The Little Birds cost is not that far off inclusive of support contracts

The FA50 contract is a bit expensive but again, not that far off; my estimate of the upgraded model was 50 million each flyaway cost

The F16 is not that cheap unless you want the ancient outdated models

That's why jf-17 cannot be shortlisted. If shortlisted sure win based on cost.

Realised I saw wrong column. Tunisia got their 24 helo for US$29m, not $97m.

Indonesia got 28 F-16 airframes for under US$1m each. Upgraded 24 for US$31m each , presumably remaining 4 as spares.

This post has been edited by takbodoh722: Feb 20 2023, 01:58 PM

SPY-6(V)2 EASR Radar Fitted Aboard Richard M. McCool Jr

The Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) antenna was fitted on the future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) on Jan.16, 2023.

SPY-6(V)2 ^

SPY-6(V)2 provides the U.S. Navy with a common hardware variant for carrier and amphibious ships. In addition to providing hardware and software commonality, the radar will also contribute to increased engagement and overall ship self-defense.

As with all incremental technology enhancements, the Navy is applying an increased focus to ensure that the system is provided on schedule, integrated into the ship/combat system and activated. Ultimately, EASR will be made ready as an integral sensor in an integrated Ship Self-Defense System to support the ship’s employment.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

The SPY-6 family is integrated, meaning it can defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hostile aircraft and surface ships simultaneously. And it offers many advantages over legacy radars, such as greater detection range, increased sensitivity and more accurate discrimination.

SPY-6 comes in four variants:

SPY-6(V)1 is designed for the new DDG 51 Flight III destroyers.
SPY-6(V)2, also known as the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (rotator variant), is designed for amphibious assault ships and Nimitz-class carriers.
SPY-6(V)3, also known as the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (fixed variant), is designed for Ford-class aircraft carriers and FFG(X) guided missile frigates.
SPY-6(V)4 is designed to upgrade the in-service DDG 51 Flight IIA destroyers.
Each variant uses the same hardware and software, and their construction is modular, making SPY-6 more reliable and less expensive to maintain. The radar is built with individual ‘building blocks’ called radar modular assemblies (RMA). Each RMA is a self-contained radar antenna in a 2’x2’x2’ box. The RMAs stack together to fit the mission requirements of any ship – a feature that makes SPY-6 the Navy’s first truly scalable radar.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/0...rd-m-mccool-jr/
----------------

The relevance of the above report is the future surveillance radar for Singapore's Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) heavy frigates or destroyers and mid-life upgrade for the Formidable class frigates. Singapore has expressed interest in fixed powerful AESA/PESA planar arrays, in particular the Aegis's SPY radar:

https://seapowermagazine.org/raytheons-spy-...es/?print=print



If this comes to fruition, the selected radar will likely be the SPY-6(V)3 or SPY-6(V)4. However, Singapore will need to integrate it with the Aster 30 and MICA VL NG (expected to replace the Aster 15s) on board the Formidables and MRCVs. I doubt this will be a problem for the active Asters and Mica missile systems.

The first MRCV will be ready in 2025 and all 6 (Sg may consider more) will be commissioned by 2030.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 20 2023, 04:45 PM

The main competition will come from Thales SeaFire radar (which I think will eventually win):



https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/07.n...arte044.en.html

Range is up to 500km for big stuffs like a 747. 300km for smaller objects like missiles.

Whilst the MRCV heavy frigates/destroyer is certain to get fixed planar AESA radars, the "sensor or radar" upgrade (Singapore is also upgrading the Formidables communications, battle management and weapon systems) to the Formidable may be just an upgrade to the still powerful Herakles radar (SeaFire's predecessor). The current range of the Herakles is >250km (good when first introduced in the 2000s). The upgraded Herakles has range in excess of >300km. The upgraded Herakles has already been successfully tested on the French FREMM Frégate Européenne Multimissions de Défense Aérienne) (classified as air defence destroyers e.g. Alsace (D656)):



Otherwise, Singapore will have to do structural modifications to the Formidable class, particularly the mast, to acomodate the planar arrays, for e.g. the Meko A-300:



Seafire and the upgraded Herakles are already integrated with Asters and Mica missile systems.

Both the MRCV heavy frigates/destroyer and upgraded Formidable frigates will be ready by 2030.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 20 2023, 05:01 PM

^ Probably talking about the incoming MRCV and upgraded Formidables.



MRCV - pretty sure not the final design^. Tonnage wise full load - estimated 6000 to 7000+/8000 tons. Remember it will carry 17-18metres USVs (at least 2 in its docking bays), UAVs, RHIBs, UUVs and an embarked helicopter. Mad robot carrier bristling with weapons and sensors.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 20 2023, 04:44 PM

"The new image of the TriSula Medium/High Altitude Air Defense Missile System developed for the Indonesian Army in cooperation with Roketsan and CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP"

This post has been edited by azriel: Feb 20 2023, 06:28 PM

KF-21 Boramae twin seat variant first flight.

Singapore To Buy 1,000 JDAM Bomb Kits From U.S

SINGAPORE–The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 1,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bomb kits and 250 Paveway II guided bombs kits to Singapore.

It would be one of, if not the largest single acquisition of precision munition kits by the country as its JDAM-capable fighter fleet expands.

A Defense Security Cooperation Agency press release said the $55 million package will include 100 KMU-556 tail kits for the GBU-31, 900 KMU-572 kits for the GBU-38 and Laser JDAM GBU-54, 250 500-lb. GBU-12 Paveway-II computer control and air foil group, as well as spares and support equipment.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is currently upgrading its Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Blk 52 under a midlife upgrade program which will certify the aircraft with the JDAM and AIM-9X as well as radar and avionics improvements. (Mai's note: F16Vs) A batch of upgraded F-16C/Ds are currently at Luke AFB, Arizona, likely for live munition certifications tests.

With limited space in Singapore, the RSAF conducts its munitions drops overseas, such as in Australia and the U.S.

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/miss...am-bomb-kits-us



The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions.

JDAM GBU-31 is a 2,000 lbs (900 kg) bomb
JDAM Laser GBU-54/B is a 2,000 lbs (900 kg) bomb
JDAM GBU-38 is a 500 lbs (225 kg) bomb (*For reference, a NSM missile carries a warhead weighing 120kg.)

Range of JDAM-equipped bombs range from 15 nautical miles (28 km) to over 37+ nautical miles (70 km) depending on the specific JDAM kit used.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 20 2023, 07:47 PM

Most of them are ljdam or paveways. These are moving target capable travelling in excess of 100kmh. Each F-15SG should be able to carry 12 on its belly pylons. The innovation is the ability to strike multiple targets in a single pass.

Likely in conjunction the 6th Gen Spike Nlos missiles which are better than maverick missiles.

When launched from Apaches or fixed wing aircrafts including Herons UAVs, the Spike NLOS has a range of 50km and can hit both stationary and moving land and maritime targets. Being essentially an anti tank missile, it can breach practically most targets.

Singapore produces Spike missiles in Singapore under an agreement with Rafael and jointly sells them to regional countries e.g. Thailand.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 20 2023, 08:59 PM

The Apaches, UAVs etc are themselves laser designators. They lase the targets then the F-15s take them out. Particularly effective is the Apache's MMS. Don't need the nlos because himars itself is an nlos. The gmlrs+ munitions that the SG army bought a shitload, has a substantially higher range than the standard 70km.

Another innovation that the Sinkies did was to use ljdam for anti ship. That raised a few eyebrows when the muricans first saw how the sinkies were using the F-15s. Mavericks are already obsolete. Even hellfires are also being replaced.

Western weapon merchants tend to understate capabilities. Ruskies tend to do the opposite.

GMLRS rockets (you know they are guided and can change trajectory so you might as well call them missiles) have always been known to have a range in excess of 90km. In the CONUS White Sands test range, they were successfully tested out to 92km. The Ukrainians were sniping Russian positions with precision effect from more 100km using the same rocket.

Now that Australia has bought the GMLRS ER with range between 150km to 200km, Sg is sure to follow.

pla stealth uav, predecessor of pla next gen bomber.


This post has been edited by icemanfx: Feb 20 2023, 09:42 PM

You do not need a GMLRS rocket for every single target. Different targets can be taken out using other munitions which can be cheaper.

Old block 25....as stopgap...as long as can do BVR, unlike the monkey model Block 15 OCU

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwa...istic-missiles/

This is in response to customers requests from around the world. Spyder SR used by Sg has a range of 41km ,(likely with the new Derby ER missile). Spyder MR used by the Philippines has a range of about 80km. Spyder SR is considered short range even though it is close to being a medium range missile system. Spyder MR is considered medium range

Interestingly, Spyder has a secondary CRAM role. Medium to long range theatre protection missile systems available in the region that can shoot down ballistic missiles are Sg Aster 30 Blk 1 missiles and Vietnam's S300 missiles.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Feb 21 2023, 09:41 AM

It's a layered iads. Fighters up front, naval Sams, then aster, spyders and rumoured cram system + saturated hand helds as a last line. Spyder is interesting because the missiles are dual use or can be used by fighters.

Yea. It is open source. Derby and pythons are on RSAF fighters.

The IDAF will receive a total of five Super Hercules tactical airlifters



Read more: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2023-02-21-...esian-Air-Force

This post has been edited by azriel: Feb 22 2023, 08:05 AM