Singapore - Helicopters
In 1977, three Bell UH-1N (Bell 212s) and 17 UH-1H Huey helicopters arrived, allowing the ageing Alouette IIIs to be phased out in early 1978. Two squadrons of Bell UH-1H helicopters, each having a complement of twenty helicopters, were formed in the late 1970s to enable the air force to transport specially trained infantrymen anywhere on the island during combat. If both squadrons were used, the air force could airlift a lightly-armed battalion into battle within hours of receiving its orders. In 1980, these were joined by refurbished UH-1Bs which were retired in 1989, followed soon after by the UH-1Ns. Since its initial UH-1H purchase, the RSAF has followed up with several batches, including six Italian-built Agusta-Bell AB205 helicopters.
The UH-1Hs (Hueys) have seen lots of operational use in their time with the RSAF. However, the Huey's finest hour was undoubtedly what has come to be known as the "Cable Car Rescue". In 19 January 1983, the mast of the drilling ship Eniwetok hit the overhead cables of the cable car service linking the popular tourist island of Sentosa with Singapore, killing seven people. Thirteen more people, stranded in six dangling cars, were winched to safety in a daring late-night rescue carried out by a UH-1N from 120 Squadron. Today the Huey fulfils a wide variety of roles, including troop transport, casualty evacuation, heli-rappelling, underslung load and anti-terrorist operations. It has served the RSAF with distinction.
In 1986 the air force began to import French-produced AS-332B helicopters to augment its force of UH-1H helicopters for troop transport and to provide an improved search-and-rescue capability. The AS-332B had the advantage of a larger troop capacity and a greater combat radius. In 1989 the air force had taken delivery of six AS-332Bs and deployed them for search-and-rescue operations. An additional sixteen AS-332Bs were scheduled to be delivered to the air force in the early 1990s and would be used primarily for troop transport.
The AH-64D Longbow Apache is a twin-engine, four-bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter with a tandem-seated crew of two. The versatile helicopter is the first helicopter developed specifically for day, night and adverse-weather combat missions. The Apache is self-deployable and survivable and can carry a lethal array of armament. It features an integrated Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (TADS) and Pilot Night Vision System (PNVS), which enables the crew to navigate and conduct precision attacks in day, night and adverse weather conditions. The Apache is also capable of being equipped with the Northrop Grumman millimetre-wave Longbow radar. The Longbow fire control radar incorporates an integrated radar frequency interferometer for passive location and identification of radar emitting threats. Millimetre wave performs under poor visibility conditions, is less sensitive to ground clutter, and is resistant to counter-measures.
In 1994, the RSAF announced the purchase of the Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinook heavy lift helicopters. In terms of cargo capacity alone, the Chinook's 12,945kg (28,557lbs) useful load is almost three times that of the AS332M-1 Super Puma. They are utilised for support of Army operations, with a capability to carry more than 50 fully equipped troops. In 1984, the RSAF purchased the Aerospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS332 Super Puma helicopters for its medium transport/utility role. The green-brown camouflaged Super Puma works closely in support of all branches of the armed forces, carrying out tasks such as heliborne assault and payload lifting. Its impressive capacity (22 fully equipped troops/4,500 kg slung payload) makes it an extremely capable aircraft.
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