BLUF
During the biennial military exercise Pitch Black, fighter jets get most of the attention. However, airpower capability does not just involve fighters but depends on many things, such as platforms that can provide an early warning of enemy aircraftSummary
This article by Aqil Haziq, writing for CNA, makes the following points:
- Fighter jets attached to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) rely heavily on an extra set of ‘eyes’ when they take to the sky.
- The eyes refer to the Gulfstream 550 airborne early warning aircraft that tells fighter pilots where their enemies are.
- The aircraft can detect threats at more than 200 nautical miles (370km).
- If the G550 encounters hostile planes, it uses a ‘self-protection suite’ to dispense chaff and flares.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
References from the Web:
- AUG 2022 ‘Rigorous evaluation’ on F-35 continues as Singapore’s defence needs evolve: RSAF—CNA
- AUG 2022 Singapore Participates in Multilateral Air Combat Exercise in Australia—MINDEF Singapore
- AUG 2022 RSAF takes to the skies with 16 other air forces in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black—The Straits Times