16 février 2021 | International, Aérospatial
Moscow-based GosMKB Vympel, which designs air-to-air missiles, is funding its own research on what appears to be the continuation of a short-range missile project that had been halted decades ago.
In late January, the company summarized its research and development work conducted in 2020. The most interesting project appears to be its research on “shaping the appearance of a future product 300M.”
This work, financed by Vympel's long-term development fund, is to lay the scientific and technical groundwork for the Russian military and increase the company's export prospects, the company says.
Undoubtedly, the current izdeliye 300M (“izdeliye” means “product” in Russian) is a further development of the K-30, or K-MD, short-range missile project, launched by Vympel in 1986 as part of its work on arming the fifth-generation MiG multirole fighter, which was halted in 1994 due to a lack of funding.
Later, Vympel offered the 300 project while working on how to arm the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) fighter. In 2006, the company said the 300 missile could have been ready in 2013, if enough funding had been available. Gennady Sokolovsky, the head of Vympel at the time, said that the 300 missile would “significantly exceed foreign missiles of a similar type.”
The 300 was to be fitted with a new Merlushka, or “lambskin,” imaging infrared seeker developed by the AOMZ tactical missile company, enabling target identification and a lock-on range twice as great as its predecessors. The dual-pulse, solid-propellant motor was to provide relatively large specific impulse (about 100s), a measure of the engine's efficiency. The 300 missile was to have jet-vane gas controls instead of spoilers placed in the engine nozzle, as is the case with the current R-74 missiles. The efficiency of the variable gas nozzle is greater than that of spoilers; moreover, the presence of spoilers in the nozzle causes a loss of thrust.
Judging from the course of events, plans to resume the 300 project were not approved at the time, and the simpler R-74M2, otherwise known as izdeliye 760, was chosen as the primary close air-combat missile for the Su-57.
How the current 300M project changed compared with the previous version is not known, but most likely the modifications did not alter the overall configuration. If the changes were really significant, the project would have received a new index, not just an additional M letter.
Certainly, the element base in the seeker and control system is new; the engine also may be improved. Of course, the 300M missile remains at the conceptual research stage, which usually does not yet involve the actual construction of a missile.
According to Vympel's announcement, another short-range missile performed “about 30 firing tests” in 2020 as part of state evaluations, the final stage of tests before the missile is approved for full-scale series production. The announcement probably refers to the R-74M2, izdeliye 760, missile, which started firing tests on April 8, 2016, and in July 2019 was submitted for state evaluations on the Su-57. The Vympel R-74M2 is a further development of the in-service R-74M izdeliye 750 with the cross-section reduced so it can be fitted inside the internal quick-launch weapons bays of the Su-57.
The remaining information provided by Vympel about its 2020 research and development work is very general. The types of weapons are not named, and only the categories are defined. In the long-range air-to-air missile class, one of the missiles “completed preliminary tests to the extent sufficient for the construction documentation to be awarded the letter ‘O.'” In the parlance of the Russian defense industry, the letter “O” denotes permission to make an initial serial batch of missiles. Vympel could be referring to a new-generation heavy missile, the izdeliye 810, intended for internal carriage in the Su-57 fighter. The 810 missile, never presented to the public, began undergoing firing tests on July 6, 2017; its maximum range is estimated at 300 km (186 mi.).
23 août 2023 | International, Aérospatial
The deals cover helmet mounted display systems for the F-35, as well as long-lead item parts for F-35 engines and fighters to be sold to other countries.
10 février 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
La Cour des comptes révèle, dans un rapport publié dimanche soir et consacré à la gestion des participations financières de l'État durant la crise sanitaire, que l''impact de celle-ci sur le patrimoine de l'État dans le secteur de l'aéronautique et de la défense a été très limité. Ce secteur « a bien résisté à la crise en se maintenant à une valeur globale de 8,4 Md€ », indique le rapport. L'évolution du portefeuille de participations financières de l'État dans l'aéronautique et la défense n'a baissé que de 46 M€, passant entre 2019 et 2020 de 8,466 Md€ à 8,420 Md€. Les sociétés du secteur aéronautique ont toutefois enregistré des baisses de leur chiffre d'affaires et de leur résultat opérationnel. La Cour des comptes observe la mobilisation de l'État pendant la crise pour préserver ses intérêts stratégiques dans certaines filières critiques : « Au-delà des entreprises à participation publique, l'État semble désormais élargir son action à la sauvegarde d'entreprise stratégiques dont il n'est pas actionnaire et à la garantie d'une autonomie plus grande dans certaines filières stratégiques, dans une logique de souveraineté économique », souligne le rapport. La Tribune du 7 février
27 janvier 2021 | International, Aérospatial
West Palm Beach, Fla., January 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), and Boeing (NYSE: BA) today released details of its advanced helicopter for the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition, known as FLRAA. The aircraft, named DEFIANT X, will be the fastest, most maneuverable and most survivable assault helicopter in history. Combined with the team's unsurpassed experience in mission systems, training and sustainment, it will revolutionize the way the Army meets threats in 2035 and beyond. DEFIANT X is a complete weapon system that builds on the handling qualities and transformational capabilities proven by the team's technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT®. With unmatched range and survivability, DEFIANT X will change the way the Army fights – enabling crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, land quickly, deliver Soldiers and equipment to the objective area (referred to as "the X") and get out. DEFIANT X flies twice as far and fast as the venerable Black Hawk® helicopter it is designed to replace. Currently undergoing testing in a digital combat environment, the aircraft continues to prove itself the most survivable platform for mission requirements. "We are ready to deliver unparalleled capabilities backed by proven technologies that will truly transform the Army's mission today, with room to grow and adapt to the missions of tomorrow," said Andy Adams, Sikorsky vice president of Future Vertical Lift. "DEFIANT X not only includes the transformational aircraft – a maneuverable, survivable, lethal weapon system – it also leverages Sikorsky's and Boeing's advanced manufacturing capabilities." With its rigid coaxial rotor system and pusher propeller, DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2 Technology™ to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities. This critical capability provides Soldiers with increased maneuverability and survivability in high-threat air defense environments, allowing them to penetrate enemy defenses while reducing exposure to enemy fire. Compared to SB>1 DEFIANT, the DEFIANT X airframe has enhancements to improve aerodynamics and reduce the thermal signature. "DEFIANT X is purpose-built for a modernized Army that requires expanded reach, survivability and lethality," said Steve Parker, vice president and general manager of Boeing Vertical Lift. "This weapon system will give Soldiers unequaled technological advantage and connectivity over adversaries in a multi-domain battle space." DEFIANT X will revolutionize the Army's air assault capability with limited changes in tactics, techniques, procedures, training and infrastructure while maintaining the Black Hawk helicopter footprint and tight formation capability flown today. The Army is expected to release a request for proposal on FLRAA later this year, with a contract award expected in 2022. About Sikorsky and Boeing Together, Sikorsky and Boeing have built 90 percent of the U.S. Army's current military rotorcraft and have totaled more than 15 million flight hours. We're the team that has brought forward iconic military rotorcraft including: Black Hawk, Chinook and Apache. The iconic UH-60 Black Hawk has proven itself to be the premiere assault platform in the world and DEFIANT X will bring the next level of capability that the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft requires. Learn More: www.lockheedmartin.com/defiantx and www.boeing.com/defiantx View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2021-01-25-Sikorsky-Boeing-Team-Reveals-Advanced-Assault-Helicopter-Designed-to-Revolutionize-U-S-Army-Capabilities