Air Power Asia: April 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013

SGPV (Second Generation Patrol Vessel) - LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) for Royal Malaysian Navy - Gowind Combat Corvettes

In October 2010, Boustead Holding Berhad received LOI for 6 SGPV (Second Generation Patrol Vessel). Competitors for new Royal Malaysian Navy SGPV is SIGMA ships from Damen firm (Dutch) & MEKO 100 OPV from TKMS Germany & Gowind LCS from DCNS France.

Gowind LCS from DCNS finally chose as the new SGPV/LCS for Royal Malaysian Navy. Gowind family of ships designed with some common system & design elements with design scales from in-shore patrol needs to heavy corvette / light frigate designs.
Gowind shaped design for stealth with single central mast which replaces several sensors masts to provide improved radar cross-section signature & 360-degree view for radars & other sensors.
Propulsion system was based on Combine Diesel & Diesel (CODAD) without exhaust chimney to emit infra-red plumes by channelling exhaust into the water jets system.
Water jets system create better maneauverability in shallow waters & continue to high-speed performance.

Royal Malaysian Navy Gowind design is Gowind Combat Corvettes / Light Frigates.

Royal Malaysia Navy Gowind design has become combat frigates / full frigate which grown to 3,000 tonne weights. Gowind LCS will be built entirely in Malaysia.
DCNS will act as design authority where the basic design work done in France.
It will be fit with TMX/EO Mk2 Fire control radars with compact topside X-band / Ku-band radar. Also expected to be fit is TMEO Mk2 long-range electro-optical surveillance system with scalable electro-optical sensor fit (including IR camera, TV camera & laser range-finder) and able to track steeply attacking target even in rough seas using 3rd axis approach to rotation.

Specification:

Length - 111m
Breadth - 16m
Full load displacement - about 2,750 tones
Maximum speed - 28 knots
Crew - 106
Range - 5,000nm
Endurance - 21 days
Full helicopter hangar - Super Lynx 300 Naval Helicopter / EC AS350 / Fennec / EC 725

Key Sensors

SETIS Combat Management - Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D multi-beam radar
Rheinmetall TMEO Mk2 - TMX/EO radar / electro-optical tracking & fire control system
Thales Captas family for hull sonar & ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) suite with towed array sonar

Notes: SETIS Combat Management System consists of anti-surface, anti submarines warfare & can perform intelligence gathering, land attack & special operations.

Weapon Array

12 vertical launch cells, mounted behind the main gun is DCNS Sylver Cells family most likely.

BAE 57mm Mk3 Naval Gun with stealth cuppola
MBDA VL-MICA air defense missiles & their ACL container in Sylver cells
8 of MBDA MM40 Exocet Block III anti-ship missiles mounted topside
2 of MSI remotely operated 30mm guns on top of the heli hangar

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

AV-8 (8 x 8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles) - Malaysian Army

AV-8 is 8x8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles / Armoured Personnel Carrier that was choose for Malaysian Army. In 2011, a contract for 257 units of AV-8 was awarded to DRB-Hicom Deftech by the government of Malaysia. FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS (Turkey) was the main contractor to assist Deftech in design, development & manufacture Deftech AV-8 for Malaysian Army.

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS is a joint venture between BAE System Inc. (UK) & Nurol Holding (Turkey).

AV-8 (8x8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles) Configuration

AV-8 & its 12 variant is Malaysia first indigenous family of 8x8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles after the transfer of advanced defence technologies and pattern to Deftech. Deftech will own it first Intelectual Property (IP) rights on AV-8 systems & sub-systems.

12 variants of AV-8 was planned on based vehicles like armoured personnel carrier, anti-tank weapon carrier, command & control and anti-aircraft weapon vehicles for the period of 7 years.

AV-8 will be equipped with 2-manned turret developed & produced by Denel South Africa. Sapura Thales electronics Sdn Bhd was responsible for electronics system integrator.

AV-8 was based on PARS 8x8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles of Turkey Variants.

PARS 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicles, Turkey Variant

PARS 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles is a new generation amphibious armoured combat vehicle. PARS 8x8 was designed & manufactured by FNSS Savunma Sistemleri (FNSS) of Turkey for Turkish Armed Forces & international markets.

PARS 8x8 designed was emphasis on area of mobility, protection, payload & growth potential. It also employ latest design & technology from commercial auto industries to suit with military operational requirements for performance & durability.
PARS design was based on design made by Michigan based General Purpose Vehicle Company.

PARS AWV FAMILY

PARS Armoured Wheeled Vehicle was based on system of 6x6, 8x8 & 10x10 vehicles with significant commonality sub-system for each vehicles to reduce logistic & lifecycle costs.
There is 2 different configuration of PARS, PARS 6x6 & PARS 8x8. PARS AWV was easily transported using Hercules C-130 Hercules (PARS 6x6), A400M, C-17 Globemater III & C5 Galaxy.

PARS AWV accomodate 2 crew members (driver & commander) seated in front section of cockpit which control the vehicle and 8 to 11 person for 6x6 & 13-16 for 8x8.
Mobile Amphibious Assault Bridge (MAAB) configuration set to enter service with Turkish Army in 2012.
Maximium speed for PARS AWV is120km/hr.

PARS AWV USERS

In early 2007,Turkish Land Force ordered 52 units PARS AWV MAAB configuration. MAAB (Mobile Amphibious Assault Bridge) configuration was based on PARS 8x8 & suspension elements of PARS are used. Another 1,000 PARS AWV was ordered for Turkish Army.
Malaysian Army ordered 257 indigenous AV-8 (derivative version of PARS AWV 8x8 with modification to suit with Malaysia Army) that manufactured by DRB-Hicom Deftech, under license from FNSS Savunma Sistemleri of Turkey.

PARS 8x8 AWV Design

PARS 8x8 Armour Wheel Vehicle has hull consisting of steel armour. Driver & commando seated in cockpit at the front side of vehicle with single-piece roof hatch for each. The cockpit was fitted with flat-panel displays.
Troops seated on an individual seats down each side facing inwards & large ramp at rear section for troops entry & exit.
It's modular design incorporates external turret / weapon stations depend on user requirement. It can be fitted with 1 or 2 man turret / remotely operated weapon station.
Removable roofing will allow rapidly configuration for different operational roles.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

LIMA 2013 Langkawi: Photos for Aerospace

Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) 2013 was held from March 26 - March 30 2013. For exhibition products, Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre was the location of exhibition. For airshow, Langkawi International Airport was the venue. Star Cruise terminal at Porto Malai was the venue for maritime display.

Below is the photos for aerospace & maritime exhibition during LIMA 2013: