Singapore's Littoral Mission Vessel Programme

On 18 August 2018, ST Engineering Marine launched the seventh vessel for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) under the Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) programme. The RSN LMV fleet will comprise of eight ships. The first-of-class, RSS Independence, RSS Sovereignty, RSS Unity and RSS Justice have been delivered. Each 1250 tonnes LMV is equipped with one 76mm, one 25mm and two 12.7mm guns as well as non-lethal weapon in the form of two Long-Range Acoustic Device 500 Xtreme. Air defence coverage is provided by a 12-cell vertical launched MICA surface to air missile system.

Australia Sign for MC-4 Triton

Australia will acquire six Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to enter service starting in 2023. The initial A$1.4billion investment includes the first aircraft, training, and the necessary infrastructures to operate from RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

The Triton will undertake a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. It will complement the new RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft by providing sustained long-range surveillance to cue the P-8A for close-in investigation.

ADT

Thailand To Operate Elbit H450 Hermes Unmanned Aerial Systems

Thailand has placed a 28million dollars order for the H450 Hermes unmanned aerial system (UAS) to be operated by the Royal Thailand Army (RTA). The H450 Hermes UAS consists of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and a ground control station.

The H450 will be used for tasks such as Imagery Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), target designation, and aerial mapping. The H450 will be operated by the 21st Aviation Battalion, RTA Aviation Centre in Lopburi Province. The base has been operating the IAI Searcher Mk II UAVs since 2001.

ADT

BMW of the Deep: Insights Into the Type 218SG Submarine

Interesting insights into the design considerations of the Republic of Singapore Navy's newest submarine - the Type 218SG.

CNA

Royal Thai Air Force Upgrades Fighter Fang

The Royal Thai Air Force will upgrade its fleet of Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighters with advanced IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles. The RTAF is already using the lethal armament on its fleet of Gripen and F-16 fighters.  A repeat order was placed with German manufacturer Diehl Defence to increase the number of missiles in the RTAF war stock.

Diehl Defence briefed that, "The new procurement plans to integrate the missile onto the F-5, making IRIS-T a standard armament of the Royal Thai Air Force."

India Test-fired Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile

India today successfully test-fired two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over two days which validated the operation of several unspecified new components. These new components will allow India to extend the service life of its existing missile stock by replacing old parts which may be facing obsolescence or has reached the end of their storage life.  In March, India tested an indigenously made seeker.  The current test is believed to be to validate an indigenously designed rocket booster.

India hopes to upgrade the BrahMos to a hypersonic weapon within a decade.

Economic Times

Economic Times

F-15 Beats F-35 - Sometimes

The F-35 based at Kadena Air Force Base in Japan reportedly get beaten by F-15 occasionally in training missions.  However, it is inconclusive which is the better aircraft because the training scenario is unknown. For example, the F-35 Lightning II is able to claim an impressive kill ratio between 24:0 to 15:1 in other exercises. The superb kill ratios are achieved when the F-35 is used as designed - maximising its stealth and electronic warfare capability while operating with other supporting aircraft.

Training exercises can be also simple academic set up - one versus one basic fighter maneuver or tactical intercept scenario. This is where the F-35 may not always achieve good result.

Military.com

The Aviationist