The J-20

The J-20 #2001 prototype was photographed when it was preparing for high-speed taxi trial at the CAC airfield in late December 2010, wearing a distinctive dark green color scheme (RAM coating applied?). The prototype features a pair of all-moving tailfins and Russian 1.44 style ventral stabilizing fins, which shield the engine nozzles but might increase RCS. 

It also features an F-22 style forward fuselage, including Caret intakes but with DSI bumps installed at the upper inner corners, as well as a one-piece frameless canopy. However the canards appear to extend slightly above the plane of the main wings and there are four large underwing actuator fairings which might not be stealth optimized. First disclosed by US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in 1997 as XXJ, J-20 is the 4th generation multi-role fighter to enter the service between 2015 and 2018. Since 90s both CAC/611 Institute and SAC/601 Institute had been working their own designs for a twin-engine multi-role heavy fighter with stealth capability and maneuverability comparable to American F-22.



It was speculated that 601 Institute was working on a "tri-plane" design (J-18?) based on canard/conventional layout/V-shape tailfin while 611 Institute working on a design based on canard/tailless delta wing/all moving V-shape tailfin/lateral DSI/bump inlet layout. All designs were expected to feature an internal weapon bay to reduce RCS, which has been speculated to be <0.05m2 (head-on). J-20 also incorporates an advanced FBW system fully integrated with the fire-control and the engine systems. Its fire-control radar is expected to be AESA (Type 1475/KLJ5?). The aircraft may feature a "pure" glass cockpit (a single F-35 style color LCD display and a wide-angle holographic HUD).

Many of these subsystems have been tested onboard J-10B to speed up the development (see above). The exact type of engine powering J-20 prototypes is unclear, even though a Russian turbofan engine such as 117S or 99M2 (14t class) or D-30F6 (15t class) with an axisymmetric TVC nozzle has been speculated. It was reported in November 2006 that a T/W=10 17t class turbofan (WS-15/"large thrust") is being developed and will eventually power J-20. Russian assistance was also speculated in terms of software support for calculating the RCS of various designs. The overall performance of J-20 is thought to be superior to that of Russian T-50 (maneuverability & supercruise) but still inferior to that of American F-22 (electronics & supercruise). In August 2008 it was reported that 611 Institute was selected to be the main contractor for the development of J-20 and 601 Institute as the sub-contractor. Subsequently a full-scale metal mockup was built at CAC. 



One rumor in May 2010 claimed that 611 Institute started to construct the first prototype, which was expected to fly by the end of 2010, even though the full configuration model won't fly until a few years later. Currently two prototypes (#2001 & 2002) have been constructed and the first high-speed taxi trial by 2001 took place on December 22, 2010.

DDG-1000 destroyer

The U.S. is building "the most advanced" warship in history - DDG-1000 destroyer of Zumwalt class that the Pentagon called a "super-stealth silver bullet." It will be able to move quietly along the coast, including in the shallows, hitting the targets of the enemy with electromagnetic rail guns, deceiving enemy radars.

Americans plan to equip its fleet in the Asia-Pacific region with these ships "from sci-fi movies". It is to the shores of China frightening with the increase of its military where the Pentagon intends to relocate 60% of its ships in 2020 in the framework of the renewed military strategy. 

DDG-1000 Destroyer

The new destroyers are being built in Maine, the first will be launched as early as 2014, the Associated Press reported. Visiting the local shipyard in April, the head of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Grinert praised the ships, saying that they would be the hope in the future. He listed the main advantages: "invisibility", an advanced sonar system, the incredible striking power and small crew size. 
Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, announcing at a regional security conference in Singapore the change to the U.S. military strategy, said that the new high-tech vessel will be a significant part of the U.S. Pacific grouping.

The stealth destroyers could be useful in other regions, such as the Persian Gulf, but the military believe that they will be most beneficial in Asia. The new ships will be able to perform the mission both in the high seas and near the coast. In Asia there are a great number of island States, and China has a long coastline in the Pacific.


Washington is worried that China is actively modernizing its fleet. In particular, the country is working on reliable aircraft carriers, as well as rockets and submarines, because of which the American vessels may be denied access to the strategic sea lanes near the Chinese territory. The United States believes that Beijing intends to prevent the Americans from interfering in the conflict over the disputed territory in the South China Sea or interaction with Taiwan that China considers its own. 

Now the U.S. has a great advantage at the high seas, but China by modernizing its fleet is getting an advantage in shallower, coastal waters. The new American stealth destroyers are designed to cope with this problem. 

The Chinese ridiculed the American novelty, and critics reminded the U.S. Pentagon of another "super-stealth" project. 

However, the Chinese military are not afraid of the science fiction "silver bullets". Officially they did not comment on the U.S. plans. But one of the admirals appeared on local television with an openly mocking commentary. He said that all the talk about the invincibility of the new destroyers is no more than the advertising hype, but really any "high tech" ship of the United States can be easily sunk by a simple fishing boat loaded with explosives. 

In the U.S., too, there are enough critics and skeptics, even though they are mostly afraid of the size of budget spending. The construction of one DDG-1000 costs about $3.1 billion - nearly twice the cost of the existing destroyers. If we add the costs of research and development, the price of one destroyer increases to seven billion dollars. 

Critics believe that this Pentagon's project is sucking money from the Treasury, while it would be better to spend it on the support of the regular navy. Many security experts have questioned whether the developers are too fixated on the semi-fantastic "technology of the future." 

They recall the story of the troubled fighter, fifth-generation stealth F-22 Raptor. It was touted as the most advanced fighter ever built, but, as recently revealed, it is almost dangerous to the pilots. But even earlier these fighters were dropped because of exorbitant price. A successor to the F-22 fighter, jet F-35, was the most expensive project in the history of the Pentagon. 

The Navy says that the cost of a destroyer will pay off. They are convinced that the technology incorporated in the new stealth vessel will meet the most current requirements, and in the next decade will be gradually introduced on other vessels. 

DDG-1000 destroyers and other stealth vessels of class Zumwalt have the body that leaves almost no trace, they are equipped with an electric motor and the most advanced sonar devices and missiles. These ships are longer and heavier than the current destroyers, but the automated systems installed on them will reduce the crew size by half. In addition, the enemy radar will "see" not a warship, but a boat a little bigger than a small fishing boat. 

The destroyers will be equipped with an electromagnetic rail gun that with the help of a magnetic field and electric current will run projectiles at speeds several times faster than the speed of sound. 

However, despite these fabulous features, the new destroyer was virtually "drowned" in Congress. Initially the Navy ordered 32 of these vessels, but the number was reduced to 24 and then to seven. Now only three ships are being built. 

http://english.pravda.ru/

China F 35

   

It's a stealth heavy attack helicopter. US aviation experts say that it is designed to counter the F-35 Lightning II.

The aircraft seems to be naval-oriented. Internal weapons bays are included.

Here is what the US experts have to say:
"One aircraft concept that caught the attention of reporters was a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft -- China's answer to the United States' developmental F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. A model of the aircraft, which was on display at the show, appears to incorporate some aspects of stealth technology."

F 16

Netherlands F-16

Netherlands F-16

Five F-16 fighters from the Netherlands are on their way to Chile as the government continues to cut expenditures.

The planes, which departed Monday from Volkel Air Base, are part of a 2009 sales agreement between the two countries.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense said the first two batches of F-16s -- totaling 12 aircraft in all -- were delivered in November 2010 and in April of this year.

Six F-16s, manufactured by General Dynamics of the United States, were to have departed for Chile Monday, but one could not leave on time and will follow later this week.

The 18 fighter planes sold to Chile are one result of the defense policy measures decided in 2007 to free up additional money for defense in the form of proceeds from the sale of defense equipment.

In addition to aircraft, the Netherlands is also selling some of its artillery pieces and combat tanks.

With these sales, the number of combat aircraft in the Air Force's fleet decreased from 105 to 87 with 14 aircraft used for training.

In 2006, Chile had already purchased 18 F-16s following Dutch military cuts stemming from the government's 2003 Budget Letter.

The Defense Ministry said another 18 F-16s, which are to be retired under the latest round of defense cuts, will also be divested.

The Netherlands, like most West European nations, is struggling to maintain economic health in the face of the world economic crisis.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Gates, prior to his departure from the post earlier this year, chastised NATO member states for not investing enough in defense.

Few NATO members, he said, were meeting the alliance's requirement of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense.

The result was that few members had the wherewithal to fully participate in NATO missions.

"In almost all European states, as in the United States, the defense budget is being used as a convenient quarry for saving money, exactly because the adverse effects of cutting defense are (hopefully) long-term and quite abstract--and therefore also hidden," the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank, wrote in a later report. "As a consequence, many European states are on the verge of losing even basic defense capabilities, despite painful reform efforts to make their militaries more efficient.

"Unfortunately, this is happening at a time in global politics when the traditional guarantor of European security, the United States, is struggling with its own budget crisis and problems of military overstretch, and it is therefore urging Europeans to take on a greater share of the burden of their own defense."

According to the Stockholm Peace International Peace Research Institute, the Netherlands spent about 1.5 percent of its GDP in 2009 on defense.

Although it is divesting itself of F-16s, the Netherlands still plans on purchasing Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters once they are in production.

Meanwhile, Britain's Ministry of Defense -- also struggling with ways to save pounds and pence -- said it wrote off more than $180 million last year, including about $16.7 million notated as "fruitless payments."

The 2010-2011 write-offs include a nearly $2.8 million out-of-court settlement with a furniture company at the end of a contract. A crash involving a warhead at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif., cost more than $1.6 million.

The gifting of fiberglass helmets and body armor to the Ugandan government carried a price tag of nearly $2.8 million.

Just over $93 million was written off as "constructive losses" -- mainly canceled projects.

"As we acknowledged in our response to the NAO's (National Audit Office) report in June, the Ministry of Defense has not managed its resources well for many years," a ministry spokeswoman said. "That said, the NAO has now rightly acknowledged that improvements have been made to the MOD's inventory processes.

"We take the issue of write-offs seriously and while it is not possible to plan for every eventuality, a full investigation is carried out whenever write-off action is taken to ensure relevant lessons are identified and learned."

www.upi.com

Airbus Military and Israel

Airbus Military and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are combining forces to jointly develop and market a new version of the Airbus Military C295 platform fitted with an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system produced by ELTA Systems, a wholly owned IAI subsidiary.

The primary sensor of the AEW&C will be the IAI/ELTA 4th Generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar with integrated IFF.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect was signed today at the Le Bourget Airshow by IAI Corp. VP and ELTA President, Mr. Nissim Hadas, and Airbus Military CEO Mr. Domingo Ureña. With this agreement, Airbus Military will expand its mission capability to the Airborne Early Warning & Command sector, while ELTA will be expanding its AEW&C fleet to include a turboprop platform.

The C295 AEW&C has been designed to provide high quality 360 Surveillance, creating in real-time an integrated Air and Maritime Situation Picture and Electronic Order of Battle. The AEW&C Situation Picture is shared with friendly forces via  Network Centric data links.

A C295 fitted with a rotodome demonstrator is conducting flight trials from Airbus Military's Seville facility since 8th June. The initial tests have shown that the aircraft is aerodynamically an excellent platform for this purpose. ELTA Systems and Airbus Military are now conducting engineering studies to integrate the mission suite, including AESA radar, among other sensors, into the aircraft. The aircraft demonstrator can be seen on the static display at the Le Bourget Airshow.

Providing a new and very cost effective solution in the so far uncovered medium size market, the C295 AEW&C is both rugged and versatile. It can be configured with the full range of AEW&C sensor and control systems, including; AEW Radar, IFF, ESM/ELINT, CSM/COMINT, Self Protection Suite (SPS), Command & Control, Multi-Mode Radar, comprehensive communication suite including Network Centric Operation (NCO) Data Networks and Satellite Links.

Airbus Military CEO, Domingo Ureña, stated: “We see a growing demand emerging for medium size early warning systems and platforms at an affordable price for both air defense and homeland security. This cooperation between ELTA Systems and Airbus Military, which combines the excellent engineering skills and experience of our two companies in their respective fields, will provide the market with a highly efficient and affordable solution, the first in this market segment”.

IAI Corp. VP and ELTA President, Nissim Hadas, referring to the mutual cooperation agreement, noted:”The emerging conflicts across the globe are emphasizing the importance of special mission fleets. We are sure that by joining forces, we will offer the market the right solution with the right technology. Airbus Military and IAI/ELTA's superior capabilities in  special mission aircraft, advanced sensors and system integration enable us to provide an effective and proven solution for these growing needs.”

The new generation C295 is the ideal aircraft for military transport and civil missions such as humanitarian aid, homeland security, maritime patrol, and environmental surveillance. Thanks to its robustness and reliability, and with simple systems, this medium sized tactical airlifter provides the wide versatility and flexibility required for personnel, troop and bulky/palletized cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties, or certified air-dropping capabilities. It is fitted with both civil and military technology equipment which ensures success in demanding tactical missions, as well as growth potential for future equipment installation and compatibility with the latest civil airspace environment. The C295 is part of Airbus Military’s family of light and medium airlifters which also includes the smaller C212 and CN235 platforms.

IAI/ELTA is a front-runner in the development of airborne radar systems and in particular AESA Radar for AEW&C aircraft. IAI/ELTA’s current 3rd Generation AEW&C products, the Gulfstream G550 Conformal AEW&C and the Ilyushin IL-76  AWACS, are the leaders in their respective categories, both in terms of performance and landmark design. The newest
member of IAI/ELTA’s family of AESA Radars is a rotating dome radar combining both true 360o AESA radar and IFF in a unique low weight 4th Generation design.

Source:http://www.airbusmilitary.com/PressRelease/tabid/133/ArticleId/146/Airbus-Military-and-Israel-Aerospace-Industries-join-forces-on-C295-AEW-C-Programme.aspx

A 100

Russia hopes to develop a new airborne warning and control system (AWACS) plane by 2016, Air Force chief Col. Gen Alexander Zelin said on Tuesday. “We are expecting to receive the A-100 aircraft built on the basis of the IL-476 transport plane with the PS-90 engine and extended flight range,” Zelin told reporters in Moscow. The new AWACS plane will have an advanced active phase array capable of detecting and tracking airborne and land-based targets.

“We will have the carrier IL-476 by 2013-2014 and should be able to build this plane by 2016,” Zelin said.

The Russian Air Force has around 20 A-50 Mainstay AWACS planes, based on the Ilyushin IL-76 transport.

The A-50 is equipped with the large Liana surveillance radar with its antenna in an over-fuselage rotodome and can control up to ten fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions.

Read More AT:

http://rt.com/

EF-2000 TYPHOON

The Prime Minister has today confirmed that the UK will move ahead with its internationalpartners with the final stages of procuring a third batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
The NATO Eurofighter Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) will continue negotiations with industry with a view to getting the best possible deal for the Partner Nations (UK, Germany, Italy and Spain). Negotiations will address both procurement and support costs.
The Prime Minister said:

"I am pleased that we are moving forward with this important programme with our partner nations. This will strengthen Britain's defence capability, and will create new jobs in advanced manufacturing that Britain needs to emerge stronger and fitter from this global downturn.
The Defence Secretary John Hutton said:
"We look forward to receiving an affordable bid from European industry that will allow us to proceed with a programme that will deliver advanced multi-role aircraft to the Royal Air Force and maintain high-technology skills and industrial capability acrossthe UK and Europe. 
"Subject to the satisfactory outcome of these negotiations, I hope that we will be in a position to sign a contract later this year."
The MoD will now initial the ministerial agreement which the other partner nations (Germany, Italy and Spain) signed on 2 April 2009. This agreement contains a statement of principles, including the need to achieve significant through-life savings, which will underpin the next stage of negotiations between NETMA which acts as the contracting agent on behalf of the partner nations and industry.
The contract for the third tranche of Typhoon aircraft will be signed once there is a satisfactory conclusion to these negotiations, and each Partner Nation's Approving Authority has accepted the terms of agreement.

russia could make aerial drones without Israel

Russia does not need Israeli assistance to make progress in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including military drones, the head of a Russian UAV production company said on Thursday.

A senior Israeli defense source quoted in Flight International said earlier that Israel may tear up much of the unprecedented military cooperation deal it signed with Russia at the start of this month due to anger over Moscow's decision to supply Yakhont naval missiles to Syria.

"In the next two or three years, there will be a breakthrough in the Russian UAV market regardless of the Israeli position on this issue," Vladimir Verba, the director general of the Vega company.

Verba said his company had developed a comprehensive UAV development program until 2025, which had been approved by the majority of its customers, including the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Interior Ministry.

He also said Vega had been developing strike and reconnaissance drones for the Russian military in cooperation with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

The Russian military stressed the need to provide the Armed Forces with advanced reconnaissance systems in the wake of a brief military conflict with Georgia in August 2008, when the effectiveness of Russian military operations was severely hampered by the lack of reliable intelligence.

According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance.

The Russian Defense Ministry has previously expressed dissatisfaction with locally manufactured UAVs, and decided to buy them from Israel.

According to the ministry, some 50 Russian military servicemen are undergoing training in the use of Israeli-built UAVs and that a total of twelve have been bought.

Russia has reportedly signed two UAV contracts with Israel. Under the first contract, signed in April 2009, Israel delivered two Bird Eye 400 systems (worth $4 million), eight I View MK150 tactical UAVs ($37 million) and two Searcher Mk II multi-mission UAVs ($12 million).

The second contract was for the purchase of 36 UAVs, worth a total of $100 million, to be delivered later this year.

Russia and Israel have also been negotiating the establishment of a joint $300-million venture to produce UAVs.

saudia china

The world's biggest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with China for cooperation in the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, which will help to meet the Kingdom's increasing demand for energy and cut its growing dependence on depleting oil resources.

 

The deal was signed in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday in the presence of King Abdullah and visiting Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

The agreement seeks to establish a legal framework to strengthen scientific, technological and economic cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing, while the two sides reaffirmed their desire to place the highest priority on nuclear safety and environmental protection, the Arab News reported quoting officials.

Another agreement to expand cooperation in the field of academics and library affairs was signed by the Riyadh-based King Abdulaziz Public Library (KAPL) and Beijing University . The pact will broaden the scope of cooperation between the two premier institutions and allow KAPL to open its branch in the Chinese capital.

Asked about details of the talks Wen had with King Abdullah, Chinese Embassy spokesman Li Lianghua said the talks with the monarch was preceded by Wen's meetings with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The talks with King Abdullah covered the whole gamut of bilateral issues and regional development, said another Chinese official.

He said the two countries pledged to work together to promote political and commercial relations as well as boost links in energy, trade, infrastructure, culture, press and security fields.

"China has also welcomed a move to organize a high-profile symposium in Beijing in mid-2012 to discuss relations between China and the Muslim world with special reference to Beijing's relations with Muslims in the past and the future perspectives of Islamic-Sino ties," he added.

The pledge for a closer partnership was made during the wide-ranging talks between King Abdullah and the Chinese Premier. Speaking on the occasion, Wen said: "The two countries strengthened high-level exchanges and promoted mutual trust in recent years despite the fact that international and regional situations became complicated and volatile."

He said both countries had treated each other as equals with respect, and their cooperation had been fruitful since the establishment of diplomatic ties 22 years ago.

"China and Saudi Arabia are both in important stages of development, and there are broad prospects for enhancing cooperation," Wen said and added that his government encouraged Chinese companies to take part in Saudi infrastructure construction ventures such as railways, ports, electricity and telecommunications.

Saudi Arabia is China's biggest source of imported oil, and securing energy security was high on Wen's agenda in Riyadh, said the Embassy official. China and Saudi Arabia should keep deepening cooperation as China is already Saudi Arabia's biggest customer and the Kingdom is keen to diversify its economic ties, he noted.

On Saturday, the state-run Saudi oil giant Aramco and Chinese companies finalized an initial agreement signed last year to develop a 400,000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery in Yanbu, on the Kingdom's Red Sea coast.

 http://www.rttnews.com/

AMCA

India has reportedly cleared a fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)to be developed by 2017 whose total cost is estimated at $2bn. 

According to a news report in The Hindu newspaper, the Govt of India has released Rs. 100 crore($20 million) last month to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an Indian government controlled research body which has also developed the LCA Tejus fourth generation fighter.

"AMCA, when developed and produced, would probably be the first medium combat aircraft with 20 tonne weight in the world. Similar aircraft being developed by the United States and Russia are in the range of 30 to 35 tonnes," PS Subramanyam, ADA Director and Programme Director (Combat Aircraft), was quoted as saying in the news report.

 

 

 The AMCA is to be a twin-engined 5th generation stealth multirole fighter, which will complement the HAL Tejas, the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and other aircraft in the Indian Air Force. 

 

 

 

 

www.defenseworld.net

F-22 style

The J-20 #2001 prototype was photographed when it was preparing for high-speed taxi trial at the CAC airfield in late December 2010, wearing a distinctive dark green color scheme (RAM coating applied?). The prototype features a pair of all-moving tailfins and Russian 1.44 style ventral stabilizing fins, which shield the engine nozzles but might increase RCS. 

It also features an F-22 style forward fuselage, including Caret intakes but with DSI bumps installed at the upper inner corners, as well as a one-piece frameless canopy. However the canards appear to extend slightly above the plane of the main wings and there are four large underwing actuator fairings which might not be stealth optimized. First disclosed by US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in 1997 as XXJ, J-20 is the 4th generation multi-role fighter to enter the service between 2015 and 2018. Since 90s both CAC/611 Institute and SAC/601 Institute had been working their own designs for a twin-engine multi-role heavy fighter with stealth capability and maneuverability comparable to American F-22.



It was speculated that 601 Institute was working on a "tri-plane" design (J-18?) based on canard/conventional layout/V-shape tailfin while 611 Institute working on a design based on canard/tailless delta wing/all moving V-shape tailfin/lateral DSI/bump inlet layout. All designs were expected to feature an internal weapon bay to reduce RCS, which has been speculated to be <0.05m2 (head-on). J-20 also incorporates an advanced FBW system fully integrated with the fire-control and the engine systems. Its fire-control radar is expected to be AESA (Type 1475/KLJ5?). The aircraft may feature a "pure" glass cockpit (a single F-35 style color LCD display and a wide-angle holographic HUD).

Many of these subsystems have been tested onboard J-10B to speed up the development (see above). The exact type of engine powering J-20 prototypes is unclear, even though a Russian turbofan engine such as 117S or 99M2 (14t class) or D-30F6 (15t class) with an axisymmetric TVC nozzle has been speculated. It was reported in November 2006 that a T/W=10 17t class turbofan (WS-15/"large thrust") is being developed and will eventually power J-20. Russian assistance was also speculated in terms of software support for calculating the RCS of various designs. The overall performance of J-20 is thought to be superior to that of Russian T-50 (maneuverability & supercruise) but still inferior to that of American F-22 (electronics & supercruise). In August 2008 it was reported that 611 Institute was selected to be the main contractor for the development of J-20 and 601 Institute as the sub-contractor. Subsequently a full-scale metal mockup was built at CAC. 



One rumor in May 2010 claimed that 611 Institute started to construct the first prototype, which was expected to fly by the end of 2010, even though the full configuration model won't fly until a few years later. Currently two prototypes (#2001 & 2002) have been constructed and the first high-speed taxi trial by 2001 took place on December 22, 2010. 

US contingency plans

US contingency plans for air strikes on Iran extend beyond nuclear sites and include most of the country's military infrastructure, the BBC has learned. 

It is understood that any such attack - if ordered - would target Iranian air bases, naval bases, missile facilities and command-and-control centres. 


The US insists it is not planning to attack, and is trying to persuade Tehran to stop uranium enrichment. 

The UN has urged Iran to stop the programme or face economic sanctions. 

But diplomatic sources have told the BBC that as a fallback plan, senior officials at Central Command in Florida have already selected their target sets inside Iran. 

That list includes Iran's uranium enrichment plant at Natanz. Facilities at Isfahan, Arak and Bushehr are also on the target list, the sources say. 

Two triggers 

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the trigger for such an attack reportedly includes any confirmation that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon - which it denies.
Alternatively, our correspondent adds, a high-casualty attack on US forces in neighbouring Iraq could also trigger a bombing campaign if it were traced directly back to Tehran. 

Long range B2 stealth bombers would drop so-called "bunker-busting" bombs in an effort to penetrate the Natanz site, which is buried some 25m (27 yards) underground.

The BBC's Tehran correspondent Frances Harrison says the news that there are now two possible triggers for an attack is a concern to Iranians. 

Authorities insist there is no cause for alarm but ordinary people are now becoming a little worried, she says. 

Deadline 

Earlier this month US officers in Iraq said they had evidence Iran was providing weapons to Iraqi Shia militias. However the most senior US military officer later cast doubt on this, saying that they only had proof that weapons "made in Iran" were being used in Iraq. 


Gen Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said he did not know that the Iranian government "clearly knows or is complicit" in this. 

At the time, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the accusations were "excuses to prolong the stay" of US forces in Iraq. 

Middle East analysts have recently voiced their fears of catastrophic consequences for any such US attack on Iran. 

Britain's previous ambassador to Tehran, Sir Richard Dalton, told the BBC it would backfire badly by probably encouraging the Iranian government to develop a nuclear weapon in the long term. 

Last year Iran resumed uranium enrichment - a process that can make fuel for power stations or, if greatly enriched, material for a nuclear bomb. 

Tehran insists its programme is for civil use only, but Western countries suspect Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons. 

The UN Security Council has called on Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium by 21 February. 

Iranian military

Iranian Missiles

A senior Iranian military official says all military bases in the Middle East are within the range of the Iranian-designed and -built missiles.

Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami said on Friday that Iranian surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and long-range ballistic missiles can reach any military bases in the region, and hit the desired targets with high precision.

Bahria Town Puts Pakistan On Global Real State Map

Lahore Bahria Town Bahria Orchad

Lahore Bahria Town Bahria OrchaBahria Town has won five highly prestigious awards under various categories in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the award ceremony for “Asia Pacific International Property Awards 2012-13”, the world’s most prestigious competition recognised as the highest standard of excellence throughout the global industry. Bahria Town was the only property developer from Pakistan to win the prestigious property awards. Out of the five accolades two received were in the “Five Star” category whilst the other three were ranked as “Highly Commended”, another great achievement and proud moment Bahria Town earns for Pakistan.The awards are a sure proof that Bahria Town standards are at par with the global standards, says a press release. Speaking on the achievement, Malik Riaz Hussain, Chairman Bahria Town, said “This is an extremely proud moment for not only Bahria Town but the entire nation. We are honored to be a part of a historical moment in real estate sector of Pakistan. The accolades are a testament of the exceptional standards maintained in all our developments. We will Inshallah continue to deliver world class projects exceeding everyone’s expectations.”

Bahria Golf City Islamabad triumphed with two Five Star honors. It won the “Best Five Star Golf Development” award for the master planning and provision of complete international standard facilities and amenities along with the 18-hole USGA standard golf course. While the Sheraton Golf & Country Club in Bahria Golf City won for “Best Five Star Leisure Architecture”. Bahria Golf City Islamabad is a branded golf resort community with Sheraton Hotel, villas, apartments and plots to be launched soon.

Bahria Town’s first project in Karachi, Bahria Town Icon, also to be Pakistan’s tallest high-rise building was ranked ”Highly Commended High-rise Architecture”. Green Valley, Pakistan’s first Premium Supermarket, also a project of Bahria Town with its flagship store at the Mall of Lahore, won a “Highly Commended Retail Interior” award for its outstanding retail environment.

READ More AT 

 

http://www.nation.com.pk/

Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Operated From Chinese Type 054A Frigate

A Chinese frigtate has been photographed operating a small unmanned helicopter that appears to be the Schiebel Camcopter S-100.

Earlier this week, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) released images of the unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and a Chinese Type 054A missile frigate taken by a surveillance aircraft. 

An industry source familiar with China's UAV sector says it is "common knowledge" in the industry that China obtained 18 of the Austrian-built UAVs two years ago. 

"This is just a Schiebel UAV helicopter," he says, referring to the images. "China purchased 18 of these two years ago. It is the only UAV helicopter this size that is capable of taking off and landing aboard a ship."

 READ MORE AT

 http://www.flightglobal.com/

pakistan to become 4th largest nuclear At the End of the Decade

Pakistan would become fourth largest nuclear state at the end of this decade, A US website, The Huffington Post reported.

The website claimed that the world's five original nuclear weapons countries have all suspended production of fissile materials for new weapons and are negotiating cuts in their nuclear arsenals. But Pakistan is steadily building more nuclear weapons, adding production capacity to produce plutonium and enrich uranium, and building new missiles to deliver nuclear warheads.

It further claimed that the nuclear risks in Pakistan are three-fold: its non-proliferation record is poor, there are concerns about the security of sensitive nuclear materials, and there is no sign of a slowdown in its nuclear weapons drive. A global response needs to be calibrated to address all three of these potential threats.

Former UN weapons inspector David Albright, reported that Pakistan appears to be building a fourth plutonium reactor at the Khushab complex, and is expanding plutonium separation capabilities at another site. 

Another report, from a US think tank, says Pakistan now has 70 to 90 nuclear warheads, more than its rival India. This puts Pakistan on track to command the world's fourth-largest nuclear weapons arsenal by the end of the decade.

The evidence suggests that Pakistan is trying to develop a second-strike nuclear capability. Pakistan has tested cruise and other missiles that can carry strategic warheads from land or even from submarines.
North Korea and Pakistan also continue to partner each other such as in matters of missile and uranium enrichment technologies.

Pakistan is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT. In other words, the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide comprehensive safeguards is limited. 

The existing three Pakistani nuclear reactors at Khushab require more than 40 tons of uranium annually.

 

Pakistan is going to obtain four F-22P

F-22P Frigates

Pakistan is going to obtain four F-22P Frigates to be built in Pakistan in collaboration with China as part of country’s efforts to strengthen its navy.

Recently Pakistan was has got three frigate from China while fourth is being built. Previously, China also handed over four frigates to Pakistan.

According to a report, published in Daily Jang, the leading Urdu daily of the country, Pakistan was happy over getting the fighters at low price and got booked orders for four new ships.

The report said that the Chinese frigate costs 200 million dollar while the US LCS ship having similar qualities and technologies costs 600 million dollars.

According to the report, the F-22P Frigate is laced with modern missile technology.      The first ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was handed over to the PN on 30 July 2009 and the second, PNS Shamsheer, on January 23, 2010. The third is undergoing sea trials, The Fourth and Last Frigate of F-22P series for the PN was launched on 17 June 2011.

 http://www.thenewstribe.com/