iscover
Clear and sunny skies provide a typical Queensland backdrop to an RAAF F-111G at Amberley - the sort of backdrop organisers of the rained-out 75th Anniversary Airshow would no doubt have killed for. (Lenn Bayliss)
Newsdesk — Military Aviation
0 comment
Surveillance Projects Combined
The ADF has decided to combine its two primary surveillance requirements into a single project. Known as Joint Project (JP) 129, the project combines the ADF’s broad area aerial surveillance and unmanned air vehicle (UAV) requirements and will result in the acquisition of either a combination of manned surveillance aircraft supporting a synthetic aperture radar system and tactical UAVs carrying electro-optical payloads; or an advanced UAV system which would be able to perform both missions. The broad area surveillance requirement was intended to find a replacement for the Army’s Kiowa helicopters while the UAV requirement was linked with Project Ninox, the acquisition of various battlefield surveillance sensor systems. Representations have already been received from Pilatus which is offering its PC-12 Eagle aircraft and manufacturers of UAVs including General Atomics, South Africa’s Kentron and Israel Aircraft Industries.
Indonesia Gets Extra F-16s
Following delays, Indonesia is to take delivery of nine ex USAF Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighters originally intended for Pakistan but embargoed. Pakistan was to receive 28 F-16s before the embargo was put in place and delivery of the nine aircraft to Indonesia has been delayed pending agreement on modifications to be incorporated. Additionally, US/Indonesian relations have been poor since 1993 when the US vetoed the sale of four surplus Jordanian Northrop F-5s. The new agreement is seen as a test case for improved relations between the two countries. It is believed Indonesia has paid about $US9m each for the F-16s and a further$US25m will be spent upgrading the aircraft to meet Indonesian requirements and to provide systems commonality with its existing fleet of 11 F-16A/Bs. Changes include fitting hydro-mechanically operated drag chutes and different avionics. They will also be modified to carry AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles. A separate $US15m deal covers the purchase of the Mavericks and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
