NEW BLOCK US ANG/R F-16 TRAINING VIPER TUCSON’S TESTING TIMES AT PAX RIVER PLUS UPGRADERS IN THE UKRAINE WAR #21& 22 STATE REPORT RUSSIA’S ANTI-AIR DEFENSE MISSING US NAVY HEAVY LIFTERS NEWUPRAFALESGREEKCLOSE LITTLE VS LARGE EXCLUSIVE! GREEK STUNNING! EUROPE’S MIGHTY PUNCHERS FIGHTERSURVEYPART2 FLEXING MUSCLE MAINE MARYLANDAND Volume 23 No 10 OCTOBER 2022 UK £5.50
Strength through capability, commitment and collaboration. Effective Proven Trustedwww.eurofighter.com
STIRRING
USrepresentativesRepublicdelegationCongressionalposeforaphotowithofKoreaandservicemembersatOsanAirBaseonAugust4,2022.ThedelegationvisitedKoreaaspartofherIndo-Pacifictour,focuisngonmutualsecurity,economicpartnershipsanddemocraticgovernanceintheregion
Alan Warnes, Group Editor at Large
editor@combataircraftjournal.comatVisitourwebsiteatwww.key.aero/combataircraftjournal WELCOME// OCTOBER 2022 2022 3www.Key.Aero // October 2022
Right now, the US military is on a heightened state of alert. Since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine, squadrons of USAF F-22A Raptors and F-35A Lightnings have been deployed to Europe, as have US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, while the US Army was already in place on NATO’s eastern flank as part of its ongoing annual commitments. The US Department of Defense (DoD) is undoubtedly working overtime to support NATO against any possible Russian intrusion, in addition to helping Ukraine with its requirements to deter and repel the occupying Russians forces. Now, thanks to the visit to Taiwan by the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi – a trip made against the advice of US President Joe Biden – the Chinese are on the warpath too. Her visit effectively stirred up a hornet’s nest that led to strong condemnation from senior Chinese politicians, who saw it as a threat to their One China policy and said the US would “pay the price.” Officially, the US does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, accepts the One China policy and only has formal relations with Beijing and not Taiwan. However, the US does maintain very close ties with the island and sells a lot of weapons to Taiwan to defend itself, although it does stop short of selling it the best it has to offer, such as the F-35 Lightning and P-8A Poseidon. Pelosi’s visit saw an intensive week of Chinese military operations that included a record 300 sorties by People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fighters, bombers, tankers and intelligencegathering aircraft. While most of these probed Taiwan’s air defense identification zone to the north and south of the island, a few reportedly strayed across the unofficial median line that bisects the Taiwan Straits. PLAN aircraft carriers were nearby and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force even fired ballistic missiles over Taiwan into the Philippines Sea. While the ultimate objective was to portray a show of strength, both Taiwan and the US would have learned a lot. The folks at the US DoD will now not just be looking at Russian aggression but concentrating even more firmly on what China’s imminent plans are for their Taiwanese allies. Don’t be too surprised to see Russia’s President Vladimir Putin supporting his mate, the Chinese President Xi Jinping, on that one.
HORNET’STHENEST
USAF/Staff Sgt Dwane R Young Contact the team
Below: Nancy Pelosi and a
FOR FULL DETAILS 50 DTokunaga/KatsuhikoACT,Inc 10No•23Vol•2022October WIN! A Canon digital camera and vlogger kit worth £579 See page 89. UK only competition. Frank Crebas68
The largest test facility in the US has a unique approach to its work. Frank Visser visits the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River, Maryland, to find out more 44 F-35 puts Phantom to rest A historic deal sees the Greek government opting for the Lightning as a replacement for its air force’s ageing F-4E fleet. Babak Taghvaee looks at the ramifications 46 75 years over the ocean
The Russian military has failed to conduct effective suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) operations in Ukraine and has hit strike operations. Alexander Mladenov explains 36 Pax pushes the envelope
The Servicio de Aviación of the Prefectura Naval Argentina is the only coastguard air service in Latin America operating over the South Atlantic and the rivers of the country. Santiago Rivas reports on this unique operation 98
Russia’s SEAD mission failure
Alaskan F-22A Raptors deploy to Europe AFSOC orders up to 75 Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Wardens for Armed Overwatch US Navy delivers first CN235 MPA to the Malaysia Air Force South Korea approves purchase of CH-47Fs and 20 more F-35As Raytheon 727 Testbed participates in Valiant Shield exercise 22 Return of RIAT After a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal International Air Tattoo has made its return. Joe Campion assesses the multinational line-up and takes time out to speak to CEO Paul Atherton 28
IN THE NEWS SEE PAGE
Despite several attempts, the US Army never fielded a direct replacement for the Bell OH-58
Flexing some muscle
David Axe reports on Israeli company Rafael’s latest swarming cruise missile, the Ice Breaker
54
Pine State flyers
76 European Fighter Survey Pt.2
56 Old line air power
Training is vital for pilots in the National Guard and Reserve, flying newer-block F-16s. Joe Copalman looks at the role of the US ANG and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC)
At the heart of US Navy operations is its logistical support units. Ted Carlson discovers the vital role they play in keeping the fleet afloat 96 Ice Breaker
Maryland is home to some of the biggest and most important air bases in the United States. Tom Kaminski assesses the state’s assets 66 A kicking Stallion
We continue our ‘Just a nice pic’ series with an image from Chris Gilligan showing a USMC Sikorsky CH-53E from VMM-162 (Reinforced) performing a take-off during extraction training in the UK 68 Passing the Viper test
In the second of our two-part feature, we look at the fighter forces serving NATO and its allies across Europe, compiled with help from our sister title, AirForces Monthly 86 Too much, too late
We continue our special US state-by-state reports with Tom Kaminski explaining which units are based in Maine
Kiowa Warrior. David Willis looks at the armed reconnaissance helicopter that became a victim of spiraling costs and delays 90
Cover image: One of AATC’s F-16Ds pops flares whilst using full afterburner during a training mission. Frank Crebas ON THE COVER Navy/Erik Hildebrandt
90 36 Ted Carlson US
50 Rafales rule the roost With a long lineage of Dassault jets flying with Greek forces, the Rafale is the latest generation to enter service with the Hellenic Air Force, reports Pierre-Alain Antoine
GERMAN LIGHTNING II DEAL
The first Qatar Emiri Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon, QA404, which was handed over at Warton, Lancashire, on August 15 BAE Systems 2022
QATAR’S FIRST TYPHOON HANDED OVER
DURING A roll-out ceremony on August 15 at BAE Systems facility in Warton, Lancashire, the first Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Eurofighter Typhoon was formally handed over. The single-seat aircraft, serial number QA404/ZR505 (MS001), is the first of 24 on order for the QEAF, comprising 20 single-seat and four two-seat types. The event was hosted by Cliff Robson, managing director of air at BAE Systems Group, and was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and in the presence of Major General Jassim Mohammed Ahmed Al Mannai, commander of the QEAF. Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence, said: “Today's Typhoon delivery is another exciting milestone for our
On June 16 it was confirmed that pilot training will be carried out at the Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center that is to be set up at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith Regional Airport, Arkansas. Germany will be the second nation to train there, following the Republic of Singapore Air Force, which will begin F-16 training at Ebbing in 2023 and also later use the base for F-35 training.
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The DSCA noted that the F-35As will provide a suitable replacement for Germany’s retiring Tornado aircraft fleet in support of NATO’s nuclear sharing mission, which is the cornerstone of military deterrence in Europe.
IN A further step towards Germany’s acquisition of the F-35A Lightning II, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on July 28 that US State Department approval had been granted for the proposed foreign military sale to the government of Germany of 35 F-35A aircraft, munitions and related equipment at an estimated cost of $8.4bn. The DSCA notified the US Congress of the planned deal on the same day. The proposed contract also includes a large weapons package, including 105 AIM120C-8 AMRAAMs, 75 AGM-158B/ B2 JASSM-ERs, 344 GBU-53 small diameter bombs (SDB-II), 162 BLU109 2,000lb hardened penetrator bombs for GBU-31, 264 Mk 82 500lb general purpose (GP) bombs for GBU-54, six Mk 82 inert filled GP bombs, 30 BLU-109 inert 2,000lb hardened penetrator bombs, 180 KMU-557 joint direct-attack munition (JDAM) tail kits for GBU31, 246 KMU-572 JDAM tail kits for GBU-54 and 75 AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Sidewinder missiles, along with a range of other equipment.
German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht had announced selection of the F-35A on March 14 this year. The first Tornados are due to leave the fleet in 2025, but no schedule for F-35A contract signature and first deliveries have yet been announced. It was announced in June 2022 that Buchel has been selected as the main operating base for all the Luftwaffe’s F-35As.
The first QEAF Typhoons are due to be ferried from the UK to Qatar later in August. This will enable them to provide critical air support for the FIFA World Cup, which is being held this year in Qatar, beginning on November 21. The first QEAF single-seater had took its maiden flight from Warton on November 25 last year, followed by the second, QA405/ZR506 (MS002), on January 12. The third, fourth and fifth – ZR507 (MS003), ZR508 (MS004) and ZR509 (MS005) – made their first flights on March 31, May 9 and June 17, respectively. The remainder, ZR510 (MS006) to ZR524 (MS020), have yet to fly, as have the four two-seat aircraft, ZR501 (MT001) to ZR504 (MT004). Seven of the nine Hawks that were part of the deal have also now been delivered to the joint RAF-QEAF unit at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire. The final two are also now undergoing test flights at Warton, but have yet to be officially handed over.
STATE DEPT APPROVES
joint UK-Qatar collaboration, which will see the sharing of training and expertise between our respective air forces and will ensure both our nations stay at the forefront of defence capability. This joint project underlines how much Britain values its Middle East partnerships.” The event marks a major milestone in the programme, following a contract for the acquisition of the Typhoons and nine Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft and a six-year availability support service signed between the government of Qatar and BAE Systems on December 10, 2017. In addition, a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Qatar and the UK was signed for the provision of support including the stand up of joint UK-Qatar Typhoon and Hawk squadrons to provide RAF pilot and technician training.
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BELGIAN C-130HS FOR PAKISTAN
The pilot of US Air Force F-22A Raptor serial number 06-4110 ‘AK’/‘11 AF’ from the 3rd Wing’s 90th Fighter Squadron ‘Pair-o-Dice’ performs pre-flight checks before dawn at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on July 26, prior to departing for Lask Air Base, Poland, via RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, to support the NATO Air Shielding mission. The aircraft was one of 12 from unit which deployed (see p12-13 for full details) USAF/Alejandro Pena 15 F-35Cs for the US Navy (USN), 32 F-35As and four F-35Bs for unspecified non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants and 16 F-35As for foreign military sales (FMS) customers, as well as 69 shipsets of technical hardware. Contract completion is anticipated in October 2024. The total funding released at the time of the award includes Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 USAF aircraft procurement funds of $2,162,537,083, FY 2021 USN aircraft procurement funds of $1,538,490,483, FY 2020 USAF aircraft procurement funds of $54,747,445, FY 2020 USN aircraft procurement funds of $32,338,565, FMS funds of $693,338,015 and non-US DOD participant funds of $682,929,685. A separate NAVAIR award valued at $53,415,771 was awarded to Lockheed Martin on the same day and covers the provision of continued engineering and other related activities in support of the design and development of a joint strike fighter aircraft variant tailored for an unspecified FMS customer. Work is expected to be completed in July 2026. five being CH-01 (c/n 4455), CH04 (c/n 4467), CH-05 (c/n 4470), CH-07 (c/n 4476) and CH-11 (c/n 4482). All will use the c/n as their new PAF serials. Joe Peartree 7www.Key.Aero // October 2022
LOCKHEED MARTIN WINS $7.6BN CONTRACT FOR 129 F-35S
RAPTORS DEPLOY TO POLAND
US NAVAL Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for the procurement of 129 Lot 15 F-35 Lightning IIs. The $7,630,940,571 deal was signed on August 12 and is a modification to a previous advanced acquisition contract. It covers 49 F-35A aircraft for the US Air Force (USAF), three F-35Bs and ten F-35Cs for the US Marine Corps, Former Belgian Air Force C-130H Hercules serial number CH-09 (c/n 4479), now fully painted as 4479 for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), taxies out for its first pre-delivery test flight, using callsign PAF479, at Brussels-Melsbroek on August 1. This was the second ex-Belgian aircraft to be painted in PAF colours, following CH-12 (c/n 4483), which is now 4483 and test flew from Brussels on July 25 before departing for delivery on July 28. The PAF is acquiring a total of seven former Belgian C-130Hs, the other
ATAC crews and the Mirages will provide chase for offthe-line F-35s during their first flights and for product assurance flights, commonly known as check rides. The Mirage F1 will be used, flying specific roles with the F-35s and to provide airspace clearance. The Mirage’s speed will help with aircraft system checks throughout and at the end of missions. Olney, Texas, manufacturing facility. Armed Overwatch will provide Special Operations Forces with deployable, affordable and sustainable crewed aircraft systems fulfilling close air support, precision strike and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, strike co-ordination and forward air controller requirements in austere and permissive environments for use in operations in support of the National Defense Strategy. In testimony to the House Armed Service subcommittee on intelligence and special operations on July 21 last year, SOCOM Commander General Richard Clark said he anticipates there will be four operational squadrons, each equipped with 15 Armed Overwatch aircraft. This would allow one squadron to be deployed while the other three would train at home in the US. A fifth squadron of 10-15 aircraft would be purely a training unit. There had been five types competing for the contract, the others being the Leidos Bronco II, MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian, Sierra Nevada Corporation MC-145B Wily Coyote and Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine – all evaluated until March 2022, primarily at Eglin AFB, Florida.
AIRBORNE TACTICAL Advantage Company (ATAC) announced on August 10 that it had signed a five-year agreement to provide chase flight services to the US Navy F-35 program. Due to commence later this year or in early 2023, providing the chase services on behalf of ATAC will be three Mirage F1s flying approximately 600 hours perTheannum.Mirage F1s will fly from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II serial number 79-0148 ‘DP’ at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on July 26. The aircraft was one of ten from Air Force Reserve Command’s 944th Fighter Wing/924th Fighter Group’s 47th Fighter Squadron ‘Dogpatchers’ at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, that deployed to Hawaii to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 22 from June 29 to August 4 USAF/Staff Sgt Tyler J Bolken 2022
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ATAC MIRAGES TO PROVIDE CHASE AND CHECK RIDES FOR US NAVY F-35 PROGRAM
TEN AFRC A-10CS DEPLOY FOR RIMPAC
Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM J-010 ‘148 FS’ assigned to the US Air Force’s 162nd Wing/148th Fighter Squadron ‘Kickin’ Ass’ shuts down at Morris Air National Guard Base, Tucson, Arizona, after its final training flight on July 29. The RNLAF has ended F-16 training in Tucson as it transitions to the F-35A USAF/Major Angela Walz
October
FAREWELL FLIGHT FOR RNLAF F-16
An initial six new aircraft are to be delivered under low-rate initial production Lot 1. SOCOM said initial operating capability should be achieved in Fiscal Year 2026 and full operating capability in 2029. L3Harris expects to rapidly modify the existing Armed Overwatch prototype demonstrator into production configuration and provide for customer weapon system testing in about six months. Production of new, fully modified, Armed Overwatch missionconfigured aircraft will begin in 2023 at L3Harris’Tulsa, Oklahoma, modification center, following initial production at Air Tractor’s
US SPECIAL Operations Command (SOCOM) awarded a contract worth up to $3bn on July 31 to L3 Communications Integrated Systems for procurement of up to 75 Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft in support of the Armed Overwatch program. Initial funding of $170m was released at the time of the award for research, development, test and evaluation, andTheprocurement.dealalsoincludes training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, spares and logistics support, with a period of performance from July 2022 to July 2029, including all options.
SPECIAL OPS ORDERS UP TO 75 AIR TRACTOR AT-802U SKY WARDENS FOR ARMED OVERWATCH
GENERAL ATOMICS Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) announced on July 17 it had been awarded a contract for eight MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) Unmanned Aircraft Systems as part of the ARES LittoraltrainingnetworkwithwillDesignofKaneohe3)AerialMarinelatefacilitateequipmentdeliveryProgramUnmannedGroundincrementEquipmentsparesGroundfurtherMaycontractIndefinite-QuantityIndefinite-Delivery/(ID/IQ)thatwasawardedon27.GA-ASIanticipatesawardslaterthisyearforControlSystems(GCS),andGroundSupportaspartofthefirstoftheMarineAirTaskForce(MAGTF)Expeditionary(MUX)ofRecord.GA-ASIwillbeginfirstofaircraftandsupportthiswintertothefleetstand-upinsummer2023fortheUSCorps’MarineUnmannedVehicleSquadron3(VMU-atMarineCorpsAirStationBay,Hawaii.AsparttheUSMarineCorps’Force2030efforts,VMU-3operatetheseMQ-9AERstheiruniquesensorsandcapabilitiestosupportfortheUSMarineRegiment.
EIGHT FORFROMREAPERMQ-9AERSGA-ASIMARINES
US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress serial number 60-0045 ‘BD’/‘307 OG’ from Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing/93rd Bomb Squadron ‘Indian Outlaws’ at Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), Louisiana, lands at the former Loring AFB, now Loring Commerce Center, Maine, on August 11. This was the first B-52 to land in Maine for 29 years, the last time being in autumn 1993 when the final 42nd Bomb Wing aircraft left the major Strategic Air Command base at Loring USAF/Master Sgt Andrew Sinclair Saturn Arch was initially developed by the Joint Improved Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to support emerging immediate requirements in CENTCOM in the early days of the Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Enduring Freedom conflicts. The program’s advanced geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) capabilities included devices.neutralizingprimarilysensors.andelectro-optical/infraredhyperspectral,(EO/IR),high-resolutionimagery(HRI)ItwasinitiallydesignedtoassistinlocatingandimprovisedexplosiveSaturnArchsuccessfully performed missions for more than ten years resulting in about 72,500 mission hours flown and more than 18,000 intelligence products generated. As the drawdown in CENTCOM occurred, the Saturn Arch sensors and aircraft were slowly retrograded from theater. With the US Army’s change in focus to Multi-Domain Operation requirements, PD SAI is working with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command and lab partner communities to transition sensor capabilities to other efforts.
LAST BEALE GLOBAL HAWK DEPARTS
FINAL CENTCOM SATURN ARCH MISSION FIRST B-52 IN MAINE FOR 29 YEARS
US ARMY Project Director Sensors-Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI) successfully completed the final mission for the Saturn Arch Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) aircraft in support of US Army Central Command (CENTCOM) on JulyThe31.Saturn Arch system is housed in the de Havilland Canada RO-6A (a military derivative of the twin-turboprop Dash 8 commercial airliner), ten of which have been acquired in the last decade, primarily operated by Company D of 204th Military Intelligence Battalion.
Personnel from the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron and 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Detachment 1 prepare US Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30 04-2021 ‘BB’ for departure from Beale Air Force Base, California, on July 7. This was the last Global Hawk at Beale and was headed for Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, to be transferred to Northrop Grumman. The RQ-4Bs are being divested as part of a plan to restructure ISR assets, and are being delivered to Grand Forks for transfer to Northrup Grumman to be outfitted with different sensor technology before joining the Test Resource Management Center’s High Speed System Test department USAF/Staff Sgt Ramon A Adelan 9www.Key.Aero // October 2022
FOR VAW-113
RAYTHEON 727 TESTBED PARTICIPATES IN VALIANT SHIELD
New production US Navy E-2D Hawkeye, bureau number 169863 ‘NE-600’ assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron 113 (VAW-113) ‘Black Eagles’ in CAG-bird colours approaches Naval Base Ventura County (NVBC), Point Mugu, California, on July 27. This marked the last flight before retirement for Cmdr Ryan E Magee, NVBC operations officer US Navy/Ensign Drew Verbis reconnaissance capabilities, such as the RMT-727 and MQ-9A Reaper.
ONE UNUSUAL participant in the Valiant Shield 22 (VS 22) exercise from June 1-17 was the Raytheon Multi-program Testbed (RMT) Boeing 727-223, reg no N289MT, as revealed by the USAF’s 505th Command and Control Wing. Central to the 12-day VS 22 was the first-ever Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) ‘best of breed’demonstration, where US military service components executed their own vision using current technology to turn concepts into reality. JADC2 is the US Department of Defense’s vision for a future command and control construct that connects the battlespace across every domain.
Crew from the 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), Detachment 3, at the Common Mission Control Center (CMCC), Beale AFB, California, informed the USAF’s approach to realizing its contribution to JADC2, the advanced battle management system. The CMCC’s direct support to combatant commanders provides the most comprehensive situational understanding of operations while allowing them to synchronize multi-domain effects. For the exercise, the CMCC enhanced real-world situational awareness by feeding the joint force through detecting, locating, tracking and directing engagement of units at sea, on land, in the air and in cyberspace.
Lt Col Mikita Brown, commander of 605th TES, Det 3, said: “These demonstrations are critical to the transformation and dissemination of targeting and intelligence information to achieve the goal of sensor-to-shooter connections.”US Navy Rear Admiral Robb Chadwick, VS 22 Joint Exercise Control Group director, added: “This exercise was the perfect opportunity to conduct integrated deterrence, which was the cornerstone of our approach.” Raytheon’s RMT-727 was delivered new to American Airlines as N710AA (c/n 22467) on July 15, 1981. After being withdrawn by the airline, it was acquired by Raytheon on February 19, 2002, and reregistered as N289MT. Conversion into the Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed for new avionics included grafting on an F-15 Eagle nose. US Indo-Pacific Command HQ staff forward-deployed a jointforce headquarters to Andersen AFB, Guam, for VS 22. The event provided a venue to support the demonstration of USINDOPACOM’s forward presence in the Western Pacific, while supporting the test of current and new technologies and platforms, to advance critical areas such as multi-intelligence, artificial intelligence, and long-range fire experiments. The exercise took place in the Joint Region Marianas area of operations including Palau, Naval Base Guam, Andersen AFB and the off-shore Mariana Island Range Complex, with some training events also occurring in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The exercise balanced real-world assurance with competitive overmatch for the theatre’s rapid procurement campaign strategy.
Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed Boeing 727-223 N289MT, which participated in Valiant Shield 22 at Andersen AFB, Guam USAF/505th Command and Control Wing/Shelton Keel 2022
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The CMCC provided capabilities for improving critical command and control (C2) and battlespace awareness functions which include over-the-horizon target custody across distributed C2 nodes, decreasing the time required for electronic battle updates and rapid dissemination of enemy locations from intelligence, surveillance and NEW CAG-BIRD E-2D
AT-6E WOLVERINE ACHIEVES USAF MILITARY TYPE CERTIFICATION
The USAF was launch customer for the AT-6, with Textron announcing on March 16, 2020, that it had been awarded a USAF contract for two AT-6Es. Delivery of the first was announced on February 17, 2021. Most recently, the USAF has indicated that further acquisitions are unlikely and the existing two aircraft are likely to be disposed of as excess defense articles.
With a Colombian Air Force pilot in the rear seat, Craig Fisher, 81st Fighter Squadron supervisory instructor pilot, taxies US Air Force AT-6E Wolverine 20-1102 into a parking spot at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida, on May 10 during an AERONet demonstration. The AT-6E has now achieved Military Type Certification from the USAF USAF/Airman 1st Class Deanna Muir 11www.Key.Aero // October 2022
US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) also ordered a single prototype AT-6E under a contract announced on May 14, 2021, for a competitive demonstration as part of SOCOM's Armed Overwatch programme. If successful, the winning contractor could have received orders for an eventual total of 75 aircraft, but ultimately the AT-802U won this deal. The Royal Thai Air Force is the international launch customer, having awarded a contract in 2021 for eight Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverines. They are scheduled for delivery in 2024 for operation by the 41st Wing at Chiang Mai Air Base on light attack operations.
Squadron 362 (VMM-362) ‘Ugly Angels’ (Reinforced) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, takes off from Eagle Mountain, California, as part of a realistic urban training exercise on June 12. Newly assigned to the unit as the squadron color bird, it is one of the latest MV-22Bs to be delivered to the USMC US Marine Corps/Gunnery Sgt Donald Holbert
TEXTRON AVIATION Defense’s Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine has achieved military type certification from the US Air Force. The milestone, announced by the US manufacturer on July 25, clears the way for continued global sales of the light attack aircraft through the US government-sponsored foreign military sales programme or the direct commercial sales process. Prior to this, the USAF’s Air Combat Command had been using its first two AT-6Es at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, over a five-month period, as part of a collaboration between 81st Fighter Squadron (FS) pilots and partner nations to further mature and co-develop tactics, techniques and procedures. This effort was in support of countering violent extremist organizations while simultaneously demonstrating the capabilities of the Airborne Extensible Relay Over-Horizon Network (AERONet), an exportable and affordable data link. The project was completed on June 14. The 81st FS pilots, who were on loan to the 23rd Wing, flew the AT-6Es alongside partner nation personnel from Colombia, Nigeria, Thailand and Tunisia. To effectively master the three nodes of AERONet, each country sent two pilots, plus support personnel and forward air controllers to learn the software in command and control, airborne systems and dismounteduse communications. The partner nation pilots operated AERONet from the rear seat of the AT-6E. Learning the secure combat system allowed thrm to track enemy movements while maintaining communication with C2 and partner nation forces.
LATEST OSPREY IN SERVICE
The 12 Raptors were split into two flights for their Atlantic crossing. Both operated under the ‘Cube’ callsign and passed through US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) base at RAF Lakenheath. Operating as Cube 11-16, the first flight that landed on the evening of July 26, were serials 04-4074, 05-4090, 064110, 06-4112, 07-4151 and 10-4193. Supporting the first flight of fifth generation Raptors over the Atlantic were an array of tanker platforms, from the latest KC-46A Pegasus to the oldest KC-135 Stratotankers. The tankers
Six F-22A Raptors of the 90 FS from JBER, Alaska, callsigns ‘Cube 21-26’ arriving at RAF Lakenheath, en route to Poland for NATO Air Shielding operations Simon Pearson Cougill
WELVE F-22A Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron (FS), 3rd Wing, Joint TacticalhaveElmendorf-Richardson,BaseAlaska,forwarddeployedto32ndBaseinLask,Poland.
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero12 DEPLOYMENT NEWS // RAPTORS IN EUROPE
RAPTORS IN EUROPE
USAF/Staff Sgt Kevin Long
T
Three USAF F-22 Raptors assigned to the 90th FS, Joint Base
The Raptors travelled to Europe on August 4 to support NATO Air Shielding, part of the organization’s plan to augment its defensive stance in Eastern Europe. The 90th FS has taken over this role from USAF F-35A Lightnings assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing. The Vermont F-35s have been conducting NATO Air Policing missions since May 2, 2022.
PolandRichardsonElmendorf-flyoverbesideaUSAFKC-135Stratotanker,fromthe100thAirRefuelingWingatRAFMildenhall,UK,August10,2022
All 12 of the Raptors departed Lakenheath in the morning of August 4 after being kept in the base’s HAS hangars during their stopover. They then headed to Lask, Poland and will remain there for an unknown duration. The Raptors are understood to be due to operate from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany following their stay in Poland to replace the F-35As that are currently operating from the German USAFE base.
USAF F-22 Raptor touches down at the 32nd Tactical Air Base, Łask, Poland, to support NATO Air Shielding on August 4 USAF/SSgt Danielle Sukhlall 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Sgt Kevin Long operated under the ‘Bobby’ callsign and refuelled the aircraft on various stages of the flight into RAF Lakenheath, including locations close to the east coast of the US, Iceland, and Scotland.
PolandMildenhall,Wing100thtakesRichardson,Elmendorf-Alaska,fuelfromaAirRefuelingatRAFUKoveronAugust10 USAF/Staff
A F-22A assignedRaptortothe
Acting as the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) the jets were joined by another six F-22As from the unit, crossing the Atlantic as Cube 21-26.
The second flight touched down at RAF Lakenheath on the evening of July 28. These were serials, 05-4103, 07-4138, 07-4144, 07-4136, 07-4149 and 09-4190. These were also air-to-air refueled throughout their journey by tankers operating under the ‘Bobby’ callsign.
US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, and Allied Air Command commander, Gen James Hecker welcomed the jets to Lask saying: “This F-22 deployment will add significant capabilities to our support of NATO’s collective defense, the Raptors ability to perform both air-to-air and air-toground missions will exponentially increase the warfighting capability along the Eastern Flank as this rotation supports NATO’s Air Shielding.”
13www.Key.Aero // October 2022
THE US Navy has delivered the first Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) CN235M-220 to be converted to maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configuration. Announcing the hand-over on August 3, the USN said this had been achieved just three and a half years after the US signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the conversion of three of the RMAF’s tactical transport CN235s to MPAs. As part of the upgrade, the aircraft was fitted with: a maritime surveillance mission suite; maritime surveillance radar; line-of-sight datalink; an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret; and a roll-on/roll-off mission system operator station. To further increase the RMAF’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, compatible mobile and fixed ground control stations are also being delivered. The project is being undertaken by the RMAF in co-operation with US Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR’s) Security Cooperation The second German Air Force C-130J-30 Super Hercules, serial number 55+02 (construction number 5938), taxies in at Évreux, France, after its delivery flight from the United States to join the Franco-German Joint Tactical Airlift Squadron. The first was delivered in February AAE/S Reboul Office and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD’s) AIRWorks department and facilitated by the US Navy’s Building Partner Capacity program in step with the US government’s Maritime Security Initiative. The CN235s were flown to Bandung, Indonesia, for completion and testing in September 2020, with the first upgraded example completing its first flight there in October 2021. Work on the two remaining CN235s and multiple ground stations continues and is scheduled for completion before the end of 2022. The MPAs will be operated by the RMAF’s 1 Skuadron (Skn), which operates standard transport CN235s from No 5 Air Base, Kuching. No 1 Skn has also recently received VIP transport CN235M-220 VIP serial number M44-08, which had been operated since the 1990s by 2 Skn at No 8 Air Base, Subang. It was transferred to 1 Skn on May 17 this year and it is expected to relinquish its VIP role and be converted back to a standard tactical transport.
The first Royal Malaysian Air Force CN235M-220 MPA outside the 1 Skuadron hangar at Kuching US Navy
LUFTWAFFE SUPER HERCULES ARRIVES
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero14 US DELIVERS CN235 MPA TO MALAYSIA AIR FORCE
POLAND'S FIRST C-130H BEING READIED FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE
INITIAL C-130J-30 FOR INDONESIAN AIR FORCE
T-6C TEXAN II ORDER FOR FMS CUSTOMER
LOCKHEED MARTIN has completed production of the first Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU – Indonesian Air Force) C-130J-30 Super Hercules. The US manufacturer released an image of the aircraft on August 6 after it had been fully painted in TNI-AU markings. It carries the last two digits (‘39’) of the serial number on the nose. Although the full serial has not yet been confirmed, it seems likely that it will be A-1339, following on from A-1338, the last of nine acquired from the Royal Australian Air Force. An image released on September 7, 2021, showing the cockpit section for the first TNI-AU aircraft on the production line in Marietta, Georgia, showed construction number 5951 and it is assumed that this is the sameIndonesiaairframe.had been considering purchasing the type for some years and although there were rumours of a deal having been agreed, nothing was officially announced until the image of the cockpit under construction was released. At that time Lockheed Martin finally made the deal public and it was revealed that a contract for five Super Hercules had been agreed in 2019 as a direct commercial sale, although it remains unconfirmed whether all are the stretched C-130J-30 variant. First delivery is anticipated in early 2023. All five will be operated by Skadron Udara 31 (SkU 31 – Air Squadron 31) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, which currently flies the C-130H-30 and L100-30. The TNI-AU also operates half-a-dozen elderly C-130Bs which are flown by SkU 32 at Abdulrachman Saleh, Malang. It is expected that delivery of the new C-130Js will enable retirement some of these C-130Bs.
15www.Key.Aero // October 2022
A CONTRACT was awarded to Textron Aviation Defense LLC of Wichita, Kansas on August 12 by the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Legacy Training Aircraft Division, International Branch, at WrightPatterson Air Force Base, Ohio for three T-6C Texan II aircraft. The $43,840,202 firm-fixedprice, coverscost-reimbursementcost-plus-fixed-fee,contractprocurement,support and supply of the aircraft, along with a site survey, ground support equipment, two spare engines, spare parts, personal life support equipment, external fuel tanks and pylons, aircraft ferry and support, and country-specific technical orders. Work will be performed at the manufacturer’s facility in Wichita, Kansas and is expected to be complete by September 30, 2024. The US Department of Defense announcement stated that the contract involved pseudo-Foreign Military Sales (FMS) but did not specify the country involved. The pseudo-FMS process uses the standard FMS procedural framework but instead of selling defence articles to a customer country, the US funds the purchase and transfer using its own appropriated funds. In this case, Fiscal Year 2021 Building Partnership Capacity funds are being used to finance the purchase. The pseudo-FMS method is designed to arm US allies and friendly nations that may lack financial resources and also to do so more rapidly than through traditional FMS procedures.
FORMER US Air Force C-130H Hercules, serial number 85-0035, is undergoing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No 2 (WZL-2, Military Aircraft Works No 2) in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The work is part of the preparations to bring the aircraft, the country’s first example, into service and includes it being retrofitted with equipment to the requirements of the Polish Air Force. The aircraft arrived on July 15 after a ferry flight from the US and is one of five ordered by Poland through a government agreement signed on April 12, 2021. Transfer of the aircraft from USAF stocks is being carried out as a grant under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme. Poland will pay the cost of partial retrofitting and preparation of these aircraft for a flight from the US to Poland. The cost of regeneration, fuel and retrofitting is $14.3m. Condition of the C-130H was assessed by a Polish technical delegation during a joint visual inspection with a team from the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where the aircraft had been stored. Deliveries of the remaining four aircraft should be completed by mid-2024 but may take place earlier. They will enter service at the 33rd Transport Aviation Base in Powidz. These C-130Hs were manufactured in 1985 and ended their USAF service in 2017. They are 15 years younger than the five C-130Es currently operated by Poland, which were delivered in 2009-2012 and will now be progressively replaced by the newerEarliermodel.thisyear, on January 19, WZL-2 extended its industrial co-operation with Lockheed Martin by signing a new service support contract for maintenance and modification of the Polish C-130E and C-130H fleet. It follows signature of a similar support contract signed in June last year to support Poland’s F-16 fighters. Bartosz Głowacki Former US Air Force C-130H Hercules 85-0035, the first of five for the Polish Air Force, just after arrival at WZL-2 in Bydgoszcz on July 15 for maintenance and modification prior to serviceentering WZL-2
ROCAF F-16V
TAIWAN TRANSFERS F-16VS TO US FOR TRAINING
Peter Ho US Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet Bureau Number 165213 ‘WS-405’ arrives at Lask, Poland, on August 1. Note that the aircraft, along with the other three that arrived that day, carry four long-range ferry tanks and a centreline Litening pod, plus live AIM-9X Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAMs Alex Marchesin 6713
SOUTH KOREA’S Defense Acquisition AdministrationProgram(DAPA) has approved a proposal to purchase 20 additional F-35A Lightning IIs, along with 18 CH-47F Chinooks to begin replacement of the FOUR US Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets were forward deployed on August 1 to Aviano Air Base, Italy, from where they were expected to operate for several weeks. The aircraft involved comprised Bureau Numbers 164703 ‘WS-403,’ 165213 ‘WS-405,’ 165215 ‘WS-406’ and 165217 ‘WS-412.’ All were all from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) ‘Death Rattlers’ at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, although they flew in from Lask Air Base, Poland, where ten VMFA-323 Hornets had arrived on June 10 – see ‘USMC VMFA-323 ‘Death Rattlers’ sent to Poland’, August, p9. It is unclear whether any more of the VMFA-323 Hornets at Lask will also deploy to Aviano, but as of August 12, no further aircraft had arrived. ALL 11 Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16A/Bs of the 21st Fighter Squadron 'The Gamblers' detachment at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, have returned home, although it was not without incident. They departed on June 6 and traveled via Joint Base Pearl existing Republic of Korea Army CH-47D fleet. The decision on both acquisitions was made on July 15 at a meeting of DAPA’s Promotion Committee, headed by Defence Minister Jong-sup Lee. The purchase of 20 more F-35As
SOUTH KOREA APPROVES PURCHASE OF CH-47FS AND 20 MORE F-35AS USMC HORNETS DEPLOY TO ITALY
Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also recent renewed tensions between ethnic Serbs and the government in Kosovo. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO has increased deployments to its eastern flank in what the alliance is now referring to as an Air Shielding mission, providing an increased air and missile defense posture against any possible threats from Russia. 12 F-16Vs (upgraded from F-16AM/ BM) to the US. The aircraft, divided into two batches, departed on June 15 and were flown via Andersen AFB, Guam and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to Tucson Air National Guard Base, Arizona, which will be their new home. These will be the US Air Force’s first F-16V configuration aircraft, representing a new era of TaiwanUS co-operation.
The reason for the forward deployment has not been announced officially, but it is no doubt related to the ongoing volatile situation in the region, which not only includes the Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where one of the F-16As, 6716/93-0817, was damaged when it had an undercarriage malfunction before making a hard landing. The remaining ten F-16A/Bs continued to Hualien Air Base in Taiwan. After resting for several days in Taiwan, the pilots prepared to ferry in Block 4 configuration, worth 3.94 trillion Korean won ($2.97bn), is planned by 2028, and adds to the 40 Block 3 aircraft already purchased and in service. The 1.4 trillion won CH-47F purchase will be made under the Heavy Utility Helicopter-II (HUH-II) program, with DAPA indicating they will be acquired from 2022-2028. It is understood that a firm acquisition plan for the two types will be finalised early next year.
prepares to depart from Taiwan on June 15 on its delivery flight to the US Formosa Military Image Press October 2022 // www.Key.Aero16
CUSTOMWATCHESMADE FOR YOUR SQUADRON INTERESTED? ASK US FOR OUR SQN INFO@RSCWATCHES.COMBROCHURE www.rscwatches.com RE-PRINTS Custom re-prints of features available for use as: • Press Pack Inserts • Sales Promotions • Company Reports and more... Tailored to your specific needs, re-prints can showcase your company, products, or services in association with Combat Aircraft Monthly For further information call Andrew Mason: Tel. +44 1780 663011 ext 150 Email: andrew.mason@keypublishing.com Write for Key! To propose an idea or find out more, simply email books@keypublishing.com Having established itself as a leading publisher of avia�onbooks, Key Books is now looking for authors to join its interna�onal team of contributors. We are looking for exis�ng authors and new ones, who really know their subject, especially if they have a great picture collec�on that could become an illustrated book. We forwardlooktohearingfromyou! 012/22
USofregionforwardstrategicenablesunpredictability.predictabilitystrategicandoperationalTheBTFdifferenttypesofbomberstooperateintheIndo-PacificfromabroadarrayoverseasandContinentallocationswithgreater October2022// www.Key.Aero18
RNZAF’S FIRST P-8A POSEIDON ROLLS OUT OF PAINT SHOP
TWO US Air Force B-2A Spirit stealth bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, arrived at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, Queensland, on July 10 to support a Pacific Air Forces Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment. They were followed on July 12 by a further two.
BOEING HAS completed the first Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon, serial number NZ4801 (line number 9449), and rolled the aircraft out of the paint shop at the company’s Renton production facility in Washington State on the evening of July 21 after being liveried in full RNZAF colours. US State Department approval for New Zealand to purchase up to four P-8As had been granted on April 28, 2017, following which the NZ government
A pair of US Air Force B-2A Spirit stealth bombers assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing conduct a Bomber Task Force mission on July 18 alongside two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning IIs over RAAF Base Curtin, Australia, during exercise Koolendong 22 USAF/Tech Sgt Dylan Nuckolls All four are assigned to the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, having been deployed as part of a rotational BTF supporting the Enhanced Cooperation Initiative under the Force Posture Agreement signed more than a decade ago between the United States and Australia. Airmen will employ the B-2As to conduct delivery in December 2022, with the remaining three to be delivered during 2023. The Poseidons will replace the RNZAF’s aging P-3K2 Orions, which have been in service since the 1960s. Of the available options, the P-8A Poseidon was assessed to be the lowest cost and lowest risk option for New Zealand. The P-8A Poseidon will be a key component of meeting obligations to New Zealand’s friends in the Pacific and its commitments to monitor and respond to events in the Southern Ocean. It will allow for participation in international task groups, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as protection of the Southern Ocean. The aircraft will also provide services to other government departments including the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs Service, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, The Rescue Coordination Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. training missions and strategic deterrence missions with allies, partners and joint forces in support of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The last time the B-2As flew to the INDOPACOM area of responsibility as part of a BTF was in August 2020. The current deployment is in line with the National Defense Strategy’s objectives of
The first Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon, NZ4801, rolls out of the paint shop at Renton, Washington, on July 21 Boeing announced on July 9, 2018, that agreement had been reached to purchase all four aircraft. An initial two contracts were awarded to Boeing on February 28, 2019, and March 6, 2020, for the acquisition of long-lead items required for these aircraft. A further award followed on March 30, 2020, finalising the contract for their procurement and manufacture.ThefirstP-8A was due to make its first flight within weeks of the roll-out and, following mission systems integration, is due for B-2A SPIRIT STEALTH JETS DEPLOY TO AUSTRALIA FOR BOMBER TASK FORCE MISSION
FOUR
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Air and Space Force Su22UM3K Fitter-G serial number 15-2462 crashed on August 3 following engine failure on take-off from Shiraz-Shahid Dastghaib International Airport. Both crew members ejected but were injured. Eleven Russian Air Force aircraft were destroyed on the ground during an attack by Ukraine armed forces on Saki Air Base, Novofederivka, Crimea, on August 9. Satellite imagery showing the base after the attack suggests that at least seven Su-24M/MR and four Su-30SM aircraft from the 43rd Independent Brigade were destroyed. An Italian Vigili del Fuoco AB206B JetRanger crashed on take-off for a training flight from Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport on August 12 after an apparent technical failure of the tail rotor. The two crew escaped without serious injury but the helicopter was substantially damaged. A Republic of Korea Air Force F-4E Phantom II assigned to the 10th Fighter Wing/153rd Fighter Squadron crashed into the Yellow Sea, 5½ miles (9km) south of Jeongok Port in Hwaseong, while on a mission from Suwon Air Base on August 12. Both crew members ejected safely after detecting an engine fire. Flight operations of the type were suspended pending investigation of the accident.
Ukraine has continued to frequently shoot down Russian unmanned air vehicles involved in the Russian invasion. This Russian Air Force Orlan-30 reconnaissance UAV was downed on August 5 General Staff of Ukraine 19www.Key.Aero // October 2022
Russian DOSAAF PZL-104 Wilga 35A serial number RF-00612 was damaged beyond repair on July 27 when it crashed in the Knyazhpogostsky district near Yemva. Komi Republic, Russia, during a post maintenance test flight. The solo pilot escaped with cuts and bruises.
Ukraine’s 25th Airborne Brigade claimed to have shot down a Russian Air Force Su-25 on July 29 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, using a 9K38 Igla man-portable air defense system. The fate of the pilot was not reported. A Pakistan Army Aviation Corps AS550 Fennec crashed on August 1 while en route from Quetta to PAF Base Faisal, Karachi, to undertake flood relief operations. After contact with the helicopter was lost, a search and rescue operation was launched and the wreckage was later found in the Windar area of Lasbela, Balochistan. All six on board were killed. A Royal Canadian Air Force CT114 Tutor assigned to 431 Air Demonstration Squadron ‘The Snowbirds’force-landed shortly after 1200hrs on August 2 in a field just southeast of North Peace Regional Airport, Fort St John, British Columbia, following the loss of engine power immediately after take-off. The pilot was not injured. Following the accident, the RCAF grounded the Tutor fleet pending an investigation.
An Indian Air Force MiG-21UM crashed on July 28 in the Barmer district, Rajasthan state, after taking off from Uttarlai Air Force Station. Both crew members were killed. Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs/Border Police Mi-8MTV-1 serial number GBP-10005 crashed on July 29 while attempting to rescue two paragliders trapped on a mountainside near Gudauri. The tail rotor struck the steep terrain and it then spun wildly and fell to the ground, exploding in flames. All eight on board were killed.
RECENT LOSSES A Russian Air Force Su-35 was shot down on July 19 by a unit of the Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile forces on the southern front at Novaya Kakhova, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. The pilot was seen to eject but it is unknown whether or not he was injured. The air defense unit of Ukraine’s 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade reportedly shot down a Russian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot on July 24 in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine using an Igla MANPADS. The fate of the pilot was not reported. A sudden violent storm that tore through Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia, on July 26 caused Class A damage to at least ten US Navy helicopters that were parked on the base’s Chambers Field flight line. Damage included smashed tail and rotor blades, plus airframe structural dents and punctures. The ten that sustained Class A damage comprised five MH60S Knighthawks, four MH-53E Sea Dragons and one MH-60R Seahawk. The high winds struck only 12 minutes after a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service. Those identified as being seriously damaged include MH-53E Bureau Number 163057 ‘AN-436’from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 12 (HM-12) ‘Sea Dragons,’ MH-60S BuNo 167880 ‘AJ-615’from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 (HSC-9) ‘Tridents’and MH-60R BuNo 168155 ‘AB-703’from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 (HSM72) ‘Proud Warriors.’Another was an unidentified MH-60 coded ‘46.’ Several were overturned, including one MH-53E and three MH-60s. A Bangladesh Army Aviation Group Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV crashed on Jul 27 due to mechanical failure during an emergency landing practice on the south bank of the Ichamati River near Bhangavita, Dhaka District. It rolled over and was substantially damaged. Both pilots escaped but were injured. The Army had four LongRangers, but lost one on March 9, 2009, followed by a second on July 3, 2013. This third loss leaves just one example remaining operational.
FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW October 2022 // www.Key.Aero20
NORTHROP GRUMMAN and US-based Boom Supersonic have finalized an agreement to offer special mission variants of Boom’s Overture family of supersonic aircraft to the US military and its allies. The deal was announced at Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2022, UK, July 19. Designed and built in the US, the Overture is being developed as a supersoniccapable commercial airliner, with the first prototype set to enter production in 2024. Flight testing is projected to start in 2026, before the type begins passenger-carrying operations in 2029. It has been designed to carry up to 80 passengers. In a special mission configuration designed for military use, Northrop Grumman stated that the Overture would be fitted with specialized This concept image provides an early glimpse of what a special mission-configured variant of Boom’s Overture supersonic airliner could look like in military use Northrop Grumman
NORTHROP, BOOM TO OFFER OVERTURE TO US MILITARY
BELL BRINGS FULL-SCALE VALOR
For the first time, Bell exhibited a full-scale mock-up of its V-280 Valor tiltrotor offering for the US Army’s future long-range assault aircraft (FLRAA) program. While it was kept within the confines of the company’s chalet at FIA 2022 and was largely restricted from public view, Bell said that while the platform appears large ‘on paper’ it will have the same footprint as the UH-60 Black Hawk and will utilize the same infrastructure Khalem Chapman capabilities, adding that the platform could be used to conduct medical evacuation missions, deliver medical supplies or carry out surveillance operations over large areas much faster than conventional types. The militarized Overture could also be used to co-ordinate other aircraft and ground assets in a number of scenarios, the firm said. Tom Jones, president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, said: “Pairing Northrop Grumman’s airborne defense systems integration expertise with Boom’s advanced Overture supersonic aircraft demonstrates the power of collaborations like this for our customers. Together we can ensure our military customers have variants of Overture for missions where advanced system capabilities and speed are crucial.”
SIKORSKY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT S-70M IN UK NMH BID DESPITE FACING stiff competition from other forces.flreplaceacquisitionprogram,Hawk’supbeatcontenders,European-basedSikorskyremainsabouttheS-70MBlackchancesintheUK’sNMHwhichcallsfortheof44helicopterstofourlegacyrotorcrafteetssplitacrosstheUKarmedWhilegiving
USAF-operated Lockheed C-130H Hercules, serial 94-6708, from the Georgia ANG's 158th Airlift Squadron at Savannah Air National Guard Base, is seen on static display at FIA 2022.
Note that the legacy transport has recently been fitted with new Collins Aerospace NP-2000 propellers and that a Rafael Litening multi-sensor pod set-up has been fitted in place of the rear cabin door. It is likely the Litening system is used to support airdropping operations, allowing crews to make sure landing zones are clear and providing a tool to help avoid enemy air defenses while operating in low-level environments.Operationaltesting of such a set-up was conducted at DavisMonthan AFB, Arizona, in April 2021 S-70Ms in the UK if it is successful in its NMH bid – that job will fall to Lockheed Martin subsidiary PZL-Mielec in Poland. Despite this, the company boasts that a Black Hawk selection would still come with industrial and employment benefits for the UK. For instance, while the helicopters will be manufactured to a specific baseline standard in Poland, work regarding completion and customerspecific integration would be undertaken in the UK. Also, if selected, GE Aviation’s engine overhaul facility in Portsmouth, Hampshire, would be charged with maintaining the 44-strong fleet’s complement of T700 turboshaft engines. Khalem Chapman www.Key.Aero // October 2022
CAJ a tour of the S-70 on display at FIA 2022, a Lockheed Martin representative highlighted the platform’s low footprint and high survivability, while also crediting the Black Hawk family’s success and noting that the 5,000th example will soon be delivered. They also noted the easy maintainability of the S-70M in the field, with minimal crews and no special equipment (such as ladders) needed when making repairs and conducting checks. However, unlike Leonardo Helicopters and Airbus Helicopters, the firm is not offering to build the UK-specific A Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk on display at FIA 2022. Note that the platform is fitted with a door-mounted minigun and can carry two external wings, each supporting four weapon stations. These can support a combination of fixed forward .50 cal (12.7mm) guns, seven or 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pods or AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles (as pictured here) Khalem Chapman
FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 21
C-130H MEETS LITENING
All images Joe Campion
Joe Campion assesses the multinational line-up and takes time out to speak to CEO Paul Atherton T housands of aviation enthusiasts flocked to RAF Fairford during the week of July 11-18 as the Gloucestershire air base hosted the return of one of the world’s largest air shows, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), after two consecutive years of being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We used all of the government assistance in the UK, including a very large coronavirus business interruption loan, which tided us over following the first cancellation. We furloughed our staff and then had to make a quarter of the company redundant. When we cancelled the second time, we were in an even more
The RAF participated with its SqnAdamwasTheisuniondisplayeddisplay.TyphoonEurofighterFGR4soloTheaircraftauniqueflagdesignanddubbed‘BlackJack’.2022displaypilotFlightLieutenantO’Hareof29
A highlight of the static display was the USAF thedisplayandFridayaircraftdebutNightwatch’sE-4BatRIAT.Thearrivedonafternoonwasonstaticthroughoutweekend
AIRSHOW REPORT // RIAT 2022 October 2022 // www.Key.Aero22
THE RETURN OF
After a absencelongdue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal International Air Tattoo has made its return.
No one has been more relieved to see it revived than the CEO of the event, Paul Atherton. Combat Aircraft Journal asked him what it felt like to see it back up and running, and what challenges they had faced during the pandemic. He said: “It has been an incredibly difficult three years following the two cancellations of RIAT 20 and 21. The second cancellation put us in a grey financial position and I don't think a lot of people understand or realize how close we came to the end of RIAT.
RIAT
Below: The latest USAFE squadron, 495th FS ‘Valkryies’, made its RIAT debut this year with an F-35A Lightning II on static display 232022 difficult position and had it not been for our parent charity giving us a very, very sizeable loan, then RIAT wouldn’t be here.” When it comes to participation, both static and flying, RIAT is a celebration of aviation from small training aircraft to the rarest operational aircraft on the planet. Units from air arms across the globe took part, from the UK’s close neighbors in Ireland to aircraft from the Far East. With 261 aircraft from 33 nations accompanied by 1,500 crew members, RIAT 22 saw static displays from the likes of the A-4N Skyhawk, which had not touched RIAT tarmac in 40 years. Another highlight was the debut of the USAF E-4B Nightwatch, known as the ‘doomsday plane’. Other interesting statics ranged from the Luftwaffe Airbus A340 VIP transport to a new Kuwait Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and a soon-to-be-
www.Key.Aero // October
Left: Also on static display at RIAT 22 were two F-16Cs from the 555th FS at Aviano Base in Italy Below: The 48th Fighter Wing’s new heritage jet wore a livery featuring the US flag and the Statue of Liberty on the tail. Included in the design was the myriad aircraft types the 48th FW has operated since being established in 1952 retired RAF C-130J. Flying during RIAT 22 was just as diverse, with rotorcraft displays from European nations such as a Hungarian MI-24P Hind Solo and a duo of an MI-171Sh Hip and MI-24V Hind from the Czech Republic, as well as fast jets from the home nation’s RAF front line, such as the Typhoon FGR4 and the F-35B Lightning. There were also display teams
FRIENDS OF RIAT 22 AWARDS Trophy NameRepresentsAircraftAir Force As the Crow FliesBest Overall DemonstrationFlying Black Eagles KAI T-50B display team Republic of Korea Best Livery Trophy Most Spectacular Special Colour Scheme Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon ‘Dream Viper’ Belgian Air Force AIRSHOW REPORT // RIAT 2022 October 2022 // www.Key.Aero24
Right: The Czech Air Force sent a PZL W-3 Sokol for the flying display at RIAT 22. The aircraft performed solo displays during the weekend and can be seen here in landing on the grass after its display 25www.Key.Aero // October 2022 to NATO’s eastern flank and and engaged with operational demands. “It did not, in the end, have an impact on participation because we certainly had more aircraft on the ground and in the sky than we could have hoped for – more than in recent history and we were actually running out of pavement areas to park the aircraft on,” he explained. “We also had to extend the planned flying display, which originally was going to be seven hours. We just exceeded eight hours, so we were very, very“Offortunate.course,when the conflict first began it posed a big risk to us. This being now an operational base for the USAF, there was always a possibility we could have lost the airfield itself and, of course, if the conflict had escalated in any way then there was a great risk that either we would not have been able to put it on for a variety of from many nations, including a rare flight by South Korea’s Black Eagles. Despite the pandemic having settled down in terms of public restrictions, Atherton and his team were faced with another major uncertainty: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. CAJ asked Atherton how this had affected planning, with so many air power assets having deployed
The Austrian Air Force put on a unique display featuring two Typhoon EF2000s and a C-130H. The display promoted the quick reaction alert role the Typhoons play and comprised a scramble launch of two Typhoons to intercept the C-130H, which was acting as an unresponsive enemy aircraft RIAT 22 saw a static display from an A-4N Skyhawk for the first time in 40 years. This particular jet, C-FGZE, belongs to a private inWittmundforadversarywhichcompany,CanadianTopAces,providesworkUSAFEatAirBaseGermany
Left: A JAS-39 Gripen pilot from Hungary shuts down his jet after a dynamic solo display at RIAT on Sunday AIRSHOW REPORT // RIAT 2022 October 2022 // www.Key.Aero26 reasons or that participation from overseas might have not been sufficient.
A notable highlight for many RIAT attendees was the South Korean display team, the Black Eagles, and their KAI T-50B Golden Eagles, seen here taking off for a flypast with the RAF Red Arrows
Left: An RAF F-35B Lightning pulls away from the show centre during the Sunday display. The aircraft operates out of RAF Marham in East Anglia, home of 617 ‘Dambusters’Squadron
“We assessed those risks, putting in mitigations in case they did come to fruition, but in the end they did not. I think as a show of unity, we actually had more international delegations – 67 in total, and that included 48 chiefs of independent air forces from around the world. So it did not have that much of an impact in the end, although it was something we were very conscious of from the outset.” From a show layout perspective, RIAT 22 saw several changes, such as flying aircraft operating from the west side of the airfield, allowing spectators to get close to the crew loading and start-up action of both the fast jets and rotary wing aircraft. Aircraft also operated from the east and north side of the airfield, so it was a pickand-mix of where you wanted to be to get in on the action. This was an exceptional idea and gave the option to enjoy multiple perspectives of the display acts, rather than just a show line option. The reason for this change to the layout was partly due to multiple construction work currently ongoing at Fairford, thought to
”One benefit was that we managed to get the public very, very close to live aircraft and I think that has been received incredibly well. To be honest, it is a nice problem to have and next year we will have to consider whether we wish to continue doing that.”
The Czech Air Force performed a dual helicopter flying display comprising an MI-17Sh Hip transport helicopter and an Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. The MI-24 can be seen here head on during the display
RIAT22 USAF PARTICIPATION LIST Aircraft unitDisplay Bell Boeing CV-22B Osprey7th Special Operational Squadron Flying Bell Boeing CV-22B Osprey7th Special Operational Squadron Static Boeing E-4B Nightwatch595th Command and Control Group Static Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker351st Air Refueling Squadron Static Boeing KC-46A Pegasus514th Air Mobility Wing Static Lockheed Martin F-16CM Fighting falcon555th Fighter Squadron Static Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II495th Fighter Squadron Static Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II67th Special Operations Squadron Static McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle492nd Fighter Squadron Static McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle494th Fighter Squadron Static
The USAF sent multiple assets to this year’s RIAT, mainly units from USAFE, which included the aircraft listed above. A huge highlight for many would have been a flying and static display from the heroic B-52H Stratofortress, but for unconfirmed reasons both B-52Hs we forced to cancel. Initially, the US Navy had been planning to send a single asset to RIAT, this being a Boeing P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 46. However, as with the USAF B-52s, the Poseidon’s appearance was also cancelled, which left no participation from the US Navy at the event. 27www.Key.Aero 2022 be part of the operational development at the USAF Athertonbase.explained: “The reason that we moved aircraft to the east and the western edge of the southern taxiway was because the north-eastern loop was being used by the USAF. And let's not forget that Fairford is now an operational USAF base with personnel and aircraft permanently based here. It is something we have never faced before, and what we normally do is put the aircraft that are going to be displaying in that area so that they can start up, taxi and get airborne well away from the public, thereby minimizing any risk. That was not available this year, so we had to make an alternative arrangement and, of course, that increased the risk of mixing live aircraft with people, so we had to put in a whole raft of mitigations to make that as safe as possible.
// October
Whileused.the Ukrainian air defense fighters remained idle most of the time, the RuASF Su-35S fighters proved effective in the intercepts and long-range air combat, claiming a significant number of victories,
RUSSIA’S SEAD MISSION GOES MISSING
Above: Russian
fighter pilots flying the Su-35S air-to-surfaceair-to-airpredominantlywithproficiencyandonlyabasictraininghavebeentrainedbeforethewarfortheSEADmissionusingKh-31P-seriesofanti-radarmissiles Russian MoD RUSSIA/UKRAINE // RUSSIAN SEAD October 2022 // www.Key.Aero28
The Russian military has failed to conduct effective suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) operations in Ukraine and has hit strike operations. Alexander Mladenov explains Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched in the early hours of February 24, 2022, has highlighted many deficiencies in its air arm. The most striking among these is the lack of enough ability to conduct complex combined air operations when facing a peer enemy. Before the invasion, the Russian Air and Space Forces (RuASF) was considered one of the world’s premier air arms, with a significant fleet of modern, heavyweight tactical fighters such as the Su-30SM, Su-35S and Su-34, with more than 200 examples gathered in theatre. However, in real-world combat these advanced jets and their crews have so far fared unimpressively in the strike role. Close observation of combat operations shows capability gaps in the apparent failure to achieve air superiority and effectively neutralize Ukraine’s substantial ground-based air defenses (GBAD) in 140-plus days of intense warfare. In fact, the air superiority was reported to have eventually been achieved to some degree in the wider Donbas and Kharkov regions where the Russian ground forces enjoy freedom of maneuver and fight, but as of late-July the RuASF proved still reluctant to conduct any regular deep strike operations with tactical jets to knock out strategic targets and undertake effective interdiction operations across Ukraine. At the same time, there were no large packages of tactical jets, dispatched for strike operations in Ukrainian airspace at medium or high level, with dedicated fighter and SEAD/DEAD escorts. This could be seen as more than enough evidence to suggest that the modern-day RuASF has no serious operational capability for launching large formation strikes with integrated SEAD/DEAD escorts when facing highly survivable GBAD networks. The deep strike role was entirely delegated to the land-, air- and sealaunched cruise missiles, complemented by a sizeable quantity of land-launched short-range ballistic missiles. However, the end effect from the use of this all-missile deep strike force has been questionable on a good many occasions, mostly due to the insignificant lethality, improper target selection and sometimes the problematic accuracy and reliability of the missiles that were
Left: SEADcounter-aircombinedequippedapackages.mutuallyincomplexfororganisationtraininglacksheavyweightthanbranch,numerousthedemonstratedUkraineinvasionMoscow’sofhasclearlythatRuASF’sotherwisetacticalairfieldingmore350multi-rolejets,thehigh-endandneededconductingoperationslarge,mixedandsupportingThisisSu-35Sfighterforadefensiveandpatrol
The lack of any effective and systematic large-scale SEAD/DEAD efforts by the RuASF has so far resulted in limited presence of Russian strike aircraft in Ukrainian airspace. The only sensible explanation is that top-level operation commanders were reluctant to take any increased risks by sending tactical aircraft to service targets with bombs and shortrange guided missiles across territories with GBAD networks up and running.
By contrast, the RuASF has proved ill-suited to suppress or neutralize the Ukrainian GBAD and after a series of losses in the first weeks of invasion, mostly inflicted by the 9K37 Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) SAM systems using semiactive radar-guided missiles with up to 16.2nm effective range and 45,920ft altitude, the Russian commanders decided to refrain from launching any deep strike missions. Instead, the RuASF was ordered to limit its efforts to knocking out targets on the front line and the adjacent nearrear areas only, and these missions were generally being conducted with low-tomedium intensity.
most of these achieved with the use of R-77-1 active-radar missiles in beyondvisual-range (BVR) engagements. As of mid-July, the Russian air arm claimed two dozen air victories, but a large proportion of these cannot be verified from independent sources.
A serious capability gap
Russian MoD 29www.Key.Aero // October 2022
The RuASF demonstrated an acute shortage of any serious capability to locate, engage and kill mobile surface
Russian MoD
Not ready and willing Facing the challenge of suppressing the enemy air defenses and establishing air superiority over Ukraine, it is evident that the top military commanders had definitely proved not ready and willing yet to take this mission more seriously. This has rendered the RuASF poorly suited for conducting such complex and dangerous operations against a determined and war-hardened enemy, able to incur heavy losses on the attackers.
Russian defense experts tend to maintain that any serious large-scale operations to knock out Ukrainian SAMs – set to be completed in two or three days – would result in prohibitive losses, to air missile (SAM) systems, served by skilled operators and fighting in a smart pop-out manner. This apparent lack of an effective SAM-busting ability, in turn, has had a serious adverse impact on the effectiveness of the strike operations over Ukrainian territory, which had failed to achieve degradation of the effectiveness of the country’s military and interdict the main supply routes. This substantial weakness results from both doctrinal and training deficiencies, further aggravated by incompetent leadership at the RuASF and joint forces command top levels. Using as much trustworthy information available in the public domain, it could be concluded that the modern-day RuASF is lacking any more or less meaningful training required for conducting effective complex SEAD/DEAD operations in the manner of the US Air Force in this highstake business. The Russian air arm is also short of any effective C2 organization and capability needed for conducting such operations in an all-out war, including established command and intelligence personnel in addition to sophisticated ELINT/SIGNIT air platforms needed for conducting of large-scale stand-off intelligence-gathering operations, including localization and designation for neutralizing of the main threat radars and C2 nodes of Ukraine’s air defenses.
later phases of the war in Ukraine. A possible explanation of this lack of realworld capability refers to the fact that all peacetime training in the front-line units to neutralize enemy long- and mediumrange air defenses or to avoid being engaged by SAMs had been conducted by staging non-realistic, overtly simplified and scripted scenarios with strike groups tasked to penetrate through a GBAD zone to reach their assigned targets.
Likewise, training for anti-radar missile (ARM) employment had been undertaken sporadically, and in sterile environments only, with little or no realism, and without the exploration of specially designed and validated SEAD/DEAD tactics, technics andTheseprocedures.conclusions have also been already tacitly acknowledged by military observers and bloggers in Russia, some of them with solid operational background. They also tend to claim that the SEAD/ DEAD has not been present at all in the list of priority missions requested from the RuASF by the joint force commanders in charge of combat operations in Ukraine, who, as a rule, have land forces backgrounds. There were some sporadic strikes mounted against radars and SAM systems in the course of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in an effort to degrade the GBAD effectiveness, but without an all-encompassing systematic approach, and the end result proved unimpressive.
There were no large-scale, radar-busting operations organized in the course of the war as the RuASF has never practiced in the past any such complex and highrisk SEAD/DEAD operations in a realistic environment while facing serious GBAD threats. It cannot be expected that such operations could be ever staged at the
RUSSIA/UKRAINE // RUSSIAN SEAD October2022// www.Key.Aero30
Above: The combined RuASF losses –suffered in mediumand inon34thebroadterritory,ontotheseriouseventuallyoperationslow-altitude–haveledtoareductioninuseofstrikejetsservicetargetsUkrainian-heldespeciallyindaylight.ThisisremainsofaSu-bombershotdownMarch5,2022Chernihivarea Ukrainian internet Below: The lack of any more or less systematic training as well as established tactics, technics and procedures for complex insufficientlyseemsCAP-taskedprovidedbustingtheexperts,bytacitlyoperationsSEAD/DEADhasbeenacknowledgedRussiandefenceastheuseofon-demandradar-operationsbytheSu-35Stohaveprovedeffective
The RAP distribution to various categories of end-users is then facilitated by the internet, thanks to the US-provided Starlink satellitebased service.
UKRAINE’S WEB-BASED C2 TECHNOLOGY
The RAP is generated at the C2 center by fusing target data derived from multiple sources, including a plethora of earlywarning radars of various types stationed across Ukrainian territory, complemented by information derived from the Kolchuga passive radars, the early-warning radars of the deployed SAM systems, civilian air traffic control radars and possibly information supplied by US and NATO sources, derived from various AEW&C and ELINT/SIGINT air platforms flying next to Ukraine’s borders, inside Romanian and Polish airspace.
The mass availability of receiver terminals for the Starlink, fielded with the Ukrainian military, has enabled each commander and air defense crew in the field (down to the MANPADSequipped units) to get real-time information about the target movements in their sector of responsibility, displayed on a notebook or tablet computer. This target information includes the identification friend-or-foe (IFF) status, type, altitude, speed and heading to allow the timely reaction of the SAM and MANPADS crews when a target is about to enter into their designated engagement zones.
Using targeting information derived from the Virazh-Planshet, crews of radar-guided SAM systems can sit and wait in ambush in the silent mode, until the designated for engagement targets close at a suitable distance and then turn on their missile guidance radar for a short time only, sufficient to allow missile guidance until hitting the target. Such smart tactics enables the mobile SAM systems to remain hidden most of the time, avoiding attacks from Russian anti-radar missiles and other air-to-surface weapons, and also avoiding being detected and targeted from fixed- or rotary-wing EW air platforms before missile launch. and this is going to be the price paid due to the shortage of proper experience and training in peacetime. As an alternative, a slow-going and non-systematic SEAD/DEAD campaign was initiated, to seek and destroy SAMs on an occasional basis – not only by using tactical jets, but also by employing longrange artillery, large-caliber rockets (with cluster warheads) and short-range ballistic missiles, mainly in the wider Donbas and Kharkiv regions. There were also some sporadic attempts at the beginning of the operation to launch some more complex SEAD/DEAD missions involving decoys such as the Enyx E95 target drones. These actions represented an effort to prompt the operations of SAM systems in the depth of Ukraine’s territory to turn on their radars and fire missiles and therefore reveal their positions for subsequent attacks with ARMs and other guided munitions. There are no reports yet how successful these missions actually were.
The list of the Russian claims for knocked-out GBAD elements in the beginning of the operation includes, for example, a S-300 engagement radar/ command post destroyed by bombs dropped from a Forpost-RU drone, on April 19 at some 30nm north of Kyiv, while in early May another S-300 system, including the engagement radar/ command post and a single launcher, was destroyed by a large-caliber multiplelaunch rocket system, using projectiles fitted with cluster munitions warheads. As well, on March 26, the Russian MoD released video footage (filmed from a drone), of a direct hit on a Buk-M1 radarequipped launcher, apparently delivered by a high-power warhead and with remarkable accuracy, mostly likely related to the use of an Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile. Further video footage, also derived from a drone, released by the Russian MoD on April 1, shows what is believed to be a S-300 engagement radar/command post being destroyed by a guided artillery projectile, scoring a directOpen-sourcehit. intelligence site Oryx data shows as many as five S-300PT/ PS engagement radars/command post destroyed in addition to 24 launcher units for the same system and four Buk-M1 launchers (including two radar-equipped and two non-radar-equipped ones) but this could be also seen as being far from the true data, as there would be
Ukraine’s integrated air defense system has managed to retain its operability intact after the initial Russian missile strikes in the last week of February. Its air surveillance, target tracking and target distribution capabilities continued to be maintained at a pretty high level also thanks to the force-wide fielding of novel and affordable information and communication technologies to seriously enhance the C2 functionality and reach. This is the so-called Virazh-Planshet system, a novel web-based application for online display of the recognized air picture (RAP) over the entire territory of Ukraine and the adjacent regions, using information gathered, processed, generated and distributed by the main C2 center, possibly complemented by a network of back-up C2 centers.
Below: The RuASF has refrained from undertaking any deep strike operations and the same is true for the air interdiction efforts and the dedicated and systematic SEAD/ DEAD war.fiundertakenoperationsintherstfourmonthsofAsofmid-July, all the strike outrearfrontconstrainedescortL173VandTV-guidedarmedsuchRuASFconductedoperationsbythetacticaljets,asthisSu-34withKh-29TDmissilesequippedwithajammerpodforprotection,weretothelineandthenear-areastoknocktacticaltargets
The Kh-31PM anti-radar missile is the latest iteration of the radar-busting Krypton family, mainly used for reactive SEAD/DEAD by the Su-35S pair, tasked with combat air patrols in own airspace and mounting strikes of opportunity against popping-out Ukrainian SAM radars on the front line or in the near-rear areas Russian MoD 31www.Key.Aero
Russian MoD
// October 2022
UkrainianThisAir Force Buk-M1 Ukrainian internet
The remarkably creative air defense posture demonstrated by the Ukrainian Air Force’s (UkAF’s) GBAD units, using innovative command-and-control solutions, married to older-generation but still capable SAM systems, was further enhanced by NATO sharing, in real time, its radar picture and intelligence data.
Right: At beginningtheofwar, the UkAF’s SAM Troops branch controlled three SAM regiments equipped with the 9K37 Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) highly-mobile SAM system with a total active inventory consisting of no fewer than ten fire units (serving with as many as 30 batteries), each fielding six radarequipped launchers and three commandavehicleslauncher-reloadertransporter-inadditiontosearchradarandapost
As of mid-July, the Ukrainian GBAD was still considered a significant threat to Russian strike and reconnaissance jets, despite its outdated inventory of mobile SAM systems inherited from the Soviet era and the combat attrition sustained in some 140 days of fighting. In addition, the UkAF SAMs proved well suited on multiple occasions to engage Russian Kh-31Pseries of ARMs, launched against their positions, with the successful shootdowns attributed, for instance, to the S-300 crews.
Alive and kicking
Below:Ukrspetstechnika
The systems are well capable of engaging air targets flying at medium and high altitude. And although these radarguided long- and medium-range SAMs are well-known to the Russian EW specialists, there was no reliable and effective recipe found so far by the Russians in a bid to disrupt their operability by jamming the target search (early warning) and missile guidance radars. As of mid-May, according to trustworthy sources, the Ukrainian GBAD network across the entire territory of the country operated an inventory of about 20 S-300PT/PS/V1 long-range SAM fire units (systems) plus 30 more Buk-M1 self-propelled launchers (enough for equipping ten batteries) as well as no fewer than 30 early-warning radars of various types. Even in the wider Donbas region, where the Ukrainian-held territory measured roughly 100x100nm at the time, the surviving GBAD force – said to consist of three S-300PS/Vs and four Buk-M1 systems (or, most likely, batteries in case of the Buk-M1) – posed a serious threat to the Russian aircraft, operating at low and medium level. Each S-300PT/PS (SA-10A/B Grumble) fire unit or system, includes in its
RUSSIA/UKRAINE // RUSSIAN SEAD October 2022 // www.Key.Aero32 a substantial number of destroyed or heavily damaged SAM systems where no visual evidences are available at this stage.
in24PArmyfiredfromawhileunitequippedradar-launcherwasdestroyedtransportedontrailer,takinghits80mmrocketsbyaRussianAviationMi-attackhelicopterPoltavaregion
Above top to bottom: At the beginning of war, the total inventory of earlywarning radars of various types in Ukraine numbered some 200 units, and by late May about 30 of these are claimed to have remained in active operation. This the Malakhit, a highlymobile VHF radar set with detectionlow-altitudecapability Ukrspetstechnika Major Viktor Dudin was the first RuASf pilot credited with a destroyed thePD/PMroles,enemysuppressionairemployedtherushedmodernSu-35Sattackhigh-risk,low-altitudeARMusinglauncherradar-equippedBuk-M1vehicle,aKh-31P-seriesunleashedfrominaclose-inpass.TheisthemosttacticaljetincombatbyRussianairarm,inboththesuperiorityandoftheairdefensesusingKh-31P/ARMsforlatter minimum wartime configuration an engagement radar/command post vehicle, one command post and one or two self-propelled four-round missile launchers to ensure high mobility (in peacetime the number of launchers could be up to 12), and could be complemented by one or two target search radars. The highly mobile S-300V1 (SA-12 Gladiator) force is grouped in a single brigade with one or two operational fire units, fielding a total of six to eight batteries. Each battery is provided with its own target search radar, engagement radar, command post and two to four selfpropelled launchers (up to 12 launchers can be deployed in the peacetime). There is still little-clarity, however, about what is the real composition of the systems of the active Buk-M1 force as each self-propelled launcher equipped with a target illumination radar is considered a self-sufficient combat unit, capable of single-target engagement, including target search, lock-on and tracking/missile guidance. In peacetime, a complete Buk-M1 system, capable of engaging up to six targets simultaneously, consists of a command post, a target search radar and up to nine launchers (grouped in three batteries), including six radar-equipped ones. In general, the Buk-M1 proved to be a more flexible, capable and die-hard threat for the Russian combat jets than the S-300PT/PS/V1, as even a single radarequipped and highly mobile launcher unit (carrying up to four missiles) can operate in the so-called stand-alone mode (so without receiving targeting from the system’s command post), and is therefore very difficult to locate and engage. Even in the stand-alone operating mode, its crew enjoys an excellent situational awareness thanks to the external targeting information received in real-time from the Virazh-Planshet web-based C2 system.
Russian sources tend to claim that both the Ukrainian S-300PT/PS/V1 and Buk-M1 systems are not used, on most occasions, for defending objects with strategic importance and instead their main method of combat use is a more fluid one, calling for hunting for Russian aircraft, staging ambushes at various locations across the country – this is especially used in the frontline areas in Donbas and around Kharkiv and Kherson. This fluid tactics calls for engagements of Russian strike aircraft mostly on their way back (i.e. after delivering their strikes) or for engaging targets of opportunity, with as short as possible engagement cycles.
The more mobile and flexible S-300V1 system, installed on tracked chassis, can counter air targets at up to 40.5nm distance, while tactical ballistic missiles can be engaged at up to 13.5nm.
The secondarySu-35S’mission
When in the stand-alone mode, the Buk-M1 launcher unit can pop out to illuminate with its radar the designated for engagement air target and guide its missiles on it. Using skilled operators, the engagement cycle could be very short and then the launcher could immediately change its position in a bid to avoid retaliatory strikes. In turn, the much less mobile S-300PS SAM system relies on a truck-installed engagement radar (NATO Flap Lid), integrated with a command post on the wheeled vehicle chassis and separate missile launchers on wheeled chassis, with the system advertised as capable of simultaneously engaging up to six targets with 12 missiles at up to 40.5mn range and 82,000ft altitude.
Russian MoD 33www.Key.Aero // October 2022
The first SEAD/DEAD sorties in the war were flown in the early hours of February 24, with Su-34s and Su-35s tasked to attack pre-planned radar targets with Kh-31P/PD/PM (NATO AS-17 Krypton) high-speed ARMs, while known positions of early-warning radars and SAMs were pounded with cruise and short-range ballistic missiles. In total, 36 SAM sites
A RuASF Mi-8MTPR-1 EW helicopter seen in the frontline area in Ukraine, most likely in the Kharkiv region Russian MoD
Below: A rangeIskander-Mlikelylauncherradar-equippedanbyexplosionspectacularcausedadirecthitonUkAFBuk-M1unit,mostdeliveredbyanshort-ballisticmissile Russian MoD
The Buk-M1 proved to be the most flexible and lethal SAM system employed by the Ukrainian military to counter the Russian air strikes Ukrainian MoD October 2022 and 14 radar sites were attacked on the first day of Moscow’s invasion. There is no verified information, however, on the effectiveness of the ARM use in the opening hours of the invasion. From day one of war, the RuASF began flying regular combat air patrols (CAPs) endowed with the so-called ‘reactive’ SEAD/DEAD capability. These missions saw pairs of Su-35S (and on some occasions Su-30SMs) air superiority fighters, armed with a pair of Kh-31P/PD/PM ARMs in addition to the standard air-to-air loadout of four R-77-1 and four R-73s. Pilots, patrolling at high altitude in friendly airspace, were tasked to mount attacks on emitting targets of opportunity, such as popping up SAM systems turning on their radars. The information on the type, bearing and distance to the popped-out radars on enemy-held territory is provided by the aircraft’s own L-150-35 Pastel radar homing and warning system (RHWS), which also facilitates the ARM targeting.
// www.Key.Aero34 RUSSIA/UKRAINE // RUSSIAN SEAD
The Kh-31P/PD/PM is a high-speed ARM, and its baseline version has a range of up to 60nm when launched in high altitude/ high speed flight, while the improved Kh31PD can reach targets at up to 135nm. In turn, its later iteration, known as the Kh31PM, boasts an extended range of up to 160nm when launched in such conditions, enabling the launch platform to remain well outside the engagement zone of the UkAF S-300PT/PS/V1 and BuK-M1 systems, even in low-altitude engagements.
Below: The lack of dedicated 2022shotremainssorties.medium-lossesseriousstrikelethalityreductionledoperationsSEAD/DEADeventuallytoasharpintheoveralloftheRuASFoperationsandaincreaseinthesufferedinbothandlow-levelThisistheofaSu-35SdownonApril3,nearChernihiv Ukrainian internet 35www.Key.Aero // October 2022 Firing ARMs during these combined combat air patrol missions is undertaken only after receiving authorization from a ground-based C2 post, a procedure set to make sure that the position of the popped-out SAM radar is not within the disposition of the own forces. The launch authorization procedure, however, is considered as being a protracted one and often proves inadequate when facing time-sensitive radar targets. The Russian MoD released at least one official claim for an UkAF Buk-M1 SAM guidance radar destroyed by employing this otherwise high-risk tactics. The successful ARM attack happened on February 26, mounted by Major Viktor Dudin, a Su-35S pilot from the 23rd IAP, a fighter regiment stationed at Dzemgi near Komsomolsk on Amur in Russia’s Far East region. While on a CAP mission, Major Dudin got an order to close in on a Buk-M1 (known to have been operating in the area) that was illuminating and tracking his aircraft, so he could unleash a Kh-31PM on it. He undertook the successful attack at low altitude, with its aircraft also acting as a bait, and when the radar popped out, Major Dudin fired the missile from 1,300ft altitude, claiming to had scored a good hit There is no reliable data on the number of successful Kh-31P/PD/PM launches in the war, most of which are believed to have been mounted against radar targets of opportunity. Such strikes could be effective only in conditions when SAM operators lack any experience and tend to fail to turn off their radars, thus enabling reliable targeting with ARMs in a somewhat protracted engagement cycle. Such unprofessional behavior by SAM operators, however, is believed to be the exception rather than common occurrence in the war, as the brief target illumination to achieve as fast as possible engagement, is among the main prerequisites for survival in the face of Russian reactive SEAD/DEAD patrols.
Air
The
ENVELOPE TEST WING REPORT// NAWCAD October 2022 // www.Key.Aero36
PAX PUSHES largest test facility in the US has a unique approach to its work. visits the Naval Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River, Maryland to find out more
Frank Visser
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is not just the largest test facility in the US, it is where test pilots are created.
‘Salty Dogs’, one of the Wing’s four T&E units. In August she will become the next and first female NTWL commodore. She told CAJ: “Agility is one of the things
ENVELOPE
“It’s an exciting challenge ramping up talent and supportive skills sets the Navy will need to test and evaluate evolving systems and technology that make up the future of naval aviation.” Because test programs are complex, planning can be too – but it is essential. At every given time, the various squadrons conduct hundreds of T&E programs from very small tests for things like software updates to the larger T&E programs for new aircraft like the MQ-25, for example, that can take up a couple of years.
THE Before new aircraft types, software updates and weapon systems enter service with the US Navy and US Marine Corps, they must be thoroughly tested.
Developmental test pilots from VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’ fly a pair of EA-18G Growlers in formation over NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. VX-23 is the Navy and Marine Corps’ dedicated test squadron for F/A-18B/C/D Hornets, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, T-45C Goshawks, and the F-35B/C Lightning II aircraft US Navy/Erik Hildebrandt 37www.Key.Aero // October 2022
PAX FACTS NAS Patuxent River is situated on a peninsula in St Mary’s County, Maryland and named after the nearby river. It was built in the first half of the 1940s because the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics was looking for a new location to conduct aviation test programs.
The current commodore is Col Richard E Marigliano (US Marine Corps), who explained: “We test all of the aircraft that are in the Navy and Marine Corps in some capacity at NTWL. Our military test pilots work alongside a number of civilian engineers who are advanceasintointegratedtheWingateamtocapability and readiness of everything the Navy and Marine Corps flies – from tactical jets to big wing aircraft, and rotary, tiltrotor, and unmanned air systems.” He continued: “With direct integration of engineering we are able to move our workforce into and out of our smaller aircraft or weapons programs into bigger programs flexing to meet the Navy’s evolving requirements. This enables our flexibility as older programs taper down and new programs taper up allowing us to move our workforce around withDebagility.”Salamon, NTWL’s executive director, said: “Civilians support NTWL work across three divisions. The Mission Systems Test and Evaluation [T&E] evaluates aircraft systems to ensure the fielded capability is effective. The Air Vehicle T&E Division makes certain we have the right envelope for the new or modified aircraft we are fielding. The last division, T&E Management of Program and Operations, staffs our squadrons and provides support to program offices. We have test support from concept, before a contract is even created, to planning and making sure the requirements are testable.
With the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) being the first to operate from this new base in 1945, several flight test and other test groups soon followed and in June 1945 the Naval Air Test Center was established and became the largest tenant command at the Naval Air Station. The center evolved over the decades, becoming today’s NAWCAD. Besides being a T&E base, Pax also served as a US Navy patrol base from the 1950s until the 1970s. Several Patrol Squadrons, equipped with more than 70 Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, were stationed here until they moved to other locations. To this day, the NAWCAD has played a vital role in flight testing, with four naval Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons and the USNTPS.
Capt Elizabeth Somerville (US Navy) is currently the commanding officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23)
NTWL insight
The Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) is part of NAWCAD, which is under command of the Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR). NAWCAD has four major locations: Lakehurst (NJ); Patuxent River and St Inigoes (MD); and Orlando (FL). It supports the fleet, the entire US Department of Defense (DOD) and has an annual budget of $3.1bn. NTWL is the most technically diverse air wing in naval aviation and is the fleet advocate, supporting test and evaluation of the Navy's principal aviation systems ranging from unmanned to rotary and fixed-wing aircraft and subsystems. Its focus is on warfighter requirements, providing aircrew and aircraft assets to the wing, maintenance support, operational and safety oversight, process, and facility support for developmental flight and NTWL has created a unique teaming of military, civilians, and contractors, which includes maintenance personnel, engineering services and other support services working hand-in-hand with aircrews to execute the flight tests.
TEST WING REPORT// NAWCAD October
USNTPS Aircraft Type Aero-M UAS
X-26ANU-1BT-38CX-8MX-26AU-6ANU-1BT-38CT-6BUH-72AUH-60LOH-58CF/A-18FC-26AC-12C
that enables us to build a foundation of expertise in any given area, and we are very fortunate to have this at the Wing. As we ramp up and down for various projects through the development cycle, we put our people where we need them based on their previous expertise.” Younger engineers are teamed up with experienced colleagues so they can get that experience too. Col Marigliano explained:”We have some of our oldest platforms that we are working on for software updates, like the E-2D. On the other hand, we focus on new platforms which are coming up and being tested here, like the MQ-25A, the Presidential helicopter VH-92A, the CH-53K and the CMV-22B. There is quite a spectrum that NTWL is contributing to in the Naval Aviation Enterprise from sustaining that capability that is out there in the fleet today and bring new capability to the fleet for tomorrow.”
Working with the USAF
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A USNTPS T-38C takes off from NAS Patuxent River. Well over 1,000 hours are flown on this type annually All images Northern Skies Aviation unless stated This USNTPS flight instructor – one of around 30 –completes his paperwork before another mission Current USNTPS Commander Jeremy ‘Silas’ DeBons, who has flown more than 100 types of aircraft 2022
NTWL also works closely with the USAF in the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), because it is a multinational integrated program. Col Marigliano added: “It really comes down to where does it make sense to conduct the tests. We always question ourselves: where is the best place to do this in the most efficient and effective ways in terms of cost and value?” Capt Somerville explained: “We have
The services in general have specific test centers across the country. For the Navy, developmental test is split between the two commands on opposite coasts. NAWCAD and NTWL test aircraft and subsystems on the east coast. NAWCAD’s sister command, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) also operates a developmental test wing called Naval Test Wing Pacific (NTWP), where it tests mission systems and weapons on the west coast. NTWP has two test squadrons, VX-30 and VX-31. Col Marigliano continued: “Generally, for us at NTWL, we are focused on new aircraft platforms, the first flights and initial envelope development for aircraft like the CH-53K, VH-92, or MQ-25. The reason why we are distributed between two test wings is really driven by the mission.”
these great co-operative relationships within the USN and the USMC, across the east and west coasts, and with the other services like the USAF, Army, and Coast Guard. We feel very fortunate by having these different test centres on both the east and west coasts– having these ranges provides us with specific capabilities with regards to airspace and telemetry.” The test teams are talking to each other on a daily basis. Here it is decided who can do the testing and where it makes the most sense and what other aspects are needed, for example a larger airspace. The command’s advanced facilities make it possible for an aircraft to fly on one HX-21 Aircraft Type AH-1Z UH-1Y CH-53K TH-57A MH-60R/S MV-22B VH-92A X-8M Below: The USNTPS has ten Northrop T-38C Talons in its inventory. With the T-6B, the T-38C is the primary trainer for student pilots Above: theirPilotCDRinstructionsJeremyUSNTPSisTestbetweenCollaborationthedifferentPilotsSchoolsillustratedhere.CDR.DeBonsgivestotheoftheUSAFTestSchoolbeforeF/A-18Fflight Until August 2022, Col Richard E Maligiano is the commander of Naval Test Wing Atlantic 39www.Key.Aero // October 2022
Below: The CMV-22B is the replacement for the Navy’s C-2A Greyhound aircraft. This variant of the tiltrotor has already entered service with VRM-30 ‘Titans’ 2022
TEST WING REPORT// NAWCAD October
One year ago, Deb Salamon became the first-ever female civilian executive director and in August Col Marigliano will turn over his command to Capt Somerville. She and Deb Salamon will become the first-ever all female NTWL leadership team. coast while experts monitor the results of that flight test from across the country. The Naval Test Wing commanders and T&E engineering leadership talk on a frequent basis to figure out how to improve collaboration. Last but not least, the test squadrons conduct exercises where either they send aircraft or people to fly events together and learn how aircraft co-ordinate and how the interoperability works.
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Col Marigliano’s assignment is coming to an end and he reflects on the objectives he set before becoming the commander of NTWL. “We have accomplished many of my goals and established new ones that I could not have anticipated,”he said. He is proud of leading the Wing through a large command reorganization just as he became NTWL commodore. Before this, flight test engineering was separate from the Wing command structure and the changes meant he could finally see the true merger/ integration of the most impactful teaming in flight test – the military project officer and the civilian project engineer – the hallmark of flight test success. What he didn’t expect was working in the COVID environment over the last two years. During that time the flight test couldn’t stop working through that was challenging but rewarding to see what was accomplished during the difficult period.
UX-24 Aircraft Type RQ-26RQ-23RQ-21MQ-25AMQ-8B/C
Training at USNTPS All of NTWL’s and NTWP’s squadrons need qualified test pilots, flight officers and engineers. For this, the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), which has been stationed at NAS Patuxent River since 1945, is used. It has a particular claim to fame: of the nearly 5.000 students who have graduated in all those years almost 100 of them have become astronauts. The current commanding officer is CDR Jeremy DeBons. The USNTPS skipper was the first commanding officer to graduate in 2010 at EPNER, the Test Pilot School in France, and because the whole academic course is in French, he had to learn the language in a short time. During his career, he has flown over 100 different types of aircraft and built up more than 4,500 flying hours. CDR DeBons recalled: “Flying each of the 100-plus types of aircraft was memorable, but flying the U-2 from Beale AFB, the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 flying boat, and the French Rafale are some I won’t forget.”
Col Marigliano added: “I enjoyed this tour it felt like the culmination of my career as an aviator providing me the opportunity to contribute to the larger Naval Aviation Enterprise and serve with such a large, diverse group of dedicated people. It has truly been a rewarding experience for me and a great way to end my military career.”
ALLIANCESTRONG Besides VX-23 and HX-21, the NTWL has two additional test and evaluation squadrons, VX-20 and UX-24. Throughout its history, VX-20 has supported the fleet through the full test and evaluation spectrum of scouting (VS), patrol (VP), carrier airborne early warning (VAW), fleet logistics support (VRC), electronic countermeasures (VQ), fleet tactical support (VR), patrol special unit (VUP), Marine aerial refueler transport (VMGR) and training (VT) community aircraft. VX-20 also provides aerial refuelling for the F-35 Lightning II, MV-22 Osprey and F/A-18E-F Super Hornet aircraft and safety/chase support aircraft for other platforms assigned to NTWL. Formerly the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Directorate, UX-24 is the Navy’s newest test squadron and the only dedicated UAS test unit. Located at NAS Patuxent River’s Webster Outlying Field in St Inigoes, Maryland, the squadron takes advantage of the command’s unique facilities which include two 5,000ft runways, direct entry into restricted operating areas with no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordination needed, exclusive-use areas available for small UAS’s, proximity to water for UAS maritime operations, and a dedicated UAS operations center. With these four test and evaluation squadrons NTWL conducts hundreds of test and evaluation programs each year.
Col Marigliano added:”It’s great to see how our engineering workforce moves in and out of different programs to bring – and gain – experience to those teams. We are putting our best and brightest from the enterprise on those programs to do the work and get the capability to the fleet as quickly and as effectively as we can.”
The school’s ‘air three curricula’includes Fixed Wing (pilot/engineer), Rotary Wing (pilot/engineer) and Airborne/ Unmanned Systems (NFO/engineer). Every student accomplishes 530 academic hours and 120 flight hours. For this, USNTPS has a workforce of instructors and maintainers, all of which are contractors. The maintainer contracts are dedicated to the US Army C-12, the C-26, the H-72, and a fourth contractor is for the rest. Around 30 flight instructors, 10-15 academic instructors and 20 support staff make up the rest of the USNTPS. The school has 13 different types of aircraft and a total of 48 airframes, which also include unmanned systems. The oldest aircraft within the USN, the U-6A Beaver, is also part of the inventory.
Each January and July a new class (36 students per class) starts training at NAS Patuxent River, so the intake can graduate after 11 months. Because the best of the best are selected, the drop out figure is very low. Every USNTPS class is a diverse mix of pilots, flight officers and engineers across the US military services including international students.
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CDR DeBons added: “Probably the first aircraft to be phased out here will be the T-38C, which will happen around 20302035. We have started the replacement discussion, but we’re still considering our options. As we modernize our curriculum, we may need more than one new type of aircraft or a training system that looks completely different.” The USNTPS has a strong partnership with three other test pilot schools: the USAF Test Pilot School (USAFTPS) at Edwards AFB; the Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS) at MOD Boscombe Down, UK; and the École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER) in France. CDR DeBons added: “Flight test in general is a team effort and no one of us can do any of this by our self. Collaborating with other schools gives the test community its greatest strength: diversity of experience as our testers fly and familiarize themselves with different platforms.”
The last decade saw some major changes with the acquisition of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) platforms in 2014 and the introduction of the Airborne Systems Training and Research Support (ASTARS) III laboratory in 2018. This system was built into the C-26A Metroliner. CDR DeBons added: “The H-72 is our newest aircraft and great to have. We are about to put FLIR systems on them so we can have more airborne sensor systems on this type of helicopter.”This will make the H-72A the only helicopter type at USNTPS equipped with a FLIR system. Once USNTPS pilots under instruction graduate, they move on to become test pilots at developmental or experimental test squadrons where they are assigned specific projects or platforms to advance through testing to deliver to the fleet. This VX-20 Aircraft Type C-2A C-12B C-38A C/KC-130J E-2C/D E-6B P-8A MQ-4C T-6A Below: Testing on the T-45C Goshawk is done at VX-23. Here one of their test pilots is about to start his next mission One of the helicopters tested at HX-21, the largest rotary test squadron, is this MH-60R 41www.Key.Aero 2022
The USNTPS has a strong partnership with 17 countries. During the last 75 years, USNTPS has changed a lot. What originally started as an eight-week course changed to an 11-month syllabus in 1973.
Capt Somerville continued: “This Stingray program is truly a Wing-wide effort to make it a successful integrated tanker for the Navy’s Air Wing.” counts for the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Air Force. CDR. DeBons concluded: “I love it here. It’s the best job in the world and it's the best squadron in the Navy.”
Capt Somerville explained: “We do flight testing of the aircraft themselves when they are under development and through sustainment. We do testing on software upgrades for every model as well as weapons integration.” This includes all the new weapons developed or existing weapons that are getting upgrades. Currently, VX-23 is working on Block III Super Hornet flight tests as well as the next-generation jammer for the Growler, which is a major program now. Another big joint program with the USN, USMC, USAF and multiple Above: A developmental test pilot from VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’ participates in a training Navy/Kyra Helwick
The squadron is organized in a couple of different departments, some along a typical type or aircraft model. There is an F/A-18, EA-18G, T-45, F-35, Airborne Electronic Attack, and MQ-25 department. Then there are a couple departments that are not type or model specific such as the carrier suitability department and mission systems department. Those departments are led by a military department head, each with a civilian counterpart, which is one of the strengths of Navy flight testing. With their knowledge and experience they are working hand in hand to make each program successful.
Capt Somerville said: “A big new program is the MQ-25A Stingray. For the first time we are going to integrate an unmanned platform into a Carrier Air Wing [CVW] with the Stingray. The MQ-25A program was aligned with VX-23 because of the squadron’s carrier suitability mission set and its air refuelling expertise.” For this program, the squadron will have a dedicated MQ-25A hangar where the squadron will work hand in hand with other experts across the Wing including NTWL’s UX-24, which is the unmanned aircraft test squadron. At the moment, approximately 100 people are integrated in this test program and this will grow up to several hundred by the time the MQ-25A Stingray enters operational testing.
VX-23 testers Test programs for USN and USMC jet aircraft are executed by NTWL’s VX-23. As commanding officer, Capt Somerville is responsible for the unit’s flight testing and evaluation of the legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F-35B/C Lightning II, T-45C Goshawk and MQ-25A Stingray.
international partners is the F-35 on aeromechanical software advancements and weapons integration testing. He added: “The challenges associated with this squadron are that we have at any given time 200 projects actively working. With all the different types of aircraft, this blossoms in complexity.”
A developmental test pilot from VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’ flies a weaponized F/A-18F over NAS Patuxent River. Weapons separation testing can be risky but is critical to ensuring weapons safely separate from their delivering aircraft as designed US Navy/Erik Hildebrandt HildebrandtNavy/Erik
Right: Patuxentlocatedoverseriesofaircraft,rotarytestCorps’theHX-21testDevelopmentalpilotsfrom‘Blackjack’,NavyandMarinededicatedsquadronforandtiltrotorflymostitstype/models/informationSolomonsIsland,nearNASRiver US
TEST WING REPORT// NAWCAD October 2022 // www.Key.Aero42
PatuxentheadquarterslocatedFlightDivision’sCentertheITSNavyaboardlandingconductingsimulationavirtualofaF-35BtheItalianaircraftcarrier,Cavour(550),atNavalAirWarfareAircraftMannedSimulatoratcommandatNASRiver US
VX-23 Aircraft T-45CF-35B/CEA-18GF/A-18FF/A-18EF/A-18DF/A-18CF/A-18BType
Each department operates a specific type of aircraft, such as the MH-60 or CH-53. The squadron is now working on the mission upgrade for the USN H-60 in order to maintain the cutting edge on the battlefield. Software sensor updates are done on a regular basis for both the Romeo (R) and Sierra (S) models. Similar updates are also performed on the USMC AH-1 helicopters. Recently HX-21 completed Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) testing for the AH-1Z, which was then declared for Initial Operational Capability (IOC). The goal is always to get things to the fleet faster. In this case, HX-21 worked closely with their operational test agency and weapons developers to fly some of those flights together and do those missile shotsOnetogether.ofthemost critical things in preparing for flight testing is building the team. Which organisations should be part of the team and which expertise is needed? CDR Short continued: “In the CMV-22B program we did that very well. During the first flight, which took place in December 2020, we had a contractor test pilot from the manufacturer with one of our own test pilots. A year later, the IOC for the CMV-22 was declared and it’s now already in service with VRM-30.” That is what HX-21 strives for: to develop an aircraft through the testing phase and do it quickly. CDR Short said:“We are not just testing, we are doing the developing. The further left we can get in the process, the more we can influence it so the fleet gets what they need on the timeline they need.”For this, the squadron strives to provide the highest quality evaluation and reporting in support of an aircraft or system’s program managers and, ultimately, the fleet warfighters.
The MQ-25A Stingray was developed by Boeing as an unmanned aerial refuelling system and was a result of the Carrier Based Aerial Refuelling System (CBARS) program, which in turn came from an earlier program called Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UNCLASS). The need for a carrier refuelling aircraft is important to support the Super Hornet fleet’s operational reach. The first aircraft flew on September 19, 2019 and the USN has ordered 72. Within the next few years this platform should be integrated to the fleet. HX-21 developments The squadron responsible for developmental flight testing and evaluation of rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft and their associated airborne sensors and weapons systems for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard is HX-21. Former commanding officer, CDR Daniel Short, is now the military director at Defense Contract Management Agency – Sikorsky in Stratford, Connecticut. After graduating USNTPS, he reported to HX-21 for the first time in 2008, serving as an MH-60R/S and H-60F/H developmental test pilot. After an operational tour with HS-4 he returned to NTWL as an instructor at USNTPS in 2014. In 2016, he returned to HX-21 as the MH-60 Government Flight Test Director (GFTD) and was honored to lead the largest helicopter developmental test program in the DOD as CH-53K GFTD. During this tour, he became the first Navy pilot to fly the CH-53K. He said: “The thing I love about this squadron is that we have such a dynamic group of people who turn the unknown into the known through flight testing. Working with military officers, test pilots, and flight engineers who collaborate with industry and our contract maintainers all working towards one goal is both a big challenge and our greatest strength.” HX-21 is the only rotary test and evaluation squadron in the USN flying about ten types of aircraft. CDR Short added: “We have a philosophy here that we emphasize a lot with our project officers and engineers. It’s a teaming we call POPE for short. For everything we do at every level of the squadron we have that team.”
Left: Developmental test pilots from VX-20 ‘Force’ and VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’ partner to conduct aerial refueling during a flight test over southern Maryland. Pilots from VX-20 fly a KC-130T to refuel an F-35B alongside an F/A-18F US Navy/Kyra Helwick Below: Developmental test pilots from VX-20 ‘Force’ fly a C-2 Greyhound during the aircraft’s final flight with the unit over southern Maryland. The Navy is retiring the C-2 Greyhound carrier theanddeliveryonboard(COD)aircraftreplacingitwithCMV-22BOsprey US HildebrandtNavy/Erik 43www.Key.Aero // October 2022
A historic deal sees Greece opt for the Lightning II as a replacement for its ageing F-4E fleet, writes Babak Taghvaee
PHANTOMS TO REST October 2022 // www.Key.Aero44 NEWS REPORT // GREECE SELECTS F-35A
F-35 PUTS
The Greek government officially submitted a Letter of Request to the US on June 29, 2022 for procurement of 20 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifthgeneration multi-role stealth fighters after a long evaluation process. The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) intends to operate the F-35A as a replacement for its McDonnell Douglas F-4E (AUP) Phantom IIs. The HAF’s 338 Mira (Squadron) currently operates half of the 36 F-4Es that were upgraded under the Peace Icarus 2000 program. They are set to remain in service until the first F-35As are delivered in 2027.
End of an era For years, the HAF’s F-4E (AUP) Phantom IIs were operated by 338 and 339 Mira at Andravida Air Base. The former specialized in air-to-ground missions, while the latter’s main task was focused on air-to-air missions. With the decline in number of operational F-4Es in the 117th Tactical Wing at Andravida, 339 Mira was disbanded and its eight mission-ready F-4Es were absorbed by 338 Mira, which had 10-12 F-4Es in Decisions2017.were made by Hellenic Air Force commanders to maintain a fleet of 18 F-4E Phantom IIs in service with 338 Mira. In order to achieve this goal, a number of F-4Es which had reached the end of their meantime between overhaul (MBTO) were decommissioned to be cannibalized at both Andravida and at the Hellenic Aerospace Industries facility in Tanagra. Thanks to the parts harvested, the HAF managed to keep a 70% aircraft availability rate with 338 Mira to meet the needs of the Hellenic Armed Forces strike force. With the decline in number of available F-4Es for cannibalization, spare parts and J79-GE-17C engines had to be procured from US, mainly provided from the stock of the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 of the USAF, which had its final QF-4Es retired in December 2016. After the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), the HAF has the largest fleet of combat-ready F-4E Phantom IIs thanks to theseCapableparts.of carrying an 18,650lb payload, the F-4E all-weather multi-role fighter jet has provided a formidable strike capability for HAF for several decades. After the F-4E modernization, it became capable of using the 15 Rafael Litening II electro-optical (EO) and targeting pods, which were received in 2004 and 2005. Thanks to these pods, Hellenic Phantom IIs have been capable of using precision-guided bombs since 2004, in addition to their AGM-65A/B Maverick air-to-ground missiles. Like all other HAF fighter squadrons, 338 Mira can conduct Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions in support of the Hellenic Armed Forces. Its F-4Es armed with GBU12 and GBU-16 Paveway II and GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs can carry out not just airstrikes against land-based targets but also against those in the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea regions in support of Hellenic Army and Navy missions whenever required.
A Rafael AndravidatrainingcheckseenofII-equippedLiteningF-4EtheHAFcanbeduringaquickpriortoamissionfromAirBase All images: Babak Taghvaee
In addition to HAF, the air forces of Iran, South Korea and Turkey are still operating F-4E Phantom IIs, with the IRIAF, ROKAF and THK having kept 47, 16 and 15 of them in operational cycle respectively. While the HAF has 13 of its 18 F-4Es operational simultaneously, the IRIAF, ROKAF and THK have 31, 11 and 9 of theirs in a similar state of readiness.
The ROKAF and HAF plan to retire their F-4Es in 2023 and 2027, while the IRIAF and Turkish Air Force will continue operating them for a longer period until a replacement can be found.
Below: Two Italian Air Force F-35As from 13° Gruppo taxi at Andravida Air Base during the Iniochos military exercise Above: Overhauled by HAI in 2019, 01518 is currently one of the 13 operational F-4Es of 338 Mira which will fly until end of its MTBO
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The end of F-4E operations During his visit to the US in May, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis negotiated with US government officials, including US President Joe Biden, regarding the purchase of F-35As. On June 30, 2022 – a day after the Greek government approved the procurement of the F-35A – Mitsotakis announced that the country had submitted a Letter of Request to the US to purchase a squadron of 20 F-35As, with options to buy additional aircraft. According to Mitsotakis, the HAF should receive its first batch of F-35As in 2027 or 2028. They will replace F-4Es in service of 338 Mira. Until that time, the squadron, which has recently turned 70 years old, will continue operating F-4E Phantom IIs.
The current rise in the number of incursions of the Athens airspace by Turkish Air Force and the recent threats made by Turkish government officials regarding the sovereignty of the Greek Islands has led to restrictions in the sale of F-16Vs to Turkey and modernization of current F-16C/Ds of the Turkish Air Force. On July 14, 2022, the US House of Representatives approved legislation barring the delivery of F-16Vs as well as upgrade kits to Turkey for its existing fleet of F-16C/Ds if the Turkish government fails to guarantee that they will not be used against Greece.
New role for the F-35As The F-35A Lightning II has replaced or is in the process of replacing F-4E Phantom IIs in several air forces around the world. It can carry a maximum payload of 17,989lb weapons in its internal weapons bay and under its wings, which is near to the maximum weapon payload of the F-4E. Delivery of the S-400 long-range air defense system to the Turkish Air Force in 2019 following a $2.5bn deal from 2017 and the recent threats caused by the military activities of Turkish Armed Forces, including a significant rise in the number of incursions of Turkish F-16s into the Athens FIR has resulted in selection of the F-35A for procurement as future backbone of HAF’s strike force. Within the past few years, the Lightning II has been used by both the USAF and US Air National Guard as a fighter jet with a secondary SEAD/DEAD role due to its stealth capabilities. The crews who are flying the F-35As are trained to carry out air operations against enemy air defense and radar systems using their precisionguided bombs. Since May 2022, the US Air National Guard has also used them to perform daily patrols over Poland and Romania, during which these F-35As – armed with precision-guided bombs – have been ready to protect other NATO air assets from the danger posed by Russian air defense systems, especially the S-400s stationed in Belarus, on the eastern flank ofGreeceNATO. has also recently selected the AGM-88E AARGM tactical air-to-surface anti-radiation missile for its 84 F-16C/D Block 72s (F-16V). The missile, which is the new generation of AGM-88B HARM currently in use by the HAF’s 341 and 343 Mira, will also improve the SEAD/DEAD capabilities of the Greek air arm.
The Servicio de Aviación of the Prefectura Naval Argentina is the only coast guard air service in Latin America operating over the South Atlantic and the rivers of the country. Santiago Rivas reports on this unique aerial operation
THEOVERYEARSOCEAN
Above: The Super Puma is equipped with bubble windows for observation, extra fuel tanks, a rescue hoist, a searchlight and can carry an gyrostabilized camera All images via author Right above: One of the two two Airbus AS355NP Ecureuils received in 2011 for use on the Parará River basin Right bottom: Of the two Beechcraft 350is, one is used for transport and the other for maritime patrol
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero46 UNIT REPORT // PREFECTURA NAVAL ARGENTINA
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As part of the Argentinian Navy, the Prefectura Naval Argentina (Argentinian Coast Guard) created its Servicio de Aviación in 1946, when the force was still called the Prefectura General Marítima. In 1972, the force inaugurated its first base with the heliport at Puerto Nuevo in Buenos Aires harbour, which is still the main headquarters for its helicopter fleet, while in 1996 a new base was opened at San Fernando International Airport in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Two CASA C-212-300 Aviocars and three C-212-300PMs arrived in 1989 to replace the Short Skyvans. The C-212s were equipped with a Litton AN/APS 128D search radar, a GPS/VLF Omega and a searchlight, becoming the first maritime patrol aircraft of the force. Later, they were joined by a Piper PA-23-250 Aztec tasked with apprehending drug traffickers and two Chincul/Piper PA-28-181s purchased forIntraining.1995,the first Aerospatiale SA-365N2 Dauphin arrived, followed by another in 1996, along with two Schweizer 300Cs for training. The Schweizers were followed by another pair in 1999 and two more in 2001. A Dauphin that belonged to the federal police was transferred in 2003, while another was purchased in the same year and a fifth was leased in 2019. In 2011, two Airbus AS355NP Ecureuils were added. After that, in 2013 and 2014, two Piper PA-28-181 Archer LXs joined the PA28s on training duties.
The helicopter crew usually consists of a pilot, co-pilot and mechanic who operates the hoist. In case of medical evacuations, they also carry a doctor and two rescue swimmers.
Current operations The Servicio de Aviación depends on the Dirección de Operaciones, part of the
As the Pumas were retired in 2015, they were replaced by a single Airbus H225. With the intention of start replacing the CASA 212 in 2012, a Beechcraft 350i configured for transport arrived, followed in 2013 by a 350iER for maritime patrol. Also, to replace a Schweizer 300C lost on January 19, 2010, a new example was received in 2014. The modernization of three Dauphins to AS365N3+ status was contracted with Helibrás in Brazil in 2017. In December 2020, the first modernized example was delivered, while the second arrived in November 2021 and the third a month later.
During all rescues a fixed-wing aircraft will accompany the helicopters. It arrives in advance and starts to make the necessary co-ordination with the captain of the ship, so that when the helicopter arrives all it has to do is lower the basket or stretcher, evacuate and leave. “A work boat has many antennas and rigging, so they have to clear the entire deck, bring in the crew and have communications between them, because the helicopter also produces a lot of noise,”said Weimann. “It’s the riskiest part of the operation, because it is taking place above the ship. You are flying at a minimum speed of between 5 and 8 knots and hanging between 30 and 150 feet above the deck. It is operating inside what is referred to as the ’dead man's envelope’, where there is a serious risk you could lose the helicopter.”
OPERATIONS
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At each Servicio de Aviación station there is always a helicopter on SAR alert, ready to take off in five minutes. At Corrientes and Posadas, the AS355 Ecureuils mainly perform support missions as part of the Escudo Norte (Northern Shield) operation against illegal traffic and smuggling on the borders with Brazil and Paraguay. They also perform SAR, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance during floods, firefighting with Bambi Buckets, contamination control and other duties over the Paraná basin rivers. Both helicopters are equipped with a Nightsun searchlight and a FLIR Systems Ultra 8500, rescue hoist and armour on the floor. The main activity is search and rescue operations. Prefecto Julio Weimann, chief of the Operational Department, said that, when an aircraft locates a casualty “they relay the symptoms and the doctor of the prefectura evaluates them by radio and determines whether the patient needs to be transferred to another ship, be brought to port or, if he is critically injured, needs to be rescued. Normally we perform between five and eight evacuations per month at the two air stations on the Atlantic coast, as well as those we do in Buenos Aires.”
Stations Besides the bases at San Fernando and Puerto Nuevo, the service has four other stations, one at Comodoro Rivadavia in Patagonia, which was opened in 1990, another at Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires province, which opened in 1996, and two on the Paraná River – one at Corrientes and the other at Posadas, both opened in 2013. The Airbus H225 together with a CASA 212 are deployed to Mar del Plata, where a new hangar and facilities were inaugurated in 2019. At Comodoro Rivadavia there’s a Dauphin and the maritime patrol Beechcraft 350iER.
October2022// www.Key.Aero48 UNIT REPORT // PREFECTURA NAVAL ARGENTINA
MARITIME PATROL
The 350iER has an opening to drop smoke markers or flares, and a bigger one to drop a liferaft. During rescues, the crew first drops a smoke marker to check the wind force and direction, they then make a four-minute circuit and drop the liferaft, which has a 300-meter rope attached to help survivors clamber aboard.
With the CASAs and Beechcraft 350iER, the main mission is maritime patrol, especially targeting illegal fishing in the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone. When the aircraft detects a ship that has breached the 200-mile zone, they try to communicate with the crew to inform them about the infraction, taking pictures and video with geolocation, which provides enough evidence to issue a penalty fee on the owners of the ship. Sometimes, a patrol ship is sent to board the fishing vessel and inspect it, but the crew do not always collaborate and many times they try to escape. With the CASA 212, which doesn’t have an integrated camera, the crew uses a handheld camera with a GPS, which means they must fly very close to the ship to take the pictures. In the case of the Beech 350iER, they can use the FLIR Star Safire III, so they don’t need to fly too close and can make the images from an altitude of 6,000 feet and 10 miles. The infrared camera also allows them to take images during the night and the turret has a rangefinder to calculate the exact position of the ship. This makes it possible to fly and control the area without the vessels noticing that the aircraft is patrolling. Thanks to the additional fuel tanks behind the engines, the aircraft can fly for up to nine hours, having a minimum speed for visual search of 135 knots. The aircraft is also equipped with a Telephonics RDR1700B radar, two satellite communications systems and can access all the information from the systems console, including radar, FLIR turret and communications. All of this data is recorded for use as proof of what took place during the operations. The radar compares the information of the contacts with the AIS report from the ships, although sometimes the crew turn off the AIS or use the name of a different ship. In flight, the aircarft searches for those radar contacts without an AIS report, as they are considered targets of interest.
Future For the future, the force currently has plans to acquire two more H225s and to replace the remaining CASA 212. One of the C-212-300PMs has already been retired and the others should be following suitRegardingsoon. new stations, there are proposals to create one at Ushuaia in Patagonia, at the extreme southern end of the country, which will be important for operations over the Drake Passage and close to Antarctica. Other locations under consideration are Viedma in Río Negro province and Rosario on the Paraná River. Also, the possibility of establishing stations at Río Gallegos in Santa Cruz province or Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego are being investigated.
Above right: The Dauphin has been serving with the force for more than 25 years and is expected to remain in use for at least another 15. There are plans to buy more for the fleet.
Left: The Dauphin is the main rescue helicopter of the force, with five on strength. On January 19, 2002, a single helicopter rescued 24 crewmembers of a stricken fishing vessel on four flights
Dirección General de Seguridad. Currently, the fixed-wing aircraft fleet comprises two CASA 212-300s, two 212-300PMs, one Beechcraft 350i for transport, one 350iER for maritime patro, one Piper Aztec, two Piper PA-28s and two PA-28 Archer LXs. As for helicopters, the service operates one Airbus H225, two AS365N2 Dauphins, three AS365N3+ Dauphins, two Ecureuils and five Schweizer 300Cs. The service has its command headquarters at San Fernando, where the maintenance of the aircraft and the Schweizer 300C is also performed. Also on site is the Centro de Extensión Profesional Aeronáutica (CEPA) aviation school. Maintenance of the H225, Dauphin and Ecureuil helicopters is performed at Puerto Nuevo, with at least one Dauphin always remaining on alert.
Above left: The PA-40 was the first Dauphin received by the force, in 1995, and was modernized in 2021
All of the pilots and mechanics of the Servicio de Aviación receive their training at the CEPA under the auspices of the Dirección de Educación of the force, with logistics handled using the Piper PA-28s. Once the pilots finish the course, they receive their ground training by flying fly the CASA 212, after which a selection is made of the flyers who will go on to operate helicopters. The rotorcraft training course lasts a further year.
at keypublishing.com/vip-book-club Our VIP Book Club is a 100% spam-free zone, and we will never share your email with anyone else. You can read our full privacy policy at: privacy.keypublishing.com JOIN TODAY Be the first to find out about our forthcoming book releases and receive exclusive offers. Register today at keypublishing.com/vip-book-club and, as a thank you, we’ll give you TWO free e-books straight away! VIPClub GET E-BOOKSTWO FREE As the US Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary, an unofficial history by respected aviation writer Jon Lake is a must-have for VIP Book Club members. 325/22 Spanish Military Jets 1954–2022: Difficult Beginnings By Eduardo Manuel Gil Martínez and Juan Arráez Cerdá After World War Two, as most countries were beginning to modernise their air forces, Spain found itself primarily flying the very aircraft it had been fielding a decade earlier. In fact, the most modern fighter in the Ejército del Aire InSpanish(EdA,Airfact,themost TO CLAIMYOUR DISCOUNT: Enter your email address at shop.keypublishing.com/summer22 £� O�F When you spend £30 or more * *Offer ends 30 September 2022. Not valid on subscriptions or in conjunction with any other offer. help from the US and the signing of the Pact of Madrid, Spain received its first military jets in 1954.While the jets received were not the most modern of equipment, they flew well and enabled Spain to bring the EdA and Armada (Navy) in line with forces from other European countries. Spain soon had a fleet of jet aircraft in its armed services, which included the Lockheed T-33, North American F-86 Sabre, Hispano HA-200 Saeta and HA-220 Súper Saeta, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Dassualt Mirage III and F-1, Northrop F-5, McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II and Harrier AV-8S. With over 140 valuable images, this book –the first of two volumes on Spanish military jets – looks at the earliest models, their roles and the liveries they displayed. Modern Military Aircraft Series, Vol 9; 96 pages; £15.99 Order at: shop.keypublishing.com/spanishjets USAF at 75 JonAuthor/Editor:Lake e US Air Force was established as an thehascamebackthepowerfulbiggestandSeptembermilitaryindependentserviceon18,1947hasbecometheandmostairarminworld.WelookathowtheUSAFtobe,howitdevelopedandrealchallengesthat it faces today. is is not an official publication; that means we can tell the story as it is, and not necessarily as the USAF would want it to be. 116 pages; £8.99 Order at: shop.keypublishing.com/usaf75
a mixture of two Rafale EGs and two Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 of the HAF October 2022 // www.Key.Aero50 AIRCRAFT REPORT // HELLENIC AIR FORCE RAFALES
‘Geraki (Hawk)’
RAFALES RULE THE ROOST
patch
A loose echelon
Badge: A 332 Mira chest Main Image: of
With a long lineage of Dassault jets flying with Greek forces, the Rafale is the latest generation to enter service with the Hellenic Air Force, reports Pierre-Alain Antoine
51www.Key.Aero
Above: An echelon formation maneuver is flown by 2000-5by412),EGs,HAF-operatedtwoRafale(serials410andwhicharejoinedaHellenicMirageMk2 All Images
Below:Tokunaga/Dact,KatsuhikoInc.
The 18 aircraft in the first contract will all be delivered by the summer of 2023: two Rafale DGs and four Rafale EGs, already in place at Tanagra; two new Rafale DGs and four new Rafale EGs; and six second-hand Rafale EGs.
The latest six Dassault Rafales have taken to the skies over Greece as its Air Force takes delivery of the newest aircraft in its arsenal. The delivery represents a consolidation of the relationship between the country and the French aerospace company that extends nearly half a century. In the mid-1970s the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) was modernized with deliveries of the Dassault Mirage F1CG fleet. At the same time, Vought A-7 Corsair IIs and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs were flying under Greek roundels. In March 1985, the Greek government announced the purchase of 36 F-16C/D Block 30s. In the same month Greece ordered 36 single-seat Mirage 2000EGs and four two-seat Mirage 2000BGs. The first Mirages 2000EG/BG aircraft were delivered to the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base (AB) and equipped the 331 and 332 Miras (Squadrons). In September 2004, Greece decided to upgrade all its existing Mirages 2000 to Mirages 2000-5F (Mk 2) standard and order 15 new Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2s. In August 2020, Greece announced the acquisition of 18 of France’s new F3-R standard Rafale multi-role fighters to replace an equal number of older Mirage 2000EGMs that had not been previously upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 version. Finally, in January 2021, the official agreement with Dassault Aviation was ratified in parliament, bringing the purchase of six newly built and 12 ex-Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force) F-3R versions, costing €2.4bn, including their armament and follow-on support. In June 2021, Dassault Aviation released the pictures of Greece’s first Rafale F3-Rs, bearing the HAF roundel and fin flash. The first aircraft was delivered to Greece in July. The aircraft were commissioned to 332 Mira ‘Geraki (Hawk)’, which previously operated Mirage 2000EGM/BGM jets. At the Thessaloniki International Fair on September 11, 2021, the Greek Prime Minister announced the purchase of six additional Rafales, bringing the total number ordered to 24. The home base Tanagra AB (ICAO: LGTG) is located 25 miles north of Athens and is adjacent to Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI). It is the home base of the 114th Combat Wing. From World War Two until the early 1950s, Tanagra AB was used as a complementary airfield. After that period, and with a NATO contribution, it was upgraded to a main air base. From 1975 to 2003, the Mirage F1CGs were operated from Tanagra. Commissioned in 2007, the newly acquired Mirage 2000-5s are operated by 331 Mira ‘Aegeas’. Since 2017, Tanagra AB has been the venue of the annual Athens Flying Week air show, held in September each year. On January 19, 2022, 332 Mira received its first six Dassault Rafale F3-R fighters and retired its aging Mirage 2000EG/BG fighters in a ceremony held by the HAF. These first six Rafales are former AAE aircraft (refurbished to F3-R standard) and consisting of four single-seat Rafale EGs and two dual-seat Rafale DGs. With this first contract completed in only four months and rapidly implemented, Greek pilots and technicians are now training daily in the use of the weapons associated with the aircraft – the Mica air-to-air missile or the new Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), as well as the Exocet anti-ship missiles already integrated on Mirage 2000-5F Mk2s or SCALP air-launched cruise missiles. In addition to the first six aircraft delivered in January – after being brought up to Greek standards following a short stay in the AAE’s inventory – the next six deliveries will take place before the end of 2022. Comprising four new single-seat aircraft and two new two-seat aircraft, two of the latter are already undergoing flight tests in Bordeaux, where they are being built on Dassault’s production lines.
A Greek Rafale EG (serial 412) banks 90° while on a training sortie // October 2022
On March 24, 2022, the Greek Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and his French counterpart Florence Parly,
HAF personnel quickly took charge of their new aircraft. It must be emphasized that Greece is a very old customer of French aeronautical productions, so much so that the country was represented in the traditional Bastille Day air parade on the Champs-Elysées in Paris on July 14 this year. Opened by the nine Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet Es of the Patrouille de France aerobatic team in ‘big nine’ formation, the parade included two Greek Rafales that conducted a flypast in the sky police ‘spotlight’, in addition to the German, Spanish, Belgian and French Airbus A400M Atlas and Franco-German and Italian-operated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules in a demonstration of the strengthening of the European defense identity.
TYPELATESTHELLENICAIRFORCERAFALESCURRENTSERIAL
together with Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, signed a contract for an additional six Rafales, bringing the total to 24 – with deliveries scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.
Rafale EG 410 Former AAE serial 102, coded '30-EF'. Used to fly at Mont-de-Marsan AB, France Rafale EG 411 Former serial number unknown Rafale EG 412 Former serial number unknown Rafale EG 413 Former serial number unknown Rafale DG 201 Former AAE serial 305, coded '4-EC'. Used to fly at St Dizier-Robinson AB, France
Right: 332 Mira ‘Geraki 19,theinMiragesitsEGDassaultsixreceived(Hawk)’itsfirstF3-RstandardRafaleDG/fightersandretiredagingDassault2000EG/BGsaceremonyheldbyHAFonJanuary2022
The HAF’s Greek name in Roman script is Polemiki Aeroporia, which translates as War Aviation. It is one of the largest NATO air forces and is globally 18th out of 139 countries. It is also noted for its highly skilled pilots, annually benchmarked in international exercises such as NATO Tiger Meet in May on Araxos AB, Greece. The HAF includes around 33,000 active troops, comprising 11,750 career officers, 14,000 volunteer conscripts – of which 1,100 are women. In English, the motto of the HAF is ‘Always Dominate the Heights’ and the Air Force emblem represents a flying eagle in front of the HAF roundel.
FORMERSERIAL
Below: In August 2020, MiragenumbertoFrenchaircraftRafaleacquisitionannouncedGreecetheof18multi-rolewiththenewF3-Rstandardreplaceanequalofolder2000EGMs
Rafale DG 202 Former AAE serial 306. Used to fly at Mont-de-Marsan AB, France
October2022// www.Key.Aero52 AIRCRAFT REPORT // HELLENIC AIR FORCE RAFALES
A LONG AND RICH HISTORY
In 1911, the Greek Government appointed French specialists to form the Hellenic Aviation Service. Six Greek officers were sent to France for training, while the first four Farman aircraft were being ordered. All six graduated from the Farman school in Etampes airfield in the south of Initially,Paris.theHellenic Army and the Royal Hellenic Navy operated separate Army Aviation and Naval Aviation units. Greek aviation units participated in World War One and the Asia Minor Campaign, equipped by the Allies with a variety of French and British designs. In 1930, The Aviation Ministry was founded, establishing the Air Force as the third branch of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The Hellenic Army Air Service and Hellenic Naval Air Service were merged into a single service, the Royal Hellenic AirInForce.1939, an order for 24 Marcel Bloch MB.151 fighter aircraft was placed, but only nine of them reached Greece as the outbreak of World War Two prevented the French from completing the order. A lot of British-made aircraft also entered service with the Hellenic Air Force after the end of the war. In 1952, Greece joined NATO and the Air Force was rebuilt and organized according to NATO standards. New aircraft, including jets, were introduced, such as the Republic F-84G Thunderjet, Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk 4 or RF-84F Thunderflash. In the late 1960s, aircraft such as Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter appeared.
In March 2022, Greek Panagiotopoulos,MinisterDefenceNikolaos his French summerbetheRafales,forsignedDassaultEricFlorencecounterpartParlyandTrappier,CEOofAviation,acontractanadditionalsixbringingtotalto24fortodeliveredintheof2024 53www.Key.Aero // October 2022
Maine is the northernmost state in the New England region and is bordered by New Hampshire to the west, the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick to the northwest and northeast and the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is the 12th smallest state by area, the ninth least populous and the least densely populated state east of the Mississippi River. Originally a part of Massachusetts, Maine became the 23rd state on March 15, 1820. Its 35,385sq mile land area includes more than 17 million acres of forests and Maine is nicknamed the Pine Tree State. As recently as 1994, it was home to a single US Air Force base (AFB) and a Naval Air Station (NAS). However, the closure of Loring AFB in September 1994 and NAS Brunswick in May 2011 left the state with one site that supports aviation units of the Maine Air (ANG) and Army National Guard (ARNG). Known as Dow AFB from 1947 until it closed in April 1968, most of the property was turned over to the city of Bangor. Opened in 1969 as a joint-use facility, the Bangor International Airport is in the south-central part of Maine.
a training
Atlantic
1st Fighter
MAINE
#21 STATE REPORT
Operating from the Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine ANG's 101st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) is the largest unit at the Reportingairport.to the wing's 101st Operations Group (OG), the 132nd Air Refueling Squadron is responsible for operating and maintaining ten Boeing KC-135Rs. The ‘Mainiacs’ have been stationed at the Bangor facility since 1952. The squadron's association with the Stratotanker began in April 1976 when the first KC-135As arrived. It transitioned to the KC-135E variant in 1984 and the KC-135R followed in 2007. The 101st ARW is one of at least 15 ANG units hoping to be selected to transition to the KC-46A. The USAF expects to announce the preferred locations for the next two ANG units that will receive the Pegasus later thisMaineyear.National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) supports four flying units from its location adjacent to the Bangor ANGB. Company G(-), 3rd Battalion, 126th Below: A KC-135R from the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing refuels F-22As from the Wing’s 94th Fighter Squadron during evolution over the Ocean,
on February 22, 2018 USAF/TSgt Natasha Stannard PINE STATE FLYERS We continue our special US state-by-state reports with Tom Kaminski explaining which units are based in Maine October 2022 // www.Key.Aero54 MAINE STATE REPORT Location Command UnitAircraft Bangor International Airport / Air National Guard Base 101st Air Refueling Wing / Operations Group132nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R AASF Maine Army National GuardG(-)/3-126th AVN (AA) ‘Moxie Medevac’ UH-60A+/L Det. 1 C/3-142nd AVN (ASLT) UH-60L/M Det. 2 B/1-224th AVN (S&S) UH-72A Det. 3 A/2-641st AVN / OSACOM Det. 14 C-12U Houlton International Airport CBP Air & Marine OperationsHoulton Air Unit AS350B
Above: UH-60L serial JulywildfiduringtogallontransportsAviationBattalion,CompanyNationalMaineoperated96-26671bytheArmyGuard’sG,3rd126thRegiment,a400watertankCriehavenIsland,asimulatedreexerciseon9,2014 Maine ANG/CW5 Jon Campbell
Aviation Regiment is an air ambulance unit that operates the Sikorsky UH-60A/L Black Hawk. Known as ‘Moxie Medevac’, it is responsible for a detachment in Hawaii and reports to the 3rd Battalion headquarters in Massachusetts. When the company deployed to Afghanistan in 2018, it was supported by detachments from the District of Columbia and Idaho Army National Guards.
Detachment 1, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment recently completed its conversion from the UH-60A/L to the more capable UH-60M and operates five of the Black Hawk utility helicopters. The main body of Company C is in Connecticut and the battalion headquarters is in Ronkonkoma, New York. The Maine Army National Guard received two Airbus Helicopters UH-72As in June 2014. Operated by Detachment 2, Company B, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, the Lakotas are tasked in the Security and Surveillance (S&S) role. The main body of the company is located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and the battalion is headquartered in Maryland. The facility is also home to the Detachment 4, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, which is also known as OSACOM Detachment 14, and operates a single C-12U King Air. Under the Operational Support Airlift Activity (OSAA) role at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, it provides non-executive airlift support moving passengers, cargo, and/ or information within the continental US as well as in international locations on an on-demand schedule. For its wartime mission, the unit is militarily aligned to the Oregon ARNG’s 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment. Houlton International Airport in east-central Maine is a small public-use airport located in the town of Houlton on the border of New Brunswick, Canada. It supports a small aviation unit that is a component of the Department of Homeland Security. A component of the US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the Houlton Air Unit flies the Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 AStar light enforcement helicopter. The air unit reports to the Manassas Air Branch in the city of Manassas in Virginia. 55www.Key.Aero // October 2022
MAINE
Augusta CANADA CANADA HampshireNew Maine Atlantic Ocean InternationalBangor Airport • Bangor ANGB • AASF (Maine ARNG)
Below: One of two Lakota light utility helicopters assigned to the Maine Army National Guard, UH-72A serial 17-72286 is operated by Detachment 2, Company B, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment from the state’s only Army Aviation Support Facility at Bangor International Airport US Army National Guard/SFC Pete Morrison
Holton International Airport • Houlton Air Unit (USCBP)
Above: A KC-135R from the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing conducts refueling operations with a pair of F-35As operated by the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing during a training evolution, on February 11, 2020 Jim Haseltine
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero56 MARYLAND #22 STATE REPORT
OLD LINE AIR POWER Maryland is home to some of the biggest and most important bases in the United States.
Considered to be one of the Mid-Atlantic states, Maryland shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to the south and west, Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean in the east and Pennsylvania to the north. The state’s large coastal area includes much of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. One of the original 13 British Colonies, Maryland was the seventh state admitted to the Union after it ratified the new federal Constitution in 1788. Maryland is often referred to by the nickname ‘Old Line State’, which is associated with the revolutionary war and the ‘regular’ soldiers of the Continental Army. While it is the ninth smallest state by area, Maryland continues to support a number of large and very important military installations that include Joint Base Andrews, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River and the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground. National Capital Region Famous as the home of the Presidential transport known as ‘Air Force One’, Joint Base Andrews – Naval Air Facility Washington is home to units of the US Air Force and its reserve components, US Army, US Navy and Marine Corps. Covering 6.9sq miles, the base is located 4.5 miles southeast of the boundary of the District of Columbia in Camp Springs, Maryland, but within the geographic area known as the National Capital Region. Called Camp Springs Army Airfield when it became operational on May 2, 1943, the base was renamed Andrews Field on May 2, 1945, to honor Lt Gen Frank M Andrews, who died in a B-24D crash in Iceland on May 3, 1943. It was renamed Andrews AFB in 1947 and took on its current title in OctoberHeadquartered2009. at Andrews, the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW), is a direct reporting unit assigned to the Department of the Air Force, and the office of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The organization serves as the Air Force service component for co-ordination purposes to Joint Forces Headquarters – National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR). Reporting to the AFDW, the 316th Wing has been the host wing at Andrews since June 2020, and its 316th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for the 1st Helicopter Squadron (HS). Operating a fleet of 21 twin-engine Bell
Below: Each of the aircraft operated by the 89th Airlift Wing’s 1st and 99th Airlift Squadrons share the ramp at Joint Base Andrews on June 20, 2016. Left to right, the aircraft include examples of the C-20B, C-40B, C-32A, C-37B, and C-37A. The wing’s C-20Bs were retired in 2017 USAF/SMSgt Kevin Wallace
Tom Kaminski assesses the state’s assets
DelawareNewJerseyAnnapolis Washington NAS Patuxent River/ Webster Field OLF Aberdeen Proving Ground Phillips AAF Weide AHP • AASF (Maryland ARNG) Baltimore Martin AirportState Joint AndrewsBaseDistrict Columbiaof MARYLAND
57www.Key.Aero // October 2022 UH-1N helicopters, the squadron provides priority airlift for national-level civil and military senior leadership in the NCR as well as the continuation of government operations and search and rescue (SAR).
Like its naval and air force counterparts at Andrews, USAPAT plans, co-ordinates, and conducts worldwide executive airlift in support of the secretary of the army, senior army leaders, and other government and military personnel.
The Twin Hueys have served the squadron since 1971, but will eventually be replaced by 25 Boeing/Leonardo MH-139A utility helicopters and Andrews will be the fourth operating location to receive the Grey Wolf.
The US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/ NNSA) is one of several tenants aboard JB Andrews. The NNSA operates three nuclear incident response aircraft that support the NNSA’s Aerial Measuring System (AMS) teams by conducting measurements of air and ground contamination following a nuclear or radiological accident or incident. Additionally, in preparation for major National Security Special Events (NSSE) including presidential inaugurations, the A trio of UH-1N Twin Hueys from the 316th Wing’s 1st Helicopter Squadron operate over the National Capital Region near Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on May 10, 2019. The 316th Wing’s 1st Helicopter Squadron operates 21 Twin Hueys that provide airlift for emergency security and disaster response forces, emergency evacuation of key government officials, and for distinguished visitors USAF/2Lt Jessica Cicchetto Pennsylvania West Virginia Virginia
Although based at JB Andrews, the US Army Priority Air Transport Command (USAPAT) reports to The Army Aviation Brigade (TAAB), which is a component of the Military District of Washington at Fort Lesley J McNair in Washington DC. It was originally activated as a jet detachment of the United States Army Davison Aviation Command in August 1988. Operated by Company A from Andrews, the current executive aircraft include three Cessna UC-35Bs, two Gulfstream C-37As named ‘Normandy’and ‘Gettysburg’, and a single C-37B that is named the ‘Valley Forge’.
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero58 MARYLAND #22 STATE REPORT
Super Bowl, Boston Marathon, and other major public events, the aircraft conduct baseline surveys used to determine normal levels of radiation in the atmosphere. The aircraft comprise a pair of Beechcraft King Air B300 extended range aircraft (350ER) and a Bell 412HP that are assigned to the Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) at Joint BaseWhereasAndrews.the King Airs’ specialized equipment includes a modular gamma-ray detection system and a high-resolution spectrometer that provide real-time measurements of low levels of air/ground contamination, the 412HP carries pod-mounted radiation collection systems. The aircraft are key components of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST). Established as a separate agency within the DOE in 2000, the NNSA enhances national security and one of its core missions is to prevent, counter, and respond to nuclear and radiological events and terrorism threats and incidents worldwide. Its counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation and nuclear incident response programs enable it to respond to stolen or misplaced radioactive materials or nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices, or an accidental release of radiation that poses a threat to the public health and safety. Andrews also supports a number of C-12C/D King Airs that are managed by the Air Force Material Command’s (AFMC) Air Force Security Assistance and Co-operation Directorate (AFSAC) on behalf of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Headquartered nearby at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington DC, the DIA is responsible for nearly 20 King Airs that support US embassies worldwide and are flown by air attachés assigned to the Embassy Defense Attaché Office or the Defense Security Co-operation Agency. The Air Force Reserve Command’s 459th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) ‘Liberators’and its operations group is responsible for the 756th Air Refueling Squadron ‘Toothless Tigers’. Operating eight Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, the squadron has been based at Andrews since 1954 and has Above: A Lakota LUH operated by the Maryland Army National Guard’s Company A(-), 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment arrives at St Mary’s County Regional Airport on July 22, 2020. This is one of four of the type operated by the unit from Weide Army Heliport. Mike Wilson
The Citation V Ultras have been deployed multiple times in support of Marine Forces Europe/Africa and Marine Forces Central Command. During normal stateside operations, the unit’s missions are usually assigned and scheduled by the Joint Operational Support Airlift Command (JOSAC) at Scott AFB, Illinois.
One of the USAF’s seven new C-37Bs (serial 20-1941) is operated by 89th Airlift Wing’s 1st Airlift Squadron and was delivered on November 3, 2021. The jet’s tail number honors the year the Tuskegee Airmen were founded USAF
The US Coast Guard plans to establish a permanent facility at Andrews that will be home to the US Coast Guard Helicopter Aerial Intercept Wing (HAIW)
59www.Key.Aero // October 2022 operated the KC-135R since transitioning from the Lockheed C-141B in October 2003. The wing operates from its own ramp area on the east side of the base. One of two naval reserve squadrons that operate from the Naval Air Facility on the east ramp at Andrews, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (VR-1), is known as the ‘Star Lifters’. The unit is tasked as the executive air transport squadron for the Department of the Navy, providing transportation for the Secretary of the Navy, senior Navy and Marine Corps leadership, DoD executives, congressional delegations and combatant commanders. Established in December 1997, the unit initially operated a pair of Gulfstream III business jets under the designation C-20D.
Today the unit flies three C-37Bs. Based on the Gulfstream 550, its long-range capabilities permit the unit to fly both domestic and international missions. Reporting to the Commander Fleet Logistic Support Wing at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas, VR-53 operates four Lockheed Martin C-130Ts from Andrews. Known as the ‘Capital Express’, the unit supports the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) mission providing responsive intra-theater logistics support to US Navy Forces deployed worldwide. The unit has been stationed at Andrews since it was established in October 1993. Although NAF Washington at one time supported an F/A-18A-equipped marine reserve fighter attack squadron, today the facility supports just three Cessna UC-35Ds operated by Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) Andrews. Assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in Louisiana, the unit was established in 1966, but assumed its current designation in October 2004.
ALL THE PRESIDENT’S AIRMEN Known as ‘President’s Wing’, the 89th Airlift Wing (AW) reports to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) as a component of the 18th Air Force and conducts special air missions using the callsign ‘Sam Fox’. It is tasked with providing worldwide transportation for senior government and military personnel and international VIPs and foreign military leaders while traveling in the US. Although the 89th AW is considered a tenant unit at Andrews, the 89th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for airfield Reportingoperations.tothe89th OG, the 1st Airlift Squadron (AS) is responsible for the twin-engine Boeing C-32A and C-40B. Deliveries beginning in June 1998 and December 2002, respectively, the aircraft are based on the Boeing 757-200ER airliner and Boeing 737-700. Both are equipped with specialized systems and unique VIP cabin configurations that permit the C-32A to carry up to 45 passengers and 16 crew, and the C-40B up to 32 passengers and 11 crew. The squadron’s inventory includes four C-32As and four C-40Bs. The C-32As are normally tasked to transport the vice-president, cabinet members and members of Congress traveling on government business and feature a communications center, a fully enclosed stateroom, conference and staff facility, as well as seating for 32 passengers in business-class seats. The squadron is also responsible for several additional 757-200 models that were acquired from commercial sources in 2010, but are not formally carried on the Air Force inventory. Capable of intercontinental range, the C-40Bs are often tasked as support aircraft for unified combatant commanders. Also assigned to the 89th OG, the 99th AS is responsible for the smaller C-37A/B business jets that support worldwide special airlift missions for high-ranking government and DoD personnel. The two variants are based on Gulfstream V and Gulfstream 550 business jets built by Gulfstream Aerospace. It’s inventory currently includes five C-37As and seven C-37Bs. The most recent deliveries to the squadron occurred in November 2021 and February 2022. The two variants are flown by a crew of five and can carry up to 12 passengers. Arguably, the most recognizable aircraft in the world, a pair of heavily modified Boeing 747-200B series airliners are assigned to the 89th AW’s Presidential Airlift Group (PAG) and operated by the Presidential Airlift Squadron. Technically, the PAG reports to the White House Military Office. The twin jumbo jets are assigned the designation VC-25A and, when transporting the President of the United States, are assigned the callsign ‘Air Force One’– that callsign is assigned to any USAF aircraft that carries theThePresident.jetshave served in that role since the first VC-25A flew its initial presidential airlift mission on September 6, 1990. Operating from a secure facility within the base, the specially configured 747s can carry up to 71 passengers and a crew of 30. The aircraft have an unrefueled range of 6,800nm, but are capable of being refueled in-flight meaning their range is unlimited. The VC-25As will be replaced by two Boeing 747-800 series that will be assigned the designation VC-25B and will enter service some time in 2026.
Above: Operating as ‘Air Force One’, C-32A 2015aboardObamawithafterAirport,at09-0016)(serialtaxiesNewCastleDelaware,landingPresidentandfamilyonJune6, StephenUSANG/TSgtFroeber
Below: C-40B (serial AW’soperatedBBJBoeingoneMayBasedeparts01-0041)fromJointAndrewson12,2012.Itisoffourmodified737-700seriesaircraftby89th1stAS James Nugent
onAirport,Citylandinga02-0201)C-40CAirlift113thdeliveredbybeingCompanybythat737-7CPtwoBBJs,wereoperatedtheFordMotorbeforeacquiredtheUSAFandtotheWing’s201stSquadron.(serialperformstouch-and-goatAtlanticInternationalNewJersey,April16,2013 US Air MattGuard/TSgtNationalHecht
Baltimore Martin State Airport is a joint civil-military public use facility located around 12 miles from downtown Baltimore in its Middle River suburb. It was the original site of the Glenn L Martin Aircraft Company factory that opened in 1929 and last produced the B-57 Canberra bomber for the USAF. The State of Maryland acquired nearly 750 acres that are operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration on behalf of the state’s Department of Transportation. The Maryland Air National Guard has operated from the airport since 1957. Today, the Warfield Air National Guard Base is located on the northern edge of the facility and is home to the 175th Wing. Reporting to the 175th OG, the 104th Fighter Squadron has operated the Fairchild Republic A-10 since receiving the first Thunderbolt IIs in 1979. It was the first operational unit to field the A-10C and its complement currently includes 21 aircraft. Between May 5 and June 1, 2022, ten A-10Cs operated by the ‘Fighting Orioles’were deployed to Europe to support training efforts. Aberdeen The US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a large facility, located along the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay around 23 miles north of Baltimore in northeastern Maryland. The installation lies on two peninsulas that are separated by the Bush EstablishedRiver.inOctober 1917, it is one of the nation’s most important research and development, testing and evaluation facilities for military weapons and equipment. The APG is the DoD’s Center for Excellence for land combat systems, vehicles, soldier systems and chemical and biological defense. It is home to numerous US Army Commands and two aviation facilities. Fixed-wing operations are carried out from Phillips Army Airfield on the northern Aberdeen Area. Opened in 1943, it is named for 1st Lieutenant Wendell K Phillips, who was killed in an aircraft accident at Aberdeen in 1923. Operated by the Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), the airfield is home to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE)
Analytical & Remediation Activity (CARA) Aviation Section. The unit operates a single Beechcraft 1900D regional airliner under the designation C-12J-2, along with a pair of Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas. Reporting to the 20th CBRNE Command, as part of the US Army Forces Command, the CARA Aviation Section provides air movement of personnel, and transports chemical materials, recovered chemical warfare material and biological select agents and toxins for mission and investigation purposes. Additionally, it supports the DoD and other governmental agencies by transporting suspect items of evidence needed for various federal investigations. Phillips also supports the Maryland Army National Guard, which operates a single Below: VC-25A
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero60 MARYLAND #22 STATE REPORT and will support the NCR Rotary Wing Air Intercept (RWAI) mission. That mission is currently supported with MH-65D helicopters rotated from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, and crews detached from other units on temporary duty. Establishing a permanent aircraft mission support facility for the US Northern Command NCR RWAI mission will allow the aircraft and crews to be permanently relocated to the NCR. The RWAI mission will continue to be conducted from the NCR Air Defense Facility (NCRADF) at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The new aircraft mission support facility will be located in Hangar 14 once renovations are completed and up to eight MH-65s will be assigned to the USCG HAIW, when it is established.
(serial SquadronPresidentialtwo747-200BTheMarchAndrewsdeparts92-9000)fromAFBon11,2006.modifiedBoeingisoneofoperatedbytheAirlift
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The squadron operates three C-40C versions of the B737-700BBJ that were all acquired from commercial sources. The aircraft are equipped with reconfigurable cabins that permit them to carry up to 111 passengers. Two commercially configured aircraft were delivered to the 201st AS in September 2002, while a third C-40C was delivered with a militarized configuration in August 2004. C-12V from the airfield. The King Air is assigned to the Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, which is also known as Operational Support Airlift Command (OSACOM) Detachment 13. Organized around individual state flight detachments, the main body of the company is headquartered in Alaska, and the 2nd Battalion is in Salem, Oregon. Serving in the theater aviation role, it provides transportation for priority passengers and cargo within and outside the continental US (CONUS) in support of the Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA), combatant commands and Army service component commands.Locatedwithin the APG’s southern Edgewood area, the Weide Army Heliport (AHP) is operated by Maryland Army National Guard and supports the state’s only Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and its rotary wing fleet. Known as the Baxter Flight Facility it supports the operations of four flying units. Reporting to the 29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB), which is also headquartered at the facility, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment operates ten UH-60Ls in the assault helicopter role. The battalion headquarters is in Richmond, Virginia. Company C(-), 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment currently operates the UH-60A/L in the air ambulance role and reports to the battalion headquarters in Connecticut. Company C is also responsible for detachments in Oklahoma and Virginia. Company B(-), 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment operates six Boeing CH-47F Chinooks in the heavy helicopter role. Company A(-), 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment operates four UH-72As in the security and surveillance role. The unit’s four Lakota light utility helicopters are equipped to support a variety of missions including counter-drug operations and domestic emergencies. Although the company is responsible for detachments assigned to the District of Columbia and New York ARNG, the battalion headquarters are co-located at Weide AHP. Pax River Located alongside the Chesapeake Bay in Lexington Park, Maryland, Naval Air Station Patuxent River supports the development, test and evaluation (DT&E) of new and deployed naval aircraft and weapon systems. Commissioned on April 1, 1943, the air station has been home to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) since it was relocated from Arlington, Virginia,
USAF/SrA 459th Air Refueling Wing’s Air
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756th
Activated on December 10, 2021, the active associate squadron reports to the 495th Fighter Group at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
AndrewsfromeightSquadronRefuelingoperatesKC-135RsJointBase USAF/TSgt Michael Marra
The 121st FS shares its fighters with active-duty USAF personnel assigned to the 53rd FS under the USAF’s Total Force Integration initiative, which partners active-duty airmen with US National Guard units for training and staffing.
Known as the ‘Capital Guardians’, the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing is responsible for two squadrons that are based at Andrews and report to the 113th Operations Group (OG). Gained by Air Combat Command (ACC), the 121st Fighter Squadron (FS) has flown the Block 30 variant of the F-16C/D since 1994 and conducted its most recent deployment in July 2021, when it sent fighters to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.
GUARDING WASHINGTON
The 201st Airlift Squadron is an AMC-gained unit that provides short notice worldwide transportation for the executive branch, Congressional members, defense department officials and high-ranking US and foreign dignitaries. Additionally, it provides air transportation support for Air Force unit deployments, and inspection teams.
Since 2001, the 121st has been responsible for the 113th Wing’s Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) Detachment and maintains fully armed F-16Cs ready to launch and defend the National Capital Region (NCR) on a 24/7 basis. It is the most active ACA site in the nation and typically scrambles its fighters once each day in response to potential threats. Reporting to ACC’s First Air Force, the jets are part of a multi-layered air defense system that protects the nation’s capital. Since it was established, the detachment has conducted well over 6,000 scrambles. The squadron’s F-16Cs were the first to be updated with the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
61www.Key.Aero // October 2022
Below: Known as the ‘Capital Guardians’, the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing is based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Operated by the 113th Wing’s 121st Fighter Squadron, F-16C (serial ExpeditionarytounitFighter121stdeployedonBase,Princetouches86-0332)downatSultanAirSaudiArabia,July9,2021.WhileastheExpeditionarySquadron,thewasassignedthe378thAirWing
AndrewsthatandBeechcraftaircraftincidentNSA’s2021.AirportCountyarrivesAdministrationDOE’sN412DE)(registrationfromtheNuclearSecurity(NSA)atStMary’sRegionalonAugust25,TheNationalnuclearresponseincludetwoKingAirsasingleBell412arebasedat
Above: DepartmentThe of Energy is one of several tenants that operate from Joint Base Andrews. Bell 412HP Mike Wilson
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero62 MARYLAND #22 STATE REPORT beginning in 1991. The command is responsible for all research, development, procurement, test and evaluation relating to naval aviation. Reporting to NAVAIR, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is also headquartered at‘PaxEncompassingRiver’. around 7,800 acres, NAS Patuxent River and Trapnell Field supports ten runways, including four at the nearby Webster Outlying Field (OLF) complex, and is home to more than 50 tenant activities. The facility has access to approximately 50,000sq miles (80,467sq km) of airspace for test operations including 5,000sq miles (8,047sq km) of controlled and 780sq miles (1,255sq km) of restricted airspace. Reporting to NAWCAD, the Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) is responsible for four air test and evaluation squadrons and the US Naval Test Pilot School (for more see p36-43). The Wing conducts DT&E and engineering for new aircraft, engines, avionics, and aircraft support equipment destined for service with the US Navy and Marine Corps and test and evaluation (T&E) in support of mature programs. The wing is responsible for conducting flight and ground tests that confirm an aircraft or weapon system’s airworthiness and ability to carry out its missions. NAWCAD also supports contractor tests and those for international customers and allies. Testing includes carrier and shipboard suitability, propulsion and aircraft mission systems testing, ordnance compatibility and ballistics efforts, reliability and maintainability assessments, flight simulation, and flight control software development.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) ‘Force’conducts testing associated with each of the battle group support missions including airborne early warning (AEW), carrier onboard delivery (COD), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), electronic warfare (EW), airborne surveillance and signals intelligence, and strategic airborne communications. Since these systems are carried by land and carrier-based aircraft, ‘Force’also conducts carrier suitability testing and is responsible for the airlift, tanker, and operational support aircraft. In addition to operating the largest aircraft in the naval inventory, VX-20 is responsible for testing primary and intermediate training aircraft. Its inventory of more than 25 aircraft currently includes the Northrop Grumman E-2C/D and MQ-4C, Boeing E-6B and P-8A, Lockheed Martin KC-130J and KC130T, Beechcraft UC-12M and T-6A, and Gulfstream C-38A Courier. Based on the IAI Astra corporate jet, the latter aircraft were operated by the District of Columbia Air National Guard prior to their transfer to VX-20. The squadron is also supporting VR-53 has been based at Andrews since it was established in October 1993. C-130T (BuNo 164995) is one of four Hercules airlifters operated by the ‘Capital Express’ James Nugent
Left: MV-22B (BuNo 165443) from HX-21 conducts a test flight over Chesapeake Bay. The ‘Blackjacks’ conduct test and evaluation of all naval Ospreyaircraftrotary-wingandthetiltrotor Ted Carlson
Ted Below:CarlsonA-10C (serial 78-0633) of 175th Wing’s 104th FS departs Nellis, Nevada, for a Green Flag-West 22-02 mission on November 8, 2021. The ‘Warthog’ wears the Maryland ANG’s 100th anniversary colors USAF/William R Lewis
The squadron is also responsible for NAS Patuxent River’s Search and Rescue (SAR) division, which operates several MH-60S Knighthawks. As NAVAIR’s largest test organization, VX-23 conducts DT&E for tactical aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and weapons. Different types/models/series of fixed-wing strike, electronic attack, and strike training aircraft include the Boeing F/A-18B/C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, T-45C Goshawk, and Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II, it will also operate Boeing’s unmanned MQ-25A Stingray when flight testing gets under way at ‘Pax River’. VX-23 evaluates aircraft flying qualities and performance, assesses shipboard suitability, tests propulsion systems, conducts tactical aircraft mission system testing, assesses ordnance compatibility and ballistic characteristics, performs flight fidelity simulation, and ensures that fight control software is fully developed.
VX-23 also operates and maintains NAWCAD’s TC-7 catapult and Mk 7 arresting gear test sites at NAS Patuxent River. Additionally, the squadron is responsible for certifying aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ship fight decks, and precision approach landing systems. Referred to simply as ‘TPS’, the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), has been training test pilots and engineers since March 1945, when the Flight Test Above: VX-20 ‘Force’ operates several P-8A 2012testing54deliveredBuNoaircraft,maritimePoseidonpatrolincluding167954,whichaninertMktorpedoduringinFebruary US Navy/ Greg L Davis Left: VR-1 ‘Star Lifters’ operates three Gulfstream 550-based C-37Bs, including BuNo 166376 from Naval Air andbyGulfstreamsTheJointWashingtonFacilityaboardBaseAndrews.baseishosttooperatedtheUSAF,USArmyUSNavy.
63www.Key.Aero // October 2022 testing of the US Coast Guard’s HC-27J Spartan, which is undergoing missionization at ‘Pax River’. Nicknamed ‘Blackjack’, HX-21 conducts DT&E of rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft and their associated airborne sensors and weapons systems for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The squadron operates more than 40 aircraft in 11 different types/models/series. This varied inventory includes the Bell UH-1Y, AH-1Z and TH-57C, Bell-Boeing MV-22B and CMV-22B, and the Sikorsky NSH-60F, MH-60R/S, CH-53E/K and VH-92A. Testing of the VH-92A is conducted by the Presidential Helicopter Test Team.
Below: Normally based at the Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Weide Army Heliport, a Chinook heavy-lift helicopter operated by the Maryland Army National AugusttrainingAirportCountyarrivesAviationBattalion,CompanyGuard’sB(-),3rd126thRegiment,atStMary’sRegionalduringaflighton8,2021 Mike
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey US Navy
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero64 MARYLAND #22 STATE REPORT
Pilots’Training Program inducted its first class of 14 pilots and engineers. Since then, the courses provided by TPS and its organizational structure have continually been revised ensuring the school can accommodate new technology and more sophisticated aircraft. The curriculum prepares students to meet the requirements of the US Navy DT&E and operational test and evaluation (OT&E) organizations or the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) activities within the other US or foreign military services. The fixed and rotary-wing programs prepare pilots, naval flight officers (NFOs) and engineers to evaluate aircraft performance and flying qualities and include instruction in airborne mission systems testing. The airborne systems program is a comprehensive course covering airborne mission system test and evaluation for NFOs and engineers and includes instruction in aircraft performance and flying qualities. In addition to the normal 48-week programs, TPS offers several short courses. The school’s 160th Class graduated in March 2022 and included 30 engineering test pilots, engineering test flight officers and test project engineers. Although based at ‘Pax River’, the VX-1 ‘Pioneers’ report operationally to the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation Force and administratively to the Commander, Patrol Reconnaissance Group Atlantic (COMPATRECONGRULANT). Both commands are located at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Virginia. The squadron conducts OT&E and investigations of antisubmarine warfare aircraft systems, weapons systems, airborne strategic weapons system, support systems, equipment, and materials in an operational environment. VX-1 is tasked with testing and evaluating a variety of naval aircraft including MH-60R/S helicopters, KC-130J, E-2D, E-6B, P-8A fixed-wing aircraft, and unmanned MQ-4C, MQ-8B/C and the MQ-25A Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS). Its inventory currently includes the MH-60R/S, E-2D, P-3C andKnownP-8A.as the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Flight Support Detachment until established in December 2004, Scientific Development Flight testing is conducted at several sites managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. E-2D (BuNo 168077) catches the wire of the Advanced Arresting Gear at the Runway Arrested Landing Site Joint Base
Above:WilsonNP-3C (BuNo 158570) is one of two Orions operated by VXS-1 from NAS Patuxent River. The ‘Warlocks’ also have single examples of the RC-12M and UV-18A assigned James Left:NugentAn operatedHornetLightningControlAerialduringNASAtlanticanreceivesF-35CfuelfromF/A-18FovertheOceannearPatuxentRiveranAdvancedRefuelingLawtest.TheIIandSuperwerebothbyVX-23 US Navy T-45C (BuNo 163635) of VX-23 makes its final approach to land on aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) on January 20, 2020. The Goshawk was supporting aircraft compatibility testing of the ship’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) US Navy/MC3 Connor Loessin
65www.Key.Aero // October 2022 An UH-60L of Maryland ARNG’s Company C, 1st Battalion 169th Aviation Regiment, operates near Weide Army Heliport, conducting training with instructors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on February 6, 2015 Maryland NG/SSgt Michael Davis Jr MARYLAND STATE REPORT Location Command UnitAircraft CodeTail Notes Joint Base Andrews – Naval Air Facility Washington 316th Wing / Operations Group1st HS UH-1N 89th Airlift Wing / Operations Group1st AS‘Sam Fox”C-32A, C-40B 99th AS C-37A/B 89th Airlift Wing / Presidential Airlift GroupPresidential Airlift Squadron VC-25A 113th Wing / Operations Group121st FS‘Capital Guardians’F-16C/D (Blk 30) DC 201st AS C-40C{1} AFMC/AFSAC C-12C/D,{2} 20th/ 495th Fighter Group 53rd FS‘Tigers’ F-16C/D (Blk 30) DC{3} 459th Air Refueling Wing / Operations Group 756th ARS‘Tigers’ KC-135R{4} 4th Marine Aircraft WingVMR Andrews UC-35DVM Naval Air Facility Washington VR-1‘Star Lifters’ C-37B(JK) Commander, Fleet Logistic Support Wing VR-53‘Capital Express’ C-130T AX US Army Priority Air Transport Command A/USAPAT UC-35B, C-37A/B US Department of EnergyNational Nuclear Security AdministrationBell 412HP, King Air B300 Martin State Airport/Warfield ANGB, Baltimore 175th Wing / Operations Group104th FS ’Fighting Orioles’ A-10CMD Aberdeen Proving Ground – Phillips Army Airfield Maryland National GuardDet. 2 C/2-641st AVN/ OSACOM Det. 13 C-12U CBRNE Analytical & Remediation Activity (CARA) CARA Aviation SectionC-12J (B1900D), UH-72A Aberdeen Proving Ground – Weide Army Heliport AASF Maryland Army National GuardC/2-224th AVN (ASLT) UH-60L B(-)/3-126th AVN (HH) CH-47F A(-)/1-224th AVN (S&S) UH-72A C(-)/1-169th AVN (AA) UH-60A+/L Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Lexington Park Naval Research Laboratory VXS-1‘Warlocks’ NP-3C, RC-12M, UV-18A RL Director, Operational Test & Evaluation Force / Aviation Warfare Division VX-1‘Pioneers MH-60R/S, E-2D, P-3C, P-8A JA{5} Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic VX-20‘Force’ KC-130T/J, E-2C/D, E-6B, T-6A, UC-12M, C-38A, MQ-4C, P-8A HX-21‘Blackjack’ UH-1Y, AH-1Z, TH-57C, MV-22B, CMV-22B, NSH60F, MH-60R/S, CH-53E/K, VH-92A HX VX-23‘Strike’&‘Salty Dogs’ NF/A-18C/D,F/A-18B/C/D/E/F,T-45C, NEA/ EA-18G, F-35B/C SD US Naval Test Pilot School‘TPS’ C-12C, F/A-18F, T-6B, T-38C, NU-1B, U-6A, OH58C, UH-60A+/L, X-26A, UH-72A, C-26A Commander, Strategic Communications Wing One (COMSTRATCOMWING ONE) VQ-4 Det.Patuxent‘Shadows’ E-6B Naval Outlying Field Webster Field, St. Inigoes Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic UX-24‘Ghost Riders’ RQ-21A, RQ-26A, MQ8B/C 29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) Det. 1 Company D, 278th BEB RQ-7BV2
{1}Notes:AMC-gained unit {2} Aircraft Headquarters Defense Intelligence Agency {3} Active associate squadron share responsibilities with the Air National Guard’s 121st Fighter Squadron {4} Wing is Air Force Reserve Command gained. Squadron 1 (VXS-1) conducts airborne scientific experimentation and advanced technology development in worldwide operations supporting US Navy and national science and technology priorities and warfighting goals. The ‘Warlocks’ operate a pair of NP-3C Orions, and single examples of the Beechcraft RC-12M and de Havilland Canada UV-18A Twin Otter as research platforms in direct support of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and NRL airborne research projects. The squadron acquired the Twin Otter in 2019. VXS-1 also operates 12 NASC RQ-23A TigerShark unmanned aircraft systems. Operating from Naval Outlying Field Webster Field in nearby St Inigoes, UX-24 is the US Navy’s only dedicated unmanned aircraft system test unit. Reporting to the NTWL, it provides RDTE&E services for systems that include the Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack, Aeronautics RQ-26A Aerostar and Northrop Grumman MQ-8B/C Fire Scout. Located 15 miles south of NAS Patuxent River, near the mouth of the Potomac River, the Webster Field Annex covers around 1,000 acres. The facility is also home to the Maryland Army National Guard’s Detachment 1 Company D, 278th Brigade Engineer Battalion, operating the unmanned Textron Systems RQ-7V2 Shadow from a purpose-built tactical unmanned aircraft system operation building that opened in May 2015.
support
Chris Gilligan October 2022 //
JUST A NICE PIC // A KICKING STALLION
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StallionKicking
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A part of VMM-162 (Reinforced), this Sikorsky CH-53E (162001/YS-21) was tasked with the extraction of members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okehampton Camp, Dartmoor National Park, UK. The Marines were utilizing the rugged moorland and challenging weather conditions as part of a temporary week-long deployment to UK shores before sailing further east. The 'Super Stallion' heavy-lift helicopter wasn't alone and, along with an additional CH-53 and a pair of MV-22B Ospreys, spent the day ensuring all troops and equipment were air-lifted expeditiously back to the USS Iwo Jima, which was just off the southwest coast of the UK in readiness. Introduced in the early 1980s, the CH-53E has continued to excel in its role. However, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) announced initial operational capability early this year for the CH-53K ‘King Stallion’ and will gradually replace the legacy ‘E’ models over the coming months and years as part of an estimated $25bn project. This introduction will allow the USMC to move troops and equipment from ship to shore more quickly, effectively, and to higher altitude terrain than ever before.
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PASSING THE Training is vital for pilots in the national guard and reserve, flying newer-block F-16s. Joe CenterCommandAiroflooksCopalmanattheroletheUSANGandForceReserveTest(AATC) VIPERTEST 68 October 2022 // www.Key.Aero UNIT REPORT // AATC
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T he Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) play crucial roles in the defense of the US and in coalition operations around the world. For nearly 40 years, the General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 has been the most numerous tactical jet operated by the ANG and AFRC, and during most of that time, the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) has managed the testing and integration of most new upgrades, sensors, weapons, and defensive systems for the US Guard and Reserve F-16 Fighting Falcons. Co-located with the Arizona ANG’s 162nd Wing at Morris Air National Guard Base (ANGB) – which shares a runway with Tucson International Airport – the AATC began as an in-house effort by ANG pilots to integrate the Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bomb onto the F-100 Super Sabre and came of age in the 1980s keeping Guard A-7 Corsair IIs tactically relevant. Today, the AATC is a Major Command (MAJCOM) operational test organization that serves all aviation communities within both the ANG and AFRC, researching and integrating everything from electronic warfare systems on F-16s, to modern and efficient propellers on C-130s, to new radios for combat controllers. Each of these communities rates its own Combined Test Force (CTF), with the largest at AATC being the F-16 CTF.
Above: upgradesmodernizationMostinthe US ANG and AFRC are funded via an annual allotment known as the National Guard and AirthanupgradeswithreserveprovidingEquipmentReserveAccount,theaircomponentfundingtowardquickertheactive-dutyForcecan Frank Crebas Left: This patch is worn by Viper pilots of AATC F-16 Combined Test Force All unlessJoeimagesCopalmanstated 692022
The gaps identified during WEPTAC get ranked, with the most urgent formally translated into requirements through the ARC A5 offices. Requirements are published yearly in a ‘Modernization’ book. A5 and AATC work together using the ‘Mod’book to find commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions that fulfill the warfighter’s needs, as neither the ANG nor AFRC can initiate the development of new equipment.
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero70 UNIT REPORT // AATC
As the replacement of active-duty F-16s with F-35s continues and frees up entire squadrons’worth of post-block F-16s, these airframes are likely to equip US ANG and AFRC squadrons, replacing the older preblock jets. To maintain current capability, the Guard and Reserve try to get as many modifications and new systems already in their pre-block F-16s approved for installation in their post-block Vipers too. The AATC’s David Culbertson explained: “As these pre-block jets are retired, we’re assuming that they will be replaced by post-block aircraft. As the F-35s are delivered to those F-16 units, they’ll flow to the Guard and Reserve, and that’s why we want to be able to pull whatever we’ve done in these aircraft out and put them right in the post-block aircraft.”To this end, the AATC operates two Block 42 F-16Cs specifically to test systems and modifications already in use on pre-block F-16s on post-block jets.
Meeting the warfighter’s needs Together, the ANG and AFRC are known as the Air Reserve Component (ARC), and AATC’s F-16 CTF conducts testing for the ARC’s ‘pre-block’ (Blocks 25/30/32) and ‘post-block’ (Blocks 40/42/50/52) F-16s using a mixed fleet of six pre-block (one 30, five 32s) and two post-block jets. In addition to ANG and AFRC pilots serving full-time, the F-16 CTF also includes active-duty pilots and engineers from Edwards AFB, California, who – on top of providing their own expertise and insights – give AATC in-house liaisons to the active component test community. In determining which upgrades to prioritize, the ANG and AFRC employ a bottom-up approach, soliciting input from squadron pilots on what their communities need to be missioneffective. As Lt Col Richard ‘Tricky’Wigle, AATC’s outgoing assistant director of operations explained: “We hold our yearly conference called WEPTAC, the Weapons and Tactics Conference, and we bring the angry major and the angry captain out here and let them vent and bitch about what isn’t right and what they need and what their problem sets are.” Prior to taking command of the AATC, Col Jason ‘Gyro’Halvorsen worked in the ANG Requirements Office, known by the alphanumeric designation: A5. Halvorsen, who worked closely with the AATC while at A5, recalled: “Going to WEPTAC got me really involved with the test center and what was getting fielded and why, basically identifying capability gaps and going ‘Hey guys, if we're called upon tomorrow to go to war, this is what I need on my jet to field’– that starts the requirements and test process.”
Explaining this process, Col Halvorsen told Combat Aircraft Journal: “It's up to A5 and AATC to connect the dots with industry and go ‘What do you guys have that can fill this capability gap?’From there, A5 will write the requirement and ultimately fund with NGREA [National Guard/Reserve Equipment Account].
The software and/or hardware is then delivered to AATC for test. At the completion of our test plan, AATC will deliver a fielding recommendation, which, if proven effective, will be funded and installed on our combat aircraft.”
Agile jets, agile funding Though the ARC is expected to bring the same capabilities to the fight as
VIPERPOST-BLOCKTEST
Above: An AATC pre-block F-16C at low-level in the hills of southern Arizona Below: An AATC pilot ReserveGuardallHMITreplaceissystem.mounted(HObIT)InertialOptically-basedwearingproceduresthroughgoingpre-flightwhileaHybridTrackinghelmet-cueingTheHObITundertesttotheScorpionsysteminUSAirNationalandAirForceF-16s
Above: An AATC F-16C at low-level carrying a pair of GBU-24 laser-guided2,000lbbombs
After a series of flights with a captive, inert JASSM to test software compatibility, AATC conducted a live-fire test of a JASSM on June 6, 2022 at Hill AFB in Utah. 71www.Key.Aero // October 2022
the regular air force (RegAF), the USAF budget often lacks the appropriations to fund the upgrades needed by the Guard and Reserve to meet this expectation. As such, most ARC upgrades get funded through the NGREA. Explaining the origins of NGREA, AATC deputy director, David ‘Gunner’Culbertson, said:“Back in the 80s, Congress recognized that the RegAF funding frequently didn’t get to the Guard and Reserve units, there just wasn’t enough money. So, they started funding a program called NGREA, under which we get an appropriation from Congress every year. I never want to give the impression that the RegAF isn’t doing these things, they often just don’t have the money to.”
In addition to the restriction on the ARC initiating the development of new systems, the ANG and AFRC are similarly prohibited from selecting or purchasing weapons with NGREA.
However, within the framework of those boundaries, NGREA funds are extremely flexible. With the annual allotment disbursed as a lump sum instead of a line-item appropriation, the Guard and Reserve assign funds as needed to keep ARC equipment tactically relevant and able to provide the same – if not better – capabilities as the RegAF.
WEAPONS
When adding weapons to the quiver of ARC Vipers, both the A5 Requirements Shop and AATC work closely with the active component. While the AATC can and does test weapons on a regular basis, it cannot initiate the development of new weapons systems or order weapons not already in RegAF use. Lt Col Richard Wigle explained: “Because we can’t do weapons, we have to advocate and build relationships to try and convince people that we need better weapons.”Most recently, the AATC conducted testing of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) on one of its pre-block F-16s (serial 86-0212).
Because NGREA appropriations are limited and vary from year-to-year, the ANG and AFRC often choose affordable, functional solutions over top-shelf gear. Further, because of the flexibility of NGREA funds and the lack of long lead times for systems still in development, the Guard and Reserve – with the AATC’s help – can field proven, tactically-relevant solutions much
LEADING THE WAY ON AESA
Among other systems, the AATC tests defensive systems like chaff and flares. Recently, the unit tested a new expendables dispenser called the Pylon Integrated Dispenser Systems (PIDS), which will add additional chaff and flares to guard and reserve F-16s Frank Crebas more quickly than the active component. Pilots and staff at AATC regularly use the term‘80 for 20,’which F-16 CTF director Lt Col Dustin‘Yogi’Brown explained as: “Solutions that are 80 percent capability, 20 percent of the cost, and then we look to upgrade them when they’re on the airplane. We just want to get it on the airplane, then upgrade it. We tend to not seek the gold-plated solution from the outset. We’re not afraid to look at solutions that are‘good enough’to get capability on our airplanes and into the hands of our warfighters quickly.”
Eclectic jets With multiple test programs running concurrently and only eight aircraft, no two AATC F-16s fly in the same configuration. Each system under test may only be installed in one or two aircraft, as wiring demands accumulate quickly. All configurations are managed by the ‘Dogs’, the AATC’s maintenance liaisons, who provide the necessary schematics to the unit’s military maintainers who install and remove all test systems and associated wiring and instrumentation. Because not every test system is mounted to every aircraft, routine maintenance sometimes leads to the
Not all systems the AATC tests come from WEPTAC-identified warfighter needs. One recent modification, the addition of the APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, originated with a US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) request for AESA-equipped fighters for homeland defense. With this mission belonging to the ANG, the Guard’s Block 30/32 jets were the first F-16s to receive the APG-83, with the AATC managing the installation and testing process. The APG-83 is another example of how quickly the ARC can field upgrades – the requirement for an AESA in Guard F-16s originated with a 2016 Joint Urgent Operational Need from NORAD, with the APG-83 being fully fielded throughout the ANG F-16 community as of mid-2022. AATC continues test work with the radar, focusing on software upgrades and advanced capabilities.
UNIT REPORT // AATC October 2022 // www.Key.Aero72
The HObIT provides numerous advantages over the costlier joint helmet-mounted cueing system (JHMCS) used in RegAF F-16s. As Lt Col Wigle told Combat Aircraft Journal: “It has a little monocle on it, and it does the projection in full color. We have the ability to actually design and do the coding, where with JHMCS, it’s what the company gave them, and they can’t change it. We bought the ability to actually modify the helmet. We still make changes to the helmet all the time.
THE HObIT
Another AATC-tested upgrade to ARC pre-block F-16s is the Thales Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT) helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS), an upgrade of the Scorpion Helmet-Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT) system – itself a system that has long-equipped all Guard and Reserve A-10C Warthog units after testing by AATC’s A-10 CTF.
With all ANG squadrons flying pre-block F-16s equipped with HObIT, recent testing by AATC on its two post-block Vipers resulted in the system being approved for the Guard’s post-block F-16s in May.
Above: AATC F-16D departing Tucson early morning, armed with inert GBU-24 2,000lb laser-guided bombs Paul Dunn
The current Software Capability Upgrade (SCU) in ARC pre-block F-16s is SCU 10, which among other things introduced Link-16 datalink capability, allowing for deeper integration with fifth-generation fighters, like the F-35. Most AATC pre-blocks are currently testing SCU 11.7.4. While AATC does not control the OFP requirements for post-block F-16s, nearly every system the unit tests on its Block 42 aircraft needs to be able to integrate with the post-block OFP, requiring AATC to work closely with the active-duty USAF test establishment. As Lt Col Wigle said:“On the post-block side, we don’t own the OFP.
OFP upgrades
Other systems currently under test on AATC’s pre-block aircraft include a new sensor integration unit to assist in better presentation of data from different sensors to the pilot, a new recording system to replace the current DVR system, and an infrared search-and-track (IRST) system for out-of-radar-band sensing.
Any discussion of the various F-16 upgrades AATC has recently evaluated must start with the aircraft’s Operational Flight Program (OFP), which governs everything from flight controls to fuel and stores management. Any major system introduced to ARC F-16s must be compatible with the OFP, regardless of aircraft block, and it falls on AATC to ensure that compatibility. While the OFP upgrades for Guard and Reserve post-block F-16s come from the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida, the AATC manages the OFP requirements for ARC pre-block Vipers. “We have pretty much total control over the pre-block OFP software package, so all of our Block 25s, 30s, and 32s,” said Col Halvorsen. For things we want to put into the jet, our requirements, we rewrite the software. We work with the 309th Software Maintenance Group up at Hill AFB, they write all the code, and then we go test it.”
Below: AATC’s two pre-block F-16Ds over Arizona at sunset. Furthest from the camera, 87-0367 was transferred from the AFRC’s 93rd FS at Homestead AFB in Florida Frank Crebas unavailability of certain systems. As Lt Col Brown observed: “When a jet goes down for a mod or something... like 211 is down right now, and my gosh, it’s one of our active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar jets and it’s got (ALR-)69A, and I NEED that airplane to do some stuff, but it’s down for another mod right now. That hurts us because we don’t have a fleet of ten or more aircraft in a similar configuration to go use them in four-ships and eight-ships, but unfortunately I can’t do that. But again, that’s 80 for 20.”
Above: Airmen with AATC load an AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) on a pre-block F-16 for a live-fire test launch at Hill Air Force Base on June 8, 2022. AATC prepared for this test by ensuring software compatibility between the JASSM and the pre-block F-16’s Operational Flight Program with a captive, inert JASSM US DoD/Todd Cromar
“The number of features that are built into that helmet are just ridiculous. The other thing is that with JHMCS, when you put NVGs on, you’ve got to take the JHMCS off, so at night, you have none of that cueing. With this, because of the monocle, I can put the NVGs over the top of it, and I have full cueing, even at night.”
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October 2022 // www.Key.Aero74 UNIT REPORT // AATC
Right: An AATC F-16 taxiing for a night JDAMsGBU-38pylononreconnaissanceApertureASQ-236carryingmissionanSyntheticRadarpodthecenterlineandamixofand-54undereachwing
In line with the US military’s renewed strategic emphasis on a potential peer-level conflict in the Pacific, modernization of defensive systems emerged as a priority for the ARC. Col Halvorsen explained: “We’re doing a lot on the electronic warfare side. We’re finishing up some tests on digital radar warning receivers [RWRs] and trying to stay ahead of advanced adversary weapons and systems. We’re doing a lot of weapons testing, digital RWR [such as the ALR-69A], electronic attack, and electronic protection in different forms, either expendable or podded-type solutions.” Though not necessarily a new system, the AATC continues to test the ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System. The ALQ-213 was initially developed for Royal Danish Air Force F-16s and has since been adapted to numerous types in US militaryDescribingservice.the benefits of the system, Lt Col Dustin Brown said: “The -213 increases survivability on the platform while reducing pilot workload by automating threat response. In layman’s terms, the -213 takes inputs from the RWR, it knows where you are in the world, what’s your maneuver status, etc, and it can manage your electronic attack pod, it can co-ordinate better with the ALE-50 towed decoy. It can help your chaff dispense in a manner that’s most appropriate for the threatAdditionalenvironment.”survivability aids recently evaluated by the AATC include the Pylon-Integrated Dispenser System (PIDS), which adds chaff and flare dispensers to the F-16’s bomb racks to increase the number of expendables that can be carried by a single aircraft, and the Leonardo BriteCloud expendable decoy system. A pair of AATC F-16Ds performing defensive maneuvers. In addition to testing commercial off-the-shelf solutions to meet warfighter needs, AATC develops basic tactics for units receiving new equipment to employ that equipment effectively Frank Crebas
High definition
Above: The AATC’s flagship F-16 taxis out carrying an inert AGM-158/B
ELECTRONIC WARFARE
Joint inlive-fireworkedasduringStandoffAir-to-SurfaceMunitioncaptiveteststheTestCenterupforaJASSMtestJune
One of the most significant upgrades the AATC has shepherded into ARC’s F-16s is the Center Display Unit, or CDU. The CDU is effectively a large, high-resolution tablet-like display situated where the old analog gauges sat on production F-16s. In addition to presenting the same data these gauges did – altitude, airspeed, heading, etc – the CDU functions as an additional multifunction display (MFD), augmenting the F-16’s two 4in x 4in MFDs. Describing the advantages of the CDU over the MFDs when interfacing with targeting pods, Lt Col Wigle said: “That video on a four-inch by four-inch monochrome screen has limitations with the resolution. We took what was always a high-definition signal in the pod, and now we have the equipment, we’re able to pump that into the CDU; the picture is exquisite.”In addition to providing targeting pod video in high definition, the CDU allows pilots to view the feed from both color electro-optical and infrared cameras simultaneously, as well as being able to simultaneously view the infrared feed in white-hot and black-hot polarities. The CDU provides a high-definition display for another system under test by the AATC – the Northrop-Grumman ASQ-236‘Dragon’s Eye’Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) pod, used for terrain and target mapping. In the RegAF, the ASQ-236 is used primarily on the F-15E Strike Eagle, with the pod controlled by the backseat weapons systems officer (WSO). Illustrating how well the ASQ-236 pairs with the CDU, Lt Col Brown said:“We had a former Strike Eagle WSO who worked with us as a contractor, and he said the quality of the SAR map as displayed on the CDU was tremendous. It was very good compared to the 5in x 5in displays on the Strike Eagle because you have the ability to render it in higher fidelity.”The CDU is a good example of how quickly the requirements-to-fielding process moves in the ANG and AFRC, as Lt Col Brown explained:“We put things on the jet quickly. We put CDU in all our Guard and Reserve pre-blocks and all our Guard
“Eglin is the one that is primarily running that program right now, they’re the ones that control that OFP. So, when I buy a piece of hardware for a Guard post-block jet, which I can do, and I want to put it on that airplane, the integration piece becomes more of a challenge, because I’ve got to co-ordinate with them, and I have to get them to put it on a priority list high enough when that equipment will never see an active-duty jet.”
The Guard and Reserve are both known for being top-heavy in terms of rank and experience, and the AATC is – by necessity – even more so. Outlining what he looks for in accepting pilots into the unit, Col Halvorsen said:“We need folks with combat experience, with a lot of hours, instructor time, just knowing all the systems and better-informed and able to make better decisions on how the test is running and how it’s going. There is nobody on the flying side that has not at least been an instructor in a combat squadron.” Beyond these minimum requirements, graduates of both the Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB (‘Gray Patches’) and the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB (‘Blue Patches’) fill many of the flying slots in the AATC’s F-16 CTF. “I try to keep the right mix,”Col Halvorsen told Combat Aircraft Journal,“because everybody brings a different perspective to the fight, between your weapons school graduates, your test pilot school graduates, and then just your line instructor pilot [IP] who is on top of his game. They all bring different perspectives.”Currently, the F-16 CTF has a roughly even mix of‘Gray Patches’,‘Blue Patches’, and senior IPs. Lt Col Brown elaborated on this: “As we look at problems and at things going into the airplane, you have a small group of people who are all sitting in the same room together, and we’re maybe looking at it from different angles. Your ‘Blue Patches’may have a bit more analytical and technical-side input, while the ‘Gray Patches’are looking at it from a standpoint of how to use something in a variety of different scenarios, like how can we use this if we’re integrating with the F-35 or other platforms? We end up coming up with a pretty merged solution.” In addition to F-16 CTF pilots flying with equipment and software under test, AATC routinely brings in pilots from Guard and Reserve F-16 squadrons to fly the aircraft with these upgrades installed both to ensure user-friendliness and get feedback from those most likely to employ these systems in combat. As ‘Gunner’Culbertson explained: “When we field something, that brand new wingman who has 100 hours in the airplane needs to be able to use it just like the Weapons School guy that’s got 1,500 or 2,000 hours and 200 combat missions. It’s got to work for everybody, so we like to get that perspective in-house as we evaluate things to make sure we capture that kind of feedback and collect the kind of data that as a minimum may impact the training that goes out with a new release.”
Personnel longevity Another factor that sets the AATC apart from its active-component partners is personnel longevity. Whereas an active-duty pilot’s tour with a specific unit is typically two or three years, some of the pilots in the AATC’s F-16 CTF have been with the unit for more than a decade. While there are obvious drawbacks to this – namely, limitation of career progression for those choosing to stay – the advantages in earned expertise, relationship-building, and the ability to see numerous upgrade programs through from the initial requirements statement to being completely fielded throughout the Reserve component justify this approach to talent management. As Lt Col Brown observed: “We just have folks who are here long enough to build those relationships and build trust. You get a small team of folks who can really make things happen. We do small well here.” Despite its small size, the AATC’s F-16 CTF performs a big job – ensuring the tactical relevance of more than one-third of all F-16s currently in USAF service. Summarizing his view on what AATC accomplishes, Col Halvorsen said: “I feel like we really make a difference here. The more I can help getting an end product out there to increase warfighter capability out for whenever we’re called to anywhere around the globe, I feel like that makes a difference and it just gets me excited to go to work every day.”
post-blocks before the RegAF jets even have them. They’re just starting to get them right now.”
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The CDU can be upgraded through the addition of apps, which the AATC’s CDU team is constantly writing, with the results being more efficient use and expanded capability. Further, given that the CDU’s software runs independent of the OFP, these apps work the same regardless of whether the CDU is in a pre-block or post-block F-16. Recently, the AATC added a second two-seat F-16D acquired from the 93rd Fighter Squadron ‘Makos’, to install the first CDU in a rear cockpit. The test intention is to equip all ARC F-16Ds with the capability for instructor pilots to monitor the full complement of displays seen by the student up front. Blue and gray patches
EUROPEAN FIGHTER REVIEW
In the second of our two-part feature, we look at the fighter forces serving NATO and its allies across Europe, compiled with help from our sister title, AirForces Monthly 76 MODERNISING EUROPEAN AIR FORCES // PART TWO October 2022 // www.Key.Aero
Introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) marked the beginning of its transition from a fourth to fifth-generation air arm. The latest F-35A delivery, to Leeuwarden Air Base on April 8, 2022, was the 26th to join the RNLAF out of 37 on order from a planned total of 46. The first of three operational units, 322 Squadron at Leeuwarden, received its first F-35A in October 2019, with the 15th and final aircraft for the unit being delivered in January 2022. The squadron declared initial operational capability on December 27, 2021. The second frontline unit will be 313 Squadron at Volkel Air Base, although its initial six are being delivered to Leeuwarden to begin with. The first F-35A for the unit arrived at Leeuwarden in January 2022 and on June 30 four 313 Squadron aircraft flew into Volkel. The first pair of Lightning IIs for the Netherlands were delivered in 2013.
77www.Key.Aero // October 2022 Below: Norway is one of an increasing number of European countries opting for the F-35. With the Russians being a persistent threat since 2014, the Royal Norwegian Air Force Quick Reaction Alert with F-35As is now residing at Evenes in northerncloserNorway,toalltheaction RNoAF FIVE OF the air forces in this second and last part of our European fighter survey have ordered F-35s: The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK. The Netherlands, Norway and the UK already operate their jets, supporting NATO’s air defense requirements along the borders withAmongRussia.the more established NATO air forces, Portugal probably operates the oldest aircraft, and has given no real clues as to what the future might hold when it comes to an F-16 replacement. Romania is re-equipping its two LanceR wings with up to 32 surplus F-16AM/BMs from Norway, with a view to using them as a stepping-stone to a F-35 purchase in theSerbia,2030s.which is not a NATO member or in the EU, continues with a mixed fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrums and J-22/NJ-22 Oraos. Spain has just ordered another batch of 20 Eurofighters under Project Halcon that will eventually replace the weary F/A-18 Hornets based at Gando, Canaries. A longer-term Hornet replacement solution is still unclear, but it is possible they could be replaced by more Typhoons. What happens to the Spanish Navy carrier needs when the AV-8B Matadors are retired is also unclear. The F-35B is the obvious option, but will Spain go for the F-35? It’s unlikely.Slovakia awaits the delivery of 12 new F-16 Block 70s in 2024 to replace its Cold War-era MiG-29 veterans, which could then head to Ukraine. Sweden will soldier on with the Saab JAS 39C/D/E/F Gripen well into the 2040s, Switzerland has ordered the F-35A, while Turkey, which has one of the biggest F-16 fleets, is looking at 40 new Block 70/72s and upgrading 80 existing F-16C/Ds to F-16Vs, having had its F-35As canceled. The UK, like Italy, flies a mixed fleet of Typhoons and F-35Bs with the likelihood of more coming in the near future. Alan Warnes
NETHERLANDS
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero78 MODERNISING EUROPEAN AIR FORCES // PART TWO
Gert Kromhout
Two F-16A MLUs taxi out for departure during the jet’s last Quick Reaction Alert from Bodo on January 6 this year RNoAF
Recent deliveries have been delayed due to the pandemic, but the RNLAF still expects to receive its final F-35As in 2024 and declare full operational capability (FOC) at the same time. The RNLAF’s first two aircraft were assigned to the multinational operational test and evaluation (OT&E) team at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. Following the completion of these tests, both were transferred to the Dutch F-35 training detachment embedded with the US Air Force’s 308th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Arizona. The eight aircraft assigned to this detachment were assembled on the F-35 production line in Fort Worth, Texas, with all remaining examples being built at the F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy. With defense budgets set to increase vastly in the coming years, the prospect of more F-35s being ordered by the Netherlands cannot be ruled out. It was initially determined that 85 F-35As would be acquired to replace the RNLAF’s outgoing F-16AM/BM (MLU) fleet and it is no secret that the air force still desires this quantity. No 312 Squadron had more than 30 F-16AM/BMs in its inventory as of early 2022, but that number was to be reduced to 24 this summer. These will all be single-seat F-16AMs because they are fully combat-capable, unlike the two-seat F-16BMs. By mid-February, just two dualseaters remained in use. As the drawdown to 24 single-seaters takes place, the final batch of Dutch F-16 pilots completed their training with the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson ANGB on July 29, 2022. The ten RNLAF F-16s stationed there will not return to the Netherlands, instead remaining in the US after being purchased by Draken International, which signed a contract last November to purchase 12 second-hand RNLAF F-16AM/BMs, with an option for 28 more.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) phased out its F-16 fleet earlier this year, with the last two making a final quick reaction alert (QRA) Tango (training) scramble on January 6. Bodø, from where they flew the last mission, has also lost its QRA status – this has been passed to Evenes, where it is being manned by the newTheF-35As.lastF-16 flight came 42 years after the first of 72 F-16A/Bs were delivered. These served with 331 and 332 Skvadrons at Bodø and 338 Skvadron at Ørland. In the late 1990s, the surviving 47 of the original 60 F-16As received a mid-life upgrade (MLU) along with all ten F-16Bs. Two F-16AM MLUs (285 and 669) were damaged and never repaired. All 55 surviving F-16s are now the property of the Forsvarets Materiell Avdeling (FMA – Defense Materiel Department) and stored at Kjeller Air Station. A deal for the sale of 32 aircraft to Romania was agreed earlier this year to replace its MiG-21 LanceRs in 2023/24. As a replacement for the RNoAF F-16 fleet, Norway selected the F-35A Lightning II on November 29, 2008, with a plan to acquire 52. After lengthy delays, the first two were delivered on November 10, 2015, to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where RNoAF pilot and groundcrew training takes place –there are ten RNoAF F-35As based there. Six F-35As will be delivered every year until 2024. Full operational clearance is expected in 2025, when the final aircraft will be delivered. After the first three F-35As landed on Norwegian soil on November 3, 2017, the RNoAF set about testing the aircraft in Norway’s harsh weather conditions. On November 6, 2019, Norway’s F-35As achieved initial operational capability with the first operational unit, 332 Skvadron at Ørland, which had stood up on August 1, 2018. After that, the RNoAF conducted intensive operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) in winter operations in the northern areas and co-operation with Norwegian Army, Navy and Special Forces. To conclude the test period, the Norwegian Armed Forces spent several days deploying aircraft and equipment from Ørland Air Station to Rygge Air Station. This was the first time the fighters operated from a base other than Ørland, where both 332 Skvadron and the Testing, Training and Tactics (TTT) Squadron are located with 22 jets. A second squadron, 331 Skvadron, will eventually also stand up at Ørland, the RNoAF’s F-35 main operating base. Below: The RNLAF’s transition from the F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcon to the F-35A Lightning II was more or less on schedule before Russian forces invaded processcouldeasterntoHowever,Ukraine.effortsdefendNATO’sflankslowthedown
Above: In 2021, 312 withbeforeinthesquadronwillStarfiLockheedthetowasanniversary.celebratedSquadronits70thItthelastunittransitiontoF-16fromtheF-104ghterandbethefinaltooperateFightingFalconRNLAFservicere-equippingtheF-35Aitself Gert Kromhout
NORWAY
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79www.Key.Aero // October 2022
The fleet has since received mission software updates, been equipped with night-vision goggles (NVGs), a joint helmetmounted cueing system (JHMCS), Litening II advanced targeting pod, a night vision cueing and display (NVCD) system and additonal weaponry. The last modification was S1.1 and just one further upgrade is likely, given that the other European F-16 operators have opted for the F-35A.
It is likely that the second operating location for the F-35A will be 21 BLT in Swidwin in northwest Poland, which is currently home to a squadron equipped with 12 single-seat Su-22M4 Fitter-Ks and six two-seat Su-22UM3K Fitter-Gs. These are set to remain in the air force’s inventory until 2025. The Polish Air Force also maintains a fleet of 28 MiG-29A/UBs that are operated by two squadrons: 1 ELT of 23 BLT at Minsk Mazowiecki and 41 ELT of 22 BLT at Malbork. These aircraft have become the subject of global attention following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when it was claimed by official representatives of the Ukrainian government that the Polish Fulcrums (along with other Soviet-era aircraft operated by Bulgaria and Slovakia) would be transferred to Ukraine to support the war effort. To date, nothing further has come of this.
Another batch will be delivered direct to Poland in 2025/2026 to equip the first operational squadron at Łask, which should declare IOC in 2026, with full operational capability (FOC) scheduled for 2030.
Air Force Base, Arizona, to support the training of 24 pilots and 90 maintainers, some of them up to instructor level.
Portugal has also played an important role in modernising the Romanian Air Force (RoAF) by supplying second-hand F-16AM/BMs (see Romania, overleaf). Discussions regarding the replacement of the F-16 have yet to begin. From a structural perspective, the Portuguese F-16s could operate until the mid-2040s.
POLAND Poland’s primary combat aircraft is the F-16C/D Block 52+ Jastrzab (Hawk), with 48 examples (36 single-seat F-16Cs and 12 two-seat F-16Ds) currently in service. These equip three squadrons: 3 and 6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego (ELT; tactical air squadron) at 31 Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego (BLT; tactical air base) in Poznan-Krzesiny, plus 10 ELT at 32 BLT in Łask. The Polish Air Force is currently working on proposals to modernize its F-16C/D fleet, focusing on how it will best work with the 32 F-35As that will be entering operational service later this decade. The Polish F-16s will be fitted with a new AN/APG-83 scalable agile beam radar (SABR), with elements of the electronic warfare, onboard computer, infrared search-and-track (IRST) and command/communications systems beingPoland’supgraded.firstF-35A Block IV is due to go into production this September. Following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine, the Polish Air Force’s priority is to receive the F-35A on time and to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) without delay. The first batch of six F-35As will be delivered in 2024, most likely to Luke PORTUGAL Portugal currently flies 25 F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcons, comprising 21 single-seat F-16AMs and four two-seat F-16BMs, from Base Aérea No 5 (BA-5, Monte Real Air Base). The Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) originally acquired 45 F-16A/B Block 15s under the Peace Atlantis I and II programmes. Delivered in 1994, the first batch consisted of 20 new-build F-16A/B Block 15OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade) aircraft – 17 single-seat and three dual-seat examples – to equip Esquadra 201 (201 Squadron) ‘Falcões’. In 1999, the FAP received 25 ex-USAF Block 15OCUs (21 F-16As and four F-16Bs, five for use as spares) to establish Esquadra 301 ‘Jaguares’ at the same base. These underwent the Mid-Life Update (MLU) locally. Portuguese technicians upgraded the avionics system and the airframe structure under the Falcon Up/ Structural Life Improvements Program (SLIP). Due to this, the first F-16AM/BM (MLU) squadron – Esquadra 301 – only became operational in November 2005, while Esquadra 201 did not receive its upgraded F-16s until 2011.
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www.Key.Aero80 MODERNISING EUROPEAN AIR FORCES // PART TWO
ROMANIA AFTER 25 years of service, the Romanian Air Force (RoAF) MiG-21 LanceR fleet was grounded on April 15. There were believed to be 15 air defence LanceR Cs configured with the Elta EL/M2032 radar and eight LanceR Bs in the RoAF’s inventory, although it is unclear how many were airworthy. This followed a series of incidents and accidents. As an interim solution, on May 23 the LanceRs resumed the role for one more year. On May 15, 2023, they will finally be retired. In the late 1990s, 112 RoAF MiG-21s were upgraded to the LanceR by Elbit Systems. They were: 73 air-to-ground LanceR As grounded in 2011; 14 dual-seat LanceR Bs; and 25 LanceR Cs that served at Baza 95/Bacau, Baza 71/Campia Turzii and Baza 86 at Borcea-Fetesti. Campia Turzii’s Escadrila 711 ‘Aviatie Lupta’ is the only unit still flying them. During the LanceR grounding, the RoAF was reliant for QRA on its small fleet of 14 Lockheed Martin F-16AMs and three F-16BMs serving Escadrila 53 ‘Vanatoare’ at Baza 86 Aeriana/Borcea-Fetesti, which had declared initial operating capability (IOC) in March 2019. The F-16s were purchased from the Portuguese Air Force, with deliveries of the first 12 (nine F-16AMs and three F-16BMs) under the Peace Carpathian I programme from August 2020-March 2021. A deal for five more F-16AMs under Peace Carpathian II was agreed in January 2020, with all the aircraft arriving at Fetesti on March 17, 2021. In December the RoAF was set to buy 32 ex-Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16AM/ BMs under Peace Carpathian III. Approved by the Romanian government on June 16, delivery is expected in 2023/24. The fleet is due for more upgrades. The first two will be upgraded in Portugal with 15 completed at Fetesti. The MoD believes the F-16s are viable for the next ten years, with the F-35As earmarked to replace them in the early 2030s.
THE SERBIAN Air Force and Air Defence (SAF&AD) currently operates 14 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter-interceptors along with 12 SOKO J-22/NJ-22 Orao ground attack aircraft – with a further six undergoing overhaul. However, the SAF&AD plans to procure a squadron of modern multi-role fighters in the not-too-distant future. In the last couple of years, there have been indications that the Serbian Ministry of Defence (MoD) intends to negotiate directly with Dassault Aviation for the purchase of Rafale fighters. The nation was initially interested in acquiring six second-hand Rafale F3s from the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (AAE – French Air and Space Force) but last December, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a statement that he still hoped to procure new combat aircraft for the SAF&AD. Immediately after Serbia’s presidential elections – held in early April – France’s La Tribune newspaper said the purchase of October 2022 //
Above:Campion RomanianTheAir Force retired its last LanceR Cs based at Campia Turzii on April 15, only to put them back into service on May 23, albeit only for one more year Alan Warnes
SERBIA
Serbia’s Batajnica Air Base (AB) is home to the 101st Lovacka Avijacijska Eskadrila (Fighter Aviation Squadron), which operates 14 MiG-29s, comprising 11 single-seat examples and three two-seat MiG-29UB combat-trainers. Four are former Yugoslav AF&AD airframes. In December 2016, a long-term maintenance support contract was signed with Rosoboronexport, which included delivery of six MiG-29s that the Russian MoD had donated to Serbia. All ten aircraft were brought into flight condition in 2018. Work then began to modernise Serbia’s singleseat Fulcrum fleet to MiG-29SM standard under a contract that included a weapons package. Modernisation work began in October 2020 and, last summer, the Belarusian MoD donated four single-seat MiG-29 Fulcrum-Cs to the SAF&AD and these underwent a general overhaul at the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant in Baranovichi before being handed over to the 101st Fighter Aviation Squadron in June 2021. The J-22/NJ-22 Orao ground attack aircraft is operated by the 241st LovackoBombarderska Avijacijska Eskadrila (Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron) from Kraljevo-Ladevci AB. Counting those being flown at the flight test centre at Batajnica, the SAF&AD now has 12 operational Oraos comprising seven single-seat J-22s and five two-seat NJ-22s. In 2016, it was announced the modernised J-22M and NJ-22M Orao aircraft will continue to serve the SAF&AD until the 2030s. 81www.Key.Aero // October 2022
WHILE ON paper the Slovak Air Force (SAF) has 11 MiG-29s, only three were operational in late 2021. This situation has potentially deteriorated, with Russia’s Rosoboronexport support personnel pulled from Slovakia’s Sliac Air Base in light of the war in Ukraine. In 2018, the Slovak MoD signed a contract with the Russian state-owned company to support the upgraded Fulcrums until 2023, when 12 new Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70s were due to arrive (this has now been pushed back to 2024).
Fortunately, when it comes to defending Slovakian airspace, under an agreement signed in 2017 with the Czech government, Czech Air Force Gripens on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) at Caslav can assist. Poland is also believed to have offered to defend Slovakian skies with its F-16s, after there were suggestions that Slovakia might donate its MiG-29 fleet to the Ukrainian Air Force. In 2018 the Slovakian government signed a contract for 12 F-16Cs and two dual-seat F-16Ds (all Block 70 standard), as well as the training of pilots, weapons and logistics services for two years. The aircraft were due to be delivered next year to Sliac Air Base. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused issues with some of the major companies supplying components, which, according to a Lockheed Martin official, could see delays of around six months.
Alan Warnes
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US Congress in 2017 that the weapons package would include 30 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), and 100 AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. For the air-to-ground role, the SAF was set to acquire 224 500lb GBU-12 Paveway IIs, 20 500lb GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway IIs and 150 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). Future F-16 pilots, who are training in the US, have been drawn largely from the small fleet of Aero L-39CM/L39ZAMs. Moving from a 1970s-era L-39 to an F-16 Block 70 is a big step, so the SAF has a trainer competition underway, which includes the Leonardo M345 and Aero Vodochody L-39NG. The current L-39s are expected to last until 2024.
Dimitrije Ostoji
12 new Rafales was planned and that the offer was delivered to Belgrade in March. In early 2022 the world’s leading combat aircraft manufacturers sent offers to Belgrade and it has been announced that a contract offer for 12 second-hand Eurofighter Typhoons from the Royal Air Force (RAF) is among them. For now, the Rafale is the firm favourite. In the late 2020s, one multi-role squadron will be established to replace the two current operational SAF&AD combat units.
SLOVAKIA
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October 2022 // www.Key.Aero82 MODERNISING EUROPEAN AIR FORCES // PART TWO
SPAIN AS A result of Russian forces invading Ukraine, the Spanish government has stated it will double defense spending. Since 1976, the Spanish Navy’s Flotilla de Aeronaves (FLOAN – Aircraft Flotilla) has operated three variants of the AV-8B Harrier (known as the Matador in Spain), including the initial T/AV-8S, the more modern T/EAV-8B and the EAV-8B+. Now, 9 Escuadrilla (Squadron) maintains a dozen single-seat EAV-8B+ Matador IIs and a second-hand two-seat TAV-8B Harrier II. The unit’s primary mission is surface attack, close air support and fleet air defense.
In December 2021 the Spanish government gave its approval for acquisition of 20 EF-2000s to re-equip 462 Escuadrón under Project Halcón. On June 23 this year Airbus Defence and Space announced that a contract had been signed for these aircraft, which will comprise 16 single-seat and four twoseat variants. They will be equipped with new E-Scan active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and deliveries will begin in 2026. Since it entered EdA service in early 2004, the Eurofighter EF-2000A/B fleet –known as ‘Tifón’in Spain – has become the backbone of the air arm’s multi-role fighter fleet, displacing the veteran but still capable EF-18M/BM. In total, 71 EF-2000A/ Bs were delivered, comprising 17 Tranche 1, 34 Tranche 2 and 20 Tranche 3. The Eurofighter EF-2000A/B fleet is divided between Ala 11 at Morón de la Frontera AB and Ala 14 at Albacete-Los Llanos AB. Morón was the first base to receive and operate the Eurofighter. It hosts 113 Escuadrón, which serves as the operational conversion unit. The second unit to stand up was 111 Escuadrón, tasked with air defence and attack missions. Ala 14 received its first EF-2000A/ Bs in April 2012, with its aircraft divided between 141 and 142 Escuadrones, tasked with similar missions to Ala 11. Spain recently contracted Airbus to retrofit the Tranche 1 aircraft to improve operational availability and facilitate the use of Tranche 2/3 avionics. The first upgraded aircraft was returned to the EdA in February 2019 for the testing and validation of the OFP-02 software and its functionalities by the CLAEX.
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The Spanish Navy leadership has declared it would ideally like to acquire at least a dozen F-35Bs to replace the Matadors. There were widespread rumours in 2021 of Spain acquiring 25 F-35As for the Ejército del Aire (EdA – Spanish Air Force) as a possible replacement for its F/A-18A+ fleet, along with a similar number of F-35Bs for the Navy. However, this rumour was quickly quashed by the defense ministry, with a spokesperson saying:“Our commitment is to invest in the FCAS [Future Combat Air System].”
The EdA’s current multi-role fighter force is comprised of two fleets: the EF-18M/BM and F/A-18A+ Hornet, plus the Eurofighter EF-2000A/B. The 60 single-seat EF-18As and 12 two-seat EF-18Bs – now designated EF-18M/BM following their modernisation – form the backbone of Spanish air defense and attack operations. Unlike other operators, Spain opted to develop its own operational software, which has allowed the integration of new capabilities and munitions that helped to maintain the fleet at high operational levels. The EF18M/BM equips two squadrons with Ala 12 (Wing 12) at Torrejón and another three with Ala 15 at Zaragoza – one of which is the operational conversion unit (OCU). Spain acquired 24 second-hand F/A-18A+ Hornets from the US during 2001-2003 as a replacement for the Mirage F1s employed by Ala 46’s 462 Escuadrón (Squadron) at Las PalmasGando Air Base on the Canary Islands. The principal mission for these second-hand Hornets is to provide air defense for the Canary Islands. Since delivery, additional capabilities have been added to these aircraft. However, due to the harsh climate conditions under which they operate, the aircraft assigned to 462 Escuadrón have suffered from maintenance issues in recent years. From 2018, temporary detachments of EF-18M/BMs have deployed to the Canary Islands to cover for F/A-18A+ Hornets being unserviceable. To keep the Gando Hornets operational, an extension programme on them aims to add 1,000 flight hours to the service life of each aircraft, to keep them going until replaced by new EF-2000s.
For replacement of the EdA’s EF-18M/ BM fleet, the logical plan – given the budgetary problems that constantly plague Spain – would be to expand the Eurofighter order to leverage existing supply chains and take advantage of the experience that already exists with the ‘Tifón’.
Roberto Yáñez Below: An EF-18M Hornet assigned to Ala 12 breaks from the formation after completing a interception.simulated Note the trainingandIIwithfightermulti-roleisequippedbothaLiteningtargetingpodanIRIS-TAAM Roberto Yáñez
SWEDEN THERE IS only one fighter serving the Swedish Air Force (SwAF) – the multi-role Saab Gripen. The SwAF, Saab and FMV (government defense procurement agency) have worked to ensure the capabilities of the Gripen have evolved over the past 30 years, in line with the tactical ambitions of the air force. The first of 119 JAS 39A/B Gripens entered service with F7 (air force wing) at Satenäs in 1993, but the peace dividend brought about by the end of the Cold War meant plans to replace the retired Saab Viggen and Draken wings were canceled. F4 at Östersund and F16 at Uppsala never received Gripens, while F10 at Ängelholm did receive several before plans to shut the base meant operations there never really got off the ground. As a result, only three wings were equipped with the A/B versions – F7 ‘Skaraborg’at Satenäs, where the Gripen training centre is also based; F17 ‘Blekinge’at Ronneby, and F21 ‘Norrbotten’at Lulea-Kallax. JAS 39A/B operations ended on December 13, 2012, with many of the jets being used to produce the 101 JAS 39C/Ds acquired by the SwAF, as well as aircraft for the Czech Republic (12), Hungary (12), South Africa (17), and Thailand (8). The JAS 39C saw colour cockpit displays being introduced, along with an on-board oxygen generation system and the muchneeded capability of in-flight refueling. The same wings, with two squadrons – Jaktflygdivisionen – operate the JAS 39C/D. Ronneby’s F17 Wing covers the SwAF’s quick reaction alert (QRA), and crews from the other two bases rotate. On January 17, 2013, Sweden approved acquisition of 60 JAS-39E Gripens, all expected to be fully operational by 20272030. A serial production contract was confirmed by Saab on December 18, 2013. The first pre-production Gripen E (39-8) made its first flight (f/f) on June 15, 2017. By mid-2019, there were four Gripens with the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) squadron, developing the Gripen E for its operational entry into service. Gripen D 39-07 has been upgraded with the Gripen E’s tactical functionality and a Gripen E cockpit, which hosts a wide area display, in the rear. The three prototype Gripen Es flying as part of the test program are 39-8, 39-9 and 39-10. In November last year, the OT&E took delivery of two Swedish Air Force Gripen Es. F 7 at Satenäs will be the first wing to receive the Gripen E, in The2025.Gripen is the focus of the SwAF’s future modernization, with 120 Gripen C/Es likely to be serving by 2030. The 2019 Defense White Paper stipulated the future Gripen force should not drop below 90, 60 of them being the new single-seat Gripen E, while the remainder would be made up of Gripen C/Ds. That is the minimum needed to face increasing threats. Up to 60 Gripen C/Ds are likely to remain, with 15 of them used for advanced jet training from around 2025. As a result, the current six Gripen squadrons will likely increase to eight – six Gripen Es and two Gripen C/Ds – plus the advanced training unit of C/Ds by 2030.
SWITZERLAND
In 2017, the Swiss parliament approved a life extension program that aimed to increase F/A-18C/D flight hours to 6,000, ensuring its safety for another five years. Half of Switzerland’s remaining F/A-18C/Ds have completed this program, with the final airframe slated for completion by 2025. An allocated 200 flight hours per year will keep the Swiss Hornets active until 2030. Some 25 F-5E/F Tiger IIs are still in Swiss service, but solely in the aggressor role, with retirement planned for 2025. Some could be retained for Switzerland’s aerobatic team, ‘Patrouille Suisse’. Efforts to evaluate successors for the F/A-18C/D Hornet began in 2017. The selection of the F-35A Lightning II was anticipated, as it received the best score in every category (including price), bar Swiss industry participation. If all goes to plan, the first of 36 F-35As will enter Swiss service in 2028; the last in 2030 – from Cameri, Italy, or Emmen, Switzerland. US Congress has approved this F-35A sale, along with some sophisticated air-to-ground weapons, re-equipping the three Hornet squadrons based at Payerne, Meiringen and Emmen. 83www.Key.Aero // October 2022
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The SwAF will continue to fly the Gripen C/D until 2035, so there are plans to update them to keep them relevant. Saab has set out an operational roadmap for the Gripen C/D up to 2050, which will include two radar enhancements, increased weapons capability and other improvements.
Two years ago, the SwAF announced plans to reactivate F16 ‘Norrlands’Wing at Uppsala Air Base to accommodate the advanced flying training and two additional C/D squadrons, but that decision does not need to come until closer to 2025.
Below A pair of Swiss Air Forceoperated F/A-18Cs pop flares during a demonstration at Switzerland’s Axalp target range. While these exercises and displays are stunning to watch, they contribute a lot of stress to the fighter’s airframe, adding to the fleet’s fatigue issues Peter
Saab
Above:Gunti
During routine training operations, these fighters hardly log any transit time and most flying hours are used for actual maneuvering. This means these hours must be multiplied by a factor of 1.5 to compare the fatigue with NATO countries.
THE SWISS Air Force operates 30 F/A18C/D Hornets, in service since 1996 and now nearing its fatigue life limit. More than once, the entire fleet has been grounded when maintenance checks revealed cracks in unexpected places. However, during production, reinforcements were introduced to give the airframes a prolonged life of 5,000 flight hours.
The MMU program was launched in December 2010 and aims to develop a fifth-generation combat aircraft. Led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), the project’s conceptual design phase was completed between 2011-13.
To address a possible capability gap, Turkey has officially asked the US for 40 F-16V Block 70/72s and kits to upgrade 80 TuAF-operated F-16C/Ds to the same standard. A total fleet of 120 F-16Vs –fitted with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars – would provide the TuAF with an adequate stopgap until the arrival of the MMU. However, this purchase may be in doubt, given the current political relationship between Turkey and the US.
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TUSAS is currently developing the Hürjet – an advanced jet trainer/light combat aircraft – for the TuAF. The platform, which should fly next year, is set to replace the T-38M Ari jet trainer fleet and the NF-5A-2000s of the ‘Turkish Stars’ (Turkey’s national aerobatic team). One of the main pillars of the TuAF’s modernisation is in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Turkey first acquired IAI Heron Is from Israel in the mid-2000s before introducing its first armed UAV, the TUSAS-developed Anka S, in 2017. The TuAF started accepting deliveries of Baykar-developed Bayraktar Akinci twinturboprop high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs in 2021. Another major project for the TuAF is the development of Baykar’s turbofan-powered Bayraktar Kizilelma armed UAV that is powered by a single turbofan engine and should fly in 2023.
The roll-out of the first prototype is due in March 2023, followed by maiden flight in 2025-26, and the first production examples are set to enter Turkish service by the end of this decade.
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero84 MODERNISING EUROPEAN AIR FORCES // PART TWO Above: The Turkish theTerminatorreplacewhichF-16Vseekssystems.S-400Russian-madeforF-35barredwhenbuttheTuAFbysetTerminatorF-4E-2020fleetwastobereplacedtheF-35Ainserviceduringmid-2020s,thischangedTurkeywasfromtheprogrampurchasingairdefenseTurkeynowtoacquiretheBlock70/72,wouldlikelytheagingfleetifsaleisapproved
Among the two F-16 units in Merzifon, 152 Filo was relocated to the 10th MJB at Incirlik, due to rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria. Once a Phantom ‘super base’ with three resident squadrons, the 7th MJB at Malatya-Erhac is now inactive. As per the original roadmap, the F-35A would have replaced the service’s aging F-4E-2020 Terminator fleet – which is operated by 111 Filo – by the mid-2020s. Three additional units would have been reactivated to operate the fifthgeneration multi-role stealth fighter. This force would have been supplemented by the F-16C/D fleet that will itself be incrementally replaced by the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU, National Combat Aircraft) in the 2030s.
Joe Campion TURKEY THE TÜRK Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force, TuAF) went through a large-scale reorganization after the attempted coup on July 15, 2016. The base/squadron structure was changed significantly, with some units being disbanded. An emergency project was initiated for the air and ground crews. Many former pilots were recalled to duty, resulting in a steady recovery process from 2020. After the nation acquired S-400 (SA-21 Growler) air defense systems from Russia in 2019, the US canceled the delivery of six already manufactured F-35As and ejected Turkey (a Level 3 partner) from the project. The TuAF had planned to induct 100 F-35As, while the Turkish Navy was contemplating a purchase of between 12-20 F-35Bs for use on board the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (L-400). Today, the combat fleet comprises around 240 F-16C/Ds and about 25 F-4E-2020 Terminators. Of the 270 F-16s delivered from 1987 to 2012 under the Peace Onyx program, roughly 240 aircraft remain operational with nine units, including 401 Test Filosu (the test and evaluation squadron) at Eskisehir. After the RF-4E Phantom II fleet was retired in 2015, F-16C/Ds fitted with DB-110 pods assumed the tactical reconnaissance role with 113 Filo from the 1st MJB. In the wake of the 2016 coup attempt, the TuAF underwent a major reorganization that saw the 4th MJB at Ankara-Mürted disbanded. The base’s three squadrons (141, 142, and 143 Filo) were all deactivated. F-16s from 141 Filo were handed over to 132 Filo (a weapons and tactics unit) of the 3rd MJB at Konya, while 142 Filo was renamed 113 Filo and relocated to Eskisehir. Finally, 143 Filo – the F-16 operational conversion unit – was first moved to the 5th MJB at Merzifon, before becoming 193 Filo at the 9th MJB in Balikesir.
To the original authors for their support in writing this survey: The Netherlands (Gert Kromhout); Norway, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden (Alan Warnes); Poland (Bartosz Głowacki); Portugal (José Matos); Serbia (Aleksandar Radic); Spain (Roberto Yánez and Alex Rodriguez); Switzerland (Peter Gunti), and Turkey (Arda Mevlutoglu).
THANKS UK NO AIR arm in Europe has a more capable fighter force than the RAF. There are around 135 multi-role Eurofighter Typhoons and 26 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightnings, which are continuously being modified for more capability. Integrating the strengths of both types is now a top RAF requirement, with progress regularly reviewed under Exercise Babel Fish. The Typhoon Force has flown with other (mainly USAF) F-35As, while 617 Sqn ‘The Dambusters’F-35Bs have operated over Syria in Operation Shader. Undoubtedly, the lessons learnt from Exercise Babel Fish and the trilateral French/US/UK Atlantic Trident series of drills have enabled this. Together, the F-35Bs and Typhoons make up ten flying units and two test and evaluation squadrons. The Typhoons were introduced into service in March 2005, although the focus then was on the dual-seat T1s, with the single-seat F2s arriving in March 2006 for air defense. The F2s were then upgraded to FGR4. Today, most of the dual-seaters have been retired, the RAF opting to use more simulation instead. Of the 135 Typhoon FGR4s serving today, 24 are the older Tranche 1s with the flight control system that was not upgraded with multi-role avionics. The Tranche 1s will be withdrawn from use by 2025. While initially there were going to be two Tranche 1 Typhoon squadrons, those plans were shelved when the joint British-Qatari unit, 12 Sqn, was stood up at RAF Coningsby, leaving just IX(B) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth for Red Air and Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations. Making the Typhoons more capable in the air-toground role was a primary mission for the RAF between 2016-2019. Working with BAE Systems, the Typhoon was modified to take over the Tornado’s role when it was retired in December 2019. Replacing the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod Tornado (RAPTOR) did not prove quite so easy. When the new Litening V targeting pod entered service in June, the issue was resolved. This pod from Israel’s Rafael has a datalink system – imagery can be downloaded in near-real-time. There are currently six frontline operational Typhoon squadrons: 1 (Fighter) Sqn is based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, alongside II (Army Co-operation) Sqn, 6 Sqn and IX (Bomber) Sqn; while 3 (Fighter) Sqn and XI (Fighter) Sqn at RAF Coningsby make up the remainder of jets that cover the RAF Typhoon Force’s operational requirements. No 12 Sqn is a joint British-Qatari unit based at Coningsby, where the RAF is training Qatar Emiri Air Force aircrews and ground personnel. There is also 41 Test and Evaluation Sqn (TES) at Coningsby, which acts as the interface for industry upgrades and tactical enhancements. No 29 Sqn –the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) – at Coningsby is responsible for training pilots for frontline units. While the Typhoons stand on QRA duty at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby, there are also two permanent overseas detachments at RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands (1435 Flight), and RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, although the latter is dedicated to ground ops. There are eight Typhoons deployed to RAF Akrotiri to support the UK’s anti-IS campaign under Operation Shader. The Typhoon Force’s 140th Expeditionary Air Wing, manned by 3 (F) Sqn, is also providing jets for Operation Biloxi, the NATO-led enhanced air policing detachment at Mihail Kogalniceanu in Romania. RAF Typhoons will be upgraded in the future with the Eurofighter Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk 2 radar, enhancing air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities and allowing new electronic warfare (EW) roles, including suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) through electronic attack. The next phase will be to develop the new radar and integrate it on to RAF Typhoons through the four-nation Eurofighter Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) program; delivering a range of time-critical upgrades. The IOC forecast of 2030 also includes risk and uncertainty for delivering ECRS Mk 2 and P4E. A prototype ECRS Mk 2 radar will be delivered by the end of 2022, with flight trials next year. There are currently two F-35B units based at RAF Marham: 617 Sqn ‘The Dambusters’and 207 Sqn, which is the F-35 OCU. They will be joined by 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) in April 2023. No 617 Sqn took the F-35Bs to sea on the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) during its first operational cruise last year. There are currently 26 F-35Bs serving in the UK military of the 48 contracted so far under Tranche 1. The next batch should be delivered in October. On April 26 it was revealed that negotiations have begun for another 26 F-35Bs under a Tranche 2 purchase. Meanwhile, Block IV upgrades are expected to begin in 2027, with the first delivered in 2028 and the rest completed by 2034. Just like the Typhoon Force, synthetics are assisting with training aircrews on the F-35B Lightning, usually comprising a 50/50 split between live flying and synthetics. 85www.Key.Aero // October 2022 Above: A pair of 12 yearwasceremony,GraduationCranwellofformationLincolnshire)RAFFGR4soperatedSquadron-Typhoon(basedatConingsby,flyinasparttheRAFCollegeSuperFlypastwhichheldearlierthis UK MOD Crown
UK MOD CopyrightCrown
Right:Copyright HMSprepareDambusters’SquadronassignedF-35Bsto617‘Thetodepart Queen Elizabeth (R08) for the unit’s home base at RAF Marham, Norfolk. These fighters had deployed on the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier for CSG21 - the acrossdifferentwithfromtheF-35Bsitssawdeployment.maidenvessel’soperationalCSG21theshipand18embarked(tenfromUSMC,eighttheRAF)workmorethan40countriestheglobe
Despite several attempts, the US Army never fielded a direct replacement for the Bell OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. David Willis looks at the armed reconnaissance helicopter, which became a victim of spiraling costs and delays T he cancellation of the overly ambitious Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche program in February 2004 left the US Army with an urgent need to find a replacement for its fleet of OH-58Ds. The Kiowa’s ability to provide armed escort for ground units was much in demand at the time to support operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq. On December 9, 2004, the Army issued a request for proposals for an Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) – a relatively inexpensive off-the-shelf design to be equipped with existing mission systems.
Armament options included AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, GAU-19/A Gatling gun pods, Hydra 70 rockets and seven-shot 2¾in guided or unguided rocket pods.
TOO MUCH,
The light, single-turbine aircraft was to carry a third-generation sensor, have a glass cockpit, self-protection systems and be able to ‘link in’ to the Army’s communications network. Two would be carried by a Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and able to fly within 15 minutes of being unloaded. A total of 368 ARHs would be procured for $2.36bn. Bell Helicopter put forward the Model 445, based on the Model 407, powered by the Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft.
The cockpit suite would be the Common Avionics Architecture System created for the US Army by Rockwell Collins.
Lockheed Martin was chosen as Bell’s system integrator for the mission equipment package (MEP). Its primary sensor was based on the FLIR Systems BriteStar II, which would be mounted on the nose, with forward-looking infra-red (FLIR), color TV, laser rangefinder and laser designator/spot tracker modes.
TOO LATE WHATEVER HAPPENED TO // THE BELL ARH October 2022 // www.Key.Aero86
The basic airframe would be built at Mirabel in Montréal, Canada, with the transmission, main and tail rotor systems, and all flight dynamics built in Texas,
MUCH,
Main Image: The first Bell 445 to fly was N44548, the second 206Lthe406systembywhichthewasaircraft.pre-productionTheairframederivedfromcivilBell407,wascreatedmatingtherotorofthemilitary(OH-58D)withairframeofthe
Bell Helicopter
Rival bids Boeing offered a variant of the AH/MH-6 Little Bird, with a Rolls-Royce engine and six-blade main rotor, equipped with a Raytheon AN/ZSQ-2 targeting sensor. Its team members included BAE Systems and the simulator provider CAE. Both Bell and Boeing submitted their ARH submissions in February 2005, expecting the contract award to occur in June. But this was delayed slightly, and both companies resubmitted revised proposals on May 5. On July 29, Bell was awarded a $210.7m contract for a three-year system development and demonstration (SDD) phase for ARH. It was envisaged that the initial four production helicopters would be procured in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, with an additional 34, 35, 81, 90, 90 and 34 each year through to FY 2014. This plan changed as the program progressed. Bell planned to complete military qualification of the Model 445 with a combined Army and contractor test team. At the same time, it would seek Federal Aviation Administration type certification of a civilian version, the 417 (originally announced as the 407X). Work on the Bell 417 was cancelled in March 2007. The pre-production ARHs were allocated the mission design series (MDS) YRH-70A on February 21, 2006. While Bell frequently used ARH-70A – including for the pre-production aircraft – it has not been confirmed that this would have been the
Top: Bell used a Model 407 as a testbed for the equipmentmissionand the Honeywell HTS900 engine for the ARH. After the program had been terminated, the helicopter was used as the unmanned Fire-X demonstrator Bell Helicopter 87www.Key.Aero // October 2022
where system integration would take place – stated at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in June 2005 as planned for Bell’s Military Assembly and Integration Center in Amarillo. However, in March 2006, the company identified Alliance Airport in Fort Worth as the site for final work on the ARH. FlightSafety International joined the team with responsibility for training. To promote its ARH solution, Bell modified a Model 407 (N91796, c/n 53343) to test the MEP. The helicopter was flown following modification on June 3, 2005, and went on to play an important role in the ARH program. It was re-engined to test the HTS900-2 engine in April 2006.
October 2022 // www.Key.Aero88 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO // THE BELL ARH
Bell suspended all YRH-70A flights until the cause of the accident was traced. It was found a plastic pipe cap had been left in the fuel tank, which cut off the supply to theTheengine.program was already in trouble before the accident. SDD costs had increased by 50%, while the original September 2008 date to equip the first unit had already slipped to December 2009. On March 22, 2007, the US Army ordered work to stop. Bell was given 30 days to outline how it would put the project back on course, submitting its recovery plan on April 20. Changes to Bell’s management, additional manpower to catch up on lost time and clarification of the Army’s needs all helped convince the service to stick with the program. In addition, Bell agreed to begin fabrication of the first production ARH (N445LN, c/n 81001) and, using its own funds, start work on an additional aircraft each month, to prove that it could deliver on the revised schedule. An Army Systems Acquisition Review Council recommended continuing the program on May 18. It was agreed that SDD would be extended out to 2008, to be followed by a decision on low-rate initial production. By October 2007, the three surviving YRH-70As had accumulated more than 860 flight hours, but costs continued to grow, with unit price increasing from $10.3m to $12.3m. Part of the increase was down to a decision to reduce the number to be purchased through to 2013 to 250, which was announced on November 30. Additional aircraft would be procured after 2013, stretching out the program and thus increasing costs, while the total buy increased to 512, for a program cost of $5.4bn.
The company referred to the Model 445 as the Bell ARH in its press statements prior to the allocation of the MDS for the pre-production aircraft; it is possible that it coined ‘ARH-70A’as a combination of the program name and MDS numeral. A more logical MDS for the production examples would have been RH-70A. Similarly, the name Arapaho (Native Americans of Colorado and Wyoming) was used by the Army, but appears not to have been officially assigned to the helicopter. Six airframes were allocated to the development program, including two (c/n 53901 and 53902) for ground tests, plus the original Model 407 demonstrator. The initial pair of flight-worthy airframes were delivered to Bell’s XworX at Arlington Municipal Airport near Dallas, Texas, to fly in early 2006, but this was delayed. Bell test pilot Jim McCollough and co-pilot Chief Warrant Officer 5 Alan Davis of the US Army made the type’s maiden flight in the second aircraft (N44548, c/n 53904) from Arlington on July 20. A second sortie was completed later the same day. Two other pre-production aircraft (N44515, c/n 53903 and N445AR, c/n 53905) followed. One was dedicated to expanding the envelope and the others to avionics and weapons testing.
Above: The first preproduction Bell 445 carrying seven-shot rocket pods. Unlike the OH-58D, the ARH carried its primary sensor under the nose Bell Below:Helicopter
An audit released in July 2008 revealed the program had overruns of 40%, caused by higher than projected costs for the SDD aircraft and contractor labor costs increasing quicker than originally forecast. On July 8, the Army sent a letter to Congress confirming that the program had crossed the Nunn-McCurdy threshold (a cost growth of 25% or more above the original estimate), requiring the defense department to recertify the program as necessary for national security to continue. The department declined to do so. On October 16, 2008, it notified Congress and Bell it would not recertify the program and the contract was terminated.Bythen,the YRH-70As had accumulated more than 1,400 hours in the air, but development costs had nearly tripled, unit cost had grown to $14.48m and the in-service date was 2013 – four years behind schedule.
Crashing out The fourth (N445SR, c/n 53906) made its first – and only – flight on February 21, 2007. An emergency autorotation landing was attempted after it lost power 30 minutes into the flight, coming down on the Walnut Creek Country Club golf course in Mansfield, south of Fort Worth, Texas. The helicopter clipped trees and came to rest on its side. While the two pilots were uninjured, the aircraft had considerable damage and was written off.
The following month, the Army started the process again, releasing a request for information for potential ARH candidates for what became the Armed Aerial Scout program. In the meantime, plans were made to refurbish and update the Kiowa, resulting in the OH-58F.
The Bell 445 was equipped with AN/ALR-39B radar and ofwire-cutterexample,pre-productionaircraft,rearonsystems,missileAN/AAR-47warningwithsensorsthenoseandofthepod.Thisthethirdhasaatthetopthewindscreen
designation of the production aircraft.
US Army
A CANON CAMERA & VLOGGER KIT! CLICKREADER?DIGITALHERE! T&Cs: The competition closes on 17th November 2022 12pm BST. The winner will be drawn at random on 21st November 2022 and notified by 23rd November 2022. No purchase necessary. There is no cash prize alternative and the Editor’s decision is final. The competition is not open to employees of Key Publishing or their families. The promoter is neither responsible nor liable for any change in value of a prize occurring between publishing date and the date the prize is claimed. Key Publishing will not be liable for any prizes which are lost, delayed, or damaged in the post for reasons beyond Key Publishing’s control. This competition is open to UK entrants only. 316/22 For your chance to WIN this fantastic prize visit: shop.keypublishing.com/wincanon - Exclusive competitionWORTH £579! THE PRIZE Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera • HD 1080p • 20MP • 4.2X Optical Zoom • DIGIC 7 Processor NFC • Wi-Fi • 3” LCD Screen • Vlogger Kit with Joby Gorillapod • Memory Card
FLEXING SOME
items such as vital survival supplies and moving personnel around. Also, Casualty Replacement (CASREP) falls under the fleet support umbrella – this is the emergency supplying of equipment and parts for ships or submarines anywhere in the world to keep the ships at sea.
The current FLSW Commodore is Capt Ian ‘Hee Haw’ Hawley, who has more than 3,400 flight hours. He commented: “The C-40A works hand-in-hand with the C-130 because they complement each other. Both the CMV-22B and F-35B/C communities will be relying heavily on VR
MUSCL
UNIT REPORT // US NAVY FLEET LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS October 2022 // www.Key.Aero90 Above: There are five C-40A suppliesVR-57,comprisedsquadrons,ofVR-56,VR-58,VR-59andVR-61.ThejetsarereliableandarefrequentlyseenatNavalAirStations,keepingthesystemflowingwithpeople,andparts.
All Ted Fotodynamics.comCarlson/
images:
At the heart of US Navy operations is its logistical support units. Ted Carlson units, especially for carrier deployments and the focus on the Pacific theater now.
SOME MUSCLE
91www.Key.Aero // October 2022
“In regards to COVID-19, we had more flights and movements than we have had in years. We operated around the world regardless of the pandemic and that challenge was a testament to our abilities. We had to learn the internal aircraft airflow pattern, learn about the virus, create anti-COVID procedures and operationalperform
The C-130 is the only aircraft that can carry the F-35 engine and all of its modules in a special container, whereas the CMV-22 can only carry the power module or other modules separately. The C-40A excels at carrying smaller equipment and personnel and getting them there fast. “VR units stood up immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.
Fleet Admiral King realized the problems of logistics after touring the Pacific AOR and the requirement for long distance supply chains needed for fighting the Japanese. He knew we had to buy aircraft and ships in order to resource and sustain the fleet. By the end of World War Two, they had established a chain of support that ran from the US West Coast all the way through to the Pacific. VR has been doing that same mission ever since, carrying people, parts, supplies, fuel and forward elements for the US Navy around the world.
UNIT REPORT // US NAVY FLEET LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS October 2022 // www.Key.Aero92
US NAVY FLSW UNITS SqnAircraftNicknameBaseTail CodeNote VR-1C-37A/B Star Lifters NAF Washington, MD JK 5 VR-51C-40AWindjammers MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI RG VR-53C-130T Capital ExpressAndrews AFB, MD AX 1 VR-54C-130TRevelers JRB New Orleans, LA CW 2 VR-55C-130TMinutemen NB Ventura (Point Mugu), CA RU 3 VR-56C-40AGlobemasters NAS Oceana, VA JU VR-57 C-40AConquistadors NAS North Island, CA RX VR-58C-40A Sun SeekersNAS Jacksonville, FL JV VR-59C-40A Lone Star ExpressNAS JRB Fort Worth, TX RY VR-61C-40AIslanders NAS Whidbey Island, WA RS VR-62C-130TNomads NAS Jacksonville, FL JW VR-64C-130TCondors JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ BD 1Note:VR-53 formerly sported the WV tail code before changing to AX 2 VR-54 only has 4 C-130Ts assigned (all others have 5) 3 VR-55 now operates five former USMC KC-130Ts (all had the refueling pods removed). Two of these are the‘stretched’models 4 Although not affiliated with the FLSW, keeping on the topic of USN-related C-40As, the US Marine Corps VMR-1 'Roadrunners' will receive two C-40As, starting in FY22. Their
risk management, mitigating the risks based on that.”
A US Navy Gulfstream C-37B from the VR-1 ‘Star Lifters’ cruises over the Atlantic Ocean. C-37s specialize in moving VIPs around the globe, and the aircraft is highly reliable
have already been retired and the Navy is currently filling
The C-37A is based on the GV and B-model on the G550, also known as the GV-SP. The US Navy has a single C-37A and three C-37Bs, all attached to the VR-1 ‘Star Lifters’at NAF Washington. VR-1 has a detachment at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, with that being the sole C-37A. The four Gulfstreams have been on the receiving end of communications, navigation and surveillance system for air traffic management (CNS/ ATM)Theupgrades.aircraftspecialize in VIP and executive airlift missions, and VR-1 now reports to NAF Washington’s Executive Transport Wing for administrative and operational tasking, although the FLSW still maintains oversight of the aircraft for now. Oversight of the aircraft will eventually be transferred to NAF Washington, after the staff is put in place to handle everything C-37 related. Their mission is Operational Support Aircraft (OSA) and they do not take part in the NUFEA role.
Former FLSW Commodore Capt Todd ‘TBo’Boland explained: “With the KC-130Ts received from the Marines, we now have 30 C-130Ts in our ranks. We are starting to spread those out and many are serving as backup aircraft for the airframes in depot. We still have all of our original C-130Ts in service. “In VR, we are that last mile of logistics and are flexible to move to where the fleet goes around the world. Ideally, we have it set up with the C-40A for speed, which has limitations on the load, and then the C-130T which specializes in cargo, all in support of fleet operations. It all fits neatly on paper, but the actual execution is more challenging. “It is a mission that is critical to our success, and you can relate it to infrastructure, something that no one pays attention to until you do not have it. Logistics is critical to enable any operation. You can have the best systems in the world, but if you cannot resupply them, it will end in failure. While the carrier cannot exist without the COD, the COD cannot exist without us. With the CMV-22 it is even more crucial. They need to move their forward operational logistics sites more often, and we are the ones that move them. “During COVID-19, we were basically operating as though it were a wartime footing. If a squadron had an outbreak and had to be shut down, that is basically like a casualty. We would have to flex, move aircraft around (including within different countries) and enable the fleet to operate, in a bubble-to-bubble manner. That meant keeping our crews and small groups of others isolated from each other during the pre-immunization period. It was very complicated, but we managed to operate at 100% flight capacity and adapt.” two C-9Bs in that void 5 VR-1 has a detachment at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, operating the C-37A 6 Currently non-operational units VX-20 has three KC-130Ts and VX-30 has two KC-130Ts
A Gulfstream C-37A, BuNo 166375 of VR-1 Det based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, taxies out at NAS Pensacola, Florida. The US Navy has only one C-37A in its inventory
Herculean task
THE C-37A/B
CDR Brian ‘Simple' Simonsen, the C-37 NATOPS evaluator and program manager, said: “Recent C-37 upgrades have been mostly avionics, which are continuously updated. One was ‘synthetic vision’, which modified the primary flight display by using an overlay to make a computer-generated image, which aids situational awareness. We refurbished the cabins due to ageing, and we are looking at getting a bandwidth increase for the aircraft internet data protocol capability. We have done a good job of keeping the avionics on par with contemporary systems. We can fly anywhere and are fully certified.”
93www.Key.Aero // October
“As for the eyebrow window removal modification, there are four of the oldest airframes that cannot be easily modified, but a few years from now they will make some airframe changes and have them removed. Recent upgrades have included our avionics system, which enhances our flight control computer and has modified the CNS/ ATM. We now have ADS-B output and a military Mode 5 capability.” 2022 C-40As are instrumental for transporting people and supplies/parts during deployments. They are the unsung heroes that keep things moving behind-the-scenes
Above: A US Navy Boeing C-40A Clipper, BuNo 165833 ‘RY’, of the VR-59 ‘Lone Star Express’ flies over Texas. The versatile Clipper can be configured before each mission for people, cargo or both
Designed for long-range hauling, the Boeing C-40A Clipper has fully settled in within the ranks. The US Marine Corps (USMC) recently retired their two C-9Bs and will soon take delivery of two C-40As. The C-40A is based on the 737-700 airliner, but has a cargo door and can be reconfigured internally to accommodate passengers and/or cargo. Typical Clipper detachments may include missions to Asia, Europe or the Persian Gulf. The tail codes, stars and bars and ‘Navy’ markings have all been removed in order to maintain a low profile when traveling abroad. All Clippers are void of any markings other than the longitudinal blue and gold stripes and bureau numbers. There are currently 17 C-40As in the US Navy inventory, which doesn’t include the soon-to-be-delivered USMC C-40As. The C-40A is equipped with a glass cockpit including a pilot-side head-up display (HUD) that can be set for three different display modes, giving the pilot a variety of data and symbology. The C-40 has a weather radar that can also detect wind shear, as well as dual flight management computers (FMCs) that receive input from navigational aids, including the GPS and INS systems. The aircraft is now Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) compliant. Other navigational aids and capabilities include RNAV, RVSM, TACAN, ILS, TCAS II and ADF. It has a full database of airports and airways permanently installed, which allow pilots to easily create an accurate route of flight, monitoring it using a digital waypoint map on the electronic flight instrument system (EFIS). For communications, the C-40 has a SATCOM system that allows the crew to talk to anyone via phone around the globe. It also has an Aircraft Communicating Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) that is used to globally communicate using text messaging. Technically, the C-40A airframe is the 737-700C, the ‘C’representing ‘convertible’and a product of having the side cargo door. The Clipper is a hybrid between the 737-700 and -800, with the closest civilian 737 model being the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). Most of the C-40 is based on the -700, but the Clipper has the robust -800 landing gear and a beefier wing, enabling the jet to have a higher gross weight limit. The winglets increase the wingspan by less than five feet and give the Clipper a 5% increase in fuel efficiency. The aircraft can also have a cargo space kit added or removed depending on the mission. A normal C-40A crew consists of five or six depending on how the Clipper is configured. The aircraft can be configured for combined cargo and passengers (known as combi-rig), which is the most common set-up when the C-40 is out on the road. That allows space for three pallets and 69 passengers aft plus luggage. The C-40 can also be configured to accommodate a full cargo rig, allowing for eight pallets, with all seats (in groups of three) being removed. Capt Hawley said: “In Hawaii, VR-51 transitioned from the C-20G to the C-40A and took delivery of the last two C-40As that came off the assembly line. All of our C-40As have winglets, giving us a boost in climb, altitude and fuel efficiency. There are certain flights we make in the Middle East and now we can go farther without having to stop for fuel. The modification was very worthwhile.”
C-40A CLIPPER
C-130T
The primary role of the Hercules fleet is to offer logistical support, moving cargo and/or personnel whenever and wherever required. The T-model rotation overseas places them at the control of the theater and combined task force commanders, flying missions supporting whatever tasking or needs come their way. Their official primary role is to provide the Navy with unique fleet-essential airlift in support of the global theater commanders, providing responsive on-demand service moving passengers, mail and cargo to anywhere in the world to meet the demands of the fleet. Within the US, the mission tasking comes from NALO, which prioritizes and validates the requirements, after which it identifies the aircraft type needed and associated squadrons that fall
Behind-the-scenes, Navy C-130T VR units are very busy moving important cargo and people to various destinations around the globe. The Navy originally procured 19 C-130Ts, with more added as the USMC transitioned from the T-models to KC-130Js.
HERCULES
There are five C-130T VR units, with four of the five squadrons having five aircraft assigned (VR-55 has ex-USMC KC-130T aircraft). The first C-130T was delivered to the US Navy in 1993. The aircraft has an endurance of more than 14 hours and a minimum crew of four, consisting of a transport aircraft commander (TAC), co-pilot, flight engineer and loadmaster. Powered by four Allison T56-A-16 engines, one of the latest upgrades is the NP2000 eight-bladed propellers, the same system that the E-2 Hawkeye uses. Originally all T-models were equipped with the more-problematic and less-efficient 54H60 four-bladed propellers. The T-model can carry up to 75 passengers, a variety of palletized cargo and just about anything else. Small upgrades in the past have included the installation of new radios, Traffic Alert & Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), an ADS-B capability, a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), and an Electronic Information Display System (EIDS) with flat screens. The Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) was upgraded to an electronic EHSI version. Garmin GNS-480 navigation GPS systems were installed, as well as a digital electronic flight book (EFB) mounted on the yoke using a tablet (it includes digital airport approach plates, a moving map, falcon view and more). The Control Display Navigation Unit (CDNU) database has a pre-programmed brick that is installed for each mission. An ergonomic PC card adapter is linked to the EFB, doubling the capacity while decreasing the physical size.
UNIT REPORT // US NAVY FLEET LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS October 2022 // www.Key.Aero94
“The AOU upgrade is getting close and we have a prototype at VX-20, with another at Hill AFB, Utah. The AOU will take us closer to having a modern glass cockpit by adding VCFMS, EGI, RNAV capabilities, ACARS, SATCOM and Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC). Not all C-130Ts are the same – they are essentially hybrids. As the Marine Corps received J-models, the Navy received five hand-me-down T-models that all went to VR-55. Two stretch models were included and we received some from VMGR-452. We received a total of 15 and are using them as some go into mod and supplement the needs of the fleet while others are undergoing maintenance and AOU upgrades.
commodore
A
the
under the Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing (CFLSW) umbrella are accordingly tasked. A secondary role is humanitarian relief. The Hercules can carry a lot of gear that most other aircraft cannot take. Some of the bigger aircraft, such as C-5s and C-17s, can carry larger items, but the C-130T brings a short field capability to the table, including being able to operate from runways around 4,000ft long. The US Navy’s C-130 community is very flexible compared to other services, being able to deliver cargo and personnel on very short notice. C-130T pilot LCDR Ryan ‘Priceless’ Harris is the NATOPS evaluator for the FLSW. He said: “The NP2000 propellers have been a great upgrade, since now we do not have to transport entire blade assemblies with associated parts. It also reduced maintenance requirements. Now all parts can be removed or changed out individually. The NP2000 has less vibration, definitely has more ‘get up and go’ down low, but up high, we do lose a bit of range capability. However, when descending, we get more glide out of it. It has not impacted our mission sets and the differences are minor. It does not leak as much oil as the old four-bladed aircraft did and we rarely have to shut down the props for oil loss.
‘CW’
Below: C-130T BuNo 165160 of prepares night mission at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
for a
VR-54 ‘Revelers’ flies
the VR-54 ‘Revelers’
Right: C-130T BuNo 165160 of the near NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas. At the helm is former FLSW Capt Todd ‘T-Bo’ Boland.
Above: US Navy Lockheed Martin C-130T BuNo 165158 of on ramp at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas.
‘CW’
the VR-54 ‘Revelers’
“At some point we will get J-models. Three Js made it on the CNO’s list as a critical-need item, but they ended up on the unfunded list. Since we are in the Pacific a lot, it is important to get things to austere locations. The C-130 is a great aircraft due to its short field capability, being able to carry oddly shaped things and for a variety of other reasons.
‘CW’
“Unfortunately, our birds are pretty tired and unanticipated components are breaking. Some were built in the early-1990s and lack the newer technology, including airspace structure. After Afghanistan and the past 20 years, there are a lot of hands out there and only so many coins left in that purse, at the end of the day.”
95www.Key.Aero // October 2022
I
The new missile features a sophisticated, infra-red sensor that can recognize targets by their shape and heat profile.
An artist’s rendering of an Ice Breaker missile being launched from a F-16 Fighting Falcon Rafael A concept image of the Ice breaker missile, provided by the manufacturer
The idea is for Ice Breakers to maneuver around a target before closing in from multiple directions, thwarting any attempt to intercept all the missiles.
It is not clear how much an Ice Breaker costs, but it is worth noting that Rafael Spice 1000 guided bomb, which matches Ice Breaker in overall size and weight, costs around half a million dollars per round. Ice Breaker, with its turbojet engine, undoubtedly is pricier. To keep down the cost, Rafael designed a simple body made of lightweight composites. Ice Breaker’s air intake is nearly flush with its body, meaning the missile is roughly tube-shaped. Other swarming munitions are in development.
Last year, the USAF tested this new “Golden Horde”technology, pairing networked seekers and targeting algorithms with 250Ib small diameter bomb (SBD) glide bombs. Two F-16s dropped six Golden Horde SDBs over a test range in Florida. The bombs linked up via radio. When an unplanned target appeared, two bombs reacted and struck at the same time. “These technologies are completely changing the way we think about weapon capabilities,” said Maj Gen Heather Pringle, Air Force Research Laboratories commander.
96 October 2022 // www.Key.Aero
Rafael announced Ice Breaker at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. Ice Breaker is the aerial variant of a basic missile that also has surface-launched versions (read more about Farnborough Air Show on Key.Aero). Rafael executive Yuval Miller said: “It is a highly survivable and affordable long-range air-to-ground munition, its survivability being due to its low radar crosssection, its terrain-following capability given by its navigation systems and its advanced mission planning system.”A Rafael promotional video depicts a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter launching a single Ice Breaker, but an F-16 could carry as many as four of the 12ft, 900Ib missiles, Rafael reports. The firm designed the new munition to be compatible with an array of aircraft, including jets and propeller-driven types. A Boeing F-15 could carry up to seven missiles. The Ice Breaker is just small enough to fit inside the bomb bay of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Ice Breaker loads upside down onto its launching platform. On release, it spins rightside-up, pops out its folded wings and ignites its engine. Its warhead weighing just 250Ibs, it packs just enough fuel to travel around 190 miles at subsonic speed. A single Ice Breaker might not be adequate to destroy large or heavily fortified targets, but that was never the plan – it was designed for group attacks. The missile has multiple navigation modes, can follow GPS waypoints and terrain features. Or an operator aboard the launching aircraft can see what the missile sees via a camera and directly steer it.
DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINE OF AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY BY DAVID AXE
ICE BREAKER
sraeli firm Rafael has revealed a new swarming cruise missile. The new Ice Breaker missile is small, lightweight and, according to the company, inexpensive. The idea is for a single warplane to launch several of the stealthy, maneuverable Ice Breakers to attack a target from various directions at once. In that sense, Ice Breaker manifests a trend in Western aerial-munitions development. US, European and allied air forces increasingly favor swarming missiles and bombs. A bunch of munitions, working together, should have a better chance of success than a single munition might have. Achieving a good hit on a vulnerable part of the target. Overwhelming any air defenses.
If there is a downside to swarming, it is the price.
The USAF is taking a different approach to the technology – equipping missiles and bombs with datalinks and algorithms allowing the munitions to co-ordinate their attacks as they swarm a target; placing the burden on the munitions, rather than the launching crew.
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