03 April 2019
Enstrom 480B Army Aviation School, Army Aviation Center, Royal Thai Army (photo : ball.kittidej)
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is pleased to announce the sale of 6 turbine powered 480B aircraft to M-Landarch, the Enstrom Representative in Thailand. The $12m contract includes flight and maintenance training, and the aircraft are expected to deliver in the second half of 2019. The helicopters will be used for ab-initio and advanced flight training.
The 480B already has an excellent reputation for safety and durability, and has proven popular internationally as a turbine training helicopter. However the 480Bs for Thailand will include a number of new features designed specifically for the flight training market. This includes a custom dual instrument panel giving both the student and the instructor their own set of flight instruments. The aircraft will have dual Aspen EFIS systems, Garmin avionics, and a Cobham RT-7000 tactical communications radio. Already capable of advanced IFR training, the aircraft will be further equipped with NVIS cockpits for NVG flight training.
“These aircraft represent some of the most advanced training aircraft on the market,” said Enstrom Director of Sales & Marketing, Dennis Martin. “Enstrom continues to raise the bar by providing innovative, cost effective, and customized solutions for military and commercial operators alike.”
M-Landarch has been an approved Enstrom Representative in Thailand since 2008 and provides aviation, and other support services for their customers in Thailand.
(HeliHub)
04 April 2019
T-80U of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division (photo : Redditt)
Cambodia wants to buy Russian T-80U main battle tank? This is a question published by the Russian press after the visit of the Cambodian high-level military delegation to the Kantemirovskaya tank guard division.
Russian media reported that on April 1, a high-level military mission of the Royal Cambodian Army led by Lieutenant General Hunmanet visited the 4th Kantemirovskaya tank division.
Here, Cambodian military officials were introduced by Russia to the tactical features of the T-80U main battle tank as well as the division's training of motorized infantry soldiers with combat vehicles BMP-2 infantry and armored vehicles carrying BTR-82A troops.
General Hun Manetan appreciated the professionalism of the training of Russian Army units and thanked the warm reception of tank soldiers of the unit.
According to the Russian press, this is a clear sign that this Southeast Asian nation is showing a particular interest in Russia's T-80U tank and may advance to sign a similar procurement contract, not far away.
High-level Cambodian military delegation to visit the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya, tank division of Russia (photo : BaoCatViet)
The fact that the Royal Cambodian Army desires to own a new generation main battle tank has been mentioned many times in the past, the main reason is that Phnom Penh currently only has MBT in the service, while other countries neighboring families are undertaking rapid modernization.
Phnom Penh seems to have been more interested in the T-90 tank similar to Vietnam, but after balancing the financial resources, it seems they are inclined to buy old tanks to reduce the burden on the budget.
It is likely that the Royal Cambodian Army will choose T-80UE1 tanks, a Russian-made version intended to utilize the excess T-80U turret, when mounted on the T-80BV chassis.
The tactical features of the main battle tank T-80UE1 are difficult to compare with the T-90S/SK or VT4 or T-84 Oplot, but are not inferior to the T-72B1MS White Eagle.
The presence of these T-80UE1 armored vehicles in the near future (if the purchase contract is signed) will have the effect of increasing the strength of the Royal Cambodian Army many times over the present.
(BaoDatViet)
03 April 2019
BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15) (photo : Manila Bulletin)
MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) downgraded the designation of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and BRP Andres Bonifacio, all ex-United States Coast Guard cutters, from frigates into patrol ships.
"The PN deemed it relevant to redesignate our Del Pilar-class vessels as patrol ships since frigates are supposed to be a naval combatant that has more than one capability to address the multi-dimensional nature of naval warfare. This platform should have the capability for anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine and even electronic warfare suites," Navy spokesperson, Captain Jonathan Zata said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Tuesday.
Formerly, the three ships were designated as FF-15 (BRP Gregorio Del Pilar), FF-16 (BRP Ramon Alcaraz) and FF-17 (BRP Andres Bonifacio) to denote their role as frigates.
With the redesignation, these vessels will be using the patrol ship designation or "PS".
"As these capabilities are added into a platform they now take on a different role and even purpose as part of a fleet’s battle formation. So the need to correctly term a naval vessel based on its capabilities and specific role/s vis-a-vis being part of a naval force," Zata said.
The Del Pilar-class patrol ships are three former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the PN in 2011, 2013, and 2016.
These ships have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet while its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.
These vessels have cruising range of 14,000 miles and have a sea and loiter time of 45 days and armed with a 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25mm and 20mm light cannons and .50-caliber machine guns.
(PNA)
03 April 2019
HMAS Brisbane DDG-41 (photo : RAN)
HMAS Brisbane Integrates with Air Force Fifth Generation Fighters
Her Majesty’s Australian Ships Brisbane and Melbourne have successfully integrated into Exercise DIAMOND SHIELD, the Royal Australian Air Force’s Tier 1 air defence activity.
Operating off the coast of Newcastle, Brisbane embarked three Fighter Controllers from the Fleet Fighter Control Element, based at RAAF Williamtown.
Throughout the exercise, Brisbane and Melbourne contributed to high-end air warfare activities which tested the crew and greatly expanded collective understanding of complex warfighting scenarios.
Fighter Controllers had the opportunity to control a range of assets including F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, with up to 30 assets airborne at any one time.
Brisbane’s participation in DIAMOND SHIELD formed part of her Deployment Readiness work up as she prepares to conduct weapon firing and certifications in the United States later this year.
The large number of live air assets provided a number of challenges for the operations and sensors teams that far exceeds what can be generated in the maritime exercise areas in vicinity of Jervis Bay.
RAAF F-35A (photo : RAAF)
Further integration of the Royal Australian Navy’s new destroyers into complex air environments will be a critical pathway to realising the full potential of the Hobart Class in the future.
A highlight of the exercise saw the most modern and advanced Air Warfare platform in the Royal Australian Navy integrate and operate with Australia’s new fifth generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II.
Fighter Controller, Lieutenant Kyle Livingstone said DIAMOND SHIELD was a great opportunity to prove the capability of the Navy’s new destroyers in a complex environment with the most modern and advanced platforms in the Air Force.
“Exercise DIAMOND SHIELD showcased what’s possible when combining the lethality and advanced capability of the Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyers with fifth generation fighter aircraft,” he said.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Brisbane, Commander Josh Wilson said DIAMOND SHIELD provided the perfect opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to achieve a significant capability milestone.
Fleet Fighter Control Element onboard HMAS Brisbane for Exercise DIAMOND SHIELD 2019 (photo : RAN)
“Achieving the first integration of the Destroyer capability with the Fifth Generation Joint Strike Fighter is of particular significance.
“The opportunity to integrate cutting edge air and maritime assets in a high end warfighting scenario is rare and proved an invaluable experience for the Brisbane team,” Commander Wilson said.
The Fleet Fighter Control Element seamlessly integrated into the Brisbane operations room team, demonstrating the ease with which Fighter Controllers contribute to high-end warfighting activities.
The Fleet Fighter Control Element is based at RAAF Williamtown and is a lodger unit within 3 Control and Reporting Unit.
Navy Fighter Controllers are Maritime Warfare Officers and serve at sea as Officers’ of the Watch prior to sub-specialising in air battle management.
(RAN)
02 April 2019
Torped Black Shark (photo : Leonardo)
Torpedo Black Shark TNI AL Ditembakkan di Perairan Utara Bali, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai Kawal Uji Coba
TRIBUN-BALI.COM, DENPASAR - Pelaksanaan uji coba penembakan Torpedo Black Shark oleh KRI Nagapasa-403 di sekitar perairan utara Bali, dilaksanakan Sabtu (30/3/2019), sebagaimana dikutip dari laman tnial.mil.id
Uji Coba langsung dihadiri Pangkoarmada II Laksda TNI Mintoro Yulianto, yang onboard di salah satu kapal perang Republik Indonesia (KRI) jajaran Koarmada II, yakni KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda ( SIM) -367, yang bertolak dari Dermaga Ujung, pada Kamis (28/3/2019), lalu.
Keberadaan orang nomor satu di Koarmada II tersebut di KRI SIM-367, yakni untuk meninjau langsung pelaksanaan uji penembakan torpedo black shark oleh KRI Nagapasa-403.
Selain KRI SIM dan KRI Nagapasa, dalam uji penembakan tersebut beberapa KRI dan satuan lain juga ikut terlibat.
Di antaranya, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (GNR-332), KRI Spica dari Pushidrosal, Tim dari Dislambair, Satkopaska, Labinlek, serta Dispen Koarmada II.
Pangkoarmada II berharap, sebagaimana tertulis, torpedo Black Shark mampu melengkapi kecanggihan KRI Nagapasa-403, sehingga kapal selam yang baru bergabung di jajaran Satsel Koarmada II pada tahun 2017 itu semakin terpercaya dalam menjaga keamanan wilayah laut Indonesia.
Palaksa KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai Letkol Rudi yang ikut mengawal proses uji coba penembakan tersebut mengatakan uji coba Torpedo Black Shark tersebut ditembakkan sekitar pukul 03.00 dini hari.
"Sudah selesai latihannya tanggal 30/3/2019 kemarin. Kalkulasi latihannya ada banyak, sejak tanggal 29-30 itu. Uji coba penembakan cuma satu torpedo yang dilakukan Kapal Selam Nagapasa sekitar jam 3 pagi," kata Rudi saat dikonfirmasi tribun-bali.com, malam, Minggu (31/3/2019), kemarin.
Dia menuturkan, lokasi uji coba digelar di perairan utara Bali.
"Di utara perairan Bali. Sekitar utaranya Celukan Bawang kalau tidak salah. Letak pastinya kurang tahu karena bukan kita yang uji coba penembakan.
"Kita hanya mengamankan sektor sekitar lokasi saja. Biar saat penembakkan kapal-kapal nelayan dan niaga tidak melintasi lokasi uji coba penembakan sehingga tidak salah sasaran. Kan biasanya ada kapal-kapal yang mungkin mau ke Celukan Bawang jadi kita amankan saja sektornya," tuturnya.
KRI Nagapasa 403 (photo : Wiki)
Dia menjelaskan, senjata yang diujicobakan itu merujuk torpedo jenis baru, Black Shark yang dibeli dari Italia.
"Rinciannya tidak tahu pasti. Spesifikasinya juga kami kurang tahu karena sepertinya senjata itu khusus untuk kapal selam saja, bukan semacam Kapal jenis kita. Mungkin senjata ini pernah diujicobakan, cuma yang ini ke berapa kali saya kurang mengetahuinya. Itu karena Kapal baru dan senjatanya baru, jadi masih diujicobakan," jelas dia.
Ditanya mengenai lama proses latihan, pihaknya pun tidak mengetahui pasti.
"Tidak tahu berapa lama, karena masing-masing kapal datangnya tidak bersamaan. Tapi sejak tanggal 29/3/2019 kami sudah tiba di lokasi untuk mensterilisasi dan mengawal latihan. Untuk pengamanan seperti kita, harus duluan menjaga agar tidak ada unsur lain yang memasuki area. Setelah itu pun kita langsung mencar masing-masing," jawabnya.
Dia membeberkan ada dua kapal yang mengawal dan satu kapal sebagai observer latihan tersebut.
Sementara itu, Palaksa Lanal Denpasar Letkol Laut (P) Bambang Abdullah Basuki Rahmad saat dikonfirmasi mengenai adanya latihan uji coba itu, juga membenarkan kegiatan tersebut.
Dia menuturkan latihan uji coba sudah berlangsung tanggal 29/3/2019 lalu, dan menembakkan torpedo black shark tersebut pada tanggal 30/3/2019 sekitar pukul 03.00 dini hari.
Kurang lebih ungkap dia, kegiatan itu hanya uji coba senjata baru.
"Kapal selam yang menembakkan itu, KRI Nagasapa 403. Memang itu kapal yang dilengkapi dengan persenjataan baru, jadi persenjataannya dicoba. Artinya ini senjata barunya kapal selam itu," kata dia menuturkan.
Dia melanjutkannya, ada beberapa kapal yang mengawal proses percobaan latihannya yakni KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai dan beberapa kapal lainnya.
Sementara in, ujarnya, kapal KRI Nagasapa telah bertolak ke Surabaya.
"KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai masih sandar di Benoa untuk melanjutkan operasi selanjutnya. Pengawalan yang dilakukan sesungguhnya untuk menghindarkan kapal-kapal nelayan menjauh dari area penembakan.
"Torpedonya tidak sampai diledakkan karena ini Kepala Latihan bukan Kepala Perang. Torpedo kepala latihan itu seperti drone gitu, dikendalikan," ujarnya.
Seperti diketahui, torpedo Black Shark merupakan buatan Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), Finmeccanica Company, Italia, yang diketahui sebagai torpedo jenis baru dan modern untuk kapal selam.
(TNI AL)
02 April 2019
Hawkei orotected mobility vehicle (photo : Thales)
Global defence contractor Thales has chosen Adelaide electronics firm REDARC to supply a dual power system for its Australian developed and made Hawkei protected vehicle.
REDARC will provide a dual power solution based on their off the shelf technology which had its origins in equipping recreational vehicles and caravans.
The system provides constant, regulated power for critical components such as radios, communications and computers.
Input and output voltage are selectable across a wide range.
REARC’s managing director, Anthony Kittel said the contract demonstrated the company’s unique positioning as a defence supplier.
Off the shelf, or modified versions of its existing products were being accepted by defence customers.
“Over the past 5 years REDARC has established itself as a key SME in the Australian Defence sector.
“REDARC have been recognised for successfully delivering products to the Australian Defence Force and for our ability to meet the stringent standards and requirements of the Australian Defence Organisation.”
REDARC’s vehicle electronics products are encapsulated in a silicone elastomer which insulates them from moisture and vibration.
Thales’ Hawkei delivers class-leading protection, mobility and payload with unparalleled levels of blast and ballistic protection for a helicopter transportable vehicle.
(AustraliaManufacturing)
02 April 2019
Kapal LCU ADRI LI (61) mempunyai bobot 1.500 DWT, panjang 99,2m dan lebar 16,4ton (photo : DRU)
Agenda Peluncuran Kapal LCU H380 di Lamongan
Kamis, 23 Maret 2019 berlangsung acara bersejarah di Kabupaten Lamongan. Bertempat di PT Daya Radar Utama LMI (Lamongan Marine Indonesia) di jalan Deandles km 63, desa Sidokelar, Kec Paciran, Lamongan digelar acara peluncuran “kapal LCU H390” sebagai kapal pesanan dari Kementerian Pertahanan RI.
Steven Angga Prana selaku Manager PT Daya Radar Utama menjadi penanggungjawab acara yang dihadiri kurang lebih 100 orang undangan.
Hadir dalam kesempatan itu Laksmana TNI Srijanto, ST selaku Kepala Pusat Kelayakan Baranahan Kemhan, Brigjen TNI Jelly Juntoro,S.Sos selaku Dirbekang TNI AD, Brigjen TNI Gunung Sarasmoro selaku Kepala dinas Kelayakan AD, Kol Djoko Pitoyo sebagai kepala tim pengawasan pembuatan kapal LCU 390, Prof Dr KH Abdul Ghofur yang menjadi pengasuh Ponpes Sunan Drajat dan para undangan lain.
Kementerian Pertahanan memesan 2 LCU untuk TNI AD di PT DRU (photo : Suara Nasional)
Acara diawali dengan sambutan oleh Steven Angga Prana selaku Manager PT Daya Radar Utama, disusul sambutan Laksmana TNI Sriyanto, ST yang menyampaikan ucapan syukur pada Tuhan juga rasa bangga atas kehadirannya dalam peluncuran 1 dari 2 unit kapal yang dipesan.
Lebih jauh disampaikan pula bahwa ini merupakan salah satu usaha pemerintah untuk mendorong produksi kapal dalam negeri agak lebih maju dan berkembang.
Sebelum dilakukan peluncuran perdana kapal LCU H390 pada pukul 13.15 wib, dilaksanakan acara penyerahan cendramata bagi tamu undangan dan ramah tamah. Cendramata diserahkan Steven Angga Prana kepada Laksamana TNI Surjanto dan Brigjen TNI Helmi Guntoro, sebelum acara ramah tamah dan penutupan acara pada pukul 13.15 wib. Acara berjalan lancar hingga akhir.
(Suara Nasional)
