Combat Aircraft June 2020

CHANGING TIMES FOR FUTURE US ARMY ROTARY RUSSIAN MILITARY
THE MARINE CORPS PROJECTS IN DETAIL AEROSPACE IN TURMOIL
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INSIDE
June 2020 • Vol 21 • No 6
IN THE NEWS 32 76 LIGHTNING DEMO
Rob van Disseldorp meets Capt Kristin
LIGHTNING: A NEW STORM COMING? ‘BEO’ Wolfe, the 2020 US Air Force F-35A
6 HEADLINE NEWS The F-35 Lightning II program is gathering demonstration team pilot
COVID-19 hits the military, US Air Force pace on a global scale, but will the
seeks contracted tankers and first Qatari COVID-19 pandemic force lower operating 80 ‘VIPERS’ ON PATROL
F-15QA makes its maiden flight costs for nations in financial peril? Jamie The Belgian Air Component completed
Hunter evaluates the current status of the the latest Baltic Air Policing detachment
12 NEWS world’s most costly military program in April, the latter portion of which
Our integrated news and analysis section was conducted under new regulations
includes USAF A-10 plans out to 2040, plus bought about by the coronavirus
all the latest Military Losses pandemic, as Jos Schoofs discovered
8 SPECIAL REPORT: CRISIS CARRIER 84 BACKING BRONCOS

Blue Air Training is one of an expanding
Jon Lake explains how an outbreak of
number of contractor air support
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on board the
companies in the US that are helping the
aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt led to
military with its readiness requirements.
the ship coming off patrol, the controversial
Combat Aircraft Journal meets the
sacking of its captain, and the resignation of
company during operations at Yuma,
the acting secretary of the US Navy
Arizona, as it rolled out its new OV-10
16 READY ROOM Broncos, with photos by Keith Charlot
Rick Burgess explains the detail behind the
headlines as the US Marine Corps evaluates
88 TIGERSHARK
Jon Lake looks at a fighter that record-
organizational changes
setting flying ace Brig Gen Chuck Yeager
20 THE FUTURE OF ARMY ASSAULT described as ‘magnificent’, but one that
As the US Army prepares for the mass 62 SWEDISH ROAD TRIP was controversially canceled — the F-20
recapitalization of its aviation assets, Khalem Sweden has taken a very different stance Tigershark
Chapman examines the FLRAA program, when it comes to the global coronavirus
which will provide the service’s next- pandemic and in April the Swedish Air Force
generation medium-lift helicopter participated in a road operations exercise to
demonstrate how it can maintain readiness
26 FARA FACE-OFF even in times of great stress, as Jerry Gunner SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE!
Tom Kaminski evaluates the US Army Future reveals
As part of your subscription, you can now enjoy
Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft
66 RED TAILS OVER ALABAMA even more Combat Aircraft Journal, more often,
with the launch of Key.Aero — Your Aviation
38 DRAGONS OVER THE CARIBBEAN While Vermont became the first Air National Destination. Visit www.key.aero and use your
Erwan de Cherisey meets Colombia’s A-37 Guard unit to receive the F-35, Alabama is customer ID and email address to register today
‘Dragons’, which have proven their worth on gearing up to be the second. Dick Wels and for your exclusive access.
many occasions over an incredible 40-year Hans Drost visit the 187th Fighter Wing at
history Dannelly Field that will receive Lightning
IIs in 2024 as it adds another chapter to the 94 CUTTING EDGE
44 SOUTHERN DEFENDERS proud history of the ‘Red Tail Heritage’ of the David Axe’s column looking at the latest
Giovanni Colla enjoys exclusive access to one ‘Tuskegee Airmen’ technological developments in military
of the most important strategic hubs of the aerospace
Italian Air Force — Trapani air base. Home 72 RUSSIAN AEROSPACE COLLAPSE
of the 37° Stormo and of the 18° Gruppo Piotr Butowski explains how the Russian 96 FLASHBACK
equipped with Eurofighter F-2000s, this aviation industry had fallen into crisis, even Combat Aircraft Journal’s trip down
base is playing a key role in safeguarding the before the coronavirus hit, with production memory lane, this month it’s a Canadian
Mediterranean rates declining significantly over recent years CF-5 Freedom Fighter
52 HYPER ‘HIND’ — PART 2

The 1970s-vintage ‘Hind’ is one of the most ON THE COVER | PAGE 8
widely used rotary-wing gunships of all time.
Alexander Mladenov presents the second part
of his analysis of this rugged and fearsome
Your Aviation Destination
attack helicopter’s ultimate configuration —
the Mi-35M The US Navy aircraft carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt
60 END OF THE ROAD FOR THE RECCE has been in the news due to See
‘RHINOS’ an outbreak of coronavirus page 95
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force marked the aboard the ship, and the
end of the road for its RF-4 Phantom IIs in controversial dismissal of its for full SUBSCR
March, a landmark in the gradual retirement EXCLUSIBER
of the mighty ‘Rhino’ in air forces around the
captain. US Navy/ details IVE
PO3C Brandon Richardson
world as Thomas Newdick reports
3 Contents C.indd 3 24/04/2020 12:29

COMBAT EDGE // FIND US ON
THE ULTIMATE WEAPON

A
S COVID-19 SWEEPS across prove to be more damaging than many path, but it’s also just the first step in a
the planet, bringing whole weapons ever devised. journey that will continue at Eielson AFB
countries to a standstill, it is In a clear indication of how the military for decades to come.’ With a total of 54
proving a worthy adversary machine can and must continue, the F-35As scheduled to arrive in Alaska by
to some of the world’s 354th Fighter Wing (FW) at Eielson AFB, December 2021, it’s a process that cannot
strongest military powers — near Fairbanks in Alaska, received its afford to show any signs of weakness.
arguably proving to be more debilitating first two F-35A Lightning IIs on April ‘We have a new mission,’ said Bishop.
than the most powerful weapons. While 21. It was a clear demonstration of how ‘It’s here and we’re going to grow that
the military is forced to embrace new production of the fighter is continuing mission as we continue to invest in our The first two
working practices, learning to function at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant in people, families and community. We F-35As for the
354th Fighter
with social distancing measures in Texas, plus the effort to physically ferry won’t look back as we pioneer the air Wing at Eielson
place — not just at squadrons but also in pilots to Texas in order to deliver the power frontier.’ AFB, Alaska,
maintenance facilities and administrative aircraft. Col Benjamin Bishop, the 354th Keep on top of all the latest breaking arrived at the air
base on April 21.
spaces — life for the military must FW commander, said: ‘Making the first military news and access all of our digital USAF/SSgt Zade
continue. If it cannot, then COVID-19 will aircraft arrival possible has been a long content at www.Key.Aero Vadnais
04 June 2020 // www.Key.Aero
4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 4 24/04/2020 12:27

We are able to report that, at time of
going to press, production and despatch
of our magazine is currently not affected
by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
We will continue to update you as best
we can should this change. Some postal
services may be delayed. You can keep
in touch with our latest updates and see
what we are doing to keep distribution
as normal as possible by visiting:
www.keypublishing.com/FAQs CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH
TOM KAMINSKI
T
OM KAMINSKI IS presents a thorough roundup
Combat Aircraft Journal’s of news from around the world,
news editor and has plus expert analysis of the
been a valuable member major stories, including this
Jamie Hunter, of the magazine’s team since issue’s full details of the Future
Editor the first issue was published Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft
E-mail: [email protected] in 1997. Every month Tom (FARA).
www.Key.Aero // June 2020 05
4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 5 24/04/2020 12:28

[NEWS] HEADLINES
COPING WITH CORONAVIRUS

COVID-19 IMPACTS MILITARY OPERATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE
T
HE GLOBAL April 15 interview that the spread of Periods of quarantine and social
CORONAVIRUS pandemic COVID-19 forced a reset across the air distancing are allowing operations
may not have impacted force, beginning with a report from to continue as new work patterns
military aviation as severely all major commands on what tasks and procedures are adopted.
as it has commercial are mission essential and others that Meanwhile, what are considered
operations, but different can be curtailed. Goldfein said: ‘The to be ‘non-essential’ missions have
parts of the military have seen first thing we did was we identified been reduced, with Air Education
changes in various ways. Although the key missions that we know we will and Training Command being hit
the US military has sought to maintain get no relief on, nor should we expect particularly hard.
high operational tempos in critical relief when it comes to defending From equipment manufacturing
areas such as deployed combat the homeland and doing those to depot-level maintenance, and
theaters, training at home has been other critical missions.’ He cites those training, the virus’s impact will
hit, with overall readiness expected missions as nuclear deterrence, and place a strain on overall mission
to suffer. Elsewhere, the US Navy has ongoing combat operations, including capability, with readiness rates being
been the subject of great scrutiny sustained intelligence, surveillance, an inevitable victim. In turn, despite
following the dramatic events aboard and reconnaissance. a drawdown in training capacity,
the USS Theodore Roosevelt (see also Air transport is an area that has it is perhaps inevitable that the
the special report that follows this received significant focus as the downturn in commercial aviation
section). outbreak developed, with essential will lead to pilots in particular being
US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David resupply flights for equipment and more likely to become available for
Goldfein told Air Force Magazine in an to move patients in need of care. continued military service.
USAF SEEKS CONTRACTED

TANKER SUPPORT
US AIR FORCE Air Mobility hours annually, and 1,100 sorties. operational capability is expected services, conducted over a period of
Command (AMC) is moving However, the contract could to be achieved within 12 months of three years. Before the service can
forward with a plan that would include 21,000 hours for training contract award. The private refueler move forward with the contract it
contract privately operated tankers and exercises, 2,100 hours for test would be certified to refuel the fleet requires the approval of the Federal
to meet its requirements while and evaluation, 2,190 hours for of aircraft operated by the joint Aviation Administration.
still planning to cut 29 KC-135s foreign military sales support and
and KC-10s from the fleet. The 900 hours that would support
command is hoping to issue a the movement of fighter aircraft
contract solicitation in June. The between locations for so-called
contracted tankers would deliver ‘Coronet’ missions.
25,000 tanker hours to support AMC’s requirements for potential
test and training missions. AMC contractors include the ability
claims that contracted refueling to provide at least one aircraft
is more cost-effective, provides capable of both boom and hose-
greater flexibility, and preserves and-drogue
operational capability, permitting refueling and
operational USAF tankers to supporting
focus on warfighting needs. around three Air Mobility
AMC discussed its plans with 14 sorties daily. The Command
is looking at
potential contractors during an support would initially be
contracted
industry day held at Scott AFB, provided for Air Force Materiel solutions as well
Illinois, in December 2019. Command efforts at Edwards AFB as the retirement
The command’s initial in California, Nellis AFB, Nevada, of 29 KC-135Rs
and KC-10As.
requirement calls for 5,000 flying and Tyndall AFB in Florida. Initial USAF/TSgt
Matthew Plew
6-7 Headlines C.indd 6 24/04/2020 12:25

HEADLINES [NEWS]
Aircrew members on a Boeing conducted the

C-130H3 Hercules pose for a first flight of Qatar’s initial
photo wearing masks on April F-15QA at its facility in St
5, 2020. USAF Louis, Missouri, on April 13.
Boeing/Eric Shindelbower
FIRST QATARI EAGLE FLIES

BOEING CONDUCTED THE Like the earlier F-15SA developed
maiden flight of the first of 36 for Saudi Arabia, the F-15QA
F-15QA multi-role fighters for features a fly-by-wire control
the Qatar Emiri Air Force at its St system, a new lightweight wing
Louis, Missouri, facility on April design and two additional wing
13. During the 90-minute flight stations, when compared with
that began with a vertical climb, the earlier F-15E. Additionally, it
Boeing’s test pilot conducted is equipped with digital cockpit,
GERMANY SETS OUT PLAN TO a series of trials including
maneuvers up to 9G. The
modernized sensors, and
electronic warfare capabilities.
PROCURE MIX OF EUROFIGHTERS, F-15QA’s advanced airframe and Qatar received approval to buy
SUPER HORNETS AND GROWLERS

avionics will serve as the baseline as many as 72 F-15QAs in 2016.
for the USAF’s new F-15EX. Qatar Boeing will also train F-15QA
ordered the fighters from Boeing aircrew and maintenance
GERMANY WANTS TO acquire 93 is the only Luftwaffe aircraft that when it awarded a $6.2-billion personnel under the terms
new-build Eurofighter Typhoons is certified to carry the munition contract in 2017 and deliveries of a separate Foreign Military
which will partly replace the and purchasing F/A-18E/Fs would are scheduled to begin in 2021. Sale contract.
Luftwaffe’s Tornado IDS/ECR enable Germany to continue to
fleet and its original Tranche 1 carry out its NATO nuclear-sharing
RAYTHEON SECURES
Eurofighter aircraft. Along with duties, although the Super Hornet
the additional Typhoons, the is not currently cleared to carry
Bundeswehr wants 30 F/A-18E/Fs the weapons,
and 15 EA-18Gs from Boeing.
Plans to acquire Super Hornets
and Growlers has sparked
Procurement of the EA-18G
Growler electronic warfare (EW)
platform will enable the air
LONG-RANGE STAND-OFF
RAYTHEON HAS BEEN selected by said: ‘Our competitive TMRR phase,
controversy and criticism in arm to replace its Tornado ECRs the US Air Force as the sole supplier which included both Lockheed
Germany, with the country’s Social in an electronic combat and for its top secret Long-Range Stand- Martin and Raytheon as the prime
Democratic Party (SDP) remaining suppression/destruction of enemy Off (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile, it contractors, enabled us to select
opposed to the procurement of air defense (SEAD/DEAD) role. was announced on April 17. a high-confidence design at this
the US aircraft. The plans to acquire the EA-18G Raytheon has beaten off point in the acquisition process.’
German Defence Minister over a Typhoon solution will competition from Lockheed Martin The USAF awarded $900-million
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told not be looked upon favourably to be the sole source contractor 54-month TMRR contracts to
German newspaper Sueddeutsche by Airbus, but the former type following the technology, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in
Zeitung that the acquisition is considered to be a lower-risk maturation, and risk reduction August 2017. However, progress to
is necessary for ‘bridging solution. The Growler is combat (TMRR) phase. The new weapon is date has allowed an early decision
technology’ and that ‘currently proven and in full-rate production, designed to replace the AGM-86B to be made.
only US manufacturers are offering’ whereas a proposed Typhoon Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM)
platforms that have the capability ECR would require further from 2030 for the B-52 and B-21 ALSO THIS MONTH...
to be adapted to carry B61-12 development and testing before bombers. Maj Gen Shaun Morris is
freefall nuclear gravity bombs. In it can enter operational service. commander of the Nuclear Weapons Draken International Mirage F1s
Center and program executive Operations commence
current operations, the Tornado Khalem Chapman
at Nellis AFB.
officer for strategic systems. He
6-7 Headlines C.indd 7 24/04/2020 12:25

T
SPECIAL REPORT // US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
HE US NAVY aircraft carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) departed San
Diego, California, on
January 17 for a scheduled
Indo-Pacific deployment
with Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11)
embarked. After paying a scheduled five-day
CRISIS
port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, from March This image: The
aircraft carrier
5, a number of sailors from the ship began USS Theodore
showing symptoms of COVID-19. Roosevelt (CVN
The visit was intended to serve as 71) transits the
Pacific Ocean
a show of US strength, influence and on January 25
CARRIER
determination in the region, and also at the start of
marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic its scheduled
deployment to
relations between Vietnam and the US. the Indo-Pacific.
Last minute risk assessments showed US Navy/MCSS
that Vietnam had suffered fewer than Alexander
Williams
two dozen confirmed coronavirus cases
and these had been in the north of Right: CAPT Brett
the country, around Hanoi, so the visit Crozier, left,
commanding
went ahead.
An outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on board the officer of the
Members of the Roosevelt’s crew aircraft carrier
aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt led to the ship coming undertook community service projects USS Theodore
Roosevelt,
off patrol, the controversial sacking of its captain and the and mingled with Vietnamese civilians receives a
in the coastal city. One group of sailors national ensign
resignation of the acting secretary of the US Navy. stayed at the same hotel as two tourists from PS1C Susan
Figueroa.
who were later confirmed to have US Navy/MCSS
REPORT Jon Lake the virus. Dylan Lavin
8-11 News Special C.indd 8 24/04/2020 12:22

With the carrier back at sea, sailors on the crew, eliminating access to the
began to exhibit symptoms. Three positive internet and phone services, but some
cases were flown off the ship and sailors sailors apparently did manage to send
that they had been in contact with were messages to family members.
quarantined, while a stricter cleaning Crozier wrote to the crew’s families
regimen was instituted. A team from the on March 24, telling them about the
Biological Defense Research Directorate outbreak, reassuring them that their
at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, loved ones were being looked after, and
was flown out to the carrier, and further cautioning them not to talk to the press,
planned port visits were canceled. or publicly about the situation on the ship.
The ship’s skipper, CAPT Brett Crozier, ‘Operational security regarding both ship
imposed a communication lockdown movements and our medical readiness is
COVID-19 HITS
CARRIER DEPLOYMENTS
The US Navy ordered the aircraft carrier 6th Fleets before returning to the western
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Atlantic and rejoining the 2nd Fleet.
Strike Group (CSG) to remain at sea in the The strike group will likely remain at sea
western Atlantic rather than returning to until the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) CSG is ready
port as planned. The move was made in to deploy. The navy recently quarantined
April to protect the ship’s crews from the the crews of the Nimitz CSG pier side
risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of its upcoming deployment. The
and maintain Carrier Strike Group 8’s move was made to ensure that the ships
warfighting capability. It would ensure assigned to CSG-11 would be ready for an
that the strike group force was ready for upcoming Pacific deployment. The Nimitz
tasking during the sustainment phase was expected to begin pre-deployment
of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan training in late-April. Personnel assigned
(OFRP). The CSG deployed from Norfolk to the CSG’s CVW-17 were undergoing a
in November 2019 and conducted similar quarantine at home stations.
operations in support of the US 5th and Tom Kaminski

SPECIAL REPORT // US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
sensitive information and should not be
made public,’ Crozier wrote.
Virus in a confined area

The virus spread like wildfire in the tight
confines of the ship, where sailors mess
together and sleep in triple layered bunks
and where meaningful ‘social distancing’
is impossible. CAPT Crozier’s onboard
medical team warned that if they could
not get the virus under control quickly,
dozens of sailors would die, but accepted
that ‘none of the berthing aboard a
warship is appropriate for quarantine or
isolation’, and that it would be impossible
to put adequate social distance among
people to stop the spread of the virus.
The Roosevelt arrived at Naval Base
Guam at Apra Harbor on March 27. The
naval base forms part of a combined
joint facility with Andersen Air Force
Base, together constituting Joint
Region Marianas. The navy struggled
to get sailors off the ship and into
off-ship berthing quickly, and said that
securing rooms in Guam was posing
a logistical challenge, because most
hotel employees had been laid off in the
face of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the
coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship
continued to spread.
Crozier apparently became frustrated
with this slow progress, which he felt was
unnecessarily endangering his crew, and
on March 30 he sent an email to RADM
Stuart Baker, his immediate commanding
officer; ADM John Aquilino, the top
commander of the US Pacific Fleet;
and VADM DeWolfe Miller, the officer
overseeing all naval air forces in the
Pacific, pleading for more help. Crozier
copied the message to seven other navy
CAPT CROZIER to embarrass the navy. They use it to

embarrass you.’
officers, all of captain rank.
In his email, Crozier accepted his own
— MAVERICK
Quite apart from the fact that Crozier’s
email found its way into the media, responsibility for ‘not demanding more
OR HERO?
some were more concerned that this decisive action the moment we pulled
had revealed sensitive information in, but at this point my only priority is the
about the readiness of a major US Navy continued well-being of the crew and
The case against CAPT Brett Crozier is ship — news that could have been of
that he displayed poor judgment in embarked staff’.
aid and comfort to the nation’s enemies.
writing an email that he should have However, in the modern information He added: ‘We are not at war, and
known would be leaked to the press age the movements of America’s aircraft therefore cannot allow a single sailor
— and in the current era, many see the carriers are carefully monitored by all to perish as a result of this pandemic
media as an enemy. sorts of agencies. unnecessarily.’ He proposed that 90 per
Former acting secretary of the navy Others have been much more Above: The
Thomas Modly summed up his feelings cent of the Roosevelt’s sailors should be
sympathetic to Crozier, who had an USS Roosevelt
on the matter by saying: ‘There is no exemplary service record and is well receives fuel moved off the ship as soon as possible,
situation where you go to the media. respected by his peers. Many said he from the fleet quarantining and testing them while the
Because the media has an agenda. And was only guilty of doing his utmost to replenishment ship was professionally deep cleaned,
the agenda that they have depends look after his crew — the first duty and oiler USNS
Tippecanoe and added: ‘I believe if there is ever a time
on which side of the political aisle they responsibility of a commanding officer.
sit. And I’m sorry that’s the way the during a to ask for help it is now, regardless of the
They said Crozier demonstrated great
replenishment- impact on my career.’
country is now, but it’s the truth. And leadership, in the finest traditions of at-sea on March
so they use it to divide us. They use it the US Navy. 17. US Navy/MCSS Crozier reportedly refused to allow any
Dylan Lavin other officer to sign the letter, knowing

that the complaint could jeopardize
careers. However, it did get results.
After Crozier’s leaked email became
public, the Department of the Navy
announced that 2,700 sailors would
be offload within days, and 1,000 had
disembarked within a day.
The repercussions
Thomas Modly, the acting secretary of
the navy, decided that Crozier would be
relieved of command because of what he
considered to be a panicked response.
But when Crozier left the ship, the crew
made their unhappiness felt, sending
their skipper on his way with sustained
applause and cheering. Crozier was
himself subsequently diagnosed with
coronavirus. had ‘compromised critical information Modly apologized and then resigned a
Infuriated by the show of support about your status intentionally to draw day later.
for Crozier, Modly flew to Guam and greater attention to your situation’. This, More than 655 sailors from the Roosevelt
addressed the crew over a loudspeaker, Modly said, was ‘very, very wrong’ and tested positive (of 4,574 examined), and
criticizing them for daring to ‘cheer the was ‘a betrayal of trust with me, with his one (CPO Charles Robert Thacker Jr, aged
man off the ship who exposed you to chain of command’. 41) died on April 13 of the disease. He
Right: Thomas
that [COVID-19]’, and condemning Crozier Modly receives a Modly also said that the Roosevelt’s was the first fatality in the active-duty US
personally. By writing the email, Modly briefing aboard crew should ‘stand strong as warriors, military during the pandemic.
said, the captain had shown himself to the USS Gerald not weak like victims’. Unsurprisingly, he One third of the crew of the French
R. Ford (CVN 78).
be either ‘too naive or too stupid to be a US Navy/MCS1C was jeered. aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle tested
commanding officer of a ship like this’, or Jonathan Pankau Former Vice-President and Democratic positive for the virus, forcing it to abandon
otherwise to have deliberately intended presidential nominee Joe Biden showed training and return to port. An updated
Below: The
the memo to be leaked to the media, USS Theodore himself to be more in touch with the report on April 20 stated that currently
which he said was ‘a serious violation of Roosevelt public mood, calling Crozier’s dismissal 94 per cent of USS Theodore Roosevelt
the Uniform Code of Military Justice’. alongside in ‘close to criminal’ and suggesting that he crewmembers had been tested for
Naval Base Guam.
Modly accused CAPT Crozier of having US Navy/CMCS should have been commended for saying COVID-19, with 678 positive and 3,904
lost sight of the mission and said that he Matthew R. White ‘what had to be said’. negative results.
‘CAPT Crozier’s onboard

medical team warned that
if they could not get the virus
under control quickly, dozens of
sailors would die’

[NEWS]
The USAF looks set to
retain the A-10C out to KING STALLION CONDUCTS REFUELING TEST
the 2040s. USAF/ AIR TEST AND Evaluation air. The King Stallion crew
A1C Kaitlyn J. Ergish squadrons HX-21 and VX-20 conducted multiple contacts with
conducted the first air refueling the KC-130J’s refueling drogue
between the CH-53K King Stallion at increasing closure rates. The
helicopter and a KC-130J tanker CH-53K continues to execute
during a 4.5-hour test mission developmental testing as it moves
on April 6. The wake survey test towards initial operational test and
assessed the performance of the evaluation (IOT&E) planned for
aircraft when operating behind 2021, and first fleet deployment
the Hercules in strong, turbulent in 2023-24.
‘WARTHOG’ IS
SAFE FOR NOW Lockheed Martin/
Dane Wiedmann
FUTURE A-10C PLANS DETAILED
T
HE USAF’S DEPUTY CAS missions will be assigned to the USAF TO LEASE JET TRAINERS
THE USAF IS planning to lease the aircraft should have similar
chief of staff for plans and F-35A ‘and other aircraft’, according
programs has confirmed to Lt Gen David Nahom. The A-10C up to eight jet trainers that will capabilities to the T-7A. However,
that the service intends to fleet will include three active-duty, support the development of a it is seeking an aircraft that already
retain the A-10C into the three Air National Guard, and one Air new fighter training program, to fields, or can be fitted with, an
2040s, despite the recent Force Reserve Command squadron, be put in place when Boeing’s airborne radar and a synthetic
announcement that it would retire 44 which will be sufficient for operations, new T-7A Red Hawk trainer enters training system within one year.
aircraft in 2021 and 63 over a two-year test, and training. The service plans service. Air Combat Command The RFX will provide a total
period. The service’s long-term plans to reinvest the funds saved through (ACC) plans to use the aircraft in ‘turn-key’ flying solution at Joint
include seven squadrons of A-10Cs retirement in upgrades for the support of its Reforge Concept Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia,
that will support the close air support remaining Thunderbolt IIs. In addition of Operations (CONOP) proof for a period of five years and
(CAS) mission in permissive or lightly to structural modifications, the savings of concept (RFX) program. The will provide approximately
contested airspace. Because the would provide for avionics upgrades service had initially planned to 3,000 sorties/4,500 flight hours
aircraft is ‘not equipped to survive that would integrate the aircraft into issue a sole-source contract to annually. The jets will be used as
in highly defended airspace’ those the ‘digital battlefield of the future’. Hillwood Aviation, to provide surrogates for the T-7A allowing
Korea Aerospace Industries/ the service to develop a new
Lockheed Martin T-50A trainers. lead-in fighter training program.
PEGASUS SOLUTION SOUGHT

THE USAF AND Boeing reached a pair million that had been withheld for
However, in late March, it reversed
its plan, which will permit Mission
The service intends to use a T-7A
variant — referred to as F/T-7X,
System Solutions (MSS) to offer the in a revamped 12-month focused
of agreements on April 2 that will result previous non-compliance in 33 KC-46A
Leonardo M-346 and opens the fighter training program, which
in a final Remote Vision System design deliveries. The cash injection will
door to other potential bidders. provides future fighter pilots with
for the KC-46. Under the Memorandum help enable the contractor to begin
MSS had previously objected to relevant tactical skills prior to their
of Agreement, Boeing will redesign and the work and will partially offset the
the USAF’s planned sole-source type conversion with a Formal
retrofit the system, known as RVS 2.0, at financial impacts of the COVID-19
approach to RFX. The M-346 was Training Unit (FTU). In addition to
no additional cost to the government, pandemic that forced it to shut down a
initially ruled out by ACC’s initial validating the CONOP, the proof
and initial fielding will begin in 2023. significant part of its business.
RFX request for information, which of concept will assist ACC with
RVS 2.0 will integrate new remote Separately, Boeing is developing
specified an advanced jet trainer defining capabilities of the F/T-7X.
vision system technologies that a redesigned ‘RVS 1.5’ that will
with supersonic speed. Ultimately, the service hopes to
were not previously available. It will incorporate incremental software
The service’s reversal followed utilize the Red Hawk to complete
incorporate new color cameras with and hardware upgrades to improve
industry responses to the Reforge more training for fighter pilots
proper viewing geometry, operator the current system. Flight-testing
proof-of-concept notice of intent, earlier and reduce the workload
stations with larger screens, a laser of the interim changes begins this
and the determining that ‘a of its operational squadrons.
ranger for measuring distance to the summer and fielding will begin in
competitive acquisition is in the The first T-7A is expected to
receiver aircraft, and boom assistance late 2021. Although the system’s
best interest of the government’. arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-
augmented reality. The agreements cameras and sensors are designed
Although the service relaxed the Randolph in 2023 and will achieve
address deficiencies that hindered by Collins Aerospace, Boeing is the
speed requirement, its latest draft initial operational capability
safe and effective refueling operations, system integrator and is responsible for
for the concept specifies that (IOC) in 2024.
but also provide Boeing with $882 software development.
12-14 News C.indd 12 24/04/2020 13:44

[NEWS]
The Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing
received its first HC-130J when the aircraft arrived at ARMED OVERWATCH FLIGHT
DEMONSTRATION PLANNED
Patrick AFB, Florida, on April 6. USAF
US SPECIAL OPERATIONS Command candidates. After evaluating technical

(SOCOM) is making plans to conduct approaches and aircraft prototype
flight demonstrations of as many as readiness in Phase 2, SOCOM will
four candidate aircraft for its Armed award up to four contracts worth
Overwatch requirement beginning up to $4 million for the prototype
in November. The Armed Overwatch demonstrations. Phase 3 will begin
contract could include up to 75 in November and conclude in April
light attack aircraft over a five-to- 2021, when a contract could be
seven-year period. The command awarded. The light attack aircraft
RESERVES WELCOME
recently started Phase 1 of its will be capable of operating from
Armed Overwatch acquisition under austere locations and will be flown
the Other Transaction Authority by the Air Force Special Operations
COMBAT KING II
process, which will initially select five Command (AFSOC).
THE AIR FORCE Reserve addition to providing in-flight
IN BRIEF
Command’s 920th Rescue refueling that extends the range operating capability (IOC) with No
Wing received its first HC-130J of the wing’s HH-60G combat 120 Squadron on April 1. The air
when serial 17-5892 touched rescue helicopters, the long- force’s initial pair of P-8A variants
down at Patrick AFB, Florida, range aircraft perform airdrops arrived at the fleet’s temporary
Bulgarian ‘Viper’ contract
on April 2. The new combat of pararescue personnel and operating location at the British
The US government has awarded
search and rescue (CSAR) equipment and are used for Army’s Kinloss Barracks in Moray,
Lockheed Martin a $512-million
aircraft is assigned to the 920th humanitarian aid and disaster Scotland, on February 4 and March
contract for eight F-16C Block 70
Operations Group’s 39th Rescue response missions. The HC-130J 13. Delivery of the remaining
fighters for Bulgaria. The Foreign
Squadron. The USAF received features an integrated defensive seven aircraft from the order will
Military Sales package, which
its first Combat King II in 2012 suite that includes a radio- commence later this year when
was approved by the Bulgarian
and the reserve unit is the last frequency jammer, digital facilities at nearby RAF Lossiemouth
government in July 2019, includes
to transition from the older radar warning receiver, and are completed.
six single-seat and a pair of two-
HC-130N/P to the HC-130J. In countermeasures.
seat fighters that will replace the air
force’s current fleet of MiG-29s. The Nigerian A-29 training for Moody
US MARINE CORPS
fighters will be delivered by the end Nigerian Air Force pilots and
of January 2027. maintenance personnel will receive
training at Moody AFB, Georgia,
PLANS TO DOWNSIZE
Dutch CH-47F delivered where they will learn to fly and
Boeing recently delivered the first maintain the A-29B Super Tucano
of 14 new CH-47Fs to the Royal light attack aircraft. Instruction will
THE US MARINE Corps Combat deactivate Marine Medium Tiltrotor Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). be carried out by the 81st Fighter
Development Command (MCCDC) Squadron VMM-264, at MCAS New The Dutch helicopters are being Squadron, which has previously
has revealed plans to reduce River, North Carolina; Marine Heavy delivered in the same configuration trained pilots for Afghanistan and
the service’s size, reorganize Helicopter Squadron HMH-462 as the US Army’s latest Chinooks Lebanon to fly the aircraft. The
its structure, and divest certain at MCAS Miramar, California; and and feature digital automatic program will initially train a cadre
assets over the next 10 years. The Marine Light Attack Helicopter flight controls, a fully integrated of Nigerian pilots and maintenance
‘Force Design 2030’ plan, which Squadron HMLA-469 at MCAS Camp Common Avionics Architecture personnel who will become
was released on March 23, is the Pendleton, California. HMLA-367 will System (CAAS) glass cockpit, instructors. Under current plans, the
result of force-design activities be relocated from MCAS Kaneohe and advanced cargo handling aircraft will begin arriving at Moody
that were conducted in summer Bay, Hawaii, to Camp Pendleton. capabilities. Deliveries to the RNLAF this summer and the unit will
2019 and are intended to align Additionally, the service will are expected to continue into become fully operational during
the US Marine Corps with the standardize the number of Primary 2021. The Netherlands currently the winter of 2021. The Nigerian
demands of the National Defense Aircraft Authorized (PAA) F-35s for operates a fleet of 11 CH-47Ds and Air Force ordered 12 A-29Bs in
Strategy. According to the corps, its squadrons. As a result, squadrons six early-production CH-47Fs that November 2018 when the Sierra
‘the force-design activities focused that currently have a PAA of 16 are being upgraded to the latest Nevada Corporation (SNC) received
on adapting capabilities to aircraft will be reduced to 10. Under configuration. Delivery of those a $329-million contract from the
properly shape the marine corps’ its current aviation plan, the marine aircraft will begin in 2021. The USAF. The first A-29B for Nigeria
contributions to naval warfare and corps will acquire 420 Lightning earlier CH-47Ds will be retired as conducted its initial test flight from
the joint force’. IIs comprising 353 F-35Bs and 67 the CH-47Fs are delivered. Embraer’s production facility at
The moves will cut 12,000 F-35Cs by 2031. The move would Jacksonville International Airport,
personnel and reduce the size likely reduce the program of record RAF Poseidon achieves IOC Florida, on April 17. Mission
of the service’s aviation fleet. In by around 60 aircraft. The service’s The RAF’s recently delivered modifications and final testing will
addition to reorganizing its ground plan to acquire 200 CH-53Ks will also Poseidon MRA1 multi-mission be conducted at SNC’s facility in
combat units, the USMC plans to probably be similarly reduced. maritime aircraft achieved initial Centennial, Colorado.
12-14 News C.indd 13 24/04/2020 13:44

[NEWS]
RECENT LOSSES
A US Navy MH-60S
leads an USAF RQ-4B
and US Navy MQ-4C
that are followed by five
B-52Hs operated by the
5th Bomb Wing’s 69th • Both crew members aboard a mission and went down while it
Expeditionary Bomb
Squadron and six KC- Kazakhstan Air Defense Force was on approach to land at Mopti
135Rs assigned to the MiG-31BS ejected before the fighter Ambodédjo International Airport.
506th Expeditionary crashed in a field south of Karaganda • A Chinese People’s Liberation Army
Air Refueling Squadron Z-8KH helicopter crashed in Hong
Sary-Arka International Airport on
during an ‘elephant
walk’ at Andersen AFB, April 16. The aircraft reportedly Kong on March 30. The helicopter
Guam, on April 13, 2020. suffered an engine fire shortly damaged an electricity transmission
USAF/SSgt Divine Cox after take-off. tower when it went down in a rugged
• Two soldiers were killed and five area of the Tai Lam Country Park. Four
were injured when a French Army crew were reportedly killed.
AS532UL helicopter crashed during • The pilot of a Russian Aerospace
a training exercise on April 15. The Forces L-39 was killed when the
mishap involved a Cougar from the Albatros crashed near the village of
5th Combat Helicopter Regiment that Dmitrievskaya in Krasnodar Territory
went down in a field near Bouihl- during a training flight on March 25.
Devant, in the Hautes-Pyrénées The pilot, a student at the Krasnodar
department of southwestern France. Military Aviation School, was killed.
• The pilot of Egyptian Air Force • A UH-60M operated by the Mexican
F-16C serial 9719 (USAF serial 96- Navy crashed while attempting to
0094) was killed when the fighter land in poor visibility on March 21.
crashed on a ‘training area’ near Rafah, The Black Hawk was supporting law
North Sinai, on April 14. enforcement operations when it
• Two Pakistan Army Air Corps pilots came down in a soccer field. A state
were killed when MFI-17 serial 83- police officer was killed and several
CONTINUOUS BOMBER PRESENCE ENDS 5120 (c/n 15-120) crashed in Gujrat,

Pakistan, on April 13.
personnel were injured in the mishap,
which occurred in Tepecuitlapa, in the
THE USAF ANNOUNCED on April 16 The final departure, which
• An A-10C from the USAF 23rd southeastern state of Veracruz.
that Air Force Global Strike Command occurred on April 16, followed the
Wing’s 75th Fighter Squadron was • Zlin 242L serial FAB-518 (c/n 0827)
(AFGSC) has ended the Continuous USAF’s decision to cease basing
damaged in a wheels-up emergency operated by the Bolivian Air Force’s
Bomber Presence (CBP) mission. The strategic bombers outside the
landing at Moody AFB, Georgia, on Air Training Group 21 crashed under
service had maintained a constant continental US and a new initiative
April 7. The pilot of serial 81-0995 unknown circumstances during a
bomber presence in the Pacific region that will see the transition to a
reportedly carried out the intentional training flight on March 21. Both pilots
by deploying aircraft to Andersen ‘dynamic force employment’ model
belly-landing after the aircraft were killed when the trainer went
AFB, Guam, for six-month rotations that allows the USAF’s bombers
suffered a mechanical malfunction down in a wooded area of Chimoré,
over the past 16 years. In advance of to operate from a broader array of
that prevented the landing gear from Cochabamba.
the bomber’s final departure from overseas locations. The final CBP
extending. • A Mi-24 operated by the Ivory
the base, five B-52Hs had participated mission in support of the US Indo-
• A-29B serial TZ-04C (c/n 31400321) Coast Air Force crashed during take-
in an impressive ‘elephant walk’ on Pacific Command was conducted
operated by the Mali Air Force off from Abidjan-Felix Houphouet
April 13 that included six KC-135 by the 5th Bomb Wing’s 69th
crashed near Sevare, Mopti, on April 7, Boigny Airport on March 18. Two
tankers, and examples of the MH-60S Expeditionary Bomb Squadron,
killing both pilots. The Super Tucano crew aboard the helicopter received
helicopter, and RQ-4B and MQ-4C which arrived from its home at Minot
was returning from a reconnaissance minor injuries.
remotely piloted aircraft. AFB, North Dakota, in July 2019.
DRAKEN MIRAGES FLYING AT NELLIS

sorties over an additional three
years. The multi-award Combat Air
Force/Contracted Air Support (CAF/
DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL The fighters are being upgraded in June 2018 that runs through CAS) contract was expected to
RECENTLY began flying its and certified at its Lakeland, Florida, December 2023. The contractor provide 40,000 hours of adversary
refurbished Dassault Mirage F1M/B maintenance facility with assistance also provides services at Luke AFB air support at 12 fighter bases,
aircraft in support of the US Air Force from South Africa’s Paramount in Arizona, and the Utah Test and and 10,000 hours for training Joint
at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The first sorties Aerospace Systems. In addition to Training Range (UTTR) in support of Terminal Attack Controllers at nine
pitted the radar-equipped F1M/Bs the Spanish fighters, Draken has also F-35A training at Hill AFB, Utah. army bases and had an estimated
against unidentified ‘fourth and fifth- begun accepting a number of Denel Although Air Combat Command value of $6 billion. Ultimately, the
generation fighters’ over the Nevada Cheetahs from the South African (ACC) plans to award several reductions were caused by the
Test and Training Range (NTTR) and Air Force and the first of at least two contracts for adversary air support limited budget that is available
were intended to develop and hone Mirage F1DJs acquired from Jordan. by May, it has reduced the scope of and ACC has taken the decision to
tactics, techniques, and procedures Draken is providing contractor- the effort. The service will initially prioritize providing the contracted
(TTPs). Draken acquired 22 single- based adversary air aggressor award contracts in support of a aggressor services at its fighter
seat Mirage F1M and two-seat F1B training at Nellis under a requirement for 8,848 sorties at training bases as it struggles to
fighters from the Spanish Air Force. $280-million contract awarded six bases with options for 26,052 produce more pilots.
12-14 News C.indd 14 24/04/2020 13:45

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207 AFM latest issue NEW fp.indd 3 21/04/2020 16:35

READY ROOM
THE STORY BEHIND THE US NAVY HEADLINES
RICK
BURGESS
A NEW
STRUCTURE
FOR
THE
MARINE CORPS
The USMC’s F-35C squadrons will be
limited to 10 aircraft. These changes
could reduce the corps’ overall requirement for
F-35s by 60 aircraft
16-19 Ready room C.indd 16 23/04/2020 22:05

T
HE US MARINE Corps is the marine corps by eliminating its M1A1 In addition, the USMC plans to
initiating a major change to its tanks, reducing its artillery by 75 per cent, deactivate HMLA-367 at MCAS Kaneohe
force structure — which will and decreasing the number of infantry Bay, Hawaii, and relocate the squadron to
phase in over the next decade battalions, among other changes. With Camp Pendleton, though the reason for
— and its aviation community a reduction in ground forces will come the move is unclear.
is going to feel the significant a scaling back of the aviation forces that Although not specified, the changes
effects if these alterations are approved are required to support them, particularly will presumably result in the cancelation
by US Congress. Some of the rotary- helicopters. of the planned activations of VMM-362
wing and F-35 Lightning II communities Gen Berger plans to trim force levels and VMM-212. Because the corps’
will see the most major outcome, while by canceling some planned future procurement of the MV-22B is nearing
the unmanned aviation squadrons will procurements, and by reducing the completion, the changes are not likely to
see notable growth. active component rotary-wing force by result in any lessening in numbers of MV-
The trend is driven by the return of the three medium tiltrotor (VMM) squadrons, 22Bs. The same can be said for the HMLA
great power competition, the need to three heavy helicopter (HMH) squadrons, squadrons because UH-1Y production has
counter high-end threats, which have and two light attack helicopter (HMLA) been completed and AH-1Z production
spurred the marine corps to favor a shift squadrons. The USMC also plans to is nearing the end. The reduction of
to a lighter, more agile, increasingly limit the complement of F-35s in each HMH squadrons may result in fewer of
dispersed force that is more closely marine fighter attack (VMFA) squadron to the 200 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift
aligned with the US Navy. The US Marine 10 aircraft. helicopters that were originally planned
Corps Combat Development Command On the growth side, active component being procured.
(MCCDC) explained the coming changes, aerial refueler/transport (VMGR) Gen Berger said in the document:
saying the move is designed ‘for naval squadrons will be increased by one, from ‘Given the reduction of infantry battalion
expeditionary warfare in actively three to four. Also, the service will double capacity and associated combat support,
contested spaces, fully aligning the service the number of unmanned aerial vehicle the remaining [MV-22B] tiltrotor force
with the direction of the National Defense (VMU) squadrons from three to six. should be sufficient for our needs. Based
Strategy’. The MCCDC press release added: In execution of the plan, the MCCDC on analysis by our aviation subject-
‘The marine corps has identified areas of announced aims to deactivate four rotary- matter experts, five [HMH] squadrons
modernization and realignment to meet wing squadrons by 2030: provide sufficient capacity to satisfy our
these demands.’ • VMM-264 at MCAS New River, North requirements as well as our future force as
Carolina, one of 17 active-component described in approved naval concepts.’
‘Force Design 2030’ MV-22B squadrons. Regarding the HMLA squadrons, he said:
In late March, the corps’ commandant, • HMM-462 at MCAS Miramar, California, ‘While this capability has a certain amount
General David H. Berger, set out one of eight active-component CH-53E of relevance to crisis and contingency
The US Marine
his priorities in a document Corps plans to squadrons. missions, which we must still be prepared
entitled ‘Force Design reduce each HMLA-469 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, to execute, it is operationally unsuitable
2030’, in which he F-35B VMFA unit California, one of seven active-component for our highest-priority maritime
to 10 aircraft.
detailed plans USMC/Cpl squadrons operating the AH-1Z and challenges and excess to our needs with
to lighten Nicole Rogge UH-1Y helicopters. the divestment of three infantry battalions.’
16-19 Ready room C.indd 17 23/04/2020 22:05

READY ROOM // US MARINE CORPS STRUCTURE
will fulfill, and we must be willing to assess
and adjust our VMFA force structure and
program of record accordingly. In addition,
as noted earlier, our continued inability to
build and sustain an adequate inventory
of F-35 pilots leads me to conclude that
we must be pragmatic regarding our
ability to support the existing program-of-
record. We must conduct a more thorough
review of our VMFA capacity requirements
and ability to satisfy those requirements.
This will require an external review of the
issue that will inform our subsequent
decisions.’
Unmanned uplift
Regarding unmanned aerial vehicles,
Lightning lowdown Berger said he was ‘not convinced that the MCCDC said in its press release that
The effect of the reduction of aircraft we have a clear understanding yet of F-35 it would ‘double the number of UAS
allowance for VMFA squadrons is yet to capacity requirements for the future force’. squadrons and austere lethal unmanned
be determined regarding overall F-35 He continued: ‘As a result, the service will air and ground systems, enhancing our
procurement. Eight F-35B squadrons seek at least one external assessment of ability to sense and strike’.
were each to have 16 aircraft, enabling our Aviation Plan relative to NDS [National The corps fields four marine UAV
them to send a six-plane detachment on Defense Strategy] objectives and evolving squadrons (VMUs) — three in the active
board an amphibious assault ship, while naval and joint warfighting concepts. As component and one in the reserves. All
keeping 10 ashore for other operations. described in Congressional testimony, our four operate RQ-21A Blackjack UAS and
Also, the USMC’s F-35C squadrons continued pilot shortfalls are a factor we one, VMU-2 at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, also
will be limited to 10 aircraft. These must consider and either scale programs operates two MQ-9 Predator UAVs under
changes could reduce the corps’ overall of record accordingly or implement a a contractor arrangement. The corps
requirement for F-35Bs by 60 aircraft. Its sustainable, affordable solution. Other intends to procure six MQ-9s for its VMU
current procurement plan calls for 353 services face similar shortfalls. This issue Inset: The US squadrons under current planning.
Marine Corps
F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs. has recruiting, training, and retention currently includes ‘As a ‘stand-in’ force of the future, the
In a possibly unrelated development, factors — as well as fiscal and industrial four units with the marine corps requires a family of UAS
the US Marine Corps will reduce by base factors — that we must consider in RQ-21A Blackjack. capabilities,’ Berger said in the document.
USMC/Cpl Adaezia
mid-year four tactical squadrons to cadre reconciling the growing disparity between Chavez ‘We need to transition from our current
status, meaning they will retain a small numbers of platforms and numbers UAS platforms to capabilities that can
administrative staff but transfer out of aircrew. Below: A Sikorsky operate from ship, from shore, and be
CH-53K prepares
their aircraft and most of the personnel. ‘Employment of the F-35 in support of for a night able to employ both collection and lethal
This includes VMFA-251 ‘Thunderbolts’. future naval expeditionary TACAIR [tactical flight test at payloads. These future capabilities must
According to one analyst, this amounts aircraft] requirements requires additional NAS Patuxent be expeditionary and fully compatible
River, Maryland.
to a 22 per cent reduction in active study,’ he said. ‘We will continue to learn NAVAIR/Victoria with navy platforms and command and
component marine tactical aviation. more about the various roles that platform Falcon control networks.’
16-19 Ready room C.indd 18 23/04/2020 22:11

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210 CAJ Bundle fp JUN20 overseas.indd 19 22/04/2020 09:35

THE FUTURE OF
wider Future Vertical Lift (FVL) portfolio,
FLRAA looks to provide a platform with
more enhanced characteristics than the
ARMY ASSAULT
Black Hawk, including increased range,
speed, mobility and payload capacity,
along with greater survivability, reliability
and sustainability.
In a request for information (RFI) issued
As the US Army prepares for the mass recapitalization of its in April 2019, the US Army detailed its
aviation assets, Combat Aircraft Journal examines the FLRAA need for a ‘solution that is operationally
Concept artwork effective, suitable and survivable in a
program, which will provide the service’s next-generation of Bell’s V-280
Valor in its assault 2030 threat environment’. It seeks to
medium-lift helicopter. configuration. procure a platform that has the potential
Note the fuselage- to increase its capabilities — using a
mounted AGM-114
REPORT Khalem Chapman Hellfire missiles modular open-systems approach — and
and what appears maintain its relevance over a 50-year
F
to be side-facing, useful lifespan. It must also be in line with
tube-launched
OR MORE THAN 40 years, As the venerable Black Hawk entered weapon systems. affordability objectives; having an average
Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawk its fourth decade of operations, the army Bell unit manufacturing cost capped at $43
medium-lift utility helicopter was hosting a Joint Multi-Role Technology
has been the backbone of US Demonstrator (JMR-TD) project, which
Army air operations. More than sought to develop, demonstrate and
1,500 examples have been mature technologies before launching
delivered to the service across multiple its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft
variants throughout its operational (FLRAA) campaign that will ultimately
career, which started with the 101st decide on the UH-60’s successor. Falling
Combat Aviation Brigade in June 1979. under the US Army Futures Command’s
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 20 23/04/2020 22:39

million. The plan is to field the FLRAA by FLRAA CROSS-SERVICE MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS
early 2030 — two years after it aims to US Army/SOCOM USMC
200nm (230 miles/370km) with 365nm (420 miles/ 675km) with
accept the first examples of the winner Unrefueled combat radius
30 minutes of loitering time 30 minutes of loitering time
of its sister project, the Future Attack Maximum gross weight/full
250kts (287mph or 463km/h) 305kts (350mph or 564km/h)
Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA). payload continuous cruise speed
The FLRAA will be tasked with Between 8,000lb (3,638.7kg)
External payload and 10,000lb (4,535.9kg) with N/A
air, amphibious and urban assault,
cargo hook capacity
along with executing a variety of Internal payload 5,000lb (2,267.9kg) 4,400lb (1,995kg) maximum
missions, including security, attack, Crew 4 4
maritime interdiction, medical Passenger capacity 10-12 8
evacuation (MEDEVAC), humanitarian Capable of conducting 100
assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR), flight hours over a 45-day
Condition-based maintenance N/A
period between scheduled
tactical resupplying, non-combatant maintenance during operations
evacuation operations (NEO) and Sikorsky has
partnered with Shall include structural
combat search and rescue (CSAR). A Boeing on the engineering to facilitate Aircraft must include the
In-flight refueling capability
US Army spokesperson told Combat SB-1 Defiant, seen installation of an air-to-air capability for air-to-air refueling
here in a possible refueling system
Aircraft Journal: ‘FLRAA is required to
production
have two medium caliber machine configuration. may be integrated in the future.’ The Involvement across
guns [and] Air Launched Effects (ALE) Sikorsky spokesperson added that it would have the services
‘enhanced pilotage, increased autonomy FLRAA has attracted attention from the
and improved survivability’, along with US Marine Corps (USMC) and Special
being interoperable with the army’s Operations Command (SOCOM). The
unmanned platforms. The platform will marines are seeking to procure 349
be configured to carry 11 air assault examples to replace the Bell UH-1Y
troops (an army infantry squad), along Venom twin-engine, medium-lift utility
with supplies and weapons systems helicopter, which began operations in
such as light artillery pieces. 2007. Currently, the service operates 141
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 21 23/04/2020 22:39

INDUSTRY REPORT // FUTURE LONG-RANGE ASSAULT AIRCRAFT
Below: The
V-280 is a
third-generation
tiltrotor, which
follows a
remarkably
different design
compared with
other aircraft in
its class, such
as the Osprey.
It uses a V-tail,
smaller wings
and a sleeker,
compound
fuselage. It is also
smaller than the
V-22. Bell
Left: The
Venoms from a total of 165, with 12 in craft must be configurable for transport Defiant follows
storage, seven lost to attrition and five aboard a single C-17A Globemaster III. a compound,
blended fuselage
having been withdrawn from use. The RFI design, with a
adds that the USMC is seeking to begin The contenders lift offset coaxial
its acquisition program two years after The JMR-TD project started out with four main rotor and
rear-mounted
the US Army. contending companies, but in August pusher propeller
The USMC is also seeking to procure an 2014, designs from AVX Aircraft and to enhance
attack variant of the FLRAA. This version Karem Aircraft were dropped — leaving maneuverability
and generate
would be capable of employing both just the Bell V-280 Valor and the Sikorsky/ higher flight
internal and external weapons, including Boeing SB-1 Defiant, which went on to be speeds. Sikorsky
a fixed or turreted gun system, guided/ developed into flying prototypes and are
Right: The SB-1
unguided rockets, air-to-air and air-to- currently in flight-test. Defiant is the
ground missiles — such as the AGM-114 The differences between the two are largest platform
Hellfire and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground exponential, mainly because both teams produced
by Sikorsky,
Missile (JAGM) – along with the ability to are offering a different type of aircraft. The designed to
deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Valor is a compound tiltrotor, whereas the employ its X2
SOCOM’s requirements are broadly the Defiant follows a state-of-the-art digital high-speed
technologies.
same as the army’s, but it adds that the design and employs technology used in Sikorsky
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 22 23/04/2020 22:42

Sikorsky’s X2 experimental high-speed provide responsive logistical support ‘unmatched capability growth potential’.
helicopter, incorporating a counter- in defensive/offensive operations and The Defiant follows a compound, blended
rotating coaxial rotor and pusher propeller. can be configured for both internal and fuselage design, with a lift offset coaxial
The similarities between the two are that external payloads. main rotor and rear-mounted pusher
both platforms use a fly-by-wire flight To reduce complexity, Bell says it will propeller to enhance maneuverability
control system, have larger cabin spaces employ a ‘revolutionary approach to and generate higher flight speeds. It also
when compared with the Black Hawk, manufacturing and reducibility for [the features an advanced rigid rotor system
have a retractable undercarriage, a built-in Valor’s] blade, wing and cabin assemblies’. with manually foldable rotor blades, cabin
aerial refueling capability, and each aircraft It adds that it is ‘building on 450,000 space for up to 12 combat-equipped
essentially takes the traditional helicopter hours of tiltrotor experience’ to reduce troops and active rudders, elevators and
design and tears it up! sustainment costs using focused systems vibration controls. It will also be able to
Bell’s V-280 prototype — registration and component redesign. This experience team up with autonomous platforms,
N280BH (c/n 60105) — first flew on comes via the V-22 Osprey, the first providing the US Army with capabilities
December 18, 2017, at the company’s tiltrotor to enter operational military not currently available to the service.
Above left to right:
facility in Amarillo, Texas. Bell boasts that service — a joint venture between Bell The V-280 in fast The aircraft will employ new
the V-280 will have a combat range of and Boeing — which started development forward flight technologies and systems to provide
between 500nm (575 miles/926km) to in the early 1980s. during testing. self-monitoring and condition-based
Bell
800nm (920 miles/1,481km), a cruising Sikorsky has partnered with Boeing on maintenance to increase the platform’s
speed of 280kts (322mph or 518km/h) designing, testing and demonstrating the A fine shot of the operational availability, enabling far
and a high-hot hover out of ground SB-1. The design shares similarities with V-280 with rotors greater in-service flexibility. It will be part
tilted upwards
effect (HOGE) of 6,000ft (1,800m) at 95°F the company’s FARA offering — the Raider for slow forward of an already established supply chain to
(35°C). The aircraft has the flexibility to X — by using X2 technology to provide flight. Bell reduce overall life-cycle costs while
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 23 23/04/2020 22:43

INDUSTRY REPORT // FUTURE LONG-RANGE ASSAULT AIRCRAFT
increasing efficiency and decreasing the

time taken for new systems, such as
FLIGHT-
loiter maneuvers and precisely navigated sensors and munitions, to be integrated
through various waypoints. onto operational examples using a
The Valor has flown test flights using
TESTING
modular open systems architecture
Lockheed Martin’s Pilotage Distributed
(MOSA)-based approach.
Aperture System (PDAS) mission
equipment package, which provides The first SB-1 prototype — N100FV
According to Dan Bailey of the Joint a 360° situational awareness sphere (c/n 100-0001) — flew on March 21,
Multi-Role Future Vertical Lift (JMR FVL) around the aircraft, supplying real-time, 2019, just over a year after the V-280. Its
project at the US Army’s Aviation and multi-spectral fused imagery to the inaugural flight was delayed due to
Missile Research, Development and pilots and crew through head-tracked,
issues with blade production, specifically
Engineering Center (AMRDEC): ‘The intent high-resolution helmet-mounted displays. Above left to
of the JMR-TD effort is to maximize the The system employs a network of sensors right: An airborne in setting up the automated fiber
knowledge gain and risk reduction toward distributed around the aircraft and follows shot of the placement tooling to manufacture its
an anticipated [FVL] acquisition.’ a modular open systems architecture V-280 — which composite rotor blades. Then a fault was
Since the Valor’s first flight it has (MOSA) approach to allow the rapid has reached
true airspeeds of discovered with the gearbox in the
undergone a rigorous test campaign integration of new technologies.
300kts (345mph propulsion system test bed (PSTB),
with company and US Army test pilots, The Defiant is undergoing a flight-test or 555km/h).Bell
amassing more than 150 flight hours. The campaign at Sikorsky’s Development which validates the capability of all the
V-280 has achieved multiple milestones, Flight Test Center in West Palm Beach, The Valor Defiant’s major systems, including the
from reaching true airspeeds of 300kts Florida. During this it has performed has flown dynamic drive and rotors.
(345mph or 555km/h) to assessing fast maneuvers at 30° angles of bank and has autonomously,
flying two sorties,
rope deployment options and low-speed
agility.
flown with its landing gear retracted. The
SB-1 prototype continues to expand its with the aircraft What next for FLRAA?
On December 18, 2019 — two flight envelope, having reached speeds of performing Both teams are continuing their
unmanned take- respective test campaigns, further
years after its first flight — the Valor 140kts (161mph or 259km/h) in February.
offs and landings.
flew autonomously for the first time The Sikorsky/Boeing team states that Bell developing the technology, maturing
in a demonstration in front of army the Defiant is working its way up to the the platforms, expanding their flight
representatives and members of the press. army’s speed requirement and believes Below: The SB-1 envelopes and mitigating technical risks.
The display consisted of two sorties, with that the aircraft will be able to reach top prototype is put
the aircraft performing an unmanned speeds of 250kts (287mph or 463mph). through its paces Although the V-280 is further along
take-off and landing. It also autonomously In mid-February, the SB-1 performed at Sikorsky’s — having not been hit with the issues
converted between cruise and vertical a demonstration in front of army and Development and delays that the SB-1 experienced
take-off and landing modes, performed congressional representatives. Flight Test Center
in West Palm — a US Army spokesperson assured
Beach. Sikorsky Combat Aircraft Journal that this would
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 24 23/04/2020 22:43

not influence the service’s decision as As per the army’s schedule, it has Although the FLRAA campaign is
both platforms were developed under awarded Bell and a Sikorsky-Boeing gathering pace, the Black Hawk is still
JMR-TD and not as combat-capable teams Competitive Demonstration being further upgraded and developed,
products directly produced for FLRAA. and Risk-Reduction (CD&RR) contracts. with the army planning to convert 760
The spokesperson added: ‘Both JMR-TD The service announced the contracts Above: The V-280 UH-60Ls to UH-60V standard in a process
vendors [have] completed significant on March 16, but the value was not Valor has already which started in Fiscal Year 2019.
assessed fast
technology maturation and disclosed. The risk-reduction effort rope deployment With more than 1,500 Black Hawks in
demonstration… These efforts provide will allow the two parties to refine and low-speed service and UH-60V conversion taking
valuable insights into the technical risks their designs in advance of a fly-off agility. Bell place on more than half of them over
that may be experienced during the competition in 2022. The service will Below: The the next decade, the service may elect
[FLRAA program].’ The service is getting then select a winner, with aims to SB-1 prototype to place a low initial order of FLRAA
ready to bring the JMR-TD project to a begin phasing out its older UH-60s and reached speeds platforms as the enhanced Black Hawks
of 140kts (161mph
close as it moves to officially launch its replacing them with the FLRAA platform or 259km/h) in could complement the V-280 or SB-1
FLRAA campaign. at the turn of the decade. February. Sikorsky throughout its early years of service.
FLRAA is required to have two medium caliber machine guns [and] Air
Launched Effects (ALE) may be integrated in the future
US Army spokesperson
20-25 FLRAA C.indd 25 23/04/2020 22:43

Combat Aircraft Journal evaluates the US Army Future Attack
Reconnaissance Aircraft program.
REPORT Tom Kaminski
T
HE US ARMY has announced were awarded on April 23, 2019. The five
that designs offered by contractors and industry teams comprised
Sikorsky Aircraft and Bell AVX Aircraft Company and partner
Helicopter Textron have L3Harris Technologies, Bell Helicopter
been selected to move Textron, the Boeing Company, Karem
forward in the next phase Aircraft, and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky
of its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft subsidiary. The five participants
Aircraft Competitive Prototype (FARA developed competitive prototype
CP) program. The army announced the designs in accordance with the US Army
decision on March 25, 2020, with the requirements.
award of Other Transaction Authority Following an initial design and risk
Prototype (OTAP) agreements that review assessment that was conducted
provided Bell with more than $700 with each team, the designs were
million, while Sikorsky received $940 appraised to determine how well they met
million. The FARA CP solicitation capability requirements, their maturity and
is structured into three phases, how each company/team was ‘postured’
comprising preliminary design; detailed to meet the army’s development and Above: : An artist’s
design, build, and test; and prototype competitive prototyping schedule. rendition that was
released with the
completion assessment and evaluation Sikorsky and Bell were selected to proceed Bell 360 Invictus
for entrance into production phase. The to the next phase. unveiling. Bell
FARA CP is managed by the US Futures Under Phase 2, the contractors will Helicopter
Command and the US Army Combat complete detailed design, build, and test Right: A
Capabilities Development Command of their respective prototypes. Phase 2 Raider X artist
Aviation and Missile Center’s Aviation will conclude with a US Army flight-test impression that
acknowledges the
Development Directorate. evaluation/competitive fly-off in late-2023. fact that the type
The winning design’s engineering and is intended to be
The FARA path manufacturing development (EMD) phase able to operate
in tight locations.
Under Phase 1, five OTAP agreements for will begin in Fiscal Year 2024 and fielding Lockheed Martin/
the aircraft design, build, and test of FARA will commence in 2030. Sikorsky
26-31 FARA C.indd 26 23/04/2020 22:38

BELL AND SIKORSKY TO BUILD PROTOTYPES
26-31 FARA C.indd 27 23/04/2020 22:38

INDUSTRY REPORT // FUTURE ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT
Raider X uses a
coaxial, rigid main rotor
configuration with an
aft-mounted pusher
propulsor. Lockheed
Martin/Sikorsky
ARMED
SCOUT — A
TROUBLED
TALE
The army has tried and failed three
times to develop a replacement
for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The
RAH-66 Comanche program and
the subsequent ARH-70 Armed
Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH)
and Armed Aerial Scout (AAS)
programs were canceled in February
2004, October 2008, and late-2013,
respectively. A plan to upgrade
the OH-58D to the more capable
OH-58F configuration was also
abandoned when the decision was
made to divest the service’s fleet of
368 Kiowa Warriors due to budget
Released in October 2018, the FARA CP and Technology, Dr Bruce D. Jette: cuts in January 2014. Since retiring
solicitation’s mandatory requirements ‘The Future Attack Reconnaissance Below: The S-97 the OH-58Ds, the army has used
included integration of government- Aircraft is the army’s number one Raider high- AH-64D/E attack helicopters paired
speed FARA with unmanned RQ-7Bs to carry out
furnished equipment that comprised aviation modernization priority and is demonstrator first the armed reconnaissance/scout
the engine, 20mm cannon, integrated integral to effectively penetrate and flew in May 2015
mission. The FARA may ultimately
munitions launchers (IMLs) and the dis-integrate adversaries’ Integrated Air and its technology
forms the basis replace up to half of the service’s
Modular Open Systems Architecture Defense Systems.’ Describing FARA, Dr of the Raider X. AH-64D/E attack helicopter fleet.
(MOSA). Referred to as a ‘digital backbone’, Jette also said: ‘It will enable combatant Lockheed Martin
the MOSA will provide an interface
between weapons and Air-Launched
Effects (ALE) mini-drones carried on
the IML and the aircraft. The interface
will preclude the need to modify the
aircraft each time a new weapon is
introduced. The service’s requirements
included a minimum cruise speed of
180kts (333km/h), a target gross weight
of 14,000lb (6,350kg), a maximum
40ft diameter (12.2m) rotor, and an
affordability goal. Range, endurance,
and payload were among the desired
requirements that were provided to the
industry as guidelines for specific designs.
What is FARA designed to do?

The US Army wants the FARA to operate
in ‘complex airspace and degraded
environments against peer and near-
peer adversaries with an advanced
integrated air defense system’. It will
deliver the capability to conduct armed
reconnaissance, light attack, and security
with improved stand-off and lethal and
non-lethal capabilities. Its size will allow it
to ‘hide in radar clutter’ and operate in ‘the
urban canyons of mega cities’.
According to the US Assistant Secretary
of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics
26-31 FARA C.indd 28 23/04/2020 22:38

Its size will allow it to
‘hide in radar clutter’ and
operate in ‘the urban canyons of
mega cities’
commanders with greater tactical, FVL category aircraft will be optionally Winning designs
operational and strategic capabilities manned with modular open system The Bell and Sikorsky initial designs met
through significantly increased speed, architectures and vertical take-off and the army’s mandatory requirements
range, endurance, survivability and landing features. FARA was originally and were in acceptable risk levels when
lethality.’ referred to as FVL Capability Set One. viewed against the desired requirements
The army is developing FARA as part Initiated with a $1.9 billion OTAP in the army’s funding profile.
of its Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program, solicitation, the FARA, which has been Known as the 360 Invictus, Bell’s design
which also includes the Future Long- referred to as the ‘knife-fighter’ of future is a high-speed helicopter that features
Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) that US Army Aviation, will fill a capability gap, a single main rotor and lift-sharing
will replace the UH-60 medium-lift created by the divestiture of the OH-58D wing. Its transitional helicopter design
utility helicopter, Future Unmanned scout helicopter — the last Kiowa Warrior was intended to keep it affordable and
Aircraft System (FUAS), and Advanced was retired in September 2017. emphasized simplifying processes to
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (AUAS).
Above: The
The army selected Bell and the Sikorsky- Raider X features
Boeing team to build prototypes for the side-by-side
FLRAA on March 16. The two received seating, which
Sikorsky claims
$84 million and $97 million to continue improves crew
development of their respective V-280 co-ordination
Valor tiltrotor and SB-1 Defiant high- and situational
awareness.
speed helicopter designs. The prototypes Lockheed Martin/
were originally produced under the Sikorsky
army’s Joint Multi-Role Technology
Right: The Bell
Demonstration (JMR-TD). 360’s armament
FVL began as an army-led multi-service will be carried
initiative, focused on enhancing vertical internally on
an integrated
lift dominance by developing next munitions
generation capabilities. The program was launcher and the
intended to herald rotorcraft with greater aircraft will have
a 1,400lb (635kg)
speed, reach, protection, lethality, agility, payload.
mission flexibility and survivability. Each Bell Helicopter
26-31 FARA C.indd 29 23/04/2020 22:39

INDUSTRY REPORT // FUTURE ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT
provide warfighters with a sustainable its systems will include avionics hardware speed and could achieve speeds greater
and maintainable aircraft. The helicopter’s and software developed with Collins than 220kts (370km/h).
fully articulated four-blade main rotor Aerospace. Armament will be carried Closely resembling the S-97, the Raider
system and fly-by-wire flight control internally on an integrated munitions X features side-by-side seating, which
system will be developed from the 525 launcher and the aircraft will have a Sikorsky claims improves crew co-
Relentless commercial helicopter, which 1,400lb (635kg) payload. ordination and situational awareness. A
has demonstrated speeds in excess of Unveiled at the Association of the large weapons bay that enables missiles
200kts during test flights. The main rotor US Army’s (AUSA) annual conference and unmanned aircraft to be carried
diameter will be less than the army’s 40ft in October 2019, Sikorsky’s Raider X is internally is located aft of the cockpit.
(12.19m) maximum. based on its S-97 Raider technology According to Sikorsky, the large bay
The design features lift-sharing demonstrator. The compound helicopter also provides growth space for future,
wings that reduce rotor lift demand design retains the basic X2 Technology larger systems. By retaining the basic
in forward flight and enables high- coaxial, rigid main rotor configuration design of S-97, Sikorsky plans to deliver
speed maneuverability. Additionally, with an aft-mounted pusher propulsor, an integrated weapon system that
it includes a canted, ducted tail rotor, but will be 20 per cent larger than the combines speed, range, maneuverability,
and an integrated supplemental power S-97. Whereas the S-97 has 34ft (10.4m) survivability and operational flexibility.
unit (SPU). The 586shp (439kW) Pratt & diameter coaxial main rotors, the Swift Engineering will design and build
Whitney Canada PW-207D1turboshaft Raider X will feature two 39ft (11.9m) the Raider X fuselage as a key partner
engine will provide auxiliary power diameter four-blade rotors and fly-by- with Sikorsky.
for ground operations and contribute wire flight controls. The Raider X design Sikorsky reports that these technologies
additional horsepower in flight to boost has a 14,000lb (6,350kg) gross weight will permit the Raider X to operate at high
cruise speed, dash speed and hover compared with the S-97’s 11,000lb speeds while maintaining the low-speed
capability. (4,990kg). handling qualities and maneuverability
The 360 Invictus will have a top speed The S-97, which first flew in 2015, has displayed by conventional single main
greater than 185kts (343km/h), a combat already demonstrated speeds in excess rotor helicopters. It is designed for hot-
radius of 135nm (250km) with more than of 200kts (370km/h). At high speed, 90 The Raider will and-high operations, and will be capable
90 minutes of time on station and will per cent of the engine power is directed feature Sikorsky’s of flying at 10,000ft (3,048m) in 95°F (35°C)
Collier-award
be capable of hovering out of ground to the pusher propulsor, which is winning X2 temperatures.
effect (HOGE) at 4,000ft (1,219m) in 95°F declutched at low speed to reduce noise. Technology that Both FARA prototypes will be powered
(35°C) temperatures. The helicopter’s Although Sikorsky has not released a top enables it to by the GE Aviation T901-GE-900
reach speeds of
low-drag, two-seat tandem cockpit will speed, it believes the Raider X will exceed more than 220kts. turboshaft engine, which was developed
also feature a modular architecture and the FARA’s 180kt threshold maximum Lockheed Martin under the army’s Improved Turbine Engine
26-31 FARA C.indd 30 23/04/2020 22:39

INNOVATIVE
The main rotor featured a rigid, hingeless
hub with three stiff, lightweight blades. At
high speed, the wing was designed to take
DESIGNS the load from the main rotor and tilt to the
vertical position in a hover. The uniquely
designed swiveling tail rotor was intended
The three designs that were not selected to provide anti-torque control at low
nonetheless included several innovative speeds, and propulsion for higher forward
features that, as the US Army reported: speed. The AR40 would reportedly exceed
‘advanced the science of vertical lift’. the army’s threshold speed requirement
The AVX and L3Harris Technologies team by about 20 per cent, meaning it would
was the earliest to unveil its FARA design, likely reach 215kts (398km/h). It featured
in April 2019. Referred to as a Compound side-by-side seating with additional space
Coaxial Helicopter, the winged design provided behind the cockpit for future
featured side-by-side seating, four-blade growth, mission equipment, or a cabin for
compound coaxial flexible main rotors personnel. Karem’s teaming arrangement
and ducted fans at the tail that provided included Northrop Grumman and its
both forward and reverse thrust. During Scaled Composites subsidiary for airframe
high-speed flight, the wings would production and support. Its Mission
provide up to 50 per cent of the rotorcraft’s Systems division was on-board to provide
lift. A compact ‘flat pack’ transmission the avionics and cockpit integration, with displays. Doors covering internal weapons
design permitted an open cabin concept. Raytheon performing mission-system bays located on either side of the lower
Whereas AVX was leading aircraft design, integration. fuselage were equipped with integral
L3Harris focused on the rotorcraft’s Boeing was the last to unveil its FARA weapons pylons. The design bore a striking
systems architecture, weapons and sensor design concept, which was finally resemblance to the Lockheed AH-56
integration and production processes. revealed just 22 days before the army’s Cheyenne attack helicopter, which first
According to the team, its design met announcement, on March 3. The flew in 1967, and was equipped with a
100 per cent of the army’s mandatory company’s clean-sheet design featured a rigid main rotor and propulsor propeller.
requirements and 70 per cent of its desired hingeless, six-blade, ‘high-solidity’ main According to Boeing, rather than inventing
attributes. rotor; a conventional four-blade tail rotor new technologies, its design improved Above: Boeing
Unveiled in October 2019, Karem upon and integrated mature technologies was the last to
and a clutched four-blade propulsor
reveal its FARA
Aircraft’s AR-40 design was a winged, propeller on the tail that respectively in order to meet the army requirement
concept, but it
high-speed compound helicopter that provided maneuverability at low speeds within schedule and cost. The company’s didn’t have to
featured an actively controlled, variable- and high-speed capability. The design FARA bid was led by its secretive Phantom wait long before
speed, 40ft diameter main rotor, tilting also featured a tandem-seat cockpit with Works, and included its AvioniX and Aurora its proposal was
compound wings, and a rotating tail rotor. modular, and reconfigurable, large-area Flight Sciences divisions. rejected. Boeing
The FARA concept from

AVX Aircraft and L-3
Communications was
based on heavily modifying
the OH-58 Kiowa. AVX
Aircraft
Program (ITEP). The 3,000shp (2,200kW) prototypes will move to the Redstone mission, subsequent increments will
class turboshaft engine will also likely Arsenal in Alabama in summer 2023, support other missions including special
be installed in UH-60 and AH-64 utility where service testing will be conducted. operations. Ultimately, the design could
Above: Karem
and attack helicopters as well as the The army intends to transition FARA be modified to incorporate a passenger Aircraft’s AR-40
planned FLRAA. into a formal Program of Record (POR) cabin allowing it to replace US Army design was a
in Fiscal Year 2024. Production will get Special Operations Command’s (USASOC) winged, high-
Construction and testing under way in 2028 and will reach its AH/MH-6M Little Bird light attack/light
speed compound
helicopter that
The US Army plans to conduct Final peak rate in 2032 when 30 aircraft are assault helicopters. featured an
Design Reviews of both FARA contenders produced. The service plans to spend The army received nearly $400 million actively controlled,
variable-speed,
in December 2020, prior to authorizing $15-20 billion to purchase as many as for FARA in Fiscal Year 2020 and has 40ft diameter
the start of construction. Approximately 300-400 FARA aircraft at an average cost requested an additional $514 million in main rotor, tilting
24 months are allocated for construction of under $30 million each. 2021 to complete the final design phase. compound wings,
and a rotating tail
and subsystem testing with flight-testing Although Increment 1 of FARA is It plans to invest $2.13 billion in the rotor.
scheduled to begin in late-2022. The intended to fulfill the scout/attack program through 2024. Karem Aircraft
26-31 FARA C.indd 31 23/04/2020 22:39

An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
accelerates down the deck of the
amphibious assault ship USS America
(LHA 6). US Navy/MCSSA Theodore Lee
The F-35 Lightning II program is gathering pace on a global scale,

but will the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic force lower operating costs
or reduced procurement for nations in financial peril?
REPORT Jamie Hunter
W
ITH MORE THAN 500 F-35Bs was ready for operations (if the
aircraft delivered call came) in summer 2015.
and 1,000 pilots The US Air Force (USAF) followed
trained, the F-35 suit when it declared F-35A IOC with
Lightning II program the 388th Fighter Wing’s 34th Fighter
is increasing in Squadron (FS) at Hill AFB, Utah,
stature across the world. However, there on August 2, 2016. This milestone
are initial signs that while the fighter required that the squadron should be
LIGHTNING:
is growing in presence and capability, equipped with between 12 and 24
budgets and strategic direction may aircraft, and with personnel capable of
adversely affect the program in ways not conducting basic close air support (CAS),
previously expected. interdiction, and limited suppression/
A NEW STORM
The first organization to declare the destruction of enemy air defense
Lockheed Martin fighter as having (SEAD/DEAD) operations in a contested
achieved initial operating capability environment. Initially flying with Block
(IOC) is already looking at potential 3i software, the aircraft were limited to
COMING?
cuts to its overall requirement for the delivering GBU-31 and GBU-32 Joint
fifth-generation fighters. The US Marine Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), the
Corps said its first squadron of short GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb
take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and the AIM-120C AMRAAM (Advanced
32-37 F-35 programme update C.indd 32 24/04/2020 12:23

M

INDUSTRY REPORT // F-35 LIGHTNING II
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) from Defence capabilities — delivering what was The declaration of IOC(L) was essentially
the internal weapons bays. promised sharply criticized the 2019 IOC a statement of a level of capability — a
Now, the marine corps is looking to declaration by the UK Lightning Force. certain number of suitably equipped jets,
standardize the number of Primary Aircraft The UK is a Tier 1 partner nation in the trained people and support. The then
Authorized F-35s for its squadrons — US-led program. The capability milestone Right: The UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson
UK deployed
reducing each allocation from 16 to 10. evaluated in the case study was related six F-35B added that the Royal Air Force (RAF) and
It may seem a small adjustment, but the to IOC(L) — UK F-35 operations from Lightnings from Royal Navy had jointly received nine
implications are huge. The move is one land bases. The equivalent milestone No 617 Squadron F-35s ready to be ‘deployed on operations
‘Dambusters’
of the headlines from its 2020 Aviation for British maritime operations is set for to RAF Akrotiri, around the world’.
Plan that is likely to see the marines December 2020. Cyprus, under RAF Air Command set two definitions of
being the first organization to formally When the strategy for acceptance of the Exercise IOC(L), according to the NAO report: ‘One,
‘Lightning Dawn’
cut its original commitment. The USMC’s aircraft into UK service was developed in in May 2019. developed for the US Joint Project Office
program-of-record for 420 aircraft 2003, IOC was set for late 2014, but then Wg Cdr John [JPO], which oversees the procurement,
comprises 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs, to be subjected to delays and redefinitions. Butcher, Officer sets out a series of criteria around
Commanding No
procured by 2031. The latest plan could IOC(L) was officially declared at the 617 Squadron, provision of aircraft and personnel,
possibly cut that total by some 60 aircraft, end of December 2018. Speaking at said: ‘This exer- physical infrastructure at RAF Marham,
and could also see early aircraft being RAF Marham, Norfolk, in January 2019, cise for us is a maintenance and training facilities, and
major milestone
retired prematurely. While not yet set in the then Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief in the further data management arrangements to allow
stone, it’s likely to become the first of a Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said: ‘With development of for independent UK operations. This
number of initiatives among operators to its cutting-edge stealth technology, our operational reflects the aspects of capability delivery
capability. We
trim Lightning II numbers. our F-35s are now ready to deploy on have been focus- for which the JPO is responsible.’ It added:
operations and, alongside our combat- ing on this since ‘By comparison, internal departmental
UK report on IOC proven Typhoon, offer a step-change in we declared
IOC at the end
approvals were secured against a
In the UK, a March report from the our ability to employ air power around of 2018.’ definition of IOC(L) that specified the
National Audit Office (NAO) entitled the world.’ Crown Copyright requirement as the ability to deploy

aircraft on operations, using detailed following factors directly impacted the
criteria such as the ability to fly a certain IOC declaration.
number of sorties.’ • Lack of access to mission support
The report said that in the case of training facilities in the US.
Left: The Air
equipment, milestone acceptance • Delays in establishment of UK training
National Guard
fighter units in criteria were still being refined at the center (although this was operational in
Alabama and point that IOC(L) was being considered time for IOC).
Wisconsin will
in November 2018, with further • Reliance on contractors for mission
be the next two
F-35A recipients. demonstrations during exercises in support in the absence of trained RAF
USAF/TSgt 2019. In the event, the NAO said IOC(L) personnel.
John Winn
was accepted with 67 exceptions across • Poor aircraft availability.
Right: Hill AFB 11 ‘lines of development’. It stated: ‘A • Low availability of synthetic training
now operates a number of exceptions arose from not facilities, including simulators.
full complement
being able to demonstrate deployability A number of workarounds are still
of F-35As, with
jets now arriving through a planned exercise, due to low required, not least due to the fact that the
at Eielson for the levels of availability among UK-based F-35’s formal Initial Operational Testing
resident 354th
aircraft and prioritization of other and Evaluation (IOT&E) is not set to be
FW. USAF/TSgt
John Winn training tasks.’ The report added that the complete until September 2020. The

INDUSTRY REPORT // F-35 LIGHTNING II
report said: ‘Aircraft and pilot resources
are now focused on trials with UK aircraft
carriers to achieve the IOC (Maritime)
milestone in December 2020.’
The US Marine Corps too reports
Cost implications
that its legacy F-35 plans are no
While initial procurement cost was the longer optimized to meet the demands
source of much criticism for the F-35,
users are gaining a far clearer picture of of the US National Defense Strategy
the through-life cost of operating a fleet
of F-35s. The complexities and true cost
of this are a likely indicator of the issues
outlined by the NAO. The UK report stated
that the current whole-life cost estimate
for operating a fleet of 48 F-35Bs to 2025-
26 is £10.4 billion. Those 48 aircraft are the
initial amount required to equip the two
Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft
carriers, with the overall UK commitment
still officially set at 138 Lightnings.
Few expect this legacy plan to still be
financially viable.
The US Marine Corps too reports that its
legacy F-35 plans are no longer optimized
to meet the demands of the US National
Defense Strategy. Gen David Berger,
USMC commandant, says the new F-35
distribution strategy reflects a less-than-
anticipated need to tackle the kind of
enduring insurgent wars of recent years
and a pivot towards high-end threats from
China and Russia. The desire to operate
smaller, more flexible detachments could
result in the first official program of record
reduction for the F-35. The Vermont ANG is expected to
Meanwhile, the US Air Force is holding complete its F-35A re-equipping
this summer. Jim Haseltine
firm on its overall requirement and it has
There is a lot of pressure to

reduce through-life cost of the
F-35. USAF/TSgt John Winn

Four F-35As from the Luftforsvaret (Royal Norwegian Air
A changing global picture
Force, RNoAF) embarked on their first international mission That economic impact of the
when examples from 332 Skvadron at Ørland began a NATO- effects of the coronavirus cannot be
led Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to underestimated. Cost is an issue that will
meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs (ASIC IPPN)
tasking from February 19. Forsvaret never go away for the F-35 and there
is no doubt that larger block buys, and
increased international sales, are needed
to bring its unit price down further.
However, few expect the overall F-35
program — and indeed other major
projects — to come out unscathed from
a financially constrained global crisis, the
likes of which haven’t been felt since the
Great Depression of the 1930s.
The financial impact of coronavirus on
air forces is bound to be a source of real
concern, especially where funds have
been redirected into propping up ailing
businesses and healthcare systems. Air
arms will feel the pinch of needing to
compensate for huge national debt in
the wake of the main outbreak of the
pandemic this year. There will be less
appetite for overly expensive equipment
where other suitably capable, more cost-
Poland has signed a announced the latest round of basing effective, solutions exist.
contract worth $4.6 decisions for its planned fleet of 1,763 While it’s too early to predict the exact
billion under which
the country will F-35As. The Department of the Air Force medium-term influence of this global
acquire 32 F-35As. has now officially selected Truax Field, health crisis, two clear initial effects
USAF/TSgt John Winn Wisconsin, and Dannelly Field, Alabama, impacted key nodes in the global supply
for the next two Air National Guard (ANG) chain of the F-35 in March. Workers for
F-35A Lightning II locations. Secretary of Lockheed Martin at its Final Assembly
the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett said: ‘The and Check-Out (FACO) at Cameri, Italy,
Department of the Air Force selected the were directed to work from home over
115th Fighter Wing and the 187th Fighter concerns about the virus as Italy went
Wing as the next Air National Guard into lockdown. Meanwhile, work at the
locations to receive the F-35A.’ Before Japanese FACO operated by Mitsubishi
finalizing the basing decisions, the USAF Heavy Industries was also paused.
completed a mandatory environmental Lockheed Martin said the principal Fort
analysis, which began in early 2018. The Worth, Texas, assembly line remained
USAF expects the F-35As to begin arriving unaffected by the virus. The overall
at both locations in 2023. impact on F-35 production was minimal.
Currently, three active-duty operational However, there was already pressure
bases have been selected for the F-35 — within Europe to support local aerospace
Hill AFB, Utah; RAF Lakenheath, UK; and industries as initial COVID-19 lockdowns
Eielson AFB, Alaska; with Burlington Air were lifted. This could see fewer orders
Guard Station, Vermont, as the first ANG going to the US, and an increased
unit. One Air Force Reserve location, Joint emphasis on buying European. French
Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, has been defense minister Florence Parly said in
selected to host F-35As, pending the a recent Senate Defense Committee
results of an environmental study. hearing: ‘My ministry, the state’s leading
US Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin investor, will have a special role to play
noted that the F-35 program could help when it comes to reviving the French
stabilize the local economy as it was economy. In the equipment program
reeling from the coronavirus pandemic: we have significant resources to make
‘During this time of economic uncertainty, our large defense industries work for
basing the F-35 mission at Truax Field the country.’ In the US too, air force
will maintain the more than 1,650 jobs to acquisition chief Dr Will Roper is seeking
which the 115th FW currently contributes more congressional help for the defense
and, over the lifetime of the F-35 mission, industrial base as companies strive to
there is an estimated economic impact of find their ‘new business rhythm’ in this
$4.8 billion for Wisconsin,’ she said. coronavirus era.

OVER
Combat Aircraft Journal meets Colombia’s A-37 ‘Dragons’, which end of the 1960s. The Colombian capital,
Bogotá, thus requested thus requested
have proven their worth on many occasions over an incredible the provision of six Cessna A-37Bs
40-year history. from America. At the time, the US Air
Force (USAF) had insufficient numbers
of Dragonflies available to transfer.
REPORT AND PHOTOS Erwan de Cherisey Washington therefore proposed to deliver
B
two A-37Bs and four T-37Bs and the FAC
ARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA, Force) and its Escuadrón de Combate accepted the deal, thinking that — like
SITS on the Caribbean 311 (ESCOM 311) ‘Dragones’ based at the T-37C which it already fielded — the
coast, a short hop from Barranquilla, in the north of the country. T-37B would be capable of carrying
ideal training areas. As the The squadron is the FAC’s sole A-37 unit, a weapons for use in the light attack role
twin General Electric J85 type that has now been in service for more until additional A-37s could be obtained.
engines of a Cessna A-37B than 40 years. Nicknamed ‘Dragon’ by the However, the T-37B lacked the necessary
Dragonfly whistle into life, Lt Col S (full Colombians, the A-37B continues to play wiring for carrying weapons, limiting it to
name withheld for security reasons) a critical role in the fight against guerrillas the training role.
goes through pre-taxi checks before the and criminal groups that still operate in The first two A-37Bs (serials FAC-2151
little attack aircraft scuttles out to the Colombia. The FAC also operates around and 2152) were received in December
main runway. The Dragonfly sits low to 13 T-37 Tweets that are used for training 1978. In 1980, Bogotá learned that more
the ground, with its straight wings laden with Escuadrón de Combate 116 ‘Tango’ at A-37s had become available — requesting
with an impressive complement of fuel Palanquero. Despite their the delivery of another four examples
tanks and ordnance. With his wingman age, Colombia’s in exchange for the return of the T-37Bs,
aboard, Lt Col S signals the start of the A-37 origins A-37Bs are
maintained in
subsequently adding another six for a
take-off run, soon getting airborne and In 1977, Colombia was keen to expand its pristine standard, total of 10 aircraft. The new examples
heading out to sea. attack and interdiction capabilities, which as illustrated by received serials FAC-2153-2162 and they
this example,
These aircraft belong to the Fuerza had been weakened by the withdrawal seen flying over
were delivered between the second half of
Aérea Colombiana (FAC, Colombian Air of its last Douglas B-26 Invader at the the Caribbean. 1980 and the first semester of 1981.
38-43 Colombian Dragonflies C.indd 38 23/04/2020 22:29

THE
Satisfied with the A-37’s capabilities, deliveries taking place, the aircraft were to act as a deterrent against Nicaragua.
the FAC sought to further expand its fleet then relocated to Barranquilla in the early This presence was maintained until the
and to that end, in 1983, it placed an 1980s, under the recently established late 2000s, when Embraer A-29 Super
order for another 12 former US aircraft, Grupo Aéreo Norte (Northern Air Tucanos took over the assignment.
which were likely obtained from the Group), which later became Air Combat In four decades of service, Colombia’s
Air National Guard (ANG). The aircraft Command 3 (CACOM 3: Comando A-37s have taken part in most combat
received Colombian serials FAC-2163- Aéreo de Combate 3). The reason for operations conducted by the military
2174 and were delivered in December their positioning there was to intercept against the different guerrilla, terrorist,
1984. Five years later, a batch of eight the growing number of illegal flights and criminal groups in the country. They
additional A-37s was received from the crossing Colombia’s Caribbean waters. have proved their worth on multiple
US (FAC-2175-2182). In 2011, six airframes Due to the twin-engine configuration, the occasions.
were purchased from Chile. Four of these A-37s were found to be safer to operate
(FAC-2183-2186) were subsequently over the sea than single-engine fighters. The Dragons’ nest
refurbished and pressed into service with Although based at Barranquilla, multiple Headquartered in Barranquilla, CACOM
the FAC to compensate for the withdrawal aircraft were positioned at different air 3 controls Grupo de Combate 31
of a number of aircraft that had reached bases on temporary deployments for air (Combat Group 31), which comprises
the end of their service lives. Finally, in interdiction and attack duties. four flying units: ESCOM 311 which
2016, a further two A-37s were acquired, In 1981, in response to the increasingly flies the A-37s; ESCOM 312 ‘Drako’
this time from the Dominican Republic aggressive attitude of the nationalist with Embraer A-29B Super Tucanos;
and, following extensive servicing, were rebellion group Sandinista Nicaragua, Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 313
commissioned into service in 2017 as which claimed the Archipelago of San (Tactical Combat Squadron 313), which
serials FAC-2187 and 2188. Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina as operates a mix of Bell 212 Rapaz, Cessna
part of its territory, Colombia decided to 208, and Embraer C-95 Bandeirante; and
Into service reinforce its military presence in the area. Escuadrón de Defensa Aérea 314 (Air
It appears that the first two Colombian As a result, the Grupo Aéreo del Caribe Defense Squadron 314), which fields
A-37s were initially based in Cali, (Caribbean Air Group) was established in several Cessna SR-560s. ESCOM 315 —
alongside the FAC’s T-37Cs. With additional San Andrés, with a detachment of A-37s an aerial navigation unit with specialists

UNIT REPORT // ESCUADRÓN DE COMBATE 311
such as ground controllers — is also part ‘Dragons’ in detail the changing specifics of the Colombian
of the group. The A-37 features four ‘wet’ underwing internal conflict. Indeed, Colombian
The exact number of A-37s currently in hardpoints for external fuel tanks for ‘Dragons’ are noteworthy for being the
service with ESCOM 311 is not officially increased endurance. In Colombia, these only examples in the world with the
disclosed. However, it’s known to include are almost always carried. The FAC A-37s ability to employ GPS-guided ordnance
a single former US aircraft (FAC-2161), are also fitted with an in-flight refueling in the shape of the Raytheon GBU-49. This
four former Chilean aircraft, and a pair of probe, which allows them to tank from capability was added to the fleet to meet
ex-Dominican jets. In 2018, ESCOM 311’s the FAC’s single Boeing 767-2J6ER ‘Jupiter’ an increasing need for higher precision
nimble jets clocked 650 flying hours. in-flight refueling aircraft. This capability when conducting air strikes against
ESCOM 311’s pilots come from a has proven critical in combat operations the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias
diverse set of backgrounds, but all of where the A-37s have found themselves de Colombia (FARC, Revolutionary
them trained at the Escuela Militar de orbiting for hours in the air, waiting Armed Forces of Colombia — People’s
Aviación (Military Aviation School) in Cali, for positive target identification from Army), notably to reduce the risk of
passing through basic training before ground intelligence sources to be able to collateral damage.
progressing to the T-37B, and then to prosecute an attack. The initial plan called for integrating the
the A-37. Once at ESCOM 311, new pilots The weapons used by ESCOM 311 GBU-49 onto the A-29, but, due to the
undertake an average of 72 hours of include the A-37’s nose-mounted General complexity of the process, the program
training that includes a yearly trip to Peru Electric GAU-2B/A 7.62mm gun with was shelved and the FAC decided instead
for emergency procedures training in a 1,500 rounds of ammunition as well as to outfit the A-37 with the ordnance.
bespoke A-37 simulator. a range of wing-mounted stores. These Integration work began in 2006 by fitting
comprise LAU-68 launchers each carrying the A-37s with the Raytheon Enhanced
seven 70mm rockets, 250lb Mk81, 500lb Paveway Avionics Kit (EPAK), which
Mk82, and 750lb M117 dumb bombs. The allows aircraft not equipped with a MIL-
MAINTAINING Raytheon GBU-49 GPS/INS-guided bomb

can also be carried, as well as SUU-25 flare
STD-1760/1553 interface to accept GPS/
INS-guided bombs. The first operational
THE ‘DRAGONS’ launchers. These carry eight illumination bombings using the GBU-49 took place
Maintenance of the A-37s is rounds that can either be standard flares in 2007 and, since then, the vast majority
conducted by Technical Group or infra-red versions, used in conjunction of air strikes conducted by the A-37s have
31, which comes under the direct The FAC A-37Bs
with night-vision goggles. seen the use of this weapon. typically operate
authority of CACOM 3. The main
servicing phases are conducted every While originally intended to perform Today, a small number of ESCOM 311’s with four
air interdiction, light attack, and close air A-37s are still equipped with EPAK, while underwing drop
150, 300, and 900 flying hours.
tanks to maximize
support (CAS) duties, the FAC’s A-37s have the remaining examples are fitted with the range and mission
been modernized over time to adapt to Wireless Paveway Avionics Kit (WiPAK). The endurance.
In four decades of service, Colombia’s A-37s have taken part in

most combat operations conducted by the military against the
different guerrilla, terrorist, and criminal groups in the country

latter is a non-intrusive solution developed A number of other improvements (AHRS), and a Collins Aerospace RTU-4220
by Raytheon, which allows integration were made to the A-37s before GBU- radio tuning unit. The work was performed
of the Paveway without the need for any 49 integration, which included the entirely in Barranquilla with assistance
modification to the wiring or flight and modification of the aircraft’s cockpit to from US company ARINC.
stores management systems. The WiPAK make it compatible with night-vision Top: A small life- In 2008, the FAC developed an
comprises a receiving station, which is goggles (NVG), in 1998. A more extensive extension project innovative weapons delivery pattern for
installed in the A-37 cockpit, an antenna upgrade, undertaken at the end of 1999, has increased the its A-37s when using unguided ordnance
A-37’s flight hours
that is mounted on its fuselage, and a involved fitting 14 aircraft with a Garmin to 7,860. by conducting combined strikes with
control tablet the pilot straps to one of GNS 530 avionics suite, together with an the A-29s.
his thighs. Attitude and Heading Reference System Above left to In 2013, the FAC modified its A-37s with
right: The nose
is fitted with an M130 chaff/flare launchers to improve
internal General their self-protection capabilities. Infra-red
Electric GAU-2B/A light emitting panels have also been
7.62mm Minigun
with 1,500 rounds added on each side of the fuselage in
of ammunition. order to provide visual bearings for close
formation flying when operating at night
The
predominantly with NVGs. The airframes have also been
analogue cockpit put through a life-extension program that
of the A-37B, has increased service life from 7,000 to
which has
received a few 7,860 flying hours.
minor upgrades
over the years. Combat exploits and
Left: The A-37 training exercises
is able to carry Throughout their long careers in
an impressive Colombia, A-37s have performed a
external load
despite its small wide range of combat duties, from air
size. interception/interdiction to precision

UNIT REPORT // ESCUADRÓN DE COMBATE 311
strike, as well as light attack or CAS. decided to dismantle the zone and
The Dragons are noteworthy for their launched a military operation to retake it.
participation in almost every single major In September 2007, the A-37s conducted
operation undertaken by the Colombian their first operational bombing mission
military against the guerrillas of the FARC with the GBU-49 under Operation ‘Nascent
until the 2014 ceasefire. Sun’, which saw the ‘Dragons’ carry out
Among these was the bombing of the a night strike on a FARC position. In
FARC’s headquarters, known as Casa Verde, October 2007, the A-37s struck again,
in December 1990, as part of Operation during Operation ‘Alcatraz’. On March 1,
‘Colombia’, which saw the involvement 2008, they were involved in Operation
of nine A-37s. In February 2002, several ‘Phoenix’, which culminated in the death
A-37s took part in Operation ‘TH’ (‘Todo of the commander of the FARC’s Southern
Honor’, all honor) which mobilized more Block, who was hiding in Ecuador, just a
than 20,000 troops for the purpose of stone’s throw from Colombia. The night
retaking the so-called Distention Zone, air attack involved three A-37s armed
a safe-haven of sorts, created in 1998, with GBU-49s and five A-29s carrying
where FARC forces were concentrated unguided ordnance. The aircraft released
as part of peace negotiations with the their bombs while in Colombian airspace,
Colombian government. When talks but the operation sparked a stand-
failed to make headway, the government off between Ecuador, Venezuela, and
Left: FAC
Dragonfly pilots
have a wealth
of combat
experience, and
they are regularly
called upon to
tackle a variety
of operational
missions.
Above: FAC
A-37Bs join a
Brazilian C-130 for
in-flight refueling
during Exercise
‘Cruzex’ in 2013.
FAC

Colombia, which saw the Venezuelan and released two GBU-49 bombs on a Above left to rugged, they are like Swiss-army knives,
military concentrate forces on the border position occupied by FARC dissidents. right: A LAU-68 their multipurpose nature having been
with Colombia until the issue was resolved The ‘Dragons’ have also been used launcher carrying massively improved by the addition of
seven 70mm
by diplomatic means. intensively in the air interception role, rockets. the GBU-49. While the replacement of
In addition to these and many other against illegal flights used for drug the A-37s is being actively considered,
major actions, the A-37s have participated or contraband transport. Until 2005, A-37B pilots the topic is clearly complex, since there
wear night-vision
in multiple smaller missions and continue Colombian legislation allowed for the goggles to enable are very few aircraft currently available
to play a critical role in the ongoing shooting down of such flights. Indeed, in operations around on the market that can offer comparable
confrontation against criminal groups 1985, the first downing of an illicit aircraft the clock. capabilities at a similar cost. The ‘Dragons’
in the region. In June 2018, a pair of by an A-37 took place. Several others Below: The thus have several years ahead of them
ESCOM 311 aircraft provided CAS with followed until the change in the law. Since Colombian A-37s during which they will continue to
70mm rockets and Minigun fire for troops then, the FAC’s A-37s have continued feature a fixed extend their wings over Colombia’s
in-flight refueling
fighting a large guerrilla force in the performing air policing and interception probe on the skies, rendering invaluable services to
region of Catatumbo, in the northeast duties, forcing aircraft to land instead of nose. the FAC.
of Colombia. A single AC-47T gunship bringing them down.
and a Sikorsky AH-60L attack helicopter By the early 2000s, the FAC was seriously
were also involved, acting as forward air considering withdrawing its A-37s from
controllers for the A-37s. On February 2, service, but the nimble jets have since
2019, three A-37s that had been forward proven how indispensable they truly
deployed to Palanquero air base took off are. Cost effective and exceptionally

44-51 Italian Eurofighter C.indd 44 23/04/2020 22:27

Combat Aircraft Journal enjoys exclusive access
to one of the most important strategic hubs of the
Italian Air Force — Trapani air base. Home of the
37° Stormo and of the 18° Gruppo equipped with
Eurofighter F-2000s, this base is playing a key role
in safeguarding the Mediterranean.
REPORT AND PHOTOS Giovanni Colla
T
HE AERONAUTICA MILITARE the 18° Gruppo — triggering an intense
(AM, Italian Air Force) knows period of training and requalification
all about history, culture for the resident pilots and maintenance
and tradition. Entering the personnel. The squadron expanded fast
building of the 18° Gruppo at and by 2013 it was ready for a thorough
Trapani is like stepping into an test of its operating procedures and
aviation museum, with the walls lined capabilities through a series of national
with memorabilia tracing the decades and international exercises.
of this incredible unit, which celebrated
its centenary in 2017. It’s a Gruppo that Typhoons of Trapani
has disappeared from time to time Trapani’s Eurofighters fit into an overall
in cutbacks, only to be re-born when AM operational picture that includes the
necessary. 4° Stormo at Grosseto, the 36° Stormo
The strategic importance of Trapani-Birgi at Gioia del Colle, and a new squadron
air base in Sicily was highlighted in 2011 within the 51° Stormo at Istrana. Alongside
amid NATO’s Operation ‘Unified Protector’ the F-35, the primary role of the Italian
in Libya, as the station provided a vital hub Eurofighters is air defense. This mission
for air operations both in terms of support is essentially run in two ways: under
and logistics. Its location enabled a high NATO command from the combined air
state of readiness among the various operations center (CAOC) in Torrejón,
international assets that were detached Spain (in support of NATO operations
here over eight months, starting with the under international law); and under
US-led Operation ‘Odyssey Dawn’. the aegis of the national government.
At the time of the Libya operation, the The NATO commitment involves the
18° Gruppo was equipped with US-loaned squadron covering the southern sector
Lockheed Martin F-16ADFs under ‘Peace of the European air defense region for
Caesar’, which was coming to an end. approximately one week per month on a
As the Libya commitment wound up round-the-clock basis, a role it shares with
The Trapani-based and the F-16s began to return to the US, the wing at Gioia del Colle. In a calendar
Eurofighters
handle an array many expected the former F-104 base at month, Gioia del Colle covers three weeks
of tasks, primarily Trapani to enter a decline and therefore and Trapani covers one. When it is not
providing aerial an uncertain future. However, the Libya standing the 24/7 duty it still maintains
protection for the
southern flank of role sparked quite the opposite — the quick reaction alert (QRA), but only from
Italy. This example value of Trapani and its close proximity to sunrise until sunset.
is an airframe the Mediterranean was recognized and Despite having primarily procured the
from Tranche 3A,
the final batch of acted upon. On October 18, 2012, the Eurofighter for air superiority, in recent
aircraft for the AM. first Eurofighter F-2000A was delivered to years the AM has embraced swing-

UNIT REPORT // 37° STORMO
A trio of
F-2000As from
the 37° Stormo
at Trapani.
ADVANCED
SUPPORT This pair of F-2000As carries
The move from the F-16ADF to the live AIM-120 AMRAAMs and
Eurofighter heralded a big shake-up IRIS-T weapons.
in maintenance procedures at the
Trapani wing. F-16 support relied on
the Gruppo Efficienza Aeromobili role, investing significant resources
(GFA, Aircraft Efficiency Group), both in terms of expertise, manpower,
which came under the remit of the
and hardware. Maj Gianluigi ‘Cash’ (full
resident wing commander. With the
Eurofighter, it is now entrusted to name withheld for security reasons) is
the Servizio Tecnico Rinforzato (STR, the commander of the 18° Gruppo. He
Reinforced Technical Service), which explained that this evolution for the type
is the responsibility of the squadron has progressed well: ‘This is evidenced
commander. The STR autonomously
by the deployment that is under way in
ensures all first and second line
technical level maintenance tasks are Kuwait under Operation ‘Prima Parthica’,
completed. Some advanced second which has confirmed at an international
level work is assisted by the Gioia del level the ability of our aircraft to be able
Colle wing, which acts as something to operate — without distinction — in
of a Eurofighter support hub. The
both the air-to-air and air-to-ground
Trapani squadron flies approximately
2,000 hours per year. [roles], and more precisely in the role of
reconnaissance.’
The swing-role attributes of the Italian
Eurofighter F-2000s is further endorsed
by the fact that the mission in the Middle
East has been conducted while a second
operation — for air policing in Romania —
was also under way in the summer of 2019
on behalf of NATO.
This image: A fine
head-on view
Effective training of a Eurofighter
Modern ‘live’ training in frontline combat F-2000A of the 18°
Gruppo.
aircraft is increasingly underpinned
with synthetic, embedded, elements. Left: Maj ‘Cash’
For example, in the past aircraft carried performs a pre-
flight walkround
practice bombs or captive-carry air-to-air check of his
missiles. With the Eurofighter, the majority aircraft.

of training is performed employing ‘bogus’
weapons. It means the internal training
modes are sufficiently advanced to
effectively present weapons employment
via software alone, negating the need
to carry the actual hardware. While this
has made day-to-day training more
versatile, segmented training airspace is
still required.
Maj ‘Cash’ told Combat Aircraft Journal:
‘Over the years the process of becoming
an air-to-ground pilot and, subsequently,
swing-role qualified has changed. Initially,
it was a case of converting pilots already
trained in the air-to-air element, then
integrating their path with air-to-ground
work.’ Until mid-2019, each Eurofighter
wing’s qualified swing-role instructors
were responsible for taking new pilots
through a conversion course that included
three different phases: air interdiction to
learn the art of bomb release; precision
targeting to learn how to use the Litening
pod; then intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) to bring in the
Rafael RecceLite pod. Maj ‘Cash’ added:
‘Now, new pilots undergo a swing-role
conversion at the 20° Gruppo [the
operational conversion unit at Grossetto]
meaning that once they arrive at the
operational squadron, they immediately
Sporting a smart customized visor

cover, a pilot is strapped in and
ready for a night mission.

carry out any type of mission in the conversion unit syllabus onto the
Eurofighter repertoire.’ cheaper platform.
The first swing-role course at the Maj ‘Cash’ said: ‘The training process
conversion unit took place last summer includes flight simulators that allow
with a brand new syllabus embracing students to acquire confidence in the
all the new roles. Lasting six months it management of the on-board systems
heralds a profound change in the way before actual use in flight. The training
a new F-2000 pilot is trained and was takes place with the so-called ‘building
the combined work of Comando Scuole block’ approach, so once the necessary
(Air Force Schools Command) and the confidence with the different roles has
Squadra Aerea (Air Fleet Command). The been acquired, these are joined together
aim is to streamline training from the to form swing-role, able to switch
start, making full use of the T-346 Master between roles in the same mission.’
in advanced flying training phases, This early foundation means that ab
thanks to its identical cockpit layout initio pilots are better equipped from
and mission systems as the Eurofighter, the outset to move efficiently through
and therefore the ability to ‘download’ operational conversion, then out to the
elements of traditional operational front-line squadrons.
Above: A pair
of Trapani
Eurofighters on
patrol off the
coast of Sicily.
Left: The advent

of the P1Eb
upgrade has
brought about
true swing-role
for the Italian
Eurofighters.

The AM was no longer able to justify range of operational capabilities in very
dedicated single-role aircraft, with a short time,’ he added.
clear requirement for its combat air
This image: As
the sun sets power to be able to tackle any missions Evolving the Italian fleet
the twin EJ200 with minimal preparation. ‘Cash’ said The current main operational fleet
engines propel the development and continuous comprises single-seat F-2000As, which
this F-2000A
airborne for a
night mission.
improvement of the Eurofighter in
recent years has also been thanks to
P2E is are the newer Tranche 2/3A aircraft,
and all of them are now in the Phase
Below left to
the introduction of pilots coming from
different types such as the AMX and the
planned 1 Enhancement (P1Eb) configuration,
while the Tranche 1 jets follow a slightly
right: The Italian
Air Force has
blended the new
Tornado: ‘The inclusion of AMX pilots in
the Eurofighter fleet was a consequence
to be available different path and have been upgraded
to ITA Mod 4 configuration, which allows
T-346 into its
pilot training to of the progressive retirement of the from the end the use of the RecceLite pod. Alongside
help streamline AMX [scheduled for January 2021] the AIM-120C-5 model of the AMRAAM
the path to the
Eurofighter.
and we must retain as much expertise of 2020 and it (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air
as possible from those pilots as we Missile) the AM employs the IRIS-T
Maintenance of transition them to a different force [such will change the infrared-guided short-range missile. For
the Eurofighter
fleet has seen
a dramatic
as Eurofighter].’ This follows the same
evolutionary patch seen in the AM as it
concept of using air-to-ground, P1Eb added the GBU-16
Paveway laser-guided bomb and GBU-48
overhaul in recent
years, and now
moved from the F-104 Starfighter and
F-16 to the F-2000. ‘This has allowed
the Eurofighter Enhanced Paveway Dual Mode GPS and
laser-guided weapon.
comes under
the respective growth of the Eurofighter community Maj ‘Cash’, The Italian squadrons are now gearing
squadrons. with excellent results, expanding the commander, the 18° Gruppo up for Phase 2 Enhancement (P2E),

which is already operational in many of commitments of the squadron at Trapani
the Eurofighter partner air forces. ‘P2E is continue to be many and varied, as Maj
planned to be available from the end of ‘Cash’ added: ‘The required standard
2020 and it will change the concept of is maintained thanks to the efficiency,
using the Eurofighter,’ Maj ‘Cash’ explained. passion, and dedication of the staff.’ He
It significantly expands the fighter’s smiled and concluded: ‘The planning and
stand-off targeting with the addition of scheduling remain the most important
the MBDA Storm Shadow cruise missile, tools in the daily life of a fighter squadron
with an even bigger game-changer being — this allows you to better organize
the addition of the Meteor Beyond Visual- the training of pilots and ensure their
Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). Meteor effectiveness.’ The results have been
is a successor to AMRAAM, and it offers far evident, from air policing in Iceland,
greater engagement ranges compared the Baltic states and Romania, to the
with its US predecessor. What is rarely overwatch role in Kuwait.
reported under P2E is a massive overhaul
in the Human-Machine Interface (HMI). It The author would like to thank: Aeronautica
has made the Eurofighter cockpit far more Militare Public Affairs; Col Mauro Gnutti, the 37°
user-friendly, with the pilot able to switch Stormo commander; Maj ‘Cash’, the 18° Gruppo
commander; Maj Maurizio Nanni,
between roles more easily.
the 37° Stormo public relations
The 18° Gruppo entered the Eurofighter officer; and all the men and
business as the early teething problems women of the 18° Gruppo
were ironed out, and the jet really matured for their support in
the production of this feature.
into a swing-role thoroughbred. The
A Eurofighter
F-2000A of the
18° Gruppo at
Trapani carrying
live IRIS-T
missiles and
GBU-16 laser-
guided bombs.


PART 2
S
The 1970s-vintage ‘Hind’ is OME 50 YEARS after the type’s suite centered around the OPS-24N-1L
maiden flight, Mil Mi-24 day/night observation/targeting package,
one of the most widely used and 35 ‘Hind’ production utilizing an enhanced-performance
rotary-wing gunships of all is very much alive. In its infra-red long-wave detector with a
latest form — the Mi-35M maximum range of up to 5.4nm (10km) for
time. This rugged and fearsome — this rugged, capable and detecting tank-type targets, plus a claimed
attack helicopter has achieved affordable Russian attack helicopter recognition range of up to 4.3nm (8km) in
success on a global scale; it’s continues to evolve, becoming even optimal conditions.
more lethal and more survivable. Now The beefed-up armament package of
been adapted for round-the- there is a further enhanced Mi-35M this enhanced ‘Hind’ is represented by
clock precision operations and derivative, unveiled for the first time by the laser beam-riding Ataka-VM anti-
Russian Helicopters at the Army-2018 tank guided missile (ATGM), with 3.24nm
is now offered in an ultimate defense exhibition held in August 2018 (6km) maximum range; up to eight can
configuration as the Mi-35M. in Kubinka near Moscow. be carried on a single launcher. It also
Believed to be aimed mainly at export comes armed with the new 9K121M
REPORT Alexander Mladenov customers, it sports an improved targeting guided weapons suite including the
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 52 23/04/2020 22:25

9A4172K Vikhr-1 ATGM, a long-range, new order for an undisclosed number about 20 Mi-35Ms. The enhanced ‘Hinds’
hard-hitting missile originally developed of enhanced ‘Hinds’, to be used as will be used for close air support (CAS)
for the Ka-50/52 family. Carried on a attrition replacements. In February and occasional transport of troops and
six-round launcher, its maximum range and March 2019, as many as six newly supplies in high-threat environments.
extends to 5.4nm (10km), but during night built examples were taken on strength Following the Venezuelan order for 10
engagements the Vikhr-1’s range is limited by the VKS. aircraft, another Latin American country
The Mi-35M by the performance of the FLIR sensor of There are prospects for another also showed interest in the Mi-35M —
complements the OPS-24N-1L targeting system. significant order for the Russian military, the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian
the more
sophisticated this time for equipping the elite airborne Air Force) took 12 examples on strength
but less reliable Mi-35M owners’ club troops branch. This is a highly mobile between April 2010 and November
Mi-28N in Russian The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) is part of the Russian military that utilizes 2013. The Azerbaijani Border Service
service with
mixed-fleet the largest Mi-35M operator, initially helicopter support from the VKS’ army was the third export customer for the
squadrons, taking 49 examples under two separate aviation branch. According to the Russian enhanced ‘Hind’ with an order for 24
usually with dual- contracts, delivered between 2011 and daily newspaper, Izvestiya, this service will placed in September 2010 and priced at
rated aircrews.
via Alexander 2014. Then, in early 2019, it was revealed be set up within two or three years, and around $360 million. The first batch of
Mladenov that the Russian military had placed a it is expected to include a squadron of four Mi-35Ms was delivered in December
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 53 23/04/2020 22:25

TYPE REPORT // MI-35M ‘HIND’
Left: Mi-35Ms on
the production
2011 and the last examples were taken first examples in November 2013, while line at Rostvertol.
Alexander
in January 2014. It is noteworthy that the the last ones followed in October 2014. Mladenov
brand new Azerbaijani enhanced ‘Hinds’ The former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan
were seen armed with UB-16 and UB-32 is known to have placed three separate Below: The
Mi-24’s rugged
rocket packs for the rather obsolete S-5 orders, each covering delivery of four airframe has
family of rockets, most likely used for newly built Mi-35Ms, in an effort to been cleared
training purposes. By 2015 or 2016, it replace its Soviet-era Mi-24s operated for 4,000 hours
and 40 years,
is believed that the vast majority of the by the Qazaqstannyñ Qarūly küshteri and the time
Mi-35Ms or even the entire fleet had (Kazakhstan Air and Defense Force). The between fuselage
been transferred to the Azərbaycan hərbi first four machines were taken on strength structural
overhauls is set
hava qüvvələri (Azerbaijani Air and Air in December 2016 while the second batch, at 1,000 hours
Defense Force). ordered in 2015, was expected to arrive in and seven years,
With 28 machines ordered, the Iraqi the country last year. Four more, agreed whichever is
reached first.
Army Aviation Service became the Mi- in early 2018, were slated for delivery Alexander
35M’s largest export operator, taking its this year. Mladenov
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 54 23/04/2020 22:25

The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has country’s counter-insurgency capabilities.
also entered the list of Mi-35M operators. The first pair of newly delivered enhanced
The 2015 order, covering four Mi-35Ms, ‘Hinds’ for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
together with training, spare parts and was taken on strength in January 2017
ground support equipment, was priced and they were quickly involved in combat
at $153 million. These enhanced ‘Hinds’ operations. The second pair was delivered
are reported to have been accepted at to Nigeria in April 2018 and the remainder
Rostvertol in mid-2017, while the formal is slated for delivery in 2022.
handover was reported in December Mali is also a new African customer for
2018. Pakistan’s eventual needs are the type, operating two Mi-35Ms, ordered
estimated at up to 20 Mi-35Ms. in 2016 and delivered in September 2017.
A total of 12 Mi-35Ms were ordered by In November 2017, Russian arms
Nigeria in 2014, in an effort to boost the export agency Rosoboronexport and
Above: Mali
ordered two new-
build Mi-35Ms in
September 2017.
Malian Presidency
Office
Right: A newly
built, enhanced
‘Hind’ in the
factory and
wearing a light
blue primer.
The final paint
is added after
initial check
flights. Alexander
Mladenov
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 55 23/04/2020 22:25

TYPE REPORT // MI-35M ‘HIND’
the Uzbekistani defense ministry signed also talks held in November 2018 with standard, it sports a more modest suite
a contract for delivery of 12 Mi-35Ms, Bangladesh on the possible sale of six Mi- of enhancements and is marketed as an
with the first four of which arrived in 35Ms. The list of the likely new customers affordable alternative for export operators
December 2019. for the enhanced ‘Hind’ in the near-to- around the world who are aspiring
Below: This
Serbia is the latest known customer medium term also includes Belarus, to upgrade their existing Mi-24D/V/P ex-Bulgarian Air
for the Mi-35M, with an order for four Myanmar, Armenia and Peru. or Mi-35/P fleets. It is also expected Force Mi-24D
new-build examples known to have been that this relatively affordable upgrade was sold to the
Ivory Coast in
placed in 2017 or 2018; their delivery also Mi-35P flexible package will be embraced in Russia, 2017 following
took place in December 2019. upgrade package as VKS Army Aviation still operates a overhaul, life
According to the Federal Service for The Mi-35P upgrade is another new relatively large fleet of Mi-24Ps with a lot extension and
modest upgrade.
Military-Technical Cooperation, Russia’s derivative of the enhanced ‘Hind’. of service life remaining. These machines Alexander
arms export control body, there were Compared with the new-build Mi-35M would be suitable for a cost-effective Mladenov
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 56 23/04/2020 22:25

Left to right: A
close-up frontal
view of a Mi-35P
SECONDHAND ‘HINDS’
enhanced ‘Hind’ its stocks have been exhausted as the
featuring the OPS- country’s maintenance facilities ran out
24N-1L payload of spares produced in Russia due to an
that enables the Myanmar, Indonesia, Angola, Cameroon, in Eastern Europe, to be sold to customers arms embargo. In this new situation,
employment of Uganda and Sudan, in addition to the at affordable prices following airframe, Bulgaria and Poland have emerged as new
the Ataka-VM and former Soviet republic of Armenia, have engine and transmission refurbishment, sources of secondhand, low-cost ‘Hinds’.
Vikhr-1 anti-tank
purchased refurbished secondhand combined with small-scale upgrades For example, the Bulgarian arms trade
guided missiles.
Alexander ‘Hinds’ from Russia with plenty of service of their antiquated avionics suites and company Metalika-AB managed to sell six
Mladenov life remaining. Sudan was among the arsenals. The helicopters, stripped of their Mi-24Ds to Mali between 2007 and 2012,
largest recent customers — in 2014-15 ATGM capability (as the aging Shturm-V followed by three more to Ivory Coast in
The Mi-35M, it ordered 12 refurbished Mi-24Ps, while and Falanga-FP guided missiles are 2017 and a further two to Burkina Faso in
unveiled in August Myanmar received eight in 2010-11 and deemed too expensive and hard to find) 2018 and 2019.
2018, adds an an undisclosed number of additional are still deemed good enough for use as Meanwhile, Slovak and Polish arms trade
improved OPS- examples followed in 2015. Angola is also gunships with a wide array of unguided companies sold three ex-Slovak Mi-24Vs
24N-1L package known to have taken up to 12 ex-VKS ordnance such as 57mm and 80mm to Senegal, refurbished at the WZL-1
together with
Mi-24Ps following refurbishment in 2016. rockets, 23mm gun pods and freefall MRO facility in Łódź in 2017. Belarus also
the Vikhr-1 for
longer-range An undisclosed quantity of ex-VKS Mi-35Ps bombs in addition to their 12.7mm joined the club, delivering in May 2019
engagements was also handed over to Syria in 2017 and machine gun in a flexible nose mount or two refurbished Mi-24Vs to Afghanistan,
against small immediately rushed into combat. 30mm fixed forward-firing cannon. paid with funds allocated by the Indian
hardened targets. There is currently a trend for the In the recent past, Ukraine was known government, and two more are expected
Alexander restoration of stored fleets of Mi-24D/V/Ps as the major source of used ‘Hinds’, but to follow suite in June or July.
Mladenov
According to upgrade in an effort to boost their flight/navigation system inherited from

Rostvertol, the
Mi-35P upgrade overall combat capability and provide the Mi-35M, together with its weapons,
is applicable good night operating potential for 10-15 but retaining the old airframe, rotor
to all previous years to come. system and powerplant from the Mi-24/35
‘Hind’ versions,
making the aging In fact, the Mi-35P was the long-awaited family. A life extension is on offer together
helicopter good upgrade standard as originally promised with the upgrade to render the improved
for a further 15 by Mil MHP and Rostvertol in the early ‘Hind’ good for use for 40 years and 4,000
years. Alexander
Mladenov 2000s, but abandoned soon after the flight hours.
first orders had been received for newly The upgraded ‘Hind’ was made capable
Inset: The Mi- built Mi-35Ms. of employing the 9M120-1 Ataka-VM undercarriage and the legacy TV3-
35M’s unguided
weapons delivery In 2017, the upgrade configuration was ATGM with laser guidance and the 117VMA engines. The old rotor system,
accuracy was dusted off and ready to receive customer NPPU-23 gun turret with a newly installed combined with retractable undercarriage
vastly increased orders; the first production-upgraded GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon and 250 and engines, means the upgraded ‘Hind’
thanks to the
use of a digital ‘Hinds’ are expected to be rolled out at rounds instead of the YakB-12.7 or the offers higher speed than new-build
weapons Rostvertol this year. GSh-2-30 cannon. Mi-35Ms. Overall, the upgraded option
computer and The Mi-35P — shown in prototype form The Mi-35P also retains the original stub- offers a compelling enhancement that will
laser rangefinder.
Alexander using an airframe borrowed from a Mi-24K wings, used to support four ATGM missile undoubtedly allow older ‘Hinds’ to stay
Mladenov — features the enhanced targeting and launchers, together with retractable credible well into the future.
This image: A
Mi-35M flies
alongside a
Mi-24P during
joint operations
in Syria — the
rotary-wing types
are assigned
to units in a
way that offers
complementary
capabilities.
Russian MoD
52-57 Mi-35 pt2 C.indd 57 23/04/2020 22:27

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PHOTO REPORT // JAPANESE RF-4
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force marked the end of the road
for its RF-4 Phantom IIs in March, a landmark in the gradual
retirement of the mighty ‘Rhino’ in air forces around the world.
Right top to
REPORT Thomas Newdick
A
bottom: The final
six JASDF recce
S HAS BEEN well silhouette to represent the initial type Phantoms —
comprising four
documented, retirement operated and an RF-4 silhouette.
RF-4Es and two
of the last reconnaissance The unit had ceased training flights RF-4EJs — lined
versions of the F-4 Phantom on March 3 but flew for one last time up at Hyakuri for
the final time on
II in Japan Air Self-Defense on March 9 to mark disbandment of the
March 9. JASDF
Force (JASDF) service took squadron. Appropriately, the last aircraft
place during a ceremony at Hyakuri to land was 47-6901, which had been 3 Hikotai at
Hyakuri is
Air Base, near Tokyo. The March 9 the first RF-4E delivered to the JASDF in
expanding its
event marked the final official flights 1974. An official disbandment ceremony complement of
of the last six RF-4E/RF-4EJ variants in took place on March 14 but did not Mitsubishi F-2s
as more airframes
service with 501 Hikotai (501st Tactical involve any flying.
are moved from
Reconnaissance Squadron), comprising This leaves the only operational JASDF Misawa.
serials 07-6433, 47-6901, 47-6903, 57- Phantom unit as 301 Hikotai, also based
RF-4E serial 47-
6907, 57-6909 and 67-6380. Each aircraft at Hyakuri, operating the F-4EJ Kai.
6901 returns from
also carried special markings, including a Although it will continue to fly the type a mission during
diagonal band in the style of a film strip until the end of this year, it will lose a soggy Hyakuri
morning — this
with ‘1981’ and ‘2020’ titles to signify aircraft throughout this year and then
was the very first
the first and last years of operations move to Misawa, where it will become RF-4E delivered to
by the squadron, with an RF-86F Sabre the second JASDF F-35A squadron. the JASDF.
60-61 JASDF C.indd 60 23/04/2020 22:18

RF-4E serial
47-6901 gets
airborne from
Hyakuri for one
of its final flights
before retirement.
Photos David
Parody unless
credited otherwise
60-61 JASDF C.indd 61 23/04/2020 22:24

A
S ISRAEL DEMONSTRATED
Sweden has taken a very different stance in the 1967 Six-Day War,
when it comes to the global coronavirus judiciously timed strategic
pandemic and in April the Swedish Air Force airstrikes can almost
eliminate an enemy’s air
participated in a road operations exercise to power in one fell swoop.
demonstrate how it can maintain readiness Only so much can be done to protect an
air force on the ground. Smart weapons
even in times of great stress. can be targeted to land on each and
every hangar, fuel facility and hardened
REPORT Jerry Gunner PHOTOS Tim Jansson aircraft shelter on any airfield in the
A JAS 39 Gripen C gets airborne

from a small stretch of road
during the exercise in April.
62-65 Swedish road ops C.indd 62 23/04/2020 22:17

Saab JAS 39C Gripen serial
275 of F 7 launches from
Swedish National Road 44.
world. Aircraft can be camouflaged from austere airstrips, including roads.

and hidden away in secluded areas Over the years, the nation has trained
on a base, but they will not be able in dispersing its fighters across the
to launch if the runways have been country to specially identified strips of
put out of action. There is almost no road surrounded by thick pine forests,
hiding place on the ground — not on then operating in exactly the same way
airfields anyway. as would be executed at home bases.
Every year since the days of the The crucial difference is that the jets
Cold War — except for a brief period are relatively safe from obliteration on
when the collapse of the Soviet Union the ground.
prompted defense cuts in the West as a This is even more important today
result of the so-called Peace Dividend when an enemy will know the exact
— Sweden’s Flygvapnet (Swedish Air location of every military facility its
Force) has run a series of exercises to enemy possesses and can program its
demonstrate its ability to fly and fight smart weapons accordingly. Sweden
The Gripen pilot remains

in the cockpit as the
aircraft is quickly
refueled and rearmed
on Highway 44.

OPS REPORT // GRIPEN ROAD TRAINING
requires that its fighters are all suitable and the number of flights by Voyenno-
for operations of this sort and this is why Vozdushnye Sily (Russian Aerospace
Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen was designed from Forces) aircraft probing NATO’s airspace
the outset to be serviced by small teams notably increased as the virus began
of personnel with basic tools and short to spread.
turnaround times. Sweden was still conducting cross-
border training with its neighbor
Practice makes perfect Finland, despite their land borders being
Military training was continuing in the closed because of the pandemic. This is
face of the coronavirus pandemic and why, as scheduled before the COVID-19
of course the threat from Sweden’s outbreak, on April 1, 2020 — with the
near neighbor Russia has not gone danger from the deadly virus causing
away — the ‘bear’ is as active as ever. many countries to enforce lockdowns on
On March 27, seven Russian navy their populations and ‘social distancing’
warships, three Steregushchiy-class becoming the norm — an off-base
corvettes, two Ropucha-class landing training exercise was carried out by the
ships and two Admiral Grigorovich-class Såtenäs-based Skaraborgs flygflottilj —
frigates transited the English Channel more widely known as F 7 Wing.
Saab JAS 39 Gripen Cs launched from
Såtenäs and landed on a section of
the national road 44 running between
Lidköping and Grästorp that was
temporarily turned into a fighter base.
Regular road traffic was — sensibly
— subjected to an interim diversion.
A temporary air traffic control tower,
Above: Speed is
manned by personnel assigned to the of the essence
air force’s F 17 Wing based at Ronneby, as these young
provided radar and navigation services maintainers
mount an AIM-120
for the exercise. Once the Gripens had (Rb 99) Advanced
launched from Såtenäs they contacted Medium-Range
the facility at the roadside and were Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM) on a
provided with the usual requirements, Gripen.
wind direction, temperature and
atmospheric pressures as they were Left: Col Malin
Persson,
given the co-ordinates of the strip and commander of F 7
cleared to land. at Såtenäs.

Before this could happen, a convoy of difficult the conditions.’ Emphasizing the action required on the ground, such as
vehicles had congregated at the strip importance of looking after her refueling, marshaling, re-arming and so
carrying, as well as fuel for the jets, personnel, she added: ‘Of course, we are on, was carried out by recruits under the
weapons, lubricants and other essential taking measures to ensure that we do supervision of instructors. Col Persson
materiel, as well as maintenance and not spread infection and that we stay said: ‘To see these young people who
security personnel — in fact, everything healthy so we can continue to carry out joined the air force in September of last
for fast jet operations in time of war our vital duty.’ year being able to deliver this, an
that would be found at a normal The exercise was a key part of the important cog in our air defenses, makes
operational base. training of F 7’s new recruit cadre. Each you very proud.’
Exercise director and head of F 7, Col
Malin Persson said: ‘What we want to
achieve is to increase our operational
impact, and we do this by having the
flexibility to be able to use runways in
places that do not have fixed Right: The
installations.’ Referring to coronavirus, ultimate roadside
she went on to say: ‘We are a crisis assistance
— maintainers
management organization and quickly move
therefore it is important we carry out weapons into
our exercise despite coronavirus. The position for
rearming.
Swedish people must be confident we
can continue our normal duties Below: With RM12
even in times of crisis. We must engine in full
reheat a JAS 39
always be able to carry out our accelerates down
main task, no matter how the road strip.

ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE
Four F-16Cs of the 100th FS carry

red tails to honor the unit’s legacy
with the Tuskegee Airmen.
USAF/SSgt Clayton Cupit
66-71 Alabama Vipers C.indd 66 24/04/2020 13:49

T
HE MISSION OF the 187th
While Vermont became the first Air Fighter Wing (FW) states:
‘We deliver combat ready
National Guard wing to receive the airmen and aircraft for
F-35, the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly rapid deployment anytime,
anywhere.’ The wing’s resident
Field in Alabama is gearing up to be the
100th Fighter Squadron (FS) currently
second. The wing will receive Lightning flies the F-16C/D, with the F-35A waiting shared operation. Stimpson explained:
IIs in 2024 as it adds another chapter around the corner for the next chapter ‘We have a Total Force Initiative [TFI]
in this remarkable unit’s history. Lt squadron embedded into the 187th
to the proud history of the ‘Red Tail Col Rob Stimpson, commander of the FW that is composed of active-duty
Heritage’ of the Tuskegee Airmen. 100th FS, told Combat Aircraft Journal: personnel. There are approximately
‘One of the biggest challenges to our 50 maintainers and five pilots who
REPORT Dick Wels and Hans Drost [anytime, anywhere] mission comes in comprise the 377th Fighter Squadron,
the form of funding shortfalls. Whether which assimilates seamlessly into our
it affects manning or resources, funding operation at Dannelly Field.’ The 377th is
always seems to be a challenge,’ he a so-called Active Associate Unit that is
said. His squadron still manages to administratively assigned to the 495th
maintain an impressive 18 PAA (Primary Fighter Group, which is headquartered
Assigned Aircraft) strength — the at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
number of aircraft allocated to a
particular unit in order for it to perform Tuskegee Airmen
its mission. As with most Air National The history of the 100th FS charts back to
Guard (ANG) units today, this is a 1942 when it was activated at Tuskegee

UNIT REPORT // ALABAMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
We are
currently
anticipating
the flying of the
F-35 to be in
early 2024
Lt Col Rob Stimpson
Army Airfield, about 40 miles east of recognizable by a characteristic red tail. War Two, many lauded their successes in
Montgomery, Alabama. The mission of Lt Col Stimpson said: ‘Our history stems the skies over North Africa and Europe.
the unit was to train African-American locally in Alabama where the ‘Red Tail These men conquered the racial barriers
cadets in combat flying, preparing them Heritage’ of the Tuskegee Airmen began. of the time, and we are honored to carry
for missions during World War Two. These Against the backdrop of a racially divided on that legacy today. As the story goes,
first black fighter pilots within the US nation, a small group of African-American they picked the red color to be easily seen.
Army Air Force became known as the men trained to become pilots at Moton Boldness was the reason for the color and
Tuskegee Airmen. Their aircraft were Field, in Tuskegee, Alabama. During World the pride felt in both protecting [bombers]
and [escorting] the dangerous missions
during the war.’
To keep the history alive, four F-16s of Above: Block
30/32 F-16 pilots
the 100th FS have received all-red tails. now wear the
All the tails of the current F-16s also carry Thales Scorpion
names of cities in Alabama. Stimpson helmet mounted
sight, as seen
explained: ‘It is historically significant here. Dick Wels
due in part to when the 100th Fighter
Squadron, which used to be the 160th FS, Left: A squadron
like the 100th FS
changed from F-4s to F-16s. The new jets blends a lot of
took on the namesake of the crew chief’s experience with
hometown. Then it became a way for us to new blood fresh
from the training
be connected to the people of Alabama pipeline.
and to show state pride.’ Dick Wels

Primary mission increased amount of mission materiels
The 100th FS currently classes its primary in the cramped space of the cockpit can
mission as close air support (CAS), striking be a challenge. Pre-flight preparation of
hostile targets that are in close proximity your mission materiels, even to the level
to friendly ground forces, but Stimpson of how you fold a map, can mean the
added: ‘Our [remit] covers a myriad of difference between quickly getting the
tasks that include offensive and defensive information you need and not. When you
counter-air.’ The Designed Operational are focusing all your efforts in support of
Capability (DOC) statement for a unit ground operations, your attention to detail
is a document prepared by the parent with regard to battle tracking requests,
major command (MAJCOM). It contains timelines, and bomb damage assessments
unit-identification, mission tasking — when required — all paints the picture
narrative, mission specifics, and resources. of how well — or poorly — you are
It provides commanders with a clear meeting the ground commander’s intent.’
definition of their unit’s wartime capability,
based on the authorized manpower and Phase-based training
materiel strength. Referring specifically There’s a well-trodden path in modern
to CAS, Lt Col Stimpson explained the fighter squadrons, balancing a slew of
special skills that are necessary to get the experience with new blood flowing
job done: ‘When you fly CAS, you need in. Young arrivals on the pilot side
to have good cockpit management and are only qualified to fly the F-16 in a
battle tracking skills. Keeping up with the limited capacity, and they are far from
Left: The 100th FS

uses the Litening
targeting pod, and
this example also
carries BDU-33
practice bombs.
Hans Drost
Below: The 187th

FW Block 30
F-16Cs are some
of the oldest
remaining in the
air force.
Dick Wels

UNIT REPORT // ALABAMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
being ‘mission ready’ for a combat [OPSAT] rides where we fight into an area, Preparing for Lightning
deployment. On arrival at Dannelly drop simulated ordnance and fight our In December 2017, the air force selected
Field, new ‘Viper’ drivers go through way back out. Lastly, we incorporate large Truax Field Air National Guard Base,
Mission Qualification Training (MQT). force exercises [LFEs], where we’ll have Wisconsin, and Dannelly Field, Alabama,
This prepares them to integrate into the multiple four-ships fighting adversaries in as the preferred locations for the next
squadron as a basic combat mission- a full-up environment. We have great local two ANG F-35A bases. The then Secretary This image: An
ready wingman. Lt Col Stimpson airspace in which we conduct our flying of the Air Force Heather Wilson said: ‘As F-22A Raptor,
100th FS
described what the unit does to prepare training, mostly in western Alabama and F-35As arrive at these locations, we will F-16C Fighting
pilots for a real world mission: ‘We eastern Mississippi. We also conduct over- use the existing aircraft at these fields Falcon and a
train with a phase-based approach. water training off the coast of Louisiana to replace the aging F-16s at other Air Commemorative
Air Force P-51C
We tend to focus on particular areas of and Alabama as well as the Gulf Coast of National Guard units.’ Mustang fly
interest depending on the deployment Florida. The number of missions flown US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David in formation
schedules as required, but for the per year varies, purely driven by Ready Goldfein added: ‘Putting F-35s at these in September
2018. USAF/SSgt
most part, we follow a building-block Aircrew Program [RAP] requirements for two Air National Guard bases continues Clayton Cupit
approach when training. First we work experienced and non-experienced pilots.’ our transition into the next generation
on basic fighter maneuvering [BFM] in In the last two years, the 187th FW has of air superiority. It helps ensure we can Right: The arrival
of the F-35A at
a 1-v-1 capacity. We then build to 2-v-1 provided notable support to Operation always offer the commander-in-chief air Dannelly Field
air combat maneuvers [ACM]. Then ‘Inherent Resolve’ in southwest Asia, power options and be ready to penetrate will see the
into 2-v-2, 4-v-2, and 4-v-4 fights in the as well as various shorter-term LFEs in any enemy air defenses, hold any target at Alabama ANG
shift its primary
tactical intercept [TI] phase. After the the US. One of its major commitments risk and go when and where the President focus from close
air-to-air focus areas, we move to air-to- is ‘Sentry Savannah’, off the coast of tells us to go. The F-35 is critical to the air support to
ground work as two-ship and four-ship Georgia, which sees extensive integration family of systems we need to accomplish suppression
of enemy air
formations. We culminate our training training with fifth-generation F-22s this mission for the nation now and in defense.
plan with opposed surface attack and F-35s. the future.’ Dick Wels

Lt Col Stimpson added his views: ‘We
are currently anticipating the flying of the
F-35 to be in early 2024. We anticipate
the first training to start about a year
to six months prior to the arrival of the
new airframe. Not all pilots will make
the transfer to the F-35, but the actual
number of those who elect to make
the transition from the F-16 to the F-35
is yet to be determined. Training will
either be at Luke AFB, Arizona, or Eglin in
Florida, depending on the availability of
the classes.
‘The F-35 mission set is similar to the
F-16. However, the increased SEAD
[suppression of enemy air defense]
mission will require a certain amount of
increased training on the pilot side of
the house. Learning a new airplane will
certainly have its challenges, but the
pilots of the 100th FS are definitely up for
those challenges.’
The impact of the F-35 at Dannelly Field
will be minimal, according to Stimpson:
‘There will be an impact on the wing
with regard to new construction in some
small cases and re-construction and
remodeling in others to accommodate
the new airframe. However, this impact
will be minimal as the 187th FW is well
suited to take on the new airframe. Our
wing is primed and ready for the arrival
of the F-35. We have incredible support
from our local population and civic
leaders around Montgomery. We are
ready to continue to carry on the legacy
of the Tuskegee Airmen with the ‘Red
Tails’ flying the most advanced fighter in
the air force inventory. We stand ready to
deliver combat air power to anywhere at
any time.’
The authors wish to thank Jared K. Rand, Public

Affairs Specialist, 187th FW, for his help in making
this article possible.

72-75 Russian military collapse C.indd 72 24/04/2020 11:04

The Russian aviation industry had fallen into crisis even before
the coronavirus hit, with production rates declining significantly
over recent years.
REPORT AND PHOTOS Piotr Butowski
A
EROSPACE withholding information about state-
MANUFACTURING IN Russia owned companies in a move intended to
reached a peak in 2014, avoid any reason for Western sanctions.
when the United Aircraft The latest annual reports for UAC reveal
Corporation (UAC) delivered one-third of pages obscured, and even the
158 aircraft, including 103 list of the corporation’s board of directors
for the Russian Ministry of Defence has been removed from the document. At
(MoD), plus 22 for military export and the same time, the lack of publication of
33 for civilian customers. However, it production results makes it easier to hide
was a high before a decline — mainly the apparently deteriorating condition of
attributed to the reduction in military the Russian aviation industry itself.
spending as a result of the slump in oil The largest share of aircraft production
prices in the fall of 2014. Initially, the in Russia has traditionally been the supply
decline was slow, but in 2019 the inertia of combat aircraft to the MoD. However,
stock ran out and production virtually in 2019, Russia received only 20 fighters
collapsed; the Russian aviation industry (10 Su-35S, eight Su-34 and two MiG-35)
manufactured approximately 75 aircraft and three Il-76MD-90A heavy transports
last year, a half of what it was achieving (two of them were actually manufactured
just a few years ago. in 2018). The first serial Su-57 ‘Felon’ was
There is no official information about also produced, but on December 24,
the current volume of aircraft that are 2019, just before the planned delivery
in production in Russia. In 2017, Russia to the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment
ceased publishing such data — allegedly in Dzyomgi, the airplane crashed. In
Production of the Sukhoi

Su-34 is set to be
complemented by a Su-34M
upgrade.

INDUSTRY REPORT // RUSSIAN AEROSPACE
addition, the military received a dozen
Aircraft Industries L-410UVP-E20 light
passenger and Diamond DA42T training
aircraft; these are not Russian, but Czech
and Austrian, respectively.
For export, in 2019 Russia provided
(an estimated) 10 MiG-29M/M2 fighters
to Egypt, six Yak-130 combat trainers to
Myanmar, and four Su-30SM fighters to
Armenia, as well as four Yak-130s and four
Su-30SMs to Belarus; a year earlier, the
volume of export deliveries was similar.
The main civilian product of the Russian
aviation industry in recent years has
been the regional Superjet 100, about
30 of which were produced annually.
But in 2019 that figure decreased — the
Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant produced
19 aircraft and only six of them were
delivered to customers. Many of the
previously produced Superjets are
grounded; in particular, the Superjet’s
flights were suspended by their largest
user abroad, the Mexican Interjet, which
has 22 aircraft. The blow to the Superjet
project was the crash of an Aeroflot
airplane on May 5, 2019 in Sheremetyevo,
although, according to provisional results
of the investigation, it was not the aircraft’s
fault. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of
Emergencies received one Beriev Be-200
amphibious aircraft last year.
Among new test aircraft flown in 2019
was a demonstrator of the Sukhoi S-70
Okhotnik unmanned combat aircraft,
whose maiden flight was on August 3,

AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION IN RUSSIA (ESTIMATED)
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
158 156 141 133 121 Circa 75
It can be assumed that in the years to these are declarations from before the
come, production by the Russian aviation crisis of 2020.
industry will stabilize at a new, lower level. The most natural solution would be
For military aircraft, this is not just about to increase exports. Russians say many
the lack of money; the Russian Aerospace countries are asking about aircraft that
Forces (VKS) has received so many aircraft were combat proven during the campaign
over the previous decade that the service in Syria. Contracts for Su-35 fighters for
is close to being saturated with modern Egypt and Indonesia, Su-30 fighters for
equipment. Assuming further renewal Algeria, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan,
of the fleet on a one-for-one basis, the and MiG-29M fighters for Algeria are to
demand for new tactical aircraft to replace be fulfilled. Advanced negotiations are
the remaining Soviet aircraft may be under way for the first Su-34 fighter-
estimated at no more than 100 fighters bomber export contract — but the client
and 100 modernized Su-34M fighter remains unknown.
bombers within the next decade. Arms exports from Russia are limited
On June 27, 2019, Russia contracted by the Countering America’s Adversaries
76 new-generation Su-57 fighters. On Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) that was
January 25 the previous year, the Kazan adopted in the US in August 2017 and
plant got a contract for 10 strategic Tu- which discourages many countries from
160M bombers. The Ulyanovsk plant is buying Russian equipment. Recently,
slowly executing the order from 2012 for information has appeared that Indonesia
39 Il-76MD-90A transports (seven have has terminated the contract for 11 Su-35s,
already been delivered; it is likely that the due to American pressure.
order will be reduced by about one third). Another solution would be to increase
These are all contracts; the following are civil production, but Russia lacks a
just promises. Some time ago, the military competitive product in this market.
promised to buy 36 Su-30SM fighters in a Demand for Superjet regional aircraft was
modernized version powered by AL-41F1S artificially generated by the state and is
engines, 24 MiG-35 fighters, 14 Il-78M-90A practically over. The innovative 163-seat
tanker aircraft, 48 Il-112V light transport Irkut MC-21-300 airliner is not ready yet,
aircraft and a small batch of Beriev A-100 and besides, it has collected only 175 firm
early warning aircraft. However, all orders, all of them from Russian carriers.
2019, the first Ilyushin Il-112V light military Above: The VKS
transport aircraft, which made its initial contracted
76 new Su-57
flight on March 30, 2019, and also the third ‘Felons’ last year,
and fourth flying prototypes of the Irkut which is the
MC-21-300 airliner. next big hope for
Sukhoi. Vadim
Savitskiy
What next? Left: Kazakhstan
This year will certainly not be better due has 12 Su-30SMs,
to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with a further
and the disastrous repercussions on the dozen on order.
airline industry. In Russia, the fall in oil Right top to
prices seemed to deliver an even heavier bottom: The
Yak-130 has thus
economic blow than the virus itself. In far attracted
mid-March 2020, the cost of a barrel moderate
of Urals oil dropped to $20; such low numbers of
orders, but more
prices have not been seen for almost 20 will be required
years. Undoubtedly, the figure will rise, if it is to achieve
but it should be remembered that last its anticipated
potential.
year, when the oil price was three times
higher, Russian aircraft production still The S-70 Okhotnik
unmanned
fell. Most of the country’s aircraft users combat air vehicle
— the military and also the civil market demonstrator is
— depend on Russia’s state budget, hoped to carve
a new revenue
which directly relies on revenues from path for Sukhoi.
the sale of oil and gas. Russian MoD

76-79 USAF Demo team C.indd 76 23/04/2020 22:16

footsteps. She told Combat Aircraft Journal:
Combat Aircraft Journal meets Capt Kristin ‘BEO’ Wolfe, the ‘Growing up with a dad who was a fighter
2020 US Air Force F-35A demonstration team pilot. pilot obviously introduced me to airplanes
at an early age and gave me a glimpse
REPORT AND PHOTOS Rob van Disseldorp into the lifestyle. After I joined ROTC
A
[the Air Force Reserve Officer Training
STILL WINTER MORNING, part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Corps] at the University of Alabama and
but the silence is shattered Arizona. On February 29, 2020, Capt Wolfe started looking into all of the job options
by the roar of an F-35A was announced as the new pilot to fill this available, aviation careers definitely
getting airborne from Hill important public relations role. interested me and provided the challenge
AFB, Utah, the afterburner Sometimes it takes a while to find your I was looking for.’
crackling as the noise true path in life. This definitely holds true During her time in ROTC, ‘BEO’ was
of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine for ‘BEO’. Her father was a USAF F-4G awarded a coveted pilot slot and shortly
reverberates off the nearby mountains. Phantom II electronic warfare officer and after commissioning she started her
In the cockpit is Capt Kristin ‘BEO’ later became an F-15C Eagle pilot. For Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at
Wolfe, the new F-35A Demonstration ‘BEO’ this meant growing up on air bases Laughlin AFB in Texas flying the T-6A Texan
Team commander and pilot. During such as Eglin AFB, Florida, Osan in South II and T-38C Talon. After graduating, she
this practice display, she puts on Korea, and Ramstein, Germany. The air got the opportunity of a lifetime when
a fierce demonstration, taking the force and fighter jets were a big part of she was selected to fly the F-22A Raptor.
Lightning to the absolute edge of its her daily life, yet she had little interest She completed the F-22A Formal Training
aerobatic envelope. in joining the military at an early age. It Unit (FTU) course at Tyndall AFB, Florida,
On September 4, 2019, the US Air Force wasn’t until her sophomore year in college before joining the 94th Fighter Squadron
announced that the F-35A Demonstration that she realized a military career might at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. ‘BEO’
Team would be reassigned to the be what she wanted after all. The idea of a would spend three years at Langley flying
388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah. corporate desk job didn’t interest her and the F-22 before she had the opportunity
The team started in 2016 as the F-35A ‘BEO’ took a path that would eventually Capt Kristin to transition to the F-35A. ‘It definitely
‘BEO’ Wolfe and
Heritage Flight, but it transitioned to a lead her to become a second-generation her mount — the wasn’t an easy decision because both
full demonstration team in early 2019 as fighter pilot and walk in her father’s F-35A Lightning II. jets are amazing, honestly, I was lucky to

UNIT REPORT // F-35 DEMO TEAM
be given the option to fly both,’ she said. have a much newer avionics suite, but that the F-22 is an amazing aircraft with
‘After talking with a few mentors though, both jets continue to get software and an abundance of power and control. It
I decided the F-35 was a better fit for me hardware upgrades. was a blast to fly, but I must say I have
overall and an exciting new challenge.’ ‘With regard to maneuvering, the F-22 really enjoyed my time in the F-35. The
When ‘BEO’ completed her transition to has the added benefit of larger control aircraft is noticeably newer with improved
the F-35A she was assigned to the 388th surfaces and thrust-vectoring, which technology and the missions are
Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, in 2017. definitely makes a difference, particularly extremely rewarding. Not to mention the
at slow-speed.’ Asked to pick a favorite community is so broad and growing that
F-35 vs F-22 aircraft, ‘BEO’ says: ‘There is no denying it’s awesome to feel a part of something
Flying both of the USAF’s most advanced revolutionary.’
fighters have given Capt Wolfe a unique
insight into fifth-generation technology. F-35 demo pilot
Comparing the two, she said: ‘Both aircraft Even though Capt Wolfe enjoys being part
rely heavily on stealth during certain of an operational squadron, she is always
mission sets, which makes their tactics on the lookout for a new challenge: when
very similar and compatible. Obviously, offered the opportunity to become the
to maintain a stealthy profile, all of the next commander and demo pilot of the
sensors and avionics on both jets are F-35A, she didn’t hesitate. ‘Fortunately, I
mounted internally and feed information was able to frequently see the F-22 Demo
to the pilot via sensor fusion, which makes Team while stationed at Langley, so when
it much easier [for the pilot] to interpret it was announced that the F-35 team
and make decisions faster. The F-35 does would be moving to Hill, I already knew

While
we’re
obviously
disappointed
that the season
has been vectoring] and the ‘Tac Pitch’ are always of the role-model status that comes
crowd-pleasers, as we showcase the high with being a demonstration pilot: ‘I do
delayed, we’re Left: Capt Wolfe angle-of-attack maneuvering and nose understand the impact that women have
reefs the F-35A
taking this time into a tight turn
with reheat
authority we can generate courtesy of
the fly-by-wire flight control system.’ She
in inspiring the next generations of young
females to consider different career fields
at home to make blazing. added that her favorite maneuver of the

show is the ‘Inverted-to-Inverted’ pass:
or reach for goals they previously may
have thought to be unattainable.’
Above left to right:
sure our jets One of the F-35
passes involves
‘It’s always a thrill to hold inverted flight
just a few hundred feet above the ground,’
While the 2020 airshow season had
been put on hold due to the COVID-19
and the routine the weapons
bays open.
she smiled. virus, the airmen were trying to stay
‘BEO’ is the first female single-ship positive during the unexpected break.
remain top-notch Vapour
condenses on the
demo pilot in USAF history. However, she ‘BEO’ said: ‘Our team is extremely excited
sees herself as a pilot who happens to to hit the road, bring this jet to airshows,
for the day we wings as Capt
Wolfe performs a be female rather than a female pilot. She and interact with the fans. While we’re
high-speed pass.
get to travel Below: Capt Wolfe
explained: ‘Truthfully, a majority of the
time I forget about being outnumbered
obviously disappointed that the season
has been delayed, we’re taking this
in the cockpit of as a female fighter pilot because I work time at home to make sure our jets and
Capt ‘BEO’ Wolfe the F-35A. in a very merit-based community where the routine remain top-notch for the
the jet doesn’t care who is in the cockpit.’ day we get to travel.’ No matter what
Inset left: Capt
Wolfe’s father flew While the F-35 may not differentiate, happens, Capt Kristin ‘BEO’ Wolfe and her
F-15C Eagles, a many young girls and women will look team are ready and, hopefully, they will
clear inspiration
up to ‘BEO’ and will be influenced by her be able to wow crowds all over North
for her choice of
career. USAF accomplishments. She is keenly aware America soon.
what an amazing opportunity it would be.

Being on the Demonstration Team is an
entirely different job than the traditional
flying and maintenance we do day to day,
so I was just excited for the new challenge
and the impact we’re lucky enough to be
able to make in communities.’
During Combat Aircraft Journal’s visit
to Hill AFB, ‘BEO’ flew a full 18-minute
demonstration in front of the beautiful
backdrop of the nearby Wasatch
Mountains. Her routine commences with
a maximum power take-off, followed
by a ‘high alpha half Cuban eight’.
Other maneuvers include a pass with
the weapon bay doors open, slow and
high-speed passes, and a minimum
radius turn. The demonstration also
features several moves that show off
unique F-35A handling characteristics.
The Demo Team commander explained:
‘The ‘Pedal Turn’ [yaw without thrust-

OPERATIONS REPORT // BALTIC AIR POLICING
The Belgian Air Component completed the latest Baltic Air In the aftermath of the 2014 Russian
military intervention in Ukraine, NATO
Policing detachment in April, the latter portion of which enhanced the BAP mission by augmenting
was conducted under new regulations bought about by the the number of aircraft at Šiauliai and by
stationing additional assets at Ämari air
coronavirus pandemic. base in Estonia, as well as at Malbork in
REPORT Jos Schoofs Poland. These were ideal locations for
T
monitoring air traffic between the military
HE THREE BALTIC states of took on the first air policing slot. During installations in the Leningrad Oblast and
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania those early days, all Baltic Air Policing in the Kaliningrad exclave. From early 2015
declared and gained (BAP) detachments operated from Šiauliai until late 2017, the Belgian Air Component
independence from the USSR air base in Lithuania, where aircraft were provided aircraft and personnel for two
in the early 1990s, with a new mainly parked in the open. During the rotations each at Malbork and Ämari.
strategic goal of integrating winter of 2004-05, the Royal Air Force In 2018, the Belgian F-16s resumed
militarily and economically with the installed a number of temporary aircraft operating from Šiauliai.
Western world and joining NATO. With shelters to protect personnel and aircraft
very limited air assets, the North Atlantic from the harsh winter conditions. Over the Belgium returns to BAP
A Belgian Air
Council approved an interim solution following years, numerous infrastructure A detachment of the Florennes-based 2nd Component
for safeguarding the integrity, security and operational improvements were Tactical Wing took the lead for the 51st Lockheed
and safety of the Baltic airspace by other initiated. BAP mission at Šiauliai on September 3, Martin F-16AM
(serial FA-
member states. In 2013, during its third deployment to 2019. On January 2 this year and for the 92) in BAP
On April 1, 2004, NATO’s mutual air Šiauliai, the Belgian detachment had the following four months, it was the turn of configuration
defense umbrella spread over the Baltic honor of formally receiving the keys to the aircraft and personnel of the 10th Tactical during a
training flight
region as four Lockheed Martin F-16AM base’s brand new, state-of-the-art, quick Wing from Kleine-Brogel. This ongoing over Belgium.
fighters of the Belgian Air Component reaction alert building. rotation is the 52nd BAP detachment and Jos Schoofs
80-82 Belgian F-16 C.indd 80 24/04/2020 11:03

80-82 Belgian F-16 C.indd 81 24/04/2020 11:03

OPERATIONS REPORT // BALTIC AIR POLICING
the tactical missions consist of providing
F-16AM serial FA-92 banks quick reaction alert (QRA) for intercepting,
away after ‘intercepting’
an Embraer ERJ-135 of the visually identifying and if needed
Belgian Air Component ‘shadowing’ aircraft approaching Baltic
during training. Jos Schoofs airspace that cannot be identified properly
by electronic means, or if they have
failed to establish two-way radio contact
with the appropriate air traffic control
agency, or have not filed or adhered to a
flight plan.
The types of Russian Aerospace Forces
(VKS) aircraft encountered were fairly
typical, with a few unusual exceptions.
These included a pair of Tupolev Tu-160
‘Blackjack’ bombers on September 17
and a Tupolev Tu-134UBL ‘Crusty-B’ of the
Russian Navy in early February 2020.
BAP missions have continued despite
the coronavirus outbreak, indeed
the Royal Air Force was preparing to
assume the responsibility at the start
of May. In April, an official release said
the 10th of the Belgian Air Component Between October 2019 and February Below: An the Belgian detachment had enforced
in this particular framework. 2020, the Belgian detachment completed infrared image a strict quarantine to prevent COVID-19
of the Russian
As in the early years, the 2019 around 150 flying hours and performed infections. ‘We are staying in our
Navy Tupolev
and 2020 Belgian detachments are about a dozen live ‘Alpha’ scrambles — six Tu-134UBL hotel rooms and only leave the hotel
composed of slightly over 50 personnel, intercepts of one or more Russian aircraft ‘Crusty-B’ that to go to work,’ said the detachment
was intercepted
mainly for technical and operational by a pair of Belgian F-16AMs — per communications officer. The detachment
by a Belgian
support. The four F-16AMs are still month. During the winter months of F-16AM in early commander added: ‘The best way to
armed with a pair of short-range, infra- November and December 2019 and the February 2020. protect us from infection is to avoid any
The image was
red-guided AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, following January, flying continued at a contact with the outside world. We have
taken using
a pair of medium-range, radar-guided much slower pace. Lt Col Sam Verheire, a Sniper XR one colleague who does our shopping
AIM-120B AMRAAM missiles, plus 511 head of the Air Component’s Air Combat targeting pod. and complies with all restrictions in effect.
Belgian Air
20mm rounds for the internal Vulcan Operations Section, explained these low Actually, we already enforced these
Component
cannon. During previous rotations, numbers as being due to the unfavorable measures before Belgium declared the
the Belgian aircraft didn’t carry the weather conditions and also the holiday lockdown.’
Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper season. Training ‘Tango’ scrambles
XR targeting pod because it could accounted for the lion’s share of the flying
be regarded as offensive equipment. hours. Regular training consisted of simple
However, that changed — the pods in-house air-to-air missions and a little
have become increasingly important for close air support.
positive identification and autonomous Col Jeroen Poesen, commander of
tracking of intercepted aircraft. Kleine-Brogel air base, explained that
Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’

RF-94112 ‘04 Red’ was one of a pair
encountered by Belgian F-16AMs over
the Baltic on September 17, 2019.
Belgian Air Component
80-82 Belgian F-16 C.indd 82 24/04/2020 11:03

AIRCRAFT • PERSONNEL • SQUADRONS • MISSIONS • PROGRAMS
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F
OUNDED IN 2008 and now realistic and challenging advanced close Blue Air Training is one of
headquartered in Las Vegas, air support and adversary air threats.
Nevada, Blue Air Training is one Blue Air Training will be focused on the
the expanding numbers
of the original contract providers CAS element of this indefinite-delivery/ of contractor air support
of close air support (CAS) for US indefinite-quantity contract, operating
companies in the US that are
military Joint Terminal Attack from its bases in Las Vegas, Yuma, and
Controllers (JTACs). The brainchild of Pensacola. helping the military with its
former US Air Force A-10 pilot James ‘Chef’ Blue Air Training is currently contracted readiness requirements. Combat
Barlow, the company has operations as to cover 100 per cent of the air force’s
far and wide as Pensacola, Florida, and live weapons employment training for
Aircraft Journal meets the
Yuma, Arizona. contracted CAS, and became the first company during operations at
It was one of the companies that shared company to be accredited to employ
a slice of the 10-year, $6.4-billion contract live weapons when the USAF began
Yuma, Arizona, as it rolled out its
from the US Department of Defense contracting that aspect of training in 2015. new OV-10 Broncos.
in October last year, which saw seven In addition to Blue Air’s fleet of BAC-167
companies being selected to complete Strikemaster attack aircraft and Romanian REPORT Jamie Hunter
contracted air support services for IAR-823s, the primary aircraft it uses is PHOTOS Keith Charlot
84-87 Blue Air training C.indd 84 24/04/2020 10:42

Blue Air Training’s first two
OV-10 Broncos seen on a
mission out of MCAS Yuma,
Arizona, in March.

INDUSTRY REPORT // BLUE AIR TRAINING
This OV-10G still carries Department

of State Airwing titles.
The OV-10s can carry four

the A-90 Raider light attack turboprop
BDU-33 practice bombs and
a seven-shot rocket pod. aircraft, which offers six hardpoints
for weapons, fuel, and high definition
sensors. These are Valmet L-90 RediGos,
used for pilot training and produced
for the Finnish Air Force, the Mexican
Navy, and the Eritrean Air Force. In
2017, Blue Air Training procured the
remaining equipment, parts, and
spares from Valmet. After importing the
aircraft and upgrading them to meet
the requirements of Blue Air’s current
and future contracts with the USAF, a
new version was revealed as the A-90
Raider. Blue Air Training currently has
eight Raiders in its fleet and they are
equipped with Link 16 tactical data link,
encrypted radios, night vision goggles
(NVG), and video downlink (VDL), so
that they operationally emulate a front-
line fighter’s capabilities for the JTAC.
Blue Air Training reports that it has
acquired seven North American/
Rockwell OV-10D+ and OV-10G
One of Blue Air Training’s Jet Provost
T5As, seen taxiing at Boise, Idaho, in Broncos, which are former US Marine
August 2019. Jamie Hunter Corps aircraft — including OV-10D+
BuNo 155493 (NX97854) and OV-10G
BuNo 155409 (N15453). The OV-10D+
was recently refurbished by the
OV-10 Squadron, which is based at
John Wayne/Orange County Airport,
California, and has a further five aircraft
currently being restored.
James Barlow, CEO of Blue Air
Training, said: ‘As a career A-10 pilot,
I’ve always had tremendous respect
and appreciation for the OV-10
Bronco. Its unique look and mission
focused design rings true to my
heart. In our configuration of eight
bombs, seven rockets, 2,000 rounds
[of 20mm], FLIR [forward-looking

infra-red] and Link 16 data link, there is The Broncos reportedly saw significant
no wonder why this aircraft was recently success against IS during Operation
selected to take the fight to ISIS [so- ‘Inherent Resolve’. They carried civil
called Islamic State, IS]. For those very registrations N581NA and N592NA and
reasons the seven OV-10D+ and OV-10G were originally delivered to the US Marine
Broncos we are adding to the Blue Air Corps as BuNos 155481 and 155492. The
CAS fleet are undeniably the best JTAC OV-10G+ features Garrett T76G-420/421
training platform in the air, anywhere.’ turboprops with four-blade Hartzell
Barlow’s IS comment refers to two propellers, upgraded avionics and an
unique OV-10G+ Broncos — they electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensor
participated in the US military’s Combat under the nose. The US Air Force’s Materiel
Dragon II program that saw a lengthy Command Life Cycle Management Center
evaluation of the two OV-10G+ aircraft, donated four OV-10s to the Philippines
initially in the US, but later including under a Foreign Military Sale in July 2018,
a combat deployment to the Middle but contrary to reports this did not include
East in 2015. these two OV-10G+ aircraft.
As a career A-10 pilot, I’ve always

had tremendous respect and
appreciation for the OV-10 Bronco
James ‘Chef’ Barlow, CEO, Blue Air Training
A Blue Air OV-10D+ dives on a target

— note its US Marine Corps VMO-2
titles — a unit formerly based at
MCAS Camp Pendleton, California.

Combat Aircraft Journal looks at a fighter that record-setting flying ace Brig Gen Chuck Yeager
described as ‘magnificent’, but one that was controversially canceled — the F-20 Tigershark.
REPORT Jon Lake
A
MONG THE MOST legendary Aircraft like these appear to offer so US Air Force and as a more affordable
and iconic military aircraft much, before being retired to museums alternative to the General Dynamics F-16
are a group of jets that and becoming the subject of books Fighting Falcon on the export market.
showed great promise in and magazine articles, often without The F-20 originated in design studies
prototype form, but were encountering the usual succession that began in 1975 for an AIM-7 Sparrow-
canceled or abandoned of problems that most aircraft suffer carrying version of the F-5, intended for
before they could enter service. In the when they enter service, and with no sale to Taiwan. This new aircraft was to be
UK, the termination of the BAC TSR2 in weaknesses emerging as a result of powered by a single General Electric F404
1964 still generates furious argument exposure to real-world conditions. The turbofan engine in place of the F-5E’s twin
and anguished handwringing. In heady mix of unfulfilled potential and J85 turbojets. However, the inauguration
Canada, the fate of the Avro CF-105 undefeated excellence lends such aircraft of President Jimmy Carter on January
Arrow provokes similar sentiments. a certain air of mystery and glamour — 20, 1977, led to improved relations with
In the US, it is often the unsuccessful like rock stars who die young. When there China, and the proposed sale of the F-5G
candidates in major fighter competitions is political interference or skullduggery, or to Taiwan was vetoed, though work on the
who beg the intriguing question: when a promising fighter aircraft program aircraft continued.
‘What might have been?’ — from the is perceived as having been killed off by But while the incoming Carter
Northrop YF-17, which lost out to sinister outside forces, interest in them administration took away the F-5G’s
the F-16 in the Lightweight Fighter grows even more intense. first potential customer, the President’s
(LWF) contest, to the Northrop YF-23, The Northrop F-20 Tigershark (initially belief that the US could not be ‘both
the unsuccessful contender in the US dubbed the F-5G) was an advanced the world’s champion of peace and the
Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter derivative of the company’s highly world’s leading supplier of the weapons
(ATF) competition, beaten by the successful F-5E Tiger II. It was intended of war’ promised to benefit the Tigershark.
Lockheed YF-22. as a low-cost light combat aircraft for the Carter revoked an earlier ruling that
88-93 Tigershark C.indd 88 23/04/2020 22:12

military aircraft could no longer be built would exclude sensitive technologies Tigershark ‘the first privately funded US
specifically or modified for export, and that were used by the USAF’s own combat aircraft in recent history’.
actually encouraged the development frontline aircraft. The FX would have to General Dynamics also responded to
of dedicated export weapons systems, outperform the F-5E, and would have the FX requirement, offering the F-16/79
specifically tailored to the requirements to be capable of defeating the latest — an F-16A variant powered by a General
of US allies, in order to avoid exporting Soviet aircraft. Electric J79 turbojet and equipped with
advanced frontline US fighters, and in In many ways the FX program was downgraded avionics.
order to prevent technology falling into analogous to the Kennedy-era effort to
Soviet hands. find an inexpensive fighter aircraft that Improving the F-5
The Carter administration launched the US could offer to its allies through Northrop’s design team, under Welko E.
the FX requirement — an ‘Intermediate the Mutual Defense Assistance Act and Gasich, was divided on how to improve
Export Fighter’, which would be which resulted in the development of on the F-5 design, and competing
developed specifically for export on the original Northrop N-156F, the F-5 designs were drawn up by Lee Begin,
a private venture basis. The State Freedom Fighter. It also echoed the John Patierno, Robert Sandusky and Walt
Department also made it clear that there USAF’s 1970 International Fighter Aircraft Sellers. Retired air force Col Everest ‘Rich’
Seen taking off would be no financial help from the (IFA) scheme, which resulted in the Riccioni — one of the so-called LWF mafia
at Edwards AFB, government for the F-5G or for any FX second-generation F-5E Tiger II. — was hired to consult, and helped to
California, during candidates. The F-5G was approved by the select Sandusky’s design, which seemed
testing in August
1984, the third Northrop board on January 4, 1980, well suited to his mentor Col John Boyd’s
F-20 Tigershark FX evolves which decided to proceed with the concept of ‘energy maneuvering’.
prototype, The new export fighter would be development of several pre-production The most obvious change from the F-5E
registration
N44671. specifically tailored to meet the security aircraft at the company’s own expense. was the use of a single 17,000lb st General
Michael Grove needs of allied and friendly nations and This, it was later claimed, made the Electric F404 engine, originally designed

TYPE REPORT // F-20 TIGERSHARK
Tigershark proceeds
Northrop declared that the Tigershark would be The USAF ordered four examples of the
F-5G for evaluation, and the first of these
the world’s premier fighter aircraft and boasted it made its maiden flight from Edwards AFB,
would outperform the F-16A at a lower cost! California, on August 30, 1982, with test
pilot Russ Scott at the controls. By the time
the aircraft flew, Ronald Reagan had been
for the F/A-18 Hornet. It had almost the (LEX), which improved the maximum elected President, taking office on January
same thrust as the J79, but weighed lift coefficient of the wing by about 12 20, 1981. The Reagan administration
about half as much and had 7,700 fewer per cent while adding just 1.6 per cent quickly relaxed arms export restrictions
moving parts. Following the 1983 Paris to the wing area. Together with a 30 Below: Prototype and the FX program gradually fell out of
Air Show, the more powerful 17,000lb per cent larger horizontal stabilizer, a F-20A serial favor. Because Reagan allowed sales of
82-0062 made
st F404-GE-100 turbofan was fitted. This rearward shift in center of gravity and its maiden flight ‘full-up’ USAF-standard F-16s, the appeal
powerplant produced 60 per cent more a new dual-channel fly-by-wire control on August 30, of what was seen as a ‘dumbed down’
thrust than the F-5E’s pair of J85s, giving a system (with mechanical reversion and 1982, piloted by export fighter diminished.
Russ Scott. The
thrust-to-weight ratio of 1.13 to 1, which override), the F-5G was destabilized in aircraft featured Quite apart from having to compete
in turn conferred Mach 2.0 performance, pitch, improving instantaneous turn rate a standard F-5E for sales against the F-16, the Northrop
along with a ceiling of more than 55,000ft to 20°/sec. Sustained turn rate at Mach 0.8 type canopy and team had to contend with some
nose radome.
(16,800m), an initial climb rate of 52,800ft and 15,000ft (4,572m) increased to 11.5°/ Photos Northrop opposition from the USAF, which saw
per minute (16,100m/min) and supersonic sec, which compared well with the F-16’s every F-16 export sale as a means of
turn rates 47 per cent higher than those of 12.8°/sec. Right top to reducing the overall production cost of
bottom: This
the F-5E. The internal fuel capacity of the The F-5G’s speed, altitude, climb and cutaway its own examples.
F-5G was unchanged, but the F404’s lower turn performance were complemented by diagram includes In December 1981, President Reagan
specific fuel consumption gave the new a real rapid reaction capability. Northrop annotations for signed a major military aid package
many of the key
aircraft a 10 per cent increase in combat stated the F-5G could be airborne within systems of the for Pakistan that included 40 F-16As,
radius, or a 20 per cent increase in combat 60 seconds of an alert, claiming that this F-20. following the Soviet invasion of
air patrol (CAP) endurance. was the fastest scramble time of any Afghanistan. On August 17, 1982 the
The first F-20A
The engine intakes were redesigned, fighter in the world at that time. Other seen during US-China Communiqué on Arms Sales to
being enlarged, extended forward and reliability improvements allowed the flight-testing out Taiwan saw the US declaring its intention
equipped with two-shock inlet ramps aircraft to sustain high sortie rates in of Edwards AFB, to gradually decrease sales of arms to
California.
to ensure more efficient operation at adverse weather. Taiwan. More significantly, it blocked
high Mach numbers. Early plans for an Northrop declared that the Tigershark Repainted in the sale of the F-5G (or indeed any sale
enlarged wing were abandoned, and would be the world’s premier fighter overall gray, the of a Sparrow-capable F-5) to Taiwan. In
prototype lets rip
the F-5G retained the F-5E’s wing, albeit aircraft and boasted it would outperform with an AGM-65 place of the F-5G/F-20, Taiwan began
with modified leading edge extensions the F-16A at a lower cost! Maverick. development of its own indigenous

TIGERSHARK (HOTAS) control system, as well as
a Bendix digital display and control
DESCRIBED set and Teledyne Systems mission

computer.
Though the F-20 retained the wings and The aircraft was fitted with a new
forward fuselage of the F-5E, there were General Electric GE G-200 (later AN/APG-
some small changes, including a 5in 67) multi-mode radar, offering a wide
(12.7cm) stretch behind the cockpit and range of air-to-air and air-to-ground
thicker inboard wing skins, while fuel modes, including the same basic modes
tanks and avionics bays were relocated as the F-16A’s APG-66 radar, and with
for easier access. The F-20 made greater similar range performance. The APG-67
use of composite materials, with could detect and track targets at ranges
graphite composite skins used in the of up to 48 nautical miles in ‘look up’
rear fuselage and tailfin for increased mode and 31 nautical miles ‘look down’.
strength and reduced weight, and the The F-5G also featured a new
airframe was stressed for 9G, rather than panoramic canopy that gave the pilot a
7.33. The aircraft featured a nose that 50 per cent increase in rearward visibility
was flattened slightly and rounded in compared with the F-5E, and the pilot’s
planform to enhance stability at high view aft was further enhanced by an
angles of attack (up to 40°), and taming improved ejection seat and headrest
departure characteristics. Northrop design.
claimed that the aircraft could fly at The F-5G had two wingtip missile
speeds as low as 70kts, achieving a 35° launch rails and five external hardpoints
angle of attack. for weapons or fuel tanks. The single
The tailfin itself was reduced in size, under-fuselage hardpoint could carry
and was mounted on a long fairing, with one Mk84 2,000lb bomb or up to
a ram air intake at the front and a brake five Mk82 500lb bombs, while four
‘chute compartment at the rear. underwing hardpoints could each
Many of the new avionics systems accommodate a 1,000lb bomb. The
promised greater reliability than low wing and position of the landing
equivalent equipment on any gear limited the weapons payload that
competing in-service aircraft, and a could be carried compared with the
12.8 maintenance man-hours per flying F-16A, which could typically carry up to
hour (MMH/FH) figure was confidently 17,200lb of ordnance on two wingtip
expected to be achieved. (The missile launch rails and up to nine
contemporary F-16 required 19.6). external hardpoints.
Initially, Northrop foresaw a need for However, unlike the contemporary
two distinct variants of the F-5G, one F-16, the F-5G could fire the beyond-
(the F-5G-1) with a relatively austere visual-range AIM-7 Sparrow missile,
F-5E type avionics fit, an Emerson AN/ carrying up to four of these weapons
APQ-159(V)5 radar, and a simple GE gyro underwing. AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-
gunsight, and the other (the F-5G-2) 84 Harpoon missiles were fit-checked
with a more sophisticated avionics and flight-trialed, while a four-barreled
suite. Though the first prototype was 30mm GPU-5/A gun pod (based
completed to the initial standard, on the GAU-13/A) was successfully
the more austere variant was quickly demonstrated for strafe duties.
canceled altogether. The three test F-5Gs were equipped
The cockpit of the definitive F-5G was with a pair of M39 cannon mounted
roomy and comfortable, and featured a in the nose, though production
large General Electric head-up display F-5Gs were expected to use two Ford
(HUD) and two monochrome multi- Aerospace Tigerclaw cannons. The
function displays set high on the main Tigerclaw was based on the M39, but
instrument panel. The aircraft had an was lighter and had a higher rate of fire
advanced hands-on-throttle-and-stick than the M39A2.

TYPE REPORT // F-20 TIGERSHARK
F-20 TIGERSHARK
trials including Sparrow missile launches
and Harpoon anti-shipping missile
compatibility tests. Northrop donated this
AIRFRAMES
sole surviving F-20 Tigershark prototype to
the California Science Center in Exposition
Park in Los Angeles, where it remains on
display.
GG1001, serial 82-0062, US civil GI1001, serial 82-0063, US civil
registration N4416T registration N3986B GI1003, serial 82-0065, no US civil
The first prototype was originally painted The second prototype made its first flight registration allocated
in red and white colors, and wore the on August 26, 1983, and was in full F-5G-2 This aircraft was canceled before
dummy serial 77-1983 for its rollout — configuration, with a redesigned canopy, a completion. The fourth F-20 would have
reflecting the July 1983 production target larger radome and complete avionics suite, been close to the proposed production
date. The aircraft made its maiden flight including G-200 radar (later redesignated configuration. The aircraft would have
on August 30, 1982, piloted by Russ Scott. APG-67) and a GE head-up display, featured integral fuel tanks instead of
The aircraft had a standard F-5E type Honeywell laser inertial navigation, a bag type tanks, with increased internal
canopy and nose radome, and F-5E/F-5G-1 Bendix head-down display, and a Teledyne fuel capacity (up from 4,400lb to 5,050lb)
avionics, and was powered by a 16,000lb mission computer. The aircraft was and provision for newly designed 330-
st engine, initially. The prototype climbed powered by the 17,000lb st F404-GE-100 US gallon external tanks. The aircraft
to 40,000ft (12,000m) and reached Mach engine from the start. was expected to incorporate avionics
1.04 during the 40-minute flight. By the The aircraft crashed on May 14, 1985, at upgrades and to be powered by a more
end of April 1983, 240 flights had been CFB Goose Bay, Labrador, killing Northrop powerful version of the F404, rated at
achieved, including evaluation flights with pilot Dave Barnes during a display practice 18,000lb st.
10 potential customer nations. prior to the Paris Air Show. The accident The leading edge and trailing edge
The aircraft was subsequently re-painted was blamed on G-LOC. flaps were redesigned to incorporate
in two different grey color schemes, three-point drives instead of single-point
but 82-0062 crashed at Suwon Air Base, GI1002, serial 82-0064, US civil actuators. Actuation speed would have
South Korea, on October 10, 1984, registration N44671 been increased, with a larger number
killing Northrop pilot Darrell Cornell. The The third F-20 was in the same of automatic settings. The flap changes
subsequent investigation concluded configuration as the second prototype. and increased thrust were expected to
Cornell had suffered from G-LOC (Gravity- It made its first flight on May 12, 1984, improve turn performance by about two
induced Loss Of Consciousness). and was primarily used for weapons degrees per second.
lightweight fighter — the AIDC F-CK-1 permission to redesignate the aircraft as at the Paris Air Show in 1983 and at
Ching Kuo. the F-20A (in its single-seat form). This Farnborough, UK, in 1984. Northrop hired
In the summer of 1982, US Deputy was approved in late 1982, and the name Brig Gen Chuck Yeager (the first pilot to
Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci Tigershark was officially allocated in break the sound barrier) as a spokesman,
sent a memorandum to the air force, March 1983. encouraging the general (then aged 62)
encouraging it to seek foreign customers In November 1982, Northrop finally to fly two sorties in the aircraft, which he
for the FX contenders, but four months received a launch order from Bahrain for subsequently described as ‘magnificent’.
later recommended abandoning the four Tigersharks. But because the Bahrain Unfortunately, FX program rules meant
FX in favor of exporting frontline USAF order was so small, the decision to initiate that the F-20 could only be directly
fighters. This led to more F-16 sales to production was delayed, and attention marketed by the State Department, and
Turkey, Greece, and Venezuela, and turned to South Korea, which explored the that its own marketing effort had to be
to a corresponding drop in the F-5G’s possibility of local production of the F-20. approved and cleared in microscopic
sales appeal. Jordan and Thailand were also reported as detail. The company soon complained The first F-20
In an effort to counter impressions having shown interest in the type. that the government was not promoting retained the
standard F-5E
that the F-5G was a low-cost option for Northrop marketed the F-20A the F-20 enough, and had further cause to canopy, as seen
second-tier air forces, Northrop requested energetically, displaying the aircraft grumble when the US government made clearly here.

a financial commitment to help Israel presenting an opportunity for the F-20. a package for license production
develop its own new fighter, the Lavi, a In January 1985, the US Navy announced overseas. The State Department refused
move that Northrop viewed as a direct the selection of a new F-16N variant. There permission for Northrop to sell the
subsidy of a foreign competitor. were rumors that the F-16N had been sold tooling to Taiwan to avoid upsetting
During a series of Congressional at a loss in a deliberate effort to destroy or offending the mainland Chinese
hearings into FX, which began in March the F-20’s prospects. government, but several other nations
1984, William Schneider Jr, the Under The F-20 also lost out to the F-16 in a were also approached, including both
Secretary of State for Security Assistance, competition to equip Air National Guard India and Pakistan.
Science and Technology, testified that FX (ANG) fighter squadrons. Northrop was Quite apart from the lack of any
policy might not result in any sales, while hopeful that the F-20’s fast scramble domestic order, the F-20 was significantly
Above: The design
Brig Gen Thomas Baker, USAF Director of differences time, AIM-7 Sparrow compatibility and more expensive than the original
International Programs, confirmed that between the first low cost made it well suited to meet this F-5E, and at $10.7 million (based on a
the air force was not actively marketing and second F-20s requirement, but selection of the F-16 was 150-aircraft buy) was not significantly
are clearly seen
FX. Northrop’s then-CEO, Thomas V. here, notably the announced on October 31, 1986. An offer cheaper than the US $12.4-million
Jones, begged to be allowed to sell the nose and canopy. to supply 396 F-20As to the USAF — with General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon,
F-20 directly. In April 1984, the USAF was a low $15-million unit cost — was also or the $11-million F-16/79.
Below left to
directed to promote the FX more actively, right: Northrop rejected, but not before the USAF had Thomas Jones — who was chairman of
and several potential customers were maintained already announced plans to order ‘at least Northrop at the time — said the F-20’s
briefed during May and June that year on that the F-20 100 F-20s’. ‘cost of ownership is less than half the
offered a far more
the performance and cost of both the F-20 affordable option Bahrain had already substituted its order cost of an F-16’, and others calculated
and F-16/79. over the rival F-16. for four F-20 Tigersharks with an order that unit life-cycle costs for the F-20
for the F-5E Tiger II in 1985. After six years were 40–50 per cent lower than for the
Troubled times The F-20 retained
the F-5E’s wing, with no orders, Northrop canceled the F-16. Compared with contemporary
It was increasingly clear that the F-20 albeit with $1.2-billion project in November 1986, frontline fighters, the Tigershark was
would need a domestic US order if it modified leading and ongoing negotiations with the Royal projected to have 63 per cent lower
edge extensions
was to have credibility among export (LEX), which Moroccan Air Force for 20 F-20s were operating and maintenance costs, to
customers. In November 1984, Congress improved the terminated. Work on the uncompleted require 52 per cent less maintenance
directed the air force and navy to study maximum lift fourth prototype was abandoned. manpower, to consume 53 per cent
coefficient of the
the use of a single aircraft type to fill wing by about 12 Even after the program had ended, less fuel, and to be four times more
similar aggressor roles for both services, per cent. Northrop tried to sell the F-20 as reliable.

with a longer runway, expeditionary runway, with a second carrier study that’s now under
than you can coming vertically off the back of a way inside the Office of the Secretary of
ship. Shipboard compatibility continues to be a Defense. The OSD study is due this summer.
challenge for all our air vehicles.’ It’s unclear when the navy might release its
The shift to a land-based AEW drone could own review.
deprive Lightning carriers of an important Both studies could inform the US Navy’s
capability. Airborne early warning platforms long-term shipbuilding plans and Congress’s
such as the US Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye have own appropriations, which increasingly are
traditionally helped spot targets and co- shaping military force structure in the absence
ordinate allied forces. of feasible military planning.
DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINE But AEW aircraft tend to be large. So large that
only big carriers with catapults and arrestor
One possible outcome is a greater emphasis
on Lightning carriers. The US fleet could opt
OF AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY wires, such as the US Navy’s Nimitz- and Ford-
class vessels and the French navy’s Charles de
to acquire smaller flattops in addition to, or in
place of, traditional supercarriers with their 60-
BY DAVID AXE
Gaulle, can launch and recover them. or 70-aircraft air wings.
US MARINE
The Lightning carriers lack catapults and A 40,000-ton-displacement America-class
wires and can support only short take-off and vessel costs just $4 billion or so, compared to
vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft. The British, $14 billion for a supercarrier displacing 100,000
CORPS
Chinese, Indian and Russian navies all use tons. In theory, the navy could buy larger
radar-equipped helicopters for at-sea early numbers of small carriers and distribute them
warning. The US military doesn’t possess an more widely across the ocean, helping the fleet
ABANDONS
AEW helicopter. to avoid missile attacks.
The marines aimed to solve that problem by But a possible move to smaller carriers comes
packing early-warning capability into a vertically with its own cost. Lightning carriers might be
EARLY
launching unmanned vehicle. Unfortunately for cheaper than supercarriers are, but they carry
the service, that has proved impossible. far fewer aircraft than the bigger vessels do and
The lack of organic AEW capability could can sustain fewer sorties.
WARNING
become painful for the navy and marines as A Lightning carrier embarking 20 F-35s,
they look to expand on the Lightning carrier compared to the roughly 40 strike fighters
concept. At present, only the fleet’s two that a supercarrier normally carries, should be
DRONE
America-class assault ships possess the facilities able to launch 40 sorties per day, the marines
to support 20 F-35Bs. estimated. A Ford-class supercarrier, by
But the navy is reconsidering its long-term contrast, is supposed to be able to launch 160
plans for at-sea aviation. The sailing branch in sorties per day.
T
early 2020 launched a formal study of aviation- And with the marines giving up on their radar-
HE US MARINE Corps has chosen ship requirements after the current order for equipped drone, the small carriers likely will
not to develop a ship-launched four Ford-class supercarriers. The navy’s new lack the wide sensor coverage that the bigger
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Future Carrier 2030 Task Force review dovetails vessels can project.
airborne early warning (AEW) role.
The decision weighs on the US
Navy’s plan to deploy some of its In theory, the navy could buy larger numbers of
amphibious assault ships as ‘Lightning carriers’
embarking as many as 20 F-35B stealth fighters. small carriers and distribute them more widely
The marines had been counting on a variant
of their in-development Marine Air Ground across the ocean, helping the fleet to avoid missile attacks.
Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft
System Expeditionary drone, or MUX, to carry
a powerful radar in order to help manage air Northrop Grumman’s TERN tail-sitter UAV
battles around amphibious groups. was among the designs being considered for
the US Marine Corps’ airborne early warning
But a big radar proved to be too heavy for requirement, or MUX. DARPA
the drone, Deputy Commandant of the Marine
Corps for Aviation Lt Gen Steven Rudder said
recently. The weight of the radar limited the
vehicle’s endurance.
So instead of equipping the ship-launched
drone with the radar, the corps plans to add the
sensor to a land-based vehicle.
‘I think what we discovered with the MUX
program is that it’s going to require a family of
systems’, Rudder said. ‘Power output and weight
capacity — obviously you get more weight
and power output with a ground-based system
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FLASHBACK // CF-5
96-97 Flashback C.indd 96 23/04/2020 22:11

I
N JULY 1965, Canada selected the
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter to be
the new fighter aircraft for the Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Designated
the CF-116, the 89 single-seat CF-5As
and 46 two-seat CF-5Ds were built
Photographed
on September 19, under license by Canadair and fitted with twin
1994, at Stead Field, Orenda J85-CAN-15 engines, each producing
Nevada, is CF-116A (CF-5A) 4,300lb of static trust.
serial 116721, which was the
demonstration aircraft for No 419 First delivered in 1968, the Freedom Fighter was
‘Moose’ Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, unsuited for the fighter mission in Canada, with
Alberta, during the 70th anniversary year the majority of the aircraft switched to aggressor
of the RCAF. The aircraft is now displayed in
these markings at the National Air Force Museum and training roles, where they served until
of Canada. Jim Dunn retirement in 1995.
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98 Next Month C.indd 98 23/04/2020 22:11

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