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Red Flag 14-3 (Part 2 of 2)
Singapore's DSTA has a global reputation for procurement excellence and it acts as procurement manager for the RSAF in the acquisition of the F-15SGs. DSTA is not only concerned with procurement of the platform, in some cases, it also manages the contracts for specific or high value sub-systems from a 'raise, train and sustain' perspective over the entire life-cycle of the platform acquired. As stated on DSTA's website:-
Explained above is DSTA's foresight, when ordering the engines for the F-15SG in December 2005 to insist on GE supplying Singapore with the F110-GE-129C engines. These engines benefit from the USAF's Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for its F110 fighter engines (for USAF F-16C/Ds) awarded in May 2005. The SLEP program includes technology upgrades to the combustor, high pressure turbine, compressor and augmentor to reduce unscheduled removals by 50% and reduce the cost-per-flight-hour by 25%. Much of this hot-section hardware is derived from the highly-successful CFM56-7 engine, which powers the Boeing 737 jetliner. The F110-GE-129C engines incorporate GE's new 6,000 Total Accumulated Cycles (TAC) configuration, which enables unmatched benefits of fleet flexibility and cost-effective operation. The USAF has approved the -129 for 6,000 TACs for both F-15 (F110-GE-129E) and F-16 (F110-GE-129D) applications. With these engines (also specified by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman in 2012, for their F-15SA and F-16 Block 50, respectively), the interval for scheduled engine visits increases from 4,300 TACS to 6,000 TACs, representing a 40% reduction in scheduled maintenance costs.
Red Flag expanded to incorporate all spectrums of warfare to include command and control, real-time intelligence, analysis and exploitation, and electronic warfare. Night missions have also been added to each exercise. More than 440,000 service members have participated in Red Flag since 1975, including more than 145,000 aircrew members flying more than 385,000 sorties and logging more than 660,000 flight hours.
RSAF's Peace Carvin V detachment pipped 14 other maintenance units participating in Exercise Red Flag - Nellis to clinch the Best Maintenance Unit! Despite this being the unit's inaugural deployment to the exercise, they have performed to the highest standards. Other than expertly turning around our fleet of F-15SGs for their fast-paced missions during the exercise, the ground crew also had to battle the extreme heat of about 40 degrees Celsius during their ground maintenance operations.
Below, three RSAF KC-135R Stratotankers refuelling F-15SGs while training in the USA.
According to Mike Yeo writing for USNI News:
Singapore's DSTA has a global reputation for procurement excellence and it acts as procurement manager for the RSAF in the acquisition of the F-15SGs. DSTA is not only concerned with procurement of the platform, in some cases, it also manages the contracts for specific or high value sub-systems from a 'raise, train and sustain' perspective over the entire life-cycle of the platform acquired. As stated on DSTA's website:-
"The RSAF’s F-15SG Strike Eagle multi-role fighter aircraft was declared fully operational in September 2013. DSTA spearheaded the acquisition by working with various industry partners to ensure the seamless integration of the aircraft systems for a successful delivery. To meet the RSAF’s requirements, the DSTA team tailored the F 15SG as a unique variant of the F-15, with the integration of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and electronic warfare suite. With an extended detection range, the AESA radar enables the F-15SG to identify and engage targets before it is detected, allowing it to achieve air superiority over the battlefield.
The team proposed several cost effective recommendations to the RSAF. Keeping abreast of industry and technology trends, the team anticipated that a newer version of the aircraft’s engine would be available soon. As the newer engine requires one less overhaul cycle during its lifetime, the team recommended to hold the purchase of spare engines and to acquire the most advanced version in the market. This achieved a total cost savings of more than US$10 million per life cycle for spare engines.
Instead of adopting the manufacturer’s recommendation to conduct the wind tunnel test in a large facility, the team assessed that using a smaller facility would suffice and be more cost-effective. The team also optimised the test schedules across three separate facilities located in Singapore and the US. As a result, the team achieved cost savings of more than US$1 million. Another innovative solution was the use of a polycarbonate cover to protect camera lenses on board the Flight Test Instrumentation aircraft. This minimised the need for the RSAF to replace camera lenses, generating further savings."
The team proposed several cost effective recommendations to the RSAF. Keeping abreast of industry and technology trends, the team anticipated that a newer version of the aircraft’s engine would be available soon. As the newer engine requires one less overhaul cycle during its lifetime, the team recommended to hold the purchase of spare engines and to acquire the most advanced version in the market. This achieved a total cost savings of more than US$10 million per life cycle for spare engines.
Instead of adopting the manufacturer’s recommendation to conduct the wind tunnel test in a large facility, the team assessed that using a smaller facility would suffice and be more cost-effective. The team also optimised the test schedules across three separate facilities located in Singapore and the US. As a result, the team achieved cost savings of more than US$1 million. Another innovative solution was the use of a polycarbonate cover to protect camera lenses on board the Flight Test Instrumentation aircraft. This minimised the need for the RSAF to replace camera lenses, generating further savings."
Explained above is DSTA's foresight, when ordering the engines for the F-15SG in December 2005 to insist on GE supplying Singapore with the F110-GE-129C engines. These engines benefit from the USAF's Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for its F110 fighter engines (for USAF F-16C/Ds) awarded in May 2005. The SLEP program includes technology upgrades to the combustor, high pressure turbine, compressor and augmentor to reduce unscheduled removals by 50% and reduce the cost-per-flight-hour by 25%. Much of this hot-section hardware is derived from the highly-successful CFM56-7 engine, which powers the Boeing 737 jetliner. The F110-GE-129C engines incorporate GE's new 6,000 Total Accumulated Cycles (TAC) configuration, which enables unmatched benefits of fleet flexibility and cost-effective operation. The USAF has approved the -129 for 6,000 TACs for both F-15 (F110-GE-129E) and F-16 (F110-GE-129D) applications. With these engines (also specified by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman in 2012, for their F-15SA and F-16 Block 50, respectively), the interval for scheduled engine visits increases from 4,300 TACS to 6,000 TACs, representing a 40% reduction in scheduled maintenance costs.
Red Flag expanded to incorporate all spectrums of warfare to include command and control, real-time intelligence, analysis and exploitation, and electronic warfare. Night missions have also been added to each exercise. More than 440,000 service members have participated in Red Flag since 1975, including more than 145,000 aircrew members flying more than 385,000 sorties and logging more than 660,000 flight hours.
- Shot 2: A Singaporean air force pilot takes off in an F-16C assigned to the 425th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., during Red Flag 14-3 July 17 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Singaporean air force has partnered with the 425th Fighter Squadron in training fighter pilots for more than 20 years.
- Shot 4 A B-1 assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., takes off during Red Flag 14-3 July 17 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
- Shot 5 A Singaporean air force pilot takes off in an F-15SG assigned to the 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Ida., during Red Flag 14-3 July 17 at Nellis AFB, Nev. In 2009, the U.S. Air Force reactivated the 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho as part of the Peace Carvin V program – an international partnership between the United States and Republic of Singapore. The combined U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore air force unit trains RSAF aircrews in F-15SG fighters.
- Shot 6 Singaporean air force pilots takes off in an upgraded CH-47SD Chinook. The upgraded CH-47SD Chinook is assigned to the 149th Aviation Battalion in Grand Prairie, Texas, during Red Flag 14-3 July 17 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. More than 30 countries have participated directly in a Red Flag exercise with other nations as observers.
- Shot 7 A KC-135 from the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. during Red Flag 14-3 July 17.
- Shot 8 An F-16C assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., lands during Red Flag 14-3 July 17.
RSAF's Peace Carvin V detachment pipped 14 other maintenance units participating in Exercise Red Flag - Nellis to clinch the Best Maintenance Unit! Despite this being the unit's inaugural deployment to the exercise, they have performed to the highest standards. Other than expertly turning around our fleet of F-15SGs for their fast-paced missions during the exercise, the ground crew also had to battle the extreme heat of about 40 degrees Celsius during their ground maintenance operations.
Below, three RSAF KC-135R Stratotankers refuelling F-15SGs while training in the USA.
According to Mike Yeo writing for USNI News:
"Singapore appears to have more than its declared total of 24 Boeing F-15SG Eagle multirole fighters, with recent developments indicating that the small Asian city-state is already operating 32 aircraft, and looks set to bring that total up to 40...
USNI News saw F-15SG 8331 at the recently concluded Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin, Australia and “26” as the last two digits due to the tape having been partially worn off. Together, these appear to confirm that Singapore already has at least 32 F-15SGs in its inventory. In addition, on 5-6 August 2014, Boeing took out eight civil aircraft registrations with the Federal Aviation Administration for what it described as F-15SG aircraft. If these indeed represent an additional batch of F-15SGs acquired by Singapore, it would allow Singapore to form a second squadron of F-15SGs in Singapore, most likely to replace a handful of upgraded Northrop F-5S/T Tiger II interceptors which are due to be retired in the near future. Notoriously secretive with its military matters, Singapore has remained tight-lipped about the number of F-15s it actually has, other to say that it has sufficient numbers to meet its defense needs."
USNI News saw F-15SG 8331 at the recently concluded Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin, Australia and “26” as the last two digits due to the tape having been partially worn off. Together, these appear to confirm that Singapore already has at least 32 F-15SGs in its inventory. In addition, on 5-6 August 2014, Boeing took out eight civil aircraft registrations with the Federal Aviation Administration for what it described as F-15SG aircraft. If these indeed represent an additional batch of F-15SGs acquired by Singapore, it would allow Singapore to form a second squadron of F-15SGs in Singapore, most likely to replace a handful of upgraded Northrop F-5S/T Tiger II interceptors which are due to be retired in the near future. Notoriously secretive with its military matters, Singapore has remained tight-lipped about the number of F-15s it actually has, other to say that it has sufficient numbers to meet its defense needs."
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