RUSSIA PLANS TO DEVELOP 5th-GENERATION "STEALTH" HELICOPTERS

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Mei 14, 2010


Artist's impression of Kamov stealth helicopter (image : aimoo)

A Russian helicopter company is planning to develop the world's first fifth-generation combat helicopter, which experts say would be able to attack fighter jets and be invisible for radars, the Gazeta daily said on Thursday.

"We are working on the concept of the fifth-generation combat helicopter," the paper quoted the company's CEO, Andrei Shibitov, as saying at a news conference in Moscow.

Shibitov did not specify the characteristics of the helicopter, but said the company was going to spend some $1 billion on the project, with more investment expected to be allocated from the state budget.

The official said the Mil design bureau had been working on a classical rotor model, which features a large main rotor and a smaller auxiliary rotor, while the Kamov design bureau had been developing a coaxial rotor model.

Military experts believe that the coaxial rotor model is more stable and easy to fly while the classical model is more reliable and has a higher degree of survivability on the battlefield.

First deputy head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Issues, Konstantin Sivkov, told the paper that fifth-generation combat helicopters have never been built before, although the United States has recently begun working on a similar project.

He said a fifth-generation combat helicopter must have a low radar signature, a high noise reduction, an extended flying range, be equipped with a computerized arms control system, be able to combat fighter jets (existing helicopters are generally only intended to hit ground-based targets) and reach a speed of up to 500-600 km/h (310-370 mph).

The project cannot proceed, however, unless it is backed by the government.
"If the government does not sign a contract, the idea will die on the vine," head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Issues Leonid Ivashov told Gazeta. Ivashov said that with sufficient investment and good organization the new helicopter could be built within five years. Otherwise, the project may drag on for 20-30 years.

But he was somewhat skeptical about the chances of carrying out the project.
"We have been trying to tackle everything - fifth-generation planes, fifth-generation helicopters, but nothing of this have so far been supplied to the army - today the army still uses helicopters produced in 1970s," Ivashov said.

Russia's main combat helicopter, the Mi-24 Hind, is a third-generation helicopter, and a few Mi-28 Havoc, Ka-50 and Ka-52 Hokum, which have just started to arrive in the Russian army, are fourth-generation helicopters.

Source by : RIA Novosti

AIRBUS DEMONSTRATES TORPEDO LAUNCH WITH C-295

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Mei 12, 2010

C-295 launches torpedo (photo : Airbus Military)

Airbus Military has demonstrated the ability of the C-295 to launch torpedos at submarines, improving the aircraft's resume for replacing Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions.

So far, the 82 C-295s sold to 12 operators have functioned as transports or surveillance aircraft. The torpedo demonstration shows the aircraft can be adapted to the maritime strike role against sub-surface targets.

In a statement released on 7 May, Airbus Military described the torpedo launch as an "important milestone" for the C-295 maritime patrol aircraft programme.

"It is also a significant entry for Airbus Military into the market of antisubmarine warfare aircraft," the statement adds.

An Airbus Military spokeswoman said she was unaware if the C-295 required additional launch tests. "There might be more," the spokeswoman told Flightglobal.com.

She also declined to answer whether existing or new customers have purchased the torpedo launch capability. "That is not something we are commenting about on behalf of potential customers."

Torpedos for the C-295 are installed on two under-wing pylons. The aircraft is also adapted with a store management system, which is linked to the fully integrated tactical system, a mission suite also developed by Airbus Military.

Source by : Flight International