Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 04 Sept 2013

Royal Thai Air Force Gripen (Gripen International/Saab Photo)

Despite recent crashes in South Korea, the Philippines is still keen on the KAI F/A-50 light combat jet to give it some badly needed combat capability.

The last three Thai Saab Gripen fighters should arrive in Thailand this afternoon after they were forced to extend their stay at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands after one was hit by lightning on its way to Surat Thani yesterday. This brings deliveries of the Gripen to the Royal Thai Air Force to 12, completing the Thai order.

Couple of very clear photos of Chinese aircraft participating in the Sino-Russian Exercise Peace Mission at Chelyabinsk, Russia in August. First up, a PLAAF Xi'an JH-7A fighter bomber followed by an armed Harbin Z-9WA light utility helicopter.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 03 Sept 2013

Is this a photo of China's new Z-20 medium utility helicopter being transported by road? It is expected to make it's first flight soon, and will be in the same class as the Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter.

Hopefully, this will end the silly brouhaha. The bombs jettisoned into the Coral Sea by Marine Harriers during Talisman Saber in late July have been disposed of.

An look into the possible reasons for Indonesia's choice of the AH-64E Apache helicopter gunship.

Aviation units supporting Darwin-based Marines in exercise

AV-8B Harrier II of VMA-214 Blacksheep

Marine Corps aviation units based in Japan, in addition to those attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit which is currently embarked on board the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, are currently training with embarked 31st MEU Marines, the 5th Royal Australian Regiment and Marine Rotational Force–Darwin during Exercise Koolendong 2013, a bilateral exercise taking place at the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory starting 27 Aug. for approximately two weeks.

Exercise Koolendong 2013 is designed as a “proof of concept” to assess the capacity of the Bradshaw Field Training Area to accommodate live-fire training for battalion-sized units of approximately 1,000 personnel and demonstrate the capabilities that U.S. amphibious forces can provide.

The exercise will feature day and night live-fire training that includes light and heavy machine guns, mortars, artillery and aviation-delivered ordnance from AV-8B Harriers from the 31st MEU (attached from VMA-214 Blacksheep) and FA/18D Hornets from VMFA-242 Bats. Additionally, three KC-130Js from the Sumos of VMGR-152 will provide tanker and transport support while MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions and UH-1Y Hueys from VMM-265 (Reinforced) will provide assault support transportation from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) operating at sea.

The Bradshaw Field Training Area is a remote training range in the Northern Territory, Australia; it is approximately 200 miles south/southwest from Darwin and is over 3,300 square miles in size.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 28 Aug 2013

Wreckage of this afternoon's tragic RoKAF T-50 crash

Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots are flying the Arizona ANG's F-16s training with the RSAF's F-15SG detachment at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. It's pretty well known that the RSAF has aircraft based in CONUS for pilot training, but much less well known is the agreement for RSAF pilots to train on ANG F-16s.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced that United States will sell 8 AH-64E Apaches to Indonesia. An interesting decision by the Indonesian military, to say the least.

Chinese State media has announced that Changhe WZ-10 attack helicopter has launched an air-to-air missile for the first time during exercises over the waters off China's Guangzhou Province last week.

Apparently, the South Korean Air Force is not happy with the F-15SE selection as carried out by the government procurement agency. Unsuprisingly, the RoKAF wants the F-35A. Some of the comments in the link are worth reading, too (which is the real surprise).

Still on South Korea, an RoKAF T-50 trainer has crashed this afternoon near the southwestern city of Gwangju while on a training flight, killing both pilots.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 23 Aug 2013

A People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Nanchang Q-5 has crashed near Dalian, in China's Liaoning Province today. The pilot was unfortunately killed in the crash.

Japan has announced that about half of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 13 E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft will be transferred to Naha in Okinawa from their current base in Misawa, northern Japan. This is to improve the area's Early Warning coverage in the face of increased Chinese overflights in the area surrounding the disputed Senkaku Islands.

Meanwhile, I've done up a separate blog post with more details about JASDF F-2 fighters intercepting a pair of Russian Tupolev Tu-95MS Bears that were accused of violating Japanese airspace. Japan has lodged an official complaint, and Russia says it's investigating.

Russian AF Bears bring about JASDF interceptors (again)

Tu-95MS Bear photographed by intercepting Japanese fighters (Japanese MoD photo). Click on image for high-res version

Japan has lodged a formal complaint with Russia regarding the intrusion into Japanese airspace by a pair of Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear bombers near Fukuoka in Japan's main southern island of Kyushu.

According to the press release (in Japanese) issued by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the instrusion took place on the 22nd of August between 1209 and 1211 local time. The bombers were intercepted by Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, almost certainly from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 6th Hikotai based at Tsuiki.

Bear tracks (in red)

It has become something of a scripted event in recent times. Whenever Japan brings up the issue of the disputed Kuril Islands that were seized by the former Soviet Union in the closing days of World War II, Russia sends over its military aircraft to buzz Japan.

I reckon it's like the 1980s movie Beetlejuice, and Japan saying "Kurile Islands" is saying "Beetlejuice" 3 times in the movie, with the difference being that saying the former brings Russian aircraft to Japan's doorstep.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 22 Aug 2013

AV-8B Harrier II of VMA-214 Blacksheep

More details have emerged regarding the unintended dropping of practice and unarmed bombs by U.S. Marine Harriers on the Great Barrier Reef during Talisman Saber in July.

It has been happening for a while, but news has just got out that the F/A-18D Hornets of VMFA(AW)-242 Bats are currently in Tindal, Australia for Exercise Southern Frontier.

The Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) FA-50 is to begin service with the Republic of Korea Air Force this week. 60 of the light attack aircraft will be replacing the RoKAF's F-5E/F Tiger II interceptor fleet.

If you still doubted that the ongoing Red Flag - Alaska (which I wrote about here) was practice for a North Korea scenario, this story about DHC-2 Beavers simulating An-2 Colts at the exercise should erase them.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 21 Aug 2013

Vietnam has reportedly acquired 12 more Sukhoi Su-30MK2V Flanker fighter jets from Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. Delivery will take place in 2014-2015, in three batches of four aircraft. According to my calculations, that will make it 36 Su-30MK2Vs in the Vietnamese People's Air Force's (VPAF) inventory.

In a further sign of its interest, local media is reporting that Japan is looking to purchase the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces. I hope this happens, the Osprey should look pretty darn good in JGSDF camo!

Republic of Singapore AF Black Knights F-16C 2013 scheme artwork

Click on image for high res image

Edwin Khoo has done this very cool rendition of the recently unveiled Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights Demonstration Team F-16C in his signature style. Click on thumbnail for full size image. Nice work Edwin!

Remember, the team will be performing at the Singapore Airshow 2014, which is being held from 11-16 February, so if you want to catch them in action, be there!

Japanese and South Korean Eagles taking part in Red Flag Alaska 13-3

For the first time, the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force are taking part in an exercise together. Contingents of F-15 Eagles from both countries are currently participating in Red Flag - Alaska 13-3. Here's a piece about the exercise I've written for War Is Boring.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 20 Aug 2013

The aerobatic team of the Chinese People's Liberation Air Force, August 1st, will make their overseas debut when they perform at Russia's MAKS 2013 International Air Show at Ramenskoye Airport from Aug 27 to Sept 1. The team flies the Chengdu J-10 fighter jet.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has sorted out with Lockheed-Martin the details of the Republic of China Air Force's F-16 fleet upgrade. The US$1.85 billion Foreign Military Sales contract will be centred around an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, expected to be Northrop Grumman's Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).

A few days ago, the first Republic of Korea Air Force Lockheed-Martin C-130J-30 transport made its first flight. Its painted in a pretty nice camo too. Makes for a nice change for the usual grey. Anyway, here's a pic.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 19 Aug 2013

Remember those bombs dropped by the US Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park during Talisman Saber '13 that caused such a ruckus in the international media? They've been found.

The consensus is that the Lockheed Martin F-35 has been eliminated from the South Korean F-X III competition due to the bid's failure to stay within the budget. Word is Eurofighter's Typhoon has also been dumped. Which leaves the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle as the last man standing.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force will be forced to leave one of its main airbases. The RSAF's Paya Lebar airbase will be redeveloped into a residential/light industrial zone. The RSAF aircraft currently based there will be moved to a redeveloped Changi East Airbase, which currently houses a squadron of F-16D+ fighter jets.

While we're on the topic of Changi East Airbase, the full transcript of the Defence Writers' Group's late July meeting with PACAF Commander General "Hawk" Carlisle has been released. He talks about the USAF's potential pivot to Changi East (among other places in the region) and that Singapore has decided to acquire the F-35B for its first batch of the Lightning II JSF.

Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot

My first ever piece to appear on The Diplomat, about Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot is now online. Please have a read, critique and comments welcome. Be nice, please?

As usual, a big thank you to the Royal Australian Air Force, in particular Mr. Eamon Hamilton of Air Lift Group for the opportunity to fly with the KC-30A during the refueling mission!

[UPDATED] U.S. military helicopter crashes in Okinawa

A United States Air Force Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter has crashed on the island of Okinawa. The crash happened at a maneuvering ground inside the U.S. Marines' Camp Hansen in central Okinawa, and three of the four crew on board have reportedly survived while one, flight engineer Tech Sgt. Mark A. Smith was unfortunately killed in the crash. Above is a reportedly a screengrab of the crash site as shown on Japanese broadcaster NHK.

The HH-60G would almost certainly to have been from the USAF's 33d Rescue Squadron, based at nearby Kadena Airbase. The squadron is part of the USAF's 18th Wing.

China ups the ante with Japan (by just that little bit) with overflight

PLAN Y-8J intercepted (and photographed) by the JASDF (© Japanese MoD)

On July 24, the Joint Staff of the Japanese Defense Ministry released a statement that the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) had scrambled interceptors against a Shaanxi Y-8 Maritime Patrol/Airborne Early Warning aircraft. Nothing new about that, given that the Japanese MoD had already previously noted that scrambles triggered by Chinese military aircraft entering Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) had been on the increase for years, except that this time it came with a slight twist. The aircraft, which turned out to be a Chinese Naval Air Force Y-8J, wasn’t content with skirting the hotly disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands as the usual practice, but flew an approximately south-easterly course through international airspace between Japan’s southern Okinawa and Miyakojima Islands, headed out into the Pacific, before coming back up the same way heading towards its base in mainland China (see image of Y-8’s route, in red below).

Apparently, this is some kind of big deal. Well, I suppose it sort of is, given the much more modest nature of China’s previous aerial activities around Japan, and this is reportedly the first time Chinese military aircraft have reportedly flown this route (although Chinese Navy ships are semi-regular users of the international waters below). However, it still pales in comparison with five foreign aircraft poking around your airspace in one day (which included cruise missile-carrying intercontinental bombers circumnavigating international airspace around Japan)

The difference, I guess, is the simmering dispute over ownership of the supposedly resource-rich Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands between Japan (who currently administers the islands and calls it the Senkakus) and China (who claims the islands and calls it Diaoyu) which means that such Chinese overflights make the mainstream news much more readily than Russian ones. At the end of the day, it IS an escalation, even though in the greater scheme of things, it's not one that really should raise eyebrows by a large margin.

Just a little backgrounder: The Chinese aircraft in question, a Shaanxi Y-8J serialed 9321, is a converted Y-8 transport, which is itself a Chinese-built version of the Soviet Antonov An-12 ‘Cub’, an aircraft roughly the size, capability, performance and versatility of the Lockheed-Martin C-130H Hercules.

The Y-8J is among the oldest of the myriad special mission Y-8 variants which are known to be in use with the Chinese military. Equipped with a Racal (now Thales) Skymaster Pulse-Doppler air-and-sea-search radar in a enlarged, drooping nose radome, the variant was first spotted in 2000 and it is believed that the Chinese operate at least four aircraft with the Chinese Navy’s 2nd Naval Aviation Division, 4th Air Regiment based at Laiyang, Shandong Province.

Note: Excerpts of this post appears in a collaborative, much longer, piece over at War Is Boring.

Singapore re-forms Black Knights, to perform at 2014 airshow

Click on thumbnail for high-res (© Singapore Ministry of Defence)

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has re-formed the Black Knights aerobatics team in a ceremony at Tengah Airbase today. The Black Knights will feature six RSAF F-16C Fighting Falcons, with the aircraft to be painted in a new paint scheme featuring the traditional red and white colours and incorporate Singapore's national symbols of the crescent moon and five stars. The team will be preparing for the Singapore Airshow 2014 from July onwards and training is expected to intensify nearer the event, which will be held in February 2014.

The first Black Knights team was formed with Hawker Hunters in 1973, making this the 40th Anniversary of the team. Unlike other air forces, the Black Knights are not a full-time display team, and pilots are not full-time performers and continue to hold operational appointments. The team's last appearance was at the 2008 Singapore Airshow.

Frankly, the scheme looks awesome. Just sayin'...

RAAF Chief: Airbus A330 MRTT boom woes yet to be resolved

© Commonwealth of Australia

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown says that Airbus Military has yet to resolve problems with the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport's refuelling boom. Speaking in London, Air Marshal Brown says the KC-30A tanker and troop transport has been on the Australian defense department’s Projects of Concern list since 2010 and is the “biggest priority at the moment,”

In an coincidental twist, we flew on board one of the RAAF's KC-30s just as the news came out, refuelling a flight of RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets over the Coral Sea just off Brisbane during a Exercise Talisman Saber mission. Photos from that will appear on the website soon.

Preparations in full swing Down Under for Exercise Talisman Saber 2013

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia (July 8, 2013) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ward Massey oversees offload of an HH-60H Sea Hawk assigned to the Firehawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eighty-Five (HSC-85) from a C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 729th Airlift Squadron of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. The High Rollers will provide aerial support to Exercise Talisman Saber 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Christopher D. Blachly/RELEASED)

Preparations for the upcoming Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 between the Australian and United States militaries are in full swing, with an increasing number of American military assets rolling into Queensland over the past week. A number of USAF C-17, Navy/Marine C-130 and C-40 transports (among others) have been noted by Aussie planespotters arriving into Townsville and Rockhampton, while the USS Blue Ridge, Germantown and Bonhomme Richard have made port calls to Australian ports.

Jointly sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command and ADF Headquarters Joint Operations Command, the Talisman Saber exercise series is a biennial training event aimed at improving Australian Defence Force (ADF) and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force. The 2013 exercise, which runs through August 5, is designed to enhance collaboration in support of future combined operations, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. Talisman Saber 2013 will incorporate U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the ADF and other government agencies from each country.

For the public, tomorrow (14 July) will see the Talisman Saber 2013 Open Day at the Rockhampton Showgrounds, with the attractions being military hardware, aircraft and displays. Visitors can also talk to defence personnel from the Australian Army and visiting US forces and enjoy performances by US 7th Fleet Band and the Australian Army Band Brisbane.

VIDEO: J-15 operations on Liaoning and land-based ski jump

A second round of flight tests have concluded on board China's carrier, the Liaoning in June. During the cruise, pilots "executed several continuous take-off and landing exercises, making China one of the few countries in the world that can train its own carrier-borne jet pilots", according to a statement on China's defence ministry website. Five People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLAN) pilots and an unspecified number of deck crew have been certified for aircraft carrier operations, following the 25-day training deployment by the Liaoning. The following video is Chinese state broadcaster's CCTV-7's news piece of the recent cruise:

Like most aircraft carriers, hangar and other space inside the Liaoning is at a premium. It's very interesting to watch the (Russian) turntable rotating the J-15s once they've been struck down to the hangar deck via the elevators. Another point worth noting the tight clearances while on the elevator. The J-15's main landing gear was almost on the edge of the elevator (at 0:51 in the video), while the nose is almost scraping the edge of the flightdeck!

The piece also includes footage of J-15s taking off from a land base using a ski jump, most likely at the PLAN's base at Huangdicun, Liaoning Province (40°29' 51"N 120°39'25"E) which is used for training PLAN pilots in carrier operations with its ski jump(s) and a section of runway painted and marked like a carrier deck.

One last takeaway from the video is that J-15 serial number 554 with the shark artwork took part in this round of flight operations on the Liaoning, and appears to have been re-engined with the Russian Saturn AL-31F turbofan engine. It was seen before powered by the Chinese-built WS-10H turbofan. It would appear that the Chinese still do not have enough confidence in the WS-10H to perform carrier operations yet.

Uncensored photos of J-20 flying with internal weapons bay open

Click for higher-res image

The first photos of China's Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter's main internal weapons bay are making the rounds on the internet. The original ones have been censored (by the photographer?), most likely for fear of running foul of China's notorious state internet censors. However the uncensored version didn't take long in coming, and here it shows that 4 missiles can be carried.

The missiles are an hitherto unknown type, with the consensus that its circumference is too large to be a PL-12 BVRAAM. However another possibility is that it could be a shortened version of the PL-12 (which would cause the circumference to appear bigger) to fit inside the weapons bay. There appears to be room in the main weapons bay for larger (though not longer) weapons as well.

This is in addition to the side weapons bay that was blogged about here a while back...