Showing posts with label Navy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Navy. Show all posts
May 9, 2017
USS Gerald R Ford, Kapal Induk Super Berharga Rp 173 Triliun
Kompas.com - Delapan tahun setelah pembangunannya dimulai, awal bulan ini kapal induk milik Amerika Serikat, Gerald R Ford menjalani uji coba pelayaran di Samudera Atlantik.
Oct 25, 2015
Jul 1, 2015
Apr 1, 2015
Jepang Pamerkan Kapal Perang Terbesarnya Pasca-Perang Dunia II
Kompas.com - Angkatan Laut Jepang, Kamis (25/3/2015), memamerkan kapal perang terbesarnya sejak berakhirnya Perang Dunia II.
Izumo, sebuah kapal pengangkut helikopter, memiliki ukuran sebesar kapal induk AL Kekaisaran Jepang saat menghadapi AL Amerika Serikat dalam perang di Samudra Pasifik.
Dengan kemampuan mengangkut awak sebanyak 470 orang, kapal ini menjadi contoh nyata berkembangnya kapabilitas militer Jepang untuk melakukan operasi di luar negeri.
Kapal sepanjang 248 meter itu sebenarnya dari sisi ukuran sama besar dengan kapal induk AS. Namun, kapal ini ditujukan untuk mengangkut helikopter serbu. Sebuah fungsi yang masih sejalan dengan konstitusi Jepang yang melarang negeri itu memiliki peralatan yang bisa digunakan untuk memulai perang.
Kapal induk, karena memiliki kemampuan untuk menghasilkan kekuatan tempur, dianggap sebagai sebuah senjata ofensif.
"Kapal ini bisa menjalankan berbagai jenis tugas, termasuk operasi perdamaian, penanggulangan bencana, dan mengirimkan bantuan. Kapal ini juga meningkatkan kemampuan kami dalam menghadapi kapal selam," ujar Menteri Pertahanan Jepang Jenderal Nakatani dalam upacara peresmian kapal itu di Yokohama.
Selain itu, Jepang juga menambah pesawat-pesawat terbang patroli jarak jauhnya dan pesawat-pesawat kargo. Jepang juga membeli jet tempur F-35, kendaraan serang amfibi dan pesawat angkut personel Osprey. Semua peralatan tempur itu bisa dioperasikan dari atas geladak Izumo.
Meski memiliki penampakan seperti kapal induk, Izumo tak memiliki katapel yang digunakan untuk memudahkan penerbangan pesawat-pesawat jet bersayap tetap.
Namun, varian F-35 yang memiliki kemampuan tinggal landas dan pendaratan vertikal (VTOL) bisa dioperasikan dari atas kapal ini.
Izumo, sebuah kapal pengangkut helikopter, memiliki ukuran sebesar kapal induk AL Kekaisaran Jepang saat menghadapi AL Amerika Serikat dalam perang di Samudra Pasifik.
Dengan kemampuan mengangkut awak sebanyak 470 orang, kapal ini menjadi contoh nyata berkembangnya kapabilitas militer Jepang untuk melakukan operasi di luar negeri.
Kapal sepanjang 248 meter itu sebenarnya dari sisi ukuran sama besar dengan kapal induk AS. Namun, kapal ini ditujukan untuk mengangkut helikopter serbu. Sebuah fungsi yang masih sejalan dengan konstitusi Jepang yang melarang negeri itu memiliki peralatan yang bisa digunakan untuk memulai perang.
Kapal induk, karena memiliki kemampuan untuk menghasilkan kekuatan tempur, dianggap sebagai sebuah senjata ofensif.
"Kapal ini bisa menjalankan berbagai jenis tugas, termasuk operasi perdamaian, penanggulangan bencana, dan mengirimkan bantuan. Kapal ini juga meningkatkan kemampuan kami dalam menghadapi kapal selam," ujar Menteri Pertahanan Jepang Jenderal Nakatani dalam upacara peresmian kapal itu di Yokohama.
Selain itu, Jepang juga menambah pesawat-pesawat terbang patroli jarak jauhnya dan pesawat-pesawat kargo. Jepang juga membeli jet tempur F-35, kendaraan serang amfibi dan pesawat angkut personel Osprey. Semua peralatan tempur itu bisa dioperasikan dari atas geladak Izumo.
Meski memiliki penampakan seperti kapal induk, Izumo tak memiliki katapel yang digunakan untuk memudahkan penerbangan pesawat-pesawat jet bersayap tetap.
Namun, varian F-35 yang memiliki kemampuan tinggal landas dan pendaratan vertikal (VTOL) bisa dioperasikan dari atas kapal ini.
Feb 17, 2015
Mar 1, 2014
Jumbo jets to join the Navy: $2.4 billion in Poseidon aircraft ordered from Boeing
Foxnews.com - Looks like your average jumbo jet. Acts like a state-of-the-art war machine.
The U.S. Navy has ordered $2.4 billion worth of a new reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft that resembles the plane you might fly on to Cancun for a spring break. On Wednesday, Boeing announced it will produce 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for this order.
Ultimately, the Navy plans to purchase 117 of the aircraft, which will replace its P-3C fleet.
The P-3C Orion is a four-engine, anti-submarine/surveillance aircraft that has acted as a maritime patrol plane for about half a century. It has advanced submarine detection sensors, such as directional frequency and ranging sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection equipment.
But the Poseidon will boost maritime patrol capabilities even more. It will serve the military as a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
Poseidon’s power
Maritime patrol aircraft act as the eyes of the fleet; the Poseidon will fly farther and cover greater distances, scouring the world’s oceans for any potential threat and able to respond very quickly if spotted.
Based on Boeing's 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A Poseidon holds a crew of nine and can operate as an armed platform to take on targets while getting critical data to everyone on the network at the same time.
It can communicate with unmanned aircraft and will leverage enhanced technology with even more capable weapons and sensors, all of which will contribute to a single fused tactical situation display that can be shared over both military standard and civilian Internet data links.
From jumbo jet to armed warrior
Ever flown in a 737? The P-8A is a derivative of this aircraft. It marks the first time Boeing has taken a commercial aircraft and modified it for war.
Ultimately, the Navy plans to purchase 117 of the aircraft, which will replace its P-3C fleet.
The P-3C Orion is a four-engine, anti-submarine/surveillance aircraft that has acted as a maritime patrol plane for about half a century. It has advanced submarine detection sensors, such as directional frequency and ranging sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection equipment.
But the Poseidon will boost maritime patrol capabilities even more. It will serve the military as a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
Poseidon’s power
Maritime patrol aircraft act as the eyes of the fleet; the Poseidon will fly farther and cover greater distances, scouring the world’s oceans for any potential threat and able to respond very quickly if spotted.
Based on Boeing's 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A Poseidon holds a crew of nine and can operate as an armed platform to take on targets while getting critical data to everyone on the network at the same time.
It can communicate with unmanned aircraft and will leverage enhanced technology with even more capable weapons and sensors, all of which will contribute to a single fused tactical situation display that can be shared over both military standard and civilian Internet data links.
From jumbo jet to armed warrior
Ever flown in a 737? The P-8A is a derivative of this aircraft. It marks the first time Boeing has taken a commercial aircraft and modified it for war.
The P-8A has the fuselage of a 737-800 and the wings of a 737-900. Its two engines are made by CFM International and provide about 27,000 pounds of takeoff thrust each.
At 130 feet long and with a wingspan of 124 feet, it can travel 564 miles per hour. The aircraft’s range is greater than 1,200 nautical miles, and it has a flight ceiling of 41,000 feet.
The Poseidon is a team effort from Boeing partners, including Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
Raytheon provides Poseidon’s MK 54 lightweight torpedo and the AN/APY-10 radar that gives it all-weather, day and night multi-mission surveillance capabilities over land, sea and rivers.
The directional infrared countermeasures, the electronic support systems and data links are all Northrop Grumman contributions. GE Aviation’s electronics provide a control system for integrated weapons.
BAE Systems provides the mission computing and display system, flight deck panels and data diode.
In January 2009, Boeing was selected to provide eight P-8I versions of this aircraft to the Indian navy. Other countries, including Italy and Australia, have also shown interest in the aircraft.
Boeing has already delivered 13 P-8As to the U.S. Navy. In December, the first patrol squadron was deployed to Kadena, Japan, where it has since been conducting operational missions.
At 130 feet long and with a wingspan of 124 feet, it can travel 564 miles per hour. The aircraft’s range is greater than 1,200 nautical miles, and it has a flight ceiling of 41,000 feet.
The Poseidon is a team effort from Boeing partners, including Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
Raytheon provides Poseidon’s MK 54 lightweight torpedo and the AN/APY-10 radar that gives it all-weather, day and night multi-mission surveillance capabilities over land, sea and rivers.
The directional infrared countermeasures, the electronic support systems and data links are all Northrop Grumman contributions. GE Aviation’s electronics provide a control system for integrated weapons.
BAE Systems provides the mission computing and display system, flight deck panels and data diode.
In January 2009, Boeing was selected to provide eight P-8I versions of this aircraft to the Indian navy. Other countries, including Italy and Australia, have also shown interest in the aircraft.
Boeing has already delivered 13 P-8As to the U.S. Navy. In December, the first patrol squadron was deployed to Kadena, Japan, where it has since been conducting operational missions.
Feb 23, 2014
U.S. Navy to Zap Enemies With Futuristic Laser
Cnn.com - The future has arrived at the U.S. Navy, which will begin deploying lasers this year and an electromagnetic rail gun within two years.
The laser will be set up on the transport dock USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. One single sailor can operate the device, which can burn through targets and fry electronics with beams that are invisible to the human eye. The laser is designed to shoot down aerial drones and disable swarming speedboats.
Besides its ability to be fired continuously, the biggest advantage of the laser is that it’s cheaper to use than missiles and smart bombs. The downside is that the laser is a lot less efficient if there’s rain, dust or turbulence in the atmosphere.
The Navy is also working on getting electromagnetic rail guns ready for deployment. The rail guns, which fires projectiles at six or seven times the speed of sound, are meant to replace or supplement traditional firearms.
The laser will be set up on the transport dock USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. One single sailor can operate the device, which can burn through targets and fry electronics with beams that are invisible to the human eye. The laser is designed to shoot down aerial drones and disable swarming speedboats.
Besides its ability to be fired continuously, the biggest advantage of the laser is that it’s cheaper to use than missiles and smart bombs. The downside is that the laser is a lot less efficient if there’s rain, dust or turbulence in the atmosphere.
The Navy is also working on getting electromagnetic rail guns ready for deployment. The rail guns, which fires projectiles at six or seven times the speed of sound, are meant to replace or supplement traditional firearms.
Dec 25, 2013
Why is Canada naming its warships after U.S. defeats?
Foreignpolicy.com - Warships from the U.S. Navy will someday be sailing alongside the Royal Canadian Navy supply ships HMCS Queenston and HMCS Chateauguay, perhaps on a NATO exercise or a humanitarian relief mission. That might get awkward if a historically minded American sailor notices that Queenston and Chateauguay are battles where Canada defeated America in the War of 1812. Yo, Canada, what's the deal?
Yes, America's good-natured neighbor to the north is naming its newest naval vessels after battles where Canadians trounced U.S. invaders in the War of 1812. The Battle of Queenston Heights, on Oct. 13, 1812, saw an outnumbered force of 1,300 British regulars, Canadian militiamen, and Mohawk irregulars repel a poorly organized attempt by 3,500 U.S. regulars and militiamen to cross the Niagara River. The Battle of Chateauguay, on Oct. 26, 1813*, was another embarrassing U.S. defeat, when a 1,600-strong British and Canadian force defeated 2,600 Americans who were attempting to capture Montreal.
"The Government of Canada has named the new Joint Support Ships (JSS) to commemorate the War of 1812, in recognition of the achievements and sacrifices made by those early Canadians who fought and died in these significant battles of Queenston Heights and Chateauguay," said Canadian Navy spokeswoman Lt. Jennifer Fidler in an email to Foreign Policy. "The War of 1812 was a defining moment that contributed to shaping our identity as Canadians and ultimately our existence as a country. It laid the foundation for Confederation and the cornerstones of our political institutions."
Historians may quibble: Since Canada was a British colony rather than a nation in 1812, then technically the war was fought between Great Britain and the United States, and the glory of these victories belongs to the British. But history is no match for patriotic fervor. "These two key victories helped ensure our independent development in what was then British North America, leading to the eventual achievement of Canadian nationhood and a mutually respectful relationship with the United States of America," Fidler said.
The HMCS Queenston and Chateauguay, which together will cost $2.6 billion Canadian, are scheduled to enter service in 2019. They are designed to replace older Canadian Navy replenishment ships. They are the first vessels to be named after U.S. defeats by Canada, but they may not be the last. "If an additional Joint Support Ships vessel is constructed, the names of other prominent War of 1812 battles will be considered," noted Fidler.
Not surprisingly, the naming of the two ships comes after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government sought last year to heavily commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. However, polls suggest that the festivities did not exactly stoke patriotic fires.
Should Americans feel aggrieved at Canada's actions, their northern friends have a fair riposte: We're only giving you a taste of your own medicine. The United States has never been shy about boasting of its own victories. British sailors must sail alongside current U.S. warships such as the USS Bunker Hill, USS Cowpens, and the USS Lake Champlain (at least the cruiser USS Yorktown has been retired). And the Japanese have to put up with the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf and the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, the Germans with the USS Normandy and USS Anzio -- and I'm sure the Vietnamese will look forward to a port visit from the cruiser USS Hue City. Not even domestic enemies are spared; Confederate nostalgists can grit their teeth over the USS Gettysburg and USS Vicksburg.
Britain and France are more or less friends now, but the British stuck it to the French with the now-retired nuclear submarine HMS Trafalgar. The Dutch have their frigate HNLMS Tromp (named after two admirals who beat the British). And the French have their frigate La Fayette, named after the general who helped the Americans beat the British, and of course the carrier Charles de Gaulle, named after a leader who drove the Americans and British crazy.
Perhaps the only nations that can't name their ships after famous victories are the former Axis powers. Germany would find it impolitic to name a ship the Denmark Strait or the Admiral Dönitz. The same goes for Japan. Will we ever see a Japanese warship named the Pearl Harbor?
Yes, America's good-natured neighbor to the north is naming its newest naval vessels after battles where Canadians trounced U.S. invaders in the War of 1812. The Battle of Queenston Heights, on Oct. 13, 1812, saw an outnumbered force of 1,300 British regulars, Canadian militiamen, and Mohawk irregulars repel a poorly organized attempt by 3,500 U.S. regulars and militiamen to cross the Niagara River. The Battle of Chateauguay, on Oct. 26, 1813*, was another embarrassing U.S. defeat, when a 1,600-strong British and Canadian force defeated 2,600 Americans who were attempting to capture Montreal.
"The Government of Canada has named the new Joint Support Ships (JSS) to commemorate the War of 1812, in recognition of the achievements and sacrifices made by those early Canadians who fought and died in these significant battles of Queenston Heights and Chateauguay," said Canadian Navy spokeswoman Lt. Jennifer Fidler in an email to Foreign Policy. "The War of 1812 was a defining moment that contributed to shaping our identity as Canadians and ultimately our existence as a country. It laid the foundation for Confederation and the cornerstones of our political institutions."
Historians may quibble: Since Canada was a British colony rather than a nation in 1812, then technically the war was fought between Great Britain and the United States, and the glory of these victories belongs to the British. But history is no match for patriotic fervor. "These two key victories helped ensure our independent development in what was then British North America, leading to the eventual achievement of Canadian nationhood and a mutually respectful relationship with the United States of America," Fidler said.
The HMCS Queenston and Chateauguay, which together will cost $2.6 billion Canadian, are scheduled to enter service in 2019. They are designed to replace older Canadian Navy replenishment ships. They are the first vessels to be named after U.S. defeats by Canada, but they may not be the last. "If an additional Joint Support Ships vessel is constructed, the names of other prominent War of 1812 battles will be considered," noted Fidler.
Not surprisingly, the naming of the two ships comes after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government sought last year to heavily commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. However, polls suggest that the festivities did not exactly stoke patriotic fires.
Should Americans feel aggrieved at Canada's actions, their northern friends have a fair riposte: We're only giving you a taste of your own medicine. The United States has never been shy about boasting of its own victories. British sailors must sail alongside current U.S. warships such as the USS Bunker Hill, USS Cowpens, and the USS Lake Champlain (at least the cruiser USS Yorktown has been retired). And the Japanese have to put up with the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf and the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, the Germans with the USS Normandy and USS Anzio -- and I'm sure the Vietnamese will look forward to a port visit from the cruiser USS Hue City. Not even domestic enemies are spared; Confederate nostalgists can grit their teeth over the USS Gettysburg and USS Vicksburg.
Britain and France are more or less friends now, but the British stuck it to the French with the now-retired nuclear submarine HMS Trafalgar. The Dutch have their frigate HNLMS Tromp (named after two admirals who beat the British). And the French have their frigate La Fayette, named after the general who helped the Americans beat the British, and of course the carrier Charles de Gaulle, named after a leader who drove the Americans and British crazy.
Perhaps the only nations that can't name their ships after famous victories are the former Axis powers. Germany would find it impolitic to name a ship the Denmark Strait or the Admiral Dönitz. The same goes for Japan. Will we ever see a Japanese warship named the Pearl Harbor?
Sep 16, 2013
DARPA’s Plan to Flood the Sea With Drones, Carrying More Drones
Wired.com - DARPA, the Pentagon’s research agency, has recently revealed its plans to boost the Navy’s response to threats in international waters by developing submerged unmanned platforms that can be deployed at a moment’s notice.
Hydra, named after the serpent-like creature with many heads in Greek mythology, would create an undersea network of unmanned payloads and platforms to increase the capability and speed the response to threats like piracy, the rising number of ungoverned states, and sophisticated defenses at a time when the Pentagon is forced to make budget cuts. According to DARPA, the Hydra system ”represents a cost effective way to add undersea capacity that can be tailored to support each mission” that would still allow the Navy to conduct special operations and contingency missions. In other words, the decreasing number of naval vessels can only be in one place at a time.
“The climate of budget austerity runs up against an uncertain security environment that includes natural disasters, piracy, ungoverned states, and the proliferation of sophisticated defense technologies,” said Scott Littlefield, DARPA program manager, in a statement. “An unmanned technology infrastructure staged below the oceans’ surface could relieve some of that resource strain and expand military capabilities in this increasingly challenging space.”
The Hydra system is intended to be delivered in international waters by ships, submarines or aircraft with the integrative capability of communicating with manned and unmanned platforms for air, surface, and water operations.
Unlike the Upward Falling Payloads (UFPs) program DARPA announced in January that would submerge massive waterproof containers intended to store weapons, drones and supplies for years at a time, Hydra is a highly mobile platform that can be deployed for a few weeks or months in relatively shallow international waters.
“By separating capabilities from the platforms that deliver them, Hydra would enable naval forces to deliver those capabilities much faster and more cost-effectively wherever needed,” said Littlefield. “It is envisioned to work across air, underwater, and surface operations, enabling all three to perform their missions better.”
Hydra, named after the serpent-like creature with many heads in Greek mythology, would create an undersea network of unmanned payloads and platforms to increase the capability and speed the response to threats like piracy, the rising number of ungoverned states, and sophisticated defenses at a time when the Pentagon is forced to make budget cuts. According to DARPA, the Hydra system ”represents a cost effective way to add undersea capacity that can be tailored to support each mission” that would still allow the Navy to conduct special operations and contingency missions. In other words, the decreasing number of naval vessels can only be in one place at a time.
“The climate of budget austerity runs up against an uncertain security environment that includes natural disasters, piracy, ungoverned states, and the proliferation of sophisticated defense technologies,” said Scott Littlefield, DARPA program manager, in a statement. “An unmanned technology infrastructure staged below the oceans’ surface could relieve some of that resource strain and expand military capabilities in this increasingly challenging space.”
The Hydra system is intended to be delivered in international waters by ships, submarines or aircraft with the integrative capability of communicating with manned and unmanned platforms for air, surface, and water operations.
Unlike the Upward Falling Payloads (UFPs) program DARPA announced in January that would submerge massive waterproof containers intended to store weapons, drones and supplies for years at a time, Hydra is a highly mobile platform that can be deployed for a few weeks or months in relatively shallow international waters.
“By separating capabilities from the platforms that deliver them, Hydra would enable naval forces to deliver those capabilities much faster and more cost-effectively wherever needed,” said Littlefield. “It is envisioned to work across air, underwater, and surface operations, enabling all three to perform their missions better.”
Aug 5, 2013
Is This China's Second Aircraft Carrier?
Foreignpolicy.com - China's military - especially its navy - is getting more sophisticated by the day. You're looking at photos from Chinese Web forums showing what appears to be Beijing's first fully domestically-built aircraft carrier under construction. (An earlier carrier was a retrofit of a Soviet ship.)
If these photos are legit, this is just the latest in a string of new, modern weapons -- from stealth fighters to stealth drones -- that China has surprised the world with in the last three years. But it's arguably the most important. The U.S. Navy has a commanding lead over every other military on the open seas. If China can close that gap, even just a bit, it could significantly shake up the global power equation. (India, a longtime single aircraft carrier operator, is also preparing to field multiple aircraft carriers in the near future.)
What gives this simple slice of a ship away as a future carrier? First, that big, flat top that's larger than the rest of the hull -- it's perfect for mounting a flight deck. Then there's the big open space in the middle of the hull just below that flight deck; that appears to be the makings of the ship's hangar deck.
In the first picture you can see a cutout section on the right side of the vessel (left in the photo) that might be designed to accommodate an aircraft elevator with access to the hangar deck. Update: This cutout might also be part of the support for the carrier's "island" superstructure. As you can see in this satellite image, the cutout looks a bit narrow for an aircraft elevator. Instead, it might be something similar to the opening beneath Lioning's superstructure as shown in a photo here.
Finally, several of the photos below show a v-shaped notch cut into the left side the flat top, this might be the groove for a catapults.
If these photos are legit, this is just the latest in a string of new, modern weapons -- from stealth fighters to stealth drones -- that China has surprised the world with in the last three years. But it's arguably the most important. The U.S. Navy has a commanding lead over every other military on the open seas. If China can close that gap, even just a bit, it could significantly shake up the global power equation. (India, a longtime single aircraft carrier operator, is also preparing to field multiple aircraft carriers in the near future.)
What gives this simple slice of a ship away as a future carrier? First, that big, flat top that's larger than the rest of the hull -- it's perfect for mounting a flight deck. Then there's the big open space in the middle of the hull just below that flight deck; that appears to be the makings of the ship's hangar deck.
In the first picture you can see a cutout section on the right side of the vessel (left in the photo) that might be designed to accommodate an aircraft elevator with access to the hangar deck. Update: This cutout might also be part of the support for the carrier's "island" superstructure. As you can see in this satellite image, the cutout looks a bit narrow for an aircraft elevator. Instead, it might be something similar to the opening beneath Lioning's superstructure as shown in a photo here.
Finally, several of the photos below show a v-shaped notch cut into the left side the flat top, this might be the groove for a catapults.
This last detail is significant. China's current carrier, Liaoning (an unfinished Soviet carrier once known Varyag) has no catapults. Those give a carrier the ability to launch a much more advanced and capable air wing. Not only can catapult-equipped ships carry a wider variety of fighters and strike planes, they can launch large, slow propeller-driven radar planes that can scan large swaths of the sky for enemy aircraft and direct the carrier's fighters to them.
The Liaoning instead uses a ski-jump like ramp on its bow to get J-15 fighters airborne. It's pretty much limited to being able to launch J-15s with their very powerful engines. If this new ship has catapults, it could do much, much more.
Killer Apps has previously shown you photos suggesting China is working on developing aircraft carrier catapults. The Chinese government is rumored to be working on both traditional steam catapults (like those used by Western navies for the last 60 years) and a version of the U.S. Navy's brand new electromagnetic catapults. These electromagnetic catapults can launch a wider variety of aircraft and use less energy than steam cats.
Photos have also emerged showing what looks like a Chinese attempt to build a propeller-driven radar plane resembling the U.S. Navy's E-2 Hawkeye -- among the larger, less glamorous aircraft to fly from a carrier but one of the most important due to its ability to find enemy aircraft.
(It's worth pointing out that China's second stealth fighter, the J-31, might be designed to operate from an aircraft carrier.)
China's second carrier is rumored to be based on the design for Soviet Union's first, (and never-finished) catapult-equipped carrier, the Ulanovsk. That ship featured two catapults and was considerably larger than the Soviet Admiral Kuznetzov class that Liaoning belongs to.
Ulanovsk was supposed to be the first of the USSR's fleet of nuclear-powered supercarriers meant to compete with the U.S. Navy's Nimitz class ships (which were still larger and more capable than Ulanovsk). The fall of the Soviet Union changed all that and the ship was scrapped at a Ukranian shipyard in 1992 when it was about 20 percent complete.
The Ulanovsk's catapults were to be mounted amidships, immediately across the flight deck from one of the ship's aircraft elevators -- just like the design shown in today's pictures from China. It looks like that rumor about China's new ship being based on the unfinished Soviet carrier has been confirmed. (Though this ship could be a modified Kuznetzov class design.)
China has also based its J-15 carrier fighters on Russia's Su-33 fighter.
China has been buying up old Australian and Russian carriers since the 1980s. Ostensibly, China purchased the ships to either scrap them or turn them into museums and even a posh hotel. What Beijing didn't advertise loudly is that Chinese engineers poured over those ships to learn as much as possible about their construction and design.
When China bought the empty hulk of the Varyag (a considerably more advanced design than the older ships it purchased, some of which dated to World War II) from a Ukrainian shipyard in 1998 it said it was going to turn the ship into a casino in Macau. Fifteen years later, the ex Varyag is equipped with modern weapons and serving in the PLAN as Liaoning.
So there you have it, China continues its breakneck military modernization effort and will likely have at least two aircraft carriers floating by the end of this decade.
The Liaoning instead uses a ski-jump like ramp on its bow to get J-15 fighters airborne. It's pretty much limited to being able to launch J-15s with their very powerful engines. If this new ship has catapults, it could do much, much more.
Killer Apps has previously shown you photos suggesting China is working on developing aircraft carrier catapults. The Chinese government is rumored to be working on both traditional steam catapults (like those used by Western navies for the last 60 years) and a version of the U.S. Navy's brand new electromagnetic catapults. These electromagnetic catapults can launch a wider variety of aircraft and use less energy than steam cats.
Photos have also emerged showing what looks like a Chinese attempt to build a propeller-driven radar plane resembling the U.S. Navy's E-2 Hawkeye -- among the larger, less glamorous aircraft to fly from a carrier but one of the most important due to its ability to find enemy aircraft.
(It's worth pointing out that China's second stealth fighter, the J-31, might be designed to operate from an aircraft carrier.)
China's second carrier is rumored to be based on the design for Soviet Union's first, (and never-finished) catapult-equipped carrier, the Ulanovsk. That ship featured two catapults and was considerably larger than the Soviet Admiral Kuznetzov class that Liaoning belongs to.
Ulanovsk was supposed to be the first of the USSR's fleet of nuclear-powered supercarriers meant to compete with the U.S. Navy's Nimitz class ships (which were still larger and more capable than Ulanovsk). The fall of the Soviet Union changed all that and the ship was scrapped at a Ukranian shipyard in 1992 when it was about 20 percent complete.
The Ulanovsk's catapults were to be mounted amidships, immediately across the flight deck from one of the ship's aircraft elevators -- just like the design shown in today's pictures from China. It looks like that rumor about China's new ship being based on the unfinished Soviet carrier has been confirmed. (Though this ship could be a modified Kuznetzov class design.)
China has also based its J-15 carrier fighters on Russia's Su-33 fighter.
China has been buying up old Australian and Russian carriers since the 1980s. Ostensibly, China purchased the ships to either scrap them or turn them into museums and even a posh hotel. What Beijing didn't advertise loudly is that Chinese engineers poured over those ships to learn as much as possible about their construction and design.
When China bought the empty hulk of the Varyag (a considerably more advanced design than the older ships it purchased, some of which dated to World War II) from a Ukrainian shipyard in 1998 it said it was going to turn the ship into a casino in Macau. Fifteen years later, the ex Varyag is equipped with modern weapons and serving in the PLAN as Liaoning.
So there you have it, China continues its breakneck military modernization effort and will likely have at least two aircraft carriers floating by the end of this decade.
(One last thing. Notice that "Free Ryukyu" stamp in the lower left side of one the photos? That might be some Chinese patriots using the carrier pics to hint at using China's military muscle to back Okinawa's independence movement.)
Oct 16, 2012
US Navy funds 'MacGyver' robot that can create tools
Bbc.co.uk - A US team aims to build a robot that can work out how to use nearby objects to solve problems or escape threats.
The machine has been dubbed a MacGyver Bot, after the TV character who cobbled together devices to escape life-threatening situations.
The challenge is to develop software that "understands" what objects are in order to deduce how they can be used.
The US Navy is funding the project and says the machines might ultimately be deployed alongside humans.
It is providing $900,000 (£562,000) to robotics researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology to carry out the work.
"Our goal is to develop a robot that behaves like MacGyver, the television character from the 1980s who solved complex problems and escaped dangerous situations by using everyday objects and materials he found at hand," said project leader Prof Mike Stilman.
"Researchers in the robot motion planning field have traditionally used computerised vision systems to locate objects in a cluttered environment to plan collision-free paths, but these systems have not provided any information about the objects' functions."
The machine has been dubbed a MacGyver Bot, after the TV character who cobbled together devices to escape life-threatening situations.
The challenge is to develop software that "understands" what objects are in order to deduce how they can be used.
The US Navy is funding the project and says the machines might ultimately be deployed alongside humans.
It is providing $900,000 (£562,000) to robotics researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology to carry out the work.
"Our goal is to develop a robot that behaves like MacGyver, the television character from the 1980s who solved complex problems and escaped dangerous situations by using everyday objects and materials he found at hand," said project leader Prof Mike Stilman.
"Researchers in the robot motion planning field have traditionally used computerised vision systems to locate objects in a cluttered environment to plan collision-free paths, but these systems have not provided any information about the objects' functions."
Rescue bot
Mr Stilman said he planned to create software that first identified an object, then determined potential things that could be done with it, before turning it into "a simple machine" that could be used to complete an action.
Examples given include stacking boxes to climb over something, building a bridge out of debris or climbing on a chair to grab an object out of reach.
By the project's end, the software should be able to combine such tasks when necessary.
To test whether this is the case, the researchers hope to load the code onto Golem Krang - a robot already developed by Mr Stillman's laboratory - to see if it works in action.
The researchers ultimately envisage a situation in which the machine might be deployed to rescue trapped officers without needing to risk anyone else's life.
Mr Stilman said he planned to create software that first identified an object, then determined potential things that could be done with it, before turning it into "a simple machine" that could be used to complete an action.
Examples given include stacking boxes to climb over something, building a bridge out of debris or climbing on a chair to grab an object out of reach.
By the project's end, the software should be able to combine such tasks when necessary.
To test whether this is the case, the researchers hope to load the code onto Golem Krang - a robot already developed by Mr Stillman's laboratory - to see if it works in action.
The researchers ultimately envisage a situation in which the machine might be deployed to rescue trapped officers without needing to risk anyone else's life.
Perception problem
One UK-based artificial intelligence (AI) researcher said the challenge was harder that it sounded.
"For example, vision alone is not enough to tell you if an object can support your weight or be used as a lever - you need to interact with it physically to understand its physical possibilities," Prof Barbara Webb, from the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics, told the BBC.
"This is probably a harder problem for current robotics than making a plan to solve the task."
Another AI expert suggested the project might like to draw on existing research into how animals use tools.
"A monkey will use a stick to reach a longer stick to reach an out-of-reach banana," said Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield.
"A crow will bend a piece of wire to get a trapped food.
"I have seen this kind of work with robots, but it is a very difficult project and like all research may not work as planned, but it is well worth the effort and will advance the field."
One UK-based artificial intelligence (AI) researcher said the challenge was harder that it sounded.
"For example, vision alone is not enough to tell you if an object can support your weight or be used as a lever - you need to interact with it physically to understand its physical possibilities," Prof Barbara Webb, from the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics, told the BBC.
"This is probably a harder problem for current robotics than making a plan to solve the task."
Another AI expert suggested the project might like to draw on existing research into how animals use tools.
"A monkey will use a stick to reach a longer stick to reach an out-of-reach banana," said Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield.
"A crow will bend a piece of wire to get a trapped food.
"I have seen this kind of work with robots, but it is a very difficult project and like all research may not work as planned, but it is well worth the effort and will advance the field."
May 5, 2011
Sergap Osama, Navy SEAL Gunakan Helikopter Siluman
Wartakotalive.com - Pasukan elit Navy SEAL diduga menggunakan helikopter jenis baru berteknologi siluman yang masih dirahasiakan. Dugaan itu muncul berdasarkan ciri fisik reruntuhan heli di dekat rumah persembunyian Osama bin Laden, yang terkesan aneh, atau tidak dikenal sebelumnya.
Berdasarkan foto yang disebarkan oleh European PressPhoto Agency, benda yang tersandar di dinding tembok pagar sisi luar rumah Osama itu diyakini oleh para ahli pesawat sebagai rotor (baling-baling) ekor helikopter.
Menurut penjelasan dari CIA sebelumnya, salah satu heli yang digunakan untuk menyergap Osama di Abbottabad, Pakistan, pada 2 Mei lalu, mengalami gangguan teknis sehingga harus mendarat darurat di dalam pekarangan rumah Osama.
Setelah operasi kelar, pasukan komando Navy SEAL lantas meledakkan helikopter tersebut hingga luluh lantak tak berbentuk. Personil yang menggunakan heli itu tak ada yang mengalami cedera, dan mereka pulang dengan menumpang heli lainnya.
Ternyata ada komponen lain dari heli nahas itu yang tidak ikut diledakkan karena berada di luar tembok. Menurut Aviationweek.com, situs yang khusus mengulas dunia penerbangan, benda besar tersebut diyakini adalah rotor belakang jenis lima atau enam bilah baling-baling.
Hanya saja, bekas rotor itu bentuknya lain daripada rotor helikopter militer pada umumnya. Bentuknya mirip dengan rotor helikopter eksperimen V-22s. Heli ini masih dirahasiakan keberadaan oleh AS.
Foto fisik V-22s ini masih amat jarang. Tubuh heli ini didesain khusus sehingga tak tertangkap radar (stealth) alias siluman.
Berdasarkan analisis Aviationweek.com, heli itu mengalami kecelakaan karena terbang statis terlalu rendah, sementara tekanan udara tiba-tiba berkurang. Akibatnya, baling-baling tak mampu menopang badan heli.
Heli itu pun jatuh dalam posisi rotor masih berada di sisi luar tembok. Begitu membentur atas tembok, badan heli jatuh di pekarangan dalam, sedangkan ekornya berada di luar tembok. Karena berada di luar tembok maka personil Navy SEAL tak sempat meledakkannya mengingat waktunya terbatas.
Lantas apakah memang benar operasi komando yang teramat rahasia itu juga mengggunakan helikopter yang sampai sekarang masih dirahasiakan keberadaannya itu?
Yang pasti selama dalam perjalanan menuju sasaran ke rumah Osama yang menempuh jarak ratusan kilometer wilayah udara Pakistan, radar militer Pakistan tidak menangkap gerak tiga atau empat helikopter yang digunakan untuk operasi tersebut.
Berdasarkan foto yang disebarkan oleh European PressPhoto Agency, benda yang tersandar di dinding tembok pagar sisi luar rumah Osama itu diyakini oleh para ahli pesawat sebagai rotor (baling-baling) ekor helikopter.
Menurut penjelasan dari CIA sebelumnya, salah satu heli yang digunakan untuk menyergap Osama di Abbottabad, Pakistan, pada 2 Mei lalu, mengalami gangguan teknis sehingga harus mendarat darurat di dalam pekarangan rumah Osama.
Setelah operasi kelar, pasukan komando Navy SEAL lantas meledakkan helikopter tersebut hingga luluh lantak tak berbentuk. Personil yang menggunakan heli itu tak ada yang mengalami cedera, dan mereka pulang dengan menumpang heli lainnya.
Ternyata ada komponen lain dari heli nahas itu yang tidak ikut diledakkan karena berada di luar tembok. Menurut Aviationweek.com, situs yang khusus mengulas dunia penerbangan, benda besar tersebut diyakini adalah rotor belakang jenis lima atau enam bilah baling-baling.
Hanya saja, bekas rotor itu bentuknya lain daripada rotor helikopter militer pada umumnya. Bentuknya mirip dengan rotor helikopter eksperimen V-22s. Heli ini masih dirahasiakan keberadaan oleh AS.
Foto fisik V-22s ini masih amat jarang. Tubuh heli ini didesain khusus sehingga tak tertangkap radar (stealth) alias siluman.
Berdasarkan analisis Aviationweek.com, heli itu mengalami kecelakaan karena terbang statis terlalu rendah, sementara tekanan udara tiba-tiba berkurang. Akibatnya, baling-baling tak mampu menopang badan heli.
Heli itu pun jatuh dalam posisi rotor masih berada di sisi luar tembok. Begitu membentur atas tembok, badan heli jatuh di pekarangan dalam, sedangkan ekornya berada di luar tembok. Karena berada di luar tembok maka personil Navy SEAL tak sempat meledakkannya mengingat waktunya terbatas.
Lantas apakah memang benar operasi komando yang teramat rahasia itu juga mengggunakan helikopter yang sampai sekarang masih dirahasiakan keberadaannya itu?
Yang pasti selama dalam perjalanan menuju sasaran ke rumah Osama yang menempuh jarak ratusan kilometer wilayah udara Pakistan, radar militer Pakistan tidak menangkap gerak tiga atau empat helikopter yang digunakan untuk operasi tersebut.
Jan 21, 2011
Breakthrough Laser Could Revolutionize Navy's Weaponry
Foxnews.com - The Navy has passed a major milestone in its quest to build an incredibly powerful new anti-aircraft gun.
Scientists with the Navy's Office of Naval Research have demonstrated a prototype system capable of producing from thin air the electrons needed to generate ultrapowerful, "megawatt-class" laser beams for the agency's next-generation system.
"The injector performed as we predicted all along," said Dinh Nguyen, senior project leader for the Free Electron Laser (FEL) program at the Los Alamos National Lab, N.M. "But until now, we didn't have the evidence to support our models. We were so happy to see our design, fabrication and testing efforts finally come to fruition."
He said the group is hoping to set a world record with the futuristic new weapon -- which could be the Holy Grail of military lasers.
FEL technology generates powerful laser beams by passing a stream of electrons -- those tiny, charged particles of matter -- through magnetic fields. Using electrons means avoiding the hassle of chemical fuels that are required for ordinary gas lasers, and bypassing the heating issue of electronic lasers.
FEL lasers can also be calibrated more specifically for anti-aircraft purposes, the Navy said, to adjust for precipitation, cloud cover, or humidity.
Quentin Saulter, FEL program manager for the Navy's research arm, said the implications of the FEL's progress are monumental. "This is a major leap forward for the program and for FEL technology throughout the Navy," Saulter said. "The fact that the team is nine months ahead of schedule provides us plenty of time to reach our goals by the end of 2011."
The research team hopes to have a full-power prototype by 2018, which would have the ability to instantly blast targets in the sky.
Navy ships have become vulnerable in modern times to supersonic missiles because of their slower defense systems, the agency worries. "The FEL is expected to provide future U.S. Naval forces with a near-instantaneous laser ship defense in any maritime environment throughout the world,” Saulter said.
Moreover, because future ships may very well use a form of electronic propulsion, there would be a readily available supply of electrons to power the raygun.
Originally invented by John Madey in 1976 at Stanford University, the project was picked up and pursued by the ONR in the 1980s -- and may finally become a reality.
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