Russian admiral dispelled the uncertainty

Vladimir Vysotsky the commander of Russian Navy said about Nerpa deal prospects.

Q: There are on Pacific Fleet the Indian crew of Nerpa trains, the last is prepared for transfer to India. How successful this work, and when she will be transferred?  

A: The submarine will be transferred to Indian Navy this year. The Indian crew has completed its training.  No big problem with the transfer exists. Now the last preparing for final tests before the transfer happens.

Mi-28N in hi-res pics

Since it can be difficult for non-Russian speaking people to find hi-res pics of Mi-28N from here, I put some of them in my blog separatly.

Vikramaditya new photo

New UAC chief interview

Russian UAC's chief Pogosyan interview in SPIEF-2011 video. Many interesting words about PAKFA, cooperation with India etc. Highly recommended for view! The video for downloading.
Summary:

Light 5th gen program remark

About the recent news: 'Besides the common heavier platform, Russia has also agreed to jointly develop a lighter fifth generation fighter tailored to meet specific requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).' I must add some words:

1) Surviving of a fighter project is depending of an alive and progressing engine program, which it is built around. Respectively the 5th gen fighter project has to be built around a 5th gen engine already exist or in active developing.
2) Light class 5th gen fighter  can be built around a 10-12 t thrust engine (if two) or a 15-18 t thrust engine (if single).
3) Only one true 5th gen engine program in the world is valid in 10-12 t thrust category: it's EJ200, but it cannot be ToTed to India for many reasons. The indigenous Kaveri engine is a promising program but it's unrealistic to expect from it 5th gen level in visible future.

Then, I think the only option to push the Indian medium 5th gen fighter program ahead and to avoid LCA-type delays is to build it around 117/type30 engine, which should be ToTed and produced in India like  Al-31FN for Su-30MKI and RD-33 ser 3 for MiG-29. Time will say if they indeed discussed such possibility in Moscow.

Trikand after launch

The new pics of pr.11356 Trikand FFG after its launch in Kaliningrad.2011/05/25

via forums.airbase.ru

New interview with Al-41F chief designer

In Russian Parliament sponsored 'Russia Today' journal (May, 2011) a new interview with Victor Chepkin was published. He first time reported about the difference between 'izdelie-117S' and 'izdelie-117' engines for new fighters. Then he didnt give interviews almost 3 years.

Chepkin Victor M. - is the doctor of technical sciences, professor, General Designer, the first deputy general director of NPO Saturn, on research and development projects, advisor to the Director of Lulka design buraue.

After graduating the Moscow Aviation Institute   in 1957, he was sent to the   Perm Motors   design Bureau  , where he worked as a design engineer and latter - the chief designer. He was the chief designer of the outstanding improvement on their engine, "D-30F6" for the world's fastest fighter-interceptor MiG-31 ". In 1980 Viktor Mikhailovich worked as Deputy Minister of Aviation Industry of the USSR.

Under his leadership,  design , finishing work and conducted official testing of turbojet engine "AL-31F was  successfully completed . Victor M. spearheaded the creation of a turbojet engine of the fifth generation, AL 41F and modernization of the AL-31F.

I have translated only those parts of the interview which are relevant  to PAK FA issue.

Q -  Since United Engine Corporation  been formed ,   5 th generation Fighter T-50 "  climbed into the sky and is undergoing flight tests , the first Superjet already been transferred to commercial airlines ... What in your opinion the most important changes occurred in the Russian aviation industry during this period (3 years) that we acquired, and what can be lost?

A - The main thing in my opinion, is that joint efforts succeeded in stopping the fall of the industry. This required the efforts of many, first and foremost, I would note Mikhail Pogosyan  and Eugene  Marchukov - the General Designer of the engine for the T-50.

For military aircraft, we have created two engines - one for the aircraft, like Su-35 ", the second - for the Russian aircraft 5 th generation of T-50". The first - is "117C" - is mainly intended for export. He is more simple in terms of aerodynamics, and most importantly - targeted for aircraft with conventional arms, suspended on pylons outside the fuselage, with no strong constraints on dimensions. Such schemes fro example are used on  4-th generation  aircrafts  , exported to India and Malaysia. 

The second engine - is "117" - though only differ by one letter in the title, much more advanced engine - this is a real engine of the 5-th generation. From the rivals can sometimes be heard  the  5-th generation   engine  should be with such a blade, such and such materials, high-speed rotors, and you do not have this ... None of this is all just ways of achieving the goal. A single goal - increasing specific thrust, ie the ratio of thrust to its weight. For example, the first jet engine Arkhip Mikhailovich Lulka weighed 1350 kg and had the same thrust, that is, its specific thrust is equal to 1. The 4 th generation engine  , "AL-31F, has already managed to achieve specific thrust of 8.7, and on a 5 th generation, the figure is 10.

The new engine delivers a supersonic speed without afterburner   mode. What it gives? If before the fighter was flying to the target with the speed of 700 km / h,  now - it is twice as fast.

Our "117" today is already flying on two T-50s. For the company it is quite a major achievement, a large move forward. Although it never was easy. We also have new ideas, we can boast some good groundwork. What is needed in the field of military aviation - the beginning of this mass production? To protect such a large country like ours, from a serious attack the number as 500-1000   aircrafts is needed  . For this needed orders, money, production infrastructure. 

Q - What are the new challenges encountered when creating the plane 5 th generation?

A -   There are thousand  problems   to solve  . Say, for reducing the radar visibility "T-50 has a scheme with an internal arrangement of weapons, so is becoming increasingly important problem of reducing its size. And that means    new weaponry  has to be developed and put into service , but since it has low volume, it must be highly accurate. It is therefore necessarily need a fully functional GLONASS. The American GPS, for obvious reasons is not suitable, since in times of crisis they will disable it, like during the Ossetian-Georgian war, would impose an artificial shift in the coordinates of 300 km. Also is needed to be known exactly,   how do you shoot, so should be a modern mapping system. The missile itself should be stealthy . Such weapons are now manufactured, and all this affects the design of the engine. The work is proceeding according to plans ... In general, in my opinion, the plane turns out good, no worse than the American "F-22". 

Q - By the way, if we compare the T-50 "with the" F-22 ", Western sources say that the T-50" is much behind in  infrared engine visibility in the rear hemisphere.

A - We're working very intensely,   to reduce the infrared and radar visibility, and were twice as better performance in comparison with the "F-22" (at least for those data that are published and which I have). 

Q - In the difficult years for the Russian aircraft industry, aircraft building companies that produced military aircraft survived by exports, especially in China and India. Today, the Chinese have copied our Su-27 "and are ready to sell it on world markets at dumping prices. Not whether as a result we lose  our traditional markets of combat aircraft?

A - We dont, because such an aircraft as we have, the Chinese have no and will have no in  visible prospective. They say that they have made a 5-th generation plane, but one can say anything ... Their best engine was copied from our "AL-31F. And we produce  5-th generation   engines  , and they are in all of their parameters of thrust,   specific fuel consumption correspond to the 5-th generation. I opened the secret and say that we actually already have two   5-th generation engines. The second, which is now conventionally called the "Type 30", has already been tested in flight on the fighter T-50 ". In the future it probably will give the name of "AL-...." According to its parameters it a 15-25 percent better than "117 th". 

Q - You can hear that the 5 th generation engine of a plane is not as important as its electronic filling ...

A - If you compare the share of the motor and electronics to provide the functionality of combat fighter, then I, as you know, though being a minder and a patriot of the industry, yet I must admit that electronics "weighs" is  much higher. Without a doubt. That's why a little better, or slightly worse engine - has no special meaning. But, if the engine parameters are much better, as we have done on the "117"  (25 percent), the performance characteristics can be seriously improved, even due to increasing the allowed weight of the aircraft.

MiG-29UPG detailes

The characteristics of Indian MiG-29 upgrade was confirmed by TsAMTO analytic center in Russia.

Engines RD-33 ser 3 with BARK-88 FADEC and KSU-941UB removed control system.

Radar Zhuk-ME

FLIR KOLS

Sh-3UM-1 Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting system

Displays’ number - 4

K-36D-3.5 – ejecting chair

BTsVM-90/BTsVM-486-2 – onboard computer

BKTsO Digital signal processor

L-150NU – passive guiding missiles station

A new EW station (not elaborated)

SVR video recording system, KARAT-B whole recording system

BINS-SP navigation system with GPS

A-053 radio-altmeter

MS-2 voice warning system

The weapon: RVV-AE, R-73E, R-27R1/R-27T1, R-27ER1/R-27ET1, Kh-29T/L, Kh-31A/P, Kh-35, KAB-500KR/OD/L, unguided bombs 50-500 kg, S-24B, S-8 unguided rockets.

1500 and 1900 liters dropped fuel tanks

The contract for 63 Indian MiG-29 modernization was signed 2008, March 7 for $964 mil.

Some third part partners are involved in the contract, like Thales with NSM cryptographic system and CIT identification systems (the contract was signed in 2010, March).

Meanwhile, the Russian government committee of mil-tech cooperation vice-president Dzirkaln said Russia won 75% of Indian (finished) tenders during last 3 years.

The first fly of MiG-29UPG was occured February 4, 2011 in LII Gromov center, Moscow region. 

'Trikand' is prepeared for launch

The third project 11356 ship 'Trikand' is prepared for launching in 'Yantar' plant  (Kaliningrad-Konigsberg, Russia). The 'BrahMos' missiles launchers are already installed on she, reported the workers team newspaper. The next ship will seemingly be a frigate for the Black Sea Navy they said. It would be a smooth transition for 'russificated' 11356 project, initially developed particularly  for Indian Navy. The Russian systems will be installed there instead of Indian and Western equipment.
And some history:

Brahmos will be installed on Scorpenes

The Indo-Russian 'Brahmos' supersonic missiles will be installed on Indian 'Scorpenes' submarines, the 'BrahMos' JV co-director Alexander Maxichev said recently on EuroNaval show in France. 'The missile is ready for launching from subsurface platforms'  - he said. Maxichev explained, that the results of the Indian competition for additional number of submarines will be known soon, and 'we (BrahMos) push for installation on these missiles on them'. Indirectly his message confirms 'Scorpene' is the winner of the tender.

Maxichev also said that the first 'Brahmos' test on new 11356 frigates build for India is planned for early 2011. He pointed out that 'despite some delay in frigates building there is no any delay in Brahmos production'. The propulsion system of this missile is developed and maid in Russia while the guiding system and launcher are developed by Indian side.

Indra 2010 exercises videos

Nerpa will go to India soon

Despite previous reports about further delay in delivery the Akula-II class SSN to India, the Russian military-industrial source confirmed Nerpa is ready to go to India. After the last India-Russia intergovernmental commission session the RosoboronExport Director General Anatoly Isaykin said to Russian news agency ARMS-TASS, that Nerpa will be transferred to India this year. 'There is no delay in the tests' - he said. As was reported before, the Indian crew will come to Vladivostok, conduct testing in open sea and then the act of transfer must be signed. The submarine will go to India guided by its Indian crew.

Between other news, leaked after the Russia-India military-tech cooperation meeting,  RosoboronExport chief hinted the further spending for the joint PAK FA\FGFA program will be calculated with regarding to the fact that the Russian side has already spent a lot of money for PAK FA project, i.e. may not be equal. 'In fact we already have the plane for our sevice (PAK FA), now the advanced export variant development is needed' - he said. He expects signing the final agreement till year end.

In addition, the new deal for Su-30MKI aircrafts supply to India is prepared and even can be signed this year, the RosoboronExport source said.

Saras-Duet saga is resolved for good

As the Russian Interfax-AVN news agency reported in Sept. 8 the light 14-passengers aircraft Saras will follow the modernization according to Myasishchev's specialists recommendations. 'Till today the part of the work was already done. Particularly the expertize of what already done by the Indian specialists was conducted. The package of propositions for modernization was formulated' - said the source in Russian military-industrial complex. 'The second stage of the work is planned to start in Oct. 2010 and finish during the year, although elongation of this schedule is not excluded' - he considers: 'It will be more specific work on finishing, including ground tests. Not much changes in design is expected, but the questions about the safeness and controllability are remained, i.e. the problems which were not resolved by Indians'.

Indo-Russian air forces exercises

It seems to me that despite all voices of ill wishers the prospects of cooperation between Russia and India are sound as usually and the joint military exercises are planned again. This time it will be the air forces exercises. 'The common exercises will certainly be hold during next years' - said Ru AF chief Alexander Zelin after his visit in India, RIAN new agency reported 10.09.11.

The proposal has already been submitted for consideration to the governments of the two states. The joint exercises, if approved, may take place in 2011 or 2012.

- First time Russian pilots will be able to compare their skill with the famous Indian aces. Till now it took years for Ru AF to recovery the level of training after 90th/early 00 fall in financing. It's the most logical cause why such exercises were not occurred till now.

Indo-Russian JV for MRTA was signed

As Russian RIAN and ITAR-TASS news agencies reported, the Indo-Russian agreement for prospective medium transport aircraft development and building was signed in Moscow.
Under the deal, each party will pay $300.35 million to the JV's charter capital. Unfortunately the official English translation did not include some details, then worth to add some points.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and United Aircraft Building Company expected to sign a deal in March during Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi, but India failed to get the paperwork ready and the signing was delayed.


- HAL will have 50% of the shares, UAC - 25% and RosOboronExport - 25%.
 
Manufacturing facilities will be set up both in Russia and in India. A total of 205 planes are to be made, 30% of which may be exported to third countries.
 
- As the MRTA Russian aircraft design house 'Ilushin' chief Victor Livanov said at the briefing, the Russian AF plan to purchase 100 planes and India - 45. It will allow to gain the manufacturing without losses. If taking the  into consideration the World civil market the prospective level of sells can gain 390 aircrafts. 'The niche of 20 t payload is the most essential on the market. MTA will become the An-12 successor' -  he add: 'First time the countries will develop, sell, give service and utilization for a transport plan'. On the first step the common engineering center will be organized in Moscow, and the Indo-Russian team will start the sketch projecting. After that on the stage of work project the aircraft will be divided to compartments, each of which will be designed by different teams composed with UAC and HAL engineers. 

Drill before 'Indra-2010' Indo-Russian joint exercises in October, 2010

- In North Ossetia

Status of Brahmos program, update

Great news IMHO! The submarine version of 'Brahmos' will start testing soon from a semi-drown launch platform, said Mr. S. Pillai to ARMS-TASS on the 'Space-EXPO 2010'. Also he has confirmed at 2012 the testing of air-based version will start, and 2013 - is the planned year of MKI-based 'Brahmos' induction in IAF.

Indo-Baltic Spirit

Joint Indo-Russian naval exercises in Baltic Sea, June, 2009. Ru Navy Pr. 20380 'Steregushchy' Corvette is working together with IN F37 Fregat Beas against common enemy.

New Indian T-90S cammo

- Taken from the Internet, via a Russian forum. To those who know the original source, please answer!

Jai hind!

Before I finish the long promissed translation of an article about new Russian AAMs development, some important news: the new issue 2, 2010 of new 'AirIndustry' journal  is mainly dedicated to Russo-Indian ties in this sphere. Most important facts from the issue:

1) An-148 - the negotiations with 2 Indian companies for 8 (+ optionally 11) for passenger and 10 - for cargo version. THe suppositional start of the supply is expected in the first 2011 quarter . The   partner of UAC in India in this program promotion is HindAvia Aeronautical Services Pvt Ltd.

2) India has a half of whole current Russian military export contracts ($16 bil from $32 bil).

3) Till 2007 India preferred the light PAK FA variant of RAC MiG, but then changed its position.

4)  IAF has already contracted 45 MTA with option for 45 more.

5) Il-38SD contract is fully realized. There is information about negotiation for 5-8 more planes, independently of P-8I purchasing progress.

6) They are sure that after 16 + 29 MiG-29K\KUB India will buy more 20 planes. Together with RuAF contract (24-26 units) it will be  as 90 MiG-29K\KUBs, so this plane becomes the world second after F\A-18 SH carrier based fighter.

7) RD-33MK on MiG-29K\KUB and F414 on SH have just the  same specific characteristics
RD-33MK:         980 kg,      5500\9000 kgf dry\wet thrust, 0.11 kg\kgf.
F414-GE-400:    1107 kg,    6690\9990 kgf dry\ wet thrust, 0.11 kg\kgf
but MiG-35 (Mig-29K too) is as 30% lighter, so its thrust\weight characteristics are much better, than on SH : 1.03 vs 0.92
By its weight and range the characteristics of MiG-35 and MiG-29K are most close to EF.

8) Zhuk-AE  with 680 MMICs, its TWS\attack number is 30\6.
however, the 688 mm 1064 MMICs variant is ALREADY INSTALLED on MiG-35 and went to Indian tender tests!