New Russian Subs Await Missiles

New Russian Subs Await Missiles

By Maxim Pyadushkin Moscow

Development of strategic nuclear forces remains the top priority for the Russian military. Within the nuclear triad, the military has a big stake in reinforcing naval strategic forces, although the other two elements, ground-based missiles and strategic bombers, are also being modernized. The navy accounts for approximately 40% of the defense ministry’s budget, according to Vice Premier Sergey Ivanov, who discussed spending in mid-2009. “It’s much more than is spent on strategic missile forces, space forces and the air force put together. It’s hundreds of billions of rubles,” he said, adding that the navy’s money will be mainly spent for procuring strategic nuclear submarines. The Russian navy’s main program in this area is the construction of the strategic Borei-class (Project 955) submarines, each armed with 16 R-30 Bulava ICBMs with multiple warheads. These subs have a submerged displacement of 24,000 tons, submerged speed of 29 kt. and endurance of 90 days. The navy plans to have eight such submarines by 2017 to replace the aging fleet of Delta-IV-class boomers. The first Borei-class sub, Yuri Dolgorukiy, was laid down in 1996 at the Severodvinsk Sevmash shipbuilding plant, but commenced its first sea trial in July 2009. The cost of construction is unofficially estimated to be 23 billion rubles ($760 million). The first Borei submarine was scheduled to enter service in 2009, though this has been delayed. Two more submarines of the class—Vladimir Monomakh and Alexander Nevsky—are being built at Sevmash. According to Sevmash officials, the keel of the fourth submarine was to be laid down on Dec. 22, the day Sevmash celebrated its 70th jubilee. It will reportedly be the first of the improved Borei-A class. Last summer and fall, the Yuri Dolgorukiy conducted sea trials, but its introduction into service may be delayed because of problems with the weapon it is designed to carry. Bulava (RSM-56, SS-NX-30) is a new submarine-launched ballistic missile. The Moscow Institute of Thermotechnics (MIT) has been working on the weapon since 1988. The three-stage missile has a launch weight of 36.8 tons and can deliver a 1,150-kg. (2,530-lb.) throw-weight (i.e., payload) to a range of 8,000 km. (4,970 mi.). The engines of the first two stages are powered by a solid propellant while the third stage burns liquid fuel, which ensures the speed necessary for the warhead-separation phase. The missile reportedly carries 6-10 nuclear warheads, each 100-150 kilotons, which after separation maneuver at hypersonic speed to engage individual targets. To speed up development, Bulava has some commonality with the Topol-M mobile ICBM, also built by MIT. Bulava’s test-firing trials started in 2004 from on board the Dmitry Donskoy (Typhoon-class) ballistic-missile submarine. So far, 11 test launches have been carried out, of which five were successful. The run of bad luck began in December 2008 when the missile self-destructed in flight. An investigation showed the reason was a bad pyrobolt that was used to separate the missile’s stages. The military insisted on additional ground testing, but the next sea launch, in July 2009, was also unsuccessful, as the first-stage engine failed after 28 sec., causing the missile to self-destruct again. The test failure led to the resignation of MIT head Yuri Solomonov, who nevertheless continues to work as Bulava’s chief designer. The government insists that the reason for the failure was low manufacturing quality, and initiated a total inspection of Bulava’s production chain. The military, however, decided to continue the trials. The RIA Novosti news agency cited a Russian defense industry source who said the delay was caused by the need to resolve additional technical issues between the defense ministry and the manufacturer. The navy, meanwhile, is keen to complete Bulava development despite the technical problems, because it does not have an alternative weapon for the Borei-class submarines. On Dec. 9, another test was attempted, resulting in yet another failure. Photo credit: SEVMASH source: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/dti/2010/01/01/DT_01_01_2010_p64-189066.xml&headline=New%20Russian%20Subs%20Await%20Missiles

Ka-60 : Kamov Kasatka the Killer Whale

English name: Killer Whale

TYPE: Medium transport helicopter.

PROGRAMME: Original coaxial rotor, twin tail, single-engined V-60 won Soviet Army lightweight helicopter and Mi-8 replacement competition against heavier, twin-engined Mil Mi-36 in 1982; subsequently, design considerably modified to achieve greater speed through adoption of single main rotor and Fenestron-type of tail rotor with eleven blades. First flight originally due 1993, but programme slowed by funding shortages, and priority changed to promotion of civil variant (see Ka-62). Ka-60 officially revealed at Lyubertsy on 29 July 1997, when prototype close to completion; first flew (601) 10 December 1998; second sortie 21 December; first official flight 24 December; all were hovering flights; international debut at MAKS '99, Moscow, August 1999; first 'forward flight' 24 December 1999. Further testing was intermittent, due to irregular Ministry of Defence funding; production versions of RD-600V turboshaft installed mid-2002. At this time, it was stated only that the prototype had completed "several" flights, although State Trials were not due to begin until early 2003.

Conflicting reports quote both Arsenyev and Ulan Ude as prospective production lines. However, LMZ (now LAPIK, part of RSK "MiG") was reported in April 2000 to be preparing for production and in mid-2001 was building second prototype, which to be completed as a trainer in Ka-60U configuration. This entered final assembly in July 2002, although RD-600 engines were not due to have been received until late 2002. Displayed (marked as 602) at MAKS ‘03, Moscow, August 2003. Series production LAPIK was due to begin in 2003.

In August 2002, it was announced that power plant will be changed to Klimov VK-1500 to increase participation by RSK "MiG" group.

A smaller variant of Ka-60 was reported in mid-2001 to have been offered to Russian Navy.

CURRENT VERSIONS: Pilot and aircrew training (Ka-60U), utility, shipborne over-the-horizon targeting (Ka-60K) reconnaissance (Ka-60R) anti-tank and anli-helicopter versions proposed; role of Ka-60R, with Samshit target acquisition system, transferred to Kamov Ka-52.

CUSTOMERS: None. Long-term interest maintained by Russian Army; reportedly evaluated by Iran. Russian requirements estimated as over 100 Ka-60Us between 2001 and 2010.

COSTS: US$1.7 million, Ka-60U (2000).

DESIGN FEATURES: Generally as for Ka-62, but with IR- and radar-absorbent coatings, reduced rotor speed, low-IR exhausts.

POWER PLANT: Prototype has RKBM Rybinsk RD-600V Turboshafts, as Ka-62. Production engine will be 1,103kW Klimov VK-1500. RRTM RTM322 or GE CT7 available in export versions.

ACCOMMODATION: Up to 16 infantry troops; or six stretchers and three attendants. Pilot (starboard) and co-pilot/gunner (port) side by side. Provision for dual controls; control stick top common with Ka-50/52.

SYSTEMS: All Russian; Western equivalents optional for export.

AVIONICS: As above, including Pastel RWR and Otklik laser warning system.

Radar: Arbalet MMW antenna in nose.

Instrumentation: Three-screen EFIS.

EQUIPMENT: Cargo hook.

ARMAMENT: One-piece transverse boom through cabin, to rear of doors, optional to provide suspension for total of two B-8V-7 seven-round 80mm rocket pods, two 7.62mm or 12.7mm gun pods, or similar armament.

Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 2004-2005

Ka-60 "Kasatka" is intended for carrying landing troops, delivery of weapons and ammunition to the battlefield area, evacuation of casualties, protection and patrol of economic zones when based on the ships, search and rescue operations, training of the crews.

Ka-60 helicopter has single-rotor scheme with five-blade rotor of 13.5-m diameter. The polymeric composite blade is attached to the hub by a torsion bar. The airframe features perfect aerodynamic outlines, large door openings on both fuselage sides, retractable three-leg energy-absorbing landing gear and multi-blade (11 blades) tail rotor in the tail ring. The seats of the crew and the troopers are energy attenuating seats. The pilot-in-command is on the right-hand seat. The power plant of the helicopter is comprised of new-generation modular-design engines developed by Rybinsk Motor Design Bureau, headed by Mr. A. Novikov, Designer General.

Particular attention is paid to the increased combat survivability means of the helicopter. All principal systems and units of Ka-60 are duplicated and separated. The rotor blades with several holes from the automatic gun hits remain operable. The control system links and transmission shafts sustain the hits of 12.7-mm bullets. The composite polymeric materials that make about 60% of the helicopter structural weight also add to the increased survivability of the helicopter being more resistant to the combat damages. The foam polyurethane that filled the tanks prevents the danger of the fuel explosion. Higher survivability of the helicopter in the battlefield is also achieved by lower optical, IR and radar signatures.

The on-board avionics suite depends on the application version of the helicopter. The basic suite for all versions is the one for transport assault helicopter. This suite ensures operational missions in daytime and night, in VFR and IFR conditions.

www.airshow.ru

Technical data for Ka-60

Crew: 1-2, engine: 2 x Rybinsk RD-600 turboshaft, rated at 975kW, main rotor diameter: 13.5m, take-off weight: 6500kg, max speed: 300km/h, cruising speed: 265km/h, hovering ceiling: 2100m, service ceiling: 5150m, range: 700km, payload: 2000-2750kg

Russia to lease nuclear submarine to India for decade: report

Russia to lease nuclear submarine to India for decade: report

www.chinaview.cn 2010-01-13 00:32:52

Print

MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia will lease a multifunctional nuclear submarine to India for a decade in the second half of this year, the Itar-Tass news agency reported Tuesday, quoting a Russian Defense Ministry official. The Nerpa nuclear submarine, which successfully concluded tests last December, will be handed over to India this summer or autumn, the unidentified official told Itar-Tass. The official said Indian crew would come to Russia's military base near the far eastern port of Vladivostok to take the Nerpa on trial. "After the signing of an act of acceptance, the Nerpa will head for India," the source said. Mikhail Dmitriev, director of the Federal Service of Military and Technical Cooperation, said in December 2008 that Russia might lease a nuclear submarine to India for 10 years. The Nerpa, one of Russia's newest nuclear-powered submarines, had an accident during trials in the Sea of Japan in November 2008,killing 20 people and injuring 21 others. The submarine passed successfully several rounds of tests and was transferred to the Russian navy on Dec. 28, 2009. source: www.chinaview.cn

Moscow, KOMPAS.com - Vietnam continued to fix military fleet strength. In the near future they will buy buy submarines and fighters from Russia.

Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyễn Tấn Dũng told reporters in Moscow, Tuesday, explaining Vietnam has signed a contract for the purchase of submarines and aircraft with Russian arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.
Interfax news agency quoted sources as saying that not be named, said Russia plans to sell Vietnam six diesel-powered submarines of type 636 or better known as the NATO code "Kilo", with prices around approximately $ 2 billion.
It is said, after purchasing the vessel, they will build a shipyard in St. Petersburg. Russian government spokesman declined to comment on. Interfax quoted Russian officials unnamed others who said, both sides also discussed a deal sending eight Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets to Vietnam.

The official told Interfax, Vietnam could buy 12 more aircraft of this type, with a total value of approximately $ 600 million. Procurement these weapons by Vietnam, by a number of parties allegedly related to the dispute of sovereignty in the South China Sea is increasing.

Vietnam, China and other countries claim the region for a long time vietnam East Sea, which contain oil and gas rich like Spratly and Paracel Islands.

source:http://internasional.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/12/16/01455488/vietnam.borong.pesawat.tempur.dan.kapal.selam