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Moscow, June 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Admiral Nakhimov, a nuclear-powered missile cruiser currently being overhauled and modernised, will rejoin the Russian Navy in 2018 with the most advanced weapons systems for its vessel type, its maker said.

The Kirov-class cruiser, known as the Kalinin until 1992, was commissioned in 1989 and mothballed in 1999.

It has since been docked for upgrades at the Sevmash shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk, on the White Sea.

The Sevmash shipyard said the Admiral Nakhimov would become the most advanced heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser in the Russian Navy.

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She has been mothballed for over 23 years. It will be a tremendous job to refit, recondition, and modernize her.

We shall see if the Russians have the funding and the remaining ability to pull this off.

Right now, I believe the Russians plan to have 3 or maybe all four of the Kirovs operating again by 2020. As I said, it will be an expensive and monumental undertaking.

Moscow, June 6. Training flights of the Su-35S take place these days at the Zhukovsky airfield at the M.M.Gromov Flight Research Institute in preparation for participation in the le Bourget-2013 International Air Show. The Honored test pilot of the Russian Federation, the Hero of Russia Sergey Bogdan works on two sets of aerobatics - for normal and complex weather conditions. Participants and visitors of the largest exhibition of the world aircraft industry achievements will be able to watch such a complex and spectacular flight figures as spatial barrels, somersaults, a flat spin, and, of course, the famous "Pugachev's Cobra".

Next week, upon completion of test flights, the aircraft will fly to France to continue getting ready for the flight program of the air show.

The newest multirole Su-35S fighter will be presented for the first time in a foreign air show. Its premiere flight program was held at the MAKS-2009 air show in Russia.

Su-35S is a deeply modernized super-maneuverable multirole fighter of the "4 + +" generation. The applied technologies of the 5th generation provide for the superiority of Su-35S aircraft over similar class fighters. The aircraft has a much better flight characteristics compared with standing analog fighters and more perfect on-board avionics. Aircraft characteristics exceed all European tactical fighters of the 4th and "4 +" generation like Rafale and Eurofighter 2000, as well as upgraded American fighters such as F-15, F-16 and F-18. Su-35S can also successfully counter the 5th generation fighters - F-35 and F-22A. This aircraft, in particular, is the fastest (2,400 km/h at an altitude of 11 km) fighter, it has a higher thrust, it also has an almost two-fold benefit to the modern French (Rafale) and Swedish (Gripen) fighters in the flight range (without suspension tanks - 3600 km). The Gripen NG aircraft, for example, has only one engine, so it has a smaller combat survivability and reliability. The American F/A-18 fighter is inferior to the Russian Su-35S in the flight altitude



[video=youtube;r3h2PIo0tt0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3h2PIo0tt0[/video]
[video=youtube;OlEhSgc_6vw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlEhSgc_6vw[/video]


Russia’s Sukhoi has rocked the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget with the premiere of its cutting-edge Su-35 fighter. Super-maneuverable even for a Sukhoi, the Su-35 has been dubbed the “UFO” for its outstanding maneuverability.

The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO classification: Flanker E), Russia’s newest, super-maneuverable, multirole fighter jet has conducted its first training flight at the Paris Air Show, and aircraft industry experts were reportedly wowed by the jet’s performance.

“The plane easily passes from low-speed super-maneuverability mode to high-speed combat flight,” test pilot Sergey Bogdan said. Bogdan will pilot all Su-35 flights at the Paris Air Show. The engines are so powerful that the plane could be pulled out of any complicated situation, like a spin, at pilot’s will, he explained: “All you need is to get with the plane on the same wave, to caress and stroke it because, you know, it is a living being.”



It has top speed of 2,400 km/h, a 3,600 kilometer range, an 18 kilometer ceiling, and an advanced radar system to detect large targets from as far as 400 kilometers.

Probably the only major feature that the Su-35 lacks - and which prevents it from being labeled fifth-generation - is limited stealth capability, as only some parts of its airframe are made of composite material. Nonetheless, it can detect stealth aircraft such as the US’s F-35 at a distance of over 90 kilometers.


The aircraft’s thrust/weight ratio is unique at a kilo of thrust per kilo of aircraft weight, thanks to a pair of brand new 117C jet engines.

This enables Su-35 to perform all current stunts, including Russian specialties such as Pugachev's Cobra, the Frolov Chakra, the Dead Leaf, and the unprecedented Pancake, which is an horizontal 360-degree made turn without losing speed. The Pancake is performed only by the Su-35.

With these characteristics, the Su-35 surpasses practically all modern fighter jets such as France’s Rafale, Sweden’s Gripen, the Eurofighter 2000, and the modernized US F-15, F-16, and F-18. It is on a par with the fifth-generation US F-35 and F-22A, neither of which are currently on the market.


The Su-35 is generating so much interest that the airshow organizers have assigned it a spot right in the middle of the main avenue of the exhibition.

The Russian Air Force currently has 10 Su-35s, to be increased to 48 by the end of 2015.


The first country to buy a Sukhoi Su-35 could be China, as Beijing is already in talks with the manufacturer: “We have signed an intergovernmental agreement on the supply of Su-35 planes to China," Aleksandr Mikheyev, deputy head of Russian arms corporation Rosoboronexport told reporters. "As of today we have a legal base with China. An agreement on the protection of intellectual property has been signed," Mikheyev added. Beijing reportedly intends to buy 24 Su-35s, with a contract due to be signed by the end of 2013.

June 24, 2013
Credit: Mike Vines/Aviation WeekBill Sweetman Le Bourget

The high agility demonstrated by the Sukhoi Su-35S fighter at the Paris air show is rooted in a Russian concept in which close-range, low-speed air combat remains important, according to Sukhoi chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan.

The aircraft, equipped with three-axis thrust-vectoring and fully integrated flight and propulsion control, performed maneuvers here which no other operational fighter can match. These include a controlled vertical, flat-attitude descent with the aircraft rotating, and a dynamic deceleration, or “cobra”, leading to a small-radius 180-deg. turn and course reversal. It demonstrated a dynamic deceleration followed by extremely slow flight at a near-90-deg. angle of attack.

“Most of the fighters we have available today with vectored thrust, the Su-30MKI and MKM, can perform these maneuvers,” Bogdan tells Aviation Week. “Where this aircraft is different is that it has more thrust, so when it performs the 'bell' maneuver, it can stand still, with afterburning on, and can sustain flight at 120-140 kph.” The emphasis in “supermaneuverability” runs counter to much Western air combat doctrine, which stresses high speed, the avoidance of the slower “merge” and tactics that do not lose the aircraft's energy. Bogdan, however, says supermaneuverability can be essential.

“The classical air combat starts at high speed, but if you miss on the first shot—and the probability is there because there are maneuvers to avoid missiles—the combat will be more prolonged,” he says. “After maneuvering, the aircraft will be at a lower speed, but both aircraft may be in a position where they cannot shoot. But supermaneuverability allows an aircraft to turn within three seconds and take another shot.”

However, Bogdan adds, “you have to be careful using that weapon. It's like a sniper—you can't shoot many times from the same spot because you disclose your position.”
for the doctrine that energy should be conserved, Bogdan notes: “The theory of air combat has always evolved. In the 1940s and 1950s, the first priority was height, then speed, then maneuver and then firepower. Then with the third and fourth generation, it was speed, then height and then maneuver. Supermaneuverability adds to this. It's the knife in the soldier's pocket.”

Bogdan repeats a claim made when the Su-27 first performed the cobra maneuver: The rapid change in velocity can cause a Doppler fire-control radar to break lock. The maneuver is more useful on the Su-35S because the pilot can fly the aircraft out in any direction.

Turning heads at Le Bourget whenever it takes to the skies is Kamov’s Ka-52 helicopter. Its co-axial rotor blades and comprehensive weapons suite mark it out from the herd and, amazingly for a helicopter, it even has ejection seats. With the Ka-52 now in Russian army service and being touted for export, the design bureau is busy working on a maritime version for the Russian navy.


Kamov has championed the co-axial layout for many years, arguing that it increases agility and performance (particularly vertical climb) while making the helicopter safer by removing any torque problems and, as a consequence, any need for a tailrotor.

Today’s Ka-52 is the latest iteration of a line of Kamov combat helicopters that reaches back to the single-seat Ka-50 that made an appearance at the Paris Air Show in 1993. The side-by-side seating of the Ka-52 promotes crew coordination, according to Kamov design bureau general designer Sergei Mikheyev, who also noted that the machine embodies features that have been born out of combat experience in Afghanistan and the Caucasus.

In its Russian army version, as shown here, the Ka-52 has a weapons suite including 9K120 Ataka and 9K121 Vikhr-1 missiles, the latter using laser beam-riding guidance. It has a 2A42 30mm cannon and the ability to carry S-8 80mm unguided rockets. It can also carry Igla-S air-to-air missiles as part of the Strelets system. The helicopter is well protected with the President-S self-defense suite.

For the Russian navy’s Ka-52K Kamov is working on new weapons capabilities that are more applicable to a life at sea. What kind of weapon suite the maritime version might carry is yet to be revealed, but “it will be different,” stated Mikheyev. The aircraft here is displayed alongside a number of MBDA’s weapons, such as the Marte anti-ship missile, Mistral air-to-air missile and PARS3 precision weapon. “We have accepted NATO standards as our own,” said Mikheyev. “We are very open to bring in foreign equipment or weapons.”

The Ka-52K is intended to serve from a variety of Russian navy vessels, but primarily the two Mistral-class amphibious assault vessels that Russia is buying from France. When asked about progress with the Ka-52K, Mikheyev responded with a wry smile, “It will fly as soon as the French deliver Mistral vessels. When Mistral comes to St. Petersburg, the helicopter will be ready!”

India has been identified as a good opportunity for the Ka-52, particularly as the helicopter is one of only a handful that can operate effectively at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters. While India has recently selected the Boeing AH-64 over the Mil Mi-28 to fulfill a gunship requirement, Kamov maintains that there is potential for sales there. “Apache was lucky, because the Ka-52 did not take part in that tender,” joked Mikheyev, “but we continue to pay high attention to this area.”

Mikheyev reported a continued growth path for the Ka-52 design. “Things change, tactics change,” he commented, “and the Ka-52 will continue to change. We are looking ahead ten years and we have made space for future developments. This is what the art of designing means.” One area where the general designer sees big improvements coming is in major improvements and new ideas in helicopter defenses.

The KA-52 Alligator is simply an awesome attack helicopter. It's specs are certainly competitive with the Apache for sure, though I am not sure how it would perform when compared to the Apache's latest, Longbow versions...but it certainly looks the part and in my book, looks like about the meanest attack helicopter you have ever seen.

In terms of Mindset The KA52 in my mind is unique. The Mi28 (flying Rat) havok is more the intended Apache counter part with near identical configuration and fire power Although lacking in sensor packages. KA52's tandem seating and sensor package meant to track and ID foes like the OH53D, the raw firepower is closer to that of a fixed wing attacker. the 30mm cannon is uniquely fixed a feature it shares with the Hind F and similar models are more in line with a hunter. And offer some capabilities of a Vtol attacker.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

In terms of Mindset The KA52 in my mind is unique. The Mi28 (flying Rat) havok is more the intended Apache counter part with near identical configuration and fire power Although lacking in sensor packages. KA52's tandem seating and sensor package meant to track and ID foes like the OH53D, the raw firepower is closer to that of a fixed wing attacker. the 30mm cannon is uniquely fixed a feature it shares with the Hind F and similar models are more in line with a hunter. And offer some capabilities of a Vtol attacker.

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Well, the Apache is also armed with a 30mm gun (with a 1,200 round magazine).

The Long Bow, like the Alligater, has up to three hardpoints for each wing (one on each wing tip for the Apache) for a total of six. Those outer two specifically to house the AIM-92 ATAS missile (two on each stub wing for a total of four) for A2A engagements on the Longbow Apache.

So, the Apache can be configured as a hunter killer as well, or in the attack role for anti-armor/anti-personnel as required.

I believe the KA-52 Alligators are going to replace the KA-50 Black Shark inventory in the Russian Air Force. Right now, the Mil-28 Havoc does represent the Russian Army's primary attack helicopter and is configured like the Apache.

But I really like the look of the Alligator, and believe, if they could afford it, it would be a very capable mass-produced attack helicopter that could function in many roles.

Jeff Head said:

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She has been mothballed for over 23 years. It will be a tremendous job to refit, recondition, and modernize her.

We shall see if the Russians have the funding and the remaining ability to pull this off.

Right now, I believe the Russians plan to have 3 or maybe all four of the Kirovs operating again by 2020. As I said, it will be an expensive and monumental undertaking.

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Maybe the Russians should contract out the work to Dalian shipyards, they seem to have a good knack for refitting mothballed old soviet warships and making them better than new.

Jeff Head said:

The KA-52 Alligator is simply an awesome attack helicopter. It's specs are certainly competitive with the Apache for sure, though I am not sure how it would perform when compared to the Apache's latest, Longbow versions...but it certainly looks the part and in my book, looks like about the meanest attack helicopter you have ever seen.

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I will admit to having a soft spot for this beast, but I would like it a lot better if it had a proper turret mounted cannon, with the optical sensors moved to the nose, and the radar mounted in a 360 dish like the Apache.