Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron

[buglerbilly]

Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron

Posted: 05 Apr 2010, 1800 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)


Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean being briefed by LTC Kelvin Khong, CO 149 squadron, inside the cockpit of the RSAF's F-15SG fighter aircraft.


The Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-15SG fighter aircraft arriving in Singapore.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean officiated at the inauguration ceremony of 149 Squadron, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) first local F-15SG Squadron, at Paya Lebar Air Base this afternoon. The F-15SG Squadron will join the fighter group under the Air Combat Command, which plans, controls and executes air warfare operations. This marks a significant milestone in the 3rd Generation RSAF's development of its advanced fighter capabilities.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Teo highlighted the crucial role that the F-15SG squadron will play in enhancing the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) ability to deal with future threats. He said, "The F-15SG is a major enhancement to Singapore's air defence capability, and will also play a significant role in the SAF's overall operations. The F-15SG squadron will increase the SAF's ability to deal decisively with future threats and meet our critical operational needs." Mr Teo also commended the F-15SG air and ground crew on building up a high level of operational proficiency and readiness in a short span of time. The F-15SG crew recently returned from the Mountain Home Air Force Base in the United States, where they had been training since last May to acquire the competencies to operate and maintain the F-15SGs.

The RSAF's F-15SG, which is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated integrated sensor suite, is one of the most capable multi-role fighter aircraft in the world. The RSAF also maintains the Peace Carvin (PC) V F-15SG fighter detachment at Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) in the US. The PC V F-15SG fighter detachment was established as part of the US Air Force's (USAF's) 428th Fighter Squadron, and will operate at the MHAFB for the next 25 years.

[Weasel]

How awesome is that?

Seriously. I would put it in the ball park of a regional defense coup.

cheers

w

[ADMk2]

How awesome is that?

Seriously. I would put it in the ball park of a regional defense coup.

cheers

w

Very awesome. I am glad we are good mates with the Sings...

It is however the second most awesome capability in the SEA region behind this:

[Deks]

Very awesome. I am glad we are good mates with the Sings...

It is however the second most awesome capability in the SEA region behind this...

That's highly debatable, though given that thte F-15SG's cost about double what you pay for an F/A-18F they'd want to be at least marginally more capable! ;)

[Unicorn]

Is the Rhino THAT good?

I knew it was a good aircraft, but I thought the Strike Eagle was a better all round aircraft at this point?

Or have I just been beating my head against the APA brick wall for so long that my brains have turned numb?

Unicorn

[Gubler, A.]

That's highly debatable, though given that thte F-15SG's cost about double what you pay for an F/A-18F they'd want to be at least marginally more capable! ;)

You spend money for different things and from different shopping lists for different customers at different dates. The F/A-18F Block II has far better avionics and significantly lower observability than the F-15SG. The F-15SG can fly further, faster, carrying more weight. Which is more important in combat?

Someone can go and spend $80 grand on a Chrysler 300C but there is no way I am going to judge that as a good buy just because it costs twice as much as a Falcon XR8.

[battlensign]

Does that mean the F/A18 F has the advantage in BVR combat, if it has a lower RCS etc? Sounds like we need to organise a joint-exercise to test these machines out.......

Brett.

P.S Of course it may also be that we don't want the answer to an actual mock-combat test of the two types!

[Deks]

You spend money for different things and from different shopping lists for different customers at different dates. The F/A-18F Block II has far better avionics and significantly lower observability than the F-15SG. The F-15SG can fly further, faster, carrying more weight. Which is more important in combat?

I suppose that would depend on what your intended targets are, and how many of them there is! Your point is well made about the superior avionics and RCS of the F/A-18F though. :)

[Gubler, A.]

What it really depends on is how you train and organise your air force. The number one thing most armchair air marshals don’t think about is that the air force is an actual institution made up of people not just some comparative tabulated data tables about aircraft performance.

The RSAF trains its strike fighter pilots in joint USAF-RSAF squadrons in the USA. Their primarily operational influencer is the IDF/AF. Both of these forces operate F-15Es. So when the RSAF is looking for a new strike fighter are they going to either stay in the mould they have and buy F-15Es (aka F-15SG) or are they going to completely change their way of doing things and buy a US Navy fighter or god forbid something French or British.

On the other hand the RAAF is a bit more mature and stand alone and is also part of the strong international Hornet community. They also have access to the latest US kit that is only loaded with tones of anti-tamper software and not physically downgraded. So the Block II Super Hornet is a natural fit.

[ADMk2]

That's highly debatable, though given that thte F-15SG's cost about double what you pay for an F/A-18F they'd want to be at least marginally more capable! ;)

The F-15SG's give you a bit more range, a bit more performance and a bit more payload. Supers give you better LO, better strike capability (decoupled pits and what not) better EW and better radar (than the Sing APG-63 variant at least).

Hence why I think the Super Block II+ the better platform. The Eagle definitely has it's strengths, but so does the Super. I just think the Supers strengths are a bit more relevant in the modern era... I do think the Sings are gaining an excellent platform here, that will fit in well with their needs and will make a huge contribution to any coalition effort, but sheer airframe performance, most definitely isn't everything...

[Deks]

better radar (than the Sing APG-63 variant at least).

Looked this up, surprised they bought the v3 instead of the most recent with the SH's processor. I would presume that with the larger array the v4 / -82 would be more capable? I guess perhaps it wasn't available when they contracted for them.

[Unicorn]

Lets just say that our good friends from the island nation have their own fairly intense Comint, Sigint, Elint and Humint activities underway, with a sizeable fraction of it aimed at both Australia and the US.

Thus they may not be allowed to play with all of the cool kids toys, no matter how much they want to.

.

[battlensign]

Well...that was subtle..........

Brett.

PS. For Aus exp - reference Beazely in Parliament