Simlat Delivers UAS Training System to the RAAF

20 Juni 2011

The Heron carries an Electro-Optical MOSP-3000 payload, carrying FLIR and video cameras and a laser designator system (photo: Defense-Update)

Herzliya, Israel - Simlat Ltd. announces the delivery of a customized Heron UAS payload operator training system to the Australian Air Force. The simulator is designed to provide focused training for the payload operator, and supports diverse training goals, from basic operation to mission rehearsal and intensive currency training. Simlat's customized system immerses the customer in a realistic replica of the operational environment by providing high-end simulation of payload, sensors, platform, and operational station, and by adjusting mission scenario contents by the RAAF. The training system is also equipped with a STANAG 4609 metadata output, allowing the RAAF to easily stream this data into any standard-supporting device, such as Imagery Analysis systems.

"Apart from providing a synthetic training capability for our student EO/IR Payload Operators, we have been able to use the video output from the trainer as the input for our replica Intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination centre, thus enabling real time interaction between the Payload Operator, Intelligence Officer and Geospatial Imagery Analysts on various scenarios.", says David Riddel, Program NANKEEN IPT Lead. "We currently have the Simlat Payload Operator trainer supplying real time synthetic FMV to our SOCET, MAAS, KESTREL and FalconView environment, giving us a fantastic interactive training capability without the cost of putting a real aircraft in the air.

(Simlat/ASDNews)

PH Navy Eyes Upgrade of Station in Palawan

20 Juni 2011

Hulugan, Palawan - West Philippines (image : Google Maps)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy is mulling the possible upgrade of its naval station in Hulugan Bay in Palawan.
(PhilStar)

Speaking on ANC's "The Rundown," Commodore Edgardo Tamayo, chief of the Naval Forces West based in Palawan said, given its strategic and practical location, the area could be made the new base for the Navy's operations.

Navy officials recently visited Hulugan Bay to assess operations on the Western front.

New naval base?

"Hulugan is on the Western front, facing the Kalayaan Island groups or Spratlys. From the Reed Bank, that's only 450 nautical miles, 200 from Pag-asa. It's within our economic zone. You can save a lot if Hulugan will be a staging point or area of operation," Tamayo said.

"That could serve as headquarters for the naval forces because of the strategic value of it. That would be good for the Navy and Palawan. On the Western front, there is a strong need for naval presence," he added.

The plan comes amid growing tension over the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Stiffer penalties for poachers

Meantime, Tamayo believes that there should be stiffer penalties for those caught poaching in Philippine waters, as penalties under the current Fisheries Code are not enough.

"There is an urgent need to amend Republic Act 8550, the Fisheries Code of 1998 to make poaching and violation of Section 87 of Republic Act (R.A.) 9147, The Wildlife Resources and Protection Act of 2001, a non-bailable offense, and to increase the fines for these violations. The penalty under the provision Section 97 of R.A. 8550 (taking or gathering of endangered species) is $100,000 to make it $500,000 to make it a deterrent."

On Thursday, Tamayo said they received an order from the provincial prosecutor to commit to jail the 122 Vietnamese who were earlier apprehended for poaching in the waters off Palawan. A medical check-up was scheduled on Friday as part of standard operating procedure.

The Vietnamese poachers were placed in the custody of the Navy immediately after apprehension. They are awaiting inquest proceedings. The fiscal's office is expected to rule Friday if there is probable cause to file a case against them.

"The 122 of them will have to face the fiscal. While waiting, we have no facility wherein these alleged poachers can be placed. They were placed in our custody on both ships."

In March this year, the Navy Forces West, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police Maritime, and the local government of Balaoac, apprehended 6 alleged Chinese poachers. The 6 were committed to jail after the filing of charges.

The Navy admitted it is making do with limited resources for their maritime operations. These include 10 floating assets, counting in 3 which, Tamayo said, are committed to Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan.

(PhilStar)

Enstrom 480B Assigned Began Active Duty in Army Aviation Center

18 Juni 2011

Enstrom 480B of the Royal Thai Army (photos: Thierry Gsab)

The Army on June 14 of each year, the officials at the Army Aviation Center to commemorate the bravery and courage of the officers of the Army Aviation Center, all in the past and present.

In aviation, the Army this year. In addition to the merit of charity dedicated to people who lost their lives on duty then. The Army Commander also visited the Army Aviation Center to participate in the ceremony to take delivery of Enstrom 480B training helicopter with the Army stationed an official in Thailand.

Enstrom 480B is a 5-seat helicopter, manufactured in the United States, the Royal Thai Army to supply 16 aircraft to replace the number of TH-300 helicopters wich will be retired. The model used to turbo-charge of a Rolls-Royce 250-C20W maximum altitude of 13,000 feet range 700 kilometers by flying. These helicopters are used as government agencies such as The Border Protection of Estonia, Indonesia's police, and Japan Land Self-Defense Forces and mosst recently by the Royal Thai Army. Enstrom 480B helicopter pilots to get training before they move to the helicopter flown by the Army to force the other to the third anniversary of the delivery of 16 helicopters and aircraft are stationed.

In addition, the number of Mi-17V5 Enstrom 480B and a third aircraft was flown to the island, among the performance of the army and military officers who attended the ceremony to watch as well. It was held that the Army will get four new aircraft is a Mi-17V5, Enstrom 408B, AH-1F and another four aircraft and three UH-60L Black Hawk and another aircraft.

The army commander was also the opening of a new Army Aviation Museum as well. Which contain historical information and items are stored many. If you are interested to visit the museum can be reached at Army Aviation Center. HRH Prince's browser. Khao Phra Ngam Muang Lop Buri.

Schweizer/Sikorsky TH-300 (photo : Steve Darke)

Like to thank you THIERRY GSAB.'s General support aviation fleet. Army Aviation Center. This supports the general aviation fleet, both UH-1H, CH-47D, and Mi-17V5 active here.

(Thai Armed Force)

Latihan Bersama Indonesia-Cina "Sharp Knife 2011" Berakhir Dengan Sukses

18 Juni 2011

Suasana latihan pasukan khusus Indonesia-Cina (all photos : Chinanews)

Indonesia-Cina Latihan Bersama Di Sharp Knife 2011

KBRN, Bandung: Pelatihan bersama yang diberi nama "Sharp Knife 2011" antara pasukan khusus Cina dan Indonesia berakhir dengan sukses pada hari Jumat (17/6) di Bandung.

Hou Shusen, wakil kepala staf umum Tentara Pembebasan Rakyat China (PLA), dan Budiman, wakil kepala staf Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI-AD), bersama-sama menghadiri upacara penutupan dan menghadiri konferensi pers setelah menyaksikan secara langsung latihan bersama itu, sebagaimana dikutip Xinhua.

Hou mengatakan bahwa baik PLA dan TNI telah mencapai perkembangan besar dalam hubungan mereka dalam beberapa tahun terakhir ini, baik kerja sama pragmatis dalam pengembangan pelatihan personil, peralatan dan teknologi, pelatihan bersama, latihan keamanan lepas pantai dan maupun dialog multilateral yang secara tegas mengalami peningkatan.

Hou juga mengatakan bahwa dua kekuatan ini telah saling belajar satu sama lain, membuat pelatihan bersama dan saling bertukar keterampilan dalam aksi kontra-teror dan taktik melalui Latihan "Sharp Knife 2011" yang dilakukan dalam beberapa hari.


"Mereka tidak hanya memperoleh hasil pelatihan yang baik tetapi juga mempromosikan sikap saling pengertian dan percaya antara mereka, serta konsolidasi dan mengembangkan persahabatan tradisional antara kedua negara," tambah Hou.

Budiman mengatakan bahwa tentara Cina dan Indonesia memiliki perbedaan dalam sejarah, tradisi budaya, dan dalam cara berpikir militer, tetapi dua negara berbagi persahabatan dalam sejarah tradisional.

(RRI)

Russia Signs $1.7 bln Deal for 2 French Warships

18 Juni 2011

Under details of the deal given in the past, the ships are to be built by French shipyard company DCNS along with Russia’s state-run United Shipbuilding Corp., OSK. (photo : Militaryphotos)

ST. PETERSBURG, (RIA Novosti). Russia and France signed on Friday a $1.7 billion (1.2 bln euro) contract on two French-built for Mistral class amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy.

The deal was signed in St. Petersburg by Anatoly Isaikin, director of Russia's Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter, and Patrick Boissier, president and CEO of France's DCNS shipbuilder, who are contracted to build the warships.

The signing ceremony was overseen by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The first warship will be delivered in 2014 and the second in 2015, DCNS said.

French President Nicolas Sarcozy hailed the contract as a sign of strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The signing of the contract... points to a strategic level of cooperation between France and Russia, as well as the constant support that it gets from the heads of state," the Elysee Palace said in a communique.

The project will provide 1,000 jobs over the course of four years, the Palace said.

The warships will be equipped with Russian weapon systems, Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.

"Construction technology used in building such ships allows Russian weapon systems to be integrated into this project, including amphibious landing assets and carrier aviation," he said.

The use of Mistral class ships will significantly increase the effectiveness of humanitarian operations, he said, adding that they could be used both in peacetime and in wartime for a variety of missions.

The program has alarmed Russia's neighbors, especially Georgia.

Russia and France in January signed an intergovernmental agreement to build two Mistral class helicopter carriers at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Another two are planned to be constructed later in Russia.

Contract talks stumbled over Russia's demand for the transfer of sensitive electronic systems.

A Mistral class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

France has two Mistral class amphibious assault ships in service and is building a third.

(RIA Novosti)

Puspenerbal Rencanakan Tambah Armada Pesawat dan Helikopter

17 Juni 2011

Armada pesawat dan helikopter Pusat Penerbangan Angkatan Laut (all photos : Antara)

KSAL Akui Kekuatan Unsur Penerbangan TNI-AL Turun

Surabaya - Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Laut Laksamana TNI Soeparno mengakui kekuatan unsur Penerbangan TNI AL mengalami penurunan, seiring kondisi alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) pendukung yang usianya semakin tua.

"Memang banyak alutsista Penerbangan TNI AL yang usianya sudah tua dan perlu direvitalisasi," kata Soeparno usai menjadi Inspektur Upacara Hari Penerbangan TNI AL ke-55 di Apron Hanggar Pangkalan Udara Angkatan Laut (Lanudal) Juanda, Surabaya, Jumat.

KSAL mengibaratkan unsur penerbangan adalah mata, telinga, kaki, dan tangan dari TNI AL, sehingga apabila kondisinya tidak prima dan menurun akan turut memengaruhi kekuatan TNI AL.

Rencana peremajaan alutsista penerbangan, menurut Soeparno, sudah menjadi agenda Markas Besar TNI AL, tetapi dikhususkan pada peralatan pokok yang mendukung kegiatan operasi.


"Seperti helikopter rencananya akan ditambah dua unit lagi, pesawat angkut pasukan mungkin tiga atau empat unit dan pesawat lainnya," ujarnya.

Laksamana bintang empat itu menambahkan, alutsista Penerbangan TNI AL yang usianya sudah tua dan berisiko tinggi untuk dioperasikan akan dipensiunkan, sementara yang masih bisa difungsikan tetap dipelihara dan dibenahi.

Menurut KSAL, keterbatasan anggaran menjadi faktor utama dalam pengadaan alutsista penerbangan, tetapi hal itu tetap harus disikapi dengan arif dan tidak boleh menjadi penghambat dalam melaksanakan tugas pengamanan wilayah NKRI.

Soeparno mengatakan Penerbangan TNI AL pernah mengalami masa kejayaan di era tahun 1960-an dengan memiliki tujuh skuadron udara yang tangguh, di antaranya Skuadron Antikapal Selam, Skuadron Pembom dan Skuadron Pengangkut Pasukan.

(Antara)

Garden Island Naval Facilities in Sydney Harbour Could be Open to Civilian Use

17 Juni 2011

Garden Island naval base, Sidney (photo : The Daily Telegraph)

THE Australian Navy could open its main Sydney naval base to civilian use, with cruise ships potentially able to dock at Garden Island.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare announced a review into civilian use of Garden Island by former Defence Department secretary Allan Hawke today.

The Navy will also spend more than $3 billion on 24 Seahawk "Romeo" combat helicopters, replacing 16 ageing earlier Seahawk helicopters.

In a sweeping set of announcements, the final $35 million payment on the $100 million Largs Bay amphibious craft purchased from the UK, the signing of a $133 million contract to buy 101 Bushmaster vehicles and the roll out of additional C-RAM early warning rocket systems to Australian forward operating bases in Afghanistan were all also announced.

The new Seahawk helicopters, which will be purchased off the shelf, were selected ahead of the NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 NFH which would have been built by Australian Aerospace.

Mr Smith said the Seahawk's proven capability with the US Navy had been decisive factor, as well as its interoperability with the US Navy.

"The Romeo is a proven capability currently operated by the United States Navy. The United States Navy has accepted around 100 Romeos which have accumulated 90,000 flying hours, including on operational deployments," Mr Smith said.

"Because of its proven capability it's low risk and also we very strongly believe it is value for money," he said.

Mr Clare said the helicopters would be based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra and would operate from the back of ANZAC frigates as well as the new air warfare destroyers.

"Their job is to hunt and kill submarines they also will play an important role in attacking small and fast moving water craft," he said.

"And like the our Seahawk helicopters that operate off our frigates now in the middle east and the coast of Africa they will playa very important role when it comes to anti piracy and counter-terrorist activities."

"This is a big and important decision. It's worth more than $3 billion and worth even more than that to Australia security."

On the review of civilian access to the Garden Island naval base, Mr Smith said he had appointed Mr Hawke to conduct the review following his successful review of the future use of the Woomera protected area.

"Our on-going primary obligation and capacity has to be of course for navy and military arrangements," he said.

But Mr Smith struck a note of caution on the prospect of cruise ships gaining access to the naval facility with the arrival of the Largs Bay, two landing helicopter docks that are larger than Australia largest aircraft carrier and two air warfare destroyers.

"There are considerable constraints on Garden Island but I want that independent review to be conducted," he said.

The deal with Sikorsky Lockheed Martin comes three years after then-Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon dropped Australia's $1 billion commitment to the Seasprite project and 15 months after the tender process began.

The Seahawk helicopters will begin entering service with the Navy from mid-2014 and the roll out will finish in 2020.

A review into the civilian access to air force airfields was also announced, with the civil aviation industry invited to comment on that review by the October 31.

"We want to see if it's possible to provide greater access to about a dozen or so of our airfields," Mr Smith said.

"Again, the starting point has to be that our air force airfields are of course for air force and defence purposes but we are waiting to see if greater sensible access to airfields is appropriate."

(The Australian)