RMAF awaits delivery of last, most advanced, Airbus A400M

By BALQIS JAZIMAH ZAHARI - 11 December 2016 @ 4:42 PM 

IPOH: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will receive its fourth and last Airbus A400M aircraft before the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (LIMA '17) to be held in March, said RMAF Chief General Tan Sri Roslan Saad.

He said receipt of the aircraft, initially planned for last month, was rescheduled, as the airplane is being further updated and fitted with the latest software.

"Upon arrival, it will be (equipped) with the latest technology and will be (more advanced than) the three A400Ms we had received.

"The other A400Ms (which arrived between last year and June this year) will also be updated in future," he told a press conference after attending a graduation ceremony for Air Force cadets at the Air Force Training Institute here today.

S. Korea Plans To Develop Long-Range Air-to-Ground Missile For KF-X Fighter Jets

Our Bureau
08:59 AM, December 14, 2016


S. Korea Plans To Develop Long-Range Air-to-Ground Missile For KF-X Jets (Yonhap News)

South Korea is planning to develop its own indigenous long-range air-to-ground missile that will be fitted onto the country’s KF-X fighter jets.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to start its research on relevant missile technologies from 2018 with a plan to produce some 200 air-to-surface Taurus-class missiles until 2031, Yonhap reports Wednesday.

The missile will be developed by mid-2020s and this project is estimated to cost 810 billion won ($695.2 million).

The missile will be modelled after the Taurus which has a 500-kilometer range and can be fired from the country's F-15K. It is known to be capable of hitting the capital city of Pyongyang when fired from a plane flying over Daejeon, 164 kilometers south of Seoul.

The military is currently deploying the German long-range air-to-ground missile within this year.

America's Lethal Apache Helicopters Are Monsters on the Battlefield (And a Big Upgrade Is Coming)



Kris Osborn

December 13, 2016

Army weapons developers are expanding and accelerating emerging technology for the Apache attack helicopter which enables crews to view real-time video feeds from nearby drones, control the drones’ flight path and therefore more effectively destroy enemy targets, service officials said.

Manned-Unmanned Teaming, or MUM-T, gives AH-64E Apaches an ability to control the flight path and sensor payload of Army Shadow and Gray Eagle drones.

As part of the continuation of the Army’s development of this technology, Boeing was awarded a $24 million contract for manned and unmanned teaming expanded compatibility on all Apache attack helicopter AH-64E configurations, a DoD announcement said.

Army officials say the combination of the Apache’s lethal weapons and the drones’ sensors enable helicopter crews to find and go after dynamic or fast-moving targets from further ranges.

Apache pilots in Afghanistan are now flying upgraded AH-64E-model helicopters which give the platform increased speed and performance.  In development for many years and now part of the operational force, the AH-64E models use a stronger 701D helicopter engine, composite rotor blades and next-generation communications technology and avionics.

“The additional power and capability that the aircraft brings actually changes the face of the battlefield. Now they can close, maintain and assume contact activities with the enemy at a much faster rate. The enemy could time the amount of time it was going to take the Delta (“D” model Apache) models to get to them. We completely threw that out the window and they (the “E” model Apache crews) can get there much faster,” Hager explained.

The ‘E” model is able to transport a larger amount of ammunitions and fuel in what is described as “high-hot” conditions at altitudes of 6,000 feet and temperatures of 95-degrees or above.  The innovations built into the “E” model give the helicopter all of the technological advantages of its predecessor “D” model – yet at a lighter weight making it more maneuverable and effective.

The AH-64E Apache is also 20 knots faster than the previous model and can reach speeds of 164 knots.

The current “D” model Longbow Apache is heavier than the original “A” model helicopter; it carries the Longbow radar and significantly improved targeting and sensing technologies, however it lacks the transmission-to-power ratio and hard-landing ability of the initial “A” model. The AH-64E is engineered such that an advanced, high-tech aircraft the weight of the previous “D” model can have the power, performance and landing abilities of an original “A” model with a much lighter weight.

“One of the biggest values of the aircraft (“E” model) itself is the increased performance that we put back into the airframes, specifically from the composite rotor blades. We increased the power of the engines and improved the transmission. That gives the aircraft and Alpha (“A”-model”)-like performance that we have not seen in years,” Hager explained. “The aircraft is faster and more lethal.”

In total, the Army plans to acquire 690 AH-64Es by 2025. The helicopters can carry 16 Hellfire missiles, 70 2.75mm rockets and 1,200 30mm chain gun rounds, service officials said.

“We are getting super feedback from what they were doing over in combat. MUM-T has really changed the state of the battlefield,” Hager added.

The AH-64E is highly mobile, lethal and can destroy armor, personnel and material targets in an obscured battlefield conditions at ranges out to 8-kilometers, an Army statement said.

The “E” model also keep the millimeter wave fire control, radar frequency interferometer and targeting sensors engineered into previous Apache version, the statement continued.

The AH-64E, which is manufactured by Boeing, was also praised by Boeing officials who report hearing favorable feedback from Army pilots who flew the helicopter in combat.

How many Indon have in total?

Wonder if a conflict broke out in Acheh or somewhere far away like Irian Jaya, how they gonna send their tanks there?

U.S. State Dept. approves M1A2 tank recapitalization for Kuwait

By Ryan Maass   |   Dec. 13, 2016 at 11:55 AM


The U.S. State Dept. has approved a proposed $1.7 billion sale to Kuwait for the recapitalization of M1A2 tanks and related equipment. Kuwait will use the new equipment to modernize its fleet of M1A2 tanks. Photo by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl/U.S. Army

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department has approved the possible recapitalization of 218 M1A2 tanks for the government of Kuwait.

The pending sale includes 240 M2A1 machine guns, 480 7.62 M240 machine guns, 240 AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS radios, 1,085 night vision goggles, technical support, and training services. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agencywhich manages the Foreign Military Sales program, says the sale is estimated to cost $1.7 billion.

If approved by Congress, the government of Kuwait will use the equipment to modernize its fleet of M1A2 tanks. The U.S. government contends that the proposed sale will benefit foreign policy interests by promoting peace and economic stability in the Middle East, and will not alter the balance of power in the region.

Principal contractors involved in the program include General Dynamics Land Systems, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and various other companies.

The M1A2 Abrams tank is a follow-up to the M1A1, featuring an independent thermal viewer and improved fire control system. The vehicle is manufactured by General Dynamics.

20/12/16

INDONESIAN AW101 HELICOPTER MAKES MAIDEN FLIGHT

Maiden flight of the unannunced Indonesian AW101 helicopter at Yeovil (UK)


Indonesian AW101

At the beginning of this year there were rumors about a strong interest of Indonesia for the AW101 helicopter. Indonesia was interested in a combat search and rescue variant of the three-engined rotorcraft, with a similar configuration to the Italian air force's new HH-101 Caesar model.

In November 2015 the Indonesian air force indicated a willingness to buy three AW101s for VVIP transport missions. However, the following month president Joko Widodo axed the deal on cost grounds.

According to the maiden flight of the Indonesian AW101, without any statement about, it’s likely to think that the program is proceeding according to the initial intention.

TUESDAY, 20 DECEMBER, 2016 | 20:32 WIB

Gov't Mulls Plan to Buys Submarines from Sweden  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Defense Ministry and the Swedish Defense Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the primary weapons defense system sector.

Both countries have considered tightening relationship through submarine procurement.

"[Sweden] offers submarines in addition to fighter jets," Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said after the MoU signing at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

Earlier, the Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP) said that there are seven priority programs included in the national defense industry roadmap. The seven programs are productions of propellant, missiles, medium tanks, radars, fighter jets, and submarines.

Sweden-made submarines have been claimed to be the best in the world. One of the submarines, HMS Gotland, tested in the United States in 2005, was able to defeat US submarines and even penetrated dangerous zones.

Ryamizard admitted that no decisions yet have been made in relation to the submarine procurement. Ryamizard revealed that he was invited by the Swedish Defense Ministry to observe their submarine technology.

"If we decide to by, there will be counter-trade and offset," Ryamizard said.

ISTMAN MP

EXCLUSIVE – Royal Thai Army buys AW149 and six AW139s

9 Dec, 16,



HeliHub.com can exclusively announce that Leonardo appear to have made their first AW149 sale, with an aircraft for the Royal Thai Army now being test flown.  Seen in Marco Bianchi’s photo here, which he has given us permission to use, the Thai military flash is seen on the tail of this otherwise anonymous aircraft.  A large square sticker has been placed over the national roundel of Thailand.  There is no information currently available on how many have been ordered.

In recent weeks, the Royal Thai Army has also taken delivery of six AW139s, with serial numbers 41520 through 41525 from the US AW139 production line.  The first three of these were delivered in September, with the second batch of three following in October

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

Australia, France sign submarine deal

Australia and France have inked an agreement for a French defense contractor to build 12 cutting-edge submarines. The submarines are part of Australia's new defense strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.



Australia and France on Tuesday signed the final agreement for French naval contractor DCNS to build 12 submarines in what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called a "critically important step in the development of our security."

The 34.9 billion euro ($36.3 billion) deal, including separate agreements with US and Australian contractors, is one of the world's largest defense contracts.

Turnbull described the deal as the "last foundation stone needed to ensure Australia is able to develop a cutting-edge sovereign submarine capability."

Australia's new fleet of submarines is at the center of the country's defense strategy released in February, which allots an extra 20 billion euros over the next decade to secure strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

'Critically important'

"This is a critically important step in the development of our security, in the assurance of our government in delivering Australians the security and prosperity that they need," Turnbull said.

The submarines will be a conventionally-powered version of France's 4,700-tonne nuclear-fuelled Barracuda complete with stealth technology. France and Australia agreed in April to the deal, for which Germany and Japan were also contending.

Most of the submarine production will be in the southern city of Adelaide and create 2,800 high-skilled jobs, Turnbull said.

US defense giant Lockheed Martin will produce the combat systems for the Barracudas.

Indonesian Navy in talks with PTDI for MPA variants of NC-212-200 aircraft

IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
22 December 2016

The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) is currently in talks with state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) over the acquisition of two additional NC-212-200 airframes.

The aircraft, which are being negotiated for in maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configurations, are meant to be deployed with the TNI-AL's Aviation Squadron 800 at the Juanda airbase in Surabaya.

The NC-212-200 platform, which is capable of being deployed from more austere and remote airstrips given its short take-off and landing (STOL) abilities, is meant to complement the TNI-AL's fleet of existing and incoming fleet of larger CN-235-200 MPAs.

Financing for the platforms will be provided for by funds allocated under the USD162 million allotment by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence for MPA acquisitions in the 2015-19 fiscal period.

dem turks just abandon a leopard 2 for the isis scums..
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/22-dece...ish-leopard-2a4

the abandoned turkish leopard 2a4


another perspective of the picture with the excavator


the al-bab sheikh aqil hospital where the battle took place is now under isis control

Radio Holland to supply patrol boats with NavCom

22. Dezember 2016

Radio Holland Malaysia (RHM) has been selected by Destini Shipbuilding & Engineering to supply navigation and communication (NavCom) equipment for six New Generation Patrol Crafts (NGPC).

The vessels are being built for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). According to Radio Holland the scope of work encompasses detailed design, supply, installation and testing and commissioning of the navigation and communication equipment. That includes the steering system and thermal cameras.

NGPCs are used for maritime search and rescue operations

The NGPC’s are equipped with the latest technology and design. They are being built to replace the older patrol vessels as part of an upgrading program in Malaysia. The newbuildings achieve a top speed of 24 kn and have a crew capacity of 41. They will be deployed to patrol the entire Malaysian waters for maritime search and rescue operations. According to Danny Tan, area manager for Radio Holland Singapore and Malaysia, the vessels will start operations in 2018.

Radio Holland is the renowned global NavCom, Connectivity, On Board ICT, and Service & Maintenance brand within the RH Marine Group.