Kaluga region companies to manufacture new products

On October 23, 2014 Anatoly Artamonov, Kaluga Region Governor, held a  meeting of the Coordination Council for Industry and Technology at Algont ZAO, Kaluga. The key issue discussed at the meeting was import substitution.

The attendees noted that regional manufacturers started making steps to phase out imported products as the federal government drove relevant changes.  Directors of Kalugapribor OAO and Sosenskoe Instrument Making Plant, a branch of Science and Production Center named after Academician N.A.Pilyugin, said that their companies were ready to launch serial production of medical equipment  for the Russian healthcare institutions. The products are to be presented at a specialized exhibition to be held in Kaluga on October 31, 2014. Obninsk Chemical and Pharmaceutical Company ZAO develops new medicines. Algont ZAO and Micro Electronics Design Bureau ZAO design and manufacture intellectual products for the Russian market.

Russia to have full radar coverage of Arctic this year

Russia will have full radar coverage of the Arctic region this year, while next year it will be ready “to meet unwanted guests” both from the north and from the east, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday.

He said Russia was expanding military presence in the Arctic region, building infrastructure on its islands.

The minister told a session of the Defense Ministry’s Public Council that restoration of airfields was launched recently at the Novosibirsk Islands and on Franz Josef Land, airfields were being reconstructed in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo, to defend national interests in the region.

Earlier reports said Aerospace Defense Forces were building radar stations to create a radar field covering the whole country. The Defense Ministry said plans were to create this field by 2018.

Bulava missile launched from nuclear sub in Russia

Strategic nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky has launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from the Barents Sea towards the Kura testing range in Kamchatka, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.

“The missile was launched from the submerged position,” a spokesman said. “The parameters of the flight trajectory have been fulfilled as required. Data control shows the warheads of the missile reached the Kura testing facility successfully.

According the ministry’s data, this launch had a special feature, as the submarine had a complete set of missiles aboard.

It was the first missile launch after the Yuri Dolgoruky strategic nuclear submarine joined Russia’s Northern Fleet.

The previous launches of the Bulava missiles were paerformed as part of a program of flight development testing.

Aviation Equipment and United Engine Corporation to participate in WorldSkills Hi-Tech competition

Teams from Aviation Equipment and United Engine Corporation (ODK) holding companies, which are part of Rostec Corporation, are participating in the largest national competition for professionals in high-tech industries, WorldSkills Hi-Tech.

A joint press conference of the two Rostec Corporation holding companies was held in Samara, where participants in the Russian qualifying round for WorldSkills were presented. One of the most important tasks of the championship is merging national and international professional standards and training workers, according to a press release from the companies.

Representatives from Aviation Equipment and ODK participating in the championship are highly qualified, young professions who are working on the latest aviation developments, including innovative fuel systems, landing gear (CPG), military and civil aviation engines, and technology for the space program.

Russian arms exports reach USD 9.8 billion in 2014

The value of Russian arms exports has reached USD9.8 billion since the beginning of 2014, deputy director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Anatoly Punchuk announced at the Euronaval 2014 exhibition, RIA Novostireported on 28 October.

Previously, when the value of arms exports made by Russia in 2013 were annouced, the FSMTC said that Russian arms exports for 2014 were expected to remain at the 2013 level of USD 15.7 billion. Sources in Moscow have told IHS Jane’s that those projections are now being questioned as Russia is already feeling the impact of international sanctions, as well as falling oil prices.

Russian Helicopters’ Mi-38 pre-series production prototype makes first flight

The fourth prototype of the new multirole Mi-38 helicopter has carried out a series of ground runs and completed its first flight at Russian Helicopters’ (part of State Corporation Rostec) Kazan Helicopters’ test flight centre.

The helicopter was piloted by a team comprising commander and test pilot (first class), honoured test pilot of Russia, Vladimir Kutanin, the second pilot was second class test pilotMaxim Shezhin, and chief flight test engineer, second class, Sergei Panin. The helicopter was then sent to the test flight centre at Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant for preparations ahead of its certification testing.

“The Mi-38 development programme is making good progress,” Russian Helicopters deputy CEO, Kazan Helicopters CEO Vadim Ligai said. “Today, for the first time, the fourth prototype of this helicopter – that will soon start certification testing – took to the skies.” “Assembly production has already been launched on the fuselage of the first series-produced units. The Mi-38 has proven it boasts unique capabilities. I am confident that the helicopter will see great demand in Russia, the CIS countries, and on our traditional markets – countries across Africa, South East Asia, and Latin America.”

“The Mi-38 fourth prototype’s first flight was a success,” aircraft commander and test pilot (first class) Vladimir Kutanin said. “The helicopter handles well, all systems worked excellently during the test flight. The developers and producers of the Mi-38 can be proud. As pilots, we really liked the helicopter, it boasts excellent flight capabilities that should ensure it has very bright prospects.”

KRET is already developing avionics for Russian next-generation bomber

Enterprises of Radioelectronic Technologies Concern (also known as KRET) have already started development of avionics for Russian next-generation bomber PAK DA, CEO of KRET, Nikolay Kolesov, told ITAR-TASS.

“Under an agreement with UAC (United Aircraft Corporation) KRET in cooperation with UAC-Integration Center are developing avionics suite for PAK DA. KRET is taking part in research and development work together with Tupolev Company”, – Kolesov said.

He noted that all the concern’s enterprises are taking part in development of avionics for the advanced bomber one way or another: “We are working on development and production of avionics suite for PAK DA in close cooperation”.

According to Kolesov, not only new, but also already proven technologies will be used during development of the aircraft. “Some systems and instruments are operated on other new vehicles and have already proven their efficiency and reliability”, – the source noted. However, the advanced jet will be fitted with a brand-new EW system, he stated.

Falcons of Russia aerobatic team has performed demonstration flight on Su-30SM aircraft for the first time

Falcons of Russia (Sokoli Rossii) aerobatic team have performed demonstration flight on Su-30SM aircraft (instead of Su-27 jets) for the first time, representative of the press-service of Russian Ministry of Defense on Air Forces, Colonel Igor Klimov, RIA Novosti reports.

“Pilots of the Falcons of Russia aerobatic team of the Lipetsk retraining center have demonstrated aerobatic maneuvers and formation flying above the central square of Krasnoyarsk n the network of “Contract enlisted service is your choice” promo event”, — Klimov told journalists on Saturday.

He reminded that only the team leader, Head of Lipetsk Retraining Center, Alexander Kharchevski, has performed formation flying on Su-30SM fighters before, while the rest pilots have only operated Su-27 fighters.