SHAH ALAM: It appears that another maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) programme is likely to be tender out – no time frame yet – to meet the requirements of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
I havent got much details on the requirements apart from that the MMEA is looking for two aircraft. And no, this not connected to the RMAF requirements as a law enforcement agency, MMEA maritime patroller requirements are mostly likely for surveillance and border monitoring and other utility roles as well as search and rescue. Hence the term of maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) is more apt to described the programme though clarity sake I will still use the MPA term for the programme.
CN235 MPA of TNI-AL displayed at LIMA 2015.
It is also likely that the MMEA programme is more exciting to local players as it will probably not be an international tender like the RMAF one. For the record MMEA already has two aircraft – the Bombardier CL415s – which are equipped with the Swedish MSS 6000 Airborne Surveillance System.
PDRM Super King Air 350 on finals at Subang airport. The aircraft is fitted with an unknown type of ISR equipment. Note the radome under the belly.
Anyhow based on the little things I know about the programme, I am assuming that a large number of aircraft could be offered from Super King Airs to even a modified ATR or Q400. I believed the latter ones are too expensive for the programme unless MMEA allowed for second hand airframes to be offered.
Saab 340 MSA.
Yes I know a Cessna 206 fitted with an ISR equipment could also do the job but realistically it will not have much chance to win the deal. Of course a MALE drone could do the same job at a lower cost than a manned aircraft but it will not make the cut as well if the requirements say otherwise.
Cessna 206 StationAir equipped for ISR. Textron picture.
Anyhow, a few months back, the MMEA announced that they will be getting up to four helicopters soon. It appears that it will be a medium type likely to be the Leonardo AW139.
MMEA AW139 M72-03. Apart from its duty with APMM, the helicopter is also used for various other duties. Picture taken in late 2013. Malaysian Defence
I was told that initially the helicopters would be purchased outright like the six helicopters already in service – three AW139 and three Dauphin (these were originally to be leased like the CL415s) but it was decided recently that the new helicopters will be leased instead.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (98)
Wahhhh...another good news...after the MPAs news from the air force now its time for the coast guard ehh. Feel great to heard that.
Hmmm...this is a little bit confusing
Can't we have one agency handling the MPA role instead? Both tenders are for maritime mission types, shouldn't both MMEA and RMN be the ones handling these things and RMAF concentrates on getting AEWC and AWACs?
Yes in no time our country will be known as malaysia darul 'lease' hahaa..Lets just lease everything..Here hoping Navy also lease MUH,ships to save some money and the army lease howitzers, apc, tanks and what not
Yeah i seconded that asm suggestion but i believed RMN short of manpower to handle mpa task maybe thats why MPA will be helmed by RMAF..
What about the Dornier 228?
Reply
Yes it could be one of the aircraft that be could offered. I cannot remember every aircraft that could be offered
Firdaus - “ i believed RMN short of manpower to handle mpa task maybe thats why MPA will be helmed by RMAF..”
It will take some time to get the trained crews and support personnel and it will have to share an existing base.
ASM - Can’t we have one agency handling the MPA role instead“
It makes sense to avoid overlaps/redundancy but in this case MPAs operated respectively by the RMAF and MMEA (it’s aircraft requiring a more modest fit out) will have slightly different roles; even thought some of the roles can be conducted by either.
It should also be noted that UASs are never a substitute for MPAs and vice versa. Both have their respective strengths and are intended to complement each other; also used in slightly different circumstances.
What about the CL415? Since MMEA ady using it, would it have a higher chance of winning, plus the advantage of an amphib hull.
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Yes and no really as the maintenance for CL is higher than a similar size twin turboprop due to the amphib hull
Dear Marhalim,
So these MPA/MSA for MMEA would be bought outright or also leased?
MMEA has a history of asking for a budget but will stretch it out to get more bang for the buck. For example the OPV program approval was only for 2 ships, but with the same budget they managed to push and get 3 ships instead.
MMEA IMO should have its own MPA/MSA. Their mission is more towards safety and peacetime security of maritime areas. Right now even a lot of times PDRM air wing airplanes are used for maritime surveillance, and they even have a few B350 specially equipped for maritime surveillance.
Back to the MMEA new MPA/MSA. Ideally the equipment/consoles should be the same as the CL415 so that all observer officers can fly in all aircrafts with a common training. That would mean getting MSS 6000 management systems too.
As for the airframe, I dont see a need to really get a brand new airframe. I would prefer the B200 King Air as they are numerous flying around, and low houred and well equipped one could be had for around USD2 million each. Why B200? Probably the smallest sized airplane we can have that can have toilets! With used airframe, we could probably get one for around USD8 million each.
My proposed setup for the B200 MPA/MSA
- used B200 King Air with less than 2500 hours flying time
- BLR winglet
- blackhawk XP52 engine upgrade
- Saddle tank 190gallons (additional tanks behind the engine)
- Halo 275 STC kit 14,000lb GW (increases maximum takeoff weight)
- G1000 NXi EFIS cockpit system
- MSS6000 system
- Leonardo Seaspray AESA maritime search radar
- FLIR EO turret
- AIS receiver
- Satcom
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-608Cpmf-GZI/Xj1--C6lSAI/AAAAAAAAFVM/2Q2C5BBP5lw37t2oB-1hsWDeQg72fEt1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Beechcraft-King-Air-B200-aircraft-Image-1.jpg
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/1590619_1587989_body_photo_jpeg222a5a7d3083843bab10d8a4e97144a3_jpeg82d4ea3d1748ef2aa08236783a5964a0
Winglets
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8AtPZLXwAcIJK0.jpg
Saddle tank
https://imgv2-1-f.scribdassets.com/img/document/267965936/original/8a9507c224/1593315080?v=1
G1000 NXi cockpit
http://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/King-Air-NXi-updates-Blog.jpg
Another option is the DA62 MSA. But you will be flying 8 hours or more without toilet breaks!
http://i2.wp.com/defpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Diamond-Leonardo-DA62-MSA.jpg
https://i2.wp.com/defpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Diamond-DA62-MPP-EuroFlir-410.jpg
BTW PDRM B350 was modified by MAG Aerospace in USA. It is used more towards SIGINT missions.
http://magaero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/B350Points.png
Reply
Its to be bought outright AFAIK
Cessna 206 the cheapest ISR aircraft?
Nah, I think this one is
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c7c3fbab28ef96ee183be1f2de881f286adc30c6/c=0-240-2560-1680/local/-/media/2017/01/16/Visalia/B9325749304Z.1_20170116183043_000_GBAH3J2GA.1-0.jpg
http://www.aviaexpo.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogues-pdf/1669/600/page-00001.jpg
http://www.aviaexpo.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogues-pdf/1669/600/page-00002.jpg
http://www.aviaexpo.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogues-pdf/1669/600/page-00003.jpg
http://kmph.com/resources/media/df5537e8-dbe6-4fa1-bf70-1d053dd5e07b-large1x1_Flight_Design_CTLE.JPG