First F-15SG leaves Boeing factory

The first F15-SG successfully completed its first test flight on 16 Sep. MG Ng witnessing the roll-out of the first of 24 F-15SGs that the RSAF has ordered. In a simple ceremony, Boeing marked the completion of the very first F-15SG, Singapore's variant of the F-15E, at its factory in St Louis, Missouri on 3 Nov. The all-weather, multi-role fighter is slated to become a key force in theRepublic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) arsenal as it will replace the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawk fighter-bombers. "As the mainstay of our next generation multi-role fighter aircraft, the F-15SG will enhance our air defence, air superiority and strike capabilities," said Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Khern. "The F-15SG will also add a new dimension to the RSAF's integration with the 3rd Generation SAF. The fighter will deliver effective air power to the rest of the SAF, enabling the RSAF to help shape land and maritime campaigns." The highly versatile F-15SG is capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The RSAF has ordered 24 F-15SGs from Boeing and is scheduled to receive all the jets by 2012, according to Boeing Military Aircraft president Chris Chadwick. The first batch of the most advanced variant of the F-15, which has chalked up 104 victories with no losses in air combat, is due in the second quarter of 2009. It will be delivered to the RSAF's detachment at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Said Boeing Vice-President of the F-15 programme Mark Bass: "Singapore has incorporated some significant technological advances to the aircraft. Most notable of which is an advanced electronically scanned array radar." Other key improvements include a more powerful set of engines, additional fuel tanks and a higher maximum payload. In preparation for the delivery of the first batch of F-15SGs, the RSAF detachment has already begun training on the United States Air Force's F-15Es in the US. The roll-out ceremony for the twin-seater fighter was attended by over 200 people including Boeing staff and members of the Defence Science & Technology Agency, which is managing the acquisition. "The F-15SG programme is yet another example of the excellent partnership between the United States and Singapore and the dedication of our two countries to common security objectives," said US Ambassador to Singapore Patricia Herbold who was a distinguished guest at the ceremony.

Last updated on 11 May 2009

Unmatched Versatility: F-15SG

Email Article Print Article Posted: 31 Dec 2008, 1000 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours) Story by Kok Wah Chuen Pictures courtesy of Boeing At the assembly line, the F-15SGs are pieced together by hand, with a little help from some heavy-lifting machinery. A perfect record. That's what the F-15SG is based on and nothing less. This latest variant of the renowned F-15 fighter is modelled after the F-15E Strike Eagle, which has the distinguished combat record of 104 kills to 0 losses. The F-15E is employed mainly by the United States Air Force (USAF) and has proven its combat effectiveness many times over since its entry into service in April 1988. Multi-role capability Like the F-15E, the SG model is also an all-weather multi-role fighter designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) plans to use this jet to replace its retired A-4SU Super Skyhawk fighter. Said Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Khern: "The F-15SG will also add a new dimension to the RSAF's integration with the 3rd Generation SAF. The fighter will deliver effective air power to the rest of the SAF, enabling the RSAF to help shape land and maritime campaigns." Although the original F-15 was meant to be a multi-role fighter, the earlier A to D models were never configured for ground duties. It was only with the E model that modifications were made to cater to this requirement, making this model almost an entirely new aircraft. Some of the more significant changes include the addition of an aft seat for a weapon systems officer and newer avionics that allow for better low-level flying capabilities. With the SG variant, further improvements were made to boost the fighter's situational awareness capabilities, self-defence mechanisms and survivability. All this is made possible with a unique blend of the latest avionics, an integrated sensor suite and advanced weapons. State-of-the-art radar "Singapore has incorporated some significant technological advances into the aircraft, most notable of which is an advanced, electronically scanned array radar. This radar is at the forefront of the technology for radars," said Mr Mark Bass, Boeing's F-15 Programme Vice-President. The SG model is the first F-15 variant to incorporate the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, which allows it to detect targets faster and engage more targets than most other fighter radars. Also, unlike mechanical radars that use moving flat-plate antennas, the AESA antenna that is housed in the nose of the aircraft comprises numerous small transmission and reception modules - each scanning a small fixed area - making it more reliable than previous F-15 radars. Integrated sensor suite Working in tandem with the AESA radar is the advanced integrated sensor suite from Lockheed Martin. This includes navigation pods, Sniper Advanced targeting pods and an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System which have been integrated into the F-15SGs by Boeing. The navigation pod comes packed with the Terrain Following Radar and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system, which enable the pilot to navigate the F-15SG at low altitudes at night and under varying weather conditions. The third generation targeting pod, combined with targeting FLIR, allow for better detection ranges compared to older generation targeting pods. The SG model also sports a laser spot tracker that lets the fighter strike targets with greater accuracy, both during the day and at night. As for the IRST system, it allows for the detection and tracking of objects that emit infrared radiation - such as jet aircraft and helicopters. Since the system does not emit any radiation, it decreases the probability of the fighter being detected while it is in use. Said Mr Brad Korte, Boeing's F-15SG Programme Manager, of the IRST system: "It provides the capability to go out and look for infrared signatures - basically heat signatures - from other aircraft at long distances...which the E model does not have yet." Combat advantage Other key systems that give the F-15SG an edge over other fighters include the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). This system provides pilots with the capability to accurately direct both sensors and weapons at enemy aircraft even while performing high-G manoeuvres as pilots will only have to face the targets to lock onto them. The JHMCS eliminates the need to look into the cockpit during air combat. The visor can also display various pertinent information such as air speed, altitude and target range. The F-15SG also boasts the Link-16 Fighter Data Link which allows it to share target information with other aircraft, improving situational awareness and information exchange. Its Electronic Warfare suite comprises a warning receiver, a radar jammer and a chaff-and-flare dispenser to counter enemy threats. The SG variant's ability to carry a larger payload of weapons and fuel translates to having a larger variety of weapons and better endurance, making it both lethal and versatile. With its maximum payload of 23,000 pounds (10,400kg), it can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles in an air-to-air configuration and up to 15 500-pound bombs in an air-to-ground setup. The fighter has an internal General Dynamics M-61A1 20mm Gatling gun installed in its right wing and its arsenal includes AIM-120 and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, Maverick air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs. Production contract for RSAF "The Singapore Air Force will benefit greatly from the fact that the F-15E is a mainstay of the USAF fleet," said Mr Bass. "The USAF intends to operate over 400 of this aircraft through 2025 and 2035, so the RSAF can benefit greatly from the spares and repair pipeline that is being established for the USAF, as well as benefit from the training and tactics developed by the USAF for the F-15E." The first F-15SG completed its first test flight successfully on 16 Sep which lasted 1.5hours. It was rolled out in a simple ceremony, witnessed by MG Ng, US Ambassador to Singapore Patricia Herbold and Boeing Military Aircraft president Chris Chadwick, at Boeing's factory in St Louis, Missouri, on 3 Nov. The first batch of F-15SGs is due for delivery in the second quarter of next year. It will be handed over to the RSAF at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Meanwhile, an RSAF detachment has already begun training on the USAF's F-15Es in the US. According to Mr Chadwick, the production of the 24 F-15SGs the RSAF has ordered is on schedule and should be delivered by 2012. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE F-15SG Engine: Two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines Thrust: 29,000 pounds/engine Combat ceiling: 65,000ft (19,800m) Top speed: Mach 2.5 plus Wingspan: 13.05m Length: 19.45m Height: 5.65m

Last updated on 07 May 2009

RSAF'S F-15SG Fighter Aircraft Arrive at Mountain Home Air Force Base

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Posted: 07 May 2009, 0900 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)

File photo: RSAF's F-15SG multi-role fighter aircraft. The Republic of Singapore Air Force(RSAF) detachment at Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) in Idaho, United States, received the first batch of four F-15SG multi-role fighter aircraft today. This marks the beginning of RSAF F-15 training at MHAFB. Prior to this, the RSAF pilots have been undergoing F-15 training with their USAF counterparts in Seymour Johnson Air Force base in North Carolina, United States. The delivery of the RSAF's F-15SG aircraft is another significant milestone in the RSAF's transformation into the 3rd Generation Air Force. Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated integrated sensor suite, the F-15SG is the most advanced variant of the F-15 aircraft built to date. With its ability to carry a large payload of weapons and fuel to give it increased firepower and combat endurance, the F-15SG will provide the Singapore Armed Forces with enhanced air defence and air superiority capabilities.

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RSAF gets 4 F-15SG jets

The mascot of the RSAF's 428th Fighter Squadron, dubbed the Buccaneers, welcoming four F-15SG fighters to the Mountain Home airbase on Wednesday. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

THE Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has received its first four F-15SG fighter jets, armed with the most advanced air-to-air missiles and the sharpest sensors outside the United States.
RSAF personnel and their US counterparts greeted the first batch of jets, bearing RSAF colours, which arrived at a US airbase in Idaho on Wednesday. The planes are part of the Republic's 428th Fighter Squadron, which will go operational in the next few months. Work has been ongoing since last October to get the training unit off the ground and in the air.

Also known as the Buccaneers, the unit at the Mountain Home airbase will house up to 12 F-15 jets, along with more than 300 RSAF pilots and ground crew, as well as their families.

A Defence Ministry statement said the RSAF pilots were previously flying the F-15E Strike Eagle jets of the US Air Force (USAF) at the Seymour Johnson Airbase in North Carolina.

The Singapore-US training arrangement is expected to last from five to 20 years. The F-15 jet is considered one of the top fighter planes in the world. It has racked up a combat record of 101 victories and zero losses in 30 years of air battles worldwide.

Besides being able to fly farther and carry more bombs than the other fighters in the RSAF arsenal, the F-15 has an advanced radar system that has never been sold outside the US before.

Mindef said the aircraft 'will provide the SAF with enhanced air defence and air superiority capabilities'.

The planes are part of the ongoing push to modernise the Singapore military, which also launched the navy's latest stealth warships in January and will allow soldiers to access real-time combat information on the battlefield.

In an interview with the Mountain Home newspaper, the USAF's 366th Fighter Wing commander, Colonel Jim Bird, called the sleek grey RSAF planes 'beautiful'. He said: 'I just want to crawl up the ladder and get a whiff of that new car smell.'

But the twin-seater F-15s are not expected to fly above Singapore until at least next year, said RSAF chief Major-General Ng Chee Khern during an interview last year.

jermync@sph.com.sg

RSAF set to see farther with new early-warning jet

RSAF set to see farther with new early-warning jet

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Posted: 24 Feb 2009, 1300 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)

Report by Sherlyn Quek

Photos by Chai Sian Liang

In comparison to the E-2C Hawkeye (left), the new G550-AEW jet (right) provides the RSAF with sharper ''eyes'' to detect, identify and track aerial threats at greater distances. On 19 Feb, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) sensor capabilities received a boost with the arrival of its first Gulfstream 550 Airborne Early Warning (G550-AEW) aircraft at Tengah Air Base. Explaining that the G550-AEW jets were acquired to replace the ageing E-2C Hawkeye as part of the RSAF's ongoing transformation into the 3rd Generation Air Force, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Joachim Lee, Commander Transport Group, Air Combat Command, said: "The E-2C has served us well for more than 20 years, but an improved platform is required to meet the demands placed on the RSAF for the conduct of air defence operations going forward."  Purchased in the mid-1980s and last upgraded in 2001, the E-2C Hawkeye forms part of Singapore's networked air defence system, working in tandem with fighter jets and various ground-based air defence weapon systems, which are integrated with long-range sensors. Equipped with a sophisticated mission suite that includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the G550-AEWs will eventually assume the E-2Cs' role in providing airborne early warning.  With a longer endurance of nine hours and capable of flying at a higher operating altitude of 41,000 feet, this new platform also has a longer detection range of more than 200 nautical miles. By enhancing the RSAF's all-round radar coverage, the introduction of the G550-AEW jets will strengthen the Air Force's situational awareness and give them greater response time to deal with any aerial threat more effectively. The delivery of all four G550-AEW planes is expected to be completed over the next two years, and will be stationed at Tengah Air Base under the command of 111 Squadron, while operating with the Air Defence and Operations Command during mission execution.