Australia Selects AH-64E Apache Guardian as Tiger Replacement

 Future ready - strengthening Army's armed reconnaissance capability

The Australian Army’s armed reconnaissance capability will be strengthened following the selection of Boeing Apache Guardian to replace Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) from 2025. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the AH-64E Apache Guardian is equipped with improved sensors, communications suites, attack capabilities and improved survivability.

“This new ARH capability will strengthen Australia’s armed reconnaissance force to better shape our strategic environment and deter actions against our national interest,” Minister Reynolds said.“Defence considered a number of helicopters against key criteria of proven ability, maturity and an off-the-shelf operating system.

“The Apache Guardian is the most lethal, most survivable and lowest risk option, meeting all of Defence’s capability, through-life support, security, and certification requirements.

“By pursuing a proven and low-risk system offered by the Apache, Defence will avoid the ongoing cost and schedule risk typically associated with developmental platforms.”Lessons learnt from issues with the ARH Tiger and other rotary wing projects had informed the strategy to seek a proven, mature ARH replacement capability.“The project will deliver on the Government’s vision to maximise Australian industry involvement in defence capability,” Minister Reynolds said.

“There are potential opportunities for Australian industry in logistic support, warehousing services, training development, engineering services, and maintenance, repair and overhaul.“Maximising these opportunities for Australian businesses will enable the future growth of our local rotary wing industry and will present opportunities for Australian industry involvement in the aircraft’s global supply chain.”

Detailed transition planning will be conducted to ensure effective management of the skilled workforce, across Defence and industry, as Defence transitions the Tiger to the Apache.

Philippines Crew Now Training to Familiarize with BRP Antonio Luna

 The officers and enlisted personnel aboard the prospective BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the country's second missile frigate, is now conducting unit training at sea.

"(They are now conducting) unit training (as of this time). This means that the crew is now conducting a hands-on operation on the different systems aboard the ship. This includes machinery, weapons, and sensors," Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message to the Philippine News Agency on Thursday, when sought for updates about the ship.

Roxas added that the ship is also performing maneuvers during this period except undocking which is being done with the assistance of a harbor pilot.

She added that the unit training took place shortly after the BRP Antonio Luna's final drydock, painting and outfitting after its satisfactory sea acceptance trials (SAT) which took place last December 14 to 18 off Ulsan, South Korea.

Earlier, Rear Adm. Alberto Carlos, head of the PN's Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC), declared that FF-151 is compliant with the agreed technical specifications after personally witnessing the warship's performance during the sea trials."FF-151 is 95 percent complete at this time. All machinery and combat systems were subjected to test procedures as stipulated in the contract and were observed to be working properly. More importantly, I'm happy to announce that FF-151 passed the prescribed standards and procedures," he said.

Built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), BRP Antonio Luna is a modern naval warship capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.The ship is expected to be delivered and turned over to the PN by the first quarter of 2021.

The first frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), was delivered and subsequently commissioned into the PN last July 10.BRP Antonio Luna's keel-laying on May 23, 2019, coincided with the launch of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).The contract for the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna was placed at PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions. 

New Countermeasure System for P-8 Poseidon can Defeats Every Missile

 BAE Systems has signed a contract with the US Navy to develop the AN/ALE-55 electronic countermeasure system for the P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft.

The contract has a total value of over 4 million USD, the time to complete the contract is 2 years from the time it was officially signed, BAE said on January 5. With the above money, it is not clear how many systems will be delivered.

According to some information disclosed by BAE, the AN/ALE-55 is capable of accurately replicating the aircraft’s flight path and radar reflection in order to deceive all missiles using heat probes or radar.This system also combines with electronic warfare devices on aircraft to jam enemy radar systems, or attract enemy air defense fire, to protect the safety of expensive aircraft.

In addition, the AN/ALE-55 bait can be fitted with radar detection and detection equipment to provide parameters for the aircraft behind. While the enemy focuses on these “fake planes”, the aircraft will approach and launch missiles / bombs at the target, preventing the enemy from responding.

“In combat, especially in anti-aircraft warfare, early detection of the target and firing before the enemy is vital.

The AN/ALE-55 trap has repeatedly demonstrated its capabilities and BAE Systems will take that technology up with a deal with the US Navy, “said Tom McCarthy, director of baits at BAE Systems. concentration.The AN/ALE-55 is not only integrated into large aircraft like the P-8A, but they can be easily fitted to other fighters to increase the safety of the aircraft, he added. close to the enemy air defense battle.

It is known that the P-8A Poseidon is the most active aircraft of the US Navy when operating near the Tartus and Hmeimim bases of Russia in Syria in recent years. In addition, this aircraft also regularly appears in the Black Sea, in the Baltic.

The frequency of the P-8A’s appearance along with a number of other US aircraft near Russia was increasing, causing Russian fighters to take off to intercept. Therefore, experts said that the US decided to equip the AN/ALE-55 for the P-8A to deal with the dangers of Russian missiles.

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