8 juin 2020 | International, Aérospatial
The Russian defense ministry has insured its new stealth drone and its control station for 1.4 billion rubles. That's $20 million. And it's probably worth every ruble.
The S-70 Hunter-B, a jet-powered flying-wing drone, perhaps is the most significant new warplane to emerge in Russia since the Su-57 stealth fighter that first flew in 2010 and now is in low-rate production.
The Hunter-B first appeared in January 2019 on the ground at an airfield in Novosibirsk in southern Russia. It flew for the first time on Aug. 3, 2019.
The Sukhoi-designed drone zoomed over the airfield for more than 20 minutes at a maximum altitude of around 2,000 feet, according to TASS, the state news organization that also reported the value of the robot's insurance.
It's easy to dismiss the Hunter-B as a developmental dead-end, owing to Russia's poor track record when it comes to fielding unmanned aerial vehicles and the satellite infrastructure that helps controllers on the ground direct a UAV's flight.
But the likelihood of Hunter-B eventually entering front-line service with the Russian air force is "big," said Tom Cooper, an author and independent expert on Russian military. "The Russian military is running multiple UAV-related projects," Cooper said. "Thus the emergence of this project is perfectly normal."
"At this point, it is going to be the heaviest and fastest UAV [in Russian service] if and when fielded,” said Samuel Bendett, an analyst with the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C.
Bendett estimated the Hunter-B's weight at around 20 tons and its top speed at more than 600 miles per hour. The drone is in the same class as a manned lighter fighter.
The Russian air force reportedly is considering assigning Hunter-Bs as robotic wingmen for Su-57 pilots, extending the coverage of an Su-57 flight's sensors and adding to the manned pilots' firepower. On Sept. 27, the sole Hunter-B prototype flew in formation with an Su-57.
The U.S., Japanese and Australian air forces are developing their own wingman drones.
But Sukhoi has its work cut out for it completing the Hunter-B. “A a host of aerodynamic, electronic and high-tech issues need to be worked out,” Bendett said.
And to be stealthy, the drone needs a new engine layout. In its current configuration, the Hunter-B's AL-31F motor projects from the rear of the airframe, creating a major source of radar reflectivity.
Sukhoi has tinkered with a new version of Hunter-B that buries that engine deep inside the airframe, in the same way that Western firms do with their own stealth drones.
As the high-stakes development continues, Sukhoi at least can take comfort that its drone is fully insured.
18 août 2022 | International, Terrestre
American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense are combining heir strengths in the vehicle world to compete for the U.S. Army's Common Tactical Vehicle.
16 juillet 2020 | International, Naval, C4ISR
L'agence gouvernementale néerlandaise en charge des matériels de défense (DMO) et Thales ont signé un contrat portant sur la livraison d'un radar NS100, six radars Scout Mk3 et d'un système IFF (Identification ami/ennemi). Le NS100, un radar de surveillance multifaisceaux à deux axes, va remplacer le radar Variant sur le HNLMS Johan de Witt, l'un des LPD (transport de chalands de débarquement) en service dans la Marine royale néerlandaise. Les essais en mer du nouveau radar sont prévus pour 2023. Le radar NS100 de Thales a été choisi en raison de ses performances et de sa technologie à antenne active AESA éprouvée. Bourse Direct du 15 juillet 2020
14 septembre 2020 | International, Naval
By: Seth J. Frantzman JERUSALEM — Vietnam has selected Israeli company Controp to supply its border guard with surveillance and observation systems for new ships built in Vietnam and India, the company announced Sept. 8. Controp, which specializes in lightweight electro-optics, has been an active supplier for Vietnam for several years, including a 2017 order for electro-optic and infrared payloads. The latest deal is for the iSea-25HD, a lighter version of iSea30 and iSea50. The system is contained in a single unit for medium-sized boats. In total, 12 ships will be outfitted with the system, with seven built locally by Hong Ha shipyards in Vietnam and the rest built in India at L&T shipyards. Dror Harari, senior marketing director for Asia at Controp, said the iSea-25HD was developed over the last two and a half years as a light payload that incorporates day and night cameras, and enables ships to see small crafts and fishing boats at a distance of up to 10 kilometers and larger ships up to 20 kilometers. The device is also equipped with a laser range finder, Harari added. “These systems are part of the current complete surveillance systems they have on board with radar and communications that enables them to control economic waters, and it is the first time we are selling this version to the Vietnamese,” Harari said, noting that the units are to be delivered in several months. The iSea-25 HD weighs 13 kilograms and is contained in a single turret unit without the need for external boxes or other items, which differentiates it from older, larger models. The company news release said it provides "continuous and uninterrupted line-of-sight (LOS) view, ensuring a very clear picture, even in the roughest of seas, and is robust enough to withstand even the harshest environmental conditions including fog, moisture, salinity and excessive splashing.” Due to its 3,000-kilometer-long coastline, Vietnam requires numerous patrol boats and has been increasingly investing in surveillance systems. “Now there are increasing investment in building more ships and renovating some they have by adding these modern capabilities or surveillance,” Harari said. Controp makes a land version of the same optical unit for use on remote weapons stations. It is currently being tested and evaluated by the Israel Defense Forces. Controp was acquired by Rafael and drone-maker Aeronautics in 2012, and Rafael acquired Aeronautics last year. Controp's optics have been used on Aeronautics' UAVs and Rafael's remote-weapon stations. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/09/10/israels-controp-to-supply-electro-optics-for-vietnamese-border-guard/