Hawk 200 Latihan Penembakan Rudal Maverick

05 Maret 2012

Rudal AGM-65 maverick adalah rudal udara ke darat dengan jangkauan 13 hingga 27 km (photo : TNI AU)

Black Panther Latihan Maverick di Lanud Palembang

Satu Flight Black Panther Skadron Udara 12 Lanud Pekanbaru bertolak ke Lanud Palembang dalam rangka melaksanakan latihan penembakan dari udara ke darat (Air To Ground) jarak menengah dengan menggunakan rudal Maverick. Keberangkatan para penerbang tempur yang memiliki motto “Temukan dan Hancurkan” tersebut dilepas langsung oleh Komandan Lanud Pekanbaru, Kolonel Pnb Bowo Budiarto, SE di Shelter Skadron Udara 12, Minggu (4/3).

Pada latihan yang direncanakan berlangsung selama satu minggu tersebut melibatkan seluruh penerbang dan beberapa teknisi pesawat yang dipimpin langsung oleh Komandan Skadron Udara 12 Lanud Pekanbaru, Letkol Pnb Prasetya Halim. Selain sebagai latihan rutin, latihan Maverick ini bertujuan untuk terus membina dan meningkatkan kemampuan para penerbang dalam melaksanakan misi-misi penerbangan maupun melaksanakan penembakan dari udara ke sasaran yang ada di darat dengan menggunakan rudal Maverick.

(TNI AU)

Satuan Radar Timika Diresmikan

05 Maret 2012

Dengan telah beroperasinya radar Timika maka tidak ada lagi blank spot di Indonesia bagian timur (photo : Radartutorial)

Timika (ANTARA News) - Kepala Staf TNI Angkatan Udara Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat meresmikan Satuan Radar 243 Timika yang berlokasi di Kampung Kamoro Jaya-SP1, Timika, Papua, Senin.

Bersamaan dengan itu, Kasau juga melantik Letkol (Lek) Sudirman sebagai Komandan Satuan Radar (Satrad) 243 Timika.

Marsekal Imam Sufaat mengatakan pembangunan Satuan Radar 243 Timika merupakan perwujudan dari program strategis yang telah disusun untuk mengcover situasi dan kondisi serta kerawanan wilayah udara bagian timur Indonesia terhadap pelanggaran udara. Satuan Radar 243 Timika yang berada di jajaran Kosek Hanudnas IV Biak dibangun sejak 2009 di atas lahan seluas 298.786 meter.

Radius jangkauan operasi radar di Timika akan over lapping dengan Satuan Radar 245 Saumlaki bagian barat di Provinsi Maluku dan juga akan over lapping dengan Satuan Radar 244 Merauke di bagian timur Papua.

Dengan telah beroperasinya radar-radar tersebut, maka seluruh wilayah udara Indonesia bagian timur dapat dicover dan tidak ada lagi area kosong yang tidak termonitor radar.

Melalui beroperasinya Satuan Radar Timika ini juga konsep strategis gelar Kosek Pertahanan Udara Nasional IV di wilayah Indonesia bagian timur dapat terus diwujudkan mengingat di wilayah ini terdapat sejumlah obyek vital nasional dan merupakan jalur penerbangan internasional.

Marsekal Imam Sufaat mengakui hingga saat ini kemampuan, kekuatan dan gelar radar TNI AU dibandingkan dengan luas wilayah udara nasional Indonesia belum sepenuhnya mampu memenuhi kebutuhan yang diharapkan.

Dengan keterbatasan jumlah radar yang dimiliki itu mengakibatkan pelaksanaan tugas pengamatan dan pemantauan seluruh obyek yang bermanufer di wilayah udara Indonesia belum dapat dilaksanakan secara maksimal.

Kasau berpesan agar seluruh satuan radar senantiasa melakukan analisis dan pengkajian dalam upaya meningkatkan kemampuan karena fungsi satuan radar sangat vital bagi organisasi perang dalam menjaga kedaulatan negara.

"Radar adalah mata dan telinga yang tidak boleh tidur dan sangat berbahaya apabila tidak mampu menjalankan tugasnya secara maksimal," pesan Imam Sufaat.(E015/M026)

(Antara)

Su-30MK2 for Vietnam Crashed During the Acceptance Trials

01 Maret 2012

Sukhoi Su-30MK2 (photo : KNAAPO)

Yesterday, in the Khabarovsk region during a training flight accident Su-30MK2, destined to supply the Air Force of Vietnam. Both pilots managed to eject. According to preliminary information, the cause of the incident was not only a fire originating in the right engine when the acceleration, but also problems in the management of a fighter. In the Raman criminal case on the grounds of an offense under Art. 351 of the Criminal Code ("Violation of the rules of safety and training for them").

According to preliminary data of the investigation, the incident took place 140 km from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, at 17:20 local time (around 10:20 GMT), when the Su-30MK2 running test pilots 485 th Military Mission of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Col. Valery Kirilina and Captain Alexei Gorshkov made receiving and acceptance flight. The investigators found that the fighter, who was the property of Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Industrial Association (KNAAPO), performed two tasks: the flight route and accelerate to the maximum indicated airspeed at an altitude of three thousand miles in normal weather conditions.

As noted in the TFR, under the regime of acceleration to the maximum indicated airspeed the captain Kirilin reported in the flight control of a fire engine on the right, then head of the flight crew immediately gave the command of the bailout.

The KnAAPO said one of the pilots suffered during ejection. Injuries or damage from falling aircraft on the ground there. The military investigation department of the TFR for the Komsomolsk-on-Amur garrison prosecuted for the crime under Art. 351 of the Criminal Code ("Violation of the rules of safety and training for them"). In the near future will begin KnAAPO Commission aviation industry complex, which will establish the technical causes of the incident.

(Kommersant)

Skuadron 21 Kirim Teknisi ke Brasil

01 Maret 2012

Pesawat Super Tucano buatan Embraer Brazil (photo : Patrick's Aviation)

MALANG- Skuadron 21 mengirim satu tenaga teknisi ke Brasil pada Maret ini sebagai persiapan datangnya pesawat Super Tucano di Pangkalan Udara Abdulrachman Saleh Malang.

Super Tocano menggantikan OV-10F Bronco dijadwalkan tiba pada akhir Juli mendatang.

Kepala Skuadron 21 Mayor (penerbang) James Y Singal mengatakan, selanjutnya akan menyusul penerbang, serta ground and air crew.

Semula pesawat tersebut direncanakan tiba Maret ini sebanyak empat unit secara bertahap. Namun karena berbagai pertimbangan diperkirakan baru Juli tiba di Malang.'

'Sebagai persiapannya, kami sudah membangun sarana pendukungnya berupa hanggar, lima buah shelter pesawat, shelter GSE (ground support equipment), maupun ruangan kantor.

Sementara personel yang akan mengawaki pesawat EMB 314 Super Tucano juga sudah mulai disiapkan, termasuk personel yang akan melaksanakan pemeliharaan tingkat ringan dan sedang.

Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (KSAU), Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat, usai Rapat Pimpinan TNI AU dan Apel Dansat 2012 di Gedung Serba Guna Akademi Angkatan Udara (AAU) Yogyakarta baru-baru ini mengatakan, hingga 2014, TNI AU akan menambah empat pesawat tempur jenis Sukhoi dari Rusia, 16 unit pesawat tempur jenis Super Tucano dari Brazil, T/A-50 dari Korea sebanyak 16 unit, F-16 sebanyak 8 unit, serta 30 unit pesawat F-16.

Penambahan pesawat tempur ini untuk memperkuat tujuh skuadron tempur TNI untuk menjaga wilayah NKRI.

Selain pesawat tempur, TNI AU juga akan menambah pesawat jenis transport C 295, Hercules dan helikopter C 725 sebanyak 80 pesawat. Dalam pengadaan itu, TNI AU telah bekerja sama dengan Korea Selatan hingga 2024.

"Banyak pesawat TNI AU sudah tua atau berumur di atas 30 tahun sehingga perlu peremajaan. Tidak hanya pada pesawat saja tapi juga mencakup sistem persenjataan, seperti bom, roket dan peluru. Hingga tahun 2024, Indonesia akan memiliki 180 pesawat tempur". (jo-77).

(Suara Merdeka)

Journey of Vietnam Made UAV

25 Februari 2012

In 1996, Vietnam has successfully fabricated a target aircraft, marking a step forward of the aviation engineering industry of the Vietnam (all photos : BaoDatViet & ttvnol)

The goal is not just for flying training mission air defense units, but also the foundation for Vietnam to design UAV reconnaissance.

After a period of research, manufacturing and testing, in 1996, the target aircraft launched a mark a great progress of aviation engineering Air Defense-Air Force.

Up to now, not only in the types of target aircraft, unmanned aircraft (UAV) training service, Air Defense - Air Force is also home study, created the UAV for military purposes to participate a. That success has made Vietnam become one in five Southeast Asian countries design and manufacture successful UAV.

The Target Aircraft

Previously, after the season firing of the air defense forces, air force, the unit is excited to destroy the target performance is relatively high and stable.

However, the head of Air Defense - Air Force at the time the utmost concern. Scientific and Technical growing military activities of the enemy in combat increasingly sophisticated, especially the means of offensive fire air. Failure to improve training innovation is difficult to meet mission requirements in the new situation.

Therefore, the research, production targets flying as a mission imperative and necessary. To prepare for this mission, in 1996, Air Defense - Air Force bought the combination DF-16 flying machines of Israel and delivered to the Defense Department of Education (Department General Staff - Air Force) research and learning. Next, the High Command of U.S. spy agency assigned to coordinate with the A40 plant research, manufacturing target aircraft.

After 3 years of research, design, fabrication and testing, in late 1999, two target aircraft symbols M-96 (flight day) and M-96D (night flights) have been shipped factory and flew A40 successfully tested in the sky Mieu Mon (Ha Noi).

M-100CT target aircraft for training firing artillery unit high-radiation missile.

This target type of glass TZK support, and manual controls make the flight with the naked eye visibility. And since then, the target M-96 and M-96D is the Air Defence - Air Force series production for the missile force, high-radiation artillery training.

However, compared to other types of target aircraft in the world for air defense forces, air force training, M-96 has many limitations such as short range, low ceiling and small speed. Therefore, M-96 was studied further improvements and upgrades to the wide operating range, high ceiling, greater speed, especially flying devices automatically predefined program.

Continued military service assigned to the engineers involved in the production of each M-96. After The research objective of the Institute of Technical Chamber of aircraft - Air Force (VKTPK-KQ) was established, Colonel Trinh Xuan Dat was appointed chief, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tinh as deputy director, the Board granted with funding of infrastructure, material and equipment for research and production.

After nearly half a year of research the Institute has completed its mission of M-96 M-100CT, ensuring the technical requirements. The flight program was conducted in the report in July 2004, the Institute has performed successful flights of the target M-100CT.

Improvement program target M-96 to M-100CT success is both a step forward in the field of aircraft manufacturing goals, this is a firm basis for the U.S. spy scientists towards the realization of dream UAV successfully fabricated dream.

UAV "Made in Vietnam"




Indeed, before the success of M-100CT, early 2001, VKTPK - KQ has started the project "Research, design, fabrication UAV control program", symbol M-400CT. This device has many similarities with the flying machines The DF-16 production by Israel. Until the test is successful M-100CT, assigned to The Research Institute target aircraft continue to improve our products.

Colonel Trinh Xuan Dat said, this is a difficult task, requiring effort and invest more intellectual, the most difficult is the design and manufacture of automation control program. Meanwhile, this component is not imported, the water is increasingly scarce, so the engineers have a lot of experimental research on the different components.

As part of making the shell, the fuselage, unlike the target aircraft, this time in collaboration with the Institute of Polytechnic University of Hanoi using composite materials (instead of wood as before), the material is both cheap and reduce the weight of the plane, bringing the ability to bring the plane's fuel.

After 4 years of research, testing, on 09/15/2005, 2 the UAV M400-CT version 405 and 406 successfully flew the last report at the airport flying Dual (Bac Giang), with high 2000 m, 15 km radius of operation.
Colonel Trinh Xuan Dat-head study of target aircraft is one of those instrumental in making unmanned aircraft in Vietnam.

Then VKTPK-KQ continue to improve and upgrade the M-400CT to a height of 3,000 meters, the speed of 250 - 280km / h, 30km radius of operation, can landing on the runway (earth or concrete).

Along with the construction of UAV, the Institute has also designed and built successful launch pad systems (for the absence of runway to take off) with the materials in the water, light and easy to maneuver.

With this success, dated 15.09.2006 is taken as date of birth of the UAV and successfully led Vietnam to become one of the few Southeast Asian countries built UAV.

Currently, VKTPK - KQ is the target aircraft production, UAV for the training of air defense forces, air force and army air defense forces.

Compared to the previous target and UAV, now we have to improve and upgrade more than to meet mission requirements of these new and modern weapons. Along with the target aircraft production, UAV for military purposes, VKTPK - KQ also design, create different types of UAVs for civilian purposes, such as spraying aircraft, flight shooting, photography of the terrain ...

(BaoDatViet)

Hercules Kembali dari AS Setelah Jalani Overhaul

24 Februari 2012

Pesawat Hercules A-1323 (photo : Kaksus Militer)

Jurnas.com PESAWAT tempur Hercules milik TNI AU kembali ke Indonesia setelah menjalani perbaikan menyeluruh (overhaul) di Amerika Serikat. Serah terima pesawat ini akan dilakukan di base ops Halim Perdanakusuma.

“Siang ini akan dilakukan upacara penyambutan,” kata Kepala Dinas Penerangan TNI AU Marsekal Pertama Azman Yunus saat dihubungi, Jumat (24/2). Menurut Azman, Hercules yang mengalami overhaul atas bantuan Amerika ini dilakukan sejak setahun lalu.

Selain perbaikan, mulai body, structure hingga persenjataan, pesawat ini juga di-up grade kemampuannya. “Serah terima dilakukan oleh dubes Amerika di Indonesia dengan Wakil KSAU,” ujar Azman. Pesawat ini diperbaiki di Oklahoma Amerika Serikat untuk menjalani pemeliharaan berat dalam Programmed Depot Maintenance di hanggar perusahaan swasta ARINC, di Oklahoma, Amerika Serikat.

Jika pesawat tersebut selesai diperbaiki, direncanakan dua unit Hercules lainnya akan juga diperbaiki. Menurut Azman, teknisi TNI AU sebenarnya punya kemampuan memperbaiki pesawat tersebut. Namun, kemampuan tidak didukung fasilitas dan peralatan pendukung.

"Alat-alat yang dibutuhkan tidak ada. Kalau beli (alat-alatnya), lebih jauh dan lebih mahal, lebih baik kita gunakan orang lain," katanya.

(Jurnal Nasional)

$200m Refit to Give Fighter Jets Growl

22 Februari 2012

Boeing EA-18G Growler (image : FlightGlobal)

THE Federal Government will spend more than $200 million to transform six air force fighter jets into hi-tech electronic warfare planes.

The RAAF purchased 24 Boeing Super Hornet fighters under a $6 billion deal with the US Navy to fill the gap between the retirement of the F-111 fighter bomber and the expected delivery of the first batch of 14 Joint Strike Fighter stealth jets later this decade.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith will announce the decision to upgrade the jet fighters early next month to EA-18G models known as "Growlers" to plug an emerging air combat capability gap.

The G-model entered service with the US Navy in 2008 and it allows attacking forces to detect and jam enemy radars to protect friendly aircraft from all known surface-to-air missile threats.

The Growler is the launch platform for the "Next Generation Jammer" that uses advanced radar technology from Northrop Grumman to conduct precision jamming.

Australia purchased 12 Super Hornet fighters wired for the Growler upgrade during the production process at a cost of $35 million. Retro fitting has never been attempted before and will cost between $200 million and $300 million.

News Limited understands that the first aircraft will be converted at the Boeing factory in St Louis and the remainder at Amberley RAAF base near Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Mr Smith is facing criticism from air force brass for his move to buy 12 more Super Hornets to cover the likely delay into service of up to 70 Australian JSFs.

A decision is due by September this year, but the RAAF is arguing against more Super Hornets because they fear that will leave less funds for Joint Strike Fighters.

"The RAAF doesn't want to run two types of fighter jets," a source said. Mr Smith told theAustralian Defence Magazine congress in Canberra yesterday that Defence would be expected to deliver a further contribution from its $27 billion budget to the government's quest for a surplus this year.

"The current 2012-13 Budget process will also examine whether Defence is able to make a further contribution to the Government's Budget bottom line," he said.

Defence budget analyst Mark Thomson said Mr Smith had taken a "shot across the bow" of Defence before the May budget. "They will be going through this budget with a finetooth comb," he said.

(Adelaide Now)

New Helicopters Take to the Air after Long Flight

17 Februari 2012

FIRST FLIGHT: The air force's two new NH90 helicopters had their first flights on Tuesday, since being delivered to Ohakea Air Force Base in December. (photo : NZDF)

The air force's new helicopters have had their first test flight since arriving in the country, but the results are being kept under wraps.

Defence spokesman Paul Stein confirmed two NH90s were taken for flights on Tuesday with staff from Nato Helicopter Industries (NHI) "to make sure all the controls and instruments and everything were working as they should since being shipped over from France".

Mr Stein said the results of the test flights could not be released yet due to "commercial sensitivity".
Two new NH90 helicopters were delivered to Ohakea Air Force Base on December 6 on board a Russian Antonov AN124 cargo aeroplane – one of the biggest aircraft in the world.

Six more NH90s were still to be delivered, with the Ministry of Defence hoping the next two could arrive as early as next month.

They will be delivered in three more shipments of two helicopters on board the Antonov, with each trip estimated to cost about $1.6 million, but could vary depending on fuel costs.

Nine NH90s were ordered in 2006 at a cost of $771m.

They will replace the air force's Vietnam War-era Iroquois helicopters that have been in service for more than 40 years.

They will be on display to the public at next month's Royal New Zealand Air Force's 75th Anniversary Air Show, along with a number of other aircraft from six different countries.

The French Armed Forces of New Caledonia, Singapore Air Force, Royal Air Force, Australian Air Force, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps will join with the New Zealand Air Force to perform air and ground displays at Ohakea on March 31.

(Stuff)

Biak Disiapkan Sebagai Skadron Pesawat Tempur

16 Februari 2012

Skadron tempur Biak diharapkan tahun 2014 dapat terbentuk (photo : gijoe77)

Biak (ANTARA News) - Pangkalan Udara Manuhua STAB di Kabupaten Biak Numfor, Papua dipersiapkan untuk skadron pesawat tempur dalam rangka menunjang tugas operasional Komando Sektor Pertahanan Udara Nasional IV di kawasan Timur Indonesia.

Panglima Komando Sektor Pertahanan Udara Nasional IV Biak Marsekal Pertama TNI Dedy Nita Komara di Biak Kamis mengatakan, untuk pengembangan pengamanan wilayah udara NKRI di kawasan Papua, keberadaan pangkalan udara Manuhua Biak masuk dalam rencana pengembangan sebagai pangkalan skadron pesawat tempur TNI AU.

"Keberadaan bandara Lanud Manuhua Biak sangat strategis dan memenuhi syarat bisa dikembangkan menjadi pangkalan skadron pesawat tempur, ya pada tahun 2014 diharapkan program ini dapat terwujud," ungkap Pangkosek Hanudnas IV Marsma TNI Dedy.

Ia mengakui, untuk idealnya pengembangan pangkalan skadron pesawat tempur di Lanud Manuhua empat flight dengan 12 pesawat tempur.

Dengan kondisi pangkalan udara Manuhua Biak saat ini, lanjut Marsma Dedy, yang sangat luas dan memenuhi syarat paling tidak dapat menampung delapan pesawat tempur TNI AU.

"Jika rencana skadron pesawat tempur TNI AU dibuka di Biak maka akan menunjang operasi Komando Sektor Pertahanan Udara Nasional IV Biak menjaga pengamanan wilayah udara NKRI khususnya di wilayah Papua sekitarnya," ungkap Pangkosek Hanudnas IV Marsma TNI Dedy Nita Komara.

Hingga Kamis siang, tiga pesawat tempur F16 skadron Iswahyudi Madiun, dua Hercules, serta satu helikopter Puma berada di bandara Lanud Manuhua Biak untuk mendukung latihan cakra dan operasi "Tangkis Petir" yang diselenggarakan Kosek Hanudnas IV Biak mulai 16-21 Februari 2012.(M039)

(Antara)

Sikorsky Aerospace Services Announces the Signing of a Basic Ordering Agreement with the Brunei Ministry of Defence

16 Februari 2012

Sikorsky S-70i Blackhawk (photo : Mexico.vg)

SINGAPORE AIR SHOW, Singapore - Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) with the Brunei Ministry of Defence as part of Sikorsky’s recent overarching sales contract to provide 12 S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopters to the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF).

This five-year agreement will support the S-70i aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2013, and the RBAF’s current BLACK HAWK fleet. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
“We have a long history of aftermarket support to the Royal Brunei Air Force. This support contract gives the RBAF the flexibility to streamline procurement of parts and services for optimum fleet maintenance We look forward to evolving our relationship as their BLACK HAWK fleet continues to grow,” said David Adler, President of Sikorsky Aerospace Services. “SAS continuously strives to provide ‘best-in-class’ support to our worldwide customers.”

(Sikorsky)

PAF Gets 4 New Choppers

15 Februari 2012

PAF W-3 Sokol helicopter (photo : imagenesmilitares)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday disclosed the arrival of four brand new Combat Utility Helicopters from the Augusta PZL Swidik of Italy and Poland on February 14, 2012.

The PAF hierarchy said the brand new helicopters arrived at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and is the first batch of the eight helicopters that the PAF is to receive from the Polish aircraft manufacturer.

Major General Catalino G. Dela Cruz, PAF Commanding General, said the delivery of the new helicopters is a welcome addition to the fleet of the PAF.

He said that the formal blessing and turnover of the PAF’s newest acquisition will be announced following the completion of assembly and rigid test flights to be conducted on the new helicopters.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto G. Okol, PAF Public Information Office director, the “Sokol” or Falcon in Polish, can be fitted with various equipment – depending on the mission – that makes it an ideal utility helicopter for the PAF.

It is NVG (Night Vision Goggle)-capable and is equipped with an SN 350 Autopilot, he added.
Compared to the Huey helicopters, he said the “Sokol” is a more capable utility platform.

Okol explained that while the Huey can carry only seven passengers, the “Sokol” can accommodate 10 passengers with a maximum takeoff weight of 14,110 pounds, an endurance of three hours and 19 minutes, and it can reach a maximum range of 402 nautical miles in a single flight, with airspeed of about 140.5 knots.

The “Sokol” is fitted with gun mounts for the M60D MG on both sides, and when utilized during search and rescue (SAR) or over water operations, it can be equipped with pilot-controlled Emergency Floatation Gear attached to the lowest portion of the aircraft.

It can also perform various missions other than combat to support the country’s peace and development efforts.

“The CUH project is worth P2.8 billion, and has undergone the rigid screening process prior to its procurement,” Okol said.

(Manila Bulletin)

First Sokol on Their Way to the Philippines

13 Februari 2012

Loading of PZL W-3WA Sokol helicopters into the An-124 Ruslan (all photos : epmlpotters)

February 12 this year, Antonov An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft from Rzeszow airport, carrying four PZL W-3WA Sokol Swidnik multi-purpose transport helicopters, ordered by the Philippine Armed Forces.

Philippines has ordered eight Sokols to the authorities in Poland. The remaining four is expected to delivery later this year. Machines used to complement the UH-1 Huey, which form the backbone of military aviation. Helicopters are used primarily for combat operations south of the country, where government forces are fighting with the rebels.

(Dziennik Zbrojny)

Pesawat Kepresidenan RI - Dilengkapi Sistem Penangkal untuk Deteksi Serangan

11 Februari 2012

Impresi artis tentang Pesawat Kepresidenan RI (image : Jetabout)

Pesawat kepresidenan RI yang sekarang ini masih berada di pabrik Boeing, AS. Pesawat ini dijadwalkan beroperasi akhir Agustus 2013.

Sehebat apakah pesawat kepresidenan RI kelak? Mendekati Air Force One milik Amerika Serikat (AS) yang bertabur teknologi dan sistem keamanan tercanggih atau Ilyushin Il-96- 300PU milik Rusia yang kamar mandi presidennya berbalut emas dan beberapa ruangan dilapisi sutera?

Pesawat seri 737-800 Boeing Business Jet 2 (BBJ 2) yang dibeli Pemerintah Indonesia dari Boeing Company agaknya masih jauh dari bayangan tersebut.

Pesawat ”Indonesia Air Force One” bahkan lebih sederhana daripada pesawat sewaan dari Garuda Indonesia yang selama ini digunakan. “Ini bukan pesawat untuk pribadi, tapi pesawat untuk kepresidenan. Presiden Susilo BambangYudhoyono (SBY) tidak menginginkan pesawat itu menjadi pesawat yang mewah,”ujar Sekretaris Kementerian Sekretariat Negara (Kemensesneg) Lambock V Nahattands di Jakarta kemarin.

Menurut dia, interior pesawat kepresidenan tidak akan berlebihan.“Kabin berisi tempat istirahat presiden saja. Kalau dulu kabin memakai gorden, sekarang dipasangi pintu, itu saja lebihnya,” jelas Lambock. Indonesia resmi memiliki pesawat kepresidenan yang dijadwalkan beroperasi pada akhir Agustus 2013. Saat ini, pesawat kosong (green aircraft) seharga USD58,6 juta atau Rp525,91 miliar tersebut masih di pabrik Boeing di Seattle untuk dipasangi interior kabin dan sistem keamanan.

Berdasar pengalaman SINDO menumpang pesawat kepresidenan sekarang, interior kabin tidak jauh berbeda dengan pesawat komersial pada umumnya. Untuk pesawat yang akan datang, meski interior sederhana bukan berarti sistem keamanan dilupakan. Komandan Pasukan Pengamanan Presiden (Paspampres) Mayjen TNI Agus Sutomo mengatakan, sistem keamanan pesawat RI-1 adalah counter sabotage system atau sistem penangkal sabotase.“ Jadi kalau ada yang mau jahil sama pesawat ini bisa langsung diketahui,” ujarnya.

Mantan Wakil Komandan Komando Pasukan Khusus itu menambahkan,pesawat kepresidenan juga dilengkapi teknologi komunikasi khusus. Pada pesawat sewaan,peranti ini tidak tersedia. Wakil Ketua Komisi I DPR dari Fraksi PDIP TB Hasanuddin mendukung pengadaan pesawat kepresidenan meskipun dia juga mengkritik pemilihan BBJ2. Menurut dia, waktu terbang pesawat ini hanya 7–8 jam. ”Kalau ke Eropa harus berhenti dua kali. Ini tidak efisien,”ujarnya.

Mantan penasihat keamanan Presiden George Bush Richard Falkenrath mengutarakan,dari sudut pandang perlindungan presiden,pesawat harus memberikan keamanan maksimal. ”Dan memang Air Force One memberikan pengutamaan pada sistem keamanan,”ujarnya.

Tidak dapat dimungkiri Air Force One merupakan pesawat paling istimewa dalam segi kemewahan dan fasilitas. Salah satu kecanggihan teknologi pesawat Air Force One adalah pertahanan terhadap rudal. Air Force One juga memiliki keunggulan dapat diisi bahan bakar di tengah perjalanan.

(Seputar Indonesia)

BAE, L-3 Win Contract Extension for Australian Hornet Modifications

06 Februari 2012

A Hawk-127, PC-9 and F/A-18 Hornet fly in formation over Port Stephens near RAAF Base Williamtown during preparations for the fly-past during the Handover/Takeover Parade for the Commander Air Combat Group (photo : Aus DoD)

BAE Systems and L-3 MAS Canada have won a contract extension for 14 additional Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

The Australian Defence Force awarded the 10-month extension, which covers structural refurbishment modification and "deeper maintenance to support capability requirements", said BAE in a statement. The deal raises the overall contract value to Australian dollars (A$) 130 million ($139 million) from A$80 million, it added.

"This contract change is the culmination of many months of hard work to deliver an optimised Classic Hornet deeper maintenance and modification support programme," said BAE Systems Australia's director of aerospace, John Monaghan.

BAE has provided the RAAF with deeper maintenance services for its A/B-model Hornets since 2003.

(FlightGlobal)

Lebih Canggih, RI Pilih Pesawat Intai Israel

02 Februari 2012

UAV buatan Israel telah dipakai di banyak negara, teknologi autonomous UAV secara penuh dan predikat "battle proven" untuk UAV berjenis MALE dan HALE baru dikuasai oleh Amerika dan Israel (photo : Canada DoD)

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Simpang siur pembelian pesawat intai UAV buatan Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) oleh TNI AU bukan sekadar isu. Kepala Pusat Komunikasi Publik Kementerian Pertahanan (Kemenhan) Brigjen Hartind Asrin, mengatakan pembelian pesawat tanpa awak itu dimasukkan dalam daftar belanja TNI AU periode 2010-2014. Dijelaskannya, pembelian pesawat buatan Israel lebih didasarkan pada persoalan teknis.

Setelah dilakukan diskusi dan kajian matang, papar Hartind, TNI AU menjatuhkan putusan untuk membeli pesawat intai Israel. Pihaknya juga mengharap pembelian yang ditujukan untuk meningkatkan alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutista) ini tidak dikait-kaitkan dengan isu macam-macam. Seperti, Israel digolongkan sebagai negara pelanggar hak asasi manusia (HAM) maupun isu lain yang tidak ada hubungannya dengan penambahan kekuatan matra udara.

“Pesawat ini kualitasnya bagus, paling canggih. Karena industri pertahanan mereka paling maju,” kata Hartind, Kamis (2/2). Pembelian pesawat ini menggunakan mekanisme pembiayaan kredit ekspor.

Meski begitu, pihaknya tidak tahu kapan pesawat intai UAV tersebut datang ke Indonesia. “Kami berharap pada 2012 ini paling sedikit tiga pesawat UAV datang. Tapi, tidak tahu lagi setelah DPR ramai begini.” ujar Hartin.

(Republika)

Baca Juga :

TNI AU Berencana Beli 16 Pesawat Tanpa Awak Israel

02 Februari 2012

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Mabes TNI AU mengakui berencana membentuk satu skuadron pesawat tanpa awak alias unmanned aero vehicle (UAE). Kepala Dinas Penerangan TNI AU, Marsekal Pertama Azman Yunus, menyatakan kebutuhan TNI AU yang mendesak di antaranya adalah pemenuhan pesawat tanpa awak.

Azwan mengaku, pesawat intai diperlukan untuk membantu operasionalisasi TNI AU dalam merekam data potensi ancaman wilayah perbatasan dari udara. "Kami ingin membentuk satu skuadron atau 16 unit pesawat tanpa awak," kata Azwan kepada Republika, Kamis (2/2).

Menurut Azwan, TNI AU dalam kapasitas sebagai operator atau pengguna pesawat. Adapun pemilihan pesawat dan dari mana negara tempat pembelian pesawat menjadi kewenangan penuh Kementerian Pertahanan (Kemenhan).

Karena itu, pihaknya tidak mengetahui alasan mengapa akhirnya pilihannya jatuh kepada pesawat buatan Israel. "Kami hanya menyodorkan pesawat intai yang bisa terbang selama 10 sampai 13 jam. Yang memilih spesifikasi itu Kemenhan," terangnya.

(Republika)

Anggaran TNI Fokus Alutsista

29 Januari 2012

Rancangan Kapal Cepat Rudal 60 meter (image : incoherrent)

JAKARTA– Penambahan anggaran yang diterima TNI Angkatan Udara pada 2012 akan difokuskan untuk pengadaan dan peningkatan kemampuan alat utama sistem senjata (alutsista) sesuai program kekuatan pokok minimum (MEF).

Angkatan Udara

Tahun ini TNI AU yang mendapat dana total sekitar Rp8,010 triliun akan mendapat tambahan beberapa pesawat tempur, angkut, maupun pesawat tanpa awak. Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat mengatakan, dalam rapat pimpinan TNIAngkatan Udara telah ditetapkan beberapa sasaran untuk 2012, di antaranya percepatan pengadaan alutsista dan peningkatan kesiapan pesawat.

“Untuk peningkatan kemampuan, kebutuhan jam terbang pesawat 2012 adalah 60.061 jam dan 18 jam per hari untuk radar,”katanya kemarin. Sejauh ini ada beberapa program pengadaan pesawat yang sudah mulai berjalan dan tinggal menunggu kedatangan. Diantaranya 16pesawattempur ringan Super Tucano dari Brasil, 6 pesawat tempur Sukhoi asal Rusia, 24 unit F16 Fighting Falcon hibah dari Amerika Serikat, dan 4 pesawat angkut Hercules hibah dari Australia.

TNI Angkatan Udara juga membeli pesawat tempur latih dari Korea Selatan yakni T-50 Golden Eagle serta program bersama pembuatan pesawat tempur antiradar KFX/IFX. Pesawat- pesawat itu akan tiba di Indonesia secara bertahap dimulai pada tahun ini hingga 2024. Terkait pesawat Hercules hibah dari Australia,KSAU menuturkan, pihaknya sudah melakukan pengecekan ke Australia dan diketahui kondisinya masih baik.

“Ini hibah murni yang sudah disetujui Australia dan Amerika Serikat selaku produsen,”sebut dia. Tahun ini juga akan diluncurkan skuadron UAV atau pesawat tanpa awak di Lanud Supadio, Kalimantan Barat. Penempatan skuadron UAV itu melengkapi skuadron pesawat tempur Hawk 100/200 di sana.

Untuk memperluas jangkauan radar di Indonesia timur, akan dibentuk Satuan Radar 246 di Timika. Radar ini akan saling overlapping dengan jangkauan dua radar yang diresmikan November tahun lalu,yakni Satrad 245 Saumlaki di Kabupaten Maluku Tenggara Barat dan Satrad 241 Buraen di Kupang.

KSAU menegaskan, setiap instansi yang terkait dengan program pembangunan kekuatan dan kemampuan TNI AU harus betulbetul merencanakan dan melaksanakan program sesuai prosedur dan tataran kewenangannya. Dengan demikian,program yang dilaksanakan akan berjalan lancar dan tidak menjadi permasalahan.“

Anggaran yang diberikan oleh negara kepada TNI AU berasal dari rakyat dan diawasi oleh rakyat sehingga harus mempertanggungjawabkan apa yang dilakukan dengan anggaran tersebut,”pesannya. Wakil Ketua Komisi I DPR Tubagus Hasanuddin menuturkan, jangkauan radar sekarang ini belum mampu mencakup seluruh wilayah Indonesia sehingga hal ini masih harus terus ditingkatkan. Sejauh ini baru sekitar 2/3 wilayah yang mampu di-cover radar.

Angkatan Darat

TNI Angkatan Darat yang total mendapat anggaran sekitar Rp30,297 triliun pada 2012 berencana untuk menambah sejumlah alutsista sesuai kebutuhan.“ Kami mem-breakdown apa saja yang dibutuhkan dan hasilnya kita ingin membeli main battle tank (MBT),MLRS, rudal antipesawat,maupun meriam,” kata Kepala Staf Angkatan Darat (KSAD) Jenderal TNI Pramono Edhie Wibowo.

Angkatan Laut

TNI Angkatan Laut yang mendapat alokasi sekitar Rp9,024 triliun juga menambah sederet kapal perang, kapal angkut, maupun helikopter. “Kita sudah memesan Kapal Cepat Rudal 60 meter, kapal tanker, juga helikopter Nbell. Kita sudah mulai persiapan untuk produksi kapal selam,” ungkap Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (KSAL) LaksamanaTNI Soeparno.

(Seputar Indonesia)

Dua Sukhoi dari Rusia Tiba Tahun Ini

16 Januari 2012

Pesawat Su-30MK2 TNI AU (photo : Kaksus Militer)

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dua pesawat jet tempur Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 akan tiba dari Rusia tahun ini. Keduanya merupakan bagian dari pembelian enam Sukhoi yang sudah diresmikan melalui penyerahan kontrak antara Kementerian Pertahanan RI dan produsen pesawat Rusia, JSC Rosoboronexport.

Serah-terima dilakukan bertahap mulai tahun ini sampai 2014. "Tahun 2012 rencananya akan didatangkan dua pesawat, selanjutnya tahun 2013 dua pesawat, dan tahun 2014 dua pesawat lagi," kata Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara Marsekal Imam Sufaat, Senin, 16 Januari 2012.

Enam unit Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 ini sejak awal dimaksudkan untuk melengkapi jet tempur TNI Angkatan Udara. Saat ini TNI AU telah memiliki 10 unit jet tempur Sukhoi yang terdiri atas enam Sukhoi Su-27 SKM dan empat Sukhoi Su-30 MK2. Rencananya TNI AU akan menempatkan satu skuadron Sukhoi ini di Pangkalan Udara Hasanuddin, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan.

Menteri Pertahanan Purnomo Yusgiantoro menyatakan penambahan Sukhoi ini memang merupakan bagian dari rencana pembangunan kekuatan TNI. Dijelaskan, penambahan tidak hanya dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan produksi luar negeri. "Kami juga tetap mempercayakan industri dalam negeri. Salah satunya adalah kerja sama dengan PT Dirgantara Indonesia,” katanya.

PT DI kini tengah merampungkan helikopter jenis Bell 412 dan Puma untuk Angkatan Darat dan Angkatan Udara. Selain itu PT DI juga sedang menyelesaikan sembilan unit pesawat CN 295 bersama produsen pesawat Airbus Military yang berbasis di Spanyol.

(Antara)

PAF to Get 2 Reconditioned C-130 Planes

12 Januari 2012

PAF will receive two C-130 ex US (photo : rnzaf)

MANILA, Philippines - Two C-130 cargo planes will be added to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) inventory within the first quarter of this year.

At present, the PAF is mainly relying on a lone C-130 Hercules aircraft in hauling of supplies and logistics, as well as troops for internal and territorial defense.

“We have two C-130 cargo planes coming in by March and April,” said Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda.

The first C-130 would be flying in from the United States, while the other is now being refurbished at Clark Field.

Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said the two C-130 cargo planes will boost the Air Force capabilities in terms of troop deployment, logistic runs, and search and disaster operations.

“From one, we will soon have two more C-130 cargo planes,” he said.

“That’s really something that we are expecting.”

Okol could not say how much the government spent for the two refurbished Hercules aircraft.

The Air Force is also expecting the arrival of eight brand-new utility and combat-attack helicopters during the first quarter of this year.

President Aquino’s visit to the United States this April is expected to finally seal a deal for the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the country intends to acquire a squadron F-16 fighter jet from the US.

(PhilStar)

F-35 JSF Delays Could Force Australia to Revert to Super Hornet

06 Januari 2012

The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in flight during testing. (photo : News Limited)

AUSTRALIA may be forced to purchase more Super Hornet fighter-bombers to prevent a capability gap in the nation's air defences if work on the Joint Strike Fighter is further delayed due to a new US military strategy and budget plan.

Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley, who received a comprehensive briefing from American officials about the changes, conceded production of the stealthy, multi-role JSF now named the F-35 Lightning II may be impacted by the shift to a leaner US military.

"The meaning of what the President (Barack Obama) and (US Defence Secretary Leon) Panetta have had to say for the F35 program is not that there won't be one but that perhaps in the long term the numbers might change and come down bit," Mr Beazley, former defence minister from 1984-90, told ABC News.

"I don't expect that out of this will emerge delays to a successful conclusion of the project but it may have an impact on the cost structure. The impact on delivery, paradoxically, will probably be quite useful."

Australia plans to buy up to 100 F-35s for an estimated $16 billion and has so far ordered 14, with the RAAF's first squadron supposed to be operating by 2018.

Asked if Australia could fill the gap if the F-35s were not ready by that time by buying more Super Hornet fighter-bombers Mr Beazley indicated that was a possibility.

"Well that's of course for defence ministers rather than ambassadors to say but he is always, (Defence Minister Stephen) Smith has always made clear that he keeps options open in terms of addressing any capability gaps," Mr Beazley said.

Development of the revolutionary JSF was already running behind schedule in April last year when The Australian revealed the RAAF was contemplating purchasing 18 more Super Hornets for $1.5bn to fill the gap.

It is understood delivery may be pushed back even further when the proposed US defence budget for 2013 is announced in coming weeks. The budget is expected to detail $487bn in spending cuts and call for a slowing of the pace of production for the F-35 jet.

The Howard government bought 24 Super Hornets for $6bn in 2007 to fill an earlier strategic gap left when the RAAF's F-111 bombers were withdrawn ahead of time because of concerns about fatigue.

But the announcement overnight, which included a new strategic focus towards the Asia-Pacific, may mean Australia could need even more Super Hornets.

"The Americans are very clear that as they proceed with the F35 program they're under close watch by the Australian government and if at any point of time a risk develops to the capacity for Australia to be satisfied with the forcing being that it has for the air defence of Australia then the Australian government will take action," Mr Beazley said.

US company Lockheed Martin Corporation is building the F-35s which are packed with sophisticated radars and other electronic equipment.

The original plan was for Lockheed to build 2443 JSFs for various arms of the American forces with about 500 others going to allies including Britain, Australia, Israel and Canada.

British Defence Minister Philip Hammond today voiced concern about possible cuts or delays in the F-35 fighter program.

Mr Hammond, who is currently visiting Washington, said he would like to speak with Mr Panetta about the impact the US announcement could have on the JSF.

"One of the things I hope to understand in the meetings I am to have later today is what, if any, impact the announcements being made today will have on the Joint Strike Fighter program," Mr Hammond said.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston told The Australian Online he was "not concerned" that the progress of the JSF program would be hindered by the US announcement.

However he said America's shifted focus on the Asia-Pacific region would place extra responsibility on Australia.

"Australia is now under the microscope to step up," Senator Johnston said.

"With the current state of the navy and the disinterest of our Prime Minister in defence issues we are at risk of being found wanting."

Acting Defence Minister Warren Snowdon referred The Australian Online to Mr Beazley's comments.

(The Australian)

Kosekhanudnas Medan Tinjau Rudal Perkuat Pertahanan Udara

06 Januari 2012

HQ-16 atau LY-80/KY-80 adalah rudal permukaan ke udara jarak sedang buatan China dengan sistem peluncuran vertikal, yang dapat menjangkau target hingga 40 km (photo : Chinese Military Review)

Medan, Komando Sektor Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kosekhanudnas) III Medan meninjau peluru kendali (rudal) di luar negeri untuk memperkuat pertahanan udara di daerah itu.

"Jenis rudalnya (yang ditinjau) KY-80," kata Panglima Kosekhanudnas III Medan Marsma TNI Bonar Hutagaol di Medan, Rabu malam.

Ia mengatakan, sebagai unit yang bertugas di wilayah barat, pihaknya membutuhkan rudal yang mampu menghancurkan pesawat dan rudal yang ditembak musuh.

Saat ini, jumlah rudal yang dimiliki Kosekhanudnas III Medan masih cukup banyak seperti yang digunakan sejumlah Batalyon Artileri Pertahanan Udara Sedang (Arhanudse).

Meski demikian, pihaknya masih tetap memerlukan penambahan persediaan rudal untuk menjaga berbagai kemungkinan.

Karena itu, pihaknya meninjau rudal tersebut di Gurun Gobi, China yang dinilai sangat bagus dan cocok untuk memperkuat pertahanan udara di Indonesia.

Hasil peninjauan jenis rudal tersebut akan disampaikan ke pimpinan TNI untuk menetapkan keputusan yang dianggap perlu.

Kemudian, hasil peninjauan tersebut akan dikaji secara mendalam, baik dari segi kemampuan rudal maupun anggaran yang tersedia.

"Nanti baru ditentukan pilihan mana yang terbaik," katanya.

Ada pun untuk pesawat tempur, persediaannya sudah mulai ditambah sesuai rencana KSAU Marsekal TNI Imam Sufaat yang menargetkan "essential force" pada tahun 2025.

"Nanti akan digelar kalau banyak pelanggaran," katanya.

Sedangkan untuk radar hanya dibeli untuk landasan udara yang masih kosong seperti di Tanjung Pinang.

"Seluruh wilayah Sektor III sudah tertutupi (radar). Di Medan, radarnya bagus," kata perwira tinggi TNI AU berbintang satu itu.

(Antara)