AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

purchased six KKR-1 reconnaissance pods for
the Su-20s, later also used by the Su-22s.
The final unit to re-equip was the 8 PLMB
based at Mirosławiec, which accepted ten new
Su-22M4s from the 37th and 38th production
batches, delivered during September and
October 1988; these were the aircraft ordered
under the 1986 contract. The remaining aircraft
were handed over to the Mirosławiec regiment
from other units, which had a surplus above
the standard complement of ten single-seat
and two twin-seat aircraft per squadron.
Warsaw Pact duty
The primary role of the Su-22 was tactical air
interdiction 31-93 miles (50-150km) behind the The Su-22 can carry up to four examples
of the unusual SPPU-22-01 cannon pods,
front line, flying at low altitude. Typical targets two of which can be configured to fire


would include command posts, bridges, railway backwards with barrels tilted up to 23°
hubs, tactical missile launchers and enemy downwards. The pod contains a twin-barrel
troop concentrations. In Warsaw Pact doctrine, GSh-23 cannon and 260 rounds.
the Su-22 (or Su-17) was positioned between However, avionics were still insufficient. In position by RSDN-10, the computer automatically
the Su-25 attack aircraft operating directly over low-level flight deep behind the front line, guided the aircraft to the target and dropped
the ground troops’ contact line and up to 31 the aircraft left the TACAN range, and the bombs without the need for the pilot to have
miles (50km) behind, and the Su-24 tactical inertial-Doppler KN-23 navigation system lost visual contact with the target. However, this
bomber, which performed similar tasks to the accuracy; over a distance of 155 miles (250km) mode of attack had two serious limitations: it
Su-22, but with a heavier load and wider array of the circular error probability (CEP) increased required knowledge of the precise co-ordinates
weapons delivered over longer distances, 93-186 to 1.7 miles (2.8km). The pilot then had to seek of the target before take-off and the LORAN
miles (150-300km) deep into enemy territory. the target and attack it on his own – due to the system was vulnerable to electronic jamming.
The most severe limitation of the combat lack of radar this could only be done visually. The new targeting sensor for the Su-22M4 was
capabilities of the initial Su-17 and Su-17M To remedy this, the Su-17M4 (Su-22M4) the Klyon-54 (maple) laser rangefinder and
(Su-20) versions produced in 1969-75 was a was fitted with an RSDN-10 long-range radio target designator; previously there was only a
simple short-range radio navigation system navigation (LORAN) receiver, meaning it was rangefinder, without target indication function.
(RSBN, the Russian equivalent of TACAN) able to correct its position close to the target.
and basic targeting sensors (optical sight). All navigation devices, including the RSDN- Weapons and stores
The subsequent Su-17M2 (Su-22) produced 10 LORAN and RSBN-7S TACAN receivers, The Su-22M4 carries up to 8,818lb (4,000kg)
in 1974-80 was additionally fitted with DISS- DISS-7 Doppler navigation radar and others of weapons and stores on eight pylons: four
7 Doppler radar for navigation and a Fon- were combined into single PrNK-54 (pritselno- under the fuselage in tandem pairs and four
1400 laser rangefinder for targeting. In the navigatsyonnyi kompleks, targeting and under the fixed wing sections. Additionally,
subsequent Su-17M3 (Su-22M3) produced navigation system) controlled by a digital each of two small underwing pylons can
in 1976-83, the navigation devices were Orbita-20-22 mission computer (a small air accommodate one R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) air-
combined into a single KN-23 system scoop for computer cooling in front of the to-air missile (AAM) for self-defence.
(originally developed for strike versions of tail fin is externally the most visible feature During wartime, the main armament of the Su-17
the MiG-23), enabling automatic guidance of distinguishing the M4 from the previous (Su-22) was to comprise two tactical nuclear
the aircraft over a pre-programmed route. versions). After correction of the aircraft’s bombs (the yield of which partially compensated
KKR-1 reconnaissance pod



Any Su-22 can carry the large KKR-1 (konteyner (780kg) loaded. It contains three photo cameras (A-39,
kompleksnoi razvedki) reconnaissance pod suspended UA-47 and PA-1; the last of these develops the film during
beneath the fuselage. The pod has a length of 22.3ft flight), a KDF-38 dispenser with 38 illuminating flares
(6.79m), a diameter of 2ft (60cm) and weighs 1,720lb and the SRS-9 electronic intelligence (ELINT) package.


























Neither the Su-22 or its Su-20 predecessor had dedicated reconnaissance variants, but both could be

used for reconnaissance after fitting the KKR pod, carried on the centreline station.

www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 51



48-53 PolishSu22 AFM Dec2019.indd 51 11/11/2019 11:00:59

Polish Su-22 force
































for the poor accuracy of the navigation system). in each wing root (only the starboard cannon
The Su- M s had the equipment required for is fitted in two-seaters), with 80 rounds each. From the cockpit
carrying nuclear weapons – as had all Polish In a real-world mission in low-level flight, a
tactical aircraft beginning with the MiG-21PFM major portion of the 8,818lb (4,000kg) load
in 1968. However, in peacetime the Polish units capacity would be taken up by external fuel
did not receive the bombs themselves. tanks. Typically, the Su-22s fly with two 800-
Poland purchased four types of guided air- lit (176-Imp gal) PTB-800 drop tanks, less
to-surface missiles (ASMs) for the Su-22. Two often with four PTB-800s, and very rarely with
were laser guided onto a laser spot placed on two 1,150-lit (253-Imp gal) PTB-1150 tanks.
the target by the Klyon-54 designator housed The Su-22M4’s self-protection devices
in the inlet cone, or by an external laser. These include SPO-15LM Beryoza radar warning
were the heavy 1,448lb (657kg) Kh-29L (AS-14 receiver (RWR), two KDS-23 chaff/flare
Kedge) and the lighter 662lb (300kg) Kh-25ML dispensers (six 50mm/1.97in cartridges each)
(AS-10 Karen), both with a range of 6.2 miles built into the dorsal spine and eight ASO-
(10km). The third missile was the TV-guided 2V dispensers (each with 32 26mm/1.02in
Kh-29T that homes automatically onto an cartridges) mounted on the rear fuselage. In the opinion of most pilots, the Su-22 is not easy to fly.
optically contrasting object, designated by Additionally, an SPS-141MVG-E active jamming Speaking to AFM, one of the Polish Fitter pilots explained: “The
the pilot using an IT-23M CRT monitor in the pod can be suspended under the wing. variable wing geometry requires much attention. The pilot
cockpit. Finally, for use against ground-based However, these devices are not integrated must take into account several operational limitations, related
radars, Poland purchased Kh-25MP (AS-12 in a single system and operate separately. to the position of the movable section of the wing and wing
Kegler) anti-radiation missiles with a range of high-lift devices.” Furthermore, he added: “The automatic
25 miles (40km); this missile requires the Vyuga Upgrade proposals flight control system, although aiding the pilot in many
(snowstorm) guidance pod for target acquisition. In the 1990s, Poland received many offers to situations, is not a fly-by-wire system and is not pilot-friendly.”
The Su-22’s unguided weapons include upgrade its Su-22s. A joint offer of 1994 from However, a well-trained pilot “is able to get much out of
freefall bombs of up to 1,102lb (500kg), KMGU Sukhoi, Thomson-CSF and Sextant Avionique the aircraft”. The aviator continued: “The aircraft handles
submunition dispensers, 57mm to 370mm featured a new PrNK-55 navigation/attack very well in low-altitude high-speed flight, providing good
(2.24in to 14.57in) rockets, and 23mm UPK- system with mission computer, NSS100-P manoeuvrability in strafing flights; it can also attain pretty
23-250 and SPPU-22-01 cannon pods (up to Navstar/Glonass GPS receiver, Totem inertial long range and endurance.” In terms of the jet’s analogue
four, with the option of two firing backwards). navigation system, TMV 630 laser rangefinder/ avionics: “Using the flight instruments does not pose great
Fixed armament consists of two Nudelman/ target designator, Sherloc RWR and others. As problems, despite the fact that the Su-22M4 unfortunately
Rikhter NR-30 single-barrel 30mm cannon, one an option, the aircraft could receive a lightweight differs significantly in this respect from the Su-22UM3K.”

Below: The laser-guided Kh-25ML was final ASM in
the Polish Su-22’s inventory. The Kh-25ML training
round under the wing of Su-22M4 ‘3816’ comprises
the body of the missile with the seeker, enabling
simulated delivery without actual launching.



















52 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



48-53 PolishSu22 AFM Dec2019.indd 52 11/11/2019 11:02:22

Left: Su-22M4 ‘3816’ in the climb over the clouds
as the wingman breaks. With recent US State
Department approval granted to buy up to 32
F-35As, the Su-22’s service career in Poland is
finally set to end. Right: Serials ‘3819’ and ‘3816’

over the airfield at Świdwin, with its network of

Cold War-era hardened aircraft shelters. This was
the second Polish Su-22 base, the resident 40

PLMB receiving its first examples in August 1985.
Phathom radar (from the Russian Phazotron about the Su-22’s future. Instead, only a minor from Powidz – and later another squadron
and French Thomson-CSF), plus beyond- upgrade of the aircraft’s equipment and its from Świdwin – to the NATO Quick
visual-range (BVR) AAMs and new ASMs. adaptation to NATO requirements was made. Reaction Force. The initial four pilots from
Sukhoi’s lower-cost offer of 1997 provided During the 1990s, the aircraft were retrofitted Powidz attained combat-ready status in
for separate upgrade modules beginning with Bendix/King (Honeywell) KTU-709 TACAN summer 2000, becoming the first Polish
with introduction of a GPS receiver, new and Rockwell Collins ANV-241MMR instrument pilots authorised to fly within NATO.
identification friend or foe (IFF) and flight landing system in place of the Russian RSBN- Currently, the role of the Polish Su-22s is
data sensors, followed by a new RWR and 7S, Trimble 2101AP GPS receiver replacing the more modest, and they are intended for
electronic jammer, and then multifunction Russian RSDN-10, Polish-made Radwar SC-10 operations from Polish territory only.
displays and helmet-mounted sight. The most Supraśl IFF in place of the Russian Parol, as well In 2014, another limit was surpassed: the
advanced option provided for use of a podded as a digital control panel for the Russian R-862 service life of aircraft previously extended
RLPK-22 radar, which enabled the aircraft to radio, anti-collision lights and other additions. out to 30 years began to end. It was decided
use Kh-31A (AS-17 Krypton) anti-ship missiles. to conduct another overhaul and service
An Israeli offer submitted by Israel Aircraft Reorganisation under NATO extension to 2023-25 for just 18 Su-22s; the
Industries’ Lahav Division included new In May 1999, Poland joined NATO and a remaining aircraft were retired. Currently, there
avionics integrated via Mil Std 1553B reorganisation of air units was made during are 12 Su-22M4 aircraft in service with the
data bus, new on-board computer, plus a 1999-2000, consisting of replacement of the 21. BLT at Świdwin: ‘3201’, ‘3304’, ‘3612’, ‘3713’,
gyroscopic inertial platform integrated with aviation regiments with squadrons and bases; ‘3715’, ‘3816’, ‘3817’, ‘3819’, ‘3920’, ‘8101’, ‘8205’ and
GPS, TACAN, new VHF/UHF communications the standard complement of the ‘new’ eskadra ‘8309’, and six Su-22UM3K two-seat combat
radios and other items. An Elta EL/M lotnictwa taktycznego (ELT, tactical aviation trainers: ‘305’, ‘308’, ‘310’, ‘508’, ‘509’ and ‘707’ .
2032 radar could be suspended in a pod. squadron) was 16, not 12 aircraft as it had During 2014-16, the aircraft were overhauled
The proposal also included computerised been in the squadrons composing an aviation at WZL 2 in Bydgoszcz while their engines
mission-planning system, new electronic regiment. The 40 PLMB at Świdwin was went to WZL 4 in Warsaw. After overhaul, the
warfare (EW) and self-defence systems. reorganised into two squadrons, the 39 ELT aircraft’s service life was extended to a further
A Sukhoi offer of 2000 was similar to that and 40 ELT; in 2002, the 39 ELT was disbanded 800 flight hours or ten years of service. New
of 1997, but more modest, and targeted and its aircraft assigned to other units. In Polish-made RS-6113 communication radios
extension of the assigned service life to 2000, the 7 PLBR at Powidz was reorganised were installed (the previous Soviet-made
2,500 hours or 5,000 cycles, or 25-30 years. into the 6 ELT and 7 ELT. In 2006 the 6 ELT left R-862 remains as a back-up) and the flight
The basic package also included installation its aircraft at Powidz and moved to Poznań- instruments were re-scaled into Imperial units.
of several new devices including an A737 Krzesiny, where it was equipped with new The lifetime of the aircraft’s weapons also
GPS receiver, digital chart and additional F-16s. A year later, the 7 ELT redeployed its gradually expired. First, the Kh-29T and L
mission computer (the old unit would remain Su-22s from Powidz to Świdwin. The 8 PLMB missiles were decommissioned, followed by
unchanged) to complete new tasks and at Mirosławiec was reorganised into the 8 ELT the Kh-25MPs. Only a small number of laser-
provide Mil Std 1553B interface. Separately, in 2000; in 2010, the squadron was disbanded guided Kh-25ML missiles remained, but
the Kh-31A anti-ship missile was offered once and its personnel and aircraft were redeployed after 2008, each launch required individual
again, together with podded RLPK-22 radar. to Świdwin. During 35 years of Su-22 service in expertise for a particular missile. Currently,
Offers were also prepared by the Polish Poland, 14 aircraft have been lost in accidents; Polish Su-22s carry only unguided weapons.
Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 (WZL 2, six were fatal, claiming the lives of eight pilots. However, Kh-25ML training missiles are used
Military Aircraft Works No 2) in Bydgoszcz, Aircraft nearing the end of their service life for training in guided ordnance delivery. AFM
including installation of a new mission were gradually retired. For some Fitters, service
computer, inertial navigation, air data computer, life was extended to 30 years and in 2010 the Acknowledgements:
replacement of some cockpit instruments with Polish Su-22 fleet shrank to two squadrons
a multifunction LCD display and new head- with 32 aircraft, based at Świdwin. In the Sincere thanks to the 21. BLT pilots who
up display (HUD), as well as other kit. In a same year, a new unit, the 21. Baza Lotnictwa took part in the series of photo sessions
more advanced variant, installation of the Mil Taktycznego (21. BLT, 21st Tactical Air Base), in Świdwin in July: Lt Col Roman ‘Stefan’
Std 1553B data bus was stipulated, which was formed from the two squadrons at Stefaniak who was the pilot of the Su-
would open the way to the use of new sensors Świdwin. Colonel Karol Jędraszczyk has been 22UM3 with Katsuhiko Tokunaga on board,
(including podded radar) and weapons. commander of the 21. BLT since June 2015. and Capt Krzysztof ‘Kretek’ Kręciejewski
The Polish defence ministry didn’t accept Immediately after joining NATO in 1999, and Capt Fabian ‘Kolba’ Kolbusz who flew
any of these proposals, a result of uncertainty Poland assigned a squadron of Su-22s the other two aircraft.



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 53



48-53 PolishSu22 AFM Dec2019.indd 53 11/11/2019 11:02:47

Exercise
Report Dédalo 2019


also staged out of the IV Brigada PucaráPucará


T
he V Brigada Aérea (5th
Air Brigade) of the Fuerza
Aérea Argentina (FAA,
Argentine Air Force), based at
Villa Reynolds, San Luis province,
was the centre of activity for
the service’s Dédalo (Daedalus)
exercise. All major FAA units
took part and operations were
Each year, the FAA stages an over the Pampas
Aérea in Mendoza and the Escuela
de Aviación Militar (Military
Aviation School) in Córdoba.

integration exercise to improve
teamwork between units, train The Argentine Air Force’s major exercise of 2019 saw all the lessons learned so far
for different types of operations this year put to the test. And, as Santiago Rivas reports, it was a final opportunity
and identify areas needing
improvement. Despite the lack of to see the Pucará perform in its original attack role.
assets and budget constraints,
personnel work hard to keep the
materiel available and attain the
highest possible level of readiness.
This year was the last time
the IA-58 Pucará participated
in the attack role and was able
to fire its weapons. On October
4 it was retired from offensive
duties to be replaced by a single
IA-58H Pucará II with Pratt &
Whitney PT6A-62 engines and a
new mission of air surveillance
and vigilance (see Last call for
the Pucará, November, p22).
The force plans to convert 1









































2



54 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



54-56 Dedalo AFM Dec2019.indd 54 08/11/2019 12:37:22

3
another two airframes to the A pair of II Brigada Aérea that deployed from Tandil in central Tucanos. The Mi-171 was used
same configuration next year, Learjet 35As took part, one Argentina. For combat search during these missions, sometimes
if funds are available. While the for photo survey and the other and rescue (CSAR) and transport operating alongside the Bell 412,
IA-58H retains the cannon and for transport and electronic duties, a Bell 412 and a Mi-171 while Tucanos provided protection.
machine guns, this is only to warfare. Together with the last of the VII Brigada Aérea arrived The Bell 412 also performed
preserve the centre of gravity, Pucarás, the III Brigada Aérea at Villa Reynolds, as did a Twin night missions with night-vision
and the gunsight is removed. also deployed its EMB-312H Otter from the IX Brigada Aérea, goggles (NVGs) and using its
The exercise began on Tucanos, which are replacing the which undertook battle damage FLIR Star SAFIRE III turret and
September 5, a day after IA-58 on border patrol duties. assessment, light transport and searchlight. Deployed alongside
external units had deployed to delivery of special forces. the helicopters was the FAA’s
Villa Reynolds. The I Brigada CSAR phase The Escuela de Aviación Militar Grupo de Operaciones Especiales
Aérea sent one C-130E and Operating from its base in took part from its base in Córdoba (GOE, Special Operations
one KC-130H to perform cargo Mendoza, the IV Brigada Aérea and provided T-6C+ Texan IIs Group), which specialises in
missions and aerial refuelling, provided its Pampa II trainers and for use as aggressors during the CSAR, among other missions.
and to drop the same base hosted Pampa II CSAR operations, during which From Base Aérea Militar
paratroopers. and III jets of the VI Brigada Aérea the helicopters were escorted by (BAM) Morón, Buenos Aires,


















4
1: Bombed-up Pucará A-585 (c/n 087) 5
taxies out at Villa Reynolds for a night
mission. The Pucarás also got a last
chance to use their four 7.62mm machine
guns on the V Brigada Aérea range.
2: Pucarás A-585 and A-568 stand
bombed-up on the flight line prior to
an evening mission while deployed to
the V Brigada Aérea. 3: Pucará crew
from the I Escuadrón of the III Brigada
Aérea gather for a photo-call while on
exercise at Villa Reynolds for the last
time. The attack-optimised IA-58 was
finally retired on October 4. 4: A-4AR
serial C-919 (c/n 14208) departs for a
Dédalo mission. These jets are operated
by the Grupo 5 de Caza (5th Fighter
Group) of the V Brigada Aérea. 5: The
I Escuadrón commander, Captain Teo
‘Chango’ Maza signs a bomb for the last
time before heading out to the range.
These aircraft dropped indigenous 130kg
MkI bombs. All photos Santiago Rivas


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 55



54-56 Dedalo AFM Dec2019.indd 55 08/11/2019 12:37:29





Exercise
Report Dédalo 2019






1
Operation La Cruz
Alongside the exercise, September 12
included activities at La Cruz airfield
in Córdoba province, close to another
of the Argentine Air Force’s firing
ranges. Cadets from the force’s NCO
school simulated the defence of a
forward air base with support from
an airborne company of the army’s
rapid-deployment force, from which
70 personnel were airdropped from
a Hercules. At the same time, special
forces from the GOE parachuted from a
Twin Otter to perform a CSAR operation, 1: A low-level pass by an EMB-312H. The Tucanos serve alongside the recently retired Pucarás in the III Brigada Aérea. 2: Serial
while others jumped from a Mi-171 over UX-13 is one of the Aukán lightweight UAVs brought to the exercise by the Dirección General de Investigación y Desarrollo from
its base at Chamical. The Aukán is still under development and this was the first exercise in which it took part. 3: The bustling
a river to perform a rescue from a raft. Dédalo flight line at the V Brigada Aérea including examples of the Fightinghawk, Pampa, EMB-312H and Pucará.
a single Piper PA-28 operated machine guns for the last time. of 20mm anti-aircraft guns and (Directorate General for Research
as a radio relay platform for (The Pucarás last fired their 20mm an Israeli-made Elta radar. and Development) deployed a
communications during the guns in 2016, after which no more The air-to-ground operations team and an Aukán lightweight
CSAR missions. This was the ammunition was purchased.) included simulated attacks by UAV for surveillance from its
first time the type had taken part The Texans, while unarmed, are Pucarás and A-4s on the anti- base at Chamical, La Rioja.
in this kind of exercise, despite able to simulate the launch of aircraft batteries and radar
its long career with the force. weapons and also took part in deployed at Villa Reynolds, Last missions
operations on the firing range. while the Texans performed The final combat sorties were
On the range On the ground, BAM Merlo was an ‘attack’ mission against flown on the night of September
The A-4AR Fightinghawks of involved in the manoeuvres with the base, being intercepted 12, including the Pucará’s last
the V Brigada Aérea performed a modernised Westinghouse AN/ by Tucanos and Pucarás. bombing missions, when two
a variety of missions, including TPS-43 radar from the Grupo de With the force working on examples each dropped a pair
simulated air-to-air combat with Vigilancia y Control del Espacio the development of its own of 130kg bombs on the Antuna
the Pampas and Pucarás, day Aéreo (Airspace Control and unmanned aerial vehicles firing range. At the same time,
and night aerial refuelling and Vigilance Group), while BAM (UAVs), the Dirección General Fightinghawks and Pampas
day and night bombing missions Mar del Plata provided a battery de Investigación y Desarrollo completed night bombing missions,
on the Antuna firing range, in the 2 and the A-4s undertook aerial
northwest of San Luis province. refuelling – the Fightinghawks only
The jets dropped 130kg (287lb) resumed tanking at night last year.
MkI and 360kg (794lb) MkII The last mission for the
bombs, both built locally. For Pucará brought to an end the
the first time, they also operated aircraft’s 44-year operational
with NVGs during the exercise. career in the attack role, 50
Pampas and Pucarás flew day years after its first flight.
and night bombing missions at Despite the advancing age
the Antuna range, both employing of much of the equipment
130kg bombs, while the Pucarás and lack of resources due to
also used the V Brigada Aérea continuous budget cuts, Dédalo
gunnery range to proved that the FAA’s personnel
make use of their are making huge efforts to
four 7.62mm continue training and recover
(0.3in) calibre some of their capabilities. AFM























3



56 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



54-56 Dedalo AFM Dec2019.indd 56 11/11/2019 16:11:41

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751 AFM self Subs fp.indd 57 07/11/2019 11:11

Commander’s Update Briefing



































BVR combat










As you might expect, beyond- n a previous article I discussed the more varied and capable suite of missiles
visual-range, or BVR, combat is I finer arts of dogfighting, a situation that are able to ‘reach out and touch’ another
in which two or more aircraft engage
the term used to describe aerial in visual combat – see Fighter agility, August, aircraft, dozens or even hundreds of miles
away. Air combat today is a very different
engagements when neither p84-86. Usually this state of affairs arrives proposition than it was during the early days
aircraft is able to detect the either because the aircraft haven’t seen each of air power. This includes the use of either
other with the naked eye. Air other earlier or the rules of engagement third-party cueing (such as an airborne or
Power Association President, Air have necessitated a visual identification. Of ground-based radar) or onboard methods
Marshal (ret’d) Greg Bagwell course, dogfighting was borne of an era when such as radar or infrared search systems.
aircraft were only able to engage each other
The simple aim of BVR combat then
CB CBE, examines what’s in combat using relatively short-range guns is to engage and destroy a confirmed
required to ‘reach out and touch’ or cannon, normally in fixed installations. enemy aircraft before they do the same
an enemy aircraft. Now, we see combat aircraft carrying a much to you. This type of combat can be
Above: Flying over the Gulf of Mexico, 1st Lt
Charles Schuck fires an AIM-7 Sparrow medium-

range air-to-air missile from a 71st Fighter
Squadron F-15C. The Eagle was supporting
a Combat Archer air-to-air weapons system
evaluation programme mission at Tyndall Air Force
Base, Florida. USAF/Master Sgt Michael Ammons Left:
An F-35A assigned to the 31st Test and Evaluation
Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base, California,
unleashes an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile against

a QF-16 target during a live-fire test on June 12
last year. USAF Right: While Russian fi ghters have
featured onboard infrared search and track sensors
for many years, this technology is now being added

to Western fighters in the form of pod-mounted
systems that provide a passive detection capability
in addition to radar. Seen on an F-16, Lockheed
Martin’s Legion multi-sensor pod includes an IRST
in the nose. Lockheed Martin/Alexander H Groves Far
right: An aviation ordnanceman takes a moment to

rest on an AIM-7 Sparrow during flight operations
aboard the aircraft carrier USS ‘Abraham Lincoln’
(CVN 72) in the Persian Gulf during Operation
Southern Watch in 2003. Despite the appearance

of more modern ‘fire and forget’ types, semi-active
missiles like the Sparrow remain in many Western
inventories. US Navy/Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Philip
A McDaniel
58 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero

58-60 Bagwell AFM Dec2019.indd 58 08/11/2019 15:29:59

Above: A B-2A stealth bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flies

behind a KC-135R during a training mission over England on September 16. Among the challenges to BVR
engagements is the proliferation of increasingly stealthy aircraft using radar-reduction measures to frustrate
long-range detection. The B-2 was the product of cutting-edge design to defeat sophisticated air defence
radars, whether ground-based or airborne. USAF/Senior Airman Kelly O’Connor Below: A ‘wall’ of F-15Cs ripple-fi re
AIM-7 Sparrow missiles at a tactical air-launched decoy off the coast of Hawaii during the Rim of the Pacific

Exercise 2006. The F-15s were from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron from Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu. USAF/Tech Sgt Shane A Cuomo



















split into four simple phases, namely: limit their reflectivity through stealth techniques Identification
detection, identification, engagement and that include optimal shaping of the airframe This can be quite a challenge in BVR conditions,
disengagement. Let’s investigate each in turn. and the use of less reflective materials. for obvious reasons, but a combination of
More recently, new techniques have come intelligence from multiple sources may enable
Detection to the fore, which include infrared, sound or an almost forensic-like gathering of information,
This is all about the use of any means at your electronic detection of emitted signals. All of such as origin, tracks, behaviour and signatures,
disposal to try to pinpoint a potential foe. Since these have become increasingly effective and all of which begin to build a picture of just
the Battle of Britain and until very recently, some can even be exploited by space-based who that blip or blips on the radar might be.
long-range detection was almost exclusively assets. Ideally, today a BVR fighter would want Increasingly, modern aircraft will have a
through radar detection (the reflection of as early a detection range as possible, but number of technologies on board that will aid
radio waves from an aircraft’s skin). However, typically this might be between 50 and 100 miles early identification. Often referred to as non-
while radars have become increasingly (80 and 161km) against a non-stealthy combat co-operative target recognition or NCTR,
sophisticated, so has the design of aircraft to airframe, and double that for a large aircraft. these, as the name suggests, do not require































www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 59



58-60 Bagwell AFM Dec2019.indd 59 08/11/2019 15:30:12

Commander’s Update Briefing






Right: An E-3 from the 961st Airborne Air Control
Squadron during a training exercise out of Kadena
Air Base, Japan, last July. In most planned
scenarios, Western fighters would be able to call
upon the surveillance capabilities of airborne early
warning and control platforms to aid in detection
of aerial targets at long range, while advanced data
links mean that third-party cueing is becoming
an increasingly relevant option. USAF/Airman 1st
Class Matthew Seefeldt Below: An F-22 positively
identifies a Russian Tu-95MS bomber west of
Alaska on September 11 last year. A combination
of multifunction low-probability-of-intercept AN/
APG-77 radar and long-legged AIM-120 AMRAAM
missiles means the stealthy F-22A is well equipped
to tackle airborne threats at considerable standoff
range. In practice, however, a fighter will often
have to get close to its (potential) quarry to
determine its true intent. NORAD
“Rather than
firing first,
it’s who fires
with the best
probability
of kill who
prevails.”





















Above left: Two F-15Es from the 90th Fighter Squadron, from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska – a unit that has since traded its Eagles for Raptors – fire a pair of AIM-
7Ms during a training mission off the coast of Florida. Despite its primary offensive mission, the Strike Eagle can, if required, call upon Sparrow and AMRAAM
missiles for the BVR fight. USAF/Maj Gary Above right: Modern multi-role fighters like this Swedish Air Force JAS 39C Gripen are able to undertake BVR
engagements that were once restricted to dedicated long-range interceptors, while at the same time carrying out precision strike and other missions. This
Gripen carries a mixed payload of Small Diameter Bombs and a targeting pod, plus short-range IRIS-T and ramjet-powered Meteor AAMs. Saab/Stefan Kalm
the ‘target’ aircraft to assist in the process. flight time. In contrast, active missiles, more mouse, where each aircraft aborts an attack
Of course, knowledge of exactly what commonly known as ‘fire and forget’, allow the or several attacks while seeking to gain an
that return is might still be insufficient launching fighter to begin its escape manoeuvre advantage. And, of course, you must never
and their ‘intent’ will also often be key in long before the weapon has reached its target. discount the likelihood of other aircraft being in
deciding if they can be engaged or not. But even active missiles will have some the area and the need to be constantly vigilant.
limitations on the range at which they go active, In this article I have dramatically shortened
Engagement plus their kinematic performance (energy) will and simplified a skill which takes years to learn
Assuming a hostile aircraft has been identified degrade as distance increases. So, there will and refine, and relies on a complex fusion
and it meets the criteria for engagement, the be some rules of thumb when employing such of sensors, where artificial intelligence can
next phase is quite simply the act of shooting weapons that give the best possible probability already aid the identification of the highest-
them down before they (or any other ‘hostiles’ (or even certainty – known as a no-escape priority targets. But no two engagements
in the area) can do the same to you. zone) for a ‘kill’. Rather than firing first, it’s who will be the same, and with the speed of
But firing first and immediately isn’t the default fires with the best probability of kill that prevails. closure typically being up to 20-30 miles
action. Increasingly, fighter aircraft are equipped (32-48km) a minute you have to think and
with active missiles that are capable of homing Disengagement act very quickly. The best and simplest way
on to a target autonomously; on the other hand, This involves more than just heading off and to describe BVR combat is that it’s like 3D,
the older semi-active missiles require the target looking for the next fight; it’s an integral part supersonic, long-range chess, where you first
to be constantly illuminated (usually by the of the endgame of the one you have just left. have to find the other side’s pieces, and where
radar of the aircraft firing the missile) throughout If the enemy aircraft you have just engaged only the victor lives to fight another day. AFM
missile flight. The major disadvantage of semi- is also equipped with active missiles then
active missiles, therefore, is that the illuminating escaping their shot is just as critical as trying NEXT MONTH:
aircraft has to continue pointing at (and therefore to maximise the probability of a kill for yours. Space – the next frontier
getting closer to) the target throughout the missile BVR can often resemble a game of cat and



60 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



58-60 Bagwell AFM Dec2019.indd 60 08/11/2019 15:30:17

Book
Reviews





Lockheed F-104 1973: The First


Starfi ghter A History Nuclear War
Crucial Air Battles of

There are few aircraft with a true chapters to former F-104 pilots, the October 1973
cult following among military who provide a unique insight Arab-Israeli War
aviation enthusiasts, but the into operating this demanding
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is one aircraft. Among many highlights
of them. Given its huge popularity, are episodes recounting the
is there anything left to publish operations of the 1st Canadian
on the ‘Zipper’, as the jet was Air Group in West Germany
known? Fortunately for author during the Cold War, along with
Martin W Bowman, there is. an extensive section describing
The book begins with the the host of F-104 versions and
familiar development story of proposed project models –
the Starfighter and the trials demonstrating that there’s still
and tribulations Lockheed new information out there. Each
endured to produce a Mach-2 chapter is illustrated with a wealth
interceptor for the USAF. Wisely, of images from official and private
Bowman has decided not to collections – my only gripe is that
t
f
e
c
r
d
a
r
d
e
dedicate chapter after chapter r some of these could have been
h
h
c
e
e
pt
a
t
e
pt
a
i
c
a
to the origins of the interceptor. reproduced larger, particularly
Publisher: Pen & Sword Instead, the book quickly moves the rare images of F-104Cs at
Author: Martin W Bowman on to the F-104’s operational Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Pages: 320 service and, rather than simply during the Vietnam War. This is Until this publication, accounts
Price: £30 listing and describing operations certainly a worthy addition to any of air combats in the October
ISBN: 9781473863262 second-hand, he turns over the Starfighter library. Glenn Sands 1973 Arab-Israeli War typically
concentrated on the significant
Modern Chinese losses inflicted on the Israeli
Air Force during the early days
of the campaign by the well-
Warplanes integrated Egyptian and Syrian
air defence network. However,
this detailed text reveals
Chinese Army Aviation that air forces from all sides
were heavily engaged in both
strike missions and dogfights
– Aircraft and Units throughout the conflict.
The format follows other titles
from the publisher, with maps,
tables and newly commissioned
Author and AFM contributor countless colour images of types diagrams illustrating the
Andreas Rupprecht is regarded currently in service. Unfortunately, formations flown by the
by professional aviation some of these are reproduced Israeli F-4s during specific
journalists and enthusiasts alike very small, particularly those attack sorties, and the centre
as the subject matter expert on showing the Z-20 prototypes numbering system explained pages are filled with high-
modern Chinese military aviation in 2018. Each aircraft type is in detail. Although it took quality side profiles of all the
operations and equipment. allocated three to four pages a couple of attempts to aircraft involved. The authors
This latest title only adds to that describe the development thoroughly understand it, this have provided each with an
his reputation as he explains and specific modifications is the first time I have seen the extensive caption outlining the
the complex structure of to China’s examples. sequence outlined in print. weapons loads and the FS or
Chinese Army Aviation units As well as indigenous types, the As a reference book on Chinese BS numbers for the camouflage
and the mixture of helicopters, book outlines joint development Army Aviation, this is superb. paint used – a handy addition
transports and unmanned programmes between Europe, Next, perhaps Harpia might for aircraft modellers.
aerial vehicles it operates. Russia and the US, with consider publishing an all- Despite it stretching to
Intended to support the author’s particular attention paid to the colour photographic volume only 88 pages, authors Tom
previous Modern Chinese Sikorsky S-70C-2 Black Hawk. filled with images of Chinese Cooper and Abdallah Emran
Warplanes titles on the country’s The army’s support, transport military aviation? Glenn Sands have provided one of the most
air force and naval air arm, and liaison aircraft are given extensively detailed books
this new volume begins with a similar treatment, but again Publisher: Harpia Publishing to date on air combat during
comprehensive explanation of the the images supporting the Author: Andreas Rupprecht this conflict. Glenn Sands
structure, development and future detailed text are often small. Pages: 93
plans of Chinese Army Aviation. It’s a real bonus to have Price: £21.99 Publisher: Casemate Publishing
Throughout the chapters are the Chinese Army Aviation ISBN: 9780997309287 Author: Tom Cooper
and Abdallah Emran
These titles are available from: The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Pages: 88
TN1 1BS, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44(0)1892 539284 Website: www.aviation-bookshop.com Price: £16.95
ISBN: 9781911628712
www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 61
61 BookReview AFM Dec2019.indd 61 11/11/2019 11:08:58

New Warriors
Helicopter Squadron at Zadar-Zemunik
at
at
ia
at
ro
C C C
Croatia’s
ro
ro
s
’
s
s
ia
ia
’
’




A fter declaring independence in June Left: The pilots’ night-vision goggles have
been upgraded for the ANVIS Display
1991 and the subsequent withdrawal
of almost all remaining military Symbology System or ADSS. This is a helmet-
assets to Yugoslavia, Croatia’s air arm had mounted display coupled with Aviator Night-
Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) goggles for
to be rebuilt from scratch. Due to a UN arms monitoring critical flight information at night.


embargo imposed in 1992, it was impossible to Below left: The laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire
procure the offensive weapons needed to fight is one of the main weapons of the OH-58D,
but the high cost of each round means it
insurgents in the northern and eastern parts hasn’t yet featured in a live-fire campaign

of the country, where a Serb majority unwilling in Croatia. However, a first live firing is due


to become part of Croatia had proclaimed next year, after reaching FOC. This is an
the independent republic of Krajina. Attack inert training round. Below: Croatia received
16 OH-58Ds and three simulators in 2016.
helicopters were urgently needed to speed The rotorcraft are assigned to the Eskadrila
the advance of Croatian troops in these areas. helikoptera based at Zadar-Zemunik in central
Eventually, the Croatian government was able Croatia. Here, OH-58D serial 332 undergoes

to purchase 12 Mi-24D and Mi-24V gunships a post-maintenance check flight east of the

airfield. All photos Martin Scharenborg and
from Ukraine and these were delivered unarmed Ramon Wenink
from 1993 onwards. As the Mi-24s were guns, so they fulfilled many of the former tasks
procured as ‘medical evacuation’ helicopters, of the Mi-24. Nevertheless, the armed forces
the UN embargo could be bypassed. However, began looking for a specialised attack and
soon after delivery, most of the Mi-24s were reconnaissance helicopter. As the US Army was
rearmed and enlisted with the 29. eskadrila gradually phasing out its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior,
borbenih helikoptera (EBH, combat helicopter focus shifted to this combat-proven helicopter.
squadron) flying from various forward
operating locations throughout the country. Combat-proven
The Mi-24 proved its value and, in 1995, played The OH-58D is a further development of the
a decisive role during Operations Bljesak and versatile OH-58A, a light scout and attack
Oluje, in Western Slavonia and Eastern Slavonia helicopter that played a significant role during
respectively, when most of the occupied territory the Vietnam War. The thoroughly modernised
was regained by Croatian forces. The Hind OH-58D is a four-bladed, two-seat, single-
remained in service after the conflict, but a lack of engine reconnaissance and attack helicopter. In
spares and funding forced it into early retirement service with the Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo
in 2004. Plans to sell six Mi-24s to Georgia had (HRZ, Croatian Air Force), its universal quick-
been abandoned by the end of 2006 under change weapon pylons can carry a variety of
political pressure from Russia. Another attempt armaments, including Hydra 70mm (2.75in)
in 2015 to sell seven Mi-24Vs to the highest calibre unguided rockets, laser-guided AGM-
bidder failed and the remaining Croatian Hinds 114 Hellfire missiles and 12.7mm (0.5in)
ended their life in storage and public display. calibre machine guns. Meanwhile, the pilots
Although Croatia didn’t have a dedicated are provided with 5.56mm (0.219in) calibre
attack helicopter in its inventory after 2004, the Heckler & Koch G36CV assault rifles for self-
Mi-8MTV-1 and Mi-171 could be equipped with defence, and these can be employed from the
UB-32-57 rocket pods, 23mm GSh-23L cannon helicopter by the left-seater if necessary.
pods and 7.62mm (0.3in) calibre PK machine The most obvious difference between the
OH-58D and earlier Kiowas is the mast-
mounted sight. Located above the main rotor,
this contains a suite of sensors for day and
night operations, including a high-resolution
TV camera, laser rangefinder/designator
and thermal imaging system. It allows the
Kiowa Warrior to detect targets from long
distances while remaining well hidden.
Wartime Replacement Aircraft
Versatile and relatively cheap to operate, the
OH-58D was the US Army’s primary cavalry
helicopter and saw intensive use in Afghanistan,
Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, Panama, Somalia and
elsewhere. However, long-running operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan took their toll. Many



62 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



62-65 Kiowas AFM Dec2019.indd 62 08/11/2019 15:32:24

arr
r
i
o
W
N
New Warriors
w
e













After three years of intensive s
training, Croatia’s Kiowa Warriors
and their crews are on the brink of
attaining full operational capability.
Martin Scharenborg and Ramon
Wenink followed their final steps
towards readiness and flew with the
OH-58D at Zadar-Zemunik air base.
















































“You can imagine how it feels when
you are sitting next to the gun when

it fires with the doors removed!”










www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 63



62-65 Kiowas AFM Dec2019.indd 63 08/11/2019 15:32:42

Helicopter Squadron at Zadar-Zemunik


OH-58Ds were lost to accidents or enemy fire. accumulated between 100 and 600 flying hours. After graduation, the pilot will transfer to the
To maintain the US Army’s fleet requirement of On July 30, 2016, the first five OH-58Ds arrived at Mi-171 at Lučko, the Mi-8MTV-1 at Divulje or will
368 OH-58Ds, it was necessary to replenish the the 93. zrakoplovna baza (93. ZB, 93rd Air Base) stay in the squadron to become an instructor
lost aircraft. Since production of the OH-58D at Zadar-Zemunik following a direct flight from and/or pilot on the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.”
ended in 1999, the Wartime Replacement Redstone Army Airfield, Alabama, on board a
Aircraft (WRA) programme was introduced. USAF C-5M. The second batch of 11 helicopters Training the trainers
Officially, the US Army was 42 OH-58Ds short arrived by C-5M on December 3 the same year. Before official training started in Croatia, the unit
of the required fleet size, while a further seven Commander of the Eskadrila helikoptera (EH, gained some insider knowledge during a visit to the
aircraft were undergoing repairs for extensive Helicopter Squadron) since November 2018 is Minnesota Army Air National Guard in 2004, where
battle damage. The programme began in 2010 Lieutenant Colonel Davor Gren. He graduated as they gained insight on the OH-58 training syllabus.
with the conversion by the then Bell Helicopter of a helicopter pilot in 1998 before becoming a flight Lt Col Gren elaborated: “We applied that in our
23 older OH-58As to D-standard (known as A2D) instructor in 2000. He has 2,500 flying hours, 100 Bell 206 training – so many things we already
and delivery of 26 ‘new metal’ aircraft (these were of which were on the OH-58D. He told AFM: “The knew! The training of our pilots and maintainers
not completely new, but did incorporate brand- time in between [the two delivery batches] was was conducted by the American i3 company here
new OH-58D cabins). All 49 aircraft underwent used for preparing our squadron for operations at Zadar and started at the beginning of 2017. The
completion at the Corpus Christi Army Depot with the new helicopter. We had to adapt the instructors were all former US Army OH-58 pilots
in Texas, from where the initial reconditioned hangar and set up a simulator for maintenance and engineers, and they were very impressed with
OH-58D was rolled out on June 7, 2012. with full working cockpit including mast-mounted our flight skills. After a thorough evaluation, they
sight and rangefinder. Our engineers use this produced a tailor-made programme based on our
US Army service life ends simulator to replicate system failures, [to learn experience. OH-58D training was set up in three
After 48 years of service, the OH-58D made its how to] identify and solve certain problems. parts: training for full-combat-ready pilots, training
final flight in US Army hands on September 17, Furthermore, we had to adapt manuals and for instructor pilots and training for maintenance
2017. With the US Army gradually phasing out training syllabi for the engineers and pilots.” pilots. This was conducted according to the ‘train
the Kiowa Warrior from the scout and attack the trainer’ principle. Eight of our most experienced
role from May 2014, in favour of the AH-64 and Helicopter school pilots, with more than 2,000 flying hours each,
unmanned aerial vehicles, several countries Lt Col Gren continued: “Our squadron is were selected to follow the training that included
showed an interest in the surplus OH-58Ds, responsible for training Croatian helicopter pilots. pilot/instructor qualification, test pilot qualification,
including Croatia, Greece and Tunisia. We launched this unit in 1996 with ten Bell 206 tactics training, mountain training and high-altitude
Under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) and JetRanger helicopters. Today we still have eight flying and multi-ship live firing, among others.”
the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programmes, the Bell 206s in use. Student pilot training starts During this training, the initial pilot cadre
US government approved the donation and sale with screening on the Zlin 242L. When the pilot completed 150 flying hours each on the Kiowa
of 16 OH-58Ds and three simulators to Croatia, passes this and is selected to fly helicopters, he Warrior. Tuition was concluded with live firing
which would normally be valued at more than or she will follow a two-year training programme at the Eugen Kvaternik gunnery range near
US$220m. Thanks to EDA, the actual cost was consisting of 200 flying hours. We Slunj. This comprised initial range gunnery
closer to US$35m, of which around US$20.1m start with basic training that qualification and qualification gunnery,
was provided in the form of US assistance. includes VFR and IFR [visual and including four weeks of special tactics
On top of that there were some additional instrument flight rules] navigation, training. “During the live firing, we fired
taxes for Croatia to pay, amounting to around formation flying, night flying and Hydra rockets and used our machine
US$13m. In early 2016, the government in Zagreb instrument rating training. The gun,” Lt Col Gren recalled. “We also
approved the budget for the purchase, as well next step is advanced training. simulated firing the Hellfire. The reason
as additional training for pilots and engineers. This includes mountain flying, for not firing this weapon for real is the
flying with external loads, low-level price – almost 100,000 US dollars!
Warriors arrive flying and NVG [night-vision It’s not absolutely necessary
An air force team consisting of two Croatian goggles] training. Three to launch one in real life
pilots and two engineers had visited the US in of the Bell 206s are for practice purposes.
2015 to inspect the helicopters and select 16 equipped for NVG The systems
airframes from the WRA programme, as well training and have and software
as the three simulators. The airframes were all NVG-compatible on board
produced between 2012 and 2015, and had each instrument lighting. allow us


































64 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



62-65 Kiowas AFM Dec2019.indd 64 08/11/2019 15:32:55

a number of things. For example, our Hydra
and Hellfire rockets are always mounted on
the right-hand side of the helicopter and we
mount our 12.7mm machine gun on the left. If
we use the machine gun, we need to remove
the left door because of the overwhelming
blast of the gun – the pressure would simply
break the doors. You can imagine how it
feels when you are sitting next to the gun
when it fires with the doors removed!”
Full operational capability
Last year was a busy one for the EH, as the
commander recalled: “We had to train new pilots
on the OH-58D and, at the same time, needed to
educate student pilots [on the Bell 206]. On top
of that, headquarters requested our participation
in a number of exercises, including the national
large-scale exercise Velebit 18, conducted from
October 13 to 15. We participated with four
OH-58Ds during day and night operations. Due
to the many commitments, we weren’t able to
quickly train enough additional pilots for the
OH-58D. This year we have also participated
in a number of exercises, but we’ve not yet
participated in any international manoeuvres.
Our main focus this year is on reaching full
operational capability, planned before the end
of the year. The moment we have reached that
status we can focus on other things again.”
Lt Col Gren describes the OH-58D as a
“versatile and swift” helicopter. “It is used for a
to simulate a Hellfire attack.” same aircraft as the OH-58D in terms of flight wide range of tasks, including reconnaissance,
Having successfully concluded their techniques, but [in the OH-58D] you can do target acquisition, close air support and
training, the Croatian pilots were declared things much faster and more aggressively, and command and control during day and night
fully combat-ready and the squadron it’s much more responsive. It is a very swift conditions. It’s fit for the job and we expect a
reached initial operational capability (IOC). helicopter! Of course, the glass cockpit and bright future for the helicopter and our unit.
In December 2017, the American trainers the wide range of electro-optical equipment We expect to participate in large international
left the base and the squadron took over the and weapon capabilities were new for us. exercises soon. We already see foreign
tuition of the other pilots. At the beginning For that, you need a crew of two pilots. helicopters visiting our base on a regular basis
of 2018, the first four pilots undertook “At first, we thought that the mast-mounted to take advantage of the excellent weather
the first course given by the EH’s own sight would interfere with the aerodynamics of and training facilities in our country, including
instructors, and the latest batch of personnel the helicopter, but the opposite was the case: the Eugen Kvaternik gunnery range.” By the
concluded their training in May 2019. it stabilises the vibration of the helicopter. They end of this year, NATO’s Multinational Special
tried to install a new and much smaller version Aviation Program is scheduled to be up and
Good experiences of the sight on the subsequent OH-58F model running at the base, attracting more helicopters
Lt Col Gren considered that training his and concluded that the vibration was far worse and crew to Zadar. “We try to seize every
crews on the OH-58D was “relatively easy” . than with the original sight. In terms of flying opportunity to train together to get more
He added: “The Bell 206 is basically the with armament, we also had to get used to experiences,” Lt Col Gren concluded.“ AFM
Above: Croatian OH-58D serial 321 during a
low-level flight north of Zadar. The US Army
OH-58D fleet accumulated more than 800,000
combat flying hours during the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan before it was replaced in the scout/
reconnaissance role by the AH-64 and UAVs.
Left: Photographed at Zadar-Zemunik, this
OH-58D was ready for a night reconnaissance
mission near the city of Split.
Right: The Eskadrila helikoptera not only trains
Kiowa Warrior pilots but also aircrew for the Mi-
8MTV-1 and Mi-171Sh. For this task, the unit
has eight Bell 206B-3 JetRangers at its disposal.
Here, students check their JetRangers before a
training flight from Zadar-Zemunik.


















www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 65



62-65 Kiowas AFM Dec2019.indd 65 08/11/2019 15:33:03

UK carrier strike
i
i
F
ng
ng
n
g
g
ht
n
ht
e
c
e


c
o
F
o
r
r
L L
Lightning Force
i
i
The UK Lightning Force has
embarked on what is arguably its
most important mission to date,
taking a meaningful complement
of F-35Bs to the HMS Queen
Elizabeth (R08). Jamie Hunter
evaluates this major step towards
establishing the new UK carrier
strike force.


















































The three F-35Bs
from RAF Marham
on the deck of HMS
‘Queen Elizabeth’
shortly after they
embarked. All images
Crown Copyright unless
otherwise stated




66 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



66-69 Westland AFM Dec2019.indd 66 11/11/2019 15:39:51

o
o
r
r
F
ng
F
F
e
e


c
r
e
c
g
g
ht
ht
ht
Lightning Force
L L L g n ng o c hree F-35Bs departed RAF Marham,
i
i
i
i
n
ng
i
i
n
T
Norfolk on October 9 bound for Marine
Corps Air Station Beaufort, South
Carolina, as the UK Lightning Force took the
next steps towards re-establishing a British
carrier strike capability. Seeing them off, RAF
Marham Station Commander Gp Capt Jim
t
t
a a
at sea Beck told AFM: “Today we’ve sent three aircraft
ea
ea
s
s
from Nos 617 and 207 Squadrons, which will
complement three aircraft from No 17 Test
and Evaluation Squadron [TES] based at
Edwards AFB [California], that will augment a
package that’s going to embark HMS Queen
Elizabeth as part of the operational test phase
of the ship’s development.” He added: “This
has always been the programme of record
where we are going to start the process of
linking the F-35 with the ship, [but] not in a
developmental test phase. This is all about
operational warfighting ability, ready to declare
IOC [Initial Operating Capability] Maritime.”
The jets were leaving to participate in the
WESTLANT 19 Carrier Strike Group (CSG)
deployment, with British F-35s embarking
the UK’s new aircraft carrier for the first time
for a period of operational testing (OT-1) off
the eastern seaboard of the US. The Marham
element included the three jets plus around
70 personnel from across the two resident
squadrons to augment a similar number of
personnel and three F-35Bs from No 17 TES,
coming in the opposite direction from Edwards.
Beck said that WESTLANT is about validating
Beck said that WESTLANT is about validating
both the tactics and the training syllabus for
both the tactics and the training syllabus for
carrier operations. It will include operationally
carrier operations. It will include operationally
realistic end-to-end testing of a multitude
realistic end-to-end testing of a multitude
of factors, such as weapons employment.
of factors, such as weapons employment.
Four jets initially joined the
Four jets initially joined the Queen
Elizabeth
Elizabeth as she sailed off the east
coast of the US on October 13.
coast of the US on October 13.
First to land was ZM138/BK-4
First to land was ZM138/BK-4
flown by Officer Commanding
flown by Officer Commanding
No 17 TES, Wg Cdr Adam Curd.
No 17 TES, Wg Cdr Adam Curd.
This was followed by the three
This was followed by the three
Marham jets, comprising ZM148/
Marham jets, comprising ZM148/
BK-14, ZM149/BK-15, and ZM151/
BK-14, ZM149/BK-15, and ZM151/
BK-17. Wg Cdr Curd commented:
“This is the first time I have landed on board
an aircraft carrier – for it to be HMS Queen
Elizabeth and in an aircraft as amazing as a
UK Lightning is quite something. This is a
proud moment not only for me, but the wider
team that has brought us to this milestone
for maritime aviation and UK defence.”
The four jets began generating sorties
from the carrier, with the first take-off being
performed by Lt Cdr Matt Fooks-Bale in ZM151.
Two additional aircraft from No 17 TES joined
the carrier on October 23 (thought to be
ZM135/BK-1 and ZM136/BK-2). The six aircraft
will remain embarked for the duration of OT-1,
which was planned to last until the end of
November, but was viewed as a ‘moveable feast’ .
Realising the vision
OT-1 is a progression of last year’s developmental
trials (DT) that saw test-fleet F-35Bs from
Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland,
embarking on the Queen Elizabeth, where they
conducted 500 take-offs and landings over an
11-week period at sea. OT-1 comprises mission
planning, arming the aircraft using the ship’s
Highly Automated Weapon Handling System,
www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 67
66-69 Westland AFM Dec2019.indd 67 08/11/2019 15:35:39

UK carrier strike




























1 2
1: Four F-35Bs tucked inside the hangar deck aboard the HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’, which is able to
accommodate up to 20 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. 2: BK-14 and 17 up on deck in some of the

inclement weather that was a feature of the early part of WESTLANT 19. 3: Lt Cdr Matt Fooks-Bale


accelerates down the deck in BK-17 for the first F-35B take-off during WESTLANT 19. 4: RN fleet
commander V Adm Jerry Kyd with RAF Deputy Commander Operations AM Gerry Mayhew. 5: Lt Cdr
Matt Fooks-Bale is one of the Royal Navy pilots involved in WESTLANT 19. 6: Images were released
of at least one F-35B fitted with four Paveway IVs and two AIM-132 ASRAAMs (Advanced Short-


Range Air-to-Air Missiles) on external hardpoints. 7: Gp Capt Jim Beck, former Officer Commanding
No 17 TES and now Station Commander at RAF Marham. Jamie Hunter

4














3 5






























6


68 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



66-69 Westland AFM Dec2019.indd 68 08/11/2019 15:35:51

flying missions and debriefing upon completion. Marine Corps F-35Bs is due to take place in Marham. Blackmore added: “The key goal is to
The WESTLANT 19 CSG includes the carrier 2021. AM Gerry Mayhew, Deputy Commander prove the F-35B can be operationally employed
itself plus destroyer HMS Dragon, frigate HMS Operations, said: “It’s no longer a thing on a effectively from the maritime environment
Northumberland, tanker RFA Tideforce, Merlins page or a concept. This is two services coming whilst embarked in HMS Queen Elizabeth.”
from 814, 820 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons together to work hand-in-glove to deliver the While the UK’s F-35B declared IOC from
(NAS), Wildcats from 815 NAS plus Royal defence output, and it’s brilliant to see.” land at the turn of the year, this deployment
Marines from Lima Company, 42 Commando. will ensure that the declared capability can be
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “This WESTLANT 19 objectives achieved from the carrier and in the context
is another step towards the UK’s carrier Lasting just over three months, the WESTLANT of a task group. Blackmore said that the two
strike capability becoming fully operational. 19 cruise sees the CSG ranging as far south DT phases revealed some deficiencies to be
The bringing together of the UK Lightnings as Florida and north to Massachusetts. Cdr addressed, including refinements needed
on the first-in-class HMS Queen Elizabeth James Blackmore, the carrier’s Commander for the visual landing aids and F-35B pilot
paves the way for the world’s most up-to- Air ‘Wings’, said: “The deployment covers helmet. “Lessons were identified in areas
date, fully integrated carrier force.” more than just F-35B flight trials [over five during DT-1 and DT-2 that require rectification
Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, AVM weeks]; it is also focusing on warm weather prior to enhanced developmental test, which
Harv Smyth, added: “WESTLANT 19 marks an characterisation of HMS Queen Elizabeth, has always been planned into DT-4 with
extremely significant milestone on our ten-year expanded rotary-wing trials with Merlin aircraft, HMS Prince of Wales in 2021. As such, there
journey to establishing our renewed carrier defence engagement and interoperability with was not a requirement to undertake further
strike capability. Bringing our own Lightnings US forces, both ships and aircraft, including developmental test this year because more
on board HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first further flight trials with US Marine Corps jets.” than sufficient test points – more than 70%
time gives us the opportunity to conduct Cdr Blackmore stressed the importance of of all DT for the F-35B in the Queen Elizabeth
critical operational testing, with the Royal Navy “pulling on operational expertise from the Royal class – have been achieved to date. This is a
and Royal Air Force operating closely together.” Navy and the Royal Air Force” for OT-1. This very positive point as it has allowed the UK
The UK will declare IOC for carrier strike means the F-35B aircrew cadre this time around to focus more on operationally representative
by the end of 2020 and the first operational is predominantly led by operational test pilots testing this year using an operating envelope for
deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth with from No 17 TES, augmented by RAF and Royal the F-35B which far expands that of anything
No 617 Squadron and a squadron of US Navy pilots with frontline experience from RAF we’ve had at sea with previous aircraft.” AFM






























7


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 69



66-69 Westland AFM Dec2019.indd 69 08/11/2019 15:35:58

Exercise
Report Tsentr-2019




Russia’s airborne




renaissance In recent months, the




Russian Aerospace
Forces and Airborne
Forces have taken part
in a series of exercises
A exercise (strategicheskiye participate. The latest exercise the official numbers, it’s worth to test new ideas and
were involved. While these were
forces from other countries that
strategic command-staff
komandno-shtabnyye also demonstrated the readiness noting that they likely include all concepts for rapid
ucheniya, SKShU) is held annually of Russia and the states of the troops within the regions taking intervention missions.
as the final stage of combat Central Asian region to protect part, such as those in support roles The largest so far was
training for the armed forces of their national interests. or active in unrelated exercises. Exercise Tsentr-2019.
the Russian Federation. Each This exercise was the biggest of During Tsentr-19, these forces were
year, the series rotates through the year and military contingents under the leadership of General Dmitri Sribnyi reports
the four main Russian operational from China, India, Kazakhstan, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the from Donguz in the
strategic commands – Vostok Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and general staff of the armed forces Urals region.
(Eastern), Zapad (Western), Tsentr Uzbekistan took part, mostly with of the Russian Federation and
(Central) and Kavkas (Southern). ground troops. This was the most first deputy minister of defence.
This year was the turn of the significant foreign contingent yet, The various phases of Tsentr-2019
Central Military District – Tsentr. following Belarusian participation took place from September 16 Below: Both armed with
The cited purpose of the in Zapad-2017, and China and to 21 at eight training grounds B-8 pods for 80mm calibre
manoeuvres is to verify the level Mongolia sending troops for in Russia (Totsky and Donguz unguided rockets, Mi-8MTV-5
‘42 Yellow’ and Mi-24P ‘14 Red’
of training among the troops Vostok-2018. In total, around in the Orenburg region, Adanak support an armoured assault

and headquarters, expand the 128,000 military personnel, more in Dagestan, Ashuluk near on the battlefield at Donguz.
combat training to which troops than 20,000 items of equipment Astrakhan, Chebarkul in the These rotorcraft belong to the
are exposed and increase the and heavy weapons, approximately Chelyabinsk region, Safakulevo 440th Independent Helicopter
Regiment at Vyazma.
level of interaction with armed 600 aircraft and up to 15 ships near Kurgan, Aleisk in the Altai and Dmitri Sribnyi















































70 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



70-72 Tsentr AFM Dec2019.indd 70 08/11/2019 12:38:12

Russia’s airborne




renaissance










Above: Airborne assault, Russian style: with palls of smoke rising behind it,
Mi-26 RF-93035/‘90 Blue’ departs the battlefield. Each of the new-look army

aviation brigades (Brigada Armeyskoy aviatsii, Br AA) includes two squadrons
of combat-transport helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-26) and two of attack helicopters
(Ka-52, Mi-28N, Mi-35M). Dmitri Sribnyi Left: An unusual rear three-quarter
aspect of Ka-52 RF-13439/‘62 Red’, carrying B-8 pods for 80mm rockets
as well as external fuel tanks. The combat helicopter has provision for four
underwing fuel tanks, each of 540-litre capacity. Dmitri Sribnyi Below: Among the
support assets involved in the manoeuvres was An-12BK RF-90917/‘17 Red’
(00347308), being refuelled at Chelyabinsk/Shagol. Around 65 An-12s remain
in Russian military service as auxiliary transports, assigned to composite air
regiments or squadrons, together with other transport types. Dmitriy Pichugin











Yurginsky in the Kemerovo region). (10,700 Russian servicemen and exercise, VKS helicopters played
Use was also made of foreign up to 2,250 foreign personnel), an active role. Rotorcraft delivered
training areas in Kazakhstan and also included activities at the assault groups to the battlefield,
and Kyrgyzstan and of Russia’s Totsky and Adanak training ranges deploying them both by landing
201st Military Base in Tajikistan. in the European part of Russia. and using the fast-roping technique.
According to Russian Deputy The scenario of this particular Around 40 helicopters were
Defence Minister Colonel General phase of the exercise saw involved in deploying the troops,
Alexander Fomin, the overall hostilities begin when ‘terrorist with examples of the Mi-24P and
scenario envisaged a hypothetical armed formations’ attacked the Mi-8MTV-5/AMTSh helping lift a
state emerging in southwest allied troops’ positions. Friendly brigade of paratroopers. As well
Russia with a leadership that ground forces sought to repel the as bringing all-terrain vehicles and
shared the extremist ideas of enemy offensive and engaged their crews direct to the battlefield,
leaders of international terrorist them using up to 250 tanks, 450 heavy Mi-26 helicopters also
organisations. Fomin explained: armoured personnel carriers transported UAZ jeeps with 120mm
“The imaginary country having an and up to 200 artillery pieces mortars, plus Niva pickups with
advanced army makes attempts and multiple rocket launchers. 82mm mortars, AGS-17 grenade
to exert pressure, including Air support for the ground forces’ launchers and Kord heavy machine
military pressure, on Russia. The combat operations was provided guns. Using external slings,
escalation of tensions eventually by the Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Mi-8AMTSh helicopters delivered
evolves into an armed conflict.” Sily Rossiyskoy Federatsii (VKS, 122mm D-30 howitzer batteries
Russian Aerospace Forces), to the landing area, complete
Donguz finale including long-range Tu-22M3 with ammunition. Air support
The culmination of the manoeuvres bombers, Su-24M and Su-34 for this phase of the operation
took place on September 20 at strike aircraft (24 aircraft in total), was provided by Mi-24P, Mi-28N
the Donguz training ground in the Su-25SM attack aircraft, Su-24MR and Ka-52 combat helicopters.
presence of Russian President reconnaissance aircraft and Su-35S In total, around 80 helicopters
Vladimir Putin and President of fighters. Meanwhile, the People’s participated in this stage.
Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Liberation Army Air Force brought Perhaps the most remarkable
as well as officials and military 28 aircraft to Russia, among them part of the exercise was the large-
attachés from many other countries. H-6 long-range bombers, JH-7 scale participation of airborne
Units from the seven foreign strike aircraft and J-11 fighters. troops – most of them from the
nations involved in Tsentr-2019 331st Guards Airborne Regiment
worked directly alongside the Aerial assault – including around 2,000 soldiers
Russian military at the training After air strikes against the and officers. Standard military
ground. According to official advancing enemy, the allied ground equipment was dropped in the
accounts, this main phase of the forces proceeded to eliminate the enemy’s rear areas, 80 Il-76
exercise involved 12,950 troops enemy troops. In this part of the airlifters being tasked with this



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 71



70-72 Tsentr AFM Dec2019.indd 71 08/11/2019 12:38:16

Exercise
Report






mission. As well as the 2,000
paratroopers, these Candid
transports delivered some 50 BMD
armoured vehicles, in what was the
biggest Russian parachute drop
since the end of the Cold War.
According to official sources,
the troops who took part in the
exercises completed all their Above: Su-34 RF-81864/‘26 Red’ takes off from Chelyabinsk with a load of OFAB-250 freefall bombs. During


the final phase of the exercise, this airfield was active with two squadrons of Su-34s, one from the resident
assigned tasks, demonstrating 2nd Composite Aviation Regiment plus visitors from the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment at Morozovsk. Dmitriy
a high degree of training and Pichugin Below: Su-24M RF-95088/‘95 White’ with smoke-generating stores underwing. These are examples of the
organisation, and earning the highest rarely seen AAP-500 (Aviatsionnyi Aerozolnyi Pribor, airborne aerosol device) pods, which can be used to create a

praise of the Russian president. battlefield smokescreen. Dmitriy Pichugin
High-tech warfare
It’s noteworthy that a number
of new tactics and technologies
were employed during the
exercises, including continuous
monitoring of the battlefield by
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
– types used comprised the
Forpost, Orlan-10 and Grusha.
Meanwhile, the accuracy of the
air strikes was ensured by the
SVP-24 high-precision targeting
system (used in the Su-24M
and Tu-22M3), as well as the
Strelets tactical reconnaissance,
command and communication military operations in Syria. In this modern conditions and improve Tsentr-19 “was more suited
system for management of troops. way, combat know-how gained by the interoperability of the military to testing military capabilities
Other interesting equipment Russian units on the front line was command and control units against a high-technology
included the Uran-6 and Uran- disseminated and consolidated of the armed forces of Russia adversary”. In particular, he
9 robotic mine-clearing systems. across the wider armed forces. and the allied states.” However, pointed to the extensive use of
Particular emphasis was placed Colonel General Fomin stressed Western analysts were quick to UAVs, experimentation with new
on the use of small, highly mobile that Tsentr-2019 was purely point out that the manoeuvres concepts for the use of airborne
groups of air assault units. defensive in nature while the sent a powerful message to the forces, and the presence of high-
It is also significant that all phases defence ministry explained: “Its West, while Roger N McDermott precision strike systems, including
of the exercise incorporated main purpose is to train troops of The Jamestown Foundation, cruise missiles and Iskander-M
experience gained in Russia’s to conduct military operations in Washington DC, argued that short-range ballistic missiles. AFM



































A pair of Mi-8MTV-5s escorted by a Mi-24P gunship. The nearest ‘Hip’, RF-04436/‘01 Yellow’, is fitted with turrets for the L370 Vitebsk self-protection equipment. The

Mi-8s are assigned to the 17th Br AA at Kamensk Uralsky and Uprun while the Mi-24P is likely from the 112th Independent Helicopter Regiment at Chita. Dmitri Sribnyi

72 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



70-72 Tsentr AFM Dec2019.indd 72 08/11/2019 12:38:23

NEW-LOOK December issue - OUT NOW























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Our cover feature is a revealing interview with
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PLUS we are celebrating our relaunch with a
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727 Flypast Latest fp.indd 90 01/11/2019 14:16 b

Force
Report Belarusian AF & Air Defence Part 1
Air power






















In the first of a two-part feature on the
little-known Belarusian Air Force and
Air Defence, Patrick Roegies, Stefan
Goossens and Erwin van Dijkman chart
the history of the service’s formative years
after the demise of the Soviet Union.


























Right: It’s believed that eight
‘Fulcrums’ have been upgraded to
MiG-29BM standard (including three
modernised MiG-29UBM trainers)
and that these had been redelivered
by November 2015; an acceptance
ceremony followed at Baranovichi
on December 1. Recent acquisition
of Su-30SMs means the days of
the remaining MiG-29s could be
numbered. All photos Patrick Roegies
unless stated
M ost of the Soviet assets Vozdushnyye Sily (VVS, Soviet branches of the
VVS – the heavy
Air Force) in Belarus were
based on Belarusian
territory had been predominantly subordinated to bombers of the
subordinated to the local the 26 Vozdushnaya Armiya (26 Dalnyaya Aviatsiya reaching
Belorusskiy Voyennyy Okrug (BVO, VA, 26th Air Army) – the air arm (DA, Long-range Aviation) and further into
Belarussian Military District), of the BVO. The importance of the heavy transports of the Voyenno- Soviet territory, towards Moscow.
which was a second-tier echelon BVO was reflected not just in the Transportnaya Aviatsiya (VTA, These AD assets were
force of the Western Strategic sheer number of VVS units and Military Transport Aviation). subordinated to the 11 Korpus
Direction. In case of hostilities, its aircraft, but also in their quality Due to the strategic importance Protivovozdushnoy Oborony (11
well-equipped formations were – its units were highly trained of the area, Belarus was also the K PVO, 11th Air Defence Corps),
intended to be rushed in at a and equipped with some of the home of significant air defence part of the 2 Otdelnaya Armiya
moment’s notice to support and latest fighters, fighter-bombers, (AD) assets – including some of Protivovozdushoy Oborony (2
relieve the first-tier echelon force ground attack and reconnaissance the most modern interceptors – OA PVO, 2nd Independent Air
– comprising Soviet and Warsaw aircraft, as well as bombers. tasked with knocking out hostile Defence Army) of the Voyska
Pact units based in Czechoslovakia, In addition, there was also a aircraft that might penetrate the Protivovozdushnoy Oborony
East Germany and Poland. sizeable quantity of aircraft from first tier of AD units stationed in (Soviet Air Defence Forces, VPVO).
The assets of the Voyenno- the two independent strategic the Baltic and prevent them from Last, but not least, Belarus was



74 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



74-79 Belarus AFM Dec2019.indd 74 11/11/2019 11:11:28

Belarusian AF & Air Defence Part 1
e
ow
r

p
Air power
A
i
r
airforcesintel.com
Between

Russia and



the West














































* In Russian, unit names
up to and including a division
are written with a lower-case first
letter, including their abbreviations.
Capital letters begin the unit names of
corps and higher units. However, in this was considered
15, 1992, the Air article, the usual Western standard has the best
home to an additional Force Command been adopted, with the abbreviations maintained and
quantity of nuclear- of the Republic in capitals (for example, IAP organised within
capable heavy Aviatsionnyy of Belarus was instead of iap). the newly created
bombers from a division of naval Remontnyy Zavod established and Commonwealth
missile-carrying aircraft of the (ARZ, Aircraft Repair began to formally gain of Independent
Soviet Baltic Fleet, plus a fleet of Plant) at Baranovichi is one control over former VVS States (CIS). On gaining
attack and transport helicopters of the better-known facilities. assets based on Belarusian territory, independence, an estimated 700
belonging to local Ground Forces starting with the 26 VA. On August military aircraft of various types were
and Strategic Missile Forces units. Early days 1 that year, the 2 OA PVO of the deployed on Belarusian territory, but
Once independent, Belarus also Belarus became de facto Soviet VPVO was transformed by no means all were taken over by
gained control of a modest number independent in December 1991, into the PVO of Belarus (ie, the Belarus. The heavy bombers of the
of military defence enterprises able when the USSR ceased to exist, and HQ of 2 OA PVO became the HQ DA were of no interest to Belarus.
to manufacture electronic systems in the process took over most of the of the Belarus PVO) – the VVS There was a single naval missile-
and perform aircraft overhaul and inventories of the Soviet 26 VA and and PVO would merge in 2001. carrying division with two regiments
modernisation. Of these, the 558 11 K PVO. Six months later, on June Belarus established an air arm that at Bykhov that was disbanded



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 75



74-79 Belarus AFM Dec2019.indd 75 11/11/2019 11:11:40

Force
Report Belarusian AF & Air Defence






Air Defence
2 Otdelnaya Armiya Protivovozdushnoy
Oborony (2 OA PVO, 2nd Independent
Air Defence Army)
Military Unit: 03520
Location: Minsk, Minsk Oblast
The highest-level AD unit on Belarussian
territory, controlling AD assets that
covered most of Belarus (11 K PVO, see
below) and western Ukraine (28 K PVO,
taken over by Ukraine in 1992). In 1992,
this formation served as the basis for the
new Belarusian AD forces.
25 otdelnaya transportnaya
aviatsionnaya eskadrilya (25 OTAE,
25th Independent Transport Aviation
Squadron)
Military Unit: 11154
Location: Machulishchy, Minsk Oblast
The organic transport aviation unit of
the 2 OA PVO, operating a number of
fixed-wing transports and helicopters.
Taken over by Belarus in 1992 and
later merged with the 50 otdelnyy
smeshanyy aviatsionnyy polk (50
OSAP, 50th Independent Composite
Aviation Regiment) to form the 50
transportnaya aviatsionnaya baza (50
TAB, 50th Transport Aviation Base) at
the same location.
11 Korpus Protivovozdushnoy Oborony
(11 K PVO, 11th Air Defence Corps
Military Unit: 30055

Location: Baranovichi, Brest Oblast Above: The Su-27Ps were withdrawn in December 2010. The fighters had been due for a
life-extension programme, including several systems upgrades, but the required budget
The 11th Air Defence Corps comprised was lacking. A total of 17 Su-27Ps and four Su-27UBMs were retired. Below: The number
two fighter aviation regiments, a of transport aircraft has been reduced significantly. Only two Il-76s are still operational, of

large number of anti-aircraft missile which at least one has been overhauled by the 360 ARZ at Zhukovsky, Russia. This work
regiments and a number of radio- was completed in December 2016. Bottom: The first eight Su-24s were withdrawn from use

technical regiments (radar units). The in 2010. In February 2012, the remaining 34 Su-24Ms and Su-24MRs were also retired, due
two fighter regiments were: to high operating costs. The aircraft were transferred to the 558 ARZ’s storage facility at
61 istrebitelnyy aviatsionnyy polk Baranovichi and 12 were later passed on to Sudan.
PVO (61 IAP PVO, 61st Air Defence
Fighter Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 54804
Location: Baranovichi, Brest Oblast
This unit ultimately comprised three
squadrons, two equipped with MiG-
23s and the third with MiG-25s. Just
before transfer to Belarus, the regiment
exchanged its MiG-23ML/MLD aircraft
for Su-27s, but continued to operate
the remaining MiG-25PD/PDS aircraft
as air defence fighters for a while
longer. The regiment was renamed as
the 61st Fighter Aviation Base in 1994.
201 istrebitelnyy aviatsionnyy polk
PVO (201 IAP PVO, 201st Air Defence
Fighter Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 30181
Location: Machulishchy, Minsk Oblast
This regiment was established at
Machulishchy near Minsk in 1951. On
its transfer to Belarus the regiment was
equipped with the MiG-23ML/MLD.
Belarus retained most if not all of its MiG-
23s and placed them in storage after the
201 IAP PVO was disbanded, later selling
some of them to Angola and Syria.
Russian and
Belarusian Spellings
Russian spelling Belarusian spelling
Bolbasovo Balbasava
Beryoza Byaroza
Machulishchi Machulishchy
Shchuchin Shchuchyn



76 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



74-79 Belarus AFM Dec2019.indd 76 11/11/2019 11:11:53

airforcesintel.com


in March 1991 together with its
two Tu-22M3 regiments (also at
Bykhov). Bykhov became an aircraft
storage base, but by December
1991 all aircraft had apparently been
transferred to other units based
in Russia. By 1994, all DA aircraft
had transferred to Russia as well.
As it was, Belarus took over
400 combat aircraft (combat
helicopters not included), most
of which had to be retired and Above: Three regiments on Belarusian territory were equipped with MiG-25s: the 10 ORAP, 61 IAP
scrapped almost immediately PVO and the 151 OAPREB. In 1992 the last remaining MiG-25s assigned to the 10 ORAP at Schuchin
as the amount exceeded the were moved to Baranovichi for storage. This is one of the few survivors, a MiG-25PU (c/n 22037313),
limits imposed by the Treaty on currently at Borovaya. Below: The 50 OSAP relocated to Belarusian territory in April 1989, but after
reforms and aircraft reductions only a handful of transports remained. This An-24B (c/n 99902203) is
Conventional Armed Forces in among those withdrawn and now stored at Borovaya.
Europe (CFE). Under the Tashkent
Agreement of May 15, 1992,
Belarus was permitted to possess
a maximum of 260 combat aircraft
and an additional 80 combat
helicopters, in line with the treaty.
An overview is presented below
to comprehend the sheer size of
the air force elements inherited by
Belarus. Where known, the Soviet
Air Force Military Unit numbers
are presented for these regiments.
Restructuring
The aerial armada inherited by
Belarus required reorganisation to
operate as an independent force
while maintaining a high level
of combat capability. Structural
reforms created two new
tactical commands, the Western
and Northern Commands.
Although the inventory had
already been reduced significantly
as a result of the CFE treaty,
there remained a wide variety
of combat aircraft, bombers, The 558 ARZ undertakes refurbishment and modernisation programmes for Su-25s of various nations. In April 2014,
transports and helicopters. two Belarusian Su-25UB combat trainers were upgraded to Su-25UBM standard and redelivered to the air force.
Long-Range Aviation
46 Vozdushnaya Armiya (46 VA, 46th Air Army) 203 gvardeyskiy tyazhyolyy bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (203
Military Unit: 47002 Location: HQ Smolensk GvTBAP, 203rd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment)
At the time of Belarusian independence, the 46th Air Army comprised 167 long- Military Unit: 24758 Location: Baranovichi, Brest Oblast
range bombers, although not all its regiments were located in Belarus. The This regiment was based at Baranovichi from 1953 until June 1, 1994 when the unit
overview below presents the regiments on Belarusian territory at the time of – at that time flying Tu-22Ks – was relocated to Engels in Russia and transformed
independence. into the 203rd Guards Tanker Aircraft Aviation Regiment on Il-78s.
22 gvardeyskaya tyazhyolaya bombardirovochnaya aviatsionnaya diviziya (22 290 otdelnyy dalnyy razvedivatelnyy aviatsionnyy polk (290 ODRAP, 290th
GvTBAD, 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division) Independent Long-Range Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 40401 Location: Bobruysk, Mogilev Oblast Military Unit: 65358 Location: Zyabrovka, Gomel Oblast
The 22nd GvTBAD relocated to Engels in Russia in June 1994. It originally had two This unit was activated in 1941 in Ukurey, Chitinskaya (Chita) Oblast, as the 290th
heavy bomber aviation regiments (TBAPs) of which only one was in Belarus, the Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment and was renamed as the 290th Long-
other in Ukraine. However, in 1992 it took over the two TBAPs of the 15 GvTBAD Range Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment in 1953. At the time of independence,
(headquartered in Ukraine and taken over by Ukraine) – the 121 GvTBAP and the this regiment comprised three squadrons: two equipped with 29 Tu-22Rs and
203 GvTBAP. one with 13 Tu-16 bombers. Withdrawn to Russia in 1994, this unit’s Tu-22Rs were
121 gvardeyskiy tyazhyolyy bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (121 scrapped almost immediately after landing.
GvTBAP, 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment) 402 tyazhyolyy bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (402 TBAP, 402nd
Military Unit: 15486 Location: Machulishchy, Minsk Oblast Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment)
The 121st was based at Machulishchy from 1952 until June 1, 1994, when the regiment Military Unit: 32901 Location: Bolbasovo/Balbasava, Vitebsk Oblast
relocated to Engels in Russia. In 1992, the unit was transferred to the control of the This regiment started life on March 1, 1951 at Bolbasovo, Vitebsk Oblast. Until 1983,
22 GvTBAD since its parent unit, the 15 GvTBAD, was taken over by Ukraine. the regiment had operated an estimated 26 Tu-16Ks that were replaced by an
200 gvardeyskiy tyazhyolyy bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (200 unknown number of Tu-22M3s. From May 1988, deployments were made to Mary,
GvTBAP, 200th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment) Mary Oblast, on a rotational basis for combat missions over Afghanistan. The last
of 537 missions was completed on February 14, 1989. It was under the 326 TBAD in
Military Unit: 13655 Location: Bobruysk, Mogilev Oblast Tartu (Estonia), whose HQ was relocated to Soltsy in 1992. The unit’s aircraft went
Equipped with 20 Tu-22M3s, plus 18 Tu-16Ks assigned to the 4th squadron. to Russia.


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 77



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Force
Report Belarusian AF & Air Defence Part 1






Keeping these assets operational
required considerable efforts and
budget. Since the government
was unable to match this huge
demand with adequate funding,
the older aircraft were rapidly
withdrawn from use to save costs.
Division of the Belarusian Air
Force into Western and Northern
Commands was more compatible
with the demands of the newly
formed Commonwealth of
Independent States. The number Above: The remaining Mi-24s were all assigned to the 50th Mixed Aviation Base after the airfield at Pruzhany was
of aircraft and air bases were closed during the air force’s latest reforms. This example, ‘44 White’, is a Mi-24K ‘Hind-G2’ intended for artillery
markedly scaled down in line spotting and combat reconnaissance, with no guided-missile systems. Erwin van Dijkman Below: The MiG-23 was one of
with financial limitations. the first types withdrawn from use after independence. In 2001, 31 MiG-23MLDs and six MiG-23UBs were still in service
Aircraft considered surplus at Baranovichi and were retired soon after. Most were scrapped or sold abroad, but ‘88 White’ is stored at Minsk-Lipki.
included those in a poor
operational state, long overdue
for maintenance, or at the end
of their operational life. They
were withdrawn from active
squadrons and relocated to the
558 ARZ’s storage facility.
The now-depleted aviation
regiments were either disbanded
or merged with other units. As
part of this process, all remaining
versions of the MiG-25 – PD,
RB and BM variants – and the

Frontal Aviation
26 Vozdushnaya Armiya (26 VA, 26th Air Army) MiG-21R squadron (not the aircraft) went to Afghanistan to fly with the 263 OTRAE,
Military Unit: 20104 a permanent unit with personnel rotated on a regular basis. The MiG-21R was fully
The HQ of 26 VA became the HQ of the Belarus VVS on June 15, 1992, when replaced by the Su-24MR in 1991, and the regiment also operated MiG-25BM and
MiG-25RU aircraft, divided across three squadrons. In 1991, the 3rd squadron –
the fifth decree of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus became equipped with MiG-25BMs – was disbanded. The regiment was transferred to the
effective. However, the transfer of units had begun earlier, and this was just Belarusian Air Force in January 1992. In 1993, the unit was disbanded and its Su-
the completion of the process. Originally formed in 1949, the 26th Air Army 24MRs went to Ross, along with the other Fencers.
comprised an estimated 343 aircraft by the early 1990s. These were operated by
the following aviation regiments assigned to bases on Belarusian territory. 50 otdelnyy smeshanyy aviatsionnyy polk (50 OSAP, 50th Independent
1 gvardeyskaya bombardirovochnaya aviatsionnaya diviziya (1 GvBAD, 1st Composite Aviation Regiment)
Guards Bomber Aviation Division) Military Unit: 97978 Location: Minsk, Minsk Oblast
Military Unit: 15561 Location: Lida, Grodno Oblast This unit was formed in 1980 specifically for use in Afghanistan. It was transferred
to Minsk-Lipki, Belarus, absorbing the local 66 OSAE (a mixed aviation squadron)
This division was equipped with the following three aviation regiments: of the Belarussian MD and 248 OSAE of the 26 VA and becoming its dedicated
116 gvardeyskiy bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (116 GvBAP, 116th mixed aviation regiment (50 OSAP of 26 VA). It came under Belarusian control in
Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment) 1992, moving to Machulishchy in 1994, becoming the 50 TAB after merging with the
Military Unit: 81776 Location: Ross, Grodno Region local 25 OTAE (ex-VPVO unit).
During the transition of the 116th to the Belarusian Air Force in January 1992, the 151 otdelnyy aviatsionnyy polk radioelektronnoy borby (151 OAPREB, 151st
regiment had an estimated 30 Su-24s within its operational inventory. The regiment kept Independent Electronic Warfare Aviation Regiment)
its original name until 1993 when it was renamed as the 116th Guards Bomber Aviation Military Unit: 55629 Location: Shchuchin, Grodno Oblast
Base, becoming the 116th Guards Bomber Reconnaissance Aviation Base in July 1994, This regiment was based at Brzeg in Poland from 1960 until August 1989, at which
after receiving the Su-24MR squadron of the 10 otdelnyy razvedivatelnyy aviatsionnyy point it relocated its aircraft to Shchuchin, Grodno Oblast. Afterwards it received
polk (10 ORAP, 10th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment). The unit was additional MiG-25BMs and became a ‘supersized’ unit (each of the two squadrons
disbanded in 2010 and re-formed at Lida – where the 206 shturmovaya aviatsionnaya had twice the normal complement of aircraft). Here, it was transferred to Belarus
baza (206 ShAB, 206th Attack Aviation Base) took over its numerical designation and and remained there until January 1993 when the regiment was disbanded.
honorary titles and awards – while the Su-24s were withdrawn in 2012. 206 otdelnyy shturmovoy aviatsionnyy polk (206 OShAP, 206th Independent
305 bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (305 BAP, 305th Bomber Aviation Assault Aviation Regiment)
Regiment) Military Unit: 19764 Location: Pruzhany, Brest Oblast
Military Unit: 21179 Location: Postavy, Vitebsk Oblast This regiment was based at Pruzhany, Brest Oblast, as of August 1984. It received
Equipped with 30 Su-24s. Transferred to Russia with the 1 GvBAD and relocated to Su-25s from November 4, 1985 and transferred to Belarusian control in January
Krasnodar in 1993. 1992. The regiment was renamed as the 206th Aviation Base on March 4, 1993,
497 bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (497 BAP, 497th Bomber Aviation before becoming the 206th Assault Aviation Base on March 26, 1993. The unit was
Regiment) transferred to Lida in 1993.
Military Unit: 91098 Location: Lida, Grodno Region 302 otdelnaya vertolyotnaya eskadrilya radioelektronnoy borby (302 OVEREB,
Originally at Grossenhain in East Germany as of 1989 and equipped with 29 Su- 302nd Independent Electronic Warfare Helicopter Squadron)
24s. Transferred to Russia with the 1 GvBAD and relocated to Krasnodar. Military Unit: 36558 Location: Kobrin, Brest Oblast
10 otdelnyy razvedivatelnyy aviatsionnyy polk (10 ORAP, 10thIndependent The regiment was based at Shindand, Afghanistan, from January 1980 until

Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment) February 1989 when it returned to the USSR and was disbanded at its original
Military Unit: 21803 Location: Shchuchin, Grodno Oblast home base in Kagan in April. It was re-formed at Kobrin in May 1989 as the 302
OVEREB, from an electronic warfare squadron of the 65th Independent Helicopter
Formed at Shchuchin in June 1945, this regiment remained there until transferred to Regiment. Between 1989 and 1992, it was equipped with Mi-8PPA and Mi-8SMV
Belarusian control. The 10 ORAP remained at Shchuchin, but personnel from its Hips. It was transferred to the Belarusian Air Force in January 1992.

78 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



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airforcesintel.com


Army Aviation few remaining Yak-28PPs were In 1994, the 50 OSAP at Lipki
withdrawn from use. In 1992, and the 25 OTAE of the VPVO at
When Belarus declared independence, around 260 Army Aviation (ie, Soviet the last MiG-25s assigned to Machulishchy were merged into
Ground Forces) helicopters were deployed on its territory as part of independent the 10 ORAP at Shchuchin were the 50th Transport Aviation Base
helicopter regiments. Others served with squadrons of the air defence force, air
force and strategic rocket forces. relocated to the 558 ARZ and put at the latter location, although
in long-term storage. Some of it was not until 1996 that all
65 otdelnyy vertolyotnyy polk (65 OVP, 65th Independent Helicopter Squadron)
the remaining MiG-23ML fighters remaining Il-76s assigned to the
Military Unit: 64683 and older MiG-29s aircraft were 339 VTAP at Vitebsk North were
Location: Kobrin, Brest Oblast also retired: the 201 IAP PVO was also relocated to Machulishchy,
This regiment formed at Kobrin on August 1, 1962. It sent more than one rotation disbanded and all its MiG-23ML/ where some became part of
to Afghanistan as part of the 50th Independent Composite Aviation Regiment. MLDs withdrawn, going into the Transaviaexport company.
When transferred to Belarusian control, the 65 OVP was directly attached to the storage at Machulishchy and later In 1996, the former 248 OSAE –
BVO and was an Army Aviation unit, equipped with 37 Mi-8Ts and 26 Mi-6s (being
replaced by Mi-26s). It later transferred to the air force in independent Belarus. with the 558 ARZ at Baranovichy. which had flown fixed-wing aircraft
Between 1992 and 1993, the 10 too, before being disbanded in
181 otdelnyy vertolyotnyy polk (181 OVP, 181st Independent Helicopter Regiment)
ORAP at Shchuchin, 378 OShAP 1989 – was recreated as the 248
Military Unit: 02181 at Postavy, 397 OShAP at Kobrin, OVE ON at Lipki; it received
Location: Pruzhany, Brest Oblast and 911 APIB, also at Shchuchin, all the helicopters previously
The 181 OVP was formed at Dzhambul in May 1973 and transferred to Pruzhany were all disbanded. The Su-24MRs assigned to the 50 OSAP. The
on August 5, 1988 following a deployment to Afghanistan. Several independent were transferred to Ross while remaining aircraft assigned to
helicopter regiments based in the Soviet Union – including the 65 OVP in Belarus all Su-25s were redeployed to independent helicopter squadrons
– detached crews to the 181st on a rotational basis, beginning from 1981 usually Lida. The remaining aircraft and helicopter regiments
for a one-year duration. The regiment was equipped with 18 Mi-8 and 43 Mi-24 were all stored at Baranovichi. were redeployed to Luninets –
helicopters when transferred to Belarusian control. The number of combat and home of the 1169th Equipment
276 otdelnyy vertolyotnyy polk (276 OVP, 276th Independent Helicopter Regiment) transport helicopters within Aviation Storage Base. AFM
Military Unit: 13996 the operational inventory was
Location: Borovtsy, Vitebsk Oblast also significantly reduced. Acknowledgements:
The 276 OVP was formed at Borovtsy on January 20, 1982. It comprised three The 65 OVP, 181 OVP and 276 Thanks to Vladimir
squadrons (the fourth, flying Mi-26s, was transferred to the 65 OVP in 1990). When OVP were all transferred to Trendafilovski for his assistance
transferred to Belarusian control the 276th was equipped with approximately 22 the air force command and
Mi-8 and 38 Mi-24 helicopters. in preparing this article.
reorganised as helicopter bases.
Frontal Aviation Latvia
378 otdelnyy shturmovoy aviatsionnyy polk (378 OShAP, 378th Independent
Assault Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 62234 Location: Postavy, Vitebsk Oblast Lithuania
Operating from Bagram, Afghanistan, from October 1984 to February 1989, this Russia
regiment transferred to Postavy in February 1989 from where it operated Su-25s
and L-39s. When it was transferred to Belarusian control in January 1992, the Belarus
regiment comprised an estimated 32 Su-25s, but it was disbanded the following
year. Some of the Su-25s found their way to the Peruvian Air Force. Minsk
397 otdelnyy shturmovoy aviatsionnyy polk (397 OShAP, 397th Independent Lida
Assault Aviation Regiment) Minsk-Machulishchy
Military Unit: 23519 Location: Kobrin, Brest Oblast
This regiment was originally formed at Kobrin in July 1986 and was equipped with Poland Baranovichi
Su-25s and L-39s. In accordance with the Directive of the Ministry of Defence
of the Republic of Belarus No 5/03, the regiment’s 32 operational Su-25s were
reassigned to the 206 OShAP and 378 OShAP on January 4, 1993, but the regiment Osovcy
was disbanded on June 1 that year.
911 aviatsionnyy polk istrebiteley-bombardirovshchikov (911 APIB, 911th
Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 18556 Location: Lida, Grodno Oblast Ukraine
This unit was originally stationed in Belarus until departing for East Germany in 1989.
Its stay there was brief, and the unit returned to its original home in Lida in July 1992.
In August it transferred to Baranovichi, where it was disbanded the following year.
927 istrebitelnyy aviatsionnyy polk (927 IAP, 927th Fighter Aviation Regiment)
Military Unit: 55782 Location: Beryoza, Brest Oblast
The 927th was activated in 1942 and transferred to Beryoza on September 1, 1955. It
was deployed to Afghanistan where it flew MiG-21s from Bagram between 1983 and
1984. The regiment returned to Beryoza on July 26, 1984. It re-equipped with MiG-29s
in 1986 and in 1992 transferred to Belarusian control, renamed as the 927th Fighter
Aviation Base.
953 bombardirovochnyy aviatsionnyy polk (953 BAP, 953rd Bomber Aviation
Regiment)
Military Unit: 15550 Location: Bobrovichy, Gomel Oblast
Formed in April 1943, this regiment transferred to Pruzhany air base on Belarusian
territory on August 8, 1945. It moved to Bobrovichy in 1959 where it remained until
1992. The 32 BAD to which it was originally subordinated was stationed in Ukraine
– as such it was taken over by Kiev in 1992 and the unit transferred directly under
the 26 VA. However, being surplus to Belarusian requirements it was transferred to Above: The 50th Mixed Aviation Base operates assets including Mi-8MT
Russia in 1994, going to Kamenka, Penza Oblast, where it was absorbed by the local helicopters, of which ‘29 White’ has been noted flying recently. The base
fighter-bomber regiment (which became a bomber unit on Su-24s afterwards). also flies a handful of older Mi-8Ts, but with delivery of the new Mi-8MTV-5
helicopters, it’s expected that the ageing ‘Hip-Cs’ will soon be withdrawn.


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 79



74-79 Belarus AFM Dec2019.indd 79 11/11/2019 11:12:16

r
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In a first among Joi nt Strike Fighter partner
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nations, Italy deployed its F-35As to Iceland
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in October in support of NATO’s Icelandic
in October in support of NATO’s Icelandic
air policing mission. David Cenciotti visited
the Italian detachment at Keflavik Airport
and talked to the pilots involved in
Operation Northern Lightning.
Right: A pair of Italian Air Force
F-35As on patrol over Iceland’s
rugged landscape of volcanoes and
lakes. In total, six F-35As from the
13° Gruppo of the 32° Stormo at
Amendola headed north to patrol
Iceland’s airspace. All photos
David Cenciotti
S ix F-35A stealth (AIRCOM) operation. Three initiative, launched in 2008 following
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er
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to the 13° Gruppo basis, allied nations contribute island, is to provide air surveillance and
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o NA
T
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er
im Air P
Stormo (32nd Wing) of the in I c e l and, a c oun t r y t h a t maintain the integrity of NATO airspace.
in Iceland, a country that
doesn’t have autonomous air
Aeronautica Militare (AM, do e s n ’ t h a v e a u t onomou s air According to the Italian Air Force, there were
ie
t
e a
f
s
Italian Air Force) based at defence assets and capabilities, , two reasons for committing the F-35, instead
enc
s
s and capab
e
s
de
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ili
Amendola in southeast Italy, but which is strategically of the usual Eurofighter Typhoon, to the ASIC
r
t
t
a
t w
bu
s s
hich i
e
gicall
y
deployed to Keflavik Airport (KEF) located close to the Arctic. Each IPPN mission. First, the service identified
from October 2 to 24. Here, the jets ensured
fr om Oc t ob er 2 t o 2 4 . H er e , t he je t s en s ur e d deployment lasts three or four weeks. deployment under NATO command and control
f I
c
i
y o
t
pac
e under
andic airs
e
l
e
t
he in
t the integrity of Icelandic airspace under For the second time this year – and the fifth as a milestone towards full operational capability
gr
Operation Northern Lightning. This marked in total since 2013 – the AM secured the skies (FOC) for the new multi-role aircraft. In fact, in
the first time Italian Lightning IIs had been over Iceland, supporting NATO’s Airborne December 2016, the AM became the first service
deployed under NATO command, making Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to to take delivery of the stealth jet outside the US.
Italy the initial partner nation to send the fifth- meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs Initial operational capability (IOC) was declared
generation fighter on an Allied Air Command (ASIC IPPN) mission. The purpose of this on November 30, 2018, during a media day for
80 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero
80-85 Iceland AFM Dec2019.indd 80 11/11/2019 11:16:17

Northern Lightning












































































Tactical support to the domestic quick reaction alert lessons learned by previous deployments of
Leadership (QRA) as part of Italy’s airspace monitoring the Italian Typhoon fleet. Then, on September
Programme service, Typhoons recently returned from 23, an advance team landed at Keflavik to
(TLP) another NATO Interim Air Policing mission arrange for the arrival of the aircraft, which,
18-4. Along in Romania and are currently deployed to split into two sections, started landing in
with participation in the Iniohos Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, from where Iceland on September 24. The first four aircraft
2019 exercise at Andravida, Greece, in they support the multinational campaign left Amendola supported by a KC-767A tanker
March, the US-led Astral Knight 2019 exercise against so-called Islamic State in Iraq and belonging to the 8° Gruppo of the 14° Stormo
in Croatia, Italy and Slovenia in June, and Syria as part of the Prima Parthica operation. from Pratica di Mare and a P-72A maritime
Blue Flag 2019 in Ovda, Israel, deployment patrol aircraft of the 41° Stormo from Sigonella
on a NATO mission is one of the steps the Deploying to the High North that provided oceanic search-and-rescue (SAR)
AM considers crucial to declaring FOC. Operation Northern Lightning kicked off at support. The Lightning IIs refuelled twice from
Second, by sending the F-35, the AM could Amendola in July, when Italian F-35s started the KC-767A before touching down at KEF.
prevent further stress on the Eurofighter fleet, preparing for the Icelandic mission by launching The remaining F-35s arrived on September 25,
which is already engaged in various operations simulated and training scrambles. These also accompanied by a KC-767 and a P-72A,
both at home and abroad. As well as constant focused on the Iceland scenario and drew upon followed on September 26 by the rest of the



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 81



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Icelandic air policing






































1
contingent. The deployment was supported as well as technical and logistics personnel Supporto Tecnico Operativo Guerra Elettronica
by 12 cargo missions from Italy: eight carried and an air defence controller team from (ReSTOGE, Electronic Warfare Technical
a
ig
ea (
ta Aer
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r
B
zioni Aer
ando Op
er
a
6t
4
he Com
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C
out by C-130Js of the 46 Brigata Aerea (46th t the Comando Operazioni Aeree (COA, Air , Air Support Department) that is responsible
A
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a
ion
t
t
Op
s Comm
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ion
s Comm
and) a
a
er
er
a
Air Brigade) from Pisa and Operations Command) at t t for updating the self-protection libraries of
and) a
a
o
ggio Ren
y
t
. T
ic
four by the KC-767s, for a Poggio Renatico, Italy. The he all AM aircraft, and, for the very first time, a
, I
tal
P
o
o
t o
t
-
s
he
, in c
e
f t
op
a
er
s
total of 77 tonnes of material l last of these, in co-operation ion team from the recently established Comando
a
l
transported to Keflavik. with the Icelandic Coast t Interforze per le Operazioni Cibernetiche
t
he I
s
andic Coa
w
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Guard, provided liaison and on and
Deployed under the leadership Guar d, pr ov ide d li ai s (CIOC, Joint Cyber Operations Command).
s
e
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i
, iden
v
anc
ica
of the Comando Operativo surveillance, identification ion Physical security of the detachment was
ur
ill
t
e
t
di vertice Interforze (COI, and in t er c ept or c on t r ensured by a team of the 32° Stormo’s
and interceptor control in ol in
p
the Italian Joint Operations the area of responsibility, , protection group, as well as the Fucilieri
on
sib
e
ili
s
he ar
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Command), the aircraft and as well as working with the he dell’Aria (air riflemen) of the 16° Stormo
ing w
or
e
s w
t
h t
k
a
around 130 personnel were Comb ine d Air Op er a t ion s Cen t r from Martina Franca, equipped with counter
Combined Air Operations Centre e
assigned to Task Force Air ( (CAOC) at Uedem, Germany. . unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) technology.
y
an
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dem, G
) a
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OC
C
Supporting the TFA were e
(TFA) 32nd Wing, which S upp or t ing t he TF A w er After the first briefings, the initial familiarisation
ers
l fr
t
included Task Group Lightning, p personnel from the Reparto o flights were launched on September 27 and IOC
onne
om t
he Repar
“For the first time the F-35, a modern fifth-generation



fighter aircraft, is going to be employed by NATO to
safeguard the alliance’s airspace”
Lt Gen Pascal Delerce
3
82 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero
80-85 Iceland AFM Dec2019.indd 82 11/11/2019 11:17:44

2




























1: Contrails stream as the Lightning II pair breaks from formation behind the C-130J camera ship. In contrast with the Baltic Air Policing mission, which
involves continuous coverage, the Icelandic government only requests an average of three air policing deployments annually. 2: Operation Northern Lightning
was the first time Italian Lightning IIs had been deployed under NATO command. The jet’s ability to pass and receive information to and from the command

and control chain in real time meant pilots had the necessary information to complete an intercept even before visual identification. 3: Specially marked F-35A


MM7357 (AL-7, FMS 14-5108) ‘32-07’ basks in the sun outside one of Keflavik’s hardened aircraft shelters. The jet received its non-standard tail markings,
including the 13° Gruppo’s Don Quixote emblem, to celebrate the squadron’s centenary in 2017. 4: A pilot of the Task Force Air (TFA) 32nd Wing poses in front
of his jet. Aircrew were provided with a Tacconi neoprene immersion suit, a prerequisite for flying over the sea when the water temperature is below 13°C.

for the TFA 32nd Wing was declared on October of the team from Combined Air Operations QRA and training activity
1. FOC, which confirmed the detachment Centre Uedem and of our Icelandic hosts.” From October 2 to 24, when the transfer
was ready to conduct NATO’s peacetime Lt Gen Pascal Delerce, deputy commander of of authority (TOA) brought the Italian
Icelandic air policing mission, was declared NATO’s AIRCOM, the entity that oversees all detachment’s air policing duties to an end, the
on October 2, two days ahead of schedule. alliance air policing, attended the ceremony, F-35s provided peacetime quick reaction alert-
The mission readiness certificate was handed along with Italy’s chief of defence, Lt Gen intercept (QRA-I) readiness with at least two
over by Lt Col Wilhelm May from NATO’s Enzo Vecciarelli. In his speech, Lt Gen aircraft armed with a pair of live AIM-120C-5
CAOC to the TFA commander, Col Stefano Delerce said: “For the first time the F-35, a AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-
Spreafico, on October 5, during a ceremony modern fifth-generation fighter aircraft, is to-Air Missiles) in the internal weapons bay.
at Keflavik. Speaking during the event, Col going to be employed by NATO to safeguard This is the same standard conventional load
Spreafico declared: “I am very proud of the the alliance’s airspace, executing NATO’s (SCL) used at home to carry out QRA shifts as
result achieved. We managed to reach this peacetime air policing mission. It represents part of the Servizio Sorveglianza Spazio Aereo
milestone two days in advance of the expected a major step towards the integration of (SSSA, Air Space Surveillance Service). At
timeline and that has been achieved thanks modern fighter aircraft into alliance missions, Amendola, the Lightning IIs have been called
to the fantastic teamwork of all the task force demonstrating the alliance’s capability to upon to provide this capability, if needed, on
personnel and thanks to the great support advance, adapt and integrate new technology.” a rotational basis since the type achieved


































4


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Icelandic air policing



































1
IOC in the air-to-air role in March last year. and in a different scenario. This is extremely procedures required to intercept, identify and
Maj Simone (surname withheld on security useful to develop our experience and the escort unknown aircraft approaching Iceland’s
grounds), a pilot with Task Group Lightning, reason why the squadron has deployed all its airspace. Training sorties are co-ordinated and
told AFM: “There are no significant differences aircrews to Iceland for the three-week rotation. carried out with the local CRC [Control and
between what we are doing here and what “The main difference between flying here Reporting Centre, radio callsign ‘Loki’], where
we do in Italy. Generally speaking, at least two and at home is that, in Italy, we have far more we have also Italian air defence controllers,
F-35s are on QRA, while the rest of the aircraft simulated ground targets to use. In terms of and in co-ordination with the CAOC. Although
we brought here are available to carry out airspaces, we have been assigned several areas our ability in the air-to-air role was already
training sorties. In fact, in keeping with the type over and around Iceland that can be used for validated by NATO as part of the FOC
of readiness NATO requires us to ensure each training missions, and there are also specific certification process, we continue to practise
day, we try to replicate the type of missions areas used for surveillance purposes. The latter the mission so that we can fine-tune the
we always fly at Amendola. Air policing is are useful to perform simulated CAP [combat procedures involved in the air policing mission.
our priority, but we can pursue our training air patrol] and BARCAP [barrier combat “Flying in the Nordic region in this period is
requirements operating from a different base air patrol] profiles and for practising all the quite similar to flying in Italy during winter.





















“There are no
significant

differences
between what

we are doing
here and what

we do in Italy.”
4 Maj Simone
3


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2


























1: Lightning up close. Northern Lightning was the fifth occasion – and the second time this year – that Italy supported this NATO mission in Iceland. The AM
previously deployed Eurofighter F-2000As for the mission. 2: ‘Slime lights’ aglow, F-35A MM7361 (AL-11, FMS 17-5287) ‘32-11’ taxies out for a Tango training

scramble at dusk. The local climatic conditions also served as a useful test for the F-35A’s ability to adapt to any temperatures. 3: A view inside the hardened
aircraft shelter reveals the pair of AIM-120C-5 AMRAAMs in the weapons bays of F-35A MM7360 (AL-10, FMS 15-5204) ‘32-10’. This is the same standard
conventional load used at home to carry out QRA shifts as part of the Air Space Surveillance Service. 4: A fine aerial study of F-35A pair MM7358 (AL-8, FMS

14-5109) ‘32-08’ and MM7359 (AL-9, FMS 15-5144) ‘32-09’. The detachment continued the tradition of working with the Icelandic Coast Guard, which maintains
the ground-based air defence picture of the local airspace and also provides SAR cover.
Keflavik is probably windier than Amendola, surveillance aircraft based at Reykjavík During their rotation, the Italians carried out
though. The ground temperature is around 8°C, Airport, as well as five patrol vessels. around 20 training scrambles and logged 150
but we wear the Tacconi neoprene watertight The two F-35s on QRA were checked flight hours, with availability of their aircraft
suit [required for flying over the sea when and accepted by the pilots inside the close to 100%. In his final speech during the
the water temperature is below 13°C], even hardened aircraft shelter in a readiness ceremony that officially closed Operation
during missions when we fly over land as there posture at the beginning of the alert shift. Northern Lightning, detachment commander
are zones of Iceland – for instance glaciers In case of Alpha (real-world alert) or Col Spreafico reflected: “The participation of the
– where it would be extremely difficult to Tango (training) scrambles, the pilots F-35s from the 32nd Fighter Wing at Amendola
survive without an anti-exposure suit for two could quickly start the fighter’s engine and has been an opportunity that allowed the
or three hours, until the rescue team arrives.” reduce the time required for take-off. Maj Italian Air Force to test not only the operational
SAR service was provided round the clock Simone added: “Just like any other modern capabilities of the aircraft, but also deployment,
by the Icelandic Coast Guard, which operates platform, this aircraft can use abbreviated logistics and sustainability procedures in a
a mixed fleet of AS332L1 and H225 Super procedures in case of scrambles to meet the special operational, climatic and environmental
Puma helicopters and a Dash 8 maritime NATO peacetime readiness requirement.” context far from our home base.” AFM












































www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 85



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Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero

for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]
Report into fatal Red




Arrows crash released





A SERVICE Inquiry Panel report
into the fatal crash of Royal Air
Force Red Arrows Hawk T1A
XX204 at RAF Valley, Anglesey,
on March 20, 2018 (see Attrition,
May 2018, p92) was published
by the Ministry of Defence on
October 10. The pilot, Flt Lt
David Stark, callsign ‘Red 3’
(R3), ejected 0.5 seconds before
impact. The ‘Circus’ (Red Arrows
ground crew) engineer in the back
seat, Corporal Jonathan Bayliss,
did not eject and was killed.
The crash occurred at 1325hrs,
after the aircraft had departed RAF
Valley to conduct a practice engine
failure after take-off (PEFATO)
before transiting to RAF Scampton,
Lincolnshire. On departure, R3 Red Arrows Hawk T1 XX242 during a training sortie at RAF Scampton. A
was given take-off clearance at report into the crash of sister aircraft XX204 was published by the MOD on
1322hrs for an approach back to October 10. MOD Crown Copyright/Cpl Steve Buckley
the duty runway for the PEFATO. advanced to maximum and roll and subsequent positioning led to factors may have influenced R3
After take-off, and on passing inputs applied to level the wings, the aircraft being low and laterally and contributed to the accident.
approximately 255ft (78m) and at indicating an intent to go-around. close to the runway. During the The panel determined that,
257kts, the aircraft commenced a Coincident with the application of final turn the high AOB and nose when considered collectively, it
right turn. Having turned through full power, the aircraft experienced down pitch to maintain speed led was very likely that R3 was, to a
36° and at circa 450ft (137m) and a roll reversal and distinct right to an excessive rate of descent/ degree, fatigued and distracted
278kts, R3 initiated a PEFATO. He wing drop; the aircraft’s speed was flight path angle which required during the flight, and may have
transmitted to air traffic control 146.7kts. During the subsequent increased application of g resulting had reduced situational awareness.
(ATC) that he had a simulated three seconds, applications in a reduced stall margin. The The panel assessed that distraction
engine failure and was positioning of full left aileron and full aft flight profile was such that the stall may have directly influenced
for ‘low key’ (a virtual position control column were made, and was coincident with the go-around his actions in the application of
within the ATC visual circuit abeam a further wing drop experienced. rather than as a consequence of a high AOB and, at the critical
the intended landing point) to Approximately 4.7 seconds after the it; the panel could not establish if moment of the sortie, he may not
runway 31. XX204 achieved a initiation of the go-around and with R3 had any perceptible indications have recognised the associated
maximum height on the downwind 15° right AOB, an essentially level of the stall. Flight test analysis hazards. It was not possible
leg of approximately 1,400ft (427m) pitch attitude and at 151kts, the corroborated extant warnings to determine the categorical
above ground level (AGL) and a aircraft hit the ground, immediately regarding stalling related to reason why R3 flew the profile
speed of 183kts. R3 reported low prior to which the pilot had ejected; the Hawk and demonstrated he did. In the panel’s opinion,
key when downwind and parallel the engineer did not eject. that, at low speed/low energy, there was no single factor that
to a position about halfway down During the impact sequence, stall margins were minimal. underpinned his decisions/actions.
the runway and, seven seconds the aircraft caught fire and the The panel concluded that the While the training provided
later, began a gradual final right fuselage and wing separated. lack of continuation training (CT), Circus engineers with an
turn towards the runway from There was substantial structural specifically PEFATO/practice enhanced level of preparation
around 1,030ft (314m) and 183kts. damage to the forward part of forced landing currency, could for their role, with regards to a
About halfway around the final the fuselage and a severe fire result in skill fade. Nevertheless, passenger, there was insufficient
turn, just as the undercarriage around the cockpit area. The the frequency of CT and the evidence for the panel to assess
locked down, ATC prompted R3 aircraft wreckage was spread aircraft’s flight profile do not whether any training would have
for confirmation that his landing over an area approximately 164ft solely explain why the accident prepared XX204’s engineer to
gear was down, to which he (50m) wide by 656ft (200m) long. happened, as at any stage R3 independently recognise the
immediately replied: “Red 3 The panel concluded that the could have terminated the exercise need to eject during the accident
gear down”. ATC then issued accident was caused by the by initiating a go-around. R3 sequence. R3 ejected 0.5 sec
clearance for a low approach, aircraft stalling coincident with was an above average qualified before XX204 crashed following
which R3 read back; there were the initiation of the go-around flying instructor who had flown the dramatic realisation that the
no further radio transmissions and with insufficient height to PEFATOs on multiple occasions, aircraft would hit the ground. The
between the aircraft and ATC. recover. However, there were a albeit not in the immediate panel assessed that there was
At around 345ft (105m), with an series of aspects that collectively period prior to the accident. insufficient time for him to issue
increasing rate of descent (ROD) contributed to XX204’s flight profile He was suitably qualified and a complete verbal warning and
and having crossed through the and culminated in the stall. The experienced to fly the manoeuvre, for the engineer to recognise the
runway centreline, the throttle was timing of the PEFATO initiation although a series of human command and react appropriately.



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86-89 Attrition AFM Dec2019.indd 86 11/11/2019 11:20:44

Accident Reports

D: May 31, 2012
N/U: US Air Force/325th
FW/43rd FS
T: F-22A Raptor
S: 02-4037 ‘TY’
Despite an estimated $35m of
damage incurred to this jet during
a belly landing at Tyndall Air
Force Base, Florida (see Attrition,
January 2013) it was decided to
repair it, due to the limited number Maj Philip ‘Stonewall’ Johnson
of fifth-generation aircraft. After a from the 514th Flight Test
seven-year engineering and repair Squadron returns to Hill AFB,
effort at the Ogden Air Logistics Utah, on October 11, 2019,
aboard F-22A Raptor 02-4037
Complex, the aircraft undertook ‘TY’ after its first functional
its first post-rebuild functional check flight following rebuild
check flight at Hill Air Force after its accident at Tyndall AFB,
Base, Utah, on October 11, 2019. Florida, on May 31, 2012. A large
area of new skin panelling is
clearly apparent on the upper
D: Sep 26 surface of the fuselage.
N: Mexican Air Force/ USAF/Alex R Lloyd
SEDENA
T: AW109SP GrandNew
S: 1909 ‘DN-1’ D: Oct 3 tail boom and it’s likely that the and was taken to hospital for
Immediately after taking off from N: Mexican Air Force Mi-8 will be a write-off. None of treatment. The base temporarily
Base Aérea Militar No 1 Santa T: Bell 206L-3/4 LongRanger the crew members were injured. stopped F-16 operations following
Lucia for a training flight, this S: 1679 the crash, pending the results of
helicopter fell back to the ground This helicopter was written off D: Oct 7 the subsequent investigation.
from a low altitude and came in a crash in the Tamazula de N/U: US Navy/Training Air Wing 2
down heavily, resulting in extensive Gordiano municipality of Jalisco T: T-45C Goshawk D: Oct 9
damage to the undercarriage. shortly after 1500hrs local time, This aircraft experienced an N/U: USAF/Air Force Research
The crew was uninjured. during narcotics fumigation engine failure and fire, but was Laboratory
operations in the Sierra Madre recovered to a safe landing at T: XQ-58A Valkyrie
D: Sep 28 Occidental. The pilot was killed, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field S: 58-001
N/U: Slovenian Armed but the other three crew members Orange Grove, Texas. The pilot was This experimental UAV sustained
Forces/15. PVL/152. LEESK survived with unspecified injuries. unhurt, but the incident has been unspecified damage upon landing
T: PC-9M Hudournik classified as a Class A mishap. at the Yuma Proving Ground,
While landing at Portorož Airport D: Oct 3 Arizona, following its third test
during an open day event, this N/U: Polish Army Aviation/25 D: Oct 8 flight as part of the Low-Cost
aircraft was damaged when Brygada Kawalerii N/U: US Air Force/52nd Attritable Strike Unmanned Aerial
it overran the runway. No one Powietrznej/1 dywizjon Fighter Wing/480th Fighter System Demonstration programme.
was injured in the incident and lotniczy/1. eskadra Squadron The USAF said the incident was a
local media said that damage śmigłowców T: F-16CM Fighting Falcon result of the XQ-58A being struck
to the aircraft was minimal. T: Mi-8MT During a routine training mission by high surface winds, coupled
S: 6104 from Spangdahlem Air Base, with a malfunction of its provisional
D: Oct 2 While attempting to land at its base Germany, this aircraft declared an flight test recovery system. It was
N/U: US Navy/VX-20 at Leźnica Wielka/Łęczyca during a emergency and crashed shortly not revealed how long it would
T: E-6B Mercury night training flight, this helicopter after 1500hrs in a forested area take to repair the drone, but
During a touch-and-go at Naval hit the ground, rolled over onto near Zemmer, about 9 miles officials said the scheduled fourth
Air Station Patuxent River, its port side and was extensively (15km) north of Trier, Rhineland- flight of the Valkyrie would have
Maryland, the aircraft struck a damaged. The main rotors were Palatinate. The pilot ejected safely to be delayed until the conclusion
bird, which was ingested into destroyed when they severed the but still sustained minor injuries of a safety investigation.
one of the engines, resulting in
damage. The aircraft landed safely
and with no injuries to those on
board, which included a team
from Air Test and Evaluation
Squadron 20 (VX-20) conducting
a system trial. The incident has
been classified as a Class A
mishap, indicating the aircraft
sustained more than US$2m
of damage. However, within a
couple of weeks, the damaged
engine had been replaced and the USAF/Air Force Research Laboratory Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie 58-001 during its first flight on March 5 this year. It was
aircraft was returned to service. damaged on landing during its third flight on October 9. AFRL/Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins
Abbreviations: D: Date N/U: Nationality/Units T: Type S: Serials



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 87



86-89 Attrition AFM Dec2019.indd 87 11/11/2019 11:20:46

Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero

for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]


D: Oct 10
N: Air Force of the
Democratic Republic of
the Congo
N: An-72
S: EK-72903
This aircraft took off from Goma
Airport at 1532hrs local time for a
presidential logistics support flight
to Kinshasa/N’djili Airport but
failed to arrive at its destination, Honduran Air Force Cessna 210N Centurion II FAH-290 following its crash at Base Aérea Coronel Armando Escalón
where it was due to land at Espinal on October 11. Mario Theresin
1743hrs. Last contact with the Addis Ababa to Adama road and the pilot, Captain Kevin against a brick wall, with the
aircraft had been 59 minutes after in the Uke Denkaka area near Domon-Grenier, ejected safely nose, wings and tail broken off.
take-off. The wreckage was found Bishoftu city, due to an engine fire before it crashed in an open field
the following day in a forest 15 immediately after take-off from near Brooks, Fayette County, D: Oct 16
miles (25km) from Okoto village, Debre Zeyit/Harar Meda Airport. Georgia, at around 1330hrs local N: South Sudan Air Force
near Kole, Sankuru province. It was Both crew members were killed. time. Following the accident, the T: An-26B
confirmed that all eight on board RCAF temporarily halted flying S: SP-401
(four crew and four passengers) D: Oct 11 with the CT-114 fleet, stating on While landing at Yambio Airport,
had been killed. The aircraft had N/U: Honduran Air Force/1 October 15 that the pause would South Sudan, the aircraft overshot
been operating with the DRC air Grupo Táctico/Armando remain in place “as long as is the runway and came to rest,
arm since at least December 2018. Escalón Espinal needed to ensure the aircraft stuck in the bush. The Curl was
T: Cessna 210N Centurion II can be operated safely.” carrying six tons of cargo, five crew
D: Oct 10 S: FAH-290 members and 12 passengers, but
N/U: Russian Aerospace During a training flight at Base D: Oct 15 there were no injuries to those
Forces/21 SAD/32 OTSAP Aérea Coronel Armando Escalón N: Afghan Air Force on board. Despite having run
T: An-12BK Espinal, San Pedro Sula/Ramón T: Mi-17V-5 across rough ground for some
S: RF-95428/RA-11260 Villeda Morales International This helicopter was destroyed distance, the aircraft appeared
This aircraft made what appears Airport, the aircraft lost power in a crash at around 1700hrs to be undamaged and a team of
to have been an inadvertent while performing touch-and- local time in an open area engineers from the United Nations
landing with the undercarriage goes and crashed short of the at Durrah-i-Hairratan, near Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
retracted at 1119hrs local time at its runway at around 0800hrs local Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province, used a truck-mounted heavy winch
base at Koltsovo (Yekaterinburg) time. The aircraft’s undercarriage northern Afghanistan, following to pull the An-26 out of the bush
after a flight from Chelyabinsk. collapsed, a large part of the a technical failure during a and tow it back to the runway.
There were no injuries to the starboard outer wing was torn training flight. All seven crew
17 personnel (six crew and 11 off and the port wingtip was members on board were killed. D: Oct 16
passengers) and damage to the badly damaged. Neither crew N/U: Venezuelan Military
aircraft appeared to be minimal member was seriously injured. D: Oct 16 Aviation/Grupo Aéreo de
– a small fire briefly ignited, but N: German Army/MINUSMA Caza No 11 ‘Diablo’
was quickly extinguished. Despite D: Oct 13 T: Luna X-2000 T: Su-30MK2V
receiving a military serial several N/U: Royal Canadian Air S: 91+43/UNO-111P S: 0457
years ago, the aircraft also wears Force/15 Wing/431 Air This UAV was being operated in During the initial climb out from
its former civilian registration. Demonstration Squadron/ support of the United Nations Base Aérea Militar Capitán Manuel
The Snowbirds Multidimensional Integrated Ríos, El Sombrero, Guárico,
D: Oct 11 T: CT-114 Tutor Stabilization Mission in Mali the aircraft had a mechanical
N: Chinese People’s S: 114071 ‘5’ (MINUSMA) when it crashed in failure while still flying at low
Liberation Army Aviation Shortly before a display at the Mali. The precise location was altitude and abruptly veered to
T: Z-8G Atlanta Motor Speedway, the not reported, but a photograph starboard, resulting in a loss
After departing from Chongzuo aircraft had a technical problem of the wreckage showed it lying of control, following which it
city, Guangxi province, this crashed at 1614hrs local time.
helicopter crashed into a mountain Both pilots ejected at very low
in Xupu county at 1940hrs local altitude, but neither survived.
time. All 11 on board were killed. The aircraft had intended to fly
The accident was not reported to Base Aérea Militar Teniente
at the time, but was revealed Luis del Valle García, Anzoátegui,
by Chinese state media on which is Venezuela’s other
October 26. The helicopter Su-30 base, where it was to
was reportedly participating in undergo unspecified repairs by
an exercise involving a mock specialist Russian technicians.
surprise attack on Hong Kong,
with Xupu county being used D: Oct 17
to represent Hong Kong. N: UAE Air Force and Air
Defence
D: Oct 11 T: Wing Loong II
N: Ethiopian Air Force While supporting Libyan
T: Su-27UBK The wreckage of German Army/MINUSMA Luna X-2000 UAV 91+43/UNO- National Army operations, this
This aircraft crashed near the 111P following its crash in Mali on October 16. UAV crashed after being shot
Abbreviations: D: Date N/U: Nationality/Units T: Type S: Serials



88 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



86-89 Attrition AFM Dec2019.indd 88 11/11/2019 11:20:47

down by Libyan Government
of National Accord forces over
Tamina, south of Misrata air base.
Photos of the wreckage show
that it was completely burnt out.

D: Oct 18
N: Turkish Land Forces
T: S-70A-28 Black Hawk
As a result of a technical
malfunction, this helicopter made South Sudan Air Force An-26B SP-401 in the bush after running off the end of the runway while landing at
a hard landing inside Syrian Yambio Airport, South Sudan, on October 16. UNMISS
territory south of Gre Spi, near Primera Brigada Aérea/ D: Oct 24 resulting in the crash site being
Tell Abyad, while evacuating Grupo de Transporte N: Indian Army Air Corps found the following morning near
wounded soldiers. In order to T: Basler BT-67 Fantasma T: Dhruv La Victoria village in the Cerro
prevent it falling into enemy hands, S: FAS116 While en route to Srinagar Monasterio area. It was located
it was destroyed in an air strike During its take-off run for a from a XVI Corps forward area in very difficult topographical
by a Turkish Air Force F-16C. It paratrooping mission from Base of operations near the Line of conditions, making immediate
was not reported whether those Aérea de Ilopango, San Salvador, Control in Udhampur, Jammu, access impossible but, at 0605hrs
on board were rescued safely. the aircraft veered off the runway, this helicopter had a technical on October 27, favourable
across a taxiway and into a ditch, malfunction and was written off weather conditions allowed an air
D: Oct 19 causing the main undercarriage following a very heavy landing insertion of a rescue team, which
N/U: Pakistan Army Aviation to collapse. The pilot was adjacent to a river in the Bedar determined there were no survivors
Corps/303rd Aviation transferred to a military hospital area of Poonch district, Jammu among the six crew members.
Group/Army Aviation with unspecified injuries, while the and Kashmir at 1350hrs local
School six paratroopers on board were time. The two pilots and seven D: Oct 29
T: MFI-17 Mushshak treated at the crash site. The BT-67 officers on board were all N: Hamas air unit
During a routine training sustained substantial damage and injured, including Northern Army T: Unidentified UAV
sortie from the Army Aviation is now awaiting assessment to commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Israeli Air Force F-15s intercepted
School at Army Aviation Base determine if it can be repaired. and some of his staff. The injured this UAV while it was flying at an
Rahwali, the crew performed an were taken to a nearby army unusual height of 2.5 miles (4km)
emergency landing due to an D: Oct 23 medical centre for examination. over the Gaza Strip. The F-15s were
engine malfunction while flying N: Islamic Revolutionary scrambled to shoot it down and it
over Dilawar Cheema, near the Guards Corps Aerospace D: Oct 25 fell within the Gaza Strip. Hamas
River Chenab. The Mushshak Force N/U: Colombian Air Force/ militants use at least three types of
flipped over when it came T: Shahed-123 UAV Grupo de Vuelos UAV, primarily in a surveillance role.
down in a paddy field at Jamke This UAV crashed near Shushtar, Especiales 82/Escuadrón
Chatha, near Wazirabad, in the southwestern Iran, following de Transporte Especial 821 D: Oct 29
Gujranwala district of Punjab engine failure. The smashed T: Bell 412EP N/U: US Air Force/49th Wing
province. Despite coming to rest wreckage was recovered by the S: FAC 0006 T: F-16C Fighting Falcon
inverted with extensive airframe IRGC with assistance from local The air force reported this During a training sortie from
damage, the instructor and farmers and their vehicles. helicopter as missing after being Holloman Air Force Base, New
student pilot escaped unhurt. unable to contact the crew Mexico, this aircraft crashed
D: Oct 23 following a final transmission at 80 miles (129km) southeast
D: Oct 21 N: Israel Defense Forces 1416hrs local time while en route of the base at around 1916hrs
N/U: Brazilian Naval Aviation/ T: Unspecified UAV from Base Aérea Palanquero, local time. The pilot ejected
VF-1 The IDF announced that it had Puerto Salgar, to a Comando safely and was taken to a
T: AF-1B Falcão (A-4KU lost an unspecified UAV during Aéreo de Mantenimiento (Air local hospital for treatment.
Skyhawk) routine security operations, when Maintenance Command)
S: N-1013 it fell to the ground adjacent to facility at Base Aérea Madrid, Additional material from:
This aircraft was substantially Israel’s border with Lebanon, Cundinamarca, for a routine Waseem Abbas, Igor Bozinovski,
damaged after engine problems but it was said to have been overhaul. A search was initiated Dino van Doorn, Mario Flores,
forced the pilot to abort take-off on Lebanese territory. No in the area of the Albán and Scramble/Dutch Aviation
from Base Aerea Naval de São further details were given. Cundinamarca municipalities, Society and Asagiri Yohko. AFM
Pedro da Aldeia, Rio de Janeiro,
at 0700hrs local time, following
which the nosewheel collapsed
as it overran the runway onto
the grass. As the Skyhawk came
to rest, a sudden ball of flame
briefly engulfed the front of the
aircraft when fuel leaking from an
external tank ignited, but this was
quickly extinguished. The pilot
escaped without serious injury.

D: Oct 22 Salvadoran Air Force Basler BT-67 Fantasma FAS116 following its take-off accident at Base Aérea de Ilopango on
N/U: Salvadoran Air Force/ October 22. El Salvador Ministry of Defence
Abbreviations: D: Date N/U: Nationality/Units T: Type S: Serials



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 89



86-89 Attrition AFM Dec2019.indd 89 11/11/2019 11:20:49

Aircraft weapons
The long systems and the local defence industry

T
he Israeli Air Force (IAF) has a
requirement for more advanced
air-launched standoff weapon
is working hard to supply them.
arm of operational problem of attacking high-
The IAF’s demand stems from the
value targets in areas protected by a
variety of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
The need for such weapons to carry
heavy payloads of explosives is not
new, but with more than 200 air strikes
the Israeli
undertaken by the IAF in Syria last year
and yet more this year, the operational
need has reached a higher priority level.
According to foreign sources, the IAF
has performed many of these air strikes in
Syria while flying within Lebanese airspace.
Lebanon has no air defence systems
Air Force that at least some of the recent IAF air
that can threaten the IAF’s aircraft.
Meanwhile, Russian media outlets claim
strikes in Syria involved use of the new
Israeli Rampage air-to-ground missile.
The Rampage was developed jointly by
Israel Military Industries Systems (IMI) –

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). According
to the companies, the Rampage’s warhead,
While the Israeli Air Force is well equipped with ‘smart’ standoff weapon recently acquired by Elbit Systems – and
rocket motor and advanced navigation
systems, threats developing close to the country’s borders and further suite allow execution of strike missions
afield require additional, even more capable munitions. Arie Egozi against high-value, well-protected targets
examines those currently in production. with a high degree of precision.






















































90 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



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On the Rampage
The Israeli developers say that the Rampage
features optimal penetration capability for
missions targeting protected areas. Its degree
of precision reportedly prevents collateral
damage while offering a very low mission
cost compared with existing solutions. The The first official image of the Rampage


targets that best suit the capabilities of the to be released shows this test launch
new weapon include communication and from an F-16I, but the weapon is
command centres, air bases, maintenance apparently primarily intended to arm the
centres, infrastructure and valuable field targets F-35I Adir. The missile was reportedly

used for the first time to strike Iranian
protected by anti-aircraft systems. The Rampage targets in Masyaf, western Syria, on
can operate in any weather conditions, day April 13, hitting a missile factory and
and night. The total weight of the missile is weapons warehouses. All photos via
Arie Egozi unless stated
1,257lb (570kg) and it is 15.4ft (4.7m) long.
According to foreign sources, many of the have been a focus of continued IAF attacks in are in any doubt as to their origin.
IAF’s attacks on targets in Syria – and more recent months. With such targets frequently in While details of the units, aircraft and
recently in Iraq, attributed to Israel by the same very close proximity to Russian forces, these weapons that have performed each of these
sources – were made from standoff ranges. In heavy air raids need to be performed without attacks remain scarce, one fact is clear: the
Syria, a significant proportion of these raids bringing harm to a single Russian soldier. IAF is equipped with a variety of weapon
were performed when the Israeli fighter aircraft Mission impossible? It might sound like it, but systems that are intended to offer maximum
were flying over Lebanon There are two main the IAF has apparently succeeded in this aim flexibility, even under the harshest conditions,
unclassified standoff weapon systems currently so far by making use of ‘smart’ glide bombs. from poor weather to sophisticated air
capable of performing such precision strikes: While the missions have been accomplished defence systems and countermeasures.
Rampage and SPICE. In many cases in Syria, successfully, it can be assumed that tension One weapon system - or rather family of
the targets were very close to Russian forces – within the air force’s central command post weapons – that has been confirmed to be
in the country to assist the Syrian government during the attacks remained very high.
– demanding an additional degree of accuracy. In 2018 alone, Israel confirmed that the IAF
Wars often create unexpected and complex attacked more than 200 Iranian targets in
situations. A perfect example are the facilities Syria. Similar missions have continued
operated by Iran in Syria for the upgrade of in recent weeks, and while Israel
battlefield rockets on their way to join Hezbollah has not taken responsibility
insurgents in Lebanon. These workshops so far, few observers















































A head-on view of a pair of Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufas armed with SPICE 1000 weapons. The jet in the
background, Sufa 470, wears the markings of 253 ‘Negev’ Squadron based at Ramon, a unit that saw
service in the Second Lebanon War in July 2006, carrying out “hundreds of successful bombings with
various kinds of weaponry.” Yissachar Ruas


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 91



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Aircraft weapons



























Above: A view of the SPICE 1000 as provided by the manufacturer. SPICE 1000 guidance kits can
be applied to various 1,000lb warheads, including the Mk83 and RAP-1000. Right above: Earlier this
year, Rafael received the Israel Defense Prize for its SPICE 1000. The honour recognises projects and
operations that “contributed to the security of Israel and to its qualitative military edge and technological
superiority.” Rafael Right below: A close-up view of a SPICE 2000 under the wing of an F-16. The weapon
can be combined with a 2,000lb BLU-109 penetrating warhead to tackle hardened targets.
in use with the IAF’s combat squadrons towards the target zone. As the weapon Rafale, Gripen and Typhoon. The different
is the Rafael SPICE ‘smart’ bomb. approaches the target, the SPICE’s scene- SPICE bombs use a common aircraft interface
The Rafael SPICE 1000 and SPICE 2000 matching algorithm compares the electro- and sophisticated weapon software simplifies
guidance kits convert standard 1,000 and optical image received in real time via the the effort needed for aircraft integration.
2,000lb (454 and 907kg) general-purpose and weapon seeker with mission reference data SPICE has day, night and adverse-weather
penetration warheads into precision standoff stored in the weapon computer memory capabilities, based on its dual charge-
strike weapons. The SPICE 1000 kit for 1,000lb and adjusts the flight path accordingly. coupled device/imaging infrared (CCD/
warheads, such as the Mk83 and RAP-1000, During the homing phase – after successful IIR) seeker. An automatic target acquisition
has a standoff range of 62 miles (100km). completion of the scene-matching process – capability is implemented using scene-
The SPICE 2000 kit for 2,000lb warheads, the SPICE acquires the target automatically. matching technology that, according to
such as the Mk 84, RAP-2000 and BLU-109, The weapon homes in accurately and the company official, is able to cope with
has a standoff range of 37 miles (60km). autonomously to the exact target location using scenery changes and produces a circular
According to Yuval Miller, Rafael’s executive the pre-defined impact angle and azimuth. error probable (CEP) of less than 9.8ft (3m)
vice president and head of the company’s Air & SPICE is combat-proven in the IAF and is
C4ISR Systems Division, mission planning for in service with other air arms throughout the New-generation stando
the SPICE family of weapons can be performed world, including the Colombian Air Force, which The SPICE 250 is a new-generation standoff
in the air or on the ground. It makes use of data uses the SPICE 1000 to equip its upgraded precision-guided munition. According to
including target co-ordinates, impact angle and Kfir fighters. The weapon was reportedly also Yuval Miller, considerable demand for the
azimuth, imagery and topographical features used by Indian Air Force Mirage 2000s in 250lb (113kg) class weapon is keeping
to create a mission profile for each target. strikes in Kashmir earlier this year. SPICE is the Rafael production line “very busy” .
The pilot allocates a mission to each weapon described as easy to integrate and operate “We market the system as a multi-task weapon
before release. The SPICE is released outside from other single- and dual-seat fighters, that can replace different types of bombs and
the defended area and heads autonomously including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, Tornado, missiles carried by a fighter aircraft,” Miller added.
Right: Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa 887 from 107
‘Knights of the Orange Tail’ Squadron takes off
from Hatzerim with a pair of the largest SPICE 2000
weapons under the wings. As well as a full load
of three external fuel tanks, the heavily laden jet
also carries two wingtip AMRAAMs and two Rafael
Python 5/6 missiles for self defence. Yissachar Ruas



























92 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



90-93 Israeli AFM Dec2019.indd 92 11/11/2019 11:22:57

Below: From left to right, this F-16 is fitted with

Rafael Derby AAM (available for export only),
Python 5/6, SPICE 250s on a four-round launcher,
three external fuel tanks, SPICE 1000 and another
pair of Python 5/6s. It also carries a Litening
targeting pod on the engine intake.























Unsurprisingly, the first customer for the are attached to the aircraft’s pylons. Each laser-guided bombs. These require a laser
SPICE 250 is the IAF. The new version of rack can be loaded with four of the weapons. designator to illuminate the target. The SPICE
this air-to-ground weapon is intended to Meanwhile, an F-15 can carry 28 bombs of is a very good solution to fill the gap between
enable a very short ‘sensor to shooter’ time. this type. “This allows each aircraft to handle those two types of weapon systems.”
Unlike previous members of the SPICE family, multiple targets,” Miller said. He revealed The company official added that the image-
which were provided in kit form that was that the SPICE 250 can carry different types matching algorithm used by the SPICE
then attached to 1,000 and 2,000lb bombs, of explosives to handle “specific” targets. bombs has been developed in the last 20
this time the Israeli company is supplying a years and is therefore mature technology. “It
complete system. “There were no warheads SPICE for F-35 solves not only the endgame of the bomb
that we could use and therefore we developed In recent years, the IAF has integrated the SPICE but the entire flight towards the target” .
the full system, the guidance kit and the 2000 – the largest member of the family – on its Weiss added that the SPICE uses the image-
warhead or warheads,” Miller explained. F-16s. Israeli sources say the same weapon will matching algorithm “well before getting
The SPICE 250 can be loaded with 100 also be carried by the F-35I that’s currently being to the area where the target is located” .
optional targets in a given area and its delivered to the IAF. It is expected to be one of a
deployable wings allow an aircraft to carry range of Israeli-developed weapon systems that Automatic target recognition
more bombs. The weapon is guided using will eventually be carried by the stealth fighter. The SPICE family of bombs is currently
a combined GPS/inertial navigation system “The SPICE enables an air force to engage receiving further upgrades. Rafael Advanced
(INS) package. INS is used both as an inertial pixel-size targets from standoff ranges, with Defense Systems has recently successfully
measurement unit (IMU) and as a sensor a weapon designed for high immunity to tested and demonstrated a new automatic
device for the weapon’s angular position and interference and countermeasures,” said target recognition (ATR) capability for its SPICE
motion. The GPS receiver serves as a backup Miller. “With the SPICE 250 we are offering 250 air-to-surface munition. According to the
for the INS and reduces drift by including a smaller, lighter and more affordable company, this new and unique capability is
GPS inputs in any navigation calculations. weapon that also reduces collateral damage part of the weapon’s array of technologies,
However, the SPICE 250’s main sensor is the and increases mission effectiveness.” which includes automatic target acquisition
CCD/IIR dual seeker. This provides pinpoint The Rafael-developed missile rack provides all (ATA) and moving-target-detection homing
accuracy and positive target identification the weapon’s interfaces, including a dedicated modes, all of which are based on autonomous
and, according to Rafael, overcomes target communications link. This link provides the electro-optical scene-matching algorithms.
location error and GPS jamming. The company transfer of mid-course navigation corrections Gideon Weiss explained: “A specific target,
claims the weapon can achieve an extended to the weapon, as well as target updates and like a moving vehicle, can be put into the
standoff range of up to 62 miles (100km) selective targeting. In this way, the weapon special algorithm and it will look for the
using its pop-out wings. It also enables can also be used for pre-strike ‘snapshots’ matching pixels and bring the weapon
impact point update after release, using for battle damage assessment (BDA). system to hit it with absolute accuracy.” He
its communication module, and provides a The unique capabilities of Rafael’s SPICE added that the algorithm builds a three-
battle damage indication (BDI) capability, by bombs have attracted the attention of some dimensional image of the specific target.
transmitting the target image just before it is hit. major international arms companies. In Rafael claims the newly unveiled ATR feature
The Israeli company says that these May, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is a technological breakthrough, enabling
capabilities, along with airborne mission and Lockheed Martin signed a co-operation the SPICE 250 to effectively ‘learn’ the
planning, provide a comprehensive solution agreement to develop, market, manufacture and specific target characteristics ahead of the
for time-sensitive targets and moving land support the Israeli company’s bombs. According strike, using advanced AI and deep-learning
targets, as well as maritime objectives. The to Gideon Weiss, deputy general manager technologies. During flight, the pilot selects
SPICE 250 is released outside the defended of marketing and business development at the target type to be attacked and allocates
area and performs mid-course navigation Rafael’s Air & C4ISR Systems Division, the a target to each weapon. The weapons are
autonomously using its INS/GPS. As with ‘Americanisation’ of the SPICE bombs will allow launched towards the vicinity of the targets,
the other members of the series, when the Lockheed Martin to offer it to its customers. using their INS for initial navigation. On
weapon approaches the target, its scene- Weiss explained that the US Air Force is approach, the weapons use the ATR mode for
matching algorithm compares the electro- also a potential customer. “Currently the detection and recognition of the objectives.
optical image with mission reference data. Americans use high-end weapons systems Each weapon homes in on the pre-defined
To load the SPICE 250 on an F-16, specially like the AGM-158 air-launched cruise missile, target either autonomously or with a ‘human
developed Rafael Smart Quad Racks (SQR) and low-end systems like the Paveway in the loop’, aided by the ATR algorithm. AFM



www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 93



90-93 Israeli AFM Dec2019.indd 93 11/11/2019 14:33:05

n
a
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rip
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rip
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Hu
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Hungarian Gripens on BAP
Hu n g a ri a n G rip en s o n B A P
T he latest Hungarian participation in jets also cover Slovenian airspace. More involved in the BAP mission. They worked on
All the HUNAF’s QRA-certified pilots were
the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission
than 90 personnel deployed to Šiauliai,
began in April, when Magyar Légierő most of them from Kecskemét. a rotational basis, deploying in regular ‘shifts’
(Hungarian Air Force, HUNAF) Gripens Preparation for the BAP mission began last between Lithuania and Kecskemét to maintain
departed the MH 59. Szentgyörgyi Dezső year. A training course was carried out according their NATO qualifications. Maintenance
Repülőbázis (59th Szentgyörgyi Dezső Air to NATO directives and Hungarian pilots during the Baltic deployment was provided
Base) at Kecskemét in Hungary for Šiauliai air flew tactical simulator sorties at the Swedish by a team of Hungarian Air Force technicians
base in Lithuania, where they remained for four Air Force’s simulator centre (Flygvapnets and the HUNAF’s fleet of An-26 transports
months. Besides the Gripens, the 50th BAP Luftstridssimuleringscentrum, or FLSC) in and new Airbus A319s provided weekly
rotation included Spanish Air Force Hornets Stockholm. Soon after the simulator work, the logistics flights between the two air bases.
at Šiauliai and Royal Air Force Typhoons at unit flew to the Swedish weapon range at Vidsel. When it first touched down in Lithuania
Ämari air base in Estonia as augmenting forces Here, HUNAF Gripens attended their fourth on April 27, the Hungarian detachment
(see BAP’s hot summer, November, p30-34). live weapons delivery exercise – Air Superiority was transported by Hungarian A319s
Since the Baltic states joined NATO in 2004, 2018 – in June last year. This was a milestone with support from a Lithuanian C-27J.
other member nations have provided fighter for the Hungarian Gripens, which dropped live Two days later the Gripens arrived in
assets for air policing – normally for four-month air-to-ground munitions for the first a pair of two-ship formations. Alert
periods – as part of the alliance’s collective time – as well as employing AIM- duty began on May 1, in parallel
defence arrangements. Recently, increased 9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles with the British Typhoons and
Russian military activity means the airspace and the onboard gun. Air-to- Spanish Hornets. However, the
over the Baltics has become more complicated. ground weapons options for handover ceremony took place
The four HUNAF Gripens in the Baltics the Gripens include AGM-65H a day later, as the Hungarian
ft
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fi
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F F F
ft
i
maintained quick reaction alert (QRA) in and G2 Maverick missiles, detachment officially assumed
addition to their local air defence mission Mk82 iron bombs and GBU- BAP duty from the departing
back home in Hungary, from where the ft y Polish Air Force F-16 unit. ft y
12 precision-guided bombs.
over the Baltics








Fully armed JAS 39C serial 38 taxies at Šiauliai after
a rain shower. The HUNAF Gripens manning the
Baltic QRA were each armed with two AIM-120C-5
AMRAAMs and two AIM-9M Sidewinders.
All photos Lt Col István Toperczer unless stated




94 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



94-97 Gripen AFM Dec2019.indd 94 08/11/2019 16:46:09

The air policing operation itself was similar to
domestic QRA, only the operating environment
was different. As it had been during its first
deployment to the Baltics in 2015, this year
Hungary was again the lead nation on BAP.
As such it provided fully armed Gripens on
alert round the clock throughout the four-
month period. Meanwhile, the Spanish and
British forces shared their duties on a weekly
rota. When not assigned ‘hot’ weeks, these
augmenting nations undertook training
sorties using ‘cold’ jets without armament.
With the three Baltic states running roughly Above: A Hungarian Gripen gets in close for a good
north to south, the southern sector was view of Russian Navy Il-38N ‘03 Yellow’/RF-75338,
assigned to the Hungarians and Spanish, which is named ‘Fyodor Zolotukhin’. This maritime
patroller previously wore the tactical code ‘78 Yellow’
operating from Šiauliai. For unidentified and its nose shows signs of the repainting. HUNAF
aircraft approaching from the north, RAF Left: Hungarian Gripen pilots were exposed to a wide
Typhoons would be scrambled from Ämari. range of Russian military aircraft and weapons –
However, if the RAF jets were already some of which are seen displayed in one of the

briefing rooms. These printouts are annotated with
airborne on a live or practice sortie, or were distinguishing features and marked with the various
returning to land with low fuel state, NATO’s interception dates. Below: HUNAF Gripen pilots
F
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fi
ft
ft
Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) discuss their latest BAP mission. The aircrews were
located at Uedem, Germany, would scramble rotated throughout the four-month deployment to

give all QRA-certified pilots a chance to take part.
the Gripens to the northern sector.
Hungarian Gripens took
part in 50 live scrambles
during the 50th rotation of
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing
mission. Lt Col István
Toperczer joined them
as they patrolled the skies
of Estonia, Latvia and
Fifty-fi fty Lithuania this summer.













































www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 95



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Hungarian Gripens on BAP















2
































1 3
Tango scrambles completed a quick turnaround and refuelled Blackjack – with the help of the Hungarians.
The Gripen pilots flew training QRA missions the Gripens to get them back on QRA The HUNAF pilots always took photos and
(Tango scrambles) as well as ‘real-world’ status. In the event of malfunctions that videos of the intercepted aircraft, which wasn’t
alerts (Alpha scrambles). Training sorties were could not be fixed at Šiauliai, a replacement always welcomed. According to the Gripen pilots,
planned alongside the Spanish and British Gripen was flown in from Hungary and the escorts for high-value assets sometimes
detachments to ensure all aircrews were familiar the faulty jet flown home if possible. manoeuvred aggressively to prevent interception
with local and NATO flight procedures. The first Alpha scramble took place on May by the NATO jets. After landing the pilots made
The HUNAF Gripens received their 13, when Hungarian Gripens intercepted an mission reports that were sent to CRC Karmėlava.
scramble orders from CAOC Uedem via An-26 transport. The 50th and last Alpha
a permanent communication connection scramble was ordered on August 30, when Gripens on exercise
between Šiauliai and the Baltic Control and the Gripens intercepted a Su-30SM. The Hungarian Gripens deployed to Lithuania
Reporting Centre (CRC) at Karmėlava. Throughout the deployment, the Hungarian for the BAP mission also supported a range of
Regardless of whether it was an Alpha Gripens completed 488 take-offs and recorded ground troops and other forces in the region.
or Tango scramble, all sorties took place 534 flying hours, including the 50 Alpha Training exercises included joint flying sorties.
according to a strict set of rules. The pilots, scrambles, 110 Tango scrambles, and 141 other Among the most significant manoeuvres was
already kitted out with helmets, kneepads training sorties, including dogfights, close air BALTOPS – a United States Naval Forces
and immersion suits, were driven to their jets support (CAS) and flybys. During the HUNAF’s Europe exercise involving 8,600 soldiers from
in a minivan. Already alerted, the technicians 2015 deployment only 25 Alpha scrambles had 18 nations, during which the Gripens flew
opened the hangar doors and waited for been ordered. This year, intercepted aircraft air defence sorties to protect NATO naval
the aircrew to arrive. After a rapid strap-in, comprised examples of the: An-12BK, An-24, assets. Meanwhile, the HUNAF flew CAS
the engines spooled up, pilots completed An-26, Tu-134, Tu-154, Tu-214PU, Il-18RT, Il-20M, missions during Exercise Tobruq Legacy 19
their last checks and technicians performed Il-22M, Il-38N, Il-76MD, A-50U, Tu-142M, Su-24M/ at the Ustka weapon range in Poland.
a final walk-around of the aircraft and the MR, Su-27P/SM, Su-30SM, Su-35S and Su-34. During Ramstein Alloy 19-2, Gripens were
live weapons. The Gripens flew with two The intercepted aircraft were flying between again involved as NATO allies conducted air
AIM-9 Sidewinders, two AIM-120 AMRAAMs, St Petersburg and Kaliningrad either without policing tasks in the Baltic region. On June
loaded guns and one central drop tank to ‘squawking’ (transponders switched off), radio 25-26, NATO and partner nations took part in
extend combat air patrol (CAP) duration. communication or flight plans, or a combination training in standard QRA procedures for both
According to NATO rules, the basic formation of these, and interception was not always easy. rotational BAP assets and regional air forces.
for QRA is a two-ship. The leader is responsible Numerous exercises were noted over the Baltic More than a dozen fighters from Finland,
for identifying the violating aircraft, while the Sea, with Russian military aircraft controlled Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Spain,
wingman covers the leader’s rear hemisphere. by an A-50U Mainstay. Su-24s carried out Sweden and the United Kingdom worked with
Occasionally pilots had to use an emergency reconnaissance and jamming sorties and escorts air-to-air refuelling assets from Germany and
frequency to contact the intruder or otherwise were provided by Su-27, Su-30 and Su-35 aircraft. the Netherlands together with a NATO E-3A
flew in close formation and used hand signals. On one occasion the Spanish QRA pair was AWACS. Also involved were a Lithuanian
After returning to base, HUNAF technicians delayed but eventually caught its target – a Tu-160 transport and a search and rescue helicopter.



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www.Key.Aero
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94-97 Gripen AFM Dec2019.indd 96 08/11/2019 16:46:32

4
1: A technician checks a wingtip AIM-9M
Sidewinder missile prior to a training sortie. As lead
nation of the 50th BAP detachment at Šiauliai, the
HUNAF remained on 24/7 alert – known as ‘hot’
– throughout its four-month stay. 2: An unusual
occurrence for a BAP interception – a Su-24M

strike aircraft ejects infrared flares over the Baltic.
During manoeuvres under the guidance of an
A-50U airborne early warning aircraft, Su-24s
carried out reconnaissance and jamming sorties

escorted by ‘Flanker’ fight ers. HUNAF 3: Last
checks in the ‘Q shed’ for JAS 39C serial 32 prior
to departure on a scheduled Tango scramble. The
Hungarian Gripens made use of Litening III laser
designator pods for long-range air-to-air detection.
4: Seen from the cockpit of a Hungarian Gripen,
Su-27P ‘03 Red’/RF-91911 is armed with four
live short-range R-73 (AA-11 ‘Archer’) air-to-air
missiles. This ‘Flanker’ was involved in escorting
the Russian defence minister’s Tu-214PU over
the Baltic on August 13 when it was accused by
NATO of making an “unsafe” manoeuvre against a
Spanish EF-18. HUNAF 5: The HUNAF detachment
poses with a Gripen in a QRA shelter to mark the
50th BAP rotation. Augmenting nations during
this period were Spain and the UK, with EF-18M
Hornets at Šiauliai and Typhoon FGR4s at Ämari
respectively. 6: Two-seat JAS 39D serial 44 over
Lithuania. The HUNAF brought this dual-seat
Gripen with them to keep pilots proficient in

some areas of their flying and for the detachment

commander – who was not current – to get some

flying hours when available.
5
The second Ramstein Alloy exercise of the This summer, Ämari was home not only to the opportunity to demonstrate the security
year took place in reserved training airspace RAF Typhoons but a larger British battle group provided by NATO to the Baltic citizens.
over the three Baltic states and adjacent led by the Royal Navy. The navy organised the On September 3, General Jeffrey L Harrigian
international waters and was organised by Baltic Protector Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – the new commander of US Air Forces in
the CAOC in Uedem, in conjunction with the exercise involving 20 vessels and 3,000 soldiers Europe (USAFE) – presided over a handover
Baltic CRC at Karmėlava, Lithuania, and the from nine nations, during which the Gripens ceremony and commended the outgoing
Control and Reporting Point at Ämari, Estonia. flew CAS for the disembarkation forces. The Hungarian and Spanish detachments for
Conducted since 2008 as the Baltic Region Gripen’s CAS capabilities were also put to use their successful mission, while wishing luck
Training Event before being relaunched in in the Lithuanian-led Iron Wolf army exercise. to the incoming Belgian and Danish forces.
2016, Ramstein Alloy provides a two-day Furthermore, HUNAF Gripens and Spanish The 50th BAP rotation was the second
training event, three times a year, to exercise Hornets flew around a dozen NATO- time the Hungarian Air Force carried out an
and enhance relations among regional air approved ceremonial flights over different operation abroad. According to current plans,
forces and further develop interoperability military and civilian venues in the region. the HUNAF Gripens will return to the Baltics
with locally based partner air forces. These fly-bys proved popular and were an in 2022, for another four-month deployment. AFM























6


www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 97



94-97 Gripen AFM Dec2019.indd 97 08/11/2019 16:46:44

Next
Issue




Coming up likely to be after this date.
*UK scheduled on-sale
date. Please note that
overseas deliveries are
Photo: Onur Kurç and
Tayfun Ya ar
in AFM







The January 2020

issue is on sale

globally from

December 19.*












Güvercinlik air
base near the
Turkish capital,
Ankara, is home to
the heavy-lifters
of the Türk Kara
Kuvvetleri (Turkish
Land Forces). An
entirely different
class of rotorcraft to
the other light and
medium transport/
utility helicopters in
the army aviation’s
inventory, six
CH-47F Chinooks
were assigned to
a new unit – the
3’üncü Bölük (3rd
Company) of the
1’inci Helikopter
Taburu (1st
Helicopter Battalion)
– when they began
to arrive in summer Other forthcoming features include:
2016. In the next • Christmas is cancelled – flying in Greenland with
issue of AFM, Onur the 109th Airlift Wing
Kurç and Tayfun • Swedish Air Force Gripen aerial refuelling exercise
Ya ar join the • From Hip to Mail – a Ukrainian Naval Aviation update
Turkish Chinooks • Exclusive access to the Royal Jordanian Air Force
on exercise.



98 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero



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