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)

17 November 2011

Harold E. Holt naval radar (photo : Australian Defence)

Exmouth, WA : In a ceremony in Exmouth, Western Australia, representatives of Raytheon Australia and the Department of Defence marked the final transition of responsibility for the company to provide operations, maintenance and support services for the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt.

The ceremony marked the culmination of Raytheon Australia’s contract phase-in activities at the facility which have been ongoing since the company first signed its contract with the Electronic Systems Division of the Defence Material Organisation in June this year.

The role of the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt is to provide Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications to Australian and United States submarines.

Hexagonal array and navy pier (photo : The Living Moon)

The Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Mr Michael Ward, welcomed the addition of the contract to the Raytheon Australia portfolio saying that a strong pedigree in site operations management and naval communications positioned the company well to lead support of the Very Low Frequency Communications System into the next phase of its operational life. He added that Raytheon Australia would draw upon the company’s proud record of contract performance to deliver upon its promises to the Commonwealth.

“Raytheon Australia is honoured to lead operations and maintenance services at the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt and, as a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Defence, we are committed to collaborating with a strong local workforce to deliver the highest level of service and efficiency to our customer,” Mr Ward said in Canberra, ACT.

(Raytheon)

15 November 2011

Radar Master T TNI Angkatan Udara (photo : Audry)

Ambon, Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat akan meresmikan satuan radar 245 di Saumlaki, Maluku, Selasa (15/11), guna memperkuat sistem pertahanan di wilayah timur Indonesia.

"Radar ini adalah sarana pemantauan udara yakni suatu sistem dari Kohanudnas (Komando pertahanan udara nasional) yang termonitor dari Jakarta," kata Imam Sufaat di Ambon, Senin malam.

KSAU menjelaskan, dengan beroperasinya satuan radar maka dapat melakukan pemantauan pesawat tempur, peluru kendali, pesawat komersial, maupun pemantauan lainnya seperti penangkapan ikan di laut.

Ia mencontohkan, dengan beroperasinya radar maka kecelakaan pesawat bisa segera termonitor lokasinya.

Satuan radar 245 di Saumlaki yang akan diresmikan pada Selasa (15/11), menurut dia, adalah satuan radar ke 18 dari target 32 satuan radar di seluruh wilayah Indonesia.

Menurut dia, setelah satuan radar 245 di Saumlaki, berikutnya juga akan segera diresmikan satuan radar di Timika, Papua, yang direncanakan pada Februari 2011, kemudian selanjutnya di Jayapura, Morowali, dan Kalimantan.

Sedangkan sebelumnya, kata dia, juga telah diresmikan beroperasinya satuan radar di Merauke, Papua.

Satuan radar lainnya yang telah beroperasi di wilayah timur Indonesia, menurut dia, adalah di Kupang Nusa Tenggara Timur serta di Biak, Papua.

"Jika satuan radar di Saumlaki dan Timika sudah resmi beroperasi maka tidak semakin menguatkan sistem pertahanan udara di wilayah Timur Indonesia. Tidak ada lagi blank spot karena seluruh wilayah timur Indonesia sudah tercover," katanya.

Pada kesempatan tersebut, KSAU mengakui, pembangunan satuan radar di wilayah timur Indonesia agak terlambat dibandingkan dengan wilayah barat dan wilayah tengah Indonesia, karena keterbatasan anggaran TNI AU.

Namun TNI AU, kata dia, bertekad bisa secepatnya membangun satuan radar di seluruh wilayah Indonesia terutama di wilayah timur Indonesia.

Dia berharap pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia terus meningkat atau minimal stabil seperti saat ini yakni 6,4 persen, sehingga anggaran untuk TNI juga bisa lebih baik, guna lebih mengoptimalkan sistem pertahanan seperti satuan radar.

Dalam rangkaian kegiatan peresmian satuan radar 245 di Saumlaki, Maluku, pada Selasa (15/11), sebelumnya KSAU juga menyempatkan diri melakukan kunjungan ke Landasan Udara Hasanuddin di Makassar Selawesi Selatan serta Landasan Udara Pattimura berikut mess prajurit TNI AU di Ambon Maluku, pada Senin.

(Kemhan)

04 November 2011

The KRONOS is a 3D, medium-range, multi-mode, C-band radar with a full solid state active phased array antenna. Max Detection Range 180 km (97 nm), Max Detection Range Against Low Altitude Threat 25 km (13 nm) (photos & image : Selex)

SELEX Sistemi Integrati, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded contracts to supply a KRONOS radar system both to the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force.

The system which will be supplied to the Royal Thai Navy will equip the Royal Navy Air and Coastal Defence Command and be settled in an area in the South of Bangkok. It will be integrated within the air surveillance network of the Royal Thai Navy.

The system which will be supplied to the Royal Thai Air force will be installed in the Eastern region of Thailand and connected with the Royal Thai Air defence system.

KRONOS is a multifunctional radar system able to expand the missile and air defence also against threats today retained insidious for the national security, such as cruise missiles and low altitude UAVs both when these are employed as stand-alone threats for terroristic attacks in peaceful times and when in use in a multiple deployment, which is typical of attacks brought by military enemies.

The system, thanks to its radar provided with an AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) antenna, is able to scan the surrounding space to search for targets, so working as a search radar. Once one or more air threats are identified, it can track them with extreme precision and continuity such as a fire control system. These capabilities are deployed simultaneously and in a very fast an automatic manner.

The AESA technology developed by SELEX Sistemi Integrati has made it possible to completely integrate and transport- also in one single vehicle, if required- the radar system, the last generation phased array IFF, a command and control cell equipped with operational posts and all the necessary equipments for an autonomous running. These peculiarities make the system able to defend critical infrastructures and suitable for land tactical applications which require a high level of mobility.

The over 23 KRONOS systems sold by SELEX Sistemi Integrati, both in land and naval version for surveillance and short and medium range air defence, are nowadays in use in several national and international Armed Forces. The advanced sensor functionalities and the command and control software which equip KRONOS systems allow them to effectively perform several operational roles, a capability which is unique into the market place and which is revealing as increasingly successful.

SELEX Sistemi Integrati has been in Thailand since the first Seventies with its air traffic control systems. In fact the whole approach and en route air traffic control infrastructure has been provided by the Finmeccanica company which has also equipped most of the Thai airports.

(Selex Sistemi Integriti)

10 Oktober 2011

The first four passive radar system named "Vera-E" of the Czech Republic sold to Vietnam can detect stealth aircraft in the U.S. B-2 250 km away. (photo : ttvnol)

(Phunutoday) - According to the defense expert Robert Karniol the Singapore newspaper The Straits Times the next day 26/09/2011 the supply of weapons primarily from Russia but now Vietnam is looking to buy more weapons military circles that the Czech Republic and India is a target that is moving toward Vietnam.

Singapore The Straits Times newspaper said until recently, the modernization of the armed forces of Vietnam is that is happening fast, Vietnam has signed contracts to succeed in the greatest weapon before so far as to buy: 6 of 636 Kilo-class submarines from Russia, 12 Sukhoi fighter jets Su-30MK2, 6 Seaplane DHC-6400 Series of Canada to equip Coast Guard.

Czech Republic to help Vietnam upgrade Rada P-18 Russian-made from the normal signal to digital (photo: triumf)

In addition, Vietnam has ordered short-range ballistic missiles of Israel and Extra month 3.9 warships Monday Gepard Russian naval official reception the people of Vietnam.

In addition, two new orders with the Czech Republic has not been announced. Last year, Vietnam has received three staging Vera passive radar sophistication of the Czech Republic. A few months ago the Czech Republic will also help Vietnam upgrade a series of P-18 radar system manufactured by Russia, from the use of conventional signals, to the use of digital transmission.

Vietnam is negotiating to buy 12 short-range transport aircraft Let L-410 of the Czech Republic. The aircraft will mainly be used for food relief, food for the army and people in the border areas and islands or remote, but other media are difficult to access, (photo: Airliners)

Vera radar system to replace the third staging of Ukraine Kolchuga passive radar that Vietnam was going to give out to buy after three staging previously ordered not to promote the desired effect.

Currently, according to experts Karniol, Vietnam is negotiating to buy 12 short-range transport aircraft Let L-410 of the Czech Republic. The aircraft will mainly be used for food relief, food for the army and people in the border areas and islands or remote which means it is difficult to access.

In addition to looking to buy weapons from the Czech Republic, Vietnam also pay attention to the supply from India. According to The Asian Age, past the April 20/09, India Joint Group - Russia BrahMos Aerospace Vietnam prepares for sale of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos made by this group.

Aviation Technology Agency Israel (IAI) for missile defense to this, called Extra, has a range of over 150 km, carrying 125 kg warhead. Error of hitting targets at about 10 meters. (Photo: IAI)

These missiles are evaluated is the fastest aircraft in the world today, can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or mobile launchers from the orchestra on the mainland.

BrahMos can be regarded as anti-ship weapon is very effective, because it can carry warheads weighing 300 kg, a range of nearly 300km, 3 times speed of sound.

Even BrahMos Corporation is seeking to raise the missile speeds up to Mach 5-7, which is flying faster than sound speed from 5 to 7 times.

BrahMos can be regarded as anti-ship weapon is very effective, because it can carry warheads weighing 300 kg, a range of nearly 300km, 3 times speed of sound. Even BrahMos Corporation is seeking to raise the missile speeds up to Mach 5-7, which is flying faster than sound speed from 5 to 7 times. (photo : maks2009)

According to sources, Vietnam and many countries around the world are trying to buy missiles from when it began production in 2006. Vietnam in "friendly countries" as well as Russia's long-time customers should be able to buy these weapons is very high.

Currently negotiations are underway, and if the deal to sell BrahMos missile to Vietnam by the government the green light to India, Vietnam's foreign Russia - India first modern weapons this.Accordingly when a missile in his hand fighting of the Vietnam People's Army will be elevated to new heights.

(Phunu Today)

06 September 2011

At least three air defense radars will be acquired for PAF (photo : Selex)

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Force will acquire at least three air defense radars during the term of President Aquino to boost its capabilities in securing the country’s territory.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said the radars would be used to protect the country’s airspace.

“We are looking at two to three radars. These may be placed in traditional areas like La Union or Mindoro or possibly in the West Philippine Sea,” Okol told The STAR in a telephone interview yesterday.

He said they are still estimating the cost of the radars. Officials have yet to finalize the details of the acquisition plan.

“The radars will boost our capabilities for territorial defense. These will enable us to safeguard our airspace,” Okol said.

He said the equipment would also help curb illegal activities like smuggling and human trafficking.

Earlier, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the government would implement a P40-billion military modernization project over the next five years starting in 2012.

Abad said the government would earmark P8 billion annually over the next five years for the Armed Forces’ modernization program to boost territorial defense.

The P8-billion annual funding from 2012 to 2016 is higher than the current modernization budget being allotted to the Armed Forces which stands at P5 billion.

The Air Force will get P14 billion of the P40 billion outlay.

Meanwhile, Okol said they expect a “modest yet judicious” upgrade of their aircraft with the arrival of four brand new helicopters in the last quarter of the year.

The helicopters are part of the eight Sokol choppers acquired from Polish firm Augusta PZL-Swidnik last year.

The package cost was P2.8 billion and included training of pilots, maintenance and technical support.

The helicopters will be delivered in November and would be used for combat and search and rescue operations, Okol said.

“The Air Force is making preparations for the arrival of these new aircraft and equipment by continuously honing the skills of its present roster of seasoned pilots as well as skilled maintenance personnel,” he added.

He said the acquisitions are in line with their internal security operation environment called “Horizon 1.”

“The next round of procurement of equipment will be for territorial defense or external defense,” Okol said.

Aside from radars, other equipment to be used for external defense are lead-in fighter trainer aircraft, surface attack aircraft, light lift transport, a C-130 cargo plane and attack helicopters.

Okol said their project management teams have identified the requirements and will soon submit them to the Defense department for bidding.

Other items to be acquired under Aquino’s term are strategic sealift vessels with amphibious vessels, offshore patrol vessels, naval helicopters, coast watch stations, and weather-heavy endurance cutters for the Navy.

The Army, on the other hand, would be provided with new assault rifles, armor assets, tanks, armored personnel carriers, force protection equipment like helmets, and bulletproof vests, night-fighting equipment and radios.

‘Minor triumph’

Malacañang described yesterday as a “minor triumph” President Aquino’s visit to China where his counterpart Hu Jintao shared his wish for a more binding Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea.

“The fact that we’re all saying we want to get to that point is already, I think, a minor triumph for all of the countries. In effect, we hope what this will do is it will lead to a lessening of tensions when it comes to these issues,” said Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications for Strategic Planning and Development.

Aside from the Philippines and China, other claimant-countries in the disputed Spratly Islands include Vietnam and Malaysia.

“We did not expect to have a resolution to this in one meeting, and it’s not a resolution that the Philippines and China can reach on their own because there are other claimant countries. So it has to be done in that framework,” Carandang said.

At present, China wants to resolve the issue bilaterally with each claimant country but the Philippines is proposing a multilateral approach.

(PhilStar)

05 September 2011

HMAS Perth with new phased array radar (photo : CEA)

Navy’s new anti-ship missile defence radar system has been released for initial operational use after achieving outstanding results from the trial of the system off the coast of Australia and Hawaii.

The new multi-phased array radar system has been installed on the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth.

The radar identifies, tracks and guides missiles to multiple targets at the same time.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare inspected the radar at work on-board HMAS Perth while it was conducting training exercises off the coast of Western Australia.

“This is the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal. It means our Anzac frigates will be a lot more capable,” Mr Clare said.

“At the moment our Anzac frigates can track and destroy one target at a time. This new radar means they will now be able to track and destroy multiple targets at the same time.

“This is also a great Australian success story. It’s cutting-edge technology developed right here in Australia by CEA Technologies.”

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said HMAS Perth had just returned from testing the system on the United States Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii with tremendous results.

“The tests proved that the new system can defend the ship from modern cruise missile attack. This is a significant enhancement for the Anzac-class frigates.”

HMAS Perth is the lead ship in this project. Following the successful testing of the system on this ship, the Government will soon make a decision about upgrading the other seven Anzac-class frigates.

(Aus DoD)

04 Juli 2011

JORN radar (photo : DSTO)

SYDNEY: A defence radar system costing nearly $2 billion has failed to detect any of the more than 200 asylum seeker boats that have landed on Australian shores in the past two years, a report said Sunday.

Under a front-page headline "Border Radar Fiasco", the Sun-Herald said the Aus$1.8 billion (US$1.9 billion) Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) was only able to detect vessels equivalent to an Armidale class patrol boat.

The Armidale, which is used by the navy, is 56 metres long (183 feet) and has a displacement of 270 tonnes.

It means the system is not alerting authorities to the often small, rickety boats that have ferried thousands of asylum seekers to the country on well-worn routes from Indonesia.

This is despite successive governments in Canberra promising over the past decade that JORN would detect people-smuggling and illegal fishing boats, which are typically about nine to 15 metres (29-49 feet) in length, the report said.

"The (radar) is expected to detect objects on the surface of the water that are equivalent in size to an Armidale class patrol boat or larger," a Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman told the newspaper.

Armidale class patrol boat (photo : Australian DoD)

"The ability to detect surface objects smaller than this is highly improbable based on one or more factors including object size, construction, prevailing ionospheric and environmental conditions.

"As a consequence "no sightings of suspected irregular entry vessels have been passed on to Customs and Border Protection," the spokeswoman said.

According to Department of Immigration figures, 220 "suspected irregular entry vessels" have landed in Australia since January 2009.

Asylum seeker boats are often intercepted close to land by Customs ships that operate their own smaller radar systems.

JORN consists of land-based radars in Western Australia, Alice Springs and Queensland and can monitor air and sea movements across 37,000 square kilometres (14,300 square miles), according to the Sun-Herald.

(Channel News Asia)

21 Juni 2011

Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar radar (photo : Australian DoD)

Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar radar, known as C-RAM, been rolled out to a number of patrol bases and Forward Operating Bases across Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan. The C-RAM system provides vital warning of impending rocket attacks and mortar attacks against bases, providing precious seconds for our people to take cover, rather than being exposed in the open.

The system will roll-out to more forward operating bases over the remainder of this year. The provision of the C-RAM capability follows on from the Force Protection Review effected by former Minister for Defence Faulkner in 2009 and underlines the Government’s commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment. Since it began operation in December last year the C-RAM system has provided ten warnings against rocket and mortar attacks resulting in no ADF casualties.

Most recently, the C-RAM system successfully detected and provided warning against indirect fire attacks on the Tarin Kot base early on 12 June and again on 14 June.

(Australian DoD)

13 Juni 2011

SLC-2 radar during test (photo : Royal Thai Marines)

On June 7, 2011 Thailand held radar tests conducted in the field artillery firing practice in the province of Lopburi.

The Type of radar tested is a SLC-2 artillery locating radar (fire finding radar), the radar was made ​​in China.

Present in this test are relevant officials and representatives from the company.

SLC-2 radar uses S – band frequency and has a detection range (for 80% detection probability against 81-mm mortar rounds sized target) : 35 km (for artillery) and 50 km (for rockets)

(Royal Thai Marines)

13 Mei 2011

The JORN receiver site located 180km south-west of Longreach in Queensland. (photo : Australian DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced Defence will save $100 million over the next decade under new arrangements for operating the radar network protecting northern Australia.

The savings will be achieved by Defence working in partnership with BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin to deliver more efficient support services to the radar -- the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN).

Mr Clare said this was a terrific example of Defence and industry working together to deliver savings to the taxpayer.

“Defence, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin Australia have done excellent work to deliver these savings,” Mr Clare said.

“This $100 million saving will be achieved without any impact on the operating capability or safety of the radar network.

“This represents a saving of 16 per cent per year.”

Mr Clare said the savings follow an end-to-end review of the JORN system to identify possible savings measures.

“The JORN system was chosen as one of the four initial pilot projects developed in early 2010 for the implementation of Strategic Reform Program – Smart Sustainment Initiatives,” Mr Clare said.

“These revised support contracts represent a significant saving for Defence and would not have been possible without the excellent work put in by both Defence and the industry partners – Lockheed Martin Australia and BAE Systems.”

JORN provides long range surveillance of Australia’s northern sea and air approaches up to 3000km from the three radar sites located near Laverton, WA, Alice Springs, NT and Longreach, QLD.

The revised contracts include an extension to the original contract support periods. Additionally, the contracts include an option for further extensions should capability outcomes and cost savings continue to be achieved.

(Australian DoD)

27 April 2011

Vigilare, the RAAF's ground-based air defense system (photo : Australian Aviation)

Network centric command and control system participates in RAAF combat exercise

RAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Vigilare network centric command and control system has passed its last formal operational test. Testing took place at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown's Eastern Region Operations Centre (EROC) from March 28 to April 8.

The testing established that EROC is ready for operations as it demonstrated Vigilare's full range of functionality in preparation for conditional acceptance this month, the last milestone before final system acceptance by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Vigilare's second week of operational testing was incorporated into Exercise Aces South, a key combat exercise for pilots and air defense operators studying to become advanced fighter tactics instructors and controllers.

"Exercise Aces South provided an excellent opportunity to put the newly installed Vigilare system at EROC through its paces. We threw our best and brightest people into the exercise, and they worked the new system extremely hard through some complex and intense air battle scenarios," said Wing Commander Richard Pizzuto, Officer Temporary Commanding RAAF No. 41 Wing. "I've been impressed with how the Vigilare system performed and with the increased functionality it delivers. It's an exciting new capability for Air Force, and one which sets us up well for the future."

Vigilare combines information in near real-time from a wide range of platforms, sensors, tactical data links and intelligence networks to deliver tactical and strategic surveillance operations and battlespace management in the air and joint domains. The live inputs from these sources present a unified operational picture to the user at single or multiple operational centers.

"Vigilare demonstrated a new level of network centric capability for the RAAF by networking a broad range of RAAF assets into the battlespace through EROC," said Lee Davis, Vigilare project manager, Boeing Defence Australia. "RAAF operators' situational awareness was enhanced by their ability to connect to Vigilare's advanced surveillance and tactical management capabilities."

Platforms participating in the exercise included F/A-18 Classic Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, Hawks, a 707 Tanker and a P-3 Orion.

Vigilare consists of two regional operations centers: EROC and the Northern Regional Operations Centre, which has been operational since September 2010 and is located at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

(Boeing Australia)

30 Maret 2011

Spratly islands (image : GlobalBalita)

Spratly islands (image : GlobalBalita)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines plans to acquire patrol ships, aircraft and an air defence radar system so it is better able to guard its territory in and near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the country's military chief said Monday.

China, the Philippines and four other countries and territories claim all or parts of the Spratlys, which is believed to have vast oil and gas reserves, teem with rich fishing grounds and straddle one of the world's busiest sea lanes. They have long been regarded as a potential flash point for conflict in Asia.

Military chief Gen. Eduardo Oban said it remains uncertain when the massive funding for the acquisitions, initially estimated at about $181 million (8 billion pesos), could be made available, but the government has asked the military to submit a list of equipment needed to strengthen territorial defence in Palawan, the southwestern Philippine province nearest the Spratlys.

At least $700,000 (31 million pesos) could soon be disbursed for the repair of a worn-out airstrip on Pag-asa, the largest island occupied by Filipino troops in the contested Spratlys, Oban said.

"We're pushing for capability development to safeguard our interests," Oban told reporters.

Philippine defence and military officials reportedly called off a trip to Pag-asa using a C-130 cargo plane because of the dangerous condition of the runway.

Spratly Islands (image : Middleburry)

Spratly Islands (image : Middleburry)

The 120,000-strong military, one of Asia's weakest, has long faced funding shortfalls.

In recent years, it has focused on combating decades-long communist and Muslim insurgencies instead of external defence. "We have not given this enough attention," Oban said, adding President Benigno Aquino III's administration has seen the need to now bolster military presence in Palawan near the contested region.

Two Chinese patrol boats allegedly harassed a Philippine oil exploration ship into leaving a vast area called the Reed Bank on March 2, prompting a Filipino general to deploy two military aircraft, which arrived at the scene after the Chinese vessels had left, the military said.

The Philippines protested, saying the Reed Bank, which is near the Spratlys, lies within Philippine territorial waters. China responded by saying that the Spratlys and adjacent waters belong to it.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told an Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional security forum in Vietnam last year that the peaceful resolution of disputes over the Spratly and Paracel island groups was in the American national interest. Her remarks angered Beijing, which accused Washington of interfering in an Asian regional issue.

Washington worries the disputes could hamper access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.

(Canadian Press)

Philippine Coast Guard

03 Februari 2011



Vigilare is an NC3S product Boeing Defence Australia is developing for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under Project Air 5333. (image : Boeing Australia)



CANBERRA, Australia — Australia is integrating three new operational elements into its advanced, network-centric military — a squadron of Wedgetail command and control aircraft, the first two squadrons of F/A-18F Super Hornets and the Vigilare theater surveillance integration system — all designed as the backbone of a small, highly responsive force.



However, this cutting-edge force was envisioned somewhat differently only five years ago. The Wedgetail had a 2006 delivery date and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters were slated to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) classic F-18 Hornets as soon as they were available.



Vigilare integrates information from the following sources to provide a Common Operating Picture of the battlespace (source : Boeing Australia)



Instead, the Wedgetail’s radar was set back by a two-year delay for hardware and software redesign that has stretched into more than four years. The massive task of integrating many sources, services and sensor types caused a dragging out of Vigilare’s operational introduction. Finally, the U.S. slowed the F-35 program and drove up its cost, which injected uncertainty into Australia’s budgeting.



These delays and a change in Canberra’s government have created extreme political and financial pressures for the Australian military. But now it appears that no matter how monumental the problems of the last four years have been, they are small compared to what would have happened without the slowdown in programs, improvements in technology and reshuffling of priorities.



Wedgetail AEW&C (image : valka)



Because the RAAF’s Hornets are aging, Canberra approved purchase of the Super Hornets as an interim aircraft between the Hornets and F-35. Aerospace industry and military officials contend that without the Super Hornet to make the task of integration incremental, the shift from Hornet to F-35 would likely have become a nightmare of increased cost, complexity and schedule overruns.



The delay of the Wedgetail and Vigilare air defense ground environment rippled through the high-tech aspirations of the RAAF. It meant they were not going to be in place for the creation of a network-centric force that could digest all of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s futuristic capabilities. To counter that delay, the RAAF acquired the Super Hornet, with its inherent network-centric capabilities, to begin the integration process.



The Wedgetail radar delay allowed the performance of the MESA long-range, 360-deg. radar to mature and new missions to emerge. Instead of making a uniform sweep at a given range as originally planned, the MESA radar can stuff its power output into limited sectors to markedly increase its range and ability to detect small objects.

12 Super Hornet will be modificated to the EA-18G Growler configuration (image : ADF)

Researchers contend they will make full use of the electromagnetic spectrum. With Wedgetail, we will see a slice of that growth. L-band radar with its lower frequency range is good for scouting for a couple of hundred miles.

Finer-grained images, such as people and individual targets, require higher frequencies provided by the X-band radars carried by Super Hornets and Growler electronic attack aircraft. Even higher in the spectrum, visual identification of a person at short ranges is possible. Moreover, disparate sensors can be fused to create a combined picture.



Wedgetail, Super Hornet and Vigilare lay the groundwork for an even more impressive force that is envisioned, if not funded, to include:

• The modification of 12 Super Hornets to the EA-18G Growler configuration.

• The acquisition of an undetermined number of P-8 Poseidon jet-powered maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft to supplement and then replace the P-3 turboprops.

• Perhaps another two squadrons of Super Hornets for precision, standoff kinetic attack.

• As many as 75 F-35-type stealth aircraft, which could be introduced in 2025.

• Far in the future, perhaps 25 penetrating, high-performance unmanned platforms that can deliver bombs or anti-electronic weapons.



(Aviation Week)

02 Februari 2011

Australia’s C-RAM net at Tarin Kot, in Afghanistan, consists of a Giraffe Agile Multi Beam radar and lightweight counter-mortar radars, providing coverage out to 25 kilometres. (photo : Australian DoD)

Measures to Protect Troops in Afghanistan

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that a new Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Sense and Warn system has been delivered and is currently in operation at the multi national base Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the new system provides early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars and replaces the previous capability provided by the Singaporean Armed Forces. Delivery of the C-RAM follows on from Australia assuming responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at the base from 28 December 2010.

“The early warning provided by the C-RAM system greatly enhances the survivability of Australian and other ISAF forces from these attacks, providing increased warning of an imminent attack to enable them to take appropriate shelter”.

“The provision of the new capability is part of the package of initiatives worth $1.6 billion we committed to following the Force Protection Review and underlines the commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment.”

“Of the 48 recommendations made by the Review, 40 are now complete or on track. They include enhanced counter IED measures, better armour and heavier calibre weapons for our Bushmasters, the placement of medics with each platoon operating in Afghanistan and the introduction of 1000 sets of lighter combat armour,” Mr Smith said.

The Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare said the new C-RAM Sense and Warn capability consists of a leased Giraffe radar, a number of lightweight counter mortar radars and Command and Control and warning equipment. Additional C-RAM systems will be progressively deployed to Afghanistan including a number of lightweight counter mortar radars.

“This early warning system is based on proven systems used by other ISAF forces including the US and the UK. Already the system has worked very effectively, allowing our people to take shelter.

“The new system has achieved initial operational capability at Tarin Kowt five months ahead of schedule. It has already provided early warning against missile attack.

“The leased radar will be replaced by one being acquired under an $86 million contract signed recently by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) with SAAB AB. That contract provides for three Giraffe radars which, when delivered in 2012, will provide three Australian owned systems including a full logistic support package.

“The new C-RAM capability follows the delivery of another Force Protection initiative with the first batch of the new, lighter Tiered Body Armour System now rolling off the production line in Bendigo. The ADF plans to have the next Mentoring Task Force equipped with this armour when it deploys to Afghanistan later this year.

‘The new Multicam combat uniform will also be available to troops operating outside the wire in the first half of this year,” Mr Clare said.

(Australian DoD)