Air India Flight AI171 disaster: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed after takeoff

Air India flight AI171, flying from Ahmedabad to London aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed a few seconds after takeoff. There were 242 people on board — 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Information about the causes of the accident is still being clarified, rescue and investigative work is underway. This is one of the most serious aviation disasters in recent years, which has caused a wide response in the international media and the aviation community.

The authorities and Air India expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and promised to provide all necessary support.

Photo of the Chinese J-36 super-heavy tactical stealth aircraft have been published for the first time

 J-36

The newly released images show for the first time the Chinese super-heavy tactical stealth aircraft J-36. The photos show the impressive size of this combat vehicle, which indicates serious capabilities and technological progress in the field of aviation in China.

The cabin of the J-36 attracts special attention: the pictures show that the crew is located side by side under a huge teardrop-shaped lantern, which practically confirms the assumptions of experts about the design of the aircraft. This arrangement provides improved visibility and ease of piloting, as well as helps reduce radar visibility.

The J-36 belongs to a new generation of tactical stealth aircraft designed to perform complex combat missions in modern air warfare. Its size and technical characteristics suggest high maneuverability, flight range and powerful weapons.

The appearance of photos of the J-36 is generating great interest in the international aviation community and underscores China's desire to strengthen its air force with advanced technology.

Russian Iskander destroyed HIMARS near Kramatorsk

Detonation of the HIMARS ammunition

As a result of the strike of the Russian Iskander missile system in the Kramatorsk area, 40 km from the front line, the American HIMARS rocket artillery complex was destroyed. The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, and as a result of the impact and detonation of the ammunition, 8 crew members and support personnel were killed.

Details of the incident

- Weapons: The Russian Iskander missile system, known for its high accuracy and power, was used.

- Target: The American HIMARS rocket artillery system, which was located 40 km from the front line in the Kramatorsk area.

-Intelligence: The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, which highlights the importance of intelligence technology in modern conflicts.

- Casualties: 8 crew members and support personnel were killed as a result of the impact and subsequent detonation of the HIMARS ammunition.

The Netherlands has strengthened maritime security with advanced technology

 The Dutch Ministry of Defense has contracted this new partnership to enhance its maritime security and surveillance capabilities. 

RNLN will use a surveillance vessel to conduct security operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea of the Netherlands, both above and below water. Using advanced technologies such as unmanned vehicles, this will allow RNLN to monitor vessel activity in the North Sea and inspect critical underwater infrastructure such as cables and pipelines.

Fugro and Damen have established a joint venture to supply the vessel and crew on a two-year charter with the possibility of an extension for another year (four years in total). The charter agreement, concluded during a public tender, is scheduled to enter into force in the first half of 2025. The vessel that will carry out the charter is the Damen FCS 5009, which offers unsurpassed qualities thanks to the Sea Axe bow, developed in collaboration with the University of Delft.

Damen FCS 5009

Kurganets-25: characteristics and application

 

Kurganets-25

Kurganets-25 or Object 695 is a promising medium tracked platform being developed by Tractor Plants Concern. Many other enterprises, such as the Burevestnik Central Research Institute and others, are involved in the development of the platform. The platform is designed according to a modular principle, which makes it easier and faster to manufacture and repair armored vehicles based on it. It is expected to start production for pilot military operation in 2015 and mass production in 2017.

Appointment:

The Kurganets-25 is a universal tracked platform, on the basis of which it is planned to create an infantry fighting vehicle (GABTU Index — Object 695), a tracked armored personnel carrier (GABTU Index — Object 693) and an anti-tank self-propelled gun with a 125 mm tank gun. It is intended to replace the existing infantry fighting vehicles in service with the Russian army.

Description of the construction:

The engine and transmission compartment of the platform is located in the front of the body and is shifted to the right to improve the layout of the machine. A ramp with an additional door in it is used to unload the troops. The weight of the machine will be approximately 25 tons. Metal armor elements will complement the active protection complex on the tower. Ammunition and weapons are isolated from the landing party and the crew.

The crew consists of three people. The troop compartment is designed for eight people.

The suspension is hydropneumatic, with variable ground clearance from 100 to 500 mm.

The BMD and BMP platforms are equipped with a remote-controlled universal combat module "Boomerang-BM", armed with a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon with selective ammunition (500 rounds of ammunition), a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun (2,000 rounds of ammunition), two dual ATGM launchers "Kornet". An automatic grenade launcher is not provided. The movement of the combat module is carried out by computer-controlled electric motors. The combat module can be controlled by the gunner and the vehicle commander. Due to robotics, the universal combat module is able to monitor the target and independently fire at the object until it is destroyed, the operator only needs to specify the target, after which the computer will monitor it itself.

The car is also equipped with environmental surveillance cameras. There is an embrasure for an AK assault rifle in the rear door.

Experimental military operation:

Since 2015, batches of vehicles for experimental military operation have been sent to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The military cited the high profile of the car as a disadvantage. Despite the fact that the profile of the Kurganets is approximately the same in height as that of its Western counterparts (48 mm higher than that of the M2 Bradly and 58 mm lower than that of the German Puma), as well as the thickness of the armor, the Russian military, which traditionally prefers vehicles with a low profile, they call it the "grenade launcher dream." Because of this, the deadlines for completing research and development work (R&D) on the Kurganets-25 medium tracked platform were shifted by a year. According to Albert Bakov, First vice president and co-owner of the Tractor Plants concern, state tests will begin in 2017 due to the refinement of the machine profile.

Cars on the base:

Object 693 is an armored personnel carrier.

Object 695 is an infantry fighting vehicle.

TTX:

- Classification: Unified Medium tracked platform

- Combat weight: ~25 tons

- Layout: Front-engine

- Crew: 3 people

- Landing party: 8 people

- Manufacturer: Russia

- Years of operation: 2015 - present

- Body length: 7,200 mm

- Case width: 3,200 mm

- Height:

2,365 mm (on the roof of the hull)

3,020 mm (with the combat module)

3,290 mm (on the commander's sight)

- Active protection: Afghanite

- Dynamic protection: Yes

- Suspension type: Independent semi-active hydropneumatic torsion bar on longitudinal arms

- Surmountable ford: Floats