Sukses Upgrade Falcon Star-eMLU, F-16 AM TS-1608 Resmi Perkuat Skadron Udara 3

04 Maret 2026

Pesawat F-16 AM tail number TS-1608 pesawat F-16 TNI AU ke sepuluh yang selesai menjalani program Falcon STAR dan eMLU (photos: Grup 3 Tempur)

Grup 3 Tempur -- TNI Angkatan Udara kembali memperkuat kesiapan operasional melalui keberhasilan program Falcon STAR (Structural Augmentation Roadmap) dan eMLU (Enhanced Mid-Life Update) pada pesawat F-16 AM tail number TS-1608.

Setelah menyelesaikan proses upgrade di Skatek 042 dan uji terbang, pesawat resmi diserahkan kepada Skadron Udara 3 oleh Komandan Grup 3 Tempur Marsma TNI David Yohan Tamboto, S.Sos., di Hanggar Skatek 042 Depohar 80, Senin (2/3/2026).

Keberhasilan ini sejalan dengan program prioritas TNI AU dalam modernisasi alat peralatan pertahanan dan keamanan (Alpahankam) guna menjaga kesiapan operasional satuan tetap optimal.

Dalam sambutannya, Dangrup 3 Tempur menyampaikan apresiasi kepada Tim Falcon STAR-eMLU atas dedikasi dan profesionalisme sehingga proses peningkatan pesawat dapat selesai tepat waktu. Ia berharap, dengan diserahterimakannya TS-1608, kemampuan dan kesiapsiagaan Skadron Udara 3 semakin meningkat dalam menjaga kedaulatan udara nasional, dengan tetap mengedepankan prosedur dan keselamatan penerbangan.

Acara ditandai dengan penandatanganan berita acara oleh Dangrup 3 Tempur dan Kadislog Lanud Iswahjudi selaku Kasatgas Falcon STAR-eMLU, dilanjutkan penyerahan dokumen riwayat pesawat.

(Group 3 Tempur)

Mindef Laksana Tender Terbuka Sewaan Helikopter Tempur Utiliti untuk PUTD

04 Maret 2026

Helikopter tempur utiliti Black Hawk (photo: Lockheed Martin)

Kementerian Pertahanan (MINDEF) melaksanakan Tender Terbuka bagi perolehan perkhidmatan sewaan helikopter Combat Utility Helicopter (CUH) selama lima tahun.

Langkah tersebut diambil susulan pembatalan kontrak perolehan helikopter Black Hawk sebelum ini.

"Kementerian Pertahanan telah mengambil tindakan susulan secara berperingkat bagi memastikan keupayaan operasi Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD) tidak terjejas," katanya dalam jawaban lisan di Dewan Rakyat.

Beliau berkata demikian, bagi menjawab soalan Ahli Parlemen Setiawangsa, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad berhubung tindakan lanjut kementerian dalam memperoleh helikopter baharu untuk PUTD susulan pembatalan kontrak Black Hawk sebelum ini.

(AirTimes)

E-System Solution FZ Dipilih untuk Akuisisi 24 Pesawat Latih PC-21 NG

04 Maret 2026

PC-21 Angkatan Udara Prancis (photo: Michael Brazier)

PC-21 secara khusus dipilih oleh Prancis untuk pelatihan pilot tempur tingkat lanjut: Angkatan Udara Prancis mengoperasikan 26 pesawat ini di Sekolah Pelatihan Pilot Angkatan Udara (EFOPAA) di Cognac.

PC-21 terkenal dengan kokpit digital dan sistem simulasi onboard-nya, yang memungkinkan pelatihan untuk misi udara-ke-udara dan udara-ke-darat. Sangat lincah, pesawat ini tetap jauh lebih murah untuk dioperasikan daripada pesawat bertenaga jet.

Versi NG adalah yang paling canggih, dan Indonesia akan menjadi pelanggan ekspor pertamanya.

PC-24 mampu mendarat di landasan kasar (photo: Pilatus)

E-System Solutions akan memanfaatkan PC-21NG ini untuk menciptakan Pusat Pelatihan Lanjutan yang didedikasikan untuk pelatihan pilot tempur, yang mencakup fase 2 hingga 4. Pelatihan tempur akan berlanjut di Pusat Perang Udara yang telah direncanakan oleh E-System Solutions, yang dilengkapi untuk peran agresor dengan MiG-29 dan drone Ultra Maneuverable Subsonik Tinggi.

Keputusan Indonesia ini menyusul dua keputusan lain yang secara resmi diumumkan bulan lalu di Singapore Air Show, mengenai 36 Leonardo M346FI (12 di antaranya opsional) dan 12 Pilatus PC-24. PC-24 akan digunakan untuk melatih pilot transportasi dan pilot Kementerian Perhubungan.

Indonesia memiliki rencana ambisius dan berinvestasi dalam kemampuan pelatihan yang komprehensif. Selain pilot Indonesia, rencananya juga akan melatih pilot asing, yang menunjukkan ambisi Indonesia untuk kemitraan internasional.

(Pierre Aycard)

MISSION SUCCESS: Australian Hypersonic Pioneer Achieves First Flight

03 Maret 2026

Hypersonix's DART AE demonstrator vehicle (photo: HLS)

Wallops Island, Virginia, USA -- Australian hypersonic flight pioneer Hypersonix Launch Systems (HLS) has successfully completed the first flight of its DART AE hypersonic aircraft, marking a major milestone in the development of advanced hypersonic systems.

The mission, titled That’s Not A Knife, lifted off at 7pm Eastern on Friday, February 27th (11am AEDT on Saturday, February 28th) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, aboard Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle. 

The flight was conducted under the US Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). 

Hypersonic flight refers to speeds above Mach 5, more than five times the speed of sound. Hypersonix is developing a new class of autonomous hypersonic aircraft capable of sustained flight up to Mach 12. Its flagship DART AE is a 3.5-metre autonomous hypersonic aircraft designed to validate propulsion, materials, sensors and guidance systems in real hypersonic flight conditions.

During the mission, HASTE carried DART AE to the planned deployment point in the upper atmosphere. DART AE then executed its hypersonic mission, gathering invaluable technical data for the team to analyse in the coming weeks.

Hypersonix co-founder Dr Michael Smart, a former NASA research scientist and former Chair of Hypersonic Propulsion at the University of Queensland, said the mission confirmed years of technical work.

The Hypersonix DART AE vehicle aboard Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia (photo: HLS)

“This mission allowed us to test propulsion, materials and control systems in real hypersonic conditions,” Dr Smart said.

“At these speeds and temperatures, there is no substitute for flight data. The results from this mission will directly shape the design of future operational hypersonic aircraft.”

Hypersonix CEO Matt Hill said the successful mission represents a defining moment for the company and for Australia’s advanced aerospace capability.

“This flight reflects years of focused engineering work and the confidence placed in us by our partners,” Mr Hill said.

“Successfully flying DART AE in a true hypersonic environment confirms that an Australian company can design, build and operate technology in one of the most demanding flight regimes on Earth. It is an important step toward delivering hypersonic systems that are operationally relevant for Australia and its allies.”

The successful mission follows Hypersonix’s recent $46 million Series A funding round, backed by Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Queensland Investment Corporation. The round was led by High Tor Capital, a UK investor in national security and frontier technology, with European defence company Saab and Polish family office RKKVC also supporting the raise.

The funding is accelerating Hypersonix’s flight test program, expanding advanced manufacturing capability in Queensland and fast-tracking development of the company’s next hypersonic platform, VISR (Velos Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance). Hypersonix currently employs more than 50 people in Brisbane across aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing and testing roles.

(HLS)

Counter Landing at Cobra Gold 2026

03 Maret 2026

Royal Thai Navy, US Marine Corps, South Korea, and the Philippines conducts Cobra Gold 2026 at Haad Yao Beach, Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand (photos: RTN)

Air Defense and Coastal Guard Command Joins Forces with Allied Nations to Enhance Combat Readiness in a Real-World Situation.

On February 28, 2026, Rear Admiral Et Yuvanangkoon, Commander of the Air Defense and Coastal Guard Command, participated in an inspection of the Counter Landing exercise, part of the Cobra Gold 2026 joint/combined exercise, at Royal Thai Navy Training Ground No. 15, Haad Yao Beach, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province.

The inspection was presided over by the Deputy Director-General of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Operations, along with high-ranking commanders from various units, including the Marine Corps, and representatives from allied forces such as the US Marine Corps, South Korea, and the Philippines, who closely monitored the training situation.

The key missions of the inspection were:

• To receive a briefing on the training plan and cross-branch coordination.

• To observe the actual training at Haad Yao Beach and assess the readiness and capabilities of the personnel.

• To meet and encourage the soldiers participating in the training amidst intense simulated scenarios.

This training not only elevates tactics and combat readiness but also reinforces the strong cooperation between the Royal Thai Navy and allied forces. To enhance joint operations and future security.

(RTN-Air and Coastal Defence Command)

TNI AU Bangun Satuan Radar di Bengkulu Selatan Pada April 2026

03 Maret 2026

Kecamatan Kota Manna, Bengkulu (image: GoogleMaps)

Bengkulu (ANTARA) - TNI Angkatan Udara akan memulai pembangunan satuan radar di Bengkulu Selatan pada April 2026 untuk memperkuat sistem pertahanan udara di wilayah selatan Sumatra.

"Atas nama Gubernur Bengkulu kami menyampaikan terima kasih. Dalam waktu dekat akan dilaksanakan peletakan batu pertama atau groundbreaking pembangunan fasilitas radar di Bengkulu Selatan sebagai bagian dari penguatan sistem pertahanan udara," kata Wakil Gubernur Bengkulu Mian di Bengkulu, Jumat.

Menurut dia Pemerintah Provinsi Bengkulu mendukung penuh rencana pembangunan satuan radar tersebut karena dinilai strategis dalam memperkuat sistem pertahanan nasional, khususnya di wilayah udara bagian barat Indonesia.

Sinergi antara pemerintah daerah dan TNI Angkatan Udara diperlukan agar proses pembangunan berjalan lancar sesuai jadwal serta memberi dampak jangka panjang bagi keamanan daerah.

Sementara itu, Komandan Lanud Sri Mulyono Herlambang Kolonel Pnb Zulkifli Arif Purba menjelaskan pembangunan satuan radar atau Satrad tersebut akan berlokasi di Manna, Kabupaten Bengkulu Selatan.

"Kami dari Lanud Sri Mulyono Herlambang yang salah satu wilayah teritorialnya mencakup Provinsi Bengkulu berkunjung untuk menyampaikan rencana pembangunan satuan radar. Pembangunan direncanakan dimulai pada minggu kedua April 2026 dan kami memohon dukungan dari pemerintah daerah," ujar Zulkifli Arif Purba.

Dia menyebutkan keberadaan radar itu nantinya akan meningkatkan kemampuan pemantauan dan pengamanan wilayah udara serta memperkuat sistem deteksi dini terhadap potensi ancaman di ruang udara Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia.

Menurut dia pembangunan Satrad tersebut merupakan langkah strategis TNI Angkatan Udara dalam menjaga kedaulatan udara nasional, terutama di kawasan Sumatera Bagian Selatan yang berbatasan langsung dengan Samudera Hindia.

(Antara)

Chief of Defence Force Visited 150 SQN in France

02 Maret 2026

150 SQN airmen and women, as well as their counterparts from the French Air and Space Force (FASF) in front of RSAF’s M-346 advance jet trainer (photos: RSAF)

Earlier this month, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) VADM Aaron Beng visited 150 SQN at Cazaux Air Base, France.

VADM Beng toured the squadron’s facilities, where he observed various learning tools and tried the flight simulators. He rounded off the visit with an engagement session with detachment personnel, interacting with them and gaining insights into their training experiences.

At the Cazouk Airbase, France stationed 12 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master as Overseas Detachment (photo: RSAF)

Cazaux Air Base is home to 150 SQN and its personnel, including Pilots, Air Force Engineers, trainees and support staff.

The RSAF has conducted flying training in France since 1998, and the airspace is 32 times Singapore's size! This allows our pilots to hone their flying and combat skills.

(RSAF)