SG50 NDP aerial display features 'Five Stars' and '50' formations
[CORRECTION: This article previously stated that the number of aircraft participating in the NDP this year is the largest, but it is actually only one of the largest at the Padang. There was also a misspelling of the NDP Air Participation Committee Chairman's name, which has been edited.]
With the tagline “soaring the skies for our Golden Jubilee”, the air participation segment in this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will feature special flypast formations as well as tribute flypasts by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
In a media preview earlier on 16 June, Air Participation Committee chairman Colonel Francis Ngooi said the committee and the aircrew “want to bring a most impactful and optimal” composition to the parade.
While audiences at the NDP can expect to see the traditional flypast of the State Flag across the Padang during the singing of the national anthem, there will also be various unprecedented formations.
This year’s SG50 aerial display at the NDP will feature the most extensive show, with 50 aircraft in total — one of the largest number to participate in NDP at the Padang.
Here's a sneak peek at some of the aircraft and formations you can expect to see at the NDP.
“Five Stars” Tribute Aerial Flypast by Black Knights
The “Five Stars” tribute aerial flypast is part of the tribute segment that will take place in the Prologue of the NDP 2015 Show in remembrance of the late Lee Kuan Yew. In this flypast, the Black Knights will form a “five stars” shape, resembling the stars seen on our state flag. It signifies Singapore’s ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
SALUTE-TO-NATION
“50” formation and Aerial bomb-burst
As part of the RSAF’s salute to the nation, 20 F-16s will form a number “50”. This formation has never been seen before in any other NDP shows.
Next, to round off the salute-to-nation segment, six Black Knights will perform an aerial bomb-burst where they will fan out over the Padang.
AERIAL FLYPAST
“Arrowhead” formation
The aerial flypast will begin with an “Arrowhead” combined helicopter formation, led by two S-70B naval helicopters, featuring two AS-332 Super Pumas, two AH-64D Apaches and two Chinooks.
Transport and Fighter aircraft formations
A C-130 transport aircraft and two Fokker 50 (FK-50) Maritime Patrol aircraft will execute the “VIC” formation.
Following that, a KC-135 tanker aircraft and a G550-Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, escorted by four F-5 fighter aircraft will fly in close formation.
“Criss Cross” maneuver & Near-vertical climb by Black Knights
Four Black Knights will then perform the “Criss Cross” maneuver with smoke trails, followed by two Black Knights executing a near-vertical climb.
Combat Turn
A solo F-15SG fighter aircraft will also be executing a combat turn over the Padang, as a showcase of the aircraft’s precision and agility. After circumventing the Padang, the aircraft will perform a near-vertical climb with afterburners.
Flat Burst maneuver
In the finale of the segment, three F-15SGs will execute a “Flat Burst” maneuver as they make their exit.
