DSTO : Decision on Fighter jets for RASF soon
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can you give me the link to the philipine forum?Originally posted by bcoy:I'm very sure if this were to happen, the Fillipinos lurking around in this forum will be very happy. They sometimes read what we post here, and discuss it on their on forum. But it will have to be on "friendly prices". -
i read from AFM last yr March issue , the chief of rsaf says the Falcon ONE is just a demostrator for the viper A/B in regards to Man-machine interface, so most probably we would not upgrade the A/Bs Viper as we had most of the C/D variants to replace the A-4SU for now in the strike role.Originally posted by Joe Black:People, we tend to focus very much on the next fighter aircraft purchases. However, what about our current fleet of Vipers? The oldest one the A/Bs are coming close to 15 years. What is RSAF going to do with them? I often wonder why not to upgrade them to the MLU/Block 50 standard so that we can better service them? The oldest of the C/D Vipers will also be nearly a decade old in another 2 years time. Should we also look at giving them a minor upgrade, eg. radar to the same APG-68V(5), color LCD displays plus any other upgrades that are found in the latest batch of Vipers RSAF is receiving.
As for the next fighter purchase, my point of view still stands at that we should buy a non-US made aircraft given Singapore is most likely to commit to a JSF purchase. Singapore needs to leverage our unique position (especially at this time) to get the "best" ***operational*** fighter with a good weapon package to boot. That means Rafale currently presents the best option IMO. Otherwise, we may as well settle for Super bugs or F-15T and integrate them with Standoff weapons from Israel. We could also demand JDAMs and Slammer along with the packages.
I guess most probably we be selling the A/Bs Vipers or as the Black Knight team demostrator. -
But this plane liao! Look very nice....I see I want to ride like that.
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In fact, Mindef has also developed its own upgrade of the F-16A/B which they call F-16TD(or something like that). According to MINDEF, it is just only a technology demonstrator for the man-machine interface thingy. One such upgrade was appiled to a RSAF F-16A and was displayed at Asian Aerospace 2002.
This leaves only 5 F-16A/B(one crashed and one upgraded). RSAF should either relegate these F-16A/B to acrobatic duties or use them in aggessor training. In addition, they can also give one F-16 to ST aero to build a Falon One prototype.
I think RSAF has upgraded its older F-16C/D to colour MFD configuration as according to an Australian magazine, RSAF has purchased colour MFDs from Honeywell. -
As Vipers are here to stay for a long time in RSAF.......
Instead of buying whole different aircrafts with associated weapons systems.....lock stock and barrel.......
Mindef should investigate buying IP for F16/XL or the rights to a modified F16 like the Japanese thingie with sub systems on board that matches exactly their requirements.
So the F16A/B will probably be used as test platforms for this program.
This IMHO is the next step up the techno ladder for Singapore's defence industry. -
That's an interesting thought...
It could be quite a turning point for the local defense industry if they manage to carry it off.... -
Y would Singapore wanna invest so much money onto jus upgrading 6 to 10 aircraft???Originally posted by buzz:As Vipers are here to stay for a long time in RSAF.......
Instead of buying whole different aircrafts with associated weapons systems.....lock stock and barrel.......
Mindef should investigate buying IP for F16/XL or the rights to a modified F16 like the Japanese thingie with sub systems on board that matches exactly their requirements.
So the F16A/B will probably be used as test platforms for this program.
This IMHO is the next step up the techno ladder for Singapore's defence industry. -
I'm not suggesting upgrading the 7 F16A/Bs but rather using them to test new wing plan forms or even airfoils to be incorporated into existing fleet of F16 C/Ds or additional rebuilt airframes from the AMARC.
Y would Singapore wanna invest so much money onto jus upgrading 6 to 10 aircraft???
In this way Mindef will get the long reach they are looking mainly in the new tender without the conformal fuel tanks, or the IMO mistake of a whole new fleet. -
so u r saying that we (rsaf) use the F-16A/B as a test a/cs for future tech testbed?Originally posted by buzz:I'm not suggesting upgrading the 7 F16A/Bs but rather using them to test new wing plan forms or even airfoils to be incorporated into existing fleet of F16 C/Ds or additional rebuilt airframes from the AMARC.
In this way Mindef will get the long reach they are looking mainly in the new tender without the conformal fuel tanks, or the IMO mistake of a whole new fleet. -
is getting second hand f-16s then sending them for upgrade my ST a feasible option?
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i dun think we need anymore 2nd hand A/Bs F-16 for now......upgrade wise i think is not feasible for our small fleet of A/BsOriginally posted by foga:is getting second hand f-16s then sending them for upgrade my ST a feasible option? -
Good idea.Originally posted by buzz:I'm not suggesting upgrading the 7 F16A/Bs but rather using them to test new wing plan forms or even airfoils to be incorporated into existing fleet of F16 C/Ds or additional rebuilt airframes from the AMARC.
In this way Mindef will get the long reach they are looking mainly in the new tender without the conformal fuel tanks, or the IMO mistake of a whole new fleet.
But i dun find it wise when Singapore dun have the expertise and US have been doing tonnes of innovative changes and projects on their F-16s , y not jus invest in their project which meet our interest and learn from them at the same time. -
then sell them to phillipines or indonesia or brunei?Originally posted by foga:is getting second hand f-16s then sending them for upgrade my ST a feasible option? -
even if we wn to sell our planes, they muz c their govt policy or budget etc etc.....we r always alvailable...is onli them that is keep dragging.....Originally posted by foga:then sell them to phillipines or indonesia or brunei? -
btw i last time got post regards to our F-16A/Bs fate in speaker's corner...u can look here.
cheers
Fate of RSAF F-16A/Bs -
Agree. Investing in their projects and learning is a cost effective approach. I don't think our air defense needs are so perculiar that we cannot find an airframe to match.
Good idea.
But i dun find it wise when Singapore dun have the expertise and US have been doing tonnes of innovative changes and projects on their F-16s , y not jus invest in their project which meet our interest and learn from them at the same time.
However developing and putting black boxes into airframes Singapore can do and have done for ages......
Would be interesting to see one day a Singapore developed aerodynamic feature on our Vipers one day.
One idea - finless Vipers?!!! That might stretch the range a little and improve the steathly part if you can hide the intake....... -
how bout using F-16A/Bs as weapons integration and firing testing also? that would be great too
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hmm.. i wonder if they scrap the planes then will they sell off some stuff from the cockpit.. i wan the ejectionseat for moi computer chair... just the right height and comfort level (inclined)
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*grin* can i have the ejection seat pls MINDEF~? =XOriginally posted by Joe Black:People, we tend to focus very much on the next fighter aircraft purchases. However, what about our current fleet of Vipers? The oldest one the A/Bs are coming close to 15 years. What is RSAF going to do with them? I often wonder why not to upgrade them to the MLU/Block 50 standard so that we can better service them? The oldest of the C/D Vipers will also be nearly a decade old in another 2 years time. Should we also look at giving them a minor upgrade, eg. radar to the same APG-68V(5), color LCD displays plus any other upgrades that are found in the latest batch of Vipers RSAF is receiving.