Wednesday, 28 September 2011

JF-17




JF-17
Pakistan and China have recently concluded a final agreement for the manufacture of a second batch of JF-17s. According to well-vetted sources from Pakdef (Eagle Hannan), these 50 jets are the final form of the JF-17s. The aircraft will be manufactured at Kamra, Pakistan, but will be flown to China for additional work. This work is said to relate to a new generation of avionics and sensor suite.

The Block II JF-17 is believed to have AESA radars similar to those observed on the J-10B. The integrated avionics, sensors and EW suite is entirely Chinese and is believed to be at the level of Europes best planes. The AESA radar is a slightly smaller version of the one being utilized for the J-10B. The radar is highly sophisticated and its installation is beyond the present capacity at PAC Kamra and will thus require the aircraft to take a trip to Nanjing, China.

The Block II will be the standard version to be used in the PAF with the older Block Is to be retired after the end of production for the first 150 aircraft. This suggests that the structural changes needed to convert the Block Is to Block II standard are significant, suggesting considerable changes to the revised edition. The following are believed to be some of the key changes:


1.AESA radar

2. Comprehensive upgrades for low RCS profile including cockpit glass, RAM paint, refined structure, completely new nose structure for AESA, significant increase in the use of composites and retractable refueling probe.

3. Awaited integration of A-Darter missiles from Brazil / South Africa with HOBS capability and Brazilian HMS.

4. The BVR missile is the SD-10B which has been found more than a match for the AMRAAM-120 C5s. An unknown Meteor class missile is in the works beyond the SD-10Bs.
A significant export order has been secured and an entire squadron is being dedicated for training and familiarization of foreign pilots (Source: Eagle Hannan, Pakdef).


Contrary to conflicting reports in the media, this writer believes that the order for the FC-20s were finalized and that this order has increased to 58 planes. Given the recent crisis post-Abbottabad, the PAF is being beefed up in a hurry and the FC-20s will play a critical role in the defence of the Western sector. Given the nature of the mountainous terrain and the inability to use the F-16s, these platforms along with the JF-17 will prove to be of significant deterrence value. China is believed to be sacrificing its own production requirements to meet PAF's needs in a hurry and unbelievable financial terms appear to have been extended.

These FC-20s are a highly lethal version of the original and incorporate AESA radars, a high degree of composite use, low observability features and an advanced integrated avionics suite. The wide HUD visible on the J-11s are also believed to have been utilized. In Eagle Hannan's recent update, he notes that the wings have been modified and include over 50% composite use. He also makes the surprising claim that the canard fore-planes have been modified. Both these factors indicate a significant structural and aerodynamic revamp that would require significant changes even in the FBW.Such a revamp was already suspected given the canted nose and the DSI bump.

The same source also indicates that the plane (FC-20) has been praised by pilots and capable of incredible maneuvers including the Cobra so famously performed by the FLANKERs. He notes that FC-20 not only performs this maneuver but also performs it better, recovering significantly faster. While this maneuver is not of great military importance, the maneuverability and Fly-By-Wire (FBW) maturity this indicates, suggest that the FC-20 is a well-evolved and lethal machine.

Eagle Hannan also indicates that the Pakistan Navy is interested in the J-11Bs with Russian engines. This appears to be counter-intuitive given the sensitive nature of Russia's copyright relations with China. However, it is possible that Pakistan may attempt to placate this sensitivity by buying Russian engines and paying royalties. It is also possible that Russia is smarting from India's recent rejection of Russian military gear and move towards Western sources. These all make for a great deal of controversy and are likely to keep arm-chair generals and military analysts busy in the foreseeable future.What is clear is that Pakistan and the PAF will get a significant boost, in fact a major leap in capabilities in the next 12-24 months.

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

GAUNTLET iPHONE


As well as being something of an evangelist for the iPhone, Mr Young also issued a rallying cry to developers to develop for the device.
Quoting the actor Sean Penn portraying gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie Milk, Mr Young told the audience: "I'm here to recruit you."


"I want these developers to not be mobile game developers but for them to make games for this wonderful device which is a game machine that just happens to make telephone calls," Mr Young declared.
That sentiment was echoed by Rob Tercek, the founding chairman of GDC Mobile and president of digital media for OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network.
"We finally have a phone that is truly a platform for gaming.
"You need an easy way for people to browse and discover and share and the iPhone has done a good job of that. I don't think it is a perfect job because if you browse the App Store it is actually quite cumbersome.
"But it's much better than what went before and that holds the promise of better things to come," said Mr Tercek.
Mr Young believes Apple's release in the summer of the new iPhone 3.0 software will take mobile gaming to the next level. In a sneak preview to press and developers last week, Apple showed off the new operating system which will allow peer-to-peer applications and some voice-over-IP ability.


GAUNTLET iPHONE

Monday, 26 September 2011

Three Astronauts in Tow


The Russian Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts safely landed this morning in Kazakhstan, bringing them home after five months on the International Space Station. The landing, about 94 miles southeast of the smallish Kazakh city Zhezkazgan, wasn't entirely flawless mission control lost contact with the capsule briefly but the landing itself was very smooth.

Three Astronauts in Tow

A 380

A 380

The New air plane A 380

Emirates A380 Birmingham | BHX

Saturday, 10 September 2011

Motorcycle Ferrari


Motorcycle Ferrari
A motorcycle inspired by the brand Ferrari would be definitely something different from all other two-wheelers and it will probably look like this one in the image.
The concept behind the design is definitely unique and involves the principles of aerodynamics and latest technology to empower the motorcycle with high speed and improved performance level. The black color teamed with vibrant yellow or dark red is the trademark of Ferrari and these are the colors used in the motorcycles. The heavy and broad front part and slightly slimmer back makes the carve prominent and makes it pretty stylish indeed.


Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Toyota Avensis 2012

TOYOTA AVENSIS SHOW 2012


TOYOTA  AVENSIS SHOW 2012
The revamped 2012 Avensis will be unveiled at Frankfurt motor show next week.
Toyota today announced the unveiling of several new and revamped models at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show, which runs Sept. 13 to 25.
Toyota plans to roll out the 2012 Avensis, the updated Prius and the Prius Plug-in and Prius+, as well as the 2012 Hilux.
According to Toyota, changes to the British-built Avensis sedan will "include revised exterior styling, incorporating a frontal treatment that follows Toyota's new design language." These changes are the largest midlife investment the company has made for any model, the company said in a press release.

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