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Greater anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
That is what the integration of the
Formidable-Class stealth frigate and Sikorsky S-70 naval helicopter
will bring to the 3rd
Generation Republic of Singapore Navy
(RSN).
In order to better hone and develop these anti-submarine and
anti-surface warfare capabilities resulting from the integration,
Republic of Singapore Air
Force (RSAF) pilots and air crew as well as RSN
Tactical Co-ordination Officers (TACCOS) and Sensor Operators
(SENSOS) commenced training at the Peace Triton
training detachment located at the Naval Air Station North Island
in November 2009.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean,
who witnessed an anti-submarine exercise on board RSS Stalwart on
14 Mar, said that the integration was a major leap forward in the
capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
"The capability that the frigate and helicopter integration has
for the SAF is that it enables the ship and helicopter platform to
dominate a much greater area of sea and air space both above and
below the surface," said Mr Teo during a doorstop interview after
viewing the exercise to validate the interoperability between the
naval helicopter and frigate.
The anti-submarine exercise involving two RSN naval helicopters
and RSS Stalwart was part of a larger United
States Navy (USN)-led exercise held from 8 to
15 Mar in the
Pacific Ocean, just off the waters near San
Clemente Island.
Commander of 1st Flotilla Colonel (COL) Wellman Wan also said
that with the integration, a significant milestone for the 3rd
Generation RSN was achieved since the naval helicopters have the
potential to deliver more effective air and sea power to help
enhance maritime security.
"This will be a new capability for the SAF and will greatly
boost the war-fighting capabilities of our Navy, enabling us to
have a more decisive advantage at sea," said COL Wan.
The naval helicopter can travel up to a speed of 140
knots and is capable of covering the same distance five times
faster than that of the frigate. As such, its speed enables it to
extend the frigate's capabilities, ultimately providing the latter
with the ability to conduct faster and further surveillance.
"The mobility and speed by which the naval helicopter can be
sent out to scan and verify enemy threats provides us with a
greater tactical advantage and fidelity. For example, the frigate
can deploy its naval helicopter to verify an enemy threat
identified by a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)," explained COL Wan,
citing an example of how the naval helicopter could provide the
frigates with greater operational flexibility.
"With the naval helicopter on the job, the MPA is thus free to
scan the other surrounding areas for possible threats."
Weighing 9,600 kilograms and equipped with missile torpedoes to
take out enemy submarines, the naval helicopter, when integrated
with the frigate, is truly a force to be reckoned with.
In order to ensure the successful integration between the
frigate and the naval helicopters, RSN and RSAF servicemen had to
undergo vigorous training at Peace Triton alongside their USN
counterparts to master the skills needed for the integration.
The naval helicopter requires a four-man team to operate it and
consists of two RSAF pilots and a RSN SENSO and TACCO. The make-up
of the team ensures that the knowledge and skills of the air force
and navy will be effectively harnessed to better operate this new
capability.
However, working together and making the transition from sea to
air was not a walk
in the park. Master Sergeant (MSG) Joseph Ng
who has been in the navy for ten years and is now a SENSO on board
the naval helicopter, said that he experienced his fair share of
challenges while trying to adapt to his new role.
"Initially, I was bothered by the vibration and noise that the
naval helicopter emitted while performing manoeuvres at high speed.
This experience was immensely different from the stability and
relative quiet which ships offer," he said.
"The environment was challenging and coupled with the fact that
these capabilities offered by the integration was a first, the
learning curve to master this new system was pretty steep."
Even former Super Puma Pilot Major (MAJ) Goh Ker Jia found the
move to fly the naval helicopter challenging.
"The Super Puma is primarily a troop carrier. As such, my main
concern was to insert land forces safely. When landing, I would
have to watch out for trees, hills and the possibility of getting
my wheels stuck in the mud. However, landing the naval helicopter
on the frigate is a different affair altogether," said MAJ Goh.
Although the naval helicopter landed on the helipad, which was
relatively flat and smooth, this came with its own set of
challenges.
"Even if we aimed for dead centre on the helipad, it would still
drift when the ship moves. The flight deck could also be heaving
and rolling, making it even more difficult to land," MAJ Goh
added.
The integration would not be possible without the coordination
and communication link between the frigate and the naval
helicopter. For this end, the Combat Information Centre (CIC) on
board the frigate ensures that both ship and naval helicopter are
on the same page during missions.
"The CIC is important to the integration process because we
relay information on the ground to the crew in the naval
helicopters, who may not have an accurate maritime picture. We are
also in charge of recommending possible tactics an aircraft could
deploy in missions," said Communications and Electronics Officer
Captain (CPT) Sean Ler.
The successful integration between the naval helicopter and the
frigates can be attributed to the dedication and professionalism of
the SAF personnel. This was something that did not go unnoticed by
the USN trainers who worked with the RSN and RSAF personnel during
their integration training.
"The Singapore Navy does not have an air wing so it has roped in
the Air Force to fly the naval helicopter. What astounds me is the
speed and professionalism by which the navy and air force personnel
mastered this new operation system for the integration," said
Commander Third Fleet Admiral Richard Hunt.
"The SAF was also able to maximise the potential of a small crew
which is something the US is just starting to experiment with," he
added.
In total, the RSN has acquired six naval helicopters to
complement its six frigates. Having taken delivery of three, the
naval helicopters will be back in Singapore by the end of this
year