t
ne
ft.
ra
irc
ta
ba
m
co
FIERCE
PHANTOMS
Turkish F-4ES on ‘Anatolian Eagle’
IN THE
NEWS:
F-35b Latest
developments
EAGLES
INSIDE THE BONEYARD —
ON GUARD
Massachusetts
SEPTEMBER 2015 UK £4.40
N
US NAVY & MARINE CORPS
W! E
SPECIAL
N
Y E A R B O O K 2 01 5
W
!
Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404
www.keypublishing.com/shop OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404
Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm
S U B S C R I B E R S C A L L F O R Y O U R £ 1. 0 0 D I S C O U N T !
September 2015 • Vol 16 • No 9
26 76
IN THE NEWS DEFENDERS OF THE STATES
The Massachusetts Air National Guard is a proud
THE TURKISH TRAINER
Cristian Schrik visits 2’nci Ana Jet
flyer of the F-15C Eagle. As well as deploying Üs Komutanlığı (2nd Main Jet Base
06 Headline News around the world, it is heavily committed to Command) at Izmir-Çiğli, home to 122
F-35B completes readiness checks defending the homeland. Jamie Hunter reports, Filo ‘Akrepler’ (122 Squadron ‘Scorpions’)
ahead of initial operating capability, with images by Jim Haseltine
Dassault delivers first Rafales
to Egypt
08 US News
New bomber decision delayed, EA-6B
Prowler retired by US Navy and all the
latest unit news
SAVE
chosen few allowed exclusive access
PLUS
88 GLORY DAYS:
‘BLACK KNIGHTS’ RULE News Report on the F-35 ‘dogfight story’
In the first of a two-part feature, Tony and Robert F. Dorr’s Front Line column
Holmes details the work of veteran F-14 Subscribe to Combat
squadron VF-154 ‘Black Knights’ during Aircraft Monthly and
Operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in 2003 ON THE COVER:
make great savings on
A Turkish Air Force F-4E 2020 tucks
96 CUTTING EDGE away its undercarriage as it launches
cover price.
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column for a mission during the recent exercise See pages
reporting from the front line of ‘Anatolian Eagle’. Alexander Golz
38 and 39 for details.
aerospace technology, by David Axe
ON
PATROL
4 September 2015 www.combataircraft.net
FIND US ON
CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
TONY HOLMES Back in the game
A
I
T ISN’T OFTEN that one sees an all-new world’. He added: ‘The P-1 has been developed
aircraft type for the first time. So, the especially for Japan’s national security
appearance of two Kawasaki P-1s at July’s environment, with a magnetic anomaly detector
Western Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF [for tracking submarines].’
Australian by Fairford, UK, was extremely welcome. The UK maintains Project ‘Seedcorn’, with
birth, Tony The Japan Maritime Self-Defense numerous personnel embedded in exchange
Holmes was a Force (JMSDF) rarely ventures abroad, but the postings with allied MPA communities,
published invitation to come to the UK comes at a time notably with the growing US Navy P-8
aviation when all eyes are on the potential for Britain to Poseidon fleet. It is easy to see how most
author by the acquire a new maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). would view the Boeing platform as a natural
age of 20. There have been regular recent reports of choice for the UK; however, a competition is
Moving to NATO MPAs being called upon to help patrol highly likely, and hopefully all contenders,
England in 1988 to further his UK waters to react to potential submarine including the charismatic P-1, will be
career, he has run the aviation book incursions. With such high levels of attention judged on merit and potential for this very
list for Osprey Publishing ever being placed on the current air policing and important mission.
since. Aside from being a regular quick reaction alert missions, it is easy to see
contributor to numerous aviation why there is renewed emphasis on the MPA
journals across the globe, Tony has role around the UK’s shores.
also written more than 50 books and The RAF retired its last Nimrod maritime
edited a further 300 in the past two patrol aircraft in 2010, leaving a gaping
decades. A veteran of 25 aircraft capability gap. Five years on, the participation
carrier embarks across the globe, he of the P-1s in both the static and flying displays
was presented with the Contributor at Fairford was no coincidence. JMSDF VADM
of the Year award for 2004-05 by the Makoto Sato is quoted as saying, ‘we hope Jamie Hunter,
US Navy’s Tailhook association — we can show the P-1’s high manoeuvrability Editor
he is the only non-American to have and low-level capabilities to Europe and the E-mail: jamie.hunter@keypublishing.com
received this prestigious prize.
M
ARINE FIGHTER inert and high-explosive munitions in
ATTACK Squadron Restricted Area 2507 in south-eastern
(VMFA) 121 ‘Green California. In total, 18 500lb (227kg)
Knights’ passed GBU-12s and 12 1,000lb (454kg) GBU-32s
an operational were dropped.
readiness inspection The Marine Corps Deputy Commandant
(ORI) during the week of July 13-17 for Aviation, Lt Gen Jon Davis, has
This photo: Test squadron VX-23 conducted the
as the final hurdle for the eagerly- first weapons separation test of the Paveway
confirmed that VMFA-121 will re-locate
awaited declaration of initial operating IV precision-guided bomb from an F-35B over to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in January
capability (IOC) for the F-35B Lightning the Atlantic Test Ranges on June 12. The test 2017. The ‘Green Knights’ will operate 16
II. Conducted by personnel from flight was conducted by RAF Sqn Ldr Andy F-35Bs including six that will make the
Headquarters US Marine Corps, Marine Edgell, who dropped two inert Paveway IVs first deployment in support of a Marine
Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron from test aircraft BF-03. Lockheed Martin Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
(MAWTS) 1, and Marine Fighter Attack Below left to right: The F-35 Integrated Test Speaking in the week of the ORI, Lt Gen
Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501, the Force and VX-23 conducted the first ski-jump Davis noted that his main concern over the
ORI assed all phases of the squadron’s take-off of an F-35B on June 19. The test, flown F-35B relates to the availability of spares.
operations, maintenance and training. by BAE Systems test pilot Peter Wilson, was ‘Do we have the depth in supply to support
It followed the last few ‘box-ticking’ flight 298 for test aircraft BF-04. a combat deployment?’, he queried. He also
exercises conducted by the Marine Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe noted that his threshold for recommending
Corps, which included the first F-35B F-35B BuNo 168730 completes a check flight an IOC declaration is: ‘Could we take this
operational ordnance deliveries from at Hill AFB, Utah, on June 18, following final squadron and go over to the Middle East
June 22-26. During the missions, IOC modifications at the Ogden Air Logistics tomorrow after Gen Dunford declares IOC
pilots flying six F-35Bs employed both Complex. USAF/Alex Lloyd — yes or no?’
Egyptian Rafales
internal weapons bay. The test work was
conducted by the Pax River ITF joint
team, which is assigned to Air Test and
Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Pax. The
weapon launch was part of the multi-
are delivered
phase testing of the F-35 Block 3F, which
includes the UK-unique Paveway IV.
However, the F-35B was dealt a blow
by Australia’s recent decision not to
procure the short take-off and vertical
landing version of the jet. Australian
Prime Minister Tony Abbott had
considered acquiring up to 12 F-35Bs as
First export deliveries for French fighter
a complement to the Royal Australian
Air Force’s 72-strong F-35A fleet, together Almost 41 years after the first French- BA118 Mont-de-Marsan for training with
with appropriate modifications to the made fighters entered Egyptian Air Force ETR 2/92 ‘Aquitaine’ and EC 2/30
two Canberra-class assault ships. The service, the air arm has received its first ‘Normandie-Niemen’ respectively. The
decision was made during preparation of three Dassault Rafale DMs as part of a pilot training course at the Rafale Training
a forthcoming defense white paper, after contract for 16 two-seat Rafale DMs and Center (CFR) at BA118 lasted one month,
studies showed that re-working the two eight single-seat Rafale EMs signed while the technicians’ maintenance course
ships for fixed-wing operations would be between Egypt and France in February. consists of up to three months with
too costly and technically prohibitive. In 2014, Egypt decided to search for a Technical Support Aviation Squadron
capable multi-role fighter to replace its (ESTA) 2E/118 ‘Chalosse’. The pilots were
troublesome and expensive fleet of Mirage subsequently sent to BA113 for a
2000s and aging Mirage 5s. It first requested complementary flight and gunnery
that France sell the Rafale in 2014. training course during June.
In January 2015, a French delegation The first three Rafale DMs for the EAF
arrived in Cairo to start negotiations with performed their final test flights at
the Egyptian government. After these Bordeaux-Mérignac before being ferried to
initial talks, another delegation of Egyptian Egypt, where they arrived on July 21. They
government representatives and armed had all received EAF markings and serial
forces commanders visited Paris to resume numbers: 9251 (c/n DM-01/B352), 9252
negotiations regarding procurement of (c/n DM-02/B353) and 9253 (c/n DM-03/
military equipment, later reported as 24 B354).
Rafales and a FREMM multi-purpose Dassault has now completed a vital
frigate with a total value of $5.3 billion. phase in delivering its first Rafales to an
Later, in February, Saudi Arabia financed international customer, marking a
15 per cent of the total cost of the arms milestone after 20 years of export sales
deal. Fifty per cent of the remaining cost effort. Babak Taghvaee
was scheduled to be covered by a loan
guarantee by the French government. The
contract for procurement of 24 Rafales and
ALSO THIS MONTH...
a FREMM frigate was duly signed. US Air Force delays LRS-B decision
Delivery of the frigate and first batch of Competition announcement now set for
three Rafales was scheduled for August September. See US News
2015.
In May 2015 a group of ex-Mirage 2000 Iraqi ‘Vipers’ delivered
technicians and pilots were sent to the First aircraft arrive at Balad. See World News
Armée de l’Air’s BA113 Saint-Dizier and
Northrop Grumman
LRS-B decision delayed
US Air Force bomber unveiling moves back
T
HE EAGERLY ANTICIPATED already aggressive time schedule. Northrop weapons, and could eventually be
$55-billion contract award for Grumman is up against a team comprised optionally manned. Much of the funding
the development of the US of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and the associated with the bomber’s development
Air Force’s new Long-Range USAF is understood to be taking its time has been contained in classified budgets,
Strike — Bomber (LRS-B), over the decision in order to avoid the and many speculate that the compressed
which was originally possibility of a protest from the losing schedule towards service points to a
expected last spring, could be delayed bidder. project already well into development.
until September, according to Secretary The Air Force has released very little It is considered highly likely that both
of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. The information regarding the new bomber competing parties have already flown
USAF plans to field 80-100 new bombers but has said it will have stealth features, demonstrator aircraft as they fight to win
beginning in 2020 and is compressing an will carry both nuclear and conventional the lucrative contract.
So long, Prowler
Museum, BuNo 161884 for Seattle’s
Museum of Flight, and the last flyer, BuNo
163890, to NBVC Point Mugu, California.
VAQ-134 commanding officer CDR Chris
Jason said: ‘That’s the Prowler story: doesn’t
US Navy retires its last EA-6B get a lot of glory, doesn’t always get the
fanfare, just does the job because it needs to,
T
it does it right, and then it just finishes out
HE US NAVY formally ‘Garudas’ completed the type’s final cruise strong, and that’s how we did it.’
retired the Northrop EA-6B last November and all five of the unit’s A small number of US Navy Prowlers will
Prowler electronic attack aircraft have now been gifted for public still conduct test and evaluation work at
aircraft from its operational display: BuNo 164036 for the Castle Air NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and NAWS
inventory at NAS Whidbey Museum, BuNo 163386 for Denver’s Wings China Lake, California, in support of the
Island, Washington, on June Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Marine Corps, which will continue to fly
27. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 BuNo 163030 for the Palm Springs Air the EA-6B until 2019. Joe A. Kunzler
CAG CORNER
The unfinished 70th anniversary ‘CAG bird’ of VFA-41 EA-18G Growler BuNo 168376/500 of VAQ-133
‘Black Aces’, F/A-18F BuNo 166842/100. The scheme ‘Wizards’ at NAS Fallon in June during Carrier
features a large ‘ace of spades’ on the top of the Air Wing (CVW) 9’s Strike Fighter Advanced
aircraft. Jim Dunn Readiness Program (SFARP). Jim Dunn
Between June 8 and July 3, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 deployed to NAS Fallon, Nevada, to complete its Strike
Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP). Among the specially-marked aircraft was F/A-18F BuNo
166850/107 from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 ‘Black Aces’, which carries markings commemorating the
August 19, 1981, shoot-down by VF-41 F-14A BuNo 160403 (‘Fast Eagle 102’) of two Libyan Su-22 ‘Fitters’ over
the Gulf of Sidra. ‘Splash Two’ carries the names of CDR Henry ‘Hank’ Kleeman and LT Dave ‘DJ’ Venlet, a Su-22
and AIM-9L missile on the fuselage and a silhouette of an F-14 on the tail. Jim Dunn
DIRECT DEBIT
AIR FORCE COCKPIT
Join us for exclusive coverage of the
French Air Force’s Dassault Rafale!
Entering service for the French Air Force
SUBSCRIPTION
in 2006, the Rafale is a twin-jet able to
carry out short or long range missions,
reconnaissance, high accuracy strikes
and nuclear strike deterrence. View
inside Mont de Marsan Air Force base and
witness footage of the Mali Missions in
TO
Africa... Feel the power of one of the newest
fifth generation fighters in the world!
US &
CANADIAN
READERS
SEE PAGES 38-39
FOR DETAILS
2 E A S Y W AY S T O PAY
811/15 Image: Dassault Aviation/V.Almansa
*Direct debit UK only. See website for full terms and conditions. OFFER CLOSE DATE: 30 September 2015 CODE: ROWCAM
Key Publishing and IMS News will hold your details to process and fulfill your subscription order. Prices correct at time of going to press. Occasionally we may wish to contact you to
notify you of special offers on products or events. Savings based on subscription cost versus newsstand single purchases. If you do not wish to receive this information please mention when calling.
Free gift is only available with 2 year subscriptions or on Direct Debit when taking out a minimum 2 year subscription. Should you cancel your subscription earlier then an invoice will be raised for the full price of the gift.
Gift subject to change. Any replacement gift will be of equal or higher value. Please allow up to 28 days for gift delivery.
FRONT LINE COMBAT AIRCRAFT’S REGULAR COLUMN BY ROBERT F. DORR
A
FORMIDABLE BUT NOT ‘We will miss this aircraft a lot’, retired Navy Improved Capability (ICAP) III. The Marines
exactly famous fighting CAPT Roger ‘John’ Smith, a former EA-6B continue to operate Marine Tactical Electronic
machine made its final pilot, told Combat Aircraft. ‘It could fly just Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 2 ‘Death Jesters’
flight in US Navy colors on as smooth and steady as you’d like, and then (the former ‘Playboys’), VMAQ-3 ‘Moon
June 27. The aircraft was a once in awhile it would challenge your touch Dogs’ and VMAQ-4 ‘Seahawks’, and Marine
Grumman EA-6B Prowler on throttle and stick. The Prowler has been a Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron
(BuNo 163890) of Electronic Attack Squadron little bit of everywhere and done a little bit of (VMAQT) 1 ‘Banshees’. The Marines expect to
(VAQ) 134 ‘Garudas’. everything.’ retire their last Prowlers by 2019.
For some reason, the Prowler never gets The Navy will continue to fly one or two
much mentioned. Too often, literature An electronic pioneer EA-6Bs in test work at Patuxent River,
dismisses the EA-6B as a sidebar in the ‘The Prowler is, arguably, the most important Maryland and China Lake, California, to
shadow of the A-6 Intruder medium electronic warfare aircraft ever flown’, retired support the Marine Corps Prowlers.
attack aircraft, from which the Prowler LCDR Rick Morgan told CA. The first Prowler (BuNo 149481) made
was derived, and which was retired fully Morgan is a former EA-6B electronic its maiden flight on May 25, 1968, at the
two decades ago. Those in the Prowler countermeasures officer and now historian Grumman factory in Calverton, New York,
community consider theirs to be a distinct for the Prowler Association. ‘It was built in piloted by Don King. It first went into battle in
aircraft type that warrants its own saga writ larger numbers, flew longer and participated Vietnam with VAQ-132 ‘Scorpions’ operating
large, yet, too often, their story is a small box in more wars, operations and combat than from USS America (CVA 66) on July 14, 1972.
on a corner of a page. any other jamming platform’, he told CA. ‘Its The type has been upgraded repeatedly since.
The Navy formally retired the Prowler in success made the EA-18G possible. Being The last EA-6B carrier deployment was
a ‘Prowler Sunset Celebration’ at Whidbey assigned to EA-6Bs was the best decision I carried out by four aircraft of VAQ-134 aboard
Island, Washington, the naval air station in the never made, but I have become thankful for USS George H. W. Bush, ending on November
Pacific north-west that for decades has been being a member of this remarkable community 14, 2014. The squadron had been supporting
home to its electronic warfare (EW) fleet. at Whidbey.’ air operations against the so-called Islamic
On June 26, as part of two-day festivities, The send-off was more a ‘so long’ than a State in Syria.
the ‘Garudas’ EA-6B passed in review in a goodbye. The Navy is moving on, but the US
formation with three EA-18G Growlers in a Marine Corps will carry on flying the EA-6B Not exactly beautiful
‘missing man’ formation to honor the 48 crew With the pointy end on the back instead of the
members — 46 men and two women — who front and a configuration somewhere between
have died flying the Prowler. ‘There probably ‘With the pointy dowdy and dumpy, the Prowler is too slow to
wasn’t a dry eye in the audience during keep up with modern strike packages and is
the ‘missing man’ formation’, CAPT Darryl end on the back underpowered, with two 12,000lb thrust Pratt
Walker, Whidbey’s VAQ wing commodore,
told reporters at the ceremony. instead of the front & Whitney J52-P-409 turbojets that are neither
fuel-efficient nor quiet: a Prowler is reported
The following day, 163890 made a
celebratory flight over Whidbey carrying
and a configuration to be louder than a C-17 Globemaster III in full
reverse thrust. ‘Even when we jam them they
CAPT Fred Wilmot, 77, the former Prowler somewhere between can hear us coming’, said Smith.
test pilot who had delivered the fleet’s first ‘Love it or hate it, it is a great aircraft and has
EA-6B (BuNo 158029) to Whidbey in January dowdy and dumpy, the made a big contribution’, retired Marine Corps
1971. Wilmot occupied one of the rear crew
positions and commented with a grin that it
Prowler is too slow to Lt Col Rob ‘Blitz’ Krieg told this magazine.
‘I’ve heard crews call it ‘the incredible flying
was the first time he’d ever flown in the back keep up with modern chicken leg’ because of its shape’. Others call
seat of a Prowler. the EA-6B the ‘flying fry pan’, ‘sky pig’ or the
The Prowler landed, dropped off Wilmot, strike packages and is ‘station wagon’.
kept engines running, and then took off for
Point Mugu, to become a museum piece.
underpowered’ With tandem, back-hinged clamshell
canopies, the Prowler carries a pilot and
W
HEN COMBAT The F-35A’s flying qualities were also
AIRCRAFT columnist criticized, being judged neither intuitive nor
David Axe published favorable in the ‘blended region’. In fact, the
extracts of a report F-35’s performance was so bad that the un-
into F-35A Lightning named test pilot deemed it ‘inappropriate for
II high angle-of- fighting other aircraft within visual range.’
attack maneuvers on his ‘War is Boring’ This was exacerbated by difficulties
blog, he revealed that during tests carried encountered with the F-35’s pilot’s helmet,
out on January 14 this year an early F-35 which was judged to be too large for the
test aircraft (AF-2), flying ‘clean’, had been space inside the canopy for the pilot to
comprehensively out-maneuvered by a adequately see behind the aircraft.
two-seat F-16D Fighting Falcon carrying a
pair of 230-US gallon underwing fuel tanks. A balanced view
The report and several subsequent write-ups It’s hard to find balanced coverage of the F-35
concluded that the ‘new stealth fighter is dead — the debate is usually highly polarized. On
meat in an air battle’, proving ‘demonstrably the one side there are many who believe the
inferior in a dogfight with the F-16.’ F-35 (which they claim to be ‘history’s most
The F-35’s many critics predictably seized expensive weapon’) is a technical failure and
upon the story and it rapidly ‘went viral’. A a scandalous waste of taxpayers’ money, that it
number of aerospace news websites leapt will not adequately replace the capabilities of
on the fact that the F-35 had been unable to the aircraft that it will supplant in service, and
‘beat the airplane it’s replacing in a dogfight’. will not allow US and allied forces to achieve
Meanwhile, manufacturer Lockheed Martin dominance.
and program supporters (perhaps equally On the other hand, there are those who
predictably) dismissed the significance and believe that the F-35 will be a transformational
accuracy of the original story. air power asset, effectively invulnerable to
CA has seen the full report detailing the enemy air defenses, unbeatable in air combat,
actual sortie, which included an offensive and bringing a host of new sensor and
capture, tracking tasks and a number of weapons capabilities to the fight.
traditional BFM (basic fighter maneuvers) It often seems there is rarely room for
set-ups. In all, there were 17 engagements nuance in coverage of the F-35 — it is either
between the F-35A and the F-16D. an unmitigated disaster or the greatest
The report notes that the most technological achievement and game-changer
noticeable characteristic of the F-35A in in the history of air warfare. This is a shame,
a visual engagement is its ‘lack of energy since the truth is a much more subtle and
maneuverability’, which it describes much less black-and-white picture.
as being inferior to a Pratt & Whitney It is true that the F-35 has experienced
F100-PW-229-engined F-15E due to having technical difficulties, and that its cost has
a ‘smaller wing, similar weight and 15,000lb risen, while as of today the program is still
less in afterburner thrust.’ far behind where it should be, and is still
‘Even with the limited F-16 target encountering fresh problems. However,
configuration’, the report said, ‘the F-35A there seems little doubt that the aircraft will
remained at a distinct energy disadvantage for eventually enter service with most of the
every engagement.’ capabilities planned for it, and that most
The report also highlighted the F-35A’s difficulties and problems will be overcome.
‘insufficient pitch rate’, which prevented the The F-35 is not the all-singing, all-dancing
jet from pulling ‘lead’ on the target offensively, platform that was once envisaged or
and made it hard to defeat an enemy expected in some quarters, though at the
attack. No effective guns defense was found same time it will be a much more capable
during the test. and flexible aircraft than any tactical
At high angles of attack (AoA), the F-35A aircraft that has gone before. So-called fifth-
found a way of generating very high yaw rates, generation aircraft like the F-22 and F-35
which gave limited opportunities for missile should perhaps not even be thought of as
shots, but only at the expense of losing energy. ‘fighters’ in the conventional sense, since
The test pilot judged that ‘deciding to commit they are ‘sensor-shooters’ that can perform
to high AoA meant losing the fight unless the the roles of traditional fighter, bomber,
bandit made an error.’ attack, reconnaissance, signals intelligence
16
(SIGINT), electronic attack, and command Not a dogfighter — so what? sensors, weapons, and stealth technology
and control platforms, doing so in a range of F-35 supporters rightly point out that to achieve dominance. The Lightning II is
threat environments. close-in dogfighting is not the sine qua non intended to make key decisions rapidly
Lt Gen David Deptula, now the Dean of of air combat, and they emphasize that the enough to get inside the enemy’s decision
the Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Power type affords its pilot the opportunity to cycle, destroying the enemy before he can
Studies, a former senior US Air Force kill the enemy before he knows that he is destroy in turn.
commander and highly-regarded air power being engaged. This is all well and good if rules of
thinker, pointed out that a single F-35 could The F-35 is designed to engage, shoot, engagement allow the enemy to be engaged
create ‘effects’ that would have required and kill its enemy from long range, and not at beyond visual range, and as long as no
dozens of ‘legacy’ aircraft, if they could be necessarily within visual range, using its ‘leakers’ survive the initial exchange of
achieved at all. missile shots and keep on coming.
It probably doesn’t matter that the F-35
is no tank-buster in the mould of the A-10
‘F-35 supporters rightly In this case, F-35 supporters aver, the
aircraft’s helmet-mounted sight, sensor
Thunderbolt II, because it will instead provide point out that close- fusion and Distributed Aperture System,
close air support ‘effect’ in a very different paired with the AIM-9X Block II air-to-
way, using entirely different weapons and in dogfighting is not air missile, will make drawn-out, hard-
markedly different tactics. Similarly, though
the F-35 will eventually replace the F-15C,
the sine qua non of maneuvering dogfights a thing of the past,
and will allow the F-35 to dominate the
F-15E and F-16C in the tactical fighter and air air combat, and they close-in arena as well.
defense/air superiority roles (augmented by It’s also the case that the aforementioned
the F-22 fleet in the latter case), it will do so emphasize that the engagement was intended ‘to test the flying
differently, and will be able to do so thanks to qualities of the F-35 using visual combat
new capabilities, new sensors, new weapons, F-35 affords its pilot maneuvers to stress the system’, giving the
new tactics and new doctrine. Isolated
apparent weaknesses or areas where F-35
the opportunity to kill Lightning II the opportunity to maneuver
to the edge of its limits without exceeding
performance may be notionally inferior to the the enemy before he them, while handling in a positive and
aircraft being replaced may not, after all, be all predictable manner. The F-16D involved in
that significant. knows that he is being the trial was used as a visual reference to
And the aforementioned report should, of
course, be interpreted in this light.
engaged’ maneuver against. The aim was to gather
data, and not to win the fight.
I
N SEPTEMBER 2014 the Belgian Under Operation ‘Desert Falcon’ missions over Syria, and Belgian pilots
federal parliament voted in (ODF), the Belgian F-16s were to concentrated on operations outside
favor of participation in the support the US-led coalition — those borders.
multi-national military coalition launched in August 2014 and later A first operational mission was flown
against the so-called Islamic State named Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’ on October 1, 2014. It consisted of
(IS). The same day, six F-16AM — through reconnaissance and air a reconnaissance in the vicinity of
Fighting Falcons departed Florennes for strikes against IS combatants and their Baghdad and lasted around three hours.
Lt Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq weapons and infrastructure in Iraq. The The main asset for reconnaissance
in Jordan. Belgian parliament did not approve missions was the AN/AAQ-33
Bulgarian fighter
Latest MiG-29KR unveiled search is on
This MiG-29KR (izdeliye 9.41R) is from of eight single-seat MiG-29KR fighters On July 1, Bulgarian national media reported
the latest production batch of the new (‘32 Blue’ to ‘39 Blue’) and a pair of two- that law-makers in Sofia had approved the
shipborne fighters for the Russian Navy. seat MiG-29KUBRs (izdeliye 9.47R, ‘52 procurement program for a new fighter.
Bort number ‘39 Blue’ is pictured at Blue’ and ‘53 Blue’). In all, the Russian The new combat aircraft will replace aging
Kubinka air base during the static display Navy has placed orders for 20 MiG-29 and Su-25 jets.
for the Armya 2015 defense trade show. MiG-29KRs and four MiG-29KUBRs. Among the options announced by Defense
This batch for the Russian Navy consists Stanislav Bazhenov Minister Nikolay Nenchev is an acquisition
of surplus F-16s from Belgium, Greece, or
the Netherlands. Nenchev has stated that the
Bulgarian Air Force requires a minimum of
nine new fighters.
Previous contenders mentioned for the
Bulgarian program include surplus Block
25 F-16s from the US Air National Guard,
early-tranche Eurofighter Typhoons from
the Italian Air Force, surplus Saab Gripens
from Sweden, and the Pakistan Aeronautical
Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry
Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17. A possible
outsider is the Textron AirLand Scorpion,
Airseeker accelerated
which was demonstrated to the Bulgarian
Air Force at Graf Ignatievo in June.
In the meantime, Bulgaria is close to
In order to meet the demands of surveillance, target acquisition, and signing an agreement for the repair of
operations in the Middle East, the Royal reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. MiG-29 engines with Poland’s Wojskowe
Air Force is to receive its second Boeing Acquired under the Airseeker program, Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 (Military Aircraft
RC-135W Rivet Joint seven months early the first RAF Rivet Joint is currently Works No 2) in Bydgoszcz. The move is part
— in September. The move is part of employed on operations against the so- of Sofia’s attempts to reduce reliance on
the UK’s effort to increase intelligence, called Islamic State over Iraq and Syria. Russia in the wake of heightened tensions in
the region.
ROTARY-WING BRIEFS
Russia mulls new-production Mi-14
‘Italian Blade 2015’
Russian Helicopters has announced it is considering Among the participants in the recent ‘Italian Blade 2015’ exercise at Viterbo was this pair
re-launching production of the Mi-14 amphibious of Mi-24Vs from the Czech Air Force’s 22. Základna Vrtulníkového Letectva at Námest. The
eighth training event in the series took place from June 22 to July 3 under the framework
helicopter, 30 years after it ended. Mi-14s were
of the European Defence Agency’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP) and involved
developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and around 40 helicopters from seven countries. Mark de Greeuw
produced by Kazan Helicopters from 1973 to 1986.
The Mi-14 would be upgraded and offered to both
civil and military operators.
NEWS ROUND-UP
ITALY
Michael Balter
T-346 in aggressor role
An Alenia Aermacchi T-346 of the Italian Air
Force’s 61° Stormo has been temporarily
deployed to Grosseto to test its capability as
‘Red Air’ in dissimilar combat training missions
with the Eurofighter F-2000s of the 20°
Gruppo, Operational Conversion Unit, part of
4° Stormo.
GERMANY
Orion upgrade planned
The German Navy is planning an extensive
overhaul of its eight P-3C maritime patrol aircraft.
Under a 10-year, €568-million effort, the Orions
will receive mid-life upgrade kits, instrument flight
rules capability and mission avionics capability
upgrades, keeping them in service until 2035.
One of the two Kawasaki P-1s that visited the UK going through its short display routine. Jamie Hunter
T
HE JAPANESE MARITIME The appearance at RIAT is thought to replace its aging Lockheed P-3C Orions,
Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have been connected with UK interest and 10 of the new aircraft have been
sent two Kawasaki P-1 in acquiring a new MPA, to fill the space delivered to the JMSDF. All of them are
maritime patrol aircraft left by the retirement of the Nimrod in operating out of Atsugi. Although the
to the Royal International 2010. The UK has maintained an MPA type is still conducting its operational
Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF skill set thanks to the Project Seedcorn test and evaluation phase through to the
Fairford, England, in July, providing the exchange program, which is now set end of September, at which time full
undoubted stars of the show. to continue into 2018. However, many operating capability will be declared,
The two aircraft (serials 5504 and expect an MPA competition to be it has been flying operational missions
5507) arrived from the US on the announced later this year. since March.
morning of July 14, and were on a The P-1s at RIAT were both Turning to the UK MPA requirement,
round-the-world tour. Following the operational aircraft from 3 Kokutai at the P-1 will have to beat off fierce
show, the two aircraft departed for NAF Atsugi, but manned by crews from competition from the Boeing P-8
Djibouti for two days of operational Air Development Squadron 51. The Poseidon if it is to gain success.
evaluation. JMSDF has a requirement for 70 P-1s to Jamie Hunter
Y-8GX-6
The Shaanxi Y-8GX-6/Y-8Q is the first service its first dedicated maritime patrol
long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and ASW aircraft.
type to enter People’s Liberation Army It is expected that this much-needed
enters
Naval Air Force (PLANAF) service. ASW version will eventually be
Following its first appearance in prototype introduced in larger numbers by all three
form in November 2011 — two prototypes naval fleets. Again based on the trusted
were built, serials 731 and 732 — several Y-9 airframe, the variant has been under
service
new images were leaked during April this development since 2007 and represents
year showing the Y-8GX-6 ready to enter the first dedicated combat version of the
service. The latest imagery confirms that Y-8/9 family.
the PLANAF has finally introduced to Besides a comprehensive array of
different smaller sensors and antennas
around the fuselage, it features a large
chin radome housing a surface search
radar, and an electro-optical turret
including a forward-looking infra-red
sensor, charge-coupled device TV camera
and laser rangefinder below the forward
fuselage. Its most noticeable feature is
a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD)
‘sting’ on its tail. The type also has a fully
pressurized cabin modified to house an
internal bomb bay for depth charges,
Yu-7K light torpedoes and perhaps even
anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-9 or
YJ-83K.
The Y-8GX-6 is powered by four uprated
Unofficial reports from the Chinese media suggest that ‘an unspecified number’ of Y-8GX-6s WJ-6C engines with six-blade propellers.
have been inducted by the North Sea Fleet, replacing the venerable SH-5 flying-boats (85x2x It is expected to have a range in excess
serials). Other reports indicate serials in the 8519x sequence, which means they are operated of 5,000km or a patrol time of up to 10
by the 9th Naval Aviation Division assigned to the South Sea Fleet. via Chinese internet hours. Andreas Rupprecht
to fleet
Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. operating in support of the government in
Tobruk, while six were reportedly donated to
First RAAF Spartan delivered Jordan.
The A330-200 Multi-Role Tanker Transport On June 30 the Royal Australian Air Force
(MRTT) continues to go from strength to accepted the first of 10 C-27J transports. The Egyptian F-16s return to test
strength, with a new order from South Korea Spartan touched down at RAAF Base Townsville Lockheed Martin has resumed flight testing of
and additional sales to established operator on June 24 before proceeding to its new home Egyptian Air Force F-16s at Fort Worth, Texas.
Australia. of Richmond where it will join 35 Squadron. The They had been in storage, before the US State
Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program unit will eventually move to Amberley. Department lifted arms sanctions against Cairo.
Administration (DAPA) chose the Airbus The return to flight suggests deliveries could
Defence and Space product on June 30, in Archangel deliveries to UAE be close to resuming. A first operational check
preference to the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus IOMAX has commenced deliveries of the first flight (OCF) by c/n JJ-06 was noted on June 24; a
and the Boeing 767-300-based Multi-Mission of 24 Archangel aircraft to the United Arab second jet, JJ-11, flew its OCF on June 26.
Tanker Transport offered by Israel Aerospace
Industries. DAPA reportedly selected the
European tanker on the basis of its capabilities F-AIR
(specifically endurance, fuel capacity,
personnel, and cargo capacity), cost, and the Colombia
fact that it is already in widespread service.
Under the $1.25-billion KC-X program, the 2015
F-AIR (Feria
Republic of Korea Air Force is set to receive
Aeronáutica
two of the Rolls-Royce-powered tankers in Internacional de
2018 and two in 2019. Rionegro) is Colombia’s
Some observers had expected the KC-46 to biennial international
emerge victorious, after Boeing announced the airshow held at Rionegro
Pegasus would cost 25 per cent less to maintain Airport, Medellin. Staged
and operate over its life cycle compared with from July 9-12, the event
the A330 MRTT. However, the purchase price was also a showcase
tag of the Boeing tanker remained higher than for Colombia’s military
that of the A330. aviation. With the Kfir
absent, the highlight this
The refueling aircraft will fill a significant year was the AH-60L Arpía
gap in the RoKAF order of battle, and have display team with a spirited
been on the air force’s list of priorities since the two-ship routine. Bearing
mid-1990s. Among its missions will be support in mind the threat posed
of fighters patrolling over the easternmost islets by FARC guerillas, the Arpiá
of Dokdo, where jets are currently limited to is the Colombian Air Force’s
around 30 minutes on station. most important asset for fighting
According to Airbus, the airframe will ground targets. On the ground this
‘establish a long-term and sustainable co- combat helicopter was also displayed
with its Toplite III sensor system and Spike
operation with the Korean industry’. This could missiles. Dr Andreas Zeitler
well put the European firm in pole position
to win a forthcoming contract to supply Japan
with new tanker aircraft.
As well as having been selected by nine
FIGHTER ROUND-UP
nations plus the European Defence Agency, the
Korean ‘Viper’ upgrade approved The upgrade is based around the
A330 MRTT has won every tanker competition
The US government has approved the upgrade Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable
it has entered outside the United States. Indeed,
of South Korea’s Lockheed Martin F-16s, with Agile Beam Radar (SABR) active electronically-
the Airbus design was originally selected for
work to be conducted by Lockheed Martin and scanned array (AESA) radar and will also
the US Air Force’s own KC-X tanker program
Northrop Grumman. The cost of the revised address all-weather ground attack capability,
before the decision was overturned and then
deal has increased by more than half, to an adding, among others, the Laser Joint Direct
won by Boeing.
estimated $2.5 billion. The Foreign Military Attack Munition.
The A330 MRTT has the advantage of being
Sale will include upgrade of the fighters More advanced weapons will also be
in service, while development of the KC-46 is
together with associated equipment, parts and added in the air-to-air realm, and these will
projected to be completed in 2017. The Airbus
logistical support. be allied with a Link 16 datalink capability
is also larger, making it useful for transport and
In all, 134 (K)F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft will and Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.
aero-medical missions and allowing it to carry
be upgraded. New equipment will include New missiles are likely to include the AIM-9X
more fuel in the refueling role.
an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) Sidewinder.
A further boost for Airbus came with the
radar, modular mission computer, Advanced Upgrade work is scheduled to begin in 2016
news that Australia is to purchase two more
Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) system, and will take five to six years to complete.
KC-30As for delivery in 2018. The deal,
embedded GPS/inertial navigation system,
valued at $314 million, was announced by the
upgraded radar warning receivers, and AN/ First flight for Philippine FA-50
Australian Defence Minister on July 1 and was
ALQ-213 electronic warfare management units. Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has
signed as an update to the existing acquisition
conducted the first flight of an initial FA-50PH
contract. The aircraft will be converted at
Singapore outlines F-16 upgrade for the Philippines Air Force. It took place on
Getafe, Spain using two former Qantas Airways
The Singaporean Defense Ministry has June 19. The Philippines placed an order for
A330-200 airliners.
announced details of the Republic of 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft in March 2014
The Royal Australian Air Force currently
Singapore Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-16C/D and KAI aims to deliver an initial pair before
operates a fleet of five KC-30As, which is the
upgrade program. the end of this year.
local designation for the A330 MRTT.
F
OURTEEN MONTHS AFTER F-16Ds), all with downgraded air-to-air followed by an official delivery ceremony
the maiden flight of the first combat capability, and equipped with at Fort Worth on June 5, 2014.
Lockheed Martin F-16IQ AN/APG-68(V)9 radars and PW-F100-229 Twelve years after the Iraqi Air
Fighting Falcon and 13 engines, together with ground equipment, Force lost its last interceptors — two
months after initial delivery spare parts, ammunition and ordnance, MiG-29Bs stood on alert duty at Baghdad
to the Iraqi Air Force, the first was signed in January 2011. The total International Airport in 2003 — the four
four examples reached Balad Air Base on price was almost $3 billion and delivery F-16C/Ds will equip a new squadron
July 13 after a three-day journey starting was scheduled for 2014 and 2015. stationed at Balad.
from Tucson, Arizona. Twenty AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced While 11 Su-25s form the backbone
They comprised a pair of F-16C Block targeting pods and four Goodrich DB-110 of the Iraqi Air Force attack fleet, the
52CFs, serials 1607 (c/n RA-01) and 1610 airborne reconnaissance systems were multi-role F-16Cs will be able to act as
(c/n RA-04), and two F-16D Block 52CFs, ordered subsequently, and, in April 2013, interceptors to defend Iraqi airspace
serials 1601 (c/n RB-01) and 1604 (c/n 18 more F-16IQs worth $830 million were via their AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7
RB-04). All departed Tucson on July 9, ordered for delivery in 2017 and 2018. Sparrow air-to-air missiles. Equipped with
reaching Lajes in the Azores that evening. The first F-16IQ, serial 1601, rolled Sniper targeting systems, they will enable
They left for Balad AB three days later. out of the Fort Worth facility in March use of precision-guided munitions against
An initial contract for the acquisition of 2014. The aircraft, an F-16D, performed targets in residential areas such as the city
18 F-16C/D Block 52s (12 F-16Cs and six its maiden flight on May 7, 2014. It was of Mosul. Babak Taghvaee
• CL-215 serial 1070, operated by the took off from Soewondo air base in Medan, taxiing at NAS Whiting Field, Florida on
Hellenic Air Force, made a forced landing North Sumatra, on June 30. The aircraft’s June 25. Neither crewmember was injured.
after suffering technical problems while 12-member crew and 110 passengers • An-2 serial HL-1090 operated by the
conducting an aerial firefighting mission were killed along with 17 civilians on the Republic of Korea Air Force sustained
in southern Greece on July 17. Both pilots ground when the aircraft went down in substantial damage when the crew ditched
reportedly suffered minor injuries and a residential area around 3.1 miles (5km) the aircraft in a stream near Okcheon in
the aircraft major damage when it came from the airport. The Hercules crew had North Chungcheong province following
down in Faraklo, Lakonia, in the southern declared an emergency and was attempting an apparent engine failure on June 25. No
Peloponnese region. to return to the airport. It apparently struck injuries were reported among the four crew
• Tu-95MS serial RF-94204 operated by a radio antenna before crashing. and passengers.
the Russian Air Force crashed during • A US Coast Guard MH-65D was heavily • Iraqi Air Force F-16D serial 1601,
an unarmed training flight following an damaged in a hard landing at San Francisco which had been assigned to the Arizona
apparent multiple engine failure on July International Airport, California, on June Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing,
14. Although five crew parachuted to 29. Two crew aboard the helicopter, which crashed during a night training mission
safety, two others were killed in the crash, was assigned to Air Station San Francisco, near Douglas, Arizona on June 24. The
which occurred near the Chinese border suffered minor injuries when the Dolphin fighter went down near the Arizona/New
around 50 miles (80km) from Khabarovsk in rolled onto its side during the post- Mexico border about 5 miles (8km) east of
eastern Russia. maintenance test flight. Douglas Municipal Airport. The pilot, an
• US Air Force F-16C serial 96-0085, which • Two pilots aboard an Argentine Air Force Iraqi brigadier general, was killed.
had been assigned to the 20th Fighter EMB-312 Tucano were killed when the • The pilot of an F-16A operated by the
Wing’s 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB, trainer crashed around 6.2 miles (10km) Royal Thai Air Force’s 1st Wing/102nd
South Carolina, crashed following a mid-air south of Arroyito, San Justo, Córdoba Squadron ejected safely before the fighter
collision with a civilian Cessna 150 on July on June 29. The aircraft and crew were skidded off the taxiway and veered into a
7. The pilot of the fighter ejected safely; assigned to the Military Aviation School drainage ditch at Korat Air Force Base in
however, both occupants of the Cessna at Córdoba. Nakhon Ratchasima on June 23.
were killed in the collision. The accident • Shenyang F-7MB serial 1416, operated by • A US Air Force MQ-1 remotely piloted
occurred over Moncks Corner, South the Bangladesh Air Force’s 25 Squadron, aircraft crashed in south-eastern Iraq on
Carolina around 11 miles (17km) north of crashed into the Bay of Bengal around June 22 after controllers lost ‘positive
Charleston. 45 miles (72km) from Chittagong during control’ of the Predator during a sortie
• Both crew aboard a Russian Air Force a training exercise on June 29. The pilot supporting anti-IS operations. According
Su-24M2 were killed when the strike aircraft was killed in the accident, which occurred to US Central Command, the loss was not
crashed on take-off at the start of a routine shortly after the fighter took off from BAF caused by enemy fire.
training flight at Khurba air base in the Base Zahurul Haque, adjacent to Shah • UH-60L serial EJC-2185 operated by the
Khabarovsk region on July 6. Amanat International Airport in Chittagong. Colombian Army’s 2nd Aviation Battalion
• An MD500 helicopter operated by the • An unidentified helicopter, operated by was destroyed when it struck a land mine
Kenya Defence Forces lost power while the Afghan National Army (ANA), suffered apparently planted by Revolutionary
attempting to land and crashed on July 6. a hard landing in southern Afghanistan’s Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels
Both pilots were critically injured and died Kandahar province on June 28. Three in a field in north-eastern Colombia. Four
as a result of their injuries. The helicopter soldiers were killed in the crash, which soldiers were killed and six were injured
came down at the Bar’goni military camp occurred in the Garmawak area, between in the mishap, which occurred near El
in Lamu county’s Boni Forest and was the districts of Maiwand and Ghorak. Bejuco in Teorema, North Santander
consumed by fire. • Maule MXT-7-180 serial FAH277, province, on June 22.
• A Russian Air Force MiG-29 crashed operated by the Honduran Air Force, was • US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II
during a training flight near Kushchevskaya heavily damaged when a gust of wind BuNo 165419 was heavily damaged
air base in southern Russia’s Krasonodar caused the aircraft to strike a building when the main landing gear struck the
region on July 3. The pilot was able to eject during take-off at Toncontin International deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) during
safely before the fighter crashed around 5 Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras a rolling landing on June 19. The
miles (8km) from the base. on June 27. aircraft was assigned to Marine Attack
• KC-130B serial A-1310 (c/n 3616) operated • US Navy TH-57B BuNo 163327, assigned Squadron (VMA) 311 and was deployed
by the Indonesian Air Force was destroyed to Helicopter Training Squadron 18 (HT-18), as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary
in a crash immediately after the Hercules was destroyed when it crashed while hover Unit (MEU).
DEFENDERS
OF THE STATES
The Massachusetts Air National Guard is a proud flyer of
the F-15C Eagle. As well as deploying around the world, the
squadron is heavily committed to defending the homeland.
The Suite 6 Operational Flight Program has talked up Project Missouri, a flight Massachusetts Eagle drivers
(OFP) standard also adds two new pods — the demonstration performed in December 2013 in Col Lambrich speaks of his team at Barnes
Legion Pod and Talon HATE. The Legion Pod which an F-22 passed data to a surrogate F-35 with genuine affection. ‘With 18 jets on the
is a new multi-function sensor from Lockheed without compromising its electronic stealth squadron, we’ve got about 30 pilots. It’s a
Martin based on the IRST21 infra-red search signature. Both proposals are now set to mixture of full-time and part-time, as it is at
and track system. It builds on the AN/AAS-42 compete for an Advanced Tactical Datalink most Guard units. A little over two-thirds of
that was carried by the F-14D Tomcat and is a (ATDL) program, aimed at solving the our pilots started on active-duty, whereas
vital new sensor for the F-15C. networking problem between the F-22 and about one-third are home-grown here at the
Col Lambrich commented: ‘The IRST is a other aircraft, initially the F-35. As currently unit. We have a scattering of new guys that
completely separate program, and that is all on designed, the F-22’s IFDL is also unable to just went through pilot training in the last
the active-duty side and a little longer on the exchange data with the Multi-function few years, plus we have guys that have been
horizon for the Guard. They are making Advanced Datalink (MADL) aboard the F-35. doing this for their whole career. I started off
advances on both the defensive and offensive in active-duty [service] and I’ve flown the
side, [focusing on] electronic protection and Maintaining a classic F-15C my whole career. I’m currently the
making the Fighter Data Link more robust Despite the range of upgrades, maintaining a high-time pilot here at the unit with about
against jamming and able to share across high level of serviceability in a 40-year-old 3,700 hours. I started back at Tyndall in 1990
different platforms — that’s a huge force- fighter is no easy task. This is testament to the — it was a different animal back then!’
multiplier.’ maintainers at every squadron. ‘I couldn’t be As the F-15Cs have been consolidated into
Of major concern for leaders is the need to more proud of this group of all-stars we have the ANG, it has resulted in an increase in
beef up and modernize the F-15’s offensive and here’, commented Col Lambrich. ‘We look at deployments for the CONUS units. ‘Last year
defensive electronic warfare systems. The the F-15 not as if it is a stock 1957 Chevy; it’s we went to the Pacific twice for ‘Century
Eagle Passive/Active Warning and more of a hot-rod. Aloha’ in Hawaii. There we flew a lot of fighter
Survivability System (EPAWSS) is planned to ‘With the (V)3 [radar] dropped in plus the integration [FI] large-force employment
help the F-15C counter the latest threat systems increasingly modern avionics, the new Dash missions with our F-15s and the F-22s to ‘hold
towards the end of this decade. 220E motors to increase our performance and the fort’. We followed that up with an exercise
Talon HATE is a Boeing pod aimed at energy state, the FDL, increased weapons in Malaysia later in the year. We also deployed
enabling communications between fourth- and options with the AIM-9X, the JHMCS, the to the CENTCOM area for operations.’
fifth-generation platforms. Communicating Sniper pod — all of these additions keep [the Looking further ahead, it seems likely that
with the F-22 has always been troublesome. Eagle] on the forefront of modern technology. the active-duty Air Force will pass its F-15Cs
Raptors have traditionally only been able to But it’s still the same airframe. From the main down to the ANG as more F-35s arrive. Those
datalink with other Raptors via their Intra- spars to the canopy rigging, these guys ANG F-15C units expect that developments in
Flight Datalink (IFDL), without access to the maintain a classic car at the performance levels both tactics and training will go hand-in-hand
widely-used MIDS. The advent of new of being able to run in a Formula One race. It’s with the future upgrades to enable the F-15C
datalink communications should allow the astounding!’ to keep fighting alongside the Raptor, and
F-22 to disperse data from two of its most Its age means that there are some things that provide the bulk of US Air Force air
sophisticated sensors: the APG-77 radar and Boeing, the original equipment manufacturer, superiority for many years to come.
ALR-94 electronic warfare system. Details of no longer supports. Therefore, a number of
Talon HATE remain sketchy. However, a new new start-up companies have re-tooled to
Northrop Grumman ‘fifth-to-fourth-generation’ supply spares. Some parts are pulled out of the Acknowledgments: The author would like to
networking system with a stealthy dual-band boneyard and refurbished, while others are thank Col Kenneth Lambrich and Lt Col Brenda
Hendricksen.
antenna has been developed. Lockheed Martin provided new by Boeing.
ANATOLIAN
EAGLE
2015-1
T
HE TURKISH AIR Force’s
(Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) premier
exercise ‘Anatolian Eagle’, held
at Konya air base in central
Turkey, is gaining a reputation
as one of the world’s leading
fighter aircraft training events. Dating
This Turkish Air back to 2001, it is here that the east meets
Force F-4E 2020 is the west, offering a rare opportunity for
from 111 Filo, based interaction between squadrons.
at Eskisehir. It was The latest iteration of the exercise was
notable that the F-4Es held between June 4-19. It attracted around
at this year’s event
100 fast jets from the hosts, the US, UK,
were once again
regularly carrying Germany, Spain and Pakistan. The scenario
the AGM-142 Popeye is a tried and tested formula, with a ‘Blue
stand-off missile and Team’ attacking tactical and strategic
associated targeting targets in ‘Red Land’ during combined air
pod. Alexander Golz operations (COMAOs).
Above: This F-4E 2020 (serial 77-0285) is carrying a SOM stand-off weapon.
Manufactured by Rocketsan, this is set to be developed as the SOM-J medium-
range cruise missile for internal carriage in the F-35. Dietmar Fenners
Left: Arguably the stars of the exercise were four F-16As and two F-16Bs from the
Pakistani Air Force’s No 9 Squadron ‘Griffins’ based at Mushaf. Turkish Aerospace
Industries (TAI) upgraded 41 original Pakistani F-16A/Bs from 2009 to September
2014 as part of a mid-life upgrade (MLU), with the aircraft at ‘Anatolian Eagle’ being
MLU examples. Pakistan has now received 13 former Royal Jordanian Air Force
Block 15 jets, which have joined No 19 Squadron ‘Sherdils’, now a multi-role unit.
Pakistan thus has four F-16 units, the additional ones being No 5 Squadron ‘Falcons’
and No 11 Squadron ‘Arrows’. Dietmar Fenners
37
DVD
when you take out a 2-year or quarterly credit
card subscription to
Zip Code
Country
Email address
CODE: USSEPT15 OFFER CLOSE DATE: 30 SEPTEMBER 20153
SPECIAL OFFERS (PLEASE TICK)
PAYMENT METHODS
Please debit my Mastercard Visa
5 2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
CHECK
WITH A I enclose a check for $ ................................. made payable to
International Media Service
2 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
WITH A
*Key Publishing and IMS News will hold your details to process and fulfill your subscription order. All prices exclude applicable taxes.
Prices correct at time of going to press. Occasionally we may wish to contact you to notify you of special offers on products or
events. Savings based on subscription cost versus newsstand single purchases. If you do not wish to receive this information
please tick here or mention when calling. Free magazines refers to savings compared to full cover price. Gift subject to change.
Any replacement gift will be of equal or higher value. Please allow up to 28 days for gift delivery. 810/15
UNIT REPORT
This photo: As the sun
dips below the horizon,
a CV-22 moves in to
receive fuel from an
MC-130J off the north
coast of Norfolk, UK.
New missions
Long-range personnel recovery (PR) missions
have come into the SOS remit now, thanks to
the Osprey. ‘We are not a PR squadron — it’s
a sub-mission for us’, says Lt Col Oberhaus.
‘The rescue squadrons are assigned to Air
Combat Command, but if a [fighter] went
down on the continent, for example, they’d
probably send us — we can get there faster.
We always have folks ready to go on a fairly
short string.’
T
ODAY, THE 309th chosen as a storage area for surplus aircraft
Aerospace Maintenance and following WW2. The Arizona climate is
Regeneration Group (AMARG) ideal for several reasons. The abundant
maintains roughly 4,000 sunshine and low rainfall totals, along with
aircraft, from all branches of very low humidity, reduce the risk of rust
the United States military and corrosion to airframes. Additionally,
and some allied partners, in various stages the desert soil is relatively hard and
of preservation and storage. AMARG is by compact, allowing even very heavy aircraft
far the largest such complex in the world, to be stored in the open desert without the
spanning 2,600 acres of land south-east of need for costly paved storage areas.
Tucson, Arizona. Col Robert Lepper, Jr, the 309th AMARG
Located adjacent to Davis-Monthan commander, explained the current status
AFB, the AMARG location was carefully of the facility to Combat Aircraft. ‘We are
On February 13, 2015, B-52H 61-0007 was flown from AMARG to Barksdale AFB,
Louisiana, where it will re-join the USAF B-52 fleet following more than six years
of storage. This photo clearly shows the effectiveness of the spraylat — in areas
that were covered, the paint remains in nearly perfect condition, while parts of the
airframe that were exposed to the sun have faded. Jake Melampy
T
HE VISIT PROVIDED a unique later re-organized as the 225th Independent
opportunity to speak with the Mixed Aviation Squadron at Kiev-Zhuliany,
new commander of the today Kiev International Airport. Since 1997
Ukrainian Air Force, Lt Gen the unit has been based at Boryspil.
Sergiy Drozdov, about the Once Ukraine gained independence in 1991,
ongoing anti-terrorist operation the squadron was re-named as the 1st
Earlier this year the Ukrainian (ATO) in eastern Ukraine. The program for Independent Transport Aviation Regiment and
foreign visitors included visits to Ukrainian since then has been re-structured on several
Air Force opened its doors to a Air Force bases in the Kiev area, and in the occasions. Since 2004 it has operated under its
small group of journalists and west of Ukraine. Upon arrival in Kiev, and in current name as the 15th Transport Aviation
contrast to earlier times, the significant Brigade. In the Soviet era, crews took part in
photographers from across number of uniformed military personnel was the war in Afghanistan and provided
Europe for a briefing on the immediately apparent. assistance in the wake of the nuclear disaster
The first day of the trip included a visit to the at Chernobyl. During its 70-year history, the
current status of the Air Force 15th Transport Aviation Brigade at Boryspil in unit has operated a wide range of aircraft and
in the light of its ‘anti-terrorist the Kiev Oblast (region). In Soviet times this helicopters: An-2, An-8, An-14, An-26, An-30,
unit was designated as the 227th Transport C-47, Il-14, Li-2, Po-2, Tu-134, Yak-12, Mi-2,
operations’ in the east of Aviation Regiment and was originally Mi-4, Mi-6 and Mi-8.
the country. established in February 1945 on the basis of Since the 15th Transport Aviation Brigade
the 26th Independent Mixed Aviation also performs flights within Europe as part of
Regiment, part of the civil air fleet. At the end the Open Skies program, its An-30s are seen
report and photos: of the war, the 227th Regiment was transferred relatively frequently around the continent.
Alexander Golz and Stefan Fax to Gostomel in the Ukrainian SSR and was Unfortunately, at the beginning of the ATO the
Six-Zero’s‘Sixties’
The SH-60B was designed primarily for use
in conjunction with frigates, destroyers and
cruisers, almost all of which go to sea with a
Seahawk detachment (now using the MH-60R)
embarked. The combination of the SH-60B and
warship was given the name LAMPS III. The
LAMPS concept relies on the co-operative use
of ship and helicopter weapons, coupled with
sensors, against any battle group threats, both
below and above the ocean surface. The heart
of the LAMPS III is the AN/ARQ-44 datalink,
commonly referred to as ‘Hawklink.’
Hawklink is a secure system that allows
real-time integration of computer information,
systems control, video imagery and voice
communications between the helicopter crews
and the shipboard combat centers. The datalink
permits the immediate exchange of tactical
information and, in most cases, enhances the
capabilities of airborne sensors.
The SH-60B has several key features
designed to accomplish its primary missions
of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-
surface warfare (ASuW). The first tool is
the AN/APS-124 360-degree radar, whose
under-fuselage radome provides a visually
distinguishing feature.
Designed for long-range surface search, the
radar is capable of detecting objects as small
as a submarine’s periscope, well outside the
weapons’ envelopes of surface threats. During
night operations, SH-60Bs may employ the
AN/ASQ-116 forward-looking infra-red (FLIR)
sensor, allowing contact identification through
thermal imagery. Additionally, the radar,
combined with the identification friend or foe
(IFF) interrogator, has a substantial air search
capability that allows Seahawk crews to act
as controllers for other air assets and provide
airborne early warning for surface units. In
that case, all radar and FLIR imagery may be
transmitted to displays on co-operating ships
via the Hawklink.
The helicopter carries up to 25 sonobuoys —
deployable active and passive listening devices
that aid in hunting submarines. The ‘buoys’
send radio transmission data to an acoustic
70
HSL-60 ‘Jaguars’
painted BuNo
164853 in these
striking markings
to celebrate the
retirement of the
SH-60B.
Over the past three decades the Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk has been
a true anti-submarine workhorse for the US Navy, especially after the
demise of the S-3B Viking. The very last US Navy operators of the ‘Bravo’
are the ‘Jaguars’ of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 60.
report and photos: Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics
71
processor, which identifies and tracks sub- Among the SH-60B’s defensive equipment is
surface threats. Acoustic information and buoy the AN/ALQ-142 electronic support measures
control can be transferred using Hawklink. (ESM) system. This system fully integrates
Another component employed for this mission with shipboard ESM suites to allow for the
is the AN/ASQ-81 magnetic anomaly detector immediate identification of any known hostile
(MAD), a very sensitive metal detector that emitters that the aircraft or ship may encounter. This photo: The ‘Jaguars’ special H-60B
overflies EverBank Field stadium in
senses submarines below the surface. The The Seahawk carries infra-red decoy devices,
downtown Jacksonville, Florida, the home
MH-60R is not equipped with MAD. plus chaff, to be used as counters to airborne stadium for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the
The Seahawk’s weapons vary depending on missile threats. National Football League (NFL).
the mission. For ASW, the SH-60B may carry The SH-60B crew includes a pilot, an airborne
either Mk46 or Mk50 torpedoes. The type tactical officer (ATO) and an enlisted sensor Above left: The SH-60B cockpit. Mission
can employ AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground operator (SO). For many secondary missions, sensor and system controls are located at
missiles, usually for littoral missions, and the such as search and rescue or cargo operations, the left-hand pilot station.
AN/AAS-44 laser designator for precision an additional enlisted aircrewman may be on
guidance. It may carry either one 0.5in-caliber board. All SH-60B pilots are fully trained in Below: The SH-60B crew includes a pilot,
an airborne tactical officer (ATO) and an
GAU-16 or one 7.62mm M240 machine gun, ATO duties, and all enlisted aircrewmen are
enlisted sensor operator (SO).
mounted on the starboard side of the cabin. qualified rescue swimmers. Mission sensor and
can be more power-limited in certain When interviewed for this article, CDR and significant work goes into the planning
situations, giving the ‘Bravo’ slightly better Steven Smith was the HSL-60 executive of just the training alone. We have currently
performance. The ‘Bravo’ does have a MAD, officer, but became commanding officer of completed about 80 per cent of training.
but with the new technology in the ‘Romeo’ HSM-60 in June. He is qualified in both ‘Next year, we will move from Mayport
the MAD is not needed anymore. While our the SH-60B and MH-60R, and added: ‘We over to Jacksonville, Florida. There are many
main mission is ASW and ASuW, during have numerous ‘moving parts’ within the positives of the move, including a new and
the last several years our squadron has taken squadron spanning over the next year. We larger hangar there, more aircraft parts, [and]
part in a mission called AUF, airborne use are going through the ‘Bravo’ to ‘Romeo’ having additional support equipment. We
of force, where we fly with Coast Guard transition, and as a result we were re- will now have seven ‘Romeo’ aircraft there
gunners in order to interdict go-fast vessels designated from HSL-60 to HSM-60 on July compared to our six ‘Bravos’ we had here,
laden with drugs and/or other contraband. 1. Then we are being evaluated by the wing and that was already tight. Lastly, there are a
‘Another major change with the transition and should soon obtain a stamp of approval few other Reserve units, including our admin
to the ‘Romeo’ has been a shift in how we as for being safe to operate flying the ‘Romeos’. support, located at Jacksonville, so it makes
a community conduct wartime operations We will ‘sundown’ all our remaining sense and is a ‘win-win’ situation, especially
at sea. Our community now deploys on SH-60Bs by the end of Fiscal Year 15. with our squadron manpower growing in
board carriers in addition to destroyers ‘Probably the most challenging item on the size.’
and cruisers. These Air Wing squadrons squadron agenda is the ‘Bravo’ to ‘Romeo’
deploy as one unit with all deployable transition, because the ‘Romeo’ sensor and Counter-narcotics
personnel in the squadron. Expeditionary weapon systems are much more advanced In 2012, HSL-60 became the first US Navy
squadrons still mainly deploy detachments and computer-driven, so there is a moderate squadron capable of conducting night
of approximately 30 personnel on board learning curve involved. The training takes airborne use of force, greatly enhancing its
cruisers and destroyers.’ months and months of time for all personnel, counter-narcotic capability. ‘We are the only
Reserve ASW and AUF H-60 unit the Navy always have a USCG precision marksman on which will enhance the crews’ situational
has’, Smith continues. ‘Our main focus is to our aircraft for the interdiction phase. Because awareness for AUF missions. While
provide a one- or two-aircraft detachment the proof-of-concept was so successful, we operating the unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout
that is mobilized, every year, to any needed have been flying those missions operationally is not a routine mission for the ‘Jaguars’, in
theater of operations. As a Reserve unit, we ever since, day and night. Compared to the the future it is quite possible that they could
have a unique niche in that we can augment Coast Guard H-65 Dolphin, our H-60s have host a detachment or augment a detachment
and send out our aircrew and maintainers greater range, more endurance, and, using as tasked.
for six-month deployments. It is transparent our search radars and other sensors that the In January 2016, the ‘Jaguars’ are slated to
to the active-duty side; they just see another Dolphin lacks, we can locate targets with great re-locate from NS Mayport to nearby Naval
squadron supporting them and we provide success. Air Station Jacksonville. Three other Reserve
that ready force. The squadron, as a whole, ‘With the ‘Romeo’, we will carry on the AUF squadrons reside at Jacksonville, as well as
stands ready to mobilize if ever needed. A tradition, plus be proficient with all of the other MH-60R units. HSM-60 should have
lot of our squadron individuals do volunteer other standard ‘Romeo’ mission sets, such as received all seven of its ‘Romeos’ by March
to mobilize for long periods of time, ASW, ASuW, and littoral roles. With the new or April 2016 as the unit completes its move
augmenting active-duty forces by filling any aircraft coming online in HSM-60, we will to the next generation.
voids or gaps, when there is a shortfall of focus heavily on safety during the transition
personnel. period.’
Acknowledgments: CDR Steven Smith (XO),
‘Over the past 10 years, we have flown the
AUF mission with the 4th Fleet, providing Seahawk sequel LCDRs Hunter ‘Peaches’ Thompson, Justin
‘Poodle’ Collins, Brian ‘Giant’ Bush, Tim ‘Timmy’
counter-narcotic support. Our squadron As for the new aircraft, HSM-60 is looking
O’Brien (HSM-49), and the many others from
did the proof-of-concept in 2005, and it is a to get funding for the addition of head-up
HSL-60 who helped with this feature.
law-enforcement Coast Guard mission, so we display (HUD) systems in its ‘Romeos’,
T
‘ HE KT-1T IS designed according the remainder are being assembled by SEMAN,
to our needs. Most countries do the Peruvian Air Force maintenance wing.
not use these kinds of modern
and advanced avionics, or a Turkish success
HUD, in basic flight training. KAI won the contract to replace Turkey’s aging
KAI has responded to our needs Cessna T-37 jet trainer in a competition that
for basic training and so the decision was pitted the Woongbee against the Raytheon
made by the Turkish Ministry of Defense to T-6 Texan II and Embraer Super Tucano. The
choose the KT-1'. So says Maj Mehmet Çavuş, export version for Turkey is the KT-1T, the most
instructor pilot and 122 Filo commander. advanced derivative to date.
The KT-1 is a single-engine turboprop In July 2007 a $350-million contract for the
training aircraft developed using indigenous export of 40 upgraded versions of the KT-1
technologies by Korea Aerospace Industries basic trainer was signed between the Türk Hava
(KAI) and South Korea’s Agency for Defense Kuvvetleri (THK — Turkish Air Force) and
Development (ADD). Its development program KAI. An additional 15 examples were included
ran from 1988 to 1998. This was the first as an option.
aircraft in its class to be designed entirely using While the first five aircraft were assembled
computer technology and the first Korean and tested at the KAI plant in Korea, the
aircraft to be developed using exclusively remaining 35 were produced by the Turkish
domestic technologies. Aerospace Industries (TAI) facility near Ankara.
A total of nine KTX-1 prototypes were built The first five KT-1Ts were delivered in the
and a maiden flight was recorded in November fourth quarter of 2010 and the order had been
1991. The codename Woongbee (meaning completed by mid-2014.
‘great flight’ in Korean) was assigned in 1995 Maj Çavuş gave further details about
and test flights were completed in 1998. the KT-1T, and the THK’s training ethos.
Because of handling problems with the first ‘Modernization: that is the main focus of
KTX-1 prototypes, KAI modified the design our training program, with an eye on fifth-
on the definitive KT-1. Compared to the generation aircraft. We are looking into newer
prototypes, this was larger, heavier and had training concepts to train and prepare student
re-located tail surfaces. The KT-1 added a more pilots who will fly fifth-generation aircraft
powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 like the F-35 Lightning II. During planning
engine that delivers 950hp (or a maximum of conducted between 2005 and 2008 we realized
1,150hp) to a four-blade Hartzell aluminum training could no longer be achieved with
propeller turning at 2,000rpm. our old T-37, which served us well over the
In August 1999, KAI received an order to last 50 years.
manufacture 85 aircraft for the Republic of ‘Our KT-1T has many unique features such
Korea Air Force (RoKAF). The new basic as a pressurized full ‘glass’ cockpit, a HUD, a
trainer would replace the T-37 and T-41 different steering system, full hands on throttle
Mescalero fleets. The first KT-1s for the RoKAF and stick [HOTAS] control capabilities, three
were delivered in 2000 and the initial order MFCDs, an on-board oxygen generation system
was completed in 2002. [OBOGS], anti-ice protection and anti-g. The
A first armed version of the KT-1, the KA-1 engine and structure might be similar to other
Airfield Control Aircraft, was developed training aircraft, but the internal design is
between 2001 and 2003 with enhanced completely according to our needs.’
avionics including a mission computer, INS/ The KT-1T is capable of carrying external
GPS, head-up display (HUD) and multi- stores, although the THK did not acquire any
functional color displays (MFCDs). The KA-1 weapons since they are not required for the
has five hardpoints, two under each wing and training role.
one under the fuselage, able to carry a forward- Turkish instructor pilots (IPs) spent two
looking infra-red (FLIR) pod, rocket launchers, years in South Korea and became qualified on
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or two the first five KT-1Ts. Upon their return they
50-US gallon external fuel tanks. trained new IPs within 124 Filo, which serves
The KT-1B became the first export version as a standards and evaluation (STANEVAL)
of the KT-1, and KAI delivered 17 examples squadron. In order to become an IP on the
to the Indonesian Air Force between 2001 KT-1T, pilots spend around a year flying
and 2008 under a contract worth $60 million. between 80 and 100 flying hours, amounting to
The export-optimized KT-1C followed. This around 60-65 sorties.
enhanced trainer is based on the KA-1 and can ‘The KT-1T has many benefits compared to
be equipped with 12.7mm-caliber machine the T-37’, Maj Çavuş continues. ‘The ‘Tweet’
gun pods, chaff/flare dispensers, rockets and was an old but good aircraft. I still miss it. But it
unguided bombs. In November 2012, KAI and was hard to handle, and that was not ideal for
the Peruvian Air Force signed a $208-million student pilots.
contract for the delivery of 10 KT-1P basic ‘The KT-1T is more technologically
trainers and 10 KA-1P armed versions. The advanced. Everything you can see and feel
first four aircraft were built by KAI in 2014 and can be simulated in our KT-1T simulators.
KT-1T SPECIFICATIONS
This photo: 122 Filo
has 40 KT-1Ts on Wingspan 33.7ft 10.3m
strength. They fly Length 33.7ft 10.3m
an impressive daily Height 12.7ft 3.7m
schedule. Max take-off weight 5,600lb 2,540kg
Empty weight 4,210lb 1,900kg
Top: The advanced
cockpit of the KT-1T. Max speed 350kt 648km/h
G limits -3.5/+7
INTERVIEW with
been the commander since July 2014 and will
be in this position for at least one year; maybe
two years.
‘[Next] I expect I will be assigned a function
within the flight training branch, either in the
MAJOR MEHMET ÇAVUŞ flight training HQ or Air Force HQ.’
considering buying the 15 additional KT-1Ts The new aircraft, named Hürkuş (meaning Completely indigenously designed and
that were on option. Negotiations are under ‘free bird’), is named after Turkey’s first manufactured, the Hürkuş is powered by a
way to ascertain if the additional aircraft are civil aviator, Vecihi Hürkuş. Despite its 1,600hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68T
actually required. similarities, the Hürkuş is not intended to engine, and shares many of the features that
replace the KT-1T. According to Maj Çavuş, are found in the KT-1T.
Hürkuş project at least 15 examples of the Hürkuş aircraft The Hürkuş similarly meets THK basic
Meanwhile, TAI is developing a two-seat will join the Air Training Command fleet as training requirements, and deliveries to the
turboprop that will serve the Turkish military basic trainers. ‘Future students will either Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2018 as
as a new-generation basic trainer, light fly the KT-1T or Hürkuş as basic trainers’, Turkish pilot training evolves into another
ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. he explains. generation.
Air-to-air stores
Air policing and QRA missions are performed
using the short-range, French-built R550
Magic 2 and Israeli Python 3 IR missiles,
preferred to the Soviet R-73E despite its 20km
range, about twice that of Western equivalents.
‘The R-73 is still available but it is rarely used’,
continues CWO Huiber, ‘because during the
launch it releases a large amount of exhaust
smoke, which enters the air intake of the
aircraft, altering the oxygen ratio, and risking
an engine failure’. The remaining stocks
of Soviet-built R-60MKs were retired from
service when they came to the end of their
operational life.
Due to logistical matters related to storage,
the Magic 2 is used at Câmpia Turzii while
the Python 3 is employed by the MiGs at
Fetesti. For close combat, LanceRs retain the
reliable Soviet-made GSh-23L twin-barrel gun,
locally manufactured by SC Uzina Mecanica
Cugir, with 200 rounds. The gun fires 23
115mm rounds of different types, including
fragmentation, armor-piercing explosive,
and armor-piercing tracer, with a rate of fire
selectable in flight from 3,000 to 3,400rpm. It
is absent on the LanceR B, which can carry a
12.7mm-caliber external machine gun pod.
Air-to-ground is a secondary task for the
LanceR C, inherited after the retirement of the
A version, but the jet is considered effective
in this role. It is capable of accurate ground
attacks with a circular error probability (CEP)
lower than 2m with laser-guided bombs
(LGBs), and 6m with IR-guided weapons.
Several pods were introduced within
the LanceR update program, including the
Aerial Reconnaissance Pod (ARP), the Rafael
Litening laser designator pod for strike,
of aging. ‘With old ammunition there is the Câmpia Turzii with Maj Muraru: ‘The primary with the MiG, but it doesn’t mean we can be
problem of disposal, but using them for live mission for us is to provide QRA under the assigned to QRA missions. Pilots must fly
firing is the best and most economic way of NATO control network. We operate under another 80 hours to be QRA-qualified, where
solving the problem, because you train your the command of Combined Air Operations they learn how to intercept the threat using
pilot with real bombs’, says Huiber. ‘The Center Torrejón (CAOC-TJ) and pilots have different tactics.’
MiG-21’s electrical system has a voltage of the mission to cover north-eastern Romanian Daily activities at Câmpia Turzii are carried
28V and, while Western ordnance must work airspace, while south-western airspace is out according to the operational needs of the
with the exact 28V voltage, Soviet weaponry entrusted to our colleagues at Fetesti. In times FAR, and in order to maintain a high level of
is more flexible and allows a voltage variation of need, we can ensure coverage of the entire capability for all types of mission. Air-to-air
of more or less 10 per cent, so during pre-flight Romanian airspace. training is carried out according to NATO
checks it is less prone to problems. That is an ‘Our squadron always has two jets assigned procedures and tactics. ‘The limitations are
important aspect when you are operating in to the QRA mission, rotating the airframes imposed by the maneuverability during
the field.’ in the squadron. In case of a real scramble, dogfights and the lack of long-range missiles’,
it starts under the guidance of GCI [ground- explains Maj Muraru. ‘However, in BVR
Challenging times controlled interception]. Once we have the [beyond visual range] engagements we are
If the LanceR upgrade reduced the gap threat on our on-board radar, we switch to considered difficult opponents to fight. We
between the MiG-21 and current-generation autonomous interception.’ can be easy targets when 1-v-1, but as soon
fighters, it would be nothing without the skills To become a QRA combat-ready pilot as we are in pairs or more, with the use of
that the FAR imparts to its personnel. Making requires two years of training divided into two appropriate tactics based on our low radar
air power effective remains a challenge, main areas. Maj Muraru continues: ‘During the signature and the information received by
especially in a period of continually reduced first step, which lasts 100 flight hours, almost the GCI to close on the enemy within radar
flight hours and budget cuts. one year, pilots are trained in all aspects of range, our MiGs are hard to beat’. The pilot
Combat Aircraft had the chance to talk the air defense mission. Once we achieve 100 confided to CA that one of their best tactics is
about current flying operations and training at flight hours we are declared combat-ready to reduce the distance to the enemy as quickly
BLACK
Chosen to be the dedicated close air support
(CAS) air wing by the coalition’s Combined
Air Operations Center (CAOC), CVW-5
PART ONE had not operated in this region since July
1999. Despite its unfamiliarity with current
operating procedures in Operation ‘Southern
Watch’ (OSW), which preceded OIF, VF-154
KNIGHTS
completed a handful of successful CAS and
forward air controller (airborne), or FAC(A),
missions in southern and western Iraq in the
three weeks leading up to OIF.
Prior to the squadron’s spring deployment,
VF-154 had tailored its training to optimize
RULE
its precision strike capabilities, including
dedicated training in target acquisition in
urban environments. During CVW-5 work-
ups, the unit was directly responsible for
developing standardized precision FAC(A)
and CAS tactics for the entire air wing. Once
in theater, the unit’s pre-deployment focus on
the air-to-ground mission allowed it to work
with many different assets as CVW-5 looked
to expand its role both in expeditionary
warfare and precision CAS in the combat
environment. In response to a short-notice
FAC(A) champions around the ‘Baghdad super MEZ’ (missile CAS (JCAS) and FAC(A) procedures. Their
The TCT/TF-20 missions that VF-154 engagement zone). SOF MC-130 and task was to provide a detailed concept of
participated in involved SOF squads taking helicopter aircrews tasked with inserting operations (CONOPs) on how conventional
out targets of opportunity — key individuals and supporting the TF-20 squads requested FAC and CAS jets would escort SOF aircraft
in the Iraqi leadership, mobile radar/SAM dedicated, responsive assistance over and to and from their targets in a robust high-
sites and surface-to-surface missiles. Such above their organic capabilities to support threat environment. The CONOPs also
elusive targets often presented themselves these dangerous missions. The required detailed measures to provide fire support
only fleetingly anywhere across the country, ordnance that could reach deep into Iraq and and assistance to SOF ground FACs during
and the SOF teams needed the ability to be flexible enough to meet SOF needs could missions against their objectives. It was
infiltrate, hit the target with overwhelming only be delivered from coalition TACAIR then validated by those same aircrew, who
force and depart under the cover of blinding assets. put their ideas to the test against USAF
firepower and complete darkness. In autumn 2002, SOF air planners joined and US Navy weapons ranges simulating
As the target lists were compiled pre- forces with conventional US Marine Corps, enemy threat systems. Face-to-face briefings
war, planners realized that many of the US Air Force and US Navy aircrews who and, more importantly, debriefings were
prime missions would originate in and were subject matter experts (SMEs) on joint stressed due to the fact that most SOF-to-
conventional air forces interaction ended coalition FAC(A) and CAS aircraft into the compartmentalized in terms of mission
up being ‘pick-up’ games played on the SOF missions. planning and briefing/debriefing. TF-20
battlefield, with both players ‘arriving at aircrews were allowed to plan their own
the court’ with the JCAS ‘playbook’ already Strike Eagle partners sorties, as well as secure the assets (VF-154)
memorized. When it came to performing TCT or TF-20 and weapons (usually the 2,000lb GBU-24
After the rehearsals were over, the well- (also dubbed Task Force Tawny) missions, LGB) needed.
practiced FAC(A) and CAS aircrews were VF-154’s FAC(A) crews at Al Udeid were Most TCT/TF-20 missions were carried out
told that they would be assigned to units usually paired up with F-15Es from the 4th at night, and the first such sortie involving
already in theater under the control of Joint FW’s 335th FS that were being flown by VF-154 actually took place prior to OIF
Task Force — South-west Asia in order to 391st FS personnel — they had been flown starting. Precise details of what target was
teach what they had learned to the deployed in specially from Mountain Home Air Force hit remain classified, but it is known that
crews. When theater commanders learned of Base, Idaho, to undertake TF-20 operations. a section of two Qatar-based VF-154 F-14s
how well the rehearsals were executed, the Only 10 pilots and weapons system officers operated alongside aircraft from CVW-2 and
aircrew were directed to lead the missions from the latter unit were ‘read-in’ on these CVW-14, as well as USAF and RAF jets,
as ‘tactical quarterbacks’, integrating other sensitive missions, which were heavily over H-2 and H-3 airfields in western Iraq on
T
Precision Effects At Range — to the JSF’s
HE MULTI-ROLE LOCKHEED But by 2018, the F-35’s arsenal will be dated, arsenal for ground-attack missions, plus
Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint its weapons lacking the range to keep pilots the same company’s air-to-air Meteor. Both
Strike Fighter is on track to safe from enemy air defenses, Mahr’s slides weapons can hit targets 60 miles away.
become the most numerous jet point out. These older bombs and missiles But Mahr admits it’s taking the JSF program
fighter in the arsenals of the will be at the core of what Mahr called ‘the too long to add these new munitions.
United States and its closest most prolific modern fighter since the F-4 and ‘Weapon integration requests [are] likely to
allies. But to perform all its many missions, F-16.’ exceed the capacity’, he lamented. And even
the F-35 badly needs new munitions, Under the best conditions, Navy fliers might when new munitions do come along, the
according to a senior officer in charge of the be able to toss a JSOW at a building or ship F-35’s basic design limits how many of each
aircraft’s development. 70 miles away. An F-35 can lob a JDAM or the jet can carry.
All three F-35 variants need ‘weapons with a laser-guided bomb a fifth of that distance. Currently, the F-35 is limited to a mix
longer range [and] shorter time to kill… to Dust, smoke and other particles in the air can of four missiles and bombs in its internal
take advantage of its sensor capabilities’, block laser beams and blind optical sensors. bay. And the bay itself is cramped — likely
RADM Randolph Mahr, US Navy, the An opponent can jam the link between a around a third of the size of the Chinese J-20’s
JSF program’s deputy executive officer, bomb and a GPS satellite. internal weapon load, given the photographic
explained in a presentation dated March All of the JSF’s current air-to-ground evidence available. True, the JSF can carry
2015. weapons could force pilots to fly well within extra ordnance on six external pylons, but this
At present, the F-35 can engage enemy the range of hostile defenses. Russia claims comprises stealth qualities.
aircraft with either the longer-range AIM-120C that its Rezonans-NE radar can spot even One way to boost the JSF’s load is to shrink
Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile stealthy targets 750 miles away. Iran’s Ghadir the weapons. With special racks, the F-35A
(AMRAAM) or at shorter distances with the will supposedly see incoming jets at around can carry four SDBs in the same space as
agile AIM-9X Sidewinder dogfight missile. half that distance. Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air just one JDAM. The same goes for MBDA’s
All of the JSF variants can carry GPS-guided missile can hit targets up to 250 miles away. SPEAR. Lockheed Martin hopes to provide
Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and In an air-to-air duel, the F-35 will run into a similar space-saving air-to-air capability
laser-guided bombs for striking ground targets. similar problems. Even with AIM-120Cs that with its upcoming Cuda missile, which
The A-model has an internal, 25mm-caliber can hit targets 60 miles away, a JSF might could quadruple the F-35’s painfully limited
cannon. Lockheed Martin is developing a not be able to get within range of hostile jets internal weapons load and still preserve the
detachable gun pod with the same weapon for before being spotted. At 60 miles, an F-35 jet’s radar-evading qualities.
the carrier-compatible F-35C and the vertical- would be within shooting distance of Russia’s But a new munition does the fast-expanding
landing F-35B. own R-77 air-to-air missile. F-35 force no good if the program can’t
If everything goes according to plan, the New and better weapons are on the way for integrate the weapon in a timely manner —
conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) the JSF. Norwegian (and likely other nations’) or do it on the cheap. To be as effective as
F-35A variant will also be fully compatible F-35s should eventually carry Kongsberg’s possible, the Joint Strike Fighters will need
with the gliding Small-Diameter Bomb (SDB) Joint Strike Missile anti-ship weapon with ‘weapons that are more affordable and easier
by 2018 and the improved SDB II four years a range of nearly 200 miles, while Turkish to integrate’, Mahr said.
later. The F-35C should gain the air-to-ground
AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW)
around the same time.
‘Currently, the F-35 is limited to a mix of four
The US Marine Corps is on schedule to missiles and bombs in its internal bay. And the bay
declare initial operating capability with the
F-35B this summer. The US Air Force and itself is cramped — likely around a third of the size
Navy should follow suit with the F-35A and C
in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
of the Chinese J-20’s internal weapon load’
An F-35A test-fires an
AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Lockheed Martin
Jamie Hunter
F-35B - THE STOVL
JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER IN DETAIL
EDITORIAL ADVERTISING Postmaster: Send address changes to Combat Aircraft Monthly, Key
Editor: Jamie Hunter Group Advertisement Manager: Brodie Baxter Publishing C/o 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854
(jamie.hunter@keypublishing.com) Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 •
Deputy Editor: Ben Dunnell E-mail: brodie.baxter@keypublishing.com Magazine Binders & Back Issues:
(ben.dunnell@keypublishing.com) Advertisement Manager: Ian Maxwell Available from our UK Subscriptions office
Assistant Editor: Thomas Newdick Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 • E-mail: ian.maxwell@keypublishing.com
PUBLISHING
North American News Editor: Tom Kaminski Advertising Production: Debi McGowan
Europe/World News Editor: Thomas Newdick Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 • Managing Director and Publisher: Adrian Cox
Designer: Dominique Maynard E-mail: debi.mcgowan@keypublishing.com Commercial Director: Ann Saundry
Advertising Office: Key Publishing Ltd, Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele
Special Correspondents: David Axe, Ted Carlson, Richard Cooper, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ Webmaster: Simon Russell
Frank Crébas, Jamie Deboer, Robert F. Dorr, Neil Dunridge, Brad Executive Chairman: Richard Cox
Elward, Alexander Golz, Jim Haseltine, Jon Lake, Ioannis Lekkas, SUBSCRIPTIONS
Neil Pearson, Andreas Rupprecht, Warren E. Thompson US/Canada Combat Aircraft is published 12 times a year by:
Combat Aircraft Key Publishing Ltd,
Editorial Address: 3330 Pacific Ave, Suite 500, Virginia Beach Va. 23451 PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XP
Combat Aircraft, Key Publishing Ltd, Tel: +1 800 428 3003 (Toll Free for US and Canada) Tel: +44 (0)1780 755 131
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XP E-mail: CS@imsnews.com Fax: +44 (0)1780 757261
Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 Website: www.imsnews.com Registered Office:
E-mail: jamie.hunter@keypublishing.com Unit 1-4, Gwash Way Ind Est, Ryall Road, PE9 1XP
Web site: www.combataircraft.net UK/Europe/RoW UK: ISSN 2041-7489 US: ISSN 2041-7470
Combat Aircraft Subscriptions Department
Editorial Contributions: The Editor is pleased to receive contributions Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA. UK. PRINTING
to Combat Aircraft in the form of articles, news stories, letters and Tel 01780 480 404, (from UK), +44 1780 480 404 (from outside UK). Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH
photographs. Items accepted will be retained and paid for at standard Email: subs@keypublishing.com
rates on publication. Material sent to the Editor, whether commissioned Website: www.keypublishing.com/shop DISTRIBUTION
or freely submitted, is provided at the contributor’s own risk; Key
Publishing Ltd cannot be held responsible for loss or damage howsoever Combat Aircraft Monthly (ISSN 2041-7489), is published monthly by US/Canada: Enquiries Line 001 973 939 7213
caused. The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors Key Publishing Ltd and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 UK/Europe/RoW: Seymour Distribution Ltd,
within Combat Aircraft are not necessarily those of the Editor or Key Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. 2 Poultry Avenue, London.
Publishing Ltd. Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offices Enquiries Line: +44 (0)20 3148 3333
IR IR
THE STORIES
BEHIND THE
SHOTS
John Dibbs is arguably the leading
25 of Spectacular £7.99
years
AERIAL Photography aviation photographer of his generation.
by John dibbs
Hugely influential, his award-winning
work is immediately recognised for its
composition, quality and dynamism.
JUST £7.99 FREE P&P* *Free 2nd class P&P on all UK & BFPO orders. Overseas charges apply. 786/15
S U B S C R I B E R S C A L L F O R Y O U R £ 1. 0 0 D I S C O U N T !