14 Juli 2020
HMTS Bhumibol Adulyadej with H145M helicopter (photo : RTN)
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has begun deck landing qualification (DLQ) activities for H145M light utility twin-engine, and Bell 212 medium helicopters aboard its sole Bhumibol Adulyadej-class guided-missile frigate.
The first DLQ trials were held on 9 July in the Gulf of Thailand, the service’s 202 Squadron said in a statement the next day.
The landings involved a single H145M airframe with serial number 2215, and a Bell 212 helicopter bearing serial number 2211. Both aircraft are operated by 202 Squadron, and were dispatched from the U-Tapao naval aviation base for the trials. Meanwhile, the frigate operates out of the Sattahip Naval Base, which is located about 12 km away.
Bell 212 of the Royal Thai Navy (photo : gearphoto)
HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej is the South Korean-built warship that the RTN commissioned in December 2018. The Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME)-designed vessel has an overall length of 123 m, an overall beam of 14.4 m, and a hull draught of 4.2 m. It can accommodate one helicopter on its flight deck.
The frigate is equipped with a Mk 41 VLS, 30 mm guns from MSI, a 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun from Leonardo, and launchers for the Boeing Harpoon Block II anti-surface missiles. It features combat systems from Saab.
Equipped with a hull mounted DSQS 24C sonar, an active towed array sonar (ACTAS) from Atlas Elektronik, and six (two triple) 324 mm torpedo tubes, Bhumibol Adulyadej is presently the RTN’s most capable warship in terms of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. The service plans to eventually embark the frigate with an S-70B ASW helicopter.
(Jane's)
14 Juli 2020
Uji coba pendaratan pesawat Hercules di Lanud Wiriadinata, Kota Tasikmalaya (photo : Republika)
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID TASIKMALAYA--Pesawat Hercules C-130 milik TNI Angkatan Udara (AU) melakukan uji coba pendaratan di Pangkalan Udara (Lanud) Wiriadinata, Kota Tasikmalaya, Senin (13/7). Uji coba itu dilakukan untuk memeriksa kesiapan lanud tersebut.
Komandan Pangkalan Udara (Danlanud) TNI AU Wiriadinata, Letnan Kolonel Nav Ali Sudirman Pasaribu mengatakan, baru kali ini pesawat Hercules uji coba mendarat di lanud itu. Selama ini, Lanud Wiriadinata hanya digunakan untuk pesawat jenis ATR."Memang sejak tiga tahun terkahir kita perpanjangan runway lanud, jadi memungkinkan masuk pesawat besar," kata dia, Senin.
Menurut dia, uji coba itu merupakan rencana kontigensi jika terjadi sesuatu di wilayah Priangan Timur. Sebab, lanjut dia, di wilayah Priangan Timur sering terjadi bencana dan selama ini belum ada lapangan udara yang bisa dipakai untuk pesawat Hercules mendarat."Jadi ketika ada bencana, kita bisa melakukan penanganan cepat, baik evakuasi dan memenuhi kebutuhan logistik," kata dia.
Wali Kota Tasikmalaya Budi Budiman mengatakan, uji coba pendaratan pesawat Hercules di Lanud Wiriadinata dilakukan sebagai antisipasi kejadian bencana. Sebab, dalam kondisi darurat, perlu evakuasi atau dukungan logistik, sementara alat transportasi yang paling efektif adalah pesawat.
"Ini adalah uji coba pesawat Hercules masuk ke bandara kita, alhamdulillah lancar. Jadi kami tenang kalau nanti terjadi bencana, meski kita tak berharap ada musibah," kata dia.
Ia menambahkan, pihaknya juga telah mengusulkan kepada Kementerian Perhubungan (Kemenhub) dan TNI AU untuk menambah fasilitas di Lanud Wiriadinata. Sebab, hingga saat ini aktivitas penerbangan di lanud itu belum bisa digunakan saat malam hari. Padahal, ia menyebut, akan banyak manfaat jika lanud bisa beraktivitas malam hari, bukan hanya kedaruratan melainkan juga untuk penerbangan komersil. "Mudah-mudahan bandara ini bisa maksimal di siang maupun malam hari," kata dia.
(Republika)
14 Juli 2020
Airbus H145M (photo : Airbus)
Airbus forms Team Nightjar to deliver Australian industry capability
Brisbane – Airbus Helicopters has joined hands with over 20 Australian partners to form Team Nightjar, as the consortium launches its solution to Project LAND 2097 Phase 4. Under this Project, the Commonwealth of Australia is seeking a fleet of helicopters to support the Australian Defence Force’s Special Operations.
Bringing together Australia’s best industry capabilities and academia, the Team Nightjar members include: Cablex, Cyborg Dynamics, Deakin University, DEWC, ECLIPS, Ferra Engineering, Helicopter Logistics, Helimods, Kinetic Fighting, Kratos Australia, Microflite, PREDICT Australia, QinetiQ Australia, Safran Helicopter Engines Australia, Seeing Machines, Sigma Bravo, Rusada, TAFE NSW, Tagai Management Consultants, Toll Helicopters, University of Technology Sydney, Varley Group and Varley Rafael Australia.
In response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s request for proposal for a four-tonne class, rapidly deployable, multi-role helicopter for the Australian Special Forces, Team Nightjar will be offering a fleet of the highly capable Airbus H145M and in-country support.
“We recognise the importance of working with Australian companies on this programme, with each partner offering niche capabilities to the Commonwealth. Building on our established commitment to Australian industry, Team Nightjar will have a strong focus on Australian industrial support and innovation,” said Andrew Mathewson, Managing Director of Airbus Australia Pacific.
The local consortium will deliver world leading training solutions, empower indigenous participation, and enable rapid design and delivery of enhancements throughout the programme’s lifetime.
With a clear commitment to invest in Australian-led innovation, the teaming proposal will generate over AUD250 million of economic benefits and more than 170 Australian jobs.
Airbus H145M (photo : Nills Berwing)
“We believe these capabilities will greatly enhance the core offering of the very capable H145M helicopter, while providing local jobs, technology transfer and export opportunities.”
“The Commonwealth is seeking a proven, mature and highly reliable off-the-shelf platform and robust support systems. The H145M that we are proposing is the latest member of the H145 family, which has flown over 5.9 million hours with more than 1,400 aircraft in service globally across civil, parapublic and military domains. It is well supported by a mature global network.”
“The H145M is an exemplar platform for light special operations and is a solid match for the Special Forces’ requirements, with proven capabilities for no-fail, high-readiness missions,” added Mathewson.
The light twin-engine aircraft is an operationally proven, affordable and low-risk option for Australia, complementing the MRH90 Taipan with improved mobility and situational awareness for special operations. By virtue of its compact size, the H145M will be optimised for operations within dense urban terrain and will be rapidly deployable via a C-17A Globemaster.
The H145M is tried and tested and is gaining popularity among defence forces due to its excellent price-performance ratio and the short delivery time, counting military forces in Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Serbia and Thailand as customers.
In particular, the H145M is today supporting special operations roles with the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) with mission readiness of above 99%, delivering safety and superior power and payload.
Airbus has nearly two decades of presence in Australia, building extensive local industrial capabilities and network, in support of the country’s defence and commercial aviation. With a strong local team of more than 1,500 employees working across 23 sites for civil and military fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, the company has injected over A$1.7 billion of activities into the Australian aerospace industry, including A$100 million of direct investments from ARH Tiger and MRH90 projects.
Australia’s smallest nocturnal bird of prey, the nightjar’s characteristics include agility, stealth through its compact size, excellent camouflage, silence in flight and non-reflective eyes. The nightjar is known to hunt in pairs, and catch prey on the wing, combining its heightened senses, agility, speed, power and focus – characteristics which are critical for Special Operations. With close resemblance to Airbus’ H145M, the Australian nightjar is adopted as the inspiration for the team’s response to Project LAND 2097 Phase 4.
14 Juli 2020
Radar Mitsubishi Electric J/TPS-P14 (photo : zuikaku55555)
Berita-berita dari Jepang menyebutkan bahwa Tokyo sedang mempertimbangkan sebuah rencana untuk berbagi informasi radar pertahanan udara dengan Filipina untuk melacak dengan lebih baik pesawat China yang menuju ke Samudra Pasifik.
Saat ini, Jepang dapat melacak pesawat China di atas Selat Miyako tetapi jika ada dari pesawat itu memasuki Pasifik melalui Bashi Channel, mereka tidak dapat dilacak dengan andal karena kendala jarak.
Rencananya adalah untuk berbagi informasi dari radar Jepang dengan Filipina sementara Manila akan memberikan informasi yang dikumpulkan oleh tiga radar Mitsubishi Electric J/FPS-3 dan satu radar J/TPS-P14 yang dibeli Filipina.
Filipina telah memilih Mitsubishi Electric dalam kompetisi jangka panjang untuk membeli radar pertahanan udara jarak jauh pada bulan Maret 2020. Kesepakatan itu seharusnya ditandatangani dalam waktu 60 hari sejak pengumuman pemenang tetapi telah ditunda karena pembatasan perjalanan sebagai efek dari COVID-19. Diyakini bahwa kontrak akan selesai dalam waktu satu bulan.
Dengan informasi yang diberikan oleh Filipina, Jepang dapat memperoleh gambaran udara yang lebih baik tentang pergerakan pesawat China di selatan Taiwan dan mengambil langkah-langkah yang tepat lebih awal.
14 Juli 2020
Kendaraan taktis Maung 4x4 (photo : Pindad)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Menteri Pertahanan Prabowo Subianto memesan 500 unit kendaraan taktis Maung dari PT Pindad. Kendaraan taktis dengan spesifikasi militer itu dibeli dengan harga Rp600 juta per unit.
"Harga untuk yang kami buka ke Pak Menteri (Prabowo Subianto) Rp600 jutaan," kata Abraham saat dihubungi, Senin (13/7).
Saat ini Maung masih dalam bentuk purwarupa atau prototipe. Rencananya Maung akan diproduksi massal untuk memenuhi pesanan Kementerian Pertahanan pada Oktober mendatang.
"Jadi target beliau ini Oktober sudah mulai," kata Abraham.
Pesanan 500 unit ini merupakan tahap pertama dari Kemenhan.
Pindad Maung 4x4 (photo : Windu Paramarta)
Empat varian Maung
Abraham menjelaskan sebetulnya Maung punya empat varian, antaranya jenis kabin ganda, kendaraan logistik, hingga mobil yang dikhususkan bakal pertempuran jarak dekat. Namun yang baru akan diproduksi untuk memenuhi kebutuhan Kemenhan adalah tipe untuk pertempuran jarak dekat.
"Tapi tiga varian berikut ini kami masih uji, dan kami baru lepas yang satu ini (kendaraan taktis pertempuran jarak dekat)," ucap Abraham.
Kelebihan utama Maung adalah kemampuan menerjang medan-medan sulit dan beroperasi lepas pada ruas jalan aspal. Maung mempunyai batas kecepatan aman 120 km per jam dan maksimal mencapai 140 km per jam.
Mobil berpenggerak 4x4 ini menggunakan transmisi manual 6 speed dan dilengkapi dengan braket persenjataan kaliber 7,62 mm, konsol SS2-V4, perangkat GPS navigasi, dan tracker kendaraan serta perlengkapan lainnya.
Maung juga didukung mesin diesel turbo 2.500 cc yang sama seperti digunakan Toyota Hilux.
Prabowo sendiri sudah mencoba Maung dan diunggah diakun media sosialnya. Dalam foto yang diunggah, mantan Pangkostrad itu mengendari sendiri kendaraan taktis tersebut.
(CNN)
13 Juli 2020
STV-410 7.62mm assault rifle (photo : VietDefense)
The Factory Z111 & the General Department of Defense Industry developed a new rifle that named STV-410 7.62x39mm assault rifle. It can be considered the Vietnamese version of an AK-15.
STV-410 assault rifle (photo : VietDefense)
Some of the information is still classified and won't be available until later this week. But as the name suggests the barrel length of the weapon is 410mm and it fires the traditional 7.62x39mm round that has been a staple of almost all Vietnamese firearms. The optic placement in this photo isn't realistic and is likely just for show - heck most normal troops will be using the standard rifle sights anyways. It appears the weapon still has a full size stock in comparison to other newer Vietnamese guns with foldable variants.
STV-416 can be considered a cheaper alternative to the STV-410 (photo : VietDefense)
Creating a modern Kalashnikov outside of Russia honestly isn't that difficult and well within the capability of the Vietnamese defense industry. Remember that Z111 gained license production of the Galil ACE line of rifle in 2014 and proceeded to localize the designs with traditional Kalashnikov component....aren't the AK-15 and Galil ACE both just modernizations of the original Kalashnikov done by two different countries?
(VietDefense)
13 Juli 2020
RAAF F/A-18A/B (photo : RAAF)
The last F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets to undergo deeper maintenance servicing have rolled out of the Boeing Defence Australia facility at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said 150 jobs in the Hunter region had been supported through this important work.
“This was the 163rd and final deeper maintenance servicing for the Air Force Classic Hornet fleet since 2013,” Minister Price said.
“These operations have generated an additional 140,000 flying hours for the Classic Hornets and also contributed $200 million to the Australian economy.”
Deeper maintenance servicing on the Classic Hornet will no longer be required as the capability is progressively replaced by the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
“To secure these local Hunter jobs, Boeing will continue to provide logistics, engineering and maintenance support through to the planned withdrawal date of December 2021,” Minister Price said.
“Boeing will also assist Defence to prepare retired Classic Hornet aircraft for heritage display within Australia and potential sale to foreign customers.
“This continued effort will assist in retaining a highly skilled Hunter region aviation workforce until there is a requirement for F-35A Lightning II sustainment which will also be based at RAAF Base Williamtown.”
The fleet of 75 Classic Hornet aircraft were introduced into service in 1985 and will see 36 years’ service by the planned withdrawal in December 2021.
(Aus DoD)
