26 January 2015

News Story: (Philippines) F/A-50s able to do autonomous air patrols


BY LUNINGNING CLAUDIO

MANILA, (DWDD) — With its relative updated radar systems onboard, the soon to be commissioned F/A-50s “Fighting Eagle” is able to do autonomous air patrols without relying too much on ground based surveillance systems.

This was disclosed by Philippine Air Force (PAF)spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya in a message to the PNA.

“(The F/A-50s) has its own onboard radar systems so it can detect (any hostile air threats) while on patrol,” he added.

Canaya declined to give the specifics of the F/A-50’s radar systems for security reasons but stressed that it is quite adequate for air patrol work.

Sources said this feature of the South Korean made jet fighter has greatly boosted the air defense capabilities of the PAF which was greatly reduced with the decommissioning of its Northrop F-5 “Tiger” jet fighter squadrons and Vought F-8 “Crusader” fleet, in 2005 and 1988, respectively.

Read the full story at DWDD