AirForces Monthly 11.2022 PDF

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Comment
Central Europe hastily

upgrading GBAD systems
s Putin’s paranoia about Ukraine and military on October 4. The system combines
A NATO grows ever bigger, NATO is

continuing to ratchet up its security
measures. In Central Europe, new ground-
British technology with Polish radars. A deal
between the UK and Polish governments was
signed the same day for a future NAREW
based air defences (GBAD) systems are arriving SHORAD, equipped with MBDA’s CAMM
as Russia’s shadow darkens across the region. (Common Anti-air Modular Missile) which
All these countries, having been part of the alongside US PATRIOTs will provide a robust
Warsaw Pact, have no desire to be dragged defence of Polish skies.
back into the Kremlin’s orbit again. As you can see modernisation is well underway,
Romania received its first PATRIOT surface- except, that is, for Slovakia and Bulgaria. Both
to-air missile system in September 2020, and are using ageing Soviet GBAD systems and
another three are set to be delivered by the end coincidentally have ordered F-16 Block 70s,
of the year. The Czech Republic is replacing but with delays will not arrive in-country until
its old 2K12 Kubs (NATO name SA-6 Gainful) 2023 and 2025 respectively. Regardless, both
with four Rafale SPYDRs (Surface-to-air PYthon countries will need to modernise the GBAD
and DERby) with the first arriving in 2025 and systems in the light of the F-16 purchase but it
operational in 2026. They will work alongside appears it was a low priority before February 24,
the Saab RBS 70NG MANPADS (Man-portable when Russia invaded Ukraine and remains a low
air-defence systems) covering VSHORAD (Very priority eight months on.
short-range air-defence), which are replacing For more on GBADs and air defence, read
the earlier version RBS 70s. how the effective the Russians have been in
Hungary, meanwhile, is also set to replace its Striking a blow on page 34-39.
older Soviet GBADS. The first medium-range
NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air OUR POSTER
Missile System) equipped with the Raytheon This month we pay a tribute to the Brave and
AIM-120C8 AMRAAMs (Advanced medium- Fallen Su-25 Frogfoot pilots of the Ukrainian Air
range air-to-air missiles) will arrive next year, Force’s 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade, in our
with the AIM-120C8s also being integrated on free and exclusive poster. We salute them.
to their fleet of 14 Gripen C/Ds – which makes Alan Warnes
a lot of sense. NASAMS will work alongside Group Editor at Large, AirForces Monthly
the new Elta ELM-2084 radar system that
forms part of Israel’s very effective Iron Dome Visit our website at The Czech Air Force has ordered four SPYDR
batteries to replace its ageing Soviet-era SA-6
system and will arrive next year. www.key.aero/airforcesmonthly ‘Gainful’ surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs)
The Polish government, currently on a big in the short- and medium range distances.
defence spending spree, handed over a ‘small’ Contact the team at They will serve the 251st Battalion based at
NAREW short range air defence system to its [email protected] Strakonice in southwest Czech Republic Rafael
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www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 3

Contents November 2022 #416
Regulars
03 Comment 22 Fulcrum Farewell transformed. Dr Andreas Zeitler outlines
AFM’s monthly opinion, and this issue Khalem Chapman explores what could lie its air capabilities and why it is a force to
focusses on ground based air defences in ahead for the Slovak Air Force’s now-surplus be reckoned with, going from strength to
Central Europe. MiG-29AS/UBS Fulcrum fleet now that it has strength
been formally retired from service
06 News 86 Briefing Room:
• Headlines (p6) • UK (p8) • Europe (p12) • 48 Unit Report: VP-69 ‘Totems’ Red Air Revelation
North America (p18) • Latin America (p24) • Washington’s Patrol Squadron VP-69/ Canada’s Top Aces are revolutionising the
Africa (p26) • Middle East (p27) • Australasia Reserve ‘Totems’ was the sole active P-3C ‘Red Air’ industry, with recently purchased
(p28) • Asia-Pacific (p30) squadron in the US Navy until September 30. F-16s modified with new technologies, as
Matthew Clements visited the unit to report Alan Warnes discovered when he spoke
10 A Royal Goodbye on the twilight of its Orion operations to the company’s co-founder, Didier
AFM details the Royal Air Force’s involvement Toussaint
in the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II 58 Exercise Report:
and highlights some of the VIP transports that Pitch Black 2022 94 Attrition Report
brought foreign dignitaries and world leaders After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Dave Allport details the month’s most
to the UK to pay their respects pandemic, Exercise Pitch Black returned to significant military aviation mishaps from
Australia this summer with its largest edition around the world
14 Farewell to Finnish Vinka yet, as Roy Choo reports
After 42 years of reliable service, the Finnish 98 Next Issue
Air Force retired its Vinka fleet on August 64 Force Report: Luftwaffe A preview of what’s on the modern
31. Perttu Karivalo outlines the platform’s After years of transition, modernisation military aviation agenda in next
success in Finnish service and restructuring, the Luftwaffe has been month’s issue of AFM
40
Your Aviation
Destination
See page 99 SUBSC
for full details EXCLURIBER
SIVE
4 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

Features
34 Striking a Blow the fight to the Russians and helped turn the Ukraine, the eighth International Military-
Fighter operations and ground-based air tide of the war, says Vladimir Trendafilovski Technical Forum ‘ARMY-2022’ showcased
defences have so far proved to be among the latest from Russia’s military industry.
Russia’s few victories in its otherwise poorly 54 Czechia Burns Daniele Faccioli and Giovanni Colla gained
planned and mismanaged campaign in Ukraine, In July, the Czech Republic suffered one of its exclusive access
as Alexander Mladenov explains worst ever wildfires. Alan Warnes travelled there
to see the aerial fire-fighting operation unfold 82 Red Air Revoked!
40 Fearsome Frogfoots Cristóbal Serra looks at how the USAF
Despite heavy losses of men and machines, 72 Russia Flexes its Muscles has done a U-turn when it comes to using
Ukraine’s ageing Su-25s have heroically taken Despite the pressures caused by the war in privately owned Adversary Air contractors,
causing issues for some
90 A Training Revolution
Roberto Yáñez and Alex Rodriguez report
on Spain’s newly acquired Pilatus PC-21
fleet as it formally takes over the Spanish
Air and Space Force’s basic flying training
mission from the C-101EB Aviojet
92 KC-390 Recap
Dave Allport gives a brief overview
of progress to date on the Embraer
34 KC-390 programme
Above: Pair of 299th brTA aircraft, consisting of Su-25M1K s/n ‘16 Blue’ and Su-25 s/n ‘25 Blue’ on a
combat sortie in the summer of 2022. Both are armed with four 240mm S-24B unguided air-to-ground
rockets with RV-24 proximity fuses. Note the nose emblem of ‘25 Blue’ denoting the aircraft’s 900 combat
sorties during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan 299th brTA
Insert:. A RuAF Su-30M multi-role fighter in air defence/SEAD configuration, armed with two R-73, two
R-77-1s and a single Kh-31PM missiles Russian MoD
Cover: This Luftwaffe-operated Eurofighter EF-2000 (serial 31+11) received a special scheme, dubbed ‘Air
Ambassador’, for Germany’s Rapid Pacific 2022 deployment Bundeswehr

NEWS Headlines
AFM gets
out there!
DURING the second half
of September, AirForces
Monthly’s Alan Warnes and
he flew by Hungarian Air
Force A319 to Siauliai Air
Base in Lithuania, to see
he witnessed two of the
Gripen Cs depart for a
tango scramble and briefed
(callsign ‘Breus65’) for an
air-to-air refuelling mission
aboard one of its KC-767A
to the various thirsty jets
that came for a second
take on the fuel.”
Josef Campion were both the Hungarian Gripens on the detachment before tankers. After departure at Next day and another
out and about, flying with on Baltic Air Patrol (BAP). heading over to the Czech 0900, we took a northerly 4am alarm, Josef visited
air forces. He said: “I checked in at Air Force Gripens, also heading to Edinburgh the USAFE 555th Fighter
Kecskemét at 0345 (local there on BAP duties. He and towards the selected Squadron (FS) ‘Triple Nickle’
To Lithuania time) then went through all eventually headed back refuelling area. Once we at RAF Lakenheath, to
and back necessary security steps to Kecskemét, aboard the were in position at 26,000ft, witness its 14 visiting F-16s
Alan drove down from before departing at 0600. A319, then on the next day we received jets from both take part in Cobra Warrior
NATO Air Days at Ostrava “As we entered Lithuanian drove back to Prague via Italy and the UK. ops. Four waves of F-16C/
in eastern Czech Republic air space, an hour or so Szolnok and an even longer “First up were three Ds departed on a variety of
on September 18 to the after departure, and with 484 miles (775km). A hectic, RAF Lockheed Martin missions, including a live-
ever-expanding Kecskemét the sun shining crisply but worthwhile three days’ F-35B Lightning IIs from fire at the MOD Holbeach
Air Base, about 30 miles across the clouds in the work! RAF Marham. They were range and Dissimilar Air
south of Hungary’s capital, early morning light, two followed by two Italian Air Combat Maneuvers with
Budapest; a cool 344-mile Gripen-Cs pulled up Aloft with the Force Eurofighter EF2000s USAF F-15E Strike Eagles
(550km) drive to the home alongside for around 15 Italians and operating from RAF of the 48th Fighter Wing
of the Hungarian Air Force minutes.” a visit to RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. over the North Sea. Josef
Gripen fleet. They both briefly Lakenheath All five were acting as interviewed one of the
The following day, Alan appeared together on the During the week of Blue Air during an ongoing deployed pilots, about the
had a seven-hour tour left side, and fortunately September 19-23, Josef Cobra Warrior mission. Aviano AB-based unit’s time
of the facility as guest Alan was sitting right at the gained exclusive action “After the Blue Air jets left in the UK, which included
of Base Commander, back on the sunny side to during the Cobra Warrior 22 the tanker, and half-an-hour multiple Cobra Warrior
Brigadier General Csaba see them. Both sported exercise (see next issue). of racetrack flying, the Red missions and BFM with
Ugrik, which saw the live AIM-9L Sidewinders On September 21, Josef Air force flew to us. F-35s.
Hungarian Air Force and AIM-120C5 took to the skies from RAF “This comprised another Watch out for articles
Commander, Major AMRAAMs, with one also Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. two RAF F-35Bs and four from Alan and Josef,
General Nandor Kilian fitted with a Litening 3 He said: “I was on board more Italian EF2000s. coming soon in AFM
make his final Gripen laser designator pod. an Italian Air Force/8 The six-hour flight saw and its sister magazine,
flight. On September 20, After landing at Siauliai, Gruppo Boeing KC-767As 85,000Ibs of fuel provided Combat Aircraft Journal.

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Email the news team at [email protected]
Above: 555th FS pilot ‘TIRADE’ checks his F-16C prior to a Cobra Warrior mission at RAF Lakenheath Josef Campion
Left: One of the two Hungarian Air Force Gripen Cs that pulled alongside the HuAF A319 as it headed to Siauliai Alan Warnes
Below: A Hungarian A319 awaits Alan Warnes for a training interception flight by Hungarian AF JAS-39 Gripens Alan Warnes
An ITAF Eurofighter EF2000, callsign ‘Ferrari21’, takes on

fuel from ‘Breus65’ as a RAF F-35B and another Italian
EF2000 wait on the wing of the KC-767A Josef Campion

NEWS United Kingdom
RAF trials low-level F-35B fleet:

parachute capability two-year
on A400M Atlas FOC delay
THE UK’s Lockheed vertical landing (STOVL)-
Martin F-35B Lightning configured F-35B on
II force has had a order. Initially, the
schedule setback after UK was to acquire a
it was revealed that full total of 138 F-35Bs,
operating capability but the Defence
(FOC) for the fifth- Command Paper
generation multi-role (released on March
stealth fighter fleet 22, 2021) removed this
– which was initially commitment and instead
planned to be declared outlined that the UK
in 2023 – has now MOD will increase the
slipped by two years fleet size beyond the
to 2025. number already on order,
This revised schedule without defining the
was revealed on number desired.
September 12 by James Speaking in a
Heappey, Minister Parliamentary Defence
An RAF-operated Airbus A400M Atlas C1 (serial ZM414) conducts a low-level parachute drop of State for the UK Select Committee
trial over the Salisbury Plain on August 23. The A400M will succeed the Lockheed Martin C-130J Ministry of Defence session on April 26,
Hercules C4/C5 in the tactical airlift role next year MOD Crown Copyright
(MOD), in response Air Marshal Richard
AS THE Royal Air Force based at RAF Brize Norton capabilities (such as the to a Parliamentary Knighton, Deputy Chief
continues to expand and in Oxfordshire. Supported low-level parachuting written question from of the Defence Staff,
develop the capabilities of by paratroopers from mission) ahead of the John Healey, Shadow revealed that the UK
its Airbus A400M Atlas C1 the British Army’s 16 Air type taking over from the Secretary of State for MOD was negotiating
fleet, the service revealed Assault Brigade Combat outgoing Lockheed Martin Defence, who asked the purchase of another
on September 7 that it has Team and the Royal C-130J Hercules C4/C5 when the UK Armed tranche of F-35Bs with
successfully completed a Marines’ 3 Commando fleet, which is scheduled to Forces would be able to the F-35 Joint Program
series of low-level parachute Brigade, these trials saw an be retired for operational deploy two operational Office (JPO). This
trials on the type. Atlas C1 conduct several service in 2023. The Atlas F-35B squadrons. In tranche would consist
The trials were planned ‘Mass Para Insertion’ C1 has already proved its his response, Heappey of 26 new-build aircraft,
and delivered by 206 sorties over the Salisbury ability to conduct a host of said: “809 Naval Air in addition to the 48
Squadron – the heavy Plain in central-southern tactical operations, ranging Squadron is due to stand examples already on
aircraft test and evaluation England for the first time. from natural surface up in Q2 of 2023. Full order – growing the
squadron – and the joint air The trials come as the operations to airdropping operating capability for number of Lightning IIs
delivery test and evaluation RAF continues to ready the light stores and now the Lightning Force is on order to 74 (including
unit, both of which are A400M Atlas C1’s tactical low-level parachuting. expected in 2025, at the aircraft lost on
which point the Lightning November 17, 2021).
Italian helicopters deploy Force will be able to

operationally deploy both
squadrons concurrently.”
Addressing the
possibility of future
purchases and whether
to North Yorkshire While the FOC schedule
has slipped by two
or not the UK will
eventually field a
years, plans to stand- 138-strong F-35B fleet,
up the Royal Navy Fleet Knighton commented:
Air Arm’s 809 Naval Air “We have said that the
Squadron (NAS) in 2023 decision about further
remain unchanged. By purchase, beyond
2025, the majority of that 74, will be taken
the 48 F-35Bs currently in the middle of the
on order will have been decade, in the context
delivered and the Royal of what we decide
Navy’s two new aircraft to do on our Future
carriers, HMS Queen Combat Air System
Elizabeth (R08) and HMS [FCAS] programme. It
Four helicopters from both the Aviazione Dell’Esercito (AVES, Italian Army Aviation) and Prince of Wales (R09) will is perfectly plausible to
Marina Militare (MM, Italian Navy) arrived at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire on September
29 to make use of the facilities offered by RAF Spadeadam, which is home to the 9,000-acre be more operationally imagine a situation in
(36km²) Electronic Warfare Tactics Range, during a two-week deployment. The four helicopters matured. which we could have the
comprised a single MM-operated MH-90A (serial MM81629 ‘3-57’), which was joined by three The UK currently fleet of 138 F-35s that
AVES rotorcraft: A129D Mangusta (serial MM81407 ‘EI-937’); CH-47F Chinook (serial MM81781 has 48 examples of we originally described
‘EI-704'); and UH-90A (serial MM81585 ‘EO-248’) – the latter is pictured above operating from
RAF Leeming Peter Foster the short take-off and back in the early 2000s.”

Secretive Poseidons visit Mildenhall

TWO US Navy-operated ‘SHINER01’) and 167952 two vertical fins – one on externally mounted active synthetic aperture radar
Boeing P-8A Poseidon (‘SHINER02’). The former either side of the aircraft’s electronically scanned (ISAR) for mapping both
maritime patrol aircraft (169567) was carrying the rear fuselage – which is a array (AESA) radar that inland and ocean areas
(MPA) assigned to the new-generation, highly unique feature to P-8As features next-generation at the same time while
extremely secretive classified AN/APS- that have been configured line-of-sight capabilities. generating picture-like
Bureau of Naval 154 Advanced Airborne to carry the AAS. The double-sided AESA radar imagery. In
Personnel Sea Duty Sensor (AAS) pod, Manufactured by radar also contains a operations, the AAS-
Component (BUPERS marking the first time the Raytheon as a follow-on moving target indicator equipped P-8A can detect
SDC) at Dallas Love Field system has been noted system to the AN/APS- (MTI) – which can and classify a hostile
Airport, Texas, arrived at visiting Europe. The same 149 Littoral Surveillance simultaneously detect, vessel, transmit targeting
RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk Poseidon also features Radar System (LSRS) classify and track targets information to combat
on September 2. used on the Lockheed on land and sea – along aircraft, and guide a
The pair comprised P-3C Orion, the AN/ with a synthetic aperture networked weapon to the
BuNos 169567 (callsign APS-154 AAS is an radar (SAR) and inverse target via a datalink.
This US Navy-operated P-8A Poseidon (BuNo 169567, callsign ‘SHINER01’) arrives at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, on September 2. This aircraft is seen carrying
the highly classified AN/APS-154 AAS radar pod, marking the system’s first visit to Europe Ali Hunt
RAF Chinook used as Typhoons help sink

slow-moving target US Navy frigate
DURING A multinational responsible was 41
SINKEX off the coast Squadron, the test and
of Scotland in the early evaluation squadron
weeks of September, based at RAF Coningsby,
Eurofighter Typhoon Lincolnshire. It launched
FGR4s operated by the multiple Paveway IV
Royal Air Force helped precision guided missiles
destroy a decommissioned from the Typhoons, aided
US Navy frigate. by the Royal Navy Wildcat
Three RAF Typhoons lighting up the impact
took part in Exercise point by the laser spotter
Atlantic Thunder alongside in its MX-15D EO/IR turret
other UK and US assets. HMS Westminster
The FGR4s flew in launched two Harpoon
planned co-ordination anti-ship missiles, while a
with a Royal Navy frigate, US Navy P-8 fired another
HMS Westminster (F237), Harpoon – 660kg of
a Royal Navy Wildcat weaponry impacting the
HMA2 helicopter, USAF Boone.
F-15E Strike Eagles and a USS Arleigh Burke
US Navy P-8A Poseidon. (DDG-51) launched
This type of exercise, an SM-6 missile and
which saw an array of USAF F-15Es from RAF
highly explosive weaponry Lakenheath, Suffolk,
obliterate the former USS dropped guided air-to-
After participating in the Bournemouth Air Festival, held on the Dorset coastline in southern Boone (FFG-28), was the ground JDAMs, then
England from September 1-4, a pair of Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s from 29 Squadron at
first in 18 years for the the Wildcat helicopter
RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, met up with a Boeing Chinook HC6 heavy-lift tactical transport
helicopter – operated by 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham, Hampshire – at Beachy Head, near Royal Navy. launched Martlet air-to-
Eastbourne in East Sussex. Their mission was to practise targeting manoeuvres as part of This was the first time surface missiles – the first
a low-level interception training scenario. The exercise allowed the Typhoon pilots to gain RAF Typhoons dropped time a Wildcat had fired
experience in finding and intercepting slow-moving targets, such as helicopters and small
live weaponry on to the Martlet at a realistic
fixed-wing aircraft, while providing an opportunity for the Chinook crew to practise evasion
tactics against aggressive fast-jets MOD Crown Copyright/Flt Lt Donovan a warship – the unit target at sea.

NEWS United Kingdom
Former Hellenic Air Force Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 CAF-001
(c/n 145484, ex-135L-484) now operated by the Cypriot Air Force, arriving
at London-Stansted Airport on September 18 for the Queen’s funeral. The
aircraft was recently acquired (see ‘Greece gifts ERJ135 to Cyprus’, October,
p15) and had only been delivered on September 10 Stuart Haigh
One of the more unusual arrivals at Stansted on September 11 was

Republic of Senegal/Senegal Government Airbus Corporate -251N neo
Airbus Corporate Jet 6V-SEN, a new production aircraft that had only been
delivered on July 10, 2021 Neil Damsell

Another of the more exotic visitors was Government of Namibia Falcon 7X

V5-GON, seen here arriving at London-Stansted on September 18. It has
been in service for 11 years, operated by the Government Air Transport Unit
at Windhoek-Eros Airport Stuart Haigh
Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB – Brazilian Air Force) Embraer VC-2

(ERJ190AR) 2591 arriving at London-Stansted Airport on September 18.
It was preceded a short while earlier by another FAB VIP aircraft, VC-1A
(A319-133AR) 2101 Neil Damsell
The hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin drives

away from RAF C-17A Globemaster III ZZ177 at
RAF Northolt on September 13 after the aircraft
Queen’s funeral
brings VIP aircraft
had transported it down to London from Edinburgh
Airport MOD Crown Copyright/Victoria Goodall
from around the

world to London
A ROYAL Air Force (RAF) and new Prime Minister throughout the day, until
C-17A Globemaster III Liz Truss, among other around 1700hrs, when the
had the honour of dignitaries. official proceedings came
transporting the coffin Flightradar24, one of to an end.
of Queen Elizabeth II the major flight tracking To keep the Typhoons
from Edinburgh Airport, devices currently airborne, an RAF Voyager
Scotland, to RAF Northolt available, reported that a KC2 tanker, serial number
on September 13, record 4.79 million people ZZ334, callsign ‘Tartan
following Her Majesty’s followed the flight’s 15’, took off from RAF
death at Balmoral five progress, which would Brize Norton at 0852hrs
days earlier. The aircraft, also have been followed and headed over to East
serial number ZZ177, used on other, similar trackers. Anglia, where it began
the callsign ‘Kittyhawk This made it by far the flying a racetrack pattern
01R’. Based at RAF Brize most tracked flight of any at an altitude of 20,000ft.
Norton, Oxfordshire, it kind, ever. This was maintained for
was flown by a crew from On the day of the the rest of the day to
99 Squadron. Queen’s funeral, enable the Typhoons to
On arrival at Edinburgh September 19, the RAF top up with fuel when
Airport in the royal was involved in providing required. Finally, at
hearse, the coffin was airborne security, around 1700hrs, once
carried on to the C-17A ensuring there were the Typhoons’ job was
by pall bearers from the no intrusions, either done, the Voyager began
Queen’s Colour Squadron accidental or intentional, its descent back home
of the RAF. in the restricted airspace to Brize Norton, where it
The aircraft took off from over the proceedings. landed again at 1735hrs.
there at around 1745hrs For this purpose, two In the days before the
local time. After just RAF Eurofighter Typhoon state funeral, London’s
over an hour in the air, it FGR4s, using callsigns main airports saw an
landed at RAF Northolt at ‘Stone 11’ and ‘Stone influx of a wide variety
approximately 1900hrs. 12’, were launched in of VIP aircraft bringing in
Pall bearers from the the morning from RAF heads of state and other
RAF Regiment carried Coningsby, Lincolnshire, dignitaries from around
the coffin off the C-17A to to provide continuous the world to attend. Just
a waiting hearse. It was combat air patrols some of these are shown
met there by UK Defence (CAPs) over the area. in the accompanying
Secretary Ben Wallace These CAPs continued images here.

NEWS Europe
Greece welcomes pair

of upgraded F-16Vs
DURING A ceremony Modernisation includes
at Tanagra Air Base new AN/APG-83 active
on September 12, the electronically scanned
Hellenic Air Force (HAF) array Scalable Agile
took delivery of its first Beam Radar (SABR),
two fully upgraded F-16V AN/APX-126 Advanced
Block 72 Vipers. Identification Friend or
The aircraft, serial Foe, Link 16 datalink, new
numbers 005 and 006, Centre Pedestal Display,
are former HAF F-16C full Night Vision Imaging
Block 52+ aircraft that System (NVIS) and Joint
were originally delivered The first two Hellenic Air Force F-16Vs during the Helmet-Mounted Cueing
handing over ceremony at Tanagra, September 12 HAF
to the HAF in 2009. System II (JHMCS II)
Initial upgrade work on was flown to the US by HAI and clear the The first two will initially compatibility along with
005 was undertaken for Lockheed Martin to company to complete be used at Tanagra for an automatic ground
locally by Hellenic complete the remainder work on the remaining training HAF pilots on the collision avoidance
Aircraft Industries (HAI), of the modifications. aircraft. They are the first aircraft’s new systems. system, new embedded
supported by Lockheed Once completed, of a total of 84 HAF F-16s Between four to six GPS/INS (EGI), modern
Martin, at Tanagra, where Lockheed Martin that will be upgraded to more will be delivered commercial off-the-shelf
it flew again on January undertook further flight F-16V standard under before the year-end, avionics system and a
17, 2021. After a series testing to certify the a contract signed on with all upgrades due for high-volume, high-speed
of local test flights, it modifications undertaken December 20, 2018. completion by 2027. databus.
French Navy’s first H160 delivered

FRANCE’S DEFENCE as well as the English
procurement agency, Channel and North
the Direction Générale Sea. Flying the H160s
de l’Armament (DGA; from these land bases
General Directorate will enable the Caïman
of Armament) has Marine and Panther
delivered the first helicopters to fulfil their
Airbus Helicopters primary mission at sea
H160 to the French operating aboard French
Navy. The helicopter, Navy frigates.
008/F-HMRE/F-WWOA Additional militarisation
(c/n 1008), which arrived of the H160s is being
at Base Aéronautique undertaken by Babcock.
Navale (BAN) Hyères on They will be equipped
September 22, is the first with winches, modular
of six for an interim fleet cabins allowing an
that will be delivered optimised layout for
by 2023. Action de l’Etat en Mer
They will take over the (AEM; state action at
maritime search and The first H160 for the French Navy, 008/F-HMRE/F-WWOA (c/n 1008), during a pre-delivery sea) missions and a
rescue (SAR) role from test flight. It was delivered to BAN Hyères on September 22. French Navy Euroflir 410 optronic
the current Caïman system. They will also be
Marine and Panther under the framework of the A contract with Airbus They will become certified for night-vision
helicopters pending Hélicoptère Interarmées Helicopters, Babcock operational in the SAR/ goggle operations. The
delivery of the first full Léger (HIL) programme. and Safran Helicopters maritime security role first H160 for the French
military variant, the The HIL development is Engines for the first four from three bases – Navy had been delivered
H160M Guèpard Marine, being led by the DGA and H160s was announced Cherbourg Airport, to Babcock by Airbus
in 2029. Feedback on will develop a single fleet by the manufacturer Normandy; BAN Hyères, Helicopters in May
operational experience of 169 light helicopters on February 10, 2020. Provence; and BAN 2022. It has since been
with the interim variant to replace five types in This was followed by Lanvéoc-Poulmic, modified with the above
will also contribute to all three French armed announcement of a Brittany – covering equipment into a light
development of the services – the air force, contract for a further two the Atlantic and military configuration
military Guèpard version army and navy. on May 20 last year. Mediterranean coasts, by Babcock.

Switzerland signs Maiden flight for Irish

procurement Air Corps’ C295MPA
contract for three The second Irish Air Corps
C295MPA at Seville on
dozen F-35As September 23 IAC
SWISS PLANS to acquire Armasuisse stated: “The

a fleet of Lockheed prices and contractual
Martin F-35A Lightning IIs conditions are defined
marked a significant step bindingly in this contract
forward on September and are also enforced
19, when Switzerland’s by means of strict
federal office for defence supervision.”
procurement, armasuisse, Given that the Swiss
announced that the electorate has approved
procurement contract the maximum financial
for 36 aircraft had been volume of this deal,
signed. Switzerland and the US
The contract – worth have negotiated a specific
6.035bn Swiss francs clause and signed a
($6.14bn) – was signed separate declaration that AIRBUS DEFENCE and become 284 in IAC hangar at Seville. This
by Martin Sonderegger, establishes the not-to- Space is making good service, took place at is expected to have IAC
Switzerland’s National exceed fixed-price nature progress with the Irish Seville-San Pablo Airport, serial 285. A contract
Armaments director, of the F-35A procurement Air Corps’ (IAC) order for Spain, on September for the two aircraft
and the Swiss F-35A agreement. two C295MPAs. 26. It carried the test had been signed on
programme manager, Along with the The first aircraft is now registration EC-0310 for December 13, 2019.
Darko Savic, at procurement contract, in flight testing and the the initial sortie. Earlier, Initial delivery is due
armasuisse in Bern Savic – together second has completed on September 23, the in the first quarter of
on September 19. The with the head of production. Maiden flight IAC released photos of next year, the second
relevant US authorities Switzerland’s Air2030 of the first aircraft, the second airframe, c/n will follow around three
had already signed their programme, Peter c/n 211, which will 216, fully painted in a months later.
part of the contract. Winter – also signed
With the signing, the an offset agreement
procurement of 36 F-35As
to replace the Swiss Air
Force’s legacy Boeing
F/A-18C/D Hornet and
with Lockheed
Martin, allowing the
US-based aircraft and
defence equipment
Maltese stop
Northrop F-5E/F Tiger
II fighter fleets was
contractually agreed, with
deliveries to take place
between 2027 and 2030.
manufacturing giant to
conduct offset business
with Swiss industry.
With this deal, Swiss
firms will receive
for Air Tractor
The multi-billion-dollar contracts worth
contract also covers approximately 2.9bn
provision of weapons and Swiss francs ($2.95bn).
ammunition and mission- Switzerland announced
specific equipment, along its intention to acquire
with a logistics package, a fleet of F-35As, along
mission planning systems, with five Raytheon-
training systems and produced Patriot
initial training for Swiss Air surface-to-air missile
Force pilots and ground (SAM) systems, following
crews. Additionally, it the recommendation
includes the costs for by the Swiss Federal
integrating the F-35A into Council on June 30
the Swiss command-and- last year.
control (C2) system, a risk This recommendation
amount, the inflation in the came on the basis
US – the country of the that the acquisition of
manufacturer, Lockheed the F-35A and Patriot
Martin – and for support SAM system under the
services by industry. Air2030 programme
The VAT on imports is presented the highest Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Air Tractor AT-802i BPA 2552 at Malta International Airport
also included, according overall benefit at the on October 1. The aircraft is one of ten donated to the RJAF by the UAE and was passing
to armasuisse. lowest overall cost. through en route to the US for some upgrade work Ruben Zammit

NEWS Europe
Vinka VN-21 performs the final
flight by the type in Finnish
Air Force service at Tikkakoski
on August 31, 2022 All images:
Perttu Karivalo
Farewell to Finnish Vinka

At the end of its final flight, Vinka VN-21 taxies in under
develop the Vinka as a Vinka’s performance
a traditional water cannon arch provided by the local good basic trainer. A and size is close to the
fire service at Tikkakoski on August 31, 2022 total of 30 were ordered Scottish Aviation Bulldog.
and delivered in overall The first Vinka was
aluminium colours. The delivered to the Finnish Air
serials were VN-1 to Force in 1980 and the last
VN-30. Valmet also built in 1982, when the Saab
one factory demonstrator, 91D Safir fleet was retired.
which was later operated The first conscript basic
by the Valmet/Patria flying pilot training course flying
club and is currently only the Valmet Vinka
owned by a group of started at that point.
private pilots, carrying the The Vinka was a very
civil registration OH-VAA. successful military basic
Total production was trainer. Test pilot Jyrki
therefore 31 airframes. Laukkanen stated that the
Before series target was to develop a
production, Valmet built military basic trainer which
AFTER 42 years of reliable Valmet Vinka. Valmet, now to date and likely to one prototype designated was safe to fly, as a result
service, the Finnish Air named Patria Aviation, remain so. LEKO-70, which made of which no pilots were
Force retired its Vinka designed the Vinka during The Finnish Air Force its first flight on July 1, lost during the 197,600
fleet on August 31, 2022. the 1970s. Its first flight was using the venerable 1975, based on which flight hours it was flown
All pilots currently serving was on December 29, Saab 91D Safir as its the Vinka was developed. up to retirement. Only two
in the Finnish Air Force 1979, when test pilot Jyrki basic trainer and Valmet It was operated only by aircraft were written off
and Border Guard Air Laukkanen took off in designed the Vinka as the Finnish Air Force, as during the Vinka’s 42-year
Patrol Squadron and most the first Vinka, VN-1. The a replacement aircraft. Valmet did not gain any career, VN-8 on April 12,
of the Army Aviation pilots Vinka is the last Finnish Test pilot Jyrki Laukkanen export orders, despite 1988 and VN-13 on May
have been trained in the designed military aircraft did an enormous job to considerable marketing. 11, 1988. One entered a

1537hrs (local time). to the Finnish Air Force,

The original Vinka prototype, LEKO-70, which
was followed by 30 production aircraft VN-21 was welcomed it announced that it will
with a traditional water not support Finland’s use
cannon salute by Finnish of the Grob 115E fleet.
Air Force fire trucks. A Before service entry Patria
small ceremony was held Aviation modified the
and the Vinka fleet was Grob fleet with a modern
formally retired. Pilot of cockpit and avionics. Due
the last flight was Captain to limited manufacturer
Juho Sirola, commander support and fuselage
of Fighter Squadron structural damage found
41/4th Flight, and second during the modification
pilot was legendary test process, the service entry
pilot Lt Col (ret) Jyrki of the Grob G115E was
Laukkanen. At the age of delayed, even though the
80, Lt Col (ret) Laukkanen first modified aircraft was
is in excellent physical delivered 2018.
flat spin but liaison aircraft. During its Vinka. After getting an IFR strength and continues The first conscript basic
the instructor 42 years of service, the rating, formation flying flying gliders and, for flying training course
and student Vinka fleet remained in and aerobatic training, example, the Gloster flying only the Grob G115E
pilot parachuted quite similar configuration. cadets proceed to Hawk. Gauntlet museum aircraft. eventually started July
safely before it Originally, the Vinka was This has been a very As Lt Col Laukkanen flew 2022. Until now, the Vinka
crashed while the structurally designed for effective way to train pilots the first flight of Vinka had remained the main
other made a hard 5,000 flight hours, but and cadets move easily 1979, logged 443 hours basic trainer, with only a
landing on a field due Patria Aviation did major from Vinka to Hawk. This in LEKO-70 and 2,100 few Grob G115Es being
to student pilot error. structural modifications is also a good indication hours in the Vinka, it was used in addition.
The Vinka fleet to the fleet, extending how good a basic trainer a privilege to all that he The Finnish Air Force
was first operated fuselage structural life to the Vinka was. was the second pilot donated several Vinkas to
by the Finnish Air 7,000 flight hours, which The last Vinka flight on the last flight and his aircraft technical schools
Force Academy’s most of the fleet have was on August 31, 2022. association with the type as instructional airframes
Training Squadron at now achieved. Garmin On that day, four Vinkas finally came to an end. It and to museums.
Kauhava Air Base. 430 avionics were also (VN-18, VN-19, VN-21 was a great honour for Seven earlier retired
Vinka flying training installed in the cockpit and VN-22) took off and him and the Vinka fleet Vinkas with all flight hours
was then transferred and a camouflage colour flew in formation around that he was on board the flown were sold at auction
to Tikkakoski Air Base scheme replaced the the city of Jyväskylä, the last flight. in August, with prices that
on August 28, 2005, original aluminium. hometown of Tikkakoski The Vinka fleet was were between €25,100 and
Later, Vinka training In the Finnish Air Force, Air Base. Meanwhile, replaced by Grob G115E €35,200 per airframe.
was undertaken by pilots move from a basic Vinka VN-30 flew a final basic trainers. The Finnish The last eight Vinkas in
Fighter Squadron 41’s trainer straight to the BAE solo display. Also, the Air Force bought 28 used service will be auctioned
4th Flight at Tikkakoski. Systems Hawk Mk 51/66. Vinka’s successor, the Grob G115E Tutor T1s later this year.
This Flight is currently After conscript basic Grob 115E, flew a solo from the Royal Air Force. All hope that many will
responsible for basic flying training course, display. After the four They were delivered in find their way to the civil
training in the Finnish those who are accepted other Vinkas landed, the 2016 and were given register in Finland and will
Air Force. All Finnish to Military University as last Vinka, VN-21, did a serials GO-1 to GO-28. As be operated by flying clubs
Air Force units also had pilot cadets for military flypast with a Grob 115E Grob was hoping to sell and private pilots.
one or two Vinkas as career, continued flying and came in to land at the latest Grob G120TP Perttu Karivalo
Finnish Air Force Grob G115E GO-3 is one of

28 second-hand examples purchased from the
Royal Air Force to replace the Vinka fleet

NEWS Europe
Bulgaria
approves
additional
F-16 Block
70 purchase
THE BULGARIAN Scalable Agile Beam
Digital camo for Latvian An-2 government has
approved funding
Radars (SABR); AIM-
120C-7/8 Advanced
This Latvian Air Force Antonov An-2 was one of the highlights of the NATO Air Days for the purchase Medium Range
event which took place at Ostrava in the Czech Republic on the weekend of September of eight additional Air-to-Air Missiles
17-18. It is unclear when the aircraft received the smart looking new digital colour
scheme, and unfortunately there were no aircrew around to ask. Serving the Aviation F-16C/D Block (AMRAAMs) or
Squadron at Lielvarde, this An-2 is the only one thought to be in service and is used for 70/72s. Government equivalent weapons,
paratrooper training and cargo drops. Alan Warnes approval to proceed and GBU-39/B Small
with this acquisition Diameter Bombs
– which is worth (SDBs). The deal also
approximately $1.3bn includes AN/AAQ-
– was announced 33 Sniper Advanced
Czech Gripens return by Bulgarian

Defence Minister
Dimitar Stoyanov on
Targeting Pods and the
AN/ALQ-254
Viper Shield (or
from BAP mission September 21.

The additional eight
aircraft will double the
equivalent) electronic
warfare systems.
The sale of the first
AFTER SPENDING extension was a real five aircraft that had Bulgarian Air Force’s batch of eight F-16C/D
six months at Šiauliai, strain on the 12-strong originally deployed on planned fleet to 16 Block 70/72s received
Lithuania on Baltic Gripen C and two April 1 was recalled. airframes, with the first US State Department
Air Patrol (BPA) duty, Gripen D fleet, as the Three aircraft are due to arrive in the approval on June 3,
the Czech Air Force’s maintenance cycles also kept on QRA at country in five years’ 2019. On April 2, 2020,
211th Tactical Squadron for the aircraft were Caslav for Slovakia and time. They will replace Lockheed Martin was
returned to Caslav planned around the Czech Republic, so the Bulgarian Air awarded a $512m firm-
on September 30. deployment to Šiauliai. the additional burden Force’s ageing fixed-price contract
These tours normally In addition to providing of serving an extra fleet of Soviet-era MiG- that covered the
run for four months QRA for the three Baltic two months was a real 29s, of which 12 single- production of the first
but the Italian F-35A states, Estonia, Latvia, effort from the Czech seat MiG-29s and three eight F-16 Block 70s
deployment that was to Lithuania and the Czech Air Force. During 211’s two-seat MiG-29UBs for Bulgaria. Work
relieve the four Gripen Republic, the Gripens BAP deployment, they remain operational. under this contract
Cs, was cancelled as a started providing were scrambled over 40 On April 4, 2022, the is expected to be
result of ‘infrastructure support for Slovakia’s times on Alpha alerts, US Defense Security completed by January
issues’ at the former air defence from to intercept Russian Cooperation Agency 31, 2027.
Soviet air base. September 1. This military aircraft flying in (DSCA) announced Two years ago, on
The two-month meant that one of the the area. Alan Warnes that the US State October 20, 2020, the
Department had US Embassy in Sofia
approved the possible announced that the
Foreign Military Sale Bulgarian Air Force
(FMS) to Bulgaria would also receive two
of eight additional additional F-16s for use
F-16C/D Block 70/72s – as fighter-trainers under
this number split the US Excess Defense
evenly between Articles (EDA) program.
single-seat and two- At this stage, however,
seat variants. it remains unclear when
The proposed FMS these aircraft will be
Gripen C 9235 of the Czech Air Forces’s 211th Tactical Squadron at Caslav, was the last of
the four aircraft (the others were 9238, 9239 and 9241) to taxi back to the flight line after includes: AN/APG-83 delivered or, indeed, if
returning from Baltic Air Policing (BAP) duties on September 30. The aircraft is seen fitted active electronically this EDA transfer is still
with four AIM-120C5 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9M Sidewinders on the wing-tip rails. It is also scanned array (AESA) going ahead.
fitted with a Litening III laser designator pod, one of the two the unit used. Alan Warnes

Strength through capability, commitment and collaboration.
www.eurofighter.com Effective Proven Trusted

NEWS North America
Top Aces to provide adversary

training in Florida and Arizona
US-BASED Red Air in support of the USAF’s Air contractors (see Red USAF is still working with active electronically
contractor Top Aces F-35A Lightning II and Air Revoked, p82-84). these ADAIR contractors scanned array (AESA)
announced on September F-22A Raptor fleets In recent months, the at other bases, typically radar; the Scorpion
12 that it had been before the end of USAF has revoked the ones which host Formal helmet-mounted cueing
selected by the US Air September. The five- use of these contractors Training Units (FTUs). system (HMCS); tactical
Force (USAF) to provide year contract, which is at Nellis AFB, which Fitted with Top Aces’ datalink communications;
adversary air (ADAIR) valued at up to $175m, resulted in the premature Advanced Aggressor infrared search-and-
training services to fighter is geared to enhance the termination of the ADAIR Mission System (AAMS), track (IRST) systems;
pilots at Eglin Air Force training of fifth-generation II contract with Draken the F-16 AAF has been high off-boresight
Base, Florida, and Luke combat pilots, using the International, ahead of specifically calibrated missile and passive radio
AFB, Arizona, under F-16 Advanced Aggressor its fifth and final year . to replicate near- frequency (RF) detection
the Combat Air Force Fighter (AAF) – as it is The recent reactivation peer adversary fighter capabilities. It can also be
Contracted Air Support known by Top Aces – as of the 65th Aggressor aircraft. The AAMS equipped with advanced
(CAFCAS) programme. a live airborne threat that Squadron (AGRS) on exploits an open system electronic attack (EA)
The company – which is is more reflective of real- the F-35A at Nellis is architecture, allowing pods and can accurately
currently the world’s only word adversary aircraft. also proof that the USAF for the rapid integration replicate adversary
user of contractor-owned, The awarding of this seeks more advanced of new sensors and weapons and tactics
contractor-operated contract comes after ADAIR platforms to functions. In addition through high fidelity
(COCO) F-16 Fighting the USAF enacted a accurately replicate near- to being supersonic- weapon simulations.
Falcons – is preparing to major U-turn in its use peer threats. Despite capable, the F-16 AAF For more see Red Air
begin training activities of privately owned Red changes at Nellis, the is also fitted with an Revelation, p86-89.
Raytheon and Northrop Florida Air Guard 75th anniversary jet

US Air Force/Florida Air National Guard F-15C Eagle 86-0171 assigned to the 125th
selected to deliver first Fighter Wing’s 159th Fighter Squadron ‘Boxin’ Gators’ takes off from Jacksonville Air
National Guard Base for a night flying sortie on September 14. It had been unveiled
Hypersonic Attack Cruise in this special 75th anniversary scheme on September 7 and features every aircraft
assigned to the unit on one fin, plus the Wing’s emblem, State flag and a Mjolnir (the
hammer of Thor, the Norse God of Thunder) in reference to the unit’s motto ‘Home of the
Missile in early 2027 Thunder’ USAF/Master Sgt Mike Monlezun
RAYTHEON MISSILES & Raytheon’s vast facility

Defense, in partnership in Tucson, Arizona,
with Northrop Grumman, and is estimated to be
has been selected to completed by
develop and deliver March 2027.
the Hypersonic Attack Envisaged as an air-
Cruise Missile (HACM) breathing, scramjet-
to the US Air Force powered hypersonic
(USAF). The selection missile, the HACM
was announced on has been described
September 23, when as a first-of-its-kind
Raytheon Missiles & weapon, which is being
Defense was awarded developed in conjunction
a $985.3m cost-plus-
fixed-fee contract by
with the Southern
Cross Integrated
Last HC-130J arrives in Georgia
Newly delivered US Air Force HC-130J Combat King II 19-5948 ‘MY’ (c/n 5948) assigned to
the US Air Force Life Flight Research 71st Rescue Squadron taxies in at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, on September 8 after
Cycle Management Experiment (SCIFiRE) arriving from the factory in Marietta. This was the last of 39 of this variant to be delivered
Center’s Armament – a joint US-Australian USAF/Airman 1st Class Rachel Coates
Directorate for the project arrangement,
design, development which explores the
and initial delivery of the development and
HACM weapon system testing of hypersonic
through the performance cruise missile
of model-based prototypes. As per the
critical design review, contract, the Raytheon
qualification, integration, Missiles & Defense and
manufacturing and Northrop Grumman
testing. Work under team will deliver
this contract will operationally ready
be performed at HACMs to the USAF.

USAF, Northrop Grumman planned

B-21 unveiling schedule revealed
THE US Air Force (USAF) B-2A Spirit at Air Force will be purely made up its 76-strong fleet of been confirmed as the
and Northrop Grumman Plant 42 in Palmdale in of B-21 Raiders and well-aged B-52Hs. This location for the B-21’s
revealed on September November 1988. Northrop veteran Boeing B-52H implies that the USAF initial testing phase.
20 that the B-21 Raider Grumman has been Stratofortresses. The would need at least 149 Ellsworth AFB in South
next-generation stealth working on the B-21 USAF’s current fleet totals B-21s to make up its Dakota will be the first
bomber will be formally since it was awarded the 157 aircraft; comprising planned future force of operational base for the
unveiled to the public development contract 20 B-2A Spirits, 61 225 bombers. At present, type, with Whiteman AFB,
for the first time in early in October 2015. The B-1B Lancers and 76 no official announcement Missouri, and Dyess AFB,
December in Palmdale, company confirmed on B-52Hs, although the has been made regarding Texas, set to be the next
California, ahead of the September 20 that six accelerated retirement the total number of installations to receive the
type’s planned first flight B-21 test aircraft are of the first 17 B-1Bs has Raiders that will be new long-range strategic
in 2023. This milestone currently in various stages already begun. As all of purchased by the USAF, stealth bomber. Dyess
event will mark the first of final assembly at its the B-1Bs and B-2As are however, they have stated and Ellsworth currently
time the USAF has rolled Palmdale facility. slated to be retired from that “at least 100” will play host to the B-1B
out a new bomber since The USAF intends to service once the B-21 be procured. Lancer, while Whiteman
it introduced the world to operate a future fleet becomes operational, the Edwards Air Force is the home of the USAF’s
the Northrop Grumman of 225 bombers, which USAF intends to retain Base in California has B-2A Spirit operations.
Trials EC-130H at Black Flag

US Air Force EC-130H Compass Call 73-1581 ‘DM’ is pictured taking off from Nellis Air Force Base, Arizona, on
September 20 for a mission in support of Black Flag 22-2. It is based at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, where it
is assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, which was activated on November 5 last year as the
USAF’s first ever combined HC-130J and EC-130H combined test unit USAF/William R Lewis
NAVAIR completes 50th CH-53E reset Insitu Blackjack and

US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on September 28 that it has
completed the 50th US Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion RESET. The RESET program
ScanEagle contract
replaces high-time components and produces a full mission-capable aircraft with no INSITU INC was awarded and Foreign Military
outstanding maintenance discrepancies. It significantly increases overall readiness of the a US Naval Air Systems Sales customers.
entire CH-53E fleet NAVAIR
Command contract This modification adds
on September 14 for scope to procure 13
RQ-21A Blackjack and RQ-21A Blackjack air
ScanEagle unmanned vehicles, 25 ScanEagle
air vehicles, and air vehicles, 48 RQ-21A
associated equipment. and ScanEagle payloads
The $191,835,973 firm- and turrets, support
fixed-price modification equipment, spares,
to a previously awarded plus tools in support of
indefinite-delivery/ RQ-21A Blackjack and
indefinite-quantity ScanEagle unmanned
contract covers aircraft platforms. Work is
procurement for the US expected to be completed
Marine Corps, US Navy in June 2026.

NEWS North America
Final Joint STARS local flight for 16th ACCS

US Air Force E-8C JSTARS 94-0285 ‘GA’ lands back at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia,
on September 8 after the final local sortie by the 16th Airborne Command and Control
Squadron US ANG/Senior Master Sgt Roger Parsons
AS PART of the US Air Base (AFB), Georgia. which is officially be operated as a Monthan Air Force Base,
Force’s drawdown of its The aircraft undertaking scheduled for February detachment of the 319th Arizona, during Fiscal
E-8C Joint Surveillance the mission was serial 16, 2023. This will make Reconnaissance Wing Year 2022.
Target Attack Radar number 94-0285 ‘GA’ way for bedding down (RW) at Grand Forks The first to be retired
System (JSTARS) fleet, (callsign ‘Phenom 16’), of four new missions at AFB in North Dakota. was 92-3289 ‘GA’, which
the Georgia Air National which had the honour Robins AFB. This will Retirement of the arrived at AMARG on
Guard’s 16th Airborne of ending 27 years of include a new active- E-8Cs included transfer February 11 this year. It
Command and Control operational JSTARS duty Bombardier E-11A of the first four aircraft was followed on March
Squadron (ACCS) flew missions. Battlefield Airborne to storage with the 309th 10 by 01-2005 ‘GA,’ then
its final local sortie with The unit is now Communications Node Aerospace Maintenance 96-0043 ‘GA’ on July 12
the type on September preparing for its (BACN) squadron. and Regeneration Group and finally 97-01001 ‘GA’
8 from Robins Air Force upcoming inactivation, These E-11As would (AMARG) at Davis- on September 7.
Boeing contracted for US, Israeli KC-46A production

TWO CONTRACTS, with Air Force Life Cycle production and delivery to be completed by the first two KC-46As on
a combined worth that Management Center of four KC-46As to the December 31, 2026. February 22 last year.
exceeds $3bn, have on August 31. The first Israeli Air Force (IAF). US State Department At present, the IAF
been awarded to Boeing – worth approximately This contract also approval of this FMS operates an ageing fleet
to produce another 15 $2.2bn – exercises the covers the non-recurring deal, which covers up to of Boeing KC-707 Re’em
KC-46A Pegasus tankers USAF’s option to acquire engineering design and eight KC-46As for Israel, tankers, which entered
for the US Air Force 15 additional KC-46As test for platform-specific had been announced by operational service in the
(USAF) and to build and under Production Lot 8. mission equipment, the US Defense Security 1980s and are currently
deliver the four examples Work under this contract including the Remote Co-operation Agency operated by No 120
ordered by Israel through is expected to be finished Vision System 2.0 and the (DSCA) on March 3, ‘Desert Giants’ Squadron
the foreign military sales by November 30, 2025. Air Refueling Operator 2020. The Israeli Ministry from Nevatim Air Base.
(FMS) process. Both The second deal, Station 2.0. of Defence announced The KC-46A is expected
contracts were awarded which is valued at about Work under this it had signed a letter of to replace them in the
to Boeing by the US $927.4m, involves the contract is expected offer and acceptance for air-to-air refuelling role.
Eighth Super Herc for 123rd AW arrives
US Air Force C-130J-30 Super Hercules serial number 19-5945, the eighth and final example for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift
Wing/165th Airlift Squadron, shortly after delivery to Louisville Air National Guard Base on August 25. The new variant replaces the unit’s C-130Hs, the
last of which left on September 24 last year USAF/Staff Sgt Chloe Ochs

Ascension’s eastern runway fully re-opens

AFTER A year of and Mission Support Globemaster III 07-7279 the western side of the hub for passengers and
construction, Ascension Center announced from the 60th Air Mobility runway – on the remote, cargo and the airbridge
Island Auxiliary Airfield the achievement on Wing’s 21st Airlift British-owned island to the Falkland Islands
resumed full flight September 8, saying Squadron ‘Beeliners’ at that supports military for Britain’s Royal Air
operations recently with that the first aircraft Travis Air Force Base missions and commercial Force missions. The
the opening of the newly landed on the fresh in California. flights. The outpost, £276m ($309m) project
paved eastern portion surface on August 31. Construction now located between South is a jointly funded
of the runway. The US The aircraft involved transitions to phase America and Africa, is investment by the US
Air Force Installation was US Air Force C-17A three of the project – a critical air transport and British governments.
US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III 07-7279 from the 60th Air Mobility Wing’s 21st
Airlift Squadron ‘Beeliners’ at Travis Air Force Base, California, becomes the first
aircraft to land on the newly re-opened runway on Ascension Island on August 31,
following a year-long rebuild of its eastern side USAF
‘Nuke Sniffer’ WC-135W retired

FOLLOWING 60 years of the callsign ‘Shiner 51’. recycled for use on the 2020, 61-2667 became was delivered to the
service, the US Air Force Greenville is home to replacement WC-135Rs. the sole remaining 45th Reconnaissance
retired Offutt, Nebraska- L3Harris and the Big On September 19, WC-135. As it had Squadron on July 11
based 55th Wing’s Safari office, which ’667 then flew to Davis- become increasingly this year and formally
WC-135W 61-2667 on are responsible for Monthan AFB, Arizona, difficult to maintain accepted into the
September 7. the Constant Phoenix where the aircraft will be and operate, it was fleet during a shared
After retirement, programme. placed into storage with announced in Fiscal Year ceremony alongside its
61-2667 was flown from The role of Constant the 309th Aerospace 2019 that the ageing predecessor’s retirement.
Lincoln Municipal Airport, Phoenix is to monitor Maintenance and aircraft would The second is due
Nebraska, where the 55th atomic explosions across Regeneration Group. be replaced by this winter and the
Wing has been operating the globe, gaining the During its service, a fleet of three third next summer.
since April 2021 due to aircraft the nickname 61-2667 has accumulated converted KC-135Rs All three are
runway works at its home ‘nuke-sniffers’. At a total of 36,577.2 flight (designated expected to remain
base, to Greeneville- Greenville, the specialist hours and 8,767 landings. WC-135Rs). The in service until
Majors Airport, Texas, equipment was removed Following the retirement first of these, approximately 2045.
on September 12 using from ’667 and will be of 62-3582 in November 64-14836, Luca Chadwick
US Air Force WC-135W 61-2667 taxies in at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, on the April 20, 2022, following a local training sortie as ‘Jake 21’. The aircraft was
present at Mildenhall from January 30 until May 6, when it departed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. This was the aircraft’s last deployment to Europe, and
one of the type’s longest in recent history. It was officially retired on September 7 Luca Chadwick

Retirement
Report Slovak MiG-29
It is the end of an era for
Slovakia’s fleet of Cold War-
era MiG-29AS/UBS Fulcrum
fighters, which have spent
more than three decades
defending the country’s skies
All images Jorge Ruivo
Fulcrum
Farewell
Khalem Chapman explores what could lie
ahead for the Slovak Air Force’s now-surplus
MiG-29AS/UBS Fulcrum fleet now that it has
been formally retired from service
H
aving recently bid farewell with its allies how best to use the the Warsaw Pact nation was split 29AS (serial 0921) after it landed
to its iconic fleet of 11 decommissioned aircraft – and to form two new states – the to mark the end of Fulcrum
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG- a move to transfer them to Ukraine Czech Republic and Slovakia – in operations in Slovakia. A fifth
29AS/UBS Fulcrum fighters after is definitely on the table. 1993, the Fulcrum served as the MiG-29AS (serial 6425) was also
more than 30 years of operational A veteran of the former backbone of the Slovak Air Force’s present in the static display.
service, Slovakia is now discussing Czechoslovak Air Force before combat air forces until its 11 Commenting on the type’s
remaining aircraft were grounded withdrawal from service, Slovak
A Slovak Air Force MiG-29AS for the final time on August 28. Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad’
Fulcrum in flight. Its future could The outgoing MiG-29 fleet said: “The MiG-29s have a long,
see it transferred to Ukraine
marked its retirement from Slovak good record of service in the
service by conducting a final four- Slovak Air Force to the benefit of
ship formation flight during the protecting Slovak airspace. Our
Slovak International Air Fest, which pilots have logged over 20,240
was held at Malacky-Kuchyna flying hours on the aircraft, both on
Air Base from August 27-28. This exercises and operations.”
formation flight comprised four But he added: “However, for
single-seat MiG-29AS Fulcrums Slovakia, there are no prospects
(serials 0921; 2123; 6124 and for the operation of Soviet-era
6627). A traditional water cannon equipment into the future.”
salute was organised for MiG- He went on to explain that

upgraded between 2004-2006, with the grounded MiG-29 fighter which were formally ordered in
during which they received NATO- jets. The MoD will thoroughly December 2018 after the US
compatible communication and analyse all options and make sure State Department approved
navigation systems. the outcome is advantageous and the proposed Foreign Military
Three non-modernised Fulcrums safe for the Slovak Republic and, if Sale (FMS) on April 4, 2018. A
– comprising two single-seat MiG- a deal is made, helpful to Ukraine. production contract – worth $799m
29As (serials 0820 and 5113) and No decision has been made on – for the new-build fighters was
a sole two-seat MiG-29UB (serial this issue yet. We will provide more awarded to Lockheed Martin on
4401) are also kept in long-term information as soon as an update Jul y 31, 2019, with work expected
storage at Sliac. is available.” to be completed by January 31,
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 2024.
Heading to War? February 24, calls for allied nations However, the Slovak Air Force
While these Soviet-era fighters are to donate their fleets of ageing has yet to receive the F-16V and
now incompatible and growingly Soviet-era fighters to the war- first deliveries are not expected to
obsolete within the NATO torn country have been a relative take place until late-2023, despite
structure, the Slovak Ministry of constant. Aircraft have been rumours that this has been delayed
Defence (MoD) claims that its given to Ukrainian Armed Forces to 2024.
remaining 11 aircraft can reach to support the defence of its With the retirement of its only
the end of their projected service sovereign territory, such as: former tactical fighter – the MiG-29 –
life of between 2029-2035. In Afghan Air Force Mil Mi-17V-5 Hip- this has created a significant
announcing the retirement of its Hs (donated by the US); Czech capability gap for Slovakia, which
MiG-29s, the Slovak MoD revealed Mi-24/35 Hind attack helicopters; means the nation has to rely on
it was discussing the future of Latvian Mi-2MSB Hoplites and its allies to defend its domestic
the aircraft with its allies, but no Mi-8MTV-1 (Mi-17) Hips; and airspace until the F-16V comes
prospective future end-users North Macedonian Sukhoi Su-25 online. To accommodate this,
were disclosed. With this in mind, Frogfoot-A/B ground attack jets. Saab JAS-39C/D Gripens from
there is one such European MiG- On the other hand, no air-to-air the Czech Air Force and F-16C/D
29 operator that would make very combat-capable fighters have Block 52+ Fighting Falcons of the
good use of Slovakia’s redundant been delivered to Ukraine thus far. Polish Air Force will be tasked with
fighters: Ukraine. However, that could change if a patrolling Slovak airspace from
Elaborating on this, Maj deal is struck for the second-hand September 1, 2022, to December
Martina Koval’ Kakašcíková – Fulcrums from Slovakia. 31, 2023 – when Slovakia should
spokesperson for the Slovak MoD The Slovak MiG-29 fleet will be regain its temporarily lost fighter
– told AFM: “We have been in talks replaced by 14 Lockheed Martin capability with the introduction of
with our allies on what to do next F-16V Block 70 Fighting Falcons, the F-16V.
continuing to operate the

Fulcrum fleet under the current
circumstances would be very
demanding from a logistics,
economic and personnel
perspective. “With their operability
and warfighting capability degraded
by low reliability, these air assets are
incompatible with our NATO allies
and can no longer be upgraded.”
At the time of its retirement,
Slovakia had 11 modernised
Fulcrums at its disposal, comprising
nine single-seat MiG-29AS fighters
(serials 0619; 0921; 2123; 3709;
3911; 6124; 6425; 6627 and 6728)
and a pair of two-seat MiG-29UBS With its afterburners fully engaged, this MiG-29AS
fighter-trainers (serials 1303 and (serial 0619) thunders into the sky over Malacky-Kuchyna
5304). These aircraft, operated by Air Base on August 27. The Slovak International Air Fest
2022 provided a very public platform for the Slovak Air
the 1st Tactical Squadron from Sliac Force and visitors to bid farewell to the Fulcrum
Air Base in central Slovakia, were
MiG-29AS (serial 0921) rolls out with its parachute deployed

after landing at Malacky-Kuchyna Air Base at SIAF 2022 – one
of the last times that the Fulcrum would land in Slovak service

NEWS Latin America
Chilean KC-130R fitted Brazil orders 27

with new NP2000 props H125s to boost
IN AN effort to improve
the efficiency of its
Hercules fleet, the Fuerza
new propellers had
been completed on
September 9, enabling
personnel from ENAER
and the FACh. Chile is
the only Latin American
training capacity
Aérea de Chile (FACh; the aircraft to be returned operator to incorporate A CONTRACT was signed the FAB and the MB
Chilean Air Force) has to operational use. The this technology in its in Brasilia on September 15 respectively. The new
begun retrofitting the new digital electronic Hercules. It has also under which the Brazilian H125 helicopters will have
aircraft with new Collins control system technology been adopted by the Armed Forces, through a G500H TXi double glass
Aerospace eight-blade improves performance US Air Force and US the Combat Aircraft cockpit and VEMD (Vehicle
NP2000 composite with increased power Navy. The FACh also Programme Coordinating & Engine Multifunction
propellers. On September and reliability while it also introduced new wheel Committee (COPAC), Display) and will be
13, the FACh announced reduces maintenance and brake upgrades to have acquired 27 H125 compatible with the use of
that the first aircraft to costs, in addition to its aircraft from 2015. helicopters to boost the night-vision goggles (NVG).
undergo this upgrade, other benefits. The FACh It is not immediately training capacity of the They will also include
KC-130R 992, had been states that maintenance clear whether the FACh Marinha do Brasil (MB; different types of mission
completed and has times and costs are intends to upgrade all Brazilian Navy) and the equipment such as a
re-entered service with reduced by around 50%. its remaining Hercules Força Aérea Brasileira winch and a hook so that
Grupo de Aviación No The new, Kevlar-coated with the new propellers. (FAB; Brazilian Air Force) the training of future pilots
10 (10 Aviation Group) carbon blades were The current fleet also under the T-X programme. is as representative of their
at Santiago-Comodoro installed in the ENAER includes one C-130B, The H125 will be missions as possible. Of
Arturo Merino Benitez hangar at Comodoro two more KC-130Rs and produced on the H125 the 27 helicopters, 15 will
International Airport. Arturo Merino Benitez three C-130Hs. FACh final assembly line located be delivered to the MB and
Test flights with the International Airport by in Itajubá, Brazil, at the remaining 12 to the
Helibras’ factory where the FAB. It became possible
H225Ms for the Brazilian to order a slightly higher
Armed Forces are also number for the Navy as
assembled. These new a result of cancellation
helicopters are expected of the fifth Naval H225M,
to be in service for the thus freeing up additional
next 30 years and will funding. This is the first
replace the ageing AS350 step in standardising
Ecureuil (UH-50 Esquilo) training aircraft for all three
and Bell 206B JetRanger services, which could lead
III (IH-6B) helicopters to a joint flight training
currently in service with centre in the future.
Three Black Hawks Two more Gripens

delivered to Brazil
received by Columbia A FURTHER two Saab
F-39E Gripens have
they were prepared to
be flown to the Embraer
been delivered to join the facility at Gavião Peixoto,
Força Aérea Brasileira Sao Paulo State, the
(FAB; Brazilian Air Force) following day. These
fleet. They arrived are the third and fourth
from Sweden by sea examples delivered to
on September 25 on the FAB. The type is
board the Dutch-flagged due to enter service at
vessel Minervagracht at Anápolis Air Base in
the port of Itajai, near November/December
Ministro Victor Konder 2022. Under an
International Airport, agreement on October
Navegantes, Santa 24, 2014, the FAB is
Catarina State. acquiring 36 of the type.
The aircraft comprised These comprise 28
F-39Es, serial numbers single-seat F-39Es and
4103 and 4104. After eight twin-seat F-39Fs.
arriving at Navegantes, The first four were
One of three UH-60A+ Black Hawks being unloaded from a US Air Force C-17A Globemaster they were towed by road handed over in Sweden
IIII after delivery to the Colombian National Police on September 16. They are the first of a to the airport, where on November 24, 2021.
batch of 12 donated by the US government to assist with counter-drug trafficking missions.
All are former Afghan Air Force examples Policia Nacional Colombia

JOB VACANCIES
THE COMPANY
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NEWS Africa
Niger AF C-130H completes overhaul in Brussels

A new Niger Air Force C-130H Hercules has completed a major refurbish by Sabena Technics in Brussels and is seen here
out for an engine test there on September 30 after being painted in Niger colours. It had already carried out a couple of test
flights in the preceding weeks. The aircraft is a former US Air Force/Air National Guard WC-130H and currently bears its
previous serial, 65-0985, but will become 5U-MTU in Niger service. It arrived in Brussels back in 2018 after being donated
by the US government Kenny Peeters
Moroccan Navy King Air in Toulouse

An unusual visitor to Toulouse, France, on September 5 was this Moroccan Navy King Air 350ER
maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), serial number 212 (c/n FL-1007). It is one of two operated by 21 Flotille at
Casablanca-Mohammed V Airport and is believed to be in France for attention by Raytheon. The aircraft
were originally converted in France before delivery in February 2020 John Spencer
South African Gripens gain new lease of life with Saab support contract
SAAB HAS been updates to the support Czech Republic and skies in late August report presented to the
contracted to provide and training systems Hungary) for the Gripen 2022, after the fleet was South African parliament
maintenance services affiliated with the South when it acquired a fleet of grounded and placed into stressed that the South
for the South African Air African Gripen fleet, which 26 aircraft – comprising storage a year earlier due African National Defence
Force’s (SAAF’s) fleet of was grounded in August 17 single-seat JAS 39C to the lack of maintenance Force (SANDF) did not
JAS 39C/D Gripen multi- 2021. fighters and nine two-seat because of budgetary have the air or ground
role fighters, as the nation Åsa Schöllin, head of JAS 39Ds – in 2008. constraints. capabilities needed to
seeks to revive its long- the Gripen Sustainment Of the 26 aircraft This new maintenance defend itself in case of
dormant combat and business unit at Saab, delivered, one crashed deal with Saab is aggression.
defensive capabilities. said: “I am very happy following a ground-based expected to only cover The report also revealed
The new contract was and satisfied that we have incident, leaving just 25 12 of the SAAF’s 25 that the nation’s airpower
announced in a statement reached an agreement in SAAF service. This remaining JAS 39C/Ds, has diminished to a point
from Saab on September for a new support new support contract is although the split between where most SAAF aircraft
19, in which the company contract, so that we can expected to help with how many single- and are technically flyable but
said the deal covers the support our customers in the revival of some of the two-seat aircraft will be have been grounded due
servicing, maintenance the best way we can with SAAF’s current JAS 39C/D revived has yet to be to a lack of maintenance.
and repair of the SAAF’s their operational needs.” fighters. revealed. The remaining With this in mind, only
JAS 39C/D fighters from South Africa was the first Some SAAF-operated 13 Gripens will be kept in 21% of the SAAF’s total
2022 to 2025. export customer (although Gripens once again long-term storage. aircraft fleet is considered
It will also provide minor received their first after graced South African In February 2022, a operational. Oscar Nkala

NEWS Middle East Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Digital camo for

Saudi fighter This image, released on
September 21, shows a Royal
Saudi Air Force Eurofighter
Typhoon in a smart digital
camouflage colour scheme
Saudi Ministry of Defence
Further pair of Eurofighter Sierra Nevada to sustain

Typhoons delivered to Kuwait Lebanese A-29B fleet
THE FIFTH and sixth Typhoons were air-to-air Kuwait is set to receive SIERRA NEVADA and unguided rockets,
Leonardo-built Eurofighter refuelled by an Italian Air 28 of the most advanced Corporation was awarded laser-guided bombs and
Typhoons for the Kuwait Force KC-767A from 14º Eurofighters produced a two-year contract AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
Air Force were delivered Stormo during delivery. under the European on September 30 to Lebanon received its first
to Salem Al Sabah Air Guido Sibona, vice- programme, providing sustain the Lebanese two A-29Bs in October
Base in central Kuwait on president of Leonardo’s extra capability with Air Force's fleet of six 2017; the remaining
September 28. Kuwaiti Eurofighter programme, the active electronically Embraer A-29B Super four in May 2018. These
and Italian personnel said: “We are proud scanned array (AESA) Tucanos. The contract has deliveries came less
from the joint international to deliver to our radar. Leonardo, in a value of $14.02m and than three years after the
programme office customer two more new co-operation with includes training devices, acquisition contract was
executed the delivery, Eurofighters, including the Italian Air Force, mission planning/debrief signed in 2015.
which saw serials KS001 the first single-seater is providing aircraft, systems, line replaceable The original procurement
(test serial CSX7499) aircraft. They join the initial training for both units, alternate mission deal included two spare
and KT006 (CSX55274) aircraft already in service air and ground crew, equipment, ground PT6A-68A turboprop
leave Leonardo’s plant in at the new Salem Al plus the development support equipment, test engines, eight AN/ALE-
Turin, northern Italy, for Sabah base, which in the of infrastructure to aid equipment, commercial 47 countermeasures
the flight to Kuwait. The meantime have reached Typhoon operations technical publications dispensing systems, 2,000
Italian Air Force provided the milestone of one and maintain the fleet of and associated spares Advanced Precision Kill
further support as the two hundred air sorties.” Kuwaiti Typhoons. to provide follow-on Weapon Systems, eight
sustainment. Work is AN/AAR-60(V)2 missile
One of the new Kuwait Air Force Typhoons refuels from an
Italian Air Force KC-767A during its delivery flight Eurofighter expected to be completed launch detection systems,
in September 2024. ferry support and training
The Lebanese Air in the US.
Force's 7 Squadron Personnel training
operates six A-29B Super began in March 2017;
Tucanos in the light attack with 12 Lebanese pilots
role from Hamat nr Wuajh being instructed by the
al-Hajar Air Base. The 81st Fighter Squadron
fleet has a capability to at Moody AFB, Georgia,
be equipped with guided before returning to Hamat.
Sikorsky to produce two more UH-60Ms for Jordan

A CONTRACT valued at Air Force. They will The Jordanian Black the extra two UH-60Ms end of June 2027. Jordan
$32.8m was awarded to complement the current Hawk fleet has been will be conducted at also operates the UH-60A
Sikorsky on September fleet of 12 UH-60Ms in service since 2017, Sikorsky’s facility in at 14 Squadron, these
20, to produce two operated by 8 Squadron with the 12th Black Stratford, Connecticut, are ex-US Army aircraft
UH-60M Black Hawks at King Abdullah II Air Hawk being delivered with an estimated time delivered between 2015
for the Royal Jordanian Base in Jordan. in 2018. The work for of completion being the and 2016.

NEWS Australasia Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Northrop Grumman unveils

first Australian MQ-4C Triton
NORTHROP GRUMMAN and Australian defence in October 2020 at its the fuselage and one- integration and flight test,
unveiled Australia’s first forces will be able to share production facility in piece wing were mated in with production completion
MQ-4C Triton autonomous data collected by their Moss Point, Mississippi, Palmdale. The aircraft is in 2023 and delivery to
aircraft, serial number A57- respective Tritons. Air and in December 2021 scheduled for final system Australia in 2024.
001, during a ceremony Marshal Robert Chipman,
at its high-altitude, long- Chief of the RAAF, said: The first RAAF MQ-
4C Triton, A57-001,
endurance (HALE) aircraft “Triton will provide the
on the runway in
production site in Palmdale, Royal Australian Air Force Palmdale, California
California, on September with an unprecedented Northrop Grumman
14. The event, attended by capability to monitor
Australian, US government and protect our maritime
and defence officials, approaches. Triton will
highlighted the continued work alongside the
progress of the MQ-4C P-8A Poseidon and this
Triton programme for both unmanned aircraft system
the Royal Australian Air will allow us to cover
Force (RAAF) and US Navy. significant areas, at longer
Australia is a co-operative ranges and has the ability
program partner in the to stay airborne longer than
Triton programme and was a traditional aircraft.”
critical in helping shape Northrop Grumman
the requirements for the initiated the build of
system. As partners, US the first RAAF Triton
Australian company acquires three former German Transalls

AN AUSTRALIAN (c/n D125) now registered Wieland Aviation Group Wieland Aviation primarily spares. AFM has asked
company has acquired as VH-RFW, 50+83 (c/n Pty Ltd of Jilliby, New deals with aircraft Wieland for more details
three of the recently D120) now VH-RPR and South Wales. spares, maintenance on its plans for these
retired German Air Force 50+55 (c/n D77) now At present it is unclear and logistics, suggesting airframes, but at the time
Transall C-160D fleet. The VH-TIT. All were registered what the company’s plans they have most likely of going to press had not
aircraft comprise 50+88 on September 15 to are for these aircraft. been acquired merely for received a response.
A FURTHER four F-35A

Two of the latest
Lightning IIs have been
delivered to the Royal
Australian Air Force
Over 50 RAAF F-35As Royal Australian
Air Force F-35A
Lightning IIs, A35-
053 and A35-054,
now delivered
(RAAF), bringing the
arriving at RAAF
total now in service to Base Williamtown,
54 aircraft out of 72 on New South Wales,
order. Their arrival was after a trans-Pacific
ferry flight RAAF/Cpl
announced by the RAAF
Craig Barrett
on September 23.
The aircraft were
delivered to RAAF Base
Williamtown, New South
Wales, between August
30 and September 2.
Serials of two of them
were A35-053 and A35-
054. The identities
of the other two are
unconfirmed but were
most likely A35-051 and
A35-052. The newest
aircraft to join the fleet These latest aircraft task of this year. The four Hickam Air Force Base in including a KC-30A Multi-
were accepted by were ferried across the F-35As made the journey Hawaii and Andersen Air Role Tanker Transport
No 77 Squadron on Pacific Ocean as part of from Luke Air Force Base Force Base in Guam. from No 33 Squadron and
behalf of No 81 Wing in Exercise Lightning Ferry in Arizona with trans- They were supported a C-17A Globemaster III
the Air Combat Group. 22-3 – the third delivery Pacific stops made at by the Air Mobility Group from No 36 Squadron.

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373/22
NEWS Asia-Pacific
Second Bangladesh Indian

government
C295W inducted
THE BANGLADESH Army callsign ‘AED912’ and representatives of Airbus 170), was delivered in
gives go-
ahead for
Tejas Mk 2
Aviation Group has taken headed for Hurghada Defence and Space and September 2017 and INDIA’S CABINET
delivery of a second International Airport, the armed forces and joined the Fixed Wing Committee on Security
C295W. The aircraft, serial Egypt. It arrived government officials. Battalion at Dhaka- approved a budget of
number S3-BRR (c/n 212) in Bangladesh on Airbus Defence and Tejgaon/Bashar Air Base. INR66.17bn ($827m)
left the factory at Seville- September 25, receiving Space announced an It is unclear when the for the design and
San Pablo Airport, Spain a traditional water cannon order for a single C295W second was ordered, development of the
on September 19, flying to salute as it taxied in in standard transport as there was no official Hindustan Aeronautics
Malta International Airport, for a formal induction configuration for the announcement, but it was Ltd Tejas Mk 2
Luqa, where it made an ceremony. The event Bangladesh Army on first noted at Seville being 4.5-generation, medium-
overnight stop. was attended by the October 11, 2016. The prepared for delivery in weight supersonic fighter
It left the next day using Chief of the Air Staff, aircraft, S3-BRT (c/n December 2021. on September 1. Four
prototypes of the new
variant will be built, with
70% indigenous content;
the Mk 1A had 62%.
Preliminary design
studies for the Mk 2
were completed in
2014. First metal was
cut on a prototype in
February 2021, with roll-
out planned for August
2022 (now put back to
year-end). Maiden flight
is due in late 2023, with
limited series production
in 2025 to 2026 and
full production from
2030. Development
is scheduled for
completion in 2027 and
the new variant should
be in operational service
Above: The second Bangladesh Army Aviation Group Airbus Defence C295W, S3-BRR (c/n 212), ready to depart from Malta by 2028. However, with
International Airport on September 20 after an overnight stop during its delivery flight Ruben Zammit delays common in Indian
defence programmes,
this seems optimistic.
Royal Thai Navy The Mk 2 will have a

98KN thrust GE-414-
INS6 engine, providing
more power than
orders Maritime the current GE-404

powerplant. This will
enable carriage of a
Hermes 900 UAVs

heavier weapons load,
including the BrahMos
missile, while the Elta
EL/M-2032 multi-mode
radar will be replaced
ELBIT SYSTEMS Wing Loong II), includes involved in the deal was dominate vast swathes of by an indigenous active
announced on September training capabilities and not revealed, but reports sea and long coastlines, electronically scanned
28 that it has been will be performed over have suggested the RTN communicate with array radar. The Indian
awarded a $120m contract three years. Elbit will was looking for seven, operational vessels and Air Force plans to
to supply its Hermes provide the RTN with along with two mobile carry out civilian missions acquire six squadrons
900 Maritime unmanned Hermes 900 Maritime UAS ground control stations such as maritime of Tejas Mk 2s (about 18
aircraft systems (UAS) featuring a maritime radar, and one fixed one. search and rescue per squadron), equating
to the Royal Thai Navy electro optic payload, The Hermes 900 and identification of to around 108 aircraft to
(RTN). The contract, satellite communications, Maritime UAS is intended suspicious activities and replace several fighter
won against three other droppable inflated life rafts to enable the RTN to potential hazards. They types and hopes to order
competing bids (Heron and other capabilities. perform both blue water will be operated from 210 more aircraft.
TP, MQ-9A Reaper and The number of air vehicles and littoral missions, coastal aviation bases.

New JASDF Eagle

special scheme
Above: Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle 32-8817 operated by 303 Hikotai ‘Fighting Dragon’ at its base at Komatsu on
September 13, when it made its first flight after repainting in this special scheme based on the unit badge JASDF Komatsu More
Cherokee
USAF C-17A on Pakistan Arrows for
flood relief ops Indonesia
AN ADDITIONAL three
Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee
Archer DXs have been
delivered to the Tentara
Nasional Indonesia
Angkatan Laut (TNI-
AL; Indonesian Navy),
joining five already in
US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III 06-6167, assigned service. They comprise US
to the 436th Airlift Wing/3rd Airlift Squadron at Dover registrations N8028Z (c/n
Air Force Base, Delaware, on the ramp at Nur Khan Air
Base, Pakistan, on September 9 during a flight to assess 28-81508), N8029B (c/n
delivery of relief items after serious flooding US Navy 28-81509) and N8029V
(c/n 28-81520), which were
cancelled on May 9 on
Rain-making
export to Indonesia. It is
unconfirmed when they
entered service. Two were
noted operating with the
role for NC212i TNI-AL in August carrying

serials T-2707 and T-2708.
As the five earlier deliveries
were serialled T-2701 to
T-2705, it is thought that
the three new aircraft are
T-2706 to T-2708, although
tie-ups with their previous
US registrations have not
been confirmed.
All eight are operated by
Skadron Udara (SkU) 200
at Naval Aviation Centre
Puspenerbal, Surabaya-
Juanda. The first five were
delivered to SkU 200 on
New production PTDI NC212i 1546/AX-2129 (c/n 440/N120) outside the PTDI Delivery Centre hangar in Bandung, Indonesia,
on August 1. It was seen prior to departure on delivery to the Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural
December 20, 2019. The
Aviation (DRRAA), otherwise known by its local acronym as KASET. This is the ninth NC212 to be delivered to KASET PTDI type is used in the basic
pilot training role.

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MILITARY AIRCRAFT MARKINGS,
2022
First published in the 1970s, Military Aircraft Markings has become an indispensable
annual publication for aircraft enthusiasts, historians and students of military
aviation. At the heart of Military Aircraft Markings is the most complete listing of all
the aircraft of the UK Armed Forces; the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army and
associated units. For each entry the military serial, aircraft type, unit/operator
and usual base are given.
From the Editor

Here at AirForces Monthly we are at the cutting edge of modern military aviation and every month we bring you the latest
news, analysis, and features that you won’t find anywhere else. Each issue of the magazine is packed full of
exclusive content and detailed briefings by our team of experts and our legion of correspondents from across the world.
Don’t miss out on this great subscription offer!
Alan Warnes - Group Editor at Large
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396/22
UK R AINE - RUSSIA WA R Russian air defences
Striking
a blow Fighter operations and ground-
based air defences have so
far proved to be among Russia’s
few victories in its otherwise
poorly planned and mismanaged
campaign in Ukraine.
Alexander Mladenov explains
The Su-35S is the most

advanced fighter in the Russian
air arsenal. The type achieved
reasonable success in the air
intercepts of Ukrainian combat
jets, using R-77-1 active-radar
guided missiles, employed in
most cases in BVR engagements
at extended ranges
All images Russian MoD unless
otherwise stated

R
ussian Aerospace Forces (RuASF)
fighter operations and the combined use
of ground-based air defence (GBAD)
assets belonging to different military branches
have managed to minimise the lethal effect of
Ukraine’s strike aircraft and attack helicopter
battlefield operations and seriously impede its
missile/rocket and drone operations.
Although the RuASF has reportedly failed to
achieve ultimate air superiority over Ukraine –
by the means of suppressing and destroying
Ukraine’s ‘die hard’ air defences – its fighter This Flanker-E is seen here while taxing out for a CAP mission. It is armed for dual-role
force has fared pretty well in the counter-air employment – totting up four R-77-1s and four R-73 AAMs for the air intercept role in addition to
operations at the major war theatres. a pair of Kh-31PM ARMs for the on-demand SEAD/DEAD role
This covers the hotly contested Donbas Su-27 and one L-39C jet trainer) were shot down result, all successful intercepts of such targets
in the southeast, Kharkiv in the north and and their pilots killed in action, with no Russian have been facilitated by utilising infrared search-
Kherson-Mykolaiv-Odessa region in the losses in air combat reported or revealed by and-track (IRST) sensors of their fighters.
southwest. The Russian air arm has claimed independent sources. There were multiple At the beginning of the invasion, the UkrAF’s
numerous air-to-air kills of Ukrainian fighters Ukrainian claims for downed RuSAF fighter jets active combat jet fleet was estimated at about 30
and strike aircraft in addition to attack and in air-to-air clashes, but without any proof. MiG-29s and 20 to 25 Su-27 air defence fighters
transport helicopters, but verification of the In a later phase, a serious proportion of the in addition to around 30 more Su-25 attack
vast majority of these is still missing. Ukrainian air defence fighters were withdrawn aircraft, 15 Su-24M bombers and a handful of
The RuASF air defence fighter assets to more secure operating bases well inside Su-24MR tactical reconnaissance aircraft. In
directly involved numbered no fewer than Ukraine and these assets kept moving from one March and April, the number of serviceable MiG-
120 Su-35Ss, Su-30SMs and MiG-31BMs. base to another in an effort to avoid retaliatory 29s in Ukrainian service is reported to have seen
It is notable that there were no large-scale a serious increase, thanks to the to the supply
offensive or defensive counter-air operations
involving large formations of fighters operating
“Lieutenant Colonel of a large package of important spare parts
from abroad, most likely sourced from Poland.
in the depth of enemy airspace. All known Ilya Sizov was officially Some of these fighters were repurposed as
instances of air combat during the war – from
February 24 to September 15, 2022 – have
announced as a hero strike aircraft in a bid to supplement the rapidly
dwindling Su-24M and Su-25 fleets. In July and
involved pairs of Su-35Ss and MiG-31BMs by the Russian MoD in August, a proportion of the surviving MiG-29s
(and possibly Su-30SMs), tasked with flying
Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions in areas
mid-July. By that time, and Su-27s were modified in a crash programme
for use in the SEAD/DEAD role, able to fire
outside the coverage of the Ukrainian medium- he was claimed to have US-supplied AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation
and long-range SAM systems or scrambled to
fly intercept missions when on Quick Reaction
had as many as 11 kills missiles (HARMs).
Alert (QRA) on the ground. of Ukrainian fixed-wing Fighter operations

The engagements of Ukrainian jets and
helicopters were most often undertaken using
aircraft and helicopters From the first day of war, pairs of Su-35s (NATO
name: Flanker-E) multi-role fighters flew CAP
vectoring commands provided from airborne or under his belt.” missions – also armed with anti-radar missiles
ground-based combat controllers, with missiles for engaging radar-guided SAMs – mostly in
launched in beyond visual range (BVR) attacks. strikes and be able to counter possible deep the northern and eastern sectors of the Russian
The Russian GBAD also proved successful, strike operations of RuASF manned aircraft and intrusion towards the capital Kiyv and the city of
managing to greatly reduce the potentially cruise missiles. In fact, no RuASF deep strikes Kharkiv. Loitering in pairs over their own territory,
serious lethal effect from the use of Ukraine’s conducted by tactical jets have been reported, their main mission was to shoot down Ukrainian
combat jets, Tochka-U short-range ballistic while the UkrAF fighters proved poorly suited to fighters and strike aircraft that could threaten the
missiles (SRBMs), drones and large-calibre reliably detect and engage low-flying subsonic large-scale heliborne assault at Hostomel airfield
rockets targeted against concentrations cruise missiles, launched from Russian air, sea to the northwest of Ukraine’s capital.
of troops or large urban and industrial and land platforms. This serious problem was The busiest CAP orbit in the sector was
targets in near-rear areas, both in Russian- tacitly acknowledged by Ukrainian fighter pilots, established in Belarusian airspace, supported
or separatist-held territories of Ukraine who tended to comment in their interviews that by A-50 Mainstay Airborne Early Warning and
(especially in the Donbas region and around it was next to impossible to achieve a radar Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The Su-35s serving
Kherson), and also inside Russian territory in lock-on on low-flying cruise missiles, and as a it operated out of Baranovichi in Belarus
various regions bordering with Ukraine.
Our analysis of the Russian air-to-air
operations uses open-source information only,
which is considered reliable to outline a broad-
brush picture of the Russian fighter operations.
At this stage, however, it is not possible to
have a detailed and all-encompassing review
of RuASF’s offensive and defensive counter-
air operations and their eventual results (in
terms of downed Ukrainian manned aircraft,
helicopters and drones), chiefly due to the lack
of reliable information and visual proof released
from the warring parties to confirm the claims.
Initial combat operations Above: A Russian Buk-M3 SAM in firing position. This
In the first four days of war, the RuASF reported is advertised as the most effective battlefield system
no fewer than six victories that could be verified to counter large-calibre rockets such as the US-
supplied M31 for the HIMARS system
in an independent way thanks to the presence Left: The remains of a Ukrainian A1-SM Fury
of visual proof and death notices of UkrAF pilots. reconnaissance drone gunned down by Russian
At least four MiG-29s and two Su-27s (or one air defence via Russian internet

was credited with gunning down three UkrAF

Su-24M/MRs, three Su-27s and two MiG-
29s in addition to two Ukrainian Army Aviation
Mi-24 attack helicopters and one Mi-14PS
transport helicopter belonging to the Ukrainian
Navy, while also destroying two Buk-M1 SAM
self-propelled launchers (by using Kh-31PM
high-speed anti-radiation missiles). For his
extraordinary combat exploits, in July 2022
the pilot was decorated with the Golden Star
of Hero of the Russian Federation, the highest
state award.
The 23rd IAP – known as RuASF’s most
successful fighter regiment in the war – was
initially deployed to Baranovichi in Belarus, from
where it was tasked to fly CAP missions to shoot
down combat jets and knock out radar-guided
SAM systems in the northern and central regions
of Ukraine. At a later stage (most likely in early
April), the regiment moved to Belbek on the
Crimean peninsula to support operations on the
so-called southern war theatre.
It is noteworthy that Lieutenant Colonel
Sizov was the Su-35S driver in the much-
commented video footage that has surfaced on
social media in early May, chasing a Mi-14PS
Haze-B amphibious helicopter belonging to the
Ukrainian Navy over Odessa Bay. Dated May
7, the engagement saw the Mi-14PS flying at
The vast majority of the Ukrainian aircrew called upon to fly strike missions proved motivated, brave
about 60ft above the water and turning to the
and inventive, while also being aware of the lethality of the Russian fighters and GBAD deployed to the right in a desperate manner as the sole Su-35S
main war theatres. This is a still from a video clip from a MiG-29 sortie Ukranian Air Force mounted its first attack in a shallow dive, firing a
burst from the GSh-301 30mm gun. Lieutenant
and were vectored against Ukrainian aircraft and MANPADS fire, but this tactic has often Colonel Sizov missed the target in this attack
detected by the Mainstay in Kiyv, Zhitomir, proved ineffective in avoiding intercepts from pass but then he was successful in the
Ozerne and Belaya Tserkva areas, between 50 the air. The Su-35S is considered well suited second one (not present in the video footage),
and 120nm from the Belarusian border. to engaging such categories of targets due to unleashing an R-73 AA-11 Archer heat-seeking
Attacks on air targets, considered a threat its powerful NO35 Irbis radar using the passive air-to-air missile to gun down the Haze-B.
for Russian manned aircraft or ground troops, electronic scanned array (PESA) technology, The ill-fated Mi-14PS helicopter was flown
were undertaken head-on with R-77-1 (NATO which is also provided with substantial look- by the Ukrainian Navy Deputy Commander
name: AA-12 Adder) active radar-homing air-to- down/shoot down capability to detect and (responsible for naval aviation), Colonel Igor
air missiles (AAMs), unleashed at the maximum engage low-flying targets over long ranges. Bedzay, who was pronounced killed in action by
possible range during brief intrusions in Ukrainian the Ukrainian MoD, along with two more crew
airspace and then returning to their assigned A RuASF ace was born members. The helicopter was supposedly used
CAP orbit in friendly airspace. Proclaimed as the most successful RuASF for ferrying an assault party tasked to re-take
Overall, the Su-35S-equipped units, operating fighter pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Ilya Sizov Snake Island. Initially, the Russian MoD’s daily
on all the war theatres on Ukrainian territory, was officially announced as a hero by the briefing claimed that as many as three Ukrainian
proved instrumental in gaining local air Russian MoD in mid-July. By that time, he was Mi-8 helicopters were shot down during the
superiority and countering the Ukrainian strike claimed to have had as many as 11 kills of battle for Snake Island on May 7, but there was
aircraft and attack/assault transport helicopter Ukrainian fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters no hard proof submitted to verify the destruction
operations. No doubt, the Ukrainian pilots were under his belt. A deputy CO of the 23rd IAP, of the other two helicopters (the Mi-14 is, in fact,
motivated, brave and inventive, conducting a fighter regiment stationed at Dzemgi near a Mi-8 derivative with a boat-style bottom hull,
their battlefield strike operations at low and Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the far eastern so it not unusual that Lieutenant Colonel Sizov’s
ultra low level in an effort to avoid Russian SAM corner of Russia, Lieutenant Colonel Sizov kill was initially reported as a Mi-8).
The Russian MoD also maintains that the
list of Lieutenant Colonel Sizov’s combat
exploits includes gunning two MiG-29s in a
single engagement, but no details have been
revealed to support this claim.
It is believed that a serious proportion of
his air victories have been achieved on the
southern theatre, in the days of the fierce
battle for Snake Island between early May and
mid-June. Overall, the Russian MoD reported
no fewer than five Ukrainian jets shot down (by
fighters and SAMs) in the fight for the island,
but there is no confirmation from independent
sources for the vast majority of these.
Major Viktor Dudin is also among the most
Since day one of the successful Su-35S pilots, as he had been
war, the UkrAF were awarded with the Golden Star of Hero of Russian
used in both air-to-air
and air-to-surface roles
Federation already during March. Serving as the
via Ukraine internet regimental navigation officer of the 23rd IAP, he
has been credited with four air kills (one of these

The list of the UkrAF losses in
air combat includes no fewer
than four Su-27s with their
pilots declared killed in action
Ukranian Air Force
shared with his wingman), all of these achieved censored form, but there are also some video began turning to the left at about 90º, but its
in the initial days of the Russian invasion on the footages that have appeared on social media NO35 radar was still able to keep tracking the
northern front. His first kill claim was a Su-27, in a non-edited form, compete with audio, target in the ‘on-the-beam’ position.
gunned down in the first day of operation. In showing real-world air intercepts with multiple The RuASF’s MiG-31BM heavyweight fighter-
fact, the list of the UkrAF confirmed losses in AAMs launched on Ukrainian aircraft during interceptors saw somewhat limited use in the
air combat on the first day of war includes only BVR engagements. war campaign in Ukraine, tasked with flying
MiG-29s, a total of four aircraft, in addition to a The most striking unedited HUD video footage, CAPs in its own airspace and QRA on the
single L-39C jet trainer, so it is still unclear what most likely dating from May, shows a head- ground. The first air combat is said to have
was the target kill claimed by Major Dudin in his on intercept of a Ukrainian aircraft in Kharkiv happened in late April. A MiG-31BM from an
first air-to-air engagement. region with not one or two but with three R-77- undisclosed fighter regiment was reported (in
The second claim, dated February 28, was 1s (included in the payload of four such missiles non-official manner, by the Telegram platform
reportedly achieved in air combat against two carried by the Su-35S). The active-radar guided blogger Fighterbomber, who, in principle, tends
UkrAF Su-27s, with Major Dudin downing one of missiles were launched by an undisclosed to provide reliable and realistic information
these, and then, together with his wingman, he Flanker-E driver in a very quick succession and comments on the RuASF operations in
went on to finish the second one. The UkrAF list against a single target, immediately after he the war) to have shot down a low-flying UkrAF
of confirmed losses on that date maintains that had received an authorisation from a combat Su-24M bomber, most likely using a R-37
there was one Su-27 loss only, an aircraft flown controller to engage the target. The first missile very long-range AAM, in the Donbas region.
by Major Stepan Choban from the 831st BrTA. was unleashed from 34,770ft altitude, at Mach Another MiG-31BM kill claim was announced,
This pilot was killed in action near Kropivnitsky, 1.1 speed and at about 32nm distance, with an this time officially, in the Russian MoD daily
about 130nm southeast of Kyiv. It is still unclear estimated flight time of 75 seconds. After the war briefing on July 9. This time, the victim
if the air combat waged by Major Dudin could firing of the last of the three missiles, the Su-35S was a Su-25 attack aircraft said to have
happen at such depth into Ukrainian territory,
or if he engaged other UkrAF jets in the usual A Russian Land Forces S-300V long-range SAM
system on firing position in Kharkiv region
operating areas around or north of Kiyv.
Then, the list of his claims also includes
another UkrAF Su-27 downed on March 1.
There are no Su-27s in the list of confirmed
UkrAF losses on that date or even close to
it, however, and a combat jet that could be
considered a likely victim of Major Dudin is the
MiG-29, flown by Major Oleksandar Binzhala
from the 40th BrTA. The UkrAF pilot was
declared killed in action in air combat in the
early hours of March 2 in the Kyiv region.
Three-missile attack
There is a number of video clips showing
Su-35S combat action in the Ukrainian war
campaign recorded by the aircraft’s head-up
display (HUD) camera. Some of the clips were
intentionally released by the Russian MoD in a

S-300PM-2 SA-10 Grumble, S-350 and S-400

SA-21 Growler long-range SAM systems,
mainly used for protecting both the deep-rear
and near-rear areas in the Donetsk, Kharkiv and
Kherson regions as well deployed to Crimea
and on Russian territory in the threatened
border areas, mainly around the cities of
Belgorod, Kursk and Taganrog. These long-
range systems were complemented by at
least one Russian Land Forces (RuLF) S-300V
SA-12 Giant/Gladiator system deployed on
Ukrainian territory in the Kharkiv area. The long-
range SAMs were mainly utilised for countering
Ukrainian attacks with Tochka-U SRBMs in
addition to high-flying drones and Tu-143 jet-
powered high-speed reconnaissance drones
repurposed for use as surrogate cruise missiles.
A still image from a Su-35S HUD camera
The SAM systems with medium and short
illustrating an R-77-1 launch on an air target
engaged head on and slightly to the left range, fielded in very large numbers to cover
troops and facilities on the front line and
been downed in Chervonna Dolina area in the adjacent near-rear areas, were mostly
Dnepropetrovsk region a day before, but there provided by the RuLF and included Buk-M1-
are no visual or other convincing proofs in the 2/M2 SA-17 Grizzly, Buk-M3 SA-27, Tor-M1
public domain to confirm this claim. SA-15 Gauntlet, Tor-M2 and Osa-AKM SA-8
According to Fighterbomber, who has good Gecko systems. These highly mobile systems
access to inside information, as of mid-August, were complemented by RuASF Pantsir-S1
there were no RuASF aircraft losses suffered SA-22 Greyhound, commonly used for point
in air combat with UkrAF fighters, despite the air defence and airfield protection, both in
numerous Ukrainian claims for such victories, Russia and the occupied areas well inside
especially in the initial days of war. Ukrainian territory. The Airborne Troops branch
also contributed to the front-line air defence
Russian GBAD in action effort with its Strela-10M4 SA-13 Gopher low-
The GBAD assets belonging to both the RuASF altitude SAM systems. In addition, Russian
and the Land Forces (LF), deployed in a layered troops on the battlefield fielded in a mass
and dense manner at the most important war manner Man-Portable Air Defence Systems
theatres, were provided with a well-functioning (MANPADS), also known as shoulder-launched
command and control (C2) system. The early- SAMs, such as the Igla, Igla-S and Verba,
warning component of the air-defence system, outfitted with heat-seeking guidance.
often deployed next to the SAM firing positions, In addition to engaging manned aircraft
included multiple long-range radar systems and drones of various classes, the Buk-
with low- to high-altitude detection capability M2/M3, Tor-M1/M2 and Pantsir-S1 were
for aircraft, missiles and rockets such as the also commonly used to counter Tochka-U,
Nebo-U, Kasta-2E, Nyobii-S and Podlet. The 220mm rockets from BM-27 Uragan and
GBAD SAM component was set up to counter 300mm rockets from BM-30 Smerch multiple-
both fixed-wing aircraft at medium and low level launch rocket systems. Since early July,
in addition to low-flying helicopters, SBRMs and these systems have also seen regular use
large-calibre rockets at high altitude and drones in intercepting M31 guided rockets fired
of various sizes flying at low and medium level. by the US-supplied high-mobility artillery
A RuASF Podlet early-warning radar seen
destroyed in the Kherson region, most likely due The RuASF-operated sophisticated and rocket systems or HIMARS. Intercepts of the
to a US-supplied M31 guided rocket strike layered GBAD coverage established at all HIMARS-fired rockets with range up to 42nm,
via Ukranian internet important war theatres included multiple considered the most effective and accurate
Above: A RuASF Pantsir-S1 mobile SAM/AAA system in firing position somewhere in Ukraine
Right: Lieutenant Colonel Ilya Sizov, who is claimed to be the most successful RuASF fighter driver
to take part in the war, receives the Golden Star of Hero of the Russian Federation, the state's
highest award, from the country’s Defence Minister, Sergey Shoigu in July

This Ukrainian Mi-24V
attack helicopter, seen Claims and
here on a temporary
operating site, is
an ex-Czech Hind
confirmations
transferred in July As usual, both sides went on to exaggerate the
via Ukranian internet enemy air losses while remaining tight-lipped
about their own. The battle for Snake Island is no
exception for this as there is no serious proof to
support most Russian claims for downed combat
jets, helicopters and drones (comprising no fewer
than six combat jets, four helicopters and dozens
of drones).
Apart from the aircrew of the gunned-down Mi-
14PS helicopter, flown by Col Bedzay, there were
no death notices for further aircrew members or
any posthumous decorations from the Ukrainian
side. Nor was there any other evidence such as
aircraft wreckage or announcements about combat
SAR operations conducted in the northwestern part
long-range weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal, are The Ukrainian forces have also launched of the Black Sea to recover aircrews of downed
reported to have produced mixed results. systematic actions to shell the known SAM UkrAF aircraft.
Russian SAM crews tended to comment and radar positions with long-range artillery The only hard proof available for Ukrainian air
that the M31 proved a very difficult target to and rockets, inflicting some painful losses. losses in this bloody battle is the wreckage of
counter, especially in the beginning, due to The actions were intensified with the use a TB-2 Bayraktar drone recovered in Romanian
the rocket’s very small radar cross section and of US-supplied AGM-88 HARM anti-radar waters in May, believed to had been downed on
very high speed, providing a short window of missiles, used to knock out at least one Tor- May 7 or 8 near Snake Island. In addition, a pilot
opportunity for a resultative engagement, up to M2. A Pantsir-S1, seen on September 3 next parachute and harness (containing some flesh
ten seconds. The Buk-M3 system, using new- to the Antonovsky bridge in Kherson region remains), most likely belonging to an aircrew
generation radar-guided missiles, is considered heavy damaged and in overturned state, is member who has ejected from an UkrAF Su-24M
the best system for this job, reaching the also suspected to have taken an AGM-88 hit. bomber, were found in Bulgarian territorial waters
rockets at ranges of up to 22nm. In turn since late August, the Russian MoD in early September. Forensic analysis revealed
Equally, when employed on mass (sometimes began claiming that its GBAD was successful that these items have been in the sea, moving with
with the salvo firing of Soviet-era rockets in an in shooting down AGM-88 HARMs, with southbound sea currents, since May.
effort to saturate the SAM targeting ability), the three reported on September 3 and four more Overall, since the beginning of the conflict, the
highly accurate M31 rockets could penetrate following suit on September 4, all claimed to Russian MoD has made multiple claims in its daily
the SAM coverage, as shown in multiple have been gunned down in the Kherson area, war briefings, saying that Ukrainian fighters,
strikes in the Kherson area, especially against next to Chernobaevka and Nova Kakhovka. strike aircraft and drones had been downed
the vital Antononsky and Kakhovsky bridges. According to the open-source intelligence by the CAP fighters and GBAD systems. There
The Russian SAM systems and radars site Oryx, the list of the Russian SAM losses is, however, little convincing proof available to
deployed close to the front line and the near- since the start of the campaign, based on verify most of these claims in the form of aircraft
rear areas took serious attrition due to enemy visual confirmation, includes 22 Buk-M2/M3 wreckage images, video footage of shoot-downs or
fire. The biggest losses were reported during launchers, ten Pantsir-S1s, 19 Tor/-M1/-M2s, subsequent aircrew death notices.
the ill-fated offensive against Kiyv in February six Osa-AKMs, 13 Strela-10s and two S-300s By early April, for instance, the Oryx-published
and March, mostly in situations when the in addition to no fewer than eight early-warning list of Ukrainian confirmed losses included three
systems were on the move and ambushed and missile guidance radars. It is believed, MiG-29s, three Su-27s, fi ve Su-25s and one An-26
by the Ukrainians on the ground as well as however, that the list is incomplete as no doubt transport in addition to only two helicopters (one
pounded by TB-2 Bayraktar drones. Serious there are more losses of GBAD equipment, Mi-8 and one Mi-24) and 12 drones, including
losses of SAM systems were also incurred sustained in the rear areas (mainly due to three TB-2 Bairaktars. In contrast, as of the
during the Russian rushed retreat in Izym area artillery and rocket fire) where proof is simply same date, the Russian MoD claims for shot-
south of Kharkiv between September 9 and 11. not available to the public. down Ukrainian air assets – gunned down by
both fighters and GBAD systems or destroyed on
the ground - totalled as many as 124 fi xed-wing
aircraft and 84 helicopters plus no fewer than 381
drones of various classes.
The Russian MoD claims for shot-down air
targets in July 2022 alone included no fewer
than 34 fi xed-wing aircraft and helicopters, 39
Tochka-U SRBMs and 226 rockets.
By September 15, 2022, the list of the Ukrainian
losses, claimed by the Russian MoD, had increased
to no fewer than 293 fi xed-wing aircraft, 155
helicopters and 1,960 drones. The vast majority
of these are unconfirmed and unverified by
independent sources and it would seem that the
figures are seriously inflated.
Research has shown (based on Oryx data and
additional death notices, visual proofs or other
trustworthy information), that as of September 15,
2022, the confirmed list of Ukrainian air losses
Above: 21. Major Viktor Dudin is a Su-35S driver comprised of about 41 combat jets while the
with four claimed air victories, including one shared
with his wingman, but the officially announced kill
number of helicopters lost in the conflict is about
list of four Su-27s does not match with the known 15 in addition to 35-plus drones of various classes,
confirmed Ukrainian losses this figure also including 14 TB-2 Bayraktars.

Fleet
Report Ukrainian Su-25s
W
Despite heavy losses hen Russia began the ongoing conflict. a total of 43 Su-25 aircraft of all
all-out invasion of Ukraine Despite substantial losses in variants; it is estimated that
of men and machines, in the early morning of crew and equipment, the UkrAF only 30 were operational – 24
the ageing Ukrainian February 24, the Ukrainian Air Su-25s – operated by the 299th single-seat and six two-seat
Su-25s have heroically Force’s (UkrAF’s) fleet of Su-25 Tactical Aviation Brigade (brTA) aircraft, split between its two
taken the fight to the Frogfoot attack aircraft went into – have endured more than 230 squadrons. Of the remaining
Russians and helped combat almost immediately, being days of war and remain in action, 13 aircraft, one is believed to
present practically on all fronts being responsible for a substantial have been sent on overhaul and
turn the tide in the simultaneously. The daring actions portion of the UkrAF’s combat modernisation at the Zaporizhzhya
war, says Vladimir of the Ukrainian pilots in the initial sorties against the enemy. State Aircraft Repair Plant (ZDARZ)
Trendafilovski stages of the conflict proved ‘MiGremont’ at Zaporizhzhya
decisive in stopping the Start of the invasion International Airport (IAP), while
Russian onslaught The 299th brTA, directly the remaining 12 were stored at
– and winning it subordinated to the UkrAF the Mykolayiv-Kulbakino Air Base,
the status of one headquarters, is the single the unit’s home base. Note that
of the most iconic remaining UkrAF unit operating some of these had been placed
components of the the Su-25, affectionately known in storage only recently and as
country’s armed as the ‘grak’ (rook) or the ‘sushka’ such they could be restored to
forces that are taking (a general nickname for Sukhoi operational service in short notice.
an active part in the aircraft). On February 24, it had In addition to the Su-25s, the unit
Frogf
Fearsome

had six two-seat L-39 Albatros on locations near the Donbas, over the country – including at Su-25s appeared on all frontlines
trainers, used to train its young ready for immediate action. locations in central and western – starting from the Kherson
pilots and for pilot proficiency The home base of 299th brTA Ukraine – and the unit went into Oblast in the south (which is
flights. At least two of them are was one of the primary targets action in defence of Ukraine’s closest to their home base),
believed to have been stored. for the initial airstrikes delivered independence from the very up to Hostomel Airport in the
Just as the other UkrAF units, not only by Russian Aerospace beginning of the invasion. Its north (captured by the Russians
when the Russian invasion Forces (RuASF) aircraft, but also on the first day of the war in
began, the 299th brTA was busy by various sea-launched and a daring heliborne assault). In
relocating all operational aircraft ground-based ballistic and cruise this decisive initial period of
and associated equipment from its missiles. However, similarly as the war their determined pilots
home base to various secondary at the other UkrAF air bases, flew without any regard for their
air bases, civilian airports or nothing substantial was hit – the life, taking part in some very
wartime airstrips in order to post-strike satellite imagery shows dangerous actions that have
conserve them from the impending that only two of its L-39s and two helped to stem the advance of
Russian airstrikes. This process Su-25s were destroyed, the latter the numerous Russian columns
was made easier by the fact that a being single-seat Su-25s s/n ‘12 pouring in from Belarus, Russia,
portion of the unit’s active aircraft Blue’ and ‘42 Blue’, which were and the Crimea.
had already been dispersed to stored for well in excess of At this point the Su-25s
secondary air bases – up to 12 of a decade. flew extremely low above the
the Su-25s were regularly based Its aircraft relocated all columns of enemy vehicles
Above: The unarmed Su-25M1 s/n ‘49 Blue’ retracts its main landing gear as it departs its
home base for a training flight before the war. Originally stored at the Yevpatoriya Aircraft
Repair Plant in the Crimea, this aircraft was evacuated to ZDARZ in 2014, arriving in 2015
foots
as s/n ‘09 Blue’ with 299th brTA. In early 2016, its serial number was altered to ‘49 Blue’ as
the unit stopped using the 0x range of serials since five of the aircraft from that range were
lost in combat or in accidents in 2014-2015. It is one of the aircraft confirmed lost in 2022,
presumably on February 27, at the Antonivsky Bridge area near Kherson Sergey Smolentsev
Inset: The 299th brTA’s emblem. Part of this is applied on their Su-25s Vladimir Trendafilovski

Fleet
Overhaul and modernisation

At the beginning of 2022, the UkrAF’s operations from civilian or Western
Su-25 fleet consisted almost entirely military facilities.
of modernised aircraft – 26 out of 30 A further development is the M1K
aircraft in service were overhauled and upgrade – adding the MSD-2000V
updated. This was thanks to the fact DME/TACAN receiver, the Kurs-93M-V
that the modernisation programme combined VOR/ILS navigation system,
had been developed by ZDARZ in the a solid-state BUR-4-1-10 flight data
2000s, which involved turning original recorder, the SRVP-25 video recording
Soviet-era single-seat Su-25 and system (replacing the Soviet-era gun
Above: Su-25M1K s/n ‘16 Blue’ fitted with a pair of 240mm S-24B unguided air-
two-seat Su-25UB aircraft – both with camera) and finally KUV 26-50-01 to-ground rockets with V-24A contact fuses on July 19. The port-side rocket
identical combat capabilities – into chaff/flare launchers (replacing the carries a message referring to Capt Serhiy Parkhomenko who was killed in
modernised Su-25M1 and Su-25UBM1 Soviet-era ASO-2VM launchers). The combat on May 14. Note that the lower portion of the auxiliary fuel tank is
variants, officially entering service on M1K upgrade officially entered service painted yellow 299th brTA Below: Su-25M1 s/n ‘21 Blue’ is armed with four
240mm S-24B unguided air-to-ground rockets with V-24A contact fuses on
March 4, 2010. on April 27, 2015, and the modernised July 17. The messages on the rockets seen here refer to the civilian casualties
The M1 upgrade features the SN-3307 aircraft are designated Su-25M1K and in the cities of Vinnytsia and Kharkiv 299th brTA
satellite navigation system, integrated Su-25UBM1K.
with a new pilot’s ASP-17BTs8-M2 At the beginning of 2022, the UkrAF
optical sight, which has a digital had 12 Su-25M1, nine Su-25M1K, two
computer. This provided increased Su-25UBM1 and three Su-25UBM1K
accuracy for unguided air-to-ground aircraft, as well as four unmodified
weapons delivery and capability to Su-25 and Su-25UB aircraft. It should
release these at night or in bad weather be noted that the KUV 26-50-01 chaff/
conditions, with poor or no target flare launchers introduced with the M1K
visibility. A modified ICAO-compatible upgrade package were also retrofitted
R-862M1 VHF/UHF radio and an A-511 to all operational aircraft – including the
transponder are also fitted, enabling unmodified ones.
‘The Su-25s flew extremely low above the columns of enemy vehicles
– delivering direct strikes with various unguided weapons, exposing
themselves directly to the Russian air defence systems’
A pair of 299th brTA aircraft, consisting of Su-25M1K s/n ‘16 Blue’ and Su-25
s/n ‘25 Blue’ on a combat sortie in the summer of 2022. Both are armed with
four 240mm S-24B unguided air-to-ground rockets with RV-24 proximity fuses.
Note the nose emblem of ‘25 Blue’ denoting the aircraft’s 900 combat sorties
during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan 299th brTA

A view at the main workshop at ZDARZ, showing a pair of Su-
25s undergoing overhaul and modernisation to the Su-25M1 UkrAF Su-25
level. These aircraft became s/n ‘07 Blue’ and ‘08 Blue’, the
latter being closer to the camera, delivered to 299th brTA at the fleet service
end of 2012. Unfortunately, none of them survives – ‘08 Blue’
was the last aircraft lost over the Donbas in the 2014 conflict, history
while ‘07 Blue’ was lost in a training accident on November 11,
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991,
2015, which also claimed the life of its pilot Chris Lofting
Ukraine inherited 90 Su-25s. Only 75 were
operational: 41 with the 299th Shipborne
Assault Aviation Regiment (299th KShAP,
formed in 1976) of the Soviet Navy at Saki
Air Base (in Crimea), and 34 with the 452nd
Separate Assault Aviation Regiment (452nd
OShAP, formed in 1987) of the Soviet Air
Force at Chortkiv Air Base (in the Ternopil
Oblast). The remaining aircraft were stored
or used as instructional airframes.
Apart from its five Su-25UTGs (the naval
shipborne version of the two-seat Su-25UB,
of which one was scrapped, the other four
going to Russia, China and the US by 2011),
the 299th KShAP aircraft were old. These
were from the disbanded 90th OShAP, one
of the first Soviet Air Force units to operate
the Su-25.
After some shuffling, by 1996 both
units were with UkrAF – 299th KShAP
becoming 299th OShAP. By 2003, they
were reorganised into Assault Aviation
Brigades (shavbr). By the end of 2004, the
– delivering direct strikes with 452nd shavbr was disbanded, leaving only
various unguided weapons, the 299th shavbr, which transferred to
exposing themselves directly to the Mykolayiv-Kulbakino. Renamed the 299th
Russian air defence (AD) systems brTA in 2007, it took over the L-39 aircraft
– including surface-to-air missile from a disbanded local squadron.
(SAM) systems, man-portable With a steady flow of overhauled and
AD systems (MANPADS) and modernised aircraft from ZDARZ, by the
anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) – as end of 2012, the 299th brTA managed
well as to air-to-air missiles (AAMs) to accomplish something not seen in
from RuASF aircraft flying combat UkrAF since the 1990s: a full squadron of
air patrol (CAP) missions in the operational aircraft. By the end of 2013,
area, and, finally – the blast and it had ten modernised aircraft – nine
fragments from their own weapons! Above: Su-25M1K s/n ‘19 Blue’ was the first Su-25 from the 299th brTA Su-25M1s, plus the pilot aircraft of the
confirmed lost in the 2022 war. It was lost on February 24 along with its pilot,
Undoubtedly the fiercest actions Lt Col Zhybrov, during a direct low-level attack on a Russian column near upgrade, Su-25UBM1 s/n ‘62 Blue’.
took place in the Kherson Oblast, Chorna Dolyna on the Chaplynka-Nova Kakhovka road Sergey Smolentsev Then came the Russian Federation’s
where the Russian forces entering Below: This vanilla Su-25 s/n ‘27 Blue’ was one of at least two such stored annexation of Crimea in early 2014.
from Crimea were attempting to aircraft of the 299th brTA that were restored to operational service after the Hostilities in the Donbas erupted in April
invasion. Note the overall grey paint scheme that replaced the original green
cross the Dnipro and advance ‘trefoil’ scheme, but the nose emblem denoting the aircraft’s 600 combat and 299th brTA was involved from the start.
into Kherson and further into the sorties during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan was kept. Also of interest At the peak, it had two flights of aircraft
neighbouring Mykolayiv Oblast. are the six KUV 26-50-01 chaff/flare launchers fitted to it in 2022, as well as (mostly modernised Su-25M1s) detached
During the numerous actions in its engine nacelles painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The aircraft at the Dnipro IAP. By the end of August,
is armed with four 5-shot B-13L rocket pods for the 122mm S-13 series of
this area in the first days of the unguided air-to-ground rockets Ukranian internet resources when the UkrAF had stopped all operations
war, at least four Su-25s were over the Donbas, the 299th brTA was the
lost, three of the pilots killed and unit with highest aircraft losses (five – a
one captured. The first confirmed Su-25 and four Su-25M1s, one Su-25M1
loss is Su-25M1K ‘19 Blue’ with being a non-combat loss). The 299th
its pilot Lt Col Zhybrov, shot down brTA was also the unit that carried out the
on February 24 near the village of highest number of combat sorties (300)
Chorna Dolyna, while attacking with no pilots killed in action.
Russian vehicles on the road from The 299th brTA began intensive training
Chaplynka to Nova Kakhovka. in extremely low level flying, as well as
In the following days, this in delivering stand-off strikes, skills that
section of the road was constantly would prove crucial in 2022. However,
pounded by the Su-25s – a lot of two Su-25M1s and one pilot were lost in
Russian vehicles were destroyed, training accidents in 2015 and 2016.
but all that came at a price. On On December 28, 2015, the unit received
February 26, two more Su-25s a honorary title: ‘299th Tactical Aviation
were lost (one being Su-25M1 Brigade named after Lieutenant General
‘30 Blue’), claiming the lives of Vasyl Nikiforov’.Then on August 24, 2022, it
Capt Antykhovych and Capt received the honorary award ‘For Courage
Shcherbakov. Also on February and Bravery’ from President Zelenskyy.

Fleet
Surplus Su-25s
By mid-2004, when 452nd shavbr 16 surplus Su-25s – two Su-25UBs to
was slated for disbandment, many of Equatorial Guinea (2007), eight Su-25s
the older aircraft from 299th shavbr and two Su-25UBs to Chad (2008-
transferred to 452nd shavbr, in 2013), two Su-25s to the Democratic
exchange for its newer aircraft. Republic of the Congo (2012) and
Practically the units had exchanged finally – two Su-25s to Niger (2013).
their aircraft so most of those During the overhaul at ZDARZ some of
remaining at Chortkiv when 452nd them received an upgrade equivalent
shavbr disbanded were the old aircraft to the UkrAF M1 package.
from 299th shavbr (i.e. of the former Since 2014, no Su-25s have been
90th OShAP!). sold abroad and the four remaining
When Chortkiv Air Base was closed surplus Su-25s at Ivano-Frankivsk
in 2005, most of the old, stored Su- were sent to ZDARZ for overhaul and
25s went to Ivano-Frankivsk Air Base. upgrade, subsequently becoming
From here they would go to ZDARZ, aircraft s/n ‘21 Blue’, ‘46 Blue’, ‘47 Su-25M1K s/n ‘36 Blue’ takes off from its home
for overhaul and subsequent sale to Blue’ and ‘48 Blue’ and going to 299th base in late September 2021. Delivered in late 2018,
it was one of the first Su-25s sporting the definitive
countries in Africa. brTA as replacements for its losses in ‘light’ grey digital paint scheme, found exclusively on
By 2014, Ukraine had sold a total of the 2014-2016 period. aircraft upgraded to the M1K standard Chris Lofting
26, a Su-25 was damaged while lost in this area and its pilot Senior
Operational Su-25 aircraft of the 299th brTA attacking Russian vehicles in the Lt Andriy Maksimov was captured.
Serial Type Con. No. Built Remarks area of the Antonivsky Bridge over It is presumed that he flew
10 Blue Su-25 25508103002 1983 - the Dnipro river at Kherson; while Su-25M1 ‘49 Blue’ – its wreckage
lining in for the attack it received was later discovered in this area.
15 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110267 1988 -
a direct hit from a MANPADS in The actions in the Kyiv Oblast
16 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110280 1988 Operational (July 2022). the starboard side. The undeterred – where Russian ground columns,
17 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110283 1988 - pilot continued his attack. After entering from Belarus, attempted
18 Blue Su-25 25508110287 1988 - launching four large-calibre to link up with airborne forces
19 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110288 1988 Shot down (February 2022). unguided rockets on the target, he holding Hostomel Airport – were
departed the area deploying flares, not any safer. While attacking a
20 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110269 1988 -
successfully evading a second column in the area on February
21 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110130 1987 Operational (September 2022). SAM fired from a MANPADS in the 25, the Su-25M1 s/n ‘39 Blue’
22 Blue Su-25 25508110118 1987 - process. It is not known whether piloted by Lt Col Matulyak was
25 Blue Su-25 25508106009 1984 Operational (August 2022). this aircraft managed to return to shot down near Hlibivka by an
27 Blue Su-25 25508106029 1984 Operational (August 2022). base but the next day a Su-25 was AAM fired from a RuASF fighter.
29 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110270 1988 Operational (September 2022). Su-25UB s/n ‘65 Blue’ was the last vanilla two-
30 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110262 1988 Shot down (February 2022). seat aircraft still remaining in active service with
299th brTA. Here, groundcrew are preparing it for
31 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110263 1988 Shot down (March 2022). an upcoming live firing sortie at one of the pre-
32 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110264 1988 Operational (September 2022). war large-scale UkrAF exercises. In addition to
the two PTB-800 auxiliary fuel tanks, it was armed
35 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110315 1988 -
with two S-25OFM high explosive fragmentation
36 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508110316 1989 - unguided air-to-ground rockets and two OFAB-
250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs
37 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110317 1988 Operational (September 2022).
Chris Lofting
39 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110319 1988 Shot down (February 2022).
40 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110325 1989 -
41 Blue Su-25M1 25508110281 1988 -
44 Blue Su-25 25508110266 1988 -
45 Blue Su-25M1 25508110285 1988 -
46 Blue * Su-25M1K 25508104003 1983 -
47 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508103009 1983 -
48 Blue + Su-25M1K 25508104005 1983 Operational (August 2022).
49 Blue * Su-25M1 25508110125 1987 Shot down (February 2022).
60 Blue + Su-25UBM1K 38220136725 1991 Operational (July 2022).
61 Blue Su-25UB 38220115092 1989 -
62 Blue * Su-25UBM1 38220123321 1989 -
63 Blue * Su-25UBM1K 38220136703 1991 -
64 Blue * Su-25UBM1 38220136494 1991 -
65 Blue Su-25UB 38220123390 1989 -
67 Blue * Su-25UBM1K 38220115021 1988 -
Note: Aircraft that were operational (flying) since 2014 are listed here. Some of
these are known to have been stored before the invasion but a number of them
have been confirmed as restored to service – a good example being ‘25 Blue’
and ‘27 Blue’.
* Aircraft in ‘dark’ digital paint scheme (delivered by June 2018).
+ Aircraft in ‘light’ digital paint scheme (delivered since June 2018).

Paint
schemes
In 1992, the Ukrainian Su-25s wore
various paint schemes from the Soviet
era, including the original ones applied
Above: The Su-25M1K s/n ‘32 Blue’ is armed with a pair of Kh-25ML laser-
by the manufacturing plants at Tbilisi
guided AGMs in mid-September. The message on the missile refers to Maj and Ulan-Ude found on recently
Blahovisnyy, killed in action on September 7 299th brTA Below: Su-25M1 s/n delivered aircraft of the 452nd OShAP,
‘29 Blue’ armed with two S-25OF high explosive fragmentation unguided air- as well as those devised by the various
to-ground rockets, mid-September 2022. The rocket’s message refers to Capt
Serhiy Parkhomenko who was killed in combat on May 14 299th brTA
plants that had overhauled the old
Su-25s that were serving with 299th
KShAP – the latter including a one-off
overall grey Su-25.
The first indigenous paint schemes
were developed by ZDARZ during
the period when the plant mastered
the Su-25 overhaul process. The
pilot aircraft Su-25UB s/n ‘61 Blue’
delivered in 1999 had the plant’s
This brought the unit’s confirmed During March, two modernised this would last only briefly as the trademark ‘broken’ scheme and soon
losses to five Su-25s shot down, Su-25 wrecks were noted: Su-25M1 local Ukrainian forces retook it on ZDARZ devised two separate versions,
four pilots killed and one captured ‘31 Blue’ (it crashed or was shot the same day. Nonetheless, it is one for each Su-25 unit.
in the first four days of the war. down) and an unidentified one believed that 299th brTA managed In 2007 the 299th brTA devised its
In the first month of the conflict, (presumably damaged on the to evacuate most of its equipment ‘trefoil’ scheme, applied both by the
the 299th brTA had suffered at least ground) – but so far none of the two and materiel by this point – including unit itself on all operational aircraft, as
eight confirmed losses, six pilots were tied up with known losses. some of the stored aircraft, which well by ZDARZ on overhauled aircraft.
killed and two captured, including The infrastructure of the unit’s were seen in action later on. This scheme came in a ‘light’ and
Capt Korpan (his stricken aircraft home base also suffered serious ‘dark’ variation, the latter being the
crashed near Starokostyantyniv, damage – its control tower, fuel and Situation stabilises definitive one.
Khmelnytskyi Oblast, on March ammunition dumps and aircraft As the conflict progressed and the The initial ‘dark’ grey digital scheme
2), Capt Moroz (shot down in the dispersal areas were hit by airstrikes. situation on all fronts stabilised, the was devised by ZDARZ in 2012. This
Mykolayiv Oblast on March 3) Located only 87 miles from the direct head-on strikes against enemy scheme had patches in dark grey
and Lt Col Roman Vasylyuk (shot administrative border with Crimea, vehicles or positions – exposing paint that were dropped by mid-2018
down and captured in Volnovakha, it was captured by the advancing UkrAF Su-25s to all sorts of threats – resulting in the definitive ‘light’ grey
Donetsk Oblast, on March 14). Russian forces on March 4, but present on the battlefield – were digital scheme that is found exclusively
on aircraft that are upgraded to the
M1K standard.
Some of the operational Su-25
aircraft, including the first Su-25M1
(s/n ’41 Blue’), still had the old ‘trefoil’
scheme in 2022. Since none of these
were noted during combat operations,
they were either all lost during the
initial stages of the war or, more likely,
they have been repainted in overall
grey just as the two stored Su-25s that
were returned to active service – s/n
‘25 Blue’ and ‘27 Blue’, which also had
the ‘trefoil’ scheme originally.
By June most of the aircraft actively
used in combat operations had
received a large prominent Ukrainian
flag on their tail rudder as a quick
recognition feature in order to prevent
friendly fire since the RuASF also uses
Su-25s, some of which are also overall
grey. Clearly the application of the
quick recognition features depended
on the self-initiative of the ground
crews – on some aircraft the lower side
of the engine nacelles was painted in
the colours of the Ukrainian flag (one
nacelle blue, the other yellow),
on others the leading edge slats on
both wings were painted blue-yellow,
and on some their PTB-800 auxiliary
fuel tanks were painted in various
blue-yellow combinations.

Fleet
A UkrAF Su-25M1K (s/n ‘48 Blue’)
The North fires a pair of S-250FM high-explosive
fragmentation unguided air-to-ground
Macedonian rockets during a combat sortie in the
summer of 2022 299th brTA
Su-25s
The first confirmed transfer of combat
aircraft to Ukraine is the donation of four
stored Su-25s of the North Macedonian
Air Force (NMAF). This information was
leaked to the press at the start of August
and the North Macedonian Ministry of
Defence did not confirm or deny it (see
North Macedonia donates Frogfoot fleet
to Ukraine, AirForces Monthly October
2022, page 10). However, an official
confirmation came on August 6 from
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Head Su-25M1 s/n ‘37 Blue’ and Su-25UB
of the Office of the President of Ukraine. s/n ‘65 Blue’ of 299th brTA depart
This is further confirmed by the fact that their home base on an air-to-
This old Su-25 s/n ‘06 Blue’ was originally an aircraft of the 299th shavbr, ground training sortie, each armed
the aircraft are no longer present at the with a pair of 20-shot B-8M1 rocket
but transferred to the disbanded 452nd shavbr in 2004. One of the last four
military storage compound at the Skopje aircraft stored at Ivano-Frankivsk Air Base, it was sent to ZDARZ, becoming pods for the S-8 series of 80mm
IAP, locally also known as Petrovec. Su-25M1 s/n ‘47 Blue’ in 2020. Note its typical old Soviet-era camouflage unguided rockets. The Su-25M1
These aircraft were acquired from – many of the stored Su-25s of the 299th brTA at Mykolayiv-Kulbakino Air s/n ’37 Blue’ was still operational in
Base had a similar appearance Sergey Smolentsev mid-September Sergey Smolentsev
Ukraine in 2001, along with other
military equipment that was used by the replaced with the much safer This is not limited to the Ukrainian confirmed losses, with ten pilots
country’s armed forces in the ongoing stand-off strikes, well-practised troops, which are happy to see killed and both captured pilots
conflict with Albanian insurgents. by the unit before the conflict. The their own aircraft continuously being exchanged. The new losses
Arriving on June 15, 2001, and flown in aircraft fly extremely low and when pounding the enemy. It also include Capt Seredyuk (shot
combat by former UkrAF pilots, they did they are a few kilometres in front of affects the enemy ground troops down near Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast,
not see much use as the conflict ended the target, they pull up in a steep – which are certainly wondering on April 15); Capt Parkhomenko
by mid-August. They were grounded climb, firing a volley of unguided how many more Su-25s the (shot down near Hulyaipole,
on March 1, 2004, and subsequently rockets in its direction, and within UkrAF has left, especially since Zaporizhzhya Oblast, on May
officially withdrawn from service and seconds they dive back to the the Russian side has so far 14); Maj Kukurba (shot down in
placed in storage at the military apron relative safety of the extremely low claimed to have shot down well Zaporizhzhya Oblast on July 26);
of Skopje IAP in October 2005. altitude – releasing flares during the over twice the total number of Maj Blahovisnyy (shot down in the
Despite the claims that these are whole process. Su-25s that UkrAF originally had Mykolayiv Oblast on September
former UkrAF aircraft and that they are The number and size of the at the beginning of the war. 7), as well as a modernised
now returning home, they never flew unguided rockets are adapted In reality, by late September, Su-25 shot down by a Russian
with UkrAF and actually came from to the target – sometimes they the 299th brTA had at least 13 Osa-AKM (SA-8 Gecko) mobile
neighbouring Belarus. Originally, North come in the form of four large
Macedonia requested freshly overhauled 266mm S-25 series of rockets, List of NMAF Su-25s transferred to Ukraine
aircraft with ample resources remaining, which can inflict some serious Serial Type Con. No. Built Remarks
but the UkrAF had only a few as at this damage to the target, equivalent 120 Su-25UB 38220113522 1988 Last overhaul in 1997.
point; ZDARZ had just begun to overhaul to a heavy artillery bombardment.
Su-25s, so Ukraine acquired these 121 Su-25 25508109015 1986 Last overhaul in 1999.
This not only allowed the UkrAF
from Belarus. The four aircraft came 122 Su-25 25508110188 1988 Last overhaul in 1998.
to conserve the Su-25 fleet,
from the 206th Assault Aviation Base but also enabled it to gradually 123 Su-25 25508107039 1985 Last overhaul in 1997.
(206th ShAB) at Lida Air Base and were increase the number of combat
recently overhauled at the 558th Aircraft Aircraft s/n ‘02 Blue’ was one of three vanilla Su-25s still in
sorties against the enemy. For
Repair Plant (558th ARZ) in Baranovichi. service with 299th brTA. Note the characteristic KUV 26-50-01
comparison, the combined chaff/flare launchers that were fitted to it in 2015. When the unit
As these aircraft had been in open number of sorties that were flown decided to stop using the 0x range of serials in early 2016, its
storage for more than a decade it by the Mi-8 and Mi-24 combat serial number was changed to ‘22 Blue’. These aircraft were easily
remains to be seen if the UkrAF could recognised by the old ‘trefoil’ paint scheme Sergey Smolentsev
helicopters of the Ukrainian Army
return them to operational service, or Aviation and the UkrAF combat
whether they would be used for spare aircraft (the Su-25 being the
parts for the rest of the fleet. Otherwise, primary type) since February 24
when retired, the four aircraft had ample increased from 1,000 sorties on
airframe resource remaining, each June 4 to almost 2,200 sorties on
having flown 700-1,000 flight hours in August 16; in other words, it more
total. As we know, the UkrAF and ZDARZ than doubled within a period of 73
were able to return to service aircraft days, meaning that the average
that were in much worse condition, so in this timeframe was 16 sorties
both options are on the table. per day.
Finally, another important boost for Although the stand-off attack
the UkrAF would be the spare parts and lacks the precision of a direct
weapons for the NMAF Su-25s that are strike, it enables the Su-25s to
supposed to be delivered along with appear on the battlefield daily,
them – these will not be listed here in which also has a big effect on
detail for obvious reasons. the morale of the ground troops.

The Fallen Su-25 Frogfoot pilots
Lt Col Oleksandr Zhybrov: Born on July 9, 1979, the Lt Col was killed on February
24, 2022, behind the controls of Su-25M1K s/n ‘19 Blue’, while attacking a Russian
vehicle column near the village of Chorna Dolyna on the road leading from Chaplynka
to Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson Oblast.
Award: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class (posthumously) on March 26, 2022.
Lt Col Hennadiy Matulyak: Born on April 29, 1977, was killed on February 25, 2022.
Piloting Su-25M1 s/n ‘39 Blue’ on a mission against Russian ground forces in the Kyiv
Oblast he was intercepted and shot down by a RuAF aircraft near Hlibivka village.
Award: Title ‘Hero of Ukraine’ (posthumously) on February 28, 2022.
Capt Oleksandr Shcherbakov: Born on February 25, 1995, lost his life on February 26,
2022, while attacking a Russian vehicle column on the road leading from Chaplynka
to Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson Oblast.
Award: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class (posthumously) on March 26, 2022.
Capt Andriy Antykhovych: Born on May 2, 1996, he was killed on February 26, 2022,
attacking a Russian vehicle column on the road leading from Chaplynka to Nova
Kakhovka in the Kherson Oblast.
Award: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class (posthumously) on April 18, 2022.
Capt Oleksandr Korpan: Born on September 8, 1994, he was killed on March 2, 2022,
SAM system near Vuhledar, own radar and secondary optical when his stricken aircraft crashed around Starokostyantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Donetsk Oblast, on the night tracking/guidance capability Award: ‘Hero of Ukraine’ (posthumously) on March 10, 2022.
of September 18 – whose pilot – these can detect, track and
managed to eject and survive. engage aircraft independently, Capt Vadym Moroz: Born on November 9, 1995, the Captain was killed on March 3,
Obviously, the favourable including at night and in heavy 2022 in the Mykolayiv Oblast.
situation on the battlefield electronic countermeasure (ECM) Awards: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class (posthumously) on March 22, 2022.
– including the lack of Russian environments. It is interesting
short-range, low-altitude AD to note that many (if not all) of Capt Yehor Seredyuk: Born on July 2, 1995, his aircraft was shot down by a MANPADS
coverage due to the collapse of the two-seat aircraft seem to while returning from a combat sortie near Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast on April 15, 2022.
the front in the Kharkiv Oblast, have survived the initial month Awards: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class on March 22, 2022; Title ‘Hero of
combined with the use of of operations and are based in Ukraine’ (posthumously) on April 20, 2022.
US-supplied AGM-88 High-speed western Ukraine, where they
Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) have been seen flying. It appears Capt Serhiy Parkhomenko: Born on January 14, 1997, his aircraft was shot down
– has enabled UkrAF Su-25s to that these are not being used in during a combat sortie near Hulyaipole, Zaporizhzhya Oblast on May 14, 2022.
partially revert to direct attacks in frontline combat operations and Awards: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class on May 2, 2022; Title ‘Hero of
September, including at night and are kept in reserve. Combined with Ukraine’ (posthumously) on May 20, 2022.
with the use of Kh-25ML (AS-10 the number of operational single-
Karen) laser-guided air-to-ground seat Su-25s noted in combat by Major Oleksandr Kukurba: Born on September 18 1994, the Major was killed on July
missiles. However, the latest early September, this suggests 26, 2022, when his aircraft was shot down in the Zaporizhzhya Oblast during his
losses clearly emphasise the that UkrAF still has at least one 100th combat sortie. He was one of the most successful 299 brTA pilots.
danger posed by the various third of the Su-25 fleet that it had Awards: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class on March 22, 2022; Title ‘Hero of
mobile short-range, low-altitude at beginning of the war – so no Ukraine’ on April 14, 2022; Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 2nd Class on July 6, 2022;
SAM systems, equipped with their less than 10-15 aircraft. Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 1st Class (posthumously) on August 8, 2022.
Major Vadym Blahovisnyy: Born September 14, 1995, he was shot down in the
Mykolayiv Oblast on Sept 7, 2022. One of the most successful 299th brTA pilots.
Awards: Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class on March 22, 2022; Order of Bohdan
Khmelnitsky 2nd Class on August 17, 2022.
For more on these courageous pilots see this month’s free poster: AFM salutes the
Brave and Fallen Su-25 Frogfoot pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Su-25M1 s/n ‘30 Blue’ was part of the ill-fated Frogfoot pair, flown by Capt
Shcherbakov and Capt Antykhovych. Both aircraft and their pilots were lost
during a direct head-on low-level attack against a Russian vehicle column on
the Chaplynka-Nova Kakhovka road in the Kherson Oblast on February 26
Sergey Smolentsev

Unit
Report VP-69
Last of th Washington Patrol

Squadron VP-69/Reserve
‘Totems’ was the sole
active P-3C squadron
in the US Navy until
September 30.
Matthew Clements
visited the unit to report
on the twilight of its
Orion operations
V
P-69 was a P-3C Orion squadron until then was to plane second pilot. They are as the title implies, is in tactical
anti-submarine warfare conduct global maritime patrol assisted by two enlisted flight command of the aircraft.
(ASW) patrol aircraft and reconnaissance operations, engineers (FE), who maintain and Depending on the mission,
squadron consisting of selected to deter aggression and win the monitor aircraft systems. Within either the PC or the TACCO may
reserve, full-time support and fight at sea. the fuselage are two enlisted be in command of the mission.
active-duty officers and sailors acoustic sensor operators, Completing the crew is another
conducting ASW and anti-surface Orion operations designated SS1 and SS2, who NFO who serves as navigator/
warfare, intelligence, surveillance, The Orion is a land-based, long- analyse data from sonobuoys to communicator and an enlisted
reconnaissance and humanitarian range, anti-submarine warfare detect and track hostile contacts. in-flight technician. The crews
response. The squadron was (ASW) patrol aircraft. Its mission Another enlisted sensor at VP-69 consist of both officer
established on November 1, 1970, must include surveillance of the operator, designated SS3, is and enlisted aircrew, and mission
operating the SP-2H Neptune. battlespace, either at sea or over the electronic warfare operator success relies on the expertise of
VP-69 has a long and rich history land. Its long-range and long (EWO), who operates the radar, all crew members.
of operating from Naval Air Station loiter time have proved invaluable magnetic anomaly detection The Orion has continued to be
Whidbey Island, Washington assets throughout the overseas (MAD), electronic support an asset for the navy. Today’s
State, the squadron’s home for contingency operation. For a measures systems and forward- P-3C Update III is the baseline
more than 50 years. That was until standard mission, a crew of ten is looking infrared (FLIR) cameras. configuration. It has advanced
September 30, when VP-69 stood used on the Orion. In the cockpit The three naval aircrew report to submarine detection sensors,
down. are two naval aviators (NAs); the the tactical co-ordinator (TACCO), magnetic anomaly detection
The mission of the ‘Totems’ plane commander (PC) and the a naval flight officer (NFO) who, equipment and may carry a mixed

‘Totems’ 764, P-3C AIP+ (BuNo 161764),
commences engine start prior to a
night time flight over the Pacific Northwest
All images Matthew Clements
he Orions
payload of weapons internally and much more capable anti-surface even the satellite-guided GBU- Training for the P-3C
on wing pylons. warfare asset and expanded the 32(V)2/B Joint Direct Attack VP-30 ‘Pro’s Nest’, is the US
The most recent updates deliver already versatile mission set of Munition (JDAM). Mk46/50/54 Navy’s single-site maritime patrol
modern technology and improved the P-3C. torpedoes, rockets, mines and fleet replacement squadron (FRS)
acoustic sensors. One of the The latest iteration of the depth bombs. located at NAS Jacksonville,
most significant upgrades the Orion is the Update III Block Lieutenant Commander Heidi Florida. Its mission is to provide
P-3C received was the AIP Modification Upgrade Program Green/VP-69 said: “The P-3C aircraft-specific training for naval
(Anti-Surface Warfare (BMUP+). A vast improvement ordnance is comprised of both aviators, naval flight officers and
Improvement Program), which over earlier versions, it is sonobuoys and weapons; the enlisted aircrews prior to reporting
included the AN/APS-137A(V)5 equipped with a wide range P-3C can deploy a wide variety to the Fleet.
Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar of sophisticated sensors and of weapons, including torpedoes VP-30 is currently the navy’s
(ISAR). The ISAR creates a high- electronics. The BMUP+ updated and air-to-ground missiles. largest aviation squadron, with
resolution two-dimensional image the P-3C for use with the AN/ Sonobuoys are launched from more than 1,100 members,
of a contact using an object’s APS-149 Littoral Surveillance the aircraft to acoustically detect and it trains in excess of 700
own movement. This makes the Radar System (LSRS). In addition submerged submarines. officers and enlisted personnel
APS-137 particularly useful in to its ASW war load, the newest “We regularly practise releasing each year. In addition, foreign
detecting smaller, well-hidden variant also carries the infrared- weapons in the simulator, and military personnel from Germany,
objects, such as pirates or a guided AGM-65F Maverick, the practise weapons employment Pakistan, Norway, Netherlands,
submarine’s periscope. The AIP AGM-84G Harpoon ICR, the and emergency procedures in Japan, Thailand, Republic of
improvement made the P-3C a AGM-84K SLAM-ER ATA, and the aircraft.” Korea, the UK and Australia have

Above: VP-69 squadron insignia is deeply rooted to its rich history. Totem
poles are monuments created by First Nations of the Pacific Northwest to
represent and commemorate ancestry, histories, people or events
Above: 1.Totem 210 a P-3C AIP+ (BuNo 158210) sits on the ramp at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
received training from the staff of as they are the sole P-3C Navy experience environment that is Fleet deployment
the ‘Pro’s Nest’. Reserve Patrol Squadron left in unique to SELRES communities.” The area of responsibility (AOR)
Green told AirForces Monthly the US Navy. With this unique setup AirForces of the 7th Fleet encompasses
about the training syllabus and Green added: “SELRES Monthly was keen to learn more than 48 million square miles
the road to the Orion. She said: are members of the reserve how a US Navy Reserve Patrol from the Kuril Islands in the north
“Aircrew go through one to two component (RC) of the navy, Squadron differs from a frontline to the Antarctic in the south, and
years of flight school training which is commonly thought of AC squadron. from the International Date Line
before arriving at an operational as a ‘one weekend a month, and Green explained how the unit’s to the 68th meridian east, which
squadron, where positional two weeks a year’ requirement, role has changed over time: “For runs down from the India-Pakistan
training continues for 12-18 but to maintain proficiency, most many years, the P-3 reserve border.
months until the individual is fully of VP-69’s SELRES log far more community’s primary mission was This huge expanse of territory has
qualified at their aircrew position. working days at the squadron to provide combat-ready crews been a constant hunting ground
“Most members of VP-69 were than the minimum requirement. proficient in long-range ASW for the P-3 Orion since its origins.
on active duty and qualified in Almost all of the SELRES in that could deploy globally within China’s expansion to the South
active component (AC) squadrons VP-69 were previously in AC days. More recently, in addition to China Sea is a key area of interest
before arriving at VP-69. VP-69 squadrons, and once they left maintaining ASW proficiency. to the United States. The threat to
is comprised of active-duty, full- active duty found themselves VP-69 crews have deployed the US 7th fleet is increasing due
time support (FTS) and selected in a wide variety of the to 7th Fleet to fulfil intelligence, to the People’s Liberation Army
reserve (SELRES) personnel. aforementioned careers, but still surveillance and reconnaissance Navy (PLAN) asymmetric use of
FTS members are active-duty wanted to serve as SELRES. (ISR) missions while the AC modern military technologies.
members and support the US “VP-69’s SELRES have a wide completes the P-8A transition.” From September 2020 through
Navy Reserve Force. variety of professions in their “An AC P-8 squadron is until April 2021, VP-69 deployed
“Active-duty and FTS personnel civilian lives – commercial airline comprised of all active-duty to Kadena, Japan. Kadena is a
carry out the day-to-day pilots, government contractors, members who regularly deploy highly strategic United States
functions of the squadron and, educators, lawyers, healthcare as an entire unit. When VP-69 Air Force base in the towns of
without them, a successful professionals, graduate deploys, one to two crews are Kadena and Chatan and the
reserve squadron would not be and undergraduate students forward-deployed while the rest city of Okinawa, in Okinawa
possible.” and much more, all of which of the squadron continues to train Prefecture.
VP-69 operations are unique contribute to a diverse work in Whidbey Island.” The squadron supported the

RIMPAC 2022
The world’s largest international maritime exercise concluded on August 4, 2022
after more than a month of realistic, relevant, combined operations training,
conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
Twenty-six nations, 38 surface ships, three submarines, nine national land forces,
more than 30 unmanned systems, approximately 170 aircraft and more than
25,000 personnel participated in the 28th edition of the biennial Rim of the Pacific
(RIMPAC) event. The enormity of this exercise also held special significance for the
P-3C Orion.
Patrol squadron VP-69 celebrated a historic moment on August 2 as the P-3C
returned to NAS Whidbey Island in Washington State from RIMPAC22. This marked
the final detachment and last anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission flown by the
P-3C. The VP-69 ‘Totems’ flew a total of ten ASW mission flights there, supported
by 55 personnel and two combat aircrews for a 100% mission completion rate.
Lt Cdr Bill Vande Castle explained the role of the ‘Totems’ in the exercise: “This is
the last detachment that a P-3C Orion will participate in. While VQ-1 maintains EP-
3s and some of the test squadrons still have P-3Cs in use, the last flight at RIMPAC
was the final ASW mission for the P-3C Orion for the entire US Navy. We divest the
last P-3C in October 2022 and begin our transition to the P-8.
“For RIMPAC specifically, we flew ten out of ten missions for 52 hours of flight
time. We also had about 15 hours of subsurface contact, which was notable for us
since we have not done an ASW mission since 2017.
“It took a lot of maintenance and aircrew effort to get these planes out of the
LSRS [littoral surveillance radar system] business and back into the ASW business
for our final detachment. We did not do any LSRS at RIMPAC.”
He added: “We worked closely with the Canadians, Japanese and Koreans
both through joint maintenance efforts (sharing hangar space, co-ordinating
maintenance evolutions, etc) and airborne, both simultaneously with other aircraft
or turning over on-station.
“We also worked airborne with the Australians and worked with Indian and
Canadian surface vessels.”
Operating alongside the latest technologies and naval advancements, the P-3C
still held its own. Castle described a notable mission during the exercise: “On
one occasion, the P-3C worked closely with an Indian surface vessel to find a
subsurface contact. Our aircrew was able to continuously track that contact until
turning over with a P-8A on station. This was a great example of the P-3C and
‘Totems’ aircrews working seamlessly with the P-8A as well as our allies.”
Below: P-3C Orion crew execute pattern work at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington State. The cockpit crew comprises a captain, first officer and a flight
engineer (FE). In the P-8A, the FE position has been removed

Unit
Report VP-69
AN/APS-149 Littoral Surveillance the JMSDF in combined ASW
Radar System (LSRS) mission exercises. Working with the
in the 7th Fleet as the AC units JMSDF is always a privilege, and
complete the transition to the we look forward to working with
P-8A Poseidon Stateside. them again in the future.”
The LSRS is a US Navy
intelligence, surveillance, Looking to the future
reconnaissance and targeting On June 4, 2022, Patrol Squadron
system consisting of Raytheon's (VP) 62 ‘Broadarrows’, based at
AN/APS-149 littoral and overland NAS Jacksonville, Florida, phased
surveillance radar, initially fielded out the venerable Lockheed Martin
aboard the service's P-3C Block P-3C Orion, making VP-69 the
Modification Update Program sole AC squadron until September
(BMUP+) maritime patrol and 30 when the squadron saw its
surveillance aircraft. loyal servant withdrawn from use.
The radar is mounted externally Green discussed the transition
in a ventral pod attached to schedule: “VP-62 and VP-69 are
the P-3C BMUP+. It is a wide- both set to transition to the P-8
aperture, active, electronically in 2023,” she said. “While many Above: A P-3C Orion BMUP+ (BuNo 161596) featuring an AN/APS-149 Littoral
scanned array (AESA) sensor that of the transition details have yet Surveillance Radar System (LSRS) departs RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk. This
has a moving target indicator to be determined, the transition particular airframe received the BMUP+ upgrade in October 2005
(GMTI) capability. will likely mirror the AC squadrons
The APS-149 is designed in Whidbey Island, with P-8
primarily for the targeting-grade transition training occurring in
tracking of moving targets. The both Jacksonville at VP-30 and at
LSRS can track targets on land or home in Whidbey Island.
sea, and provide images of those “One major difference between
targets to intelligence analysts. the P-3 and the P-8 is that P-8s
Lieutenant Commander Bill do not have flight engineers or
Vande Castle expanded on how in-flight technicians, so most of
the system has benefitted the these aircrew will be transitioning
Orion and how VP-69 train with to other platforms or changing
it: “The LSRS brought additional rates in the navy.”
radar capabilities to the P-3C. She added that the Orion will be
“These capabilities were valuable missed and remembered: “Many
enough to the US Navy that this of us have memorable missions,
became one of VP-69’s primary but the most sweeping story of
mission sets over the last five years. how the Orion has excelled in its
“For VP-69, employment of role is that it has been a reliable
the LSRS required additional ASW and ISR aircraft for more
training and resources both for than 60 years.
maintenance personnel who “Its success is in large part to
would install and remove the the hard-working
LSRS radar pod and for the maintenance
aircrew that operated it.” personnel who
This deployment was the final always ensured the aircraft were
roll of the dice for the P-3C ready and safe to fly.
on international operations for “The Orion will be remembered
the US Navy. This six-month for bringing her crews home
deployment ended nearly safely from missions all over the
six decades of international world – and that is the greatest
operations after the first Orions tribute to the ageing,
entered service. but beloved aircraft.”
Operating in the 7th Fleet AOR She continued: “The remaining
also brings a lot of interoperability P-3 crews and Orion aircraft
with host and neighbouring bring a level of experience that is
nations. The Japan Maritime unmatched in an aircraft that is
Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is tried and true.
now the largest operator of the “While the Poseidon can execute
P-3 anywhere in the world. the same missions as the Orion,
Lt Cdr Green spoke about the Orion has flown missions
operating alongside joint users since the Vietnam war. It has
of the same platform. proven it can be relied upon to
She said: “The maritime patrol complete whatever mission it is
community works together with called upon to do.”

Above: ‘Totems’ 210, P-3C AIP+ (BuNo 158210), heads the line of a trio of
VP-69 Orions
Above: ‘Totems’ 764, P-3C AIP+ (BuNo 161764), beginning engine start at NAS
Whidbey Island, Washington
Above: ‘Totems’ 586, P-3C BMUP+ (BuNo 161586), on approach to Runway 25

at NAS Whidbey Island. Note the mission marks below the cockpit
Main image: ‘Totems’

408, P-3C BMUP+ (BuNo
161408), approaching
Whidbey Island’s
Runway 25

Wildfire response
Czechia
burns
Off on the attack! A Czech Air Force Mi-17
During late July, the Czech Republic saw one of
and Slovakian Air Force UH-60M head out its worst ever wildfires that spanned over a week.
for the first drop of the day
All photos Alan Warnes
Alan Warnes travelled to the affected areas to
see the aerial fire-fighting operation unfold
H
elicopters from both the military developed on July 24 and on that first day said, adding, “We keep the FireBosses and
and police forces of three different one Czech Police Aviation helicopter rushed Canadairs flying at 3,000ft, the three Antonov
countries, Czech Republic, Slovakia, to the scene; the next day saw two Police An-2s at 2,000 and the helicopters at 1,000.”
and Poland were dispatched to Usti nad Bell 412s and two Czech Air Force W3A Eleven helicopters were seen at Usti in
Labem airfield in late July. The massive Sokols, then international help arrived on the total. The Czech military and the Slovak Air
Bohemian Switzerland National Park in 26th.” Force and Police helicopters were fitted with
northwestern Czech Republic was on fire. The helicopters were supporting fire- Bambi-Buckets underneath, but the two
This beautiful wilderness area, one of the fighters, known as Hasici in the Czech Czech Police Bell 412s dropped theirs close
largest in Europe and covering more than Republic (Czechia), who were desperately to the fire due to the speed restrictions (80
700km2, is a big tourist attraction. Some battling a forest fire that was enveloping kts) when flying with the Bambi, and picked
of the higher, more remote locations were the whole national park. Vlasak’s main them up during the next effort.
difficult for the firefighters to access, which task was to ensure the aerial fire-fighting The Czech Police Airbus Helicopters H135s
meant an aerial fire-fighting force (AFF) was mission’s flight safety. “When there are a lot were both fitted with a FLIR Star Safire
hastily assembled, led by Tomas Vlasak, of helicopters and aircraft all condensed into electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor for
a Czech Police pilot instructor, acting as the same small piece of air space, someone looking closely into the fires, as well as
safety officer. He told the author, “The fire has to ensure that they are all separated,” he Trekker spotlights used for general night
A Czech Air Force Sokol W3A lifts off with a Bambi Bucket, while a Tomas Vlasak would use this Czech Police H135 to brief the FireBoss pilots
Slovakian Air Force UH-60M and Slovakian Police Mi-17 wait their turn at nearby Most airfield, before heading towards the fires

operations. Every morning, Vlasak in one Germany. A strip of the nearby River Elbe lifted off, one of the crew watching ensured
of the EC135s departed to the city of saw helicopters from both sides pick up the Bambi Bucket underneath unfurled
Most to brief the Saab FireBoss aircrews, water. The Czech-based helicopters were correctly to ensure there were no issues as
before heading towards the fires to act separated from the German ones by about they rose into the air.
as safety officer. Some of the missions a kilometre downstream – I know, I walked The helicopters would head to the fire and
could last up to two hours. Initially the it and ten more, on one of the hottest days drop their loads, but on August 5 it was
helicopters would take off and then of the year! decided to attack the fires, which meant the
head to the River Elbe to pick up The fire-fighting helicopters at Usti, helicopters took off together, picking up the
water, or the bigger Mi-17s would go which the author visited three times, water and then dropping one after the other.
to a vertical replenish tank (VRT) in a would generally start flying after
restricted area where there was more 10.30am. The crews arrived at the small Fixed Wing
space to load their Bambi Buckets. club house an hour or so earlier for The AFF effort had been boosted by the arrival
As the fires spread across the border, a brief in the dining area outside the of two Canadair CL-415s on
helicopters from Germany and Austria clubhouse and breakfast and were then the 26th
were scrambled to Hrensko town on their way. As the helicopters
to assist with fire-fighting efforts in
The routes for many of the fire-fighting aircraft, also showing the restricted
vertical replenishment tank zone – VRT – where the Mi-17s picked up water

Wildfire response
The Slovak Police

A Czech Police Bell 412 employs its Bambi Bucket to pick up water from Mi-17 drops water
the River Elbe to drop on the wildfires during a practice run
from the Italian Fire Service (Vigili del Fuoco)

based at Aero Vodochody’s airfield at Odolena Czech Fire operations
Voda. There were also three Antonov An-2s Air Force Type Serials Airfield
operating from a nearby ultralight airfield at
Mi-17 0850, 0834
Bynovec, very close to the fire from Jihlava, Czech Air Force/243 Letka
Mnihovo Hradiste and Chrudim. Sokol W3A 0709, 0711
Unfortunately, after just one day the two Slovak Air Force UH-60M 7639, 7640 All Usti nad Labem
huge Canadairs, each capable of dropping
Slovak Police Mi-17 OM-BYM
7,000lt of water in one go, were called back
to Italy, to face off fires in their homeland. H135 OK-BYH, OK-BYI
Czech Police
In their place came two Air Tractor AT-802F Bell 412 OK-BYR, OK-BYT
FireBosses operated by Saab and based in
Saab AT-802 FireBoss SE-MHO, SE-MHN Most
Sweden. They arrived on July 29. Saab’s Lars
Wallin, Section Manager, Special Flight Ops, Vigili Del Fuoco CL-415 I-DPCP/11, I-DPCY/20 Aero Vodochody
said: “I got a call on the Thursday evening
when we made the decision to dispatch
two FireBosses to the Czech Republic on
Friday morning, via a fuel stop at Ronneby.
We landed at Aero that afternoon (1pm), and
then promptly did our first mission out there
but due to maintenance at the airport [we]
relocated to Kbely Air Base.”
During their stay, the two small fire-fighting
aircraft overnighted at the military air base and
around 8.30am headed to Most airfield which
was much closer to the fire. On August 5, after
a week’s work and nearly 100 drops, the two
aircraft, which can set down 3,000lt in one go
from their Wipro tanks, returned to Sweden.
Within days, they were heading to France for
another fire. In their place came two CL-415
super-scoopers, again operating out of the
Aero Vodochody facility. They began dropping
A Saab AT 802F FireBoss runs along the top of Lake Mlada scooping up water
water the same day the FireBosses left and
stayed until the end on August 7.
Looking back
Catching up with Tomas Vlasak some weeks
after the fires had been put out on August 7, he
said: “The first week was by far the toughest –
there was lots of smoke, poor visibility and the
fires were getting close to villages. When the
villages were safe we started to attack the fires
more.” He finished: “We couldn’t see all of the
fires, because some were underground, so the
fire-fighters had to be very careful.”
It was ten days of frenetic fire-fighting
activity which you wouldn’t usually associate
with the Czech Republic, but then again you
didn’t associate these massive fires with
many countries in central or northern Europe.
Sadly, you do now.
See also AFM, October issue, p12-13 An Italian Vigili Del Fuoco CL-415, which is designed to scoop up 7,000lt of water at a time,
‘Hrensko Fires’ demonstrates this capability on the Czech Republic’s Lake Mlada

Exercise
Report Pitch Black 22
T
he Royal Australian multi-domain air operations in a Delamere Air Weapons Range,
Air Force’s (RAAF’s) real-world environment. which is a massive four times
premier international Air Cdre Tim Alsop, commander larger. With these, Pitch Black
engagement activity, Exercise of the RAAF’s Air Combat offers an exercise area that
Pitch Black, returned to the Group and Exercise Pitch Black, is greater than many first-tier
‘Land Down Under’ with its said: “We practise with our international exercises.
largest edition ever. Taking place multinational partner forces During the event, the majority
over the skies of the Top End because Australia has never of aircraft and units staged out
– the northernmost section of gone into conflict by itself. By of RAAF Base Darwin, while
Australia’s Northern Territory training with our international Tindal, located approximately
– from August 19 to September partners, we develop common 300km south, hosted a
8, the multinational large force standards, personal relationships detachment of 12 US Marine
engagement (LFE) exercise and, most importantly, a level of Corps (USMC)-operated F-35B
involved 2,500 personnel from trust that allows us to operate Lightning IIs and a single French
17 nations, with 11 of these effectively together.” Air and Space Force (FASF)
contributing approximately Airbus CN-235-200.
100 aircraft. The Playground Both
This comprised host nation Aside from the opportunity to bases
Australia, exercise regulars fly with cutting-edge assets were at
Singapore and the US and the in a coalition environment, the peak
return of France, India, Indonesia major selling point of Pitch capacity. Since the
and the UK, as well as debuting Black to Australia’s international last exercise, new parking
nations Germany, Japan and partners is the large volume of aprons have been constructed
South Korea. unrestricted exercise airspace, at Darwin as part of joint
Exercise Pitch Black presents which is vastly bigger that what investments by the Australian
itself as a platform for Australia many have back home. and US governments under the
and its multinational partner The exercise takes place over purview of the bilateral Force
nations to enhance their ability the Bradshaw Field Training Area Posture Initiatives agreement to
to work together on the planning – which spans 2,000 square improve interoperability. Similar
and execution of high-end kilometres – and the adjacent work is ongoing at Tindal.
Air War over the
Top End
58 // November 2022
Making up for the exercise’s cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19
pandemic, this year’s iteration of Pitch Black saw the largest number
of participating nations in its 40-year history, as Roy Choo reports
www.Key.Aero
ROKAF-operated KF-16Us that
participated in Pitch Black
2022 have received upgrades
incorporating the AN/APG-83
SABR AESA radar, an electronic
warfare suite and improvements
to hardware and software ROKAF
A pair of F-16D+ Block 52s

from the RSAF’s 145 Squadron
conduct an air-to-ground mission
during Pitch Black 2022. Note the
two fighters are each fitted with a
GBU-12 Paveway II training bomb
Roy Choo
As can be expected in a by the RAAF’s No 75 Squadron

multinational LFE exercise, when it was flying the F/A-18A/B
offensive counter-air (OCA) and ‘Classic’ Hornet. With the unit
defensive counter-air (DCA) having since converted to the
missions were flown by two F-35A, this is no longer the
opposing forces – ‘Red Air’ and practice. Contracted Adversary
‘Blue Air’. Notably, each of the Air (ADAIR) was also notably
international participants absent in this year’s exercise.
took on a greater ‘Red Adopting a graduated approach,
Air’ assignment; participants were introduced
contingents that to the exercise with relatively
AFM spoke reported that simple Force Integration
between a third to half of their Training missions during the
missions were dedicated to first week. The exercise gained
flying as an adversary. ‘Red Air’ in complexity in the second
assignments are considered to and third weeks, with larger
be of little training value as crew packages and heightened threat
have to fly to a scripted format in scenarios. Twice-daily waves
order to ‘punish mistakes’ made were launched, with the second
by friendly forces. taking place after dusk.
In previous Pitch Black One aspect of the exercise
exercises, a sizeable number of that was significantly reduced
aggressor missions were flown was that of air-land integration.

Exercise
The RAF contributed four Typhoon FGR4s and an A330-243MRTT Voyager
KC3 to Pitch Black 2022, all of which flew from RAAF Base Darwin. Here,
Typhoon FGR4 (serial ZK308) is pictured against the Darwin city skyline
MOD Crown Copyright/AS1 Ryan Murray
The participation of three Rafale Bs at Pitch Black 2022 came as part of

the French Air and Space Force’s ‘Pegase 2022’ mission, a continuum of
deployment and training activities in the Indo-Pacific region Roy Choo
Scenarios that were practised in that it has on order (as of combines all the data the sensors F-35Bs from the USMC’s Marine
previous exercises had involved September 2022). The type is are pulling in as what we call Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12). As
multiple transport aircraft flown from two RAAF bases: sensor fusion.” was the case with the Australian
role-playing as high-value assets Williamtown in New South While the RAAF F-35As and F-35As, a composite unit
infiltrating or exfiltrating from a Wales, where No 2 Operational USMC F-35Bs are believed to comprising aircraft and personnel
target airfield. The only transport Conversion Unit (OCU), 3 and have networked through MADL, from Marine Fighter Attack
participant this year was the 77 Squadrons reside; and Tindal varying levels of fourth- and Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) ‘Green
sole French CN-235-200, which in Australia’s Northern Territory, fifth-gen fighter integration was Knights’ and VMFA-242 ‘Bats’
simulated inserting special forces home to No 75 Squadron. performed, depending on whether – both from Marine Corps Air
while ‘Blue Air’ fighters had to For Pitch Black 2022, a RAAF the aircraft from participating Station (MCAS) Iwakuni in Japan
provide air defence. composite unit made up of nations were equipped with – participated in the exercise.
aircraft and crew from both No 3 Link-16 and to what version of the Lt Col Richard ‘GABBE’
Fifth-Gen Ops and 75 Squadrons was formed. tactical datalink. Behrman, MAG-12 Operations
A significant first for Pitch Black ‘Blue Air’ missions were solely “During Pitch Black, we are Officer, shared the reason for
2022 was the introduction of flown by the Australian F-35As. operating to unclassified tactics this composition. “We were very
fifth-generation fighters in Flt Lt ‘Shed’ is a No 75 as prescribed in the exercise’s interested in exercising a Marine
the form of RAAF-operated Squadron pilot who has recently Combined Air Operations Guide. Air-Ground Task Force concept,
conventional take-off and landing converted from the F/A-18F Super It still provides the specific which has a headquarters
(CTOL)-configured F-35A and Hornet. He explained: “The F-35 outcomes that are targeted for element led by MAG-12, and
the USMC’s short take-off and is above all else an airborne Pitch Black. We do the full gamut then components of both
vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs. sensor. With the APG-81 radar, of F-35 missions of air-to-air VMFA-121 and VMFA-242, as well
The RAAF, having brought combined with the way the jets and air-to-ground as part of as a presence from our transport
home its first pair of F-35As speak to each other – through a package with our partners,” refuelling squadron, [Marine Aerial
in December 2018, has taken the F-35-only Multifunction ‘Shed’ continued. Refueler Transport Squadron
delivery of 54 of the 72 examples Advanced Data Link (MADL) – it Flying from Tindal were 12 152 (VMGR-152) ‘Sumos’], and

While this F-35A wears No 2 OCU markings, Australian Lightnings
participating in Pitch Black 2022 were flown by a composite unit
made up of aircraft and personnel from No 3 and 75 Squadrons.
RAAF F-35A units do not fly according to squadron markings Roy Choo
elements from our maintenance Electronic exercise Exercise Pitch Black 2022
and support squadrons.” Participating in its second – Flying Participants
He shared the fact that six Pitch Black as the exercise’s
Air Arm Type Quantity
of the F-35Bs conducted dedicated airborne electronic
Expeditionary Advanced Base attack (EA) and jamming F-35A Lightning II N/A
Operations (EABO) training at platform was the RAAF’s EA-18G Growler 7
RAAF Base Curtin, Western EA-18G Growler. Seven were Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail 1
Australia, in mid-August, prior deployed by No 6 Squadron
to their participation in Exercise from RAAF Base Amberley in KC-30A (A330-
2
Pitch Black. The EABO concept Queensland. According to Fg 203MRTT)
emphasises the employment Off ‘Sam’, these flew as ‘Red Rafale B 3
of mobile and distributed Air’ and ‘Blue Air’ as required by French Air and Space Force A330-243MRTT Phénix 1
Marine forces from austere the exercise scenarios.
CN-235-200 1
locations to support a larger As expected, the full EA and
naval campaign. jamming capabilities were German Air Force EF-2000 6
The hub-and-spoke model of not utilised. “We have certain Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Flanker-H 4
EABO – which envisages the guidelines we are given, in terms
F-16AM/BM (MLU) 3
rapid dispersion of aircraft from of what we can execute when Indonesian Air Force
major bases to several smaller we are airborne. We are also F-16C/D Block 25 3
distributed bases – was trialled, bound by spectrum clearances, Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2A 5
with Tindal functioning as the so we can only use certain parts NATO Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) A330-243MRTT 1
‘hub’. Curtin, a bare and isolated of the electromagnetic spectrum
base located nearly 1,000km as permitted by the authorities,” KF-16U 6
(621 miles) away, was used as ‘Sam’ confirmed. Republic of Korea Air Force KC-330 Cygnus
1
the ‘spoke’. The Republic of Singapore (A330-243MRTT)
F-15SG Eagle 8
F-16D+ Block 52 8
During each of their Pitch Republic of Singapore Air Force
Black launches, F-15Cs from G550 CAEW 1
the USAF’s Kadena-based 67th
Fighter Squadron ‘Fighting A330-243MRTT 1
Cocks’ typically flew low over the Typhoon FGR4 4
runway before climbing rapidly
Royal Air Force A330-243MRTT
Roy Choo 1
Voyager KC3
US Air Force F-15C Eagle 6
F-35B Lightning II 12
US Marine Corps
KC-130J Hercules 2
Aerial refuellers like this NATO Multinational MRTT Unit-operated A330-

243MRTT are a contingency for any aircraft running low on fuel. The NATO
MMU crew at Pitch Black comprised largely Luftwaffe personnel Roy Choo

Exercise
Two airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) assets
participated in Pitch Black 2022. The first (pictured) was
an RAAF-operated E-7A Wedgetail, while the second was
a G550 CAEW from the RSAF Australian Department of
Defence/Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit
The Luftwaffe’s ‘Air Ambassador’ was one of six participating EF-2000s.

Decorated with a colourful wrap to commemorate the German air arm’s
Asia-Pacific tour, this aircraft was due to deploy to Asia Roy Choo
Making its return after its Pitch Black debut in 2018, the Indian Air Force
deployed four Su-30MKI Flanker-Hs, this time from No 20 Squadron
‘Lightnings’, which is home-based at Lohegaon Air Force Station in west India
Roy Choo
Air Force (RSAF) sent the appealing for Singapore due to to achieve a 6:0 kill ratio, insights The Indonesian Air Force
largest contingent of aircraft its acute shortage of training of which will be evaluated after deployed six Fighting Falcons
to RAAF Base Darwin. These
to participate in the exercise, airspace. However, as the island the exercise. were split evenly between the
contributing eight F-15SG Eagles nation has signed up for four upgraded F-16AM/BM (MLU) and
and eight F-16D+ Block 52s and F-35Bs for delivery from 2026, First-timers F-16C/D Block 25. The crew were
single examples of the Gulfstream with a further eight on option, The Eurofighter Typhoon also assigned from SkU3 and SkU16
Roy Choo
G550 Conformal Airborne Early the 2022 edition proved to made its Pitch Black debut
Warning (CAEW) aircraft and be an opportune moment to this year and was flown by
Airbus A330-243MRTT multi-role take a closer look at the F-35. two countries. The RAF’s No
tanker-transport. “Pitch Black 2022 presents an 6 Squadron flew four Typhoon
Col Mark Tan ‘Gomer’, RSAF opportunity to operate with the FGR4s, while the Luftwaffe’s
Exercise Director, said: “Having RAAF and USAF F-35s and (German Air Force’s) Taktisches
first participated in our first Pitch understand how the aircraft Luftwaffengeschwader 74
Black in 1990, we found the are employed in a large force (TaktLwG 74, Tactical Air Force
exercise to be valuable in the employment setting and also see Wing 74) participated with
sharing of best practices and how it will fit in our war-fighting eight EF-2000s.
operational ideas and therefore system,” ‘Gomer’ added. To demonstrate Germany’s
have been participating in every He shared how a pair of F-35s ability to rapidly project airpower
exercise since.” were put up against a ‘Red Force’ into the Asia-Pacific region, the
The exercise is especially three times larger and managed German detachment was given

Five F-2As from the JASDF’s
3 Hikotai, based at Hyakuri Air
Base, flew both air-to-air and air-
to-ground missions during Pitch
Black 2022. Japan was to have
made its exercise debut in 2020,
but this was cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic Australian
Department of Defence/Leading
Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke
the task of reaching Singapore Pitch Black 2022. The Japan Air Participating in its fourth Pitch years, with the largest turnout
within 24 hours, while en route Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) Black exercise since 2012, the ever seen in the event’s 40-year
to Australia for Pitch Black. Hykauri-based 3 Hikotai Indonesian Air Force brought history. Many countries take
The goal was achieved, with all (Squadron) brought five F-2As three F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting an interest in the exercise and
but one aircraft arriving in just and aimed to gain more LFE Falcons that have completed a the RAAF must make a balance
under 20½ hours. According to experience in a coalition setting. mid-life upgrade and a further between available space and
Capt Dirk ‘717’ Pretzer, the ‘Air Meanwhile, the Republic of three F-16C/D Block 25s, with the desire to have as many of its
Ambassador’ schemed EF-2000 Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF’s) personnel from Skadron Udara partners participate in the event.
(serial 31+11) – adorned with a Chungju-based 19th Fighter Wing 3 and 16 (SkU3/16; Air Squadron The Philippine Air Force has
colourful wrap to commemorate and 39th Reconnaissance Wing 3/16). According to supervising already announced its intention
the Asia-Pacific deployment jointly flew the KF-16U, which officer, Col Atang Sudrajat, this to participate in the 2024 edition.
– faced issues with its hydraulic was understood to have been was to distribute the knowledge The exercise will continually
systems during a stopover in upgraded with the AN/APG-83 gained to both the F-16 units. evolve to stay operationally
the United Arab Emirates (UAE), active electronically scanned relevant, while at the same
delaying its trip by a day. array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Balancing act time, provide a platform for
Japan and South Korea both Radar (SABR) and improved The Pitch Black exercise series the RAAF to engage with its
made their exercise debuts at hardware/software. has proven its worth in recent international partners.

Force
Report Luftwaffe
From
strength to
strength
After years of transition and
modernisation, the Luftwaffe has
been transformed. Dr Andreas
Zeitler assesses its air
capabilities and explains
why it’s a force to be
reckoned with
Boelcke Eurofighters at dawn

– using the Laser Designator
Pod (LDP) the wing moves to
a multi-role capability with the
Eurofighter Bundeswehr/Timmig

T
he main tasks of the independent of the platform in was completed by the end of The go-ahead for the replacement
Luftwaffe (German Air which they were operating and 2019. Since entry into service, a of Tranche 1 jets by 38 new-build
Force; GAF) are to secure released from their previous tasks. Eurofighter was severely damaged Eurofighters was given by the
Germany’s airspace and to It was the GAF’s aim that each in 2014 after hitting a GFD Learjet German parliament in November
provide an air transport capability. wing would be able to provide 35A acting as an aerial target 2020. It will be a one-to-one
After having completed a major a multi-role capability, keeping simulator, and two Eurofighters change, as the number includes
restructuring process in the specialist aircrews within the wings crashed in June 2019 following a the replacement of the two lost jets
mid-2010s, its organisational that would excel in certain tasks. mid-air collision during a training as well as three specially outfitted
structure is now firmly set in place. However, the wings still operating flight from Laage Air Base. test aircraft. These will not be used
Along with this so-called the Panavia Tornado would keep The first 33 aircraft of Tranche 1 by a Luftwaffe unit but operated
“Neuausrichtung der Bundeswehr” their focus on air-to-ground were delivered between 2003 and by the German Armed Forces’
(Realignment of the German operations as this is the role the 2008. They are now successively flight test unit, WTD 61, and the
Armed Forces) came the aircraft was designed for. German reaching the end of their intended manufacturer, Airbus Defence and
renaming of the former specialist Eurofighters are progressing to useful life as the airframes are Space, at the flight test centre site
Jagdgeschwader (Fighter Wings) adopt this role too, moving towards running out of flying hours, in Manching, Bavaria. The order,
and Jagdbombergeschwader a multi-role capability. equipment is becoming obsolete, also known by its project name
(Fighter-Bomber Wings). They and the hardware cannot be ‘Quadriga', is worth €5.4bn and
were unified under the single The fighter force upgraded to the required multi-role includes an extensive hardware
designation of Taktisches Eurofighters form the backbone capability. Some of the jets have upgrade, making these new
Luftwaffengeschwader (Tactical of the Luftwaffe. The delivery been retired from service in the Eurofighters Tranche 4 aircraft. The
Air Force Wings, TaktLwGs), thus of 143 Tranche 1 to 3 aircraft past few years. most significant change will be the

Force
Report Luftwaffe
German Patriot SAM systems installation of a new E-Scan radar
have been deployed to Slovakia as well as the Praetorian Defensive
for NATO’s airspace protection Aids Sub-System (DASS). Their
Bundesweh/Twardy
delivery is scheduled to take place
between 2025 and 2030.
Although Eurofighters and their
pilots are becoming more skilled
in the air-to-ground role, Tornados
continue to carry out their
dedicated roles in air-to-ground
operations, employing weapons
the Eurofighter is not cleared for.
They operate as reconnaissance
aircraft and fighter-bombers,
as well as in the special role of
suppression/destruction of enemy
air defences (SEAD/DEAD).
Based at Büchel in the Eifel
region, TaktLwG 33 is the
specialist wing for air-to-ground
operations. It is tasked with close
air support (CAS) and attacks
against hardened targets deep in
enemy territory. Crews are trained
to deploy laser-/GPS-guided
GBU-24 and GBU-54 bombs
Two new Airbus A321LRs now
as well as the KEPD 350 Taurus
offer a long range ‘military
business class’ for Luftwaffe cruise missile. Additionally,
personnel Bundesweh/Twardy the Büchel wing is involved
in Germany’s contribution to
NATO’s nuclear sharing operation
(commonly abbreviated to “NT”
– Nukleare Teilhabe), as Tornados
are certified to carry the B61
nuclear gravity bomb.
TaktLwG 51 ‘Immelmann’ is
focused more on the role of
reconnaissance. In addition
to its Tornado IDS, the wing
absorbed all Tornados of the
specific Electronic Combat and
Reconnaissance (ECR) version
in April 2013. Since then, the
wing has been able to provide
an imaging and signal airborne
reconnaissance capability.
Reconnaissance in the visible
and infrared is not only performed
by Tornado IDS and ECR fast-
jets carrying Rafael’s RecceLite
Airbus A400M Atlas transport
aircraft were an important asset
during the evacuation of Kabul
Bundeswehr/Kraatz

A German Eurofighter side-by-side
with an Australian EA-18G Growler
and a USAF F-22A Raptor over
Australia. Working with non-NATO
air forces is considered important
for Germany Bundeswehr/Timmig
pod, but also using the Heron. prior to the introduction of the arguments about its replacement. As a successor, Airbus heavily
Usage of the Heron remotely European medium-altitude, Apart from major political marketed the Eurofighter EK
piloted aircraft system (RPAS) long-endurance (MALE) RPAS. implications, it turned out that (Elektronischer Kampf, Electronic
is severely limited in German The deal runs until 2027, and as a none of the three contenders Combat) variant at ILA Berlin to
airspace, so training with these first for German-operated RPAS – Eurofighter, F/A-18E/F Super take over the ECR role. Looking at
aircraft is performed by the – and a clear result of Russia’s Hornet and F-35 Lightning II – was these replacement plans, German
manufacturer, Israel Aerospace war on Ukraine – Berlin also able to fulfil the whole spectrum Tornados should become the last
Industries (IAI), in Israel. The decided in April 2022 to arm of the Tornado’s role. The choice flying examples of this type as the
RPAS has also solely been used Heron TP and acquire a total of finally fell to the F-35A, most decommissioning is already much
to operate in theatres of war, 140 missiles. The first operators likely with a major influence by NT more advanced in Saudi Arabia
such as Afghanistan and Mali, are currently being trained on arguments as the Lightning IIs will and Italy.
since 2016. the aircraft in Israel. Located at be based at Büchel.
Three Heron 1s were leased Schleswig-Jagel in the far north The first German F-35As are Rotary wings
from a consortium consisting of Germany, ‘Immelmann’ is estimated to be delivered in Hubschraubergeschwader 64
of German Rheinmetall and IAI. additionally tasked with air-sea 2025, and taking into account a (HSG 64; Helicopter Wing 64)
Airframes lost during operations warfare duties. period of transition, the Tornado is home to Luftwaffe’s rotary
are regularly replaced to Despite the GAF’s unified wing IDS fleet may be gone by 2030, wing aircraft. Its fleet includes
maintain the required the designations, the two Tornado though no plans have been made a total of 60 Sikorsky CH-53GA
reconnaissance capability. wings retain their specialisation. public as yet. Tornado ECRs and CH-53GS heavy transport
As an upgrade to the Heron 1, NT and a matured ECR capability, were delivered in 1990 and 1991 helicopters, as well as the Airbus
the German parliament agreed combined with the potential to and are the youngest of the fleet. Helicopters H145M LUH SOF
on the acquisition of five IAI deploy the AGM-88E Advanced Retaining their electronic warfare (Light Utility Helicopter – Special
Heron TPs in 2018. These are Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (EW) role might also make them Operating Forces), of which 15
intended as an interim solution (AARGM) have prompted heavy the last Luftwaffe Tornados. were delivered between 2015
Why so many tankers?

Germany has a major share in the Köln-Wahn Air Base, which acts as boom and hose-and-drogue), troop
Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU). The a forward operating base (FOB) for and cargo transport, as well as for
MMU currently consists of seven the MMF. aeromedical evacuation.
aircraft, which completes the first Accordingly, more than half of the While the budgeted flight hours might
tranche of A330-243 MRTTs of the available flight hours of the fleet are seem overrated, the recent need to
Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF). allocated to Germany, equating to five operate up to three MRTTs at the
Two more aircraft will join in 2024, aircraft fl ying 5,500 flight hours per same time in support of the mission
and an option for up to two more year. They are either made available to protect NATO airspace around
aircraft exists, should any partner as part of the obligations towards the Ukraine has validated this strategy.
nation have an increased need or European Air Transport Command It also gives Germany the ability to
should another nation decide to join (EATC) or used nationally. The high support its regular overseas exercises.
the programme. need comes from the previous number For example, the most recent ‘Rapid
Germany’s large financial involvement of fi ve Luftwaffe Airbus 310-304 Pacific’ deployment to Australia was
is not only reflected by a 62% portion MRTTs, the last of which was retired in supported by three A330 MRTTs in
of German personnel in the MMU, but June 2022. The larger A330s succeed parallel to the missions at NATO’s
also by four MRTTs that are based at them for air-to-air refueling (both Eastern border.

Force
Report Luftwaffe
A Tornado thunders out of Büchel

Air Base. Despite being at the
dusk of his career, the jet is still an
indispensable asset for the GAF
All photos Andreas Zeitler, unless stated
and 2017. Based at Laupheim years. Their mission started in and tactical air transport this deal are yet to be clarified.
Air Base in southern Germany, April 2002, at a time when these roles from German NH90s in The delivery of 60 CH-47Fs is
HSG 64 also has another unit at helicopters were still part of the Gao, Mali, as part of the UN’s expected between 2025 and
Schönewalde/Holzdorf, which is Heeresflieger (Army Aviation) Multidimensional Integrated 2030, which means the CH-53
located approximately 80km south and continued when CH-53s Stabilization Mission in Mali would still be able to celebrate its
of Berlin. were transferred to the Luftwaffe (MINUSMA). This mission came 53rd anniversary in Germany.
HSG 64 has undertaken many in 2012/2013. shortly after the aircraft had Foreign deployments of HSG
foreign deployments, especially The non-stop deployments over celebrated 50 years of service 64’s H145Ms may happen even
with its CH-53. Serving in nearly 30 years came to an end with the German Armed Forces. more frequently, however, these
the Western Balkans for the in December 2020. In January Meanwhile, the CH-53s have are shrouded under a veil of
IFOR, SFOR, KFOR missions, 2021, the last helicopters were clearly reached the end of their secrecy. Fifteen H145Ms of HSG
or during the UN-Mission in airlifted back from Afghanistan life; spare parts are becoming 64’s 4 Squadron give dedicated
Iraq (UNSCOM), their most to Germany. However, this rare and aircraft availability has support to the Bunderswehr’s
recent deployment has been turned out to be only a short dropped to only very few flyable Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK,
to Afghanistan (ISAF). Known resting period for the squadron. helicopters, according to the Special Forces Command).
as ‘Nazguls’, these helicopters CH-53s were sent out to Africa wing. Even though the decision Among the very few published
were the backbone of German in June 2022. At the beginning was taken in August to go for deployments are the mission in
aerial transport and served in of July, they took over the the Boeing CH-47F Chinook as Niger in 2020 and the transport
Afghanistan for more than 18 medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) a replacement, the details of of two helicopters onboard an
Order of battle
Unit Type Location
Taktische Luftwaffengeschwader (TaktLwG – Tactical Air Wings)
TaktLwG 31 “Boelcke” Eurofighter GS / GT Nörvenich
TaktLwG 33 Tornado IDS / GT Büchel
Tornado ECR / IDS / GT, Schleswig-
TaktLwG 51 “Immelmann”
IAI Heron Jagel
TaktLwG 71 “Richthofen” Eurofighter GS / GT Wittmund
TaktLwG 73 “Steinhoff” Eurofighter GS / GT Laage
TaktLwG 74 Eurofighter GS / GT Neuburg/Donau
Lufttransportverbände (Air Transport Wings)
Flugbereitschaft des A319, A321-200, A330MRTT,
Köln/Bonn
Bundesministeriums A340, A350, Global 5000,
Berlin
der Verteidigung Global 6000, AS532U2 MKII
CH-53GA, CH-53GS, H145M Laupheim
Hubschraubergeschwader 64
LUH SOF Schönewalde
Eindhoven,
Multinational Multirole Tanker
A330 MRTT Netherlands
Transport Fleet
Köln/Bonn
Lufttransportgeschwader 62 A400M Wunstorf
Binationale Lufttransportstaffel C-130J-30, KC-130J (still to Évreux,
Rhin/Rhein be delivered) France
Notes: TaktLwG 71 is currently co-located with TaktLwG 73 due to construction
work being performed at Wittmund. The same is valid for the Tornados of
TaktLwG 33 that currently operate out of nearby Nörvenich, home of TaktLwG
31. Four out of nine A330 MRTTs are permantently based at Köln/Bonn airport.

MBDA-developed Meteor
beyond-visual-range air-to-air
missiles (BVRAAMs) have recently
been integrated onto German
Flying
Eurofighters
the Flag
The Flag exercises around Nellis
AFB are regularly visited by
Luftwaffe units and are familiar
terrain for the crews. In 2018, fi ve
Tornados and seven Eurofighters
were deployed for Exercise Green
Flag West to sharpen their skills
in air-to-ground operations. The
GAF’s most recent Exercise Red
Flag was in 2020, involving a
total of eight Tornados and
Eurofighters, but was stopped
prematurely due to the global
COVID-19 pandemic.
Frisian Flag is another exercise
regularly attended by the GAF. It
is centred around Leeuwarden Air
Base in the Netherlands. The large
Airbus A400M for the Kabul age. They were operated by A330 MRTTs of the Multinational airspace used for the exercise
evacuation mission in September Lufthansa more than 20 years Multi-Role Tanker Transport Unit area is framed between the
2021, even though they weren’t ago and underwent conversion (MMU), with its headquarters at German Bight, Denmark and the
actually used during that mission. to their current role in 2010. Both Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Netherlands. Despite taking place
A340s will be retired by the end Four of these aircraft will be on the Luftwaffe’s own doorstep,
The transport fleet of this year and replaced by three based directly at Köln/Wahn Frisian Flag is regularly visited
As aircraft in the Flugbereitschaft Airbus A350-900s, one of which is airport. An additional national by a mix of Luftwaffe squadrons
des Bundesministeriums der already in service. air-to-air refueling capability is to train with NATO partners. For
Verteidigung (FlBschftBMVg; Another widebody jet left the still retained using the Airbus example, the 2019 edition saw
Executive Transport Wing of the fleet this year – in mid-June the A400M, which can be fitted with the deployment of Eurofighters
Federal Ministry of Defence) are GAF’s last Airbus A310 MRTT Cobham 908E wing pods. from TaktLwG 31, 71 and 74 to
mainly white, they are referred to (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) was The A400Ms belong to Leeuwarden, which indicates that
as the ‘White Fleet’. It is the most retired. Five of these aircraft were Lufttransportgeschwader 62 lessons learned are fed back to the
diverse division of the Luftwaffe used for medical evacuation, (LTG 62; Air Transport Wing) respective squadrons.
and currently it sees the most as a tanker and as passenger at Wunstorf, with 38 out of 53 In 2019, the Blue Flag was added
changes in its equipment. Two or troop transport. These tasks aircraft already delivered as of to colourful assortment of flag
Airbus A340s are still being used are now allocated to a multitude September 2022. This year, the exercises by the GAF.
for VIP transportation, however of assets. Air-to-air refueling is A400M fleet was complemented Eurofighters deployed to Uvda,
they are starting to show their mainly performed by the Airbus by the Binational Air Transport Israel, to train with and fight
against the pilots of the host
Even in its 50th year of service, nation and other international
the Luftwaffe CH-53s were serving participants. One peculiarity
in Mali, where they have been
supporting the UN’s MINUSMA
of Blue Flag is the cooperation
mission Bundeswehr/Baerwald with non-NATO partners, and a
subsequent emphasis on setting
up common operating procedures.
This first deployment was followed
by a second visit in 2021 and
it looks as though participation
at Blue Flag will now be
continued biannually.
The Rapid Pacific deployment
is the GAF’s major event in
2022. Based around the task of
deploying combat jets to the
Indo-Pacific region within 24
hours, Eurofighters from
Neuburg Air Base subsequently
went from Singapore to Australia
to take part in both the Pitch Black
and Kakadu exercises.
These jets will return to Germany
in early October, closing the
chapter on the largest deployment
in the Luftwaffe’s history.

Force
Report Luftwaffe
Above: The Airbus H145M LUH SOF is operated by the Luftwaffe, but are mainly used by the Army’s and
Navy’s Special Operations Forces Right: The C-130J-30 is Luftwaffe’s newest kid in town. A total fleet of
10 aircraft will be based in Évreux, France and operated by a combined Franco-German squadron
Squadron (BATS) ‘Rhein/Rhin’, designated A319 OH cover not also reflected in its appearance. defence and thus complements
which is stationed at Base only the optical, but the infrared As a first for the ‘White Fleet’, the Eurofighters of the Tactical
Aérienne 105 (BA 105, Air Base spectrum too. If required, this both aircraft are painted in dark Air Force Wings. Patriot units
105) in Évreux, France. This joint A319 OH can be made available grey. Their modern interior led are mainly deployed to protect
Franco-German unit will have to Open Skies nations that don’t the Luftwaffe’s top commander, areas, objects and land forces
a total of ten C-130J-30 Super possess a suitable aircraft. Generalleutnant (Lt Gen) Ingo in operational areas against the
Hercules and KC-130J Hercules New to the fleet are two Gerhartz to talk about a “military entire spectrum of modern means
aircraft available, with three of additional Airbus A321LRs (15+10 business class” compared to the of air attack, including ballistic
each subtype displaying the and 11). These factory-fresh predecessor aircraft. missiles. Following the outbreak
German flag. aircraft have a range of nearly of the war in Ukraine, Patriot units
More regular – and probably 7,800km and can be used as a Ground-air from Husum have been deployed
more comfortable – transport VIP aircraft, troop transport for In line with its mission to protect to Sliac Air Base in Slovakia as
of personal is performed with up to 136 passengers, or for the airspace, the Luftwaffe also part of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance
Airbus A321 single-aisle aircraft. medical evacuation missions. This has a ground-based air defence Activities (eVA). This followed
One example (15+04) has been includes the provision to install up (GBAD) network. the transfer of Slovakia’s sole
part of the ‘White Fleet’ since to six units for persons requiring Flugabwehrraketengeschwader S-300 (SA-10 Grumble) SAM
December 2018. This is in intensive care. The aircraft have 1 (FlaRakG 1, Anti-Aircraft Missile system to Ukraine, leaving the
addition to three A319CJ the capability to fly non-stop to Squadron 1) ‘Schleswig-Holstein’ country without an adequate aerial
(15+01 to 03), of which 15+03 reach most destinations currently is based at Husum, located in defence until it receives its own
has been specially modified for in the focus of the German Armed the very north of Germany. Three Patriot system provided by the
Open Skies (Offener Himmel; Forces. For example, to Latin surface-to-air missile (SAM) US. The German unit currently
OH) missions, with windows America for crew exchange of the groups (Flugabwehrraketengruppe serves to bridge this gap.
in its belly for the necessary German Navy, the airfields in the 21, 24 and 26) have a total of Patriot is Germany’s sole
camera equipment. Baltic states, or the Bundeswehr’s 12 Patriot SAM units between remaining SAM after the
As a first for an Open Skies operating sites in Africa. them. The ground-based unit disbandment of the smaller HAWK
aircraft, the sensors of the now The A321LR’s military use is integrates with Germany’s air and Roland

systems. For closer ranges, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training chance to qualify as weapons major restrictions or limitations on
‘leichtes Flugabwehrsystem’ (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Texas. instructors and become experts the flight operations.
(leFlaSys; Light Air Defence Weapon System Officers for the in their respective disciplines. For the employment of live
System), as well as the Modular, Tornado join the training squadron Not only will they then spread weapons, the Vidsel Test Range
Automatic and Network-capable at NAS Pensacola, Florida. Their their knowledge in the wings, in Sweden is used. During WIC
Targeting and Interception training continues in Germany at the Weapon Instructor Course 02-21, laser- and GPS-guided
System (MANTIS) are now TaktLwG 71 and 73 for Eurofighter (WIC) is also a means to verify GBU-24 and GBU-54 bombs
used. leFlaSys consists of four pilots, and at TaktLwG 51 for and refine the GAF’s internal were dropped by Tornados, GBU-
Stinger missiles contained in Tornado crews. Transport aircraft tactics and procedures. 48s by Eurofighters, and IRIS-T
a multi-launch system (MLS) pilots work through a syllabus The weapon school courses air-to-air missiles were fired
and mounted on an Ozelot with the Lufthansa training school were established with a focus against aerial targets. The WICs
track vehicle. Unlike the highly before receiving special training on ‘combat-ready’ Eurofighter usually conclude with a “Mission
mobile leFlySys, MANTIS within the squadrons. and Tornado crews but were Employment Phase”. In 2021, this
is a stationary system built Later in their flying career, widened in 2021 to include the final joint exercise was performed
around two 35 x 228mm guns, a selected number will get Airbus A400M for tactical airlifts. together with the Weapon School
capable of firing 1,000 rounds the opportunity to join the A further expansion integrated of the Royal Netherlands Air
per minute. These lighter air Waffenschule Luftwaffe (WaSLw; Joint Terminal Attack Controller Force (RNLAF) at Leeuwarden.
defence systems support the German Air Force Weapons (JTAC) teams on the ground and During this exercise, Luftwaffe
Flugabwehrraketengruppe 61 at School). It acts as an independent is also about to include GBADs, Eurofighters and Tornados
Panker/Todendorf on the shores unit and reports directly into the which already acts as a threat in integrated not only with the F-16s
of the Baltic Sea. Commander Flying Units within complex scenarios. Missions are of the participating air forces, but
the Air Force Command. Set centred around the home of the also with the F-35. A valuable
Train to fight up in 2019, the WaSLw acts as WaSLw at Laage Air Base. The lesson, and with the prospect of
In line with other NATO partner a national asset to train GAF surrounding airspaces, especially the German decision about the
nations, future Luftwaffe jet personnel in combined air warfare above the Baltic Sea, offer ample F-35, potentially a sign of what’s
pilots receive their training at the operations. Participants get the training space and do not put any to come.
Germany’s F-35 shopping list

On July 28, 2022 the US State Block II+ Sidewinder short-range tail kits for the GBU-31 Joint Direct
Department approved the possible missiles as future air-to-air weaponry, Attack Munition (JDAM), as well as
Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of the plus an extensive list of air-to-ground 75 AGM-158B/B2 Joint Air-to-Surface
F-35 to Germany. At an estimated cost weapons, which will provide new Standoff Missiles-Extended Range
of $8.4bn, this did not only include capabilities to the Luftwaffe. Already (JASSM-ERs) can be considered
the planned 35 aircraft, 37 Pratt & in the German inventory are Mk 82 as a clear sign to replace both the
Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, the 500lb general-purpose bombs. These Tornado’s GBU-24 2,000lb guided
required ground support systems, will be restocked with 264 units, for bombs, as well as the Taurus cruise
full mission simulators and system which an equal number of tail kits to missiles. Additionally, 344 GBU-53
trainers, but also an extensive set convert them into smart GBU-54 Laser StormBreaker precision-guided glide
A total of three Airbus A350-900s of weapons. Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) bombs will be a first for the Luftwaffe.
will join the Luftwaffe fleet. From
the end of 2022, they will serve as On the list were 105 AIM-120C-8 are destined. It remains to be seen how many items
Germany’s main state aircraft Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air In addition, the 162 BLU-109 2,000lb of this FMS package will finally find
Missiles (AMRAAMs) and 75 AIM-9X hardened penetrator bombs, plus 180 their way onto the German stockpile.

Event
Report ARMY-2022
I
n his opening speech at the took place at the Patriot Park for the benefit of our countries
International Military-Technical Exhibition Centre, Alabino and peoples and will contribute
Forum ‘ARMY-2022’, Russian training range and Kubinka Air to strengthening international
President Vladimir Putin said of Base (AB) – about 45 miles security and stability.”
global tensions: “The situation in west of Moscow. Despite the On the opening day, a formation
the world is dynamically changing, world’s reaction to the invasion of three Tu-160, Tu-95MS and
the contours of a multi-polar of Ukraine, 1,497 companies and Tu-22M3 bombers flew over
world order are forming. More organisations took part in the Kubinka AB to celebrate the
and more countries and peoples event, displaying 28,536 examples centenary of the Tupolev Design
are choosing the path of free and of military and dual-use products, Bureau. A large static display was
sovereign development based on while representatives from 85 also set up on the aprons of the
their identity, traditions and values.” foreign states sent their military airport representing many types of
In reference to Western efforts delegations. The total number of aircraft and helicopters from the
for greater isolation of Moscow, representatives of foreign military Russian Air Force, Army and Navy.
welcoming the guests of the departments amounted to more
Forum, Putin added: “We than 700 people. The turnout of The fifth generation
appreciate very much the fact people participating also saw an The Sukhoi Su-57 multi-role
that our country has many allies, increase of 23% compared with stealth fighter is the spearhead
partners, like-minded people the last time the event took place. of the Russian aerospace
in different continents. These Putin said: “In recent years, industry, and this year, Bort
states that do not fold, choose a the Forum has convincingly No 057 (T-50-7), a static
sovereign path of development demonstrated its relevance, firmly test airframe, was the star
and want to collectively solve taking its place among the world’s
security problems.” largest military product fairs. I
Held from August 15-21, the am sure that participation in this
eighth International Military- event will serve to further develop
Technical Forum ‘ARMY-2022’ co-operation, military-technical
A Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E of the

RuASF’s Russian Knights aerobatic
team releases some flares at Kubinka
AB during ARMY-2022 All images
Giovanni Colla and Daniele Faccioli,
unless otherwise stated

of the show; displayed at the brilliant, it has proven to possess
entrance to ARMY-2022 at the a high degree of protection
Patriot Congress and Exhibition against various air defence missile
Centre. Responding to a question systems.” The Su-57 was first
about the use of the latest Russian tested in operational missions in
equipment in Ukraine, defence Syria in 2018.
minister Sergey Shoigu told the
Rossiya-1 television channel: “We
used and are using the Su-57
aircraft, it has shown itself to be
Russia
flexes its muscles Despite the pressures caused by the war in Ukraine, the eighth International
Military-Technical Forum ‘ARMY-2022’ showcased the latest from Russia’s military
industry. Daniele Faccioli and Giovanni Colla gained exclusive access

Event
Report ARMY-2022
Su-57 with Bort No ‘52 Red’ (T-50S-4, serial 52202) taking off from Kubinka AB after ARMY-
2022. The type was spotted for the first time at Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport in February 2022,
during a stopover while transferring – along with Su-57 Bort No ‘2’ (which did not carry a registration
number) – from the KnAAPO Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant to their bases in the European part of
Russia. Bort No ‘52 Red’ is allegedly intended for use with the 4th GTsPAP i PVI (4th State Air Personnel Training
and Aircraft Evaluation Centre) at the Lipetsk AB. This aircraft also carries registration number RF-81775 on its tail.
At the end of May 2022, two additional Su-57 fighters were received by the Russian Aerospace Forces, these are Bort
No ‘53 Red’ (registration RF-81777) and ‘54’ (registration RF-81778). Both are apparently the fifth and sixth serial Su-57
aircraft built by K KnAAPO (that is, presumably, the T-50S-5 and T-50S-6 aircraft). It can be assumed that the two new
serial Su-57s are also intended for the 4th Training and Evaluation Centre in Lipetsk
The Air Force is expected to ARMY-2022 event, although Slyusar conceptual products. The global positioning services.
receive 22 Su-57 fighters by the said the programme is proceeding. Tactical Missile Corporation For the precision guidance, with
end of 2024, totalling 76 by 2028. He explained: “We use advanced (KTRV) exhibited the new Kh-69 a declared circular error probability
At the end of May, the Russian technologies in the Checkmate low-radar-visibility cruise missile, (CEP) of 5-7m, the missile has
Aerospace Forces (RuASF) project, which allow us to developed by the Raduga State been equipped with high-tech
received two more Su-57 fighters, substantially reduce the lead time, Machine-Building Design Bureau altitude and speed detectors,
bringing the Su-57s built since construction of the prototype and to hit stationary targets that as well as an optoelectronic
2020 to six, and a further batch is start flight tests as early as 2024. have known coordinates prior guidance system that
expected to be delivered by the Preparations for the production of to launch. intervenes on the final
end of the year. two prototypes have now begun. In The navigation is based on an trajectory of the flight.
The United Aircraft Corporation all, we plan to build four prototypes. inertial strapdown system that The target can be
(UAC) – a part of the state-owned “Following the presentation receives data from conventional programmed in flight
company Rostec – is discussing of the project at MAKS 2021, commercial GLONASS satellites and one or more targets
the creation of a two-seat version research work has been staged and the information can also be can be pre-set in the
of the Su-57 with the Russian to get feedback from potential refined by foreign NAVSTAR GPS guidance system before
Ministry of Defence (MOD), as customers. In addition to the needs
announced by the director general of customers, efforts were made to
of UAC, Yuri Slyusar: “A possible optimise costs and analyse some
two-seater version would confer technical solutions, substantially
new tactical capabilities when increasing the competitive advantage
working together with UAVs, and commercial attractiveness,
which would allow us to obtain a reducing the technical risks in the
synergistic effect when performing creation of the aircraft.”
special tasks.” Consequently, the initial
Meanwhile, the development project has undergone some
programme is progressing, and changes that have delayed the
several technologies are still being development of the prototypes.
developed. The prototype of an In parallel, an unmanned version
updated communications suite of the single-engine fighter is also
is being tested this autumn. The being developed. However, the
enhanced version of the S-111 final tuning and construction of
communication system will be more prototypes of this second version
compact and lightweight, capable will have to wait for the results of
of transmitting over a greater the tests of the basic version.
distance more efficiently. The same
suite will also be installed on the Kh-69
Su-75 Checkmate fighter, which is Along with the development of
currently under development. new projects, Russia’s missile
The latter was absent from the industry also promoted new,

confirmed by Shoigu who
specified that, starting from
August 18, three MiG-31Is
armed with the 9-A-7760 Kinzhal
hypersonic missile have been
deployed and kept on alert at
Chkalovsk AB as an additional
strategic deterrence measure in
the area.
The Kinzhal officially made
its operational debut on March
18, this year, during military
operations in Ukraine and, at
the time of writing, three of
Tupolev Tu-160 (Bort No ‘16 Red’, registration RF-94107) takes off from Kubinka AB. The type is assigned to Engels,
a strategic bomber base in Russia, which is located 14km (8.7 miles) east of Saratov the missiles appear to have
been used.
It can reach a speed of Mach
10, adjusting the trajectory in
both the vertical and horizontal
axes towards land and naval
targets. At the moment, the
carriers designated to carry the
missile are the MiG-31K and
MiG-31I fighter-interceptors.
There is little information
regarding the new MiG-31I Ishim
version, of which Bort No ‘36
Blue’ (registration RF-92462)
was shown at Kubinka. It is
The latest Mi-8AMTSh-VN (or Mi-171Sh-VN) Sapsan attack variant was present on static display at Kubinka AB thought to be one of the many
MiG-31 airframes stored in
use. According to the official the provision of a dedicated completed by the end of this Russia converted into the new
data, the missile has a weight electronic update and the AKU-58 year and deliveries can begin: version. The avionics suite was
of about 770kg and a range of (UVKU-50) hardpoint suitable for “These new weapons will help implemented to allow the orbital
290km, with an operating speed of transporting the new missile. increase effectiveness in air launch of small satellites and for
700-1000km/h, carrying a The KTRV is developing a series combat and expand the range anti-satellite weapons, as well
penetration or cluster warhead of of new weapons to be launched of targets that can be engaged, as the use of the Kinzhal missile.
300-310kg. It has a trapezoidal from the Su-57’s internal bay, both including small aircraft developed The new version, which became
section to better meet the needs air-to-ground such as the Kh-69, with stealth technologies.” operational this year, should
of low radar traceability and to be and for air-to-air use. The Kh-69 integrate and not replace the
housed in the internal bay of the has carried out a series of tests MiG-31 and Kinzhal MiG-31Ks.
Su-57 fighter. to evaluate its operation and it is In the days leading up to the
Integration with other models, expected to enter service in 2023, ARMY-2022 event, NATO forces Ka-52M
such as the Su-30MK, Su-34, in step with Su-57 deliveries. stationed in the Baltic intercepted Also on display at Kubinka
Su-35, MiG-35 and MiG-29K, Shoigu outlined that the three MiG-31s heading to the were two versions of the Ka-52
is also foreseen, subject to assessments by the RuASF will be Kaliningrad enclave. This was Alligator attack helicopter: the
An iconic Tupolev Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H’

(Bort No ‘12 Red’, registration
RF-94126) on static display at
Kubina AB during ARMY-2022

Event
Report ARMY-2022
updated Ka-52M and the naval
version with reclining blades.
Russia is looking to boost
Ka-52M and Mi-28NE exports,
mainly to the Middle East market.
Meanwhile, the Russian MOD
has signed contracts for the
supply of new attack helicopters
of both models.
The upgrades leading up to the
Ka-52M are based on experiences
gained during operational
deployment in Syria. The first flight
was carried out in August 2020 and
the conclusion of the evaluation
tests by the RuASF, with the
support of Russian Helicopters, is
expected by the end of this year.
The package includes a new
targeting system, improved cockpit
and airframe armour, a new digital
unit for increased gun accuracy, and
the installation of the Zaslon V006
The Navy’s variant of the Ka-52K Katran was Rezets Coherent Pulse (X-Band)
present at Kubinka during ARMY-22 active electronically scanned array
(AESA) radar.
Mi-28N
Russian Helicopters presented the
Mi-28NM attack helicopter for the
first time. Compared with previous
demonstrators, the Mi-28NM
features dual controls for the two
crew members, a new aiming
system, VK-2500P engines and an
integrated self-defence suite.
The Mi-28s currently in service,
produced at the Rostvertol JSC
Rostov-on-Don factories since
2005, do not have the possibility
of control in the front cabin.
Just a decade later, in 2015, the
Mi-28NE export and Mi-28UB
training versions were created.
A 12.7mm machine
gun has been The Mi-28NM features two
fitted on a special multifunctional displays (MFDs) in
suspension of the both cockpits, front and rear. The
Mi-8AMTSh-VN aiming forward-looking infrared

Two Su-35 Flanker-Es of the RuASF’s premier aerobatic
team, the Russian Knights, taxi out before their display
at Kubinka AB during ARMY-2022
(FLIR) turret is a GOES-451 gyro- the latest Mi-8AMTSh-VN (or Brigade) of Ostrov and in a third, guided missiles (ATGMs).
stabilised opto-electronic system Mi-171Sh-VN) Sapsan attack unidentified unit.
– which is produced variant – one that had been The new Izdelie 305/305E LMUR Drones
by Ural Optical and Mechanical delivered recently was on static ‘fire-and-forget’ missile, produced One of the sectors subject
Plant and has been used on the display in Kubinka and exhibited by the Kolomna Machine- to major development and
Ka-52s since 2010 – replacing an unusual dark green skin. Building Design Bureau (KBM) investment is that of remotely
the OPS-28M turret. The new Developed by Mil based on the and recently used in Ukraine, was piloted vehicles. The importance
avionics suite allows the Mi-8AMTSh-V Terminator and also shown among the weapons of drones in modern warfare
integration of wider-range guided produced at Ulan-Ude plants, it is planned for the Mi-8ATMSh-VN. has been universally recognised
missiles, such as the 9A1472 a heavily armed version designed Intended to also equip Mi-28Ns for some time, but their use
Vikhr-1 (AT-16 Scallion), the for troop transport and assault and Ka-52Ms, the missile has a and overall effectiveness on
9M127-1 Ataka-VM (AT-9 Spiral tasks with special forces. It is warhead with a thermal sensor the battlefield emerged during
2) and the 9M123 Khrizantema equipped with the Zaslon VN-001 connected to GLONASS (or the escalation of conflict in
(AT-15 Springer). It is likely that AESA radar and can be armed with GPS) and an inertial navigation the Nagorno-Karabakh region
avionics modernisation and long-range guided missiles. system without a platform, an between Armenia and Azerbaijan
integration of new weapons It has been reported that the altimeter and a satellite channel in 2020 and in the current
could also be offered to Mi-28NE Sapsan will equip the units of the for communication with the confrontation on the Ukrainian
users. Western Military District, with the helicopter. It has a mass of front. The use of modern
first deliveries under way at the 105kg (25kg is the warhead) and weapons alongside traditional
Mi-8ATMSh-VN 440th OVP (Independent Helicopter a declared range of 14.5km – ones has become essential
Also unveiled by Russian Regiment) stationed in Vyazma, therefore substantially greater and massive use of drones is
Helicopters at the event was the 15th BrAA (Army Aviation than other Russian anti-tank evidence of this.
Above: At Kubinka, the Kronshtadt Group showed the Orion-E medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UCAV, which is
intended for performing missions in a range of climate zones. The Orion-E is equipped with replaceable payloads built
in line with a modular principle, including the sensor payloads for the ISR mission. Laser, satellite and TV-guided air
weapons can be used. Left: MiG-31I (Bort No ‘36 Blue’, registration RF-92462) was shown at Kubinka during the ARMY-
2022 Forum. There is little information regarding the new MiG-31I Ishim version. It is probably one of the many MiG-31
airframes stored in Russia converted into the new version. The avionics suite was implemented to allow the orbital launch
of small satellites and for anti-satellite weapons, as well as the use of the Kinzhal missile. Here, the type was displayed
with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile. According to the serial number, the type should be a former MiG-31DZ

Event
Report ARMY-2022
The ARMY-2022 pavilions During ARMY-2022, the Tactical
hosted a large number of Missile Corporation (KTRV)
industries from this sector, exhibited the new Kh-69 (X-69)
radar track-reduced cruise missile,
presenting finished products developed by the Raduga State
and components. One major Machine-Building Design Bureau
manufacturer of drones is to hit stationary targets that have
Kronshtadt Group (KT), which known coordinates prior to launch
produces the Orion – an attack
and reconnaissance medium
altitude, long endurance (MALE)
unmanned combat air vehicle
(UCAV) – among the most used
in the conflict in Ukraine. Two
Orion-Es were exhibited to the
public at Patriot Park and at
Kubinka AB.
The company also reported
that it is conducting flight tests
of an Orion UAV equipped with
a radar station (RLS), while in
parallel it is proposing a range
of drones at an advanced stage
of development.
The first prototype of the new
Sirius long-range attack high
altitude, long endurance (HALE)
drone was expected to have
made its maiden flight last large aircraft will take place at the Similar to the Grom, but a ban on photographs. Among
May. The initial specifications Dubna plant, north of Moscow. substantially larger in size, is them, the presence of the new
called for a machine suitable Two other proposals from the the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B. Altius-RU UCAV could be noted.
for long-range reconnaissance Moscow manufacturer that have It is at a development stage Corresponding with the MALE
missions, but following the met with strong interest in the close to completion and the category, the entry into service
Syrian experience, the Russian upper echelons of the armed start of production is expected of the first production units was
MOD requested the integration forces are the Gelios-AEW and to begin in 2023. “To date, two expected to begin last year,
of a ground-attack module, the Grom. prototypes have been built for the following several slowdowns due
causing delays in final tuning of The first is a large, unarmed development phase of the project. to the repowering of the machine
the product. It is a twin-engine HALE-class aircraft dedicated Now the drone is undergoing with Klimov VK-800C engines
aircraft with a 23m wingspan, to radar control and discovery, ground tests, while the flight tests and other elements of import
equipped with six external while the second is a high-speed will begin this year and a state components to be replaced with
attachment points capable stealth attack aircraft, capable contract is expected to be signed national products.
of carrying a total warload of operating alongside piloted to start series deliveries from The development of drones
of 300kg. aircraft and, in turn, of 2024,” said UAC director general, has led to greater advances in
According to statements by commanding up to ten small Yuri Slyusar. anti-drone defence systems.
the Commander-in-Chief of Molniya-type attack drones. The On the apron of Kubinka AB Rosoboronexport presented the
the RuASF, Sergey Surovikin, company's press office reported there was an exhibition of drones, RB-504A-E system in front of the
deliveries of the first Sirius to that state funds have already been which, with the exception of pavilions. The managing director
operational departments should allocated for the development of the Orion-E, were covered with of the state agency, Alexander
begin in 2023. Production of this the Grom project. camouflage nets – there was also Mikheev, said: “In the special
The Russian Navy showed up at Kubinka with an upgraded Su-30SM2 (Bort

No ‘81 Blue’). The type was part of the first delivery to the Russian Navy of four
upgraded Su-30s, dubbed SM2, which took place at the end of January and
included Bort Nos ‘78 Blue’, ‘79 Blue’, ‘80 Blue’ and ‘81 Blue’. The Sukhois were
delivered to the 1st Squadron of the 4th Guards Naval Assault Aviation Regiment
of the 34th Mixed Aviation Division of the Baltic Fleet at Chernyakhovsk AB

Russian Helicopters presented the Mi-28NM with the new
avionics suite that allows integration of wider-range guided
missiles, such as the 9A1472 Vikhr-1 (AT-16 Scallion), the
9M127-1 Ataka-VM (AT-9 Spiral 2) and the 9M123 Khrizantema
(AT-15 Springer). It is likely that avionics modernisation and
integration of new weapons could also be offered to
Mi-28NE users
military operation conducted in foreign partners and industry and is therefore able to reach a as one of the most advanced and
Ukraine, Russian products in the representatives from Belarus, speed of 360km/h and can carry efficient guided UAVs in the field of
field of fighting UAVs of various China, India and Iran, which were up to 10kg of useful load. surveillance using electro-optical,
sizes and purposes proved to exhibiting their technology. The stand of the Islamic Republic laser, infrared detection systems,
be valid. Russian Defence Minister Sergei of Iran was also at the event, electronic enemy interception
“We intend to actively promote Shoigu visited the Chinese stand, thanks to the interest of the systems, electronic warfare
anti-aircraft missile systems and whose presence at the event was Russian delegations who recently interceptor systems, and automatic
complexes in Russian friendly mainly symbolic, to demonstrate visited the country to view the local detection, automatic flight and
countries, which have shown real, the strong relationship between production of drones. Among the landing systems. The two countries
excellent results in the destruction the two countries. various mock-ups on display at the have embarked on a path of
of all types of unmanned aircraft.” The Belarusian stand was stand was the Mohajer M6 drone. development of bilateral relations in
Mikheev noted that today represented by the JSC ‘558 Built by the Qods Aviation Industry technical-military co-operation.
Rosoboronexport offers a wide Aircraft Repair Plant’, which offered Company, the Mohajer-6 – one Similar relations are also
range of tools for the electronic a wide range of avionic upgrades of the leading military products implemented between Russia
suppression of drones in the for Russian-built aircraft and of Iran in the field of drones – is and India to approve several
overseas market, including the helicopters, as well as a series able to operate against a variety co-operative projects, such as
latest RB-504P-E (Silok) and of nationally produced drones. of fixed and moving targets. The organising the production of
RB-504A-E, Repellent, Repellent In addition, the Beltech export drone can carry 100kg of weapons Ka-226T helicopters in India,
Patrol, RLC-MTSE, Matrix. company showed a full-size model in its wing and fire smart diamond delivering and setting up the
The RB-504A-E system consists of the Berkut jet attack drone, missiles and vertical guided authorised production of Igla-S
of a mobile monitoring and which has a weight of only 34kg bombs. Iran showed the Mohajer-6 man-portable air defence systems,
jamming station (MJS), a ground
control station (GCS) and a
UAV monitoring and jamming
transmitter (RMJ). The search
for an enemy UAV can take
place through the discovery of
the source signal in the S and C
bands, with the help of Orlan-10
and Orlan-30 UAVs equipped with
radio control, electronic jammer
and communication repeater in
the UHF, S bands, C and Ku,
or radar identification via the
enemy's ‘friend-or-foe’ signal.
Above: Displayed at the Islamic Republic of Iran stand, the Mohajer M6 drone with four Qaem air-to-ground missiles
Foreign participation was of particular interest to delegations. Built by the Qods Aviation Industry Company, it is capable of carrying up to
Despite the strong footprint of four precision air-to-ground missiles for a total declared load of 100kg. Russia and Iran have embarked on a path of
development of bilateral relations in the field of technical-military co-operation. According to recent news, it seems
the Forum orientated towards the that the first shipment of drones from Iran to Russia took place during the last two weeks of August. As reported by
internal market, there was also no the Washington Post, US and allied security officials said Russian aeroplanes flew to an Iranian military facility to pick
shortage of stands of important up the drones over several days in mid-August. An official said the initial shipment included two models of Shahed
foreign partners. Around 160 drones, the Shahed-129 and Shahed-191, as well as the Mohajer-6. All are considered to be among Iran’s top-of-the-
line military drones, designed for attacks as well as surveillance. The arrival of the Iranian drones could help fill a
bilateral meetings were held with crucial gap in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine

Event
Report ARMY-2022
providing additional sets for products took place at the Conclusion
production of Su-30MKI, delivering exhibition, demonstrating that ARMY-2022 clearly showed the
additional MiG-29UPG aircraft and the interest of potential buyers is efforts of the Russian industry to be
additional Ka-31 helicopters. growing thanks to their use able to lay the groundwork to start
However, the core business in Ukraine. projecting what will become the
of ARMY-2022 remains the He added: “How functional it Army of the 21st century.
promotional and commercial is for the army, in the course Particular attention has been paid
aspects that characterise the of hostilities, what you have to technologies related to modern
aeronautical shows, and even purchased as military equipment, warfare, unmanned vehicles
in this case the results were not you can only demonstrate during and aircraft, with an increase in
lacking. The Russian MOD signed military operations. In practice, the manufacturers of artificial
36 contracts with 24 companies there is no lobbying, you cannot intelligence (AI) technological
of the military-industrial complex replace military skills acquired on components used in Russian
for a total of more than 525 billion the battlefield with a presentation high-precision weapons.
rubles (about $8.8bn). or beautiful graphics.” However, much attention is
As a result of these contracts, still paid to “personal training of
the Russian Armed Forces will Armaments captured the Russian military”, said Vasily
receive more than 3,700 new in Ukraine on display Yelistratov, head of the Directorate
units of equipment and a further At a separate facility, the Russian of AI technologies of the Russian
100 units will be repaired defence ministry organised an Defence Ministry. Speaking on
and modernised. exhibition of materiel captured the sidelines of ARMY-2022, he
Sergey Chemezov, general during operations in Ukraine. The added that artificial intelligence is
manager of the Rostec State exhibit included a wide range being used across cutting-edge
Corporation, said: “During the of seized weapon systems, and technology: “It is present in all
Forum our companies signed was pasted with signs indicating weapons, especially in those with
contracts for a total of over 130 the provenance of the materiel. high precision and in land, air and
billion rubles for the supply of Among the equipment were sea weapons systems.”
Su-34 aircraft, Ka-52M helicopters Chinese, Latvian and Turkish According to Yelistratov, under
and Mi-28NM and other materiel.” drones, including an infamous the conditions of modern-day
For his part, Rosoboronexport Baykar Bayraktar TB2. hybrid warfare, there is
CEO, Alexander Mikheev, said: Restored and repainted, it intellectualisation of weapons.
“The agency signed two export appears to be the result of However, he added that the
contracts at the ARMY-2022 multiple shot-down or crashed defence ministry has not rejected
Forum for a total value of over TB2s (Russia has also recovered classical methods: “A war of the
$390m and created a reserve for some from Libya and Syria) future is a war of machines. It
the signature of agreements for assembled on the basis of a is obvious. And the smarter the
over $14.5bn.” shoot-down near the village of weapons, the less the losses will MiG-31I (Bort No ‘36 Blue’,
According to Mikheev, more than Svatovo, in the Luhansk region, be. The most valuable thing is a registration RF-92462) takes off
from Kubinka AB fitted with a
70 negotiations and presentations and was presented with MAM-L human life. But it is a question of Kinzhal hypersonic missile
of about 350 samples of Russian and MAM-C ammunition. the future.”
Above: A mock-up of the Sirius UAV was displayed at the Kronshtadt Group
stand. Essential for the Russian Armed Forces, the new Russian Kronshtadt
Sirius heavy combat drone will make its first flight by the end of 2022
Right: A look at China’s stand at ARMY-2022. Chinese presence at the expo
was primarily symbolic, to demonstrate the strong relationship between the
two countries. Shortly after the event, China sent troops to Russia to take
part in Exercise Vostok 2022, which saw participation from India, Belarus,
Mongolia, Tajikistan and other countries. Led by the host, the joint military
exercise took place from August 30-September 7 and was held at seven firing
ranges in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan, involving more than 50,000
troops and some 5,000 weapons units, including 140 aircraft and 60 warships

The Saturn AL-41F-1C on display at ARMY-2022. The engine
will be one of the main features (along with weapons) for the
upcoming upgraded Su-30SM2, which according to recent
news is being delivered in 2022 and 2023

USAF ADAIR U-Turn
Red Air
The contract was serviced by legacy
Douglas A-4K/N Skyhawk, Aero Vodochody
L-159E Honey Badger and Dassault Mirage
F1M aircraft. The objective was to negate a
shortfall in physical volume, primarily for the
USAFWS at Nellis (the main customer), but
also to support Large Force Employment
(LFE) exercises, such as Red Flag.
Revoked!
Neither the original proof-of-concept, nor
the ensuing ADAIR II contract addressed
the key issue of threat representative
presentations, which would fall to ACC’s
Combat Air Forces Contracted Air Support
(CAFCAS) programme.
In October 2019, CAFCAS awarded five
companies – Air USA, the Airborne Tactical
Cristóbal Serra looks at how the USAF appears to have done a U-turn
Advantage Company (ATAC), Draken
when it comes to using privately owned Adversary Air contractors International, Tactical Air Support (TAS)
and Top Aces – the chance to compete for
n written responses to my staff, the Draken International secured a one-year, specific ADAIR task orders. Envisioned as
“I air force states that it will use Nellis’

F-16s – and I am going to quote you
here – ‘while ACC [Air Combat Command]
800-hour proof-of-concept contract to
provide ADAIR support to the USAF Weapons
School (USAFWS) at Nellis AFB – a contract
a ten-year programme, worth $6bn and
covering 12 operating locations, the project
succumbed to a shortfall in budget allocation
build an F-35 aggressor capability, but that had been expanded to more than 3,500 and subsequently was de-scoped to just
timing of this capability and growth is yet hours per year by its cessation in September seven operation locations. As Gen James M
to be determined’,” said Senator Jacky 2018. This service provision was replaced Holmes, ACC commander, said: “If we don’t
Rosen, Democrat-Nevada, during a US with the Nellis ADAIR II contract, which was get the money to do the entire thing, I’d like to
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on competed and saw Draken receive a five-year focus on supporting the training enterprise.”
Airland hearing to receive testimony on the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) Task orders were initially competed for six
modernisation efforts of the Department of task order – worth $280m – that started in Formal Training Unit (FTU) locations and were
the Air Force on May 17, 2022. October 2018. awarded (see table below) in Q3 2020.
After just under seven years and more than
$259.8m spent, the US Air Force (USAF) Formal Training Unit locations, 2020
revoked the use of private Adversary Air Base Aircraft Sorties Value Vendor/Aircraft
(ADAIR) contractors delivering support to
Eglin/Tyndall F-35/F-22 FTU 1,100 $92m ATAC – Mirage F1CR/CT
the 57th Wing (WG) at Nellis Air Force Base
Holloman F-16 FTU 1,558 $113.9m ATAC – Mirage F1CR/CT
(AFB) in Nevada.
Kelly Field F-16 FTU/TDY 530 $28.2m Draken – L-159E
What has changed? Kingsley Field F-15C FTU 800 $90.4m Tac Air – F-5AT
To understand how we arrived here, we Luke F-35 FTU 1,530 $126.6m ATAC – Mirage F1CR/CT
need to look back to October 2015, when Seymour Johnson F-15E FTU 1,000 $74.5m Draken – A-4K/N Skyhawk

A pair of F-35A Lightning IIs belonging to the newly reactivated Nellis-based 65th AGRS are seen en route to the Nevada Test and Training Range for their
inaugural training mission on June 9, 2022. Note, the F-35As have each received a two-tone grey aggressor paint scheme USAF/Tech Sgt Alexandre Montes
Requirements called for what were termed Home of the fighter pilot Block 25/32 Fighting Falcons operated by the
Category A and B aircraft, whose attributes Turning to the main part of the puzzle and 64th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) ‘Gomers’. A
were too long to discuss in detail, but were perhaps the most contentious aspect of the sample of these key attributes can be seen in the
broadly a platform capable of Mach 0.8-1.5; ‘Red Air’ contractor saga. Nellis AFB’s specific ‘FOPR refinements’ table below.
equipped with a radar and radar warning requirement attributes had broadly been known With prime contractors anticipating the
receivers (RWR); and able to carry Captive since January 2019 and were separate to other release of the finalised FOPR, ready to draft
Air Training Missiles (CATMs), Air Combat operating locations. Unsurprisingly, they were and submit proposals in Q1 2022 for a five-
Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) pods threat representative in terms of performance year IDIQ contract – worth $425m – what
and electronic attack (EA) pods. and effects, but they would be refined. happened next would send shockwaves
While not threat representative as is without On December 1, 2020, HQ ACC issued throughout the industry.
certain capability injects, HQ USAF deemed a Heads-Up Memorandum (HUM) for the
them suitable, noting who the target training upcoming CAFCAS Fair Opportunity Proposal One day in March
audiences are. Lt Gen David Nahom, Deputy Request (FOPR) for the re-compete of the The date of March 28, 2022, will remain
Chief of Staff for USAF Plans and Programs, Nellis AFB ADAIR requirement to all prime significant. Despite excellent Contractor
said during his testimony to the US Senate contractors. Initially set to start on June 1, 2022, Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs),
Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland this was later revised to June 1, 2023, to tie Draken’s leaders were notified by ACC of its
on May 17 this year: “On the Adversary Air in with the end of Draken’s ADAIR II contract, intent to not execute the fifth and final year
piece, and ADAIR contract, these companies which was now in its third year of execution. of the ADAIR II contract and that they were
do wonderful work for the air force, especially The requirements were refined with the last to vacate Nellis AFB no later than June 4,
at our Formal Training Units or FTUs, where amendments to the draft FOPR on December 2022. Furthermore, ACC notified all prime
we train basic fighter pilots how to fly, the 4, 2021 (see table below). They were not too contractors of their intent to not proceed with
contracts are very, very effective.” distant from those originally envisaged in 2019; future contractor ‘Red Air’ operations at Nellis
in essence greater capability than the F-16C/D under the CAFCAS programme.
So, what were the justifications behind this
FOPR refinements decision? To understand them, we need
Capability Requirement to analyse three distinct areas: the Fiscal
>80% supersonic, Year (FY) 2023 USAF budget materials; the
Airspeed
100% >0.85M reactivation of the 65th AGRS; and the position
Active Air Intercept >60% 40nm, 1m2 tgt, of HQ USAF and ACC.
(AI) Sensor 100% 80nm 10m2 tgt In Langley, Virginia, ACC informed CAFCAS
Infrared Search and >50% fighter sized tgt prime contractors that industry was not
Track (IRST) at 30nm capable of fielding the advanced capabilities
Tactical Data Link Yes required at Nellis. This was further alluded to
Electronic Attack (EA) 100% by Gen Nahom at the previously mentioned
Jam and Shoot >66% capable subcommittee hearing on May 17, where he
Right: Two aggressor-schemed F-35As lead a

pair of F-15E Strike Eagles back to Nellis after
completing the newly reactivated 65th AGRS’s
first training mission at the Nevada Test and
Training Range on June 6, 2022. The USAF is
keen to replicate the high-end fifth-generation
threats posed by current and future near-peer
adversaries USAF/Tech Sgt Alexandre Montes
Left: Three Draken International-operated L-159E
Honey Badgers fly together in formation during
a training sortie. The privately owned contractor
provided Red Air training services at Nellis AFB,
Nevada, until June 4, 2022, when the USAF
decided not to execute the final year of the
five-year ADAIR II contract Draken International

USAF ADAIR U-Turn
said: “What we are finding now, though,

is these contracts aren’t very effective at
Nellis in that high-end training environment,”
adding that the contract “they are providing
is not meeting what we need”.
While perhaps true of ADAIR II, this is a
curious statement given that all attributes
for the Nellis CAFCAS were technically
achievable if there was sufficient transition
time to bring the capabilities online. Most,
if not all, had viable solutions – some of
which had been flown with all available to be
delivered in full during FY24. Above: While the USAF has made a major about-turn on the use of privately owned ADAIR contractors
But we must look at the whole picture back at Nellis AFB, other air bases across the continental US will continue to work with such companies.
to May 9, 2019, when the USAF announced Four ATAC-operated Mirage F1CR/CTs are seen here lined up on the flightline at Tyndall AFB on July
plans to reactivate the 65th AGRS and equip 13, 2021 USAF/Brad Sturk
it with nine non-combat capable F-35A Having addressed both quantity and quality, Utah. There are no known changes yet to
Lightning IIs from Eglin AFB, Florida, plus we must look at the air force operations and Holloman and Seymour Johnson AFBs, nor
another two transferred to the 24th Tactical Air maintenance (O&M) budget materials for FY23. Kelly Field.
Support Squadron (TASS) from Edwards AFB, In these documents is a clear statement that The consolation prize, which all competed
California; aiming to improve training for fifth- defunds the contracted ADAIR programme, for, was an uplift of hours to Eglin and
generation fighter tactics and complement removing the temporary FY22 uplift ($10.5m) Luke AFBs, with the new vendor, Top Aces
fourth-generation aircraft of the 64th AGRS. and an additional $21.6m from FY23 funding (see pages 86-89) working alongside the
Then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather – in other words, the equivalent of 39% of incumbent, ATAC. The volume is understood
Wilson said: “This move will allow us to planned in-year ADAIR II funding and 25% of to be around an additional 950 sorties (1,140
repurpose early production F-35s to help CAFCAS funding for Nellis (see table below). hours) at Eglin and circa 625 sorties (750
train airmen for the high-end fight.” Then- To summarise, with a reduction in funding hours) at Luke with a two turn, two daily
USAF Chief of Staff, Gen David Goldfein, and an increase to organic quantity and pattern and a surge of up to six sorties per
added: “They provide a dose of realism in air quality, the USAF has addressed those day.
exercises and their training value is crucial. concerns raised by Nevada’s Senator Rosen. The FOPRs for both were due for
These F-35 aggressor aircraft will keep us The proof will now be how this is delivered on submission by July 15 this year and service
ahead of adversaries for years to come.” It is the flightline at Nellis. delivery at those locations was scheduled to
worth noting that both are now on the board start on or around September 28, 2022. The
of directors at Draken International. What next? capability requirements appear to be higher
The unit was publicly reactivated during With millions of dollars invested in capability, than those currently provided by ATAC’s
a ceremony at Nellis AFB on June 9, 2022. business strategies written around securing Mirage F1CR/CTs and favour a vendor who
Once fully equipped, the combined aggressor Nellis AFB under CAFCAS and investors operates a platform fitted with an active
force will comprise circa 19 F-16C/D looking on anxiously, what comes next for the electronically scanned array radar.
Block 25/32s; 11 F-16C/D Block 42s and ADAIR industry in supporting the USAF? From what we have seen, the AN/APG-
11 F-35As. This will mitigate not only the In short, little significant change beyond 66(V)2A in the F-16A/B (MLU) falls short of
perceived quantity shortfall, but will also uplifts and reallocations to and between future requirements. Task orders for both
address the issue of quality, or as Col Scott existing operating locations. There will be locations were awarded to Top Aces on or
Mills, 57th Operations Group commander, reductions at Kingsley Field Air National around August 31, 2022.
said: “Nellis has reached a turning point. Guard Base, Oregon. However, the incumbent A question over Draken’s future must be
We are focusing on the higher-end threats, Tactical Air Support will see this offset by being debated by their owners at Blackstone
higher-end missions.” possible support delivered to Hill AFB, – how do they make up for circa 61% in lost
revenue? How do they move forward and
Reductions in funding complete the F-16A/B acquisitions, complete
Readiness Training – ADAIR $10.5m regenerating and modernising their remaining
Mirage F1Ms, and above all ensure nascent
Decrease in funding following one-time increase provided in PL 117-103, FY22 Consolidate Appropriations
Act for Contracted Adversary Air to increase sorties that are intended to enrich operational training for capability in Europe is delivered and
tactical fighters and reductions will be applied to sorties having the least impact on combat readiness. supported?
Readiness Training – Contract Air Services $21.596m Perhaps industry has reached a juncture
Decrease in contracted ADAIR due to the air force taking risk in this programme to fund other higher priority
where, to quote Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
operational training and readiness programmes. This decrease reduces ADAIR sorties for both high and low “But I am constant as the Northern Star, of
fidelity training requirements by approximately 1,500. Sorties are intended to enrich operational training for whose true fixed and resting quality there
tactical fighters and reductions will be applied to sorties having the least impact on combat readiness. Over is no fellow in the firmament.” I suppose, at
time, the air force plans to work to regenerate organic ADAIR sortie generation capability to assist with providing least, it’s not March and the US Senate, for
the necessary fidelity and support providing air force pilots with more air time to gain relevant training.
now, appears to be supportive.
Draken International maintainers prepare two A-4K Skyhawks for a sortie from Kinston Regional Airport in North Carolina on September 11, 2020. These
ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force A-4s are just some of the legacy fighter types flown by private ADAIR contractors, but they lack the capabilities necessary
to replicate modern high-end threats USAF/Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera

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Briefing
Room Didier Toussaint, Top Aces COO
T
hese are extremely provide advanced training, the
exciting times for Canadian designed to improve their past two
aerospace company Top combat skills. The adversary decades, but
Aces, which has one of the air business has boomed over it is not just
largest collections of privately about buying
owned fighters in the world. a third-generation
Since being formed in 2000 by platform any more and
former Royal Canadian Air Force pitching it against a fourth or
(RCAF) CF-18 Hornet pilots Paul fifth-generation fighter. It’s
Bouchard and Didier Toussaint, more than that; you also need
and headquartered at Montréal, technologies that can really test
Quebec, the business has carved the opponents’ skills.
a sizeable niche in the world Didier Toussaint, the company’s
of adversary air – which is also chief operating officer explained:
known as Red Air. “With the advanced open-
architecture technologies fielded
Not just the aircraft on our aircraft both in North
Red Air companies, and there America and Europe, where Top
are several now in the US, hire Aces currently runs adversary
Chief operating officer Didier
very experienced air defence/ air contracts, we can match the
Toussaint (above) launched Top
aggressor pilots to fly their Aces in 2000 alongside fellow needs of air forces now and
fighters against younger, less CF-18 pilot, chief executive officer into the future.” You could view
experienced military pilots to Paul Bouchard Top Aces Bouchard and Toussaint as
Red Air
Revelation
Canada’s Top Aces are revolutionising the Red Air industry, with recently purchased F-16s
modified with new technologies, as Alan Warnes discovered when he spoke to company
co-founder Didier Toussaint

flying hours on these extremely
capable, but expensive combat
aircraft by scaling back on their
Milestone of
Red Air role. This had not only accident-free
put additional stress on the
airframes and
flight hours
hastened On May 31 this year, the company
maintenance announced it had flown 100,000
periods, but accident-free flying hours in both
brought retirement much adversary air and close air support
sooner, too. Toussaint knows a (CAS) training. “We are all immensely
thing or two about that, having proud to reach the 100,000-hour
served for 15 years with mark. It is a monumental milestone for
the RCAF, Top Aces,” said Paul Bouchard, CEO.
where
he flew issues, at a reasonable price.
CF-18s for a decade or so. They acquired a small fleet of
He said: “During my RCAF Dornier Alpha Jets and Douglas
visionaries, flying career, we would often A-4 Skyhawks and, five years
launching their operate as Red Air, against after Top Aces’ launch, signed a
company 23 years ago as Blue Air and also for Joint $94m contract with the Canadian
air forces were starting to look at Terminal Attack Controllers Armed Forces to supply combat
ways to cut costs, so they could (JTAC) training. A big proportion support and adversary training.
buy and operate very expensive of missions we had to fly were The company’s inaugural flight
fourth and fifth-generation simply not positive training for took place on August 19, 2005
aircraft like Eurofighter us, so a significant amount of when the Canadian training
Typhoons or F-35 training opportunities and flying operations began, operating a
Lightnings. With hours were wasted. A lot of fleet of eight Dornier Alpha Jets.
operational costs additional hours were put on Nine years later, in 2014, Top
of around $100,000 an hour, those airframes as a result.” Aces (or Discovery Air Defence
solutions had to be found. One Bouchard and Toussaint offered Services – DADS, as it was
was to cut the non-operational services to alleviate those known then) snatched the
Being awarded the Mission

Flight Release by the USAF
in August led to a $175m
contract being awarded
to provide adversary air
training at Eglin and Luke
AFBs, with operations
staring in October
Top Aces/James DeBoer

Briefing
Room Didier Toussaint, Top Aces COO
first four former Israeli Air and unclear, although it is said to
Blue Air Space Force F-16s at Mesa, be ‘high and determined by the Continuing
Training Arizona, which had been air
freighted by Antonov An-124
customers needs’, according to
the company.
growth plans
In March 2022, Top Aces acquired the from Tel Aviv. They were the first Top Aces started to develop the Dave Bradshaw – formerly air
Blue Air Training company to provide of 29 F-16s acquired under a AAMS in 2017, said Toussaint: commodore and senior responsible
military customers with access to sales agreement with the Israeli “It’s not something that can officer for the RAF’s Combat Air and
Blue Air’s best-in-class JTAC training Ministry of Defence in 2014. be done overnight. Part of our now Top Aces’ director of business
expertise. As Top Aces’ COO Didier Top Aces Corps’ president strategy has been to invest early development (Europe) – told AFM: “We
Toussaint explained: “Blue Air Training Russ Quinn, a 26-year USAF in the technology, engineering continue to look for opportunities to
brings turboprop aircraft capabilities veteran and former aggressor and partnerships. We developed provide the best possible capability at an
into the Top Aces offering – we already pilot with more than 3,300 F-16 a prototype system in a simulated affordable price right across Europe.
do JTAC training with Alpha Jets and flight hours, said of the F-16s: environment and then invested “We have acquired aircraft like
we have invested quite a lot in that “We acquired the F-16s to fulfil into a prototype aircraft, ahead of the Belgian Alpha Jets to meet our
technology, including digital CAS, motion our vision of training the next our customer requirements. continuing growth plans in adversary air
imagery and laser-guided munitions. generation of combat leaders “The success of developing this and JTAC training.”
“Blue Air has done all of this and has here in the US.” strategy and this kind of system
taken JTAC training to a new level. They The F-16 fleet is set to be to boost the technological open-architecture system with
are the world leader, it is their bread and upgraded with an active capabilities of the fighter an advanced computer that
butter. We thought that by merging the electronically scanned array against fourth/fifth-gen combat can include multiple advanced
two companies, we could provide a one- (AESA) radar (believed to be Elta aircraft wasn’t really clear two capabilities, now at low risk as
stop solution to all of our customers. EL/M 2052, but the company years ago, but it is now.” He they are already tested in the lab
“We have already invested in JTAC has not confirmed this), helmet- continued: “The AAMS is an and fielded, such as an AESA
training and now with Blue Air and its mounted cueing system (Thales
turboprop aircraft that are more efficient Visionix Gen III Scorpion), tactical One of the A-4N Skyhawks
and lower cost to operate we can offer datalink and high off boresight is upgraded with an AESA
an even better service, flying Pilatus PC- missile capability, to provide a radar – all of them now
have the AAMS fitted. New
9s. They are dropping BDU-33 practise new era in adversary air training. technologies are allowing
bombs, which the Alpha Jets are doing, All these enhanced systems the very manoeuvrable
along with laser-guided training rounds can be integrated into the third-generation jet to fight
and the IR/TV laser spot tracker.” company’s new, proprietary like a fourth-generation
fighter
advanced aggressor mission Top Aces
German Armed Forces’ fast jet system (AAMS). Nearly a year
airborne training services contract after arriving, the first F-16A flew
from BAE Flight Systems. The out of Mesa International Airport
deal was extended last April for on January 19, 2022 with the
another five years until 2026. AAMS on board. The number
of F-16s, which are known
A new era as the Advanced Adversary
On January 29, 2021, Top Aces Fighter (AAF) when fitted with
announced it had received its the AAMS, to be upgraded is
Top Aces has acquired 29 F-16s

from the Israeli MoD, and is
progressively upgrading them
with new AAMS as demand
grows, calling them the
Advanced Aggressor Fighter 2
ship bank display

Top Aces has been based in Germany, first at Witmund
and now Nordholz, with the Alpha Jet and A-4N
Skyhawk against Eurofighters Top Aces/Richie Becke
radar, IRST (infrared search and Arizona (750 hours per year). There will obviously be a need
track) sensor and Link 16. These That’s approximately $18,400 to increase their offerings, like
are capabilities Top Aces is now per hour, with the defence more electronic warfare and
offering to our customers.” department providing the fuel. drones. Could Top Aces cater
The unnamed AESA radar With the F-16s, Top Aces were for these additional adversary
is already working in two A-4 starting to train USAF F-35A and air needs if the USAF or any
Skyhawks in Germany and is F-22 aircrews this October – a other customer required them?
also fielded in the F-16s. AAMS massive breakthrough for the “Absolutely,” said Didier, adding:
also offers the integration of company’s ambitions. “We have invested into our
Top Aces pilot dons a digital eye- specific electronic warfare pods However, the F-16s cannot yet technologies, so that we can
piece, part of the helmet-mounted to replicate the threat. be fielded overseas due to US plug in additional capabilities
cueing system in the cockpit display
The AAMS is now in all the A-4s state department restrictions that and we control the IP [Intellectual
and the AESA radar is an option control where these aircraft can Property]. So the unmanned/
when working with the German go. Quinn explained: “Currently manned interaction or operating
Adversary Air Armed Forces, and available we only operate in the US, with in a Live Virtual Constructive
– AdAir –Utility to other customers in Europe.
“The F-16 is also completed and
the US Air Force, and we are
regularly part of their large force
environment are capabilities that
we already have.
Assessment tested and we are going into a exercises.” Top Aces’ F-16 AAFs “In our view, we can provide
production phase.” were involved in the Black Flag our customers everything they
Under the AdAir Utility Assessment
exercise in May and September. need for their training.”
(AUA), the United States Air Force Europe
(USAFE) has been evaluating the training
US breakthrough On exporting the F-16 services, The future is now looking bright
On August 16 this year, Top Aces Didier added: “I hope we for one of the most high profile
effectiveness of the Top Aces A-4Ns and
announced it had been awarded can eventually operate them adversary air companies in a
Alpha Jets since December 1 last year.
a Military Flight Release (MFR) by overseas, so that partner nations relatively new business that is
The AUA enables the USAFE to evaluate
the USAF for its new F-16 AAF; in Europe, which are facing new still finding its way.
the suitability and interoperability of
a real breakthrough moment threats [from Russia], could train
contractor-owned, contractor-operated
for the business. “To provide with a fourth-gen adversary with Other Top Aces features
(COCO) air training for the US forces
effective training to pilots flying advanced capabilities and feel
in Europe.
fifth-generation fighters – such the benefit. For more on Top Aces F-16s, see
First training missions were flown
as the F-22 or F-35 – we must “It is unclear when this might Combat Aircraft Journal:
by AAMS-equipped A-4Ns against
match the capabilities of near- occur, and I won’t be drawn April 2022 Private Vipers, p52-p57;
Spangdahlem-based 52nd Fighter Wing
peer adversary fighter aircraft,” on when it could happen, but I October 2021 On The Rise, p20-26
(FW) F-16Cs from December 1-21.
Quinn said: “By combining the certainly hope it will be soon.”
More evaluations were carried out in UK
power and avionics of the F-16
airspace with A-4Ns and Alpha Jets flying
with AAMS, we can replicate The Alpha Jets’ main role with Top Aces is training Joint
against F-15Es and F-35As from the 48th
contemporary adversary threats Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) when they regularly
FW based at RAF Lakenheath. drop BDU-33 practise bombs Top Aces/Richie Becke
with accuracy and
Further AUA sorties saw Alpha Jets
cost-efficiency.
deployed from their home base in
“And now with MFR, Top Aces
Nordholz, Germany, to RAF Leeming, UK,
is cleared to deliver the most
during the May-June 2022 timeframe
advanced training solution
to support 48th FW training from a
available to the USAF.”
temporarily based location. Top Aces
In September, the company
aircraft successfully supported 48th FW
won a landmark five-year $175m
F-35A training in May 2022, representing
contract after being selected
the first use of COCO aircraft by USAFE
under the US Air Force (USAF)
for training its newest fifth-generation
Combat Air Force Contracted Air
fighter aircraft. As recently as September,
Support (CAFCAS) programme
two Top Aces Alpha Jets were positioned
to provide adversary air training
at RAF Lakenheath working with 48th FW
at Eglin AFB, Florida (1,150
and other NATO allies.
hours per year) and Luke AFB,

Spanish PC-21s
I
n a little under a year, Pilatus has delivered manufacturer, Pilatus, for a total of €205m and cost.
the last two examples of the 24 PC-21s ($199.3m), including the acquisition of 24 Of all these elements, the only ones still
acquired by the Spanish Air and Space turboprop-driven PC-21s and the so-called awaiting installation are the two FTDs, since
Force (SASF) to form the heart of what will be Ground Based Training System (GBTS), a their delivery is dependent on the completion
the new integrated training system for future powerful simulation system. of a new operations building at Murcia-San
Spanish military pilots. These new trainers Javier Air Base (AB) in southeastern Spain,
will replace the venerable yet outdated CASA Integrated Training System which will be completed before the end of
C-101EB Aviojets (designated the E.25 in The GBTS acquired by the SASF is made this year. Other new infrastructure associated
Spanish military service) in the demanding up of different elements that contribute to a with the GBTS includes the installation of
training mission, which, over the course of 42 progressive form of student learning before they new shelters on the aircraft parking ramp, as
years and 285,000 flight hours, have trained begin their practical training in the air phase. well as the imminent construction of a new
close to 1,800 student pilots. Specifically, the GBTS is composed of 40 maintenance hangar, along with workshops
The studies of different options to substitute interactive computer-based training (CBT) and another building to store various high-
the E.25 began in 2009, when the C-101EB workstations for the e-learning of aircraft tech components that demand special storage
began to show evidence of shortcomings in systems; 12 Mission Planning System/Mission conditions.
performing the training mission. A simple look Debriefing System (MPS/MDS) stations that The transition of both C-101EB instructor
inside the cockpit of this jet-powered basic permit the planning of missions for onward pilots and maintenance personnel to the PC-21
trainer aircraft showed the technological gap uploading in the aircraft or simulator and has been very demanding due to the decision
with respect to the modern weapons systems to play back how the student performed in to undertake it alongside the Aviojet’s final
in service with the SASF, which is made up of the aircraft/simulator afterwards; an Egress flight course. Training began several months
several squadrons of F/A-18A and EF-18M/BM Training Device (ETD) simulator to allow ago in Switzerland, with the deployment of an
Hornets, as well as Eurofighter EF-2000 multi- students to practice connecting their personal initial group of 20 maintainers and the first two
role fighters. flight gear to the aircraft or to practice pilots for on-site training at Pilatus’ facility in
To mitigate this situation and after emergency egress on the ground; two Cockpit Stans, Switzerland.
evaluating other options available on the Procedures Training (CPT) simulators to Upon their return, these maintainers were
market – basically the Beechcraft T-6 Texan practice procedures; emergencies and flight responsible for transitioning the rest of the
II and Embraer A-29 Super Tucano – it was instrumentation conditions; and two Full-Flight personnel assigned to the PC-21, although
announced on November 26, 2019, that the Training Devices (FTDs), which allow students there is also a small team of technicians from
contract had been awarded to the Swiss to acquire their skills in less time Pilatus at Murcia-San Javier to support the
A Training Revolution
Roberto Yáñez and Alex Rodriguez report on Spain’s newly acquired Pilatus PC-21 fleet as it formally
takes over the Spanish Air and Space Force’s basic flying training mission from the C-101EB Aviojet
Two Pilatus PC-

21s overfly the
AGA at Murcia-San
Javier AB during
an instructor
training flight
before the start of
the course. The
shelters installed
on the ramp below
protect the aircraft
from inclement
weather Spanish
Air and Space
Force

Some of Spain’s newly acquired PC-21s were initially stored at Albacete AB, where this
one is on a short maintenance flight All images Roberto Yáñez, unless otherwise stated
Spanish ground crews. At the same time, the way, the transition to Phase II (Basic Flying the end of their operational life, meaning
pilots that were trained by the manufacturer in Training) will become more fluid, faster and that in about three years, just 28 Aviojets will
the last several months are now in charge of consequently more economically efficient. remain, of which approximately a dozen will be
converting the rest of the Spanish instructors On the other hand, the Aviojets that still have permanently flyable.
from the Aviojet to the PC-21. flight hours left and are no longer being used The principal mission of the new squadron
for training have their short-term future secure. will be to provide airframes for the SASF’s
Pillán and Aviojet Future By a recent order of the Air Force Chief of premier aerobatic team, Patrulla Águila (Eagle
One of the Academia General del Aire’s (AGA, Staff, 794 Escuadrón (Squadron) was formed Patrol) – its pilots will then dedicate themselves
General Air Academy’s) biggest aspirations to house all the surviving C-101EB – not only exclusively to flying demonstrations throughout
was to combine the different training phases those aircraft that were operational at Murcia- the year. Meanwhile, the secondary role of
of the pilots instruction there into a single San Javier, but those that were assigned to 741 the squadron will be to assume the same
airframe. For many years, the academy has Escuadrón at Salamanca-Matacán AB for pilot previously mentioned missions of the recently
used the Chilean-built ENAER T-35C Pillán as proficiency training and to provide support dissolved 741 Escuadrón.
elementary flying trainers for Phase I and the to Mando Aéreo de Combate (MACOM, Air If the continuity of the AGA was in danger
C-101EB as basic flying trainers during Phase Combat Command), Navy and Army. due to plans for a common European flight
II. The existence of two different aircraft meant From now on and for approximately the school a few years ago, the arrival of the
that students had to learn to fly two distinct next decade, 794 Escuadrón will operate the Aviojet’s replacement in the form of the
types, something that would not have to C-101EBs still in service, which constitutes PC-21 has made this historic military pilot
happen if a single model was used. approximately 42 aircraft – including the five training school relevant again. With the start
Given the versatility of the PC-21 and the that remain assigned to the Centro Logístico of the new 2022-2023 course at the end of
forthcoming withdrawal of the T-35C Pillán de Armamento y Experimentación (CLAEX, September, 54 new students will complete
fleet, it is very likely that the SASF will add to Weapons and Researching Logistic Center) their training on the T-35C and PC-21,
the recently received aircraft to achieve the at Torrejón AB. With these, there will be a signifying a new historic milestone for the
Elementary Flying Training mission. In this progressive retirement of airframes reaching AGA as part of its 80-year existence.
The Integrated Spanish PC-21 Fleet Serials

Training
System Serial Code C/N Previous Regn
acquired by
E.27-01 (10239) 792-01 314 HB-HWA
the SASF
from Pilatus E.27-02 (10240) 792-02 315 HB-HWB
includes
two CPT E-27-03 (10241) 792-03 316 HB-HWC
simulators for E-27-04 (10242) 792-04 317 HB-HWD
procedures,
emergencies E-27-05 (10243) 792-05 318 HB-HWE
and instrument
flying training E-27-06 (10244) 792-06 319 HB-HWF
E-27-07 (10245) 792-07 320 HB-HWG
E-27-08 (10246) 792-08 321 HB-HWH
E-27-09 (10247) 792-09 322 HB-HWI
E-27-10 (10248) 792-10 323 HB-HWJ
E-27-11 (10249) 792-11 324 HB-HWK
E-27-12 (10250) 792-12 325 HB-HWL
E-27-13 (10251) 792-13 326 HB-HWM
Between September 14, 2021, and June 20, 2022, the SASF received 24 new PC-21s at Murcia-San
E-27-14 (10252) 792-14 327 HB-HWN
Javier AB, where they have formed the 792 Escuadrón. One such aircraft (serial E.27-16 ‘792-16’) is
pictured after its delivery flight. Note the aircraft is still carrying its Swiss test registration HB-HWP E-27-15 (10253) 792-15 328 HB-HWO
E-27-16 (10254) 792-16 329 HB-HWP
E-27-17 (10255) 792-17 330 HB-HWQ
E-27-18 (10256) 792-18 331 HB-HWR
E-27-19 (10257) 792-19 332 HB-HWS
E-27-20 (10258) 792-20 333 HB-HWT
E-27-21 (10259) 792-21 334 HB-HWU
E-27-22 (10260) 792-22 335 HB-HWV
E-27-23 (10261) 792-23 336 HB-HWW
E-27-24 (10262) 792-24 337 HB-HWX

EMBRAER KC-390 RECAP
March 3, 2018, on May 5, 2018 it ran off

the factory airfield runway and this time it
was damaged beyond repair. However, on
October 9, 2018, the first production aircraft
for the FAB, PT-ZNG (c/n 390003), completed
its maiden flight and, in order to keep
certification testing on track, it joined the
flight test programme.
Delivery of the first KC-390 to the FAB,
The first Portuguese Air Force which was the launch customer for the
KC-390, PT-ZDK (c/n 39000011,
to be FAP 26901), which Embraer
type, took place on September 4, 2019. The
announced had begun flight testing initial FAB order had been for 28 aircraft,
on September 1, 2022 Embraer but on May 28, 2021, the FAB announced
that, due to financial constraints, deliveries
would be reduced to just two per year, with
MBRAER’S C/KC-390 Millennium is a joint venture with Boeing, announced in the orderbook also to be cut back by an
E medium-sized, twin-jet-engined military

transport aircraft that was developed
with support from the Força Aérea Brasileira
November 2019, was dissolved just six
months later. Aero Vodochody, BAE
Systems and Rockwell Collins became
unspecified number. On February 9, 2022,
agreement was reached to cut the order
from 28 to 22, with final delivery deferred
(FAB; Brazilian Air Force) and the Brazilian major sub-contractors. from 2027 to 2034. The FAB has received
government. This ambitious project resulted The first prototype, PT-ZNF (c/n 390001), five aircraft to date, the most recent on
in the largest and heaviest military aircraft was rolled out at the Gavião Peixoto factory December 1, 2021. The type is operated by
produced to date by the Brazilian aerospace on October 21, 2014, then made its maiden 1º/1º GTT at Base Aérea de Anápolis.
manufacturer. Initial development work began flight on February 3, 2015, followed by the Embraer announced on September 1, 2022,
in 2006, based on use of the commercial second in October of that year. The second that it had begun flight testing of the first
Embraer 190 airframe, but it soon became prototype, PT-ZNJ (c/n 390002), followed it export KC-390, destined for Força Aérea
apparent that this could not easily be adapted into the air on April 28, 2016. A static test Portuguesa (FAP; Portuguese Air Force)
to military requirements and instead a clean- airframe, (c/n 390801) and a fatigue test service. The FAP had signed a contract in
sheet design was adopted. airframe (c/n 390802), were also produced. August 2019 for five aircraft, with an option
Embraer was awarded a $1.5bn contract on A setback to the programme occurred on on another one. The first is due for delivery
April 14, 2009, to produce two prototypes. October 12, 2017, when the first prototype in 2023.
Partners joining the programme included was damaged during testing. Although it On September 13, 2010, the Czech Republic
Boeing, ENAER and OGMA, although the was repaired and returned to flight on signed a Declaration of Intent to participate
KC-390 RECAP Dave Allport gives

a brief overview of
progress to date on
the Embraer KC-390
programme
A Brazilian
Air Force
KC-390
during a
flare test on
November
17, 2019
FAB/Sgt
Bianca

An impression of the proposed KC-390
Agile Tanker, in USAF markings, refuelling
an F-35A Lightning II. This variant is being
developed jointly by Embraer and L3Harris
as a possible option for the USAF L3Harris
in the programme, with Aero Vodochody

The first production Força Aérea
now manufacturing some key components. Brasileira (FAB; Brazilian Air Force)
Negotiations for Czech acquisition of two KC-390, PT-ZNG (c/n 3900003,
KC-390s have been under way for some destined for the FAB as 2852),
years, although to date no contract has during a MAFFS II fire-fighting
certification test on August 18,
been signed. 2022 Embraer
On October 2, 2010, Argentina signed
a Declaration of Intent to participate in
the programme and plans to acquire six
KC-390s. No order has yet been signed.
Chile signed a Declaration of Intent to
participate in the programme on August
24, 2010. The acquisition of six KC-390s is
planned, but no order has been placed.
On September 1, 2010, Colombia signed
a Declaration of Intent to participate in the
programme. Acquisition of 12 aircraft is
planned, however there has not been any
contract signature.
Embraer announced on November 17, 2020,
that Hungary had signed a contract C-390 equipped with the Modular Airborne operations in contested areas, and resilient
for two KC-390s to replace its already Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), giving it the communications supporting Joint All-Domain
retired Antonov An-26s. The first began capability to perform firefighting missions. The Command and Control (JADC2) requirements.
structural assembly on November 11, 2021 tests were carried out at the Embraer facility Although planned from the outset to have
and is due for delivery in 2023. The second in Gavião Peixoto. MAFFS II is a firefighting an air-to-air refuelling capability, the
will follow in 2024. system that can be rapidly installed and is KC-390 had only been initially designed for
They will be based at Kecskemét and crew capable of deploying up to 3,000 gallons of probe-and-drogue refuelling. The integration
training will be undertaken on a simulator at water (approximately 11,300 litres), both with of a boom will provide additional capabilities,
OGMA. Hungary is also considering ordering and without fire retardant. expanding the number of potential operators
a third example. Embraer’s latest development with the type, around the world that might be interested.
In a surprise move, the Netherlands announced on September 19, 2022, is that In an effort to increase USAF interest, the
announced on June 16, 2022, that it is to it has partnered with L3Harris Technologies companies are studying the possibility of
purchase five C-390Ms to replace its ageing to develop an ‘Agile Tanker’ based on the production and final assembly in the US,
C-130H fleet from 2026. KC-390. The company said that this is followed by modernisation and missionisation
On July 19, 2022, Embraer and BAE intended as “a tactical aerial refuelling option at the L3Harris aircraft modification centre
Systems signed a Memorandum of to address the US Air Force’s operational in Waco, Texas. Embraer notes that the
Understanding to establish a strategic imperatives and joint force refuelling ability to be forward deploy, operating from
partnership between the two countries to requirements, especially for contested short and improvised runways, will make
market the C-390 in the Middle East, initially logistics environments.” Enhancements to operations more flexible than the USAF’s
focusing on Saudi Arabia, the aircraft include the addition of advanced current large tankers. Whether the USAF feels
On September 5, 2022, Embraer announced boom operations and mission systems to it has sufficient need for such a requirement,
conclusion of certification flight testing of the support agile basing and sustainment for remains to be seen.

Attrition
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Interim report on loss of F-35B

on HMS Queen Elizabeth
A
n interim report into the Operation Fortis. Two UK F-35Bs, later. During the day prior to the removed. Prior to sinking, the left-
loss of UK F-35B Lightning from No 617 Squadron (Sqn), were accident, QNLZ transited through hand intake blank was observed
II ZM152 ‘018’ on HMS programmed to launch at 1145hrs. the Suez Canal on her homeward to float clear of ZM152’s wreckage
Queen Elizabeth (R08) on The lead aircraft, ZM152, taxied to passage. As a security measure and was subsequently impounded.
November 17 last year (see the runway for launch at 1137hrs. for that passage, all F-35Bs on the A salvage operation was mounted
Attrition, January and February), The aircraft converted to short flight deck had Red Gear fitted. and the aircraft recovered.
was published by the UK Ministry take-off mode and at the direction Red Gear, which included engine
of Defence on September 8. of the captain of the flight deck, intake blanks, was designed to Cause
While being operated by the pilot conducted engine run protect from ingress of foreign Following analysis of the flight data
the Royal Air Force’s No 617 up checks, confirmed all engine objects. That night, No 617 Sqn recorder by the manufacturer and
Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ indications were normal, selected engineering personnel serviced after an independent airworthiness
and undertaking routine flying take-off power, 97% engine thrust ZM152 to prepare it for flight the review, no technical issue with the
operations from the carrier in the request (ETR) and released the following day. aircraft has been identified and it is
eastern Mediterranean Sea, the brakes. The pilot reported that the ZM152’s servicing was tasked to almost certain that a single engine
aircraft crashed into international initial acceleration felt normal, but two engineers who started shift intake blank remained inside the
waters soon after take-off from then decreased. On checking the at 1930hrs. The first engineer engine intake at the time of launch,
the ship. engine displays, it was discovered conducted their aspects of the causing a restriction in airflow to the
The pilot ejected using the that the power was low, at 74% servicing shortly after 2130hrs, engine, such that it was unable to
aircraft’s Martin-Baker US16E ETR. The pilot then selected completed no later than 2300hrs. generate enough power for take-off.
ejector seat and was safely maximum (100% ETR), but the The second engineer started
returned to the carrier. This was engine continued to deliver lower their work at 0030hrs. When the Conclusion
the first loss of a UK F-35B. The than expected power. Due to the second engineer arrived at the Based on the evidence,
report confirms speculation at resulting low speed of ZM152, aircraft to conduct their part of the investigators are confident the
the time that an engine blank had the pilot attempted to abort the servicing and on all subsequent primary causal factor of the
accidentally been left in one of the take-off, but was unable to stop inspections of the aircraft prior event was the left-hand intake
intakes, causing loss of power. the aircraft before the end of the to flight, the intake blanks were blank remaining in the aircraft
The Director General Defence ramp and ejected. The ejection not seen. During their individual prior to launch, most likely due
Safety Authority Service Inquiry was successful, the parachute tasks, the engineers removed to a combination of human,
investigating the accident reports deployed and the pilot landed on some elements of the Red Gear, organisational and procedural
it is now confident that the cause the flight deck suffering only minor but no entry was required in the factors. The inquiry continues to
was not related to an aircraft injuries. The aircraft impacted the aircraft technical log on fitment examine other factors, including
technical issue. sea and was seen to be afloat or removal. A local accounting equipment design, workforce
The report detailed that on passing down the port side of the procedure was in place, but this resource, fatigue management,
November 17, 2021, HMS Queen ship before it subsequently sank. was not used for the mass fitting quality assurance and post-
Elizabeth (QNLZ) was operating ZM152 last flew on November and removal of Red Gear during occurrence management of the
in the eastern Mediterranean, 13, 2021 and required no the Suez transit. No muster event, to identify any relevant
six months into her maiden maintenance activity before the was conducted prior to flying to lessons that may prevent
Carrier Strike Group deployment, preparation for its flight four days ensure all the Red Gear had been reoccurrence.
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning
II ZM152 ‘018’ operated by No 617
Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ on
board HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) on
August 24, 2021. This was
the aircraft that crashed
on November 17, last year
MOD Crown Copyright/
LPhot Unaisi Luke

Accident Reports
Aug 12 US Air Force/7th Special CV-22B 10-0053
Operations Squadron Osprey
While on exercise in Norway, this aircraft was forced to make an
emergency landing in a nature reserve on Senja island in the northern
most part of Norway. As it cannot be repaired on site, plans were being
made to recover the tiltrotor without damaging the delicate habitat of
the nature reserve. It was finally removed on September 27 after being
moved to the water’s edge and then craned on to a recovery vessel.
Aug 28 Royal Air Force/RAFAT Hawk T1A XX278
Red Arrows
During a display at the Rhyl Air Show, North Wales, this aircraft,
(flying as ‘Red 6’) was involved in a serious bird strike at 1645hrs
local time. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Gregor Ogston, was unhurt but most of
the canopy glazing above his head smashed and broke away. After
flying to Chester-Hawarden Airport, North Wales, he performed a safe
emergency landing. The aircraft was performing an opposition pass
with ‘Red 7’ at the time but following the bird strike the pilot peeled
away and headed to Hawarden, where the team had been based for its Above: US Air Force/7th Special Operations Squadron CV-22B Osprey 10-0053
displays at Rhyl. The Red Arrows terminated their display a few minutes on Senja island, Norway, on September 19 after being moved to the water’s
early following the incident. edge for recovery following its emergency landing on August 12. It was lifted
Aug 30 South African Police PC-6/B2-H4 ZS-NIT on to a recovery vessel on September 27 Forsvaret/Tiril Haselstad
Service Air Wing Porter Turbo Sep 3 Ukrainian Navy Bayraktar TB2
Shortly after take-off from Rand Airport the aircraft crashed at around A Russian Air Force Su-35S reportedly used an R-77-1 air-to-air missile
1430hrs local time under unknown circumstances. All five passengers to bring down this UAV while it was hunting for Russian air defence
were killed but the pilot (Captain Casper Swanepoel) survived with systems in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. The UAV was destroyed.
critical injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was said Sep 4 Russian Air Force Mi-28N ‘81 Red’
to be in stable condition. The pilot and one passenger (Warrant Officer Ukrainian forces downed this helicopter outside Hulyaipole, Ukraine.
Willem Erasmus) were South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel, The fate of the crew is unconfirmed.
while the other four were civilian aircraft maintenance technicians Sep 4 Russian Air Force Orlan-10
contracted to maintain helicopters for the SAPS. During a reconnaissance sortie over Ukraine, this UAV crashed in
Aug 31 Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16 Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, breaking off the wings.
During a routine training flight this aircraft crashed during the afternoon Sep 4 Syrian Air Force Mi-8/17
in an uninhabited area at Bayer, Ma’an. The pilot ejected safely but was During a routine training flight, this helicopter had a technical
taken to Al Hussein Medical City as a precaution for a check-up. He malfunction and crashed in a residential area near the Al-Arbaeen
was reported to be in stable condition. roundabout in the northeastern area of the city of Hama. All three crew
Sep 2 Russian Air Force Kartograf members were killed. The helicopter was destroyed, along with the
A Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile unit downed this reconnaissance UAV house it crashed on. There were no reported casualties on the ground.
at around 0900hrs local time on the southeastern front in Mykolaiv Sep 4 Turkish Land Forces S-70A-28 Black Hawk
Oblast, Ukraine. The UAV was recovered relatively intact but with While participating in a supply mission as part of the ongoing Turkish
considerable damage. Armed Forces Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq, the helicopter
Sep 2 Russian Air Force Zala VTOL 421-16E2 crashed at approximately 2345hrs local time while attempting an
Ukrainian forces downed this reconnaissance UAV on the eastern front emergency landing following a technical malfunction. Seven crew
in Ukraine. It appeared to have come down without any significant members were rescued in good health but an eighth was reported as
damage. Ukraine has also claimed to have downed three Orlan-10 missing and search and rescue operations were continuing. The extent
UAVs on this date, but there has been no independent confirmation or of damage to the helicopter was not reported.
photo proof to date. Sep 4 Ukrainian Air Force Bayraktar TB2
Sep 2 Syrian Air Force MiG-21 The Russian Army destroyed this UAV when it was reportedly shot
The pilot of this aircraft ejected in the vicinity of Al-Khalidiya in the down in the Kherson Oblast, Ukraine.
northeastern area of Al-Suwayda governorate, southern Syria, before Sep 7 Indonesian Navy/ Udara 200 T-2503
it crashed in an agricultural area following a technical problem during 2 Wing/Skadron G36 Bonanza
a routine training sortie from Khalkhala Air Base. The pilot, said to be a After taking off from Surabaya-Juanda Airport at 0845hrs local time for
colonel, was seriously injured and taken to a local hospital.
Sep 2 United Nations/ Mi-8
Nizhnevartovsk-Avia
While operating on behalf of the United Nations Humanitarian Air
Service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in North Kivu
province, eastern DRC, this helicopter crashed during the morning
under unknown circumstances at Mugunga, Virunga National Park,
near Goma. All three crew members were injured and taken to a local
hospital for treatment. The Mi-8 was reportedly destroyed in the crash.
Sep 3 Russian Air Force Ka-52
An announcement by Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that its
anti-aircraft missile units had destroyed this helicopter at around
1030hrs local time in Donetsk. There was no immediate independent
confirmation of the claim.
Sep 3 Russian Air Force Forpost
The Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that it had downed this UAV. Above: A Russian Air Force Zala VTOL 421-16E2 UAV, which was brought down
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the claim. by Ukrainian forces on September 2 Ukrainian General Staff

Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]
Sep 10 Afghan Air Force UH-60A+ Black Hawk

Following a technical malfunction just after take-off for a Taliban training
flight from the National Defence University in Kabul, the helicopter
crashed within the grounds of the University. Three of the eight on
board were killed, including the pilot and co-pilot, while the other five
were all injured.
Sep 11 Russian Air Force Su-34
This aircraft crashed at around 0600hrs local time under unknown
circumstances in northern Crimea, in a field on the border between
Raznodelnensky and Krasnoperekopsky districts. Both pilots ejected
and were safely recovered.
Sep 12 Russian Air Force Su-30SM RF-81773
‘62 Red’
Although the wreckage of this aircraft was found on this date in Izium,
Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine by advancing Ukrainian forces, it is thought to
have been shot down at an unknown, much earlier date.
Sep 13 Russian Air Force/47th Su-34 RF-95808
Bomber Aviation Regiment ‘24 Red’
Wreckage of this previously unreported aircraft loss was discovered on
this date near Balakliya, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, although it is unknown
when it crashed.
Sep 17 Islamic Revolutionary Su-22UM3K
Guards Corps Air and Fitter-G
Space Force (Iran)
Following a technical malfunction, the aircraft crashed near Bandar
Abbas. The pilots had flown to an uninhabited area and ejected safely.
Sep 19 Russian Air Force Kartograf
Ukrainian forces downed this reconnaissance UAV over the Mykolaiv
Oblast, Ukraine.
Sep 19 Ukrainian Air Force Su-25M1
During a combat mission, this aircraft was shot down by Russian forces
at Yehorivka, near Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, reportedly using
a Russian Osa-AKM SAM system. The fate of the pilot is unconfirmed.
Sep 21 Senegal Gendarmerie G1 Aviation
Above: Wreckage of Russian Air Force Su-34 RF-95808/‘24 Red’ which was Nationale G1 SPYL
discovered on September 13, although it is unknown when it crashed Both crew members were injured when this ultralight crashed at around
Ukraine General Staff
1400hrs local time under unknown circumstances at an unspecified
an air defence training exercise, performing mock attacks on a naval location in Senegal. The aircraft was substantially damaged,
convoy, contact with this aircraft was lost ten minutes later and it was Sep 23 Russian Air Force Mohajer-6
reported missing in the Surabaya West shipping lane in the Maduira Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down this Iranian-built combat and
Strait area of East Java. Two crew members were on board and a full- ISTAR UAV over an unspecified location in Ukraine. Video showed it
scale search operation was launched but the bodies of the pilot and partially submerge in the sea but appearing largely intact. This was the
co-pilot were not found until 1000hrs the next day at a depth of 14m. first time the type had been reported in use over Ukraine.
Sep 7 Royal Netherlands Air AH-64D Q-17 Sep 23 Russian Air Force Orlan-30 3161
Force/301 Squadron Apache Ukrainian air assault forces brought down this reconnaissance UAV
During a routine low-level training exercise from Gilze-Rijen Air Base on the southern front in Ukraine, reportedly using an electronic
this helicopter contacted treetops with its rotor blades and made a warfare system.
forced landing in a field near Best. Subsequent inspection on site by
a technical team confirmed damage to the rotor blades, which were
replaced in situ. On the following day the Apache left via Eindhoven and
returned to Gilze-Rijen, where it landed safely at 1720hrs.
Sep 7 Russian Air Force Su-25SM RF-95134
‘Blue 04’
The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot this aircraft down over Ukraine with a
MANPADS in Volokhiv Yar, Kharkiv Oblast. The pilot ejected.
Sep 7 Russian Air Force Mi-24
Ukraine General Staff announced that, at around 0830hrs local time, a
Ukrainian Air Force anti-aircraft missile unit shot down this helicopter in
the Kherson Oblast of Ukraine. The fate of the crew was not reported.
Sep 7 Ukrainian Air Force Su-25
The pilot of this aircraft, Vadym Blagovisny, was killed when it crashed
during a combat mission over Ukraine.
Sep 9 Russian Air Force Su-25
Immediately after take-off from an air base in Crimea, the aircraft
suddenly rolled to port, plunged into the ground and was destroyed.
Although the pilot ejected, the sequence failed and he was killed.
Sep 9 Russian Air Force/47th Su-34 RF-95004
Bomber Aviation Regiment ‘20 Red’
Above: Part of the wreckage of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25M1, which was
The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot this aircraft down over Izium, Kharkiv shot down on September 19 by Russian forces at Yehorivka, near Vuhledar,
Oblast, Ukraine. Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine Ukrainian Weapons Tracker

Sep 28 Russian Air Force Orlan-10
This reconnaissance UAV was brought down by the Ukrainian Armed
Forces in eastern Ukraine. It appeared to have sustained relatively
minor damage.
Sep 29 Russian Air Force Orlan-10 10175
Ukrainian forces destroyed this reconnaissance UAV when it was shot
down over Sumy Oblast, Ukraine.
Sep 29 Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29
The pilot of this aircraft, Captain Taras Redkin, was killed when it
crashed at an unspecified location in Ukraine.
Sep 29 Ukrainian Air Force Su-24
During combat operations this aircraft was shot down by a Russian
surface-to-air missile over Kherson Oblast. Ukraine. Both crew
members ejected.
Sep 30 Russian Air Force Zala VTOL 421-16EM
This UAV was brought down by the Ukrainian Armed Forces near
Hoptivka, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. It appeared to have sustained very
Above: Russian Air Force Orlan-30 UAV 3161 after being brought down on little damage.
September 23 by Ukrainian air assault forces Ukrainian General Staff Oct 1 Mexican Navy EC145 ANX-
Sep 24 Russian Air Force Su-34 (BK117C-2) 2245
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 25th Airborne Brigade shot this aircraft Three of the five occupants were killed and the other two seriously
down over Ukraine using a MANPADS. It initially continued flying with a injured when this helicopter crashed at around 1300hrs local time near
stream of flame from the starboard engine, but eventually crashed. Both Frontera, Centia, Tabasco, following tail rotor failure during an aerial
crew members were believed to have ejected. surveillance patrol. The aircraft was destroyed when it came down in
Sep 24 Russian Air Force Su-34 the grounds of the Amado Nerva kindergarten.
Ukrainian forces shot down this aircraft over Peotropavlivka, Kharkiv Oct 1 Russian Air Force MiG-31?
Oblast. Both pilots reportedly ejected. Note that this is a different loss While attempting to take-off at 1800hrs local time from
to the one above. Sevastapol-Belbek Air Base, Crimea, this interceptor/attack aircraft
Sep 24 Uganda People’s Defence Mi-24 failed to become airborne. It overran the runway, ran down an
Force Air Force embankment and caught fire. The aircraft was destroyed but the
During initial climb out, shortly after take-off from Fort Portal Airfield, pilot is reported to have survived. MiG-31s, Su-27s and Su-30s are
the helicopter had a mechanical failure and crashed at 0930hrs based at Belbek and unconfirmed reports suggest it was a MiG-31
local time on to a house in Saaka, Kabarole District. Both crew that crashed.
members on board escaped injury but the Hind was damaged Oct 1 Russian Air Force Ka-52?
beyond repair. An elderly woman on the ground was hurt and taken The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a helicopter, believed to be a
to hospital. Ka-52, using a MANPADS, while it was flying at extremely low level in
Sep 25 Pakistan Army Aviation Bell 412EP Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine.
Corps Oct 2 Russian Air Force/ Su-34 RF-81852
During a flood relief operation near Khost, Harnai Balochistan, the 2nd Composite Aviation ‘09 Red’
helicopter crashed in bad weather under unknown circumstances Regiment
and was destroyed. All six on board were killed. The fatalities were Wreckage of this aircraft was found by advancing Ukrainian forces near
identified as Pilot Major Muhammad Muneeb Afzal, Pilot Major Khurram Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on this date, although it is unknown
Shahzad, Naik Jalil, Sobidar Abdul Wahid, Sepoy Muhammad Imran when it had crashed, presumably after being shot down. Fate of the
and Sepoy Shoaib. pilots is unknown.
Sep 25 Ukrainian Air Force A1-SM Furia ACM Oct 3 Russian Air Force Eleron-3
318504 The Ukrainian Armed Forces brought this short-range surveillance/
Russian forces shot down this UAV over Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, reconnaissance UAV down, reportedly using an EDM4S anti-UAV
reportedly using a 9K33M3 Osa-AKM air defence system. It was jammer, at an unspecified location in Ukraine. It appeared to have
recovered relatively intact, but with obvious shrapnel damage. sustained very little damage.
Sep 26 Uganda People’s Defence Mi-17
Force Air Force Additional material from: Scramble/Dutch Aviation Society and
While operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Asagiri Yohko.
helicopter crashed in the Boga region, Ituri province, after its tail rotor
struck a tree. The Mi-17 had just delivered a food consignment to
troops engaged in Operation Shujaa when it came down just after
take-off. The three crew and more than 12 troops on the ground who
were collecting the consignment just after it had been dropped off were
reported killed.
Sep 27 Uganda People’s Defence Unidentified
Force Air Force helicopter
During operations in the Kabarole border region of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, this helicopter struck electrical wires and crashed.
Both crew members were killed.
Sep 28 Bulgarian Air Force/ Su-25K 254
22 Sht.AB
Following a routine training flight, the pilot of this aircraft, Col Peyo
Donchev, lost control on approach to land at Bezmer Air Base at
approximately 1400hrs local time and ejected safely, sustaining only
Above: Ukrainian Air Force A1-SM Furia UAV ACM318504 which Russian
minor injuries. The Su-25, however, crashed short of the runway and forces shot down on September 25 over Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
was destroyed by fire. Ukraine General Staff

Next
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UK-led EX Cobra Warrior, which saw participation
by fast jets from Italy, Germany and the US
NEXT
ISSUE
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• Russian Air Power

More than nine months into its war with Ukraine, Russia’s air
power has had to adapt to the Kremlin’s changing strategy and
growing Ukrainian resistance. AFM reveals how.
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European Airbus A330-243 MRTTs are boosting NATO’s air
defence over Europe, as AFM explains
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The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is one of nine Major Commands
within the US Air Force. AFM’s Force Report studies the
PACAF’s importance, covering over 53% of the globe and more
than half of the world’s population
• RAF4th/5th-Gen Integration Interview

Air Cdre Mike Baulkwill, the RAF’s Combat Air Force
Commander, explains why 4th/5th fighter integration is so
important for the defence of the country and its interests
Above: A US Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft assigned to the 34th Bomb
Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, is pushed into a parking
• Plus, the best round-up of military aircraft spot at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after supporting a Bomber Task Force
integration mission in the Indo-Pacific region USAF/ Master Sgt.Nicholas Priest
news of any aviation magazine anywhere, Top: An RAF F-35B Lightning II takes on fuel from Italian Air Force KC-767A
including coverage of the Ukraine-Russia during an Ex Cobra Warrior mission, while his wingman waits in the distance
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Officially the world’s number one authority on military aviation

displays its muscles 11

Central Europe hastily

A NATO grows ever bigger, NATO is

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 3

4 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

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6 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

An ITAF Eurofighter EF2000, callsign ‘Ferrari21’, takes on

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 7

RAF trials low-level F-35B fleet:

Italian helicopters deploy Force will be able to

8 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

Secretive Poseidons visit Mildenhall

RAF Chinook used as Typhoons help sink

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 9

One of the more unusual arrivals at Stansted on September 11 was

10 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

Another of the more exotic visitors was Government of Namibia Falcon 7X

Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB – Brazilian Air Force) Embraer VC-2

The hearse carrying the Queen’s coffin drives

from around the

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 11

Greece welcomes pair

French Navy’s first H160 delivered

12 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

Switzerland signs Maiden flight for Irish

dozen F-35As September 23 IAC

SWISS PLANS to acquire Armasuisse stated: “The

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 13

Farewell to Finnish Vinka

14 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

1537hrs (local time). to the Finnish Air Force,

Finnish Air Force Grob G115E GO-3 is one of

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 15

Czech Gripens return by Bulgarian

from BAP mission September 21.

16 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

www.eurofighter.com Effective Proven Trusted

Top Aces to provide adversary

Raytheon and Northrop Florida Air Guard 75th anniversary jet

RAYTHEON MISSILES & Raytheon’s vast facility

18 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

USAF, Northrop Grumman planned

Trials EC-130H at Black Flag

NAVAIR completes 50th CH-53E reset Insitu Blackjack and

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 19

Final Joint STARS local flight for 16th ACCS

Boeing contracted for US, Israeli KC-46A production

Eighth Super Herc for 123rd AW arrives

20 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

Ascension’s eastern runway fully re-opens

‘Nuke Sniffer’ WC-135W retired

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22 // November 2022 www.Key.Aero

continuing to operate the

MiG-29AS (serial 0921) rolls out with its parachute deployed

www.Key.Aero November 2022 // 23