Russia - Egypt military contracts

EAF MiG-35 bort 801 (single seater) at LII


From here:
http://www.airteamimages.com/moscow-ramenskoye-airport_russia_loc54-984.html

Tests of the first Ka-52 helicopters built for Egypt

The Press Service of PJSC Arseniev Aviation Company Progress on May 5, 2017, distributed photographic materials on the flight tests of the first military helicopters Ka-52 in export performance, manufactured by the plant under contract for Egypt. The helicopters have not been painted yet.



On the bmpd side, we recall that Egypt in 2015 signed a contract with Rosoboronexport JSC to acquire 46 Ka-52 helicopters with deliveries in 2017-2018. A distinctive feature of the Ka-52 in the performance for Egypt is the provision of their new optic-electronic sighting system of the ECO-52 developed by JSC "Scientific Production Corporation" Precision Instrumentation Systems, installed under the nose of the helicopter instead State opto-electronic system GOES-451. According to the previously published report of NPK SPP for 2014, this company planned to start mass production of the UES-52 in 2016 and put in 2016-2019 about 50 sets of the system.

For the first time, the ECO-52 system was demonstrated on one of the pre-production helicopters of the ship variant Ka-52K, represented in the exposition of the MAKS-2015 airshow in Zhukovsky in August 2015. In August 2016, a test sample of the Ka-52 helicopter with the aircraft number "51 yellow" (the third prototype, serial number 01-01), equipped with the ECO-52 system with the aim of testing it, was observed in the Moscow region in August 2016.

Apparently, ECO-52 was developed on the basis of the French optronic system Safran (Sagem) Strix, used in the European combat helicopter Airbus Helicopters Tiger. During the MAKS-2013 airshow in 2013 between Kamov JSC and the French company Sagem (part of the Safran group, and now became an integral part of the latter), a protocol was signed about the intention to install a new optoelectronic system on the Ka-52 helicopter The Strix system.

On January 31, 2017, in its press release, Helicopters of Russia reported that "the first pilot [Ka-52] for a foreign customer has already been collected and is successfully undergoing scheduled tests."



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2593812.html

More photos on Egyptian Ka-52





















http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2595412.html

It also means one set of parts for both aircraft.

And simpler maintainence and operationally it means a two seater can be used also as a trainer with only a minor reduction in range.

It is MiG-29M2.

GarryB wrote:It also means one set of parts for both aircraft.

And simpler maintainence and operationally it means a two seater can be used also as a trainer with only a minor reduction in range.

Really enjoy your posts, BTW. Very informative and you are quite knowledgeable.

Speaking of the canopy; it is easier, production-wise, to keep the 2-seat canopy configuration for the single seat and 2 seat variants but isn't it a disadvantage to the operator? Knowing that the canopy contributes to increasing the AC's RCS, it's better for the buyer to have 2 separate canopies for that purpose.

The Americans use the smoky tinting on the 2-seaters for at least the front canopy since there's obviously no other way around reducing the glass, but I don't recall ever seeing the Russians do something similar to their glass canopies to reduce RCS, have you?

I think it's too bad that they used the double canopy for the two variants, but it is what it is and I would like to see them come up with some solution for that.

Vladimir79 wrote:It is MiG-29M2.

Why is it not the MiG-35? Why is it designated as MiG-29M/M2 or just M2 when it's exactly what MiG corporation designated it at the unveiling as the MiG-35?

I also read somewhere that they dropped the M2 designation and now refer to it as the MiG-35. Why the crazy confusion and what makes you say it's not the MiG-35? I'm just curious and not trying to give you a hard time (if it comes off that way, I apologize ahead of time), not my intention. I'd just like to get to the bottom of this needless confusion and move on, lol.

Speaking of the canopy; it is easier, production-wise, to keep the 2-seat canopy configuration for the single seat and 2 seat variants but isn't it a disadvantage to the operator?

For the operator it means one canopy type so if it gets damaged then you can swap it out with any you have in stock rather than the one or two seat ones you have available.

It also means consistency in view outside the aircraft... the shape of the front position is the same when you train in the two seat (with the instructor in the back) or when you are on your own in the single seater.

Knowing that the canopy contributes to increasing the AC's RCS, it's better for the buyer to have 2 separate canopies for that purpose.

I am not so sure it would effect the RCS from the front... certainly from the side, but then most are gold lined which reduces RCS.

I would suspect the two models are interchangable in the sense that the fuel tank can be removed and instruments and a second seat could be installed if needed.

Some missions suit two crew and other would be more efficient with one crew... being able to choose offers the best compromise IMHO.

With both aircraft being otherwise the same it means both are fully combat capable with the two seater offering at the very least the ability to be an advanced trainer as well as front line fighter bomber.

The Americans use the smoky tinting on the 2-seaters for at least the front canopy since there's obviously no other way around reducing the glass, but I don't recall ever seeing the Russians do something similar to their glass canopies to reduce RCS, have you?

Yes... a fine coating of gold is used, which absorbs a very small amount of radio waves (converts them into tiny amounts of heat... not enough to make it visible on an IR sensor, but enough to be useful to hide the contents of the canopy).

I think it's too bad that they used the double canopy for the two variants, but it is what it is and I would like to see them come up with some solution for that.

It is just based on experience... with the MiG-29UB which was pretty much a ranging only radar equipped trainer I think it cost them some export orders compared with the Su-27UB fully operational fighter bomber... which later turned into the successful (for export and domestic use) Su-30 family of two seater aircraft.

It is cheaper and easier to make one airframe/canopy design and to adapt it to single or two seat use. the extra fuel gives performance advantages to the single seat option without punishing the two seater alternative too much.

Why is it not the MiG-35? Why is it designated as MiG-29M/M2 or just M2 when it's exactly what MiG corporation designated it at the unveiling as the MiG-35?

The MiG-35 is not really fully ready yet... it will have AESA radar and lots of other new bits and pieces.

As I mentioned previously the MiG-35 is not fully ready yet so with Egypt buying it if they want it any time soon the MiG-29M2 has the same physical design but different internals... they can have the M2 now and the 35 bits fitted later as they become available.

It gets it into service quicker.

I also read somewhere that they dropped the M2 designation and now refer to it as the MiG-35. Why the crazy confusion and what makes you say it's not the MiG-35? I'm just curious and not trying to give you a hard time (if it comes off that way, I apologize ahead of time), not my intention. I'd just like to get to the bottom of this needless confusion and move on, lol.

Marketing... the MiG-35 sounds better and Egypt want to buy 35s... it is just that they are not actually ready yet, so they will call it 35 even though under the skin they will be M2s until some upgrade date.

Think of it as Typhoon tranche 1... Tranche 3 will be MiG-35... Tranche 1 is MiG-29M2.

Well that is my take on the situation anyway.

New details of production of Ka-52 helicopters for Egypt

Our blog has repeatedly addressed the topic of the contract for the supply of military helicopters to Ka-52. In the article "Le Ka-52 egyptien vole", published by the magazine "Air & Cosmos", Piotr Butowski and Antony Angrand describe the history and condition of this project.

May 5, 2017, the new CEO of the holding "Russian Helicopters" Andrey Boginsky visited PJSC "Arsenyev Aircraft Company Progress", located in the Far East. During the visit, Boginsky got acquainted with the implementation of the first export contract for the delivery of Ka-52 helicopters in the Egyptian version. In this regard, the helicopter in this configuration, which is still being tested, was demonstrated to Boginsky. The helicopter was not painted yet. In the assembly shop there were three more machines in various stages of readiness.

The helicopter in the version for Egypt on the composition of its equipment differs from helicopters for the Russian military space station. It is equipped with an opto-electronic sighting system of the ECO-52 instead of GOES-451, which is much larger. The helicopter remained the radar "Arbalet-52", installed under a large nose fairing, and used for navigation, reconnaissance and target detection.

Judging by the reports of Russian media, ECO-52 was developed by the Moscow Research and Production Corporation Precision Instrumentation Systems, which used the gyrostabilized Strix platform, a prototype that was installed on the Airbus Helicopters Tiger combat helicopter. During the first presentation to foreign customers during the air show in Le Bourget in 2013, the Ka-52 was displayed on a static pad next to the instruments and armament of an Airbus Helicopters Tiger helicopter, including a Strix sight, Pars 3LR anti-tank missiles and an air- Air "Mistral Atam. Also, an anti-ship missile Marte Mk 2 / S was put up.



The tests of ECO-52 on board the Ka-52 began in January 2015. During the MAKS-2015 air show, ECO-52 was installed on the first copy of the Ka-52K deck-mounted helicopter, but the subsequent Ka-52K was equipped with the standard GOES-451. The fact that the Egyptian Ka-52 will be equipped with the EOS-52 optical-electronic sighting system was not a secret. The photos provided by the manufacturer show differences between the helicopters. On the lower part of the fuselage, two new modules for generating interference and counteracting in the infrared range (DIR SM) were installed in front of the main landing gear of the chassis, and they differ from the L370-5 module of the Vitebsk-52 airborne defense complex. The standard module L370-5 on Ka-52 has the form of a rotating ball, which generates rays in the infrared and ultraviolet ranges in the direction of the attacking missile. The new antenna export options are prismatic and do not resemble any known countermeasures system. At the tip of the wings and in the back of the fuselage, new antennas for the radar detection system are installed. Funny, but two helicopters weighing 100 kg were suspended under the wings of the helicopter shown.

Export contract stimulates the plant

In 2015, Egypt ordered 46 helicopters, the deliveries of which are envisaged for 2017-2019. This will be the first export of these helicopters. When visiting Progress, Boginsky announced that the first helicopters will be transferred to the customer in the summer of 2017. Russia is also at an advanced stage of negotiations on the supply of 12 Ka-52 helicopters to Algeria. In September 2015, the presentation of the Ka-52 was held at the Al Ain Air Base of Ain Usser, along with a demonstration of combat capabilities. Under the Egyptian and other contracts, the plant in Arsenyev was modernized. In the final assembly shop, a separate line for export cars was mounted. The plant's general director, Yuri Denisenko, said that thanks to the modernization of the plant, it is possible to assemble twice as many helicopters in the assembly shop. The equipment of other workshops is also being carried out at present, including the flight-testing station, which is being rebuilt. The pilot training center was also reconstructed, in which the Egyptians will soon begin to learn. Their training in Arsenyev will begin from the beginning of June, the first flight of the Egyptian pilot is scheduled for June 10. According to the terms of the contract, the Russian side should prepare.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2607833.html

GarryB wrote:
Well that is my take on the situation anyway.  

Thanks, Garry.  Good stuff as usual.  A little disappointed that the AESA radar is still not ready, despite them working on it for so long.  I know they've had some issues with it that caused the delays, but a later upgrade is almost never bound to happen to a foreign customer order.  Maybe Russian aircraft.

Anyway, besides the Zhuk-AA, what else comprises the MiG-35 designation?

The problem with an AESA radar is that it is made up of an array of elements... it is not just a case of building an AESA radar... it is developing AESA modules and being able to produce them to the quality required and in the numbers required.

For a PESA radar there is one transmitting and receiving element to be made per radar... a radar for a fighter aircraft needs thousands of transmit and receive modules to have a functioning radar.

The first modules produced will be unique and likely cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each... in this case a PESA radar has most of the advantages and none of the cost problems of an AESA.

Having said that these same AESA modules will be mounted on hundreds of aircraft and dozens of ships and hundreds of radars on land, sea and air platforms so they will need to produce millions which will drive down costs and experience will reduce the dud rate and improve the quality of the modules over time.

Then of course there is the minor aspect of actually testing it in a real aircraft and creating the software to actually use the hardware.

Shipments of S-300VM SAM systems "Antey-2500" to Egypt began



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2652922.html

The first Ka-52 for Egypt



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2658233.html

Allegedly signed a contract for the supply of T-90MS tanks in Egypt?

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2667647.html

First three Ka-52 Alligator helicopters delivered to Egypt — source

More:
http://tass.com/defense/956802

All MiG-29M/M2 fighters for the Egyptian Air Force will be equipped with sighting containers T220/E?



Judging by the figures of the procurement plan for the RAC MiG for 2017 during the year, no less than 22x MiG-29M/M2 should enter the final assembly shop. After all, it is for them to buy such products as:

Onboard radar station FGM129C (CM) pcs. 22
30 mm air gun. Article 9A-4071K pcs. 22
The warning system for irradiation L-150M-02 pcs. 22
Radio altimeter A-052-06 pcs. 22
Optical-location station И-219 / Э СМ шт. 22
Opto-location station I-220 / KE SM pcs. 22
etc.

By the way, the optical-location station I-220 / KE SM is a suspended target designation container T220 / E:

Consequently, all 22 MiG-29M / M2, the components for which are purchased in 2017, will be equipped with sighting containers that provide the use of air-to-surface weapons (bombs, missiles) with a laser guidance system.

So far, the purchase price of the target designation container T220 / E (for a batch of 22 pieces) is 110 million 185.5 thousand rubles apiece, which is more expensive than Western counterparts. But, as they say, dashing trouble begins. For example, the aiming container of the LANTIRN system in the late 80's cost the Pentagon $ 3.6 million apiece.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2738715.html

Egypt to receive 15 Russian 'Alligator' helicopters in 2017

More:
http://tass.com/defense/961421

Egypt has received a total of four helicopters Ka-52



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2834316.html

Two new MiG-29M/M2 for Egypt

A photograph of two new fighters built at the Production Complex No. 1 of RAC MiG in Lukhovitsy (Moscow region) for the Egyptian Air Force - a single-seat MiG-29M with the Egyptian airborne number 8705 (705) and a two-seat MiG-29M2 with Egyptian the onboard number "8804" ("804").

Recall that the contract to supply Egypt with more than 50 fighters MiG-29M / M2 was signed by Rosoboronexport in May 2015. The first aircraft under this contract were manufactured at the Production Complex No. 1 of RAC MiG in Lukhovitsy in early 2017. Although the first batch of cars has already been transferred to the Egyptian Air Force, in fact, their delivery to Egypt, according to known data, has not yet begun.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2871016.html