China's Radar Technology Could Nullify US Stealth Jets

Developments in China's anti-stealth technology could soon render the stealth capabilities of America's F-22 fighter jets and Europe's Neuron unmanned combat air vehicles obsolete.

On display at the 9th China International Defence Electronics Exhibition in Beijing in May was China's DWLOO2 passive radar, which is said to have a range of 500 kilometers and can cover the entire air space with zero "blind spots." The radar will be mainly be used for air defense and coastal surveillance in complex electromagnetic environments, with the ability to detect, locate and track air, sea, and ground radiation within its coverage, the report said.

Perhaps even more impressive is that developments in Chinese anti-stealth technology mean that passive radars can track all types of aircraft through low-frequency radio waves without the pilots knowing they are being observed or targeted, which is different to conventional radars that send out high-frequency signals. This means the Chinese military can track aircraft through signals from power sources such as transmitters used for television, FM radio and cell phones.

Apart from passive radars, China's conventional JY-27A air surveillance and guidance radar is also said to be a world-leading state-of-the-art meter wave band 3D long range air surveillance radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft and guided missiles.
The paper stated that China owes its rapid advancements in anti-stealth technology to the United States, which placed pressure on the Chinese military after the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was hit by US B-2 stealth bombers during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. The US then stationed more B-2 stealth bombers and F-22 fighter jets at its Guam naval base, forcing China to react to the threat, it said.

China Needs Single-Hulled Submarines: Chinese Expert

The single-hull submarine is much more suitable for the combat environment China faces today than the double-hull submarines currently used by the PLA Navy, said Ma Ling, an expert in submarine development.

PLA Navy Type 094 double-hull Submarine

The double-hull submarine's numerous ballast chambers make it harder to sink than its single-hulled cousin. In addition, the double-hull can endure more torpedo strikes, according to Ma. China has moved in this direction when making purchases or constructing to ensure the survival of its submarine fleet. The double-hull however, may not end up giving PLA Navy any measurable advantage when operating in the Far East.

As Ma said, the Yellow and East China Seas are both too shallow for larger double-hull submarines to hide from enemy attack. Also, the ballast chambers leave no space to install noise reduction equipment, making them far easier to detect. They are only suitable for operation in some parts of the First Island Chain, extending from Alaska to the Philippines.

India Drops Israeli LAHAT, Will Develop Own Missile For Arjun Mk-2

The homemade Arjun Mk-2 tank has suffered a major setback, with a critical Israeli anti-tank missile to be fitted on it failing to meet the army’s requirements.
The development comes at a time when the defence ministry has set the ball rolling for buying 118 Arjun Mk-2 tanks at a cost of more than Rs. 6,600 crore.
The tank developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an upgraded version of the Mk-1 variant, 119 of which have been inducted in the army.
One of the most significant upgrades proposed in the new tank is its missile-firing capability.
However, the failure of the laser homing anti-tank (LAHAT) missile, manufactured by the Israeli Aerospace Industries, will seriously hinder the ongoing project as the DRDO will now have to work on an indigenous missile that can be fired from the tank.
In an exclusive interview to HT, DRDO chief Avinash Chander said, “The LAHAT missile doesn’t figure in our plans anymore. We are dropping it. We have been working on a tube-launched anti-tank missile, which hopefully can be configured for the tank’s cannon.”
The Mk-2 variant is supposed to have nearly 80 improved features over the previous version, including more than 15 major technology upgrades.
Chander said the LAHAT missile did not meet the army’s requirements of engaging targets at ranges of less than 1,200 metres. It has an effective range of 6,000 metres.
The major improvements on the new tank include better firepower, integrated explosive reactive armor, advanced laser warning and countermeasure system, a mine plough, a remotely-operable anti-aircraft weapon, advanced land navigation system and enhanced night vision capabilities.
However, the army may not be able to fully exploit the tank, powered by a German engine, as it is too heavy at 67 tonnes.

Russian Ilyushin Il-96-400T To Be Developed In China

A few weeks ago the Russian-Chinese agreement of aeronautical development, particularly in the aviation segment of large passenger jet was ratified. It is well known that Beijing has a major weakness in that area and needs to enhance its industry to be able, by itself, to develop a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. 

The development memorandum signed between Chinese and Russian included a large passenger aircraft, no doubt, will be used by the military as a platform for multi-purpose . 

Ilyushin Il-96-400T

 

The Russian Ilyushin Group will collaborate with the Chinese counterpart in the development of the Russian cargo plane Ilyushin Il-96-400T.

And the potentials are enormous based on this large platform. For example, the Chinese media is speculating on the possibility of modifying the Il-96-400T as the in-flight refuelling aircraft to replace the Ilyushin Il-78 fleet currently in service in PLAAF China.

 

A tanker version of Il-96-400T will match the capabilities of KC-46 that is based on the commercial Boeing 767 and that certainly would be of interest to the PLAAF and PLANAF.

 

 

Russia to Focus on New Offensive Weapons: Putin

Russia is developing an array of new nuclear and conventional weapons to counter recent moves by the U.S. and NATO, but will carefully weigh the costs to avoid overburdening its economy, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

Putin

Addressing a Kremlin meeting on weapons modernization plans, Putin said the West shouldn't be surprised about Moscow's efforts in view of U.S. missile defense plans and other decisions he said have threatened Russia's security.

"We have warned many times that we would have to take corresponding countermeasures to ensure our security," Putin said, adding that he would now take personal charge of the government commission that oversees military industries.

He said the weapons modernization program for 2016-2025 should focus on building a new array of offensive weapons to provide a "guaranteed nuclear deterrent," re-arming strategic and long-range aviation, creating an aerospace defense system and developing high-precision conventional weapons.

Putin wouldn't provide any details of prospective weapons, but he and other officials have repeatedly boasted about new Russian nuclear missiles' capability to penetrate any prospective missile shield.

Putin's emphasis on high-precision conventional weapons reflects government concerns about the U.S. and other NATO countries enjoying a significant edge in that area.

Putin said potential threats must be thoroughly analyzed, and an "adequate response" given to each of them to avoid excessive military spending.

He said that Russian defense industries must rid themselves of dependence on imports and quickly become capable of producing key components at home — a nod at recent Western sanctions against Russia barring arms sales.

China's Five Major Weapons For Air Combat

China's five most devastating weapons are a considerable threat to the United States, Japan and India if armed conflict should ever arise between the countries, reports the Washington-based National Interest.

The PLA Air Force is no longer a peasant air force with ancient fighters incapable of projecting power beyond its borders. Facing territorial disputes with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippine over the East and South China Seas, China today needs an air force strong enough to protect its interest beyond its traditional area of interest in East Asia. To challenge the power and influence of the United States, it indeed needs a global air force with global weaponry.

The first weapon system is the WU-14 Hypersonic Glide Vehicle. With a speed of Mach 5 and 10, it can travel farther faster, delivering its payload within minutes of launch. Hypersonic weapons are difficult to be intercepted with current air defense systems. The test flight of the WU-14 on Aug. 7 indicated that the PLA intends to use it to deliver nuclear warheads.

The next weapon is the KJ-2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft. Like the American Sentry, Mizokami said that KJ-2000 is a large, wide-bodied aircraft with a rotating disc-shaped radar mounted on top. It is capable of detecting aircraft more than 300 miles away. This aircraft allows China's surveillance network to extend beyond the range of ground-based radars into the South or East China Seas.

The third weapon system is the H-6 strategic bomber designed by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation. This bomber is designed based on the blueprint of Soviet Tu-16 bomber to drop nuclear warheads. However, it can also be used as conventional bomber, missile carrier, and even aerial refueling tanker today. The bomber's two most useful attributes are its long range and large payload according to the report.

The Il-78 tanker is another weapon system for the PLA to strengthen its force projection capability. The South China Sea, 670 miles away from the closest Chinese air base at Hainan island, is just under twice the combat radius of China's J-10 fighters. The Il-78 is the only system that is able to extend the range of Chinese fighters other than the Liaoning, the first aircraft carrier of China.