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| A Camel armed with an 81 mm cal. Mortar ... |
October 16, 2024: US denying it Missiles to the KF-21 Boramae
Reports are that the United States (US) is delaying the integration of US-made Missiles like the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) to South Korea’s new KF-21 Boramae Aircraft.
It seems to me that now that South Korea is becoming very successful in the Arms Export Industry, rivaling now that of the US’ Military-Industrial Complex, the US is now putting pressure on South Korea to limit their success.
And to think that South Korea is supposed to be a major “Ally” of the US. That’s the US for you, always putting their very own Interests first. I guess for the US, there are no “Allies” when it comes to business.
My suggestion to the South Koreans would be to just have their Boramae integrate as many other non-US Missiles as possible so future Customers will have a lot of choices. Right now, as far as I know, the KF-21 is integrated with the Infra-Red Imaging System-Tail/thrust vector-controlled (IRIS-T) and Meteor Missiles.
Here is the Link to the Article at the View US Global Website: https://viewusglobal.com/asia/article/75582/
SOURCE: No American Missiles for KF-21: What this means for South Korea’s Fighter Jet {Archived Link}
July 27, 2024: India claims S-400 SAM System shot down 80% of Enemy Aircraft during Exercise
Interesting that India claims that the S-400 Triumf Surface to Air Missile (SAM) System that they bought from Russia shot down 80% of the simulated “Enemy” Aircraft during a recent Military Exercise that they conducted.
The System, which India now calls as the “Sundarshan” for those that they bought, is a little bit expensive though as it cost India around Usd 5 billion for five S-400 Regiments, which I think means around Usd 500 million per Battery, assuming two Batteries per (equivalent to Artillery) Regiment
Here is the Link to the Article at the “The Economic Times” Website: https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/s-400-air-defence-system-shot-down-almost-entire-enemy-package-in-exercise-major-success-for-iaf/amp_articleshow/112060626.cms
When I posted a News Article about Sweden’s upcoming “Future Fighter System (FFS)” recently, a Follower commented that we haven’t even bought the JAS-39C/D or E/F Gripen yet and Sweden is already coming up with its replacement.
Well he’s not wrong about that. Anyway, here are some Illustrations on what the FFS might look like, a final Design will likely be selected in the next couple of Years.
February 23, 2024: Kaan Aircraft makes a sucessful first Flight
A Competitor to the KF-21 Boramae, the Kaan made by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) successfully made its first Flight recently, and this could be an Option for the Philippines also in the Future.
The Boramae still has the Advantage though since its first Flight is around two Years earlier than the Kaan. Based on Internet Articles, the Kaan probably won’t be available for Export until 2033 as TAI’s Priority will be the Turkish Air Force (TAF) first.
Still it would be interesting to keep Tabs of the Developments of up and coming new Aircraft like these. Next up expected to take Flight in the next several Years is Japan’s F-X and the Tejas Mk 2.
Here is the Link to the original Video a the TAI YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhgCXY1E5vs
January 31, 2024: Phalanx CIWS makes its first Enemy Missile kill in Combat
Just an interesting Piece of Military Technology News, the Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS) onboard the USS Gravely (DDG-107), an Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer of the United States Navy (USN) reportedly shot down a Cruise Missile fired by the Houthi Rebels recently.
The Missile was said to have come within 1.8 km of the Ship, activating the Phalanx and shooting down the Missile. No Indication if the USS Gravely was being targeted, or if the Missile was on its way to another Target when it was shot down.
This seems to be the first confirmed Kill of the Phalanx of an Enemy Missile in actual Combat. Prior to this, the System only has been able to destroy Training Drones and by accident back in 1996 an A-6E Intruder Aircraft of the USN.
Here is the Link to the Article on The Maritime Executive Website: https://maritime-executive.com/article/report-houthi-missile-got-within-a-mile-of-a-u-s-navy-destroyer
January 6, 2024: South Korea to start Initial Production of the KF-21 this Year (2024)
South Korea will start the Initial Mass Production of their KF-21 Boramae Stealth Fighter Aircraft by June of this Year of 2024. Only 20 Aircraft will be built for this first Production Run, and delivery of these is set to start only by 2026.
So far the several KF-21 Boramae Prototypes have already completed 140 Flight Tests so far as of this writing. It is now confirmed that the Meteor Long Range Air to Air Missile will be integrated into the Aircraft.
The build of these first 20 Aircraft is a bit slow at two Years before the first delivery, but I assume it is because they are still ironing out some Details of the Production Line and of the Aircraft itself.
Here is the Link to the Article at the TurDef Global Defense News Website: https://www.turdef.com/article/rok-starts-kf-21-boramae-mass-production-in-2024
April 9, 2023: Iran unveils new, Pick-Up Truck mounted and launched Meraj-532 Suicide Drone
Iran recently unveiled a new Suicide Drone (or also known as a “Kamikaze Drone” or “Loitering Munition”) that can be carried and launched from the back of a Pick-Up Truck. The Drone is called the “Meraj-532” and has a range of 450 km, Warhead Weight of 50 kg, Endurance of 3 hours and a maximum Altitude of 4,000 m
March 28, 2023: Just a nice look at Iran’s imposing Fath-360 Ballistic Missiles
Just a look at the imposingly large Fath-360 Ballistic Missiles by Iran. Each Missile weighs around 1,100 kg, has a range of up to 120 km and a Warhead Weight of 150 kg. Guidance System is by Satellite and Inertial Navigation System (INS), and accuracy is a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 30 m, or half of the Missiles are estimated to land within that Circle Radius
March 17, 2023: KF-21 and Kizilelma Rival, the TF-X of Turkey starts Runway Taxi Tests
One of the Rivals of South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae and the Unmanned Fighter Drone Kizilelma (also from Turkey), the TF-X made by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has started making its Runway Taxi Tests in preparation for its first Flight, which could happen soon. This new Aircraft could be another interesting option for the Philippines in the Future
February 15, 2023: Israel secretly acquired Mig-29 Aircraft in the late 1990s for Testing and Evaluation
A nice Article about into Israel’s secret acquisition three Mig-29 Fighter Aircraft in the late 1990s, likely from Poland for Testing and Evaluation. The Israelis praised the Mig-29’s Simplicity, Ruggedness and Reliability, it reportedly had only a few Malfunctions during their Tests. They also praised its Maneuverability, Powerful Radar, Infra-Red Search and Tracking (IRST) Sensor and its Automation, the Plane can reportedly land by itself. They didn’t like though that it couldn’t carry a lot of Air to Ground Weapons
January 28, 2023: India's Tactical Camels
A “Tactical Camel” equiped with an 81 mm cal. Mortar, reportedly of the Indian Armed Forces. A “TactiCamel”? Or a “Technical Camel”, “TechniCamel”? :) Photo not mine, Credits to the Owner, taken from https://www.reddit.com/r/Wallstreetsilver/comments/10ms5q4/tactical_camel/
January 3, 2023: Iran's Converted Drone Aircraft Carriers
Interesting that Iran is converting not just one but two Commercial Container Ships into Drone Aircraft Carriers that can carry and operate both Fixed and Rotary Wing Drones. This is definitely one way to have an “Aircraft Carrier” Capability but only at a fraction of the Cost of the Aircraft Carriers of other Countries out there like the United States (US) or China
SOURCE: Iran Building Drone Aircraft Carrier from Converted Merchant Ship, Photos Show {Archived Link}
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