AMRAAMs here we come.......finally......
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JDW 2 July 2003
Singapore, Thailand prepare to receive air-toair missiles
Singapore and Tailand are expected within a few months to take in-country delivery of Raytheon AIM-120C Advanced Medium Ranage Air to Air Missles (AMRAAMs), purchased by some time ago but stored in Guam under a US restriction tied to the sale.
Singapore bought 100 AMRAAMs under a package deal worth $85 million, which also included two captive air-training missiles and 60 LAU-129A/A missile lauchers. Thailand's acquisition involved an initial eight AMRAAMs under a package worth $6.1 million.
Concerned over introducing beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles to the region, Washington insisted that the weapons remain in storage on US teritory until required.
Singapore and Thailand accepted the condition; however, Malaysia, which has been offered the same deal, refused. South Korea and Taiwan also bought the AMRAAM; the former sale involved 147 missiles and the latter 200.
The US appears to have eased its restriction on BVR missile deliveries as the technology become more widespread- including via Russia sales to China and Vietnam, along with unsuccessful efforts by Myanmar to btain missiles from Ukraine.
Also, Taiwan was already operating the MBDA MICA meduim range AAM, obtained from France, and th indegenously produced Tien Chien II (Sky Sword II) meduim range AAM.
At the same time, Raytheon lobbied strongly to sell and deliver the AMRAAM system more widely in the Asia-Pacific region.
The breakthrough with Singapore and Thailand occurred with an agreement, quietlyconcluded in May, to realease the missiles. Deliveries will take place once some technical issues have been resolved, including transport arrangement s and devlopment of suitable local storage facilities.
According to one source, the AMRAAMs should be in Singapor eand Thailand around September and October. -
Great news! Thanks for posting! 60 LAU-129s, that would mean enough to equip 30 Vipers.
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I know its a bit wishful thinking, but hope to see em mounted on the vipers in the forthcoming open house....
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u are not the only 1.......Originally posted by warspite:I know its a bit wishful thinking, but hope to see em mounted on the vipers in the forthcoming open house....
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Hey Vipers, more than 30 RSAF Vipers can concurrently carry AIM-120Cs I think, the launcher for Sparrow can also launch Amraams.Originally posted by Viper52:Great news! Thanks for posting! 60 LAU-129s, that would mean enough to equip 30 Vipers.
I also wonder why RSAF doesn't equip every single Viper with a pair of LAU-129 instead, some probably can also configure to carry an addition pair in the under wing pylon for CAP, Air-superiority and Air Supremacy roles.
Lastly, an chance for any of the Tigers to be armed with Amraams? -
I read from pioneer saying that the new Tigers that ST modified can hold AMRAAMs..correct me if I'm wrong....Originally posted by Joe Black:Lastly, an chance for any of the Tigers to be armed with Amraams? -
U are not wrong....Originally posted by Silenthunter:I read from pioneer saying that the new Tigers that ST modified can hold AMRAAMs..correct me if I'm wrong.... -
yAY!!! that makes sth like 70+ amraam carriers when its all done. more amraam planes than the entire RMAF... who apparently dont even have R77. do they?
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why do you think we're getting the Aim-120's?Originally posted by wd1:yAY!!! that makes sth like 70+ amraam carriers when its all done. more amraam planes than the entire RMAF... who apparently dont even have R77. do they?
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have there been any proof that RMAF had indeed recieved their R77?
i mean... being a big showoff that they are... they would not have kept it under wraps if they have the R77..
though partial wishful thinking on my part... what if their MIG dont have R77?
and which version of AMRAAM are we getting?? the old 50km range or the newer version with classified (read extended) range? -
Ha!!! Eat AMRAAM all ye enemies of Singapore!!!
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tink all they did was let us bring our 100 amraams home. that means the old ones we ordered years ago, AIM120As i tink. perhaps we culd order more C models... the extended range version (ERAAM i tink its called, extended range AAM) wont be out for some years yet
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oh sorrie i din read properly... so yup cool we haf AIM120C!! but as i said i tink the extended-range wont be out for some time
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most probably b AMRAAM-C2 or -C3 ver.....
latest ver -C5 ...dun think sooo.......
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Actually, do anyone know what is the role of our F16s. Are they are air-superiority/interception or are there dedicated "mud-movers". The F16Ds with the spine are obviously for SAM suppression and therefore there is no need for them to be armed with AMRAAM. Sidewinders is enough for self-defence capability. Maybe that is why only 70 Launchers instead of one pair for every single Viper.
The "new" 143 SQN used to be a A4 squadron, does that mean that the F16s in the squadron are "designated" as ground attack and not for Air-to-Air. Are all our F16 Squadrons suppose to be multi-role???
In the past very simple, Hunters and F5s are Air superiority and A4s are ground attack. The F16s are really multi-role aircraft and are all painted with Air superority grey, but are there any aircraft/Squadrons that are dedicated ground attack aircraft? Are our F5s use as ground attack aircraft?? Does the new upgrade improve their ground attack capability?
Below is the Orbat which I had extracted from public domain, please correct me if I am wrong.
140 F16 Air Superiority
141 F5/RF5 Air Superiority/Recon
143 F16 Air Superiority
144 F5 Air Air Superiority
145 A4 Ground Attack
149 F5 Air Superiority
150 A4 Advanced Jet Training - France
++* Two US-based Squadrons. -
You missing out 142 Squadron for the A-4SU.Originally posted by spencer99:Actually, do anyone know what is the role of our F16s. Are they are air-superiority/interception or are there dedicated "mud-movers". The F16Ds with the spine are obviously for SAM suppression and therefore there is no need for them to be armed with AMRAAM. Sidewinders is enough for self-defence capability. Maybe that is why only 70 Launchers instead of one pair for every single Viper.
Below is the Orbat which I had extracted from public domain, please correct me if I am wrong.
140 F16 Air Superiority
141 F5/RF5 Air Superiority/Recon
143 F16 Air Superiority
144 F5 Air Air Superiority
145 A4 Ground Attack
149 F5 Air Superiority
150 A4 Advanced Jet Training - France
++* Two US-based Squadrons.
F-16 is currently doing multi-role with "" primarily responsible for Air Defence, Fighter Sweep and Escort and Counter Air Operations/Strategic Interdiction/Maritime Air Operations. ""
IMHO once the NG jets come into service , the F-16 should be focusing on the attack role with the new aircraft foucsing on the Air Superiority role -
I think 142 SQN used to the the A4 OCU and AJT role. But I thought that is replaced by the French-based jets.
I thought the 142 is disbanded???
Who can confirm how many Skyhawk Squadron do we have? -
150 sqn is the AJT sqn. 142 is front line sqn assuming they didn't change. I think I need to ask my 142 friend to find out. 145 is the one that is disbanded but is reforming with new jets soon.......I hope.Originally posted by spencer99:I think 142 SQN used to the the A4 OCU and AJT role. But I thought that is replaced by the French-based jets.
I thought the 142 is disbanded???
Who can confirm how many Skyhawk Squadron do we have?
Operational A4 sqn: 142
Training A4 sqn: 150
De-activated A4 sqns: 143 & 145.
When I go back for ICT what am I supposed to do...be a firemen?
145 all the way
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Recently they were showing a feature in Ch5 news about the NDP Super Skyhawk flypast and the pilots were all wearing 142 Sqn patches
I've also heard 145 will be the ones receiving the new jets and moving home. But not too sure if they'll disband and re-form like 143 or just do a transition... -
OK, so I mixed up between 142 and 145. So 145 is disbanded.
What "new jets". F16???
So going forward:
140 F16
141 F5
142 A4
143 F16
144 F5
145 F16 (forming)
149 F5
150 A4 - AJT
Did I miss out anything....??
So Hornet145, you are a 145 SQN NSman. What is your vocation? Pilot? -
Strange , the RSAF website state that 145 Squadron is still in front-line ops. role.Originally posted by Hornet145:145 is the one that is disbanded but is reforming with new jets soon.......I hope.
Operational A4 sqn: 142
Training A4 sqn: 150
De-activated A4 sqns: 143 & 145.
145 all the way -
If I go ICT and become fireman. It will be a massive demotion. So I'm just an airframe DCC not pilot. Yup, 145 is reforming with maybe F16s and most ex-DCCs of 145 are opting to go back to the same squadron, which is good.Originally posted by spencer99:OK, so I mixed up between 142 and 145. So 145 is disbanded.
What "new jets". F16???
So going forward:
140 F16
141 F5
142 A4
143 F16
144 F5
145 F16 (forming)
149 F5
150 A4 - AJT
Did I miss out anything....??
So Hornet145, you are a 145 SQN NSman. What is your vocation? Pilot?