Participant in LIMA Airshow - Info Berkaitan Pesawat dan Perlatan...

jofizo

119# HangPC2


betoi, tapi banyak yg jadik agen jer, tuh yg buhsan........

banyak produk yg keluar tapi banyak jugak yg tak direjectkan.........  :kant:

cmf_nando

MARHALIM ABAS
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 13:25:00

LANGKAWI: The 10th edition of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibiton 2009 (Lima 2009) starts today under bright skies although the show's future remains hazy.

Due to the economic crisis, Malaysian defence procurements for the next five years are not expected to excite local and foreign industry players.

With another air show planned at the old Subang airport, the future of Lima also remains uncertain although Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Langkawi would remain the venue for the biennial show.

No major deals are expected during Lima, with only the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency expected to sign a deal worth RM300 million for the supply and delivery of special mission equipment for its two Bombardier CL-415 Multi Purpose amphibious planes.

Speculation that the government is expected to sign a RM1.604 billion deal with Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd for 12 EC-725 Cougar helicopters appears to be incorrect.
Another contract expected to be signed, the maintenance contract for the Royal Malaysian Navy Perdana Menteri-class submarines, has also been postponed.

This year's Lima also lost its main attraction as not a single aerobatic aerial display has turned up for the show.
Spectators will only see displays by the Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKM multi-role combat aircraft and the Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-16 fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters.

Other aircraft taking part are the Royal Australian Air Force F111 strike/interdictor jets and helicopters from the Malaysian navy.

A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries are taking part in Lima. The exhibition is expected to draw more than 40,000 trade visitors and 236 delegates from 40 countries.

Regular attractions include the international fleet review and the "battle of the bands" competition between naval bands from all over the world, including the RMN.

There will also be a Tourism Carnival showcasing food, beverage, handicraft, cultural performances and music at Awana Porto Malai and Pandak Mayah in Kuah.

The maritime segment of Lima is held at Porto Malai and will be open to the public tomorrow, while the aerospace segment staged at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre will only be opened to the public on Saturday. The entrance fee is RM10 per person.

escortburuk

Gamaknya kalau Nuri kena upgrade, rupa dia camni


Sea King dengan composite blade baru. Katanya leh increase lift sebanyak 2000 pound, 15 knot lebih laju dengan engine speed yang kurang, service life 20,000 hours berbanding 10,000 hours blade standard dan 15% more range dari standard.


Glass cockpit


Lagi gambar glass cockpit

* Gambar dari Carson Helicopters

super_nova

113# windof

errr...enjin kite x bleh nak buat sendiri ker?

newzair

aku leh sentuh peluk f111 tadi best giler panas lagi fire dump dier

newzair

tadi ada b52 bapak lar panjang flight tuu

windof

124# super_nova

bubuh enjin campro atau petronas boleh kot.... huk...huk...huk..

guyfawke

Pelbagai aksi udara dipertonton
Oleh Khirul Bahri Basaruddin, Suffian Abu Bakar, Nahar Tajri, Norliza Wasilan dan Hamzah Osman
bhnews@bharian.com.my

LANGKAWI: Hari pertama Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi 2009 (Lima ‘09) semalam, berlangsung meriah dengan pelbagai aksi udara dipertontonkan dalam pertunjukan pembukaan pameran yang diadakan setiap dua tahun itu.

Selain pertunjukan udara, 325 peserta daripada syarikat gergasi dunia dalam industri ketenteraan udara dan maritim turut mengambil bahagian menunjukkan kecanggihan produk dan teknologi terkini masing-masing.

Majlis pelancaran Lima ‘09 disempurnakan Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Tambah menyerikan lagi hari pembukaan itu kehadiran bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang juga dikenali sebagai tokoh yang mengasaskan Lima.

Selain itu, majlis turut dihadiri Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; Menteri Pertahanan Singapura, Teo Chee Hean; Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak serta wakil daripada 25 negara yang menyertai Lima ‘09.

Sebanyak sembilan pertunjukan udara membabitkan empat negara iaitu Malaysia, Amerika Syarikat (AS), Australia, dan Singapura dipertontonkan kepada tetamu kehormat dan orang ramai di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC), Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi.

Pasukan Taufan Ganas Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) memulakan pertunjukan dengan mengetengahkan kecanggihan tiga pesawat MiG-29 dan mempamerkan gerakan cukup mendebarkan penonton.

Selepas Taufan Ganas, pasukan Bisa TUDM yang menggunakan sebuah pesawat SU-30MKM (Sukhoi) mempamerkan kehebatan dan kecanggihan pesawat yang dibeli daripada Russia selama sembilan minit.

Singapura yang pertama kali menyertai Lima juga tidak melepaskan peluang menunjukkan kehebatan aksi mereka dengan pasukan Falcon dan Apache yang memaparkan aksi akrobatik udara menggunakan pesawat F-16 dan helikopter penyerang Apache AH-64 Longbow.

Tidak ketinggalan penyertaan pesawat Tentera Udara Diraja Australia F-111 Aadvark, sebelum diikuti pesawat B-52 Stratofortress milik angkatan tentera Amerika Syarikat yang berpangkalan di Guam.

Kehadiran pesawat B-52 yang cukup terkenal dengan peranannya melaksanakan 'carpet bombing' dalam konflik di Vietnam dan Perang Teluk, turut mendapat perhatian ramai pada Lima tahun ini.

Aksi akrobatik yang mendebarkan dan menghiburkan itu turut menarik perhatian penduduk sekitar yang setia menanti sejak jam 9 pagi untuk menyaksikan satu demi satu pertunjukan yang memakan masa lebih sejam itu.

Sejumlah 15 pesawat dan helikopter dijadual mengambil bahagian dalam pertunjukan udara setiap hari sepanjang tempoh Lima ‘09.

guyfawke

Henti perlumbaan senjata - Dr. M

Dr. MAHATHIR Mohamad mengangkat tangan ketika melihat Cyber Quad yang dikawal menerusi remote oleh Presiden Sapura, Datuk Shahril Shamsuddin (tengah) semasa melawat ruang pameran Sapura sempena LIMA 2009 di Langkawi, semalam.

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - Negara-negara ASEAN perlu membuat perjanjian tidak menambah keupayaan pertahanan masing-masing bagi memastikan rantau ini bebas daripada perlumbaan senjata.

Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad berkata, hanya dengan cara itu perlumbaan senjata di rantau ini dapat dihentikan kerana tanpa sebarang perjanjian, negara-negara serantau akan terus meningkatkan keupayaan masing-masing.

''Kalau orang lain buat juga, kita pun kena buatlah.

''Tetapi kalau tak nak, mesti ada perjanjian antara negara yang berkenaan bahawa mereka tidak akan menambah keupayaan mereka, baru kita juga boleh kurangkan," ujarnya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita ketika ditemui semasa melawat Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009) di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC) di Padang Matsirat di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, jika negara ini sahaja yang bertindak mengurangkan keupayaan pertahanan sudah pasti ia akan menjadi sasaran negara lain yang terus menambah kekuatan pertahanan mereka.

Dr. Mahathir berkata, kos peralatan pertahanan ketika ini semakin tinggi dan kebanyakan negara tidak mampu untuk memiliki aset berkenaan.

''Kita belanja ini (pembelian senjata) tidak dapat pulangan melainkan ada peperangan," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai LIMA 2009, bekas Perdana Menteri itu yang mencetuskan idea penganjuran pameran dwi tahunan tersebut berkata, beliau gembira kerana ia dapat dianjurkan dengan jayanya pada tahun ini.

''Saya gembira kerana LIMA dapat dianjurkan pada tahun ini walaupun dunia sekarang ini berada dalam keadaan cemas dan pameran-pameran udara di tempat lain tidak mendapat penyertaan seperti sebelum ini,' katanya.

Beliau berkata, lebih menarik apabila melihat penyertaan syarikat tempatan yang begitu ke hadapan teknologi mereka termasuk elektronik dan ia merupakan satu kejayaan yang boleh dibanggakan.

Mengenai penglibatan syarikat swasta dalam pembuatan pesawat tanpa pemandu (UAV), katanya, beliau melihat sudah ada kemajuan yang cukup baik dalam bidang itu malah ada yang mampu membekalkannya ke negara lain seperti Australia.

Terdahulu bekas Perdana Menteri itu meluangkan masa menyaksikan pertunjukan udara bersama Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan menteri-menteri pertahanan serta para pegawai kanan tentera sempena pembukaan rasmi LIMA 2009.

Beliau turut melawat gerai-gerai pameran di MIEC dan mendengar taklimat ringkas daripada syarikat-syarikat yang mengambil bahagian dalam pameran itu.

guyfawke

Henti perlumbaan senjata - Dr. M

Dr. MAHATHIR Mohamad mengangkat tangan ketika melihat Cyber Quad yang dikawal menerusi remote oleh Presiden Sapura, Datuk Shahril Shamsuddin (tengah) semasa melawat ruang pameran Sapura sempena LIMA 2009 di Langkawi, semalam.

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - Negara-negara ASEAN perlu membuat perjanjian tidak menambah keupayaan pertahanan masing-masing bagi memastikan rantau ini bebas daripada perlumbaan senjata.

Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad berkata, hanya dengan cara itu perlumbaan senjata di rantau ini dapat dihentikan kerana tanpa sebarang perjanjian, negara-negara serantau akan terus meningkatkan keupayaan masing-masing.

''Kalau orang lain buat juga, kita pun kena buatlah.

''Tetapi kalau tak nak, mesti ada perjanjian antara negara yang berkenaan bahawa mereka tidak akan menambah keupayaan mereka, baru kita juga boleh kurangkan," ujarnya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita ketika ditemui semasa melawat Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009) di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC) di Padang Matsirat di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, jika negara ini sahaja yang bertindak mengurangkan keupayaan pertahanan sudah pasti ia akan menjadi sasaran negara lain yang terus menambah kekuatan pertahanan mereka.

Dr. Mahathir berkata, kos peralatan pertahanan ketika ini semakin tinggi dan kebanyakan negara tidak mampu untuk memiliki aset berkenaan.

''Kita belanja ini (pembelian senjata) tidak dapat pulangan melainkan ada peperangan," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai LIMA 2009, bekas Perdana Menteri itu yang mencetuskan idea penganjuran pameran dwi tahunan tersebut berkata, beliau gembira kerana ia dapat dianjurkan dengan jayanya pada tahun ini.

''Saya gembira kerana LIMA dapat dianjurkan pada tahun ini walaupun dunia sekarang ini berada dalam keadaan cemas dan pameran-pameran udara di tempat lain tidak mendapat penyertaan seperti sebelum ini,' katanya.

Beliau berkata, lebih menarik apabila melihat penyertaan syarikat tempatan yang begitu ke hadapan teknologi mereka termasuk elektronik dan ia merupakan satu kejayaan yang boleh dibanggakan.

Mengenai penglibatan syarikat swasta dalam pembuatan pesawat tanpa pemandu (UAV), katanya, beliau melihat sudah ada kemajuan yang cukup baik dalam bidang itu malah ada yang mampu membekalkannya ke negara lain seperti Australia.

Terdahulu bekas Perdana Menteri itu meluangkan masa menyaksikan pertunjukan udara bersama Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan menteri-menteri pertahanan serta para pegawai kanan tentera sempena pembukaan rasmi LIMA 2009.

Beliau turut melawat gerai-gerai pameran di MIEC dan mendengar taklimat ringkas daripada syarikat-syarikat yang mengambil bahagian dalam pameran itu.

guyfawke

LIMA 2009 dibuka dengan rasmi

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menunjukkan Jalur Gemilang pada replika pesawat Airbus Military ketika melawat program LIMA 2009 di Langkawi, semalam. - BERNAMA

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - Pameran udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009 dibuka dengan rasmi oleh Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC) di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama menyaksikan majlis pelancaran yang diadakan secara ringkas itu ialah bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad; Timbalan Perdana Menteri Singapura yang juga Menteri Pertahanan negara itu, Teo Chee Hean; menteri-menteri pertahanan negara yang mengambil bahagian pada pameran kali ini serta para pegawai kanan tentera.

Ahmad Zahid yang memotong pita reben bagi menyempurnakan majlis itu kemudiannya bersama Dr. Mahathir serta kenamaan lain menyaksikan pertunjukan udara yang melibatkan pesawat Sukhoi SU-30 Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), pesawat tempur F-16 serta helikopter Apache AH-64 dan pesawat F-111 Aadvark.

Pameran kali ini melibatkan 325 peserta dari 25 buah negara antaranya Australia, Belarus, Denmark Singapura, New Zealand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom dan Amerika Syarikat (AS).

Walaupun jumlah penyertaannya kali ini lebih rendah berbanding 2007, LIMA 2009 tetap berlangsung meriah terutama ketika kebanyakan negara menerima tempias daripada krisis ekonomi global.

Bagaimanapun sektor maritim mencatat sejarah apabila sebanyak 99 buah kapal termasuk kapal perang menyertai pameran kali ini berbanding 71 pada tahun 2007.

Sebanyak 55 pesawat udara mengambil bahagian kali ini dengan sebahagiannya terlibat dalam pertunjukan udara dan sebahagian lagi menyertai pameran statik di MIEC.

Pihak penganjur, HW LIMA Exhibitions menjangkakan kira-kira 40,000 pelawat korporat akan mengunjungi pameran itu yang menjadi tempat untuk pengeluar industri aeroangkasa dan maritim memperkenalkan barangan dan perkhidmatan mereka.

Pameran di MIEC selama lima hari itu yang bermula hari ini hanya akan dibuka kepada orang ramai pada hari terakhir Sabtu ini dengan dikenakan bayaran RM10.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang kini berada di Trinidad and Tobago dijadual menghadiri pameran itu esok termasuk menyaksikan majlis penyerahan pesawat Aermacchi MB-339CM kepada Kerajaan Malaysia dan menghadiri majlis makan malam di MIEC.

guyfawke

Zahid sempurnakan pemeriksaan armada 2009

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - Pemeriksaan armada atau perbarisan kapal-kapal merupakan acara tradisi setiap kali Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) berlangsung di pulau legenda ini.

LIMA 2009 turut menyaksikan upacara yang sama pada pembukaannya apabila Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menyempurnakan pemeriksaan tersebut yang diadakan di Awana Porto Malai di sini.

Pemeriksaan tersebut melibatkan 13 kapal TLDM, sebuah daripada Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM) dan dua buah daripada Polis Marin.

Kapal-kapal asing turut terlibat iaitu dua kapal masing-masing dari Pakistan, Filipina dan Korea Selatan manakala satu dari Amerika Syarikat (AS), India, Thailand, Singapura dan Australia.

Jarak jauh pelayaran untuk pemeriksaan armada LIMA 2009 ialah sejauh lapan batu nautika.

Armada kali ini melibatkan kekuatan 3,230 pegawai dan anggota lain-lain pangkat (LLP) daripada semua negara yang terlibat.

TLDM menghantar seramai 1,110 anggota, APMM (163), Polis Marin (26) dan kapal asing (1,923).

Pemeriksaan armada merupakan tradisi TLDM yang biasanya dilakukan sebelum pergi berperang dan bertujuan menunjukkan kepada musuh kekuatan armada sesebuah angkatan laut.

Kini, pemeriksaan tersebut dilakukan pada usia perkhidmatan sesebuah angkatan laut mencapai usia 50 tahun selain merupakan upacara istiadat bagi meraikan sesuatu majlis yang besar seperti penganjuran LIMA.

Pemeriksaan armada bagi LIMA telah diadakan buat pertama kalinya pada tahun 1993 iaitu pada LIMA yang kedua.

LIMA kali ini merupakan sesuatu yang istimewa apabila pemeriksaan armada menjadi acara terakhir sambutan 75 tahun TLDM pada tahun ini.

guyfawke

Juruterbang MiG-29 TUDM sedih perkhidmatan pesawat bakal berakhir

TIGA juruterbang MiG-29 (dari kiri), Ahmad Khusairi, Patricia Yapp dan Sebastian A. William ketika menjayakan pertunjukan udara sempena LIMA 2009 di Langkawi, semalam.

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - Selepas 10 tahun mengendalikan pesawat pejuang pemintas MiG-29, juruterbang Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), Mejar Sebastian A. William tidak dapat menyembunyikan kesedihannya berikutan penamatan perkhidmatan jet itu mulai tahun depan.

Selepas menghabiskan masa 1,200 jam menerbangkan pesawat MiG-29 katanya, 'burung besi' itu seperti sudah amat sebati dengan dirinya.

''Memang ada rasa sedih tetapi sebarang dasar kerajaan bukan di tangan saya.

''Semua pihak perlu faham jika kerajaan mahu terus menggunakan MiG, ia melibatkan pelaburan yang besar untuk kerja-kerja penambahbaikan pada sistem pesawat itu," katanya.

Beliau yang juga Pegawai Pelaksana No. 17 Skuadron berkata demikian kepada Utusan Malaysia selepas sesi pertunjukan udara pada Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009 di sini hari ini.

Turut mengambil bahagian ialah dua lagi juruterbang pesawat itu, Mejar Ahmad Khusairi Ahmad Fadli dan Mejar Patricia Yapp yang merupakan juruterbang MiG wanita pertama di Asia.

Sementara itu, Patricia yang juga juruterbang wanita pertama negara yang melakukan persembahan aerobatik dalam siri LIMA memberitahu, beliau mula merindui pesawat tersebut sejak menerima berita pemberhentian perkhidmatan MiG-29.

''Berita itu juga membuatkan saya semakin menyayanginya walaupun sehingga kini masih menerbangkan MiG," ujarnya.

Beliau yang menyertai skuadron itu sejak tiga tahun lalu telah mencatatkan sebanyak 500 jam penerbangan bersama MiG-29.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Khusairi berkata, pesawat berkenaan mempunyai jasa yang besar kepada TUDM sejak memasuki perkhidmatan itu pada 1995.

''Ia telah memberikan perlindungan udara kepada negara selama ini dan sudah tentu perkhidmatannya amat dihargai," jelasnya.

Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ketika menghadiri sidang Dewan Rakyat baru-baru ini mengumumkan perkhidmatan MiG-29 yang akan diberhentikan pada tahun depan.

guyfawke

NGV Tech mampu bina kapal pelbagai guna untuk TLDM

LANGKAWI 1 Dis. - NGV Tech Sdn. Bhd. yakin mampu membina kapal pengangkut pelbagai guna (MSS) untuk Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) apabila termeterai perjanjian pembelian ekuiti syarikat perkapalan Korea Selatan, TKS Co. Ltd. sebanyak 66 peratus yang dijadual esok.

Pengerusi Eksekutif NGV Tech, Zulkifli Shariff berkata, pembelian itu mampu meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluarannya kerana syarikat dari Korea tersebut mempunyai infrastruktur lengkap untuk tujuan berkenaan.

Katanya, syarikat di Korea Selatan itu akan dinamakan semula dengan NGV Tech Shipbuilding Sdn. Bhd.

''TKS Co. Ltd. mempunyai kelengkapan seperti limbungan kering sepanjang 200 meter dan beberapa kren setaraf dengan syarikat-syarikat pengeluar kapal terkemuka dunia di Jepun dan Barat.

''Kami tidak boleh membangunkan kapal itu di Teluk Panglima Garang kerana ruang tidak mencukupi, perairan cetek sementara proses mendalamkan sungai pula menelan kos yang tinggi," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita pada Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009 di sini hari ini.

Menurut beliau, jika NGV Tech berjaya mendapatkan kontrak pembuatan MSS TLDM itu, kapal-kapal berkenaan akan dibina di Korea Selatan.

NGV Tech yang ditubuhkan pada 1992 merupakan syarikat kapal swasta berpangkalan di Teluk Panglima Garang, Klang.

Semalam, Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mengumumkan kerajaan bercadang mendapatkan tiga kapal MSS untuk kegunaan TLDM menjelang 2015 bagi menambah baik inventorinya berikutan kebakaran kapal pengangkut KD Sri Inderapura baru-baru ini.

guyfawke

RM3.4b deals for local firm

2009/12/02

IN what is perhaps billed as the largest deal at Lima '09, SME Aerospace Sdn Bhd (SMEAe) is expected to secure US$1 billion (RM3.4 billion) worth of contracts with several of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.

The contracts are for the manufacture and supply of parts and components for the BAE Systems Hawk 100/200, Hawker Beechcraft King Air, Boeing B747-400-8, B767 and B777; Airbus A320, A330, A340 and A350; the Gulfstream GV jet and Eurocopter Fennec helicopter, among others.

Part of the deals will also involve GKN and EADS, the latter for the Eurocopter Fennec helicopter assembly and parts. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to officiate at a memorandum-of-agreement signing ceremony today.

It is understood that the contracts involve agreements between SMEAe and its business partners, Spirit Aerosystems Europe Ltd, Vought Aircraft Industries Incorporated; Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream GS and GE Middle River Aircraft System.

An industry source said some of the contracts were secured five years ago with additional ones being enforced for the next five years.

"This 10-year collaboration between SMEAe and its partners will involve deals worth more than US$1 billion.

"This has resulted in spin-offs, including employment opportunities for Malaysians and vendor development programmes for local entrepreneurs," said the source.

It is learnt that much of the work will be undertaken at Subang High-Technology Aviation Park and SMEAe's facility in Sungai Buloh.

SMEAe and Spirit Aerosystems Europe are undertaking Airbus A320 inboard/outboard false works, leading edge subspars, edge and trailing edge details, fabricated parts for composites and spoiler hinge bracket assembly.

With Spirit Aerosystems Europe, SMEAe is undertaking B777 leading edge fabricated parts and batwing assembly; B747-400-8 machined and fabricated parts; and B767 and Gulfstream GV power system metallic parts

SMEAe and GKN are undertaking A330/A340 aft pylon fairing and winglet fabricated parts, and sheet metal fabrication and detailed parts for the GKN C130J aircraft.

SMEAe and Vought Aircraft Industries Incorporated are undertaking B747-400-8 aft body kits and shear floor; B767 and Gulfstream GV metallic details.

SMEAe and EADS will deal with Eurocopter Fennec's aerostructural parts (lower and upper vertical fins, horizontal stabiliser, entablement and instrument console).

For the Hawk jets, SMEAe is undertaking wing pylon side-plates and pylon assembly work.

guyfawke

Govt still keen on 'eye in the sky'

2009/12/02

LANGKAWI: The government's airborne early warning (AEW) programme is still on track.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the New Straits Times recently that the programme had to be put on hold because of funding issues but stressed it was not shelved.

"It is an important aspect in our defence strategy and is crucial if we are to move to a more network-centric defence setup," he said at the start of the Airpower Conference on Sunday at the Sheraton Langkawi.

The conference was held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2009 exhibition (Lima '09). Air force chiefs from all over the world attended, including those of the United States, Cambodia, Chile and Singapore.

Also present was Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin.

Zahid also said that there was a pressing need to shift to more multi-role military assets with enhanced capabilities in this age of shrinking defence budgets.

Azizan added that the airborne early warning system would accelerate the armed forces' push to integrate sensors and assets that would give jet fighters a clearer battlefield picture and make coordination between the different branches of the armed services more fluid.

While Zahid did not mention the companies vying for the AEW contract, it was reported in 2003 that Swedish giant Saab AB was close to sealing the deal on its most advanced surveillance system -- the Erieye -- to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

"We have completed our evaluations," said Zahid, adding that "our requirements are very stringent".

Saab had said that negotiations had been going on for seven to eight years and that the RMAF was close to picking a winner.

The system proposed to the RMAF was based on the Saab 2000 twin-engined turboprop platform with an endurance of nine hours.

It can be configured for a variety of missions, including search and rescue, surveillance and control of national borders and economic zones, detection of illegal activities and drug trafficking.

Saab had estimated that four aircraft would be adequate for Malaysia's needs and would provide "24-hour nationwide air surveillance".

Currently, a number of AEW systems are used by several nations, including the B737 Wedgetail (Australia), the B767 (Japan) and the E-3 Sentry (Nato forces).

guyfawke

Sukhoi aces show their stuff

2009/12/02

"THIS briefing is for a low-level aerobatics display," says No. 11 Squadron executive officer (XO) Lt-Col Muhamad Norazlan Aris, callsign Giro.

It is 8.30am in the squadron shack at Padang Matsirat, Langkawi.

Giro is going through the pre-flight briefing for his pilots. The display is scheduled for 10am but Giro likes to start early.

Huddled around a table are three other pilots -- Capt Faisal Abu Bakar (callsign Fab), Maj Jasmi Abdul Wahab (callsign PMad) and Mj Azman Jantan (callsign Mantan).

"Callsign for the first slot is Bisa 04; the callsign for the second slot is Bisa 02," says Giro. Bisa 04 will take the 10am display while Bisa 02 will handle the second display at 2.30pm.

Only one Sukhoi SU-30MKM Flanker will be flying twice a day during the five-day show.

The trio listen intently as Giro goes through the fuel load for this evolution (14,000 pounds), the rotate, or take-off speed (152 knots), and the fuel load at the end of the nine-minute display (3,000 to 4,000 pounds).

At 9am, the crew of Bisa 02 walk in and suit up. Mantan and Fab grab their helmets and oxygen masks and walk to their aircraft, a Sukhoi Su-30MKM multi-role fighter.

It is a big plane, dwarfing its distant cousin, the MiG-29N Fulcrum. Fully loaded with fuel, it tips the scales at 62,000 pounds.

They climb the 17 feet to the cockpit and begin to strap in. Ground crew help them with the harnesses that had them in their ejection seats and plug the hoses and communications leads to the aircraft's oxygen system and radio. Mantan then initiates the start-up sequence.

Satisfied that everything is working, he returns the crew chief's salute and begins to taxi to the end of Runway 21.

At 10am, Mantan pushes forward the twin throttles and the Sukhoi thunders down the runway.

After a run of 1,600 feet, he pulls back on the stick, tucks in the landing gear and reefs into a tight left climbing turn. Pitching the nose up, he grabs the sky like a scalded cat.

At the apex of his climb, he aims for the runway's centreline and pushes the stick forward. He levels off and holds it steady at 300 feet, accelerating to 400 knots.

What follows next is eight minutes of high energy workout as Mantan and Fab push the aircraft hard, demonstrating its phenomenal agility.


By the time they land, they are drenched in sweat. Their CO, Col Suri Mohd Daud, callsign Byte, smiles and nods in approval.

The Boss is happy and that's all that counts.

guyfawke

Heavy rain dampens afternoon events

2009/12/02

LANGKAWI: As expected, the morning's soft launch began with a bang as aircraft screamed over the skies of Langkawi and wowed the crowds.

But as the weather turned, and a slight rain began to pour, the latter half of the day was just a little dampened.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi began the day by cutting a ribbon and then watched as the Royal Malaysian Air Force's MiG-29N Fulcrums and Sukhoi SU-30MKM Flanker flashed through the air performing stunts and aerobatics.

Also taking to the air were the Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon and Apache Longbow attack helicopter, a Royal Australian Air Force F-111 Aardvark and a low-level fly-past by a United States Air Force's B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber.

The skies in the afternoon, however, darkened, causing the cancellation of a flight by Sapura's unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone was supposed to have recorded the international fleet review at 5pm.

The vehicle, Cyber Eye (MALE -- Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV), was to have taken off from Langkawi International Airport in Padang Matsirat.

Heavy rain in the afternoon and evening also forced organisers to cancel the afternoon segment of the air display.

Also cancelled was a media tour of the country's first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman.

guyfawke

Sealegs prove mettle

2009/12/02

LANGKAWI: Trooper Azizul Mohd Arif stood out from the other members of his commando unit as they sailed into Porto Malai yesterday.

At 25, he is by far the youngest of the 12-member Sealegs unit that sailed an amphibious Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) on a record-setting voyage into Langkawi.

Azizul considered himself lucky to be the "baby" among the veterans who piloted the craft on its 1,620km voyage from Pengkalan Kubu in Kelantan.

"They taught me a lot about sailing and being at sea," said the soldier, who enlisted in the army seven years ago.

"It's not surprising as they are vastly experienced veterans with years of service under their belts."

Just as impressive as the men was the boat itself, invented by a Malaysian-born New Zealander, David McKee Wright.

"This boat is special. We had no engine problems, despite the length of our voyage."

This, Azizul said, was despite the stormy weather along the East Coast.

The journey lasted 31 hours and 57 minutes, with stops for food and fuel at four checkpoints en route.

The voyage will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest trip by a boat of its kind.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was equally impressed with the boat when the team took him for a short ride after arriving at the Porto Malai jetty.

"It's manoeuvring is very impressive and it can reach a speed of up to 50 knots."

He said the ministry would assess the boat's performance and make its recommendation to him.

"I'll then need to talk to the Finance Ministry about procuring the vessel."

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Aerial ‘stars’ wow Lima crowd

LANGKAWI: The global economic slowdown failed to dampen the spirit of participants at the Langkawi Internatio-nal Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2009.

The event, which officially began yesterday, kicked off with a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before more than 500 guests followed by an aerial display at the Langkawi International Airport.

Among the aerobatics display that wowed the crowd were the flight by three RMAF MiG-29 fighter jets and the force’s latest acquisition, the Sukhoi SU-30MKM.

Not to be outdone in the airshow were the Apache AH-64D Longbow and the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon planes from the Singapore air force, the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-111 swing-wing fighter and the massive B-52 Stratofortress from the United States Air Force.

Crowds “oohed” and “ahhed” when the B-52 flew low over the airfield, releasing flares from its undercarriage.

Foreign firms showed up in full force with their booths stocked with models of their most modern aircraft, weaponry and ships.

Equally stunning with their display models were local companies like Airod, Malaysia Airlines, Sapura, Boustead Naval Shipyard and Composites Techno-logy Research Malaysia Bhd.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had been instrumental in creating Lima, visited the exhibition.

Later, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the ministry would evaluate the world record feat by a group of army commandos on the “Amphibious Sealegs” on a four-day journey from Kelantan before forwarding a proposal to the Finance Ministry.

Welcoming the 12-member group here, Dr Ahmad Zahid declared that the vehicle was suitable for both military use and rescue missions during floods.

Malaysia will be the first nation in the world to own the Sealegs if its purchase receives the green light from the Government.

Group leader Capt Zulkifli Hussain said the vehicle — which consumed 3,000 litres of fuel during the journey with speed of up to 40 knots — was easy to handle, its buoyancy helping the team to ride out the rough seas.

Meanwhile, defence and aerospace company BAE Systems announced that it had secured the sale of a unit of its regional jetliner to Indonesian airline PT Aviastar Mandiri.