DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To General Dynamics Land Systems, Michigan, For All Logistic Requirements of The Buffalo A2 M1272 Vehicle

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To General Dynamics Land Systems,  Michigan, For All Logistic Requirements of The Buffalo A2 M1272 Vehicle

Source: DTN News + CR-051-15 Dated March 19, 2015

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015: General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $22,786,250 firm-fixed-price multi-year contract for updates and revisions to all logistic requirements and data, except provisioning, in support of the Buffalo A2 M1272 vehicle, and completion of a total system support package. 

Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of March 10, 2018. 

One bid was solicited with one received. Fiscal 2015 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $22,786,250 are being obligated at the time of the award. 

Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-15-C-0101).

BUFFALO
The Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) is the recognized leader in route clearance missions around the globe and is currently in service with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Italy. The Buffalo’s improvements include increased engine power and greater compatibility, increased driving range, increased fording and slope angle performance, enhanced HVAC and a common spare for all six tires. The enhanced safety features include, larger roof hatches for crew egress and both crew and engine compartment Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems (AFES). With bar armor and an air spade as optional features, the more powerful, improved Buffalo is ready to roll.

HISTORY
The Buffalo vehicle was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large articulated arm, used for ordnance disposal. Both vehicles incorporate a "V" shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants.

Buffalo is also now equipped with BAE Systems' LROD cage armor for additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds. Glass armor is sufficient at 6 inches thickness. Run-flat tires are present in all tires. The Buffalo combines ballistic and blast protection with infrared technology to detect the presence of dangerous ordnance and a robotic arm to disable the explosive ordnance. Personnel operate the Buffalo’s 30-foot robotic arm and claw from within the armoured hull via a mounted camera and sensory equipment, to safely dispose of mines and IEDs.

In 2004, the United States had a limited number of Buffaloes in service, with an order for 15 more, at a cost of $10 million. On June 6, 2008 Force Protection, Inc delivered its 200th Buffalo to the U.S. Military.

In 2009 Force Protection Started work on the A2 version, with major changes in the Axle Tech rear axles, Cat C13 engine, Cat CX31 transmission and suspension, along with addition upgrades to the HVAC system, hood and front bumper. the easiest way to identify an A1 version from the A2 version is the front bumper of the A2 has a larger profile. The last Buffalo A2 truck 795 will be completed in June 2014. Force protection was bought by General Dynamics Land Systems.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + CR-051-15 Dated March 19, 2015
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DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: China Bulk Inventory of Attack Helicopters Are The Z-10

Asian Defense News: DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: China Bulk Inventory of Attack Helicopters Are The Z-10
*DTN News has enhanced and further elaborated on the subject of the relevant topic respectively for the benefit of the readers with due respect to the author of this article ~ "China Goes All In With The Z-10"

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 9, 2013: China’s new Z-10 helicopter gunship is apparently in mass production. In the last year the Z-10 has been photographed serving with four of the five aviation brigades in the army. There is a squadron (12 helicopters) of Z-10s in each brigade. The move to mass production of the Z-10 was a surprise because this aircraft has been in development for over 14 years and the several prototypes encountered numerous problems. This led to failed attempts to buy or steal helicopter gunship technology from Russia and South Africa.

Two years ago some of the Z-10 prototypes were sent to Chinese Army aviation units for field testing. While not a failure, the newer and lighter Z-19 was apparently seen as a better candidate for mass production. Work continued on the Z-10 because the Z-19 is basically an armed scout helicopter. China always wanted something more like the American AH-64 Apache. That would be the Z-10, at least once all the development problems were overcome. The seven ton Z-10 is smaller than the 10 ton AH-64 and also has a crew of two. The Z-10 is armed with 30mm autocannon and can carry up to a ton of rockets or missiles.

For three years now the Z-19 armed scout helicopter has been spotted in the air, most recently painted in military colors. The Z-19 was earlier known as the Z-9W. The Z-19 is yet another Chinese helicopter based on the Eurocopter Dauphin (which has been built under license in China for two decades). The Z-19 is a 4.5 ton, two seat armed helicopter. It can carry a 23mm autocannon and up to half a ton of munitions (missiles, usually). Cruising speed is 245 kilometers an hour and range is 700 kilometers. The Z-19 is basically an upgraded Z-9W.

Z-10 Thunderbolt

An Army Aviation Z-10 attack helicopter is shown here. Co-developed by the 602 Institute, CHAIC and HAIG as the first dedicated modern attack helicopter for PLA Army Aviation since 1998, Z-10 is generally believed in the same class as South African Rooviak and Italian A129, yet still not as capable as American AH-64 Apache. 

The helicopter adopts a standard gunship configuration with a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpit with the gunner in the front seat and the pilot in the backseat. The fuselage appears to have a stealthy diamond shaped cross section to reduce RCS. It also have a 5-blade main rotor made of composite material and an AH-64 style 4-blade tail rotor. All the vital areas of the fuselage including the cockpit and fuel tanks are believed to be protected by the armor plates. 

It weighs about 5.5 tons and was powered initially by two P&W PT6C-76C turboshaft engines (rated @ 1,250kW each) on the prototypes. However domestic developed engines (upgraded WZ-9) are being used in production batches due to the embargo imposed by the west. Its rotor and transmission systems may have been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter France and Agusta. 

Its main weapon are 8 newly developed KD-10 ATGMs in the same class of American AGM-114 Hellfire. A 23mm cannon is mounted under the chin, aimed via gunner's helmet mounted display. Also up to 8 PL-90 AAMs can be carried against enemy helicopters and slow-moving fixed wing aircraft. Its range can be further extended by external fuel tanks. Similar to AH-64, Z-10 features nose mounted PNVS and TVDS housing FLIR, TV camera, laser range finder and designator. RWR and radar jammer antennas are installed on both sides of the forward and aft fuselage. In addition, two laser warning receivers was installed on top of the pylon tips. The helicopter may have been fitted with an integrated communication/navigation system, a comprehensive ECM suite, IFF, chaff/flare launchers, 1553B data bus, HOTAS and a glass cockpit. 

The development started in 1998. 2 prototypes were built in 2003 and 6 more were built in 2004. The first flight of 02 prototype took place on April 29, 2003. Several Z-10 prototypes powered by PT6C-76C engine were evaluated by the Army in 2007. However the production was halted due to the embargo of PT6C-76C engine imposed by the Canadian government. 

In 2009 it was reported that an "optimized" version (Z-10A?) was under development and expected to enter the mass production. This version is powered by the less powerful WZ-9 engines (~1,000kW) thus was forced to have its weight reduced by eliminating certain less-critical parts such as less armor protection, smaller PNVS/TVDS on the nose similar to that of Z-9WA and a smaller weapon load. 

The first batch of 12 Z-10s entered the service with PLA Army Aviation (S/N LH951xx) in late 2010. More Z-10s are entering the service with the Army (S/N LH981xx,961xx, 941xx, 991xx) since late 2011. However some still carry the original PNVS/TVDS installed on the prototypes but are powered by WZ-9 turboshafts. This version also features additional equipment such as anIR jammer (?) installed on the cockpit roof. It has been speculated that Z-10 could be powered by the new WZ-16 turboshaft engine (~1,500kw) in the future.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - UGANDA DEFENSE NEWS: Uganda In Talks For More Su-30 Fighter Jets

Asian Defense News: DTN News - UGANDA DEFENSE NEWS: Uganda In Talks For More Su-30 Fighter Jets

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 23, 2012: Uganda is in talks with Russian state arms export company Rosoboronexport over an option purchase of six more Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter jets, the company's Deputy Director Alexander Mikheyev said on Friday at an arms exhibition in South Africa.

Uganda signed its first contract to buy six Su-30MK2 fighters this year, he said. "Now, we are talking about an option, the Ugandans expressed interest in buying another six aircraft of this type," he said.

Rosoboronexport has also signed a contract to sell six Mi-17 helicopters to Ghana, he said.

"We have signed a contract this year to sell six Mi-17s to Ghana," he said. The first two aircraft will be delivered to Ghana in a year, he said, adding talks are also underway about setting up a helicopter service center in the region. 

Related News from Srategy Page 

(Link for this story by Srategy Page)

Ugandan Su-30 fighter pilots are leaving the air force. Two of the eight recently trained Su-30 pilots have already resigned and the other six are threatening to do the same. It's all about money, or the lack of it. Ugandan Air Force fighter pilots are paid $500 a month, while foreign pilots brought in to do the same work receive $8,000 a month. Ugandan pilots working for air lines receive the same pay as foreign pilots and Ugandan pilots are demanding the same deal. The government promised its Ugandan Su-30 pilots a raise last year but the money never came through.

In the last year Uganda has received six Russian Su-30 jet fighters. Uganda paid $124 million each for their Su-30s, this included the cost of setting a maintenance operation and for training. There was much local opposition to this deal, not least because it consumed a third of Uganda's foreign reserves. The high price also indicated some payoffs were involved.

Uganda justified the need for these high-performance jets because regional neighbors like Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan operate MiG-29s. But other neighbors may now feel obliged to upgrade their air forces as well. Oil was discovered in Uganda five years ago, so now there is something to defend and a way to pay for it. Su-30s cost several million dollars a year to maintain (assuming they will be flown often enough to sustain pilot skills). In the past fifty years most African nations that have obtained high-performance jets did not maintain them well, and these jet fighters eventually became useless and permanently grounded.

The 37 ton Su-30 is roughly equivalent to the 25 ton U.S. F-15. Of course, the F-15 comes in many versions, as does the Su-27 (which the Su-30 is a variant of). India bought SU-30MKIs, which are more similar to the two seat F-15E fighter-bomber. The Indian aircraft was equipped with French and Israeli electronics. Even so, the Su-30MKIs cost less than half what Uganda is paying. The Su-30 can carry more than eight tons of bombs and hit targets over 1,500 kilometers away.

Related News

• Russia to Sell Off 18 'Indian' Su-30 Fighters
• Sukhoi Su-30SM: An Indian Gift to Russia’s Air Force
• Russia Orders 30 Su-30SM Fighters
• Russia to sell Mi-17 helicopters to Argentina

Multimedia

• Su-30 Multirole Fighter
• Su-30MKI (Flanker-H) multirole fighter

OPERATORS  (WIKIPEDIA)

Operators of the Su-30 as of 2010

 Algeria

• Algerian Air Force has 28 Su-30MKs in service as of January 2012. 16 were ordered in 2010 instead of 36 MiG-29SMT/UBT aircraft.

 People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force operates the Su-30MKK variant. The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force operates the Su-30MK2 variant.

 India

• Indian Air Force operates the Su-30MKI variant. The IAF has over 140 Su-30MKIs in service.

 Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force ordered three Su-30MK2s; it received two on 26 December 2008 and the third in 2009. Another 6 fighters were ordered in 2010. It has 2 Su-30MK and 3 Su-30MK2s in operational use as of January 2012.

 Malaysia

• Royal Malaysian Air Force after a close visit to see India's Su-30MKI, ordered 18 Su-30MKMs in May 2003. The first 2 Su-30MKMs were formally handed over in Irkutsk on 23 May 2007, later arrived in Gong Kedak airbase on 21 June. As part of the contract, Russia sent the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the International Space Station in October 2007. Malaysia had 12 Su-30MKMs in service with 6 on order in November 2008. Due to past issues with aircraft support, Malaysia was to purchase spare parts from China.

 Russia

• Russian Air Force received 5 Su-30s in 1994–1996. It operates 9 Su-30s, including 4 Su-30M2s delivered in 2011. The Russian Air force is to receive 10 more Su-30M2s in 2012. Another 30 Su-30SMs were ordered in 2012 with options for 12 more; deliveries are to be completed by 2015.

Venezuelan Air Force Su-30MK2

 Uganda

• Ugandan Air Force has ordered 6 Su-30MK2s, and received two on 8 July 2011. The aircraft order cost is estimated at $740 million (Shs1.8 trillion). It has 4 Su-30MK2s in use as of January 2012.

 Venezuela

• Venezuelan Air Force and the government of Venezuela announced on 14 June 2006 the purchase of 24 units of the Su-30MK2. The first two Su-30MK2s arrived in early December 2006 while another 8 were commissioned during 2007; 14 more units arrived in 2008. A second batch of 12 Su-30MKV is also being considered. It has 24 Su-30MK2s as of January 2012.

 Vietnam

• Vietnam People's Air Force operates 4 Su-30MK and 18 Su-30MK2s as of January 2012. Vietnam reportedly signed a contract for 12 more Su-30MK2s in 2009, but the contract was reduced to 8 fighters. On 20 July 2010, it was announced at Farnborough International Airshowthat Vietnam signed a contract for 20 Su-30MK2s.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Military To Receive 2nd Batch of Pantsir-S Systems

Asian Defense News: DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Military To Receive 2nd Batch of Pantsir-S Systems

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 20, 2012: Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces will receive the second batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems by November this year, the Defense Ministry said.

Pantsir-S is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system designed to protect point and area targets. The Russian military took delivery of the first batch (more than 10 units) in 2011.

“The second delivery is expected in September-October this year,” a Defense Ministry spokesman told reporters on Tuesday.

“The main purpose of this system is to protect S-400 Triumf air defense systems at their deployment sites from enemy air and missile strikes,” the official said.

Commenting on recent media reports that the military refused to accept the Pantsir-S for service with the Ground Forces, the spokesman said that the work on variants for Ground Forces and the Navy is still under way.

“As soon as this work is done, the system's prototype will undergo field tests," he said, adding that the Pantsir-S version for aerospace defense units fully meets performance requirements for this type of weaponry.

The Defense Ministry has so far ordered 100 Pantsir-S units for Aerospace Defense Forces, which are expected to be delivered in the next few years.

The export version of the system, Pantsir-S1, has been sold to the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Algeria.

Russia will showcase Pantsir-S1 at the Africa Aerospace and Defense arms show in South Africa on September 19-23.

Related News

• Russia to revamp air defense with S-400, Pantsir-S systems
• Algeria, Libya set to buy Russian Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense systems

Multimedia

• Pantsir-S anti-aircraft weapons system destroys targets automatically
• S-400 Triumf Hits Moving Targets in the Dark
• Russia adopts first Pantsir-S1 missile air defense systems
• Russian S-400 Triumf Air Defense System
• S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system

OPERATORS AND COMBAT HISTORY (WIKIPEDIA)

A Pantsir-S1 unit of the Syrian Armed Forces reportedly scored the first combat kill of the type by downing a Turkish Air Force RF-4E carrying out a reconnaissance flight over the Syrian coast near Latakia on 22 June 2012.^[8]

•  Algeria: An estimated 38 on order; signed March 2006 as part of an arms package worth about US$ 8 billion^[10]. Whereas Moscow Timesreported in February 2006 that Algeria had ordered Tunguskas. RIA Novosti later reported in March 2007 that Algeria had ordered Pantsir-S1 instead
• 
  

•  Iran: 10 units are in use from 2008. 

•  Jordan: According to what Jane's Defence Weekly reported in 2007 a complete Russian Pantsir-S1 short-range air-defence system was being field tested in Jordan and that the kingdom is set to place an order. Army-Technology reported that Jordan placed an order for an undisclosed number of systems. Russia Today reported Jordan as being a customer for Pantsir-S1, and that they were likely to purchase between 50-75 combat vehicles.

•  Russia: 28 units in service with the Russian Air Force. It will eventually replace the Tunguska-M1 currently used by the Russian Air Force.

•  Syria: 36 to 50 on order; signed 2006 as part of arms package worth about US$ 1 billion; deliveries began in August 2007; Jane's Defence Weekly reported in May 2007 that 50 systems are on order by Damascus and that at least ten of those Pantsirs would be handed over to Iran by the end of 2008. According to Jane's Defence Weekly, Iran is reported to be the main sponsor of the deal and is paying Syria for its services as intermediary. Deliveries to Iran are categorically denied by a range of top Russian officials including First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.
• 
  

•  United Arab Emirates: 50 on order; Launch customer of Pantsir-S1. Ordered in May 2000, half of them tracked, the other half wheeled. Due to deliver in three batches by the end of 2005 - 12 in 2003, 24 in 2004 and 14 in 2005. Prices given where US$ 734 million ( including a US$100 million pay in advance to complete R&D ), with the price per single unit being about US$ 15 million. Delivery postponed after new design decisions were taken and UAE is said to have paid additional US$ 66 Million to cover major improvements. All 50 systems will now be wheeled on MAN SX 45 8x8 trucks from Germany, as well as the support vehicles. Delivery of the prototype occurred in 2007. With that the MAN SX45 is the only "western" vehicle that can accommodate the S1 system and has a worldwide logistics and support network through their importer network. Delivery of the 50 systems ordered in 2000 began in 2007 with the first two serially produced systems. British Jane's Defence Weekly reported on October 30.; delays in further deliveries. Based on test-firing data, some further optimisation of the systems is required. Deliveries will take place over the next three years under an amended schedule. As reported by Kommersant in June 2006 UAE has expressed interest in acquiring an additional 28 systems^[24] and has likely signed an option for the delivery in 2009–2010.

• Unidentified(?): RIA Novosti quoted Kommersant in March 2007 that KBP has obligations to deliver to an "unidentified country". The official order backlog of KBP of US$ 2,6 bn for Pantsir-S1 systems per July 2007 compared to the system prices given by the launch order suggests that there are probably unidentified customers for about 50 or so Pantsir-S1 systems.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Appears Closer To Indonesia Submarine Export Deal

Asian Defense News: DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Appears Closer To Indonesia Submarine Export Deal

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Korea Herald/Asia - The China Post

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 31, 2011: South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin is to visit Indonesia early next month to seal a US$1 billion deal that would result in South Korea's first submarine exports. If the deal is secured, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine, which is likely to be chosen as the preferred bidder by the Indonesian government, will sign a memorandum of understanding to sell three 1,400-ton submarines to the Southeast Asian country, ministry officials said.

Kim will accompany nine Korean defense contractors, including Daewoo, from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 and hold talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, on the country's modernization project for its naval fleet.

The US$1.08 billion submarine acquisition program, regarded as a goldmine for defense contractors, brought about a fierce bidding war in which Daewoo reportedly beat German and French firms.

“The Type 209 submarine, which the Indonesian government is willing to purchase, was first developed by the Germans in the early 1970s and Korea bought the technology license to produce it in the beginning stage. France is well-known for its welding techniques. The fact that Korea has beaten such strong rivals in the preferred bidder race is significant in that the country will join the ranks of submarine exporters. It also will brighten the prospect of selling more subs to other East Asian nations,” the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper quoted a defense industry official as saying.

The submarine deal would further boost the bilateral defense industry cooperation, following on from a contract to export South Korea's trainer jets to Indonesia.

Korea and Indonesia have expanded defense exchanges since President Lee Myung-bak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed last year to collaborate on development of defense technologies involving tanks, trainer jets and submarines.

On Aug. 1, South Korea and Indonesia began their joint technological research to develop new fighter jets in accordance with their agreement signed in April. The project is aimed at replacing aging fighter jets such as the F-4 and F-5 with high-tech combat aircraft. After the mass production of the fighter jets begins, Indonesia is to purchase some 50 units.

In May, the Korea Aerospace Industries agreed a deal to export South Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jets to the archipelagic country. In April, Indonesia selected South Korea as the preferred bidder for its jet trainer project and the two nations have been in negotiations on price and other considerations. A final deal will allow South Korea to export its T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jets for the first time.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

The Korea Herald/Asia - The China Post

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