The 1K17 was one of many many prototypes the Soviet Union inbuilt its quest for a “Self-propelled Laser Complex” (SLK). The idea was initially proposed within the Seventies and early Eighties with the event of the 1K11 Stilet. The Luch Central Design Bureau, below the management of Gen. Dmitry Ustinov, engineered two prototypes to ship round 1982. The 1K11 advanced had a laser emitter atop a tracked chassis.
After the Stilet was the “Sangvin” (Sanguine). This prototype utilized the chassis of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-air gun. The weapons had been eliminated and changed with a single laser emitter to disable the sensors and optics of fight plane. While there may be restricted take a look at knowledge accessible right this moment, quite a few sources counsel that at ranges of 5 to 6 miles, the Sanguine might go away a helicopter inoperable.
The most superior SLK arrived in 1989, within the type of the 1K17 Szhatie, however so did the top of the Soviet Union. However, the Russian navy powered forward, Assembled in December 1990 and trialed till 1992, the Szhatie demonstrated promising outcomes throughout testing. However, regardless of the success of the trials, the 1K17 by no means entered full-scale manufacturing or service.
Pour one out for the Porsche 718—the entry-level sports activities automobiles are formally no extra within the European Union. As with the gasoline Macan, Porsche is retiring the Boxster and Cayman forward of schedule as a result of the 2 automobiles will not meet the brand new cybersecurity laws.
Europe’s new cybersecurity legal guidelines come into impact July 2024, at which level, Porsche will now not be allowed to register the automobiles within the EU. But the 2 fashions will dwell on in different markets in the meanwhile.
In an e-mail to Motor1, Porsche 718 spokesperson Oliver Hilger confirmed the coupe and convertible have been discontinued within the EU. But there are some exceptions. The Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster RS Spyder fashions are exempt from the rule given their restricted manufacturing.
The problem stems from {the electrical} structure utilized by the Boxster and Cayman, which do not meet the forthcoming laws. Tweaking the automobiles to fulfill the brand new regulation would value Porsche about half the funds used for an all-new mannequin, which is not financially viable.
The fourth-generation Boxster/Cayman is an outdated product comparatively, debuting in 2016 beneath the “982” inner codename. The first-gen Macan is even older contemplating it has been in the marketplace since 2014. The 718’s retirement from the EU is unlikely to place a giant dent in Porsche’s gross sales, however the Macan has all the time been a robust vendor. Globally, the crossover racked up 87,355 gross sales in 2023, or greater than 4 instances in comparison with the 718 lineup.
The next-generation 718 can be purely electrical when it goes on sale in 2025. The EV’s arrival will not spell the top of the present gasoline fashions because the two will peacefully coexist for an unspecified period of time. Porsche has an analogous technique in place for the 2 generations of the Macan.
Although the 718 is now not out there to configure in EU markets, you may nonetheless purchase a brand-new Boxster or Cayman by selecting from no matter’s out there in inventory. The clock is ticking as a result of that may now not be doable from July 1 when unsold automobiles will turn into unregistrable.
When China had a falling out with the Soviet Union, the U.S. determined to construct a relationship with it to assist counter the Russians. As a part of this relationship-building, America supplied to develop a important battle tank based mostly on the Chinese Type 59 tank, which is a licensed-built T-54A, in 1988.
This important battle tank was speculated to be known as the Jaguar and was an enchancment of the Type 59. The U.S. tapped Cadillac Gage to work with the China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation to modernize the Type 59 and switch it into the Jaguar MBT.
It was speculated to get the British L7 105mm cannon, a digital hearth management system, a night-vision system, and a laser rangefinder. It was additionally set to obtain a extra highly effective 750hp engine, an automated transmission system, and spaced armor on high of the Type 59’s base safety.
However, the Tiananmen Square Massacre the next 12 months poisoned Chinese-American cooperation, stopping its joint improvement. Although Cadillac Gage continued improvement by itself, the autumn of the Berlin Wall in late 1989 meant struggle was over, and nobody was within the Jaguar.
Two weeks in the past, Yamaha organized a visit to the Ampro testing grounds in Union, South Carolina to indicate off the brand new YZ450FX. That sucked up all the eye, however we additionally acquired to trip the 2024 Yamaha YZ250X two-stroke off highway bike. It was unchanged, however final 12 months it acquired every kind of latest stuff. Secretly, that’s the bike I used to be most enthusiastic about. The 2024 YZ250X sells for $8099. That’s solely $100 greater than the motocross model. Try shopping for a kickstand alone for that.
2024 Yamaha YZ250X
We all know that the YZ250 motor dates again to 1999 and the aluminum central-backbone body first appeared in 2005. But in 2016 Yamaha took the motocross bike and gave it an off-road make-over. Then, a 12 months in the past, it acquired a giant replace with new bodywork and suspension upgrades. There are sure issues that the typical Joe can’t do in his storage, and that’s what Yamaha focused on with the YZ250X. The gearbox is primary on that checklist. The X has a wide-ratio five-speed. First and second gears are the identical, however third, fourth and fifth are progressively taller. Also: The cylinder head quantity is elevated, the compression ratio diminished and the exhaust port raised. The energy valve form and timing are altered together with the ignition mapping. The clutch plates are made of various materials and the growth chamber is tucked up tighter and out of hurt’s manner.
Jared Hicks on the YZ250X
The X makes use of the identical fork because the MX mannequin, however with softer valving and softer springs (4.3 N/mm versus 4.4). The identical is true of the shock (48 N/mm vs 50). From there, it’s simply bolt-on stuff; an O-ring chain, an 18-inch rear wheel and a kickstand. The YZ250X has the identical gasoline tank because the MX model (1.8 gallons) and the identical silencer. If you anticipate all that to remodel the elemental nature of the YZ, it doesn’t. The YZ250X runs, handles and behaves like a present YZ250–a modified one. All these alterations make life a bit of simpler in lots of off-road conditions, however the YZ remains to be a YZ. That means it’s a race bike at its core. That’s fantastic information for riders in lots of venues just like the NGPC collection, which pits all 250s in the identical class whether or not they’re two-strokes or not. In a head-to-head race with any 250F, the YZ250X has a bonus in peak horsepower and a slight benefit in weight. It makes about 2 or 3 extra peak horsepower than the most recent YZ250F and weighs about 3 kilos much less.
If you evaluate suspension, dealing with and manageability, the four-strokes have a bonus–that shouldn’t shock anybody. The YZ250X hits exhausting and indicators off early. Even in comparison with different off-road two-strokes, the Yamaha is a little bit of a handful. All the tweaks and changes to the YZ250X make it smoother in the course of the powerband, but it surely’s a motorbike that requires aggression and dedication in the event you go racing. You can, nonetheless, take it down a notch and trip the X slightly below the massive energy surge all day lengthy. It’s exhausting to stall and makes glorious torque. Another trait that shouldn’t shock anybody is the suspension, which is great. The X isn’t removed from the present YZ four-stroke suspension which remains to be thought-about tops within the motocross world. It’s softer than the MX spec, however for many off-road riders, it may very well be softer nonetheless. Yamaha remains to be pondering of racing. It’s most likely exhausting to get out of that behavior. We could have extra on the 2024 Yamaha YZ250X and the opposite Yamaha off-road bikes within the May, 2024 print version of Dirt Bike.
FLASHBACK: 1981 HONDA CR250R
1981 Honda CR250R
The 12 months 1981 was tremendous bizarre for motocross. I used to be working at a now-forgotten publication referred to as Cycle Guide, which was truly fairly large on the time (for wages that weren’t). When I arrived, all of the filth bikes we had within the take a look at fleet have been nearly unridden as a result of the prevailing employees had its palms full with avenue bike exams. One of the loneliest was the 1981 Honda CR250R. I used to be very conversant in the CR450R (I owned one). But I didn’t get to trip the 250 till I inherited that one. It wasn’t horrible, but it surely wasn’t nice, both. The actual drawback was that it regarded like a spaceship. At the time, a liquid-cooled single shock motocross bike was Star Wars know-how. Very shortly, I modified my take-home bike to the 1981 Suzuki RM250, which wasn’t as spacy trying, however far more strong. The RM was the topic of my very first take a look at within the October subject (beneath). The lead picture isn’t me; it’s Dean Taylor, who was lightning quick in these days. He’s nonetheless fairly good. The picture was by David Dewhurst, who can be nonetheless fairly good.
As for the Honda, we glance again on your entire historical past of the CR250 within the May, 2024 print version of Dirt Bike. Here’s what it says in regards to the 1981 mannequin: 1981: Honda predicted the approaching of liquid-cooling and single-shock suspension and rushed to satisfy the decision. The 1981 Honda CR250R leaped years forward; the truth is, it was too superior. It had reliability issues, and the brand new Pro-Link rear suspension didn’t work effectively. Once once more, Honda misplaced its edge within the 250 class. Over the subsequent two years, the bike obtained back-to-back modifications on a reasonably large scale, and a lot of the issues have been sorted out, making ’83 an excellent 12 months to trip a CR.
There’s a considerably dated historical past of the Suzuki RM250 here–it’s an older publish so my apologies if it doesn’t load shortly.
SHERCO TY 125 LONG RIDE
Sherco has simply launched images of the 125 TY Long Ride. This is a mix-breed that has some trials bike attributes with a seat and sufficient consolation for actual path rides. For extra data go to Sherco’s website.
BIRMINGHAM SX THIS WEEKEND
This weekend the Monster Energy Supercross tour makes its first ever cease in Birmingham, Alabama. If you assume you realize who’s going to win, put it in writing and win some prizes. The MXA fantasy league is successful and this weekend there’s a Maxxis Tires giveaway. It doesn’t price something.
Round 9 of the AMA Supercross collection is heading to Birmingham, Alabama this weekend! The MXA Fantasy League Round 9 winner will get a set of Maxxis off-road moto tires!
Fantasy participant with the Username “Whoop Dee Doo” received the Daytona prize courtesy of FMF Racing with an astounding 291 factors! In whole, there have been 5 riders picked within the right place in addition to accurately guessing each the hole of the chief and the place of riders lapped. If you want to know exactly “Whoop Dee Doo’s” picks and points click here.
Last September, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union went on strike towards Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The UAW hit the automakers of their pocketbooks, strategically concentrating on sure crops for probably the most affect. For Ford, that was its worthwhile Kentucky truck plant, which now has the automaker pondering “carefully” about the place it will produce its future autos.
Ford CEO Jim Farley commented about its relationship with the UAW in the course of the Wolfe Research Global Auto Conference, including that it has modified. According to the Associated Press, Farley mentioned Ford having the first truck plant shut down does have an effect on the enterprise.
Days after employees stopped constructing the Super Duty in Kentucky, Ford Motor Company Executive Chair Bill Ford went to the Rouge Visitor Center in Michigan, the place it builds the F-150, to ask union members to “come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks.” Bill mentioned the choice to close down the Louisville manufacturing unit harmed “tens of thousands of Americans.”
The strike at Ford’s Louisville manufacturing unit started on October 11, practically a month after the UAW kicked off its strike, placing 8,700 extra employees on the picket line. During the negotiations, the union would additionally target Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Suburban and Yukon production, however Ford has the best variety of union members of the three automakers.
The UAW suspended its strike on the finish of October, reaching agreements with Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors earlier than Halloween. The UAW membership voted to ratify the three contracts by Thanksgiving, ending the six-week standoff and profitable raises, higher advantages, an finish to the two-tiered employment system, and extra.
The elevated wages and advantages will improve the value of vehicles. Ford mentioned its autos will value $900 extra as a result of contract as soon as it is in impact. Like the remainder of the business, the automaker is navigating the transition to electrical autos. It has needed to rethink its technique, specializing in smaller, extra inexpensive EVs within the face of encroaching Chinese competitors.
It’s often stricter emissions laws that result in the demise of a automotive within the European Union. However, that is not the rationale why the fuel Macan is about to get the proverbial axe. The SUV is unable to fulfill upcoming cybersecurity laws, so Porsche has no different determination however to drag the plug on its smallest crossover.
An organization spokesperson instructed Automotive News Europe that gross sales of the Macan will come to an finish in EU international locations subsequent spring. When Porsche was growing this era of the crossover, these laws had but to be finalized. According to the spokesperson, updating the car to fulfill the brand new necessities could be too costly. Autocar studies an automaker faces an as much as €30,000 (practically $33,000) wonderful for every car it sells that does not adjust to the upcoming UNECE WP.29 regulation.
We’ve reached out to Porsche to be taught extra concerning the determination.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union sought to add a powerful weapon to its arsenal: a long-range bomber capable of threatening the United States and delivering significant damage. The task began in the early 1950s under the leadership of Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev.
The development of the M-4 bomber started in 1954. The initial model, the Bison-A, was produced in limited numbers, with only 34 units built. It had an impressive range of 9,000 miles with mid-flight refueling and was equipped with four Mikulin AM-3A turbojets. Its armament included a range of weapons, from FAB-100 GPs to the massive FAB-9000s, each weighing nearly 10 tons. It also featured AM-23 23mm cannons for defense against other aircraft.
Towards the end of the decade, a new variant, the Bison-B or 3M, was introduced. It featured improved Dobrynin VD-7B engines and a reduced weight. While other concepts, like a cargo transport version called the M-29, never materialized, the enhanced Bison-B would go on to serve a different purpose than that of a traditional bomber. It was repurposed as a transport, but not for conventional cargo – instead, it was used to transport rocket parts.
For the first time in the nearly century-long history of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are simultaneously impacted by a strike. Individually, the union has bumped heads with Motown companies many times since its formation in 1935. And sometimes, horses joined workers on the picket lines. Wait, what?
UAW Archivist on Twitter is currently sharing images of striking workers throughout the decades, and the horses caught our attention. There is no date or context for the photos, and it’s not clear if the horseplay is tied to a single strike or multiple strikes. One image shows a horse that clearly references a strike against General Motors. We think the image of the gentlemen on horseback (representing Local 1262) comes from Illinois, but we don’t have a direct tie to a specific automaker in that situation. In any case, we’ll go out on a limb and just say these photos are old.
Listed as the UAW’s official repository in its Twitter description, UAW Archivist isn’t just sharing old strike photos with animals involved. We see workers striking against Ford, with one image dated from 1937. Another series of black-and-white photos focuses on a strike against Chrysler in 1950.
Currently, 13,000 hourly workers from three assembly plants are on strike. The walkouts have shut down production of the Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Colorado, and Jeep Wrangler, and additional walkouts at other locations are expected in the days to come. According to Automotive News, rolling walkouts could extend the UAW’s $825 million strike fund, which is used to pay members who aren’t clocking in for work. As for vehicle production, estimates say Detroit automakers could lose upwards of 24,000 per week.
Striking workers are seeking pay raises of 36 percent with equal pay among working tiers, and a shift of temporary workers to full-time status. Also on the table are a return to defined benefit pensions, more time off, and future pay increases to match inflation. As the first day of this historic strike moves into the evening hours, there’s no indication that negotiations between the UAW and automakers have resumed.
The United Auto Workers (UAW), the labor union representing workers in the US automotive industry, has initiated a significant strike against the three major American automakers: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This marks the first time in the union’s 88-year history that it has simultaneously gone on strike against all three automakers.
Negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three automakers to extend the four-year contracts signed in 2019 have reached an impasse. Despite proposed raises of up to 20 percent, the talks stalled in the final hours, leading the union to refuse to sign a new deal. UAW President Shawn Fain dubbed the strike a “righteous fight” against the automakers.
In a livestream on Facebook Live shortly after the strikes began, Fain expressed that this strategy would keep the companies uncertain and provide maximum leverage and flexibility in bargaining. He encouraged UAW members to continue organizing rallies, protests, and other actions to demonstrate their readiness to fight for their rights.
The strike, named the Stand Up Strike, is targeting specific plants of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. As a result, the production of popular vehicles like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado has been significantly impacted. The UAW has been engaged in negotiations with all three automakers since late summer.
General Motors and Stellantis wasted no time issuing official statements minutes after the strike began. GM expressed disappointment in the actions of UAW leadership despite the unprecedented economic package it offered, which included historic wage increases and manufacturing commitments. Stellantis echoed similar sentiments, stating its extreme disappointment in UAW leadership’s refusal to engage responsibly in reaching a fair agreement for employees, families, and customers.
The strike is expected to continue at least into the weekend. If the current strategy does not yield a new agreement, additional plants across the country may be affected, intensifying the pressure on the automakers. While the initial strike targets plants of different companies, the union could potentially adopt a different approach and block all plants of a single manufacturer.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
