MiG-31 fighters to get new navigation system for Arctic — official

Source : http://tass.ru/en

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The MiG-31 fighters interceptors will get a strap down inertial navigation system for operations in the Arctic, Vladimir Mikheyev, an adviser to deputy head of the Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) concern Vladimir Mikheyev told TASS on Tuesday.

"This aircraft will be equipped with new navigation means - a strap down inertial navigation system," said Mikheyev, explaining that the new equipment would enable fighters to navigate in the Arctic without correction from GPS and GLONASS satellites.

In addition, a new version of the on-board electronic warfare complex Vitebsk has been developed for the MiG-31 fighter, the official said. According to him, the interceptor’s Zaslon type on-board radar is planned to be seriously modernised.

"Tests of several versions of upgraded aircraft are currently underway, the customer will select the most suitable version," said the KRET representative.

The strap down inertial navigation system is adapted for operation at low temperatures, increased background radiation, the absence of satellite signals and communication with ground-based services. The system’s operating air temperature range is from minus 60 to plus 55 degrees, and the limit - from minus 70 to plus 85 degrees Celsius. The strap down inertial navigation system will ensure in the Arctic conditions fully autonomous high-precision navigation in a situation where the use of other navigation systems is impossible. This will allow pilots to always determine their aircraft location and ensure navigation capability even in case of partial failure of the electronic equipment.

Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies is a subsidiary of the state corporation Rostec. Presently, KRET unites more than 95 enterprises and organisations engaged in the development and production of military and civilian radio-electronic products. The Concern’s enterprises are located across Russia, from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, and the total number of employees exceeds 50,000 people. KRET is the developer of avionics for the leading Russian aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-35S fighters, Kamov Ka-52 Alligator, Mil Mi-171A2 helicopters, Yak-130, Il-476, and Tu-204SM planes, the most modern Russian line aircraft, as well as the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft. Thus, KRET is a supplier for the major Russian aircraft producers, such as United Aircraft Corporation and Russian Helicopters.

Russia To Start Construction Of New Aircraft Carrier After 2025, Build 8 Patrol Ships By 2020

Source : http://www.ibtimes.com

Russia plans to start construction of its new aircraft carrier after 2025, the Russian TASS news agency reported Monday, citing a source in the country’s military industrial complex. The revelation followed recent reports of abroken contract worth $1.3 billion between Russia and France for two Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

The source also revealed that the designing of the aircraft carrier has already begun, and the construction would probably be completed before 2030. In May, Oleg Bochkaryov, deputy chairman of the Military Industrial Commission, reportedlyrevealed Russia’s plan to build its own helicopter carrier.

The most difficult task is designing the future ship, which includes “coordinating what the Russian Navy needs and what industry can offer with regard to the fact that the air carrier should meet the requirements not of yesterday and today, but of tomorrow,” the military source told TASS, referring to the upcoming, home-grown aircraft carrier. “The Russian Navy makes very stringent requirements on how the aircraft carrier should look, but we do not see anything that we can’t do in those requirements.”

Meanwhile, Russian Navy Commander Viktor Chirkov also announced Monday that the country will build a new series of six patrol ships for the Black Sea Fleet and two similar vessels for the Arctic by 2020. According to Chirkov, the construction of the ships is going on at the Zelenodolsk and Vyborg shipyards.

“The ships will be able of long-term staying at any area of the World Ocean with possible rotation of the crew and shipyard checks at any port, including some foreign ports,” TASS quotedChirkov as saying.

Chirkov also said that the Russian Navy will complete modernization of nearly 10 nuclear-powered submarines. Last week, Vladimir Dorofeyev, CEO of the Malakhit Marine Engineering Design Bureau, said that Russia will build seven Yasen-class nuclear “stealthiest submarines” by 2023.

“Surface ships and submarines will be built under a technology to make it easier to equip them with new weapons when necessary,” Chirkov said.

Russian fighter aviation to be stationed in Arctic soon - defence ministry

Source: http://tass.ru/en

 

TASS - Russian new air defence radar stations are being put up on islands in the Arctic Ocean, with fighter aviation on the way, Deputy Commander of the Aerospace Defence Forces Maj Gen Kirill Makarov told TASS on Saturday.

"We speak a lot that Russia is increasing its might in the Arctic. The armed forces do not stand aside," Makarov said. "Modern weapons are stationed on islands in the Arctic Ocean, like the Pantsyr short-range air defence system. New radar stations are being put up and fighter aircraft will arrive soon."

"All this is done so that Russia can protect its interests along the country’s perimeter as well as in the Arctic," he said.

Russian military deploys surveillance drones in Arctic

Source : http://rt.com/news

RT - Russian military drones have begun making reconnaissance and monitoring flights in the Arctic. The vehicles, with a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles), are able to transmit video to operators in both day and nighttime conditions.

“Takhion and Eleron-3 unmanned aerial vehicles have been taking off into the skies of Murmansk region,” the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Northern Fleet press service, Vadim Serga, said on Wednesday.

Takhion drones can fly at an altitude of up to 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) and conduct missions even in adverse weather conditions. The vehicle, which can be used as a radio repeater, can operate at temperatures ranging from -30C to +40C (-22F to +104F).

Eleron-3 drones are capable of carrying up to 0.5 kilogram of cargo which can include TV-, IR- and photo-cameras, as well as a radio repeater. The 3.5 kilogram aircraft can fly in both autonomous and radio command modes.

The Takhion drones were tested in Arctic conditions in May on Franz Josef Land, an uninhabited archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, and Kara Sea.

In December 2014, Moscow adopted a new version of its military doctrine that, for the first time, placed the protection of the country’s national interests in the Arctic among its top priorities.

In March, Russia launched large-scale military drills to test the armed forces' readiness to counter challenges in its northern regions, particularly in the Arctic. Some 38,000 troops, 41 ships, 15 submarines, 110 jets, and choppers took part in the drills which focused on boosting Russia’s military presence in the Arctic and testing how quickly special operations forces could be transported large distances.