Combat Aircraft - October 2019

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October 2019 • Vol 20 • No 10INSIDE IN THE NEWS FBSURUOSEPMSEPBTLREEARMTSEEGNITC 74 FINAL YEARS OF THE POLISH ‘FITTER’ 6 HEADLINE NEWS Featuring: Poland’s Su-22 ‘Fitters’ are a rare breed these days and now look set to be replaced by new F-35s. USAF grounds C-130s, A-10 re-winging SPIRIT WORLD These charismatic heavyweights will continue in is complete plus new base in Niger service for a few more years, yet they are looking Long-range, silent, and deadly accurate — the decidedly obsolete in the modern battlespace as 8 US NEWS B-2 Spirit is unique, yet Chinese competition is Niels Roman details, with additional reporting by waiting in the wings. As Combat Aircraft marks Rich Cooper and exclusive photos by Katsuhiko Tyndall to become F-35 base, rst the 30th anniversary of the rst ight of the B-2, Tokunaga KC-46 for the Air National Guard, plus we look back at the past and also at what the latest deployment news future may hold for this incredible aircraft 80 FANGS OUT FRONT 20 WORLD NEWS LANCER AT A LOW EBB The AH-1F Cobra played an important role in the ground war against Iraq in Operation ‘Desert News from Europe and around the The US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer eet has seen Storm’. Joe Copalman provides a fascinating globe including Taiwan’s F-16 deal many changes, notably its adaptation to the insight into the aircrews who were plunged into plus all the latest Military Losses conventional role and its transfer to Air Force a whole new operating environment and had to Global Strike Command. However, readiness is a adapt to the challenges of the desert 12 THE OPS DESK constant concern in the current climate as Jamie Hunter and Ted Carlson reveal 88 BLACK SEA ‘WARHAWKS’ Scott Wol ’s monthly column looks at the state of the USAF B-1B force ‘BUFF’ LOW-DOWN OVER AFGHANISTAN Since joining NATO in 2004, the Romanian military has faced signi cant modernization 16 READY ROOM Designed for the nuclear role, Warren E. challenges. However, the service entry of Thompson describes how the B-52H turned secondhand F-16 Fighting Falcons has enabled its Combat Aircraft’s new regular column, looking its hand to a new mission in the skies above air force to become far more capable and ready at the stories behind the US Navy and Marine Afghanistan in 2001 — assisting troops on the to meet regional commitments as Daniele Faccioli Corps headlines, by Rick Burgess ground through close air support and Giovanni Colla discover 24 USAF SHIFTS EMPHASIS ON SPEED DEMON 98 SPANISH PREDATORS LIGHT ATTACK Surely one of the most impressive aircraft ever The Spanish Army airmobile force known as Speaking to Combat Aircraft editor Jamie designed and built, Lindsay Peacock explains FAMET (Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Hunter in July, US Air Force chief of sta how the Convair B-58 Hustler broke new ground Tierra) is completing a major upgrade that is Gen Dave Goldfein gave more details of the when it came to performance, but it failed to live introducing the latest European rotary platforms current status of the Light Attack Experiment up to expectation with a short service career to provide an enviable capability for this impressive ghting force. Fréderic Lért reports 26 NEW EAGLES WILL NOT IMPACT F-35 ON THE COVER | PAGE 48 with photos by Anthony Pecchi Discussing the plan to buy new F-15EX Eagles The menacing Northrop 106 GOING HIGH-END DOWN UNDER from Boeing, US Air Force chief of sta Gen Grumman B-2A Spirit is Dave Goldfein made it clear when speaking marking 30 years since The Australian Defence Force is aiming for high- to Combat Aircraft editor Jamie Hunter this its first flight. In this issue end capabilities by engaging in an increasing summer that the F-35 remains untouchable we evaluate its operations range of demanding exercises, with the latest and what lies ahead for the ‘Talisman Sabre’ underscoring this progress as 32 DYNAMIC BASING stealth bomber. Jaryd Stock details USAF/SrA Keith James The US Air Force has been testing a new 110 CUTTING EDGE approach to rapid basing and deployability under the Combat Support Wing concept. David Axe’s column looking at the latest ‘Rapid Forge’ was a real-world test that drew technological developments in military aerospace various assets to Spangdahlem in Germany in July as Marco de Groot and Jamie Hunter 112 FLASHBACK report Combat Aircraft’s trip down memory lane, this 34 ‘BLACK SHIELD’ month it’s the CH-54 Tarhe Giovanni Colla and Daniele Faccioli report SAVESUBSCRIBE AND from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base as Italian Euro ghters y alongside Romanian Air Force Subscribe to Combat MiG-21 LanceRs policing the skies adjacent to Aircraft Monthly and the Black Sea make great savings on cover price. 40 RUSSIAN NAVAL PARADE See pages The culmination of Russia’s Day of the Navy 96 and 97 for details. this summer was a large-scale parade in St Petersburg. Dmitriy Pichugin was airborne in the ypast and sent this exclusive report

COMBAT EDGE // FIND US ON CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH JOE COPALMAN Joe Copalman lives in photography club, and recently Arizona with his wife joined the 3G Photography and their two children. Workshops team as an He has written historical instructor. Joe is an expert in and contemporary articles on US Marine Corps aviation and military aviation for numerous is currently working on his rst print publications since 2013, book, an overview of Marine is a co-founder of the Arizona Corps Aviation in the 21st Aviation Photographers century. 04 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

UP-ARMING THE CEASTERN FRONTASH STRAPPEDAIRARMS in Eastern Europe are nally replacing their Soviet-era ghters with newer Western equipment. Romania joined respective NATO commitments, and neighboring countries are also now modernizing to enable them to shoulder the weight of air policing missions in a region that sees tensions with Russia NATO in 2004 and has relied running high. on its aging (albeit upgraded) MiG-21 Poland is taking modernization one LanceRs ever since, only now receiving a step further by choosing the F-35 as its handful of second-hand F-16s, details of preferred replacement for its last Su-22 which appear in this issue. ‘Fitters’. This marks the latest in a series The F-16 appears to be in favor in the of recapitalization programs that sees region right now despite a strong o ering Western combat aircraft ousting the nal from Sweden in the shape of the Saab remnants of Cold War-era air power in this Gripen. Both Slovakia and Bulgaria are strategically important region. now set to receive brand-new Block 70 To keep track of the latest breaking news F-16s from the new Lockheed Martin and analysis in the world of military air production line in Greenville, South power you can visit our social media sites Carolina. Croatia too has long held plans to and our website: www.combataircraft.net replace its remaining MiG-21s, with both You can also sign up for our free e-mail the F-16 and Gripen in contention here. newsletter by going to Repeated deployments to Eastern www.combataircraft.net to register. Europe over recent years by USAF Air National Guard and Reserve Command F-16 units — as part of so-called Theater Support Packages — have served to enhance the reputation of this ghter in the region and prove interoperability with existing assets. The Czech Republic and Jamie Hunter, Hungary have both enjoyed considerable Editor success elding Gripens to cover their E-mail: [email protected] Romania’s MiG-21 LanceRs are long in the tooth and desperately outdated. The solution is second-hand F-16s, with a ‘new’ fleet now being assembled and readied to finally replace the aging Soviet-era MiGs. Giovanni Colla/Daniele Faccioli www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 05

[NEWS] HEADLINES FATIGUE ISSUES GROUND USAF HERCULES CRACKING NOT AS BAD AS INITIALLY FEARED AS AIRFRAMES ARE CHECKED A IR MOBILITY COMMAND service life center wing box and USAF’s 450-aircraft eet. Eight of defects were discovered. By temporarily have accumulated more than the a ected aircraft were already August 21, inspections had been grounded 123 15,000 equivalent ight hours. undergoing maintenance and one completed on 108 of the 123 Lockheed Martin In-depth visual and modi ed was in storage at Davis-Monthan airlifters and only one Air National non-destructive inspections of the AFB, Arizona. Air Force Materiel Guard aircraft was found to have C-130s on August 7 wing box were being conducted Command, which manages the similar cracks. Col Jed McCray of after discovering ‘atypical cracks’ on the a ected aircraft. The ttings PDM program, noti ed other US Air Mobility Command said: ‘This on some lower center wing joints, were to be replaced on C-130s that services and international Hercules process has been swift, deliberate, known as ‘rainbow ttings’. The are found to have cracks, a process operators of the issue. and e ective. Of the 108 C-130s issue was discovered during that can take up to two months per The Air Force Special Operations inspected, only one has been programmed depot maintenance aircraft. Those not fatigued were Command conducted inspections found to have a ‘rainbow tting’ (PDM). The grounding a ected 123 immediately returned to service. on its 23 AC-130W and EC-130J crack and that aircraft will require C-130H and C-130J aircraft that The grounding accounted for aircraft and all were returned depot-level maintenance to had not received the extended more than 25 per cent of the to service by August 9 after no repair it.’ Newly upgraded C-130H2 Hercules arrived at the 179th Airlift Wing, THE USAF BEGAN operations from a Mansfield, Ohio, on July 19. These aircraft were recently upgraded at new base in central Niger on August Dyess AFB, Texas, and arrived with Electronic Propeller Control Systems 3 when C-130s from the 409th Air (EPCS), ensuring they meet requirements for incorporating modular Expeditionary Group ew into Air blade technology (NP2000), an upgrade that will give them eight-bladed Base 201. The service is initially propellers. USAF/TSgt Joe Harwood conducting limited visual ight rules (VFR) operations that are part of the USAF BEGINS OPERATIONS required air eld assessments and FROM SECOND NIGER BASE procedure development that must take place before an installation A USAF C-130J Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, begins full operations. The 323rd takes off from the new runway at Nigerien Air Base 201 on August 3. The new 6,200ft runway is Expeditionary Reconnaissance capable of supporting aircraft up to the size of a C-17 Globemaster III. USAF/SSgt Devin Boyer Squadron is slated to start ying MQ- 9Bs from the base, near the village 06 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net of Agadez, by the end of the year. The USAF already operated from the Nigerien Air Base 101, near the capital city of Niamey.

HEADLINES [NEWS] ICELANDIC EXPANSION PLANNED TURKISH THE US IS making plans to expand project will allow the facility to committed around $36 million to F-35 and upgrade facilities in Iceland as support‘operations for a squadron of renovate hangars to support the REMOVAL part of a project to boost its presence USAF or NATO aerial refueler deployment of P-8A multi-mission MADE in the region, which is dubbed the equivalent aircraft’. maritime aircraft that have made FORMAL GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, UK) gap. more frequent rotational The projects will expand the parking The base provides a facility to deployments to Iceland. The facility THE TERMINATION OF apron at Ke avik International monitor the passage of ships from also supports the deployment of Turkey’s involvement in Airport, construct a Dangerous Cargo Russia’s Northern Fleet through the NATO ghters and surveillance the Lockheed Martin F-35 Pad and temporary housing. The GIUK as they enter the Atlantic aircraft. Lightning II program was Ocean. The US Navy had already announced by the White House press secretary on July A USAF F-15C Eagle engaged in Icelandic Air Policing from 17. The move followed the Keflavik Airport. The USAF began providing protection of Turkish government’s refusal Iceland’s airspace in 1951. USAF/TSgt Benjamin Wilson to abandon its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense A-10 RE-WING PROJECT IS COMPLETED systems. Although the Turkish THE USAF COMPLETED a project Maintenance Squadron carried out service’s remaining A-10Cs was government has insisted to re-wing a portion of its A-10C the work on 162 aircraft beginning funded in Fiscal Year 2018. The that its expulsion from the with serial 80-0173. Work on 11 service plans to acquire the wing program will irreparably eet when the Ogden Air Logistics additional aircraft was carried out sets under the A-10 Thunderbolt damage relations between Complex (OO-ALC) at Hill AFB, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. Advanced-Wing Continuation Kit the two countries, President Utah, returned aircraft serial The new wings are expected to (ATTACK) program following a Trump remained steadfast 80-0252 to service following a last for up to 10,000 equivalent contract award later this year. with the decision. Russian functional check ight on July 25. An-124 transport aircraft The project began in 2007 when ight hours without requiring a Lt Col Ryan Richardson, 514th Flight delivered initial components Boeing received a $1.1-billion depot inspection and will permit Test Squadron commander in A-10C related to the rst S-400 contract to provide 173 sets the modi ed aircraft to remain in serial 80-0252. The aircraft was the battery to Mürted air base of A-10C wings. Installation service through 2030 or beyond. last of 173 A-10s to receive new wings near Ankara on July 12. of the wings began in 2011 under the Enhanced Wing Assembly and the 00-ALC’s 571st Aircraft A new project to provide 112 program. USAF/Alex R. Lloyd Turkey had planned to additional wing sets for the purchase 100 F-35As and several of the jets had already been delivered and were supporting pilot training at Luke AFB, Arizona, which has since been halted. ALSO THIS MONTH... First Air National Guard F-35 Vermont ANG prepares for new aircraft. See US News Taiwan F-16 deal Approval granted for 66 new ghters. See World News www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 07

[NEWS] UNITED STATES F-35 FOR TYNDALL The first F-35A for the Vermont Air National Guard (serial 17-5265/ BASE REBUILD PAVES THE WAY FOR LIGHTNING II INFLUX AF-207) gets airborne from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth factory in Texas on July 31. Carl Richards KING STALLION NEARS SEA TRIALS USAF PILOTS THE US NAVY has received approval 2020 acquisition plans to include problem, Sikorsky has said that the RECEIVE from defense committees to just six King Stallions instead of CH-53K remains on track to meet AW139 reprogram $79 million that will fund nine. This will reduce concurrency its rst deployment date. The King RATING ongoing testing and engineering between testing and production and Stallion is scheduled to undergo sea e orts for the Sikorsky CH-53K compensate for the increased cost trials aboard an amphibious ship TEST PILOTS FROM the 413th King Stallion. It follows on from of test work. The service had earlier in the spring of 2020, with initial Flight Test Squadron at Eglin $79 million that was granted in issued contracts for 12 CH-53Ks in operational test and evaluation AFB, Florida, became the rst April. The additional funds enable LRIP lots 2 and 3. (IOT&E) following in early 2021. USAF pilots to complete type ongoing testing and engineering The program should achieve initial rating training on the AW139 e orts that had fallen behind last Despite the delays with testing operational capability in time for helicopter in Whippany, New year. Due to the associated delays, and continuing engineering e orts an operational deployment in Jersey, on July 29. A modi ed the navy scaled back its Fiscal Year to rectify technical challenges, 2023 or 2024. version of the AW139 will enter such as an exhaust gas re-ingestion service with the USAF under the designation MH-139A. BOMBERS VISIT EGLIN FOR TESTING In addition to the pilots, A B 1B FROM the 337th Test July 30. The two bombers are squadrons are assigned to Air maintenance personnel from Air and Evaluation Squadron and normally stationed at Dyess Combat Command’s 53rd Wing Force Global Strike Command a B-52H from the 49th Test and AFB, Texas, and Barksdale AFB. at Eglin, which is responsible (AFGSC) completed the Evaluation Squadron visited Eglin Louisiana, respectively. Although for the operational testing and maintenance technician course AFB, Florida, while conducting the bombers belong to Air Force evaluation of all US Air Force for the AW139. operational test sorties on Global Strike Command, the two aircraft. Although the US Customs and USAF/Sgt Michael Parnell Border Protection previously operated two AW139s, the USAF will become the rst US military service to y the type. Flight- testing of the MH-139A will be carried out at Eglin AFB after the rst aircraft is delivered to the 96th Test Wing’s 413th FLTS in late November. The USAF plans to acquire 84 MH-139As for Air Education and Training Command’s 58th Special Operations Wing, AFGSC’s 582nd Helicopter Group, the Air Force District of Washington’s 11th Wing and the Paci c Air Forces’ 374th Airlift Wing. 08 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

UNITED STATES [NEWS] HE ACTING SECRETARY the base and damaged nearly all of The wing will receive 17 primary infrastructure at RAF Lakenheath, of the US Air Force its buildings. Tyndall’s operational aircraft and two spares in 2020. The Su olk, which will support the future Matthew Donovan F-22As have since been transferred to 158th had own several variants basing of two F-35A squadrons. The con rmed on August other bases, while those tasked with of F-16 for 33 years and the last of 48th Fighter Wing will receive the training are operating from nearby those aircraft departed the base on T 5 that plans to base Eglin AFB. The cost to rebuild Tyndall April 6. In preparation for the arrival rst of 54 Lightning IIs in early 2021. F-35As at Tyndall AFB, has been estimated at $4.7 billion. of the F-35s, the USAF is spending The construction e orts include new Florida, have been approved. $100 million on improvements to hangars, maintenance and logistic The announcement followed Meanwhile, the rst F-35A for the facility. Vermont’s 134th Fighter support facilities and operations the successful completion of the Vermont Air National Guard’s Squadron will be the rst Air National buildings. The renovations are environmental studies that certi ed 158th Fighter Wing carried out its Guard (ANG) unit to be equipped expected to cost around $200 the base will be able to support up initial ight at NAS JRB Forth Worth, with F-35As. The ghter will also million. Lakenheath is currently to three squadrons of F-35As. First Texas, on July 31. Serial 17-5265 be own by the active-duty 315th home to F-15E squadrons and a arrivals are due in 2023. is the rst of 20 Lightning IIs that Fighter Squadron, which is co-located single F-15C unit. The latter will leave will eventually based at Burlington at Burlington. the base by the end of 2022 as the The plan to station F-35As at International Airport. The ghter will second of two F-35A squadrons is Tyndall came in the aftermath of an be delivered to the ‘Green Mountain Contractors have also begun established. It is likely to assume the October 2018 category 5 hurricane Boys’ in September. making renovations to the 493rd FS ‘Grim Reapers’ identity. that destroyed large portions of WONDERFUL ‘WILDCAT’ ‘NEW’ PAVE HAWKS ROLLED OUT AND DELIVERED THE USAF HAS begun accepting Although the USAF will begin The first Super Hornet ‘CAG-bird’ for VFA-131 ‘Wildcats’ is F/A-18E BuNo ve‘new’operational loss receiving new HH-60Ws later this 168909/AC-300, pictured at NAS Fallon on July 29 during a three-week Strike replacement (OLR) HH-60G combat year, the Air National Guard’s three Fighter Advanced Readiness Program deployment for CVW-3. Jim Dunn rescue helicopters. The New York Air rescue wings are not scheduled National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing to receive the model until 2027. ‘AGILE LIGHTNING’ received the rst of its planned The recapitalized OLR helicopters F 35AS FROM THE 4th Expeditionary Squadron ew from Mountain Home complement of ve on August 1 are several years newer than the Fighter Squadron that are deployed AFB, Idaho, for two months while and a second arrived the following air guard’s current HH-60Gs and to Air Forces Central Command the main runway at Hill underwent day. The Alaska Air National Guard’s will serve as a stopgap until the (AFCENT) and assigned to the major repairs. Both squadrons 176th Wing took on the rst of its units receive the newer models. 380th Air Expeditionary Wing resumed daily ight operations at Hill ve‘new’HH-60Gs on August 5. As part of the conversion from demonstrated the capability to on August 3. A dozen jets from the The initial Alaskan Pave Hawk is the UH-60L to HH-60G con guration, conduct combat operations from 34th remained at Mountain Home second of 19‘low-time’UH-60Ls SES incorporated numerous a temporary base by deploying until late August for participation in previously operated by the US upgrades that have been made to from Al Dhafra, United Arab the ‘Combat Hammer’ and ‘Combat Army that are being converted to the Pave Hawk eet in recent years. Emirates, to an undisclosed location Archer’ weapons evaluations. the USAF con guration by Science Examples include newer wireless between August 4-7. A number of and Engineering Services (SES) in digital intercommunications and a aircraft deployed to the 332nd Air Lockheed Martin has now received Huntsville, Alabama, under the OLR higher-resolution cockpit display Expeditionary Wing and operated a $34.7-million contract from the US program. It served as the second for the new weather radar. out of an austere area with a Navy that authorized the contractor OLR prototype and had supported skeleton crew of support airmen as to begin work on fuselage station 425 testing at Nellis AFB, Nevada, The USAF introduced the part of an adaptive basing exercise bulkhead structural modi cations before being transferred to Alaska. rst production HH-60G OLR called ‘Agile Lightning’. Once for production F-35A and F-35C The OLR program is intended to helicopter during a ceremony at established at the forward base, the models. The modi cations will enable return the USAF’s HH-60G eet to the SES West Aviation Integration aircraft ew ‘essential missions’ to full-envelope internal carriage of the authorized level of 112 aircraft. Facility in Huntsville, Alabama, on protect US assets in the region. ‘aft heavy weaponry’ and permit the June 28, 2019. F-35A and F-35C weapons bay to F-35As assigned to the 388th accommodate the Advanced Anti- ‘STRIKE’ HORNET Fighter Wing’s 34th and 421st Fighter Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Squadrons completed deployments Range (AARGM-ER). Additionally, F/A-18C Hornets of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center and returned to Hill AFB, Utah, in it will make the ghters capable of (NAWDC) at NAS Fallon, Nevada, are steadily receiving new adversary August. The 421st spent two months carrying up to six AIM-120 air-to-air schemes. BuNo 164021 is the latest example and is assigned to ‘Strike’ supporting a European Theater missiles internally. That capability within the NAWDC, which supports deploying carrier air wings. Jim Dunn Security Package at Spangdahlem is included in Lockheed Martin’s Air Base, Germany. The 34th Fighter proposed ‘Sidekick’ modi cation. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 09

[NEWS] UNITED STATES FIRST PEGASUS FOR ANG PEASE WING RECEIVES FIRST KC-46 FROM BOEING The first KC-46A for the New Hampshire ANG arrives at Pease Air National Guard Base on August 8. Dave O’Brien ADVANCED ARRESTING GEAR IS CERTIFIED USAF PLANS THE ADVANCED ARRESTING Gear operations aboard CVN 78. Released Prior to releasing the ARB, Naval AWACS (AAG) system that equips the on August 2, the aircraft recovery Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) PRODUCTION aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford bulletin (ARB) identi es the weights and General Atomics conducted UPGRADES (CVN 78) has received approval and engaging speeds authorized for more than 2,500 dead-load to recover all propeller and jet- shipboard arrestments of speci c arrestments at the Jet Car Track THE USAF IS moving forward with powered US Navy carrier aircraft. aircraft, along with other pertinent Site and 1,420 manned aircraft plans to enter full-rate production The authorization permits the gear information. Its release serves as arrestments at the Runway for the E-3 airborne warning to be used to recover the turboprop the approval for the AAG system to Arrested Landing Site located at and control system diminishing C-2A, E-2C and E-2D and the F/A- safely recover these type/model/ Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, manufacturing sources replacement 18C/D/E/F and E/A-18G during ight series aircraft. New Jersey. of avionics for global operations and navigation (AWACS Dragon) e ort. TEXTRON AIRBORNE SOLUTIONS’ (ex-French serial 502 illustrated in February. Located at Alliance The project will replace much of Airborne Tactical Advantage here) joined the testing. Airport, the ACE will perform the aircraft’s predominantly analog Company (ATAC) started high- maintenance, repair and overhaul avionics with digital systems that speed taxi tests of its ‘new’ Dassault The former French Mirages (MRO) work on around 80 jets will increase safety and reliability Mirage F1s at its base at Fort arrived at ATAC’s Adversary Center operated by the company. Its while reducing lifecycle costs. The Worth’s Alliance Airport, Texas, in of Excellence (ATAC-ACE) on June production plans include 25 kits July ahead of planned rst test 27, 2017. The company acquired eet currently includes subsonic using the proprietary Dragon ight 63 F1s from France, along with L-39ZA and Hunter F58 jets as well management system suite, which ights. It initially tested Mirage support equipment and 150 as supersonic K r-C2 ghters that was developed by Collins Aerospace. F1CR registration N618AX (ex- engines, in September 2017. support a variety of US and foreign The service expects to award a French Air Force serial 229). On July military training requirements, plus contract in late Fiscal Year 2020. 22, two-seat Mirage F1B N601AX The contractor announced the Mirages. plans for the new ACE facility Boeing completed modi cations on the prototype Dragon aircraft in ATAC READIES MIRAGES January 2017 and anticipates the delivery of the rst of ve low-rate Michael Keaveney initial production examples of the updated E-3 between October and December 2019. The nal LRIP aircraft will be delivered in 2022 and the last production upgrades will follow in 2027. 10 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

HE NEW HAMPSHIRE UNITED STATES [NEWS] Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing The USS Tripoli (LHA 7) will be the US Navy’s received its rst KC-46A newest amphibious assault ship when it enters service in late 2019 or early 2020. T when serial 17-46029 arrived at Pease Air USS TRIPOLI COMPLETES INITIAL TRIALS National Guard Base in Portsmouth THE NEW AMPHIBIOUS assault equipment storage and aviation fuel trials by the end of 2019, with on August 8. A second aircraft, ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) completed storage. Unlike the earlier Wasp- delivery following in early 2020. 17-46034, arrived the following day. builder’s trials on July 19 after class amphibious assault ships, it is Tripoli will be the third ship to carry Pease was selected as the rst ANG spending four days under way in the not equipped with a well deck for the name, which commemorates the base to host the Pegasus and the Gulf of Mexico. Tripoli is the second assault/landing craft. capture of Derna in 1805 by a small last KC-135Rs, own by the 133rd ship in the America class, and like force of US Marines and soldiers from Air Refueling Squadron, departed its predecessor it features larger The Tripoli will be capable of 11 other nations. The battle brought in March 2019. The wing will have aviation spaces that include hangars, supporting a Marine Aviation about a successful conclusion to the a complement of 12 KC-46As when expanded aviation maintenance Combat Element equipped with combined operations of the First deliveries are completed. facilities, increased spare parts and F-35Bs. Huntington Ingalls Industries Barbary War. expects to complete acceptance The USAF has ordered 52 of its planned eet of 179 KC-46As. Deliveries have included nine jets to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell AFB, Kansas, ve to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, and two to the 157th. ARMY SPECIFIES XT901 ENGINE DEPLOYMENT NEWS FOR HELICOPTER PROTOTYPE • The 52nd Fighter Wing’s 480th • B-52H Stratofortresses Fighter Squadron deployed four from the 5th Bomb Wing’s THE US ARMY has mandated hopes to receive government F-16Cs to Ke avík International 69th Expeditionary Bomb that the ve bidders for its Future funding to further development Airport, Iceland, on July 25. Squadron at Minot AFB, North Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft of the XT900 beyond the The aircraft were deployed in Dakota, recently replaced competitive prototype (FARA CP) preliminary design review stage. support of NATO’s Icelandic Air Stratofortresses operated by must use the GE Aviation XT901 The army plans to select two Surveillance 2019 mission. the wing’s 23rd Expeditionary turboshaft engine in their designs. of the ve FARA CP bidders to • The Wisconsin Air National Bomb Squadron at Andersen The move eliminated alternative proceed beyond the design stage Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing AFB, Guam. The 69th arrived at options, such as the GE T700- and build competitive FARA deployed from Truax Field in the base on July 12 to replace GE-701D engine that already prototypes that will integrate the Madison to Afghanistan on the wing’s 23rd Expeditionary powers the service’s Apache XT901 engine, which will also July 21. This was supported by Bomb Squadron, which had and Black Hawk helicopters and replace the T700s in the AH-64 the active-duty 378th Fighter been supporting US Paci c the Advanced Turbine Engine and UH-60 eets. In addition to Squadron. The active associate Command’s Continuous Bomber Company’s (ATEC) XT900 engine. Bell, Boeing and Sikorsky, the ve squadron is stationed alongside Presence mission from the The latter design lost out to the bidders for the FARA CP program the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Guam base since January. GE engine in the army’s Improved include an AVX Aircraft/L3 Field. While deployed, the units • A detachment of RQ-4B Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) Technologies team and one from will support Operation‘Freedom’s Global Hawks from the 69th contract in February, 2019. ATEC Karem/Northrop Grumman. Sentinel’and NATO’s‘Resolute Reconnaissance Group will Support’ missions. support US Indo-Paci c ‘RETRO’ TALON • A dozen A-10Cs operated by Command theater-wide The 87th Flying Training Squadron based at Laughlin AFB, Texas, has the 355th Wing’s 354th Fighter intelligence, surveillance, and painted T-38C serial 68-8121 in a new heritage scheme that represents Squadron departed Davis- reconnaissance requirements the F-106s of the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The T-38 was Monthan AFB, Arizona, at the start from Yokota Air Base, Japan, photographed at Fort Worth-Alliance, Texas, in late July. Caulun Belcher of a seven-month deployment in through the fall. Normally based support of Operation‘Freedom’s at Andersen AFB, Guam, the Sentinel’on July 2. rotational deployment provides • F-15Cs from the 493rd Fighter the Global Hawks with a better Squadron returned to RAF operational location during Lakenheath, England, at the the annual typhoon and rainy conclusion of a deployment to summer season that often the Middle East in early July. The hinders operations from Guam. squadron deployed in February RQ-4s were previously deployed 2019 on short notice to assume to Yokota in 2017 and to Misawa the air superiority mission in the Air Base, Japan, in 2014, 2015 region. and 2018. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 11

BY SCOTT WOLFF The B-1 is a HE ROCKWELL B 1B Lancer harsh reality — the ‘Bones’ are broken. complex aircraft has always tugged at my So broken in fact, that according to a and has been heartstrings. The ‘Bone’ is just US senator from South Dakota, only six worked hard a very cool airplane. She’s of the aircraft in the entire eet of more over recent than 60 aircraft are combat mission years, which Thuge, sleek, curvy, and has ready. Six! That’s fewer than 10 per cent has triggered a four powerful afterburning of the total. severe depletion engines. Not only that, but the Lancer in readiness. can carry the largest payload of either B-1: the facts Scott Wolff guided or unguided munitions in the entire US inventory, which it combines According to a House Armed Services BRINGING YOU THE LATEST TALK with ghter-like performance. In its Committee (HASC) report, more than FROM AROUND THE SQUADRONS class, the B-1 holds more than 50 world a dozen B-1s are currently undergoing depot-level maintenance at Tinker AFB records for speed, range, time to in Oklahoma. Nearly 40 of them are not climb, and payload. Before we continue ying at all, for one reason or another. celebrating the It speaks to an ongoing problem overwhelming in combat air power circles: money savagery of the and resources aplenty to allocate for B-1, we need development and procurement, but not to face a enough for sustainment. BROKEN ‘BONES’ B-1 FLEET IN DIRE STRAITS 12 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

‘It’s so frustrating,’ said one lieutenant Above: A Part of the problem is the status of the the total ordnance delivered by coalition colonel familiar with the acquisitions maintainer from supply chain required for the intensive air forces. This included nearly 3,900 Joint process. ‘We spend all this money to ll Ellsworth AFB, maintenance work the Lancer requires. Direct Attack Munitions — 67 per cent of the sky with these airplanes and this South Dakota, There aren’t enough parts to go around the total. awesome capability, but totally dropped works on a for day-to-day maintenance issues, and the ball when it comes to keeping them B-1B during a the number of vendors providing those Gen Timothy Ray, commander of Air healthy — and we owe the war ghters deployment to components has dwindled from when Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) better than that.’ the Middle East. the aircraft was rst elded. The other alluded to the aircraft being over- USAF/TSgt Arthur part of the problem, and certainly the extended with repeated deployments Mondale Wright most signi cant, is the fact the eet has to the US Central Command area of been in incredibly high demand over the responsibility, which encompasses the past two decades of sustained combat Middle East and South-west Asia. operations in di erent theaters. Typically, the Combat Air Force (CAF) For example, in 1999, six B-1Bs were used commits roughly 40 per cent of a in Operation‘Allied Force’, delivering more particular aircraft force to deployments in than 20 per cent of the total ordnance support of contingency operations and while ying less than two per cent of achieving US national security objectives. the combat sorties. During the rst six In the case of the B-1, that number has months of Operation‘Enduring Freedom’, been between 60 and 70 per cent for a the‘Bone’dropped nearly 40 per cent of period longer than a decade. While the capability has saved countless lives and www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 13

accounted for signi cant losses on the Below: The B-1 sharing between the front and rear crew and graduate of the USAF Weapons enemy’s side, it has come at a huge cost. offers fighter-like stations. As one B-1B O ensive Systems School.‘Eliminating the aircraft [from the performance Operator put it:‘It’s a game changer.’ inventory] would be incredibly short- USAF Gen John Hyten recently coupled with a sighted and not in our best interests addressed B-1 readiness with the huge payload The upgrade process translates into a as a force.’ HASC, stating: ‘We were just beating and range, tremendous amount of down time for the heck out of them, deploying them, which makes each airframe to go to the depot to have While the points made by current deploying them.’ it extremely the work done. To be clear, that upgrade aircrew are valid, the fact still remains their effective on mechanism involves all the hardware, aircraft’s supply chain and sustainment Sustained combat operations produce operations. mechanisms have not been a priority for a signi cant amount of wear and tear on Scott Wolff rmware, and software enhancements funding, given the single-digit mission any airframe, as well as the ight crews for the avionics and sensors, but also capability rate, and even aircrew being and maintainers, and Gen Ray used a signi cant amount of structural re-routed to y other platforms due to a that very same justi cation to withdraw modi cation. lack of available B-1s for training at the the B-1s from US Central Command schoolhouse. (CENTCOM) inde nitely. SB 17 has been touted to make the B-1 cheaper to sustain, but the initial outlay of The HASC warned the long-range strike Long live the ‘Bone’? money for the upgrades is signi cant — capability of the US has been placed in more than a billion dollars for installation, signi cant jeopardy by the structural The Lancer is a tremendous asset, testing, and integration eet-wide. issues in the aging eet. especially with the new capabilities added with Sustainment Block 16 (SB The amount of money injected The B-1B is currently planned to be in 16), which is detailed in our supplement into the B-1B eet, plus two separate service until the 2040 timeframe, and in this issue. These upgrades gave the periods of time where the aircraft has provides tremendous value added to B-1B a new lease on its service life, been grounded for problems with the the conventional ght. It’s an incredibly bringing new sensory ability as well as emergency egress systems, have raised versatile airplane that’s not just limited to all-new ‘glass’ cockpit functionality to the alarm in the Pentagon. The mission dropping bombs or launching the new all four crew stations in the jet, creating capability rate for the B-1 was somewhere Joint Air-to-Surface Stando Missile — what is called the Integrated Battle just over 50 per cent during Fiscal Year Extended Range against maritime targets Station, or IBS. 2018, but given the current state of the from ridiculous distances. B-1s have been deployed in the past couple of years The SB 16 modernization was the most eet, that rate has plummeted into the to utilize the type’s upgraded sensors signi cant upgrade to the Lancer eet realm of abysmal. There has even been a and tremendous loiter time in counter- since the aircraft’s initial production run rumor circulating that the current state of narcotics operations. in the mid-1980s. SB 16 took a standard readiness has some o cials calling for the B-1B and turned it into a brand new jet. retiring of the entire B-1B eet sooner, as The men and women now ying the With the follow-on block of upgrades, opposed to later, because it’s‘turned into aircraft don’t necessarily agree with the IBS became faster at processing sensory a money pit’. o cial assessment of the current state inputs and disseminating critical data of a airs with their aircraft, but they all across the datalink to other aircraft, as The way ahead agree the‘Bone’needs help getting back well as facilitating faster information in step. ‘We bring an absolutely critical capability to the ght,’says a current B-1B pilot 14 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

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READY ROOM RICK personnel as radar operators in F7F- THE STORY BEHIND THE US NAVY HEADLINES BURGESS 3N Tigercat and F3D-2 Skynight night ACNWOFORAPRYSOINLAEVUIFSAATMDIOIANNRGINE ghters, AD-4N/NL Skyraider night attack THE RETIREMENT OF the last aircraft and AD-3W/4W Skyraider airborne US Marine Corps EA-6B (VMAQs) having bowed out. The EA-6Bs early warning aircraft; and as electronic Prowler electronic attack were crewed by a pilot and three NFOs countermeasures operators in AD- aircraft in May marked a — known as electronic countermeasures 2Q/3Q/4Q Skyraiders, which saw action milestone in the history of o cers (ECMOs). The USMC’s NFO during the Korean War. community is relatively small compared During the 1950s and early 1960s, Marine Corps aviation, but with that of the US Navy and now the Right page top warrant o cers gradually complemented it also had signi cant impact of a less Marine Corps is planning to operate its to bottom: This the enlisted operators as naval aviation obvious nature — the fading duty of F/A-18Ds essentially as single-seaters F/A-18D WSO is a observers (NAOs), especially as the F3D- the naval ight o cer (NFO). The USMC or with two pilots, a nod to the future graduate of the 2Q (EF-10B) Skyknight electronic jamming is now planning to remove this role — of marine tactical aviation, which is TOPGUN school, aircraft and two-seat F-4B Phantom II essentially now only present in Weapon completely F-35-oriented. It is now mixing underscoring Systems Operators (WSO) in the back F/A-18Ds into squadrons with single-seat the previous ghter entered service. By 1966, enlisted seats of F/A-18D Hornets. Hornets, a move that will eventually result importance the personnel were removed and only USMC placed on commissioned o cers served as NAOs, its NFOs. later becoming known as NFOs. These played key roles ying in the back seats The Marine Corps has been drawing in the extinction of the NFO in the USMC. F/A-18D WSOs of F-4Bs and RF-4B photo-reconnaissance down its NFO community for several years wear the same aircraft and the right-hand seats of A-6 with two of its six VMFA(AW) all-weather NFO community in the USMC Joint Helmet and EA-6A Intruders during the Vietnam Mounted Cueing War and later con icts. ghter-attack squadrons and all four The evolution of NFOs in the US Marine System as the tactical electronic warfare squadrons Corps began with the use of enlisted pilots. The F/A-18D succeeded the A-6 and RF-4B and some F-4s, with NFOs serving as WSOs in the back seat. In all these aircraft, the second set of eyes was considered valuable, especially in a high-threat environment. The F/A-18Ds serve not only as strike ghters, but also as reconnaissance aircraft and airborne forward air controllers. Three F/A-18Ds in each VMFA(AW) squadron are equipped with the ATARS (Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System) installed in place of their M61 20mm cannon. The F/A-18Ds do not deploy on carriers, largely because of their reduced The EA-6B Prowler flew with three naval flight officers, known in this community as electronic countermeasures officers (ECMOs). All photos Jamie Hunter 16 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

The decision to fuel capacity, though they were never available in the inventory will start to consolidate on the single- procured for carrier deployment, only equal the number of F/A-18Cs. Known seat F-35B/C and not replace for pilot carrier quali cation in the case as F/A-18 composite squadrons, Marine USMC EA-6Bs with the two-seat of the navy. Aircraft Group (MAG) commanders began EA-18G Growler sealed the fate of placing F/A-18Cs in VMFA(AW) squadrons the NFO in the US Marine Corps Over the last two years, single-seat while at the same time introducing F/A-18Cs and two-seat F/A-18Ds have F/A-18Ds into VMFA squadrons. A mix of started to be mixed together in some F/A-18Cs and F/A-18Ds provides the MAG squadrons. Marine Corps spokesman Capt with increased exibility in resourcing Christopher Harrison recently told the squadrons while simultaneously War Zone:‘As the [Hornet] nears the end spreading the more pro cient mission of its service life, the number of F/A-18Ds skills associated with two-seat cockpits, such as an airborne forward air controller (FAC(A)), to more squadrons. ‘The F/A-18 community is comparable in readiness to the AV-8B, and the materiel condition of the F/A-18D eet is nearly the same as the F/A-18C eet. However, as the marine corps progresses through the next decade, it will have a larger pool of low- ight-hour F/A-18Cs from the navy as the F/A-18D reaches the end of its service life sooner. ‘The marine corps is not prioritizing F-35B/C replacement of the F/A-18D (or F/A-18C) over the AV-8B. In accordance with the 2019 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, we are replacing both F/A-18 and AV-8B squadrons concurrently, alternating back and forth between platforms over the next decade until the last AV-8B squadron transitions in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 and www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 17

READY ROOM // USMC NFO ROLE FADES the last F/A-18 squadron transitions in FY Above: VMFA-314 currently in service will continue with a designation, this will likely become the 2030.‘In any case, the F/A-18 will remain ‘Black Knights’ normal career progression until they retire. standard, with the AW passing into history. the primary TacAir bridging platform to was a single By means of an example, many former the F-35B/C throughout this transition.’ seat Hornet unit EA-6B ECMOs have been reassigned to Meanwhile, NFOs remain vital to the US before it began the four USMC unmanned aerial vehicle Navy, employed in many roles in a variety F-35 delays trigger changes transition to the squadrons that operate the RQ-21A of aircraft including the F/A-18F Super F-35C. In March Blackjack. Hornet, EA-18G Growler, P-8A Poseidon, It is worth noting that delays in the it was operating E-6A Mercury, and E-2C/D Hawkeye. At elding of the F-35, coupled with an F/A-18D in line It is not clear whether the VMFA and least one two-seat F/A-18F squadron is with the pooling VMFA(AW) squadrons will all adopt one assigned to each carrier air wing. One readiness problems for the F/A-18, have of single and two- designation or the other. However, the AW aviation expert and a former F-14 radar resulted in a delay in the retirement of seat Hornets. su x would appear to be an extraneous intercept o cer (RIO) championed the the AV-8B, which has been put back from Below: The NFO anomaly that is no longer needed as idea of the navy actually procuring more 2025 to 2027. will soon become F/A-18Cs and Ds are equally capable F/A-18Fs than F/A-18Es to maximize the a redundant with regard to weather and visibility. advantages of a second crewman, but the The decision to consolidate on the trade within the This addendum is a hangover from the idea never took hold. That said, the navy single-seat F-35B/C and not replace USMC as F/A-18D 1950s and was only truly relevant until still recognizes the value of a backseater USMC EA-6Bs with the two-seat EA-18G numbers dwindle. the A-6 Intruder was retired. Given that in its fast jets, despite the manning Growler sealed the fate of the NFO in the F-35 squadrons are assigned the VMFA penalty. US Marine Corps. As a result, it is no longer recruiting o cers to train as NFOs. Those 18 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

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[NEWS] WORLD THE US HAS given its approval to the TAIWANESE F-16 sale of 66 new Block SALE APPROVED 70 F-16C/Ds to the Republic of China. While the Trump administration has approved a sale of new-generation The deal — expected F-16Vs to Taiwan, the Republic of China Air Force continues training on to be worth as much as $8 F-16A/Bs with the 21st Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Arizona. Two-seat billion — will be one of the F-16B 93-0828 was seen returning to Luke after an air-to-air training largest single arms package mission on August 14. Nate Leong transactions between the United States and Taiwan. The sale had recently been in limbo and was considered a bargaining chip between the US and the mainland Chinese governments during trade negotiations. The Chinese government still considers Taiwan to be a renegade province. Tom Kaminski RAAF PILOTS BEGIN LOCAL JAPANESE LIGHTNINGS RETURN TO THE AIR LIGHTNING II TRAINING THE JAPAN AIR Self-Defense The aircraft will initially be limited Force’s F-35As resumed ying to daylight operations until all of at Misawa Air Base on August the pilots have completed their THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN Air Although the RAAF currently still 1 after being grounded since required daylight training. Force’s rst pilots to complete sends pilots to Luke AFB, Arizona, an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter its No 3 Squadron is quickly one of the Lightning IIs crashed In related news, Japan’s defense transition course locally at RAAF becoming self-su cient. Base Williamtown, New South into the Paci c Ocean on April 9, ministry formally con rmed plans Wales, ew the aircraft for the rst Since entering service in 2014, time during their initial training Australia’s eet of 10 F-35As has killing the pilot. The resumption to acquire 42 F-35Bs on August mission on July 15. Their rst ights collectively own over 2,900 followed an intensive two-month hours during more than 1,750 of ying followed thorough 16. The Lightning IIs will initially academic and simulator training sorties. The F-35A is on schedule to program that was conducted at the achieve initial operating capability training and education on spatial operate from the Japan Maritime base’s Integrated Training Center. with the RAAF in December 2020. Tom Kaminski disorientation for the pilots and Self-Defense Force’s multi-purpose special inspections of the aircraft. destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183). LATEST F-35I ADIR DELIVERIES TWO ADDITIONAL F 35IS were IAF expects to receive a specially delivered to the Israeli Air Force at con gured test aircraft next June. Nevatim Air Base on July 14. The It will support the integration latest arrivals bring the number of Israeli systems with the F-35, of deliveries to 16. Delivery of the which is known as the Adir in last of 50 Lightning IIs is expected Israeli service. to be completed in 2024. The Tom Kaminski The two latest F-35Is to arrive at Nevatim are serials 925 (AS-16) and 926 (AS-17), assigned to 140 ‘Golden Eagle’ Squadron. IAF/Amit Agronov RAAF F-35A training operations at RAAF Base Williamtown. SGT Guy Young/ADF CANADIAN SEA KINGS ACQUIRED ROTOR MAXX SUPPORT Limited Upgrades will improve ight safety, won the bid to acquire 15 CH-124 increase performance, and enhance helicopters and a large inventory of operational reliability. The CH-124s parts, tooling and equipment that will complement the contractor’s were recently retired from service current eet of eight civilian S-61s with the Royal Canadian Air Force. and allow for expansion of its After being upgraded, the Sea Kings existing aircraft leasing/sale and will be made available to both Total Aircraft Support programs. military and non-military customers. Tom Kaminski 20 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

WORLD [NEWS] FIRST AUSTRALIAN FIGHTERS SLOVAK F-16S ORDERED ENTER SERVICE IN CANADA LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVED a ghters to the Slovak Republic. THE FIRST TWO F/A-18A ghters Release of Canada’s bid package $800-million Foreign Military Sales Production will take place in purchased from Australia are for a new ghter jet eet was contract from the US Air Force Life Greenville, South Carolina and now operational with the Royal expected by the end of August. Cycle Management Center that the program is expected to be Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The jets Four ghters including the provides for the production and completed by January 31, 2024. entered operational service on June Lockheed Martin F-35A, Boeing delivery of 14 Block 70 F-16C/D Tom Kaminski 28. The remaining jets will follow F/A-18E/F, Euro ghter Typhoon and over the next 18 months. Saab Gripen are being considered. CANADA EXPANDS Delivery of the rst new jets is OPERATION ‘PRESENCE’ Canada plans to provide 94 expected in the mid-2020s with THE ROYAL CANADIAN Air Force Defence Ministerial in Vancouver Hornets including 18 former Royal full operational capability being (RCAF) will deploy a Tactical in November 2017. The capability Australian Air Force Hornets with achieved in the early 2030s. Airlift Detachment to Entebbe, will play an important role in improvements to navigation, Uganda, in support of the supporting UN peacekeeping communications and other Thus far, only Lockheed United Nations for a period of operations in the region with systems. A smaller number of Martin has con rmed plans to 12 months. The detachment will critical resources. The RCAF jets will subsequently receive respond to the Public Services include a CC-130J airlifter and provided critical medical a new series of weapons and and Procurement Canada (PSPC) a support force of around 25 evacuation, logistics and other enhancements at a cost of request for proposals. Although personnel. The tactical airlifter transportation capability to the around $1.5 billion. The updates the RCAF originally required will deploy from Entebbe for United Nations Multidimensional will allow the Hornets to remain that only aircraft with a very low up to ve days each month to Integrated Stabilization Mission in service until 2032. The updates observable radar signature would assist with transporting troops, in Mali (MINUSMA) beginning are intended to allow the Hornets be considered, the PSPC altered the equipment, and supplies to the in August 2018. The year-long to achieve operational parity with bidding rules to allow non-stealth UN Organization Stabilization mission in northern Mali, current threats until Canada can aircraft to compete. Mission in the Democratic known as Operation ‘Presence’, Republic of the Congo concluded on August 31. It eld a replacement. Both Boeing and Saab are (MONUSCO) and the UN Mission included a Helicopter Task Canada plans to replace the reviewing a June version of the in South Sudan (UNMISS). Force comprised of three Hornets with 88 new-generation draft RFP but are concerned over CH-147F Chinooks and ve ghters at a cost of $19 billion. another decision by the PSPC The deployment will ful ll CH-146 Gri ons and around 250 The acquisition of the Australian that allowed Lockheed Martin to a commitment Canada made personnel. Tom Kaminski Hornets was intended to deal compete despite an F-35-related during the Peacekeeping with a capability gap, because contractual issue that prohibits the Canada did not have enough company from guaranteeing o set ghters to meet its commitments work. The PSPC’s nal deadline to to NATO and protecting the North submit proposals is in early 2020. American homeland. Tom Kaminski ARGENTINA CHOOSES GOLDEN EAGLE THE ARGENTINE AIR Force has FA-50 will serve a replacement for reportedly chosen the Korean Argentina’s eet of Dassault Mirage Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 as III and Mirage 5 eets that were its new interim ghter aircraft. The retired in late 2015. Tom Kaminski JAPAN AWACS UPGRADE UNDER WAY An RCAF CH-147F Chinook takes off from Camp Castor in Gao, Mali during THE FIRST OF the Japan Air-Self completed by the end of 2022. Operation ‘Presence’ on August 14, 2018. RCAF/Corporal Ken Beliwicz Defense Force’s four Boeing E-767 Managed by the USAF Life Cycle FRANCE LOOKING AT CHINOOK Airborne Warning and Control Management Center at Hanscom THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT use was recently renewed for at System (AWACS) aircraft arrived AFB, Massachusetts, the upgrades is reportedly considering the least six months. The French Air at the contractor’s San Antonio, will provide the aircraft with an acquisition of an undisclosed Force has been eager to acquire a Texas, facility at Lackland AFB’s improved mission computer. The number of CH-47F heavy-lift heavy-lift helicopter since the late Kelly Field Annex on August E-767 is based on the Boeing helicopters from Boeing. The 2000s and had been engaged in 12. Boeing is carrying out the 767-200ER series airframe. Chinooks would support French a joint e ort with Germany under upgrades, which are due to be Tom Kaminski special forces alongside the the cancelled Future Transport French Air Force’s current eet of Helicopter program. Germany has A JASDF E-767 taxies out at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, medium-lift H225M Caracal and begun searching for a heavy-lift during the ‘Red Flag-Alaska’ training exercise. USAF/Alejandro Pena NH90 rotorcraft. French forces helicopter to replace its CH-53G/ deployed in Mali have recently GA/GS eet and is considering the been supported by three Royal CH-47F and the Sikorsky CH-53K. Air Force Chinooks and their Tom Kaminski www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 21

[NEWS] WORLD APANESE MV 22B CREWS began JAPANESE OSPREY training with their OPERATING FROM NEW RIVER own Block C Ospreys A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) MV-22B conducts aerial Jat MCAS New River, maneuvers alongside an Osprey from VMMT-204 at MCAS New River, North Carolina, North Carolina, on July 9. USMC/LCpl. Elias E. Pimentel III in May 2019. Operations from the base will continue through May 2020. An average of 20 to 50 students will be stationed at the base during that period. The 17 MV-22Bs were built to a unique con guration that includes Japanese-speci c communication systems. Japanese MV-22B crew chiefs and pilots began initial training with Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204 at the New River air station in 2016. Tom Kaminski CANADA NARROWS NAMES MORE F-35AS FOR NETHERLANDS FOR NEW SAR PLATFORM THE DUTCH MINISTER of Defense The Netherlands originally planned con rmed the government’s to acquire 37 F-135As and eight THE ROYAL CANADIAN Air Force options for naming the CC-295. The plans to purchase eight or nine have already been delivered. Six of (RCAF) is seeking a popular name for options comprise Canso II, Guardian, its new xed-wing search and rescue Iris, King sher and Turnstone. Canso additional F-35As at a cost of the Lightning IIs support training aircraft. The rst CC-295 rolled o would honor the Canadian version the Airbus production line in Spain of the Consolidated PBY Catalina $600 to $700 million on July 17. at Luke AFB, Arizona, and two are in March 2019 and deliveries are that served with 11 RCAF squadrons expected to begin to 19 Wing CFB during WW2. Although the The total number of aircraft will part of the test and evaluation Comox in British Columbia, next year. previously mentioned organizations After consulting with the operational share the responsibility for naming depend on the exchange rate eet at Edwards AFB, California. search and rescue community, the new aircraft the commander of the project management o ce and 1 RCAF will have the nal say on the between the Euro and US Dollar. Tom Kaminski Canadian Air Division selected ve name. Tom Kaminski JAPANESE ‘AIR FORCE ONE’ OFFERED FOR SALE A BOEING 747 400 that is one 747-400s in the world, according An artist’s concept of the RCAF’s new CC-295 fixed-wing search and rescue of two that served as Japan’s ‘Air to CSDS. Although the company aircraft, painted in the service’s search and rescue colors. Force One’ is being o ered for sale has acquired both the Japanese FWSAR procurement project at a cost of $28 million. The former 747s, the second will be modi ed VIP aircraft entered service in 1991 to cargo con guration. The two and was acquired by CSDS Aircraft aircraft are currently stored at Sales & Leasing in Los Angeles, Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona. California, following the type’s In addition to a stateroom, shower, replacement by a pair of Boeing lounge and an o ce, 777-300s in April 2019. The low- the 747 provides time 747 has only logged around seating for 16,300 hours of ight time and 85 passengers. is one of the lowest-time Boeing Tom Kaminski JAPAN SEEKS UNMANNED NAVAL HELICOPTERS THE JAPAN MARITIME Self- Grumman MQ-8C will likely be Defense Force plans to acquire selected to ful ll the mission. The The two Japan Air Self-Defense Force Boeing 747-400s operated by 701 20 unmanned surveillance unmanned helicopters will operate Hikotai at Chitose made a final visit to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the helicopters in the scal year that alongside Japan’s eet of manned Netherlands in January 2019. Dino van Doorn begins in April 2023. The Northrop SH-60J helicopters. Tom Kaminski 22 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

WORLD [NEWS] ROKAF GLOBAL HAWK LOSSES • Alpha Jet E serial E146 from the DELIVERY NEARS Compiled by Tom Kaminski French Air Force’s Patrouille de Ocean off the coast of Conakry on France display team was heavily THE REPUBLIC OF Korea Air Force will • A Ukrainian Army Mi-2 was August 6. An instructor and student damaged when it overran the runway receive its first remotely piloted RQ-4B heavily damaged in an aborted aboard the helicopter, which carried while landing at Perpignan-Rivesaltes Global Hawk intelligence, surveillance take-off at Brody air base in the Lviv the registration 3X-AAE (c/n 1870), International Airport in south-west and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft in region on August 16. Neither pilot were killed. France on July 25. The pilot ejected September. The government first was injured when the helicopter safely from the aircraft. The crash was revealed plans to purchase four Block rolled onto its side in a field near • An Islamic Republic of Iran reportedly caused by a brake failure. 30 RQ-4Bs in 2014, in a deal worth the air base. Air Force F-4E crashed in Bushehr around $950 million. The package province on August 4. Both pilots • An Azerbaijan Air Force pilot included the Global Hawks, two • Peruvian Army Enstrom ejected safely before the Phantom was killed when his MiG-29 crashed spare engines and ground control F-28F helicopter serial EP-915 came down in the Persian Gulf near into the eastern Caspian Sea during equipment. Tom Kaminski crashed in a ravine under unknown the coastal town of Tangestan. a night training flight on July 24. circumstances in Pampas de The fighter was last noted near Baku SOUTH KOREAN SEA- Guanero, Moquegua on August 16. • Bell 206L-3 serial FA081 (c/n when it disappeared from radar. HAWK SALE APPROVED Both pilots were transported to a 51213) from the Mozambique local hospital. Air Force was destroyed when it • SOKO HM-42M (SA341H) serial THE US STATE Department crashed in the Muidumbe district 12836 operated by the Serbian Air has given its approval to the • Two US Navy F/A-18Cs from of Cabo Delgado after developing Force’s 98th Air Brigade crashed in a possible sale of 12 multi- the US Navy Flight Demonstration technical problems on August 2. Six field during a training flight on July mission MH-60R helicopters Squadron Blue Angels suffered crew and passengers were injured in 19. Two pilots aboard the Gazelle along with weapons and a minor mid-air collision during the accident. suffered minor injuries when it extensive associated systems practice at NAS Pensacola, Florida, went down near Rutevac village in and equipment to the Republic on August 14. According to the US • S-61A-4 serial M23-16 operated Aleksinac. of Korea. The helicopters will Navy, the canopy of the No 3 jet by the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s be tasked with anti-surface made ‘momentary contact with 3 Squadron crashed during an • Colombian Army Mi-17MD serial and anti-submarine missions, the underside of No 1’s outer wing’ emergency landing in the Gubir EJC-3385 9C/n 170M11) crashed in as well as secondary missions during the team’s Diamond 360 Camp area of western Kedah on a remote region near La Cominera including replenishment, maneuver. No injuries were reported August 2. Four crew and 11 soldiers while conducting a supply flight on search and rescue, and and both Hornets recovered safely, suffered minor injuries. July 17. None of the five crew and communications relay. The deal with only minimal damage noted on passengers was seriously injured. could be worth as much as the No 3 jet’s canopy. • An US Navy F/A-18E assigned to $800 million. Tom Kaminski Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 • An unmanned US Army RQ‑7B • DHC-6-200 serial T-82 (c/n 167) crashed around 40 miles (64km) crashed in Wisconsin during a SOUTH KOREA LIGHTNING operated by the Argentine Air north of Naval Air Weapons Station training flight on July 17. The FLEET EXPANDS Force was damaged while landing China Lake, California, on July 31. Shadow went down after losing at Ross Island, Antarctica, on August The Super Hornet went down in its communications link with the THE REPUBLIC OF Korea Air Force’s 14. The mishap occurred when one the Death Valley National Park in operator at Volk Field Combat F-35A fleet grew to four aircraft with of the Twin Otter’s skis hit a mound the so-called ‘Star Wars Canyon’. The Readiness Training Center. The air the arrival of two more Lightning of snow around 33.5 miles (54km) pilot was killed and seven civilians in vehicle went down in a wooded area IIs at Cheongju Air Base on July 15. from Argentina’s Marambio Base the park suffered minor injuries as a north-west of Volk Field between The air force expects to welcome six in Antarctica. The Twin Otter’s nine result of the mishap. Oakdale and Camp Douglas. The additional Lightning IIs to the base crew and passengers were rescued RQ-7B had been operated by the by the end of this year. Four of the by the crew of a Chilean Air Force • An-72P serial 032 (c/n 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s ROKAF’s F-35As support training Bell 412 helicopter. 36576096926) operated by the Company D, 173rd Brigade Engineer efforts at Luke AFB. Equatorial Guinea National Battalion from its facility at the • A Su-30MKI from the Indian Guard crashed near Campo, Grand Combat Readiness Training Center. South Korea is also moving forward Air Force’s 11 Wing crashed near Batanga, Kribi, Cameroon on July with plans to acquire 20 F-35Bs that Tezpur, Assam on August 8. Both 30. Seven crew and passengers • US Army EO-5C N89068 will serve from a planned assault pilots were injured during ejection. were rescued after the aircraft (c/n 088) operated by the 3rd ship that will operate up to 16 jets. The fighter had been conducting a went down in the Gulf of Guinea in Military Intelligence Battalion was Although no timeline has been routine training mission from Tezpur adverse weather. heavily damaged in a previously established, the Lightning IIs would Air Force Station when it went down unreported mishap that occurred be purchased under the F-X Phase 4 around 81 miles (130km) south of • King Air B300 (350i) serial at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, program. Construction of the assault the Chinese border. 766 (c/n FL-766) operated by the on February 25, 2019. The DHC-7 ship, under project LPX-2, has been Pakistan Army Aviation Corps was mishap came to light when the approved, and the aircraft carrier • An unmanned US Army MQ-1C destroyed in a crash that occurred aircraft was offered for sale by the will enter service by 2030 at a cost crashed in Radwaniyah, Iraq, on in Punjab on July 30. Five crew and US General Services Administration of $2.6 billion. The ship will be 850ft August 7. The Gray Eagle, which passengers were killed when the in August. According to the GSA, the (250m) long and displace 40,000 carried the serial 52178, went down King Air went down in a residential aircraft suffered a gear-up landing. tons when fully loaded. In addition on farmland south-west of Bagdad. area of Mora Kalu, around 6.2 miles The Eighth US Army in Korea to the‘ski-jump’equipped flight (10km) south of Nur Khan Air Base in reported that none of the crew deck, the ship will feature a well deck • An AS350B helicopter operated Rawalpindi. At least 14 civilians on was injured in the mishap, which for accommodating and launching by the Equatorial Guinea National the ground were also killed. apparently occurred at Desiderio landing craft. Guard crashed into the Atlantic Army Air Field. The Dash 7 was later stripped of all major components and written off. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 23

INDUSTRY REPORT // LIGHT ATTACK USAF SHIFTS EMPHASIS ON LIGHT ATTACK Speaking to reporters in July, US Air Force chief of staff Gen Dave Goldfein which have been evaluated extensively. gave more details on the current status of the Light Attack Experiment. It has conducted two significant experimentation periods at Holloman FREPORT Jamie Hunter solicitation for as many as 350 aircraft The AT-6 AFB, New Mexico, but light attack has OR MORE THAN a decade the in August 2018 and had hoped to issue Wolverine dropped down the priority list. Any US Air Force has flirted with the final request for proposals (RFP) the during the first such procurement would need to find having a light attack aircraft following December. However, amid Light Attack additional budget, with existing force to help relieve the burden budget shortfalls, the service has been Experiment in structure plans meaning current programs on its front-line combat jets. forced to back away from such plans. 2017. USAF of record cannot afford to be cut in order Various trials and real-world to fund a new light attack aircraft. evaluations led to genuine expectation The USAF had previously announced that Air Combat Command would its intent to limit the contenders for the Speaking to reporters at the UK Air and procure a fleet of light attack aircraft. project to the SNC/Embraer A-29B and Space Power Conference in July, USAF Indeed, the USAF released a draft the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine, both of chief of staff Gen Dave Goldfein was bullish about the progress afforded by the two so-called Light Attack Experiments, the second of which included only the 24 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

A-29 and the AT-6, which had essentially the experiment. We produced for each Top: The A-29 the beginning, I’ve been consistent been down-selected after phase one. of them a report that gave them a sense has sealed in my message about the light attack of what we saw and now we are buying export deals to experiment— that this is about allies and ‘The worst thing I can do is set false three of each airplane. This has been also Afghanistan and partners and our support of the second expectations for them,’he said of the two beneficial to them and while I have those Lebanon thanks line of effort of the national defense manufacturers.‘I do not want to put [out] two airplanes as part of this experiment to USAF support strategy, that is to strengthen allies and an RFP that sets expectations of some going forward, they’re going to have two for the type, partners in the long fight. We went to kind of large aircraft buy when we have bases where there’s access for potential which includes industry and asked what they have not completed the experiment to the customers to see what we’re doing.’ customer pilot that’s off-the-shelf that we can use to point where I have determined what’s training at Moody experiment and look at interoperability best for our allies and partners and — Goldfein argues that the whole light AFB, Georgia. with allies and partners.’ amongst the various things that are out attack initiative is about proving new USAF there — what’s best for the USAF. These approaches and technologies. He said, Goldfein said the light attack project two companies that have participated ‘This is an example of how we used the has two key elements to it: the platform with us have been spectacular. Here’s new authorities that Congress gave to and its weapons, and the intelligence- what they got out of it. First, we paid for us to prototype and experiment in a gathering and information-sharing part. them to [participate] when they came into very powerful way going forward. From He added that part of the ongoing testing is designed to establish an interoperable network to gather and distribute information‘across the spectrum of conflict’.‘It’s got to be platform-agnostic,’ he asserted, answering the question of ‘when will the USAF buy aircraft?’He stated,‘That’s never been the intent of the light attack experiment. This is about interoperability amongst allies and partners and what they procure in terms of the platform and sensor-weapons combination.’ Goldfein said the next step is to buy the three AT-6s and A-29s and modify them, and then allow interested nations access to the ongoing work at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and Hurlburt Field, Florida, for the respective aircraft. The USAF had stated previously that it was ultimately going to buy a fleet of light attack aircraft, but when the time came to pay the bill the budget simply didn’t stack up. Amid a constrained environment the USAF has shifted its stance, and now plans to continue with its experiment, showcasing potentially appealing new technology in order to encourage partner nations to buy their preferred platform. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 25

HE US AIR Force is moving billion was earmarked for 18 more Eagles This image: forward with plans to in 2021, and the same number through Directly replacing purchase new F-15EX Eagles each year to 2024. Ultimately, the USAF the F-15C, the from Boeing. In March 2019, could procure as many as 144. USAF chief F-15EX will not of staff Gen Dave Goldfein told the Senate impact the F-35 Tthe Fiscal Year 2020 defense Appropriations Committee on March 13, program. budget included $1.05 billion ‘We used the best cost estimates that we Jamie Hunter for eight aircraft, which included front- had and looked at the various options. Inset: USAF chief loaded production line set-up costs The most affordable options, as long as we of staff Gen Dave for the US aircraft. The DoD allocated keep the F-35 on track with our program Goldfein. USAF $7.86 billion over the five-year future of record, was to look at an F-15 variant to spending plan to acquire as many as 80 replace the F-15C.’ F-15EXs, which will be used to directly replace the oldest F-15Cs. Speaking to Combat Aircraft in London this July, Goldfein said of the new F-15EX In addition to the first eight jets, which procurement,‘Let me tell you what it is will be delivered by the end of 2022, $1.65 not. It’s not in any way, shape or form in competition with the F-35. The F-15EX, or any fourth-generation airplane, isn’t an F-35 — it’s not even close and it never will be. The difference between fourth and fifth-generation is not the platform, it’s the fusion of information that allows the pilot of an F-35 to see and understand the operational environment in a way that no other platform can do it. It’s why I call them the quarterback of the penetrating joint and allied team.’ Why buy Eagles? The USAF’s fighter aircraft fleet faces huge challenges, with an average age of 28 years across the mission designation NEW EAGLES WILL 26 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Discussing the plan to buy new F-15EX Eagles from Boeing, US Air Force chief of staff Gen Dave Goldfein made it clear when talking to Combat Aircraft this summer that the F-35 remains untouchable. NOT IMPACT F-35REPORTJamieHunter www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 27

series (MDS). Future USAF ghter needs An F-15SA on test, flying from Palmdale, were set to be absorbed by the F-35 California, which served as the home of Lightning II. However, Lockheed Martin’s intensive trials for the range of new capabilities stealthy successor to the F-16 is running in the Advanced F-15. Richard VanderMeulen far later than scheduled. Conversely, the F-22 Raptor is the undisputed king of air I’m not willing to put a nickel of F-35 supremacy, but with only 187 ordered, money into the F-15EX — this is not the USAF simply doesn’t have enough a trade, this is capacity I need to fulfill a of them — numbers fell well short of shortfall that’s staring me in the face those required for the Raptor to replace the F-15C as the Department of Defense Gen Dave Goldfein, USAF chief of staff (DoD) slashed F-22 production. The USAF started looking at long-term plans for its eet of 1970s-era F-15C/D air superiority ghters in a bid to gure out exactly how to provide ‘mass’ alongside the Raptors. These ranged from complete retirement to a major upgrade. The problems facing the F-15C were extremely complex and included both structural and capability concerns that needed urgently to be addressed. Initiatives were launched to re-wing the oldest Eagles, replace fatigued forward- fuselage longerons in some examples, and refresh the avionics and outdated self-protection systems. Boeing started talking about an upgrade proposal dubbed the 2040C, an F-15C overhaul that looked at porting new technology into the 28 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

existing airframes. However, the USAF’s Featuring the One’s not going to make it and that’s the part of the predictive model and nobody need increasingly sought a more new 11in x F-15C. It’s too old and I’m not going to be makes it any more, so then we’re paying comprehensive means of addressing a 19in large able to y it for many more years.’ top dollar trying to nd a part to keep it tired Eagle eet that would be rendered area display, from being grounded. I have zero interest obsolete by 2028. The FY 2018 budget the F-15EX Of the 2040C life-extension option, in another modi cation of the F-15C. request saw the USAF only funding will have an Goldfein said,‘We predict what will fail production of the much-awaited Eagle advanced in the future, we buy those parts but it’s ‘I had to nd a way to be able to meet Passive/Active Warning Survivability cockpit. a predictive model and it’s a crystal ball, this near-term capacity challenge. The System (EPAWSS) for its F-15E Strike Boeing then what happens? We’ve seen it before. only option that was available that was Eagles, deleting plans for its installation in Below: The All of a sudden a part breaks — like a an a ordable option was to leverage the 196 F-15Cs. Changes were afoot. F-15EX will be a nosewheel steering part — and it wasn’t hot line that currently exists — that has ‘plug-and-play The F-15 2040C proposal was simply replacement’ too expensive and the airframes too for the F-15C. It’s worn out. Goldfein told Combat Aircraft, not clear what ‘Our future is invested in fth-generation will happen to in the F-35, but as chief of sta of the the new AN/ USAF here’s a challenge I face, which is a APG-63(V)3 near-term challenge. When we stopped radars that have [producing] the F-22, the plan was to been installed in put that money into an accelerated front-line Eagles. plan for the F-35. If that plan had been Jamie Hunter executed at the time we canceled the F-22, I should have 1,100 F-35s on the ramp today. I have less than 300. So I’ve got four fourth-generation [aircraft types] that are part of the inventory that I’ve got to maintain into the 2030s to keep the capacity I need to be able to meet combatant commander requirements. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 29

INDUSTRY REPORT // F-15EX investment from both Saudi Arabia Helmet-Mounted Cueing System The first USAF Guard units, although Goldfein says and Qatar — that allows me to put an (JHMCS). Because partly of the foreign Eagle variant to exact elding plans still rest with F-15EX in the same hangar, use the investment in the new displays and be powered by Congress. Plans call for the initial two same support equipment, have a local management of the systems, everything General Electric jets to be provided on a fast timeline check-out for both maintainers and can be run from the front seat of the engines will be to provide extra capacity for the operators and do it on a timeline that I EX — the missionized rear cockpit can the F-15EX. Boeing EPAWSS test work, with subsequent can maintain the capacity I need. So the be optionally occupied by a weapons aircraft destined for the USAF Weapons F-15EX is to solve only one challenge I systems o cer. All talk to date has School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and a few have, and that is that the F-15Cs are not centered on the two-seat EX, not a joining training activities for the initial going to continue ying and I have to spin-o single-seat F-15CX. In fact, the conversion process. A source familiar have that capacity. I’m not willing to put USAF has said that F-15C units receiving with the discussions told Combat a nickel of F-35 money into the F-15EX F-15EXs will operate them with the rear Aircraft that no speci c F-15EX testing — this is not a trade, this is capacity I seat unoccupied. Porting the Advanced is planned. need to ful ll a shortfall that’s staring me F-15 into a single-seat CX would in the face.’ require some sort of re-certi cation of While this acquisition brings about the complex y-by-wire system, and recapitalization of the F-15C eet, The solution although the two aircraft retain the same it also enables signi cant capability overall dimensions, any risk incurred from advances. The new Advanced Eagles The USAF F-15EX will be a two-seat new testing may prove unacceptable. are well-placed to complement the aircraft, aligned with the Advanced USAF’s large fth-generation eet. The F-15, and will be powered by the same The F-15EX is the preferred out-of-the- air force has been structured with a General Electric F110-GE-129 Improved box solution, initially at least. In fact, the range of penetrating platforms and a Performance Engines. It will be ready robust eet of F-22s and F-35s that need almost immediately to roll o the active rst F-15EXs will likely go straight into to be complemented e ectively. The production line in St Louis, Missouri, test, in order to support the existing F-15EX will act as a weapon ‘truck’, able with a few of the USAF F-15E’s latest USAF EPAWSS initiative. The F-15EX to carry the kind of large hypersonic modernization elements sprinkled minimizes the training burden for an weapons that are in development, but in. The exercise brings about cost already overstretched system that is will not t inside a fth-generation avoidance by using existing spares trying to maximize pilot production and chains and support equipment. It also retention. Transitioning an F-15C pilot to ghter weapons bay. It will also be able facilitates ease of transition, not taking a an F-15EX will be very straightforward as to carry a wide range of armament, squadron o -line for an 18 to 30-month Boeing uses USAF pilots to deliver new all cleared from day one, and enable re-equipping and training phase. Eagles that are currently coming o the a versatile development road-map, St Louis production line. rather than forcing the USAF to develop The F-15EX will have a large area speci c solutions as new, and previously cockpit display and digital Joint The F-15EX will directly replace F-15Cs unforeseen, requirements emerge. in both active-duty and Air National 30 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Officially the world’s number one authority on military aviation SEPTEMBER issue FEATURes: SPECIAL ISSUE: NATO AT 70 WITH FREE ANNIVERSARY POSTER! RESTRUCTURING NORWAY’S AIR DEFENCES While introduction of the F-35A represents the most important element in the modernisation of Norway’s air arm, changes within airborne surveillance, search and rescue and other rotary components are helping to rede neitsfutureshapeandcapability,asIanHarding and Kevin Wills discover. SOLENZARA STINGERS $J1U2S.6T0* Earlier this summer, 1 Squadron‘Stingers’of the £U4.K99 Belgian Air Component departed their home base of Florennes for a two-week deployment to Solenzara on the French island of Corsica. Joe Campion joined them. STACCATO PURSUIT RAF F-35Bs and USAF F-35As joined Italian Air Force F-35As for joint drills at Amendola air base, and David Cenciotti ewwiththem. PILATUS PROFESSIONALS AT ZADAR AVAILABLE NOW MartinScharenborgandRamonWenink ewwiththe From and other leading newsagents Croatian Air Force’s Fixed-Wing Squadron at Zadar- For latest subscription deals visit Zemunik to report on its wide variety of tasks and the w w w. air for cesmonthly.com challenges it is currently facing. AND MUCH MORE! 553/19 SEARCH ALSO AVAILABLE ON AIRFORCES MONTHLY iTunes FREE APP also available for PC, MAC & Kindle Fire from Search: Airforces monthly with sample issue IN APP ISSUES £3.99/$4.99 Customer code: CAM1019 Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Internet connection required for initial download. Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2019. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change.

EXERCISE REPORT // ‘RAPID FORGE’ The ‘Rapid Forge’ exercise was a step forward in not only looking at the command and control pieces, but additionally the dispersal operations that would be required to operate from some different locations Gen Jeffrey Harrigian The US Air Force has been testing a new approach to rapid basing and deployability under the Combat Support Wing concept. ‘Rapid Forge’ was a real-world test that drew various assets to Spangdahlem in Germany this July. IREPORT Marco de Groot with Jamie Hunter N MAY OF this year, the US Air weapons loaders could be driving Above: The 4th Squadron F-35As from Hill AFB, Utah, Force completed the nal test refueling trucks, security forces defenders Fighter Wing that were already in Germany as part of of a wholly new type of agile could refuel a jet and avionics specialists deployed a dozen a Theater Security Package. C-130Js from basing under its Combat Support could provide air eld security while also F-15Es to Europe Ramstein AB, Germany, and MC-130Js Wing (CSW) concept. During the performing their primary duties. for ‘Rapid Forge’. from RAF Mildenhall, UK, provided airlift Marco de Groot support and enabled the Strike Eagles exercise, hosted by the 4th Fighter Exercise‘Rapid Forge’took this a step Right: The F-35As to operate from three di erent bases on are in Europe as the same day — Powidz (Poland), Ämari Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North further. The event ran from July 10-26 part of a Theater (Estonia) and Šiauliai (Lithuania). Security Package, Carolina, three teams of 30 airmen were at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The enabling them to Gen Je rey Harrigian, commander of jump into ‘Rapid US Air Forces in Europe and US Air Forces tasked with establishing and operating 4th Fighter Wing was at the center of this Forge’ and help Africa, spoke to Combat Aircraft about the with proving agile basing concept. He said,‘The‘Rapid in an austere environment at Fort Bliss, too, and was responsible for setting up a the agile basing Forge’exercise was a step forward in not concept. only looking at the command and control Texas, devoid of existing infrastructure. mobile command and control facility, with Marco de Groot pieces of it, but additionally the dispersal operations that would be required to Airmen were responsible for defending expeditionary forces on site operating operate from some di erent locations. This the air eld, while maintenance teams out of the tents as they proved the ability refueled and re-armed the F-15Es. to set up operations anywhere, in a fast The CSW component could give the and agile manner and not being tied to a air force the ability to rapidly deploy in xed location. smaller, more e cient teams as specialty During‘Rapid Forge’, F-15Es of the trades are combined. For example, 4th Fighter Wing joined 421st Fighter 32 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

was a great chance for us to learn not only level — speci c types of orders that allow internally [in the] USAF but also with our them to execute without the higher-level allies who will be a critical part of any agile guidance that would typically come basing that will occur across Europe — we out of an AOC [air operations center]. will incrementally learn from each one of We’ve done that by building an order these exercises. and tagging mission type [instructions] onto it; then we’re going to let them go ‘I see potential with bringing in our execute and see how that plays out. We’re partners to start moving around their also working this austere, dispersal-type aeroplanes as well. We will then pool activity that allows us to refuel, re-arm and those and have a broader discussion get the birds back in the air before moving about what that means to our concept to a new location.’ of operations inside of Europe. We have things to learn from our Finnish and The initiative is intended to make the Swedish friends who have demonstrated USAF more exible, versatile and able to they have great capability here. deploy rapidly when the need arises. Gen Dave Goldfein, the USAF commander, ‘The key [command and control] issue has previously criticized the predictable that we’re working is mission type orders, nature of USAF deployments. where we distribute — down at the wing www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 33

34 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Black Sea team — Italian Eurofighters flanked by Romanian MiG-21s on a mission from Mihail Kogălniceanu. Between early May and the middle of August, four Italian Air Force Eurofighters were deployed to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base to fly alongside Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LanceRs policing the skies adjacent to the Black Sea. REPORT AND PHOTOS Giovanni Colla and Daniele Faccioli www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 35

COMBAT REPORT // ENHANCED AIR POLICING INCE ROMANIA JOINED NATO in 2004, its airspace has been guarded by the somewhat long-in-the- S tooth MiG-21 LanceRs of the Romanian Air Force (Forțele Aeriene Romane – FAR) as part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). In a bid to beef-up Right: Romanian air cover and to encourage operational teams and rapid erectable surveillance is carried out jointly with The four interoperability training between partner shelters for the aircraft. [FAR] MiGs and the new F-16s. However, Eurofighters were nations, enhanced air policing has seen training activities are carried out daily, accommodated other NATO countries deploying here The detachment was approved to thus promoting co-operation and inside temporary since 2014. commence enhanced air policing consolidating procedures.’ shelters that were alongside its Romanian counterparts on erected at Mihail From early May until mid-August this May 14 when Lt Gen Carlos Ruben Garcia In an opening period from May 8-17, Kogălniceanu. year, the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Servert, commander of NATO’s Combined the Italian contingent took part in the Below: Militare, AM) assumed this role in Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Torrejon, Bulgarian-led exercise ‘Thracian Star A rare aerial shot Romania as the Task Force Air 4th Wing, Spain, certified the four Eurofighters as 2019’ alongside Greek F-16s and the of a pair of MiG-21 better known as Operation ‘Black Shield’. being fully operationally ready. Romanian squadrons in a series of LanceR-Cs over In an exclusive interview with Combat complex, large force scenarios. the Black Sea. Joint operations It was a taster for Right page Aircraft, task force commander Col Fazi explained how the day-to-day the wide-ranging top to bottom: Andrea Fazi said, ‘Protecting the eastern operations were conducted: ‘Airspace activities that the AM F-2000As from flank is, of course, a priority for NATO and the 4° and the Romania due to its geographical position 37° Stormo, — it is strategically very important.’ respectively, fly along the Black Four Eurofighter F-2000As deployed Sea coast during to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base ‘Black Shield’. accompanied by around 130 personnel Italian from all three AM wings flying the fighter. detachment Staff from Villafranca helped create a commander Col temporary area composed of tents for the Andrea Fazi. 36 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

planned in order to maximize its time in the region. According to Fazi, there was also an emphasis on swing-role missions: ‘On several occasions it has been possible to carry out this type of training together with joint terminal attack controllers [JTACs] from the US and Romanian [armies], mainly during the ‘Saber Guardian 19’ exercise.’ It’s notable that the Italian F-2000s engaged in close air support (CAS) missions and acted as rescue mission commanders during combat search and rescue events. The Eurofighter pilots are known to have employed the 27mm cannon in strafe training. Live action Ultimately, ‘Black Shield’ was about manning the quick reaction alert (QRA) roster, with four live ‘alpha’ scrambles being conducted by the Italians. The first came on the morning of June 14, when a pair of Eurofighters was scrambled by the CAOC at Torrejón to respond to unidentified aircraft that had entered the Romanian flight information region (FIR) boundary without authorization. Although specific details of the infringing aircraft were not released, the Eurofighters www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 37

COMBAT REPORT // ENHANCED AIR POLICING assumed a combat air patrol (CAP) and regional allies, this type of deployment operator such as the AM helps to lead Top: Eurofighters monitored the traffic at close range, opens the door to a range of co-operative nations such as Romania on their journey break for the according to Fazi. The second scramble opportunities, such as — in this case — into a more modern battlespace with camera during on June 27 saw the F-2000s engaged in the sharing of knowledge with regard to a newer platform, such as their F-16s. this exclusive a rather more comprehensive mission joint firefighting activities. Bulgaria and Slovakia too will receive aerial photoshoot. alongside Bulgarian MiG-29s, which new ‘Vipers’ soon and will likewise benefit Above: A pair of endorsed the value of having trained As the air forces of eastern Europe from, and undoubtedly maximize, this LanceRs, low and together in the opening phase of the modernize and assume responsibility type of interaction. fast over the sea. deployment. Scrambles were also for activities such as air policing, regular conducted on August 5 and 8, which was interaction with experienced operators The authors would like to thank the Aeronautica actually the final day of‘Black Shield’. from western Europe can only serve Militare and Stato Maggiore Difesa public affairs to assist with the advance of their own office, Col Andrea Fazi, Lt Orsola Santoro, Capt Overall, the Eurofighters logged in capabilities. The need to bolster these Andrea ‘Taz’, NATO AIRCOM public affairs, FAR excess of 470 flight hours. During the developing air arms will likely continue public affairs and all the crews involved in the official closing ceremony, Maj Gen to an extent, but the presence of an photo flight. Dobre, the deputy chief of the FAR, awarded its emblem of honor to eight members of the Italian detachment in recognition of their outstanding support and commitment in developing the partnership. Italy is the only nation to have supported all seven NATO air policing commitments in Albania, Bulgaria, the Baltic states, Iceland, Montenegro, Romania and Slovenia. Fazi was quick to praise the adaptability of his fighters to these roles, saying the now well- established Eurofighter ‘package’ is easily projected into these regions and forms a highly reliable, ‘mature’ solution. As well as strengthening partnerships with Romanian counterparts and other 38 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Italy has been particularly pro- active when it comes to NATO air policing, having supported all seven cases that require enhanced support. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 39

The culmination of Russia’s Day of the Navy this summer was a large-scale naval parade in St Petersburg, the port city on the Baltic Sea, which this year included a significant aviation component. report and photos Dmitriy Pichugin 40 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

A rare air-to-air study of Su-33 ‘68 Red’. Around 14 of these shipborne fighters are in service with two squadrons of the 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment home-based at Severomorsk-3, where they form part of the Northern Fleet. Below: Il-38N RF‑75341 ‘02 Blue’ is one of the mid-life- upgraded aircraft with the Novella mission system, work on which began as long ago as 1992. The Il-38N was introduced to service in March 2012, initially going to the Northern Fleet at Severomorsk-1. S EVERAL RUSSIAN CITIES held celebrations dedicated to marking the Day of the Navy on July 28 — a national holiday in the Russian Federation and one of the most important days for the Russian Armed Forces. The St Petersburg naval parade traditionally takes place around Kronstadt, the historic town and naval base on Kotlin Island, just west of the city. In total, this year’s event was attended by more than 4,000 soldiers, 43 surface ships and submarines, plus 41 aircraft. Most of the aircraft were provided by the Naval Aviation of the www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 41

FORCE REPORT // RUSSIAN NAVY PARADE Navy — the formal title for Russian Naval Three modernized Il-38N Novella anti-submarine aircraft on the Aviation, or Morskaya aviatsiya Voenno- flight line. Severomorsk-1 is home to a squadron of Il-38 aircraft morskogo flota (MA VMF). (including upgraded Il-38Ns), and other updated aircraft have now been delivered to a squadron of the 317th OSAP at Yelizovo, As supreme commander-in-chief of part of the Pacific Fleet. the Russian Armed Forces, President Vladimir Putin headed up the parade, taking the opportunity to congratulate participants and to note that the Russian fleet is now using ‘more modern technology’ and developing ‘promising solutions’. Putin announced that, faced with any threat, today’s Russian Navy will be able to repel potential aggressors. Along the waterfront at Kronstadt were lined up the warships of larger displacement — because of their size, they cannot enter the waters of the River Neva that flows through St Petersburg. These vessels comprised the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the large anti-submarine ship Severomorsk, and the cruise missile submarine Smolensk. For the first time, the review also included some of the newest ships of the Russian fleet. Meanwhile, on the Neva, a ceremonial event was headed by a reconstruction of the first Russian battleship, Poltava, re-created at the local historical shipyard. Following this sailing vessel along the Neva Tu-142MK ‘54 Red’ at its home base of Kipelovo. This aircraft — named in honor of Colonel Vladimir Dubinsky, the first commander of the 76th Independent Anti-submarine Aviation Regiment (OSAP) of the Northern Fleet — was overhauled by Beriev at Taganrog and re- delivered to the 403rd OSAP in May 2018. 42 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Air-to-air with Il-38N RF-75355 ‘19 Yellow’. The most prominent element of the Novella mission suite is the 1NV1 (2SD1) radar used for detecting aerial and surface targets. It can reportedly detect a submerged submarine’s periscope at 30-35km (19-22 miles). were the newest ships of the fleet: the frigate Admiral Kasatonov, the corvette Gremyashchiy, the diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt, and several other, smaller missile ships. Senate Square fly-past ‘Helix’ co-axial designs were present in Su-30SM multi-role fighters. A Tu-142MZ Above: The all their various types: the Ka-31 airborne long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142MZ — this Following the offshore part of the parade, early warning and control (AEW&C) flew over, accompanied by a pair of is RF-34099 ‘65 St Petersburg’s Senate Square staged helicopter, the anti-submarine Ka-27M Su-33 heavy shipborne fighters. Next Red’ — represents a flypast of fixed-wing naval aircraft and Ka-28, the assault-configured Ka-29, came a pair of Tu-142МZ aircraft, the the latest version and helicopters. In total, more than 40 and the search and rescue Ka-27PS. definitive production version of the of the venerable fighters, refueling tankers, surveillance ‘Bear-F’. The formations also included ‘Bear-F’ long- aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft took The next aircraft to appear in the MiG-29K shipborne multi-role fighters range ASW part. They were drawn from military skies over Russia’s ‘northern capital’ and land-based Su-24M strike aircraft. aircraft. The units belonging to the Baltic, North, were three modernized Il-38N Novella The flyover was concluded by a group of final production Black Sea and Pacific Fleets. anti-submarine aircraft. They were Su-25BМs, trailing smoke to paint the sky version had a followed by examples of the Russian of Saint Petersburg in the colors of the new Zarechye Preparations for the aerial component Aerospace Forces’ A-50U AEW&C aircraft Russian flag. radio sonobuoy began in early July. Aircraft were and Il-78M tanker accompanied by system and relocated to airfields in the Western Sayany electronic Military District, including Pushkin, countermeasures Besovets and Gromovo, as well as to suite. the Northern Fleet base at Kipelovo, normally home to a Tu-142 squadron equipped with around seven airworthy Tu-142MKs, and four Tu-142MRs used for long-range communications. As one of the most important naval aviation bases, Kipelovo has a runway 3,500m (11,483ft) long and 70m (230ft) wide. Once at their temporary bases, the various aircraft almost immediately began training flights. Heading the aerial parade was a ‘tactical group’ of Mi-8MTV multi- purpose helicopters. The navy’s Kamov www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 43

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combataircraft.net 28-PAGE SUPPLEMENT NORTH AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE USAF STRATEGIC BOMBERS INSIDE THE LEGACY PROCUREMENT PLANS ACOCCMOBUANTTS LATEST INSIGHT

A FORCE IN TRANSITION costs than its stablemates despite its age. The USAF has also chosen to retain The US Air Force’s strategic bomber fleet maintains the ultimate global presence the B-52 because of its versatile payload in terms of reach and deterrence. Yet it is a force under pressure, amid poor and mission adaptability as well as its readiness and increasing demand. ability to carry new weapons such as the long-range stand-o (LRSO) cruise missile. BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // INTRODUCTION REPORT Jamie Hunter Still regarded as being cutting-edge, Below left: The Around 75 B-52s will remain in service the B-2A Spirit is marking 30 years USAF’s strategic until at least 2050, with a $2.2-billion T HE US AIR Force operates the since the type’s rst ight. The USAF’s bomber trio — a package of upgrades including new world’s most signi cant eet youngest bombers are slated to be B-52H leads a engines and an advanced radar. of strategic heavy bombers. replaced by the brand-new Northrop B-1B and B-2A in Against the backdrop of a Grumman B-21, the design of which this image from Backing the ‘BUFF’ resurgent Russian Long- addresses the deep aws of the Spirit, the 1990s. USAF Range Aviation — Moscow’s meaning the latter looks set to be retired Below: B-1B The USAF plans to quadruple the external equivalent — and an expanding as soon as is practicable to make way for Lancers on the bomb load of the Stratofortress via a Chinese bomber inventory, Air Force its stealthy successor. flight line during new external weapon pylon. The service Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is sunset at Al Udeid hopes to increase the load carried on the under pressure. The Fiscal Year 2019 Improving the force Air Base, Qatar. B-52’s two external pylons from 10,000lb budget request, announced as part of Having returned (4,536kg) to 40,000lb (18,144kg). Designed the US defense budget on February 12, While the USAF is setting out its stall from combat in 1959, the current improved common 2018, called for $156.3 billion out of an regarding future strategic bomber operations, the pylon (ICP) is capable of carrying weapons overall presidential budget request for capabilities, the force is currently at a USAF is increasing weighing up to 5,000lb (2,268kg). A new $686.1 billion. This represented ve per low ebb. Former Secretary of the Air efforts to improve pylon is planned under an accelerated cent real growth over the initial FY 2018 Force Heather Wilson said in 2018 that B-1 readiness. engineering and manufacturing budget, reversing a seven-year decline future plans are in line with President USAF/TSgt Ted development (EMD) phase that will in US defense spending. Yet America’s Trump’s 2018 National Defense Strategy, Nichols bombers are struggling to maintain prioritizing long-term competition with eld a replacement capable of carrying readiness and meet future needs. In China and Russia and restoring the multiple weapons in the 5,000 to 20,000lb mid-2019, it was reported that only six readiness of the force; increasing lethality, category. It would enable the B-52H to B-1Bs were fully ‘combat-capable’, and while modernizing cost-e ectively. carry any of the air-launched munitions in the aging B-52Hs — set to remain in the USAF inventory, including the 22,000lb service for the foreseeable future — This is focused on retirement of the (9,979kg) GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air are desperate for upgrades to retain B-1B and B-2A to make way for the B-21. Burst (MOAB) bomb. credibility. The average B-52H could be The FY 2019 budget request allocated nudging 100 years old by the time it is funding to upgrade its B-52H eet under The most important elements in the so-called‘Bomber Vector’, to partner the planned upgrade center on the nally retired! it with the B-21 and retire the B-1 and provision of new engines and radars. B-2, which were previously expected to The air force considers the B-52H’s TF33 remain in service until 2040 and 2058 turbofan engine to be ‘ine cient and [of] respectively. limited capability compared to modern commercially available engines’, as well The decision-making appears to have as being ‘costly and manpower-intensive been based on mission-capable rates, to maintain’. through-life support costs and spares supply chains — the B-52 o ers an The USAF has conducted 13 studies a ordable road-map to lower and less examining B-52 re-engining options complex operational since 1996. Initially, attention was focused on replacing the eight original 17,000lb- thrust Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103 turbofans with four much bigger, higher- bypass ratio, higher-thrust turbofans 46 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

(the PW2000 and the Rolls-Royce RB211 be assigned the new designation B-52J Above: Little is The USAF says it will station B-21A BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // INTRODUCTION were contenders). Plans have now when all of the planned upgrades have known about Raiders at three current Air Force Global solidi ed on swapping the TF33s with been incorporated. the technical Strike Command bases beginning in eight engines of a similar size, weight, specifications of the mid-2020s. The facilities, which and thrust rating, retaining the existing New weapons are also entering ight the B-21, although comprise Dyess AFB, Texas, Ellsworth nacelles and minimizing the need for test. The USAF conducted the rst the first aircraft is AFB, South Dakota and Whiteman structural modi cations. The aim is to now in production AFB, Missouri, are currently home to reduce maintenance costs and improve ight test of its hypersonic AGM-183A and it is expected B-1B and B-2A bombers. Using the fuel e ciency by at least 20 per cent. Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon to fly before the existing bomber bases will minimize (ARRW) at Edwards AFB, California, on end of 2021. USAF operational impact, reduce overheads, The USAF has now allocated $727.5 June 12, 2019. During the captive-carry Below: The B-52H maximize re-use of facilities, and million to a development phase of test ight, an instrumented version of the is finally set to lessen costs to the service. Barksdale re-engining between Fiscal Years ARRW prototype was carried externally be re-engined. AFB, Louisiana, and Minot AFB, North 2019-23, with the production phase by a B-52H from the 419th Flight Test Rolls-Royce’s Dakota, will continue to support the targeting FY 2022. A decision on the Squadron at Edwards AFB, California. proposal is based B-52H eet, which will stay in service new engine is expected by mid-2020, on its F130 engine, through 2050. and two prototypes will be kitted out The ARRW is one of several air- which would fit before 74 engine sets are procured from launched hypersonic weapons being inside the existing The new plan is also based around a FY 2026. The entire project should be developed as rapid prototyping e orts TF33 nacelle, as ‘force-neutral manning structure’, which complete by 2034. by the USAF, along with the Hypersonic would the General means the USAF will man the new B-21 Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) Electric and squadrons with personnel coming from Rolls-Royce is proposing the F130 and the Hypersonic Conventional Pratt & Whitney the B-1 and B-2 communities as they variant of its BR725 turbofan, and Strike Weapon (HCSW). The weapon offerings. are retired, although the bomber force General Electric is o ering its CF34-10 is expected to reach early operational Rolls-Royce will grow overall from the current 157 engine, both being widely in use on capability by FY 2022. aircraft today to at least 175. existing business jets. Pratt & Whitney is putting forward both a major TF33 Having regenerated one B-52H from The transition still sees the USAF overhaul as a lower-cost alternative as the boneyard in 2015, and a second coming up short by seven bomber well as brand-new powerplants. example earlier this year, USAF vice- squadrons, according to the ‘Air Force chief Gen Stephen Wilson said another We Need’ strategy, set out in 2018. Boeing has selected Raytheon to one or two aircraft could be pulled from This is only likely to be addressed provide a new active electronically the desert in Arizona and regenerated via an increased buy of B-21s, which scanned array (AESA) radar for the for service. Wilson told Air Force would reduce the unit cost, spreading B-52H. Based on the APG-79/APG-82 Magazine, ‘The general consensus is, we development costs over a larger family, the system will replace the don’t have enough long-range strike production run. current AN/APQ-166 and is designed capacity. We continue to look at what to improve mapping and detection that force will be for the future across The commander of AFGSC, Gen range, while increasing the number the bomber force, what mix it will be.’ Timothy Ray, has openly questioned of targets the aircraft can engage whether the B-1 and B-2 should be simultaneously. Boeing is the prime Raider progress retired, but the air force acknowledges contractor responsible for the B-52’s it cannot operate four di erent types. radar modernization program (RMP) Little is publicly known about the B-21, and Raytheon will design, develop, aside from a bland artist’s impression The ‘Bomber Vector’ draft plan said produce and sustain the radar systems and a few sketchy program details. the B-2 will be retired ‘no later than for the entire eet. Low-rate production The rst new Northrop Grumman 2032’ and the B-1 ‘no later than 2036’. is scheduled to begin in 2024 and the bomber is now in nal assembly at Air If AFGSC retained all of its platforms system will achieve initial operational Force Plant 42 at Palmdale, California, it would have swelled to 257 aircraft, capability in 2025. and according to Wilson it will y in which the USAF says is unsupportable. December 2021. The USAF says it needs Retiring the B-1 and B-2 will reportedly The USAF’s program executive o cer at least 100 B-21s and believes that save su cient funds to cover the cost for ghters and bombers recently plans for the Raider alongside B-52 of base infrastructure upgrades to indicated that the bombers would likely sustainment mean it is still coming up accommodate the B-21. short in terms of capacity. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 47

BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 Long-range, silent, and deadly accurate — the B-2 Spirit is Three decades on, one aircraft has been lost in an accident and the B-2s unique, yet Chinese competition is waiting in the wings. As have cemented a position as the ultimate symbol of US global air power, Combat Aircraft marks the 30th anniversary of the first flight of able to strike whenever and wherever required under a cloak of invisibility. the B-2, we look back at the past and at what the future may The 509th Bomb Wing (BW) at Ihold for this incredible aircraft. Edwards AFB for the stealth bomber’s Whiteman AFB, Missouri, has been at the T IS REMARKABLE that it’s been 30 hotly anticipated maiden flight. center of five major military operations: in years since the bat-winged B-2A the skies over Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq Spirit first took to the skies. On The B-2 was always controversial, and, most recently, Libya. Indeed, the B-2 July 17, 1989, Northrop’s B-2 chief failing to attract the political backing was the first type over Afghanistan after test pilot Bruce J. Hinds and B-2 needed to realize the US Air Force’s the ‘9/11’ attacks, for which aircraft and Combined Test Force commander desired fleet of 132 aircraft. Famously, aircrews hold the record for the longest combat mission at 44.3 hours. Col Richard S. Couch flew aircraft AV-1 only 21 aircraft were ever built, each ‘The combination of range, payload, (serial 82-1066) from Air Force Plant of which is today rightly considered a and stealth is really what makes the B-2 42 at Palmdale, California, to nearby national asset. 48 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

unique in all these fights,’ said Col Jeffrey stealth lost control as it BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 Schreiner, the current 509th Bomb Wing enterprise took off due to commander. ‘Our adversaries don’t know The B-2A can are the men heavy precipitation when a conflict is going to heat up or dispatch as and women in that compromised its when Whiteman is going to be called many as 80 uniform and civilian complex air data systems. into the fight.’ independently experts who work tirelessly The remaining fleet of 19 combat- targeted GPS- to provide an asset of unmatched coded and one test aircraft has B-2 evolution guided 500lb capability,’ Schreiner added. ‘With received many upgrades since entering GBU-38 Joint their expertise and dedication, the B-2 service. Recent projects have equipped Whiteman AFB is like many other Direct Attack will remain an invaluable asset to our the B-2A with additional weapons, new USAF installations in that it combines Munitions. USAF/ nation for years to come.’ communications capabilities, improved the active-duty 509th BW with an Air SSgt Jeremy M. self-protection and upgraded radar. National Guard (ANG) contingent — that Wilson Amid the successes came one highly Flight-testing of the new radar got of the 131st BW from the Missouri ANG. publicized accident as an aircraft under way aboard B-2A test aircraft This total force integration allows for a crashed on take-off from Andersen AV-3 at Edwards AFB, California, in April pool of experience to be retained when AFB, Guam, on February 23, 2008. The 2006, and the first phase of flight test it comes to training, maintenance, and two-man crew ejected safely when the was completed by June 2006. Following combat operations. ‘At the heart of the aircraft — 89-0127 Spirit of Kansas — www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 49

DMS-M UPGRADE BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 successful operational evaluation in network speed, has also transformed Above: A B-2 DMS-M is an upgrade for the digital 2008 at Edwards, the USAF awarded automated navigation programs. takes on fuel from electronic support measures (ESM) Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems a The nal installation of the B-2 ight a KC-135R during sub-system. It adds new ESM $468-million production contract for the management control processor a Global Power antennas, and modern display radar modernization program (RMP) and upgrade, also known as the extremely mission. USAF/ processing units to improve threat full operational capability was achieved high frequency, increment 1, was MSgt Val Gempis radar detection, identi cation, and in 2011. In late 2009, Northrop Grumman completed in August 2016. This allows a Below: B-2s avoidance capabilities. The director received approval for full-rate production B-2 crew to launch weapons much more operate from of operational test and evaluation of the AN/APQ-181 radar. The Milestone e ectively, thereby reducing exposure bespoke hangars approved the DMS-M Milestone B test C decision to enter full-rate production to threats. The upgrade involved the at Whiteman AFB, and evaluation master plan (TEMP) in was actually granted on October 16 and re-hosting of the ight management and regularly October 2015. followed the low-rate initial production control processors, the internal brains deploy to bases (LRIP) phase. LRIP kits were installed from of the B-2, into more capable integrated around the globe Raytheon announced in December mid-2010, and all RMP radar installations processing units. including RAF 2017 that it had completed inaugural were completed by 2012. Fairford, UK, tests of a prototype miniaturized GPS A raft of new upgrades is in train to Andersen AFB, airborne receiver (MAGR)-2K-M. This A ight management system upgrade bring‘massive repower to even the Guam, and more is an open architecture system using with over a thousand times the most heavily-defended targets’, according recently Joint GPS computer cards including 12 processor throughput, memory, and to the USAF. Central to this is the new Base Pearl Harbor- and 24-channel selective availability Hickam, Hawaii. anti-spoo ng modules (SAASM). USAF/SMSgt Mary- Integration of M-Code receivers Dale Amison will enable the aircraft to access the modernized GPS network. Production units are expected to be installed in a B-2 in the 2019-20 timeframe. penetrating B-61 mod 12 (B61-12) nuclear bomb. The B61-12 is expected to enter service shortly, and consolidates several di erent kinds of attack options into a single weapon — from penetrating attacks to above-surface detonation, thereby increasing targeting envelopes. Alongside this is a new avionics and targeting suite, known as the Defense Management System — Modernized (DMS-M), which is expected to achieve initial capability in mid-2022. DMS-M is designed to detect signals from ground-based anti-aircraft systems in what has been described as ‘the most extensive modi cation e ort that the 50 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net