2017 Completed Projects Under Revised AFP Modernization Plan RA10349

The Revised AFP Modernization Plan is an approved 15 year extension of the original AFP Modernization Plan RA7898. The RA 10349 starts during the Aquino Administration starting from 2013 to 2028. It divided into three phases which are horizon 1 from 2013 to 2017, horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022 and horizon 3 from 2023 to 2028. Last 2017, Horizon 1 phase officially which has 3 completed projects. Most of the Projects are still ongoing and some are push to horizon 2 phase of the AFP modernization plan.

1. Fighter/Surface Attack Aircraft/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (F/SAA/LIFT) Acquisition Project.

Last 2005, when the Philippine Air Force retired the F-5 freedom fighter, there was no jet being operated by the PAF. With the coming of the RA 10349, the PAF acquire a Fighter Jet that can be an interime fighter jet, can deliver attacks to the ground and also an advanced jet trainer for the upcoming multi-role figter jet to be acquired in the horizon 2 phase. The FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries with a contract worth US$421,638,000.00. The delivery starts on November 2015 with two units. The delivery were in pairs which followed after the first two delivery which is on december 2016, February 2017, March 2017, April 2017 and May 2017 completing the 12 orders of the PAF. All 12 aircraft are now based in clark pampanga and form the backbone of a newly revived 5th Fighter Wing, with hte 7th Tactical Fighter "Bulldogs" Squadron flying the fleet.

2. Night Fighting System

This project is for the Philippine Army Troopers to be able to make a night operation capability. The A100 monocular night vision system has a contract worth of Php 712.069 million. This was awarded to Turkish defense company Aselsan Elektronic Sanayi vi Ticaret A.S. and supplied 4,464 units of night vision googles. These NVGs can be mounter on a rifles like the Remington R4A3 and can also be used with head mount or helmet mount. 

3. Multi-Purpose Attack Craft or MPAC

The Philippine Navy also completed a project which is the Multi-purpose Attack Craft (MPAC). This is a joint venture of a Filipino Company Propmech corporation and Taiwanese boat-builder Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. The contract price was worth Php 268,880,000.00 to build 3 MPACs which is designated as Mark 3 which has a different mission profile than the earlier models. It emphasizes more on interdiction and firepower including being missile capable rather than a shoreline insertion and troops extraction. The hull numbers are BA-488, BA-489 and BA-491. All were delivered mid-2017. On the other hand the Lot 2 of the project which covers the weapon systems will be delivered first quarter of 2018.

Military Air Forces Should Choose the SAAB's Gripen NG over the USA's F-35A

The Gripen NG fighter jet is an excellent fighting aircraft which can keep up with the worlds best, costing nearly half the price of the F-35. When comparing to other fighter jets available on the market, it can out-compete the Euro-fighter for instance in a number of key areas. The Euro-fighter and the Gripen NG may have each downsides, the Gripen's lower price tag is not backed up with lesser performance. Gripen NG is $40 million cheaper than the Euro-fighter, a Gripen has a better range, higher speed, less weight and lower operating costs. Currently the Euro-fighter can provide larger range of variant type to suit different operating roles, but the Gripen can carry all relevant NATO spec weapons, so countries are not lumbered with new weapon cost or retrofits.

The overall cost of a fleet of 150 NG Gripen for more than 40 years is approximately $22 billion. Gripen NG is 48% cheaper than the USA and UK are purchasing of the cost of a fleet of 65 F-35As. It is effectively a country could purchase a great deal more fighters and still save money over the F-35. Ultimately the Gripen NG is an extreme good package for the money compared to what else is available unless the country requires some unique and staggeringly expensive stealth technology.

Gripen NG includes some unique tricks in order to maintain an advantage and keep the ability of the jet high, without compromising the intended low price point. AESA (active-electronically scanned array) radars have changed aerial combat, offering huge improvements in range, resolution, fast scanning capabilities, stealth and reliability for radar system. Saab has used a clever spinning 'repositioner' in the nose of the jet which allows the field of view angle to be increased significantly.

This allows the Gripen NG the ability to take shot from beyond visual range and then turn 90 degrees in avoidance tactics, while improving mid-course updates for the missiles fired and keeping situational awareness high in mid combat. With new missiles that have extreme ranges, like MBDA’s Meteor, a Gripen NG could fire at enemy fighters at extreme range and then effectively hide from enemy radar and infrared tracking systems used on other types of fighters, while still guiding its missiles. This development, though relatively minor in cost, provides a major benefit to the new series of Gripen and is one of the ways that the Gripen can maintain relevancy when compared with its peers.

Saab's Gripen NG target market is the western friendly nations that cannot afford more expensive machinery which have small demand for fighter jets and update slowly and in limited orders. Also coupled with the tedious, expensive and fraught with difficulties of bidding process. It is usually requiring numerous commitments from defense companies to secure loans for the country or to manufacture the vehicles in the country. Despite some positive orders in the past it is difficult to see Saab raising more than 50-100 new aircraft sales from its existing friendly clients, which means that in order for Saab to meet its expected orders of 300 aircraft, it will have to find multiple new clients, that meet Sweden’s arms sales criteria.

Philippine Air Force Sealed Contract with Embraer for 6 CAS A-29 Super Tucano

Photo Screengrab from Embraer  News Publication

November 30 2017, EMBRAER announce that an order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Phillippine Air Force. Upon underaking a comprehensive bidding process which participated by several manufacturers and complying and passing the post bid qualification, the Super Tucano was selected as part of the Philippine Air Force Horizon I Modernization Plan. The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air to air interception and counter-insurgency missions. Deliveries will start in 2019.

“We are honored to be selected by the Philippine Air Force, our second operator in the Asia-Pacific region, and with the confidence expressed by our customer”, said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The Super Tucano is the best light attack aircraft in the market and we are confident that it will accomplish with excellence the missions it was selected for”.

The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop, very versatile and durable aircraft. It can carry out a wide range of missions and can operate from unpaved runways. According to Embraer publication, "To date, the A-29 Super Tucano is being operated by 14 Airforce worldwide, including US.

The region's other operator of the type is Indonesia, which has 15 examples. It originally ordered 16, but one crashed in 2016.

The Super Tucanos are likely to replace Manila's fleet of eight obsolescent Rockwell OV-10 Bronco aircraft.

In October the company announced that an undisclosed buyer ordered six Super Tucanos, but Embraer says this was a separate from the Philippines order.

The importance of close air support for the Philippine air force was highlighted earlier this year when Islamic State militants on the island of Mindanao took over the city of Marawi.

The battle to clear the city involved Philippine assets such as the Korean Aerospace Industries FA-50 fighter delivering precision strikes against militants holed up in buildings.

Sources:
https://www.embraer.com/global/en/news#/4068-philippine-air-force-selects-the-a-29-super-tucano-for-close-air-support-role

The SAAB GRIPEN Philippine Air Force Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft Procurement Horizon II 2018 - 2022

The Philippine Air Force horizon 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Plan or the Flight Plan 2028 single biggest ticket acquisition is the multi-role fighter aircraft (MRF). For year, the Philippine Air Force consistently open that they intend to acquire the SAABs Jas 39 Gripen (variant is not yet disclosed) for its MRF. The Saab's Gripen is, according to their white paper, "a unique fighter concept which brings a perfect balance between excellent operational performance, cost efficiency, high tech solutions and industrial partnership into one, a smart fighter".

The GRIPEN E/F

The Gripen E is based on the proven Gripen C/D platform continues to be one of the most advanced multi-role fighters in the world. It is a revolutionary platform that combines advance technology and operational effectiveness at an affordable price.

The True Multi-Role Fighter

The Gripen E/F is a NATO inter operable multi-role fighter aircraft which tailored for the future Network Centric Warfare (NCW) environment. It meets the demanding operational requirements of the 21st century air forces which provides excellent tactical flexibility.

Operational Dominance

Gripen E/F has a superior mission survivability and offers operational dominance and very flexible aircraft. It can achieve air superiority fighter aircraft with its METEOR, AMRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9 missile and its ability to supercruise. With the use of the latest generation of precision weapons and targeting sensors, air-to-surface capability has been very excellent performance. The succcess of it's mission is through superior situational awareness with the use of IRST passive sensor, AESA Radar, cutting edge avionics, HMD, state-of-the-art cockpit and next generation data processing.

Network Centric Warfare

The Gripen E/F has the proven Network Centric Warfare capabilities including dual data links, advanced data communications, video links and satellite communications which makes the Gripen an ideal independent fighter. The on board sensors deliver the ability to search, detect and destroy a wide variety of targets with the combination of HMD/NVG which enable to operate in day or night or poor weather conditions.

GRIPEN E Features

The Gripen E/F installed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) enables to simultaneously and independently track different targets. The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) consist a full array of small antennas called elements, unlike the older generation of radar which consist only one antenna.

The Gripen E/F is a Network Centric fighter because it can communicate two ways with all armed units. Having a secured and multi-frequency data links provides full situational awareness. All information acquired is shared with other Gripen via the data links and these includes information about each Gripen position, fuel and weapon status.

The Gripen E/F uses tactics that based on smart use of electronic warfare capabilities enables for high survivability in combat environment. The Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is an accurate sensor for detecting emitting threats such as targeting radars. And the Missile Approach Warning (MAW) system that can detect and track incoming missiles of all types.

The Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) is an electro-optical system mounted on top of the nose, right in front of the canopy. It is looking forward in a wide sector which register heat emissions from other aircraft, helicopters and objects from sea surface and the ground. The passive sensor will give the aircraft a tactical advantage by not giving its position.

The Gripen E/F has a very high weapon flexibility that almost any weapon can be integrated including the METEOR, the latest long range air to air missile. The ease of new weapon integration is due to the flexible avionics architecture.

The survivability of the Gripen is enhanced by its highly advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) primarily serves as a passive or active sensor and warning for incoming missiles or radar tracking the Gripen. It is also coupled to the countermeasures (CM) such as flares and chaff. And it is capable to perform electronics attacks and jamming of enemy radars.

Technical Specifications

The Gripen overall length and width are 15.2 meters and 8.6 meters respectively. It has a maximum take off weight of 16,500 kg and maximum thrust of 98 kN. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2 during super-cruise with 10 hard-points all over its belly and wings. It also has data link system (TIDLS), along with Link 16 or the Data Link which provides data link within tactical units, data link between gripen, AEW&C and C2 Centries on the ground or sea and the data link with forward air controller.

The single seat Gripen E is equipped with 27 mm Mauser BK27 gun which can be used in air to surface attacks against land and sea targets and is suitable for air policing. It can carry sensors and pods  for surveillance and reconnaissance and special missions. These includes Litening, Reccelite, DJRP and MRPS pods.

Weapons carried varies for all types of missions from guided gliding bombs fro precision engagement on a low collateral damage to long range air to air missiles and high powered anti-surface ship armaments and missiles.

FA-50PH The Philippine Air Force Modern Light Combat Aircraft

Brief History

Philippine Air Force acquisition if a twelve FA-50 is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Plan Horizon 1 which aim to enhance the Southeast Asian Country's defense capabilities.

FA-50 first maiden flight took place at Sancheon, South Korea on June 19, 2015. The first two FA-50 delivery that arrive in Clark Air Base was on November 18, 2015.

The Philippine Air Force F-5A freedom fighter retirement on 2005 made it no platform as dedicated air defense. A procurement program to replace the retired Philippine Air Force was under development for sometime which aim to equip with one squadron of twelve fighters.

It was initially planned that Philippine Air Force would acquire surplus US Air Force F-16 C/D multi-role fighter aircraft to meet this requirement. However, the cost was too high that eliminated this option.

In August 2012, the Philippine Air Force sent letter of intent to South Korea to buy the Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 Advanced Trainer Aircraft.

In March 2014, the Philippine Air Force signed contracts to purchase 12 FA-50 from Korean Aerospace Industries. In addition to the requirements, it will install an advance radar system which enable to use medium range air to air missiles on four aircraft was revealed. This will give the capability of beyond visual range and it will enable the Philippine Air Force to undertake long range interception missions.

Conception of the FA-50 in Korea

Initially, the FA-50 was intended as new light combat aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and manufactured by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). It is a supersonic light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle advance jet trainer and light attack aircraft.

In October 1997, the development of the FA-50 combat aircraft begun. There were six prototypes built during the development phase which concluded in January 2006. In October 2012, the FA-50 awarded military type certificate by the Korean Military Aircraft Airworthiness Committee (MAAC). It is the first locally made fighter-class military aircraft to received the MAAC certification

Features of the FA-50

The FA-50 is a combat aircraft that meets its intended requirements as a light fighter aircraft of Air Forces around the world. It's detection capability is similar to that of the KF-16 fighter because of the advanced radar installed.

The dimension of the FA-50 is measures 13.14 meters in length, 9.45 meters in width and 4.82 meters in height. The aircraft's empty weight is 6.47 tons and the maximum take-off weight of 12.3 tons.

FA-50 Cockpit an Avionics

The designed tandem glass cockpit of the FA-50 enables it to carry two crew members. The high mounted canopy provides the pilot with good visibility and has been tested to protect the canopy against four pound objects impacting at a speed of 400 knots. The applied stretched acrylic fiber  has develop by Hankuk Fiber. The cockpit is equipped with the wide field of view head-up display (HUD), colored multi function displays (MFD), Hands On throttle and Sticks (HOTAS), digital engine instrumentation, zero zero ejection seat and integrated up-front controls.

The flight control systems includes active stick, digital fly-by-wire, digital break-by-wire, electrical emergency power power unit and triple redundant electrical system.

The cockpit has an on-board Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) to ensure the aircraft a mission capability during day and night. Also it integrates an On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS).

The avionics system package consists of identification friend or foe (IFF), embedded Inertial Navigation System / Global Positioning System (INS/GPS), radar altimeter, integrated mission computer, UHF/VHF radio, data transfer and recording system, store management system, Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).

Armament and Weapon System

The FA-50 fighter aircraft can carry an array of different weapons load of up to 4.5 tons. It can be armed from different variety of weapons from air-to-air to air-to-ground missiles. These includes with AIM-9 sidewinder short-range air-to-air heat seeking missiles, GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missiles (AGM), Mark 82 Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) bombs, CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapons (SFW),  and Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs). The FA-50 has an internal, three barrel 20 mm Gatling gun and LAU-3/A 19-tube 2.75 inch rocket launcher for firing Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR). 

Engine and Performance

The FA-50 aircraft's power plant integrates a General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine that develops 17,700 lbs of thrust with an afterburner. The engine has a three stage fans with seven axial stage arrangement. The dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System controls the engine performance. The internal fuel tank capacity is 2,655 liters and an additional of 1,710 liters of fuel in the three external fuel tanks. The maximum altitude is 14,000 meters (48,000 feet) and the air frame is designed to last 8,000 hours of service. The maximum speed of Mach 1.5 or one and half times the speed of sound.