Central/South American Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Anniversary of Launch Vehicle Vex 1B and next steps in the Argentina Tronador II project


(Defensa.com) The National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE) of the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services commemorates the 15th of August 2015 the first anniversary of the successful launch of the VEX Experimental Vehicle 1 B, held in Punta Indio, Buenos Aires, as evidence for future Argentine satellite launcher Tronador II. The Vex allowed 1B flight test system navigation, guidance and control, among other vehicle systems and the associated ground segment, for the operation of the vehicle was also tested. After these results are advanced to the next step of the project: the development of experimental vehicles VEX 5 for testing more complex, reaching operating pitcher Tronador II, to put satellites into orbit of Earth observation up to 250 kilograms.

The next step of the project is already underway, with the next test Vex 5A in the Launch Control Center Experimental Vehicles in Punta Indio. It is a two-stage vehicle, which reproduces a bounded time scale and progressively similar to the launcher Tronador II, which have also two stages and the same propellant (fuel and oxidant) in each event. Vex upper 5A (called second stage) has a configuration similar to Vex1B. The new vehicle will be incorporated in May Vex another segment: the first stage, which takes as a fuel called kerosene KC-1, which is especially developed for this project, and liquid oxygen as the oxidizer. As part of the trial of the first stage of Vex 5A is expected to make a kind of vertical ascent path (similar to the trajectory of VEx1B), propelling longer and with greater thrust. There will also be instances of successive tests of control jet nozzles, separation stages, the second stage ignition and termination of the flight. During the test is evaluated in real time flight parameters, and can decide the termination of the mission according to the partial results obtained.

Vehicle Vex 5A is the first issue in which events of greater complexity will be tested in a progressive sequence. In the following VEx-5 vehicles they will continue testing the same events, to gain reliability. The ultimate goal is to test the technology associated with the mechanisms and functions that must be met in flight, concluding with a final test of all the events of the mission, adding other features to complete all of the launcher for your operating performance .

Only 10 countries in the world today have their own satellite launchers to them soon Argentina would join. By Tronador II project is fully developed in the country's ability to launch satellites from the national territory. The Tronador II placed in orbit satellites SARE series of segmented architecture for Earth observation, which will provide useful information for agriculture, fisheries, hydrology, emergency management, health, among other applications.

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US Troops Head to Honduras as Other Latin American Countries Want US Forces Out

While some Latin American leaders are calling on the US government to close all their bases in the region, Honduran military authorities recently announced that nearly 300 US Marines will be based at as part of a “Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force.”

The Pentagon says the Marines will be in the Central American country to help train Honduran and other military forces in the region to carry out humanitarian assistance missions and anti-drug operations.

The Marines arriving in Honduras coincides with the opening of the Central American Regional Security Conference, a gathering of military, intelligence and anti-drug representatives from 14 nations who are convening to talk about ways to combat drug-related crime, which has seen an uptick of late in Central America.

The US is represented at the conference by officials from the , the White House, and the , among others.

"There is a large contingent of US officials here (at the conference.) This is the first time we’ve had someone from the White House at that high a level attend this conference," said Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández during welcoming remarks in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. "I know that the region is among President Obama’s top four national security and national policy priorities."

The Pentagon considers the Soto Cano air base as critical for the US’s presence in Central America – it is the only US military base in the region.

The publication People’s World reports that the has identified Honduras as the center for US military communications in Central America and as a base for fighting against drug smuggling.

Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is considered a stopping point for illegal drugs traveling to the United States from South America.

While former Colombian President Ernesto Samper and other Latin American leaders recently called for the US to close all military bases in Latin America, the Honduran government has remained welcoming of US military presence.

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Fleet Training of the Maritime Self-Defense Force of Japan reaches Argentina


(Defensa.com) Took moorings in the port of Buenos Aires Fleet Training Maritime Self-Defense Force of Japan, was received by the Ambassador of Japan in Argentina, Noriteru Fukushima and representatives of the Japanese community. The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding ties of friendship between the two peoples, recalling in particular, the contribution made by Argentina during the año1904-1905 Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.

The conflict broke out because of the ambitions of Tsarist Russia for a location in the territories of Korea and Manchuria, by then under the rule of the Empire of Japan. The conflict forced Japan to compromise with England building a fleet that would allow it to face the inevitable clash against Russia; so it reaches an agreement for the construction of a number of battleships. In those moments they were under construction in the shipyards Ansaldo in Italy, two battleships commissioned by the Argentina Republic, Moreno and Rivadavia. After the acceleration of work to his enlistment, the two vessels were sold to Japan, receiving the names of Nisshin (Moreno) and Kasuga (Rivadavia). This action was never forgotten by Tokyo as anecdotal fact, the Japanese Emperor in gratitude gift to the Argentina-an act unreleased land in the capital for the construction of the first Argentina embassy.

Japanese naval squadron we visit, is on his way led by Rear Admiral instruction Yasuki Nakahata and consists of three modern ships, the training ship JDS KASHIMA (TV3508) under the command of Captain Teuro Ozawa 143x18x4,6m This ship ( sleeve length draft) has a displacement 4,050 tons has two gas turbines diesel two axes that develop 27,000 hp and a speed of 25 knots is armed with a rapid-fire cannon caliber 76mm Oto Breda and two triple torpedo tubes pitcher, hangarless flight deck crew is 370 men and women.


The second ship Flotilla Training is the JDS Shimayuki (TV35513). This destroyer, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Seiichi Koakutsu, has a displacement of 3050 tons. Its dimensions are 130x13,6 x 4.4m its powertrain consists of four gas turbines two axes Brogan power 45,000 hp at a speed of 30 knots. Its armament consists of two 20 mm cannons. Phalanx CIWS, anti-ship missile launcher 84 Harpoon RGM a rapid-fire cannon, 76mm anti-aircraft missile launcher and anti-submarine missile launcher and two triple torpedo tubes pitcher.

The destroyer JDS Yamagiri (TV3513) has a standard displacement of 3500 tons. Its dimensions are 137x14,6x4,5m, as powertrain has four gas turbines RR Spey that let you develop 30 knots equipped with two axes Brogan power 54000 hp at a speed of 30 knots. Its armament consists of a cannon shot fast de76mm; two automatic guns of 20 mm (Phalanx CIWS); 2 missile launchers RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship, also a pitcher for RIM 7 Sea Sparrow launcher and eight ASROC anti-submarine missiles, in terms of warning and detection equipment has a set of teams of systems such as o and q-6 / 7 CDS, NOLR-6c and OLT-3 ESM and OPS-14/24, 28 and 4A airborne radars, surface and sound. The Yamagiri, which this navigation works as escort ship flotilla Training is provided with flight deck and hangar from which an SH-60J helicopter Japanese Manufacturing operates. The objective of this navigation aims pedagogical practice, practice nautical cultivate and deepen friendly relations with each of the countries visited.

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Overheating and melting of system caused the accident CN-235 FAC according to the Colombian Government


(Defensa.com) The Ministry of National Defense of Colombia issued a statement claiming that the CN-235 accident register FAC 1261, adapted in Colombia for electronic warfare missions, the phenomenon known as "icing" was due to is the formation of ice sheets in the planes of the aircraft in adverse weather conditions at certain heights. The statement highlights the crew, to show this problem, put the icing equipment in operation, then appearing to overheating of the system, why would the pilot decided to descend to an altitude that would allow him to cope with the "icing "still during this maneuver when there was loss of control and therefore the lift of the aircraft, which caused the accident that the lives of 11 members of the Air Force of Colombia claimed last July 31 in Codazzi, Cesar department.

Given these statements released by the Defense Ministry and the commander of the FAC, concern regarding overheating suffered icing system of the aircraft, which is designed to fly under more adverse than those usually present in Colombia conditions, because their systems are developed to withstand extreme conditions in the countries with CN-235 inventories, it is also concerned that such a vital system in this type of aircraft is overheating affecting the integrity of the device. However, it is the question of whether the recent changes made locally to convert the aircraft electronic warfare system could somehow influence in this situation, since the incorporation of these systems affects the design of the electronic components of the aircraft.

To date it is unknown whether the fleet of CN-235 are there in the Armed Forces of Colombia remains grounded for safety pending clarify the anomaly presented by the de-icing system, used in cases of "icing" and if this failure can also affect the C-295 available to the Colombian Air Force, and if the fault has alerted the aircraft manufacturer, Airbus DS, who participated in the studies that led to the final conclusion of the incident.

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The Air Force of Colombia announces new AN / TPS-78 radars from Northrop Grumman


(Defensa.com) The Colombian Air Force will have 4 new radars AN / TPS-78 type, manufactured by the American company Northrop Grumman, which will be located at strategic points in Colombia. The first two will be in the peninsula of Guajira and Arauca, border areas with Venezuela, a third team will be installed in the municipality of Puerto Salgar, home of the Air Combat Command No. 1 (CACOM 1), the fourth will in the Colombian Pacific.

They will complement the five military radar TPS-70 which currently has the Air Force of Colombia and that were transferred in 2009 by the Government of the United States, which were in operation since 2000, after signing the military cooperation agreement between Washington and Bogota February 1989 to control airspace in the fight against drug trafficking.

FAC commander, Major General Air Carlos Eduardo Bueno Vargas, said that "complementing the current five radar, the Air Force made a great effort and acquired four more radars already arrived in the country. This new capability positions Colombia as one of the Latin American countries with greater safety and airspace coverage. "

With an investment of $ 120 million, this acquisition, which was conducted in late 2012, was intended as the first step in the project "System of National Air Defense" (SISDAN), which would provide the country with a full and modern set of equipment, radars and missiles air to his defense, but that to date has been paralyzed due to the new guidelines of President Juan Manuel Santos, who for years has devoted resources aimed at maintaining operating current equipment are there in the Armed Forces, leaving little budgetary leeway to the acquisition of new defense systems.

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Airbus Helicopters H125 for the Argentine Army and Air Force


(defensa.com) There was the signing of a memorandum of understanding to acquire twelve helicopters Airbus Helicopters H125 (formerly designated as AS350B3) to replace the fleet of Lama AS315B Army and Air Force Argentina. These helos veterans serving in the IV Air Brigade and the Aviation Section Mountain 8 and have completed thousands of hours of service in the Andes for decades.

The arrival of the H125 will be a perfect replacement for the Lama because they are perfectly suited for high-altitude operations and typical winds of the mountains, as evidenced by the excellent service provided in Chile Police Brigade, with numerous missions rescue, or police Argentina with Mendoza, who performs operations in the mountain range.

FAA aircraft for passenger
Moreover, Defense Minister Agustin Rossi, during the main ceremony commemorating the 103 anniversary of the Argentina Air Force (FAA), in the Moron Air Base, near the head of the weapon, Brigadier General Mario Callejo, announced incorporation of two Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft to Lade (LADE), which depends on the military institution, within sixty days, that will quadruple the current frequencies and mean a significant quality leap. The machines come in lease and the offeror will maintain that the same are in continuous operation, implying the availability of a third aircraft ever.

LADE since its inception (1940) unites the most remote populations in urban centers, thus contributing to economic and social development of Patagonia, said Rossi congratulating workers. Also, the minister referred to the participation of the Aircraft Factory Argentina (Fade) in the production of components for KC.390 of the Brazilian company Embraer, which allowed us to re-export our aviation industry. He also commented on the latter company will maintain aircraft of Naval Aviation. He also recalled the incorporation of the first Grob aircraft for training, there is the intention to incorporate more aircraft of this type.

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New tactical paint scheme for the Peruvian KT-1P


(defensa.com) Ten aircraft of KAI KT-1P Torito maintain their classic color scheme in black and orange, while many others will wear a new one mimetic and insignia of low visibility, according to the light combat support missions. Currently, the Air Force of Peru (FAP) operates seven School Officer Training Pilots (EFOPI): 4 manufactured in Korea and 3 assembled on the ground of KAI and Maintenance Service (SEMAN) FAP in Las Palmas .

An eighth aircraft will commence no later than next week, the corresponding test flights and acceptance before their official release, while ten others are in various stages of assembly

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Aircraft of the Royal Air Force or from Falklands/Malvinas may land in Uruguay in an emergency


(Defensa.com) While Uruguay may not be the final destination of the aircraft of the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom, according to the Uruguay Air Force itself can land in this country for "humanitarian, health, emergency or weather reasons. " On August 16, an Airbus A330-200 British KC2 Voyager landed at Carrasco International Airport due to weather conditions compromising, and last May the landing of an Airbus A330-243 came KC2 Voyager for medical reasons, as the plane was carrying a wounded soldier, which, as the seriously ill and other special cases, usually met in the famous British Hospital in Montevideo. Both flights were captured by local spotters.

Until shortly before the previous government of José Mujica during which Uruguay away diplomatically countries traditionally friends, such as the UK and Israel Hercules C-130J aircraft and RAF Tristar accustomed to perform end or initial level (within the meaning flight) in Montevideo or, exceptionally, in Punta del Este, flights related to the Malvinas or Falkland. In recent years not only the possibility, in an unsuccessful attempt to improve the complex relations with Argentina, had markedly restricted, suspended further access to Uruguayan ports especially pesqueros- vessels- Falklands flag or ships of the Royal Navy to or from such a fate, and even, avoiding private aircraft serving routes such as the Antonov -74 / 100 of the Ukrainian company Cavok Airlines, leasin wet leased by British authorities who plied the route Maastricht-Mount Pleasant.

As a tangible result of these positions, and British ships they had gone on to develop these scales in southern Brazil, which had bothered to Uruguayan naval and aeronautical Chambers, by the unnecessary loss of jobs. The accession to power of Tabare Vazquez, even integrating the same political group Mujica, has been a moderation in regard to foreign policy and quite realistic Uruguay to the current relationship with Argentina rotation.

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The Uruguayan Army is not selling Condor armored vehicles to Paraguay


(Defensa.com) The Department of Social Communication of the Uruguayan Army has come out of the literature in this regard that says so clarifying that it is not sold or all or part of their Armoured Personnel Carrier (TBP) Rheinmetall RPZ UR 425 Condor, the first of its kind to be used by Uruguay Task Forces abroad; integrating contingent deployed in support of the United Nations in Mozambique, Angola and Congo (where they rescued the Spanish ambassador Miguel Fernandez Palacios in 2007 with offices in Kinshasa were in the midst of a crossfire between government forces and rebels).

This model, launched in 1981 and derived from the UR 416 and TM-170-all based on modifications to the Mercedes Benz Unimog- had as main user with hundreds of copies of Malaysia and the army as the only European customer to the Air Police Portugal, It is its more modern version called Condor 2 with Kuwait as the sole customer. His first user was milter Uruguay, in 1981, acquiring 55 units 5 as command centers. Other customers were Turkey and Thailand.

Compared with their predecessors, the Condor is a large, heavy more fully amphibious vehicle, high-speed tierrra 100 km. schedules- propelled in the water by a pitch propeller under the hull. The shield was also increased in this program as well as its interior space, either for the troops (up to 12 troops) or supplies, with optional team NBC or air conditioning. Most of its members come from the Mercedes Benz commercial sphere, so its maintenance is relatively inexpensive and fairly predictable logistics aspects which, together with being a 4x4 with adequate ballistic protection, capable of carrying various types of weapons and transporting 12 soldiers (plus versions ambulance) do still of interest to the Army of Uruguay, which has used most of his career in peace missions abroad.

They are easy upgrading units, and indeed have been some previous proposals. Also, despite of being relieved by Cougar (Piranha assembled in Canada), in Congo are still some units outstanding. Moreover, in 2013 the company has acquired great amounts of spare parts for maintenance and overhaul, to wish him a few years in Uruguayan lands. The Uruguayan National Army spokesman did not rule out the existence of some kind of interest from their Paraguayan colleagues in a vehicle whose strength and durability advise, however, "keep".

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