BBTA3 Terus Lakukan Tes Pada Model Pesawat R80

04 April 2020

Pesawat penumpang R80 (image : TribunNews)

Dalam Penguasaan Teknologi Industri Dirgantara - Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi (BPPT) memiliki laboratorium uji pendukung industri dirgantara di Kawasan Puspiptek, Tangerang Selatan, sejak tahun 1989.

ILST (Indonesia Low Speed Tunnel), atau Laboratorium uji terowongan angin kecepatan rendah merupakan salah satu fasilitas yang dimiliki BPPT.

Uji terowongan angin merupakan rangkaian uji pengukuran, akuisisi dan pengolahan data untuk mengetahui karakteristik aerodinamika dari objek uji.

Objek uji biasanya berupa model aeronautik, seperti pesawat terbang atau bagiannya (sayap, badan atau ekor pesawat), maupun objek non-aeronautik, seperti gedung atau jembatan.

Melalui Balai Besar Teknologi Aerodinamika, Aeroelastika dan Aeroakustika (BBTA3), BPPT telah memberikan layanan jasa teknologi kepada industri baik dalam dan luar negeri selama lebih dari 30 tahun, dengan melaksanakan berbagai pengujian terowongan angin. BPPT senantiasa berupaya mengembangkan dan memperbaharui sistem pengujian aerodinamika secara berkelanjutan mengikuti trend teknologi terkini untuk mewujudkan hasil pengujian yang presisi dan memenuhi kebutuhan industri. 

Beberapa pengujian terowongan angin yang pernah dilakukan BPPT: 
- PTDI: Pesawat CN235
- PTDI: Pesawat N250, 2000 polar
- Hesa Iran: Pesawat An140
- PTDI: Pesawat N219, 1784 Polar
- Turkish Aerospace: ANKA MALE 2008-2016: 1314 polars.
- Turkish Aerospace YFYK MALE 2018, 258 Polar
- PT RAI: R80, 618 Polar

Polar berkaitan dengan kestabilan posisi pesawat dalam kondisi tertentu sesuai dengan komando yang diberikan kepadanya.

Beberapa pengujian yang dilakukan untuk bagian-bagia pesawat penumpang R80 adalah sebagai berikut ini.

Pengujian model Pesawat R80 Outer Wing Hinge Moment telah selesai dilakukan pada Kamis 15 Agustus 2019.

Pada 14 November 2019 dilakukan persiapan kegiatan pengujian "Wind Milling" model pesawat R80.

Pengujian Propeller model pesawat R80 dilakukan pada tanggal 28 November 2019, propeller akan mempengaruhi aliran udara dibelakangnya yang ikut berputar.

(BBTA3)

First LRIP Hawkei Vehicles Delivered to Australian Motorised Infantry Battalion

04 April 2020

The 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment released an image on its Facebook page on 24 March showing five recently delivered Hawkei vehicles (photos : Australian Army)

An Australian Army motorised infantry battalion has taken delivery of several Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicles - Light from what is believed to be the first low-rate initial production (LRIP) batch of the 4×4 vehicles.

The 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) based in Townsville, Queensland, disclosed on its website that it had formally taken delivery on 24 March of at least five Hawkeis to complement its current motorised capability of Bushmaster Protected Military Vehicles - Medium.

Under an AUD1.3 billion (USD975 million) contract signed in October 2015 Thales Australia was to supply 1,100 of the seven-tonne vehicles - along with 1,058 companion trainers - to replace the majority of the army's blast-protected Land Rover fleet in command, liaison, utility, and reconnaissance roles.

The Hawkei project has been delayed because of reliability and design issues. In July 2019 Thales bought bankrupt Hawkei engine manufacturer Steyr Motors after the Austrian company went into receivership in February 2019, putting at risk the supply of engines to the Hawkei programme.

(Jane's)

Vietnam Still Preserves M107 "King of the Battlefield" SPH

03 April 2020

175 mm M107 self-propelled gun "King of the battlefield" is in an outdoor exhibit at the Vietnam Military History Museum (photo : BaoDatViet)

It seems that the 175 mm M107 self-propelled gun has been completely removed from the service of the Vietnam People's Army but in reality it is not.

US-designed and manufactured long-range M107 self-propelled guns 175 mm designed for strategic strategic shelling at the rear (gas depot, train station, airport, command center) with large bullets with strong destructive power, it was nicknamed "King of Battlefield".

M107 has an overall length of 11,25 m; width 3.15 m; height 4.47 m; weight 28.2 tons. The M107 complex consists of a 175 mm M113 turret cannon mounted on the M158 crawler armored chassis. 

The gun has a rate of fire of only 1-2 rounds per minute, but with a range of up to 40 km, its 66.6 kg bullets have a radius of damage up to 50 m, nearly the equivalent of a small bomb.

M107 from rear view (photo : Soha)

The US Army had hoped that the M107 could overwhelm the 130 mm M46 cannon of the Vietnam Liberation Army.

Due to the weight of the ammunition is so large, the ammunition reserve in the vehicle only has 2 rounds required when the cannon fires must have the truckload of M548 ammunition attached. The reload is completely manual, once the fire is finished, the gun barrel must be lowered, loaded, then the gun barrel must be raised to fire so the rate of fire is very weak, completely lost before the shot of M46 (4 - 6 tablets / minute).

In addition, when deploying to shoot, the bucket of dirt in the back of the vehicle must be lowered into the ground to ensure that the cannon does not slip out after firing. The M107 cannon needs 13 people, including 5 people on artillery and 8 people on other crawler vehicles, which is too bulky.

Perhaps because there were not enough spare parts, these Battle King King self-propelled guns were no longer used by us but had to be stored (photo : BaoDatViet)

After 1975, the Vietnam People's Army obtained some M107 booty artillery. However, due to the poor life of the M113 cannon, only 700 to 1,200 shots (depending on the number and the dose of each shot), they rarely appeared or used for mass training.

Currently the main condition of these M107 King Battlefield cannons and is also easy to spot, especially in museums, the relatively small number of these weapons on the S-shaped Strip leads to the perception that they have been marginalized.

However, it is surprising that recently appeared the image shows that there is still a self-propelled legal complex M107 which is still maintained and preserved by the Vietnam People's Army in addition to other M48 tanks.

Based on the appearance, it can be seen that the technical status of the weapon is still quite good, if the ammunition reserve is still guaranteed, it can be "recalled" in case of need.

(BaoDatViet)

Indonesia Re-thinks USD900 Million Submarine Contract with South Korea

03 April 2020

Indonesia is re-considering its options with regards to the contract for a second batch of three Type 209/1400 submarines. Defence policy makers are keen to explore other alternatives amid expectations of reduced defence expenditure allocation in the coming years (photo : Irawan)

Indonesia's defence planners have convened a meeting to discuss the country's KRW1.162 trillion (USD900 million) order for a second batch of three diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) with South Korea and are considering several options for the programme, including contract termination.

Two separate sources from the defence ministry and the Indonesian Navy's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) headquarters in Cilangkap have confirmed to Jane's that among matters being discussed at the moment include legal and financial implications of walking away from the contract that was announced in April 2019.

Indonesia signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for the second tranche of three Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines in April 2019. The vessels will be similar to the first batch of three boats that was signed in December 2011.

The 2019 contract was signed with funding arranged by the Export-Import Bank of Korea and is scheduled to complete by 2026. Under this contract, one vessel will be built in Surabaya as part of a technology transfer programme. This arrangement is similar to one that was undertaken in the earlier contract.

(Jane's)

Myanmar to Receive First Batch of SY-400

03 April 2020

SY-400 guided artillery rocket system with range bould reach 650 km (photo : MilitaryWatch)

Myanmar to receive first batch of SY-400 short-range precision attack ballistic missile from China.

Myanmar is going to receive the very first batch of SY-400M in very soon after a series of tough negotiations for years. Myanmar will also get some kinds of technology transfer for SY-400 along with some amount of loan to cover as the result of prolonged discussions.

The SY-400 system in standard configuration has eight containers with solid fuel missiles. Missiles are factory-fitted into these containers and can be stored for years and do not require additional maintenance. Missiles are launched vertically and have a range of about 400 km. The SY-400 can use different types of warheads.

(Myanmar and AMU)

Milspec Selected by Kongsberg for NASAMS Components

02 April 2020

Project LAND 19 Phase 7B (image : Kongsberg)

Albury based Milspec Manufacturing has been selected by Kongsberg Defence Australia to supply mechanical fixtures for components for Kongsberg sub-systems to be used on Australia’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) Ground Based Air Defence Systems (GBADS) being delivered under Project LAND 19 Phase 7B.

According to Kongsberg, Milspec will supply mechanical fixtures for the NASAMS Fire Distribution Centres along with classroom trainers.

Kongsberg, whose parent is based in Norway, will partner with Raytheon Australia to deliver NASAMS to the Australian Army to provide a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) GBADS capability against airborne threats such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles under LAND 19 Phase 7B. It is centred around a static or mobile launcher unit that fires radar-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

Australia confirmed First Pass approval for the NASAMs in July 2017, with confirmation of the acquisition made in March 2019. It is planned for Australian systems to be mounted on Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicles and integrated with CEA Technologies CEATAC Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for fire control and CEAOPS for long range surveillance.

With this deal, Milspec joins other Australian companies including Daronmont Technologies, Eylex and REDARC as Kongsberg’s local partners and will now become part of the prime’s global supply chain.

Kongsberg Defence Australia General Manager John Fry said Kongsberg Defence Australia is proud to support regional Australian businesses and play an integral role in developing a sovereign Australian industry capability for the NASAMS program.

“Milspec is a terrific example of a successful Australian business that Kongsberg is proud to partner with to deliver some key components for NASAMS sub systems. Kongsberg is committed to working with Australian suppliers to ensure the best quality product for the program,” Mr Fry said.

Kongsberg Defence Australia will assemble and conduct sub-system level integration of the Fire Distribution Centre and NASAMS Classroom Trainers in Adelaide using predominantly Australian supplied components. Kongsberg Defence Australia will also conduct final assembly of the Canister Launchers, and support Kongsberg and the Prime Contractor Raytheon Australia in integration activities.

(APDR)

Camo Baru F-16A/B TNI AU

02 April 2020

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : defence.pk)

Baru-baru ini publik dapat melihat camo baru pesawat F-16 TNI AU di beberapa media sosial. Pesawat ini adalah pesawat dengan nomor registrasi TS-1610 yang baru selesai menjalani program peningkatan kemampuan melalui program EMLU (Enhanced Mid-Life Update).

Armada F-16 TNI AU berdatangan mulai pada bulan Desember 1989 dan komplet diterima 12 pesawat pada bulan Desember 1990. Dalam perjalanan penggunaannya dua pesawat jatuh pada 1992 dan 1997 sehingga kini pesawat F-16A/B tinggal berjumlah 10.

Armada F-16 TNI AU bertambah 24 unit lagi, kali ini tipe F-16 C/D, ini merupakan program pesawat hibah yang diupgrade kemampuannya, pesawat pertama F-16C/D datang pada Agustus 2014 dan terakhir datang pada Januari 2018.

Tahun 2017 akhir program EMLU dilakukan, berjalan bersama Falcon Structural Augmentation Rodmap (Falcon STAR). Program EMLU dan Falcon Star bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan airframe, avionic, dan armament system pesawat F-16 A/B, serta memaksimalkan usia pakainya menjadi 8.000 jam terbang. Program ini dilakukan TNI AU dibantu PT Dirgantara Indonesia juga melibatkan Lockheed Martin selaku pengawas dari pabrik pesawat F-16 di AS. Program dilakukan di hanggar Skadron Teknik (Skatek) 042 Lanud Iswahjudi. Selesai menjalani program ini F-16 dapat menjalankan pertempuran BVR dan melakukan serangan presisi.

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : Putut Reza)

Skema warna (camo) pesawat F-16 TNI AU telah beberapa kali mengalami pergantian. Berikut ini adalah camo pesawat sesuai periodisasinya. 

Periode 1989 - 1996 (Blue Spot Delivery Scheme)

Pada periode kedatangan warna pesawat terdiri dari kamuflase biru-abu-abu tiga-nada (three-tone blue-grey).

Periode 1996 - 2000 (Elang Biru Scheme)
Pada periode ini, armada F-16 Indonesia dicat sebagai pesawat aerobatic dengan skema Elang Biru dengan warna dasar biru dan dilengkapi pita kuning.

Periode 2000 - 2020 (Dual Tone Scheme)
Pada periode ini, F-16 menggunakan skema kamuflase  abu-abu-hijau (grey-green) yang disebut juga 'skema Milenium'
Sebanyak 24 pesawat F-16C/D yang baru datang juga menggunakan skema warna ini.

Periode 2020 - Sekarang 
Periode ini menggunakan warna abu-abu (grey), belum ada nama resmi untuk camo TNI AU yang baru ini.
Camo ini baru dilakukan pada pesawat yang telah selesai menjalani EMLU, warna pesawat mengingatkan pada pesawat F-16 yang dipakai oleh USAF.  

F-16 TNI AU dengan camo baru (photo : Pocophone)

USAF dan Lockheed Martin rupanya telah punya jalan untuk memperpanjang lagi usia pakai bagi F-16 hingga 12.000 jam terbang sehingga pesawat ini dapat dioperasikan terus hingga tahun 2048. 

Upaya tersebut dapat ditempuh melalui program SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) ditambah dengan modifikasi struktural. Bila avioniknya juga mau ditingkatkan dapat mengadopsi program F-16V sehingga tidak kalah dengan pesawat Gen 4,5 lainnya. Belum tahu apakah TNI AU nantinya akan mengarah kesana.

(Defense Studies)