Combat Aircraft - October 2019

B-2 has attempted’. DMS-M replaces the Above right: B-2A against the Libyan regime. Operating BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 existing DMS to ensure the B-2 remains Col Matthew BLOCKS direct from Whiteman and supported robust against the most modern air Calhoun, the by six KC-135R tankers, the Spirits defense systems. This will see the B-2s 131st Bomb Wing Initial aircraft were delivered in Block struck hardened aircraft shelters at receiving new antennas with advanced vice-commander, 10 con guration with a limited Ghardabiya air eld near Sirte. The B-2s digital electronic support measures presented Lt Col combat capability that included dropped 40 JDAMs on the Libyan Su-24 (ESM) upgrades to improve their threat Timothy B. Rezac, 2,000lb Mk84 conventional bombs ‘Fencer’ base that night. This type of warning systems. commander of or gravity nuclear weapons. Block mission, into an active and aggressive the 110th Bomb 20-con gured aircraft were provided integrated air defense network, is a key Existing B-2 bomb rack assemblies Squadron, with a with an interim capability to deliver capability for the B-2. have been converted to allow the aircraft commemorative the GPS-Aided Munition (GAM). to carry as many as 80 independently patch on July 2, Block 30-con gured aircraft are fully Six years later, on January 18, 2017, targeted GPS-guided 500lb GBU-38 2019, as Rezac capable and feature additional radar the B-2s were back over Libya to strike Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). became the 14th modes, enhanced terrain-following an Islamic State (IS) position in a remote Upgrades will also permit carriage of up B-2 pilot to reach capability and the ability to deliver desert 28 miles (45km) south-west to four 5,000lb GBU-28 ‘bunker-buster’ 1,500 flight hours an expanded range of weapons, of Sirte. Four B-2As ew the mission, bombs in one weapons bay and as in the type. USAF/ including the Joint Direct Attack but only two pressed home attacks, many as 40 500lb GBU-38s in the second SrA Ashley Adkins Munition (JDAM) and the AGM-154 dropping some 108 JDAMs against four weapons bay. Below: A Boeing Joint Stand-O Weapon (JSOW). desert camps. This 34-hour mission KC-46A refuels is a classic example of what the B-2 The 30,000lb GBU-57A/B Massive the B-2 for the anywhere in the world. On March has been so valuable for in service. Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) was first time during 19, 2011, three B-2As headed across Originally designed to penetrate introduced via a new bomb bay rack in developmental the Atlantic in the dead of night to Soviet air defenses, possibly at low 2007. In late 2011, the USAF completed flight-testing from deliver the opening blows level, partnering with tanker aircraft integration of the MOP, which means the Edwards AFB on of ‘Odyssey Dawn’, the means Whiteman’s aircrews can be over bomber can deliver two of the bunker- April 23, 2019. main air campaign any point on the globe within hours. busting conventional payloads. The 72nd USAF/Christian The B-2 can y 6,000 nautical miles Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) and Turner unrefueled and 10,000 nautical miles the 509th BW at Whiteman performed with just one aerial refueling. This in the rst-ever B-2 three-ship mission with the GBU-57A/B on June 6, 2016. In 2013, plans emerged for the USAF to arm the B-2 with a new nuclear cruise missile that is in the early stages of development. The new long-range stand- o (LRSO) weapon is also planned for the B-52H and the B-21, and will replace the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). A total of between 1,000 and 1,100 new cruise missiles are intended to maintain the USAF’s stand-o nuclear delivery capability. Global strike force The B-2’s range and stealthy characteristics mean it is able to deliver a huge precision load in deathly silence, www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 51

One of four B-2s preparing to taxi out of its hangar at Whiteman AFB for the strike on a terrorist camp south-west of Sirte on January 18, 2017. USAF/SrA Joel Pfiester BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 turn presents challenges to the two- interoperability,’ said Lt Col Joshua Dorr, in which it simultaneously focuses Below left: person ight crews, who are trained to the 393rd Bomb Squadron director of on mission execution, readiness, and Maintainers be able to be alert for critical phases of operation. ‘It a ords us the opportunity modernization. The potential for prepare a full load to work with our allies in joint exercises con ict between the US and China or of GBU-38 JDAMs ight, while being able to nap during and validates our always-ready global Russia is higher than any time since for a live mission. periods of lower intensity. strike capability.’ the end of the Cold War, featuring USAF signi cantly new dynamics brought on Below: The In theaters such as the Paci c, Gen Timothy Ray, commander of by modern capabilities. The long-range January 2017 raid the B-2 is a critical element of US AFGSC, laid out strategic plans for the precision nuclear and conventional on desert camps Strategic Command’s Bomber Task force on July 31, 2019: ‘The return of strike capability, resident in both the in Libya was the Force (BTF). Aircraft regularly rotate great power competition as explained [inter-continental ballistic missile] first time B-2s through the Indo-Paci c region to in the National Defense Strategy, and manned bomber units in Global had seen combat integrate capabilities with key regional following an extended period of US Strike Command [backed by command since the opening partners and to maintain a high state focus on counter-terrorism operations, and control, robust sustainment and of the Libyan of aircrew pro ciency. ‘This training requires AFGSC to adjust the manner air campaign in is crucial to maintaining our regional March 2011. USAF/ SrA Joel Pfiester 52 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Below right: A B-2 security], have central roles throughout alongside sustained modernization massively expensive to maintain, with BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-2A AT 30 Spirit, deployed all phases of competition and con ict and improvement, is exactly the obsolescence issues plaguing its recent from Whiteman, whether preserving stability during organization our country needs most.’ career. The B-21 is designed to address is prepped for a heightened tensions or imposing our these shortcomings, making use of training mission at will on our adversaries by force in the Under new plans, the air force looks o -the-shelf technology rather than the Joint Base Pearl event of armed con ict. In light of set to retire the Spirit eet in favor of bespoke systems that were integrated Harbor-Hickam, this, through the appropriate focus the new B-21 Raider. Initially agged into the B-2. Hawaii, in January and energy on excellence, teams and to remain in service until 2058, the B-2 2019. USAF people, we will develop the world’s could be gone by 2032 under the new There is no doubt that this stealthy bombers regularly most respected and feared long- ‘Bomber Vector’ plan. global striker has rede ned modern air rotate through range precision res team, ready power. It has laid the foundations for a the strategically to respond around the world. This While the Spirit retains its ‘silver bullet’ USAF that is looking ahead to the future, important Indo- will be an organization that steadily strategic nuclear deterrence role, it securing a long-term strategy that will Pacific region. improves near-term readiness and has been made relevant for a range of underpin the USAF’s primary deterrent USAF/SrA Thomas other real-world missions around the force for a sustainable future. Barley globe. Yet the B-2 is renowned for being www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 53

HE B 1B LANCER eet has Strike Command (AFGSC) is having to The US Air Force’s been at the center of a re-allocate personnel to other billets to B-1B Lancer fleet has signi cant mission systems mitigate training restrictions. seen many changes, upgrade e ort over recent notably its adaptation The USAF is under pressure to put to the conventional Tyears. It has transformed new plans in place to restore the role and its transfer to Air Force Global the cockpits of this USAF capabilities of the B-1 force during Strike Command. However, readiness is heavyweight. However, it could be the 2020. AFGSC says it is conducting ‘an a constant concern in the current climate. last signi cant money spent on the extensive engineering review of the REPORT Jamie Hunter ‘Bone’ as retirement plans loom. Lancer eet, which will help it determine with Ted Carlson This kind of strategic plan immediately what workloads and timelines are leads to funding being channeled away needed to get back to full capacity’. Too from a platform. This is exacerbated many aircraft are in need of structural by signi cant structural concerns that modi cations and as a result aircrew have left the two operational B-1 bomb readiness is struggling. wings in a parlous state when it comes Safety stand-downs to readiness. The mission-capable rate (MCR) for the The B-1 eet has been grounded twice USAF’s eet of 62 Lancers sat at 52.8 per in the past year over concerns about cent in 2017. It’s a statistic that has since defects in the bomber’s ACES II ejection worsened. The House Armed Services seats. AFGSC said on April 23, 2019, that sea power and projection forces sub- inspections and maintenance had been committee says the B-1 isn’t receiving completed, and that the aircraft would the funding it needs to improve its poor return to ying status. AFGSC chief Gen MCR. In fact, after two protracted safety Timothy Ray ordered a time compliance of ight groundings in the past year, the technical order for inspections of all B-1 BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-1B LANCER number of mission-ready Lancers is said egress systems following the discovery LANCERtobeinsingledigitsandAirForceGlobal ofthreeissuesoverthepastyear. AT A LOW EBB 54 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

AFGSC ordered a previous grounding that readiness has to su er when safety on June 7, 2018, after problems were concerns are raised — the priority had to found with ejection seat components be ensuring the B-1s were safe for ight. during inspections following an incident on May 1 when B-1B serial 86-0109 of Current fleet the 7th Bomb Wing from Dyess AFB, Texas, made a cautionary diversion to The USAF’s combat-coded B-1Bs are Midland International Air and Space assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing (BW) Port. The diversion resulted from an at Dyess AFB, Texas, and the 28th BW engine ame-out on a routine sortie. at Ellsworth in South Dakota. The 7th Photographs on the ground at Midland BW has 35 B-1s on its books and the showed re damage around one of the 28th BW has 27. B-1s from the 9th engine compartments, while the escape Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) at hatch above the weapon systems Dyess concluded a deployment to the o cer’s position was missing. Middle East on March 11 when the last of the aircraft returned to Texas. In an Commenting on the groundings, Maj unusual move, the bombers were not Gen Jim Dawkins, commander of the replaced by another unit, marking the 8th Air Force, said, ‘The aircraft are still safe to y and we are con dent that this rst time in 18 years that no bombers stand-down has resulted in increased were operating in the US Central safety within the B-1B eet.’The latest Command area of responsibility (AOR). grounding appears to have been While deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, related to the rigging of the drogue the Lancers ew combat operations in chute and was said to be a ‘procedural’ support of Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’. issue rather than a problem with the They also conducted ‘over the horizon’ seat itself, which triggered the 2018 missions to bomb Taliban and other grounding. Gen Ray has been very clear targets in Afghanistan. During the deployment, the B-1Bs ew 4,471 hours A pair of B-1B Lancers BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-1B LANCER — one each from the 28th Bomb Wing’s 37th Bomb Squadron (BS) ‘Tigers’ and 34th BS ‘T-Birds’ — flies past the majestic Devil’s Tower national monument in Wyoming. Ted Carlson/ Fotodynamics www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 55

BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-1B LANCER and conducted 920 air strikes during the 7th BW following delivery of the Above left: Qatari saturation. Sensors have become an 390 sorties. 15th upgraded aircraft on December Mirage 2000-5s, instrumental component of the Lancer’s 15, 2015. Block 16, also known as a US Air Force armory, the latest version of the Sniper This underlines the importance and the integrated battle station (IBS), B-1B and an F-15E ATP (Advanced Targeting Pod) being the versatility of the B-1 and the contribution provides the bomber with the fully fly in formation ATP-SE (Sensor Enhancement) variant. the type has made during enduring integrated data link (FIDL), a vertical during ‘Joint Air operations in US Central Command. situation display upgrade (VSDU) and Defense Exercise More enhancements are needed central integrated test system (CITS) 19-01’ in February under the Reliability and Maintainability The 28th BW’s return to Ellsworth modifications. The upgrade improves 2019. USAF/SSgt Improvement Program (RMIP) that in January 2016 marked the end of situational awareness and battlefield Clayton Cupit centers upon the Northrop Grumman nearly 14 years of continuous Lancer communication, reduces crew workload, Below: Two pilots Scalable Agile Beam Radar — Global rotations to Central Command. During its and supports evolving network-centric in a B-1B with Strike (SABR-GS), which is being deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, warfare. It provides the aircraft with full- a Sustainment developed as an affordable, low-risk radar the 37th EBS flew around 490 sorties and color displays, moving maps, and new Block 16 cockpit retrofit solution for the B-1B. delivered more than 4,850 munitions diagnostics systems, and is the most run through in support of Operations‘Freedom’s extensive update in the B-1B’s history. pre-start checks. Flying the ‘Bone’ Sentinel’and‘Inherent Resolve’. The FIDL connects the B-1 into Link 16 USAF departure from combat operations was networks and allows the aircraft to send The crew consists of four — a pilot, co- intended to enable regeneration time and receive text messages, imagery and pilot, and two WSOs (weapon systems and consolidation with the new Block 16 mission assignments including external operators) situated aft of the pilots. The equipment. targeting information. defensive systems officer resides on the left-hand side, while the offensive However, just six months later, the SB16 makes the crew’s job much systems officer mans the right. B-1s were back on the road, deploying easier, allowing them to focus on more to Andersen AFB, Guam, for the first important events during a mission Capt David (full name withheld for time since April 2016 in support of US and avoiding the potential for task security reasons), a pilot with the 37th Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber BS who has 800 hours of Lancer flight Presence mission. By March 31, 2018, time, told Combat Aircraft, ‘It goes very the B-1 was back in Central Command low and very fast, plus it has quite as it relieved B-52Hs at Al Udeid with the good maneuverability for such a large arrival of the bombers from Ellsworth. aircraft. It is a fairly simple jet to fly and a lot of fun.’ The B-1B has the largest internal payload of any current bomber. The He added, ‘Recently, I have been in Conventional Mission Upgrade Program two different theaters of operation (CMUP) transformed the platform for combat. In the South-west Asia into a non-nuclear bomber capable CENTCOM [US Central Command] area, of employing the latest conventional we often integrated into large joint- weapons, including GPS (global service and country formations, with over positioning system)-guided Joint Direct 50 aircraft involved. We all had the same Attack Munitions (JDAM) and the long- mindset and mission goals on who we range AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface were targeting. A single flight could last Stand-off Missile (JASSM). The B-1’s large anywhere from 10 to 20 hours. We would precision payload, good range, high need tanker support and, one mission, subsonic speed, and long endurance our formation of aircraft employed have made it an unexpected close air support (CAS) platform. The latest B-1 enhancement is Sustainment Block 16, which achieved initial operating capability (IOC) with 56 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

over 150 weapons. France and the Above left to right: today. Going from the SB15 to the SB16 signi cant e ect on readiness. The USAF BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-1B LANCER Netherlands both participated and were Lancer 86-0101 was a huge leap, and mastering the B-1 reports it wants to retire the Lancer as the heavily involved in that mission. Watchman at happens much sooner. I love the power, B-21 arrives. The Lancer was originally Tinker AFB, the maneuverability, and it is a great slated to remain in service until 2040, but ‘[In] another operating area in a di erent Oklahoma, airplane to y.’ it will now go‘no later than’2036. direction, we were supporting special where heavy tactics personnel via close air support maintenance is New weapons for the B-1 have included Retiring the B-1 and B-2 early will [CAS], and we had the opportunity to conducted in a the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to- reportedly save su cient funds to cover meet them in person as they would ow public/private Surface Stand-o Missile — Extended the cost of base infrastructure upgrades through the base. It was great to be able partnership Range), with the ability to carry 24 to accommodate the B-21 and help to support those guys and their ght. They between the air on one aircraft, and the very-capable create a‘force-neutral manning structure’, were able to regain territory they had lost; force and Boeing. 500lb GBU-54 LJDAM (Laser JDAM) which means the USAF will man the B-21 we could see the progress and that we USAF/Greg L. to hit fast-moving and maneuvering squadrons with personnel coming from were helping to make a di erence.’ Davis ground targets. The next B-1 upgrade the B-1 and B-2 communities. 10th Flight Test is SB17, which enhances the machine- Lt Col Seth Spanier commented,‘The Squadron B-1B to-machine interface, improves Sniper While the B-1 faces some pressing aircraft itself is exible, capable, and an crew members pod integration and adds the AGM-158C immediate concerns, measures are impressive machine. It is like ying three Lt Col James Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). being put in place to restore the eet di erent airplanes, one being high- Couch, offensive from this low ebb. The weapons and altitude cruise with the wings forward, weapons system All change upgrades that have made it to the B-1 [another] low-altitude with the wings officer and Maj may have slowed now, but with a few fully aft, and lastly in the tra c pattern Michael Griffin, Since October 2001, the USAF’s B-1s more spend-to-save improvements still low and slow, with the wings forward. co-pilot, with B-1B have essentially been in non-stop to be added, the B-1 will undoubtedly A pilot has to learn how to y the‘Bone’ 86-0109 after combat operations in a variety of places, re-attain its standing in the strategic in all three ight regimes. The new SB16 ferrying it from only impacted by scheduling of the bomber inventory. It’s simply too upgrade is amazing, and it is easy to be Midland to Tinker SB16 upgrade and now by the latest important an asset to be left on the good in an SB16 jet — it is the new B-1 of AFB on October safety stand-downs, which have had a sidelines. 26, 2018. USAF/ Greg L. Davis After two protracted safety of flight groundings in the past year, the number of mission-ready Lancers is said to be in single digits and Air Force Global Strike Command is having to re-allocate personnel to other billets Here: The 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron launched strikes from Al Udeid, Qatar, on April 13, 2018, in support of the multinational response to Syria’s recent use of chemical weapons. Two B-1Bs employed 19 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), marking the first combat employment of the weapon. USAF/MSgt Phil Speck www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 57

58 April 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

GLOBAL ApairofB-1BLancers—oneeach from the 28th Bomb Wing’s 37th Bomb Squadron (BS) ‘Tigers’ and 34th BS ‘T-Birds’ flies past the majestic Mount Rushmore, AIR POWERSouthDakota.TedCarlson/ Fotodynamics www.combataircraft.net // April 2019 59

Designed for the nuclear role, the B-52H turned its hand to a new mission in the skies above Afghanistan in 2001 — assisting troops on the ground through close air support. BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT TREPORT Warren E. Thompson were used to secure weapons, attract This image: A 2nd Bomb Wing HE MIGHTY BOEING B-52 recruits and fund ongoing operations, B-52H flying over the Indian Stratofortress was designed according to Nicholson. Ocean on its way back to to carry nuclear weapons Diego Garcia after working anywhere in the world and Afghan ops with special forces. deliver them at very short David Leedom notice. Every B-52 base in With Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean Inset: The patch provided to all the US was equipped with an alert pad earmarked as the main operating base for in the 40th Air Expeditionary stocked with nuclear munitions and launching missions into Afghanistan, all Group who took the fight to the tanker support, ready to go to war. If three US strategic bombers were tasked Taliban forces in Afghanistan. there was ever a need to strike fear into in the region. B-1B Lancers and B-2A USAF the hearts of potential adversaries, the Spirits started operations in the relative ‘BUFF’ (Big Ugly Fat Fella) has always sanctuary of high altitude, but for the been the go-to warplane. B-52s a lower operating altitude was to become the chosen domain. Conflict in Vietnam sparked changes in the B-52’s mandate, not least It was the B-52Hs of the 2nd and 917th the switch to conventional roles. In Bomb Wings out of Barksdale AFB, February 1964, a batch of B-52Fs was Louisiana, that deployed to shoulder converted to carry iron bombs under huge payloads of up to 70,000lb the ‘South Bay’ modification program. (31,751kg) of lethal ordnance. By It heralded a change that would open combining the active-duty and reserve the door for the Stratofortress to offer commands of these two wings, the B-52s support in a host of conflicts, while still were able to achieve impressive results, keeping its hand in with the nuclear using the expertise of the part-time mission to meet the near-peer threat. crews to hit the enemy hard. The missions were long and tiring; often airborne for Right after the September 11, 2001 between 12 and 18 hours, regularly going attacks on the World Trade Center to the tanker as many as five times in a in New York and the Pentagon in single mission, ready to return to the fight Washington, the American military and to be available as and when required. went on the offensive against terror organizations. It was quickly Maj Eric Johnson was a pilot in the determined that the largest training 20th Bomb Squadron. He told Combat camps for such actors were centered Aircraft, ‘We deployed to Diego Garcia in Afghanistan, which was to become initially to go after pre-planned targets. the focus of Operation ‘Enduring There was a shift in tactics shortly after Freedom’ (OEF). as we started working closely with ground FACs [forward air controllers]. The US Air Force once again turned to We then went into the close air support the B-52, not for nuclear reasons, but to [CAS] method of targeting.’ By the early tackle Taliban forces that were scattered part of November 2001, the action over a wide area. In an unprecedented began accelerating rapidly as the ‘BUFF’ move, the B-52 crews would fly lower crews began working closely with than ever before in an attempt to catch special forces on the ground. marauding groups of enemy fighters out in the open. ‘Early on, we went for pre-planned targeting, where you knew from the start One of the top US military leaders what you were going against,’explained in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, Johnson.‘October 21, 2001 was when stated that they were striking the things really started changing. We took Taliban ‘where it hurt’ — the group’s off on that day with pre-planned targets. finances. Initial strikes by USAF We were heading up into country when B-52Hs destroyed 25 drug factories we were notified from the command in southern Afghanistan, wiping out authority that we needed to handle approximately $16 million in Taliban a situation. I got diverted up to the revenue. It came as a taste of what was northern part of Afghanistan because to follow. Operation ‘Jagged Knife’ was we had some people on the ground that aimed at destroying the Taliban’s vast were in a lot of trouble — they needed opium trade, the proceeds from which 60 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

‘BUFF’ BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT LOW DOWN OVER AFGHANISTAN www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 61

BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT assistance immediately. We arrived in the a combination of our special forces and to the guys on the ground. We carried a area and got in touch with forces on the Northern Alliance troops fighting a mixed load of ordnance — in this case ground. This was the first time we had numerically superior Taliban force. They we had some CBU-103s [wind-corrected ever done anything like this. The guy on started targeting us to specific enemy munitions dispensers, WCMDs] on the the ground started giving us targeting positions and we made several low-level wing and CBUs [cluster bomb units] in data and we tried to strike the targets. passes. It was a very interesting sortie the bomb bay. because it was new for us and we were ‘They were taking fire from a large learning on the fly — the same applied ‘As far as being shot at from the ground force of enemy [Taliban] troops. It was [was concerned], on our daylight missions we didn’t notice anything coming up at Above: A B-52H us, but we did receive calls from our guys flown by Capt on the ground that the Taliban was firing Will Byers and at us. The FAC told us they were shooting Maj Tom Aranda triple-A [anti-aircraft artillery] at us and prepares for at them, so we took the pressure off [the refueling over ground team] on that count. This allowed Afghanistan on a our guys to bug out under less heat and close air support get into a safer position.’ mission. USAF/MSgt Lance In the first week of ‘Enduring Cheung Freedom’, USAF bombers dropped Left: This nose more than 80 per cent of all munitions art remembered expended: some 500 GPS-guided the ‘9/11’ attacks, bombs, 1,000 Mk82 dumb bombs and saluting the approximately 50 cluster bombs. During firefighters who that week, the bombers accounted gave their lives for approximately 40 per cent of all trying to rescue the trapped civilians. Andy Bloom 62 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Above right: strike sorties. In contrast, the US Navy ight in which he was initially part of BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT Members of the dropped fewer than 300 weapons. a formation of ‘BUFFs’. ‘During those Northern Alliance Navy ghter-bombers took on a bigger early days, we would break o and look on as a B-52 role thereafter, increasing the use handle a single target and then remain strikes Taliban of unguided weapons, and moving by ourselves. I remember some of our positions. USAF away from purely smart munitions. By early close air support because it was Below: A B-52H December 10, approximately 12,000 totally di erent from anything we gets airborne munitions had been expended over had been trained on. Those rst few from Diego Garcia Afghanistan. Of these, 56 per cent were missions opened up a whole new view on October 22, precision or near-precision weapons. of the B-52H.’ Johnson said the B-52 2001, in support This compares to the experience of crews started expanding weapons sets, of Operation Operation ‘Allied Force’ in 1999, in adding Joint Direct Attack Munitions ‘Enduring which only one-third of munitions were (JDAMs) and ‘iron’ Mk82s carried in the Freedom’. ‘smart’, and mostly laser-guided. internal weapons bay. ‘More and more USAF/SSgt Shane special forces were getting into the war Cuomo Early missions analyzed with some USAF personnel with them to call in air strikes. They were able to Johnson recalled more details of give us more precise co-ordinates for those early missions over Afghanistan, targeting. We began to see immediate including the notable October 21 We were heading up into country when we were notified from the command authority that we needed to handle a situation. I got diverted up to the northern part of Afghanistan because we had some people on the ground that were in a lot of trouble Maj Eric Johnson www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 63

BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT results, because we went from being Maj Andrew Bloom was a radar Above: Wind- Command], our philosophy was to get a delaying action — letting our guys navigator with more than 4,000 hours corrected over the target as quickly as possible, break contact — to actually making in the B-52, flying 20 sorties in OEF. munitions drop our bomb load and then exit as precision hits and wiping out large He said, ‘On one mission we were dispensers quickly as possible. Now, we were flying numbers of enemy troops.’ working with a FAC and he told us proved very about 10 racetrack patterns over hostile that he was taking heavy fire. We laid effective against territory, waiting for co-ordinates from The B-2s mainly flew 40-hour round- down GBU‑10s on the co-ordinates a wide variety of the guys on the ground to hit selective trips from Whiteman AFB, Missouri, he gave us, which hit close enough to targets spread targets on numerous passes. On each while the B-1s and B-52s out of Diego the Taliban forces to break them up, out over a large pass we would drop just a few weapons Garcia were averaging four and five and the FAC was able to safely exit the radius. from our load, and we carried enough missions a day respectively. By the area. They had been on the ridge, but Andy Bloom to spend a lot of time in the area. By the end of the first three days, six B-2s had with our low-altitude [flying], we had Below left: A time we got into this close air support logged 420 hours. In the meantime, a chance to drop our bombs exactly B-52H radar mode, most, if not all, of the threats from the B-52s continued to fly the CAS where they were needed. During navigator adjusts SAMs [surface-to-air missiles] or anti- missions and administer heavy damage my early years in SAC [Strategic Air the electro- aircraft fire that was capable of reaching to the Taliban. optical viewing our altitudes, had been taken out. We system during a had 10 B-52s on the ramp at any given bombing mission. time. I believe that our 10 flew about USAF/TSgt 400 sorties during our first deployment.’ Richard Freeland Right: Maj Andy B-52 in a new environment Bloom, a radar navigator with One of the 93rd Bomb Squadron’s most the 2nd Bomb experienced WSOs (weapons system Wing, next to operators) was Lt Col William Floyd. He his fully loaded flew on two different tours in OEF, the B-52H just prior second of which seemed to generate to flying a sortie. more excitement, especially on a couple Bloom had more of missions he remembers vividly. ‘One than 4,000 hours particular mission started out as most in the B-52 and of them did: holding over a wide area, participated in waiting for a call from the ground for 20 missions help. Suddenly, we received a very during his first deployment as part of Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’. Andy Bloom 64 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

unusual tasking where a friendly group Above: Maj Eric was rugged, so it was easy to locate and reported it.’ Having been shadowed BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // B-52 IN COMBAT on the ground had not checked in with Johnson (middle) the most likely route they would have by the ‘BUFF’ the team made it to their command post and there had and his crew flew taken. We set up a search pattern from safety. The event illustrated yet another been no communication from them the first B-52 their last known position and scanned unlikely strength of the B-52. for several hours. We were sent to their close air support the area with our FLIR [forward looking last known location in an attempt to mission over infra-red] for about half an hour. Once Floyd’s aircraft had radioed make contact. It was out in the middle Afghanistan. the location in, they were ordered to of nowhere. The only data we had was Eric Johnson ‘Luckily, I spotted seven hotspots move over to another area to provide several hours old, a couple of radio Below: Cluster in a line traveling along a trail that top cover for another ground party of frequencies that we could use to make bomb units ready resembled the IR signature of vehicles. special forces. contact and a general description of to be loaded onto We pointed our nose at that location the party itself — four Humvees and a 2nd Bomb Wing and my co-pilot was able to get his While the OEF was playing out, the three SUVs. B-52H on the binoculars on the party for a positive B-52 was marking its 50th anniversary, flight line at Diego identification. We flew overhead, the type’s first flight having taken ‘The weather over Afghanistan had Garcia. making several passes, rocked our place in April 1952. During that time, always been unpredictable, and when Andy Bloom wings and tried every frequency we Boeing had produced 744 examples you combine this factor with the rough had to contact them. It had to be a of the aircraft. The B-52H is the only terrain, any aircraft operating at lower memorable sight to see a B-52 down model that remains, the last of which, altitude is at risk. In this case, there was that low out in the middle of nowhere. serial 61-0040, having rolled off the a light cloud layer below the B-52, which We were unsuccessful on the radio production line on June 22, 1962. Even hampered any chance of locating the contact, so we recorded their position now, it is the bomber that continues to lost friendlies. At this time, the ‘BUFFs’ prove its worth. were still using older sensors, which limited effectiveness, but crew members always carried a set of binoculars with them. Taking necessary precautions, they were careful about getting too low. I should mention here that we prefer to stay as high as possible over enemy-held territory so as to stay out of range of various surface-to-air weapons. Getting below the cloud layer was definitely not placing us in our best tactical environment. ‘There had been no recent missile reports in the area, so the risk was deemed to be low. En route to this location, I studied the Falcon View moving maps and imagery to get a good feel of where these guys could have driven in the number of hours that they had been unaccounted for. The terrain www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 65

PEED IS LIFE — so the originated from the US, with a further apparent xation with inter-continental The B-58 Hustler saying goes in military pair from the Soviet Union and one ballistic missiles in preference to was the first aviation parlance, from France. In achieving sustained manned bombers arguably hastened supersonic although it is mostly an supersonic performance, two basic the demise of the Hustler, which was bomber put into approaches have been evident. Most retired — many would say far too production and S attribute of ghter aircraft. recently, aircraft like the Rockwell B-1 prematurely — at the dawn of the the first bomber Nevertheless, when it came Lancer, Tupolev Tu-22M ‘Back re’ and 1970s. Strategic Air Command (SAC) did capable of to strategic bombers the ability to Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ have all employed eventually receive the General Dynamics reaching Mach ingress to a target at supersonic speed variable geometry or ‘swing-wings’, to FB-111A, although this was a hardly 2. This Hustler, was extremely attractive — it made ensure superior performance at high a replacement, being disparagingly serial 59-2456, maintaining an e ective defensive speeds married to docile handling referred to as ‘McNamara’s Folly’. is carrying network considerably more complex. A qualities during the approach, landing the BLU-2/B few have been successful, while others, and take-o phases of ight. Going back Hatching the Hustler two-component notably the majestic North American several decades to the 1950s and 1960s, pod (fuel in XB-70 Valkyrie, were also-rans that the favored approach was the delta The design that eventually culminated the bottom, never made it into production, let alone wing, epitomized by the Dassault Mirage in the B-58 was rst mooted as far nuclear weapon squadron service. Fewer than 10 aircraft IV, some examples of which remained back as October 1946 in response to a on the top) on types genuinely merit being described active in the strategic reconnaissance generalized bomber study undertaken the aircraft as supersonic bombers, and three of role until as recently as 2005. by Convair. Requested by the US Army centerline, plus them fall more accurately into the Air Forces in the immediate years after four B43 freefall category of tactical attack aircraft rather Then there was the B-58 Hustler, the conclusion of World War Two, this nuclear weapons than strategic bombers. arguably the ultimate expression of the placed some emphasis on achieving under the wings. delta and the world’s rst supersonic supersonic performance, but it proved to Convair Of the remaining aircraft, ve types bomber aircraft. Indeed, for a few years, be the rst of a succession of studies that spring immediately to mind — two it was the world’s only such platform, looked at conventional con gurations as illustrating this fact by capturing a well as rather more radical avenues that succession of speed records in its early featured a delta wing planform. 1960s heyday. These began to take on a more Sadly, US Defense Secretary tangible form in early 1951, when Boeing Robert McNamara’s and Convair were awarded development BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER Surely one of the most impressive aircraft ever designed and built, the Convair B-58 Hustler broke new ground when it came to performance, but it failed to live up to expectations with a short service career. SPEED DEMONREPORTLindsayPeacock 66 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

contracts for rival projects that continued delays to the bomber program to evolve over the next year. Convair allowed General Electric to was chosen on November 18, 1952 to recoup lost ground and all Hustlers continue work on the MX-1964 design, — development and production — which it now called the Hustler and employed the afterburning J79s. which bore a distinct resemblance to the With the design nalized, Convair nal article. was awarded a contract covering the At this stage in its development, it production of an initial batch of 13 comprised a two-component airframe YB-58s, all of which were destined to be with pairs of podded engines suspended used for developmental ight-testing. from a delta wing. The lower element Little time was wasted in starting work contained fuel and weapon(s) and was on manufacturing these aircraft. designed to be jettisoned on completion of the mission, while the upper element At Convair’s Fort Worth factory in was the return component. This highly Texas, assembly of the prototype radical approach was not destined to last YB-58 (serial 55-660) accelerated long, for within a year further evolution throughout 1956, culminating in resulted in the adoption of a separate roll-out on September 1 to begin an droppable pod, albeit still with paired extensive series of functional tests engines. Another year was to elapse of airframe and systems. A notable before, in August 1954, the design was milestone was achieved exactly a month nally frozen. later, on October 1, when the rst engine The nal con guration relied on run took place, while October 29 saw the individual podded engines, but because initial taxi test at Carswell AFB, just ve of delays experienced with the General miles (8km) west of the Fort Worth plant. Electric J79, the early development Further taxi tests at ever-greater speeds aircraft were originally expected to were accomplished over the next two be tted with Pratt & Whitney’s J57 to weeks, leading up to a successful maiden avoid losing more time. In the event, ight of slightly under 40 minutes’ duration on November 11. N BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 67

A view inside the cavernous Convair production facility at Fort Worth, Texas, with the first completed XB- and YB-58As. Convair BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND B-58A UNITS From concept to reality Unit Base Active period/Remarks A di cult and protracted ight-test 3958th Operational Evaluation and Test Squadron (OETS) Carswell AFB, Texas March 1, 1958 to August 31, 1959 program involved approximately Evolved into 3958th OETG 30 aircraft at its height, comprising 13 aircraft from the initial order and 3958th Operational Evaluation and Test Group (OETG) Carswell AFB, Texas September 1, 1959 to March 15, 1960 another 17 that were funded in Fiscal Year 1958. The B-58 did eventually 6592nd Test Squadron Carswell AFB, Texas December 24, 1957 to June 15, 1961 achieve more or less everything that was asked of it, but there were 43rd Bomb Wing (63rd/64th/65th Bomb Squadrons) Carswell AFB, Texas March 15, 1960 to August 31, 1964 occasions in the late 1950s when the possibility of cancellation loomed Little Rock AFB, Arkansas September 1, 1964 to January 31, 1970 large on the horizon, partly because of developmental di culties, but also 305th Bomb Wing (364th/365th/366th Bomb Squadrons) Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana May 11, 1961 to January 31, 1970 because of performance shortcomings with regard to range. B-58 PRODUCTION Variant Serials (aircraft totals) Nevertheless, SAC commander Gen Thomas Power remained supportive, XB/YB/RB-58 55-660 (1) unlike his predecessor Gen Curtis LeMay, who had consistently opposed the YB-58 55-661 to 55-668 (8) project and favored procurement of additional B-52s. Persistence eventually YB/RB-58A 55-669 to 55-672 (4) paid o , the nal Category III operational 58-1007 to 58-1023 (17) testing being completed successfully between August 1960 and July 1961, B-58A 59-2428 to 59-2463 (36) by which time both SAC bomb wings 60-1110 to 60-1129 (20) earmarked to receive the type had 61-2051 to 61-2080 (30) received their rst Hustlers and were working up to combat-ready status. YB/RB-58 to TB-58A conversions 55-661, 55-662, 55-663, 55-668 (4) The ‘area rule’, to reduce transonic YB/RB-58A to TB-58A conversions 55-670, 55-671, 55-672, 58-1007 (4) drag, was a design feature of the B-58 and was instrumental in allowing it to YB/RB-58A upgraded to B-58A 58-1009, 58-1010, 58-1011, 58-1013, 58-1014, 58-1015, 58-1016, achieve Mach 2 performance, Convair 58-1018, 58-1019, 58-1020, 58-1021 (11) having absorbed important lessons from the trials and tribulations encountered by the F-102 Delta Dagger. The slender fuselage of the B-58 accommodated a crew of three in individual tandem cockpits — pilot, bombardier/navigator and defensive systems operator. They initially used conventional ejection seats, but these were ill-suited for 68 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

egress at the kind of speeds the Above left to KEEPING north to Alaska on successive days to BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER Hustler could achieve. Consequently, right: Lt Johnny THE photograph damage from low level an innovative solution was found in Armstrong (left), HUSTLER after a devastating earthquake. the form of an ejection capsule that who sadly passed ON TRACK permitted safe egress at altitudes of away in August, The MB-1 was almost completely 70,000ft and speeds of up to twice the stands with his Ensuring the Hustler reached superseded by the BLU-2/B Two- speed of sound. crew-mates Maj its target or targets was the Component Pod (TCP), which, at 54ft Fitzhugh ‘Fitz’ responsibility of the Sperry AN/ (16.46m), was of similar dimensions Unlike other SAC bombers, the Hustler Fulton, Maj Cliff ASQ-42 bombing and navigation in terms of length. As its designation did not feature an internal bomb bay Garrington and system. This married a complex implies, the TCP consisted of two and therefore had to carry all weapons Everett Dunlap inertial navigation system with a elements — a lower part was to be externally. At the start of its SAC career, in 1957 next to night and day-operable Kollsman discarded when all the fuel that it this basically consisted of external pod YB-58 55-662. Instruments KS-39 astro-tracker to contained had been consumed, leaving systems that housed a thermonuclear Armstrong was provide precise heading information. a smaller element that housed the warhead — typically the W39 — as well the first non-rated An AN/APN-113 Doppler radar warhead and some fuel. Nevertheless, as fuel. Development of a variety of pod USAF officer to fly provided data relating to ground the Hustler was at the outset restricted systems to perform specific missions at Mach 2. Convair and wind speed, while a search radar to attacking a single target, unlike the was undertaken. However, not all of One of the YB-58 generated data for weapons release. much larger B-52, which throughout them were employed operationally, test aircraft gets The entire AN/ASQ-42 package was the 1960s could theoretically strike at those that didn’t make it into service airborne during said to offer levels of accuracy 10 least four targets with the B28 bomb including specialized versions for the elongated times greater than those attained by and perhaps as many as six if the photographic reconnaissance (MC-1) evaluation previous systems. AGM‑28 Hound Dog was carried. and electronic reconnaissance (MD-1), as program that took well as the MA-1, which was basically an in 30 airframes at For the B-58, this was clearly a MB-1 pod incorporating a rocket motor one stage. USAF significant drawback, but one that that was intended to give the B-58 a Left: 59-2442 had been addressed by 1964 in a measure of stand-off capability. was one of the major improvement program known aircraft from the as project ‘Hustle Up’. This markedly Of these early proposals, the only initial production enhanced offensive capabilities by one ever employed in an operational batch of B-58As. providing four more weapons stations, capacity was the MB-1, a truly massive USAF each of which could carry a single B43 device, which measured some 57ft Below: The weapon, with a variable yield up to a (17.37m) long and weighed around famous SAC maximum of one megaton. Mounted 36,000lb when fully fueled and flash on B-58A in tandem pairs beneath the wing containing a warhead. Following 59‑2440. USAF roots on each side of the fuselage, they modifications that involved fitting a theoretically made it possible for the Fairchild KA-56 panoramic camera to USAF Hustler to attack five separate targets. give a modicum of reconnaissance capability, some MB-1 pods were The only other item of armament redesignated as the LA-1. One carried by the Hustler was purely noteworthy use of this camera package defensive in nature, comprising an came in March 1964, when pairs of aft-facing General Electric T-171E2 or B-58s from the 43rd Bomb Wing flew T-171E3 multi-barreled 20mm cannon with 1,200 rounds of ammunition and www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 69

BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER a maximum ring rate of 4,000 rounds 39 by the end of 1967. However, the Above: B-58s That event was swiftly followed by per minute. However, this may well actual number of aircraft that served were hard to find President Kennedy’s edict of late March have been an unnecessary luxury — with SAC was somewhat greater, at just outside the US. 1961, which signi cantly increased the nice to have, but of questionable value. over 100, made possible by bringing This is B-58A number of aircraft to be held on ground Its operation was largely automated, a number of the YRB-58 development 59-2440 during alert from one-third of SAC’s formidable with an Emerson MD-7 radar re and test aircraft to production standard a visit to RAF array of assets to one-half. For the B-58 control system providing cues to and modifying others to serve as Mildenhall in out ts, which were still taking delivery, the defensive systems operator who TB-58A trainers. the UK in 1969. achieving such an objective would locked-on to his preferred radar blip Lindsey Peacock obviously prove demanding. Both B-58 before ring the weapon. In addition Following on from no fewer than 30 collection wings did ultimately succeed in each to being responsible for the cannon, prototype and development aircraft, Below left to right: maintaining 20 aircraft at 15-minute the defensive systems operator had the rst true production Hustler (serial YB-58A 55-0661 readiness, a posture they held until at cha and a variety of electronic systems 59-2428) was formally accepted by the MACH-IN-BOID least the end of June 1967. with which to confuse, confound and USAF in November 1959. Thereafter, was the second hopefully defeat hostile forces if the another 85 examples emerged from the Hustler to be built Some 12 months later, on July 1, 1968, B-58 was ever called upon to penetrate assembly line at Fort Worth, the nal and remained part at the start of the Hustler’s nal full scal the USSR. few being taken on charge in October of the test fleet. year of service, the number of aircraft on 1962. Introduction to operational Michael Grove alert had declined to 32. Each of the two Hustler mission service got under way in mid-1960, Maj Fitzhugh ‘Fitz’ units contributed 16 aircraft, apart from initial deliveries being made to the Fulton piloted a on rare occasions when they faced the Although at one time considered as 43rd BW, which was then stationed B-58 carrying an challenges of an operational readiness a potential replacement for the vast at Carswell. Problems abounded, 11,023lb payload inspection. number of B-47 Stratojets that provided notably with the Sperry AN/ASQ-42 to an altitude SAC’s mainstay for much of the 1950s, bombing and navigation system and of 85,360ft on The Hustler’s demise su cient Hustlers were built to equip maintenance support. September 8, just two medium bomb wings — the 1962, a record Through the 1960s, the ratio of crews 43rd BW, initially at Carswell AFB, Texas, Matters were not helped by for this category to aircraft in the Hustler community and later at Little Rock, Arkansas, and participation in the Category III that still stands. was 1.5:1, meaning each wing would the 305th at Bunker Hill, subsequently evaluation of operational performance, Convair usually have possessed a total of 60 renamed Grissom AFB, Indiana. which was a crucial obstacle to be crews. Unlike other, more numerous negotiated on the way to achieving bomber types such as the B-52, there At the outset, each wing had a combat-ready status. Before these was no dedicated separate crew training nominal unit establishment (UE) of 40 di culties were fully overcome, a establishment, which necessitated both B-58s assigned to three squadrons, second unit — the 305th BW at Bunker wings to maintain an organic capability, with attrition during the decade Hill — had also begun to accept placing an extra strain on these already resulting in the UE being reduced to aircraft, in May 1961. hard-pressed organizations. Despite 70 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

these and other demands, a snapshot went by the name ‘Glass Brick’. Some ight accidents that claimed a total of the situation throughout FY69 — the ‘Alarm Bell’ missions were own to the of 11 lives, two engineers also being last full scal year of service — shows UK, but these were invariably eeting killed in a ground accident involving that, at the end of December 1968, the and usually solitary a airs, examples of a fuel leak and ensuing re. Another 43rd BW was slightly shy of that target the B-58 being observed at Brize Norton, 18 Hustlers were lost while in service of 60, possessing some 58 constituted Greenham Common and Upper Heyford. with SAC. The 43rd BW su ered seven crews. The 305th BW was in better The nal appearance of a Hustler in of those losses at a cost of eight lives, shape and was actually at full strength, Britain was, coincidentally, also its debut while the 305th BW clearly had a with 60 crews — and all 118 were then at a British armed forces day open house, much less satisfactory safety record, considered combat-ready. one aircraft being a star item in the static accounting for the remaining 11 aircraft display at Mildenhall in May 1969. losses and some 17 personnel. With retirement looming ominously close at the end of June 1969, it is The process of retirement got under Despite its impressive performance, evident that a decline had begun, for way barely six months on, at the the Hustler failed to achieve anything the gures for these two units were beginning of November 1969, with like the success of the B-52. It was an then 58 (43rd BW) and 52 (305th BW), delivery of serial 59-2446 to the massive ambitious bomber, but it survived once again with all 110 crews said to storage facility at Davis-Monthan AFB, be combat-ready. At the higher alert Arizona. By then, a total of 105 Hustlers ight operations for just over 13 level, with ve weapons forming a had seen service with SAC, slightly years and was always ghting sti typical load, the Hustler force would in excess of 90 per cent of the entire opposition from its detractors. have possessed a total of some 200 production run, although eight of them However, it surely remains one of the thermonuclear devices. That gure fell were actually non-operational TB-58A most impressive aircraft ever built. to 160 when the number on alert was trainers. Following retirement of the rst reduced to 32 aircraft. aircraft, no fewer than 83 more were SEE A HUSTLER to head west to the Arizona location, TODAY The B-58 was never assigned the withdrawal being conducted with operationally to the UK, although it almost indecent haste. On January 16, Today, if you wish to see a B-58 Hustler, it is only did undertake occasional ‘Alarm Bell’ 1970, it was all over. possible in the US. Even then, they are hard to and ‘Steve Canyon’ missions to bases in Spain. Similar exercises that took Of the remainder, seven were destroyed nd, as only eight survive and just six of those B-58s west from the US to bases on the for various reasons during the course of are on public display at present. islands of Oahu, Guam and Okinawa development. Six of those losses were Serial Location Remarks Number BOMBER SUPPLEMENT // CONVAIR B-58 HUSTLER Above: 55-663 Grissom ARB, TB-58A Photographed Indiana at Edwards AFB, California in 55-665 Edwards AFB, Abandoned on September 1961, California range serial 55-0662 displays its 55-666 Castle Air Under pristine bare Museum, restoration metal finish. California Michael Grove Below: B-58A 55-668 Little Rock AFB, TB-58A 60-1112 on May 3, Arkansas 1969 — as in most Hustler photos, 59-2437 Lackland AFB, it is carrying Texas the huge two- component pod 59-2458 Wright- Cowtown Hustler on the centerline. Patterson AFB, Michael Grove Ohio 61-2059 SAC Museum, Greased Ashland, Lightning Nebraska 61-2080 Pima Air Final production Museum, aircraft Tucson, Arizona www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 71

Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics

WHEN YOU TAKE OUT A DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTION TO * THEN JUST £10.50 PER QUARTER FREE WITH PRE PAY AND ANNUAL DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTIONS MAKE HUGE SAVINGS MILITARY FLYING DISPLAYS DVD BUNDLE UK QUARTERLY DIRECT DEBIT* 3 issues for £5 then just £10.50 per quarter. Annual Direct Debit also available. This great value DVD bundle deal includes three of our top-selling DVDs! Taking you airside at for some of the See website or call for details. world’s best military ying displays, this bundle includes: Volume 1 - Including the stealth F-35B Lightning II and F-117 Nighthawk and Mirage 2000. Volume 2 - PRE PAY 12 FOR THE 24 ISSUESFOR Including F-22 Raptor, MiG-29 SMT, F-15 Eagle, Italy’s OFFERS PRICE OF 10 THE PRICE OF 19 Panavia Tornado and RAF’s Euro ghter Typhoon PLUS A FREE GIFT and much more! Volume 3 - Including the Russian Air Force Su-27, Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen and UK 12 issues £46.99 24 issues £84.99 the USAF’s Boeing P-8 Poseidon. Region Free, Europe 12 issues £56.99 24 issues £99.99 WORTH Rest of the World 12 issues £59.99 24 issues £104.99 £19.99Combined running time: 260 minutes. US & CANADIAN READERS SEE PAGES 96-97 FOR DETAILS Image: U.S. USAF - Sgt. Cory W. Bush 2 EASY WAYS TO PAY 552/19 OROrder online at Call UK 01780 480404 Overseas +44 1780 480404 www.keypublishing.com/shop Lines open 9.00am - 5.30pm GMT *Direct debit UK only. See website for full terms and conditions. OFFER CLOSE DATE: 31 OCTOBER 2019 CODE: CAM1019 *PLEASE NOTE: Three issues for £5 by Direct Debit trial o er is only available to UK subscribers. Restricted to one order per UK household, it is only available with new subscriptions to Combat Aircraft magazine. Pay only £5 for the rst three issues of your subscription, then pay just £10.50 quarterly for subsequent issues. If you don’t like what you see, simply cancel before your third issue and pay not a penny more! If you wish to continue after your three issues for £5, your subscription will automatically renew until you decide to stop at just £10.50 quarterly. If paying by Direct Debit please send in form or complete online - Payments are accepted by Direct Debit, cheque, Postal Order, Credit Card and US Dollar check. Payments by credit or debit card will be shown on your statement as Key Publishing Ltd. Key Publishing will hold your details to process and ful l your subscription order. Prices correct at time of going to press. Savings based on subscription cost versus newsstand single purchases. Free gift is only available on annual Direct Debit when taking out a minimum 2 year subscription. Should you cancel your subscription earlier then an invoice will be raised for the full price of the gift. Gift subject to change. Any replacement gift will be of equal or higher value. Please allow up to 42 days for gift delivery. Customer code: CAM11019

Poland’s Su-22 ‘Fitters’ are a rare breed these days and now look set to be replaced by new F-35s. These charismatic heavyweights will continue in service for a few more years, but they are looking decidedly obsolete in the modern battlespace. REPORT Niels Roman with Rich Cooper 74 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

IN A WORLD increasingly single-seaters and Su-22UM3K two- Left page: One of receiver, Bendix/King KLU-709 tactical air populated by advanced fth- seaters. They are supported by a resident the 12 upgraded navigation (TACAN) system, ANV-241MMR generation ghter aircraft, it seems Sokol W-3RL helicopter unit that provides Su-22M4s instrument landing system (ILS) in extraordinary that a European air local search and rescue. photographed in place of the former RSBN-7S navigation force would still y Cold War-era July toting R-60 system, R-862 digital control panel radio heavy metal such as the impressive The rst ‘Fitter’ landed on Polish soil on (AA-8) ‘Aphid’ station and an ATM QAR/S-54 to display Sukhoi Su-22 ‘Fitter’. Yet the Polish Air August 28, 1984, when Su-22M4 serial air-to-air and Force (Siły Powietrzne) has clung on to, 3005 arrived at Piła. Poland went on Kh-25ML (AS-10) ight, navigation and weapons system and repeatedly upgraded, its Soviet-era to acquire 90 Su-22M4 variants and 20 ‘Karen’ air-to- information. It’s worth noting that many MiG-29 ‘Fulcrums’ and Su-22s, despite Su-22UM3Ks, which would serve within ground stores. pilots actually preferred the Russian ILS. signi cant modernization e orts. four regiments. On the side is However, the clock is ticking for these written ‘Szkolny’, As Poland elected to retain its ‘Fitters’ old workhorses. Polish defense minister The type’s variable-geometry (swing) meaning training. — despite procuring a new eet of F-16 Mariusz Blaszczak announced on May wings are unlike the design of the Katsuhiko Block 50/52s — further upgrades were 28 that Poland has requested to procure Tornado, for example, as only the outer Tokunaga/DACT required to keep the aircraft in operation, 32 F-35As from Lockheed Martin. ‘I care section of the wing moves, thus enabling Above: such was the uncertainty over options for about replacing post-Soviet gear in the stores to be carried on the xed inner Su-22UM3K serial a replacement. In April 2014, an o cial Polish Air Force with the most modern section and avoiding the need for 707 retains a statement was released that condemned one,’ said Blaszczak. The news would complex pivoting hardpoints. The wings NATO Tiger Meet the ‘Fitters’ to be withdrawn from use spell the end for both the ‘Fitters’ and are moved manually by the pilot to scheme and in 2016, most likely to be replaced by the ‘Fulcrums’ in Polish service under a angles of 28, 45 and 62°. is one of only second-hand F-16s. However, just 12 new modernization plan that could see two aircraft not months later, the Polish Ministry of Warsaw spending some $48 billion on The Su-22 was designed from to have been Defense announced that 18 aircraft military equipment by 2026. the outset to be rugged and easily repainted. would receive another minor upgrade In the meantime, the small town of maintained with minimal ground Robin Coenders and their service life would be extended Świdwin and its adjacent 21st Tactical Air support. It can operate from austere to at least 2024, some 40 years after initial Base (21. Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego, landing strips and has avionics systems deliveries. 21.BLT) is the last bastion of the ‘Fitter’ that are grouped in modules which can in Europe. This air eld is home to easily be swapped out if required. The Polish Air Force decided to put three ying units including 8. Eskadra the Su-22s through a nal upgrade that Lotnictwa Taktycznego (8.elt) and 40.elt, Fit ‘Fitters’ included new avionics, an updated gun both of which y a mixture of Su-22M4 camera and new radios. According to When Poland joined NATO in 1997, the agreement signed on February 9, it necessitated a raft of compatibility 2015, 18 examples were overhauled by upgrades for the eet, adding anti- WZL-2 (Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2, collision lights, a Trimble 2101AP GPS www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 75

FORCE REPORT // POLISH ‘FITTERS’ Military Aviation Plant No 2) in Bydgoszcz posting to the‘Fitter’means they then 76 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net between 2015 and 2017 at a cost of go straight to Świdwin to tackle this approximately €36 million. Overhauls brute of a combat aircraft. New pilots were to be completed at a rate of six can expect to notch up between 60 and aircraft per year, with each airframe 70 ight hours per year and are declared requiring an average of nine months of combat-ready when they reach 200 hours. work. Additional equipment included Typical training missions illustrate the core an RS-6113 radio, evident through a ground attack and reconnaissance tasks blade antenna on top of the fuselage, of the Su-22, taking in bombing sorties at and a new ight parameter recorder. the Drawsko and Ustka ranges near their New cockpit instruments scaled in the home base. As one might expect, low level imperial system replaced all the metric and high speed remain rmly entrenched scale gauges. The service life of each jet in ‘Fitter’ doctrine. was extended by another 10 years or 800 Col Roman Stefaniak is both an ight hours and 1,200 landings, or 1,600 instructor and former display pilot in the landings for the two-seaters. Su-22. He’s one of the most experienced of the current aircrews at Świdwin The single most noticeable change with almost 1,400 ying hours on type. to the overhauled aircraft was the new Stefaniak described the core mission as, camou age. The brown and green ‘hit-and-run, relying on escort [ ghters] to colors, in use for decades, were replaced take care of any air-to-air threat’. with two shades of gray, although two Su-22UM3Ks, serials 707 and 305, were When students begin the course, the permitted to remain in their existing rst experience of the aircraft is the huge special tiger and black liveries. di erence in speed in comparison with the TS-11 jet trainer. One pilot told Combat ‘Fitter’ flyers Aircraft,‘I remember that the only thing I could see during my rst ight was the The Polish Air Force is still training new circular shape of the periscope and the Su-22 pilots, albeit in small numbers. The mirrors in the cockpit, but you soon get path to this demanding cockpit starts used to it. After a few ights your brain out with the PZL-130 Orlik at Dęblin, adjusts to processing the information at after which pilots who make the grade higher speeds and it all becomes normal.’ for fast jets get their rst taste of higher Capt Krzysztof Kreciejewski is an performance in the aging TS-11 Iskra. A instructor pilot at Świdwin, who has ARMING the barrels to be rotated downward by THE 30° so the aircraft can remain straight ‘FITTER’ and level during a stra ng run. Despite the type’s primary role as a ground The Su-22 features three hardpoints attacker, the Polish Su-22s can carry under each of the inner wing stubs, R-60 (AA-8) ‘Aphid’ air-to-air missiles for plus two more on each side of the self-defense, but the preferred tactic is fuselage as well as one under the to run and hide. centerline. These allow the aircraft to carry up to 8,800lb (4,000kg) of external The Su-22 is also used for stores — typically, unguided free- reconnaissance and Polish examples fall bombs, rockets and guns. In the carry the KKR-1 recce pod, which can beginning, pilots will train with guns, be mounted on the centerline. The pod small (57mm) rockets and 50kg practice comprises two sections. The forward bombs (without explosive). Only after part is equipped with three di erent accumulating a certain degree of cameras. Forward-facing is the A-39 experience are they allowed to use daylight camera, which is capable of live bombs and large rockets (80mm). taking high-resolution photos from Internally, the Su-22 has twin 30mm altitudes of 600–15,000ft. The other cannons, which can be complemented cameras face downwards. These are with SPPU-22 gun pods that contain a PA-1 panoramic day camera and a a single GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon. UA-47 night camera that uses ares to These pods have the unique ability for illuminate the targeted area. As you might expect, this is still very much the domain of lm — there’s no digital here, so the frames must be processed and analyzed back at base. The rear section of the pod is an electronic intelligence (ELINT) module that is able to locate and interrogate active radar systems.

been ying the Su-22 since 1994 and Left page top has amassed 2,400 hours in the type. to bottom: ‘Our current process of training young Remarkably, aside pilots has been under way since 2012,’he from a scattering explained, adding that these were the of NATO upgrades, the Polish rst pilots received straight from the Air ‘Fitter’ cockpit Force Academy at Dęblin for 18 years. The remains largely untouched. rst group of four pilots graduated the Katsuhiko 350-hour course at Świdwin by the end Tokunaga/DACT of 2016, by which time they had covered Instructor and instrument ight rules (IFR) day and night student board a Su-22UM3K ying with set-procedure approaches, at Świdwin for air-to-ground combat employment using a local training unguided weapons, air-to-air combat and sortie. low-level operations. He said,‘The hardest Niels Roman thing about learning to y the Su-22 is Right top to that all of the training manuals are in bottom: The Russian, but the young generation do not AL-21F-3 turbojet know the language.’ that powers the Su-22 is rugged The young pilots who complete and reliable the Su-22 training course are not despite its age. automatically streamed to the F-16, Robin Coenders as this involves a completely di erent This Su-22M4 syllabus. F-16 pilots must rst complete a carries the KKR-1 T-38 training course in the United States reconnaissance and then undertake type conversion on pod on its the ‘Viper’, again in the US. centerline station. Roy van Sonsbeek Future focus With a stated commitment to the F-35, there is only a limited time left for the ‘Fitters’, probably up to eight years at most. Kreciejewski acknowledged that the Su-22’s days are numbered:‘It is a rugged, Ease of maintenance is a strong point for the ‘Fitter’. As 707 returns from a mission, maintainers swarm over the aircraft to get it ready for the next flight. Roy van Sonsbeek www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 77

FORCE REPORT // POLISH ‘FITTERS’ reliable ghter — a very good platform from fully spread to fully swept positions This wonderful image for weapons delivery. The navigation takes 14 to 16 seconds. When ying, the clearly shows how only and attack system is still the same 1980s’ stick forces are very high — the wing the outer portion of the vintage, but it is virtually indestructible. is endowed with heavy mechanics and ‘Fitter’ wing has variable The engine too is very old, but reliable features large inboard aps for take-o geometry, with the stores with a remarkable resistance to FOD and outboard aps for landing.’ hardpoints on the fixed [foreign object damage].’ inner glove. Katsuhiko With its solid, old-school sustainability, Tokunaga/DACT The Cold War-era design with‘swing impressive performance, variable wings’and a simple afterburner is clearly geometry and‘in the weeds’ethos, the dated in a modern era, but this only adds ‘Fitter’is of an age that will never be to the charisma of the Su-22. Kreciejewski replicated. Modern warfare has rendered said,‘The time from activating the the Su-22 obsolete. However, it continues afterburner to delivering maximum thrust to give value for money in terms of ghter is usually around 1.5 seconds, but can be pilot and ground systems training, while as much as four seconds. Despite what still o ering a tool that has some limited it sounds like, I do not feel a‘kick’in the strategic use. The F-35 will undoubtedly cockpit due to the high MTOW [maximum revolutionize the Polish Air Force, but it take-o weight], which can be around 11 isn’t, and never will be, as impressive to to 15 tonnes. The transition of the wings watch as a‘Fitter’. 78 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

It is a rugged, reliable fighter — a very good platform for weapons delivery. The navigation and attack system is still the same 1980s’ vintage, but it is virtually indestructible Capt Krzysztof Kreciejewski www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 79

80 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

The AH-1F Cobra played an important role in the ground war against Iraq in Operation Simple tasks like landing had to be ‘Desert Storm’. Combat Aircraft talks to the aircrews that were plunged into a whole relearned to mitigate the hazards of new operating environment and had to adapt to the challenges of the desert. desert ying.‘We had to develop a run-on landing, which was high-drama, because WREPORT Joe Copalman of desert operations had taken a toll on Desert operations it’s a narrow aircraft, very top-heavy, with HEN IRAQI DICTATOR the Cobras assigned to the 101st and accelerated wear skid landing gear,’Aylworth added.‘You’d Saddam Hussein 82nd Airborne Divisions, which had been and tear on the have to judge where the wind was coming invaded Kuwait on in-country since August. Scott Je ery engines of US from, then y into it in a very shallow August 2, 1990, the — at the time a young warrant o cer, Army AH-1Fs. run-on landing like with a xed-wing US military was in a class one (WO1), ying AH-1s with 4th When 4/2’s Cobra airplane, and then slow down as much as period of transition Squadron’s ‘Outlaw’Troop — explained, pilots arrived in you could get away with.’This technique from Vietnam-era kit to newer, more ‘The sand was just incredibly abrasive Saudi Arabia, would be used throughout the 2nd ACR’s capable equipment. For its part, US to our compressor turbine blades in the they were told to deployment, including during landings Army aviation was converting from engines. We were strictly rationed in expect engine at desert forward area re-arm/refueling the stalwart Bell AH-1 Cobra to the how much ight time we were given to failures after 25- points (FARPs). McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache as its do anything.’Warren Aylworth — then a 35 flight hours. primary helicopter gunship. Following chief warrant o cer, class three (CWO3) Scott Jeffery With basic ight operations sorted, 4/2’s President George H. W. Bush’s assertion — was a Cobra pilot with 4/2’s ‘Nomad via author instructors needed to develop o ensive that Saddam’s aggression ‘will not stand’, Troop’. ‘By the time 2nd Cav got there’, he desert tactics from scratch. Aylworth the build-up of US and coalition forces said, ‘we were told, ‘these things will last — a self-described‘tactics geek’— had on the Arabian Peninsula included 174 about 35 hours’ and we’ve got the whole been advocating training on o ensive US Army AH-1F Cobras. Despite this, war to ght!’ tactics for some time before the war.‘I the Cobra’s role in the coalition victory half-jokingly say that Saddam Hussein over Saddam’s forces in Kuwait has been Limited engine life was not the only saved my military career,’Aylworth told largely lost to history, with the Apache hazard of operating the Cobra in the Combat Aircraft. Having met resistance to attracting the most attention both during desert. Sand abrasion was degrading developing o ensive tactics during his and after the war. the Cobra’s rotor blades, and ‘brown-out’ time with the 101st and on his arrival at conditions at night made ying with the 2nd ACR in 1989, Aylworth now had One of the largest units to see combat night-vision goggles nearly impossible carte blanche to do just that. in Operation‘Desert Storm’was VII Corps, as recirculated dust would accumulate which had been the army’s go-to unit in on the AH-1’s at-panel windscreens Describing this tactics development, West Germany should the anticipated and re ect light that washed out nearly Aylworth said,‘There was no higher Soviet hordes have rolled into NATO’s all external visual references. Aylworth authority sending you an e-mail. It backyard through the Fulda Gap prior to recalled, ‘I did 31 years’ continuous was tactical units out in the dirt trying German reuni cation in 1990. Charged active duty, three combat tours, 6,700 to gure it out. We came up with this with providing reconnaissance and hours, and the most frightening thing formation with a combination of scouts security for VII Corps was the 2nd Armored that I have ever done was teaching the and Cobras in a big wedge, and picked a Cavalry Regiment (ACR), which employed rest of the guys how to do night-vision speed the [OH-58] Kiowas could keep up a mix of tanks, armored scout vehicles and goggle [NVG] sand and dust take-o s with reliably, and that was 90kt.’With the helicopters. When the ground component and landings just prior to the war.’ Given most potent threats being Iraqi radar- of‘Desert Storm’kicked o , the 2nd ACR the dangers of desert night operations in guided anti-aircraft guns, Aylworth and was to be the eyes of VII Corps, the force the AH-1, ‘Redcatcher’ Cobras operated other instructors in the 4th Squadron that would serve as coalition commander almost exclusively during the day once determined that operating at extremely Gen Norman Schwarzkopf’s‘left hook’ the ground war started. low altitudes o ered the best defense through the Iraqi desert into Kuwait to against threats. For‘Nomad’Troop, the destroy the Republican Guard’s elite From defense to offense — solution was to y at a 7ft skid-height Tawakalna Division. As the regiment’s tactics development above the desert while moving north aviation element, it would fall on the towards the enemy, and at 25ft while Cobra and Bell OH-58C Kiowa pilots of 4th The tactical situation in Kuwait presented heading south to refuel and rearm. Squadron/2nd ACR — 4/2, also known as a massive doctrinal challenge for the While the 7ft altitude was to avoid being the‘Redcatchers’— to y out front of the ‘Redcatchers.’ Aylworth explained, ‘We detected or targeted by enemy radar, the regiment to gain and maintain contact spent decades working on defensive 25ft altitude on return was to mitigate the with Iraqi units along the regiment’s tactics for West Germany, and now we dangers of the expected 25 to 35-hour route of advance, and to ensure the route had to invent o ensive tactics for naked engine failure. As Aylworth noted,‘It’s a was navigable and free of hazards like desert. That was a challenge without single-engine helicopter, so you have to mine elds or impassable terrain. being able to y very much.’ As ‘Nomad’ have the time and space to transition to an Troop’s instructor pilot, it fell on Aylworth autorotation, and we calculated that the Wear and tear in the desert to develop tactics. Before 4/2’s Cobra minimum altitude we could do that from pilots could master ghting with the was 25ft.’ On arrival in Saudi Arabia in December AH-1 in the desert, they had to learn the 1990, the Cobra pilots from 4/2 received basics of such operations. Fangs out some disheartening news. Four months The AH-1F carried three main weapons systems — the chin-mounted, three- barreled M197 20mm cannon, Hydra 70 www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 81

GLORY DAYS // AH-1F IN ‘DESERT STORM’ 2.75in unguided rockets, and the BGM-71 Scott Je ery explained: ‘We had the new This image: eld with house paint obtained from local TOW (tube-launched, optically-tracked, TOW-2 Alpha, and our pylons were not Equipped with Saudi vendors. wire-guided) anti-tank missile. These three inclined correctly to capture the heavier Bradley fighting weapons o ered versatility against a wide missile. So we were missing with our vehicles and In addition to tan paint, many 4/2 range of targets. Explaining how‘Nomad’ TOWs. That was easy to x, but if the Abrams main Cobras wore individual special markings. Troop settled on a standard load for its Russians had ever hit us [in Germany], it battle tanks, the Aylworth’s mount for the duration of the Cobras, Aylworth says,‘We knew we were would have been a disappointment, I’ll 2nd Armored war, AH-1F serial 67-15643, had some of overloaded, and our primary mission was tell you that.’ Cavalry Regiment the ashiest markings of any army Cobra reconnaissance, so we dropped the lower was the advance during‘Desert Storm’— a large‘shark’face TOW missile launchers. It was designed to WEIGHT scouting force on both‘cheeks,’just aft of the cannon. shoot eight TOWs; we knew we couldn’t MANAGEMENT for VII Corps. Its ‘The Cobra is just a natural for shark’s carry more than four. We couldn’t load up aviation element teeth,’he said. Taking that theme further, full rocket pods. We couldn’t load up the Another problem facing army Cobras was tasked with Aylworth applied the moniker Sand Shark full 20mm cannon, so we carried about in-theater was weight. Despite its identifying any to his aircraft, wearing the shape of a shark half the cannon load. The rest of the space undeniably sleek lines, the AH-1F enemy threats we needed for emergency water and was heavy. Still equipped with or impassable n on either side of the rotor mount. Ken sleeping bags.’ skids designed and stressed for the terrain. US Army Weaver, Aylworth’s wingman in‘Nomad’ 9,000lb (4,082kg) AH-1G, the AH-1F Aviation Museum Troop for most of the ground war, piloted Rockets were the Cobra’s most versatile o cially tipped the scales at 10,000lb via Ray Wilhite Wild Thing, which was painted in a unique weapon. AH-1 pilots had three‘zones’ (4,536kg), but was routinely own Right page left brown and tan camou age scheme. per 19-shot rocket pod, allowing three even heavier. Aylworth said,‘We to right: As an Scott Je ery’s AH-1F, dubbed Can Opener, di erent motor/warhead combinations to had a special dispensation released expression of unit wore the Skoal chewing tobacco‘bandit’ be carried in each pod. Because the M151 to do‘ten- ve’[10,500lb, 4,763kg], pride, all ‘Outlaw’ logo on its tail, as high-explosive (HE) rocket and M156 500lb over the maximum design Troop AH-1Fs and did all Cobras in white phosphorous (WP) rocket were gross weight. We ended up going OH-58s wore the ‘Outlaw’Troop. ballistically matched and could be red ‘ten-eight’[10,800lb, 4,898kg] most of silhouette of the from the same‘zone’, 4/2 was able to carry the time.’This ever-present struggle Skoal Bandit, Lmaisntu-te mods four di erent types of rockets. HE rockets with weight resulted in numerous the mascot of a were general-purpose and typically compromises when it came to chewing tobacco In preparation for the ground intended for light armored vehicles, while weaponeering. company. o ensive,‘Redcatcher’AH-1Fs WP rockets created a persistent cloud of Scott Jeffery received modi cations up until‘G-Day’ white smoke to obscure the helicopters Desert war paint In addition to on February 24, 1991. These included while breaking contact. Additionally, 4/2’s desert paint APR-39A radar warning receivers, digital AH-1Fs carried echette rockets for anti- In 1990, all US Army AH-1s wore dark schemes, many voice systems, and infra-red jammers. personnel and anti-helicopter use (Iraq’s green paint that was perfect for Germany’s Cobras wore ‘Desert Storm’was also one of the Gazelle helicopters were still considered a Black Forest, but stood in stark contrast to special markings, few times army AH-1Fs were actually threat), and multi-purpose sub-munition the desert. The 2nd ACR’s 4th Squadron including aircraft equipped with the airborne laser tracker (MPSM) rockets, which dispensed nine was one of the few US Army helicopter names painted (ALT) mounted in the upper front portion sub-munitions with a top-attack capability units authorized to paint its aircraft to on the side. Scott of the main rotor shroud. Explaining its useful for hitting troops in defensive match the environment. How, then, did Jeffery’s mount function, Je ery said,‘We had a cross- trench lines. it come about? Aylworth explained,‘We for the war was attached troop of OH-58Ds that was with went and verbally petitioned our S-3 called Can Opener. us, and we could take laser hand-overs The TOW missile carried by 4th [operations o cer], who was a great Scott Jeffery from those guys. We never actually had a Squadron’s Cobras was the BGM-71E guy and seemed vulnerable to logic, chance to do it, but we were capable of it.’ TOW-2A, a tandem-warhead variant to and made to him the most compelling defeat tanks out tted with explosive case we could. That guy, Maj Johnny Into Iraq reactive armor. This was to be the AH-1F’s McDonald, interceded with his boss, go-to-war missile in the event the Soviets the squadron commander. Who made it When the Cobra pilots crossed into rolled into West Germany, but when a happen? I couldn’t tell you, but we were all Iraq on‘G-Day’they did so with no prior few were test- red prior to the ground very proud that we were able to talk our combat experience, in underpowered o ensive, none hit their intended targets. squadron bosses into letting us do that.’All and overweight aircraft, carrying reduced aircraft assigned to 4/2 were painted in the loads of weapons many of them had 82 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

When the Cobra pilots crossed into Iraq never red, using untested tactics over on ‘G-Day’ they did so with no prior unfamiliar terrain that o ered no cover combat experience, in underpowered and or concealment. They were hunting for overweight aircraft, carrying reduced loads of the elite armored forces of the world’s weapons many of them had never fired, using fourth-largest army, led by a dictator untested tactics over unfamiliar terrain that known for using chemical weapons, with offered no cover or concealment only aluminum and plexiglass to protect them from enemy re. Though the US-led coalition had been bombing elded Iraqi forces for more than a month, the coalition still expected signi cant casualties. Initial progress by the 2nd ACR was slow, with the regiment’s tanks and Bradley ghting vehicles moving cautiously as ‘Redcatcher’helicopters screened the advance. The concept of operations had one air troop out front at all times, 12.5 miles (20km) forward of the main body. The ve troops,‘Nomad’,‘Outlaw’, ‘Palehorse’, ‘Quickstrike’ and ‘Ramrod’, alternated in the lead, with the other troops cycling back to refuel and rearm, or heading back up front. Navigating the desert Navigation proved a signi cant challenge for 4/2’s Cobras and Kiowas. Je ery recalled,‘We had the Doppler navigation system in the AH-1, but you had to have a good set of grid co-ordinates to enter into it to tell it where it was. And it would wander — one ight it would wander 3km. It was a hell of a lot better than nothing. We had two dictionary-sized GPS receivers [in‘Outlaw’Troop] for the OH-58s, and then another two equipped with LORAN receivers, which were hand- held. Every time we would arm and refuel at one of the FARPs, one of the scout observers would go to each of the Cobras and give us our exact grid co-ordinates, and then we would punch them into the www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 83

GLORY DAYS // AH-1F IN ‘DESERT STORM’ Doppler navigation system, so we had a ‘mother of all surrenders’, there were As this was happening, other Iraqi pretty good idea of where we were. But if plenty of Iraqi troops willing to stand and vehicles started ring at ‘Nomad’ you weren’t with one of the 58s with one Troop’s helicopters. When rounds of those devices, it was pretty hard on the ght. Warren Aylworth was involved in started impacting the ground in front young enlisted aerial observers to know one engagement early on in the ground of the Scout platoon leader’s Kiowa, his where they were, and that manifested war that illustrated the challenges in initial thought was that Aylworth had itself on a few of our ights.’ navigation, communication, coalition opened re and that he was missing operations, and the transition of a his intended target. Aylworth quickly One incident in which navigation peacetime army to a wartime mentality. corrected him, and he recalls saying: challenges impacted 4/2’s operations Describing his discovery of an Iraqi ‘We have found the enemy and they came on the second day of the ground armored vehicle, Aylworth told Combat are taking exception to it. You are being war. Scott Je ery found a group of troops Aircraft, ‘We were saying, ‘we don’t know shot at by the Iraqis!’ while scanning the desert through his exactly where we are, we know we’re on telescopic sight unit and called,‘Troops!’ the periphery of several di erent units, Close calls — to alert the rest of the formation. As he so are those friendlies up there or not?’ the hazards of low-level recounted,‘I was trying to work up a spot I’m looking through the TSU to gure report and we broke into this big orbit, out, ‘are these bad guys or not?’ I’m As e ective as the low-altitude tactics as you don’t want to continue to close were at minimizing the threat posed by your range to the enemy. We’re in this ipping radio channels trying to reach enemy re, they were not without their big, clumsy, arrowhead formation that’s the troop commander and trying to get own hazards. John Vandenburg, who several kilometers across, and we’re ying permission to engage these guys, and I’m in a big circle trying to work up our report, not getting an answer because he was ew an AH-1F dubbed Dragon Lady with and one of the guys, his aerial observer 4/2’s ‘Palehorse’Troop, recalled, ‘Early- didn’t have any idea where they were. We ipping channels talking to his bosses. morning on the second day we were Finally, I see a distinctive green-on-tan running through a wadi and I managed nally came up with a spot report o the tiger stripe camou age that the Iraqis put to snag a Bedouin tent with my skids. We Doppler navigation system and, by the on their BDRM-2 anti-tank guided missile time I sighted back on the target, there launchers, which is bad.’ Below: The sun was nothing there. Everybody seemed to rises over a pair think I had‘buck fever’. The possibility that this might be of Cobras in the an Arab coalition vehicle nagged at Saudi desert prior ‘Then, all of a sudden, these guys started Aylworth, who balanced preventing to the start of coming up out of the ground waving their the BDRM from destroying any of the the ground war. underwear around on sticks, surrendering. 2nd ACR’s tanks with avoiding friendly USAAM via We herded them into a big circle, and I had casualties. With no response from the Ray Wilhite the 20mm slaved to my helmet sight so I troop commander, and the regiment’s could let them know if they tried anything, armor moving closer to being within they’d be in big trouble. I saw this one guy the BDRM’s engagement zone, Aylworth with a look of absolute terror on his face. I suppressed the target without destroying felt like a big bully, so I gave him a thumbs- it. ‘I put a burst of 20mm HEI [high- up, and he started blowing me kisses.’ explosive incendiary] on them knowing that if they’re not bad guys and they’re Finding the enemy under armor, they’ll be okay, but if they are bad guys, then they will be dissuaded Though Saddam’s promised‘mother of from shooting upon the Americans and all battles’quickly became known as the possibly have their optics shot out.’ 84 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

spent 20 minutes in the FARP as the rope Below left to recalled Je ery.‘We would poke the through the region, restricting visibility had wrapped around my swash plate.’ right: ‘Outlaw’ bad guys in the eye with weapons if we and grounding the helicopters, while the Troop commander could, but the idea was to go ahead and tanks and Bradleys were able to press Aylworth almost met a drastic fate while Capt David Dykes get the contact reports to regimental on using thermal sights. Though the‘cav’ departing an overnight landing site. briefs his troops headquarters and get artillery called in on mission involves avoiding becoming Describing what would be his rst close on the desert floor the target.’ decisively engaged, reduced visibility call of the war, he remembered, ‘I had the in the pre-dawn meant that by the time the regiment most junior pilot in the unit as my back- darkness. On day three — February 26 — the made contact with Tawakalna’s tanks, seater, but at 6ft 3in [1.9m], 200lb-plus Scott Jeffery 2nd ACR nally made contact with the decisive engagement was the only option. [91kg], I’m obscuring all his direct-center A group of Outlaw main body of the Tawakalna Division near The shamal passed during the battle, but vision. I glanced up from the map to see ‘Troop’ Cobra the Kuwaiti border. Aside from ‘Outlaw’ by the time 4/2’s helicopters were airborne a Bradley dead ahead of us.’ After asking pilots posing Troop locating and destroying two MT-LB again, there were few targets left. his pilot twice if he saw the Bradley and with live rockets armored vehicles that were part of a getting no response, Aylworth grabbed in front of an screening force, aviation played little part Broken wings the controls, pulling back to avoid what AH-1F in the Saudi in what became known as the ‘Battle of would likely have been a fatal collision. desert early on in 73 Easting’. Named for the north-south Both Je ery and Aylworth were out of 4/2’s deployment, line where the battle occurred, ‘73 the ght when‘73 Easting’kicked o . A Sitting out the big fight before the aircraft Easting’ was one of the largest battles leaky seal in the intermediate gearbox of were painted tan. of the ground campaign, and a decisive Je ery’s Can Opener grounded it late the As the 2nd ACR’s advance continued on via Scott Jeffery victory for the 2nd ACR. previous day. For Aylworth, the evening of day two of the ground war,‘Redcatcher’ CW3 Warren day two presented him and co-pilot WO1 AH-1Fs and OH-58Cs led the way, Aylworth in front The weather throughout the ground Derek Willis with their second close call screening for defensive positions and the of his mount. via o ensive had been abysmal — cold, of the war. As Aylworth recalled,‘We were reconnaissance and security elements of Warren Aylworth overcast, rainy, hazy, and windy. On the coming back from our last mission of the the Republican Guard Tawakalna Division. morning of February 26, a massive dust day at 25ft headed south, and on three- ‘Our job was strictly reconnaissance,’ storm, known locally as a shamal, blew www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 85

GLORY DAYS // AH-1F IN ‘DESERT STORM’ quarters of a second’s notice the engine received the army’s‘Broken Wing’award Above: Aylworth’s come out. This was the bogeyman for failed in my mighty AH-1F. My co-pilot is for landing an aircraft with no damage Sand Shark at all of us, an anti-aircraft tank. Lt Ladd [an in the back seat flying while I’m writing after a major in-flight emergency. rest in the Iraqi OH-58 pilot] called, ‘ZSU! Breaking right!’ up my spot report on the last things we desert. Of note He broke right, and I squeezed the trigger had seen, and I get this puff of smoke Both Aylworth and Jeffery were back is the airborne on the 20mm and showered the ZSU through the environmental control vents.’ in the fight on February 27, but with the laser tracker with 20mm cannon shells and saw sparks While Willis had reacted immediately by Tawakalna neutralized and everything mounted near fly off the vehicle, but no other visible initiating a deceleration from 90kt for an between the 2nd ACR and Kuwait City the top front of effects. As we flew by, I noticed that it was autorotation, Aylworth — who crunched having been serviced by other units, the rotor shroud. already dead, shot from the other side. It the numbers and established the 90kt at there was little in the way of Iraqis still The ALT would scared the hell out of us.’ 25ft parameters for the predicted engine standing and fighting. The squadron have enabled failures — grabbed the controls and continued to screen out ahead of the the AH-1F to take Ceasefire and beyond continued the autorotation sequence, regiment, though visibility remained target hand-offs bringing the Cobra to a sliding landing poor. Remembering his final gun from aircraft with By the time the ceasefire was declared on the skids. Aside from a sand-degraded employment of the war on this day, laser designators on February 28, there was not much left engine that hit the expected 35-hour Jeffery said, ‘We had terrible visibility, and like the OH-58D, to do. Behind Cobras lay the shattered failure point, Sand Shark was otherwise we’re feeling our way across the desert but opportunities remains of the Tawakalna Division, ahead undamaged. Aylworth and Willis both floor in our arrowhead formation. Then to do this never a sea of smashed fortifications and out of this gloom, we saw a ZSU-23-4 emerged during blackened, turretless tanks. The greatest the ground threat at this point was the coalition’s own campaign. unexploded ordnance — two‘Redcatcher’ Warren Aylworth soldiers were wounded after the ceasefire via Ray Wilhite when one stepped on an unexploded Left: A group of bomblet from a multiple rocket launch Iraqi soldiers system. On reaching Kuwait, the 2nd ACR surrenders to Wild went into a period of rest and refit. Thing. The haze in the background After the war, most American units shows to good returned to their home bases. For 4/2, effect the the end of the war meant staying put atmospheric and eventually moving into Iraq for a conditions that ceasefire-enforcement mission before prevailed during the squadron finally made it home.‘We most of the spent a month in Kuwait under the clouds ground campaign. from the [burning] oil fields,’explained Warren Aylworth Aylworth, who said the unit was told they via Ray Wilhite 86 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

were going to leave Kuwait and fly to An Right: Warren AANTAATNOKMKYILOLF everything was ready to go. I got an ‘attack’ Nasiriyah, an abandoned Iraqi air base, Aylworth and and a ‘ready’ flag in the TSU and squeezed to spend a month doing border security Derek Willis Scott Jeffery, a young WO1 during‘Desert the trigger. This was the first TOW I had ever in the center of Iraq. Once that mission down among the Storm’, was one of the few pilots within the fired — they were expensive and we didn’t do ended, the unit returned to Germany snakes at Ali Al 4th Squadron who employed a TOW missile much training with those. When the missile and was disbanded shortly thereafter, a Salem air base against an Iraqi tank.‘I had spotted an Iraqi Type passed the TSU, the exhaust fogged up my casualty of post-Cold War cutbacks. in Kuwait shortly 59 Chinese tank’, he says.‘I called it in over the optics, so I lost sight of the target for a few after liberation. radio, and the scouts peeled off to work up their seconds, and then the picture cleared again Looking back on the role the army USAAM via contact report. [Cobra pilots] Burt Close and and I found the target — it was way high in AH-1Fs played in the coalition victory in Ray Wilhite Jim Sweatman suppressed the tank with MPSM my sight picture and I was sure I was going to ‘Desert Storm’, Aylworth said, ‘It was cool Below: This image rockets, then we worked into a racetrack attack. miss. So I moved the crosshairs back up onto that the Apache was there and was able of an AH-1F from I acquired the target coming back inbound and the target and almost lost the TOW. It did a to do what it was bred to do — the deep the 101st Airborne I was so excited my mind was moving a million series of bobs up and down like a yo-yo, and strike mission and the fight at night. But Division at a miles an hour. I checked my switches three then just as it settled down, it hit the tank in the four-day ground campaign was a remain-overnight times in just a couple of seconds, making sure the side of the turret near the back. I saw a big success because Norman Schwarzkopf site shows how flash like a flash-bulb, but a really big flash, was able to do the big left hook and Cobra crews lived as big as the whole tank, and then saw parts get the tanks around to cut off Kuwait in ‘Desert Storm’ flying off. It doesn’t look anything like the and compel the enemy to surrender the — parked in the movies at all.’ old-fashioned way. They could not have desert with a tent done that as effectively or as rapidly pitched beside without their air cav elements racing the aircraft and 20km ahead of them in broad daylight to the ammunition see what was or was not out in front of bay being used them. You could have done that with the for storing Apache, but there weren’t enough to go essential items around, and the Apache was only being like sleeping bags used for what was unique to their new and water. technology, that night-fight capability. John Poole via In the end, we were able to win that USAAM war because we could drive through in daylight and get around the whole country, and do it quickly.’The AH-1F Cobras of 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment were instrumental in that. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 87

Since joining NATO in 2004, the Romanian military has faced significant modernization challenges. However, the service entry of second-hand F-16 Fighting Falcons has enabled its air force to become far more capable, ready to meet regional commitments. REPORT AND PHOTOS Daniele Faccioli and Giovanni Colla 88 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Romania’s ‘ ERE WE ARE in the south- the FAR’s entry into fourth-generation F-16s may be eastern part of Romania’, ghter aircraft technology, and a giant far from new says Gen Cătălin Băhneanu, airframes, but who has been the step forward from the existing MiG-21s they represent that have served here for so many years. a step-change Hcommander of Baza 86 in capability for Aeriană at Borcea-Fetești ‘Viper’ transition this nation. since September 2012, ‘a few steps away from the Black Sea coast that is ‘With the F-16 we needed to implement not only the national border, but for 15 new procedures’, explains Băhneanu. years now it also represents the eastern ‘These were very di erent from the border for the whole of NATO. On the ‘eastern standards’ we were used to. We other side is Crimea.’ are building new infrastructure in the The Romanian Air Force (Fortele operational areas and reconditioning Aeriene ale Romaniei, FAR) takes the the hardened shelters that will host the defense of its airspace very seriously, F-16s and our QRA [quick reaction alert]. something that assumed a new level Probably by fall/winter they will be ready.’ of importance when Russian forces A walk around Borcea reveals signi cant invaded Crimea in 2014. ‘The main amounts of ongoing construction, much purpose of our base is defending this of it at an advanced stage, with the airspace,’ adds Băhneanu, ‘and to do so most critical infrastructure for the new it was chosen to host the rst group aircraft already in use. In June, a new equipped with the most modern air tra c control tower, main hangars ghters available in our air force.’ and squadron building were all up Those ‘most modern ghters’ are and running. Romania’s F-16 Fighting Falcons. In October 2013, the FAR announced Until last year, Borcea hosted IAR-330 the purchase of 12 second- Pumas and MiG-21 LanceRs of Escadrila hand F-16s — nine single-seat 861. Most expected the ‘Vipers’ to join F-16AMs and three twin-seat this unit, but in the event the existing F-16BMs — from Portugal. set-up relocated to the nearby base at These were improved to Constanta-Mihail Kogălniceanu, while mid-life upgrade (MLU) 5.2R modernization e orts began at Borcea. standard under the ‘Peace This opened the door for a new unit, Carpathian’ program, as Escadrila 53 Vânătoare ‘Warhawks’, to Romania became the latest accept the F-16s and become the sole operator of the ‘Viper’, albeit occupants of the upgraded base. ‘The with older airframes versus MiGs will remain at ‘MK’, where they can brand-new F-16Vs, as are better manage their spaces and get being procured by Bulgaria acquainted with foreign detachments and Slovakia, for example. that are often stationed on that base,’ Deliveries of the Romanian Băhneanu remarks. ‘Feedback from F-16s took place from ‘MK’ is precious. They are gaining great 2016 into 2017, signaling experience in international co-operation.’ The nearby LanceR unit also takes the pressure o the edgling F-16 operation, www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 89

FORCE REPORT // ROMANIAN F-16S 90 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Left: FAR F-16s are allowing Escadrila 53 to continue training at the top of their game in order to reap powered by the towards full operational capability (FOC) as the bene ts of the respective platforms. Pratt & Whitney swiftly as possible. Indeed, the sustained F100, common e ort by the squadron was acknowledged Adapting to the F-16 across European during an o cial ceremony on March 14, Partner Air Forces 2019, that marked the start of air policing The FAR is applying the same mindset examples. operations under national command, with to its F-16s as it has with the LanceR. Above right: Gen the F-16 of Escadrila 53‘Warhawks’. While budgets are constrained, getting Cătălin Băhneanu, the absolute maximum from these commander of Lt Col Marin‘VIP’Mihaita, deputy valuable aircraft and conforming to Baza 86 Aeriană commander of the‘Warhawks’, tells NATO standards and procedures is the at Borcea-Fetești. Combat Aircraft,‘IOC [initial operating benchmark. Pilots are keen to explain that Below left to capability] is supposed to be the ability to they are adapting to a new world and right: Carrying perform QRA missions, and right now we embracing a continuous learning process. an AN/AAQ-33 are able to perform [that mission] under Sniper advanced national command.’Mihaita con rms Selecting the most suitable pilots for targeting pod, this that in June this year the unit was in the the new aircraft meant striking a balance F-16 is readied process of being certi ed by NATO in between the level of English language to taxi out for a preparation to begin air policing under knowledge, experience and age. In mission. NATO command:‘We passed the tactical addition, the physical demands of the Lt Col Mihaita and evaluation in February this year. For FOC, ‘Viper’ led to the FAR setting a maximum Capt Pavelescu which encompasses the entire spectrum age of 35 years for those crossing to the enthusiastically of missions, the process is still ongoing.’ aircraft; 40 years for instructors. Youth discuss the was also seen as a bonus for maintainers, performance of All ‘Warhawks’ pilots bar one come the FAR seeking out personnel with a the ‘Viper’. from the MiG-21. Mihaita continues, keen eye for technology. A young F-16 ‘Transition from the MiG-21 to the F-16 pilot inspects a is not a completely di erent world, but ‘We have a pretty strong core of people captive-carry it is still a big challenge. Flying is ying, doing maintenance,’says Mihaita.‘It’s still AIM-9 Sidewinder but the operational tactical scenario is training round. very di erent. The MiG-21s have been following standard NATO procedures for a long time. The hardest challenge we are facing right now is doing the things that the F-16 can do to the best of its capability.’ While the MiG-21 LanceR upgrade signi cantly enhanced the aircraft’s avionics, it is clearly a world away from the Fighting Falcon when it comes to ight envelope and agility. Capt Alexandru ‘Monk’Pavelescu is a new F-16 pilot. He says that while the MiG-21 and the ‘Viper’are clearly very di erent in terms of performance, both require the pilot to be www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 91

FORCE REPORT // ROMANIAN F-16S very challenging, but we’re taking big 2000. All of those selected for the F-16 Above left: The unique steps to get to a point where we can be [basic] B-course graduated from ALP or colors of the FAR’s satis ed. So far, we’ve own over 2,000 a similar program. During ALP we ew ‘Vipers’ are shown off hours here in Romania without noticeable about 150 hours on the T-6 Texan II at to good effect as serial events. We have the level of maintenance Columbus AFB, Mississippi. The rst two 1609 taxies out for a we need for the ight line, but not for of us went to the US in December 2015, morning sortie. depot level work. For intermediate the second two in December 2016. The Left: Lt Col Mihaita maintenance we will have teams from (right) and Capt Aerostar coming here.’He adds that depot rst step was to y about 50-60 hours in Pavelescu pose with level work will likely also fall to Aerostar. the T-38C at Columbus as spin-up for IFF their new mount at [introduction to ghter fundamentals]. Borcea-Fetești. Pilot conversion training started in 2014 We graduated [from] IFF with the 435th Below: The Romanian when the initial six students arrived at F-16s have now been Monte Real, Portugal, with an additional involved in a number three joining the following year. In 2016, of joint regional the rst nine pilots trained in Portugal exercises, proving their brought the rst six jets back to Romania interoperability and and local instruction at Borcea. In worth in this potentially parallel, a program was established in hostile region. the US to accommodate two new F-16 pilots per year. Capt Pavelescu was one of those training Stateside. He says,‘To ensure a higher probability of success for F-16 conversion, we were selected from those with previous ying experience in the US. Romania has been part of the Aviation Leadership Program [ALP] since early 92 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

AEROSTAR Above: Romanian Fighter Training Squadron at Randolph ‘We also had the privilege of training SUPPORT pilots wear the AFB, Texas, and then went to Tucson, with CF-188 Hornets from the Royal Joint Helmet- Arizona, for the F-16 B-course.’ Canadian Air Force, Typhoons from Aerostar’s long-term plan is to develop Mounted Cueing the Royal Air Force, and di erent a maintenance, repair and overhaul System (JHMCS). Borcea ops types of aircraft from the US here in (MRO) center dedicated to F-16 support This is far from Romania, testing and con rming the and maintenance, subject to approval new technology Local training in Romania follows a interoperability of our air forces.’ and certi cation from Lockheed Martin. for the FAR, the similar path to US squadrons, coming This will likely mirror Aerostar’s current MiG-21s having in dedicated phases, be those air-to-air Honing air-to-ground work is still very involvement with the LanceR eet. been equipped or air-to-ground. Interoperability and much a kinetic exercise for the‘Warhawks’. with the popular grasping training opportunities with other Pilots regularly drop BDU-33 practice Aerostar president and general director Elbit DASH helmet. European air forces is a big part of the bombs, which simulate a 500lb Mk82 Grigore Filip says the company’s F-16 Left: Local work. Pavelescu says,‘We ew a couple weapon in low-drag con guration, while center of maintenance will develop maintenance is of missions with Euro ghters from the drops with inert Mk82s have been carried gradually by allocating and training provided by the Italian Air Force during Exercise‘Thracian out during training in Tucson. The FAR personnel, through the manufacturing FAR, but Aerostar Star 2019’. The last mission involved two F-16s are developing tactics with smart and acquisition of jigs, xtures, tooling is likely to take on Romanian F-16s, two Bulgarian MiG-29s, weapons using their AN/AAQ-33 Sniper and testing equipment, and the creation a significant role a pair of Italian Euro ghters and two Advanced Targeting Pods and self- of the company infrastructure for the when it comes to Greek F-16s. As a whole, we had a really protection techniques with AN/ALQ-131 maintenance of the aircraft. depth work. successful exercise. electronic countermeasures pods. www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 93

FORCE REPORT // ROMANIAN F-16S Live ordnance procured for the F-16s the standard, so these additional ve towards the F-16 assuming the role. Initial FAR F-16 includes AIM-9M and AIM-9X Block II aircraft, with the same ight hours and Military modernization is an ongoing procurement Sidewinders, radar-guided AIM-127-C7 same upgrades as ours, will be a big plus process in Romania. However, two included three Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air and we hope they come here as soon as per cent of Romania’s gross domestic two-seat F-16BMs. Missiles (AMRAAM), Joint Direct Attack possible.’ product (GDP) has been allocated to Munitions (JDAM) and Laser-JDAM, defense spending since 2017 for a GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and Looking at the medium term, there minimum of 10 years. This underpins AGM-65H/K Maverick guided missiles, is a clear intention to proceed with Romania’s aspiration of being an plus the internal M61A1 Vulcan cannon the purchase of more F-16s in order to important security provider in the with PGU-27 training rounds and PGU-28 create a second squadron, which will region, not just a demand upon NATO live rounds. probably be located at Câmpia Turzii Air resources. Base. The FAR also looks set to start a Future plans long-awaited update for its IAR-99 Șoim Ongoing modernization and aircraft to make the type a true advanced procurement within the FAR will Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Leș training platform that dovetails with the strengthen its ability to safeguard said on July 3 that the Ministry of National ‘Vipers’. Plans are settling on upgrading national airspace and provide a strong Defense will start procurement procedures 21 IAR-99s to Super Șoim standard defensive posture for the eastern ank for ve more F-16s. The investment with the involvement of national of the alliance. includes €130 million for the airframes industrial sources. and an additional €180 million to bring The authors wish to thank Gen Băhneanu, Lt Col them and the other dozen existing jets to While the MiG-21 LanceR has been Mihaita, Capt Pavelescu, Costel Preda, Andreea MLU Tape 6 standard. Mihaita comments, the workhorse, defending Romanian Tuchilus and the staff of the public affairs office ‘Obviously, 12 aircraft for a squadron is interests at home and out over the Black at the FAR, and all at the ‘Warhawks’. Sea, the balance is gradually shifting 94 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

Transition from the MiG-21 to the F-16 is not a completely different world, but it is still a big challenge. Flying is flying, but the operational tactical scenario is very different Lt Col Marin ‘VIP’ Mihaita www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 95

when you take out a 2-year or quarterly credit card FREE DVD subscriptionto Image: USAF - Senior Airman Malcolm May eld 3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER... Customer code: CAM21019 Phone TOLL FREE: +1 800 428 3003 Go online www.imsnews.com/combat or email: [email protected] Complete the form and post to Combat Aircraft Monthly, 3330 Paci c Ave, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, Va 23451, USA.

$W1O4R.T9H9 F-22 RAPTOR – AIR YES, Iwould $W1O4R.T9H9 DOMINANCE DVD MAKE HUGE SAVINGS! liketosubscribeto With exclusive footage and pilot commentary, this DVD whenyousubscribebyquarterlycreditcardpayments-NOWJUST$17.49! pays tribute to Lockheed PAYER’S DETAILS Martin’s F-22 Raptor, the USAF’s air superiority ghter. Title Region-free DVD, Running time 52 First name minutes. Surname Address F-35 B/C LIGHTNING II DVD Zip Code The supersonic, multi-role, Country multi-service F-35 Lightning Email address II represents a quantum leap in air superiority capability. o We would like to keep you informed by email about Key Publishing’s future o ers and new product launches. This DVD takes you inside Please tick this box to let us know that you are happy for us to do this. Don’t forget, you can change your contact this cutting-edge aircraft. preferences at any time by logging into your account or by using the unsubscribe links which you will nd on all our Region-free DVD, Running time 52 emails. Account details will be active once the subscription is live. minutes. DELIVERY DETAILS IF DIFFERENT o THE RECIPIENT IS UNDER 16 Title First name Surname Address Zip Code Country Email address CODE: USCAM19 OFFER CLOSE DATE: OCTOBER 31 2019 SPECIAL OFFERS PLEASE TICK SAVE OVER 20% Subscribe today NEW LOW PRICES! from just $17.49! USA/Canada: Quarterly Payments o $17.49 PLUS FREE DVD! CANADA & USA 24 ISSUES FOR PLEASE SEND: 12 ISSUES FOR THE PRICE OF 17 o F22 RAPTOR DVD THE PRICE OF 10 PLUS FREE DVD o F-35 B/C LIGHTNING II DVD 12 issues o $69.90 24 issues o $127.49 o GIFT CARD FTHEWORLDCUST Quarterly payment agreement: If you wish to take advantage of the quarterly payment o er, you must consent that your credit card will charged on a quarterly basis for the duration of one subscription year. Charges will appear on your credit card statement under International Media Service. Once your SEE PAGE 73 4 quarterly payments are complete your subscription will automatically be renewed for individual quarterly subscription at the preferred renewal rate available. All subscriptions can be cancelled or suspended at any time by emailing [email protected] or by calling our toll free number: (800) 428-3003 FOR DETAILS PAYMENT METHODS Please debit my Mastercard o Visa o OMERS •RESTO OMERS• RESTO Issue number Start date Expiry date FTHEWORLDCUST Signature ....................................................................................................... Today’s date .......................................................................................................................... CHECK I enclose a check for $ ................................. made payable to International Media Service *Key Publishing and IMS News will hold your details to process and ful ll your subscription order. All prices exclude applicable taxes. Prices correct at time of going to press. Savings based on subscription cost versus newsstand single purchases. Gift subject to change. Any replacement gift will be of equal or higher value. Please allow up to 42 days for gift delivery. 550/19

98 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net

The Spanish Army airmobile force known as FAMET (Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra) is completing a major upgrade, introducing the latest European rotary platforms to provide an enviable capability for this impressive fighting force. REPORT Fréderic Lért PHOTOS Anthony Pecchi Left: A FAMET S UMMER, ANDTHE Spain evaluated both the German Tiger they could be upgraded subsequently Tiger HAD leads north of Spain is dry and UHT (Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger) and brought up to HAD standard later. an NH90 TTH dusty, ravaged by the anti-tank-optimized variant and the The first and second Tiger HAPs were during recent unrelenting sun and soaring French Tiger HAP (Hélicoptère d’Appui et delivered in December 2005 and March exercises. The temperatures. The San de Protection), which is better suited to 2006, a third following in June 2006. pairing represents Gregorio exercise area, close support-protection missions. In reality, These all went straight to the Franco- an important to the town of Zaragoza, is one of the Spain favored the HAP, but its lack of anti- German training school at Le Luc in advance in overall biggest in Europe, with armored vehicles tank capabilities led to the development Provence where they were used to capability for the criss-crossing rough tracks, kicking up of a hybrid version — the HAD start training Spanish instructors. In air arm. plumes of dust that are quickly swept (Helicoptero de Ataque y Destrucción in April 2007, the first examples arrived at away by the strong winds. The FAMET Spanish) — which essentially blended an Almagro, in the province of Ciudad Real, (Fuerzas Aerómoviles del Ejercito de Tierra, anti-tank role into the HAP. The versatility where they joined the ranks of BHELA I Spanish Army Airmobile Forces) deploys of the HAD added another essential (Batallon de Helicópteros de Ataque I). its helicopters here to work closely with quality for the Spanish, the more powerful the ground forces, and it serves as an MTR390-E (enhanced) turbines offering 14 In Spanish service, Tigers are formally ideal opportunity to check out the new per cent more power over the HAP. known as HA.28s (Helicóptero de hardware in town. Ataque), but most refer to them as The Tiger was proclaimed the winner Tigers. Between March and December The introduction of the Airbus Tiger HAD in September 2003, Eurocopter (now 2013, three of the HAP Tigers (Helicoptere d’Appui Destruction) attack Airbus Helicopters) and its partners deployed to Afghanistan as part of the helicopter and the NH Industries NH90 underpinning the deal with a meaningful International Security and Assistance Caiman to operate alongside the existing industrial partnership with Madrid. A Force (ISAF). Based in Herat in the west CH-47D Chinooks means the FAMET now Spanish subsidiary of the helicopter of the country, their combat debut was boasts a modern and impressive rotary company was established to build tail geared towards ISAF convoy escort plus force. When Combat Aircraft visited the booms for worldwide Tiger customers some fire support missions. It was a San Gregorio exercises, the Tigers and and Spanish engine manufacturer tough assignment, with temperatures NH90s were being put through their ITP became associated with the up to around 50°C (122°F) during the paces, preparing for potential operational MTR390-E program. day in the middle of the summer, plus deployments. significant dust and steep local terrain. Afghan experience Nevertheless, the FAMET reported back The Spanish Army’s helicopter with glowing success, but it’s worth modernization began in the late 1990s, The Spanish order covered 24 new noting that the Tigers flew missions when it sought to replace its Bo 105 Tigers, but to accelerate their production with the 30mm gun and only one rocket anti-tank platforms. This triggered a the first six examples were HAP- launcher loaded, due to the altitude and competition between the new European standard, meaning they would be temperature affecting performance. Tiger and proven American AH-64 Apache. available more readily. The aim was that www.combataircraft.net // October 2019 99

FORCE REPORT // SPANISH BATTLEFIELD SUPPORT 100 October 2019 // www.combataircraft.net