EXERCISE REPORT

India’s ‘Iron Fist’ ‘Cope Tiger’

Thailand’s secretive fighter meet

Volume 17 • Number 6 AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE

t
ne
ft.
ra
irc
ta
ba
m
co

CLUSIVE
EXlearning to fly
the f-15C eagle

PHANTOM’S
LAST
STAND
USAF QF-4S in THEIR last
year of operations

IN THE NEWS:
USAF TALKS SIXTH-GEN FIGHTER PLANS AUSTRALIA’S
A-10 replacement may be sought FIGHTER
FUTURE
EXAMINED
GLORY DAYS
F-4S and MIG-21S in COMBAT OVER South-East Asia
DUTCH F-35A
OPERATIONAL test
at edwards afb
JUNE 2016 UK £4.50
 8-10 July 2016
RAF Fairford
Swindon

Aircraft
Confirmed F-16
F-35 F-22 F-4 JAS 39C
Fighting
See More Lightning Raptor Phantom Gripen
Falcon
Online

Book now at airtattoo.com

Untitled-1 1 14/03/2016 17:16:50
June 2016 • Vol 17 • No 6

84 Combat Aircraft flies with Detachment 1 of the 82nd ATRS at

Holloman AFB during its last year of QF-4 operations.

44 66 LITTLE BIRD, BIG BITE

IN THE NEWS EAGLE SCHOOL — Steven Valinski gets up close and personal with the
IN THE LAND OF AH-6i, as Boeing offers this potent yet affordable light
06 Headline News NO SLACK attack and reconnaissance helicopter for operations in
Russian ‘Fencers’‘buzz’ US Navy destroyer, Learning the pure art of air dominance a variety of roles
USAF looks at A-10 replacement options requires a very special training
and Kuwait finalizes Typhoon deal environment. Jamie Hunter talks to the 76 DIANA ASCENDANT
173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon ANG, about The Royal Netherlands Air Force is a key element of the
08 US News its important mission as the USAF’s F-15C Joint Operational Test Team for the F-35A at Edwards
Latest F-35 news, MC-130J tests winglets, Formal Training Unit AFB. Frank Crébas/Bluelife Aviation joins the action in
USAF told to price up Raptor production the Mojave desert
re-start and all the latest US military unit
and deployment news
96 CUTTING EDGE
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column reporting from the
18 World News front line of aerospace technology, by David Axe
News from Europe and around the globe
70
including latest Iraqi ‘Frogfoot’ deliveries, COPE TIGER
plus all the latest military losses Multilateral interoperability remains a key
priority for the Indo-Asia-Pacific partners
participating in Exercise ‘Cope Tiger’, which
began at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on
24 THE TIP OF THE SPEAR March 7. Giovanni Colla was granted rare access
Combat-proven F/A-18s fill Australia’s
front-line squadrons, and with the
fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II now
working up towards initial operational
capability the Royal Australian Air Force’s
fighter fleet is every inch a modern force,
as Nigel Pittaway explains

32 ONE HUNDRED
YEARS VIGILANT
Jamie Hunter visits the Royal Air
88
Force’s No 208 (Reserve) Squadron as it GLORY DAYS:
marks two huge milestones: its 100th
anniversary and the end of Hawk T1
PHANTOM VERSUS FISHBED
Exactly 40 years ago, a US Air Force F-4 Phantom
flying training at RAF Valley
II was credited with the first confirmed aerial kill
40 INDIA’S IRON FIST against a North Vietnamese MiG-21 ‘Fishbed’.
The Indian Air Force has placed a Warren E. Thompson recounts how the two
significant emphasis on live weapons famous jets would remain locked in battle for the
training for its combat units. Kedar remainder of the Vietnam War
Karmarkar journeys to ‘Iron Fist’, an
impressive live fire event

54 INIOHOS 2016
Prior to a full report next month,
Combat Aircraft checks in at Andravida
for exercise ‘Iniohos’ that involved US
Air Force Europe, Israeli Air Force and
Hellenic Air Force teams

56 MASTER TURNS NASTY

SUBSCRIBE AND

SAVE
Following our coverage of the M-346
Master in the training role, Giovanni Colla
PLUS
and Remo Guidi look at its debut as an
aggressor platform, which is considered
almost equally significant for its future Our ‘Eye on the East column’ looks at
prospects the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet
Subscribe to Combat
62 FULCRUM’S FORTUNES Aircraft Monthly and
Thomas Newdick and Dimitry Pichugin make great savings on
look at the advanced MiG-29SMT and ON THE COVER: cover price.
how the Russian Aircraft Corporation A QF-4E Phantom II flown by Lt Col
MiG has now commenced delivery of an Ronald ‘Elvis’ King, commander of See pages
additional batch of fighters Det 1 of the 82nd ATRS. Jim Haseltine 52 and 53 for details.
 COMBAT EDGE | FIND US ON

PHANTOM’S LAST CALL

L
IKE WEARY GUNSLINGERS, with long-range AMRAAMs and modern
the US Air Force’s final F-4 radars, have managed to hold modern
Phantom IIs are riding off fighters at bay. The ability to look and
into the sunset one last target at long ranges negates the
time. This issue details inability to turn on a dime, or the need to
the two extremes of the be stealthy. Despite still earning its spurs,
Phantom II’s distinguished service the F-4 is showing its age.
to the US military, from the hostile In a bizarre repeat of the 1980s, once
skies of South-east Asia to the test again the USAF is replacing F-4s with
environment of New Mexico. F-16s. This time around it is unmanned
04 As one would expect, it’s still about QF-16s taking the place of unmanned
trying to avoid being shot down. QF-4s. However, this time the ‘Viper’
Now, however, the QF-4s are trying to is finally killing off the ‘Rhino’ — it will
evade the latest high-tech weapons be a day that many who have enjoyed
and helping young fighter pilots truly any sort of association with the F-4 will
appreciate what it’s like to go after a live, struggle to come to terms with.
full-scale target. The hunter has become To keep track of the latest breaking
the hunted. news and analysis in the world of military
As the clock strikes midnight at the air power you can visit our social media
end of this year the last F-4s will have left sites and our website:
the USAF inventory. Few other aircraft www.combataircraft.net
draw the acclaim that the Phantom
has earned throughout its prestigious
career. If ever there was a fighter that
has earned the respect of generations of
pilots, it’s this one. Jamie Hunter,
In recent exercises, surviving Editor
operational F-4s in Europe, upgraded E-mail: [email protected]

CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE GIOVANNI COLLA

E
xpressing an The coverage he has provided in
interest in military this issue from Exercise ‘Cope Tiger 2016’
aviation from in Thailand was ‘a professional highlight
a young age, of his year’, he says, and provided a rare
Giovanni Colla has worked chance to see the entire Royal Thai Air
as both a photographer Force front-line force at work. In addition,
and freelance journalist Giovanni reports for us on the new role of
specializing in military the Italian Air Force T-346 as an aggressor
aviation for the past 13 years. He is a regular at the Tactical Leadership Programme in
contributor to various aviation magazines Spain. There is little doubt that the Master
around the world. is earning itself a strong reputation.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 JUNE 2016 | COMBAT EDGE

05

A pair of
QF-4Es from
the 82nd ATRS
flies off into
the sunset near
Holloman AFB.
Jim Haseltine

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] HEADLINES

USAF STUDIES HOW TO REPLACE A-10

T
OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NEW PLATFORM MAY BE SOUGHT
HE US AIR Force is support (CAS) mission. Senior officials service life fighting this kind of battle existing aircraft, or extending the life
being backed into have also sought to argue that the in an uncontested environment. So, of the A-10. The move undermines
a corner over plans new F-35A Lightning II will be easily what will the USAF do? the USAF’s overall objective of cost-
to retire the A-10C able to assume the role. After a ‘My requirements guys are in cutting, which it said would only be
Thunderbolt II and range of studies assessing how best the process of building a draft- maximized through the retirement of
under increasing to fill the A-10’s shoes, the USAF is requirements document for a a complete fleet of aircraft. Top brass
pressure to outline its concept of now carefully distancing itself from follow-on CAS airplane’, Lt Gen Mike will now compare the affordability
how it will fulfill the A-10’s mission comments that the F-35A is a one- Holmes, the deputy chief of staff for of building a new aircraft versus
in future. It has already delayed the for-one replacement for the A-10. strategic plans and requirements, retaining a portion of the A-10 fleet.
type’s final retirement until 2022 The USAF is likely to be fighting a told reporters in April. A new fleet of light attack aircraft
amid pressure from US Senators and counter-insurgency war in northern In fact, a new platform is just one may come back into the frame to
advocates of the ‘Warthog’, and now Iraq and Syria well past the current of the options on the table. Study replace the A-10 for missions in
a new study — part of a wider look 2022 retirement date for the A-10C. documents are likely to now be in low-threat airspace. This would again
at Combat Air Forces out to 2030 — Chances are that the US military the hands of USAF chief Gen Mark point towards the Beechcraft AT-6
appears to be evaluating a possible is going to need a CAS platform Welsh. The study referred to by Wolverine, Textron AirLand Scorpion,
replacement aircraft. that can ‘get down and dirty’ for Holmes includes an overarching look and Embraer A-29 Super Tucano.
Until now, the USAF has said that decades to come. Few will query the at CAS requirements over the coming Beechcraft has been heavily involved
existing types such as the F-15E and wisdom of saying that a high-end decade. Options appear to include in trials with the Air National Guard
F-16 will pick up the A-10’s close air F-35 shouldn’t be eating up valuable procuring a new aircraft, using and Air Force Reserve Command with

06

KUWAIT BUYS TYPHOON

EIGHTH CUSTOMER FOR EUROFIGHTER ANNOUNCED

K
UWAIT SIGNED After Saudi Arabia and Oman, The contract includes logistics, Ahmed Al Jaber, which will receive
a deal on April 5 Kuwait thus becomes the third operational support and training for an appropriate infrastructure
for the delivery Typhoon customer in the Gulf pilots and ground personnel, which overhaul. The Typhoons are
of 28 Eurofighter region. Eurofighter CEO Volker will be carried out in conjunction expected to remain in service until
Typhoons. Paltzo said the order ‘will enable with the Italian Air Force, including 2050. Concurrently, Kuwait also
Contract Kuwait to benefit from the critical 20º Gruppo at Grosseto air base. plans to place an order for Boeing
signature for the 22 single-seat mass being developed in the Gulf According to the Kuwaiti Defense F/A-18 Super Hornets, but this still
and six twin-seat fighters follows and the many advantages that it Ministry, the first two aircraft will awaits Congressional approval.
the Kuwaiti government’s approval brings to an air force in terms of arrive in the last quarter of 2019, Thomas Newdick
of $499 million in advance funding interoperability, training and in- and all will be delivered by 2022.
for the fighter buy in March. service support.’ The main operating base will be
Kuwait inked a memorandum of
understanding with Italy regarding
the Typhoon procurement back in
September 2015. The deal is likely
to be worth between $8-9 billion,
making it one of the largest Italian An artist’s
defense contracts in history. impression of a
Typhoon in the colors
The aircraft will be completed by
of the Kuwait Air Force.
Finmeccanica in Italy to Tranche Although details of weapons
3 standard and will be the first have yet to be disclosed, Kuwait’s
export examples of the type to be Tranche 3 jets may well be provided
with MBDA Meteor missiles. Trials of the
equipped with the Captor-E active beyond visual range air-to-air missile
electronically-scanned array (AESA) are currently under way in Germany (see
radar. World News). Eurofighter GmbH

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 HEADLINES [NEWS]

the AT-6, proving its capabilities in The A-10 argument

the CAS role. and the need for
a lower-end CAS
The CAS requirement is also likely platform has become a
to play into the USAF’s thinking hot potato. USAF
over its T-X trainer project to replace
the T-38 Talon in Air Education and
Training Command. T-X contenders
like the Korea Aerospace Industries
(KAI) T-50 and Alenia Aermacchi
M-346 both offer light fighter
capabilities. It is highly likely that
both Boeing and Northrop Grumman
are building such potential into their
respective ‘clean-sheet’ T-X offerings
that are likely to break cover this
year. Future development paths for
T-X candidates are sure to appeal to
the USAF as it seeks to maximize its
options. Holmes commented on the
T-X angle, saying: ‘We’re really careful
with the T-X requirement because
if we add requirements to T-X now,
then it could become unaffordable
and we can’t replace the trainer role
that we need it to replace.’

RUSSIAN ‘SHOW OF FORCE’ IN BALTIC 07

WASHINGTON CRITICIZES ‘UNSAFE’ TACTICS

T
HE UNITED STATES were performed within close proximity Again, the CO considered the passes Baltic. According to the US military,
is considering lodging of the ship.’ unsafe and unprofessional. Some 40 the Russian jet flew in ‘an unsafe and
a formal complaint As of April 11, the Donald Cook was minutes after the appearance of the unprofessional manner’ during an
after unarmed conducting deck-landing drills off the Russian helicopter, two Su-24s — likely encounter on April 14. EUCOM said
Russian Navy Su-24M coast of Poland with a Polish military operating from the Russian enclave that the Su-27 ‘closed within 50ft
strike aircraft flew ‘a helicopter when two Su-24s began a of Kaliningrad — made another 11 (15m) of the wingtip of the RC-135 and
simulated attack profile’ against the US series of close-range and low-altitude close-range and low-altitude passes. conducted a barrel roll starting from
Navy destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG passes. One of these took place as the According to EUCOM, the jets failed to the left side of the aircraft, going over
75). The incidents occurred while the helicopter was refueling on deck of the respond to repeated safety warnings in the top of the aircraft and ended up
warship was sailing in international Donald Cook, and was deemed unsafe both English and Russian. to the right of the aircraft’. The USAF
waters in the Baltic Sea on April 11-12. by the ship’s commanding officer. As naval analyst Iain Ballantyne has aircraft was apparently an RC-135W
A statement from US European Flight operations were suspended until pointed out, the Donald Cook is one of operating with the call sign ‘Howl 77’.
Command (EUCOM) recorded that the the Su-24s departed the area. four forward-based US Navy Ballistic Moscow refuted the claims,
destroyer ‘experienced several close On April 12, a Russian Navy Ka-27PS Missile Defense (BMD) vessels, and as describing it as a standard intercept of
interactions by Russian aircraft… [and] search and rescue helicopter flew such a subject of interest to the Russian an unidentified aircraft flying toward
encountered multiple, aggressive flight seven low-altitude circles around the military and a provocative presence its border. After visual contact had
maneuvers by Russian aircraft that ship, apparently taking photographs. for Moscow when operating close to been made, the USAF aircraft changed
its borders. It was previously ‘buzzed’ course, the Russian official said.
A Russian Navy Su-24 makes a low by Russian Su-24s while sailing in the Thomas Newdick
pass by the USS Donald Cook on Black Sea at the height of tensions over
April 12. US Navy
Russian activities in Crimea and eastern
Ukraine in 2014. ALSO THIS MONTH...
Shortly after these latest incidents it Latest Lightning test
was reported that a Russian Air Force F-35C drops AGM-154 JSOW.
Su-27 fighter had made aggressive See US News
maneuvers while escorting a US Air Four new Su-25s for Iraq
Force RC-135 surveillance aircraft IQAF build-up continues.
in international airspace over the See World News

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] UNITED STATES

VX-23 conducted the first

weapons-separation test of
an AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off
Weapon (JSOW) from F-35C
test aircraft CF-05 on March
23. US Navy/Dane Wiedmann

The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) program reached a milestone

with the first recovery of F/A-18E BuNo 165537 on March 31. The USAF ORDERED TO LOOK AT
Super Hornet performed roll-ins at speeds up to 105kt. US Navy
RAPTOR PRODUCTION RE-START
AS WELL AS detailing possible A-10C realistic manner over the coming
replacement plans (see Headlines), decade. This period is particularly
Lt Gen Mike Holmes, the deputy challenging for the acquisition
chief of staff for strategic plans and budget, with the F-35, B-21, KC-46
08 requirements, has been outlining and T-X vying for support.
the USAF’s ‘Air Superiority 2030’ In April the US House Armed
study. Former F-22 pilot Col Alex Services Committee directed the
Grynkewich led the study, which has USAF to examine the re-start of

ADVANCED ARRESTING GEAR resulted in the USAF steering away

from the term ‘sixth-generation’
F-22 Raptor production. The report
states: ‘The Committee understands
TRIALS WITH SUPER HORNET for a single aircraft platform and there has been interest within
instead moving towards a range of the Department of the Air Force,
THE US NAVY carried out the first Developed by General Atomics
systems including drone wingmen Department of Defense, and
arrested landing of a live aircraft by the Electromagnetic Systems, the
and longer-range capabilities with Congress in potentially restarting
new Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) next-generation landing system will
large payloads. production of the F-22 aircraft. In
at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft be installed on the US Navy’s new
Holmes is pushing for a campaign light of growing threats to US air
Division’s Runway Arrested Landing Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers.
of experimenting and prototyping to superiority as a result of adversaries
Site (RALS) at Joint Base McGuire- The AAG underwent an extensive
generate near-term capabilities in the closing the technology gap and
Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, on March redesign in 2013 that delayed the
face of budget pressures, while the increasing demand from allies and
31. The first successful ‘trap’ was testing schedule by two years.
F-X program, to potentially replace partners for high-performance,
conducted by an F/A-18E operated by The initial operational system is
the F-22 Raptor, is much further multi-role aircraft to meet evolving
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) installed on the lead ship USS Gerald
down the line. Rather than opt for and worsening global security
23. During previous tests the turbo- R. Ford (CVN 78), which is scheduled
an exotic new fighter, the immediate threats, the committee believes that
electric system had arrested simulated to be delivered to the Navy in
plan is to use a range of systems such proposals are worthy of further
dead loads and jet cars. September 2016.
that can deliver ‘effect’ in a far more exploration.’

GULFSTREAM FOR ‘BLOODHOUNDS’ COD OSPREY DEVELOPMENT FUNDED

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE WILL Aerospace Industries (IAI) Conformal
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS Command modifications and the incorporation
deliver a single Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft and
has awarded the Bell-Boeing of a high-frequency beyond-line-
aircraft to US Naval Air Systems will be modified for range clearance
Joint Project Office a $151-million of-sight radio and a public address
Command under the terms of a and test support roles for Air Test contract that will allow the team to system to the baseline Osprey. The
$91.9-million contract from the and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30 conduct the necessary engineering/ US Navy plans to begin procuring
Tactical Airlift Program Office. The ‘Bloodhounds’ at Naval Base Ventura design work to adapt the tilt- the first CMV-22Bs in Fiscal Year
aircraft will feature the same fuselage County/Naval Air Station Point Mugu, rotor MV-22B for use in the carrier 2018, and the first of a planned
(outer mold line) modifications California, as a replacement for on-board delivery (COD) role. The fleet of 44 tilt-rotors will enter
that were developed for the Israel the NP-3D. efforts will include fuel system service in 2020.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 UNITED STATES [NEWS]

JSOW AWAY! Meanwhile, the US Air Force has

confirmed plans to field 54 F-35As
at Eielson AFB, Alaska, but the
arrival will be deferred by a year to
unit will now receive its first F-35s in
the fall of 2019.
The USAF is now reviewing four
locations as candidate bases for

NAVY F-35C RELEASES AGM-154 2020 because the service is facing

a shortage of experienced, active-
the first Reserve-led F-35A unit. The
locations include Davis-Monthan
AS USAF REVEALS BASING PLANS

U
duty maintainers. Beginning in 2017 AFB, Arizona; Homestead Air Reserve
more than $500 million will be spent Base, Florida; Naval Air Station Fort
S NAVY (JSOW) for the first time on March 23. to construct and update facilities Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas;
LOCKHEED The weapon was deployed from one at Eielson to accommodate two and Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Two
Martin F-35C test of the Lightning II’s internal weapons squadrons of F-35As. The Eielson of these bases currently host A-10C
aircraft CF-05, bays over the Atlantic Test Range plan means that the USAF will now wings and two F-16Cs. The service
which is assigned near NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. accelerate fielding of the F-35A with expects to select the preferred and
to Air Test and The weapon is being tested as part the Vermont Air National Guard’s reasonable alternative locations in
Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 ‘Salty of the ongoing Block 3F capabilities 158th Fighter Wing, taking advantage the fall and the F-35As are slated to
Dogs’, released a 1,000lb (907kg) evaluation, which includes JSOW of the experience found in the ANG begin arriving at the first Reserve-led
AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon integration. maintenance force. The Burlington location by the summer of 2023.

The first of 14 Spartans in US Coast Guard

COAST GUARD SPARTAN DELIVERED
livery on the ramp at Elizabeth City, North THE COAST GUARD’S first storage with the 309th Aerospace
Carolina, on March 31. C-27J serial 2706 operational C-27J medium-range Maintenance and Regeneration
was previously operated by the USAF as
serial 08-27015. USCG/PO3 Joshua L. Canup surveillance aircraft was assigned to Group at Davis-Monthan AFB,
Air Station Sacramento, California, Arizona. Seven additional airframes
when serial 2707 arrived at remain in storage at the Tucson
McClellan Airfield on April 1. The base and another is undergoing
air station is scheduled to receive tests in preparation for its ferry 09
three additional C-27Js by mid- flight to North Carolina. The final
2016 and will have six assigned Spartan is currently stored at the
when deliveries to the base are L-3 Communications Integrated
completed in 2017. Systems facility in Waco, Texas. All
The C-27J Asset Project Office of the Spartans are scheduled to
(APO) at Coast Guard Base have been through the regeneration
Elizabeth City, North Carolina, process by 2018, and missionization
has taken delivery of five C-27Js of the first aircraft is expected to be
that have been regenerated from complete in 2017.

UNMANNED ROUND-UP
Reaper Combat Hammer first AFB, New Mexico, supported 9As, and on April 12 it released the start of Fiscal Year 2016, which
An MQ-9A remotely-piloted aircraft the exercise. criteria that will be used to select began on October 1, 2015, the USAF
(RPA), flown by pilots assigned to candidate bases for a potential RPA fleet included 165 MQ-9As
the USAF’s 26th Weapons Squadron, Changes for RPA squadrons new Reaper wing that would be and 130 MQ-1Bs, which account
conducted the first ‘ripple attack’ The USAF will re-designate its eight responsible for units at up to two for more than half of the service’s
against multiple maritime threats active duty MQ-1 reconnaissance locations. The review will initially intelligence, surveillance and
during a ‘Combat Hammer’ Weapon squadrons as attack squadrons under identify a location that could host reconnaissance fleet.
System Evaluation Program (WSEP) an Air Combat Command plan to an operations group with mission
from March 14-17. Operating from stabilize its RPA operations. Each of control elements (MCE). The service Guard unit operational
Duke Field and Eglin AFB, Florida, the the squadrons currently operates the will evaluate all active-duty bases The Pennsylvania National Guard’s
Reapers attacked maritime threats MQ-1B Predator A, but will transition in the continental US, Alaska and 103rd Attack Squadron achieved
with AGM-114 missiles. Scenarios to the MQ-9A Reaper as the service Hawaii that do not currently have initial operational capability (IOC)
included swarms of as many as 35 phases out the older air vehicles. The an MQ-9 wing. Crews will fly the when it carried out its first MQ-9A
boats. Reapers from the 432nd Air affected units are stationed at Creech Reapers from these locations but combat air patrol (CAP) on April
Expeditionary Wing at Creech AFB, AFB, Nevada, Holloman AFB, New no aircraft will be stationed there. 2. A component of the 111th
Nevada, a ground control station and Mexico and Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Additionally, the Air Force plans to Attack Wing, the unit operates the
two Reaper teams from the Texas Air identify a second potential location, Reapers that are launched at remote
National Guard’s 111th Attack Wing Expanded RPA basing planned which may host a full Reaper wing locations via satellite from a ground
in Houston, and a Reaper Aircraft The USAF is pursuing additional that will include a launch and control station located at Horsham
Maintenance Unit from Holloman locations to base its fleet of MQ- recovery element and an MCE. At the Air Guard Station.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] UNITED STATES

COMMANDO II WINGLETS
AFSOC TESTS MC-130J MODIFICATION

A
IR FORCE SPECIAL Operations Command
(AFSOC) is testing performance-enhancing
winglets for the MC-130J Commando II. The
413th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida,
is spearheading the trials, which follows initial
work completed three years ago by Lockheed MC-130J serial
Martin. A test period running over eight flights was used to collect 11‑5729 with its new,
performance-enhancing
data on fuel efficiency improvements and performance with the winglets installed.
winglets and a lift-distribution control system installed. USAF/Samuel King Jr

10

USAF TO BEGIN DEPLOYMENT NEWS

BLACK HAWK
Raptors at large
CONVERSION A total of 12 F-22As from the
THE USAF WILL reportedly begin 325th Fighter Wing (FW)’s 95th
converting 21 UH-60L helicopters to Fighter Squadron (FS) ‘Boneheads’
HH-60G combat rescue configuration at Tyndall AFB, Florida, arrived
this year. The service has a program at RAF Lakenheath, England,
of record requirement for 112 Pave from April 11 for a month-long
Hawks, but attrition has reduced its deployment during which they
inventory to just 97 helicopters. will work alongside the 48th FW.
The USAF has already invested $372 One of the first four F-22s that arrived in the UK on April 11 Meanwhile, Raptors assigned
million developing and purchasing as ‘Tabor 41’ flight taxiing at RAF Lakenheath. The deployed to the Hawaii Air National
the operational loss replacement aircraft are serials 04-4072, 04-4080, 04-4081, 05‑4094,
Guard’s 154th Wing returned to
(OLR) modification kits for the aircraft 05-4095, 05-4101, 05-4106, 05-4107, 05-4091, 05-4084,
05‑4086 and 05-4089. Ryan Dorling Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
and will spend $71 million more on after completing a six-month
completing the conversions in 2017 deployment to the US Central
and 2018. In addition to conversion of Command area of responsibility on
the UH-60Ls, the service will equip the April 8. The Raptors were replaced
Pave Hawk fleet with degraded visual at Al Dhafra by F-22As from the 3rd
environment (DVE) modifications Wing’s 90th FS that deployed from
intended to assist the crews during Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,
landing. Although the service is Alaska, on March 28.
moving forward with a program to
replace the HH-60G, the first HH-60W ‘Hog’ rotation for
combat rescue helicopters will not ‘Inherent Resolve’
enter service until 2020 and achieve Raptors from the 90th FS arrived at Morón, Spain on March 30. The Idaho Air National Guard’s
initial operational capability during They comprised F-22As 04-4074, 06-4118, 06-4127, 06-4129, 124th Fighter Wing began a
Fiscal Year 2021. 07-4149 and 07-4150. Antonio Muñiz Zaragüeta
deployment to the US Central

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 UNITED STATES [NEWS]

NEW RADAR FOR SOF OSPREYS

THE AIR FORCE Special Operations
Command is moving forward with
plans to replace the CV-22B’s current
begin accepting the Silent Knight
retrofit kits in late 2021. Under
current plans, one or two CV-22s will
‘BUFF’ LATEST
B-52HS FROM THE 2nd Bomb Wing to employ JDAMs from the
AN/APQ-186 terrain-following/ receive the new system in Fiscal Year
at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, arrived conventional rotary launcher.
terrain avoidance (TF/TA) radar 2021 and it plans to retrofit eight to
at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Previously, B-52s were limited to
with the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight. nine aircraft annually from FY 2022
at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, on April carrying JDAMs on the external
Although Raytheon produces both to 2027, when the last of 51 Ospreys
9, marking the first time that the Mil Std 1760 pylons only. The
systems, the newer Silent Knight will be equipped with the Silent
Stratofortress has been deployed internal weapons bay could only
incorporates advances in TF/TA Knight. The installation will also
to the US Central Command area be configured with ‘iron’ bombs
capabilities, is lighter and requires provide commonality with the US
of responsibility since the type or with a common strategic rotary
less power than the earlier system. Army Special Operations Command’s
flew operational missions during launcher (CSRL), which held up to
The command currently plans to MH-47G and MH-60M helicopters.
Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ eight nuclear or cruise missiles.
in May 2006. The B-52 IWBU program will now

‘BULLDOGS’ FIELD APKWS The B-52’s Joint Direct Attack

Munition (JDAM) internal weapons
expand the internal smart weapon
carriage capability to include the
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 ‘Bulldogs’ became the first fixed-
bay upgrade (IWBU) program has Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off
wing squadron to field the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System
(APKWS) in March. The weapon is a 2.75in (70mm) rocket equipped now been through development Missile (JASSM) and Miniature Air-
with a semi-active laser (SAL) guidance capability, and will provide testing, which enables the type Launched Decoy (MALD).
the AV-8B Harrier II with a low-cost, low collateral damage, high-
precision weapon in support of combat operations. US Navy B-52Hs 60-0032 and 60-0025 taxi at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, after
arriving from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana on April 9, to join Operation
‘Inherent Resolve’. USAF/SSgt Corey Hook

11

Command (CENTCOM) area of for the 144th FW since it converted returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Exercise ‘Commando Sling 16-2’ at
responsibility when the main body from the F-16C to the F-15C. During Carolina, on March 16. Ten F/A-18Cs Paya Lebar air base. Four F/A-18D
of personnel departed Gowen Field the deployment, which is scheduled operated by the ‘Werewolves’ of Hornets detached to the base from
in Boise on April 12. The deployment to last until September, the F-15s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron MCAS Iwakuni between March 28
is the first for the wing in support of will also conduct training in Bulgaria, (VMFA) 122 replaced the ‘Bengals’ and April 15.
Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’ and its Estonia and Romania. following their arrival at Iwakuni, Elsewhere, EA-6B Prowlers from
largest since 2008. beginning on March 16. Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare
Marine Corps moves F/A-18Ds of VMFA(AW)-533 ‘Hawks’ Squadron (VMAQ) 4 have deployed to
Eagles in Europe Marine All Weather Fighter Attack passed through Morón, Spain, in April Incirlik, Turkey, to support Operation
A Theater Security Package Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224 ‘Fighting en route to a CENTCOM deployment. ‘Inherent Resolve’. The ‘Seahawks’ are
comprising 12 F-15Cs operated by Bengals’ has completed a six-month Meanwhile, VMFA(AW)-242 ‘Bats’ scheduled to remain in-theater until
the Massachusetts and California Air deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, has been deployed to Singapore for September 2016.
National Guard began a six-month
deployment to the European theater Photographed at RAF Lakenheath on
in support of Operation ‘Atlantic April 2, F-15C serial 84-0014 of the 144th
FW’s 194th FS en route to Leeuwarden for
Resolve’ on April 2. The fighters, which ‘Frisian Flag’. Ryan Dorling
are assigned to the 104th and 144th
Fighter Wings, initially deployed to
Keflavík, Iceland, and Leeuwarden,
the Netherlands, for participation in
the NATO Air Surveillance mission and
Exercise ‘Frisian Flag’. A group of four
F-15Cs arrived at RAF Lakenheath on
April 2 as ‘Cube 71-74’. Four additional
fighters deployed directly to Keflavík
and arrived there as ‘Cube 91-94’ on
April 3. The deployment is the first

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] UNITED STATES
CONTRACT ROUND-UP
• The USAF has awarded a • Boeing has received an
PEGASUS SNAGS
AERIAL REFUELING TESTING with Boeing is currently producing
$34.4-million contract modification $896.9-million contract modification
the USAF’s Boeing KC-46A tanker LRIP aircraft with its own funds and
to Boeing under which it will convert from the Army Contracting
was paused after an anomaly was plans to deliver two reconfigured
F-16 fighters into QF-16 full-scale Command that provides for the
discovered in the fuel delivery development aircraft along with 16
aerial targets (FSATs). The Lot 4 manufacture and delivery of 27
system during boom testing production aircraft by August 2017.
contract takes in the production of remanufactured and 12 new-build
with a C-17A Globemaster III. The contractor is also developing
30 conversions. Air Force Materiel Lot 14 CH-47F helicopters.
The type’s flying boom recorded plans to increase testing efficiency
Command (AFMC) is currently • Boeing has received a $922.6-million
higher-than-expected axial loads and will open a second completion
planning to issue a sole-source contract modification from the
in the course of the tests, and center for converting the 767-2C
follow-on contract to Boeing that will Army Contracting Command for 117
Boeing is currently working to airframes to tanker configuration.
provide for Lot 6-10 (Fiscal 2018 to AH-64E helicopters. The Apaches will
resolve the problem. According to the report, Boeing
2022) QF-16 production. be remanufactured from AH-64D
A recent report by the has made fewer engineering
• Bell Helicopter received a configuration at the contractor’s
Government Accountability changes than expected, which
$461.1-million modification to an Mesa, Arizona, facility and work
Office indicates that Boeing could reduced the total estimated cost
existing contract for the manufacture should be completed by May 2018.
miss the August 2017 deadline of the program by seven per
and delivery of 12 Lot 13 UH-1Ys and The effort includes aircraft that were
to deliver 18 KC-46As to the cent from $51.7 billion to $48.2
16 Lot 13 AH-1Zs. The Fiscal Year 2016 authorized in Fiscal Years 2015 and
USAF by up to four months. The billion. However, developmental
order marks the final procurement of 2016 under full-rate production Lots 5
contractor remains optimistic that problems that included wiring
the UH-1Y for the Marine Corps. Work and 6. The Army plans to acquire 690
it will deliver all of the aircraft in a issues, a redesign of the aerial
on these aircraft is expected to be AH-64E Apaches and 290 have been
compressed period of six months refueling system, and a fuel
completed in February 2019. placed under contract or delivered.
instead of the original 14. Testing contamination problem resulted in
setbacks that occurred in 2014 extended testing and delays to the
and 2015 have pushed a low-rate delivery schedules. The report also
APACHES WORK WITH TIGERS initial production (LRIP) decision states: ‘Boeing will not be able to
The 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation from August 2015 to May 2016 complete development activities
Brigade has completed an aerial gunnery exercise at the until June 2018, five months later
and, according to the GAO report,
Grafenwöhr training area in Germany. Eight AH-64Ds worked
with a pair of German Tiger UHTs from the 4th Battalion, Kampf- the start of the tanker’s five- than required’.
hubschrauberregiment 36, from March 31 to April 5. Melchior Timmers month operational testing phase The initial two LRIP lots
12 has been shifted from April to respectively include seven and
May 2017. 12 KC-46As.

HS-11 ‘SUNDOWNS’
SH-60F SEAHAWK
THE ‘DRAGONSLAYERS’ OF Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron
(HS) 11 were scheduled to retire the US Navy’s last Sikorsky SH-60Fs
KIOWA WARRIORS FLY MASS FORMATION at Chambers Field, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on May 9. The
THE 1ST SQUADRON, 17th Cavalry Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation squadron completed its final deployment with the three SH-60Fs
Regiment carried out the final mass Brigade, will be the last unit to and four HH-60Hs as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 aboard the USS
formation flight of the US Army’s operate the Kiowa Warrior and is Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on November 25, 2015.
OH-58D scout attack helicopter at scheduled to begin a nine-month HS-11 will now transition to the MH-60S and be redesignated as
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April deployment to South Korea this Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 on June 1, 2016. The unit
15. During the event, the squadron summer. At the conclusion of that began a move from its previous home port at NAS Jacksonville, Florida,
flew all 32 of its Kiowa Warriors. The deployment the last OH-58Ds will to Chambers Field in April. The ‘Dragonslayers’ expect to be declared
squadron, a component of the 82nd be retired. operational with this new aircraft in October 2016.

OH-58Ds operated by the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd SH-60F BuNo 164800 operated by HS-11 ‘Dragonslayers’. The
Combat Aviation Brigade, conduct a flyover during a farewell flight at unit is ‘sundowning’ the SH-60F. US Navy/MC3 Anna Van Nuys
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April 15. DoD/Kenneth Kassens

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

Farnborough.indd 1 05/04/2016 11:35
 BY ANDREAS RUPPRECHT
AIR WARFARE BRIEFINGS
FROM THE ASIA-PACIFIC

I
N THE ASIA-PACIFIC region, the
main strategic focus in recent
years has undoubtedly been
China, its military build-up and
its sheer number of new defense
programs. However, another
Asian giant shares similar ambitions:
India. Both nations are traditional Asian
powerhouses with the world’s two largest
populations, and are now home to the
two fastest-growing economies.
As different as they are, both China and
India share a number of significant and
urgent problems, together with lofty
14 plans to emerge not only as regional
but as global powers. Here especially,
national pride and contrasting political
systems ensure that the two countries
compete for diplomatic, economic,
and political influence across much of
Asia, but their rivalry also extends to Above: Older strength will decrease yet further unless procurement is complicated by a web of
unresolved border disputes. Indian Air Force additional, new types can be introduced politics, corruption, conflicting budget
types slated
With regard to strategic long-term in sufficient numbers. priorities and technical issues, especially
for retirement,
planning and the foundations for military in the shapes Adding to the concern is the fact with regard to indigenous systems.
expansion, the People’s Liberation Army of the MiG-21 that today’s fleet consists of so many The apparently endless negotiations
and MiG-27,
Air Force (PLAAF) currently enjoys a different types, often with overlapping involved in the Dassault Rafale deal,
lead newer
much more comfortable situation than MiG-29s and capabilities. This makes maintenance ongoing talks with Moscow on the
its Indian counterpart. An analysis shows Su-30MKIs in incredibly complicated, and in recent Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA),
this formation.
quite clearly that tougher challenges lie years has served to further decrease and the problems with the Tejas Light
Upgrade
ahead for the Indian Air Force (IAF). programs are the IAF’s operational availability. In Combat Aircraft (LCA) are all prime
now planned for addition, if things were not already bad examples of this.
the newer types,
Fighter shortage but overall force
enough, the IAF is notorious for its high To address these inadequacies, the
The major concern as reported by India’s levels look set to accident rate, which highlights the lack current government plans to begin by
Standing Committee to the Parliament slide. of adequate training capabilities and has modifying its approach to procurement
Kedar Karmarkar
in early 2015 was the dramatic reduction led to a general shortfall in the number through adoption of a hybrid policy.
of the IAF’s combat-readiness. Although of trained pilots. Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, local
the IAF requires 45 fighter squadrons In order to maintain the IAF’s traditional developments are to be encouraged
to counter a ‘two-front collusive threat’, superiority over Pakistan and to meet but they should be conducted with
the parliamentary panel noted that its ambition of facing China on equal foreign assistance and above all — as the
the IAF had only 25 active fighter units, terms, these challenges need to be Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has
even if ‘official’ totals recorded that 32- addressed quickly. pledged — a more ‘pragmatic approach’
34 squadrons were on strength. Even One major reason for these problems should be adopted when dealing with
worse, 14 of these units are equipped does not find its roots in military issues, foreign firms and joint ventures. How
with older types such as the MiG-21 but in India’s unique procurement soon this effort will bear fruit remains
and MiG-27, which are to be retired by process. Typically over-bureaucratic and to be seen. As of today, efforts in this
2024. Therefore the IAF’s operational often poorly executed, Indian defense direction are still ongoing.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 INDIAN FIGHTERS | EYE ON THE EAST

INDIA’S
FIGHTER CONUNDRUM
15

Modernization efforts
Like the PLAAF, the IAF is also undergoing
a major modernization program to
replace and upgrade its aging fleet. This
effort began in the late 1990s with the
primary aim of maintaining ‘mission-
ready’ status for any potential future
conflicts. This includes the procurement
and development of new aircraft,
weapons and systems, but also the
upgrading of aircraft already in service.
In parallel, older types are steadily being
retired: the Sea Harrier bowed out only
recently, and the previously updated
MiG-21 Bison is scheduled to be phased
out by 2019. Above: An active increased fuel capacity, Zhuk-M radar and • The Jaguar IS, IM and IB are being
The following account provides a electronically- other new avionics, in-flight refueling brought up to DARIN III standard. This
scanned array
summary of the situation in the form of radar, uprated capability, and enhanced RD-33 Series will include new avionics and electronic
brief overviews of the current major IAF avionics and 3 engines. warfare suite, improved cockpit and
combat aircraft programs. electronic • The Mirage 2000H/TH fleet is being head-up displays, and eventually the more
warfare systems
As regards the current fleet of fighters, are among the brought up to Mirage 2000I and TI powerful Honeywell F125IN engines.
almost all operational types not due to be improvements standard, equivalent to the Mirage 2000-5 • The Su-30MKI is being brought up
retired are undergoing modernization: planned for Mk2, including Thales RDY2 radar, a to ‘Super 30’ standard. As the Su-30 is
the Su-30MKI
• The MiG-29 fleet is being brought up upgrade effort. helmet-mounted display, new avionics, currently the most capable type in the
to MiG-29UPG standard. Equivalent to Kedar Karmarkar and the ability to use the MICA air-to-air IAF inventory, this is not as urgent as
the MiG-29SMT, this version includes missile (AAM). the other projects. Nevertheless, the

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 EYE ON THE EAST | INDIAN FIGHTERS

Indian Su-30s are to receive a new active

electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar, ‘Typically over-bureaucratic and often poorly
uprated avionics and electronic warfare
systems, and, significantly, the ability to executed, Indian defense procurement is
carry the BrahMos anti-ship missile and the
indigenous Astra AAM. complicated by a web of politics, corruption,
However, as is so often the case with
Indian defense programs, almost all the conflicting budget priorities and technical issues,
aforementioned efforts were initiated
only after a lengthy decision process,
especially with regard to indigenous systems’
which led to delays and severe cost
over-runs. Furthermore, the IAF has often standard featuring minor changes to seen how many FGFAs the IAF will finally
expressed its dissatisfaction with the improve its performance, while the Navy be able to afford.
resulting upgrades, demanding additional will take 50. The definitive and significantly • The HAL Advanced Medium Combat
16 modifications and further testing. This revised Mk2, powered by the F414-GE-IN56 Aircraft (AMCA) was originally planned as
in turn leads to increased costs and yet engine, is still under discussion. a complement to the LCA, MMRCA and
more delays. In the case of the Mirage The third and final modernization path FGFA. HAL has initiated preliminary design
and Jaguar, the current status of the — and the preferred approach in the work on the medium-weight fighter and
respective upgrades is uncertain, as a result eyes of most Indian politicians — is the the IAF has a requirement for 250.
of budget limitations, technical problems planned procurement and development of
and unresolved decisions as regards new types: Where next?
requirements and equipment fit. • The Dassault Rafale. Originally borne out In general, the chances that either China or
Besides the various mid-life upgrade of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft India will use military force to enforce their
projects, the second path toward (MMRCA) program, a request for proposals territorial claims are slim. However, a tense
modernization is represented by the issued in 2007 called for the purchase of situation remains and progress in terms of
procurement of new types: 126 aircraft, with the French Rafale being combat aircraft modernization has been
• The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited down-selected in 2012. However, after made at a snail’s pace at best. Little has
(HAL) Tejas LCA. India’s most important interminable negotiations, the deal was been done to address the IAF’s underlying
indigenous defense program (see Combat cancelled in early 2015 and the following problems. According to Srinivasapuram
Aircraft May 2016), the LCA was initiated in April Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead Krishnaswamy, retired IAF air chief marshal,
1983 as a successor to the MiG-21. After a announced his intention to buy 36 Rafales ‘the Air Force has a significant shortage of
protracted development, the initial Tejas in a fly-away condition as a government- combat aircraft… Considering the low rate
Mk1 officially attained initial operational to-government deal. Negotiations are still of induction, the [Indian Air Force] may
status in January 2014. However, final ongoing, especially concerning the price. take more than a decade or two to reach
operational clearance was postponed • The FGFA/Sukhoi T-50I. Almost as its authorized strength’. Exactly how India
until 2016 at the earliest, and the version protracted as the MMRCA, the FGFA will deal with this is still unresolved. In late
currently in low-rate production is still program is a joint Indian-Russian project March it appeared that both Lockheed A Jaguar S(I)
not the definitive fighter. Under plans agreed in late 2007 and intended to Martin and Boeing were weighing up from No 224
‘Warlords’
announced in October 2015, the IAF has develop a fifth-generation type based their chances of selling a customized Squadron en
ordered 40 Tejas jets (20 Mk1A and 20 Mk2 on Russia’s T-50. At one time the IAF ‘Make in India’ version of the F-16 or F/A-18 route to Exercise
variants) from an overall requirement of planned to introduce 200 two-seat and 50 Super Hornet. ‘Red Flag Alaska’
in April. This
200 single-seat and 20 two-seat LCAs. The single-seat FGFAs. However, in the light of Time will tell if India’s current attempts squadron from
Indian Navy has requested an additional performance shortfalls and disputes over at modernization will be successful in AFS Jamnagar
40 LCAs. According to the latest reports, cost, workshare and technology transfer, the long run, but the hopes must be operates the
newest Indian
though, the IAF will introduce only 100-120 negotiations stalled again. Provided the considered slim and the challenges ahead ‘Jags’.
examples of the slightly improved Mk1A project is not axed entirely, it remains to be are enormous. Giovanni Colla

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

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GLOBAL STRIKE SUPPLEMENT
Responsibility for the US airborne
nuclear deterrent rests with Air Force
Global Strike Command, although its
B-1B, B-2A and B-52H bombers also
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power projection roles. AFM’s regular
contributor Tom Kaminski examines the
force in this free 16-page supplement.

FORCE REPORT: Italian Air Force

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PROFILE: Su-30: Multi-role Flanker Comes of Age

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 [NEWS] WORLD

TYPHOON UPDATE
METEOR TRIALS • ‘SHADER’ MISSION MARKINGS

E
UROFIGHTER the flight test campaign for the Dr Andreas Zeitler
TYPHOON Phase 2 Enhancements (P2E). The
INSTRUMENTED NATO Eurofighter and Tornado
Production Aircraft 7 Management Agency (NETMA) is
(IPA7) 98+07 is seen under contract to fully integrate the
carrying a single Meteor onto the Typhoon by the end
MBDA Meteor beyond visual range of this year.
air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) under
the fuselage during test-flying
currently under way at Manching,
Bavaria. BAE Systems announced
completion of guided firing trials
of the Meteor from Typhoon IPA6
in September 2015, as part of

This image and inset above: RAF Typhoon FGR4 ZK332/EB-J at RAF
Lossiemouth with 53 Paveway IV mission markings applied
from its involvement in Operation ‘Shader’. Niall Paterson

18

ARCHANGEL
DELIVERIES CONTINUE
THE UNITED ARAB Emirates Air Force is in the
Ruben Zammit

process of receiving IOMAX Archangel counter-

insurgency aircraft. The latest example of a
Block 3 Archangel was seen recently during a
stop-over at Luqa, Malta as part of its delivery
flight to the UAE. The aircraft arrived at Malta
from Jerez in Spain, before proceeding to
Jordan.
The UAE ordered 24 Archangels. Deliveries
began in summer 2015 and are now running at
a rate of two aircraft per month. The Archangel
will replace the IOMAX AT-802 Block 2 aircraft
currently in UAE service. The UAE originally
received 24 Block 1 and Block 2 aircraft, and
donated six Block 1 examples to Jordan. Others
were donated to Yemen, and the aircraft have
also been seen operating in Libya.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 WORLD [NEWS]

FIGHTER FOCUS
Saab delegation is expected to visit Candidates under consideration are
India for further discussions. The second-hand Tranche 1 Eurofighter
Indian Ministry of Defence hopes to Typhoons, second-hand Lockheed
fly a first upgraded Tejas Mk2 by 2018. Martin F-16s, and new-build Saab
The new aircraft is expected to include JAS 39C/D Gripens. The Bulgarian Air
an active electronically-scanned Force hopes to replace its MiG-29s
array (AESA) radar, unified electronic with 16 new multi-role jets. A first
warfare suite, beyond visual range contract for eight aircraft valued at
missiles, and aerial refueling capability. around $580 million will be signed by
Chilean ‘Viper’ meets Raptor that involved F-22A Raptor serial the end of 2016, leading to deliveries
A highlight of the Feria 08-4166 from the 27th Fighter New Thunder squadron from 2018 to 2021. Another eight will
Internacional del Aire y del Espacio Squadron, and FACh F-16AM serial The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) then be acquired between 2022 and
(FIDAE, International Air and Space 746 of Grupo 7. The Chilean ‘Viper’ established a new Chengdu Aircraft 2023.
Fair), held in Santiago de Chile is a former Royal Netherlands Air Corporation/Pakistan Aeronautical
from March 29 to April 3, was a Force jet delivered to Chile in 2011 Complex JF-17 squadron on April Russia orders Su-30SM
joint US Air Force and Fuerza Aérea under the Peace Amstel II program. 11. Located at PAF Base Masroor, The Russian Defense Ministry has
de Chile (FACh) formation flight Cristobal Soto Pino Southern Air Command, No 2 signed a contract with the Irkut
Squadron ‘Minhas’ operated the Corporation for the supply of ‘over 30’
Qatar signs off on Rafale offsets, NDTV now reports that the Chengdu F-7P fighter from August Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters. Announced
The first day of the Doha International deal has been agreed, with a price tag 1990 until August 2015. The PAF now on April 3, the deal will see deliveries
Maritime Defence Exhibition and of $8.8 billion. The agreement is still includes four JF-17 squadrons, the to the Russian Air Force continue to
Conference (held March 29-31) saw to be formally signed off, but once other three being No 26 ‘Black Spiders’ the end of 2018 as part of the State
France and Qatar completing a deal to this happens deliveries could begin at Peshawar, No 16 ‘Black Panthers’ at Defense Order for 2016-18. Some
supply the Gulf state with 24 Dassault within 18 months. The latest deal Kamra, and the Combat Commanders reports suggest that the contract will
Rafales. Including armament from includes 50 per cent indirect offsets School at Sargodha. A total of 66 have total 36 Su-30SMs, of which eight may
MBDA and training for 36 pilots and for Indian industry, an increase over been delivered to the PAF to date. be delivered to the Russian Navy.
around 100 technicians, the deal is the 30 per cent previously offered,
now known to be worth $7.5 billion. and reportedly including $3 billion of Bulgaria begins search Egypt confirmed as MiG-29M buyer
Qatar made a down-payment in French investment in Indian stealth for new fighter The Russian Commission for
The Bulgarian Defense Council has Military Technical Co-operation has
19
December 2015. and radar technologies.
approved plans to acquire a new confirmed that Egypt is the previously
End in sight for Indian Rafale saga? Saab may upgrade Tejas fighter for the Bulgarian Air Force. It undisclosed North African customer
Reports from the Indian media The Press Trust of India reports that has approved the investment from of 50 Mikoyan MiG-29M fighters. The
suggest that France and India may Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) the 2016 budget that will launch the jets will be supplied to Cairo as part
finally have come to an agreement is in talks with Saab as it looks to overhaul of the Bulgarian fighter fleet, of a $5-billion arms deal signed in
over the supply of 36 Dassault Rafales develop an upgraded version of its currently spearheaded by MiG-29s. April 2015. The first two aircraft are
for the Indian Air Force. Long held up Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Days later, the plans were approved expected to be delivered this year and
by negotiations over costs and Initial talks have taken place, and a by the government in Sofia. final deliveries should occur by 2020.

ON APRIL 14, Afghan Air Force

AFGHAN A-29S
Embraer A-29s flew their initial
operational close air support
missions in the northern province

IN ACTION of Badakhshan under the

direction of Afghan forward air
controllers on the ground. Two
Afghan A-29s had been deployed
to the northern city of Mazar-e-
Sharif on March 7. The first four
A-29s for the Afghan Air Force
arrived in Kabul on January 15
and made a debut deployment
to Jalalabad in the east of the
country in February. The two
A-29A serial YA-1509 aircraft at Mazar-e-Sharif will
(c/n 31400209) flies over likely be permanently stationed in
Afghanistan during a training the north to support the Afghan
mission on April 6. The aircraft
previously carried the US National Defence and Security
Foreign Military Sales serial Forces (ANDSF). An additional four
number 13-2009. A-29s arrived in Afghanistan on
USAF/Capt Eydie Sakura March 29.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] WORLD
Although presented at Balad AB with
the three new Su-25s in April 2016,
Su-25UB serial IQAF-2501 is thought to
have been delivered last October but
has remained hidden until now.
via Arnaud Delalande

ATLANTIQUE TARGETS TERRORISTS COMBAT DEBUT FOR KA-52

FOR THE FIRST time, a French Hit, Iraq. A coalition fighter then FOLLOWING RUSSIA’S Palmyra in late March. The Mi-28N
Navy Dassault Atlantique 2 (ATL2) dropped a laser-guided bomb on RESHUFFLE of air assets in is confirmed to have destroyed at
has been used to to designate a the target. A French Navy ATL2 has Syria, the Kamov Ka-52 made its least one armored vehicle and a
target during operations in Iraq. been operating from Jordan since operational debut in early April. small building.
The announcement by the French February 2016 as part of France’s Earlier this year, Russian Air Force Both helicopters are employing
Ministry of Defense recounted continuing efforts to defeat the Ka-52 and Mil Mi-28N attack 9M120 Ataka anti-tank and
20 an April 3 mission in support of so-called Islamic State group. helicopters were first identified at 9M120F Ataka anti-personnel
Operation ‘Chammal’. A forward France previously used its Atlantics Syria’s Hmeimin air base. missiles and 80mm S-8OFP
air controller — airborne (FAC-A) in strike operations in Mali in 2013, According to TASS, the first unguided rockets.
on board the ATL2 used the dropping 500lb GBU-12 Paveway II Ka-52 combat sortie saw the As of March 31, there were
aircraft’s Wescam EO/IR camera to laser-guided bombs, but with use helicopter engage soft-skinned four Ka-52s and three Mi-28Ns
illuminate a target on the ground of buddy-designation by Harfang targets near Homs. Meanwhile, deployed to Al-Shayrat air base,
during a reconnaissance flight near unmanned aerial vehicles. the Mi-28N went into action near 30km south-east of Homs.

MORE YAK-130S FOR RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

RUSSIAN MEDIA REPORTS that the Russian Air Force is set to receive 30 more
SAUDI HAWKS DELIVERED
Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainers by the end of 2018. A contract was recently THE FIRST OF 44 BAE Systems Hawk facility on April 1 and are reported
agreed between the Russian Defense Ministry and Irkut Corporation. Mk165 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) to be assigned to 21 Squadron of
on order for Saudi Arabia have the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
been delivered. Serials 2101 and There are indications that the aircraft
NEW-LOOK DAEDALUS 2102 arrived at King Faisal Air Base may adopt a combat role. Saudi
THE HELLENIC AIR Force’s T-6 Texan IIs from 120 Pteriga on April 6. While in the UK the jets Arabia ordered an initial batch of 22
Daedalus demonstration team Ekpetheusis Aeros (PEA, Air wore the temporary serials ZB101 Hawk AJTs in 2012 and an order for
has introduced a new livery for Training Wing) at Kalamata, serial and ZB102 respectively. The Hawks a further 22 aircraft was confirmed
the forthcoming airshow season. 036 is fully painted, while the other departed BAE Systems’ Warton earlier this year.
Of the team’s two Beechcraft sports a special badge on the tail.

VENEZUELAN KARAKORUM
DELIVERIES
THE VENEZUELAN AIR FORCE has Barquisimeto in Lara state and with
received a new batch of Hongdu the Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones
K-8W trainers. The nine jets were Especiales 15 based at Maracaibo in
delivered in two batches beginning the state of Zulia.
in late February, and initially arrived Venezuela originally received 18
at El Libertador air base in Aragua K-8Ws from Hongdu starting in
state. The aircraft will serve with January 2010 but has since lost three
Timm Ziegenthaler Grupo Aéreo de Caza 12 based at in accidents.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 WORLD [NEWS]

MORE Su-25S FOR IRAQ

IQAF BUILD-UP CONTINUES WITH INCREASED ‘FROGFOOT’ FLEET

O
N APRIL 17 the Russia at New al-Muthana AB in June badly damaged during take-off from had been formed at Al Rashid AB,
Iraqi Air Force 2014. Three others arrived at Imam New al-Muthana. Another Su-25 south-east of Baghdad, to operate
(IQAF) received Ali AB soon after. On July 1, three of apparently made an emergency the Su-25. In July 2015, one was
three more the seven Su-25s operational with landing after being hit by a missile delivered by Iran as an attrition
Sukhoi Su-25 the Islamic Revolutionary Guards and was removed from active replacement. In September 2015 it
ground attack Corps Air and Space Force (IRGCASF) service. In early November 2014, was reported that Iraqi pilots were
aircraft from Russia. The three single- arrived in Baghdad. The last four ex- three Su-25s were returned to Iran training on Belarusian Su-25s to
seaters arrived at Balad Air Base, IRGCASF Su-25s arrived at Al-Rashid for technical inspection. increase the number of pilots and
north of Baghdad. The IQAF received AB the following day. Since then, a In April 2015, Iraq confirmed improve operational readiness.
its first two second-hand Su-25s from pilot has been killed and his aircraft that the 109th Attack Squadron Arnaud Delalande

ROTARY REVIEW
The first of 15 new H135s arrives at NAS Nowra/HMAS Albatross on completed in 2020, replacing the the last time on a Royal Navy vessel
March 31. In addition to the serial number N52-001, the helicopter existing Westland Sea King. on March 20. The ‘Junglies’ touched
carries the civil registration VH-AQG and wears markings for both down on the deck of the Fleet
the Royal Australian Navy and the Army Air Corps as well as the
squadron patch for 723 Naval Air Squadron. Boeing Philippines orders Wildcats Amphibious Flagship HMS Bulwark
Finmeccanica has won a second operating off the Devon coast. The
export order for its AW159 Wildcat next day, after a farewell in formation
helicopter. After South Korea, the over the south-west from Royal Naval
21
Philippines have signed a contract Air Station Yeovilton, the Sea King
for two Wildcats outfitted for anti- HC4 ceased flying operations and was
submarine and anti-surface warfare. retired from operational service.
The Department of National Defense
contract is valued at over €100 More Mexican Black Hawks
million. The two helicopters will be The Pentagon has announced that
assigned to the Philippine Navy. The Mexico will receive seven new
aircraft will be built and delivered ‘uniquely configured’ UH-60M
from Finmeccanica Helicopter helicopters from Sikorsky at a cost
Australian H135 arrives from a total of 15 aircraft that it Division’s Yeovil plant in England of $54.9 million. The order comes
The Australian Defence Force has requested. The $170.2-million during 2018. as a contract modification from the
(ADF) began to receive the first contract modification covers US Army Contracting Command.
of 15 Airbus Helicopters H135 manufacture and delivery of nine Dual-control ‘Havoc’ for Algeria All seven Black Hawks are due to
(EC135T2+) aircraft at NAS Nowra/ AH-1Zs, plus auxiliary fuel kits. The The Mil Mi-28NE has entered serial be delivered by February 2019. A
HMAS Albatross, New South Wales first nine Vipers are to be delivered production in dual-control form, previous batch of 18 UH-60Ms began
on March 31. The helicopters are by the end of September 2018. It manufacturer Rostec has announced. to be delivered to Mexico by the US
being introduced under the JP is not clear whether Pakistan will The dual-control Mi-28NE retains all Army Security Assistance Command
9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew order the remaining six aircraft at attack helicopter functions, but is in December 2015. These aircraft were
Training System (HATS) project, a later date, or if it will opt for an optimized for pilot training. Cockpit ordered in September 2014 as part
a new joint training system for alternative platform. modifications include energy- of a $583.96-million Foreign Military
both Royal Australian Navy and absorbing seats. A dual-control Sales package.
Australian Army aircrew. All 15 of Norwegian AW101 takes flight Mi-28NE prototype was completed in
the helicopters are due for delivery The Norwegian All-Weather Search 2014 and joint state tests concluded Boeing wins Dutch Chinook
by early 2017. Prime contractor and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) at the end of 2015. contract
for the program is Boeing Defence program took an important step The dual-control Mi-28NE was The Department of Defense has
Australia. forward with the first flight of an reportedly developed specifically for announced the award to Boeing of
AW101 helicopter for the service Algeria, which has ordered around 40 a $308-million Foreign Military Sales
Pakistan orders AH-1Z at Finmeccanica’s Yeovil, England, examples. order to provide the Netherlands
The US Department of Defense facility on March 21. The Royal with 12 CH-47Fs, as it sets about
announced on April 4 that Pakistan Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) will Last call for Sea King HC4 upgrading its Chinook fleet. A Dutch
has contracted for a batch of nine receive 16 AW101s. Deliveries are Two Royal Navy Sea King HC4s from request for 17 CH-47Fs was approved
Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, expected to begin in 2017 and be 848 Naval Air Squadron landed for in March 2015.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 [NEWS] WORLD

T
HE ROYAL April 4, during which an RNLAF of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards
NETHERLANDS F-35 from 323 Test and Evaluation AFB and was executed by RNLAF
Air Force was Squadron (TES) was refueled by personnel and aircraft. The test
recently cleared day and night above Edwards will allow Dutch F-35s to deploy to
to refuel the Air Force Base, California. During the Netherlands in May, for visits
Lockheed Martin the testing the tanker delivered to Leeuwarden and Volkel. For
F-35A Lightning II using its KDC-10 approximately 30,000lb of fuel to more on the ongoing Dutch F-35
tanker. Tests to receive certification the F-35A. The certification was led test effort, see the accompanying
were run between March 31 and by the 418th Flight Test Squadron article in this issue.

DUTCH KDC-10 REFUELS F-35

MILESTONE FOR DUTCH LIGHTNING II

22

MEXICAN BELL ATR-72MP PREPARES FOR DELIVERY

ANGOLAN ‘HIP’ 407GXP
DELIVERIES DELIVERIES
A FIRST ATR-72MP in full Italian
Air Force colors has begun test
the airframe of the ATR-72-600
airliner and on the design of the
RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS
ANNOUNCED on March 24
COMPLETE flights from Turin-Caselle, home of ATR-72ASW developed for the
the main Alenia Aermacchi facility. Turkish Navy. In the MP version, the
BELL HELICOPTER HAS delivered
that it had delivered four The aircraft does not yet wear the anti-submarine warfare systems
the 15th and final Model 407GXP
Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters to helicopter to the Mexican Air Force. full markings of the 41° Stormo, are replaced by a full command,
Angola. They were shipped to The contract was awarded in March which will operate the aircraft from control, communications,
Africa on board an An-124. The 2015, and the Mexican Air Force is Sigonella. Furthermore, the serial computers, and intelligence (C4I)
company also revealed that it using the Bell 407GXP fleet for various (still experimental, CSX62298) system suite to perform maritime
had previously delivered four para-public missions. The 407GXPs are is hand-written. Delivery to the patrol, vessel identification and
Mi‑171Shs to Angola in 2015. operated by the Escuadrón Aéreo 111 41° Stormo of the first of the four search, electronic intelligence,
based at Zapopan, Jalisco. aircraft is due to take place soon. warfare command and control, and
The Italian Air Force is the launch search and rescue (SAR) duties.
JAPAN COAST GUARD customer for the type, based on Marco Rossi
BUYS SIXTH H225 HUEY IIs
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS HAS
announced the purchase of an
FOR KENYA ATR-72MP serial CSX62298 returns to Turin-Caselle Airport on
March 29, following a test flight. Note the open in-flight operable
KENYA IS TO receive five Bell hatch for SAR kit launch. Marco Rossi
additional H225 by the Japan UH-1H helicopters from the
Coast Guard (JCG). The helicopter United States. The Huey IIs will
will join five examples that are be supplied via the US Army
currently operated for missions Non-Standard Rotary-Wing
including search and rescue, Aircraft Project Office (NSRWA
security enforcement, territorial sea PO), together with spare
guard, as well as disaster relief. It is parts, tools, and operator and
scheduled for delivery by the end maintainer training.
of 2018.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 WORLD [NEWS]

LOSSES
RNLAF KDC-10 serial T-264
Prins Bernhard from 334 aircraft was returning from an
Squadron refuels an F-35A interdiction mission against Boko
assigned to the RNLAF’s 323 Haram rebels when the mishap
TES over the Sierra Nevada
occurred. Neither pilot was
mountains on March 31. It
Compiled by Tom Kaminski seriously injured but the aircraft
was the first time an F-35
had refueled from the • Both crew aboard a Russian Air were killed in the collision with suffered substantial damage.
RNLAF tanker. Force Mi-28N were killed when the Super Hornet. • An unidentified Royal
USAF/Chris Okula
the attack helicopter crashed • A Royal Jordanian Air Force Jordanian Air Force helicopter
in Syria on April 12. The mishap Hawk Mk63 trainer jet crashed crashed near Mafraq on March
occurred near the city of Homs, during a training mission on 22. Neither pilot was seriously
and according to the Russian March 31. One pilot was killed injured.
Defense Ministry it was not the but the other ejected safely. • A TH-67A operated by the
result of hostile fire. • Both pilots aboard a Republic US Army Aviation Center of
• U-125 serial 49-3043 operated of Korea Air Force F-16D ejected Excellence at Fort Rucker,
by the Japan Air Self-Defense safely before the fighter crashed Alabama suffered a hard landing
Force’s Flight Check Squadron during a training flight on March near Dothan Regional Airport
crashed on April 7, killing two 30. The mishap occurred in in Alabama on March 21. Two
pilots and four crew. The Hawker Cheongsong, around 200 miles student pilots and an instructor
disappeared from radar while it (322km) south-east of Seoul. were injured.
was operating in a mountainous • A Russian Air Force Su-25 • Bell 412EP serial HA-5171
area of Kagoshima Prefecture crashed near Chernigovka airfield operated by the Indonesian
near Takakuma, around 6.2 miles in the eastern Primorye territory Army crashed near Kasiguncu
(10km) from the Maritime Self- during a training flight on March village in the Posa district of
Defense Force’s Kanoya Air Base. 30. The pilot ejected safely. central Sulawesi on March
• EC145 serial FA-637 (c/n 9718) • A Russian Air Force An-26RT 20, killing 13 personnel. The
operated by the Albanian Air sustained substantial damage helicopter may have been struck
Force crashed during a training in an accident at Rostov Airport by lightning.
mission on April 6, killing both on March 29. The mishap was • A US Army UH-60 suffered
pilots and injuring a third crew the result of an engine fire that a hard landing in southern
member. The aircraft went down forced the crew to abort its Afghanistan’s Helmand province,
in Shkodra Lake near Grizhe, take-off. on March 18. None of the 23
around 67 miles (108km) north • A US Air Force F-16C assigned soldiers aboard the Black Hawk
of Tirana. to the 455th Air Expeditionary was seriously injured when the
• A Mi-35M operated by the Iraqi Wing’s 421st Expeditionary helicopter came down in the
Army crashed near Kut, south Fighter Squadron crashed near Shawal Manda area of the Nad
of Baghdad, during a training Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on Ali district.
mission on April 4. Neither pilot March 29. The mishap occurred • Iraqi Air Force Cessna 208B
ISR KING was seriously injured but the shortly after take-off and the serial YI-119 (c/n 208B-1309)

AIRS FOR
helicopter was destroyed. pilot ejected safely. crashed near Kirkuk on March 16.
• The Azerbaijani Air and Air • An Algerian Air Force Mi-171 Three Iraqi Air Force personnel

SAUDI Defense Force reportedly shot

down a Mi-24 that crashed
helicopter crashed near Reggane,
in Adrar province, during a
aboard the Combat Caravan were
killed when the aircraft went

ARABIA in Nagorno-Karabakh, killing

three crew, on April 2. Although
training flight on March 27.
Twelve soldiers were killed in the
down in Hawija, around 135 miles
(220km) north of Baghdad.
THE PENTAGON HAS revealed
Azerbaijan claimed the helicopter crash but two other personnel • A US Navy TH-57 operated by
that the Sierra Nevada
was operated by Armenia survived. Helicopter Training Squadron
Corporation will convert
and was going to attack Azeri • Nine crew and passengers (HT) 18 was damaged in a hard
two Royal Saudi Air Force
soldiers, Armenia’s Defense were killed when Mi-171 serial landing at Naval Outlying Field
King Air 350ER aircraft to
Ministry alleged that it belonged 15-1221, operated by the Iranian Santa Rosa, near Milton, Florida,
full intelligence, surveillance
to Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Revolutionary Guard, crashed on March 15. The instructor and
and reconnaissance (ISR)
Azerbaijan controlled by ethnic in a residential area 18.6 miles student aviator aboard the Sea
configuration. Sierra Nevada
Armenians. (30km) south of Shiraz, Fars Ranger were not seriously injured
has received a $71.5-million
• A US Navy F/A-18E was province, on March 25. The in the mishap.
contract for the Saudi Arabian
damaged at NAS Lemoore, helicopter was conducting a • Arava serial E-206 (c/n 0090)
King Air 350 program. The
California, after being struck by medical evacuation mission operated by the Ecuadorian
two King Airs will receive
a sport utility vehicle that had when it apparently struck Army’s Grupo de Aviación No
ISR/synthetic aperture radar
breached security and gained electrical power cables. 44 crashed in the province of
capability, and will be provided
access to the air station on March • Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet Pastaza on March 15. Three
together with a transportable
31. The mishap occurred while A serial NAF457 skidded off crew and 19 soldiers were killed
ground station, one fixed
state police vehicles and aircraft the runway into a ditch at Yola when the transport went down
ground station and one mission
and naval security forces were International Airport in the state near Hacienda la Palmira in the
system trainer. Work will be
pursuing the vehicle. The driver of Adamawa, after a tire burst Amazon jungle, around 186 miles
complete by April 2020.
and passenger in the vehicle during landing on March 24. The (300km) north-east of Quito.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS

THE TIP OF THE SPEAR

THE RAAF’S FIGHTER FORCE
With two generations of combat-proven F/A-18s populating its front-
line squadrons, and with the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II now
24 working up towards initial operational capability, the Royal Australian
Air Force’s fighter fleet is every inch a modern fighting force.

report: Nigel Pittaway

W
HEN 14 ROYAL had released 1,145 precision-guided (No 79 Squadron), all part of No 78 Wing,
Australian Air munitions during these operations. these units form part of the RAAF’s Air
Force (RAAF) Combat Group.
F/A-18A Air Combat Group The ‘classic’ F/A-18A/B Hornet is now in
Hornets The RAAF fast jet fleet is made up of the twilight of its operational career and is
deployed to three operational fighter squadrons of due to be replaced by the F-35A Lightning
the Middle East in support of coalition F/A-18A/B Hornets, two based at RAAF II by the end of 2023. Although purchased
operations against the regime of Iraqi Base Williamtown, north of Sydney (Nos 3 as a ‘bridging strategy’ between the
leader Saddam Hussein in 2003, it and 77 Squadrons) and one at RAAF Base premature retirement of the F-111C and
marked the first time Australia had sent Tindal in the Northern Territory (No 75 the late introduction of the F-35, the Super
combat jets to an operational theater Squadron), all under the auspices of No 81 Hornet will now remain in service until at
since the Vietnam War. It was also the Wing at Williamtown. least 2030.
first use of fighter aircraft in a conflict A unit of F/A-18F Super Hornets (No
by the RAAF since the Korean War, and 1 Squadron) at RAAF Base Amberley, ‘Classic’ Hornets
the first time the service had dropped south-west of Brisbane, reports to No The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B
Above: A fine
bombs in anger for 32 years. 82 Wing (also at Amberley). The second Hornet was announced as the winner of
study of an
Today, RAAF Hornets and Super Super Hornet squadron (No 6 Squadron) F/A-18A from the RAAF’s tactical fighter competition
Hornets have been in action over Iraq has recently relinquished its jets and is No 3 Squadron in October 1981, beating the General
flying an
(and later Syria) for almost 18 months, currently undergoing work-up on the Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, to replace
Operation ‘Okra’
striking forces of the so-called Islamic EA-18G Growler in the United States. sortie. As well Australia’s popular but aging Mirage
State (IS) as part of an Australian Air Together with the F/A-18A/Bs of No 2 as a centerline IIIO fleet.
Litening
Task Group (ATG), under Operation Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at Seventy-five aircraft, comprising 57
targeting pod
‘Okra’. By the end of January 2016 the Williamtown and two squadrons of Hawk it carries 500lb single-seat F/A-18As (serials A21-1
Australian Hornets and Super Hornets Mk127 lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT), based GBU-38 JDAMs to A21-57) and 18 two-seat F/A-18Bs
on twin ejector
had flown a combined total of 1,179 at Williamtown (No 76 Squadron) and (A21-101 to A21-118) were ordered for
racks. ADF/Cpl
sorties and 8,981 flying hours, and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia Ben Dempster delivery beginning in 1985. The first

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS | FEATURE

25

two F/A-18Bs were built in St Louis, in 1999. It comprised three major

Missouri and ferried to Australia by RAAF elements: the first was the preparation
pilots in May 1985. The remainder were phase, to define the architecture for
assembled in Australia by the Government subsequent phases, adding a new databus
Aircraft Factories (GAF, later Aerospace and computers and upgrades to the
Technologies of Australia, ASTA) at Avalon, communications systems; the second
south of Melbourne. provided the desired capability upgrades
The final aircraft (A21-57) was handed under several sub-elements; and the third
over in May 1990. Today the 71 surviving addressed emerging structural issues to
Hornets remain in RAAF service. enable the Hornet to continue in service
However, with the exception of the until at least 2015.
Lockheed Martin AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk The elements are known as HUG Phase
targeting pod, there was no attempt to One, HUG Phase Two (2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4)
upgrade the Hornet’s systems or weapons and HUG Phase Three (3.1, 3.2).
during the first decade of service. The Other projects outside the formal
introduction of aircraft such as the HUG program have brought additional
MiG-29 into the south-east Asia region weapons and systems capabilities along
made it clear that the Hornet’s edge was the way, including Project Air 5409
fast eroding. (GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition), Air
After a protracted debate over whether 5418 (Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint
to upgrade or replace the Hornet, a Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile) and Joint
decision to commence a rolling series Project JP2089, which adds a Variable
of systems and structural upgrades was Message Format (VMF) capability.
Jamie Hunter

finally announced in 1998. The Hornet Significant enhancements along the

Upgrade Programme (HUG), officially HUG journey included the replacement
known as Project Air 5376, was launched of the AN/APG-65 radar with Raytheon’s

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS

26

AN/APG-73, integration of the MBDA Squadron had all recently been through Above: Middle East area of operations (MEAO), to
Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile HUG Phase 2.1 and were equipped with A fabulous relieve a similar number of Super Hornets
airborne close-
(ASRAAM), Boeing Joint Helmet-Mounted the APG-73 radar and an enhanced up of a No serving with the Australian Task Group (Air
Cueing System (JHMCS), BAE Systems identification friend or foe (IFF) system. 77 Squadron Task Group) 630 as part of Operation ‘Okra’.
AN/ALR-67 radar warning receiver (RWR), The aircraft initially flew defensive F/A-18A. Note The ‘classic’ Hornets flew their first
that it carries
Elta EL/L-8222 electronic countermeasures counter-air (DCA) missions over Iraq but ASRAAM strike against IS targets in March 2015.
(ECM) pod, Saab BOL countermeasures soon switched to close air support (CAS). missiles on By the end of January this year they had
dispensers mounted on the underwing ‘One of the reasons the Americans the wingtip contributed 727 sorties and released
launcher rails.
pylons, and Link 16 Tactical Data Link wanted us to do DCA was that a lot of the Nigel Pittaway 555 weapons on operations within Iraq.
(TDL). The Northrop Grumman jets deployed by the US Navy didn’t have A further 34 sorties have been flown
AN/AAQ-28 Litening Advanced Targeting the IFF upgrades, so we could actually Right: Australian in Syrian airspace and 34 weapons
(AT) pod has superseded the Nite Hawk guarantee a squadron of IFF-capable Hornets and, dropped, since being granted approval
as of this
targeting pod. jets’, recalled former Chief of Air Force in November 2015. All three operational
year, Super
In addition to the structural rework AM Geoff Brown, then a group captain in Hornets have F/A-18A squadrons are rotating through
carried out under HUG Phase Three, 10 charge of the Australian contingent in the become regular the ‘Okra’ deployment.
attendees at
Hornets required replacement of the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) Despite being 30 years old, the ‘classic’
exercise ‘Red
fuselage center barrel. This work was under Operations ‘Bastille’ (deployment) Flag’ at Nellis Hornet has performed very well under
performed by L-3 MAS at Mirabel in and ‘Falconer’ (operations). AFB. Here, the the grueling conditions of the Middle
commander of
Canada between 2006 and 2010. The RAAF Hornets flew their last East. At the end of 2015, the six jets
No 75 Squadron,
When Australia committed F/A-18As missions in April 2003 and returned home Wg Cdr ‘Mick’, is were enjoying a mission success rate
to coalition operations against Saddam to Tindal the following month. Just over a seen during ‘Red of over 95 per cent — only a couple of
Flag 16-1’. ADF/
Hussein in February 2003, the jets chosen decade later, six fully upgraded F/A-18As points different from the much newer
Cpl Nicci Freeman
to deploy under the command of No 75 from No 75 Squadron returned to the Super Hornet.

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 AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS | FEATURE

relinquishing their aircraft in 2018, prior the Hornet and F-111, but developmental
to re-forming as F-35 units by the end of problems delayed its service entry, and
2020. In the next two years, they will be concerns about the structural viability of
followed by No 77 Squadron and finally the Hornet (then in the midst of the center
No 75 Squadron at Tindal. All ‘classic’ barrel replacement program) convinced
Hornets will be retired by the end of 2023, the Australian government that a ‘bridging
after more than 38 years of service. capability’ would be required to ‘de-risk’
the transition from the F-111 and Hornet
F/A-18F Super Hornet to the F-35.
Australia’s long-range precision strike In early 2007, then Defence Minister
capability had been filled by the F-111C Brendan Nelson announced that Australia
since 1973. A series of block upgrades would purchase 24 F/A-18F Super
beginning in the late 1990s was intended Hornets — enough to completely replace
to keep the charismatic jet in service the F-111 force at Amberley — under
until the 2020 timeframe, by which time Project Air 5349 Phase 1, for delivery
a replacement for both it and the ‘classic’ beginning in 2010.
Hornet was expected to be in full service. At the time, Australia became the first
However, cracks in the wing structure (and at the time of writing the only) export
in the early 2000s required a fleet-wide customer for the Super Hornet. Because
re-wing program, using components Boeing was ahead of its agreed US Navy
removed from ex-USAF F-111s stored at delivery schedule, the three parties were
Davis-Monthan, Arizona. This, coupled able to negotiate deliveries which would
with other obsolescence issues and the permit initial operational capability (IOC)
spiraling cost of supporting what had around the time the F-111 needed to be
by then become an ‘orphan’ fleet, finally withdrawn.
convinced the RAAF that the aircraft The RAAF had a ‘classic’ Hornet
should be retired at the end of 2010. instructor pilot on exchange with the
By the end of the last decade, the F-35A US Navy at Naval Air Station Lemoore,
had already been selected to replace both California at that time. With the

A RAAF F/A-18A during an ‘Okra’ mission. This No 77 27

Squadron example is carrying ASRAAM and GBU-54 laser
JDAM. ADF/Sgt Shane Gidal

Chief of the Australian Defence Force,

ACM Mark Binskin (a former Hornet
display pilot), says that their ongoing
success is a tribute to the pilots,
maintenance and logistics men and
women of the RAAF, but also to the
forward-thinking HUG program.
‘Over the years we’ve upgraded its
systems with Link 16, encryption,
new radios and helmet-mounted
displays’, he said. ‘We’ve evolved
the electronic warfare capability
with jammers and expendables,
radar upgrades, a state-of-
the-art targeting pod and
air-to-air and air-to-surface
weapons.
‘So much so, that for the current
mission the ‘classic’ Hornet is a bit
more versatile than the Super Hornet.’
The current draw-down plan calls for
No 2 OCU and one operational squadron
(No 3 Squadron) at Williamtown to begin

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS

generosity of the US Navy, he was quickly Just after the F/A-18F entered RAAF By the time the Super Hornets were
transferred to the Super Hornet training service, the then head of the Super Hornet replaced by the ‘classic’ Hornet in March
squadron (Strike Fighter Squadron Transition Team, Gp Capt (now Air Cdre) 2015, the six jets had contributed 61
(VFA) 122). Steve ‘Zed’ Roberton, explained the sorties and 496 flying hours to coalition
The RAAF’s Super Hornets are Block II advantages the aircraft delivered to the air operations and had employed
jets, equipped with Raytheon’s Air Combat Group. 278 weapons.
AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned ‘It is a force multiplier for the rest Although initially regarded as a
array (AESA) radar and almost identical of ACG’, he said. ‘It’s not a ‘Pig’ [F-111] ‘bridging capability’, the latest Australian
to their US Navy counterparts. The only replacement and, frankly, [it] would be Defence White Paper, released at the
differences are the inclusion of a VOR/ILS pretty simple if it were. Everything we end of February, confirms that the Super
(VHF omni-directional range/instrument are doing, from our tactics development Hornet will stay in service alongside the
landing system) in lieu of TACAN (tactical to our weapons buys and training, is F-35A until at least 2030. Its replacement
air navigation), and an altimeter subscale focused on making the whole of No 82 could include either a fourth operational
calibrated in millibars rather than inches Wing better and to integrate eventually squadron of Joint Strike Fighters or
of mercury. with the F-35A.’ possibly even an unmanned combat aerial
In fact, commonality with the much Roberton was later tasked with the vehicle (UCAV).
larger US Navy fleet has been one of the raising of Air Task Group 630, which ‘The decision on the replacement
key drivers of Australia’s Super Hornet deployed to the Middle East with six of this air combat capability will be
program, including the suite of US- Super Hornets and single examples of best undertaken post-2020 when
standard weapons such as the AIM-9X the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport technology and emerging threat trends
Sidewinder and AGM-154C-1 Joint Stand- (MRTT) and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early are better understood, and we have the
Off Weapon. warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, benefit of our initial Joint Strike Fighter
The first RAAF F/A-18F (serial A44-201) becoming its first commanding officer. operating experience’, the Australian
was ceremonially unveiled in St Louis on The Super Hornets flew their first government said.
July 8, 2009 and the first five jets arrived mission against IS over Iraq less than
at Amberley on March 19, 2010. IOC was three weeks after the Australian F-35A Lightning II
achieved on December 7, 2010, just four government announced that it would Australia became a Tier 3 partner in
days after the final F-111 flights. commit forces to the campaign. Roberton the international Joint Strike Fighter This image: A
The final 12 Super Hornets (A44-213 to said that initial concerns about the highly program in controversial circumstances RAAF F/A-18F
pilot plugs in
A44-224) were pre-wired in the factory complex rules of engagement drove in July 2002 when the government
the afterburners
28 for possible conversion to EA-18G the decision to first deploy the two- unexpectedly signed up for it, and accelerates
Growler configuration and known as crew F/A-18F, instead of the single-seat prematurely terminating the RAAF’s away from the
tanker into the
F/A-18F+, but the Australian government ‘classic’ jet. ‘Having a pilot and an air F/A-18A/B and F-111 replacement
fading light over
subsequently decided to purchase new- combat officer that were able to work competition (Air 6000, New Air Combat Iraq. ADF/Sgt
build Growlers. All 24 aircraft remain as through the rules of engagement and the Capability) in the process. Andrew Eddie
Super Hornets, consolidated at Amberley target directive matrix was really
within an expanded No 1 Squadron. second to none’, he explained.
The RAAF wasted no time deploying its ‘The Super Hornet to my mind
Super Hornets on exercises, beginning was probably the best tactical
with ‘Bersama Shield’ in Malaysia in May platform in theater at the
2011. Most recently, No 1 Squadron job it was doing and the
deployed to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada two-seat concept was
in February 2016 for ‘Red Flag’. absolutely validated.’

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS | FEATURE

Air 6000 began in the late 1990s and,

aside from the F-35, was evaluating
the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, 29
Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS 39C/D
Gripen and Dassault Rafale.
The Australian requirement
was initially for up to 100 F-35A
conventional take-off and landing
(CTOL) aircraft, to re-equip three
Hornet squadrons and an Operational Above: The
Conversion Unit as well as replacing two RAAF’s F/A-18F
Super Hornets
squadrons of F-111s. have been
An initial tranche of 14 aircraft was kept busy in
approved in November 2009, but only recent years
with an array of
two aircraft were actually ordered at commitments.
that time, as they were required to form This example is
the basis of Australia’s contribution to taking on fuel
from a KC-30A
the F-35 international pilot training over Iraq. ADF/
school at Luke AFB, Arizona and to allow Sgt Mick Davis
RAAF pilot training to begin. The first
Top right:
two aircraft (A35-001, A35-002) were Pre-flighting
built in low-rate initial production (LRIP) GBU-12 and
Lot 6 and rolled out of the Lockheed GBU-38
stores for an
Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas in Operation
July 2014, before being flown to Luke in ‘Okra’ mission.
January 2015. ADF/Sgt Andrew
Eddie
Today the two aircraft, painted
in the markings of the RAAF’s No 2 Right: ‘Red Flag
OCU, form part of the US Air Force’s 16-1’ at Nellis
AFB earlier
61st Fighter Squadron (FS), training this year saw
Australian, American and international both F/A-18A
pilots. By the end of February they had Hornets and
F/A-18F Super
already accumulated in excess of 525 Hornets taking
flight hours. part. ADF

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS

Australia’s Luke-based F-35As wear the

markings of No 2 Operational Conversion
Unit. Jim Haseltine

Of the eight LRIP 10 jets, six will initially have a training system that’s capable of
go to Luke to serve with the 61st FS and conducting maintenance training from
two will come to Australia at the end the end of 2018 [and] pilot training from
of 2018 to begin local operational test the end of 2020’, he continued. ‘Those
and evaluation. Deliveries to No 2 OCU issues represent risk to us.
and the first operational squadron (No 3 ‘It is still a very complex program; Gen
Squadron) will begin in 2019. Christopher Bogdan [USAF, head of the
Initial operational capability, international F-35 Joint Program Office]
represented by one operational squadron is doing a lot of work in the broader
and the ability to conduct pilot and context, but we’ve actually got to take
maintenance training in Australia, is due that capability and make it work in the
to occur at the end of 2020. Australian context.’
‘By the end of 2023, all 72 aircraft will be The recently-released White Paper is
in Australia’, explained AVM Chris Deeble, upbeat about the F-35’s capabilities.
Above: Sqn Ldr The first two Australian pilots, Sqn Australia’s F-35 program manager. ‘From ‘The Joint Strike Fighter will be
Andrew Jackson Ldrs Andrew Jackson and David Bell, 2020 we will stop training pilots at Luke interoperable with other Australian
was the first
RAAF pilot to completed training last year and are now AFB and all training will be conducted in Defence Force elements equipped with
30 fly the F-35A. F-35 instructors at Luke. The second two Australia at that point in time.’ United States-derived systems as well
He is now an pilots are currently undergoing ground Deeble said that much of the remaining as United States forces. The nature of
instructor at
Luke AFB. USAF/ school and will begin flying later this year. risk in the F-35 program will have been the global partnership in developing
SSgt Marleah A second tranche of 58 aircraft was worked through by the time Australia and supporting the Joint Strike Fighter
Robertson approved in April 2014, bringing the total begins receiving aircraft at Williamtown also extends an interoperability
Below: The first to be acquired to 72. This is sufficient to in late 2018. Both USAF IOC in 2016 and benefit more broadly with potential
pair of RAAF replace the Hornet, and a further decision US Navy IOC in late 2018 are seen as key coalition partners, including within our
F-35As arrived on the remaining 28 aircraft to succeed milestones. region’, it notes. ‘Regular updates to
at Luke AFB in
January 2015. the Super Hornet will be made sometime ‘We then have to take that capability maintain a common and supportable
Jim Haseltine in the next decade. and integrate into Australia, ensuring configuration with the United States’
Eight Australian jets will be built in LRIP that we have ALIS [the F-35’s bespoke Joint Strike Fighter fleet will reduce
10 in 2018, followed by eight in 2019 and Autonomic Logistics Information System] the cost to Australia of upgrading the
15 each year between 2020 and 2022. The integrated into our defense information software and hardware to maintain its
last nine will be delivered in 2023. environment and ensuring that we leading-edge capabilities.’

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

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 UNIT REPORT | No 208(R) SQUADRON

ONE HUNDRED
YEARS VIGILANT
The Royal Air Force’s No 208 (Reserve) Squadron is marking two
huge milestones: its 100th anniversary plus the end of Hawk T1
flying training at RAF Valley.

report and photos: Jamie Hunter

32

A
JET-BLACK HAWK their adversary, flown by an experienced
T1 trainer darts instructor. Kidd continues: ‘The students
between the craggy are being fed threat information from
mountains of north the instructor, and those ground threats
Wales. In the cockpit are moving around, so they need to keep
the young student track of them by plotting on their maps
pilot is working flat out juggling paper and then engaging those threats with a
maps, a stopwatch and his jet’s compass. fictitious SEAD [suppression of enemy air
This fledgling fast jet pilot is doing it the defenses] package. The whole mission
hard way — it’s old-school in the Hawk is driven by the instructor in the third
T1, no multi-function displays are to be aircraft who effectively acts as a simulated
found here. The highest-tech piece of kit AWACS, whilst also providing them with
to hand is a monochrome GPS screen an air threat.
bolted onto the instrument panel. ‘The students are working to achieve a
Wg Cdr Chris Kidd is Officer time on target [TOT] ideally within plus
Commanding No 208 (Reserve) Squadron or minus five seconds, all with a map
at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales. and stopwatch, whilst evading an air
His squadron ihas been the last bastion of threat — that’s a big ask in an aeroplane
the original Hawk variant at this Royal Air without modern aids. Once they hit their
Force fast jet training hub. ‘The last mission target they push up to CAP [combat air
in our op phase means [the student pilots] patrol] and then fly 2-v-1 ACM [air combat
flying low-level as a pair of Hawk T1s up maneuvers] against the air threat. There’s
against another Hawk T1 ‘bounce’ aircraft,’ two distinctly different skill sets; evasion
he explains. The ‘bounce’ is effectively and ACM in a significant scenario.’

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 No 208(R) SQUADRON | UNIT REPORT

33

‘This is all about building capacity, of the popular Hawk has

because we’ve got to bridge the gap been the mainstay of Royal
between a 40-year old, clockwork, steam- Air Force fast jet training for the
driven Hawk T1 and a modern Eurofighter past 40 years. Indeed, the first Hawk
Typhoon. The only way we can do that is T1s were delivered to RAF Valley in 1976.
by adding more and more elements and Over the following four decades the same
increasing the workload, so that when Hawks have been repainted from their
they go to the Typhoon and experience original red, white and gray schemes to
that workload, albeit in a different way, overall air defense gray and most recently
they can cope with it. We’ve had a 100 per gloss black, determined as the best color
cent hit rate throughout the Typhoon to make the aircraft stand out at low level.
Operational Conversion Unit [OCU]!’ Not only has the Hawk T1 been the
backbone of RAF fast jet flying training
Proven and popular for 40 years, but it has also earned fame
The Hawk T1 is one of the great as the aircraft of the RAF Aerobatic
successes of modern military Team (RAFAT), the Red Arrows. In the
aviation. You don’t have to look too background, BAE Systems has rolled Wg Cdr Chris
far to find a fast jet pilot willing out ever advancing standards of Hawk, Kidd and unit
to enthuse about it and tell you with over 1,000 now ordered. The latest XO (executive
officer) Sqn Ldr
that it’s their favorite aircraft are Hawk Mk165s for Saudi Arabia, 44 of Dan Arlett at the
to fly. It’s like a little sports car. which are currently in manufacture at the controls of the
Built originally by Hawker Siddeley, latterly company’s Warton plant. two centenary-
marked No
British Aerospace and now under the BAE The Mk165 is based on the RAF’s latest 208(R) Squadron
Systems portfolio, this original incarnation Hawk, the T2, 28 of which are in service Hawk T1s.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | No 208(R) SQUADRON

34 with No IV (Reserve) Squadron, which has

operated alongside 208 at Valley for the
past seven years. The arrival of the Hawk
T2 ultimately signaled the beginning of
the end for its T1 predecessors at Valley.
While the cockpit of the analogue Hawk
T1 is a challenge for young ab initio
student pilots, the Hawk T2 presents a
far more advanced modern solution, the
cornerstone of ‘downloading’ some of the
training burden from the more expensive
OCU stage.
The Hawk T2s are owned by the RAF
and flown by an RAF squadron, but
they are operated under the construct
of the Military Flying Training System
(MFTS), which oversees a series of
civilian contracted organizations that
are responsible for maintaining and
providing UK flying training. The fast jet Above: Climbing
element of this comes under Ascent, a out over RAF
Valley. The Hawk
50:50 joint venture between Lockheed T1 has been
Martin and Babcock International that here for 40 years
provides training analysis, acquisition of and will be sadly
missed.
aircraft, training design and curriculum
development, provision of site facilities, New meets old.
hangars, classrooms, training devices and A Hawk T2 of No
IV(R) Squadron
simulators. leads a Hawk
Across the flightline, No 208(R) Squadron T1 high in one
has continued its work, fulfilling a number of the VATAs
(Valley Aerial
of training roles, but as a traditional Tactical Areas)
squadron outside MFTS. Wg Cdr Kidd of North Wales.

www.combataircraft.net
 No 208(R) SQUADRON | UNIT REPORT

Left: The cockpit

of the Hawk
T1 shows its
age, but the
instructors of No
208(R) Squadron
know how to
get the best
out of these old
aircraft to train
the aviators of
tomorrow.

Below: The Hawk

is a sprightly
performer —
ideal for
its role.

comments: ‘MFTS is the future, and over Having briefly disbanded, the squadron
at No IV Squadron they have a great new re-formed at Ismaila, Egypt, in February
aircraft and training system and they are 1920 flying RE8s and then Bristol Fighters.
doing an excellent job. They are able to It is from this period that the squadron’s
graduate an aviator who can operate crest with the Gizah Sphinx originates.
HOTAS [hands-on throttle and stick] Having received Westland Lysanders
controls and who understands multi- at the outbreak of WW2, as with many
function displays whilst building capacity Middle East-based RAF units, No 208
for the next level through advanced tactics Squadron became more heavily
and systems. No 208 Squadron, while most committed upon the Italian
definitely operating a ‘legacy’ platform, has declaration of war in June 1940
to focus on building capacity in the more as it received Hurricanes.
traditional sense.’ Post-war the squadron
flew Spitfires, switching
100 years of ‘208’ to Meteors in 1951 and
Formed as No 8 (Naval) Squadron at moving to Malta during 35
Dunkirk on October 26, 1916, the unit 1956. It disbanded
quickly passed to Royal Flying Corps there three years
control and flew early biplanes for later. In early 1958,
artillery spotting. It formally became 208 re-formed at
No 208 Squadron, RAF, on April 1, 1918. Tangmere before
 UNIT REPORT | No 208(R) SQUADRON

Radio callsigns
‘Rockstar 1 and 2’
— a pair of 208’s
Hawk T1s low
down over the
Llŷn Peninsula
near RAF Valley.

Above: The Hawk returning to the Middle East with Vampires 208 to disband in 2012, but it was given fly the Hawk T1, and are likely to do so
T1 is being and Hunters. Following another period of a stay of execution until December 2017, for many years to come. With No IV(R)
phased out of the
advanced training disbandment, on March 1, 1974, No 208 mainly in order to train IDT (International Squadron fully up to speed and able to
role at Valley, but Squadron returned at RAF Honington Defence Training) students for the UK MoD produce pilots at the required rate to feed
it will continue with Buccaneers in the low-level strike (Ministry of Defence). However, as the the OCUs, the call came to end No 208(R)
operating
elsewhere in the role. It maintained a long affinity with the focus has moved onto the newer Hawk Squadron’s training role.
RAF and Royal ‘Bucc’ until it disbanded in 1994 at RAF T2, combined with the need to retain life
Navy. Lossiemouth as the type’s last operator. in the Hawk T1 fleet for other roles, the The last chapter?
36 Below: Down The No 208 Squadron numberplate then decision came to stand down the role of ‘I was serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, when
low at 420kt, en passed to the advanced flying training 208 at Valley as of mid-2016. I heard I was selected to command No 208
route to the next element of No 4 Flying Training School at Kidd explains: ‘This jet is 40 years old and Squadron,’ notes Kidd. ‘I hadn’t touched
waypoint.
Valley, where it has remained ever since. we have the needs of the Red Arrows, No flying training for nearly five years and
The advent of the Hawk 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming and the my understanding was that the unit was
T2 resulted in Royal Navy’s 736 NAS [Naval Air Squadron] a preparatory squadron as lead-in for the
plans for to take into account.’ Each of these units Hawk T2. This was clearly not the case. In
 No 208(R) SQUADRON | UNIT REPORT

37

reality, No 208 Squadron was effectively

doing the mirror image of the T2 squadron ‘This is all about building capacity, because we’ve
in training new pilots for the OCUs as well
as for IDT. In November 2015 we graduated got to bridge the gap between a 40-year old,
the last five RAF students for the Typhoon
and Tornado GR4. That was our last RAF
clockwork, steam-driven Hawk T1 and a modern
ab initio course, and the guys did an
outstanding job and will be hitting the
Eurofighter Typhoon’
front line soon. The establishment of the
WG CDR CHRIS KIDD
Typhoon force, coupled with the larger-
than-expected Tornado GR4 force, meant two Kuwaiti pilots come from the F/A-18 With the end of No 208(R) Squadron
that 208’s services have been in high community and they are here to become comes the end of Hawk T1 flying at Valley.
demand over recent years. CFS-accredited qualified flying instructors It also means that no more new ab initio
Above left to
Wg Cdr Kidd’s last course (TacWeapons [QFIs]. When they graduate they will head British pilots will learn to fly fast jets on right: From
84) comprises four Royal Navy pilots and back to Kuwait to instruct on the Hornet the Hawk T1. No 100 Squadron at RAF low-level up to
two Kuwaiti Air Force officers. They were training squadron.’ Leeming will run refresher courses for medium-level,
the airspace
due to graduate as these words were The foreign students have placed much pilots returning to the T1, but otherwise it near RAF Valley
written in early April. ‘The Royal Navy is value on their time at Valley flying the is the end of an era. ‘At one point we had allows the full
building up 736 NAS at RNAS Culdrose, Hawk. Flying in great airspace that offers 26 different courses running here,’ notes spectrum of
training.
so we’ve seen a lot of refresher training the challenges of both low-level flight and Kidd: ‘the main advanced flying training
for them as they build their future F-35 changeable weather clearly held huge course, the main tactical weapons course, a Wg Cdr Chris
cadre. Plus we’ve had ab initio RN students appeal for the overseas aviators, giving UK orientation course for exchange pilots, Kidd, Officer
Commanding
[who] are headed to [the] Typhoon as them much expertise as they return to the RAFAT, No 100 Squadron and the 736 No 208(R)
well as Royal Saudi Air Force pilots. Our their regular billets. NAS refreshers, notwithstanding advanced Squadron.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | NO 208(R) SQUADRON

flying training and tac weapons QFI simulated ‘austere’ conditions, and to
courses. These will now be spread between further the training of the students
Nos IV(R) and 100 Squadrons. on their tactical weapons course. The
‘We have still used Pembrey Range focus was air combat training, with
in South Wales. The Aden cannon is no excellent weather presenting the perfect
longer in service so we have simulated opportunity for training to be achieved.
strafe, and we have only just finished The squadron was able to fly over 80
using the 3kg practice bombs from the sorties in just six flying days. At the time
CBLS [Carrier Bomb Light Store] pod’. The Kidd commented: ‘The detachment has
Hawk T1 is the last RAF type to carry the been a huge success due to the hard
CBLS. Kidd adds: ‘One of our experienced work and organization of all involved.
reservists flew the last mission and I am particularly impressed with the
dropped the last 3kg bomb with our students who managed to complete the
holding officer in the back seat.’ entire basic fighter maneuver phase in
No 208 Squadron has two reservist only six days.’
instructors on staff, one part-time and Back at Valley, the focus is turning to the
one full-time. They were previously future, while being mindful of the vital
high-ranking pilots who have returned as role 208 has played. The local airspace
reservists. ‘They add a wealth of experience looks set to remain the cradle of UK
and depth of knowledge to the staff here,’ military pilot training into the future as the
enthuses Kidd. ‘Our last two ‘creamies’ [ab new T-6C Texan II trainers arrive here to
initios ‘creamed off ’ to become instructors] operate alongside the Hawk T2s. The North
have just left the squadron, so we’ve Wales MTA (Military Training Area) offers
had the full spectrum of people that you incredible low-level flying terrain, plus
would see on any front-line squadron — upper airspace that has been delineated
the young guys running around causing into VATAs (Valley Aerial Tactical Areas),
havoc, with the older, wise heads to keep enabling the squadron to fly the full range
them in check!’ of missions right on its doorstep.
In November the squadron completed In late March the MoD announced a
its last major detachment when five £372-million commitment across four
38 Hawks deployed to Solenzara, Corsica, contracts for the continued in-service
for exercise ‘Napoleon Sphinx’. The support of the Hawk fleet. This included
detachment was intended to experience a continued deal with BAE Systems to
operating from a foreign location under provide in-service support and post-design

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 NO 208(R) SQUADRON | UNIT REPORT

back to the T1 will complete their ground

school here before they convert to the
aircraft with No 100 Squadron.
‘CFS is the gold standard for flying
training anywhere in the world. It is baked
into the way MFTS works and they are even
now working up an Officer Commanding
advanced flying training over at No IV(R)
Squadron on the Hawk T2. The IDT element
has also passed over to them. 208 has
had a valuable role to play and has been
doing a sterling job here at Valley for the
past 22 years. The vast majority of current
British fast jet pilots learned their trade on
this squadron and we’ve enjoyed a great
environment, with brilliant people flying
a fantastic jet. Our Babcock engineers are
absolutely fantastic.’
‘When squadron ‘bosses’ are asked about
their time in command, they usually say
that it’s been an honor and a privilege.
They say that because it’s absolutely true.
During my time here we’ve had a fabulous
success rate on the Typhoon and GR4
OCUs, which is a direct result of having
a great team working for me. It wouldn’t
have been possible without them. We can
truly go out with our heads held high.’

39

services for both the T1s and T2s, including

design advice and modification and
obsolescence management. BAE Systems
and its maintenance partner Babcock
have around 470 people based at Valley.
Director combat air at DE&S, the MoD’s
procurement and support organization,
Air Vice Marshal Sue Gray said: ‘Our
partners, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, will
provide through-life support, including
maintenance and the provision of spares,
while delivering cost savings and providing
a high level of aircraft availability, all of
which will ensure our future fast jet pilots Left: Pristine
have the right equipment to conduct their Hawks from 208
flying training.’ pose for the
camera in their
Wg Cdr Kidd summed up his time final month of
leading No 208(R) Squadron. ‘We are flying training at
currently celebrating 100 years of the Valley.
squadron. We are graduating our last Above: An
course, and as we disband we will look to interesting
redistribute aircraft as we reach the end of contrast of a
new Hawk T2
[the] Hawk T1 at Valley. It won’t be the last leading the
people will see of the T1 here because we predecessor
always have five aircraft here on the depth Hawk T1.
maintenance track. We will also retain the Right: Climbing
Hawk T1 simulator here, so anyone coming into the blue.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 EXERCISE REPORT | IRON FIST

This image: A MiG-27M

from No 29 ‘Scorpions’
Squadron hoses down
a target with a volley
of 40 rockets of 80mm
(3.15in) caliber.
Kedar Karmarkar

Inset: An A-50EI
airborne early
warning and control
aircraft from No 50
Squadron based at
Agra. Kedar Karmarkar

40

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 IRON FIST | EXERCISE REPORT

41

It is said that, ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you
bleed in war’. With that mantra in mind, the Indian Air
Force has placed a significant emphasis on live weapons
training for its combat units.

report: Kedar Karmarkar

I
‘ RON FIST’ IS a direct result of the phase, and a night phase. This format
mindset of increasing readiness was introduced in 2010 to better
through regular live-fire training. demonstrate the effective night-fighting
This year’s event was again held capabilities of the IAF and the service’s
on the Pokhran range complex in increasing reliance on precision strike.
the Thar Desert of Rajasthan on This year’s ‘Iron Fist’ exercise was
March 18. With almost 175 aircraft taking opened by a trio of Mi-17V-5 helicopters
part from different Indian Air Force flying the Indian flag, followed by a
stations and various forward operating short address by the Chief of the Air
bases around the country, it is always a Staff, AM Arup Raha. Proceedings got
major affair in many ways — not least under way in style via a MiG-29 from No
logistically. The exercise is very much 28 ‘First Supersonics’ Squadron living
about demonstrating capabilities and up to its unit’s name and breaking the
‘Iron Fist’ is a public showcase for the IAF. sound barrier in a low pass. Then a lone
Indeed, the maneuvers were attended MiG-27M from No 22 ‘Swifts’ Squadron
by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flew past towing an ‘Iron Fist 2016’
and a range of other dignitaries. gunnery banner as the action began in
‘Iron Fist’ was divided into three earnest. The focus was on the clever use
phases: a dusk phase, a sunset of mission technology — a Jaguar B(I)

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 EXERCISE REPORT | IRON FIST

This image:: A
Su-30MKI from
No 30 ‘Rhinos’
Squadron shows
off its impressive
load of 26
OFAB-250-270
high-explosive/
fragmentation
bombs…

Inset:
…and drops
them. Kedar
Karmarkar

42

from No 224 ‘Warlords’ Squadron was

up next, carrying a Rafael RecceLite pod
to capture imagery of the grandstand
that was later handed over to the Prime
Minister by a special forces commando.
Right: Two One of the main highlights is always
Hawk Mk132s the weapons drop, and this year was
from the Hawk no exception. It was opened by a pair
Operational
Training of Mirage 2000Hs from No 7 ‘Battleaxes’
Squadron Squadron dropping live 250kg (551lb)
(HOTS) dropped bombs on a simulated radar site. A lone
two 250kg HSLD
bombs and 32 Su-30MKI from No 31 ‘Lions’ Squadron
68mm (2.68in) then dropped four 450kg (992lb) High-
rockets. Kedar Speed Low-Drag (HSLD) bombs on a
Karmarkar
runway target, before a pair of MiG-27Ms
Far right: A from No 29 ‘Scorpions’ Squadron hosed
Mirage 2000Hs down a target with a volley of 40 rockets
from No 7
‘Battleaxes’ of 80mm (3.15in) caliber launched in
Squadron a dive attack. A further Su-30MKI from
unleashes live No 30 ‘Rhinos’ Squadron ‘splashed’ a
250kg (551lb)
bombs. Kedar simulated bridge target with a laser-
Karmarkar guided bomb (LGB), and then it was over

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 IRON FIST | EXERCISE REPORT

to the Jaguars. A pair of low-level ‘Jags’ bombs on a concrete bunker target,

from No 16 ‘Cobras’ Squadron laid down an upgraded MiG-29UPG from No 47
three 1,000lb (454kg) retarded bombs ‘Black Archers’ Squadron also fired a live
on an ammunition dump, followed by a R-73, and another Su-30MKI fired India’s
No 224 ‘Warlords’ Squadron jet hitting a indigenous Astra beyond visual range
‘bunker’ with an LGB. AAM.
The succession of impressive events The night phase began with 128 57mm
continued, notably including a (2.24in) rockets being fired from a Mi-17
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a Mi-35 firing 128 57mm rockets. A
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft showing its Mi-17V-5 dropped two 250kg bombs.
‘swing-role’ capabilities by dropping an The proceedings were concluded by a
LGB and then loosing off an R-73 air-to- lone Su-30MKI from No 31 Squadron
air missile (AAM) at a flare target. A lone dropping six 450kg HSLD bombs on a
Su-30MKI from No 30 ‘Rhinos’ Squadron simulated command post. All in all, quite
dropped an incredible 26 250kg iron a demonstration!

Another of India’ s indigenous programs, the Light

Combat Helicopter (LCH) developed by HAL fired 48
70mm (2.75in) rockets, while 40 more 80mm rockets
were fired by two Mi-35 gunships. Angad Singh

As daylight fades, a Tejas fires an

R-73 air-to-air missile at a flare
target. Kedar Karmarkar 43

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | 173RD FIGHTER WING

EAGLE SCHOOL
IN THE LAND OF NO SLACK
Learning the pure art of air dominance requires a very special training environment.
Young fighter pilots chosen to fly the US Air Force F-15C Eagle head to Oregon —
home of the 173rd Fighter Wing.

I
report: Jamie Hunter photos: Jim Haseltine
‘
T’S A REALLY easy airplane to fly, The sizeable amount of ‘iron’ on the Guard. However, the draw-down hit a
it’s just really difficult to employ ramp reflects the mission here — the roadblock and the F-15C community
well’, says Lt Col Geoff ‘Kid’ Jensen unit turns out anything from 25 to is now looking like lasting until at least
of the F-15C Eagle. Jensen is the 35 new Eagle drivers every year, and 2040. The demand
commander of the Oregon Air the USAF wants more. ‘They want as for new F-15C pilots
National Guard (ANG)’s 114th many students as we can produce’, says remains high in order to
Fighter Squadron (FS) at Kingsley Field, Jensen. ‘We are running at the maximum man the eight squadrons. Indeed,
Klamath Falls, a unit that falls under the we can’. Little wonder this place is the USAF looked at a range of options to
173rd Fighter Wing (FW). He is well- known as ‘the land of no slack.’ enable increased pilot production as it
placed to comment. With over 2,300 With the active-duty F-15C community focused on the F-15C’s career path for
hours under his belt in the Eagle, Jensen dwindling, Air Education and Training the future.
44 presides over the US Air Force’s sole Command (AETC) shut down the Jensen
F-15C Formal Training Unit (FTU). It’s his previous Eagle training hub at Tyndall says: ‘They looked
business to oversee the training of the Air Force Base, Florida. The mission of at a range of options
very best pilots to man the US Air Force’s training new Eagle pilots under the including [forming a new]
three remaining active-duty and five six-month-long basic course (B-course) Tyndall squadron; they looked
ANG Eagle squadrons. and re-qualifying pilots returning to at doing some B-course
The 114th FS flight line is impressive the jet from other tours passed to the and transition course
by any measure, with no fewer than Oregon ANG, to reflect the weight of work at other Guard
32 F-15C/Ds on squadron strength. Eagle operators shifting toward the units, plus they looked at

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 173RD FIGHTER WING | UNIT REPORT

A four-ship of
Klamath Falls
Eagles pitches
out during the
air combat
training phase
of the basic
course — six
months of sweat
and hard work.
Jim Haseltine/
Raytheon

45

increasing the number of aircraft we with more F-15 experience. This year we just learning to fly the F-15 — take-off,
have here. In the end, they decided the plan around 35 B-course equivalents. That landing, flying formation, flying on
latter represented the best option. The equates to 27 B-course students and 29 instruments; basically getting to and from
net result is that we received more jets transition course students. One or two of the airfield. They fly the first three with
and we’ve gone from a 10-turn-8 daily those students will not make it through the instructor in the back of the D-model
schedule to a 12-turn-10, which is what the program’. For the instructors, there is and the fourth mission is their first solo.
we execute now.’ little respite from student training, and The fifth flight is their check ride for
As well as the sizeable aircraft fleet, this scant time for continuation training (CT). that phase. The instrument phase is two
training unit includes around 30 instructor ‘Around 97 per cent of our flying is student rides: a practice and a check flight. They
pilots (IPs), eight of whom are active-duty training,’ he confirms. are then cleared to fly in the weather,
and the remainder ANG Eagle aficionados. down to 700-and-2 as their minimums’.
Says Jensen, ‘We have a set number of Making the grade This means the students can fly in
sorties that it takes to train a B-course Those selected to fly the F-15 come to weather with a 700ft cloud base and 2nm
student, so we use that as our baseline. Klamath Falls from their IFF (introduction visibility. ‘If the cloud is down to less that
A re-qualification course such as the to fighter fundamentals) course. They 700ft, they will fly in the D-model with
transition course 1 means the pilot hasn’t are in at the deep end with four weeks of an instructor in the back. I am 300-and-1
flown the F-15 before but they’re coming academic training in the classroom. ‘They based on my experience level, pretty
across from a different fighter type, so hit the flight line at working day 20’, says much the lowest [possible] in the F-15.’
they’re a 0.7 B-course equivalent. There’s a Jensen. ‘They start with transition rides A recent news release by the 173rd FW
lower sortie requirement for other tracks as the first flying phase. This is all about followed 1st Lt Scott McGowen through

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | 173RD FIGHTER WING

his maiden flight in the F-15. Having This image: by his young student. ‘He was well- range of your opponent. Lt Col Jensen
started his ANG career as an enlisted A B-course prepared and confident and those can be comments: ‘We teach them offensive BFM,
student pilot
member at the F-15C squadron at Barnes straps into the keys to having a good first flight.’ chasing an instructor — it’s three flights,
Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, front seat of Moving from the sterile, controlled followed by a check ride. They practice
three years later he ‘stepped’ to the Eagle an F-15D on environment of the classroom to the on the first three; then they are required
the busy flight
for the first time with his IP, Maj Victor line at Kingsley stresses and exertion of the cockpit can to demonstrate their ability on the fourth
Knill. ‘The only thing I was thinking about, Field. be a challenge for many young Eagle flight. Then they fly defensive BFM, the
the only thing you can think about when pilots. At this point, the B-course is just instructor flies behind them, and they
Inset: An
you climb into the cockpit, was making instructor uses about flying the jet. That’s just the start, have to try and survive for four flights,
sure to do everything right, just the the ‘fighting and a small part of the course. The real again the last being a proficiency check.
way you cover in the brief’, commented sticks’ to work starts when learning to employ the In both the offensive and defensive BFM
explain tactics
McGowen. The pre-flight brief for this in the pre-flight Eagle as a weapon system. By then, flying phases the instructor or student starts
flight lasted nearly an hour and a half, briefing. the aircraft should be second nature. first in half-a-mile trail, then one mile and
and the first hour was largely devoted With the transition rides safely then 1.5 miles — we do three set-ups on
to checklist items that had to happen negotiated, the student pilot gets into each flight. Then we go into high-aspect
before he could taxi off chocks. Going aircraft handling — flying the Eagle in BFM. For this we check away from one
through his pre-start checklists that he a more aggressive manner. It’s all part another, get about four miles apart and
and his fellow students had committed of the lead-in to the dogfighting phase. call turning in and fight’s on. You turn in
to memory over the past month, the Basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) represents and meet nose-to-nose; you’re neutral at
repeated trips to the simulator and hours the ‘bread and butter’ of the close-in the merge and the aim is to ‘kill’ him while
at his desk going through the steps one fight: turning and burning within guns also gaining a positional advantage.’
by one finally paid off.
‘Everything changes when you feel
the power of the aircraft, when being
safe isn’t just something you talk about
in a classroom any more but an actual
life-and-death consideration for you
and others you fly with’, comments his
instructor. ‘For some it makes them
better and for others it presents a hurdle’.
46 McGowen completed his checklists and
taxied to the north end of the runway.
A few minutes later he was aloft in the
mighty Eagle for the very first time.
As a sweat-drenched McGowen walked
back to the squadron building an hour
later, Maj Knill reflected on the first flight

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 173RD FIGHTER WING | UNIT REPORT

Running through the different

elements of the course, it’s interesting
to note how little of the syllabus is
dedicated to flying the Eagle and
how much is focused on tactics and
employment. There’s time to hone flying
skills getting out and back to the MOA
(military operating area), but once out
there the game face is on. It’s all geared
towards the killer instincts of the pilot
and getting the most from their steeds.
The course progresses from the
high-aspect BFM to basic intercepts. It
starts with a 1-v-1, and from 40 miles
out the student tries to roll in neatly
one mile behind the non-maneuvering
instructor. All the time the repertoire
is growing, then it’s on to ACM — air
combat maneuvering. Jensen elaborates:
‘We teach them defensive perch ACM
where they have to work as a team — the
student and an instructor flying as a pair, are three bandits, 25-30 miles away. The squadron and fly the the mission in the Above: Up above
flying line-abreast two miles apart. We student has to take care of the bandits simulator.’ the weather, the
young student
start with the bad guy behind them and before they can be targeted themselves. The vast majority (90 per cent, according pilot hangs onto
one fighter defends himself while the The last ride on this phase sees the to Jensen) of the course is dedicated to the wing of his
other tries to maneuver around to kill the student flying as part of a four-ship for the tactics. ‘It’s like playing a professional IP flight leader.
bandit. first time, up against multiple bandits. Two sport’, he enthuses. ‘The environment Below: A student
‘All-aspect ACM ramps things up further, students fly as number two and number always changes, and you’re never perfect. gets airborne
and the bandit goes out to 20 miles and four in the formation, both operating as It makes flying the F-15 so interesting; in a C-model
during training.
tries to attack the student/instructor wingmen to the instructor flight leads. there’s always something you can work on. The jet is clean
team. Again, one has to defend while the We mix in a bit of low-level flight down Learning to fly and fight in the Eagle is all and configured 47
other has to kill him. After the first run, to 500ft and some night intercepts on about putting as much of the basic flying for BFM
— basic fighter
the bandit can go off in any direction and the goggles, two day and two night as you can into your subconscious, so you maneuvers.
any altitude before running back in again. tanker rides.’ can free up brainpower to take care of the
There’s two of those rides and it rounds off That isn’t the end of the tactical flying. tactical challenges. It’s just the same as
the ACM phase.’ There’s still air combat training, which driving a car — you’re moving the steering
Beyond visual range (BVR) comes next, consists of offensive counter-air (OCA) and wheel without really thinking about it. The
including tactical intercepts. BVR starts defensive counter-air (DCA). The last flight more you practice the better you get, so as
with a pair of 1-v-1 BVR tactical intercepts is a four-ship versus multiple bandit DCA. the weeks go by you find that you pick up
(TIs), quickly ramping up to a student/ As Jensen describes, ‘The students finish that radio call that you missed before.’
instructor pair versus two or more bandits off the course with a combat mission From day one the students fly with the
(2-v-X). ‘We fly a couple of those sorties’, planning exercise. The instructor flight Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
says Jensen, ‘before TI culminates with the leads do a lot of the heavy lifting but in (JHMCS), but they aren’t able to play with
short-range commit mission. It’s still BVR the capstone event the students plan the all the ‘toys’ in the Eagle. Jensen says: ‘We
but at closer-range, approximately 25 to whole mission in response to a realistic get the young students to do a lot of their
30-mile set-ups. We turn around and there ATO [air tasking order], brief it to the entire work on the radar display. We don’t allow

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | 173rd FIGHTER WING

them to rely on the ‘fiddle’ [FDL — Fighter

173rd FW F-15Cs and a
Data Link]; in fact, we often get them to single D-model swarm
turn it off completely. If they have it on, around a KC-135R from
they can only see their flight lead but they Fairchild AFB.
can’t have any surveillance tracks from the
off-board platforms.’

Sims and ‘tubs’

Like all modern training units, the 114th
FS makes good use of simulators. Effective
employment of a modern simulator
goes hand-in-hand with modern training
methods. ‘We have four simulators here
with 360-degree visuals’, says Jensen.
‘We also have two additional sims with
180-degree field-of-views, which we use
more for the transition and instrument
work. The others we use more to teach the
actual fighting part. We also place a high
reliance on our D-model two-seaters.’
There have been various rumors over
recent years suggesting that the USAF may
park its D-models (also known as ‘tubs’) in
the boneyard, rather than upgrade them.
The D-models have been largely untouched
since they entered service and they all
retain their original APG-63(V)0 radar. ‘We
heard rumors of reduced availability or even
the end of the D-models’, says Jensen. ‘We
have looked at a syllabus without D-models
48 and what we would have to do if we didn’t
have them. I can tell you that it would make
us less efficient. The A-10, F-22 and F-35
communities don’t have two-seat trainers
‘It’s a
and we could do the same if we had to, but
it means that we’d have to add sorties to the
really easy
syllabus and more time in the simulators.
‘There’s opportunities to use simulators
airplane
to become more efficient, and we think to fly, it’s
we’ve got a good mix of synthetic and
live flying that produces a great product. just really
difficult to
Plus, I see the simulator versus live flying
argument as a different discussion
to having our D-models as opposed
to just single-seat F-15Cs. Having our
employ well’
F-15Ds enables us to be a little bit more
aggressive in how we schedule events LT COL GEOFF
for the students as they do things for the ‘KID’ JENSEN
first time. We don’t need to do quite so
many preparatory sim trips, and we don’t
need to add extra flights to get them
ready to go solo, for example — they just
brief it and fly as if they are solo, but with
an IP in the back seat. The weather and
things like crosswinds can often mean
we go out in a D-model with an IP in the
back seat, because the students have
One of Simulators are used
more restrictive limits. So it allows us to Klamath’s extensively on
fly training events that we might have to experienced the course. Here a
cancel if we didn’t have our D-models.’ IPs keeps a student prepares
close eye on his for the tanker
The 173rd teaches the IPs via two student… phase.
courses. First the pilot must become a

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 173rd FIGHTER WING | UNIT REPORT

regular F-15 instructor; then they can

upgrade to a B-course instructor. Once
pilots have completed the first course,
they can fly with operational squadrons
looking after the in-house training needs
of each particular unit. The B-course
instructor course teaches the IPs to teach
young pilots how to employ the Eagle —
they are the FTU instructors. ‘The forward
visibility from the back seat isn’t that great,
so their training basically ensures that they
can in-flight refuel from the back seat,
land from the back seat — things like that.
Then they watch an IP teach a student
ride and then they go and repeat that
themselves. Only our most experienced
FTU instructors are allowed to teach new
instructors how to fly with the students.’

Looking to the future

No-one expects the F-15C to go away any
time soon. There’s a new buzz around the
USAF Eagle community, a feeling of being
needed and valued for a long time into the
future. For the Oregon FTU it means that its
Punching flares
F-15Cs are starting to receive (V)1 radars —
and going on the the operational fleet is well into an upgrade
offensive. Two Eagle to active electronically-scanned array (V)3
drivers ‘push it up’
and get stuck into a variants. Although the training squadron
turning fight. still lags behind in terms of having the
latest ‘kit’, it isn’t a huge hindrance to the 49
training mission. ‘We do a lot of our fourth/
fifth-gen integration and our (V)3 radar
training in the simulator’, notes Jensen.
‘We can link up with F-22 simulators off
station and plan, brief and fly missions with
those guys. JHMCS is now standard here
for our live flying, and in the next two to
four years I expect that we’ll start receiving
the AESA radars, but for now we are easily
able to make do with the old mechanically-
scanned (V)0. There’s even talk of the
F-15Ds getting upgraded radars now, too.
We will also likely get a couple of Sniper
targeting pods to enable the students to
get some SA [situational awareness] of
that capability for the ‘Noble Eagle’ visual
identification of targets.
‘Our biggest challenge is getting
students out the door in the numbers to
make the USAF happy’, Jensen concludes.
‘It looks like the active-duty force will
remain at its current level and I think we’ll
be close to producing the maximum
number of students right up to the date
that they retire the Eagle from the CAF
[Combat Air Force]. We focus on one job,
and that’s air-to-air, so we don’t have
anything to pull us away from that. It
means that the F-15C and its pilots are
the preserve of the air superiority brains
of the USAF.’

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 UNIT REPORT | 173rd FIGHTER WING

To mark the 75th

anniversary of
the Oregon Air
National Guard,
the 173rd Fighter
Wing painted
F-15C serial
79‑0041 as its
flagship, shown
here during a
sortie in early
April. Scott Wolff

50

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 173rd FIGHTER WING | UNIT REPORT

51

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

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 EXERCISE REPORT | INIOHOS

U
S AIR FORCES in
Europe, Israeli Air Force
and Hellenic Air Force
teams converged at
Andravida air base,
Greece, in April
for the ‘Iniohos 2016’ combined air
exercise. The 48th Fighter Wing at RAF
Lakenheath, UK, sent a dozen F-15E
Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter
Squadron ‘Bolars’. Lt Col Matthew Hund,
commander of the 492nd Fighter
Squadron said: ‘We get to look at specific
training that meets our needs for the US,
but we also get to train with our allies.
Any time we have the chance to get
better, to learn from and teach our allies,
is a great opportunity.’ ‘Iniohos’ has been
running since 1988 but this is the first
time the 492nd FS has participated.

A full report will appear in

next month’s magazine.

54

A Block 30 F-16D Barak (serial 027)

of 109 ‘The Valley’ Squadron and
Block 30 F-16C (serial 392) of 110
‘Knights of the North’ Squadron,
both from Ramat David, fly with
an F-15E (serial 98-135) from the
492nd FS during ‘Iniohos 2016’.
Ioannis Lekkas

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 INIOHOS | EXERCISE REPORT

55

In a sneak preview of a full report next month,

Combat Aircraft checks in from Andravida Air Base for
exercise ‘Iniohos’.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 T
FEATURE | M-346 NEW MISSIONS

MASTER
HE ALENIA AERMACCHI was potential for us to participate in all
M-346’s credentials as the 2016 TLP courses as an aggressor.
a trainer have been From our point of view we saw this as an
clearly expressed in the opportunity to realize the philosophy
pages of this magazine that is behind the T-346A, and now we

TURNS
in recent months. But are here for the first time.’
the aircraft isn’t resting on its laurels. The T-346 pilots sent to Albacete for
Indeed, from February 4-12 two Italian TLP were all Phase IV (fighter lead-in
Air Force T-346As were detached from training — FLIT) instructors with an
the 61° Stormo at Lecce-Galatina to operational background. Some of them

NASTY
Los Llanos air base, Albacete, to act as had experience of the TLP exercise format
Red Air aggressors for NATO’s Tactical from previous operational tours. Others
Leadership Programme (TLP) training had even been members of the TLP staff
exercise at the Spanish base. and thus had a deep understanding of
Once again, Col Paolo Tarantino, the aims and objectives of this complex
commander of the wing, was program, while fully appreciating the
spearheading the latest, ingenious potential for the Master’s involvement.
application of the Master. He told Combat As well as providing valuable Red Air
Aircraft: ‘A series of very interesting support for the exercise scenarios, the
Following our coverage of the M-346 situations have come together to bring T-346’s participation was a valuable
Master in the training role, Combat about our involvement in TLP. Firstly, chance to standardize tactics, techniques
Aircraft turns to its debut as an aggressor the Italian Air Force was the first nation and procedures within the Phase IV
to become involved in TLP back when course conducted back at Lecce by the
platform, which is considered almost it started, but also there is a shortage 212° Gruppo.
equally significant for its future prospects. of aircraft to fly in the Red Air role right Tarantino added: ‘We get a lot out of this
now. So, as we made our 2016 scheduling activity because we have the opportunity
report and photos: plans we worked with the Italian Air to see, compare, and to familiarize
Giovanni Colla and Remo Guidi Force Central Command to see if there ourselves with elements that we would

56

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 M-346 NEW MISSIONS | FEATURE

be unlikely to see if we just stayed back at staff believe that the aircraft acquitted great to see them taking the T-346 into
Lecce. It enables us to send pilots to the itself well in replicating modern fourth- account as the enemy. The pilots had to
operational conversion unit [OCU] with generation opponents, a testament to its work out how to best engage the threat
a more up-to-date understanding of the modern avionics combined with nimble we presented and it really underlined the
operational world than ever before.’ performance. importance of what we were doing’. The
However, participation in the TLP wasn’t Lt Col Olivares, the 212° Gruppo next TLP in September will also include
without difficulty. With only five jets commander, commented: ‘We worked the T-346s.
delivered to the Italian Air Force to date, together and clearly challenged other In the months prior to TLP, the T-346
the impact of two aircraft being away from fighters such as the Typhoon, Mirage 2000 team validated their Red Air tactics
Lecce had a significant impact on training and Rafale’. It wasn’t just air-to-air either, The six pilots against Grosseto-based Eurofighters.
from the 61°
activities back home. For Tarantino, as the Master pair supported close air Stormo stand With its embedded datalink and synthetic
however, being at TLP was a vital part of support missions and personnel recovery, proudly in training aids the Master was able to
expanding the T-346’s repertoire — and and even simulated the enforcement of a front of the replicate a beyond visual range (BVR)
TLP building at
that of its instructors. ‘We have to try to no-fly zone in one of the final exercises of Los Llanos air threat and cement its role in dissimilar
come as often as possible and ensure the program. base, Albacete. air combat training (DACT) scenarios.
that all our instructors make the most of ‘Considering that we have come here
this experience, not just for the good of from a flight school, this exercise is
the Italian Air Force, but also for TLP and absolutely priceless for us because we
NATO’, he added. can develop our understanding of the
T-346 as a weapons system’, Tarantino
Master on the road asserted. ‘Tactics evolve with incredible
During TLP the T-346As carried out two speed, and we cannot discount that.
missions each day, acting as Red Air Four to five years ago, new pilots
alongside Spanish Air Force Eurofighters left the FLIT Phase IV stage
that were deployed from Morón air base thinking that tactics never
for the same duties. The Red Air scenarios evolved!’ He added: ‘In
ranged from fairly benign set-ups to the Blue Force mass
highly complex engagements. The T-346 briefing it was

57

One of the two

deployed Italian
Air Force T-346As
returns to Albacete
following a
Tactical Leadership
Programme (TLP)
mission in February.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | M-346 NEW MISSIONS

It’s all part of ‘downloading’ training Right: A T-346A cockpit to help smooth the transition
from the expensive flying time on the taxies out to Poland’s front-line F-16C/D Block 52+
for a mission
fighters of the OCU. The Masters also past other TLP force. The multi-function displays have
went to Istrana to work with AMXs on participants. been given appropriate functionality, and
air-to-ground tactics development. This other nuances such as a drag ’chute and
Below: The
serves to build the overall picture and Italian Air an instrument training blind have been
tactical development for the Lecce-based Force is keen added. As at Lecce, new, bespoke facilities
training system. for the Master are being established at Dęblin for the
to earn itself a
Soon, the T-346s are expected to detach reputation as a advent of the new training system.
to Ghedi to work hand-in-hand with platform able to With the first Polish jet due to fly in May,
the Tornados of the 102° Gruppo, and support a range deliveries are slated to start in November,
of training
plans are even evolving for a weekly activities. and the last aircraft is scheduled for hand-
engagement with Eurofighters from Gioia over in October 2017. Rumors abound
del Colle. The object of these exercises that a further four examples may be
with front-line units is to ensure that ordered soon.
the T-346 course is optimized to meet With the development of a multi-
the entry-level requirements for each application mindset, including Red Air
respective fighter OCU. as well as the training role, and with
separate UK/Indian efforts such as the
Master path Combat Hawk taking shape, Alenia
At the end of February, Finmeccanica Aermacchi is looking to give M-346
disclosed that the first pair of M-346s customers options to press their Masters
for Poland was in final assembly at its into combat roles as and when necessary.
Venegono facility. Eight new Polish The Master would make for a useful force
Masters will replace the archaic TS-11 multiplier. Korean Aerospace Industries
Iskra under a €280-million deal signed (KAI) and Lockheed Martin have
in February 2014, including a logistics demonstrated the versatility of their T-50
package, spares and technical support. Golden Eagle in such roles in the
The first six Polish Air Force pilots and shape of the FA-50 and TA-50.
26 aircraft technicians are currently in Alenia Aermacchi is thought
58 training at Lecce. The training of 16 crew to be close to finalizing a new
chiefs has already been completed. Alenia variant of the Master to embrace
Aermacchi has subtly optimized the Polish the advanced training role, but

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 M-346 NEW MISSIONS | FEATURE

59

also ground attack, tactical support At the other end of the spectrum is
and counter-insurgency roles. This new the US Air Force. Having fallen out with
variant will feature six hardpoints for General Dynamics last year, Finmeccanica
weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack is now pitching the T-100 (the chosen
Munition (JDAM), AIM-9 Sidewinder designation for the USAF offering) for the
Above: Israel and IRIS-T missiles, a gun pod, rockets, T-X trainer requirement in partnership
is said to be targeting pod and a reconnaissance pod. with Raytheon.
pressing its
M-346 Lavi into The beefed-up aircraft will require more On February 22, 2016, Raytheon
an aggressor thrust, with an extra 10 per cent expected announced it was heading the $10-billion
role. This to be teased out of the Honeywell F124 bid for the T-38 Talon replacement as
example (serial
149) is the first turbofans. According to Finmeccanica, the primary contractor teamed with
aircraft for 102 there is an urgent need for a jet trainer Finmeccanica, Honeywell Aerospace, and
‘Flying Tigers’ able to perform these roles. It is likely to CAE USA Inc with a modified M-346.
Squadron
at Hatzerim. be extremely appealing to air forces with General Dynamics’ decision to walk away
Yissacher Ruas low budgets and high demands. from the Alenia proposal stemmed from

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | M-346 NEW MISSIONS

a belief that the Master couldn’t meet the

stiff key performance parameters set out
by Air Education and Training Command.
In particular, it seems the engines
were a cause for concern. However,
Honeywell counters that the T-100’s F124
engines provide plenty of thrust, ease of
maintenance, flexibility and a low cost
throughout the life cycle, in every kind
of role and mission. According to Carey
Smith, President Defense and Space at
Honeywell Aerospace: ‘The F124 engine
reduces the workload on the pilot
through automation of new functions
that allow the driver to focus only on the
flight activity, to successfully complete
The T-100 is the joint
the missions.’ Raytheon/Finmeccanica
The T-100 will feature a modern offering for the USAF’s T-X
head-up display, a customizable requirement. Raytheon
large-area display (for the F-35 training
requirement), and a fully integrated
helmet-mounted display designed to ‘In the Blue Force mass briefing it was great to see
prepare pilots for the advanced avionics
they will meet in front-line tactical them taking the T-346 into account as the enemy.
aircraft. The brochure says that the T-100
will be capable of ‘conducting sustained
The pilots had to work out how to best engage the
high-g operations, aerial refueling, night
vision imaging and datalink operations
threat we presented’
and it offers embedded tactical training COL PAOLO TARANTINO
simulation with live/virtual blended
60 constructive capability, hands on throttle play an increasingly important role in Alenia exposure to live flying. The aim is to
Aermacchi has
and stick (HOTAS) controls, and a Ground sophisticated training, safe and in line provide the highest-quality platform
conducted a
Proximity Warning System (GPWS).’ with the budget of the US Air Force.’ range of trials at the lowest price thanks to low
The simulation element will be crucial The kind of attention to detail with external acquisition and life-cycle costs. Raytheon
weapons as it
— many air force leaders are focused on demonstrated by the Italian T-346 claims that the T-100 requires no aircraft
finalizes its light
the live-versus-synthetic split as they look instructors looks set to help ensure fighter version depot-level maintenance and, thanks
at optimizing their training models. The that the ground-based training system of the Master. to its reduced maintenance man-hours
Massimo Rossi
simulation element will be handled by (GBTS) offered as part of the T-100 deal per flight hour, that it also requires fewer
CAE USA, which has an impressive track will be able to provide highly realistic technicians than the other T-X offerings.
record when it comes to sophisticated training. The GBTS uses the same flight Time will tell whether the as yet
systems for advanced training. control software as the aircraft, enabling clandestine ‘clean-sheet’ offerings from
Gene Colabatistto, Group President all training events to be introduced and competitors Boeing/Saab and Northrop
Defense and Security for CAE says: ‘Our practiced with the same aircraft ‘feel’ Grumman will be able to trump these
integrated simulation technologies will and reactions prior to the student’s first claims.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 FEATURE | RUSSIA’S NEW MiGs

62

FULCRUM’S FORTUNES
MiG-29SMT IN RUSSIAN SERVICE
While the Russian Air Force first got its hands on back to 1997. Launched as an ambitious
advanced MiG-29SMT fighters only after they had been reworking of the basic 9.12/9.13 MiG-29
airframe, it was originally intended to
rejected by Algeria, Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has provide the Russian Air Force with a
now commenced delivery of an additional batch that are mid-life upgrade of around 180 existing
being built in line with a 2014 order. aircraft. In the event, the Russian Air
Force showed little interest and, for

I
report: Thomas Newdick photos: Dimitry Pichugin the time being at least, none of these
updated aircraft made their way into
N THE YEARS after the end of went in the direction of the rival Sukhoi the Russian Air Force ranks.
the Cold War, the status of company. As far as fighter upgrades The fortunes of the ‘Fulcrum’ changed,
The the Mikoyan MiG-29 began to were concerned, the ‘Flanker’ was however, once Algeria placed an order
MiG‑29SMT’s
fuselage spine diminish within the Russian Air again the major beneficiary, and plans for 34 MiG-29SMT fighters and MiG-29UB
incorporates Force. Strapped for cash, the to modernize the MiG-29 failed to (upgraded) combat trainers in February
precious Air Force prioritized the heavy materialize. 2006. As part of a huge arms deal with
additional fuel
to improve the Su-27 family, and the few orders that Today’s MiG-29SMT (internal Moscow, an option was also taken out
fighter’s ‘legs’. were placed for new aircraft invariably designation 9.19) traces its heritage for 36 more aircraft of the same type. In

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 RUSSIA’S NEW MiGs | FEATURE

63

addition to these new deliveries, Algeria was accordingly cancelled in February

planned to upgrade to the same standard 2008, providing a windfall for a newly
the survivors of between 33 and 36 resurgent Russian military.
MiG‑29 (9.13) and MiG-29UB fighters that The first 15 Algerian aircraft were
it had acquired from Belarus in 1996. returned to Russia, where the government
announced that all 34 airframes — 28
North African saga single-seat MiG-29SMTs and six two-seat
Algiers was expecting to receive new- MiG-29UB (upgraded) jets — would now
build examples of an advanced ‘Fulcrum’ be acquired on behalf of the Russian
derivative. But after deliveries of the Air Force. This not only spared Russia’s
MiG‑29SMT had begun in late 2006, aerospace industry some embarrassment,
Algeria instead found that the first 15 but probably also kept RAC MiG afloat.
aircraft had been built using existing Following brief tests, the aircraft were
airframes — some of which dated from formally commissioned into Russian
before the collapse of the Soviet Union service in November 2008. With the
and had remained, unsold, at the factory. exception of four single-seaters retained
Algeria refused to pay and the contract by the training center at Lipetsk, the MiGs

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | RUSSIA’S NEW MiGS

entered service with the 14th ‘Guards’ missiles, Kh-31A/P and Kh-29T air-to- marks a genuine step-change over the
Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP) at Kursk- surface missiles, and KAB-500Kr guided original ‘Fulcrum’, featuring the all-new
Khalino. They began to arrive at the central bombs. While the original MiG-29 was lightweight airframe of the carrier-based
Russian base in February 2009. always hampered by its ‘short legs’, the MiG-29K and powered by uprated
When Kursk was closed during 2010-12 MiG-29SMT’s fuselage spine incorporates RD-33MKR turbofans.
for runway reconstruction work, the an additional 950-liter (251-US gallon) However, without any corresponding
MiG-29s operated temporarily from conformal fuel tank that increases the export order for the type, the MiG-35
Above: In late
Buturlinovka. As of December 1, 2012 aircraft’s range to 1,800km (1,118 miles) on January 2016, program has been badly delayed. Officials
they were back at Kursk, where they were internal fuel. An in-flight refueling probe is Kursk-based long spoke of a Russian Air Force order
officially integrated as part of the Russian fitted as standard. MiG-29SMTs for ‘up to 37’ MiG-35S fighters — a figure
began to take
anti-aircraft defense system. In the continued absence of part in a first of 28 aircraft has also been reported.
64 MiG’s proposed LMFS (Logkiy qualifying Yet contract signature has slipped, and
Valuable asset Mnogofunktsionalnyi Frontovoi Samolyot round for the in November 2013 Russian Air Force
‘Aviadarts’
Once unwanted by the Russian Air — Lightweight Multi-function Tactical gunnery commander-in-chief Viktor Bondarev
Force, the MiG-29SMT’s story has Aircraft), the Russian Air Force has an competition,
now gone full circle. The Air Force has outstanding requirement for an interim which will be
held in April/
clearly come to value the fighter, which lightweight tactical fighter. Officially, May 2016.
provides an attractive combination of at least, the MiG-35S should meet this
‘open-architecture’ avionics, Zhuk-ME specification. Unlike the MiG-29SMT, Below: A line-
up of SMTs
multi-mode radar, 13SM infra-red which is to all intents and purposes a at Kursk in
search and track system, R-77 air-to-air ‘warmed-over’ 9.12/9.13, the MiG-35S January.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 RUSSIA’S NEW MiGS | FEATURE

admitted that the promised MiG-35S was it is understood that the extra aircraft of MiG-29SMTs. These aircraft are being
not yet ready for series production. An consist of 14 MiG-29SMT fighters and two delivered to Astrakhan-Privolzhskiy air
order is still to be placed. MiG-29UB combat trainers. base in southern Russia, headquarters
Until the MiG-35S is available, the As of mid-2015 the Russian Air Force of the 116th Center for Combat Training
MiG-29SMT is evidently the best candidate Above: One had a fleet of around 150 MiG-29s — of and Aircrew Conversion. According to a
to fill the gap. In April 2014 the Russian of the 16 new all variants — equipping two operational press release from RAC MiG, the jets are
MiG-29SMTs,
Air Force ordered a 16 MiG-29SMTs, with ‘Blue 22’, regiments at Kursk-Khalino and Millerovo. equipped with a new internal electronic
an option for about 20 additional aircraft. delivered late That total also included aircraft assigned to warfare suite. Available photographs
Compared to the ex-Algerian machines, last year. second-line units, comprising a squadron indicate that the initial deliveries included
Anton Gromov
these latest jets — known internally as at the Kubinka demonstration center, between three and four single-seaters
9.19R — should incorporate the N041R Below: A two- and at three training bases at Astrakhan, (Bort numbers ‘Blue 20’, ‘Blue 21’ and
radar and weapons suite of the MiG-35S; seat MiG-29UB Kushcheskaya, and Armavir. ‘Blue 22’) and one two-seater (‘Blue 50’). 65
heads out for
the only difference is their use of the a mission at a In late December 2015 Russia began to Deliveries of all 16 aircraft are due to be
older airframe. Although unconfirmed, frozen Kursk. receive the first of the additional batch completed before the end of the year.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 boein6ig
A�h-

I
This image: A N NOVEMBER 2012 the US Army Apache and AH-6 programs at the engine control] engine controller.
Boeing AH-6i began its search for a replacement Boeing Company. ‘The AH-6 delivers It is suitable for multiple mission
demonstrator
gets down for the aging Bell OH-58 Kiowa. unmatched power and mission flexibility requirements of international army, air
low over the The Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) at an affordable price.’ force and special operations aviation
Arizona scrub program included the Bell OH-58F The AH/MH-6M Little Bird, sometimes customers.’
near Mesa.
Block II, AgustaWestland AW109, referred to as the ‘killer egg’, is currently
Inset: The Boeing AH-6S and others as contenders. utilized by US Army special operations Unmanned Little Bird
cockpit Due to budget sequestration by the groups such as the 160th Special Filler told Combat Aircraft that there
shares
commonality US government, the AAS effort was Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is even an unmanned variant within
with the cancelled in late 2013 and no helicopter ‘Night Stalkers’ for a variety of roles the H-6 family. ‘The Unmanned
Apache, and was chosen. It was determined after including attack and reconnaissance in Little Bird H-6U is based on previous
is suitable for
day and night sequestration that the cost of procuring support of special operations missions. generations of the AH-6/MD500-series
operations. a new AAS would be too high. Until Boeing sees the AH-6i being used in a aircraft. Its unique design combines
Boeing the program is reactivated, or a new range of missions including these. the autonomous flight capability,
initiative such as the Future Vertical Lift According to Filler, ‘Optimized for networked payloads and
program re-opens the competition, the light attack/reconnaissance role, communications of an
potential manufacturers are left in a the AH-6i’s technologies are fully unmanned aerial
holding pattern. integrated, not an add-on or federated or vehicle with
Boeing’s AH-6i light attack and weaponized after-the-fact. The helicopter the combat-
reconnaissance helicopter was is designed to provide customers with proven
developed as the export version significantly increased performance manned
of the company’s AAS offering, the capabilities — gross weight and payload,
stillborn AH-6S. and safety features including crash-
With expertise from the lessons learned worthy stroking seats, ballistic-tolerant
in programs such as the AH-64 Apache self-sealing fuel tanks, and
and the AH/MH-6 Little Bird for the US dual-channel FADEC
Army, Boeing is marketing the AH-6i [full-authority digital
66 platform as an advanced Little Bird for
international customers.
‘Combining innovative design, combat-
proven capabilities and technologies,
the AH-6i features a fully integrated
cockpit that simplifies crew workload’,
said Tommy Filler, director, international

With its AH-6i, LITTLE

BIRD,
Boeing is offering
a potent yet
affordable light

BIG
attack and
reconnaissance
helicopter suitable
for 21st-century

BITE
operations in a
variety of roles.
report and photos:
Steven Valinski
 rotorcraft and the company’s current press
platform. The material omits the Little Bird name.
un-manned aircraft system Filler explains: ‘The AH-6i light attack/
fulfills a number of roles, from reconnaissance helicopter features
over-the-horizon search, to resupply three hours of endurance with more
and retrograde, communications relay than 2,300lb of payload, six hours of
and surveillance operations. However, endurance with more than 1,200lb of
the Unmanned Little Bird’s most payload, or more than 10 hours with
powerful features are its low operational a 300lb payload — enough time and
cost and its low-risk approach to flexibility to complete the mission. The
developing and maturing vertical take- AH-6i features integrated sensors and
off and landing unmanned airborne a qualified weapons system capable of 67
systems technology rapidly.’ carrying a variety of weapons.’
While the name Little Bird does not The type has four weapon stations
conjure up images that would strike fear supporting weapon systems including
into an enemy, the AH-6i is designed an M134D 7.62mm (0.3in) Minigun,
to execute missions such as attack, GAU-19/B 12.7mm (0.5in) ‘Gatling’ gun,
reconnaissance, close air support, M260 seven-shot rocket pod, AGM-114
security and scout, using numerous Hellfire air-to-surface missiles (on the
lethal payloads. Because of the lethality M310 launcher), and laser-guided 70mm
of its weaponry and the flexibility of (2.75in) rockets.
the AH-6i’s mission capability, the
manufacturer prefers the aircraft Special features for
be referred to simply as the special forces
Boeing AH-6i light attack/ Since many special operations missions
reconnaissance helicopter take place under the cover of night, it
 makes sense that an aircraft designed
68 for such roles should be able to excel
during nocturnal operations. Utilizing
an advanced ‘glass’ cockpit design, the
AH-6i has full night vision goggle (NVG)
capability. According to Filler, ‘Use of
night vision and infra-red systems in
the AH-6 offers a great advantage to
military aviators, using the cover of
darkness to dramatically reduce the risk
of engagement by ground forces.’
The AH-6i utilizes a cockpit layout and
display similar to the AH-64 Apache,
with the same software package that
can be upgraded to keep up to date proven its worth in many US Army special developed mission computer, 30g
with the latest advances. ‘The AH-6i has operations missions. From the rooftop crashworthiness, [and the fact that it is]
a complete integrated solution that insertion of Delta Force soldiers to inexpensive to maintain and operate.’
allows the pilots to execute/engage casualty evacuation in hostile areas, the Built on the time-tested MD Helicopters
targets quickly and more accurately than Little Bird has been involved in several MD500 (MD530F) foundation, the AH-6i
a federated system, allowing for a higher key special operations support tasks. It was originally expected to be powered
level of mission success’, Filler added. makes sense that an advanced version by the Rolls-Royce Model 250-C30R/3
It is fitted with an L-3 Wescam MX-15Di would have appeal outside the US. single-channel FADEC engine, but,
imaging turret with laser rangefinder and Countries using older attack helicopters Filler says, now uses the more powerful
designator, but, thanks to the software such as earlier AH-1 Cobras would Rolls-Royce 250-C30E/1 with dual-
flexibility, the AH-6i can integrate with consider the AH-6i a significant upgrade. channel FADEC.
other targeting systems if required. According to Filler, the AH-6i has some With a reinforced frame designed to
distinct advantages over rival helicopters handle the extra weight and weapons
Foundation of toughness such as the AW109, OH-58F and others. configurations, crew seat protection and
The ‘legacy’ AH/MH-6’s success in combat These include: ‘Significant payload a ballistic-tolerant main fuel tank, Boeing
has been well noted. With its agility, capacity given the AH-6i’s drivetrain, has taken the extra steps in ensuring
maneuverability, small radar footprint completely integrated weapons and that the AH-6i has excellent combat
and deadly firepower, the Little Bird has avionics systems through the Boeing- survivability.
In production
Production of the AH-6i began in late
2015 at Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona facility.
This is the same facility in which the
AH-64 is manufactured. Although
Boeing does not disclose information
about its customers, the US Army has
confirmed in numerous reports that the
first AH-6i buyer is Saudi Arabia, which
placed an initial order for 24 (in a 2010
Foreign Military Sales [FMS] agreement,
an order for 36 examples was outlined).
Production of an initial AH-6i is expected
to be completed this summer, and Saudi
Arabia is set to receive the first of the 24
examples currently contracted by the
end of June.
In April 2016 the US Army issued
a ‘sources sought’ notice for the
production and delivery of 72 AH-6is
for various FMS customers. The notice
is intended to determine the feasibility
of a competitive acquisition, and to
identify parties that will be able to
support production and delivery of
the 72 helicopters. While the initial 12 Left page: Armed defense customers desiring a highly Simply put, the software the AH-6i
are being built for an undisclosed FMS to the teeth! The capable, economical-to-operate and utilizes has gone through many different
AH-6i has four
customer — possibly Jordan — the weapon stations maintain, lethal platform that is also iterations with thousands of lessons
other 60 will be opened up to other supporting rapidly deployable will select the AH-6. learned being incorporated into an
‘interested parties’. Jordan previously a variety of The AH-6 provides great interoperability intuitive and user-friendly package. 69
weapon systems
signed a letter of intent for 18 AH-6is including the with the AH-64, enabling the two aircraft Looking at over 15 countries that
with an option for a further six. GAU-19/B to work together effectively as a team. have ordered the AH-64 to date and
Although Boeing is expected to produce 12.7mm (0.5in) The AH-6i conducts the reconnaissance those that operate older attack and
‘Gatling’ gun,
the AH-6i at a rate of two per month, the M260 seven- and develops the situation forward, reconnaissance platforms, there appears
manufacturer can increase production shot rocket pod increasing situational awareness and to be a significant potential market for
based on customer demand. ‘Boeing will and AGM-114 decreasing risk and facilitating the heavy the AH-6i.
Hellfire air-to-
manufacture the AH-6i at its Vertical Lift surface missiles attack forces’ mission objectives.’ As Filler puts it, ‘The AH-6i is designed
facility located in Mesa at a planned rate as seen here. to meet the current requirements of
of up to four to six aircraft per month Potential military customers worldwide, and is
Inset left: The
if required to meet customer demand’, AH-6i is both With Saudi Arabia’s current order, and adaptable for future growth. The AH-6i
says Filler. rugged and Jordan having shown interest, Boeing has unmatched power-to-weight ratio,
With the AH-64 Apache already in extremely agile, has demonstrated that there is a market exceptional endurance, maneuverability,
as demonstrated
Saudi Arabia’s arsenal, Saudi pilots will here is a for a cost-effective, small/lightweight, and survivability. The aircraft’s fully
recognize some of the similarities in the simulated re- technologically advanced and well- integrated cockpit simplifies the pilot’s
avionics of the AH-64 and the AH-6i. attack profile. armed attack/reconnaissance helicopter. workload and allows for situational
Filler explains: ‘The AH-6i is using similar Above: Boeing When it comes to technology, the awareness and efficient mission focus.’
computing architecture as the AH-64 has applied ability to upgrade an aircraft is an With the enhancements over its
helicopter and utilizes some common lessons learned important factor. Being able to make predecessors and a market looking
in the AH-64
hardware. The advantage of the two program to the system enhancements, the ability to to upgrade existing attack rotorcraft
systems is a cross-training approach Little Bird. operate the latest targeting and weapons while finding value in an unstable
which allows for pilots to move between systems and other factors are key reasons economy, Boeing may have found a
platforms with a common interface and behind the importance of upgradability. successful niche with the AH-6i. Now
‘button push’ for the end user.’ Thanks to experience with the Apache, that production is moving forward,
Filler envisions the AH-6i operating as and utilization of common software in success with its initial customer will
a stand-alone platform as well as having the AH-6i, Boeing seems to have a key help set the tone for future interest.
the capability to work alongside forces advantage over its competitors. This is Given further breakthroughs in the
utilizing the Apache. ‘The AH-6 will be expressed not only through the cross- international market and more combat
the aircraft of choice for international platform applications, but also with the success stories, the Little Bird name just
military forces that require a special knowledge learned through the AH-64 may evolve to signify an even more
forces aviation capability. International program and its combat experience. intimidating bird of prey.
 EXERCISE REPORT | COPE TIGER

COPE TIGER Multilateral interoperability remains a key priority for the Indo-Asia-
Pacific partners that participated in the 22nd edition of Exercise ‘Cope’
Tiger that began at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on March 7.

report and photos: Giovanni Colla

70

With its ‘barn-door’ speed brake extended, a wonderful 149 Squadron ‘Shikras’ F-15SG rolls out on landing at Korat during ‘Cope Tiger’.
This aircraft carries the serial 05-0006/8308 and is one of the initial 24 jets Singapore received from Boeing. It remains unconfirmed regarding
how many F-15SGs Singapore has actually received. A further batch of eight aircraft is thought to have followed and in March the RSAF
established a second operational F-15SG unit; 142 Squadron. Reports suggest that a further eight to 12 jets may be in production.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

U
COPE TIGER | EXERCISE REPORT

SUALLY HELD BEHIND

tightly closed doors,
‘Cope Tiger’ is a
large-scale trilateral
combined air exercise
that involves the forces
of Singapore, Thailand, and the United
States. Since its inception in 1994, the
exercise has evolved into two distinct
phases. This year’s event started with
a command post exercise held at the
Multi-national Operations and Exercise
Centre at Changi Naval Base, Singapore,
in December 2015, while the second
phase was a far more dynamic flying
period at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
(RTAFB) from March 7-18.
‘Cope Tiger 2016’ involved a combined
total of 87 aircraft, 48 ground-based
air defense systems and around 2,000
personnel from the participating
nations. Perhaps the most newsworthy
Exercise director for the Royal Thai Air
item from was the maiden participation Force Gp Capt Manoon Rukitna.
of the Republic of Singapore Air Force

71

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 EXERCISE REPORT | COPE TIGER

This F-16A Block 15ADF (serial

10213) is one of 16 ex-USAF ADF
examples acquired in 2002-03
under ‘Peace Naresuan IV’. It is
locally-based at Korat with 102
Squadron ‘Stars’.

Singapore ordered
two batches of F-16D
Block 52 variants with
the extended spine
to accommodate an
extensive ECM suite.

72

This is an early ‘Peace Naresuan II’ F-16A

Block 15OCU — and it is showing its age!

Singapore’s four G550 AEWs were

declared fully operational in 2012
with 111 Squadron at Tengah.
 COPE TIGER | EXERCISE REPORT

(RSAF)’s Israel Aerospace Industries Below: The 2016 edition saw fighter aircraft at Takhli RTAFB. Thailand is upgrading
Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle. F-16D serial from all three nations being networked 18 Block 15 F-16A/Bs in batches of six
40301/90032 is
Like so many air exercises, ‘Cope one of the first via Link 16 for the first time, with the aircraft under a three-phase program
Tiger’ is all about interoperability, RTAF ‘Vipers’ RTAF’s suitably-equipped F-16 mid-life valued at around $700 million. The
with the respective aircrews planning to undergo the upgrade (MLU) aircraft making their MLU includes a modular mission
mid-life upgrade
multilateral air operations and (MLU). It’s a ‘Cope Tiger’ debut. ‘USAF Link 16 experts computer, Northrop Grumman AN/
strengthening relationships and Block 15OCU worked closely with both RTAF and APG-68(V)9 radar, AN/APX-113
understanding in this strategic aircraft and RSAF technical [teams] to ensure that combined interrogator and transponder,
discernable as
region. ‘It is to increase the capability an MLU example we would have success with the Link 16 Terma AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare
and experience of the pilots, as well due to the pilot datalink network on the first day of the management system, AN/ALE-47
as to give the aeronautical staff wearing JHMCS exercise, and this is a huge step ahead countermeasures dispenser system,
and by the new
an opportunity to learn from our ‘bird-slicer’ in capability for the RTAF that enhances Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
counterparts who have experienced AN/APX-113 our effectiveness and partnership’, USAF (JHMCS), Lockheed Martin Sniper
real combat operations’, commented combined exercise director Lt Col Jack Arthaud targeting pod, AIM-120C AMRAAM and
interrogator/
Gp Capt Manoon Rukitna, the transponder commented. IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, and laser/GPS-
exercise director for the Royal Thai Air strakes in front of The RTAF’s F-16A/B Block 15 MLUs guided bombs. The first six aircraft were
Force (RTAF). the cockpit. were aircraft from 403 ‘Cobra’ Squadron drawn from 403 Squadron and are being

73

The RTAF operates two Saab 340 AEW&C Erieyes

with 702 Squadron at Surat Thani RTAFB, which
were acquired as part of an integrated air
defense package with its Gripens.
 EXERCISE REPORT | COPE TIGER

An RTAF F-5E of 211 Squadron

‘Eagles’ at Ubon Ratchathani. Note
that the pilot wears the Elbit’s
DASH helmet.

F-15C serial 85-0104/ZZ

is currently the 67th FS
commander’s jet and carries
a MiG-23 kill from Operation
‘Desert Storm’.

In September last year the completed by Thai Aviation Industries’

RTAF marked 5,000 flight Aircraft Maintenance Division at Takhli
hours with its 12 Gripens.
Nakhonsawan in co-operation with
Lockheed Martin.

Force multipliers
The fighter missions predictably
included dissimilar basic fighter
74 maneuvers (BFM), air combat training
(ACT), close air support (CAS), tactical
strike, air superiority, air interdiction, and
large-force employment (LFE), with a
good dose of electronic warfare, tactical
airlift, and search and rescue thrown in
for the other participants. The mission
waves started with an RSAF KC-135R

‘Cope Tiger’ provides an excellent

opportunity for personnel from the three
participating air forces to work together.
 COPE TIGER | EXERCISE REPORT

tanker along with a Gulfstream G550 clutter and at low target altitudes. The
AEW&C from 111 Squadron based at
‘COPE TIGER 2016’ PARTICIPANTS main cabin is equipped with a suite of
Tengah and an RTAF Saab 340 AEW&C Royal Thai Air Force
multi-function workstations for up to
Type Unit Home base
Erieye from 702 Squadron at Surat Thani three operators for radar, fighter control
Alpha Jet A 231 Squadron ‘Hunter’ Udon Thani
RTAFB, both of which acted as airborne and functions associated with land-
C-130H 601 Squadron ‘Lucky’ Don Muang
early warning and control systems for F-5E 211 Squadron ‘Eagles’ Ubon Ratchathani based operations, and the aircraft are
the Blue and Red Air assets. F-16A/B 102 Squadron ‘Stars’ Korat designed to operate seamlessly with
Also known as the Conformal Airborne F-16A/B 103 Squadron ‘Lightning’ Korat the RTAF Gripen fleet, with which they
Early Warning (CAEW), the Singaporean F-16A/B 403 Squadron ‘Cobra’ Takhli share a base. 75
G550 AEW&C replaced the E-2 Hawkeye. JAS 39C/D 701 Squadron ‘Sharks’ Surat Thani As ‘Cope Tiger’ director Gp Capt
L-39ZA/ART 401 Squadron ‘Dragon’ Takhli
It features six multi-purpose operator Manoon Rukitna said, ‘This exercise
L-39ZA/ART 411 Squadron ‘Thunder’ Chiang Mai
stations in the rear cabin able to enabled the participants to face new
Saab 340 AEW&C 702 Squadron Surat Thani
collect rapid target information with experiences from the intensive training
360-degree coverage via the Elta Republic of Singapore Air Force [they encountered]. This improved the
EL/M‑2085 active electronically-scanned AS332M 125 Squadron ‘Starling’ Sembawang professionalism of all three air forces by
array (AESA) system that includes a KC-135R 112 Squadron Changi increasing their capability to fly in such
phased array airborne early warning F-15SG 149 Squadron ‘Shikra’ Paya Lebar large air exercises while developing
F-16C/D 140 Squadron ‘Osprey’ Tengah
radar, an identification friend or foe [improved] interoperability between our
F-16C/D 143 Squadron ‘Phoenix’ Tengah
system, electronic support measures air forces.’
F-16D 145 Squadron ‘Hornet’ Changi
(ESM), electronic intelligence (ELINT), G550 AEW&C 111 Squadron ‘Jaeger’ Tengah
and communications intelligence Heron 1 119 Squadron Tengah Acknowledgments: Thanks to Gp Capt
(COMINT) systems. Manoon Rukitna, RTAF, Public Affairs
The Saab 340 AEW&C can reportedly US Air Force Officer Ratchanok Noi Kerdsuk
F-15C 67th Fighter Squadron Kadena and all the men and
detect fighter-size aircraft at a range
E-3B 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron Kadena
women of Wing 1.
of 350km (217 miles) in heavy radar

Toting an AIM-9P, this

L-39ZA is from 401
Squadron ‘Dragon’.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | DUTCH F-35 TESTING

DIANA
ASCENDANT
76

California’s Edwards
AFB is home to the
first four Dutch
Lightning II pilots.
The initial two
RNLAF aircraft
arrived there in
January 2015 after
an eventful trip from
their previous base
at Eglin AFB, Florida.
 A
DUTCH F-35 TESTING | FEATURE

T EDWARDS AIR Force

Base, California, the
RNLAF detachment
On February 18, 2016 the Royal Netherlands Air has become a valuable
Force (RNLAF) Lightning II detachment attained a part of the Joint
major milestone when Maj Pascal Smaal dropped Operational Test Team
(JOTT). Today, the Dutch operational
a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb from F-35A F-002 at
unit, 323 Test and Evaluation Squadron
the China Lake ranges, California. With this event (TES), works alongside the US Air Force’s
the RNLAF became the first non-US service branch 31st TES, Marine Operational and
to release a weapon from the Lightning II. Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22 of the US
Marine Corps, Air Test and Evaluation
Squadron (VX) 9 of the US Navy, and No
report and photos: Frank Crébas/Bluelife Aviation 17 (Reserve) Squadron of the Royal Air
Force. Australia also takes part in the
Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
program but is presently without its
own aircraft.
‘Our team consists of about 35 people
and two aircraft’, Col Bert de Smit,
the commander of the Dutch F-35
detachment at Edwards and one of
the current four Dutch F-35 pilots, told
Combat Aircraft in an exclusive interview.
‘The JOTT has two parts: the first part is
White Force. White Force is responsible
for organizing, planning, analyzing
and reporting our test events. Part of
my detachment, including myself, is
embedded within White Force. OT&E
event results are shared among the other 77
participants within White Force so we
can benefit from each other as much
as possible. The second part is what we
call Blue Force. Blue Force includes all
the involved squadrons, executes the
missions that are planned by White Force
and gathers the data needed for analysis.
‘The other squadrons, like our own 323
TES, work partially independently under
their own national legislation, in our case
the Dutch Military Aviation Authority. The
units are responsible for their own aircraft
and personnel but we generate a lot of
sorties together.’

www.combataircraft.net
 FEATURE | DUTCH F-35 TESTING

This image: As it
stands, the RNLAF
is set to receive a
total of 37 F-35s,
the first eight of
which will populate
the F-35A Pilot
Training Center at
Luke AFB, Arizona.
The jets will replace
a current fleet of
61 operational
Dutch F-16s.

Below: Beginning in
2019, the first Dutch
instructor pilots
will begin flying
the F-35. This initial
cadre of IPs will be
tasked with training
a first group of
operational F-35
squadron pilots
for Leeuwarden’s
322 Squadron.

78

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 DUTCH F-35 TESTING | FEATURE

This image: The Dutch

contribution to the
Joint Operational
Test Team (JOTT)
at Edwards is
represented by 323
Test and Evaluation
Squadron (TES),
whose 35 personnel
work closely with their
partners from the US
Air Force, US Marine
Corps and US Navy,
as well as the Royal
Australian Air Force
and Royal Air Force.

79

Level 2 partner Lightning II in 2019. Besides becoming a

The Netherlands became the second Level 2 partner, another requirement for
Level 2 nation, after Italy, in the Joint OT&E involvement was the acquisition
Strike Fighter (JSF) program after it had of two F-35As to be used for OT&E
invested $800 million in the system execution.
development and demonstration (SDD) 323 TES — with Diana, the goddess
phase. This gave the Dutch aerospace of the hunt, as its emblem — has a
industry the opportunity to participate long tradition as a Tactical Training,
Left: In August in the development of sophisticated Evaluation and Standardization Squadron
2015 the
Dutch F-35 components, including doors and wiring, (TACTESS). Apart from being responsible
detachment for all the F-35 variants, as well as the for traditional F-16 combat readiness,
teamed up with tailhook for the F-35C carrier variant. 323 TES organized the large-scale annual
six Arizona-
based RNLAF Another benefit of becoming a Level 2 ‘Frisian Flag’ exercise and hosted Fighter
F-16s from partner was the invitation to participate in Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT) for
the 148th FS the OT&E process for the F-35. This is very the European Participating Air Forces
‘Kickin’ Ass’ for
integration tests valuable because it gives the RNLAF a (EPAF), a partnership of European F-16
that saw them chance to learn all the ‘ins and outs’ of the users. The squadron executed flight test
take on Red Air stealth fighter and contribute to the fine- and OT&E for new F-16 capabilities within
A-4 Skyhawks
from Draken tuning of its desired capabilities, before the EPAF community, using a unique
International. Leeuwarden air base receives its first F-16BM testbed for this purpose.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | DUTCH F-35 TESTING

80

Above: At the
time of the
integration
tests in
summer 2015,
the RNLAF
KDC-10 tanker
was only
cleared to
refuel F-16s.
By the second
quarter of
2016, F-35
certification
with the
KDC-10 was
well under way.
After budget reductions were Coinciding with the decision to have
announced in 2013, the RNLAF F-16 fleet 323 TES transition to the F-35, Defense Left: While
the first eight
was reduced to 68 jets (61 operational Minister Jeanine Hennis announced Dutch F-35As
airframes plus seven for spare parts) that, after years of delays and as a Level (F-001 to F-008)
and the number of operational fighter 2 partner in the JSF program, the Dutch are being built
by Lockheed
squadrons was cut from four to three. government had formally chosen the Martin in Fort
Despite its important TACTESS role, F-35 as the successor to the F-16. These Worth, the
323 was chosen to convert to the F-35 decisions gave 323 Squadron a new remaining 29
jets will roll off
in preference to its partner unit at mission, as it was chosen to form again the line at the
Leeuwarden, 322 Squadron. The oldest at Edwards AFB to take part in the final assembly
active squadron in the RNLAF, its roots F-35 OT&E. and check-
out (FACO)
dating back to WW2 when it was an RAF The first F-35 delivered to the RNLAF facility at
unit, 322 gained the TACTESS role. was aircraft F-001 from the low-rate Cameri in Italy.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 DUTCH F-35 TESTING | FEATURE

initial production (LRIP) 3 batch, followed Air Station. This was their first time the squadron was paving new ground
by F-002 from LRIP 4. The two aircraft working with the new type — even with the F-35 at Edwards. Col de Smit:
are almost identical and operate the though the Lockheed Martin factory is ‘We initially focused on basic sortie
current 2B software. Aircraft F-002 located on the other side of the airfield generation to help our ground crews
differs slightly from its sister due to extra — and the tools to open the door to get the maintenance processes started.
instrumentation for test purposes. This the F-35 pilot steps were unavailable. ‘I We learned how to work with ALIS
includes a data acquisition, recording and thought this was going to happen some [the Autonomic Logistics Information
telemetry (DART) pod that the jet can day’, Maj Ian Knight, one of the two System] for the first time.
carry in its weapon bay. Dutch F-35 pilots, recalls with a grin. ‘I ‘On the logistic side we also had some
decided months ago to always fly with a challenges. Even though we have almost
The trip west Leatherman tool in my helmet bag and 40 years of experience with the logistics
Both aircraft were flown to Eglin AFB, I have done ever since. I’m glad I did, on the F-16, ordering an F-35 part via
Florida after delivery to the RNLAF to since we were able to open the refueling ALIS is completely different. But since
support the training of the initial four doors and lower the stairs with this tool.’ the first few months we’ve gotten more
Dutch pilots, all weapons instructors, While the F-35s were being serviced at and more comfortable with ALIS.’
and the hand-picked maintenance Fort Worth, the KC-10’s problems were
personnel. On January 17, 2015 a solved and it flew to a rendezvous point Test event
significant landmark in RNLAF F-35 to meet up with the Lightning IIs. They Upon F-002’s return to Edwards, the
history occurred when the jets flew then continued on the route to Edwards first of many major test milestones
to their new home at Edwards AFB. Below: In for the uneventful remainder of the trip. was achieved in August 2015. A
The initial plan was to fly non-stop summer 2016 detachment of six RNLAF F-16s from
from Florida to California, but due to aircraft F-001
will leave
First steps the 148th Fighter Squadron ‘Kickin’
an in-flight emergency involving the Edwards AFB Shortly after the flight west was made, Ass’ stationed at Tucson Air National
supporting KC-10 tanker from McGuire to be brought aircraft F-002 was sent to the Ogden Guard Base, Arizona, supported by a
AFB, New Jersey, the F-35s were forced up to the same Air Logistics Center (O-ALC) at Hill KDC-10 tanker, deployed to Edwards
standard as
to make an unscheduled refueling stop F-002, which AFB, Utah to undergo some planned AFB for an initial series of integration
at Fort Worth, Texas. includes structural upgrades. This was the second tests. A detachment of A-4 Skyhawks
The spontaneous arrival of the pair at additional test F-35 to undergo maintenance at O-ALC from Draken International was hired to
instrumentation
Fort Worth caused some panic among and structural and the modifications took longer simulate Red Air adversaries during the
the cross-servicing sailors at the Naval upgrades. than anticipated. In the meantime, trials. ‘The purpose of this test event was
81

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 FEATURE | DUTCH F-35 TESTING

to see how fourth-generation aircraft future F-35 bases at Leeuwarden and

like the F-16 can benefit from our ‘Fourth-generation aircraft will Volkel. The Dutch defense minister
sensors. Fourth-generation aircraft will directed this move after major noise
be around for a long time and will have be around for a long time and concerns were raised in the communities
to fight alongside F-35s and other fifth-
generation fighters. will have to fight alongside around the airfields.
The ferry itself will be quite an
‘The feedback that we got from our
F-16 pilots was that their SA [situational
F-35s. The feedback that undertaking. First the aircraft, supported
by the KDC-10 tanker and probably
awareness] increased enormously when
they were connected to the F-35 via a
we got from our F-16 pilots two F-16s that will act as chase, will fly
from Edwards AFB to Naval Air Station
secure Link 16 network’, de Smit explains. was that their situational Patuxent River, Maryland for a night
‘The KDC-10 tanker also performed well stop. After a day of preparations, the
in the network’. During this exercise, the awareness increased formation will proceed, via a northern
air-to-air refueling aircraft was only able route, non-stop to Leeuwarden.
to support the F-16s, as F-35 certification enormously when they were During the deployment to the
with the KDC-10 had not yet begun.
The Dutch F-35 OT&E detachment, connected to the F-35’ Netherlands the Lightning II will
fly sorties alongside the F-16 to
including 323 TES, can look back at a demonstrate the difference in noise
COL BERT DE SMIT
good first year at Edwards AFB. Over the levels between the two aircraft.
course of the year, the team generated Additionally, some ground infrastructure
over 280 flying hours and achieved a tests will be accomplished. If all goes
serviceability rate much higher than was well, the aircraft will appear at the
anticipated. RNLAF Open Days at Leeuwarden on
June 10 and 11. This event will mark the
The sound of freedom first airshow appearance by the F-35
With the first GBU-12 release completed outside the US.
in early 2016, the squadron began The detachment will return to the US
working toward another milestone: the week after the Leeuwarden show.
the Atlantic crossing planned for late Soon afterwards, F-001 is set to receive
May 2016. The detachment will deploy the same modifications as F-002, which
82 to the Netherlands to conduct ‘noise will leave the squadron with just one
experience flights’ at and around the aircraft for a few months.

Above right: In late May

2016 the first two Dutch
F-35s will make their
first Atlantic crossing
to conduct ‘noise
experience flights’ at
the future Lightning II
bases of Leeuwarden
and Volkel. The noise
signature of the F-35
compared to the F-16
has been a major cause
for concern among
local communities.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 DUTCH F-35 TESTING | FEATURE

Move to Luke Center of excellence

The RNLAF
As things stand, the Dutch government Before conversion to the F-35 can take took the lead in
is committed to buying 37 examples of place, Leeuwarden air base needs to European F-16
the F-35. The first eight will be stationed undergo some major infrastructural operations,
via initiatives
at Luke AFB, Arizona where they will changes and upgrades. These works such as the
be used at the multi-national F-35A will include the building of new secure Tactical Training,
Pilot Training Center. The first Dutch facilities and an auditorium. The latter Evaluation and
Standardization
Lightning II is planned to arrive at Luke will be instrumental for the RNLAF in Squadron,
in 2019. These initial eight aircraft (F- establishing a ‘center of excellence’ for ‘Frisian Flag’, and
001 to F-008) will have been built by European F-35 operating nations, a role Fighter Weapons
Instructor
Lockheed Martin at its Fort Worth plant. it currently fulfills for EPAF F-16 users. It Training. The
The remainder of the 37 jets, however, is expected that a F-35 Fighter Weapons Dutch are now
will be assembled at Cameri in Italy at School will be established as well, and well placed to
continue this
the Italian final assembly and check-out talks are under way with Norway and work for the
(FACO) facility. the United Kingdom with a view to co- burgeoning
The first pilots to transfer to the Dutch operation in this endeavor. European F-35
community.
F-35 force in 2019 will be instructor The knowledge gained during the
pilots (IPs). To upgrade an IP from the OT&E phase will be key in developing
F-16 will require about 59 days and this capability, and represents another
around 100 flying hours. This initial direct benefit of Level 2 participation in
cadre will then train the first group of the F-35 program. Compared to other
operational F-35 squadron pilots for operators, the RNLAF F-35 detachment
Leeuwarden’s 322 Squadron. These to Edwards may never involve
pilots will have at least 500 hours of considerable numbers of aircraft or
operational F-16 experience. Their aircrew, but it will play a very important
conversion, also known as transition role.
track 2, will take 64 days and involve a Fittingly, the Latin motto of the Royal
total of 60 flying hours. Netherlands Air Force is ‘parvus numero,
The first F-35A for 322 Squadron is magnus merito’ — small in numbers,
expected to land at Leeuwarden in 2019. great in deeds. Today, these words are
From then on the unit will work towards proudly displayed in the logo on the 83
initial operating capability in 2021. tails of the first Dutch F-35s.

This image: A Dutch

Lightning II basks in
the moonlight in the
southern Californian
desert. Edwards AFB
is the proving ground
for the Dutch F-35
community, which earlier
this year recorded the
first weapon release by a
non-US program partner.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 A
PHOTO FEATURE | QF-4 PHANTOM II

S OF JANUARY 1

PHA N
next year, the F-4
Phantom II will no
longer be on the
flying books of the
US Air Force. Having
entered service in 1963 in the shape of
the F-4C, the type has seen out its days
with the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron
(ATRS) as a full-scale aerial target (FSAT).
Det 1 of the 82nd ATRS at Holloman
Air Force Base, New Mexico is the final
USAF Phantom II operator, with both
QF-4Es and QRF-4Cs in its inventory.
They are flown manned for testing and
unmanned for live-fire missile exercises.
QF-4s that have not been destroyed
during live-fire testing by January 1,
2017 will be demilitarized and disposed
of by mid-year.
The closing chapter of the F-4 in USAF
service is being written as you read these
words. On June 3, 2015, Lt Col Ronald
‘Elvis’ King flew solo for the first time in
the QF-4, making him the last USAF pilot
who will ever learn to fly the Phantom.
King is now the commander of Det 1 at
Holloman.
The 82nd ATRS is headquartered
at Tyndall AFB, Florida, but this base
84 has already traded in its QF-4s for the

The last remaining US

Air Force F-4 operator is
Detachment 1 of the 82nd
Aerial Target Squadron
at Holloman Air Force
Base, New Mexico. These
exclusive images were
captured as the QF-4s
embarked on their final Looking every bit
seasoned warriors,
year of operations. QF-4Es 72-0140/
AF-335 and 74-0643/
AF-351 cruise in
report: Jamie Hunter golden evening light
near their home base
photos: Jim Haseltine at Holloman.

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 QF-4 PHANTOM II | PHOTO FEATURE

A NTOM’S
LAST STAND

85

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 PHOTO FEATURE | QF-4 PHANTOM II

This image: The

QF-4s are mainly
flown manned.
However, they are
most notable for
their unmanned
operations during
live missile
shootdown
exercises. The
unmanned
flights are known
as NULLO (not
under live local
operator).

Below: Coming
up on initials
for the pattern
at Holloman.
The QF-4 back
seats are largely
redundant,
with all systems
having been
disconnected.
Therefore, the
majority fly
without a rear
seat.

86

follow-on QF-16. Tyndall’s final two QF-4s

flew away on May 27, 2015, and were
destroyed about 30 minutes later in
air-to-air engagements over the Gulf of
Mexico. During the last month of QF-4
operations at Tyndall, five Phantoms
were downed by live-fire training.
On May 7, QRF-4C serial 68-0589 was
‘splashed’, followed by QF-4E 72-1494/TD
and QRF-4C 68-0580 on May 12. The final
two Tyndall Phantoms to be destroyed
on May 27 were QF-4Es 74-1631/HD and
71-0237/TD, the latter being the last
to go down. The unmanned Phantoms
were downed by F-15Cs flown by the
Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter
Wing and the 53rd Weapons Evaluation
Group (WEG), respectively. QF-4E
71-0237 was brought down by three
missiles, a combination of AIM-120s and
AIM-9s, during the so-called Operation
‘Quick Draw’.

www.combataircraft.net
 QF-4 PHANTOM II | PHOTO FEATURE

This image: Assigned to the 53rd WEG, the 82nd

Soaring into ATRS has operated QF-4E/G and QRF-4C
the blue —
Lt Col Ronald variants under the FSAT program since
King, Det 1 1997. The Phantoms replaced the QF-106,
commander, at with the Phantom now being succeeded
the controls of
the ‘boss bird’. in turn by the QF-16.
BAE Systems converted a total of 314
Below: Most Phantoms into full-scale target drones at
QF-4s wear their
final two-tone Mojave, California, the aircraft being used
gray ‘Egypt to fly target profiles and mimic enemy
One’ scheme fighters — manned and, eventually,
with dayglo
tail, tailplane unmanned when it was time for them
and wingtips. to meet their fate in a live missile shot.
However, Initially the FSAT role favored QF-4Gs,
for the last
decade a series which were last into and first out of
of ‘heritage storage at the Aircraft Maintenance and
schemes’ have Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-
been applied to
represent USAF Monthan AFB, Arizona. The program then
F-4 colors and moved towards the QF-4E before finally
markings over transitioning to the QRF-4C from 2008.
the decades.
The last F-4 to enter the QF-4 conversion
program was RF-4C 68-0599/AF-416.
It was removed from storage at Davis-
Monthan AFB and entered the 309th
AMARG’s refurbishment line on May 9,
2012. The airframe had been in storage
since January 18, 1989, and flew out to
Mojave in April 2013. It was delivered to
the 82nd ATRS on November 19, 2013.
The RF-4C was never a popular choice
for the FSAT mission, the QF-4E/G 87
with its slatted wing always
being preferred on
handling grounds
over the ‘hard-
winged’
QRF-4C. The
QRF-4Cs were
therefore favored
for the unmanned, live
shootdowns in later years.
 GLORY DAYS | F-4 IN COMBAT

88

I
report: Warren E. Thompson

N MARCH 1966, United States The Phantom’s first successful encounter range hampered them, with no recourse
intelligence agencies reported against a MiG-21 took place on April 26, to aerial refueling.
more than 60 North Vietnamese 1966 and involved an F-4C from the US The MiG-21s faced off against any
Air Force MiG-17 fighters present Air Force’s 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron adversaries that were able to carry their
at their main base of Phuc (TFS). In Vietnam, the F-4 faced the same loads up into Route Pack V and VI — the
Above: Pictured
Yen. While the MiG-17 was a disadvantage that the F-86 Sabre had in latter area, covering Hanoi and Haiphong, in early 1969,
known quantity, officials and planners the Korean War. The Phantoms had to was judged the most dangerous airspace this 435th TFS
were more worried by the fact that fly a long distance to reach the enemy’s in the world. Both the F-4 and MiG-21 F-4D Phantom
is loaded
approximately 15 more advanced territory, while the MiG-17s and MiG-21s were in the Mach 2 class and armed with with slick
MiG‑21s were there too. Phuc Yen was a were just minutes away. Another factor air-to-air missiles (AAMs). However, even and retarded
huge complex about 40 miles north of against them was the fact that the enemy after the MiG-21 became available, many bombs to be
used against
Hanoi and had been off limits to any air could be assisted by ground control North Vietnamese pilots continued to rail lines and
strikes by American aircraft. Up until this intercept (GCI) stations, which always prefer the MiG-17 on account of its superb troops in the
time, most of the war’s aerial duels had knew where the F-4s were. On the other maneuverability. The high wing loading south and over
in Laos.
been between the F-4 Phantom II and hand, if the MiGs wanted to venture of the MiG-21 made it far less agile, but James Wood
the MiG-17. outside of their comfort zone, their short combined with GCI and using smart via author

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 F-4 IN COMBAT | GLORY DAYS

PHANTOM
tactics it was a weapon to be respected.
On numerous occasions, MiG-21s would
intercept F-105 Thunderchiefs (‘Thuds’)
bearing down on Hanoi, forcing the USAF

VERSUS
pilots to jettison their bombs while taking
up defensive postures.
The primary weapon of the North
Vietnamese MiG-21 was the R-3S (AA-2
‘Atoll’) missile. Although notoriously

FISHBED
unreliable, the weapon allowed the MiGs
to employ successful ‘hit and run’ tactics.
The ‘Atoll’ could reach a speed of
around Mach 2.5 as it closed on its
target. Its effective range was around
8km (5 miles), which was sufficient when
working with GCI.
Exactly 50 years ago, a US Air Force F-4 Approximately 80 MiG-21s were shot
Phantom II was credited with the first down during the Vietnam War between
late April 1965 and January 1973. US Navy
confirmed aerial kill against a North
and USAF pilots flying versions of the F-4
Vietnamese MiG-21 ‘Fishbed’. The era registered most of these kills.
of supersonic, missile-armed aircraft
engaging in combat had begun, The second kill
One such aerial victory took place on July
and the F-4 and MiG-21
14, 1966. The F-4C from the 480th TFS
would remain locked was flown by Capt William Swendner as
in battle for the pilot and Lt Duane Buttell as back-seater.
remainder of the At the time, the aggressive F-105 ‘Wild
Weasels’ stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air
Vietnam War.
Force Base were working North Vietnam’s
numerous surface-to-air missile (SAM) 89
sites in an effort to cut down the losses

Right: Capt
Swendner and Lt
Buttell move out
at Da Nang AB for
another sortie in
September 1966,
two months after
their MiG-21 kill.
Bill Swendner
via author
 GLORY DAYS | F-4 IN COMBAT

Capt Swendner stands in front of his battered

F-4 shortly before he and Buttell took down a
MiG-21 while assigned to the 35th TFW at
Da Nang. Duane Buttell via author

90 that plagued the bomber force. These

radar-controlled sites were placed all
along the main routes that the bombers
took when flying into Route Pack V and VI.
Capt Swendner recalls some of the
details of that memorable mission: ‘I was
leading a flight of four F-4C Phantoms
— call sign ‘Nitro’ — out of Da Nang Air
Base to escort a flight of four F-105 ‘Wild
Weasels’ — call sign ‘Panda’ — that were
coming over from Takhli RTAFB. After
refueling over Laos, we met the ‘Thuds’
just after passing the Black River, heading
straight for the Hanoi area. Over the past
few days, the MiGs had been attacking
the ‘Wild Weasels’ and harassing them. We
were fragged to provide escort and keep
the MiG-21s off them. It was a difficult task
because the ‘Weasels’ were much faster lead called out that he had a ‘three-ringer’ Above: A Lt Duane Buttell adds: ‘We were closing
than our Phantoms at such a low altitude, at 12 o’clock and that he was too close to close-up view the gap with the F-105 ‘Wild Weasels’. The
of a MiG-21
which was right where the ‘Fishbeds’ fire, so he was turning right to reposition painted on MiG-21 was spotted and we had a good
wanted them. We were at about 10,000ft for a good shot. At that time, we were the side of idea that there was one or more in our
and I was trailing about two or three miles trailing the fast-moving ‘Thuds’ by about Swendner and vicinity because the scattered flak had
Buttell’s F-4
behind the three F-105s (one of their flight five miles, so when he called for a right after scoring stopped and that could only mean that
had aborted early in the mission).’ turn it enabled us to close the distance the second their aircraft were close-in — they had to
The escorting F-4Cs were all carrying because I cut him off in the turn. MiG‑21 kill of stop firing just in case they brought down
the war. This
the big 600-gallon centerline fuel tank ‘All of a sudden, about half way through was taken in one of their own MiGs.’
that added a lot of drag. When they were his turn, my number three in the flight early August Both the MiG-17 and MiG-21 were
almost dry, Swendner gave the order to called ‘MiG at seven o’clock high!’ I looked 1966, just routinely operated under radar control,
days after the
jettison the tanks so they could close the over my left shoulder and got a visual engagement. which allowed them to be vectored in at
gap with the ‘Weasels’. ‘We were about 50 on the MiG at high and reversed my turn Duane Buttell high speed in order to close rapidly from
miles north-west of Hanoi when ‘Panda’ into him.’ via author the six o’clock position. This is exactly

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 F-4 IN COMBAT | GLORY DAYS

what was happening. Capt Swendner the MiG and put my reticle on him. He got Below left to right:
immediately jettisoned his wing tanks as a lock-on and I was about to fire an AIM-7 A 497th TFS F-4D
taking on fuel
‘I continued to
the MiG-21 blew through his flight and
he reversed his direction to pick him up,
Sparrow when the ‘break-x’ popped up on
my scope’. This meant that the MiG was
in 1972. At the
time, Phantoms track him and
were conducting
estimating that the MiG was now in the
three or four o’clock low position. The haze
within minimum AIM-7 range.
‘At that point, I switched to ‘heat’ [AIM-9
the lion’s share
of fighter escorts
finally got a good
was very bad that day, especially below
15,000ft, which was beneficial to the MiG
Sidewinder] and didn’t get a tone in my
headset. My closure rate on the MiG was
up into Route
Packs V and VI.
heat growl in my
because he disappeared into the haze exceptionally fast, so I fired the missile
Nolan Schmidt
via author headset and fired
and ground clutter. As he looked around anyway because I felt I needed to do
to regain a visual on the F-105 flight, something to get the MiG off ‘Panda A flight of F-4Cs
is prepped for an
off another AIM‑9.
Swendner saw a MiG-21 closing fast on 3’s’ butt.’
one of the ‘Thuds’. The jet retained an all- Buttell adds: ‘We were doing an ‘S’
escort mission
over the north. I watched it go
Duane Buttell
silver finish as opposed to a camouflage
scheme that would have been harder to
maneuver back and forth above and
behind ‘Panda’s’ flight. We had fallen
via author out and it looked
spot. The MiG also stood out because it
too was all-silver.
slightly back and were accelerating, using
our altitude advantage to help us, when
Bottom: An F-4D
heads north to good and then it
bomb targets
Swendner continues: ‘Seeing the MiG
closing fast, I radioed for ‘Panda 3’ to break
the MiG appeared. I don’t know if the
pilot knew we were close by as he was
around Hanoi.
This shot dates
just disappeared.
right: ‘You have a MiG closing from your obviously heading straight for the closest from August
1966, around I said, ‘Damn! I
six o’clock low’. He replied, ‘Negative’. ‘I’ve ‘Thud’. I remember being extremely the time of the
got a lock and getting ready to fire’. I told impressed with ‘Panda 3’s’ reaction to Capt first MiG-21
kills of the war.
missed again’’
Lt Buttell to boresight [lock the radar Swendner calling for a right break. He
Nolan Schmidt
straight ahead] and I pulled down toward didn’t move because he was in the middle via author CAPT WILLIAM SWENDNER

91

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 GLORY DAYS | F-4 IN COMBAT

of setting up for his missile launch on an This image:

active SAM site and coolly continued to Capt Radeker
do so in spite of the fact that an enemy (standing far
right) and his
fighter pilot was about to position himself flight in the
right on his six o’clock! I had locked on to 555th TFS. Also
the MiG and noted that we were inside of seen is Charles
E. Donnelly Jr
our launch parameters. Bill fired the AIM-9 (standing second
anyway and it went ballistic as it didn’t from left). Walt
have a chance to arm.’ Radeker via author
The AIM-9 missile had an operational Below left to right:
range of a little over 10 miles back then. A famous shot of
Swendner’s Sidewinder fired and went eager MiG-21-
killers with Col
right over the top of the MiG. It was Olds. They are:
too close to its target when fired to (left to right)
arm, so it went above it and ended up Frank Gullick, Bill
Lafever, Dick
impacting the ground. However, it did Pascoe, Robin
get the attention of the MiG pilot, who Olds, Tom Hirsch
immediately broke off the attack on the and Norm Wells.
Capt Everett
‘Thud’ and lit his afterburner as he climbed Raspberry is in
away to the east. the F-4’s intake.
‘Now, I was about 200ft right behind him Walt Radeker
via author
and at this time I positively identified him
as a MiG-21’, Swendner goes on. ‘I started 555th TFS
to go into a vertical in order to gain some MiG-21-killers
pose by their
separation for a better shot. About that Phantom: Capt
time, the MiG pilot went into afterburner Radeker on the
and that solved my problem fast. I let left and Lt James
E. Murray on the
him get about a quarter-mile out in front, right. They fired
tracked him and fired another Sidewinder. an AIM-9 to score
I don’t know if I had a heat tone or not, their kill on the
January 2, 1966
92 but I felt I had him just where I needed mission. Walt
him. The missile went out about 2,000ft Radeker via author

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 F-4 IN COMBAT | GLORY DAYS

to try to rejoin the flight, as it was hard

to recognize an aircraft coming in as to
whether it was friend or foe. However, he
did try to rejoin, and as he did he spotted
another MiG-21 that was closing in on us
from six o’clock. It was probably the first
MiG that blew through our formation
earlier. Lt Martin fired a Sidewinder that
blew up alongside of the MiG and the pilot
ejected. It was the second MiG-21 kill by our
squadron that day.’
Buttell concludes the story of the
mission: ‘I recall that while we were close
to killing our MiG, the gunners below on
the ground opened fire on us, which was
strange because they had their fighters
in close proximity to us. The day after
our kill, we went to Saigon to debrief, as
ours was only the second MiG-21 kill of
the war. Our Intelligence was surprised
and even skeptical of our description of
the encounter because the F-4 wasn’t
supposed to be able to climb with the ’21.
Our performance info was verified a couple
of years later when the Israelis got their
hands on a MiG-21 and ran performance
tests on it.’

Operation ‘Bolo’
The most successful of the MiG-21 clashes
occurred on January 2, 1967 during 93
Operation ‘Bolo’. This was the brainchild
of Col Robin Olds and his planning staff.
and blew up. I continued to track him and Pitting the F-4 against the MiG-21, it
finally got a good heat growl in my headset is considered one of the best combat
and fired off another AIM-9. I watched it deceptions of the Vietnam War. Olds
go out and it looked good and then it just assigned the planning of Operation ‘Bolo’
disappeared. I said, ‘Damn! I missed again.’’ to several veteran junior officers. The group
A split second after thinking he had planned a co-ordinated mission by the
missed, Swendner saw a huge fireball ‘west force’ (the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing)
erupt straight ahead — it was the MiG consisting of seven flights of F-4Cs from
he had aimed for. He pulled up quickly to Ubon RTAFB, and an ‘east force’ consisting
avoid the debris, rolled over the top, and of seven flights from the 366th TFW based
the only thing he could recognize within at Da Nang. The ‘west force’ would simulate
the explosion was the tip of a wing that an F-105 strike force, while the ‘east force’
had belonged to the MiG. The conclusion would cover alternate airfields to provide
had to be that the Sidewinder had tracked a barrier preventing the MiGs from fleeing
perfectly right up the MiG-21’s tailpipe towards China.
while it was in afterburner. The action had The planners determined that if the
taken place directly over the big airfield MiG‑21s reacted, their endurance from
at Phuc Yen. take-off to landing would be around 55
‘We immediately headed back toward minutes. The arrival times of the F-4 flights
friendly territory as I caught sight of the were set five minutes apart to provide
egressing ‘Weasel’ flight. I asked ‘Panda’ if continuous coverage and to attempt to run
they saw my kill and he replied ‘Yeah… did surviving MiGs out of fuel by preventing
you see mine?’ I told him I had not, but I them from landing. Everything hinged on
did see the smoke trail from his anti-radar getting the MiGs airborne. If they didn’t
missile that he had fired at the SAM site. take the bait, the plan would collapse. In
During our initial maneuvering, my number order to deceive the North Vietnamese,
two, Lt Ronald Martin, got thrown out of the ‘west force’ had to fly the same ingress
position. I told him to head 220 and get routes, altitudes and speeds as the F-105s,
out of the area. It was never a good idea use the same aerial refueling tanker tracks

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 GLORY DAYS | F-4 IN COMBAT

wing’s pilots. Each time I was flight lead or

mission commander, I would demonstrate
and critique various maneuvers when
returning from a mission up north.
Before my tour with the 8th TFW, I was an
instructor in the USAF Fighter Weapons
School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada,
so I was not operating from complete
ignorance. After evaluating the air combat
maneuvering skills and relating the launch
capabilities of the AIM-9B and AIM-7
[+2g and -1g], I concentrated on a simple
94 maneuver referred to as a ‘roll to the
outside’, which tended to put the attacker
in a position within the missile’s launch
envelope. As it turns out, all of the MiG kills
included that maneuver. I’m proud of that.
‘On January 1, the mission crews were
briefed on the mission. We would have
jamming pods, which we had never
flown with before. Also, we would use
F-105 call signs and F-105 refueling tracks,
plus ‘Thud’ pre-strike terminology. It was
obvious we were trying to imitate an F-105
and altitudes, and use ‘Thud’ jargon in voice Due to bad weather, the sortie was Top: A 555th TFS task force so the MiGs would react to that.
communications. rescheduled for January 2. It launched F-4C heads back The good part was that I was ‘Ford’ flight
to Ubon after
The F-4s were fitted out with QRC-160 from Ubon, and by 15.00hrs local time covering for lead, which was to be the second flight in
jamming pods, normally carried only Olds and his flight were over Phuc Yen. F-105s raiding the area.
by F-105s, to replicate their electronic There was a huge cloud layer over the targets in Route ‘On the evening of January 1, ‘Chappie’
Pack V and VI.
signature. The F-4s would also fly the area and it hid the MiG-21s taking off. Dave Menard James [Olds’ second-in-command] came
inflexible line-abreast pod formations Unknown to Olds, the North Vietnamese via author by my room and told me that he was
used by the ‘Thuds’ to maximize pod GCI controllers had delayed take-offs taking my place as ‘Ford’ lead. On January
Above: MiG
effectiveness. The pods had to be mounted because of the overcast. Just as the second kills over North 2, we took off from Ubon RTAFB and flew
on one of the wing pylons, forcing the F-4s flight (call sign ‘Ford’) arrived in the area, Vietnam started low level to avoid North Vietnamese radar
to carry a centerline and single wing tank, the first MiG-21 emerged from the cloud to escalate up to the ‘Thud’ base and then climbed to
when F-4s
creating an asymmetric imbalance that below. The Phantom’s finest hour as a began escorting altitude for the refueling tracks. En route, I
made take-off difficult since the aircraft MiG‑21-killer had begun. Thunderchiefs did my missile check. As luck would have
would try to roll to the side carrying the Capt Everett T. Raspberry was one into the it, only one of my eight missiles — an
dangerous
wing tank. of the pilots that Col Olds had placed Route Packs. AIM‑9B — passed the test but I was not
The operational plan was presented to his confidence in. He remembers that US Navy F-8s going to miss this one. The next thing
Gen William Momyer, who commanded mission: ‘I knew nothing of the overall plan were also very was we dropped our centerline tanks and
successful
the 7th Air Force, and he immediately for ‘Bolo’, but, over a few Martinis, Olds in this role. turned toward Gia Lam.
approved it. The mission was planned for asked me to do what I could to increase Dave Menard ‘In the target area we had a 100 per cent
January 1, 1967. the combat maneuvering skills of the via author cloud undercast, which was supposed to

www.combataircraft.net June 2016

 F-4 IN COMBAT | GLORY DAYS

Col Robin Olds and his

back-seater Lt Charles
Clifton climb out after the
monumental mission during
which 8th TFW crews nailed
the largest number of kills
against MiG-21s on a single
day. Craig Cosgrove via author

me out of the g-limit launch envelope. All

‘I knew I only had one missile, so if I was going to of a sudden he made a fatal mistake…
he reversed his turn, which gave me an
kill this guy I wanted to give it my best shot. I did a opportunity to go to 0g with him exactly

roll to the outside of his turn to try and get within at 12 o’clock. I launched my ‘Golden BB’,
which flew like a rocket-powered bullet

the missile launch envelope’ and went right into the cockpit with the
pilot. I did notice that right after launch the
MiG’s rear-view mirror started reflecting
CAPT EVERETT T. RASPBERRY
the sun, which was a great target for an
be an abort situation. However, it turned response. I tried several times, even calling Below left to infra-red missile. I made a couple of 360
out to be a blessing. As we approached him ‘Chappie’, to break right… nothing! right: Capt Walt turns watching the MiG-21 break into little
Radeker with
the Hanoi area, of course missiles were As a last resort as the MiG approached to the F-4C he flew pieces. Then I realized I was alone, flying 95
flying everywhere, but the electronic maybe 500ft, I turned into him just to get on the January almost directly over Hanoi, which was
countermeasures pods were doing their him off my lead’s butt! For a few seconds, 2, 1967 mission the most heavily-defended area in aerial
while operating
job. I saw Col Olds’ flight approaching canopy-to-canopy, I could actually see his from Ubon, combat history. Everybody else had gone
below at about our 10 o’clock position eyes. He overshot and actually went well Thailand. home. I quickly made a hasty exit to the
when a MiG-21 came out of the undercast out into our 12 o’clock position. I guess he Walt Radeker south and that was the end of a good day.’
via author
at their six o’clock position. I called to Olds’ realized he was in a whole lot of trouble Capt Raspberry’s victory was one of
lead about the MiG and I do believe that so he started a hard left descending turn The 433rd TFS seven in what would be the single largest
they killed that one. I looked back to our heading for the undercast. I knew I only was involved day’s haul of MiG-21 kills during the war.
with Col Olds
five o’clock and saw a MiG-21 at ‘Ford 3’s’ had one missile, so if I was going to kill this on the MiG-21 Of the 16 MiG-21s known to be in the
six o’clock. I called ‘Ford 3’ to break right, guy I wanted to give it my best shot. I did killing spree. The North Vietnamese inventory at that time,
which he did. That was the only thing he a roll to the outside of his turn to try and squadron had ‘FG’ between 11 and 14 had been engaged,
tail codes while
did right on the whole mission. get within the missile launch envelope, the 555th TFS with seven destroyed and two others
‘The MiG broke from number 3 and including range and launch g-limits. used ‘FY’. USAF probably shot down. In turn, Hanoi
approached ‘Chappie’ and I called ‘‘Ford ‘I had the right range, but he was able via author admitted the loss of five MiG-21s, without
lead’, break right’, but there was no to maintain a fairly hard turn, which kept posting any claims of their own.

June 2016 www.combataircraft.net

 so attractive could also complicate
communication between the human pilot
and his robot wingmen.
For that reason, the Air Force Research
Laboratories want the robotic wingmen
to be highly autonomous, requiring only
minimal interaction from the human
pilot. ‘The unmanned vehicle shall be
able to operate untethered from the
ground without full-time direction from
the manned aircraft’, the agency stated
An artist’s impression of in its RFI.
the Fifth-Generation Aerial
Target concept. USAF
Moreover, the algorithms enabling
manned-unmanned teaming should

DRONE WINGMEN COULD

reside entirely within line-replaceable
units — self-contained electronic black
boxes. That way, maintenance crews can

TAKE FLIGHT BY 2018

simply drop a few LRUs into, say, an old

T
F-16 and instantly transform the jet into a
drone wingman.
HE US AIR Force is environments, locating and attacking Embedding the new software code in
developing new targets without exposing a human pilot to just a few LRUs could be the key to AFRL
computer algorithms potential harm. meeting its tight deadline. The research
to allow fighter pilots Likewise, a drone wingman could agency wants to begin testing the robot
to control armed act as a flying munitions magazine for wingmen as early as 2018.
BY unmanned aerial traditionally piloted aircraft, with the robot Aerospace giant Boeing told Flight
DAVID vehicles (UAVs) from inside their own firing its weapons at targets the human Global that it would bid for the ‘Loyal
AXE cockpits. pilot selects. Not coincidentally, the Wingman’ contract. The company could
The goal of the so-called ‘Loyal Pentagon is also developing what it calls have an advantage over potential
Wingman’ initiative is to pair up manned, an ‘arsenal plane’ — a B-1 or B-52 heavy competitors. Boeing already modifies
DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINE OF AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY

96 fifth-generation stealth fighters with bomber modified to launch weapons at retired USAF F-16s into pilotless QF-16
unmanned versions of older jets, in targets designated by fighter crews flying target drones.
order to boost the lethality of both in air ahead of the bomber (see ‘Cutting Edge’, The same basic technology that allows
combat. Combat Aircraft April 2016). a QF-16 to safely fly pre-programmed
‘You take an F-16 and make it totally Of course, the US Air Force and the maneuvers while remaining in contact
unmanned’, Deputy Secretary of Defense other military branches already operate with human range operators could also
Bob Work told an audience in Washington sophisticated UAVs, many of them armed. transform an F-16 into a robotic wingman
DC on March 30. ‘The F-16 is a fourth- In most cases, their operators sit in control for combat missions.
generation fighter, and pair it with an F-35, stations on the ground and direct their And it’s possible the USAF could add
a fifth-generation battle network node, drones via satellite. the ‘Loyal Wingman’ LRUs to other
and have those two operating together.’ The US Army, however, has modified aircraft types. Old F-15s, for example.
But the ‘Loyal Wingman’ concept could some of its Apache attack helicopters with More intriguingly, the flying branch
work with other fighters and drones — drone interfaces so that the gunships’ could develop new unmanned aerial
some already in service, others still on the crews can co-ordinate armed UAVs. The vehicles to act as robot wingmen. For
drawing board. Work said that manned- Army’s rationale is that a helicopter crew is example, cadets at the Air Force Academy
unmanned teaming is the way of the closer to the fighting than any ground- in Colorado recently completed basic
future. ‘It is going to happen.’ based operator can be, and therefore in design work on a stealthy target drone
The Air Force Research Laboratories a better position to direct an unmanned that could fit nicely in the Loyal Wingman
(AFRL) launched ‘Loyal Wingman’ in aircraft. construct.
mid-2015 with a formal request for That same logic applies to the USAF’s The Fifth-Generation Aerial Target sports
information to the aerospace industry. ‘Loyal Wingman’ effort. Additionally, a simple delta wing and uses the same J85
‘Autonomy technologies can enhance researchers are worried that, in future engines that propel the T-38 Talon trainer.
future operations and capabilities in conflicts, a sophisticated opponent The stealthy drone would possess ‘superior
contested and denied environments’, might jam long-range communications level-flight characteristics’ and ‘superior
the RFI explained. ‘Technologies are and block GPS signals from satellites, stability characteristics’, according to one
also required to seamlessly integrate preventing operators on the ground from 2011 academic paper.
the pilot and his/her aircraft with the effectively controlling distant drones. Add weapons and the ‘Loyal Wingman’
autonomous unmanned aircraft to allow In the ‘Loyal Wingman’ concept, a fighter LRUs, and you’ve got a drone fighter
them to operate as a team for combat pilot would issue commands to his drone boasting some of the same stealth
effectiveness.’ wingmen via some sort of secure datalink. attributes as the manned fighter
The idea is that a UAV could fly ahead of But the same electronic jamming that controlling it — an obvious advantage in
a manned fighter in the most dangerous makes manned-unmanned teaming combat.

June 2016
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