AS-211: In 1994, pilots from the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying AS-211s, flown by then LT ATONG DE LEON and LT ALEX SUPERFICIAL (Former Aviation Cadets of PAFACes Class of 1991) discovered the Chinese constructing half-finished structures and the presence of their naval vessels at Mischief Reef... Philippine Air Force S-211 Developments Since the 1990s, the Philippine Air Force has been using the S-211 as a Trainer with secondary Attack Capability. These were redesignated as AS-211s and nicknamed as Warriors.[2] With the retirement of the F-5 fighters in 2005, the additional task of air defense was assigned to it as well. Because of this, the Philippine Air Force initiated some improvements to the AS-211s to improve its combat capability thru a series of programs and innovations. The first program was called Project Falcon which installed the Norsight Optical Sight from retired F-5s into the AS-211. The program was initiated by Lieutenant Colonel Enrique Dela Cruz, the Group Commander of the 5th Tactical Fighter Group.[2] This was followed by the Project Falcon Uniform program which repainted the aircraft with a 2-tone Light and Dark Ghost Gray paint scheme along with low visibility markings to reduce their overall visibility.[2] The Project Falcon Hear program saw the optimizing of air-ground communications on the AS-211 by upgrading and installing the AN/ARC-34 UHF radios from the F-5A/B.[2] These aircraft were also fitted with a Belly Gun Pod designed, developed and manufactured by Philippine company Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc. (AIPI). Each Pod is equipped with an M3 .50 cal Machine Gun, an automatic charger and approximately 240 rounds of .50 cal ammunition.[3]
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:35:51 +0000
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