The Zumwalt-class destroyers are the most advanced and expensive warships

 The Zumwalt-class destroyers are the most advanced and expensive warships ever built by the United States, specifically for destroyers.

Stealth design: These ships have a unique shape with sharp angles and a tumblehome hull designed to reflect radar. To enemy radar, these giant ships appear as small as fishing boats.

Armament: Currently, the Zumwalt-class destroyers are undergoing a major upgrade to install hypersonic missile launchers (missiles that travel at 5x the speed of sound) after the original gun system was deemed too expensive to operate.

Only 3 built: Due to the cost escalating to an estimated $8-$9 billion per ship, the US Navy has cut production from an initial plan of 32 to just 3.

The three ships in this class are:

USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000)

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001)

USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002)

Giant Dimensions: Although called a destroyer, it is much larger than a standard Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, measuring 185 meters in length.

Development and Production Phases:

1. Development Phase (1990s – 2000s)

Initial Concept (1990s): Began as the SC-21 (Surface Combatant for the 21st Century) program, which later evolved into the DD(X) project to create a next-generation destroyer with a focus on land attack and stealth technology.

Budget Approval (2005): The DD(X) program received funding approval to enter the construction phase.

Official Naming (2006): The U.S. Navy officially named this class of ship the Zumwalt (DDG-1000).

2. Production and Construction Phase

Production takes place at General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine:

USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000): Construction commenced (keel laid) in February 2009, launched in October 2013, and commissioned on October 15, 2016.

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001): Construction commenced in September 2009, launched in May 2014, and commissioned in January 2019.

USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002): Construction commenced in April 2012 and completed in November 2021.

3. Modernization Phase (current)

Although in production, these ships continue to undergo functional changes. Starting in 2023, the U.S. Navy began dismantling their outdated gun systems to replace them with hypersonic missile launcher tubes, which are scheduled to begin sea trials in 2027 or 2028.

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C4ISR - Controlling the flow of battle

 C4ISR stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. It is an integrated system that serves as the central nerve of modern military operations, collecting data, processing information, and supporting rapid and precise decision-making on the battlefield.

The following is a breakdown of the components of C4ISR:

Command & Control (C2): Command and control, referring to the hierarchy and procedures for directing operations.

Communications (C): Communications, the system for exchanging data and information between units.

Computers (C): Computers, data processing infrastructure, hardware, and software.

Intelligence (I): Intelligence, the analysis of information about the enemy and the environment.

Surveillance (S): Surveillance, the systematic monitoring of the battlefield.

Reconnaissance (R): Reconnaissance, the search for specific information on the ground.

Primary Functions of C4ISR:

Improving Situational Awareness: Providing a real-time picture of the battlefield.

Accelerate Decision-Making: Quickly transform raw data into tactical decisions.

Interoperability: Enables seamless coordination between units, services, and allies.

The first terrorist incident in Indonesian aviation history

 On March 28, 1981, the first terrorist incident in Indonesian aviation history occurred, involving Garuda Indonesia flight GA-206 from Jakarta to Medan. It transited in Palembang before being hijacked mid-air and ultimately landed in Bangkok, Thailand. The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 named "Woyla."

The hijacking was carried out by five armed men from an extremist group calling themselves "Komando Jihad" (or members of Jamaah Imran).

The perpetrators forced the plane to divert to Penang, Malaysia, and then to Bangkok, Thailand. They demanded the release of 80 political prisoners, a ransom of US$1.5 million, the expulsion of Israeli citizens from Indonesia, and the removal of Vice President Adam Malik.

The hijacking drama lasted for 65 hours before finally being quelled by a lightning raid by Kopassandha (now Kopassus) special forces at Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, on March 31, 1981.

The Kopasandha troops employed a highly planned lightning raid strategy to free the hostages (48 passengers and 5 cabin crew).

The troops approached the plane at 2:45 a.m. under cover of darkness to avoid detection by the hijackers.

The team divided into small groups to attack from three entry points simultaneously to break up the hijackers' concentration.

Emergency Door (center, above the wings): Using the emergency stairs for quick entry.

Rear Door: Attacking through the rear of the aircraft.

Front Door/Pilot: Ensuring immediate control of the cockpit area.

The troops used special tools to forcefully and quickly break through the aircraft doors to surprise the hijackers.

Immediately upon entry, the troops shouted instructions for all passengers to lie on the floor of the aircraft. This was done to separate the hostages from the hijackers, who remained standing or wielding weapons.

The entire operation to neutralize the hijackers was carried out in a very short time, approximately 2 minutes and 49 seconds. This decisiveness and speed prevented the hijackers from detonating grenades or killing more hostages.

This operation resulted in two fatalities from the assault team: Lieutenant (posthumously) Achmad Kirang and Captain Herman Rante.

There were no passenger fatalities during the rescue operation.

Indonesian Anti-Terror Special Forces - Kopassus Unit-81 (SAT-81)

 Kopassus Unit 81 / SAT-81 (formerly known as Sat-81/Gultor) is an elite anti-terror unit under the Indonesian Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus). It consists of soldiers with qualifications exceeding those of other special forces.

Sat-81 is a strategic strike unit with highly specialized capabilities.

Primary Role: Counter-terrorism, special intelligence, and sabotage and direct attack operations to destroy vital enemy assets.

Characteristics: Known as the "stealth force" due to its covert and undetected movements. Its personnel and weaponry are highly classified.

Structure: Consists of several supporting battalions, such as Battalion 811 and Battalion 812.

How Does It Work and How Is It Selected?

Sat-81 operations are conducted with the principles of high secrecy and speed of execution.

Rigorous Selection: Its members are the best soldiers selected from within the Kopassus (Indonesian Special Forces) through rigorous physical and mental selection.

Special Training: Personnel are trained at the Special Forces Education and Training Center (Pusdiklatpassus) to master various close-quarters combat techniques, hostage rescue, and explosives handling.

Synergy: This unit frequently conducts joint training with other Indonesia elite units such as Denjaka (Indonesian Navy) and Satbravo 90 (Indonesian Air Force) for national anti-terror coordination.

History of Formation

This unit was formed in response to the increasing threat of global terrorism in the early 1980s.

Founding: Formed on June 30, 1982, by the duo of Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (first Commander) and Prabowo Subianto (first Deputy Commander) on the instructions of General Benny Moerdani.

Background: Triggered by the successful operation to free the hostages of a Garuda Indonesia plane during Operation Woyla at Don Muang Airport, Thailand, in 1981. The "81" in its name refers to the year of this historic event.

Inspiration: Its educational and organizational model draws heavily from international special forces such as GSG 9 (Germany) and SAS (England).