US NAvY

YspeciAl issue
MArITIME
ITIME PATroL
PAT L
North AmericA’s Best-selliNg militAry AviAtioN mAgAziNe Vol 15, No 1 | www.combataircraft.net

PoSEIdoN
IN SErvIcE
IN THE
THE NEWS:
RAPTOR
TYPHOON TO FLY
WITH STORM SHADOW
BOEING F-15SA ON TEST

INCIDENT
F-22 INTERCEPTS IRANIAN FIGHTERS
ISRAEL TO RECEIVE
V-22 OSPREYS
LOCKHEED MARTIN
UNVEILS ‘SR-72’

USAF LONG-RANGE STRIKE ADVANCED

Latest news on the future bomber
Also this month SUPER January 2014 £4.30
Glory Days
RAF RECEIVES Taiwanese Flying the F-86D HORNET
FIRST RIVET JOINT AIR POWER ‘Sabre Dog’ IN DETAIL
 • NE
W•N
2014
NEW
EW•
Produced by Key Publishing and
featuring articles written with and by
RAF personnel. The Official Annual
Review 2014 is a 132-page special
magazine that provides behind
the scenes insight into the aircraft,
equipment and people of one of the
world’s premier air forces.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

THE DAMBUSTERS PREPARE

FOR HERRICK
Behind the scenes in 617 Sqn’s
anniversary year as the squadron readied
for its final Afghanistan deployment

OPERATION NEWCOMBE
When the French engaged extremist
forces in Mali, the RAF responded with
C-17 airlift and Sentinel ISTAR support

CHINOOK 4, 5 AND 6
The upgraded Chinook Mk 4 in service
and a look ahead at the step change in
capability that the new Mk 6 delivers

FALKLANDS PERSPECTIVE
A detailed look at the RAF’s considerable
JUST
9
capability in the Falklands, from tankers

£4 .9 to Typhoons and radar sites, as the UK

prepares for the long term
831/13

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 Vol 15, No 1 January 2014

What’s inside
30 A ‘FIrSt DAy
HorNEt
A oF tHE WA
Ay W r’
As Boeing unveils findings from its
Advanced Super Hornet test flights at the
company’s St Louis, Missouri, facility,
70 BACk
k From tHE BrINk:
IrANIAN ‘FIttErS’
More than 20 years after the arrival of 40
Iraqi Air Force Su-22 ‘Fitters’ in Iran, the
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force now plans
news
HEADLINE NEWS

6
Brad Elward profiles the latest advances to bring at least two squadrons of the Typhoon tests Storm Shadow, Israel
made to the ‘Super Bug’ swing-wing fighter-bombers into service, becomes first international V-22
as Babak Taghvaee reveals Osprey customer and Dubai Air Show
36 t
tAIWANESE AIr poWEr sees debut of UAE Air Tractor
Mark Rourke reports from Taiwan, with 72 EXErCISE rEport:
a rare photo feature on some of its most CrImEAN WAr gAmES US NEWS

8
important air bases Alexander Golz covers the Ukrainian Air F-35 launches AMRAAM, Lockheed
Force’s large-scale exercise this year, an Martin reveals SR-72 hypersonic
event that once again drew front-line units striker and Prowler ‘sundown’
to the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea continues
42 ‘WAr EAgLES’
74 CLoSE ENCoUNtErS: tHE Uk NEWS

16
mAkE HIStory
With the career of the US Navy’s aging F-22 AND tHE IrANIANS RAF receives first Rivet Joint, Cyprus
Lockheed P-3C Orion approaching its It was the first encounter between an defense mission stands down
end, the US Navy selected the Boeing F-22 Raptor and a potential adversary. It
P-8A Poseidon as its replacement happened in a tense, high-stakes situation WorLD NEWS

18
aircraft. Brad Elward and Ted Carlson/ where a confrontation easily could have Saudi F-15SA on test, new Chinese
Fotodynamics talk with the first P-8A escalated into conflict. Robert F. Dorr unmanned aerial vehicle revealed
operational squadron, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, investigates the much-hyped incident and rare view of Mozambican
as it prepared for the Poseidon’s debut MiG-21s undergoing upgrade
fleet deployment 78 ItALIAN
t
tALIAN torNADoS FACE
tHE FUtUrE EUropE NEWS

24
52 FACt FILE: Mathias Grägel visits the two remaining Italy signs up for MC-27J gunship,
tHE VErSAtILE orIoN Italian Tornado wings, 6° Stormo at Ghedi Netherlands and Belgium discuss
Lockheed’s P-3 Orion is one of a handful and 50° Stormo at Piacenza, to examine the joint operations and Typhoons head
of aircraft to have provided over 50 years current state of the fleet for Bulgaria
of service to the US military.
Ken Neubeck describes US variants with 86 ‘VIS Et UNgULA’
A’ —
A pLUS: Robert F. Dorr’s Front Line column and all
primary missions of maritime patrol, poWEr AND CLAWS the latest military Losses
reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, Just south of Seville in southern Spain lies
and anti-surface warfare, as well as those
adapted to meet the needs of other
the El Copero Army Aviation Base. Cristian
Schrik visits Batallón de Helicópteros de
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Helicopter Battalion IV

58 LoNg-rANgE StrIkE
BomBEr 90 gLory
ory DAy
DAyS: ZEro-
Lockheed Martin and Boeing have forged VISIBILIty
ty INtErCEptS
a partnership to compete for the Long- The radar-equipped, rocket-armed F-86D
Range Strike — Bomber (LRS-B), the new held the line during some of the tensest
heavy bomber the US Air Force regards years of Cold War stand-off.
as among its top priorities. Robert F. Dorr Warren E. Thompson spoke to the men
reports who unleashed the ‘Sabre Dog’

62 Fighter Focus: 96 CU
CUtt
ttIN
INg
g ED
EDg
gE
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column
Fighting Flounder reporting from the front line of
Andreas Rupprecht details the Xi’an Jian Hong-7 and aerospace technology, by David Axe
discovers from a technical and developmental point
of view how the supersonic JH-7 represented a major
advance for China. via Chinese Internet

In this issue we detail how the US Air Force

sent an F-22 Raptor to intercept Iranian
fighters back in March. Jamie Hunter
 Combat Edge
Quality versus quantity

G
en T. Michael ‘Buzz’ Moseley, impact on that critical mass — is it time to better
the former US Air Force chief balance capability verses capacity?
of staff, wasn’t shy in pushing Does the Air national Guard, for example,
to renew his fighter aircraft fleet need the F-35A for homeland defense missions,
back in 2007 when he was the or would the US Air Force be better served by
boss. Moseley always wanted buying more companion trainers under its T-X
381 Raptors, plus 1,763 F-35As as quickly as program for a T-38 Talon successor — aircraft
possible to replace his F-16 fleet. that might also offer a modest combat capability
He was, however, sharply criticized for being to form a second-tier fleet at a lower cost and
overly supportive of fighters, and less so of thereby help provide the mass to help maintain
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance overall force levels?
(ISR) and unmanned platforms, for example.
While the headlines for Moseley’s fifth-
generation fighters are signature reduction Jamie Hunter,
and the ability to operate 24 hours a day in an Editor
integrated air defense system, they also offer a E-mail: jamie.hunter@keypublishing.com
high degree of versatility. They can tackle many
missions, including those not traditionally
associated with ‘fighters’ — melding data, they
can act as stealthy command hubs if required.
The problem is that the USAF’s drive for an
all-stealthy fighter fleet comes at a price. When
the F-35A was conceived as an affordable,
stealthy, lightweight F-16 replacement, few
could have questioned the logic of procuring
them on a large scale.
Times have changed.
The Air Force is smaller today than it has
ever been. The sequestration budget cuts did
to the USAF what its most capable enemies
could only aspire to do: shut down 16 combat
squadrons almost overnight!
The service sensibly favors recapitalization
over modernisation, but does it need to acquire
so many advanced and expensive aircraft?
At a recent fighter conference, Lt Gen Dave
Deptula, USAF (Ret) said: ‘There is an aerospace
‘critical mass’, below which we dare not go lest
we risk the loss of the critical capabilities
and options that aerospace provides’.
Sequestration will clearly have a long-term

4 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 This Month

Harnessing
tHe Hornet US Navy test and evaluation squadron VX-9 ‘Vampires’ is pushing forward the development
of new capabilities for the Super Hornet, this F/A-18F from the unit being seen in Rainbow
Canyon in California. The US Navy is now reportedly considering the purchase of additional
examples, as Boeing strives to offer new, advanced capabilities. Tim Laurence

CONTRIBUTOR PRoFILE
ROBeRT F. DORR

R
obert F. Dorr was five years interruptions to my writing career’,
old when he saw a pair of he says. In this issue he details the
P-61 Black Widows flying USAF’s Long Range Strike —
over his house in Washington, DC, Bomber program and the recent
in 1945. ‘I was hooked’, he says, F-22 Iranian intercept story. Dorr’s
although he didn’t publish his first latest book is ‘Mission to Tokyo’,
magazine article until age 15. Dorr about B-29 Superfortress crews in
is an Air Force veteran (Korea, the war against Japan. He lives in
1950s) and a retired US diplomat, Oakton, Virginia, with his wife
‘but those were mostly and Labrador retriever.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 5

 News
Typhoon cruises ahead
Storm Shadow and Taurus integration on Eurofighter begins

F
ew genuinely expected (conventionally armed stand-off missile) — of the MctR, with a range in excess of 250
the dubai Air Show in the weapon’s punch will be provided by a miles (400km). But if the Black Shaheen
november to yield the widely- two-stage BROAcH (Bomb Royal Ordnance does have a lower range it may simply be as
anticipated united Arab Augmented charge) warhead consisting of a a result of MBdA reducing the fuel load — a
emirates order for around 60 hardened penetrator and a second ‘follow- modification that would be easy to reverse.
eurofighter t
typhoons. However, through’ bomb, making it deadly against As the uAe seeks to retire its Mirage 2000s,
one could hardly ignore the intense effort by bunkers and other hardened targets. it has made it clear that whatever aircraft
the uK government and t trade and industry derived from the French Apache missile, replaces these fighters will have to offer a
teams to bring this lucrative deal together. the Storm Shadow is one of a family of similar capability.
the partners in the program are also similar cruise missiles that also includes like the RAF
RAF,, the Royal Saudi Air Force
engaged in an impressive cohesive effort the ScAlp-eg eg (used on the Rafale), and the integrated its Storm Shadows on the
to bring true credibility and capability to Black Shaheen, employed by uAe Air Force tornado, and, like the uAe, it is now seeking
t
the aircraft, which has become increasingly Mirage 2000-9s. to replace this capability. the RSAF at one
apparent this year. the t typhoon is slowly the Storm Shadow was combat-proven by time hoped that the uS would agree to
but surely ticking the necessary capability the Royal Air Force during Operation ‘telic’
t
telic’ include the AgM-84
gM-84 SlAM-eR in its F-15SA
g
‘boxes’ for air-to-ground operations, with in iraq in 2003 (when some 27 were fired), package, but since this proved problematic,
steady progress being made towards bringing and in libya in 2011, when French, italian, and since the Storm Shadow has a longer
the phase One enhancement (p1e) upgrade and uK aircraft fired around 75 ScAlp-eg/ range and greater lethality than the
into service. this will give the t
tranche 2 Storm Shadow missiles. SlAM-eR, integrating the Storm Shadow on
typhoon a self-designated precision-guided
t the sale of the Black Shaheen to the the t
typhoon rapidly became Saudi Arabia’s
munition capability and a host of software uAe generated a storm of controversy
controversy, the favored option.
enhancements that will facilitate further air- uS complaining that the weapon violated in the light of uK defense cuts and
to-ground weapons integrations. its Missile technology
t control Regime spending priorities, early integration of the
Following on is the phase two
t (MtcR). Some sources suggest that the Black Storm Shadow on the t typhoon once looked
enhancement (p2e), which will include Shaheen may have a reduced range to make extremely unlikely
unlikely, but Combat Aircraft
the MBdA Storm Shadow cASOM it compliant with the voluntary guidelines understands that the Saudi customer came

6 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Headlines
up with an innovative solution to overcome air-to-air missile load, and have a respectable Dubai debut
the delay, offering to help fund an earlier- radius of action. The new weapon will be
than-planned integration of the weapon, on flown and cleared within the currently Making its public debut at the Dubai Air
Show, held between 17-21 November,
the understanding that it would then be paid cleared flight envelope. was the United Arab Emirates’ Air Tractor
a royalty whenever other nations adopted the SR&J (stores release and jettison) trials will AT-802i, an agricultural aircraft heavily
weapon on their own Typhoons. follow in the first quarter of 2014, leading up modified for counter-insurgency/light
Work on Storm Shadow integration is to full end-to-end trials firings, probably over attack/ISR missions. The Air Tractors
already well under way, in Italy, the UK and the Outer Hebrides range, and with a target feature a mission system by Iomax,
in Germany. As part of the Storm Shadow date for full integration in 2015. with the first of 24 aircraft having been
integration program, Cassidian has already BAE Systems will support Alenia, taking delivered in 2010. The aircraft on display
completed wind tunnel testing, ground the lead on avionics integration and weapons featured GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on
resonance tests and structural coupling trials system performance, and will work on the two of its six under-wing hardpoints, plus
a fuselage station carrying a FLIR Systems
of the similar Taurus KEPD 350 weapon, and major aerodynamic disciplines — including EO/IR (electro-optical/infra-red) turret on
flight-testing of the Taurus on the Eurofighter flutter, static and dynamic loads, structure the Iomax flexible pod system.
Instrumented Production Aircraft 7 (IPA7) coupling, FCS clearance control, and Jamie Hunter
will begin in December 2013, flying from flight performance. BAE Systems holds
Manching in Bavaria. Concurrent testing of the Interface Control Documents for its
these two similar missiles will help optimize customers, including the RSAF and RAF,
the Storm Shadow integration and facilitate so will play a pivotal role in integrating and
future integration of the Taurus on the qualifying the new weapon for service.
Typhoon. The end result is that the Royal Saudi Air
Alenia Aeronautica is leading the main Force now confidently expects to have the
18- to 24-month Storm Shadow integration Storm Shadow available for its Typhoons
effort and is expecting to fly instrumented in 2015, and that Eurofighter GmbH is now

Israel
Storm Shadow test rounds on Instrumented able to offer Storm Shadow (and perhaps
Production Aircraft 2 (IPA2) imminently, Black Shaheen) integration on the Typhoon,
operating from Decimomannu in Sardinia. finally giving the aircraft a long-range stand-
The Typhoon will carry a pair of Storm off capability similar to that enjoyed by the

buys V-22
Shadows on its center wing pylons, Rafale/SCALP-EG combination. This could
preventing the carriage of underwing fuel be of critical importance in the competition to
tanks, and making the new conformal fuel provide a new-generation fighter to the UAE,
tanks being developed for the Tranche 3 and perhaps in other ongoing fighter contests.
aircraft especially useful. With two Storm The capability gap between the Typhoon and
Shadows, a centerline tank, and conformals,
the Typhoon will still be able to carry a full
some of its rivals seems to be narrowing.
Jon Lake/Jamie Hunter First Osprey export
deal agreed
Israel is to become the first export customer
for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor. In
a move confirmed by the US Department of
Defense, the Israel Defense Forces are due to
acquire six V-22s from the next production
batch. Once in-country, the aircraft are
expected to be used primarily for combat
search and rescue and special operations
missions. US Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel formally announced the long-awaited
sale on October 31. Hagel noted that ‘Israel
will get six V-22s out of the next order to
go on the assembly line, and they will be
compatible with other [IDF] capabilities’.
The first V-22s for the IDF are likely to be
delivered in two years, after modifications to
meet local requirements. Thomas Newdick

also this month...

UK receives first RC-135
Rivet Joint arrives at RAF Waddington.
See UK News
New Chinese UAV revealed
Secretive new platform seen for first time.
See World News
Prowlers make last detachments
Typhoon IPA2 fitted with MBDA Storm Shadows EA-6Bs in final work-up at NAS Fallon.
as it is prepared for flight testing. Alenia See US News

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 7

 News
MQ-8C BuNo 168455 carries out its initial flight at NAS Point Mugu. The newest version of the

F-35
Fire Scout is based on the airframe of Bell Helicopter’s Model 407. Northrop Grumman

weapons
testing
Newest Fire Scout flies moves
forward
Northrop Grumman xxxxxxxxxxx
and the Us Navy pattern over Point Mugu, reaching an
conducted the first flight of the MQ-8C altitude of 500 ft (152 m). The MQ-8C
version of the fire scout unmanned is expected to join the fleet by 2016, but
helicopter at NAs Point Mugu, California, will be deployed for operational testing
on October 31. Based on the Bell 407 in 2014. it will have a top speed of
helicopter, the MQ-8C is larger and faster
than the MQ-8B vertical take-off and
140kt, compared to 110kt for the smaller
MQ-8B. Additionally it will be able Three new
landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles
already in service with the Navy. The
to remain airborne for 11 to 14 hours,
against with four to five hours for the
milestones achieved
initial seven-minute flight validated the
aircraft’s autonomous control systems.
smaller variant. Additionally, its 1,000 lb
(454 kg) internal payload capacity allows
in JSF program

T
During a nine-minute flight conducted it to carry an additional 400 lb (181 kg)
later that day, the aircraft flew in a over the MQ-8B. he firsT live-fire
launch of a guided
air-to-air missile from a
lockheed Martin f-35
Special operationS neWS Joint strike fighter was
carried out on October
Spartans get the call of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The Coast 30 during a test over the Us Navy’s
The Department of Defense has approved the Guard had, in fact, been interested in acquiring Pacific sea range off the California
transfer of seven C-27J Spartans from the USAF all 21 of the C-27Js and would like to obtain coast. Operating from the f-35
inventory to US Special Operations Command the 14 remaining examples. According to the integrated Test facility at edwards
(USSOCOM). Three of the C-27Js had previously Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert AfB, California, f-35A serial 07-0744
been flown to Fort Bragg’s Pope Army Airfield Papp, acquisition of the 14 Spartans would launched the AiM-120 AMrAAM
in North Carolina and will be transferred by allow the service to fully outfit three air stations. from its internal weapons bay.
the end of November. The aircraft will likely be Additionally they would save the Coast Guard fired at an aerial drone, the missile
assigned to the US Army Special Operations around $500 million in acquisition, construction successfully acquired the target and
Command’s Flight Company at Fort Bragg. The and improvement (AC&I) costs by ending followed an intercept flight profile.
remaining four are still in production at Alenia procurement of the EADS HC-144A Ocean Before the missile could destroy
Aermacchi’s facility in Italy, and will be delivered Sentry. If the Coast Guard is able to get the the target, it received a self-destruct
to Pope between December and April 2014. C-27Js, it ‘would do a new lay-down of aircraft signal in order to preserve the aerial
The DoD had purchased 21 Spartans and because the C-27J has a lot of the avionics and target for future use.
17 were in service. Upon retirement 13 were the engines that our C-130Js have’, according One day earlier, f-35B BuNo
placed in storage with the 309th Aerospace to Papp. 168033 successfully dropped an inert
Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) 500lb (227kg) GBU-12 Paveway ii
at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Another Combat Dragon II Bronco evaluation ends laser-guided bomb over a test range
will be delivered directly to the Tucson base US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at edwards AfB. Delivered from the
when integration work is completed by L-3 completed its evaluation of two OV-10G+ aircraft’s internal weapons bay at an
Communications at Waco, Texas. The aircraft at Broncos as part of the US Navy’s Combat altitude of 25,000ft, the pilot used
Davis-Monthan are being maintained in ‘Type Dragon II project on September 30, but will the f-35B’s electro-Optical Targeting
1000’ storage, which means they are in near- retain the aircraft until early in 2014 when system (eOTs) to identify, track
flyable condition and could be rapidly removed the program’s formal report is submitted. The and designate the weapon against
from storage once a decision is made regarding project was intended to evaluate whether the a stationary tank on the Precision
their transfer. Bronco could be used in counter-insurgency impact range at edwards.
The October 28 announcement did not efforts in Afghanistan. Loaned to the US The Navy variant of the f-35C,
include mention of the USAF’s 14 remaining Navy by the National Aeronautics and Space in the shape of test aircraft Cf-02,
Spartans. In accordance with the 2013 National Administration (NASA), the two Broncos executed the first airborne separation
Defense Authorization Act, the aircraft can be were equipped with a variety of rockets that test of an inert weapon over the
made available for transfer to other government included the laser-guided advanced precision- Atlantic Test range near NAs
agencies, including the US Forestry Service and kill weapon system (APKWS) and an ALE-47 Patuxent river, Maryland on October
the US Coast Guard, once the USAF declares airborne countermeasures dispenser system 21. The GBU-12 was delivered from
them to be excess materiel. Both the Forest in support of the Limited Objective Evaluation the aircraft’s internal weapons bay.
Service and Coast Guard have indicated their (LOE). Testing was conducted at NAS Fallon and The f-35C is scheduled to conduct
interest in acquiring the aircraft to the Office Nellis AFB, Nevada. its initial carrier trials in 2014.

8 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 United States

A, B, C OF WEAPONS TESTING
Above: F-35A serial 07-0744
operated by the 461st Flight
Test Squadron fires an AIM-120
air-to-air missile for the first
time on October 30. The guided
live-fire launch was carried
out by Capt Logan Lamping.
Lockheed Martin

Left top to bottom: F-35B

BuNo 168313 releases a 500lb
(227kg) GBU-12 Paveway II
laser-guided bomb from its
internal weapons bay for the
first time over Edwards AFB,
California, on October 29. At
the controls was Maj Richard
‘BC’ Rusnok. Lockheed Martin

Another Paveway II was

dropped from F-35C test
aircraft CF-02 on October 21,
the first such trial involving
the US Navy’s variant of the
Lightning II. Capt Justin Carlson
was the pilot involved in the
sortie over the Atlantic Test
Range. Lockheed Martin

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 9

 News
SR-72 ‘Son of
Blackbird’ revealed
Hypersonic Skunk Works project under way

L
ockheed Martin’s according to
skunk Works revealed on Lockheed Martin’s
november 1 that engineers hypersonic program
are developing an unmanned manager: ‘hypersonic
hypersonic strike aircraft. aircraft, coupled with
referred to as the sr-72, the hypersonic missiles, could
aircraft is designed to travel at six times penetrate denied airspace and
the speed of sound. the contractor claims strike at nearly any location across a
that the sr-72 could enter development in continent in less than an hour. speed is
demonstrator form as soon as 2018 and be the next aviation advancement to counter
operational by 2030. emerging threats in the next several
the sr-72 would be powered by a decades’. the UsaF and darPa canceled
turbine-based combined-cycle (tBcc) plans for a powered reusable hypersonic
propulsion system that has been under demonstrator, known as the Blackswift
development at aerojet rocketdyne for the htV-3X, in october 2008.
past seven years. it combines an ‘off-the- Lockheed Martin’s timing for the sr-72,
shelf’ turbine engine that would provide which is being designed with a strike
thrust for take-off and power the aircraft capability, fits with the UsaF’s hypersonic
to a speed around Mach 3, at which point ‘road map’. it calls for the development
the dual-mode ramjet would take over, of a hypersonic strike weapon by 2020
accelerating the aircraft to hypersonic and a penetrating, isr aircraft by 2030.
speeds. the dual-mode ramjet/scramjet Whereas the operational unmanned
effort builds on work conducted under sr-72 features twin engines and is over
the defense advanced research Projects 100ft (30.48m) long, Lockheed Martin is
agency’s (darPa) Falcon program, which proposing to build an optionally-piloted
included the development of small launch flight research vehicle (FrV), measuring
vehicles, common aero vehicles (caV), and around 60ft (18.29m) long and powered
a hypersonic cruise vehicle (hcV). as part by a single, full-scale, propulsion system.
of that, the skunk Works developed the around the same size as an F-22a fighter,
rocket-launched, unpowered hypersonic the FrV would be capable of flying for
technology Vehicle htV-2, which flew several minutes at Mach 6. development of
to a top speed of Mach 20 — around the FrV would begin during 2018 with a
13,000mph (20,921km/h). first flight following in 2023.

USAF retires
oldest Osprey
The USAF’s oldest Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey
carried out its final flight on October 31
at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Serial 99-0021
was originally built as the 15th production
MV-22B, and Boeing subsequently modified
the tilt-rotor to its current configuration.
After supporting testing at Edwards AFB,
California, the Osprey was re-assigned to
the 413th Flight Test Squadron, where it has
been tasked with testing new software and
hardware modifications for Air Force Special
Operations Command’s Osprey fleet. The
Osprey departed Hurlburt Field on November
4 and is expected to be placed on display at
the National Museum of the US Air Force at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, by the end of the
year. USAF

10 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 United States
An artist’s rendering of Lockheed Martin’s
SR-72 unmanned hypersonic strike
aircraft. Lockheed Martin

X-47B BuNo 168064 makes an arrested landing aboard the

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on November 9. US Navy

UCAS-D flies from second carrier

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Manager for Unmanned Carrier Aviation, the
Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) Navy resumed testing of the UCAS-D in the
returned to sea to conduct flight operations carrier environment in an effort to ‘mature
aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore critical unmanned enabling technologies
Roosevelt (CVN 71) off the coast of Virginia and reduce the technical risk for the follow-
on November 9. During its initial day at sea, on Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne
the UCAS-D made two arrested landings, Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system.’
two wave-offs and six touch-and-go landings. The 11-day at-sea period is the first of two
According to the US Navy’s Program planned for Fiscal 2014.

USAF Unit newS

‘Top Dogs’ re-activated Oregon, on November 4. The aircraft will
The 61st Fighter Squadron was re-activated allow the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd
at Luke AFB, Arizona, on October 25. Known Fighter Wing to increase its training flights
as the ‘Top Dogs’, the squadron is the first of and allow additional pilots from the 144th to
six that will conduct F-35A training as part rotate through the Formal Training Unit (FTU)
of the 56th Fighter Wing. It will receive its and complete their conversion to the Eagle.
first Lightning II in January 2014 and training The jets and personnel will be rotated to the
will begin in 2015. The squadron, which Oregon base on a 60-day cycle for a period

More Super carried out F-16 training at Luke from 1994

until disbandment in 2010, will reach its full
of eight months. The FTU currently launches
around 10 jets each morning and eight in

Hornets
operational capability with 24 aircraft in the afternoon, but the expansion will allow
around two years. Luke will be home to around those figures to be increased to 12 and 10
144 F-35As. respectively. While the 144th completes its

possible Guard swap

The last F-15Cs assigned to the Montana Air
conversion to the Eagle, F-16Cs operated by
the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th
Fighter Wing have been tasked in support of
The US Navy is making plans to continue National Guard’s 120th Fighter Wing departed the Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission
procurement of Super Hornets in 2015 Great Falls International Airport on October 24. at March Air Reserve Base near Riverside,
as a hedge against continued delays to The final three Eagles operated by the 186th California. Four F-16Cs flown by the 175th
the F-35C. The move includes up to 36 Fighter Squadron were flown to their new Fighter Squadron are supporting the ACA site.
F/A-18E/F and EA-18G airframes. The home at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, The 120th Fighter Wing is undergoing its
Navy’s current program of record includes California, where they were transferred to the own conversion to fly the C-130H and will be
563 Super Hornets (comprised of 292 F/A- 144th Fighter Wing and flown by the 194th re-designated as an Airlift Wing. It expects to
18Es and 271 F/A-18Fs) and 135 Growlers. Fighter Squadron. The California Air National receive its first Hercules next spring, although
The additional 36 aircraft would allow the Guard unit is currently undergoing transition the initial aircraft will be transferred to the
production line to remain open through from the F-16C to the F-15C. 120th prior to that. In fact, airmen will be
2016. As of September 2013, Boeing had The 144th sent four of its newly-delivered training on that aircraft at Little Rock AFB,
delivered 239 F/A-18Es, 262 F/A-18Fs, and Eagles to Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Arkansas before it is flown to Montana.
90 EA-18Gs to the US Navy.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 11

 News
‘Garuda’ swansong
Prowler squadron prepares for final East Coast cruise

E
lEctronic
ctronic Att AttAck is now assigned to carrier Air Wing cVW-
VW 8, the squadron had been assigned
VW-
SquAdron 134 (V (VAq-134)
q 8 (cVW-8)
VW-8) and brought five EA-6B
VW to the uSS Carl Vinson (cVn 70) as part
‘Garudas’ was present at Prowlers for the last Air Wing work-up of cVW-17.
VW
VW-17.
nAS Fallon, nevada, during for the type. it will embark the uSS VAq-137
q-137 ‘rooks’ was certified
q
october for participation in George H.W. Bush (cVn-77) in February ‘Safe for Flight’ with the Prowler’s
what was to be the ‘Final 2014, thus marking the final East coast replacement, the EA-18G Growler,
Prowler cAG dEt’’ there. V
VAq-134
q fleet Prowler cruise. Prior to joining during September. this brought to an

One of the five VAQ-134 EA-6B Prowlers

that deployed with CVW-8 to NAS Fallon
in October. Matthew Clements

the uS navy christened its newest aircraft

USS Ford christened carrier during a ceremony at the Huntington-

ingalls industries newport news shipyard in
newport news,ews, V
Virginia, on november 9. the
ship was launched the same day. named in
The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was honor of the 38th President of the united States,
christened at Newport News Shipbuilding’s
the uSS Gerald R. Ford (cVn Vn 78) will be the
Vn
facility in Virginia on November 9.
Huntington Ingalls Industries first of a new class of carriers when it enters
service in 2016. Ford served aboard the aircraft
carrier uSS Monterey (cVl-26) in the Pacific
theater during WW2.
in related news, the multi-purpose
amphibious assault ship uSS America (lHA
6) returned to Huntington ingalls industries’
Shipbuilding division’s facility in Pascagoula,
Mississippi, on november 16 after successfully
completing builder’s sea trials in the Gulf of
Mexico. the ship, the first of a new class of
lHAs, will undergo acceptance sea trials in
late January. the America-class ships feature
an increased aviation capacity that includes
an enlarged hangar deck, expanded aviation
maintenance facilities, a significant increase
in available stowage for parts and support
equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.
launched in June 2012, the America will join
the fleet in 2014.

12 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 United States
Boeing selects Deployment news
Challenger 605 ‘Reapers’ in Iceland
RAF Lakenheath’s 493rd FS F-15Cs,
for Maritime supported by KC-135Rs, deployed to
Keflavík International Airport, Iceland, on

Surveillance November 4, where they are mounting

a 24-hour alert and conducting air
surveillance and policing missions to
end the initial nine-month phase of
the squadron’s conversion from the
Aircraft ensure Iceland’s air sovereignty. The
aircraft and personnel are assigned to the
EA-6B to the Growler. The ‘Rooks’, Boeing launched its new Maritime 48th Air Expeditionary Group (AEG).
which completed their final Prowler Surveillance Aircraft at the Dubai Air
deployment in November 2012, are Show in November, along with partners Guard and Reserve swap
preparing for an initial deployment with Bombardier, which will supply the at Kandahar
their new mounts in early 2015. Challenger 605 business jet platform, and The Air Force Reserve Command’s 457th
Field Aviation, responsible for systems Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived
integration. The first aircraft is now at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on
being worked on at Field’s Toronto plant November 3. Upon assignment to the
and is set to be complete in time for the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, the unit’s
Farnborough International Air Show F-16C replaced the Oklahoma Air National
2014. Guard’s 138th Expeditionary Fighter
The demonstrator aircraft will be fitted Squadron. Whereas the former unit is
with a state-of-the-art Seaspray7000 assigned to the 301st Fighter Wing at
AESA radar and a FLIR 380HD turret. On NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas, the latter is a
board there will be three sensor stations, component of the 138th Fighter Wing at
which could increase to five depending Tulsa International Airport, Oklahoma.
upon the customer’s requirements.
Boeing is viewing the Challenger 605, VMA-223 back on the road
which, one insider told CA, is known Marine Attack Squadron VMA-223
internally as the Panther program, deployed six AV-8Bs from MCAS
as a low-risk maritime surveillance Cherry Point, North Carolina, to the
option based on its P-8A mission amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD
system. Initially it will focus on the 5) on October 24 as part of the 22nd
ISR capabilities provided by the P-8A. Marine Expeditionary Unit. During the
According to Bombardier, 42 Challengers deployment, the Harriers will be assigned
are operated worldwide. Boeing believes to Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron
there is a market of around 150 jet MSAs VMM-263 (Reinforced), which is assigned
in this category worth around $10 billion. as the 22nd MEU’s Aviation Combat
Alan Warnes Element (ACE).

‘Sabers’ complete last

UH-1N deployment

P-8 deliveries hit the dozen

A UH-1N assigned to VMM-266
(Reinforced) completed the Twin Huey’s
final deployment as part of a Marine
Boeing delivered the 12th production P-8A to the US Navy on October 25. The Poseidon Expeditionary Unit (MEU) when it landed
departed Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, en route for NAS Jacksonville, Florida, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on
four days later. This is the sixth P-8A from the second low-rate initial production (LRIP) November 5. The UH-1N had been
contract lot. Boeing will deliver one additional Poseidon to the Navy before the end of the deployed aboard the USS Kearsarge for
year. It currently holds orders for a total of 37 P-8As from the Navy as part of four LRIP the past eight months and supported
contracts awarded in 2011, 2012 and 2013. crisis response and theater security co-
operation missions in Europe, Africa and
the Middle East while operating in the 5th
Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
The aircraft detached to VMM-266 were
assigned to HMLA-467, which is the last
active-duty squadron still operating the
UH-1N. Based at MCAS Cherry Point,
North Carolina, the ‘Sabers’ will complete
their transition to the UH-1Y when the
last of the old Twin Hueys are retired later
this year. A pair of UH-1Ns operated by
reserve squadron HMLA-773 are currently
deployed aboard the Royal Netherlands
Navy amphibious ship HNLMS Rotterdam
P-8A BuNo 168439 departs Boeing Field on its (L 800), which is supporting operations off
delivery flight to VP-5 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, the west coast of Africa.
on October 29. Boeing

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 13

FRont Combat Aircraft’s regular
column — taking a look

Line
behind the headlines

by Robert F. Dorr
Contact the author at robert.f.dorr@cox.net

AircrAft cArrier AdmirAls fAce A frugAl future Below: the X-47B unmanned combat Air

T
system demonstrator (ucAs-d) conducts
an arrested landing aboard the uss
he US Navy is trying to costs’ — as compared to the USS George H. Theodore Roosevelt (cVN 71) in November.
pretend it isn’t embarrassed by W. Bush (CvNvN 77), the final warship in the
v US Navy/MCSS Anthony N. Hilkowski
the burgeoning cost of its new Nimitz class — ‘and they wanted a new type
aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald of catapult to launch aircraft faster, although Below left: the flight deck of the
R. Ford (CvvN 78). The cost issue no need was demonstrated’. Now, said Polmar, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Pre-
isn’t outrageous by any means ‘construction costs for Ford, not counting commissioning unit (Pcu) Gerald R. Ford
but it does provide ammunition to advocates development costs, will be twice as much as (cVN 78) is completed with the addition of
of long-range, land-based air power — like me. Bush.’ the upper bow.
US Navy/Huntington Ingalls Industries
By the time the Ford wraps up 27 months at a time when the US federal budget
of completion work in Fiscal y year 2016, the process has never been more uncertain, the
ship is projected to cost $12.9 billion, or 22 per US Navy is ignoring a call to put the brakes on
cent more than the original estimate of $10.5 the second flat-top in the Ford class, the future
billion, R
RaDM Thomas Moore, the officer in USS John F. Kennedy (Cv vN 79). a decision
charge of carrier acquisition, told reporters to delay the primary construction contract for
in November. ‘Nobody would tell you we’re a year won’t prevent work on Kennedy from
satisfied with the cost performance of the ship’, proceeding. It’s unlikely any budget-driven
Moore said. delay will affect the third ship in the Ford
Moore and his colleagues are trying to be class, the future USS Enterprise (Cv vN 80).
frugal. They know the budget-cutting process
known as sequestration means defense dollars Delays and costs
will be tight for the foreseeable future. Both the Defense Department and the Navy
Some, however, may be more dissatisfied reject a Government accountability Office
than Moore is. ‘I’ve seen documents that say (G O) report that recommends delaying
(Ga
the real number is $16 billion, including some issuing the detail construction contract of
developmental costs’, naval analyst Norman CvN
vN 79 because of problems with Cv
v vN 78.
Polmar told Combat Aircraft. ‘They wanted Referring to Ford,, the G
GaO says: ‘Progress
a reduced size in crew to save on long-term in constructing CvN
vN 78 [Ford
v Ford] has been

‘Some naval officers, going against the grain,

are arguing that current carriers and carrier air
wings are a relic of the Cold War. They want
to change the structure of a carrier air wing
immediately’

14 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 rather than ending it in 2015 as now planned,
‘We have a long-held assumption that an aircraft to operate alongside the UCLASS until new
carrier can steam to a place [and give] us access generations of both manned and unmanned
warplanes can be fielded circa 2040.
and options. That assumption is no longer true in But there is a different way to look at big
carriers and the need for change.
many places around China’ A different way entirely.
A carrier is a big target.
Maj Gen Steven Kwast Since World War Two, no US aircraft carrier
has ever been pitted against a modern nation-
overshadowed by inefficient out-of-sequence two of F/A-18E Super Hornets and one of state — think China — in a ‘peer’ war.
work, driven largely by material shortfalls, F/A-18Fs, each with 11 aircraft for a total of In 1921, Brig Gen Billy Mitchell carried out a
engineering challenges, and delays developing 44. It includes one squadron of five EA-18G demonstration in which land-based bombers
and installing critical technology systems. Growler electronic warfare platforms, one of sank a battleship, putting to rest forever the
These events are occurring in a constrained four E-2C Hawkeye early-warning aircraft, idea that a capital ship could survive against
budget environment, even as lead ship and a detachment each of MH-60R ‘Romeo’ long-range, land-based strategic air power.
costs have risen by over 22 per cent since and MH-60S ‘Sierra’ rotorcraft totaling 11 In Victory Through Airpower in 1942,
construction authorization in Fiscal Year 2008 helicopters. That’s 64 airframes. Although the Alexander Seversky wrote that aircraft carriers
— to $12.8 billion. Additional increases could days of the 100-airplane CVW are decades were big, easy targets while long-range
follow due to uncertainties facing critical behind us, the CVW organizational chart bombers were the key to success in war. My
technology systems and shipbuilder under- hasn’t changed much since the earliest days of book Mission to Tokyo tells how the B-29
performance.’ naval aviation. Superfortress air campaign defeated Japan
Washington-based naval analyst Chris In an opinion piece being circulated on without an invasion.
Cavas told CA the GAO report shouldn’t be the internet, former test pilot retired CAPT In the late 1940s, in the dispute over defense
taken too seriously. Being 22 per cent over Raymond ‘Chip’ Dudderar argues, ‘We’re dollars known as the ‘revolt of the admirals’,
cost and four months behind schedule in a doing this aviation thing all wrong’. The US Navy leaders failed to win funding for a
shipbuilding plan that was launched in 2003 F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter slated supercarrier, while the US Air Force grabbed
isn’t a bad performance, Cavas said. The GAO for future carrier air wings reflects the old up money for the B-36 bomber. The Navy was
‘repeatedly recommends stopping and waiting way of thinking, Dudderar writes, and is ‘a delayed for a decade in commissioning its
until risks are better understood. But nobody millstone around our necks’. Dudderar wants Forrestal class of carrier.
ever saves money by pausing and there’s no to build upon the successful carrier launch ‘We have a long-held assumption that an
reason to pause here’. Signing the primary and landings of the X-47B drone demonstrator aircraft carrier can steam to a place [and give]
construction contract late — long after Ford’s to quickly field an operational Unmanned us access and options’, said Air Force Maj Gen
christening on November 9 — is not unusual Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike Steven Kwast in an interview with the trade
and does not mean the program is in trouble, (UCLASS) platform. journal Defense News on October 21. ‘That
Cavas said. assumption is no longer true in many places
Some naval officers, going against the grain, Not an F-35C fan around China, because the technology and
are arguing that current carriers and carrier Rather than introducing the F-35C to the precision make [the carrier] so vulnerable that
air wings are a relic of the Cold War. They carrier air wing, Dudderar would keep ‘our it can’t even get close without getting stuck.’
want to change the structure of a carrier air current first-string strike fighters, the F/A-18E I wish the best to RADM Thomas Moore
wing (CVW) immediately. In the longer term, and F [Super Hornet]’, which ‘show no and his fellow sailors as they attempt to fix
they want to shift from nuclear-powered real signs of obsolescence or relative loss problems with Ford, Kennedy and Enterprise.
behemoths to smaller, more nimble carriers. of effectiveness, although there are some My opinion is that these efforts shouldn’t take
Aboard a typical carrier of the Nimitz class missions they could never do as well as a penny of public money away from the Long-
today, the composition of a we aviators would have liked: primarily Range Strike — Bomber (LRS-B) now being
CVW is little changed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance developed for the US Air Force (see separate
from the Cold War (ISR); suppression of enemy air defenses article in this issue). An aircraft carrier is a
era. Typically it (SEAD); and deep strike’. He would merge a great thing to have in a crisis, if not in an all-
consists of one new UCLASS not only into the air wing out, full-scale ‘peer’ war. A bomber is essential
strike-fighter but also into a Super Hornet squadron. to survival.
squadron of He would continue production If we can afford both, fine. If not, LRS-B must
F/A-18C Hornets, of the Super Hornet come ahead of CVN 78, 79 and 80.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 15

 News United Kingdom
First RAF Rivet Joint delivered
RC-135 arrives at RAF Waddington for No 51 Squadron

T
HE FIRST OF three Having already achieved in excess to the UK is a critical step in the re-
RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft of 32,000 flying hours in the course of establishment of a world-class UK
for the Royal Air Force’s over 1,800 sorties in the US flying as airborne signals intelligence capability.
Airseeker project arrived embedded crews with the US Air Force’s I know that the RAF and Defence are
at RAF Waddington early 55th Reconnaissance Wing, the UK looking forward to operating this key
on November 12 after crews will continue to fly alongside the capability and building on the unique
an overnight Atlantic crossing from USAF aircrews until the British RC-135s history of No 51 Squadron. We plan to
Greenville, Texas. become operational in late 2014. have our Airseeker program comprising
Fully marked as serial ZZ664 and with After the arrival of ZZ664, AVM Phil all three Rivet Joint aircraft, with their
No 51 Squadron insignia, the aircraft Osborne, Director of Capability at Joint highly skilled aircrew, ground crew and
arrived using the radio call sign ‘Vulcan Forces Command, said: ‘The delivery analysts, fully operational by mid-2017.’
51’. of the first of three Rivet Joint aircraft Derek Bower

The RAF’s first RC-135 on approach to its new home

at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Craig Wise

Royal Air Force units deployed to RAF

RAF stands down Akrotiri mission Akrotiri, Cyprus, as part of the UK’s
response to the tensions with Syria in the
Middle East have returned home.
Six Typhoon FGR4s from No XI Squadron,
an E-3D Sentry AEW1 and Tristar tanker
support for Operation ‘Luminous’ under the
command of the 121st Expeditionary Air
Wing (EAW) were sent to the region earlier
this year as a contingency measure to
protect the two Sovereign Base Areas on the
island, which are home to more than 6,000
British service personnel and their families.
The detachment also included RAF
Regiment force protection personnel, and
fighter controllers.
121 EAW commanding officer Wg Cdr
Blythe Crawford commented: ‘While our
primary objective was to deter aggression
and protect UK assets in the Eastern
Mediterranean, I cannot understate the
value of this deployment at an operational
No XI Squadron and strategic level’. He said that aircraft
personnel pose with a from 121 EAW were able to conduct sorties
Typhoon FGR4 during from the Cypriot base within hours of
their detachment to maintain a Quick
Reaction Alert capability at RAF
arriving on August 24 in order to reduce the
Akrotiri, Cyprus. Crown Copyright threat potentially posed at the height of the
recent turmoil.

16 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

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 News
Saudi Eagles under test
F-15SA trials to certify new fly-by-wire system

T
hree F-15SA eAgleS for the royal Saudi Air Force are currently undergoing flight-testing at Air Force Plant 42 in
Palmdale, California. All three prototypes have received the high-visibility markings as worn by serial 12-1002, seen here.
The colours hark back to those applied to the first YF-15A prototype.
Saudi Arabia has outstanding orders for 84 F-15SA fighters, plus similar upgrades to a total of 70 older F-15S strike
fighters. The F-15SA features a new digital fly-by-wire system, which is now subject to an 18-month flight test program to
re-certify the airworthiness of the aircraft. This process is being undertaken by the three instrumented prototypes.

Boeing’s three F-15SA prototypes are now

operating from the Air Force’s Plant 42 in
Palmdale, California. They have received
high-visibility markings reminiscent
of those applied to the first YF-15A
prototype (serial 71-0280) in 1972.
Dan Stijovich

Saudi King Air deliveries

royal Saudi Air Force Beech 350 King Air serial 5001 (c/n Fl-863) is seen on the rSS Aviation ramp at luton Airport, england on
the night of November 7. It, along with a second King Air, serial 4103 (c/n Fl-804), arrived at luton that morning from reykjavik and
departed early the next day to Marseilles on delivery to Saudi Arabia. Samuel Pilcher

18 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 World
South Korea Australia
South Korean Global Hawk purchase nears Australian F-35 to be operational in 2020
South Korea plans to place orders for four Northrop The Royal Australian Air Force has announced
Grumman RQ-4B unmanned air systems in 2014. Seoul that its first squadron of F-35A Joint Strike
has studied acquisition of the Global Hawk for some Fighters is on track to be operational in 2020.
time, but added impetus has now been placed on the Lockheed Martin began assembly of the
procurement by North Korea’s recent nuclear initial F-35A for Australia (AU-1) at its Fort
developments. Following an intergovernmental Worth, Texas, facility in October. According to
agreement by the end of this year and planned New Air Combat Capability Project Manager
contract signature with the US government in 2014, AVM Kym Osley, the first Australian F-35A
four RQ-4 Block 30s should be delivered to South Korea will come off the production line in July
between 2017-19. The Global Hawks will be supplied 2014 and the second in August. These two
under the Foreign Military Sales program. The cost of jets will be used for RAAF pilot training at
acquiring the air vehicles and associated systems and Luke AFB, Arizona. A first Australian pilot will
equipment is estimated to be $848 million. The US start training in early 2015, before an initial
Department of Defense previously notified the US Lightning II arrives in Australia in 2018. The
Congress regarding the possible Global Hawk sale in first operational RAAF F-35A unit will be No 3
December 2012. At the time, the Defense Security Squadron, to be up and running by the end of
Co-operation Agency indicated that the program 2020. AVM Osley confirmed that unit price for
would cost approximately $1.2 billion. the F-35A is slightly below the expected $130
million for each aircraft, and this is likely to be
Korea eyes S-3 Viking further reduced in future.
In response to a request from the Republic of Korea
Navy, Lockheed Martin may resurrect the US Navy’s Fully equipped Australian Seahawk flies
retired S-3 Viking. The company is looking to refurbish The first Sikorsky MH-60R for the Royal
a number of mothballed Vikings, which would be put Australian Navy completed its initial
into use by the RoKN for maritime patrol and functional check flight after undergoing
anti-submarine warfare duties. The company also systems integration at Lockheed Martin’s
confirmed US Navy interest in returning a number of Owego, New York, facility on October 23.
S-3s to service in the carrier on-board delivery (COD) The US Navy is scheduled to accept the
and air-to-air refueling roles. Between 50 and 100 first mission-ready MH-60R helicopter on
low-hour S-3s are in storage at Davis-Monthan in behalf of Australia in December and it will
Arizona. The RoKN requirement concerns around 20 be transferred to the Royal Australian Navy
aircraft required to augment 16 P-3C/CK Orions now in early 2014. Australia has 24 Seahawks on
undergoing upgrade. Should South Korea go through order, all of which will be delivered by mid-
with its plans, Lockheed Martin would overhaul the 2016. Tom Kaminski
aircraft and add a new mission system. The RoKN will
make a decision on its MPA requirement in 2016, and RAAF prepares for Growler training
plans to have the new aircraft in service from 2017. The first Royal Australian Air Force instructor
has begun training to operate the EA-18G
variant of the Boeing Super Hornet with

Latin America Israeli Master

the US Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron
129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island,
Washington. Over the next three years, six
takes shape
More T-6s for Mexico
RAAF crews will learn to fly the electronic
attack aircraft in preparation for the delivery
Under a follow-on contract signed with Alenia Aermacchi has announced that final of Australia’s first Growlers in 2017. The first
Beechcraft, the Mexican Air Force is to assembly of the first M-346 advanced jet pilots and electronic warfare officers will
receive an additional batch of six T-6C+ trainer for the Israeli Air Force has begun. begin the nine-month conversion course
trainers. The latest purchase follows an The airframe’s three major components at the Oak Harbor base in January 2014.
initial order for six such aircraft placed by began to be joined at Alenia Aermacchi’s Australia became the first foreign customer
the Mexican Air Force in January 2012. facility in Venegono in early November. To for the Growler when it announced plans to
The new machines will be delivered to be known as the Lavi in Israeli service, the purchase 12 EA-18Gs at a cost of $1.4 billion.
Mexico in late 2013 and will continue the first M-346 for the customer will be delivered The aircraft will achieve initial operational
replacement of the air arm’s PC-7 fleet. in mid-2014. Israel ordered a total of 30 capability at RAAF Base Amberley in 2018.
M-346s to replace the TA/A-4 Skyhawks Tom Kaminski
More Seahawks for Brazil currently in service.
The Pentagon has announced that Brazil

Iraq accepts Mi-35s

is to acquire two additional Sikorsky
S-70B Seahawks. In late October the
US Department of Defense noted the
$86-million contract modification to
the existing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Iraq has taken delivery of its first four Mi-35 assault helicopters on order from Russia. The aircraft
order. The two new aircraft are expected were accepted by Iraqi officials on November 7, although as this magazine went to press there
to be completed in June 2017 and are was no confirmation that the aircraft had yet arrived in Iraq. Baghdad officials noted that they
in addition to four aircraft previously expect to receive a consignment of around 40 Mi-35s and Mi-28NE attack helicopters by the end
ordered, of which two have been of the year. The $4.3-billion weapons deal previously appeared to be under threat, after it was
delivered. reported that Iraqi authorities suspected corruption. In February, Rosoboronexport responded
that although the contract had not been cancelled, it was at that time yet to come into force.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 19

 News
India

via Chinese internet

Second Indian Poseidon delivered
Boeing delivered India’s second P-8I Poseidon when serial IN320 arrived at Indian Naval Station
Rajali near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu on November 15. The contractor is building eight of
the long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft for the Indian Navy and
delivered the initial example to Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 312 in May 2013. India is
looking to exercise an option to purchase four additional P-8Is. Tom Kaminski

Wearing test registration N393DS, P-8I serial IN320 departs Boeing Field in Seattle,
Washington, for its delivery flight to India on November 11. Boeing

Vikramaditya commissioned India plans MiG service extension

On November 16 the Indian Ministry of With delays to the finalization of the contract
Defence celebrated the commissioning of for the procurement of 126 Dassault Rafales

A
the refurbished 44,500-tonne aircraft carrier under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
Admiral Gorshkov into the Indian Navy as INS (MMRCA) project, India is examining options new ChInese
Vikramaditya. The ceremony took place at the for the upgrade of existing fighter equipment. unmanned aerial
Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia. The Indian Air Force plans to extend the vehicle emerged
The Project 11430 carrier will now sail for operational life of several of its upgraded recently, although a
home waters, where it will arrive by February MiG-21 Bison fighters and MiG-27ML study of images of the
2014. Vikramaditya is intended as a stop-gap ground-attack aircraft until around 2022-24. aircraft presented more
between the INS Viraat currently in use and Previously, both types had been earmarked questions than it answered.
the forthcoming indigenously-built carrier for retirement by 2019. Reducing flying hours At first sight, the UAV looks similar to
Vikrant. The carrier was handed over by Russia and completing more frequent functional the much larger box-wing ‘Xiang Long’
after a five-year delay caused by an extended checks will serve to extend the Bison’s service (soaring Dragon) developed jointly
period of re-fit and related cost escalations. life, while 88 MiG-27s have also recently by CAC’s no 611 Institute and GAIC.
The warship was originally commissioned by undergone upgrade and will be retained. however, the new aircraft is smaller,
the Soviet Navy as a Project 1143.4 (modified In October it was confirmed that signature suggesting perhaps a medium-altitude,
Kiev class) aircraft carrier in 1987. of the Rafale contract will not now occur in long-endurance (MALe) application.
Financial Year 2013-14, and will instead be Another explanation has it that the new
India looks to boost FGFA work share pushed back beyond March 2014 due to UAV is a ‘successor’ or rival to the CAC
India plans to increase its stake in the joint continued negotiation and approvals.
Indo-Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft
(FGFA) program. Indian media report that Indian Navy commissions Dhruv
officials are unhappy with the current level
of work share, and this will be increased as
squadron
The Indian Navy commissioned its first US cancels
Afghan Mi-17
domestic industrial capabilities are developed. Advanced Light Helicopter squadron on
Currently, India has a 15 per cent stake November 12. The initial ALH Dhruv Squadron
in the FGFA, which will be based on the is Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322
existing Sukhoi T-50 fighter. Taking the lead
on the Indian side of the project is Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited. With New Delhi providing
‘Guardians’, commissioned at INS Garuda
in Kochi and assigned to Southern Naval
Command. Navy Dhruvs will be used for search
purchase
50 per cent of the financial backing, Indian and rescue, armed patrol and coastal security. The Us Department of Defense has
officials hope that their role on the industrial cancelled purchase of the latest batch of
side can be increased accordingly. As part of Fourth Indian C-17 delivered Mi-17 helicopters intended for delivery
the work, the T-50 will be re-designed to meet Boeing has delivered a fourth C-17A to Afghanistan. The Pentagon made the
around 50 specific requirements stipulated by Globemaster III to the Indian Air Force. The decision in response to concerns from
the Indian Air Force. airlifter departed the manufacturer’s Long federal lawmakers regarding continued
Following on from a preliminary design Beach, California, facility on its delivery Russian arms deliveries to syria.
development contract worth $295 million, flight on October 19, meaning the company The order in question related to 15
an $11-billion final design and research is on track to supply a total of five of the aircraft due to be acquired from Russia’s
and development contract is now under Globemasters to India before the end of state-owned arms export company
negotiation between the two countries. The 2013. Boeing will deliver another five C-17s to Rosoboronexport at a cost of $345
IAF requires 144 single-seat FGFA fighters, the same customer in 2014 to complete the million. The Us Army had planned to
with domestic production planned to begin contract, before finishing production of the deliver a total of 30 Mi-17s to the Afghan
in 2020. type in the fourth quarter of 2015. Air Force’s special Mission wing by

20 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 World

New Chinese ‘box-wing’ UAV

Enigmatic drone makes first appearance

Sky Wing, a drone similar in configuration Institute and GAIC, can be regarded as air intake. Overall the UAV is said to
to but smaller than the RQ-4 Global Hawk. a refined, optimized and more mature weigh about 7.5 tonnes and has a range
Some speculation suggests that the new design. An additional technology of 7,000km, a cruising speed of 750km/h
design is named ‘Xiang Long II’ or ‘New demonstrator or re-configured prototype and an operational altitude of 18,000m.
Xiang Long’. Several reliable reports of this new type was built by mid-2012 at Even less is known about its sensor fit,
hint that the original ‘Xiang Long’ ought CAC and a maiden flight reportedly took but several fairings on the lower part of
now only to be viewed as a technology place in late 2012 at the GAIC airfield, the fuselage seem to indicate the presence
demonstrator. This theory suggests that although no images of this event have of FLIR or CCD cameras, while there is
the original Soaring Dragon prototype been made available. a prominent SAR antenna and a distinct
was built in 2011 and flew at the GAIC Other differences compared to the bulge housing a SATCOM antenna similar
airfield. Some say it was a failure — or original ‘Xiang Long’ include a shorter to that of the BZK-005 and BZK-009
was perhaps even lost in a crash — and as fuselage and reduced wingspan. Its tail UAVs. The new design is likely to replace
such this design was not continued other has now two vertical slanted fins plus these two earlier types for long-range
than for RCS testing. two smaller ventral fins. The powerplant reconnaissance and electronic warfare
According to this line of thought, the is most likely the WS-11 turbofan (as missions.
new box-wing UAV, also built by No 611 used in the JL-8 trainer) fed by a dorsal Andreas Rupprecht

October 1, 2014. It is unclear how many

of those aircraft were already on order. First prototype of China’s
new AEW aircraft
Prior to the cancellation,
Rosoboronexport announced the
delivery to the US in October of a
batch of 12 Mi-17V-5s intended for
Afghanistan. These aircraft marked On November 1 the latest image was released at the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation for some
the exercising of an option on top of depicting the first prototype of China’s next- time and is projected to replace the KJ-200
a prime contract for 21 such aircraft generation medium-sized airborne early (Y-8W/Y-8GX-5 ‘Balance Beam’ AEW aircraft).
agreed with the US government in May warning platform, designated KJ-500. The An initial prototype had been constructed by
2011. The original contract had been type has reportedly been under development early 2013.
fulfilled by mid-2012. According to In contrast to the KJ-200, the KJ-500 features
Rosoboronexport, including the now- Following the KJ-500’s maiden flight two a radar configuration similar to the larger
cancelled batch, a total of 63 Mi-17V-5s more ventral fins, similar to those fitted KJ-2000 ‘Mainring’ and incorporating a fixed
were to be supplied to Afghanistan to the larger KJ-2000, have been added to rotodome containing three AESA arrays
under the various agreements between enhance stability. via Chinese internet arranged in 120° sectors to provide full 360°
Russia and the US. coverage. The radar is reported to have been
Russia insists that deliveries of developed by the No 38 Institute and has
weapons to Syria represent the previously been tested on board a Y-8CE radar
fulfilment of existing contracts testbed. In common with the latest Y-8GX-8
with Damascus and are legal under ELINT version, the KJ-500 features two large
international law. rectangular-shaped ESM antennas on both
sides of the rear fuselage. Andreas Rupprecht

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 21

 News World

Mozambican MiG-21s
undergo upgrade
Re-birth of an air arm heralded by updated fighters

F
urther inFormation and photos have become available relating to the 2012 contract signed between mozambique
and the romanian aerostar company for the return to service of the mozambique air Force’s miG-21 fleet, which had
been grounded for the last 15 years. the contract includes the modernization and general overhaul of eight single-seat
miG-21bis fighters, as well as on-site support in mozambique, and training of pilots and technicians. For the pilot training
element, aerostar is also delivering a single L-39 jet trainer from romanian air Force stocks, together with two Festival
ultralight aircraft from its own production for initial training. the majority of the refurbished miGs will be handed over
before the end of the year and deliveries will be completed in the course of 2014.

Seen at the company’s facility in Bacău, Romania,

serial 202 is one of eight MiG-21bis fighters that
Aerostar is refurbishing on behalf of the Mozambique
Air Force. The new badge on the tail is noteworthy.
Alexander Golz

More Power for Philippine Air Force

C-295s for agustaWestland has signed a contract with the Philippine department of national defense to
provide eight a
aW109 Power helicopters. the Philippine air Force will use the light twins for
missions including homeland security, armed reconnaissance and close support. deliveries

Kazakhstan will commence in 2014. the contract also includes initial logistics support and training for
aircrew and maintenance personnel. the Philippine navy previously ordered three aW109s.
a

Kazakhstan’s defense ministry has

signed a follow-on contract with airbus
military to provide two additional C-295
africa
transports. the twin-turboprop airlifters Rooivalk goes to war
will be delivered in 2014 and 2015. the The South African Air Force’s Rooivalk attack helicopter has made its combat debut, during a
Kazakh air Force already operates two deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The initial operational deployment has seen
C-295s, and ultimately plans to buy eight three Rooivalk from 16 Squadron being airlifted to the DRC from their base at AFB Bloemspruit. They
examples. an original memorandum of were then put to use in support of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and its Force Intervention
understanding was signed between the Brigade (FIB). A first combat mission was flown on November 4, when two aircraft employed 70mm
defense ministry and airbus military in unguided rockets against bunkers belonging to M23 rebels in the mountainous Chanzu region near
2012, and the first two examples were the Rwandan border, and destroyed an anti-aircraft gun in the process. The Rooivalk have reportedly
delivered to Kazakhstan’s air arm during flown in combat alongside Congolese and UN-operated Mi-35s.
2013.

22 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

Experia Events F_P.indd 1 20/11/2013 09:46
 News
The first two production A400Ms are both for the French
Air Force. MSN7 (F-WWMQ) and MSN8 (F-RBAB) are
pictured at their Orléans-Bricy base. SIRPA Air

Netherlands
Dutch Apaches to Mali counterpart Pieter de Crem signed a Letter of to prevent collaboration. Both countries are now
The Dutch government has made a decision to Intent (LoI) in Brussels on October 23. According going to work on the formal treaty, in which
deploy four AH-64D Apaches in support of the to the Dutch Defense Ministry, a formal treaty Luxembourg is also involved.
UN mission in Mali. The attack helicopters will be should be completed within a short time. In For Dutch QRA duties two F-16s are on stand-
sent to Africa as part of a task force also including particular, the joint air policing will focus on by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to protect
unmanned aerial vehicles and 90 commandos. Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and Renegade tasks. the Dutch area of responsibility. Within minutes,
The Dutch contingent will remain on hand to The LoI builds on the Ministerial Declaration these F-16s can be scrambled to intercept
support the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated of the Benelux Defense Ministers of April 18, unidentified aircraft. The QRA task is fulfilled
Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until 2012. According to this statement, the air forces alternately by the Dutch air bases at Leeuwarden
the end of 2015. Primary roles in theater will be of Belgium and the Netherlands concluded that and Volkel. In Belgium it is carried out by F-16s
intelligence and reconnaissance. The Apaches there existed no technical or operational barriers from Kleine Brogel or Florennes. Bob Fischer
will also provide close air support for ground
troops from their base at Gao. The Dutch A pair of Dutch F-16AMs, serials J-001 and
government expects to invest some €51 million J-016 from 312 Squadron, on patrol over
annually on military participation in Mali. the North Sea earlier in 2013. Bob Fischer

Dutch detail joint air policing plan

with Belgium
As reported in the December issue, from 2016
the Netherlands and Belgium will use their
fighters jointly to monitor the airspace over
the Benelux nations. Further details of the plan
have now come to light. Dutch Defense Minister
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and her Belgian

24 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 europe
urope
Second italy
Italy to receive Praetorian

French
The Italian Air Force has signed an
agreement with Alenia Aermacchi that
covers support for the development and
industrialization of the company’s MC‑27J
Praetorian gunship. This ensures that the

A400M
Air Force will assist with development,
testing, certification, industrialization and
logistic support of the Praetorian armed
special missions version of the C‑27J,

delivered
during which the aircraft will support
missions for the Italian Special Forces, the
Comando Operativo Forze Speciali (COFS).
The first phase of the project will
see Alenia Aermacchi developing and

Two examples now delivering a prototype of the Praetorian

to the Italian Air Force in spring 2014,
at Orléans immediately followed by testing in an
operational scenario. The second phase

W
consists of the industrialization of the
ith delivery Praetorian configuration and related
of the second logistic support.
production A400M to The Italian Air Force plans to convert
the french Ministry three C‑27Js, currently in service as
of defense, the transports, to Praetorian standard during
french Air force 2016. The re‑worked aircraft will include
fleet is fast building up at its home base of mission systems, C3ISR equipment and
orléans-Bricy. the aircraft, MSN8 (bearing palletized support/fire systems. A further
the civil flight-test registration f-rBAB), three aircraft will also have the same
was accepted by the direction Générale mission package capabilities added to
de l’Armement (dGA), the french defense enable rapid re‑configuration as gunships
procurement agency, on November 6. if required.
the following week it was delivered to
orléans, the french Air force’s main First Step B NH90 for Italian Navy
operating base for the type, where it joined NHIndustries has delivered the first
the first production aircraft, MSN7. example of the NH90 NFH Step B to
the Italian Navy. The fully operational
helicopter arrived on November 11 and
will be assigned to the 5° Gruppo Elicotteri

Norway Austrian Eurofighter, of the Italian Navy at Luni/La Spezia. The

Italian Navy has ordered 56 NH90s, 46
helo upgrades of which are NATO Frigate Helicopter

chooses the Austrian Air force’s eurofighter

variants. The Step B configuration includes
full mission systems integration for

AW101
typhoons have been upgraded to the
t both air‑to‑surface missiles such as the
latest capability standard for the t
tranche 1 Marte Mk2/S and torpedoes, advanced
aircraft. the work has now been completed satellite and encrypted communications,
the Norwegian government has across the 15-strong Austrian fleet, new plus radar and avionics capability
selected the AgustaWestland A AW101 hardware and software having been added enhancements. During 2014 the five
as the country’s new search and rescue by Cassidian during routine maintenance Italian Navy NH90s previously delivered
helicopter under the Norwegian All- at the fighters’ Zeltweg base. Since delivery in Step A (MOC, Meaningful Operation
Weather Search and rescue helicopter of the first t
typhoon to Austria in July 2007, Capability) standard will begin to be
(NA
(NAWSA rh) program. oslo is now in the Austrian jets have accumulated more retro‑fitted so as to bring them to the final
final negotiations with the company than 5,000 flying hours. configuration.
to close the deal, which involves 16 Meanwhile, Austria’s Air Support
helicopters, plus options for a further six. Command has received its first two Lithuania orders Dauphins
the
he decision in favor of the A
AW101 as the upgraded Agusta-Bell AB212 transport Lithuania’s Defense Ministry is to purchase
replacement for the royal Norwegian Air helicopters. the upgrade primarily three AS365 Dauphin helicopters from
force’s fleet of Westland Sea Kings was concerns the avionics systems and on- Eurocopter as part of a program to renew
made on November 8. it was selected in board self-protection equipment. the its rotary‑wing fleet. The deal is worth
preference to the eurocopter eC725. the upgraded helicopters are compatible €52.2 million and financing for one of
program is being run by the Norwegian with night vision goggles, while new the helicopters will be provided by the
Ministry of Justice and Public Security, self-protection systems include missile- European Union. The deal also includes
which hopes to complete negotiations by and radar-warning receivers and flare pilot and maintainer training, and three
the end of 2013. the arrival of the first launchers. Modification of the entire fleet years of after‑sales maintenance. The
AW101s in Norway from 2017 will allow
A of 23 AB212s will be completed by the Dauphins will help replace the Mi‑8s now
the Sea King to be retired by the end of end of 2015, permitting at least another 25 in use in the search and rescue role.
2020. years of service.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 25

 News
Russia Here heading a line-up of Bulgarian
fighter types, Italian Air Force Typhoons
‘Blackjacks’ on maneuvers It is also interesting to observe that Su-24s MM55094 and MM55095 were from 20°
Gruppo of 4° Stormo ‘Amedeo d’Aosta’
Two Russian Air Force Tu-160s have continue to pass through general overhaul
based at Grosseto. Anton Balakchiev
completed a deployment to Latin America, despite continued deliveries of the new
carrying out a series of training exercises Su-34. This is almost certainly due to the fact
that took them to Venezuela and Nicaragua. that Ukraine prohibits the basing of more
The bombers departed Russia on October modern equipment in Crimea, where Russia
28, and conducted a series of patrols over continues to maintain a naval presence. The
the Caribbean, in the course of which they situation in the Black Sea Fleet also affects
were intercepted by Colombian Air Force the Be-12, replacement of which with Il-38s
Kfir fighters. After departing Venezuela’s has been forbidden by Ukraine. Meanwhile,
Maiquetia airfield, the Tu-160s flew a distance Gvardeskoye (the former 7058th Aviation
of around 13,000km, refueling from Il-78 Base) is now under the control of the 7057th
tankers over the Sea of Norway before their Aviation Base, a formation that brings
return to Engels on November 5. together both this facility and nearby Kacha.
In related news, Sukhoi delivered another
Fifth T-50 takes flight four Su-34s to the Russian Air Force on
The fifth prototype Sukhoi T-50 completed October 23. The aircraft were supplied by
its maiden flight at Komsomolsk-on-Amur NAPO at Novosibirsk. Three of the jets (Bort
on October 25. The test pilot was Roman numbers 01 Red, 02 Red, 03 Red) will be
Kondratiev. The fighter spent 50 minutes in delivered to Morozovsk (2nd Aviation Group
the air before returning to the factory airfield. of the 6972nd Aviation Base) and will be the
Since a first flight of the T-50 on January first aircraft of this type at the base, which
29, 2010 the five prototypes have now currently operates a fleet of aging Su-24M
completed 450 test flights. After completing bombers.
preliminary test flights at Komsomolsk,
T-50-5 will join the other four prototypes First Russian MiG-29KUB flies
undergoing further tests at Zhukovsky. On October 22 the first MiG-29KUB carrier
fighter for the Russian Navy completed its
New look for Navy ‘Fencer’ maiden flight at Lukhovitsy in the Moscow
The 43rd Independent Naval Assault Aviation region. Chief test pilot Mikhail Belyaev noted
Squadron at Gvardeskoye in Crimea recently that ‘all aircraft systems worked well during
received a first overhauled Su-24M (below) the flight’. The contract for the delivery of
from the Pushkin aircraft facility near St 20 MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB
Petersburg. Bort number 31 is the first aircraft fighters was signed between RAC MiG and
of its type to wear new markings with the the Russian Defense Ministry on February 29,
letters ‘VMF’ (for Russian Navy) on the tail. 2012.

Alexander Golz

Spain receives first Romania plans

F-16 weapons buy
updated Aviojet
The Pentagon has revealed details of
Romania’s planned purchase of weapons and
equipment in support of its acquisition of
12 F-16 MLU Block 15 fighters (see Combat
Aircraft December 2012). The US Defense
The Spanish Air Force received its first modernized CASA C-101 Aviojet trainer on Security Co-operation Agency has notified
October 30, when the Maestranza Aérea at Albacete air base delivered serial E.25-31 Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale
to the Academia General del Aire (AGA) stationed at San Javier. The aircraft is the first worth $457 million and including 30
Spanish Aviojet to have been through the complete life-extension program developed AIM-120C AMRAAMs, 60 AIM-9M
by the Logistics Command (MALOG), a process undertaken alongside the type’s 1,800- Sidewinders, 10 GBU-12 Enhanced Guided
hour general overhaul. The modernization work includes extensive maintenance and Bomb Units, 18 AGM-65H/KB Maverick air-
modifications intended to extend the operational lives of Spain’s C-101 airframes beyond to-ground missiles, and three AN/ALQ-131
6,000 flight hours via the repair or replacement of certain structural elements. The type has electronic countermeasures pods.
been in Spanish service since 1980.

26 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 europe
urope
Typhoons in Bulgaria
Eurofighter sales drive at Graf Ignatievo

B
etween OctOB
OctOBer er 21 and between the two countries’ governments. of new fighters and that none will be
23, a pair of two-seat Italian the cost of technical maintenance would made available soon. At the same time the
F-2000(t) ttyphoons was be the same for both the Bulgarian Air Force situation at Graf Ignatievo is not particularly
deployed to Graf Ignatievo air and Italian Air Force, Alenia Aermacchi good. the Bulgarian Air Force relies solely
base in Bulgaria. Six Bulgarian added. Unfortunately, such expenses are on the MiG-29 for air policing, the veteran
pilots had the opportunity to fly probably beyond the budget of the Balkan MiG-21 having been grounded since the
in the rear cockpit and become familiarized country. Should Bulgaria acquire western-
w beginning of 2013. the Bulgarian MiG-21
with the eurofighter’s capabilities. made fighters, the biggest challenge will fleet marked a low-key 50th anniversary on
the visit was proposed by Italian Air be maintaining their operation after the november 12. currently,
urrently, four single-seaters
urrently
Force commander Pasquale Preziosa and warranty period ends. and one two-seat MiG-21 are expected to
is part of the Italian Defense Ministry’s In spite of Italy’s efforts and the latest regain operational readiness after a local
strategy to sell to Bulgaria second-hand eurofighter push, it can be said that extension of technical resources, to be
tranche 1 t
t typhoons. According to Alenia Bulgaria’s new fighter aircraft acquisition undertaken without the participation of the
representatives, the financial parameters process has stalled. the Bulgarian original manufacturer. the aircraft are then
of the aircraft procurement will be notably government has made it clear that no funds expected to operate at least until the end of
favorable, since the deal will be carried out are currently available for the purchase 2014. Anton Balakchiev

‘Franken’
farewell
On December 5 the German Army planned to
transfer the final MBB Bo105 helicopters operated by
Kampfhubschrauberregiment 26 ‘Franken’ from their base at
roth in Bavaria to Fritzlar in Hessen, and thereby bring to an
end the story of the armed Bo105 in German use. Headed by
88+10, a pair of Bo105s from the unit are photographed here
for Combat Aircraft during a farewell sortie over roth. while
flight operations were winding down as this issue went to
press, the regiment will not be formally disbanded until 2014,
Alexander Golz
having completed 35 years of service with the Bo105.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 27

 News
Compiled by Tom Kaminski
Losses
• The pilot of Serbian Air Force J-22B serial on November 9. Although two crew and four Vuelo (Flight School) at Melgar air base, was
25155 ejected safely before the fighter- passengers survived the crash, 13 personnel heavily damaged when it came down near
bomber crashed during a training mission on were killed. Ptolemais. The crew was reportedly making
November 15. The mishap involved an Orao • MiG-29 serial KB739 operated by the an emergency landing as a result of an engine
2 from the 98th Aviation Brigade in Kraljeva, Indian Air Force crashed shortly after take- fire.
which came down in a meadow in Mrčajevci, off for a training flight on November 8. The • A Ka-52 operated by the Kamov Design
near Čačak. pilot ejected safely before the fighter came Bureau (see photo below) suffered a hard
• Two Finnish Air Force Hawk Mk66 down on a farm between Amran and Jivapar landing near Zhulebino, south-east of
trainers crashed following a mid-air collision villages around 15.5 miles (25km) from Air Moscow on October 29. Two crew aboard the
near in Lestijärvi, in western Finland, around Force Station Jamangar in Gujarat. attack helicopter were injured when it went
62 miles (100km) north-east of Kauhava air • Indonesian Air Force G120TP-A serial down during a test flight. The helicopter was
base on November 13. The pilot of one jet LD-1204 (c/n S4/11005) made an emergency destroyed by a post-crash fire.
ejected safely, but that of the second was landing at Adisucipto air base in Jogjakarta • An AH-1F operated by the Pakistan Army
killed. on November 7. Neither pilot was injured crashed while conducting a low-level training
• An unmanned US Air Force MQ-9A, in the mishap. Indonesia received an initial mission near Gujranwala Chenab Gate on
operated by the New York Air National batch of four G120s from Grob in September. October 28. Both of the pilots suffered serious
Guard’s 174th Attack Wing, crashed into It has 18 aircraft on order. injuries when the Cobra came down in a field
eastern Lake Ontario on November 12. The • A US Navy T-45C crashed at NAS in the Cantt area.
Reaper went down approximately 20 miles Pensacola, Florida, on November 4 but • A US Navy MQ-8B unmanned air system
(32km) north-east of the Port of Oswego. both the instructor pilot, and the student suffered a hard landing while hovering
The loss was the first for the wing since Weapon Systems Officer from the Republic following take-off on a test flight at NAS
operations with the remotely piloted aircraft of Singapore Air Force, were able to eject Patuxent River, Maryland, on October 24.
began in October 2011. Although the wing is safely from the Goshawk following a reported • Swiss Air Force F/A-18D serial J-5237
headquartered in Syracuse, Reaper flights are engine flame-out. The incident occurred crashed into a cliff alongside Lake Alpnach
conducted from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield when the trainer, which had been assigned to on October 23, killing the pilot and a flight
at Fort Drum, where the launch and recovery Training Squadron 86 (VT-86), crashed at the surgeon. The Hornet went down at around
element is stationed. Once airborne, control approach end of a runway while returning 13.50hrs, local time, near Alpnachstad.
of the RPA is passed to Syracuse, where pilot from a local training flight. • UH-1N serial EJC-4214 operated by the
training takes place. • Colombian Air Force UH-1H serial Colombian Army’s Batallón de Aviacion
• A Mi-17V-5 helicopter operated by the FAC4505 suffered a hard landing during a No 4 Reconocimiento y Escolta crashed in
Indonesian Army crashed in a jungle training mission on October 29. The Huey the village of La Majayura near La Guajira on
in Malinau, North Kalimantan, while II, which had been assigned to Comando October 15. The accident occurred near the
attempting to land near the Malaysian border Aéreo de Combate No 4’s Escuadrón de border with Venezuela.

Alligator down
Ka-52 Bort number 52 was the aircraft that crashed at Kamov’s Flight Research Complex (Letno isledovatelskiy kompleks, LIK) in the Moscow
suburb of Zhulebino on October 29. Serial number 3538263901002, production number 01-02 was from the pre-production lot and was being
operated by Kamov test pilots when it suffered a powerful rotation and fell from 20-25m before catching fire. Both pilots escaped on the ground
and were delivered to hospital by an EMERCOM helicopter. Sources indicate rhat the helicopter may have been operated as a testbed for the
future shipborne Ka-52K. Stanislav Bazhenov

28 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

P029_CAM_JAN13_ad.indd 29 20/11/2013 12:00
INDUSTRY REpoRt

T
he AdvAnced Super country’s Medium Multi-role combat Aircraft into the platform as those technologies
hornet represents a menu (MMrcA) competition. In early 2013 Boeing matured and were needed to counter emerging
of enhancements that can announced that it was re-packaging these threats. It was always envisaged that the Super
be purchased individually options as a further step in the evolution of hornet would develop to meet the threat, and
or in any combination to the Super hornet, now under the guise of the each continuation of the aircraft has illustrated
increase the capability and Advanced Super hornet. this point.
survivability of the F/A-18e/F Super hornet or The current Block II configuration
eA-18G Growler. According to Boeing, these Continuing the evolution represents what was essentially a mission
improvements will keep the Super hornet one The Advanced Super hornet represents system insertion, adding an advanced crew
step ahead of the potential threats to 2030 and a further evolution in the Super hornet vehicle interface and advanced computer
beyond, and at an affordable price. capability continuum that began with the systems, Joint helmet-Mounted cueing
And to make the enhancements even Block I aircraft in late 1994. Indeed, for System (JhMcS), the An/ApG-79 active
more attractive, they can be retro-fitted on to students of the program, one of the principal electronically scanned array (AeSA) radar,
existing aircraft or built in new production reasons for exploring upgrades to the ‘legacy’ Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infra-
models. ‘now each customer has the option of hornet lay in the fact that the F/A-18A to d red (ATFLIr), Multi-functional Information
choosing what capabilities they need for their airframe had become limited in space due to distribution System (MIdS), Integrated
operational missions’, said one Boeing official. capability insertions throughout the mid- to defensive countermeasures (IdecM) Block
The flexibility of these options makes the late 1980s. These capabilities, in turn, led Iv self-protection, and most recently infra-
Advanced Super hornet a perfect fit for both to reduced range and bring-back as well as red search and track (IrST) and advanced
existing and future customers, as each one can hampering continued improvement of the networking and sensor fusion. each of these
be added to the aircraft as required to counter aircraft. Thus, when the Super hornet was systems took advantage of the surplus volume
emerging threats. conceptualized, the notion was to restart the built into the original Super hornet design.
The Advanced Super hornet has its roots in development clock to permit future growth.
Boeing’s International Super hornet roadmap When Super hornet e1 left the production The menu of enhancements
offering, introduced in the summer of 2010 line in mid-1994 it brought with it over 17 The Advanced Super hornet is not a new
at the Farnborough International Airshow cubic feet of additional space for systems aircraft, but rather, as Boeing’s literature
in england. A full-size mock-up followed growth. Moreover, it was underweight. The says, an advanced capability insertion into
in January 2011 and made an appearance at extra space and available weight provided the already established Block II jet. Boeing
Aero India in support of Boeing’s entry in that room for engineers to insert new technologies currently lists six options as part of the

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Boeing’s advanced super Hornet options
On August 27, 2013 Boeing unveiled findings from its Advanced Super Hornet test flights at the
company’s St Louis, Missouri, facility. Combat Aircraft profiles the latest advances made to the ‘Super Bug’.

report: Brad Elward

Advanced Super Hornet prototype flight tests began at St Louis on

August 5, 2013, first with the conformal fuel tanks only, and then with
the Enclosed Weapons Pod added. All photos The Boeing Company

30 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Advanced Super Hornet: conformal fuel According to reports, this change is due to The CFTs give the Super Hornet and Growler
tanks (CFTs); a low-observable Enclosed the increase from 3,000lb of fuel, as originally significantly greater range and the ability to
Weapons Pod (EWP); enhanced engines; a planned, to the current configuration housing fly in a configuration that provides enhanced
new-generation cockpit centered on an 11 x 3,500lb. low observability consistent with the needs
19in touch-sensitive high-definition large area Speaking to the press, Boeing acknowledged of an anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) mission
display (LAD); an internal IRST; and enhanced ‘the prototype CFTs are non-functioning’. in the period from 2030. The 3,500lb of fuel
survivability. Of these options, three are being Rather, they were designed to validate translates into 260nm of combat range. In
tested on a prototype aircraft — the CFTs, aerodynamic and signature performance data numbers provided by Boeing, a Super Hornet
EWP, and radar-reduction coatings. generated in prior wind tunnel and computer configured with two AIM-9X Sidewinders
modeling. The weight of the prototype CFTs and two Joint Stand-Off Weapons (JSOW)
Conformal fuel tanks is roughly 1,500lb, which allowed Boeing to plus a centerline tank and CFTs has a range
Designed and fabricated by Northrop simulate performance with a partial CFT fuel of over 810nm, versus 650nm with only the
Grumman, the CFTs are located above the load and further to assess maintainability. centerline tank. To further illustrate, a Super
wings and run along the aircraft’s spine. They The actual production CFT will weigh Hornet armed with two AIM-9X Sidewinders,
are designed to provide additional space approximately 870lb empty. John Murnane, two AIM-120 AMRAAMs, two 2,000lb Mk84
under the wings or on the centerline station Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems’ series bombs, a centerline tank and CFTs
for added weaponry or electronics, or to be Program Manager and Director, F/A-18 and has an estimated range of 730nm, versus
used in conjunction with the low-observable F-5/T-38 Programs, said the CFTs can be 590nm for a similar centerline tank-only
EWP for selected missions where a very low added to existing Super Hornets and Growlers configuration. However, the most intriguing of
signature is required. with minimal modifications that he referenced these representations comes when the CFTs
The current prototype CFTs are slated to as ‘internal plumbing changes’. Murnane said are combined with the Enclosed Weapons
hold 3,500lb of fuel, slightly more than the these CFT plumbing changes ‘can be done Pod (EWP) discussed below. In this so-called
480-gallon centerline tank presently carried at depot or organizational level’ and involve ‘special mission self-escort’ configuration, the
by the Super Hornet. As is readily apparent ‘very few modifications’. Once modified to Super Hornet can reach out over 650nm while
from a comparison of photos, the latest CFTs accommodate CFTs, the aircraft can fly with maintaining an extremely low-observable
differ in shape somewhat from the ground or without them, as required by the specific presentation. It is this latter option that enables
mock-ups shown earlier in the program. The mission. However, Boeing believes that ‘they a true ‘day one of the war’ Super Hornet.
current tanks are deeper at their forward end will stay on the aircraft rather than be taken on According to Boeing’s Paul Summers,
above the aircraft’s leading-edge extensions. and off.’ Director and Program Manager, F/A-18 and

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 31

30-35 Advanced Super Hornet C.indd 31

 and signature performance data. The EWP is
‘Boeing and Northrop Grumman are proud of not operational, although other wind tunnel
the fact that the concept went from ‘napkin to tests have been performed on a mock-up
to evaluate the door functionality. When in
first flight’ in just 10 months’ production, the EWP will weigh 900lb and
can house up to 2,500lb of weapons.
Boeing offered a sampling of the array of
EA-18 Growth and Capabilities, the Growler clean aircraft without CFTs’. Summers said air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry that
community is especially interested in the the tests are showing ‘negative or zero drag can be housed in the EWP. At one end of the
CFTs. ‘And everything we are doing here, at Mach 0.6 to 0.8 so far. These are good spectrum the pod can carry four AIM-120
especially as it relates to CFTs, is Growler- trends’, he added, and ‘what our predictions AMRAAMs for air-to-air missions requiring
compatible’, Summers added. ‘As you know were showing us’. Speaking of supersonic a low-observable platform. At the other, the
the Growler folks are really focused on getting drag, Summers explained, ‘there is an pod can carry a single 1,000lb JDAM for strike
CFT on to the airplane, which opens up a upward trend, but the drag rise is less than a and two AIM-120s for self-defense. It can
range of possibilities for them’. Using the CFTs centerline-mounted fuel tank’. He also said take as many as six Small Diameter Bombs
coupled with the Next-Generation Jammer that the CFTs do not impact the aircraft’s (250lb each) plus two AIM-120s. The EWP
(NGJ) allows the Growler to remove external low-speed performance, something valued by provides for a modular ‘first day of the war’
tanks known for high drag and to perform the aircrew. Speaking about the two-seat Super low-signature weapons carriage and permits
same mission but with 3,000lb less fuel. The Hornet, Summers said these numbers are full-envelope maneuvering.
CFT option also lowers the Growler’s landing ‘even better with two-place canopy versus While not currently a part of the Advanced
weight for returning to the aircraft carrier by single-place canopy’. This bodes well for the Super Hornet concept, Boeing left open
more than 600lb and reduces the amount of F/A-18F and Growler, which hold slightly the possibility that additional EWPs could
fuel required for bring-back by another 400lb, less fuel (about 900lb) than the single-seat be made suitable for inboard wing station
yielding over 1,000lb in weight savings. More E-model. carriage.
importantly, however, by operating without
the wing-mounted external tanks the jamming Enclosed Weapons Pod RCS reduction
pods have an unobstructed field of regard. The Enclosed Weapons Pod (EWP) is another Although no specifics were provided, the
The CFTs have been subject to preliminary key feature of the Advanced Super Hornet and third aspect of the Advanced Super Hornet
testing and demonstrated the same or better one that optimizes the aircraft for extremely undergoing flight-testing is the use of
fuel burn rate as a ‘clean’ aircraft. According low-signature missions. Like the prototype new radar-reduction coatings. According
to Summers, ‘a clean aircraft with CFTs is CFT, the prototype EWP, which weighs to Boeing, the enhancements provide a
actually tracking, if not doing better, than a 2,050lb, was designed to validate aerodynamic significant improvement compared to the

Left top to bottom: Boeing test pilot Steve

‘Bull’ Schmidt eases the Advanced Super
Hornet demonstrator out for its first flight
on August 5.

A wind tunnel test model used by Boeing

to assess the aerodynamic properties of
the conformal fuel tanks.

32 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

30-35 Advanced Super Hornet C.indd 32 20/11/2013 11:32

 aircraft’s current low-observable signature on stealth to provide survivability; we take a so that we can target and launch weapons
and are designed to counter 2030+ threats. packaged approach’. Gibbons said, ‘This was organically in the 2030+ threat arenas. We
Mike Gibbons, Vice President, F/A-18 and part of Super Hornet design philosophy. We are not degrading the need for the Growler
EA-18 Programs at Boeing Military Aircraft, have reductions in certain regions that are to suppress the other spectrums. So it is a
emphasized, ‘Overall, we have validated tactically significant and then we rely on other combined and complementary approach. We
a 50 per cent improvement over current systems, some on-board and some off-board.’ also carry IDECM Block IV so it can protect
LO signature. We have tested it with CFTs Summers added, ‘We based our design on the aircraft as it is turning and coming back
and without CFTs. We have not tested with ‘good enough’ — what do we need to satisfy out. AESA jamming can also supplement
EWP yet. We have also tested a new GE inlet and safely prosecute targets in that timeframe? that ability — kind of like a Growler for a
protection device, which makes a significant We did not want to have unnecessary weight particular frequency. So in the aggregate, this
difference in the aircraft... it is an RF blocking and cost. The CFT and EWP were designed is the philosophy the US Navy likes to use to
device — a change in the reflection capability for these missions. All materials are consistent prosecute threats. We are just enhancing the
versus the current design. This has only with materials used on the carrier deck’. capability to get into the best fighting range
been tested on the range; it has not yet been Summers said the reduced-signature design is against the advanced threats so that it can
certified for flight-testing’. So far the signature equally applicable to forward-fit and retro-fit. organically target those threats.’
reductions have been validated in both Further explaining the balanced signature
Boeing’s near-field test facility and the US approach taken by the Super Hornet and Other aspects
Navy’s Atlantic Test Range. Growler team, Boeing told reporters, ‘The Boeing and General Electric are also
The Super Hornet has always been a Growler has very broad-spectrum jamming evaluating a series of improvements to the
low-observable aircraft. Unlike other capability. It brings a great deal of capability General Electric F414-400 engine used by
manufacturers who emphasized full stealth, to DoD [the US Department of Defense]. Most the Super Hornet and Growler that would
Boeing has taken a multi-factored approach fighter aircraft including the Super Hornet are provide either additional thrust or increased
to increased survivability, combining reduced optimized around fire-control frequencies. We efficiency, depending on the needs of the
radar cross-section applications with other use strike aircraft to go against selected threats aircraft. Estimated efficiency savings in fuel
electronic self-defense measures, such as at a certain frequency and then use [the] consumption run around 3 per cent at current
the Integrated Defensive Countermeasures Growler to suppress all other nodes in the RF F414 thrust, while GE has documented a
(IDECM) suite, use of long-range stand-off spectrum so that not only they cannot shoot 20 per cent increase in thrust with today’s
weapons, and increased aircrew situational at you but they cannot detect you’. According durability. The enhanced engines would also
awareness. According to Boeing, the question to the company, ‘The signature reduction provide more bleed air for avionics cooling
has always been, ‘What can we do from an measures we have added to the Super Hornet and an increased capability for electrical
affordability standpoint to continue to make [are] designed to allow the aircraft to penetrate power loads. GE has been working on
the aircraft relevant? We don’t count solely to a point in the sky against a selected threat upgrades for several years and has invested

An F/A-18F flies with an Infra-red Search and Track

(IRST) sensor mounted on the centerline station in
the front end of a fuel tank. The IRST system is part of
the US Navy’s Block II Super Hornet plan.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 33

30-35 Advanced Super Hornet C.indd 33 20/11/2013 11:32

 This diagram shows the various program next fall, when it will flight-test
weapons options available with multi-ship/multi-spectral fusion capability.
the Enclosed Weapons Pod (EWP). The trial will utilize long-range E-2 Hawkeye
radar, Super Hornet IRST and other passive
sensors, and a new advanced tactical datalink
to develop a common operating picture that
enables extended-range air-to-air engagements.

Prototype flights
Prototype flight tests began in St Louis on
August 5, 2013 when Super Hornet F266, a
two-seat Block II jet fresh from the production
line and on lease from the US Navy, made
the initial test flight fitted with the CFTs.
Two days later, the same aircraft took to the
skies with the EWP. As of this report, a total
of 24 flights totaling 29 flight hours had been
made. They were conducted in the St Louis
operating areas and at NAS Patuxent River’s
range. Boeing described the flights as a success
and as validation of its modeling and wind
tunnel predictions. ‘What we’d hoped to see
and what we did see was that it handled just
like a Super Hornet — an already incredible
Steve ‘Bull’ Schmidt pre-flights the strike fighter operating off carriers day and
Enclosed Weapons Pod. night around the world’, said Mike ‘Sting’
Wallace, Boeing Test and Evaluation pilot for
the Advanced Super Hornet test flights, in a
recent company press release.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are proud
of the fact that the concept went from ‘napkin
to first flight’ in just 10 months. Begun in
September 2012, design work commenced in
January 2013, followed by parts fabrication in
March. The CFTs and EWPs were assembled
in late May and delivered in early July, less
than a month before first flight. Northrop
Grumman has also evaluated what it would
take to add the CFTs to production-line builds.
Boeing says the Hornet Industry Team funded
the flight tests. The US Navy provided time on
the Atlantic Test Range for signature testing.

Prototype or demonstrator?
‘We view it as a prototype’, Boeing told
reporters. ‘All the work we have done to
develop this prototype is applicable to
upwards of $100 million of company funds 11 x 19in touch-sensitive high-definition production-line aircraft. All testing has
in designing and testing selected components Large Area Display (LAD). In a demonstration been done as if it were a production aircraft.
individually. by Boeing test pilots, the LAD was shown Everything learned from near-field will be
According to Daniel Meadorm from USN/ dramatically to increase the aircrews’ incorporated into production’. Asked at
USMC Programs at GE Aviation, the proposed situational awareness by allowing the operator what point they install working features,
upgrades would constitute the first major to select a ‘God’s eye view’ of the surrounding Boeing’s answer was simple — ‘contract’.
F414 engine update and would incorporate battlespace, essentially seeing the threat And the reason makes sense. ‘Once you get a
the latest GE technologies. The enhanced environment in three dimensions. The LAD customer engaged, the product requirements
engines would require no aircraft changes, is configurable by the aircrew and display become defined’, Gibbons explained. ‘A
with engine modifications being made during functions can be selected as needed. company-funded working prototype is an
depot service. As to the internal or conformal infra- expensive proposition and it would not
While no official tests are currently funded, red search and track system, Boeing necessarily be what the customer wants.
GE is in conversations with the US Navy to acknowledged that it plans to concentrate The hard part is the shape and RCS. How
determine the best way to move forward on on fielding the current external IRST first, the EWP doors work is a known quantity’.
funding. The firm believes that, ‘if you are which is housed at the front end of a standard Gibbons added, ‘[Once] we go down the path
going to talk about more durability, it is better 480-gallon fuel tank and mounted on the of a functioning tank, we know how that is
to do so sooner than later because the more aircraft’s centerline station, but studies are done. Getting the aerodynamic tank shape is
time on wing, the more savings that will ongoing regarding incorporation of an internal what is important.’
result from the modifications’. GE says the IRST mounted in the nose section of the Boeing was careful to state that its Advanced
program will be ready to start in 2014 and aircraft. The US Navy is currently pursuing a Super Hornet was not aimed at the F-35
that the company will be able to support fleet modified AIM-9X Block III Sidewinder infra- program. ‘[The] F-35 was not what we were
retrofit within five years of qualification. It red-guided missile said to be capable of much chasing with these upgrades’, Gibbons
estimates that as much as $5 billion can be longer range — indeed, somewhat overlapping clarified. ‘We know the jet we have is what the
saved over the life of the engines and a 50 per the medium-ranged AIM-120D. The Navy’s Navy wants now. We are looking for added
cent reduction in scheduled and unscheduled recent interest in IRST capabilities and passive capability that the customer wants at an
shop visits. targeting reflects concerns over the use of affordable price. We did not chase this specific
Concerning the other options in the advanced jamming technologies by potential set of capabilities with [the] F-35 in mind...
Advanced Super Hornet concept, Boeing adversaries. Boeing will be testing a further Affordability is what distinguishes us and was
touted its advanced cockpit featuring the capability in the Advanced Super Hornet what we were going for.’

34 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

30-35 Advanced Super Hornet C.indd 34 20/11/2013 11:32

 Even with these comments in mind, it
is nonetheless clear that the Advanced
Super Hornet options make the F/A-18E/F
a powerful and affordable alternative to
the F-35, especially for foreign countries
looking to replace their aging fleets. Boeing
is currently active with its Super Hornet in
foreign competitions (Brazil and Denmark,
notably) and other countries that at present
field the ‘legacy’ Hornet, such as Canada,
will soon be looking for a replacement. The
Super Hornet and its advanced capabilities
menu represent an affordable, low-risk
solution that is available today and easily
upgraded as customer needs evolve.

Costs and timeframes

From a cost perspective, Gibbons said Boeing
anticipates that the entire suite of options
could be developed for under a billion
dollars, and added that the per-aircraft price
would run about 10 per cent over current fly-
away costs, which are just over $50 million
for each Super Hornet. Fly-away costs of these aircraft reflect the additional 21 acknowledged of the Advanced Super
include the aircraft, engines, and electronic Growlers called for in the 2014 President’s Hornet options, ‘The Navy does not need
warfare gear. Boeing added, ‘The cost is Budget. With the purchase of extra EA-18Gs these capabilities on the jet in the next
about the same for retro-fit; perhaps slightly expected for the Royal Australian Air Force, few years or even before [the] F-35. What
more since some re-work is needed to retro- production should carry on well into 2016. is important is the fact that these options
fit versus building on the production line’. None of the Advanced Super Hornet menu can be added in the future as needed. The
But Summers explained, ‘We don’t have to options are a Navy Program of Record, but options do not have to be on the jet now;
tear the jets open; these changes are designed Boeing hopes at least some will spark Navy they can be added’. This is what renders the
to be applied in a modular fashion.’ interest and lead to a contract further down entire concept extremely attractive.
As far as availability goes, Gibbons said it the road.
depended on how fast an agreement with
the US Navy or another customer came to What’s in a name? Acknowledgments: Thanks to Boeing Military
fruition. He told reporters that, if Boeing The Advanced Super Hornet offers Aircraft, specifically Mike Gibbons, Vice
receives the go-ahead from the Navy rather customers an opportunity to field significant President, F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs; Paul
quickly, it would be realistic to complete capabilities well into the 2030s. With Summers, Director and Program Manager,
developmental tests, operational tests and the CFTs, EWP and signature-reduction F/A-18 and EA-18 Growth and Capabilities;
Ricardo Traven, Chief Super Hornet Test
fielding before the end of the decade. If a improvements, the Super Hornet has a
Pilot; Lisa Maull, Tactical Aircraft Program
decision were made now, Boeing anticipates legitimate ‘first day of the war’ capability.
Communications Manager, F-15, F/A-18,
that it could field some of the capabilities by Addition of the remaining items from the
EA-18G; and Karen Fincutter, External
2016. ‘We’d need some quick go-aheads from Advanced Super Hornet capabilities menu Communications and Media Relations; John
people’, Gibbons added. makes the aircraft a powerful force even in Murnane, Program Manager and Director,
The current Navy Program of Record as emerging A2/AD environments. Moreover, F/A-18 and F-5/T-38 Programs, Northrop
per the Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) several of these advanced options could Grumman Aerospace Systems; Daniel
III calls for the Super Hornet production further enhance the EA-18G Growler in Meador, USN/USMC Programs, GE Aviation.
line to continue operating into 2015. Most its electronic attack mission. As Boeing

This photo: Advanced Super

Hornet test flights were carried
out at the St Louis operating
areas and at NAS Patuxent
River’s range.
Top: The Advanced Super
Hornet concept includes an
advanced cockpit featuring the
11 x 19in touch-sensitive high-
definition large area display
(LAD).

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 35

30-35 Advanced Super Hornet C.indd 35 20/11/2013 11:32

 PHOTO REPORT:

Amazing scenes at Hualien as three 12th

TRS Tiger IIs (two RF-5E Tigergazers and
a two-seat F-5F) prepare to depart while
a four-ship of F-16As sits on the ‘last
chance’. The tenant 401st TFW is known as
the ‘Malataw’ unit, after a native Sun God,
and all the aircraft are suitably adorned.

36 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Combat Aircraft reports 66 new lockheed Martin f-16c/Ds to the (iDf) program dates back to May 1982
Republic has been the subject of much when the US refused the purchase of the
from Taiwan, with a rare controversy. northrop f-20 Tigershark or additional
photo feature on some of having previously relied heavily on f-16s. however, the lineage of the ching-
US military backing, the Taiwanese Kuo is very much born of the ‘Viper’.
its most important air bases. government decided to develop a fighter four flying prototypes were built, and the
of its own, the twin-engined aiDc ching- first undertook its maiden flight on May
photos: Mark Rourke Kuo. however, the indigenous machine 28, 1989. The initial 10 pre-production

T
found only limited success, and the focus aircraft had been handed over to the
aiwan, officially The turned instead to an order for 60 Dassault Republic of china air force (Rocaf)
Republic of china, sits in Mirage 2000s. This limited the number by november 19, 1993, entering service
one of the world’s most of ching-Kuo built to 135, including with the 3rd Tactical fighter Group (later
volatile regions, with the prototypes. additional f-16s have still designated as the 427th Tactical fighter
People’s Republic of china not been realized, and so the northrop wing). a total of 121 production aircraft
no more than 180km (110 f-5e/f remains in service. however, an were authorized, all of which were
miles) across the formosa Strait. Under f-16 upgrade has now been authorized. delivered by early 2000, with the second
the Taiwan Relations act, the US is wing (the 443rd Tfw, formerly the 1st
closely linked to this island nation, and Ching-Kuo TfG) being declared operational in July
its policy in the western Pacific makes The aiDc (aerospace industrial 2000. a total of 106 f-cK-1a single-seat
clear its support for Taiwan. however, Development corporation) f-cK-1 fighters were built, together with 29
the long-running debate over the sale of ching-Kuo indigenous Defense fighter two-seat f-cK-1Bs.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 37

36-41 Taiwanese air power C.indd 37 15/11/2013 11:28

 The Imposing Eagle upgrade program
dates back to 2001, and took the aircraft
to F-CK-1C/D standard. The first phase
increased the number of Tien Chien 2
(Sky Sword 2) air-to-air missiles carried
from two to four. It also introduced the
Tien Chien 2A anti-radiation missile and
the Wan Chien (Ten Thousand Swords)
Left: A two-seat F-CK-1D
Ching-Kuo of the 443rd TFW on cluster munition. A second phase
finals to Tainan. The Eagle motif brought in new mission computers,
on the fin denotes that this is an advanced identification friend or foe
upgraded D-model. (IFF) and radar upgrades. Phase three
was the Hsiang Sheng (Soaring Upgrade)
Below: The badge on this designed to extend the jet’s range and
Ching-Kuo identifies it as a 3rd endurance — it involved carrying an
TFG example, attached to the additional 771kg of fuel in conformal
443rd TFW at Tainan.
fuel tanks added to the rear fuselage.
Bottom left to right: The wing The upgrade also provides new avionics,
design of the Ching-Kuo owes a weapons and electronic warfare
lot to the F-16, as evidenced in (EW) capabilities. To accommodate
this view. the increased load, the aircraft’s
undercarriage is being strengthened.
The F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo is usually Taiwan announced further plans in
referred to as the IDF, relating 2011 to upgrade 71 F-CK-1s after issuing
to its origins as the Indigenous a contract worth $588 million. On June
Defense Fighter (IDF).
30, 2011 the first six jets to have been
updated under the Xiang Chan project,
at AIDC’s Taichung factory, were handed
over to the RoCAF. The program focuses
on the cockpit, which now includes
color displays, while a radar upgrade
will improve electronic counter-
countermeasures performance.

Taiwanese ‘Vipers’
With ambitions to acquire 66 new
F-16 Block 52s having been thwarted,
Taiwan has secured permission to
upgrade its existing 145 F-16s under a
$5.3-billion deal with the US, agreed
during 2011. In August 2012 Taiwan
signed a letter of agreement stating that
it would follow the US CAPES (Combat
Avionics Programmed Extension Suite)
radar upgrade program, which has now
selected the Northrop Grumman Scalable
Agile Beam Radar (SABR) radar.
The first Block 20 F-16s arrived in
Taiwan in April 1997, and a total of 120
F-16As and 30 F-16Bs were handed
over under the Peace Fenghuang
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
These Block 15 OCU-standard aircraft
(designated F-16 Block 20) have received
a few updates in their long careers thus
far, notably Pathfinder and Sharpshooter
derivatives of the LANTIRN targeting
pod system, and the AN/ALR-56M radar
warning receiver (RWR). Taiwan also
employs the
AN/ASD-10(V) Advanced Tactical
Airborne Reconnaissance System
(ATARS) on 12 converted RF-16A
aircraft of the 12th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron at Hualien.
Two wings fly the F-16, the 455th TFW
(ex-4th TFG) at Chiayi and the 401st
TFW (ex-5th TFG) at Hualien.
The forthcoming upgrade has been
a long time in coming and essentially
involves the aircraft being brought to
F-16V configuration by September 2022.
As well as the new active electronically
scanned array (AESA) radar, planned

39
Above: Hsinchu is the most northerly base in
Taiwan and is used exclusively by Mirage 2000s.
Suitable viewing areas are located at the end of
both runways.

This photo: Taiwan is set to upgrade 66 F-16As

under a new program led by Lockheed Martin.
This 401st TFW example was returning to
Hualien following a mission in June 2013.

Right: A fine view of a wonderfully charismatic

RF-5E Tigergazer as it taxies at Hualien.

40 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 equipment includes AN/ALQ-213 Turbo Trackers
electronic warfare management systems,
tactical datalink terminals, AN/ Taiwan has completed the conversion of 23 acoustic processor, AN/ASQ-504(V) magnetic
AAQ-33 Sniper or AN/AAQ-28 Litening Trackers to S-2T Turbo Tracker configuration, anomaly detector (MAD), AN/APS-504 radar,
targeting pods, Joint Helmet-Mounted using Marsh Aviation kits that provide AN/ARR-84 acoustic receivers, AN/ASN-150
Cueing Systems, night vision goggles, TPE331-15AW turboprops driving Dowty tactical navigation system coupled with the
AIM-9X Sidewinders, GBU-31(V)1 and four-blade propellers. Northrop Grumman AN/APN-233 Doppler navigator and Rockwell
GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, converted two aircraft and the remainder Collins radio. After their transfer from the
dual-mode GPS/laser-guided bombs, were modified in Taiwan in 1989-90. A Navy in July 2013, the RoCAF now operates
CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons with new avionics fit included a MAPADS 902F the 11 aircraft that remain in service.
Wind-Corrected Munition Dispensers,
AN/APX-113 Advanced IFF, and Have
Glass II applications. Also under study S-2T Turbo Tracker serial 2205 arrives in
is the replacement of existing F100- stormy skies at Pungtong air base.
PW-220 engines with F100-PW-229
units, plus updates for the Modular
Mission Computer and cockpit displays.

Mirages and Tigers

Reducing its reliance on US sources,
Taiwan ordered 60 Mirage 2000-5s on
November 18, 1992, marking the first
export sale for the Dash 5. The order
was for 48 single-seat 2000-5Ei and
12 two-seat 2000-5Di versions. Initial
deliveries in May 1996 paved the way
for training in France, while the first five
jets were shipped to Taiwan, arriving as
sea freight on May 5, 1997.

Today, the Mirages equip the 41st, radar as well as a head-up display (HUD),
42nd and 48th Tactical Fighter Groups color multi-function displays and hands
of the 499th TFW (formerly 2nd TFG) at on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls,
Hsinchu. with provision for AGM-65 Maverick
Taiwan has received a number of air-to-surface missiles and GBU-12 laser-
proposals for the upgrade of its F-5E/F guided bombs. The jets remain in service
fleet. Eventually it settled on the AIDC with the 737th TFW (ex-7th TFG) at
Tiger 2000 project, with avionics based Taitung in three squadrons.
on those of the Ching-Kuo. It is unclear Taiwan has also paid special attention
how many aircraft have been updated, to its recce-Tigers, with six F-5Es being
but essentially the total encompasses converted into RF-5E Tigergazers by
only part of the 102-aircraft fleet. The ST Aero from 1989. Modifications
upgrade is designed to enhance both include changes to the forward part of
air-to-surface and air-to-air capabilities as the fuselage and installation of pallet-
well as improve the aircraft’s suitability mounted cameras and other sensors. The
as a lead-in trainer for the F-16. It is based 12th TRS at Hualien was equipped with
around Mil Std 1553 databus architecture all six
and includes a Northrop Grumman AN/ RF-5Es, but one example was lost in a
APG-66(V)3 multi-mode pulse-Doppler crash in September 2011.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 41

 The firsT P-8A Poseidon dePloymenT
With the career of the US Navy’s aging Lockheed P-3C Orion approaching its end, it selected
the Boeing P-8A Poseidon as its replacement. Combat Aircraft talks to the first operational P-8A
squadron, VP-16 ‘War Eagles’, as it prepared for the Poseidon’s debut fleet deployment.

report: Brad Elward with additional reporting by Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

A VP-16 P-8A on the flightline at NAS

Jacksonville. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

42 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 T
his December The ‘War
eagles’ of Patrol squadron 16
(VP-16) are making Us Navy
history as they become the first
fleet squadron to deploy with
the new boeing P-8A Poseidon
maritime patrol aircraft. This marks an historic
event not only for the Poseidon program, which
has been focused on this milestone for nearly
a decade, but also the first time in over 50
years that the Us maritime patrol community
has deployed with a new aircraft type. iit last
happened in 1962 when VP-8 ‘Tigers’ took the
P-3A Orion on its maiden deployment.
VP-16 commanding
ommanding Officer
Officer, cDrr William
William
c.. Pennington, Jr Jr, expressed the squadron’s
sentiments on being the first to deploy with
P-8A. ‘it
iit is truly a humbling experience to be
able to be part of an historic transition, the first
time in roughly 50 years, for our community.
VP-16 flew the P-3 for 40 years and the fact
that we are the first squadron to transition is
an honor’. Pennington, however, was quick
to recognize that this brings with it certain
demands. ‘We know this first deployment
comes with a great deal of challenges, but we
also know those challenges are worth taking on.
Already we have encountered a ton of firsts and
i think the mindset and team effort put forth
to overcome those challenges speaks volumes
on the type of sailors and aircrew that we have
here in the squadron.’
The P-8A Poseidon was selected in June 2004
as the maritime m multi-mission Aircraft (mmA)
mm
to replace the P-3 Orion, which had served as
the mainstay of Us Navy land-based maritime
patrol since 1960. The Poseidon is based on
boeing’s highly successful commercial 737,
blending the 737-800erV’s erV’s fuselage and
er
the 737-900’s wings. boeing was awarded
a $3.89-billion systems Development and
Demonstration (sDD) contract, which called for
three flight test aircraft (T1, T2, and T3) and two
static test airframes (s1, s2). 2). T
Two supplemental
contracts added three more flight test aircraft
(T4, T5, and T6), and developmental flight tests
began shortly after the type’s first flight in 2009.
The iinitial
nitial Operational T Test
est and evaluation
(iOT&e
OT& ) with Air T
OT&e Test and evaluation squadron
ON (VX-1) lasted from september 2012 to
ONe
march 2013. On July 1, 2013, the Us Navy’s
commander,
ommander, Operational Test and evaluation
ommander
Force (cOmOPTeVFOr), r), declared the P-8A
r
‘operationally effective, operationally suitable,
and ready for fleet introduction.’
To date, 12 low-rate initial production (LriP) ri
riP)
aircraft have been delivered to the Us Navy, Navy
along with the six flight test aircraft. Twenty-
four LriP
riP aircraft are currently under contract.
ri
A full-rate production decision is expected
by the end of the year, which will authorize
the Us Navy to procure the full Program of
record of 117 aircraft. The P-8A is a long-range
anti-submarine warfare (AsW), anti-surface
warfare (AsuW), intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (isr) isr) aircraft, capable of broad-
isr
area, maritime and littoral operations.

VP-16‘War Eagles’
The ‘War eagles’ made their final P-3c
deployment with the Us Navy’s 7th Fleet,
staging operations out of Kadena Air base,
Okinawa, Japan. The squadron departed NAs
Jacksonville, Florida in November 2011 with
eight P-3c
c Update iii Orions, including a mix
of Anti-surface
urface W
Warfare iimprovement Program

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 43

Clockwise from right: The busy flightline at NAS
Jacksonville shared by the P-3s and their replacement
P-8s. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics
CDR Molly Boron and RADM Sean Buck, commander of
the Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, receive the keys to
a P-8A while marking the successful transition of the ‘War
Eagles’ to the new type. US Navy/MCS2C Gulianna Dunn
VP-16’s official squadron photo. US Navy
This photo: A P-8A assigned to VX-20 test drops a Mk54
torpedo during trials from NAS Patuxent River.
US Navy/Greg L. Davis
Inset: The view from the weapons bay as a torpedo is
dropped. US Navy

environment, a rich maritime environment. department went through an interim

The squadron gets experience operating in maintenance ‘teach’ that was led by Boeing
that area, understanding where they detach to, under a maintenance contract, and then
the mission sets, the environment, the climate did a ton of on-the-job training under the
and hazards. They come home, turn in their tutelage of the already qualified maintenance
P-3s, and they start the P-8 transition, getting professionals over at VP-30’, Pennington
NATOPS (Naval Air Training and Operating remarked. The maintenance personnel received
Procedures Standardization)-qualified, learning their Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS)
how to fight [in] it, and then we send them right booklet for the P-8A, which meant they met
back to the western Pacific. They’re familiar the minimum knowledge and skills necessary
with the environment. They just bring a new for the safe, secure and proper operation of the
weapon’. Buck added that this plan would aircraft.
give deploying crews confidence in their new Transition work took place at the P-8A
weapons system in their Area of Responsibility Integrated Training Center (ITC) under the
(AIP) and Communications Navigation (AOR). guidance of VP-30 instructors and the P-8A
Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ Fleet Integration Team (FIT). Twenty-four
ATM) examples. While the ‘War Eagles’ were Transition to the P-8A pilots, 20 Naval Flight Officers (NFOs), and
based out of Kadena AB, the squadron made VP-16 returned from its P-3 sundown 36 warfare operators went through the CAT II
several detachments to Indonesia, Singapore, deployment on June 3, 2012 and started its transition syllabus and were further detailed
Thailand, India, Guam, Malaysia, Australia, transition to the P-8A in the middle of July. with a combination of CAT I graduates fresh
and Kwajalein Atoll, and participated in According to CDR Pennington, ‘it took about from the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS)
numerous joint exercises. In the end, VP-16 six weeks to transfer our P-3 aircraft and our and more senior P-8A crew members who had
crews flew over 550 sorties and accumulated associated equipment and we took about a two- worked with the P-8A FIT and VP-30 during
more than 3,200 flight hours. week stand-down from having been deployed the efforts to establish the community.
VP-16’s prior 2010 deployment had been a tri- before commencing the training down the street The transition syllabus began with two
site affair that divided the squadron into three at VP-30. The transition itself is set up to be weeks of ground school where the CAT IIs
detachments for operations in Central America, about a five- to six-month process and it focuses underwent lectures and computer-based
East Africa, and Italy. Its final P-3C deployment on getting the aircrew through a CNATRA classroom training to become familiar with the
to the 7th Fleet was part of the overall transition (Chief of Naval Air Training)-approved P-8A. VP-30 utilizes three types of computer-
plan for the community, which has seen each transition course of instruction.’ based training (CBT) classrooms. The Flight
P-3C squadron making its sunset deployment Training the maintenance crews was also Management Computer System Desktop
to the western Pacific before conversion. part of the process, because the maintenance permits pilots to develop proficiency in flight
Speaking to journalists in early 2013, former schoolhouse, the Center for Naval Aviation and route management. The Tactical Open
Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, Technical Training Unit (CNATTU)-Jax Mission Software Desktop Trainer, used by the
RADM Sean Buck, said that the western Pacific organization, had not yet stood up its mission operators who sit in the back of the
is ‘a very rich anti-submarine warfare-type schoolhouse training. ‘Our maintenance Poseidon, aids in developing proficiency in the

44 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

respective operator areas. Finally, the Mission When used together the two simulators form transition designated as a P-8A pilot, COTAC,
Operator Part Task Trainer (PTT) provided both what is referred to as the Weapons System TACCO, AAW, EWO, etc’, said Pennington.
individual and team training, all monitored by Trainer (WST). At this point, the pilots and VP-16 was certified ‘Safe for Flight’ (SFF) on
an instructor. The PTT is used to supplement mission operators form a full combat aircrew January 25, 2013, following an inspection
training before moving into the weapons — two pilots, two NFOs (Tactical Co-ordinator by representatives from Commander, Patrol
training simulator. and Co-pilot/Tactical Co-ordinator), and four and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) and
Following the classroom training, the syllabus mission operators (two Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing
moved to the simulators, where pilots and officers and two Electronic Warfare Officers). Eleven (CPRW-11). According to Pennington,
tactical crews underwent more advanced From this point forward the training syllabus that means ‘the maintenance department and
training. For pilots, work began in the P-8A enters the Tactics, or TAC, Phase. This also the command as a whole had our procedures
Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), a full-motion includes five tactical flights. NFOs and mission down, had the proper tools and equipment,
high-fidelity trainer that fully simulates the operators receive their NATOPS certification and had the proper qualifications for each
Poseidon’s cockpit, including noises. VP-16 upon completion of the TAC Phase. individual to operate the aircraft safely.’
pilots flew 27 OFT events and nine flights The use of simulators has been one of many VP-16 took possession of aircraft 429, the first
in the P-8A. The first actual flight in a P-8A areas of change. According to Pennington, of its two P-8As, in a ceremony following its
cockpit for the ‘War Eagles’ occurred around ‘[with] the transition from the P-3 to the P-8, we SFF certification. Two more were delivered in
day 25 of the transition syllabus. Pilots were have moved roughly 70 per cent of the training June and September and the final pair arrived
taught not only how to fly the aircraft but also to the simulators, versus almost the exact at the squadron in late October.
how to contend with a variety of emergencies, opposite ratio in the P-3’. He explained that this
including single-engine approaches. At the creates two distinct advantages. ‘First, it is a To the Poseidon
conclusion of the syllabus, the pilots were safer evolution for the pilots. We can put them VP-16 began preparations for the transition
classified as NATOPS-qualified patrol pilots, in training extremis due to the high fidelity of even as it made its final P-3C deployment. It
the equivalent of a Level 200 pilot on the Air the simulation offered. Additionally, for the started working on manpower requirements
Combat Training Continuum (ACTC). aircrew, you can put the crew through a hostile as early as 2011, trying to determine which
Tactical crews used the Weapons Tactics environment that you cannot replicate in a real personnel would make the transition and
Trainer (WTT), referred to as the ‘tube’, which aircraft’. Second, ‘using the simulators extends which, mainly the P-3C flight engineers and
allows mission specialists to receive realistic the service life of the aircraft in terms of fatigue other maintenance personnel who were
weapons and sensor training in all mission life; landings, pressurization cycles, g-stress’. still needed in the P-3 squadrons, would be
sets. Using the WTT, mission crews (the Naval CAPT Curt Phillips, Commanding Officer of transferred to other Orion units. During its
Flight Officers and mission operators) learned VP-30, emphasized this as well, adding that the deployment, the squadron sent several of its
to operate and optimize the Poseidon’s sensors simulators in turn ‘let us fly the jets longer and top maintenance personnel back to NAS Jax to
and weapons system. All consoles and displays permit the community to do more with fewer observe the VP-30 safe-for-flight inspection, in
are identical to those found in the aircraft. The jets.’ order to ‘have a better picture of what to expect
WTT can be used by itself or in combination At the end of the five months, ‘all of the in coming months’, said CDR Molly Boron,
with the OFT, allowing students to ‘fly’ a fully VP-16 aircrews received their NATOPS who commanded VP-16 during its last P-3C
integrated P-8A crew mission. standardization check and came out of the deployment and CAT II transition.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 45

 Concerning the transition, Pennington said that the transitioning CAT II pilots already invigorating one. The attitude and mindset
the squadron lacked the benefit of prior crews had from their days flying the P-3’. But, she our sailors have when approaching an
having completed the CAT II syllabus. ‘There added, ‘from a tactical standpoint as a pilot, evolution for the first time will serve us well
was no blueprint for our transition.’ because of that automation I am able to be on deployment. It’s exciting charting a new
This was echoed by two of the CAT I pilots more involved in the mission than just flying course.
who were part of the early VP-30 training the aircraft.’ ‘We helped set the standard [for VP-30]
syllabus for the new aircraft. LT(JG) Blaine The ‘War Eagles’ certified 12 Combat and they have been able to adjust. Our
Scott, a VP-16 pilot who graduated from the Air Crews (CACs) for their upcoming transition was a major learning point for both
third CAT I class, said, ‘We were the third CAT deployment. VP-16’s Training Officer, LCDR us with the aircraft and for VP-30 in how to
I class through and we were still the proverbial Frank Loethen said, ‘You certify as a complete accomplish that transition.’
guinea pig for the syllabus. But with the crew, which takes about six months. The ‘In terms of the transition itself, going from
instructors over at VP-30 and here in the ‘War Advanced Readiness Process works the crew a great aircraft to fly — but one that was very
Eagles’, I feel like we were never behind’. Scott as a team through the qualifications and analog and not automated — to flying a very
added, ‘It was different because the airplanes mission sets. Once they are certified, we at information-intensive and automated aircraft
we flew in flight school had many years of the squadron have flexibility to move people was a little bit of a jump. But the training
experience and information on how to fly around between crews, if needed; we are not that was provided allowed you to get where
them and this one did not, so we were not only limited. We can move around for scheduling, you needed to be. The training was well
learning about a new airplane we were flying but we like to keep them together as a unit’. developed and met the mark.
but also helping learn and experience new When asked if particular crews had areas of ‘We asked everyone to go into transition
things about the aircraft and how to train to fly mission specialty, Pennington said, ‘Right with an open perspective and an
it. That was exciting.’ now all crews are trained to all missions. All understanding that the instructors that were
LT(JG) Christi Morrissey, a VP-16 pilot crews are ASW-skilled and went through training us were blazing a new trail as well.
who was in the first CAT I class at VP-30 Harpoon training and are able to do ASW, We as students needed a questioning attitude
agreed with Scott’s observations. ‘It was ASuW and intelligence, surveillance and but also looked to where we could help solve
really an experience for all involved to find reconnaissance mission sets.’ problems versus just sitting there in a receive
out what worked and what did not work Pennington, who was Executive Officer mode.’
as far as the syllabus. We were constantly during VP-16’s transition, said it went even
critiquing the syllabus with our instructors, better than expected. ‘The biggest learning ‘War Eagles’ begin IDRC
recognizing what was good and what areas point for us during the transition was the The ‘War Eagles’ began their Inter-
needed improvement’. Morrissey said one of ability to tackle first-time evolutions in a safe Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC) training
the challenges she faced was to not become and effective manner as the first squadron almost immediately upon obtaining their SFF
too dependent upon the P-8A’s automation. going through the transition process. The certification in January. The IDRC, which is
‘I had to focus on turning off the autopilot unknowns and uncertainty of going through standard across all naval aviation assets, is a
to practice flying the aircraft without the it, plus the fact there was no-one to call 12-month process in the VP community that
computer aids. This forced me to learn the for lessons learned or to see what areas we prepares squadrons for their deployment and
flying skills associated with larger aircraft needed to ramp up, was a challenge, but an certifies that the aircrews and maintainers

This photo: The P-8 is now in the ranks of both

VP-5 and VP-16. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

Clockwise from right top: LT Stephen Bruner

briefs RADM Mark Leavitt, Chief of Naval Air
Training, on some of the navigation features in
the P-8A. US Navy/Richard Stewart
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Nicholas
Hoover and Airman Kevin N. Scott prepare the
weapons bay. US Navy/MCS3C Eric A. Pastor
Aviation Ordnancemen attached to VP-16 load
a Mk54 torpedo onto a P-8A.
US Navy/MCS3C Eric A. Pastor
Five operator consoles provide a state-of-the-
art workspace. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

46 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

are combat-capable. It consists of three
phases: a Fleet NATOPS Exam Team (FNET); VP-30 and the P-8a FIt
Aviation Maintenance Inspections (AMI) and
certifications; and an Operational Readiness P-8A Poseidon transitions are handled The current CAT I syllabus for pilots is 132
Exam (ORE). by VP-30 ‘Pro’s Nest’, the Maritime Patrol training days and 114 for NFOs. The CAT II
VP-16’s Training Officer, LCDR Loethen, and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement syllabus takes 100 training days. Yearly CAT
described this process. ‘The home cycle Squadron (FRS) based at NAS Jacksonville, I classes are scheduled for seven per year,
is really a process of breaking down and Florida. VP-30 has served as the Atlantic with eight classes every third year. Currently,
re-building crews, certifying, and then Fleet’s FRS since 1960, and has been the at least two P-3 squadrons are transitioning
peaking at the right time before you go back US Navy’s sole P-3 Orion FRS since the to the Poseidon per annum.
on deployment. We build a crew, often disestablishment of VP-31 ‘Black Lightnings’ CAPT Curt Phillips, the Commanding
two per month, which produces the 108 at NAS Moffett Field, California in November Officer of VP-30, shared with Combat
crew members or 12 crews. They start with 1993. VP-30, which continues to train P-3 Aircraft some of the demands involved
classroom learning and go through Phase One Orion crews, is located in Hangar 30. in operating a dual FRS program. ‘One of
Advanced Readiness Program (ARP), which P-8A training takes place at the newly- our biggest challenges is concurrently
is basic ASW, basic ASuW, and basic ISR built Integrated Training Center (ITC) across running essentially two FRSs within the
missions’. The crews then enter Phase Two, the street, where the P-8A Fleet Integration evolving manning structure of one. We
where they get into a certification process, Team (FIT) is located. The ITC houses all must generate all CAT (I-V) production for
culminating in a final ‘wargame scenario.’ of the P-8A simulators. The P-8A FIT and two very different-type aircraft, as well as
According to Pennington, who was the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance transitioning in-house a full VP squadron
interviewed for this article in late September, Weapons School (MPRWS) are currently to [the] P-8A. Great credit goes to all
‘We have completed two of the three IDRC under the local direction of VP-30, which the instructors and maintainers at the
milestones to date. You have your AMI, reports directly to Commander, Patrol and ‘Pro’s Nest’ that continue to enable these
which is a maintenance inspection, which for Reconnaissance Group (CPRG). two lines of FRS production to co-exist
us will happen just before we deploy due to As of now, two squadrons have while maintaining the professionalism,
the transition. There is also a Conventional completed transition to the P-8A — VP- standardization, and safety that have been
Weapons Tactics and Proficiency Inspection, 16 and VP-5 ‘Mad Foxes’. A third, VP-45 the hallmark of this unit throughout its
which is completed, and our ordnance shop ‘Pelicans’, is currently in transition, having history.’
hit a home run with loading chaff and flares, started this past July. VP-8 is the next The VP squadrons based at NAS
torpedo and Harpoon. The maintenance team scheduled squadron. Even with this heavy Jacksonville will be the first to convert to the
knocked their inspection out of the park. A transition schedule, VP-30 has been training Poseidon, followed by their counterparts
CNAF (Commander, Naval Air Forces) team new P-8A CAT I crews since August 2012. from NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and
came out from San Diego and inspected the CAT I students are those fresh from flight Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Kaneohe
programs. The whole squadron received school, while CAT II designates those aircrew Bay. P-8A transitions are currently expected
the highest accolades. That gives us a lot of transitioning from the P-3C. to be completed by 2019.
confidence [as we move] forward.’

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 47

 Ted Carlson/
A fine head-on study of a development
Fotodynamics
P-8A during testing. Boeing

Pennington added, ‘This past week needed to look at how the fleet would do that. have excess people. Right now we may be
the aircrew received their fleet NATOPS So we did have to sit around the table and short of optimal in a few billets and over in a
procedural evaluations. The fleet NATOPS ‘wargame it’ and ask, ‘what logistics tail do we few others. But we are working through that.’
standard-bearers came out and tested and have to have, what support do we need, what Another area in which the squadron
administered check rides checking out the is the right number of maintenance people to anticipates the learning of lessons learned
crews, and these received excellent marks as take, how many mission drives do we take?’ is management of information. ‘The amount
well.’ Those are some of the discussions we had.’ of information that can be generated and
The last hurdle for VP-16 was the ‘We looked at all of the mission sets we did passed outside the aircraft has changed
Operational Readiness and Tactical with the P-3s during our last deployment in dramatically’, Loethen said. ‘All of that
Evaluation (ORE), which the squadron began 7th Fleet. We understood that operational has to be managed now. Information
in late September. ‘I think it will be a success environment. We then looked at that problem management plays a much larger role in
as well’, Pennington said. ‘After that we will set and that environment through the lens the aircraft and it may in the future lead to
finalize our deployment preparation and head of [the] P-8A. We had that opportunity to sit more mission sets in command and control.
out to 7th Fleet.’ around and see how we would tackle those The future capability of the airplane is quite
mission sets and contingencies with the P-8A impressive’. Loethen’s comments were
Preparations for deployment in those environments.’ echoed by AWO1 Joshua Lyons, who offered
Combat Aircraft asked CDR Pennington VP-16 fully expects to pass along a list of a sensor operator’s perspective. ‘Our role
how the squadron had prepared for possible lessons learned from its first deployment. has shifted slightly now with the capability
contingencies and potential pitfalls that ‘We only have four aircraft now. There is a of the Link on the aircraft so we are moving
might surface during the deployment. ‘At manning document for the P-8 based on the more towards track handling. And we work
the Pentagon there is a requirements desk number of aircraft assigned. We are already more at gathering information to send off the
and they understand why the aircraft was 60-70 personnel less versus our last P-3 tour. aircraft.’
procured: to meet operational commanders’ This has been a huge manpower saving Pennington agreed. ‘That ties into the
employment requirements’, he replied. for us, especially in certain enlisted rates’. information management piece. The sensors
Pennington feels comfortable that the Pennington said, ‘One of the developments and the ability to track targets has increased
requirements staff had properly evaluated we will see with our full complement of so much that we have to manage that piece.
what would be needed for the deployment aircraft is where we are short and where we Our ability to interact with the strike group or
from the support side. higher assets ashore is so much more robust,
He continued, ‘Now, when you look at how so now we have to be a track manager as well.
we are going to tackle a specific problem, That is something we found was a force-
for example, how are we going to take this multiplier when we integrated with other
aircraft on a detachment — that had not been naval assets’. But, as Loethen pointed out, ‘It
done in the fleet. Some of the operational is also in its infancy stage, so the maturity is
testers at Pax River have done that, but we not quite there yet.’

Night ops at VP-16 as a P-8 is refueled for the

next day’s flying. US Navy/MCS3C Eric A. Pastor

48 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 View from the crew
A P-8 pilot, LT Zack Sutton previously flew ‘The P-3 has shorter landing distances ‘The P-3C is a much more mature aircraft
P-3Cs for about two-and-a-half years before than the P-8 because it has reversible props right now, so it can carry a greater variety
switching over to the P-8. He has made and is a lighter aircraft. The P-8 can stop of weapons, such as Harpoon, Maverick,
two deployments in the P-3, has 1,050 fairly well using mostly brakes. It does have mines, bombs, rockets, SLAM-ER, and three
Orion flight hours, and another 200 hours reverse thrust, but it is not as effective as different variants of torpedoes, compared
in the P-8. He said, ‘Being one of the first reverse props. The P-8 also lands at a faster to the P-8. Eventually the P-8 will catch up
pilots to transition from the P-3 to the P-8 speed, so, with the weight and momentum, to the P-3 after weapons are validated. The
was an exciting experience. We learned it takes more effort to slow down. The take- radar, camera, acoustics, ESM, and other
from a very experienced cadre of pilots, off rolls are similar, around 4,000-5,000ft. electronic systems we have are comparable
including Reservists that were 737 captains, For take-offs, if we are able to, we de-rate or better than the P-3, aside from the P-8 not
C-40 pilots, and P-8 test pilots. Moving our CFM56 engines from 27,000lb of thrust having a MAD.
from ‘steam gauges’ to a full ‘glass’ cockpit down to 24,000 to enhance engine longevity ‘When you walk out to pre-flight a P-8
with touch-screens was something I never and increase service life. before a mission, you have a lot more
thought I would have the opportunity to do. ‘Down low, the P-3 burns 4,000-5,000lb confidence that you will be going flying —
‘The aircraft transition was challenging, of fuel, whereas the P-8 burns around it is much more reliable. Now everything
but the learning curve was steep. With 5,000-5,500. Although the P-8 is slightly is computer and touch-screen flat-panel
current technological advances in our less fuel-efficient down low, it makes up for displays, and less mechanical. The work
everyday lives, most of us are comfortable that in transit to get on station. The P-3 may stations are all interchangeable, depending
and familiar with computer-based systems, take four hours to get on station (and then how we log in. As a TACCO, you can equate
allowing us to pick up the knowledge fairly there is the return trip), while the P-8 may that to being a network administrator on
easily. The P-8 is faster than the P-3; we can get there in three hours. The total endurance the aircraft, so I can direct functionality to
achieve true airspeeds up around 450kt, is 11 hours in the P-3 and similar time will any other station on the jet. If my station
versus 330kt for the P-3. The P-8 loiters about be found in the P-8 during max-endurance happens to go down, I can re-log back in to
20-30kt faster than the P-3 down low, which profiles. However, we get out to farther any other station; it is incredibly flexible.
is around 220 or a bit more. The P-3 is limited distances quicker, so the actual patrol time ‘When TACCOs switch over from the
to +2.5g while the P-8 is currently limited to at extended range is greater in a P-8. P-3, it is actually easy since the software
1.8 under current development flight-test ‘On station, we fly higher than the P-3. It is Windows-based and intuitive. There are
restrictions. Eventually we expect the P-8 to is safer and more accurate in prosecution. short-cut keys, drop-down menus, and
increase to +2.2g depending on the flight Since we are flying faster than the P-3, we generally three or four different ways to
regime and weights, which will allow us cannot maneuver quite as tightly, but our get to any of the features being sought.
greater maneuverability over a target. auto-throttle system allows us to maintain On the P-3, we had to open cabinets and
‘In the P-3, we were not as well connected our flight parameters with more ease. The boxes often during missions, doing real-time
to the ‘tube’ as we are now. Aside from an windows are a bit smaller, and without the trouble-shooting. The P-8 has a lot more
archaic small display, we could not see what flight engineer, who had a unique vantage automation and can usually self-detect
the guys in the back were doing. In the P-8, point, the crew visual scan is a bit less than where a problem may reside. That is an
we have a display similar to what they have that of the P-3. We mostly find periscopes enhancement over the older-generation
in the back, and as a result are able to be using our radar. aircraft.’
much more tactically involved. We have ‘From a pilot’s perspective, some of the Acoustic operator AWO2 Aaron Deremiah,
the ability to pull up the radar, the camera, flight rules such as RVSM (reduced vertical with 100 P-8 and 1,000 P-3 flight hours,
tactical map display, and whatever the EWOs separation minimum) we have to learn are pitched in: ‘I localize and track submarines
and acoustic operators see. There are six different, since we fly at airliner altitudes in the P-8. I used to fly in the P-3s, and
screens up front that are interchangeable, now. The P-3 lived in its own airspace, the P-8 is a really great airplane for this
if necessary allowing us to put different typically below 28,000ft. When we take our mission since it is much more advanced.
tactical displays up as we choose, although P-8s overseas, that airspace in the higher Although I do miss the P-3’s MAD some, the
typically we always have a navigation display altitudes will also have new rules for us. I sensors on this aircraft more than make up
up for our situational awareness. was lucky enough to be one of the pilots for its absence. The crew communication
‘We have a head-up display which that flew the P-3 and then transitioned to in the P-8 provides new challenges and
provides us with a lot of relevant information the P-8, giving me a deep appreciation of benefits, since we are no longer spread out
and it is a great tool, allowing us to keep our the P-8’s systems and capabilities, since it is throughout the aircraft, but rather we are
scan outside of the cockpit. One challenge significantly more advanced. Some of our all centralized in one primary location. That
we faced with the HUD was learning to focus newest pilots never had a taste of the P-3.’ improves our situational awareness and we
beyond the HUD while still utilizing the The VP-16 Operations Officer, who is all operate better together for the mission
information it provides. In the P-3, you had also a TACCO Instructor, is LCDR Erik ‘ET’ environment as a result. The acoustic system
to really work your IFR scan and bring your Thomas. He has over 2,500 hours in 27 can track better and is more reliable than on
eyes back into the airplane, keeping speeds, different models of aircraft (although the the P-3.’
headings, altitude, etc, in your scan. One P-3 was his main aircraft in the fleet), and Electronic Warfare Operator AWO2 Grant
of the greatest advantages of the HUD can graduated from the United States Naval Test McClellan has 30 P-8 flight hours and is
be found during instrument landings when Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland. new to the ASW community. He stated,
the weather is at or close to minima since At Pax River, he was with VX-20 and was ‘I went through the VP-30 FRS, which
it allows both pilots to look outside for the the first NFO to fly on the P-8, having took about eight months, and learned
runway during the approach. It also eases worked intimately on the development of the fundamentals of radar, IFF, ESM, EO/IR
the transition from flying on instruments to the P-8 and hand-in-hand with engineers. (electro-optical/infra-red), and these are all
flying visually. A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance my areas of responsibility now. As an EWO
‘Although flying the P-8 requires less flight Weapons School graduate, this is his second we are incredibly busy from start to finish,
control and trim manipulation than flying tour with VP-16, and he has also been an regardless of the mission. We even load the
the P-3, we are constantly forced to monitor instructor with VP-30 in the past. He has over sonobuoys in the launchers, helping out
the automation to ensure that the aircraft is 275 hours in the P-8A, and added, ‘Our ESM the acoustic sensor operators. All sensor
performing the way we want it to. P-8 pilots (electronic support measures) system is a operators may be cross-trained for auxiliary
have about the same workload as P-3 pilots; huge step up from what the P-3 has and is EWO or acoustic operator duties, helping
it is just focused differently now that we are comparable to the ESM system fielded in the out when some are busier than others.’
more involved in the tactical mission. EA-18G Growler. Ted Carlson

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 49

A VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ Boeing P-8A Poseidon.
Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

‘War EaglEs’ boss

CDR William C. Pennington, Jr has been in the better with time. In the Spiral 2 capability, contacts; the new intuitive software minimizes
P-3 community for the majority of his career, they will look into trying to conduct high- task saturation. The number of sonobuoys
and recently transitioned to the P-8. With altitude ASW. that we can monitor at a time has increased
over 3,000 flight hours as a pilot (500 of those ‘Having flown the P-8A on numerous as well. Based on these factors, we now can
combat hours), he served with VP-4 ‘Skinny missions, I can attest that the P-8 performs detect contacts at farther range, and maintain
Dragons,’ VP-30 ‘Pro’s Nest’ as an instructor well [when] flying low like the P-3C during contacts for longer periods.
pilot, 7th Fleet staff on the command ship prosecutions, at 200 to 300ft over the ocean. ‘Our US Navy maintainers received
USS Blue Ridge, with VP-40 ‘Fighting Marlins’, With our sensors and the reliability of the great training, and partnering with Boeing
OPNAV N88 at the Pentagon, later with VP-16 equipment, however, there is not as much of and NAVAIR we have a good baseline of
as XO, and now he is the VP-16 CO. a need for us to be quite that low conducting maintenance knowledge. It will continue to
‘Initially we will have six P-8s assigned ASW. This improves our safety margins and grow with time. Some of our maintenance-
to the ‘War Eagles’, and long-term we will our mission effectiveness, plus [it] allows us to related aircrewmen positions were phased
have seven, which is the same number be more covert during operations. out during the transition, such as the Flight
other squadrons can expect’, Pennington ‘The airframe has been designed for adding Engineers, who were near and dear to my
commented. the MAD gear in at a later date, and it could heart, and the In-Flight Technicians. This
He continued, ‘The P-8 has great speed be installed during the spiral development resulted in a manpower saving and was
[and] range, is capable of high altitudes, and is process. The six Indian Navy P-8s do have possible due to the P-8’s automated systems
a joy to fly. The payload capability has growth MAD gear installed. Although MAD is a good management coupled with reliability and
potential for roll-on and roll-off sensor suites; and viable sensor today, I do feel that new- redundancy. Another byproduct of the
that is a huge game-changer. It is very reliable. technology sensors will be developed that will automated systems is that pilots, in addition
The aircraft and airframe, leveraging off the achieve the same results that we used to get to manipulating the controls, are now also
commercial base 737 by being a derivative, with MAD. Additionally, our acoustic suite on system managers.
is already showing benefits. With the tasking the P-8 is superb and very reliable. Due to this ‘The venerable P-3 has been around for 50
rates, we have an increase in percentage of ‘up’ increased performance, we have great success years, and is still a great aircraft, particularly
aircraft, ready to fly. even without the MAD. The acoustic suite is an for ASW. But the P-8 will take us into the
‘The time to get on-station is reduced and improvement over what we use in the top-of- future... Ultimately over time we will probably
the altitudes [at which] we can fly out to the the-line Orion. see more growth and expansion in the ISR
operational areas improve our efficiency... ‘The system can remain operating for and ASuW mission sets, employing Joint-
the baseline sensors are already showing longer periods of time without needing series weapons, but ASW remains first and
mission improvements over what we had a refresh, and the way the information is foremost… it is our foundation, and the Navy
before. As the systems evolve during the spiral presented is more intuitive for the sensor got its money’s worth with the P-8.’
development of the aircraft, it will only get operators, especially with recognition of Ted Carlson

50 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 ‘That will likely continue for us as we take professionals that have made the P-8 program As of this piece being written, the ‘War
it out on its first deployment’, Pennington successful.’ Eagles’ were finalizing plans for their
continued. ‘And just like we had an open Despite the significance of this maiden December 2013 7th Fleet deployment. VP-16
attitude with our transition, we know there deployment, the squadron insists it does not will deploy with six aircraft, roughly 60
are capabilities out there, and as we interact feel any sense of added pressure in being officers and 200 enlisted personnel. As part
with other assets we believe new doors will the first to deploy with the P-8A. Loethen, of its Increment 1 baseline configuration,
open for us with new capabilities to expand a veteran of several P-3 deployments, said, the P-8A carriers air-to-surface missiles,
on. I think we are just scratching the surface.’ ‘This is the same pressure we had with torpedoes, and sonobouys.
Pennington also addressed some of the [the] P-3’. He added, ‘To me, I feel the risk Pennington said of his unit’s task ahead, ‘To
teething pains the program has experienced mitigation is offset for several reasons: first, be in this squadron at this time, and to take
as it moves towards first deployment. ‘Boeing it is a trusted airframe. The pilots have done on the challenges that we are doing, I would
makes a terrific aircraft — it is highly reliable well and I have 100 per cent confidence in the not have it any other way. I think this group
and we are seeing that in our ready-for- airplane. Second, I look at the level of effort of individuals is going to wow the fleet’. He
tasking rates. The aircraft are up and available and Boeing’s pride in getting things done for added, ‘We understand there is only one
for the flight schedule. But there are some us. For me, on a daily basis my focus is on opportunity to do something the first time and
components for the mission systems in the the task at hand in qualifying the crews. Is it everyone wants to remember it in a positive
back of the aircraft that are new and, as we are perfect? No, but it is never perfect and wasn’t way. I think that is what keeps people moving
still getting through the test and evaluation when we went on deployment with the P-3.’ during the long hours and [the] trouble-
cycle, you can imagine there are still some Pennington also praised his squadron’s shooting [of] the hard gripes.’
improvements and upgrades we are seeing as enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. ‘Knowing that
we go through. There are some modifications we are tackling something for the first time
or upgrades that are still occurring because and that it is a challenge worth taking on has Acknowledgments: CAPT Sean Liedman,
the aircraft is under LRIP and transitioning. been motivation in and of itself. I am very Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance
So that has been a reality that we have had to impressed with the entire team.’ Wing Eleven; CAPT Curtis Phillips,
live with.’ Much the same was said by pilot Christi Commanding Officer, VP-30; CDR William
Even so, Pennington was quick to note Morrissey, who joined the squadron last C. Pennington, Jr, Commanding Officer,
that ‘to the extent there have been hiccups, March from the FRS. ‘I think you can see the VP-16; CDR Andrew Miller, P-8A FIT OIC;
the responses to resolve these items have pride most of our aircrews and sailors have in CDR Patrick McCormick, P-8A FIT AOIC;
been excellent. And this is from all levels — being in a new program and in being the first VP-16; LCDR Frank Loethen, VP-16 Training
the Navy program office, Navy leadership, to take this aircraft on the road. And because Officer; LCDR Erik Thomas; LT Zack Sutton;
Boeing. Everyone is working together of that, I think you see individuals wanting LT(JG) Christi Morrissey, VP-16 Public
as a team to solve problems. Everyone to make this succeed. So you will see our Affairs Officer; LT(JG) Blaine Scott; LT(JG)
Kelly Wehle; AE1 Nathan Williams; AT3
understands the impact of taking the P-8 sailors, our aircrews, really put in 110 per
David Thomas; AWO1 Joshua Lyons; AWO1
out on deployment and the support from cent and more to get this program operating
Benjamin Shoemaker; Miriam Gallet, NAS
everyone is tremendous. VP-16 is excited to successfully. You have maintenance crews
Jacksonville Public Affairs Officer.
have the honor to carry the baton for so many working overnight to solve problems.’

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 51

 This photo: The US Navy has gained a huge
and varied amount of service from its P-3
Orions. This example is an NP-3D from
VX-30 ‘Bloodhounds’. Gary Wetzel

Inset: A P-3C AIP assigned to VP-4,

complete with a live AGM-65 Maverick,
takes off during the Rim of the Pacific
(RIMPAC) exercise in 2012. US Navy

The
Ver satile T
here were Three basic
production models of the Orion
in its maritime patrol guise for
the US Navy: the P-3A (P3V-1
prior to September 1962), the

Orio n
P-3B, and the P-3C. Much like
its predecessor, the Lockheed P-2 Neptune,
the P-3 has produced more than two-dozen
variants that have been developed from the
basic production-line models intended for the
Lockheed’s P-3 Orion is one of a handful of aircraft to have US Navy. Many of these versions have been
provided more than 50 years of service to the US military. modified for special missions, demonstrating
the versatility of the basic aircraft and its
Alongside primary missions of maritime patrol, reconnaissance, suitability for different roles with government
anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare, the aircraft and civilian services outside the US Navy.
The original P-3C was delivered from June
has been adapted to meet the needs of other governmental 1969, the type’s initial operating unit being
and civilian organizations in several additional roles. Patrol Squadron 49 (VP-49) at NAS Patuxent
river, Maryland. The P-3C Update I arrived
in service in early 1975, bringing with it a
report: Ken Neubeck seven-fold increase in computer memory,
with additional reporting by Rick Burgess and Tom Kaminski Omega navigation system, increased acoustic

52 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

sensitivity, additional tactical displays and acoustic monitoring system based on the and included upgrades to electronic warfare,
other improvements. The first production Proteus analyzer unit. Thanks to the AN/ electronic support measures (ESM) and radar.
P-3C Update IIs were delivered in September UYS-1 Advanced Signal Processing (ASP), At the same time, ‘glass’ flight displays and
1977, these introducing a further set of and a doubling of the number of sonobuoys workload-sharing were added to the flight
improvements such as a turret-mounted that could be monitored simultaneously, the deck. The P-3 AIP can be armed with up
AN/AAS-36 Infra-Red Detection System Update III was considered twice as effective as to six Harpoon anti-ship missiles, infra-red
(IRDS) below the nose, provision for carriage the previous Update II.5. Deliveries of the P-3C AGM-65F Maverick air-to-ground missiles,
of AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a to the US Navy were completed in April 1990,
28-track acoustic tape recording system, with the hand-over of the last production P-3C
and a Sonobuoy Reference System (SRS) for Update III for that service. Many older P-3Cs
continuous monitoring of sonobuoy positions. were updated to Update III configuration and
The P-3C Update II.5, first delivered in were dubbed Update III Retrofits.
1981, was characterized by its replacement
of selected systems (including INS, Doppler, Block III AIP
VHF, VOR/ILS, TACAN) with more reliable From 1994 Lockheed Martin undertook the
and more easily maintained equivalents, Anti-surface warfare Improvement Program
and the addition of the Integrated Acoustic (AIP) for 73 examples of the P-3C Update III.
Communication System (IACS) that allowed AIP provided improvements to the aircraft’s
communications with friendly submarines. over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T) and
As the final production version, the command, control, communications and
definitive P-3C Update III, first delivered intelligence (C3I) capabilities. This focused
in 1984, brought in an all-new underwater on the long-range, anti-surface-target mission

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 53

unguided rockets and Rockeye cluster bombs. neutralize current and emerging littoral and resolution color displays, an AN/USQ
AN/USQ-78B
It is worth noting that all P-3Cs can carry the open ocean submarine threats. It created a acoustic system complete with improved
six Harpoons, unguided Zuni rockets, and common configuration of AN/USQ-78(V) acoustic receiver and data recorder, and the
Rockeyes. The Maverick was a new addition acoustic processors, acoustic data recorders, AN/ALR-66B ESM.
with AIP, as was the AGM-84E Surface Land- sonobuoy receivers, and other acoustic
Attack Missile. sub-system components for the entire P-3C Littoral Surveillance Radar
Notable items of equipment included under fleet. The improvements are made through System
AIP were the Over-the-horizon Airborne a process known as the Air Acoustic Rapid Sixteen BMUP Orions were further improved
Sensor Information System (OASIS) III, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Insertion through the addition of a new advanced
the AN/AAS-36A Infra-Red Detecting Set (Air ARCI), which replaces much of the airborne surveillance radar system, the AN/
(IRDS) for passive infra-red imaging and the analog ARR-78 sonobuoy receiver with digital APS-149 active electronically scanned array
AN/AVX-1 Electro-Optical Sensor System equipment, increasing processing capability. (AESA) radar. This was fitted as part of the
(EOSS), the latter two being replaced by the Despite the shift to littoral missions, the Boeing-led Littoral Surveillance Radar System
turret-mounted Wescam AN/ASX-6 (MX-20) submarine threat remains central to the (LSRS), the aircraft in question being identified
Advanced Imaging Multi-spectral System P-3C’s mission. In late 2010 Naval Air by a large canoe fairing below fuselage. The
(AIMS), installed below the nose radome; the Systems Command received the first 10 LSRS can track and target moving or stationary
AN/APS-137B(V)5 multi-mode radar with P-3Cs equipped with the Acoustic Receiver land and maritime targets, much like the US
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and imaging Technology Refresh (ARTR), an upgraded Air Force Joint STARS. LSRS is typically
SAR (ISAR) modes; AN/ALR-66C(v)5 ESM; acoustic system for receiving and analyzing used in conjunction with the AGM-84
AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System (MWS); sonobuoy data. Lockheed Martin won a SLAM-ER (Stand-off Land Attack Missile —
and four AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare dispensers. $23.8-million contract to deliver 76 upgraded Expanded Response) missile. This weapon
The AIP P-3 proved its value tracking time- AN/USQ-78 acoustic processors in April 2011. was integrated on the P-3C by February
sensitive targets over land during Operations The APTR provides a similar set of acoustic 2004, allowing precision attacks at stand-off
‘Iraqi Freedom’ and ‘Enduring Freedom’. software to that used in the P-8A. distances of around 150 miles. Development
Subsequently, Lockheed Martin installed of the LSRS began in 1995 and it made an
a new real-time air-to-ground transmission Block Modification Upgrade early operational deployment in 2005.
system, the Tactical Common Data Link Program
(TCDL), in 24 AIP P-3C Update IIIs. In March 2001, P-3C Update II BuNo 161129, Counter-Drug Update (CDU)
Although initially intended for the Update III which had received the Block Modification Known as the P-3 Counter-Drug Update
P-3Cs, AIP was later applied to five low-hour Upgrade Program (BMUP) improvements, was (CDU), 16 US Navy P-3Cs were modified with
Update II.5 P-3C airframes. delivered to the VX-20 Naval Force Aircraft AN/APG-66 fire-control radar and the
The latest additions to AIP aircraft include Test Squadron (NFATS) at NAS Patuxent AN/AVX-1 EOSS ‘Cluster Ranger’ electro-
Link 16 and INMARSAT (commercial River for testing. The Orion was the first of optical sensor for counter-narcotics operations.
International Maritime Satellite) connectivity, 25 Update II/II.5 P-3Cs to receive the BMUP This modification served as an introduction
identified by a new antenna on the upper modifications. Launched in 1998 with the to the overland surveillance role for the Orion,
fuselage just aft of the cockpit. These features aim of reducing the weight and complexity of and subsequent adaptations introduced
are to be added to 55 AIP-equipped P-3Cs by installed components, as well as enhancing more sophisticated long-range electro-optical
mid-2015 under a program known as C4 for reliability and maintainability, and increasing sensors to the same P-3C platform.
ASW (Command, Control, Communications system performance using commercial-off-the-
and Computers for Anti-Submarine Warfare). shelf (COTS) technology, the program gave Structural work
the earlier aircraft the same capabilities as the Since 2005 at least 118 P-3Cs have been
Update III Block Update Update III models. BMUP included upgrades grounded at various times as a result
This additional effort provided the P-3 with to the Mk50 torpedo and Harpoon anti-ship of fatigue issues. L-3 Communications
an improved ASW capability designed to missile, improved data processing, high- Integrated Systems had previously been

This BMUP Orion is one of the 16 aircraft that can carry the AN/APS-149 active electronically-
scanned array (AESA) radar in a large canoe fairing below the fuselage. Jamie Hunter

54 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

contracted to conduct Enhanced Special
Structural Inspections (ESSI) and Center Wing
Replacements on P-3 aircraft. The initial ESSI
aircraft was inducted into L-3’s Greenville,
Texas, facility in June 2004. Between October
2003 and May 2004, L-3 received $96 million
to refurbish 32 aircraft, providing them with
an additional 5,000 hours of service life.
In December 2007 the US Navy was
forced to ground 39 P-3Cs due to structural
concerns. Lockheed Martin responded
with an outer-wing repair effort for 10
aircraft. L-3 Communications and Lockheed
Martin were then contracted to produce 17
further outer-wing kits, installed at the Fleet
Readiness Center South-East (FRCSE) at NAS
Jacksonville, Florida, from November 2011. The US Navy has completed 17 EP-3E
Structural problems are now handled by the ARIES II modifications. The 15 aircraft
still in service have been upgraded under
P-3C Fatigue Life Management Program, the
the ARIES II Sensor System Improvement
aim of which is to effectively manage fleet Program (SSIP). Chris Wood
use and availability of the remaining P-3Cs
(around 130 of which remained on inventory
in 2013), until their replacement by the P-8A modified for electronic research, typically with during fleet exercises. The P-3B airframes
Poseidon. With the new wings, each P-3C has magnetic anomaly detetector (MAD) boom (BuNos 152719 and 152745) were modified
its service life extended by 7,500 flight hours. deleted and with specialist equipment carried by Chrysler Technologies Airborne Systems
Rather than participating in the P-3 Mid- in external radomes and aerials. Operators (now L-3 Communications) in 1992 and
Life Update (MLU) program that extends the included Air Test and Evaluation Squadron were originally based out of NAS Key West,
Orion’s fatigue life, the Navy is addressing One (VX-1), Tactical Electronic Warfare Florida as part of VAQ-33. When VAQ-33 was
fatigue issues by installing Special Structural Squadron 33 (VAQ-33), Naval Research de-activated, the aircraft were transferred to
Inspection-Kits (SSI-K). These replace Laboratory Flight Support Detachment (NRL Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) at NAS Willow
structural airframe components in fatigue FSD) and the Pacific Missile Test Center. In the Grove, Pennsylvania, and later to Fleet Air
life-limiting critical areas and will allow the latter case, the EP-3A designation was applied Reconnaissance Squadron 11 (VQ-11) of the
aircraft to reach the end of their design service to three P-3As modified with a ‘billboard’ Navy Reserve at NAS Brunswick, Maine.
life. The work is being carried out under the extension located on top of the fuselage, in The two aircraft were retired upon the
P-3, EP-3 and NP-3 Sustainment Modification front of the tail, as on three aircraft (BuNos disbandment of VQ-11 as part of a post-Cold
and Installation Program (SMIP) and includes 150499, 150521 and 150522). This is for a War force reduction of the Naval Air Reserve.
the installation of center wing box assemblies, radar associated with the Extended Area Two different sub-versions of the EP-3E were
lower wing zone five kits, and new outer wing Test System (EATS). The billboard contains completed, of which the definitive ARIES
assemblies. phased array telemetry antenna systems II remains in US Navy service. The original
capable of tracking up to five independent, EP-3E introduced in 1970 comprised 10
geographically-separated, S-band telemetry electronic surveillance aircraft, all of which
CNS/ATM sources in missiles such as the Harpoon,
SLAM, Standard and Tomahawk. These three
were previously P-3As, consisting of seven
with ‘Deepwell’ mission systems and three
A further set of upgrades applied by the US aircraft were later re-designated as NP-3Ds. with ARIES equipment. Except for the AN/
Navy to the P-3C and EP-3E relates to the latest Three extensively-modified P-3As, two APS-115 radar, the ASW equipment was
Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air of which saw service with the Republic of replaced with various electronic monitoring
Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) equipment, China Air Force for reconnaissance off China, devices. The replacement for the original
installed from early 2008. By 2013 all aircraft were later modified as EP-3s. Two were EP-3Es was provided in the form of 12
were expected to be appropriately equipped, modified as ‘Batracks’, the secretive EP-3Bs EP-3E ARIES II aircraft, converted from P-3C
bringing them in line with the latest FAA and used for operational electronic surveillance airframes. They received the misison systems
ICAO navigation requirements. missions against Soviet Bloc radar and radio from the existing EP-3Bs and EP-3Es. First
signals. These were completed for Fleet Air flown in 1990, the ARIES II was delivered to
Reconnaisance Squadron One (VQ-1) and VQ-1 and VQ-2, although the latter squadron
In service operated in South-East Asia. The aircraft was was de-activated in 2012.
Lockheed manufactured a total of 650 equipped with a retractable ventral radome, Five additional P-3Cs have been
P-3 aircraft of all variants for the US Navy dorsal and ventral ‘canoe’ fairings and an converted to EP-3E ARIES II configuration
and for other customers, including foreign altered tailcone. The third was modified as by L-3 Communications, for a total of 17
operators, before production ended in 1991. an EP-3A for electronic warfare and radar test modifications. The first of those was delivered
From these basic versions, a number of sub- work with a number of units, including the in 2006. Currently 15 EP-3Es are in service,
variants were developed, either modified Naval Weapons Laboratory, and VX-1. It was one is in storage with the 309th Aerospace
from existing aircraft or developed on the later re-designated as a UP-3A after its mission Maintenance and Regeneration Group
Lockheed production line. It is important to systems were removed. (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona,
keep in mind that a number of P-3s changed One P-3B was modified with an E-2C and one was written off. All of the aircraft
configuration in the course of their careers. For radome, becoming an EP-3B for radar and that remain in use have been upgraded under
example, four WP-3A weather reconnaissance data link development work with NRL FSD. It the ARIES II Sensor System Improvement
aircraft (originally built as P-3As) would later was re-designated as an NP-3D for VXS-1 Program (SSIP).
later be modified again to either NP-3A (one (formerly the NRL FSD).
aircraft) or VP-3A (three) configuration. Another P-3B without the E-2C radome NP-3 series
was converted to EP-3B standard for the NRL The P-3 has played an important role in test
EP-3 series FSD, carrying a number of external pods on and development work for the NRL FSD (later
A number of Orions have been used for the wing stations and bomb bay doors for VXS-1), VX-1, VX-20, VX-30, VXN-8, the
electronic surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic systems development. Pacific Missile Test Center, and other units.
development missions under the general Two EP-3Js were completed for Fleet The former YP-3A prototype was converted
designation EP-3. Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG) to NP-3A configuration for long-term test
The EP-3A designation was applied to a use as simulated adversary electronic warfare and evaluation work and eventually was
number of P-3A and one WP-3A aircraft platforms in a controlled environment transferred to NASA. One P-3B became the

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 55

 US Government P-3 variantS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now set to upgrade P-3B N423SK, the ninth Orion operated
its two WP-3Ds with the Series 3.5 retrofit kit. The Rolls-Royce upgrade will reduce by the US Customs & Border Protection’s
fuel consumption of the T56 by more than 7.9 per cent. The package replaces the Office of Air and Marine to receive MLU
stage one turbine of the T56 with a single-crystal blade and the high-pressure modifications, on the ramp at Lockheed
compressor blades with a design using 3D aerodynamic modeling. Ken Neubeck Martin’s Greenville, Texas, facility prior to
delivery on November 5. Lockheed Martin

WP-3 series pilots, navigators, civilian engineers and machines are P-3Bs that have the E-2C’s 24ft
The WP-3 is the well-known ‘hurricane hunter’ meteorologists. The aircraft travel throughout radome and AN/APS-138/145 radar antenna
version of the P-3 operated by the National the US during the off-season to serve as display mounted on top of the fuselage. Known as
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aircraft for educational purposes for students ‘Domes’, these aircraft are used for long-range
(NOAA). The primary task of this aircraft is and the general public. NOAA also operates a surveillance and vehicle interdiction with a
taking measurements in hurricanes to improve single P-3C (BuNo 161330) that was delivered in primary mission to detect, identify, classify and
predictions and scientific understanding. August 2008 and carries the registration N44RF. track aircraft and maritime surface craft. They
The first such variant was the WP-3A, four have a 4,400nm range and can stay aloft for up
examples of which were modified from P-3A Customs and Border Protection to 13 hours. All Orions used by the US Customs
airframes in the early 1970s, in order to replace Over the years, some four P-3As and 12 P-3Bs wear civilian registrations.
the Lockheed WC-121N with VW-4. Most of have been delivered for use by the US Customs Four P-3As were modified to Long-Range
the ASW gear was removed and replaced with and Border Protection (CBP)’s Office of Air and Tracker (LRT) configuration, followed by four
weather reconnaissance equipment including Marine for drug interdiction and homeland P-3Bs. The original four aircraft have been retired
weather radar in a partially retractable ventral security missions. Two configurations have been and Lockheed Martin will begin modifying two
radome. The aircraft (BuNos 149674, 149675, developed: in the ‘Slick’ version, the aircraft are additional P-3Bs to the LRT configuration next
149676 and 150496) were operated by Weather modified with an optical sensor turret located year. Nine of the CBP P-3s, comprising three
Reconaissance Squadron Four (VW-4) at NAS in the nose along AN/APG-63 radar, AN/AAS-36 ‘Slicks’ and six ‘Domes’, have been upgraded
Jacksonville from 1971 until it was disbanded in IRDS, and the P-3C’s T56-A-14 engines. The US under the mid-life upgrade (MLU) program. This
April 1975. Department of Homeland Security primarily includes a life extension kit that replaces the
In 1975 two US Navy P-3Cs (BuNos 159773 uses these aircraft to track drug couriers. aircraft’s outer wings, center wing lower section
and 159875) were delivered from the The other version is the ‘Sentinel’, comprising and horizontal stabilizer with new-production
production line as highly-modified WP-3Ds, for eight P-3Bs that were converted into airborne components. It removes all current airframe
use by the NOAA. These aircraft incorporate early warning and control aircraft for the US flight restrictions and extends each aircraft’s
numerous features in order to collect Customs Service in the early 1990s. The AEW service life by 15,000 flight hours.
meteorological data and are deployed for duty
as hurricane hunters during the hurricane
season.
The WP-3D carries three weather radars:
C-band radars located in the nose and on the
lower fuselage, and an X-band radar in the
tail. They are also equipped with dropsondes,
temperature sensors, and other meteorological
equipment. The aircraft are not specially
strengthened for flying into hurricanes;
however, the internal decks were reinforced to
be able to withstand the additional equipment
load. Special measuring equipment for the
WP-3D includes two ‘barber’s pole’ samplers
(named for their red and white stripes) which
protrude from the aircraft’s front, and other
unique-looking instruments hanging from the
port wing such as particle sensors.
The NOAA currently operates two WP-3Ds,
which respectively carry the civil registrations
N42RF and N43RF, and are named Miss Piggy
and Kermit. A typical sortie can find the WP-3D
going in and out of the eye of a hurricane One of the AEW P-3Bs with the 24ft radome
for as long as nine to 10 hours. Typical crew and AN/APS-138/145 radar antenna
mounted on top of the fuselage. US Customs
size can range from 18 to 20, including the

56 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 little-known NP-3B that was likely equipped dedicated training version of the Orion was
with side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) and required.
operated by a covert unit. Later, some similarly For this effort, 12 P-3As were modified
modified P-3Cs were used by this unit but not into TP-3A trainers, the aircraft being
officially re-designated. stripped of all ASW equipment. In addition,
One P-3C was modified as an NP-3C and they received P-3C Update II.5 flight-deck
served with VX-1. instruments. There were additional plans for
In 1994, the US Navy changed the type the replacement of the TP-3As by modified
designation of 13 UP-3A, RP-3A, RP-3D and P-3Bs, providing for a TP-3C version, but this
EP-3B aircraft into the general designation did not materialize.
of NP-3D. These aircraft were so heavily-
modified that they would never be brought UP-3 series
back to the original P-3A/B/C configuration. By the end of the 1980s, at least 25 P-3As
All tactical equipment and sensors and EP-3As had been stripped of their ASW
were removed from the aircraft, which equipment for use as transport and utility
improves handling characteristics as well as aircraft (with the designation UP-3A) by
performance in all flight regimes. The NP-3Ds some squadrons and Naval Air Stations. As
support operational tests of guided missiles the P-3B fleet was being retired, several of
over the ranges near Point Mugu, California, these were similarly modified into the UP-3B
as well as undertaking worldwide missile test version.
support. The NP-3D airframes were upgraded
with Fleet-compatible T56-A-14 engines. vP-3A
Three NP-3Ds remain in service with VX-30 Two P-3As and three WP-3As were modified
(BuNos 150521, 150522 and 158227) and two into VP-3A VIP transports for the US Navy
are assigned to VXS-1 (BuNos 153442 and in the late-1970s. Similar to the UP-3, these
The CBP P-3s have been very effective in 154589). aircraft are stripped of all ASW gear and
tracking drug-runners in the waters of the served as executive transports for the Chief
Caribbean and in the Pacific Ocean. rP-3 series of Naval Operations, the commanders-in-
Three P-3A aircraft were modified to RP-3A chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets,
NASA Orions standard for scientific use by the former and the commander, US Naval Forces
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight Europe. One was employed for a time as the
Wallops Flight facility in Chincoteague, (VXN-8) (BuNos 149667 and 150500) and the executive transport for the commandant of
Virginia, operate single examples of the P-3B NRL FSD (BuNo 149670) at NAS Patuxent the Marine Corps.
(BuNo 152735) and P-3C (BuNo 161008) in River. The VXN-8 aircraft received distinct
support of its Airborne Science Program. The markings with white fuselages and orange Summary
aircraft respectively carry the civil registrations trim. The P-3 Orion is being phased out of US
N426NA and N436NA. The 51st P-3C (BuNo 158227) was modified Navy service in favor of the P-8A Poseidon
on the production line to optimize MAD and three squadrons have already started
Firefighters capabilities, and this aircraft completed or completed the transition. In fact, as
A firefighting P-3 fleet was maintained by the extensive surveys collecting magnetic data as detailed in the accompanying feature, VP-16
Aero Union Company. This operator started up part of Project Magnet. This particular airframe will begin its first deployment before the
in Chino, California, acquiring military surplus was re-designated as an NP-3D when it was end of 2013. Over the next few years the
Orions in 1990, beginning with two aircraft assigned to VX-30 at Point Mugu in 2008. Poseidon will take over the primary mission
and later increasing the total to eight. Investors The former YP-3C prototype (BuNo 153443) of maritime patrol. It is apparent that, even
bought the company during 2005, and five was also modified as an RP-3D, together with though the production line for the Orion has
years later it re-located to the former McClellan two P-3Bs, these replacing the RP-3As with long since closed down, and many aircraft
Air Force Base at Sacramento. The P-3s saw VXN-8. have ended up in storage at Davis-Monthan
much action dropping fire retardant during All existing RP-3As and RP-3Ds were re- AFB, a number of P-3 variants will continue
the fire season in the western states, especially designated as NP-3Ds in 1994. to serve in other roles for many years to
in Arizona, California and Colorado. come.
The US Forest Service cancelled its contract tP-3 series The DoD’s Fiscal 2014 budget request
with Aero Union in July 2011, citing that safety By the mid-1980s the US Navy was provides continued funding for numerous
inspections were not being completed, and beginning to face a lack of P-3C capacity. projects that will support the P-3C variants
shortly after that the company laid off most of Existing P-3Cs were being used by training through 2020, when the P-8A transition
its employees. At the time of the cancellation squadrons for flight crew training, meaning should be complete. These efforts include
six of the original eight P-3s were still under that their on-board ASW gear was not being upgrades for avionics, systems and structural
contract and were being regularly used on utilized and the operational fleet was being modifications for 55 AIP and 19 BMUP
wildfires. In 2012, Aero Union listed its eight stretched. Thus it became apparent that a P-3Cs and 12 EP-3Es.
P-3s to be sold by auction. Even though these
aircraft have been inactive for several months, The P-3 is gradually being replaced by the P-8.
they may still be viable as air tankers in the These examples are seen on exercise at MCAS
future, particularly if they qualify for the US Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. US Navy
Forest Service’s ‘new-generation’ air tanker
contract that requires aircraft that can cruise at
300kt, have turbine engines, and have a ‘target’
capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 gallons.
Aero Union’s eight P-3As have been
acquired by United Aeronautical Corporation
in North Hollywood, California. Seven of the
aircraft remain stored at McClellan Airport
in Sacramento and one is located in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, where it was undergoing
maintenance with IMP Group when Aero
Union shut down.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 57

Lockheed Martin and Boeing announced October 25 that they will enjoy in the bomber competition’.
Northrop was prime contractor on the
have forged a partnership to compete for the Long-Range stealthy B-2 Spirit and is the lead sustainer
Strike — Bomber (LRS-B), the new heavy bomber that the of the B-2 fleet, participating in the upgrade
and refinement of the bomber’s capabilities.
US Air Force regards as among its top priorities. Northrop Grumman, Thompson wrote,
‘appears to have far more recent experience
in building and sustaining long-range strike
report: Robert F. Dorr aircraft than the other two companies.’

U
LRS-B background
S Air Force chief of staff bomber is part of a planned Long-range Strike Before Welsh, several previous Air Force
Gen Mark Welsh consistently (LrS) family of systems that may include chiefs of staff have argued that the US bomber
says that his top three aircraft long-endurance, unmanned platforms, cruise fleet is too small and needs to be bolstered.
priorities are the Kc-46 missiles and associated ordnance, sensors and So, how many bombers should the
tanker, the F-35 Lightning ii electronics. United States have? According to an official
Joint Strike Fighter, and the Lockheed Martin and Boeing are the number statistical summary, in 1944 the total was
Long-range Strike — Bomber. 1 and number 2 US military contractors 23,514 heavy bombers. The post-World War
in the new lash-up between the two top as measured by sales volume. Northrop ii peak was reached in 1959 when the total
US defense firms, Boeing will be the prime Grumman has dropped to number 5, behind was 1,854 — 1,366 B-47 Stratojets and 488
contractor, while Lockheed is described as the General Dynamics and raytheon. B-52 Stratofortresses. As late as 1964, when
‘primary team-mate’. observers are waiting in a commentary, Washington analyst Loren involvement in Vietnam was shifting priorities
to learn whether this dynamic duo will face Thompson — whose Lexington institute away from bombardment and toward counter-
competition from Northrop Grumman. think-tank accepts funding from planemakers insurgency, the US inventory boasted 1,111
The program is aimed at delivering 80 to — wrote that Lockheed Martin and Boeing bombers — 391 B-47s, 94 B-58 Hustlers, and
100 very stealthy, long-range bombers, with were forced to form a team because ‘pooling 626 B-52s.
initial operational capability in 2024-26 their talents is the only plausible way they can And now? The US has a mere 158 bombers
and a unit cost ceiling of $550 million. The overcome the advantages Northrop Grumman — 62 B-1B Lancers, 76 B-52s and 20 B-2s.

58 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Boeing has repeatedly issued this image of its
Long-Range Strike – Bomber (or 2018 Bomber)
concept. The company is now teamed with
Lockheed Martin on the project. Boeing

The Air Force has wanted a new bomber no longer exists, although Boeing absorbed called their concept the ‘Next-Generation
since before the final B-2 (serial 93-1088, Spirit its resources and is responsible for sustaining Bomber’ (NGB), usually abbreviated to
of Louisiana) was delivered on November the fleet. When Boeing delivered the final NextGen. It was always thought that a
10, 1997. Developed in a ‘black’ program B-52 on June 22, 1962 (serial 61-0040) at new bomber would have both nuclear and
that was needlessly secretive — the basics its now-defunct facility in Wichita, Kansas, conventional capabilities, but within a small
of stealth were well understood by scientists current company chairman and CEO W. James working group opinions differed as to whether
and never needed to be classified — the McNerney was 12 years old. it should be manned, unmanned, or both.
B-2 has consistently been the least effective The aerospace companies may actually have The plan was to keep it simple, affordable
of the three current bombers and spent the more to offer because the US Air Force has and basic. Air Staff officers envisioned what
early years of its career relying on a mission changed its view of what it wants in a new one called a ‘flying dump truck’, a digital-era
computer based on the clunky IBM 286. bomber. Lockheed and Boeing were teamed version of the B-52 with great size, huge range
When Pentagon officials began shaping their previously to produce the F-22 Raptor. The and carrying capacity, and subsonic speed. A
concept for a new bomber early in this new stealth characteristics of the F-22 are wanted, senior officer said that if he could get a new-
century their initial thinking was that it should today, in the revised version of what the Air built B-52 with updated engines, avionics and
have plenty in common with the B-52 and Force anticipates in a new bomber. Never sensors, as clunky as it might seem, it would
be entirely unlike the B-2. The B-2 has an mind that many analysts wonder whether the be perfect. Today, the ancient B-52 has the best
appalling mission-capable rate of 46.7 per cent radar-evading capability is needed in modern reliability rates of the three bomber types and
and costs a mind-boggling $169,313 per flight war. ‘It’s totally unnecessary’, former Pentagon is devoid of airframe structural issues.
hour. analyst Pierre Sprey told Combat Aircraft. ‘In Early on, the Air Staff made the mistake of
Despite having their famous names linked modern war, the first guy who switches on his asking for only small amounts of funding for
to famous bombing aircraft of the past — radar set is dead.’ development studies of NGB. Given what was
Thompson notwithstanding — it isn’t clear viewed as an obvious need to be filled, it was
how much institutional expertise the US From clunky to stealthy assumed that more dollars would be ready
contractors bring to bear today. Anyone who An early concept for a new bomber began when needed for the next steps in the process,
worked at Northrop on development of the B-2 to take shape in the minds of US Air Force including a set of requirements, an analysis
would have retired long ago. The Rockwell leaders, and in preliminary studies, during of alternatives, a request for information
company that delivered the final ‘Bone’ (serial the last decade. After briefly flirting with from industry and, eventually, a request for
86-0140, Peace Warrior) on January 20, 1988 something called the ‘2018 bomber’, they proposals (RFP). The RFP, it was assumed,

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 59

would lead to a fly-off competition between
two wholly new bombers. No-one predicted a
coming breakdown in the US budget-making
process and no-one predicted Robert Gates.
When Gates became Secretary of Defense
on November 6, 2006, replacing Donald
Rumsfeld, Air Staff officers realized they
should have grabbed the money when they
had the chance. With conflicts under way in
Afghanistan and Iraq, Gates shifted priorities
away from strategic needs and focused on
tools for counter-insurgency. He shocked
airmen on June 5, 2008 by sacking Air Force
Secretary Michael Wynne and chief of staff
Gen T. Michael Moseley, both of whom were
seen as strong proponents of both the F-22
fighter and the NextGen bomber. The reason
given for forcing out the two leaders was a
series of mistakes in the handling of nuclear
weapons, but it was clear that Gates did
not want strong air power advocates on his
Pentagon staff.
In the aftermath, Gates’ Pentagon created
Global Strike Command and gave it the
nuclear-capable bomber (B-2, B-52) and
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
forces, transferring the bombers from Air
Combat Command. This re-organization was
supposed to be an improvement but it was
difficult to find anyone who thought it was.
It was also supposed to put an end to bad
behavior by people entrusted with nuclear
weapons. It didn’t. As recently as last October,
the two-star general in command of the 20th
Air Force — meaning, all Minuteman ICBMs
— was fired over alleged problems involving
alcohol. Several mid-level commanders have
been relieved for failing nuclear weapons
handling inspections.

Missiles, not bombers

Anyone who believed in the bomber as the
decisive force in war would have been upset
when, under Gates, a huge distraction arose
that shifted the emphasis to ballistic missiles.

60
 No-one had ever proposed to do anything
with the existing force of 450 nuclear-only
LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBMs, except to
retain them. Still, with the Cold War gone
and big-power confrontations on the wane,
Air Force missileers were looking for a way
to remain relevant. In Fiscal Year 2011, under
Gates’ direction, the Pentagon received $240
million for what it called Prompt Global Strike
(PGS).
The goal of PGS was to put a conventional
warhead on a target anywhere in the world
within one hour — for example, on a terrorist
group in the final stage of unleashing an
attack. Several methods were studied. One
was simply to place a conventional explosive
warhead in the nose cone of an ICBM.
Another was to develop a new family of cruise
missiles. All of these ideas were viewed as
substitutes for a manned bomber and, in fact,
began to use up resources previously devoted
to the NextGen bomber.
The PGS method that gained favor used
an ICBM to boost an unmanned spaceplane
into the upper atmosphere. Once aloft, the
spaceplane was to fly under its own power
or glide to a target half-way around the world
and would either release ordnance on the
target or dive into it. a conventional or a nuclear warhead. Later,
Funding for PGS was justified to Congress Gates, who served under two Presidents,
by delaying the NextGen bomber. Because it told ABC’s This Week that the Barack Obama
may become the first conventional warload administration has ‘embraced’ a conventional
to be boosted aloft by an ICBM-like vehicle, weapon using a rocket booster.
critics are asking whether PGS will lower the
threshold for nuclear war. Other critics warn LRS enters the scene
that this is a break with a long-held taboo on On June 24, 2010, Lt Gen (later, Gen) Philip M.
weapons in space that all spacefaring nations Breedlove said that the term ‘NextGen bomber’
have so far observed. was dead and that the US Air Force was
Apparently in support of PGS, the US studying a Long-Range Strike (LRS) family
Air Force launched an Atlas V rocket from of weapons. PGS, Breedlove said, had been
Cape Canaveral on April 22, 2010 carrying absorbed by LRS and become part of it.
X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), a A separate part of LRS was the bomber
29ft, 11,000lb unmanned space shuttle that component, called LRS-B, which would draw
remained in orbit for months (until December on the capabilities of existing systems like the
3 of that year) and landed via remote control. F-22 and F-35 to make a new bomber more
That day, probably not by coincidence, the affordable and versatile, Breedlove said. The
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency comment stirred recollections of a plan for
(DARPA) launched a Minotaur IV booster an FB-22 bomber, a scaled-up version of the
from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, F-22 with a crew of two and a delta wing that
carrying DARPA’s Hypersonic Test Vehicle had been discussed — in 2005, a beautiful
Two, or HTV-2, glide vehicle. The test was scale model of it was displayed on the desk of
only partly successful. then-Air Force Secretary James Roche — and
The delay to NextGen became permanent shelved.
not as the result of a policy decision but On February 24, 2012, Air Force Secretary
through neglect. Work on PGS continued Michael Donley announced the competition
but became more deeply submerged into the for the LRS-B, referring to the bomber
Pentagon’s ‘black’ budget. Almost nothing was portion of a larger family. Today there is
This photo: After years of silence, publicly revealed about the second and third just one industry team (Lockheed/Boeing)
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has flights of the X-37B (OTV-2 and OTV-3) in in contention. Northrop Grumman remains
revealed details of plans for the SR-72 2011 and 2012. silent and did not respond to CA’s request for
hypersonic intelligence, surveillance Using ballistic missile technology to boost comment.
and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike
a conventional warhead imposes a terrible The LRS-B, unlike NextGen, is expected to
platform that could enter development
in demonstrator form as soon as 2018. risk in a world where ICBM forces remain on be manned only (any need for an unmanned
The timing of the announcement ties hair-trigger alert (although US officers dislike bomber having been a dubious proposition all
in with its teaming with Boeing for the that term) and Doomsday is never farther along) and to be supersonic.
LRS-B program. Lockheed Martin away than a 30-minute, one-way trip by a One irony of LRS-B as compared to NextGen
missile. What if an ICBM-equipped nation like is that in order to be affordable the bomber
Left: Most concepts observed from Russia or China detected an American ICBM may have to be more advanced and less
Northrop Grumman suggest that any launch without knowing details? Wouldn’t practical, more of a Formula One racecar than
LRS-B work that may have already been that nation be forced to assume it was a a dump truck. It will employ stealth, which
undertaken by the company will share
nuclear attack and be required to ‘launch on was not expected in NextGen. LRS-B could
a configuration similar to its X-47B.
Northrop Grumman warning’ to protect its own missile silos? In easily end up being a scaled-up version of
2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin told an aircraft that has been under development
Top right: The USAF is now placing US President George W. Bush that he opposed for two decades and is yet to be operational,
heavy emphasis on its need for the a PGS-type weapon because Russia would the F-35. Not everyone in industry or in the
LRS-B platform. Boeing not know if a newly-launched missile carried Pentagon thinks that is a good idea.

61
Fighter focus

fIGHTING
FLOUNDER
Xi’an Jian Hong-7 in detail
In the world of military aircraft, it’s usually the fighters that receive the attention, while the
‘mud-movers’ are often unfairly neglected — even more so if the type in question
originates in China. However, from a technical and developmental point of view, attack
aircraft represent just as big a challenge, and so, for the emergent Chinese aircraft industry
during the 1960s to the 1980s, the creation of the supersonic JH-7 was a major advance.
report: Andreas Rupprecht

T
An impressive line-up of JH-7As assigned
he chain of events that led industrial corporation (Xac) that led to the
to the main PLANAF training squadron.
to the Jh-7 began with a dispute Jh-7, although it appears that at first both of the All images via Chinese Internet unless
over the Xisha islands. This other contenders were favored. The Shenyang otherwise credited
maritime conflict, also known proposal promised the least development risk
as the Battle of hoang Sa, took and also the earliest possible in-service date,
place on January 20, 1974 while nanchang’s design offered a very capable
and involved the People’s Liberation army modern multi-role platform, albeit with the
navy (PLan) South Sea fleet and the South highest development risk.
Vietnamese navy. Despite being primarily at the no 603 aircraft Design institute based
a clash between naval forces, the fighting in Xi’an, chief Designer chen Yijian was
revealed some severe weaknesses, in particular put in charge of design work while no 172
regarding the lack of air support. factory, the Xi’an aircraft factory, would build
after subsequent analysis, the chinese both the prototypes and production aircraft.
military requested a new long-range supersonic Development of the engine was assigned to
tactical bomber to replace both the harbin h-5 no 430 factory, today the Xi’an aero engine
and the nanchang Q-5. Both the air force and factory, or Xae. it is understood that at this
navy pointed out that the subsonic speed of stage the new bomber was designated as the
current types was too slow for the requirements hongzhaji-7, shortened to hong-7, following
of modern warfare, even if the h-5’s warload the Xi’an h-6. The design proposal submitted
was broadly sufficient. on the other hand, the was quite different to its rivals — it appears
combat radius of the Q-5 was far from adequate that, with a maximum take-off weight of about
and this type also had a very limited weapon 27,000kg, it was larger and heavier than the
load. in due course the national authorities others and optimized more for the tactical strike
declared that the new type was to be a multi- role rather than close air support. for once this
role aircraft, and it was decided to develop a chinese design did not resemble any former
single airframe for both services, with different Soviet aircraft type, but bore a general similarity
weapons and avionics configurations. in June to the anglo-french Jaguar or the Yugoslav/
1976 a meeting was held in Beijing where Romanian iaR-93/J-22 orao, although it was
the Third Ministry of Machine Building was much bigger than both.
ordered officially to start the project by sending
a request for proposals to all of china’s major Problems ahead
aircraft manufacturers. To design this aircraft from scratch placed
a heavy burden on Xac, since, even with
Proposals the rise of Deng Xiaoping, the political and
The design institutes at nanchang and economic situation was far from secure.
Shenyang responded quickly, while Xi’an Between 1976 and 1989 the policy of economic
followed slightly later. The nanchang team reforms and openness, followed by industrial
presented a design that would become the modernization and decentralization of
Q-6 and which was derived from a heavily- government controls in the industrial sector,
modified MiG-23 airframe acquired via egypt, were given a much higher priority than the
while Shenyang offered a ground attack version immediate rectification of the devastation
loosely based on an enlarged J-8 fighter called caused to china’s aerospace industry by the
at first the ‘Xiahong’ and later h-8. But it was previous regime. numerous problems were
the design submitted by the Xi’an aircraft therefore inevitable and the most significant

62 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 63
encountered during the development phase engineering development stage, albeit at a low
was the loss of technical skills for engineering, level.
material science and production standards. Then, the 1982 Falklands War between
Another concern was the lack of a suitable Britain and Argentina, and especially the
powerplant, and all along there was the success of the Argentine Super Étendard
difficulty of finding a compromise between attack aircraft with its Exocet missile, made a
People’s Liberation Army Air Force and PLA profound impression on China’s military. In
Naval Air Force needs. November 1982 China’s leaders agreed to give
At first, both services agreed to the high priority in funding and resource allocation
requirements laid down by the Central Military to both the H-7 and the Shenyang J-8B all-
Commission, but during the design process weather fighter. In fact, until this moment the
the PLANAF and PLAAF made very different H-7 program had never reached ‘full speed’. At
demands regarding the aircraft’s configuration. the same time it was also redesignated JH-7 (for
The Navy wanted an all-weather strike/ Jianjiji Hongzhaji or Jian Hong-7) to reflect its
reconnaissance platform capable of firing the multi-role fighter-bomber duties.
new YJ-8 missile and preferred a tandem-seat With an ‘order of authorization’ given by
arrangement similar to the Tornado IDS. The Deng Xiaoping in person on April 19, 1983, the
PLAAF variant, however, was to be an all- JH-7 was finally on the move. The design seems
weather, low-level, deep-penetration bomber to have been finalized quite soon afterwards.
optimized for striking ground convoys and Nevertheless, during 1984 the project was still
undertaking precise attacks. The air force far from secure. The biggest technical obstacles
wanted a side-by-side cockpit, extensive were development of the primary weapon, the
electronic countermeasures equipment and YJ-8 air-to-surface missile, the JH-7’s fire-control
terrain-following capability akin to the Su-24 system, and its KF-1 analogue fly-by-wire
or F-111. (FBW) system. Even more critical was the
issue of the engine, which in May 1984 was
A common configuration subject to change when Xi’an launched its
The H-7 thus reached the stage at which two WS-9 turbofan program, a move that became
alternative versions of the same airframe necessary after the indigenous WS-6 originally
were being studied to meet different needs. It proposed had run into serious trouble.
is thought that Xi’an looked at designs with
different cockpit arrangements as well as First flight
alternative wing configurations. Due to the By 1987 five JH-7 prototypes — including one
lack of technological skills and knowledge, static test airframe — were under construction
in around 1979 it became clear that Xi’an and the roll-out was celebrated in August
was incapable of developing these two 1988. The first prototype, serial 081, made
versions. This led to a serious slow-down a successful maiden flight on December 14,
in the program, before the PLAAF H-7 was 1988, piloted by Cdr Huang Bingxin with Xing
finally abandoned in the early 1980s due Yancai acting as weapons system officer. For its
to insurmountable technical difficulties. In maiden flight, the still unpainted JH-7 featured
parallel, the naval variant remained at the a different fin cap on its vertical tail. The

64 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Rolls-Royce spey
and the Ws-9
The Rolls-Royce RB168 Spey engine was
originally developed for the Royal Navy’s
Blackburn Buccaneer S2 and a version was
also used in the UK’s McDonnell Douglas F-4K
Phantom II.
China’s project to acquire the Spey began
at a conference held at the end of 1971 led by
Premier Zhou Enlai, and the final contract was
signed on December 13, 1975. The Spey was
ideal for the JH-7, since it had an impressive
safety record as well as a high figure for
time between overhauls. It also offered
comparatively low specific fuel consumption
and a longer operational life than comparable
Chinese and Russian engines. However, a
weakness was its relatively low thrust-to-
weight ratio and insufficient thrust at high
altitude. In the end, the Spey was probably the
best choice for China at the time and was used
solely for the JH-7.
The licensed engine was subsequently
called the WoShan-9 or WS-9, and a license
agreement with the UK was concluded in
1976. The original contract, worth £500
million, included the delivery of 50 Speys plus
spares. For several reasons, China went on to
negotiate follow-on ‘used engine’ contracts in
1997 and 1998, which resulted in the purchase
of another 90 units by 2001-02. This also
included further assistance from Rolls-Royce
with the aim of getting the WS-9 ready for
series production. Its design was certificated
in 2003 and, after nearly 30 years, it entered
full production in 2004. Full certification was
delayed until December 2007, when it was
officially named ‘Qinling’ after a mountain
range in the Eastern province of Shaanxi.
The WS-9 is generally similar to the basic
Spey Mk202 and is rated at 54.39kN dry and
96.16kN with afterburning, but reportedly
features some changes that provide
marginally improved performance.

intensive flight test program was completed

before the type’s formal unveiling in 1996, but
only a few pictures of the prototypes have ever
been made available.
As usual, the prototypes were distinguished
by their individual color schemes and
prominent serial numbers. 081 wore a two-tone
white and light blue scheme with a red, white
and blue flash on the side plus a chevron in
the same colors on the tail. 083 was probably
the best-known and was later used for the
type’s demonstration flights at the Zhuhai
airshows. 084 was unique because it wore
an experimental two-tone camouflage with a
dark green top side and a light gray underside.
It also carried a ‘Flying Leopard’ logo on the
forward fuselage and a large Chinese flag on the
Left: The JH-7 prototype (081) returns from its tail. 085 was used for weapons tests. Despite
maiden flight on December 14, 1988.
having a greater number of prototypes, the
Above: The JH-7 prototype being inspected by program experienced several mishaps and the
the chief designer and Gen Liu Huaqing. powerplant proved a weakness. It is reported
Top: This JH-7 is a Block 02 example attached to that numerous problems, especially with the
the PLANAF’s 6th Naval Aviation Division. efforts to install Chinese-built Speys, resulted
Far left: JH-7As from the 31st Air Regiment at in repeated groundings of the entire test fleet,
Siping, part of the 11th Ground Attack Division, while at least one prototype was lost, along
took part in this year’s ‘Peace Mission 2013’ with both crew members, during a crash
exercise at Shagol. Dimitry Pichugin caused by engine failure.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 65

 finally produce its own indigenous WS-9,
The JH-7A replaced the Type 232H Eagle Eye and second the Chinese authorities were able
mono-pulse fire-control radar of the JH-7 with
to reach an agreement to purchase additional
a new X-band JL-10A radar with ‘look-down/
shoot-down’ capability and 11 working modes. second-hand Speys, put in storage after
their removal from retired Royal Air Force
Phantoms. This permitted the manufacturing of
additional production aircraft.
In the meantime, the problem of unreliable
and poor-performing avionics was solved
by replacing the original radar with the new
JL-10A multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar
featuring enhanced air-to-air and air-ground
modes. All new JH-7s were built to this
standard between 2002 and 2004 and became
known as Block 02 aircraft, the first of these
flying in September 2001.
Again it is difficult to establish how many
airframes were built in this second batch
because the additional engines were used
to equip these aircraft as well as to replace
The West remained generally unaware of the secrecy and even the number of pre-production worn-out units in older airframes. Altogether
JH-7 project until 1988 when CATIC publicly airframes actually built is uncertain — some a minimum of about 47 JH-7s (Blocks 01 and
showed a scale model for the first time at the sources state that ‘around’ 18 machines were 02) have been observed, but distinguishing
Beijing International Defense Exhibition, this made. All of them were stationed at the Block 01 from Block 02 aircraft is problematic.
aircraft still being called B-7 (the anglicized Dachang naval air base near Shanghai where Indeed, the only external differences are
form of H-7). The same model was also put on they formed the equivalent of an operational the serial numbers — Block 02 aircraft were
display at the Farnborough show in September, evaluation or conversion unit. This phase was assigned to a different regiment — and a subtle
three months before the aircraft’s official completed in late 1996 with the first successful change to the radome. All early radomes are
first flight. Finally, the real aircraft itself was launch of a YJ-8 ASM, and by 1998 the JH-7 dark green, whereas the JL-10A-equipped
revealed on Chinese television when it was was given the NATO/ASCC reporting name machines have a black radome. However, by
spotted near a naval air base participating in an ‘Flounder’. National certification was received around 2007-08 all Block 01 aircraft had been
exercise during the ‘Third Taiwan Strait Crisis’ in 1998, and on October 1 the following year updated with the new radar.
in October 1995. The JH-7 was first displayed the JH-7 took part in the military parade held
to the public when 083 flew at the Zhuhai to mark the 50th anniversary of the People’s Improved JH-7A
Airshow in 1996. There it was presented as Democratic Republic of China. The Block 02 aircraft have frequently been
the Fighter Bomber China-1 or FBC-1 ‘Feibao’, However, the planned series-production run considered as a stopgap prior to the arrival
meaning ‘Flying Leopard’. still did not follow as intended, mainly due to of the definitive production version, the
problems with the locally-built Spey. There JH-7A. The true beginnings of the JH-7A’s
PLAAF loses interest have been several reports about consideration development are again still shrouded in
As flight tests continued, there were persistent being given during the late 1980s to replacing secrecy but the project probably began in the
problems with the FBW system and especially this engine with the Russian Saturn/Lyulka mid-1990s and was most likely continued
with the Type 232H ‘Eagle Eye’ fire-control AL-31 or even the French SNECMA M53. In for two reasons. The new Sukhoi Su-30MKK
radar. As a consequence the PLAAF lost the end it appears that all these efforts were fighter-bomber chosen for the PLAAF was
interest in the JH-7, and instead placed an order finally abandoned in around 2000, especially too expensive to be deployed in the required
for Russian Sukhoi Su-27s in 1991. As such, since a re-design of the complete rear fuselage numbers, and the ‘Flanker’ was still not
the original plan to put the JH-7 in service in was too costly, too complex and far too time- compatible with Chinese-designed missiles.
around 1992 slipped and it was decided to consuming. Thus, from around 1998 Xi’an The second point was probably a key factor
proceed with a limited pre-production run. proceeded with two options: first it went back in keeping the program alive: although
In the West the JH-7 remained shrouded in to Rolls-Royce to pay for the technology to having the powerplant issue finally fixed

JH-7As of the South Sea Fleet’s 9th Naval

Aviation Division based at Ledong (Foluo NE).

66 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 PLANAF

North Sea Fleet — 5th Naval Aviation Division (HQ Yantai-Laishan)

Serial range Unit Base Variant Remarks

Base also known as Qinhuangdao. Former 7th Division, 20th AR.

82x7x 13th Air Regiment Shanhaiguan JH-7A
(Aircraft not yet re-numbered.)

82x5x 14th Air Regiment Yantai-Laishan JH-7A

East Sea Fleet — 6th Naval Aviation Division (HQ Shanghai-Dachang)

81x6x 16th Air Regiment Shanghai-Dachang JH-7 (Block 01)

82x6x 18th Air Regiment Yiwu JH-7 (Block 02) Former 17th AR. (Aircraft not yet re-numbered.)

South Sea Fleet — 9th Naval Aviation Division (HQ Lingshui)

83x9x 27th Air Regiment Ledong (Foluo NE) JH-7A

PLAAF

Shenyang MR — 11th Ground Attack Division (HQ Siping)

20x2x (01-49) 31st Air Regiment Siping JH-7A

Lanzhou MRAF — Ürümqi Base (HQ Ürümqi) Former 37th Fighter Division and MRTB

72x1x (01-49) 110th Brigade Malan JH-7A Base also known as Uxxaktal. Former 110th AR, 37th Air Division.

Nanjing MRAF — 28th Ground Attack Division (HQ Hangzhou-Jinqiao)

30x9x (51-99) 83rd Air Regiment Hangzhou-Jianqiao JH-7A

31x9x (01-49) 84th Air Regiment Jiaxing JH-7A

Jinan MRAF — 5th Ground Attack Division (HQ Weifang-Weixian)

11x6x (01-49) 15th Air Regiment Weifang-Weixian JH-7A

Reportedly in preparation

Guangzhou MRAF – Nanning Base (HQ Nanning Wuxu) Former 42nd Fighter Division and MRTB

? Unknown brigade ? JH-7A To be established

Abbreviations: MR = Military Region MRAF = Military Region Air Force MRTB = Military Region Training Base

JH-7 PODS
Above: The JH-7 electronic warfare
(EW) variant carries large EW jamming
pods below the wings. So far three
different types of pod have been
identified, each with slightly different
antennas in front and at the rear.
Right: The indigenous Blue Sky
navigation pod and K/JDC-01 laser
designator are confirmed as being in
service on the JH-7A.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 67

 also helped, the aircraft’s precision
strike capability is thought to be
the major requirement behind
orders for the JH-7A from the PLAAF.
It was thought that a derivative built
around the JL-10A radar would form a
good basis for an indigenous version to be
purchased in larger numbers.
Aided by CAD/CAM CATIA V.5 software,
the JH-7A design team — led by Tang
Changhong and Wu Jieqin — took the
decision to produce a ‘paperless design’,
a path never before chosen for a Chinese
aircraft. Full-scale development got under
way in 1999 and the first indication of
the type in the West was a media report
from 2001, which mentioned a possible
production run of up to 150 machines for the
PLANAF and the PLAAF.
The initial public announcement of
the JH-7A was a presentation in front of
prominent military and political leaders by
Huang Qiang, President of Xi’an’s No 603
Institute, as well as a full-scale mock-up,
which revealed for the first time some of
the modifications made to the airframe. The
most prominent external differences were
a new one-piece windshield, additional
pylons below the air intake under the
centre fuselage for various kinds of pods,
new pylons under each outer wing for
PL-8 AAMs, a re-profiled wing without the

This photo: A JH-7As from the 31st Air

Regiment at Siping gets airborne during
exercise ‘Peace Mission 2013’.
Dimitry Pichugin

Top left and left: Fitted with additional

hardpoints and with an increased
maximum take-off weight, the JH-7A can
carry up to four advanced YJ-83K anti-ship
(top) or YJ-91 anti-radar missiles (left).

Bottom left: This JH-7A carries a pair of

KD-88 air-launched land-attack cruise
missiles (LACMs), developed from the
YJ-83.

68 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

wing fences, and two large fins under the completed by late 2003 or early 2004 and the Conclusion
rear fuselage instead of the old central fin. JH-7A entered service in mid-2004. During In recent years the JH-7 has finally gained
Besides the PL-8, the new YJ-83K ASM and early 2005 a picture showing a PLAAF JH-7A momentum as a program with acceptance
the YJ-91 anti-radiation missile were carried, confirmed the earlier rumors that there had not only from the PLANAF but also the
reflecting an enhanced capability to launch been renewed interest in the aircraft from the PLAAF, and it is currently in operational
precision strikes using anti-radar missiles, Air Force. Unlike the naval use with 10 regiments. The main reason
long-range missiles and laser-guided bombs. JH-7As, the PLAAF machines wear a behind this success is the aircraft’s ability to
Other less visible changes are even more somewhat darker medium blue-gray color carry a wide range of weapons, especially
important, since the JH-7A features a new scheme with yellow serials below the indigenous stores compatible with Chinese
databus and INS/GPS system, a new tandem cockpit instead of red serials on the intake. avionics. Engineers at both XAC and XAE
‘glass’ cockpit with an improved head-up have done much to develop a functioning
display and a new dual-redundant digital Electronic warfare weapons system and make the aircraft, its
FBW system. The re-designed wing structure In parallel to the improved JH-7A, XAC avionics and engines airworthy and reliable.
and especially the tail section incorporate actively studied the development of an Despite still being relatively underpowered
significant amounts of composite materials electronic warfare (EW) variant from in comparison to more modern types, the
and modern alloys. This has resulted in a 1998 in order to replace the Harbin HD-5. JH-7 is reportedly superior to the Russian
reduced empty weight while also permitting Nothing more was heard about this for Sukhois at low altitude. This performance is
an increased maximum take-off weight. several years until finally in March 2008 just made possible by the impressive JL-10A radar
Following design finalization around such a version was unveiled. More recent with its terrain-following capability, aided by
2000-01, six prototypes were built, and information has confirmed its ability to carry the use of external navigation and K/JDC-01
the first example, numbered 811, made a large EW jamming pods below the wings. targeting pods. These systems now allow the
successful maiden flight on July 1, 2002. So far three different types of pod have aircraft to operate in all weathers and at night.
This was followed by four more machines been identified, each with slightly different As such, for the PLAAF, traditionally weak in
numbered 812 to 815, each identified by an antennas in front and at the rear. The specific the interdictor-strike role, the JH-7 represents
individual color scheme. Little is known aircraft carrying these pods do not appear a welcome boost to front-line capability while
about the flight-testing but it must have to represent a new version of the JH-7, and the PLANAF, so long reliant on obsolescent
progressed relatively smoothly. One of the currently no weapons such as anti-radiation types, now has a real and potent long-range
few facts to become public was a test of missiles have been noted aboard the aircraft maritime strike aircraft. According to the
the YJ-83K missile in November 2003 over at the same time. Instead, it seems as if the latest reports, a further improved version
Bohai Bay off northern China, where — pod-carrying aircraft operate as ‘hunters’ referred to as the JH-7B made its maiden flight
according to a US intelligence report — a with other examples carrying ARMs acting in late 2012 to begin yet another new lease of
range of 250km was noted. Flight-testing was as ‘killers’. life for the ‘Flying Leopard’.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 69

O
n January 27, 1991 a an emergency landing at Shah-abad, located IrIaF Su-24 technicians began the first such
first group of Iraqi air Force 230km south-west of TFB.3. On landing, effort to that end in 1993, concurrent with
(IraF) Sukhoi Su-22s sought 22533 collided with a pole, and although both work on two damaged Su-24MKs that also
refuge in Iran. Soon after crew ejected the pilot was killed. took place at TFB.3. These initial efforts were
the start of Coalition strikes More than 140 Iraqi aircraft, including unsuccessful, since the personnel were not
against IraF air bases, most fighters, fighter-bombers, heavy transports trained to maintain the Su-22s and also lacked
of the airworthy Su-22s from nos 44 and 109 and civil airliners were re-located to Iran to the required technical manuals.
Squadrons flew to al-Bakr air base where safeguard them against Coalition forces. Most a team of ukrainian technical advisors
they joined the locally based Su-22s of no were gathered at three IrIaF bases: TFB.3, offered to make all of the Su-22s operational
69 Squadron, IraF. Following a decision by TFB.2 Tabriz, and TFB.4 Vahdati. at first the for $10 million apiece, as well as providing
Saddam Hussein, most of Iraq’s operational IrIaF HQ considered all the refugee aircraft technical data and training for the technicians
aircraft were sent to Iran for safekeeping as ‘guests’, and Islamic republic of Iran air necessary to maintain the aircraft after
during and after Operation ‘Desert Storm’. Force (IrIaF) technicians were tasked only to restoration. The IrIaF was unable to pay
Over the ensuing days, 15 other Su-22s took keep them in good condition until their return the $100 million required for 10 aircraft, and
refuge there. to Iraq. With the end of the war, Iraq sent four instead the IrIaF’s Deputy of Self-Sufficiency
Most of the IraF Su-22 pilots were Su-25 pilots from Tammuz air base to Iran for was tasked to restore the initial 10 jets without
experienced, and were familiar with flying evaluation of the aircraft in February 1991. external help. IrIaF technicians began
over Iran from the Iran-Iraq War. The However, the IrIaF refused them access to the work in 1994 and prepared 10 Su-22s.
Su-22uMs were usually flown as leaders for the Iraqi assets. The Iraqi markings had soon unverified information claims that the IrIaF
the formation flights, with the navigator of been replaced with those of the IrIaF and paid $1 million to some ukrainian technicians
each ‘refugee’ Su-22 group sitting in the aft all received IrIaF-standard serial numbers, for assistance and delivery of maintenance
cockpit of the dual-seat ‘Fitter’. although the ending with ‘M’ (an abbreviation of ‘Mehman’, manuals to help make the three Su-22uM4Ks
Iraqi pilots had previously been tasked with meaning ‘guest’). and seven Su-22M4Ks ready for flight. after
several close support and strike missions after several requests from IrIaF personnel several ground tests and fast taxi runs by
over Iran, the transit nonetheless posed and commanders, the IrIaF HQ permitted a IrIaF Su-24 pilots, it was judged that the
problems. They were tasked to land at the 3rd change in the operational status of the Iraqi Su-22s were unsafe. nevertheless, the IrIaF
Tactical Fighter Base (TFB.3) nojeh (formerly aircraft, and they formally came into Iranian HQ insisted that the Su-22s still be restored.
Shahrokhi) and most were carrying PTB-800 possession in July 1993, whereupon the In a period of six months, the 10 Su-22s
external fuel tanks. However, some of the IrIaF began several technical, operational were re-located to their new home base at
solo Su-22 pilots faced fuel shortages and and combat evaluations of the former Iraqi TFB.7 Dowran. The pilot of the first aircraft
performed emergency landings at the Shah- aircraft. The 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron’s recounted to the author his story of the initial
abad highway strip or on TFB.3’s emergency Technical Group brought the Su-24MKs ferry flight: ‘I was familiar with Su-22 flight
strips. at least six made forced landings and into IrIaF service with help from ukrainian characteristics since our training in the uSSr;
four of these aircraft suffered serious damage advisors. Il-76s at Tabriz and Shiraz became because of unavailability of Su-24 simulators
to their structure and skin. among them was operational with ukrainian assistance. we had been flown with Su-22 simulators
Su-22uM4K (a designation sometimes applied The branch of the IrIaF’s Deputy of Self- in the first months of our training. Col Q
to six Su-22uM3Ks equipped with full Su- Sufficiency at TFB.3 worked on the Iraqi and myself had volunteered to do all of the
22M4K avionics to be used for SEaD and deep Mirage F1s, while the IrIaF HQ also wanted ferry flights. I made at least 10 fast taxies and
strike in IraF service) serial 22533 that made to be able to operate all of the Iraqi Su-22s. several brake tests and engine run-ups before

More than 20 years after the arrival of 40 Iraqi Air Force Su-22
‘Fitters’ in Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force now plans to
bring at least two squadrons of the swing-wing fighter-bombers
into service, and a related series of contracts has been signed
between the IRIAF and both domestic and Russian companies.
report and photos: Babak Taghvaee

70 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

the ferry flight. After take-off, an F-4E from the refurbished. The aircraft was prepared for IRIAF to operate them as strike aircraft is
31st TFS was flying with me as leader just for engine run-up but quality controllers within considered very important. The jets’ IFF
navigational aid between TFB.3 and TFB.7. TFB.7’s Deputy of Inspection and Safety and navigation systems will also receive
The canopy of the airplane was not really branch detected several technical faults, these some minor upgrades during the process.
sealed and the airplane was wobbling and being the result of poor-quality maintenance. The IRIAF has meanwhile started a Su-22
affecting stability. I decided not to participate The project was stopped once again. transition course for existing F-7 and Su-24
in further Su-22 ferry flights and Col Q (at that pilots. The Self-Sufficiency Group has begun
time still a Major) did all of the flights.’ …and final decision work on construction of a Su-22 simulator
The ferry flights took place in 1994, but In 2007 the IRIAF signed several contracts using the front section of one of the airframes
in the same year the IRIAF lost many of its with IACI (Iranian Aircraft Industries) stored at Dushan Tappeh airfield (in 1998,
experienced personnel. This continued in relating to the modernization or life the Self-Sufficiency Group moved two
the years that followed as a result of purges extension of its fighters and fighter-bombers. damaged and two intact Su-22s from TFB.3
designed to reduce the power of the air arm. However, the IRIAF HQ still considered to Dushan Tappeh for evaluation and
The IRIAF faced several ‘gaps’ in its aircraft IACI unable to restore the Su-22s to FMC research, one being Su-22M4K serial 22635
maintenance. A program for the completion condition. Finally, in April 2012, the IRIAF which suffered a hard landing on TFB.3’s
of Su-22 restorations was launched at Shiraz delivered two Su-22s (one single-seater runway on January 27, 1991).
but was cancelled in 1995 due to a lack of and one two-seater) to IACI for evaluation Most of the ‘refugee’ Su-22s came to Iran
experienced technicians. The number of fully and tests. The air force then decided to with their external fuel tanks fitted (largely
mission-capable (FMC) or even airworthy sign a contract with Pars Aviation, an PTB-800s) as well as weapons launchers and
aircraft and helicopters within the IRIAF fell MRO center that is a part of the Islamic pylons. In the near future, the Su-22s will
from an average of 70 per cent to 45 per cent Revolutionary Guard Corps Air and Space use the same armament as the Su-24MKs
in 2000. Until 2005 it proved very hard for the Force (IRGCASF). Pars Aviation is the of the 72nd TFS. They will carry laser- and
IRIAF to recover its technical capability. In most experienced maintenance facility TV-guided Kh-29 and Kh-25 air-to-ground
that year the Mehrabad Overhaul Center was for Russian-made aircraft in Iran, and the missiles, together with R-60MK air-to-
re-established, and gradually all the IRIAF’s air quality of its maintenance was proven after air missiles for self-defense, and several
base technical centers became able to carry out the domestic overhaul of five Su-25Ks and types of iron bombs and rocket launchers.
domestic overhauls of their aircraft. three Su-25UBKs in 2011 and 2012. Two Su- According to IRIAF contracts, the IRGCASF
22UM4Ks and two Su-22M4Ks were initially should restore 12 Su-22s by the end of 2015,
Second attempt… taken by road from TFB.3 to Pars Aviation allowing the re-forming of the 71st TFS
In 2007, the IRIAF Deputy of Operations in Tehran. Another batch consisting of one at TFB.7. The second and third groups of
permitted TFB.6 and TFB.7 to begin the more Su-22M4K and a Su-22UM4K was sent Su-22s (25 aircraft in total) will be ready
domestic overhaul of the F-4E and Su-24MK to Tehran from TFB.7 in May 2013. by 2020. Delivery of the first restored Su-
fleets. In 2008, while a first Su-24MK (serial During a press conference on October 1, 22UM4K is scheduled for January 2014 and
3-6801) was chosen for overhaul, Su-22UM4K 2013, Amir-Ali Haji-Zadeh, the IRGCASF a second (a Su-22M4K) in March. Both are
serial 3-6957 was also selected for restoration. commander-in-chief, announced that his now painted in the Asia Minor II camouflage
The aircraft received new four-tone desert force was now able to overhaul Su-22s. pattern and they will initially serve with the
camouflage during its overhaul at the IRIAF According to the IRIAF contract with Pars 72nd TFS. After the supply of four further
HQ at Dushan Tappeh airfield, in the course Aviation, 12 Su-22s should be restored examples in 2014, these will be used to re-
of which its Lyulka AL-21F-3 engine was also to FMC condition, and the ability of the establish the 71st TFS as planned.

Far left: The 72nd TFS began work to restore

3-6957 in 2007, and it received a new four-tone
desert camouflage scheme. After fast-taxiing
and engine run-ups, engineers detected several
technical problems and the planned restoration
was stopped. This jet is now awaiting work at
Shiraz.

Left: The cockpit of Su-22M4K 3-6910. Statistics

from the Deputy of Support and Logistics indicate
that 23 single-seat Su-22M4Ks together with 12
dual-seat Su-22UMs were available for overhaul
at TFB.3 and TFB.7 in 2012.

Below: Su-22M4K 3-6910 was one of 10 examples

restored and re-located to TFB.7 by the mid-
1990s. The Deputy Director of Operations at
TFB.7, an F-4E pilot, subsequently ordered this
color scheme to be applied. Now this Su-22 is in
the queue for refurbishment by Pars Aviation.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 71

ExErcisE REpoRt

UKRAINIAN WAR GAMES

As it does every September, the Ukrainian Air Force staged a large-scale exercise this year, the latest
such maneuvers drawing front-line units to the base of Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine.
report: Alexander Golz

W
hile the focus of and air defense systems) were involved. the hectares) while flying from their home base.
the exercise has aviation component consisted of 20 the active phase of the exercise began with
traditionally been on fixed-wing aircraft, 12 helicopters, 17 air aerial reconnaissance, a su-24MR of the 7th
air-to-air missile defense systems and two VR-3 Rejs uAVs. A
AVs. tABr overflying the range at an altitude of
t
live-firing campaigns Among the units involved was the 114th 200m. it performed evasive maneuvers and
by MiG-29 and su-27 tactical Aviation Brigade (t
t tABr), home based dropped flares to defeat air defense units.
fighters, primarily using the air bases at at ivano-frankivsk under the command of After target information was received,
Belbek and Kirovskoe, a new challenge col sergii
ergii Mykolaiovych Golubtsov
Golubtsov. the su-24M bombers from the same unit soon hit
awaited the ukrainian pilots this fall, as they 114th Brigade today comprises the backbone the detected targets.
were required to demonstrate their of the air defenses of western ukraine,
interaction with other types of weapons such equipped with the MiG-29. it was reinforced Ground support
as tanks and artillery. Accordingly, almost all by MiG-29s from nearby Belbek (204th tABr)t the overarching theme was the use of
the active combat aircraft units of the and su-27s from Mirgorod (831st t tABr) in fighter-bombers in support of ground troops.
ukrainian Air force sent equipment to the central ukraine, as well as aircraft from Accordingly, the impressive flightline at
base at ivano-frankivsk, near lviv, for the ozernoe in the north of the country (9th ivano-frankivsk included eight su-25s from
three-week exercise ‘Autumn exam 2013’, independent t tactical Aviation squadron). the 299th ttABr at Nikolaev, which entered
the objective of which was to assess the During the exercise, 74 missions (with a total the fray soon after the su-24s had hit their
effectiveness of the command of military flying time of 111.5 hours) were conducted targets. the ground-attack aircraft were
units in joint operations. from this airfield. live firings saw the tasked with destroying enemy strongholds
the scenario saw the ukrainian Army and employment of 136 bombs, guided and and other positions, with the su-25s and
Air force tasked with putting down an unguided air-to-ground weapons. su-25M1s operating in pairs and flights. the
armed conflict on the national border. starokonstantinov is today the single home aircraft employed s-25 heavy unguided
combined forces, including mechanized and base for the su-24M and MR in ukraine. missiles and bombs. Pairs of su-27s covered
airmobile units of the ukrainian Army, the since these possess considerably greater strikes by the attack aircraft, and airborne
Air force and Air Defense units, operated range than the other assets, they were able to electronic warfare systems were used for
jointly and in close co-operation. More than reach the firing range at the Yavoriv radar suppression of hostile air defenses.
1,700 military personnel and 400 pieces of international Peacekeeping and security After strikes by the attack aircraft and
equipment (aircraft, tanks, combat vehicles t
training center (near lviv, total area 36,153 further reconnaissance sorties, it was time for

72 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 While the
Su-27s from
Mirgorod are regular
visitors to airshows
in Western Europe, the
examples from Ozernoe are
still rarely seen in action. Due
to its smaller complement of
aircraft, the 9th Independent
Tactical Aviation Squadron is
the sole unit in the Ukrainian
Air Force not designated as a
brigade. Gen Vasyl’ Nikiforov,
deputy commander of the
Ukrainian Air Force, demonstrated
the prowess of the Su-27 with an
impressive display for the observers
at Ivano-Frankivsk.

The bomb-carrying ability of

the Su-24M remains impressive.
This example was bombed up
for public presentation at its
Starokonstantinov base during
the exercise. Its load comprises
100kg FAB-100 free-fall bombs,
from a total permissible load of
38 such weapons.

Above: Three upgraded

Su-25M1s in pixellated
camouflage were present
at Ivano-Frankivsk, as
well as standard examples
(as depicted here). They
undertook a three-week
deployment from their base at
Nikolaev. Bort 02 is armed with
free-fall bombs outboard and
S-25 rocket pods (expended).

Army Aviation to enter the fray. Flights of ‘Wounded’ soldiers were flown out on a provision is made for the use of new
Mi-24s and Mi-8MTs attacked hostile specially-equipped medical evacuation Mi-8 R-27ET1 and R-27ER1 missiles from
positions on the front line and nearby helicopter, which was also used for the Ukrainian production, with a range of 95km.
reserves using guided and unguided missiles delivery and replenishment of ammunition The Su-25 unit from Nikolaev brought with
and bombs. for the airborne units. After the successful it most of the latest updated examples of the
Meanwhile, enemy anti-aircraft batteries completion of their mission the airborne type. Currently, upgrade programs are under
were targeted with volleys of fire from detachments were embarked in Mi-8s that way in Ukraine for almost all types of
Uragan multiple rocket systems, and hostile left the scene, again escorted by Mi-24s. combat aircraft. The first such Su-25s, which
infantry and tanks were hit by BM-21 Grad The activities of the ground forces and receive the suffix M1 in their designation,
rockets and by self-propelled artillery. This assault operations were covered by Su-27s have been delivered with the latest
prepared the scene for a tactical airborne on combat air patrols, in the course of which ‘pixellated’ camouflage.
landing by two flights of Mi-8MT helicopters they engaged in combat with pairs of In addition to new avionics, for the
that deployed two airmobile companies at MiG-29s. upgraded Su-25 improvements to day and
the enemy’s rear. They were escorted and night operational capability are also in the
covered by a flight of Mi-24 gunships. Upgrade progress foreground. The targeting system now uses
The airborne troops were inserted by While the MiG-29 is now being modernized digitally-based technology from Ukrainian
rappelling, while the helicopters put down to MU1 standard at the state-operated aircraft company Orion Navigazia. Accuracy is thus
suppressive small arms fire and the Mi-24s works in Lviv, the Su-25 and Su-27 fleets are increased by 30 per cent and the time over
employed their cannon and missiles. An being upgraded at the MiGremont works in target can be significantly reduced.
Il-76 and two An-26s then dropped a Zaporozhye (see Combat Aircraft March 7th TABr Su-24Ms also carried out live
paratrooper unit. After the landing, the 2013). All the modernization programs firing of guided and unguided air-to-ground
assault companies and paratroopers attacked involve the installation of new navigation weapons at the Povursk firing range in the
enemy forces, captured their objective and equipment, compatible with GPS and Volyn’sky region. Despite bad weather, crews
held it until the main forces appeared. GLONASS. Furthermore, new radios are conducted 32 missions with a total flight
In order to simulate action by enemy provided to meet ICAO requirements. In the time of over 40 hours on September 12 and
aircraft, MiG-29s dropped SAB-250-200 flare case of the MiG-29, the radar’s detection 17. During ‘Autumn Exam’, the 7th TABr
bombs. The aerial targets were destroyed by range is increased by 20 per cent, extending flew a total of 48 missions (flying time 48.5
Tunguska and Strela-10 air defense systems. to 100km in the frontal sector. Accordingly, hours) and 116 live firings.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 73

72-73 Ukraine Exercise V2 C.indd 73 21/11/2013 16:06

 R
evealed only Recently,
the incident happened last
March 12 when two american
F-22 Raptor pilots came upon
two Iranian F-4 Phantom
II crews over international
waters high above the Persian Gulf.
the Phantom crews were being vectored
on a ground control intercept (GcI) to engage
a US MQ-1B Predator, one of many drones
that have been active in the Middle east.
american officials are working hard to get
a better ‘fix’ on Iran’s nuclear development
program and regard robot aircraft as a vital
tool for intelligence-gathering. officials
won’t say whether the Predators, MQ-9a
Reapers or RQ-170 Sentinels are overflying
sovereign Iranian airspace, which would
violate the law of armed conflict (loac)
and justify an intercept by the Iranians. It’s
not clear whether the Iranian fighter crews
intended to shoot down the Predator or
were merely making air-to-air contact as a
precaution.
air Staff officials in the Pentagon prefer the
term remotely piloted aircraft (RPa) for these
modern-era flying machines. one colonel
appears to have an almost full-time job
twisting arms to persuade the press to use
the letters RPa, never mind that outside the
air Force the official US government term is
unmanned aerial systems (UaS). congress,
press, public, and nearly all airmen from the
flightline to the back shops call them drones.
It was the first encounter between an the ‘d-word’ is here to stay.
F-22 Raptor and a potential adversary. It Not ‘Fighter Attack’
happened in a tense, high-stakes situation that’s not the only problem the air Force
has with terminology. the F-22 is the most
where a confrontation easily could have advanced air-to-air fighter in a world where
escalated into conflict. But what is the truth air-to-air combat is rare. For several years, in
an effort to make the Raptor more palatable
behind the much-hyped incident? to purse-string holders in congress,
Pentagon officials promoted the Raptor as a
‘fighter attack’ aircraft and designated it
report: Robert F. Dorr F/a-22. they got the idea from the US

This photo: Lt Col Kevin Sutterfield flies with Air Force Reserve
Command’s 302nd Fighter Squadron, 477th Fighter Group, from
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Sutterfield is the F-22 Raptor
pilot who engaged Iranian F-4E Phantom IIs last March 12. USAF

Top right: Lt Col Kevin ‘Showtime’ Sutterfield, the F-22 pilot who
intercepted Iranian F-4E Phantom IIs, is seen as a major being
greeted by maintainer MSgt Ernie Kunde during a 2011 aviation
trade show in Alaska. USAF/Maj Lisa Reaver

74 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet, but the Raptor was
never really intended for air-to-ground duty,
and the fiction was dropped in 2006 by
then-chief of staff Gen T. Michael Moseley.
Almost as soon as the ‘A’ went away, an
inquiring press wanted to know why the
much-hyped, money-grubbing F-22 hadn’t
seen combat. No Raptor had fought in Iraq.
No Raptor had fought in Afghanistan. No,
there was no prospect of air combat in either
of those places, but that didn’t keep critics
from carping. Having been sold on a single-
mission fighter that was ‘fifth-generation’
— a meaningless term crafted by clever
industry marketers — the buyer, meaning
Congress and the US public, wanted the
fighter to fight.
In 2009, F-22s deployed to Al Dhafra
Air Base in the United Arab Emirates
for training. The base is about 200 miles
(322km) or just a few minutes’ flying time
from Iranian soil. It has two asphalt runways
fully 12,000ft in length.
In 2011, half a dozen F-22s deployed to Belarus in addition to its older and more 2012. A widely published report says the
the Gulf Air Warfare Center at Al Dhafra to familiar, Soviet-era SA-5 and SA-6 systems, Su-25s fired on the MQ-1B and missed.
participate in an exercise. In Iran, both F-22 as well as a number of indigenously- Into this tense climate came the third F-22
deployments were viewed as provocative developed SAMs, including the Sayyad, a deployment to the Middle East, this time in
by a regime that has fighters of its own — re-working of the SA-2. 2013, almost certainly to Al Dhafra again,
F-4 Phantom IIs and F-14A Tomcats among All of these defenses, of course, are although officials refuse to confirm the
others, maintained despite the absence of even more effective against slow-moving location.
an official supply line for spare parts and drones than against the F-22. The RQ-170 This one was a little different. Lt Col Kevin
logistics. If the United States wanted to is assumed to have low-observables, or ‘Showtime’ Sutterfield, a pilot with the Air
deter Iran from steering its nuclear research stealth, properties, but can’t be considered Force Reserve’s 302nd Fighter Squadron,
toward developing The Bomb, one Iranian invulnerable to fighters or SAMs. 477th Fighter Group, wrote a white paper
official said, putting the high-end F-22 into These defenses are kept at a high standard that was widely circulated in the Pentagon
theater wasn’t the way to do it. Even some of readiness and Iranian forces are generally and in combatant commands arguing
moderate Iranians see the US deployments credited with good logistics and training. against the need for large force packages and
as needless, in-your-face provocations. They’re part of a larger picture that includes emphasizing what Sutterfield called ‘a way
In addition to fighters, Iran has integrated militants in Tehran arguing for a more to generate and [rapidly] move small cells of
air defenses that include advanced, mobile aggressive posture toward the West and a fifth-generation jets’ unencumbered by huge
surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities of vast population of enlightened, educated numbers of tankers and airlifters. It was a
Russian origin like the Tor-M1 short-ranged Iranian moderates who want to improve blueprint for a nimble, rapid response force,
system, with a maximum effective range of relations with the outside world. optimized for a real-world, short-notice crisis.
about 15 miles (24km). Some sources report, With tensions at a constant high in the Sutterfield’s no-frills method of
not with a lot of credibility, that Iran has region, Iranian Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack putting Raptors overseas was tested in
modern S-300 SAM systems acquired from jets intercepted a Predator in November joint exercises at Joint Base Elmendorf-

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 75

Richardson, Alaska, in August 2013. The called them and said, ‘You really ought to go this was the first time the Iranians had met
group commander praised Sutterfield’s home.’’ an F-22 up close. Hostage also revealed
‘experience, longevity as a Reservist and It’s difficult to know whether to take the that he has personally flown F-22 missions
innovative thought’ — and then, Sutterfield tale literally. Did the F-22 flight leader know over the Persian Gulf during air combat
led the deployment. the Iranians’ radio frequency? Did he really exercises. ‘That’s the first time the Iranians
And then came the incident. talk to them? Did they hear him? Might they have [met the F-22] that I know of’, Hostage
have regarded Sutterfield’s intervention as told a reporter; as to whether they had seen
Intimidating the Iranians behaving a little too much like a nanny? the type up close before, ‘you’ll have to go
They came together high over the Arabian Did the stealth capability of the F-22 ask the Iranians’. As to whether they had
Sea. Escorting the Predator at a distance was really enable Sutterfield to sneak up on previously met the F-22, Hostage said, ‘I’m
the pair of F-22s, led by Sutterfield. the Iranians without being detected, even pretty sure they wouldn’t know’. ‘That’s
Gen Mark Welsh, Air Force chief of staff, visually? One advantage of the two-crew F-4 one of the neat things about the F-22; rarely
later told the story at a September trade is that it provides an extra pair of eyes in do the bad guys even know they’re there.’
conference. Pentagon press spokesman the back seat. Meanwhile, the entire area is Combat Aircraft requested a telephone
George Little provided a separate version. covered with a variety of radars, including interview with Welsh. The chief of staff
Said Welsh: ‘Did you see the news clip not several types of metric-wave radars rigged was out of town and his public affairs
long ago about Iranian F-4s that intercepted to detect such aircraft as the F-22. One officer was unable to accommodate the
a remotely piloted aircraft out of the Arabian long-term Iran observer noted that, at worst, request in time for our deadline.
Gulf and then they were warned off? This the incident probably served to allow the Some F-22 boosters will undoubtedly take
is the guy who warned ’em off’. Welsh Iranian military to calibrate their radars. pleasure in the thought of an American
introduced Sutterfield to a large audience With an F-22 in their sights, their radar superfighter putting the Iranians to shame.
gathered in the auditorium. ‘He flew under operators could thus determine what their But it isn’t clear that the mid-air encounter
their aircraft to check out their weapons load systems can see, and what they cannot. was as one-sided as Welsh implies. The
without them knowing that he was there and Gen Mike Hostage, in charge of Air Iranians probably could have summoned
then pulled up on their left wing and then Combat Command, told a trade journal that plenty of help while the Americans might

76 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 ‘Budget-cutting
has reduced
mission-
capable rates
and readiness
on the part of
all US combat
squadrons
worldwide and
the F-22 remains
largely unproven,
so this may not
be the ideal time
for boasting’

have been unable to do so. Should Iran sending a militant message. But the Raptor
have wanted to shoot down the drone as a pilot’s gentle nudge — ‘go home’ — will be
‘warning’, they probably would have; after regarded by others as a clueless metaphor
all, they’ve done it in the past. for the way many in the Middle East and
Several Pentagon officers told CA they North Africa feel about the US military
view gloating about US military prowess presence in the part of the world where
as being in bad taste. Both Welsh and they live and Americans don’t. Many
Hostage used the term ‘bad guys’ for the Iranians believe the Americans ought to go Above: The intercept incident was clearly
Iranians and implied that they were duped home. a huge morale-booster for the F-22 force.
by the high-tech F-22. But budget-cutting It was the Predator and the F-22s that were Jamie Hunter
has reduced mission-capable rates (MCRs) behaving aggressively and the F-4s that
Top left: An F-22 pilot takes on fuel from
and readiness on the part of all US combat were playing defense. Their rendezvous a KC-135R. The Raptor fleet is quietly
squadrons worldwide and the F-22 remains transpired over international waters where deploying regularly to hotspots around
largely unproven, so this may not be the everyone has a right to be, but we don’t the world. USAF
ideal time for boasting. The 186 F-22s in know whether the drone penetrated Iranian
inventory today have MCRs of 69 per cent airspace because officials won’t tell us. Far left: Retired Lt Col James Warren (left),
— mediocre, at best — and cost $68,362 The tale of Sutterfield’s F-22 stealthily a Tuskegee Airman, chats with Major
per hour to operate. Long-time US defense out-foxing a pair of Iranian F-4 crews is a (later, Lt Col) Kevin ‘Showtime’ Sutterfield
analyst Chuck Myers told CA the United terrific feel-good story (and rightly so) for during a 2009 meeting in Alaska.
States is, ‘headed toward token Air Forces those who fly and maintain the magnificent USAF/Maj Cary McPartlin
that will fly little and will be irrelevant for Raptor. But it’s not clear that this milestone Above left: Iran still operates the F-4E
most any serious conflict.’ event changed anything in a continuing, Phantom II in significant numbers. These
To those who want to stare down Iran complex Middle East stand-off where the jets have received a number of Chinese-
and deter nuclear ambitions, the brief solution will come not from a nannying originated upgrades in recent years.
air-to-air encounter can be interpreted as radio call but through diplomacy. Babak Taghvaee

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 77

 This photo: Two upgraded Tornado
IDS jets of 6° Stormo. The lead aircraft
carries a single MBDA Storm Shadow
cruise missile under the fuselage.
Italian Air Force/Troupe Azzurra

Inset: Final pre-flight checks being

undertaken by a two-man Tornado
ECR crew from the ‘Black Panthers’
before taxiing out at Piacenza.
Mathias Gräge

78 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 T
Combat Aircraft visited he iniTial iTalian
iT Panavia
the two remaining Tornado prototype made its
maiden flight on December
Italian Tornado wings, 5, 1975, and the first of 100
6° Stormo at Ghedi and Tornado iDS (interdictor/
Strike) aircraft for the italian
50° Stormo at Piacenza, air Force (aeronautica Militare) was
to examine the current rolled out six years later. italy’s initial
order amounted to 87 iDS and 12 iDS-T
state of the Aeronautica dual-control trainers, plus one re-worked
Militare Tornado fleet, and production prototype. Following on from
that, the inaugural flight of a series-built
discovered a combat- italian
talian T
Tornado took place in Turin on
proven force well prepared September 25, 1981, while the first unit to
receive the new machine was 1° Reparto
for the next decade of Manutenzione Velivoli at Cameri, which
operations. accepted serial MM7003 on May 17, 1982.
Survivors of the original 100-aircraft order
aside, the aeronautica Militare employs
the Tornado eCR (electronic Combat and
report: Mathias Grägel Reconnaissance) version. Sixteen of the
original iDS aircraft were converted to
this standard, the first being delivered on
February 27, 1998. The eCR is used for
suppression of enemy air defenses (SeaD).
The aeronautica Militare currently
operates 62 iDS machines and 16 eCRs.
Once, the aeronautica Militare boasted three
Tornado wings, but today these have been
reduced to just one each of the iDS and eCR
variants.

6° Stormo ‘Diavoli Rossi’

6° Stormo ‘Diavoli Rossi’ (‘Red Devils’) has
three flying squadrons and today represents
the main ‘hub’ of Tornado activity in italy.
taly
taly.
With two combat-proven operational
squadrons and the operational conversion

Col Luigi del Bene, CO of 6° Stormo ‘Diavoli

Rosso’. He has notched up over 3,200 hours
in types including the F-104G and S-ASA
Starfighter, MB339 and Tornado. Mathias Grägel

unit (OCU) for the Tornado in italy, 6°

Stormo is the largest fast jet unit within
the italian air Force. The wing hosts the
entire italian
talian T
Tornado iDS fleet at Ghedi air
base near Brescia, having received its first
operational example in august
ugust 1982. T
Today
three squadrons (Gruppi) are assigned,
namely 102° Gruppo ‘Paperi’ (‘Ducks’), 154°
Gruppo ‘Diavoli Rossi’ (‘Red Devils’), and
156° Gruppo ‘le linci’ (‘lynx’).
l
lynx’).
While 102° Gruppo is responsible for the
training role as the italian
talian T
Tornado OCU,
the other two Gruppi are operational units
that share the same fighter-bomber mission.
154° Gruppo also embodies a reconnaissance
capability. During 1993 102° Gruppo joined
6° Stormo when it transferred from the
meanwhile disbanded 5° Stormo at Rimini.
July 2008 saw 156° Gruppo being transferred
to Ghedi and placed under the command of

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 79

 A 6° Stormo Tornado on the
flightline at Ghedi. Mathias Grägel

A 154° Gruppo ‘Red Devils’ crew

talks through the route plans
for a mission. Mathias Grägel

This Tornado IDS is an upgraded example.

The RET 7 phase of the MLU introduced
new multi-function display screens and
HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) flight
controls. Mathias Grägel

6° Stormo, having ceased to be part of 36°

Stormo at Gioia del Colle.

50° Stormo
All Italy’s Tornado ECRs are assigned to
50° Stormo based at San Damiano near
Piacenza. The wing’s only squadron is
the 155° Gruppo ETS (Electronic Warfare
Tactical Suppression) ‘Pantere Nere’ (‘Black
Panthers’). The Italian Air Force’s SAM-
busting specialists are dedicated to the
complex SEAD role as their primary mission.
They are a rare breed within NATO these
days, with SEAD squadrons being few and
far between. Consequently, in the event of a
complex conflict emerging, they would be in
high demand. Tackling enemy air defenses
is a risky mission, with the Tornado ECR
calling upon the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar
missile to punish enemy emitters.

Afghanistan and Libya

From November 2008 to December 2009,
6° Stormo’s Task Group ‘Devil’ was engaged
in the Afghan theater, flying from Mazar
e-Sharif. There its main task was the
provision of reconnaissance support for
ground forces on behalf of the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Both Italian Tornado wings were detached
to Trapani in Sicily between the end of
February 2011 and that October. From this
base, they operated initially in support of
Operation ‘Odyssey Dawn’ and then, from
This Tornado IDS is carrying a Thomson CLDP (Convertible Laser April 5, Operation ‘Unified Protector’ in
Designation Pod) pod which can be used in conjunction with compliance with UN Resolutions 1970 and
Paveway II and III laser-guided bombs. Mathias Grägel 1973, aimed at defending the Libyan people
against repression by Col Gaddafi’s forces.

80 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 group’s aerial embargo of Tripoli, employing HARM Block IIIA missile, the unit joined
the Reccelite pod and precision weapons. the ‘HARM Firing Campaign’ at China Lake,
Moreover, on May 16, 2011 the Storm California in September 2002. Since 2002
Shadow missile was launched for the first 155° Gruppo has engaged in international
time over Libya by an Italian Tornado, in the exercises such as ELITE, ‘Spartan Hammer’,
hands of a crew from 154° Gruppo. and ‘Noble Ardent’, and in June 2010 it
Aeronautica Militare combat assets — the deployed to Eielson Air Force Base to join
Tornado IDS initially, and then also the AMX the ‘Red Flag Alaska’ and ‘Distant Frontier’
and unmanned Predator B — also carried out exercises. The ‘Black Panthers’ train over
extensive reconnaissance work during the the Polygone range in south-west Germany
Libyan campaign. In particular, for the more several times each year, operating from
than 1,600 reconnaissance targets assigned to German (Neuburg, Lechfeld) or Belgian
Col Giampaolo Schiavo, commander of 50° Italian aircraft, over 340,000 high-resolution (Florennes) air bases.
Stormo. He is a former exchange pilot with the
images were captured using the Reccelite In May 2013, 6° Stormo, 50° Stormo and
German Air Force and instructor pilot with 102°
Gruppo. Mathias Grägel pods toted by the Tornado and AMX. all other front-line Aeronautica Militare
units took part in Exercise ‘Star Vega 2013’
On exercise (Combat
Combat Aircraft August 2013), working
Following the outbreak of the Libyan crisis, Besides regular training to maintain their against modern asymmetric threats, in what
the Tornado ECRs of 50° Stormo were the capabilities, both wings have participated was the air arm’s most important exercise of
first Italian fighters to conduct operational in many high-value exercises. 6° Stormo is the year.
missions over mainland Libya as part of routinely involved in multi-national events
‘Odyssey Dawn’ and ‘Unified Protector’, including ‘Red Flag’, the TLP (Tactical Mid-Life Update
ensuring SEAD support to all coalition Leadership Program), ‘Anatolian Eagle’ In 2003 the Aeronautica Militare launched
aircraft. The ‘Black Panthers’ flew without (Turkey), ‘Autumn Flag’ (Romania), ‘Spring the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program for
interruption until the end of hostilities. Flag’ (the Italian Air Force’s main annual its Tornado fleet, in order to enhance the
Meanwhile, Tornado IDS from 6° Stormo exercise) and ‘Steadfast Noon’ (a NATO aircraft’s reliability and effectiveness, and
— along with AMX fighter-bombers from nuclear weapons handling exercise in allow it to remain in service until at least
32° Stormo at Amendola and 51° Stormo at Europe). In an environment of ever-changing, 2020. The first part of the three-phase MLU,
Istrana — carried out ground attack missions non-conventional threats, the contribution known as RET 6 (Retro Enabling Task),
to neutralize military targets assigned to such deployments make to the development was completed in 2006, and involved 18
them by the Allied Command. The sorties of new tactics and procedures is especially Tornado IDS being brought up to the MLU
were planned and carried out against pre- important. Today, 6° Stormo is also an 1st Upgrade standard. The first example was
determined military objectives (offensive element of the NATO Response Force (NRF). re-delivered in July 2003. Important changes
counter-air, OCA), or against ‘dynamic’ In June 2000, 155° Gruppo of 50° Stormo involved the introduction of a GPS receiver,
targets in areas where a concentration of became the first Italian squadron to land new navigation and communications
enemy assets was likely (strike co-ordination at Goose Bay, Canada, where pilots carried systems and integration of new weapons.
and reconnaissance, SCAR). The Tornado out very low-level training. With the ability The successive RET 7 contract (Basic
components played an active role in the task to use night vision goggles (NVGs) and the IT Full MLU configuration) marked the

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 81

 second step and involved 15 examples of
Tornado IdS/ECr produCTIon for ITaly the Tornado IDS (three of them being dual-
control trainers). At the end of July 2010, the
IDS IDS-T ECR* Total initial RET 7 aircraft flew for the first time
Refurbished 1 1 at Turin/Caselle and Alenia Aeronautica
Batch 2 10 5 15 delivered Tornado IS86 (serial MM7087)
Batch 3 23 5 28 to 6° Stormo at Ghedi on December 20,
2010. The remaining 14 RET 7 Tornados
Batch 4 27 27
were delivered by the end of 2012. Among
Batch 5 27 2 29 other things, the RET 7 contract introduced
Totals 88 12 (16) 100 new multi-function display screens and
* Converted from IDS HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) flight
controls, NVG capability, an emergency
locator transmitter, new Multi-Mode
Receiver (MMR) navigation equipment, an
Instrumented Landing System (ILS) function
added to the Microwave Landing System
(MLS), and the Multi-functional Information
Distribution System (MIDS), which allows
the aircraft to operate in a net-centric
environment.
These upgrades include the possibility
for automated target acquisition using
the Reccelite system, rendering the MLU
Tornados more effective during out-of-area
operations, where integration with allied
forces is vital. The work also takes in new
weapons in the form of the Storm Shadow
cruise missile, GPS-guided 1,000lb GBU-32
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), laser-
guided 2,000lb GBU-24 Paveway III, and
combined GPS/laser-guided EGBU-24.

Above: Italian Tornado ECRs are regular

participants in exercises, as here at ‘Elite 2008’
at Lechfeld AB, Germany. Mathias Grägel

This photo: A Tornado ECR of 155° Gruppo rolls

out of its hardened aircraft shelter at Piacenza.
Mathias Grägel

82 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

A first upgrade for the ECR electronic reconnaissance capacity, a crucial 7 and RET 8 configuration. The SDB is a
The third phase of the Italian Tornado component of the Tornado ECR, has also precision-guided glide munition. Annex
upgrade program, RET 8 (IT Full MLU), is been improved through new functionalities 27 covers three years of comprehensive
now under way. It covers a final batch of connected with threat identification and implementation activity plus flight-testing.
around 25 Tornados, including the ECRs. localization (Emitter Locator System multi- Integration of both weapons in a common
Alenia Aermacchi is technical and program ship ranging). software load with one unique Panavia
leader, in collaboration with BAE Systems Software changes allow the integration of Service Release Recommendation (PSRR)
and Cassidian. The industry team delivered new sensors and avionics systems and also is to be achieved by December 2015, the
an initial upgraded Tornado ECR in IT Full permit integration of a new version of the 36-month project having been launched in
MLU configuration during May 2013. AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile: the November 2012.
The aircraft upgrade includes several AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided All Panavia partner companies are
sub-systems and functionality additions Missile (AARGM). The upgraded jet is also involved in MET 27, but the work is led by
as well as modifications to the on-board capable of dropping GPS-guided JDAM Alenia Aermacchi in Italy and Cassidian at
systems, avionics equipment and mission weapons. Upgrades for the avionics and Manching, Germany. Cassidian previously
software. The Tornado ECR MLU features systems of the remaining Tornado ECRs are developed the similar ASSTA program
an integrated INS/GPS navigation system currently in progress and will be completed for the German Tornado fleet. After RET 8
supported by the MMR system for in early 2016, at which point the RET 8 and MET 27 have been completed by the
approaches and ILS blind landings. A program will be concluded. beginning of 2016 the Aeronautica Militare
new communications and identification will operate 58 updated Tornados, which it
system embodies the latest standards of The future anticipates flying until at least 2025.
secure communication as well as a data The MET 27 contract was signed between
transmission/reception capacity via datalink NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado
(MIDS/Link 16), which integrates TACAN Management Agency) and Panavia Aircraft Acknowledgments: The author would like
navigation functionalities. GmbH on February 21, 2013. It demonstrates to thank Capt Testa and Ten Col Brighel of
The pilot and navigator cockpits feature a commitment by all parties to achieving the SMA in Rome; Lt D’Ambrosio and Lt Col
new multi-function displays that improve continued efficiencies, including long-term Astolfi, Public Affairs Officers 6° Stormo at
the man-machine interface and reduce crew support for the sustainability of the aircraft Ghedi; Capt Iacobuono, Public Affairs Officer
workload; the navigator cockpit features and capability upgrades. 50° Stormo at Piacenza; SFC Heyner of the
new TV ‘tab’ LCD color displays that The objective of MET Contract Annex German Embassy; ‘Sushi’ of the German Air
replace the former monochromatic displays 27 is the integration of two new weapons, Force; and all Aeronautica Militare personnel
and the internal and external lighting namely the AARGM and the Small Diameter that supported the preparation of this article.
systems are compatible with NVGs. The Bomb (SDBs) on the existing Tornado RET

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 83

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T
he SpaniSh army’S Battalion FameT) and the Centro de This photo: A Eurocopter
airmobile forces, the Fuerzas enseñanza de helicópteros (CeFameT, AS532UL Cougar (HT.27) lifts
aeromóviles del ejército de helicopter
elicopter T
Training Center). With nine from a landing zone having
Tierra (FameT), constitute an different types of helicopters in its dropped off ground troops.
independent branch within inventory, comprising the agusta-Bell
Below left: Manning the door
the land forces originally aB212, Uh-1h, Boeing Ch-47D Chinook, gun, a crew chief surveys the
formed on July 10, 1965 as the aviación
a mBB Bo105aT a h, eurocopter eC135T2,
aT terrain as the Cougar sweeps
Ligera del ejército
jército de T
Tierra (army Light eurocopter eC665
C665 TTigre, aS332B1, in to land.
a
aviation). aS532UL, and the yet-to-be-delivered
The first Spanish army helicopter base, nh90 TTh, the FameT is capable of
named Colmenar Viejo, was opened on performing all kinds of rotary-wing
may 17, 1966 with a newly-created unit, missions over land and sea.
UheL Xi, which at that time was waiting to
receive its first helicopters. its initial two BHELMA IV
Bell Uh-1B iroquois arrived on July 29, The primary tasks of BheLma iV are the
having been donated by the US army. The provision of air mobility to armed forces
helicopters were taken by road from the and the generation of helicopter crews, as
port of rota
ota to Colmenar V Viejo. august 11 well as participation in international
saw another four Uh-1Bs being delivered. exercises and operational missions.
The US also supplied six Bell 47Gs, its commanding officer (CO) is Lt Col
another two examples of which were ignacio rosales de Salamanca rodriguez,
acquired by Spain, these manufactured who started his career with FameT in
under license in italy by agusta. 1986, and has 13 years of experience as a
On march 20, 1973 the a aviación Ligera helicopter pilot in which he has logged
del ejército
jército de TTierra was re-named as the 2,300 flying hours. after several roles,
Fuerzas aeromóviles del ejército
jército de TTiera, including staff jobs at the FameT
or army airmobile Forces. headquarters, he became the CO of
el Copero was intended as an air force BheLma iV in September 2012, with 223
base for joint use with the United States, people under his command. ‘Besides being
but this plan was discarded due to the the CO, i am an operational and instructor
proximity of a river and possible flooding. pilot on the aS332/532, giving all kinds of
The site was duly transferred to the army instruction from tactical flying to night
on December 30, 1975. vision goggles, and i am on the command
Today the el Copero base is allocated 13 of our detachment in melilla’, he says.
helicopters, comprising four eurocopter in the northern part of morocco are two
aS532UL Cougars (local designation cities, Ceuta and melilla, which are
hT.27) and nine aS332B1 Super pumas Spanish territories. a permanent
(hU.21). it is also home to the regimiento detachment of one aS332B1 from
de artilleria antiaerea 74 (raaa 74, BheLma iV is stationed at melilla and
anti-aircraft artillery regiment 74). placed at the disposal of the local
command. aircrews rotate in and out on a
FAMET organization monthly basis and are drawn from different
The flying units within FameT consist of FameT battalions. Their task is to provide
Batallón de helicópteros de ataque i supplies such as ammunition and food to
(BheLa i, attack helicopter Battalion 1), the small islands off the coast that are
Batallón de helicópteros de emergencia 2 dependent on the helicopter. regular patrol
(BheLeme ii, emergency helicopter and search and rescue missions are
Battalion 2), BheLma iii, iV and Vi, performed too.
Batallón de helicópteros
elicópteros de T
Transporte V ‘To accomplish our missions, we have to
(BheLT
L ra V
LT V, Transport helicopter use different tactics, techniques and
Battalion 5), Batallón de Transmisiones de procedures (TTps)’, says the CO. ‘almost
las FameT (BTranS, S, T
Transmissions all of our flights are conducted in visual

86 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 The SpaniSh army’S BheLma iV
In the municipality of Dos Hermanas, just south of Seville in southern Spain, lies the El Copero
Army Aviation Base. Combat Aircraft reports from the Batallón de Helicópteros de Maniobra IV
(BHELMA IV) – Maneuver Helicopter Battalion IV.

report and photos: Cristian Schrik

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 87

flight rules (VFR) as we fly much at low The objective was to practice techniques helicopters. We are now performing
level, and we need to operate in a 24-hour for flying in a hot, high and dusty operations by embarking our helicopters on
cycle, day and night, in various environment. ‘These are the same to naval vessels, like our helicopter dock
environments such as the desert, snow and conditions helicopter crews encounter in (LHD) Juan Carlos II, in order to perform
over the sea.’ current operations like Afghanistan and we missions over the sea.’
BHELMA IV’s duties vary from flying a could provide our experience and TTPs as BHELMA IV has taken part in many
VIP to sending helicopters out into the field a learning model’, Lt Col Rosales adds. operational missions under the command
to support troops. ‘As we work with special forces and of the International Security Assistance
In 2010, Spain was the host for a three- paratrooper units, we provide them with Force (ISAF) or the UN. Its history of
week multi-national helicopter exercise, the possibility to deploy by fast rope, deployments includes 21 detachments to
named ‘Azor’, which was conducted on rappel and even parachute if needed. We different operational areas including
behalf of the European Defence Agency can also install medical supplies in our Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon and
(EDA) Helicopter Training Program (HTP). helicopters in order to perform medevac Kyrgyzstan. The FAMET operates three
FAMET was the event’s lead organization. flights and we can lift three tons by means Cougars, three Chinooks and, until recently,
The exercise was the largest of its kind so of a sling under our Cougar. three Tigres in Afghanistan as part of ISAF
far, with participation by 40 helicopters ‘We are improving our capabilities in under the Regional Command West,
and over 700 people from nine countries. order to provide the best coverage with our stationed at Herat.

88 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 Main image: A pair
of BHELMA IV
Cougars operate
near Seville.

Left: Lt Col
Ignacio Rosales
de Salamanca
Rodriguez,
commanding
officer of
BHELMA IV.

Below: Troops
scramble aboard
a Cougar during
training at
BHELMA IV.

1st Lt Rafael Illan, a pilot on the EC135 to the AS332/532. When pilots are various 7.62mm machine guns can be
AS332/532 with BHELMA IV, recalls: assigned to the AS332/532 fleet they come installed on pintle mounts in the cabin
‘There was one mission in Afghanistan that to El Copero from the CEFAMET, and door. Also fitted are various threat-warning
I performed in 2011 that was quite continue their course. When the transition systems such as sensors, heat dispersers on
remarkable for me. We delivered supplies is completed, the pilot’s license they the engine, chaff/flare dispensers and an
to an isolated ISAF Combat Outpost (COP) receive counts for both types. Emergency automatic distress beacon in case the
in the northern area of responsibility of procedures and IFR procedures are helicopter goes down.
Regional Command West. In wintertime, practiced in the simulator, which is located Despite the impending arrival of the
helicopters are most of the time the only at Colmenar Viejo, where pilots spend one NH90, plans for replacing the Super Puma
chance to provide these supplies, so the week of intense procedural training. and Cougar within BHELMA IV are likely
ground troops are quite happy when they Normally pilots get to fly 100-150 hours a to remain a long way off. ‘Our brother
hear the sound of our blades. The mission year, but due to economic circumstances battalion BHELMA III will transit from the
was well prepared and we got all the this is currently hard to achieve. AS532 to the NH90 in the mid-term period,
intelligence we needed, so it was a The FAMET has improved the capabilities and in the future our base will become the
success.’ of its AS332/532 compared to the standard only operating base with Cougar
BHELMA IV also provides flight training version. The helicopters are fitted with helicopters in Spain’, Lt Col Rosales
to allow new pilots to convert from the extra armor plates to protect the crew, and confirmed.

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 89

Flying the F-86D ‘Sabre Dog’
Developed as a stop-gap all-weather interceptor after the Northrop F-89 program ran into
difficulties, the radar-equipped, rocket-armed F-86D held the line for the defense of North
America and elsewhere during some of the tensest years of Cold War stand-off. Combat Aircraft
spoke to the men who unleashed the ‘Sabre Dog’.
report: Warren E. Thompson

90 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 B
y the time the Korean War Sabres cocked and ready, with two others on
ended, the US and United stand-by if there was a problem with any of
Kingdom had a taste of what the alert birds. the weather was way below
the Soviets were developing in minimum with a steady rain coming down
terms of swept-wing technology, and the clouds almost to the ground. the
This photo: Several squadrons of F-86Ds were and a new generation of weather guys told us the heavy clouds went
based in Japan — not least on Okinawa — Soviet long-range bombers was waiting in from about 100ft all the way up to 40,000ft.
during the early Cold War period, due to the
the wings. As a result, the US Air Force’s Suddenly, the klaxons came to life and the
close proximity of China and Russia. The
winter months produced brutal weather Air Defense Command (ADC) was afforded alert pilots ran at full sprint toward the bays
on some intercepts. This 339th FIS jet was a position of high priority, on a par with that housed their fighters. the ground crews
pictured over Japan in the mid-1950s as it Strategic Air Command. the first all-weather were already there, getting everything ready,
pulled up close to an F-94. jet interceptors to become operational in the and the massive hangar doors started opening.
Bob Osborne via author US were the F-89, F-94 and F-86D, built by ‘We started engines... as soon as we were
Northrop, Lockheed and North American. strapped in, we started to roll out quickly and
Bottom: The 339th FIS was a very successful the F-89 proved valuable in the defense of the noise our engines create for the ground
all-weather unit during the early days of the CONUS and far northern areas such as Alaska crews went well past the pain threshold’. the
Korean War when it was flying the F-82G Twin
and iceland. the F-94 did the same and, to its two Sabres moved down the scramble strip
Mustang. It converted to the F-86D in 1955.
These 339th Sabres are lined up on the ramp credit, also completed a lengthy tour in the at a very fast pace. With a full load of fuel
at Chitose AB, Japan, where they were based. Korean War. however, the F-86D squadrons and armament, the ‘D’ weighed more than
John Redrup via author were spread out most widely, taking in the Far 20,000lb. the biggest danger at this time was
east, Western europe and the US. that one of the pilots might turn too sharply
increasing concern about the Soviet on to the main runway and roll a main gear
military build-up placed a top priority on tire off the wheel.
development of the F-86D, to be followed the two Sabres lined up side-by-side for
by the rapid realization of operational status. a formation take-off with the rain pouring
the basic design was proven, achieving great down. ‘the other end of the 8,000ft runway
success during the Korean War in the form was not visible, but in afterburner it didn’t
of the F-86A, e and F day-fighter versions. take long to get airborne even with the water
An order for 188 F-86D-20s was approved in being splashed up on the windscreen. Before
April 1951, and three months later another the wheels pulled up completely, we were
contract was approved for 635 Dash 35s. engulfed in black clouds with nothing visible
Ultimately, 2,504 examples were built, many except my wingman tucked in close. in order
of which were subsequently converted to to get our radio on the right channel, we had
F-86L standard that added a datalink for to count the clicks because we could not take
Semi-Automatic Ground environment our eyes off each other for a second because
(SAGe) compatibility. of the high probability of a mid-air collision.
As they came off the line, the first batch of We were promptly given the vector to an
F-86Ds went directly to training squadrons unidentified aircraft and were told to keep
and, from there, to a multitude of front-line climbing up to 41,000ft.
units. North American was turning out ‘Ds’ ‘the velocity indicator was pegged at
faster than they could be fitted with the 5,000ft per minute and the fuel gauges were
required electronic equipment. At one time, unwinding at a rapid rate. the gauge for
over 300 airframes were sitting on the ramp internal fuel was starting to move, which
at the plant waiting for their radar and related meant the two 120-gallon drop tanks were
equipment. already empty.
Stories told by ‘Sabre Dog’ pilots frequently ‘As we climbed through the blackness, my
relate the fact that there was little to no wingman’s lights were all i can see. in this
visibility on the intercepts and that they rarely situation, our pilots were being tasked to their
set eyes on their targets (friendly or hostile) limits since we no longer had a back-seater.
until they were at point-blank range. For Our GCi related that our target was a large
operational Sabres, many scrambles were single aircraft passing from north to south at
against Chinese, Soviet or other Warsaw 41,000ft. it had no flight plan and there was
Pact aircraft testing the reaction time and no radio contact. it was now at a distance of
proficiency of the all-weather interceptors. 100 miles. We were at the right altitude and
in just about all of these cases, the ‘hostiles’ had pulled back some on the throttle so we
turned back to base when their controller could maintain mach 0.9. As we closed on
indicated that an all-weather interceptor the unknown, my wingman dropped back
was closing fast. however, a majority of a mile and climbed 2,000ft higher. this was
the unidentified intruders turned out to be regular procedure so that if lead got shot, the
‘friendlies’ with either their iFF turned off or number 2 man would survive and be in a
communications equipment malfunctioning. perfect position to attack. We kept closing and
finally got a contact on the scope at 24 miles.’
Nocturnal intruder the radar fire-control system would not lock
Perrin AFB in northern texas was the main on beyond 15 miles. Finally, the intruder was
training base for most of the USAF’s all- close enough that the pilot no longer needed
weather pilots. Air Force records indicate that the guidance of the GCi, but the controller
the F-86D/L was among the most complex stood by and monitored the situation in case
machines of its era. it required more pilot the Sabre’s radar broke lock. At this point, the
training than any other aircraft, including target may have turned on its radar jamming
SAC’s six-engine B-47. One of the most transmitters, started dropping chaff or taking
interesting tales to come out of Perrin during evasive action. ‘even though we were over
that period is told by an instructor pilot from friendly territory, there was still a hint of
the 3555th Air Defense Alert Unit, under the danger on any large unidentified aircraft. We
control of ADC. Capt harold Wade recalls were close and the high cloud tops prevented
the scramble. ‘it was 02.30hrs and all was me from getting a positive iD. i was close
quiet in the alert shack. there were two enough to see what it was if the weather had

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 91

been clear, so now I had to reduce power and Alert pads were usually well protected against the
turn in behind the intruder and off to one side, weather because the ‘Sabre Dogs’ had to be able
and at the same time I was mentally reviewing to launch immediately if needed. This 94th FIS
what I had to do to arm my rockets. There ‘Hat-in-the-Ring’ bird was on alert at George AFB
were numerous safety precautions to prevent in the fall of 1953. Budd Butcher via author
accidental firing. Several guarded circuit-
breakers had to be unguarded and pushed in.
Switches on the armament panel needed to be
set and the stick-grip trigger pin removed. The
24 rockets in the pod each contained about
2.5lb of TNT in the warhead. One of them had
enough destructive power to bring down any
aircraft.’
As Capt Wade got closer, the outline of a large
swept-wing bomber began to take shape and the
letters ‘USAF’ became visible. It was a SAC B-47
that had no flight plan, or was way off where it
should have been, and was not monitoring the
military guard channel. Wade radioed the info
and was told that he had to get a tail number,
which was going to be almost impossible in
those weather conditions. They needed that
detail so they could relay the info to ADC and
also include it in the mission report that would
be sent to SAC; without a tail number, SAC
would deny it had any aircraft in the area.
With that huge swept wing, it was going to be
dangerous to get in so close. ‘Suddenly, I was
blinded by a powerful white light that hit me
square in the face! They had spotted me and
were either trying to get a better look or drive me
away. It was coming from the rear of the long
bubble canopy, which would be the co-pilot’s
position. I ducked under the bomber’s wing in
an effort to recover some of my night vision. No
radio transmissions were coming from the B-47,
and as I tried to get back in close they zapped
me with the white light again.’
Unfortunately, the interceptors’ fuel
consumption rate was rapidly draining their
internal tanks. They radioed that they did not
have enough fuel for another try at the tail
number, broke off and turned toward home.
Now they faced the task of getting through
the weather. This night they would have one
shot at finding the runway, as there would not
be enough fuel for a go-around. Both pilots
checked the setting of the pitot heat, de-frost
and anti-icing controls and calculated time and
distance against fuel consumption. At 50 miles
out, they descended to 20,000ft and reduced
power. The engine noise died down, but the
sound of the turbulent air on the extended
speed brakes made up for it.
Control informed them that the ceiling was at on the left side of the runway while number 2 Squadron (FIS). Manston reportedly had
200ft and that the wind had picked up, which landed slightly to the right; thus, if he landed some of the most favorable weather in the UK.
implied a higher-than-normal approach speed. long and needed more runway, there would However, the reality was that conditions there
In these wet conditions, the touchdown speeds not be a collision. I had enough fuel to pull were as challenging to pilots as those in the
for a 15,000lb aircraft with brakes on two very into the parking area whereas number 2’s north-eastern US. 1st Lt David Montgomery
small wheels would use up a lot of runway. On engine quit when he was almost at the ramp relates a memorable scramble. ‘I was launched
the plus side, the aircraft were 5,000lb lighter and he coasted into his proper slot. The to intercept an unknown during the day in
thanks to fuel consumption. As their airspeed ground crews immediately started refueling very bad weather conditions. I climbed above
bled off to about 175kt, they increased their and getting our two birds ready, while the two 30,000ft before breaking clear of the solid
throttles so as to maintain altitude until they that were in reserve moved into our old slot in overcast. As I continued to climb, GCI told me
intercepted the glide slope — then the lead case the klaxon went off again. Our birds were to go after a target that was still 100 miles from
called for gear and flaps down. Rain was now put into the back-up position. The scramble me and not yet visible on my radar scope. The
pounding their windscreens and the clouds had lasted 45 minutes, and we will probably planned angle-off approach was inadequate
were as dark as when they took off. never know what the B-47 was doing in our for such a high-speed target and my intercept
‘We were about six miles from touchdown area with all its communications turned off soon deteriorated into a tailchase. Now, I was
and our fuel gauges were approaching the zero and no flight plan.’ above 40,000ft in trail of the target and was
mark. Suddenly, the clouds began to thin out, able to lock on at 12 miles’ distance. I had a
giving us a distorted view of some pale yellow European theater slight overtake speed at Mach 0.94 and my
runway marker lights through our rain-streaked Some of the most dangerous bad-weather fuel level was dropping fast.
windscreens. As soon as I called ‘contact’, intercepts for the F-86D took place out of RAF ‘My target was far out in front and high
number 2 dropped back as it was too dangerous Manston, a major base in south-east England above me, barely visible and not close
to land in close formation. Lead always landed that housed the 514th Fighter-Interceptor enough to identify. Suddenly, he started to

92
 ‘My wingman did not see the airbursts
but I let him and our GCI know that I
was being fired upon and it was very
accurate. They could have gotten me
with the first few rounds, so they were
just letting us know that they knew
who we were and where we were’
Capt Bill Van Dine

Above right: A highly sophisticated electronic system designed

for the F-86D eliminated the second crew member that had been
necessary in earlier all-weather aircraft. In this image, Maj Bob Cooke
prepares to fly a test hop in a 339th FIS Sabre at Chitose AB in 1955.
Bill Murphy via author

Left: This ‘D’ was assigned to Brig Gen Agee, commander of the 9th
Air Division at Spokane, Washington. Note the star on the nose gear
door. It was flown by the 498th FIS. A. King Lotz via author

This photo: Numerous ANG squadrons did a stint in the ‘D’, and the
Colorado ANG’s 120th Fighter Squadron was very proficient with the
aircraft. This scene was captured on a training mission over eastern
Colorado in 1957. Phillip Brown via author

93
descend from his perch up at 50,000ft. After bingo fuel — so low that I had to land at RAF
a conspicuous delay, my radar dot drifted to Sculthorpe. That caused a major stir in that the ‘In afterburner it didn’t
the bottom of the scope. It was, after all, 1957
and the computing power in the F-86D’s
transient alert ground crews were unfamiliar
with a fighter coming in with live rockets
take long to get airborne
Hughes attack radar was probably less than on board. However, a couple of hours later, I even with the water
that of today’s household appliances! The returned to Manston without incident.’
target quickly disappeared into the undercast. being splashed up on
Suddenly my radio contact with GCI was Guarding Taiwan the windscreen. Before
silent and the pursuit was solely in my hands Some of the most dangerous Cold War
as I started down into the soup after him. The scrambles occurred on Taiwan, where the wheels pulled up
distance gradually decreased and, in trail, I mainland China constantly tested the local
intended to re-position the target to the 12 defenses. The 26th FIS and its F-86Ds were completely, we were
o’clock position. Everything was going exactly
like I wanted, but, to my surprise, the overtake
based at Clark AB in the Philippines during
the second half of the 1950s and were sent
engulfed in black clouds
rate suddenly increased to 1,200kt! I deduced
that he was executing a jet penetration and had
over to Taiwan for all-weather alert duty.
One of the unit’s pilots, Capt Bill Van Dine,
with nothing visible
reversed course. My attack had deteriorated recalls: ‘Our aircraft were parked on isolated except my wingman
into a head-on pass and conversion to an rosettes each surrounded on three sides with
identification run. That was very similar to a mosquito-laden ponds. The only way to get tucked in close’
maneuver often practiced in the simulator and I away from them was to sit in the cockpit with Capt Harold Wade
felt confident of a successful conclusion.’ the canopy closed. We operated in some very
The target and Sabre were both on crude conditions. The Nationalists flew their
instruments with no visibility and were closing F-86Fs at full squadron strength all day long
rapidly. ‘I knew that the fire-control computer with newly-added Sidewinder missiles —
aimed for a ‘splash-time’ intercept point about when the sun went down, they would go home
40ft higher than the target and I wanted to to their families and we took over. Many times
observe the target pass head-on under me in we flew in two-ship formations over Quemoy
the clouds. Man… it was close!’ A quick blur when cargo ships re-supplied their forces
and the target zipped past just underneath me there. The Quemoy area was under constant
even as an oversized ‘X’ suddenly appeared on bombardment from the mainland, which
the scope, which confirmed termination of my required us to fly at least one sortie every night.
pass. The radar broke lock and I initiated a 5g ‘On one particular night, right after the
course reversal, putting him ahead of me again ‘Chi-Nats’ surprised a bunch of MiGs with
as my radar antenna’s automatic rapid back- their Sidewinders, my wingman and I were
and-forth sweep started and the target image being tracked by four MiGs. While we would
re-appeared. Radar lock-on was resumed and orbit over the islands, they stayed inland just
the attack display returned. Information within a few miles, but always about 5,000ft above Above: An elaborate checkerboard scheme on
the scope display was uncomplicated and clear, us. Then they suddenly pulled out. Minutes the vertical stabilizer distinguished the ‘Sabre
showing the decreasing range between the later, with my wingman five miles in trail, I Dogs’ of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing.
target and me.’ saw the lights of a runway come on and then This 25th FIS F-86D, home-based at Naha, is
F-86Ds were designed to intercept slow, go out. This left us all alone, and then the pictured in flight over Okinawa. USAF via author
propeller-driven bombers at medium altitudes. darkness was interrupted with several bursts This photo: During a practice mission out of
Fast, high-altitude targets were a problem of heavy AAA. The bursts were exactly at my Wheelus AB, Capt Earl Bryant is ‘under the
easily demonstrated with a vector diagram. ‘My altitude and all were off my left wing, tracking hood’ to simulate zero visibility, depending
high-speed target had been safe from my reach perfectly in both speed and altitude. I changed on his radar and GCI for a successful intercept.
until he descended into the thick cloud layer. altitude and the next rounds stayed right with David Montgomery via author
But this unidentified target had come down to me. My wingman did not see the airbursts
altitudes where I could maneuver, thus giving but I let him and our GCI know that I was
me the advantage, and my overtake rate was being fired on and that it was very accurate.
about 200kt. Now, closing on the target rapidly They could have gotten me with the first few
and flying by instruments, I closed the throttle rounds, so they were just letting us know that
and extended the speed brakes to bleed off they knew who we were and where we were.
airspeed. I turned to re-position the target on My guess is that they, knowing we were US
the radar display at 60 degrees starboard while fighters, just wanted to make a statement but
the distance separating target from interceptor did not want an international incident, which
decreased to about three miles and overtake indicated that as long as we stayed out over
rate to zero. Vertical positive clearance from the water, there would be no problem. When
the target was maintained as we descended the ‘Chi-Nats’ heard of the incident, they
together... Power was increased to gain a little offered to hang Sidewinders on our Sabres,
more airspeed and a small rate of overtake was but that wasn’t going to happen. Working the
developed. area between mainland China and Taiwan
‘My ‘Dog’ closed on the cloud-shrouded was always dangerous. We never did get close
target from a position a little below and angled enough to any of the MiGs to get a positive
off behind its unseen left wingtip. As the identification.’
target’s range dropped to zero, right in front The F-86D successfully filled a critical gap
of me was a giant Royal Air Force Vickers for ADC and the various commands overseas.
Valiant four-engine jet bomber popping out Air Defense Command’s phase-out of the
of the mist! I quickly closed in tight to where ‘Sabre Dog’ began in August 1956, and in less
the bomber’s markings could be clearly seen than two years the process was complete.
from my position below and within the span Many of these fighters were turned over to
of its left wing, at an altitude of 15,000ft and Air National Guard units, extending their
still descending in the clouds. I read off the operational usage. By that time, the front-line
bomber’s tail number to my GCI controller, squadrons were adapting to the challenges of
which made the intercept complete. He newer fighters, such as the F-102 and F-106,
immediately gave me the vector for another equipped with more up-to-date equipment for
unknown 100 miles to the east, but I was below the all-weather mission.

94 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net

 The ‘Ds’ of the 514th FIS at RAF Manston
were easily identified by the checkerboard
emblem on the vertical stabilizer. These two
Sabres from the squadron are en route to
Wheelus AB, Libya, for a training session.
Milton Torres via author

www.combataircraft.net January 2014 95

 Dispatches from the
front line of aerospace
technology

Lockheed Martin has released

artist’s impressions of the so-called
SR-72, inevitably dubbed the ‘Son of
‘Blackbird’.’ Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Plans a
Mach-6 Spyplane
by DaviD axe

L
ockheed Martin has also carry weapons, although exactly how it the company also worked on a combined-
announced plans to develop a might deploy these remains unclear. cycle engine for its hypersonic revolutionary
fast, affordable successor to the the sr-72’s technology is based on the approach to time-critical Long-range
legendary sr-71 ‘Blackbird’, the hypersonic test Vehicle-2, a Mach-20 robotic strike initiative, or ‘rattlrs’, which aimed
Us air Force’s Mach-3 spyplane demonstrator that Lockheed Martin built for to demonstrate a Mach-4 cruise missile
that was finally retired in the the Us air Force and the defense advanced and apparently spawned numerous useful
1990s. the new ‘sr-72’ would be hypersonic, research Projects agency (darPa). htV-2’s technologies. ‘the turbine-based combined
cruising at speeds of up to Mach 6. two test flights in 2010 and 2011 both cycle offers probably the greatest promise’,
the technical challenges facing the sr-72 are ended early after suffering flight-control and rattlrs program manager craig Johnston said
daunting. sustained Mach-6 flight requires a communications problems. in 2006.
unique powerplant combining the qualities of a But it is propulsion that could jeopardize the current turbine technology can get the
rocket, a turbine and a jet. sr-72. the htV-2 was boosted to hypersonic ‘son of ‘Blackbird’’ to around Mach 2.5. a
the skunk Works, the Palmdale, california- speed atop a rocket, similar to a space launch. ramjet works at around Mach 3.5. that leaves
based facility that designed Lockheed’s By contrast, the sr-72 is meant to be a re- a so-called ‘thrust chasm’, the bridging of
sr-71, U-2, F-117 and other cutting-edge usable vehicle based at a traditional airfield. which has stymied development of practical
warplanes, is also responsible for the sr-72 so it needs some distance to take off and hypersonic vehicles for decades.
scheme. Lockheed Martin outlined the basic accelerate to extremely high speeds, at which Lockheed Martin has not said how the sr-72
parameters of the new aircraft in a statement point an efficient ramjet engine takes over — a would cross the thrust chasm. But it seems
timed to coincide with an exclusive feature so-called ‘combined cycle’ mode of propulsion. confident it can do so.
in the trade magazine Aviation Week. the Lockheed Martin stated that it ‘has been ‘a hypersonic ’plane does not have to
publication dubbed the sr-72 the ‘son of working with aerojet rocketdyne to develop be an expensive, distant possibility’, the
‘Blackbird’.’ a method to integrate an off-the-shelf turbine manufacturer claimed. ‘in fact, an sr-72 could
the Pentagon has not publicly identified any with a supersonic combustion ramjet air- be operational by 2030’. Provided, that is, the
requirement for a hypersonic reconnaissance breathing jet engine to power the aircraft from Pentagon funds the program and the engine
aircraft, although its general interest in standstill to Mach 6.’ actually works.
hypersonics is well established. Lockheed
Martin is proposing to build a flying sr-72
demonstrator as early as 2018. ‘It is propulsion that could jeopardize the SR-72.
Unlike many of the skunk Works’ recent
designs, the sr-72 would not necessarily need
The HTV-2 was boosted to hypersonic speed atop
to be very stealthy. at six times the speed of a rocket, similar to a space launch. By contrast,
sound, it could outrun most enemy defenses.
‘a hypersonic aircraft will be a game-changer’, the SR-72 is meant to be a re-usable vehicle
Lockheed Martin boasted on its website. the
new aircraft would be unmanned and could
based at a traditional airfield’
96 January 2014 www.combataircraft.net
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