23 Januari 2019
Second AW-159 of the PAF (photo : Neil D. Brant)
The second unit of two AW-159 (ZZ550) has already started initial test flights in Yeovil town, South Somerset in England as part of the manufacturer's trials. Last November 2018, the first of two units (ZZ549) already started undergoing it's flight trials
The Naval Air Group's two AW-159 helicopters are dedicated antisubmarine warfare helicopters that is being planned to be embarked eventually to the Philippine Navy's two frigates to be made by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
The AW-159 helicopters will be installed with SPIKE-NLOS antiship missiles made by Israel's Rafael and Blue Shark light torpedoes made ng South Korea's LIG NEX1.
Delivery of the two units of AW-159 is scheduled for March 2019 pending any unforeseen reasons as cause for any delays.
(Upfront Phil Defense)
23 Januari 2019
Pesawat amfibi CL-415 buatan Viking Air Ltd, Canada (photo : Chip Chaffin)
Jika tidak ada perubahan, maka TNI AU akan segera memiliki pesawat amfibi buatan Viking Air Ltd Canada, pesawat ini selain difungsikan sebagai pesawat intai maritim juga mempunyai kemampuan untuk memadamkan api dari udara dengan metode water bombing. Wahana ini sangat diperlukan untuk mengatasi bencana kebakaran yang sering terjadi di Kalimantan dan Sumatera khususnya daerah yang mempunyai tanah gambut.
Dalam studi yang dilakukan oleh TNI AU pesawat ini disarankan untuk segera diwujudkan sebagai kekuatan alutsista di jajaran TNI AU serta dibuatkan skuadon udara tersendiri agar dapat mendukung pelaksanaan tugas Operasi Militer Perang (OMP) dan Operasi Militer Selain Perang (OMSP)
TNI AU sendiri telah mengeluarkan Operational Requirement (OpsReq) untuk pesawat amfibi yang dikeluarkan pada April tahun lalu dengan SK Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara yang dapat menjadi rujukan dalam memilih pesawat amfibi.
Pesawat CL-415 untuk fungsi water bombing dapat menyendoki air (water scooping) dari situs air yang dangkal dan dengan lebar 90 meter, untuk melakukan water scooping air sebanyak 6.137 liter hanya diperlukan waktu 12 detik dengan kecepatan pesawat 70 knot (130 km/h) dengan jarak pengambilan 410 meter.
Pesawat amfibi CL-415 buatan Viking Air Ltd, Canada (photo : Wojtek Kmiecik)
Ini berarti bahwa sejumlah situs air dapat digunakan untuk mengisi kembali tangki-tangkinya. Pesawat tidak membutuhkan jalur yang benar-benar lurus karena dalam mode terbang saat menyedot air pilot dapat melakukan manuver di sekitar sungai, setelah mendapatkan air yang cukup dapat kembali ke titik api untuk pemadaman kebakaran.
Selain fungsi water bombing tersebut, sebagai pesawat militer maka ada beberapa kemampuan yang harus dimiliki pesawat CL-415 agar dapat melaksanakan tugas-tugas TNI AU dalam OMP maupun OMSP.
Kabin pesawat amfibi CL-415 (image : Viking Air Ltd)
Adapun kemampuan teknis yang harus dimiliki pesawat amfibi CL-415 ini adalah :
a. Intai
Melaksanakan pengintaian perbatasan, pengintaian maritim dan penegakan hukum. Patroli dilakukan di laut dan sungai-sungai besar, patroli maritim juga dapat dilakukan terhadap pulau-pulau terluar yang jumlahnya 92 pulau.
b. SAR
Kemampuan mendarat dan lepas landas di air menjadikan pesawat ini cocok untuk dijadikan pesawat SAR untuk menangani musibah di perairan, karena mampu dengan cepat mencapai sasaran dibanding wahana manapun.
Water bombing oleh pesawat amfibi CL-415 (image : Viking Air Ltd)
c. Interoperabilitas dengan matra lain dan Polri
Selain mengadakan pengamatan, pesawat dapat sekaligus melakukan penindakan terhadap sasaran yang mencurigakan, mengatasi pencurian ikan, memberantas pencurian kayu yang dilakukan lewat sungai-sungai besar, kejahatan lintas negara, penyelundupan narkoba dan senjata, menangani terorime, dll.
d. Penerjunan personel
Pesawat ini mampu mengangkut 30 orang jika tangki air diturunkan, pesawat harus dapat dipakai untuk penerjunan statik dan terjun bebas pasukan militer. Diperlukan perangkat peralatan penerjunan yang dapat dibongkar pasang sesuai kebutuhan.
Peralatan water bombing pesawat amfibi CL-415 (photo : Viking Air Ltd)
e. Evakuasi medis
Selain kemampuan untuk mengevakuasi korban di laut akibat kecelakaan kapal atau pesawat harus mampu digunakan sebagai sarana evakuasi medis untuk memindahkan korban pertempuran keluar mandala operasi serta merawat korban selama dalam perjalanan.
f. Foto udara dan pemetaan udara
Kehadiran pesawat ini dapat dimanfaatkan untuk foto udara dan pemetaan udara yang berguna untuk keperluan intelijen militer dan sipil khususnya eksplorasi sumber daya alam.
Kabin penumpang pesawat amfibi CL-415 (photo : Viking Air Ltd)
g. Water bombing
Kemampuan pesawat ini untuk mengambil air (water scooping) 6137 liter hanya 12 detik dengan kecepatan 70 knot (130 km/h) dengan jarak pengambilan 410 meter sehingga dengan cepat dapat kembali ke titik api kembali.
h. Dapat dilengkapi persenjataan
Jika dibutuhkan pesawat ini harus dapat dipasang senjata selayaknya pesawat amfibi lainnya yaitu di bawah wing untuk pod roket dan pod senjata atau juga pada stand di dekat pintu pesawat serta perlunya dipasang chaff dan flare untuk self defence.
(Defense Studies)
22 Januari 2019
Australia’s first F-35A Joint Strike Fighters homeward bound bring refuelled by the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (photo : RAAF)
F-35A aircraft scheduled to begin flying operations this week
AAF Base Williamtown is advising Hunter residents that our two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft are scheduled to begin flying operations this week (from 21-25 January 2019).
The first two aircraft arrived in Australia on 10 December 2018.
Commander of Air Combat Group (ACG), Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Michael Kitcher said the two aircraft will begin a phase of operations designed to verify and validate the jet’s capabilities during 2019-2020 in the lead-up to the declaration of the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at the end of 2020.
“At the end of 2019, Air Combat Group expects to have taken delivery of up to eight aircraft,’’ Air Commodore Kitcher said.
“In December 2020, Australia will have up to 33 aircraft, established a sovereign training capability and completed verification and validation of the Australian F-35A capability.
“By the end of 2020 one operational squadron will be proficient in air combat, strike and offensive air support, and ready to deploy in support of Australia’s national interests.”
The Australian Government has approved the acquisition of 72 aircraft and the F-35A fleet will comprise of three operational squadrons.
Numbers 3 and 77 Squadron operate out of RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, and Number 75 Squadron based at RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine, Northern Territory. Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit squadron will also fly F-35A out of RAAF Base Williamtown.
The majority of the $1.5B invested to house and support the F-35A have been constructed at RAAF Base Williamtown. The facilities include new working accommodation, maintenance hangars, storage, workshop facilities, training facilities, aircraft runway, and pavement works.
Members of the community seeking further information are invited to call 1800 033 200, or refer to our flying operations page or Defence Aircraft Noise website.
(RAAF)
22 Januari 2019
Mechanized Infantry Battalion (photo : Philippine Army)
MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) activated the 6th Mechanized Infantry "Salaknib" Battalion of the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) on Friday.
In a statement Saturday, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said the event was spearheaded by PA Commander, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
"The battalion is an addition to the MID forces which forms part of the Army’s cutting edge in conducting prompt and sustained ground operations in support of AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) mission," Villanueva said. “Its activation is an offshoot of the continuing Army capability upgrade as it undertakes transformation to give rise to a modular force structure aimed at creating standardized, flexible and versatile elements capable of accomplishing virtually any assigned task.”
The battalion will be the mechanized component of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) of the PA which was just activated in December 2018.
“True to your name ‘Salaknib’, which means shield in Ilocano, your unit symbolizes protection, strength, and security as you serve as the rapid deployment force of the Mechanized Infantry Division responding to the requirements of the Philippine Army in the conduct of ground operations against emerging security threats,” Alberto said during the activation ceremonies.
Villanueva said the 1BCT is a contingency force that is readily deployable and capable in addressing unconventional threats to national security.
Other maneuver components of the 1BCT are two infantry battalions and maneuver support consisting of specialized enablers such as field artillery and engineer combat battalions, reconnaissance company and units from signal, intelligence, civil-military operations, military police, explosive ordnance, CBRN (chemical biological radiological and nuclear), and sustainment components composed of a forward service support unit and a forward medical platoon.
(PNA)
22 Januari 2019
The multi-role combat vessel will act as a "mothership" for unmanned systems (image : Mediacorp)
SINGAPORE: Not long ago, a warship’s superiority was defined by how powerful the guns on its deck were. Then, as weapons evolved, how far its missiles could go.
Now, with wars increasingly being fought hundreds of kilometres apart, it has become a case of spotting the enemy before it spots you.
“We are reaching a stage where who sees first, who sees fastest, actually wins,” Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) head of naval operations Cheong Kwok Chien told Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview on Saturday (Jun 30).
And so the RSN saw an opportunity for change.
The Victory-class missile corvettes, for over two decades the “backbone” of the RSN’s strike capabilities, are entering their twilight years. They will hit the end of their operational life in 2025.
Enter the multi-role combat vessel (MRCV), a type of “mothership” that will work in tandem with unmanned machines to see farther and respond quicker. These mission-configurable warships will be introduced after 2020.
“If we have certain areas we want to watch closely, we can be triggered early to respond,” Rear-Admiral (RADM) Cheong said. “These ships allow us to put eyes forward.”
Multi Role Combat Vessel (image : CNA)
These “eyes” are actually a network of unmanned drones and vessels that respectively carry cameras and weapons.
“The suite of weapons and sensors that can spread itself over a large area effectively turns the ship from being a point source to an area type of umbrella capability,” RADM Cheong added.
A typical strike package will possibly comprise a pair of MRCVs that each carries three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), so there’s one in the air at all times, and two unmanned surface vessels.
But the RSN has not laid down specific configurations. There are physical limits to how much the MRCV can carry, and then there’s the cost factor of buying too many unmanned systems.
“Technology is allowing unmanned systems to get smaller, and it helps,” RADM Cheong said. “But there are physical limits to size because out there the wind is quite strong, so you can’t fly a typical hobbyist drone.”
Still, he added that the MRCV will allow the RSN to “bring a CCTV out to sea”. “If you have a whole network of eyes and shooters, you really expand the effective influence of the vessel.”
Victory class corvettes will be replaced by MRCV (photo : RSN)
ALL-ROUND VIEW
While current UAVs can extend a ship’s field of vision by 100km because of their range, RADM Cheong said it’s likely that those on the MRCV can go farther.
“In the future, this range will increase because the control capabilities will improve,” he added. “It’s not very far-fetched to say that easily the ship will have awareness of maybe 150km around it.”
The high-definition capability of the UAV’s camera also adds a whole new dimension to surveillance, far beyond beeping blips on traditional radars. “You can see the colour of the hair of the guy you’re looking at 150km away; that’s possible,” RADM Cheong said.
Joint Multi Mission Ship (image : CNA)
It doesn’t stop there. The RSN wants to hear and recognise him as well.
“The other breakthrough that we will go for is to be able to see different dimensions,” he added. “If you put together facial recognition, voice recognition and sense recognition, not many people can run away from that.”
With information from multiple UAVs and cameras, as well as intelligence from other assets, the RSN intends to put it all together on a single screen.
“More than flying cameras around, it’s quite important for us to stitch together the picture and make sense of it fast,” RADM Cheong said. “No point staring out at beautiful scenery without knowing what you’re looking for.”
“This technology is not earth-shattering,” he continued. “It just takes deliberate effort to make it happen.”
Beyond its superior strike and surveillance capabilities, the MRCV is also more versatile and can go farther than the missile corvette, which was purpose-built for its warfighting capabilities.
For example, the MRCV can undertake counter-terrorism as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, because it can carry mission-specific cargo like counter-terrorism forces and medical aid.
Endurance class LST will be replaced by JMMS (photo : Sing Mindef)
JOINT MULTI MISSION SHIP
But the RSN’s ship of choice when it comes to HADR is the landing ship tank (LST), which has been deployed at several humanitarian assistance operations including the Aceh tsunami in 2004.
This is because the 141m-long, 6,000-tonne LST is the RSN’s largest ship, with the capacity to carry up to 18 tanks, 20 vehicles and bulk cargo. It also has two 25-foot deck cranes for loading and unloading of cargo.
But the RSN wants to go bigger.
“What we have learnt from a lot of disaster relief missions is that our first wave of aid and supplies that go in really make the difference,” RADM Cheong said. “It’s not about building a conveyor belt, the first guy who reaches there, the first box that you open must save lives. That’s why we need to carry more.”
With that, the RSN will replace the LST with a larger joint multi mission ship (JMMS) that can carry twice the amount of cargo and discharge it better. The JMMS will also be introduced after 2020.
“When you reach the area, you must always remember that there’s no beautiful port for you to come alongside and put the staircase down,” he added. “So, the design of the ship is also how you can bring it to an area with no access.”
A future ready RSN Ship (image : RSN)
This extra space and accessibility are also important during counter-piracy operations. In the Gulf of Aden, Singapore regularly deploys the LST for international anti-piracy patrols.
To that end, the JMMS will be able to carry more and bigger boats to transport boarding teams that repel pirates and keep merchant ships safe.
“When the sea is rough, and the boat you carry is so small, you can’t launch your boys and say please carry on,” said RADM Cheong, who has led counter-piracy operations at the Gulf of Aden.
“Even for a big ship which can carry three to four boats, it’s never enough. It’s always the feeling that you want to do more than what you have brought along.”
Besides boats, the JMMS can also carry larger UAVs and unmanned vessels to do surveillance and fend off pirates. Its longer flight deck also means it can carry multiple helicopters, as opposed to the LST which could only carry two.
As RADM Cheong concluded: “It’s more than just a pick-up lorry.”
Singapore Navy Fleet (image : CNA)
BETTER AND SHARPER
Along with the Type 218SG submarine, RADM Cheong said the RSN’s three new vessels bode well for Singapore’s future.
“We have built in a confidence and belief in the younger generation to see that with each generation, we modernise the Navy to make it better and sharper,” he said.
Each acquisition is “very deliberate”, he added, with a lot of hard work going into designing, operating and maximising it. “We are always maximising limited resources, and we never back off from any challenge.”
(ChannelNewsAsia)
22 Januari 2019
KRI Semarang 594 (photo : Masyhudi)
TNI AL Berencana Akan Kembali Pesan Kapal Rumah Sakit
KBRN, Surabaya: TNI Angkatan Laut berencana memesan kembali kapal rumah sakit ke PT PAL Indonesia setelah rampungnya pesanan kapal sejenis KRI Semarang 594 dengan tujuan memperkuat armada militer untuk mendukung tugas nonmiliter.
"Dengan konstruksi geografi yang sangat luas, itu minimal seharusnya kita mempunyai tiga kapal rumah sakit," ucap Kepala Staff Angkatan Laut (KSAL) Laksamana TNI Siwi Sukma Adji,dalam keterangan yang diterima RRI, Senin (21/1/2019).
Usai acara serah terima KRI Semarang 594 di Dermaga Divisi Kapal Niaga, PT PAL Indonesia, Kawasan Ujung Tanjung Perak Surabaya, Siwi mengatakan bahwsa kapal rumah sakit sangat dibutuhkan mengingat beberapa bencana yang terjadi di Tanah Air, seperti di Lombok dan Palu.
Saat ini, armada nonmiliter, khususnya kapal rumah sakit yang dimiliki TNI AL, hanya dua kapal (KRI dr. Soeharso dan KRI Semarang).
"Hari ini, keberadaan KRI Semarang yang awalnya landing platform dock (LPD), kami naikkan levelnya menjadi kapal rumah sakit dengan tambahan beberapa kontainer medis," ucapnya.
KRI Semarang 594 (photo : BUMN)
Dengan keberadaan kapal rumah sakit KRI Semarang, dia berharap bisa membantu dalam penegakan kedaulatan, melaksanakan kegiatan proyeksi kekuatan diplomasi dan bisa membantu keberadaan KRI dr Soeharso sebagai armada rumah sakit.
Untuk kapal ketiga, kata dia, pembangunannya akan dimulai pada tahun ini dengan target penyelesaian pada tahun 2021.
"Setelah rampung, keberadaan KRI Semarang akan difungsikan kembali ke LPD," paparnya.
Untuk pesanan kapal rumah sakit ketiga, papar Direktur Pembangunan Kapal PT PAL Indonesia Turitan Indaryo, mulai dikerjakan pada triwulan kedua 2019.
Ia menambhakan, "Pola pengerjaan nantinya tidak jauh berbeda dengan kapal sebelumnya, dengan enam `starting poin` dan dibangun sesuai dengan kebutuhan yang ada," pungkas Turitan.
Dengan sumber daya yang ada, PT PAL selalu siap mengerjakan setiap pesanan, dan tidak henti-hentinya melakukan transformasi untuk pasar kapal kombatan.
Terkait dengan nilai investasi, Turitan tidak mau menyebutkan secara pasti, namun dia mengaku nilainya tidak jauh berbeda dengan kontrak investasi KRI Semarang sekitar Rp736 miliar.
(RRI)
21 Januari 2019
Cougar XT underwater robotic vehicle (photo : SaabSeaEye)
Cougar Best for Royal New Zealand Navy
Norway-based Østensjø Rederi has chosen a Saab Seaeye Cougar XT underwater robotic vehicle as a deployable resource aboard their multi-purpose support vessel ‘Edda Fonn’.
The company is contracted to deliver the ‘Edda Fonn’ to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence in 2019 with an integrated ROV and dive system amongst its upgrades. The ship will subsequently be used by the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Østensjø Rederi say they chose the Cougar over robotic vehicles from other manufacturers after hearing ‘very good feedback’ from end users around the world. They also said the Cougar had the best overall specification and is backed by Saab Seaeye’s 30 year reputation for building reliable systems.
ROV and diving consultant at Østensjø Rederi, Arvid Bertelsen, explains that the Cougar XT has the best power, thrust and payload in its class, with the widest and most comprehensive range of quick-change tool skids.
He says it was also the most technically compliant to specifications demanded by NORSOK, the Royal New Zealand Navy and Østensjø Rederi. The Cougar is compliant with NORSOK 102 3ed. 2016 Class II B for an observation vehicle with light intervention, survey and construction capabilities.
MV Edda Fonn with Cougar ROV will replace HMNZS Reolution in November 2019 (photo : NZDF)
Exceptional Launch and Recovery System
To meet the Navy’s exacting operational requirements, Østensjø Rederi expanded and extended the technical specification for the complete system including the Cougar, the control room, and in particular, the Launch and Recovery System (LARS).
The ability to safely launch the Cougar in sea states specified by the Royal New Zealand Navy was of paramount importance. This set a special focus on the LARS and its position inside the vessel, with the Cougar launched from a mezzanine deck inside the vessel’s ROV hangar.
When evaluating the best system, Østensjø Rederi concluded that the Cougar with a modified dipping and extending LARS with snubber, heave compensation and electric winch motors, was the best solution.
Along with the LARS, the complete system includes a standard Cougar XT with minor modification to include three cameras and sonar system, together with its tether management system and three individual tool skids with manipulators, cutters and water jetting system.
Also specified is a control room integrated into the vessel created to a design centred on operator ergonomic principles.
Unrivalled manoeuvrability
The 2000m rated Cougar XT’s maneuverability comes from its six thrusters, each interfaced with a fast-acting control system and solid-state gyro for enhanced azimuth stability and control.
The Cougar’s compact 1.5 metre size footprint makes it easy to mobilise, yet despite its small size, it has the power to handle a wide range of heavy tooling.
(SaabSeaEye)
