27 September 2019
Xtek Wasp UAV (photo : business insider)
Canberra-based company XTEK Ltd has been awarded a contract to provide repairs, maintenance and support services for the Australian Defence Force’s growing fleet of Wasp All Environment (AE) small unmanned aerial systems.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP said this impressive capability allows Australian soldiers to obtain a faster and better understanding of the battlefield, without exposing them to unnecessary risks.
“The Wasp AE small unmanned aerial system is small enough to be carried, assembled and used by one person allowing the soldier to see over the hill, around the corner and down the road,” Minister Price said.
Xtek Wasp UAV (photo : Xtek)
”This new contract is for an initial term of three years with options to extend through to 2026, with an anticipated value of up to $5 million per year.
“It will directly assure up to 10 jobs in addition to supporting other jobs in the supply chain.”
The contract support services include procurement of spare parts, training, maintenance and repairs – including electronics and composite repairs – with work to be carried out at XTEK’s recently completed small unmanned aerial systems repair and maintenance facility in Canberra.
59 Wasp AE small unmanned aerial systems have been delivered to date, with a further 20 scheduled to arrive in 2020.
(Aus DoD)
27 September 2019
An artist impression of the KF-X fighter aircraft. DAPA announced on 26 September that the critical design phase of the aircraft has been completed (image : DAPA)
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is expected to complete construction of the first KF-X fighter aircraft prototype by the first half of 2021 and conduct the first test flight of the platform a year later, South Korea's Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) confirmed in a 26 September statement.
DAPA said that the critical design phase of the aircraft has now been completed, allowing the KF-X/IF-X project, which stands for Korean Fighter eXperimental/Indonesian Fighter eXperimental, to move on to the next phase: prototype construction.
Development of the single-seat, twin-engined, multirole aircraft began in January 2016, with the preliminary design of the KF-X being finalised in June 2018. Production work on the first prototype began in February 2018, with KAI announcing at the time that it had started manufacturing the aircraft's bulk head.
As Jane's reported, the KF-X development programme envisages the production of six prototypes, followed by four years of trials and the completion of development by mid-2026. Serial production of the aircraft will take place during 2026-32, with an initial 120 units intended to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force's (RoKAF's) ageing fleets of F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II aircraft.
Total production is expected to exceed 350 units, including a quota for exports.
Indonesia is currently renegotiating its involvement in the programme, although Jakarta remains committed to honouring its payment obligations set out under a 2015 financial agreement.
Under this original agreement, which is now subject to renegotiation, Indonesia committed to paying for 20% of the total development costs, which are estimated at about USD8 billion. The South Korean government would pay for 60% of the development programme, with prime contractor KAI covering the remaining 20%.
KAI's industry partner on the project is PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
(Jane's)
26 September 2019
Fifth Type 055 Renhai class destroyer (photo : QQ)
The fifth Type 055 (Renhai-class) destroyer on order for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been launched at the Jiangnan Changxingdao shipyard near Shanghai.
Type 055 mast (photo : kan.china)
Work is now continuing in the fitting-out basin, as shown in commercial satellite imagery captured on 18 September.
Type 055 destroyer (photo : zing)
The launch was not covered by official Chinese media but the satellite imagery shows that it occurred between 7 and 18 September, with some Chinese social media sites claiming that it took place on 12 September.
Type 055 destroyer with 112 cells VLS (image : navalnews)
Displacing more than 10,000 tonnes, the Type 055 is the largest destroyer built for the PLAN. Its vertical launch system (VLS) comprises 112 cells from which surface-to-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land-attack missiles can be launched.
(Jane's)
26 September 2019
PMC KAAV7 (photo : Presidential Communications)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy hopes to get additional amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) and multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) in a bid to further enhance its modernization efforts.
Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said they would need 16 more AAVs as it aimed to acquire two more strategic sealift vessels in addition to its two existing units.
The two landing platform docks have a budget of around P5-billion. Bidding for the project is scheduled for Tuesday in Camp Aguinaldo.
“With the force mix of six AAVs per strategic sealift vessel, we need additional 16 AAVs since we will acquire two more strategic sealift vessels,” Empedrad said in his speech at the ceremonial blessing of four new AAVs and 3 MPACs at the Navy headquarters in Manila.
The four newly-commissioned AAVs are part of the eight new AAVs from Hanwha Defense. The other four were earlier commissioned in June.
“The versatile AAVs not only enhance by large ship-to-shore capabilities of the Philippine Marine Corps but can also provide combat firepower in different types of terrain as well as protection of Marine warriors,” he said.
PMC KAAV7 (photo : Stars and Stripes)
During the blessing ceremony, Hanwha Defense also donated P20 million-worth of mission essential equipment for the AAVs.
12 more MPAC
Empedrad said they have also programmed the acquisition of 12 MPAC for the second phase of the modernization program.
“We also programmed to acquire 12 more MPAC in the second horizon until we reach our desired force mix of 42 MPAC,” he said.
The three newly-acquired MPAC are in addition to the three missile-fitted fast attack craft of the Philippine Navy.
The new fast attack craft will be placed under the 4th Boat Attack Division of the Philippine Fleet activated last Sept. 12.
(Inquirer)
26 Agustus 2019
Dadali drone pengangkut manusia (photo : Lapan)
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Kepala Lembaga Penerbangan dan Antariksa Nasional (LAPAN) Thomas Djamaluddin meresmikan peluncuran Dadali, suatu drone atau pesawat tanpa awak untuk pengangkut manusia (urban transporter). Drone ini diciptakan PT Aeroterrascan dan PT Chroma International.
"Ini adalah salah satu karya bangsa yang perlu kita apresiasi, dan Lapan mendorong industri kedirgantaraan salah satunya drone Dadali," kata Thomas saat membuka peluncuran drone Dadali di sela-sela acara AeroSummit 2019, Jakarta Selatan, Selasa (24/9).
Drone untuk pengangkut manusia ini dilengkapi 16 baling-baling. Dadali dapat bermanuver hingga ketinggian 40 meter di atas permukaan air laut. Bersifat tanpa awak, penggunaanya hanya perlu menentukan tujuan lokasi dan Dadali akan bergerak sendiri sampai ke lokasi.
Drone pengangkut manusia itu dapat menampung beban hingga 120 kilogram, yang mana 50 kilogramnya merupakan beban barang bawaan di luar berat badan penumpang. Drone ini dapat mengangkut satu penumpang karena hanya memiliki satu tempat duduk.
Saat ini, pihak PT Aeroterrascan dan PT Chroma sedang mengembangkan drone yang dibutuhkan untuk pengiriman kargo dan logistik sehingga bisa dipakai untuk mengatasi pengiriman barang ke pulau-pulau terluar dan mampu melintasi perairan Indonesia. "Drone ini akan menjadi pengangkut barang antar pulau dengan medan yang sulit dan tidak terjangkau kendaraan. Drone ini jadi solusi," kataThomas Djamaluddin.
Sementara, drone untuk kargo dan pengiriman logistik sedang dikembangkan untuk mampu mengangkut barang logistik hingga 120 kilogram. Setelah mengembangkan drone untuk kargo, perusahaan tersebut akan melangkah lagi dengan pengembangan drone untuk keperluan kesehatan.
Tujuan pengembangannya, yakni mengangkut seorang pasien misalnya yang terjebak bencana atau kemacetan. Selain seorang pasien, drone ini dapat membawa hingga 50 kilogram peralatan pendukung kehidupan pasien.
(Republika)
26 September 2019
Boeing AH-6i light attack reconnaissance helicopters (photo : defense arab)
WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of eight (8) AH-6i light attack reconnaissance helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $400 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Thailand has requested to buy eight (8) AH-6i light attack reconnaissance helicopters; fifty (50) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; and two-hundred (200) Advance Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Rockets. Also included are ten (10) M134 Mini Guns, ten (10) M260 Rocket Launchers; ten (1) M299 Longbow Hellfire Launcher; ten (10) AN/APN-209 Radar Altimeter; eight (8) AN/APR-39(V)(4) four (4) GAU-19/B .50 Cal Machine Gun; five-hundred (500) Hydra 70 Rockets; twenty (20) AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Goggles; eight (8) WESCAM MX-10Di Cameras; ten (10) AN/APX-123 IFF; ten (10) AN/ARC 201E-VHF-FM; ten (10) AN/ARC-231 w/ MX-4027; ten (10) LN-251 Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (EGI); Aircrew Trainer (ACT); Pilot Desktop Trainer (PDT); Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT;, contractor provided pilot and maintainer training peculiar ground support equipment; spares; publications; integrated product support; technical assistance; quality assurance team; transportation; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $400 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally in INDO-PACOM. Thailand is a strategic partner committed to contributing to regional security.
The proposed sale of the AH-6i helicopter will improve the Royal Thai Army’s (RTA) light attack capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. These AH-6i helicopters will replace the RTA’s aging fleet of seven AH-IF Cobra helicopters. As part of a broader military modernization effort, these AH-6i helicopters will provide light attack reconnaissance for close air support to special operations forces, Stryker infantry soldiers and border guard units. Thailand will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor for the AH-6i is Boeing Company, Mesa, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
(DSCA)
25 September 2019
Under its ambit, the US has rotationally deployed fighter aircraft for exercises, refuelling and maintenance, and Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Singapore since 2013 and 2015 respectively (photos : USNI)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President of the United States of America Donald Trump signed the Protocol of Amendment to the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding ("1990 MOU") Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore ("2019 AMOU") today. The 2019 AMOU renews the 1990 MOU by extending it for another 15 years.
The 1990 MOU, signed by our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and then-United States (US) Vice President Dan Quayle, has underpinned the US' security presence in the region for almost 30 years. The agreement facilitates US' forces access to Singapore's air and naval bases, and provides logistic support for their transiting personnel, aircraft and vessels. Under its ambit, the US has rotationally deployed fighter aircraft for exercises, refuelling and maintenance, and Littoral Combat Ships and P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Singapore since 2013 and 2015 respectively. The renewal of this document underscores the support for US' presence in our region which remains vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Earlier today, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen spoke with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper over the phone. Acknowledging the milestone renewal of the 1990 MOU, Dr Ng and Secretary Esper reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, as well as the importance of the US' continued engagement of the region. Secretary Esper expressed appreciation for Singapore's enduring support for the US' regional presence. During the phone call, both sides also discussed the good progress of key ongoing initiatives, particularly in defence technology and military-to-military cooperation. Dr Ng also thanked Secretary Esper for the US' continuing support for the Singapore Armed Forces' overseas training in the US.
The 1990 MOU is one of several milestone bilateral defence agreements with the US. In 2005, the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) elevated bilateral defence relations, uniquely recognising Singapore as a Major Security Cooperation Partner of the US. Under the 2005 SFA, then-Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and then-US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld also signed the 2005 Protocol of Amendment to the 1990 MOU and the 2005 Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which provided for new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation. In 2015, Singapore and the US concluded the enhanced DCA, which built on the 2005 SFA to deepen cooperation in non-conventional and emerging security areas.
Dr Ng is in New York from 22 to 26 September 2019 (Singapore time), as part of Prime Minister Lee's delegation. Prime Minister Lee is in New York from 21 to 28 September 2019 (Singapore time) to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
(Sing Mindef)
