Arms race (Hypersonic Weapons)

[size=40]A Mach 5 Arms Race? Welcome to Hypersonic Weapons 101[/size]

[size=18]They travel many times faster than sound, and defending against them won't be easy. Oh, and by the way, the United States, Russia, China and India all want them. 

Robert Farley

December 31, 2014




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According to some analysts, the development of hypersonic weapons creates the conditions for a new arms race, and could risk nuclear escalation. Given that the course of hypersonic research has acknowledged both of these concerns, why have several countries started testing the weapons?
The United States is building hypersonics for two reasons. First, we want to kill people fast, without the messy danger of a global thermonuclear war. Second, we want to be able to punch through the defensive systems of peer competitors.

Unfortunately, these two justifications contradict one another. Given that China, Russia and even India appear on their way to similar systems, we should take care before letting the technology outpace the politics.
What Are Hypersonic Weapons?
The term “hypersonic” generally refers to a class of long-range precision strike weapons that travel at Mach 5 or better. This definition generally excludes such munitions as the LRLAP (long-range land attack projectile), fired by the Advanced Gun System, which can only travel sixty miles, as well as traditional cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk, which travel under the speed of sound.
(Recommended: 5 Chinese Weapons of War America Should Fear) 
Medium-range, conventionally armed ballistic missiles with precision-guidance (such as those operated by China and Russia) are arguably hypersonic weapons. The United States doesn’t operate any of this type, but it provides effectively the same capability as that offered by new hypersonic systems.
Indeed, initial U.S. plans for hypersonic-capable systems concentrated on conventionally armed ballistic missiles, but concerns over attribution and identification (conventional missiles look a lot like nuclear missiles to Russia and China) have shifted attention in the direction of suborbital platforms, including cruise missiles.
The United States is working on the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon, a long-range, land-based glide vehicle that operates within the atmosphere in order to avoid the appearance of a ballistic missile. The United States has also done work on the X-51 “Waverider,” an air-launched, scramjet-powered vehicle capable of Mach 6.
(Recommended: 5 U.S. Weapons of War China Should Fear) 

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China’s hypersonic vehicle, the WU-14, appears geared toward defeating U.S. ballistic-missile defense systems. Approaching at high speed through a depressed trajectory, it would attempt to exploit a seam between ballistic missile and traditional air-defense capabilities. Russia is apparently working on an array of hypersonic systems, which would include air- and sea-launched missiles that could target land and naval targets.
Why Have Them?
For the United States, hypersonic vehicles promise the ability to kill anyone, anywhere, on short notice. This capability become a key goal of U.S. security policy with the rise of Al Qaeda in the late 1990s, and the failure of traditional weapons to decapitate the organization before it could launch the September 11 attacks. More recently, the United States has begun to explore how hypersonics could help break apart an A2/AD system, or destroy nuclear or chemical munitions in preemptive anticipation of a launch.
(Recommended: Russian Nuclear Weapons 101) 
Russia and China face different incentives. The Russians surely understand the appeal of decapitation, but they rarely have the same need to strike across the globe at a moment’s notice. Similarly, the Chinese tend to have more local concerns. The logic behind Chinese and Russian developments lies in the pursuit of anti-access capabilities, as well as the need to keep up with the Americans. Hypersonic strike vehicles could provide a potentially indefensible means of attacking American and allied military installations, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea.
Is there a hypersonic arms race? Simply because three powers appear to be working along similar lines does not necessarily mean that they’re working against one another; technological imperatives can push everyone in the same direction. We should expect that their strategic interests will push development in different directions, even if the three countries watch each other warily.[/size][/size]

France is starting a “summer sale” for its Mistrals, French journalist Jacques Martinez wrote for Boulevard Voltaire.

Still with their Cyrillic writing and no equipment and electronics, the two Mistrals that France failed to deliver to Russia are expected to be sold off to potential buyers. What if a buyer sells them back to Russia for more profit, Martinez sarcastically asked readers?


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Rafale, Mistral Deals Lost in 'Bottomless Well of Hollande's Incompetence'
In reality the situation is far from being funny. French President Francois Hollande and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian are trying to desperately sell the French public an idea that the Mistrals could be sold off to other countries. However, not a single country has made an official bid for the ships thus far.

Experts agree that France won't be able to sell the Mistrals quickly. The only option Hollande has is to offer a massive discount price for the ships.
"They will have to seriously cut their price to make it attractive to another country," IHS Jane's senior analyst on defense Ben Moores said.
Apparently, China is interested in buying the Mistrals, although Beijing hasn't made a bid yet.
"In case of China? Russian ally… Beijing can then cheaply sell the Mistrals back to Russia," Martinez was clearly having fun with the developing story.
In any case, France has to hurry up with the new Mistral sales to avoid making the situation even worse than it is now. After its decision to cancel the deal, France refunded Russia over a billion euros. In addition, France will have to shell out at least another billion euros to de-customize the two Mistrals that were designed specifically for the Russian Navy. And finally, while the de-customization process and a search for a potential customer is taking place, France is losing at between €1 million and €5 million per month for docking and maintenance services while the ships are stationed at the port in Saint Nazaire. Quite a sum taken right out of French taxpayers' pockets![/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150808/1025537099.html#ixzz3iEwW8fiq

RUSSIA
15:15 09.08.2015(updated 15:44 09.08.2015) Get short URL
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The kit of the soldier of the future must be more than ultramodern; it has to be nothing short of magical.

This is exactly what a 27-strong team of Saratov scientists are now working on.


[size]
Ratnik Future Soldier System to Get Large-Caliber Sniper Rifles
The Special Purpose Materials lab that opened at the Saratov State University in 2014, is developing a soldier suit that would make the wearer invisible, keep him warm in winter and cool in summer as well as protect him against dangerous chemicals.

A roll of gauze is fed into a huge, 20 meter-long, machine and, seconds later, similar gauze appears on the other side.
Though it looks exactly the same to the naked eye, the processed material consists of microscopic fibers which are applied to the warp which, in turn is mixed with fabric to obtain a regular outfit with very unusual properties.
Depending on their chemical composition, the microscopic fibers can keep out gases and liquids, retain body heat or cool you down. And what’s more, they are also shock-resistant.


[/size][size]
Russia's Super Rifle is Gonna Getcha! From a Mile and a Half
The research being done at the laboratory is three-pronged: camouflage, protection (including against chemical agents) and life-support.

The new material can be used as part of a soldier’s outfit and as gas mask filters.
Ground sheets are also being developed here. This is a new type of camouflage where nanomaterial is applied to the uniform to make it invisible to thermal imagers and night vision scopes.
The new technology will also ensure against extreme cold, heat and even open fire.
The Saratov team has three years to develop the new protective materials which will then go into “active service” with the Russian armed forces.[/size]

[size=40][size=40]Iran [size=40]Expects[/size] [size=40]New[/size] [size=40]S-300[/size] [size=40]Deal[/size] [size=40]With[/size] [size=40]Russia[/size] [size=40]by[/size] [size=40]End[/size] [size=40]of[/size] [size=40]Next[/size] [size=40]Week[/size][/size]
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BUSINESS
12:46 18.08.2015(updated 12:51 18.08.2015) Get short URL
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Iranian Defense Minister said that Iran expects that a renewed contract on the delivery of Russian S-300 missile defense systems could be signed this or next week.

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Lavrov, Zarif Could Discuss S-300 Deliveries to Iran During Monday's Talks
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Iran expects that a renewed contract on the delivery of Russian S-300 missile defense systems could be signed this or next week, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Tuesday.

According to the minister, as cited by Iran's IRNA news agency, the issue of S-300 deliveries is currently on the defense ministry's agenda, and the necessary mechanisms to review and update the agreement are in place.
Russia and Iran initially signed a deal on the delivery S-300s in 2007, but its implementation was halted by Moscow after the UN Security Council issued an arms embargo on Tehran over nuclear weapon concerns.
In April, Moscow lifted the ban on S-300 deliveries to Iran, shortly after the P5+1 group of international negotiators and the Islamic Republic reached a framework nuclear agreement. A final nuclear deal was reached in July.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/business/20150818/1025867585.html#ixzz3jDMkiX6T

[size=40][size=40]Breakneck [size=40]Speed:[/size] [size=40]New[/size] [size=40]Russian[/size] [size=40]Jet[/size] [size=40]Engine[/size] [size=40]to[/size] [size=40]Propel[/size] [size=40]Aircraft[/size] [size=40]to[/size] [size=40]9,000[/size] [size=40]Kmh[/size][/size]
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MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
10:36 23.08.2015(updated 11:13 23.08.2015) Get short URL
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A new Russian hypersonic engine capable of propelling an aircraft up to 9,000 kmh will be unveiled during the MAKS-2015 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow.

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Russian Stealth Supersonic Aircraft PAK FA Revolutionizes Aviation
The breakthrough engine was designed by the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) in Moscow.

"An operational module of the supersonic combusting ramjet will probably be the most eye-catching piece at the CIAM booth," the institute reported.
In addition, the company plans to present dozens of other interesting projects.
The CIAM is one of the world leader’s in developing supersonic combusting ramjets. The Institute created Europe’s largest range to imitate flight conditions at speeds of Mach 5-7.5 (6,125-9,187 kmh).
"For rig tests, the Institute has designed a module of a hydrogen supersonic combusting ramjet. During tests under simulated flight conditions at speeds of Mach 7.4, the engine delivered forward thrust," the Institute explained.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150823/1026084410/russia-creates-breakthrough-jet-engine.html#ixzz3jdqYJsBk

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[size=40]Indonesia's [size=40]Decision[/size] [size=40]to[/size] [size=40]Buy[/size] [size=40]Russian[/size] [size=40]Su-35[/size] [size=40]Fighters[/size] [size=40]No[/size] [size=40]Surprise[/size] [size=40]–[/size] [size=40]Expert[/size][/size]
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WORLD
16:05 05.09.2015(updated 16:21 05.09.2015) Get short URL
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It is only natural that Indonesia has decided to purchase Russian-made Su-35 multirole fighters, according to independent military expert Alexander Yermakov.

In an interview with the Russian defense news website defendingrussia.com, independent military expert Alexander Yermakov said that it is no wonder Indonesia has finally decided to buy a squadron of Su-35 Russian multirole fighter jets.
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The Su-35 is a 4++ generation aircraft which uses fifth generation technology, which makes the plane superior to all other 4th generation fighters now under development worldwide.
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The Su-35s are expected to be added to Indonesian Air Forces' existing fleet of five Su-27SK and eleven Su-30MK fighters.

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Su-27
Importantly, a whole array of planes from other countries took part in the competition to supply their aircraft to Indonesia.
These included French Rafale jets, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company’s Eurofighter Typhoon, the US-made F-16 fighters and the Swedish SAAB Gripen, a lightweight single-engine multirole fighter.
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Commenting on Indonesia's decision to buy the Su-30s, Alexander Yermakov explained that these heavy Russian fighters fully suit Indonesia's geographic characteristics and the country's drive to boost its regional clout.
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According to him, this country of 255 million which is spread 5,000 kilometers across an archipelago of thousands of islands has a poorly developed airfield network.
This problem will certainly be resolved after Indonesia acquires the Su-35s, which has a ferry range of at least 4,500 meters, Yermakov said.


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Russia's Su-35 Fighter: A Trump Card Up Beijing's Sleeve in South China Sea
In addition, these planes have great potential to destroy targets at sea, thanks to Russia developing advanced aircraft-based anti-ship missiles, according to Yermakov.

He also pointed to the fact that the Sukhoi fighters have always been the flagship planes of the Indonesia Air Force, which will soon get what Yermakov touted as potentially the best unique and potentially best aircraft in the region.
Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has, meanwhile, said that the contract between Russia and Indonesia will be signed later in September. According to him, Jakarta will buy the Su-35 jets in several stages, depending on the country's financial capacity.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/world/20150905/1026635280/indonesia-russia-su-35-contract.html#ixzz3ksSzq9xm

MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
17:37 12.09.2015Get short URL
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Oleg Kulikov, a software engineer of the developer company Signal, said that earlier versions of the stabilizer consumed too much energy and led to the tank battery dying if used with the engine turned off

NIZHNY TAGIL (Sputnik) – A Russia-made new generation electromechanical arms stabilizer will allow new Russian tanks to fire from the turret in the "silent monitoring" mode, Oleg Kulikov, a software engineer of the developer company Signal, told RIA Novosti Saturday.
In the new stabilization system, a hydraulic actuator is replaced by an electrical one, according to Kulikov.


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Russia to Create Next Generation Unmanned Combat Module – Developer
“This allows to radically — by 10-15 times — reduce the energy consumption and implement stabilizer in the so-called silent monitoring mode, when the gunner and the tank commander can rotate the turret to raise or to lower the gun and to fire without the engine working, solely on the tank battery’s energy,” the engineer stated.

According to Kulikov, earlier versions of the stabilizer consumed too much energy and led to the tank battery dying if used with the engine turned off.
The engineer said that the arms stabilizer will be used in the T-90MS tank, which is the latest export version of the T-90 tank, the main battle tank currently in service with the Russian Army.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150912/1026921681.html#ixzz3lZ5l4GLp

RUSSIA
11:47 18.09.2015(updated 12:32 18.09.2015) Get short URL
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Even though the RPG-30 "Kryuk" anti-tank grenade launcher took a back seat to the formidable Armata tank at this year’s Russia Arms Expo, specialist interest in this deadly weapon was nonetheless just as great.

The RPG-30 is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank rocket launcher with a single shot capacity. It was designed to challenge reactive armor and active protection systems on tanks.
The RPG-30 cleared its testing program and entered service in 2012–2013 and was immediately put on the Pentagon’s list of “asymmetrical threats to the US armed forces.”


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The RPG-30 is not sold abroad yet and will not be any time soon, even though it enjoyed a great deal of interest from China, India, Lebanon, Cuba and the CIS countries.

And also from the US, Canada, Germany, France and Italy whose representatives were trying hard to learn the secrets of “merciless Russian grenade.”
The RPG’s main round, the PG-30, is a 105-mm tandem-shaped charge with a range of 200 meters and a stated penetration capability in excess of 600 mm of rolled homogeneous armor.
Reactive armor, including explosive reactive armor, can be defeated with multiple hits into the same place, such as by tandem-charge weapons, which fire two or more shaped charges in rapid succession.
In addition to the main round in its main tube, the RPG-30 also features a smaller diameter precursor round in a side tube.
The precursor round is fired shortly before the main round and acts as a decoy, tricking the target's active protection into engaging it.


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Russia to Deliver Advanced Anti-Tank Missile Systems to Foreign Customers
The APS is not ready to engage again until 0.2–0.4 seconds later, allowing the main round time to hit the target.

The 105mm PG-30 grenade is almost identical to the one used by the RPG-29 “Vampir” launcher, which made easy work of Israel’s Merkava tanks in Lebanon and the US M1A2 Abramses and British Challengers in Iraq.
The RPG-30 is smaller than its RPG-29 predecessor being just over a meter long compared with the cumbersome 2 meter Vampir.
In the Russian armed forces the RPG-30 is used alongside older RPG-22 and RG-26 versions which are very effective against trucks and light-armored AFVs.
The RPG-30 was designed with more serious targets in mind though as it can knock out heavy tanks, even those protected by modern reactive armor.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150918/1027179302/russia-grenade-launcher.html#ixzz3m7nMCJqp

[size=40][size=40]German [size=40]Tanks[/size] [size=40]Stand[/size] [size=40]No[/size] [size=40]Chance[/size] [size=40]Against[/size] [size=40]Advanced[/size] [size=40]Russian[/size] [size=40]Tanks[/size] [size=40]–[/size] [/size]
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MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
18:15 18.09.2015Get short URL
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The German Armed Forces in its current state would not be capable of repelling a hypothetical attack by Russian tanks, the German media outlet Focus reported.

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Armata Vs Leopard 2: Germany's Main Battle Tank Could Be in Trouble
According to the article, although the Bundeswehr has some of the best tanks in the world in service, their combat system is ageing and not that effective.

Actual tank projectiles of the German military are incapable of producing enough kinetic energy to hit the armor of Russia’s modern T-90 and updated T-80 machines, Focus explained.
Currently, Russia is implementing a modernization program for its tanks. The armor and weapons of T-90 tanks have been heavily upgraded since they entered service back in the 1990s. In 2017, the state-of-the-art Armata tank is scheduled to join the Russian military.
Due to a reform of its military Germany has reduced the number of Leopard-2 tanks in service to 225.
However, with the Ukrainian crisis sparking concerns in the West, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen ordered to buy back 100 Leopard-2 tanks for €22 million, which were to be recycled. As a result, the total number of Leopards in the Bundeswehr reached 328.
According to German military analyst Hans Ruhle, the build-up of Germany’s armored forces is pointless as the combat system of the Leopard-2 is ineffective.
In order to increase combat effectiveness, tank shells with depleted uranium are required, the expert pointed out. However, politically this is unacceptable.


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Armata: New Secrets of Russia’s ‘Future Tank’ Unveiled
Most German operational tanks are of the A-6 and A-5 series. Some 100 Leopard-2 tanks are of the A-4 series. The Leopard-2 has been in production since 1979, and has been modernized several times.

According to Focus, in 2017 Germany is expected to modernize tank ammunition which will exclusively involve the A-7, the latest version of the tank. Currently, Germany has only 20 tanks of the series in operation.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150918/1027192479/german-tanks-useless.html#ixzz3mBSQuebV

MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
20:24 25.09.2015(updated 20:32 25.09.2015) Get short URL
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Engine power for the new Russian Armata tank will be increased from 1.5 thousand to 1.8 thousand horsepower. This was stated by Director General of “Uralvagonzavod” Oleg Siyenko in an interview to ‘Rossiyskaya Gazeta.’

“Currently the (engine) has been created but the new invention is confidential. I can only say that the work on engine completion continues,” Siyenko said.
Russia's armed forces will have 2,300 tanks by 2025. The cost to mass produce the T-14 Armata will be 250 million rubles (3.7 million dollars).
Regarding the innovation of the Armata, the expert said that the main thing today is the protection of the crew, its survival and the possibility of gaining combat experience.


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Armata: New Secrets of Russia’s ‘Future Tank’ Unveiled
Today the technical means of automatic target tracking and identification greatly exceeds human capability.

According to him, Russian electronics mounted on combat vehicles demonstrate satisfactory reliability.
Earlier it was reported that Russia's cutting edge piece of military equipment would not remain static. Its designers said that the Armata could well become the world’s first unmanned tank.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20150925/1027548910/russia-armata-engine-power-military.html#ixzz3mqqPbGmU

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[size=40]New [size=40]Details[/size] [size=40]About[/size] [size=40]China’s[/size] [size=40]Space[/size] [size=40]Weapons[/size] [size=40]Aimed[/size] [size=40]at[/size] [size=40]Thwarting[/size] [size=40]US[/size] [size=40]Military[/size][/size]
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ASIA & PACIFIC
01:20 16.10.2015(updated 08:39 16.10.2015) Get short URL
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New details about China's space-weapons program have been released ahead of a congressional annual report outlining Beijing's plans to destroy or jam US satellites and limit American combat operations.

The final report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission examining China's programs, dubbed counterspace arms, is due to be published next month.
A late draft of the commission's annual report, obtained by Inside the Ring, states:
"China is pursuing a broad and robust array of counterspace capabilities, which includes direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital anti-satellite systems, computer network operations, ground-based satellite jammers and directed energy weapons. China’s nuclear arsenal also provides an inherent anti-satellite capability."
In the event of a conflict, the Chinese military expect to use a combination of kinetic, electronic and cyber attacks against satellites or ground support structures, Inside the Ring reports.

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The Chinese are currently developing two direct-ascent missiles capable of hitting satellites in both lower and higher orbits. Anti-satellite missile tests were carried out as recently as last year.
For space-based weapons, China reportedly is developing co-orbital anti-satellite weapons, which move close to satellite targets and then deploy weapons to disable or destroy them.
According to the commission report, the Chinese simulated such an attack in 2008 when it sent a miniature imaging satellite within 28 miles of the International Space Station without notification. China believes demonstrating its capability to damage or destroy satellites deters adversaries, the report states.
China is also planning military cyber attacks that can take control of satellites by hacking into their microwave signals.
"If executed successfully, such attacks could significantly threaten US information superiority, particularly if they are conducted against satellites with sensitive military and intelligence functions," the report says.
The commission also alleges that Chinese hackers probably were behind several computer attacks against US space assets, including a September 2014 hack.
Beijing's nuclear capabilities also could be used against satellites. A nuclear detonation in low-earth orbit would create a damaging electromagnetic pulse that could disrupt unshielded satellites.[/size]


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/asia/20151016/1028597122/china-space-weapons-us.html#ixzz3oljcF5E0