Lockheed to supply low frequency sonars for Indian MH-60R Seahawks helicopter
Lockheed
Martin has won a $181.7 million to produce and deliver 39 AN/AQS-22 Airborne
Low-Frequency Sonars (ALFS) to the USN and FMS customers, for integration into
MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters. Under a $181.74 million contract
modification from Naval Air Systems Command, announced on 4 August, 24 sonar
systems will be provided to India and 7 ALFS to Denmark, in addition to 8 ALFS
for the US Navy, into MH-60R Seahawk aircraft, the U.S. Department of Defense
said in a statement today. India is buying a total of 24 helicopters under a
$2.1 billion deal confirmed by the country in February this year. For the
record, the Indian Navy MH-60R weapons package is expected to include
Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile in its helicopter launched variant (known as
NSM-HL). The contract award comes after the government of Denmark announced in
April this year it had ordered torpedoes, ALFS and sonobuoys for its nine
MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. All work under the contract is expected to be
completed by December 2024. About the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar :
The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) is the primary undersea
warfare (USW) sensor of the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. This integrated
dipping sonar system enables the MH-60R to accomplish the assigned ASW missions
of submarine detection, tracking, localization and classification. It also
performs missions relating to acoustic intercept, underwater communications and
environmental data acquisition. The AN/AQS-22 is the only in-service dipping
sonar with the multi-frequency operation. This capability enables the AN/AQS-22
to adapt its performance to varying environmental conditions. With a rapid
search rate, the AN/AQS-22 identifies and neutralizes threats sooner, enabling
it to cover a larger area. The AN/AQS-22 also permits a longer detection range
over a wider area, reducing the number of helicopters required to perform
active anti-submarine warfare (ASW) screening. About the MH-R helicopters: The
MH-60Rs are in service with the navies of the United States, Australia and
Denmark, and are used to perform search and rescue, troop transport, medical
evacuation, ship-to-ship replenishment, and humanitarian relief operations, in
addition to their primary mission of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
The U..S Navy is the main operator of the MH-60R with 289 units in its fleet.
It is the primary anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare helicopter in
the fleet. The MH-60R combines the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft.
Its sensors package includes an MTS-FLIR, the AN/APS-147 multi-mode radar/IFF
interrogator, an advanced airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced
airborne active Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS). Offensive capabilities are improved
by the addition of new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and AGM-114 Hellfire
missiles.
Government bans browser offered by Xiaomi on its phone
The government has banned the browser offered on smartphones made by Xiaomi, widening the action against Chinese companies operating in India. The action against ‘Mi Browser Pro – Video Download, Free Fast & Secure’ has the potential to impact the performance of the devices, some market analysts say, though the company is taking steps to initiate a conversation with the government to clarify its position. Officials at the company insist that the move “will not impact the performance of the devices”, and users are free to download any other browser. The government has ordered another Chinese app QQ International also be blocked. The action against the Xiaomi browser could impact the functioning of those devices while accessing the internet, official sources said. Xiaomi has sold over 10 crore smartphones in the country, and is the leading mobile brand. When contacted, Xiaomi said the company will talk to ministry officials to sort out the matter, adding that it follows the local data protection and other regulations and guidelines. “Xiaomi continues to comply and adhere to all data privacy and security requirements under the Indian law. We are working towards understanding the development and will take appropriate measures as required,” a company spokesperson said. “As part of the process, we will work with key stakeholders for an opportunity to make our submissions,” the spokesperson added. The action against Xiaomi comes along with the wider measures initiated against a variety of Chinese apps operating in India. The steps had been initiated after the growing tensions between India and China over border disputes. On June 29, the government had decided to ban 59 Chinese apps, including key ones such as TikTok, UC Browser, Helo, Likee, Shareit, Mi Community, WeChat and CamScanner. The government had blocked another 47 apps on July 27, and these included Baidu Search and Weibo, dubbed as China’s answer to Google search and Twitter respectively. The government had decided to block the apps after accusing them of “engaging in activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”. Sources said that an internal committee of the IT ministry is looking into the submissions made by the apps, after they were asked to clarify their position through a series of over 70 questions. “Any decision to engage them in a conversation will be taken only after that,” an official source said.
India
Set To Take Delivery Of “Air Force One” Boeing 777s Next Month
India is all set to take delivery of the two VIP Boeing 777 aircraft. Dubbed
India’s “Air Force One”, the new plane will fly the country’s top leadership on
important foreign missions. The new 777s will replace the fleet of aging Air
India 747s, as the government looks to operate its own fleet of aircraft,
separate from the soon-to-be-privatized Air India. One of the most exciting aspects
of the new aircraft is the new livery it will feature. Previously, the Prime
Minister’s plane simply used an Air India livery, since it was a commercial
plane on special operations. However, now with a redesigned 777, the government
has gone with a newer, sleek appearance. The plane features India written in
both English and Hindi along the side, along with the national emblem in the
center. On the tail, we see the Indian flag, reminiscent of the US flag on Air
Force One. The aircraft is set to be operated by the Indian Air Force, and not
Air India, which explains the inclusion of Air Force insignia behind the rear
door. While there are few images currently available of the new aircraft, we
can expect more next month when the plane officially lands in India. What do
you think about the new livery? Let us know in the comments! Security focus The
primary focus of the new fleet has obviously been security. The former-Air
India 777s have been in Boeing’s facility in Dallas undergoing extensive
security upgrades. We’ve previously covered the new onboard security
features, which includes defensive and countermeasure capabilities.The new
planes will come with Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAICRM)
Self-Protection Suites (SPS), which allows the aircraft to detect and jam
incoming missiles. The planes will also have Advanced Integrated Defensive
Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) to protect from electronic threats to the
plane. These systems are a part of a massive $190mn military purchase made by
India which was approved by the State Department last year. India’s “Air Force
One” was first expected to come into service in July, but this was pushed
back due to the current crisis. The two 777s that are being upgraded were
a part of Air India’s order and still hold the same registration for now.
However, the planes will be operated by the Air Force and maintained by Air
India Engineering Services Ltd. 2020 has been an eventful year for VIP planes
As we wait for India’s new VIP 777s to arrive in September, other countries too
have either placed orders or taken delivery of VIP aircraft. The German
government took delivery of its new A350 fleet, dubbed as “Merkel
One” after the current Chancellor. The UK also
recently repainted one of its A330s in an eye-catching new livery.
Other countries have also been considering new aircraft options for their Heads
of State. Similar to India, South Korea will be leasing a Korean Air
747-8 for its VIP needs. Finally, the US also firmed up plans for the next
generation of Air Force One with two 747-8s, previously owned by a
bankrupt Russian airline.
Chinese state-run media reported on Wednesday that
sea trials of the first ship of a new class of amphibious assault warships for
the country’s navy appear to have started. The first ship of the Type 075 class
was launched at a shipyard in Shanghai in September last year. The Global Times
reported on Wednesday “The presumed maiden voyage will likely test the
amphibious assault ship’s main systems, including propulsion, navigation and
communication…” The Global Times noted “It usually takes a new warship a year
or two to formally join military service after its first sea trial, military
analysts said. This means the first Type 075 will likely be commissioned into
the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in 2021 or 2022.” The Type 075 class of
ships are among the largest amphibious assault ships in the world, displacing
approximately 40,000 tonnes and are about 250 metres long. The ship has a large
flight deck, enabling it to carry up to 30 transport and attack helicopters. It
also has a ‘well deck’ in its hull, which allows it to launch hovercraft and
other amphibious vessels capable of ferrying tanks and troops to shore. A second
Type 075 class ship was launched in Shanghai in April this year. According to
the US Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence, China is also building a third Type
075 class amphibious assault warship. In terms of size, the Type 075 class
ships are the largest amphibious assault ships in the world, excluding similar
vessels of the US Navy. According to the Center for Strategic and International
Studies, the Type 075 provides “China with greater capabilities for asserting
their territorial claims in the East and South China Sea, as well as executing
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, anti-piracy, and non-combatant
evacuation operations”. Experts have warned China is improving its amphibious
warfare capability to prepare for the eventuality of military operations in
Taiwan or disputed islands in the South China Sea. The Global Times report
itself noted “this type of Chinese warship is widely expected to play a major
role around the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea”. China has also
inducted at least five Type 071 class amphibious assault ships in the past
decade. These ships are smaller in size compared with the Type-075 and displace
around 25,000 tonnes each.
No comments:
Post a Comment