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RAF Lakenheath 2022 A year to remember

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#419 February 2023

Russia’s Su-34 Fullback

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Comment
2023 – more war ahead?
I
t is a sign of the times that the main headline
news on December 26 – on the BBC, at least
– centred around the military. While many of
us were relaxing with family and friends, the
top three news reports were dominated by war
or the threat of war.
Ukrainian drones had just attacked Engels
Air Base and 71 Chinese air force/navy
fighters and bombers had crossed Taiwan’s
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), while
North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-
un had sent drones into South Korea, with at
least one pushing its way through to Seoul.
Then just after midnight on New Year’s Day,
the Ukrainians attacked and killed “hundreds”
of Russian conscripts at Makiivka in the
Donetsk region, within range of the Ukraine’s
US-made long-range HIMARS.
For this last incident, it would seem that
operational security had been breached owing
to the use of mobile phones. With members
of the Ukrainian military getting increasingly
skilled with their HIMARS, the Russians will
Above: ‘Hundreds’ of Russian troops were killed when Ukraine attacked using the US HIMARS system after unauthorised mobile phone use gave their location
away Sgt. 1st Class Richard Frost/ DVIDS
Editor – Modern Military Aviation: Simon Lee
Group Editor at Large: Alan Warnes
Deputy Editor: Khalem Chapman
Assistant Military Editor: Dave Allport
Assistant Military Editor: Josef Campion
Group Production Editor: David Taylor
Production Editors: Sally Hooton, Sue Parslow,
Suzanne Roberts, Sue Rylance
Ad & Ed Production Manager: Debi McGowan
Design: Lee Howson, Tracey Croft,
Molly Eastwood, Dominique Maynard
Head of Marketing: Shaun Binnington
Advertising: Andrew Mason, Debi McGowan
Head of Design: Steve Donovan
Head of Operations and eCommerce: Karen Bean
Head of Finance: Peter Edwards
Group CEO & Publisher, Aviation: Adrian Cox
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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standing order with your newsagent. In case of difficulty,
contact our Circulation Manager (subs@keypublishing.com).
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Alternatively, you can subscribe in writing to:
AFM,
International Media Service,
PO BOX 866,
Virginia Beach 23451,
USA.
www.Key.Aero
have to be more tactically astute than that!
Back in November, the Russian MoD said
that explosions at two air bases in Crimea
were caused by troops smoking close to fuel
dumps. Shocking, really, for such a modern
military to lack such basic common sense.
It’s obvious that the Russian leadership
has never bothered too much with OPSEC
or tactics because, as we saw in Georgia in
2008 and more recently in Syria, they have
tended to just bludgeon the enemy into
submission with firepower and numbers.
Should China attack Taiwan – which, sadly,
is looking increasingly likely – it will try to
ensure air superiority quickly, which the
Russians have been unable to do in Ukraine.
However, unlike Ukraine, we are likely to see a
counter-offensive involving a “coalition of the
willing” led by the US and involving several air
forces that attended Exercise Pitch Black in
Australia last year. That could turn very ugly.
When it comes to North Korea, anything is
possible, but South Korea would again be
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USPS ID STATEMENT
AirForces Monthly, ISSN 0955-7091 (USPS 6119), is
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supported by the US should the unthinkable
happen, which is always possible when you
have someone like Kim Jong-un involved.
Sending a drone down to Seoul was more
symbolic than gaining anything militarily,
but I did enjoy the RoKAF’s apology for not
shooting it down.
Given all this and the growing violence in so
many African countries – Chad, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria
and Mali – as well as the continued threat of
Iran, the possibility of another war in Yemen
and the uncertainty that still exists between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, one suspects that
2023 is likely to be even more unpredictable
than 2022.
Alan Warnes, Group Editor at Large
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February 2023 // 3
Contents
Regulars
03 Comment
AFM’s monthly opinion about
the most recent and noteworthy
military aviation topics
06 News
• Headlines (p6) • UK (p8) •
Europe (p10) • North America
(p14) • Latin America (p18) •
Australasia (p19) • Asia-Pacific
(p20) • Airbus Updates (p22)
February 2023 #419
all Eagle unit to welcome the new
fifth-generation capability
60 Unit Report: On
top of the world
The Lama Squadron in Argentina
is one of the few helicopter units
on the continent equipped for
high-altitude rescue missions.
Santiago Rivas explains how they
can operate above 16,500ft

38 Exercise Report: 64 Fleet Report:

France's Red Flag
Nine air powers gathered for
the French-led Volfa-2022
exercise. Babak Taghvaee
reports on the high-intensity
operations carried out
42 Base Tour: Fighting
48th flies high
Bob Archer visits RAF Lakenheath
where the 48th Fighter Wing is
continuing to transition from an
Taiwan’s Tigers
After almost 60 years of service,
the Republic of China Air Force’s
F-5s are due to be phased out.
Peter Ho examines the impact
the jet has had in ensuring the
defence of the island nation
70 Force Report:
Watching the skies
On the frontline of NATO’s Baltic
air policing duties, Estonia is a
72
small country that is keeping
a watchful eye out for further
Russian aggression. Jean-
François Auran details the air
force that was created just
three decades ago and fields
no combat aircraft

Your Aviation
Destination
See page 24 SUBSC
for full details EXCLURIBER
SIVE

30

4 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


72 Exercise Report:
Striking back
For three weeks in November,
the Netherlands was invaded by
an enemy – one which had to be
repelled by a multinational NATO
force. Ludo Mennes reports on
Exercise Falcon Autumn
84 Retirement Report:
Target achieved
The Swiss air force has withdrawn
its last Pilatus PC-9. Philippe Rey
reflects on the end of its target-
towing operations
86 Aircraft Report:
Himalayan predator
India’s Light Combat Helicopter
entered service in October 2022.
Atul Chandra has followed the
lengthy development since the
prototype’s maiden flight and
provides details of this unique
attack helicopter
www.Key.Aero
92 Just a nice pic...
AFM shows off Croatia’s soon-
to-be outgoing MiG-21bis-D fleet
after it was cleared to return to
flight operations on December
28, following its grounding three
weeks prior following a crash
94 Attrition
Dave Allport details the month’s
most significant military aviation
mishaps from around the world
98 Next Issue
A preview of what’s on the
modern military aviation agenda
in next month’s issue of AFM
Features
30 Russia’s services. In the first of a two-
heavy hitter part feature, Gerard Keijsper
Alexander Mladenov reviews the focuses on the operational units
status of the Su-34 Fullback, the of the USAF F-35 fleet
enhancement plans for the type
and its controversial operations 78 Hunting
in the ongoing war in Ukraine the hunters
Unmanned aerial warfare is now
50 USAF powers a major factor in global conflicts,
to fifth-gen as Al Venter, who has been
The F-35 is the first aircraft to embedded in a NATO Special
serve in three different versions, Forces counter-insurgency unit
planned from the outset in all US in Central Africa, explains
84
Above: A Swiss PC-9 equipped with an RM-24
towing a target up to 900m behind the aircraft. The
Swiss Air Force has now retired its PC-9 fleet Swiss Air Force
Left: A UH-60M Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook of the US Army’s 12th CAB
arrive at the water lock Ossesluis to drop off troops of the Royal Netherlands
Army’s 13th Infantry Battalion Northern Skies Aviation Below: The Su-34
Fullback remains a core programme for the Russian tactical aviation branch,
providing a significant share of air arm’s strike potential Giovanni Colla
Front Cover: A USAF-operated F-35A Lightning II belonging to the 62nd Fighter
Squadron ‘Spikes’ at Luke AFB, Arizona, pulls up into the vertical during a
sortie. The unit is charged with providing advanced fighter training for F-35A
pilots and crews Jim ‘Hazy’ Haseltine
February 2023 // 5
NEWS Headlines

Dutch F-16s return to Eur

FOUR of the 11 Royal
Netherlands Air Force jets
that for 32 years had trained
F-16 pilots in Arizona, arrived
at Charleroi, Belgium on
Thursday December 15. This
was fewer than originally
expected: six F-16s had
arrived at Lajes (Azores)
ready to make the next leg
to Europe, but two failed to
leave. The other five F-16s
remain at their temporary
Florida home.
Having failed to sell the
surplus former Tucson-
based F-16s to Draken
International, the Royal
Netherlands Air Force flew
the four aircraft (F-16AM
J-004 and J-101 marked
‘148 FS’ plus F-16Bs J-067
and J-210) from Florida
to the SABCA facility in
Belgium to be stored
until their future has been
determined.
The F-16 training unit,
with the 148th Fighter
Squadron, 162nd Fighter
Wing at the Tucson ANGB,
Arizona was shut down
(See Viper’s Last Bite,
Oct p58-63) after the
graduation of the last new
F-16 pilots on July 29. With
the Department of Defense
wanting the aircraft off their
property, it was agreed the
11 F-16AM/BMs would
be flown to Draken’s main
base at Laker-Linder IAP in
Lakeland, Florida in mid-
August. The original ten
aircraft had been joined by
a F-16BM, J-882 last May.
Draken agreed to buy
them from the Netherlands
in June 2021 but when
the time came to sign the
contract, Draken’s Red
Air work had fizzled out.
By March 2022, the firm
had lost its US Adversary
Air contracts, resulting
in a 61% fall in revenue.
It needed to work out a
plan for future growth,
but obviously that did not
include the former Royal

Four former Royal Netherlands

Air Force F-16AM/BMs arrived at
Charleroi on December 15, where
SABCA will store them until a new
role is found for them. Of the 11
that are due to return to Europe,
two are stuck in Lajes (Azores) and
the other five are still in Florida
Marco de Groot

Nearly 400 F-35s to be built under new me THE F-35 Joint Program
Office and Lockheed
Martin rounded off 2022 by
finalising a $30bn contract
for the production and
delivery of up to 398 F-35s
for US and Foreign Military
Sales customers under
Low-Rate Initial Production
(LRIP) Lots 15-17.
Announced on December
30, this newly signed
agreement will see
Lockheed Martin produce
145 F-35s under LRIP
Lot 15 and 127 aircraft
in LRIP Lot 16. The deal
comes with an option to
produce and deliver a
further 126 F-35s under
LRIP Lot 17 and will include
the first examples of the
Lockheed Martin will produce 398 F-35s under LRIP Lots 15-17, which includes the first fifth-generation multi-role
aircraft for Belgium, Finland and Poland. The aircraft will also receive the TR-3 update prior stealth fighter for Belgium,
to being delivered to their respective customers Lockheed Martin/Liz Kaszynski Finland and Poland. On
November 14, 2022, the
Belgian Ministry of Defence
revealed that production of
its first F-35A had started at
Lockheed Martin’s facility in
Fort Worth, Texas.
The aircraft produced
in LRIP Lots 15-17 will
be the first to include the
modernised Technical
Refresh-3 (TR-3) hardware,
which is needed to
power the type’s Block 4
capabilities. Among other
things, the TR-3 update
includes a new integrated
core processor with greater
computing power when
compared with F-35s
already in use, along with
the addition of an enhanced
memory unit and a
panoramic cockpit display.
The awarding of this
$30bn production contract

6 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


Europe European FCAS industrial
agreement signed
Netherlands Air Force.
Instead, the Netherlands
government and Lockheed
Martin want to create a
F-16 training unit that they
could offer to Romania and
Bulgaria. Romania currently
has 17 ex-Portuguese Air
Force F-16s and is set
to start taking delivery
of the surplus 32 Royal
Norwegian F-16s this
year. The plan was that
the Lockheed Martin/
Dutch government initiative
would train Romanian Air
Force pilots, and even
perhaps Bulgarian pilots
as the BuAF awaits the
Block 70s. Bulgaria is
also looking at an interim
air defence capability –
if, as is likely, the MiG-29
Fulcrums retire next year
– until the delayed F-16
Block 70s arrive in 2025.
The F-16 training initiative
is also looking to include
Draken, Airbus, Aerostar,
Sabca, DERCO, Fokker
and Aeronautical Field
Sustainment, but as we
head to press the exact
make-up of the support
remains unclear.
Alan Warnes
mega-deal
marked a strong end
to 2022 for the F-35
programme. The global
Lightning II fleet grew by
141 last year and now
stands at 894 aircraft.
Lockheed Martin had
initially planned to deliver
148 aircraft in 2022, but
due to the imposing of a
temporary pause in F-35
flight operations (which is
still in effect) the necessary
acceptance flight tests
on the remaining seven
aircraft could not be
completed. Deliveries of
the type to customers
were halted after an F-35B
suffered a landing mishap
at Joint Reserve Base
Fort Worth – the home of
Lockheed Martin’s F-35
production facility – on
December 15.
www.Key.Aero
DASSAULT AVIATION’s
Chairman and CEO Eric
Trappier announced on
December 1 that a major
step forward has been
made on the Future
Combat Aircraft System
(FCAS) after reaching an
industrial agreement with
Airbus on the Next-General
Fighter (NGF) aircraft, a
key component of FCAS.
Trappier said: “The FCAS is
a political project launched
by President Emmanuel
Macron and Chancellor
Angela Merkel in 2017,
and at a standstill since
summer 2021. So, yes,
today it is done. We have
an agreement with Airbus.
“We’ll now be able
to move into the next
phase of studies, known
as 1B, to prepare for
the development of a
demonstrator, which
should fly around 2029…
We have been confirmed
in our role as prime
contractor and architect of
the aircraft, and we have
obtained protection for our
industrial know-how and
technologies… Being the
architect of a new fighter
aircraft is very motivating
for our company, our
teams, those of Airbus,
our main partner, Indra,
and our long-standing
partners, Safran, Thales
and MBDA, not to
mention our ecosystem
of subcontractors, in
all three countries,”
said Eric Trappier.
Just over two weeks
later, on December 16,
France’s Delegation
Générale de l’Armement
(DGA – General Directorate
of Armament) awarded
the €3.2bn contract to
Dassault Aviation, Airbus,
Indra, EUMET and their
industrial partners for the
Demonstrator Phase 1B
of FCAS on behalf of the
governments of France,
Germany and Spain. This
will cover work on the
FCAS demonstrator and
Dassault Aviation CEO, Éric Trappier Dassault
its components for about
three-and-a-half years. The
contract follows intensive
discussions the last three
months to create a solid
basis for co-operation
between industry and
the governments of
the three countries.
It follows related
successful Phase 1A
demonstrators’ R&T
work and development
activities. This
enabled identification
of key technologies
and the launch of
the demonstrators’
developments. Paving the
way for the development
phase of the programme,
demonstration phase 1B
will allow continuation of
flying demonstrators and
required cutting-edge
technologies development
and maturation as well
as project architectures
consolidation, with
in-flight demonstrations
targeted in the next
phases by 2028-2029.
The programme is
made up of a set of
systems: New Generation
Fighters teaming with
Remote Carriers and
connected through a
Combat Cloud. In order
to meet the ambitions
and challenges of such a
programme, what Dassault
describes as “an adapted
and efficient industrial
organisation” has been
set-up and built around
technological pillars.
Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
Each pillar is under the
leadership of an industrial
champion acting as
prime, working in close
co-operation with its main
partners and leveraging
each nation’s aeronautical
industrial ecosystems.
In addition to their prime
role per pillar, Airbus,
Dassault Aviation and
Indra act as national
co-ordinators to ensure
the overall coherence of
the demonstrators
and the overall
programme’s steering
and work consolidation.
The industrial
governance of the Phase
1B is organised per
domain as follows:
NGWS Consistency,
Demonstrations and
Consolidation – with
Airbus, Dassault Aviation
and Indra Sistemas as
co-contracting partners
New Generation
Fighter (NGF) – Dassault
Aviation for France as
prime contractor, and
Airbus as main partner
for Germany and Spain
New Generation Fighter
Engine – 50/50 Joint-
Venture EUMET, between
Safran Aircraft Engines
for France and MTU Aero
Engines for Germany – as
prime contractor and ITP
for Spain as main partner
Unmanned systems,
Remote Carrier (RC) –
Airbus for Germany as
prime contractor (see
A330 to control UAVs,
p22), MBDA for France
and Satnus for Spain
as main partners
Combat Cloud (CC)
– Airbus for Germany
as prime contractor,
Thales for France and
Indra Sistemas for Spain
as main partners
Simulation – Airbus,
Dassault Aviation and
Indra Sistemas as
co-contracting partners
Sensors – Indra Sistemas
as prime for Spain, and
Thales for France and
FCMS for Germany
as main partners
Enhanced Low
Observability (stealth) –
Airbus as prime contractor
for Spain, Dassault
Aviation for France and
Airbus for Germany
as main partners
Common Working
Environment – Airbus,
Dassault Aviation, Indra
Sistemas and EUMET as
co-contracting partners
Although the European
FCAS programme has
an equal share between
the three countries,
France will have overall
responsibility for running it.
Spain’s Defence Ministry
has stated it will spend
€2.5bn on the programme,
of which €525m will be
invested this year. The
new system is planned
to start replacing French
Rafales along with German
and Spanish Eurofighters
from around 2040.
Meanwhile, the UK
continues to follow its
own FCAS path with
its own future fighter,
previously known as
Tempest. On December
9, it announced a new
collaboration agreement
with Italy and Japan on
what is now referred to
as the Global Combat
Aircraft Programme
(GCAP) – see UK, Italy
and Japan join forces for
new fighter programme,
p8. This merges the
Anglo-Italian Tempest
February 2023 // 7
NEWS
UK, France take on simulated air
threat in Exercise Griffin Dawn
RAF-OPERATED Typhoon
FGR4s and F-35B
Lightning IIs recently
joined forces with Rafale
C/D (F3-R) multi-role
fighters from l’Armée de
l'Air et de l'Espace (FASF;
French Air and Space
Force) to respond to a
simulated air threat during
Exercise Griffin Dawn.
As part of the exercise,
the British and French
fighters met over the
North Sea to practice a
co-ordinated response
to a potential threat from
an adversary aircraft
operating in or near
A French Rafale is joined by RAF
F-35Bs and Typhoon FGR4s over
the North Sea as part of Exercise
Griffin Dawn on December 6, 2022
État-Major des Armées
Royal Navy completes life-extending Merlin HC4/4A upgrade
THE MODERNISATION
of the Royal Navy
Commando Helicopter
Force's (CHF's) 25-strong
Merlin HC3/3A helicopter
fleet to HC4/4A standard
has been completed.
Upgrade work was
performed an all 25
helicopters – comprising
19 HC3s and six HC3As –
extending the Commando
Merlin fleet's service life
to 2030 and enhancing
its ability to support
operations carried out by
the Royal Marines and
other UK military forces.
8 // February 2023
United Kingdom
UK, Italy and
Japan join
home airspace. While Anglo-French partnership control (C2) capabilities.
forces for
new fighter
an unspecified number
of British Typhoons and
that commits both
nations to being able
During the exercise, RAF
personnel joined their
programme
F-35Bs were joined by to deploy a significant French counterparts at the IN A significant new
French Rafales to form a number of air-, land- and Centre Air de Planification development, the UK is
Blue Air force – with air- sea-based capabilities et de Conduite des to collaborate with Italy
to-air refuelling support with more than 10,000 Opérations (CAPCO; Air and Japan as part of an
provided by a FASF- personnel for a variety Operations Planning and international coalition to
operated A330-243MRTT of taskings that include Conduct Centre) near develop a next-generation
Phénix multi-role tanker peacekeeping, bilateral Lyon, from which they combat aircraft. The new
transport – the part of the defence or the provision co-ordinated with the agreement, announced on
Red Air threat was played of humanitarian aid. RAF’s No 11 Group Joint December 9 by UK Prime
by RAF Eurofighters. While designed to be a Force Air Component – the Minister Rishi Sunak
Exercise Griffin Dawn challenging exercise for UK’s equivalent to CAPCO and Defence Minister
successfully tested airborne assets and their – at RAF High Wycombe, Ben Wallace, sees the
the effectiveness of respective crews, this Buckinghamshire, formation of a new
the Combined Joint exercise also provided an to provide C2 to the partnership known as the
Expeditionary Force opportunity for the C-JEF air assets involved Global Combat Aircraft
(C-JEF), which is an to train its command and in Griffin Dawn. Programme (GCAP). It
merges the UK-Italian
Tempest programme with
Japan’s F-X fighter.
The aircraft is expected
to fly by 2035, with the
intention of producing a
next-generation fighter
enhanced by a network
of capabilities such
as uncrewed aircraft,
advanced sensors,
cutting-edge weapons
and innovative data
systems. Joining forces
with Italy and Japan
will enable sharing of
costs and expertise,
while ensuring the RAF
remains interoperable
with its closest partners.
PM Rishi Sunak said: “It
is anticipated that more
likeminded countries may
buy into GCAP in due
course, or collaborate
on wider capabilities –
boosting UK exports. The
combat aircraft developed
As part of the upgrade, to the Merlin. "These support operations, this through GCAP is also
a new folding main rotor upgrades mean that upgrade allows the Merlin expected to be compatible
head and folding tail was many consider the Merlin HC4/HC4A to embark and with other NATO partners’
fitted to each helicopter, HC4/HC4A to be the operate from both Queen fighter jets.”
allowing for two Merlins world's most advanced Elizabeth-class aircraft The UK, Italy and Japan
to sit side-by-side in one amphibious battlefield carriers, amphibious will now establish the
of the Queen Elizabeth- helicopter," Defence assault ships, Duke-class core platform concept
class aircraft carriers' Equipment & Support, the (Type 23) frigates and and set up the structures
onboard lifts when the procurement arm of the eventually Daring-class needed to deliver the
type is supporting Carrier UK Ministry of Defence, (Type 45) destroyers. project, ready to launch
Strike Group operations said in a statement. Leonardo Helicopters the development phase
around the globe. As a helicopter that is performed the upgrade in 2025. Ahead of the
An improved defensive charged with carrying out under the Merlin development phase,
aid suite with a system multiple roles, including Life Sustainment the partners will also
that warns against and search and rescue, Programme (MLSP) agree the cost-sharing
locates hostile laser- counter-narcotics, anti- at its facility at Royal arrangements based on a
guided weapons has piracy, maritime security Naval Air Station (RNAS) joint assessment of costs
also been integrated on and hurricane relief Yeovilton in Somerset. and national budgets.
www.Key.Aero
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A lack of air-to-air
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580 Combat Latest FP.indd 56 20/12/2022 10:28:56
NEWS
Swedish Gripens set to
receive major upgrades
THE SWEDISH Defence
Materiel Administration
(FMV) signed a SEK3.5bn
(£280m) deal with Saab on
December 16 to upgrade
its fleet of JAS 39C/D
Gripen multi-role fighters.
A myriad of upgrades are
included in the contract,
with the relevant work
scheduled to take place
between 2023 and 2029.
The deal also allows
the FMV to put forward
additional upgrade orders
within the first year.
Sweden’s current JAS
39C/D fleet will be fitted
with the more advanced
GE Aviation/Volvo
Flygmotor RM12 (F404-
GE-400) afterburning
turbofan engine, which
will help to enhance
Spain retires last Orion
AFTER ALMOST 50
years of operational
service, the Spanish Air
and Space Force (SASF)
retired its final Lockheed
P-3M Orion maritime
patrol aircraft (MPA) on
December 17.
The aircraft (serial
P.3M-12 ’22-35’) was
the last of three Orions
remaining in Spanish
military service at 22
Gruppo (Group) of Ala 11
(11 Wing). Spain retired
its first P-3M on January
20, 2021, followed by the
second on April 25, 2022.
The third completed
The final Spanish Air and
Space Force P-3M Orion
receives a water salute
upon landing after its
final flight at Morón de
la Frontera Air Base on
December 17, 2022 SASF
10 // February 2023
Europe
the Gripen’s flight
performance envelope.
The fighter aircraft will
also receive a more
effective electronic
warfare system, combined
with a new weapons
payload capability.
In addition, the legacy
Gripens will be integrated
with Saab's PS-05/A Mk
5 active electronically
scanned array (AESA)
radar, which will provide
the JAS 39C/D fleet with
an increased detection
and tracking range.
According to Saab, the
platform will also receive
an “upgraded and future-
proof” avionics system,
which will include faster
software updates for
sensor functions.
the fleet’s final flight at
Morón de la Frontera Air
Base in Seville during
a retirement ceremony
attended by the SASF’s
Chief of Staff, Gen Javier
Salto Martínez-Avial.
There may now be a
lengthy capability gap
in the SASF’s ability
to conduct maritime
patrol and long-range
search and rescue (SAR)
operations. Spain is due
to replace the Orions
with Airbus Defence and
Space’s C295 MPA. This
platform will contain the
latest Fully Integrated
This upgrade means
the Swedish Air Force's
Gripen fleet will be more
compliant with the latest
generation of fighter
aircraft being fielded
in the battlespace.
It will enhance the
interoperability between
the legacy JAS 39C/D
with the more modern JAS
39E/F – the latest variant
of the Gripen family –
which will soon enter
operational service.
Commenting on the
contract award, Jonas
Hjelm – head of Saab’s
Aeronautics division –
said: “This upgrade will
provide the Swedish Air
Force with a significantly
stronger fighter capability.
The contract is a big
Tactical System (FITS)
and mission-specific
systems used for anti-
submarine operations.
It’s also likely these
aircraft will be fitted with
a magnetic anomaly
detector (MAD) system.
The Spanish Ministry
of Defence (MOD) has
yet to sign the order with
Airbus, however. The
company is in the final
stages of defining the
C295 MPA configuration,
with the firm expecting
an aircraft configuration
freeze and contract
signature with the
leap ahead in terms of
radar performance and
functionality, both for the
hardware and software,
and will future-proof the
operational capability of
Gripen C/D.”
On the same day,
Saab announced it will
be maintaining and
supporting the Gripen fleet
until 2025, with an option
for the Swedish Armed
Forces to place further
orders for support and
maintenance until 2027.
This package includes
the provision of spare
parts, aircrew and ground
support equipment, along
with repair and training
services. Maintenance will
be provided at each of
Saab’s six facilities.
Spanish MOD in Q1
2023. The country’s
defence budget has
allocated €580m for
the procurement of four
C295 MPAs between
2023 and 2028.
Meanwhile, the Spanish
MOD is also planning
to replace its fleet of
CN-235M Maritime
Surveillance Aircraft
(MSA) with the C295
MSA, which all parties
believe would be a
natural replacement for
this mission. This will
likely come after the
C295 MPA acquisition.
Italian Army
receives
final UH-90A
LEONARDO
HELICOPTERS delivered
its 60th UH-90A – the
local designation for the
NH90 Tactical Transport
Helicopter (TTH) – to the
Italian Army on November
25, completing deliveries
of the type to the service.
Manufactured at
Leonardo’s Tessera
facility in Venice,
Italy, the final UH-90A
was delivered during
an official handover
ceremony attended
by high-ranking
representatives from the
Italian Army, the Italian
Secretariat of Defence
and the NATO Helicopter
Management Agency, as
well as NHIndustries and
Leonardo Helicopters.
The Italian Army
was one of the initial
operators of the NH90
and remains as one of
the largest employers of
the type. Almost 31,100
flight hours have been
logged on missions in
Italy and abroad since it
entered service in March
2008. The UH-90A is
operated by five Italian
Army squadrons at
three different bases:
251°, 252° and 253°
Squadrone (Squadron)
at Rimini-Miramare; 272°
Squadrone at Casarsa
della Delizia; 526°
Squadrone at Viterbo.
Missions performed by
the UH-90A comprise
tactical troop transport,
logistics support, special
operations, cargo
resupply and hoist
operations. In addition,
the helicopter performs
medical evacuation and
light tactical vehicle
transport missions.
While 60 aircraft were
initially ordered – with
the first being delivered
in December 2007 – the
Italian requirement still
calls for a fleet of 150
UH-90As, although it
seems unlikely that any
additional orders will be
made in the near future.
www.Key.Aero

Could Putin arm Belarusian jets
with nuclear weapons?
FEARS THAT the
Belarusian Air Force
and Air Defence Forces
could become nuclear
capable have been raised
after Russian President
Vladimir Putin announced
that its jets were being
converted to carry
“special warheads”.
On a visit to Minsk on
December 19, Putin said
Russia will continue
training Belarusian pilots
to fly jets refurbished to
carry such weapons.
A Belarusian MiG-29
(Bort No ’18 Red’) returns
to base after a training
mission Belarusian MOD
Italy retires its MQ-1C Predator
A+ fleet after 18 years of service
AFTER 3,800 sorties and
over 31,000 flight hours
logged, the Aeronautica
Militare (AM; Italian Air
Force) retired its fleet
of General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems Inc
(GA-ASI) MQ-1C Predator
A+ remotely piloted
aircraft systems (RPAS) on
December 19, 2022.
The retirement
ceremony was held by
32° Stormo (Wing) at
Amendola Air Base (AB)
after the final RPAS
was transferred from
61° Gruppo (Squadron)
– a detachment of 32°
Stormo at Sigonella AB in
Members of 28° Gruppo pose in front of two of the AM’s now-retired MQ-1C Predator A+ RPAS Italian Air Force
www.Key.Aero
At a meeting with
Belarus’ President
Alexander Lukashenko,
Putin said: “I think it
would be possible to
continue implementing
the proposal made by the
Belarusian President to
train crews for Belarusian
combat planes, which
have already been
retooled to potentially
use air-based munitions
with a special warhead.”
The Belarusian air
arm currently operates
Sicily. The ceremony was
attended by high-ranking
AM officials, including the
General of the Air Force
Alberto Biavati, who
praised the hard work
performed by the men
and women who operated
the RPAS. Interestingly,
he also noted that
70% of all the MQ-1C
flights carried out were
operational and just 30%
were for training purposes
– making the platform
unique compared to the
AM’s other aircraft.
Delivered to the AM
in December 2004,
the MQ-1C first saw
four Sukhoi Su-30SM
Flanker-H and eight
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-
29BM (Belarus Modified)
Fulcrum multi-role
fighters, along with 67
Su-25 Frogfoot-A/B
ground attack/strike
jets and 26 MiG-29
Fulcrum-B/Cs.
Defence experts fear
the move could signal
a build-up to Belarus
joining Russia in a
fresh offensive against
neighbouring Ukraine.
in-theatre combat
operations in January
2005. The Predator A+
served as an intelligence,
surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR)
platform in locations
such as Afghanistan,
the Horn of Africa, Iraq,
Kosovo, and Kuwait.
It performed missions
in support of close air
support and combat
search and rescue
disciplines, supporting
the security of convoys
in hostile environments
and monitoring areas of
interest, remaining on
station for long periods
Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
Lukashenko revealed
that Russian-donated
ground-based air
defence systems had
become operational in
his country. Addressing
Putin, he said: “Today
we’ve put the S-400
[air defence] complex
that you transferred to
Belarus into a state of
combat-readiness, as
well as, most importantly,
the Iskander complex,
which you have also
handed over to us...”
of time, which manned
aircraft were not capable
of doing. The RPAS
also served on home
soil with contributions
to controlling national
In Brief
borders, search and
rescue, and public order
operations, as well as
providing international
security during G7, G8
and G20 summits.
The Italian air arm’s
RPAS ISR operations are
now being performed
by the more modern
MQ-9A Predator B. The
AM operates a fleet of
five Predator Bs acquired
between 2008 and 2009.
New aircraft and
helicopter for
Ireland’s Garda
Air Support unit
IRELAND’S MINISTER
for Justice Simon Harris
announced on January
3 that €21.5m will be
invested in the Garda Air
Support Unit (GASU) for
an additional helicopter
and fixed-wing aircraft.
The new, and as yet
undefined fixed-wing
aircraft will be another
high-wing twin-engine
aircraft and will replace
the current Britten-
Norman BN-2T Islander
– serial 254 (c/n 4008). It
will be purchased using
the Brexit Adjustment
Reserve to enhance
the GASU’s ability to
support policing on the
ground, security, and
surveillance operations.
An additional H135
helicopter will increase
the unit’s fleet to
three. Equipped with
integrated police mission
equipment, it is expected
to be operational later
this year. The fixed-wing
aircraft is scheduled to
enter operational service
in 2024.
The aircraft will support
missions in border
patrol, counter-terrorism,
organised crime, and
human/drug trafficking.
THE LUFTWAFFE
announced on December
8 that the last three of
its Transall C-160Ds
were due to depart at
0800hrs the following
morning for a new
home with a civilian
company in Australia. As
previously reported, the
aircraft (50+55/VH-TIT,
50+83/VH-RPR and
50+88/VH-RFW), were
registered in Australia
on September 15 last
year to Wieland Aviation
Group in New South
Wales after being sold
by the Bundeswehr –
see Australian company
acquires three former
German Transalls, AFM
November, p28.
February 2023 // 11
NEWS Europe

Germany commits to F-35A purchase

THE BUNDESWEHR
(German Armed Forces)
announced it will
procure a total of 35
F-35A Lightning II fifth-
generation multi-role
stealth fighters after
its budget committee
approved the close to
€10bn purchase on
December 14.
With deliveries expected
to take place between
2026 and 2029, the
F-35As have been
purchased to replace the Russian invasion of Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, the succeed the Tornado IDS
the Luftwaffe’s (German Ukraine last February. Inspector of the Luftwaffe, in all of its current roles,
Air Force) ageing fleet Germany is the ninth said the first German ranging from ground
of Tornado IDS ground foreign military sales pilots should be trained attack/interdiction and
attack/strike aircraft. customer to join the on the F-35A at Luke AFB, strike operations to
This plan was initially F-35 programme. The Arizona, in 2026. maintaining Germany’s
announced on March package agreement He added that nuclear deterrent as
14, 2022, and comes as includes aircraft, engines, Germany's first Lightning part of NATO's Nuclear
part of Germany's newly role-specific mission II is expected to arrive Sharing Arrangements.
injected €100bn defence equipment, spare parts, in-country in 2027 with The F-35As will be
budget to modernise and training, weapons and all the aim of declaring operated by Taktisches
overhaul its armed forces the required technical and operational readiness the Luftwaffengeschwader 33
that was announced by logistical support to make following year. (TaktLwG 33; Tactical Air
German Chancellor Olaf the F-35A an operational In operational Luftwaffe Force Wing 33) at Büchel
Scholz just weeks after weapon system. service, the F-35A will Air Base.

Latvia receives Black Hawk pair In Brief

AIRBUS DEFENCE and
Space delivered its 20th
A400M Atlas to France’s
Directorate General of
Armaments (DGA) on
November 22. The aircraft
(serial 0075/F-RBAT) will
join the rest of the French
Air and Space Force’s
(FASF) A400M fleet at
THE LATVIAN Air Force received its first two UH-60M Black
Orléans-Bricy AB (BA123).
Hawk utility helicopters (serials 105 and 106) on December France has 50 A400Ms on
11, at Lielv rde Air Base in Rembate Parish, Ogre, via a order and is expecting to
USAF-operated C-17A Globemaster III. Latvia purchased receive 25 examples by the
a total of four UH-60Ms through the US foreign military
sales process in 2018. The deal, worth some €175m, was
end of 2025.
approved by the US State Department and Congress. The FRANCE’S DGA
last two are to arrive before the end of 2023 Latvian Air Force accepted delivery of
the tenth modernised
Atlantique 2 (ATL2) on
December 12, after
the maritime patrol
aircraft (serial unknown)
received its Standard 6
upgrade from the FASF’s
Aeronautics Industrial
Service (SIAé).
This aircraft will soon
be delivered to Lorient/
Lann-Bihoué AB, where
it will be operated by the
French Navy’s Flottille
21F/23F. In total, 18 ATL2s
will receive the Standard
6 upgrade.
THE NINETH
A330-243MRTT Phénix
multi-role tanker transport
for the FASF has been
handed over to the DGA.
Delivery of the aircraft
(serial 049/F-UJCO) was
announced on December
15 and comes after
verification flight test
operations were conducted
by the DGA. The FASF
has 15 A330-243MRTTs
on order in total and is
expecting to receive three
more examples by the end
of this year.

Turkey’s first ‘unmanned fighter’ takes flight

While Baykar’s Bayraktar
Kizilelma UCAV briefly took
flight during a ground test
on December 3, the initial
prototype (registration
TC-ÖZB) got airborne at the
Akinci Flight Training and Test
Centre for its official first flight
on December 14, 2022 Baykar
BAYKAR MARKED a
significant milestone
in the development of
its Bayraktar Kizilelma
unmanned combat
air vehicle (UCAV) on
December 14, after
15:17hrs (local time). The
successful completion
of the Kizilelma’s first
flight comes just weeks
after the Turkish defence
firm completed a series
of automatic taxi and
running tests at the facility
– the first of which was
successfully carried out on
November 20.
While this milestone does
mark the official first flight
of the Kizilelma, it is not
the first time the platform
has been airborne.
On December 3, the
prototype briefly got
the initial prototype TC-ÖZB) took off for airborne over the runway
successfully completed the first time at 1459hrs at the Akinci test centre
its maiden flight from the (local time) and remained before it safely returned to
Akinci Flight Training and airborne for 18 minutes the ground.
Test Center in Tekirda , before it landed back at While Baykar maintained
Turkey. The prototype the Akinci Flight Training that the test was a
UCAV (registration and Test Centre at success, it remains
unclear whether the
Kizilelma’s brief few
seconds in the air was
a planned action or
accidental. In any case,
it highlighted that the
platform’s developers
were itching for it to grace
the skies for the first time.
The type is expected to
enter service with both the
Turkish Air Force and the
Turkish Navy.
When operational, the
type will be largely used
to carry out air-to-air
combat missions in a
similar manner to manned
fighter aircraft, with Baykar
stating that the UCAV will
be capable of performing
“aggressive manoeuvres”
– a capability that is
not found on the more
traditional UAVs.

12 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero

 AIR POWER

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529 USAF YB FP RHP.indd 104 28/11/2022 10:17:56

NEWS
USAF ushers in era of the Raider
THE USAF ushered
in a new age of sixth-
generation combat aircraft
with the public unveiling
of the B-21 Raider stealth
bomber at Northrop
Grumman’s production
facilities at Palmdale,
California, on December 2.
The hotly anticipated
public rollout of the
USAF’s new stealth
bomber comes as tensions
across the world – ranging
from Chinese and North
Korean aggression in the
Indo-Pacific region to the
ongoing Ukraine-Russia
War – continues to build.
The first B-21 (referred to
Head on with the world’s first sixth-generation combat aircraft and the initial example of the USAF’s second-generation stealth
bomber: the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. Unveiled to the public for the first time on December 2, 2022, this aircraft will
ultimately replace the Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit in USAF service Northrop Grumman
US Army opts for Valor to replace Black Hawks
IN A major announcement,
the US Army revealed
on December 5 that it
has awarded the hotly
anticipated Future Long
Range Assault Aircraft
(FLRAA) contract to Bell
Textron and its V-280
Valor tiltrotor – a platform
that will eventually replace
the service’s Black Hawk
helicopters and shape
the future of US Army
Aviation operations.
The market-defining
FLRAA award – worth
an initial US$1.3bn –
marks the US Army’s
largest helicopter
procurement decision
in more than 40 years.
Follow-on production
contracts could see the
programme’s worth grow
to the range of US$70bn.
The decision to select the
V-280 Valor, a second-
generation tiltrotor, is not
just a major win for Bell
Textron domestically,
but also a victory for the
14 // February 2023
North America
as ‘T1’, or ‘Aircraft 001’)
was rolled out in front
of high-ranking military/
government officials
and journalists who had
been invited to Northrop
Grumman’s Palmdale
production facilities to
attend the event in person,
as thousands more
watched the unveiling via
a live stream provided
by the company.
Heralded by Northrop
Grumman and the USAF
as the aircraft that will
form the future backbone
of US airpower, the B-21
will be the face of a
family of systems that will
firm on the world stage,
given that many US allies
and partner nations
are likely to follow the
Army’s lead when seeking
to replace their own
assault/utility helicopter
fleets, many of which
are currently operating
a variant of the UH-60.
A subsequent media
roundtable between
US Army officials and
reporters provided
Bell’s first Valor prototype (registration N280BH, c/n 60105).
The tiltrotor has a compound fuselage with a V-shaped tail
instead of a tail rotor. There are side doors instead of a ramp
and retractable tricycle landing gear. The V-280 will be the US
Army’s first tiltrotor aircraft Bell Flight
deliver new capabilities
and greater flexibility to
the US air arm via the
advanced integration
of data, sensors and
weapons. Referred to as
the world’s first sixth-
generation combat aircraft
(to be unveiled at least),
the USAF will benefit from
the highly low observable
design of the B-21, as
well as the platform’s
information advantage and
digital open architecture
backbone capabilities.
This initial aircraft (‘T1’)
is currently undergoing
an extensive ground test
campaign and is set to
additional details. Maj Gen
Robert Barrie – the US
Army’s Program Executive
Officer for Aviation – said
that an initial contract
obligation, valued at
US$232m, will be given
to Bell Textron over the
next 19 months, allowing
the company to continue
working on the preliminary
design of the aircraft and
deliver virtual prototypes
of a potentially model-
complete the platform’s
maiden flight sometime in
2023. Another five B-21s
are known to be in various
stages of production with
Northrop Grumman in
Palmdale, where the firm
produced the USAF’s
fleet of B-2A Spirit stealth
bombers from 1987-
2000. Along with the
supersonic-capable B-1B
Lancer, the B-2A will
ultimately be phased out
and replaced by a planned
fleet of “at least 100”
B-21s with an average
procurement unit cost
requirement of US$692m,
according to the USAF.
based system by 2025.
Officially launched
in 2019, the FLRAA
programme falls under
the umbrella of the US
Army’s Future Vertical
Lift initiative to modernise
the capabilities and
aviation assets used
by the service, and
pitted the Valor against
Sikorsky-Boeing’s
Defiant X compound
coaxial helicopter.
On December 28,
the Sikorsky-Boeing
team revealed that a
formal protest of the US
Army’s FLRAA contract
decision had been filed
with the US Government
Accountability Office
(GAO). The team claims
that “the data and
discussions lead us to
believe the proposals
were not consistently
evaluated to deliver the
best value in the interest
of the Army, our soldiers
and American taxpayers.”
Changes
for USMC
THE United States Marine
Corps (USMC) deactivated
Marine Light Attack
Helicopter Squadron 469
(HMLA-469) ‘Vengeance’
– a component of the
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(MAW) – and reactivated
its replacement unit,
HMLA-367 ‘Scarface’, in a
ceremony at MCAS Camp
Pendleton in California on
December 16.
Activated on June 30,
2009, ‘Vengeance’ was
the youngest HMLA
squadron in the 3rd
MAW and operated
the AH-1Z Viper attack
helicopter and UH-1Y
Venom battlefield
utility helicopter with
approximately 350
personnel. It had
carried out multiple
deployments with Marine
Expeditionary Units and
in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan, as well
as key humanitarian
missions, such as
Operation Sahayogi Haat
following earthquakes in
Nepal in April/May 2015.
The decision to disband
HMLA-469 comes as
part of the USMC’s Force
Design 2030 initiative,
which has directed the
divestment of two HMLA
squadrons to reallocate
funding for other areas
of interest. HMLA-367 –
temporarily stood down
at MCAS Kaneohe Bay,
Hawaii, in April 2022 –
has been relocated and
reactivated to replace the
outgoing HMLA-469.
HMLA-367 was initially
established by the USMC
as Marine Observation
Squadron 351 (VMO-3)
during World War Two.
but was subsequently
stood down in 1949. The
unit was first reactivated
in 1966 to support US
military operations during
the Vietnam War, where
it earned its famous
‘Scarface’ nickname and
became the first USMC
unit to employ the AH-1G
Cobra attack helicopter.
www.Key.Aero
 Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com

New E-11A BACN for the ‘Black Wolves’ In Brief

THE US Department
of Defense (DOD)
awarded AgustaWestland
Philadelphia a $110.5m
firm-fixed price contract
modification to the
US Navy’s Advanced
Helicopter Training System
contract on December
23, exercising an option
for the production and
delivery of a further
26 TH-73A Thrasher
training helicopters under
A BRAND-NEW Bombardier E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) arrived at Prince Sultan Air Production Lot 4. Work will
Base, Saudi Arabia, on December 16. The aircraft (serial 21-9045) will be operated by the USAF’s 430th Expeditionary
Electronic Communications Squadron ‘Black Wolves’ in support of operations in US Central Command’s area of be carried out at the firm’s
responsibility. It was procured by the USAF to help keep the ‘Black Wolves’ and its already established fleet of forward facility in Philadelphia,
deployed E-11As airborne, providing constant communications support to in-theatre US and allied commanders and Pennsylvania, and is
military assets across a variety of domains in the Middle East USAF/Staff Sgt Shannon Bowman expected to be completed
by December 2024.

US to send Patriot to Ukraine

THE US is sending Patriot
surface-to-air missile
systems to Ukraine to
counter cruise missile and
kamikaze drone strikes.
Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
visited Washington to
meet President Joe Biden
on December 21 – his
first overseas visit since
the Russian invasion
last February. On the
same day, US Secretary
of State Antony Blinken
announced the 28th
drawdown of US arms and
equipment for Ukraine
since August 2021.
This $1bn drawdown
will provide Ukraine with
expanded air defence
and precision-strike
capabilities, as well as
Youngstown selected as next C-130J base
THE USAF revealed
on December 22 that
Youngstown Air Reserve
Station in Ohio has been
selected by Secretary
of the Air Force, Frank
Kendall, as the preferred
location to base eight new
C-130J Super Hercules
tactical transports.
This move will see the
eight legacy C-130H
Hercules aircraft currently
based at Youngstown as
part of the 910th Airlift
Wing – a component
of Air Force Reserve
additional munitions and
critical equipment. Blinken
said: “The Department
of Defense is also
announcing an additional
$850m of security
The US Army test fires a Patriot missile in 2019. The Patriot
missile system is a ground-based, mobile missile defence
interceptor deployed by the US to detect, track and engage
unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and short-range and
tactical ballistic missiles US Army Security Assistance Command
Command – replaced
by the newer and more
modern C-130J aircraft.
The USAF stated that
Youngstown was selected
following a site survey that
“assessed the location
based on factors related
to mission, infrastructure
capacity, community
support, environmental
considerations, and cost.”
Youngstown-based
C-130Hs currently support
Air Force Northern
Command by carrying out
aerial spray operations,
assistance for Ukraine
today under its Ukraine
Security Assistance
Initiative. Today’s
assistance for the first
time includes the Patriot
as well as the type’s
enduring tactical airlift
mission and will continue
to do so after receiving
the Super Hercules.
“The C-130J reduces
manpower requirements,
lowers operating and
support costs, and
provides life-cycle cost
savings over earlier C-130
models. It is also capable
of climbing faster and
higher, flying farther at a
higher cruise speed, and
taking off and landing in
a shorter distance,” the
Air Defence System,
capable of bringing
down cruise missiles,
short range ballistic
missiles, and aircraft at a
significantly higher ceiling
than previously provided
air defence systems.”
US military assistance for
Ukraine in 2022 totalled
$21.9bn. This included
the supply of more than
1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft
systems, 700 Switchblade
Tactical Unmanned
Aerial Systems, missiles
for HAWK air defence
systems, 20 Mi-17 Hip
helicopters, 1,800 Phoenix
Ghost Tactical Unmanned
Aerial Systems; 15
ScanEagle Unmanned
Aerial Systems, and ten
air surveillance radars.
USAF has stated.
Though Youngstown
has been initially selected
for the new C-130Js,
a final decision will
be made following an
environmental impact
analysis this summer. If it
fails this study, the USAF
has identified Peterson
Space Force Base,
Colorado; Dobbins Air
Reserve Base, Georgia
and Minneapolis-St Paul
Air Reserve Station,
Minnesota, as reasonable
alternative locations.
KRATOS DEFENSE was
awarded a $15.5m cost-
plus-fixed-fee contract on
December 30 to deliver
two XQ-58A Valkyrie
unmanned combat air
vehicles with sensor
and weapon payloads
to the US Navy. The
two government-owned,
contractor-operated
XQ-58As will be used
to conduct flight testing
and demonstrations at
government test ranges.
Work on this contract will
be carried out at Kratos’
facility in Sacramento,
California, and is
slated for completion
in September 2023.
AFTER NEARLY
45 years of flying
Sikorsky’s family of
H-53 helicopters in US
Navy service, Helicopter
Mine Countermeasures
Squadron 14 (HM-14)
‘Vanguard’ completed its
final operational MH-53E
Sea Dragon flight at
Naval Station Norfolk in
Virginia on December
8, ahead of the unit’s
planned deactivation
in July 2023. Following
the unit’s disbandment,
some of its remaining
MH-53Es and personnel
will be transferred to
HM-12 ‘Sea Dragons’
(the type’s Fleet
Replacement Squadron)
and HM-15 ‘Blackhawks’
(the last operational
MH-53E unit).

www.Key.Aero February 2023 // 15

NEWS
VMA-542 begins F-35B transition
MCAS CHERRY Point in
North Carolina will soon
be added to the ever-
growing list of operational
F-35B locations after
Marine Attack Squadron
542 (VMA-542) ‘Flying
Tigers’ formally began the
transition process from
the AV-8B Harrier II to the
Lightning II.
The official start of the
transition was celebrated
during a ceremony at
MCAS Cherry Point
on December 1. The
process of re-equipping
the squadron with the
F-35B is expected to
be completed by spring
A USMC-operated AV-8B Harrier II assigned to VMA-542 ‘Flying Tigers’ at MCAS Cherry Point receives a traditional water
cannon salute during the transition and redesignation ceremony on December 1, 2022. Reforming the squadron as VMFA-542
on the F-35B is being carried out in accordance with the USMC’s Force Design 2030 initiative USMC/Lance Cpl Elias E Pimentel III
Milestone test passed for ARRW hypersonic missile
A USAF B-52H
Stratofortress has
successfully released the
first All-Up-Round AGM-
183A Air-launched Rapid
Response Weapon (ARRW)
during an operational test
off the coast of Southern
California on December 9.
While previous test
events focused on
proving the munition’s
booster performance,
this latest ARRW test
marked the first launch
of a full prototype for the
air-launched, hypersonic
boost-glide ballistic missile
that is currently being
developed by the USAF
and Lockheed Martin,
the weapon’s original
equipment manufacturer.
This milestone test was
executed by a B-52H and
personnel assigned to
the 412th Test Wing at
Edwards AFB in California.
According to the USAF,
16 // February 2023
North America
this year and will result
in VMA-542 being
redesignated as Marine
Fighter Attack Squadron
542 (VMFA-542).
Following the transition,
the ‘Flying Tigers’ will
not only become the
first F-35B operator at
Cherry Point, but also
the first unit to employ
the short take-off and
vertical landing (STOVL)-
configured Lightning II on
the US East Coast.
Just two AV-8B units will
be left at Cherry Point:
VMA-223 ‘Bulldogs’ and
VMA-231 ‘Ace of Spades’;
both will continue to
following the ARRW’s
separation from the B-52H,
it reached hypersonic
speeds greater than Mach
5 – more than 3,806mph
(6,126km/h) or five times
the speed of sound –
before completing its
chartered flight path and
detonating in the terminal
area. “Indications show
Above: A USAF-operated B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the
419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, California, carries
a prototype AGM-183A ARRW missile during its first captive-
carry test flight on June 12, 2019. The B-52H is being used
as the mothership for this air-launched hypersonic ballistic
missile USAF/Christopher Okula
fly the Harrier II for the
foreseeable future. The
last AV-8B Harrier IIs are
scheduled to be retired
from operational USMC
service in Fiscal Year
2027 (FY27).
The ‘Flying Tigers’
completed the transition
from the legacy AV-8A/C
to the upgraded Harrier II
in May 1986. While
operating the AV-8B,
VMA-542 supported a
variety of US-led military
campaigns. These
included Operations
Desert Shield and Desert
Storm (Southeast Asia);
Noble Anvil (Kosovo); Iraqi
that all objectives were
met,” the USAF said in a
press release.
The USAF is expected to
declare Early Operational
Capability for the AGM-
183A in 2023.
Commenting on the
success of the ARRW
team, Brig Gen Jason
Bartolomei – programme
Freedom (Iraq); Enduring
Freedom (Afghanistan);
Odyssey Dawn and
Odyssey Lightning (Libya);
and Inherent Resolve
(Afghanistan).
More recently, a
detachment of VMA-542
AV-8Bs embarked aboard
the US Navy’s Wasp-
class amphibious assault
ship, USS Kearsarge
(LHD-3), as it deployed
to the Baltic Sea shortly
after the outbreak of the
Ukraine-Russia War in
February, last year. This
deployment ended shortly
before the unit’s transition
ceremony took place.
executive officer for
the USAF’s Armament
Directorate – said: “The
ARRW team successfully
designed and tested an
air-launched hypersonic
missile in five years. I am
immensely proud of the
tenacity and dedication
this team has shown to
provide a vital capability to
our warfighter.”
With Russia and China
already fielding hypersonic-
capable munitions, the
West is racing to rapidly
develop its own such
weapons. The AGM-183A
has been designed to
enhance the US military’s
ability to destroy high-
value and time-sensitive
targets. It will also allow
the US to execute rapid
response strikes against
heavily defended land-
based targets in enemy
territory and highly
contested environments.
Planned
location
for Sky
Wardens
revealed
WILL ROGERS Air
National Guard Base
(ANGB) in Oklahoma
has been selected by
Secretary of the Air
Force Frank Kendall
as the sole candidate
location for the
AT-802U Sky Warden
Total Force Integration
Formal Training Unit
(FTU). The move was
announced by the
USAF on December 9
and will see Will Rogers
ANGB bid farewell to its
MC-12W Liberty fleet as
it is replaced by 28
Sky Wardens.
It will also see the
base’s resident MC-12
FTU convert to the
AT-802U Total Force
Integration FTU. In
addition to the 28
AT-802Us, US Air Force
Special Operations
Command’s (AFSOC)
recently reactivated
310th Special
Operations Squadron
(SOS) will relocate to
the Oklahoma base
from Cannon AFB, New
Mexico, to create an
active association with
the Liberty-equipped
185th SOS, which will
remain at Will Rogers
ANGB. Before a final
basing decision is
made, an initial site
survey of the candidate
location – which will
assess operational
requirements and
the potential impact
to existing missions,
housing, infrastructure
and manpower – is
scheduled to take place
this spring.
Following this, the
US Department of the
Air Force will conduct
environmental impact
analysis at the base,
which is expected to
be completed in the
autumn.
www.Key.Aero
 ROYAL NAVY

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NEWS
Brazil’s first Gripens enter operational service
THE FORÇA Aérea
Brasileira (FAB; Brazilian
Air Force) inducted its
first two F-39E Gripen
multi-role fighters into
operational service with
the 1° Grupo de Defesa
Aérea (1° GDA; 1st Air
Colombia's plan to replace Kfirs hits wall
AFTER SPENDING almost
a decade searching for
a new multi-role fighter
to replace its ageing Kfir
C10/C12 fleet, Colombian
President Gustavo Petro
announced that the
Fuerza Aérea Colombiana
(FAC; Colombian Air
Force) would receive new
jets in 2023, but recent
developments have led to
the plan being derailed.
While Petro did not
confirm which multi-
role fighter had been
selected to succeed the
Kfirs in service – which
will reach the end of their
viable service life in 2023
– during his speech at
a promotion ceremony
on December 17, the
18 // February 2023
Latin America
Defense Group) ‘Jaguar
Squadron’ during a
ceremony at Anápolis Air
Base on December 19.
The Gripen’s induction
ceremony was presided
over by the commander of
the FAB, Lt Brig Carlos de
replacement is expected
to be the Dassault Rafale.
It was subsequently
reported that Colombia
would order 16 Rafales
from France in total – the
split between single- and
two-seat aircraft was not
revealed – with a contract
expected to be signed in
early 2023, followed by
deliveries later in the year.
During his speech,
Petro highlighted that the
acquisition is necessary as
it is dangerous for pilots
to continue flying the Kfir,
adding that the purchase
of new fighters would not
affect Colombia’s public
finances as there are
‘grace periods’. The Rafale
had not been considered
Almeida Baptista Jr, and
was also attended by the
Swedish Ambassador to
Brazil, Karin Wallensteen,
along with other high-
ranking military, industry
and government
officials and former FAB
commanders.
While the first four
F-39Es (serials 4101,
4102, 4103 and 4104)
were handed over to the
FAB during a ceremony
in Sweden on November
The FAB inducted its first four Saab F-39E Gripens into operational service with the 1st Air
Defense Group ‘Jaguar Squadron’ at a ceremony at Anápolis Air Base on December 19. This
example (serial 4103) is one of the F-39Es currently operating in-country FAB/Sgt Müller Marin
by the FAC until the Petro
administration assumed
power from the outgoing
Iván Duque regime on
August 7. Following
this, Dassault entered
the ring with its Rafale
bid – backed by French
President Emmanuel
Macron – and the platform
quickly became the
favourite to succeed the
Kfir in Colombian service.
Colombia’s quest for
a new multi-role fighter
started in 2012, but
studies carried out by
the FAC advised the
government not to acquire
new aircraft and to
increase investment into
the existing Kfir fleet. As
part of the Colosseum
24, 2021, before the
initial two (4101 and 4102)
were delivered by ship to
Brazil on April 2, 2022,
this ceremony marks the
type’s formal induction
into operational service. A
further two Gripens arrived
in Brazil on September 25.
In October 2014, the
Brazilian Ministry of
Defence announced it had
agreed the purchase of 28
single-seat JAS 39Es and
eight two-seat JAS 39Fs
project, the Kfir fleet
was upgraded to C10/
C12 standard, integrating
it with a new EL/M-
2032 multi-mode fire
control radar, electronic
countermeasures,
beyond-visual-range air-
to-air missiles (BVRAAMs)
and Elbit’s Display and
Sight helmet system. The
platform also received
new weapons from Israel,
including the I-Derby ER
and Python V BVRAAMs,
along with the Spice 1000
precision-guided bomb.
The modernisation project
concluded in 2017.
Following this, a
shortlist of candidate
platforms was drawn up
to evaluate three potential
successors for the Kfir
fleet, comprising the
F-16 Block 70, Gripen
E/F and Typhoon. The
F-16 Block 70 was the
strongest candidate and
was favoured by the
Duque government, but
the COVID-19 pandemic
and the repeated rejection
of this proposal from
opposition political parties
made it impossible to seal
the deal.
As the new government
assumed power, the
resources needed for
A pair of FAC-operated Kfir fly over Rionegro, Colombia,
during Exercise Relampago VI on July 26, 2021. The FAC’s
ageing Kfir C10/C12 fleet is expected to be replaced by the
Rafale from 2023 USAF/Senior Airman Duncan C Bevan
from Saab in a deal worth
$5.4bn, after the type was
selected as the winner of
the FAB’s long-standing
FX-2 fighter programme in
December 2013.
The Gripen will eventually
replace the air arm’s
ageing F-5EM/FM Tiger II
and A-1M/BMs, allowing
Brazil to standardise the
fleet, lowering operating
costs and increasing
its ability to respond to
external threats.
the acquisition were still
approved, but the F-16
was no longer favoured
as the Kfir successor and
that the Rafale (as the
frontrunner) and Gripen
E/F were the candidates
under consideration.
However, on January
2, Colombian Defence
Minister Ivan Velasquez
revealed that the plan had
hit a brick wall, adding
that the $678m spending
approval for the aircraft
had expired.
“Unfortunately in the
pre-negotiations that
took place at the end of
[last] year, we did not
manage to confirm with
the French or with the
Swedish,” Velasquez told
local media. He also noted
that neither Dassault or
Saab were not interested
in an initial purchase of
three-to-five aircraft using
the budget that had been
approved by the previous
government and instead
wanted to negotiate for the
total fleet of 16 fighters.
Velasquez said that efforts
to see if a purchase is
possible will continue
through 2023.
• AFM would like to thank
defensa.com for providing
additional information.
www.Key.Aero
NEWS
New Zealand receives first Poseidon
BOEING DELIVERED
the first of four P-8A
Poseidon maritime patrol
aircraft (MPA) to the Royal
New Zealand Air Force
RNZAF expedites Orion retirement
THE NEW Zealand
Defence Force (NZDF)
announced on December
13 that it will retire its
five remaining Lockheed
P-3K2 Orion maritime
patrol aircraft (MPA)
five months earlier
than planned due to
staff shortages and
maintenance constraints.
Australia now fields almost 60 F-35As
A FURTHER five Royal
Australian Air Force
(RAAF)-operated Lockheed
Martin F-35A Lightning IIs
have arrived at RAAF Base
Williamtown in New South
Wales, bringing the total
www.Key.Aero
Australasia
(RNZAF) in a ceremony at
the Museum of Flight in
Seattle, Washington, on
December 7.
Days later, the MPA
The decision to withdraw
the P-3K2 fleet now
(January 2023) leaves
the Royal New Zealand
Air Force (RNZAF) with a
limited capacity to carry
out search and rescue
(SAR) and maritime
surveillance operations
until July at the earliest.
The move will impact
number in service to 59
aircraft out of 72 on order.
These five new F-35As
(serials A35-055; A35-
056; A35-057; A35-
058 and A35-059) were
accepted by the base’s
arrived at RNZAF Base
Ohakea, northwest of
Palmerston North in the
Manawatu. The remaining
three are currently
on the RNZAF’s ability
to carry out its maritime
patrol and SAR mission
set in the short term until
the Boeing P-8A Poseidon
aircraft formally takes over.
The majority of New
Zealand’s Orion fleet was
delivered to the RNZAF in
1966 and the type is being
replaced in operational
resident No 81 Wing, part
of the RAAF’s Air Combat
Group. The aircraft were
flown to Australia from the
continental US as part of
Exercise Lightning Ferry
22-4, which was carried
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Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
in various stages of
production and will be
delivered before the end
of 2023. They will replace
an ageing fleet of six
Lockheed P-3K2 Orion
MPAs, the majority of
which date back to 1966.
New Zealand’s journey to
acquiring its first Poseidon
began on April 28, 2017,
when it was announced
the US State Department
had approved the possible
Foreign Military Sale of
four P-8As to the nation in
a deal that is worth up
to $1.46bn.
New Zealand’s first Boeing P-8A Poseidon (serial NZ4801) on
the ground at RNZAF Base Ohakea after the aircraft arrived
in-country for the first time on December 12, 2022 RNZAF
service by four Poseidons
– the first of which
(serial NZ4801) arrived at
RNZAF Base Ohakea on
December 12 (see above).
However, the government
has stated that the first
Poseidon will not be
ready to start performing
operational missions until
July 1 this year.
out from December 10-12,
and was the fourth and
final 2022 delivery event.
Prior to leaving the
US, the new RAAF
F-35As participated
in two exercises. The
On February 28,
2019, Boeing was
awarded a $428.8m
advanced acquisition
contract modification to
manufacture 16 P-8As
under production Lot 11
which included six aircraft
for the US Navy, four for
the RNZAF and six for the
Republic of Korea Navy.
In March 2020, Boeing
was awarded a fixed-
price-incentive, cost-plus-
fixed-fee contract worth
$1.55bn – to manufacture
18 P-8As including two
more for the US Navy.
According to a NZDF
spokesperson, the
RNZAF will lean on other
aircraft to cover the
maritime patrol mission
until the P-8A comes
online in the summer.
The spokesperson
added that New Zealand
may also ask regional
partners to help provide
coverage during the
projected five-month
capability gap.
A F-35A Lightning II (serial
A35-058) lands at RAAF Base
Williamtown, completing
its delivery flight from
the continental US on
December 12, 2022 Australian
Department of Defence/Cpl
Craig Barrett
first was Exercise
Lightning Spear 2022,
a live-fire aerial lethality
operational test event
focused on evaluating
the aircraft’s air-to-air
missile capabilities at Eglin
AFB. The second was
the Hawaii Air National
Guard-hosted Exercise
Pacific Edge – a training
event for fourth- and fifth-
generation fighters and
command-and-control
aircraft – at Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
The trans-Pacific flight to
RAAF Base Williamtown
was supported by an
Airbus KC-30A (A330-
203MRTT) from No 33
Squadron at RAAF Base
Amberley in Queensland.
February 2023 // 19
NEWS Asia-Pacific

Phantom IIs return to

South Korean skies

After being grounded for just over three months, the

ROKAF’s F-4E Phantom IIs were noted flying again from
Suwon Air Base on the week commencing November 14, 2022

THE REPUBLIC of Korea caused by an engine fire, flights resumed in the remain in service with the now considered obsolete
Air Force (ROKAF) has with the crew directing the week commencing 153rd Fighter Squadron and is due for retirement
lifted the grounding order Phantom over the Yellow November 14, with at Suwon Air Base, 20 as early as autumn 2023.
on its F-4E Phantom II Sea to avoid built up F-4E Phantom II (serial miles south of Seoul. The The ROKAF plans to
fleet, imposed following areas and potential civilian 78-739) photographed Phantom II entered service replace both its F-4E
a crash on August casualties, before ejecting in the Suwon circuit on in 1977 and the air arm Phantom II and F-5
12, 2022 (see Attrition and leaving the jet to ditch November 24 and 25. previously operated the Tiger II fleets with F-35A
Report, Oct 2022, p96). in the ocean. The ROKAF is one of F-4D and RF-4C models Lightning IIs, FA-50
The loss of the F-4E Local enthusiasts noted the last operators of the alongside the current Golden Eagle and KF-21
(serial unknown) was that ROKAF Phantom Phantom and 20 F-4Es F-4E, but the ageing jet is Boramae fighters.

319th ERS stands up at Kanoya base by a USAF C-17A

THE 319th Expeditionary
Reconnaissance Squadron
(ERS) has been formally
stood up at Kanoya Air
Base in Japan, after its
new commander, Lt Col
Alexander Kelly, officially
assumed command of the
USAF unit on October 23.
The standing up of
this new unit comes as
the USAF’s Pacific Air
Forces (PACAF) command
prepares to deploy
MQ-9A Reaper unmanned
combat air vehicles to
the Japan Maritime Self-
Defense Force base.
While operating from
Kanoya, the MQ-9As
will be used to conduct
airborne reconnaissance
operations in close
co-ordination with the
Japanese Ministry of
Defence, to ensure a free
and open Indo-Pacific
region under the Treaty of
Mutual Cooperation and
Security between the US
and Japan.
While no Reapers were
deployed to Kanoya during
the activation ceremony,
MQ-9A (serial 14-4243)
was airfreighted to the
Globemaster III (serial
98-0057) assigned to the
New York Air National
Guard’s 137th Airlift
Squadron on October
24, before completing a
demonstration flight on
November 5. It’s unclear
if this is to be the first
example to be operated by
the 319th ERS.

Japan orders more KC-46As

BOEING HAS been previous delivery order was subsequently
awarded a Foreign contract. Work on the delivered to Miho Air
Military Sales contract additional two KC-46As Base in Japan in October
to deliver two additional will be performed at 2021, marking the first
KC-46A Pegasus tankers Boeing’s production delivery of the type to
to the Japan Air Self- facility in Everett, an export customer. The
Defense Force (JASDF), Washington, second aircraft (serial
bringing the total now with completion expected 24-3612) was handed
under contract for Japan on June 30, 2025. over to the JASDF four
to six aircraft. The total overall face months later in February
The deal worth value of the contract, 2022. Both are now
$398.24m was awarded including this latest operational with 405
on November 29 by the modification, is $1.3bn. Hikotai at Miho. Boeing is
US Air Force Life Cycle Japan’s first Pegasus currently working on the
Management Center (serial 14-3611) completed remaining two examples The first of the initial four KC-46A Pegasus tankers for
the JASDF took to the skies for the first time from
and is a firm-fixed- its maiden flight on of the initial batch of four
Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Washington,
price modification to a February 8, 2020, and KC-46As ordered. on February 8, 2021 Boeing/Marian Lockhart

20 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


Philippine Army to receive Japanese Hueys
THE JAPAN Ground Self-
Defense Force (JGSDF)
has committed to
transferring an unspecified
number of Fuji Heavy
Industries-made UH-1J
Huey utility helicopters
to the Philippine Army
in a bid to bolster the
Army Aviation Regiment’s
humanitarian assistance
and disaster response
(HA/DR) capabilities.
Commenting on the
move in a statement
issued on December
19, Philippine Army
spokesperson Col Xerxes
Trinidad highlighted
that the transfer will be
completed through a
government grant, adding
that the donation of an
undeclared number of
UH-1J helicopters is
expected to be received
in the next two to three
US approves CH-47F sale to South Korea
US STATE Department
approval has been
granted for the possible
foreign military sale
(FMS) of 18 Boeing
CH-47F Chinook
helicopters, complete
with related equipment
and support services,
to South Korea for an
estimated cost of $1.5bn.
Confirmation of this FMS
was announced by the
US Defense Security
Cooperation Agency
(DSCA) on December
6, after it had notified
the US Congress on the
same day.
Second C295W handed
over to the Philippines
www.Key.Aero
years. The Japanese
pledge was announced
during a bilateral meeting
between the two armies
at the inaugural Japan-
Philippine-US Trilateral
Key Leaders’ Engagement
at Camp Asaka in Tokyo,
Japan, on December 11.
A JGSDF-operated UH-1J
carries out a medical evacuation
exercise on August 26, 2022
USMC/Lance Cpl Jaylen Davis
As part of the deal for the
Chinooks, South Korea
has requested to buy 42
Honeywell T55-GA-714A
turboshaft engines, 22
common missile warning
systems and 44 RT-1987
secure radios. Also
included in the contract
are an unspecified number
of AN/APR-39 radar
warning systems, AN/
ARC-220 high-frequency
airborne communications
system, AN/APX-123A
identification friend-or-foe
transponders, along with
various other systems,
receivers and sensors.
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Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
The deal will represent UH-1Js will help the
a major boost to the Philippine Army to
capability of the Army significantly bolster its
Aviation Regiment, ability to carry out HA/
which currently operates DR missions, along with
just five/six aircraft in medical evacuation, troop
its inventory. When transport and damage
operational, these soon- assessment operations in
to-be former JGSDF times of national crises.
The deal will also “The proposed sale will
include the provision improve [South Korea’s]
of US government- ability to meet current
and contractor-based and future threats by
engineering, technical strengthening its army
and logistic support. heavy-lift capability.
Associated logistical and The CH-47F will allow
programmatic support and [South Korea] to conduct
repair/return and storage missions in support of
services have also been bilateral operational
requested by the South plans which include,
Korean government. but are not limited to,
Boeing will serve as medical evacuation,
principal contractor for search and rescue,
the sale, with no offset parachute drop, and
agreements in connection disaster relief. It will have
with the purchase. no difficulty absorbing
Commenting on the this equipment into its
deal, the DSCA said: armed forces.”
THE PHILIPPINE Air Force
(PAF) has received the
second of three C295W
tactical transports from
Airbus Defence and Space.
The aircraft (serial 215) was
formally handed over to the
PAF during a ceremony at
Basa Air Base, Pampanga, on
November 9, 2022. The event
was attended by Philippine
President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr and a number of high-
ranking military officials. Prior
to its handover, the C295W
was spotted as it routed from
Airbus’s facility at Seville-San
Pablo Airport, Spain, through
Luqa Airport, Malta, while
on its delivery flight to the
Philippines Ruben Zammit
In Briefs
A NEW Indian Coast
Guard (ICG) Advanced
Light Helicopter (ALH)
Mk III squadron was
established at ICG
Air Station Chennai
on November 30.
The unit – No 840
Squadron – will help
to further strengthen
Coast Guard Region
East and will provide
additional capabilities to
the ICG in maintaining
security in the waters
off Tamil Nadu and
Andhra regions. A total
of 16 ALH Mk IIIs have
been inducted into ICG
service so far.
TWO MORE F-35A
Lightning IIs have been
delivered to the Japan
Air Self-Defense Force.
F-35A (serial 29-8733)
completed its first flight
at Komaki Air Base on
October 11 and arrived
at Misawa on November
28, along with a second
example (serial 29-8734).
THE JAPAN Maritime
Self-Defense Force has
received a further two
V-22 Ospreys. The first
(serial 91714) arrived at
Kisarazu Air Base on
November 11, followed
by the second (serial
91715) on November 14.
AFM CAN confirm
that Japan’s two
new E-2D Advanced
Hawkeyes delivered
to MCAS Iwakuni on
October 18 were serials
21-3475/169991 and
21-3476/169992.
ON DECEMBER 12,
South Korea’s Defense
Acquisition Program
Administration (DAPA)
outlined plans to
develop an air-launched
cruise missile for its
future fleet of KF-21
fighters. It is expected to
be capable of accurately
striking targets up to
a distance of 500km
and is slated to enter
service in 2028. DAPA
has committed $145m
to the project, which
also involves Korea
Aerospace Industries,
LIG Nex1 and Hanwha
Aerospace.
February 2023 // 21
NEWS Airbus TMB

AIRBUS UPDATES
A330 to control UAVs
After a gap of
two years, due
to COVID-19,
Airbus Defense THE A330MRTT’s
and Space (D&S) automatic air-to-air
invited journalists refueling (A3R) system
and reporters from was certified in 2022
and delivered to the first
all over the world customer, the Republic
back to Spain, to of Singapore Air Force.
spend two days Jean Brice Dumont, head
in-country. The first of military air systems,
day of the Trade told reporters: “We are
now working on the night
Media Brief (TMB) qualification (currently
at the Getafe site, only daylight) for the A3R
saw us briefed by system. It is about making
many of the heads refuelling safer and more
of the business resilient for operators.”
Since a contract with the
divisions. The Republic of Singapore Air
second morning Force (RSAF) was signed
was spent at in 2019, Airbus has been
Albacete Air Base developing the system, Above: One of the Airbus DT-25 drones developed under the Auto’Mate programme,
in eastern Spain, using RSAF A330MRTTs developed by Airbus Upnext was seen at the Getafe facility. It sits in front of an A330, which
based in Madrid. Two is currently being converted into a multi role tanker transport Alan Warnes
the home of Ala 14 A330MRTTs – 761 and through the future (Autom’Mate). “What it that we can control the
and its Eurofighters, 762 – have been seen roadmap, outlining the will bring is resilience drones from the aircraft.
while the local at the Airbus Getafe three main pillars in the and is fundamentally, We hope to complete
Airbus D&S facility in recent weeks. evolution. First, the A3R the ability to control and demonstrations within
helicopter facility Initial work in Singapore system, working with refuel a drone in a series a couple of years. Next
involved ‘contacts’ with fighters day and night, of tests,” Dumont said. comes self-protection
was visited in the RSAF F-16s, and now is a quantum leap in The objective of these systems, comparable
afternoon. Alan it’s the turn of the F-15. the MRTT’s capabilities. flights is to demonstrate to the ones on fighters,
Warnes reports on With several air forces Coming up after A3R is control and formate the to enhance situational
some of the many like the UAE and Saudi automation (A4R), that drones, but the initial awareness and aircraft
projects being Arabia operating either will allow the refuelling demonstrations will not survivability. Then comes
type, they would be or controlling of a drone. cover refuelling. Dumont connectivity – expanding
embarked upon by legitimate prospects A demonstrator has said: “We need to ensure the MRTT to new roles
the multinational for future orders. already been developed the safety of close flight/ and functions in the FCAS’
company. Dumont talked reporters by Airbus Upnext formation flying and future battlespace.”

India’s 56 C295s
FOLLOWING the contract
signing with the Indian
government for 56
C295Ws on September
24, 2021, the programme
continues to progress.
Airbus is working in
partnership with its Indian
partner, Tata Advanced
Systems. Of the Indian
order, 16 will be built in
Seville-San Pablo and
40 in India. The first
aircraft is expected to
be delivered from the
Spanish production line
to the Indian Air Force
by the end of 2023.
On October 30, in a
ceremony that included
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, a foundation
stone was laid at the
site of the Airbus-Tatra
C295W transport aircraft
manufacturing site in
Vadodara in southern
India, where all 40 aircraft
will be built.
There are likely to be
follow-on orders for
more C295s from India,
notably six for the coast
guard, but the army and
navy are also likely to be
interested, while the air
force’s 50+ An 32 Sutlejs Jean Brice
need to be replaced in Dumont, head
of Airbus D&S
the next ten years. military air
The new C295s will systems, is a
replace the Indian Air former French
Force’s ageing HAL/Bae Army helicopter
pilot who has
748s, known locally as been in his new
Avros, that have served role since July
since 1962. 2021 Alan Warnes

22 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


A400M capabilities
continue to grow
REGARDING THE A400M,
Jean Brice Dumont,
head of military air
systems, spoke of the
continued development
of capabilities of the
aircraft in 2022, through
the development contract:
“It has now been certified
in low-level flight at IMC
(in the clouds), day/
night visual/instrumental
and auto-pilot flying.”
Helicopter air-to-air
refuelling both during the
day and night has also
been qualified, which
Dumont says is great
news for “A400Ms and
Caracals.” He also told of
work that is still ongoing,
such as combat-off load or
very high-altitude air drops
– dropping paratroopers
with oxygen or loads from
a very high altitude. H
also revealed:: ”There are
a bunch of requirements
that are not fully qualified
that we will be working
on over the next year.”
With the RAF looking
to migrate its special
operations techniques
from the C-130J
this year, the UK
MOD is undoubtedly
looking forward to
such clearances.
New capabilities like
aerial firefighting are also
being looked at, which led
to a suitability/feasibility
Helicopter air-to-air refuelling capability is great news
for the French Caracal and A400M fleets Airbus D&S
www.Key.Aero
demonstration in July
2022, with an A400M
dropping 20 tonnes of
water in a single pass.
“This was a key milestone,
but there is more to be
done,” Dumont said.
Another recent in
development is a UAV
mothership. According to
Dumont, there were two
successful launches of
an Airbus DT-25 drone
that led to a separation
from the mothership and
a successful in-flight start
of the UAV engines. The
German Ai Force’s WTD
61 based at Manching
was responsible for
using the A400M as
a UAV launcher.
As of November 2022,
the A400M had flown
more than 140,000 flight
hours and there are 176
orders from ten countries.
“It is becoming the new
European and NATO
reference for heavy
tactical and strategic
airlift,” Dumont claimed.
So far 116 aircraft
have been delivered,
to Germany (41), the
UK (21), France (20),
Spain (13), Turkey (10),
Malaysia (4), Belgium
6 and Luxembourg (1).
Dumont also said that a
deal with Indonesia for
an initial two A400Ms
is being concluded.
A330MRTT prospects
Above: This ex-Iberia Airlines A330 freighter, EC-MJA, is currently being converted to MRTT
configuration on the A330MRTT final assembly line. It will be the first fully converted MRTT for
the Spanish Air Force – the other two in service haven’t been through the FAL yet Alan Warnes
AS OF December 2022,
the A330MRTT had flown
more than 250,000 flight
hours in service, with 66
firm orders from 14 nations:
Australia, the UK, UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
France, Republic of Korea
and Spain. Then there
were the multinational
MRTT fleet (MMF)
members: Germany, the
Netherlands, Luxembourg,
Norway, Belgium and the
Czech Republic. To date,
54 aircraft have been
delivered. Airbus believe
there is an accessible
market of around 90
aircraft (excluding the US)
over the next few years.
Canada remains a
prospect, as Jean Brice
Dumont, revealed,
saying the nation had “a
An Airbus DT-25 drone is
launched from the A400M
mothership, all part of the
stepping-stone approach to
prove the French, German
and Spanish FCAS concept
Airbus D&S
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Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
requirement for six tankers
and options – a reflection
of Canada’s strategy plan”.
In August, the Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
acquired two A330-200s
for conversion into A330-
200 MRTTs under a $102
million deal with the
International Airfinance
Corporation. The company
will procure and prepare
the A330s for RCAF
service and Airbus is
currently in negotiations
over the conversion
work. They will join the
RCAF’s Strategic Tanker
Transport Capability
(STTC), with four more
set to follow, to replace
the RCAF’s five-strong
CC-150 Polaris fleet.
Airbus is also talking to
Brazil about upgrading the
first of their two Airbus
KC-30A MRTTs that have
been recently acquired
(corrects Further and
Stronger, January, p20-21).
Dumont touched briefly
on the Lockheed Martin
LMXT air-to-air refueller
collaboration, which both
sides hope will defeat the
KC-46 in the KC-Y Bridge
Tanker requirement. He
said the green aircraft will
be built in Airbus’s site at
Mobile, Alabama, and be
converted into a tanker
by Lockheed Martin at
Marietta, Georgia. He
claimed the aircraft would
be a better solution for
the USAF. “Generally,
others have to have a
tanker and a transport
aircraft. With A330MRTT,
you have both.”
February 2023 // 23
NEWS
More Eurofighters ahead
THE biggest Eurofighter
news of this year was
the signing of the Halcon
contract for 20 Spanish
Air Force Tranche 4
aircraft. Made up of 16
single-seaters and four
dual-seaters, they are
earmarked to replace the
veteran Ala 46 F/A-18A
Hornets based at Gando,
Canary Islands.
The deal was announced
at the ILA Airshow in
Berlin on June 23 by
Eurofighter CEO Carlo
Mancusi, who sadly
passed away in early
December. Carlo had
only taken on the job in
January after many years
as an engineer and was
a true pioneer of the
Eurofighter programme.
The Halcon contract
is based on Germany’s
Quadriga, which has
a requirement for 38
new aircraft – 30 single-
seaters and eight twin-
seaters. The first centre
fuselage has now been
delivered to Manching
for final assembly and
testing. These Quadriga
jets will eventually replace
the Luftwaffe’s Tranche
1 Eurofighters, with first
deliveries expected in the
mid-2020s.
Andreas Hammer, head
of combat aircraft at
Airbus D&S, is confident
there will be further
Eurofighter orders to
Eurodrone moves on
The Eurodrone will play a major
part within the European FCAS
programme Alan Warnes
24 // February 2023
Airbus TMB
replace the 60+ EF-18M
Hornets on the mainland
serving Ala 12 at Torrejon
and Ala 15 at Zaragosa.
The next weapons
systems enhancement
contract launch, known
as P4E, will fully integrate
E-Scan radars, alongside
additional capabilities,
while the Eurofighter Long
Term Evolution (LTE) study
will underpin the future
aircraft development.
Above: Sadly, Eurofighter CEO Carlo Mancusi passed Hammer outlined the
away in early December 2022 after devoting his career to upgrades:. “We’re currently
enthusiastically supporting the combat aircraft. He became working on a Phase 4
CEO in January and will be missed Eurofighter GmbH
capability enhancement
Below: Some key personalities including Amparo Valcarce,
secretary of Defence of Spain, with Michael Schoellhorn, (P4E) and have signed the
CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, Alberto Gutiérrez, first LTE contracts. LTE is
president of Airbus in Spain, and the late Carlo Mancusi, what I would call midlife
CEO of Eurofighter. They are standing in front of a Spanish
upgrade – remember
Air Force Eurofighter and were all present to celebrate the
signing of the Eurofighter Halcon contract at the ILA Berlin Eurofighter entered service
Air Show 2022 on June 23, 2022 Airbus D&S in early 2000 and will fly, in
THE launch of
Eurodrone, the most
ambitious European
UAS programme, came
in March 2022. With
the requirements and
specifications negotiated
and aligned between
the end-users (Germany,
Spain, France and Italy),
the contracting authority
(OCCAR) and industry
partners (Dassault Aviation,
Leonardo and Airbus
Spain), the industrialisation
Germany at least, into the
2060s. We will constantly
be upgrading this aircraft
with more sensors and
weapons. We have even
discussed the needs of
P5E and P6E.”
Flying for another 38
years means there will be
more upgrades related
to connectivity, satcom,
cyber security and
databuses, to transfer
data in wider bandwidths,
meaning more powerful
processors and
multiprocessors. “We
also need to develop
a new glass cockpit,
including a large display
integrated with the
helmet to increase
situational awareness,”
said Hammer.
of the project is now being
prepared. A big part of
the Spanish workshare
will take place at Airbus’s
Seville-Tablada assembly
line, while the Cadiz plant
will produce the high-
tech parts. Eurodrone is
a ‘lighthouse’ programme
for Airbus and the
basis for future defence
programmes, such as
European FCAS. First flight
is scheduled for 2026, with
first delivery in 2029.
www.Key.Aero

Eurofighter EW plot
Airbus D&S Andreas Hammer
believes that Germany will
order more Eurofighters to
replace Tranche 2/3
Alan Warnes
GERMANY wants to bring
EW capabilities to the
Eurofighter, to replace the
Tornado by the end of the
decade, just as the RAF
did. It will need to replace
the SEAD/DEAD role –
the location of SAMs
and firing the AARGM
(advanced anti-radiation
guided missile) – and the
Eurofighter will take on
this role,. While firing the
AARGM, it will also be
equipped with a jammer
to suppress the enemy’s
weapons systems.
Since the German
Chancellor, Olaf Scholz,
made the Typhoon EK
announcement in March
this year, everything has
been proceeding to plan,
according to Andreas
Hammer, Airbus’s head
of combat aircraft. First,
there will be an impartial
study looking at what is
on the market and what
is capable of jamming.
Airbus will then take the
proposed selection and
undertake an integration
study, which should
be completed by May
next year and will be
implemented into P4E,
with a contract being
signed the following year.
P4E will include the
integration of an emitter
location system (ELS) or
AARGM/HARM missile
www.Key.Aero
on the Eurofighter, and
it’s likely the jammer
will come in P5E,
although Hammer
suggested this might
come earlier: “During
integration studies we
might find that there
could be a jammer
available and would
get into the Eurofighter
before P5E. We require
a stepped approach
to EW. The Luftwaffe
wants the Tornado
capability integrated into
Above: A full scale replica of the Eurofighter EK was displayed at ILA Berlin in June 2022. While the German Chancellor,
Olaf Scholz, announced a requirement for 15 of these electronic warfare specialists in March, Andreas Hammer believes that
will not be enough and that more Eurofighters will have this enhanced capability Alan Warnes
Eurofighter by 2028.”
When Olaf Scholz
said he wanted 15
Typhoon EK aircraft,
he was talking about
new Tranche 5 aircraft,
that will have an initial
operating capability
in 2028. However,
Hammer said: “It will
also be retrofitted into
Tranche 2/3 primarily,
and Quadriga aircraft
if available. The EW
aircraft will not remain
at 15 – it’s not even a
Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
Wing, so we expect an
increase in that number.
I strongly believe that
Tranche 5 Eurofighters
will replace Tranche 2/3
aircraft in the same way
that Quadriga aircraft will
replace Tranche 1.”
Asked if Germany
might now be looking
at the ECRS 2.0 radar,
with its electronic attack
focus and which both
the UK and Italy have
been buying to fulfil
the Eurofighter SEAD/
DEAD role, Hammer
commented: “I know that
there was a discussion
triggered in Germany
that it might reconsider,
but as far as I know
the discussion went
nowhere. First, because
the contracts are in
place. Second, because
the specifications for
electronic warfare
require 360° jamming for
surface-to-air missiles,
which cannot be covered
by the ECRS 2.0, as far
as I know.”
The radar story is a
complicated one – the
four partner nations
decided to part ways
on the new ECRS
(European Common
Radar Solution). Italy/UK
opted for the 2.0 and its
electronic attack bias,
while Spain and Germany
went for the ECRS 1.0.
According to Hammer,
the LTE is expected to be
concluded in 2032, with
Phased 6 Enhancement
(P6E) in 2030 and P-5E
in 2028.
Of course, the
Eurofighter will play a
big part in the FCAS
development. FCAS is
a system of systems,
with just one part being
the next-generation
fighter. Hammer said:
“If we do have a next-
gen fighter, Eurofighter
will play a supporting
role. Eurofighter is the
bridge to FCAS. It will
take over the command
and control of the loyal
wingman and the remote
carrier long before the
next-generation fighter is
operational. That’s why
the mid-life upgrades
with bigger databuses
and more capabilities are
absolutely needed for the
FCAS steps.”
February 2023 // 25
NEWS Airbus TMB

Brimstone selected for

Spanish Eurofighters
THE Spanish Air Force have been signed yet! Raytheon AIM-120B because most of Ala 2024. Until then, six
has selected the MBDA This versatile new or C AMRAAM, plus 14’s experienced pilots senior pilots look after
Brimstone for its fleet weapon will add to the shorter-range Diehl are serving Ala 11 as the administrative
of Eurofighters. RAF Spanish Eurofighters’ Defence IRIS-T air-to-air Eurofighter instructors requirements of the unit
Typhoons already use current armoury of the missiles. Salazar would at Moron. At present, and who attend the Tiger
the Brimstone Dual Mode 2,000Ib (907kg) Mk84 not confirm the variant 141 has 31 Eurofighter Meets when they occur
Seeker (DMS) as their GBU-10 and 1,000lb of the AMRAAM C, Tranche 2/3s configured annually. The unit will
weapon of choice, to (453kg) GBU/Enhanced but it is likely to be C5. with P2Eb software. deploy to Al Dhafra, in
attack moving targets on GBU-16 precision-guided The wing has just one Salazar hopes 142, UAE from February 24
the ground, giving a low munitions, as well as functioning squadron, a tiger squadron, will to March 18 for exercise
level of collateral damage. the MBDA Meteor or 141 Escuadron, be re-established in Desert Flag.
While MBDA would not
comment on the deal, the
Ala 14 Wing Air Group
Commander, Lt Col Jesus
Salazar, told reporters
that the Brimstone would
enter service “by the end
of 2023.” He wouldn’t
give any indication as
to the version, but did
say the CLAEX (Centro
Logistico de Armamento
y Experimentacion) at
Torrejon, which oversees
the enhancement of all
weapons systems serving
the Spanish Air Force,
will integrate the weapon
before being passed to
Ala14. The RAF, with its
integration knowledge,
could undoubtedly help
to speed up the process,
which might be needed An Ala 14 Eurofighter parked in a hardened aircraft shelter at Albacete on December 13, with 2,000kg GBU-10 and 1,000kg
as the contract with GBU-16 PGMs, an MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and Raytheon AIM-120B/C advanced medium-range
MBDA is not thought to air-to-air munition on display. An IRIS-T short-range air-to-air munition is on extreme right Alan Warnes

Announcing the new C295 MPA

WITH the Spanish P-3 come fitted with a MAD
fleet now retired, the boom. Airbus is currently
Spanish MOD and in the last stages of the
Spanish Air Force has C295 MPA configuration
selected the C295 MPA definition, expecting an
to replace it. aircraft configuration
The C295 MPA will freeze and contract
come equipped with a signature in the first
more modern mission quarter of 2023. The
system, including the Spanish MOD is planning
latest generation FITS to replace the CN235
tactical system and MSA, known as the D4,
state-of-the-art sensors with the C295 MSA,
and armament system to which all parties believe is
conduct anti-submarine a natural replacement for
warfare ops. Judging this mission, although this
Airbus revealed this photograph showing the new C295 MPA (lead aircraft) for the first time, from an image released will arrive later than the
with a C295 MSA behind. The MPA has been selected as a replacement for the Spanish P-3
Orion, which was retired in December Airbus D&S
by Airbus, it will also C295 MPA.

26 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


ENGRT – big European support
ACCORDING to Airbus
Helicopters’ EVP Mathieu
Louvet: “We are at a
crucial point for the
ENGRT, a European Next
Generation Rotorcrafts
Concept of Operations to
answer hybrid warfare.”
ENGRT is a research
and development project
aimed at building the
technology blocks for
the next generation of
helicopters beyond NH90
Spain and its NH90s
SPAIN’S military currently
has 45 NHI NH90s
on order. Six already
serve with the air force
(Escuadron 803 at Cuatro
Vientos), 15 with the
army (BELHMA III at
Logrono-Agoncillo) and a
single prototype. Of the
outstanding 23 ordered in
November 2018, six will go
to the air force, seven to
the navy in the utility role to
replace the recently retired
Sea Kings and ten further
examples for the army.
The navy also needs
to replace its fleet of
12 SH-60B LAMPS III
Seahawks which have
been in service since
1998. A successor will be
selected from the Sikorsky
MH-60R or NHI NH90
Sea Tiger. The NH90 is an
evolution of the Sea Lion
ASW and Germany has
ordered both variants (31
ASW Sea Tigers and 18
utility Sea Lions). Airbus
Helicopters is proposing
two solutions. A more
basic one would enter
service in 2026, with a
tactical common data
link, ARC 210 Generation
6 radio, armed with
torpedoes and missiles. A
second solution for 2027
will come with options
for three FLIR systems –
EUROFLIR 410, Leonardo
LEOSS-T or the Wescam
MX-15. Weapons options
include the Rafael Spike or
MBDA Marte missiles, Mk
46 and Mk 54 torpedoes.
www.Key.Aero
and Tiger Mk III that will
enter service in the 2030s.
Basically, this concept
is aimed at replacing
the current helicopters
or their most recent
upgrades through a full
development programme.
In July, the ENGRT
project was selected
within the framework of
the European Defence
Fund 2021 Calls for
Proposals. The EU
Above: Released by Airbus Helicopters, this diagram illustrates what the NH 90 Sea Tiger
could bring the Spanish navy if it opted to continue the Spanish NH 90 programme
Below: Seen on display at the Airbus factory in Albacete is NH90 HT.29-09/10089 of the
Spanish Army (FAMET) Alan Warnes
is directly involved in
the funding, alongside
defence authorities
from Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Italy,
the Netherlands, Spain
and Sweden. Airbus
is co-ordinator of the
project, working with
Leonardo Helicopters,
and 24 companies and
research centres are
involved. Before the
technical details are
Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at editor@airforcesmonthly.com
finalised, a concept
of operations has to
be established and a
decision made about
what will drive the
technology development,
be it speed, autonomy,
stealth, comms, manned/
unmanned teaming
or cloud combat, to
establish where the
focus and emphasis
should be placed and
what is the next step.
First H160M
deliveries
in 2027
THE French government
has ordered 169 H160M
Guepards for the army
(80), navy (49) and air
force (40) with first
deliveries expected
in 2027. The first civil
H160 was delivered
to the French Navy in
September 2022, and
is expected to start
operations in 2023. It is
being modified to a light
military configuration
by Babcock, while the
modular cabin has
also been adapted for
SAR operations and a
Safran EUROFLIR 410
electro optical system
integrated. It is being
used for SAR at sea and
maritime security. The
second of the six on
order is expected to be
delivered soon. Airbus
Helicopters’ EVP Mathieu
Louvet told reporters that
assembly of the first of
ten H160s for the French
Gendarmerie began
during the summer.
Tiger Mk
III so far
FRANCE and Spain
launched the Tiger
MkIII programme in
March 2022 to deliver
42 attack helicopters to
the French Army (with
the possibility of adding
another 25) and 18 to
Spain. The rotorcraft will
go through an upgrade
of all its combat systems:
sensors, weapons,
communications and
avionics. The prototype is
scheduled for a maiden
flight in 2025 and a first
delivery to the French
Armament General
Directorate (DGA) in late
2029, followed by a first
delivery to Spain in 2030.
Germany, which currently
operates the Tiger, has
not committed itself
to another order, while
Australia is planning to
replace its Tigers with the
AH-64E Guardian
February 2023 // 27
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Ukraine
Russia War Sukhoi Su-34

heavy
Russia’s T
he Sukhoi heavyweight
is known as the primary
tactical strike jet of the
Russian Air and Space Forces
(RuASF), bearing the brunt of
the bombing and missile strike
missions in Russia’s ongoing
invasion of Ukraine. The four
Su-34-equipped regiments are in
high demand to provide much-

hitter
needed strike capability, engaging
a wide variety of, but most of
the operations are generally
described as being of insignificant
overall effect, while the fleet
has suffered painful losses.

Protracted
development
The Su-34 Fullback is a deeply
reworked Su-27 two-seater
derivative designed as the
principle all-weather tactical
bomber of the Russian air arm.

Alexander Mladenov reviews the status of the Su-34

Fullback, the enhancement plans for the type and its
controversial operations in the ongoing war in Ukraine

Known as a fast strike aircraft, the Su-34 boasts powerful engines enabling
the type to hit 755kts (1,400km/h) at sea-level when clean. With a full warload,
the platform’s top speed is limited to 594kts (1,100km/h) Giovanni Colla

30 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero

Its uneasy story dates back to
the Soviet-era requirement to
field a Su-24/24M replacement
in the strike, reconnaissance
and electronic warfare (EW)
roles, but it took 25 years for the
new type to be commissioned
in regular service.
The duck-nosed bomber
made its maiden flight in1990
and then entered into a notably
slow development and testing
phase, while the first production- for undertaking battlefield warfare was expected to be Key milestones
standard Fullbacks were taken interdiction in a highly contested achieved by a combination of The Su-34’s first prototype,
on strength in 2006, and the airspace. This challenging high-speed flight at low and dubbed T10V-1 and Su-27IB,
formal commissioning as a fully mission called for a new- ultra-low level in addition to completed its maiden flight on
combat-capable air system was generation two-seat/twin-engine partially armour-protected April 13, 1990, at the Zhukovsky
reported not before 2014. The strike aircraft sporting increased design and a sophisticated self- test centre near Moscow.
type is now set to continue in lethality and survivability protection suite; furthermore, Carrying a serial White 42, it
production in a much-enhanced compared to its predecessor the new strike jet was to be was flown by Sukhoi test pilot
form until at least 2030 with Su-24M Fencer-D, and with a made capable of employing Anatoli Ivanov. The prototype
many export orders in prospect. much better targeting suite. short- and medium-range air- used the baseline fuselage of
The Fullback was originally The increased survivability to-air missiles (AAMs) for self- the Su-27UB Flanker-C two-
conceived in the 1980s needed when rushed in peer protection against fighter threats. seater, sporting an all-new flat
Above: A 968th IISAP Fullback seen here with a heavy warload of dummy munitions for display purposes. This
configuration features a Kh-59M long-range air-to-surface missile on the centreline hardpoint and a pair of Kh-31s
under the engine intake trunks and R-27 medium-range air-to-air missiles under the wings Alexander Mladenov

www.Key.Aero February 2023 // 31

Ukraine
Russia War Sukhoi Su-34
This Fullback (Bort No ‘45’, code ‘349’)
is an early pre-series aircraft, first
flown in December 1994 and used in
the type’s development and testing
phase Sukhoi
nose section with side-by-side
seating for the aircrew. The T10V-
2, White 43, was the second
prototype which took to the air
for the first time on December
18, 1993. It was followed by a
pre-production aircraft intended
for development testing, T10V-
4, carrying a serial 44, together
with an article intended for static
testing, known as T10V-3.
The Su-34 followed a protracted
development and testing path
which saw the use of a batch of
four pre-series aircraft, built at
the NAPO plant in Novosibirsk,
currently known as NAZ, a fully-
owned subsidiary of Sukhoi
company, designated T10V-5 to
T10-8. The first of these began
flight testing in December 1994
and the last example from the
pre-series batch was handed
over not before December 2003.
Completion of the first stage of
The Syrian war prompted an evaluation of the Fullback when employing the full range of its guided weapons
arsenal in real-world operational conditions and a challenging environment Russian MOD
32 // February 2023
Su-34’s joint state flight testing
and evaluation effort, carried
out by the 929th GLITs, the
Russian air arm’s flight-test centre
located in Akhtubinsk in southern
Russia, was reported in 2006.
This important milestone marked
a go-ahead for the modest
production in Novosibirsk, with
the initial five Fullbacks completed
between 2006 and 2009.
Strike-optimised
The Fullback features the same
general aerodynamic configuration
of the two-seat Flanker-C, but
internally the fuselage is completely
reworked, with its structural weight
said to have been reduced by 10%
while increasing the fatigue life to
6,000 flight hours. The internal fuel
capacity is 4,400lb more than that
of the Su-27UB and the airframe
offers additional internal capacity,
mainly needed for accommodating
Russia’s traditionally bulky and
heavy targeting equipment. The
maximum take-off weight is
99,400lb, the warload is up to
17,637lb and the combat radius
with 8,818lb ordinance at low
altitude on internal fuel is 324nm,
extending to 610nm when using
external fuel tanks. The airframe
is cleared for manoeuvring with
up to 7G in clean configuration
or when totting AAMs.
The Su-34’s airframe has a Fullbacks delivered
to the RuASF from
robust structure incorporating October 2014
system redundancy for resistance onwards sport a
to combat damage from small camouflage scheme
arms fire and high-energy missile dominated by a light
blue tone with white
warhead fragments. The crew radome and wingtips
are accommodated inside a Giovanni Colla
titanium bathtub-like cockpit,
17mm thick, protecting them
from direct hits. Plus, some of the
important aircraft systems – such
as the collector fuel tank – are
provided with ballistic protection.
www.Key.Aero
 Left: This second pre-production aircraft (T10V-5) is shown with a warload of
eight air-to-air missiles, including two R-77-1s, two R-73s and four R-27ERs.
This arsenal is complemented by two Kh-31 anti-radiation/ship missiles and a
KAB-1500L laser-guided bomb suspended on the centreline hardpoint Sukhoi
Below: The Su-34’s cockpit instrument panel has colour multifunction displays
for flight, navigation, system and targeting information Russian MOD
The side-by-side cockpit
arrangement, borrowed from the
Su-24, includes the pilot in the
left-hand seat and the weapons
system operator (WSO) in the
right. The canard foreplanes are
very similar to those installed
on the carrier-capable Su-27K
Flanker-D as well as the sharp
leading-edge root extensions
forward of the foreplanes.
These are used for generating
stable vortices that interact with
the fins to provide a serious
improvement in yaw stability when
in high angle-of-attack flight.
The canard foreplanes also
facilitate in restoring the
aerodynamic balance disturbed
by the presence of a much-
heavier nose and forward
fuselage sections. This design
solution also improves the
overall manoeuvrability and
relieves airframe stress caused
Russian Su-34 operators - Nov 2022
Squadron Role
929nd GLITs State Flight-Test Centre
State personnel training and aircraft test
4th GTsPAPVI
centre
Instructor-Research Composite Aviation
Regiment. One bomber squadron with a
968th IISAP mixed Su-24M/Su-34 fleet, used for tactics Lipetsk
development and aircrew conversion
training
Bomber Aviation Regiment.
2nd Guards BAP
Two bomber and one recce squadrons
47th BAP Two bomber squadrons
559th BAP Three bomber squadrons
277th Guards BAP Two bomber squadrons
www.Key.Aero
Recce pod
in service
The BKR-3 family of pods, carried
on a deep under fuselage centreline
pylon, has been developed and
tested in three different versions. All
of these are sharing a common body
with specific sensor sets, recording
equipment and common datalink.
Four Su-34s were upgraded
in 2018-2019 for use of the
pods, to carry out the testing
and evaluation programme.
The first version of the podded
recce system, also known as
Sych, is an EO/IR pod, the second
is equipped with a side-looking
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and
the third includes an electronic
intelligence (Elint) payload, also
known as the UKR-RT. The
wide-band datalink for real-time
downlinking of the gathered recce
information can communicate with
a ground receiver station at a range
of between 189 and 270nm.
The SAR pod, known as UKR-RL,
is likely equipped with the Pika-M, a
fourth-generation side-looking radar
system for all-weather surveillance
and reconnaissance. It boasts
a resolution of 1 to 1.5m when
working in the mapping mode, while
its detection range is up to 160nm
(300km). Made for the detection
of military-specific targets such as
roads, airfields, bunkers, strongholds
and all classes of battlefield combat
vehicles, the radar information is
processed in real time, and there
is a zoom mode, which provides
resolution of some 1ft (0.3m).
The EO/IR recce pod, UKR-OE,
comes equipped (at least in its
initial version offered by Kulon
company in the early 2000s) with
a multi-spectral IR line scanner,
an EO camera and three photo
cameras. In turn, the Elint recce
pod features the DAL system.
Location
Akhtubinsk
Lipetsk
Chelyabinsk-
Shagol
Voronezh-
Baltimor
Morozovsk
Khurba-
Komsomolsk
on Amur
February 2023 // 33
Ukraine
Russia War Sukhoi Su-34

Above: A powerful KAB-1500L 3,306lb laser-guided bomb is seen here

suspended on the Su-34’s centreline hardpoint. A Kh-29T EO-guided missile is
suspended under the starboard engine trunk and a Kh-38 missile, can be seen
under the port engine trunk Alexander Mladenov
Below: The Fullback’s wingtip hardpoints typically carry the two-pod L265 EW
system for self-protection from radar threats Alexander Mladenov

by turbulence in ultra low-
level flight as the canards
automatically move in response
A distinctive design feature
unique to the Su-34 is the
prominent tail ‘sting’ with
significantly increased diameter
and length compared to that
of the Su-27UB. It is used to
house additional equipment and
systems, while a twin brake chute
bay is placed within the spine,
between the engine nacelles.
The air intakes feeding the
afterburning turbofans are fixed,
reducing complexity and weight,
compared to the variable-area
design used on the Su-27UB.
This design solution enables the
Russia is offering the Su-34 for export
under the new Su-32 designation
and as such it was displayed at the
MAKS 2019. Alexander Mikheev,
director general of Russian arms
export monopolist company,
Rosoboronexport, told the press that
the first export requests for the Su-32
have already been received, but as of
November 2022, no further progress
had been reported Giovanni Colla
‘clean’ Su-34 to hit 755kt at sea
level clean and 549kt with external
stores, while its maximum speed
at high altitude reaches 1,025kt.
The two Saturn AL-31F-M1
afterburning turbofans are each
rated at 29,754lb (132.44kN)
with full afterburner and
16,751lb (74.56kN) dry. In 2014,
the uprated AL-31F-M2 was
tested, developing 31,950lb
(142.24kN) in full afterburner.
Maximum internal fuel load is
26,676lb (12,100kg) and maximum
external fuel load is 15,873lb
(7,200kg) in three drop tanks. A
fully retractable inflight refuelling
probe is fitted as standard
on the port side of nose.
Targeting suite
A heavyweight multi-mode radar,
the V004, is housed in the type’s
flattened, elliptical cross-section
nose. It uses a 1,250×850mm fixed
passive phased-array antenna
and serves as the principal
component of the aircraft’s Sh-141
weapons control system, useful
for poor weather operations.
The radar offers a variety of air-
to-surface and air-to-air modes in
addition to weather and navigation
functions. Fullback’s radar
system was originally designed
for long-range detection and
tracking of surface targets and
establishing their co-ordinates
for subsequent employment of
precision-guided munitions, most
of which are aimed by the electro-
optical (EO) targeting system.
V004’s detection ranges
against large-size radar-cross
section (RCS) surface targets
are claimed to be between 54
and 110nm, while a large-size
truck detection is possible at up
to 16nm. In the air-to-air mode,
its electronically steered beam
scans through a 120-degree
azimuth arc, with a detection
range against fighter-sized targets
claimed as being up to 65nm.
In the air-to-ground mode,
the V004 facilitates dual-target
engagement, with four targets
claimed for the improved

34 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


The Su-34’s relatively low wing loading affects its stability in
low-level flight. Former Fencer pilots who now fly the Fullback
say their new mount’s ride is noticeably rougher under the
same conditions Giovanni Colla
version touted for the export-
standard Su-32 in 2019. Four
targets can be simultaneously
engaged in the air-to-air mode,
supporting the firing of R-77-
1 active radar-guided AAMs.
The internally mounted Platan
is an EO targeting system
integrating TV and laser sensors
to visually detect, track and lase
surface targets by day; it also
has limited operability in low-
light conditions. The TV sensor
uses a high-magnification camera
with image enhancement and
low-light capabilities. An auto-
tracker facilitates simultaneously
tracking of two ground targets
selected by the WSO, which can
Above: The Su-34 production line at the Novosibirsk-based NAZ plant, a fully-
owned Sukhoi subsidiary. Maximum annual production rates in the late 2010s,
amounted to 18 aircraft Russian MOD
www.Key.Aero
be engaged with EO or laser-
guided munitions. The laser
sensor slaved to the TV camera
provides designation for the
aircraft’s laser-guided munitions
as well as targeting cues for
launching the entire range of
EO-guided and unguided arsenal.
The system uses a retractable
port housed between the forward
ends of the engine trunks and
its sensors look forward and
downward through a system of
three optically flat windows. When
not in use, the port is stowed flush
inside the fuselage to reduce drag.
Platan’s steering capabilities
are believed to be more or less
like those of the Su-24M’s Kaira-
Extensive arsenal
Maximum ordnance weight across
the Su-34’s stations is 17,637lb, while
an overload configuration, with up to
19,836lb of ordinance is possible in
case of reduced internal fuel load.
Eight underwing hardpoints are
available on the Fullback in addition to
two more under the engine trunks and
two side-by-side between the engines.
This way, a total of 12 hardpoints allow
for carrying heavyweight warloads in
the so-called heavy-duty configurations,
such as up to eight guided missiles
and/or bombs, complemented by
four air-to-air missiles for short- and
medium-range engagements. The
wingtip hardpoints are typically used
for carrying radar jammer pods.
The air-to-air payload includes between
two and eight R-73 (AA-11 Archer) within
visual range (WVR) heat-seeking AAMs or
their improved derivative, known as R-74
(RVV-MD). The beyond visual range (BVR)
air-to-air combat ability becomes possible
thanks to up to six R-27R (AA-10 Alamo)
or R-27ER semi-active radar-homing
missiles. The aircraft can also employ the
R-27P passive radar-homing missiles in
addition to a pair of R-27ET heat-seeking
missiles or alternatively up to eight active
radar-guided R-77-1s (AA-12 Adder).
Su-34’s air-to-surface guided payload
can include up to six 1,100lb KAB-500L
or three 3,300lb KAB-1500L/LG/PR
laser-guided bombs, or their KAB-500Kr
and KAB-1500Kr EO-guided equivalents.
Long-range air-to-surface missile options
include the Kh-59M (AS-13 Kingbolt)
and Kh-59M2 (AS-18 Kazoo) TV-guided
missiles (up to three) featuring with
man-in-the-loop guidance in the terminal
phase of flight for accurate targeting.
Short-range missiles integrated on the
Su-34 include up to six of the Kh-29L
(AS-14 Kedge), Kh-25ML (AS-10 Karen) or
S-25LD laser-guided missiles in addition
to the Kh-29T EO-guided missile.
The type’s anti-ship capabilities are
facilitated thanks to the integration of
the Kh-31A (AS-17 Krypton) and the
extended-range derivative dubbed
Kh-31AD, in addition to the subsonic
Kh-35U/UM (AS-20 Kayak), capable of
Aircrew accommodation
Su-34’s side-by-side seating provides
the pilot and weapons system operator
(WSO) a considerably improved
working environment compared to a
tandem layout. Among the principal
benefits is that the crew members
can communicate more easily when
on high-workload missions, even
without the need to talk to each other.
In such situations, body language is
engaging targets at up to 140nm range.
The Kh-35U can be also used against
ground targets and this capability was
proven for the first time in Syria.
For the suppression of enemy air
defences (SEAD) mission, the Fullback
can employ the Kh-31P high-speed
anti-radiation missile and its improved
longer-legged derivatives, known as the
Kh-31PM and Kh-31PD. A list of the other
anti-radar missile in its arsenal includes
the Kh-58U (AS-11 Kilter) and its vastly
improved derivative dubbed Kh-58UShK.
The list of the latest-generation
precision-guided munitions added to the
Fullback’s arsenal in the early/mid 2010s,
includes the 1,100lb KAB-500S guided
bomb, employing a guidance method
identical to that of the US JDAM-series of
satellite/INS-guided bombs. Also included
in the arsenal is the Kh-38M, an all-new
modular air-launched missile, offered
with several types of different guidance
systems and warheads and with range
claimed as being between 1.6 and 22nm.
Formally commissioned into Russian
service in December 2012, it comes in
laser- (Kh-38ML), thermal imaging- (Kh-
38MT) and active radar-guided (Kh-38MA)
versions, while the Kh-38MK derivative
is fitted with INS/satellite guidance.
The KAB-250LG is a new-generation
laser-guided bomb while the UAB-
1500B and UPAB-500B with INS/
satellite guidance are the latest guided
bombs added to the type’s arsenal in
the 2010s. The latter has a range of
up to 27nm when dropped in high-
altitude flight and weighs 3,361lb.
Maximum warloads, useful for low- and
medium-altitude bombing with dumb
bombs, comprise 34 220lb OFAB-100-
120 fragmentation/high explosive bombs,
22 550lb OFAB-250-270 bombs, or
12 to 16 1,100lb FAB-500-series.
Just like its predecessor Su-24/24M,
the Su-34 plays a very important role
within the RuASF as the primary tactical
nuclear bomb delivery platform.
The Fullback can also use full
range of unguided bombs and
missiles and retains the Su-27’s
GSh-301 30mm internal cannon.
deemed sufficient to facilitate sufficient
communication and faster reaction
times. Cockpit access is via built-in
stairs through the nosewheel bay.
Su-34 pilots report that the spacious
cockpit offers the same visibility as that
of the Su-24. The K-36DM-3.5 zero/zero
ejection seats offer an escape sequence
initiated after jettisoning the clamshell
panels above the seats.
February 2023 // 35
Ukraine
Russia War Sukhoi Su-34

Above: The UPAB-1500B, used for the first time by the Su-34 fleet in the attack on
Ukraine, is a new generation unpowered bomb optimised for release from stand-
off ranges and provided with satellite/INS guidance Alexander Mladenov
Below: The Fullback remains a core programme for Russia’s tactical aviation
branch, providing a significant share of air arm’s strike potential Giovanni Colla

24 system, which is steerable
through +6 to -140-degrees in
the vertical plane (elevation) and
+/-12-degrees in the horizontal
plane (azimuth); this capability
allows lasing for guidance of
bombs and missiles released
in level flight or shallow dive.
Integrated by the RPKB
company from Ramenskoye
in the early 1990s, the Su-34’s
flight/navigation avionics suite
incorporates inertial and satellite
navigation systems, as well
as short-range and instrument
landing aids. An open-architecture
system, it comes driven by dual
Baget-53 processors, while
data exchange is based on
GOST R 52070-2004 digital data
buses, said to be the Russian
equivalent to MIL-STD-1553B.
The pilot is provided with a
KAI-01-01 HUD and two MFI-
66 colour multi-function displays
(MDFs) while the WSO uses
three more MFDs dedicated
to targeting and navigation
purposes. The monochromatic
HUD is also used for aiming the
gun and rockets and dropping
unguided bombs in dive.
The Fullback has an integrated
self-protection suite which
includes the L150 Pastel radar
homing and warning receiver
system (RHAWS) and an array of
seven 24-round APP-50A chaff/
flare dispensers for downwards-
fired 50mm cartridges on the
lower part of the extended tail
sting in addition to the KNIRTI
L175V Khibini-10V active radar
jammer system using components
housed both in the fuselage and
in large-size wingtip pods.
Tested for the first time on
the Su-34 in January 1995,
the Khibini-10V features radar
warning and jamming functions
using internally mounted
components in addition to
wingtip pods with jammer
emitters, each weighing some
661lb, capable of jamming in the
forward and rear hemispheres
within a 45-degree cone. The
jammer system uses digital
radio frequency memory (DRFM)
technology and is capable of
multi-channel jamming. Two
pods are used for individual
protection, while an expanded
four-pod configuration provides
effective formation protection.
The Su-34 is also able to play
the escort jammer role thanks to
the integration into the existing
L175V system of a wide-band radar
jammer system. Dubbed L-700, it
is carried in a large under fuselage
pod and was developed by the
KNIRTI under the programme
code-named Tarantul. Suspended
onto a Su-34 operated by the
47th BAP, the new EW pod was
spotted for the first time in
frontline service in January 2017.
Journey to adoption
The first Fullbacks were delivered
to a conversion training and
tactics development unit, the
968th Instructional & Research
Composite Regiment (IISAP), in
December 2006. The regiment,
assigned to the Lipetsk-based 4th
State Aviation Personnel Training
and Field-Testing Centre, got an
initial batch of two Su-34s for
the experimental operation.
The first frontline squadron took
its first Fullbacks in December
2011, when two initial-production
examples were taken on strength
by the aviation group of then

Russia’s State Armament Program 2018-2027 has added 24 enhanced Su-34s with recce capabilities, with their deliveries running from 2021 onwards.
In turn, deliveries of the significantly enhanced Su-34M version, currently in development at Sukhoi, is set to follow suite not before 2025 Giovanni Colla

36 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


The Su-34’s take-off and landing performance benefits from the canards
which also improve the aircraft’s manoeuvrability and relieve airframe stress
when flying in turbulance Giovanni Colla
7000th Air Base, stationed at
Voronezh-Baltimor airfield. The
unit got a fleet of 24 aircraft.
Fast forward ten years later, by
December 2021, a fleet of about
136 Su-34s was taken to equip as
many as nine bomber squadrons
and the type began to replace the
Su-24MR in the first dedicated
reconnaissance squadron.
The Su-34s fielded in service or
currently taken on strength with
the RuASF, have been ordered
under four separate procurement
contracts. The first of these,
signed in 2005, covered an initial
batch of 18 examples, although
only five of these had been
formally delivered by 2009. The
second contract, dated October
2008, saw delivery of 32 more
Su-34s until 2013. The third and
the largest one, signed March
2012, added 92 more Fullbacks,
with deliveries completed in 2020.
The latest production contract
for the type, signed in June 2020,
includes 24 aircraft in a slightly
improved configuration, able
to use the four reconnaissance
pods of the Sych family in
addition to some reliability and
maintainability improvements.
The first eight newly-built
machines from this contract
were taken on strength in 2021.
In 2010, NAPO built four aircraft,
increasing to six in 2011, ten in
2012, 14 in 2013 and as many
as 18 were delivered in 2014.
The same figure was reported in
2015, while 2016 and 2017 saw
16 deliveries each, reducing to
12 in 2018 and eight in 2019,
while the last two Fullbacks
www.Key.Aero
covered by the 2012 contract,
were handed over in 2020.
Fullback’s commissioning into
RuASF service as a fully combat-
capable air system happened in
March 2014 but the first frontline
bomber regiment, the 47th BAP,
stationed at Voronezh-Baltimor
and then known as the 1st
Aviation Group of the 7000th Air
Base (until December 2014) took
the type three years earlier. The
unit received 24 Su-34s by mid-
2013, to equip its two squadrons.
The list of the follow-on three
bomber regiments re-equipped
with the type between 2013 and
2019, includes the 559th BAP
at Morozovsk, assigned to the
4th Air & Air Defence Army in
the Southern MD (36 aircraft in
three squadrons), 277th BAP at
Khurba, assigned to the 11th Air
& Air Defence Army in the Eastern
MD (26 aircraft in two squadrons)
and 2nd BAP at Chelyabinsk-
Shagol, assigned to the 14th Air
& Air Defence Army in the Central
MD (24 in two squadrons).
As of November 2022, the
RuASF had taken on strength
144 Su-34s (plus seven
prototypes and pre-series
machines), of which 136 were
delivered before the invasion
of Ukraine. By mid-November
2022, the numerical strength
of the operational fleet was
estimated at about 125 examples,
taking into consideration the
peacetime attrition, the aircraft
re-rolled as ground instructional
airframes in the recent years
and the combat losses suffered
in the war with Ukraine. afm
Fullback at war
The type’s baptism of fire was reported
in the Russian war in South Ossetia in
August 2008. The aircraft assigned to the
Akhtubinsk flight test centre, and originally
used for testing and evaluation purposes,
were dispatched to operate deep into
Georgian territory, serving as EW platforms
to create jamming to protect strike aircraft
facing an integrated air defence system with
medium and high-altitude SAM.
The next occasion when the still new
Su-34s were used in anger was in the
counter-insurgency operation in the Russian
republic of Dagestan and missions were
flown in 2012 to pound rebel camps with
guided munitions.
Beginning in October 2015, the Syrian
war campaign proved to be the most
serious combat test for the type. Aircraft
and weaponry designers benefitted greatly
from the intense combat-employment
tempo that saw the use of most, if not all,
the sophisticated air-to-surface guided
munitions cleared for the type. The Su-34’s
combat radius enabled it to deliver strikes
on targets in the entire Syrian territory and
the type was assigned to take out high-value
targets. All Fullback-equipped front-line
regiments deployed aircraft and personnel to
Hmeimim on rotational basis.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine last
February called upon the use of all four
Su-34-equipped regiments in the RuSAF
fleet. Two of these were able to operate
from their permanent bases not far from the
border with Ukraine and the other two were
deployed to forward operating locations
such as Primorsko-Akhttarsk and Yeisk
in the southern part of Russia. Initially, the
Fullback fleet was expected to be tasked
mainly with deep raids against important
military and infrastructure targets, as well as
the interdiction role.
The reality proved very different as the
type’s principal use was for delivering
strikes on targets on the battlefield or in
the near-rear areas. To start with, most
strikes were flown with heavyweight
unguided ordinance, typically dropped from
low altitude for better accuracy. In such
conditions, the Fullback proved vulnerable
to all air defence weapons in the Ukrainian
inventory – from MANPADS to radar-guided
SAM systems. The fleet suffered from
serious attrition in the first three weeks, with
all the lost Fullbacks (comprising of no fewer
than five aircraft) reported to have taken
hits in risky low-altitude daylight operations,
mostly from MANPADS and short/medium-
range SAM systems.
In mid-April, the intensity of strike
operations saw a serious reduction and the
fleet switched to guided missiles, mostly
the Kh-29T with TV-guidance, to destroy
pre-planned fixed targets (often spending
only one missile per sortie). There were also
missions flown with new-generation types
of guided ordinance such as the brand-new
UPAB-500B and UPAB-1500B guided
bombs with satellite guidance, dropped at
night against fixed targets, with the aircraft
releasing these at significant stand-off
ranges. Kh-35U anti-ship missiles were
repurposed to knock out ground targets.
From the beginning of the operation, the
fleet was also occasionally involved in SEAD/
DEAD missions, using Kh-31PD/PM high-
speed anti-radiation missiles.
Despite the measures to reduce risk
in combat sorties, which, as it could be
guessed, had a negative impact on the
overall combat effectiveness, the Fullback
fleet continued to suffer from losses, mainly
due to MANPADS in low-altitude missions,
where the fleet continued to employ
unguided ordinance. As of November 15,
the total number of Su-34 losses in the
Russian war against Ukraine (both in combat
missions and in non-combat missions
flown in the war area) was no fewer than
17 examples. At least two were caused by
friendly fire in supposedly safe airspace – by
Russian radar-guided SAMs. Among these
friendly fire victims was a brand-new Su-34
in the latest production configuration able to
carry the Sych reconnaissance pod, reported
to have been gunned down near Alachevsk
in the Donetsk region on July 18.
The 47th BAP is the RuASF Fullback
regiment, operating a fleet of about 20 Su-
34s, suffered the most, as credible Russian
sources tend to report that no fewer than
25% of its combat-ready aircrews have
been shot down in action, which translates
to six or seven aircraft, the last of which was
gunned down by a MANPADS on September
24. The first reports on the Su-34’s use of
the Sych recce pod in the conflict, the ELINT
version, came in July.
The initial conclusions of the Su-34 combat
employment in the war in Ukraine tend to
suggest that the type’s combat effectiveness
has been negatively impacted due to
obsolescence issues. The most evident of
these relates to the inability of the Platan
EO system to provide true night operations
capability with visual aiming when using
guided or unguided ordinance, due to the
lack of a dedicated IR sensor. Another
source of serious issues is the on-board
self-protection suite, which proved ill-suited
to protecting the aircraft from radar-guided
threats and is unable to provide protection
against heat-seeking missiles, such as the
widely-used MANPADS, inflicting serious
losses in low-altitude operations. The list of
the other noticeable shortcomings revealed
during the war includes the unimpressive
combat survivability as there were a number
of aircraft downed with a single MANPADS
hits, inflicting mortal damage of engines
or vital on-board systems, as seen in the
September 24 shootdown, recorded by
Ukrainian drones.
February 2023 // 37
Exercise
Report Volfa-2022

France’s Red Flag

Nine air powers gathered for the Volfa-2022 exercise. operations for Volfa-2022 were
Babak Taghvaee reports on the high intensity designed to enable its participants
to prepare themselves for all war
operations carried out scenarios, whether in the Atlantic,
Indian or Pacific Oceans (French

T
he French Air and Space
Force (FASF) held one of
its largest ever air drills,
Volfa-2022, between September
26 and October 14, 2022. Air
services and naval aviation forces
from nine nations participated in
the exercise with 82 fixed-wing
aircraft, including 21 Rafale B/C/
Ms, eight helicopters and a single
armed drone.
The exercise scenarios were
designed in December 2021,
15101 – one of four F-16AMs of the Portuguese Air Force that participated in
Volfa-2022, pictured during departure from BA118 Mont-de-Marsan on the
morning of October 7 All images Babak Taghvaee unless stated
F-16F Block 60, 3017, of the UAE Air Force, taking part in Volfa-2022
but modified because of
lessons learned from the war
in Ukraine to increase the level
of interoperability of NATO air
powers for defending its territory
from invasion by Russia. This
report focuses on the operational
phase of the exercise, held
October 3-13.
Strategic partnership
According to the commander
and co-ordinator of the exercise,
overseas territories), in Europe or
in the Middle East.
Air Brigadier General Julien
Sabene, Chief of Staff of the
Air Force Command, was the
exercise co-ordinator. He said:
“There is a war going on in
Ukraine right now. Of course,
when we develop a scenario, we
take into account what is going
on in the world, but this is not an
exercise to replicate what is going
on in Ukraine.
“So, we prepare for any war. It
can be anywhere in the world.
But we take into account, lessons
learned [in the Ukraine’s war] of
course, but [Volfa] goes beyond
[the war]. [Volfa-2022] gives us
an option to act together with our
allies anywhere in the world. Each
scenario is very generic.”
Volfa-2022 enabled allies of
France to enhance readiness
of their air forces for any joint
operation with the FASF for
defending the French mainland
and its overseas territories in
case of invasion by China or
Russia.
Greek and UAE Air Forces, the
current and future operators
of Rafale D/E fighter jets, both
participated in Volfa-2022; the
former with three F-16C-52+CFs
and one F-16D-52+CF and the
latter with three F-16Es, one
F-16F, two C-17As and an Airbus
A330-243MRTT. For the UAEAF,
Air Brigadier General Julien Sabene,
Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Command, acted as co-ordinator for
exercise Volfa-2022
it was important to have its F-16E
fighter pilots conducting joint
operations involving Rafale B/Cs.
Thanks to the 19 Rafale B/Cs
of four fighter squadrons of the
FASF involved in this exercise, not
only Emirati, but also F-16 pilots
of the Hellenic Air Force could
enhance their skills participating
in joint operations involving
Rafales.
Enemy territory
Rafale B/Cs of the FASF and
French Navy Rafale Ms formed
the core of Red and Blue Forces
during the exercise. A dozen
Rafale Cs and seven Rafale Bs
were allocated to the exercise, so
almost all FASF Rafale pilots and
weapons systems officers were
able to participate in a variety of
combined air operations. During
these they simulated conduction
of various missions involving use

38 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero

Left: 140 ‘4-GS’, one of the Rafale
Cs operated by 30th Combat Wing
(previously 4th Combat Wing)
taxiing toward the runway before an
operation during Volfa-2022 at BA118

Right: F-GPAA is the Falcon 20C of

AVdef company, which conducted
radio and radar jamming during
Volfa-2022

of air-to-air missiles such as the

MICA IR/EM and Meteor as well as
cruise missiles such as SCALP.
At the peak of Volfa-2022, during
the morning of October 6, offensive operation of the fighter territory under occupation of the The following day, Friday
and despite the bad weather jets, tactical air transport and ‘enemy’. A Rafale B (329/‘30-ID’) October 7, another offensive
conditions with low visibility, an helicopter operations were and a Rafale C (146/‘30-GY’) operation was conducted, this
offensive high-intensity operation performed from 1400hrs until escorted the Airbus A400M into time over the Atlantic Ocean,
took place. During it, offensive 1700hrs. An Airbus A400M Atlas enemy territory. Due to strong starting from 0849hrs until
counter-air (OCA), air interdiction (0014/F-RBAF) medium transport winds and low visibility at the 1150hrs. Two Alpha Jet Es of
(AI), strike, dynamic targeting aircraft and a CN235M-200 TSA 43 zone, paratroopers didn’t FASF Experiment Squadron
(DT) and time-sensitive targeting (152/‘64-IP’) light transport perform parachute jumping and (EE) 3/8 ‘Côte d’Or’ from BA120
(TST) missions were practised aircraft from the FASF were used the A400M returned to BA118 at Cazaux and two French Navy
by fighter jets and the Centre of for airdrop of paratroopers and low altitudes of 250ft to 400ft. A Rafale Ms from Landivisiau –
Planning for Air Operations at medical evacuation (MedEvac) FASF MQ-9 Reaper drone flew together with two French Navy
the temporary segregated area at the TSA 43 zone in central over the TSA 43 zone to assist frigates – played the role of Red
(TSA) number 43 in the centre France. For helicopter operations the operation, during which GPS Forces in the Atlantic Ocean.
of France, from 0924hrs until from Base Aérienne 118 (BA118, signals were jammed. In addition, a CN235M-200
1100hrs local time. Mont-de-Marsan Air Base), (152/‘64-IP’) of the FASF and
The participating jets simulated 2626/‘SD’ and 2802/‘SK’, two Night and day two CC-130J-30s of the Royal
destruction of military targets EC725R2 Caracals of FASF After the tactical air transport Canadian Air Force, call-signs
inside the contested area while Helicopter Squadron (EH) 1/67 and helicopter operations, a high ‘Canuk57’ and ‘Canuk58’, flown
the enemy aircraft had to simulate ‘Pyrénées’, were involved. intensity night operation started from BA118, were part of the
intercepting them. The operation The Airbus A400M carrying from 2030hrs and lasted until Red Force.
was conducted under radio more than 80 paratroopers flew 2300hrs, involving 19 fighter jets of The Blue Force had to counter
and radar jamming performed at low altitude while entering the the Blue Force. them and protect a French
by F-GPAA, a Falcon 20C of
Aviation Défense Service (AVdef)
equipped with ECM pods. During
the exercise, the Blue Force had
17 fighter jets, including ten from
the FASF.
Blue Force fighters that October
morning were two French Mirage
2000-5Fs and two 2000D RDIs,
two French Rafale Bs and four
Cs, two Emirati F-16Es and one
F-16F, two Italian Tornado IDS
MLU RET7s and two Portuguese
F-16AMs. They had to strike
enemy targets in an area
under occupation by adversary Landing at BA118 Mont-de-Marsan is the sole F-16D Block 52+ of 340 Mira of the Hellenic Air Force, which
forces. After the high-intensity participated in Volfa-2022

65/‘2-MG’ – one of four

Mirage 2000-5Fs of EC
1/2 of the French Air
and Space Force, during
exercise Volfa-2022. Here,
it is armed with a MICA-IR
captive training missile

www.Key.Aero February 2023 // 39

Exercise
Report Volfa-2022
Airbus A330-243MRTT tanker
(043/‘F-UJC’I) that refuelled
its fighter jets under the radar
and radio jamming environment
created by AVdef’s Falcon 20C
(F-GPAA).
The Blue Force had 24 fighter
jets comprising two Emirati
F-16Es, one Emirati F-16F, two
French Mirage 2000-5Fs, three
French Mirage 2000D RDIs,
three French Rafale Bs,
seven French Rafale Cs, one
Hellenic F-16C-52+CFs, one
Hellenic F-16D-52+CF and four
Portuguese F-16AMs. Rafale C, serial number 146, escorted an A400M into enemy territory during Volfa-2022, October 6
In the afternoon, participants
simulated a point defence
operation (DCA) at the TSA 34
zone in two waves.
The first wave performed
its missions from 1300hrs to
1500hrs. Its Blue Force consisted
of fighter jets from the French Air
and Space Force, which were five
Rafale Cs.
The Red Force flew from BA118
and consisted of two Alpha
Jet Es, serials E83 and E123,
two Mirage 2000D RDIs and
one Rafale B equipped with a
reconnaissance pod.
The second wave of Red and Italian Tornado IDS MLU coded ‘6-06’, taxiing in BA118 during last October’s Volfa-2022 exercise
Blue Forces departed BA118 at
1530hrs, an hour after landing AN/ALQ-131 ECM pods. UAE first week of the operational stage The Italian Tornado IDS fighters
the first wave. The Blue Force Air Force C-17A serial 1229 flew (October 3 to 7) while Spanish were redeployed to Ghedi Air
second wave consisted of 11 at an altitude of 20,800ft over EF-18A Hornets operating from Base, home of GEA 6° Stormo at
fighter jets together with a C-17A BA118 while Blue and Red teams their home base in Zaragoza took 1008hrs local time on October 7
Globemaster III of the UAE Air engaged in close-range air part in the second week of the while a C-130J (MM62180/‘46-45’)
Force, serial 1229, flying from combat – dog fighting. operational stage (from October airlifted their ground equipment,
BA125 Istres-Le Tube. 10 to 13). personnel and additional pilots on
The Blue fighter jets of the Rich tactical training In total, 22 air raids were the same day.
second wave were four French Apart from Italian and Spanish carried-out during the exercise Air forces of Canada, Greece,
Mirage 2000-5Fs, three French Air Forces, other participants of between October 3 and 13. Portugal and the UAE which had
Rafale Cs, three Hellenic F-16C- the exercises attended the whole Participants of the exercise their fighter jets and transport
52+CFs and one F-16D-52+CF. operational phase or a stage of logged almost 900 flying sorties aircraft on deployment at BA118
Red Air comprised three Mirage that between October 3 and 13. and 1,400 flying hours including and BA125, had their aircraft
2000D RDIs and two Portuguese The two Italian Tornado IDS more than 250 during night redeployed back to their countries
F-16AMs equipped with fighter jets only participated in the operations. on Friday October 14, 2022. afm
Two French Air and Space Force EC725R2 Caracals of Helicopter Squadron 1/67 ‘Pyrénées’, 2626/‘SD’ and 2802/‘SK’, also participated in the MedEvac missions
of the operation on October 6, 2022

40 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero

 The flight deck of 0014/‘F-RBAF’, an A400M
of the French Air and Space Force, during a
Volfa-2022 tactical air transport mission at
BA118 Mont-de-Marsan on October 6

Participants of the exercise Volfa-2022

Operator Type Serials Role Unit Operated From
Alpha Jet E x 9 E8, E38, E80, E82, E83, E94, E108, E123, E151 Red Air EE 3/8 BA118, BA120
Mirage 2000B x 2 Unknown Red Air ETD 2/3 BA133
Mirage 2000-5F x 4 41/'2-FZ', 45/'2-EF', 61/'2-ME', 65/'2-MG' Blue/Red Air EC 1/2 BA118
Mirage 2000D RDI x 7 635/'3-AS', 641/'3-JW', 646/'3-MQ', 668/'3-IG', Blue/Red Air EC 1/3, ETD 2/3, EC 3/3 BA118
674/'3-IR', 677/'3-JT' 682/'3-JR'
Rafale B x 7 308/4-HA, 317/'4-HO', 318/'4-HM', 328/'4-IC', Blue Air EC 1/4, EC 2/4, EC 2/30 BA118
329/'30-ID', 332/'4-IG' and 341/'4-FH'
French Air & Space Force
Rafale C x 12 105/'30-H'E, 106/'30-HG', 108/'30-HS', 113/'30- Blue Air EC 2/30, EC 3/30 BA118
IR', 119/'30-IX', 121/'30-IZ', 125/'30-GD',
126/'30-GE', 135/'30-GN', 140/'4-GS', 142/'30-
GU', 146/'30-GY'
A330-243MRTT x 2 043/'F-UJCI', 044/'F-UJCJ' Blue Air ERVTS 1/31 BA125
A400M x 2 0010/'F-RBAC', 0014/'F-RBAF' Blue Air ET 1/61 BA118
C-130H-30 x 1 5226/'61-PK' Blue Air ET 2/61 BA118
CN235M-200 x 1 152/64-IP Blue Air ET 1/62 BA118
Beech 350ER/ALSR x 2 1018/'F-RAGH', 1030/'F-RACH' Blue Air EEA 1/54 BA105

E-3F x 2 202/'36-CB', 204/'36-CD' Blue Air EDCA 1/36 BA702

AS555AN x 4 53292/'VB,' 5430/'VL' are known Blue Air EH 3/67, EH5/67 BA118, FOB*
EC725R2 x 4 2549/'SB', 2552/'SE', 2789/'SJ', 2802/'SK' Blue Air EH 3/67 BA118, FOB*
MQ-9 x 1 Unknown Blue Air ED 1/33 BA709
French Navy Aviation E-2C x 1 Unknown Red Air 4F Lorient
Rafale M x 2 Unknown Red Air 11F Landivisiau
Canadian Air Force CC-130J-30 x 2 130603, 130605 Blue/Red Air 436 Transport Squadron CFB Trenton
Hellenic Air Force F-16C-52+CF x 3 518, 521, 534 Blue Air 340 Mira BA118
F-16D-52+CF x 1 608 Blue Air 340 Mira BA118
Italian Air Force Tornado IDS MLU x 2 MM7036/ '6-06',MM7013/'6-75' Blue Air 154° Gruppo BA118
Luftwaffe C-130J-30 x 1 55+01 Blue Air BATS BA118
Portuguese Air Force F-16AM x 5 15101, 15103, 15112, 15114, 15142 Blue/Red Air Esq 201, Esq 301 BA118
Spanish Air Force EF-18A x 4 Unknown Blue/Red Air Unknown Zaragoza AB
UAE Air Force A330-243MRTT x 1 1302 Blue Air MRTT Squadron BA125
C-17A x 2 1226, 1229 Blue Air Heavy Transport BA125
Squadron
F-16E x 3 3037, 3042, 3075 Blue Air 1, 2, 3 Squadrons BA118
F-16F x 1 3017 Blue Air 1, 2, 3 Squadrons BA118
US Air Force MC-130J x 1 Unknown Blue Air 67th SOS BA120
AVDef (Civilian company) Falcon 20C x 1 F-GPAA (Civilian registration) Red Air Civilian BA118
* FOB = Forward Operating Base

www.Key.Aero February 2023 // 41

Base Tour RAF Lakenheath
T
he 48th Fighter Wing at
the UK’s RAF Lakenheath
in Suffolk is on course to
become the largest United States
Air Forces strike fighter unit outside
of the US. At the start of 2022 the
Wing was comprised of the 492nd
and 494th Fighter Squadrons
equipped with 54 Boeing F-15E
Strike Eagles, along with the 493rd
FS operating 17 F-15C and D
air defense versions. The latter
squadron was in the process of
returning their aircraft to the US for
transfer to the Air National Guard,
prior to the infrastructure being
upgraded and new equipment
being received during 2023.
Previously the 495th FS was
reactivated on October 1, 2021 in
readiness to commence the receipt
of the Lockheed F-35A Lightning
II – the first four, serials 19-5473,
19-5474, 19-5475, 19-5476 being
delivered from the production line
at Fort Worth, Texas on December
15. This meant the Wing had 75
aircraft on strength when flight
operations began on January 3
after the traditional holiday period.
Creating its own personal cloud,
F-35A 19-5493 taking off on
September 1. The aircraft is
marked 493 FS on the tail, despite
the squadron being inactive at
present All images Bob Archer
unless stated
42 // February 2023
The last interceptors
Beginning with the outgoing
Eagles, the 493rd FS began the
year with 15 F-15Cs and two
F-15Ds – the last dedicated air
defence squadron in the United
States Air Forces in Europe
(USAFE). Plans were well underway
for the aircraft to be flown home to
the US by February 2022, enabling
the unit to briefly inactivate.
Therefore, with the squadron area
temporarily vacated of personnel
and aircraft, the necessary
alterations to buildings and parking
areas could begin and construction
works got underway in readiness
for the new F-35s to be effective
once deliveries begin in earnest in
2023.
However, during January and
February 2022 the build-up of
vast numbers of Russian combat
forces and equipment along
the Ukraine border, along with
accompanying rhetoric did not
bode well. The unpredictability of Under Atlas Guardian 22, patrols
the Putin regime required NATO to began immediately and were a
increase its preparedness, which sufficient deterrent to enable the
included placing the wholesale jets to return to the UK beginning
move of USAFE’s air defence on February 28. Several arrived
squadron on hold. back at Lakenheath complete with
Poland already had in place nose art applied.
a limited air policing capability, The Russian invasion of Ukraine
provided by NATO air defence in February was not extended
squadrons from various nations to any NATO territory and
to deter Russian and Belarusian showed no signs of doing
forces from any aspirations to so. Despite the
invade. This was enhanced on
February 10 when eight F-15C/
Ds deployed to Lask Air Base.
Despite this being a token gesture,
the formidable F-15 was more
than a match for any Russian
hardware, certainly in terms of
crew readiness and tactics
practiced, as well as
the advanced air to air
weaponry available.
www.Key.Aero
 Bob Archer looks at RAF
Lakenheath where the 48th
Fighter Wing is continuing to
transition from an all Eagle
unit to welcome the new

Fighting 48th
fifth-generation capability

f lies higher
www.Key.Aero February 2023 // 43
Base Tour RAF Lakenheath

One of 15 F-15Es of the 336th FS, 4th FW deployed to Lakenheath.

The reference to 4th TS on the tail is for the Training Squadron
commander – the 4th TS being responsible for simulator training
of Strike Eagle aircrew

foregoing, three F-15Cs returned gained markings to commemorate Situation normal for planned exercises.
to the USA in late February, 45 years of USAFE operations by When the Russian invasion of Surprisingly the two squadrons
followed by four more Eagles in the F-15A/B/C/D models. Ukraine began, the Red Army have rarely performed local training
March. With the Ukraine situation F-15C 84-0001 has remained at operation quickly showed sorties with air to ground munitions
appearing more stabilised for Lakenheath, having completed remarkably poor results for the attached. Occasionally the jets
neighbouring countries, the 493rd its planned flying career. The jet once feared Russian military. While have carried GBU-16 Paveway II
sent a further five jets home in is used for ground training and the Defense Condition (DEFCON) 1,000lb laser guided bombs, as
mid-April. The delayed conclusion is periodically towed between level did not change, the two well as 1,000lb freefall unguided
of USAFE air defence operations the two Strike Eagle squadrons resident F-15E squadrons were munitions. These were training
was completed on April 27 when to enable personnel from both maintained on a slightly increased rounds and were expended on the
the final four F-15Cs departed, to utilise this airframe, rather state of readiness, while at the ranges at Holbeach and Donna
including 86-0171 which had than flying operational aircraft. same time continuing to prepare Nook, in Lincolnshire. Additional
To commemorate 45 years of Eagle air defence operations in Europe, F-15C 86-
0172 had a special colour scheme applied. The emblem on the nose denotes
operation Atlas Guardian 22 and was applied while the jets were at Lask, Poland

F-15E 91-0603 with a mixed training munitions The F-15Es rarely carry any air to ground ordnance, although four
load including GBU-16 and 1,000lb dumb 494th FS jets had GBU-16 Paveway II 1,000lb laser guided training
bombs when performing a sortie on April 21 bombs when flying missions to the Donna Nook range in September

44 // February 2023 www.Key.Aero


training sorties were flown to
other ranges in the UK, such as
Spadeadam, in Cumbria, and train
enabling crews to remain combat
capable on various weapons
systems by using simulated
delivery tactics against targets. The
F-15E can deliver a huge variety of
munitions, which can be replicated
electronically. Apart from the day to
day training sorties, the squadrons
were planning to participate in
many NATO exercises.
Point Blank
The 48th FW has hosted multi-
event exercise Point Blank for
several years, designed to improve
interoperability with fellow NATO
air arms. Point Blank 22-02 on
April 27 and 28 was the first of the
year, involving resident F-15Es and
F-35As flying with four French Air
and Space Force Rafales from EC
30 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base,
together with a support C-135FR
from ERV 03.031. The French
contingent deployed to Lakenheath
Displaying artwork and the name Lady Liberty F-15E 91-0311
is one of the 48th FW flagships
www.Key.Aero
for a single mission flown over the
North Sea alongside BAe Typhoons
FGR.4s of 12 Squadron from RAF
Coningsby, crewed by Qatar Emiri
Air Force pilots. Other RAF and US
assets were included, along with
a NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry to
co-ordinate activities. Point Blank
22-03 between June 22 and 27
included a pair of Norwegian F-35As
flying from Lakenheath, while 22-04,
held from August 23 to 25, included
five Royal Netherlands Air Force
F-35As from 322 Squadron. Again
a single flying mission was carried
out with the 48th FW and other UK
based assets.
Tactical leadership
The Tactical Leadership Program
at Albacete-Los Llanos Air
Base, Spain, is one of the most
important exercises in Europe,
with all NATO fast jet units
participating at one time or
another, including both F-15E
squadrons this year. The 492nd
FS was first, sending 13 F-15Es for
the three week Flying Course of
TLP 22-1 beginning on February
14. The 494th FS flew another
large contingent of ten F-15Es
along with six 495th FS F-35As to
TLP 22-3 between September 12
and 23. Four US Navy Boeing F/A-
18E/F Hornets from VFA-103 from
the USS George H.W. Bush also
participated. This was the first
occasion when TLP hosted F-35s
and Super Hornets.
TLP traditionally involves each
squadron organising at least one
of the daily multinational missions,
which culminates in participating
crews graduating and returning to
their home station to share their
expertise. The introduction of
fifth generation fighter aircraft to
the Flying Courses added a new
dimension of stealth technology
to TLP.
Visiting for exercises
As the 2022 opened, 15 F-15Es were
on temporary duty at Lakenheath from
the 336th FS, 4th Fighter Wing at
Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina,
having arrived on October 4, 2021 under
operation Castle Forge. During their
six-month stay the jets were primarily
located at Lakenheath, but deployed
either completely or in small numbers to
several other European destinations.
Six were forward deployed to Amari,
Estonia between January 26 and
February 4, while four more went to
Lask from February 22 until March 19.
Seven more made a brief visit to Lask
on March 19. These were all involved in
the Air Policing role. Other destinations
included Greece and Romania. All
except one departed for home between
April 1 and 6, the straggler having had
a windscreen issue forcing the jet to
remain in Greece. Eventually the jet flew
to Lakenheath, and, following repair,
finally returned home on June 21.
336th FS, 4th FW
October 4 2021 to April 6 2022
F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0176, 87-0187, 87-0206,
88-1671, 88-1673, 88-1676,
88-1680, 89-0483, 89-0490,
89-0492, 89-0493, 89-0496,
89-0501, 89-0505, 90-0230
The 31st FW from Aviano sent 14
aircraft to Lakenheath twice during the
year, on both occasions to participate in
exercise Cobra Warrior.
510th FS, 31st FW
March 3 to March 28
F-16C Fighting Falcon
88-0413, 88-0443, 88-0444,
88-0521, 88-0541, 89-2011,
89-2018, 89-2026, 89-2030,
89-2046, 89-2047, 89-2057, 89-2102
F-16D Fighting Falcon
90-0800
After Cobra Warrior, a dozen aircraft
relocated to Leeuwarden, Netherlands
for Frisian Flag, with the other pair
returning back home.
The second 31st FW visit involved
the 555th.
555th FS, 31 FW
August 24- September 26
F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0350, 88-0425, 88-0435, 88-0460,
88-0526, 88-0532, 89-2016, 89-2044,
89-2068, 89-2096, 89-2137, 90-0772,
90-0773
F-16D Fighting Falcon
90-0800
Both deployments involved the F-16s
flying local missions to ranges in the
locality, with some jets carrying 1,000lb
‘dumb’ bombs as training rounds.
The presence of Top Aces aggressor
Alpha Jets (see later) at the same time
suggested that these were providing an
opposition to the F-16s while performing
missions over the North Sea. They
returned to Aviano on September 26.
90th FS, 3rd Wing F-22As arrived
direct from Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson, Alaska, on July 26 and 28
and departed on August 4.
90th FS, 3rd Wing
July 26-August 4
F-22A Raptor
04-4074, 05-4090, 05-4103, 06-4110,
06-4112, 07-4136, 07-4138, 07-4144,
07-4149, 07-4151, 09-4190, 10-4193
A National Airlines Boeing 747-400F
supported their arrival. The aircraft did
not fly any sorties during the brief stay,
the jets departing Lakenheath on August
4 for Lask, Poland with 757th Airlift
Squadron Lockheed Martin C-130Es
providing support. Under exercise ACE,
the F-22s were deployed as yet another
component of the Air Shielding mission.
February 2023 // 45
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 You thought it was going to be so easy when we were first
married. It’s been hard for you, dear. I know. Writing and writing and
seeing other fellows make money. But now you’ve won out. You
ought to be very happy, as I am.

Grant
You are happy, aren’t you? (He takes her hands affectionately,
then looks at them, turning them over.) The only hard thing, Jerry,
was to see these hands of yours grow red and rough with the work
here.

Jerry
Maybe that’s the only way they could help you.

Grant
(Enigmatically)
It’s because of them and only because of them that I’ve done it.

Jerry
Done what?

Grant
Oh, nothing. (He puts paper in the machine.) How about a glass of
milk?

Jerry
I’ll get it while the great man reveals himself to an anxious public.

Grant
And some crackers. (Sitting at machine.) They want something on:
“How I Make My Characters Live.” (She laughs suddenly: he starts.)
Oh; it’s you?

Jerry
Yes. I was thinking how funny it was to celebrate a success in milk.

Grant
Yes. But the greatest joke of all is that The Sand Bar is a success
—a real financial success.

Jerry
It’s a very good joke.
(She goes out happily. Then a cynical look creeps into his
face. He reads as he types.)

Grant
“How I Made My Characters in The Sand Bar Live.”
(He pauses a second, smiling cynically. Then, as he
apparently hears something, he rises and goes over to the
hall door which he opens quickly. He looks out and
apparently sees a neighbor entering the apartment
opposite. A bibulous “good night” is heard. He closes the
door, turns the key, tests the door and sees it is locked. As
he stands there puzzled, Jerry enters, with a bottle of
milk, some crackers, and an apple on a small tray.)
You’ll have to get over this habit of waiting on me now.

Jerry
Don’t ask the impossible.

Grant
But we shall have servants now; plenty of them.
 Jerry
Plenty of them? Why how much money are you going to make out
of The Sand Bar?

Grant
Nearly a thousand dollars a week.

Jerry
(Almost inaudibly as she nearly drops the tray)
My God!

Grant
(As he puts tray on table)
It will run forty weeks at the National. Then three road companies
next year: “stock” and the “movies” after that. I’m going to make as
much money in two weeks now as I ever made before in one year—
turning out hack stuff and book reviews. And all I’ve got to do is to sit
back and let it work for me!

Jerry
It doesn’t seem honest.

Grant
Maybe it isn’t, Jerry. (As he eats.) But when the public is pleased it
pays to be pleased.

Jerry
(Venturing)
The first thing I want is some new clothes.

Grant
 (Grandiloquently)
My first week’s royalty is yours.

Jerry
Really?

Grant
Throw away everything that’s darned and patched. I’m sick of
seeing them.

Jerry
I was always so ashamed, too. Just think what people would have
said if I’d been run over or killed in an accident.

Grant
Now you’ll do the running over—in our new car.

Jerry
(Hardly believing her ears)
A car!

Grant
Every successful playwright has a car.

Jerry
(Joyfully)
Then we’ll have to move from here to live up to the car?

Grant
 We’ve got to move. It’s more important to look like a success than
to be one. (Glancing about flat.) And the Lord knows this doesn’t look
like success.

Jerry
I’m so glad. I’ve grown to hate these five stuffy rooms without
sunlight.

Grant
Nothing to light them up these ten years but the glow of my
genius, eh? Now I’ll have a big house to shine in.

Jerry
I’ve always dreamed of you having a room off by yourself.

Grant
Where you could really dream without the sound of my typewriter
waking you and the baby?

Jerry
But it will be splendid for you, too. I don’t see how you ever wrote
here with me always fussing in and out.

Grant
Washing the eternal dish and cooking the eternal chop.

Jerry
I don’t ever want to look another gas stove in the face.

Grant
You’ve cooked your last chop.
 Jerry
Oh, Grant; my dreams have come true.

Grant
(Enigmatically again)
Yes. Success or failure: it’s all a matter of how you dream. (She
looks up puzzled: he is silent a moment and then goes to machine
again.) But I’ll never get this done.

Jerry
I’ll put on my old wrapper, for the last time, and wait up for you. I’m
going to get a real négligée to-morrow. Your favorite color.

Grant
I won’t be long. This is an awful bore and I’m tired.
(He begins to pound out something on his machine. Jerry
goes over to hang up his coat, and as she does so, a
newspaper clipping falls out of his pocket, on the floor.
She picks it up unnoticed by Grant. She glances at it;
starts angrily to speak to Grant about it; but seeing he is
absorbed, hesitates and then conceals it. She hangs up
the coat, comes around back of him as though to speak—
but changes her mind. She kisses him. As she passes the
table, she knocks off the manuscript of a play. She picks it
up.)

Grant
What’s that?

Jerry
The manuscript of The Lonely Way. (He looks over at it, with a
cynical smile.) You’ve learned a lot about playwrighting since you
wrote that, haven’t you, dear?

Grant
Yes—a lot.

Jerry
(Tentatively)
You used to say it was the best thing you ever did.

Grant
How did you happen to come across it?

Jerry
I found it behind the chest when I was cleaning.

Grant
Oh, yes; I remember. I threw it there the day of my great decision:
The day I made up my mind to rewrite it and call it The Sand Bar.

Jerry
(As she glances over the pages)
Grant. I’m not going to lose you now that you’re a success?

Grant
What ever put such a foolish idea in your head?

Jerry
You remember the Tom Robinson you drew in this play? All you
made him think of was his art; he even threw away his wife to make
a success of it.
 Grant
That was because his wife didn’t understand. Besides, dear, you
know how much I altered my original conception of their characters
and completely changed the plot. Look how different it all is in The
Sand Bar.

Jerry
And you think your changes made the play truer to life? In real life
a Tom Robinson wouldn’t have got rid of her?

Grant
I don’t think anything’s ever going to come between us, if that’s
what you mean.

Jerry
Of course not. (Putting the manuscript on table, relieved, as she
sees him resume his typing.) But I felt so sure of you when we were
poor. Perhaps it was because you couldn’t afford to be wild.
(She turns off the switch and goes out. The room is lighted
only by the desk lamp, casting its shadows into the
corners of the room. He takes a cigarette from the box on
the table, and as he smokes he reads half to himself what
he has written.)

Grant
“An author’s characters grow into life out of his observation and
experience. Once they are conceived by these two parents their first
heart beats are the taps of the author’s typewriter.” Good. “Gradually
they grow into living men and women. They live with him, yet with a
life of their own. In writing The Sand Bar I ... I....”
(This makes him hesitate to continue. He glances toward
the manuscript of The Lonely Way. He rises slowly and
picks it up cynically. Then, as though fascinated, he
 gradually settles in the cozy chair by his table. He begins
to become absorbed as he reads his earlier play. He puts
his hand over his eyes, he lowers the manuscript, gives a
sigh as though lost in the thoughts it calls up. The door,
which he has locked, opens noiselessly, and closes as
Grant looks up in surprise and sees a man enter.
Grant immediately discovers there is something
extraordinary about his unexpected visitor. As he directs
the light upon him, Grant perceives the man’s power
which lies both in his frame and impressive personality.
His eyes have a relentless coldness when they narrow.
His mouth is firm but cruel, with a sarcastic droop pulling
down the corners. In spite of an occasional uncouth
manner of spasmodically blurting out his words, Grant
soon realizes how keen is the intruder’s penetration when
it is sharpened to the one point which vitally concerns him
—his art. For this man of fifty-five winters, is a great artist.
Grant is too amazed and puzzled to recognize it is one of
his own creations: Tom Robinson.
The latter comes over to the dramatist and places a
hand on his shoulder.)

Tom
You and I have some scores to settle.

Grant
(Moving away)
Who are you?

Tom
So you don’t recognize me?

Grant
 Your manners are familiar.

Tom
So Whistler once said. Look at me closely.

Grant
Is this a dare?

Tom
(Shaking his head slowly)
An author’s brain is indeed a store-house of mixed impressions: a
strange asylum for me to have escaped from.

Grant
(Starting toward door)
Possibly the police may be able to lead you safely home.

Tom
I am at home with you.

Grant
Don’t get excited. Keep perfectly cool.

Tom
I am cool because my intention is. (Grant gives him a look as
Tom goes over to the machine and glances at the heading of the
article.) “How I Make My Characters Live!” You certainly do—some
of us.
(Grant suddenly crosses to the door, tries it and realizes
it is still locked. He turns, bewildered, to Tom.)
 Grant
How did you get in here?

Tom
Why shouldn’t I? As your fellow-craftsman once remarked: “I am a
trifle light as air.”

Grant
I can’t say you look it.

Tom
(Eyeing him as he lights one of Grant’s cigarettes)
Since you don’t recognize me perhaps you didn’t do what you did
to me—deliberately.

Grant
But I’ve never done a thing to you.

Tom
Are we so soon forgot? (Puffing) Yet how reminiscent the odor of
this cigarette. I notice you still smoke the same cheap brand.

Grant
I must say I admire your nerve.

Tom
You ought to admire it. You gave it to me.

Grant
I never gave you anything.
 Tom
(Bluntly)
Liar! You gave me life!

Grant
Gave you life?

Tom
Yes; I am your child.

Grant
My child? (He laughs.)

Tom
Many a man before you has tried to deny paternity with a laugh.

Grant
But you’re old enough to be my father. Are you accusing me of
improving on Nature?

Tom
All artists do. (Picking up manuscript of The Lonely Way.) Here’s
how you described me. (Reading) “... his eyes have a relentless
coldness when they narrow ... mouth firm but cruel.... Not attractive
but impressive.” There I am. Read it for yourself.

Grant
Then you are—?

Tom
 (Sarcastically)
Your child. Your once dearly beloved brain baby.

Grant
(Awed)
Tom Robinson!

Tom
As you originally conceived him here in The Lonely Way.

Grant
Well, I’m damned.

Tom
I suspect you are. That’s what I’m here to see. (Ominously) And
then if.... (Suddenly casual) But sit down and we’ll talk it over calmly
first. (Grant sits down astonished. Tom sits also.) Thanks.

Grant
Go on.

Tom
Look at me. Here I am, as you drew me. Tom Robinson. Your
greatest creation!

Grant
I recognize the egotism.

Tom
(Blurting)
 I am what my egotism made me. Your egotism also made you
dare to conceive me, here at this very desk, out of your brain, in the
puffs of your cheap cigarettes. The taps on your typewriter were my
first heart beats. Your birth pains were my own cries of life.

Grant
You certainly gave me a lot of trouble.

Tom
But you never suffered in having me as I did last night when I went
with you to The Sand Bar and saw what you’d done to Tom
Robinson!

Grant
(More and more amused at what seems to be the childish petulance
of an admittedly great man)
You must have had quite a shock.

Tom
Shock? I was disgusted! Why, the actor who’s interpreting me isn’t
even bad looking.

Grant
No. He couldn’t be. He’s a star.

Tom
But I was your original conception. Why did you alter me into a
good-looking fashion plate with charm? There never was anything
charming about me; never.

Grant
 (Glancing towards his wife’s door)
Please not so loud. I made you unpleasant, I know; but don’t pile it
on, Tom.

Tom
(With dignity)
Robinson to you.

Grant
(Smiling)
I beg your pardon.

Tom
Why you authors feel you can take liberties with your characters is
beyond me. I, for one, shall be treated with respect. (His eyes
narrow.) Unless you have lost your capacity to respect a work of art
like me.

Grant
Come, come. I’m afraid it’s you who have lost your sense of
humor.

Tom
(Sarcastically)
Perhaps you didn’t give me as much humor as you thought.

Grant
But can’t we talk over the object of your visit in a friendly spirit?
(With a smile.) Say, as father to son?

Tom
 You’ll take me seriously before I’m through. I’ll remind you that I
was a force in The Lonely Way though in The Sand Bar Tom
Robinson is merely a figure. One suit a year was good enough for
me. You make him change his every act.

Grant
(More at ease)
I’m afraid you don’t understand the demands of the modern
theater.

Tom
What have I—a great character—to do with the modern theater?

Grant
Nothing. That’s why I revised you.

Tom
(Bitterly)
Then why did you give me life at all?

Grant
Because then I was fool enough to think the modern theater was a
place for great creations. I recognize the conditions better now.

Tom
But in The Lonely Way you didn’t consider me a fool when I
continued to paint great pictures—in spite of conditions.

Grant
You were a great artist in that play.
 Tom
And when you drew me you were a great dramatist. (Sadly) Now I
see you are only a playwright.

Grant
And at the National Tom Robinson has become only a painter of
pot-boilers. (Mockingly) You’ve certainly come down in the world.

Tom
I don’t need your pity; but I want you to realize that what you did to
me you also did to yourself. When you made me fall, I brought you
down with me. (He shakes the manuscript before him.) Look! I had
life there in a powerful play.

Grant
I won’t dispute that. It was fine: beautifully articulated in its
subtlety.

Tom
That just describes it. It was nearly as fine as my Sumatra Sunlight
or even my Russian Nocturne.

Grant
Which you never sold.

Tom
But what is painted lives for the future.

Grant
Don’t be sensitive: my Lonely Way is still here. Nobody would
produce it.
 Tom
Yet you cared for nobody when you made me live in it—perfect as
the frame that held me. The strength you gave me in my own
relentlessness was also yours. You glowed when you wrote it; as you
made me glow when I painted. You felt the joy which only a creator
knows when beauty and perfection slowly struggle out of his inner
vision.

Grant
But, my dear fellow....

Tom
Wait. Contrast this play with The Sand Bar! With your skill as a
builder you turned what was a lonely palace on a peak—aflame with
my art—into a scrambly suburban residence where miserable
ordinary people function. You produced a miserable makeshift of a
play and made Tom Robinson a miserable makeshift of a man.
(Accusing him.) But when you played tricks on me you played tricks
on yourself. That’s what you did when you took from Tom Robinson
his genius and made him paint pot-boilers at the National. Pot-
boilers! Pot-boilers! Me!! Good God, man, did you know what you
were doing when you rewrote this play?

Grant
(Slowly)
I knew exactly what I was doing. I was turning it into a popular
success.

Tom
(Outraged)
You had not even the excuse of self-deception?
 Grant
No.

Tom
(Eyeing him strangely)
Then you are worse off than we thought!

Grant
We?

Tom
I wonder how far you have fallen! I shall be patient till we see the
depths of your artistic degradation.

Grant
You said “we”?

A Woman’s Voice
(Outside)
Yes. We.
(Grant gives a start towards the door, thinking the voice
has come from his wife’s room.)

Tom
Oh, that isn’t your wife.

Grant
Then if you’ve some friend concealed about your person, hadn’t
you better produce her?
 Tom
That isn’t my friend; that’s my wife.

Grant
Your humor isn’t inspiring. I’ve heard that brilliant retort before.

Tom
Certainly. You wrote it yourself; but you stole it from Molière. If I
had your memory I’d be witty, too.

Grant
(Looking about)
I don’t seem to see Mrs. Robinson very clearly.

Tom
She says you never did. Come to think of it, she’s no longer Mrs.
Robinson.

Grant
Oh, I forgot. In The Lonely Way you divorced her.

Tom
Marie and I haven’t been on speaking terms since; but after she
saw The Sand Bar she simply insisted on coming here.

Grant
Well, I’ll be happy to hear her grievance, too.

Tom
(Ominously)