Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 02 Oct 2013

HMM-262 Sea Knight at Ex Cobra Gold, Thailand in 2009

According to reports from Russia quoting Indonesian sources, Indonesia has a requirement of 112 fighters between now and 2024. The TNI-AU intends to form 8 squadrons of 16 aircraft each. It already operates 16 Su-27/30s and has 24 refurbished F-16C/Ds on order.

End of an era as the last Okinawa-based U.S. Marine CH-46 Sea Knight made its last flight prior to storage pending disposal. The helicopters from Marine Helicopter Medium Squadron 262 (HMM-262) is in the process of converting to the MV-22B Osprey. Another Okinawa-based squadron is now flying Ospreys since 2012, having also turned in its Sea Knights.

More details have emerged of the new Taiwanese-built air launched precision weapon we reported on a while back. The Wan Chien is a cluster munition with a range of over 200km. It will equip the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo fighters of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force, with forty Tainan based aircraft already retrofitted for the new weapon.

Marine aviation assets temporarily deployed to Japan are currently in the Philippines conducting training with Philippine Air Force personnel. F/A-18C Hornets from VMFA-232 'Red Devils' and AH-1W Super Cobras of HMLA-167 'Warriors' are temporarily deployed to Japan as part of the USMC's Unit Deployment Program (UDP)

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 30 Sept 2013

F-22A Raptor of the 525th Fighter Squadron

The F-22 folks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, have devised a concept to rapidly deploy a contingent of four F-22s - supported by a C-17 - to any forward location and having the fighters combat-ready at the new location within 24 hours. PS. More of my F-22 photos.

Woah. Sections of the Chinese state-controlled media have lambasted the combat capabilities of the Shenyang J-15 when operating off the carrier Liaoning. However, as the linked Defensenews article makes clear, some of the criticism does not stand up to scrutiny. And the Flanker-family's limitations when operating in a STOBAR-configured carrier is already well-known.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 26 Sept 2013

Kadena-based F-15C Eagle

Aircraft from the USS George Washington have conducted a joint exercise between the U.S. Navy and Air Force. USAF participants comprised of F-22s and F-15s from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

Demonstrating the global nature of their training, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's U.S.-based F-15s will train with the American, Canadian and German air forces in Idaho, while their F-16s are flying with the Indonesian Air Force and AH-64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks have been ferried to Australia to take part in Exercise Wallaby.

As if highlighting how they need replacement, a South Korean Northrop F-5E Tiger II has crashed. The pilot successfully ejected from the stricken jet.

The Chengdu J-10 fighter needs an export licence before it could be exported to overseas customers. There has reportedly been interest, though.

PHOTO: USAF F-16s under the Northern Lights in Alaska

U.S. Air Force Photo by SSgt. Kurtis Hoar. Click on image for high-resolution version

Not too sure how come I missed this back in 2011, but here it is anyway...

Airmen and Aircraft from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea, deployed to Alaska for five weeks in the fall to participate in both the Red Flag-Alaska and Distant Thunder exercises at Eielson AFB, Alaska. This image, taken on 17 October 2011 shows six Wolf Pack jets on the Eielson ramp illuminated by the Northern Lights.

Red Flag-Alaska is a realistic ten-day air combat training exercise held four times a year. The focus of the exercise is to bring Airmen together from all different platforms and backgrounds to execute in a multi-service environment. Distant Thunder is a regularly scheduled multi-unit coalition exercise.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 25 Sept 2013

TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force) Su-30MK2

Indonesia now has a full squadron of Sukhoi Su-27/30s after the last aircraft were accepted into the TNI-AU.

Bernama has reported that the recently unveiled Advanced Super Hornet would be offered for Malaysia's Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition. However Jane's Malaysia correspondent Dzirhan Mahadzir has said that Boeing has offered the Advanced Super Hornet upgrade if Malaysia wants them down the line after acquiring regular Super Hornet airframes.

The first of 12 Lockheed-Martin P-3C Orions for Taiwan has arrived at Pingtung Airbase from Guam yesterday.

Fallout from South Korea's Silent Eagle rejection rumbles on

Boeing photo

The fallout from South Korea's decision to not go ahead with acquiring the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle has continued, with Boeing (unsurprisingly) upset by the turn of events.

South Korean newspaper the Chosun Ilbo blames "bureaucratic incompetence" in an editorial, while Flightglobal's Greg Waldron analyses the F-X III competition and looks at how a new, revised tender for the F-X III would look like.

Spotter's badges to Kyle Mizokami and Gerry Doyle for both Chosun Ilbo articles

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 24 Sept 2013

Well, this is a surprise. South Korea has decided against acquiring the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle and will likely restart the fighter competition to select a replacement for the RoKAF's F-4 and F-5 fleets.

Chatter is increasing that budget problems will see the USAF retire its entire A-10 fleet. In the Asia-Pacific region this will affect one squadron based at Osan in South Korea.

The impending delivery of Taiwan's first P-3C Orion has been delayed due to a tropical storm forming in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Various companies are forming teams to offer proposals for Australia's Project AIR 5428 to supply trainers for Australia's fixed-wing pilot training system.

VIDEO: QF-16 makes first flight without a pilot at the controls

A really interesting video of a QF-16 making its first flight without a pilot has been posted by Boeing, which has been modifying Lockheed Martin F-16s with specialized hardware and software packages that turn a F-16 Falcon into a QF-16 aerial target.

In May, a Boeing test pilot flew the first QF-16 at Cecil Field alongside a QF-4 chase plane. The 66-minute test flight validated basic aircraft performance and the QF-16 drone modification package.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 23 Sept 2013

Taiwanese F-16B

A bit of Taiwan-centric regional military aviation news roundup today:

Frustrated by American refusal to sell it JDAMs, Taiwan has developed its own smart munitions to equip the RoCAF's fighters.

In an effort to determine the cause, Taiwan has salvaged the wreck of a Mirage 2000 from the sea following a crash in May this year.

Still on Taiwan, the first of 12 P-3C Orions should arrive in Taiwan in the next day or so.

Following a six-month deployment, the F-16s of the USAF's 55th Fighter Squadron has left Osan in South Korea and returned to their base at Shaw AFB.

A Chinese general has reiterated the right of Chinese military aircraft to transit through international airspace between two Japanese islands for training flights into the Western Pacific. He also said that such training flights will continue, irregardless of Japan scrambling interceptors to investigate.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 20 Sept 2013

Chinese Air Force Chengdu J-10

Budget issues in the United States may adversely affect Taiwan's plans to upgrade its F-16 fleet, if the USAF's plans to do likewise are stymied.

There are reportedly plans by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group to build up to 1,200 J-10s fighters, eventually with Chinese-built engines. This will include expected sales to Pakistan.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 19 Sept 2013

Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG of 149 Sqn

In a ceremony held at Paya Lebar Airbase, the Republic of Singapore Air Force has declared that its F-15SG Eagles are fully operational with 149 Squadron. The first aircraft was delivered in May 2009 to a U.S-based training squadron.

Japan's Defense Ministry has said that it will consider shooting down UAVs that enter its territory. Which is fine and good, not to mention a natural reaction, but the problem is that no UAVs (Chinese or otherwise) has violated its airspace (yet).

Meanwhile, an Okinawa-based U.S Marine General has said that Marine MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors based in Okinawa could be sent to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands if required.

VIDEO: J-15s carry out flight ops on Liaoning with various ordnance

Chinese state TV has carried out a piece on flight testing operations on board the Chinese Navy carrier Liaoning involving Shenyang J-15 飞鲨 (Flying Shark) carrierborne fighters carrying ordnance. Various J-15s took off and landed on the Liaoning in various loadout configurations including PL-8 Air-to-Air Missiles, YJ-83 anti-ship missiles and Type 250-3 250kg General Purpose free fall bombs.

The flights were to test the ability of the J-15 to operate from the Liaoning while carrying the various loadouts. The footage was reportedly shot on September 15.

Singapore confirms plans to upgrade F-16s

RSAF F-16D Block 52

As per the news roundup from a couple of days ago mentioned, Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has said in a speech to Parliament that - among other things - Singapore will be upgrading its 60-strong fleet of Lockheed-Martin F-16C/D fighters to "modernise their avionics and extend their lifespan".

Industry observers have long expected Singapore to be a prime candidate to upgrade its F-16s, and it was believed that the island nation will make its decision after fellow Asian F-16 operators South Korea and Taiwan decide on their respective fleet upgrades.

South Korea announced last year that it had awarded BAE Systems the contract to upgrade the Republic of Korea Air Force's 134 F-16s, while rival (and F-16 OEM) Lockheed Martin has been selected to upgrade the almost 300 USAF and 145 Republic of China Air Force's (RoCAF) F-16s. The centrepiece of both companies' upgrade will be a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a new mission computer, with the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR) and Northrop-Grumman's Scalable Agile Beam radar (SABR) being the candidates to equip the upgraded F-16s with AESAs.

RSAF F-16C Block 52

Both BAE Systems and Lockheed-Martin will be certainties to compete for the Singapore upgrade contract, while Boeing has also indicated an interest in entering the F-16 upgrade market. Singapore Technologies, which has forged close links with Singapore's armed forces as a contractor for upgrades and maintenance projects, may also play some part in this program.

South Korea has already selected the RACR for its upgraded F-16C/Ds, with deliveries expected to commence 2016 after completion of the radar's development. Meanwhile, Lockheed-Martin, which has been tasked with selecting the radar for the USAF's F-16 Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES) and Taiwanese upgrades, has opted for the SABR. SABR is based on technology from the F-22 Raptor's APG-77(V)1 and F-35 JSF’s APG-81 AESAs, while RACR can trace its lineage to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet’s APG-79 and the F-15E’S APG-82 AESAs.

No other details have been released, and it is not known if the entire Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 fleet is slated to receive the upgrade. However Singapore will almost certainly require an AESA radar for its F-16s, along with the upgraded mission computer as previously mentioned. It is possible that newer weapons such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW) and GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) that Singapore has acquired for its F-15SG Eagles may be integrated as part of the upgrade.

The FMS request for Taiwan's F-16 upgrade may provide more clues as to what the Singaporean F-16 upgrade will include.

RSAF F-16D Block 52+

The RSAF's F-16 fleet comprises of 42 F-16C/D Block 52 and a further 20 F-16D Block 52+ (Advanced Block 52) aircraft. The former are split among 2 Singapore-based squadrons operating 28 aircraft while a training squadron based at Luke AFB, Arizona operates the remaining 12 Block 52s. A third Singapore-based squadron is equipped with the 20 newer F-16D Block 52+. Singapore's F-16s are relatively young, with the aircraft being delivered between 1998 and 2004.

Singapore has acquired a global reputation as a discerning buyer of military equipment, and will be regarded as a prime customer for the winner of the upgrade contract despite its modest fleet size compared to South Korea and Taiwan. With 4,500 F-16s having been delivered since the 1970s and operated by 26 countries, the potential upgrade market for the type is huge.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 16 Sept 2013

It has been a busy past couple of days for military aviation news in the Asia-Pacific:

The Philippines Air Force has conducted two airstrikes in the past few days again Moro National Liberation Front rebels which have attacked a town in the southern Philippines. The strikes were carried out by McDonnell Douglas MG-520 Defender helicopters.

A photo of the Chinese WZ-10 attack helicopter carrying the TY-90 AAM is making the rounds of the Internet.

In a speech to Parliament, Singapore's Defence Minister has announced that the island nation is acquiring the Aster 30 ground based Surface to Air Missile and upgrading its F-16s.

An interesting video (in Mandarin) of the Guizhou JL-9 trainer in Chinese Navy service.

The South Korean president has reportedly been briefed that the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle is the sole eligible bid for the RoKAF's F-X III program

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 12 Sept 2013

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

The Royal Thai Air Force held a ceremony at its Surat Thani base to mark the commissioning of the RTAF's Gripen Integrated Air Defense System. The RTAF has also expressed an interest in acquiring six more Gripens.

Lots of photos of the departure of Indonesia's first two KAI T-50 trainers leaving for their delivery flight to Indonesia via Kaoshiung, Taiwan and the Philippines. The T-50s were escorted by a TNI-AU Hawk Mk.53 when they arrived over Indonesia, with photos here and here. (Both TNI-AU photos)

Spotters badge for the T-50 Gallery goes to Irman

Japanese F-15s scramble to intercept Chinese bombers, UAV

Chinese Navy H-6G intercepted by the JASDF. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image (Japanese MoD)

The past two days have seen the Japanese Ministry of Defence announce that it had scrambled fighters to intercept Chinese military aircraft that have breached Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). That in itself is nothing much out of the ordinary, since the Japanese Air Self Defense Force has scrambled 306 times against Chinese aircraft in 2012, which works out to almost once daily.

Map released by the Japanese MoD (and annotated by me) of the H-6G track. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image.

What is different in the latest interceptions is the type of aircraft and their flight profile. On Sunday the 8th of September, the JASDF scrambled fighters against a pair of Chinese Navy Xi’an H-6G bombers (see photo above of one of the H-6s taken by the JASDF). The bombers flew through international airspace over the Miyako Straits south of the Japanese island of Okinawa, headed out into the Pacific before turning back towards China the same way it came.

This was followed the next day with yet another new move by the Chinese. This time, JASDF interceptors were scrambled against another interloper, which turned out to be an “unidentified drone”. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was detected flying southeast off the coast of Zhejiang before circling the skies approximately 100 miles (160km) north of the disputed Senkaku/Islands before heading off in the directions of China. This event marks the first time a land-based Chinese UAV has approached the Japanese ADIZ.

From the photo of the UAV released by the Japanese MoD, it would appear to be a BZK-005 Medium Altitude, Long Endurance UAV. Designed by the Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics and Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, little is known about this obscure UAV. It was unveiled in 2006 and believed to boast an endurance of 40 hours with a service ceiling of 8,000m (26,000 feet). The type is known to be in service with the Chinese Navy and an unknown reconnaissance unit flies the UAV from the nearby base of Huangyan-Luqiao (see map)

Map released by the Japanese MoD (and annotated by me) of the UAV's track. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image.

The H-6G is a Chinese-built version of the Tupolev Tu-16 ‘Badger’ bomber that have been constantly modernized and updated by the Chinese, and is utilized as a missile carrier carrying anti-ship or cruise missiles. Alternatively, the H-6G can also carry Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pods in the Electronic Warfare role. The serial number on the photographed H-6G indicates that it belongs to the Chinese Navy’s 17th Air Regiment, East Sea Fleet based at Jiangsu-Benniu, west of Shanghai.

The Japanese MoD has not identified the interceptors involved on both occasions; however they were almost certainly Mitsubishi-built F-15J/DJ Eagles from the JASDF’s 204th Hikotai, based at Naha on Okinawa. The unit’s fighters have been at the forefront of confronting Chinese aircraft flying in Japan’s ADIZ.

The intercepted Chinese UAV (Japanese MoD)

As has been mentioned during the earlier interception of the Chinese Y-8, this flight profile by the Chinese bombers is unusual and had hitherto been unknown. These latest overflights take place in the days immediately before the anniversary of the Japanese government’s nationalisation of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in 2012, causing the simmering dispute to flare up in a big way.

However, the Chinese Defense Ministry, responding to both overflights, said that the overflight was a “routine task” and “not aimed at any country”, and reiterated – correctly – that China enjoys freedom of overflight in relevant waters. More interestingly, it also said that the Chinese military will organize similar activities to the Western Pacific in the future. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen: The new normal.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 10 Sept 2013

Delayed by the grounding following a recent crash, two KAI-T-50 trainers are currently on a delivery flight to Indonesia. The two jets will make stopovers in Taiwan and the Philippines for refueling before landing on Indonesia's Iswahyudi Air Force base on Wednesday. Here's a photo of one of the Indonesian T-50s by South Korea's Yonhap news.

According to this AIP Supplement issued by Airservices Australia, Singapore's F-16s will be taking part in the upcoming Exercise Wallaby 2013 to be held at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia. A Singapore Armed Forces annual combined arms exercise, it will also involve Singapore Air Force Super Puma, Chinook and Apache helicopters.

My latest piece for The Diplomat Magazine is up online. Aircraft Carriers or Not? Flattops in the Pacific surveys the recent proliferation of through-deck helicopters carriers in the region and looks at their potential for operating fixed wing aircraft.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 09 Sept 2013

Royal Malaysian Air Force MiG-29N

And the drip-drip of escalation has just went up a notch. Japan's Ministry of Defence has said that JASDF has scrambled fighters to intercept two H-6 bombers belonging to the Chinese Navy transiting through the Miyako Straits on Sunday. This was followed by the interception of an unidentified unmanned aircraft near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands on Monday.

Looks like Malaysia's plan for a new fighter to replace its MiG-29s have been put on hold. The replacement was due to come on board by 2015 so as to allow the MiGs to be retired.

The deal for China to purchase the Sukhoi Su-35 should be concluded sometime in 2014, according to Russian sources.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 06 Sept 2013

A screengrab off Chinese state television (above) shows what appears to be a Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark in Chinese Navy colours. The type had only previously been seen in primer or Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's markings.

The pivot continues. The U.S. Army will deploy 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters to South Korea beginning October. This nine-month, rotational deployment will be the first time OH-58Ds will be South Korea since they left in 2008.

The Republic of Korea Air Force will resume flying the KAI T-50 trainer after an interim report found no technical problems with the aircraft following a recent fatal crash.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 05 Sept 2013

TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force) Su-30MK2

Two more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 Flankers have arrived in Indonesia in knocked down condition from Russia. This completes Indonesia's order of Flankers.

Boeing is still warily confident of the F-15SE Silent Eagle being selected in South Korea when the expected announcement is made in 2-3 weeks. This wariness is despite reports that both the F-35 and Typhoon have already been eliminated.

The last Australian F-111 designated as a museum piece has left RAAF Amberley on it's way to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii on board an RAAF C-17.

After a delivery flight interrupted by a lightning strike on one of the aircraft, the last three Gripens Thailand has on order have arrived at Surat Thani, home to the RTAF's Wing 7.