Russian UCAV - MiG Skat

MiG's Skat unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) mockup, first of all, is not a copy of an X-45, X-47, Taranis, Neuron or anything else. So far, nobody's figured out how to make a UAV detect a threat in time to shoot back or evade it, so the only valid approach to survival is all-aspect stealth over the widest possible bandwidth, and an all-wing tailless configuration is still the best way to do that. That's why all UCAVs look like B-2s, because the B-2 design addressed the same problem.

Logos on the weapon bay door show that MiG has quietly assembled a team to put the project together. Its existence is no surprise. MiG general designer Vladimir Barakovskiy was in attendance at IQPC's UCAV conference in London last November and is due to speak at this year's event, where DTI will be the featured media. (DTI does not expect many delegates to be in this old MoD hangout during that paper.) Barakovskiy told DTI at the Paris air show (46-47) that MiG was active in UAVs, including "special mission" types.

Skat appears to have trailing-edge surfaces that are split into upper and lower segments, but it will not be surprising if they are backed up in pitch and yaw by a vectoring nozzle.

Russian stealth technology is very real - Sukhoi's new Su-35 brochure is merely the first marketing reference to what has been known for some time. However, don't expect plasma stealth on this design. It may work inside a radome or at very high altitudes but is not applicable to Skat.

Rather like Neuron, Skat appears to serve several purposes. It gives the designers a chance to integrate an all-new design. It demonstrates stealth and high-performance UAV technologies and explores the problems of internal weapon carriage (so that a production variant doesn't need to go through two bomb-door and tail designs, like the F-117 did). And it puts together a team that can go after manned or unmanned stealth if the requirement emerges.

Designed by the Russian firm Mikoyan, the Skat (Russian: Скат - "Manta Ray") is one of two concept strike UCAV currently being developed for the Russian Defense Ministry. It is a low-observable, subsonic craft meant to carry weapons in two ventral bays large enough for missiles such as the Kh-31. The SKAT is to be powered by a single Klimov RD-5000B turbofan engine, a variant of the RD-93.

Skat has two internal weapons bays, capable of carrying air-to-surface missiles as large as the Kh-31 (AS-17 Krytpon). Possible roles include the suppression and attack of enemy air defenses.The first version of Skat to fly is planned to be piloted in order to meet Russian flight regulations. A number of aerodynamic configurations have been wind-tunnel tested, including with small twin fins. MiG has settled on a tail-less configuration.

The single-engine subsonic design has an 11.5 meter wingspan, and it is 10.25 meters long. The UCAV has a maximum take-off weight of 10 tons, with a maximum speed of 800 kilometers per hour (497 mph) at low altitude. It is intended to carry a combat load of up to two tons, with a combat radius of 2,000 km.

'Digital Thunder' Camo for Slovakia’s MiG-29

In January 2006, “Hyperstealth’s Fractal Camo Patterns Successfully Tested For Aircraft” discussed digital/ fractal camouflage patterns, which have become a global trend. The Canadian forces’ CADPAT was soon followed by digital patterns on US Marine Corps clothing (MARPAT, Disruptive Overwhite), and derivative patterns for the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. Jordan’s armed forces have switched to a new pattern called KA2, and applied it to land vehicles and F-16s as well as military uniforms.

Now the Slovakian Ministry of Defence has announced that all of its MiG-29 fighter jets will be converted to digital camouflage, using a pattern developed in 2006 by the camouflage design team of Dr. Timothy R. O’Neill and HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp. President/CEO Guy Cramer. As Hyperstealth’s release notes:

“Once the mechanism to apply the camouflage was in place O’Neill and Cramer set out to combine the Symmytry Axis Disruption of current Russian aircraft camouflage with the American aircraft camouflage Blending technique and merge these with a proprietary digital fractal camouflage to enhance the concealment under combat conditions. Optimal pattern, colors, scale were determined and the result was the HyperStealth Digital Thunder Camouflage.”

For the Farnborough 2008 air show, a Slovakian MiG-29 demonstrated the team’s follow-on “Cloud Cam” design. Hyperstealth release.

New Afghanistan Camouflage Design Unveiled

New camouflage to help British troops blend into Afghanistan's varied terrain has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence following computer modelling of the Afghanistan environment.

It is the first time since 1968 that the British Armed Forces have changed the camouflage pattern.
The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) will eventually become the new look of the British Armed Forces. The new MTP camouflage will work across different terrains in Helmand Province, such as compounds, grassland, crops and woodland, all the areas our troops encounter on patrol.

Uniforms in the new pattern will be issued to troops from 4 Mechanized Brigade who will deploy to Afghanistan in March 2010. It will then be introduced across all three services from 2011.

The new camouflage uniforms were trialled in laboratory tests and field evaluations to assess overall performance with pilot trials held before the final testing. This included aerial and scientific photography to provide the right colours and brightness for the new camouflage pattern.

The colours were fed into a computer and computer modelling was used to represent the Green Zone, deserts and mixed environments in Afghanistan. A number of camouflage samples were then generated based on the colours found in Afghanistan and via the computer modelling trials.

Research into the Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) started six months ago and was funded as an Urgent Operational Requirement, costing £250,000.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "This new camouflage will help our troops blend into different environments in Helmand Province to stay hidden from the Taliban.

"Patrols take our troops through the Green Zone, scrubland, desert and arid stony environments and it is crucial that the camouflage can work across all of them.

"We are striving to provide our brave troops with the very best personal kit and equipment and the new Multi-Terrain Pattern is just one example of how we are supporting our troops on the Afghanistan frontline."
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Tresidder, Chief of Staff for Defence Clothing, said: "The new camouflage has undergone extensive trials to ensure we have the right pattern to blend in a host of environments troops encounter while patrolling the frontline.

"It is an important development for both troops on operations and also for the British Armed Forces as a whole once this pattern is adopted across the three services.

"It also keeps our sense of being British which was something the Junior Ranks said was important to them during the development process for the new camouflage."

The samples were tested in the UK, Cyprus, Kenya and Afghanistan by the Infantry Trials Unit and it was found the Multi-Terrain Pattern offered the best performance over the widest range of environments.

Russia Building new ’Star Wars’ Missiles

Russia is developing new missiles to counter space-based missile systems that could soon be deployed by the United States, Russia's air force commander was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

"We are building new missiles that will be capable of defending not only against air-defence systems but space-based systems," General Alexander Zelin said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

The United States and other countries will have deployed such satellite-based missile systems capable of striking any target in Russia by 2030, he said.

"Foreign air forces, above of all the United States, will acquire the capability to deal time-synchronized precision strikes on a global scale at virtually any target on Russia territory," Zelin said.
The threat "is not virtual, but real," he added.

To counter such potential, Russia has begun work on the S-500 surface-to-air missile system that would have ballistic missile tracking capabilities and aim at a range of up to 3,500 kilometers, according to defence reports.

"The S-500 system is capable of defeating all manner of ballistic missiles and supersonic air devices," Zelin said.

Moscow vehemently opposes US plans to site a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe and has reacted warily to plans under the previous US administration it claimed had accelerated the militarisation of outer space.

Washington insists its shield plan is not directed against Russia but threats from "rogue states" such as Iran.
Last year, when the US military was planning to shoot down a rogue US spy satellite, Russia's defence ministry said the plans looked like a veiled weapons test and an "attempt to move the arms race into space."

Both Russia and China have proposed a new treaty banning the use of weapons in space, but the idea was rejected by the White House.

The January Challenge

Chris is heading to the Dominican Republic in two weeks with his parents and 2 sisters. Yours truly is staying at home with the kids in the cold. The idea for Chris to join his family on this trip was cooked up while I was off galavanting in CA with my girlfriends. Thus we come to the one downfall of Mommy Time. Somehow Daddy thinks he deserves equal, if not more, Daddy Time.

You may recall that Chris and his sisters were the ones who recently did a triathlon together. The three of them are often creating competitions involving working out, the most recent of which, when asked if I wanted to participate, a "yes" came out of my mouth. Still not sure how that happened. Anyway, this brings us to the January Challenge. This past Monday marked 3 weeks until the big trip, and the start of the January Challenge. In 3 weeks, the goal is to go the distance of 100 miles. One can bike, run on the treadmill, and do the elliptical. The only stipulation is that no more than 50 miles can be done on the bike.

Before I really knew what was involved, I asked Chris to talk numbers. Basically, we'd have 19 days to do 100 miles, meaning, that if you were to go to the gym all 19 days, you'd have to do a minimum of 5 1/4 miles per day. Now, I have been doing pretty well at going to the gym for the past 4 months, but I am not about to go to the gym for 19 days straight. That's just crazy! So, on Monday I started in on this challenge and let me tell you, it is HARD! I ran 4 miles the other day and then tacked on a few more with the bike. Today I did the elliptical for 6 miles and it took me an hour and a half! But, I am happy to report that I am getting in over 5 miles per day! The hardest part isn't necessarily in the physical exertion, but the fact that running on the treadmill is so boring! Thank goodness for iphones/ipods/tvs, etc!

Clever Cell Phone Bracelet: The Dial

 

Imagine getting a call and whipping one of these super high-tech cellular bracelets right off your wrist to pick it up? Dubbed “the Dial” by its inventor Jung Dae Hoon, this wearable technology is not exactly the greenest gadget, but we think the fact that it serves double duty as an accessory and has a small material footprint is worth mentioning. We also like that it offers the option of several interchangeable skins, so that you can just give your Dial a facelift if you get bored with it instead of buying a whole new phone.

 

Laptop Secrets: UK Defense Ministry is Missing A Computer

An investigation is underway after yet another laptop containing secret data was stolen from the UK Defense Ministry’s headquarters.

The notebook computer went missing at the ministry's London office in Whitehall in late November. A ministry spokesman said a key used to decode encrypted files was also stolen.

Shadow Defense Secretary Liam Fox said the theft was "extremely worrying." He added, “I'll be seeking clarification from the Secretary of State as soon as possible.”

The earlier figures suggest that as many as 28 laptops had been lost or stolen from the Defense Ministry between January 1 and May 11 of this year. The department also admitted that 658 of its laptops had been stolen in the past four years.

As a result of one such incident, personal information belonging to 600,000 people who applied to join the services was lost. The data included National Insurance numbers and bank details.

Russia Has No Choice but Seek Response to US AMD

To counter US anti-missile defense (AMD) Russia will develop its offensive weapon, Premier Vladimir Putin has said. But does Russia have a choice? And are there alternative ways to achieve a balance of power?

“In order to maintain balance, without developing the anti-missile system just like the United States are doing, we have to develop an offensive combat power system,” Putin said during his working visit to Vladivostok, in the country’s Far East.

''The problem is that our American partners are developing missile defenses, and we are not,'' he said.

“The issues of anti-missile defense and offensive combat systems are interconnected,” he went on. Putin added that "even during the Cold War, the peace was maintained thanks to this balance of power, which includes the correlation of forces between AMD, air defense and offensive arms.”


In addition to strategic importance, developing offensive arms seems to be more reasonable. The prime minister noted that the AMD is not only far too expensive, but its effectiveness is not yet clear.

“There is there is a big difference in cost between offensive and defensive arms. Therefore it is a lot cheaper to develop combat offensive armaments,” Vladimir Yevseev, senior associate of the Institute for World Economy and International Relations told RT.

The observer recalled the Scud ballistic missiles, developed by the USSR in 50s-60s. Effective defense against this weapon was developed only in the ’90s: the US “Patriot” (PAC-2) and Russian R-300.

The Obama administration scrapped the Bush-proposed plan to place interceptor missiles in Poland and radar on Czech soil, which was seen as a threat to its own security by Russia. However, Moscow wants to know what Washington intends to replace it with and is awaiting more information from the US on their plans to build an alternative missile defense system by 2018.

“The US has dropped its missile defense plans, and developed an alternative system, which would not create problems in its first phase, but we would like more details on further stages,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told RT in an interview in October.

Today the same concerns are still in place, which was voiced by Prime Minister Putin.

“We have to improve the exchange of information,” he said. “Let our American colleagues fully inform us about their anti-missile system, and in return we will offer them information on our offensive armaments."

Right now the shape of US future AMD it is not clear at all, Yevseev said. “The only thing clear is that the system will be integrated with the Israeli…system.”

With only eight years remaining before America plans to launch its new missile defense, the question arising is whether Russia will have enough time to develop its response.

“I hope that by 2018, Russia will manage to strengthen its strategic and nuclear forces by putting into service Bulava-30 [intercontinental ballistic missile] and deploying rocket complex RS-24,” Vladimir Yevseev told RT. “In addition, it is probable that Russia will be able to prolong the working lifespan of heavy missiles. Thus, by 2018 Russia will have a stronger position than it does now.”

Also on Tuesday, Putin touched upon the negotiations with the US on a new strategic arms reduction treaty – START – and described them as “positive”. The previous agreement expired on December 5 and it is expected that the new one will be signed by the two states early in 2010.

However, some experts are not that optimistic about the progress of the bilateral talks and believe it is the deadlock in negotiations that is behind Putin’s rhetoric.

“Both sides are reluctant to make concessions on certain aspects,” said Colonel General Viktor Yesin, the former chief of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces Main Staff (1994-1996).

Thus, he went on, “as a response to American claims to give them telemetric info on the launches of Russian missiles Putin suggested Americans should then give Russia telemetric information on their missile defense activity”.

“In this case there will be a certain balance between the capabilities of strategic offensive and defensive weapons,” Yesin told RT.

According to Vladimir Yevseev, the timing of Putin’s statement is not accidental either – “the new agreement has not been signed yet”.

“I believe Putin’s statement will strengthen Russia’s position during the talks that are due to take place in January,” he told RT. “Apparently, the sides did not manage do agree about some issues.”

The expert agreed with Yesin that telemetric information could have been one of the stumbling blocks.

With the world still suffering from economic recession, many would question what the point of this Cold War-era style arms race which costs budgets – in other words tax-payers – a fortune. And considering modern technology, is it really possible to create effective defense or offense systems that would counter-balance each other?

“There is no system that would provide absolute protection,” Vladimir Yevseev said. “However, defense systems are generally more expensive than offense systems.”

That is why, the expert said, rich and developed countries – “and Russia can be considered one of them” - can afford to develop effective defense systems such as anti-rocket defense. But developing offense systems is preferable.

“The disadvantage of defense system is that it can happen so that certain level can be exceeded following which the whole system will stop working,” he said.

All things considered, “I see no possibility of a war between Russia and the US,” Yevseev said. At the same time, it is possible to create defense against “rogue states”, and Russia is far behind the US in this issue. “The US have real non-nuclear interception systems, they modernize them and are so far ahead of Russia that I have no idea how it can be possible to catch up with them,” he said.

According to Colonel-General Viktor Yesin, if it wasn’t for the US, Russia would not have to get involved in this business at all.

“If the US at least limited their missile defense system, Russia would not be forced to improve and strengthen its offensive systems,” he said. “I still hope that, in the new START agreement, the Americans will take some obligations on limiting their global defense system.”

But will the world be more stable with two powers building up their military strength?

“My assessment is that increasing the number of both offensive and defensive weapons on both sides doesn’t strengthen global stability, rather quite the opposite to that! It would be much better if the Americans got back to the AMD agreement of 1972 and took some obligations on limiting their offensive weapons together with Russia – certainly, in some new format,” Yesin told RT.

A Very Merry

We had a great Christmas day, complete with a visit from Santa! It only took us about 2 hours to open all of our gifts. Once Samantha opened up her new cleaning trolley, she was not interested in opening any more gifts! We spent most of our time watching Avery and Samantha play together, which really means that they were running around chasing each other! In the evening we enjoyed dinner with the extended Spiegel Family, and no Valentine holiday would be complete without a karaoke competition (to be won by the Valentine's of course!)

Jake must be tuckered out from Santa's visit

Samantha and Avery reading in their Christmas PJs

Samantha plays with her presents (cleaning trolley, kitchen, and baby highchair)

The Valentine Family

Daddy, Jake, and Sammy

Mommy, Jake, and Sammy

Mommy and Sammy

Chris, Jake, Emily, Sammy

7 Months!

Today is New Years Eve and also Jake's 7 month birthday! 7 months! Jake is a boy on the move these days! He is rolling all over the place, and scootching side to side and backwards. He is definitely getting ready for the next phase of crawling. Jake continues to be quite the eater, which is evidenced by those cheeks, and the fact that I am sure he weighs more than Samantha! Jake is very chatty, especially when he is eating, and of course he is happiest when his belly is full! We are starting to let him cry it out a bit when we put him down for bed. I am not sure how we ever managed to do this with Samantha, especially since she was our first. For some reason, I am having a much harder time with Jake crying it out. Maybe because in the back of my mind I am worried that he will wake up Samantha. Chris is much more level headed about the crying. I find I just have to go to an area of the house where I can't hear the crying and let him deal with it! We are going to have to start looking for a new car seat in the new year. Jake is just getting too big for the infant carrier, and it takes quite the arm strength to carry him around in the seat! Potentially taking both Jake and Samantha out of regular car seats posses problems, but we'll have to deal with them eventually! I love that the infant carrier allows me to put him down on the ground if need be. I think we may have to resort to the stroller more often for Jake once he's out of the infant carrier!

Modern wallpaper - Interior bedroom, glam and pretty

 

Interior bedroom, glam and pretty. The geometry of the table and lamp play off the round shapes so nicely, too. And the clock! And the red cord of the lamp next to the red borders of the parasols! Oh, oh.

Create an Elegant Style of Home Decor

create an elegant style of home decor

If you are looking to create an interior decor that's elegant in style, then here are some ideas that you can use to help you achieve the results you're looking for.

When it comes to deciding on the finishing touches for your new home or renovation, it depends not only your budget, but more importantly, knowing what you want. Many people try to perform a renovation without knowing what they really want when it comes to interior decor, and as a result, find it more difficult to turn their ideas into reality.

So here are some tips that you can use to create an elegant style of home decor, and to find out the various ideas that are available when it comes to interior decorating in this style.

Modern Contemporary Designers - get your house a new countenance modify

Modern Contemporary Designers - get your house a new countenance modify

Who doesn't wants to have a beatific house, which is not appreciated by anyone who visits it? Who won't like to be in a locate that looks cozy and comfortable? Even the top Hollywood stars take the help of the inland designers to add a assorted and unique countenance to their house. You can also get a assorted and unique countenance to your house with the help of the inland designers.

There is assorted type of inland designers. The equal inland design is those which provide a equal and rich countenance to your house. These are some of the artist designs that are previously used in most houses. You can check discover the assorted designs that are available with the inland designers. You can make use of the inland designers to modify check discover the walk through with the help of which you can get the morphed and changed countenance of your house on the computer. They are well alive of the market trends and the assorted new gadgets that can be settled in your house to make it unique and stylish.

Interior designers not only are answerable for selecting the objects that are to be settled inside the house. Even the shades on the wall and the tiles on the floors is something that comes low their job. Once you select a portion design, all you need to do is sit backwards and relax. The assorted designs that are provided by the inland designers are dependent on amount that you are selection to spend. You can get your house a new countenance modify by spending a small amount of money. If you are easy spending a beatific amount the designers would provide a design accordingly. There are a number of equal designs as well that are being used these days. These equal designs provide a classy countenance to your house and make it countenance unique.

Russia May Offer Su-30MKM for Malaysian Fighter Tender

Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport is likely to offer the Sukhoi Su-30MKM for Malaysia's upcoming fighter tender instead of the newer Sukhoi Su-35 or RAC MiG-35.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force has bought 18 Su-30MKMs and has been considering a follow-on order. However, in October the service and the Malaysian government decided to retire the country's fleet of MiG-29s because of their high operating costs.

Defence minister Zahid Hamidi said then that although the Su-30s would temporarily replace the MiG-29s in some missions, Kuala Lumpur would eventually assess fighters from the USA, France, Sweden and the UK to replace them.

However, the leader of the Rosoboronexport delegation at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition 2009 remains confident. "Malaysia is a very good customer and we are confident they will assess our fighters when the time comes," says Victor Komardin, deputy director general of Roroboronexport. "They are very happy with the Sukhoi fighters and we believe it makes economic and logical sense for them to buy more of them to replace the MiG-29s.

"The Su-30MKM was designed with many of the subsystems Malaysia wanted, and it would fit the missions they want to operate them on. Russia has other fighters, too, but we believe that RMAF wants to have fewer makes of fighters in its fleet. The RMAF will only operate the [Boeing] F/A-18D and the Su-30s after it sells the MiG-29s, and it would not be logical to add a new aircraft type. Of course, it is Malaysia's decision. If it wants other types of fighter, we can offer them too."

Officials from Saab were promoting the Gripen to the Malaysians at the show, and EADS officials were pushing for Kuala Lumpur to assess the Eurofighter Typhoon. Boeing was not present at the show, but company officials have said the F/A-18E/F is likely to be a contender in any future Malaysian competition. France's Dassault was absent, too, although its Rafale fighter could be offered.

Komardin says Russia is "99% likely to give its consent" for Malaysia to sell the MiG-29s to another country. That permission is required as part the contract with Kuala Lumpur. However, Komardin says Rosoboronexport will not help Malaysia to dispose of the aircraft.

"Our role in this is purely legal - we only have to give our permission for the sale and that is likely to come through soon," he adds. "As for finding a potential buyer, we will leave it to the Malaysians. Of course, if a potential customer approaches us, we will be more than happy to convey this information to Malaysia."

Malaysia Eyes AEW Fleet

Malaysia's air force has invited companies to discuss a long-standing AEW (airborne early warning) requirement, although industry sources say budget constraints mean any decision is not likely until 2012 at the earliest.

"We know the Malaysians are keen on the airborne early warning capability, but there remain serious questions about Kuala Lumpur's ability to fund the procurement," says an industry source.

A funding request was made, and rejected, earlier this decade. The Royal Malaysian Air Force is likely to seek funding for eight AEW aircraft under the 2011-15 10th Malaysia plan, but there are doubts over whether this will be approved, the sources say.

The Northrop Grumman E-2D and Saab 2000 Erieye are the main contenders for the contract, with officials from both companies likely to hold talks with the defence ministry in coming weeks. An Embraer E-145 with the Erieye radar had been considered earlier, but that appears to have been dropped from the list.

The service has said in the past that it requires a relatively lightweight, low-cost system to improve the situational awareness of its Boeing F/A-18D and Sukhoi Su-30MKM pilots. The aircraft should also be capable of monitoring naval vessels, especially in the Malacca Straits.

A large part of Malaysia's defence budget is taken up by payments for its Su-30MKMs, and the urgent need over the next few years is to replace its army's Sikorsky S-61 Nuri helicopters.

The RMAF is also seeking four maritime patrol aircraft to replace its Beechcraft King Airs, with the Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42 MP, Indonesian Aerospace CN-235 MPA, Fokker 50 and Saab 340 the likely contenders. But budget constraints mean this could go hand in hand with a naval requirement for anti-submarine warfare helicopters, which could also be included in the ninth Malaysia plan.

Russia, India to Advance Deal on PAK FA Fighter Variant

India and Russia plan to sign several agreements in the coming weeks that will deepen their co-operation on the PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter programme.

"The joint venture is going very well," says Alexander Klementiev, vice-president and deputy director-general at Sukhoi Aviation Holding. "We cannot go into the specifics of where we are, but both parties are happy now. In a few weeks, we will sign a few more agreements that will allow an even deeper partnership."

He adds: "Russia attaches great importance to the partnership with India on all fronts. There may be some delays at some points, but it is, overall, a very good relationship. We are confident this will continue in the coming years."

Klementiev counters several reports made in recent months that Indian scientists and engineers have been unhappy with the level of access they have been given on the PAK-FA programme, saying there is "no major issue".

Other Russian industry sources say there has been a renewed effort over the past few months to resolve some problems, which relate primarily to the transfer of technology to India. Upcoming agreements are likely to be linked to this issue, they add.

In 2007, India and Russia agreed to begin studying a derivative of Moscow's PAK-FA fighter. Although Russia is developing a single-seat fighter, India prefers a twin-seat aircraft with stealth capabilities that would incorporate technology from other suppliers in France, India and Israel.

Both India and Russia have not officially confirmed a timeline for when an Indian prototype will be ready, but industry sources suggest the likely target is 2016-17. Russia had been due to have the first flight of the PAK-FA by year-end, but industry sources say this is likely to be delayed into 2010.

Klementiev says Russia is keen to continue supporting India's fighter requirements, and points to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme as a successful example of the partnership between the countries. New Delhi has bought the Su-30s from Russia off the shelf, and is also licence-producing them at Hindustan Aeronautics' facilities.

Arctic Mobile Unit Keeps North Pole Visitors Warm

 

Living in a land filled with perpetual snow, we can only imagine that Santa Claus has some special magic to keep him and all his elves warm all year. For the rest of us, a stay in the North Pole requires proper equipment — like this arctic mobile unit designed by 2-B-2 Architecture's Andrey Bondarenko. The compact little unit operates off a solar battery and power generator and can keep its occupants safe and warm for 15 days, operating between -40 to +10C and withstanding winds up to 85 km/hour (abo

ut 50 mph).

Russia’s Nerpa Sub Passes Final Trials

Russia's Nerpa nuclear attack submarine, damaged in a fatal accident during tests in November last year, has successfully passed final trials, a Pacific Fleet spokesman said on Monday.

On November 8, 2008, while the Nerpa was undergoing sea trials, its onboard fire suppression system activated, releasing a deadly gas into the sleeping quarters. Three crewmembers and 17 shipyard workers were killed. There were 208 people, 81 of them submariners, onboard the vessel at the time.

Following the repairs, which cost an estimated 1.9 billion rubles ($65 million), the submarine had been cleared for final sea trials.

"A state commission has concluded that judging by the results of all trials the Nerpa nuclear submarine is ready to enter service with the Russian Navy," the source said.

The submarine will be officially commissioned with the Russian Navy later on Monday in the in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in Primorye Territory, home to Amur shipyard's Vostok repair facility which carried out the repairs.

The submarine will be subsequently leased to the Indian Navy under the name INS Chakra. India reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, an Akula II class nuclear-powered attack submarine.

Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines. The K-157 Vepr (The first ship of this type) became the first Soviet submarine that was quieter than the latest U.S. attack submarines, which was the Improved Los Angeles class (SSN 751 and later) The K-335 Gepard is the second unit.

Russian Airforce New Roundel

When last March i read an article published by Air International magazine about the Russian Parliament decreed on December 5 last year that the familiar Red Star worn by the country's military aircraft is to be replaced, I'm wondering what would it will be. Last night,surfing the topic on Russian Air Force in Wikipedia,I found the old roundel has been replaced by the new one.

Russia to Commission New Stealth Bomber in 2025-2030

Russia’s new strategic bomber will use stealth technologies and is expected to enter service in 2025-2030, the commander of Russia’s strategic aviation said on Tuesday.

According to Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, the stealth technology will make "the new aircraft difficult to detect by radar, although it is impossible to make airplanes of this type completely invisible.”

"However, new technologies and materials will help reduce the possibility of detection,” Zhikarev said, adding that the new airplane was expected to enter service in 2025-2030.

The new strategic bomber will replace the Tu-95MC Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bombers currently in service with Russia’s strategic aviation.

According to various sources, in addition to 19 Tu-160 bombers, the Russian Air Force currently has 64 Tu-95MS bombers and 174 Tu-22M3 bombers in service.

These aircraft will form the backbone of the Russian strategic aviation in the next decade following extensive modernization.

“We expect to receive two upgraded Tu-160 planes from the Kazan plant and to have two more aircraft in for repair by the end of December, so this process is continuous,” Zhikharev said.

The general said the modernization included the overhaul of obsolete communications, electronic warfare, targeting, and fire-control systems.

“We are planning to complete this modernization by 2015,” he added.

Rotterdam supermarket

Building of this project has already begun: Dutch bureau MVRDV will begin building in the centre of Rotterdam. This object will combine two functions — an apartment house (228 apartments) and the market area.

Supermarket in Rotterdam

On the market area 100 trading places, shops and restaurants will take places. In a building is also an underground part — a parking on 1200 places and a supermarket.

In each apartment there will be own balcony, and also a window which leaves on the market area. The project is planned to construct by 2014th year. The general investments into the project makes 175 million euro. The building total area will make 100,000 sq. m.

Apartment house Rotterdam

The project is symbolical enough, but is conceived as new city typology; this steady combination of products and meal, leisure, habitation and a parking.

Huge pipes as an architectural element

The building for company T Bailey Inc is made as factory expansion on manufacture of steel pipes. The architect of the project — Tom Kundig from studio Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects — used huge pipes as a design element.

We make pipes!

Total area of office of 1100 sq. m. For construction of office architects used directly that product which is made by the customer. Visitors will get to a building on huge pipes. In a huge vertical pipe the large fan which will condition air at the main office is placed. The conditioner will be charged by energy of the sun.

Architectural factory of pipes

The interior corresponds to stylistics. The concrete floor, open structure, a covering minimum. The roof inclination will direct streams of rain water to a garden, for watering of trees growing there.

Modern white kitchen-a narrow green border as a design motif

In this kitchen, designer Richard Mishaan used a narrow green border as a design motif -- see how it bleeds from the walls to the curtains? The curtains and window seat feature a Donghia awning stripe (‘Kauai’ Sunbrella), and the ‘Pudding’ pendant light is by FontanaArte.

In the European Union since 2010 forbid standard lamps

The eurocommissioner on power Andris Piebalgs has promised to develop legislative offers on introduction in the European Union since 2010 of an interdiction for trade in usual lamps on which share it is necessary an order of 80% of the European market, have informed on Saturday the Belgian mass-media.

According to the eurocommissioner, refusal of such lamps and transition on ampoule a led will allow to reduce to 60% a current consumption house economy, and also will promote the aims laid down by EU to lower on 20% by 2020 annual consumption of an electricity in member countries of this regional organisation.

Londoners can exchange usual lamps for the harmless free of charge

Campaign for an exchange of usual lamps on harmless (economical) lamps starts on Friday in London, the mayoralty of the British capital has informed.

Social campaign which carries the amusing name "lamp amnesty", is sponsored by a network of department stores B&Q and portal Simulateur D'aube. Within three days all interested persons can exchange free of charge two old lamps on two economical.

By estimates of the power companies, each such lamp will allow to reduce harmful emissions in atmosphere at the expense of fuel burning to 120 tons of carbonic gas a year, and for the simple British will save 7 pounds sterling at the payment of invoice for an electricity.

Economic ampoule burn as brightly, as well as usual lamps, but serve approximately in 12 times longer and consume on 80% of less electricity.

European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs

Entertaining ecology in Hamburg

Sauerbruch Hutton became the winner in competition on building of a new building for Office for Urban Development and Environment. The building is planned to construct by 2013.

City in a miniature

The project represents a complex of buildings and a tower where public zones (restaurants and showrooms) will be placed. In the central lobby city models of Hamburg which can be examined through a glass facade will be exposed.

Showroom in Hamburg

In a building passive and active measures, for example, thermal isolation, cross-country-ventilation, the system of heating using a solar energy, the geothermal equipment are combined.