Saturday, October 26, 2024

Boring logistics photos of the day: AG600 Amphibious Aircraft

China is one of the few countries that continues to produce amphibious aircraft with a fire-fighting concentration, in addition to supporting its South China Sea island garrisons.    With a range of 4,500 kilometers on 12 tons of fuel and 50 fully loaded troops, it can quickly provide support to those island garrisons without the need for a runway. 

Its current production rate is 5 per year.






China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft enters initial batch production

Source
    Xinhuanet
Editor
    Li Jiayao

Time
    2024-07-02 21:38:22

-

An AG600M firefighting aircraft gathers water during a gathering and dropping water test in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 27, 2022.  (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) -- China's independently-developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has entered a new phase of low-rate initial batch production and final assembly, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on Tuesday.

The large part of the aircraft nose for the first batch-produced AG600 airplane was delivered on June 30, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.

The move marked a transition of the type of AG600 aircraft from the phase of development to batch production, the developer added.

According to the AVIC, production for the aircraft nose lasted for about three months. The Central and Southern Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China has carried out the airworthiness compliance inspection for the manufacturing of this large part.

Following this, the final assembly of this AG600 aircraft will be carried out by AVIC General Huanan Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

After the AG600 aircraft obtains the type certificate, it will then be delivered to the customer, according to the developer.

The AG600 aircraft aims to obtain its type certificate at the end of this year, the AVIC said.

It added that four AG600 airplanes, meant for test flight use, are currently undertaking airworthiness flight test missions across the country to verify this new type of aircraft's performance and compliance with airworthiness standards.

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 27, 2023 shows China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft in a flight test.  (Aviation Industry Corporation of China/Handout via Xinhua)

A vast country with complex landforms, China has been continuously strengthening its capabilities in the air emergency rescue sector.

China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) has proposed the improvement of the national emergency management system by strengthening and enhancing air rescue system options and capabilities.

The AG600 large amphibious aircraft family is being developed as vital advanced aeronautical equipment to strengthen the country's emergency-rescue capabilities, according to the developer.

This aircraft family is tailored to carry out rescue missions such as firefighting, and maritime search and rescue in all types of terrains across the country.

The AG600 series amphibious aircraft features a unique configuration consisting of an integrated aircraft-shaped upper body and a ship-bottom-shaped lower body.

According to AVIC, the AG600 aircraft family is being developed with a focus on amphibious capability, versatility across multiple models, and serialized development.

This large amphibious aircraft can be installed with equipment and facilities to meet diversified demands from users in fields such as marine environment monitoring, resource detection, passenger and cargo transportation, and more, the developer said.



Sunday, April 14, 2019

Boring pictures of the day: PLAN's 3rd ocean-going training ship.

PLAN's first training ship Zheng He (You know who she was named after) commissioned in 1996, pennant number 81

Second training ship Deng Shichang commissioned in 1997 pennant number 82

Below are pictures of PLAN's third training ship,  Qijiguang, pennant number 83, freshly minted in 2017.

With all those new boats coming online, the PLAN needs all the midshipmen those 3 ships can train.
China commissions new naval training ship
Source: Xinhua   2017-02-22 13:32:02     [More]

DALIAN, Liaoning, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese navy on Tuesday commissioned a new training ship at a military port in Lyushun, northeast China's Liaoning Province, the PLA Daily reported Wednesday.

With hull number 83, the Qijiguang naval training ship is 163 meters long and 22 meters wide, with a full load displacement of 9,000 tonnes and maximum speed of 22 knots, making it the largest and most advanced training ship in the Chinese navy.

Designed and built by China, the training ship can accommodate over 400 navy cadets or officers for training in offshore waters and high seas. It can also be used in foreign exchanges, natural disaster rescue and other non-military operations.

Qi Jiguang was an ancient Chinese national hero in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) best known for leading Ming forces to defend China's eastern coastal regions from raids by Japanese pirates in the 16th century.

The training ship is affiliated with Dalian Naval Academy.







Friday, October 25, 2024

Size Comparison Photo Of The Day

东风-15B、东风-16、东风-31A、东风-21D、东风-26

 

From left to right,  DF-15B,  DF-16, DF-31A, DF-21D, DF26



Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Hi Res Photos Of The Day: Dong Feng 31AG solid-fuel rocket intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

 




with range of 11500Km








DF31 DF-31A DF31AG ​​​
 
 

 

PLA Army TOE Update Of the Day

 20-barreled 122mm self-propelled rocket launcher based on the 6X6 warrior high mobility chassis is now found at the artillery battalion/high mobility combined arms brigade, continuing the trend of trading in armor protection and fire power for mobility for those PLA high mobility combined arms brigades.  Duh.




Saturday, October 12, 2024

Modern PLA Land Unit Of The Day. Light Cavalry

After reviewing the modern Chinese heavy shield infantry and Phalanx / Mandarin Duck formations, next up is the mysterious PLA Light Cavalry.   The PLA Light Cavalry, like other Light Cavalries such as the legendary Mongolian equivalent, is trained as swift scouts and battlefield raiders. As a result, they traded heavy armor for speed and mobility, allowing them to perform critical missions such as performing reconnaissance, quick raids against the enemy's rear, and protecting the flanks of the main army.   At least in principle.   In actuality, as evidenced by the photographs below, they are not properly armed for modern combat of 2024.   While it is understandable that they are not protected with plate armor, they are also not wearing mail shirts for little protection against arrows or melee warfare.  

As several famous PLA professional analysts have properly pointed out, the PLA has not performed a massive cavalry charge since the mid Qing dynasty, 200 years ago, thus it is understandable that they will not know how to handle modern combat.  They are untested.  Additionally, they appear to be equipped just with a saber and a composited bow, with neither shield or lance to be found. Furthermore, crucial two-way communication technology such as Ram Horn is not available at the squadron level; as some well-known PLA professional analysts have pointed out, corruption at the top levels is to blame for not equipping Ram Horn to each troop.






 

 


Friday, October 04, 2024

More Photos For Your Modern Infantry ToE Nerds Out There

Good to see that the Mandarin Duck formation is alive and well.  With that being said, a plate armor upgrade would be a great next step upgrade.






Wednesday, October 02, 2024

The PLA still has a much to learn about modern warfare, particularly infantry tactics and related Table of Equipment in 2024

 What's wrong this this PLA Phalanx?   For starter, their spears are too short, lacking standards.  What?  no shield?  Yikes, only four rank deep.   

I am telling you, they would not stand a chance against Little Alex’s Macedonian phalanx of 323 BC.  No not a chance.



Man, oh man, the PLA Hastati border guard is carrying a cheap, Chinese knockoff gladius that isn't even sharp to start.  Their scuta also appears to be of low quality.


Group photo of this 13-member  Contubernium



Two Type 89 120mm Pilum for range attack before close-quarters melee at Contubernium level
 
 

PR Photos Of The Day: Charge of the Light Brigade

The China Army has long been neglected its cavalry arm throughout the last two decades, leaving only 2 companies in its orbit.   They were mostly used in historical reenactment or movie extras.

Well, they have since "corrected their mistake"  by grouping them into independent companies under a  single battalion under the 76th Group Army for better coordinated effects on highland border patrol as well as a back up to the PAP.
(source here)

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45319/the-charge-of-the-light-brigade
I
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.

II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
   Someone had blundered.
   Theirs not to make reply,
   Theirs not to reason why,
   Theirs but to do and die.
   Into the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.

III
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
   Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
   Rode the six hundred.

IV
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
   All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
   Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
   Not the six hundred.

V
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
   Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
   Left of six hundred.

VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
   All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
   Noble six hundred!











 
 

QQ: How many people does it take to part a 100,000-Ton PLAN carrier?

Apparently only three 




Friday, October 11, 2024

Drone Warfare Of the Day: PLA Anti Drone Infrantry "fire team" video

 


PLAAF Unit Of The Day: 37th Regiment, 13th Transport Aviation Division, Central Theater Command Air Force HQ

 Home to 28 Y-20 strategic airlifter of the PLAAF as of Oct 11th. 












https://china-defense.blogspot.com/2020/04/plaafs-airlft-to-wuhan.html

Saturday, April 04, 2020

PLAAF's airlift to Wuhan

During the height of the COVID-19 fight early Feb 20210, the Chinese Military dispatched more then 4,000 medical personnel to Wuhan (link)


The 2,600 military medical personnel are drawn from the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, Joint Logistic Support Force and Armed Police Force. According to the above two hospitals’ treatment capacity and construction progress, the military medical personnel will be deployed in batches. The first group of 1,400 personnel has arrived in Wuhan on February 13 and scheduled to carry out medical treatment as soon as possible.

Most of them were airlifted via a fleet of 11 transports "Y-20 (4th Division 12th Regiment), IL-76 (13th Division) and Y-9 (4th Division 10th Regiment) (link)"



At the same time, PLA's Joint Logistic Support Force also procured 10,000 protective suits for military medical personnel each day, and over two million face masks have been imported from around the world. (link)






 3xY-20,  5xIL-76 and 3xY-9