12 Januari 2012

PAF will receive two C-130 ex US (photo : rnzaf)

MANILA, Philippines - Two C-130 cargo planes will be added to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) inventory within the first quarter of this year.

At present, the PAF is mainly relying on a lone C-130 Hercules aircraft in hauling of supplies and logistics, as well as troops for internal and territorial defense.

“We have two C-130 cargo planes coming in by March and April,” said Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda.

The first C-130 would be flying in from the United States, while the other is now being refurbished at Clark Field.

Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said the two C-130 cargo planes will boost the Air Force capabilities in terms of troop deployment, logistic runs, and search and disaster operations.

“From one, we will soon have two more C-130 cargo planes,” he said.

“That’s really something that we are expecting.”

Okol could not say how much the government spent for the two refurbished Hercules aircraft.

The Air Force is also expecting the arrival of eight brand-new utility and combat-attack helicopters during the first quarter of this year.

President Aquino’s visit to the United States this April is expected to finally seal a deal for the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the country intends to acquire a squadron F-16 fighter jet from the US.

(PhilStar)

06 Januari 2012

The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in flight during testing. (photo : News Limited)

AUSTRALIA may be forced to purchase more Super Hornet fighter-bombers to prevent a capability gap in the nation's air defences if work on the Joint Strike Fighter is further delayed due to a new US military strategy and budget plan.

Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley, who received a comprehensive briefing from American officials about the changes, conceded production of the stealthy, multi-role JSF now named the F-35 Lightning II may be impacted by the shift to a leaner US military.

"The meaning of what the President (Barack Obama) and (US Defence Secretary Leon) Panetta have had to say for the F35 program is not that there won't be one but that perhaps in the long term the numbers might change and come down bit," Mr Beazley, former defence minister from 1984-90, told ABC News.

"I don't expect that out of this will emerge delays to a successful conclusion of the project but it may have an impact on the cost structure. The impact on delivery, paradoxically, will probably be quite useful."

Australia plans to buy up to 100 F-35s for an estimated $16 billion and has so far ordered 14, with the RAAF's first squadron supposed to be operating by 2018.

Asked if Australia could fill the gap if the F-35s were not ready by that time by buying more Super Hornet fighter-bombers Mr Beazley indicated that was a possibility.

"Well that's of course for defence ministers rather than ambassadors to say but he is always, (Defence Minister Stephen) Smith has always made clear that he keeps options open in terms of addressing any capability gaps," Mr Beazley said.

Development of the revolutionary JSF was already running behind schedule in April last year when The Australian revealed the RAAF was contemplating purchasing 18 more Super Hornets for $1.5bn to fill the gap.

It is understood delivery may be pushed back even further when the proposed US defence budget for 2013 is announced in coming weeks. The budget is expected to detail $487bn in spending cuts and call for a slowing of the pace of production for the F-35 jet.

The Howard government bought 24 Super Hornets for $6bn in 2007 to fill an earlier strategic gap left when the RAAF's F-111 bombers were withdrawn ahead of time because of concerns about fatigue.

But the announcement overnight, which included a new strategic focus towards the Asia-Pacific, may mean Australia could need even more Super Hornets.

"The Americans are very clear that as they proceed with the F35 program they're under close watch by the Australian government and if at any point of time a risk develops to the capacity for Australia to be satisfied with the forcing being that it has for the air defence of Australia then the Australian government will take action," Mr Beazley said.

US company Lockheed Martin Corporation is building the F-35s which are packed with sophisticated radars and other electronic equipment.

The original plan was for Lockheed to build 2443 JSFs for various arms of the American forces with about 500 others going to allies including Britain, Australia, Israel and Canada.

British Defence Minister Philip Hammond today voiced concern about possible cuts or delays in the F-35 fighter program.

Mr Hammond, who is currently visiting Washington, said he would like to speak with Mr Panetta about the impact the US announcement could have on the JSF.

"One of the things I hope to understand in the meetings I am to have later today is what, if any, impact the announcements being made today will have on the Joint Strike Fighter program," Mr Hammond said.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston told The Australian Online he was "not concerned" that the progress of the JSF program would be hindered by the US announcement.

However he said America's shifted focus on the Asia-Pacific region would place extra responsibility on Australia.

"Australia is now under the microscope to step up," Senator Johnston said.

"With the current state of the navy and the disinterest of our Prime Minister in defence issues we are at risk of being found wanting."

Acting Defence Minister Warren Snowdon referred The Australian Online to Mr Beazley's comments.

(The Australian)

04 Januari 2012

Radar Smart Hunter untuk memandu rudal QW-3 VSHORAD (photo : Kaskus Militer)

“Prajurit Baret Jingga”, Harus Selalu Siap

Sebagai personel yang bertugas mempertahankan dan menjaga keamanan pangkalan, anggota Paskhas harus selalu siap dan tidak boleh lupa akan bekal pengalaman maupun pengetahuan yang telah didapat selama penugasan, sehingga guna memantapkan kemampuan yang dimiliki setiap anggota, berbagai latihan harus terus dilaksanakan.

Oleh karenanya, anggota Paskhas yang dikenal dengan sebutan “Prajurit Baret Jingga” tersebu, secara rutin melaksanakan latihan menembak menggunakan senapan laras panjang (Presisi) dengan SS-1 VI dan SS1 V2 yang dilaksanakan oleh prajurit Bintara dan Tamtama. Sedangan untuk senapan laras pendek dilaksanakan oleh Perwira dengan tiga sikap tiarap jongkok dan berdiri di lapangan tembak Batalyon 463 Paskhas, Rabu, (4/1).

Pada waktu yang bersamaan Aslog Makorpaskhas, yang diwakili Mayor Psk Tunggul memberikan pelatihan tentang pengoperasian alutsista Radar Smart Hunter kepada anggota Paskhas, sehubungan dengan akan diserahkannya alutsista tersebut ke Batalyon 463 Paskhas yang saat ini dikomandani oleh Letkol Psk Rossen L. Sinaga.

Radar Smart Hunter merupakan senjata Pertahanan Udara yang berfungsi untuk memandu Gunner Rudal Manpat QW-3 dalam menemukan sasaran lawan yang tidak bisa dilakukan oleh penembak secara visual.

(TNI-AU)

30 Desember 2011

Airbus Military A330 MRTT (photo : Aus DoD)

The fourth Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport for the Royal Australian Air Force has been formally handed over to the service, leaving just one aircraft of its order still to be delivered.

Known as the KC-30A in RAAF operation, this particular aircraft is the only one for the RAAF to have been converted from the basic A330 in Madrid, the others having been converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, Australia. It took part in the A330 MRTT development programme and has been extensively renovated prior to delivery in Madrid.

Following the handover the aircraft will remain in Spain for continued test work and will be transferred to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft will be delivered in the third quarter of the year.

The A330 MRTT recently underwent successful refuelling trials in Australia with a RAAF F/A-18 fighter and earlier this month was displayed by the RAAF at the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia.

It is the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker and the only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft in existence. It will substantially increase the aerial refuelling and logistical capabilities of the RAAF.

In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

(Airbus Military)

22 Desember 2011

RAAF's F/A-18 Classic Hornet (photo : Militaryphotos)

Hornets can keep flying until JSF arrives

Defence sources are confident it will be possible to fly sufficient RAAF "classic" Hornet jet fighters long enough to avoid an air defence capability gap at the end the decade.

The RAAF has 24 brand new F/A-18F Super Hornets and 71 of the F/A-18A-B "classic" Hornets dating back to the 1980s.

The 71 "Top Gun" era fighters were due to be retired in 2018 but, as a result of delays in the Joint Strike Fighter program, some are now expected to be kept in service until 2021.

All of the "classic" or "legacy" Hornets are undergoing a major capability upgrade as part of the AIR 5376 program.

This includes the installation of an electronic warfare modification program which includes a new radar warning receiver, an extra countermeasures dispenser, electronic countermeasures systems and more computer memory. Full delivery of the work is scheduled to occur in 2013.

The "classic" Hornets are also well on the way to getting an even more lethal sting following the successful test firing of a Joint Air to Surface Stand-off missile at the Woomera range in July.

Ordered by the Howard government in 2006 ahead of the retirement of the F-111, the JASSM has a range of more than 200km and can shatter hardened concrete bunkers.

Defence insiders say there will be no need to keep all of the "classic" Hornets flying until the very last of the expected 100 JSFs arrives.

As each JSF squadron comes on line an equivalent number of F/A 18A-Bs will be stood down.

The plan, as spelt out in the latest update of the Defence Capability Plan issued earlier this week, is for Australia to have its first battle-ready JSFs in 2018.

The first and second squadrons are to be based at Williamtown.

The third squadron will be based in Tindal with a fourth at Amberley.

It is expected that three squadrons will have achieved Initial Operating Capability by 2021.

Defence’s 2010-2011 annual report noted the Defence Materiel Organisation had been very successful in keeping the "classic" Hornets in the air – despite emerging issues such as corrosion and component failure.

"Recovery plans were successfully developed and implemented to manage these issues," it states.

"On average, since February 2011, DMO has met the Air Force’s requirements for available and operations F/A-18 aircraft."

(Canberra Times)

20 Desember 2011

F-35A for JASDF (image : Lockheed Martin)

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has selected the F-35A as the winner of its F-X contest for 40-50 aircraft to replace F-4 Phantoms. The single-engine, stealthy Lockheed Martin jet wins over Boeing’s F/A-18E/F and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Eleven nations are now expected to buy the jet, including those in the nine-member partnership established at the beginning of the program and two foreign military sales customers -- Japan and Israel.

Japan’s deal includes a work package for a domestic final-assembly-and-checkout facility much like Italy’s, as well as component and subcomponent build work in country. A value for the work package has not been provided.

Like Israel, the first nation not in the F-35 partnership to sign up for a buy, Tokyo wants its first aircraft in 2016; the contract for these first four F-35As is expected in Japan’s fiscal year 2012, beginning in April.

Japan’s decision is likely the first of more to come in favor of the F-35 in Asia. Singapore is linked with Israel and likely to follow its buy. And, South Korea is a strong possibility as it often seeks to equal Japan in purchasing high-technology defense equipment. Seoul is expected to hold a competition for 60 aircraft next year.

The aircraft for delivery in 2016 will be included in the low-rate initial production lot 8, and they will include the Block 3 software that the U.S. Air Force will require to declare initial operational capability of its new fleet.

The growing number of customers for F-35, backed by Japan’s decision, “reinforces the F-35 value proposition,” says Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 business development VP. This proposition postulates that the more customers that sign on and add to production orders, the lower the F-35 per-unit cost. This remains, however, to be proven by actual contract prices. The Pentagon is now in negotiations with Lockheed Martin over LRIP 5 pricing after the two parties agreed to equally share the “concurrency cost,” or price to retrofit LRIP 5 jets based on findings in the testing program.

O’Bryan says that the company can accommodate additional sales in LRIP 8 to South Korea should the country follow Tokyo’s lead. “There is capacity available,” he told reporters on a late-night teleconference in the United States. “We have tooling available” for more jets in that lot.
With Israel and Japan signing on for deliveries in 2016, it is possible the Pentagon could further slow its early LRIP buys to reduce the concurrency facing Washington’s piece of the program between development and procurement ramp up without disrupting the overall total delivery number in that year.

O’Bryan suggests that Japan selected the F-35 in part because the work package offers workers access to advanced technologies and manufacturing techniques. “If they wanted to purchase more fourth-generation technology of aluminum and other older technologies, they already had that in the F-15 line,” said Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 business development vice president. “With the F-35 they get advanced composite work, automated milling and machining [and] they also get advanced avionics.”

Both losing contestants remain in other competitions around the globe. Boeing has orders to continue its F/A-18E/F work in St. Louis until 2015, including sales to the United States Navy of the Super Hornet and EA-18G jammer model and Australia. The Super Hornet is also vying against the Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen for a win of Brazil’s pending tender for 36 fighters.

Paul Lewis, a Boeing spokesman, notes that the Super Hornet is also a potential for forthcoming competitions in Malaysia, Denmark the United Arab Emirates and “other Middle Eastern nations.”

Typhoon, widely considered as least likely to win in Japan, remains alive in New Dehli’s competition to build 126 multirole fighters. BAE announced this fall it was cutting the production rate of Typhoons from 53 to 43; the company has a backlog of more than 260 aircraft, with more than 280 delivered.

(Aviation Week-Ares)

20 December 2011

Shadow Tactical UAV (photo : Shephard)

The Australian Army has selected the Sentient Kestrel Land Moving Target Indicator (MTI) for the Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems being acquired under the Defence Capability Plan Joint Project (JP) 129 Phase 2. Under the contract Sentient will provide the automated target detection solution to support the Shadow systems in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

To be operated by the 20 Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment, Kestrel Land MTI will assist Australian forces in analysing ISR imagery from the AAI Shadow 200. The software processes the imagery in real time, automatically detecting small, moving targets such as dismounts and vehicles within the TUAV sensors’ field of view.

Equipped with cutting-edge payload technology including advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors the Shadow TUAV will transmit real-time, full motion video (FMV) to the Ground Control Station (GCS) and remote video viewing devices. The Kestrel system analyses the video footage and provide a real-time cue to operators on moving objects within the field of view. This capability will enable the Army to effectively detect and respond to enemy targets, and thus protect Australian forces.

According to the company, the Army has purchased three Kestrel Land MTI licenses for 20 STA Regiment, which will be deployed with the Shadow in Afghanistan early next year. Sentient has been working closely with 20 STA Regiment and AAI over the past years and has successfully demonstrated Kestrel’s automated target detection capability with the Shadow.

Kestrel is currently supporting the Australian Army on board the ScanEagle which will remain in service in Afghanistan during the transition-in of the Shadow.

(Shephard)

18 Desember 2011

F-16A at AMARC Arizona, USA (photo : F16net)

THE Philippines has reportedly asked the US for a squadron of used F-16 “Fighting Falcon” fighter jets to boost the country’s external defense.

While the request calls for the F-16s to be given to the country for free, the Philippine government is willing to pay for any upgrades or modifications that may be needed for the aircraft, sources said.

The proposed deal reportedly involves the transfer of used F-16s from the US’s excess equipment now stored at the US Air Forces’ “aircraft boneyard” in Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is one of the most versatile multi-role fighter planes in the US Air Force. It has been used since 1974.

The recent saber-rattling by China over the Spratly Islands and some other areas on the West Philippine Sea has prompted the country to seek an air superior fighter plane, sources said.

The Philippines has always relied on the US for its external defense because of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, thus the country has seen no need to boost its external defense in the past.

The recent events in the Spratlys, however, prompted the need to have an air superior fighter to discourage the Chinese air force from intruding into Philippine air space.

About five years ago, the Air Force mothballed its eight remaining 1960-vintage F-5 “Freedom Fighters” that were acquired from South Korean and Taiwan because they are no match for the more modern fighters now used by practically all civilized countries and are expensive to maintain.

Thus, the Air Force had to rely on trainer planes to support the government’s campaign against Moro separatists and communist rebels.

Before the Arroyo administration stepped down, it purchased 18 Italian-made SF-260 trainers that are also being used as light ground attack aircraft.

In addition, the Air Force has S-211 trainer jets that are also used as maritime patrol aircraft and ground attack planes.

As maritime patrol aircraft, however, the S-211s are not that efficient since they lack electronic equipment to “see” what they are patrolling. Thus, what the aircraft can “see” are all that the two pilot can spot with their eyes.

The Air Force has five S-211 jets.

The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Corp.

It is meant to be and air superiority fighter.

Indonesia recently acquired 24 F-16 fighters. It is also used by the air forces of Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

(Business Mirror)

14 Desember 2011

Su-30MK2 Indonesian Air Forces (photo : Reuters)

For updated information available, the upcoming contract with Indonesia for the supply of six fighter planes of the "Sukhoi" will be divided not between JSC "KnAAPO" and JSC Corporation "Irkut", as erroneously reported by the media.

The upcoming contract but between two types of aircraft - in fact, will be delivered three single seat Su-27SKM and three double seat Su-30MK2 (as in the previous contract).

This construction of the six aircraft will conduct JSC "KnAAPO."

(BMPD)

10 Desember 2011

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG fighter aircraft deploying a Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) during Exercise Forging Sabre 2011. (all photos : Mindef)

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) successfully conducted an integrated live-firing during Exercise Forging Sabre 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA earlier today (Singapore time). Held from 28 Nov to 11 Dec 2011, the exercise involves more than 450 personnel from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Army as well as assets such as F-15SG and F-16C/D fighters, and Apache AH-64D and Chinook CH-47 helicopters from the RSAF. Exercise Forging Sabre 2011 is the third instalment in the series which began in 2005.

The integrated live-firing, orchestrated by the exercise command post staffed by officers from the air force and army, involved multiple sensor and shooter platforms and was witnessed by Chief of Air Force, Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Meng and other senior SAF officers. Besides the deployment of advanced strike munitions, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and Hellfire missiles, the exercise also saw the RSAF's F-15SG aircraft dropping Laser JDAMs for the first time against mobile targets in day and night mission scenarios.

Speaking after viewing the integrated live-firing, MG Ng noted that Exercise Forging Sabre 2011 provided an excellent opportunity for the SAF to validate its integrated strike capabilities in a realistic and challenging environment. He said: "I am very impressed by our people's combat proficiency, professionalism and dedication. I saw for myself today how our airmen and soldiers worked to bring together a sophisticated suite of both sensors and shooters, like our F-15SGs, F-16C/Ds and Apaches, to effect an integrated strike against a variety of targets, including mobile targets. This in itself is a very complex operation and I think they have done very well." MG Ng also noted that the US' support of the Forging Sabre series of exercises was a testament to the long-standing and excellent defence ties between Singapore and the US. Besides interacting with SAF personnel participating in the exercise, MG Ng also took the opportunity to meet family members of SAF servicemen in the RSAF's F-16C/D training detachment at Luke Air Force Base.

Training in the US enables the SAF to build up its operational capabilities and readiness. Apart from supporting the conduct of training exercises such as Forging Sabre, the US also supports the RSAF's F-15SG, F-16C/D, Apache AH-64D and Chinook CH-47 aircraft training detachments in the US.

(Mindef)

See Also :

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Laser JDAM

Inert Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions loaded onto a Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG aircraft during an arming demonstration.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed by Boeing which converts an unguided bomb into an accurately-guided and all-weather "smart" munition that can be launched 15 nautical miles from its target. The kit consists of a Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System fitted at the tail end of a bomb body, as well as aerodynamic body strakes to provide additional stability and lift. The Laser JDAM (LJDAM) is a JDAM guidance kit enhanced with a laser seeker that provides terminal guidance and improves precision accuracy.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's ability to deliver JDAMs and LJDAMs against a variety of targets, including mobile targets, in day and night mission scenarios contributes significantly to the Singapore Armed Forces' integrated strike capabilities.

(Mindef)