AIR

POWER SURVEY

Romania
IN 2001, the Romanian Air Force continued the process of re-organisation which began in May 2000. In structure it has moved towards a smaller, more flexible and cost-effective force, using the concept of integrated airbases, similar to a US Air Force wing. This has meant the relocation of certain units and the closure of certain airbases (such as lanca, Tecuci, T u z l a , C a r a n s e b e s ) in line w i t h the new approach. The Statu Major al Fortelor Aeriene or SMFA (Air Force H e a d q u a r t e r s ) has under its command Divizia 1 Aerian (1st Air Division) at Ploiesti, which is charged with the air defence of the Eastern region of Romanian national territory. Divizia 2 Aerian (2nd Air Division) at Timisoara is charged with the air defence of the Western region. The Air Divisions, in turn, control directly subordinated Airbases and their component Groups and Sguadrons. Baza 57 Aerian Vntoare (57th Fighter Airbase) is located at Mihail Koglniceanu airport, near the city of Constanta on the Black Sea. The a i r b a s e houses the 57th Fighter Group, with two MiG-29 squadrons, a l o n g w i t h the 143rd R e c o n n a i s s a n c e Squadron, equipped with Tupolev VR-3 Rejs UAVs, and (since November 2001) a search and r e s c u e ( S A R ) h e l i c o p t e r s q u a d r o n equipped with IAR-316B Alouette Ills and IAR330 Pumas, from the former 59th Helicopter airbase at Tuzla. This squadron's primary mission is SAR over the Black Sea. Similarly, Baza 93 Aerian (93rd Airbase) at G i a r m a t a , near T i m i s o a r a , o p e r a t e s t w o squadrons equipped with MiG-21 Lancer A (ground attack single-seater) and Lancer B (ground attack two seater/trainer); a squadron which includes all the remaining MiG-23s; and the 141st Reconnaissance Squadron. The latter is equipped with AAI Corporation Shadow 600 unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and took over all reconnaissance missions at the base following the retirement of MiG-21Rs (local designation MG-21C). The IAR-316B and I A R - 3 3 0 helicopters of the former 73rd Helicopter Group at Caransebes Airbase (which has been disbanded) have also been integrated within one squadron at the 93rd Airbase. Baza 86 Aerian (86th Airbase) at FetestiBorcea houses the 861st Squadron, whose inventory includes the Lancer A and Lancer B. The 95th Airbase at Bacu has changed its t i t l e to C e n t r u l 95 T r e c e r e pe A v i o a n e Supersonice (95th Supersonic Jet Conversion Centre). It operates two squadrons equipped with all three versions of the upgraded MiG-21

One of the more successful MiG-21 upgrade programmes, the Aerostar Lancer has been developed by (prime contractor) Aerostar of Romania and Elbit of Israel, and a total of 102 aircraft have been modified to date. An unusual white outline is painted on this two-seat Lancer B. KEY - STEVE FLETCHER Lancer and p r o v i d e s conversion and basic training for future Lancer pilots. On this base, there is a helicopter squadron with IAR-316Bs and IAR-330S taken over from the former 96th Helicopter Group at Tecuci, which has been disbanded. A handful of An-2s is also operated from Bacu. The 67th Fighter Bomber Group and the Flight Test Centre, both situated at Craiova airfield, merged in 2001 under the title C e n t r u l 67 Pregtire Operational Avansat si Incercri in Zbor (67th Advanced Operational Training and Flight Test Centre), operating a squadron of IAR99s. Baza 71 A e r i a n V n t o a r e (71st Fighter Airbase) at Cmpia Turzii operates two squadrons of MiG-21 Lancers, and was the fourth and last base to take the type into the inventory in early 2001. A small number of An-2 utility aircraft also operate from Cmpia Turzii. Two squadrons of non-upgraded MiG-21s are still operated by the Baza 91 Aerian Vntoare (91st Fighter Airbase) at Deveselu. The only unit equipped with the upgraded IAR330 Puma SOCAT helicopter is the Grupul 61 Elicoptere (61st Helicopter Group) at Titu-Boteni airfield. It has 24 helicopters on strength, in two squadrons, in both attack and transport roles. A third squadron is equipped with standard (nonupgraded) IAR-330S. Grupul 58 Elicoptere (58th Helicopter Group) at Sibiu airfield operates a squadron of IAR-330s and a squadron of IAR-316Bs. S h a r i n g r u n w a y s o n the c o u n t r y ' s most important airfield, Bucharest-Otopeni International Airport, is Baza Aerian 90 (90th A i r l i f t Base) which operates several types of fixed-wing aircraft, including An-24s, An-26s, C130B Hercules's, as well as helicopters - namely Mi-8s, IAR-330 Pumas, IAR-316B Alouette Ills a n d a SA 365N Dauphin. Academia Fortelor Aeriene 'Henri Coand' (the Air Force Academy) at Brasov is responsible for training future Romanian Air Force pilots. In the first year, initial training is undertaken with Escadrila 21 Aviatie Secala (21st Basic Training Squadron) based at Brasov airfield and equipped with lak-52 trainers (relocated from Focsani airfield). Flight training in subsequent years is provided by the Secala de Aplicatie a Fortelor Aeriene 'Aurei V l a i c u ' (Air Force Operation School) at Boboc, using L-29, L-39ZA, IAR-316B and An-2. A fighter bomber-squadron equipped with MiG21 Lancers, two attack helicopter squadrons and a C-130 transport aircraft is assigned as the air arm of a quick reaction force. In k e e p i n g w i t h the s t r u c t u r a l and organisational changes within the Romanian Air Force, it is now intended to refurbish only some of the MiG-29 Fulcrums in the inventory, a smaller number than the 18 originally planned. Approval for the requirement is expected to be given at the end of 2002/3 and a budget of around US $50 million is being allocated. As well as the overhaul, a minimum upgrade is also intended on the communications, navigation and IFF systems to ensure their compatibility with NATO aircraft. A starting point for such an upgrade could be the MiG-29 Sniper presented in 2000 as a company demonstrator by Aerostar, Elbit Systems and DASA (now EADS-Germany). Delivery of the upgraded MiG-21 Lancer from A e r o s t a r SA in Bacu to the f o u r a i r b a s e s operating the type is nearing completion, and deliveries of the upgraded IAR-330 Puma SOCAT from IAR SA Brasov are currently under way. The long-postponed production of the IAR-99 Soim, fitted with modern avionics by Avioane SA Craiova, f i n a l l y began in 2001 and the first aircraft was delivered on August 1 (see News First Romanian Soim Delivered). Older equipment in the inventory, even if not o f f i c i a l l y r e t i r e d , has been removed from operational service and is awaiting a decision for sale or scrap. The IAR-93s were grounded in 1998, and the H-5s in 2001. In the mid-1990s, the Romanian Air Force sold most of its IAR823s to civil users, and in 2000 ten of its L39ZAs were purchased by a dealer in the US. Several earlier L-29s are available for sale, and w i l l a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y be r e p l a c e d by t h e indigenous IAR-99. Although the defence b u d g e t f o r 2002 has been s u b s t a n t i a l l y increased compared to previous years, to US $1,004.35 million (a figure which represents 2.47% of Gross Domestic Product [GDP]), it leaves little funding available for new materiel purchases, and the acquisition of new aircraft will only be possible after 2004. DANUT VLAD

AOB ROMANIAN AIR FORCE (FORTELE AERIENE ROMANE)

A total of 24 IAR-99 Soims are to serve with the Romanian Air Force, in the advanced training role. The aircraft is a development of the earlier IAR-99 Standard. KEY - ALAN WARNES 36 October 2002 See the Romanian Air Force in Transition article last month - September 2002, p58-63

2002 European Air Power Survey

Serbia & Montenegro

DESPITE THE fact that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has faced many years of economic crises, its Air Force has never suffered from a significant lack of finance. However, the RV i PVO ( Y u g o s l a v Air Force) did r e s p o n d to internationally-agreed obligations, allowing Yugoslavia possession of 155 combat aircraft and 53 attack helicopters. After the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina came to an end, all the countries which directly or indirectly participated signed the Sub-regional Arms Control Agreement. In accordance with that agreement, Yugoslavia destroyed or withdrew from service a significant part of the RV i PVO fleet. The next major problem for the RV i PVO came during 1999 when NATO launched air strikes over Yugoslavia in response to the Kosovo crisis. During the ensuing conflict, the RV i PVO lost half of its inventory of combat aircraft, and most of its infrastructure was heavily damaged. As result of the Kosovo war, the RV i PVO lost the strategically-located Slatina Air Base, near Pristina, and today still has no control over the air space of the south Serbian province of Kosovo. C u r r e n t l y , S e r b i a and M o n t e n e g r o are reorganising the country's armed forces, which are still officially named Vojska Jugoslavije (or VJ - Yugoslav Army). As a conseguence of this, f r o m M a r c h 1, 2002, the RV i PVO Headguarters based at Zemun, near Belgrade, ceased to exist. Instead, the Air Defence C o r p s , c o m p r i s i n g the i n t e r c e p t o r units eguipped with MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighters, air defence missile units eguipped with SA-3 Goa and SA-6 Gainful SAM systems and the 126th A i r S u r v e i l l a n c e , R e p o r t i n g and G r o u n d Controlled Intercept Brigade, came under the direct command of the VJ Headguarters in Belgrade. Also now directly subordinate to the Army HO in Belgrade are the Aviation Corps ( A i r Force Bases and all other RV i PVO aircraft) and formerly independent units. The RV i PVO's level of operational readiness is low, mainly because of the damage inflicted on the infrastructure during the war and the lack of fuel/spare parts. In addition, the Moma Stanojlovic aircraft overhaul facility, located at Batajnica Air Base, suffered heavy damage during NATO's Operation ALLIED FORCE. As a

The main transport type of the air force of Serbia and Montenegro is the ubiquitous An-26 Curl, seven of which still serve with 677 Transport Squadron at Batajnica. An unusual feature of this aircraft is that its serial number (71362) is repeated on the rear fuselage ahead of the tailplane. The aircraft is seen at Golubovci (Podgorica) airfield in Montenegro. IGOR SALINGER

result, its ability to maintain and overhaul RV i PVO aircraft is questionable. At the moment, Serbia and Montenegro are facing urgent reguirements for the replacement of obsolete RV i PVO helicopters and combat aircraft. There is strong lobbying within the RV i PVO from the fighter aviation sector, which is keen to secure the purchase of new multi-role fighters that will replace the fleet of some 30 MiG-21s and the five remaining MiG-29 fighters. However, the current state of the economy is such that it is highly unlikely Yugoslavia will be able to purchase any new combat aircraft in the near future. The future of the RV i PVO fixedwing fighter fleet has been called into question, with some military analysts suggesting that Serbia and Montenegro should perhaps build up a strong and sophisticated air defence system based purely on surface-to-air missiles. The current title ' Y u g o s l a v Air Force' w i l l p r o b a b l y be c h a n g e d to the S e r b i a and Montenegro Air Force in the near future as a result of a landmark agreement that was signed between Serbia and Montenegro on March 14 this year. Under the terms of this agreement, the two remaining partners of the Yugoslav F e d e r a t i o n w i l l soon b e c o m e t w o semiindependent s t a t e s , r u n n i n g their own economies, currencies and customs systems. However, they will retain a federal presidency and will s h a r e d e f e n c e and f o r e i g n policy o b l i g a t i o n s . On A p r i l 25, as part of the n o r m a l i s a t i o n o f r e l a t i o n s w i t h NATO, Yugoslavia's federal government decided to apply for membership of NATO's Partnership for Peace p r o g r a m m e , the f i r s t step t o w a r d s eventual membership of the alliance.
IGOR BOZINOVSKI

AOB: SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO AIR FORCE

The following institutions and forces are under the direct command of VJ General Staff VOC G-4/G-4M, Mi-8 Batajnica UTVA-75, Gazelle VZ 'Moma Stanojlovic1 Batajnica 353.iae Orao IJ-22 / INJ-22 Ladjevci MG-21R Fishbed-H Batajnica 677.trae An-26, Yak-40 Batajnica/Nis n-2TD, DO-28D-2 VaK, HO Topcider, Beograd Air Force Bases 161.VD Nis 177.VD Batajnica 285.VD Ladjevci 423.VD Golubovci 98.lbap, HO Ladjevci 241.lbae Orao J-22/NJ-22 Ladjevci 252.lbae Orao J-22/NJ-22 Batajnica Super Caleb G-4 119.hbr, HO Nis 712.pohe Gazelle-GAMA Nis 714.pohe Gazelle-GAMA Ladjevci 787.trhe Mi-8 Nis 890.mhe Mi-8, Gazelle-HERA Kovin 172.abr, HO Golubovci 239.lbae UTVA-75 Golubovci 242.lbae Super Caleb G-4 Golubovci 251.ae UTVA-75 Kovin 897.mhe Mi-8, Gazelle-HERA Golubovci KoPVO HO Banjica, Beograd 204.iap, HO Batajnica 126.lae MiG-21bis/MiG-21UM Batajnica 127.lae MiG-29 (9-12B)/MiG-29UB Batajnica (the only aviation component present in the KoPVO) Abbreviations (Note unit designations are in lower case) abr avijaciska brigada = Aviation Brigade ae avijaciska eskadrila = Aviation Squadron hbr helikopterska brigada = Helicopter Brigade iae izvidjacka avijaciska eskadrila = Reconnaissance Aviation Sguadron KoPVO Korpus Protivvozdusne Odbrane = Air Defence Corps Iae lovacka avijaciska eskadrila = Fighter Aviation Sqn lap lovacki avijaciski puk = Fighter Aviation Regiment Ibae lovacko-bombarderska avijaciska eskadrila = Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadron Ibap lovacko-bombarderski avijaciski puk = FighterBomber Aviation Regiment mhe mesovita helikopterska eskadrila - Mixed Helicopter Squadron pone protivoklopna helikopterska eskadrila = AntiArmour Helicopter Squadron trae transportna avijaciska eskadrila = Transport Aviation Squadron trhe transportna helikopterska eskadrila = Transport Helicopter Squadron VaK Vazduhoplovni Korpus = Aviation Corps vb vazduhoplovna baza = Air Force Base VJ Vojska Jugoslavije = Yugoslav Army (still official name of Serbia and Montenegro Army) VOC Vazduhoplovni Opitni Centar = Aeronautical Research and Test Centre VZ - Vazduhoplovni Zavod = Aviation Overhaul Facility

Once ine backbone of the ground attack component of the air force of the former Yugoslavia, only 17 SOKO J-22 Oraos now equip two squadrons of the re-structured Serbia and Montenegro Air Force. This example is seen at Batajnica airfield with a number of weather-protected Fishbeds In the background. ALEKSANDAR RADIC

www.airforeesmonthly.com 37

Slovakia
IN M A R C H 2002, the S l o v a k p a r l i a m e n t accepted Defence Minister J Stank's NATOoriented defence plan and doctrine, entitled the Long-term Plan for the Slovak Forces 2010. A c c o r d i n g to t h a t paper, the organisational structure of the air force will c o n s i s t of t h e f o l l o w i n g : an A i r Force Headguarters (at Zvolen); an Air Operations Control Centre; an air force tactical base with fighter wing and transport sguadron (Sliac); a helicopter base with integral helicopter wing (Presov); an air defence brigade with two Kub (SA-6 Gainful) anti-aircraft missile groups; and one S-300 (SA-10 Crumble) a n t i - a i r c r a f t missile group. Kuchyna and Sliac Air Force bases will be u p g r a d e d and m a i n t a i n e d t o s u p p o r t operations, training, e x e r c i s e s , and Host Nation Support a c t i v i t i e s within the Partnership for Peace (PfP) agreement. The Air Force base at Presov will be upgraded and maintained for normal operations and as a back-up for host nation support activities. The military airfield at the former air academy at Kosice will be c l o s e d , along with the transport base at Piestiany. Current air force eguipment is mainly considered to be elderly and obsolete. All the aircraft other than the MiG-29s will reach the end of their airframe life by 2010 and the cost of upgrading the Slovak Air Force will be high. The modernisation plans are designed to meet all the tasks and requirements of the military strategy, to support national and international m i s s i o n s and to be N A T O - c o m p a t i b l e in accordance with STANAG (NATO Standardisation A g r e e m e n t ) 4555. This structure embodies proposals presented in a study submitted to the Slovak MoD by NATOCOMAIRNORTH. Although a comprehensive acquisition strategy is being developed for a new multirole combat aircraft, the MiG-29 will remain the c e n t r e p i e c e of the s h r i n k i n g air arm. Bratislava has been holding talks with RussoGerman MiG Aircraft Product Support about the potential upgrade of Slovakia's 24 MiG-29 fighters. The cost of an upgrade programme (one of three options for the provision of an improved air defence capability) would be offset against the US $1 billion owed by Russia to Slovakia. The framework of the deal is expected to be similar to that provided to Bulgaria, mainly incorporating the installation of NATO-compatible communications and

avionics systems. Slovakia was due to announce the launch of the programme after the Prague NATO summit decided on its application for NATO membership this summer. The Slovak Air Force is giving weighty consideration to a subsonic type, though it does not rule out a mix of s u p e r s o n i c and s u b s o n i c a i r c r a f t as a replacement for all the remaining Su-22s and Su25s. The latter have been effectively phased out as no spare parts are available and are in storage at Kuchyna air base, despite remaining on the inventory. Attempts to either scrap or sell them to Third World countries, as was done with the 14 Su-22s to Angola, are becoming increasingly urgent, since these airframes still count within Slovakia's obligations under the Vienna CFE Treaty, thereby preventing submission of a valid request for proposals so far. The same situation is a f f e c t i n g the 15+ o p e r a t i o n a l MiG-21s earmarked for retirement next year. BAE Systems is heavily promoting a Hawk 100/200 or a Gripen/Hawk mix for Slovakia: however, close economic ties with the Czech Republic make the L-159 a logical successor. Another target for business by BAE Systems in Slovakia is the modernisation of 10-12 of the 19 S l o v a k Mi-24 Hinds, now incorporated in a Polish-led joint project of the so-called Visegrad Four (V4). This p r o j e c t will involve an a l l w e a t h e r / N V G and S L E P u p g r a d e o f approximately 100 Mi-24s in the inventories of Poland, the C z e c h R e p u b l i c , S l o v a k i a and Hungary. The objective of this programme is to ensure full NATO interoperability by 2015-20. A mock-up cockpit fitted with a single large MFD was displayed in the BAE chalet at SBAC Farnborough in July. An MoA was signed by the V4 defence ministers at Piestiany AB in Slovakia on May 30. The unit cost of the upgrade is set at US $5 million, although prototype development will cost some US $10-15 million. As the V4 countries' sub-variants of the Mi-24 have only 70% commonality, Major-General Dunaj has said that Slovakia (and the C z e c h Air Force) are looking to incorporate major engine and rotor improvements, similar to those developed for Russia's M-24VM project. Slovak VVS-ASR operational readiness is still heavily affected by the irregular and/or low flying hours r e c o r d e d by most pilots. Most pilots involved in international operations and PfP exercises are flying close to 100 hours per year, while the rest achieve considerably fewer hours than this. However, Major-General Dunaj told the press at SIAD 2002 that his pilots will be able to fly a total of 8,200 hours this year, compared with just 5,500 hours in 2001. The 29 or so pilots of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters earmarked for

international peacekeeping operations and domestic SAR missions will fly the most hours. Eighteen pilots in this group will fly around 80 hours, and the remainder 50 hours. These numbers are close to the pre-1993 figures when the average annual number of flight hours varied from 80 to 90 hours. N e v e r t h e l e s s , Dunaj e m p h a s i s e d t h a t the l o n g - t e r m g o a l f o r S l o v a k i a ' s V V S pilots remains the 160 hours established as a NATO standard. GEORG MADER

AOB: SLOVAK COMBAT AIR FORCE SLOVENSKEHO VELITEL'STVO VZDUSNYCH SIL (VVS)
Velitelstvo WS Slovenskeho Zvolen 31 Leteck Zkladna (LZ) Sliac 31 Stihacie Leteck Kridlo (SLK) 1 Stihacie Letka (SL) MG-29A/UB 2 Stihacie Letka (SL) MG-29A/UB 3 Stihacie Letka (SL) MiG-21MF*/US*/UM*,L-39ZA 4 Velitel'ska Letka Mi-2, Mi-17, L-410T *earmarked for retirement 32 LZ Piestiany* 32 Zmiesane Dopravne Kridlo (ZmDLK) 1 Dopravna Letka An-24B, An-26, L-410FG L-410MA/T/UVP 2 Zmiesana Dopravna Letka M-8S/PPA/T, (ex-)Mi-17Z-2**

Mi-2
*earmarked for closure, transport types will be shared by the other bases as required. Mi-17 already placed at Sliac and Presov, older types will be retired. ** special versions to be re-converted to normal transports. 33 LZ Malacky-Kuchyna 33 Stihacie Bombardovacie Leteck Kridlo (SBLK) 1 Letka Su-22M-4/UM-3K*, L-29 2 Letka SU-25K/-UBK*, L-39C 3 Letka L-29 * preserved locally in flyable condition - awaiting scrapping or sale 34 LZ Presov 34 Vtrul'nikove Kridlo (VRK) 1 Letka M-24V 2 Letka M-24D/DU 3 Letka M-8T, Mi-17 4 Letka Mi-2 Vycvikove Stredisko Letectvo Kosice* within: Vojenska letecka akademia generala Milana Rastislava Stefnika (Military Aviation Academy General M R Stefanik 1 Letka Aero L-39C/-MS/-V (Biely Albatrosy) 2 Letka Aero L-29 3 Letka L-410T/UVP * to be closed. As Slovakia has no long-term plans to train its own pilots, aircraft will be retired.

AOB: GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICES (STATNI LETECK UTVAR)

Bratislava/M.R. Stefanik Apt Mi-85, Tu-154M, Yak-40

AOB: POLICE (POLICIA)

Bratislava/M.R. Stefanik Apt PZL-Mi-2, M-8P, MD-902 Explorer (on order) Abbreviations Slovenskeho Velitel'stvo Slovak Combat Air Force Vzdusnych Sil (VVS) Leteck Zkladna (LZ) Air Force Base Stihacie Leteck Kridlo (SLK) Fighter Wing Zmiesane Dopravne Kridlo (ZmDLK) Mixed Transport Wing Stihacie Bombardovacie Leteck Fighter-Bomber Wing Kridlo (SBLK) Vtrul'nikove Kridlo (VRK) Helicopter Wing Vycvikove Stredisko Letectva (VSL) Training Unit Velitel'ska Letka Liaison Sgn Statn Leteck Utvar Governmental Flying Service Protilietadlov raketov brigada Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade Protilietadlov raketov skupina Anti-Aircraft Missile Group Protilietadlovy raketovy oddiel Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion Policia Police

The Slovakian Air Force uses a mix of Aero L-39Cs, 'MSs and 'ZAs: 1730 is among the latter. The L-39ZA features an undernose fairing for a twin-barrelled GSh-23 cannon. KEY ARCHIVE 38 October 2002

2002 * European Air Power Survey

Slovenia
SLOVENIAN MILITARY aviation celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2002, having started with one ex-Yugoslav Air Force helicopter (SA341H Gazelle), three police helicopters (Bell 412) and some UTVA-75S requisitioned from a number of Slovenian flying clubs. Today the 15th Air Force Brigade comprises 25 fixed-wing aircraft and eleven helicopters, though it still lacks a modern combat aircraft. The reorganisation of Slovenian military aviation is complete: almost all military aviation units are now based at the renowned Cerklje ob Krki airfield, in southern'Slovenia, c l o s e to the C r o a t i a n border. The A S O C surveillance system, purchased from Lockheed Martin, and the Roland 2 air defence system, part of which is on loan from Germany, are now fully operational. Military aviation and all air defence functions now come under the command of the 1st Air Force and A i r D e f e n c e Force C o m m a n d d.Operativno Poveljstvo Vojaskega Letalstva i Zracne obrambe - 1st O P P V L Z ) located at Kranj, 15 miles (25km) from the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. The main task of the 1st O P P V L Z is to maintain the d e f e n c e of Slovenian air space, along with the tasks of air training, air support for the Slovenian army, maintaining air superiority, SAP duties and international co-operation. Subordinate to the 1st OPPVLZ are the 15th Air Force Brigade, based at Cerklje ob Krki and Brnik, and the 9th Air Defence Force Brigade, elements of which are based at Vrhnika, C e r k l j e ob Krki and Maribor. 'Also subordinate to the 1st OPPVLZ is the 16th Air Surveillance Battalion, based at various locations throughout Slovenia, and the 107th Logistic Base, which is also stationed at various locations, in support of other Air Force units. The 15th Air Force Brigade, which represents t h e main S l o v e n i a n air unit, has f i v e squadrons: an Air Combat Squadron, a MultiRole Helicopter Squadron, an Air Transport S q u a d r o n , a T r a i n i n g S q u a d r o n and a Parachute Training Squadron. The most potent unit of the 15th Air Force Brigade is the A i r C o m b a t S q u a d r o n , w h i c h has nine upgraded Pilatus PC-9Ms. All are combatready, since a Slovenian team of experts, with the French firm Alkan, Israel's EL-Op/Radom and Belgium's FN Herstal, has modified them

The Slovene Army's 15 Brigada includes a single example of the L 410UVP-E Turbolet (L4-01, c/n 912606). The aircraft has spent time with NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR). KEY - DAVE WILLIS to use a range of modern weapons. In combat configuration, the upgraded PC-9M S w i f t is capable of carrying up to 2,100lb (1,040kg) of armaments on its six underwing pylons. The Bell 412 helicopters are now also capable of using unguided rockets and machine guns and are also declared combat-ready: they are also capable of night or bad weather operations. The 15th Air Force Brigade currently has 80 pilots and an appropriate number of technicians and other personnel. Fixed wing pilots accumulate between 170 and 200 f l y i n g hours annually, while helicopter pilots fly more than 300 hours a year. The latter figure results from close cooperation with the civil authorities, particularly on SAR missions. In 2001, the Slovenian government signed a contract with Eurocopter for the purchase of two AS 532 Cougar helicopters, with an option on a third. The first Cougars will arrive in the spring of 2003, although six pilots and a number of technicians are already in France to conduct pilot and maintenance training. All six pilots will also achieve an instructor rating to enable them t o c a r r y out c o n v e r s i o n t r a i n i n g f o r new Slovenian Cougar pilots. There are rumours that if Slovenia is accepted into NATO this year, the role of the 15th Air Force Brigade will change. The worst-case scenario, w h i c h is p r o p o u n d e d by s o m e S l o v e n i a n politicians, is that all the PC-9Ms should be sold and only the helicopters kept. However, a more likely picture foresees the use of the Slovenian PC-9MS for training foreign pilots whose Air Forces also operate the Swiss trainer. In a recent i n t e r v i e w for S l o v e n i a ' s most p r e s t i g i o u s newspaper, Delo, Brigadier Ladislav Lipi, Chief of Staff of the Slovenian Army, expressed precisely this view. Nevertheless, the first and most important task at the moment is to complete the re-equipment of the airfield infrastructure at Cerklje ob Krki airfield with modern navigation and landing systems for use by a variety of military aircraft and helicopters. There is also a need for a new lightweight transport aircraft and the Spanish CASA C.295300 or I t a l i a n / U S A l e n i a / L o c k h e e d C-27J Spartan are both in contention. However, the purchase of a new lightweight transport aircraft is in question since the Government decided to buy a new VIP aircraft (Falcon 900EX), to be paid for out of the defence budget. This decision has caused much c o n t r o v e r s y , not only among military and civilian professionals but also among the general public. The acquisition, maintenance and operation of the Falcon 900EX will cost Slovenia in e x c e s s of US $54 million. The p u r c h a s e o f m o d e r n c o m b a t a i r c r a f t and helicopters compatible with NATO standards has now been postponed until after 2010. MARKO MALEC AOB: 1ST AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE FORCE COMMAND (OPERATIVNO POVELJSTVO VOJASKEGA LETALSTVA IN ZRACNE OBRAMBE) 15th Air Force Brigade (15. brigada vojaskega letalstva) 9th Air Defence Brigade (9. raketna brigada zracne obrambe) 16th Air Surveillance Battalion (16. bataljon za nadzr zracnega prostora) 107th Logistic Base (107. logisticna baza) 15th Air Force Brigade: Air Combat Sgn Cerklje na Dolenjskem PC-9M/PC-9A Multi-Role Heli Sgn Brnik Bell 412EP/HP/SP Air Transport Sgn Brnik Let L-410UVR PC-6 Training Sgn Cerklje n Dolenjskem Zlin 143L/242L Para Training Sgn Cerklje n Dolenjsekm

L9-53 is one of three ex-US Army Pilatus PC-9s serving with the Slovene air arm. Nine new-built aircraft followed in 1999. KEY - DUNCAN CUBITI www.airforcesmonthly.com 39

AOB: SPANISH AIR FORCE (EJRCITO DEL AIRE)

Mando Areo del Centro (MACEN) (Central Command) a I Region Area (1st Air Region) Ala 12 Torre jn AB Escuadrn 121 EF-18A Escuadrn 122 EF-18A Grupo 43 Escuadrn 431 CL-215T Escuadrn 432 CL-215T Grupo 45 Escuadrn 451 Boeing 707 TT/VIP Escuadrn 452 Falcon 20/50/900 408 Escuadrn CASA C.212DE, Falcon 20D/E Boeing 707-351C CLAEX CASA 212, CASA 101 Ala 35 GetafeAB Escuadrn 351 CN.235 Escuadrn 352 CN.235 Escuadrn 353 C-295 (The C-295S are actually assigned to Esc. 352, but it is planned that they will be assigned to the reformed 353 Esc) Grupo 42 Escuadrn 421 Beech B55 Escuadrn 422 Beech F33C Ala 37 VillanublaAB Escuadrn 371 CASA 212, C-212VF Escuadrn 372 CASA 212 (Esc 373 disbanded on May, 2002 - its a/c to Esc 371) Ala 48 Cuatro Vientos AB Escuadrn 402 AS 332B/M Escuadrn 803 CASA 212-100/200, AS 332B CECAF (Centro Cartogrfico y Fotogrfico) Escuadrn 403 CASA 212, Citation V GRUEMA (Grupo de Escuelas de Matacn) Matacn AB Escuadrn 744 CASA 101 Escuadrn 745 CASA 212 Mando Areo del Estrecho (MAEST) (Eastern Command) 2a Region Area (2nd Air Region) Ala 14 Albacete AB Escuadrn 141 Mirage F1C/B/E/EDA/DDA Escuadrn 142 Mirage F1C/B/E/EDA/DDA Ala 11 Moron AB Grupo 11 Escuadrn 111 F/A-18A (Escuadrn 111 is now transferring its Hornets to Ala 46. Ala 11 will be the first SpAF Eurofighter Unit.) Grupo 22 Escuadrn 221 P-3A/B Ala 23 Talavera La Real AB Escuadrn 231 SF-5B Escuadrn 232 SF-5B, SRF-5A (Only one SRF-5A surviving, now in use for combat training.) Ala 72 Alcantarilla AB Escuadrn 721 CASA 212 Ala 78 ArmillaAB Escuadrn 781 Sikorsky S-76A Escuadrn 782 EC-120 Colibr Ala 79/Academia General del Aire San Javier AB 791 Escuadrn, Escuela Vuelo Elemental T-35C Tamiz 792 Escuadrn, Escuela de Navegacin CASA 212 793 Escuadrn, Escuela Vuelo Bsico CASA 101 Mando Areo de Levante (MALEV) (Western Command) 3a Region Area (3rd Air Region) Escuadrn 801 CASA 212-100/20 Son San Juan AB SA 330H/J Ala 15 ZaragozaAB Escuadrn 151 EF-18A Escuadrn 152 EF-18A Escuadrn 153 EF-18B Grupo 31 Escuadrn 311 C-130H/C-130H-30 Escuadrn 312 KC-130H Mando Areo de Canrias (MACAN) (Canary Islands Air Command) Zona Area de Canrias (Canary Islands Air Zone) Ala 46 Gando AB Escuadrn 461 CASA 212 Escuadrn 462 F/A-18A Escuadrn 802 F-27MPA, AS.332B

The Spanish Air Force's original fleet of EF-18A Hornets is to undergo a Mid-Life Update, though the recently-acquired ex US Navy examples will be exempt from this programme. This pair of Hornets is based at Torrejn air base with Ala 12. KEY - STEVE FLETCHER

Spain
THE EJERCITO del Aire currently has three major upgrade and modernisation programmes involving the F-18, F-5 and P-3 fleets underway. The E F-18 Hornet is currently halfway through its service life, and since last year a MLU programme that will maintain the Hornet's capabilities beyond the service entry date of the Eurofighter has been in progress. This MLU programme will not cover the ex-US Navy F-18s currently assigned to Ala 46 in the Canary Islands, although these aircraft will r e c e i v e some u p g r a d e s to improve t h e i r c a p a b i l i t i e s . The Hornet MLU u p g r a d e s include the Rafael Litening II FLIR, a Reccelite r e c o n n a i s s a n c e s y s t e m , new I N S / G P S navigation systems, IIF and Have Quick radios, and night vision goggles. The prototype MLU Hornet made its first flight from the Getafe Spain EADS/CASA facilities in May 2002. The modernisation programme for the F-5B trainer is aimed at stretching the aircraft's service life until 2015, by which time the new Advanced European Jet Pilot Trainer will have entered service. The first modernised F-5B was delivered for t r i a l s to the Torrejn-based C e n t r o L o g i s t i c o de A r m a m e n t o y

AOB: NAVAL AIR ARM (ARMA AREA DE LA ARMADA)

ROTA NAVAL BASE 3a Escuadrilla AB-212ASW 4a Escuadrilla Cessna 550 Citation II 5a Escuadrilla Sikorsky SH-3H ASW/AEW 6a Escuadrilla Hughes 369M 9a Escuadrilla EAV-8B, EAV-8B Plus, TAV-8B 10a Escuadrilla SH-60B

Fuerza Aromoviles del Ejrcito de Tierra (FAMET) (Airmobile Forces of the Spanish Army)
BHELA-I BHELMA-II BHELMA-III BHELMA-IV BHELTRA-V BO-105ATH/GSH/LOH Almagro AS 532UL Cougar Betera UH-1H, BO-105GSH/LOH Agoncillo

El Copero AS 332B Colmenar Viejo CH-47D BHELMA-VI UH-1H, AB-212 Los Rodeos Colmenar Viejo BTRANS UH-1H CEFAMET OH-58A, UH-1H Colmenar Viejo PCMHEL Colmenar Viejo AS332BO/IP) Abbreviations BHELMA (Batalion de Helicpteros de Maniobra, Manoeuvre Helicopter Battalion); BHELTRA (Batalion de Helicpteros de Transporte, Transport Helicopter Battalion); BHELA (Batalion de Helicpteros de Ataque, Attack Helicopter Battalion); BTRANS(Batalln de Transmisiones, Communications Battalion); CEFAMET (Centro de Ensenanza de las FAMET, FAMET Training Centre); PCMHEL (Pargue y Centro de Mantenimiento de Helicpteros, Maintenance Unit). 40 October 2002

Experimentador) (CLAEX) last summer, and since then around ten aircraft have been delivered to Ala 23 in Badajoz. The third major upgrade and modernisation programme for the Ejercito del Aire involves the Moron-based Grupo 22's P-3B fleet. The first aircraft to undergo modernisation will go to EADS Getafe this year. The Orion's upgrade programme centres around improving its radar, ESM, data processing and acoustics. The biggest problem currently facing the Air Force is the loss of its tactical reconnaissance capability, which until the first quarter of this year was maintained by the RF-4Cs of the T o r r e j o n - b a s e d 123 E s c u a d r o n . The e a r l y w i t h d r a w a l from s e r v i c e o f the v e n e r a b l e Phantom leaves the Ejercito del Aire without a reconnaissance capability as the Reccelite pod is still undergoing tests on the F-18. As far as airlift capability is concerned, Getafebased 353 Escuadron will have received the first five CASA C.295S by the end of this year, with the last of nine on order to be delivered by 2004. The recent modernisation of the C-130 Hercules fleet will help maintain heavy airlift capability until the arrival of the A-400M. Spain plans to buy 27 A400MS, of which nine will be equipped to receive in-flight refuelling. Also pending is the delivery to 45 Grupo at the end of this year of two A310s to replace the B707s in the VIP airlift mission. Spanish naval aviation is also in the midst of upgrade and modernisation programmes. The AV-8B fleet is in the final process of upgrade to the AV-8B Plus configuration, while the delivery last year of the services' only TAV-8B trainer will allow for the improved training of aircrew. The Armada's Sea King force is seeing a change of mission: w i t h their A S W gear removed the aircraft will become transports in support of the marines, although the three Searchwater radarequipped AEW Sea Kings will remain unaffected. By the end of the year, the first of six SH-60B Seahawks are expected to be delivered to the R o t a - b a s e d 10 E s c u a d r i l l a , w h i l e the s i x Seahawks already in service will be upgraded to the same Block I standard as the new aircraft. Spanish Army Aviation (FAMET) has a need for a new training helicopter to enter service by 2007, although there are no firm candidates for the job. No d e c i s i o n has yet been made between the Eurocopter Tiger or the Boeing Apache as the new attack helicopter. This year w i l l see the l a s t o f the F A M E T ' s C h i n o o k s undergo upgrade to CH-47D standard. Despite the entry into service of Eurocopter Cougars, the veteran UH-1Hs soldier on with several units and no replacement is in sight until possibly 2008, with the anticipated delivery of the NH90. ROBERTO YAEZ & ALEX RODRIGUEZ

2002 European Air Power Survey

Sweden
THE GRIPEN reached a new milestone on September 6 when the first JA 39C singleseater was handed over to FMV (Forsvarets materielverk, Defence Materiel Administration) at Saab's Linkoping factory. The aircraft will be delivered to the FMV:PRO test wing at Malmen w h e r e it w i l l undergo t e s t and evaluation. The JA 39C is the most advanced version of Gripen and represents the first aircraft of the improved Batch Three (see Cripen Comes of Age, August, p28-31). Much of what will appear in the JA 39C will be found in the export variant, which Gripen International is marketing overseas. The JAS 39C will include such features as an air-to-air refuelling probe, NATO pylons, OBOGS (On Board Oxygen System), full colour night vision capable cockpit, fully integrated E W S 39 electronic warfare suite and an increased load capacity which will allow it to carry heavier weapons and pull more Gs. The Flygvapnet has ordered 204 Gripens: 120 have been delivered to date, covering 30 aircraft in Batch One and 90 in Batch Two. The outstanding aircraft are all now referred to as the Batch Three aircraft and comprise 70 JAS 39Cs and 14 two-seat JA 39D tactical aircraft as opposed to training aircraft, which could be used in such missions as Suppression of Enemy Air Defences. By 2007, the Gripen will have replaced the Viggen, for many years the backbone of the Flygvapnet. The first operational unit expected to receive Batch Three aircraft will be F 17 at Ronneby, which commenced its conversion from Viggens to Gripens on June 14, 2002. Five operational s q u a d r o n s of the a n t i c i p a t e d eight are currently flying Gripen: two squadrons at Satens with F7, one with F 21 at Lule and two with F 10 at ngelholm. However, when ngelholm closes at the end of the year, both of these squadrons will relocate to F 17 at Ronneby. One Squadron in the autumn and the other before Christmas. F 21 'Norrbotten Wing' is unique in that it operates both the Gripen and the AJS 37 V i g g e n s . W h i l e G r i p e n s o p e r a t e with 2 Squadron, about 20 Viggens of both the AJSH 37 fighter version and the AJSF 37 recce version are soldiering on with 1 Squadron. The recce aircraft operates with a smaller unit within 1 Squadron dubbed 231 'Wolfeye' Recce Sqn which fulfils a Swedish Air Force Rapid R e a c t i o n ( S W A F R A P ) requirement. The aircraft are on a 30-day alert status to provide a reconnaissance capability for an international peace support mission. The role will be transferred to F 17 in 2004, when a

The days are numbered for the remaining Viggens in Swedish service. This AJSF 37 serves with F21, based at Lule. KEY - ALAN WARNES r e c o n n a i s s a n c e c a p a b i l i t y will have been (see Swedish UAV trials, August 2002, p12). integrated into the Gripen. The second unit at Meanwhile, Sweden will get its own Open Skies Lule to convert to the Gripen, 1 Squadron, will aircraft when a Tp 88 Metroliner completes its do so in 2005. F 7, based at Satens, operates conversion at the Saab factory. ALAN WARNES eight TP 84s (C-130Es) one of which is the oldest AOB: SWEDISH AIR FORCE (FLYGVAPNET) a i r c r a f t in Europe. One of t h e s e a i r c r a f t NORTHERN COMMAND (serialled 84002) is currently being fitted with F 4 'Jamtland' Wing stersund-Frbsn Flight Refuelling Mk 32 refuelling pods and is 1 Squadron JA 37D Viggen expected to be re-delivered next August. It will 2 Squadron JA 37D Viggen be the only aircraft to receive this modification, Electronic Warfare Sqn SK 37E Liaison Sqn SK 60 as its role is purely to train Gripen pilots on airWill commence converting to Gripen in 2005. to-air refuelling. Initially the aircraft will be used for AAR trials with the JAS 39C test aircraft (39F 21 'Norrbotten' Wing Lule-Kallax 1 Squadron AJSF 37*/AJSH 37 Viggen 6 ex Fv39207). 2 Squadron JA 39A Gripen F 16 at Upsalla will deactivate when the base Liaison Sqn SK 60, Tp 101 closes during the summer of 2003. This AJSF 37 Viggen element is the SWAFRAP unit, referred to decision, imposed by the Swedish Government, as 231 Recce Sqn. which is continually looking at ways to cut back CENTRAL COMMAND on its d e f e n c e budget, has c a u s e d the Flo'Upplands'Wing Upsalla Flygvapnet command a headache. It was hoping 1 Squadron JA 37D Viggen* to transfer the basic trainer SK 60s currently at Tactical Training Squadron SK 60 ngelholm with F 10 to Upsalla, to join the basic Liaison Sqn SK 60 tactical trainer SK 60s based there, but instead The 1 Squadron Viggens will activate later this year and the both units are being relocated to Malmslatt, the SK 60s will move to F16M at Malmen. home of F16M. Two S 100B Erieyes currently on F16M'Upplands'Wing Malmen loan to the Hellenic Air Force from F 16M are Flying Recce Sqn S100B Argus expected to return next year (see Greek AWACS, Signal Intelligence Sqn S102B Korpen February, p48-51) when the first EMB 145Hs are Transport Sqn* Tp 100, Tp 102 delivered to Greece. *Based at Stockholm-Bromma F 4 at stersund will be the last wing to operate SOUTHERN COMMAND the Viggen, and when it finally converts to the FT'Skaraborg'Wing Satens Gripen in 2005, the Electronic Warfare training 1 Squadron JAS 39A Gripen 2 Squadron role carried out by the wing will be transferred to JAS 39A/B Gripen 3 Squadron Tp 84 Hercules, Tp 101 (Beech 200) F 21. Sweden is also working on its own Network Liaison Sqn SK60 Centric Warfare strategy to provide a new C4ISR (Command, Control, Communication and FlO'Skane'Wing ngelholm 1 Squadron JAS 39A Gripen Computing, Intelligence Surveillance and Recce) 2 Squadron JAS 39A Gripen capability. This is currently in the second phase of Flying School SK60 a programme which should be fully implemented Both Gripen squadrons will transfer to F17 Wing while the in its armed forces by 2010, and which will see full Flying School SK 60s will relocate to F16M at Malmen. battle-space awareness being available to every F17'Blekinge'Wing Ronneby person within the forces from the individual 1 Squadron JAS 39A Gripen soldier upwards. In June, this led FMV to evaluate 2 Squadron JA 37D Viggen an EADS Eagle UAV at Kiruna in northern Sweden
Liaison Sqn SK 60, Tp 101 Both squadrons will have re-equipped with the Gripen by Jan 1, 2003

Six Ericsson Eyrieye S 100B Argus airborne early warning aircraft have been acquired by the Swedish Air Force and are used by F16M, based at Malmslatt. Two are currently on loan to the Hellenic Air Force. KEY - ALAN WARNES

FORSVARSMAKTENS (COMBINED FORCES) HELICOPTER WING 1 Helicopter Sqn Boden Hkp3/6/9/11 Det Ostersund-Froson HkplO Det Lycksele HkplO 2 Helicopter Sqn Berga Hkp4, Hkp 6 Det Uppsala HkplO Det Goteburg-Save Hkp 4, Hkp 6 Det Ronneby-Kallinge Hkp4/6/10, SH-89 Det Satens HkplO Det Sundsvall HkplO HkplO Det Visby 4 Helicopter Sqn Malmslatt Hkp 3/6/9/11

www.airforcesmonthly.com

41

7he most advanced combat aircraft in the Swiss Air force is the F-18C Hornet, winner of the Neue Jaqdflugzeug competition in
1988. SWISS AIR FORCE

Switzerland
S W I T Z E R L A N D IS a d i r e c t l y e l e c t e d democracy whose citizens take an active part in m a k i n g i m p o r t a n t p o l i t i c a l d e c i s i o n s concerning national security and defence. In June last year, voters were asked to decide on two bills affecting the Swiss Air Force. The f i r s t contained a p r o p o s i t i o n c o n c e r n i n g training co-operation with foreign armed f o r c e s and the s e c o n d r e l a t e d to the possibility of arming Swiss forces on missions abroad for the purpose of self-defence. Switzerland's small size, population density and compact air space, heavily used by civilian aircraft, all combine to hinder Air Force training in low altitude, night and supersonic flights, and consequently some training has been partially relocated abroad. The Swiss Air Force has signed more than a dozen Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with friendly air forces, and the passage of the two bills has made it easier to carry out training and air combat training flights (such as night flights over Norway and interception training missions over the North Sea) in co-operation with foreign air forces. In return, foreign air forces, such as the Luftwaffe with MIG-29s or the Dutch Air Force with helicopters, are able to accumulate useful experience of their own in Switzerland (see MiC-295 to Switzerland, July 2002, p9). The introduction of the new F-18C/D fighter has been concluded according to plan: the last aircraft was delivered in December 1999. Now the first F-18 upgrades are being planned. According to the armament plan for the years

2001 to 2003, the aircraft are to be upgraded by 2008 and their availability improved. The Northrop F-5E/F fighters, still used in considerable numbers, will gradually be reduced in number. A small batch of F-5s, used mainly as sparring partners for the Hornet, have been put up for sale. Brazil, which uses the same type, is among the potential buyers for what is the first such deal in the history of the neutral Swiss Air Force. Under Swiss Air Force operational plans, the F-5E/F will now be used for air space patrol in decreasing numbers. With the ratification of an agreement with eleven other European nations, Switzerland is participating in a feasibility study concerning the pooling of jet training. As is the case with other nations, the increasing cost of defence has forced Switzerland to seek economies and make use of available facilities in concert with other countries. Should basic training be moved abroad, there are plans to sell the existing Hawk trainers. In the areas of air reconnaissance and air transport, further capability gaps are due to be resolved over the next few years. The air reconnaissance capability has been further diminished by the retirement of some Mirage IIIRSs, and the purchase of the medium-range CASA 295M has been postponed following the ballot in June 2001, even though preliminary agreements had been signed with the Spanish manufacturer. As yet no definite date for the r e s u m p t i o n of n e g o t i a t i o n s has been announced. The introduction of the new Eurocopter AS 532UL transport helicopter is proceeding as planned, and the first examples have already

been handed over to the Air Force. In autumn 2002, a Cougar will be stationed in Kosovo for KFOR transport flights. No preliminary decision has yet been taken on a replacement for the Alouette III. The intention is to buy an armed multi-purpose helicopter in the first instance and keep a small number of (around 25) Alouette Ills for training use until 2010. With the opening of the training centre for the ADS-95 Ranger unmanned reconnaissance drones at Emmen AFB in central Switzerland, an important step was taken to integrate this new system into the Swiss Armed Forces. Initial problems with the drone's planned operating radio frequency, which was originally assigned to the UMTS mobile telephone network, have been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. KAJ-GUNNAR SIEVERT AOB: SWISS AIR FORCE (SCHWEIZERISCHE LUFTWAFFE) PEACETIME ORDER OF BATTLE Oberwachungsgeschwader (Surveillance Wing)
FIStI Miraqe-Gruppe FlSt! FISt 17 FlSt 18

F-5E
Mirage IIIRS F-18C/D Hornet F-18C/D Hornet F-18C/D Hornet

Payerne Dubendorf Dubendorf Payerne Payerne Emmen

Patrouille Suisse F-5E Flieqerregiment 4 LTStS LTSt5 LTSt 6 LTSt? LTSt 8 Other units EscLAv 1 LFfSt 3 ZFISt 12 IFISt 14 Alouette III, AS 532. Alouette 111, AS 532 Pilatus PC-9 Mirage IIIDS/BD (Air Regiment 4)

Alouette III, AS 532 Alouette III, AS 532 Alouette III, AS 532 Pilatus PC-6B/H-2M Alouette III, AS 532

Mollis Interlaken Alpnach Emmen Lodrino

Payerne Turtmann Sion and Samedan Payerne (based at Dubendorf)

F-5F
FIS16 F-5E/F

Stans/Buochs

Learjet 35A, Falcon 50 Dubendorf Pilotenschule 1 Hawk Mk 66, PC-7 Emmen Pilotenschule 2 Hawk Mk 66 Sion (part time) PilotenrekPC-7 Maqadino rutenschule Glossary
VIP Fit
LTSt - Leichtfliegerstaffeln (Light Flying Squadron) FlSt - Fliegerstaffeln (Flying Squadron) EscLAv - Escadron Lger d'Aviation (Light Aviation Sqn) ZFISt - Zielflieqerstafel (Target Towing squadron) IFISt - Instrumentationflieqerstaffel (Instrument Flying Sqn) Pilotenrekrutenschule (Pilot Recruit School)

Originally used in the air defence role, the F-5 Tiger II has also undertaken the ground attack role since the retirement of the Hunter in late 1994. J-3207 is one of 12 F-5Fs used by the Swiss. KEY - ALAN WARNES

42 October 2002

2002 European Air Power Survey

Turkey
TURKEY HAS joined the system development and demonstration phase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, at a cost of $175 million. It will invest another $75 million if the government decides the country will participate in the industrial package of the programme. The deal, which makes Turkey a Level 3 partner in the programme, was signed on July 11. A requirement exists for 150 F-35s to replace F-4Es and F-16Cs from 2013. A total of 54 F-4E Phantom Ms are currently the subject of an avionics and structural upgrade programme. The first of 30 aircraft to be upgraded at Eskisehir - known as TAMP (Turkish Aircraft Modernisation Phase) aircraft to differentiate them from the Israeli upgrade Phantoms - was redelivered on July 3. A total of 48 Turkish F-5 Freedom Fighters have also been earmarked for structural improvements, and this work is also been shared between the Turkish Air Force and IAI. The first F-5 made its first post-upgrade flight on April 17, 2001. The contract for the Boeing 737-700 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft was signed on June 4, 2002. The contract covers the firm commitment to four 737s, with a further two options, and is worth $1.1 billion. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered at the end of 2005 after being completed at Boeing's facilities: the other three firm order aircraft will be fitted out in Turkey by TAI. Under the Phoenix II programme, 30 AS 532 Cougars are being manufactured by Turkish A e r o s p a c e Industries. A total of 20 are destined for the Turkish Air Force: 15 of these had been delivered by July 2002. (The other ten Cougars are destined for the Turkish Army,

By 1999, Turkish Air Force tactical aircraft had lost the large codes on the front fuselage. F-4E 660354 belongs to the 3 AJU. KEY - DAVE ALLPORT six ultity and four for SAP.) The last Phoenix II Cougar is scheduled for delivery on January 31, 2003. The Turkish Air Force Cougars have been built to two distinct types. Six AS 532AL Cougar Mk 1 CSAR (combat search and rescue) versions have been delivered: the others are AS 532UL Cougar Mk 1 SAP variants. The Cougars will replace UH-1Hs in the Turkish Air Force. Training is being undertaken at Cigli-lzmir (also known as Konya), with operational units currently based at D i y a r b a k i r and Eskisehir, and h e l i c o p t e r s deployed on alert to Cigli and Dalaman. The next base to receive the type will be Merzifon. The Turkish Air Force expects to receive ten Airbus Military Co A400Ms, down from 20 (and originally 26), with a workshare of 6.7% being allocated to TAI from the order. A new training aircraft is sought to take pilots from the initial stages of training and prepare them for the T-38 Talon advanced trainers in service at 2nd AJU Cigli-lzmir. The Pilatus PC-9 and derived Raytheon T-6 Texan II, Embraer Tucano and KAI KT-1 are all under consideration, but no contract has been awarded. Six TAI-built CASA CN.235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are being produced for the Turkish Navy, four having been delivered by July 2002. A total of eight Sikorsky S-70B-28s are on order, the first taking to the air on January 24, 2001. The type is slated to join 351 Filo to augment the Agusta Bell designs currently in service. The Navy is interested in the CH-60S version of the S e a h a w k to replace the AB 204ASs, but no orders have been placed. A single Agusta A 109 Mk II was donated to the Turkish C o a s t Guard by A g u s t a , and commissioned into service in June 2000. The A 109 was to be followed by nine examples of the Agusta Bell AB 412EP fitted with glass cockpits, As part of the contract for the AB 412s, base facilities for the Coast Guard aircraft are being prepared at Adnan Menderes International Airport in the west of Turkey. Three CN.235 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), built by TAI, are destined for the Coast Guard, of which two had been delivered by July 2002. The last CN.235MSA will be delivered by the end of 2002. The Turkish Army's aviation assets continue to be upgraded. Eight Black Hawks operated on behalf of Special Forces Command are to be upgraded with glass cockpits under the auspices of the Yarasa project. On March 20, 2002, senior Turkish military officials announced that the tender for a heavy lift helicopter will be reopened in 2003. The competition is expected to be between the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and the Sikorsky CH-53. The requirement is for 20 helicopters, and is expected to cost $250 million. The Turkish Army still wants at least 50 Bell AH1Zs, but no contract has yet been signed. DAVE WILLIS

TURK HAVA KUVVETLERI

Ind Taktik Hava Kuweti Komutanliqi HO Eskisehir Irtibat Kit'asi CN.235 Eskisehir 1nci AJU Eskisehir 101 Filo AS 532AL/UL Eskisehir 111 Filo Panter F-4E 112 Filo Seytan F-4E 113 Filo Isak RF-4E Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 4nci AJU Akinci 141 Filo Kurt F-16C/D 143 (Oncel) Filo F-16C/D Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 6nci AJU Bandirma 161 Filo Kartal F-16C/D 162 Filo Zipkin F-16C/D Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 9nci AJU Balikesir 191 Filo Kobra F-16C/D 192 Filo Kaplan F-16C/D Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 2nd Taktik Hava Kuweti Komutanligi HO Diyarbakir Irtibat Kit'asi CN.235 Diyarbakir 5nci AJU Merzifon 151 Filo Tun F-16C/D 152 Filo Akinci F-16C/D Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 7nci Erhac 171 Filo Korsar F-4E 172 Filo Sahin F-4E 173 Filo Safak RF-4E Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 8nci AJU Diyarbakir 181 Filo Pars F-16C/D 182 Filo Atmaca F-16C/D 202 Filo AS 532AL/UL Diyarbakir Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H Hava Nakil Kuweti Komutanligi HO Erkilet lOnci TUK Incirlik 101 Filo Asena KC-135R 11nci HU Etimesgut 223 Filo Gezgin CN.235 224 Filo Dogan Cessna 550/560, Gill, CN.235 12nci HUAU Erkilet 221 Filo Leylek Transall C.160D 222 Filo Alev C-130 Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H Hava Egitim Komutanligi HO Gaziemir HQ Flight CN.235 Izmir-Abnan Menderes Gl School Various GIAs Izmir-Abnan Menderes 2nd AJU Cigli-lzmir 121 Filo Ari T-38A 122 Filo Akrep T-37B/C 123 Filo Palaz SF 260D Kaklic 124 Filo T-37B/C, T-38A 125 Filo CN.235, UH-1H, AS 532AL/UL Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H 3nci AJU Konya 131 Filo Ejeder F-4E 132 Filo Hancer F-4E, F-5A/B 133 Filo Pence N/F-5A, N/F-5B 134 Filo/Turk Yildizlari NF-5A/B Egitim Irtibat Kit'asi UH-1H Air Force College Hava Harp Okuo Sf 260, CN.235, UH-1H, gliders

TURK KARA ORDUSU HAVACILIGI

10rdu Hava Alayi Istanbul/Samandirma AB 205A, UH-1H, U-17A/B, AS532UL Cougar 2 Ordu Hava Alayi Malatya/Erha AB 205A. UH-1H, U-17A/B 3 Ordu Hava Alayi Erzincan AB 205A, UH-1H, U-17A/B, AH-1P, S-70A-28

AB 205, UH-1H, U-17B, AS 532UL Cougar Kara Havacilik Okulu eve Ecitirn Merkezi Komutanligi Guvercinlik Taaruz Helkopteri Taburu 1 Filo AH-1W 2 Filo AH-1P/S 3 Filo AH-1P/S Basic Training Battalion H269, T-41D, T-42D Observation & Liaison Training Battalion U-17B, S-70A, AB 204B/205A, UH-1H, AB206R/B3 Transport & Mise Tasks Battalion King Air 200, Cessna 421, AB 212, UH-1H. Cougar Helikopter Tabaru UH-1H, S-70A Special Forces Flight S-70A TRNC UH-1H.U-17 Northern Cyprus 7 Corps Tactical Aviation Group Diyarbakir UH-1H, U-1, AH-1 Harita Genel Komutanligi Guvercinlik Do 28D-2, King Air 200

Ege Ordusu Hava Alayi Izmir-Abnan Menderes

TURK DONMA HAVACILIGI (TURKISH NAVAL AVIATION)

301 Deniz Hava Filosu to get CN 235MPA 351 Deniz Helikopter Filosu AB 204AS AB 212ASW/ASW-EW TB20 Trinidad Egitim Filo SahilGuvenlik (Coast Guard) Adnan Menderes IAP AB 412EP Topei CN.235MSA, Maule MX-7 Topei Karamiirsel Topei

www.airtorcesmonthly.com 43

United Kingdom
ROYAL AIR FORCE
THE ROYAL Air Force is undergoing a period of renewal. Not only are most of the aircraft in its inventory undergoing upgrade or due to be replaced, but the roles these aircraft are expected to perform and the tactics used to complete tasks are changing to meet the needs of the present world situation. For example, the end of the Cold War saw the cessation of the 'cat and mouse' game played around the edges of the UK air defence region by RAF fighters and Soviet/Russian longrange r e c o n n a i s s a n c e a i r c r a f t , and the importance of air defence slipped lower down the list of priorities. The murderous terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, placed a renewed emphasis on the need to intercept and identify unknown aircraft or those straying from their filed flight plans. The rapid evolution of technology is also a factor for change in the service, as it tries to harness the latest science to stay ahead of the field. The RAF is trying to maximise the use of precision weapons, data linking, command, control communications and computers, along with better i n t e l l i g e n c e and surveillance methods. Though h a r d w a r e has been improved, the human component has also had to change. Serving RAF personnel are now deployed more often and to more destinations than at any time since the end of World War Two. Like Air Forces the world over, the RAF has to f u n c t i o n w i t h i n the c o n s t r a i n t s of a G o v e r n m e n t - a l l o c a t e d budget and the constant demand to do more with less - 'more bang for the buck'. Technology, training and t a c t i c s have h e l p e d it to c a r r y out this r e q u i r e m e n t , as has c o n t r a c t o r i s a t i o n , allowing the RAF to cut overheads while allowing a capability to be 'rented by the hour' from the private sector when needed. Though c o n t r a c t o r i s a t i o n has f a i l e d to p r o d u c e significant savings, it has nevertheless allowed the s e r v i c e to c o n c e n t r a t e on its core activities, and it is the upgrades to these activities which are reviewed in this narrative.

Above: Typhoon ZJ699 (IPA 1) is one of the aircraft which will serve with the Eurofighter Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) at Warton, Lancashire, as part of 'Case White'. The location of the Eurofighter OEU at the manufacturer's airfield is a 'first' in British industry. BAE SYSTEMS Below: The Tornado GR.4/4A has all but replaced the earlier GR.1/1A in the strike/attack and tactical reconnaissance roles. GR.4 ZA557/'AC belongs to 9 Squadron, part of the Marham Wing. KEY - DAVE WILLIS

Air Defence
The Tornado F.3 fleet, consisting of 87 active a i r c r a f t (not including stored or reserve examples) on November 1, 2001, is due to remain in service until 2010. By the end of June 2002, a t o t a l of 94 a i r c r a f t h a d u n d e r g o n e the C a p a b i l i t y S u s t a i n m e n t Package (CSP) with a further five aircraft to be upgraded. CSP allows the aircraft to fire the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), which was due to be operational in

an interim standard on the aircraft by mid-2002, replacing the AIM-9L Sidewinder, and the AIM120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile ( A M R A A M ) which replaced the Skyflash. An A M R A A M Optimisation Programme was let in mid-2001 to enable the aircraft to update the missile on-target information after launch. The first a i r c r a f t with this capability w i l l enter service in early 2003. The Eurofighter Typhoon w i l l r e p l a c e the Tornado F.3 in the air defence role. The first unit of the type, the Eurofighter Operational E v a l u a t i o n Unit w i l l be b a s e d at W a r t o n , Lancashire, and will exist for 18 months from the end of 2002. A total of 13 aircraft are due to be assigned to the unit, including DA2, DA5, IPA1 and IPA5. The unit will train the first Typhoon air and ground crew for the RAF, conduct a fouraircraft deployment away from base, and fire the first RAF A S R A A M s and A M R A A M s from the aircraft. At the end of the 18-month period, the unit's personnel will move to RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, to form 17(R) Squadron, which will continue the work of the Operational Evaluation Unit, and 29(R) Squadron, which will act as the type's operational conversion unit. The first Typhoon squadron is expected to be operational in 2006 at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire; RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, and Leuchars in Scotland, are also due to house Typhoon squadrons. The weapons systems officers from the Tornado F.3s are expected to be found other roles in the RAF: many are destined to join the

Tornado GR.4 fleet. A t o t a l of 232 e x a m p l e s of the European collaboration aircraft are required by the RAF (55 have been c o n t r a c t e d f o r in the f i r s t tranche). The majority have been configured for the air defence role, the rest (the last batches delivered) are for strike/attack. The Typhoon is expected to be armed with the Beyond V i s u a l R a n g e Air t o Air M i s s i l e (BVRAAM), defined by Staff Requirement (Air) 1239. The BVRAAM will be the MBD Meteor, selected on May 16, 2000: it is expected to be in service by the end of the current decade. Strike/Attack The current strike/attack platform, the Tornado GR.4, recently replaced the earlier GR.1s in service. The GR.4 is the mid-life update version of the Tornado GR.1, the aircraft sensors and weapons having been overhauled to operate more effectively at the medium altitude level envisaged as the new operating height for the post-Cold War age. The GR.4 programme also g a v e t h e R A F a common a i r c r a f t f l e e t , eliminating the 'fleets within the fleet' situation which could cause maintenance problems. The GR.4 programme has been implemented as a series of packages, Package 0 adding some hardware changes, including a GEC Sensors 1010 forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system and a new head up (HUD) display. Package 1 added Thermal Imaging And Laser Designation (TIALD) and Paveway III compatibility and the Enhanced Paveway (the Interim Precision Guided Bomb requirement which emerged from SR[A]1248). New weapons are to be integrated with the airframe for the Package 2 upgrade. These are the Storm Shadow Conventionally Armed Stand Off Missile (CASOM, SR[A]1236) and Brimstone anti-armour missile (SRA[A]1238). Storm Shadow is due to enter service in late 2002: the first firing by a Tornado GR.4 is due shortly. P a c k a g e 2 a l s o a d d s the R A P T O R (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for the TORnado) system. The Defence Procurement Agency is also currently seeking a pod-based modular

The Meteor BVRAAM (top) is due to enter service on the Typhoon before the end of the decade, meeting the requirements of SR(A) 1239. Although ASRAAM (bottom) has suffered from some snags, it is slowly making an appearance on RAF aircraft. KEY - DAVE WILLIS

44 October 2002

2002 European Air Power Survey

defensive aids system for improved protection against infra-red and radar-guided missiles for the Tornado GR.4. The aircraft has a planned out-of-service date of 2020, but it is likely that the airframe's design life will need to be extended to at least 8,000 hours to allow it to fulfil this target. (At present the type has an interim c l e a r a n c e for 5,000 hours.) Its replacement is the Future Offensive Air System (FOAS). FOAS is currently in the concept study and technology demonstration phase and the final configuration - or even configurations - of the r e s u l t i n g p l a t f o r m / s is s t i l l fluid. Manned aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles, cruise missiles and a command 'control, communications, computers and intelligence system are seen as components of the FOAS capability. At present there are no new aircraft programmes at the heart of FOAS, this role being taken by 'growth versions' of the Typhoon and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The programme is likely to revolve around the ability of all the components of FOAS to work ' n e t c e n t r i c l y ' , procurement of the individual systems being spread over a number of years and 'plugged into the net'. FOAS is due to move from the current concept phase into the assessment phase (Main Gate) in 2003, with a nominal initial in-service date of 2017.

AOB: ROYAL AIR FORCE

STRIKE COMMAND HO HIGH WYCOMBE 1 Group HO HiqhWycombe IKAOSqn Tornado GR.4A RAF Marham 5(AC) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Coningsby 6 Sqn Jaguar GR.3/3A, T.4 RAF Coltishall 9(B) Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Marham 11(F) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Leeming 12(B) Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Lossiemouth 13 Sqn Tornado GR.4A RAF Marham 14 Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Lossiemouth 15(R) Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Lossiemouth 16(R)Sqn Jaguar GR.3, T.4 RAF Coltishall 25(F) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Leeming 31 Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Marham 39(1PRU)Sqn Canberra PR.9/T.4 RAF Marham 41 Sqn Jaguar GR.3/3A, T.4 RAF Coltishall 43(F) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Leuchars 54(F) Sqn Jaguar GR.3/3A, T.4 RAF Coltishall 56(R) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Coningsby 100 Sqn Hawk T.1/1A/1W RAF Leeming (includes Navigator Training Unit) 11KF) Sqn Tornado F.3 RAF Leuchars 617 Sqn Tornado GR.4 RAF Lossiemouth 2 Group HO High Wycombe 8 Sqn Sentry AEW.1 RAF Waddington 10 Sqn VC10C.1K RAF Brize Norton 23 Sqn Sentry AEW.1 RAF Waddington 32(TR) Sqn & BAe 125 CC.3, RAF Northolt BAe 146 CC.2 AS 355F2 Twin Squirrel 51 Sqn Nimrod R.I RAF Waddington 99 Sqn C-17A Globemaster III RAF Brize Norton 101 Sqn VC 10 K.3/4 RAF Brize Norton 216 Sqn Tristar K.1, KC.1, C.2/2A RAF Brize Norton Lyneham Tactical Wing RAF Lyneham 24 Sqn Hercules C.4/5 RAF Lyneham 30 Sqn Hercules C.4/5 RAF Lyneham 47 Sqn Hercules C.1/3 RAF Lyneham 70 Sqn Hercules C.1/3 RAF Lyneham & also has access to a leased Sikorsky S-76 for Royal Flights 3 Group HO 22 Sqn A Flight B Flight C Flight High Wycombe RAF St Mawgan RAFChivenor RAF Wattisham RAF Valley 202 Sqn RAF Boulmer A Flight Sea King HAR.3 RAF Boulmer D Flight Sea King HAR.3 RAF Lossiemouth E Flight Sea King HAR.3 RAF Leconfield 203(R) Sqn Sea King HAR.3/3A RAF St Mawgan Joint Force Harrier 1(F) Sqn Harrier GR.7 RAF Cottesmore 3(F) Sqn Harrier GR.7, T.10 RAF Cottesmore 4(AC) Sqn Harrier GR.7, T.10 RAF Cottesmore 20(R) Sqn Harrier GR.7, T.10 RAF Wittering 800 Sqn + Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Yeovilton 801 Sqn + Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Yeovilton 899 Sqn + Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Yeovilton Kinloss Wing RAF Kinloss 42(R) Sqn Nimrod MR.2 RAF Kinloss 120 Sqn Nimrod MR.2 RAF Kinloss 201 Sqn Nimrod MR.2 RAF Kinloss 206 Sqn Nimrod MR.2 RAF Kinloss + Fleet Air Arm units allocated to Joint Force Harrier Other units 78 Sqn

Offensive Support
Offensive support in the RAF is provided by two squadrons of Jaguars and three of Harriers. The Jaguar fleet has been upgraded to GR.3/T.4 and GR.3A/T.4A standards. GR.3/T.4s (originally both designated as Jaguar 96s) are equipped with a MIL-STD-1553B databus which allows the aircraft to be compatible with smart weapons (but not always able to use them) and have been w i r e d f o r T I A L D c a r r i a g e (but a g a i n , not c o m p a t i b l e w i t h the podded s y s t e m ) . The GR.3A/T.4AS (ex Jaguar 97) modifications built upon the GR.3/T.4 upgrades allowing the aircraft to actually use the systems they were wired for. The GR.3A also allows pilots to use a Helmet Mounted Sighting System (HMSS) in conjunction with the TIALD system. The latest upgrade to the Jaguar fleet is the replacement of the Adour Mk 104s with Mk 106s, which improve the type's safety and, as a bonus, adds a little extra thrust. Up to 60 RAF Jaguars are expected to be upgraded to take the new engines, with the aircraft retaining their present designations.

Chinook HC.2, RAF Mount Pleasant Sea King HAR.3 84 Sqn Wessex HC.2 RAF Akrotiri 1312 Flight VC 10K, Hercules C. RAF Mount Pleasant 1435 Flight Tornado F.3 RAF Mount Pleasant Battle of Britain Memorial Flight RAF Coningsby Hurricane IIC, Lancaster B.I, Dakota C.3 Spitfire lla/Vb/IXe/PR.19, Chipmunk T.10 Centre of Air Medicine RAF Heniw Hawk T.1 (based at Boscombe Down) Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standards Unit Hawk T.I RAF Leeming Station Flight Islander CC.2/2A RAF Northolt Air Warfare Centre RAF Waddington Strike Aircraft Operational Evaluation Unit Boscombe Down Harrier GR.7, Jaguar GR.3 Tornado GR.1/4 E-3D Operational Evaluation Unit RAF Waddington loans Sentry AEW.Is from 8/23 Sqn F.3 Operational Evaluation Unit RAF Coningsby Tornado F.3 Hercules Operational Evaluation Unit RAF Lyneham loans C-130s from LTW as required Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation Unit RAF Benson loans Merlin HC.3s from 28 Sqn as required precision-guided munitions, reducing the need to jettison these expensive weapons following a mission abort. The full GR.9/9A upgrade will add a MIL-STD-1760 databus to facilitate the ability to use the Storm Shadow, Brimstone and ASRAAM missiles. A l l w i l l be fitted with a ground p r o x i m i t y w a r n i n g system, and 16 of the upgraded aircraft will also be modified for use of the TIALD pod hung on the centreline. As part of Joint Force Harrier, the GR.9/9As will continue to deploy on the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers after the Sea Harriers are retired, being the only fixed wing aircraft planned to do so for some time into the future. The long-term replacement for the Harrier is a version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike F i g h t e r u n d e r the Joint C o m b a t A i r c r a f t programme. The aircraft is expected to be in s e r v i c e from 2012 and w i l l serve on the two Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF) which are being planned for the Royal Navy.

Sea King HAR.3A Sea King HAR.3A Sea King HAR.3

The RAF's Harrier fleet, part of the Joint Force H a r r i e r o r g a n i s a t i o n , is the s u b j e c t of an upgrade plan of its own. The retirement of the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier by 2006 will help fund the upgrade of the R A F ' s GR.7s to GR.9/9A standard. A total of 30 aircraft will receive the Pegasus Mk 107 engine in place of the current Mk 105, becoming Harrier GRJAs. The new engine will allow the Harrier to perform vertical landings at high temperatures while carrying

Mighty Hunter No.3

The R A F ' s m a r i t i m e p a t r o l a i r c r a f t f l e e t is concentrated at RAF Kinloss, in north Scotland. The current MR.2 aircraft are to be upgraded as MRA.4S with a total of 18 aircraft (cut from 21 in February) planned for modification. This will be radical, as little of the original airframe is due to be retained, the stripped fuselage being the www.airforcesmonthly.com 45

The Thermal Imaging And Laser Designation (TIALD) pod can now been fitted to the Tornado and Jaguar fleets. Precision weapons allow multiple targets to be hit by one aircraft. KEY - ALAN WARNES

Above: Cancellation of plans to move the Fleet Air Arm's Sea Harrier squadrons to RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering maintains a situation in which the Joint Force Harrier is divided among three bases. Harrier T.10 ZH664/112 of 1 Squadron is the penultimate British Harrier. KEY - ALAN WARNES Right: The RAF Hawk fleet has been subject to the Fuselage Replacement Programme enabling certain airframes to continue in service until advanced training is contractorised as part of the Future UK Military Flying Training System. T.1A XX317 is in 208(R) Squadron colours, part of 4 FTS based at RAF Valley, Anglesey. CROWN Below: The Merlin HC.3s of 28(AC) Squadron are based at RAF Benson. The squadron's aircraft are due to receive an in-flight capability and probes have appeared on several of the type (although this example is carrying a test boom). CROWN

largest component to make it into the MRA.4. Fitted with a new wing, four embedded RollsRoyce BR710 engines r e p l a c i n g the current Speys, and a new avionics suite, the MRA.4 is due to replace the MR.2 by 2008. Crewing has been decreased from three to two in the cockpit, and from 13 to ten in the main cabin. The MRA.4 programme has a history of delays, though BAE Systems has worked hard to keep the programme on track. On December 13, 2001, the first production aircraft (PAD had its power turned on, and the engines were installed and are due to be run in August 2002. First flight is expected in September 2002, with PA2 following in December 2002 and PA3 in March 2003. Crew training is due to commence in February 2003 (the contract for the MRA.4 programme includes an integrated training system to be based at Kinloss), and the RAF should receive its first Nimrod MRA.4 in August 2004. At present, the RAF's 'other' Nimrods - the R.1s of 51 S q u a d r o n b a s e d at R A F W a d d i n g t o n , Lincolnshire - will not be radically upgraded externally. They are expected to continue to gather their electronic orders of battle until 2012.

Raytheon's Greenville facility at Majors Field, for integration of the ASTOR system on January 31. The aircraft will remain at Majors Field until test flying starts in the third quarter of 2003, and will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence in 2004. The system is expected to be in service by 2005.

Transport Flux
The tactical transport fleet of Hercules, based at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, is in a state of flux. The Hercules o p e r a t i o n a l c o n v e r s i o n unit, 57(R) Squadron, disbanded on March 14. The original C-130KS still serve in the Hercules C.1 and the stretched C.3 versions, a total of 22 remaining. The C.1s are now used only for special forces training and operations, while the surviving C.3s continue to be used for more routine transport work. All the C-130JS have been delivered, with all but two at RAF Lyneham. Ten Hercules C.5s (C130J) and 15 Hercules C.4s (C-130J-30) were delivered, but service entry has taken some time to achieve. Today, the aircraft are still limited in what they can undertake, with clearance for some parachute loads still awaited. Although not delivered with probes, the new fleet has the capability to be fitted with them: an example of the C.5 with a probe trial fit was noted at RAF Lyneham in mid-August. The surviving C-130Ks are due to be replaced by 25 A i r b u s M i l i t a r y Company A400Ms. The A400M seems to have made little progress in the eight years since the life-size mock-up appeared at the Farnborough airshow. Construction of a prototype has not yet begun, and although each trade show seems to produce another

memorandum-signing, actual flight hardware is still y e a r s away. The Ministry of Defence is rumoured to be getting impatient for its new transport aircraft and alternatives to the A400M are being e x p l o r e d . One of these i n c l u d e s increasing by another five the number of C-17 Globemaster I l l s in the R A F ' s inventory and buying a n o t h e r ten to 20 C-130Js. No 99 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, has four C-17As on a seven-year lease from Boeing, the aircraft fulfilling the Short Term Strategic Airlift requirement. These aircraft have exceeded their planned yearly hours by 60% in their first year of operations, flights in support of operations in Afghanistan accounting for a good percentage of those extra hours.

Tanker/Transports
RAF Brize Norton is home to the VCIOs of 10 and 101 Squadrons and the Tristars of 216 Squadron, which undertake tanking and transport roles. The aircraft are due to be replaced by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) requirement, which calls for a tanker capability to be provided by a private firm under a 13 billion contract stretching over 27 years. Originally due in service in 2006, the FSTA will now be available from 2008. Two teams are bidding for the c o n t r a c t : The Tanker & Transport Service Co (BAE Systems, Boeing, Serco Group and Spectrum Capital) plans to use secondhand (ex British Airways) Boeing 767-300ERs, while Air Tanker (EADS, Rolls-Royce, FR Aviation, Brown & Root Services and Thales Defense) is o f f e r i n g new A i r b u s A330-200 t a n k e r conversions. Selection is due in the third quarter

ASTOR
The Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) system is, in concept, the UK version of the United States' J-STARS (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System). Carried aloft by the Bombardier Global Express, five A S T O R systems are due to be acquired from Raytheon Systems with a minimum of eight ground stations, all of which will be based at R A F Waddington. The first G l o b a l E x p r e s s (ZJ690) was d e l i v e r e d t o 46 October 2002

2002 European Air Power Survey

PERSONNEL AND TRAINING COMMAND HQ RAF INNSWORTH Central Flying School RAF Cranwell
CFS Tucano Sqn (part of 1 FTS) RAFTopcliffe Hawk component part of 19(R) Sqn RAF Valley Tutor component part of Elementary RAF Cranwell Flying Training Standard Squadron/3 FTS RAF College Air Squadron G115E Tutor RAF Cranwell RAF Aerobatic Team Hawk T.1/1A RAF Scampton (Red Arrows) 1 Flying Training School RAF Linton-on-Ouse 72(R)Sqn Tucano T.I RAF Linton-on-Ouse 207(R) Sqn Tucano T.I RAF Linton-on-Ouse CFS Tucano Sqn Tucano T.I RAF Topcliffe Tucano Air Navigation Sqn Tucano T.1 RAF Topcliffe 3 Flying Training School RAF Cranwell 45(R) Sqn Jetstream T.1 RAF Cranwell 55(R) Sqn Dominie T.1 RAF Cranwell Elementary Flying Training G115E Tutor RAF Cranwell Standard Sqn 4 Flying Training School/ RAF Valley Advanced Training & Tactics Unit 19(R) Sqn Hawk T.1/1A RAF Valley 208(R) Sqn Hawk T/1/1A RAF Valley HO Elementary Flying Training School Joint Elementary Flying Training School RAF Barkston T67M Firefly Heath Defence Helicopter Flying School RAF Shawbury 60(R) Sqn Griffin HT.1 RAF Shawbury 660 Sqn Squirrel HT.1 RAF Shawbury 705 Sqn Squirrel HT.1 RAF Shawbury SAR Training Unit Griffin HT.1 RAF Valley To the above units should be added the 15 joint University Air Squadrons/Air Experience Flights (all G115E Tutor), 27 Volunteer Gliding Schools (Valiant T.1, Viking TX.1), Central Gliding School at RAF Syerston, and 1 SoTT at RAF Cosford. Defence. Called the Future UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS), it will meet the needs of fast jet, multi-engine and rear-crew training, b a s i c a l l y p r i v a t i s i n g the training c u r r e n t l y undertaken in the Tucano and the Hawk, as well as the Dominie and Jetstream. Worth between 10 to 15 billion over 30 years, the UK MFTS will come on-line at the beginning of a period of influx of new aircraft for the RAF: the latest in-service date is scheduled as 2007. Although UK MFTS will greatly overhaul the training of fixed-wing pilots, rotary-wing students will c o n t i n u e to be trained by the D e f e n c e Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) based at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, though with units at Middle Wallop. Another pair of Bell 412EP Griffin H T.1 s was recently ordered, to join the nine already operated by FB Heliservices, which runs the DHFS.

/ FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse is home to the majority of the RAF's Tucano 7.1 fleet. Like the Hawks, they will be replaced by UK MFTS. KEY - DUNCAN CUBITI Squadron at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, on July 17, of 2002, with a contract to be awarded in early 2003. Under the PFI deal, the aircraft would be 2001. A total of 22 examples of the medium transport helicopter will serve with the RAF. available to the RAF while any spare capacity can be leased out to the market on a short-term basis. The Puma HC.1 fleet has expanded slightly with Some resistance to the RFI has been expressed, the service entry in mid-2001 of ZE449, a former both by individuals within the RAF and others. Argentine SA 330L captured in the Falklands conflict. Six former South A f r i c a n . A i r Force The a i r l i n e leasing market is a competitive business area and, given the proviso that the Pumas are due to be delivered to the RAF in the aircraft need to be quickly returned from the near future, a f t e r being brought up to HC.1 leasor and delivered to the RAF, it remains to be standard. The long-term replacement for several seen whether any airline would be interested in of Joint Helicopter Command's rotary winged the 'spare 1 aircraft. Also, with the glut of older a i r c r a f t i s the S u p p o r t , A m p h i b i o u s and Battlefield Rotorcraft (SABR). Due to replace airliners on the world market - including numbers the Sea King HAR.3/3A, HC.4s (of the Royal of cheap, well-maintained, relatively low-houred Tristars - PFI detractors are questioning why the Marines) and the Puma HC.1s, SABR will provide the battlefield support and search and rescue Private Finance Initiative route has been taken r e q u i r e m e n t a f t e r 2009. Some 100 S A B R instead of the cheaper route of acquiring and modifying some of these aircraft as tankers. In airframes are expected be procured: possible fact, the acquisition of more Tristars has been candidates include an advanced version of the looked at as the Interim Future Strategic Tanker Chinook, the Merlin, NHI NH90, Sikorsky S-92 and the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey. Aircraft programme, and would appear to make a lot of sense.

Training Support Helicopters

On March 31, 2002, the Wessex HC.2 was retired by 72 Squadron, thus removing the type from the support helicopter arena after more than 35 years in the role. The only examples of the helicopter l e f t in RAF s e r v i c e are based at Akrotiri, Cyprus, with 84 Squadron, and these are due to be replaced by four Griffin HC.2s operated by FB Heliservices from April 2003. The last pair of Gazelle HT.3s were retired from 7 S q u a d r o n at the end of 2001. U s e d as 'pathfinders' for the squadron Chinooks, they were replaced by Gazelle AH.1 variants, easing logistics by using only one type of Gazelle within the Joint Helicopter Command. The Chinook HC.3 has still not entered service with the RAF. Eight aircraft have been built and d e l i v e r e d to the United K i n g d o m , but one suffered an accident while being unloaded from a ship on July 30 and will need repairing. Service entry for the type is not expected before 2003. The Merlin HC.3 entered service with 28(AC) The last of 99 Grb G115E Tutors delivered under the Light A i r c r a f t Flying Task contract was handed over to VT Aerospace in December 2001: the company has a PFI c o n t r a c t to provide aircraft for the RAF's University Air Squadrons and A i r E x p e r i e n c e F l i g h t s . The a i r c r a f t previously used in this role, the Bulldog T.1, was retired on May 30, 2001. The Tucano fleet, used for basic training, is undergoing work to strengthen the wing spars, fuselage and wing attachment points to alleviate airframe stress problems. The majority of the aircraft serve with 1 FTS at Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, where Nos 1 and 2 Squadrons of the School's Basic Fast Jet Training element have been recently renumbered as 72(R) and 207(R) Squadrons. Under the Fuselage Replacement Programme for the Hawk T.1/1A fleet, 80 aircraft will receive new centre sections, though this is not expected to be enough to fulfil training needs in the medium term. A Private Finance Initiative contract for a new training system is being outlined by the Ministry of

DEFENSE AVIATION REPAIR AGENCY (DAR)

NARO Fleetland Fleetlands (rotorwing repair, storage and upgrade) RAF Engineering Wing RAFStAthan (repair and upgrade of service fixed wing types) DAR is the United kingdom's armed forces aircraft overhaul and modification organisation.

JOINT HELICOPTER COMMAND HQ ERSKINE BARRACKS, WILTON

7 Sqn Chinook HC.2, Gazelle AH.1 RAFOdiham 18 Sqn Chinook HC.2 RAF Odiham 27 Sqn Chinook HC.2 RAF Odiham 28(AC) Sqn Merlin HC.3 RAF Benson 33 Sqn Puma HC.1 RAF Benson 230 SqnA Puma HC.1 RAF Aldergrove 845 Sqn + Sea King HC.4 RNAS Yeovilton 846 Sqn + Sea King HC.4 RNASCuldrose 847 Sqn + Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 RNAS Yeovilton 848 Sqn + Sea King HC.4 RNAS Yeovilton + FAA units. The JHC also controls the Army Air Corps fleet of Gazelles and Lynxes. A Forms part of the Joint Helicopter Force (Northern Ireland) with the elements of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps

The Boeing 767 is being offered by the Tanker & Transport Service Co to fulfil the RAF's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft requirement. The contract is seen as a flagship for the Private Finance Initiative, which helped shape several of the contractor-provided services used by the UK's armed
forces. KEY - DAVE WILLIS

Lairforcesmonthly.com 47

Studies are under way to replace the Lynx HMA.8 in the light surface combatant helicopter role. One squadron uses the type in that role (plus a training sguadron),with a third using the AH.7 for Royal Marine support duties. AGUSTAWESTLAND

FLEET AIR ARM OF THE ROYAL NAVY

THE ROYAL Navy's Fleet Air Arm suffered a major blow on February 28 when the Ministry of Defence's Migration Strategy for Joint Force Harrier was released. The document describes how the Sea Harrier FA.2 ('Shar') will be taken out of service between March 2004 and the end of 2006. Although based on the first generation H a r r i e r (ie not on the US-designed AV-8B version) the aircraft is the only serving type in the UK's arsenal which is able to match a pulseDoppler radar and the AIM-120 AMRAAM Missile. More importantly, it is a major part of the fleet's air defence, and is effectively being retired without a direct replacement in the short-term. With the retirement of the Sea Harrier, the planned consolidation of the Joint Force Harrier at RAF Cottesmore, Leics, and RAF Wittering, Cambs, has been cancelled, with the 'Shar's' staying at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset. Harrier GR.7s (and GR.9/9As, following their upgrade) will continue to deploy onboard aircraft carriers to provide a strike capability. This duty is unpopular with RAF personnel, taking them away from home for extended periods and into life on board ship - an environment they did not expect to be working in when they joined the Royal Air Force. The Joint Combat Aircraft, the replacement for the Sea Harrier, will be a v e r s i o n of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and is expected to be in service six years after the last Sea Harrier is retired. Thus for at least six years, the Royal Navy will have no carrier-borne fixed wing fleet defence aircraft.

Stage 2 of Assessment is a risk-reduction contract for 23.5 million, following which bids will be accepted for the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase. Ministerial Main Gate approval is expected at the end of 2003, to be followed in 2004 by the award of a contract to build two warships in a UK yard. One is expected to be in service by 2012, with the second following in 2015. The three current Invinciblec l a s s c a r r i e r s are e x p e c t e d to be decommissioned around 2012. The CVF programme has a long way to go before they are in service, and it is no means certain that they will join the Royal Navy. Major long-term defence programmes with large budgets are easily culled when money is tight. The loss of the Sea Harriers (effectively the Fleet Air Arm's fixed wing component) by 2006 may, in the period before the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) enters service, raise questions from certain quarters (be they political, or from the other armed services) as to why the Royal Navy needs these aircraft at all. (After all, they argue, the Navy seems to be doing very well without them at the moment - so they don't need carrier based fixed wing aviation, and thus it seems pointless to build large aircraft carriers to fly them off).

CVF Air Wing

The g r e a t e r part of the CVF's air wing is

e x p e c t e d to be made up of Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA). The Joint Combat Aircraft programme evolved from an amalgamation of the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft, which looked for a replacement for the Sea Harrier of the Fleet Air Arm, and the Future Joint Combat A i r c r a f t (FJCA), a replacement for the Joint Force Harrier's aircraft. In January 2001, it was announced that a version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) would fulfil the (then) FJCA requirement. Despite the fact that navalised versions of the Eurofighter, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and even the Rafale M, had been mentioned as possibilities, the selection of the F-35 became more likely as the United Kingdom's Government decided to joint the Joint Strike Fighter programme in the Concept Demonstration Phase. The suspense in the JCA programme now revolves around the choice of JSF sub-variant, as this will.affect the layout of the proposed CVF designs. Selection between the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) and Carrier Variant (CV) conventional take-off and landing JSFs is expected by the end of 2002. The Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) system will be the replacement for the capability provided by the Sea King AEW.Ts operated by 849 Squadron. Coverage against airborne and surface contacts will be coupled with a command and control function for other air assets. Several possibilities exist for the platform for the FOAEW system, including a compound v e r s i o n of the A g u s t a W e s t l a n d Merlin, an advanced version of the Northrop Grumman E-2, and the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey. Although no time line has been revealed for the service entry of FOAEW, it is expected to fall within the 2012-2015 timeframe. The Sea King AEW.7 itself entered service with 849 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, in early May 2002. All 13 are expected in service by mid-2004. The other airframe type which will make up the CVF carrier air group will be the Merlin HM.1: 44 aircraft are on order for the Royal Navy, with the type entering service with 824 Squadron, which was commissioned in mid-2000. The last Merlin HM.1 was due to have been delivered to the Royal Navy around July 2002, but at the beginning of

New Carriers
The most important procurement programme for the Royal Navy is the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF), which is seen as extremely important to the future of the Royal Navy and to the service's ability to p r o j e c t power. Two v e s s e l s are planned, each c a p a b l e of e m b a r k i n g a 50aircraft air wing. Identified as a requirement during the 1998 Strategic Defence Review White Paper, with ministerial Initial Gate approval given in December the same year, an Invitation to Tender for the project Assessment Phase was issued in J a n u a r y 1999. C o n t r a c t s for the Assessment Phase were awarded in November 1999,'with Stage 1 of Assessment complete in June 2001. Stage 1, undertaken by teams led by BAE Systems (CVF Team) and Thales (Thales Navy Ltd), was an analysis of options called the Combined Operational E f f e c t i v e n e s s and Investment Appraisal, which cost 6 million. 48 October 2002

A Sea King HU.5SAR of 771 Squadron lifts off from one of the three carriers currently in service. Despite being due to be replaced by the Merlin (seen behind) in the ASW role, Sea Kings will continue in service for some time to come, in second line, none combat roles. CROWN

2002 * European Air Power Survey

A pair of Sea Harrier FA.2s of 800 Squadron, land-based at RNAS Yeovilton. Although due to be replaced by a version of the Joint Strike Fighter, a gap of at least six years will exist between the retirement of the 'Shar' and the service entry of the Lockheed Martin design. CROWN August 2002, this had yet to happen. Initially the Merlin was also due to replace the Lynx light surface combatant helicopter, currently in its HMA.8 incarnation, though this plan was dropped when the Ministry of Defence cancelled options for a second batch of Merlins. version of the Super Lynx 300). Future Lynx will run alongside a similar study for the British Army's Lynx AH.7/9 replacement. Future Lynx is part of a programme known as the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft, which aims to replace the current Lynxes deploying to the frigates, destroyers and other warships of the Navy.

ARMY AIR CORPS

THE MOST important aviation programme for the Army is the introduction into service of the Westland WAH-64 Apache AH.1 attack helicopter. Based on the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the helicopter has been re-engined with the RollsRoyce Turbomca RTM 322. The first example flew with the RTM 322s on September 28,1998, with the first aircraft delivered to the Ministry of D e f e n c e on A p r i l 28, 2000. A t o t a l of 67 examples of the Apache AH.1 are being acquired to replace the TOW (Tube-launched, Opticallyt r a c k e d , W i r e - g u i d e d ) a n t i - a r m o u r missile equipped Lynx. Its in-service date (defined as the date of the delivery of the ninth production example) took place on January 16, 2001, some 13 months later than originally planned. The helicopter was released for service with the Army on the same day: the final example is due to join the British Army in December 2003. The Apache will be the first dedicated attack helicopter in British service and has far-reaching implications for the structure of the Army Air Corps. It is to be fielded with 9 Regiment AAC, based at Dishforth, North Yorkshire, and 3 and 4 Regiments based at Wattisham, Suffolk. Each regiment will operate 16 Apache AH.1s in two squadrons, alongside a single squadron of eight Lynxes in the utility configuration. Training on the type is being conducted at

Naval Lynx Replacement

The current Lynx is expected to serve no more than six years before a replacement is found. A contract for up to 10 million will be awarded to AgustaWestland in the near term to assess the suitability of the Future Lynx (a Royal Navy

FAA Training
The Jetstream T.2s used by 750 Squadron from RNAS Culdrose are expected to be withdrawn in 2007. Used to train 'observers' (the Royal Navy term for non-pilot aircrew), their role is expected to be contracted out to industry and undertaken by private concerns. On a broader note, the Future UK Military Flying Training System will affect the training of the Fleet Air Arm's aircrew and o b s e r v e r s . A s m a l l c h a n g e in unit designation occurred in December 2001 when the Naval Flying Grading Flight at Roborough, flying the G115D-2 Heron, was redesignated as 727 Squadron. The next decade will be a decisive one for the Fleet Air Arm. If all plans come to fruition, the service will emerge equipped with large aircraft carriers able to project force across the globe. If not, some difficult choices will have to be made concerning the exact role of British naval air power in the first decades of the 21st century.

FLEET AIR ARM AIR ORDER OF BATTLE

700M (OEU) Sqn Merlin HM.1 RNAS Culdrose Lynx HAS.3S/HMA.8 RNAS Yeovilton 702 Sqn RAF Shawbury Squirrel HT.1 + 705 Sqn * Roborough G115D-2 Heron + 727 Sqn Jetstream T.2 RNAS Culdrose 750 Sqn RNAS Yeovilton det HMS Heron Jetstream T.3 Station Fit Sea King HU.5SAR/HAS.6 RNAS Culdrose 771 Sqn Prestwick det HMS Gannet SAR Fit Sea King HU.5SAR 800 Sqn Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Culdrose 801 Sqn Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Yeovilton 810 Sqn Sea King HAS.6 RNAS Culdrose 814 Sqn Merlin HM.1 RNAS Culdrose 815 Sqn Lynx HAS.3S/3 ICE/3S RNAS Yeovilton GM/3GM/HMA.8 820 Sqn Sea King HAS.6 RNAS Culdrose 824 Sqn Merlin HM.1 RNAS Culdrose 845 Sqn A Sea King HC.4 RNAS Yeovilton 846 Sqn A Sea King HC.4 RNAS Culdrose 847 Sqn A Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 RNAS Yeovilton 848 Sqn A Sea King HC.4 RNAS Yeovilton 849 Sqn Sea King AEW.2/7, HAS.6 RNAS Culdrose 899 Sqn Sea Harrier FA.2 RNAS Yeovilton Harrier T.8 Air Engineering & Survival School Gosport various GIAs Culdrose Engineering Training Sqn RNAS Culdrose various GIAs FAA Fire School various (burnt) GIAs Predannack Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) Roborough SA 365N Dauphin + Fleet Requirements and Direction Unit (FRADU)RNAS Culdrose Hawk T.1/1A/1W * part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School + contractors aircraft A controlled operationally by the Joint Helicopter Command

Lynx AH.7XZ765, fitted with empty TOW launches under the cabin door, moves on as an Apache AH.1 waits to follow. The Lynx will operate alongside the Apache in the utility role. KEY - MALCOLM ENGLISH

49

New UAV Capability

O u t s i d e the A r m y A i r C o r p s , the A r m y ' s Watchkeeper programme is of interest because of its use of u n m a n n e d air v e h i c l e s . Watchkeeper is a programme which will provide British Army commanders with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. Four teams are interested in providing this capability to the Army, and two of these were due to be selected in August 2002 to further develop their proposals. Each team had selected two unmanned air vehicles to provide a MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) and t a c t i c a l capability. Northrop Grumman's proposal uses its own Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle and the Ruag Ranger. Team Vigilant (led by BAE Systems) offers the General Atomics Predator and the AAI Corp Shadow 200, while the Thalesled team will use the Silver Arrow Hermes 180 and 450 designs. Meggitt's Spectre 3 will be used in the tactical role by Lockheed Martin, w h o s e own c h o i c e of M A L E has yet to be announced. Watchkeeper will have an initial operating c a p a b i l i t y from 2005, with a f u l l capability from 2007. The chosen system is e x p e c t e d to be in s e r v i c e , via v a r i o u s upgrades, for 35 years. DAVID WILLIS

AOB: ARMY AIR CORPS

1 Regiment AAC Gutersloh 652 Sqn Lynx AH.7 661 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 2 (Training) Regiment AAC Middle Wallop 660 Sqn* Squirrel HT.1 RAF Shawbury 670 Sqn* Squirrel HT.2 671 Sqn Apache AH.1 Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 Advanced Fixed Wing Flight Islander ALI Army Grading Flight T67M Firefly + 3 Regiment AAC Wattisham 653 Sqn Lynx AH.9 662 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 663 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 4 Regiment AAC Wattisham 654 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 659 Sqn Lynx AH.9 669 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 5 Regiment AAC Aldergrove/Ballykelly 655 Sqn Lynx AH.7 665 Sqn Gazelle AH.1 Aldergrove 1 Flight Islander AL.1 Aldergrove (These units form part of the Joint Helicopter Force [Northern Ireland] with 230 Sqn RAF) 7 Regiment AAC (Volunteers) Netheravon Gazelle AH.1 658 Sqn 666 Sqn Gazelle AH.1 3 Flight Gazelle AH.1 RAF Leuchars 6 Flight Gazelle AH.1 RAF Shawbury Dishforth 9 Regiment AAC 656 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 664 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 Other Units Apache AH.1 651 Sqn Middle Wallop Odiham Lynx AH.7 657 Sqn 667 Sqn Gazelle AH.1, Lynx AH.7 Middle Wallop Bell 212 7 Flight Brunei 8 Flight Agusta A 109A, Gazelle AH.1 Credenhill 12 Flight Gazelle AH.1 Bruggen Gazelle AH.1 Dhekelia, Cyprus 16 Flight 25 Flight Gazelle AH.1 Belize AAC Flight BATUS Gazelle AH.1 Suffield, Canada KFOR Gazelle AH.1 Pristina, Kosovo Gazelle AH.1, SFOR Banja Luka, Lynx AH.7 Grni Vakuf * Squadrons form part of Defence Helicopter Flying School + JEFTS T67MS detached to Middle Wallop as required

An Army Air Corps WAH-64 Apache AH.1 carrying a full load of munitions, including inert Brimstone anti-armour missiles. The Apache will transform the way in which the Army Air Corp functions on the battlefield. KEY - DAVE WILLIS Middle Wallop by ATIL (Aviation Training solution for utility helicopter requirement within International Ltd) under a 650 million private the Army Air Corps. Even so, one possibility may be a version of the Super Lynx 300 ('Future finance initiative contract due to run for 30 years. No 671 Squadron at Middle Wallop will Lynx') being studied by the Lynx Integrated Project Team, which is in charge of BLUH. use nine Apache AH.1s for training purposes. A contract worth 350 million was placed with Unit changes Hunting E n g i n e e r i n g f o r munitions for the Nos 652 and 661 Squadrons are due to move helicopter in March 1996. An air-to-air role is from Gutersloh, Germany, when 1 Division leaves being considered alongside its primary air-tothe country. It is due to restructure and will ground taskings. eventually be composed of three squadrons of BLUH Lynx AH.9S. The Gazelle AH.1s of 25 Flight, based in Belize, The Lynx Light Utility Helicopter project has are to be replaced by Bell 212s leased from local been replaced by the Battlefield Light Utility operators. No 16 Flight's examples, based in H e l i c o p t e r (BLUH) p r o j e c t . The p r o j e c t is C y p r u s , w i l l be r e t i r e d in f a v o u r of the FB looking at ways of replacing the current fleet of Heliservices Griffin HC.2s, due to arrive in the Lynx aircraft used in the utility role by the Army country in early 2003, which will also replace Air Corps, and the change of name probably the Wessex HC.2s with the RAF's 84 Squadron. reflects a wish to expand beyond the Lynx as a

The only fixed-wing aircraft operated by the Army Air Corps are a small number of Islander AL1s, whose roles include light transport, training, medical evacuation and surveillance. KEY - DAVE ALLPORT 50 October 2002