07 Maret 2015
RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet (photo : Australian Aviation)
Joint research program upgrades Super Hornet
Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced that a collaborative research program between the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Navy has resulted in upgrades to the radar warning receiver in the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornets.
“A significant improvement to a defence capability has been realised through the exceptional collaborative work of Australian defence scientists and our US allies,” Mr Robert said.
“Importantly for Australia, the US Navy considered this program of work to be highly successful and as a result is keen to undertake more collaborative work.”
The project, which began in 2008, will give the aircraft a greater ability to fight in a modern complex electronic warfare environment.
“Under the Advanced Passive Surveillance Capability program, upgrades have been made to the radar warning receiver on the Super Hornet, improving its ability to locate and identify threats,” Mr Robert said.
“It took forward-looking research to develop the software upgrade and then some smart thinking to apply it to a real system in a fast jet.”
Mr Robert said Australian industry had been involved in a number of significant contracts developing ground support software in support of the program, as had a number of small software and hardware development companies under contract to DSTO.
“The work conducted under this project includes signal processing and parameter estimation algorithms and analysis tools for electronic warfare application, which will be relevant to a number of Australian Defence programs,” Mr Robert said.
“As these programs evolve, it is expected there will be a number of opportunities to provide Australian industry with technology they can include within their proposed solutions for these programs.”
The radar warning receiver upgrade will soon be fitted to the US fleet of Hornets and Super Hornets and to Australia’s fleet in the near future.
(Aus DoD)
07 Maret 2015
Varian panser Anoa Amfibi dapat berputar 360 derajat di atas permukaan air (photo : Defense Studies)
Pindad Segera Pamerkan Panser Amfibi
BANDUNG – PT Pindad menargetkan dapat memamerkan panser amfibi yang mereka kembangkan, pada HUT TNI, Oktober mendatang.
Pengembangkan panser amfibi itu sebagai bagian dari upaya menjawab kebutuhan alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutsista) TNI.
Dirut Pindad Silmy Karim mengungkapkan hal itu ketika menerima kunjungan Danpussenif Mayjen TNI Hinsa Siburian di Bandung, Kamis (5/3). ”Diharapkan, sertifikasi panser selesai Juni mendatang. Jadi pada HUT TNI nanti sudah bisa ambil bagian dalam parade,” jelasnya.
Menurut dia, pihaknya terus menyempurnakan varian terbaru pansernya, terutama kemampuan amfibi, pertimbangan kebutuhan, doktrin, kecepatan, keselamatan, dan pengoperasian.
Panser tetap berfungsi sebagai angkut personel. Hanya saja, panser bisa menembus rawa, sungai, dan danau sehingga memudahkan pergerakan pasukan.
Lincah
Dalam atraksi yang diperlihatkan kemarin, dalam posisi mengambang, purwarupa panser amfibi itu lincah bergerak ke sana-mari. Panser sanggup maju dan mundur dan berkelok tajam. Panser memiliki water propeller sebagai penggerak di air.
Hinsa mengapresiasi produk Pindad tersebut. Secara implisit, perwira tinggi bintang dua tersebut bahkan menyatakan tertarik dengan performa panser amfibi.
”Khusus infanteri, yang ditonjolkan adalah manuver dan tembakan. Infanteri dasarnya jalan kaki. Selama ini, paser Anoa hanya di darat. Dengan panser amfibi, daya gerak dan manuvernya luar biasa,” tandasnya. (Suara Merdeka)
Varian panser Anoa Amfibi akan dipakai untuk kepentingan TNI AD (photo : Koran Sindo)
Tangguh di Laut, Kokoh di Darat
BANDUNG - Perkembangan teknologi yang semakin pesat memaksa manusia memutar otak dengan cepat. Siapa yang tak mampu mengikuti perkembangan, dipastikan akan tertinggal, bahkan terkalahkan.
Tak terkecuali di dunia industri pertahanan. Produsen alat persenjataan asli Indonesia PT Pindad (Persero) melakukan upaya keras demi meningkatkan kemampuan produksinya. Berbagai produk dengan teknologi baru terus dikembangkan, salah satunya adalah panser jenis Anoa Amphibious. Produksi panser yang saat ini masih dalam tahap uji coba ditargetkan bisa rampung dan diluncurkan pada 2015.Masih ada beberapa tahap uji yang harus dilewati sebelum akhirnya ditetapkan laik oleh kementerian pertahanan.
Menteri Pertahanan Ryamizard Ryacudu sempat melihat kemampuan prototype Anoa Amphibious yang diujicobakan dihadapan para tamu undangan pada 11 November lalu. Kehebatan kendaraan tempur ini membuat hadirin berdecak kagum. Menhan pun menyambut baik pembuatan panser yang bisa berputar 360 derajat di atas permukaan air ini. Panser ini memang dibuat agar bisa tangguh di perairan dan kokoh di daratan.
Meskipun sebenarnya yang sempurna di kedua medan tersebut tidak akan pernah bisa diciptakan. Tetapi Pindad mencoba mengatasi kelemahan Anoa yang saat ini belum bisa tangguh di laut. “Kalau mau jago di darat, panser harus ceper. Sebaliknya, kalau mau jago di laut, panser harus tinggi. Bahkan body-nya mirip perahu. Anoa termasuk panser ceper yang jago di darat,” ungkap Kepala Humas Pindad Sena Maulana.
Dia menyebutkan, Anoa Amphibious diciptakan agar panser untuk tentara Indonesia bisa kokoh di darat, juga tangguh di laut. Pembuatan panser ini untuk menjawab kebutuhan tentara yang menginginkan kendaraan khusus seperti itu.Progres pembuatan proto type Anoa Amphibious ini sendiri masih dalam tahap uji internal yang dimaksimalkan. Uji ngambang, tes maju di air (maju, mundur, ngerem), berputar 360 derajat.
Tampak depan Anoa versi amfibi (photo : Defense Studies)
Belum lagi uji ketahanan terhadap ombaknya, hingga kedalaman berapa bisa bertahan, medan apa saja yang bisa dilalui, dan lain-lain. “Selama uji internal juga kita coba gak dimatiin selama empat hari dengan berkeliling Pulau Jawa. Tahan atau tidak,” ujar dia. Setelah itu, masih ada beberapa tahapan lagi yang harus dilalui sebelum akhirnya diluncurkan. Pindad harus mendaftarkan sertifikasinya ke divisi penelitian dan pengembangan angkatan darat.
Di situ dibentuk tim yang di dalamnya ada tim uji bidang peralatan, alat komunikasi, kemampuan khusus dan lain-lain. Dengan baling-baling yang agak besar, Anoa Amphibious memiliki kecepatan 10 knot atau 18,52 km/jam. Berat panser ini dengan disertai peralatan lengkap tanpa orang sekitar 12 ton. Harga jualnya belum keluar.
Namun, jika melihat harga jual Anoa standar saja sekitar Rp12 miliar/unit. “Anoa Amphibious lebih dari itu. Karena spesifikasinya juga lebih. Apalagi beberapa komponen masih didatangkan dari luar seperti mesin dan baling-baling,” terangnya.
Meskipun beberapa komponen masih didatangkan dari luar negeri, kita patut berbangga pada industri pertahanan dalam negeri yang terus berupaya meningkatkan kapasitas produksinya. Hanya saja perkembangan industri pertahanan luar negeri juga harus dikejar lebih cepat lagi.
(Koran Sindo)
07 Maret 2015
Pacific Patrol Boat operators (image : ASPI)
Today, the Government announces the Request for Tender (RFT) for the replacement – Australian-made – Pacific Patrol Boats under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Project SEA3036 Phase 1.
This project represents a significant investment in Australian defence industry with the Australian-made patrol boats worth $594 million in addition to through life sustainment and personnel costs estimated at $1.38 billion over 30 years.
Building towards the release of the Defence White Paper, in December last year, the Government announced a plan that will allow for a sustainable naval shipbuilding industry that supports shipbuilding jobs. The Government recognises the significant value to our nation of a skilled naval shipbuilding workforce.
The current Pacific Patrol Boat Program is the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s engagement in the South Pacific.
As part of Australia’s continued commitment to maritime security in the Pacific region, this project involves the construction in Australia of up to 21 steel-hulled replacement patrol vessels.
With the existing Pacific Patrol Boats soon approaching their end of service life, the Government has committed to replacing the fleet with new Australian made vessels. This will assist Pacific Island countries to continue to take an active part in securing their own extensive Exclusive Economic Zones.
The replacement vessels will be larger and more capable than the current fleet. They will also have greater seakeeping ability, habitability and endurance, and will be updated for the contemporary operating environment.
Replacement patrol boats have been offered to all current participating states including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, as well as new member Timor-Leste.
These vessels will also continue to be complemented by a comprehensive program of training, maintenance and operational support for our regional partners.
The RFT will be an open tender for both the procurement and sustainment of the replacement vessels, along with sustainment of the current Pacific Patrol Boats until their end of life, as well as the new Tongan Landing Craft Medium.
Under the essential requirements of the RFT, the replacement vessels will be built in Australia, and be of steel hull construction.
The key requirements are:
-designed and constructed to commercial standards;
-simple and cost-effective to own, operate and maintain;
-weapon systems will not be fitted, but allowance made to military standard;
-speed of greater than 20 knots in top of Sea State Four;
-range of greater than 2,500 nautical miles at 12 knots with 20% burnable fuel remaining;
-mission duration of 20 days;
-length up to 40 metres;
-capable of operating to top of Sea State Four;
-accommodation for 19 crew with 23 berths; and
-the embarked Seaboat will be capable of speed of greater than 20 knots, operating to top of -Sea State Four, and with a crew of 6 (8 crew ‘Desirable’).
Following this tender process, the Government is likely to make further decisions about this project nearing the end of 2015.
The RFT will be released by Defence on AusTender (www.tenders.gov.au) shortly.
(Aus DoD)
07 Maret 2015
Uji coba munisi 105 mm buatan Pindad (photo : BeritaJatim)
Lumajang- Pabrik munisi (amunisi) organik PT Pindad, Turen, Kabupaten Malang, Provinsi Jatim, mengelar uji coba produk Munisi Kaliber Besar (MKB) untuk Meriam 105 milimeter (mm) Howitzer di Lapangan Tembak Dinas Penelitian dan Pengembangan (Ditlitbang) TNI AU di tepian pantai, Desa Pandawangi, Kecamatan Tempeh, Kabupaten Lumajang, Jatim, Jumat (6/3).
Terdapat tiga jenis amunisi atau biasa disebut pula dengan granat meriam Howitzer 105 mm yang diuji coba, yakni jenis Practice Cadtrige, Smoke Hell, dan High Explosice (HE).
Uji coba Munisi Arteleri Medan (MAM) jenis 105 Howitzer tersebut dihadiri petinggi TNI AD di antaranya, Wakasad Log Brigjen TNI Jani, Dirpalad Brigjend TNI Basuki Abdulla dan Danpusenarmed Brigjen TNI Sonhaji, guna melihat langsung dari dekat kehebatan amunisi karya putra-putra terbaik bangsa. "Kita ingin mengetahui kemampuan dari 105 Howitzer,' ujar Brigjen TNI Jani kepada wartawan.
Menurut dia, 105 Howitzer adalah produk anak negeri yang tidak kalah hebatnya dengan amunisi dari luar. Selain murah dan sangat efektif, karena mampu diproduksi sendiri, maka sangat membantu dalam pertempuran dan operasi militer. "Kita sudah pernah coba dan terus kita tingkatkan kemampuan efektif dari 105 Howitzer," ujarnya.
Sementara itu, Kadiv Munisi PT Pindad Malang, I Wayan Sutaman mengaku, pengembangan munisi terus dilakukan guna membantu TNI, sehingga alutsista (alat utama sistem pertahanan) TNI tidak kalah dengan luar negeri. 105 Howitzer yang diujicobakan tersebut memang khusus dirancang untuk memenuhi kebutuhan Armed dan Marinir, tandas I Wayan Sutaman.
Lebih hebat
Sesuai hasil uji coba, kemampuan dari 105 Howitzer bisa meluncur sejauh 11 kilometer dengan dampak ledakan 25 meter persegi. Munisi Howitzer membantu pergerakan prajurit dalam operasi militer guna memasuki markas musuh. Granat Meriam adalah salah satu alutsista MKB yang digunakan oleh TNI Angkatan Darat dalam rangka menjaga kedaulatan Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI).
Menurut Sutaman, granat meriam atau munisi meriam, terdiri dari beberapa bagian seperti, bagian selongsong, bagian propelan sebagai pendorong, serta bagian hulu ledak. Teknologi yang digunakan adalah teknologi dari Swedia. Kapasitas dari filling atau pengisian TNT ataupun campuran TNT ke dalam hulu ledak granat meriam ini sendiri mencapai 1.200 kg per shift, dan di dalam hulu ledak granat meriam 105 berisi 2 kg TNT. Itu berarti dalam sehari PT Pindad mampu melakukan pengisian hulu ledak granat meriam sebanyak 600 hulu ledak.
Granat meriam itu sendiri dimasukkan ke dalam laras meriam (loading), dan titik jatuhnya, tergantung dari elevasi atau sudut dari loading yang diinginkan. Penggunaan granat meriam di TNI AD itu sendiri sudah sejak perang dunia ke dua (PD II) hingga selesai. TNI AD yang di waktu-waktu sebelumnya masih menggunakan granat meriam produk luar negeri, kini sudah mulai menggunakan produk PT Pindad.
PT Pindad di Turen, Kabupaten Malang sudah memproduksi granat meriam. Fasilitas untuk produksi granat meriam yang disebut dengan filling plant (khusus bagian hulu ledak) itu sendiri sudah dimiliki sejak 1991. Unit filling plant yang dimiliki PT Pindad tersebut merupakan yang terbesar se-Asia Tenggara. Bahkan, beberapa negara tetangga belum memiliki filling plant sebagaimana dimiliki PT Pindad.
(Berita Satu)
06 Maret 2015
PAF C-130 Hercules (photo : Diego Roxas)
MANILA (PNA) -- In line with efforts to ensure that all its aircraft are airworthy and mission capable at all times, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has allocated Php 39,849,975 for the overhaul of the engine assembly of one of its Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" cargo aircraft.
The PAF is known to operate three C-130 planes in its inventory.
Another two are scheduled to be deliver by next year.
Pre-bid conference is slated for March 11 at 11 a.m., PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
While submission and bid opening is on March 24, on the same venue at 9 a.m.
Prospective bidders should have an experience in similar project within the last five years.
(PNA)
06 Februari 2015
The Protected Response Vehicle, an armoured vehicle for island defence that will replace the V200
Military will continue asset upgrades as a deterrence: Minister
While exercises and operations have affirmed the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) capabilities, spending on upgrades of its assets will continue at a steady pace to keep up its deterrent force, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday.
Asset upgrades in the pipeline include the Army’s new Protected Response Vehicle for island defence that will replace the V200. For the Navy, the new Littoral Mission Vessels will take over patrol duties from next year. And over the next decade, the Air Force will have to find replacements for its Super Puma helicopters, which have been in service for almost 30 years.
Besides these hardware, the SAF has also made investments to boost training safety. Second Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said heat stress monitors that track temperature, wind speed, pressure and humidity were introduced in June last year to reduce heat injuries.
SAF V-200 (photo : Army Recognition)
Satellite-based soldier-tracker systems, which overcomes the problem of radio frequency interferences, have also been trialled to better track soldiers in difficult terrain, he added.
Although Singapore’s demographic trends will mean the SAF will have to operate with a leaner manpower pool, Dr Ng said there will be no loss of effectiveness, through the use of advanced technologies. “When measured by manoeuvrability, firepower or new capabilities, the restructured SAF, even though leaner, is more potent and versatile,” he said. He cited examples such as the SAF’S unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which can stay airborne for more than 24 hours, and the Army’s use of robots to defuse explosives.
The Army is also studying the use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles to conduct security patrols, while Unmanned Surface Vessels may in future patrol Singapore’s congested waterways, said Dr Ng.
On Singapore’s defence expenditure, which has grown by 4 per cent nominally on average, Dr Ng said his ministry will closely monitor the increased spending across Asia, but will continue to avoid sharp increases or dips in its spending for now.
(TodayOnline)
05 Maret 2015
China had a military budget of 808.2 billion yuan (US$128.9 billion) in 2014 and this figure will rise to roughly 889 billion (US$141.8 billion) in 2015 (photo : Militaryphotos)
Fu Ying, spokesperson for China's National People's Congress, has said that a draft budget to be published March 5 will raise China's defense budget by around 10% in response to a question from a Reuters reporter, according to a report on the website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix Media.
China had a military budget of 808.2 billion yuan (US$128.9 billion) last year and this figure will rise to roughly 889 billion (US$141.8 billion) in 2015, 3.6-times the 247.5 billion yuan (US$39.4 billion) in 2005. Although the 10% increase in military spending is less than the 12.2% increase last year, it is sure to keep China in the No. 2 spot in terms of global military spending, according to the website.
In 2010, China's military spending represented 1.3% of the country's GDP, relatively low in comparison with other countries, far lower than the 4% of the US and the average of 2% among Western countries and only slightly higher than Japan's 1%.
Although the target for GDP growth in 2015 is yet to be made public at the upcoming Lianghui, the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, many estimates have put it at around 7%. In 2014 the target was 7.4%, the first time it had dropped to this level since 1990. The continued effort to push up military spending despite shrinking growth in the country shows China's determination to build its military, according to the website.
At the end of 2014 China introduced new regulations governing the distribution of military funds and use of funds over the past two years will also be examined.
Retired major general and China Arms Control and Disarmament Association committee member Xu Guangyu said that the increase in the budget was reasonable, adding that the fall in growth from last year is appropriate given the slow in growth of the larger economy.
China's military budget is divided into three parts: maintenance and upgrade of equipment, military drills and other events and personnel spending, but there has been tension over recent years as all three have been severely underfunded compared to their international counterparts. Xu said that the budget will likely be spilt equally between equipment, events and personnel spending.
Xu said that China needs to increase its budget due to the low levels of spending in relation to its population.
The third session of the 12th NPC will open on March 5.
(Want China Times)
