China launches high-altitude drone patrolling-and-inspection tests

China launches high-altitude drone patrolling-and-inspection tests
By Lv Fuming (China Military Online)
08:43, November 23, 2012

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8031353.html


Three drones of different types conducted their final test on November 21, 2012 in Hoh Xil, a high-altitude and frigid area in west China's Qinghai province, which marked the full completion of the one-month-long flight tests for the "Applicability study on drone patrolling-and-inspection in high-altitude area" at altitudes between 2,800 and 4,767 meters above sea level.

The drone patrolling-and-inspection flight in high-altitude area is a worldwide problem. The researchers have successively carried out the applicability study on high-altitude patrolling-and-inspection by unmanned helicopters and unmanned fixed-wing airplanes as well as the impact study on drone patrolling-and-inspection under high-altitude weather conditions such as low temperature and sandy wind since March 8, 2012.

The researchers conducted tests for a total of 10 types of unmanned plane platforms with different power, different aerodynamic structure and different taking-off and landing mode in such places in Qinghai province as Wushaoling, Jinyintan, Qinghai Lake, Riyue Mountain, Laji Mountain, Xidatan and Hoh Xil respectively since the end of October in 2012.

The PLAAF is still trying to get their hands on some of them Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tanker

China interested in active cooperation with Ukraine in sphere of military aircraft modernization

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/127718.html#.UKxTGoY2QX8

Ukraine and China are planning to intensify cooperation in the sphere of the repair and modernization of military aircraft. According to the press service of the state-run company Ukrspecexport, issues related to the development of bilateral cooperation in the sphere were discussed by the sides during China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (namely Airshow China 2012) in Zhuhai. "Ukraine held negotiations with a number of Chinese companies regarding cooperation in the sphere of repairs of engines and gear systems for military helicopters, as well as the fulfillment of contracts on supplies of Il-78 aircraft and the training of the contractors' employees in the repair and use of the aircraft. The sides also discussed cooperation in the sphere of supplies of spare parts for aircraft and repairs of aircraft engines for China," reads the statement. "China is a leader among the countries to which Ukraine exports products of the national defense industry. In 2011 some 43% of Ukrainian products were delivered to China," Ukrspecexport said. According to the organizers of Airshow China 2012, which will take place in Zhuhai until November 18, this year's exhibition is the biggest one over its history since 1996. Around 650 companies from 39 countries took part in the event. Some 90 aircraft were exhibited at the show this year. In 2002 the Industrial Policy Ministry of Ukraine and the Chinese Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) signed a protocol on cooperation in the sphere of the aircraft industry. Currently Antonov State Enterprise is considering possibilities for cooperation with China's aircraft industry. In particular, this concerns the AVIC I project initiated by China for the creation of a new Chinese transport aircraft. Ivchenko-Progress and Motor Sich are working with Chinese partners on the creation of a new Chinese L-15 trainer airplanes. At the same time, experts say that Ukraine could benefit from China's experience in the sphere of the modernization of heavy fighters.

PLA, Jordanian Armed Forces hold joint anti-terrorist drills

PLA, Jordanian Armed Forces hold joint anti-terrorist drills
( Source: Xinhua http://eng.mod.gov.cn/Press/2012-11/17/content_4413076.htm )        
2012-November-17 07:56

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's People's Liberation Army on Friday launched joint anti-terrorist drills involving special operation forces with Jordanian Armed Forces in the Jordanian capital of Amman, according to the Foreign Affairs Office of China's Ministry of National Defense.

The 15-day drills are the first of their kind between Chinese and Jordanian armed forces, said a press release from the Foreign Affairs Office. Some 50 officers and soldiers from both sides attended.

The drills are aimed at increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two armed forces, promoting exchange and cooperation and lifting both sides' anti-terrorist capability, the press release explained.

Zhuhai suprise: The Il-76 soap opera continues.

Thanks Dylan for the update.

Rosoboronexport to deliver ten Il-76 transports to China

ZHUHAI, China. Nov 19 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia will deliver ten Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft to China following overall repairs, said Sergei Kornev, a deparatment head with the Russian state arms trader Rosoboronexport.

"Under a contract signed with China we will deliver ten Il-76 aircraft from the stock available, and we have already selected seven of the ten," Kornev told reporters at Air Show China in Zhuhai, where he had arrived as leader of the Rosoboronexport delegation.

The contract deals with military transports already used and put through overall repairs, he said.

Asked whether China had been offered the upgraded IL-476 to be produced in Ulyanovsk, he sad, "it would be premature to speculate before the plane has gone through the entire testing program."

The plane has been deeply upgraded and got new engines, wing and avionics, he said.

"We will promote this plane as it has a good export potential," Kornev said.

According to the $1.5 billion contract signed in September 2005, Russia would deliver 34 IL-76 military cargo planes and four IL-78 Midas refueling tankers in 2006 (here). The time-frame for this delivery was pushed by Rosoboronexport citing production and cost related issues. The Chinese government suspended the contract after Rosoboronexport attached an additional $400 million USD to the contract. (here)
It’s coincidental that Rosoboronexport is reopening negotiations after the recently announced Chinese 200 ton heavy military transport prototype (here).

TAPOiCh Creating Problems with Contract to Deliver Il-76 and Il-78 Airplanes to China

Source: 23.11.09, Avia.RU

Problems with realization of the contract for the delivery of Il-76 military transport airplanes and Il-78 tankers to China have been caused by the Tashkent Chkalov Aviation Production Association's (TAPOiCh, Uzbekistan), to fulfill its obligations, ARMS-TASS reports.

In particular, as regards Russia, the contract is being implemented and will be implemented; however, the Russian side is not bearing and will not bear responsibility for the factual failure of the fulfillment of this project by its third participant, the Uzbek side in the person of TAPOiCh, an informed source in the Russian defense industrial complex reports.

An announcement has been made in connection with the forthcoming 14th meeting of the Russo-Chinese mixed inter-governmental commission for military and technical cooperation in Moscow on 25 November.

Russia's obligations for this contract concern only the manufacture and the deliveries to China of engines and the auxiliary power plants for the Il-76 and Il-78 airplanes, and these obligations are being fulfilled. The Tashkent aircraft plant, who is actually has abrogated the contract, is supposed to produce the airframes themselves for these airplanes, in accordance with the contractual obligations they took on.

"Apparently, some kind of supplement to the contract will be signed as a way out of this situation in which new schedules for its fulfillment will be defined," a source in the Russian defense industrial complex said.

Possibly, the transfer of the order for production of the Il-76 and Il-78 airframes from the Tashkent aircraft plant to the Ul'yanovsk plant when the latter gets up to speed will be one of the variants.

According to the Russian Federation defense ministry, the contract, signed in Sochi in 2005 during the 12th meeting of the Russo-Chinese mixed military and technical cooperation intergovernmental commission, provides for the delivery of 38 medium Il-76 military transport airplanes and 4 long-range Il-78 tankers to China. The total cost of the deal is nearly one billion dollars.

Source: 23.11.09, Avia.RU




Senior Chinese military official meets Russian defense chief on cooperation
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-25 18:49:09

MOSCOW, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong reached broad consensus with Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov here Wednesday on furthering cooperation between Chinese and Russian armed forces.


Guo said this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic ties and the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation had kept its momentum of dynamic development.

Leaders of the two countries met several times this year and reached broad consensus on efforts to deepen such a partnership, said Guo.

Thanks to intensive attention from both leaders, the relationship between Chinese and Russian armed forces -- as one major part of their bilateral relations -- had been continuously enriched and enhanced in recent years, he said.

Guo said both armies have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, with their cooperation in various fields being pragmatic and thorough.

The Peace Mission-2009 joint anti-terror military exercises in July had once more demonstrated to the world the close collaboration between China and Russia on anti-terrorism, as well as their determination to face up to new threats and challenges together, he said.

Against the backdrop of complicated international situations, Guo noted, the reinforcement of interactions and cooperation between their armed forces was not only in keeping with the fundamental interests of China and Russia and their two peoples, but also conducive to safeguarding peace and stability of the region and the world.

Serdyukov agreed with Guo, saying the two countries and the two armies had kept close interactions and timely communication with each other on major global and regional issues.

Each had also supported the other on major issues concerning core interests, which reflected the advanced development of their strategic partnership of cooperation, he noted.

Russia was ready to join hands with China in pushing forward their friendly and cooperative links in all fields, he said.

Guo is leading a Chinese government delegation on a five-day visit to Russia, which started Monday.

Editor: Fang Yang
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/25/content_12538385.htm

Photos of the day: 43rd Air Regiment, 15th Air Divison, Beijing Air Corps

Those recently released PR photos are confirming a long running internet rumor -- the 43rd regiment is indeed the 8th J-10 line regiment.   The previous 7 J-10 regiments can be found at the  44th、3rd、2nd、1st、24th、9th PLAAF and the 4th PLAN-AF divisions.

J-10 20508

Zhuhai suprise: FK-1000 gun/missile system

Chinese light Tor M2E Mod?

Rules of Acquisition

China Drone Maker Expects to Double Sales on Islands Dispute

By Bloomberg News on November 15, 2012

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-15/china-drone-maker-expects-to-double-sales-on-islands-dispute

China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp., the nation’s biggest maker of non-military drones, expects to double unmanned aerial vehicles sales next year as sovereignty disputes spur government orders.
The country intends to increase monitoring at sea amid a row with Japan about the ownership of islands in the East China Sea, Huang Xingdong, deputy head of CASIC’s drone-making arm, said in a Nov. 13 interview at the Zhuhai airshow. The state- owned company signed an agreement to supply an undisclosed number of drones to an oceanic agency at the expo.
“The government is attaching greater importance to ocean intelligence gathering as the islands disputes heat up,” Huang said. He declined to give an exact sales forecast. The company also makes missiles and parts for China’s space program.
Aviation Industry Corp. of China, the nation’s largest aerospace company, separately debuted the armed Wing Loong UAV at the show, as China translates economic growth into increasing military might. The country, the biggest spender on defense after the U.S., began sailing its first aircraft carrier this year and it’s working on more sophisticated fighter jets, naval vessels and cyberwarfare technology
CASIC showcased six civilian and military drones at the Zhuhai show, and unveiled a new brand name, Hiwing, which means Sea Hawker in Chinese. Its UAVs can fly as fast as 700 kilometers per hour (435 miles per hour) and carry as much as 130 kilograms (287 pounds).
The company sold several dozen UAVs in the past few years, with prices ranging from less than 1 million yuan ($160,000) to about 10 million yuan, Huang said. The local non-military UAV market may eventually grow to as big as several billion yuan a year, he said. He didn’t give an estimate for defense sales.

‘Upward Cycle’

“The China drone market is not big, but it’s starting an upward cycle,” Huang said. The company also announced an order from a government surveying agency at the show.
The dispute over East China Sea islands caused China’s relations with Japan to reach their lowest since at least 2005 in September. Demonstrators marched in cities across China and attacked Japanese businesses after Japan’s government bought the islands from a private owner.
Xi Jinping yesterday replaced Hu Jintao as the head of China’s Communist Party and as chairman of the party’s Central Military Commission. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda plans to dissolve parliament today, triggering elections that polls indicate will be won by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who advocates a tougher stance in the territorial dispute.
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Jasmine Wang in Hong Kong at jwang513@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Neil Denslow at ndenslow@bloomberg.net

Zhuhai suprise: CATIC scores its first export sales of L-15

AIRSHOW CHINA: CATIC signs deal for 12 L-15 trainers

 http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airshow-china-catic-signs-deal-for-12-l-15-trainers-378931/

By:   Greg Waldron Zhuhai
06:18 13 Nov 2012



AVIC Hongdu has entered into a deal to supply the China National Aero Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) with 12 L-15 advanced jet trainers, with the type's first international sale to be announced in 2013.

The agreement with CATIC represents the first sale of the type, which China is pitching on the international market. The agreement between the two parties, which are both owned by the Chinese government, was signed at Airshow China in Zhuhai.

CATIC president Ma Zhiping says the first sale of the L-15 will be announced next year. Neither the export agency or company representatives were willing to disclose the customer, or to confirm whether the 12 contracted aircraft will eventually be delivered to this end-user.

AVIC Hongdu says it has started "limited batch production" of the L-15, with the first dozen aircraft to be completed by the end of 2013.

Separately, AVIC says it will develop a new powerplant for the L-15 called the Minshan. The twin-engined type is now powered by a Ukrainian powerplant. According to AVIC, the Minshan is a twin-spool turbofan with an afterburner.

"Now that main component performance tests have been accomplished with satisfying results that could meet the requirements of engine design targets, it will be ready for delivery in a few years," it says.

In case you need additional confirmation that both WZ-10 and WZ-19 are Operational

Chinese Army Aviation Force organizes training of WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters

(Source: China Military Online)   2012-11-13


The picture shows the WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters in training. (chinamil.com.cn/ Huang Wei)

　　Several China's independently-developed WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters of an army aviation regiment under the Shenyang Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out air-to-ground missile firing tests in an airspace of south Liaoning province on November 12, 2012. Despite the extreme climate conditions, the helicopters achieved a hundred percent hit rate.

　　The primary task of the WZ-10 and WZ-19 armed helicopters is to provide fire support on battlefields. Characterized by excellent flight performances and extreme low-altitude maneuverability, the helicopters can be equipped with multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground precision-guided weapons, and possess the daytime and nighttime combat capabilities. All the troop units equipped with these armed helicopters have successively established flight tackling teams in order to tackle highly-difficult problems in flight of these armed helicopters, explored new training methods and tactics by focusing on the characteristics of future wars, and established a complete training system for these new-type armed helicopters.

　　The reporters saw at the front line of the training of an army aviation regiment under the General Staff Headquarters (GSH) of the PLA that the regiment set up realistic environment to simulate actual combat, incorporated such highly-difficult subjects as hedgehopping flight and valley counter-attack into the tactic drill of air assault and special operation, and effectively elevated the operational capabilities of the helicopters as well as the overall quality of the pilots.

　　The recent assessment made by the Army Aviation Department of the GSH has showed that those new-type helicopters that troop units had equipped with have already formed the capability to carry out operations under various weather conditions and in complex environments as well as to perform diversified tasks.

　　By Shi Shaohua and Zhou Jingbo

Editor:Zhang Tao

PR Photos of the day: Chinese Carrier Ops

Photo of the day: Z-19 light attack chopper at Zhuhai

China's 13th escort fleet departs for Somali waters

The 13th naval escort squad, sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, departed Friday from China to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters for escort missions.

The squad, which left a port in Zhanjiang of South China's Guangdong province, will succeed the 12th escort fleet currently conducting missions in Somali waters.

The 13th convoy fleet includes the frigates Huangshan and Hengyang, the supply ship Qinghaihu, two helicopters and an 800-strong troop. The three ships have all previously conducted escort missions.

Since December 2008, authorized by the United Nations, the Chinese navy has dispatched 12 fleets to the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to escort more than 4,890 Chinese and foreign ships.

At Friday's farewell ceremony, Wang Zhaohai, deputy political commissar of the PLA Navy, said the missions have rescued more than 50 Chinese and foreign ships.

Li Xiaoyan, the fleet's commander and deputy chief of staff of the PLA Navy's South China Sea Fleet, said the 13th escort mission will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese ships and personnel passing the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters. It will also assist in the safety of cargo ships carrying humanitarian goods of the World Food Program and other international organizations.

"Sea conditions of the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters will turn better in the next few months, which might lead to more pirate activities and violence," Li said.

Zhuhai Suprise: Chinese speedchopper concept

It seems that the Chinese is also entering the speedchopper fray with its own "Avant-Courier" concept after Sikorsky X2 triplex and Eurocopter's X3.   One thing that is for sure, all three concepts will be easier to operate then Bell Boeing's V-22 Osprey


The Avant-Courier concept

  Sikorsky X2 triplex

 Eurocopter's X3

Zhuhai Suprise: Z-10 of the 6th LH Brigade.

Two Z-10s have just arrived at the 2012 Zhuhui airshow representing the PLA Army Aviation and they are from the 6th LH Brigade (LH96101 and LH96102) of the 42nd Group Army near by.   This revelation marks the 6th LH as the third Z-10 equipped LH units in service.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

2nd Z-10 equipped Army Aviation Unit.

Judging from the recent PLA Daily articles and internet photo "releases", the 8th LH brigade of the 38th Group Army, Beijing MR has become the 2nd LH unit armed with the latest Z-10 attach choppers (6th squadron).   It is interesting to note that the 8th is also home to the Z-19 light attack helicopter (5th squadron).

After two years of service with the 5th LH brigade, it is clear that the CMC is now ready to expand its Z-10 footprint

This Z-10 is obviously at Baoding (8 Army Avn Bde), where 12 large hangars (for MI-17) and 9 small hangars (for Z-10), all camouflage and with round roofs, have been built by 2011. They seem to be also constructing 8 large hangars (for Z-8?).

There are also round hangars at Sanshui-Daliao (6 Army Avn Bde), but they are not camouflaged and are in two consecutive rows of 10, not separated like those at Baoding.

Since Z-8 and Z-10 appear to go together, perhaps we should expect the next Z-10 squadron to be formed in 26 GA 7 Army Avn Regt (Bde?).

--  franco-russe

Z-10 in BJ MR as reported by the PLA Daily

http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2012-09/08/content_14139.htm

8月下旬，塞北某综合训练基地，北京军区某装甲团与航空兵、防空兵开展协同作战演练。图为装甲兵召唤航空兵提供火力支援
李东现摄　

Sunday, December 12, 2010

WZ-10 of the PLA 5th LH Regiment

It seems there are at least 8 of them already in service.