DSTO : Decision on Fighter jets for RASF soon

last SG · 2003-03-28T20:07:42+00:00

If mindef will to aqquire the F-16C/D Bk 60 , i have nth to say but , pure stupid. No one with military knowlegde will ever support the fact that an Airforc...

trainner SG

can you give me the link to the philipine forum?

duotiga83 SG

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.

I guess most probably we be selling the A/Bs Vipers or as the Black Knight team demostrator.

SgSniper3000 SG

But this plane liao! Look very nice....I see I want to ride like that. Mr. Green

eurofighter SG

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.

buzz SG

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.

SCAR SG

That's an interesting thought...

It could be quite a turning point for the local defense industry if they manage to carry it off....

foxtrout8 SG

Y would Singapore wanna invest so much money onto jus upgrading 6 to 10 aircraft???

buzz SG

Y would Singapore wanna invest so much money onto jus upgrading 6 to 10 aircraft???

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.

duotiga83 SG

so u r saying that we (rsaf) use the F-16A/B as a test a/cs for future tech testbed?

foga SG

is getting second hand f-16s then sending them for upgrade my ST a feasible option?

duotiga83 SG

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/Bs

foxtrout8 SG

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.

foga SG

then sell them to phillipines or indonesia or brunei?

duotiga83 SG

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.....

duotiga83 SG

btw i last time got post regards to our F-16A/Bs fate in speaker's corner...u can look here.

cheers Cool

Fate of RSAF F-16A/Bs

buzz SG

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.

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.......

duotiga83 SG

how bout using F-16A/Bs as weapons integration and firing testing also? that would be great too Wink

Moonstriker SG

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) Wink

Moonstriker SG

*grin* can i have the ejection seat pls MINDEF~? =X

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