Northrop Grumman to Collaborate with PT INTI to Produce Ground-Based Radar Systems

24 April 2012

Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-78 Ground Based Air Defence Radar System (photo : diariolibre)

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) executed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Sixth National Radar Seminar in Bali, Indonesia with PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia and the Research Centre For Electronics And Telecommunications of The Indonesian Institute Of Sciences to facilitate collaboration on pending ground-based radar opportunities in Indonesia.

The Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-78 is the latest generation of state-of-the-art radars made possible by advances in high power transistor technology and designed to operate in some of the harshest, most unforgiving environments. Proven in the field, the S-Band long-range AN/TPS-78 is the choice of the U.S. Air Force and customers worldwide.

"With this agreement, Northrop Grumman will bring its recognized leadership in ground radars together with our Indonesian business partners' combined expertise in electronics research and manufacturing and knowledge of the unique needs of the Indonesian government," said Robert Royer, vice president of international systems at Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "Our team looks forward to participating in the upcoming Indonesian ground-based radar competition designed to help Indonesia increase air surveillance control and secure its border."

(Northrop Grumman)

State-of-the-Art Radars Delivered for AWDs

24 April 2012

Northrop Grumman AN/SPQ-9 Surface Surveillance and Tracking Radar, is a track-while-scan radar used with the MK-86 Gunfire Control system on surface combatants. It detects sea skimming missiles at the horizon even in heavy clutter while simultaneously providing detection and tracking of surface targets and beacon responses. (photo : Armybase)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first of three state of the art horizon-search radars for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“The AN/SPQ-9B radar is located on the main mast of the destroyers and can track over 200 radar contacts simultaneously with a high level of accuracy”, Mr Clare said.

“It will be used to search and track targets immediately above the sea surface, such as low-flying aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.

“The Royal Australian Navy is the first Navy outside of  the United States to receive the radar which is manufactured by US company Northrop Grumman.

“It was purchased by the Australian Government through the United States Foreign Military Sales program at a cost of around $10 million each.”

“This is an important milestone in the AWD Project, which involves the construction of three new warships.

“The new ships are based on a proven design from the Spanish Navy.  When complete, the AWD will be one of the most capable warships of its size in the world.

“Each AWD will have anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability as well as the ability to embark a helicopter at sea.

Construction of the AWDs involves the fabrication of 90 separate steel blocks, 30 for each ship, as well as three additional sonar blocks at a number of shipyards in Australia and overseas.

These blocks will be brought together by ASC at the South Australian Government’s Common User Facility in Adelaide where the ships are being assembled.

5 blocks have already been delivered from Williamstown shipyard in Melbourne, with a further 12 planned to be delivered this year from shipyards in Williamstown, Newcastle and Spain including a sonar block for HMAS Hobart.

So far this year the gun software and gun weapon systems have been received, and the combat system is currently being tested in the United States.

By the end of 2013, 34 more blocks are due to be completed, work will have begun on the third ship HMAS Sydney and trials of crew training will have commenced.

(Aus DoD)

RAAF Carries its Most Passengers Ever in A330 MRTT

23 April 2012

An RAAF KC-30A has set a new record by carrying 220 passengers. (photo : Airbus Military)

An Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi role tanker transport of the Royal Australian Air Force, designated the KC-30A, has flown the highest number of passengers ever carried by the service in a single flight.

The aircraft of 33 Sqn, RAAF carried 220 passengers from the Australian Defence Force Academy as well as its 14 crew, on a two-hour flight from Defence Establishment Fairbairn last month.

The sortie was part of the squadron's introduction into service of the KC-30A which is capable of carrying 270 passengers in the configuration selected by the RAAF.

(Airbus)

TNI Bangun Bandara di Perbatasan Malaysia

23 April 2012

Ketiga bandar udara di perbatasan Malaysia akan mampu didarati pesawat Hercules TNI AU (photo : Indoflyer)

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BALIKPAPAN -- Panglima Daerah Militer VI Mulawarman, Mayor Jenderal TNI Subekti, mengatakan pihaknya akan mengerahkan Detasemen Zeni Tempur Kodam VI. Mereka akan dikerahkan untuk membangun dan menambah panjang landasan tiga bandar udara di perbatasan Indonesia-Malaysia di Kalimantan Timur.

"Membangun dan menambah panjang landasan itu agar pesawat Hercules bisa mendarat di bandara-bandara tersebut," kata Subekti, di Balikpapan, Senin.

Ketiga bandara tersebut adalah Bandara Yuvai Semaring di Long Bawan, Krayan, Nunukan, dengan panjang landasan pacu 900 meter lebar 23 meter; Bandara Long Ampung di Kayan Selatan, Malinau dengan panjang landasan 850 meter lebar 23 meter; Bandara Datah Dawai di Long Lunuk, Long Pahangai, Kutai Barat dengan panjang landasan 750 meter lebar 23 meter.

Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) juga akan jadi pengelola ketiga bandara tersebut. Pesawat pengangkut pasukan bersenjata lengkap dan kargo udara Hercules C130 yang kapasitas penuhnya mencapai 70 ton memerlukan panjang landasan 1.093 meter untuk lepas landas maupun mendarat.

"Jadi, landasan yang ada sekarang kami akan perpanjang hingga dua kali lipatnya, hingga minimal 1.600 meter," papar Pangdam Subekti.

Bandara Long Bawan yang sedang dikerjakan saat ini panjang landasannya sudah 1.100 meter dengan lebar 30 meter. Pengembangan bandara di perbatasan ini, menurut Pangdam, sejatinya adalah program Pemerintah Provinsi Kalimantan Timur dengan dukungan anggaran dari APBD Kaltim. Adapun besarnya anggaran, yakni Bandara Long Bawan sebesar Rp 120 miliar, Bandara Long Apung Rp 130 miliar, dan Bandara Datah Dawai Rp 150 miliar.

Ia menjelaskan pelibatan TNI itu karena ketiga bandara juga memiliki posisi strategis pertahanan keamanan. "Bukan kebetulan kami TNI punya prajurit zeni yang selain jago bertempur juga piawai membangun," kata Pangdam.

Selain itu, kata dia, karena kondisi geografis yang sulit dicapai melalui transportasi darat dan harga-harga material yang berkali-kali lipat harga normalnya, pengembangan bandara tersebut kesulitan mendapat kontraktor pengerjaan.

(Republika)

State of the Art Radar for Sabah

22 April 2012

Joint Regional Command Centre (JRCC) of the Ops Pasir. Ops Pasir is a cronim from  Operasi Pandanan And Sipadan Island Resort (photo : military of malaysia)

SANDAKAN: The armed forces will install better defence equipment at the northern sector of its Pasir Operation (Op Pasir) in Sabah soon.

The equipment, including a state-of-the-art radar and communications system, are needed to better safeguard the state's islands and coastal areas which are major tourist spots.

Armed forces chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said he would also seek more funding from the government to provide better facilities for the soldiers at the operation's frontline.

"The equipment that we have now is adequate for our country's defence.

"However, it would be better to have the latest technologies," he said at Pulau Lankayan here yesterday.

Op Pasir is an operation initiated by the government in September 2000 to safeguard all islands and resorts off the east coast of Sabah, following two kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf militants at Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Pandanan.

Zulkifeli was on a two-day official visit to the armed forces' frontline camps there, which ended yesterday.

Zulkifeli believed that the money spent by the government to deploy military forces for Op Pasir was "worth it" as tourists were now flocking to the area as they felt it was safe.

Zaid said his visit to the camps there (the northern sector), which was being manned by soldiers from the Royal Malay Regiment's 10th Battalion, was also aimed at boosting his men's morale and to find out if they had any problems.

(New Straits Times)

Navy Officially Welcomes HTMS Ang Thong to Fleet

22 April 2012

Thailand’s first ship of this kind was built in Singapore at a cost of 4.94 billion baht. The navy plans to order more ships of the same type, because it decommissioned five old auxiliary vessels. (all photos : Bangkok Post, RTN, thaidefensenews)


CHON BURI : The navy officially received its new landing platform dock ship, HTMS Ang Thong, at Laem Thien port at Sattahip naval base yesterday.

HTMS Ang Thong is Thailand's first ship of this kind. It was built in Singapore at a cost of 4.94 billion baht.

Royal Thai Fleet commander Kanat Thongpoon said buying HTMS Ang Thong was worthwhile as it had a displacement of 7,600 tonnes and could carry up to 360 personnel for landing operations and 30 administrative officers.

It will be deployed during the US-Thai Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise next month and on a peace-keeping mission together with HTMSSimilan to tackle Somali pirates next year.

According to Adm Kanat, HTMSAng Thong is also suitable for rescue missions because it has a sick bay, a minor operation room and a dentist room and has doctors on board.

The navy needs more landing ships, of this type he said. It has decommissioned five old auxiliary vessels and HTMS Ang Thong is the only replacement so far. The navy plans to order more ships of the same type.

According to HTMS Ang Thong commander Teerasan Khongman, the new landing craft has a well dock to conveniently launch tanks and boats. It can carry four landing craft with vehicles and personnel.

Also welcomed at the ceremony yesterday were the ship's crew numbering about 150 officers and men.

HTMS Ang Thong's crew members started training on the ship in Singapore two months ago and they will be ready for drills next month. In the Carat exercise, the ship will be used to receive and launch helicopters and amphibious assault vehicles.

(Bangkok Post)

Zahid : Belum Ada Keputusan Mengenai 6x6

21 April 2012

PT Pindad menawarkan Anoa 6x6 untuk pasukan PBB Malaysia Libanon (photo : apaajanews)


'Jangan kelirukan rakyat dengan isu kereta perisai'


KUALA LUMPUR - Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi meminta blogger propembangkang supaya jangan mengelirukan rakyat dengan isu perolehan kereta perisai pacuan roda 6x6 dengan kereta perisai buatan Malaysia, AV8.

Beliau berkata kerajaan sedang mengkaji kesesuaian kereta perisai 6x6 untuk kegunaan tentera Malaysia yang berkhidmat di bawah Pasukan Interim Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (Unifil) di Lebanon manakala projek kereta perisai AV8, yang bernilai RM8 bilion, merupakan rancangan pembangunan kereta perisai buatan Malaysia untuk jangka panjang.

"Mereka harus memahami bahawa AV8 adalah Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) yang mempunyai 12 varian untuk pelbagai kegunaan yang sesuai untuk penyediaan tentera masa depan atau program 'future soldier' di Malaysia manakala APC 6x6 adalah untuk kegunaan Unifil di Lebanon," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyaksikan majlis menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman antara Jabatan Latihan Khidmat Negara (JLKN) dan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris di sini hari ini.

Perjanjian itu bakal memberikan kemudahan perbincangan bagi program-program kerjasama dalam penyediaan latihan untuk jurulatih JLKN.

Ahmad Zahid diminta mengulas blog-blog pembangkang yang memetik sumber media Indonesia bahawa kerajaan memilih 32 buah kereta perisai Anoa buatan PT Pindad, Indonesia kerana harganya lebih murah daripada AV8.    Beliau berkata kerajaan menilai beberapa kereta perisai 6x6 dari luar negara termasuk Anoa dari Indonesia tetapi belum membuat keputusan mengenainya.

Ahmad Zahid menjelaskan keperluan kereta perisai 6x6 untuk askar Malaysia di Lebanon sangat mendesak kerana kereta perisai sedia ada iaitu Condor, yang digunakan sejak 1980-an sudah tidak sesuai.

Beliau berkata pembangunan kereta perisai canggih AV8 pula mungkin mengambil masa panjang iaitu mungkin 15 tahun.

"Prototaip dijangka siap pertengahan tahun depan tetapi untuk Unifil, Condor tidak sesuai kerana ia 4x4. Kita perlukan 6x6, oleh itu kajian spesifikasi dibuat termasuk menentukan kemampuannya bergerak di Lebanon," katanya.- 


(Sinar Harian/Bernama)