An F-35C test aircraft piloted by Lt. Christopher Tabert launches from a from a degraded test catapult. The test used an intentionally degraded catapult to check the aircraft's response to steam ingestion. The F-35C is the Navy variant of the Joint Strike Fighter and recently concluded the first round of catapult testing. Future testing will include launches at varying weights, stores and with increased mission system functionality. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River before delivery to the fleet. (Photo by Layne Laughter courtesy of Lockheed Martin/Released)
The P-8A Poseidon successfully launches the first MK 54 "exercise" torpedo Oct. 13 to verify safe separation of MK 54 from the P-8A. (U.S. Navy photo)
The first production F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing multirole fighter for the US Marine Corps was flown for the first time on 25 October 2011 at the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti put the aircraft (Navy bureau number 168057) through a series of functional checks during the nearly one hour sortie. This aircraft will be delivered to the F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, by the end of 2011.
The MoD press release on the launch of the second anti-submarine corvette, INS Kadmatt, which is being build under Project 28, is pasted below in full.
GRSE LAUNCHES SECOND ANTI SUBMARINE WARFARE CORVETTE FOR INDIAN NAVY
The Indian Navy’s modernization quest under ‘Project-28’, to stealthily hunt and destroy lurking enemy submarines, got further bolstered with the launch of the second indigenous ‘Anti Submarine Warfare’ (ASW) corvette ‘Kadmatt’ - named after an island in the Lakshwadeep archipelago of India - built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), at Kolkata, today.
Conforming to the centuries-old maritime tradition of ship launches by a lady, Smt Mamatha M, launched ‘Kadmatt’ from the GRSE main yard in the presence of her husband, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A) of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral N.N. Kumar, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Rear Admiral K.C. Sekhar and other GRSE workers and office bearers.
GRSE is slated to launch four ASW corvettes for the Indian Navy each costing nearly Rs. 1,700 crores apiece. Kamorta, the first in the series was also earlier launched by Smt Mamatha on April 19, last year. Kamorta after fitments is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in June 2012 and Kadmatt in March 2013. The keel of the third ASW corvette meanwhile was laid in August 2010. The remaining two ASW corvettes scheduled to float out next from GRSE yards are Kiltan and Kavaratti.
Dr. Pallam Raju in his address expressed delight that 50 percent of the total work on the frontline warship Kadmatt was completed prior to the launch as against 40 percent for the first ASW ship Kamorta launched in April, last year. “This is a record of sorts in the warship-building scenario,” he said. The on-schedule ‘build programme’ would ensure timely contractual deliveries adding to the might of the country in its projection as a blue water navy of our region, he also said.
Stating that Indian Navy and Coast Guard have huge requirement of ships to be met without any time and cost overruns, Dr. Raju emphasized that timely delivery of ‘quality ships’ was the need of the hour. “Modern shipbuilding technology and tools must be adopted to achieve this objective,” he stated.
Urging GRSE to put into practice effective mechanisms to meet challenges posed by the Indian private sector, Dr. Raju said shipyards (defence) have to concentrate on implementation of time-tested quality practices, effective corporate strategy, establishment of reliable and stabilized vendors and most importantly, training and up-gradation of its human resources to the lowest level.
GRSE, a category-I Mini Ratna DPSU (Defence Public Sector Undertaking) since September 2006, has for the first-time achieved a turnover of over Rs. 1,000 crores, in the last fiscal. With a healthy order book position currently pegged at over Rs.10,000 crores, GRSE has also embarked on a major modernization drive of its infrastructural facilities at a cost of over Rs. 530 crores to bolster its shipbuilding capabilities.
Following visits to various modernization sites earlier on Monday (October 24, 2011), Dr. Raju in his address at the ship launch lauded the efforts and stated, “GRSE modernization when completed next year will almost double the shipbuilding capacity of the yard enabling construction of large and more sophisticated warships using modern modular construction technology in a much shorter time frame.”
The modernization of the main yard includes construction of a 180 x 29 mts dry dock with portable shelter, an additional 180 x 23 mts inclined berth with portable shelter, module hall for assembly of pre-outfitted blocks upto 230 Tons, laying of a 250 Tons Goliath crane and a paint cell. Upon completion, the constructions will double the existing building docks and treble the dry docks besides creating of a new slipway.
The ASW corvettes -- deemed Kamorta Class Ships – with more than 80 percent indigenous content, capable of fighting under NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) environment are designated as super-sophisticated frontline warships with stealth features. The 109 metres long, 12.8 metres wide ship with an approximate displacement capacity of 3,000 Tons can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots.
The ship powered by four 3888 KW diesel engines at 1,050 rpm has an endurance to cover nearly 3,450 nautical miles at 18 knots and can carry a helicopter on board. Each ship can accommodate 17 officers and 106 sailors.
The anti-submarine warfare capability is largely achieved due to the low signature of radiated underwater noise. The ship having indigenous weapon and sensor suites is equipped with super-rapid gun mounting, anti-aircraft guns, torpedo launcher, rocket and chaff launchers. The ship fittings include early warning, navigation, fire control radars and under-water sensors with integrated communication and electronic warfare systems.
The Indian Navy has commissioned the fourth fleet tanker INS Shakti into the fleet which has been constructed by Fincantieri Shipyard of Italy. INS Shakti will be a much needed boost for the Indian Navy as it will help them to chart beyond the limits of the Indian Ocean. INS Shakti has been fitted with an indigenous Anti Missile Defence Chaff System and has a powerful self defence capability.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma witnessed the commissioning in the Naval Dockyard in Vishakapatnam and indicated that all possible measures were being taken to enhance the coastal security in the country. INS Shakti has been constructed by the Italian Shipyard in less than two years and is one the largest vessels with the Indian Navy. The ship is 175 metres in length and 32 metres wide with a full-load displacement of 27,500 tonne. Admiral Verma congratulated the Fincantieri Shipyard, Indian PSUs like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and HAL besides the small scale industries for their assistance in building the largest ship of the Indian Navy, INS Shakti.
Before the induction of INS Shakti, the Italian shipyard Fincantieri had delivered the first tanker INS Deepak earlier this year which has also been inducted into the Indian Navy. Both these fleet tankers will enable destroyers, frigates and other kinds of warships to operate for long durations on the waters without the need for returning to the harbor to replenish it. Hence, Indian Navy will extend its scope well beyond the Indian Ocean region. INS Shakti is equipped with four AK-630 guns each and it will have an endurance of 10,000 nautical miles at a speed of 16 knots.
Meanwhile, Indian Navy’s plan to add more teeth to the amphibious operations capabilities has materialized with the signing of a $ 482.22 million contract with the defence public sector undertaking Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for construction of 8 Landing Craft Utilities (LCUs). Indian government had recently cleared the plan for construction of these vessels and the Indian Navy signed the contract which envisages delivery of the first ship in 35 months, according to Indian Navy officials. Another project to acquire four huge amphibious warfare ships or Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), at a cost of around $ 3.5 billion is on the verge of being finalized by the Defence Ministry, sources said. The LCUs and LPDs will enable the transport of thousands of troops, tanks, infantry combat vehicles and other weapon systems over long distances to enemy shores.
Admiral Nirmal has assured that the naval surveillance along the coast across the country was strengthened in association with the Indian Coast Guard and the Marine Police in respective states. As part of the security enhancement, 29 MiG-29K aircraft and 16 helicopters would be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2013. Earlier, 12 fighters and 4 trainee aircraft of this class had been acquired, he added.
Indian Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, recently said that more Mig-29K class air fighter air-craft and helicopters would be inducted into the Indian Navy in the next two years.
Talking to media after commissioning of INS Shakti, a fleet tanker, at the Naval Dockyard here today, he said 29 MIG-29K aircraft and sixteen helicopters would be acquired within two years.
Earlier, 16 aircraft of this class, (12 fighter and 4 trainee aircraft) had been acquired.
The Navy Chief also said that aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya would be delivered to the Indian Navy as per the schedule, and Italy was extending cooperation for another aircraft carrier, being built by the Cochin shipyard.
To a question, he said the naval surveillance along the coast had been strengthened in association with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Fishermen too were being roped in, he said.
Navy and Coast Guard were creating awareness among the fishermen community for this purpose, he said.
Regarding rehabilitation package for those who had lost lands for the alternative naval base at Rambilli Mandal in the district, Verma said the Centre and the Navy had accepted the rehabilitation package submitted by the district administration and the state government, and Centre had released the funds.
The Indian Navy seems to be sceptical of using nuclear energy for its aricraft carriers, though it plans to commission the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant in December.
“Installing nuclear technology on a ship involves a huge design issue and high cost,” Admiral Nirmal Verma, the Chief of Naval Staff, told DC after inaugurating the India International Regatta here.
“We have restricted the use of nuclear technology to submarines, where it helps to create endurance under water,” he said.
Admiral Verma said the indigenously built warship INS Satpura was commissioned two months ago, while the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, would join the navy by December 2012.
“The three additional stealth frigates that are being built in Russia will reach us in the next 18 months,” he said.
On piracy off the coast of Somalia, Admiral Verma said the Indian Navy is part of the multinational naval task force set up to counter the threat.
“There is a tremendous exchange of information between all navies through a private computer network. About 15 countries, including France, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, China and India, are involved in this effort,” he said. Since 2008, an Indian ship has been permanently assigned to patrol the area.
“The Somalia coast comes within 200 to 300 miles of Lakshdweep. So we are carrying out massive search operations to keep the waters safe,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff unveiled an Optimist boat to mark the official launch of the India International Regatta in Chennai and had called on TN Governor K. Rosaiah.
More than 100 sailors from 10 countries, including hosts India, Qatar, Ireland, Slovenia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Myanmar and Indonesia, are taking part in the regatta that will end on October 9.
The regatta is organised by the Chennai Sailing Academy under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association.
The Commodore of the TN Sailing Association, Ashok Thakkar, said sailing is poised for growth in the state with government planning to build an international class marina.
Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma commissioned a fleet tanker named INS Shakti in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam city on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Verma emphasising the importance of Naval air power said that India would acquire a total of 45 MiG-29K.
"Naval aviation is an area which has got most attention over the past few years. And, in terms of the new inductions that we are acquiring, one is with respect to the fighter aircraft. As you are aware there are 16 MiG-29 aircraft, Mig-29K of which 12 are combat fighters, 4 are trainers. This contract was signed in 2004," said Admiral Verma.
"The delivery is almost completed. We have also gone for a second contract of 29 more fighters. So all in all you can say there are 45 MiG-29 fighters which would come into our service," he added.
Admiral Verma also spoke about acquiring maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I, which is being customized and built specially for the Indian Navy by Boeing.
"Similarly the other major acquisition which is going on very well is the induction of the P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft which is being built by Boeing. And, the first flight has already been completed," said Admiral Verma.
"What is good to see is that the ship was delivered a week before the contracted period. It seems that even the P8I programme is slightly ahead of schedule. And these would be very very capable aircrafts. As you are aware there was a contract for 8 which was signed and there is an option clause being exercised for 4," he added.
INS Shakti is the second of two fleet tankers built by the Fincantieri Shipyard of Italy for the Indian Navy.
The vessel is easily one of the largest in the Indian Navy with 175 metres in length and 32 metres in width. The ship has a displacement of 27,000 tons and is capable of carrying 15,000 tons of cargo including fuel for ships and fighter aircraft.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma said on Saturday that all possible measures were being taken to enhance the coastal security in the country.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma said on Saturday that all possible measures were being taken to enhance the coastal security in the country.
The naval surveillance along the coast across the country was strengthened, in association with the Indian Coast Guard, and the marine police in respective states, including Andhra Pradesh.
“Awareness camps on security were also being held among fishermen’s community to reach their targets,” he said. “However, as part of the security enhancement, 29 MIG 29K aircraft, and 16 helicopters, would be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2013. Earlier, 12 fighters and 4 trainee aircraft of this class had been acquired,” he added.
Admiral Verma was in the city on Saturday to witness the commissioning of the INS Shakti, the Indian Navy’s fourth fleet tanker, and the second of the two fleet tankers built by M/s Fincantieri Shipyard, Italy, for the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard, here.
The construction of the INS Shakti commenced in November 2009 in Italy. The ship is 175 metres in length, and 32 metres wide. The ship is fitted with a credible self-defence capability, and an indigenous Anti Missile Defence Chaff System.
While interacting with media persons on the occasion, the Navy chief said that Italy was also extending cooperation for another aircraft carrier, which is currently being built by the Cochin shipyard. “The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, would be delivered to the Indian Navy as per schedule,” he added. Admiral Verma congratulated the Fincantieri Shipyard, Indian PSUs like Bharat Electronics, and HAL, and a host of small scale industries and sub-contractors, for their contribution in building the largest ship of the Indian Navy, INS Shakti.
Eastern Naval Command chief, Vice Admiral Anup Singh, and president of the Fincantieri Shipyard, Corrado Antonini delivered keynote addresses. The INS Shakti’s captain is commanding officer Ravi Malhotra.
Post Master General of Visakhapatnam, Chandra Prakash released a special cover on behalf of Indian Postal service. The Italian Ambassador to India, Giacomo Sanfelice D Monteforte was also present.
USS WASP --- The Navy and Marine Corps Team made more remarkable naval aviation history today as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) test aircraft BF-2 landed safely on USS Wasp’s (LHD-1) flight deck, the first at sea vertical landing for the Marine Corps’ F-35 JSF version.
Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk landed BF-2 at 3:12 pm. “It was exactly like we predicted,” said Schenk. “But that’s because of all the hard work and extensive preparation done by the Wasp and JSF team.”
The first vertical landing is part of the initial ship trials for the F-35B which started Monday and is expected to last two-weeks. The tests are scheduled to collect data on the aircraft’s ability to perform short take-offs and vertical landings on a ship at sea, as well as determine how the aircraft integrates with the ship’s landing systems, and deck and hangar operations.
This test period, the first of three scheduled at-sea test periods over the course of the development program, will also collect environmental data on the deck through added instrumentation to measure the F-35B’s impact to flight deck operations.
“The first at sea vertical landing is a huge milestone,” said Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, military site director for F-35 test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. “We’re still early in this test period, and we expect to learn a lot more, but this is a great step toward delivering the capability to the fleet.”
Wasp spent time in a shipyard earlier this year, preparing for the F-35 test period; adding specialized instrumentation to measure deck environmental effects.
“It is no small feat to put together sea trials,” said Vice Admiral David Venlet, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “This test was planned to happen on 3 October back in early spring of this year and the team delivered on schedule. Signs of dependable performance are emerging across broad aspects of the development program. Professionals from the Navy, Marine Corps and industry team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce continue to work tirelessly to deliver this aircraft to the fleet.”
“Every time an aircraft is first tested at sea we learn a great deal and the data collected from this event will inform us about the further development work necessary to successfully integrate the F-35B on large-deck amphibious ships. By all accounts, we’re off to a great start today,” Venlet said.
The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps, capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace Marine AV-8B Harriers and F-18 Hornets and is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.
In addition to being the first ship to successfully land the F-35B, USS Wasp was also the first ship to host the V-22 Osprey during shipboard trials in October 2007.
Summary information regarding the performance of the F-35B ship trials will be made available after the completion of the test period.
Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk recorded a major milestone yesterday, flying his F-35B (BF-2) to a safe landing on the flight deck of USS Wasp’s (LHD-1), the first at sea vertical landing for the Marine Corps’ F-35 JSF version. The first vertical landing is part of the initial ship trials for the F-35B which started Monday and is expected to last two-weeks. The tests are scheduled to collect data on the aircraft’s ability to perform short take-offs and vertical landings on a ship at sea, as well as determine how the aircraft integrates with the ship’s landing systems, and deck and hangar operations.
“The first at sea vertical landing is a huge milestone,” said Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, military site director for F-35 test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. “We’re still early in this test period, and we expect to learn a lot more, but this is a great step toward delivering the capability to the fleet.”
In addition to being the first ship to successfully land the F-35B, USS Wasp was also the first ship to host the V-22 Osprey during shipboard trials in October 2007. Prior to the recent test Wasp spent time in a shipyard earlier this year, preparing for conducting the F-35 operations on board, adding specialized instrumentation to measure deck environmental effects. This test period is the first of three scheduled at-sea test periods over the course of the development program, will also collect environmental data on the deck through added instrumentation to measure the F-35B’s impact to flight deck operations. According to Vice Admiral David Venlet, F-35 Program Executive Officer the current test was scheduled back in the early spring 2011 and was carried out on the planned date. “Signs of dependable performance are emerging across broad aspects of the development program. Professionals from the Navy, Marine Corps and industry team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce continue to work tirelessly to deliver this aircraft to the fleet.” General Venlet said, adding that the data collected from this event will assist further development work necessary to successfully integrate the F-35B on large-deck amphibious ships.
The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps, capable of short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL) for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace Marine AV-8B Harriers and F-18 Hornets and is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.
Though Boeing's newest commercial jets have been grabbing all the attention recently, the company's Puget Sound area-based military jet programs are also quietly moving forward.
Wednesday, the first P-8 anti-submarine jet destined for the Indian Navy took off on its first flight out of Renton, landing at Boeing Field 2 ½ hours later.
The initial customer for the Renton-built, 737-based P-8 program, also known as Poseidon, is the U.S. Navy, which will take 117 of the jets and is scheduled to deploy the first squadron in 2013.
India, the first foreign customer, will take eight of the maritime warfare aircraft, designated P-8I, with options for an additional four.
Rear Adm. DM Sudan, assistant chief of Naval Staff (Air), Indian Navy, witnessed the flight..
"The P-8I program is progressing well, and we are looking forward to this potent platform joining the Indian navy as part of its fleet," he said in a statement.
As part of the contract with India, Boeing is required to offset the cost by placing some P-8I work with Indian suppliers.
Boeing has opened a research and technology center and an analysis and experimentation
Center in Bangalore. The former conducts research in aero structures, materials and network systems; the latter, in partnership with Bharat Electronics, provides modeling, analysis and defense experimentation in support of the Indian Armed Forces.
Russia has never transferred any stealth technology to China to assist it with its J-20 Black Eagle fifth-generation stealth fighter prototype, Russian plane maker MiG said on Friday.
"We are not delivering any equipment to China, and never have," MiG spokeswoman Yelena Fyodorova said.
MiG's statement follows claims in the Russian and foreign press last week that China's J-20, unveiled over six months ago, is based on technology and components from the Russian Mikoyan Article 1.44, a stealth technology demonstrator aircraft, development of which was suspended.
Some analysts say the aircraft have close similarities.
"The back end of the J-20 looks awfully like the 1.44, as does the overall layout with delta canards," said Douglas Barrie, an air warfare specialist at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies.
"If it's a coincidence, it's a striking one. Russia may have provided technical support, but there is nothing substantial to prove that. China has however relied on Russia for much of its defense procurement for a decade and a half," he added.
China's J-20 Black Eagle is thought to be conceptually similar to the U.S. F-22 Raptor and the Russian T-50 jets, but is likely to be just a technology demonstrator or prototype rather than a viable fighter.
China has been working on a future fighter program since the mid-1990s, but the J-20 is not expected to enter service before 2018-2020.
Earlier in the month, Mikhail Pogosyan, the head of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation said that China's fifth-generation fighter program is more for effect than substance and branded the maiden flight as a "show-off."
China relied on the Soviet Union for much of its aviation technology until the Sino-Soviet split after 1961. China then carried on developing copies of Soviet and Russian aircraft.
Beijing also relies on Russian engines, radars and electronic components for many of its other aircraft, such as the JF-17 fighter it developed jointly with Pakistan.
China's first aircraft carrier has successfully completed its maiden sea trials and returned to a shipyard for further refurbishing, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
The vessel, the former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag, has been overhauled for its new role as a platform for research and naval pilot training at the Dalian shipyard in Northeast China.
"The recent sea trials of the aircraft carrier achieved the anticipated objectives," Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a news conference in Beijing.
The Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier was 70% complete when China bought it from Ukraine for $20 million in 1998. Before being sold, the ship was disarmed and its engines were removed.
China started a total overhaul of the ship in 2005, along with the development of carrier-based aircraft.
The 1,000-feet vessel is designed to carry 26 aircraft and 24 helicopters.
Chinese military experts believe that the vessel could be commissioned by the Chinese Navy in a few years.
Russia's first Borey class strategic submarine will be put into service with the Pacific Fleet in 2011, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
The Yury Dolgoruky, which has recently completed sea trials in the White Sea, is expected to be commissioned by the Russian Navy pending the outcome of Bulava ballistic missile testing.
"The submarine is successfully undergoing trials. It should be delivered to the Pacific Fleet this year," Putin said at a meeting with United Russia activists.
On August 27, the Yury Dolgoruky conducted a successful launch of a Bulava missile at a range of 9,100 kilometers (about 5,650 miles).
Three other Borey class nuclear submarines, the Alexander Nevsky, the Vladimir Monomakh, and Svyatitel Nikolai (St. Nicholas) are in different stages of completion. Russia is planning to build eight of these subs by 2015.
Putin said on Monday that the government had allocated 4.7 trillion rubles ($160 bln) for the modernization of the Russian Navy until 2020.
