AirForces Monthly 2021-04

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Comment
Below: C-130H-30 G-275 of the RNLAF,
dropping paratroopers during an
exercise Northern Skies Aviation
Hail the
Hercules!
I
have always had a soft-spot for the C-130,
that stocky, plain-Jane of an aircraft, that’s
been performing the most important of roles
for nearly 67 years.
charged to the back of the plane and piled
out en masse.
Performing a typical display, while the
parachutists freefell smokily to the delight of
explore the varied work its aircraft are doing
in their new tactical role.
Our armchair world tour continues with visits
to the Venezuelan Air Force, Montenegro’s
Many moons ago, I was fortunate enough to the crowd, the Herc sneaked off around the helicopter squadron, Japan’s retiring
go for a flight in a Herc with the Red Devils back. The timing was perfect. Just as the Phantoms, Italy’s 5th Group rotorcraft, Aussie
Parachute Display Team. At 13,000 feet last ’trooper hit the ground, the Herc roared UAS and European radar makers, plus there’s
they opened ‘the boot’ and strolled around over the crowd – from behind – at low-level, a Gulf War 30th anniversary combat guide.
nonchalantly as Oxfordshire passed by, two- scaring the bejesus out of them. And you don’t even need a passport!
and-a-half miles below. Meanwhile, despite My Herc experience must have been in the Enjoy the magazine.
being tethered to a hook on the ceiling, I days before they invented health and safety John Sootheran
tentatively edged up to the end of the ramp regulations, because, once they’d closed the Group Editor
and peered over. They definitely thought I was ramp, I strolled up to the cockpit and chatted
being a ‘big girl’s blouse’, though acrophobia with the pilots. It was all very relaxed and I Visit our website at
is no respecter of size. was standing with a hand on each seatback www.key.aero/airforcesmonthly
It always seems foolhardy to me to as we came in to land.
voluntarily depart a perfectly-serviceable In this issue, we fly with C-130s of the Royal Contact the team at
aircraft at altitude, but the next moment they Netherlands Air Force’s 336 Squadron, to [email protected]
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www.Key.Aero #397 April 2021 // 3

Contents April 2021 #397
expel occupying Iraqi forces from Kuwait that
kickstarted ‘Shock and Awe’
40 Samurai sunset
With Japan on the verge of becoming the
largest operator of the F-35 Lightning IIs
outside the United States, the legendary F-4EJ
Phantom II has bowed out from the Japan Air
Self-Defense Force. Babak Taghvaee looks at
the multi-role fighter’s half-century of service
50 Next-gen radar
Typhoon’s lack of AESA radar has been
identified as a disadvantage on the export
market. Now, however, multiple options are
emerging for potential new and existing
Boeing Australia is finalising ground
testing and preparations for the operators, as Jon Lake explains
maiden flight of its first Loyal
24
Wingman Boeing 60 RNLAF’s tactical
transition
03 Comment 26 Intel Report: Loyal In recent years, 336 Squadron of the Royal
AFM’s monthly opinion on the latest and Wingman Down Under Netherlands Air Force has transitioned its four
hottest military aviation topics Australia will become only the second nation C-130 Hercules from regular transport duties
after the US to fly a drone designed specifically to tactical operations. Frank Visser and Ludo
06 News to work co-operatively with other aircraft. Rob Mennes spoke with the unit’s new commander
The latest military aviation news stories from Coppinger reports on the Loyal Wingman’s about his plans for this unique squadron
around the world, including the remotely imminent first flight Down Under
piloted MQ-9B SkyGuardian participating in 76 A century over
the multinational Joint Warrior exercise later 30 Desert Storm Venezuelan skies
this year; how rapidly updating USAF aircraft shock tactics One hundred years after its creation, the
software might dictate future capability; and In the first of a two-part examination of 1991’s Aviación Militar Bolivariana, Venezuela’s air
France’s replacement plans for 12 Rafale fighters Gulf War air campaign, Jon Lake describes force, operates an intriguing variety of aircraft.
recently sold to Greece’s Hellenic Air Force the overwhelmingly successful operations to Erwin Fuguet and Santiago Rivas report
4 // April 2021 #397 www.Key.Aero

68 Balkan Bells potent naval defence force. The 5th Helicopter aircraft’s presence at Monte Real Air Base in
Helicopters are at the heart of Montenegro’s Group carries much of this responsibility, Gian November. Jorge Ruivo investigates
Air Force, following the country’s accession Carlo Vecchi spoke with its commander
to NATO. Sven van Roij was given exclusive 94 Attrition Report
access to the country’s plans for its new 92 Portugal eyes the Dave Allport reveals the month’s significant
military role and responsibility Super Tucano military aviation mishaps
Embraer’s Super Tucano light attack
84 Flying with the 5th aircraft could be on the shopping list of 98 Next month
With its long coastline and strategic the Portuguese Air Force, given its current A quick look at what’s on the menu for the
geopolitical importance, Italy relies on a good relationship with Embraer, and the next issue’s feast of modern-military aviation
58 74
A 336 Squadron
C-130H during an
autumn mission over the
Netherlands Northern Skies Aviation Two Montenegro Air Force HN-45M Gazelles fly over the wooded Balkan landscape Sven van Roij
Your Aviation
Above: Radar Two will equip RAF Tranche 3 Typhoons, and promises to prove technology that will be used
Destination
See page 99 SUBSCR
by the new Tempest BAE Systems IB
On the cover: 37-8315, one of the last two specially-painted F-4EJs of 301 Hikotai, seen here in Hyakuri AB EXCLUSIVER
on November 11, 2020, just a few days before the type was retired from JASDF service Matsuzaki Hirobumi
for full details E

NEWS Headlines
B-21 prototype build is underway

Two B-21 Raider test Grumman B-2A Spirit demonstration. The using augmented and of progress on our first
aircraft are in production as a USAF strategic CDR was completed virtual reality for its digital two aircraft in Palmdale,”
at Northrop Grumman’s stealthy bomber. The in November 2018 at engineering and advanced said Steve Sullivan, VP
Aircraft Integration Center announcement comes Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing efforts. and general manager,
of Excellence in Palmdale, two years after the B-21 Manned Aircraft Design “Our early and strike division, Northrop
California, the aerospace programme completed Center of Excellence in continued investment Grumman. “As a result,
firm said on February 22. its critical design review Melbourne, Florida. The in infrastructure, design we are well-positioned for
The B-21 Raider will (CDR), and a more recent, company started the maturation, risk reduction low-rate initial production,
replace the Boeing B-1B successful hardware Raider’s design and build and our workforce has following key milestones in
Lancer and the Northrop and software integration work in February 2016, been a significant driver 2022 and beyond.”
An artist’s impression of the B-21 Raider in a hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The B-21 will replace the USAF’s B-1Bs and B-2As Northrop Geumman
USAF: Software
Two USAF B-1B Lancers
arriving in Norwegian
airspace in February 2021
updates will
with a Royal Norwegian Air
Force escort Norwegian
Ministry of Defence
win wars
Rapidly and frequently remarks, Brown made
updating aircraft’s clear that the F-35
software to take would not be the USAF’s
advantage of new workhorse, but instead
technology is a key future be used only when
capability, according to strictly necessary.
the head of the United “I want a clean sheet
States Air Force, Gen design of something
Charles Brown Jr. low end – 4.5 or fifth-
The USAF is generation minus –
Lancers make
studying how it that is also a jump in
can technologically technology,” Brown said,
outcompete its potential acknowledging that
Norwegian first
adversaries, and is evolutions of a fourth-
preparing force mix generation fighter (for
proposals for the US example, the Lockheed
fiscal year budget Martin F-16 Fighting
starting October 1, Falcon) have a future.
United States Air Force all kinds of conditions and develop our cooperation. 2022. The software He also asked: “What is
Boeing B-1B Lancers environments, while also Cooperation with the updates would be for the son of NGAD? Sixth-
from 7th Bomb Wing, providing opportunities United States and upgradeable mission generation or something
based at Dyess Air Force for USAF integration with other partner nations systems, that would else?” referring to the
Base in Texas, landed on allies’ operations. The gives NATO a credible increase an aircraft’s Next Generation Air
Norwegian soil for the first USAF has conducted and flexible defence,” lethality. The proposed Dominance fighter, a
time in February. strategic training trips explained Royal force mix is unlikely to secret prototype that
The Lancers arrived with bombers around the Norwegian Air Force 132 include a lot of Lockheed flew last year. NGAD
at Ørland Air Station world since 2018. Air Wing commander, Martin F-35 Lightning II has been described as
at the mouth of the “We get tested and Col Øivind Gunnerud. aircraft, according to Gen a distributed system,
Trondheimsfjorden in the trained on our ability At the start of February, Brown in his comments with different platforms
centre of the country. The to receive and support about 200 US soldiers to the Defense Writers providing a range of
visit is designed to give allied forces, and we arrived in Ørland to Group teleconference capabilities that would
crews experience flying in get training to further begin preparations. on February 18. In his work together.

Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]
Fourth upgraded Super

Lynx accepted
The Brazilian Navy and a tactical processor,
Leonardo have completed satellite-based navigation
the factory acceptance system and civil
test in the UK for the navigation aids, including
fourth of eight upgraded a Traffic Collision
Leonardo Super Lynx Mk Avoidance System. It also
21B helicopters. has a new electrically-
The remaining four powered rescue hoist.
aircraft are being The Brazilian Navy has
delivered between now been operating Lynx
and the end of 2022. helicopters for more than
The third aircraft was four decades.
handed to the navy in Leonardo said: “The first
May last year. The Super two upgraded Super Lynx
Lynx Mk 21B is powered aircraft were delivered in
by two CTS800-4N February 2019 and have
engines, which improve now formally taken over
performance in hot flying duties from the
environments. It has existing Lynx Mk 21A,
a digital, night-vision- with one operating from
The Brazilian Navy and Leonardo completed the factory acceptance test for the fourth of
goggle cockpit, featuring the home squadron in São eight upgraded Super Lynx Mk21B helicopters at the end of last year in the UK Leonardo
a new avionics suite with Pedro da Aldeia.”
Carrier Strike Groups RAF fleet

fly en masse 80% remote
The Theodore Roosevelt
Carrier Strike Group
(CSG9) conducted dual
with a view to improving
interoperability, plus
command and control.
Destroyer Squadron 9.
"Working cooperatively
alongside Carrier Strike
by 2040
operations with the Nimitz The USS Theodore Group 9 improves our Piloted aircraft will after Lightning and
Carrier Strike Group Roosevelt, Carrier Air collective tactical skill, represent a minority of Typhoon are retired, but
(CSG11) in the South Wing 11, the guided- while ensuring regional the fleet by 2040, the Tempest is also viewed
China Sea in February. missile cruiser USS stability and security," UK’s Chief of the Air Staff as a platform which
The two strike groups’ Bunker Hill, Destroyer said RADM Jim Kirk, told the Royal United could be flown without
aircraft coordinated Squadron 23 and the commander, CSG 11. Services Institute (RUSI) a pilot.
operations in an area with guided-missile destroyers Adding: “We are at its Lord Trenchard Referring to the non-
high shipping traffic to USS Russell and USS committed to ensuring the Memorial Lecture. fighter, transport and
demonstrate the United John Finn make up CSG9. lawful use of the sea, that Crewed platforms will reconnaissance fleets,
States Navy's ability to For CSG11, there is all nations enjoy under make up 20% of the Wigston also said:
operate in challenging the USS Nimitz, Carrier international law." fleet, at most, RAF chief “[We will be] on the
environments. During Air Wing 17, guided- CSG 9 and CSG 11 last Sir Michael Wigston threshold of the same
these dual-carrier missile cruiser USS conducted dual-carrier told the RUSI audience [level of autonomy]
operations, several air Princeton, guided-missile operations in June last in London on January with air mobility, and
exercises were organised destroyer USS Sterett and year in the Philippine Sea. 25. While the Lockheed our few remaining
Martin F-35 Lightning II non-space based ISR
and Eurofighter Typhoon [intelligence, surveillance
will still be in operation, and reconnaissance]
the General Atomics platforms.” He also
Aeronautical Systems emphasised the
Protector RG1, loyal importance of aircraft
wingman Mosquito carrier-based power
and Alvina swarming projection in future.
drone are all unmanned “We can say that carrier
platforms expected strike [will] herald...the
to outnumber piloted start of truly integrated
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 aircraft, assigned to the USS Nimitz fly over the Theodore
aircraft. Tempest is operations across
Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea
on February 9 US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Deirdre Marsac envisaged as the only multiple domains for
piloted aircraft operating UK defence.”

NEWS United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth attains fleet flag

The Royal Navy’s new the Royal Air Force 617 Ocean and East Asia, a detachment of United Admiral Tony Radakin,
aircraft carrier HMS Squadron 'Dambusters’ and with Royal Navy Type States Marine Corps F-35B said: “The position of Fleet
Queen Elizabeth (R08) Royal Navy AgustaWestland 45 destroyers, Type 23 will be on board, while a Flagship is a symbol of
is preparing to embark AW101 Merlin helicopters frigates and support ships US Navy destroyer will HMS Queen Elizabeth’s
for the Far East later this will be on board when the of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary also escort the carrier. importance. In the coming
year, in its new capacity Queen Elizabeth carrier escorting her. In January The Queen Elizabeth months, HMS Queen
as the Fleet Flagship. strike group departs. it was announced that assumed its new status Elizabeth will lead the most
Lockheed Martin F-35B She will deploy to the from January. The Royal ambitious Royal Navy
Lightning II aircraft from Mediterranean, the Indian Navy’s First Sea Lord, deployment in decades.”
HMS Queen Elizabeth became the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship in January. For its Far East mission
later this year, it will carry Lockheed Martin F-35B Lighting II aircraft from the Royal Air Force
617 Squadron ‘Dambusters’ and Royal Navy Merlin helicopters Crown Copyright 2021/Royal Navy
Fifth RAF P-8A Poseidon US Navy P-8A visits Mildenhall

arrives at Lossiemouth
The Royal Air Force has from the factory, without
received five of nine having to stop along the
Boeing P-8A Poseidon way. This aircraft takes its
MRA1 maritime patrol name from the sea-based
aircraft (MPA) following the bird, and to pay homage to
arrival of the fifth example RAF Lossiemouth’s naval
at RAF Lossiemouth past, as the station itself
on February 2. was called HMS Fulmar
The aircraft, serial between 1946 and 1972.
ZP805 and named Fulmar, An RAF spokesperson
departed Boeing Field said that the arrival of
near Seattle, Washington, the fifth Poseidon MRA1
on February 1 and arrived “comes at a time of
at the base in Moray, unprecedented submarine
Scotland, after an eight- activity, close to UK
hour overnight delivery waters. [The] Poseidon
flight. According to the MPA can react quickly
RAF, this marks the first to track potential threats
time that a Poseidon MRA1 over large areas of sea This United States Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon, serial number 169548 from VP-9, made
has been delivered to or ocean and defend our a flying visit to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland,
RAF Lossiemouth straight own submarine fleet.” arriving at 0940hrs local time on February 4, before returning just after 1230hrs Justin Ward
Arctic survival course for Helicopter Command crew

The UK’s Joint Helicopter includes jumping into icy Norway every year to carry participating. The United Squadron airman Matt
Command pilots and water to cope with cold out Exercise Clockwork. States announced an Arctic Vickers, an aircraft handler,
aircrew have been shock, moving on skis Now in its 52nd year, it Strategy towards the end will be on refuelling duties
completing a cold- and snowshoes on long is run by the Commando of last year, and it intends in Norway for Exercise
weather survival course, distance marches and living Helicopter Force. This to conduct far more Arctic Clockwork. Participating in
before taking to the skies out of survival shelters. year, British Army Boeing operations in future. the survival course, Vickers
over the Arctic Circle. Helicopters from Joint AH-64 Apache helicopters Commando Helicopter said: “We’re learning how to
Aircrew survival training Helicopter Command fly to from 656 Squadron are Force 845 Naval Air survive and fight out here.”

RAF Typhoons bomb Islamic State

Two Royal Air Force strike was assessed by located 10 miles north of counter-IS mission is
Prototype
drone
Eurofighter Typhoons
carried out an airstrike in
the RAF as having been
a success in eliminating
the city of Bayji in northern
Iraq, on January 24. The
called Operation Shader.
“These RAF strikes help plays Joint
January against Islamic
State-held cave systems
the potential threat of
further insurgency.
RAF’s armed reconnaissance
aircraft support the work of
maintain the pressure
on [Islamic State] and Warrior
in Iraq, using Raytheon The air strikes were ordered the Iraqi security forces in prevent them once again A pre-production General
Paveway IV precision after a coalition surveillance preventing any resurgence inflicting their twisted Atomics Aeronautical
guided bombs. All four aircraft located a number of IS within the country. ideology on the people of Systems MQ-9B
of the bombs struck their of Islamic State (IS) fighters The UK contribution to Iraq,” said UK Secretary SkyGuardian remotely
targets accurately and the operating from two caves the US-led international of Defence, Ben Wallace. piloted aircraft system
(RPAS) will participate
Puma roars over English channel

in Joint Warrior, a
multi-national large-
scale military exercise
later this year.
The Royal Navy has used pilotless squadron to track survey up to 270 square was flown by 700x Naval The Royal Air Force,
an AeroVironment Puma drug runners and smugglers miles of ocean and it can Air Squadron, the Fleet Air which calls the drone the
Unmanned Aircraft System in the English Channel. fly for up to 2.5hrs. The Arm’s pilotless squadron, Protector RG1 system,
from the Fleet Air Arm’s only A Puma’s camera can 2.7m (9ft) wingspan UAS from HMS Tamar. The has ordered an initial
Tamar has a flight deck but three SkyGuardians to
does not have a helicopter replace its Reaper. A
as there is no hangar. The system consists of an
Puma can fulfil some of a aircraft, the ground control
helicopter’s intelligence- station and supporting
gathering role. The drone equipment. Protector is
has a camera with a 50x an advanced, medium
zoom and it can send a live altitude long endurance
feed back to the ship at a (MALE) RPAS and will
distance of up to 12 miles. be operated from RAF
“There are many Waddington, Lincolnshire.
additional challenges in The RAF wants the pre-
preparing and launching production aircraft’s
safely from a ship,” said operation to help it plan
Puma flight commander, for the Protector’s use
Lt Ash Loftus. “[The Puma] from RAF Waddington
has a large wing and from 2023. “Protector
requires some skill from will be able to fly for up
the operator launching to 40hrs in civil airspace,
it at sea. We were often meaning it will be able to
HMS Tamar’s 700x Naval Air Squadron flying out of line of sight to deliver an array of military
drone operators launching an
approach vessels, using or civil support missions,”
AeroVironment Puma AE 2 Unmanned
Aircraft System Crown Copyright 2019
the system’s cameras for said RAF Air Commodore,
identification purposes.” Richard Barrow.
Vaccine consignment heads to the Falkland Islands
A Royal Air Force Airbus A330 Voyager multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft, flown by RAF reservists departed RAF Brize Norton in the early hours
of February 1 to deliver 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the Falkland Islands. The islands’ status as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom
means that the vaccine is being provided on behalf of Her Majesty’s government Crown Copyright 2021

NEWS Europe
This Leonardo C-27J Spartan, serial number CSX62319, in the camouflage livery of an unspecified customer, is the first next-generation variant and was
undergoing a test flight at Turin-Caselle Airport on February 1 Marco Rossi
The force is strong with Italy’s JEDI

The Italian Air Force has Task Group Albatros, has since flown more than “approximately 210 days transport aircraft, which
revealed that its Leonardo which operates the 1,000 sorties to counter of uninterrupted coverage is designed to play an
EC-27J Jamming and EC-27J in the Middle East, the ongoing threat posed of the skies of Iraq.” electronic warfare role.
Electronic Defence reached this important by Islamic State in Iraq Developed by Leonardo, The platform is equipped
Instrumentation (JEDI) milestone on February 5. and Syria. the EC-27J JEDI is an with glass cockpit
fleet had flown 5,000 Italy launched operations The Italian Air Force extensively modified avionic systems, a self-
flight hours in support with the electronic warfare observed that the 5,000 variant of the company’s protection suite and is
of Operation Inherent aircraft in support of OIR flight hours accumulated C-27J Spartan twin- compatible with night
Resolve (OIR) in Iraq. on August 10, 2016, and was the equivalent of turboprop tactical vision goggles.
On February 15, the fourth Airbus A330 Phénix

multi-role tanker transport for l'Armée de l'Air et
de l'Espace arrived at Airbus Getafe, Spain, from
Châteauroux-Marcel Dassault Airport in France after
receiving its full 31st Strategic Air Supply Transport
Wing colour scheme and markings Roberto Yanez
NATO Phoenix are operational

NATO revealed on achieved initial operational from Sigonella Air Base capabilities available to Powers Europe, said: “The
February 15 that capability. in Sicily, Italy. It marks all 30 members of the declaration of IOC is an
the Alliance Ground The declaration means a major milestone in NATO alliance. important milestone for
Surveillance (AGS) that the AGS force is now the AGS programme, Maj Gen Phillip Stewart, NATO’s AGS force and for
fleet of five Northrop able to start flying the which was established to Strategic Employment the alliance as a whole.
Grumman RQ-4D Phoenix RQ-4D on operational increase and enhance the Directorate commander The RQ-4D Phoenix
unmanned aircraft missions within NATO intelligence, surveillance at NATO’s Supreme remotely-piloted aircraft is
systems (UAS) have and international airspace and reconnaissance Headquarters Allied a highly-capable system.”

Italian Lightnings against USAF Falcons

Italian Air Force Lockheed According to the USAF,
Martin F-35 Lightning IIs integrating multiple aircraft
and USAF F-16 Fighting allows aircrews to train
Falcons took part in an for different objectives.
exercise from Amendola “European partners form
Air Base, Italy, in February. the backbone of [USAF
Six Italian Air Force, in Europe’s] agile combat
Amendola-based 32 employment exercise,”
Stormo F-35s flew said USAF Maj Eric
against eight 31st Fighter Broyles, 31st Operations
Wing 555th ‘Triple Nickel’ Group international
and 510th ‘Buzzards’ coordination director
Fighter Squadron F-16s and F-16 evaluator pilot.
in counter-air training, “Mission success is reliant
supported by two KC-135 not only on our partner’s
Stratotankers from the infrastructure, but
100th Air Refuelling Wing strengthening our vision, Two USAF 31st Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons
and two Italian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs assigned
at RAF Mildenhall. Six tactical integration and to 32 Stormo returning from an agile combat
Italian Eurofighters also building relationships in employment exercise at Amendola Air Base in Italy
took part. exercises such as these.” US Air Force/Snr Airman Ericka A Woolever
France replaces 12 Rafales off to Greece

France’s Ministry of used by the l'Armée operational capability of l'Espace to continue the
In Brief
The French Navy is to
Defense is procuring 12 de l'Air et de l'Espace this was declared by the Rafale build-up while operate an electrically-
Dassault Rafale fighters to since 2006, and a single- French Navy on November awaiting the fifth tranche, powered, fixed-wing
replace the dozen l'Armée seater M marine version, 29, 2019. The French which is scheduled for Airbus unmanned aircraft
de l'Air et de l'Espace deployed by the French government has ordered delivery between 2027 and system called Aliaca for
examples sold to Greece’s navy from 2004, flying 192 Rafales and 152 have 2030,” said Eric Trappier, surveillance missions
Hellenic Air Force. from the nuclear-powered been delivered, with a mix chairman and CEO of from later this year.
There are three versions aircraft carrier Charles de of the three versions. Dassault, who signed the With a length of 2.2m, a
of the Rafale: the two- Gaulle. The latest version "This contract for 12 contract with Florence wingspan of 3.6m and
seat and single-seat of the Rafale is the F3-R new aircraft will enable Parly, French Minister of maximum take-off weight
variants that have been standard and the first l'Armée de l'Air et de the Armed Forces. of 16kg, the UAS can be
deployed in less than 15
minutes by two people.
France's Dassault
Aviation Atlantique 2
maritime patrol aircraft
are to be given improved
electronic warfare (EW)
capabilities with the ability
to detect and locate
enemy communications.
Thales and Airbus have
The French Ministry of Defense has ordered been awarded EW
12 Dassault Aviation Rafale fighters to system contracts for
replace the dozen examples sold to Greece’s
signals monitoring and
Hellenic Air Force Dassault Aviation/A Pecchi
direction finding.
Spartan Warrior improves kill chain

The United States
Air Force's 432nd Air
Expeditionary Wing's
Fourth and fifth Training Center (DTC) Lithuania. The United target, engage and 25th Attack Group (ATKG)
generation fighters, at Einsiedlerhof Air States Army’s 679th Air assess chain throughout began flying the first
surveillance and Station, Germany, can Defense Artillery Brigade the full range of mission USAF in Europe General
reconnaissance platforms encompass all phases and the United States Air sets,” said Michael Taylor, Atomics Aeronautical
and drones were all of major combat Force’s 2nd Air Support US Air Forces in Europe Systems MQ-9 Reaper
part of Spartan Warrior operations. Held from Operations Squadron, and Air Forces Africa sorties in Romania from
21-1, a virtual large force January 25-28, Spartan 50th Attack Squadron, Warfare Center exercise February 1. Until now, the
exercise held in late Warrior 21-1 involved the Air Command, and director. “DTC provides 25th ATKG specialised
January this year. United Kingdom, Royal its USAFE-AFAFRICA all documentation and in counter-terrorism
This semi-annual Netherland Air Force, Warfare Center also daily products that missions, and they are
training event NATO Airborne Warning participated. planners would expect now building capacity
organised by the US and Control System “DTC strives to simulate to see from an air in the United States
military’s Distributed aircraft and Latvia and the entire find, fix, track, operations center.” European Command area.

NEWS Europe
Set to dazzle the airshow scene, a Belgian Air

Component Leonardo Agusta A109BA, callsign
Razzle Blade, shows off its new scheme at
Beauvechain Belgian Air Component
Wolf’s head has the razzle dazzle

The Belgian Air serial H46 and answering Florennes on June 26 and events planned for this A statement from the
Component has revealed the callsign of Razzle 27 and at the Sanicole year, to mark the Belgian service said: “The Air
a startling new helicopter Blade, was painted at International Airshow in Air Component’s 75th Component thus wishes
colour scheme at Beauvechain Air Base Hechtel from September anniversary. The two to bring together youth
Beauvechain Air Base. and unveiled in January. 10 to 12. display pilots are Cmdr and defence through
A display team Leonardo Razzle Blade will fly at the The helicopter is also Jo Jacobs and Cmdr this young, modern and
Agusta A109BA, with the Belgian Air Force days in due to appear at various Stijn Soenens. attractive style.”
Dutch white-out Cancer threat

Unexpected snow fall led to this Boeing AH-64 Apache from Royal Netherlands Air Force
301 Squadron making a landing in white-out conditions in a nature reserve close to its
Gilze-Rijen base in February. Normally, Dutch helicopter crews have to go to Norway to
practise take-off and landings in snowy conditions Maikel de Vaan
grounds trainers
The carcinogenic chemical, chromium-6, also known as

hexavalent chromium, was detected during maintenance
work on 13 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s 131
Squadron Pilatus PC-7 turboprop training aircraft on
February 5. The aircraft, based at Woensdrecht, have been
grounded while further investigations take place
Dutch Ministry of Defense

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NEWS North America
RCAF Twin Otters brave Arctic

The Royal Canadian Air de Havilland Canada and landing utility aircraft while providing logistical where they need to
Force 440 Transport CC-138 Twin Otters, which can be outfitted support to the US forces. go,” said Lt Col Devlon
Squadron took part 440 Squadron moved with large ‘tundra tire’ “We’re happy to help Paquette, commanding
in ARCEX 21 near personnel and equipment wheels or skis for snow our colleagues in the officer, 440 Transport
Deadhorse, Alaska, that will be assisting the and ice landings. USN to undertake these Squadron. “It’s great
from February 13-21, United States Navy’s The ARCEX 21 exercise studies in the Arctic, training for our crews,
helping to create landing (USN) Arctic Undersea was an opportunity for showcasing the agility enabling us to safely take
zones for ski-planes in Laboratory study on 440 Squadron pilots and ruggedness of our off and land on sea ice to
temperatures of -30°C. arctic ice floes. The Twin to hone their ski-flying Twin Otters as we take support any mission we
Using two ski-equipped Otter is a short take-off capabilities in the Arctic, cargo and scientists might be called to do.”
Above: Two Royal Canadian Air Force 440 Transport Squadron de Havilland Canada CC-138 Twin Otters start their engines on a cold morning north of
Deadhorse, Alaska, during ARCEX 21. They were there to support the US Navy’s Arctic Undersea Laboratory Royal Canadian Air Force/Captain Frank Smyslo
F-35 to face Senate scrutiny

The F-35 Joint Strike testing completion and full Group teleconference on at the F-35 programme,” sustainment cost. We
Fighter programme will acceptance of the fifth- February 24. said Reed, who became want this in our pilots’
face scrutiny later this generation fighter by the In a General Accounting SASC chairman after the hands for unrestricted
year by the US Senate US Air Force were all cited Office (GAO) report US general election last use.” He added that if any
Armed Services Committee as being concerns by the published in May 2020, the November. “We can't just decisions were going to
(SASC), whose leader SASC chairman, Rhode GAO, a US Congressional sit back and wait much be made about reducing
is concerned about the Island senator, Jack Reed, agency, found that longer for operational procurement numbers, then
fifth-generation fighter’s of the Democratic Party. the F-35 had ongoing testing and full acceptance that would have to involve
progress. Sustainment The senator was speaking sustainment and reliability by the Air Force. We're both parties, Republican
costs, reliability, combat during a Defense Writers issues. “We need to look concerned about the and Democratic.
Red Hawk enters

The first Boeing portion production system, as
of the United States Air Saab is providing the aft
Force’s T-7A Red Hawk fuselage. In September
production
advanced trainer officially 2018, the USAF awarded
entered the company’s Boeing a $9.2bn contract
production line in February. for 351 Red Hawks and 46
The Red Hawk will training simulators.
become the Air Force’s “By creating aircraft and
advanced trainer. Named systems along a digital
the T-7A Red Hawk in thread, we can accelerate
September 2019 by the build times and increase
USAF, the T-X, as it was quality and affordability
previously known, made for our customers in a
its first flight in 2016. way that has never been
Boeing used 3D model- done before,” said Shelley
based definition, data Lavender, Boeing senior
management systems vice president of strike,
and digital engineering for surveillance and mobility.
the T-X, and claims that Chuck Dabundo, Boeing
this enabled it to go from vice president of T-7
concept to first flight in programmes, added: “The
36 months. It is the US digital process accounts
Above: The Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer, ordered by the United States Air Force, portion of the Red Hawk for a 75% increase in first-
has officially entered the Boeing production line. Saab is providing the aft fuselage Boeing which has entered Boeing’s time quality.”

Tankers, drones key to Islamic State war

A United States Marine Corps Boeing F/A-18 Hornet with
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 ‘Red Devils’
refuels from a Royal Canadian Air Force Airbus CC-150
Polaris tanker during a combat mission against Islamic State
in Iraq on July 19, 2015 Courtesy Photo by Op IMPACT
Tankers and unmanned assets ‘were at times Eurofighter Typhoons, The report concluded that, strike operations were
aircraft systems (UAS) overstretched’ and that Panavia Tornados, United while more-aggressive hamstrung because ISR
were ‘critical enablers’ commanders should modify States Navy Boeing F/A- air operations might have [intelligence, surveillance
and provided vital the allocation process for 18 Hornets and French slightly accelerated Islamic and reconnaissance]
capabilities in the war high-demand equipment to Dassault Aviation Mirage State’s defeat, they are assets, especially the
against Islamic State, an reduce inefficiencies and 2000s and Dassault unlikely to have shortened RPAs [UAS], which had
investigative report by the increase operational agility. Aviation Rafales. The US the campaign significantly. always been in high
RAND Corporation has The tankers were and French fighters flying Regarding UAS, demand, were even more
concluded. The report needed for a range of from their aircraft carriers in RAND said more were scarce once ground
also found that these aircraft including RAF the Persian Gulf. needed: “All the deep- operations in Iraq began.”
Italian carrier tested for F-35B ops In Brief

The 48th Fighter Wing
The Italian Navy’s flagship a safe flight operating has selected Valkyries
carrier, ITS Cavour, arrived envelope for the STOVL as the nickname for the
at Naval Station Norfolk, version of the Lightning II first USAF overseas-
Virginia, on February 13 family, allowing the multi- based Lockheed Martin
to conduct a series of sea role stealth fighter to F-35A Lightning II
trials with the Lockheed operate from the vessel. squadron, which will
Martin F-35B Lightning II Andrew Maack, chief be located at RAF
in the western Atlantic. test engineer and site Lakenheath in Suffolk
While deployed in the director with the F-35 starting later this year.
US, a team from the F-35 Pax River integrated test The United States
Joint Program Office will force, said: “Italy is a Air Force is studying the
conduct tests to certify critically-important partner Naval Air Warfare Center Air Test and Evaluation Squadron feasibilty of adapting the
the Cavour’s ability in the F-35 enterprise. test pilot Marine Corps Maj Dylan ‘Bilbo’ Nicholas, prepares Silent Arrow GD-2000
to operate the F-35B, We are excited to get for Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II tests onboard the cargo-carrying unmanned
Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour on January 27 Kyra Helwick
the short take-off and underway with the sailors aircraft system for
vertical landing (STOVL) of Cavour, and honoured Italian Navy’s strategic forward to a phenomenally deployment from a Bell
variant. These sea trials to contribute to the aircraft goal of it being ‘ready successful shipboard Boeing CV-22 Osprey
are designed to establish carrier achieving the for operations’. We look detachment.” cargo ramp or the side
door of a fixed-wing
More precision for Navy Hornets

aircraft. The work will
be carried out with the
US Air Force Research
The United States Navy onboard the Ford-class It was first tested with the glide slope control is Laboratory based in Ohio.
is widening the use of its aircraft carrier USS Gerald the Boeing F/A-18F Super smoother and deviation A next-generation
precision landing mode R Ford using the PLM. Hornet at sea in April 2015 is much smaller, making air combat training
(PLM) system for aircraft The PLM technology by Air Test and Evaluation for a much safer landing system, the Tactical
carriers, which provides a was developed under Squadron 23 pilots and the qualification,” said RADM Combat Training System
smoother glide slope for the maritime augmented Naval Air Warfare Center John Meier, commander Increment II (TCTS
pilots as they approach guidance with integrated Aircraft Division. of the US Naval Air Forces II), has been tested at
to land. controls for carrier “The pilots still have to fly Atlantic. “The improved NAS Patuxent River,
On February 8, Strike approach and recovery the landing pattern around wave-off characteristics Michigan, on aircraft
Fighter Squadron (VFA) precision enabling the ship and control the make PLM inherently safer including a Boeing F/A-
106 ‘Gladiators’ qualified technologies programme. line-up, but with PLM, for the aircraft carrier.” 18F Super Hornet.

NEWS North America
Vikings
swapping
Hornets for
Lightnings
The US Marine Corps
(USMC) All-Weather
Fighter Attack Squadron
(VMFA AW) 225 ‘Vikings’
officially transitioned to a
Lockheed Martin F-35B
Lightning II squadron on
January 29, after a year of
temporary deactivation.
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast’s (FRCSE) military
The Vikings also adopted
director of flight test, Cdr Adam Schantz, preparing the new designation as
to depart Jacksonville, Florida, on January 29. He was Marine Fighter Attack
returning the FRCSE depot’s first completed USAF Squadron (VMFA) 225.
Beechcraft T-6A Texan II aircraft, serial number 03-6201
‘AP’, to Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. The FRCSE
VMFA-225 will become
team spent five months conducting an aircraft condition the fifth Fleet Marine
inspection of the T-6 US Navy/Benjamin Hayes Force F-35B squadron
in the Corps and will join
VMFA-211 and VMFA-
T-6A Texan II in
structural integrity and 122 at Marine Corps Air
replaces or repairs areas Station Yuma in Arizona.
and components identified The USMC has prioritised
inspection first
by various specifications.’ the shift of legacy F/A-
Clint Batten, FRCSE’s 18D Hornet and AV-8B
production line lead, said: Harrier squadrons to the
“The trainer production F-35. The transition to the
line only accounts for F-35B is part of the Marine
The United States Beechcraft T-6A Texan The FRCSE completed approximately 60% Corps’ Force Design 2030.
Navy announced on II. Located at Naval Air its first ACI, strip and of the touch labour, “It’s an exciting day
February 11 that its Station, Jacksonville, paint process of a USAF- which highlights the for [VMFA-225],” said
Fleet Readiness Center Florida, the FRCSE operated Texan II during incredible collaboration commanding officer Lt
Southeast (FRCSE) received the T-6A the five months it was that happens across Col Alexander Goodno.
had completed the turboprop trainer aircraft housed at the Florida the facility, including “We will grow over the
first aircraft condition on August 26, 2020 and naval base. The US Navy processes, components, next 18 to 24 months
inspection (ACI) of returned it to the service explained that the ACI manufacturing and to a full, combat-ready-
a USAF-operated on January 29, 2021. ‘targets the airframe’s flight testing.” capable squadron.”
Laying the Bone to rest

Seventeen Boeing Bone’, the type achieved retired, serial number
B-1B Lancers are being initial operating capability 85-0066, left Ellsworth
retired from the USAF in 1986. The US officially AFB for storage at Davis-
fleet, leaving 45 active eliminated the B-1B's Monthan AFB on February
airframes out of the 62 nuclear role in 1994. Of the 17. Lancers are based at
currently in service, from 17 B-1B being retired, four Ellsworth and Dyess AFBs.
100 originally delivered. will remain in a reclaimable The B-1B will be replaced
With the nickname ‘The condition. The first to be by the Northrop Grumman
B-21 Raider from the
middle of this decade.
“Beginning to retire
legacy bombers, to make
way for the B-21 Raider,
is something we have
been working toward for
some time,” said Gen
Timothy Ray, commander
of Air Force Global Strike
Command. “Due to Above: Massachusetts’ Barnes Air National Guard Base 104th
Fighter Wing’s flagship Boeing F-15C Eagle, serial number
the wear and tear over 85-0125, has received new nose art. Two graphics, each
Above: A Boeing B-1B Lancer is prepared for divestiture at the past two decades, measuring about 1.8m by 1.2m, on both sides of the aircraft’s
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, on February 16. The nose, display the flag of the United States, but the designs are
planned retirement of 17 B-1B aircraft is expected to allow
maintaining these bombers
would cost tens of millions made up of hundreds of names of the members of the 104th
the fleet to remain effective as a long-range precision strike Fighter Wing. The aircraft is shown here in Barnes’
force US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Quentin Marx of dollars per aircraft.” main hangar on January 22 SSgt Hanna Smith

After almost 50 years of operations, the latest

version of Boeing’s F-15, the EX, flew at Mach 2 In brief
during its 90min first flight on February 2, taking
The US Defense
off with a Viking departure manoeuvre, going
straight up, rocket-like, from a St Louis Lambert Advanced Research
International Airport runway. The F-15 is built at Projects Agency
the Boeing plant at St Louis airport Boeing (DARPA) has contracted
three firms for the first
phase of the LongShot
programme, which
seeks to develop an air-
launched, unmanned
aircraft system capable
of firing air-to-air missiles.
DARPA revealed on
February 8 that it had
contracted General
Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Lockheed
Martin and Northrop
Grumman to conduct
preliminary design work.
The US Navy has

awarded Sikorsky
a $478.6m contract
modification, exercising
an option to buy five
more VH-92A presidential
transport helicopters
under a third low-rate
initial production (LRIP)
lot. The awarding of this
modification was made
by the US Department
of Defense (DoD) on
Portland prepares for F-15EX

February 5.
The USAF is
considering whether
The United States Air Eglin Air Force Base in Air Combat Command conversion officer. "We the replacement tanker
National Guard’s 142nd Florida. The 40th Flight and Boeing. They are want to convert as soon for the Boeing KC-46A
Wing at Portland Air Test Squadron at Eglin discussing what new as possible, so we're Pegasus and Boeing
National Guard Base, AFB will take possession structures and equipment a usable wing to the KC-135 Stratotanker
Oregon, has begun of F-15EX aircraft EX1, are needed. The F-15EX Air Force." Boeing said could be an unmanned
preparations to receive which flew for the first could also require training for pilots on the aircraft system. From this
the Boeing F-15EX from time on February 2. The additional personnel. F-15EX is minimal. The October, the USAF could
October 2024 with a 85th Test and Evaluation "The F-15EX is almost maintenance crews will be asking manufacturers
conversion team. Squadron will own F-15EX 90% compatible with receive on-site training for information on
The conversion team EX2. The Portland team the F-15C model," once the fighters arrive, potential alternatives to
is working with test and are in contact with the said F-15 pilot Lt Col but some may need to go conventional manned
evaluation squadrons at National Guard Bureau, Nathan Rice, the unit’s to another base. fuelling aircraft.
A Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

assigned to the USAF 64th Aggressor
Squadron flying over the Nevada Test
and Training Range on February 1
USAF/Airman First Class Zachary Rufus

NEWS North America
Marines fly everything USAF brings

home the
BACN
for Winter Fury
Winter Fury 21, a F/A-18 Hornets, Sikorsky as troop and equipment Shoemaker, an exercise
The United States Air
Force (USAF) has outlined
its plan to acquire six
Bombardier E-11A aircraft
large-scale, joint force CH-53E Super Stallions, transport, to prepare the planner with the over the next five years,
exercise, took place in Bell Boeing MV-22B Wing for future missions wing. “This will help to bolster its Battlefield
February, with all of the Ospreys and Lockheed and operations in us come up with our Airborne Communication
aircraft in the 3rd Marine Martin KC-130J Hercules maritime environments. tactics, techniques Node (BACN) fleet.
Air Wing (MAW) involved. aircraft were all involved. “For this Winter Fury and procedures when The service revealed
Lockheed Martin F-35B The exercise saw the 3rd exercise, 3rd MAW is it comes to real-world its intention on February
Lightning IIs, Bell AH-1Z MAW conduct day and refining our command tactical command and 5, confirming that it is
Vipers, Bell UH-1Y night flight operations and control processes,” control, and deployment seeking to procure an
Venoms, Boeing with the F-35B, as well explained Capt Sarah of our aircraft.” additional six E-11As
by the end of 2026. The
announcement comes
just weeks after the
USAF awarded Northrop
Grumman a $3.6bn
contract to continue to
support the operation
and sustainment of the
service’s BACN fleet.
The USAF has said that
the BACN programme
office team ‘has secured
additional funding for
the first aircraft, and
contract negotiations on
a purchase agreement are
currently in progress.’
It added that the contract
for the first E-11A is due
to be awarded by the end
US Marines Corps 3rd MAW Fighter Attack Squadron 211
‘Wake Island Avengers’ demonstrated missile shooting and of March, and that the
aerial refuelling in support of Exercise Winter Fury 21, off platform is scheduled to
the coast of Southern California on February 5 be delivered to the service
US Marine Corps/Cpl Leilani Cervantes
by June 30, 2021.
Jamaica to fly JetRanger X Brazilian KC-390

The Jamaican Defence
Force (JDF) is scheduled chills out
increase the JDF’s current
fleet of Bell helicopters to
acquired helicopters will
be configured to support
to receive six new Bell ten aircraft, which are used public safety operations The Brazilian Air Force new FAB freighter in
505 JetRanger X light to conduct search and in the country, while (FAB) and Embraer have a hostile environment
helicopters, after the rescue, medical evacuation, also being used to train conducted a series of with extremely low
manufacturer revealed that humanitarian assistance, international rotorcraft pilots extreme cold weather temperature conditions.’
it had signed a purchase disaster relief, national by the JDF’s Caribbean tests with the Embraer While the aircraft was
agreement with the nation security and training Military Aviation School. KC-390 Millennium in Fairbanks, it was
on February 8. operations. In Jamaican Commenting on the deal, tanker transport in exposed to the harsh
This acquisition will service, the six newly- Nicholas Peffer, managing Fairbanks, Alaska. climate of Alaska’s Arctic
director of Bell’s Latin The service revealed on frontier for a long period
Bell America division, said: February 12 that it had of time. Temperatures
“Bell and [the] JDF share sent one of its KC-390 dropped to -37.8°C. ‘After
a rich history of more aircraft to undergo the the requested exposure
than 55 years, and we are extreme trials in Alaska, time, operational checks
committed to delivering supported by crews from of the aircraft were
the most advanced and the 1st Troop Transport conducted to verify the
economically-viable aircraft Group ‘Zeus’. correct functionality of
on the market.” It explained that the several systems, such
This relationship was mission, dubbed Cold as avionics, electrics,
inaugurated in 1963, when Soak, was designed to hydraulics, flight controls,
the Jamaican military ‘verify the integration fuel, engines, auxiliary
began to operate a pair of of all subsystems and power units and radar,’
Bell 47G light helicopters. the robustness of the the FAB said.

In brief
The US Air Force
Special Operations
Command’s Bell Boeing
CV-22 Ospreys are to
have their tiltrotor engine
nacelle’s improved by
the end of this year
under an $81m contract.
The nacelles house the
power and propulsion
units, giving the aircraft
its unique ability to fly
vertically and horizontally.
United States Air Force Global Strike Command bombers performed a flyover of Super Bowl LV at the Raymond James The United States
Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 7, 2021. The trifecta was the first of its kind, as it included a Boeing B-1B Lancer from Navy is investigating
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, a Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit from Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and a Boeing B-52H
Stratofortress from Minot AFB, North Dakota United States Air Force/Airman 1st Class Jacob B. Wrightsman possible replacements
for its Sikorsky MH-60
Bright debut for RCAF Aurora crew

Seahawk and Northrop
Grumman MQ-8 Fire
Scout, under its future
The airmen of a Royal intelligence, surveillance vertical lift maritime strike
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and reconnaissance, effort. An analysis of the
Lockheed CP-140 Aurora anti-submarine and anti- alternatives is necessary
were given the top- surface warfare, strike because potential
performing-crew award co-ordination and search adversaries may be in
following the RCAF’s first and rescue missions. a position to field better
participation in the United Hosted by the United platforms in the 2030s.
States Navy’s Exercise States Navy’s Seventh Fleet,
Sea Dragon 21. Exercise Sea Dragon 21 is a Liebherr-Aerospace
Operated by 407 Long multi-national anti-submarine “I am very proud of 1 Canadian Air Division. Lindenberg will be
Range Patrol Squadron, exercise in the Pacific region. our deployed members, “Training alongside our supplying Boeing’s
the CP-140 Aurora This training is critical to who demonstrated the allies and partners in the MQ-25A Stingray tailhook
is used for multiple ensuring the RCAF’s Aurora professionalism, agility Indo-Pacific region is actuator. The order, which
types of missions over crews remain ready and able and mission-ready focus critical to maintaining an also includes additional
both land and water. to conduct patrol missions to take the top prize,” effective and interoperable qualification tests, is the
The Aurora supports at home, and to operate with said Maj Gen Eric Kenny, RCAF Long Range Patrol first awarded to Liebherr
maritime and overland other nations. commander of the capability,” he added. by Boeing. The tailhook
is a device that enables
60th Air Mobility A C-17A Globemaster III awaits take-

off on January 28 from Travis AFB,
California, on a mission to transport
the aircraft to rapidly
decelerate for landings on
short runways, such as
Wing flies for

personal protective equipment to
Ramstein Air Base, Germany aircraft carriers.
USAF/Snr Airman Christian Conrad The MQ-25 will be the US
Navy’s first operational
COVID-19 carrier-based unmanned

aircraft system to refuel
the carrier air wing.
Lockheed Martin
F-16 Fighting Falcon
pilots, Boeing F-15E
Strike Eagle weapon
systems officers and an
Airborne Warning and
Control System (AWACS)
A C-17A Globemaster III to provide COVID-19 held 25,000 boxes and 500,000 test kits. air battle manager have
of the 60th Air Mobility support to the 86th packed with a total of 1m “The cargo entered the wargamed the use of
Wing, and 60th Aerial Medical Group at N-95 filtering facepiece defense transportation directed energy. The fast
Port Squadron (APS) Ramstein, at the request respirator masks. system on January jet crew and AWACS
personnel, delivered of the Air Force Medical During the current 28, with first arrival to manager were introduced
personal protective Readiness Agency. The pandemic, Travis AFB Ramstein on January to airborne laser weapon
equipment (PPE) to equipment was shipped has supported COVID- 30. The second mission systems and how they
Ramstein Air Base in out of Travis Air Force 19 relief with more than arrived on February 2, might be used for air
Germany at the end Base, California, in 750 worldwide sorties, with the bulk of the load,” defense and protect
of January. partnership with Joint carrying 3,000,000lbs said John Buchanan, missions for AWACS
More than 20 pallets Base Charleston, South of cargo, including more the 60th APS civilian platforms, tankers and
were loaded and sent Carolina. The pallets than 1,000 respirators operations officer. strategic bombers.

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096 Historic Specs FP.indd 49 26/02/2021 16:18:06

NEWS Rest of the World Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
F-15SG tail art

celebrates
a decade
This Republic of Singapore Air Force
(RSAF) 149 Squadron Boeing F-15SG,
serial number 8328, has had its tail adorned
with special commemorative art to celebrate
ten years of RSAF F-15SG operations. This decorated
F-15SG was flown on February 2 at sunset from Paya Lebar
Air Base, Singapore. It was in November 2008 that the first RSAF
F-15SG was rolled out of the Boeing factory in St Louis, Missouri. The initial
deliveries were to the United States Air Force Mountain Home Air Force Base in
Idaho in May 2009. The USAF’s 428th Fighter Squadron, which is based at Mountain Home,
provides F-15SG training for the RSAF. The first five F-15SG examples to arrive in Singapore
landed at Paya Lebar on April 5, 2010. The first operational F-15SG squadron in Singapore
was the 149th. Singapore has a fleet of 40 F-15SG. Hans Jacobs
First RAAF F-35 to go into maintenance

Right: Royal Australian Air
Force Lockheed Martin
F-35A Lightning II, serial
number A35-006, sits outside
the BAE Systems Australia
(BAESA) maintenance depot
in January 2021, when it
was the first such aircraft
to be inducted into the
maintenance hangar near
RAAF Base Williamtown,
New South Wales.
The BAESA facility near
the NSW airbase will host
F-35A aircraft for the life of
the capability, after being
assigned maintenance,
repair, overhaul and upgrade
responsibility for the
Southeast Asia region by the
F-35 Joint Program Office.
Commonwealth of Australia/
CPL Craig Barrett
Albatros at home F-16 training

centre for Jordan
in Uzbekistan
UZBEKISTAN Aero Uzbekistan had Jan Štechr, VP of
JORDAN The US State
Department has approved
Jordan’s request for an
it can be completed.
The DSCA said the
Jordanian government has
Vodochody has contracted Aero military programmes at in-country Lockheed Martin “requested an F-16 [ACTC]
re-delivered the sixth Vodochody to conduct Aero Vodochody, said: F-16 Fighting Falcon air and devices including
refurbished L-39C a general overhaul of its “Uzbekistan is the first of combat training centre full mission trainers,
Albatros jet trainer to L-39C fleet, a process a number of customers (ACTC) and the sale of combat tactics trainers
the Uzbek Air Force, in which the Czech who have decided to related equipment with an [and] instructor/operator
completing an overhaul company was assisted overhaul and modernise estimated cost of $60m. stations.” The deal includes
contract that was signed by its long-term partner, their fleet of L-39s Approval was announced brief/debrief stations,
back in September 2018. Omnipol. The company at Aero Vodochody, by the US Defense Security tactical environment
The Czech manufacturer states that all six aircraft which, as the original Cooperation Agency simulators, scenario
handed over the final arrived “under strict manufacturer, is the (DSCA) on February 11, generation stations,
aircraft, serial 3840 ’14 secrecy” at its facility only one in the world after it had notified US database generation
Blue’, to the Uzbek Air in Vodochody, Czech authorised for this type Congress, which has to stations and mission
Force on February 7. Republic, in 2019. of overhaul.” approve the sale before observation centres.

NEWS Rest of the World
Lancer makes Indian landing first INDIA A United States Along with the B-1B, 40
Air Force Boeing B-1B USAF airmen deployed
Lancer arrived in India to Yelahanka. A bomber
at Yelahanka Air Force task force, such as this,
Station in February, the allows for the US and
first time a US bomber has partner nations to conduct
landed in the Republic interoperability operations
of India. in a joint environment.
The B-1B from Ellsworth "Today's [February 3]
Air Force Base, South initial meetings set the
Dakota, arrived to stage for growing our
participate in the Indian partnership with the
government-sponsored government of India and
Aero India 2021 air show our two air forces," said
held at Yelahanka from Eighth Air Force and joint-
February 3-5. The last global strike operations
time a US bomber was on centre commander, Maj
Indian soil was October Gen Mark Weatherington.
1945, when India was part "I look forward to
A United States Air Force Boeing B-1B Lancer flies
of the British Empire. This increased co-operation
with two Indian Air Force Hindustan Aeronautics
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft fighters on February 3 year’s B-1B flying display and engagements, as we
at the Aero India 2021 air show held in Bangalore in saw it fly alongside Indian both pursue a free and
southern India Daman Sekhon Air Force Tejas fighters. open Indo-Pacific."
Right: Four Japan Ground
Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)
Bell Boeing V-22 Ospreys
arrived at Marine Corps Air
Station (MCAS) Iwakuni in
Japan on February 14. This
was the second offload of
future JGSDF Ospreys at
MCAS Iwakuni, whose deep
water port allows for aircraft
to arrive via ship. Once
offloaded, the rotorcraft
receive functional checks
before flying to their final
destination United States
Marine Corps/LCpl Triton Lai
China ramps up
combat pilot
training regime
CHINA The People's was inordinately long
Republic of China is and gradual and the
poised to produce many end results were pilots
more and better quality unprepared for combat.
pilots after major changes Now, the PLAAF has
to its training regime, solved most of these
according to the USAF's issues, the February
China Aerospace Studies 16 institute report
Institute (CASI). concludes.
Ten years ago, a report Written by CASI analyst
by the China Aerospace Derek Solen, the fighter
Studies Institute stated pilot training report
that China's People’s states: "In July 2017 the
Liberation Army Air PLAAF issued a policy
Force’s (PLAAF) fighter overhauling how flight
pilot training programme instructors are selected,
had three significant trained and maintained.
problems. “The policy requires
It lacked an advanced that flight instructors be Above: Capt Brianna Pauser of the United States Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron flies a
trainer aircraft, suitable selected primarily from Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules over Angaur, Palau, during Exercise Cope North 21.
for the PLAAF’s growing among those pilots who The trilateral field training exercise, involves the USAF, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the
fleet of fourth-generation have completed 'combat Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). About 95 aircraft participated in the exercise, which took
place at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, between February 3 and 19
fighters, the programme aircraft tactics training'." USAF photo/Senior Airman Duncan C Bevan

Hot refuel first for Doha In brief

India’s Centre for
Military Airworthiness and
Certification (CEMILAC)
has granted initial
operational clearance
(IOC) for the Indian Army’s
variant of the Hindustan
Aeronautics Light
Utility Helicopter (LUH).
CEMILAC issued the
IOC for the army variant
of the LUH on February
5 – during the third day
of the Aero India trade
show and exhibition, held
at Yelahanka Air Force
Station in Bengaluru.
The Israeli Air Force’s

Squadron 131, ‘Knights
Airmen with the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 379th Expeditionary of the Yellow Bird’, is
Logistics Readiness Squadron join forces to connect a fuel hose to a USAF Boeing KC-135 completing the conversion
Stratotanker at Doha Air Base, Qatar on January 21, 2021 to conduct a hot refueling
United States Air National Guard/SSgt Jordan Martin of some of its Lockheed
Martin C-130H Rhino fleet
QATAR The Qatar Emiri being refuelled with one certification from a cross- validating our tactics, to a new standard. The
Air Force and the United or more engines still functional team made up of techniques and enhanced Rhinos have
States Air Force 379th running. According to aircraft maintenance, flight procedures,” said Lt Col been given new avionics
Expeditionary Logistics the USAF, the procedure safety, emergency services Isaiah Oppelaar, 340th with multifunctional
Readiness Squadron improves mission reliability, and fuel technicians. The EARS commander. “The displays instead of dials.
have conducted their minimises time on the KC-135 being refuelled KC-135s utilise Doha as Eight Rhinos have been
first Boeing KC-135 ground and reduces an was flown by the 340th our first choice for weather undergoing the change
Stratotanker hot refuelling aircraft’s exposure to Expeditionary Air Refueling diversions, and now we since 2015. These are
at Doha Air Base, Qatar. threats during combat ops. Squadron (EARS). have proven the ability to aircraft which have been
The process involves an Doha airfield needed a site “The refuelling at Doha rapidly turn a tanker there in service since the 70s.
aircraft on the ground survey and hot refuelling was the next step in during combat.”
Refuelling boom goes digital

Hindustan Aeronautics
handed over three
Dhruv Advanced Light
Helicopters (ALH Mk
AUSTRALIA The Royal to reduce maintenance data system could allow “The system delivers III) to the Indian Navy
Australian Air Force (RAAF) costs and improve fleet customers to use the a significant capability during the Aero India
Airbus KC-30A multi-role availability by optimising analytics for aircraft-level benefit for the KC-30A 2021 air show held from
tanker transport (MRTT) fault diagnosis and system diagnostics. aircraft and demonstrates February 3-5. The ALH
fleet’s air refuelling boom troubleshooting ARBS The new system is a joint the strong commitment Mk III is powered by
system (ARBS) is to use tasks using data analytics. development between within the KC-30A the Shakti engine, has a
a digital maintenance A central data system Airbus, the Commonwealth enterprise to innovation digital cockpit, very high
service from the European allows operators to draw of Australia and the and improvement,” said and ultra-high frequency
aerospace firm. on information recorded Australian KC-30A, Gp Capt Scott Parry, radio communications, a
Based on Airbus’s by the aircraft’s mission through the life support officer commanding RAAF traffic alert and collision
SmartForce, this ARBS recording system. In provider Northrop heavy air lift systems avoidance system, and a
digital service is designed the future, this central Grumman Australia. programme office. 12.7mm gun system.
A Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules assigned

to the United States Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron
sits on the flight line at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during
morning fog on January 25, 2021, United States Air
Force/Yasuo Osakabe

E , tions
OM E! scrip
Y H AFt sub
TA Y Sll prin
S TAon a
S ry e
e liv
ed
Fre
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106 Airforces Monthly Subs DPS.indd 27 03/03/2021 09:25:36

Intel
Report
Loyal
Australia’s ‘Loyal
Wingman’ technology
advances, and its
prototype’s first flight
ally
has now taken place,
reports Rob Coppinger
A
ustralia has become only The United States first flew its examining numbers required, The pandemic has had an
the second nation, after the Skyborg program UAS in March how they would best be placed in impact on the programme, but
US, to fly a drone designed 2019 and again in December terms of squadrons and locations, despite this, on December 21,
specifically to work co-operatively 2020 alongside piloted aircraft. and how they may influence 2020 Boeing and the RAAF
with other aircraft. The Loyal “The Loyal Wingman’s first flight future tactics.” announced the completion of the
Wingman, a remotely piloted is a major step in this long-term, The interplay with piloted first ATS high-speed taxi test; that
aircraft system, has now made its significant project,” said RAAF aircraft is part of the RAAF’s initial demonstrator having been
maiden flight, Boeing announced head of air force capability, Air Loyal Wingman development rolled out on May 5 last year. The
on March 1. Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts. programme, the industrial first flight had been scheduled
Referred to as the Royal “The [RAAF] Loyal Wingman side of which is led by Boeing for early in 2021 and Boeing
Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Partnership…is enabling Australia. “Flight tests under confirmed that had been achieved
Loyal Wingman Partnership, or [Australia’s Department of] the Loyal Wingman contract with its March 1 announcement.
Program, the idea is to have an Defence to examine how the includes provisions for testing The government revealed last
unmanned aircraft system (UAS) interplay of piloted and remotely- with RAAF piloted aircraft,” said May that it had spent ‘up to
that would carry out a range of piloted air-team systems can Boeing airpower teaming system AUS$40m on the Boeing Loyal
missions with piloted platforms. contribute to the Joint Force program director, Shane Arnott. Wingman advanced development
Loyal Wingman, which will have across a number of roles,” said The programme is producing programme, alongside Boeing’s
a range of more than 3,700km, the Australian Department of three prototypes with the help largest investment in a new
is the first military aircraft to be Defence (DoD). “This includes of more than 35 Australian unmanned aircraft programme
designed and built in Australia in exploring how Loyal Wingman suppliers. Boeing refers to these outside the United States’.
more than 50 years, according to may support and operate with demonstrators as the airpower Australia’s Minister for Defence,
the country’s government. a range of Defence aircraft, and teaming system (ATS). Linda Reynolds, said: “The

The Boeing Australia Airpower Teaming System being developed under the
Royal Australian Air Force’s Loyal Wingman Partnership programme is seen
here during its first flight which took place at Woomera Range Complex,
South Australia, on February 27, 2021
test bed for understanding how a Government and Boeing will

capability like this could support produce a concept demonstrator
its missions.” called the Loyal Wingman –
That range of missions will Advanced Development Program
be enabled by a modular Loyal that will provide key learnings
Wingman design that allows for toward the production of the
various types of payloads. Boeing Airpower Teaming
The DoD said: “The Loyal System”. Boeing also said that
Wingman system is designed to ATS was “its largest investment in
be flexible with its reconfigurable a new unmanned aircraft program
nose, allowing us to test different outside the United States”. The
sensors, software and advanced announcement revealed that the
payloads to keep pace with rapid first flight was planned for 2020
technological change. This is a but it took place this year.
key advantage of this design.” On February 10, 2020, Boeing
Boeing has announced its said that major fuselage structural
payloads will be for intelligence, assembly for the first Loyal
surveillance and reconnaissance Wingman had been completed.
(ISR) missions and electronic The fuselage uses ‘advanced
warfare. Arnott said: “The aircraft composite materials’.
is a modular design with enough Meanwhile, senior US Air Force
payload capacity to perform a personnel have been promoting the
range of missions, and it can be advantages of ‘digital engineering’
rapidly fuelled and reconfigured.” – a virtual development – designing
Boeing would not be drawn on and testing an aircraft’s parts
whether the payloads were entirely and its whole, using computer
Australian or also involved existing software. Last year, Boeing said it
US-originated packages, but had applied digital engineering to
Arnott said: “We have a number of Loyal Wingman, announcing
Above: Boeing Australia built
the first of three Loyal Wingman
payloads under development with power-on and ‘weight on
aircraft, which will serve as multiple suppliers and partners.” wheels’ for the first of the three
the foundation for the Boeing The Loyal Wingman Partnership demonstrators shortly after.
Airpower Teaming System being unveiled a model of its 38ft-long Weight on wheels is when
developed for a worldwide market.
These aircraft are designed to
(11.7m) Boeing Airpower Teaming the fuselage structure moves
fly alongside existing platforms System at the 2019 Australian from the assembly jig to the
and use artificial intelligence International Airshow. At the event, aircraft’s own undercarriage, for
to conduct manned-unmanned Australia and Boeing announced installing sub-systems and for
teaming missions Boeing
on February 27 that “the Australian their functional testing. The 35
programme will examine how
autonomous unmanned aircraft
can support existing manned
aircraft, such as our [Lockheed
Martin F-35] Joint Strike Fighters,
[Boeing F/A-18] Super Hornets
and [Boeing E/A-18] Growlers.”
The Australian DoD intends to
use the programme to better
understand how UAS can be
used as a force-multiplier, helping
to project power forward, while
keeping piloted platforms out of
harm’s way. The flight testing may
involve simulated missions, such
as attacking a ground target or
undertaking electronic warfare The Royal Australian Air Force’s
actions, but Arnott said: “We Loyal Wingman Partnership
are not disclosing details on any programme prototype, the Boeing
future simulated flight tests at Air Power Teaming System, flies
for the first time above Woomera
this time,” adding: “The RAAF Range Complex, South Australia
will use the initial prototypes as a Commonwealth of Australia 2021

Intel
Report
Australian contributing suppliers propel the first Loyal Wingman happy with the ground test data From autonomy algorithms to
included BAE Systems (flight demonstrator in September last we have collected to date,” the digitally-engineered fuselage,
control computers and navigation year. “We’ve been able to select adding that they were working Boeing has also taken the virtual
equipment), RUAG Australia a very light, off-the-shelf jet with the RAAF Air Warfare Centre development into flight test.
(undercarriage system), with Ferra engine for the unmanned system on final testing, in preparation “We have a live digital copy of the
Engineering producing precision as a result of the advanced for the first flight on February entire aircraft design that we’ve
machined components and sub- manufacturing technologies applied 27, 2021. The low-, medium- been able to ‘fly’ thousands of
assemblies, and AME Systems to the aircraft,” said Arnott. and high-speed taxi testing was times under different scenarios to
supplying wiring looms. Final A month later, Boeing announced completed at ‘a remote test test aircraft performance and the
assembly for the Loyal Wingman that the demonstrator had moved location in Australia’. mission system,” said Arnott. He
will be based in the Australian under its own power for the Boeing and the RAAF resumed added that Boeing is “applying its
state of Queensland, where first time, reaching a maximum final taxi tests, along with experience [from Loyal Wingman]
Boeing already has 1,700 staff. speed of 14kts. The aircraft also preparations for that first flight to the US Air Force’s Skyborg
RAAF director-general of air manoeuvred and stopped on to take place in the first quarter programme. We are engaged
combat capability, Air Commodore command. “The low-speed taxi when the range reopened. and ready to support the US Air
Darren Goldie, said: “The enabled us to verify the function The programme has a wider Force with a variant of the Boeing
partnership with Boeing is key to and integration of the aircraft significance for the DoD. Airpower Teaming System.”
building our understanding of not systems, including steering, “The knowledge obtained from The RAAF Loyal Wingman
just the operational implications braking and engine controls, with the programme will help Defence Partnership has finite goals
for these sorts of vehicles, but the aircraft in motion,” said Boeing make more informed decisions of constructing the three ATS
also making us a smart customer Australia flight test manager, Paul about acquiring such systems demonstrators and flying them
as we consider options for Ryder. Roberts, said: “Seeing and how we may need to adapt through a variety of tests, in
manned-unmanned teaming in the the prototype take to the runway our operating concepts to best order to prove the hardware and
coming decade.” for this low-speed taxi test is utilise such capabilities,” the artificial-intelligence software.
On May 5, Boeing said the first an exciting moment – another DoD said. Those operating Boeing and the DoD will not be
unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft significant development milestone concepts and how they adapt drawn further. Arnott said: “[We
had been presented to the RAAF. ahead of its first flight.” to the capabilities, will depend are] in on-going discussions with
That prototype then moved into Commenting on the first high- largely on the intelligence of the the RAAF, with regards to the
ground testing, followed by the speed taxi at the end of last year, Loyal Wingman. Arnott said: possibility and objectives of future
powering up of the commercial Ryder said: “Our test programme “Central to our development follow-on phases.”
turbofan engine being used to is progressing well and we are effort is getting the ‘right’ level Boeing does see a potential
of autonomy. Boeing has been future global market for the loyal
testing this technology – both in wingman type of capability.
the lab and in the field – on safe “Defence forces around the world
and trusted artificial intelligence are facing a similar challenge –
and autonomous behaviours.” the need to increase force mass
For these tests, in 2019, Boeing to match or over-match future
Australia fielded a team of threats, but to do so affordably
15 testbed aircraft to refine with less risk to crewed systems.”
autonomy algorithms, data fusion, Arnott concluded that any Loyal
object-detection systems and Wingman/ATS exports will have
collision-avoidance behaviours. to be managed in accordance
The following year, autonomous with Australian Defence Export
teamed flights using high- Controls. AFM
performance jets served as test
beds for the Australian-developed
Loyal Wingman mission systems LOYAL
technology. Arnott said: “As with
Boeing Australia
the desired payloads’ sensors, WINGMAN
we will work with our customers
completed the major fuselage
structural assembly for its first Loyal Wingman
unmanned aircraft. It is one of three prototypes that will
to best understand the level of WORLD
autonomy needed to complete Loyal wingman type unmanned aircraft
be developed and tested in Australia for what Boeing calls
the missions.” systems (UAS) are being developed.
its Air Power Teaming System Boeing
Past projects have been technology
demonstrators that have not yet led to a
specific loyal wingman-like platform.
SKYBORG
The United States Air Force’s (USAF)
Skyborg programme is about bringing
artificial intelligence (AI) to drone
hardware, but the project’s name has
become synonymous with an actual
loyal wingman-type aircraft. The
Skyborg AI will be tested with the Kratos
XQ-58A Valkyrie. It made its first flight at
Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) completed the first test flight of the Loyal Wingman Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona on March
uncrewed aircraft, Boeing announced March 1. Pictured here taking off, the aircraft flew under the supervision of a 5, 2019, for 76min. In 2020, it flew with
Boeing test pilot who monitored the flight from a ground control station at the Woomera Range Complex in South a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and a
Australia Boeing

Boeing Australia completed the
engine run on its first Loyal Wingman
unmanned aircraft prototype in
September last year, as part of its
ground testing and preparations for
the maiden flight Boeing
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in a Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is first flew in 2012. nEUROn is a technology is the only unmanned aircraft system
data-sharing test flight. referred to as a Remote Carrier by FCAS development test bed supported by the to have conducted aircraft carrier
contractor, Airbus. It would co-operate French, Italian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek catapult-assisted take-offs, arrested
with the piloted FCAS fighter, known as and Swiss governments. Early in 2020, landings, touch and goes off an aircraft
RAF PROJECT MOSQUITO
the Next Generation Weapon System. it flew with French Air and Space Force carrier and, in 2015, air-to-air refuelling.
The Royal Air Force’s Project Mosquito
Airbus has also proposed launching Dassault Aviation Rafales, for technology It was developed under the US Navy’s
lightweight affordable novel combat
Remote Carriers from the Airbus A400M. testing under the FCAS programme. Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier
aircraft (LANCA) should fly for the first
Demonstration programme.
time by the end of 2023. The LANCA
unmanned aircraft system would fly SUKHOI S-70 OKHOTNIK-B MQ-NEXT
alongside fighters, armed with missiles Less of a loyal wingman and more The replacement for the USAF’s General BOEING JOINT UNMANNED
and surveillance and electronic warfare an unmanned combat air vehicle, the Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B COMBAT AIR SYSTEM
technology. Entry into service is predicted Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, ‘Hunter,’ is Reaper is referred to in a Congressional (J-UCAS) X-45
to be the end of the decade. It would being developed by Russia’s United budget bill as the MQ-NEXT. It has not The Defense Advanced Research
be deployed alongside the Eurofighter Aircraft Corporation. It is being designed been stated yet that it could become a Project Agency and USAF chose Boeing
Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 to conduct missions with or without loyal-wingman candidate. In concept to build two X-45A air vehicles and a
Lightning II. partnering with a piloted platform. images, Northrop Grumman’s MQ-NEXT mission control station for the J-UCAS
The LANCA UAS missions will be ground The Hunter’s first flight-test campaign design looks a lot like its X-47B aircraft, Advanced Technology Demonstration
attack and air superiority, shooting down started in August 2019. developed for the US Navy. programme. The X-45A first flew in
enemy aircraft. 2002, with the flight testing completed
nEUROn X-47B UNMANNED COMBAT by 2005. It demonstrated capabilities
FCAS REMOTE CARRIERS A European unmanned combat air AIR SYSTEM such as a precision weapon drop. A
The loyal wingman type of drone vehicle, the nEUROn progamme was No longer in development, the United larger design, the X-45C, later became
proposed for the Franco-German-Spanish launched in 2005 and a demonstrator States Navy, Northrop Grumman X-47B Boeing’s Phantom Ray demonstrator.

Desert Storm: 30 years on
I
n order to execute the ‘shock and awe’ F-14 Tomcat victories, two kills notched up by
strategy of General ‘Stormin’ Norman US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornets,
Schwarzkopf, Commander of United States two credited to a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15
Central Command (CENTCOM), the allied pilot, one to a McDonnell Douglas F-15E
Coalition amassed against the forces of Iraq Strike Eagle crew and one to a USAF Fairchild
needed to win air dominance. This required Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot.
the neutralisation of Iraq’s radar-guided SAMs, At times, Desert Storm seemed like a turkey-
as well as the blinding, paralysis and eventual shoot – an environment in which the USAF’s
complete destruction of Iraq's integrated air F-15 Eagle drivers were doing something
defence system (called Kari) and C2 system for closely akin to shooting fish in a barrel.
closed, high-speed communications. Having Certainly, the superiority of allied pilots has
dealt with Iraq’s ground-based air defences, been widely hyped, for example in Lieutenant
the coalition then had to neutralise its air-to-air Colonel Aldon E Purdham Jr’s Air University
capability. General Chuck Horner, Commander paper, America’s First Air Battles: Lessons
of US Central Command Air Forces, sought to Learned or Lessons Lost? Purdham wrote:
achieve this objective by defeating Iraqi pilots in “Coalition aircrews shot down 14 Iraqi aircraft
the air while also destroying their airfields. The between January 17 and 19, 1991. These Above: The first kill of the Gulf War was claimed
by then-Captain Jon ‘JB’ Kelk. He subsequently
aim was to so demoralise the enemy’s pilots results almost single-handedly grounded the became the first ever pilot to log more than
that they would be unwilling take off at all. Iraqi Air Force for the remainder of the war. 4,000 hours in F-15 model aircraft and retired in
The allies claimed some 38 ‘kills’ of Iraqi The overwhelming advantage of USAF pilot 2009 with more than 4,160 flying hours. His final
aircraft during Desert Storm. Most of these were proficiency over that of Iraqi pilots contributed assignment was with the 110th Fighter Squadron
‘Lindbergh’s Own’, part of the 131st Fighter Wing,
Shock t
scored by USAF McDonnell Douglas F-15C to the Coalition’s air-to-air success during the Missouri Air National Guard, Lambert-Saint Louis
pilots, but the tally also included two Grumman first three days of the war.” Airport USAF/Master Sergeant Mary-Dale Amison
In the first of a two-part examination of the Gulf War air campaign, Jon Lake describes the overwhelmingly
successful ‘shock and awe’ operations to expel occupying Iraqi forces from Kuwait

tactics
Above: Three F-15 Eagles fire a salvo of AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missiles during a 2006 exercise. USAF tactics developed for Desert
Storm saw all aircraft in a formation acting as ‘shooters’, rather than the lead pair shooting while wingmen kept their tails clear USAF/Tech Sgt Shane A Cuomo

However, this is a gross over-simplification Above: Lt Cdr Mark Fox was the first US Navy
pilot to shoot down an Iraqi MiG during Operation
of the events surrounding Desert Storm. The
Desert Storm. An F/A-18 Hornet pilot with VFA-81
Coalition did not have it all its own way, with ‘Sunliners’, he is shown here describing his
the air war not nearly as one-sided as some mission to members of the flight deck crew aboard
commentators have led the world to believe. the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) soon
after landing US Navy/ PH2 Bruce Davis
Although some Iraqi pilots were little more
Left: Rhory ‘Hoser’ Draeger scored two kills during
than sitting ducks, others were much more Operation Desert Storm, making him one of the
capable and competent. There were a number most successful of the 58th TFS pilots. He was
of inconclusive engagements, where Iraqi pilots actually the 59th TFS weapons officer and was
only temporarily attached to the 58th TFS for the
escaped to fly and fight another day, and other
duration of the mission in Iraq USAF
incidents during which USAF fighters were Below: Captain Charles ‘Sly’ Magill, a USMC
themselves lucky to escape unscathed. exchange officer with the 58th Tactical Fighter
On occasion, the Iraqis employed decent Squadron, 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional),
became the only USMC pilot to claim a kill in
tactics and were occasionally able to overcome
Desert Storm and, so far, the only Marine to score
the massive disparity in numbers and the air an air-to-air victory since the Vietnam War. Magill
power infrastructure of Airborne Warning And led his flight of eight F-15s on the second day of
Control System (AWACS), Boeing RC-135W the war, taking down two MiG-29s USAF
Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft,
Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD)
platforms and so on, that all combined
to facilitate US air dominance. They also
withstood the almost total loss of their own
C4I (command, control, communications,
computers and Intelligence) infrastructure, as
well as the devastating bombing attacks made
against their own bases.
Iraqi pilots are believed to have shot
down an F/A-18C Hornet, to have scored a
manoeuvre kill against a General Dynamics–
Grumman EF-111 Raven and perhaps to have
damaged a General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
interdictor and tactical attack aircraft, a Boeing
B-52 Stratofortress B-52G and an F-15C.
An RAF Tornado was also claimed, although
this does not tally with the known Tornado
loss dates. Iraq’s SAMs, anti-aircraft artillery
(AAA) and even small arms fire inflicted further
losses, resulting in aircrew casualties and
prisoners of war.

Major air-to-air engagements and kills
The AIM-7M Sparrow missile was responsible for the majority of kills during Operation Desert Storm, despite numerous problems and with many missiles
failing to launch. Some of them hung on the rail, while others suffered from motor failures USAF
Jan
nuary 17, 1991 66-0016 of the 390th ECS/366th TFW), flown
by pilot Captain James A ‘JD’ Denton and
One MiG-29 shot down electronic warfare officer (EWO) Captain
Captain John ‘JB’ Kelk of the USAF’s 58th Brent ‘Brandini’ Brandon, and that the Mirage
Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS)/33rd Tactical was actually suckered into the ground by
Fighter Wing (TFW), the ‘Gorillas’, was the EF-111 crew, who were awarded the
credited with the first aerial kill of the war, Distinguished Flying Cross. This unofficial
downing an Iraqi MiG-29 Fulcrum with an kill was the only aerial victory over another
AIM-7 Sparrow in the early hours of January aircraft achieved by a member of the F-111/
17, 1991, about 70 miles north of the Saudi FB-111/EF-111 family.
border. Using the callsign ‘Pennzoil 63’, Kelk Graeter had no recollection of any EF-111A
was flying F-15C 85-0119. Iraqi sources insist being in the area at the time and rejected the
that only two MiG-29s were lost on January suggestion that the Aardvark crew had scored
17, and Kelk’s victim may actually have been a a manoeuvre kill.
MiG-23ML of 73 Squadron (see below). Iraqi sources maintain that no Mirage F1
The 58th TFS ‘Gorillas’ was a heavily- flew into the ground and that this was an
augmented ‘super squadron’, equipped with ‘insincere claim’. Two No 79 Squadron Mirage
the most advanced version of the F-15C, F1EQs took off from Sa'ad Air Base and the
which deployed from Eglin Air Force Base to flight lead aborted shortly after take-off, but
King Faisal Air Base at Tabuk in the northwest the No 2 aircraft, flown by Capt al-Jabouri,
corner of Saudi Arabia in late August. continued alone and was vectored to
intercept a target northwest of his home base.
One Mirage F1 shot down He fired a single Super 530 and, after a big
Captain Rob ‘Cheese’ Graeter, also from the explosion, assumed that he had hit his target
58th TFS, using callsign ‘Citgo 61’ and flying and returned to base. Jabouri was credited
F-15C 85-0105, claimed two Dassault Mirage with a 'probable’ kill. Iraqi sources suggested
F1EQs as his formation neared Mudaysis Air that the EF-111 crew had misinterpreted the
Base, which housed an alert deployment of Super 530 hitting the ground behind them
Mirage F1s. He downed the first aircraft using for a Mirage flying into the ground. Other
an AIM-7M. sources suggest that Graeter had shot down
two MiG-29s, two of which were downed after
One Mirage F1 downed launching from Talha that day, not two F1s.
The second F1 reportedly went into a hard
right turn to the west to get away, suffered One Mirage F1 shot down
A 58th Tactical Fighter Wing
spatial disorientation and flew into the ground. Captain Steve ‘Tater’ Tate, an F-15 pilot with
pilot checks his survival vest
The kill was credited to Graeter. the 71st TFS/1st TFW from Langley Air Force as he stands beside his F-15C
Some sources suggest that this aircraft Base, downed a Mirage F1EQ with an AIM- Eagle aircraft prior to deploying
was pursued by Graeter, while it was itself 7M on January 17, 1991, flying as ‘Quaker 11’ to the Middle East in support of
Operation Desert Shield USAF
pursuing an EF-111A Raven (‘Spark Vark’ in F-15C 83-0017. Tate was briefly believed

Air-to-air refuelling was an integral part of air

defence operations in Desert Storm. Here, an
F-15C Eagle from 1st TFW ‘Maloney’s Pony’,
refuels from a KC-10A Extender while
supporting the subsequent ceasefire USAF
to have shot down the first enemy achieved three air-to-air victories Air Base (Al Asad) to intercept an approaching
aircraft in the war, but a review during the Iran-Iraq war, downing US Navy ‘Alpha Strike’ (targeted against
of the records revealed that one F-14 and two F-4s. Tammuz Air Base). After an inconclusive
Kelk and Graeter’s victories had The 71st TFS was one of two 1st TFW engagement with Cdr Michael T ‘Spock’
occurred about 45 minutes earlier. squadrons deployed from Langley AFB Anderson, CO of VFA-81 ‘Sunliners’, Dawoud
The pilot may have been Major to Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The locked his radar onto Lt Cdr Scott ‘Spike’
Sabah Mutlaq, commander of 89 squadron arrived at Dhahran on August 7 and Speicher in his VFA-81 F/A-18C Hornet (BuNo
Squadron – alternatively, according was followed the next day by the 27th TFS. 163484 ‘AA-403’). From a range of 29 km (15½
to some sources, Lt Colonel Sabah miles), Dawoud fired the R-40RD missile from
al-Dulaimi, CO of 79 Squadron – One US Navy F/A-18C under his MiG-25’s right wing and downed
whose two-seat Mirage F1BQ was shot down the Hornet. Speicher may have ejected but,
shot down after taking off from Abu At about 0330 on January 17, Lt Zuhair if so, died soon afterwards from his injuries,
Ubaidah Air Base, the pilot ejecting Dawoud was scrambled in his No 96 Squadron becoming the first American combat casualty
safely. Major Sabah had himself MiG-25PDS (possibly 25211) from Qadessiya of the war. His remains were buried by a group
After Desert Storm, the USAF F-15 force participated in combat operations over the Balkans. Just
over two years later, this F-15C from the Bitburg-based 53rd Fighter Squadron, was flying missions
over Bosnia to enforce the No-Fly Zone. Captain John T Doneski used this aircraft, 84-0014, to down
an Iraqi Sukhoi Su-22M with an AIM-9M Sidewinder on March 20, 1991 USAF/Sgt Janel Schroeder

Thanks to its combination of superb high alpha agility, powerful pulse Doppler radar and superb MMI, the F/A-18C Hornet was one of the most capable
fighter jets in the Coalition. Nevertheless, during Operation Desert Storm it was largely limited to air-to-ground and SEAD missions. In the photograph
above, a flight of VFA-81 Hornets refuels from a USAF KC-135 USAF/Tech Sgt Donald McMichael
An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Strike-Fighter

Squadron 81 (VFA-81) armed with bombs and
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during Operation
Desert Storm. Aircraft 163477 was the second
VFA-81 to receive the tactical number ‘AA-403’,
replacing the aircraft lost with Lt Cdr Speicher
USAF/Senior Airman Chris Putnam
A Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81)

F/A-18C Hornet seen during Operation
Desert Shield, flying from USS Saratoga
(CV-60). This aircraft, BuNo 163484, Modex 403, was shot
down by an Iraqi MiG-25PD on January 17, 1991, killing the
pilot, Lt Cdr Scott ‘Spike’ Speicher USAF/Staff Sgt F Lee Corkran
of Bedouin nomads and were not recovered to engage a flight of USAF F-15Es. One of the kills claimed by Draeger and Magill, since they
until August 2, 2009. MiG-29s crashed while flying at low altitude, were reported as having happened in the hours
but the other continued. Several F-15Es of darkness, not in daylight. Iraq claimed that
USAF B-52G and simultaneously tried to engage the lone MiG- only two MiG-29s were lost on the first night
F-111F damaged 29 and one fired an AIM-9 Sidewinder but of the war, casting doubt on Kelk’s earlier
At much the same time that Dawoud was failed to down it. One F-15E reportedly flew MiG-29 victory.
scrambled from Qadessiya, Captain Khudair past the MiG and manoeuvred to take a missile Two Iraqi MiG-29s, flown by Captain Ismail
Hijab took off from Tammuz in his 6 Squadron shot, but was unable to get a good tone with and his wingman Captain Helal of No 6
MiG-29. Hijab fired a long-range R-27R the Sidewinder missile and was unsure of his Squadron, were engaged by F-15s late in the
missile against a Boeing B-52G (58-0248), wingmens’ locations, so was unable to open morning, with Ismail’s aircraft being damaged.
and, moments later, launched an IR-homing fire. This may have been the incident involving Some Iraqi historians have suggested that
R-60MK against an F-111F. He was credited Captains Ismail and Helal of No.6 Squadron, these may have been the MiG-29s claimed by
with damaging both aircraft. The US Air Force who were based at Tammuz Air Base, but took Draeger and Magil over Tamuz Air Base.
suggested that the B-52G had been hit by a off from airfield No 37. Iraqi sources do acknowledge that Captain
friendly AGM-88 HARM missile. Hassan of 73 Squadron was shot down and
Two MiG-29s shot down killed shortly after taking off from Saad Air
Two USAF F-111Fs damaged Captain Rhory ‘Hoser’ Draeger (‘Xerex 73’) Base in his MIG-23ML. The 40 MiG-23MLs of
An Iraqi MiG-23ML, possibly flown by Captain – the 59th TFS weapons officer temporarily Nos 63, 73 and 93 Squadrons were based at
Hussam, perhaps from 39 Sqn, reportedly fired attached to the 58th TFS for Desert Storm – in al-Bakr Air Base, north of Baghdad, but with
an R-24T missile at an F-111F and damaged F-15C 85-0119 was one of the pilots on the detachments deployed to bases around the
it, although the fighter-bomber made it back first daylight mission by the 58th TFS ‘Gorillas’ nation’s periphery. This may have been the jet
to base. The same Iraqi interceptor damaged of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional). engaged by Kelk, or an Iraqi ‘blue-on-blue’.
another F-111 soon afterwards, though US The flight was led by US Marine Corps
sources said these aircraft were damaged by exchange officer Captain Charles ‘Sly’ Magill, Two F-7B or MiG-21bis
AAA and that the MiG-23 had actually targeted callsign ‘Xerex 71’, flying 85-0125. The pair Fishbeds shot down
a BQM-74 Chukar decoy. downed two MiG-29s south of al-Taqaddum, The Sunliners gained revenge for the loss of
perhaps those flown by Major Tariq Saeed and their comrade later on January 17. During the
MiG-29s and F-15Es Capt Emad Mohammed of 39 Squadron. The mid-afternoon, at around 1500, two of the
inconclusive engagement two MiGs were shot down soon after they took squadron’s pilots shot down a pair of Chengdu
There were a number of inconclusive off from Talha airfield, each falling victim to the F-7Bs, flown by First Lieutenant Abbas Khudair
engagements during the night of January 17. AIM-7M Sparrow. Both Iraqi pilots were killed. and First Lieutenant Laith of 47 Squadron,
In one of these, a pair of MiG-29s attempted These losses do not completely tie in with the soon after they took off from Al-Waleed third

Above: Three F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing sit in a revetment during Operation
Desert Shield. The 1st TFW deployed 48 aircraft of the 27th and 71st Tactical Fighter Squadrons to Saudi
Arabia on August 7, 1990 – they were the first American combat units to deploy. The Wing was based at
King Abdul Aziz Air Base at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia USAF
base (H1), 22km northwest of H3.
Lieutenant Commander Mark ‘MRT’
Fox, flying F/A-18C 163508 and using the
callsign ‘Quicksand 64’, had launched in
a formation of six VFA-81 aircraft, three of
which subsequently aborted. He and another
member of the formation, Lieutenant Nick
‘Mongo’ Mongillo, flying 163502 and using
the callsign ‘Quicksand 62’, engaged the
two Chengdus, Fox firing an AIM-9, rapidly
followed by an AIM-7 and Mongillo firing a
single Sparrow. Both F-7Bs were destroyed
and their Iraqi pilots were killed. These were
the final kills of the opening day of the war.
Some experts have suggested that the
enemy aircraft were Soviet-built MiG-21bis
fighters rather than Chinese-built F-7Bs, which
reportedly served mainly as advanced trainers
at Tikrit and at H-2.
Iraqi AF Air Defence units flew 66 ‘immediate
sorties’ (interceptor scrambles) on the first day
Above: Ground crewmen work on an F-15C Eagle aircraft at an air base during Operation Desert Shield
following a rare downpour of rain. The aircraft is carrying pairs of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles above the of the war, claiming one victory in SOC-West
external fuel tanks on its wing pylons and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles beneath its engine intakes USAF (the VFA-81 F/A-18C) and four ‘kills’ in SOC-
Below: A Royal Saudi Air Force Eagle pilot, Captain Ayedh Al Shamrani of the 13th Squadron at Dhahran, Centre (where no Coalition manned aircraft
shot down a pair of Mirage F1s on January 24, 1991 – the only non-US pilot to gain a kill during Operation were lost). Iraq admitted the loss of a MiG-
Desert Storm. The 13th Squadron was bolstered by aircraft and pilots from the 6th Squadron during the
operation, which deployed to Dhahran Air Base from Khamis Mushait USAF 23, two MiG-29s and two Mirages, while the

A 1st TFW F-15C Eagle aircraft and an F-15C of the 13th Squadron of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)
flying a joint combat patrol close to the Iraqi border during Operation Desert Storm. The RSAF operated
both independently and in concert with USAF F-15Cs and Royal Air Force Tornado F3s
USAF/Chief Master Sgt Don Sutherland
US claimed to have destroyed three MiG-29s, almost due west, ‘hiding’ in the AWACS pilot, First Lieutenant Hussein Abdul Sattar.
three Mirage F1s and two F-7Bs. ‘Doppler notch’. Tollini turned his four-ship Captain Rick ‘Kluso’ Tollini, callsign ‘Citgo
formation north to face the incoming MiG-25s, 21’, flying 85-0109, then shot down the lead
planning to engage the Foxbats at maximum MiG-25 as it re-entered the fight. His first
January 19 range (about 30 miles – twice what was AIM-7 failed, an AIM-9 then missed, before a
There was little flying by the Iraqi Air Force on then normal). The two MiG-25s then began second AIM-7 hit home. The pilot, Capt. Saad
January 18, as it struggled to repair runways a ‘notch’ manoeuvre, disappearing from the Nehme, ejected but was injured.
and communications, as well as to clear F-15Cs’ radar “at almost the exact moment Tollini later paid tribute to his adversaries:
unexploded bombs and bomblets from its ‘JB’ and I were about the fire our AIM-7s. “Based on our position of advantage, superior
airfields, but there were more engagements and The timing, whether by luck or design, was weapon systems and training, it was a bit of
more kills on January 19. perfect,” recalled Tollini later. a surprise that the Iraqi Foxbat pilots not only
The two radar targets reappeared as the survived to the merge, but also performed well
Two MiG-25s shot down F-15Cs closed to within 10 miles. The lead enough to prolong the engagement as long as
On the 19th, four MiG-29s of No 39 Sqn and MiG-25 bugged out at high speed and the they did. It taught me a valuable lesson never
a Mirage F1EQ scrambled from Qadessiya, Eagle pilots initially concentrated on the to underestimate your adversary. While it was
followed by two MiG-25s from No 97 Sqn’s wingman, who did his best to manoeuvre out not the case throughout most of the war, on
detachment at al-Wallid AB, in an effort to of harm’s way and who released a “very well- this day the Iraqi Air Force came out
intercept the US Navy’s midday ‘alpha strike’ timed stream of chaff, followed by flares, more to fight and it performed with both courage
against munitions plants and a rocket test chaff, more flares.” and determination.”
facility. The MiG-29s were locked up by two Captain Larry ‘Cherry’ Pitts, callsign ‘Citgo This engagement gives the lie to Colonel
formations of F-15Cs – ‘Citgo 21’, a four-ship 22’, flying F-15C 85-0101, fired an AIM-9 Purdham’s view that “the Iraqi pilots shot down
led by Capt Rick ‘Kluso’ Tollini, and ‘Citgo 25’, (decoyed by flares), then an AIM-7 which did during that time usually did not react to radar
a pair led by Capt Cesar ‘Rico’ Rodriguez. not fuse and got ready to fire another AIM-9, lock-ons by Coalition fighters and performed
The two MiG-25s, flown by Capt Sa’ad but flares prevented him from getting a good almost no effective manoeuvring.”
Nehme and Lt Hussein Abdul Sattar, initially tone. Cherry eventually had to fire another Because of the duration of the high-speed, low-
went undetected, because they were headed AIM-7, which destroyed the MiG-25, killing the altitude dogfight, Tollini and Pitts had to go to the
Above: Coalition air forces gave no quarter in their campaign against the Iraqi Air Force, destroying its
command and control infrastructure and ruthlessly hunting down its aircraft in the air and on the ground
USAF/Staff Sgt Dean Wagner Left: An Iraqi MiG-25 that was destroyed inside its hardened aircraft shelter
(HAS). Some 18 MiG-25s were bombed inside their shelters and two more were shot down. Seven of the
surviving 15 aircraft fled to Iran, leaving just eight behind USAF

tanker, having jettisoned their external fuel tanks.

Iraqi sources suggested that the MiG-25s
were unarmed Foxbat-Bs, which were trying to
drag the F-15Cs into a SAM trap. This seems
unlikely, as US pilots saw underwing missile
launch rails.
Two MiG-29s shot down

Craig ‘Mole’ Underhill (callsign ‘Citgo 26’, flying
85-0122) and Cesar ‘Rico’ Rodriguez (‘Citgo
25’, flying 85-0114) continued to chase the Above: This Iraqi MiG-29 was caught on the ground during a Coalition air strike. The Fulcrum failed to
Fulcrums, but lost the enemy fighters until the make much of an impression during Desert Storm USAF/SPEC Robert Elliott Below: The Su-22 fighter-
AWACS warned them that two MiG-29s had bomber played little part in the war, but many were destroyed or damaged in their shelters, and 44 fled
turned into them and were now just 13 miles to Iran. Three more were shot down as they attempted to make the flight to Iran. This aircraft was found
in a hangar at Tallil Air Base in Dhi Qar, damaged by Coalition air strikes USAF/Sgt Kimberly Yearyean
off their beam. Underhill fired an AIM-7 at the
wingman, scoring a head-on hit that killed the
enemy pilot. Iraqi sources deny this loss.
The MiG-29 lead, Captain Jameel Sayhood,
then locked his radar onto Rodriguez, forcing
the F-15 pilot onto the defensive. Rodriguez
descended to low altitude to take advantage of
the radar clutter to break the lock-on and fired
flares. However, after seeing his wingman shot
down, Sayhood disengaged to the north.
As the F-15s turned away, the MiG-29 then
reversed course and began to close head-on
with the F-15s. Underhill gained a radar lock-on,
but could not fire due to a problem with his IFF
interrogator. Sayhood and the F-15 formation
merged. Underhill kept Sayhood locked-on
and climbed, while Rodriguez and Sayhood
tried to get on one another’s tails. Rodriguez
outmanoeuvred the MiG and got a missile
lock. Sayhood attempted to disengage using of the 7440th Combat Wing (Provisional). The The pair flew south along the Iranian border
a split-S, but entered the manoeuvre too low, unit scored the first of six Desert Storm kills at an extremely low altitude – less than
ejecting before his aircraft hit the ground. The on January 19, when Captain Dave ‘Spyro’ 150 ft – at about 520kts to minimise the
Iraqi captain was recovered by local farmers Prather, callsign ‘Rambo 03’ in 79-0069 and chances of detection. After refuelling from
with a broken leg. his wingman, First Lieutenant David ‘Abby’ another pair of Mirages, the attack formation
Iraqi sources maintain that just one MiG-29 Sveden, callsign ‘Rambo 04’, flying 79-0021, continued towards the target. Confusion and
(the aircraft flown by Sayhood) was lost and that used AIM-7Ms to down two Mirage F1EQs, misunderstanding led to a pair of RAF Jaguars
it had been shot down by an F-15. The report flown by Capt Hani Idriss and Capt Ziad being vectored to intercept the Mirages but, at
that a MiG-29 had flown into the ground was Albeso Sobhi Mosa of 89 Squadron. the merge, the radar-less Jaguars didn't see
dismissed as an ‘insincere claim’. Iraqi sources The Mirages took off from Saddam Air Base the Iraqis.
insisted that, before engaging the F-15s, at 1430 and were ambushed by the F-15s Two RSAF 13th Squadron F-15Cs were then
Sayhood had shot down RAF Tornado ZA467, shortly afterwards, near Makmura. Both Iraqi ordered to intercept, scattering the MiG-23
crewed by Squadron Leader Gary Lennox pilots were killed. escorts, before RSAF Captain Ayedh Saleh
and Squadron Leader Adrian Weeks, using an Al Shamrani (flying 80-0068) got behind the
R-60MK missile. In fact, this aircraft was lost to January 24 Mirages and shot down both aircraft with
ground fire three days later. AIM-9P Sidewinders.
Two Mirage F1s shot down Captain Saleem’s body was never recovered,
Two Mirage F1s shot down On January 24, two (or three, according to and while Ali Alobaidi ejected, he was badly
The 525th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 36th some sources) Iraqi Mirage F1EQ4s flown injured, losing a foot. The Saudis had to
Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) was by Major Ali Hussein Fadel and Captain amputate his legs, but he later died in a Saudi
normally based at Bitburg in Germany, but Mohammed Saleem of No 89 Squadron hospital. AFM
during Desert Storm the squadron flew from took off from Abu Ubaidah at 1149 to attack
Part 2 Next Month
Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, where it formed part the Saudi Ras Tanura oil refinery at Abaiq.
Three Mi-24s were shot down by US fighters during Desert Storm. This one was captured intact at Basra and was transported back to the USA USAF

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Sam u
JASDF Phantoms
The 501st TRS will be re-formed

as a fighter squadron to operate
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning
II multi-role fighter jets this year

murai The legendary F-4EJ
Phantom II has bowed out
sunset
from the Japan Air Self-
Defense Force. Babak
Taghvaee looks at the
multi-role fighter’s half-
century of service
J
apan is spending billions of Air Base in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture.
dollars on the latest fifth- A further delivery of Sabres the following
generation fighters. year boosted the fleet to 18 aircraft, before
As a Foreign Military Sales participant, the 501st relocated to Iruma Air Base in
the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Saitama Prefecture. At that time, the unit also
(JASDF) has now requested a total of had two T-33As and one T-28B, modified for
147 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning reconnaissance missions.
IIs – 105 F-35As and 42 F-35B variants – Powered by General Electric’s J47-GE-27
from the US Department of State. turbojet engines, the RF-86F was equipped
The full sale has yet to be finalised by US with two K-22 split vertical cameras with a
Congress, but, once approved, Japan will 40-inch focal length lens, one K-17 vertical
become the largest operator of the F-35 camera and one KA-60 oblique camera located
outside the United States. in its nose.
This major investment in air defence has been
determined by two sets of retirements. On Making the move
November 20, 2020, the JASDF’s 301st Fighter The decision to buy the RF-4E, a tactical
Squadron retired its 18 McDonnell Douglas reconnaissance variant of the McDonnell
F-4EJ Phantoms after 48 years of combat Douglas F-4E Phantom II, was not taken
duty, while eight months earlier, on March 9, until 1972. The multi-role fighter jet was in
2020, it bid farewell to its last RF-4E/EJs, production at Mitsubishi’s factory, and an order
after disbanding the 501st Tactical for 14 RF-4Es was placed in 1973.
Reconnaissance Squadron. The first F-4E joined the 501st on October 1,
The 501st Hikotai, which was the only 1974, with the full order completed on June 8,
tactical reconnaissance squadron in the 1975. These Phantoms carried serial numbers
Above: Retirement brought a dazzling JASDF, had started its service life on 47-6901 to 6905 and 57-6906 to 6914.
yellow ‘Pharewell’ paint scheme to this
Phantom (serial number 37-8315), seen
December 1, 1961. Its initial fleet consisted of Their arrival forced the 501st to relocate once
here on November 11, 2020, at Hyakuri just ten North American RF-86F Sabre tactical again. The runway at Iruma Air Base was too
Air Base Matsuzaki Hirobumi reconnaissance jets, stationed at Matsushima short, so the RF-4Es were stationed at

JASDF Phantoms
Above: One of the two ‘Pharewell’ schemed F-4EJ Kai fighter jets of the 301st Hikotai (serial number 07-8436) lands at Hyakuri Air Base Matsuzaki Hirobumi
Tyre smoke clouds the runway as this Phantom (serial number 87-8415) lands at Hyakuri Air Base.
The aircraft has now been withdrawn from service Tarao Goo
Hyakuri Air Base, and the whole 501st Tactical Two F-4EJ Phantoms of the 301st Hikotai, in their
Reconnaissance Squadron followed them special ‘Pharewell’ scheme, take off from Hyakuri
Air Base on September 28, 2020
there – although a detachment of the squadron Matsuzaki Hirobumi
stayed in Iruma to operate the ageing RF-86Fs,
until their service ended on March 25, 1977.
In addition to their optical camera
equipment, the JASDF's RF-4Es were also
equipped with Texas Instruments’ AN/APQ-
99 forward-looking radar, AN/APD-10 side-
looking airborne radar (SLAR) and AN/AAS-
18A infra-red detection devices. The APQ-
99 tracked forward terrain, helping pilots to
fly at low altitude, as well as in all weather
conditions, during both day and night.
The APD-10 SLAR captured photographic
data of terrain on both sides of the aircraft.
Its images were taken by reflected microwave
energy rather than reflected light.
Meanwhile, the AAS-18A provided an
additional method to achieve both night and
bad-weather photography.

In the 1970s, 140 McDonnell Douglas/
Mitsubishi F-4EJs replaced the JASDF's
obsolete fleet of Lockheed F-104J Starfighters.
A decade later, in the late 1980s, Mitsubishi
F-15J Eagles started to replace F-4EJs in
some JASDF squadrons. At the same time,
a modernisation programme for the F-4EJs
began, with 96 out of the 125 surviving airframes
eventually upgraded to Kai standard by 1992.
As part of this, the F-4EJs were equipped
with APG-66J radars, enabling them to use and
launch the more modern AIM-7F/M Sparrow
semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles.
While the 96 F-4EJs were being modernised, a
parallel programme was launched to take 11 of
the RF-4Es up to F-4EJ Kai standard.
Replacing the radar

The programme included replacing the ageing
AN/APQ-99 radar with the more modern AN/
APQ-172 forward-looking radar, equipped
with a digital imaging processor (the same
radar installed on the US Air Force’s upgraded
RF-4Cs in the 1980s). In addition, the J/APR-2
RWR (radar warning receiver) was replaced by
the J/APR-5 unit. Plus, a new inertial navigation
system was fitted, as well as an infra-red
reconnaissance system, digital cockpit displays
and a VHF radio to replace the existing UHF.
The old AN/APQ-99 forward-looking J-band
monopulse radar was optimised for terrain
avoidance, terrain-following and ground
mapping. Its replacement was the more modern
AN/APQ-172, an upgraded Raytheon version of
Left: This F-4EJ (serial number 87-8404) is now on
display at Komatsu Air Base Matsuzaki Hirobumi
Below: The last two specially painted F-4EJs
of 301st Hikotai at Hyakuri Air Base
Matsuzaki Hirobumi

JASDF Phantoms
The APQ-99 tracked forward

terrain, helping pilots to fly at low
altitude, as well as in all weather
conditions, both day and night
the Texas Instruments AN/APQ-99, which had Abukuma and Agano rivers on October 13,
three modes of operation for terrain clearance 2019, two RF-4E Kai (serials 47-6905 and
and two modes for mapping purposes. Due 47-6909) and one RF-4EJ Kai (67-6380) carried
to budget constraints, only eight of the 11 out reconnaissance flights over the affected
upgraded RF-4Es received the new radar. areas. The next morning, three RF-4E/EJ Kais
The JASDF needed more tactical carried out their final reconnaissance flights to
reconnaissance jets, and, subsequently, photograph the flooded Yoshida River (Osato-
Mitsubishi Electric won a contract to convert cho, Miyagi Prefecture) on the north and south
17 of the 29 ‘yet-to-be’ upgraded F-4EJs into sides of the Chikuma river basin.
RF-4EJs. This figure was later reduced to just
15 examples. Marking retirement
With no internal camera bay in their nose In December 2019, nine of the RF-4E airframes
sections, F-4EJs were modified to carry three were still airworthy (07-6433, 47-6901, 47-6903,
types of sensor pods, depending on mission 47-6905, 57-6907, 57-6909, 67-6380, 77-6392
requirements. These were the TACER (an and 77-6397). One of the Phantoms (47-6905)
electronic reconnaissance pod with datalink), had already retired from service a few weeks
the TAC (carrying KS-135A and KS-95B before the disbandment of the 501st Hikotai.
cameras together with D-500UR infra-red To mark the retirement of the RF-4E/EJs from
system) and the LOROP (long-range oblique the JASDF, six of the Phantoms took part in
photography sensor with KS-146B camera). a special ceremony on March 9, 2020. These
Following the flooding of the Chikuma, included aircraft 47-6901, the oldest and the first
Above: A camouflage-painted RF-4E Kai of 501st Hikotai (serial number 57-6907, c/n 4603) at Hyakuri Air
Base, just a few days before its retirement Tarao Goo Right: The dust collection pod under the left wing of
this aircraft is used to gather air samples to monitor North Korea’s nuclear tests Tarao Goo

Above: There is a target used for anti-aircraft gunner training on the side of this F-4EJ (serial 97-8422)
Tarao Goo Left: Four F-4EJs belonging to the 301st Hikotai fly in formation with four F-15DJs of the
JASDF’s Hiko Kyodogun (Aggressor Group) at Komatsu Air Base after an air combat training exercise on
July 30, 2020 JASDF/301 Hikotai Below: Flight, air and ground crew of the 301st Hikotai squadron pose
after the final navigation training flight with the with F-4EJs and an F-2B fighter jet belonging to the 3rd
Hikotai JASDF/301 Hikotai

JASDF Phantoms
The last air and ground crews of 501st Hikotai stand proudly before the squadron’s last airworthy aircraft during the squadron’s retirement ceremony on March
9, 2020 JASDF/501 Hikotai
RF-4E to join the JASDF, as well as 07-6433, service life with 306th Hikotai (Tactical Fighter
47-6903, 57-6907, 57-6909 and 77-6397. Squadron) on May 21, 1981, carrying the serial
The celebrations were followed by a special number 18-8440.
event just over a fortnight later at Hyakuri
Air Base to mark the disbandment of the Prolonging service
501st Squadron, ending 59 years of tactical In total, six JASDF interceptor squadrons flew
reconnaissance with the service. An RF-4EJ the Phantom IIs; the 301st Hikotai established
Kai (serial number 07-6433) and two RF-4E on October 16, 1973 at Hyakuri Air Base; the
Kais (47-6901 and 47-6903) were parked on the 302nd Hikotai, at Chitose Air Base on October
main ramp of the air base during the ceremony. 1, 1974; the 303rd Hikotai at Komatsu Air Base
The 501st TRS is re-forming this year as a on October 26, 1976; the 304th Hikotai at
fighter squadron to operate Japan’s F-35A Tsuiki Air Base on August 1, 1977; and again at
Lightning IIs. Hyakuri, the 305th Hikotai on December 1, 1978
Across the world RF-4Cs have been retired and the 306th Hikotai from December 1, 1981.
from the Republic of Korea Air Force (February Prior to its official formation, the 301st
2014), RF-4Es from the Turkish Air Force Tactical Fighter Squadron had been
(March 12, 2015), from the Hellenic Air Force established as a provisional F-4EJ unit, with
(May 5, 2015) and from the JASDF (March 9, just two aircraft in service on August 1, 1972.
2015). That leaves just the Islamic Republic Its mission, before becoming an interceptor
of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) as the last operator squadron, was to convert former F-104J pilots
of the RF-4E with five airworthy examples in to the new fighter.
service with its 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Ten years later, Japan’s Defense Agency
Squadron stationed at the 3rd Tactical Fighter appointed Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Base ‘Nojeh’ (previously known as Shahrokhi). in March 1982 to oversee a service life
They are forecast to remain in service for at prolongation plan (ASIP) for the F-4EJ fighter-
least another decade. interceptor fleet. Immediately after signing
the contract, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
All-weather Samurais purchased 25 velocity, gravity and height
The licensed production of the F-4EJ Phantom (VGH) data recorders for 700m yen (about
II began with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in £160m) and then began researching into
1970. Following the delivery of the first two extending the 3,000-hour flight lifespan of the
F-4EJs, which had been manufactured in the F-4EJ by about 2,000 hours.
McDonnell Douglas factory in the US, a total of At the end of the study, the first F-4EJ was
138 F-4EJs were built in Japan between 1970 upgraded in 1983 and flew for the first time
and 1981. on July 17, 1984, with testing continuing
The F-4EJ entered JASDF service in August until the end of 1987. The JASDF’s Air
1972 and had completely replaced the Proving Wing (APW) conducted the tests on
JASDF’s fleet of Lockheed F-104J Starfighter the first modified F-4EJ and confirmed the
interceptors by 1986. The last of the 140 performance improvement. Modification of
F-4EJs delivered to the JASDF started its the first ten F-4EJs began in full at a cost of

Y17.8bn (about £7.5bn) in 1987.
The ASIP upgrade improved the aircraft’s
fire control capabilities, such as look-down,
control calculation and display, by installing
Westinghouse AN/APG-66J pulse-Doppler
radar as a new, smaller and lighter unit.
In addition, the upgraded Phantom IIs –
named ‘Kai’ – had a Japanese-developed
central computer, a new Kaiser 36500-01
head-up display (HUD), a Hazeltine AN/APZ-
79 IFF friend or foe identification system, a
licence-built LN-39 Inertial Navigation System
(INS), a new J/APR-6 radar homing and
warning system, and much taller UHF blade
antennae on the dorsal spine and under the
nose undercarriage hatch.
A particular advantage Above: This aircraft (serial number 77-6392, c/n M092) was one of the last RF-4EJs in service with the
The F-4 proved less manoeuvrable than the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. It’s carrying a tactical reconnaissance pod (TAC pod), KS-135A
F-15 and therefore inferior in air-to-air missions, and KS-95B cameras and a D-500UR infra-red system. It also has an AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod and four
despite the Kai variants boasting an improved empty Aero III missile launchers for AIM-9L infra-red guided air-to-air missiles Tarao Goo
Below: RF-4EJ Kai (serial 07-6433, c/n M133) hurtles down the runway at Hyakuri Air Base Tarao Goo
and superior intercept capability compared
with the old F-4EJ. The upgraded version could
carry AIM-7F Sparrow semi-active radar homing
air-to-air missiles, a more potent threat than the
older AIM-7E.
It could also fire AIM-9L Sidewinder infra-red
guided short-range air-to-air missiles instead
of the older AIM-9Js. But the F-4EJ Kai’s
trump card was arguably its ASM-1 anti-ship
missiles, which not even the F-15 featured.
At the outset, the JASDF planned to upgrade
110 of its surviving 125 F-4EJs, but changed its
plans in 1987. In total, 96 of the F-4EJs were
The three external fuel tanks on this RF-4E Kai (serial number 57-6913, c/n 4639) restricted the aircraft to manoeuvres of a maximum 3+G Tarao Goo

JASDF Phantoms
upgraded to Kai level. Two aircraft were left Hikotai had its F-4EJ Kai fighter jets replaced These last remaining Phantoms had the
unmodernised (for pilot training) and 17 were by the Mitsubishi F-2A/B multi-role fighter jets serial numbers 07-8434, 07-8436, 17-8437,
upgraded to RF-4EJ Kai standard, to operate at Tsuiki Air Base. Some of its F-4EJs were 17-8440, 37-8315, 57-8353, 57-8355,
as tactical reconnaissance aircraft, providing scrapped for spare parts, while others ended up 57-8356, 57-8357, 57-8367, 57-8369,
back-up to the surviving 14 RF-4Es of the 501st in the service of the 301st and 302nd Hikotai at 67-8378, 77-8395, 87-8415, 96-5620,
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Hyakuri Air Base. 97-8416, 97-8422 and 97-8426.
In 1981, the JASDF started to take delivery In 2016, the JASDF planned to turn the 301st During their final years, Japan’s F-4EJs used
of Mitsubishi F-15J and F-15DJ Eagle air- and 302nd TFS into the first Lightning units Mitsubishi AAM-3 (Type 90) infra-red guided
superiority fighter jets. These replaced in the service. The 302nd TFS was principally short-range missiles, AIM-7F Sparrow semi-
its ageing Lockheed F-104J and TF-104J an air defence squadron, with responsibility active radar homing guided medium-range
Starfighters, as well as 60 of the JASDF’s F-4EJ for protecting the airspace above Tokyo, while air-to-air missiles, ASM-2 (Type 93) anti-ship
interceptors between 1986 and 1993. Those the main mission of the 301st TFS was air- missiles for anti-ship missions and JDAMs for
units that had their F-4EJs replaced with F-15J/ to-ground combat, with a secondary role of air-to-ground missions.
DJs were: the 303rd Tactical Fighter Squadron air-to-air. On March 2, 2019, the 302nd TFS’ The 301st Hikotai completed its move from
(TFS) of 6 Kokudan based at Komatsu; 304th F-4EJs stopped flying and were mothballed, Hyakuri to Misawa air base on December
TFS of 8th Air Wing at Tsuiki; and 305th Hikotai and the 302nd became the first JASDF fighter 15, 2020, marked by a flying display of two
of 7th Air Wing at Hyakuri. squadron to transition to the F-35A Lightning. F-4EJs painted in ‘Pharewell’ colours. A
The 6th Air Wing’s last tactical fighter fortnight earlier, the last F-4EJ (17-8440) was
squadron, after the disbandment of the Pharewell schemes flown by test pilot Captain Shishimaru Iwaki
303rd TFS, was the 306th TFS. This unit later After retiring the 302nd Hikotai’s F-4EJs in from Hyakuri to Hamamatsu to be put on
became the first recipient of F-4EJ Kai in March 2019, the 301st TFS was left with 22 display in the JASDF's air park museum.
November 1989. It continued operating the examples in its inventory, including 18 that were With the retirement of the F-4EJs from
Kai until it also transitioned to the F-15J/DJ airworthy – four were cannibalised for parts. JASDF service the following are the last
between January and March 1997. Following the official retirement ceremony for operational F-4 Phantom IIs: the Hellenic
The F-4EJs flown by the 306th Hikotai were the F-4EJs last November, the 18 F-4EJs still Air Force’s 18 F-4Es at Andravida Air Base;
absorbed by 8th Hikotai, which retired its own in service were put in reserve until the 301st the IRIAF’s 62 F-4Ds, F-4Es and RF-4Es in
Mitsubishi F-1A/Bs in 1997. In 2009, the 8th Hikotai completed its relocation to Misawa. service with five squadrons at four air bases;
Above: Serial 07-6433 (c/n M133) was one of the last four RF-4EJs still in service with the 501st Hikotai
until March 2020. It can be seen equipped with a LOROP pod containing a KS-146B camera at Hyakuri
air base on November 13, 2008 Matsuzaki Hirobumi Right: The last air and ground crews of the 302nd
Hikotai on the day of their unit’s temporary disbandment and the retirement of their F-4EJs. Two
specially painted F-4EJs, 07-8428 (white) and 77-8399 (black) stand in the background JASDF/302
Hikotai Below: The brake chute is still visible behind RF-4E Kai (serial number 57-6912, c/n 4634) after
landing in Hyakuri Air Base Matsuzaki Hirobumi

the ROKAF’s 27 F-4Es with its 153rd Fighter
Squadron at Suwon Air Base, and the THK’s
26 F-4E Terminator 2020s with its 111 Filo at
Eskisehir Air Base.
Today, F-35A multi-role fighters have
replaced the F-4EJs in the JASDF’s 301st and
302nd Fighter Squadrons (previously Tactical
Fighter Squadrons). In total, 22 F-35As have
now been delivered to these two units; four to
the 301st Hikotai (09-8719, 09-8721, 69-8701
and 89-8711) and 18 to the 302nd Hikotai.
But this does not spell the absolute end
of the F-4EJ in Japanese forces’ service.
While the F-4EJs and RF-4E/EJs no longer
have combat roles, five are still operational
(07-8429, 07-8431, 17-8301, 47-8336 and
77-8393). These aircraft continue to be used
by the Hiko Kaihatsu Jikken Dan (Koku
Kaihatsu Jikken Shudan/Air Development and
Test Wing - ADTW) in Gifu.
Among them, only one (07-8431) has
undergone modernisation. The others are
used for testing new systems, equipment
and weapons, as well as for monitoring North
Korea’s nuclear tests using their dust collection
A RF-4E Kai (serial number 47-6903, c/n 4574) pulls a high G manoeuvre over Hyakuri Air Base
Matsuzaki Hirobumi pods. These five aircraft will remain in service
until the end of 2021. AFM
The F-4EJ Kai’s trump

card was arguably
its ASM-1 anti-ship
missiles, which not
even the F-15 featured

AESA Radar for Typhoon
Next-Gen
Radar
Is Typhoon’s new radar
the world’s best?
Jon Lake investigates
T
yphoon’s lack of AESA radar has been autonomously. This kind of environment would will be able to locate and identify enemy
identified as a disadvantage on the export once have been thought the exclusive domain air defence systems and suppress them
market. Now, however, multiple options of stealthy, fifth-generation aircraft. using high-powered jamming – adding the
are emerging for potential new and existing With the new radar, RAF Typhoon pilots suppression/destruction of enemy air defences
operators, while Typhoons retrofitted with the (SEAD/DEAD) role to the aircraft’s multi-role
unique ECRS.Mk 2 radar are set to transform mission set.
UK air power capability. The Typhoon’s relatively wide nose can
Leonardo is in the final stages of accommodate a large radar dish, and this
developing a revolutionary new radar in turn allows an antenna to feature a large
for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Known as number of transmit-receive modules
‘Radar Two’, or more formally as ECRS (TRMs), arranged in groups forming
Mk 2 (where ECRS is an abbreviation transmit-receive elements. Leonardo
of European Common Radar claims that ECRS Mk 2 has significantly
System), it embodies advanced more transmit-receive elements than
electronic attack (EA) and other fighter radars. Because a large
electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, dish with a high number of transmit-receive
and Leonardo has described it as the elements generates considerable beam agility,
world’s most advanced fighter radar. ECRS Mk 2 will have impressive levels of
Above: The clearest photo yet of Radar Two,
It promises to enable the Typhoon focused power, and, as the Typhoon provides
with its innovative single-axis re-positioner,
to operate in even the most challenging in a representative Typhoon forward all of the electrical power and cooling that is
contested environments, on its own and fuselage structure Leonardo needed, it will have the ability to generate some

Radar Two shown
in situ in the nose
of a Eurofighter
Typhoon
Leonardo

exceptionally high-powered, focused electronic Above: One of two released images showing ECRS Mk 2 in the nose of an unmarked Typhoon. The RAF
attack capability. The new radar will also feature will be the first user of Radar Two, but export orders seem likely Concept artwork courtesy Leonardo
greater sensitivity, for unparalleled passive Below: This view of Captor-E shows the innovative dual swashplate re-positioner used on the Mk 0
and Mk 1 versions. The limited single plane of movement does not induce the same unreliability as a
detection and a very long reach. traditional radar scanner and brings huge advantages over a fixed AESA array BAE Systems
This means that an ECRS Mk 2-equipped
aircraft will detect and engage targets while
remaining beyond the reach of threat systems
– and will be able to jam enemy radars
even when their main lobe may be looking
in another direction. The ECRS Mk 2 will
also enable the Typhoon to use future data-
driven weapons, employing these to combat
rapidly evolving air defences and ensuring UK
Typhoons will be able to continue dominating
the battlespace for many years to come.
In addition to its formidable wide-band EW
functionality, and apart from unlocking a real
SEAD/DEAD capability, the new radar can
simultaneously ‘see’ further than previous
fighter radars, provide the pilot and weapons
system with more precise and accurate
(weapons quality) target tracking and scan a
much bigger ‘cake slice’ – looking out at much
greater azimuth angles and providing greater
range at these higher off-boresight angles.
In a typical beyond visual range missile
engagement, this will allow Typhoon pilots
to get the ‘first look’ and the ‘first shot’ and
enable them to ‘crank’ harder, turning further
away from the enemy fighter. This will leave
the Typhoon less vulnerable to a return missile
shot, while still keeping the target in the radar’s
scan and continuing to support a missile in
flight with mid-course updates.
Leonardo claims that ECRS Mk 2 will be the
world’s most capable active electronically
scanned array (AESA) fighter radar, and says
it promises to make Typhoon the ideal partner
in any fourth/fifth-generation and unmanned
force mix for decades to come.
It was once expected that many leading air
forces would move to an all-stealth, all-fifth
generation force structure, and that fourth-
generation fighters would have no part to
play. But the growing vulnerability of stealth
aircraft to new and developing counter-stealth
systems, coupled with their high cost, has led
to a growing emphasis on operating fourth-
and fifth-generation fighters together, in a more
complementary and synergistic fashion. This is

what lies behind the resurgence of the Block
III Super Hornet and Growler, and also the
development of Boeing’s advanced F-15EX.
Silent assassin
The ECRS Mk 2 promises to help create a
Typhoon standard that enhances the RAF’s F-35
force – not merely carrying additional weapons
to the fight, but bringing its own advanced
capabilities that improve the F-35’s survivability
and effectiveness. A Typhoon equipped with
ECRS Mk 2 will be a very survivable platform,
so, while the enemy may know that the aircraft
is ‘in the area’, it will be able to operate as what
one programme insider described as a “brute
squad”, its pilot not having to worry about the
aircraft’s signature. The Typhoon will carry large
numbers of weapons and “rain down electronic The ECRS Mk 2 radar owes
more to the Leonardo Raven
attack and the world’s supply of SPEAR radar fitted to the Gripen E (and
Capability III or SDBs or whatever weapon you tested on the Gripen Demo,
want to use, while the fifth-gen aircraft is acting seen here) than it does to the
as a silent assassin, sliding around the back to original Captor, using the same
innovative single-axis
slip the knife in! re-positioner Leonardo
“This is going to be an asset that people are
going to want to have there. Just like they want many are unaware of how well regarded the featured a 0.3m resolution synthetic aperture
Growlers now, they’re going to want Typhoon AI.24 radar eventually became. The Foxhunter, radar (SAR) mode and improved electronic
with ECRS Mk 2, because of the things that it’s was, in any case, something of an aberration. counter-countermeasures (ECCM) as well
going to be able to do in the really challenging The Blue Vixen (ARI 50019) radar for the as full air-to-ground modes that were not all
contested environment, and because of the way second-generation BAe Sea Harrier was available for Captor-C.
it complements and enhances the capability of regarded by many as being a better fighter For some years, there has been a move
fifth-generation and unmanned platforms. radar than the contemporary AN/APG-73 used towards the use of AESA radars, which tend to
“The force mix, the combination of Typhoon by later F/A-18 Hornets. Famously, when it offer more accurate tracking, better reliability,
with ECRS Mk 2 and F-35, is greater than was first used on operations in Bosnia, there improved resistance to electronic jamming and
the sum of their parts. Leonardo’s electronic were claims that it had picked up contacts that greater simultaneous multi-role functionality.
warfare division at Luton are literally at the top could not be detected by AWACS. At the same time, the advantages of AESA
of the premier league within the EW market, Blue Vixen subsequently formed the can be overstated and a few frontline pilots still
so we’ve got something that genuinely adds basis of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s original, believe that a high-performance mechanically
capability value, even if you’re operating as mechanically scanned (M-scan) Captor radar, scanned radar is more than good enough,
part of a coalition with the US.” developed by the Euroradar consortium, particularly for some specialised roles.
This impression of a world-leading, world- and which soon gained an equally enviable Development of an AESA radar for the
beating UK radar might surprise the armchair reputation. The Captor-C was fitted to Tranche Typhoon began some years ago, though
experts who built up a jaundiced and sceptical 1 aircraft, while Captor-D had new PowerPC the excellence and impressive operational
view of UK radar capabilities. Many may processors and a new chip architecture, and capabilities of the M-scan Captor were such
sympathise, having some memory of (or read was designed with later AESA retrofit in mind. that it was not accorded a high priority and
about) a number of failed radar programmes The E-scan ready Captor-D version also was initially funded largely by industry.
from the 1970s and 1980s. For example, the
saga of the Nimrod AEW programme has often The first released
photo of Radar Two
been portrayed simply as a scandalous and
in Leonardo’s test
costly failure. The truth is more nuanced, since chamber. The next
while GEC-Marconi’s radar did fail to meet some step will be to install
parts of the RAF’s ASR400 requirement, so too the radar in a flying
Typhoon Leonardo
did the APY-1 radar of the E-3 and some of the
UK radar’s problems were the result of being
‘swamped’ by vehicular traffic when looking at
slow-moving, low-flying helicopters – a capability
virtually absent in the E-3!
Under the radar

One of Britain’s last big fighter radar programmes
– the Tornado ADV’s AI.24 Foxhunter – suffered
similarly ‘bad press’. Technical problems,
cost inflation and hold-ups plagued the early
Foxhunter, delaying service entry for so long
that early F2s were delivered with ballast in their
noses. This actually consisted of metal weights,
but urban legend had it that the aircraft had
concrete ballast, or ‘Blue Circle’, fitted. (Blue
Circle is a well-known cement brand, while UK
radar equipment had always used colour-related
‘rainbow’ code names, such as Green Satin or
Blue Shadow, leading to the joke.)
But while Foxhunter’s trials and tribulations
became well known, subsequent programme
progress was much less well publicised and

A number of enhancements are being studied

for Typhoon. A new large-area display could
accompany ECRS Mk 2, along with the new
Striker 2 helmet, which would render a traditional
head-up display unnecessary BAE Systems
A British/French/German Airborne Multi- contract to develop the electronically scanned nations, while the processor and receiver were
Mode Solid-State Active-Array Radar (AMSAR) Captor-E radar on November 19, 2014. the responsibility of the UK and Germany, and
research and development programme was Initially, several versions of the basic Captor-E the antenna power supply and control system
launched in 1993, which fed into the 2002 were envisaged to meet different customer was from Italy and Spain.
British and German industry Captor E-sCAn requirements, as variants of what was referred to The resulting Captor-E was a minimum-
Risk reduction (CECAR) project. This aimed as a European Common Radar System (ECRS). change version of the M-scan Captor-D radar,
to develop an AESA derivative of the existing The baseline Captor-E AESA radar was combining a new AESA antenna with the
Captor, adding a new AESA antenna to the developed on a four-nation basis, with existing Captor back end. The antenna was
Captor-D ‘back end’, but retaining the interface Leonardo in the UK and Italy leading the mounted on a dual-swashplate re-positioner,
and capabilities of the original system. Euroradar consortium that now also included meaning that the radar ‘beam’ was steered
A Captor AESA Radar (CAESAR) Hensoldt in Germany and Indra in Spain, and both mechanically and electronically, allowing
demonstrator flew aboard a UK Ministry of leading the design of the radar system. higher off-boresight angles to be reached, and
Defence-operated (MoD) BAC One-Eleven Also in the UK, BAE Systems had equipment improving range at high azimuth limits.
on February 24, 2006 and was later flown on design responsibility, integrating the radar Work on Captor-E began using industry
the Eurofighter Development Aircraft DA5, into the aircraft. The AESA antenna, including funding and an initial radar was fitted to a
beginning on May 8, 2007, for a four-flight test the WFoR re-positioner, was built from UK-based Typhoon test aircraft, Instrumented
phase. At this point the proposed CAESAR- components supplied by all four partner Production Aircraft (IPA) 5 (ZJ700), in time
based AESA solution for the Eurofighter
incorporated a fixed antenna (like most AESA
designs), but the UK, in particular, felt that
such an antenna would be handicapped by a
more limited scan in azimuth and by reduced
range at the edges of azimuth coverage.
To overcome this limitation, Euroradar
explored a number of ‘moving AESA’ designs,
using a single or double swashplate wide
field of regard (WFoR) re-positioner to provide
much wider scan limits. The eventual Captor-E
was developed using just such a double
swashplate re-positioner.
Plans originally called for the incorporation of
an AESA radar on all Tranche 3 Eurofighters and
these were built with increased electrical power
generation capability, improved cooling and
structural provision for a heavier AESA antenna.
Typhoon’s AESA roadmap

Competing visions of a Typhoon AESA led to
delays, but Eurofighter finally established an A graphic representation of the
advantages of a Wide Field of
AESA radar roadmap in 2012, and Eurofighter Regard Re-positioner (coverage
and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado shown in green), compared to a
Management Agency (NETMA) signed a €1bn traditional fixed AESA array Leonardo

to be shown on static display at the 2014
Farnborough International Airshow. Flight trials
began on July 8, 2016, out of BAE Systems’
Warton aerodrome. A German Tranche 3
Eurofighter, IPA8, operated by Airbus Defence
and Space, joined the test programme from
September 2016, flying from Manching.
All Captor-E antennas were produced by
Hensoldt. Some were equipped with TRMs from
the UK and some with TRMs from Hensoldt.
The antennas flown on IPA5 and IPA8 were both
equipped with UK TRMs, however.
Flight testing (using production-standard
AESA radar sets) confirmed the tactical
advantage conferred by the radar’s
re-positioner. It was found to provide a 50%
wider field of regard than conventional fixed
E-scan antenna systems.
Gathering momentum
The AESA programme accelerated after
Eurofighter and Finmeccanica (now Leonardo)
signed an US$8.7bn contract with Kuwait
in April 2016 for the delivery of 28 aircraft,
followed by Qatar signing a contract with
the UK for 24 Typhoons in December 2017.
Both new export customers ordered AESA-
equipped aircraft and integration of the AESA
radar became part of the fighter’s Phase 3B
Enhancements (P3Eb) programme.
This meant that the first production variant An AESA array will allow the fullest exploitation of MBDA’s ultra-long range Meteor air-to-air missile,
seen here during a live QRA scramble from RAF Lossiemouth Royal Air Force
of the new Captor-E AESA radar (known as
Radar One Plus and later as ECRS Mk 0) was ‘E-scan XCR#1’ flight test campaign between same hardware, software and performance, so
developed primarily to meet the requirements March 3 and 27, using other Typhoons as that the basic Radar 1+ performance baseline
of Kuwait and Qatar. Hensoldt delivered the radar targets. That completed E-scan entry- is equal for all customers, and with additional
first production antenna on December 5, 2018, into-service flight tests and the overall P3Eb functionalities required by some covered by
stating it was confident of keeping the delivery flight test campaign, readying the way for further software releases.
cadence at ‘full production rate capacity’. deliveries to Kuwait, though these were then There was thus an expectation that the four-
The new radar successfully completed two delayed by COVID-19. nation Radar 1 version of Captor-E for the
flight campaigns at BAE Systems Warton and It was once expected that the export radar original Eurofighter partner air forces would
Airbus Defence and Space in Manching, in the would be equivalent in performance to the use the same hardware as the export standard
spring of 2018. These were basic mechanical M-scan unit, while the core nation version Radar 1+, but with additional documentation
and electrical integration test flights, and of the radar would offer increased detection and performance data to satisfy the four-nation
allowed the radar to meet the requirements of and tracking ranges in comparison with the requirements set down by NETMA.
the critical design review exactly on schedule. standard M-scan Captor, plus expanded Instead, a new version of Captor-E is being
The first Typhoon in Kuwait Air Force air-to-ground capabilities, including high- developed to meet German and Spanish
configuration – Instrumented Series Production definition SAR mapping. Export and four- requirements. Germany has a requirement to
Aircraft (ISPA) 6 – joined the test effort on nation standards have since converged on the retrofit AESA radars to 110 of its Tranche 2
December 23, 2019. It conducted the so-called Radar One Plus (Radar 1+) standard, with the and Tranche 3 Eurofighters and to equip the
This remains the only released photo of the
Typhoon’s Captor-E without a security cover. The
photo has been manipulated to prevent anyone
from counting the number of TRMs on the array.
The aircraft is the UK test asset IPA5, which has
been flying with production standard ECRS Mk 0
hardware and software BAE Systems

38 new-build aircraft being acquired to replace

Tranche 1 machines under Project Quadriga.
Spain plans to retrofit 19 of its Eurofighters.
Hensoldt was awarded a €1.5bn contract
by Airbus Defence and Space to develop and
produce a new ECRS Mk 1 AESA radar for the
German and Spanish Eurofighter fleets. The
ECRS Mk 1 is a development of the Kuwait/
Qatar standard Mk 0 and will be fitted with
a new digital multi-channel receiver and new
transmitter/receiver modules to be developed
by Hensoldt. The German and Spanish aircraft
will initially be fitted with the same Mk 0 radar
as that supplied to Kuwait and Qatar, but their
radars will subsequently be upgraded to Mk 1
standard by retrofitting the new equipment.
Hensoldt will be the design authority for the
Mk 1 radar, drawing on its years of partnership
with Leonardo in producing the current
Typhoon radar. Airbus will have equipment
design responsibility for the new variant.
Leonardo will provide a significant level of
support to enable Hensoldt to assume design
authority and will also continue to provide the
processor for the German radar.
Radar Two for the UK

Though UK companies had leadership of the
Captor-E project, there was never any chance
that the baseline Mk 0 radar would be used by
the RAF. Its corporate heart was always set on a
more capable and more advanced radar, which
would incorporate extensive electronic attack
and electronic warfare capabilities.
The UK always resisted pressure to adopt
what was once hoped to be a four-nation
AESA programme, insisting that the RAF
needed a more advanced set, known as Radar
Two, or ECRS Mk 2. This led to a divergence in
AESA radar development for the Eurofighter.
The British ECRS Mk 2 is derived in part from
the Advanced Radar Targeting System (ARTS)
and Bright Adder technology demonstrators,
not from the original Captor-C/D radar or the
AESA-equipped Captor-E.
The ARTS effort began in February 2006,
when the UK MoD awarded a contract to
QinetiQ to demonstrate the advanced targeting
capability offered by E-scan radar technology.
Electronic attack was a key part of the ARTS
programme. QinetiQ teamed with Selex Sensors
and Airborne Systems (now Leonardo) and
BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support to
integrate the Advanced Radar Targeting System Above: Meggitt has secured a £4.2m contract for the supply of an innovative new nose radome
(ARTS) on Tornado GR4A ZG707 – the Tornado technology to enable effective operation of the ECRS Mk 2 radar. The radome will be tailored
Research Exploitation Vehicle, or TREV, for to higher and broader bandwidths, but will follow the same outer mould line as the existing
assessment by the RAF in 2007. item Meggitt Below: Typhoon’s first AESA was the CAESAR (Captor AESA Radar) demonstrator,
which flew on board a UK-based BAC One-Eleven, before undergoing a brief series of trials
The eventual aim was an AESA upgrade fitted to the German Eurofighter test aircraft DA5. CAESAR had a fixed array Author’s collection
for the Tornado GR4, replacing its 1970s-era
mechanically-scanned terrain following/ground
mapping radar system. This was to meet a
requirement known as Reforger, and had a
planned in-service date of ‘soon after 2010’.
Though Reforger was cancelled, ARTS formed
the basis of UK efforts to provide an AESA for
the Typhoon, primarily via the Bright Adder
Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP).
Bright Adder was launched somewhere
around 2010, based on the ARTS concept, but
in a form factor suited to the Typhoon. It was
intended to demonstrate capability better than
that achieved with Typhoon’s existing air-to-
air radar modes, while also offering electronic
attack capabilities. Bright Adder is reported
56 // April 2021 #397

to have successfully demonstrated novel
‘jamming through the radar’ techniques and
functionality. Although built as a flyable asset,
the Bright Adder radar was not flown, however,
instead being used in Leonardo’s roof lab at
Crewe Toll in Edinburgh.
By mid-2020, a test and evaluation contract
for the previously little-known ‘Radar Two’ was
widely anticipated to allow development of the
radar to be completed. It was also predicted
that a development contract would include the
production of five radar sets for flight trials.
There were reports that a test version of
the radar was being operated in Leonardo’s
Crewe Toll roof lab and that Radar Two formed
part of the Eurofighter offering to meet the
Finnish HX fighter requirement. Some sources
even suggested that the radar had been
demonstrated to Finnish personnel.
Investment pay-off
Finally, on September 3, 2020, UK Minister
for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin,
announced that a £317m contract had been
signed, covering the integration of a new AESA
or E-scan radar on the Typhoon, to meet RAF
requirements. It revealed that the new ECRS Mk
2 had been developed by Leonardo and that it
would be integrated by BAE Systems, the UK’s
prime contractor for the Typhoon.
The contract was the product of ten years of
MoD investment in UK radar/EW programmes,
although a further ECRS Mk 2 contract will be
needed before the series production phase,
even though some long-lead procurement
and manufacturing was included in this latest
one. While the September 2020 contract was
far from being the final step in equipping RAF
Above: Typhoon’s lack of an AESA radar has been a perceived weakness on the export market.
Now, belatedly, three different AESA radars are being offered Leonardo Typhoons with a new radar, it was a critical
Below: The Captor-E made its public debut in a static display during the 2014 Farnborough step in the long-term air capability plan.
International Airshow. The array itself was concealed behind a red security cover. Inexplicably, It had been widely assumed that the
it would be another two years before flight trials began BAE Systems
UK’s Radar Two would be an incrementally
improved version of the baseline Captor-E,
sharing maximum commonality with Radar
1+ in its hardware and operating interfaces,
albeit probably with a different antenna. But
in the wake of the contract announcement,
more detailed information about the new
radar emerged. It soon became clear that it
has little in common with previous Euroradar
AESA units, despite sharing the same ECRS
designation prefix.
The ECRS Mk 0 fitted to Kuwaiti and
Qatari Typhoons, and the ECRS Mk 1 being
developed for the German/Spanish retrofit
programme, are both derivatives of the M-scan
Captor-C/D. They use the same back-end,
married to a new AESA array mounted on a
double swashplate re-positioner. They are
collectively known as Captor-E variants.
The ECRS Mk 2 radar shares its platform
The APG-79 radar of the and weapons-system interface with other
Super Hornet is typical of
older, fixed-antenna AESA Captor-E variants, via the German-supplied
radars. Fixed arrays rely attack computer, and it uses the same power
entirely on phase shifting generation and cooling. However, the new
to steer the ‘beam’, and version has no common hardware from the
suffer reduced range
at higher azimuth power supply forward, and is actually not based
and elevation angles on Captor technology at all.
Raytheon Instead, Radar Two uses a completely new
open-architecture back end, married to what
Leonardo has referred to as a ‘revolutionary’
multi-function array. This will incorporate both
gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN)
semi-conductors, blending the strengths of these

two different technologies to cost-effectively

provide a differentiating military capability.
The ECRS Mk 2’s back end includes a
completely new processor and receiver,
a dedicated EW receiver and techniques
generator. Its open architecture is intended to
enable the rapid low-cost development cycles
necessary for the radar to be adapted to
counter dynamic and developing threats. The
concept is that the whole radar will become
what is being called ‘mission ware’, which can
be changed with the same level of overhead
and difficulty as it now takes to change
mission data. Crucially this can be achieved
without going back through the safety case
every time the software is changed.
Radar Two also employs a completely
different system for the antenna re-positioner, Hensoldt’s latest image of the Mk 1 radar gives
using a single rotating joint, like that used on little away as to the number of TRMs, but does
show the original dual swashplate re-positioner
the ES-05 Raven radar fitted to the Gripen E,
to advantage Hensoldt
rather than the double swashplate arrangement
of the Captor-E. The aircraft will use a new cornerstone of the so-called Eurofighter long- Manager, Wg Cdr Anthony ‘Foxy’ Gregory,
radome tailored to support the ECRS Mk 2’s term evolution. But it is also a critical building has said that ECRS Mk 2 “makes the case
wide bandwidth. block for future combat air capabilities more for Eurofighter in Finland more compelling”.
The initial plan is to retrofit all 40 of the widely and is part of the broader effort to He says that Finland has “a predominantly
UK’s Tranche 3 Typhoons with ECRS Mk 2, mature key technologies and operational defensive posture against adversaries, and is
although there is an option to re-equip Tranche concepts, and capabilities for future combat air looking to protect a long land border”, making
2 Typhoons as well. Both tranches have the systems, perhaps including Tempest. the HX competition “predominantly a high-end
necessary pre-mods to allow the retrofit, but the The ECRS Mk 2 development contract air defence type of requirement, albeit operating
decision does not need to be made yet. presents employment opportunities and will in a high-threat environment, from the point of
sustain more than 600 highly-skilled jobs view of some of the adversary threat systems
Testing timeline across the UK, including more than 300 that might be deployed”.
A carefully co-ordinated test plan will ensure at Leonardo’s site in Edinburgh, 100-plus Gregory says that Typhoon offers advantages
that an ambitious timetable is achieved, using electronic warfare specialists at the company’s over the F-35 in terms of speed, range and
a comprehensive array of airborne and ground- site in Luton and 120 engineers at BAE reach, with greater autonomy and sovereignty in
based test assets. The latter include Leonardo’s Systems’ sites in Lancashire, 100 at its facility mission data and, thanks to Radar Two, enjoys
Edinburgh roof lab and test facilities at Warton, in Dunfermline, Fife and 50 at sub-contractor a similar ability to operate and survive in a
where the radar can be operated 24 hours a Meggitt in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. It is hoped contested environment.
day, seven days a week, if required. Synthetic the ECRS Mk 2 programme will preserve some Ironically, in view of its selection of the ECRS
and modelling assets will also be employed, of the key skills needed to keep the UK at the Mk 1 for its Tranche 2/3 upgrade and Tranche
reducing programme risk and flight test time. forefront of the global combat air sector, which 1 replacement requirements, Germany could
Flight testing is expensive and often limited by was a significant ambition of the broader UK still be a customer for ECRS Mk 2. It needs to
weather and asset availability, leading to delays. 2018 combat air strategy. replace some 85 surviving Tornados and may
The Bright Adder test radar will now fly on a still opt for a split buy of Super Hornets and
Typhoon as part of the ECRS Mk 2 test and Bidding for business Eurofighters, divided between 30 Block III F/A-
evaluation (T&E) effort, along with a number of The new radar is also being offered to export 18E/Fs and 15 of the E/A-18G Growler EA and
other test radars and the first three production customers. It promises to allow air forces SEAD version, plus 40 Eurofighters, to replace
systems. The first Radar Two will fly in a Typhoon to operate a single-platform Typhoon fleet, the Tornado for strike missions, with an option
in 2022 and the T&E fleet will build steadily from even when in the most challenging contested for a further 15 aircraft for EA.
there, achieving initial operational capability (IOC) environments, and not simply as an adjunct to Alternatively, Germany could still opt for an
for the ECRS Mk 2 soon after 2025. fifth-generation fighters. all-Eurofighter solution. It has been reported
A programme insider noted that the Radar Two is known to form part of the that then-German defence minister Ursula
September 2020 contract was the fifth cycle Eurofighter bid in Finland, where the Typhoon von der Leyen may have favoured equipping
of activity that he had personally seen on offer is based on alignment with the RAF these aircraft with Radar Two, though Airbus’
ECRS Mk 2, and that during those cycles, Tranche 3 aircraft standard. Radar Two is also unveiling of a dedicated SEAD variant (the
the schedule and planned timeline had been likely to be included in any further Typhoon so-called Eurofighter ECR) to meet the
maintained, giving him confidence that the IOC procurements by Saudi Arabia and Oman, Luftgestätze Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen
will be achieved. where commonality with the RAF Typhoon is Spektrum (LUWES, or airborne action in the
The ECRS Mk 2 forms a key part of the UK’s highly prized. electromagnetic spectrum) requirement may
long-term vision for Typhoon, establishing a BAE Systems’ former Finland Campaign make this option less likely. AFM
Radar Two will equip RAF

Tranche 3 Typhoons, and
promises to prove technology
that will be used by the new
Tempest BAE Systems

RNLAF 336 Squadron
A 336 Squadron C-130H during an autumn mission
flying over the Netherlands. Clearly visible is
an ALQ-131 pod on each wingtip. This type of
equipment is used for electronic countermeasures
and is vital during tactical airlift operations in
hostile territory. This aircraft, serial number G-781,
wears special tail markings applied in 2019 to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of the type in
RNLAF service
a
Northern Skies Aviation
c tical Tr
Ta
Below: Ready for take-off. During TWIC 2019, 336
Squadron performed beach landings on the Danish
island of Rømø. During TWIC, which takes place at
Leeuwarden air base, C-130 crews are trained to
become Tactical Weapons Instructors

nsition
r a
In recent years, 336 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has
transitioned its four C-130 Hercules from regular transport duties to
tactical operations. Frank Visser and Ludo Mennes spoke with the
unit’s new commander about his plans for this unique squadron
A
ctivated in September 1961, 336 C-130 Hercules operator, after receiving a Their flight decks were replaced with
Squadron, Royal Netherlands Air pair of C-130H-30 aircraft in 1994. In 2005, modern digital systems under Marshall’s
Force (RNLAF), was equipped with the Dutch government decided to double Cockpit Upgrade Programme (CUP), while
six Douglas Dakota transport aircraft. Active Hercules capacity and 336 Squadron was their cargo holds were modified through
during the Netherlands’ conflict with Indonesia reactivated as the C-130 unit at its present the installation of loadmaster chairs, smoke
over Dutch New Guinea, it was deactivated station, Eindhoven, in the south of Holland, on alarms and improved lighting, part of a Cabin
in October 1962. On August 1, 1981 the unit October 23, 2007. Safety Improvement Programme (CSIMP).
was re-activated at Hato air base on the Dutch Known as the ‘Black Bulls’, the squadron Modification work was completed on
Caribbean island of Curaçao, operating two took over the C-130H-30s, and received November 20, 2012.
Fokker F27 Maritime aircraft. two C-130H transports, purchased as
Responsible for search and rescue missions, EC-130Q aircraft from the US Navy in 2005 Tactical airlift
surveillance against smugglers, oil pollution and reworked by Marshall Aerospace at Number 336 Squadron made the switch from
control and transporting Dutch Marine Cambridge Airport, UK, to standard airlift strategic to tactical airlift some years ago, and
Corps soldiers permanently based on the configuration. Starting in 2005, all four its capability was boosted by the start of the
island, the squadron provided useful service aircraft were extensively upgraded, the work Transport Weapons Instructor Course (TWIC)
until political decisions saw it disbanded certifying them for flying civilian airways and in 2017. The squadron developed TWIC in
in 1999 and the Fokkers sold. Meanwhile, using civilian airports, thus making them co-operation with the F-16 community, which
334 Squadron had become a Lockheed globally deployable. places pilots on the Fighter Weapons Instructor

RNLAF 336 Squadron
A 336 Squadron C-130H-30 at Kabul

International Airport, Afghanistan,
supporting the International Security
Assistance Force Northern Skies Aviation
Course. Between them, the 2017 and 2019 communication systems, including TacSat, commander conducts the briefing and then
TWIC events produced five C-130 weapons that USAF C-130s employ for the role. delegates detailed planning to crew members.
instructors, among them Capt Joost (full name Meanwhile, 336 Squadron co-pilot 1st The co-pilot, for example, works closely
withheld), a flight commander on the C-130H, Lt Miquel (full name withheld) recently with the mission planners and is responsible
who explained some of 336 Squadron’s completed his Mission Qualification Training for the maps, the Combat Airdrop Planning
role: “Tactical flying involves a multitude of (MQT). He noted: “Strategic airlift is relatively System software, intel and frequencies.
missions, including parachute drops at high simple because you fly from point A to point A flight engineer, Lt Mike, represents
and low altitudes, airdropping cargo and B. But, in tactical airlift, you really have to the third crew member in the cockpit and
combat search and rescue [CSAR]. Everything work together as a team, and planning and explained: “When we prepare for a tactical
we do is in direct support of our partners in a preparing for a flight takes more time. You flight, I’m mainly concerned with pre-flight
deployed area – special forces, for example.” have to take into account many aspects, checks on the weapon systems.” He is also
Although it is not officially a 336 including the threat in the area of responsible for the proper loading of
Squadron task, the unit flew CSAR operations and weather conditions.” the crypto (classified mission data) and
in the 2019 TWIC. However, In the planning phase, crews checking that the self-protection system
the C-130Hs are not ideally ‘336 Sqn meet informally to analyse and all other systems are working
suited to the task, lacking can deliver the task, with intel officers properly. In addition, if the mission
the forward-looking present to outline different requires a landing on a short airstrip or
infrared (FLIR) and specific
tactical airlift threat levels. The mission natural surface, the flight engineer takes
anywhere in the
world, under
various threat
levels’
Four C-130s taxiing at Eindhoven Air Base after completing a Falcon

Leap mission. The first and last are 336 Squadron C-130Hs, with two
USAFE C-130Js in the middle from the 86th AW, Ramstein Air Base,
Germany. Falcon Leap is an international exercise developed and
organised by 336 Squadron Northern Skies Aviation

into account the available field length and
One of the aspects of tactical
airlift is cargo dropping. surface, to calculate the permissible landing
This RNLAF C-130H has just weight and, therefore, the cargo and fuel load.
started releasing 12 pallets of These duties are learned through MQT, which
cargo over Deelen Air Base takes an average of two to three months, for
any crew member.
A C-130H crew also includes two
loadmasters. There is no simulator for
loadmasters, so they learn their skills on
MQT flights. Sergeant Major Jan explained:
“As loadmasters we learn aspects of tactical
operations during our MQT and how to build
pallets for airdropping.” Regular planning
meetings conclude with a mass briefing, after
which the flight engineer and loadmasters
co-ordinate the final details with the pilots.
Capt Joost continued: “Our C-130H is
now multi-mission capable and I hope to fly
tactical airdrops during our deployment in
Mali in November. Every crew member knows
they must carry out their tasks professionally
for us to successfully complete a tactical
mission. It is not easy to drop a pallet
accurately and communication between pilot
and loadmaster is very important, but we
have become very good at it.”
During engine start-up at his home base at
Eindhoven, a loadmaster watches closely. For this
procedure he is in constant contact with the crew New leadership
in the cockpit Northern Skies Aviation When Lt Col Maurice ‘Skunk’ Schonk assumed
command of 336 Squadron on September
2, 2020, he was among the RNLAF’s most
experienced F-16 pilots, with more than 4,000
hours on the type. With multiple deployments
and, most importantly, a four-year posting as
a supervisor at the European Participating
Air Forces (EPAF) Weapons School behind
him, Schonk brought extensive tactical and
instructional experience to further develop 336
Squadron as a tactical airlift unit.
“The development process really started
in 2017, with the first TWIC,” he said. “If you
offer tactical airlift you have to keep your
promise, therefore keeping everyone up to

RNLAF 336 Squadron
speed is essential.” Joining the squadron,

he first looked at where it was in reaching
its tactical airlift goal, then set realistic
targets. “I had a clear view of the pilots
and their experience, but not of the flight
engineers and loadmasters, and certainly
not of the maintainers and support staff,”
he recalled. Understanding the squadron’s
support requirements is important, since it
is scheduled to bring all maintenance and
support in-house but, as Schonk said, it
“takes time”.
He also noted changes in how the unit
is crewed. “In the past, experienced fixed
and rotary-wing pilots joined the squadron,
but nowadays many are ab initio pilots,
joining directly from flight training in the US.
My aim is to convince everyone that 336
Squadron can deliver tactical airlift anywhere
in the world, under various threat levels,
demonstrating our relevance and ensuring all
squadron members are of the same mindset.”
He experienced a similar transition on the
F-16. Until the F-16 midlife update, RNLAF
pilots trained only in air defence, but by
the end of the 1990s the upgraded jets had
enabled them to fly many more mission types.
Schonk said: “Because I went through that
cycle I can guide 336 Squadron and learn
from the past.”
Previously, student pilots went
through flight training at Sheppard
AFB, Texas, where their A 336 Squadron loadmaster at the ramp of a
instructors made a definitive C-130H-30, closely watched by his colleagues in the
choice on which aircraft second C-130H-30 the squadron has in its inventory.
they would go on to fly. Eindhoven Air Base has always been the home base
of the RNLAF C-130s Northern Skies Aviation
The best of class
became fighter pilots and
the rest went to transports The current Left badge: The official 336
or helicopters. Today, the commander of 336 Squadron badge, displaying the
Squadron is Lt Col Latin phrase ‘Sudore ac Pulvere’,
pilot streaming process has
Maurice ‘Skunk’ meaning ‘Sweat and Dust’
changed, so that candidates are Schonk Northern Northern Skies Aviation
allocated to the aircraft for which Skies Aviation
they are most suited.
Schonk explained: “Pilots must have the
correct aptitudes – being a team player in
the cockpit, for example. And because they
now come to the squadron directly from
pilot training, they can be further trained and
shaped, and we have them for at least ten
years. For these reasons, I have a preference
for young recruits. This doesn’t mean there’s
no way to move horizontally, but more
experienced pilots coming in must bring value
to the squadron.”
In 2021, 336 Squadron aims to further refine
its processes and continue its growth from
a regular squadron into a ‘super squadron’,
capable of operating independently with its
own maintenance, mission planning, intel In recent months, personnel availability has
and support staff; it is a unique concept grown steadily to an acceptable operational
for the RNLAF. Schonk continued: “If the level, while maintenance staffing is almost
processes are clear, you are able to create full. In addition, with the airlines laying
a very strong team, where everyone knows off pilots as a result of COVID-19, several
what is expected. It also means people may have returned to 336 Squadron. Given their
be allocated squadron roles that better reflect considerable experience, they are primarily
their competencies.” involved in planning, but will eventually go
Because the C-130H is a niche type in flying again.
RNLAF service, pilot, flight engineer and Dutch Special Forces perform
high-altitude parachute jumps
loadmaster training mainly takes place on Hercules replacement from a C-130H-30. Normally,
the squadron. It is also an old platform, a The RNLAF has operated the C-130H for such operations are conducted
fact that affects its availability. Being a super more than 25 years, and although the aircraft at night. These types of Special
squadron means having assets available 24/7 have been upgraded extensively, they are also Operation Missions are part of
the tactical training programme
and running a continuous training programme. used intensively and must soon be replaced. Northern Skies Aviation

When a new type enters service, conversion
This 336 Squadron C-130H roars over the
training will be outsourced. Schonk explained southern part of the Netherlands, just
its significance: “With outsourcing I will be before sunset Northern Skies Aviation
able to keep so much more manpower, flight
hours and simulator hours available in the
Netherlands, allowing me to use my training
hours more robustly.
“The aim is to have conversion training for
the new aircraft take place abroad for some
of the current aircrew. They will support
the arrival of the first aircraft and then a
second group will follow the same conversion
process. When they return to Eindhoven, I’ll
have a complete squadron. The three to four
new pilots I then need each year will undergo
their Initial Qualification Training abroad,
because I want to outsource this training.
Taking responsibility for this training away
from the squadron will immediately
yield around 500 flight hours, including
deployable personnel.”
Aircraft replacement was originally planned
for 2031–33, but recently brought forward
to 2026. The transition team, comprising
personnel from 336 Squadron and the “The ‘A’ phase, in which we announced suitable for medevac and able to land on
Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has that new aircraft are being purchased, unpaved and short runways.
already begun work under a DMO lead. The is complete. The ‘B’ phase, in which the For deployment into high-risk areas
team numbers only four, in contrast to the concurrent design-working group assesses worldwide, the aircraft must include self-
transition team for the F-35, for example, each candidate aircraft against protection systems, while advanced
which is 35 strong. “That means we have numerous criteria, is underway.” communication and information systems
to do a lot ourselves,” Schonk continued. As a tactical airlifter, the C-130H’s are required to ensure its relevance until at
“The work not only involves the purchase successor must be able to transport least 2040. Air-to-air refuelling capability is
of four to six new aircraft, but also various types of cargo, including being considered, but only on a ‘nice to have’
pilot and maintenance training, the vehicles and ammunition, over basis, since tactical operations longer than
adaptation of infrastructure at our a minimum distance of 2,000 six hours are unrealistic (they’re too intensive)
Eindhoven base, and regulations miles, be capable of dropping and the required range can be achieved
and communication. at least 60 parachutists, be without air refuelling.
Right emblem: The Coat

of Arms of the Royal
Netherlands Air Force’s
336 Squadron

RNLAF 336 Squadron
Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Hercules is 336 Squadron operates worldwide. In 2006, one C-130H-30 was deployed to Kabul International Airport
an obvious replacement candidate, but in Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force. During that deployment, the
the Embraer C-390 Millennium is also a RNLAF C-130s were painted in this two-tone grey colour scheme. Now, all four C-130s are painted in a
possibility. The Airbus A400M seems to grey colour scheme Northern Skies Aviation
have only an outside chance, since it is less
operationally agile and much larger than the
C-390 and C-130J. Final selection is expected
around April 2021.
Once a platform selection has been made,
Schonk said great importance is attached to
seeking co-operation with other European
countries. Such arrangements have existed
for decades between European F-16 users,
under the EPAF programme. Operators do
already exchange ideas and experiences with
one another in the tactical airlift community,
but not to the same degree as the EPAF.
Closer co-operation could result in the
formation of a Tactical Airlift Weapons School,
and Schonk even expects to run TWIC
events including a variety of airlift platforms,
recognising the importance of synergy
between platforms performing similar tasks.
Future ambition His knowledge made him particularly Since 2014, 336 Squadron has maintained
It is important that the wider RNLAF and suited to continuing the progress a strategic partnership with the 11th
other services recognise and understand 336 begun by his predecessor, Col Air Manoeuvre Brigade (AMB). It
Squadron’s tactical capability, and his ability
to gain that recognition was a primary reason
Jorrit ‘Winnie’ De Gruijter, who
developed the RNLAF’s
‘We’re a includes Defense Helicopter
Command (DHC) aircraft and
behind Schonk’s appointment as commander. blueprint for tactical airlift. relatively small the Royal Netherlands Army’s
squadron, but 11th Air Assault Brigade.
Yet Schonk also stresses
highly trained and the continued importance
our personnel of training alongside
international assets.
form a super “In the event of a conflict,
team’ we must be able to operate
with coalition armed forces.
That’s why I would like to train with
overseas units, including those of the US
Army or US Marines. An option for doing
this is a proposed exercise in the US, that
also includes mountain training. In recent
years we’ve successfully trained in desert
environments, out of MCAS Yuma, Arizona,
for example, but training in mountainous
terrain has received too little attention.
All four RNLAF Flying in the US, Scotland or the north of
C-130s of 336 Squadron have received Scandinavia is helping us make our pilots
so-called microvanes. These vanes, which were developed all-rounders, however.”
by Metro Aerospace, disturb the airflow, which reduces air
A ‘Mountain Bull’ exercise is planned for
resistance and lowers fuel consumption. This modification was
executed at Eindhoven Air Base Northern Skies Aviation next year and, in 2023, 336 Squadron aims to
participate in the Arctic Challenge Exercise.
For 2021, 336’s Orange Bull exercise and
a TWIC are on the agenda and, from mid-
November, the Squadron will deploy for
United Nations’ duties in Mali, returning
home in mid-May 2022. All four C-130Hs are
receiving a defensive aids upgrade for the
mission. Portuguese aircraft will replace the
Dutch contingent for six months from May
2022, after which 336 Squadron will return
for a second six-month stint. The extended
C-130H-30 is preferred for the deployments,
for its ability to accommodate a force
protection team and additional spare parts as
well as whatever load is required.
Lt Col Schonk concluded: “We have a
busy schedule ahead of us and a clear
path to becoming a more complete, even
On the ground darkness is falling, but this RNLAF better tactical airlift unit. We’re a relatively
C-130H still benefits from the last rays of the sun, flying small squadron, but highly trained and our
over the southern part of the Netherlands personnel form a super team of which I am
very proud.” AFM

A 336 Squadron C-130H
during an autumn mission
over the Netherlands

Montenegro Air Force
A Bell 412 EPI seen flying over the coastal town

of Kotor, in southwest Montenegro. When the
rest of Montenegro belonged to the ancient
Turkish empire, the Kotor area was governed
by Venice and Austria for more than 400 years
Sven van Roij

BALKAN
Bells
Helicopters are at the heart
of Montenegro’s Air Force,
as the country beds into its
membership of NATO.
Sven van Roij was given
exclusive access to the
force’s plans for its new
military responsibilities
M
ontenegro is a country that is
firmly looking forward. Nowhere
is this commitment to the future
more apparent than in its investment – both
political and financial – in its air force. The
country has in place a long-term strategy
to bring its military up to date, and that
includes modernisation of infrastructure
and equipment, as well as a comprehensive
renewal of its helicopter fleet.
had voted in favour of separation from
Serbia during the referendum, signalling
the start of a major change in the
Balkan country's political attitude and
turning it 180° from East to West. Over a
short, dramatic timeframe, Montenegro
transformed from being a bombing target
of North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) aircraft, during Operation Allied
Force in 1999, when it was still part of the
With these robust plans, it is easy to Republic of Yugoslavia, to proudly joining
forget that it is a mere 15 years since the the Alliance in 2016. In the subsequent
Republic of Montenegro proclaimed its years, the country has undergone major
independence on June 3, 2006. changes, including the modernisation of
Just over half the country's population its air force.

The landscape in Montenegro is

diverse, from rocky mountains to
tourist villages and from vast lakes
to dense forests. The brand new
Bell 412 EPI is suitable for a wide
variety of tasks above all these
areas Sven van Roij
Fully focused, Lt Col Radeta follows

two other Gazelles through Mrtvica
Canyon. The mountains offer a unique
location for low-flying exercises
Sven van Roij
The military airbase, Knjaz Danilo, nestles A Montenegrin HN-45M Gama follows
in the Zeta valley, ten miles south of an HO-42 in the last light of the day over
the Balkan landscape Sven van Roij
Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica. It is the
only airbase in the country, a mixed civilian-
military airport that houses the entire
Vazduhoplovstvo Vojske Crne Gore – Air
Force of the Armed Forces of Montenegro.
The Air Force consists of a Command Staff,
Signal Platoon, Air Defence Platoon, Auxiliary
Squad, Air Operation Centre, Air Defence
Platoon, Aviation Support Company and one
Helicopter Squadron. The military zone of
the airport covers about 75 acres and is the
workplace of all 225 Air Force employees.
Since the Montenegrin military is very small,
most personnel have a wide range of tasks.
Despite its size, the Air Force has a rich
history. The first flight in Montenegro took
place in 1913, less than a decade after the
Wright brothers’ first flight. During the 1970s
and through the 1980s, both Yugoslav Military
Air Force Academy students and foreign
air force pilots were trained at Knjaz Danilo
and achieved top results. In the 1990s, the
air base was home to the largest unit in
the Balkans; 172 Aviation Brigade, which
consisted of seven squadrons and two
aerobatic teams.
At its peak, 172 Aviation Brigade was
responsible for 15,000 flying hours per
year. Nowadays, fewer than one-eighth of
that figure are flown annually. The Military
Air Force Academy no longer offers basic
flight training – too expensive when only a

few new pilots are needed each year. As a The force now operates a handful of
result, Montenegrin military pilots complete HO-42s and HO-45s, says Lt Col Radeta. It is
their flight training abroad, until recently planning to sell the other helicopters, but due
in countries such as Greece, Italy and to technical difficulties the entire Gazelle fleet
Macedonia. Today, with the arrival of the Bell has been grounded for six months.
412 helicopter, courses have also started
at the Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth, The road to NATO
Texas and at Pegasus Aero Group in Palma Despite fragile public support for membership
del Río, Spain. of NATO, the majority of the government of
The Air Force’s fleet has also shrunk Montenegro has always been much more
dramatically in size. The disintegration of amenable. In turn, NATO always operated an
Yugoslavia led to military helicopters being ‘open door policy’ – as article 10 of the Treaty
divided between the new states and has describes. The positive attitude of both parties
prompted a change of name. The country’s contributed to Montenegro’s rapid accession
sole Helicopter Squadron now operates to NATO. Five months after gaining statehood
several types, plus one fixed-wing Cessna – during the Riga Summit in November 2006
421B Golden Eagle. "Since the designation – Montenegro was invited by NATO to join the
'Helicopter Squadron' is no longer Partnership for Peace programme (PfP). This
appropriate, the name of the unit will change is a general collaborative platform, allowing
to ‘Mixed Squadron’ as of March 1 this year," partners to build an individual relationship
explains Lieutenant Colonel Jovan Radeta, with NATO, choosing their own priorities for
Chief of Operations at Air Force Command. co-operation. Montenegro accepted and
Until recently, the Montenegrin Air Force joined the PfP in December 2006.
operated 13 Gazelle helicopters, most of Montenegro then agreed to the Individual
them licence-built by the Yugoslav aircraft Partnership Action Plans (IPAP) to deepen its
manufacturer SOKO Mostar. The fleet relationship with NATO in July 2008.
included the HN-45M Gama (an attack Relations rapidly progressed and, 17 months
version of the SA 342L), the HI-42 Hera later, in December 2009, NATO invited
(a scout version of SA 341), the HO-42 (a Montenegro to join its Membership Action
general-purpose version of the SA 341H) Plan (MAP), a programme that supports
and two SA-341s made by Aérospatiale, the countries willing to join the Alliance and
French state-owned aerospace manufacturer. provides tailored advice and practical
With the accession of
Montenegro to NATO, the entire In June 2016, the Air Force lost one of its assistance. As part of the MAP, Montenegro
coastal area of the Adriatic Gazelle helicopters in an accident. It was an submitted its first Annual National Programme
Sea has been covered by the armed HN-45M – serial number 12941 – flown (ANP) less than a year later.
Alliance. Part of the coastline
by Colonel Namik Arifovic and his co-pilot, In subsequent ANPs, the country announced
includes these cliffs, near the
port of Bar, being passed by a Lieutenant Colonel Miroljub Antanasijevic. its intention to dispose of surplus Air Force
pair of Gazelles Sven van Roij Both survived the crash, but Colonel Arifovic material, including four SOKO G-4 Super
was seriously injured.

Galeb advanced jet trainers and light ground- small defence budget means that Left: The Montenegrin Air Force
attack aircraft, as well as three UTVA-75 Montenegro is currently unable to coat of arms
military basic trainers. Even though the last fulfil all NATO commitments. Its Montenegrin MoD
operational UTVA-75 flight was in 2008 and Long-term Defence Development
the last Super Galeb flight was in 2010, the Plan says that annual flying hours
government only took the decision to sell per pilot will increase from 80 to
the fixed-wing aircraft in March 2016; 120 hours, although this is still
they had been in open storage at below the NATO-standard of 180
Knjaz Danilo Air Base. “Two of the hours (including 40 simulator
basic trainers were sold in 2016. The hours). “As we became a
remaining aircraft will be offered for NATO member, most of our pilots
sale through a public tender in the reached the NATO standard,” says
near future,” says Radeta. Radeta. “Due to excellent co-operation
Montenegro eventually joined with our allies, we have improved our
NATO on June 5, 2017. The entire flight-training capabilities. Our future
coast of the Adriatic is now plans will allow us to achieve the NATO
covered by NATO allies; this standard for all of our pilots.”
expansion into Eastern Europe Montenegro integrated its airspace
is a major strategic advantage into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile
for NATO. Montenegro Defence System (NATINAMDS) because it
has also taken part in EU is not planning to furnish its air force with
sanctions against the attack aircraft. With no suitable fighter planes,
Russian annexation of NATO allies Greece and Italy take care of
Crimea from Ukraine. Montenegro’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) in
Like several other the context of NATO Air Policing.
Western allies, the An Air Operations Centre (AOC) has been
country’s relatively established and Montenegro will purchase
a medium- or long-range 3D radar system
to watch over its airspace. This will enable
the integration of radar images (RAP) at
both national and regional level, as well as
data exchange with NATO. "Montenegro has
recently signed a letter of intent to join NATO
Support and Procurement Organisation’s equipment for (troop) transport, medical
Radar Support Partnership. Our plan is to use evacuation (MEDEVAC), search and rescue
the HR-3000 radar after upgrading it. (SAR) and fire-extinguishing capabilities.
The system is expected to be operational The requirement for this new helicopter type
within two years,” says Radeta. was confirmed in the 2013 Strategic Defence
Review of Montenegro, which identified the Air
Fleet renewal Force’s lack of a medium-lift utility helicopter.
Montenegro’s third ANP, published in October The urgent need for a multi-role helicopter
2012, outlined the need to acquire at least became evident during forest fires in the
two multipurpose helicopters with additional Luštica Peninsula, near the Croatian border,
Right: Montenegrin aircraft have

worn various roundels over the
years. The Bell fleet received a
new design, made possible by
former Air Force Commander
Lt Col Drazen Vlahovic
Montenegrin MoD

The infrastructure A loadmaster looks from his
of Golubovci Air Base was hoist-equipped Bell 412 EPI
severely damaged after Operation while a second EPI follows
Allied Force. Of the seven hangars, only behind. In terms of operational
one was saved. Due to the renovation of this use, there are no major
hangar, all Montenegrin Gazelles were temporarily differences between the
housed in a tight shelter Sven van Roij EPI and EP Sven van Roij
when, exactly six weeks after joining NATO, by Minister of Defence Predrag Boskovic (XHB032 and XHB033). Due to budgetary
on July 17, Montenegro called for firefighting and Martin Zablocki, chief executive officer constraints, it was not possible to buy three.
assistance from the Euro-Atlantic Disaster and president of Canadian Commercial “In terms of operational use, there are no
Response Co-ordination Centre (EADRCC). Corporation, on January 30, 2018. On April major differences between the EPI and EP,”
NATO’s youngest ally’s request was honoured 13, 2018, the Air Force took delivery of a says Radeta. “Unlike the EP, the
and Bulgaria, Israel, Switzerland and Ukraine, 2002-built Bell 412EP (XHB307), a former New 412EPI features the
all sent aircraft and helicopters to help in York Police Department helicopter. Later that Bell
fighting the blaze. year, on September 10, Montenegro also
The contract to acquire two new Bell received two factory-new
412EPIs and one used Bell 412EP was signed Bell 412EPIs
Both factory-new Bell 412EPIs on the

ramp at Knjaz Danilo military air base
Sven van Roij

A pair of Montenegrin HN-45M Gama

helicopters, essentially Aérospatiale
Gazelles, built under licence by the SOKO
company in what was then Yugoslavia
Sven van Roij
Since March 2016, the Montenegrin Air Force

has been looking for a potential buyer for its
SOKO G-4 Super Galebs Sven van Roij
BasiX Pro, an integrated glass flight deck. One of the two factory-new Bell 412EPIs flies over
the rugged Balkan landscape Sven van Roij
The system provides single-pilot Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) capabilities and
incorporates the Garmin GTN 750
touchscreen navigators with four 10½in LCD
displays. Also, the Pratt & Whitney PT6-9 Twin
Pac engines that power the 412EPI, produce
about 15% more shaft horsepower when
compared with the 412EP powerplants.”
The 412EP is also the only airframe equipped
with a weather radar and 4-axis autopilot.
The decision to purchase the 412 was well
considered, given that other Montenegrin
government and police departments also
operate this type and knowledge, experience
and maintenance contracts can be shared.
However, the renewal of the aircraft
fleet involved logistical and infrastructural
challenges, especially for a country with
limited financial possibilities. “Recently, one
of our hangars has been renovated with a new
floor and large electric doors to house the Bell
helicopters,” says Radeta. There are more
plans to modernise further the infrastructure,
hangars and apron, creating more space for
the fleet and providing a significant upgrade
for maintenance.
Jet Ranger pioneer

On April 7 last year, Montenegrin Minister of
Defence, Predrag Boškovic, attended a demo
event for Bell’s 505 Jet Ranger X.
Boškovic told the press that the MoD is
considering the replacement of its Gazelle
fleet, because the type has been in service for
more than three decades. The ministry was
looking for a new training helicopter that can
replace the obsolete model within five years,
and the Bell 505 was one of the contenders.

With the country building Bell 412
The last operational UTVA-75 flight was on
September 2, 2008, though the Montenegrin experience, its utility assignment will be
government didn’t sell the military basic trainer expanded in future. “Acquiring the Bell 412
aircraft until March 2016. Since then, the fixed-wing was a significant project,” says Radeta.
aircraft have been in open storage Sven van Roij “Over the last two years, we have regained
all our capabilities for mid-transport. Our
flight crews completed training for winch and
Bambi Bucket ops in Slovenia last year and
procurement of air ambulance kits is currently
underway. We will achieve full operational
capability this year. Our intention is to train all
military pilots on the Bell 412.” The Long-Term
Defence Development Plan says the Bell fleet
will be equipped and armed in 2023/2024 too.
“Together with our allies, we will deliver a
safe future for the people of Montenegro and
the rest of the world,” says Radeta. “One of
our goals is to cover the entire territory of
Montenegro with our helicopter capability
soon. To accomplish this, a helicopter flight
On November 6, the minister informed “We will also continue to keep up our may be stationed at Nikšic Airport, located
the Montenegrin parliament's Security and fixed-wing experience on our Cessna more centrally in our country.” To facilitate
Defence Committee that Montenegro will 421B Golden Eagle, while performing these plans, the defence budget is due to
acquire four Jet Ranger X helicopters for the light transport tasks for the MoD and increase towards 2024 – until it reaches the
Air Force, making the country the first military Armed Forces. We have two pilots NATO standard of 2% of gross domestic
user of this type of helicopter. qualified to operate the type. An product (GDP).
“Acquiring the 505 will bring us new overhaul of the aircraft is necessary As Chief of Operations, Radeta is optimistic
operational advantages, especially for to upgrade the autopilot and replace about the future of his unit and proudly
training. We hope to receive our first Jet navigation instruments, at a cost of concludes: “The Montenegro Air Force will
Ranger X by the end of this year. Since our about EUR70,000. We hope to be able to be one of the most important pillars in our
SA341s and SA342s are currently grounded, purchase a new transport aircraft in the defence system. We must stick together with
our crews do not have a training helicopter,” future. The Golden Eagle is rarely used our allies, operating with a new fleet of aircraft
said Radeta. Subsequently, the first one in Europe, which makes its maintenance and our valuable staff, and keep the Air Force
arrived on September 15. more difficult.” effective and operational.” AFM

Aviación Mi
AMBV 100th anniversary
Bolivariana
A Century in Venezuelan Skies
V
enezuelan military aviation owes its and politician Simón Bolívar, who secured countering the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 and
creation to the country’s president, Venezuela’s independence from Spanish rule, MiG-23 jets flying with Cuba’s Revolutionary
Juan Vicente Gómez, a century ago. way back in 1810. Air Force.
Strongly influenced by his son, Florencio, The service’s first aircraft were the single- After several sessions of direct negotiation
a powerful advocate of the exciting new engined Caudron G.3, and two twin-engined between the US and Venezuelan governments,
technology, he made provision for Venezuela’s G.4 bombers, one of them equipped with together with domestic political and public
first military aircraft. floats for the Punta Palmita River Aviation debate, the FAV introduced the General
A decree signed on April 17, 1920, created Base-School on Lake Valencia. On June 22, Dynamics F-16A/B Block 15 Fighting Falcon
the Escuela de Aviación Militar Venezolana 1946, the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV, to its inventory in 1983. The jet represented
(Venezuelan Military Aviation School) at Venezuelan Air Force) was created as an a considerable technological leap – indeed,
Maracay and on December 10 the Aviación independent air arm. the FAV was the first air arm in the region to
Militar Bolivariana Venezolana (AMBV, acquire a fourth-generation fighter.
Military Aviation of Bolivarian Venezuela) was F-16s and Broncos It proved to be a good move. Just the threat of
established as a branch of the army. The With a watchful eye on Cuba and its allies in the F-16s was enough to deter armed conflict in
reference to ‘Bolivarian’ might seem confusing, the Caribbean region, the FAV began the 1980s August 1987, when the Colombian navy frigate
but it is in tribute to the Latin-American soldier by evaluating multirole fighters capable of Caldas entered the Gulf of Venezuela backing

Militar One hundred years after its
creation, the Aviación Militar
Bolivariana, Venezuela’s air force,
is operating an interesting variety
of aircraft. Erwin Fuguet and
a
Santiago Rivas report
Above: In common with many forces around the

world, Venezuelan Military Aviation has a tradition
of applying special schemes to commemorate
significant dates. This Su-30 was painted in 2011 to
mark the fifth anniversary of the type’s service and
the bicentenary of Venezuela independence
up Colombia’s bid to claim these territorial Bronco attacks against Teniente Vicente in 2013 in Brazil’s Cruzex exercise, its F-16s
waters as its own. Landaeta Gil, headquarters of the 12th flying alongside South American, European
With the F-16 well established in service, Combat Air Group, destroyed several and US assets.
in 1992 the FAV became the first non-NATO Canadair/Northrop VF-5s stored for the Grifo In 2008, the FAV reverted to the Aviación
country to participate in one of the regular US modernisation project. Meanwhile, an anti- Militar Bolivariana Venezolana designation of
Air Force Red Flag exercises held at Nellis Air aircraft missile fired from Fort Tiuna in Caracas its predecessor, remaining as an independent
Force Base, Nevada; it returned for a second shot down an OV-10, while an F-16 pilot loyal service alongside the army, navy and national
Red Flag the next year. to the democratic government used his jet’s guard, all three of which operate air assets.
Back in Venezuela, 1992 was to be a difficult gun to down two OV-10s over El Libertador air The AMBV comprises more than 11,000
year. In February, the army attempted a coup base in Palo Negro, Aragua state. personnel, structured within a general
under commander Hugo Chávez; and a Commander Hugo Chávez ultimately became command, under a general staff and made up
second military uprising followed on November Venezuela’s president in 1999, by which of divisions with a general inspectorate.
27 involving a group of FAV officers and NCOs time the FAV had participated in various Units and bases fall under the command of the
loyal to Chávez. international exercises with the US Air National respective Regiones Estratégicas de Defensa
Rebel pilots targeted government installations Guard and the French Air Force. The AMBV Integral (REDI, Strategic Regions of Integral
and, in the early morning, Rockwell OV-10 made its last international exercise appearance Defense) of the Comando Estratégico

The Shaanxi Y-8 was purchased to replace the fleet of C-130H Hercules. Despite that decision, one of
the latter was recently returned to service
Left: The Hongdu K-8W replaced the Northrop

F-5A and Rockwell T-2 for advanced training and
the OV-10 Bronco for light attack
Below: A Diamond DA42VI Twin Star of
Escuadrón Primario 182, part of Grupo Aéreo de
Entrenamiento No 18. The type provides the first
stage of twin-engined aircraft training
This image: Diamond DA40NG Tundra Stars of
Escuadrón Primario 181, part of Grupo Aéreo de
Entrenamiento No 18, flying over Valencia lake
near their base at Boca del Río
Operacional de la Fuerza Nacional Bolivariana Capitán Manuel Ríos, El Sombrero, Guárico del Valle García, performing deep maintenance
(CEOFANB, Strategic Operational Command state, the unit having previously retired its on the Su-30MK2 and its weapon systems.
of the National Armed Forces). The Comando Dassault Mirage 50EV/DV fleet. On July 5, 2020, Venezuela’s Independence
de Defensa Aeroespacial Integral (CODAI, A plan to acquire 12 more Sukhoi fighters, Day, a formation of ten Su-30MK2s flew over
Integral Aerospace Defense Command) is also with the aim of equipping each fighter Grupo Caracas, demonstrating how successful the
attached to CEOFANB. with 18 aircraft, initially came to nothing. Russian and AMBV personnel had been in
The main, advanced and logistics However, after a Grupo 11 jet crashed in improving the type’s serviceability, since the
AMBV bases include those at Barcelona, September 2015, it was announced an attrition entire fleet had previously been grounded.
Barquisimeto, Boca del Rio, Caracas, El replacement was being sought, along with November 2020, marked the 37th anniversary
Sombrero, El Vigía, La Esmeralda, Maracaibo, the additional 12 aircraft first mooted in 2006, of the F-16A/B in Venezuelan service. In a May
Maracay, Porlamar, Puerto Ayacucho, Puerto and a heavy maintenance deal for the existing 1982 deal with General Dynamics, Venezuela
Ordaz and Santo Domingo. fleet. The most recent official information purchased 18 F-16As and six F-16Bs. The first
confirms only that the 22 surviving aircraft are six arrived on November 16, 1983, with final
Combat aviation being overhauled and upgraded; a second deliveries following two years later. The jets
In the last 20 years, the AMBV and FAV before Su-30MK2 was lost in 2019. serve Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16 at El Libertador,
it, have witnessed many changes in response Since November 2019, a Russian technical Palo Negro, Aragua state, in the country’s
to the evolving geopolitical situation. Traditional commission has been in place at Teniente Luis north central region. The F-16s were equipped
equipment suppliers, among them Brazil,
France, Italy, the UK and the US, have been
replaced by China and Russia. Since 2005, the
continued operation of Western systems has
been complicated by difficulties in obtaining
spare parts, after the US government imposed
sanctions over the sale of weapons and
technology transfer to Venezuela, and allied
nations took a similar stance.
Sukhoi’s Su-30MK2 forms the backbone
of Venezuelan fighter aviation, after 24 were
purchased in July 2006. The first aircraft was
delivered in November that year, equipping
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 13 (Fighter Aviation
Group 13) at Teniente Luis del Valle García,
Barcelona, the capital of Anzoátegui state
on Venezuela’s east coast. The Su-30MK2
now also equips Grupo Aéreo de Caza 11 at

with the Rafael Litening I target designation pod
in the mid-1990s and, at the end of the decade,
Bolivarian Military Aviation units and equipment
Samsung brought its Pratt & Whitney F100- Unit Equipment
PW-200 engines up to the improved One Airbus ACJ319, one Boeing 737-200, five Dassault
F100-PW-220 standard. Grupo Aéreo Presidencial 4 Falcon 50/900XLs, two Airbus Helicopters AS532UL
A mid-life update (MLU) programme began Cougars, two Mi-172VIPs
in 2005. It included a major structural overhaul Six Cessna Citation I/II/Xs, seven Beechcraft 200 and 350
Grupo Aéreo de Transporte 5
by Belgium’s SABCA, while Elbit Systems King Airs
modernised avionics and weapons systems, Six Lockheed C-130H Hercules, eight Shaanxi Y-8F-
the work adding a radar-warning receiver and 200Ws, one Shorts SD360-300
integrating the Rafael Python IV air-to-air missile. Two Dassault Falcon 20EWs, two Fairchild C-26EW
The MLU was suspended when both contractors Grupo de Reconocimiento, Vigilancia e
Metros, six Diamond DA42MPP Twin Stars, 16 CAVIM/QAI
Inteligencia Electrónica 8
fell foul of US government sanctions. Mohajer 2s
Although the F-16s have remained One Dornier Do 228NG and two Do 228-212s, nine Cessna
operational since then, spare parts have 206s, four Cessna 208 Grand Caravans
become particularly difficult to source. Of the 11 Airbus Helicopters AS332B2 Super Puma/AS532AC
24 aircraft delivered, two F-16As and one Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales 10
Cougars, two Enstrom F280FX Sharks
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 11 11 Sukhoi Su-30MK2s
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 12 11 Hongdu K-8W Karakorums
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 13 11 Sukhoi Su-30MK2s
Three Cessna 182Rs, ten Aermacchi SF260Us, 23 Embraer
Grupo Aéreo de Entrenamiento 14
EMB-312 Tucanos
Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales 15 Ten Hongdu K-8W Karakorums
14 General Dynamics F-16As and five F-16B Block 15
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16
Fighting Falcons
Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales 17 Six Mil Mi-17V-5s
24 Diamond DA40NG Tundra Stars and six DA42VI Twin
Grupo Aéreo de Entrenamiento 18
Stars
Grupo Aéreo de Entrenamiento 19 Seven Enstrom 480Bs
Grupo de Vuelo Instrumental 7 N/A
Grupo Aéreo de Fuerzas Especiales 20 Uses aircraft/helicopters from other units as required
Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales 21 –
N/A
future activation planned

Having previously been equipped with

Western types, the Mi-17V5 (pictured) and
the Mi-172 have become the main transport
helicopters of the force, since they started
to arrive in 2006. Six Mi-17V5 and two Mi-172
remain operational
F-16B have been destroyed in accidents, attack/basic training aircraft has been procured
while another two F-16As have been as a temporary replacement for both types.
decommissioned as museum pieces. Grupo The CF-5A/D and NF-5A/B latterly operated
Aéreo de Caza 16 therefore has a fleet of 14 as advanced combat trainers, a role unsuited
F-16As and five F-16Bs. In the past eight years to the K-8W. The AMBV is planning to buy
or so, there have been studies of an eventual Hongdu L-15 Falcon lead-in fighter trainer
F-16 replacement, with the Sukhoi Su-35, aircraft as a more effective Freedom Fighter
Dassault Rafale, Chengdu J-10B and JF-17 replacement. Grupo Aéreo de Caza 12 would
Thunder all reportedly considered, but no operate the L-15s from Teniente Vicente
decision is thought to have been made. Landaeta Gil, Barquisimeto, Lara state.
The AMBV still needs to fill gaps left by the The unit would transfer its current fleet of
retirement, several years ago, of the CF-5A/D 12 K-8Ws to Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones
and NF-5A/B Freedom Fighter, and of the Especiales 15 (Special Operations Air Group
OV-10A/E. The Hongdu K-8W Karakorum light- 15) at Maracaibo, Zulia state.
Above: Grupo 9 Dornier 228-212 YV3000 is a second-hand aircraft, formerly operated by the German
Navy as 57+02. It is one of two acquired from that source, while a third example was a new-build Dornier
228NG Below: Two Dornier Do 228-212 and six Do 228NG transports were ordered, but only the -212s
and one 228NG had been delivered when payment for the aircraft was stopped. They serve Grupo 9 from
Puerto Ayacucho, flying over the Amazon region
The second batch of K-8Ws arrived with a

different paint scheme to earlier deliveries,
showing a darker green on a different and lighter
tone – they also have low-visibility markings

Above: Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair 1257 is one of nine of the type flown by Grupo Aéreo de Transporte 9, which also flies the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
and Dornier 228 from its base at Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas Below: Grupo No 9 operates a mixture of aircraft to link the isolated towns in the Amazon jungle,
with the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan being one of the main types. They wear civilian-style colour schemes
In the mid-2010s, Venezuela ordered 24

Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucanos as a more
suitable Bronco replacement, but the US
government vetoed the sale on the basis
that the Brazilian attack aircraft included vital
US-built components.
Transport aviation
Venezuela’s transport requirement is primarily
for tactical airlift. The US sanctions of 2005
scuppered the planned purchase of six Airbus
C-295M transports. The completion of upgrade
work on six Lockheed C-130H Hercules,
contracted to EADS Sogerma Services, was also
thwarted, leaving the FAV to acquire eight Shaanxi
Y-8F-200W airlifters.
They were delivered from 2011 and
arrangements for deep maintenance are
now being made. The tactical transport fleet
operating with Grupo Aéreo de Transporte 6
(Air Transport Group 6) therefore comprises
eight Y-8F-200Ws and a surviving Hercules.
The Ministerio del Poder Popular para la
Defensa (MPPD, Ministry of People’s Power
for Defense – the Venezuelan defence ministry)
recently announced the reactivation of one
C-130H after an eight-year grounding.
Another pending issue is that of tanker
aircraft. The country’s two Boeing 707-320C
tankers were grounded more than a decade
ago. The purchase of two Ilyushin Il-78M
tankers was contemplated a few years back,
but no further information on the project has
emerged since.
Electronic warfare
Grupo Aéreo de Inteligencia, Vigilancia
y Reconocimiento Electronico 8
(Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Electronic
Intelligence Group 8) operates the AMBV’s
electronic warfare aircraft. The fleet comprises

The AMBV last took part in an international exercise during 2013, when its F-16s flew in Brazil’s Cruzex,
the Su-30’s logistical requirements being too complex for a foreign deployment. This is F-16A 1041 from
Grupo Aéreo de Caza 16 ‘Dragones’ in special 30th anniversary markings taxiing out during Cruzex in
front of Brazilian Air Force AMX A-1As under sun shelters
individual examples of the Dassault Falcon and military intelligence), the aircraft are
20EW, Fairchild C-26EW Metro and Diamond manufactured in Venezuela by state company
DA42MPP Twin Star, plus 16 CAVIM/QAI Compañía Anónima Venezolana de Industrias
Mohajer 2 UASs (unmanned aerial systems). Militares (CAVIM).
The AMBV ideally wants to re-equip with
improved electronic intelligence and airborne Helicopters
early-warning aircraft, but, since the US The AMBV helicopter fleet includes the recently-
blocked the purchase of four Embraer R-99As, modernised Airbus Helicopters AS332B2 Super
no further progress has been announced. Puma and AS532AC/AS532UL Cougar, together
Later, the AMBV revealed its interest in the with Mil Mi-172VIP and Mi-17V-5. In addition,
Beriev A-50, but nothing came of this either. Enstrom F280FX Shark and 480B helicopters
In addition, the acquisition of new UASs are used for training.
is under consideration. Around 15 of the The Super Pumas and AS532AC Cougars An Su-30MK2 taxies out from the flight line
local version of the Mohajer 2 are in AMBV are assigned to Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones as a second follows and three more wait their
service. Originally developed by Iran’s Quds Especiales 10 (Special Operations Air Group turn. This is a sight that has been less common
(a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard 10), the Mi-17V-5s to Grupo Aéreo de in recent years, with less than half of the fleet
operational – this situation is being rectified
Corps specialising in unconventional warfare Operaciones Especiales 17, and the AS532UL

Left: Venezuela’s introduction of the Su-30MK2 was a cause for concern among its neighbours, in
particular Colombia and Brazil, given its superiority over their fighter equipment
Below: Of the 22 remaining Su-30MK2s, about a half are currently operational. In late 2019, a group of
Russian technicians was sent to Venezuela to help reactivate the grounded fleet
and Mi-172VIP to Grupo Aéreo de Transporte the latter providing comprehensive simulator
Administrativo 4 (Presidential Air Group 4). training. Grupo 18 is equipped with 24 Diamond
In mid-2013, the AMBV announced its DA40NG Tundra Star and six DA42VI Twin Star
interest in buying 12 Airbus Helicopters H225M aircraft, while Grupo 19 operates 16 Enstrom
Caracals to complement the Cougar and Super 480B helicopters.
Puma fleet, but contract negotiations failed The Air Training Centre provides primary and
to materialise. A liaison helicopter was also basic training to fixed-wing and rotary-wing
required and interest was once focused on the AMBV, army, navy and national guard pilots.
Airbus Helicopters H125 Ecureuil. The wider project includes the construction of
As with the C-130H, the MPPD has a base in Morichal, Monagas state, in the east
announced it will refurbish an AS532AC of the country, where the units and training
Cougar after an extended period on the infrastructure will be concentrated.
ground. The origins of the spare parts used in The H125 has been considered as a new
these restorations is unknown. basic trainer for Grupo 19, while replacing
Grupo 14’s Embraer EMB-312 Tucano is also
Training under review. As the Tucano enters its 35th
The Centro de Entrenamiento Aéreo (Air Training year in Venezuelan service, spare parts are
Centre) was created in 2014, comprising Grupo becoming difficult to find in the face of US
de Entrenamiento Aéreo 14 (Air Training Group sanctions, complicating regular maintenance
14), Grupo de Entrenamiento Aéreo 18, Grupo and making refurbishment and modernisation
de Entrenamiento Aéreo 19 and Escuadrón de practically impossible. A similar situation
Vuelo Instrumental 7 (Flight Instrument Grp 7), afflicts the unit’s Aermacchi SF.260U fleet. AFM

Italian Navy 5° Gruppo Elicotteri
Fly
Show of force. Four SH-90As return
to base after a mission
All images Gian Carlo Vecchi
Below: Capitano di Fregata (CF) Andrea De Natale,

Commander of 5th Helicopter Group
C
ommander De Natale, could you After this, the selected personnel attend
outline the 5th Helicopter Group’s a ‘pre-pilot’ course at the Naval Academy
recruitment process? itself, in which they are prepared for the next
A prerequisite of becoming a pilot in the phases of their training, which will take place
Navy’s Air Force is to have completed the at US Navy flying schools.
standard entry course for all sailors at the These include a first phase at the Naval Air
Navy Academy in Livorno and been selected Station (NAS) in Pensacola, Florida, followed
as a future pilot. ‘Allievi Ufficiali Piloti di by primary flight training on the T-6 Texan II at
Complemento’ (cadet officer pilots) can NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida.
also be admitted. Then, depending on the cadets’ aptitude

lying
with the
5 thWith its long coastline
and strategic geopolitical
importance, Italy relies on a
potent naval defence force.
Gian Carlo Vecchi speaks
with Commander of 5th
Helicopter Group Andrea
De Natale about the unit’s
core responsibilities
and preferences, future pilots are sent for For the other two wings, students head to to a flight group and continue their training;
advanced flight training, which leads to their NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for training in a both an operational transition to their
naval pilot licence and gold wings. Beech Aircraft Corporation T-44 Pegasus assigned helicopter and a basic training
The different career trajectories include twin-engine turboprop. that allows them to acquire knowledge on
piloting AV-8B Harrier II Plus strike aircraft, After, pilots destined for the Leonardo P-72 operational tactics. A pilot can specialise
rotary wing and other fixed-wing aircraft. maritime patrol aircraft return to Italy. Those in surface/air-SUB (S/A-SUB) missions,
For the drones, students are trained on the earmarked as helicopter pilots go back to targeting surface or underwater threats and
T-45 Goshawk, a heavily modified McDonnell NAS Whiting Field for advanced flight training in surface/air-assault (S/A-EA) that allows
Douglas version of BAE Systems’s Hawk jet on the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter. them to operate against surface threats and in
trainer, at NAS Meridian, Mississippi. Once back in Italy, new pilots are assigned support of amphibious and special forces.

MH-90A pilots fire up the

helicopter at dusk, ready
for a night flight
Following this, pilots pursue advanced in the world to have fly-by-wire technology,
training before eventually qualifying as delivering a completely computerised
Combat Ready. At the same time, they also management of flight commands.
hone their ‘Bravo’ skills, a speciality of Naval As for onboard weapons, the modular
Air Force pilots, in which they are trained to nature of the SH-90A allows us to benefit
land on aircraft carriers during the day, at from greater flexibility, so we can change
night and using instruments, such as night- the weapons configuration on a mission-by-
vision goggles or augmented reality systems. mission basis. We can arm the helicopters
This is a very challenging part of the with Dillon M134D machine guns, or load an
training regime for our pilots, because it MU90 torpedo, or fit a Marte missile MK2/S
often coincides with very difficult weather in a very short time.
conditions. Overall, then, we are trained as
sailors, then pilots and, finally, as navy pilots. Has the workload for pilots and crew
hugely increased?
The 5th Helicopter Group has two similar The professionalism of flight operators
helicopters with very different tasks. has increased with the complexity of
Please could you give us more detail on the helicopters; in reality, they’ve now
the flight systems and combat systems? become fighting units. This is critical in the
The SH-90A is a NATO frigate helicopter (NFH), aeromaritime theatre, where helicopters let
specialised for anti-submarine warfare/anti- us extend the scope of our units’ intervention
surface warfare (ASW/ASuW). The aircraft by many miles. This is true both for scoping
represents a significant scientific and technical surface and undersea situations in naval
evolution of the former AB-212 line. formations, as well as for assessing threats.
The software architecture in the SH-90A has In particular, flight operators of the S/A-SUB
enabled us to integrate all the flight sensors type have to manage and monitor multiple
(radar, IFF, FLIR, Sonar and acoustic buoys), sensors and helicopter assets, such as
which allows the flight operator to manage Link, radar, FLIR, sonar, acoustic buoys and
real-time data. The generational leap from electronic warfare sensors.
its predecessor to this aircraft is apparent in The mission systems are completely
every aspect of the helicopter, including integrated and available for the whole crew.
its communications. This magnifies the so-called crew resource
Today, a helicopter operative can management, which allows for synergistic
communicate, for example, with headquarters and co-ordinated information management –
in Rome thanks to the aircraft’s SATCOM basically, the whole is greater than the sum
system. I would highlight the fact that both the of its parts.
SH-90A and MH-90A are the first helicopters Flight operators in the S/A-EA type

configuration have access to the same Modern technology also offers simulated How do you integrate the SH-90A platform
sensors, apart from sonar and acoustic solutions; the first is the Naval Mission in the fleet?
buoys. However, the nature of amphibious Simulator Trainer, a PC network in which The intelligence-gathering advantage of the
operations and the support of special forces pilots and operators can be trained for SH-90A only translates to a military advantage
demand highly-developed management skills. different sensors. The second is the Flight through a solid network of data sharing.
The assault operator plays a vital role in Training Device or Full Mission Simulator, Thus, we need the perfect integration of
co-ordinating the pilot and onboard team, where motion simulators recreate real-life process and technology with all naval units,
especially in delicate phases such as fast environments to replicate realistic scenarios. using communications systems like Link 11.
rope or sniper flights. Both types of operators The Navy plans to adopt similar technologies This allows the exchange of information,
can use the M134D machine gun, deployed at the Luni Helicopter Station in the future. even at long distances, and makes the
these days in our Gulf of Guinea operation SH-90A an excellent helicopter to extend
against piracy. Are all SH-90As under the same operational coverage. Also, having SATCOM
FOC configuration? and HF capabilities is important for sharing
How has the mentality of pilots and There are still some helicopters under the FOC information, both with the fleet and with the
operators changed? configuration and there is a retrofit plan to Maritime Control Agency (MACA) on land.
Aircrew teamwork lies at the heart of it and bring them up to Maintenance Release 1 (MR1)
team spirit counts above everything else; with the most recent software. At the moment, What makes the 5th Helicopter Group’s
remember, the crew has to operate in a the 5th Group has 13 SH-90A (six under FOC MH-90A helicopter so special for tactical
small space for a long time. As a result, and seven under MR1), plus three MH-90A. transportation?
everyone is an important member of the There are various differences between the
team and concentration levels have to remain How would you define the SH-90A MH-90A, SH-90A and the GITA, used by the
exceptionally high. Plus, the SH-90A and as a platform? Army. In the MH-90A there is a rear ramp that
MH-90A are extremely high-tech machines, so In the context of Net Centric Warfare, which allows us to board and disembark up to 16
all crews need to be keen on learning, which is looks at intelligence as a fundamental aspect people in a very short time.
critical to master the technology. for creating tactical superiority, the SH-90A This variant also has many more features
can be considered as a platform ready to for maritime use than the GITA, including
How do you carry out ASW/ASuW training? operate within an information network. meteorological radar with a 120° coverage,
The training of flight personnel is a dynamic The Navy has always valued the importance an EWS suite with anti-missile protection,
process. We start with dedicated programmes of aircraft intelligence capabilities to extend helmet-mounted sight displays for the pilot,
to acquire specific qualifications, but training the range of action. assistance for low-altitude flight, including
continues throughout an entire career. Indeed, the Italian Navy was among the an obstacle warning system, an IFF system,
For the most part, it takes place while first in the world to use aircraft. As an U/VHF radio with SATCOM and HF
flying, although each flight is preceded by early as 1913 – the first pilot’s capacity, a pintle-mounted M134D
‘theoretical’ preparation, which is essential for licence was awarded to a machine gun, and a rear ramp.
safety. The optimal location for training Navy official, Lieutenant The ramp in particular
is on a ship, in order to maximise synergies Mario Calderara, way makes a difference, not
with Navy teams. back in 1910. simply for transporting
Left: The official patch of

the 5th Helicopter Group
Helo SH-90A armed with an anti-surface

warfare (ASuW) Marte MK2/S missile

Rescue training sees the recovery of

personnel using the winch on the SH-90
troops and materials, but also offering the outperformed our expectations; it’s highly
flexibility to carry a stretcher and versatile and very efficient.
for transporting patients in an
ISOARK N36-4 biocontainment How is the 5th Helicopter Group helping
chamber. In this time of the Italian Navy to train pilots and
pandemic, this feature How important specialists from Qatar?
has been are other duties, This mission represents a great opportunity
very useful. such as search and and an ambitious challenge for the flying
rescue or medevac? wing of the Navy to create value for the
The 5th We guarantee that our assets whole country. The QEAF [Qatar Emiri Air
Helicopter are ready and available on a 24/7 Force] soldiers will follow an intense and
Group basis, all year round. In general, comprehensive training programme based on
has always helicopters can be used for many their previous knowledge and experience.
provided support different missions, from mountain and Under the careful watch of 5th instructors,
to the Navy’s sea rescue to environmental protection, they will learn how to improve their flight
special operation unit and even co-operation with industry to capabilities and how to use the sophisticated
COMSUBIN [Comando Raggruppamento accelerate technological innovation. sensors of the SH-90A and MH-90A.
Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei] and We do support civilian functions, such as During the first part of their training, soldiers
the San Marco Marine Brigade, but search and rescue. Not long ago, during will engage in a forced water landing, as well
helicopter assault and special operations the first COVID-19 wave, the 5th Helicopter as both theoretical and practical phases of
support have different demands. Could Group transported with great speed a helicopter training. The training will finish with
you explain the difference? Navy health team to the hospital in Alzano the acquisition of Bravo characteristics (the
We define a pilot with S/A-EA characteristics Lombardo. Moreover, our cooperation with ability to land on aircraft carriers).
as heli assault. Surface to air skills support Civil Protection is very strong; we’ve operated The first Qatari flight crews will complete
operations in complex contexts, such as anti- in flood areas, such as the Lunigiana region in the naval elements of their training during
surface warfare or maritime interdiction. 2011 or near Olbia in 2013. the summer of 2021, and the programme will
Moreover, having heli assault skills lets pilots Last but not least, I would like to point out continue until 2025, representing five years
operate in support of special and amphibious our cooperation with the National Alpine and of collaboration, 900 flying hours and 500
forces. There is another configuration for Caving Corps in frequent joint operations. simulator hours per year.
flying personnel in special operations, which It is a great challenge that requires both
also allows them to operate with special and What conclusions have you drawn after energy and effort, and we are there to offer
armed forces. two years of using the MH-90A? our support and professionalism. Bravo is a
In theory, there is no distinction between The experience has been very positive! With fundamental skill for Navy pilots, taking off
the two configurations, but I would like the arrival of the SH-90A, the 5th Helicopter and landing on carriers, in day or night. When
to stress that operations like the one in Group already faced a huge technological a pilot passes Bravo training at night, he gains
support of the San Marco Brigade are change. Then, with the arrival of the MH-90A the letters CD.
some of the most complex in a NATO in January 2017, we further increased our I must also highlight how, in this COVID-19
context, with amphibious units, fast naval capabilities to operate at sea and on land. era, all training activities have been carried
means, strike assets and helicopters. It is a high-performance aircraft, which out in complete compliance with coronavirus
Flying in support of special forces is also compatible with the UN. At the protection measures. Only in very rare
means supporting unconventional moment we have seven of them and occasions, such as a group photo, have
operations to achieve political, military three more are planned. I can say with masks been taken off, but even then social
or psychological objectives. absolute conviction that the helicopter has distancing was maintained. AFM

Qatari and 5th GE mission
specialists prepare for a
training flight
Below: The patch marking the 50th anniversary

of the 5th Helicopter Group
History of the 5th

The 5th Helicopter Group was established surveillance of naval units belonging to Soviet
on November 1, 1969, at the naval base of Bloc countries during the Cold War.
La Spezia. Over the years, the group has From the early 1990s, the 5th has been
progressed from the Bell AB-47J helicopter engaged in foreign missions in Albania,
to the AB-47G and AB-47J3, as well as the Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Persian Gulf,
Sikorsky SH-34J Seabat. The arrival of the Somalia and Yugoslavia. On the home front,
Seabats marked the beginning of the 5th’s it has flown many Civil Protection operations.
collaboration with both the COMSUBIN and At the turn of the millennium, the 5th set up
the San Marco Battalion. a team of pilots and operators for Special
From 1971 the 5th Helicopter Group flew Forces operations. These elite aircrews
AB-204 AS helicopters. The first AB-212s required specialist configuration of the aircraft
didn’t arrive until 1976 and gradually replaced with night-vision goggle (NVG) capability.
all previous helicopters. On June 15, 2011, the 5th Helicopter Group
Since its creation, the 5th Group has received its first NHIndustries SH-90A
undertaken key military roles, such as anti- (MM81580 ‘3-04’), which represented a
submarine and anti-ship combat, and turning point in the approach of Italian armed
MH-90A MM81630 ‘3-58’ features special

graphics celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the 5th Helicopter Group

forces to helicopter use - its focus being on Infrastructure upgrades automatically by the electronic system.
the interoperability of the helicopter fleet with To accommodate and maintain the new The SH-90A’s composite airframe’s greater
rotary wing aircraft from allied navies and fighting machine, the 5th updated its resistance, lower weight, reduced vulnerability
maintenance of NATO’s highest standards. ground infrastructure. Two dedicated hangars and lower radar signalling requires a different
The new helicopter has two variants – were fitted with internal lighting, an electric maintenance approach by engine and
SH-90A (ASW/ASuW) and MH-90A (Maritime system accessible in every working area, a avionics technicians.
Eliassalto) – and weighs up to 11 tonnes. The new IT network (the aircraft’s technical and In SH-90A configuration, dedicated to naval
SH-90A is equipped with fly-by-wire systems service information is online), a heating system, missions, the helicopter boasts multiple
and is powered by two General Electric T700- a reinforced floor to bear the weight of heavier sensors, a sophisticated radar with range
GE-T6E1 engines. It replaced the ‘glorious’ aircraft, a pressurised air system and more profile, Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar
AB-212 ASW as the ‘pillar’ of naval aviation. suitable workshops. (ISAR), a Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar
Variants of the helicopter operated by the Electronic workshop capabilities were (HELRAS), medium frequency L3 sound buoys
Italian Navy can carry up to 14 fully-equipped upgraded to deal with sonar. There is also to support the sonar, a multi-use FLIR, three
soldiers. Other configurations can be used a new workshop large enough to stock radios, an electronic warfare system, an
in both surface (ASW) and under-surface spare composite materials for the airframe, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, and
combat missions (ASuW). a new storage facility for spare parts, and a weapons such as the MU-90 torpedo and
The SH-90A has been deployed in maritime paint shop big enough to accommodate the Marte anti-ship missile.
surveillance, as well as with the Eliassalto SH-90A and SH-101A. As an offensive weapon, or Operative
department supporting the navy’s amphibious A new simulator, the Naval Mission System Fighting Unit, the SH-90A can capture
and special forces. Characterised by the Trainer (NMST), gives aircrew more advanced Reconnaissance Maritime Pictures (RMP)
versatility of its many configurations, the training options. The Navy would like a flight in real time, providing superb situational
helicopter can be used for Search and Rescue simulator for the SH-90A (it has one for the awareness – a pre-requisite for all missions,
(SAR), MEDEVAC and CASEVAC missions EH101), which it considers to be critically particularly those involving anti-piracy and
with specialist medical teams. In military important to deliver high-quality training, cargo control duties.
guise, the helicopter features specially- while keeping a cap on costs. All SH-90A helicopters have been upgraded
adapted main rotor blades and a tail pylon Flight crew currently rely on an SH-90A to Full Operational Capabilities (FOC)
folding system, plus a Deck Lock system, so simulator at the AgustaWestland training site. standards, which increase engine rpm to
it can be deployed from a ship in challenging The transition from the AB212 to the SH-90A 104% and raise its maximum weight at take-
conditions, or kept in small hangars. represented a huge change for the 5th and for off from 10.6 to 11 tonnes.
The arrival of the new SH-90A in 2011 the Naval Air Force as a whole.
forced changes to the helicopter base at The SH-90A has twice the autonomy of Radar revamp
Luni in order to manage and maintain such a the AB212, a far-reaching sonar and a Link Another important feature of the SH-90A is its
modern, high-tech aircraft. Its state-of-the- system. Plus, it can also deploy the MU-90 communication systems: a third satellite radio
art engineering includes the latest ‘fly-by- torpedo. This cutting-edge aircraft removes has been installed in the FOC variant. Ships
wire’ technology and an airframe made of the need for aircrew to transmit data to can automatically monitor the helicopter from
composite materials. ships, since information is collected and sent landing area to hangar. Other features, such
Two MH-90As break dramatically

Crew prepare to be winched up by
the SH-90 in a personnel recovery
training session
Above: The patch of the Task Group Hydra of Qatar
MH-90A variant
Technological innovation and renewal of
military equipment are priorities for Italy’s
Naval Air Force and were behind the decision
to replace the AB-212ASW/ASuW line with
56 NH-90 helicopters. The first was delivered
on June 24, 2011 and the final ten (MH-90A
configuration) arrived on January 23, 2017.
Introduction of MH-90A helicopters,
designed for Special Operations support,
assault and tactical transport, has increased
the power and impact of the Navy’s air arm.
It operates from three bases: MariStaEli Luni;
MariStaEli Catania, home to the 2nd and 3rd
Helicopter Groups and MariStaer Grottaglie,
where 4th Helicopter Group and GRUPAER
are based. MariStaEli Luni is the headquarters
of two flying groups and the Experimental
as anti-collision systems and compatible fuel Aero Maritime Centre and attracts the interest
dumps, make it efficient on board at sea. of foreign armed forces due to two features:
The highest specification version of the Full Crew Mission Simulator for the SH-101A
SH-90A features a more advanced sensor, helicopter, which recreates the cockpit of
Final Radar Configuration, an Automatic the 101 in guises for any mission; and Helo
Identification System (AIS), a Digital Map Dunker, a unique structure for training pilots
Generator, an Air Data Recorder (ADR) and aircrews in water landings. AFM
with video and audio capacity to record calls
and dialogue, plus the next generation IFF
AFM and the author would like to thank the Italian
MIKE 425 plus encrypted SATCOM unit.
Navy and its press office in Rome; Admiral Placido
The 5th Helicopter Group has plans to buy
Torresi, COMFORAER, CV Onofrio Marco Frumusa, CF
15 of this variant of the SH-90A. But
Andrea De Natale, the men and women at Luni naval
for tactical support and transportation of
base, CC Stefano Febbraro and CC Bigari Fabio, for
special forces, the 5th required a new variant
their help and support.
– the MH-90A.
An MH-90A ready for a night flight take-off. The crew

combines Italian Navy and Qatari personnel

EMB 314 Super Tucano
Lisbon
eyes the
Super
Tucano Embraer’s Super Tucano light attack aircraft could be on the shopping list of the
Portuguese Air Force given its current good relationship with Embraer and the aircraft’s
presence at Monte Real Air Base in November, writes Jorge Ruivo
T
he EMB 314 Super Tucano spent a week combatting drug trafficking, as this Super Natal Air Base in Brazil and integrated with
under evaluation by the Portuguese Air Tucano is equipped with a sophisticated array Joker Squadron, which operates the Super
Force (FAP) at Monte Real Air Base in of equipment, which allows the simulation of Tucano. This bilateral exchange between
Leiria, Portugal, last November. both air and land-based threats. the FAP and Brazilian Air Force allowed
The FAP’s potential new acquisition was Since the operational end of the Alphajet, the Portuguese pilots to complete two
given a good opportunity to demonstrate its and the deactivation of Squadron 103 courses: Operational Qualification and
capabilities by flying day and night Caracois in 2018, advanced pilot Instructor Programme on the EMB
training missions, including trips to instruction for the Portuguese Air Force 314 and Fighter Aircraft Operational
the Alcochete Shooting Range. has been conducted in the United Specialisation.
The EMB 314 is a turboprop States. It’s a situation that has In January 2021, the
aircraft designed for light attack presented an attractive business Portuguese Minister of
missions and advanced instruction. opportunity for Portugal. Defense, João Gomes
It is especially well suited for In 2015, two pilots from the Cravinho, revealed his
counter-insurgency operations and Portuguese Air Force went to intention to create an

international school for the training of military
EMB 314 Super Tucano, PT-ZTU, landing at Monte Real
pilots, similar to those in Italy and Greece. Air Base. The EMB 314 is a possible replacement for
The idea is to have a unit where military pilots the Dornier Alphajet, which was retired in January 2018
from national and partner countries can be
trained in modern aircraft. Given its year-
round favourable weather conditions, the
programme will be established at Beja Air
Base, situated 100km north of the Algarve.
Portugal's plan is a European multi-national
project, involving nations that are modernising
their combat aircraft fleets, but lack the
resources to train their own pilots and want
to avoid the expense of having to cross the
Atlantic to train in the United States.
At the time of publication, no details have
been provided on the type of aircraft that will
be used at the training centre. However,
there are rumours circulating that
the candidates are the EMB 314
Super Tucano or Leonardo’s
M-346 Master. ‘Portugal’s
Although it’s possible
that both aircraft could
Minister of Defense
be acquired, in order to has revealed plans maintenance checks to
introduce more training
phases, the Super Tucano
for an international avionics upgrades and
full fleet support.
has to be the front-runner school to train Taking into account the
for the new training facility. military pilots’ strengthening of relations
The Brazilian aerospace between Embraer and
conglomerate Embraer has had Portugal through the FAP’s
two component factories at Evora acquisition of the Embraer
in Portugal since 2012, and it controls KC-390 Millennium military
Oficinas Gerais de Material Aeronáutico transporter, speculation that the FAP
(OGMA), the maintenance and repair will acquire the Super Tucano is intensifying,
organisation selected to provide in-house or because OGMA is an Embraer unit with the
on-site support to the Tucano/Super-Tucano ability to perform the necessary maintenance
aircraft, with solutions ranging from lighter on the EMB 314. AFM
Above: The Embraer EMB 314, PT-ZTU, performed

a demonstration for the Portuguese Air Force
at Monte Real Air Base. It also visited Alcochete
Shooting Range All images by Jorge Ruivo
Main image: The EMB 314 Super Tucano,

PT-ZTU, belonging to Embraer Defense and
Security, approaching Monte Real Air Base (Base
Aérea No 5). The light attack fighter was carrying
out a demonstration for the Portuguese Air Force

Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]
Spatial disorientation
cited in fatal Lakenheath
F-15C accident
Above: US Air Force F-15C Eagle 86-0176 ‘LN’ from the 48th Fighter Wing/493rd Fighter Squadron ‘Grim Reapers’ based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, shown
over the North Sea, during Exercise Point Blank 20-02 on May 12, 2020. Just over a month later, on June 15, 2020, this aircraft was destroyed when it crashed
into the North Sea while taking part in a training exercise, resulting in the death of the pilot USAF/Master Sgt Matthew Plew
A
N AIRCRAFT Accident 25,000ft, and thus the MS was adversary aircraft (AA) at a 38,800ft per minute descent.
Investigation Board report conducted using Instrument lower altitude. The MP breached the briefed
has been released into Meteorological Conditions (IMC) The MP made a descending training floor of 4,000ft and,
the fatal crash of a UK-based US rules during the engagements, right turn toward the west, used at approximately 1,000ft, he
Air Force F-15C Eagle from the if IMC would be encountered. his on-board radar to lock onto manoeuvred the MA to nearly
48th Fighter Wing (FW) at RAF The MP was flying in the number the AA (headed eastbound at wings-level and pulled 8.2
Lakenheath, Suffolk, into the four position of four ‘Blue Air’ 5,000ft less than 20nm away) and G-forces in an apparent attempt
North Sea on June 15, 2020 (see aircraft – three F-15Cs and one executed a simulated missile shot to recover the MA above the
Attrition, August 2020, p89). F-15D – flying against six exercise against the AA. The MP stabilised water. The MA impacted the
The report was released on adversary ‘Red Air’ F-15Cs in a on an approximately westbound water at 10º pitch low, 4º of left
November 23, 2020. The aircraft, Defensive Counter Air training heading and continued his bank and 566KTAS. There was
serial number 86-0176 ‘LN’ from mission over the North Sea. descent to 12,000ft at 507kts no evidence that the MP had
the 48th FW’s 493rd Fighter Additionally, a contractor- true airspeed (KTAS). The MP attempted to eject from the MA.
Squadron (493rd FS) ‘Grim operated Dassault Falcon 20 made a radio transmission of The Accident Investigation
Reapers,’ crashed into the sea at supplemented Red Air as an his simulated missile kill of the Board president found, by a
0827hrs Zulu (0927hrs local time) electronic attack (EA) platform, AA. The MP received a ‘Pkmiss’ preponderance of the evidence,
on June 15, 2020, at 054°21.7'N, while the Royal Navy aircraft (Probability of Kill: Miss) radio that the cause of the mishap was
001°40.5'E, 124nm northeast of carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R transmission from the Blue Air the MP’s fixation on his intercept
RAF Lakenheath, during a local 08) was the simulated defended Range Training Officer (RTO1), of the AA and failure to execute
combat training flight. The mishap asset and performed command so the MP continued cockpit instrument visual scans
aircraft (MA) was completely and control (C2) for the Blue Air manoeuvring to engage the AA, when the MP encountered IMC.
destroyed and the mishap pilot forces. The MS was executed which was then 5.5nm southwest Reduced visibility and the lack of
(MP), Lt Kenneth ‘Kage’ Allen, who over the North Sea in the EGD- of the MP’s position. a discernible horizon for the MP
was assistant chief of weapons 323 Managed Danger Area (MDA) The MP performed a descending resulted in him suffering spatial
and tactics with the 493rd FS, was airspace, approximately 75nm left turn through IMC toward the disorientation. The inability of
fatally injured. north of RAF Lakenheath. south, lowering the MA pitch the MP to accurately sense the
The mishap sortie (MS) was During the tactical portion of the attitude to 42º low and varying pitch attitude of the MA due
scheduled as a four-ship air-to-air training engagement, from 21º to 107º of left bank to the aforementioned spatial
flight lead upgrade (4FLUG) the MP was flying east at 20,300ft angle. The MP sustained 0.3 disorientation substantially
certification sortie for the mishap and was directed by his mishap to 3.8 gravitational (G) forces contributed to the MA’s
formation lead (MFL). The weather element lead (MEL) to execute a throughout the manoeuvre and undesirable low pitch attitude,
in the airspace was reported to hard right turn back toward the accelerated to 579 KTAS, with rapidly descending altitude and
have multiple cloud layers up to west and to look for an exercise a maximum vertical velocity of the resulting mishap.

Accident Reports
D: Aug 20, 1990 runway across rough ground and
N: Royal Air Force into bushes, sustaining unspecified
T: GAF Jindivik Mk 103B damage. Unconfirmed reports
S: A92-708 suggest that a hydraulic system
This jet-powered target drone failure caused loss of directional
crash-landed on its 125th flight control after touchdown. No injuries
during trials at RAE Llanbedr, were reported to the unspecified
Wales, in the run-up to the first Gulf number of personnel on board.
War. It was then stored at Llanbedr This aircraft had completed a major
for several years, unrepaired, overhaul and upgrade in June
until acquired by the Bristol Aero 2020, undertaken by Iran Aircraft
Collection in 1997 and moved Industries (IACI), which included
to their Kemble site, then later installation of a glass cockpit with
with the collection to their store multi-function displays provided by
in Patchway, Bristol. Newark Air GAF Jindivik Mk 103B A92-708, which was damaged at RAE Llanbedr on Iran Electronics Industries. It was
August 20, 1990, in store with the Bristol Aero Collection. It has now been
Museum announced on February acquired by the Newark Air Museum Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions
reported to be the only Venezuelan
15, 2021, that it had acquired Hercules that is currently airworthy.
the drone and it will be moved to D: Nov 16, 2018 D: Dec 30
the museum in due course, once N: US Air Force/432nd Wing N: Democratic Republic of D: Feb 2
COVID-19 restrictions allow. T: MQ-9A Reaper Congo Air Force N: US Army/Idaho Army
As a result of a partial electrical T: UH-1 Iroquois National Guard/1st
D: Oct 10, 2018 failure, this UAV landed with the S: 9T-HB8 Assault Battalion, 183rd
N: US Air Force/3rd Wing undercarriage retracted, sustaining While on a medevac mission Aviation Regiment
T: F-22A Raptor Class A damage. No injuries searching for another DRC AF T: UH-60L Black Hawk
The undercarriage collapse to anyone on the ground were UH-1H that had been missing S: 89-26173
involving this aircraft at Joint Base reported . The accident occurred since two days earlier (see Three Idaho Army National Guard
Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in the United States, although it is Attrition, February, p83), this Huey personnel were killed when this
was reported in AFM in December unconfirmed whether it took place also crashed. It came down in helicopter crashed shortly after
2018, but we wrongly gave the at the unit’s base at Creech Air a forested area in the village of 2000hrs local time south of Lucky
date as October 11. The incident Force Base, Nevada, or elsewhere. Babakolo, 59km from Kisangani. Peak, near Boise, Idaho. The
was categorised as a Class A There were four personnel routine training sortie had been
mishap, but to date there has been D: Nov 26, 2018 on board, including two crew delayed by poor weather, although
no official accident report released. N: US Air Force/3rd Wing members and a mechanic. All four it is not clear whether this was a
T: F-22A Raptor were reported killed. factor in the subsequent crash,
D: Oct 27, 2018 This aircraft skidded off the side which occurred while it was still
N: US Air Force/432nd Wing of the runway at Joint Base D: Jan 28 very snowy. A Black Hawk used
T: MQ-9A Reaper Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, at N: Venezuelan Military Aviation/ for the initial recovery attempt had
S: 12-4174 approximately 1540hrs local time. Grupo Aéreo de Transporte to turn back due to the inclement
The loss of this UAV was previously The pilot was able to egress the 5/Escuadrón T1 weather in the region, including
reported in January 2019, but Raptor safely and was uninjured. T: C-130H snow and a low ceiling caused by
the date is now being quoted as The starboard main undercarriage S: 9508 fog, which also hampered later
October 27, not 28. Officials have was damaged and the mishap has After landing on Runway 09 at search attempts. After the weather
also now revealed it was operated been categorised as a Class A Maracay-El Libertador Air Base, cleared, rescuers located the
by the 432nd Wing from Creech Air incident, indicating more than $2 following a flight from Pijiguaos wreckage in a rugged mountainous
Force Base, Nevada. million worth of damage. Airport, the aircraft veered off the area at approximately 0015hrs the
D: Nov 8, 2018
N: USAF/388th Fighter Wing
T: F-35A Lightning II
While on the ground this aircraft
sustained Class A damage from
foreign object debris (FOD) which
was ingested into the engine.
No injuries were reported. The
location is unconfirmed, but it
assumed to have been at its base
at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
D: Nov 9, 2018
N: USAF/20th Fighter Wing
T: F-16CM
This aircraft ran off the runway on
landing at an unspecified location,
resulting in Class A damage. No
injuries were reported, but further
details are unknown. Venezuelan Military Aviation C-130H 9508 following its landing accident at Maracay-El Libertador Air Base on January 28
Abbreviations: D: Date N/U: Nationality/Units T: Type S: Serials

Attrition
Report
following morning and confirmed
there were no survivors. A 160th
Special Operations Aviation
Regiment (SOAR) MH-47G, which
happened to be in Boise training,
was dispatched to help secure the
crash site and recover the bodies.
The crew had begun their mission
at 1850hrs, transiting to a nap-of-
the-earth training area for low-flying
training using night-vision goggles.
Above: The burnt-out Paraguayan Air Force Cessna 402B 0221, following its crash at Asunción on February 9
D: Feb 5
N: Uganda People’s Airfield, Iturup Island, in the Kuril D: Feb 14 D: Feb 15
Defence Air Force/ Islands, Sakhalin region, the N: Colombian National Police N: US military
Helicopter Squadron aircraft’s noseleg collapsed and T: PA-31-325 Navajo T: King Air 350
T: Unidentified helicopter the port main undercarriage was S: PNC-0233 This aircraft was reportedly badly
Operating as part of the African torn away, causing significant While preparing to land at damaged in the aforementioned
Union Mission in Somalia’s damage. The unspecified number Guaymaral-Flaminio Suárez attack on the al-Tahrir military base
(AMISOM’s) Aviation Unit in of crew were uninjured. The aircraft Camacho Airport, following a at Erbil International Airport.
Somalia, this helicopter crashed had arrived from Khabarovsk Air routine patrol flight, the pilot
following a technical malfunction Base on a routine transport flight found himself unable to lower the D: Feb 17
after take-off in Baledogle, during bringing supplies for forces on the aircraft’s nose undercarriage as a N: Argentine Air Force
an operation to support AU troops Kuril Islands. result of a technical failure. During Grupo Aéreo de Transporte
in the Lower Shabelle region. Four the subsequent landing, the aircraft 9/VI Escuadrón Aéreo
UPDF soldiers were injured in the D: Feb 11 veered off the runway, which de Transporte
accident and were said to be in N: Uganda People’s resulted in extensive damage to T: DHC-6 Twin Otter Srs 200
stable medical condition, but the Defence Air Force/ the propellers, engines, nose and S: T-87
extent of damage to the helicopter Helicopter Squadron underside of the fuselage. No While attempting to take off in the
was not reported. The UPDF T: AB206B-2 JetRanger II signficant injuries were reported area of the Larsen C ice shelf in
deployed an unspecified number of S: AF-317 to the unspecified number of Antarctica for a proposed flight
helicopters to Somalia for AMISOM While on a training flight from crewmembers on board. to Base Antárctica Marambio on
operations in July 2020. The type(s) Entebbe Airport, piloted by two Seymour Island, the aircraft struck
involved were not reported, but trainee cadets, this helicopter D: Feb 15 a fissure in the ice plateau, causing
images of the departure ceremony was written-off when it crashed at N: US Army the nose skids to break off and the
showed UH-1H-II Huey II AF-342 approximately 1415hrs local time T: MQ-1C Gray Eagle nose undercarriage to collapse.
was one of those deployed. It is immediately after take-off, coming This UAV was reportedly destroyed The starboard undercarriage skids
unknown whether all were Huey IIs down adjacent to the airport on when a little-known Shia militant also became detached, but the
or if other types were also involved. Entebbe Road near Lido Beach, group calling itself Saraya Awliya crew were uninjured. Two Bell 212s
Entebbe. Both pilots were seriously al-Dam (‘The Guardians of the (H-86 and H-89) from VII Brigada
D: Feb 9 injured and taken to Kisubi Blood’) carried out an attack Aérea were dispatched to recover
N: Paraguayan Air Force/ Hospital, where one of them died at around 2115hrs local time the crew and return them to
Grupo Aéreo de just hours later. on the al-Tahrir military base at Marambio. The Argentine Air Force
Transporte Especiales Erbil International Airport, in the is now assessing possible options
T: Cessna 402B D: Feb 12 Kurdistan region of Iraq. The for the recovery of the stricken
S: 0221 N: Royal Saudi Air Force militants launched about 14 Twin Otter.
At approximately 1430hrs local T: CASC CH-4 UAV 107mm rockets, of which three
time this aircraft crashed, caught This unmanned aircraft was directly struck the base. One non- D: Feb 17
fire and was burnt out near the destroyed when it was shot down US contractor was killed and nine N: Australian Army
southern end of the runway over Ma’rib province, Yemen, by others were injured, comprising Aviation Corps/
at Asunción-Silvio Pettirossi Ansar Allah and Yemen Army air eight civilian contractors and one 6th Aviation Regiment
International Airport, Luque, while defence systems. US service member. T: S-70A-9 Black Hawk
on final approach to land following S: A25-203
Colombian National Police PA-31-325
an aeromedical evacuation flight Navajo PNC-0233 after landing with During an exercise over Sydney
from Fuerte Olimpo Airport. Seven the nose undercarriage retracted Harbour involving dropping
of the eight on board were killed in at Guaymaral on February 14 personnel on the deck of a charter
the crash. The survivor was thrown vessel, this helicopter’s main rotors
from the aircraft at the time of clipped some of the superstructure
impact, but was seriously injured of the ship. The crew immediately
and taken to San Jorge Hospital. flew to the nearby shore and made
an emergency landing in a park
D: Feb 9 at Watson Bay, Sydney. No crew
N: Russian Air Force/ members were injured and the
257th OSAP Black Hawk landed safely, but had
T: An-12BK sustained damage to the tips of
S: ‘09 Red’/RF-95416 several of the main rotor blades.
While landing at 0335hrs Moscow The helicopter remained in situ
time in a blizzard at Burevestnik pending investigation and repair.
Abbreviations: D: Date N/U: Nationality/Units T: Type S: Serials

D: Feb 17
N: French Air and
Space Force/EC.4
T: Rafale B
This aircraft was one of two from
Base Aérienne (BA) 113 St Dizier-
Robinson on a low-level training
flight. At approximately 1400hrs
local time its port wing struck
medium voltage power lines near
Le Castellet, Alpes-de-Haute
Province, while reportedly flying at
less than 260ft (80m), cutting three
power cables and leaving the town
of Le Castellet without electricity
for about three hours. The severed
cables also caused a ground fire, Argentine Air Force DHC-6
which was extinguished by local Twin Otter Srs 200 T-87 on its
nose after a take-off accident
firefighters. The aircraft landed
in Antarctica on February 17
safely at BA115 Orange-Caritat
at 1411hrs. Inspection revealed was incurred by the aircraft, which D: Feb 21 D: Feb 21
damage near the pivot point of blocked the runway until it could N: Mexican Air Force/ N: Nigerian Air Force/209th
the port canard, the canard itself, be lifted by crane and removed. UEATAAM Executive Airlift Group
air inlet, landing light, external fuel T: Learjet 45XR T: King Air B350i
tank and wing. Damage to the D: Feb 19 S: FAM 3912 S: NAF-201
port fuel tank and fuselage was N: US Air Force/14th Flying All six people on board this aircraft This aircraft took off from Nnamdi
particularly severe, with several Training Wing/50th Flying were killed when it crashed and Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,
holes having been cut by the wires. Training Squadron was destroyed at approximately at 1033hrs UTC for a planned flight
T: T-38C Talon 0945hrs local time near Xalapa/ to Minna, to conduct surveillance
D: Feb 18 This aircraft crashed at around El Lencero Airport in Veracruz, missions in connection with
N: Taiwan NCSIST/Aeronautical 1717hrs local time in woods near Mexico. The aircraft had arrived efforts to secure the release of
System Research Division Old Lamar Road and US Highway from Mexico City at 0905hrs and the students/staff abducted from
T: NCSIST Teng Yun UAV 80, about 15 miles southwest of came down shortly after departing the Government Science College
S: MU1611 Montgomery Regional Airport, for a planned flight to Villahermosa- Kagara, Niger State. However, the
While on a test flight from Chih Montgomery, Alabama, killing both Capitan Carlos Perez Airport in pilot reported engine failure and,
Hang Air Base, Taitung, this crew members, a Japanese Air the Mexican state of Tabasco. while attempting to return to Abuja,
medium-altitude long-endurance Self-Defence Force student and The aircraft was operated by the it crashed at 1048hrs in scrubland
UAV was written-off when it a USAF instructor pilot. The Talon Unidad Especial de Transporte just short of the airport perimeter
crashed at 1833hrs local time was on a training mission from Aéreo del Alto Mando (UETAAM) while on final approach to runway
into a forested area near Taitung its base at Columbus Air Force at BAN Colonia Federal, Mexico 22. The aircraft was destroyed and
Forest Park. The type, which is Base, Mississippi, to Tallahassee City/Licenciado Benito Juarez all seven on board were killed.
under development by the National Municipal Airport, Florida. International Airport.
Chung-Shan Institute of Science D: Feb 25
and Technology (NCSIST), to meet The French Air and Space Force N: Airborne Tactical
EC.4 Rafale B was damaged after
a Republic of China Air Force hitting power lines on February 17 Advantage Company
requirement, has been undergoing French Air and Space Force T: Mirage F1B
tests at the base since late 2020. S: N601AX
Initial investigation suggested a Operating under contract for
control system failure caused the the USAF’s Red Air adversary
accident. The example lost was support programme, the aircraft
the first of two prototypes of this was involved in an incident at
UAV, which has a similar size and Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida,
configuration to the US General at about 1125hrs local time.
Atomics MQ-9A Reaper. The official statement from Col
Gregory Moseley, commander of
D: Feb 18 325th Fighter Wing, confirmed the
N: US Air Force/9th mishap and said the two pilots had
Reconnaissance Wing/ 1st been taken to hospital in Panama
Reconnaissance Squadron City, Florida, to assess any injuries,
T: T-38A Talon but gave no further details. Local
S: 64-13304 ‘BB’ reports suggest the aircraft made a
This aircraft landed at Mather belly landing near the flightline after
Airport, California, with the an undercarriage malfunction, but
undercarriage retracted at about this has yet to be confirmed.
0900hrs local time. The two aircrew
were uninjured and a small fire was Additional material from: Donny
extinguished by local fire crews. It Chan, Scramble/Dutch Aviation
was not clear how much damage Society, Asagiri Yohko. AFM

Next
Issue
Spain’s Advanced Flight

Training programme
AFM visits the Spanish AF’s 23rd Wing to see its SF-5Ms in action
Gulf War 1 Combat Guide Part 2
Next Issue
The May issue
is on sale from
PLUS April 15
• Intel Report: Pakistan’s 2021*
JF-17 Thunder squadrons
• Finnish AF’s Hawk HW-34
in its birthday suit
• Adios to Spain’s C-130s
• NATO naming: what really
happens!
• Desert Storm Combat
Guide: Part 2
• Aussie F/A-18 pilot chats
• Celebrating 10 years of RNLAF
NH90 helis
• Cruising with Belgium’s luxury
‘military’ fleet
• The RAF’s T-6s
*On-sale date may vary by region. Contents subject to potential change. Above: Dynamic Mariner, one of the P-72As of the Italian Air Force and its crew Babak Tagvhaee
Insert: A Spanish trainee pilot undergoing advanced instruction in a SF-5M jet trainer of the 23rd Wing Patrick Roegies & Stefan Goosens

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C42496-008-Embraer-DS-C390-AirForcesMonthly-Apr21-297x210-v1.indd 1 23/02/2021 12:30:40
22/02/2021 12:30

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VENEZUELAN ITALIAN NAVY’S

AIR FORCE’S 5TH HELICOPTER

Officially the world’s number one authority on military aviation

RED HAWK RISING

UNIT REPORT: 351ST

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B-21 prototype build is underway

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Fourth upgraded Super

Carrier Strike Groups RAF fleet

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Queen Elizabeth attains fleet flag

Fifth RAF P-8A Poseidon US Navy P-8A visits Mildenhall

Arctic survival course for Helicopter Command crew

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RAF Typhoons bomb Islamic State

Puma roars over English channel

Vaccine consignment heads to the Falkland Islands

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The force is strong with Italy’s JEDI

On February 15, the fourth Airbus A330 Phénix

NATO Phoenix are operational

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Italian Lightnings against USAF Falcons

France replaces 12 Rafales off to Greece

Spartan Warrior improves kill chain

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Set to dazzle the airshow scene, a Belgian Air

Wolf’s head has the razzle dazzle

Dutch white-out Cancer threat

The carcinogenic chemical, chromium-6, also known as

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Further reading from

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RCAF Twin Otters brave Arctic

F-35 to face Senate scrutiny

Red Hawk enters

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Tankers, drones key to Islamic State war

Italian carrier tested for F-35B ops In Brief

More precision for Navy Hornets

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Laying the Bone to rest

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After almost 50 years of operations, the latest

The US Navy has

Portland prepares for F-15EX

A Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

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Marines fly everything USAF brings

Jamaica to fly JetRanger X Brazilian KC-390

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Bright debut for RCAF Aurora crew

60th Air Mobility A C-17A Globemaster III awaits take-