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Zhuhai Air Show 2021: China’s Weirdest Aircraft Projects

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Zhuhai Air Show 2021: China’s Weirdest Aircraft Projects

Zhuhai Air Show, which is also known as Air Show China, is the largest
exhibition of military and civil aviation in the People’s Republic of China.
This year, it was ripe with new developments and concepts from the country’s
aviation industry. Here are some of AeroTime’s picks for the weirdest, most
interesting, or simply ‘out there’ ideas.

CASC FH-97: The Chinese Valkyrie

Between the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, the Boeing ATS and the entire Skyborg
project, cheap, stealthy and high-performance combat drones which could
accompany manned fighter jets into battle seem like the hot new thing. Indeed,
the concept of ‘loyal wingmen’ is on its way to revolutionize aerial warfare,
which is why major air powers have been investing in it heavily.

For a long time, there was no concrete information about China’s take on this
formula. Was the country’s defence industry developing something? At Air Show
China 2021, we found out the truth – yes, the global superpower had been hard
at work.

Unsurprisingly, the FH-97, displayed by the China Aerospace Science and
Technology Corporation (CASC), bears more than a passing resemblance to the
XQ-58, which flew for the first time in 2019 and performed weapons tests in
April 2021. It is too early to judge the seriousness of the FH-97 project, and
when we are going to see it fly. However, a host of combat drone projects –
some small, some big and some quite unconventional – were presented at CASC’s
stand. This shows that the company is certainly taking the field seriously and
has invested a lot of money into research.

The FC-31 And Its Many Faces

The Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon had its first flight back in 2012. That was less
than two years after the maiden flight of the J-20, and the West was quite
surprised with China’s ability to design and test-fly a second stealth fighter
in such a short time. The aircraft was rumoured to become the next addition to
the inventory of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAF). But then it
disappeared.

Throughout the year, bits and pieces of information have appeared in Chinese
media, but nothing concrete. There has been some speculation that the jet was
being prepared for export and that it might become a carrier-capable jet for
the Chinese navy. But, until Zhuhai 2021, both facts had remained unconfirmed.

Several mock-ups of the FC-31’s new and updated look were presented at the Air
Show, including one of the jet’s cockpit. Additionally, the jet’s chief
designer revealed that a new Chinese carrier-based jet is set to be rolled out
later this year. The name of the new jet was not revealed, but a model and a
render were displayed – both rather reminiscent of the Gyrfalcon. So, it’s
possible that the FC-31 will be heavily modified before taking on carrier
duty, and may even receive a new name.

In the end, it is quite likely that the FC-31 will include both land-based and
carrier-based versions, be adopted by the Chinese Air Force, and be offered
for export. Quite an assortment of roles.

Chinese Sixth-Gen Proposals

Between performances from the FC-31 and the re-engined J-20, China appeared to
be placing quite a bit of emphasis on its fifth-generation capability.

But the rest of the world seems to be fixated on the generation above. Between
the United States’ NGAD, Europe’s FCAS and Tempest, and Japan’s F-X, the
world’s major aerospace manufacturers are investing a lot into the development
of sixth-generation fighter jets.

Recently, Russia has dropped some hints about its plans for a sixth-gen
development timeline. China followed. At Zhuhai, several renders of aircraft appeared to mimic western designs of
prospective jets. While none had any concrete numbers in regards to
performance or timelines, it is clear that China is also working out what the
next generation could look like as well.

One render, seen in a presentation at the Aviation Industry Corporation of
China’s (AVIC) stand, appeared to be almost identical to Boeing’s proposal for
the F/A-XX from the early 2010s. Another, shown separately, was a different
design with 2D vectoring engine nozzles and stubby wings.

A Seventh-Generation Fighter Jet?

As if the sixth generation was not enough, an even more futuristic project was
presented by AVIC. The PLAN Next Generation Carrier Aircraft features a
forward-swept foldable wing, foldable tail, canards and massive internal bays.

Some material referred to the jet as the J-25, while a partial mock-up of the
aircraft (displayed on the outskirts of an exhibition hall in a dramatic
industrial diorama) was labelled ‘Kalavinka’, referring to a mythical bird
with a human head from Asian folklore.

In contrast to the sixth-generation projects, AVIC provided data this time.
The jet is supposed to have a top speed of Mach 4, a cruise speed of Mach 3
and a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers (1,080 nautical miles). Additionally,
it should be powered by engines with 180 kN of thrust with afterburner
enabled.

However, there are some problems with this arrangement. Not only was the
aircraft depicted as having diverterless supersonic inlets that, generally, do
not work beyond Mach 2. The forward-swept wing is also understood to have a
limiting performance on the maximum speed. This would require unfathomable
advancements in materials for it to sustain Mach 4, which suggests that the
images and mock-ups provided were barely anything more than a design proposal.

Spaceplanes Galore

If next-generation fighter jets are China’s bold step towards science fiction,
then its spaceplanes can be considered a full commitment to the genre. China
Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), one of the major Chinese
spacecraft manufacturers, presented its own vision of how a spaceplane of the
future should look.

Essentially, its first stage is an assortment of engines mounted on an
arrow-like fuselage, and the second is highly reminiscent of the Space
Shuttle. Called Tengyun, the system was first announced back in 2018. But this
year, it was followed by a lavish presentation that included a render, a short
video and an announcement of a planned propulsion system. Supposedly, the
first stage of the Tengyun will take a page out of the SR-71’s book and
feature a combined turbojet-ramjet engine – a feat that has never been
accomplished on a launcher vehicle before.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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