Photos Show Z-8 Helicopter Flying Around The Varyag

     Alert 5 spotted these photos showing a Z-8 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopter flying over the Varyag. It is unknown whether or not the Z-8 actually touched down.
      What is interesting about these photos is that the flight deck is cleared of construction equipment, and building supplies. Thus, it would seem that the Varyag is getting ready to sail.

Photo Credit: Alert 5

Andrew Klavan On The Culture: 8/7/11

It's The Weekend! 8/6/11

     

     I don't agree with the video's title, but either way that was an epic fail.

The Chinese Carrier Mockup

     Defense News spotted these photos showing China's Varyag mockup on dry land, it is located at the Wuhan Naval Facility on the shore of Huangjia Lake.
      What is interesting about these photos is that the mockup appears to be situated on a large brick building, which brings up two questions. 1. Can you land and launch aircraft from this structure? 2. Does this structure simulate the rolling motion of waves on the ocean?
     Either way this mockup shows a great deal of dedication to eventually operating an aircraft carrier(s).

These photos below are ones that China Defense Blog posted back in October 2009.

Photo Credit (top to bottom): Defense Tech, China Defense Blog

   



 

The Debt Crisis..... Explained By Squirrels

Video Credit: PowerLineBlog.com

Did The Chinese Have A Nuclear Accident?

     Recently, there has been a flurry of rumors surrounding reports that the Chinese have had a nuclear reactor accident in the port of Dalian. 

     Most of the information on this comes from a blogger quoting a man who claims to be a former Japanese Air Self Defense Force officer, saying that a Chinese nuclear sub suffered an accident and is leaking radioactive material into the water. The man went on to say that Chinese troops have sealed off the area and "the situation is very dangerous". 

     If this rumor is true, it shows that the Chinese nuclear submarine force is in a state of disrepair to have such an accident. On top of this it shows how much the Chinese have to learn about operating nuclear reactors if they want to operate nuclear powered aircraft carriers. 

Photo Credit: U.S. Military

The Future Of The Chinese Aircraft Carrier Program

     

Defense News reports that Chinese Gen. Luo Yuan of the Academy of Military Sciences stated "If we consider our neighbors - India will have three aircraft carriers by 2014 and Japan will have three carriers by 2014", the General went on to say  "So I think the number [for China] should not be less than three so we can defend our rights and our maritime interests effectively.".     

     This idea is not unheard of, due to the fact that in 2008 a Japanese newspaper ran an article quoting Chinese sources saying that China would build 3 aircraft carriers (not including the Varyag) starting in 2009. Further evidence to support this claim comes in the form of a photo Alert 5 found, and was later posted here, showing the Varyag's starboard side, and a large keel in the next dry dock.

     The keel in the photo appears to be as long as the Varyag itself, and is not yet finished. The keel also appears to be for a ship larger than a destroyer, which are the biggest warships in the Chinese navy (with the exception of the Varyag), and also appears to be extremely large compared to the man in the bottom left center. If this is an aircraft carrier it is probably is of a size similar to the Varyag, and possibly of a different design.

     On top of this, Aviation Week reported that China is also planning to build 2 nuclear powered Project 1143.7 Ulyanovsk-class carriers during the 2020s. The Ulyanovsk-class was supposed to be a Soviet equivalent of the Nimitz-class carriers of the 1980s, and was designed to carry 70 aircraft, and have a displacement of 80,000 tons. However, with collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ulyanovsk which was then under construction, was canceled and scrapped.

      If the Chinese were to build a nuclear powered aircraft carrier similar to the Ulyanovsk-class, it would mean the Chinese would have to learn a who new range of skills. 1. The Chinese have no experience dealing with nuclear reactor on a surface ship, but do have some experience with reactors on submarines. 2. Nuclear powered carriers need special refueling areas for their mid-life refueling, and special procedures for refueling a reactor of that size. 3.The replenishment need for a Ulyanovsk-class carrier is 33% larger than for the Varyag, and the Chinese do not have a large supply fleet or the skills needed for that task.

     One other aspect of the Chinese aircraft carrier program is whether or not they will put anti-ship missiles (ASMs) on their carriers like the Soviets/Russians. When the Varyag was designed, it was supposed to carry 12 SS-N-19 (P-700) Shipwreck ASMs. The Ulyanovsk-class was also designed to carry 12 SS-N-19s, and/or 12 SS-N-12 (P-500) Sandbox ASMs. What is interesting about this is that in the photos showing the Varyag, there has been no sign of VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells that would hold ASMs. However, if there are VLS cells in the photos then there is a possibility that they might be loaded with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) rather than ASMs.

     As the Chinese continue to overhaul the Varyag, it will be extremely interesting to find out more about the Varyag's weapons system, and equipment as more information comes out. On top of this it will be facinating to see how China designs their future aircraft carriers, and associated systems.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog, Alert 5



Smoke Coming From The Varyag's Funnel

     China Defense Blog spotted this photo showing a large amount of smoke coming from the Varyag's funnel.

     This is not the first time exhaust has been seen coming from the Varyag's funnel. Back in May China Defense Blog posted a photo showing heat waves coming from the Varyag's funnel.

     If these photos are authentic, then it shows that the Chinese are quickly getting the Varyag ready for sea trials.



Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

FJ4 Runs Off The Runway At Oshkosh Air Show

     The DEW Line spotted this video showing a North American FJ4 Fury running off the runway next to an Alabama Air National Gaurd F-16 that had crashed earlier. Unlike the F-16 however, the FJ-4's nose gear did not collapse, and thereby showing how well carrier aircraft are built.

Video Credit: MrSerious0 

  

Libya's Rebel Air Force & NATO Weakness

With the Libyan rebels continuing to fight against the Gaddafi regime, one of the things not talked about is the rebel air force or the Free Libya Air Force.

     When the rebels began fighting earlier this year, some elements of the the Libyan Air Force (LAF) defected. Those elements of the LAF that defected included several MiG-21s and MiG-23s that either defected or were captured at Misrata or Benina air bases. Other aircraft include 4 +/- Soko G-2 trainers, 1+ Mi-24 Hinds, and at least 3 Mi-2 Hoplite transport helicopter.

     The photo above is of 2 MiG-21bis fighters and 1 MiG-21UM trainer somewhere over Benghazi. At the beginning of the NATO-enforced "no-fly zone", there was little to none of Gaddafi's air force fighting, and when the "no-fly zone" began, much of what the LAF was doing, stopped. However, as the photo above shows, NATO is cutting the rebels some slack. 

     During the "no-fly zones" over southern and northern Iraq in the 1990s, coalition pilots shot down straying Iraqi aircraft quickly if they did not run away. In this instance though, NATO seems to be letting the rebels get away with flying and providing close air support while they sit back and enjoy the show.

     One of  the possible reasons NATO is letting the rebels use their air force is that NATO does not have enough ordnance. If this the reason why the rebels are flying then it shows an enormous gap in the capabilities of NATO members, and a serious problem for those countries  

Varyag Powering Up

     China Defense Blog found these photos showing the Varyag with lights on. Defense Tech also noticed that in the photo with the white/yellow lights, there is a JBD (Jet Blast Deflector) in the raised position.

     This is not the first time the Chinese have shown signs that they are nearing the Varyag's sea trials. Back in May, photos emerged showing exhaust coming from the Varyag's funnel, and more recently there were photos showing constrution equipment being removd from the Varyag.

      All this points towards the Varyag being almost ready for sea trials, and then maybe some intimidation in the South China Sea.                                     

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Sunday Funnies

Video Credit: RingTales

It's The Weekend! 7/30/11

From the soldiers point of view.

From the pilot's point of view.

JDAM In Afghanistan

Video Credit: YouTube

France To Buy Israeli UAVs

     The Jerusalem Post reports that France is going to buy the IAI Heron to fill it's UAV needs, and thereby ending a 44 year old arms embargo.

     Back in the late 1950s France helped Israel start it's nuclear weapons program by helping them build the Dimona reactor in the Negev desert, during that period, France also sold Israel a large number of Mirage fighters, and bombers. However, on the eve of the Six-Day War in mid-1967, then french president Charles de Gaulle declared an arms embargo against Israel, which temporarily stopped the delivery of several missile boats under construction, and an order for 50 Mirage 5 fighters (later the missile boats were smuggled out, and Israel purchased the design for the Mirage 5 and built them in Israel under the name Nesher).  Since then France has not purchased or sold any weapons from Israel, but a few months ago gave 100 HOT anti-tank missiles to Lebanon.

     Moving on, France apparently picked the Heron over the MQ-9 Reaper, which is a improved version of the infamous MQ-1 Predator. The IAI Heron TP is supposed to replace the older EADS Harfang which is a variant of the original IAI Heron. The Heron has a mission endurance of 36 hours, an unknown range, and a mission payload of 1,000kg (2,205lbs). The Heron is rumored to be able to reach Iran, but that is unconfirmed.

     With the French arms embargo finally lifted, it will be interesting to see if Israel begins to purchase weapons from the French again. 

  

Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force

The J-20 May Not Be For Attacking Carriers

     Stephen Trimble over at the The DEW Line spotted this photo apparently showing the weapons bays on the J-20.

     This is not the first time I have posted on the J-20's weapons bays, but in this photo there are some inconsistencies. 1. the PL-9 on the side is larger than the PL-12s in the centerline weapons bay. 2. The PL-12s in the centerline bay appear to have fins overlapping. 3. This appears to be a plastic model that you buy in a hobby shop, and not a very accurate one at that. 

     If this is a model then it does not necessarily show the J-20's true payload, as that would be top secret in China. 

Israel Refutes Palestinian Claim To The West Bank

     Thanks to the The Blaze for spotting this video showing Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon explaining why the West Bank is not an "occupied territory" as many claim. He also explains why there is no such thing as 1967 borders.   

Video Credit Danny Ayalon

 

Israel's Nuclear Armed Submarines

     Last Sunday Defense Tech had an interesting article about Israel's submarine fleet, and the suspicion that Israel has nuclear armed cruise missiles on board. 

      Since the end of WWII, and the UN declared Israel a country, Germany has subsidized Israel's purchase of 6 Dolphin-class submarine since the late 1990s (modified Type 209s). Since Israel started purchasing Dolphin-class subs there has been controversy over whether or not Israel has nuclear weapons on board. Israel has deployed these submarines all the way to the way to the Persian Gulf, and is now keeping a nuclear armed submarine in Gulf permanently as a deterrent to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah. 

     The missile that has been the subject of the most discussion is the Popeye cruise missile, the U.S. Air Force is also a user of the missile which in the U.S. is designated the AGM-142 Raptor. The variant of the missile which is believed to carry nuclear warheads is the Popeye Turbo, which is rumored to have a 1500km range, and carry a 200kg (441lbs) warhead containing 6kg of plutonium. Israel has deployed submarines armed with these missiles, all the way to the way to the Persian Gulf, and is now keeping a nuclear armed submarine in Gulf permanently as a deterrent to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah.

     As the World & the UN continues to array against Israel, it will be interesting to see how Israel reacts to the Arab and diplomatic threats.

Photo Credit: Global Security

Russia Offers PAK FA To South Korea

     Stephen Trimble over at The DEW Line reports that Russia is offering the PAK FA to South Korea for the FX-III section of the FX fighter competition.

      When the PAK FA was unveiled last year, Russia has been working with India to develop a variant of the PAK FA for the Indian Air Force. The PAK FA is still in the testing phase, and will probably not enter service for another 1-5 years, but that does not mean it is unavailable for export (a good example of this would be the F-35). 

     South Korea has been running a fighter competition since 1999, with the 1st and 2nd phases culminating in the purchase of 61 F-15K Slam Eagles. Competing in in the 3rd phase for an order of 60 aircraft, are the Lockheed Martin F-35, Boeing F-15SE, and the Sukhoi PAK FA. Of these three the F-15SE is, in my view the leading contender for the contract, due to the fact that South Korea already manufactures parts for the F-15K, and thus would be compatible with some parts from the F-15K. The other two contenders, the F-35 and PAK FA, are not as appealing to Seoul, due to the facts that the F-35 is having problems, and is rising in cost, and that the PAK FA is still in flight testing and would cause South Korea to rely on Russia for parts and weapons for them. On top of this, the F-15SE offers a reduced radar signature, and similar payload, when compared to the F-15K. Along with proven performance compared to the F-35 and PAK FA.

       Another one of the main factors South Korea will be factoring in, is how these aircraft will perform in a war with North Korea. The F-15SE has a larger payload and better maneuvering than the F-35, and is compatible with American missiles which is what South Korea uses. The PAK FA on the other hand is only compatible with Russian missiles, which would mean South Korea would have to purchase weapons from Russia, and that brings up the possibility of Russia not selling the missiles in a war with North Korea.

     As the F-X contest continues, it will be interesting to see which aircraft South Korea chooses, and why they chose it.

     

     

Photo Credit: The DEW Line 

Andrew Klavan On The Culture: 7/24/11

Video Credit: Andrew Klavan