Airbus military A400M EC-404 at Subang.

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/733996.html

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 15 2012, 01:17 PM

A400M World Tour 2012

Malaysia - Indonesia - Thailand



Checkout the video gallery.

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/Aircraft/A40...ldTour2012.aspx

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 17 2012, 07:11 PM

Airbus Military takes A400M to Indonesia for first visit
18/4/2012



The Airbus Military A400M, the new generation airlifter for the 21st Century, has arrived today in Indonesia for a one day visit. The aircraft, “Grizzly 4”, one of the five development aircraft, arrived at the Halim Airbase, Jakarta, at 10am local time.

The visit is part of the first Asia Pacific Tour the A400M is making, visiting Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, then Chiang Mai and finally Bangkok, before returning to Europe.

From Halim Airbase it will make two local flights with various Government and Air Force guests and it will be on static display for other Government and Air Force guests who will be visiting the aircraft.

The A400M is an all new military airlifter designed to meet the needs of the world’s Armed Forces in the 21st Century. Thanks to its most advanced technologies, it is able to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high manoeuvrability, low speed, and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities. It combines both tactical and strategic/logistic missions, while being also able to be used as a tanker plane. With its cargo hold specifically designed to carry the outsize equipment needed today for both military and humanitarian disaster relief missions, it can bring this material quickly and directly to where it is most needed.

Conceived to be highly reliable, dependable, and with a great survivability, the multipurpose A400M can do the job of three of today’s different aircraft models in a single one. This means smaller fleets and less investment from the operator. Able to do more with less, the A400M is the most cost efficient and versatile airlifter ever conceived and absolutely unique in its capabilities.

About Airbus Military
Airbus Military is the only military and civic/humanitarian transport aircraft manufacturer to develop, produce, sell and support a comprehensive family of airlifters ranging from three to 45 tonnes of payload. An Airbus daughter company, Airbus Military is responsible for the A400M programme, as well as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A330 and for further military derivatives based on Airbus civil aircraft. Together with the smaller “Light & Medium” C295, CN235 and C212, Airbus Military is the global leader in the market for military transport, tanker and surveillance aircraft able to perform the most varied missions. Altogether, Airbus Military has sold more than 1,000 aircraft to some 130 military, civilian and governmental customers. More than 800 of these aircraft have been delivered. Airbus is an EADS company.

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/LatestNews/t...irst-visit.aspx

Photo: AIRBUS A400M in Indonesia.

http://www.antaranews.com/foto/29678/airbus-a400m

The ScanEagle UAV is one of the top of the line UAV and it is a sweetener for the FA18F deal.

It is a win win situation for a barter trade for the Pindad Rimau with Proton car industries, as Indonesia is introducing the APC into Malaysia and Malaysian cars into the Indonesian car market, a potential growth for both businesses to flourish.

Dzirhan Mahadzir ‏ @DzirhanDefence
Quick note to add that RMN base open days time can be seen on RMN webpages. changing banner headlines, unfortunately info no where else.

Right that's it for today's PC, on other note, RMAF open day still on track for June 3 at RMAF Subang.

http://www.navy.mil.my/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Apr 24 2012, 02:22 PM

Dzirhan Mahadzir ‏ @DzirhanDefence
RMAF Open Day June 3rd (Sunday) 10am-7pm RMAF Subang, air displays by Su-30MKM and Mig-29s plus combat rescue by RMAF SF and S-61 helo...

Exercise Olympic Guardian

Typhoons Arrive At RAF Northolt

After the Taurus Mountain exercises the air security plan for the Olympics has progressed to the next stage with Exercise Olympic Guardian.

The eight day exercise will be centred over London and the Home Counties with assets forward deploying for the first time.

As part of the forward deployment four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby arrive at RAF Northolt where they will be based for this exercise and for the Olympics. This is the first time Northolt has had fighter aircraft based there since World War II.

More photos.

http://www.fast-air.co.uk/exercise-olympic-guardian/

A400M gets initial certification, as engine problem strands MSN4
By: Craig Hoyle London

Airbus Military says it remains on track to deliver its first A400M transport around the end of this year, despite engine problems that continue to hinder its flight test activities.

The manufacturer on 3 May announced its receipt of a restricted type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This is expected to be followed around the middle of the year by full civil type certification - a milestone previously targeted for late 2011.

Airbus chief test pilot, military, Ed Strongman says the level of certification remains restricted for now because the "Grizzly" fleet has yet to start contributing to the 300h of "functioning and reliability" testing required to pass EASA standards.

The work was to have started recently, using production-standard aircraft MSN6, the company's last of five development examples, which made its first flight at the end of 2011. One of the transport's four Europrop International TP400-D6 engines was found to be producing vibration levels beyond acceptable, and is now in the process of being replaced.

"We need to understand why we have the high vibration on an engine that has gone through manufacturing and bench testing," Strongman says. Work to install an engine originally intended for use with production aircraft MSN7 is expected to take a total of 14 days.

Once ready, the aircraft will begin flying functioning and reliability sorties lasting between 6h and 10h each from Seville, Spain, and Toulouse, France. It will later accumulate additional hours by visiting customer nations and the Middle East, Airbus Military says.

Meanwhile, Strongman confirms that aircraft "Grizzly 4" (above) remains in Oman, after encountering an unexplained engine failure while descending into Muscat while returning from a debut tour of Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand late last month.

Now removed, the engine should arrive in Munich, Germany, on 9 May for detailed inspection, but Strongman says initial checks revealed "no clear indication as to why it failed".

Airbus Military's other four development aircraft are continuing to fly, with the type having made its first contact behind an Airbus Military A330 tanker early this month. In all, its fleet has now logged a combined 3,100 flight hours, with 600h more required before deliveries can commence.

"We still have margins for our delivery date," Strongman says.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...ds-msn4-371572/

This is the parade in Moscow's Red Square, devoted to the 67th anniversary of the Great Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (what the Eastern Front of World War II is called in the former Soviet Union), in the Great Patriotic War, 9 May, 2012.

Giving the commemoration speech is Russian President Vladimir Putin (he took office for a third term on May 7th 2012). For the first time since 2008 the Moscow Military Musicians School is leading the march, also all soldiers are back to wearing their traditional dress uniforms for the pedestrian march.

Presiding over the military parade in Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation; Anatoly Serdyukov. Commanding the parade is Colonel General Valery Gerasimov. General Valery Gerasimov is a graduate of the Suvorov Military School (1973), and the Tank Troops Academy Named After Malinovsky (attended 1985-1987). Music by the Military Orchestra Service of the Russian Federation, directed by Lieutenant General; Valery Khaliov.

F-35 to replace most US combat aircraft by 2020
Posted: 14 May 2012 0937 hrs

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon plans to have the F-35 fighter jet replace most of the combat aircraft fleet of the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps by the end of the decade.

The single-engine fighter is considered a fifth-generation aircraft because of its advanced software and stealthy attributes aimed at evading radar in hostile territory.

US strategists often mention China's growing military power when justifying the need for such a high tech plane, while Beijing is also pursuing its own stealthy fifth-generation warplane.

The US program calls for producing 2,443 aircraft for the American military and several hundred others for eight international partners who have invested in the project, as well as at least two customers, Japan and Israel.

The eight countries helping to fund the aircraft are Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey.

One version of the plane is designed for the Air Force, the F-35A, which will replace F-16 and F-18 fighter-bombers and the A-10 Thunderbolt ground-attack aircraft.

A second variant, the F-35C, is meant for aircraft carriers and will take the place of the US Navy's F/A-18s. A third version, the F-35B, is a jump jet that is due to succeed the military's aging Harriers.

With 80 percent of the parts common to all three variants, the production costs of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter were expected to be reduced compared to previous weapons programs.

But since the contract was awarded to aerospace giant Lockheed Martin in 2001, the cost of the program has doubled and the aircraft -- which was originally supposed to join the fleet this year -- will not be operational before the end of the decade.

Capable of reaching a speed of Mach 1.6 (about 1,900 kilometers or 1,180 miles per hour), the aircraft has a range of 1,100 kilometers (594 nautical miles) -- about 800 kilometers (432 nautical miles) for the F-35B -- but can be refueled in the air.

The plane can carry two air-to-air missiles and two precision-guided bombs in its bomb bay, and four other bombs or missiles under its wings.

Most of the countries that have declared an interest in the F-35 program are part of an international consortium in which participants share part of the development costs and are granted a role in production.

While US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin is the lead contractor for the project, Britain's BAE Systems will produce the rear section of the fuselage at its factory in Samlesbury.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1201080/1/.html

This post has been edited by xtemujin: May 14 2012, 05:30 PM

Airbus Military upbeat on A400M in Indonesia
By: Greg Waldron Singapore
140512 (Mon)

Airbus Military is confident about the A400M's prospects in Indonesia and says it is open to collaborating with Dirgantara Indonesia on work share if Jakarta buys the airlifter.

"If they buy the aircraft, we'll discuss with local industry how they can participate," says Ignacio Alonso, Airbus Military's senior vice-president for commercial, strategy, and industrial relations in Asia. "It's too soon to say how they could collaborate, but we are open to discussing collaboration."

"The A400M fits their current and future needs very well, both for military and humanitarian relief," he adds.

He was speaking after the conclusion of the A400M's Asian debut tour in April. The trip saw aircraft MSN4 visit Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Malaysia is the first non-European nation to order the aircraft, with an order for four. During the Thailand visit, the Thai defence minister flew on the aircraft from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Alonso also provided more details about Indonesia's nine aircraft C-295 purchase that was announced at the Singapore air show in February. The aircraft will be operated by the Indonesian air force and will be designated CN-295 in Indonesian service. The Indonesian government is still arranging for the financing of the aircraft and Alonso expects the first two to be delivered this year.

When it announced the CN-295 deal in February, Airbus Military said Dirgantara Indonesia will manufacture the tail empennage as well as the rear fuselage and fuselage panels. The final assembly line for the last two aircraft will be located in Indonesia and Dirgantara Indonesia will also establish a service centre.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...donesia-371822/

Royal Saudi Air Force awards BAE Systems £1.6 bn contract to enhance training capability
Posted 23 May 2012

BAE Systems has today been awarded a contract for £1.6 billion to support the future aircrew training requirements of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

The agreement was reached between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UK, under the Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme.

The contract, aimed at meeting the growing demands of a world class Air Force, covers the provision of equipment and training devices such as aircraft simulators, training aids and aircraft on which to train aircrew.

Included within this requirement is the supply of 55 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft to fulfil the basic training role and 22 BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, which will be used to fulfil the fast jet training part of the syllabus.

In addition, BAE Systems will provide an initial support package including the provision of spares, technical publications and post design support.

Commenting on the announcement Guy Griffiths, group managing director International said: “We are honoured that BAE Systems has been awarded this contract to provide the Royal Saudi Air Force with aircraft and training equipment to meet their future aircrew training needs. We have a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and working with Pilatus, we will provide the RSAF with the best training platforms to meet their requirements.

‘Through the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer, the trainee fast jet pilots will have access to the very latest in advanced simulation for radar, weapons and defensive aids training to enable a smooth transition to front line aircraft, including Typhoon.”

Deliveries of the Pilatus PC-21, manufactured in Switzerland, will commence in 2014. The UK built Hawk aircraft will be delivered from 2016.

http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/royal-sau...capability.html

30 German Leopard Tank Ready to Jakarta
22 May 2012 (Tues)

TEMPO.CO, Pontianak - Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, said in October, a total of 30 Leopard tanks from Germany that was ordered will be sent to Jakarta.

"At first offer came from the Netherlands and Germany, but we chose Germany because it is more promising," said Pramod, the Regional Military Headquarters XII / Tanjungpura, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Pontianak.

A total of 30 units of this tank, he said, just waiting for the Germans to send it to Indonesia. Types to be purchased is the Leopard 2A6 is the result of "retrofit 2A4" or the development of new technologies for new printing technology similar Leopard has been discontinued.

Advantage of choosing Germany, is able to offer the transfer of technology (TOT). Germany also offers a joint production for the manufacture of some parts of the tank weighing 60 tons with PT Pindad.

Still associated tank is needed to keep the military of the Republic of Indonesia, was due in West Kalimantan will also be placed tank units. Pramod said, now in West Kalimantan is only equipped with light tanks and in the future will be enhanced with the tank for combat. Cavalry units in West Kalimantan will also be increased from Datasemen a full battalion.

http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2012/05/22/0...Siap-ke-Jakarta

Some photos to share of the 2012 Army Open House@Our City, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), at the F1 Pit Building here in Singapore.

It is open to the public this Saturday and Sunday.

http://xtemujin.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/2...ding-singapore/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: May 25 2012, 12:30 AM

The colour of SAF vehicles are in green drab and not grey.

You'll need to calibrate your computer monitor.

Thanks for the heads up.

USSOCOM: ISOF 2012 (International Special Operations Forces)

5/23/2012 - Military assault demonstrations at the ISOF 2012 conference in Tampa bay, Florida. The participating SOF teams came from 10 allied nations: Australia, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Norway, Poland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and included American SEALs, Green Berets, Air Force Combat Controllers, and US Marines. This year ISOF's theme is "Building the Global SOF Partnership." This is composed of mutually supporting partners working to identify and preemptively address problems, and helping to defeat the appeal of violent extremism.

Last Updated on Saturday, 02 June 2012 (Sat) 15:50

ThaiArmedForce.com - Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Saab 340 AEW aircraft delivered from the manufacturer in Sweden. The Gripen fighter aircraft procurement project, Phase 2.

The ceremony is the commander of the Air Force in Thailand as an agent to take delivery at the factory of Saab in Linkoping, Sweden, during the same time also held a Swedish Aerospace Forum, the conference and the flight of the country. Sweden, too.

The Saab 340 AEW Erieye radar system which is installed as a pre-warning aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force. Two aircraft from the order of two aircraft will arrive in Thailand in early June. And is active in the Squadron 702 Wing 7 and Saab 340 AEW and Saab 340B received from the purchase of fighter aircraft Gripen Phase 1 and Saab 340B as an aircraft, the air, water, spare parts and frames aircraft G-. 222 who had been discharged, then the number three comes from the airline in the United States. Royal Thai Air Force has a total staff of two Saab 340 AEW aircraft and Saab 340B at the other two active Erieye radar beam.

Like to thank the Air Force.

http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military...e-delivery.html

Shangri-La Dialogue 2012

Tim Huxley ‏@DrTimHuxley
SLD: Malaysian defence minister Zahid says cyber-offensive could render military platforms of SE Asian countries 'useless'

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Jun 3 2012, 10:01 AM

IAF, no SU30MKI aerobatic show, second time in a row
Posted: May 31, 2012 at 0413 hrs IST
Pranav Kulkarni

Grounded IAF official cites December 13 crash as reason

Three Sukhoi-30 MKIs flew past the parade when the cadets marched past the quarterdeck. But those who were expecting more manoeuvres from in the form of aerobatics after the Passing out Parade (PoP), were in for disappointment for the second time. The Sukhoi aerobatics or Sarang helicopter team shows were replaced by aerobatics performed by NDA’s in-house Super Dimona trainer aircraft. While an IAF official cited the recent mishaps with the Su-30 fighter jet as the reason behind this, a retired officer said it would be inappropriate to jump the gun.

Interestingly, the Sukhoi association with the NDA PoP dates back to about eight years — two years after it was inducted into the IAF in 2002. The Jaguars and later Sukhois doing the flypast has been a common feature of the PoP of the NDA.

The flypast would be followed by an air show or the IAF Sarang helicopter team/ Suryakiran team performing breathtaking stunts. While the show has not been mandatory, it has been continuing with occasional breaks in between. For instance, in 2009 the Sarang team performed. In May 2010, when Defence Minister A K Antony reviewed the parade, a Su-30 aircraft performed aerobatics. At a review by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, the pomp was unmatched. A Su-30 and a team of Sarang helicopters performed to the tune of Jaanbaz Hum Chalein. Last year, in May, chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma reviewed the parade, which was followed by a Su-30 air show with Wing Commander Sajan displaying breathtaking stunts of the air dominance fighter.

In the last two parades, the Su-30 airshow has been called off. “It is because of the December crash of the Su-30 aircraft near Pune,” said an IAF official. On December 13 last year, a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter crashed near the city. This was followed by a Su-30 aircraft skidding off the runway while landing.

A retired IAF official said, “It would be inappropriate to uprightly link this to the crash or the mishap. But yes, during low- level aerobatic displays, excessive loads are generated on certain parts of the aircraft. It is fine to do so when needed, for instance, for operational reasons.”

Availability of spares could be yet another reason behind the no-show. “The moving nozzle, which gives the aircraft extra manoeuvrability, is adding to the exchequer,” he said, adding, “In the NDA, there is restricted visibility bubble. Be it Suryakiran or Sarang or Sukhoi, the aerobatics are not clearly visible unlike in an air show. There has always been a debate over whether such display at the NDA PoP is unnecessary.”

Two squadrons of Su-30 MKIs — Rhinos and Lightenings — are based at 2 Wing in Lohegaon. Availability of personnel qualified to perform such manoeuvres is also another factor that decides whether or not the display should be organised.

Spokespersons of IAF 2 Wing were not available for comment.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/no...-in-row/955999/

This post has been edited by xtemujin: Jun 3 2012, 01:39 PM