Military Aviation News and Discussion

[At lakes]

mucked this one up see below

 

[At lakes]

DEFENSE STUDIES: Indonesia Outlines 2020–24 Military Procurement Priorities

It looks like Indonesia has all but confirmed the desire to purchase the F16V, the MOD confirming the planned purchase of 32 F16V costing around 2 Billion US. t. This purchase is designed to replace the aging Hawk aircraft.[/QUOTE]​

 

[ngatimozart]

DEFENSE STUDIES: Indonesia Outlines 2020–24 Military Procurement Priorities

It looks like Indonesia has all but confirmed the desire to purchase the F16V, the MOD confirming the planned purchase of 32 F16V costing around 2 Billion US. t. This purchase is designed to replace the aging Hawk aircraft.​

Have they paid for them and are they flying in Indonesian markings? Going by what our two highly respected, and very knowledgeable regular Indonesian posters have been saying, under the current Indonesian Administration nothing is certain with Indonesian defence procurement until it physically turns up. So I'd be somewhat cautious about Indonesian F-16Vs. They may have the desire, but getting that to reality is a totally different story, and they are also looking at the SU-30(?) as well. This really belongs in the Indonesian Air Force thread where there is quite a discussion about it.

 

[John Fedup]

The F-22 was rendered unavailable by law, which would have required a Presidential veto in order to prevent. GotD policy did not get involved.

Yes, understood, but it was unfortunate this law wasn’t seriously revisited while the Raptor production line was still active. A Japanese order and perhaps small orders from Australia and Canada might have lowered pricing somewhat.

 

[hairyman]

The hybrid F22 - F35 that was being discussed on Defence Talk for Japan and possibly Australia, any news on that, or has it gone by the bye?

 

[John Fedup]

IIRC, that hybrid was the technology transfer that LM offered as a basis for a new future jet for Japan and is the basis for a competitive offer against the UK’s Tempest proposal.

 

[ngatimozart]

The hybrid F22 - F35 that was being discussed on Defence Talk for Japan and possibly Australia, any news on that, or has it gone by the bye?

Any talk about such an aircraft in an Australian context is fantasy talk. No place for it on here.

 

[OPSSG]

Boeing is going to test the CH-47F Chook with two GE Aviation T408 turboshaft engines, each producing 7,500shp, 2,500shp more than the current Chook F engine. The GE T408 is the same engine that is used on the CH-53K so is already certified for use at sea, with Boeing looking at suggesting to the USN & USMC, the neo Chook F as the replacement if the CH-53K program goes belly up. As a by product of this, it could be an option for others such as the RAF and ADF who fly Chooks off their LHD, etc.

Boeing to test CH-47F Chinook with two 7,500shp engines

The U.S. Marine Corps and Sikorsky have resolved the engine integration issues that slowed down the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter program. The announcement made on 17 Dec 2019 that the engine problems have been resolved makes more realistic the government/industry team’s plans to take the helicopter on sea trials in the spring and ultimately conduct a first deployment by 2023 or 2024.

The helicopters are powered by three new General Electric T-408 engines that allow them to carry 27,000 pounds for 110 nautical miles, or up to 36,000 pounds in shorter flights – allowing the helicopter to lift a pair of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs).

 

[John Fedup]

This link discusses RR’s research efforts regarding new engines needed for the Tempest program.

Rolls-Royce develop 'world-first tech' for Tempest fighter jet

 

[ngatimozart]

TAI of Turkey has invited Malaysia to participate in its TF-X fighter program. Turkey invites Malaysia to join its TF-X future fighter jet program. It is being proclaiming the TF-X as the first big jet fighter for Muslims, and TAI is also looking at Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan as potentional partners and / or customers.

 

[John Fedup]

I would think Pakistan is better off sticking with the Chinese as opposed to an unknown like Turkey. I am sure the Chinese will point that out to Pakistan.

 

[ngatimozart]

I would think Pakistan is better off sticking with the Chinese as opposed to an unknown like Turkey. I am sure the Chinese will point that out to Pakistan.

Yep, but could also be a way for the PRC to get its hands on some western military engine tech, especially if it's an Euro engine; RR, Euro Jet, IAE etc.

Pakistan has 30 TAI T-129 helicopter gunships on order from Turkey, but they have been held up because the US won't issue the export certificates for the engines because even they they are built under license from Augusta Westland, they are an export version of a US engine.

So that will play in the mind of Pakistan and others when they do look at signing up to the Turkish program. It'll have to be ITARS free.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Some remarkable news...
I dont gonna say things like "why need a piss-poor country like Bangladesh such an expensive advanced combat helicopter?", but its such a huge step, from no combat helicopters at all to an AH-64E. And because the Bangladesh Army and Air Force already operate the Mi-17, something like a Mi-35 would be more logic. Apache down-selected for Bangladesh attack helicopter requirement | Jane's 360

 

[ngatimozart]

Some remarkable news...
I dont gonna say things like "why need a piss-poor country like Banladesh such an expensive advanced combat helicopter?", but its such a huge step, from no combat helicopters at all to an AH-64E. And because the Bangladesh Army and Air Force already operate the Mi-17, something like a Mi-35 would be more logic. Apache down-selected for Bangladesh attack helicopter requirement | Jane's 360

Yep, I'm trying to figure that one out too. A lot of can't understand why myself, going on in my head. First question I have is how are they going to fund both the acquisition and the ongoing sustainment and operation thereof?

 

[ngatimozart]

Germany has cancelled it's MQ-4C Triton acquisition due to concerns about operational freedom in controlled European civil airspace. Germany walks away from $2.5 billion purchase of US Navy’s Triton spy drones. At present UAVs can only be operated in certain corridors within European civil airspace and until safety concerns regarding sensing of and seperation from other air traffic by UAVs are addressed, regulators will not allow unrestricted access to civil airspace. The acquisition was valued at US$2.5 billion.

 

[MrConservative]

Germany has cancelled it's MQ-4C Triton acquisition due to concerns about operational freedom in controlled European civil airspace. Germany walks away from $2.5 billion purchase of US Navy’s Triton spy drones. At present UAVs can only be operated in certain corridors within European civil airspace and until safety concerns regarding sensing of and seperation from other air traffic by UAVs are addressed, regulators will not allow unrestricted access to civil airspace. The acquisition was valued at US$2.5 billion.

The joys of living in bureaucratic superstate. I am sure Uncle Vlad and his Okhotnik and Altius-U wont have such concerns.

 

[ngatimozart]

The joys of living in bureaucratic superstate. I am sure Uncle Vlad and his Okhotnik and Altius-U wont have such concerns.

Well the bureacracy there is somewhat rampant, however what are the FAA regulations that they operate under in the US? And what are the ICAO regulations that cover them? Russian air safety regulations, enforcement, and safety is somewhat less stringent than that of the EU, US AU and NZ.

 

[John Fedup]

Germany has delayed the FCAC contracts for the demonstrator jet. Perhaps this might induce Italy to join the UK’s Tempest project. France can’t be happy!

Bundestag Snubs France, Will Delay Main FCAS Contracts to Late 2021

 

[ngatimozart]

Boeing are going to undertake ski jump tests on the F-18E/F Superhornet, Super Hornet to undergo ski-jump launches. This is in response to an Indian navy requirement now that the Indian Navy has abandoned the proposed HAL LCA Navy MkII.

Airbus defence and the Singaporean Air Force are collaborating on the development, certification and implementation of an automatic aerial refueling capability for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), Airbus Defence & Space and Singapore to collaborate on automatic aerial refueling. This designed to reduce the workload of the air refueling operator, improve safety and optimize the fuel transfer. Certification is expected next year.

This is another advance and improvement on an alreday outstanding platform.

 

[Ananda]

Dassault, Airbus and partners win Phase 1A contract for FCAS

Germany has delayed the FCAC contracts for the demonstrator jet

Seems based on that Information, FCAS phase 1a already kick in. All major aerospace players in Germany and France seems include on the project.

Thus if we see who already committed on next gen Euro Fighter project:

Tempest: UK, Sweden with Italy seems going as third partner.
FCAS: France, Germany, and Spain.

Guess that's all possible Euro Partners that will still have interest on forming Partnership for Fighter development.
Smaller country like Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway usually goes with US, thus F-35 to replace F-16, follow by Poland. Greece, if their economy permitting will also follow F-35 path.
Turkey will go for TFX, especially if Sultan Erdogan still in power. However with TFX will relied on British tech especially in Engine, got a feeling if Tempest move on at some point Turkey will have some talk on Tempest.