Tasmanian Company Secures Defence Export Competitiveness Grant

26 September 2020

Currawong Engineering has received a $150,000 grant to boost their export capability (photo : Currawong)

Tasmanian small business set to soar after $150,000 grant

A Tasmanian company considered a world leader in the production of engines for unmanned aerial vehicles has received a $150,000 grant from the Morrison Government.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced Tasmanian business Currawong Engineering is the latest recipient of a Defence Global Competitiveness Grant.

The export grant is a further investment by the Government in Australia’s defence industry to help small businesses pursue opportunities in global markets and boost their export capability.  

“The Defence Global Competitiveness Grant program is a key element of the Morrison Government’s program to grow exports, delivering a robust sovereign Australian defence industry,” Minister Price said.

“Currawong Engineering will use its grant to purchase specialist plant equipment to increase electronics production capability for parts used in unmanned aerial vehicles.

“Currawong Engineering is a great example of the capability that Tasmania’s defence industry has to offer.

Assistant Minister Jonno Duniam said Currawong Engineering is a trusted supplier in the defence and security market.

“The grant will assist Currawong to increase production and deliver capability with shorter lead times, boosting its export opportunities into North America,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

 “Currawong has established itself as a world-leader in engines for UAVs, and I’m proud to be backing this innovative, Tasmanian business.”

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants are available to Australian small-to-medium enterprises who are seeking international accreditations, procuring capital items and more.

(Aus DoD)

Yonkav 13/SL Latihan Uji Siap Tempur di Puslatpur Kutai

26 September 2020

Ltihan UST Yonkav 13 Satya Lembuswana (photos : Kodam VI)

Pangdam VI/Mulawarman Tinjau UST Tingkat Kompi Yonkav 13/Satya Lembuswana

TRIBUNKALTIM.CO, TENGGARONG - Pangdam VI/Mulawarman Mayjen TNI Heri Wiranto, S.E., M.M., M.Tr. (Han) meninjau pelaksanaan latihan UST (Uji Siap Tempur) tingkat Kompi Batalyon Kavaleri (Yonkav) 13/SL yang dilaksanakan di Puslatpur AD Amburawang Kutai Kartanegara, Kalimantan Timur, Rabu(23/09/2020).

Latihan UST Kompi Yonkav 13/SL tahun 2020 ini berlangsung selama 4 (Empat) hari dari tanggal 22 s.d 25 September yang melibatkan sebanyak 79 prajurit Yonkav 13/SL dan menurunkan 13 unit Tank yang terdiri dari 9 unit Tank Kanon dan 4 unit Tank APC .

Uji siap tempur (UST) merupakan program yg telah distandarisasikan dan dilaksanakan setiap tahun secara bertingkat, bertahap dan berkelanjut untuk meningkatkan kemampuan prajurit sekaligus menguji sejauh mana kesiapan tempur satuan tersebut.

Pada kesempatan tersebut Pangdam langsung meninjau ke daerah latihan dengan menaiki tank AMX-13 APC untuk memberi melaksanakan pengecekan sekaligus pengarahan kepada prajurit melaksanakan latihan UST.

”Pelaksanaan UST Tingkat Kompi ini dilaksanakan untuk mengukur tingkat kemampuan dan kesiapan satuan yang ingin dicapai, dan UST ini ditujukan untuk menguji dan mengukur kemampuan tempur dalam mengaplikasikan tehnik, taktik dan prosedur Tingkat Kompi,” Ujar Pangdam dalam pengarahannya.

Disamping itu Pangdam juga menyampaiakan dengan diadakan kegiatan Latihan Uji Siap Tempur Kompi ini Yonkav 13/SL, pimpinan dapat menilai tingkat kemampuan satuan dihadapkan dengan keterbatasan alutsista yang dimiliki. Latihan tersebut untuk menguji kesiapan tempur Kompi Yonkav 13/SL dalam melaksanakan operasi militer untuk perang dalam mendukung tugas pokok Kodam VI/Mulawarman,” imbuhnya

Setelah meninjau latihan, Pangdam berkesempatan meninjau sarana dan prasarana baik garasi, asrama di Ksatrian Yonkav 13/Lembus Wana.

(TribunNews)

PAF Eyes 21 Second-Hand Huey Choppers from South Korea

26 September 2020

Farewell of UH-1H Huey which has served the Republic of Korea Army for 52 years (photo : ROK Armed Forces)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has set its sights on acquiring 21 used Bell UH-1H, or Huey, helicopters from South Korea to bolster its fleet.

Maj. Gen. Simeon Felix, chief of the PAF’s Air Mobility Command, announced the acquisition plan at the 68th anniversary of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing on Thursday (Sept. 24).

He did not provide details, though.

Foreign news reports said that South Korea officially retired all of its Huey helicopters from service in July this year.

A senior official privy to the plan told INQUIRER.net that the helicopter acquisition from South Korea was still being negotiated.

The acquisition would also need the approval of the United States, where the Vietnam War-helicopters originated, the official said.

The 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing performs air transport, limited close air support, casualty evacuation operations through its Huey and Bell 412EP combat utility helicopters.

The unit is currently preparing to accept brand new aircraft. It is expecting to receive the first six units of brand new S-76i Black Hawk helicopters within the fourth quarter of 2020, Felix said.

The Philippine government had ordered 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters worth P12 billion. The 10 other Black Hawks are expected to be delivered by 2021.

(Inquirer)

Dubes RI Lakukan Kunjungan Kerja ke Pabrik Radar ERA a.s. di Ceko

25 September 2020

Kunjungan ke pabrik ERA a.s. di Ceko (all photos : Kemenlu)

Kunjungan Kerja Ke Pabrik Radar ERA a.s. di Pardubice

Duta Besar RI Praha pada tanggal 4 Juni 2020 melakukan kunjungan kerja ke pabrik radar terbaik di Ceko, Era a.s. di Pardubice. Kunjungan dilakukan bersama dengan Atase Pertahanan RI Berlin yang juga merangkap untuk Republik Ceko dalam rangka mewakili Kementerian Pertahanan dan TNI AU dalam melaksanakan Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) terhadap 2 unit Radar Passive: Vera-NG buatan Era a.s.

Radar Passive Vera-NG merupakan salah satu produk tracker Era terbaru dan tercanggih, dirancang untuk deteksi lokasi dan identifikasi sasaran baik di darat, laut maupun udara. Radar tersebut akan memperkuat pertahanan RI terutama di wilayah perbatasan.

Pada kesempatan tersebut, Duta Besar dan rombongan serta tim Era juga melakukan vidcon dengan sekitar 15 perwira TNI AU di Indonesia terkait persiapan-persiapan teknis dan rencana pelatihan para perwira TNI AU ke Era di Ceko.

(Kemenlu)

Yonkav 6/NK Latihan Operasi Pertempuran Hutan

25 September 2020

Latihan Yonkav 6/NK Kodam I Bukit Barisan, Medan, Sumatera Utara (all photos : Yonkav 6)

Batalyon Kavaleri 6/Naga Karimata telah menggelar kegiatan Latihan Uji Siap Tempur Tingkat Kompi yang dipimpin langsung oleh Komandan Batalyon Kavaleri 6/Naga Karimata Mayor Kav Dani Prasetyo Wibowo, S.Sos bertempat di daerah latihan Desa Banyu Urip Sawit Seberang Kec. Wampu Kab. Langkat. Kegiatan latihan yang dilaksanakan selama 3 hari di mulai dari tanggal 14 s.d 17 September 2020 dengan menggunakan Tank AMX 13 Canon, Tank AMX 13 Comando dan Tank AMX 13 APC.

Latihan Uji Siap Tempur Tingkat Kompi kali ini digelar bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan bertempur satuan serta menguji kemampuan perorangan dalam jabatanya, hal ini ditinjau dari aspek taktik dan teknik tempur dalam rangka melatih kerja sama kelompok untuk melaksanakan tugas tempur di medan operasi untuk mendukung tugas pokok Kodam I/BB khususnya di wilayah Sumut.

Danyonkav 6/NK Mayor Kav Dani Prasetyo Wibowo, S.Sos menyampaikan bahwa latihan UST Tingkat Kompi merupakan rangkaian pentahapan latihan untuk memelihara dan meningkatkan kemampuan tempur prajurit maupun satuan yang mengacu pada siklus latihan satuan tingkat Batalyon dalam Proglatsi setelah melaksanakan latihan teknis/taktis tingkat Kompi.

Setiap prajurit Yonkav 6/NK memahami peran, fungsi dan tugas dalam dinamika operasi pertempuran yang hakikatnya adalah melaksanakan pertempuran darat yang bersifat ofensif guna mendekati dan menghancurkan musuh dengan menggunakan daya gerak, daya tembak, daya kejut dan lindung lapis baja. Dalam pelaksanaan Latihan ini, prajurit Naga Karimata tetap memperhatikan protokol kesehatan ditengah pandemi Covid-19 sehingga kegiatan latihan ini dapat berjalan dengan aman dan lancar.

(Yonkav 6/NK)

3,600-ton South Korea's Sub Installed with Lithium-Ion Batteries to be Delivered in 2026

25 September 2020

New 3.600 tonnes submarine of South Korea (all photos : NavalNews)

SEOUL -- A 3,600-ton submarine installed with lithium-ion batteries will be delivered to South Korea's submarine fleet in 2026. Lithium-ion batteries are more power-efficient, take up less space and improve underwater navigation capability and high-speed maneuvering compared to conventional lead-acid batteries.

South Korea has carried out the preliminary design of a diesel-electric submarine carrying lithium-ion batteries. A prototype for performance verification will be produced by the first half of next year, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state body controlled by the defense ministry.

South Korea has a three-stage project to develop a fleet of submarines. Through the first phase, nine 1,200-ton diesel-electric submarines have been built with technical help from Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW). The second phase calls for the construction of six 1,800-ton vessels. Through the third phase, submarines of 3,000 tons or more are to be built with indigenous technologies.

The first 3,000-ton submarine unveiled in 2018 carried lead-acid batteries which are relatively inexpensive and reliable. Submarines using lead-acid batteries surface regularly to vent poisonous fumes created in the processes of cooling and charging. DAPA was upbeat over the development of lithium-ion batteries, citing advanced technologies accumulated by South Korea's battery industry.

Still, safety and reliability will be prioritized for the development of lithium-ion batteries for submarines, DAPA said, adding that a harsh test environment was set to prevent explosion during research and development. Before loading lithium-ion batteries into submarines, DAPA said it would verify performance and safety at land test sites

With the development of lithium-ion batteries for submarines, South Korea can strengthen submarine performance and secure competitiveness in large-capacity lithium-ion battery technology, Cho Dong-jin, who is in charge of DAPA's submarine development, said in a statement. "We expect to gain an edge in submarine exports in the future, considering the global competitiveness of our lithium-ion batteries."

(Ajudaily)

Decommissioning Ceremony of the CT-4A Training Aircraft

25 September 2020

Decommissioning ceremony of the RTAF CT-4A aircraft (photos : Battlefield Defense)

The decommissioning ceremony of the Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC) CT-4A Airtrainer, in service at the 604 Squadron, Wing 6, Don Mueang on 17 September 2020, is a significant event to the transition of primary training aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force.

The Royal Thai Air Force ordered to procure 24 aircrafts for training CT-4A from Pacific Aerospace New Zealand in the year 1972 to enter service as an elementary training aircraft at Kamphaeng Saen Aviation School on May 9, 1974.

Later, the Royal Thai Air Force ordered the procurement of CT-4B training aircraft in the year 1992 and procured the CT-4E training aircraft 24 units in the year 1999-2005, which is newer, entered service in the flight school.

The old CT-4A and CT-4B are transferred to the 604 squadron whose mission is to train the primary transport pilots. Outline pilot training Air cadet and supporting activities of the Air Force Civil Aviation Training Unit.

The training aircraft for MC 16 CT-4A/B is equipped with a 210hp Continental-branded piston propeller engine with a two-blade propeller. For training aircraft, the CT-4E is equipped with a 300hp Lycoming engine with a three-blade propeller.

With the service life of the training aircraft, CT-4A/B has begun to be decommissioned previously, such as CT-4A, No. 20/18, Squadron 604, Airborne Division 6 that has been exhibited at the Army Air Museum after the last flight on August 30, 2018.

The last batch of training aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force Co., Ltd. 16 CT-4A to perform the decommissioning ceremony at the 604 squadron. 1974-2020 a total of 45 years, creating a student of aviation, the Royal Thai Air Force and civilian pilots for many generations.

From the White Paper, Royal Thai Air Force RTAF White Paper 2020 CT-4A/B/E will be replaced by a training aircraft Diamond DA-40 Austria in the 604 squadron will enter active duty in the first phase 8 machines and the second phase, 6 machines, a total of 14 machines.

(AAG)