Well that's a strange stipulation to attach to a weapon sale.

As for Iran, I'd imagine overthrowing the most favored US-sponsored ruler in the middle east at the time (The Shah), launching an Islamic revolution and holding US embassy staff and civilians for years is a much more potent excuse for US to stop military aid to Iran rather than Iran breaking some BS military product's T&C. 

Oh man, WTH are they fitting on the scope? The already high QBZ-95 scope now looks like a goddamn video camera viewfinder. That's scope looks like it fully 7 inches taller from the barrel. 

Edit: Looks like a laser rangefinder



Still too funky.

US Navy EA-18G 'Growler' shows off the silhouette of an F-22 on its 'kill score'



Even the Raptor is not invincible.

RMAF Q&A: Part 1

Marhalim Abas
June 15, 2015

SHAH ALAM: As part of the RMAF 57th anniversary celebrations, its chief Jen Tan Sri Roslan Saad responded to written questions from the media. Below are part of the Q&A for Malaysian Defence. A short analysis of the answers are also posted based on the latest developments, namely those concerning the RMK11 plans.

Hawk SLEP.
Q: Is the Hawk SLEP registered for the RMK11? What kind of upgrades being sought for the fleet, does it involved avionics and radar upgrades? Will the upgrade allow for the use of GPS-guided bombs?

A: The upgrade involved the avionics and increasing the capability of the radar.

Q: We have been informed that BAE Systems is in talks to buy back a number of Hawk aircraft from another air force. Has RMAF been informed about this development and is there any plans to buy these aircraft to boost the number of Hawk fleet?

A: There is no requirement for RMAF to increase its Hawk fleet. RMAF’s focus is to ensure the obsolescence issue on the Hawks are addressed and its role and capability remained relevant to its operational needs.

Analysis
Industry sources told Malaysian Defence that the SLEP is one of the programmes to be undertaken under RMK11. It is expected BAE Systems will be working with Airod to conduct the SLEP. As for the decision not to increase the number of the Hawk fleet, I believed it is a lost opportunity.

With the increase in operational tempo, mostly due to the deployment to Sabah, securing around 12 to 14 single and dual seat Hawks especially during the SLEP will be very beneficial to RMAF. Perhaps the lack of funding is the main reason.

MPA
Q: The LOA for two Thales AMASCOS system was signed at the recent Lima 2015. Has the system been installed on the aircraft? Does this mean all of the B200T in service with RMAF will undertake the ISR role?

A: The project is currently on-going. The B200T aircraft will undertake all roles tasked to the squadron and that include ISR missions too.

Q: Does RMAF has any plans to install the AMASCOS system on board the C130 or CN235 aircraft already in service? or does RMAF wants to procure an MPA like that of the CN-235MPA as promoted by PT Dirgantara?

A: At the moment, RMAF has no plans to install the same system on the C130 or CN235 aircraft. As for the procurement of the MPA, RMAF conducting a detailed study of the MPA and its mission systems.

Analysis
In one of my posts during LIMA 2015, I wrote that we will not be buying any MPA soon. I could be wrong on this note as my sources are saying recently that the MPA is one of the programmes that will be funded under RMK11.

They said most likely that four aircraft are to be procured. During LIMA 2015, PT Dirgantara representative told the media that they were talking about 4 aircraft during the discussions with Malaysian officials.

Although this F-22 'kill' is on a simulated combat, the fact that the Raptor can be acquired and killed by a 'lesser' aircraft speaks volumes.

Man, I wished RMAF got more of the F/A-18 back then.

FINMECCANICA – SELEX ES TO PROVIDE SAGE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM TO INDONESIA



This is the first time that the SAGE ESM has been chosen for a fixed-wing maritime patrol requirement. It will be used by the Indonesian Air Force for maritime patrol missions

* SAGE can identify and geolocate RF emitters, from a single platform providing situational awareness and intellingence
* The system will be integrated onto an Indonesian Air Force CN-235 aircraft
* SAGE has been developed for easy integration on any platform types including helicopters and Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems
 
Finmeccanica – Selex ES has signed a contract with US-based prime contractor Integrated Surveillance and Defense Inc. (ISD) to provide a SAGE 600 digital Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system for the Indonesian Air Force. The system will be delivered in September for integration onto a maritime patrol mission system for an Indonesian Air Force Airbus CN-235 aircraft.
 
SAGE is an electronic warfare system for RF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It passively collects emitter data from RF sources at a tactically significant range, compares them with an emitter library and then identifies and geolocates any threats.
 
This is the first selection of SAGE for a fixed-wing maritime patrol requirement. The system has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing ease of integration onto a wide range of aerial vehicles – from fixed to rotary wing, up to unmanned aerial systems – and has previously flown on a number of other platform types including the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 remotely-piloted air system. SAGE is in use with the UK MoD and has been provided to the Republic of Korea as part of a package of electronic warfare equipment for the country’s Maritime Operational Helicopter (MOH) programme.
 
SAGE is part of Selex ES’s portfolio of advanced electronic warfare capabilities that range from individual sensors to fully integrated defensive aid suites, all backed up by the company’s dedicated Electronic Warfare Operational Support (EWOS) facility.

They all have MRAP-level armor protection (and thus weight and bulk), so I guess no more off-roading for the US Army. From now on all US army operation will be only on paved roads.

I rather be in a mrap style vehicle than in hummer

I think the only time we will still see light armour is for sf operation