Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Mig-29c

Do you know if Lanka will start manufacturing JDAM like tail-kits for their dumb bombs? We need more precion guided bombs to reduce civilian casaulties as much as possible.

That is the eventual goal; the end result is to have a fully autonomous combat air vehicle.

These vehicles can be tasked with flying several types of missions. One particular mission profile is to have the aircraft fly a pre-programmed mission, fly and fight by itself, and return to base. Or the other scenario is to have a man in the loop; usually on a ground based command centre with a secure data-link, flying the aircraft and engaging evolving real-time threats. This class of vehicles are called UCAV's (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles).

Research in this field is ongoing and at advanced stages in several countries. In the US we have several flying flight test aircraft.

At the present stage, till this technology matures, the systems on modern combat aircraft are there to ease the burden on the pilot so that he can concentrate on flying. The offensive systems on modern combat aircraft detect, prioritise, calculate a firing solution and a suitable weapon for attack without the pilot having to do anything. The only decision the pilot has to make is whether to destroy the target or not.



To a degree - Certain Mi-24V and Mi-35P HIND gunships with the SLAF are equipped with what's know in the industry as a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) sensor - ELBIT System CoMPASS IV. This sensor can track any moving target that has a quantifiable heat signature. On the Mi-24V this sensor is slaved to the 12.7mm YakB four-barrelled machine gun. However a firing sequence will only be initiated once the weapons system operator presses the trigger.



Yes - The PkNK-23M is integrated with the aircraft's automatic control system to enable automatic flight, without pilot involvement on a per-programmed route with up to six waypoints.



In a modern air-defence environment the pilot has to contend with evading air and ground based threats which complicate the situation considerably.

The RUSSIAN's do not have air-burst munitions.

The GSh-6-30 is designed to fire RUSSIAN high-explosive-incendiary (OFZ), high-explosive-incendiary tracers (OFZT), incendiary (FZ) or armour-piercing-explosive (BZ) shells in weights of up to 400 g. The effective range for aimed fire against ground targets was 1,200-1,600 m, and against aircraft was 200-600 m.

However, technically the cannon would be capable of firing any 30mm shell that is roughly (165mm long, 30mm diameter).

Therefore if there is an Air-Burst munition available on the market that fits these dimensions, then yes the GSh-6-30 should be able to fire it.



Very effective.



The MiG-27K was developed to allow the Flogger fighter-bomber to carry laser-guided bombs and missiles. They introduced a new (Kaira-1) laser designator and TV sighting system specially designed for this aircraft. This was integrated with the PrNK-23K sighting and navigation system. The laser designator could be cued onto a pre-programmed target by the new Orbita-20-23K digital computer, and the computer ensured the laser would remain locked onto the target while the aircraft manoeuvred.

The Kaira-1 also incorporated a new TV camera in the nose. The TV channel included an image contrast intensification capability, which improved target acquisition range and tracking performance in adverse weather conditions.

Although optimized for using the KAB-500L laser guided bomb and the Kh-25L laser guided ASM, the MiG-27K also retained the ability to use older radio-command missiles. With this distinctive 'pimple' on the tip of the nose, a massive broad oval window for the TV camera and a bulky under-nose laser designator, the MiG-27K had distinctive nose contours.

The aircraft also introduced a new wing leading edge root extension (LERXes), which also improved aircraft controllability and handling at high angles of attack.

The MiG-27K entered service in 1980, but proved too expensive for mass production. As a result only 197 aircraft were manufactured at the IRKUTSK facility.

In service the MiG-27K gained a number of new weapons, including the KAB-500Kr TV-guided bomb, long range Kh-29L Kh-29T air-to-surface missiles. The aircraft also gained a limited SEAD (suppression of enemy air defences) capability using Kh-29PS and Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles. These weapons made the MiG-27K broadly equivalent to the Su-24M Fencer-D in capability, albeit with shorter range and with no attack/terrain-following radar.

Following the Cold War, arms limitation treaties forced RUSSIA to make some difficult choices in deciding which aircraft types would be retained and which would be retired. In the end, the decision was taken to retain only twin-engined types, a move which MiG-27's. Many argued for the MiG-27K to be retained on the grounds of its extraordinary capabilities.

The MiG-27M was a less sophisticated low-risk alternative to the MiG-27K, because it was considered that at the time, the development of the MiG-27K would be protracted and risky. The MiG-27M made its maiden flight 16 months after the MiG-27K.

The MiG-27M had a new PrNK-23M sighting and navigation system and an Orbita-15-23M digital computer based on the systems that were fitted on the MiG-27K. However, unlike the MiG-27K the new version lacked a TV channel, and relied on the less capable Kylon-PM laser designator and range-finder. This new laser allowed considerably restricted manoeuvring after weapon release compared to the Kaira-1 laser designator on the MiG-27K. The Kylon-PM was also restricted in the range of precision guided weapons it could cue. The MiG-27M could not use the KAB-500L laser guided bomb, Kh-27PS anti-radiation missile or the Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles. The MiG-27M could however still fire the Kh-29L laser and Kh-29T TV guided missiles.

The aircraft has the same extended LERXes as on the MiG-27K.



The SLAF has one Mi-171 (CH582). It is used primarily as a VIP transport.

Yes this aircraft I believe was assembled at the ULAN-UDE facility.

The concern in the US and the UK is the sluggish nature of the Sri Lankan Governments pace in finalising a power-sharing package.

What is trying to be highlighted is that even though we support your countries endeavour to combat Thamil Tiger terrorism, there should not be an absence of will to put forward a power-sharing proposal. Military victories should not blind, or encourage the present administration in your country into thinking of trying to dilute a genuine power sharing mechanism.

Speaking on behalf of the US, I can tell you that we do in fact appreciate the difficulties faced by your country in combating the Thamil Tiger insurgency. In terms of screening its civilian support base and identifying individuals connected to this organisation, we do understand the practical difficulties your law enforcement agencies face. We're beginning to understand these issues ourselves in domestic and international theatres.

However our concern is the number of times blatant violation of human rights have occurred; with the judicial process in your country being extremely ineffective in administering justice with accountability and transparency.

Although we believe the Thamil Tigers have not been sincere about settling for a political settlement based on power sharing and the concept of a united Sri Lankan state; this does not absolve the Sri Lankan government from its responsibility towards its minorities by putting forward a workable devolution package.

We are a little disappointed the Sri Lankan government has not capitalised on this opportunity to put forward anything yet.

Do not misunderstand our criticism as a lack of support - believe me when I tell you that the US is doing a lot for your military behind closed doors than you think. We just want you guys to address these issues sincerely with a workable devolution package. You'll see what I mean later on in my reply.



Quite possibly :o)



The event occurred .. however the details are considered classified, and I rather not say anything about it.

Your asking very dicey questions here .. :o)

I am not aware of any official designation



The UAV taxis and lands like a normal aircraft.

This UAV is a lot bigger than the RQ-11 Raven.



I am not aware of any such plans.



http://www.idaerospace.com/vector/vector_mk2.html

http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?t=2903&page=2



Again I am not aware of such a plan..

I don't believe this information is entirely accurate ..

What your Defence minister might be alluding to is the possible acquisition of more MiG-27's .. I have heard something to this effect in the recent weeks, along the usual grapevine :o)

By B. Raman
15.03.2007

http://www.saag.org/papers22/paper2171.html

'' Our government is willing to provide our Sri Lankan counterparts with extremely detailed, high definition visual and thermal maps of the Northern districts in Sri Lanka. This package will also include a GPS reference map, with accuracies down to 1m. ''