RMAF Finally Acquire Korean FA-50 LCA

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - In a recent development, the Royal Malaysian Air Force has announced its purchase of the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light combat aircraft (LCA). The FA-50 LCA is a multi-role fighter aircraft capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, making it a versatile addition to the Royal Malaysian Air Force's fleet.

The purchase agreement was signed between the Malaysian Ministry of Defence and KAI during a ceremony held at the Ministry's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The deal, valued at over $100 million, includes the purchase of six FA-50 LCAs and associated equipment and services.

The FA-50 LCA is a derivative of the T-50 supersonic trainer jet, which has been in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force since 2005. The FA-50 is equipped with a range of advanced avionics and weapons systems, including a 20mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.

The purchase of the FA-50 LCAs is part of Malaysia's ongoing efforts to modernize its air force and enhance its capabilities. The Royal Malaysian Air Force currently operates a mix of older fighter jets, including the F/A-18D Hornet and the Su-30MKM, which will be gradually phased out in favor of newer, more advanced aircraft.

The acquisition of the FA-50 LCA is also expected to strengthen Malaysia's defense ties with South Korea, which has been a key partner in the country's defense procurement efforts. The FA-50 LCA is expected to be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in the coming years, with the first aircraft expected to arrive in 2024.

The purchase of the FA-50 LCA is a significant milestone for Malaysia's defense modernization program and is expected to enhance the country's air force capabilities. The Royal Malaysian Air Force has expressed its confidence in the FA-50's performance and is looking forward to incorporating the new aircraft into its fleet.

U-2 Spy Plane With AI Equipped ARTUµ Co-Pilot

New technology emerged to tackle the need to have a co-pilot on U-2 Spy Plane. Before this any U-2 spy plane needs to have 2 man operating it. One's is piloting it while the others will manage all the electronics and reconnaissance services.

Now.. things have changes.

The United States Air Force just hit a major milestone involving the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-controlled flight. A mission yesterday with a U-2 spy plane out of California saw an onboard AI system working together with a pilot. 

The Air Force said in a statement that this partnership represents the very first moment that AI has served as “a working aircrew member onboard a military aircraft.” The AI system, which the Air Force calls ARTUµ, handled the operation of a sensor, while the pilot did other duties. “During this flight, ARTUµ was responsible for sensor employment and tactical navigation, while the pilot flew the aircraft and coordinated with the AI on sensor operation,” the Air Force said. 

The military notes that the AI that controlled the sensor had trained by learning from data that represented more than 500,000 “simulated training iterations.” Its goal was to look for missile launchers using the radar.

U-2 spy planes are known as complex crafts to fly—the aviators within them must wear spacesuits—and if the AI performed well, it would mean that a busy pilot would have fewer tasks to do while operating the high-altitude, intelligence-gathering aircraft.