tempur november 2010

70 TEMPUR NOVEMBER 2010Aliran Informasi Pertahanan

he 8th China International Aviation &Aerospace Exhibition, held in Zhuhai,Guangdong Province between

November 16 and 21, played host to about70 aircraft from 35 countries, and more than600 domestic and foreign exhibitors. VVIPsattending the expo included the Vice Chairmanof China’s Central Military Commission (CMC)Guo Boxiong, Defence Minister Gen LiangGuanglie, Chief of General Staff for the People’sLiberation Army (PLA), Gen Chen Bingde, plusofficial delegations from more than 50countries hailing from Africa, Asia and LatinAmerica. Formation aerobatics this time wereperformed by the PLA Air Force’s Bayi (August1) aerobatic team (flying the Chengdu Jian J-10 medium multi-role combat aircraft), andby the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) ‘Sherdil’aerobatic team flying the Karakoram-8 primaryjet trainer (PJT).

The principal highlight of the expo was thedetailing of China’s multi-tier space explorationroadmap, which includes the deployment of amanned space station around 2020. Prior tothat, Beijing will launch a space laboratorybefore 2016 to master key technologies suchas living conditions for astronauts on board

the manned space station. It will subsequentlydevelop and launch a core cabin and a secondlaboratory module around 2020, which wouldbe assembled in orbit into a space station.The station would study technologiesconcerning long-term manned space flights.China has already announced plans to launchtwo unmanned modules next year, which areexpected to undergo the country’s first spacedocking—an essential step towards buildingthe space station. China sees the mannedspace station programme as a symbol of itsglobal stature, growing technical expertise, andthe Communist Party’s success in turningaround the fortunes of the formerly poverty-stricken nation. China became only the thirdcountry in the world to put a man in space—after the US and Russia—when PLA Air ForceCol Yang Liwei piloted the one-man Shenzhou-5 space mission in 2003. And in September2008, the Shenzhou-7 mission, piloted bythree astronauts, saw China carrying out itsfirst space walk. China is also making stridesin lunar exploration, aiming to become thesecond country to put a man on the moon. Itlaunched its second lunar probe on October1, and hopes to bring a moon rock sample

back to Earth in 2017, and has planned amanned mission to the moon for around 2020.

Next year will see the launch of the TG-1TianGong-1 space module. TiangGong-1 isexpected to accomplish the country’s firstspace docking and is regarded as an essentialstep toward building a space station. Weighingabout 8.5 tonnes, TianGong-1 will be able toperform long-term unattended operations,which will be an essential step toward buildinga manned space station. The unmannedShenzhou-8 spacecraft will achieve China’s firstspace docking. The docking manoeuvres aregoing to be controlled from the ground.Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10, the two otherspaceships to dock with Tiangong-1, wouldcarry a crew of two or three. TG-1 TianGong-1 is going to be launched by a modified CZ-2FChang Zheng-2F launch vehicle, sometimesreferred to as CZ-2F/G Chang Zheng-2F/G,sporting 170 technological modifications,including 38 major refinements. China is alsoadvancing on the development of the CZ-5Chang Zheng-5 series of satellite launchvehicles with the building of a launch vehicleproduction base in the northern municipalityof Tianjin. This development has a total

Airshow China 2010:A Mighty Spectacle By: Prasun K.Sengupta

T

ENGLISH NOV 10 edit.pmd 12/16/2010, 11:04 AM70

71NOVEMBER 2010 TEMPURAliran Informasi Pertahanan

investment of Yuan10 billion and covers anarea of more than 1 million square metres.The base will be capable of producing 12launch vehicles a year, and after the first phaseof construction is completed in 2011, the basewill be able to produce two launch vehicles.Earlier reports point to the first launch of theCZ-5, with a maximum payload capacity of upto 25 tonnes, in 2014.

Combat Aircraft UpdatesOne of the most significant revelations

coming out of the exhibition was officialconfirmation of the existence of two parallel R& D programmes aimed at fielding a fourth-generation M-MRCA—the Jian J-14—by2014, and the fifth-generation Jian J-20 airdominance combat aircraft by 2018. Boththese new-generation combat aircraft arebeing developed by the PLA Air Force’s Nos601 and 611 Institute, with Chengdu AircraftCorp’s Plant No132 (CAC) acting as the primeindustrial contractor. The J-14 will be twin-engined version of the existing single-enginedJian J-10A (140 of which are presentlyoperational), and will feature enlarged wingsand a twin vertical tail structure. Powerplantfor the J-14 will be two WS-10G turbofans(each rated at 147kN maximum thrust)developed by the Liming AeroengineManufacturing Corp (LAMC). The J-20, onthe other hand, will be powered by twinuprated WS-10Gs, each of which will offer amaximum thrust of 155kN. It was onNovember 9 that the PLA Air Force’s DeputyCommander, Gen He Weirong, confirmed theexistence of both the J-14 and J-20 by sayingthat the former will soon be rolled out, whilethe latter will begin entering service by 2018.The J-20’s design will be characterised by three‘S’ capabilities: stealth, super cruise, supermanoeuvrability and short take-off. Gen Healso confirmed that flight-tests of the J-10BM-MRCA (also known as FC-20) will ‘soon’enter series-production and it too will bepowered by a WS-10A turbofan. Pakistan willbe the first export customer for this M-MRCA,having ordered 36 of them on November 10,2009 under a $1.4 million contract. In anotherdevelopment, the PLAAF has alreadycompleted flight-tests of a J-11B (licence-builtSu-27SKM) powered by twin WS-10Aturbofans (each rated at 132kN) and equippedwith an indigenously designed glass cockpit.The WS-10 family of turbofans has beendeveloped under the ‘Taihang’ project by thePLAAF’s 606 and 624 Institutes. The WS-10Ahas a maximum thrust rating of 13,200kgand a 7.5:1 thrust-to-weight ratio. It is a 12-stage low-bypass ratio engine. During theengine family R & D process, China reportedly

achieved some 300 breakthroughs in aviationtechnologies and materials, such as transonicturbine, air-film cooling blade, integrated fanrotor by electron beam-welding, squeeze-filmdamper, metal-brush seal, high-energy igniter,variable camber inlet guide-vanes, andconvergent-divergent nozzle. The combinedcooling blade of the turbines use hi-techmaterials like single-crystal nickel-basedturbine blades, and directionally solidifiedeutectic super-alloys. All members of the WS-10 family are equipped with FADEC fuel-flowcontrol systems. Presently, an asymmetricthrust vector control (TVC) nozzle isundergoing testing. In addition to the WS-10A/G, there are two more types of turbofansbeing developed by China. LAMC and theGuizhou Aircraft Industry Corp (GAIC) haveco-developed the WS-13 Taishan turbofan,which is designed to power the JF-27 Thunder/FC-1 Xiaolong MRCA, thereby replacing theexisting Klimov RD-93 engine. Designed tohave a total technical service life of 2,200 hours,it is currently rated at 86kN, but this will beincreased to 100kN over the next five years.One JF-17 prototype has been flight-testingthe WS-13 since last March. Yet anotherturobfan under development is the WS-15,also designed by 606 Institute, which is

projected to have a thrust rating of 180kNwith afterburner.

At Zhuhai, officials from both CATIC andCETC confirmed that the PLA Air Force hasselected the twin-engined tandem-seatJH-7A‘Flying Leopard’ to perform an electronic attack(EA) role similar to Boeing’s EA-18G Growler.The JH-7A can carry a 6.5-tonne payload,and has a long ferry range of 3,650km. Thusfar, only one JH-7A from the PLA Air Force’s28th Air Attack Division has been shownequipped with twin underwing broadbandjammers. Meanwhile, Chief Designer of theJH-7A, all problems pertaining to WS-9 Qinlingturbofan (a reverse-engineered Rolls-RoyceSpey Mk202), have now been resolved. At thesame time, efforts have been underway since1998 to develop the WS-15 Qinling-2 turbofan,which is similar in technology and performanceto Snecma Moteurs’ M53P2 turbofan. Initialbench-tests of this turbofan in October 2008were reportedly successful.

New DesignsIn addition to combat aircraft, China’s vast

aviation R & D establishments have alsodeveloped advanced flying training aircraft, andare now focusing on fielding a new generationof strategic airlifters, aerial refuelling tankers,

Jian J-20 Gen 5MRCA

Jian J-14M-MRCA



tactical transport aircraft, and force multiplierslike AEW & C platforms. Shown at Zhuhai for thefirst time was the L-7 basic trainer, whose designis derived from, the Russian Yak-152K. Thetandem-seat L-7, developed by HongduIndustrial Aviation Group (HIAG), comesequipped with conventional flightinstrumentation and is powered by a M-14Xpiston engine. It has a maximum takeoff weightof 1,290kg, maximum level speed 335kph,maximum climb rate of 11 metres/second, g-load sustenance of +9g/-7g, service ceiling of6,500 metres, and a maximum range of1,000km. For lead-in fighter training (LIFT), HIAGalong with Russia’s Yakovlev OKB, has developedthe tandem-seat, twin-engined L-15 Falcon,which features twin glass cockpits, HOTAScontrols, and a three-axis quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system. The L-15 is being

offered with a choice of two Ukrainianpowerplants: the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 turbofan, and the AI-222K-25F withafterburner for supersonic flight capability. TheL-15 has a maximum takeoff weight of9,500kg, maximum speed of Mach 1.4,maximum climb rate of 150 metres/second,load sustenance of +8g/-3g, service ceiling of16,000 metres, loitering time of two hours,and a structural airframe life of 10,000 flighthours.

For aerial refuelling, AVIC Defense hasdeveloped the H-6U, some 10 of which areassigned to the PLAAF’s 8th Air Division (orpossibly the 48th) at Leiyang air base in theGuangzhou Military Region. The H-6U has twounderwing pods developed by the ChinaResearch Institute of Aero Accessories, andalso a TACAN system that provides ‘mutual

detection’ (azimuth and range information)between the tanker and receiver within 200kmand is intended to facilitate en routerendezvous. It is believed that all H-6U pilotslog in only 80 flying hours a year, which allowfor one three-hour training sortie every twoweeks. A typical operational sortie would havetwelve J-10As supported by two H-6Us onthree combat air patrol (CAP) orbits (one flightof four aircraft per CAP) at 1,200km.Approaching a pre-computed rendezvouspoint (around 800km) the J-10A would refuel.This would allow enough go-home fuel forrecovery in case any of the J-10As hasproblems with the aerial refuelling process.Approaching the CAP orbit the J-10As wouldtop off and the H-6Us would return back totheir respective air bases. More H-6Us couldthen be dispatched to maintain the CAP aslong as necessary. A 1,500km-long sortiecould be planned similarly, but with the ratioof H-6Us to J-20As being adjusted to one-to-four. Other force-multipliers developedindigenously by AVIC Defense are the KongjingKJ-2000 and KJ-200 AEW & C platforms.Presently, Wuxi airport in Zhejiang provincehouses the four KJ-2000s and four KJ-200sof the 76th EW Regiment of the PLAAF’s 26th

Specialised Air Division. Incidentally, it was thisRegiment that served as the airbornecommand-and-control post during the May2008 Sichuan Earthquake, with the 77th

Reconnaissance Regiment providing aerialphotos and other mapping needs to therescuers, and the 78th SAR Regiment providedthe medium-lift helicopters for the rescueeffort. Both the KJ-2000 and KJ-200 makeuse of an active electronically-steered antennaarray for performing early warning andairborne battle management functions. BothIndonesia and Venezuela have evinced keeninterest in procuring the KJ-200.

For strategic airlift, AVIC Defense has joinedforces with Ukraine to co-develop the 200-tonne Y-20, which is likely to be powered byfour D30KP-3 or PS-90A turbofans of Russianorigin. China recently imported 240 D30KP-2

(Top left) and (below) cockpitmockup of Jian J-20 MRCA

L-15 Falcon LIFT



engines from Russia to power several new-build H-6K bombers. For tactical airliftpurposes, the Yun Shuji Y-9 airlifter, has beenunder development since 2001. It can carry a20-tonne payload or 100 paratroopers, isequipped with a glass cockpit and a built-inro-ro ramp for quick offloads/airdrops. It hasa maximum range of 3,000km, allowing it toreach most of China from Wuhan—the centralcity in China and also home to the 15th AirborneArmy. A modified version of the Y-9 serves asthe platform for the KJ-200 AEW & C system.For amphibious transportation, Zhuhai-basedAVIC General Aircraft Co will develop the Dragon600 amphibian to replace the older SH-5. Itwill be used for tasks such as emergencyrescue, fighting forest fires, and undertakingsea patrols during SAR missions. Thedomestic market for this amphibian is estimatedat 60 over the next 15 years. The researchand design stage for the Dragon 600 wouldlast for four years, with commercial productionbeginning by 2015.

UAV ProliferationAccording the PLA daily article, all MALE

and HALE UAVs are considered strategic assetsand placed under the direct command of the2nd Department the Central MilitaryCommission’s General Staff Department. Thusfar, 52 new UAVs developed by 70 state-ownedR & D institutions have emerged, and of these25 were showcased at Zhuhai this time. ThreeChinese companies—ASN Technology Group,China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp(CASIC), China Aerospace Science andTechnology Corp (CASC) and AVIC Defense—accounted for most of the UAVs and UCAVsthat were on display. Presently, ASN

Technology is China’s largest UAVmanufacturer, with a history of developingUAVs and target drones since 1958. Thecompany works closely with the NorthwesternPolytechnical University’s UAV Institute. Thistime, ASN showed off 10 different UAVs,including the new ASN-211 flapping wing UAV,which simulates a bird in flight. The prototypeon display has a takeoff weight of only 220grams, maximum speed of 10 metres asecond, and an altitude envelope ranging from20 metres to 200 metres. The largest UAV ondisplay by the company was the ASN-229Areconnaissance and precise attack UAV.Equipped with a satellite data link, it canperform aerial reconnaissance, battlefieldsurveys, target location and artillery fireadjustment by day or night. Its takeoff weightis 800kg, cruising speed is 180kph, and hasan endurance of 20 hours. The ASN-209 is amedium-altitude and medium-endurance

(MAME) multi-role UAV with avionics thatinclude a direct line-of-sight (LOS) data linkfor airborne data relay used for beyond LOSmissions. It can be fitted with either a syntheticaperture radar, or an optronic payload. TheASN-209 has a 200km range, 180kphmaximum speed, 50kg payload capacity, anda 5,000-metre operational service ceiling. It iaemployed for ground moving target indication(GMTI), ELINT, electronic warfare, groundtarget designation, and communications relay.

CASC displayed the CH-3 multi-purposemedium-range UAV system suitable forbattlefield reconnaissance, artillery fireadjustment, data relay and electronic warfare.The CH-3 has also been modified as an attackplatform carrying small precision-guided AR-1 missiles. CASIC showed off its jet-poweredWJ-660 that can a variety of payloads,including weapons, synthetic aperture radar,electronic warfare suite and data relay systems.

AC-301 LUH

PAF's JF-17 Thunder



Air-to-ground weapons shown arming the WJ-600 includes the KD-2 anti-armour missile,and the TB-I and ZD-1 GPS-guided smalldiameter bombs. Yet another company, calledZhuhai XY Aviation, exhibited two newreconnaissance platforms—the 200kg BlueArrow (UR-J1-001) and 40kg Sky Eyes (UR-C2-008). Presently, three prototypes of theBlue Arrow are being test-flown and their theprop-driven engines came from an unidentifiedGerman company.

Zhuhai Yintong Energy was promoting itshigh-power lithium ion battery-powered electricmini-UAV, which measures 1.56 metres inlength and weighs 5.5kg empty. Maximumpayload is 5kg. The optional camera ismounted with a tri-axial servo allowing panningand tilting. No emissions provide the additionalbenefit of no gases to distort images. Otheradvantages over fuel-powered UAVs includeless vibration (for better photos), bettercontrol, shorter calibration and adjustmenttime prior to flight, quieter operation, and loweruse and maintenance costs. A 3.5kWbrushless motor powered by a 1.3kg batteryaffords maximum speed of 100kph. Maximumflight time is 30 minutes. The Weifan FreeskyAviation Industry Co displayed its V750 VTOL-UAV, which was developed by the QingdaoHaili Helicopter Manufacturing Co. The V750has a 4-hour endurance, a 3,000-metreservice ceiling, maximum takeoff weight of757kg, and a 80kg mission payload. Muchsmaller than the V750 is the ServoHeli 120,with a maximum takeoff weight of 40kg,maximum airspeed of 120kph. and the abilityto stay aloft 1.5 hours. AVIC Defense is workingon a ducted-fan system, called the Whirlwind-Scout, which is supposed to remain airbornefor 40 minutes and follow a flight-path of upto 100 waypoints. The 8kg gross takeoff weightvehicle has an altitude ceiling of 3,000 metres.Cruise speed is 60 kph, and maximum speedis 90kph. The UAV is GPS-/INS-guided, and,in addition to the air vehicle, comprises aground control station, simulator, and twosupport equipment containers. The groundstation can store up to 240 images. With anoise of around 60dBA, the Whirlwind Scoutcannot be audibly detected by its target at astandoff range of 125 metres. The detectionrange for a human is 560 metres, withidentification possible at 70 metres. Targetlocation error is a mere 40mm.Another eye-catching product from AVICDefense was the Pterodactyl-1 medium-extended long-endurance UCAV, which hasbeen developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design& Research Institute, and has undergone aseries of flight trials, including weaponslaunches. The Pterodactyl-1’s total payload

Indigenous UAVsand UCAVs



capacity is 200kg, of which the FLIR turret oreven a synthetic aperture radar weighs about100kg, leaving 50kg of weapons to be carriedunder each wing. The UCAV is 9.05 metreslong and 2.77 metres high, with a 14-metrewingspan. Maximum takeoff weight is 1,100kg,maximum endurance is 20 hours, maximumoperating altitude is 5,000 metres, maximumrange is 4,000km, and maximum cruise speedis 280kph.

New Helicopter DesignsTo meet the domestic heavylift helicopter

requirements, Avicopter Corp Ltd, a jointventure between AVIC and the Tianjin municipalgovernment, has teamed up with RussianHelicopters JSC (Oboronprom) to co-developa 20-tonne helicopter. The joint ventureagreement was inked by Beijing and Moscowon October 13, 2009. Equipped with a two-man glass cockpit, this new helicopter will beemployed by both the PLA as well as civiliandisaster relief agencies. At the same time,Avicopter continues to further developEurocopter’s SA-321Ja Super Frelon, whosedesign rights were acquired by China’sChanghe Aircraft Industrial Corp (CHAIC) inthe early 1980s. The latest production versionof this helicopter is called the Z-9KA, whichfeatures a glass cockpit, belly-mounted FLIRpod, nose-mounted search radar, and a chin-mounted searchlight. Its civilian version,dubbed the AC-313, was unveilled at Zhuhai.In a related development, the Lantian HelicopterCompany, based in Sichuan province, hasbegun licence-assembling Mi-171 medium-lift helicopters built by Russia’s Ulan-UdeAviation Plant. The first 20 such Mi-171s arecurrently operational with the 2nd HelicopterRegiment of the PLA’s 13th Group Army in theChengdu Military Region. Eventually, about 80Mi-171s are expected to be licence-assembledin China every year. Meanwhile, Avicopter CorpLtd revealed its plans in Zhuhai for developingthe two-tonne, six-seat AC-311 light utilityhelicopter, which can be used for flight training,policing, communications command, aerialphotography, medical aid, power-line patrol,forest fire prevention, and pest control. TheAC-311 comes equipped with a singleturboshaft engine, durable and flexiblecomposite rotor system, and a highlyintegrated avionics suite. The helicopter isexpected to obtain a type certificate from China’scivil aviation authorities in October 2011, andgo on the market in 2012. Another light single-engined helicopter that is currently beingseries-produced is the Z-11 from ChangheAircraft Industries of Jingdezhen. The Z-11now comes powered by a Honeywell-builtLTS101-700D-2 engine, which offers 7 per

cent more takeoff power, up to 10 per centlower specific fuel consumption, and greaterthan 30 per cent lower operating costs.

One product that was widely expected to beunveilled this time, but was not, is the 5.54-tonne Zhi-10 dedicated attack helicopter,developed by the Changhe Aircraft IndustriesGroup (CAIG) and China Helicopter Researchand Development Institute (CHRDI), bothbased in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province. Twoflight-test prototypes were built in 2003 andsix more in 2004. The first flight of PrototypeNo2 took place on April 29, 2003. Two more

Zhi-10 prototypes powered by PT6C-76Cengines were evaluated by the PLA Army by2007. Originally designed by the 602nd

Research Institute, 608th Research Institute,and the 613th Research Institute since the mid-1990s, the 5.5-tonne Zhi-10 makes use ofthe indigenous GJV289A databus, and isequipped with a fly-by-wire flight controlsystem. The powerplant comprises two1,531hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67Cturboshaft engines with FADEC controls andeach rated at 1,531hp (1,142kw). Theseengines will be replaced in future by an

W-10 (above) and ZW-19(below) attack mhelicopters



indigenously developed turboshaft design,called Wo Zhou 9. The auxiliary power unit ofWZ-10 is centered on a brand new brushlessDC electric motor designed by HuafengAvionics Co, a subsidiary of GAIC. The Zhi-10’s weapons package may consist of up toeight KD-10 or HJ-8A anti-armour guided-missiles (ATGM) in box launchers under thestub wings, and a 30mm cannon mountedunder the chin, aimed via a gunner’s helmetmounted sight. Furthermore, TY-90 AAMs canbe carried for use against hostile helicoptersand slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. The Zhi-10’s integrated electronic warfare (EW) suite—called YH-96—is the first Chinese EW systemthat integrates the millimeter-wave fire-control

radar warning receivers, laser warningreceivers, and electronic countermeasuressuite together. A large nose turret, developedby the 218th Factory of China North IndustriesGroup Corp’s Opticals Science & TechnologyLtd subsidiary, houses the FLIR, TV camera,laser rangefinder and target designator. Thepilots’ helmet-mounted sight was developedby the 613th Research Institute, while the69.5kg millimeter-wave target acquisition radarhas been built by China Northern ElectronicCo, a subsidiary of NORINCO. Twin missileapproach warning system (MAWS) sensorsare installed on both sides of the fuselagebehind the nose turret. The Zhi-10 is alsofitted with an integrated communication/

navigation system.Yet another homegrown attack helicopter,

albeit lighter than the Zhi-10, is the Zhi-19,which is being developed by AVIC Defense forthe global export market. Both the Zhi-10 andZhi-19 feature a narrow forward fuselage withtandem compact layouts. However, the Zhi-19’s aft fuselage sports a fenestron-type tailrotor section. The maiden flight of the firstZhi-19 took place last May. However, despitethe availability of various home-grownsolutions, the PLA Navy continues to importshipborne helicopters from Russia, where theKumertau Aviation Production Enterprise atBashkortostan is presently building nineKamov Ka-28PL ASW helicopters and nine Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters.

New-generation weapon systems

BP-12A and SY-400 (top)

NLOS missiles

LS and LT PGMfamily (below)

Guided anti-ship cruisemissiles



showcased at Zhuhai this time included theSY-400 and BP-12A non-line-of-sight (NLOS)battlefield support missiles from the ChinaAerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC),and the infra-red-guided QW-19 MANPADS.The land-mobile SY-400 and BP-12A NLOSmissiles can conduct precision attacks out toa distance of 90km, while the QW-19 canengage aerial targets at altitudes between 10metres and 4km with a slant-range of 6km(500 metres more than the QW-18), accordingto China National Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp. (CPMIEC). The QW-19’s missileround comes equipped with a laser-proximityfuze to improve lethality, particularly againstsmaller targets such as UAVs and cruisemissiles. The frontal control-fin configurationalso has changed. The QW-19 features fourfins compared to two on the QW-18. CPMIECalso unveilled the FL-9/QW-18L, a largerdiameter, longer range laser-guided surface-to-air missile system, and the motorized FL-2000 VSHORADS. The engagement altituderanges from zero to km, with a slant range of8km. The FL-9/QW-18Ls are semi-active laserguided missiles. Also showcased for nthe firsttime was the WMD-7 TV/laser targeting-cum-designation pod, developed by the LuoyangElectro-Optical Technology DevelopmentCentre.

Space ProwessZhuhai also showcased several types of

satellites that have been developed anddeployed by China for both commercial andmilitary applications. One such satellitedisplayed was the Shen Tong-1 militarycommunications satellite, the second of whichwas launched via a CZ-3A Chang Zheng-3Alaunch vehicle on November 19, 2010providing secured voice/data communicationsservices for PLA ground forces in Ku-band.Receiving the designation ZX-20AZhongZhing-20A, the satellite was launchedfrom the Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centre, inSichuan Province at 9am local time. The firstShen Tong strategic communications satellitewas launched on November 14, 2003 by aCZ-3A Chang Zheng-3A launch vehicle fromXi Chang. Shen Tong satellites are based onthe Dong Fang Hong 3 (DFH-3) satellite busdeveloped by the China Academy of SpaceTechnology, and have a heavier payload,increased power supply, better reliability (beingthree-axis stabilised satellite), and weighs in at2,300kg. The spacecraft features a numberof new technologies, providing Ku-bandcommunications and utilising the advancedmultiple steerable spot-beam antennatechnology to enable ground users tocommunicate whilst on the move. These

satellites are the first to use secured up-linktransmission for satellite antenna control, andhave the most powerful on-board dataprocessing capability. China used a CZ-3AChang Zheng-3A launch vehicle for the missionto carry the bird into its transfer orbit. The CZ-3A is a large-scale three-stage liquid launchvehicle, which has inherited the maturetechnology of the CZ-3 Chang Zheng-3. Anupgraded liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygencryogenic third stage has been developed toenable the CZ-3A to possess greatergeostationary transfer orbit (GTO) capability.The CZ-3A is equipped with a more flexibleand sophisticated control system whichsupports substantial attitude adjustments toorient the payloads before spacecraftseparation and provides adjustable satellitespin-up rotation rate. It has since paved theway for the development of the CZ-3B ChangZheng-3B and CZ-3C Chang Zheng-3Crockets. The CZ-3A is mainly used for GTOmissions and can also be used for LEO, SSOand polar orbit missions, as well as dual-launch and multiple-launch missions. Thelaunch capacity of the CZ-3A to GTO is2,650kg, the liftoff mass is 241,000kg, the

overall length is 52.5 metres, the diameter offirst stage and second stage is 3.35 metres,the diameter of third stage is 3.0 metres, andthe maximum fairing diameter is 3.35 metres.The first stage and second stage of the CZ-3Aemploy storable propellants, i.e.unsymmetrical dimethy1 hydrazine (UDMH)and nitrogen tetroxide (N204), and the thirdstage uses cryogenic propellants, i.e. liquidhydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX). Onthe first stage the CZ-3A uses a DaFY6-2engine with a 2961.6kN thrust, while thesecond stage is equipped with a DaFY20-1main engine (742kN) and four DaFY21-1vernier engines (11.8kN each). The third stageis equipped with two YF-75 engines (78.5kNeach). The fairing diameter of the CZ-3A is3.35 metres and has a length of 8.89 metres.The CZ-3A comprises rocket structure,propulsion system, control system, telemetrysystem, tracking and safely system, coastphase propellant management and attitudecontrol system, cryogenic propellant utilisationsystem, separation system and auxiliarysystem. The launch success rate of the CZ-3Acontinues to be 100 per cent since its maiden

AC-313 (above) and new heavylift helicopter design



flight on February 8, 1994 when it successfullylaunched two experimental satellites. And itwas awarded the “Gold Launch Vehicle” titleby China Aerospace Science and TechnologyCorporation in June 2007. China used a CZ-3A to successfully launch the Chang’e-1 lunarsatellite on October 24, 2007, which indicatedthat has taken a substantial step towards lunarexploration. This was the 136th successfulChinese orbital launch, the 135th launch of aChang Zheng launch vehicle, the 58th

successful orbital launch from the Xi ChangSatellite Launch Centre, the seventh successfulorbital launch from the Xi Chang in 2010, andthe 14th successful orbital launch from Chinain 2010. The Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centreis situated in the Sichuan Province, south-western China and is the country’s launch sitefor geosynchronous orbital launches.Equipped with two launch pads (LC2 and LC3),the centre has a dedicated railway and highwaylead directly to the launch site. The Commandand Control Centre is located 7km south-westof the launch pad, providing flight and safetycontrol during launch rehearsal and launch.Other facilities on the Xi Chang Satellite LaunchCentre are the Launch Control Centre,propellant fuelling systems, communicationssystems for launch command, telephone anddata communications for users, and supportequipment for meteorological monitoring andforecasting. The first launch from Xi Changtook place on January 29, 1984, when theCZ-3 Chang Zheng-3 (CZ3-1) was launchedthe Shiyan Weixing (14670 1984-008A)communications satellite into orbit. The launchof the new BeiDou-2 GPS navigation satellitewas the 52nd successful orbital launch from XiChang. Until the end of the year is expectedthat China will launch a new satellite for theBeiDou-2 navigation network. The launch is

expected at the end of December.China’s ninth orbital launch of the year, using

a Long March 2D rocket, was the Weixing-11remote-sensing satellite. The launch took placeat 2:42am last September, lifting off from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. As was thecase with previous launches of the YaoGan/Weixing series, it is believed that this class of

satellites is being used for militaryreconnaissance purposes. The satellite wasdeveloped by the Shanghai AerospaceTechnical Institute of the China AerospaceScience and Technology Corp. The previoussatellite in the series, YaoGan Weixing-10, waslaunched August 9, 2010 from the TaiyuanSatellite Launch Centre via a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C (Long March 4C) rocket. The‘YaoGan Weixing’ designation appears to beused in a similar fashion to that of the oldSoviet ‘Cosmos’ designation, hiding the truemission of the satellites launched into orbit.The first YaoGan Weixing satellite (290922006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C (CZ4C-1) from the Taiyuan SatelliteLaunch Centre on April 27, 2006. At the timethe details about this satellite were closelyguarded, but later it was noted that it was thefirst Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped with thefirst space-based synthetic aperture radar(SAR). The YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007-019A) was launched on 25 May, 2007, by aCZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (CZ2D-8) from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Details werealso restricted, though it is claimed that thisspacecraft is a military observation satelliteusing an optronic payload, complementing

PAF JF-17's weapons

WMD-7 laser designator pod



the results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. AnotherSAR mission was launched on November 12,2007 with the YaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-055A) satellite orbited by a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C (CZ4C-2) launch vehicle fromTaiyuan. Other SAR satellite missions are listedas the YaoGan Weixing-6 (34839 2009-021A),launched by a CZ-2C Chang Zheng-2C-III fromTaiyuan on April 22, 2009; and the YaoGanWeixing-8 (36121 2009-072A), launched onDecember 15, 2009, by a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C also from Taiyuan. On December1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4 (33446 2008-061A)—the second satellite (with an optronicpayload) of the series—was launched by aCZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D from Jiuquan, andon December 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5(33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (CZ4B-12) from theTaiyuan Satellite Launch Centre. It is nowbelieved that this satellite was the fourthoptronic payload-equipped bird on the series,as well as the YaoGan Wexing-7 (36110 2009-069A) launch on December 9, 2009 fromJiuquan by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D. TheYaoGan Weixing-9 mission, launched March5, 2010 from the Jiuquan Satellite LaunchCentre, had an architecture that was differentfrom the previous missions on the series.Launched by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C launchvehicle from Jiuquan, the mission put not onebut a triplet of satellites in Earth orbit. Flying information, these three satellites form whatlooks like a type of NOSS system. YaoGanWeixing-11 was launched by a CZ-2D ChangZheng-2D launch vehicle. This is a two-stagelaunch vehicle developed by the ShanghaiAcademy of Spaceflight Technology. Withstorable propellants, it is mainly used to launcha variety of low-earth orbit satellites. The CZ-2D can launch a 3,500kg satellite in a 200kmcircular orbit. Its first stage is the same of theCZ-4 Chang Zheng-4. The second stage isbased on the CZ-4’s second stage with animproved equipment bay. The first launch ofthe CZ-2D was on August 9, 1992 from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Centre orbiting theFanhui Shei Weixing FSW-2-1 (22072 1992-051A) recoverable satellite. This launch wasthe 131st Chinese orbital launch, the 46th orbitallaunch from the Jiuquan Satellite LaunchCentre, and the fourth orbital launch fromJiuquan this year. This was also the 13th use ofa CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D launch vehicle. Alsoknown as the Shuang Cheng Tze launchcentre, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, inEjin-Banner, a county in Alashan League ofthe Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, wasthe first Chinese satellite launch centre. Thesite includes a Technical Centre, two LaunchComplexes, Mission Command and Control

Centre, Launch Control Centre, propellantfuelling systems, tracking and communicationsystems, gas supply systems, weather forecastsystems, and logistic support systems.Jiuquan was originally used to launch scientificand recoverable satellites into medium- or low-earth orbits at high inclinations. It is also theplace from where all the Chinese mannedmissions are launched. Presently, only the LA4launch complex (with two launch pads— SLS-1 and SLS-2) is in use. The first orbital launchtook place on April 24, 1970 when the CZ-1Chang Zheng-1 (CZ1-1) rocket launched thefirst Chinese satellite, the Dong Fang Hong-1(04382 1970-034A).

China on October 31, 2010 launched thesixth GPS navigation satellite via the LongMarch 3C (Chang Zheng-3C) launch vehicle,carrying the BeiDou-2 Compass-G4 satellite,a full-scale mockup of which was on display atZhuhai. The launch of took place from the XiChang Satellite Launch Centre in SichuanProvince at 4:26pm on October 31. China’sconstellation of satellites for the navigationsystem will eventually consist of 35 vehicles,including 27 MEO satellites, five GSO satellitesand three IGSO birds. The satellites willtransmit signals on: 1195.14-1219.14MHz,1256.52-1280.52MHz, 1559.05-1563.15MHz and 1587.69-1591.79MHzcarrier frequencies. The BeiDou-2 was

developed in the basis of the DFH-3 satelliteplatform and is expected to have a lifespan ofeight years. The Compass Navigation SatelliteSystem (CNSS) is China’s second-generationsatellite navigation system capable of providingcontinuous, real-time passive 3-D geo-spatialpositioning and speed measurement. Thesystem will be initially used to provide high-accuracy positioning services for users inChina and its neighbouring regions, coveringan area of about 120 degrees longitude in theNorthern Hemisphere. The long-term goal isto develop a global navigation satellite networksimilar to the GPS and GLONASS. Like the USNAVSTAR and Russian GLONASScounterparts, CNSS will have two levels ofservice, ranging from a civilian service whichwill allow for an accuracy of 10 metres in theuser position, 0.2 metres/second on the uservelocity and 50 nanoseconds in time accuracy;and the military and authorised users service,providing higher accuracies. The first phaseof the project will involve coverage of theChinese territory, with the second phasecovering the entire globe. Previous BeiDousatellites for the second-generation satellitenavigation system were launched on April 13,2007 ‘Compass-M12†(31115 2007-011A);April 14, 2009 ‘Compass-G2’ (34779 2009-018A); January 16, 2010 ‘Compass-G1’(36287 2010-001A); June 2 ‘Compass-G3’

Beidou GPSnavigation satelliteconstellation



(36590 2010-024A) and July 31, ‘Compass-I1’ (36828 2010-036A). The Xi Chang SatelliteLaunch Centre is situated in the SichuanProvince, south-western China and is thecountry’s launch site for geo-synchronousorbital launches. Equipped with two launchpads (LC2 and LC3), the centre has adedicated railway and highway lead directly tothe launch site. The Command and ControlCentre is located 7km south-west of the launchpad, providing flight and safety control duringlaunch rehearsal and launch. Down-rangeTracking and Control stations of the launchcentre are located in Xi Chang City and YibinCity of Sichuan Province, and Guiyang City ofGuizhou Province. Each of them housestracking and measurement equipment for thepowered phase of a launch vehicle flight. Otherfacilities on the Xi Chang Satellite Launch Centreare the Launch Control Centre, propellantfuelling systems, communications systems forlaunch command, telephone and datacommunications for users, and supportequipment for meteorological monitoring andforecasting. During 1993-1994, Xi Changunderwent extensive modernisation andexpansion, in part due to the requirements ofthe CZ-3 launcher family and in part to meetcommercial customer needs. The first launchfrom Xi Chang took place at 12:25pm onJanuary 29, 1984, when the CZ-3 ChangZheng-3 (CZ3-1) was launched the ShiyanWeixing (14670 1984-008A) communicationssatellite into orbit.

Earlier, China successfully launched theMapping Satellite-1 from the northwesternJiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at 3:10pm(Beijing time) on August 24. Thesatellite, which was launched ona Long March 2-D carrierrocket, was developed by acompany under the ChinaAerospace Science andTechnology Corp (CASC), andit is being mainly used toconduct scientific experiments,carry out surveys on landresources, and mapping.Earlier, on August 9 launcheda new remote-sensing satellite,the sixth Chinese satellitelaunch this year. YaoGanWeixing-10 was launched via aCZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (LongMarch) launch vehicle at6:49am local time on August10 from the Taiyuan SatelliteLaunch Centre. The previoussatellite in the series, YaoGanWeixing-9, was launchedMarch 5, 2010 from the

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre by a CZ-4CChang Zheng-4C launch vehicle, the samelaunch vehicle used to launch the YG-10. Thefirst YaoGan Weixing satellite (29092 2006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C (CZ4C-1) from the Taiyuan SatelliteLaunch Centre on April 27, 2006. At the timethe details about that satellite were closelyguarded. Only later did it emerge that it wasthe first Jian Bing-5 satellite, equipped withthe first space-based SAR antenna. Next upwas the YaoGan Weixing-2 (31490 2007-019A), launched on 25 May, 2007, by a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (CZ2D-8) from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Details werealso restricted, though it is claimed that theoptronic payload-equipped spacecraft was amilitary observation satellite, complementingthe results of the YaoGan Weixing-1. This wasfollowed on November 12, 2007 by the theYaoGan Weixing-3 (32289 2007-055A)satellite that was launched by a CZ-4C ChangZheng-4C (CZ4C-2) launch vehicle fromTaiyuan. This satellite was noted as the secondJian Bing-3 SAR antenna-equipped satellite.On December 1, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-4(33446 2008-061A)—the second surveillancesatellite on the series equipped with anoptronic payload— was launched by a CZ-2DChang Zheng-2D from Jiuquan, and onDecember 15, 2008, YaoGan Weixing-5(33456 2008-064A) was launched by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B (CZ4B-12) from theTaiyuan Satellite Launch Centre—believed tobe the fourth SAR antenna-equipped bird onthe series. Finally, YaoGan Weixing-6 (348392009-021A) was launched by a CZ-2C Chang

Zheng-2C-III from Taiyuan on April 22 thisyear—the fifth SAR antenna-equipped satellite.YaoGan Weixing-10 was launched by a CZ-4CChang Zheng-4C launch vehicle that is anoptimised version of the CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B by using an upper stage with restartcapability and a new inter-stage adapterbetween the first and second stages.

China launched its fifth satellite as part of itsGPS satellite navigation system, with BeiDou-2 IGSO-1 being placed into orbit via the CZ-3AChang Zheng-3A (CZ3A-17/Y16) launchvehicle. Launch from the Xi Chang SatelliteLaunch Centre occured at 5:30am local timeon August 1, 2010. The satellite that waslaunched is the first BeiDou-2 IGSO (InclinedGSO) satellite of the system. This constellationof satellites will eventually comprise 35 vehicles,including 27 MEO satellites, five GSO satellitesand three IGSO satellites. The satellites willtransmit signals on the following carrierfrequencies: 1195.14-1219.14MHz, 1256.52-1280.52MHz, 1559.05-1563.15MHz and1587.69-1591.79MHz, notably overlaying theGalileo PRS band and the GPS M-code.According to InternationalTelecommunications Union (ITU) regulations,the frequencies have to be used within a certaintime-frame. The priority for using thefrequencies is given in order of reception ofthe requests at ITU, made seven years inadvance.

Export SuccessesSince the late 1980s, China has made

concerted efforts to export a wide variety ofaviation and aerospace products to countries

PL-%E and PL-9C air combatmissiles



in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.Consequently today, countries like Venezuela,Peru, Bolivia, Nigeria have become majorcustomers of China-built aviation products, inaddition to the traditional customers likeMyanmar, Pakistan and Thailand. Venezuela,for example, having already procured 18Karakoram 8 primary jet trainers last year,recently placed a follow-on $82 million orderfor an additional 18 K-8s, along with anarmaments package that includes PL-5E aircombat missiles. Venezuela is also interestedin buying 12 Shaanxi Y-8F-600 transportaircraft. Bolivia, which bhad procuredshoulder-launched HN-5 MANPADS fromChina in the early 1990s, placed an order onSeptember 30, 2009 for six K-8s worth $57.8million. Peru on November 13, 2009 orderedan initial five MBT-2000 battle tanks at a costof $4.7 million per tank. In Africa, the NigerianAir Force last April took delivery of the first of12 Chengdu F-7NI combat aircraft, PL-9C aircombat missiles and three FT-7NI operationalconversion trainers that it had ordered fromChina in 2005 at a cost of $252 million.Myanmar’s air force last August beganreceiving the first 12 of 60 K-8s that wereordered in November 2009. Parts of the K-8were transported by cargo ship from Chinaand are now being assembled at the AircraftProduction and Maintenance Base in Meikhtila.K-8 Karakorum jet trainers from Sri Lanka airforce. Earlier in 1998 Yangon had procuredan initial 12 K-8s under a separate deal andthese aircraft are now stationed at Taungooair base in Pegu Division. In addition topurchasing the K-8s, Naypyidaw signed acontract in late 2009 to buy 20 MiG-29SEs

from Russia for $570 million. The MiG-29SEsarrived in knocked-down condition betweenlast July and September and weresubsequently assembled in Meikhtila.Myanmar also took delivery of three MA-60regional commuter turboprops in September2009, while Sri Lanka in March 2009 decidedto buy six Xian MA-60s from the China NationalAero-Technology Import and Export Corp(CATIC), an aviation website reported today.Two of the six MA-60s each with a 56-seatconfiguration arrived in Sri Lanka this year,while the remainder will be delivered in 2011.Of these four MA-60s will be used by the SriLanka Air Force, while the other will be flownby the budget carrier Mihin Lanka.

The tandem-seat K-8’s manufacturer—Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation IndustrialShareholding Co Ltd (Hongdu Aviation)—states that there are 400 JL-8 (the K-8’s PLAdesignation) in service with both the PLAAF’sand PLA Navy’s flight academies, and a total of266 K-8s have been exported to 20 foreignair forces to date. A $345 million deal similarto that struck with Myanmar was concludedwith the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) on December27, 1999. After the first batch of 10 Hongdu-built K8Es was delivered to the EAF, licencedassembly was transferred to Egypt’s ArabOrganisation for Industrialisation (AOI) forassembling an additional 70 K-8Es. The EAFhad in November 2004 ordered an initial 40K-8Es, making the EAF the largest operator ofthe K-8 outside China. Other operators of theK-8 include Pakistan (39 units delivered bylast October, of which 27 are equipped withglass cockpits), Sri Lanka (nine ordered sofar), Zambia (8), Namibia (4), Zimbabwe (12),Ghana (4), and Sudan (12). Barring a few K-8s powered by Honeywell’s TFE731-2Aturbofan, the majority of the exported K-8sare powered by Ukrainian AI-25TLK turbofans.The air forces of Indonesia and Iran too haveexpressed their desire to procure the K-8.

At Zhuhai, the defence attaches fromBangladesh and Zimbabwe said that they werekeenly interested in China-developed militaryproducts, especially the JF-17 Thunder, whichhas been developed to replace early-generation combat aircraft like the MiG-21,Jian-7 and Northrop F-5, especially fordeveloping countries such as Egypt, Ghana,Sri Lanka and Venezuela. In Pakistan,meanwhile, the first two SBP (small batchproduction) aircraft were delivered to the PAFon March 12, 2007 for further flight testingand evaluation. The first production-level JF-17 to be licence-built in Pakistan handed overto the PAF on November 23, 2009. The JF-17is being built by China’s Chengdu AircraftIndustry Corp (CAC) and the Kamra-based Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.Pakistan has stated that it has 150 aircraft onorder, but this may well go up to 275. Themajority of these will be fitted with internal infra-red search-and-track (IRST) sensors,possibly the Type Hongguang-I systemdeveloped by Sichuan Changhong ElectricAppliance Corp.. The Azerbaijani Air Force hasnegotiated with Pakistan for the purchase of26 JF-17s, while Sudan is reported to benegotiating for 12 aircraft. The Zimbabwe AirForce reportedly ordered 12 JF-17s in 2004.All these JF-17s will be armed with the PL-9Cand SD-10A air combat missiles. LuoyangElectro-Optical Technology DevelopmentCenter (LOEC), developer of sensors and fire-control systems for air combat missiles, hasconfirmed that the SD-10A beyond-visual-range air combat missile has a dual-modeterminal seeker that wasa designed with thehelp of Russia’s the AGAT Design Bureau.During the 1990s China also gained access tothe 9B-1032 passive seeker developed byAvtomatika for the Vympel R-27P semi-activeair combat missile A melding of these twodesign inputs might explain how China arrivedat its SD-10A seeker design.

JF-17 ThunderMRCA



Strategic Parity At All CostsBy: Prasun K.Sengupta

lthough its official stance is not to getengaged in tit-for-tat arms race withIndia, Pakistan is nevertheless

determined to not only attain strategic paritywith its eastern neighbour, but also to maintainsuperiority in select areas, such as the arenaof undersea warfare. It is believed thatIslamabad is now negotiating with theShanghai-based China State Shipbuilding &Trading Corp (CSTC) the possible purchaseof up to four double-hulled Improved Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines (SSK)equipped with fuel cell-based air-independentpropulsion (AIP) systems, with each SSKcosting US$230 million. Also on the cards isthe possible lease—for a 10-year period—ofa 5,500-tonne Type 091 Han-class nuclear-

powered attack submarine (SSGN). Both theseprospective deals, along with an expectedpurchase of four new CSTC-built Type 054Jiangkai I-class guided-missile frigates (FFG)were reportedly discussed six months agowhen China’s visiting Vice-President, ZhengDejiang, met high-ranking Pakistani DefenceMinistry and Navy officials in Islamabad onJune 9 and 10.

This development would effectively put anend to the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) three-year-old efforts to procure new-generation SSKsworth $1.2 billion from either France orGermany. It may be recalled that France had inJuly 2006 cleared DCN International to offerthree single-hulled Marlin-class SSKs toPakistan, but matters did not proceed further

as the PN had been insisting that the to-be-acquired SSKs be modified to fire Boeing-builtRGM-84A Harpoon ant-ship cruise missiles(the three existing 1,760-tonne Agosta 90Band two 1,043-tonne Agosta 70 SSKs of thePN are presently configured to fire only theMBDA-built SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile).Subsequently, from 2008 onwards the PNzeroed in on the single-hulled Class 214 SSKbuilt by Germany’s Howaldtswerke-DeutscheWerft (HDW), but the balance tilted in favourof CSTC early this year when Beijing offerednot only the Improved Yuan SSKs, but alsothe Type 091 Han-class SSGN, offers that thePN’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral NomanBasheer and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardarihave since wholeheartedly embraced. However,

Type 091 Han-class SSGN

A



in an effort to mollify the French, a high-levelPN delegation visited France on April 27 tobegin contract negotiations with DCNI

concerning the upgrading of the PN’s twoexisting Agosta 70 SSKs. This contract wasinked last June, and includes the installation

of two SUBTICS combat management systemson the two SSKs.

The Improved Yuan-class SSK, with asubmerged displacement close to 4,000tonnes, bears a close resemblance to theRussian Type 636M SSK, and features hull-retractable foreplanes and hydrodynamicallystreamlined sail. The first such SSK waslaunched at Wuhan Shipyard on September9. The leasing of a single 5,500-tonne Type091 Han-class SSGN is widely seen as a‘matching response’ to the Indian Navy’sleasing of the Project 971A Shchuka-B SSGN—K-152 Nerpa—from Russia. Presently, onlyfour such SSGNs are operational with the PLANavy and are homeported at Qingdao. Eachof them has undergone extensive refits andupgradations over the past decade, and it ismost likely that either the Changzheng 3 (403)or Changzheng 4 (404) will be the one destinedfor Pakistan. Both these SSGNs underwentmid-life refits in 1998 and were back in serviceby 2000. Each such SSGN is powered by anuclear, turbo-electric propulsikon systemcomprising one pressurised water reactorrated at 90mW. It can fire both the 250km-range YJ-83 anti-ship cruise missile, or the220km-range C-705 anti-ship cruise missile.The SSGN also has six 533mm torpedo tubes,and carries a total of 20 torpedoes, includingthe Yu-3 (derived from the Russian SET-65Eand equipped with active/passive homingsensor and 205kg warhead, and having arange of 15km while travelling a speed of 40Knots warhead 205kg). Alternatively, the SSGNcan carry 36 mines. The crew complement is75, and the SSGN’s length is 106 metres,beamwidth is 10 metres, draught is 7.4metres, and its dived speed is 25 Knots.

The Type 054 Jiangkai I-class FFG, built byCSTC’s Shanghai-based Hudong-ZhonghuaShipyard and the Guangzhou-based HuangpuShipyard, comes armed with twin quadruplelaunchers amidships housing the YJ-83 anti-ship cruise missile (equipped with a 165kgwarhead), one eight-cell Hong Qi-7 short-range SAM system designed to engage aircraftin all-weather conditions out to a range of12km, a single-barrel 100mm main gundeveloped by China’s 713 Institute, four six-barrel 30mm AK-630M close-in weaponsystems (CIWS), twin 18-tubecountermeasures dispensers, and twin Type87 six-tube 240mm anti-submarine rocketlaunchers, with 36 rockets. The FFG has acombat management system built by ChinaElectronics Technology Group Corp (CETC),and a sensor suite that includes a Type 360S2-D air/surface radar operating in E/F-bandand having a range of 150km, one I-bandMR-36A surface search radar, an I-band Type

PAF’s first ZDK-03 AEW & C platform (above andcentre) and its glass cockpit (top)

Type 054 Jiangkai-class FFG



347G radar for CIWS fire-control,an I/J-band Type 344 radar formain gun targetting, and a J-band Type 345 radar for fire-control of the Hong Qi-7. TheFFG also comes fitted with aRussian MGK-335 fixed hull-mounted medium-frequencyactive/passive panoramic sonarsuite. The propulsion system isof the combined diesel and diesel(CODAD) arrangement andemploys four SEMT Pielstick(now MAN Diesel SA) 16 PA6V-280 STC diesel engines. Chinaimported the 16 PA6V-280 STC’sproduction rights in the late1990s and is now producing theengines locally under licence atShaanxi Diesel Factory. Each 16PA6V-280 engine can producea sustained power of 4,720kW(6,330hp), giving a total powerof 18,880kW (25,320hp).

Meanwhile, the PN’s efforts toinduct its three CSTC-built F-22PSword-class FFGs areproceeding smoothly. The firstsuch FFG—PNS Zulfiquar—waslaunched by CSTC on April 5,2008 and commissioned on July30, 2009. It arrived in Karachion September 13 the same yearand was inducted into the PNfleet on September 19. The second FFG—PNS Shamsheer—was launched at HudongZhonghua Shipyard on October 31, 2008 andwas commissioned on December 19, 2009 inShanghai. The third FFG—PNS Saif—was

launched in Shanghai on May 28, 2009 and itwas commissioned on September 15 this year.Licenced-construction of fourth FFG beganlast March at the Karachi Shipyard andEngineering Works, and it will be delivered to

the PN in April 2013. Each F-22P FFGdisplaces 3,144 tonnes and is 123.4 metreslong. The armaments suite comprises eightC-802A anti-ship cruise missiles, one eight-tube FM-90N SAM system, one 100mm

Saab 2000 AEW & C platform

PAF’s IL-78MP aerial refuelling tanker



AK-176M main gun, twin Type 730 CIWS, twinET-52C 324mm triple torpedo tubes, andRDC-32 ASW rocket launchers. There is alsoprovision for a helicopter deck for housing aZ-9EC helicopter. The combat managementsystem is the ZKJ-3C from CETC, while thehull-mounted panoramic sonar is the EchoType 5 system. The EW suite comprises aRWD-8 intercept system and NJ8I-3 jammer,while the on-board surveillance sensorsinclude one SUR-17 air-surveillence radar, oneSR-60 air/surface search radar, and a Kelvin-Hughes 2007 navigation radar. Propulsionsystem is of the CODAD-type using twoTognum MTU 12V 1163 TB 83 diesel enginesthat give the FFG a top speed of 28 Knots.Crew complement is 188.

As far as force modernisation of thePakistan Air Force (PAF) goes, 2010 has beenan extremely good year. The roll-out ceremonyof first Shaanxi ZDK-03 ‘Karakoram Eagle’airborne early warning and control (AEW & C)aircraft designed specifically by CETC for the

PAF was held in Hanzhong, Shaanxi, onNovember 13.

The ceremony, which was attended by thePAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief MarshalRao Qamar Suleman, coincided with PresidentAsif Ali Zardari’s visit to China— his sixth sinceassuming the position in 2008. It may berecalled that the PAF had inked a $278 millioncontract in December 2008 with CETC for thejoint development of four ZDK-03s, which aredue for delivery in the first quarter of nextyear. In a parallel procurement effort, the PAFhas also become the first customer for theSaab 2000 AEW & C platform. The Skr6.9billion order for these four platforms wasplaced in June 2006 under Project Horizon,but the contract was renegotiated in May 2007and its value was reduced to Skr1.35 billion.The first aircraft was delivered on December8, 2009, with the second following on April 24April this year. The remaining two wereexpected to be delivered at presstime. Alsobeing delivered are up to six ground receiving

stations. Saab will provide an integratedlogistics system (ILS) for these four aircraftfor a 35-year period. It is believed that the PAFhas procured the four

Saab 2000 AEW & C platforms with Saudifinancial assistance and in return the PAF willtrain the Royal Saudi Air Force to operate thelatter’s three Saab 2000 AEW & C platforms,which were ordered last June under a $680million contract.

Also delivered this year to the PAF by Ukrainewere four IL-78MP aerial refuelling tankers,each of which is fitted with a three-point droguerefuelling system, and two removable fuel tanksinstalled in the freight hold, with each holding18,230 litres of fuel with a total transferablefuel load of 85,720kg. Being negotiated nowis the purchase of up to four batteries ofCPMIEC-made Hong Qi-18 (HQ-18) long-range (80km) surface-to-air missile system,which was demonstrated to ACM Rao QamarSuleman early last month.

Hong Qi-18 LR-SAM



s part of its on-going forcemodernisation efforts, the Republic ofSingapore Air Force (RSAF) in late

September inked a contract with AleniaAermacchi—an Alenia Aeronautica subsidiaryand part of the Finmeccanica Group—hassigned a contract worth an estimated value€250 million (US$340 million), under which itwill acquire 12 tandem-seat M-346 lead-infighter trainers (LIFT) through an industrialconsortium comprising ST Aerospace (theprime contractor) and The BoeingCompany. Delivery of the first aircraft isexpected to take place in 2012. Successively,together with ST Aerospace, Alenia Aermacchiwill make a contribution to Integrated TrainingSystem (ITS) activities and to supporting the

M-346 fleet. This latest contract servesto confirm the superior qualities of theM-346, which is gaining increasingconsensus on the major internationalmarkets, testifying to the technologicalexcellence of Finmeccanica’saeronautics companies. Chairman andCEO of Finmeccanica, Pier FrancescoGuarguaglini, said: “The selection ofthe M-346 by Singapore represents ahuge success for the Italian high-techindustry and confirms the internationalsupremacy of this aircraft. We areespecially proud to be chosen by anair force such as the RSAF, which iswell-known for being one of the mostsophisticated in the world, withextremely careful and precise selectionprocesses. The selection of the M-346by Singapore thus paves the way fornew successes in other global markets,where important campaigns are alreadyunder way”.

Singapore had last June confirmedthat it will buy the M-346 for deliveryfrom 2012. Boeing will supply the ITS,while ST Aerospace has beenauthorised to purchase the aircraft andmanage the entire LIFT programme onbehalf of the RSAF. “The acquisition ofthe M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system marks asignificant milestone in the RSAF’s forcedevelopment, enhancing thecapabilities and operational readinessof the Singapore Armed Forces,” saidSingapore’s Ministry of Defence(MINDEF). The acquisition cost of theaircraft, ground-based training systemand associated spares are worth S$543million (US$410 million), saidST Aerospace. “The signing of the

New Additions ToSingapore’s Arsenal

By: Prasun K.Sengupta

M-346 LIFT’sglass cockpit

M-346 LIFT

A



contract with Singapore is a source of greatpride for us and an important sign ofappreciation of the qualities of our aircraft fromone of the world’s most sophisticated airforces. It affirms the M-346 as the leadingtraining aircraft available today on the globalmarket and the ideal platform for a state-of-the-art, integrated training system,” saidCarmelo Cosentino, Alenia Aermacchi’s ChiefExecutive. “Boeing is pleased to support theRSAF on the advanced jet training programme.We look forward to providing the RSAF with astate-of-the-art ground-based training systemincorporating the first application of ourrevolutionary constant resolution visual systemin the full-mission simulators,” said MarkMcGraw, Vice-President, Boeing TrainingSystems and Services. In 2008, ST Aerospacehad teamed with Alenia Aermacchi and Boeingto form an industrial consortium to jointly offerthe M-346 for the LIFT requirement. Theconsortium beat a competing industrial teamcomprising Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin that had offered the T-50LIFT for the contract.

The RSAF has since the 1990s beenconducting its LIFT training at Cazaux, France,using its Douglas TA-4SU Skyhawk fleet. STAerospace has been providing maintenancesupport for those aircraft since 1999. MINDEFSingapore has not yet said whether the RSAFwill continue to perform LIFT training in France,but industry sources believe that therelationship will likely continue at Cazaux. AleniaAermacchi has said that it would welcome theopportunity to host RSAF pilots in Italy, whereits headquarters are located. Singapore’sorder confirmation is the second major setbackfor the T-50, which also previously lost out ina battle to meet a 48-aircraft requirement withthe United Arab Emirates. A BAE Systemsproposal using the Hawk Mk128 was alsorejected in both competitions. Alenia Aermacchiis already under contract to produce an initialbatch of T-346As for the Italian air force, withthe first two due for delivery next month. Thecompany is also offering the twin-engined LIFTdesign to meet the future requirements of theUS Air Force, as the T-100 ITS.

The M-346 embodies the latest “design-to-cost” and “design-to-maintain” concepts,with its avionics suite modelled upon those ofnew-generation combat aircraft such as theEurofighter EF-2000, JAS-39 Gripen, Rafale,F-16 Super Viper, F/A-22 Raptor and the futureF-35 JSF. The M-346 provides combat pilottraining for frontline combat aircraft with highangle-of-attack capability. It is designedprimarily to reduce acquisition and operatingcosts (no afterburner, as the aircraft is speciallydesigned for transonic training) and improve

reliability (twinengines, triple-q u a d r u p l eredundant fly-by-wire flight controls y s t e m s ) . T h ea e r o d y n a m i cdesign of the M-346 uses vortex liftto provide mano-euvrability andcontrollability atvery high angles-of- attack (up to40°). The turbo-fans are Honeywell-built F124s, with thedigital flight controlsystem being builtby Teleavio/Mar-coni in colla-boration with BAESystems, withDowty and Micro-tecnica supplyingthe actuators. TheM-346 also has anair-brake just aft ofthe cockpit, similarto the Sukhoi Su-30, a new landing gear andsome structural changes, with the use of moretitanium and composite parts, in order toreduce weight and production costs. As a resultthe M-346 now weighs 780kg less than theLIFT’s prototypes, and offers more specificexcess power, faster acceleration and climbing,increased manoeuvrability and maximumspeed, as well as improved fuel capacity(200kg) and cockpit visibility.

Another novel feature of the M-346 is theHelmet Mounted Display (HMD) system, a trueinterface between the pilot and aircraft systems,which complements the Heads-Up Display byoffering the pilot to receive attitude, navigation,tactical and mission information directly onthe helmet visor, independently of the directionin which he is looking. The HMD is fullyintegrated with aircraft avionics and with theEmbedded Tactical Training Simulationsystem. The adoption of this new HMD systemon the M-346 is a crucial element of trainingeffectiveness and an important step towardsmaking the M-346 ever more representativeof operational combat aircraft. The limitedhelmet weight—under 1.6kg, achieved by theminiaturisation and careful placement ofcomponents—translates into lower pilotfatigue under high G manoeuvres, while thelow-voltage translates into high levels of safety.A micro-camera captures the pilot’s field-of-view, including visor symbology, making it

available for post-flight debriefings. Thesystem selected for installation in the M-346employs the latest optical and digitaltechnologies. It allows the aircraft to operateby day and night, using night vision goggles(NVG). The ability to present syntheticsymbology and high-resolution images, plusthe accuracy of the pilot’s line-of- sightmeasurement, are peculiar characteristics ofthe M-346’s HMD system.

Meanwhile, in another development,Singapore’s Minister for Education and SecondMinister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, onOctober 20 officiated at the launch ceremonyof the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN)second Archer-class hunter-killer submarine—RSS Swordsman—at the Kockums Shipyardin Karlskrona, Sweden. The submarine waslaunched by Mrs Ivy Ng, wife of Dr Ng. RSSSwordsman is the second of the Archer-classsubmarines that the RSN has acquired fromthe Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). Speaking atthe ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted that thelaunch of RSS Swordsman marked anotherkey milestone in the RSN’s drive to develop itsundersea warfare capabilities. The submarineis the second in the Northern Light projectunder which two Västergötland-classsubmarines, previously owned by the RSwN,have been rebuilt, life-extended andmodernised to incorporate air-independentpropulsion (AIP) systems. The RSN is

HMD for M-346



therefore believed to be receiving the very latestin submarine technologies, including world-class stealth technology. Training of the crewhas been coordinated with the RSwN at thenaval base in Karlskrona.

Both the RSS Archer and RSS Swordsmanhave on board the Stirling engine (for AIP),which uses liquid oxygen and diesel fuel todrive 75 kiloWatt generators for eitherpropulsion or charging the on-board batteries.The AIP endurance of the 1,500 tonnesubmarine is around 14 days at 5 Knots (9kph)cruising speed. The Stirling-based AIP works

by burning pure oxygen and diesel fuel in apressurised combustion chamber. Thecombustion pressure is higher than thesurrounding seawater pressure, therebyallowing the exhaust products to get dissolvedin sea water, and to be discharged overboardwithout using a compressor. This procedureallows low infra-red signature and noiseemission levels. The submarine’s submergedendurance is determined by the amount ofliquid oxygen stored inside the cryogenic tanksassociated with the AIP system. In the Stirlingcycle, heat from an outside source is

transferred to anenclosed quantity ofworking fluid—generally an inertgas—and drives itthrough a repetitivesequence oft h e r m o d y n a m i cchanges. Byexpanding the gasagainst a piston andthen drawing it intoa separate coolingchamber for sub-sequent com-pression, the heatfrom externalcombustion can beconverted to me-chanical work andthen, in turn, toelectricity. Like theMESMA AIP systemdeveloped byFrance’s DCNInternational, thisapproach has anadvantage overinternal combustionsystems in that thec o m b u s t i o nprocesses can bekept separate fromthose that actuallyconvert heat tomechanical work.This providessignificant flexibilityin dealing withexhaust productsand controllingacoustic radiation.

The Stirling-cycleengine forms thebasis of the firsto p e r a t i o n a l l ycertified AIP systemto enter naval service

in recent times. Kockums Naval Systems hadtested a prototype AIP plant at sea in 1989,and today, three Swedish Gotland-class diesel-electric submarines are each fitted with twoadjunct, 75 kiloWatt Stirling-cycle propulsionunits that burn liquid oxygen and diesel fuel togenerate electricity for either propulsion orcharging batteries within a conventional diesel-electric plant.

The resulting underwater endurance isreported to be up to 14 days at 5 Knots, butsignificant burst speeds are possible when thebatteries are topped up.

RSS Archer

RSS Swordsman



Batch 2 of Three Project 11335.6Frigates Being Readied

n exactly a year from now, the first of thethree additional Project 1135.6 guided-missile frigates (FFG) now being built for

the Indian Navy (IN) in Russia will enter service,with the remaining two following a year later.The US$1.1 billion (Rs51.14 billion) contractfor these three FFGs was inked on July 14,

2006, following which construction gotunderway at the Kaliningrad-based YantarShipyard JSC. The keel-laying ceremony forthe first FFG—INS Teg (sabre) F-45 took placeon July 27, 2007 and the vessel was launchedon November 27 last year. It is due to undergoher sea trials starting next April. Keel-laying

for the secondFFG— INS Tarkash(quiver) F-46—took place onNovember 27,

2007 and the vessel was launched on June23 this year. Keel-laying for the INS Trikand(bow) F-50 took place on June 11, 2008 andit was due for launch at presstime.

Each of the three follow-on Project 1135.6FFGs will have a length of 124.8 metres,beamwidth of 15.2 metres, full-loaddisplacement of 4,035 tonnes, and a top speedof 30 Knots. The ship’s Crew compliment willbe 220, including 28 officers. The FFGs willalso be equipped with the Trebovaniye-Mcombat management system supplied byRussia’s Meridian Research and Production

By: Prasun K.Sengupta

VL BrahMos

INS Tarkash being launched

INS Teg and INS Tarkash being fitted out atYantar JSC

I



Enterprise JSC, and an integrated platformmanagement system built by Russia’s AuroraResearch and Production Association. Alsofitted on board will be the TK-25E-5 integratedelectronic warfare suite, four KT-216 decoylaunchers, on-board communications suitsupplied by India’s Bharat Electronics Ltd(BEL), four Danish 1mW Wartsila WCM-1000generator sets with Cummins KTA50G3engines and Kirloskar 1mV AC generators,Zorya/Mashproekt of Ukraine’s M7N.1E gasturbine propulsion system (comprising twinDS-71 cruise turbines and twin DT-59 boostturbines), plus German water purifiers.

Principal on-board sensors for each of thethree FFGs will include one E-band FregatM2EM circular scan radar for providing targetindication to the Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile(SAM) system, a Ratep JSC 5P-10E Pumafire-control system (comprising a passive-phased array target tracking radar along withan optronic illuminator), one I-band Garpun-B long-range surface target acquisition radar,one I-band MR-212/201-1 radar fornavigation, a Kelvin Hughes Nucleus-2 6000Amarine navigation radar for short-rangenavigation and surface surveillance, a Ladoga-ME-11356 inertial navigation and stabilisationsuite supplied by Elektropribor, four MR-90Orekh target-illumination radars, and a BEL-made HUMSA Mk2 hull-mounted panoramicsonar.

For visual-range engagements, the FFGswill each have a Arsenal JSC-built 100mm A-190(E) main gun and twin KBP InstrumentDesign Bureau-built Kashtan-M combinedgun-missile close-in weapon systems. Theprincipal on-board offensive weapon systemwill be the eight 290km-range BrahMosAerospace Ltd-built BrahMos vertically-launched supersonic multi-role cruise missile(capable of both anti-ship strike and landattack) instead of the 220km-range Novator

JSC-developed Club-N/3M54TE supersonicanti-ship cruise missiles now on board theIN’s first three Project 1135.6 FFGs—INSTalwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar. TheBrahMos’ shipborne fire-control system is aderivative of the 3R14N-11356 shipborne fire-control system, developed by Russia’s AgatResearch and Production Enterprise, while theuniversal vertical-launch cells are beingsupplied by Larsen & Toubro.

For area air defence, the DolgoprudnyResearch and Production Enterprise DNPPJSC, which is part of the Almaz-Antey AirDefence Concern, is supplying the vertical-launch version of the Shtil-1 SAM system,which will comprise thirty-six 9M317ME SAMrounds (containing within three 12-VL cells)developed by the Altair Naval Radio ElectronicsScientific Institute Public Joint Stock Company,which is also a member of the Almaz-Antey AirDefence Concern.

The 9M317ME SAMs can be fired at one-to-two-second intervals. The missile is 5.18metres long and 360mm in diameter. Launchweight of the 9M317ME is 58kg. It is armedwith a 62kg blast fragmentation warheadinitiated by a dual-mode radar proximity fuze,or a contact fuze. The range is between 3.5kmand -32 km, while the altitude coverage is from5 metres up to 15km. The tail surfaces have aspan of 820mm when deployed.

After the missile leaves the vertical launcher,a spring mechanism unfolds the tail surfacesand four gas-control vanes operating in themotor efflux turn the missile towards therequired direction of flight. Once this turnovermanoeuvre is completed, the gas-controlvanes are no longer used. Subsequent flightcontrol is via moving tail surfaces. A dual-mode solid-propellant rocket motor providesthe missile with a maximum speed of Mach4.5. In-flight guidance is achieved via acombination of inertial and semi-active radar

homing. Also on board each of the three FFGswill be an aft helicopter deck and a hangar forhousing a Kamov Ka-28PL or Ka-31helicopter, and two Pacific 22 MkI rigid inflatableboats (RIB) built by Halmatic, which is ownedby the UK-based VT Group. The RIBs arepowered by Cummins 4 BTA marine dieselengines rated at 150bhp at 2800 rpm coupledto a Sternpowr leg providing a service speedof 22 Knots.

In another development, Russia has offeredIndia the export version of its new Project22350 FFG in response to a Request forInformation (RFI), issued by India to about adozen European, Russian and Americanshipyards in December 2006.

The proposed acquisition of these sevennew-generation FFGs under the IN’s Project17A may well be worth more than Rs30,000crore. The proposed acquisition of these sevenFFGs (four of which will be built by Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Ltd and three byKolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilding &Engineering Ltd) is apparently meant to offsetthe delay in the acquisition of modernwarships by the IN that had occurred over thepast two decades. The design being proposedby Russia’s St Petersburg-based SevernoyePKB (Northern Design Bureau) FSUE has aproposed displacement of about 5,000 tonnes,a length of more than 130 metres, and abeamwidth of 16 metres.

To sweeten the proposal, Russia has alsooffered to make the Project 22350’s hull designscalable, meaning the basic hull deign couldalso be enhanced into a guided-missiledestroyer displacing 8,000 tonnes andhousing two medium-lift helicopters onboard.

Project 1135.6 Batch 2 FFG



he 22nd International Naval Defense &Maritime Exhibition and Conference(EURONAVAL 2010), which was held

in Paris, France between October 25 andOctober 29, saw several shipbuilders fromboth sides of the Atlantic showcasing theirlatest littoral warfare solutions. France’s DCNS,for instance, unveiled its stealthy SMX-25concept, which calls for sending a vessel,having the advantages both of a conventionalsubmarine and of a surface combatant, into atheatre of operations rapidly. Designed tooperate on the surface at 38 Knots (and 10Knots while submerged), the SMX-25 hasthree gas turbines and three pumpjets forpropulsion. Carrying 16 anti-ship cruisemissiles, four heavy torpedoes and machineguns, it has been designed to engage bothsurfaced and submerged targets, while usingunderwater autonomous vehicles andunmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for multi-spectrum surveillance and reconnaissance.The SMX-25 will be able to house, in additionto its 27 crew-members, about 10 specialoperations forces personnel. The vessel has adisplacement of 4,850 tonnes submerged and

2,850 tonnes surfaced. With a length of 109metres (354 feet), this vessel is capable ofreconnaissance as well as direct combat orintelligence missions. Yet another new-generation stealthy unveiled by DCNS atEURONAVAL 2010 was the ADVANSEA surfacecombatant, which integrates threetechnological breakthroughs: electric motorsbased on superconductivity; batteries capableof instantaneously delivering high power; anda real-time energy management system ableto offer real energy convergence between thecombat management and platformmanagement systems. The ADVANSEAdisplaces 4,500 tonnes and has a length of120 metres (390 feet). The on-boardarmaments suite comprises an electric cannon,vertically-launched guided-missile launchsystems for anti-air warfare and anti-ship strike,as well as an on-board helicopter and UAV.With an innovative design—in particular awave-piercing hull), it will also use compositematerials on a large-scale on itssuperstructure.

Navantia of Spain introduced its 5,000-tonne F2M2 trimaran guided-missile frigate

(FFG) design, which has a length of 140metres, beamwidth of 30 metres, draught of5 metres, and a displacement of 4,000 metrictonnes. The on-board multi-spectrum sensorsystems are totally integrated into the warship’ssuperstructure, and it has no mast. Thisdesign therefore required a true technologicalleap in terms of systems integration, while atthe same time using more conventionalconcepts. Eight anti-ship cruise missiles arepositioned in the superstructure, and a largeplatform provides two landing spots formedium-lift multi-role helicopters. The warshipalso has space for installing vertically-launchedsurface-to-air missiles (SAM), one 76mm maingun and one 30mm cannon, and can alsolaunch rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB). TheF2M2’s propulsion system (using a CODLAGconfiguration comprising a combined diesel-electric engine and a gas turbine driving twoelectric motors, and one gas turbine drivingthree water jets) will enable the vessel to reachspeeds of more than 30 Knots. Crewcomplement will be about 150.

US-based M Ship Co LLC displayed its M80Stiletto concept, which is a radical new

p l a t f o r mdeveloped forh i g h - s p e e dm i l i t a r ymissions in theshallow waterareas of thelittoral, near-shore waters insupport of USNavy (Ret’d)Vice AdmiralA r t h u rC e b r o w s k i ’svision of a“brown-water

China’s Yuyi-class hovercraft

Litoral Warfare SolutionsBy: Prasun K.Sengupta

ADVANSEA corvette

T



navy” for expeditionary combat in the 21st

century. According to its developer, no otherhull compares to its speed, ride quality, payloadcapability and unmanned vehicle support. Thetwin M-hull vessel is 88 feet in length with a 40feet beamwidth, providing a rectangular deck

area equivalent to a conventional displacementcraft 160 feet in length. The vessel’s draughtfully loaded is 3 feet and the boat is designedfor a top speed of 60 Knots. The revolutionaryM-hull technology recaptures the bow-waveand uses its energy to create an air cushion

for more efficient planing. This capability isconsidered critical for special operationsforces, because it reduces the G-forces andrelated injuries these personnel are subjectedto during training and on missions. M ShipCo designed and constructed the vessel solelyof carbon-fibre for reduced weight andincreased stiffness, and presently it is the largestvessel ever built in the US from such advancedmaterials.

As far as conventional warship designs go,DCNS revealed that it has signed a new contractwith France’s Ministry of Defence for thepreliminary study of a second aircraft carrier—tentatively called PA-2—for the French Navy.Larger than the Charles de Gaulle, the secondaircraft carrier is projected to displace 70,000tonnes, cruise at a speed of 26 Knots, andhave a range of 8,000nm. The turbo-electricpropulsion system is likely to be provided by agas turbine and two diesel motors driving threeshafts. Two steam plants will provide steam tothe two catapults. The flight deck will embarkan air combat group comprising 32 Dassault-built Rafale F3 multi-role combat aircraft. ThePA2 will have only one island on its top deck,since the French Navy preferrs to have air andship operations collocated. DCNS will in thenear future propose the PA-2 concept to theIndian Navy as well—as the latter too wants toindigenously build two larger aircraft carriersto supplement the first three 37,000-tonneIndigenous Aircraft Carriers (IAC)—INSVikrant, INS Viraat and INS Vishaal—that willbe launched from Cochin Shipyards Ltd. Thekeel of the first IAC was laid on February 28last year at Kochi

Diver propulsionvehicle

DCNS’ PA-2 aircraft carrier



Russia’s Rosoboronexport State Corpdisplayed two new warship designs—Gepard3.9 guided-missile corvette and Project 2235.6FFG. Designed by the Russian design groupfrom Zelenodolsk, two Gepard 3.9 corvettesunder Project 11661 are currently being builtfor Vietnam. They will each be armed with fourKh-35E Uran anti-ship cruise missiles, a 76mmcannon, three Palma combined cannon-missile close-in weapon systems, two twin-torpedo tubes, and one Kamov Ka-28PL ASWhelicopter. The first corvette began its sea trialson October 25 in the Baltic Sea off theKronstadt naval base. Rosoboronexporthopes to sell a further two such FFGs to Hanoias replacements for the five existing Petya-class corvettes. The Severnoye Design Bureauis unveilled the export variant (designated asProject 22356) of the Project 22350 AdmiralGorshkov-class FFG, the first of which waslaunched on October 29 at the North StPetersburg Shipyard. With a 4,550 metric-tonne displacement (standard) and a lengthof 135 metres, the Project 22356 FFG fires itsanti-air and anti-ship cruise missiles througha universal vertical launch system. It cantherefore fire 16 BrahMos or Yakhont anti-ship missiles and 16 or 32 Shtil-1 SAMs. It isalso equipped with a new 130mm monotubeAU-130 turret as well as two Palma CIWS forself-defence.

EURONAVAL 2010 also played host toseveral manufacturers of hovercraft familieshailing from the US, Russia and UK. All thesemanufacturers have targetted both India andPakistan as their future markets. LockheedMartin’s landing craft air cushion (LCAC) isbeing proposed as a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft capableof carrying a 75-tonne payload. Theadvantages of the LCAC are numerous: it cancarry heavy payloads like main battle tanksand field artillery howitzers at high speeds overvaried terrain. The air cushion allows the LCACvehicle to reach more than 70 per cent of theworld’s coastline compared to only 17 per centwith conventional landing craft. The LCAC ispowered by four Avco-Lycoming TF-40B gasturbines (two for propulsion and two for lift),each developing 16,000hp. The Project12061E Murena-E, built by Russia’sKhabarovskiy Shipyard can transport up to24 tonnes of payload, including 130 fullyequipped troops, or two infantry combatvehicles, or one light tank. The propulsionsystem is based on two MT-70M gas turbineseach developing 10,000hp. The gas turbinesdrive two AV-96 reversible variable-pitch airpropellers and inflate the air cushion. Two VolvoPenta diesel generators provide the electricalpower supply. All in, the 150-tonne Murena-E

achieves a top speed of 55 Knots and has acruising range in excess of 200nm. The hull ismade of high-strength non-corrosivealuminum-magnesium alloy. The 550-tonneProject 1232.2 Zubr hovercraft, on the otherhand, can carry up to 130 tonnes of cargo:three medium battle tanks or eight infantry

combat vehicles or armoured personnelcarriers or 360 fully-equipped amphibiouslanding troops. Three upright ring shrouds,housing the air propellers and standingupright at the back of the ship, give Zubr itsdistinctive appearance. The four-bladedpropellers driven by five gas turbines provide

M-80 Stiletto

MF-STAR



a top speed of 60 Knots. In 2006, Chinaapproached Russia and Ukraine to discussthe possible acquisition of eight Zubr vessels.Designed by Russia’s ALMAZ CentralMaritime Bureau, the Zubr can be built attwo locations: Almaz Shipbuilding JSC in SaintPetersburg, Russia, and by Ukraine’s Crimea-based MORYE-Export-Import subsidiary ofFSC Morye. Last year, a US$350 millioncontract for acquiring the first four Zubrs fromUkraine’s Ukrspetsexport State Corp was inkedby China. Construction of the first of twohovercraft got underway at FSC Morye’sshipyard in Feodosia last September. The lasttwo Zubrs will be licence-assembled in China

The Indian Army since last May has beenlooking to acquire an unspecified number ofAir Cushioned Vehicles Troop Carriage (ACV-TC) hovercraft for use in the eastern theatre.The Army has specified that the contendinghovercraft designs should be able to operatein marshy land, sand bars, mudflats,

mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed chokedlakes, lagoons, backwaters, islands and coastalareas. In neighbouring Pakistan too, the Armyand Navy are contemplating the acquisition ofdifferent types of hovercraft for both trooplift,logistical support and disaster-relief as theseare the only vehicles capable of accessingremote places by hovering over obstacles,shallow water, debris and rapids. The PakistanNavy already operates a fleet of Griffon 2000TDhovercraft and is, in future, expected to acquirethe larger 170-tonne Yuyi-class LCAC fromChina. This LCAC, under development since2007, was launched in January 2008 and itconducted its maiden sea trial in January 2009.The Yuyi-class hovercraft is powered by fourQC-70 gas turbines to augment its lift capabilityto 60 tonnes. It has a length of 33 metres andwidth of 16.8 metres. The front ramp is7.5metres wide while the rear ramp is 4.9metres wide. Maximum cruise speed is 40Knots, and the range is 200nm.

EURONAVAL 2010 also hosted severaldesigners and builders of diver propulsionvehicles (DPV), which are likely to be acquiredin moderate numbers by the Indian Navy forits MARCOS special operations forces. TheNavy is on the lookout for DPVs that are nomore than 3 metres in length, weigh less than80kg, can dive down to 30 metres underwaterwhile carrying two personnel, have a range of4nm, and have a speed of 2 Knots whilesubmerged. The Navy will accord preferenceto those DPVs that can be deployed from aboat and be air-dropped by helicopters.Finmeccanica of Italy said that its Oto Melara127/64 LW main gun, which is capable of firingup to 35 rounds per minute, is being offeredfor fitment on the Indian Navy’s four to-be-acquired Project 15B DDGs and seven Project17A FFGs. The gun’s turret weighs less than29 tonnes and the gun uses an ammunitionhandling system comprising four revolvingdrum magazines holding 56 ready-to-firerounds. Finmeccanica claims that the gun’snew Vulcano ammunition is capable ofprecision engagement at ranges previouslyonly achievable by guided-missile systems butat a fraction of the cost.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) disclosedat EURONAVAL 2010 that it had just deliveredits first export-model multi-functionsurveillance and threat alert radar (MF-STAR)to a foreign customer, which is the Indian Navy.The S-band active phased-array MF-STAR,developed by IAI’s ELTA Systems Ltd, will goon board the three Project 15A Kolkata-class6,700-tonne guided-missile destroyers (DDG)now being built by Mumbai-based MazagonDocks Ltd (MDL), as well as on the fourprojected Project 15B DDGs. It uses pulse-Doppler techniques, multiple beam-formingand advanced high-PRF waveforms to extractstressing and low radar cross-section threatseven in conditions of heavy jamming and dense

Pakistan Navy’s Griffon 2000TD hovercraft

Oto Melara’s 127-64 main



clutter. Keyfunctionalities includet h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a lvolume search, missilehorizon search, multi-target tracking, surfacesurveillance, helicopterdetection, gunnerycontrol and splashspotting. The MF-STARcan initiate tracksagainst sea-skimminganti-ship cruise missilesat ranges in excess of25km, and out to morethan 250km for a high-flying combat aircraft.On the MF-STAR fibre-optic cables havereplaced the earlier-generation waveguideand coax cables, whichhas substantiallyreduced the radar’sweight so it can beinstalled on boardwarships of varieddesigns. The MF-STARuses four 3 x 3-metrefixed-array faces (eachweighing 1,500kg)based on a modular tile-array architecture (witheach tile containing 16Gallium Arsenidet r a n s m i t / r e c e i v emodules) to allow forscaleability in the size ofthe antenna aperture.Liquid cooling is usedto dissipate heat at the

arrays. In-boardequipment weighing900kg is housed withinsix cabinets—two forprocessing and four forthe power supply. Earlier,ELTA had supplied threeS-band EL/M-2238surveillance and threatalert radars (STAR) forthe Indian Navy’s threeMDL-built Project 17Shivalik-class FFGs, threemore for the three Project16A Brahmaputra-classFFGs, and another onefor INS Viraat.

SMX-25 concept

Project 22356 FFG


tempur november 2010

Documents