Nigeria receives VT4 main battle tanks from China

The Nigerian army has accepted the supply of military equipment from the China Corporation of Northern Industry (NORINCO).

According to local sources, NORINCO delivered the first of 17 combat vehicles that compromised VT4 main battle tanks, 105-mm SH5 self-propelled howitzers with wheels, and the destruction of ST1 tanks.

Accepting arms deliveries on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adesun, chief of the Army and Politics (CPPLANS), said Nigerians should expect more vigorous operations to address the threat of instability, including Boko Haram, banditry and others, according to thisdaylive.com,

He said the weapons were acquired through the Department of Defense, adding that proper preparations had been made for maintenance and the availability of spare parts.

Adeosun said: “The process of acquiring this has been going on for some time, but, thank God, they are going now.

“From this, you can see how seriously the federal government of Nigeria makes sure that the Nigerian army is not only equipped, but also contains the problem of insecurity that we experience throughout the country.

“This is solved with trained personnel and the necessary equipment. What you see here is just the tip of the iceberg. Others are still arriving, but it’s very important that we all see that both the military and the government are really very serious about resolving security problems across the country. ”

Answering the question of where the weapons were purchased from, Adesun answered that this is a new weapon from China, adding that “it belongs to different categories: heavy tanks, light tanks, and we also have two types of artillery weapons, all from China. They have the latest technology in tanks and weapons.

“The first set of 15 40-foot containers that were unloaded to this day consisted of spare parts and accessories for all this equipment.

“So, they have already left the port and are already on their way to their destination. Just like we are here, most of them will also move to their respective destinations.

“Those who will manage them have been trained in China. If not for the blockage caused by COVID-19, we expected some of their trainers to join us here to educate more people.

“Expect a more reliable operation from the army that will pose a threat to insecurity, including Boko Haram, bandits and others.”

  

Boeing’s Loyal Wingman Program Achieves ‘Weight on Wheels’ Milestone

Australia, April 9, 2020 – Boeing Australia recently achieved two more milestones on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program: weight on wheels and aircraft power on.

The development milestones for the unmanned aircraft come just weeks after completion of the first fuselage, allowing for rapid progress on systems installation and functional and integration testing from the aircraft’s own landing gear.

“We’re continuing at pace toward our goal of flying later this year, so that we can show our customer and the world what unmanned capability like this can do,” said Dr. Shane Arnott, program director of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. “The strong contributions from our industry team are powering our progress.”

Ukrainian army gets armored vehicle Kozak-2M1

The Kozak-2M1, an armored vehicle developed and being mass-produced by Kyiv-based NPO Practika, has been added to the arsenal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"This was preceded by successful state trials of the armored vehicle, which lasted from October 2018 to December 2019. During these trials, they thoroughly tested the vehicle's running and performance specifications," the report said.

It notes that the Kozak-2M1 complies with NATO's STANAG 4569 Level 2 for protection against small arms and Level 3A for mine protection. To increase crew safety, the armored vehicle is equipped with anti-mine seats and a multi-layer floor.

The Kozak-2 armoured combat vehicle features a roof hatch with a ring mount for the installation of 7.62mm and 12.7mm calibre machine guns, or 30mm / 40mm automatic grenade launchers.  The crew includes eight people.

The vehicle has a length of 6.44m, width of 2.5m, height of 2.65m, wheel base of 3.24m and gross vehicle weight of 15,000kg.

The vehicle is powered by Iveco Tector six-cylinder, 6l turbo engine, coupled to a ZF, six-speed manual gearbox. The engine produces an output power of 279hp and generates a maximum torque of 950nm at 1,250rpm-2,100rpm.

A servoshift system fitted to the gearbox to facilitate easy gear-changing. A two-speed torque transfer box / reducer provides better traction to both the front and rear axles. The propulsion system offers increased off-road mobility.

The vehicle is also fitted with parking sensors, 365/80 R20 wheels and anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The Kozak-2 has a road speed of 120km/h and a cruising range of 1,000km. Its approach and departure angles are 50° and 45° respectively. It has a fording depth of 1.4m and a ground clearance of 392mm, and can climb obstacles up to 35°.

Photo credit: DefenseExpress

The OPCW IIT report - Syrian government forces were responsible for chemical attacks in Al-Lataminah

The OPCW IIT report is just out, as suspected it focuses on the March 24th, 25th, and 30th 2017 chlorine and Sarin attacks in Al-Lataminah. The report concludes Syrian government forces were responsible for all three attacks.

HH-60W Jolly Green II completed trial of extremes inside the Climatic Lab April 2

An HH-60W Jolly Green II, the Air Force’s new combat search and rescue helicopter, completed a month-long trial of extremes inside the McKinley Climatic Lab April 2.

The Sikorsky test aircraft endured real temperatures ranging from 120 degrees to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit as well as 45 mph winds coupled with heavy rainfall.  All of those scenarios were created within the lab’s 55,000 square foot test chamber.

The goal of these punishing tests was to prove the new aircraft’s sustainability in any operational environment. 

“Operating the HH-60W in the extreme conditions was a truly unique experience as a pilot and a tester,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Coates, an 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron pilot, who performed most of the testing.  “Checking system performance under the stress of heat, cold, heavy wind and rain will give us real-world data regarding the helicopter’s capability to perform the rescue mission worldwide in various environments, which is exactly what the operator needs to make solid employment decisions."

Once the lab technicians created the extreme environments, aircrew would enter the aircraft and perform various test procedures.  The crew would execute their preflight checklists and perform tasks to see if the extreme conditions affected any of the avionics, electronics, engine and other systems.

The aircrew performing the procedures were also test subjects themselves.  Their own reactions and movements were evaluated in the harsh environment.  For example, the cold-weather gear worn by the aircrew is much bulkier than a standard flight suit.  One of the evaluations was to ensure the pilots could easily reach all of the aircraft controls in the thicker cold-weather gear.

A significant amount of the test schedule was dedicated to preparing the chamber for the extreme conditions. McKinley’s lab professionals create, break-down, and recreate again for each new test environment.  Technicians worked continuously to go from a superheated 100-degree desert condition to a below freezing icebox in only three days.

“McKinley Climatic Laboratory maintains quickness and technical proficiency by retaining our own staff of highly experienced welders, machinists, electricians, instrumentation experts, test assembly personnel and refrigeration operators,” said William Higdon, the lab’s technical advisor.  “Our main mission is to support the warfighter and to ensure any environment they encounter in the field; their equipment has already been proven in those extremes.”

The Jolly Green II created some unique challenges for McKinley Lab personnel.  The lab technicians created a system specifically for the HH-60W to remove the aircraft’s exhaust.  Thorough exhaust removal is a critical part of maintaining the controlled temperature conditions needed for chamber testing, according to lab technicians working on the test.  

The design of the ventilation system meant the aircraft’s blades were removed for the duration of the testing.  The lab’s in-house fabrication shop also specially designed brackets for the aircraft’s weapons among other items.

“Successful completion of this test is absolutely shared with the Sikorsky and McKinley teams,” said Ben Walker, the lead 413th Flight Test Squadron test engineer for the effort and Air Force PALACE Acquire journeyman.  “Everyone worked together extremely well and we completed on time and on budget. I am very thankful for this opportunity to perform exciting engineering work, while also supporting the warfighter.”

After testing in the climatic lab, the HH-60W will return to Sikorsky’s test facility in West Palm Beach for further evaluation.  The HH-60W developmental test program is a joint effort between Sikorsky, the 413th FLTS, the 88th TES and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.  Test aircraft are primarily split between Duke Field here and Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach facility.

“Testing on the Combat Rescue Helicopter continued amidst the chaos of COVID-19,” Lt. Col. Wayne Dirkes, the 413th FLTS operations officer.  “While the situation could change at any moment, we have not lost any test schedule thus far.  That is a testament to the entire team’s attitude and willingness to work through challenges.”

Turkish Roketsan ERA for different platforms

Turkish Roketsan promoting ERA  for soviet/russian wheeled and tracked vehicles an tanks.

The Russian Su-35 fighter jet will armed with unique hypersonic weapons

The arsenal of the Russian fourth-generation Su-35 aircraft will replenish the R-37M air-to-air ammunition. Thanks to the novelty, the “thirty-fifth” will be able to destroy targets in a radius of more than 200 km.

Test flights of Su-35 fighters with ultra-long-range R-37M air-to-air missiles (also known as RVV-BD) began, sources in the military-industrial complex told Izvestia. Test launches are expected by the end of this year. In the meantime, there is a development of electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft equipment and the integration of the latest ammunition in the airborne weapons system.

Earlier, Izvestia already wrote that the R-37M entered the arsenal of domestic fifth-generation fighters Su-57. In September 2018, Boris Obnosov, CEO of Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, confirmed this information. Also, the RVV-DB will replenish the arsenal of “warships” – heavy supersonic interceptors MiG-31.

Thus, the Su-35 will become the third type of aircraft, the equipment of which will receive a novelty. A powerful radar mounted on the fighter, and communication equipment with automated air defense systems make it possible to effectively use missiles with such a range.

The new weapons will significantly increase the characteristics and combat capabilities of the “thirty-fifths,” said the former commander of the 4th Army Air Force and Air Defense, Hero of Russia, Lieutenant General Valery Gorbenko.

“This will allow him to solve a wide range of tasks in various types of military operations, both offensive and defensive,” he told Izvestia – “Our machines will be able to hit AWACS aircraft, bombers, tactical aircraft. In any case, it will be much more difficult for the enemy to evade such missiles: they will have very little time to maneuver from the moment a threat is detected.”

One Su-35 will be able to carry from two to four RVV-BDs, which will bring it closer in combat capabilities to the Su-57.

R-37M RVV-BD air-to-air missile mounted on Su-35 jet at MAKS 2019 (White is the R-77-1)

Sierra Nevada Corporation shows footage of hypersonic engine test

Sierra Nevada Corporation, one of America’s fastest growing companies, has reached a major milestone in the advancement of hypersonic propulsion with its patented VORTEX engine, advancing to the next phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Operational Fires (OpFires) program.

SNC is supporting @DARPA with advanced propulsion technology. We’re developing the VORTEX® Engine Hybrid Propulsion System for its OpFires program. Watch this video to learn a little more… and see some pretty cool shots of rocket engines being test fired! pic.twitter.com/sQQiWlKZuv

— Sierra Nevada Corporation (@SierraNevCorp) April 3, 2020

Through OpFires, SNC is extending its hybrid VORTEX engine capabilities to advanced, deep throttling, restartable propulsion systems. The system utilizes benign solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer, both of which are storable on Earth and in space.  Recent testing shows positive results in being able to package significant energy into a small volume that will have the ability for deep throttling and smooth restart capabilities on command. “The VORTEX flows integrated into the hybrid significantly improves performance of the hybrid engine” said Dr. Marty Chiaverini, director of Propulsion Systems at SNC.

“This program opens up a new market for SNC for preplanned or on-demand propulsion control capabilities that are applicable to both military and beyond Earth orbit propulsion capabilities,” said Tom Crabb, vice president of SNC’s Propulsion & Environmental Systems business unit. “Deep throttling and restart capabilities expand the tools for smart and unpredictable trajectories for various vehicles and systems.”

The first two phases of DARPA’s OpFires program focus on the propulsion technologies required to deliver diverse payloads to a variety of ranges. Since Phase 1 contract award, SNC has made critical discoveries in advanced rocket motor technology for the OpFires upper stage, completing more than 30 motor trials from subscale through full size. SNC hopes to demonstrate these engines in flight and offer the engines to new, promising vehicle systems.

In addition to the deep throttling, restartable, storable system for DARPA, SNC is expanding its propulsion capabilities and products with near-term flight for its Dream Chaser® spaceplane Reaction Control System, maturation of upper stage engines and development of other liquid storable engines for spacecraft, lunar, and other exploration and protection applications. SNC is also co-investing with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for development of the engine for USAF needs.  For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)

Owned by Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, SNC is a trusted leader in solving the world’s toughest challenges through best-of-breed, open architecture engineering in Space Systems, Commercial Solutions, and National Security and Defense. SNC is recognized among the three most innovative U.S. companies in space, as a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America’s fastest growing companies. SNC’s 55-year legacy of state-of-the art civil, military and commercial solutions includes delivering more than 4,000 space systems, subsystems and components to customers worldwide, and participation in more than 450 missions to space, including Mars.