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Sabtu, 25 Februari 2012

Apache AH1 ( Heli )

2/25/2012 04:28:00 PM  Moch Fikri Hidayat  No comments

Agusta Westland Apache


Apache AH1
Attack helicopter hovering
Westland Apache AH Mk 1 at Kemble Airport, Gloucestershire in 2008
Role Attack helicopter
National origin United States / United Kingdom
Manufacturer Westland (under licence)
Introduction 2004
Status Active service
Primary user Army Air Corps
Produced 1998–2004[1]
Number built 67
Program cost £4.1 billion[2]
Unit cost £35 million[3]
Developed from Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow
The AgustaWestland Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army's Army Air Corps. The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland Helicopters (now part of AgustaWestland) at Yeovil, Somerset in England from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce engines, a new electronic defensive aids suite and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The helicopter was named "WAH-64" by Westland Helicopters. It is designated Apache AH Mk 1 (or shortened to Apache AH1) by the Ministry of Defence.
The Apache has become a valued form of close air support in the continuing conflict in Afghanistan, being deployed to the region since 2006. The Apache has been an object of controversy over the fitting of some munitions, such as cluster bombs and thermobaric weapons. Naval trials and temporary deployments at sea have proven the aircraft as an able platform to operate from the decks of ships, a capability so far unique amongst Apache operators. British Apaches served in the NATO 2011 military intervention in Libya operating fron royal navy ship.. :D :D :D

Development

The requirement for a new attack helicopter was identified by the British government in the early 1990s. In 1993, invitations to bid were issued. Bids received included the Eurocopter Tiger, a modernised Bell AH-1 SuperCobra, the Boeing AH-64 Apache, the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche, and the Agusta A129 Mangusta.[4] Both the Tiger and Cobra variant were derided for requiring development, and thus risk, while the Apache was combat proven, however its performance in the First Gulf War was criticised by competitors.[4] Westland and the Apache was selected in July 1995, a contract for 67 helicopters was signed in 1996.[1][5] The first prototype WAH-64 Apache was produced by Westland, under licence from Boeing, in September 1998.[6] The first nine Apache AH Mk1 helicopters were authorised for service by the director of British Army Aviation on 16 January 2001.[6] The 67th and final Apache was handed over to the British Army in July 2004.[7] The cost of the helicopter fleet was around £3.1 billion, with a total acquisition cost of £4.1 billion.[2] Reliability had become questioned by US Apache operations, the entire fleet in the Balkans had been grounded due to serious failures with the tail rotor.[8][9] In 1998, the development of the Longbow radar had ran into problems regarding its weight, impact upon overall agility, and the ability to transfer data was non-functional.[10] These problems with important parts of the aircraft, and the high cost for the fleet, led to calls for its cancellation in 1999.[11]
"I have no doubt whatsoever that the Attack Helicopter will represent the biggest single enhancement to the Army's capability for many years. It will change the way we go to battle. Now we have taken the decision to buy the Apache, the Army must ensure that doctrine is developed to allow us to make the fullest possible use of its tremendous capability."
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Charles Guthrie, 1996.[12]
When the requirement for the Apache had been formalised in the early 1990s, military doctrine assumed that a large conventional armoured assault from the Eastern Bloc was Britain's main threat. Following the collapse and break-up of the Soviet Union, the concepts of flexibility and rapid response took precedence.[12] The UK's Strategic Defence Review called for Apaches to undertake amphibious attack missions, operating from the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the Invincible class aircraft carriers and their successors, the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, and possibly the amphibious assault vessels HMS Bulwark and Albion.[13] Each squadron equipped with the Apache should have eight operational aircraft.[14]
The WAH-64 experienced delays in entering service due to complications with the modifications made for British service.[15] Prior entering service in 2004, several development problems were noted, including a lack of the ability to securely communicate with other helicopters and a risk of damage to the tail rotor and airframe from firing its Hellfire missiles.[16][17] The problem with using the Hellfire was debris generated by the firing of missiles, both the Hellfire and CRV7 rockets, could strike the body of the aircraft and cause damage; resolving this issue created a delay to training programs.[2] These problems were corrected prior to entering service, a secure communications suite was installed and Hellfire missiles are routinely fired by WAH-64s.[18][19] In 2002, government sources stated that full operational capability was set to be achieved by 2010.[20] In 2005, an out-of-service date for the Apache was forecast at 2030, however the service life could be extended by decades if a major life-extension upgrade is performed.[21]

Design



Several deviations were made to the standard Apache design used by the US and those exported to other countries. One major difference is the use of a pair of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 01/12 engines, replacing the original General Electric T700-GE-701C engines.[22] The Rolls-Royce engine produces 1,565 kW (2,100 hp) vs 1,410 kW (1,890 hp) for the GE T700C engine.[18] Unlike many helicopters used by coalition forces in Afghanistan, the Apache required less modification to serve in the region due to special filters incorporated into the design.[23] Another change is the folding blade mechanism to stow the helicopters in confined spaces;[24] the rotor blades also have anti-ice protection to allow operations in Arctic environments.

Apache in flight at Biggin Hill, 2008
There were changes made to the sensor and avionics outfitting the craft as well; connectivity with the BOWMAN secure communications system to interact with other British military units being a significant one.[25] The SELEX (formerly BAE Systems Avionics) Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS) was also fitted.[26] The HIDAS system was retrofitted onto the aircraft in mid-2004 just prior to entering service, along with several redesigned composite bodywork components.[27] An eye-safe training laser to allow the Apache to function as a target designator was also installed.[28]
Instead of the American Hydra 70 rocket pods, the Westland Apache can carry up to 76 CRV7 rockets.[18][19] The CRV7 is a controversial weapon as it has been classified as a cluster bomb; it is alleged that a single Apache could deliver as many as 684 bomblets in one attack. In May 2008, several senior officers, such as General David Ramsbotham spoke out against British plans to keep the weapon.[29][30] In the same month, Britain, as one of the 111 participating nations, agreed to ban cluster bombs on humanitarian grounds.[31]

An Apache at RIAT, RAF Fairford
Like the US AH-64D Apache Longbows, the Apache AH Mk 1 carries a fire-control radar (FCR) and Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), providing an integrated surveillance and attack system.[18] The 'Longbow’ radar is the bulbous unit over the rotor hub assembly; radar placement above the rotors allows the Apache to hover behind cover scanning for targets, with only the radar unit exposed.[32] Additionally, the Longbow radar can monitor traffic in the Apache's airspace.[33] The radar can also be used for surveillance and terrain profiling.[34] A modem is interfaced into the Longbow radar and other sensor systems to relay information to other aircraft, this allows other Apaches to fire on targets identified by only a single helicopter.[35]
AgustaWestland have since made several upgrades to Britain's Apache fleet. In May 2005, a $212 million contract was awarded to equip all 67 Mk1 helicopters with the Apache Arrowhead sensor system upgrade, to be completed by 2010.[36][37] In 2009, it was announced that AgustaWestland was also integrating new external fuel tanks with ballistic protection.[38] Some of the internal fuel tanks can be removed, WAH-64s in Afghanistan may have these removed to allow for extra ammunition for the cannon to be fitted.[33] It has been suggested that advanced rotor blades and additional controls to improve the agility of the aircraft may be fitted in a mid-life update of the fleet.[39]

Operational history

Overview

Attack helicopter taxiing on tarmac.
A WAH-64 on the tarmac at Middle Wallop airfield, a second is in the background
In May 2005, the first Apache-equipped regiment achieved operational status.[40] The Westland Apache has replaced the Westland Lynx AH7 as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter.[41] The Apache is currently operated by two regiments of the Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC and 4 Regt AAC) as part of 16 (Air Assault) Brigade. The Apache is intended to operate in the armed reconnaissance and attack roles, similar to the US usage of Apaches during the 1991 Gulf War. Unlike US versions, the Westland Apache has been navalised and now serves aboard Royal Navy ships in addition to its land-based role.[24] It achieved maritime certification in December 2005 aboard HMS Ocean. On 17 November 2006, HMS Ark Royal became the first aircraft carrier to land an Apache AH Mk 1.[42]
In August 2006, the intense usage of Apaches in Afghanistan led to British commanders admitting that weapons and spare parts were being used at a far greater rate, and subsequently a greater cost, than anticipated.[43] On 11 November 2007, it was reported that half of the Apache gunships in British service had been grounded as they had fallen below the level considered "fit for purpose", along with several other British Helicopters such as the Chinook and Merlin HC3.[44] A year later in November 2008 the situation had declined further, out of 67 aircraft only 20 were available for combat operations.[45] In late 2009, AgustaWestland was awarded a contract to transfer support services for the Apache and many of its components such as the Longbow radar, in-house; in the following months senior officers reflected that this organisation change had resulted in higher availability.[46] In June 2011, civilian engineers maintaining the Apaches at RAF Wattisham threatened to conduct industrial action and strikes over a pay dispute.[47]
In October 2008 it was announced that Prince Harry had begun the process of qualifying to become an Apache pilot.[48] In May 2010, the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda theatened to abduct the prince if he piloted an Apache in Afghanistan.[49] In April 2011, Prince Harry was promoted to Captain following his completion of Apache conversion training.[50] In June 2011, sections of the media reported that Prince Harry is to deploy to Afghanistan as an Apache pilot in 2012.[3]

Afghanistan

The Apache's first operational tour was as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan; there were eight Apache AH1s deployed in Afghanistan in February 2007.[51] These were drawn from No. 656 Squadron and No. 664 Squadron of 9 Regiment AAC, based at RAF Dishforth.[52] Unlike their American counterparts in Afghanistan, the Apache AH Mk 1 is deployed with its Longbow Fire Control Radar to enable the pilot to better manage traffic in their airspace.[33] Initially pilots had to often fly for 16–18 hours at a time due to the low number of Apaches in the theatre;[53] typically each Apache would be stationed in Afghanistan for eight weeks before returning to Britain for roughly eight weeks of maintenance.[54] On 22 May 2006, a UK Apache operating in Afghanistan's Helmand province used a Hellfire missile to destroy an abandoned French vehicle to protect sensitive equipment.[55]
The Apache quickly became a highly valued tool against insurgents, able to escort ground and air forces and rapidly respond to Taliban forces on the ground.[56] Major Huw Williams, second in command of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, stated that: "We're really impressed [with the Apache]. It's a very effective beast."[55] It has been noted that Taliban forces refer to the aircraft as the "Mosquito". Although the Apaches have become targets for insurgents, as of November 2008 no British Apaches have been lost to enemy fire.[23][45] In September 2008, an Apache was seriously damaged by a crash shortly following takeoff in Helmand province, no loss of life occurred.[57]






On 13 January 2007, a 200-strong British force, led by Royal Marines, launched an operation to attack Jugroom Fort, a major Taliban base in southern Helmand Province.[58][59] After several hours of intense fighting, the Marines regrouped and it was discovered that Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando Royal Marines was missing. A rescue mission was launched using four volunteers, Royal Marines and a Royal Engineer, strapped to the stub-wings of two Apaches.[58] The helicopters could not travel above 50 mph to ensure the safety of the extra passengers from rotor downwash. The Apaches landed under fire inside the compound, after which the rescuers dismounted and recovered the body of LCpl Ford. Ford's body was flown out in the same manner that the soldiers arrived.[58] Other Apaches hovered above, providing suppressive fire throughout.[60] None of the rescuers were injured in the recovery mission and they were later hailed for their bravery.[61]
In May and June 2008, British and Afghan National Army forces conducted Operation Eagle's Eye, aimed at disrupting Taliban activities to the south of Musa Qaleh; a key portion of which was a major night-time helicopter raid, rapidly deploying members of 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment into the town.[62] In June 2008, a British Apache fired a thermobaric Hellfire missile; the controversial usage of such weapons was approved after extensive legal and ethical evaluations within the MOD.[63] In June 2008, a Taliban leader and several cell members were killed in Helmand Province by a Hellfire missile launched by an Apache of the 664 Army Air Corps.[64] There was a friendly fire incident in July 2008, in which an Apache fired upon a position thought to be held by enemy forces, but instead hit members of a British patrol.[65] This was the first time that a British aircraft had been involved in a blue-on-blue incident in Afghanistan.[66]
In early to mid 2009, several narcotics and bomb-making facilities were raided by British forces, supported by Apaches.[67][68] In April 2009, it was reported that an Apache had been used to intercept a suicide bombing attack in Helmand province.[69] During the Summer of 2009, British Apaches were an integral component of Operation Panther's Claw, which was aimed at pushing insurgents out of civilian areas in the runup to the 2009 Afghan Elections.[68] During this major offensive, Apaches from the UK rountinely flew alongside US Cobra helicopters to provide air support to soldiers of 3rd Battalion Black Watch and the Royal Marines conducting ground operations.[70] During the Summer 2009 operations, a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Mansur, and several accomplices were killed in a precision strike launched by an Apache.[71]
On 13 October 2010, newspapers reported that Army Air Corps maintenance workers had accidentally sent a live CRV7 missile in regular mail from Camp Bastion to the UK, a mistake which inspections had missed four times; when the missile was discovered it sparked an evacuation, the MOD later changed procedure in regards to the incident.[72] On 25 July 2011, the MOD announced that during a combat operation in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province, several Afghan children had been injured from crossfire by an Apache; they were flown to Camp Bastion for medical treatment.[73][74]

Naval operations and Libya








In May 2011, the MOD announced that the Apache fleet had reached 100,000 hours flying time, and was described a "vital battlefield tool in Afghanistan".[75] The Apache was also recognised as having established a "limited maritime strike capability" and were being deployed on vessels such as HMS Ocean.[75] On 17 May 2011, the Apache tested its Hellfire missiles against sea targets for the first time, 9 missiles were fired with a success rate of 100%.[76] Speculation in the media has suggested that the speed on trialling and establishing an Apache maritime presence is due to the withdrawal of the British Aerospace Harrier II, as a stopgap replacement.[77]
On 27 May 2011, military officials announced that Apaches would be deployed as part of Operation Ellamy, the ongoing military intervention in Libya. The helicopters operated from the flight deck of HMS Ocean in conjunction with French Eurocopter Tiger helicopters over Misrata.[78][79] The Apaches were also to assist in Operation Unified Protector, the enforcement of an embargo and no-fly zone upon Libya.[80] On 14 June 2011, reports of British preparation to evacuate Yemen emerged, involving Apache and Merlin helicopters operating from Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels off the coast.[81]
On 4 June 2011, Apaches struck targets within Libya for the first time, when both a radar site and an armed checkpoint were destroyed around the town of Brega.[82] Further precision air strikes were launched by Apaches, typical targets being mobile air defenses; occasionally the aircraft were engaged by AK-47 fire from ground troops.[83][84] In early June, Apaches conducted attacks on Gaddafi loyalists assaulting the town of Misrata.[85] On 13 June, British Apaches destroyed several inflatable boats with 30 mm cannon fire, believed to be Libyan Special Forces, before engaging and destroying multiple vehicles along the coastline, including an anti-aircraft system.[86][87] On 25 June, in coordination with RAF Panavia Tornado strikes, Apaches attacked loyalist infantry and vehicles around Brega and its airfield.[88] On 1 July, it was reported that British Apaches were involved in a 'fierce' battle around the town of Khoms.[89] On 2 July, Apaches raided a military camp near Zawiya, destroying several tanks and a bunker.[90] One reason for increased Apache activity in late June was the temporary unavailability of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, beset multiple times by rough seas which halted carrier operations.[91] On 5 August, Apache participation in the rebel push for the town of Zliten was reported.[92]
By 21 June 2011, the Libyan government had dubiously claimed to have been successful at shooting down dozens of aircraft, including five Apaches; NATO have denied these claims and no Apache losses have been acknowledged to date.[93][94] On 8 July 2011, the MOD released information on the first month of AH-1 combat operations over Libya; noting that Apaches had engaged targets within Libya on 39 occasions.[95] Apache operations over Libya have been heavily influenced and supported by NATO reconnaissance flights and intelligence missions; information is continually relayed to update target information, assess the threat of Surface to Air missiles (SAM), and the presence of civilians, enabling real time changes to mission profiles.[96] On 6 August, Apaches struck a military communications facility and troops at Al Watiyah.[97] Both the Apache and the Eurofighter Typhoon were withdrawn from Libyan operations in later September 2011 as operational demands decreased.[98]

Operators

 United Kingdom

Specifications (Apache AH1)

McDONNELL DOUGLAS AH-64 APACHE.png

Rearview of a WAH-64 preparing to takeoff, the narrow body is apparent at this angle
Data from AgustaWestland page[104] Jane's Air Forces,[105] British Army[18]
General characteristics
  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 17.7 m (58 ft 4 in with rotors turning)
  • Rotor diameter: 14.6 m (48 ft)
  • Height: 3.87 m (12 ft 8 in)
  • Disc area: 168.11 m² (1,809.5 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 5,165 kg (11,387 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 8,006 kg (17,650 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,525 kg (21,000 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft, 1,566 kW (2,100 hp) each
Performance
Armament
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Little Bird ( Heli )

2/25/2012 04:22:00 PM  Moch Fikri Hidayat  No comments

MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird
MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird
AH-6 Little Bird helicopter
Role Light observation helicopter
Manufacturer MD Helicopters
First flight 27 February 1963
Introduction 1980
Status Active service
Primary user United States Army
Developed from OH-6 Cayuse
Variants MD 500 Defender
Boeing AH-6
The MH-6 Little Bird (also known as Killer Egg), and its attack variant AH-6, are light helicopters used for special operations in the United States Army. Originally based on a modified OH-6A, it was later based on the MD 500E, with a single five-bladed main rotor. The newest version, the MH-6M, is based on the MD 530F and has a single, six-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.

Development

The A/MH-6 was started in 1960, the U.S. Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) that could perform personnel transport, escort and attack missions, casualty evacuation and observation. Twelve companies took part in the competition and Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division submitted the Model 369. Two designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board, but the Army later included the helicopter from Hughes as well.
The first Model 369 prototype flew on 27 February 1963. Originally designated the YHO-6A under the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated the YOH-6A under the Department of Defense's new joint system in 1962. Five prototypes were built, fitted with a 252 shp (188 kW) Allison T63-A-5A,[1] and delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama to compete against the other 10 prototype aircraft submitted by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. In the end, Hughes won the competition[2] and the Army awarded a contract for production in May 1965. The initial order was for 714 aircraft, but that was later increased to 1,300 with an option to buy another 114. Seventy helicopters were built in the first month.
This agile, unarmed helicopter is outfitted with outboard "benches" designed to ferry up to three commandos on each side. There is also a gunship variant, the AH-6. Painted black for nighttime operations, this small aircraft can conduct rapid insertions and extractions of special operations forces into areas its larger brother, the MH-60 Black Hawk, cannot.

Operational history
After the April 1980 failure of Operation Eagle Claw, it was determined that the US Army lacked aircraft and crews who were trained and prepared to perform special operations missions. (Marine pilots and Navy helicopters were used.) To remedy this shortcoming, the Army began developing a special aviation task force to prepare for the next attempt to rescue the hostages: Operation Credible Sport.

Task Force 160

The architects of the task force identified the need for a small helicopter that could land in the most restrictive locations and could be easily transported on Air Force airlifters. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the UH-60A and the CH-47C. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
The pilots selected to fly the OH-6A helicopters came from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion and were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the aircraft. When the training was completed, C-141 aircraft transported the aircraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. The mission training consisted of loading onto C-130 transport aircraft which would then transport them to forward staging areas over routes as long as 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km). The armed OH-6 aircraft from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.
Operation Credible Sport was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981 and, for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. However, the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit. The task force, which had been designated Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. The OH-6A helicopters used for transporting personnel became the MH-6 aircraft of the Light Assault Company and the armed OH-6As became the AH-6 aircraft of the Light Attack Company.

Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)

See also: Invasion of Grenada
The OH-6s of 160th SOAR were some of the first to see action in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury. A/MH-6 Little Birds were used during the 1983 invasion of Grenada to evacuate casualties onto Navy ship decks. The existence of the unit became widely known in the aftermath of the October 1983 invasion of Grenada, as OH-6s helicopters were seen supporting Special Operations during this operation.[citation needed]DoD and the US Army denied A/MH-6s were used in the operation despite amateur video going public showing the helicopters in action.
The OH-6s were flown in USAF C-130 transport planes, two-at-a-time, to nearby Barbados. From there they flew to Grenada.

Nicaragua

By 1983, 160th SOAR and its helicopters were heavily committed to supporting the contras, a United States-subsidized military force. Specially adapted unmarked Hughes 500Ds helicopters from CIA Seaspray unit based in Fort Eustis also took part in this task .[3]
MH-6s were based in Palmerola Air Base, Honduras, and flew missions into Nicaragua. The unit members wore civilian clothes, flew by night, and were instructed to destroy their aircraft if they were forced down.

Operation Prime Chance

On 24 July 1987, a Kuwaiti oil tanker, reflagged as the Bridgeton and escorted by U.S. Navy warships, struck a mine in the Persian Gulf. It became apparent that more than escort ships would be required to guard merchant ships. The U.S. military deployed the MH-6 and AH-6 aircraft from the 160th Aviation Battalion to provide surveillance and patrols in cooperation with other U.S. special operations units in Operation Prime Chance.
Two MH-6 and four AH-6 aircraft were initially deployed and designated as Detachment 160 Aviation Group (DET 160 AVGP). The MH-6 aircraft carried Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and a videotape system which gave them excellent ability to detect and identify targets, then direct the armed AH-6s. The AH-6 helicopters were armed with 7.62 miniguns and 2.75-inch rockets. Initially, the aircraft patrolled in teams (call sign "SEABAT") that waited for U.S. Navy SH-2s to direct them to the targets. Later, to preserve the aircraft and crews from fatigue and wear, the SEABAT teams remained on the ship's deck until a contact was identified.
At 10 pm on 21 September 1987, the captain of the USS Jarrett launched a SEABAT team (a MH-6 and two AH-6s) to check out reports of Iranian minelaying. The team found the Iran Ajr, an amphibious landing ship equipped with minelaying racks. The MH-6 confirmed that the Iran Ajr was laying mines, the AH-6s opened fire, causing the crew to abandon ship. The vessel was subsequently boarded and captured.
On the evening of 8 October 1987, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Boghammar and two Boston Whaler boats were detected by an SH-2. The SEABAT team was launched and as the MH-6 drew near to investigate, the Boghammar opened fire, the first of a series of engagements by both AH-6s and the MH-6 (recently armed with a minigun). The Boghammar launched two Stinger missiles at the helicopters, but eventually all three boats were sunk.
For the remainder of the operation, it was decided that barges set up as mobile sea bases (MSB) would facilitate the operation of the special operations forces. The Hercules and the Wimbrown VII were leased to provide these bases and the SEABAT teams began operating from the barges.
In early 1998, it was decided that modified U.S. Army OH-58D helicopters, fitted with weapons, would replace the SEABAT teams. On 24 February 1988, a team of two AHIP helicopters replaced the SEABAT team on the Wimbrown VII but it would be several months (June 1988) before the SEABAT team aboard the barge Hercules would be relieved by another AHIP detachment.[3]

Operation Just Cause (Panama)

On 17 December 1989, 9 MH-6s, 11 AH-6G/Js, 19 UH/MH-60As were flown by Air Force C-5 Galaxy airlifters to Howard AFB's Hangar 3. After dark, on 19 December, the aircraft were rolled out to prepare for Operation Just Cause.
Before the main invasion force arrived in Panama City, Panama, two MH-6s supported by two AH-6s landed at Torrijos-Tocumen Airport to insert a beacon and combat controllers. Four other AH-6s conducted pre-assault attacks on the Panamanian Defense Force (PDF) Headquarters, La Comandancia, adjoining the heavily populated El Chorrillo neighborhood in downtown Panama City. One of the AH-6s was damaged by ground fire and crashlanded in the Comandancia compound. The two pilots, pinned down by small-arms fire for two hours, eventually made their way back to friendly forces, taking a PDF soldier prisoner along the way.
Other AH-6s escorted MH-6s on a rooftop rescue operation conducted at Cárcel Modelo, a prison adjacent to La Comandancia. In Operation Acid Gambit, the aircraft approached the prison. Under fire from a nearby apartment house, the Little Birds landed on the roof, dropped off the rescue team, and lifted off. Upon their return, heavy smoke made it tough to find the roof and the helicopters took heavy fire from a cellblock about 50 to 60 feet (18 m) from the landing site. Maj. Richard Bowman, a copilot, took a round in the elbow. His pilot took over the controls and landed the aircraft. The aircraft picked up the rescue personnel and headed back toward Howard AFB. But one MH-6 lost power as it left the roof, and crashed in the street below with minor injuries to the passengers, who were helped from the crash site by U.S. infantry soldiers.
Elsewhere, four AH-6s provided fire support for the airborne assault at Rio Hato Airfield, supported by an MH-60 which operated as a Forward Arming and Refuel Point (FARP). Two nine-man teams from the 160th participated in the airborne assaults of Torrijos-Tocumen Airfield and Rio Hato Airfield, and were dropped from Air Force C-141s to set up FARPs, 12-foot (3.7 m) platforms with HE-rocket and minigun ammunition, parts and replacements for the miniguns, and fuel and refueling pumps, hoses, etc. But the FARP dropped at Rio Hato landed out of reach in a marsh, forcing the team to "wet wing" refuel from the MH-60.
The Rio Hato mission originally included nine other MH-60s and four MH-6s. Several hours prior to H-hour, these aircraft and crews were instead sent to support a raid near Colón, Panama, a key PDF stronghold where PDF leaders were believed to be. At H-hour, the helicopters conducted an air assault on a beach house along the coast of Colon. It was during this mission that the first 160th soldiers to die in combat perished when their AH-6 was shot down.
Another force of eight MH-60s and four MH-6s were on strip alert to conduct follow-on raids should the need arise.
After these initial missions, elements of the 160th provided support to special operations forces securing outlying areas, recovering weapons caches, and "hunt for Elvis" – the phrase the men of the 160th used to refer to the search for General Manuel Noriega. Four MH-60s, two MH-6s, two AH-6s, and two MH-47s were moved to Ft. Sherman in the north for operations in and around Colon.
The 160th conducted numerous air assault missions over the next two weeks, and on 3 January 1990, the majority of the force went back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Operation Gothic Serpent

Main article: Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
Two AH-6J Little Birds take off for a mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
MH-6 Little Birds were part of the initial assault near the Olympic Hotel in the Bakara Market of Mogadishu, Somalia. The MH-6s conducted rooftop insertions of Delta Force soldiers.
After the shootdown of the MH-60L, call sign "Super Six-One", by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), an MH-6 Little Bird, call sign "Star Four-One", piloted by CW4 Keith Jones and CW3 Karl Maier, landed in the street next to the downed MH-60 and attempted to evacuate the casualties. Jones went to assist survivors, successfully pulling two soldiers into the Little Bird, while Maier laid down suppressive fire from the cockpit with his individual weapon. Under intense ground fire, the MH-6 departed with its crew and survivors.[4]
During the night, AH-6J gunships provided fire support to Rangers and Delta Force operators who were in defensive positions around the crash site of "Super 61" and under constant fire from Warlord Mohammad Farrah Aidid's militia members.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

During the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and up until the end of the war in late 2011, Little Bird pilots took in numerous missions.[vague] Two AH-6 and two MH-6 helicopters were part of a special operations raid at Al Qadisiyah in western Iraq.
AH-6 helicopters were also tasked with supporting the rescue mission of Private First Class Jessica Lynch in April 2003.
MH-6 helicopters were part of TF-145, as well as the rescue of three Italian contractors and Polish businessman taken hostage by Iraqi insurgents in 2004.

Operation Celestial Balance

Main article: Baraawe raid
In September 2009, two AH-6 helicopters were used in an operation in Somalia by U.S. Navy SEALs to kill wanted terrorist Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.[5]

Variants

For OH-6 and TH-6 variants, see OH-6 Cayuse.
AH-6C
Special Forces attack version. Modified OH-6A to carry weapons and operate as a light attack aircraft for the 160th SOAR(A).
EH-6E
Special Forces electronic warfare, command-post version.
MH-6E 
Improved attack helicopter used by US Army special forces units, and stealthy light attack and transport helicopter for US Army special forces units.
AH-6F
Special Forces attack version.
AH-6G
Special Forces attack version.
MH-6H
Special Forces version.
AH/MH-6J
Improved special forces transport and attack versions. Updated light attack helicopter based on the MD 530MG and equipped with an improved engine, FLIR, and a GPS/inertial navigation system.
AH/MH-6M
Also occasionally referred to as the Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB), it is a highly modified version of the MD 530 series commercial helicopter.[6]
A/MH-6X
An AH/MH-6M MELB helicopter modified for use as a UAV. It builds upon experience gained through development of the Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Demonstrator, which is a civil MD 530F modified for autonomous UAV flight. Boeing has announced that this version is marketed solely to other nations, not the U.S., for use as a low-cost attack helicopter.[7]

Operators

 United States

Specifications (MH-6)

Data from U.S. Army Aircraft,[8] MD 530F data[9][10]
General characteristics
  • Crew: 2: pilot and co-pilot
  • Capacity: up to 6 passengers for MH-6s
  • Length: 32.6 ft (9.80 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 27.4 ft (8.30 m)
  • Height: 9.8 ft (3.0 m)
  • Empty weight: 1,591 lb (722 kg)
  • Useful load: 1,509 lb (684 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 3,100 lb (1,406 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × One T63-A-5A or T63-A-700 turboshaft, 425 shp (317 kW)  takeoff power (derated); 375 shp (280 kW) continuous power
  • Fuselage Length: 24.6 ft (7.50 m)
  • Fuselage Width: 4.6 ft (1.4 m)
  • Rotor systems: 6 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on tail rotor
  • Useful fuel capacity: 62 US gal (242 L) or 403 lb (183 kg)
Performance
A fully laden Boeing AH-6 on static display at Singapore Air Show 2010
Armament
The armed variant is equipped with a lightweight universal mounting platform which can accommodate two M134 miniguns, two M260 7-shot Hydra 70 rocket pods. Alternately, the AH-6 can be armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles, air-to-air Stingers, Mk-19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, or .50 caliber machine guns.
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T-50 Golden Eagle

2/25/2012 04:20:00 PM  Moch Fikri Hidayat  No comments

KAI T-50 Golden Eagle


This article is about the South Korean aircraft. For the Russian T-50, see Sukhoi PAK FA.
T-50 Golden Eagle
Role Advanced trainer, multirole fighter
Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries
First flight 20 August 2002[1]
Introduction 22 February 2005[2]
Status In production, in service
Primary users Republic of Korea Air Force
Indonesian Air Force
Number built 82
Unit cost T-50: US$21 million (2008)[3]
TA-50: US$25 million (2011)[4]
FA-50: US$30 million (2012)[5]
The T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and multirole fighters, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries beginning in the late 1990s. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers.[6] It took its maiden flight in 2002 and entered active service with the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2005.
The T-50 advanced trainer had been further developed into aerobatic and combat variants, namely T-50B, TA-50, and FA-50. Ten T-50B serve with the South Korean air force's aerobatics team. In 2011, the first squadron of TA-50, T-50's light attack variant, had become operational.[7] The maiden flight of FA-50, T-50's multirole fighter variant with comparable capabilities to KF-16, had also taken place in 2011.[8] First FA-50 production for 60 aircraft will commence in 2013 until 2016.[9]
As of 2011, sixteen TA-50 light attack variants of the family has been ordered by Indonesia, and additional export orders are being pursued in countries such as Iraq, Israel, Poland, the Philippines,[10] and Spain.[11] T-50 is also being marketed as a candidate for the T-X program of the United States as the United States Air Force's next-generation advanced trainer.[12] The T-50 is the proposed base for the F-50 next-generation indigenous fighter.[13]

 Development

Origins

The T-50 program was originally intended to develop an indigenous trainer aircraft capable of supersonic flight, to train and prepare pilots for the KF-16 and F-15K, replacing trainers such as T-38 and A-37 that were then in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force.[14] Prior South Korean aircraft programs include the propeller-driven KT-1 basic trainer produced by Daewoo Aerospace (now part of KAI), and license-manufactured KF-16.[1] In general, the T-50 series of aircraft closely resembles the KF-16 in configuration.[14]
The mother program, code-named KTX-2, began in 1992,[15] but the Ministry of Finance and Economy suspended KTX-2 in 1995 due to financial constraints.[16] The basic design of the aircraft was set by 1999.[1] The development of the aircraft was funded 13% by Lockheed Martin, 17% by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and 70% by the government of South Korea.[17]
The aircraft was formally designated as T-50 Golden Eagle in February 2000.[1] The T-50A designation was reserved by the U.S. military to prevent to it from being inadvertently assigned to another aircraft model.[18][19] Final assembly of the first T-50 took place between 15 January and 14 September 2001.[1] The first flight of the T-50 took place in August 2002, and initial operational assessment from 28 July to 14 August 2003.[1] KAI and Lockheed Martin are currently pursuing a joint marketing program for the T-50 variant internationally. The South Korean air force placed a production contract for 25 T-50s in December 2003, with aircraft scheduled to be delivered between 2005 and 2009.[17] Original T-50 are equipped with the AN/PG-67(v)4 radar from Lockheed Martin and it has been selected for the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo of Taiwan.[20]

Improved versions

The program has expanded beyond a trainer concept to include the TA-50 light attack aircraft, as well as the FA-50 multirole fighter comparable to KF-16. The TA-50 variant is a more heavily armed version of the T-50 trainer, intended for lead-in fighter training and light attack roles. Equipping the EL/M-2032 radar,[21] The TA-50 is designed to operate as a full-fledged combat platform for precision-guided weapons, air-to-air missiles,[22] and air-to-ground missiles.[23] TA-50 can mount additional utility pods for reconnaissance, targeting assistance, and electronic warfare. Reconnaissance and electronic warfare variants are also being developed designated as RA-50 and EA-50.[24][25]
The FA-50 is the most advanced version of the T-50. It equips a modified Israeli EL/M-2032 pulse-Doppler radar with further Korean-specific augmentations by LIG Nex1,[26] and has more internal fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, a longer radome and a tactical datalink.[27][28] The augmentations increased the range of the EL/M-2032 on FA-50 by two-third compared to the same radar on TA-50.[29] The EL/M-2032 was initially chosen over Lockheed Martin's preferred AN/APG-67(V)4 radar or the SELEX Vixen 500E AESA radar. Other AESA radars such as Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar and Northrop Grumman's Scalable Agile Beam Radar are options for future production,[30][31] and will likely be shared with the same AESA radar chosen for the USAF and ROKAF F-16 fighters.[5] In December 2008, South Korea awarded a contract to Korea Aerospace Industries to convert four T-50s to FA-50 standards by 2012. In 2012, The Republic of Korea Air Force has ordered 20 FA-50 fighters to be delivered by the end of 2014.[5]
The T-50 is the proposed base for the more advanced F-50 fighter with strengthened wings, AESA radar, more internal fuel, enhanced electronic warfare capability, and a more powerful engine.[13] The proposal is designated as T-50 Phase 3 program by KAI.[32] Wing strengthening is required to support three underwing weapons pylons, as opposed to two underwing pylons on the TA-50 or FA-50.[33] The AESA radar was expected to be RACR, which has 90% commonality with the AESA radar of the Super Hornet, or SABR, both of which are competing for KF-16's AESA radar upgrade program.[34][35] The aircraft was altered to a single-seat configuration to allow more space for internal fuel and electronic warfare equipment.[36][37] The engine could be either EJ200 or F414, upgraded to 20,000 lb or 22,000 lb thrust, which is about 12-25% higher than the F404's thrust.[12][38] The engines are already being offered for the baseline T-50 for future customers. A similar Korean-led international fighter program exists named the KAI KF-X.

Design

Overview

A display model of the T-50 Golden Eagle in 2007
The T-50 Golden Eagle design is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.[15] KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the T-50.[39]
The trainer can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against 4-lb objects impacting at 400 knots.[40] The altitude limit is 14,600 metres (48,000 ft), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.[41] There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 litres (701 US gal), five in the fuselage and two in the wings. An additional 1,710 litres (452 US gal) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.[17] T-50 trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.[42]
The T-50 Golden Eagle uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin,[43] upgraded with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system jointly developed by General Electric and Korea Aerospace Industries.[44] The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.[17] The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5.[41] Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.[17] The General Electric F414 engine has been suggested as the new engine for the T-50 family, as well as Rolls Royce's EJ200 to allow better compatibility with European air forces.[12] Both engines provide more thrust compared to the F404.

Avionics

The T-50's central processing unit and its operating system are developed by MDS Technology.[45] The T-50's NEOS avionics operating system is the first and only real-time operating system to be developed by an Asian company, and is given the DO-178B and IEEE POSIX certification.[46][45][47][48] Samsung Thales and LIG Nex1 are the main avionics and electronic warfare equipment developers for T-50 and its variants.[49][50] Other South Korean companies and defense institutes such as DoDAAM Systems, Aeromaster, Intellics, and Korea Institute of Defense Analysis are responsible for the aircraft's secondary avionics and embedded systems, including store management computers,[51] avionics testing equipment,[52] flight data recorders,[53] portable maintenance aids,[54] data analysis software,[55] post-flight data processing system,[56] aircraft structure and engine management software,[57][58] and mission planning and support systems, which includes the mission computer.[59]
Hanwha supplies the mechanical parts for the flight control system,[60] and WIA supplies the undercarriage.[61] The T-50 is equipped with a Honeywell H-764G embedded global positioning/inertial navigation system and HG9550 radar altimeter.[17] The aircraft is the first trainer to feature triple-redundant digital fly-by-wire controls.[41] The cockpit panels, switches, and joysticks are produced by South Korea's FirsTec and Sungjin Techwin, head-up display by DoDaaM Systems, and multi-function display by Samsung Thales.[62][63][64][59] Other South Korean subcontractors such as Elemech, Dawin Friction, and Withus cooperate in T-50 components production.[65]

Armament and equipment

TA-50 mounts a General Dynamics A-50 20 mm cannon internally behind the cockpit.[17][66] The cannon is a three-barreled version of the M61 Vulcan, with 205 rounds of linkless ammunition. AIM-9 Sidewinders can be attached at each of the wingtip rails, and additional weapons can be mounted to underwing hardpoints.[17] Compatible air-to-surface weapons include the AGM-65 Maverick missile, Hydra 70 and LOGIR rocket launchers, CBU-58 and Mk-20 cluster bombs, and Mk-82, −83, and −84 general purpose bombs.[1]
FA-50 can be externally fitted with Rafael's Sky Shield or LIG Nex1's ALQ-200K ECM pods, Sniper or LITENING targeting pods, and Condor 2 reconnaissance pods to further improve the fighter's electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities.[67][68] Other improved weapon systems over TA-50 include SPICE multifunctional guidance kits,[69] Textron CBU-97/105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon with WCMD tail kits, JDAM, and JDAM-ER for more comprehensive air-to-ground operations, and AIM-120 missiles for BVR air-to-air operations.[70] FA-50 has provisions for, but does not yet integrate, Python and Derby missiles, also produced by Rafael, and other anti-ship missiles, stand-off weapons, and sensors to be domestically developed by Korea.[71][72][73]

Operational history

The T-50 was competing for a Polish Air Force order for 16 aircraft with ex-Finnish Air Force BAE Hawk 51s, refurbished by the Finnish defence company, Patria.[74] In 2010 a new tender for advanced jet trainer and lead-in fighter trainer aircraft was issued. Competing aircraft include the T-50P, M-346, and Hawk T2/128. In 2011, BAE announced that it had withdrawn from the contest, leaving M-346 and T-50P as its remaining two contenders.[75] The winner of this competition is planned to begin replacing the PZL TS-11 Iskra by 2013.[76]
Indonesia had been considering the T-50 to replace the BAE Hawk and A-4 Skyhawk as the T-50 had excellent interoperability with the current Indonesian F-16s.[77] In 2010, Indonesia announced that T-50 was one of three candidates for its advanced jet trainer requirement, along with Yak-130 and L-159. Indonesia planned to buy 16 of these advanced trainer aircraft.[78] In May 2011, Indonesia signed a contract to order 16 TA-50 for $400 million. The aircraft will feature weapons pylons and gun modules, enabling light attack capabilities.[4]
Iraq was negotiating the acquisition of T-50 trainer jets, having first publicly expressed official interest during the Korea-Iraq summit in Seoul on 24 February 2009.[79] In April 2010, Iraq has reopened the jet lead-in fighter-trainer competition for 24 aircraft, in which TA-50 will compete.[80]
Israel has been evaluating the T-50 as a possible replacement for its Douglas TA-4H Skyhawk trainers since 2003.[81] On 16 February 2012, Israel announced that its decision to procure thirty M-346 instead.[82][83]
The Philippines is looking for six light attack jets to replace its retired F-5A Freedom Fighters, as the TA-50 is one of the contenders along with M-346.[10]
Singapore evaluated the T-50 against the Italian Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and the BAE Hawk for a $500 million trainer acquisition program contract for 12–16 aircraft.[84] The Singapore Ministry of Defense eventually selected the M-346 aircraft ahead of T-50 and BAE Hawk in July 2010.[85]
The United Arab Emirates is seeking 35–40 fighter-trainers. In February 2009, UAE selected the M-346 over the T-50.[86] But in January 2010, UAE reopened the trainer contest.[87] In 2011, it was confirmed that T-50 is still competing in UAE.[88]
In the United States, South Korea will attempt to trade T-50s for F-35s, assuming that it can find an American need for such an aircraft.[89] T-50 is one of the contenders for the US Air Force's T-X program, with an export opportunity for up to 300 to 1000 aircraft, which is about $6 billion to $20 billion at 2008 flyaway cost.[12] A possible reciprocal sale of F-35 to Korea will be 60 aircraft, valued at $8 billion.

Variants

T-50
Advanced trainer version.[90]
T-50B
Aerobatic specialized T-50 version for Black Eagles aerobatic team.
T-50I
Export version for Indonesia.[90]
TA-50
Tactical trainer/light attack version.[90]
FA-50
Multirole all-weather version[90] under development to replace F-5E/F by 2013. Originally named A-50, a prototype from a converted T-50 first flew in 2011.

Operators

 Indonesia
  • Indonesian Air Force ordered 16 T-50s in May 2011. The first batch of which are expected to be delivered in 2013.[91][92] They will replace the Hawk Mk 53 in IAF service.[93]
 Republic of Korea

Specifications

Data from Korea Aerospace,[95] Lockheed Martin[96]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
  • Bombs: Mk 82, Mk 83, and Mk 84 general purpose bombs with SPICE, JDAM, or JDAM-ER guidance kits; CBU-97/105 sensor fuzed weapons, laser-guided bombs
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