Soldado del futuro: Zapata, el nuevo Bleriot, cruza el canal de la Mancha volando

El "hombre volador" logró cruzar el Canal de la Mancha a bordo de su tabla

El inventor francés Franky Zapata dedicó seis meses a prepararse para cumplir el desafío con su flyboard, equipada con un motor propulsado por cinco turborreactores de aire que permiten despegar y avanzar a hasta 190 km/h, con una autonomía de unos diez minutos
Infobae

 
Franky Zapata despega en su “flyboard” en Sangatte, en el norte de Francia. (Photo by Denis Charlet / AFP)

Diez días después de fracasar en su primer intento, el "hombre volador" Franky Zapata logró este domingo cruzar el Canal de la Mancha a bordo de su "Flyboard", aunque debió realizar una escala para recargar la energía de su dispositivo.

Este francés de 40 años despegó desde la playa de Sangatte, en el norte de Francia, según sus colaboradores. Su objetivo fue completar los 35 km del estrecho y llegar hasta la bahía de San Margaret, en el lado británico, sobrevolando el mar a 15 o 20 metros de altura, de pie sobre su aparato.

El inventor le llevó seis meses prepararse para cumplir el desafío a bordo de su flyboard, equipada con un motor propulsado por cinco turborreactores de aire que permiten despegar y avanzar a hasta 190 km/h, con una autonomía de unos diez minutos.

"¡Todo fue bien! Incluso si fue complicado (el abastecimiento en el barco)… Luego, veía Inglaterra que se iba acercando e intenté disfrutar para no pensar en el dolor. ¡Las piernas me quemaban!", aseguró Zapata a la prensa, justo después de aterrizar, añadiendo que se trataba de un "trabajo de equipo".

 
El inventor francés Franky Zapata, antes de aterrizar cerca de la playa de St. Margaret, en Dover, tras cruzar el Canal de la Mancha en un aerodeslizador (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

Voló a "160/170 km/h durante a lo largo de casi toda" la travesía, precisó, informado gracias al indicador de velocidad sonora que lleva en el casco.

El 25 de julio, 110 años exactos después del éxito del francés Louis Blériot, primer aviador en atravesar la Mancha, Zapata se lanzó desde el mismo lugar con su invención bajo la atenta mirada de decenas de curiosos. Pocos minutos después de entrar en aguas inglesas, sin embargo, cayó al agua, tras golpear levemente la plataforma del barco de abastecimiento donde intentaba posarse.

Debido a la distancia, Zapata tuvo que hacer obligatoriamente una parada en su trayecto, sobre un barco, para repostar en queroseno, que acumula en una mochila a su espalda.

Franky Zapata a réussi à traverser la Manche à bord de son Flyboard !

Découvrez les images de son arrivée en Angleterre ⤵ pic.twitter.com/bTMgA1VhYN

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) August 4, 2019

"La parte más compleja es realmente el abastecimiento", insistió tras su fallido primer intento, reconociendo una "mala apreciación de la dificultad de aterrizaje".

Para esta segunda tentativa, Zapata y su equipo decidieron ubicar una embarcación de aprovisionamiento "más grande" en aguas francesas.

Les larmes de Franky Zapata après son exploit pic.twitter.com/aKaO6fZ4N0

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) August 4, 2019

Esta vez, "tenemos muchas más posibilidades que la última vez. Hemos observado, hemos aprendido, el viento no ha cambiado, creo que debería ir bien", afirmó el sábado el inventor, excampeón del mundo y de Europa de esquí acuático, en una rueda de prensa en Sangatte.

Con el primer intento, Zapata y su empresa lograron cierto eco mediático, aprovechando la espectacular intervención que realizó unos días antes durante la Fiesta Nacional francesa, el 14 de julio, al volar a varios metros del suelo durante el desfile militar en los Campos Elíseos de París.

Sistema de frenado para KF-X elegido

Meggitt Selected for KF-X Advanced Total Braking System

Meggitt aircraft braking system 

Meggitt PLC (“Meggitt” or “the Group”), a leading international company specialising in high performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and energy markets, has secured a multi-million dollar contract for an advanced wheel and digital braking system for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-X fighter.

South Korean aircraft manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), has chosen Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation to supply advanced nose/main wheels, high performance carbon brakes and brake control system for the multirole fighter jet.

The South Korea government started the concept for an indigenous fighter in 2011 and now they are developing this next generation fighter aircraft. The KF-X is a partnership with the Indonesian government, which has agreed to fund 20 percent of the development costs of the aircraft. The South Korean Air Force plans to purchase around 100 KF-X jets once production starts in the mid-2020s to replace aging F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft, while Indonesia has a requirement for about 50 aircraft.

The proposed braking system equipment involves a blend of new development and field proven components to meet the KAI technical requirement. Meggitt is very excited to grow their relationship with KAI; which already includes the T-50 jet family and the Surion helicopter.

Meggitt

Filipinas quiere equipos para detectar despliegue de misiles

PH to Acquire Equipment to Detect Missile Deployment

Mischief reef South China Sea 

PH to Acquire Modern Anti-Missile Equipment

The Philippine government is acquiring a state-of-the art equipment to detect missile deployment after admitting it has yet to verify China’s reported installation of such defense system in the South China Sea.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the country’s new missile detection technology was “forthcoming,” citing information from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

“National Security Adviser told me that there’s a technology that we need that we still don’t have to be able to verify it for ourselves,” Roque said when asked if the government’s knowledge about the missile system reportedly installed by China.

“We’re awaiting (delivery) so that we can have finally our own capacity to verify for ourselves,” he added.

Pending the arrival of such equipment, Roque said the government could get information about China’s reported missile deployment from third-party resources. “But that would not be first party verification,” he added.

China has reportedly quietly installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile system on three territories in the South China Sea, including in one reef declared by an international tribunal as part of Philippine territory. It has defended the deployment of defensive facilities in the region, saying it has indisputable sovereignty over the territory.

Roque insisted that government was concerned over China’s reported missile deployment, and assured all diplomatic initiatives would be taken to address the matter.

“We are viewing this with much concern because any possible scenario that would encourage military action in our backyard, in our Exclusive Economic Zone and in the—one of the busiest sea lanes in the world is troublesome,” he said.

“So like the rest of the world, we value freedom of navigation. But we have more of an interest because this is covered by our EEZ,” he added.

The Palace official however does not consider China’s reported missile deployment a betrayal of the country’s trust.

“I do not know why it’s even betrayal of trust. Why is it betrayal and trust?” he said.

Roque instead expressed confidence that the country would not be a target of China’s missiles due to the revitalized bilateral relations.

“You can’t ignore the fact that because of very good relations, we can be confident that that China as a country does not view us as a threat,” he said. “There is no reason why assuming they have missiles that they can use, they will use it on us. That’s all that we are saying,” he added.

For now, Roque assured that the government was trying its best to address the latest situation in the West Philippine Sea. He said the matter was being handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“We have to deal now with existing realities and ang sinasabi nga ni Presidente is what the President says is] we are trying to do the best that we can under existing circumstances. We are exploring all diplomatic options, which does not mean we are not doing anything,” he said.

Manila Bulletin

Sistema de consciencia situacional para OPV australianas

Saab Receives Order for Australian OPV Situational Awareness System

EOS 500 electro-optical fire control director 

Saab has received a contract from Luerssen Australia for the Situational Awareness System (SAS) for the Royal Australian Navy’s new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). The contract is expected to run over the 12 year OPV shipbuilding programme, which will see the delivery of 12 new ships.

In addition to the SAS, which is based on Saab Australia’s 9LV Combat Management System, the OPV will be fitted with Saab’s EOS 500 (electro-optical fire control director).

“Saab Australia is pleased to receive this order from Luerssen Australia. This is also an important step towards system commonality for the Navy, with 9LV installed, or contracted for delivery, across four classes of ship.” says Andy Keough, Managing Director for Saab Australia.

“The development work being undertaken by Saab in Australia will also support export opportunities and position us well for future maritime projects.”

Saab Australia will carry out the majority of the work in its Adelaide facilities, which will create and sustain up to 50 jobs. Local Australian companies will be contracted to fabricate selected components of the SAS including command consoles and computer cabinets, providing a high level of Australian industry participation and sovereign capability. The contract is received within the business area Surveillance.

Saab

Chinos suman pantallas panorámicas a sus nuevos cazas

Caças chineses também terão tela panorâmica

Poder Aéreo


Imagem mostra um simulador de voo da AVIC com dois displays panorâmicos em um cockpit em tandem

Foram divulgadas na Internet imagens de telas panorâmicas para caças chineses. A imagem do alto mostra um simulador de voo da AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) com um cockpit de caça em tandem. As duas grandes telas panorâmicas são semelhantes à Large Area Avionics Display do F-35 e WAD (Wide Area Display) do Gripen E.

Especialistas dizem que as telas panorâmicas serão instalados em um caça chinês de nova geração como o J-31 e também em uma possível modernização dos caças Sukhoi e derivados.

Inaugurada no caça F-35, a tela panorâmica também está sendo adotada na nova versão do F/A-18E/F Super Hornet e no Gripen E.

A tela panorâmica permite uma apresentação mais abrangente de informações produzidas pela fusão de dados, aumentando a consciência situacional.


Tela panorâmica que deverá ser instalada no caça J-31

Caça Shenyang J-31

Indonesia selecciona suites para sus fragatas Martadinata

Indonesia Selects Electronic, Anti-Submarine Warfare Suite from Thales for Martadinata Frigates

Thales Scorpion2 advanced radar Electronic Countermeasures 

The Indonesian Navy’s (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL’s) Martadinata-class frigates have been equipped with the Scorpion 2, and the Vigile 100 radar electronic countermeasure, and support systems from Thales as part of its electronic warfare suite.

The TNI-AL currently operates a fleet of two ships in the class, which has been built according to Damen Schelde’s SIGMA 10514 design. Lead ship KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331) was commissioned in April 2017 while its sister vessel, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) was inducted in January 2018.

The Scorpion 2 has been designed to counter target acquisition radars and missiles with active radar homing guidance methods. The system employs a steerable dual-head transmitter unit, and operates in the 7.5 to 18 GHz frequency. According to a product literature from Thales, the system can handle up to two threats simultaneously.




Meanwhile the Vigile 100 employs between four and six direction-finding antennas around the platform’s mast to locate and identify potential hazards. The system operates in the 2–18 GHz range, and works in tandem with the Scorpion 2 system to provide the platform with area and self-defence capabilities against radar and electronic threats.

Besides the radar electronic warfare equipment, Jane’s has also received confirmation from an Indonesian industry source that the Martadanita frigates have been equipped with the CAPTAS-2/UMS 4229 variable depth sonar (VDS) from Thales. This is in addition to the Kingklip/UMS 4132 hull-mounted sonar from the same company.

Jane's

Cobham de USA proveerá del sistema de oxígeno para el caza furtivo surcoreano

Cobham Wins KF-X Multirole Fighter Oxygen System Contract

Cobham to provide Next Gen Oxygen Concentrator and Electronic Seat Mounted Regulator for KF-X fighter 

Cobham has received a contract from Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) to design and supply a pilot Oxygen System for the future KF-X, an advanced multirole fighter aircraft currently under development. This represents the fourth contract award Cobham has earned from KAI in support of the KF-X program. Other Cobham solutions selected by KAI for KF-X include Missile Ejection Launchers (MEL), a full range of Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) conformal antennas, and external fuel tanks and pylons.

Cobham Mission Systems, the market leader in military life support oxygen systems, will be leveraging its latest Next Generation Oxygen Concentrator technology, as well as the newly developed Electronic Seat Mounted Regulator to outfit the KF-X aircraft. This high-reliability system will not only meet or exceed the current requirements, but will be capable of spiral upgrades as new technologies, such as pilot breathing sensors, are introduced in the future.

“Cobham has a long history of working with KAI on a number of aircraft platforms. We are very excited that KAI selected Cobham’s latest oxygen concentrator solution for its newest platform,” said Kevin McKeown, Vice President, and General Manager of Cobham Mission Systems. “The KF-X program is strategically important for Cobham and this contract award will allow us to continue to lead the market in life support oxygen systems for military aircraft”, he added.

The multi-year contract will support the entire EMD Phase of KF-X aircraft development.

Cobham

Rusia planea granadas con cámaras de video y equipo electrónico

Rusia construye dispositivos de reconocimiento de video y guerra electrónica para lanzadores de granadas

VietnamDefence - Rusia podría construir munición utilizada para observar el vídeo y de guerra electrónica para el lanzagranadas automático de nueva generación Balcanes, Director General de la Unión de la producción científica Pribor, dijo Yuri Nabokov.



"Planeamos desarrollar una serie de lanzadores de granadas especiales, que estarán equipados con equipos electrónicos. Cómo se hará, temporalmente no digo ", dijo Nabokov.

Según Nabokov, el tipo especial de munición para lanzadores de granadas propulsadas por cohetes es bastante alto, incluyendo granadas de humo, balas de observación de video y ojivas electrónicas. Rusia está desarrollando una guerra electrónica y municiones que pueden determinar automáticamente el punto y el momento de la detonación.

"Estamos trabajando en este tema, desarrollando al nivel de la investigación científica en balas inteligentes que pueden determinar si explotar o no, dónde y cómo hacerlo", dijo Nabokov.

Pribor Union estableció una unidad responsable del desarrollo de equipos electrónicos y municiones no tradicionales. La nueva generación de municiones es parte de la estrategia rusa de municiones pequeñas hasta 2030.