWs02y4WPavBL-cLKbfyiArKfdyH-IgnMqUR8KWn3tYaiuElkSSvIl7A3JJskIxbEPy-ZLXHlSe1Zoh/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+17+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">While the United States is the primary customer and financial backer, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark have agreed to contribute US$4.375 billion toward the development costs of the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Total development costs are estimated at more than US$40 billion (underwritten largely by the United States), while the purchase of an estimated 2,400 aircraft is expected to cost an additional US$200 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The initial plan was that the nine major partner nations would acquire over 3,100 F-35s through 2.035.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Sales to partner nations are made through the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">There are three levels of international participation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The levels generally reflect the financial stake in the program, the amount of technology transfer and subcontracts open for bid by national companies, and the order in which countries can obtain production aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United Kingdom is the sole "Level 1" partner, contributing US$2.5 billion, which was about 10% of the planned development costs under the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding that brought the UK into the project.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Level 2 partners are Italy, which is contributing US$1 billion; and the Netherlands, US$800 million. Level 3 partners are Turkey, US$195 million; Canada, US$160 million; Australia, US$144 million; Norway, US$122 million and Denmark, US$110 million. Israel and Singapore have joined as Security Cooperative Participants (SCP).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Japan announced on 20 December 2011 its intent to purchase 42 F-35s with deliveries beginning in 2.016 to replace F-4 Phantom II aircraft. The country wants at least 38 of the F-35s to be assembled in Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">By February 2.012 many changes had occurred in the F-35 order book. Italy became the first country to announce it was reducing its overall fleet procurement, cutting its buy from 131 to 90 aircraft. Other nations reduced initial purchases or delayed orders, while still intending to purchase the same final numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States canceled the initial purchase of 13 F-35s and postponed orders for another 179. Britain cut its initial order and delayed a decision on future orders. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Australia decided to buy the Boeing Super Hornet as an interim measure until the F-35 is ready. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Turkey also cut its initial order of four aircraft to two, but confirmed plans to purchase 100 F-35As.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Netherlands and Norway were considering their options and may cut or delay their orders. All of these changes in procurement resulted in increased prices for the aircraft and thus increased the likelihood of further procurement cuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Canada does not yet have any intention to reduce its order, claiming an anticipated 75-80$ million unit cost per fighter, and budgeting for cost overruns of ~10%.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Variants<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Configuration of the three original F-35 variants</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35 is being built in three different main versions to suit various combat missions. A fourth variant, the F-35I is an export version for Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>F-35A</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the US Air Force and other air forces. It is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon, the GAU-22/A. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This 25 mm cannon is a development of the GAU-12 carried by the USMC's AV-8B Harrier II. It is designed for increased effectiveness against ground targets compared to the 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon carried by other USAF fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35A is expected to match the F-16 in maneuverability and instantaneous and sustained high-g performance, and outperform it in stealth, payload, range on internal fuel, avionics, operational effectiveness, supportability, and survivability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It is expected to match an F-16 that is carrying the usual external fuel tank in acceleration performance.[284] </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">It also has an internal laser designator and infrared sensors, equivalent to the Sniper XR pod carried by the F-16, but built in to reduce radar cross section.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The A variant is primarily intended to replace the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is also to replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II starting in 2.028.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>F-35I</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35A with Israeli modifications. A senior Israel air force official stated "the aircraft will be designated F-35I, as there will be unique Israeli features installed in them". <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States will not allow the integration of Israel's own electronic warfare systems into the aircraft’s built-in electronic suite. However, a plug-and-play feature added to the main computer will allow for the use of Israeli electronics in an add-on fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Israel will be able to fit its own external jamming pod and plans to install its own air-to-air missiles and guided bombs in the F-35’s internal weapon bays.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In July 2.011, it was reported that the U.S. had agreed to allow Israel to install their own electronic warfare systems and missiles in their F-35s in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Israel Aerospace Industries has considered playing a role in the development of a proposed two-seat F-35. An IAI executive stated, "There is a known demand for two seats not only from Israel but from other air forces. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Advanced aircraft are usually two seats rather than single seats."[289] IAI also plans to produce conformal fuel tanks to extend the range.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">CF-35<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Canadian CF-35 will differ from the American F-35A through the addition of a drag chute and an F-35B/C style refueling probe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Norway may also use the drag chute option, as they also have icy runways.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>F-35B</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine with lift fan, roll posts, and rear vectoring nozzle, as designed for the F-35B, at the Paris Air Show, 2.007.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35B vertical landing during its first sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1), October 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35B short-takeoff from USS Wasp (LHD-1) during its first sea trials, October 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Similar in size to the A variant, the B sacrifices about a third of the other version's fuel volume to make room for the vertical flight system. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Takeoffs and landing with vertical flight systems are by far the riskiest, and in the end, a decisive factor in design. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Like the AV-8B Harrier II, the B’s guns will be carried in a ventral pod. Whereas the F-35A is stressed to 9 g, the F-35B is stressed to 7 g.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B was unveiled at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth plant on 18 December 2.007, and the first test flight was on 11 June 2.008.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Unlike the other variants, because it can land vertically the F-35B has no landing hook. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The "STOVL/HOOK" button in the cockpit initiates conversion instead of dropping the hook.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B sends jet thrust directly downwards during vertical takeoffs and landing and the nozzle is being redesigned to spread the output out in an oval rather than a small circle so as to limit damage to asphalt and ship decks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The variant's three-bearing swivel nozzle that directs the full thrust of the afterburning jet engine is moved by a “fueldraulic” actuator, using pressurized jet fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States Marine Corps plans to purchase 340 F-35Bs,[84] to replace all current inventories of the F/A-18 Hornet (A, B, C and D-models), and AV-8B Harrier II in the fighter, and attack roles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Marines are planning to use the F-35B from "unimproved surfaces at austere bases" and are preparing landing spots with "special, high-temperature concrete designed to handle the heat from the JSF".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy had plans to use the F-35B to replace their Harrier GR9s. One of the Royal Navy requirements for the F-35B design was a Shipborne Rolling and Vertical Landing (SRVL) mode to increase the maximum landing weights for carried weapons via wing lift.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This method of landing is slower than arrested landing and could disrupt regular carrier operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However, in October 2.010, the UK announced plans to order to the CATOBAR F-35C variant instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In March 2012 sources at the UK Ministry of Defence were quoted as saying that the UK was reconsidering, and might buy the F-35B instead, because of the cost of equipping the UK's new aircraft carriers for the F-35C.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Italian Navy is preparing Grottaglie air station for future operations with the F-35B. The Italian Navy is to receive 22 aircraft between 2.014 and 2.021, with its Cavour aircraft carrier set to be modified to operate them by 2.016.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYYVs-zqS6-Z_sEBvewtjz1EiKjU9RgWjMpZ478D7Lol1TK3Ojgv0bV-TX875dL9BuyRVu0k-AVgc22-AGS0wzOX6cnLK9xnfQUE0GIGX-c23DPlbRPogb7K_fY8t-wm2wr6js96eCDXi/s1600/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+18+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYYVs-zqS6-Z_sEBvewtjz1EiKjU9RgWjMpZ478D7Lol1TK3Ojgv0bV-TX875dL9BuyRVu0k-AVgc22-AGS0wzOX6cnLK9xnfQUE0GIGX-c23DPlbRPogb7K_fY8t-wm2wr6js96eCDXi/s200/Lockheed+Martin+F-35+Lightning+II+18+top+secret+airplanes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos has said that, in spite of its increasing costs and schedule delays, there is no plan B to substitute for the F-35B.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35B is larger than the aircraft it replaces, which required the USS America (LHA-6) to be designed without needed well deck capabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011, the USMC and USN signed an agreement that the USMC will purchase 340 F-35B and 80 F-35C while the USN will purchase 260 F-35C. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The five squadrons of Marine Corps F-35Cs will be assigned to the Navy carriers while the Marine Corps F-35Bs will be used on Amphibious ships and ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 6 January 2.011, Gates said that the 2.012 budget would call for a two year pause in F-35B production during which the aircraft may be redesigned, or canceled if unsuccessful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Gates stated, "If we cannot fix this variant during this time frame, and get it back on track in terms of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be canceled." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The probation was ended by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on 20 January 2012 because of progress made over the past year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin executive vice president Tom Burbage and former Pentagon director of operational testing </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Tom Christie have said that most of the delays in the total program have been due to issues with the F-35B, which forced massive redesigns on the other versions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The USMC intends to declare Initial Operational Capability with about 50 F-35s running interim Block 2B software in the 2.014 to 2.015 timeframe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Lockheed Martin vice president Steve O’Bryan has said that most F-35B landings will be purely conventional in order to reduce stress on the vertical lift components.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Conventional operations also reduce the risk of self-induced foreign object damage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 3 October 2.011, the F-35B began its initial sea-trials by performing a vertical landing on the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>F-35C</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">F-35C launching from an electromagnetic catapult during testing, November 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Compared to the F-35A, the F-35C carrier variant features larger wings with foldable wingtip sections, larger wing and tail control surfaces for improved low-speed control, stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier arrested landings, a twin-wheel nose gear, and a stronger tailhook for use with carrier arrestor cables. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed while increasing both range and payload. With twice the range on internal fuel as the F/A-18C Hornet, the F-35C achieves much the same goal as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States Navy will use the F-35C carrier variant. It intends to buy 480 F-35Cs to replace the F/A-18A, B, C, and D Hornets. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The F-35C will also serve as a low-observable complement to the Super Hornet.[323] On 27 June 2.007, the carrier variant completed its Air System Critical Design Review (CDR). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">This allows the first two functional prototype F-35C units to be produced.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The C variant is expected to be available beginning in 2.014.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The first F-35C was rolled out on 29 July 2.009.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 6 November 2010, the first F-35C arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, however, it was determined that the replacement engines for at-sea repair are too large to be transported by current underway replenishment systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The United States Marine Corps will also purchase 80 F-35Cs, enough for five Marine fighter-attack squadrons, for use with Navy carrier air wings in a joint service agreement signed on 14 March 2.011.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In October 2.010, the United Kingdom decided to order the F-35C, which will be used by both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The total number of F-35C aircraft to be procured will not be decided until the 2015 Strategic Defence Review.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">However, it will be less than the 138 originally ordered; reports have suggested a fleet of around 50.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are large enough to support non-STOVL operations and as a result, at least one carrier will have catapults and arrestor cables installed to allow F-35C operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The carrier will typically carry 12 F-35Cs with the ability to deploy up to 36.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The UK Strategic Defence & Security Review found that the F-35C's greater endurance in the air meant that fewer aircraft would be needed and that the F-35C has a 25 percent lower lifetime cost than the F-35B.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">In 2.011 the F-35Cs were grounded for six days because of a software error in the code that was intended to keep the wings from folding in mid-flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">But on 27 July 2.011, the F-35C test aircraft CF-3 completed its first steam catapult launch during a test flight in Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The TC-13 Mod 2 test steam catapult, representative of current fleet technology, was used. In addition to the catapult launches at varying power levels, the integrated test team is to execute a test plan over three weeks to include dual-aircraft jet blast deflector testing and catapult launches using a degraded catapult configuration to measure the effects of steam ingestion on the aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 13 August 2.011, the F-35 integrated test force completed jet blast deflector (JBD) testing at the Lakehurst facility, with a round of two-aircraft testing. F-35C test aircraft CF-1 along with an F/A-18E tested a combined JBD cooling panel configuration to assess the integration of F-35s in aircraft carrier launch operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">“We completed all of our JBD test points efficiently,” said Andrew Maack, government chief test engineer. “It was a great collaborative effort by all parties.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The government and industry team completed tests that measured temperatures, pressures, sound levels, velocities, and other environmental data. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">The combined JBD model is to enable carrier deck crews to operate all air wing aircraft, now including the F-35C, as operational tempo requires. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Future carrier suitability testing is scheduled throughout 2.011, including ongoing catapult testing and the start of arrestment testing in preparation for initial ship trials in 2.013.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">On 18 Nov 2.011, the US Navy used its new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) to catapult an F-35C into the air for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Specifications (F-35A)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>General characteristics :</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Crew: 1<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Length: 51.4 ft (15.67 m)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Wingspan: 35 ft[N 5] (10.7 m)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Height: 14.2 ft[N 6] (4.33 m)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Wing area: 460 ft²[167] (42.7 m²)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Empty weight: 29,300 lb (13,300 kg)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Loaded weight: 49,540 lb[128][N 7](22,470 kg)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Max. takeoff weight: 70,000 lb[N 8] (31,800 kg)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Dry thrust: 28,000 lbf[339][N 9] (125 kN)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Thrust with afterburner: 43,000 lbf<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Internal fuel capacity: 18,480 lb (8,382 kg)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Performance</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Maximum speed: Mach 1.6+[162] (1,200 mph, 1,930 km/h) (Tested to Mach 1.61)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Range: 1,200 nmi (2,220 km) on internal fuel<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Combat radius: 584 nmi(1,080 km) on internal fuel<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Service ceiling: 60,000 ft[344] (18,288 m) (Tested to 43,000 ft)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Rate of climb: classified (not publicly available)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Wing loading: 91.4 lb/ft² (446 kg/m²)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Thrust/weight:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">With full fuel: 0.87<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">With 50% fuel: 1.07<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">g-Limits: 9 g[N 11]<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Armament</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Guns: 1 × General Dynamics GAU-22/A Equalizer 25 mm (0.984 in) 4-barreled gatling cannon, internally mounted with 180 rounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Hardpoints: 6 × external pylons on wings with a capacity of 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) and 2 internal bays with 2 pylons each for a total weapons payload of 18,000 lb (8,100 kg)and provisions to carry combinations of:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Missiles:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Air-to-air missiles:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">AIM-120 AMRAAM<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">AIM-9X Sidewinder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">IRIS-T<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">MBDA Meteor (Pending further funding)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">JDRADM (after 2020)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Air-to-surface missiles:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">AGM-154 JSOW<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">AGM-158 JASSM<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Brimstone missile<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Joint Air-to-Ground Missile<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Storm Shadow missile<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">SOM<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><b>Anti-ship missiles:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">JSM<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Bombs:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Mark 84, Mark 83 and Mark 82 GP bombs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Mk.20 Rockeye II cluster bomb<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser capable<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Paveway-series laser-guided bombs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">JDAM-series<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="es">B61 nuclear bomb<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ohxYVSwk3xw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4187210869069519172.post-40554221266766551662012-03-14T17:30:00.002-05:002014-02-18T00:56:03.989-05:00Mikoyan-Gurevich Fulcrum Mig 29<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum") is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. </div>
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Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1.983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations. </div>
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The NATO name "Fulcrum" was sometimes unofficially used by Soviet pilots in service.</div>
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The MiG-29, along with the Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.</div>
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<b>Origins</b></div>
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In 1.969 the existence of the United States Air Force's "F-X" program, which would result in the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, became public knowledge.</div>
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At the height of the Cold War, a Soviet response was necessary to avoid the possibility of a new American fighter gaining a serious technological advantage over existing Soviet fighters, thus the development of a new air superiority fighter became a priority.</div>
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The Soviet General Staff issued a requirement for a Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI, translating directly as "Perspective Frontline Fighter", roughly "Advanced Frontline Fighter").</div>
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Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. </div>
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The Russian aerodynamics institute TsAGI worked in collaboration with the Sukhoi design bureau on the aircraft's aerodynamics.</div>
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However, in 1.971 Soviet studies determined the need for different types of fighters. </div>
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The PFI program was supplemented with the LPFI (Perspektivnyy Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel, or "Advanced Lightweight Tactical Fighter") program; the Soviet fighter force was planned to be approximately 33% PFI and 67% LPFI.[10] PFI and LPFI paralleled the USAF's decision that created the "Lightweight Fighter" program and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Northrop YF-17.</div>
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The PFI fighter was assigned to Sukhoi, resulting in the Sukhoi Su-27, while the lightweight fighter went to Mikoyan. </div>
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Detailed design work on the resultant Mikoyan Product 9, designated MiG-29A, began in 1.974, with the first flight taking place on 6 October 1.977. </div>
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The pre-production aircraft was first spotted by United States reconnaissance satellites in November of that year; it was dubbed Ram-L because it was observed at the Zhukovsky flight test center near the town of Ramenskoye. </div>
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Early Western speculations suggested that the Ram-L was very similar in appearance to the YF-17 and powered by afterburning Tumansky R-25 turbojets.</div>
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Despite program delays caused by the loss of two prototypes in engine-related accidents (third prototype on 15 June 1.978 and the fifth prototype on 31 October 1.980), the MiG-29B production version entered service in August 1.983 at the Kubinka air base. </div>
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State acceptance trials were completed in 1984, and deliveries began the same year to the Soviet Frontal Aviation.</div>
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The workload split between TPFI and LPFI became more apparent as the MiG-29 filtered into front line service with the Soviet Air Forces (Russian: Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily [VVS]) in the mid-1.980s. </div>
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While the heavy, long range Su-27 was tasked with the more exotic and dangerous role of deep air-to-air sweeps of NATO high-value assets, the smaller MiG-29 directly replaced the MiG-23 in the frontal aviation role. </div>
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Features such as rugged landing gear and protective intake grates allowed MiG-29 operations from damaged or under-prepared airstrips that Soviet war planners expected to encounter during a rapid armored advance. </div>
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The MiG-29 was to be an escort for local strike and interdiction air packages, protecting vulnerable ground attack aircraft from NATO fighters such as the F-15 and F-16. </div>
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The MiG-29 was positioned relatively close to the front lines, and would have been tasked with providing local air superiority to advancing Soviet motorized army units</div>
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<b>Introduction and improvements</b></div>
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In the West, the new fighter was given the NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-A" because the pre-production MiG-29A, which should have logically received this designation, remained unknown in the West at that time. </div>
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The Soviet Union did not assign official names to most of its aircraft, although nicknames were common. Unusually, some Soviet pilots found the MiG-29’s NATO reporting name, "Fulcrum", to be a flattering description of the aircraft’s intended purpose, and it is sometimes unofficially used in Russian service.</div>
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The MiG-29B was widely exported in downgraded versions, known as MiG-29B 9-12A and MiG-29B 9-12B for Warsaw Pact and non-Warsaw Pact nations respectively, with less capable avionics and no capability for delivering nuclear weapons. </div>
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Total production was about 840 aircraft.</div>
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In the 1.980s, Mikoyan developed the improved MiG-29S to use longer range R-27E and R-77 air-to-air missiles. It added a dorsal 'hump' to the upper fuselage to house a jamming system and some additional fuel capacity. </div>
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The weapons load was increased to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) with airframe strengthening. </div>
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These features were included in new-built fighters and upgrades to older MiG-29s.</div>
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Refined versions of the MiG-29 with improved avionics were fielded by the Soviet Union, but Mikoyan’s multirole variants, including a carrier-based version designated MiG-29K, were never produced in large numbers. In the post-Soviet era, MiG-29 development was influenced by the Mikoyan bureau's apparent lesser political clout than rival Sukhoi. Some more advanced versions are still being pursued for export, and updates of existing Russian aircraft are likely. </div>
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New fighter versions called MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29SMT have been developed. </div>
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Furthermore, development of the MiG-29K carrier version has been resumed for the Indian Navy's INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.</div>
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<b>Design</b></div>
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<b>Features</b></div>
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Because it was developed from the same basic parameters laid out by TsAGI for the original PFI, the MiG-29 is aerodynamically broadly similar to the Sukhoi Su-27, but with some notable differences.</div>
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It is built largely out of aluminium with some composite materials. It has a mid-mounted swept wing with blended leading-edge root extensions (LERXs) swept at around 40°. </div>
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There are swept tailplanes and two vertical fins, mounted on booms outboard of the engines. </div>
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Automatic slats are mounted on the leading edges of the wings; they are four-segment on early models and five-segment on some later variants. </div>
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On the trailing edge, there are maneuvering flaps and wingtip ailerons. </div>
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At the time of its deployment, it was one of the first jet fighters in service capable of executing the Pugachev Cobra maneuver.</div>
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The MiG-29 has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot but, unlike the Su-27, no fly-by-wire control system. </div>
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Nonetheless, it is very agile, with excellent instantaneous and sustained turn performance, high-alpha capability, and a general resistance to spins. </div>
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The airframe is stressed for 9-g (88 m/s²) maneuvers. </div>
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The controls have "soft" limiters to prevent the pilot from exceeding the g and alpha limits, but these can be disabled manually.</div>
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<b>Powerplant</b></div>
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<b>Klimov RD-33</b></div>
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The MiG-29 has two widely spaced Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, each rated at 50.0 kN (11,240 lbf) dry and 81.3 kN (18,277 lbf) in afterburner. </div>
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The space between the engines generates lift, thereby reducing effective wing loading, to improve maneuverability. </div>
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The engines are fed through wedge-type intakes fitted under the leading-edge extensions (LERXs), which have variable ramps to allow high-Mach speeds. </div>
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As an adaptation to rough-field operations, the main air inlet can be closed completely and alter using the auxiliary air inlet on the upper fuselage for takeoff, landing and low-altitude flying, preventing ingestion of ground debris. </div>
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Thereby the engines receive air through louvers on the LERXs which open automatically when intakes are closed. </div>
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However the latest variant of the family, the MiG-35, eliminated these dorsal louvers, and adopted the mesh screens design in the main intakes, similar to those fitted to the Su-27.</div>
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<b>Range and fuel system</b></div>
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The MiG-29 has a ferry range of 1,500 km without external fuel tanks, and 2,100 km with one external tank.</div>
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The internal fuel capacity of the original MiG-29B is 4,365 litres distributed between six internal fuel tanks, four in the fuselage and one in each wing. </div>
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The aircraft has range inline with the original Soviet requirements for a point-defense fighter.</div>
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For longer flights, this can be supplemented by a 1,500-litre (330 Imp gal, 395 US gal) centreline drop tank and, on later production batches, two 1,150-litre (253 Imp gal, 300 US gal) underwing drop tanks. </div>
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In addition, a small number have been fitted with port-side inflight refueling probes, allowing much longer flight times by using a probe-and-drogue system. </div>
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Some MiG-29B airframes have been upgraded to the "Fatback" configuration (MiG-29 9–13), which adds a dorsal-mounted internal fuel tank. </div>
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Advanced variants, such as the MiG-35, can be fitted with a conformal fuel tank on the dorsal spine, although none of them have yet entered service.</div>
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<b>Cockpit</b></div>
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The cockpit features a conventional centre stick and left hand throttle controls. </div>
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The pilot sits in a Zvezda K-36DM zero-zero ejection seat which has had impressive performance in emergency escapes.</div>
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The cockpit has conventional dials, with a head-up display (HUD) and a Shchel-3UM helmet mounted display, but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. </div>
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Emphasis seems to have been placed on making the cockpit similar to the earlier MiG-23 and other Soviet aircraft for ease of conversion, rather than on ergonomics. </div>
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Nonetheless, the MiG-29 does have substantially better visibility than most previous Russian jet fighters, thanks to a high-mounted bubble canopy. Upgraded models introduce "glass cockpits" with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS.</div>
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<b>Sensors</b></div>
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The baseline MiG-29B has a Phazotron RLPK-29 (Radiolokatsyonnui Pritselnui Kompleks) radar fire control system (FCS) which includes the N019 (Sapfir 29; NATO: 'Slot Back') look-down/shoot-down coherent pulse-Doppler radar and the Ts100.02-02 digital computer. </div>
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Tracking range against a fighter-sized target was only about 70 km (38 nmi) in the frontal aspect and 35 km (19 nmi) in the rear aspect. </div>
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Range against bomber-sized targets was roughly double. Ten targets could be displayed in search mode, but the radar had to lock onto a single target for semi-active homing (SARH). </div>
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The MiG-29 was not able to reliably utilize the new Vympel R-27R (NATO: AA-10 "Alamo") long-range SARH missile at its maximum ranges.</div>
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MiG-29 nose showing radome and IRST</div>
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These performance deficiencies stemmed largely from the fact the N019 radar was not, in fact, a new design. Instead, the system was a further development of the architecture already used in Phazotron's Sapfir-23ML system, then in use on the MiG-23ML. </div>
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During the initial MiG-29 design specification period in the mid-1.970s, Phazotron NIIR was tasked with producing a modern radar for the MiG-29. </div>
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To speed development, Phazotron based its new design on the work undertaken by NPO Istok on the experimental "Soyuz" radar program. </div>
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Accordingly, the N019 was originally intended to have a flat planar array antenna and full digital signal processing, giving a detection and tracking range of at least 100 km against a fighter-sized target. </div>
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Given the state of Soviet avionics technology at the time, it was an ambitious goal. </div>
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Testing and prototypes soon revealed this could not be attained in the required timeframe, at least not in a radar that would fit in the MiG-29's nose. </div>
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Rather than design a completely new, albeit more modest radar, Phazotron reverted to a version of the twisted-polarization Cassegrain antenna used successfully on the Sapfir-23ML to save time and cost. </div>
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This system used the same analog signal processors as their earlier designs, coupled with a NII Argon-designed Ts100 digital computer. </div>
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While this decision provided a working radar system for the new fighter, it inherited all of the weak points of the earlier design. </div>
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This reliance on 1.960s-era technology continued to plague the MiG-29's ability to detect and track airborne targets at ranges available with the R-27 and R-77 missiles, although new designs like the digital N010 Zhuk-M address the serious signal processing shortcomings inherent in the analog design. </div>
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Most MiG-29 continue to use the analog N019 or N019M radar, although VVS has indicated its desire to upgrade all existing MiG-29s to a fully digital system.</div>
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The N019 was further compromised by Phazotron designer Adolf Tolkachev’s betrayal of the radar to the CIA, for which he was executed in 1.986. </div>
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In response to all of these problems, the Soviets hastily developed a modified N019M Topaz radar for the upgraded MiG-29S aircraft. </div>
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However, VVS was reportedly still not satisfied with the performance of the system and demanded another upgrade. </div>
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The latest upgraded aircraft offered the N010 Zhuk-M, which has a planar array antenna rather than a dish, improving range, and a much superior processing ability, with multiple-target engagement capability and compatibility with the Vympel R-77 (or RVV-AE) (NATO: AA-12 'Adder'). </div>
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A useful feature the MiG-29 shares with the Su-27 is the S-31E2 KOLS, a combined laser rangefinder and IRST in an "eyeball" mount forward of the cockpit canopy. </div>
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This can be slaved to the radar or used independently, and provides exceptional gun-laying accuracy.</div>
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<b>Armament</b></div>
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Armament for the MiG-29 includes a single GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon in the port wing root. </div>
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This originally had a 150-round magazine, which was reduced to 100 rounds in later variants. </div>
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Original production MiG-29B aircraft cannot fire the cannon when carrying a centerline fuel tank as it blocks the shell ejection port. </div>
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This issue was corrected in the MiG-29S and later versions. </div>
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Three pylons are provided under each wing (four in some variants), for a total of six (or eight). The inboard pylons can carry either a 1,150 litre (300 US gal) fuel tank, one Vympel R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") medium-range air-to-air missile, or unguided bombs or rockets. </div>
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Some Soviet aircraft could carry a single nuclear bomb on the port inboard station. </div>
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The outer pylons usually carry R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") dogfight missiles, although some users still retain the older R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid").</div>
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A single 1,500-litre (400 US gal) tank can be fitted to the centerline, between the engines, for ferry flights, but this position is not used for combat stores. </div>
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The original MiG-29B can carry general-purpose bombs and unguided rocket pods, but not precision-guided munitions. </div>
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Upgraded models have provision for laser-guided and electro-optical bombs, as well as air-to-surface missiles.</div>
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<b>Operational history</b></div>
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The Soviet Union exported MiG-29s to several countries. </div>
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Because 4th-generation fighter jets require the pilots to have extensive training, air-defense infrastructure, and constant maintenance and upgrades, MiG-29s have had mixed operational history with different air forces.</div>
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<b>Soviet Union and Russia</b></div>
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The MiG-29 was first publicly seen in the West when the Soviet Union displayed the aircraft in Finland in July 1.986. </div>
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Two MiG-29s were also displayed at the Farnborough Airshow in Britain in September 1.988. </div>
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The following year, the aircraft conducted flying displays at the 1.989 Paris Air Show where it was involved in a non-fatal crash during the first weekend of the show.</div>
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The Paris Air Show display was only the second display of Soviet fighters at an international air show since the 1.930s. </div>
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Western observers were impressed by its apparent capability and exceptional agility. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, most of the MiG-29s entered service with the newly-formed Russian Air Force.</div>
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In 1.993, two MiG-29s of the Russian Air Force collided in mid-air and crashed away from the public at the 1.993 Royal International Air Tattoo (UK). </div>
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No one was hurt on the ground.</div>
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The two pilots ejected and landed safely. </div>
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Investigators later determined that a pilot error was the cause, after one pilot did a reverse loop and disappeared into the clouds, the other one lost sight of his wingman and aborted the routine.</div>
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On 20 April 2.008, Georgian officials claimed a Russian MiG-29 shot down a Georgian Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle and provided video footage from the ill-fated drone showing an apparent MiG-29 launching an air-to-air missile at it. </div>
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Russia denies that the aircraft was theirs and says they did not have any pilots in the air that day. </div>
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Abkhazia’s administration claimed its own forces shot down the drone with an L-39 aircraft "because it was violating Abkhaz airspace and breaching ceasefire agreements."</div>
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UN investigation concluded that the video was authentic and that the drone was shot down by a Russian MiG-29 or Su-27 using a R-73 heat seeking missile.</div>
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The Russian Air Force grounded all its MiG-29s following a crash in Siberia on 17 October 2.008.</div>
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Following a second crash with an MiG-29 in east Siberia in December 2.008, Russian officials admitted that most MiG-29 fighters in the Russian Air Force were incapable of performing combat duties due to poor maintenance. </div>
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The age of the aircraft was also an important factor as about 70% of the MiGs were considered to be too old to take to the skies.</div>
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The Russian MiG-29s have not received updates since the collapse of the Soviet Union. </div>
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This is because the Russian Air Force chose to upgrade the Su-27 and MiG-31 instead. On 4 February 2.009, the Russian Air Force resumed flights with the MiG-29.</div>
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However, in March 2.009, 91 MiG-29s of the Russian Air Force required repair after inspections due to corrosion; approximately 100 MiGs were cleared to continue flying at the time. </div>
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The Russian Air Force started an update of its early MiG-29s to the more current MiG-29SMT standard.</div>
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<b>India</b></div>
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India was the first international customer of the MiG-29. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for more than 50 MiG-29s in 1980 while the aircraft was still in its initial development phase. </div>
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Since its induction into the IAF in 1985, the aircraft has undergone a series of modifications with the addition of new avionics, sub-systems, turbofan engines and radars.</div>
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The upgraded Indian version i.s known as Baaz (Hindi for Hawk) and forms a crucial component of the second-line offensive aircraft-fleet of the IAF after the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.</div>
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Indian MiG-29s were used extensively during the 1.999 Kargil War in Kashmir by the Indian Air Force to provide fighter escort for Mirage 2000s, which were attacking targets with laser-guided bombs. </div>
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According to Indian sources, two MiG-29s from the IAF's No. 47 squadron (Black Archers) gained missile lock on two F-16s of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) which were patrolling close to the border to prevent any incursions by Indian aircraft, but did not engage them because no official declaration of war had been issued. </div>
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The Indian MiG-29s were armed with beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles whereas the Pakistani F-16s were not.</div>
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The MiG-29’s good operational record prompted India to sign a deal with Russia in 2005—2006 to upgrade all of its MiG-29s for US$888 million. </div>
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Under the deal, the Indian MiGs were modified to be capable of deploying the R-77RVV-AE (AA-12 'Adder') air-to-air missile, also known as the Amraamski. </div>
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The missiles had been successfully tested in October 1.998 and were integrated into IAF's MiG-29s. IAF has also awarded the MiG Corporation another US$900 million contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s. </div>
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These upgrades will include a new avionics fit, with the N-109 radar being replaced by a Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. </div>
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The aircraft is also being equipped to enhance beyond-visual-range combat ability and for air-to-air refuelling to increase endurance.</div>
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In 2.007, Russia also gave India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a licence to manufacture 120 RD-33 series 3 turbofan engines for the upgrade.</div>
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The upgrade will also include a new weapon control system, cockpit ergonomics, air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and "smart" aerial bombs. </div>
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The first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia while the remaining 63 MiGs will be upgraded at the HAL facility in India. India also awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Israel Aircraft Industries to provide avionics and subsystems for the upgrade.</div>
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In March 2.009, the Indian Air Force expressed concern after 90 MiG-29s were grounded in Russia.</div>
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After carrying out an extensive inspection, the IAF cleared all MiG-29s in its fleet in March 2009.[36] In a disclosure in Parliament, Defence Minister A. K. Antony said the MiG-29 is structurally flawed in that it has a tendency to develop cracks due to corrosion in the tail fin. </div>
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Russia has shared this finding with India, which emerged after the crash of a Russian Air Force MiG-29 in December 2.008. </div>
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A repair scheme and preventive measures are in place and IAF has not encountered major problems concerning the issue," Antony said.</div>
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Despite concerns of Russia's grounding, India sent the first six of its 78 MiG-29s to Russia for upgrades in 2.008. </div>
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The upgrade program will fit the MiGs with a phased array radar (PESA) and in-flight re-fuelling capability.</div>
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In January 2.010, India and Russia signed a US$1.2 billion deal under which the Indian Navy would acquire 29 additional MiG-29Ks, bringing the total number of MiG-29Ks on order to 45</div>
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The MiG-29K entered service with the Indian Navy on 19 February 2.010.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The upgrade of all IAF MiG-29 "Baaz" to latest MiG-29SMT standard is in process, which will include latest avionics, Zhuk-ME Radar, engine, weapon control systems etc., enhancing multirole capabilities by many-fold.</div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Yugoslavia</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yugoslavia was the first European country outside the Soviet Union to operate the MiG-29. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Yugoslavia received 14 MiG-29Bs and two MiG-29UBs from the USSR in 1.987. </div>
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MiG-29s were put into service with the 127th Fighter Aviation Squadron, based at Batajnica Air Base, north of Belgrade, Serbia.</div>
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Yugoslav MiG-29s saw little combat during the breakup of Yugoslavia, and were used primarily for ground attacks. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Several Antonov An-2 aircraft used by Croatia were destroyed on the ground at Čepin airfield near Osijek, Croatia in 1991 by a MiG-29, however there were no MiG-29 losses.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At least two MiG-29 carried out an air strike on Banski dvori, the official residence of the Croatian Government, on 7 October 1.991.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29s continued their service in the subsequent Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Because of the United Nations arms embargo against the country, the condition of the MiG-29s worsened. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before Operation Allied Force began in 1.999, Yugoslav MiG-29s were over 10 years old, short of spare parts and proper maintenance. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By March 1.999, the Yugoslav Air Force had 11 MiG-29s considered operational.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A total of six MiG-29s were shot down during the Kosovo War, of which three were shot down by USAF F-15s, one by a USAF F-16, and one by a Dutch F-16.</div>
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One aircraft, according to pilot, was hit by friendly fire from the ground.<br />
<br />
Another four were destroyed on the ground.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some Russian sources claim that a MiG-29 shot down an F-16 on 26 March 1.999,but this kill is disputed, as the F-16C in question was said to have crashed in the US that same day.</div>
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Most historians attribute the downing of a F-117 as being shot down by SAM commander Zoltan Dani.</div>
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Some sources claimed it was shot down by a MiG-29 piloted by Lt. Col. Gvozden Đukić, which was the nom de guerre of Zoltan Dani.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro continued flying its remaining five MiG-29s at a very low rate after the war. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In spring 2.004, news appeared that MiG-29 operations had ceased, because the aircraft could not be maintained.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2.007, all five MiG-29 were sent to Russia to be refurbished, and upgraded. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In 2.008, the MiG-29s began returning to service with the Serbian Air Force. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the 2.009 one Serbian MiG-29 crashed, the pilot and one soldier on the ground died.</div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
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<b>Germany</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqd8Wh8DYn8WERgPyVmdzUGXHDG7KRvMPr0hUOYki6uSC1HpkHvnUP5w9UCCUHN2nYKnMibZbK20a4CmQPpsnXvZnsscPdcnN5601i4N_jL2onyIEcSmYknZBCyTjcbVA3aBum8B-9tLY/s1600/Mikoyan-Gurevich+Fulcrum+Mig+29+7+top+secret+airplanes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqd8Wh8DYn8WERgPyVmdzUGXHDG7KRvMPr0hUOYki6uSC1HpkHvnUP5w9UCCUHN2nYKnMibZbK20a4CmQPpsnXvZnsscPdcnN5601i4N_jL2onyIEcSmYknZBCyTjcbVA3aBum8B-9tLY/s200/Mikoyan-Gurevich+Fulcrum+Mig+29+7+top+secret+airplanes.png" height="118" width="200" /></a></div>
The German Democratic Republic (also known as East Germany) bought 24 MiG-29s (20 MiG-29As, four MiG-29UBs), which entered service in 1.988–1.989. </div>
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After the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and reunification of Germany in October 1.990, the MiG-29s and other aircraft of the East German Luftstreitkräfte der NVA were integrated into the West German Luftwaffe.</div>
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After upgrades by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (now EADS) for NATO compatibility, they were designated MiG-29G and MiG-29GT. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In March 1.991, one of the MiG-29s in German service was transferred to the USAF for evaluation, along with several Su-22s and MiG-23s.</div>
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<b>A Luftwaffe MiG-29</b></div>
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The Federation of American Scientists claims the MiG-29 is equal or better than the F-15C in some areas such as short aerial engagements because of the Helmet Mounted Weapons Sight (HMS) and better maneuverability at slow speeds.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was demonstrated when MiG-29s of the Luftwaffe participated in joint DACT exercises with US fighters.</div>
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The HMS was a great help, allowing the Germans to achieve a lock on any target the pilot could see within the missile field of view, including those almost 45 degrees off boresight.</div>
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In contrast, the American aircraft were only able to lock onto targets in a narrow window directly in front of the aircraft’s nose. </div>
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It was not until late 2.003 that the USAF and US Navy achieved Initial Operational Capability of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System.</div>
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Since 1.993 the German MiGs were stationed with 1./JG73 "Steinhoff" in Laage near Rostock. </div>
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During the service in the Luftwaffe one MiG-29 ("29+09") was destroyed during an accident on 25 June 1.996 due to pilot error. </div>
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By 2.003, Luftwaffe pilots had flown over 30,000 hours in the MiG-29. </div>
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In September 2.003, 22 of the 23 remaining machines were sold to the Polish Air Force for the symbolic price of €1 per item.</div>
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The last aircraft were transferred in August 2.004.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 23rd MiG-29 ("29+03") was put on display at Laage.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Poland</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first 12 MiG-29 (nine MiG-29As, three MiG-29UB) were delivered to Poland in 1.989–1.990. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The aircraft were based at Mińsk Mazowiecki and used by the 1st Fighter Aviation Regiment, which was reorganized in 2.001 as 1 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego (1. elt), or 1st Tactical Squadron (TS). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 1.995, 10 used examples were acquired from the Czech Republic (nine MiG-29As, one MiG-29UB). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the retirement of its MiG-21s and −23s in 2.003, Poland was left for a time with only these 22 MiG-29s in the interceptor role.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2.004 Poland received 22 ex-Luftwaffe MiG-29s. A total of 14 of these were overhauled and taken into service, equipping the 41st Tactical Squadron (41. elt) and replacing its MiG-21s. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At present Poland has 32 active MiG-29s (26 MiG-29As, six MiG-29UB) which will serve at least until 2.012–2.015. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They are currently stationed with the 1st Tactical Squadron at the 23rd Air Base near Mińsk Mazowiecki and the 41st TS at the 22nd Air Base near Malbork. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As of 2.008, Poland is the biggest NATO MiG-29 user. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The possibility of modernising the fighters to enable them to serve until 2.020–2.025 is being contemplated, depending on whether cooperation with Mikoyan can be established.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There have been unconfirmed reports that Poland had at one point leased a MiG-29 from their own inventory to Israel for evaluation and the aircraft has since been returned to Poland, as suggested by photographs of a MiG-29 in Israeli use. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Three Polish Mig-29A were reported in Israel for evaluation between April and May 1.997 at Negev desert.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On 7 September 2.011 the Polish Air Force awarded a contract to the WZL 2 company to modernise its MiG-29 fleet to be compatible with Polish F-16s.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United States</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 1.997, the United States purchased 21 Moldovan aircraft under the Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Fourteen were MiG-29Ss, which are equipped with an active radar jammer in its spine and are capable of being armed with nuclear weapons. </div>
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Part of the United States’ motive to purchase these aircraft was to prevent them from being sold to "rogue states", especially Iran.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This purchase could also provide the United States Air Force with a working evaluation and data for the MiG-29. </div>
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Such information may prove valuable in any future conflicts and can aid in the design and testing of current and future weapons platforms. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In late 1.997, the MiGs were delivered to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, though many of the former Moldovan MiG-29s are believed to have been scrapped.</div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Iraq</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Iraq received a number of MiG-29 fighters, and used MiG-29s to engage Iranian equivalent opponents like F-14, F-4 and F-5 during the later stages of the Iran-Iraq War. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition to MiG-29s, the Iraqi Air Force used Soviet-made fighters such as the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, Mig-27, bombers such as the Soviet-made Tu-22, and other multi-role air crafts such as the Dassault Mirage F1 and Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard to fight against Iranian forces.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29s also saw combat in the 1.991 Persian Gulf War with the Iraqi Air Force. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Five MiG-29s were shot down by USAF F-15s.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some Russian sources reported that at least one Panavia Tornado, ZA467, was shot down in northwestern Iraq by a MiG-29.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
UK sources claim this Tornado to have crashed on 22 January on a mission to Ar Rutbah.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other Iraqi air-to-air kills are reported in Russian sources, where the US claims other cases of combat damage, such as the B-52 "In HARM's way", which the US claims was hit by friendly fire, when an AGM-88 High-speed, Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) homed on the fire-control radar of the B-52's tail gun; the jet was subsequently renamed "In HARM's Way".</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the war Iraq's original fleet of 37 MiG-29s was reduced to 12 due to the loss of 16 aircraft during the war[citation needed], one damaged and the evacuation of four to Iran where their aircraft now serve in the Iranian Air Force, which now buys MiG-29s from Russia as well. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
These final 12 aircraft were withdrawn from use in 1.995 due to the engines reaching the TBO and Iraq could not send them for overhaul.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the 2.003 US invasion of Iraq and disbandment of the Iraqi Army in May of the same year, the remaining Russian-made and Chinese-made fighters of Iraqi forces had been decommissioned, and to be replaced by recently ordered US-made F-16</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>North Korea</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Korean People's Air Force is believed to be operating about 40 MiG-29Bs and MiG-29SEs divided into the 55th and 57th fighter regiments based at Suchon and Onchon, respectively.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
These were first encountered and photographed by the USAF in March 2.003 when a pair of KPAF MiG-29s intercepted an RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft.</div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Other countries</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Cuban MiG-29UB shot down two Cessna 337s belonging to the organisation Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, after the aircraft approached Cuban airspace.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to some reports, in the 1.999 Eritrean-Ethiopian War, a couple of Eritrean MiG-29s were shot down by Ethiopian Su-27s piloted by Russian mercenaries.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are also some other reports of Eritrean MiG-29s shooting down two Ethiopian MiG-21s, three MiG-23s, and an Su-25.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are reports that on 14 September 2.001 two Syrian Air Force MiG-29s were shot down by two IDF/AF F-15C while the MiGs were intercepting an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft off the coast of Lebanon. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, both Syria and Israel deny that this occurred.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Russia moved to expand its growing military influence in the Middle East when it announced it is giving Lebanon 10 fighter jets, in the most significant upgrade of Lebanon's military since the civil war ended almost two decades ago. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Russia's defence ministry said it was giving the secondhand MiG-29s to Beirut free of charge. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The gift was part of a defence cooperation deal that would see Moscow train Lebanese military personnel.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There have been occasional claims regarding the use of Sudanese Air Force MiG-29s against insurgent forces in Darfur. However, whereas Mi-24 'Hind' combat helicopters as well as A-5 'Fantan' or, more recently, Su-25 "Frogfoot" ground-attack aircraft have been spotted and photographed on Darfurian air fields, no MiG-29s have been observed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On 10 May 2.008, a Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) mounted an assault on the Sudanese capital. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During this action, the JEM shot down a Sudanese Air Force MiG-29 with 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm heavy machine gun fire while it was attacking a convoy of vehicles in the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The aircraft was piloted by a Russian mercenary. He was killed in action as his parachute did not open after ejecting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Civilian</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29 is available for flights of civilian passengers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Civilian flights started due to financial problems on Gromov Flight Research Institute in the Russian city Zhukovsky. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those flights in Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25, MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 stopped in July 2006, when civilian flights in MiG-29 and Mikoyan MiG-31 started from Nizhny Novgorod.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Variants</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are currently several upgrade programmes conducted by the Russian Air Force for MiG-29 fighters which envisage : upgrading of the avionics suite to comply with NATO / ICAO standards, extension of the aircraft service life to 4,000 flight hours (40 years), upgrading combat capabilities and reliability, safety enhancements. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2.005 the Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG” started production of new unified family of multirole fighters of the 4++ generation (aircraft-carrier based MiG-29K, front-line MiG-29M and MiG-35 fighters).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29 (Product 9.12)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Initial production version; entered service in 1983. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-A".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29B-12 (Product 9.12A)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Downgraded export version for non-Warsaw Pact nations. Lacked a nuclear weapon delivery system and possessed downgraded radar, ECM and IFF. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-A".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29UB-12 (Product 9.51)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Twin seat training model. Infra-red sensor mounted only, no radar. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-B".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29S</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29S is similar in external appearance to older MiG-29B airframes, except for the dorsal hump behind the cockpit canopy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Differences start with the improvements in the flight control system. Four new computers provide better stability augmentation and controllability with an increase of 2° in angle of attack (AoA). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its improved mechanical-hydraulic flight control system allows for greater control surface deflections. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29S's dorsal hump, earning it the nickname "Fatback" in service, was originally believed to be for additional fuel, but in fact, most of its volume is used for the new L-203BE Gardenyia-1 ECM system.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29S can carry 1,150 liter (304 US gallon, 2,000 lb) drop tanks under each wing and a centerline tank. Inboard underwing hardpoints are upgraded to allow for a tandem pylon arrangement for a larger payload of 4,000 kg (8,820 lb). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall maximum gross weight has been raised to 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). The GSh-30-1 cannon had its expended round ejector port modified to allow for firing while the centerline tank is still attached. Improvements also allow for new longer-range air-to-air missiles like the R-27E (AA-10 "Alamo") and R-77 (AA-12 "Adder").</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Initially, the avionics of the MiG-29S only added a new IRST sighting system combined with a better imbedded training system that allowed for IR and radar target simulation. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, the final MiG-29S improvement kit also provides for the Phazotron N019M radar and more built-in test equipment (BITE) (especially for the radar) to reduce dependence on ground support equipment; MiG MAPO calls this model the MiG-29SD. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Revised weapon system algorithms in the MiG-29S's software, combined with an increase in processing capacity, allows for the tracking of up to 10 targets and the simultaneous engagement of two with the R-77 missile.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MiG-29S also has a limited ground-attack capability with unguided munitions, but in order to transform the MiG-29 into a true multirole fighter, MAPO designed the MiG-29SM variant with the improved avionics necessary to carry and employ precision-guided weapons. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "SE/SD/SM" improvements in the MiG-29S, combined with the development money made available for the naval MiG-29K, gave MAPO the incentive to forge ahead with the multirole MiG-29M "Super Fulcrum".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Flight performance of the MiG-29S is but slightly reduced due to the additional weight of the additional fuel and avionics. Only 48 MiG-29S new-built airframes were produced for the Russian VVS before funding was cut. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of this number, it is unknown how many are the standard air-superiority "S" version and how many are the multirole "SM" version. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-C".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29S-13 (Product 9.13)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MiG-29 variant similar to the 9.12, but with an enlarged fuselage spine containing additional fuel and a Gardeniya active jammer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Product 9.13S is also version with the same airframe as the 9.13, but with an increased external weapons load of 4,000 kg, and provision for two underwing fuel tanks. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Radar upgraded to N019ME, providing an ability to track 10 targets and engage two simultaneously. </div>
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Compatible with the Vympel R-77 (AA-12 "Adder") air-to-air missile (similar to the AIM-120 AMRAAM). NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-C".</div>
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MiG-29SM (Product 9.13M)</div>
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Similar to the 9.13, but with the ability to carry guided air-to-surface missiles and TV- and laser-guided bombs. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-C".</div>
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<b>German MiG-29GT</b></div>
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It was an upgrade standard for the German Luftwaffe's MiG-29 / 29UB, inherited from the former East Germany to the NATO standards. </div>
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Works was done by MiG Aircraft Product Support GmbH (MAPS), a joint venture company form between MiG Moscow Aviation Production Association and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in 1993.[84]</div>
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MiG-29AS/MiG-29UBS (MiG-29SD)</div>
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Slovak Air Force performed an upgrade on their MiG-29/-29UB for NATO compatibility. Work is done by RAC MiG and Western firms, starting from 2.005. </div>
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The aircraft now has navigation and communications systems from Rockwell Collins, an IFF system from BAE Systems, new glass cockpit features multi-function LC displays and digital processors and also fitted to be integrate with Western equipment in the future. </div>
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However, the armaments of the aircraft remain unchanged. 12 out of 21 of the entire MiG-29 fleet were upgraded and had been delivered as of late February, 2008.[85]</div>
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MiG-29 Sniper</div>
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Upgrade planned for Romanian Air Force, by Israeli firms. First flight occurred on 5 May 2.000. </div>
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The program was halted along with the retiring of Romanian MiG-29s in 2003. The latter occurred because of high maintenance costs, which led to the Romanian Government's decision to halt the MiG-29 program and further invest in the MiG-21 LanceR program.</div>
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MiG-29M</div>
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MiG-29M / MiG-33 (Product 9.15)</div>
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Main article: Mikoyan MiG-29M</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Advanced multirole variant, with a redesigned airframe, mechanical flight controls replaced by a fly-by-wire system and powered by enhanced RD-33 ser.3M engines. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-E".</div>
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MiG-29UBM (Product 9.61)</div>
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Two-seat training variant of the MiG-29M. Never built. Effectively continued under the designation 'MiG-29M2'.</div>
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MiG-29K at МАК 2007</div>
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MiG-29K (Product 9.31)</div>
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Main article: Mikoyan MiG-29K</div>
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Naval variant based on MiG-29M, the letter "K" stands for "Korabelnogo bazirovaniya" (Deck-based ), with equipment such as folding wings, arrestor gear, and reinforced landing gear. </div>
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Originally intended for the Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carriers, had even received series production approval from Russian Ministry of Defence but was later grounded in 1992 due to shift in military doctrine and state financial difficulty.</div>
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MiG Corporation restarted the program in 1999 and made vital improvement to the previous design. On 20 January 2.004, Indian Navy signed a contract of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB.</div>
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Modifications were made for Indian Navy requirement, now standard for all current production. Current production MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB also share a two-seater size canopy. The MiG-29K has radar absorbing coatings to reduce radar signature. </div>
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Cockpit displays consist of wide HUD and three (seven on MiG-29KUB) colour LCD MFDs with a Topsight E helmet-mounted targeting system. </div>
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It has a full range of weapons compatible with the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.[87] NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-D".</div>
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MiG-29KUB (Product 9.47)</div>
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Identical characteristic to the MiG-29K but with tandem twin seat configuration. The design is to serve as trainer for MiG-29K pilot and is full combat capable. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The first MiG-29KUB developed for the Indian Navy made its maiden flight at the Russian Zhukovsky aircraft test centre on 22 January 2007.[88] NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-D".</div>
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MiG-29SMT (Product 9.17)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The MiG-29SMT is an upgrade package of the first-generation MiG-29s (9.12 to 9.13) containing many enhancements intended for the MiG-29M. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Additional fuel tanks in a further enlarged spine provide a maximum flight range of 2,100 km (on internal fuel). </div>
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The cockpit has an enhanced HOTAS design, two 152 × 203 mm (6 × 8 inch) colour liquid crystal MFDs and two smaller monochrome LCDs. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The upgraded Zhuk-ME radar provides similar features to the MiG-29M. The power plant are upgraded RD-33 ser.3 engines with afterburning thrust rated the same at 8,300 kgf (81.4 kN) each. </div>
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The weapons load was increased to 4,500 kg on six underwing and one ventral hardpoints, with similar weapon choices as for the MiG-29M variant. </div>
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The upgraded aircraft has also a painted path for non-Russian origin avionics and weapons.</div>
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<b>MiG-29BM</b></div>
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"The MiG-29BM (probably Belorussian Modernised, possibly Bolyshaya Modernizaciya - large modernization) is an upgrade to the MiG-29 conducted by the ARZ-558 aircraft repair plant in Baranovichi, Belarus...</div>
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<br /></div>
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The MiG-29BM is a strike variant of the MiG-29 pure fighter, the Belarussian counterpart to the Russian MiG-29SMT."</div>
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<br /></div>
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It includes improvements to weapons, radar, as well as adding non-retractable air-air refueling ability.</div>
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<br /></div>
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MiG-29UBT (Product 9.51T)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
SMT standard upgrade for the MiG-29UB. Namely users, Algeria and Yemen.</div>
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<b>MiG-29UPG</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The design is a new modification intended for the MiG-29s used by Indian Air Force. </div>
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It made its maiden flight on 4 February 2.011. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The standard includes the new Zhuk-M radar, new avionics, a IFR probe as well as new enhanced RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The modernization is part of a $900 million contract to upgrade the 69 fighters fleet.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>MiG-29M2 / MiG-29MRCA</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two-seat version of MiG-29M. Identical characteristics to MiG-29M, with a slightly reduced ferry range of 1,800 km.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
RAC MiG presented in various air shows, including Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (CIAAE 2004),[95] Aero India 2.005, MAKS 2.005.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was once given designation MiG-29MRCA for marketing purpose and now evolved into the current MiG-35.</div>
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<br /></div>
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MiG-29OVT on display</div>
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The aircraft is one of the six pre-built MiG-29Ms before 1991, later received thrust-vectoring engine and fly-by-wire technology. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It served as a thrust-vectoring engine testbed and technology demonstrator in various air shows to show future improvement in the MiG-29M. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has identical avionics to the MiG-29M. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The only difference in the cockpit layout is an additional switch to turn on vector thrust function. </div>
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The two RD-133 thrust-vectoring engines, each features unique rotating nozzles which can provide thrust vector deflection in all directions. </div>
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<br /></div>
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However, despite its thrust-vectoring, other specifications were not officially emphasized. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The aircraft is being demonstrated along with the MiG-29M2 in various air shows around the world for potential export. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The aircraft is usually used as an aerobatic demonstrator.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>MiG-35</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A recently unveiled mature development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-F".</div>
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yblJwmShbLg" width="400"></iframe>Web Design Ct 2023http://www.blogger.com/profile/12868533535323491638noreply@blogger.com0