Page 26 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

NEWS Asia Pacifi c

South Korean MALE UAV almost PTDI

ready for production NC212i
delivered
to KASET

Thailand
PT DIRGANTARA
Indonesia (PTDI) has
delivered the first of two
NC212i transports ordered
by Thailand’s Krasuang
Kaset Lae Sahakon
(Ministry of Agriculture
and Co-operatives, or
MOAC) for operation
by its Royal Bureau
of Rain Making and
Agricultural Aviation, more
commonly known by its
Above: The first prototype of the KUS-FS strategic MALE UAV was publicly unveiled at Seoul ADEX 2019. The aircraft has made just local acronym, KASET.
The aircraft was flown
over a dozen sorties to date. Gordon Arthur by Captain Esther Gayatri
KOREAN AIR unveiled (ADEX 2019) that took the first example, serial – which is also referred to as Saleh, PTDI chief test pilot
a prototype of its KUS- place from October 15-20. number ‘001’. The second the MUAV – would draw to a as Pilot in Command Ferry
FS strategic medium- Two prototypes of the prototype includes close by the end of the year. and Acceptance Mission,
altitude long-endurance KUS-FS (Korean Unmanned improved avionics and Series production will then together with Captain
(MALE) UAV destined for System - Fixed-wing internal mission systems be ready to begin pending Ervan Gustanto as Chief
the Republic of Korea Air Strategic) exist, with and is still under wraps. the award of the Defense of the Mission Co-pilot.
Force (ROKAF) at the Seoul the Aerospace Business A spokesman from Acquisition Program The aircraft departed
International Aerospace & Division of Korean Air KAL-ASD told AFM that Administration (DAPA) the PTDI Delivery
Defense Exhibition 2019 (KAL-ASD) exhibiting development of the KUS-FS contract. Gordon Arthur Center Hangar at Husein
Sastranegara Bandung
Taiwanese Singapore conducts Forging Sabre 19 International Airport,
Indonesia, for Nakhon
‘Huey’ retired Sawan Airbase, Muang,
Thailand, on October 22.
as UH-60M The aircraft, c/n 435/
N115, was painted in full
declares FOC KASET colours but with
THE REPUBLIC of national markings and
serial 1544 taped over and
China Army declared full wearing temporary ferry
operational capability (FOC) registration AX-2124.
for its UH-60M helicopters Its first stop was at
at the same time as it staged Hang Nadim International
a retirement ceremony for Airport, Batam, on
the UH-1H. The event took Indonesia’s Riau
place at ROC Army Aviation Islands, continuing to
Taichung Xinshe Longxiang Hat Yai International
Camp on October 30. Airport, Thailand, before
The UH-1H fleet is being arriving at Nakhon
replaced by 30 new Sawan on October 24.
Black Hawks and surplus It was transferred to
‘Hueys’ will be available for KASET during a formal
transfer to other nations as acceptance ceremony
donations. The Aerospace there on the following day.
Industrial Development Above: A tail flash commemorating ten years of the RSAF’s Peace Carvin V F-15SG training detachment The procurement
Corporation (AIDC) signed was unveiled at Mountain Home AFB during Exercise Forging Sabre 2019. MINDEF Singapore contract for the two
an agreement with Bell to THE REPUBLIC of Singapore Also deployed from the RSAF’s Peace Carvin V KASET NC-212i aircraft
assemble 118 UH-1Hs for Air Force (RSAF) conducted Singapore were three F-15SG training detachment was signed between PTDI
the ROC Army on August its biennial Exercise Forging Heron 1 UAVs and a single at Mountain Home, a tail and AICE Enterprises
13, 1969. Included in the Sabre at Mountain Home A330 Multi-Role Tanker flash on F-15SG 05-0009 was (Thai) Co Ltd, on behalf
work was co-production Air Force Base, Idaho, from Transport (MRTT). A Heron unveiled by Senior Minister of MOAC, on March 17,
of 80 Avco Lycoming T53- September 30 to October 1 was noted for the first of State for Defence Heng 2017. The second aircraft
L-13B turboshaft engines 10. This was the seventh time with a ventral radome, Chee How during a visit is scheduled for delivery
for the helicopters. The iteration of the exercise likely containing a sensor to the exercise on October before the end of the year.
first UH-1H was rolled since its introduction in and targeting package. 11. The tail pays homage to KASET has been a long-
out on December 14, 1970 2005 and the first at this Munitions expended by the 428th Fighter Squadron standing operator of
and the final example location, with previous the fast jets included GBU- ‘Buccaneers’, the joint RSAF/ the C212, having flown
was completed in 1976. editions being conducted 10 and GBU-12 laser-guided USAF unit that trains F-15SG the type since 1978. The
The ROCA began at Luke AFB, Arizona. bombs and GBU-54 Joint crew. The first four of an current fleet includes
receiving UH-60Ms in 2014 Over 600 personnel were Direct Attack Munitions, eventual 40 RSAF F-15s were four NC212-100s, one
and the Ministry of National involved, while aircraft from while the Apaches utilised received by the 428th FS on NC212-200, one NC212-
Defense approved initial the RSAF’s US-based training Hellfire missiles, Hydra May 6, 2009, although initial 400, one NC212i, five
operational capability in detachments – ten F-15SGs, rockets and 30mm rounds. training had begun earlier C212-300s and two C212-
December 2017. Peter Ho nine F-16C/Ds and five In addition, to mark ten years at Seymour Johnson AFB, 400s. Dave Allport
AH-64Ds – flew in the missions. since the establishment of South Carolina. Roy Choo

26 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero

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