Navy Opens High-Tech Warship Simulator

24 Maret 2011



New navy bridge simulation at HMAS Watson. HMAS Watson is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base located at South Head Sydney, New South Wales.(photo : Kongsberg)

Junior officers in the Royal Australian Navy will learn to pilot the next generation of warships, in an upgraded $10m training facility at HMAS Watson, Sydney, which will be officially opened tomorrow.
The new high-tech simulator uses computerised virtual-reality software to simulate a working warship's bridge, complete with a 240-degree view of a computer generated 2D scene through the bridge windows.

The new high-tech simulator with a 240 degree view (photos : Australian DoD)

The bridge training faculty, one of the most advanced simulators in the world, will be opened by Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore.

“This facility is at the cutting edge of simulator technology and provides junior Seaman Officers with very realistic training so they will be capable of carrying out the duties of the Officer-of-the-Watch before heading out to sea,” Rear Admiral Gilmore said.

“Our Navy is the first in the world to use multi flex touch screens in a warship bridge simulator, which increases functionality without cumbersome hardware,” Rear Admiral Gilmore said.


The simulators replicate the full range of maritime operations likely to be experienced while on the bridge of a warship and can be reconfigured to match most classes of ship in the RAN’s current fleet. New functionality includes boat operations, interdiction, and docking and beaching evolutions pertinent to the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships, the first of which is due to enter service in 2014.

“An example of a complex scenario is manoeuvering a 3500-tonne warship within 2000 yards of a number of other ships while under air attack, or ships within 50m of each other conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches” Rear Admiral Gilmore said.

With two full-mission simulators and four part-task simulators, the facility allows up to six warship bridge teams to train for specific scenarios in a joint exercise environment or, conversely, run six independent scenarios.


The graphics system can replicate different environmental conditions, from a clear day through to a raging storm, detailed land-and sea-scape features as well as dynamic models of aircraft, tugs and other ships, including the Canberra Class LHDs and Hobart Class AWDs.

A dedication ceremony will also be held for the combined navigation and bridge training faculties, which was renamed the Taylor Building, after former Chief of Navy (1994-97), the late Vice Admiral Rod Taylor AO, a specialist navigation and operations officer.

Wheelhouse mounted on a a pneumatic electric motion platform. (photo : Kongsberg)

The ship bridge simulation system was delivered to the Navy by the Defence Materiel Organisation on time and under budget. The system was provided by Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training, Norway.

(Australian DoD)

Waspada class Siap Dibawa ke Indonesia

24 Maret 2011

KDB Pejuang, satu dari dua kapal tipe FAC-M yang akan dialihkan ke Indonesia (photo : MyBeautifulSabah)

Cawak Eks Waspada Class Brunei Diberangkatkan

Sebanyak 100 orang calon awak kapal (cawak) tipe “Waspada Class” Brunei dan tim Basic Maintenance Training (BMT) Komando Armada RI Kawasan Barat (Koarmabar) diberangkatkan dari lapangan terbang Halim Perdana Kusuma menggunakan pesawat Hercules A.1319 milik TNI Angkatan Udara menuju Brunei Darussalam.

Sebelum diberangkatkan para cawak tersebut telah medapat pembekalan yang dilaksanakan Komando Latihan Koarmabar (Kolatarmabar) selama tiga minggu dengan materi terkait data teknis, pengoperasian kapal dan perencanaan navigasi penyeberangan serta keselamatan personel dan material.

Awak kapal diberangkatkan ke Brunei (photo : Armabar)

Para cawak tersebut nantinya akan mengawaki dua kapal tipe Eks “Waspada Class” yang masing-masing bernama KRI Salawaku – 642 dengan Komandan Mayor Laut (P) Komaruddin dan KRI Badau – 643 dengan Komandan Mayor Laut (P) Alferd Daniel Matthewd.

(Armabar)

Army Chief Unveils More Gear for Troops

24 Maret 2011

KIA M250 6x6 truck (photo : Military Today)

MANILA, Philippines - Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz on Tuesday announced the purchase of new equipment for soldiers to improve their capabilities.
Speaking during the Army's 114th foundation anniversary, Ortiz also said more equipment are due for delivery for front line units under the Armed Forces modernization program.

"We vigorously pursued the acquisition of new equipment and weapons under the [Army] Capability Upgrade Program, thereby enhancing our move, shoot, and communicate capabilities," Ortiz said.

Early this year, frontline Army troops were given 137 brand-new KM 250 trucks from South Korea in addition to 590 units earlier issued.

"We also expect 90 units of M35 units of M35 6x6 trucks for delivery from the US this coming June," Ortiz said.

He added that earlier this month, the Army delivered to soldiers around 740 40mm grenade launchers. "We expect an additional 2,200 pieces for delivery by the first quarter next year."

He said the Army is also set to receive 470 night fighting system units, 6 units of 155 howitzers with ammunition, 100 units of 81mm mortar with ammunition, and 335 units of rocket launchers with ammunition.

M35 6x6 truck (photo : Army Recognition)

"Further, we have re-barreled 2,548 M16 rifles and additional 550 are programmed for re-barreling third quarter this year. We also expect next month the delivery of 30,000 pieces of M16 aluminum magazines assembly and another 30,000 additional pieces this year," Ortiz saud.

Around 1,300 sets of Harris man-pack, handheld, and base radios are also due for delivery.

"This will add to the current inventory of 9,147 Harris radios earlier issued to our operating units. Also programmed for acquisition are 1,476 sets (of) handheld and base radios and 210 sets armor vehicle radios," said Ortiz.

He also revealed that 9,786 Kevlar helmets are due to be distributed to the troops in addition to the previous 25,000 pieces earlier issued. He said 2,015 units of body armor were recently delivered to troops.

The Army also plans to upgrade the five-storey Fort Bonifacio General Hospital [FBGH] inside the Army headquarters. "Modesty aside, the FBGH is nearly comparable to the reputable private hospitals in Metro Manila," said Ortiz.

Ortiz, AFP chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban, and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin attended the Army event.

(ABS-CBN News)

Pembuatan Rudal Dilakukan Bertahap

24 Maret 2011

Rudal anti kapal C-705 buatan China mempunyai jangkauan 75 km, namun dengan tambahan mesin pendorong kedua mampu melesatkan hingga mencapai 170 km (photo : ClubChina)

JAKARTA – Kerja sama pembuatan peluru kendali jenis C 705 dengan Republik Rakyat China akan dilakukan secara bertahap melalui transfer teknologi dan produksi bersama sampai nantinya Indonesia bisa mencapai kemandirian.

Wakil Menteri Pertahanan Letjen TNI Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin mengatakan, pembelian alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) dari China, termasuk peluru kendali jenis C 705, akan diikuti dengan tahapan transfer teknologi serta proses produksi bersama.Peluru kendali ini dipakai untuk perlengkapan persenjataan kapal perang TNI Angkatan Laut. “Di samping kita beli, kita juga harus mengantisipasi dengan joint production,” tegas Sjafrie yang ditemui di sela-sela Jakarta International Defence Dialogue (JIDD) di Jakarta kemarin. Dengan tahapan tersebut, ujarnya, dalam kurun waktu tertentu Indonesia akan mampu memasuki posisi kemandirian dalam memproduksi alutsista jenis rudal.

“Dengan transfer of technology dan joint production, kita akan bisa memasuki kemandirian. Begitulah tahapannya,”jelasnya. Tahapan yang sama, jelas Sjafrie, juga dilakukan saat akan melakukan produksi panser Anoa oleh PT Pindad. “Seperti pada proses panser Pindad. Dulu kan kita tidak bisa membuat. Makanya, kita beli, didukung oleh tim litbang untuk pengembangannya dan akhirnya kita bisa membangun. Yang sekarang masih diimpor yakni gear box dan mesinnya saja,”paparnya. Sedangkan untuk teknis pelaksanaan kerja sama, menurut Sjafrie, akan dibahas oleh pejabat setingkat direktur jenderal, baik untuk pembelian serta proses transfer teknologi serta produksi bersama. “Untuk pembelian, nantinya akan diurus oleh Badan Sarana Pertahanan dan transfer teknologinya oleh Dirjen Potensi Pertahanan,”jelasnya.

Rudal anti kapal C-802 buatan China mempunyai jangkauan 120km, tipe terbarunya C-802A mampu menjangkau sasaran 180 km (photo : ClubChina)

Sjafrie melanjutkan, kesepakatan untuk melakukan transfer teknologi dan produksi bersama peralatan militer dengan pabrik persenjataan yang ada di China merupakan salah satu butir dari nota kesepahaman yang telah ditandatangani oleh Kementerian Pertahanan Indonesia dengan Badan Negara Urusan Ilmu Pengetahuan,Teknologi, dan Industri Pertahanan Nasional Republik Rakyat China (SASTIND) di Jakarta pada Selasa (22/3). “SASTIND ini merupakan regulator peralatan-peralatan militer yang mau diekspor keluar. Dia yang mengatakan ya atau tidaknya peralatan diekspor keluar negeri. Dia yang membawahi pabrik-pabrik yang memproduksi peralatan militer,”paparnya.

Secara terpisah, peneliti alutsista PT Pindad Bandung, Wien Intarto, mengatakan, pembuatan peluru kendali memerlukan kerja sama antarindustri pertahanan. “Jadi, tidak bisa dilakukan oleh Pindad saja atau PT DI saja,”paparnya. Dia menambahkan, PT Pindad bisa disiapkan untuk memproduksi badan rudal, peluncur, mekanik, serta war head, sedangkan pengendali tetap harus diserahkan pada industri pertahanan lainnya.

(Seputar Indonesia)

Saab Receives Order for Airborne Self-Protection System

23 Maret 2011

Saab IDAS Integrated Defensive Aids Suite, used for aircraft self-protection syste, (photo : Saab)

Defence and security company Saab has received an order for airborne Electronic Warfare self-protection system of approximately MEURO 28.

”We are proud of being selected for this major deal for self-protection systems. The contract strengthens our position on the world market and shows that our complete Electronic Warfare self-protection systems are highly competitive”, says Micael Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems.

Development and production of the self-protection systems (named IDAS, Integrated Defensive Aids Suite family) takes place at Saab in Centurion, South Africa, and in Järfälla, Sweden. Deliveries will be made 2012-2016.

Saab’s family of Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) are ideally suited to enhance the survivability of aircraft, in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments, by providing a multi-sensor warning system i.e. radar, laser and missile approach (passive UV); integrated with the lightweight pyrotechnic dispensing system (BOP/L).


Su-30MKM of the RMAF also used IDAS self protection system (photo : Peter De Jong Airliners)

The system today is protecting the following aircraft and helicopters: Su-30MKM, C-130B, H and L100, Saab 2000, Eurocopter Puma & Super Puma, NH Industries NH90, Agusta-Westland A109, A129, Agusta-Westland Super Lynx 300, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Eurocopter Cougar, Denel Rooivalk, Denel Oryx and is on delivery for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.

The industry’s nature is such that depending on circumstances concerning the product and customer, further information regarding the order will not be announced.


(Saab)

Thailand Agrees to German Submarine Procurement

23 Maret 2011

German type 206 submarine (photo : heiszwolf)

The Thai government has agreed to buy two second-hand Type 206A diesel electric submarines from the German Navy, official sources have confirmed to Jane's.

Payment for the purchase - which is understood to be about USD220 million - has not yet been secured, although funds are expected to be sourced from the defence budget for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), which commences in October.

The German Navy decommissioned four Type 206A submarines in mid-2010. The boats are 35 years old and were originally due for decommissioning between 2011 and 2015. As part of a defence review carried out by Berlin, the German Navy brought the boats' retirement date forward to save operational costs.

A senior officer from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) told Jane's on 21 March that officials from the German Navy visited the country in late 2010 and offered the submarines to Thailand. He added that German submarines had been selected ahead of those offered by South Korea and China, who had made available Type 209s and Type 039s respectively. The RTN also held discussions with Swedish shipbuilder Kockums about the availability of Gotland-class submarines.

(Jane's)

LDA Seeks to Cancel ST Marine Ropax Contract

23 Maret 2011


ST Marine shown Ropax fleet support vessel at IMDEX 2009 (all photos : KLS Review)

Notice of Termination of Ropax Contract

Singapore - ST Marine, the marine arm of ST Engineering, has received a notice of termination dated 17 March 2011 (Notice) from Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) in respect of the shipbuilding contract for the Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger ferry (Ropax) contracted in July 2007 for a contract price (inclusive of variable options) of approximately S$179m. In the Notice, LDA have alleged that there is a delay in the delivery of the Ropax vessel. They further allege that even if the vessel is tendered for delivery there will be deficiency in the deadweight capacity of the Ropax vessel.

The Notice further states that in the event LDA is not entitled to terminate the contract in accordance with the Notice, LDA is fully prepared to continue to fulfill its obligations under the contract but however that it will become entitled in due course to terminate the contract by reason of deficiency in the deadweight capacity.

Ropax fleet support vessel is designed for commercial and naval use. It has 158.62 m length and max speed is 18 knot, can be used as a medical, humanitarian disaster relief support, transport supplies, and sea refuelling, also can be used for command and control vessels. The Ropax fleet support vessel has a stern ramp to accept or implement fast mechanical landing craft. (all images : KLS Review)

ST Marine has referred the matter to its legal advisers.

In the event the Notice is valid, ST Marine is required to refund the milestone payments made to ST Marine amounting approximately to S$129m plus interest. LDA has also reserved its right to pursue claims in damages. If liable for damages, ST Marine's position is that under the terms of the contract its total liability for damages is capped at 10% of the contract price.

In the circumstances, the termination of the contract is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year.

(STEngg)