Manila selects torpedo, countermeasures suppliers for PN's José Rizal-class frigates

by Gabriel Dominguez & Dae Young Kim & Matteo Scarano

The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed on 10 August that it has selected suppliers for the torpedo and countermeasure systems meant for use by the Philippine Navy's (PN's) two José Rizal-class guided-missile frigates.

The DND issued a ‘Notice of Award' (NoA) to South Korean company LIG Nex1 for the planned procurement of an undisclosed number of torpedoes for PHP766.3 million (USD15.9 million). The move is meant to provide the multirole frigates with an additional anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability alongside that provided by the Leonardo AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopters set to operate from the vessels.


        The Philippine DND has selected South Korean company LIG Nex1 to provide torpedoes for use by the PN's José Rizal-class frigates. 
        Janes 
        understands that the NoA issued by Manila on 10 August is for the procurement of Blue Shark torpedoes (similar to this one).
       (LIG Nex1)

The Philippine DND has selected South Korean company LIG Nex1 to provide torpedoes for use by the PN's José Rizal-class frigates. Janes understands that the NoA issued by Manila on 10 August is for the procurement of Blue Shark torpedoes (similar to this one). (LIG Nex1)

While the selected torpedo type was not disclosed, a company official told Janes on 20 August that the proposed deal is for K745 Cheong Sangeo (Blue Shark) lightweight, anti‐submarine torpedoes. This is the same torpedo type that is set to be deployed with the Lynx Wildcat helicopters.


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New Zealand launches experimental military communications payload into space

by Oishee Majumdar

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle taking off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on 21 March. The rocket carried a US satellite, which includes an experimental communications payload developed by the NZDF. (Rocket Lab)

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has launched an experimental communications payload into orbit with the help of a research satellite developed by the US Navy's (USN's) Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).

This communications payload, named ‘Korimako', will “allow defence scientists to conduct space communications research”, the NZDF said on 28 March. Korimako is the first payload to be launched into space by the NZDF.

“A team of scientists from the NZDF's Defence Science & Technology (DST) will monitor and interact with Korimako via our Whangaparaoa Ground Station, north of Auckland,” the NZDF added.

The NZDF said initial tests conducted by the DST indicate that Korimako is “operating as expected”.

“[Korimako will facilitate DST to conduct research that] aims to build practical experience in space science and technology, test processes for New Zealand government space operations, and generate knowledge to enable future NZDF and wider government space development,” David Galligan, DST director, said.


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Aselsan's AESA radar makes maiden flight

by Cem Devrim Yaylali

A screenshot from an Aselsan video showing its new AESA radar in an anechoic chamber prior to flight trials aboard an F-16. (Aselsan)

Aselsan revealed on 16 March that its domestically developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar made its maiden flight onboard a Turkish Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft.

The test was performed on 15 February aboard a test aircraft that also featured a mission computer developed by Aselsan.

The radar was designed with gallium nitride (GaN)-based chip technology, and has capabilities such as automatic target recognition, multiple target tracking, terrain mapping, distance measurement, automatic altitude determination, under-cloud surveillance with synthetic aperture radar, automatic target classification with artificial intelligence-supported algorithms, wideband radar spectrum monitoring, directional electronic jamming, and more effective guidance for air-launched munitions. Technical specifications of the radar were not disclosed.

Aselsan general manager Ahmet Akyol announced that the radar will operate in manned platforms F-16 Özgür, Hürjet, Kaan, as well as the Akıncı, Kızılelma, and Anka-3 unmanned platforms.

For more information on Turkey's domestically developed AESA radar, please seeTurkish Air Force receives modernised F-16 aircraft.


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New Aselsan radar makes debut flight on F-16 aircraft

by Olivia Savage & Cem Devrim Yaylali & Raghuraman C S

A screenshot from an Aselsan video showing its new AESA radar in an anechoic chamber prior to flight trials aboard an F-16. (Aselsan)

Aselsan's new active electronically scanned array (AESA) Nose Radar has completed its maiden flight onboard the Turkish Air Force's (TuAF's) Lockheed Martin F-16 Block-30 fighter jet.

According to Aselsan on 26 March, the indigenously developed radar is designed to support both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and offers capabilities such as multitarget detection and tracking, beyond-visual-range missile guidance, high-resolution imaging, and electronic warfare functionalities.

Commonly referred to as Murad, the Nose Radar is a key component of the Özgür programme, dedicated to modernising the TuAF's F-16 Block-30 fleet. The initiative involves integrating new indigenous software and hardware on the aircraft, including for the mission control computer, and replacing elements of the avionics and cockpit displays.

After successful integration of the Nose Radar on the F-16 Block-30s, the aircraft will become a 4.5-generation platform, according to the President of Defence Industry Agency (SSB), Haluk Görgün. İsmail Demir, then president of SSB, noted in November 2022 during an unveiling of the radar that its capabilities were “equivalent to the most advanced radars in the world”.


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https://www.janes.com/defence-news/weapons-headlines/latest/manila-selects-torpedo-countermeasures-suppliers-for-pns-jose-rizal-class-frigates

The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed on 10 August that it has selected supp...

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