30 November 2015
Platform Training Simulator at HMAS Stirling (photo : Naval Today)
Sydney, Australia – Thomas Global Systems (Thomas Global) has signed a contract with Thales Australia to design and manufacture the complex user interface panels for the Platform Training Simulator (PTS) used to train crews operating the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines.
The PTS emulates the demanding submarine operating environment, ensuring the safe handling of critical systems including manoeuvring, propulsion and diving safety. The system is operated by the Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) based at HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, Western Australia.
Thales is upgrading the Platform Training Simulator to align to the Collins Class submarine current configuration and selected Thomas Global as the major sub-contractor for the project.
Thomas Global CEO, Angus Hutchinson, said – “We are pleased to again be partnering with Thales, this time on the important Collins PTS upgrade program. Thomas has a long history of applying our engineering capabilities to key naval programs, working with partners such as Thales to provide world-class in-country capabilities in support of critical defence assets.”
(Thomas Global)
30 November 2015
F/A-50PH (photo : GMA Network)
CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga (PNA) -- Modernization efforts for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has gained momentum after President Benigno S. Aquino III approved Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin's request to enter into a "multi-year contract" for seven acquisition projects.
This was disclosed by DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, material and modernization Fernando Manalo during the sidelights of FA-50PHs welcoming ceremony in Clark Air Base, Pampanga Saturday.
"PNoy (President Aquino) has approved the request of DND for SND to be authorized to enter into multi-year-contract. The approval will pave the way for the acquisition of
-two frigates,
-anti-submarine helicopters and
-amphibious assault vehicle for the Philippine Navy;
-long-range patrol aircraft,
-close-air support aircraft,
-munitions for FA-50 and
-air surveillance for the Philippine Air Force," he added.
Manalo said payment from the seven projects will run from 2015 to 2018.
Granting of the MYC (multi-year contract) will allow the military to pursue modernization program beyond Aquino's term.
Total value of the seven projects is about PHP44 billion.(PNA)
FA-50PHs part of a bigger plan to acquire more advanced aircraft
CLARK AIR BASE, PAMPANGA (PNA) --- Despite the vast improvement of the supersonic FA-50PHs over the subsonic SIAI-Marchetti S-211s, pilots trained to fly the South Korean-made lift interim fighter aircraft is just part of a plan to acquire advanced multi-role fighter aircraft.
This was disclosed by Lt. Col. Rolando Conrad Peña III, one of the three Filipino pilots who undergone FA-50PH flight training with the Republic of Korea Air Force over the last six and a-half months.
He has over 56 hours of flying time with the FA-50PHs
"The FA-50PHs is part of a bigger plan to acquire more more advanced multi-role fighters," Peña said.
However, he did not give an exact timetable on when the more advanced fighter aircraft will be acquired.
“We are very much elated and very proud that we now have this state-of-the-art aircraft. We’ve flown a push-pull cable, subsonic aircraft – the S-211. Now that we have the FA-50PHs, it ushers in a new history, so flying, going back, return to the supersonic age so to speak,” Peña pointed out.
“The aircraft is a lead in fighter trainer so it is a light attack aircraft. It can do light multi-role missions but primarily it is a lead in fighter trainer. This is going to be a transition platform for us, from flying the subsonic S-211 to the more advanced multi-role fighters we’ll be acquiring,” he added.
Peña said the FA-50PHs would be used for various missions, including interception.
“We’ve been trained to do tactical intercepts, so we are able to do that,” he added.
Peña said the two aircraft arrived without any armament.
He said efforts are underway to acquire weapons for the aircraft, which may include air-to- air and air-to-ground capability.
“It has maximum payload capacity of 10,000 lbs so its very much capable. But of course, there are limitations but let’s not talk about the limitations.. Let’s talk about the capabilities and I think we bought the best lead in fighter trainer,” he said.
Peña said the Air Force can now respond faster to any situation.
“Now that we have a supersonic aircraft, our reaction time will be faster and we are more capable with this type of aircraft,” he said.
“This is really like a Ferrari because it is a fly-by wire aircraft.Its comparable to an F-16 but (it's a) little weak on some parameters but then it is best that the Air Force acquired at the moment. But we are looking forward to acquiring the multi-role fighters,” Peña said. (PNA)
29 November 2015
Pulau Biak, Papua (photo : Antara)
Pulau Biak merupakan gerbang timur Indonesia yang langsung berbatasan dengan Samudera Pasifik. Oleh karena itu, lokasi Pulau Biak menjadi sangat penting dalam menjaga kedaulatan di Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) terutama dalam menghadapi serangan maupun penerobosan wilayah dari laut lepas Samudera Pasifik.
Pulau Biak yang dijaga oleh pasukan TNI dari Korem 173/Praja Vira Braja dan jajarannya juga menjadi pusat penjagaan pulau-pulau kecil terluar di sekitarnya, seperti Kepulauan Mapia yang terletak di sisi utara, Kepulauan Padaido yang terletak di sisi timur, Pulau Supiori yang terletak di sisi barat maupun Pulau Numfor yang berada di sisi selatan Pulau Biak.
Sejumlah anggota TNI dari Korem 173/Praja Vira Braja melakukan patroli di sepanjang Pantai Distrik Oridek, Biak Numfor, Papua (photo : Antara)
Dalam melaksanaan pengamanan, Korem 173/PVB berfungsi sebagai Komando Pelaksana Operasi (Kolakops) dibawah Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih yang menjalankan dua operasi yaitu Pengamanan Daerah Rawan (PAM Rahwan) dan Pengamanan Pulau Terluar (PAM Pulau Terluar). Dengan bekerja sama secara terpadu dengan dengan satuan-satuan lain dari Angkatan Laut dan Angkatan Udara di Pulau Biak, mereka rutin melakukan patroli di daerah-daerah rawan, pesisir pantai dan pulau-pulau kecil terluar.
Selain pengamanan, salah satu fungsi TNI di pulau terluar adalah memberdayakan serta membantu masyarakat lokal yang membutuhkan. Oleh karena itu mereka juga sering turun ke lapangan untuk melihat dan membantu masyarakat secara langsung.
Tinggal di Pulau yang kecil dan jauh dari hingar-bingar kota besar, dan harus jauh dari keluarga juga menjadi tantangan tersendiri bagi prajurit yang bertugas melakukan pengamanan di Pulau Biak dan pulau-pulau terluarnya. Namun semua tantangan itu harus dilalui demi mempertahankan keutuhan Indonesia.
29 November 2015
Pulau Ndana, Rote, Nusa Tenggara Timur (image : GoogleMaps)
Pulau Ndana, Bagian Terluar Indonesia, Dulu Tentara Australia Sering Singgah, Kini Dijaga Marinir
Mengunjungi pulau terluar Indonesia selalu begitu mengagumkan. Bukan hanya keindahan alamnya, adat dan budaya masyarakat di pulau-pulau itu sangatlah menarik. Begitu pula pulau terluar yang berbatasan dengan benua Australia, Pulau Ndana di Kabupaten Rote, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Kita akan dibawa ke ''surga'' yang lain.
Untuk sampai ke pulau yang kini dijaga TNI-AL tersebut, kita harus menempuh perjalanan yang cukup panjang. Dari Kupang, kita harus terbang ke Kota Ba'a
Kota Ba'a adalah ibu kota Kabupaten Rote Ndao. Pulau Ndana terletak di kabupaten yang baru berusia 14 tahun itu.
Untuk meneruskan perjalanan ke Pulau Ndana dari Ba'a, masih diperlukan waktu 1,5 jam. Kondisi ombak pun cukup tinggi, meski cukup bersahabat. Begitu tiba di Pulau Ndana, suasana sangat sepi. Namun, pemandangan pantainya sangat indah. Pasir putih membentang dari garis pantai. Debur ombak terus berderu.
Begitu memasuki Pulau Ndana, kita disambut papan nama dari kayu bertulisan Selamat Datang di Pulau Ndana dalam dua bahasa, Indonesia dan Inggris. Tidak jauh dari papan nama tersebut, tampak barak TNI-AD.
Barak tersebut terdiri atas tiga bangunan utama. Di bagian belakang, terdapat lapangan yang kerap digunakan para anggota TNI untuk berolahraga. Ada pula sebuah sumur yang disesuaikan dengan warna doreng TNI.
Sebagai informasi, tanah untuk pembangunan barak TNI diberikan secara gratis oleh keluarga Mesakh yang memegang hak ulayat atas Pulau Ndana. Hal tersebut sesuai dengan surat permohonan komandan Korem 161/Wirasakti Kupang pada 3 September 2007. Mereka juga menyerahkan tanah seluas 400 meter persegi pada 2001 untuk pembangunan mercusuar.
Pulau Ndana, pulau terluar di bagian selatan Indonesia yang kini dijaga oleh TNI (photo : JPNN)
Selain itu, hingga September 2013, pemerintah telah merampungkan pembangunan kantor Posal (Pos AL), menara, dan dua unit rumah dinas lengkap dengan alsatri serta genset. Keluarga Mesakh juga menyerahkan tanah seluas 400 meter persegi pada 2001 untuk pembangunan mercusuar.
"Dalam perjanjian antara TNI dan keluarga Mesakh, anggota TNI harus menjaga hutan agar tetap utuh dan tidak boleh menembak rusa. Di sini banyak rusa yang berkeliaran, meski hewan itu sangat jarang terlihat," kata Kusman.
Menurut pria 38 tahun itu, sebelum TNI berada di pulau tersebut, patroli angkatan laut Australia kerap mengunjungi pulau itu. Hal tersebut dinilai cukup berisiko bagi keutuhan wilayah Indonesia.
"Sebelum ada markas TNI di sini, kapal-kapal patroli Australia kadang singgah di sini. Untuk menjaga keamanan pulau, sejak 2006, ditempatkan TNI Angkatan Darat dan satuan Marinir. Awalnya, pulau ini adalah wilayah kerajaan. Keturunannya sekarang ya keluarga Mesakh itu," jelasnya.
Selain bercerita soal sejarah, para anggota TNI siap mengantar para turis berkeliling pulau. Jika jumlah turis hanya beberapa orang, biasanya mereka akan diajak melihat-lihat keindahan Pulau Ndana dengan kendaraan motor beroda tiga. Kendaraan tersebut bisa memuat 4-5 orang. Di kota besar, kendaraan itu kerap digunakan untuk mengangkut barang seperti galon air mineral."Kami menyebutnya Viar (merek motor Viar, Red)," ujar Kusman.
Berkeliling pulau dengan menaiki Viar cukup seru. Pengemudinya pun harus piawai. Sebab, medan yang ditempuh bukan jalanan beraspal, melainkan padang rumput dan semak belukar. Guncangan-guncangan kecil pun mengiringi perjalanan. Kadang Viar selip saat melewati medan berpasir. Karena itu, penumpang sebaiknya berpegangan erat.
Kendaraan tersebut juga digunakan para anggota TNI untuk berpatroli. Karena mereka kerap berpatroli dan mengantar tamu, di sepanjang area pulau yang seluas 14,19 kilometer persegi atau sekitar 1.400 hektare itu sudah terbentuk jalan setapak. "Ini (jalan) ya kami yang bentuk. Gara-gara kami tiap hari patroli dan antar tamu," jelas pria asal Surabaya tersebut.
Namun, lanjut Kusman, tidak semua medan di Pulau Ndana bisa dilewati dengan Viar. Misalnya, jalan menuju danau air tawar, salah satunya danau merah. Wisatawan pun harus berjalan kaki. Perjalanan ke danau yang memang berwarna merah itu sedikit melelahkan karena medannya penuh semak belukar dan berbatu ditambah udara yang sangat panas.
See full article JPNN
29 November 2015
As part of the 2015 exercise the Israeli MUSIC DIRCM system was tested, utilizing an operational system integrated on an Airbus C295 aircraft, along with the Passive Airborne Warning System (PAWS) IR-based missile warning system, both systems are made by Elbit Systems. (photos : Defense Update, Elbit Systems)
MUSIC Demonstrates Laser DIRCM Capability
The MUSIC family of Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems was demonstrated recently at the annual, multinational EMBOW exercise held at the Bundeswehr WTD91 test site in Meppen, Germany last month. The annual exercise evaluates different capabilities to protect aircraft against Man Portable Air Defense missile threats (MANPADS).
The exercise is conducted under live and monitored and instrumented conditions, by the NATO 3rd NAFAG Air Capability Group SG/2, enabling pilots and engineers to evaluate the capability of aircraft and countermeasures to defeat infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles, from basic Manpads to more advanced surface to air short-range systems (SHORADS).
As part of the 2015 exercise the Israeli MUSIC DIRCM system was tested, utilizing an operational system integrated on an Airbus C295 aircraft, along with the Passive Airborne Warning System (PAWS) IR-based missile warning system, both systems are made by Elbit Systems.
During the tests, conducted by a multi-national NATO team, a C295 aircraft with an operationally installed EW self-protection suite successfully demonstrated the capability to detect, acquire, track and jam the trial test equipment on the ground, under extreme conditions. According to the system developers, the initial assessment of the results highlighted that the system has the capability to successfully jam MANPADS (infra- red, ground to air heat seeking Man-Portable Missiles) from the first, second and third generation, using generic NATO jam codes.
The demonstration was a joint project of Elbit Systems and Airbus Defence & Space (Spain). It was widely supported by the Israeli MoD, the Spanish Air Force and NAFAG ACG3 SG/2 (NATO Air Forces Armaments Group, Air Capability Group 3, Sub Group 2), which is the NATO group responsible for the development and validation of air platform protection solutions.
Elbit Systems’ MUSIC family of DIRCM systems integrate an advanced fiber laser technology together with a high rate thermal tracking camera and a small, highly dynamic mirror turret to provide effective, reliable and affordable protection to all types of aircraft and under all operational conditions.
The PAWS family of combat proven missile warning systems uses IR to reliably and rapidly detect the most advanced threats in all flight conditions.
Elbit Systems is currently under contract to supply more than 110 DIRCM systems to over ten customers, for installation on 20 different fixed and rotary-wing platform types.
The MUSIC family of DIRCMs have been extensively and successfully tested by various countries and are in full scale production for several NATO customers, including Germany and Italy. In Brazil, Israel and other countries the MUSIC systems are integrated on military, VIP and commercial helicopters and other fixed-wing aircraft. The systems are also fully operational with Israel’s commercial aviation fleet, protecting commuter jet aircraft serving domestic and international destinations.
(Defense Updates)
28 November 2015
Pemasangan main block mast kapal SSV pesanan Filipina (photos : defence.pk)
Pada hari Jumat 27 November 2015 telah dilakukan pemasangan main block mast atas kapal SSV pesanan Filipina. Pemasangan main block mast ini menandai selesainya pembuatan struktur kapal berbasis LPD kelas Banjarmasin/Banda Aceh yang pernah dibuat oleh PT PAL untuk TNI Angkatan Laut.
Kapal SSV pesanan Filipina ini telah dimulai pembuatannya pada Januari 2015 yang ditandai dengan proses first steel cutting yang dilakukan di galangan kapal PT PAL Surabaya. Peluncuran kapal ini dari dok kering rencananya akan dilakukan pada bulan Desember 2015, untuk selanjutnya kapal akan diselesaikan di dok basah.
Filipina memesan 2 kapal perang jenis Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) kepada PT PAL dengan nilai kontrak US$ 90 juta. Kapal jenis SSV tersebut mempunyai panjang 123 meter dan lebar 21,8 meter, kapal mampu membawa 3 unit helikopter dan mampu membawa 649 orang terdiri dari awak kapal, pasukan dan penumpang. Kapal ini mampu melaju hingga kecepatan 16 Knots, dengan mesin pendorong 2 x 3.000BHP.
Pesanan 2 kapal SSV untuk Angkatan Laut Filipina secara kontrak harus dilakukan pada bulan Mei 2017, termasuk kewajiban untuk melewati tahapan pengujian seperti uji pelayaran dan dan juga uji sistem.
(Defense Studies)
28 November 2015
LHD Landing Craft (LLC) (photo : RAN)
Navantia has the pleasure in delivering to the Commonwealth in Sydney the final batch of four LLCs. This is a major achievement, where Navantia has played an important role – that of Prime Contractor for the first time in an Australian program. Since 2007, Navantia has been working in three important programs for the ADF, namely the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs), Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), and the LHD Landing Craft (LLCs), under different contractual schemes to deliver to the best of its ability.
On 16th December 2011, Navantia signed a contract with the then Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) under JP 2048 Phase 3 to build and deliver twelve LHD Landing Craft (LLCs) to the Commonwealth. All twelve have now been delivered to HMAS WATERHEN in Sydney on or ahead of schedule and to budget. The LLCs were built and tested in Cádiz, Spain, and shipped out to Australia.
Navantia understands that the first eight units are in operation with the RAN and are performing to the full satisfaction of Navy, having achieved various missions during sea trials with HMAS CANBERRA, which has also been commissioned into the RAN. Her sister ship, HMAS ADELAIDE, is due to be commissioned in Sydney on 4th December 2015. Since delivery of the LLCs, Navantia has provided in-country support and is committed to ensuring its availability for service at all times. This commitment will be maintained by Navantia Australia Pty Ltd, which is also assisting BAE Systems with Through Life Support of the LHDs.
Navantia is fully committed to Australia and will contribute to projects as far as possible within its proven capacity and ability to supply. We look forward to working with the Commonwealth and industry even more closely than before, to achieve the program goals that we totally share. In this regard, Navantia is currently engaged in the SEA 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability tender process, and is working in a collaborative environment in the SEA 5000 Future Frigate program and the SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessels project.
(Navantia)
